With genuine hospitality reminiscent of a Southern diner, an extensive menu that's uncharacteristic of generic pizza joints, and a casual yet sophisticated decor, Mama Palma's is several notches above your ordinary neighborhood eatery.
The menu boasts 34 pizzas (not to mention the create-your-own option), over a dozen breads and salads, plus panini, calzones and pasta. For the health-conscious, whole wheat pizza dough is available upon request for a couple extra bucks, along with soy, low and non-fat cheese options.
For an appetizer, don't miss the famous warm polenta bread plate ($7.50). Topped with corn, rosemary and roasted sweet peppers, it's a slightly sweet, chewy bread that proves to be a delicious start to the meal.
The plethora of specialty pizzas may seem daunting for a Mama's newcomer, but go with whatever makes you salivate and you won't be disappointed. For meat-lovers, the Juliano pizza ($9.65) features three different kinds of Italian sausage, as well as veal, herb and roasted pepper on top of red sauce and mozzarella. The shredded fresh basil adds a nice kick to the pie and nicely balances out the meaty flavors.
Although the eclectic barbecued chicken ($8.50) pizza has become a standard in the pizza world, Mama's is especially noteworthy. Diced chicken topped with red onion, cilantro and mozzarella lay over a red sauce, making a scrumptious combination that no barbecue fan can resist.
For those who want to maintain their girlish figures, Mama's offers veggie choices such as the margherita ($8) and the primavera ($9). The traditional margherita receives exceptional marks: slightly cooked plum tomatoes embedded in gooey buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil is the definition of a classic Italian pie.
On the other side of the coin, the primavera pizza was an even more nutritious option, but much less tasty. Plum tomatoes, broccoli, mushrooms, red onions, Calamata olives, baby zucchini and provolone cheese are all piled on top of the pizza crust and seasoned with basil and parmesan. The end result was a few too many vegetables per bite, and the crŠme fraŒche base is a dry and unappealing substitute for tomato sauce.
Because Mama Palma's has earned a reputation with its famous pizzas, the unexpected piŠce de r‚sistance of the meal was the Tiramisu. Mouth-watering just to look at, the towering pastry consists of layered ladyfingers and an irresistibly rich mascarpone (a triple-creme cheese) sprinkled with coffee beans and drizzled with whipped cream.
This delightful joint truly exceeds expectations for a pizza place, with the quality of the meal extending from the friendly service to each increasingly tasty mouthful. Mama Palma's not only gets the vote for some of the best slices in Philly, but for being more than just a parlor. It ranks up there with some of the best casual restaurants in the city.
