Category: Restaurants

Famous Philadelphia Food Trucks

On January 2, 2018

In Adam Goldin, Attractions, News, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel

Philly can get pretty territorial about its food. And with tourists constantly flocking to the city to get their hands on the best cheesesteaks, it’s not hard to figure out why. Food is a huge part of the Philadelphia culture. What better way to get such a staple of Philly culture direct to consumer than to open up a food truck stand? Luckily for residents, many philly foodies have asked the same question.

Here, in no particular order, and with supporting evidence from a few articles, are some of Philly’s top rated food trucks.

Cucina Zapata

You can usually find this food truck favorite hanging around the Drexel campus. It’s a very popular choice for lunch, with students lining up over every lunch hour to grab a bite. Cucina Zapata’s most infamous dish may be the Cap’n Crunch Tilapia Tacos; essentially a soft taco, but with cap’n crunch-breaded tilapia topped with cabbage, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and a special sriracha mayo.

Foolish Waffles

You might think that this stand serves waffles, and while you’d be correct, they’re not exactly your traditional morning snack. One of the more popular finds at Foolish Waffles is the Pork Belly Banh Mi Waffle; seasoned and glazed pork belly topped with veggie goodness on TOP of a Belgian waffle. Sound too good to be true? It’s not! Foolish Waffles was named the top food truck at the 2015 Vendy’s.

Tyson Bees

This tasty food truck is all about Asian fusion dishes. You can find Korean BBQ short ribs, hot dogs with toppings like delicious kimchi, and thai dishes like thai basil chicken with rice. This truck usually parks near 33rd and Spruce, but you can always find their location on their site.

All Of A Sudden Desserts

Named one of the top Philly food trucks by RoamingHunger.com, All Of A Sudden Desserts has enjoyed great success in the city. Starting off as a bakery, this confectionary team took their treats to the streets a few years back, helping Philadelphians cure their sweet tooth cravings on the go. Take your pick of cakes, cookies, and cupcakes, along with a ton of cheesecake variations for anyone feeling adventurous.

The next time you’re looking for a bite while out on the town, these are certainly a few of the stops you’ll want to try and make. What’s your favorite food truck in Philly? Tweet to me or comment below and I’ll check it out.

The Most Important Meal Of The Day: Where To Eat The Best Breakfast In Philadelphia

By Adam Goldin

On August 17, 2017

In Adam Goldin, Restaurants

Is there anything better than waking up early on a Saturday morning and indulging in a giant, mouth-watering breakfast? Or is there anything better than hitting up a breakfast spot that is open late after a Friday night spent out in the city?

Whether you are a breakfast connoisseur who enjoys eggs, pancakes, and a cup of hot coffee early in the morning, or one that prefers sausage, french toast, and an ice-cold glass of orange juice in the late evening, Philadelphia offers a one-of-a-kind breakfast experience for all.

If you are a breakfast-lover looking for the best breakfast nook in Philadelphia, take a seat at one of these 6 notable diners, cafes, or brunch spots in the heart of the city:

1. The Dutch

Truly indulge in the Pennsylvania Dutch food that is so near-and-dear to the hearts of Philly’s locals by dining at The Dutch. This quaint spot located on 4th street is known for its Dutch Baby Pancakes, which are cooked to fluffy perfection on a cast iron skillet.

2. Frangelli’s Bakery

Do you have a sweet-tooth craving to satisfy? Frangelli’s Bakery opens at around 7:00am every morning and offers a variety of doughnuts that are cooked fresh daily. Your hardest decision will be choosing which filling to get!

3. The Hungry Pigeon

This restaurant has won the hearts of Philly natives everywhere. You can indulge on a vast array of baked goods or, for those who prefer eating a lighter breakfast, The Hungry Pigeon has healthier options that don’t sacrifice taste.

4. Spread Bagelry

If you don’t mind waiting in line, this shop offers top-notch bagels. Every bagel is hand-rolled, boiled in honey water, and wood-fired in a real brick oven. You can opt for a simple bagel with a spread of your choosing or try a sandwich special with topping recommendations put together by the Spread Bagelry’s staff.

5. Café y Chocolate

This Mexican restaurant does their own twist on a traditional breakfast. Café y Chocolate makes scrambled eggs with chorizo and even offers up a hot chocolate that its regulars prefer to sip instead of their morning coffee or juice.

6. Pete’s Clown House

This restaurant may sound more like an amusement park attraction than a breakfast spot, but Pete’s Clown House has been around for over 50 years. Early risers can start their day off right by getting there before 9:00am, when you can get an entire meal (eggs, hash browns, toast, coffee, and juice) for just under $2.

Celebrate Summer with These Great Philly Beer Gardens

By Adam Goldin

On May 17, 2017

In Adam Goldin, Restaurants

With warm weather comes the opportunity to enjoy your favorite drinks outdoors. This is no exception in Philadelphia, where seasonal beer gardens are both popular and plentiful. Here are a few spots you should add to your list ASAP:

Independence Beer Garden

Located across the street from the Liberty Bell, this beer garden is one of the most popular in the area. Although the crowd of patrons may be massive, the Independence Beer Garden boasts three bars, a variety of seating areas, and even several games scattered throughout the 20,000-square-foot space. The Independence Beer Garden opened its doors on April 24 and serves 40 taps of regional and domestic craft beers, as well as a wide selection of American food.

PHS Pop Up Garden

Hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, this urban oasis is located at 15th and South Streets, with a new location opening on 36th and Filberts Streets this summer. The 15th and South Streets establishment opened on Cinco de Mayo and features new food, drinks, and “inspirational events” designed to connect visitors with the surrounding plant life.

The Oval

Run by the City of Philadelphia and the Fairmount Parks Conservancy, this beer garden is located directly in front of the Art Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This year, the popular Oval Beer Garden is slated to return every Wednesday through Sunday of the Oval’s usual season. Unfortunately, the City of Philadelphia has yet to release this year’s official opening date or vendors.

Spruce Street Harbor Park

Also known as the “hammock haven on the Delaware River,” Spruce Street Harbor Park is popular amongst single beer enthusiasts and families alike. This garden features lounge seating, floating barges and, of course, over 50 hammocks for guests to relax in. The SSHP also boasts a menu of drinks and dishes made in collaboration with local restaurants and breweries. The SSHP opened on May 12 and is located at 301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

Philly’s Changing Skyline

By Adam Goldin

On February 11, 2016

In Adam Goldin, Attractions, Restaurants

Philadelphia’s iconic skyline, familiar to anyone who visits frequently or calls Philly home, is changing again. The Comcast Innovation and Technology Center, due to open in 2017, has been in progress for a while (the $1.2 billion skyscraper began construction in 2014), and will be one of the largest buildings in the country when completed.

At 59 stories of glass and stainless steel tall, it has been planned to be an extension of Comcast’s global headquarters. It will also become the headquarters for NBC 10, Telemundo, and the Four Seasons Philadelphia Hotel. It has 1.285 million rentable square feet of office space, and 230,112 square feet of hotel space. The Four Seasons, which was located in Logan Square for over 30 years, will be taking over the top two floors with a spa, fitness facilities, meeting space, event space, and a 360 degree view restaurant at the very top of the building as the cherry on the sundae.

It will be the eighth tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. The architect is world-renowned Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, with interior design by Gensler. It will include a parking garage and a retail mall on the lower levels and at least three television studios. There will be an enclosed public indoor plaza build to compliment Comcast’s existing outdoor space, and will connect to the Suburban Station concourse underground, as well as widened sidewalks and roads surrounding the building which will improve access to the area for Philadelphians.

Governor Tom Corbett’s Office said the tower “will become the dedicated home for the company’s growing workforce of technologists, engineers and software architects.”

“We are thrilled to mark another historic moment in our company’s history in Pennsylvania with the development of the Comcast Innovation and Technology Center,” said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation. “This expansion of Comcast’s vertical campus in Philadelphia will create tens of thousands of jobs and drive billions of dollars in economic development in the Commonwealth and the City. This exciting project would not be possible without the support of the Commonwealth and Governor Corbett, who is a true and committed partner in driving Pennsylvania’s growth.”

The building is estimated to generate $2.75 billion in overall economic impact in Pennsylvania and will create over 20,000 jobs by some estimates. They are also looking to make the center as much of an attraction as it is a technologically-advanced business center. “This entertainment and innovation complex elevates downtown Philadelphia’s strong reputation as a world-class destination for culture and connection,” Corbett said. “We’re investing in public spaces where visitors and Pennsylvanians alike can marvel at our world-class art, our incomparable architecture and our unique attractions. This project is not only about building a new tower on Philadelphia’s skyline, or about creating new and beautiful public spaces in Center City. This project shows that Philadelphia is taking a bite out of the ‘Big Apple’ and we are ready to compete with anyone in the world to bring jobs to Pennsylvania.”

While there is not yet word on what the restaurant on the top floor will be, the most buzz is definitely whirling around it. It will be the tallest publicly accessible point in Philadelphia by about 400 feet, with huge glass walls for a view of the entire city. For reference, the City Hall Tower Observation Deck is 500 feet above ground, and restaurant R2L is also 500 feet high, this new restaurant will clock in at 900 feet off the ground. And we also know there is no shortage of food talent in the Philadelphia area, so there is no doubt this place is going to knock some socks off.

Welcome!

By Adam Goldin

On December 20, 2015

In Adam Goldin, Attractions, History, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel

Welcome to Adam Goldin‘s blog about Philadelphia. Check back here to learn more about all the amazing that the City of Brotherly Love has to offer.