Traditional business strategy is about beating the competition. But In Nashville’s local food scene, you’re likely to see restaurants working together, often in one-time, pop-up collaborations.
At a pop-up last month, Pinky Ring Pizza and The Secret Bodega joined forces to create a special one-night-only event with a menu that played to each of their strengths. In the process, they attracted new customers who were hungry to support the local food scene.
The collaboration also produced some truly unique flavors, including birria pizza. It starts with Pinky Ring’s signature crust, combined with The Secret Bodega’s rich beef birria.
Alexis Marshall WPLN NewsA handmade sign describes what specials are on the menu for the one-night pop-up between Pinky Ring Pizza and The Secret Bodega.
“There’s this mexipoix relish on it. It’s red onion, pickled jalapeños, cilantro and lime juice. It’s really zesty, really bright,” says Audrey Sutherland.
She co-owns The Secret Bodega and enjoys the collaborative process of these kinds of events.
“I think it’s just really creatively satisfying,” she says. “I’m always learning and always teaching myself how to cook and how to mess around with flavors. So it’s cool being able to collaborate with other people who have more knowledge than I do.”
Co-owner Jesse Valenciana says seeing the community show up to support these pop ups “means the world” to him.
“There’s so much that goes into it, so much thought, storytelling and — not to sound cheesy — but like, there’s a lot of love in this food. And if you can’t share it with people, like what’s the point?“
Diners make an effort to support local businesses
As the clock strikes 4 p.m. on the day of the pop-up orders begin rolling in. Cooks are firing pies, slices and special one-night-only calzones. Timers are chiming. A chef artfully tops the birria pizzas with swirls of poblano sauce and cotija cheese. Each order gets carefully tucked into a box and handed off to customers whose sense are soon to be delighted.
Outside on the patio, a trio of friends is about to dig in.
“I can tell I already like the crust,” Alexis Gabryszewski says, lifting a slice toward her mouth.
Her husband Jerome Gabryszewski, a pizza aficionado, goes in for a bite.
“That is really good,” he says. He’s already making plans to come back and get a whole pie from Pinky Ring’s regular menu.
Alexis Marshall WPLN NewsChef Nick Seigafuse sprinkles cheese onto a pizza straight out of the oven.
The couple is seated with their friend Jelena Kyle. None of them have ever tried Pinky Ring or The Secret Bodega before.
“I’ve been following [The Secret Bodega] on Instagram for a while and I’ve been trying to come to one of their pop ups,” Kyle says. “This was the first one that was closer to me. It was like, I have to go, It’s time.”
Alexis Gabryszewski says she prefers to support local businesses like these.
“You hear about a lot of corporations who aren’t really looking out for their community, looking out for their employees,” she says. Gabryszewski says she likes the feel of local restaurants that are more connected to their workers and ask customers for feedback.
“I think it’s more fun whenever you go to a local business because they always have more fun flavor combos,” Kyle says. “Anytime I get a chance to support local, I’m all in.”
Pinky Ring is one of many several restaurants that participated special collaborations this year. So have Bill’s Sandwich Palace, Joyland and Butcher & Bee, to name a few. For Pinky Ring owner Don Hernandez, it’s part of the ethos of the business.
“I think when people hoard secrets or when they don’t like want to work with others and play in the same sandbox sometimes… it doesn’t really give that community vibe,” Hernandez says.
On the other hand: “When we come together, it just makes everyone so happy,” he says. “It just makes magic.”
Looking ahead
Hernandez says customers should stay on the lookout for more collaborations in 2024.
“We’re always looking for partners who want to do something fun,” Hernandez says. “So if you’re that person, you can reach out to us.”
Neither The Secret Bodega nor Pinky Ring have announced their next collaboration. But when they do, folks who follow them on Instagram will likely be the first to know.
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