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There may be older eateries in South Philadelphia, but since 2003 few restaurants have garnered more acclaim than Scannicchio’s, 2500 S. Broad Street. While the location is young, the family running the restaurant is far from new in the business, as they operated an Atlantic City eatery for 30 years.
In a place with a large Italian-American population like South Philly, an Italian restaurant must be outstanding to receive the recognition that Scannicchio’s has earned. Not only is that establishment facing all other restaurants in the area but also every mother in the vicinity. But there lies the charm to the local BYOB, it focuses on home-style dishes that patrons know from childhoods spent around the dinner table.
There are menu favorites such as cheese ravioli, chicken Sicilian and chicken Parmesan that aid patrons in their short bit of reminiscing while enjoying the fine dishes offered. Chef and co-owner Christian Varalli points to the home-like feel as part of his business’s success.
“There is a lot of family in the restaurant that is pretty welcoming, a lot of the customers like the old-school style of Italian mixed with our modern dishes,” he said.
For continued success, the Readers’ Choice winner for chef makes sure that every facet of the waitstaff runs in the correct manor.
“We coach the staff that the customer comes first within the business. I always tell them when you come in to leave your problems at the door. Keep everything upbeat, and [know] you’re here to work.”
When it comes to food preparation, Varalli also gives credit to his father.
“The menu is based on my dad’s restaurant that was in Atlantic City for 30 years then he retired five years ago,” Varalli said, adding “His expertise and knowledge through the years have always rubbed off on me.”
For Italian restaurant, Ristorante Pesto encouraged everyone to mangia in second, with Popi’s showing its Mediterranean mastery in third. For chef, Stogie Joe’s Christian Leuzzi prepared a second-place finish, with Laurel’s Nick Elmi securing third-place laurels.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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