Austin B.
Yelp
tl;dr personal, Detroit style pies -- quite possibly, the best in Philly -- highlight the casual American menu at this hole-in-the-wall pizza joint
Sister restaurant to locally acclaimed Circles + Squares, Pizza Plus delivers a menu of all-American fare including Detroit and NY style 'zzas, burgers, and sandos. The most recent outpost off 48th and Spruce definitely ups the pizza game in West Philly. The small, walk-in room is unadorned, apart from a psychedelic, pizza-themed mural on the sidewall. Order ahead of time, then check in with the staff when you arrive.
Two friends and I opted to split 3 pan pies (2 classic Cheese, 1 Cheeseburger pie) and an order of Pizza Curly Fries. We ordered online, then took our meal to a nearby park. At just 9" diameter, the "Personal Pan" pies may initially seem unassuming -- but the thick and heavy crust characteristic of Detroit 'zza is plenty to fill all but the emptiest of stomachs. The chewy crust with cheese dripping off the side reminded me more of garlic bread than traditional pizza crust. The red sauce was pleasantly tangy and multi-dimensional. The Cheeseburger pie, highlighted by ground beef, Cooper sharp, and chopped pickles, was a surprise hit. Of note, this option does not particularly taste like pizza -- if you're really in the mood for traditional 'zza, then forgo (or opt to share) the Cheeseburger pie. The fries were stellar right out of the box, but progressively descended into a sloppy mess by the end of the meal -- if you order them, be sure to finish them while they are still crisp.
The price clocked in at $60 total (after tax/tip) but felt like a steal for 'zza this good. Our group agreed that Pizza Plus clocks in among the best pies in Philly. Beyond that, ordering and pickup here felt substantially easier than some of Philly's trendier pizzerias. I can't wait to go back and sample more of the delicious menu.