Maple Glen-based Verona Pizza is presented the 2024 March Cheesesteak Madness Judge’s Cup on July 11, 2024. Pictured, from left, is Verona Co-owner Mo Hamdi, Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure’s Jim Pappas and Co-owner Vincent Dipietro. (Credit: Rachel Ravina – MediaNews Group)
Upper Dublin Township’s Verona Pizza wins 2024 March Cheesesteak Madness
Who has the best cheesesteak in the greater Philadelphia region?
It’s not an easy question to answer. That particular designation is sure to mean something in an area known for the meat and cheese delicacy. Verona Pizza, of Maple Glen, was given the honor after winning the judges cup as part of the 2024 March Cheesesteak Madness.
Photo by Rachel Ravina/Media News Group
Verona Pizza co-owners Vincent Dipietro and Mo Hamdi were given a trophy during an informal ceremony on July 11 at the eatery, located inside a shopping center on 1941 Norristown Road.
The award was an added bonus for the duo as it occurred on the eatery’s inaugural anniversary.
“We’re really happy about it and we are really happy in this community,” Dipietro said.
Jim Pappas, otherwise known as the “cheesesteak guy” and architect of the Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure, has tried more than 1,100 cheesesteaks throughout his seven-year tenure scoring and reviewing them online.
He launched the March Madness bracket style food competition that evaluates 64 different cheesesteaks in New Jersey/Delaware, Philadelphia, Delaware County, “the other counties region,” consisting of Berks, Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties. The contest ends with two winners, according to a post on the Philadelphia Cheesesteak Adventure’s social media account, the judges and peoples victors.
“This is our fifth year of March Cheesesteak Madness, and early on the best cheesesteaks were coming out of Philly and Delco regions,” Pappas said, adding that “I noticed every year that the cheesesteaks have been getting better up in this area.”
One of Verona Pizza’s signature items is the cheesesteak with fresh, thickly sliced ribeye and Cooper Sharp cheese on a seeded roll for $14 plus tax. Pappas noted that the contest called for judges ordering each cheesesteak with either American or Cooper Sharp cheeses, along with fried onions and sauteed mushrooms.
“I like for everything to spend time on the grill together, to get the flavors together so they can complement each other,” Pappas said
Dipietro and Hamdi stressed the importance of using this method to create a quality cheesesteak, along with supplying quality ingredients and generous portions. Verona Pizza’s 19 employees and co-owners were ecstatic to learn they secured a coveted spot.
Verona Pizza will hold onto the trophy until next year when the March Cheesesteak Madness competition starts up again in February 2025.
“Seriously, I mean because especially in this area. If I won like that in New Jersey it’s different,” Dipietro said. “In (the) Philadelphia area, it means a lot to us.”
Verona Pizza is closed on Mondays, and open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Visit veronapizzamapleglen.com for more information.
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