An inspiring cookbook from the Philly pizza spot Down North Pizza, a business rooted in a wonderful mission of supporting and empowering the formerly incarcerated. I read this book while listening to the included Spotify playlist that includes the songs (from Philly artists) that inspired their pizza names. The book starts off with the story behind the business. It’s followed up by the story behind the pizza names and an ingredient and equipment section where the author describes main ingredients used in the recipes and the recommended equipment to have on hand. I enjoyed this detailed section as it sets a person up for success as the author did recommend some brands they use in their kitchen. Then next are the recipes - the author generously shared what looks like the whole menu from the dough, to the sauces, wings, fries, milkshakes & lemonades and of course their pizza recipes including their pizza collabs. There are plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans including more than a dozen pizzas (including vegan versions of the Roc the Mic and I’m a Boss pizzas) and vegan cauliflower wings and fries. There are also sixteen meat and seafood pizza recipes and a section that includes their pizza collab recipes. There’s a recipe for Coco Bread crust, a coconutty twist on their signature crust that’s used in a collab pizza with Brooklyn’s Aunts et Uncles. I can’t wait to cook my way through this book all season starting with the Flip Side (beef bacon, carmelized pineapple, jalapeños and their flip side bbq sauce) and Streets of Philadelphia (potatoes, leeks, bacon, chives, lemony sour cream, and ogleshield cheese). I also can’t wait to try their apple pie milkshake recipe. A truly delicious and inspiring cookbook. Clarkson Potter provided me with a free copy of this book; the opinions are my own.

I'm from the Philadelphia area so I had read about this restaurant and it's mission of helping formerly incarcerated people. When I received this book I was really excited to see what types of recipes were in it. It does not disappoint. First of all, there is a playlist to make your pizzas to. There are the basics for crust (under 2 hours!) and sauces as well as some really interesting combinations to try out. In addition there are a lot of vegetarian and vegan options which is great. There are milkshakes and lemonade with variations as well as wings and fries. It really covers all of the bases. I'm so impressed with what the author is doing and am really excited to cook my way through this book. The world needs more people like Muhammad Abdul-Hadi. Clarkson Potter provided me with a free copy of this book; the opinions are my own.

I got the book at a signing and have made the No Betta Love pizza and the vanilla milkshake, both were excellent and a great mission!! Love the included soundtrack too!