Staff Blog
The Wrestler (R)
To the pizza polls!
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| Gimme that, you don’t appreciate it. |
Pizza, the greatest gift the Italians gave to the masses since bread and circuses, is a hotly debated topic in Philadelphia. Having lived here all my life, I still don’t know where the best pizza in town is made. I do know that most pizzerias in Philadelphia turn out a pie with a thicker crust and sweeter sauce than I want, and those that make thin crusts usually fall victim to floppiness and the dreaded goo layer created by the unbaked dough sopping up sauce.
True Neopolitan-style pizza is characterized by a thin, crisp crust from brick oven baking and has its own DOC designation. New York-style pizza is the most commonly sold style in the United States; floppy, foldable slices with any kind of topping you want. St. Louis pizza is square, with a cracker-like crust and a specific cheese, Provel. The limitless interpretations of pizza should have provided Philadelphia with a style all its own, but sadly, ordering a pizza here is hardly more than a $20 gamble.
Where is the good pizza in this town? Readers, vote your personal favorite, make the case for the pizza parlor of your childhood … help us crown a pizza prince in this metropolis of proles.
The CP editorial department nominates a few of their old reliables:
Food editor Drew Lazor leans on Lazaro’s for all-around pizza needs in G-Ho.
News editor Doron Taussig raves about Angelino’s in Fairmount.
Marra’s, on Passyunk Ave. in South Philly, is assistant copy editor Nancy Armstrong’s go-to.
Philadelphia needs you! Vote Pizza in ‘08!
Slice in South Philly, 10th & Federal.
Neopolitan-style with a great crust and wonderful, not-too-sweet San Marzano sauce. Get the small pizzas and the toppings won’t make them soggy. Fav’s are the Georgio, with pepperoni and portabellos, and the classic Margherita.
Bonuses: Quick, friendly delivery and good salads served with a crispy slice of terrific garlic bread.
http://www.slicepa.com
It’s new but it’s delicious. Earth Bread + Brewery in Mt. Airy.
I am also a HUGEEEEEE fan of Franzone’s in Bridgeport. I have driven all the way there from Philly several times just to pick up a pie (OK, three). The sweet sauce turns some people off but I’m all about it.
Couch Tomato in Manayunk
It’s unconventional but the cheese under the sauce style is the best thing Philly has going for it. Pica’s or Tony’s Tomato Pies on Frankford Avenue are kings.
it’s a toss-up between fiesta pizza on 45th & baltimore, and towne pizza on chestnut in the rittenhouse area.
Gino’s off of Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Don’t know Philly well enough to comment.
Drew is right on both counts -
Lazaro’s here in the city makes it happen for me, and that sweet sweet bullsever tomato sauce design in the ‘port at Franzone’s is a winner. BIG WINNER. I thought I was the only schmuck who drove out there for it. DLazor, car pool?
That was supposed to say ‘bullseye’ not ‘bullsever’, although..who knows what is in the sauce.
Bullserver sauce, latest Philly contribution to pizza. well done, collin, well done!
I love Santucci’s Square Pizza. It’s an interesting approach to pizza with the sauce on top of the cheese but my word are the ingredients great. Get the works as it’s flavor explosion will melt your face.