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Top Spots For Calzones In Philadelphia

A cousin to pizza, a calzone consists of dough that is folded over and filled with ingredients such as cheese, veggies, meat and sauce and baked so that it has a crisp crust and melted insides. Essentially, it's the gourmet Italian version of a large Hot Pocket. Since Philadelphia is home to so many great pizzas, it's no surprise that you can also order some delicious calzones as well. Here are just a few of the best.
Renzi's Pizzeria
2728 Orthodox St.
Philadelphia, PA 19137
(215) 533-1300

6300 Battersby St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 743-4300
www.renzispizzeria.com

Renzi's is known for its pizza made with homemade dough topped with sliced mozzarella cheese on the bottom and fresh tomato sauce (made with a secret blend of spices) on the top. These same high-quality ingredients are used to make delicious calzones. Plain cheese calzones are created with a half-moon pocket of dough made in-house from scratch daily, and stuffed with 100 percent mozzarella, Parmesan and ricotta  cheeses and served with a side of tomato sauce for $7.25. Opt for the steak or chicken version for $9, or choose any other topping from the list for an additional $1.20. Each hearty calzone serves two to three people.

Pizzeria Vetri
1939 Callowhill St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 600-2629

1615 Chancellor St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 763-3760
www.pizzeriavetri.com

Pizzeria Vetri opened in Callowhill in 2013, receiving high praise in publications such as the Philadelphia Inquirer and named among the top 25 new restaurants in the country by GQ Magazine in 2014. The Vetri Family opened its second spot dedicated to authentic Italian pizza in summer 2015, this time in Rittenhouse Square. The star of both restaurants is the wood-fired Renato oven. These custom-made oven bakes killer Neopolitan-style pizzas made to order, but they're also used to produce the popular calzones. The football-sized house specialty is $16, made with ricotta cheese, tomato sauce and prosciutto, brushed with olive oil and topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Related: Top Pizza In Philadelphia

Slice
Rittenhouse Square
1740 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 557-9299

Italian Market
1180 S. 10th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 463-0868
www.slicepa.com

With its original location in the Italian Market and a second in Rittenhouse Square, Slice has a strong commitment to fresh, quality ingredients. The Trenton-style pizza is award-winning, but the calzones aren't far behind. Choose from the bianca (high-grade mozzarella cheese, ricotta, garlic and olive oil) and Americano (mozzarella cheese and hand-crushed San Marzano tomato sauce) for $7.95, or opt for the Italiana (mozzarella, ricotta, olive oil and prosciutto) for $9.95. You can also create your own, with toppings of your choice for $1.95 each. Vegans will rejoice in that you can also order a calzone made with gourmet vegan mozzarella.

Gusto
240 S. 22nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-7200
www.gusto.thekalon.com

Just a short walk from the Schuylkill River Trail or Rittenhouse Square, Gusto is a no-frills, family-owned and operated pizzeria that offers an extensive list of pizzas as well as chicken cutlet, roast pork and roast beef sandwiches, hoagies, Italian sandwiches, cheesesteaks, burgers, wraps, wings, salads and calzones. A buttery crust with a touch of garlic and a nice crisp crunch is perfect around gooey cheese and quality meats and vegetables. The menu lists about 10 varieties of calzones (all priced at $8.50 or $9), including options such as Italian sausage with roasted peppers, onions and mozzarella cheese, BBQ chicken with chicken breast, mozzarella and barbecue sauce, and the spinach and zucchini with onions, mozzarella and ricotta cheese. Or you can also request a buffalo chicken calzone, which is a bit of a secret favorite. Each calzone is large enough to feed two, so pick one to share or be prepared to bring home leftovers.

Pietro's Coal Oven Pizzeria
1714 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 735-8090
 
121-123 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 733-0675
www.pietrospizza.com

Pietro's is a family-owned business with two locations in Philly and a third in Radnor. The coal oven is the main event at any Pietro's, reaching about 1200 degrees and creating a unique smoky, crispy crust. While it's obviously perfect for gourmet pizzas, the oven also works double duty baking great calzones. The basic calzone starts at $12.50, but you can add a variety of cheeses, veggies and meats such as ricotta, roasted zucchini, spinach, capicola ham, meatballs and chicken for an additional cost.

Related: Top Italian Restaurants In Philadelphia

Michelle Hein is the social media editor for a women's fashion company in Bucks County by day and a self-proclaimed food and drink fanatic by night and weekend. She enjoys attending wine classes, trying new recipes in the kitchen and going to old favorites and new restaurants alike in the Bucks County and Philadelphia area. If the writing gig doesn't pan out, she constantly dreams of owning her own bakery…perhaps connected to the restaurant/bar that her lawyer husband would love to open.
< a href=http://www.examiner.com/user-michelle-hein

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