Tale of the Pie: Marzano's Pizza & Steaks

We were beginning to get a little concerned about the Philly Mag best pizza list after each of the last two ended up to be a bust (see posts on Franzone's and Bravo). But the list was redeemed after we sampled the pie at Marzano's Pizza & Steaks in Exton.

However, before I get into the pie, one small gripe with Philly Mag's pizza issue, or perhaps just a suggestion for the next list. Exton's not exactly down the street for us, so we expected to eat in. But this shop was definitely not built for eating in, especially with a 19-month-old. However, there was a small counter with a couple of stools, so we saddled up with the nibble in our lap and ordered a pie.

Tale of the Pie: Bravo Pizza

I'm starting to worry about the people who ran Philadelphia Magazine's pizza issue.

After a terrific recommendation in East Norriton's Charlie's Pizzeria, the magazine has now pointed us in the direction of two straight duds. If you haven't read our review of Franzone's in Bridgeport, catch it here. As for Bravo Pizza of Paoli, we tried it out on Friday. It was the essence of average. Maybe even a little less than.

I should have known we were in trouble from the start. I never had that moment when you are like, "Wow, this smells incredible." As I think about it, I never even registered a scent. The only thing I could concentrate on was how their big screen was showing some CNN story about the Tea Party at a loud volume when there was a Phillies game playing at the same time. F*c kis up with that? Was I about to order pizza from a Michele Bachman-voting looney tune? However, not wanting to judge them on their viewing habits, we ordered pizza anyway. We got a large plain pizza and a medium Chicken Parmesan pie for four people and a baby.