Part of the problem is that people will settle for bad pizza. I would not. I tried pizzas all over town in a quest to find something I could honestly endorse without reservation. It was impossible. People would recommend their favorite spots and I’d bring a pie home only to discover their favorite wasn’t up to snuff.

Helen and I had been feasting on Gianfranco’s pizza, which I would pick up down at 3rd and Market. It wasn’t bad and was a far cry better than most of the delivery spots that serve Port Fishington. (I’m sorry Rustica, but your pizzas are all too smoky and soggy for my personal taste. Santucci’s isn’t bad, actually, but outside the delivery range.)

We decided enough was a enough and driving that distance for pizza was just silly. We searched the neighborhood for something decent, but Cassizzi’s wasn’t cutting it. We finally had to break down and take the nuclear option: calling ahead for pickup at Tacconelli’s.

I’ve put this off for some time. We know it by reputation and had even tried it a couple times, but weren’t so blown away that it seemed worth placing a pizza order at 11 a.m. Pizza is a spontaneous dinner!

Well, after two consecutive nights of Tacconelli’s pizza, I can safely say we’ve been converted. It’s worth the hassle, especially if you live within five minutes drive of Tacconelli’s like we do. We’re no longer pizza nomads, wandering Philly’s desert.