I’d be remiss if I didn’t open this edition of Pizzavania by wishing all the moms in our community of Pa. pizza lovers an early Happy Mother’s Day. 

My mom and I enjoyed a lot of pizza together over the years, a majority of it at South Philly’s dearly departed Marra’s, which, as I wrote in the very first edition of Pizzavania, was a very special place for my family. When I was living in central New Jersey about 20 years ago, she would come up once a month to join me at the O.G. DeLorenzo’s Tomato Pies location in the Chambersburg section of Trenton. I also have to thank my mom for keeping the freezer stocked with Stouffer’s French Bread Pizza and offerings from Mama Celeste when I was a kid. Formative stuff.

My mom passed away in 2024, and I can still recall the last pizza meal we enjoyed together: a couple of pies from Back Door Pizza in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. (Highly recommended if you’re ever in the area.) She loved their Bwoccoli Woccoli, while I ordered a pepperoni and hot honey pie well done, which she complained was burnt and too spicy, and alleged that I ordered it that way so no one else would want any. Classic mom.

Let’s raise a slice to all the moms this Mother’s Day!

Quick reminders: 

🍕 You can find all past, present, and future Pizzavania content right here.

🍕 Please keep spreading the word about Pizzavania so we can keep this community of Pennsylvania pizza lovers growing. 

Given how we can’t seem to agree on much these days, the results of last week’s poll question—Where do you stand on ranch dressing with your pizza?—aren’t surprising. By a razor-thin margin of 52% to 48%, the pro-ranch people came out on top.

I will stand by what I said about the pairing of ranch dressing and pizza: I find it repulsive, either as a dipping sauce (why does everything have to have a dipping sauce these days?) or as a topping. 

On to this week’s poll question:

Let us know which style you’re going with, and we’ll run the results in our next edition.

The classic red pie at Affinito Pizza Parlor and Cafe in Emmaus. (Patrick Berkery/The Keystone)

Philadelphia (the Fishtown neighborhood, in particular), and Old Forge (aka “The Pizza Capital of the World”) are generally recognized as the pizza hot spots in the eastern part of the commonwealth. But do not sleep on the Lehigh Valley. 

There’s no shortage of great pizza in the region between Greater Philly and NEPA, ranging from pizzerias that have been serving up pies for decades, to shops that have popped up in the last few years, like Affinito Pizza Parlor and Cafe in Emmaus, whose classic red pie is pictured above (spoiler alert: Affinito made the list.)

Pizzavania readers like J. Ciufo, Thomas N., Bruce, Rebecca, and Jayne M. have been telling me about some of their favorite spots in the Lehigh Valley. Armed with that intel, I made a couple of trips up 476 recently to see what’s good. You can find out the five spots I liked the best in this story.

🍕 If struggling to find the best way to re-heat pizza has turned into an existential crisis (my baking steel never fails me), I highly recommend you check out this story from All Recipes in which four chefs all concur on the one method they say is the best way to re-heat your slices. The answer may surprise you. 

🍕 The Barstool-approved Doylestown pizzeria Lucatelli’s (which made our list of the best takeout spots in the Philly suburbs) just opened a second location in Bucks County, and has plans for a third spot in Montgomery County. Get the details here.

🍕 A new report on trending pizza flavors in the US—pickled jalapeńos anyone?—has some surprises. Get the lowdown from PMQ pizza.

Your turn: Tell us about the Pa. pizzerias that you love!

“My all-time favorite pizza comes from an Italian market on Main Street in Pittston, Sabatelle’s Market. It’s a small grocery store with a sandwich and pizza kitchen in the back. My favorite pizzas from Sabatelle’s are stuffed pizza with broccoli, fresh tomato pizza, and plain fresh dough pizza with mushrooms and onions.”

— Lisa Sabatini

“Giovanni’s 724 Italian Restaurant in Pottstown is great for pizza or anything else on their menu. The staff is fun, led by the owner, Joey. Several family members work there and all are great. Give it a try. I don’t believe you’ll be disappointed!”

— Bob K.

“If you are visiting State College, be sure to check out Faccia Luna Pizzeria. I love their Salamini Supreme.”

— Hugh

“The Limeport Inn, near Allentown and Quakertown. Known for fine dining BUT killer artisan pizza. I know the gal who makes them and she takes great pride in her craft!”

— Constance M.

**You can find plenty more reader recommendations right here.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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