In the latest episode of the Pizza Story Podcast, host Erica D’Arcangelo sat down with Will Fagg, the “self-professed world’s biggest pizza nerd” and the creative engine behind Baltimore’s Tiny Brick Oven. What started as a backyard experiment in Southern hospitality eventually led to a patented invention, a brush with industry fame, and a last-minute miracle that saved a struggling business.
Southern Roots and the Hospitality “Bug”
Will’s journey didn’t begin with flour and yeast, but with fried chicken and peach cobbler. Growing up in a military family with Texas roots, he learned early on that guests never leave a house without being fed. “Having great food when you’re entertaining guests—that was an essential part of hospitality,” Will shared.
Years later, while operating an Airbnb in Alexandria, Virginia, Will realized that his “average burgers and dogs” weren’t cutting it for his guests anymore. He saw a propane pizza oven at a home center and had an epiphany: fresh, backyard pizza was the ultimate hospitality play.
Engineering the Perfect Bake: The Tiny Brick Oven
Unsatisfied with the off-the-shelf options, Will did what any dedicated nerd would do—he built his own. Using spare parts and an old Weber grill found on Craigslist, he spent nine months perfecting a design that could hit 900 degrees.
“I immediately started out of the gate making Neapolitan pizza,” Will said. “It cooked in just 90 seconds.” The oven was so efficient and innovative that neighbors suggested he should sell the technology. Eventually, Will collaborated with a build genius named Walter to create a prototype that solved the biggest problem in small ovens: uneven heat. They developed a mechanism that could both rotate the pizza stone and adjust its height, allowing the cook to “dial in the perfect bake” without manually turning the pie. This unique design eventually earned a patent and is currently being prepared for a Kickstarter launch.
The “One Bite” Miracle
Despite building a loyal following at music festivals and through Airbnb “experiences,” Will’s brick-and-mortar shop in Federal Hill, Baltimore, faced a grim reality by late 2021. Between the pandemic’s impact on dining and struggles with local licensing, Will was just 12 days away from closing for good. He had planned to shut down on Christmas Day and give away all his remaining food for free as a “sweet goodbye” to the neighborhood.
Then, the phone rang.
A man named Austin called in an order for a large cheese pizza. Will had no idea that Austin was the cameraman for Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports and the most influential pizza reviewer in the world.
The Portnoy Effect
Will recounted the high-energy, “goosebump-inducing” moment when Dave Portnoy walked in. Portnoy, who had never reviewed a place in Maryland before, had seen the high scores for Tiny Brick Oven on the “One Bite” app—scores that had been bolstered by local college students who loved Will’s 90s-rap-and-karaoke vibe.
Despite Portnoy having to park illegally and being unable to wait for a fresh pie, the review was a game-changer. “After Dave reviewed our pizzeria, we decided we would just do New York style because that seemed to be the overwhelming demand,” Will explained. The “Portnoy Effect” brought a flood of new customers, effectively saving the shop from its planned Christmas closure.
Simple Menu, Fresh Ingredients
Today, Tiny Brick Oven stays true to its roots with a focused menu. Will believes in a pizza-centric model, New York style pies, slice combinations, and fresh ingredients. Will Fagg’s story is a testament to the power of “heart and intent.” Whether he’s debating hydration levels with fellow nerds or serving a slice to a neighborhood regular, his mission remains the same: putting Maryland on the pizza map, one 900-degree pie at a time.
Follow Tiny Brick Oven on Instagram @tbofedhill
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