In my mind, it was the best pizza in the world. And also I argued with my friends because Philadelphians argue about such things, that they also made the best cheesesteaks. I loved the special cheese blend that they used. It was mozzarella, parmesan and a little cheddar – that was like their secret ingredient. And they used ample amounts of it on their cheesesteaks as well as on their pizzas.
The pizzas had a wonderful crispy puffy dough – with open bubbles and blisters that would kind of char and poke up here and there on the top of the pizzas. When I was 17, I even did a short stint as a delivery boy for Mama’s. And the aroma of hot pizzas and cheesesteaks filled my car and my senses with what now – writers call an indelible taste memory.
Even after going off to college, and many years after that, I considered Mama’s Pizzas the benchmark of how great a pizza should be. All other pizzas I had during those years ranked against Mama’s. And much as I love pizzas of any type, Mama’s still reigned supreme.
But then I grew up.
Peter Reinhart
James Beard Award-winning author Peter Reinhart grew up in Penn Valley and graduated from Harriton High School.
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Absolutely loved Mama’s pizza and steak sandwiches. The best ever!
Dino Karavalis from Harriton HS moved out to LA after graduation. Every year Mike Milkis would meet up with Dino and his college roimmate Sammy somewhere out west to go skiing.. For over 30 years Mike would call Paul from Mamas and take cheesesteaks out West and celebrate Phillys best cheesesteak. Mike and Dino you’re truly missed.
Absolutely the best pizza on earth- nothing has ever come closer. Taking pizza off the menu? Could never figure that out.
I worked at mamas pizzeria in 1960. I remember Paul very well and another guy I worked with, but I can’t remember his name. It was my first job I was 15 years old.