Pizza Plus West — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Tonight I decided to get Pizza because a community member was offering to pick up pizza for people from a place in New Jersey. So I decided to give PIZZA PLUS a try. A friend of mine who looked a bit disheveled went in with me and asked for change for a $20 bill. The window staff offensively looked him up and down and told him she didn’t have change. He did not hear her response the first time and so she repeated it. After that she continued to say this at least (2-3 more times) as if she thought he couldn’t understand English or something. I ended up having to say to her that it was not necessary for her to keep saying that as he understood. She then told him to go somewhere else and buy something so he could get change. Now I found this offensive because they had sodas that he could have purchased. However, she clearly didn’t want him to buy anything. She wanted him to go elsewhere. He eventually left the store. Thereafter, I asked what the prices were for the various pizza’s as there was nothing to reference for pricing and she said I needed to go to the website. She made no attempt to offer pricing for any of the items on the board. So I asked, what do you do in the case of a customer who does not have a phone. She then says that anyone who can’t afford a phone obviously cannot afford a $14 pizza. The cost of my pizza was $14. I told her she was incorrect as some people have free phones and whether or not they have one is not an indication of whether or not they can purchase a $14 pizza. I then asked about the difference between a vegan vs regular pizza. Her eyes rolled all around her head and she gave that look as if to suggest I had asked a “dumb” question. I thought about these exchanges and got angry while waiting for it to get done. Now I normally keep thoughts about racial issues to myself. However, I’m noticing more and more in this gentrified neighborhood, I am treated as if “I” don’t belong here even though I have been for over 50 years. I’m feeling like some of the establishments owned and operated by whites take for granted that their businesses will survive no matter how they treat people of color because the masses of white folk business will be enough. Well sadly that may very well be true. However, they will not get wealth from me as I commit to never spending another penny in Pizza Plus because of this. For my people of color, I hope you have a better experience than I did. For all others, do better. And the pizza...

The first time I visited they did not have any kind of menu—neither a board on the wall or a paper menu. They said I need to look it up online. I did not have a smartphone on me, so I left.

On a different date, I tried again and ordered ahead online. I ordered a veggie cheesesteak with grilled onions, mushrooms, and pickles. With tax it cost $17.55. It was a little pricey, but if it was a quality sandwich it would be worth it.

It was not a quality sandwich. It was a gooey mess. The cheese to meat ratio was way off. Most of the contents of the sandwich oozed out the roll the instant I picked it up. The meat was crumbly “ground meat” style Beyond meat so it was more like a sloppy joe swimming in cheese wiz than a cheesesteak. The grilled onions were not chopped like they usually are on a cheesesteak so each bite pulled out long strands of gooey onions dripping with cheese sauce. It was messy.

Please rethink your veggie cheesesteak recipe. This one is not working.

EDIT: I left this bad review shortly after the place opened. I gave them another chance the other day.

The pesto vegan “chicken” sandwich was pretty darn good. It was served on a fresh seeded Sarcone’s roll. The woman who rung me up was friendly and helpful.

A few days later I was at a party and they had Pizza Plus’ regular cheese pizza and also Detroit style pan pizza. The regular pizza was pretty darn good. The Detroit style pizza was AMAZING. OMG. It was maybe the best pizza I ever had. I can’t stop thinking about it.

So anyway, I am changing my review from two to five stars.

They have a really cool t-shirt design for sale. I need to buy one next time I stop by. I need to...

PLEASE CONTACT THE STORE DIRECTLY TO ORDER FOOD DO NOT USE GRUBHUB/DOORDASH/TOAST!!!

As I've learned the hard way, Pizza Plus West did not consent to being on Door Dash or GrubHub. These two services upcharge their prices by a good $2-3+ dollars across the board and that money is taken directly out of Pizza Plus West's operating costs and consumers' pockets. Support your favorite local restaurants by ordering from them directly!

Now that that's out of the way, I sincerely encourage you to give Pizza Plus West a try! They moved into their spot on 48th Spruce a while back and have been a welcome addition to the neighborhood ever since! Delicious pizza with great crust and some of the best sauce around. Great sandwiches as well (Try their cheeseburger! Delicious fries to boot) and great service.

Pizza Plus West uses Gran Moravia cheese as a standard finishing cheese for their pies (i.e. they grate Moravia on top of the Mozarella). This is a delicious, pungent, hard cows' cheese from Italy that is reminiscent of Parmesan, but more intense and nutty. I only mention this because some might find it a bit overwhelming and I do not want someone's impression of their pizza to be skewed by an optional extra :)

Location Notes: Street parking only, small waiting area with minimal tables/chairs. More of a pick-up/take-out restaurant. Directly across from West Philadelphia High School...