Accolades
What's the buzz about?
Success in the pizza industry isn't just about what you create—it's about how your community responds. At Santucci's Original Square Pizza, we've been fortunate to earn recognition from both our loyal customers and the culinary media that covers Philadelphia's competitive food scene. These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment to quality, family tradition, and innovation.
A Legacy Built on Excellence
Founded in 1959 by Joseph and Philomena Santucci, our family has spent over six decades perfecting the art of square pizza with sauce on top. While we're considered one of Philadelphia's legacy brands, we've never been content to rest on past achievements. As a fast-casual restaurant, we embrace our role as disrupters and innovators, constantly evolving to meet changing customer expectations while honoring our authentic Italian-American roots.
In the early 1960s, "good press" came through word of mouth as pizza was emerging as a beloved American food. Today, customers share photos of our pies across social media platforms, generating organic buzz that our founder Frank could never have imagined. As Italian Americans and their culinary traditions spread from city to suburb and coast to coast, pizza's popularity exploded—and Santucci's has been part of that journey every step of the way.
Recognized by Industry Leaders and Media
We're deeply grateful for the recognition we've received from local and national press, food critics, and industry organizations. While our guests remain our greatest advocates, media coverage validates our passion for exceptional food, family values, and community engagement. Every article, award, blog post, and podcast mention reinforces our mission and inspires us to maintain the standards that started it all.
Recent Press Honors:
• Best Pizza in South Jersey – The Courier Post
• Barstool Sports Pizza Review – Dave Portnoy's One Bite Pizza Reviews
• Best of Philly Readers' Choice Award – Philadelphia Magazine
• Best Pizza Delivery – Philadelphia Magazine
• "Hidden Gem of Ocean City" – OCNJ Daily
• "Some of Philly's Best Pizza" – Philadelphia Magazine
Voted Best Pizza in Philadelphia
Santucci's has been voted Best Pizza in Philadelphia multiple times—a remarkable distinction in one of America's most competitive pizza markets. Recently, we received one of the industry's highest honors: induction into the prestigious Pizza Today Hall of Fame, sponsored by PMQ Magazine. This award is reserved exclusively for multi-location pizzerias still operated by the original founding family.
When Eater Philadelphia profiled Frank Santucci, Sr., readers discovered the story behind our signature style Pizza Hall of Fame—why the sauce goes on top instead of underneath the cheese—and learned about the family values that continue to drive our business.
Three Generations Strong, Fourth on Deck!
Now in our third generation of family ownership, with our fourth generation learning the business, every member of the Santucci family remains actively involved in preserving the values, flavor profiles, and operational excellence that built our reputation. Recognition from industry leaders and media outlets would make our founders proud—and it motivates us to keep raising the bar while staying true to our heritage.
Awards & Accolades
(Last 5 Years: 2020-2025)
Based on available information, here are confirmed awards and recognitions for
Santucci's Original Square Pizza from 2020-2025:
Industry Awards:
• Pizza Today Hall of Fame Inductee (2024) – Sponsored by PMQ Magazine; awarded to multi-location pizzerias still operated by founding families
Media Recognition:
• Best of Philly Readers' Choice Award – Philadelphia Magazine
• Best Pizza Delivery – Philadelphia Magazine
• Best Pizza in South Jersey – The Courier Post
• "Hidden Gem of Ocean City" – OCNJ Daily
• Featured Review – Barstool Sports/Dave Portnoy One Bite Pizza Reviews
• Multiple "Best Pizza in Philadelphia" titles – Various local publications
Recent Press Coverage (2024-2025):
• Featured in Philadelphia Inquirer (August 2025)
• PHL17 Weekend Philler with Tony Romeo (June 2025)
• Fox29 Philadelphia Valentine's Day charity pizza feature (February 2025)
• SNJ Today coverage of new South Jersey locations (January-February 2025)
• Multiple features highlighting family tradition and community involvement