Editor finds best pizza at Allegro in University City

By Nate Adams
Collegian Editor
October 10, 2007

With all the focus Philadelphia has put on its main culinary export, the cheesesteak, it is not hard to believe that good pizza places are few and far between. You can throw a baseball in any direction and find a good cheesesteak place, but finding a decent place to get a slice is like trying to find an albino during a white out. Luckily, Allegro Pizza on the corner of 40th and Spruce streets is an oasis in a city sick with hot meat, but severely lacking in pies.

Nestled in the heart of University City, Allegro Pizza is a cafeteria-style restaurant with an extensive menu featuring fried foods, grilled items, such as burgers and cheesesteaks, and of course, pizza. Allegro sells authentic New York-style pizza by both the slice and the pie. Their pizza slices are nearly perfect; the crust is crispy with a firmness that keeps the topping on the slice and off the plate, and the cheese-to-sauce ratio is such that each piece has just enough of both.

Allegro even avoids the two main pitfalls of New York-style pizza: Grease and floppiness. New York pizza is notorious for being the greasiest pizza in the world, yet the pizza at Allegro is surprisingly grease-free. Don’t misunderstand, it’s still a slice of pizza, but you won’t need more than one napkin to enjoy it. The firm crust of the pizza ensures that people get a strong piece every time, with no floppy, paper-thin slices.

Of course, when discussing college eating habits, the question of money always arises. Thankfully, it doesn’t cost much to get a good meal at Allegro. A plain slice the size of your head and a fountain soda will only set you back $3. When taking into account free refills and the overall awesomeness of the food, it’s more than worth it. The whole pies are equally affordable, with a 16-inch large pie going for under $10.

If pizza isn’t your scene, Allegro still has you covered. The mammoth menu offers a full selection of hoagies, chicken fingers, fries, pastas, sandwiches and a plethora of other hot goodies that will put smiles on faces and deliciousness in bellies. As if this all wasn’t enough, Allegro is also licensed to sell beer and malt beverages. They offer a huge selection of beers and malts in cans, pounders, 40 ounces, six packs and 12 packs. Even if one wants nothing more than a cool drink after a long day, Allegro is the place (as long as you’re over 21).

With affordable prices, a safe location, late operating hours (open until midnight weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends) and a great product, Allegro Pizza is hands-down the best pizza place in Philadelphia. Cheesesteaks are fine, but those looking for a classic slice at a competitive price would be well-served to take the subway down to University City.

adamsn1@lasalle.edu