South Philly Pizzeria Closed After Centuries of Service, New Restaurant Set to Replace It
After nearly 100 years in operation, Marra's pizzeria, a beloved institution in South Philadelphia, has closed its doors, marking the end of an era for this iconic location. The storied building at 1734 E. Passyunk Ave., with its distinctive black-and-white tile exterior, is already being prepped to welcome a new tenant.
Emei, a highly-regarded Szechuan restaurant with several locations around the city, is set to open a second site in Chinatown next summer. According to EMei representatives, the projected opening date for this location has been tentatively scheduled for 2026 or later. When asked about its plans, EMei's owner Dan Tsao hinted that the new restaurant will stick to the tried-and-true recipes that have made his original location a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
However, don't expect an entirely faithful reproduction of the original menu. While some classic items will likely remain on the menu, Tsao mentioned there would be room for "contemporary" dishes to join the lineup. Takeout and delivery options are also expected to begin soon after renovations are completed, with a possible start date as early as February.
The news of Marra's closure came as no surprise to many in the community. The COVID-19 pandemic had taken its toll on the pizzeria's business, and co-owner Mario D'Adamo Jr. stated that the family was seeking a new location with better parking options for their customers. Unfortunately, representatives from Marra's were unavailable for comment on Monday.
Despite this chapter in South Philly's culinary history coming to an end, it seems the neighborhood is poised to welcome a new dining destination.
After nearly 100 years in operation, Marra's pizzeria, a beloved institution in South Philadelphia, has closed its doors, marking the end of an era for this iconic location. The storied building at 1734 E. Passyunk Ave., with its distinctive black-and-white tile exterior, is already being prepped to welcome a new tenant.
Emei, a highly-regarded Szechuan restaurant with several locations around the city, is set to open a second site in Chinatown next summer. According to EMei representatives, the projected opening date for this location has been tentatively scheduled for 2026 or later. When asked about its plans, EMei's owner Dan Tsao hinted that the new restaurant will stick to the tried-and-true recipes that have made his original location a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
However, don't expect an entirely faithful reproduction of the original menu. While some classic items will likely remain on the menu, Tsao mentioned there would be room for "contemporary" dishes to join the lineup. Takeout and delivery options are also expected to begin soon after renovations are completed, with a possible start date as early as February.
The news of Marra's closure came as no surprise to many in the community. The COVID-19 pandemic had taken its toll on the pizzeria's business, and co-owner Mario D'Adamo Jr. stated that the family was seeking a new location with better parking options for their customers. Unfortunately, representatives from Marra's were unavailable for comment on Monday.
Despite this chapter in South Philly's culinary history coming to an end, it seems the neighborhood is poised to welcome a new dining destination.
like emei really needs another location i mean dont get me wrong im sure dan tsao and his team are amazing and all but this feels like theyre just cashing in on the good vibes from marra's closure. anyway, cant wait for the inevitable lines of tourists waiting to take a pic with the new emei sign 
I remember going to Marra's with my family when I was younger and loving their slice of heaven (get it? 
). 100 years is crazy! It's always sad to see iconic places like that close down. On the bright side, EMei seems legit and Szechuan food is amazing 
Can't wait to try out their take on things. Maybe they'll bring some new energy to the neighborhood 
emei's got some good rep, tho, so fingers crossed they do it justice. not sure about the whole "contemporary" dishes thing, tho... i mean, if you mess with perfection, you might just lose what made marra's special in the first place 
still, it's all about progress and stuff, i guess 
gotta admit, though, the new spot's gonna have some nice takeout options 
. But, on the bright side, EMei Szechuan restaurant sounds like it'll bring some fresh flavors to Chinatown 
. I'm down for trying out their "contemporary" dishes 
! Better parking options are a must for any pizzeria, so maybe this new spot will be more convenient for customers 
. Takeout and delivery soon? Yes, please! 
just another faceless chain restaurant in the mix...
! It's sad that they won't be around anymore, but I guess it's also cool that EMei is taking over with a new spot in Chinatown 
. They're gonna stick to the classics, which is awesome, but also gonna throw in some modern twists... sounds like my kinda food 
! Can't wait to try their take on Szechuan dishes 
. Parking options are always a pain, so I hope this new spot will bring in more customers 
!
. First, Marra's closes down after 100 years and now this new Szechuan spot pops up in Chinatown? It's too convenient. And what's with the "contemporary" dishes? Sounds like code for "we're gonna change the recipe to suit the mainstream tastes". I'm not saying EMei can't be a great restaurant, but let's keep an open mind and not fall for the hype... 
it's crazy how fast time flies. but i gotta say, emei comin in is a big deal for the community. they've got good food and stuff, so it's cool that they're stickin around. but it's weird that they're gonna change up the menu like that... i mean, some things never need changin' 
. Is it really all about convenience and growth, or can we find a way to preserve the character of neighborhoods like South Philly? EMei's promise of sticking to tried-and-true recipes is great, but let's see how they balance tradition with innovation 
?