Traveling to York/Lancaster/Ephrata, need Grandma pizza suggestions! (Philadelphia: university, live in)

[gottaGetOut]

I would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions for places that make Grandma pizza. Gotta get a fix on a trip first week of May.

Thanks!

[Jessie Mitchell]

TIL there's a thing called Grandma pizza. I'm in Lancaster, but unfortunately can be of no help.

[MarketStEl]

I see from the Wikipedia article on Grandma pizza that, even though the style has been around for decades, pizzerias didn't start calling it that until 1994 on Long Island, with which the style is associated.

That means it's been a Thing abroad in the culture for less than 20 years. I live in Philadelphia and can't think of a pizzeria that offers it, though the city is big enough and close enough to Long Island for it to have already migrated here (and given its origins, there are probably some old Italian-American women somewhere in South Philly or South Jersey making it at home).

And if that's the case, I'd say there's a good chance it hasn't arrived in Lancaster or York counties yet.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I see from the Wikipedia article on Grandma pizza that, even though the style has been around for decades, pizzerias didn't start calling it that until 1994 on Long Island, with which the style is associated.

That means it's been a Thing abroad in the culture for less than 20 years. I live in Philadelphia and can't think of a pizzeria that offers it, though the city is big enough and close enough to Long Island for it to have already migrated here (and given its origins, there are probably some old Italian-American women somewhere in South Philly or South Jersey making it at home).

And if that's the case, I'd say there's a good chance it hasn't arrived in Lancaster or York counties yet.

Following myself up to report that a Google search on "grandma pizza Philadelphia" produced several places that serve it, including a very good Wash West pizzeria I'm familiar with.

That one is (perhaps appropriately enough) NYPD Pizza, on 11th Street just above Walnut, across from the Foerderer Pavilion at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Its menu calls it "Grandma Siciilian pizza." Grandma pizza and Sicilian pizza are similar but not the same; Grandma pizza has a thinner, crisper crust. But since NYPD also has "Sicilian Brooklyn-style" pizza on its menu, I suspect they know the difference there.

I've also found one place in the Italian Market, one in Manayunk (perhaps to balance out NYPD, this one's called Pizza Jawn), one in Queen Village and a vegan place on 20th Street in Rittenhouse Square so far.

Now to check Lancaster....

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by Jessie Mitchell

TIL there's a thing called Grandma pizza. I'm in Lancaster, but unfortunately can be of no help.

Yeah, the stuff people come up with.

https://blog.slicelife.com/differenc...grandma-pizza/

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Gerania

Yeah, the stuff people come up with.

https://blog.slicelife.com/differenc...grandma-pizza/

I’ll see Grandma pizza (of varying quality) in the Eastern half of the state from time to time. Properly done, it’s Sicilian-esque, to the extent that it’s square cut pan pizza with thicker crust than an Italian-style hand tossed round pie. But it’s not quite as dense as regular Sicilian, the bottom tends to be lightly oiled (creating a hint of a fried effect), and the standard topping includes chunkier tomato sauce and basil in addition to hard shredded mozzarella.

Although not in Lancaster, Palumbo’s in Harrisburg makes a decent Grandma pie. But it’s not so good I’d recommend taking the 90-minute round trip to get some.

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

That means it's been a Thing abroad in the culture for less than 20 years. I live in Philadelphia and can't think of a pizzeria that offers it.

I would consider the Santuccis chain as grandma style.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

I would consider the Santuccis chain as grandma style.

I think their pies are more traditional Sicilian than Grandma Sicilian.

Edited to add: Damn, guess I should head down to the P&P early tonight and stop by NYPD on the way to try an actual Grandma slice.

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

I think their pies are more traditional Sicilian than Grandma Sicilian.

Edited to add: Damn, guess I should head down to the P&P early tonight and stop by NYPD on the way to try an actual Grandma slice.

No, it's not lol. Santucci's isn't close to being Sicilian and is the very definition of grandma style pizza.


It's not that complicated: it's cooked in a pan. the cheese is under the sauce. It's not nearly as thick or air-filled as Sicilian. The crust is much crisper.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

No, it's not lol. Santucci's isn't close to being Sicilian and is the very definition of grandma style pizza.


It's not that complicated: it's cooked in a pan. the cheese is under the sauce. It's not nearly as thick or air-filled as Sicilian. The crust is much crisper.

I will admit that it's been years since I ate at a Santucci's (a franchised location on Holme Circle that left me underwhelmed), so my memory is probably very faulty — I thought the crust was thick and puffy rather than thin and crisp.

I defer to you here. I'll probably still stop by NYPD anyway (didn't make it over Thursday evening), as their pies are consistently great quality.