A taste of success: Croce’s Pizza owner Nick Croce (left) accepts the winning certificate from Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association president Al Taubenberger after the Best of Burholme pizza contest. TOM WARING / TIMES PHOTO
Croce’s Pizza was the big winner in last week’s Best of Burholme pizza contest.
A huge crowd turned out on June 13 at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer for the contest, which was sponsored by the Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association.
The turnout of 300-plus people dwarfed crowds that the group had for big-name speakers like former Mayors John Street and Ed Rendell and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum.
Guests tasted pizza from Croce’s, Quig’s Pizza, Johnny G’s, Rising Sun Pizza and Santucci’s Square Pizza and Restaurant. They placed chips in a bucket to vote for their favorites. Ernie’s Pizza also fed the crowd, but was not part of the contest.
In the end, Croce’s won a close five-way competition. Al Taubenberger, president of the Town Watch/civic association, presented a certificate to owner Nick Croce.
Many more people came to United Methodist Church of the Redeemer to vote for their favorite pizza than showed up at the church, site of the 53rd Ward, 21st Division polling place, to vote in last month’s primary election.
“We are blessed to have some of the best pizza in all of Pennsylvania,” Taubenberger said.
The Town Watch/civic association will be back at the church for its next meeting on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. ••
