End of the Road: Timber Pizza Plants Roots in Petworth

Words and photography by Kate Headley

The vehicle: an azure 1967 Chevrolet pickup truck, obviously named “Blue.”

The oven: a custom-designed dazzling copper wood-fired oven recently affixed to its new home in Petworth on Upshur Street NW.

The team: a classically trained Argentine chef, Daniela Moreira, and the owners Andrew Dana and Chris Brady, two DC–area natives with a bond rooted in a shared affection for pizza.

The genesis: Andrew and Chris’s mutual promise to leave their respective jobs at local startups to deliver the perfect pizza to the city they love.

These elements collectively form Timber Pizza Co.—executing an eclectic and fresh twist on our favorite Neapolitan dish since 2014.

Timber began with a dream and “Blue” hitched to a wood-burning oven-on-wheels at the USDA’s popular Friday market. It has since expanded to two other FRESHFARM Markets, the Georgetown University Farmers Market, collaborations with local coffee shops and restaurants, private events and, most recently, a weekend pop-up in Shaw at the former Blind Dog Café space.

And now, a space of their own: Timber’s own brick-and-mortar space will launch this spring.

The Timber team does not aspire to re-create classic Neapolitan pizza, but to offer a pizza that is contemporary while staying Neapolitan-ish. Toppings range from pulled pork and mango chutney to kale, squash and housemade maple ricotta. “We are trying to do something in between classic Neapolitan and classic NYC pizza. A little crispier … awesome cheese blends … we want the best of both,” says Andrew Dana.

Given its start at farmers markets, Timber’s philosophy centers on local and fresh ingredients. “We are always looking for new producers because we change our menu with the seasons.” Caramont Cheese of Esmont, VA; Prickly Pear Produce; Pleitez Produce; Dragon Creek seafood and Little Wild Things Greens are just a few of their not-so-secret sources for fresh pizza toppings. In fact, the owners met Chef Daniela at a farmers market. In her new role as Timber chef-in-chief, she continues to rely on local produce and, at times, uses it as a vehicle to infuse her Argentinian roots into new pizzas.

Timber Pizza is set to open at 809 Upshur St. NW in Petworth and plans to serve pizzas along with other tasty bites, beers, wines and cocktails. But fans of their mobile business-don’t worry. Dana said “The farmer's markets are core to our business and how we make and keep great relationships with local farmers and producers.”