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Philly's Best Stromboli (and Other Things That Are Not Calzones)

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When Eater first posed the question "Who serves the best calzones in Philly?" to our readers in preparation for this, the Calzone Power Hour, the vexation was palpable. "I've never eaten a calzone in Philly," came one blunt comment. And this, via Twitter: "Total calzones I've eaten in life: maybe 2. And the whole time I was thinking, 'I need to go back home.'" And:

Calzones, in general, are really no one's favorite. And Philly, of course, is just not a calzone town. Stromboli snuggle up to our tomato pies on the buffet table, we've gone crazy for the rotolo, we'll take some panzarotti for a spin now and then. So calzones can continue to wait. Let's talk about our real favorite non-pizza pizza shop creations first.

This is by no means a comprehensive list - quite frankly, there are an awful lot of great places to snag a stromboli around this town. These favorites were informed by personal favorites and some reader input, so if you want to add to the wealth of knowledge, name-drop your favorite place in the comments below.


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Stogie Joe's Passyunk Tavern

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Stogie Joe's stromboli received, hands down, the most love from Eater readers. No need to think twice.

Cacia's Bakery

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While the tomato pie may get more of the attention here, the stromboli is no joke either. And really, if you're having people over, you need both anyway.

New York Bakery

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It's hard to imagine a business with "New York" in its name succeeding in Philadelphia, but miraculously, New York Bakery has become an icon of success in South Philly since 1926. Tomato pie is its claim to fame, but don't sleep on the pepperoni stromboli. (Bonus: this is a favorite place to buy pizza dough, too, if you have any desire to play around at home.)

Florida Style Pizza

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The go-to move here is the "inside-out," just like it says right on the sign. We're talking panzarotti, basically - deep-fried pockets of dough concealing molten pizza centers. They're the stuff of local legend.

Francoluigi's Pizzeria

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Several readers hit up the Eater tipline to suggest the stromboli at Francoluigi's, with one respondent specifically recommending the "Pavarotti," which features broccoli rabe.

Santucci's Square Pizza

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After Stogie Joe's, Santucci's got the next-most votes for their stromboli. And it's no surprise - they're really excellent.

Sarcone's Bakery

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Pepperoni bread. Pepperoni bread! Pepperoni bread, guys.

Pizzeria Vetri

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It isn't pizza, or calzone, or boli, but it would be a damn shame to make it through pizza week without featuring it. Pizza dough is wrapped around ricotta and mortadella then topped with pistachio pesto, and it's every bit as good as everybody says. (Pro-tip: the new King of Prussia Mall location has an entire section of the menu dedicated to rotolos.)

The Panzarotti Spot

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Want a genuine panzarotti? How about the original panzarotti? Just over the bridge, in Camden, N.J., you'll find the original Tarantini Panzarotti — crispy, deep fried pockets of heaven oozing with cheese and whatever you so please (meatball is a good place to start).

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Stogie Joe's Passyunk Tavern

Stogie Joe's stromboli received, hands down, the most love from Eater readers. No need to think twice.

Cacia's Bakery

While the tomato pie may get more of the attention here, the stromboli is no joke either. And really, if you're having people over, you need both anyway.

New York Bakery

It's hard to imagine a business with "New York" in its name succeeding in Philadelphia, but miraculously, New York Bakery has become an icon of success in South Philly since 1926. Tomato pie is its claim to fame, but don't sleep on the pepperoni stromboli. (Bonus: this is a favorite place to buy pizza dough, too, if you have any desire to play around at home.)

Florida Style Pizza

The go-to move here is the "inside-out," just like it says right on the sign. We're talking panzarotti, basically - deep-fried pockets of dough concealing molten pizza centers. They're the stuff of local legend.

Francoluigi's Pizzeria

Several readers hit up the Eater tipline to suggest the stromboli at Francoluigi's, with one respondent specifically recommending the "Pavarotti," which features broccoli rabe.

Santucci's Square Pizza

After Stogie Joe's, Santucci's got the next-most votes for their stromboli. And it's no surprise - they're really excellent.

Sarcone's Bakery

Pepperoni bread. Pepperoni bread! Pepperoni bread, guys.

Pizzeria Vetri

It isn't pizza, or calzone, or boli, but it would be a damn shame to make it through pizza week without featuring it. Pizza dough is wrapped around ricotta and mortadella then topped with pistachio pesto, and it's every bit as good as everybody says. (Pro-tip: the new King of Prussia Mall location has an entire section of the menu dedicated to rotolos.)

The Panzarotti Spot

Want a genuine panzarotti? How about the original panzarotti? Just over the bridge, in Camden, N.J., you'll find the original Tarantini Panzarotti — crispy, deep fried pockets of heaven oozing with cheese and whatever you so please (meatball is a good place to start).

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