Customer of the Month: Colin Casey & The Saucer Detroit

Detroit, Michigan — a city known for grit, hustle, and creativity.

For Colin Casey, it’s also the place where his pizza journey began. Growing up in the neighborhoods of Detroit, Colin and his team dreamed of building something bigger than themselves and making it out of the hood in a positive way. Pizza became that path.

Inspired by legends like Chef Chris Bianco, Colin studied the craft, experimented endlessly, and poured his heart into every dough ball, every sauce, and every pie.

Today, that passion has evolved into The Saucer Detroit, a UFO-themed wood-fired pizza food truck where world-class pizza meets the unique culture and resilience of Detroit.

The Saucer isn’t just about food — it’s about creating a community experience where people can gather, laugh, and enjoy something made with love.

It’s pizza, but it’s also storytelling, artistry, and Detroit pride served one slice at a time.

Why Authentic Pizza Ovens?

“When it came time to choose an oven, we knew we needed the real deal,” Colin says. “We wanted something that could honor Neapolitan tradition while keeping up with the demands of a busy food truck.

Authentic Pizza Ovens are built with old-world craftsmanship that’s hard to find. The heat retention is incredible, and the consistency allows us to focus on creativity and quality, knowing the oven will deliver every time. It just matched our own values: authentic, reliable, and built to last.”

Related: Pizza Truck and Catering Success Stories: Igniting Entrepreneurial Spirits with Delicious Pies

Building the Setup

The Saucer Detroit team worked with professionals to ensure the oven was properly installed in the truck, but Colin was hands-on every step of the way. “We wanted the layout to be functional for service but also to reflect our brand and story. The oven had to feel like the centerpiece of our mobile kitchen — because it truly is the heart of what we do.”

Signature Pizza: The Extraterrestrial

When asked about their favorite creation, Colin doesn’t hesitate. The Extraterrestrial pizza has become a customer favorite and a true representation of The Saucer’s bold and creative spirit.

It starts with garlic-infused olive oil, then layers of mozzarella, crumbled goat cheese, aged SarVecchio parmesan, candied Fresno chilies, fresh basil, all-beef (halal) pepperoni, and fire-roasted pistachios. The balance of sweet heat, nuttiness, the curl of the pepperoni, and creamy cheese makes this pie out of this world.

Related: Exploring Regional Pizza Styles with Authentic Pizza Ovens: From Sicilian to Chicago Deep Dish

Ingredients (9” Pizza)

• 1 ball Neapolitan-style pizza dough (about 250g)
• 2 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil
• 3 oz fresh mozzarella, torn into pieces
• 2 oz halal pepperoni
• 2 oz crumbled goat cheese
• 1 oz aged SarVecchio Parmesan, grated
• 2 tbsp candied Fresno chilies (thinly sliced, lightly candied with sugar + vinegar)
• 1 tbsp fire-roasted pistachios, roughly chopped
• 3–4 fresh basil leaves
• Pinch of sea salt

Method

1. Preheat the Oven
   Fire up your Authentic Pizza Oven and bring it to around 800°F (425°C) for true Neapolitan-style baking.
2. Stretch the Dough
   On a lightly floured surface, stretch your dough ball into a 9” round, keeping the edges slightly thicker for a soft, airy crust.
3. Build the Base
   Brush garlic-infused olive oil evenly across the dough, leaving a border for the crust.
4. Layer the Cheeses
   Add torn mozzarella, followed by goat cheese and SarVecchio Parmesan for depth.
5. Add the Toppings
   Scatter candied Fresno chilies for sweet heat, pistachios for crunch, and halal pepperoni for richness.
6. Bake
   Slide into the oven and bake for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, turning as needed for even cooking. The crust should blister with perfect leopard spotting.
7. Finish
   Remove, top with fresh basil, and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt.

Serving Suggestion

Slice, serve immediately, and enjoy while still bubbling hot. The sweet heat from the chilies, the creaminess of goat cheese, and the crunch of pistachios make this pizza truly live up to its name: The Extraterrestrial.

Congratulations to Colin Casey and The Saucer Detroit on being our Customer of the Month!

 Website: thesaucerdetroit.com
 Facebook: The Saucer Detroit
 Instagram: @thesaucerdetroit313