People of Philly - where should I eat?!

[Rallispec]

Gonna be in Philly next week - recommend a good place to take my girlfriend for a nice evening out!

Been doing some research and I've got a few ideas - but curious to hear some first hand recommendations.

Thanks

 

[edro]

Taco Bell gets great reviews and your girlfriend would appreciate your thriftiness.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Tacconelli's for pizza, Geno's or Pat's for cheese steaks.

 

[Pardus]

http://www.visitphilly.com/restaurants-dining/

http://www.phillymag.com/articles/50-restaurants-philadelphia-2012/

http://www.yelp.com/list/best-places-to-eat-philly-philadelphia

 

[DesiPower]

Its the city of brotherly love, take a bother there...

 

[glenn1]

What's your budget and preferences? Hard to go wrong with Tony Lukes on the low end or Buddakan on the nicer end.

 

[mwtgg]

Where in Philadelphia are you going to be?
What type of cuisine are you looking for?
Define "nice".

 

[thereds]

Felafel cart on 20th and Market (only lunch time on weekdays)

$100 cheesesteak from Barclay Prime.

 

[Rallispec]

http://www.visitphilly.com/restaurants-dining/
http://www.phillymag.com/articles/50-restaurants-philadelphia-2012/
http://www.yelp.com/list/best-places-to-eat-philly-philadelphia

yep, had checked all those out... but thank you

We'll be downtown, right between City hall and independence national historic park
maybe under $50 a plate or so - good seafood is a plus.

 

[glenn1]

yep, had checked all those out... but thank you

We'll be downtown, right between City hall and independence national historic park
maybe under $50 a plate or so - good seafood is a plus.

Why not just do Morimotos then? The "Iron Chef" thing will probably impress your g/f also.

http://www.morimotorestaurant.com/

 

[John Connor]

Geno's!

 

[rsutoratosu]

Why not just do Morimotos then? The "Iron Chef" thing will probably impress your g/f also.

http://www.morimotorestaurant.com/

F that guy, my family knows him personally because we supply restaurant supplies to him. He picks his nose religiously and he often use expired fish. I would not eat there even if you pay me.

 

[rsutoratosu]

Pats gets my voice.. I have 2 frozen cheese steaks from last weeks visit.. yeah I would drive down from NYC and buy a bunch.

Dinics is another great place.. Don't go too late. Has pull pork sandwich and beef brisket sandwich.
-Arch St - inside the terminal market - lot of food there also

Fond - really small place and really good
1537 S 11th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Monk Belgian café- mussels and all the good stuff
264 S 16th St
Philadelphia, PA 19146

 

[mwtgg]

yep, had checked all those out... but thank you

We'll be downtown, right between City hall and independence national historic park
maybe under $50 a plate or so - good seafood is a plus.

Between City Hall and Independence Mall area is like 9 blocks, so it's a wide area.

That being said, if you're looking for seafood, you could check out:

• Devon (Rittenhouse) - On 18th, between Walnut and Locust
• Little Fish (Queen Village - It's not "downtown", but it's just south of Independence Mall and it's a BYOB) - 6th and Fitzwater
• Chart House (Penn's Landing - Also not downtown, but it's on the river) - Columbus Blvd

 

[mwtgg]

And why is everyone saying Pats and Genos? Don't get me wrong, I love a good cheesesteak, but those two places are overpriced garbage. And besides, Philadelphia has much better food than just cheesesteaks.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Go to Reading Terminal Market - http://www.yelp.com/biz/tommy-dinics-philadelphia

 

[Blackjack200]

Go to Reading Terminal Market - http://www.yelp.com/biz/tommy-dinics-philadelphia

That place is wild.

For a nice evening I'd probably try here

http://www.yelp.com/biz/xix-nineteen-philadelphia

I think Farmacia is in that area. It's pretty good.

http://www.farmiciarestaurant.com/

Also, Sazon. It's not downtown but it's my favorite place to eat in Philly. It's amazing.

http://sazonphilly.com/

I've eaten at all of these places. They're all outstanding.

 

[Scotteq]

Nm

 

[jaedaliu]

And why is everyone saying Pats and Genos? Don't get me wrong, I love a good cheesesteak, but those two places are overpriced garbage. And besides, Philadelphia has much better food than just cheesesteaks.

Because it's a fun experience. Dueling landmarks. And the correct answer is BOTH Pat's and Geno's. With 2 people, you each order 1 and then you can discuss which you like better. Just make sure you know how to order before you get to the front of the line. Polite order takers aren't part of the system.

Morimoto's, on Canal Street, is exceptional...

I enjoyed it immensely when I went. Also went to some seafood place near the Delaware river. Got a plate of blue crab. They're okay, made me want dungenes.

 

[nace186]

Capogiro for gelato. I like their sea salt flavor.

 

[sze5003]

How much do you want to spend? For a nice romantic dinner you can go to davios steakhouse on 17th and chestnut. Their spring rolls are awesome. I used to valet there in college. If you want a steak go around to 8th and Wharton to either pats or Genos.

There are lots of small shops on south street, cafe's and such that you can check out. If you don't mind spending nearly $100 bucks a plate there is del frescos steakhouse on market and chestnut.

There is also a Brazilian place where you pay like 50 bucks and you can get all you can eat, tons of meat and barbecue. I think for lunch it's $20 bucks.

 

[nace186]

How much do you want to spend? For a nice romantic dinner you can go to davios steakhouse on 17th and chestnut. Their spring rolls are awesome. I used to valet there in college. If you want a steak go around to 8th and Wharton to either pats or Genos.

There are lots of small shops on south street, cafe's and such that you can check out. If you don't mind spending nearly $100 bucks a plate there is del frescos steakhouse on market and chestnut.

There is also a Brazilian place where you pay like 50 bucks and you can get all you can eat, tons of meat and barbecue. I think for lunch it's $20 bucks.

You mean Chima? I like it better than Fogo.

 

[sze5003]

You mean Chima? I like it better than Fogo.

Yeah I forgot about Chima. I haven't been there yet. But I love barbecue so I should also check that out too.

 

[xanis]

I tend to frequent gastropubs and "cheaper" places, so I can't really speak to the more expensive places and "hotspots".

Sandwiches: Pat's, Geno's or Tony Luke's for cheesesteaks, and DiNic's in Reading Terminal Market for awesome roast pork sandwiches.

Independence Mall is close to Old City, which has a few good places. If you like Middle Eastern food, I recommend Ariana for some good Afghan food and hookah. It's BYOB and there's a state store close by IIRC.

If you like beer, consider checking out Eulogy. They have an incredible beer selection and they make a killer burger. Hawthorne Café is also good for beer and some great food. It's a very cozy place; they might even have the fireplace going at night now that the weather is getting colder. I used to go there a lot when I lived in that area and I've never been disappointed.

If you like German food and beer halls, you might like Brauhaus Schmitz. It's on South Street, so you could walk around there as well before and/or after dinner.

Smokin' Betty's is one of my favorite gastropub-style places. Great food and good cocktails.

 

[xanis]

Yeah I forgot about Chima. I haven't been there yet. But I love barbecue so I should also check that out too.

Chima is good. On-par with Fogo IMO, so you could go with either and be happy.

And why is everyone saying Pats and Genos? Don't get me wrong, I love a good cheesesteak, but those two places are overpriced garbage. And besides, Philadelphia has much better food than just cheesesteaks.

They're definitely tourist traps, but they also do make good cheesesteaks. They're fine for tourists looking for a decent cheesteak IMO.