🏖BEST BY THE BEACH ALERT🏖 Established in 1977, this is the premier pizzeria in Sea Isle City, NJ. They are known for their “Upside Down” pizza, with the cheese going on first and then the signature swirled sauce on top. If you’re familiar with Jersey Shore pizza, you know the swirled sauce is a staple of famous pizzerias like Maruca’s in Seaside Heights, Prep’s in Ocean City and also Manco & Manco in OC, NJ. The dough and sauce are made fresh in-house on a daily basis at Phil’s; and you can taste the quality. The cheese-to-sauce ratio is unconventionally well-balanced. The dough has a unique texture & taste, medium crisp, very dry, no sogginess, not too thick, with a very stable base. The crust is equally unique, with a rather rigid texture, somewhat pita-like, but crunchy & tasty. The cheese is outstanding, creamy, melty, fantastic flow, a top-quality delicious blend. The quality & taste of the cheese elevates this pie to the next level and separates it from most Jersey Shore pizza. As for the signature sauce, it looks like swirled ketchup atop the pie; but looks can be deceiving. While it appears to be a very basic sauce, the flavor really sneaks up on you. Scintillatingly sweet, tantalizingly tangy, zesty & zippy, plenty of pizzazz, it’s a simple sauce packed with flavor that tickles the taste buds. All in all, this is some of the best Jersey Shore pizza I’ve ever had. The unique style and quality ingredients create a taste explosion that’s worth making a pilgrimage to try this pie. For me, this is the undisputed best pizza in Sea Isle City, NJ. 🏆
