3 Quick Thoughts on ... Philly Mag's Very Best Pizza Feature

On Sunday, my dad was telling us about the cover story of Philadelphia Magazine's July Issue: The Very Best Pizza. He said he had checked inside to see if our blog was mentioned. I had to smile to myself because he really meant it. Alas, The Pizza Project has not yet graced the pages of Philly Mag, but you never know what the future holds ...

I was excited to get our issue and read the feature, especially after being so disappointed by June's Best of The Shore cover story. Uh yeah, while I enjoy looking at some ripped, tanned, shirtless lifeguards, I was also interested in hearing about the best places to eat, drink and shop.

But about the article itself - it is great and definitely worth checking out. I love how they divided the winners by category: Crust, Sauce, Toppings, At a Table and Paper Plate. We've definitely got our work cut out for us with this guide of good pizzas to review.


1. Worth the Mention

• Mama Palma's - Back in the day, the hubby and I worked at 24th and Walnut (before we were hubby and wife) and this was a regular lunch spot for our work crew. Delicious. It's probably been six or seven years since I've eaten there, and I still think about how we should make the trek there for a dinner one evening.
• Lorenzo and Sons - Who hasn't enjoyed a slice or two from Lorenzo's after a night out? Yes, the line is always long, but it's always worth it. So much so that I believe there was a night when Saucy clumsily dropped his slice on the ground and picked it back up to finish it. Yeah, that good.
• Franzone's - We've never been, but one of our readers gave it a rave review, so I think we'll just have to give it a try.

2. Noticeably Missing

• Alex's - According to Philly Mag's online guide, it "tastes like eating frozen pizza from the grocery store, except for the hard, crackery crusts and mystery cheeses." Ouch. In all fairness, it has been a few years since we've had it, but it was always fantastic.
• Via Veneto - A Norristown pizza staple (see our review here), their online guide says "strange little place in a converted house that does a huge business and makes a fine thin-crust pie (and a killer calzone). Very popular with the cops, the neighbors and regulars who all seem to be known by name." I think that a lot of folks would argue that the pie is better than fine. And their Sicilian is a legend.

3. Props out for the tomato pie sidebar. Yes, it's not exactly pizza, but it's a close relative. And it's true that if you haven't been raised eating it, it's a hard concept to grasp. The hubby used to have me heat his pieces up in the microwave. Their recommendations of Corropolese and Marchiano's are spot on - go for the former if you like your sauce sweet and the latter if you like lots of garlic.