In North Philadelphia, Down North Pizza is more than just a place serving the city’s famous square pies. The mission-driven pizza shop, founded by Muhammad Abdul-Hadi in 2020, has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. Now, Abdul-Hadi extends that hope through his new book, We the Pizza: Slangin’ Pies and Savin’ Lives—a cookbook memoir blending personal stories, recipes, and a deeper exploration of the criminal justice system.
“I call it a memoir with some recipes,” Abdul-Hadi told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “It’s layered and has something in there for everybody. If you don’t care about the recipes and want to read some cool stories and see some photography, that’s there for you. If you want to dig into the recipes and make some bomb pizza, that’s there for you, too.”
More than just a collection of culinary instructions, the book also delves into the evolution of the carceral system, highlighting its historical roots in slavery and its ongoing impact on society. Footnotes throughout the pages provide readers with a deeper understanding of how the prison system has evolved over centuries, while stories from formerly incarcerated individuals offer insight into life after prison.
“I always wanted to write a book, and when the opportunity presented itself, I didn’t want a traditional cookbook,” Abdul-Hadi explains. “The book had to embody the brand and what we represent in the neighborhood. I wanted to show people eating pizza in the neighborhood. We call it ‘Pizza in the Wild.’ We want people to have a sense of the brand and what we represent.”
Down North Pizza: A Business Rooted in Community and Second Chances
Originally from West Philadelphia, Abdul-Hadi intentionally opened Down North Pizza in Strawberry Mansion, a historically underfunded neighborhood that has faced challenges such as redlining, poverty, and limited resources.
“Strawberry Mansion is one of the most underserved communities in Philadelphia,” Abdul-Hadi said. “A lot of times, when people open up businesses in areas like this, it rarely benefits the neighborhood. I wanted to change that narrative.”
The restaurant’s focus is clear: support the local community, provide jobs to individuals who have been incarcerated, and create a place where everyone feels welcome. Abdul-Hadi, who has experienced the hardships faced by those reentering society after incarceration, is particularly passionate about reducing recidivism and offering second chances.
Inside the pizzeria, the menu is as diverse as the neighborhood it serves. Signature pizzas like the “No Betta Love” (a four-cheese pie with Norf sauce) and the “Break You Off” (topped with lamb sausage, lemon ricotta, za’atar garnish, and garlic honey drizzle) reflect Abdul-Hadi’s creativity and commitment to offering a unique culinary experience. Yet, amid the variety of ingredients, one thing remains constant: the restaurant’s dedication to community and second chances.
“I want to show the world we are not our worst mistakes. We can do things if given the right circumstances and thrive as well,” Abdul-Hadi shares. “The brand exemplifies that, and when you come to the shop, you get to see all of that tenfold because that was very important to me.”
Reinvesting in the Community: A Business with a Purpose
Money from every purchase at Down North Pizza—whether from the pizza or the cookbook—goes back into the Strawberry Mansion community. Abdul-Hadi’s Down North Foundation helps fund a variety of initiatives aimed at addressing local needs.
One notable initiative is “Protect Your Crib,” which helps individuals facing foreclosure due to unpaid property taxes. Through the foundation, Down North Pizza has paid off delinquent taxes for nearly a dozen families and assisted others in enrolling in a program that freezes property taxes for a decade.
“Our biggest thing over here is the impact,” Abdul-Hadi said. “It’s about changing lives, providing real help where it’s needed, and building up our community.”
As both a business owner and community advocate, Abdul-Hadi continues to prove that Down North Pizza is more than just a restaurant—it’s a mission-driven force for good in a neighborhood that needs it most.
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