Philadelphia Recommendations (2024)

Thanks for both of your suggestions. Not sure if I’ll make it down to the East End of Downtown (Liberty Bell and others areas I’ve been to), but Glory looks like a solid spot to make an effort.

Paesono’s is closed Monday and Tuesday, and was aware Jack that Tuesday would be my only shot at John’s. A few other places also weren’t listed by me after checking their hours and where I’ll likely be.

But based based on the input, I’ll call F & M to see if their pub will also remain open during their anniversary weekend (and maybe stop at Tannery Run). For Philly proper, might hit South Philly, and will consider Glory and Campos.

Keep-’em coming Philly. Any recommendations @FBarber and @TheIPAHunter (you had two cheesesteak spots in mind) please reply or DM.

 

If you are walking from the Ambler train station then the Pub is closer. In my opinion there isn't much reason to go to both. They both have 3 beer engines and usually similar tap list and to-go selection. The interior of the Pub has more character.

 

For Human Robot- Kensington, while it's at the edge of the gentrified Fishtown area, you'd be getting off the train at Temple University stop and walking east. While the Temple area is not as sketchy as it was in the 90's, it's still not the best area of the city (North Philly and West Philly have the roughest areas).

Alternatively, Human Robot -Jenkintown is also about a 15 minute walk from the train, but the walk from the Jenkintown station would be through much nicer tree-lined suburban sidewalks.

As for your tourist spots - Eastern State is very cool. Since you mentioned the Art Museum, if you are into impressionism - check out the Barnes Foundation - definitely a unique type of museum. Also this documentary is a good intro into the controversy that occurred before the new location opened https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_the_Steal_(2009_film)

 

The pub at Forest and Main will be open during the anniversary party. As stated by others, Tannery Run is is ok, but Well Crafted, while a longer walk, has better beer options.

 

I second that Woodrow's is very good, and it's and close enough to Angelo's that if you find a 20-deep line there you can head over to Woodrow's instead. For me, it's the cherry pepper mayo that makes it.

 

I appreciate your suggestions and updates!

• @TheIPAHunter - I'll definitely try at least one CS w/ Coopers sharp, will try to get to Cafe Carmela, though time is tight.
• @jmdrpi - Thanks for your posts. Putting the Barnes Foundation on my list for this trip or the next one.
• @zekeman17 - Thanks for confirming the Pub will be open. Likely only hitting Ambler Saturday since everything closes so early on Sunday. Would have only booked one night up there if I planned a bit better before hand.
• @Hayesbro - Hoping to check out both Woodrow's and Angelo's if possible, the Angelo's is first priority. I would have scheduled one more day if I knew Jim's would reopen May 1st, though perhaps the airport version will be solid the night before.

https://www.inquirer.com/food/resta...-fire-south-street-isaiah-zagar-20240326.html

 

Monk's Cafe is having a Suarez event on Sunday:

Monk's Cafe

UPDATE: Dan Suarez is unfortunately not able to join us this Sunday at Monk's for a visit. We'll miss him terribly, but carry on enjoying this excellent lineup of Suarez Family Brewing creations in his absence.
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Sunday, April 28, from 3-5 PM: Suarez Family Brewery Happening
Located in New York's picturesque Hudson Valley, Suarez Family Brewery is a mom and pop production brewery specializing in ales of mixed fermentation, unfiltered lagers and other crispy little beers. We've been admiring their quaffable brews created with integrity and intention for quite a few years, and are extremely proud to bring you a curated selection in bottles, cans, and on draft this Sunday from 3-5pm.
ON DRAFT
Palatine Pils: Our house pils recipe. German-style.

Whistlin': Lemongrass country beer brewed with Foxtrot Farm lemongrass, exhibiting a pronounced ginger / candied orange peel note with a well integrated, vibrant acidity.

Merkel Morello: 2023 harvest- Country beer racked on English Morello cherries from 2023 harvest. We're tasting notes of punchy cranberry, light bodied red wine, Belgian Kriek, clean/precise acidity, fresh pomegranate and big fruit but with a crisp and snappy finish.

Crescent: A Belgian-Style saison brewed with lots of raw emmer wheat (50% of the grist) and heavily hopped with old-world hop varieties. Bone dry, effervescent, crackling, and heady, with bitterness, spiciness, and tartness all in perfect balance. Notes of white/black pepper, black raspberry, bitter melon, taffy, jasmine flower, white grape, and lemon peel. This beer is inspired by the classic farmhouse ales of Belgium.

BOTTLE POURS
Lo and Behold: Flemish red inspired country beer. A complex and contemplative garnet-hued ale that spends a good long while aging in wine barrels. Lo & Behold has many red fruit qualities and displays a perfect malt/oak/acid balance. We’re tasting dried currant, toasted orange peel, oak cellar, red wine, sweet tobacco, dried rose petal and sweet vermouth.

Poet's Walk 2020-2023: We brewed this high gravity English-style barleywine in late 2020 and lagered it in stainless steel tanks until spring of 2021 before bottle conditioning. We then “bottle aged” this batch for 2.5 years until the beer showed enough aged flavor and softened edges. We present you with an intensely malty and contemplative beer that exhibits strong nougat character, date sugar, candied walnut, roasted chestnut, barley malt syrup, dark caramel, and robust black tea.

ALL BOTTLES & CANS
Big Night: Mixed fermentation country beer
Lo and Behold: Flemish Red-inspired country beer
Local Boy: Hudson Valley country beer
Poet's Walk: 2020 Vintage barleywine
Summer Whoa: Tango peach country beer
Qualify Pils: German-style Pilsner (also available for takeaway)
Bones Shirt: German-style dark lager (also available for takeaway

 

Returning to give my favorites for the trip, in the hope it helps others down the line.

General: Public transportation was clean and reliable, and unlike Chicago easy to get passes and travel on a single paid fare across both city and suburban trains and buses. Getting back from New Jersey was a breeze.

Cheesesteaks: CS Cleavers (whiz wit) most convenient to downtown, had more dining space than Woodrow's (truffle whiz wit). though beyond the great bread at Cleavers, I enjoyed the overall sandwich and experience at Woodrow's slightly better, but would gladly enjoy additional visits. Have plenty still to try on future trips.

Beer Bars:

• Monk's Cafe was the best place overall visited. Went there every day it was open (closed Mondays). Make sure to check the cans and bottle list as well, as they have many excellent selections beyond their jam packed draft list. Staff great as well, really crowded both weekend afternoons, nice and slow on Tuesday.
• Bru Craft & Wurst is solid, liked the staff and vibe, solid German and modern craft options.
• McGillin's Olde Ale House had good beer options, but music had bad sound system, selections and was much to loud to enjoy a conversation. YMMV.

Breweries:

• Tonewood Brewery was my favorite brewery in terms of quality, selection options and overall vibe of spot and staff. Stopped at the Oaklyn location which isn't too far east, and so glad I made it there.
• Human Robot was a short walk from the Temple station, had solid traditional beers and I enjoyed my time there and would go back. It's a small space, so would likely prefer going during a slower weekday.
• Yards Brewing was a corporate / Bennigan's type spot in terms of the beer and food options. Didn't see much beyond standard beers, really liked their English Mild Brawler, their Pale as was good, didn't like their standard beer.

Ambler:

• Forest & Main Stopped at both locations, the Pub downtown likely the better long term fit in terms of the cask available and ambiance. Many were at the anniversary party. Would stick with traditional styles in the future.
  
• Harry's Taproom Solid draft beer options, food looked/smelled good, nice crowd late Saturday night.

Really enjoyed the pours from the Suarez event at Monks @jmdrpi - Thanks for the heads up. Thank you also to everyone else with suggestions and guidance. I really enjoyed my short trip.

Cheers!

 

It was a pleasure sharing my favorite brewery on earth with you, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. If you're ever in the area we will do it again, and if you ever need your fix of Lumberyard, it is on me via USPS "see" you this weekend over in NBW.

 

For future reference, I wouldn’t walk from the Temple U train station to Human Robot. It’s a rough area. But it sounds like you had an awesome time all around. Glad you enjoyed it.

 

I'd say we all have different perspectives. I'm from Chicago, and used to public transportation, also looked at Philly shooting map before the trip so wasn't going in blind. The only area I avoided was walking around NE well into Kensington (say about a mile north and a mile east of Human Robot).

I have a wide range of movement here too, but I would say many would agree with you there would be a wider range of neighborhoods in Chicago people should either be cautious about or avoid than I or others who live here have or are comfortable with, including areas I wouldn't necessarily send random personally unknown tourist / general public that I would be OK with, or at least OK during the day / evening.

I agree for suburban folks and people not used to urban settings would probably be better off Ubering to HR, perhaps driving or I guess avoiding. I'd also limit their train experience to the suburban trains with conductors that will take you from the airport to downtown, and also the ones that go to the suburbs like Ambler. I'd guess most people with any concerns avoid all forms of walking or public transportation as a course of everyday life.

There were panhandlers and homeless in the market street trains and stations, but unlike Chicago at least there weren't patrons and "security" staff openly smoking cigarettes and weed throughout the system, and I personally was fine with the Philly experience. Also had solid public transportation experiences in San Diego, throughout LA County and Vegas. YMMV

Enjoyed the fact the Philly downtown area was very vibrant vs. what Chicago has turned to on most days since May 2020. I'd chalk up a portion to the excellent Philly weather Sun-Tues (there were less people around on the overcast colder Saturday, but we get nice weather here as well.

 

I've done that walk several times and never had an issue. Perception doesn't always equal reality.

 

Glad you enjoyed yourself! I live pretty close to Ambler so next time you come out that way I'll buy you a beer.

 

I am in my mid-30s and have lived in the City of Philadelphia my entire life (except for three academic years of grad school). Not the suburbs—in the city. So my recommendation was rooted in the concern that we probably shouldn't be sending tourists from out of town walking into an objectively not-so-great neighborhood...especially to get to a brewery that would be, what $15? or so by cab/uber from center city.

 

Went to Cleavers for the first time last week and the pour-your-own tap wall was a pleasant surprise with a solid tap list, in addition to a great cheesesteak.

 

had a couple cask pours at yards this weekend, walked over to Del Rossi's for a cheesesteak after and boy is that a hidden gem! excellent seeded roll if that's your thing, perfect medium chop on the meat, and the pizza they serve looked really good as well.

i'll add a beer thing so this stays relevant: really enjoyed my trip to forest & main production space. lives up to the hype! thanks for everyone who recommended it on this thread. not the nicest drive back in to the city from there though haha.