Editor: ‘Best of Philly’ not pay-to-play

Philly mag’s Best of Philly issue is almost here. This year, the mag has already tackled the city’s best pizza debate and refreshed its annual list of top Shore stops.

They all garner the, what are you, crazy? reaction from disagreeing readers who take issue with what’s really best, but editor Tom McGrath says what really gets him riled up is when readers accuse the mag of reaching into its pool of advertisers for the “Best of” lists.

“Buying an ad in our magazine gets you exactly that–an ad in our magazine. It doesn’t get you included in our best pizza package. It doesn’t get you named one of Philly’s 50 best restaurants. It doesn’t get you any editorial coverage at all,” McGrath writes in a blog post today.

He says it’s the editorial staffer who choose the best places, dishes and more, and cites an example of a client who pulled advertising when the business didn’t make the Best of Philly cut.

So remember McGrath’s post when the Best of Philly issue lands on your doorstep. And if you still think your corner store has the best hoagie in the city, that’s what letters to the editor are for.