Tacconelli’s isn’t just serving pizza, they’re continuing a five-generation baking legacy that started with Giovanni Tacconelli’s ancestors.
This Port Richmond institution operates from beneath the family home where the magic happens in a single coal-fired oven.
The restaurant only makes a limited number of doughs each day, which means calling ahead isn’t optional, it’s required.
Why Tacconelli’s Pizza Defines Philadelphia’s Old-School Style
Giovanni Tacconelli runs this operation solo, crafting every single pie that comes out of his unique oven.
The paper-thin crust can only handle two toppings maximum because any more would compromise the structural integrity of these delicate pies.
He welcomes guests into the kitchen to watch him work, creating an interactive experience you won’t find at typical pizzerias.
How This Family Bakery Became Philadelphia’s Pizza Destination
Five generations of Tacconellis have perfected their recipe, working without computers and doing everything by hand the traditional way.
The coal-fired oven creates impossibly thin, crispy crusts with perfectly charred edges that set the best pizza in Philadelphia apart from modern competitors.
Their BYOB policy and neighborhood vibe attract crowds who call days in advance just to reserve their dough before the daily supply runs out.
Food Highlights
- Sausage and Onion Pizza: The house specialty combines perfectly seasoned sausage with caramelized onions on that signature paper-thin crust.
- The Special: Giovanni’s recommended pie showcases the family’s expertise with a carefully balanced combination of classic toppings.
- Margherita Pizza: Fresh mozzarella, house sauce, and basil create the perfect cheese-to-sauce ratio on that impossibly light crust.
- Pepperoni with Hot Honey: A sweet-heat combination that elevates traditional pepperoni with a subtle kick and touch of sweetness.
- White Pie: Their most popular option proves you don’t need tomato sauce when the crust and cheese quality speak for themselves.
- Mushroom with Tomatoes: Half mushroom with crushed tomatoes provides the moisture that makes this combination work beautifully.
Atmosphere
The restaurant sits in the middle of a residential block with a small dining room that feels like stepping back into a 1990s neighborhood pizza joint.
Free parking in a designated lot around the corner makes city dining convenient while servers who’ve been here for nearly two decades create a genuine family vibe.
The modest space decorated simply but kept spotlessly clean focuses all attention on what matters most, the pizza coming from that single coal-fired oven.
Bottom Line
Tacconelli’s proves that the best pizza in Philadelphia comes from respecting tradition while maintaining uncompromising quality standards over five generations.
The sausage and onion, the Special, and that hot honey pepperoni demonstrate exactly why this place requires advance reservations.
Sometimes the best experiences come from places that refuse to modernize, where one oven, one family, and one extraordinary recipe create something worth the wait.
Address: Tacconelli’s Pizzeria 2604 E Somerset St, Philadelphia, PA 19134
📞 (215) 425-4983
🕐 Wed-Thu: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM | Fri-Sat: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Sun: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Mon-Tue: Closed
Cash only | BYOB | Call ahead to reserve dough |
Free parking lot available