Staff Blog
NOW OPEN: Joey’s Stone Fired Pizza
Joey Rocco, who worked as a teacher in Toms River for 30 years before retiring, got his start in the pizza biz early, running his father’s Kozy Korners store at 13th and Jackson as well as his uncle’s shops on the boardwalks of Seaside Heights and AC. Now the South Philly native’s doing his own thing with Joey’s Stone Fired Pizza, which soft-opened Saturday at 517 South Street (215-238-9999).
The pizza at the 64-seat Joey’s is thin crust and Neopolitan in style, with chunky imported plum tomatoes for the sauce and secret family blends for both the doughs (traditional or honey whole wheat) and cheese. They’re doing small 12-inch and large 16-inch pies, with pick-and-choose toppings like Fiorella’s sausage, imported capicola and pepperoni, calamata olives and house-roasted peppers. They’re also doing a handful of salads. No slices. (The “Stone” in the name refers to slabs of volcanic rock lining Rocco’s pizza ovens; he says they conduct heat in such a way that ensures the top and bottom of his pies cook evenly.)
They’re BYO right now but in the process of applying for a beer/wine license. Hours are still being ironed out, but Rocco says they’ve been opening at 11 a.m. daily so far.
Good to hear. Still looking for pizza in PHL that can beat Chris Bianco’s in PHX. Closest so far is Costieria at Passy and Catherine and Mark Vetri’s (a friend of Chris’s) at Osteria. Waited 2 1/2 hours at Bianco’s PHX spot last month and it was worth every minute. Bianco’s is pizza for the gods and once you get in and have it placed in front of you, you feel like a deity. Let’s hope Joey has some divinity to hand out too…
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Got a small, one topping pizza from them today. $13, which I think is a lot for a 12 inch pizza on South Street. It was pretty good. Can’t say I would be motivated to buy another. For some reason, instead of cutting it into regular slices, they cut it into thirds in one direction and in half the other, make six squarish pieces.
I got a small pie and loved it! I have eaten all over Philadelphia, and I must say that this pizza was great! It was perfect Neopolitan pizza at its finest. I think its about time South Street has a great place to eat at. I think it is also very unique the way they cut the pizza. Thumbs up! Also, the Restaurant was super clean and very nice. I will be back and for all the others, go ahead and try it.
Pizza is GREAT! Hands-down one of the best pies I’ve eaten ANYWHERE. Eat there or eat it quick.