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Gordon Dinerman and Andrew Fox had been planning to open their own eatery since their days together at Center City’s Barclay Prime. While they intended to open a sushi place, the pair spotted a property at 1700 E. Passyunk Ave., and opted for a pizza and craft beer haven instead. With not even five months having passed since Birra arrived on the avenue, readers’ have named it their favorite new restaurant.
“I definitely didn’t,” Fox said of his expectation of such quick success, “because there’s so many restaurants down here. I think people just figured out we’re good at what we do.”
Fox arrives at work at 6:30 a.m. six days a week (Birra is closed Mondays) to prepare the dough and sauce, cut the vegetables and take care of any other prep work.
“Everything is fresh, fresh, fresh ingredients,” Fox, who resides at Fifth and Tasker streets, said.
He deems his menu as simple with an epic beer list that wife, Jessica, a Birra bartender, creates. The East Passyunk Crossing spot offers more than just pizza though with mussels being a top-seller, along with three little pigs — a red pie topped with pancetta, porchetta, gabagool, mozzarella and fresh herbs — and mac & cheese — a white pizza that features elbow macaroni, pecorino, fontina, mozzarella, bread crumbs and fresh herbs.
“Nothing’s new in the culinary world anymore,” Fox said. “Everyone’s already done it. You just try to put your own spin on it.”
A classic margherita pie is also a fan-favorite, or a starter dish for those less adventurous.
“As people come back, they figure if we can make the margherita, we can make other food as well,” Fox said.
Stateside served up second place while Kris premiered in third.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
2012 Readers’ Choice Award winners
Cuisine
Fuel: Soup; Hummus; Lunch menu (sit down); and healthiest menu
Geno’s Steaks: Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
John’s Roast Pork: Pork sandwich
SliCE: Specialty pizza
Penrose Diner: Diner
Ippolito’s Seafood: Seafood selection
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: BYOB; Italian Restaurant; Dessert menu; Chef
Cantina Los Caballitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Night on the Town
South Philadelphia Tap Room: Craft beer selection
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Celebrate a special occasion
Chickie’s & Pete’s: Friday happy hour; Bar menu; French fries
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli; Cookies
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Caffe Chicco: Iced coffee
People
Barbara Capozzi: Civic leader
Dr. Steven Moskowitz and Dr. William Mestichelli: Dentist
Johnny Looch: DJ
D. Olivieri Jewelers: Jeweler
Rev. Joseph Kelley: Priest/minister
Dr. Gail Avicolli: Principal
Sports
Carl Arrigale: High school coach
Neumann-Goretti Saints: High school team
St. Monica: CYO program
Mike Schmidt: All-time pro athlete
Antonio "Scoop" Jardine: Local current college athlete
And the Rest …
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
East Passyunk Avenue: Shopping center/district
Headhunters Hair Design: Salon
Roast beef sandwich: Category not on this list
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