Review: 60150 Pizza Van
Posted by TheBrickPal,
In essence, this is nothing new. Pizza has been a huge part of LEGO's portfolio for as long as one can remember - ever since 6350 Pizza To Go in 1994, it has been a quite popular and famous minifigure delicacy. 23 years equals a lot of pizza, and you must wonder where all of it comes from.
Then the next thing you know... LEGO City takes the 'Great Vehicles' range, drops the first two letters, and gives us an Eat Vehicle; it's a modern food truck to feed your little yellow population! 60150 Pizza Van, accompanied by a small delivery motorbike, is guaranteed to stand out on store shelves.
Is it truly worthy of a product slot amongst the typical bland police sets, though?
Minifigures and Parts
Before we settle down for our meal, I mean, review, let's take a look at some of the interesting pieces and the minifigs included, shall we? This updated 2x2 pizza tile, and the printed 1x1 corner tile to represent individual slices, can also be found in 41231 Harley Quinn to the Rescue and 41311 Heartlake Pizzeria, respectively; available now in the January 2017 wave alongside this set.
The minifigs are your typical City fare, by any measure. However, they are good to get for any collectors of citizen-class ones. Neither head is double-sided, which is a bit of a shame as it seems like extra faces are an expected detail nowadays.
Also, unfortunately their black and white legs are left unprinted. However, the female's medium blue, decorated hoodie torso is exclusive. The long hair has appeared in a couple other sets (the first being 21302 The Big Bang Theory), but the head has appeared countless times. A helmet is also included for the female to ride the motorbike and speed off to a destination.
The male chef's head and torso can also be found in last summer's fantastic 60134 Fun in the Park - City People Pack. The brown, slicked-back hair has appeared in 79115 Turtle Van Takedown and 75131 Resistance Trooper Battle Pack.
Now, let's dig in!
Construction
The build begins from the ground up and incorporates some techniques that typical City buyers will have seen before. However, there are plenty of parts in unique colors used to keep things interesting. A full interior is even decked out!
I greatly appreciate the designer's extensive use of slopes, tiles and textured 1x2 bricks to form the impressive bodywork of the vehicle.
On both sides, we have a flap that is hinged and can open up to become a window, adjacent to a menu. "City Pizza" appears to be the branding of this establishment, as evident on the top of the driver's area (which looks marvellous) and the flaps. All of the decoration you see on the exterior (including the license plate), unfortunately, is a sticker. On either flap, there are incomprehensible letters and numbers underneath the logo, which may represent a schedule.
The menu mentions salad as the first option (none included) and pizza, oddly, comes third. No first option is presented, though I'm guessing that due to their inclusion in the set, that would be fries.
The Completed Model
The smallest section of the set is a small motorbike used to distribute pizza and other orders to the residents of the city. The main motorbike body has been in numerous sets before, but not quite for this purpose.
Again here, the box is stickered which is a nuisance - but it is at least easy to apply and looks good. It is imperative to the model and adds visual appeal. I mean, what pizza box doesn't have some logo and imagery on it?
A dark tan bucket handle is used as a kickstand, which is quite ingenious if I do say so myself. Finally, it is capped off with a trans-yellow headlight.
We now come to the inside of the van itself. It is impossible to take the roof off without taking apart some of the van sides itself, which is a ridiculous design flaw. However, with little effort it can be removed to reveal an interior with tons of detail - a fully-furnished 4x6 space where a minifig has sixteen of the twenty-four studs to stand.
Among those features are what appears to be a microwave for quick food warm-ups. And opposite that, a food preparation table.
Here you can see the oversized helping of fries, using a crystal piece in yellow - another rare part. The pizza can be placed right next to it. Behind that, built into the wall, there are two different condiment squirters.
Printing is used for the dials, cash register, and top of the can. I'll be honest, I had no idea cans of water existed. What kind of sorcery is this? Perhaps it is carbonated!
Finally, a five-piece table is included. This makes it so anybody, such as the female minifig, can sit down and eat... except there is no chair to be found. The wonderful lime green umbrella piece, which debuted in 60110 Fire Station last year, appears again to serve as shade.
With models and minifigures all together, I have to say that it looks splendid.
Verdict
If there is one word I had to use to describe this set, it would be satisfying. This is the ideal $20 set, and it may be the best one released so far this year. What cannot be denied is that it truly feels like a classic set - something LEGO could and should have done years ago but for some reason never did. I am happy it was made now instead, because of all of the recent techniques and parts implemented.
If there was one recent set I have to compare it favorably with, that would be 41129 Amusement Park Hot Dog Van. You have to admit, they would go very well together!
There are few issues. The color scheme may be a negative for some; for others, the underwhelming minifigs may disappoint. And there may be complaints over the little and insignificant things, like stickers or limited interior space. Hefty expectations are unreasonable for a set of this size for this certain age range.
Otherwise, I think this would make a great purchase. Regardless of whether you are a City fan or not (coming from someone who, admittedly, is not), the Pizza Van is a must-have. I sincerely hope you find the opportunity to buy it!
I hope you have found this review informative. Let us know by liking this article and share your thoughts on the set in the comments below.
Thanks to Huw for the photos.
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62 comments on this article
Great review! Just a question, why are the bucket handles (here the bike stand) always in dark tan? It seems such a random color to me?
Thanks for an informative review.
I think those are more likely bread sticks than fries.
@Casper_van_hobbes I've seen them in gold, too.
Alright, that's all I need. If you'll excuse me, I'll be buying a Pizza Van set :P
"The menu mentions salad as the first option (none included) and pizza, oddly, comes third. No first option is presented, though I'm guessing that due to their inclusion in the set, that would be fries."
I'd say the numbers refer to the price of the product.
^ That could be true - but then, where are the currency symbols? May have not been included to not confuse between the many different types...
I think this is a great little city set. Didn't take long to build and looks great in my city scene - I would highly recommend this set to anyone who has an affinity for the old school stuff especially anything having to do with food. As soon as I saw pictures of this set online late last year I knew I wanted it!
The crystal element is not exclusive, it previously appeared in 41058 Heartlake Shopping Mall.
^ Fixed! Oddly, that's not according to the database. Don't know why a yellow crystal has two different IDs.
One would hope a printed salad on a round tile could have been included since it was on the menu...
The can is odd, but the standing table is very common in the UK. These places don't want you lurking after you snarf down your food. As for pricing without currency, that's a commonplace psychological trick too. Loads of local pubs do this. It apparently makes some people more likely to buy.
^There's no lego currency symbol, so I think that's why left them out. My first thought was also that the numbers marked the pricing of the food.
As for the table withut a seat: over here at least it's quite common to have tables to stand at at food stands like this. That's maybe also why the table is a bit high...
Last year broke my tradition of getting a Great Vehicle as soon as they came out (I've since gotten only one of the series, might pick up car & caravan when it's on a discount), but this one tickled my fancy immediately, so much so, I bought it at RRP! And it didn't disappoint, though the front was somewhat of a automatic pilot build for me.
I took the 'options' as prices too.
Does anyone have pizza with fries?
It think it's a decent enough set, but it just looks a bit bland on the shelf amongst so many similarly designed trucks that we've had lately. And as you mentioned, the colour scheme doesn't exactly make it stand out. Though it does remind me a bit of the 'Alien Burger' van from SEGA's "Alien Storm". Maybe it's a deliberate mild-mannered disguise for an alien counter-insurgency vehicle. Or maybe not.
But what are "inconceivable letters"? Was the sign perhaps penned by a dark elder god in a language beyond mere mortal comprehension? Or did you just mean "unreadable"?
^MonsterFighter - there's a restaurant in Brighton that will serve you a pizza topped with fries and mayonnaise - they call it the 'Hollandaise'. We regularly try to force-feed one to any Dutch visitors, but sadly they're not always appreciative of this great tribute to their native cuisine!
Anyway, I think I would buy this set; it just feels like I've bought it a dozen times already.
The "inconceivable letters and numbers" are a schedule. Monday to Friday it's open from 11am to 9:30pm, Saturday it's open 11am to 10:30pm, and Sunday it's open 12pm to 9:30pm.
Anyway, good review of a cute set!
"On either flap, there are inconceivable letters and numbers underneath the logo."
Is that supposed to be "indistinguishable"?
I can't think of any numbers or letters that would be inconceivable.....
The table isn't designed to be sat at, so no chair is needed, it's designed for stand up eating. I have eaten at quite a few food trucks which offer a table to eat at, none of them had seats either. The idea is to eat and clear out for the next customer. I think this is a very realistic set and a "Must Buy".
"Inconceivable"
You keep using that word......I do not think it means what you think it means.... LOL
Seriously though, I just built this set last night and it was a really fun build.
As others mentioned, tables are often provided where food trucks are with no chairs, you're supposed to stand and eat.
@Aanchir @Rogue10 Right you both are. XD
^Aanchir Yes, those obscure runes do appear to be opening times. Though since it's a mobile kitchen I would have thought location was more pertinent information to display. But then, if the truck isn't present, you can't read it anyway. So logic wins again this day. Curses, logic, I'll get you next time!
Based on both theme and the size/look of the "crystal" element, it appears much more likely as breadsticks than potato fries to me.
EDIT: Oops, late. Agreed @Starkthunder
Reminder: It's a good set but Heartlake Pizzeria is a lot better, with more pizzas and fun stuff :)
Looks like a very cute set, especially for the price. I'll be interested to see what the Heartlake Pizzeria set is like.
Thanks for the review! I'm intrigued that the old pizza print still appears this year in 70910. Perhaps there will be a short period of overlap before the original is phased out? Or 70910 was in production before the print was ready? Shame 60150 doesn't come with more of the pizza wedges.
This review sure builds on my appetite
Sorry to nitpick even more, but there was also a pizza delivery moped in 60097 City Square. Otherwise, thanks for the thorough review. This will definitely be on the shortlist of affordable sets to recommend to family as birthday/Christmas gifts for my son this year.
Count me in with those who don't like the colour scheme. I don't particularly love the design of the truck either. Yet, I love the idea of a pizza van, I will surely pick this up at some point, but I do so feeling like it could've been an even better set.
i like this van the new pizza tiles look more realistic and i think the van would go great with the lego friends pizzeria which my daughter wants,
hopefully one day lego will design a garlic bread and quiche piece and maybe a pan 'o' chocolat lego part.
I can see the appeal to this set, but I've so far passed on this one, picking up the stunt plane and stunt truck instead.
Away from the endless police and fire repaints and rehashes, Lego hasn't done too badly in recent years, in terms of interesting town vehicles. But this year, the stickers are out of control. That's the one thing that's really annoying me about the current offering. There's just an absurd amount of stickers for some of these sets. I've taken to just leaving the stickers off. It's too much hassle.
hands down one of the best City sets in years! Best Great Vehicle since the Plow.
You are so right! I built both the Pizza Van and the Hotdog Truck, incorporating both into my LEGO city. The really do compliment each other well, and has inspired me to convert a section of my city into a "foodtruck pod"! Great review - loved the pictures and details.
I have to disagree with the police line being "typical bland police sets". Lego city wouldn't be Lego city without them and there's quite of few good ones. The one thing that could have made this set better is a delivery boy to drive the scooter, but I'm sure one could be easily made from any random minifig parts.
This has so been on my: "to buy list" since it was revealed late last year.
I got this a while back as my first set of 2017 and it did not disappoint. You should mention that there are 3 printed extra pieces though! That was a nice surprise for me!
Pizza To Go was an absoulte favourite of mine when I was young, and ts most any pizza themed set appeals to me! Already bought it, just need to sit down and get building!
I'd preferred a successor to 675 Snack bar or 6683 Hamburger stand. Too many vehicles in Lego City.
On second thought I think the yellow crystal "fries" may actually be breadsticks ...
My bro has this!
Looks like a great set. The crystal for fries is ingenious. Does anybody else find it funny that the slices of pizza have different toppings than the whole pizzas?
No, because with 4 slices you make a whole new pizza!
@Teriyaqi, I noticed that too, but came to the same conclusion as @lordofdragons :)
@TheBrickPal, The girl's hairpiece has been around since at least the 2010 Harry Potter sets. The Pizza Van has not been parted out and inventoried on Bricklink, so it doesn't show up as one of the sets its available in. Otherwise its a good review.
Very nice set. Not really for display, but certainly to play with. It is still on my must-have-list, it would fitt really good on my town square.
For me, the biggest flaw with this set in undeniably the LACK OF PIZZA! Like, really? Only one whole pizza and a couple of slices? C'mon! This is a pizza van set, there should be a minimum of three pizzas included if you ask me.
They're fries/Chips, the numbers are prices, the words are the opening times, and the table is for standing at... There does seem to be a distinct lack of pizza and the figs are a bit meh (easily rectified but I would have prefered the chef look a bit more like the sticker on the van), but on the whole a great little set and nice alternative to the usual police/fire vehicles.
On a review note, any chance of including a mention or phot of the spare parts in future reviews? I think it's been done sometimes, especially if they're new or printed parts.
@azblue I know it's not that new of a hair piece. I was just referring to the color.
Oh, and guys, the set description confirms those are fries - not breadsticks or anything else.
This is a classic Lego set. I really wished Lego would produce more of these. They are just the right size for a gift and provide a lot of fun.
This set has caught my kid's eyes, and mine too. We'll likely have this food truck in our "park."
I bought this set and really like this set, it's something different and well needed. My only complaint with it is that there isn't any money for the girl to buy the pizza with.
Very odd that they are fries instead of breadsticks since breadsticks are a standard fare with pizza. Most pizza places don't even have fries, at least at the establishments I've been to. Oh well, a small nitpick. And since it is LEGO, I will make it breadsticks. I don't care what official descriptions say! Rebel!
As for the rest of the set, it looks decent enough. I was planning on getting it, but I've made a vow to not buy LEGO at msrp anymore, so if it ever goes on sale, I will pick one up. I've been wanting to make my own pizzeria, which I now can modify this and the Heartlake pizza place and the Scarecrow pizza delivery and make something awesome.
Thanks for the great review TheBrickPal! I was at Target yesterday and only got a couple CMF, and was very dissapointed that what I thought to be a baby fig was a penguin; I really suck at detecting contents by feeling them. Anyway, now I'm regretting not picking this little set up. I might have to rectify that soon as it'll make a great addition to my new one street Metropolis.
Now all we need is a taco truck.
Breadsticks aren't standard fare with pizza everywhere. In the UK you'd expect garlic bread to be on the menu, but not breadsticks, at least not in a fast food van or bricks-and-mortar takeaway. Most UK pizza places I know include chips, particularly those mildly spicy, curly fries like you get in Pizza Hut (or used to - haven't been there in years), on their side order menu.
@lego maker homeboy, indeed we do. During the last election for mayor I promised my minifigures "A taco truck on every corner!" If I don't follow through soon I'm afraid they might impeach me.
@ the BrickPal, didn't the hairpiece already appear in that colour in the CMF series 10 with the librarian girl minifig?
That was 2013 already
Google "bottled water in a can". Check the images.
This was a day 1 purchase for me, it's a great little build, and at the price, it's just a great addition to a city.
This is an awesome set. Since food trucks have become so popular it's cool to see Lego produce one.
And I think it was Jangbricks who did a matching trailer MOC with a 2nd copy of this set. Pretty sweet.
https://youtu.be/APEqQZUdIBs
Fries make sense since the condiments appear to be ketchup and mustard. They're offering snacks more than full meals.
Great looking set. Very good review. For future reference, the phrase "if I do say so myself" is generally reserved for those who created the thing that they are praising. Unless you were the set designer, you shouldn't use it.
I like this set . The only downside are the stickers. I'd wished that some of the tiles were printed instead of using stickers.