Paolo's
1334 Pine St
Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 545-2482
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: Yes
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
15 Reviews for Paolo's
When I moved downtown, the first place I walked to go grab lunch was Paolo's. I recall hastily rushing to the judgment that the sandwich wasn't that good. So, I began avoiding the place.
After a few Yelp recommendations and reading a bunch of good reviews on their pizza, I decided to give it a second shot. It was really great. Now, just about every time we pull out menus to get delivery my wife cuts me off at the pass and asks if we can order from there. I don't mind at all, though, because I'm secretly hoping she would ask that.
This place is a definite on my Philly pizza favorites list.
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Anybody starting out at University of the Arts is automatically told to go have lunch at Paolo's. It's just part of the experience; plus he gives new students a free pizza slice and soda as part of their 'welcoming' experience during orientation.
Working around the corner from the place is convenient when I want something 'ordinary' for lunch instead of my usual ethnic-vegetarian style cuisine I tend to favor. Some of their pizzas and sandwiches can be overrated and their price is a little high for a place that advertises to mainly students. Slices can get up to $3, which, for me isn't worth it because of their size. I mean, for $2.50 I can head to Lorenzo's for something just as greasy but it's big enough to wrap around a sandwich [for anyone will to take the Lorenzo's / Jim's challenge].
They do have beer, which is a plus, and they have a famous vegetarian pizza with the works which is delicious. So is the bruchetta pie! The parlor is just not somewhere I like hanging out though because it is usually hot and filled with loud students and contractors working on the many surrounding condos. The delivery guy can also be creepy.
In all I give it four stars for their creativity and custom pie selections.
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I honestly have not had anything from here besides the Margherita pizza. But damn is that a tasty pizza. It's so good that I am scared that if I try anything else from here I'll be disappointed. The other awesome thing about this place is that after ordering delivery from here once, they have your address saved into their computer. So if I've had a few too many and can't find my way home, I can order a pizza, have them recite my address, and then I can get home. Then shortly after getting home I'll have an delicious pizza at my doorstep. It's pretty amazing.
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I have been working across the street lately at the Symphony House and needed a super quick bite to eat, especially since it was raining cats and dogs! So even though I was only in Paolo's for about 15 minutes for a quick two slice lunch (white with riccotta / meatball), I have to say I was pleasantly impressed. More over, I'm wondering why I have never heard of this place. Surely Paolo's goes on the top five list of best pizza in the city! I'll reserve a star for now for my second visit once I get to venture out a bit over the menu.
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I think Paolo's is ok, but overrated relative to Gianfranco's and SOHO. It's a nice place, though - they guy is, as everyone before me has written, pretty nice - nicer to sit down at, certainly, than either of the aforementioned. But the quality of the pizza just doesn't cut it. The dough is bland and a little crumbly, and the toppings just don't compensate.
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I just love this place. Really.
The pizza is just plain good. Yes it's gourmet, sauceless, and sometimes maybe a little overpriced--but it's awesome. It's not greasy or gooey, and won't make you feel nauseous.
And added plus: the guys behind the counter aren't rude, and sometimes will slide you a free soda...if you're a cute girl.
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Due to the last pizza place I experienced and reviewed, I felt the need to review a pizza place that has always been consistently good so I could get back the urge to eat at such places again.
Considering that I have always received great service from Paolo's, and that I already thought I reviewed it before. I figured that giving a shout out to here was a no brainer. The pizza that they always dish out always manages to find a spot within my top Philly Five. the cheese slices srae always so huge and delicious.
I also don't know what they must have done to their deep fryer that other piza places haven't. because they manage to make the best chicken fingers, broccoli bites, and other such quick treats that I've picked up from any pizza shop. so much so that it's usually difficult for me to choose what to order anytime I set foot inside.
and I do have to give it up for the quick beer selection to. anything from Buweiser cans to Stella Artois.
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THE BEST PIZZA IN PHILLY!!
Paolo's is my favorite pizza place in Philadelphia and the quality of ingredients is what make is outstanding. The Margarita pizze w/ sausage is out of this world!!
The other menu items I've had are also equally good (sandwiches, brocolli bites, cheesesteaks).
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The best pizza. When I lived 3 blocks away, I picked up pies there at least 1x a week. Don't let Pine St. Pizza lure you in, this is the real deal. A small pie will feed 2 nicely, and runs around 10 - 12 bucks. These aren't plain cheese either, but loaded with specialty toppings such as grilled eggplant, veggies, prosciutto, ricotta, you name it. Now that I don't live near enough for delivery, I'd be willing to phillycarshare it down there to pick up a pizza - and I have.
It's also a decent place for a sit down meal. I tried their calzones - skip it, and stick to the pizza! The guys behind the counter are great, they blast random trance/club music. Pick up some beers too, and try not to stare too long at the bizarre wooden cutouts of anthropomorphic Italian food that decorates the restaurant. The smiling meatballs look like Mr. Hankey...
Try the antipasti pizza - its sheer mind blowing.
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I walked by this place and dismissed it as "just another pizza joint" for several months. Recently, as a last ditch place to eat, I ended up sitting down for a meal at Paolo's.
This place is amazing. Excellent selection, excellent food (for a take-out and "order and sit-down" place), EXCELLENT prices, and the right size portions.
The beer was actually priced at "real" (Jersey liquor store prices (quoting Jenna C.). It makes you wonder what kind of markup is on the alcohol that this place makes any profit on their alcohol sales.
I just tried the spinach manicotti last night and it was great. Nice portobello mushrooms, fresh spinach, and homemade mannicotti... for $6.50.
They run daily specials. For example: 50 wings with a liter of cola for $22.50. Get together some friends and dig in! Although, the wings are kind of funky chicken. Try them for yourself.
There are bathrooms on premises, but they are slightly dank. Can't complain too much because the locks work and there are paper towels.
Inside the restaurant it is kind of hot and often noisy with the sound of Phillies and/or Eagles (depending on the season) playing on the TVs.
Stop in, take a look at the menu, and be amazed.
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Who would put pepperoni, tomatoes, and caramelized onions on a burger and call it "Antique Row"? The answer: a genius.
This is the typical pizza place with an extensive menu. Not only are there pizzas, specialty pizzas, and pastas, there are also burgers, sandwiches, and salads. This much selection is common in many pizza shops in Philly/South Jersey.
What isn't typical about this pizza shop is the quality of food. Try a couple of different slices, when you go, and you'll be very happy. Really, try anything, when you go, and you'll be happy. They make the food when you order, so it's always hot when it reaches your mouth. And that, I think, is the only way to eat a pizza.
The only thing that's a little strange is this: there's a little square between the steaks and the chicken sandwiches on the menu. It's hard to notice and comprehend, so I'll tell you what it says. "Our chicken cheesesteak is fresh chicken breast marinated in olive oil & fresh squeezed lemon". Even if you notice it on the menu, you assume that it can't apply to the buffalo chicken cheesesteak you're ordering... But it does apply to you. So if you order a chicken cheesesteak, you're actually just ordering a chicken sandwich with large pieces of meat. It's clearly stated on the menu, but I've seen people order it and get disappointed (until they took that first bite, that is).
Also, check out the walls. After you get distracted by the cute, cartoonish foods on the walls, you'll notice that they have pictures of local musicians and other locals hanging, too. I support a pizza shop that supports local musicians.
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One star for every artery that their spicy cheese fries clog... plus one for good luck!
But seriously, Paolo's is my favorite pizza place in Philadelphia. Aside from having some really fantastic gourmet pies, the guys that work there are awesome.
You know how a lot of pizza places have really shady Italian guys working there? The kind that stare down a girls shirt when they take her order. Well the guys at Paolo's love to hit on girls, but they're really realllllly classy about it.
Instead of saying something like "Nice tits," they'll um... court her sweetly, saying things like "Do you like mozzarella? This is the freshest sweetest mozzarella, straight from Italy... here, have some." or "Nah don't worry about it, it's on me."
Check it out... especially if you've got a nice rack and don't have money for a soda!
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Good pizza. I like the melanzane with eggplant. Italiano cheesesteak was delicious, with bruschetta mixed in. It can get hot in there, so try to sit outside. The crust is excellent, and they have a variety of interesting toppings.
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Paolo's has everything you'd expect from a Philly pizza joint with a few gourmet touches. I used to live about a block away, and I haven't been back since I moved to University City, but I have only fond memories of the food. During the time I lived there, I also remember eating a ton of Paolo's hoagies and sandwiches. If he had panini on the menu, it was definitely delicious.
Found this place looking for real food to eat close to the Last Drop down the block. Looks like your standard Italian pizzeria, but they make some mean Italian variations on the cheesesteak, which were only offered as a daily special. Large booth tables, with a comfortable uncrowded atmosphere. Friendly staff to boot.
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