Grace & Pat’s and Gennaro’s to be consolidated into one restaurant
As you might recall, Gennaro’s Tomato Pie was originally set to move across from the Singing Fountain. Plans then changed, which lead to the opening of Grace & Pat’s.
According to owner Mike Giammarino, both restaurants will now be consolidating into one location under the Gennaro’s Tomato Pie name in Grace & Pat’s current location at 1533 S. 11th St.
They’re in the process of finishing up some details for the transition, including things like clear coating the floors, to be able to open Gennaro’s here during the first week of November.
Since operating two restaurants in a close proximity wasn’t ideal, this will now combine the concepts of both spots. You’ll be able to get the “Best Pizza in Pennsylvania” from Gennaro’s, along with the square pie option from Grace & Pat’s. There will also be a few pasta dishes from Grace & Pat’s included on the menu.
Their current location on Jackson Street will now function as an office for Gennaro’s.
Very excited to get Gennaro’s at the Singing Fountain now! I hope this works well for them!
Not surprised. Grace & Pat’s is a huge dud. Absurdly expensive for the quality, no way they could hope to grab foot traffic with $18 pies.
I don’t disagree with Zachary. I like the pies, but they are very expensive. A medium red with sausage runs about $15. I treat it as a rare treat, but it is hard to justify with FL’s and Brigantessa right nearby. I hope the merge will be better for everyone.
The comments about price are valid. If I’m getting some takeout pizza, its hard to beat Francoluigis. Sitting down for pizza is more of a group activity and great option for those with younger kids. This place could kill it if it targeted the large groups who come to Passyunk (typically young people) and (seemingly thousands) of young parents who need a restaurant that is kid-friendly. Both groups are price sensitive so a decrease in price should drive volume up. Hope the change works, it’s a great location.
Definitely excited for more access to yummy Gennaro’s for takeout, but sadly don’t think we’re getting the kid-friendly spot some might be looking for. The owner is very clear about his feelings about children in restaurants (no high chairs, a sign about “well-behaved” children outside the Jackson street location that is only kind of a joke, and I agree the price point is an issue).
It always bugged me when Grace & Pat’s was dubbed a “Family Restaurant” when kid-friendly doesn’t seem to be his intention. I may not love the pizza at Birra, but they go above and beyond for families with kids. I’ll respect Mr. Giammarino’s wishes and let the young professionals and old timers enjoy the dining room at the new Gennaro’s! Also I’m not one to hold a grudge (and I love his pizza pies!) so I’ll certainly be up for that takeout!
i’ve brought my baby into grace and pats 3 times now, and the staff seemed totally cool with it and the owner came and hung out with us once and didn’t give the kids any dirty looks. i think Kate might be a little oversensitive
so, disagree with Kate, but agree with price/quantity argument being made here. always left thinking i spent like 15$ too much….the white pie is dope, though.
we’ve taken our toddler to grace and pat’s a few times as well, and the staff has been great (and so is the food). it’s kind of nice to take a kid there because we know that it will be empty and there won’t be other diners to annoy. but…it’s a pretty big sign that you’re not kid friendly if you don’t even offer high chairs. what would the grandma behind the “grandma-style” pizza think if you don’t offer high chairs for kids?
Sadly, I have to agree with another poster. I had so hoped we were going to get a family friendly restaurant out of this spot and that just doesn’t seem to be the case, which seems odd given the food, price point and atmosphere. I hope the consolidation works for them as the pizza is very yummy, but until I actually feel welcome bringing my children in with me to eat then they aren’t likely to get any of my business. There are too many other options in the city to compete for my attention on child-free date nights.
Great news. That’s a prime location that deserves a busy restaurant. Adding the Gennaro’s pies will do the trick.
You want “kid-pizza”? There’s a Chuckie Cheese in Snyder Plaza.
Not “kid pizza”, just a little more family friendly. For example, Birra not only has highchairs, but gives kids pizza dough to play with at the table. I mean, it’s fine if the owner doesn’t want kids in his restaurant, but you can’t be a “family restaurant” if people can’t bring their families there.
Price is way to high for basic pizza. We walked out after seeing the prices, plus $3 a topping? C’mon man.
*too
Glad Gennaro’s will be on The Avenue (LOVE their tomato pie) but I’ll miss their old school interior. Much more interesting than the “New York subway” theme in Grace & Pst’s.
Who would want to see a New York Subway in a Philly pizza place?
Grace and Pat’s has been surprisingly quiet. Hopefully these changes make the spot more lively.
I wish they would do away with these new concepts and just bring the original Lombardi’s back to Philly. They had the best pizza in the city. Neither Gennaro’s nor Grace and Pats has even come close.
Look, it’s cash only and Byob. My small family will always choose Birra over Grace and Pat’s. I respect their cash only approach but at 5:30pm when we make last minute dinner plans, I don’t want to have to hit the atm and the bottle shop. I want to slide I to a boisterous pizzeria where my kid can play with dough and I can drink a Peroni. Birra’s pizza is banging lately and they take credit cards. They haven’t rested on their laurels which I aporeciate it and the service is solid and friendly. I actually prefer Grace and Pat’s pizza but gone a few times and it’s always sort of awkward. I hope their business pics up, it always seems like it’s closed. Too bad they didn’t put some big windows out front that open onto the fountain.