What it’s like running a food truck in Kelowna – The Mystic Pizza Story
If you’ve spent any time exploring Kelowna’s food scene, you’ve probably noticed that our city has no shortage of creativity. But every so often, a local business pops up that feels different, a little magical, a little unexpected, and instantly beloved. That’s exactly how I felt the first time I walked up to Mystic Pizza, a food truck tucked beside Barn Owl Brewing, and watched Adam and Anna pivot, twirl, and dance around their tiny kitchen like a well‑rehearsed culinary ballet.
Their pizza? Wood‑fired, sourdough, and absolutely unforgettable.
Their story? Even better.
In a recent episode of the Foodietown podcast, I sat down with Adam and Anna to talk about how a rock‑climbing friendship, a birthday barbecue, and a decade‑old sourdough starter turned into one of Kelowna’s most exciting food trucks.
How a Birthday Pizza Joke Became a Business
Mystic Pizza didn’t begin with a business plan. It began with a joke.
Two summers ago, Adam brought his Ooni pizza oven to Anna’s birthday celebration at Skaha Lake. He’d been casually making pizzas for years, and Anna—who had spent nearly two decades in restaurants and fine dining, made an offhand comment:
“We should open a food truck.”
They laughed. And then… they didn’t.
Over the next few months, the joke became a conversation, and the conversation became a plan. They realized they shared not just a love of pizza, but a desire to build something of their own, something fun, flavourful, and community‑driven. And so, the dream of a Kelowna food truck was born.
Finding the Perfect Pizza Food Truck (and the Realities of Food Truck Costs)
Like many people exploring the food truck business in Canada, they initially looked into building a custom truck. That’s when they discovered the truth: food truck costs add up fast.
Custom fabrication, metalwork, ventilation, plumbing, electrical, everything is specialized and expensive.
Instead, they turned to the resale market and got incredibly lucky. A fully outfitted pizza truck popped up for sale right here in Kelowna. It had been designed by experienced operators who knew how to maximize every inch of space. They bought it, and Mystic Pizza officially hit the road.
If you’ve ever watched them work, you know how tight that space is. They have “zones,” and if someone crosses into the wrong one, a collision is guaranteed. They’ve even squeezed three people inside during events, a feat that deserves its own Olympic category.
Why Sourdough Makes Their Pizza Stand Out
One of the most unique things about Mystic Pizza is their sourdough crust. This wasn’t a trendy choice, it was a non‑negotiable for Anna.
She’s been nurturing her sourdough starter for over a decade, and after years in fine dining, she knew she wanted to build something more personal and creative.
Sourdough isn’t just a flavour choice. It’s alive. It’s shaped by the baker, the environment, the water, the flour—everything.
Commercial yeast is one strain. Sourdough has hundreds, even thousands.
That complexity gives Mystic Pizza’s crust its signature tang, chew, and character. It’s the kind of crust you remember long after the slice is gone.
Feature Pizzas Inspired by the Okanagan
One of the best parts of visiting this Kelowna food truck is the rotating feature pizzas. They’re inspired by what’s in season, what’s at the farmers’ market, and sometimes… what goes wrong.
Like the apricot pizza.
The first version was way too tart. But after stewing the apricots in honey and pairing them with guanciale, roasted hazelnuts, and peas, it became a hit.
Their creativity shines in these seasonal specials, and it’s one of the reasons locals keep coming back.
The Realities of Owning a Food Truck in Kelowna
Kelowna is a tourism-driven city, which means food trucks face more restrictions than in other municipalities. You can’t just roll downtown and set up shop, you need private property agreements or one of the city’s limited designated spots.
This is one of the biggest challenges of the food truck business in Canada, especially in high‑tourism regions.
It’s also why Mystic Pizza dreams of opening a brick‑and‑mortar location, hopefully by May 2027.
Until then, you’ll find them:
Barn Owl Brewing — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Weekends — reserved for weddings and private events
And yes, they do collaborate on custom menus for events.
Why Mystic Pizza Matters to Kelowna
As a mom, a foodie, and someone who loves supporting local, Mystic Pizza checks every box for me. My kids devoured their pepperoni pizza—no small feat when your children are used to chain‑pizza visuals. Their sourdough crust won them over instantly.
And for adults? The creativity, the quality, the passion—it’s all there.
Mystic Pizza isn’t just a Kelowna food truck. It’s a story of friendship, passion, and a whole lot of dough—literally and figuratively.
If you haven’t tried their pizza yet, trust me: You’re missing out.
Find Mystic Pizza: Website: https://mysticpizza.ca Instagram: @mysticpizzakelowna Location: Barn Owl Brewing (Mon–Wed) + private events & weddings
About Foodie Town Podcast is where I explore the stories behind the people shaping Canada’s food culture, chefs, makers, farmers, creators, and passionate community builders.
