Photo:Getty
Getty
Writer Regan Stephens grew up in Philadelphia, and after stints in New York, London, and Los Angeles, moved back to the best city in the world in 2016. She’s covered Philly’s dynamic food scene — reporting on stories about Mexican pizza, an urban cheesemaker, and a charcuterie trail — and recently won a National Magazine Award for contributing to aPhiladelphiamagazine feature about hoagies. Get her interactiveGuide to Eating in PhiladelphiaonSaltete.
Unless you’ve been living under aRocky statue, you’ve probably already heard that Philadelphia is home to a knockout food scene. We have the best cheesesteaks, of course, but there’s so much more on the menu in the City of Brotherly Love. Classics abound, from red gravy Italian joints (includingRalph’s, the country’s oldest) to beloved Chinatown institutions, and notonebuttwohistoric food markets. Beyond the traditional, though, the scene gets a spirited boost from innovative chefs and makers constantly dreaming up new ways to feed us. Of course, it’s impossible to devour it all in just one day, butwith proper planning, you can get a true taste of Philly’s top tier culinary landscape. And yes, that includes a cheesesteak.
Breakfast: Fiore
Fiore in Philadelphia.Regan Stephens
Regan Stephens
Lunch: El Chingon
El Chingon in Philadelphia.Regan Stephens
After breakfast, head south towardEl Chingon, Juan Carlos Aparicio’s bright South Philly Cemiteria. Prepare yourself to eat again with a walk through Old City — the historic neighborhood encompassing the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, among other notable American treasures —conveniently sandwiched between the two restaurants. After two decades of working in restaurants, Aparicio opened his own, where he’s making tacos on fresh sourdough tortillas and cemitas — a sandwich that hails from his hometown of Puebla, Mexico. The chef bakes the rolls from scratch, stuffing them with beef Milanese, or house made pork chorizo, refried beans, and melted cheese.
Sweet Treat: John’s Water Ice
John’s Water Ice in Philadelphia.Regan Stephens
Dinner: Mawn
Mawn in Philadelphia.Hannah Boothman
Hannah Boothman
A self-described Cambodian noodle house with no rules,Mawnoccupies a pocket-sized space at the north end of Philly’s famed Italian Market. There, chef Phila Lorn dreams up dishes that pay vibrant homage to the cuisine of his childhood, but through a decidedly fresh, first generation Philadelphian lens. Try the galangal- and lemongrass-scented beef, Mawn noodle soup with schmaltz-infused stock (a nod to his wife Rachel’s Jewish heritage), and for dessert, the funnel cake with a miso caramel drizzle. Mawn is a BYOB, so before dinner, pick up a bottle of wine from Sande Friedman’s expertly-curated selection atDi Bruno Bros. bottle shop, just a few blocks south.
Late Night Snack: Pat’s King of Steaks
Patâs King of Steaks
If you come to Philly and don’t try a cheesesteak, were you even here? Stand-out options can be found throughout the city, from corner delis toBradley Cooper favorite, Angelo’s. But for a solid late-night snack, head to the birthplace of the cheesesteak:Pat’s King of Steaks. Open 24 hours a day, make your way to the window to order a classic cheesesteak with fried onions and American or Cheez Whiz. Provolone is also acceptable, but please, for the love of Gritty,don’t ask for Swiss.
Spot a Celebrity at: Zahav
Zahav in Philadelphia.Daniel Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
Daniel Knoll for Visit Philadelphia
When Jason Kelce isn’t pounding Bud Lights shirtless incelebration of his brother’s playoff win, he’s been known to enjoy a tasteful (and fully clothed) dinner atZahav. The Philadelphia Eagles center has named the modern Israeli restaurant one of his favorite dinner destinations, and he and wife Kylie have been spotted there on date nights.
The 16-year old restaurant from chef Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook nabbed a James Beard Award for the most outstanding restaurant in the country in 2019, and it can still be tough to score a reservation. They hold the chef’s counter (and in the warmer months, tables on the outdoor patio) for walk-ins, though.
Arrive before opening to try your luck for an array of salatim, warm pita, buttery Turkish hummus served hot in a skillet, and the restaurant’s famed tender, pomegranate-infused lamb shoulder.
source: people.com
