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Having invested more than six decades into preaching excellence as a component of sustenance, Gus Isgro seems to grow more passionate about the creation of each treat at Isgro Pastries, 1009 Christian St. The third-generation employee and store owner has never wavered from his commitment to high-quality offerings, and readers have reserved rich regard for his Bella Vista labor of love, endowing it with best cannoli and bakery distinction.
“I long ago decided to give 100 percent to this business,” he said of the 110-year-old establishment. “Because of that, I’m focused on giving each customer the best. We have too much pride in our lineage to think any other way.”
That pedigree includes the dedication of uncle Samuel and mother Mary, who both recently passed away, and leads Gus, with more than 500 recipes, to value each interaction with sweets seekers.
“I feel fortunate because this is such a lovely way to make a living,” he said. “We’re in the luxury sales business, so we really don’t have to work on drawing people or pitching our products, but that doesn’t mean we ever sacrifice consideration for what they see.”
That devotion resonates with the crafting of their cannolis, which his grandfather, Mario, made the site’s first priority. It has enjoyed a long run as the shop’s best seller, with the ubiquitous chocolate, ricotta and vanilla varieties sharing the limelight with the chocolate mousse and mascarpone concoctions. March always proves favorable to Irish potato and zeppoli sales for St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s feast day, respectively, with the entire calendar kind of cookie, cupcake and poundcake renderings. A diligent disciple of the science behind baking, Gus serves as the chief taster, a role he cracked has endowed him with a none-too-small waistline. His goodies have attracted local and national attention, the latter apparent through a turned-down offer to have the Isgro family appear on a reality show akin to what would become “Cake Boss.”
“I debate with myself about establishing a larger profile, but I feel content with the one location because I’m able to devote everything to it,” Gus said. “There’s a great sense of trust and respect here, and we’re forever looking to be a positive element of the larger community.”
Having heard inquiries on when he might retire, the proprietor confessed he has no exit strategy and will continue to be as vivacious as an older adult as he was as a boy placing cherries on cookies.
“It’s my name and my business,” Gus said. “I’m very happy to have made so many acquaintances courtesy of that thinking, and I thank South Philly for these honors.”
For cannoli, Termini Bros. filled in nicely in second, and Potito’s looked dreamy and creamy in third. For bakery, Potito’s whipped up a second-place nod, while Termini Bros. found the right consistency in third.
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
2014 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Steak ‘Em Up French fries
Philip’s Steaks and Geno’s Steaks (tie) Cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies Hoagie
Lil Nick’s Deli Specialty sandwich
City Pizza Pizza crust
Green Eggs Cafe Brunch menu
Penrose Diner Omelet selection/Diner
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant Date night/BYOB
Ristorante Pesto Italian restaurant
Johnny Chang’s Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Breezy’s Café New restaurant (January 2013 to present)
Stogie Joe’s Tavern Bar menu
Nick Elmi Top chef
Sweet Tooth
Isgro Pastries Cannoli/Bakery
Pop’s Water Ice Gelati
Potito’s Cupcakes
Termini Bros Cookies
People
Jason Douglas DJ
The Business Local band
Bobby Rydell South Philly celebrity
Dana Smith Elementary school teacher
Vikings Mummers Brigade
Carl Arrigale High school coach
Neumann-Goretti High school team
Bryan Hughes Youth/recreation league coach
Nick Foles Philly pro athlete
Places
DiBruno Bros. Italian specialty store
Galdo’s Catering Hall
Ten Pennies Florist
Monti Rago Funeral Home, Inc., Funeral home
Packer Park Neighborhood
Epiphany of Our Lord Church Church
Lombardi’s Prime Meats Butcher shop
TLA Music venue
On the Move
Planet Fitness Gym/health club
DanceAdelphia Ballet program
Barry Playground Community pool
Fitness Works Place to take a Pilates class
And Let’s Not Forget
Bartender Category not on this list
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