SALT LAKE CITY — Pizza lovers in Salt Lake City have a new obsession — and it’s not your average slice. Sam Pew’s Secret Pizza Club has become one of the hardest-to-get food experiences in town, turning late-night cheese cravings into a cult culinary event.
The pop-up runs out of Leavity Bread & Coffee (1000 S. Main St.) after bakery hours, where Pew and his small crew whip up about 100 handcrafted pies per drop. But if you’re lucky enough to snag one, you’ve beaten hundreds of hungry locals who rush the online ordering page each week.
The hype exploded after Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy visited in September, giving Pew’s pizza an 8.2 rating — a score that sent thousands of new followers to Secret Pizza Club’s Instagram.
How to Get a Slice of the Secret
The ordering system is simple but competitive. Pre-orders open every Thursday at 5 p.m. for Sunday drops and 5:20 p.m. for Tuesday. Within minutes, every pizza is gone.
Missed your chance? Pew recommends sticking around online for a few minutes after sellout — some carts expire, and you might snag a leftover pie. Hardcore fans even DM him for last-minute extras.
For now, the pop-up continues at Leavity, but Pew says a brick-and-mortar shop — inspired by the East Coast pizza joints of his childhood — is coming soon.
“It’s been insane,” Pew said. “We’ve outgrown this space, but that’s a good problem to have.”
More SLC Pop-Ups You Should Know
Pie Boy Pizza at Baby’s Bagels
204 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City
Baby’s Bagels becomes Pie Boy Pizza on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, serving classic cheese, pepperoni, white, and tomato pies (the last is vegan).
Portnoy rated it a 7.9, calling it his second favorite in SLC. They also serve beer, wine, and Spaghetts — Miller High Life mixed with Aperol.
One Eyed Dog Pizza
Started by Brady Houmand and Becca Shapiro, this romantic pizza passion project specializes in Chicago tavern-style pies — thin, crispy, and cut into bite-sized squares. Pop-ups are irregular, but a 2026 brick-and-mortar is in the works.
Priscilla’s Pizza
Chef Marcus Chen brings creativity to his pop-ups at Picnic Cafe (1329 S. 500 East), selling individual slices with inventive toppings. He makes about 30 pizzas per event — and they always sell out.
Next drop: Nov. 8, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
The Rise of SLC’s Pizza Pop-Up Culture
From makeshift ovens to sold-out drops, these pop-ups are shaping a new pizza movement in Utah — one built on small-batch craftsmanship and community.
As Pew put it:
“People will wait in line if the pizza is worth it — and in Salt Lake City, it finally is.”
