H and I were supposed to take a day or weekend trip with friends there next weekend but they bailed. They were locals so we were hoping they would just lead the group. Any suggestions for what we should do? Where's the best place to get a cheese steak?
Ideally, we'd just make it a day trip from DC and not stay the night.
And I don't eat red meat so take this with a grain of salt, but my wise foodie Philly friends always say that getting a cheesesteak is actually the wrong answer, and you should get a roast pork sandwich at DiNic's (in RTM) instead.
If I was doing a day trip, I'd start with the historic stuff (walk around the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and Elfreth's Alley, walk up to the Reading Terminal Market for lunch at DiNic's (and/or to explore generally), and then walk up Walnut St. between Broad St. and Rittenhouse Square to shop (and walk through the very lovely Rittenhouse Square and walk around the very lovely blocks just south of it). I'd add the Art Museum and/or Franklin Institute if you have extra time, but that may be tight, depending on your pace.
I personally prefer Jim's for cheese steaks, which is on 4th and South. But yes, v is definitely spot on with her recs, too. If you get a roast pork sandwich, get it "Italian" style, which is with broccoli rabe and extra sharp provolone. Trust me on this.
I personally prefer Jim's for cheese steaks, which is on 4th and South. But yes, v is definitely spot on with her recs, too. If you get a roast pork sandwich, get it "Italian" style, which is with broccoli rabe and extra sharp provolone. Trust me on this.
And since this is a day trip and therefore time will be very limited, Jim's is way closer to the Center City attractions than many of the other big names, which is a big plus.
The cheesesteak debate is big around here. I have had Jim's once and NEVER again. I was sick for DAYS afterwards and the hour + line we stood on was not worth it.
And I don't eat red meat so take this with a grain of salt, but my wise foodie Philly friends always say that getting a cheesesteak is actually the wrong answer, and you should get a roast pork sandwich at DiNic's (in RTM) instead.
If I was doing a day trip, I'd start with the historic stuff (walk around the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and Elfreth's Alley, walk up to the Reading Terminal Market for lunch at DiNic's, and then walk up Walnut St. between Broad St. and Rittenhouse Square to shop (and walk through the very lovely Rittenhouse Square and walk around the very lovely blocks just south of it).  I'd add the Art Museum and/or Franklin Institute if you have extra time, but that may be tight, depending on your pace.
I wholeheartedly second the need to go to Dinic's. Roast pork, spinach and provolone. Amazingly good! I'm not a huge fan of RTM - I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack when I walk in ther sometimes from the crowds, but DiNic's is totally worth it.
I wholeheartedly second the need to go to Dinic's. Roast pork, spinach and provolone. Amazingly good! I'm not a huge fan of RTM - I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack when I walk in ther sometimes from the crowds, but DiNic's is totally worth it.
HOW DARE YOU?
It is one of my favorite places, but admittedly when I was a regular there I had a lot of flexibility to go in the middle of the afternoon on weekdays, which is a very different scene than middle of the day on weekends.
We had some really good mussels and beer at Eulogy Belgian Tavern (Monk's Cafe is also good), followed by an excellent dinner at Zahav.
Philly just opened a Barcade and a Fette Sau barbecue restaurant - we've never tried the Philly locations but the Brooklyn locations are excellent.
Franklin Fountain (cash only) has pretty good ice cream, but the line can be nuts. We ate at The Continental for our first anniversary and it's got some good small plates to share.
Ditto winecat, Federal Donuts was good. We really enjoyed the hot donuts much more than the glazed donuts. And ditto v about Reading Terminal Market.
If you can be convinced to stay 2 days and museums are your thing, I love the Rodin Museum (I would say it is as good as the one in Paris) and the Barnes Foundation (http://www.barnesfoundation.org/).
Yes to La Viola, yes to Amish soft pretzels, yes to White Dog Cafe (which is a sentimental favorite for me), and I too would make it an overnight. Philly's more fun when you sleep over.
Now I want to visit Philly.
Anna, how did the move go? We should have a NY GTG when you're settled in!
v, if you fancy a trip to Philly, you can join me and DD on a jaunt to Sesame Place next week. I am guessing that's not your scene, however.
I've been outside NY more than I've been here since we returned, but once school starts for DD, things should settle down. Also, I need to find a new babysitter. GTG in, say, mid-September?
Also Talula's Garden, if you're looking for a nice al fresco dining experience. One of the best meals I've had in a very long time. Def make reservations though.
The cheesesteak debate is big around here. I have had Jim's once and NEVER again. I was sick for DAYS afterwards and the hour + line we stood on was not worth it.
I wholeheartedly second the need to go to Dinic's. Roast pork, spinach and provolone. Amazingly good! I'm not a huge fan of RTM - I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack when I walk in ther sometimes from the crowds, but DiNic's is totally worth it.
HOW DARE YOU?Â
It is one of my favorite places, but admittedly when I was a regular there I had a lot of flexibility to go in the middle of the afternoon on weekdays, which is a very different scene than middle of the day on weekends.
I'm not a huge fan because its so so crowded. I do love the yummy goodness inside, but can't deal with the crazy crowds. I'm sure the middle of the week is better, but I'm generally not in Philly then.
I went to Philly a couple months ago and found a great deal on living social or groupon for a bus tour. It was very touristy but still nice to be able to see a bunch of sites at once. It only takes an hour too. I think it was $16. The ice cream place in RTM is delicious as well.
Tony Luke's has the best cheesesteaks and we LOVED John's Roast Pork (they are only a few blocks from each other in South Philly)
I would do the Constitution Center, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall. They're all within walking distance of each other, and RTM
I agree - I took my Dad to John's Roast Pork, but I've heard good things about Tony Luke's, too. John's Roast Pork is, um, a taste of true South Philly. They're closed Sundays and open 9am to 4pm, I think. My husband has been to Pats and found it bland. And Geno was an assholio, so there's that.
Reserve tickets for Independence hall in advance. They're free, but to reserve them online it's $1.50 per ticket. It's also right near the Liberty Bell, the Visitor's Center, The National Constitution Center, Carpenter's Hall and Christ Church (where Benjamin Franklin in buried). You can also walk a few blocks east to the bars and restaurants of Old City/Penn's Landing.
ETA: The closest cheesesteaks to old city are at Campos, which gets decent reviews, but I haven't been. However, in that same neighborhood, I enjoy Khyber Pass (craft beer and southern food), Bierstube and Eulogy Belgian Tavern.
It is one of my favorite places, but admittedly when I was a regular there I had a lot of flexibility to go in the middle of the afternoon on weekdays, which is a very different scene than middle of the day on weekends.
I'm not a huge fan because its so so crowded. I do love the yummy goodness inside, but can't deal with the crazy crowds. I'm sure the middle of the week is better, but I'm generally not in Philly then.
I usually go on Sundays, and about half the stands are closed, but it also means less crowds.
I'm not a huge fan because its so so crowded. I do love the yummy goodness inside, but can't deal with the crazy crowds. I'm sure the middle of the week is better, but I'm generally not in Philly then.
I usually go on Sundays, and about half the stands are closed, but it also means less crowds.
But the Amish aren't there on Sundays, which is really sad!
Post by tommygirl03 on Aug 15, 2013 12:36:08 GMT -5
I prefer Geno's to Pat's. Pat's is inconsistent. When they're on, they are best, but when they're not, ugh. You always get the same thing at Geno's. Another sandwich rec - Talk of the Town (Broad St, under the 76 overpass, near the stadiums).
No one mentioned the Italian Market! If you want Italian for dinner, I would suggest Scannichio's (BYOB, @ Broad & Porter), Ralph's (on 9th St), or Dante & Luigi (cash only, 10th & Christian).
And I don't eat red meat so take this with a grain of salt, but my wise foodie Philly friends always say that getting a cheesesteak is actually the wrong answer, and you should get a roast pork sandwich at DiNic's (in RTM) instead.
If I was doing a day trip, I'd start with the historic stuff (walk around the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Betsy Ross House, and Elfreth's Alley, walk up to the Reading Terminal Market for lunch at DiNic's, and then walk up Walnut St. between Broad St. and Rittenhouse Square to shop (and walk through the very lovely Rittenhouse Square and walk around the very lovely blocks just south of it). I'd add the Art Museum and/or Franklin Institute if you have extra time, but that may be tight, depending on your pace.
I wholeheartedly second the need to go to Dinic's. Roast pork, spinach and provolone. Amazingly good! I'm not a huge fan of RTM - I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack when I walk in ther sometimes from the crowds, but DiNic's is totally worth it.
I've lived around here for 25+ years and never understood the RTM love. It's marginally interesting and, if you have time, decent for lunch, but the crowds can be hell and the food isn't *that* spectacular.
And I don't eat red meat so take this with a grain of salt, but my wise foodie Philly friends always say that getting a cheesesteak is actually the wrong answer, and you should get a roast pork sandwich at DiNic's (in RTM) instead.
No. I think DiNics is gross. I personally love Tony Luke's for the best cheesesteak in Philly. I don't care what miso says about that pork sandwich, I think it is not good and I love, love, love Tony Luke's.
I wholeheartedly second the need to go to Dinic's. Roast pork, spinach and provolone. Amazingly good! I'm not a huge fan of RTM - I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack when I walk in ther sometimes from the crowds, but DiNic's is totally worth it.
I've lived around here for 25+ years and never understood the RTM love. It's marginally interesting and, if you have time, decent for lunch, but the crowds can be hell and the food isn't *that* spectacular.
I love food markets, and it is a great example of that (I like it much better than Chelsea Market here, for example).
Also, when your closest grocery store is Rittenhouse Market, in all its expensiveness and not-so-greatness, having RTM as a fairly close option is a wonderful thing. That's how I fell in love.
I have lived in Philly my entire life and only recently discovered RTM (I guess I spent more time drinking than eating). Get thee some Bassett's ice cream after your DiNics.
And, at the risk of sounding like a broken record when it comes to Philly grub, you need to go to one of the Jose Garces restaurants. Start with Amada (Old City) or Tinto (more central).
I've lived around here for 25+ years and never understood the RTM love. It's marginally interesting and, if you have time, decent for lunch, but the crowds can be hell and the food isn't *that* spectacular.
I love food markets, and it is a great example of that (I like it much better than Chelsea Market here, for example).
Also, when your closest grocery store is Rittenhouse Market, in all its expensiveness and not-so-greatness, having RTM as a fairly close option is a wonderful thing. That's how I fell in love.
Rittenhouse Market was my market for years, so I either ate out or took a cab to 10th and South for some proper grocery shopping. I used to walk to RTM for lunch but only rarely because of the chaos. My favorite thing was ribs, which are dangerous to eat while in a business suit.