5 Slices to Grab in Delco #FiveFriday

 

 

“I want to be as famous as midnight… and as loved as pizza.”- Macy Gray (American R&B, jazz and soul singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actress)

Pizza is considered to be one of the most popular and beloved foods throughout the world. To be honest, who doesn’t enjoy grabbing a slice? Since the simpler times where you only had two choices: plain or pepperoni, pizza has adapted and become a staple in our culture. Many have attempted to leave there mark on the pizza culture with creative toppings or just becoming known as the local place to be. Now Delaware County has a wide variety of places to choose from for pizza, and it seems that everyone offers it as a menu item. So where do you go? More than likely you find a place you like and stick with it. You don’t want to take the chance and end up with a bad pie. But like Mel Brooks said, “Pizza is like sex. Even when it is bad it is good.” So let the Chamber steer you in the right direction to some must try slices in Delco, you won’t be disappointed!

 

 

 

1.     Bruschetta Pizza (Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant, Glen Mills & Springfield)

 

 

 

 

Now everyone can agree the best style is the brick oven pizza, and Bertucci’s is the place to be. Spending 30 years perfecting the art of brick oven cooking, the Bruschetta Pizza will not disappoint. From that first bite, a blend of spices and flavors overwhelm you reminding what happens when you combine two Italian classics… “It can only get better.” When you reach the crust, don’t think the experience is over, in fact it has just begun. Their signature crust baked with basil, pesto, and fresh mozzarella is a treat all in its own. Come visit and let their staff treat you like part of the family and see what brick oven cooking is all about.

Ingredients include: basil, pesto, mozzarella, marinated tomatoes, and balsamic glaze




2.     Breakfast Pizza (Frankie’s on Fairview, Woodlyn)

There’s nothing better than having some cold pizza, from the night before, for breakfast. Actually in the United States 4% of pizza eaten by children is for breakfast. But don’t you wish you could have something more? Well, Frankie’s has the solution. This flat bread breakfast pizza is one of a kind from the fluffy scrambled eggs to the crispy sizzling bacon. This could be the best form of brunch ever. With Frankie’s only being a year old, they are already being recognized for their fabulous menu with the Delaware County Daily Times voting them “2015 Best of Delco” for best breakfast, catering, family dining, wings, vegetarian, and crab cakes.

Ingredients include: scrambled eggs, bacon, peppers, onion, tomato, and mozzarella



3.     Margherita Pizza (Little Anthony’s, Media)

With its roots tied so deeply back to Italy, Little Anthony’s is a must stop, especially in Media. The owner, Michael, moved to Media in 1999 from Monte di Procida, a small town outside Naples, and brought the true style of Italian cooking right here to Delco. Little Anthony’s prides itself on using top quality ingredients. The Margherita pizza has such a fresh taste you can see why they are so famous. They truly follow the theme of a family-style restaurant claiming they will never be a chain, reminding you quality is better than quantity.

Ingredients include: basil leaves, mozzarella, and dried oregano

4.      Calexico Pizza (MOD Pizza, Glen Mills & Wayne)

When you have a slice of pizza, is your first thought to go for the hot sauce? If it is, then this is the slice that will blow you away. This pie can pack a punch without the heat being overbearing or taking away from flavor. It is the perfect blend for a “buffalo chicken” style pizza. With MOD opening its doors in Seattle in 2008, the company has gown with over 90 locations across the country. Also for you Villanova fans, MOD will be giving away FREE Pizza Saturday, April 16 to celebrate our national champs. Fall in love with this slice and discover your favorite, and be part of the “MOD”ness.

Ingredients include: mozzarella, gorgonzola, chicken, jalapenos, hot buffalo sauce, and MOD red sauce

 

5.     Grilled Vegetable Pizza (Tavola Restaurant, Springfield)

 

Now Tavola’s definitely takes on the theme of high-end pizza, and for you vegetarian pizza lovers this will be an instant favorite. The classic white brick style pizza could make even the most stubborn meat lover sing a new tune. With such a multitude of vegetable toppings, this pie could go head to head with any meat lover’s pizza. Come visit and see why OpenTable named Tavola their 2016 Diners’ Choice. Pizza has never been so classy.

Ingredients include: garlic, broccoli, asparagus tips, grilled eggplant, squash, and roasted red and green peppers

 

Go break away from your typical pizza place and explore these five locations and sample these slices along with the rest of their menu. You know what they say, variety is the spice of life, but I’m pretty sure they meant mozzarella is. And remember in the words of the great Bill Murray, “Every pizza is a personal pizza if you try hard enough and believe in yourself.”

 

 

 

About the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce:

Founded in 1887, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce represents businesses' interests and issues affecting the community. We help Chamber members succeed through proactive outreach and partnering with all levels of government and community organizations through education, networking and collaboration to achieve a healthy economy to drive business forward. For more information on membership and how you can get involved, visit www.delcochamber.org

http://www.bertuccis.com/

5 Must Try Beers at Pinocchio's #FiveFriday

 

 

 

Since opening its doors in 1955, Pinocchio’s has been a staple in the borough of Media. Their fantastic selection on the menu makes it a must stop. What you might not know, this is also the place to be for the avid beer connoisseur or someone just looking to try something new. Having so much success selling mix-and-match six packs, Pinocchio’s manager, Tim Volikas, had the brilliant idea to create the first beer garden and bottle shop in the Delaware County area. With this decision, it sparked a new draw for Pinocchio’s and created a wonderful new Delco destination. Since Pinocchio’s Beer Garden celebrated its six year anniversary this past December, they have become a hot spot with their friendly atmosphere and highly knowledgeable staff.

With 1000 different beers to try it may be difficult to decide exactly where to start, so let Pinocchio’s beer guru or “Brew”ru, Alex Morris, list five must try beers at Pinocchio’s along with some tasty menu items to pair them with.

 

1.     Head Hunter (Fat Head’s Brewing Company)

This uncivilized and aggressive West Coast style IPA truly packs a punch and it is easily understood why this is one of their top seller’s at the garden. From the first pour, an aroma of hops overtakes you, while your first sip packs wicked hop flavors with just a note of pine and citrus. If you are a fan of IPA’s than this is what you have been looking for and let this big bitter IPA crush your pallet. With such a bold flavor, it may be hard to pair anything to go along with this beer, but Morris recommends Pinocchio’s Upside Down Pizza. With the complexity and boldness of the sharp cheddar, fight big with big enjoying this pair.

 

2.    Allagash White (Allagash Brewing Company)

 

This new take on a Belgian-style witbeir is brewed with their special blend of spices and is incredibly refreshing and full of flavor. Let this smooth brew allow you to taste the blend of spices and cloves, with hints of fruit to refresh the pallet. This easy drinking “American Classic” is the perfect fit for someone who is new to IPA’s, and would like to sample what Morris considers to be the “Best American Belgium White”. Since this beer is smooth and has an array of spices and flavors, it is suggested to pair this with a simpler taste like Pinocchio’s classic plain pizza.

 

3.    Perpetual IPA (Tröegs Brewing Company)

Artisanal meets mechanical in a state of IPA they call Perpetual. Cycling through their HopBack vessel and dry-hopping method, this bold American Double/ Imperial IPA emerges rife with sticky citrus rind, pine balm and tropical fruit. With its consistent flavor, this is a beer you can drink almost anywhere and be satisfied. Also Morris considers Perpetual IPA to be the best local IPA. Since this is another smooth beer with a variety of flavors, something simple is in order to eat with this craft. So for you vegetarian pizza lovers out there, mushroom is the way to go.

 

4.    Grapefruit Sculpin (Ballast Point Brewing Company)

Becoming the newest of the IPA’s available at Pinocchio’s, Sculpin’s unique flavor and the tart freshness of grapefruit perfectly complements their IPA’s citrusy hop character. Though grapefruit is a winter fruit, this easy-drinking ale tastes like summer. This ale started the fruit trend for IPA brewing, and with so much popularity Ballast Point recently sold for $1 billion. It is a must try to see what all the fuss is about. Being such a versatile beer, Morris recommends to sample it with a dessert. So for all you sweet tooth’s out there, why not enjoy Pinocchio’s “Brownie Delight” alongside this incredible ale.

 

5.    Standard Hard Cider (Big Hill Ciderworks)

For a cider to make the list alongside such great beers, you know there must be something special about it. This cider sets the standard with a bright, fruit forward flavor profile.  With no added sugars or flavors, just carefully selected apple varieties that are grown, pressed and fermented in Pennsylvania, it is the true standard for ciders surpassing all the competition. This super-clean cider is an easy transition for even the most stubborn beer drinker. Since this is such a lite and effervescent drink, Morris actually does not recommend any food to be paired with it, but rather be used as a pallet cleanser in between sampling the wide-variety of ales available.

 

Come to Pinocchio’s and fall in love with these five recommended brews, and let Alex Morris guide you through the array of different beers available. He could even introduce you to your new favorite. You can also enjoy half priced drafts at happy hour Monday through Thursday from 4-6pm. And if the beers are too good to leave, Pinocchio’s offers growlers and canned growlers, “Crowlers”, to take home with you. With such a fun enjoyable atmosphere and crowd, feel like “Norm” as you walk in and let everybody know your name.

 

 

Please Drink Responsibly

  

 

About the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce:

Founded in 1887, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce represents businesses' interests and issues affecting the community. We help Chamber members succeed through proactive outreach and partnering with all levels of government and community organizations through education, networking and collaboration to achieve a healthy economy to drive business forward. For more information on membership and how you can get involved, visit www.delcochamber.org