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While Termini Bros., 1523 S. Eighth St. and 1538 Packer Ave., won the cannoli title last year, the family is sharing it this time around, but Vincent Termini Sr. is still confident in his and his sons’ product.
“Well, I always knew we had the best cannoli,” he said.
His father and uncle originated the brand that lives on today at its two South Philly and two Center City locations, and his sons joined the business 15 years ago, with Vincent Jr. having studied at New York’s Culinary Institute of America and Joseph earning a degree in food marketing at St. Joseph’s University.
“They work very well together, but we’re here all the time to watch over everything,” Vince Sr. said of their Passyunk Square spot where all of the baking is done.
To appeal to American tastes, the company has chocolate and vanilla cannoli fillings, but the original flavor, stemming from Sicily, Italy, is ricotta.
“When they can’t pronounce it right, they say the one with the chocolate chips,” he said of Termini’s ricotta, a mix of a local and a Massachusetts variety.
Regardless, the shells are filled fresh for each order to avoid sogginess. Even when shipped across the country, both components are packaged separately.
“When you bite into a cannoli, it has to be crispy and it has to be tasty, and the ricotta complements it even more,” Vince Sr. said.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
2013 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: Gravy/sauce
Geno’s Steaks: French fries / cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
Johnny Chang’s: Sushi
Nick’s Old Original Roast Beef: Roast beef sandwich
City Pizza: Pizza toppings
Green Eggs Café: Sunday brunch
Penrose Diner: Waffles
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Business luncheon/banquet
FrancoLuigi’s Pizzeria: Romantic outing
Ristorante Pesto: Italian restaurant
Cantina Los Cabalitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Noir: New restaurant
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli (tie)
Potito’s Bakery: Cannoli (tie) / cupcakes
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Lerro’s Candy Co.: Candy store
Staying Active
DanceAdelphia: Dance studio
Girard Academic Music Program: Music program
Marconi Plaza: Place to walk your dog
Stickball: Schoolyard/street game
Guerin Recreation Center: Recreation Center
Wake Up Yoga: Place to take a yoga class
Places
East Passyunk Avenue: Neighborhood
Pennsylvania Burial Co.: Funeral home
Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School: School
St. Monica: Church
Ten Pennies: Florist
Chickie’s and Pete’s: Place to enjoy a game
Sports
Frank Natale: High school coach
Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School Saints: High school team
Citizens Bank Park: Pro sports venue
Chase Utley: Current Philly pro athlete
Ed Snider: Philly pro sports owner
And the Rest
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
Councilman Mark Squilla: Politician
Social Scene: South Philly Review section
Disc jockey: Category not on this list
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