Popi’s earns a colossal victory

The award-winning crab cakes will be available for sampling at the Best Foods of South Philly event

By Bill Gelman

Photo by Maria Young

When talking about the more popular items at Popi’s Italian Restaurant, the crab cakes need to be included in the conversation. The restaurant at 3120 S. 20th St. sells upward of 800 a week. Owner Gina Rucci, of course, was happy to hear Popi’s landed in the top spot in the heated crab cake division.

“There was a time we had no competition in the area,” Rucci said. “Now we do, and to win is an honor. We only use the best ingredients, and of course, the best colossal crabmeat.”

We are talking creamy jumbo lump crabmeat filling. The winning item is also available as a sandwich during lunch hours at the family-owned-and-operated restaurant that opened in 1993 with the dream of replicating tried-and-true recipes.

When asked what makes Popi’s crab cakes stand out from the competition, she simply responded: “They’re special, that’s all I can say.”