South Philly’s Members Only Italian Social Club
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Published 2023-01-01
Besides a small red neon sign outside, nothing indicates there’s a 100-year-old Italian eatery that serves as a time capsule for south Philly’s Italian immigrants. To get into the dining area, patrons must tap a buzzer and give their membership cards to a hand extending through a hole in the entranceway’s second door.
Watch owner Joey Baldino give MUNCHIES exclusive access to Palizzi Social Club, show how its incredible food like spaghetti with crabs, caesar salad, and delicious grilled octopus is made — and hear why preserving his heritage and neighborhood’s history is more important than ever to him.
With “house rules,” including things like “no blogging, reviewing, or tagging on social media,” Palizzi Social Club is the definition of “word of mouth.”
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All Comments (21)
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You can just feel the authenticity in this guy. Way to go.
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This is a club that can only exist in a dense urban place. The walkability breeds community and relationships. I love it.
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It's SO important to preserve these traditions as so many of them are being lost. Club is a very special place. Nice to know this neighborhood is preserved and still exists.
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I like how Chef walks up the street and says that his aunt lives here, uncle lives there. Design is like stepping back in time with all that terrific wood paneling, old photos on the wall and black and white flooring. And it's nice how he's got his bulldog by his side, too.
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Stories like this are what keep me interested in food. You can’t fake it when someone weaves their soul into their vision and their craft. To do justice by your family heritage is truly commendable.
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No cell phones at the club Patrons encouraged to engage in old school conversations. Just wonderful.
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My first girlfriend was from South Philly and I spent a lot of time there. It's just a great cultural gem with amazing people, history, and culture. Love to see it's being preserved in this way.
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The way everyone speaks about each other. Made me forget this was about food.
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Wow, this is fantastic! So good to see the old school Italian traditions being kept alive and well!!
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Man this guy really loves his job. He sound his passion for sure.
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I have the Palizzi SC cookbook, it’s excellent and a beautiful tribute to the neighborhood. As a descendent of Abruzzi immigrants who moved to Philly, and now that I live across the country from Philly, it’s my go-to when feeling homesick... I even just made the stromboli's for New Years day. For those looking, it's called 'Dinner at the Club: 100 Years of Stories and Recipes from South Philly's Palizzi Social Club'.
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I love the way this interview was produced, all the voices, the way it unfolded and we really got the entire perspective from beginning to end. Great production and editing. Loved this story. You can tell this man loves what he does.
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i grew up around the corner from this place... this area is and will forever be my favorite area in Philadelphia. shout out to yall for covering this little gem
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This makes me so happy to know this place exists. If I EVER get to Philly, I am going to try to become a member. This place is a national treasure.
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Having grown up in South Philly 5th and Tasker, Italian food and pizza always been my obsession along with my favorite tiramisu. Beautiful story!
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what an amazing job Joey has done, to preserve the history, and soul of this special place, I'm sure his parents are both so proud. food looks fantastic 😙
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I love that such places still can exist - it is very important to preserve and maintain such traditions and culture, so everyone can enjoy them
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As a 1st gen Italian American from the Philly burbs, it’s awesome to have our traditions live on. It’s up to us to preserve and carry this, teach our kids and community or it’s lost. So glad he opened the place up for all. Many old school Italians don’t get the importance to open up and let the “new” gen carry on. Wishing these guys another c’ent anni of success.
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Way to go Joey. Two of my favorite Philly Chefs you have mentored under or cooked for and are friends with. Great and thanks, for bringing back the Italian social club. YUM! Stromboli, Check this out. Brings back memories with my Papa. Best of luck Joey, this move by you and Dolores helping you out brought tears to my eyes, I so miss Philly.
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A few years ago, I had the pleasure of going to this wonderful place while visiting in from Cleveland and staying with friends that live in South Philly who had recently become members and were able to bring us. I loved the place and people, as well as the no cell phones out rule. Be social with who you're with and the other members and guests.
