El Greco Pizza & Luncheonette — Restaurant in Philadelphia

A classic cheese pizza is a deceptively simple dish, just crust, sauce, and cheese, but in the wrong hands, it can easily go awry. Unfortunately, many pizzerias in Philadelphia have fallen into the trap of overcomplicating what should be a straightforward, satisfying slice. Too often, I’ve encountered places that try to reinvent the wheel with unnecessary gourmet flourishes, experimental toppings, or overly complex dough and sauce recipes that end up doing more harm than good.

That’s why finding a place that respects the fundamentals of a great cheese pizza is a breath of fresh air. From the first bite, it’s clear that this pizzeria understands the beauty of restraint. The crust is exactly as it should be, crispy on the outside with just the right amount of chew, sturdy enough to hold up the toppings without being too dense or doughy. The sauce strikes a perfect balance between sweetness and acidity, complementing the richness of the cheese without overpowering it. And speaking of the cheese, it’s evenly melted, with a slight stretch and a golden, slightly caramelized top that signals just the right amount of time in the oven.

What makes this pizza stand out is its adherence to tradition. There’s no unnecessary drizzle of truffle oil, no experimental blend of exotic cheeses, no bizarre fusion elements. It’s just a well-executed slice that reminds you why cheese pizza became an iconic comfort food in the first place. Sometimes, the best way to elevate a dish isn’t by adding more…. it’s by perfecting the basics.

For anyone who has been let down by overly ambitious or gimmicky pizza spots in Philly, this is the place to restore your faith in a good,...

It's very mediocre, but i wouldn't say it's terrible. My main complaint is that it is bland/under seasoned. I added garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and parmesan and it still tasted bland. On the slice i got with chicken and peppers, The toppings were not seasoned which really didn't help them out with the already bland pizza. The store front is okay, and the inside looks like it was nice at one point, but it's a little dated and could use some TLC and deep cleaning. There is also an interesting smell combined with the smell of bleach, so maybe it's time to pull out the appliances and clean behind things.

tl:dr this is a whole in the wall place, and the food doesn't...

El Greco is a perfect neighborhood takeout spot! I needed lunch and was in the area, ended up with a chicken caesar wrap.

Price was reasonable, roughly $13 for a wrap and fries. They gave a LOT of fries which I always appreciate. Crispy, hot and salted well. The wrap itself was filled with juicy small bits of chicken. Also seasoned well. I wish the tortilla was grilled and some croutons inside, it was missing that crunch factor. That would’ve elevated it to a 5 star rating.

Staff was very friendly when I picked it up. I would definitely come back to try...