Like so many aspects of Philadelphia, the pizza scene here bubbles with an independent spirit—most evident in the personality-heavy neighborhoods and the city's many varied, and very tasty, pies.
South Philadelphia's East Passyunk and Bella Vista areas are serious about their 'za—and offer unique approaches to enjoying the Italian delicacy. At Nomad Pizza, patrons are in charge of cutting their own Neapolitan pies. While Santucci's puts a twist on the classic dish with the cheese layered under the sauce of the distinctly square-shaped pie.
Newest on the scene is Pizzeria Vetri, which boasts a James Beard Award-winning chef and a prime location in Spring Garden. When in the area, check out tough guy neighbor Pizzeria Beddia where a few simple rules are enforced: no slices, no credit cards, no phone, and seriously good takeout.
For the historians of the group, stop by Pizza Brain in Fishtown, the world's first pizza museum, which features 550 pie-related artifacts along with solid slices, as well as Marra's Cucina Italiana that has an oven made of bricks straight from Mt. Vesuvius.
Get a taste of Philly and its neighborhoods' flavors this way. >> 
