Philadelphia Recommendations (2022)

Only had John's, but it was really good, but definitely had a bit of a food coma after.

 

@JackHorzempa has named all the deserved classics. Woodrow's on South has a creditable version with a good selection of non-pork or cheesesteak sandwiches, if you have someone who would prefer something lighter with you. RIP Paesanos, which might have had the best one of them all.

 

Did a quick Philly trip last Thursday. We stopped at Monk’s Cafe, Human Robot and Tired Hands Fermentaria.
Monk’s was great, had a Russian River Blind Pig and Hills Farmstead Edward. I could spend a couple days there.
At Human Robot we tried Rangi which they describe as a New Zealand Pilsner. Really nice beer. We picked up a couple 4 packs to try at home. I need to re-visit them.
Tired Hands was our last stop. I was surprised to see how big the to go area was. I finally gone to try an Extra Vanilla Milkshake, which aI though was very good.
I could have spent an entire afternoon at all 3 spots, but I was really impressed with Monk’s and Human Robot.

 

I have been once, and my wife just went back for the first time tonight. There aren’t actually any tamales on the menu. The tacos are delicious, but expensive. The churros are also very good. The ramen was just okay.

We walked in, ordered, and took it home. They charge a 20% service charge yet still prompt for a tip. Be prepared for that.

 

I'm coming this Saturday, 6/11, in for a conference the 13th-15th (M-W).
I'll post where I am going but it looks like this is the best place for volume/ease/#s

Callowhill

I'll start at Love City at noon Saturday 6/11. I'll wear my Beer Advocate t-shirt! Hope to meet some other BAs!

The ones that I am interested in and will most likely hit are these:
Love City
Triple Bottom
Yards
2nd Story
Victory

I'm a fan of #s in brewery names! I'll try and remember my Homebrewery stickers to give away as well.

 

Triple Bottom Brewing
There now

 

Triple Bottoms - Good Attitude - Juicy Pale ale. Citra bomb. Grassy. I always get like a Mary J taste with Citra. Could be a result of Covid off taste. I used to really enjoy Citra beers.

 

Heading to Love City next

 

Had never heard of triple bottom until this thread, I just checked out their site and beer available to go. I will definitely try and stop by next time I am over the bridge.

Did you try anything other than Good Attitude?

 

I've only had a can of their Imperial Stout but it was pretty good
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/57376/550086/

 

I don't know Philly that well but I do see all the violent headlines. Can you walk from Love Park area up to the Spring Garden breweries?

 

Are you referring to cans to go or pours at the taproom? Because TH full pours are generally less expensive than OH.

 

Careful, some people here may accuse you of being racist for suggesting Phila is violent.

I personally wouldn’t walk anywhere and would take an Uber to be safe. If the precursor is “as long as you do it in daylight your fine” it’s probably at least a little dangerous. Odds are your fine yes, but I’m not walking 15-20 min anywhere in the city these days, but that’s just my opinion.

 

Violent crime is up, and concentrated in communities of color that have been really harmed by police, businesses, and the government for (checks notes) a couple centuries. That's not a big revelation. Crime is definitely up, not early 90s but up. You can check violent crime heat maps, but odds are you're not going into the hard hit areas. Nonetheless, inebriated solo at night even a few years ago anywhere is generally not a great idea, but that's just me. But I tend to think most people on this board can understand the nuance between "crime is up for complex reasons including covid and historic mistreatment and inequality" and "crime is up cause X group are just lousy people. " if you're in center city or fishtown more south or in the Italian market you're fine, but get out west or to Kensington and there are spikes there in the past couple years. Do with that what you will @tynian16

 

Used to walk around philly all the time, but it's been three years or more.
Certain parts of west and north philly should be avoided, but most cities have those areas.

 

Wasn't trying to cause a stir here. I've been to Philly many times but never have walked north of that Arch Street/Love Park area. One of the shootings happened right outside a bakery that I've gone to for lunch a few times while working in that area. Was just curious if it was a clearly good idea or bad idea to make the walk. Seems like its more in the middle.

 

Definitely cans. Pours at OH can get expensive, quick.

 

Of COURSE there are breweries for the math minded. Unreal! Prime location! In addition to being really close to me, visiting breweries is an integral part of my interests. The percentage of this world could be so much better with a fraction more of hoppiness.
Cartesian Brewing

 

I hadn't heard of them before, looks like they opened in 2021?
http://cartesianbrewing.com/