Out & About with Linda – August 2026
Once again, my visits this month are a little different from all the rest. I went outside my comfort zone of our area of circulation to check out some places that I had read about.
They are actually on the edge of our circulation and definitely worth visiting. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed should you venture out as I did.
I had heard about Anomalia Pizza on television. And then I had read about them in a newspaper. My curiosity had already peaked thanks to the owners’ uncle who is their greatest promoter! (At least that’s what I had heard.)
It might not be convenient for some of our readers, but if you’re in the Hatboro, Horsham, Willow Grove areas you might check out this New York style pizzeria. Located in Ft. Washington, this little gem is more of a pick-up spot…but has a few tables if you want to enjoy a VERY casual meal. In Ft. Washington for personal business I thought I’d see if I could find Anomalia. Turns out, it was just 5 minutes from where I was already headed!
Anomalia IS an anomaly! Their pizza hits it out of the park! And their stromboli…well, here’s the story.
As you know, when I do my “tastings” I always order a variety of things. Anomalia specializes in a variety of creative pizzas, calzones, strombolis and more. But today, I was just one person. Fortunately, you can order pizza by the slice…and so I ordered about six slices of different pizza and one unbelievably delicious eggplant stromboli….
Even so, I thought that needing to taste everything could be a problem. How? When? Where? Fortunately, I learned, the slices could be frozen, reheated and only taste better!! No harm done not devouring them right away. The eggplant stromboli was a real winner…yes, we froze it until ready to eat. Once heated, the cheese, sauce, eggplant and dough, could not have been better. Gooey cheese and crispy dough, but not too thick, the stromboli is a definite winner.
I had read that Deena and Frank, the young husband and wife team behind Anomalia, brought their pizza making talent to Philadelphia from New York. (It must have been their uncle who encouraged them!!) You can taste the New York vibe when biting the crunch of their pizza crust.
I “sampled” the cheese pizza, straight out of the oven. A grande blend of whole milk, I gobbled it up toute de suite, right there in the restaurant. The Margarita Garden was a perfect square. The Italian Stallion was covered with Cooper Sharp cheese, ribeye, fried onions and red pepper pesto. My slice of white pizza filled the bill. And the eggplant stromboli had a nice mix of ricotta and eggplant. Like I said, everything could be frozen, without consequence. And it was, frozen, and then heated up retaining its crunchiness.
I loved being able to order “slices.” Even with a group of people, ordering slices enables you all to taste the “many” rather than the “one.” I like that. And remember, even if you didn’t eat at one of the few tables available in the restaurant, you could still re-heat everything in your own oven without sacrificing texture or taste. Yum!
If you’re a pizza aficionado or you think you are, you might want to give Anomalia a try. I think it’s worth the effort. Just let them know you heard about them on our pages…no uncle involved!!!LOL!!
My next stop was Bake Ability Bakery, in the Buckingham Green Shopping Center. Again, I had read about them, saved the info, then heard about them on tv. It was destined I would do some investigative work!
Bake Ability says it’s “A Sweet & Savory Bakery.” It’s that but a lot more. It’s an enterprise that “fuels opportunity, inclusion and community.” Its employees are talented, neurodiverse young adults. Many have worked there since its opening. Mentored by experienced professionals (all volunteers), these young adults grow in confidence and independence, while developing a skill in the baking industry. I stopped by to find out for myself what this “Sweet & Savory Bakery” was baking…
Located in the charming Buckingham Green Shopping Center in Buckingham, Bake Ability is the perfect snack stop on your way to New Hope or Lahaska. You’ve probably passed it many times. A charming shop, their walls and display cases are filled with indescribable goodies, all prepared by some 30 employees, all neurodiverse. P.S. I left with a bag full of these goodies.
Upon entering the bakery, I was greeted by the cheery manager, Savannah and Benjamin, her assistant for the day. I got to see first-hand how her mentoring fostered some business acumen for Benjamin.
As I was making my selections, and there were many, I asked Benjamin what were his favorites, what he would recommend. Then I asked him what was his favorite job at Bake Ability. “I like to wash the dishes!” He could see my surprised face!!! I suggested he let his customers know that secret because it might open up some additional job opportunities!!! We had a good chuckle.
There’s a variety of baked goods, some a little more “healthy” than others. But they’re all delish. I purchased something called the Healthy Twix Bar. A small log of cookie dough, layered with what I think is like an apricot cream. The whole log is then covered with chocolate…YUM!! The Multi Berry Scone was cakey, not dry. Ben recommended the Cheddar Scone. Apparent- ly, that’s also a customer favorite. They had a sampling flight of different bars including brownies. I purchased that…it’s still to be sampled. One of the owners was experimenting with a healthy chocolate coconut ball…Yes, I tried that…very good.
All along, while my selections continued to grow, Ben was eager to provide me with a tally on the cash register. I suggested he wait until I was finished. I had just begun!!
There were some beautifully dipped cookies scattered about. Savannah said Colin, “the dipper,” was responsible for that job. If you’ve got a Phillies fan, his masterpieces would be a perfect treat!
And open the refrigerator, you’ll find the newest craze out there… dot cakes. Your kids will know what these are. You can find them at Bake Ability. You can also find some gluten free goodies. Baked off premises in an off-site kitchen, you can be assured the gluten free is free of anything problematic.
So happy I checked out this wonderful bakery with a mission. From what I observed they are succeeding at accomplishing what many dare not even try. They are affording opportunity with respect, dignity and service in the community at large. Mentored, trained and encouraged, these are young adults who might be otherwise forgotten and lost.
Savannah shared that some of the current employees come from Warminster, Southampton, our reading area… just a short drive away. The mentors are all volunteers. And they need more volunteers. It would seem to me that this is a volunteer job filled with many rewards. You’d just have to watch out for all those tempting calories!!LOL!!
If you feel this is something you might be interested in…or maybe you have a young adult who could use this experience, please contact Paula Fasciano at info @bakeabilities.com. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
AND, if you’re on your way to new Hope, etc. make a pit stop at Bake Ability it’s both delicious and purposeful. And tell them you heard about them here, between our covers!
215-628-3845
414 S. Bethlehem Pike
Fort Washington, PA 19034 anomaliapizza.com
215-315-8560
Bake Ability Bakery 4950 York Road
Buckingham Green Shopping Center Holicong, PA 18928 www.bakeabilities.com
