Serious Eats...in Philadephia?
Our family is going on a trip to Philadelphia during the fourth of July weekend, but have absolutely no idea where to eat, besides the cheese steaks!
If anyone knows a restaurant or cafe that is friendly and not so expensive, please tell us ( it would be nice if it was Asian, but its not that important)!
Oh, and we're going around the historic district, center city, and University City.
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28 Comments:
Matyson at 19th & Chestnut (just off Rittenhouse Square) is absolutely amazing. It is a BYOB that serves New American cuisine that is out of this world. It may be a little out of your price range, though. Entrees run from $18-30, so maybe you could make it a special treat on your vacation.
Also, the Reading Terminal Market at 12th & Arch (near City Hall) has foods from all over the world andis great for kids and adults alike.
foodieteen at 11:19AM on 06/29/09
FAVORITE: Monk's, S. 15th and Spruce. Tavern, excellent prices, unbelievable beer selection. Try to get a seat in the way back room as the front can get noisy (but in a lively way).
I'm also a fan of Primo Hoagies...great selection and prices, multiple locations around the city. It's takeout, but great for walking around the city or grabbing a bite to take to Rittenhouse Sq. or Independence Park.
savecara at 11:19AM on 06/29/09
I wish I could remember the name of the fabulous Cuban restaurant in the historic area. I'm sure it's the only Cuban restaurant there. Their food is fantastic, service is great, prices reasonable, and the manager stopped by our table to greet us and make sure all was well. It certainly was!
1stmakearoux at 12:25PM on 06/29/09
Monk's is awesome!!! Especially if you like mussels. They also have lots of vegetarian options which is great.
Izumi just opened on Passyunk in South Philly. It's sushi and really yummy.
As for brunch, I recommend Carman's on 11th and Wharton. If you call for a reservation you can get the pick up truck table (not kidding, their biggest table is outside in the bed of a pickup truck). The servings are huge and the food in insanely good. The menu changes each week (depends on what Carman feels like making) so there's no guarantee as to what there will be to eat.
You might also want to check the events calender for July 4th. There's ice cream festivals and food vendors and stuff around the events.
This might be useful in finding places near where you'll be.
gingercookiewithlime at 1:35PM on 06/29/09
i've never been to philly, but when i do go, i'm sure as hell going to hit up the Franklin Fountain.
andshewas at 1:42PM on 06/29/09
I go to Philly once in a while since I'm opening up a calzone shop there and on a recent trip we went to Triumph, which is in Old City.
There's some outdoor seating which is nice and the burgers were delicious.
Don't forget to check out Capogiro's for some great gelato. They just opened up a new location in University City at the new Radian building across from the UPenn dorms.
Jacquie at 2:10PM on 06/29/09
The beauty of Philly is that you can eat insanely well at any price point. Agreed on all of the above comments, especially Monk's - also, the Cuban restaurant is called Cuba Libre.
If you want Asian, go to Chinatown - it's a few blocks northwest of the historic district. The shining stars there are Vietnam and Vietnam Palace (both Vietnamese, obviously), as well as Penang (Malaysian). Outside of Chinatown, Buddakan and Morimoto are among many more upscale choices.
One of our special places is Sazon, an authentic Venezuelan restaurant at 10th and Spring Garden. The food is out of this world, the prices are very reasonable, and the owners are warm and friendly. Another favorite is Sabrina's, with locations near the Italian Market and at 18th & Callowhill - they serve brunch all day!
Other fun food-related places to check out are the Italian Market in South Philly, DiBruno Brothers on Chestnut Street, and Capogiro gelateria, which has locations at 13th & Sansom and 20th & Sansom.
Philadelphia Magazine has a weath of information on local restaurants, including a recent ranking of Philly's top 50 restaurants - you can find it at www.phillymag.com.
Have a great weekend in our city of brotherly love!
kjr07 at 2:17PM on 06/29/09
You have to pay a visit to the Reading Terminal (11th and Filbert St). There you can find any type of food! It's basically a gourmet food market (you can get Amish food, Crepes, Thai, Chinese, Ice Cream, cookies, fresh veggies, and tons more). If you go to Chinatown, I also highly recommend SangKee on 9th and Vine St....the have the most amazing roast duck and authentic Wonton Noodle Soup from Hong Kong.
Musicalglow at 2:46PM on 06/29/09
Monks does have amazing mussels, not a place for kids at nite though as it gets overly crowded. Our family likes Zorbas in the art museum area. Family owned and operated Greek restaurant that is outstanding. If you have transportation and don't mind a drive over the Ben Franklin bridge our favorite Japanese restaurant is in Cherry Hill NJ, Mikado. Outstanding everything.Phlly is an amazing place, especially during the summer. Have a great time in the city of brotherly love!
donnie at 2:57PM on 06/29/09
O, another thought. Hubby's favorite is a place around the corner from the Academy of Music, Fado, irish bar restaurant with something for everyone. Ditto on the Reading Terminal. Hit D'Nics for an amazing roast pork sandwich. Figs is another great lil gem of a byob. As kjr07 said Philadelphia Magazine is a great resource. There's a section in the back which rates restaurants in the different parts of the city on various points.
Once again, have a great time.
donnie at 3:06PM on 06/29/09
It might be helpful for us to know where in Philly you are going to be. If it's in the historic area I agree with @Jacquie about Triumph. Right across the street is Zento if you want a BYO and reasonable Japanese. (Go early as it is very tiny. Moritmoto is well regarded, but doesn't fit the requirement of 'not so expensive'. Right down the street from Zento is an ethnic and reasonable BYO called Kabul. Lots of vegetarian food, but not exclusively. We love the lamb dish with pistashios. I think this is all on Chestnut St. (I live in the burbs and forget until I get there.) Chloe's is in Old City, but go early again or prepare for a wait (well worth it.)
If you go to center city there are more nicer places to eat since there are a lot of theatres there. You might try La Viola on 16th (Italian) or Lolita on 13th (upscale Mexican). There is also a nice burger bar called Good Dog.
I think the suggestion to go to the Reading Terminal Market is a great one.
And you would love Chinatown. All the suggestions from @kjr07 for places to eat there are good and I would add Lee How Fook that is right there with Vietnam Palace and Vietnam. I think that Sang Kee has been rated very well, too.
When my son was at Drexel he was on a first name basis with a lot of cart food vendors and said that some of it was quite good.
Marathon Rest. are all over the place and are good for breakfast and lunch. I need help with the diner on the corner in Old City for breakfast. It has "White" in the name and it's the best city breakfast that I have ever had.
I have had pleasant meals at all the places I recommend except Sang Kee only because I have not eaten there.
You are going to have a hard time choosing. Philly is a great food destination as well as an historial one. Cram in as much as you can. You will feel proud and moved to be in such a place so rich in heritage and you are part of it!
janaatwg at 3:23PM on 06/29/09
Just realized that you did tell us where you would be. I am only familiar with one place in University City and that is Nan. Fusion-Asian/French. I understand there are some great Thai places there. Look at the Zagat site for other referrals.
janaatwg at 3:50PM on 06/29/09
I will agree that Philly is an insanely good place for food, there is still a love a food as food and the restaurateurs still love the act of producing a good meal and presenting it.
Reading terminal is just fun and should be a stop for any foodie going to Philly and is quite kid friendly.
If you can try the Franklin museum or any of the museums on museum row.
My choice for a good night out try L2 at 2201 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19146. The owner is one of the original people that helped developed South Street.
kah9932 at 3:53PM on 06/29/09
Consult http://www.yelp.com/philadelphia
salpico at 6:21PM on 06/29/09
@andshewas --The Franklin Fountain has some awesome creations, but the place is an odd odd museum of nothing. The website makes it sound awesome, but when you go in there's one or two displays of old things with no explanations and some hipsters behind the counter in bad costumes. I was super excited to go there when I moved here, and the egg cream I had was excellent, but the environment was really unfriendly and awkward.
gingercookiewithlime at 8:29PM on 06/29/09
There is a Capogiro Gelato out in University City and one @ 20th & Sansom also... the one on 13th is still closed after a fire in their display case a couple weeks ago. Definitely hit Reading Terminal Market, but be aware it closes at 6 so you can't plan on dinner there. Cheesesteaks are OK but they pale next to a DiNic's roast pork or a Sarcone's hoagie, IMHO.
Sang Kee and Sakura (I think that's the name) are great options in Chinatown, and South Street Souvlaki is an affordable Greek option at 4th & South. If Monk's sounds good but you're not in that area around dinnertime, Eulogy in Old City is owned by the same people. I love the BYOBs but a lot of them are on the small side -- with kids I'd maybe recommend Distrito in U City or El Vez on 13th, both Mexican and loud and fun. Oh, also Famous Fourth Street deli for brunch or lunch, the sandwiches are huge and it's the best corned beef in town.
jm chen at 3:43PM on 06/30/09
Also consider checking out gophila.com, which is the official tourism website for Philadelphia! One of the most useful things about our site (yes, I work for the website) is the itinerary section. There are lots of weekend-long visits that include restaurant suggestions for every meal along the way.
Marusula at 4:04PM on 06/30/09
@gingercookie - oh, i've done more research than just the website. it does sound like a super weird place with strange, eccentric owners - that's even more part of the draw for me. i love that kinda crap. see roadsideamerica.com it's my travel bible.
andshewas at 4:35PM on 06/30/09
oh my. i had been living in nyc for the past 7 years, but went to college in philly. regardless of my access to the nyc dining scene, i (and my friends) would regularly roadtrip to philly PURELY for 1) la colombe coffee 2) monk's moules frites and beer selection and 3) DMITRI'S, the one off of south street, and 3rd - for the AMAZING octopus salad and the shrimp scampi. and the pita. i now live in germany, but for every return trip stateside, i still go to philly if even for a couple hours, just to get some dmitri's. one of my best friends who was living in san diego would also make a twice yearly pilgrimage to said restaurant for the same reason. it's loud, byo, they grill the fish right in front of you. have fun and good luck!
emmeleau at 5:02PM on 06/30/09
oh -- and you may want to browse around in dibruno brothers, maybe pick up a couple of sandwiches there too. their selection is incredible. scoop de'ville is right there, and if you have kids, it is quite an adorable little ice cream store. but i also can vouch for capogiro's wonderfulness...and i'd venture to say that some of their flavors actually can compete with grom.
emmeleau at 5:05PM on 06/30/09
I feel compelled to comment...I know u said Asian but, make sure you hit up the reading terminal market. Mercato (italian) is an amazing BYOB on 12th & spruce. Oh and Valanni (medi-latin) is over there too, also incredibly amazing! lol
philadooklyn at 10:34PM on 06/30/09
I had a great time at Banana Leaf, which is near Chinatown. Yummy, cheap food in an (admittedly) kitschy, "grass hut" atmosphere.
cochon at 2:15PM on 07/01/09
Very very important note! I just read that Reading Terminal Market will be closed this Saturday for the holiday. They will have Friday and Sunday hours as normal.
jm chen at 2:25PM on 07/01/09
Jose Garces just won best chef mid-atlantic from james beard. Go to one of his places. Tinto is awesome.
pemabuk at 3:24PM on 07/01/09
Also- for asian in center city / rittenhouse area here's some that weren't mentioned
Tampopo (open saturday, closed sunday)
Japanese / Noodles / Not expensive
http://tampoporestaurant.com/
Miran / 2034 chestnut
Korean BBQ
Su Xing house / 1508 Sansom
Vegetarian chinese, really good (and I'm not a vegetarian)
& very affordable / comfortable
http://suxinghouse.com/
Hawk Krall at 3:58PM on 07/01/09
Wow.....
I'm expecting to gain a couple pounds while I'm there!!!
Thanks guys.
crumbles at 10:42PM on 07/01/09
@crumbles - Philadelphia is a great food town, check out my buddy Hawk Krall's blog Drawing for Food for some great recommendations.
Caroline Russock at 12:41AM on 07/02/09
I'm sooo sorry I missed this post before you came to the city of brotherly love!! How was your trip? Where did you eat?!
Nomiom at 5:14PM on 07/07/09