Dollar Pizza Finder
Helping New Yorkers find the best dollar slices in the city
The Challenge
Finding authentic dollar pizza in NYC is harder than it sounds. While the city has hundreds of pizza spots, only a fraction serve the iconic $1 slice. Existing apps like Yelp or Google Maps don't have a "dollar pizza" filter, forcing hungry New Yorkers to walk around hoping to spot one.
Key Challenges
- 1No centralized database of dollar pizza locations
- 2Existing map apps don't filter by price point
- 3Dollar pizza spots open and close frequently
- 4Need real-time walking directions in a dense urban environment
The Solution
A native iOS app that combines crowd-sourced data with the Google Places API to show the nearest dollar pizza spots with real-time navigation.
Key Features
- Interactive map with custom markers for each pizza spot
- Real-time distance and walking time calculations
- User reviews and ratings system
- Favorites list for quick access to tried-and-true spots
- Integration with Apple Maps for turn-by-turn navigation
Development Process
Research
Walked around Manhattan documenting dollar pizza locations and interviewing locals about their favorites
Design
Created wireframes focused on one-handed mobile use and quick access to directions
Development
Built with Swift using MVC architecture, integrated Firebase for the backend
Testing
Beta tested with friends and Penn State NYC alumni, iterated based on feedback
Technical Highlights
Custom Map Annotations
Created pizza-themed map markers that show distance and rating at a glance
class PizzaAnnotationView: MKAnnotationView {
override init(annotation: MKAnnotation?, reuseIdentifier: String?) {
super.init(annotation: annotation, reuseIdentifier: reuseIdentifier)
// Custom pizza slice marker
let pizzaImage = UIImage(named: "pizza-marker")
image = pizzaImage?.withRenderingMode(.alwaysOriginal)
// Distance badge
let distanceLabel = UILabel()
distanceLabel.font = .systemFont(ofSize: 10, weight: .bold)
distanceLabel.textColor = .white
distanceLabel.backgroundColor = UIColor.systemOrange
addSubview(distanceLabel)
}
}The Results
Key Outcomes
- Successfully helped users discover new pizza spots in their neighborhoods
- Built a foundation for understanding iOS development and location services
- Learned the importance of user feedback in iterative development
Lessons Learned
Location-based apps require careful battery management
User-generated content needs moderation systems from day one
Simple, focused apps often outperform feature-bloated alternatives
The best way to learn iOS development is to solve a real problem