Philadelphia is experiencing a big boom of late. Aside from seamlessly hosting this year’s Democratic National Convention and last year’s papal visit, the city was also granted the status of being the Nation’s first World Heritage City in 2015. Of course, all of these accolades, awards and high profile guests call for a city-wide celebration, which they are busy doing, as Philly is also killing it on the foodie front.
Philadelphia is fast becoming a go to city for the food enthused. The booming restaurant
scene is evident in several sections of the city, where long-standing, local celeb chefs and newer chefs are seriously pushing the culinary envelope. If you’re looking to take a bite out of this city to taste and celebrate the City of Brotherly Grub, there is no better place than Philly’s Reading Terminal.
The Reading Terminal Market is the longest continuously running market in the U.S. It opened its doors in 1892, but the locale has a long history of market life that dates as far back as the late 17th century. Today the 39,000 square-foot structure is a definitive mix of the old and the new with more than 75 vendors feeding as many as 6.4 million hungry visitors, locals and tourists alike, each year.
Bassetts Ice Cream, the oldest ice cream company in the U.S., was founded in 1861 and was the first stand to sign a lease at Reading in 1892. Condiment is their newest stand, opening its counter this week. In between the two is a wide range of ethnically diverse vendors and restaurants serving Greek, Italian, French, Thai, Mexican and Middle Eastern cuisine. There are also several Pennsylvania Dutch vendors from Lancaster County, a soul food stand and a few Philly faves like DiNic’s and Carmen’s.
Don’t be surprised if you are elbow to elbow with Bill Clinton who recently hosted his VIP DNC lunch at the terminal. Barack Obama has also been known to get his cheesesteak on at Carmen’s. The place has seen it’s share of famous faces.
If heading over, word to the wise. Philadelphians are serious about their food and their sports teams. If you are not an Eagles fan, yeah, you better keep that to yourself. It is the City of Brotherly Love, until you cross that green line. Then it gets ugly. Now go get your grub on!
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DiNic's is the market star. Their pork with extra sharp provolone and garlicky broccoli rabe was awarded the best sandwich in America by The Travel Channel. It is all that and more. It is ginormous and juicy, like a sandwich should be.
Photo: Reading Terminal Market
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Hunger Burger's black angus beef Philbert Burger with applewood bacon, the lobster mac and cheese and onion rings will leave you anything but hungry.
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MeltKraft makes cheeses from the grass fed raw milk from their own cows, goats and sheep. It is a Philly favorite and often awarded the best grilled cheese in the city. Their Melter Skelter made with raclette style cheese, pickled green tomatoes, jalapeno and watercress with a side of BBQ potato chips is a favorite.
Photo: Reading Terminal Market
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Duck it up! At Sang Kee Peking, it is all about the BBQ Peking Duck or the duck soup.
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If looking for your Philly cheesesteak fix, Carmen’s Famous is it. It was Barack’s food move in the market. The Italian hoagie and turkey diablo are other top options.
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Little Thai Market's Salmon curry over rice is so cheap and so good. The long lines are literally wrapped around the market, and not just at lunch.
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La Divisa has cooked and cured charcuterie, all prepared on site. Go for their hop salami inspired by Philly’s craft beer scene, the Calabrese pancetta, lamb liver mousse
and their liver pate, and call it a day.
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Beck’s Cajun Cafe is true blue cajun cooking with Creole chicken corn chowder, gator gumbo, etouffe, jambalaya, Muffaletta and their signature Train Wreck Po’ Boy, but their fried mac & cheese balls are their best sellers.
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Hershel's East Side Deli's freshly carved-to-order hot pastrami on fresh rye or the Reuben are the definitive go-tos.
Photo: Reading Terminal Market
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Iovine's Produce has a long history in the market and is heavily frequented by a buzz of locals. It’s a great place to grab fresh produce if staying locally at an AirBnB or if visiting locally. Otherwise, grab a cold-pressed organic juice to offset the rest of your decadence.