Going to Philly in March

[StevenYoo]

I'll be in Philly from March 14-18 for an Allergy/Immunology conference.

My hotel will be around the PA Convention Center, near Hahnemann Univ. Hospital.

I'm looking for two things: cheesesteaks and karaoke bars.

Where do I get the best cheez whiz-dripping, paper bag de-opaquing cheesesteak in town? Supposedly there are two main camps of cheesesteak thought?

ANy info is appreciated

 

[Deeko]

The touristy ones are Pats/Genos. If you go south on Broad St (Hahnemann is on broad) to Wharton St, and hang a left, you'll see both of them. They're at the intersection of 9th/wharton/passyunk. There's also Jim's on South St which is pretty popular, different style from Pats/Genos. Of the "big three", I'm a Pats fan myself. There are also HUNDREDS of other places in the city, try your local street corner food cart, those are usually solid too.

As for karaoke, not really my thing but I believe McGillin's on 13th/Drury (go south on broad, just past city hall, Drury is a small street, make a left) has it on Wendesday nights. Its a relaxed bar, nice place, they have $5 pitcher specials every night and various food deals depending on the night.

 

[Deeko]

Just checked the calendar - the 14-18 does not cover wednesday, d'oh. However, a quick look at McGillin's website shows they have it Sunday nights as well.

http://www.mcgillins.com/

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: StevenYoo
I'll be in Philly from March 14-18 for an Allergy/Immunology conference.

My hotel will be around the PA Convention Center, near Hahnemann Univ. Hospital.

I'm looking for two things: cheesesteaks and karaoke bars.

Where do I get the best cheez whiz-dripping, paper bag de-opaquing cheesesteak in town? Supposedly there are two main camps of cheesesteak thought?

ANy info is appreciated

Pat's is the cheesesteak you're talking about, but if you want the best, Cosmi's Deli in south philly is it. And try to stop by Tony Luke's on Oregon Ave for a roast pork sandwich, too. But downtown in your area, you HAVE to hit Monk's Cafe. Great belgian beers. Melrose Diner on Passyunk and Snyder is great late night. If you want a nicer Italian place, Ristorante Mezza Luna is excellent.

I'm from Philly originally, so let me know if you have questions or other things you want to see.

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: Deeko
The touristy ones are Pats/Genos. If you go south on Broad St (Hahnemann is on broad) to Wharton St, and hang a left, you'll see both of them. They're at the intersection of 9th/wharton/passyunk. There's also Jim's on South St which is pretty popular, different style from Pats/Genos. Of the "big three", I'm a Pats fan myself. There are also HUNDREDS of other places in the city, try your local street corner food cart, those are usually sold too.

As for karaoke, not really my thing but I believe McGillin's on 13th/Drury (go south on broad, just past city hall, Drury is a small street, make a left) has it on Wendesday nights. Its a relaxed bar, nice place, they have $5 pitcher specials every night and various food deals depending on the night.

Originally posted by: sjwaste
Pat's is the cheesesteak you're talking about, but if you want the best, Cosmi's Deli in south philly is it. And try to stop by Tony Luke's on Oregon Ave for a roast pork sandwich, too. But downtown in your area, you HAVE to hit Monk's Cafe. Great belgian beers. Melrose Diner on Passyunk and Snyder is great late night. If you want a nicer Italian place, Ristorante Mezza Luna is excellent.

I'm from Philly originally, so let me know if you have questions or other things you want to see.

thanks for the info!

I'm not interested in fine dining. I'm from New York City, and I get enough of that around here.

I'm just looking for local specialties and anything idiosyncractically Philadelphian.

 

[sjwaste]

Well, it depends on how much of a tourist you want to be, but climbing the steps at the Art Museum is a Rocky Balboa tradition

Tour the new stadiums if they're open, too. Both really nice places.

I would suggest getting a cheesesteak at Pat's after your first night out, as that's an experience not to miss, then the second night hit Jim's right by the bars on South and Front, and on your way out, Stop at Cosmo's. You'll have gotten the gimmick, best drunken, and best cheesesteaks, respectively.

Philly has a lot of smaller NY feel to it, like all the corner stores, mom and pop joints, outdoor market, etc. Skip that since you've probably done similar in NY. Oh, Chinatown is actually decent in Philly, too, might be worth a walk through. You'll be right there, the convention center and hahneman are right on the edges of it.

 

[Judgement]

Anyone who tells you to go to South Street to get the 'best' Cheese steak in Philly most likely isn't from Philly.

edit:

sjwaste's recommendation for Cosmo's deserves :thumbsup:

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Judgement
Anyone who tells you to go to South Street to get the 'best' Cheese steak in Philly most likely isn't from Philly.

edit:

sjwaste's recommendation for Cosmo's deserves :thumbsup:

I think Jim's is the best drunken cheesesteak, I thought I qualified it. Cosmo's isn't open all that late, and it'd be hard to get that far south after a night out downtown

Personally, I tell people to skip Pats and Geno's all together if they want a good sandwich, but it's fun to go late after the bars close at least once in a while.

Seriously, though, Cosmo's for cheesesteaks, Nick's Roast Beef for the obvious, Tony Luke's for pork, and Primo's for a hoagie of any sort (chicken cutlet w/ fried hot peppers and a little mayo is my choice). Those are my nominees for best sandwiches in the city.

 

[sjwaste]

Sorry to pack this thread, but with your location, you might as well get breakfast or lunch at the Reading Terminal Market. If you're staying at the convention center, it's right there.

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
Sorry to pack this thread, but with your location, you might as well get breakfast or lunch at the Reading Terminal Market. If you're staying at the convention center, it's right there.

duly noted.

I'm guessing it's a local produce market in a huge enclosure?

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: StevenYoo

Originally posted by: sjwaste
Sorry to pack this thread, but with your location, you might as well get breakfast or lunch at the Reading Terminal Market. If you're staying at the convention center, it's right there.

duly noted.

I'm guessing it's a local produce market in a huge enclosure?

Yeah, exactly. There are a lot of butchers in there too, though, and some counters to eat. I'd just walk around and see what looks/smells good.

It's fairly well known for its spice shop too. Again, stuff you can get easily in NY, but it's making me nostalgic because I live in DC now. DC has a solid dining scene, behind only NY and SF in this country, I think, but are completely void and lacking in small markets, produce stands, and butchers. The farmers markets and Eastern Market are ok, but are nothing like what you find further north. /rant

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: Judgement
Anyone who tells you to go to South Street to get the 'best' Cheese steak in Philly most likely isn't from Philly.

The "Big 3" are still the touristy places to go. None of the big, well known places are really going to be the best in the city, but they're still cool to go to if you're not from the area.

 

[Judgement]

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: Judgement
Anyone who tells you to go to South Street to get the 'best' Cheese steak in Philly most likely isn't from Philly.

The "Big 3" are still the touristy places to go. None of the big, well known places are really going to be the best in the city, but they're still cool to go to if you're not from the area.

I can agree with that... depending on how much time you have to throw around they are still worth visiting.

It just gets under my skin when someone who doesn't know the city well / has only been once or twice makes a case for Pats/Genos being the best.

More of a pet peeve really... Pats/Genos are both still good

 

[poncherelli2]

Originally posted by: Judgement

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: Judgement
Anyone who tells you to go to South Street to get the 'best' Cheese steak in Philly most likely isn't from Philly.

The "Big 3" are still the touristy places to go. None of the big, well known places are really going to be the best in the city, but they're still cool to go to if you're not from the area.

I can agree with that... depending on how much time you have to throw around they are still worth visiting.

It just gets under my skin when someone who doesn't know the city well / has only been once or twice makes a case for Pats/Genos being the best.

More of a pet peeve really... Pats/Genos are both still good

The best cheesesteaks I've had in Philly have come from street carts and cost $3-4. However, you're just as likely, if not more so, to get a subpar steak from a cart if you don't know where to go. For establishments, my favorite is Steve's in NE Philly, but if you're going to be hanging around the center city area, I'd recommend taking the short cab ride down to Pats/Genos. The steaks are good and its one of those fun, unique experiences you look for when you visit a city.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: Judgement

Originally posted by: Deeko

Originally posted by: Judgement
Anyone who tells you to go to South Street to get the 'best' Cheese steak in Philly most likely isn't from Philly.

The "Big 3" are still the touristy places to go. None of the big, well known places are really going to be the best in the city, but they're still cool to go to if you're not from the area.

I can agree with that... depending on how much time you have to throw around they are still worth visiting.

It just gets under my skin when someone who doesn't know the city well / has only been once or twice makes a case for Pats/Genos being the best.

More of a pet peeve really... Pats/Genos are both still good

Understood. I'm not "from" Philly but I lived there the last 5 years. I know plenty of better places around Powelton Village where I lived, but I'm not gonna send him there, ya know?