Philadelphia questioins
- Thread starter Agoodnap
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If you’ll be in Philly and have car access, hit up Mama’s Pizzeria in Bala Cynwyd if you want the best cheesesteak. Their pizza is actually lousy, but cheesesteaks are fantastic. They close when they run out of bread. And they do provolone and not Cheesewiz. Bypass the touristy ones (Pat’s, Geno’s, etc.)
The PSU trolls’ chance to earn their keep in the cesspool. Bans coming if your recommendations don’t measure up to par
Recommend they go to 9th and Pasyunk and get the real thing that you’ve seen in movies. I’m not going to argue that it tastes better, but if you don’t go there, you didn’t actually get one.
Regarding cheesesteaks... Every cheesesteak in the city will be good, some better than others, but they'll all be good. @mcpat has it right, IMO, that you should go to 9th and Passyunk and start with a Pat's, wit/wiz. Split that with someone and then get one from Geno's (the lines often intersect in the middle of the street, to compare. BTW, Pat's is open 24/7 so it's never too late or early to get one.
Several people will jump in here to say that Pat's sucks. They are parrots, and don't know what they're saying.
Walk south on 9th street, and you'll pass right through the Italian market. Someone mentioned Angelo's above, and you'll find that here, along with some of the best Italian cheeses, breads, meats, and pastries anywhere in the US. Continue south for another 5 or 6 blocks and find Pat's and Geno's.
Several people will jump in here to say that Pat's sucks. They are parrots, and don't know what they're saying.
Walk south on 9th street, and you'll pass right through the Italian market. Someone mentioned Angelo's above, and you'll find that here, along with some of the best Italian cheeses, breads, meats, and pastries anywhere in the US. Continue south for another 5 or 6 blocks and find Pat's and Geno's.
We prefer “The City of Brotherly Shove.”
If you seriously think I didn’t consider that before making this recommendation, I should be banning you. 🤣 Seriously though, have an awesome time to all going.
The Cambria is in Gayborhood, and as the name implies there are a bunch of LGBTQ-friendly bars and restaurants in the immediate area. This is just an FYI.
My favorite Italian restaurant in the city is Giorgio on Pine. It's a BYOB restaurant (bring your own bottle), so grab some wine before you go, which you can find at the PA Fine Wine and Spirit stores. Closest one to the Cambria is between 15th and 16th on Locust Street, so right nearby.
Menu | Giorgio on Pine
www.giorgio-on-pine.com
An excellent breakfast can be found at the Green Eggs Café, which is just around the corner from the Cambria.
For lunch, you should go to the Reading Terminal Market. All kinds of great food for every taste can be found. I go to Hershel's Deli and get the Pastrami. Tables can be found in several areas but are often full, or sort of full. I usually end up asking if someone sitting alone at a table would mind of company, and have never been turned away unless they were holding the seat for their party.
Bars to hang out and toss a few back, I'd recommend Dirty Franks (a block over from Giorgio) or Bob and Barbs, which is at 15th and South Street. Bob and Barbs always offers the "Special", also called the City Wide, which is a 16oz can of PBR and a shot of Jim Beam for about $4.00. This place is cash only, so plan accordingly. Many bars throughout the city offer the "City Wide", with most charging $3 - $5
If an Irish pub is your thing, McGillin's Olde Ale House is fantastic. https://mcgillins.com/
Oh, and Philadelphia has a large Chinatown. Put yourself at 10th and Race Street, and you'll be right in the middle.
If you're looking for high-end, let me know.
I'm guessing if an Iowa fan had Philadelphia questions they would just call Cooper since he owns that town now. And rightfully so!
Well...since you asked. I'm not going to nationals but I am going to a Phillies game this summer. Any recs on hotels in Center City? I've read it's better to stay in that area and catch the train to Citizens Bank, rather than stay at the casino hotel next to the stadium. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
I have to ask some questions before answering. Are you just coming for a game, or will you stay a few nights and see the city? How many people will you be traveling with, and are they all going to the game? Will you have a vehicle?
Two nights, we want to see a few highlights of Philly with the time we have. 4 people, all going to the game and I will have a car.
Philly has a lot of great cheesesteaks aside from Pats or Geno's. In my opinion I just think they're overrated and I've eaten a lot of cheesesteaks. We
Del Rossi's among others . I'd look into barstool sports in David Port East reviews. I have similar taste to him and stuff, and he really liked Del Rossi's.
Monk's Cafe is an excellent source for Belgian beer in case you're interested. You'll find some things there on top that you'll find nowhere else. Last I checked they had cantillion. I just checked and they have multiple varieties in bottles.
If you've ever tried to get a bottle of that in the state you'll see it's in impossible. I've been there a few times and everything is excellent.
Overall the Pennsylvania resident I absolutely hate the city. I try to avoid as much as possible in my opinion it's gone downhill a lot from better days and say 2010 to the last time I was there in 2019. We avoid it at all cost anymore.
I would've made an exception for this tournament however my wife was scheduled for a foot surgery and there's no way I could make it happen this year.
Del Rossi's among others . I'd look into barstool sports in David Port East reviews. I have similar taste to him and stuff, and he really liked Del Rossi's.
Monk's Cafe is an excellent source for Belgian beer in case you're interested. You'll find some things there on top that you'll find nowhere else. Last I checked they had cantillion. I just checked and they have multiple varieties in bottles.
If you've ever tried to get a bottle of that in the state you'll see it's in impossible. I've been there a few times and everything is excellent.
Overall the Pennsylvania resident I absolutely hate the city. I try to avoid as much as possible in my opinion it's gone downhill a lot from better days and say 2010 to the last time I was there in 2019. We avoid it at all cost anymore.
I would've made an exception for this tournament however my wife was scheduled for a foot surgery and there's no way I could make it happen this year.
Lived in Philly for a few years. I'll confirm that Reading Terminal Market is a great spot for lunch, and just a cool experience.
Bars for before/after sessions, Xfinity Live (which will be packed) is right outside the arena. It has 4-5 different bars and a middle area with some bars in the middle of it, with a big screen. It'll be the main place people go after leaving sessions, so get there early!
As far as cheesesteaks, I'd recommend not going to Pats/Genos, they are not great and too busy. The best cheesesteak in town (IMO) is John's Roast Pork which is somewhat close to arena, but not walking distance.
Bars for before/after sessions, Xfinity Live (which will be packed) is right outside the arena. It has 4-5 different bars and a middle area with some bars in the middle of it, with a big screen. It'll be the main place people go after leaving sessions, so get there early!
As far as cheesesteaks, I'd recommend not going to Pats/Genos, they are not great and too busy. The best cheesesteak in town (IMO) is John's Roast Pork which is somewhat close to arena, but not walking distance.
Never tried that one. But thumbs up on the Reading Terminal Market.
Here's a link for Monk's:
Del Rossi's:
The subway (underground train) runs under Broad Street and goes North/South. If you travel South, the last stop is right at the sports complex. Just to get you oriented, numbered streets go North/South and named streets are East/West. The rare exception is Broad Street, which would be 14th Street if it were given a number. Keep this in mind.
Parking is expensive in Center City. You should consider parking outside the city and taking the regional rail to Center City. If you want some help with that, let me know your route into town.
Not sure how many rooms you want and what is your budget, but here are a few choices that I like, and I'll keep you between 18th and 11th East/West and Market and Pine North/South.
The Warwick Hotel. Right in Rittenhouse neighborhood . Beware, many very high-end shops are in Rittenhouse and the women in your party may set you back.
DoubleTree, right on Broad Street. I'm a big fan of DoubleTree.
Renaissance Inn, right at City Hall. I'm a fan of the full working kitchen. It allows you to actually take leftovers back and reheat them for later. Unfortunately, this one doesn't have the separate bedroom options, so it may not be for you.
For higher-end, consider the Ritz-Carlton, right on Broad Street, or the Hampton Inn at 13th and Race. In all cases, stay within 4 blocks of Broad Street for easy access to the subway. Entrances are at City Hall, and Walnut Street. If entering at City Hall, choose the West Side entrances found in a small park called Dilworth. It can get confusing at City Hall, but this entrance has good signage and is well lit. Walnut Street entrance
FYI, the Main East/West train/subway runs under Market street.
If you haven't been to Old Town before, that's a must. Something unique to see is the Mutter Museum, on 22nd, just South of Market street. https://muttermuseum.org/
Parking is expensive in Center City. You should consider parking outside the city and taking the regional rail to Center City. If you want some help with that, let me know your route into town.
Not sure how many rooms you want and what is your budget, but here are a few choices that I like, and I'll keep you between 18th and 11th East/West and Market and Pine North/South.
The Warwick Hotel. Right in Rittenhouse neighborhood . Beware, many very high-end shops are in Rittenhouse and the women in your party may set you back.
DoubleTree, right on Broad Street. I'm a big fan of DoubleTree.
Renaissance Inn, right at City Hall. I'm a fan of the full working kitchen. It allows you to actually take leftovers back and reheat them for later. Unfortunately, this one doesn't have the separate bedroom options, so it may not be for you.
For higher-end, consider the Ritz-Carlton, right on Broad Street, or the Hampton Inn at 13th and Race. In all cases, stay within 4 blocks of Broad Street for easy access to the subway. Entrances are at City Hall, and Walnut Street. If entering at City Hall, choose the West Side entrances found in a small park called Dilworth. It can get confusing at City Hall, but this entrance has good signage and is well lit. Walnut Street entrance
FYI, the Main East/West train/subway runs under Market street.
If you haven't been to Old Town before, that's a must. Something unique to see is the Mutter Museum, on 22nd, just South of Market street. https://muttermuseum.org/
There we go, right on cue. Again, go to Pat's...it's the original. There are no bad cheesesteaks in Philadelphia. Essentially, everyplace sells them, so if someone had bad cheesesteaks they'd be out of business the same day. At certain times, like noon or 6:00PM, Pat's can be busy, but the line moves quickly. It's open 24/7, so I'm pretty sure you could find a time it's not busy.
There are bad cheese steaks in Philadelphia. There are bad versions of every food. I'm sure most of them there are great, however. Everybody has widely varrying taste buds. Hard to please them all, as they say
Big John’s in Cherry Hill NJ also very good…assuming it still exists…haven’t been there for years.
Wiz or no wiz?
I agree, I dislike all cheese steaks. Get a roast pork sandwich. Someone mentioned Johns, thank me later.
I've had Pat's, I've had Gino's, and I'd say there are much better in the city. I've had better cheesesteaks locally, it appears to be a Pennsylvania and East Coast thing.
Our group of 4 like a nice dinner on Wednesday night before the tournament starts. It’s my turn to buy and am looking for a good casual/ business casual establishment serving Italian or seafood. up to $50 a plate. We are staying at the Hampton Inn and would probably use Uber or possibly walk, if it’s advisable.
Giorgio on Pine. There is a Giorgio II attached, same menu/kitchen, but it has no character. BYOB which will save a bunch of money.
Thank you very much! I'm going to do some looking (again) at hotels in CC. I like the idea of parking outside the city and taking the train (except for hauling luggage). I'll get back to you...
1. When I think of Philly, I think of two things: morbid obesity and untreated psychosis. And I say that as a native Pennsylvanian.
2. Cheese steaks? Jim's on South Street. NOT Pat's and Geno's, which are tourist joints. Even though you will be tourists.
3. Breakfast food - scrapple. In match snack - soft pretzels. Empty calories - Tastykake.
I made reservations for Wednesday at 8.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Another question, in 2011 we had to buy a ticket each time we rode the subway. Are 3 day or weekly passes available.
St. Louis has got it down pat being able to purchase a train pass for the tourney. It’s one of the great reasons to always have in St. Louis, getting dropped off right at the arena.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Another question, in 2011 we had to buy a ticket each time we rode the subway. Are 3 day or weekly passes available.
St. Louis has got it down pat being able to purchase a train pass for the tourney. It’s one of the great reasons to always have in St. Louis, getting dropped off right at the arena.
They, (SEPTA - Southeast PA Transportation Authority) have all kinds of options. You should purchase a Key card ($4.95) on Wednesday at one of the Kiosks and add the Three-Day Convenience Pass($15.00) to this card on Thursday morning. If you decide to just do single tickets, there are a bunch of options, but I usually just use a contactless credit card.
Here is a link that you'll need to read.
I booked rooms at DoubleTree. Thank you for that recommendation. Looks perfect...affordable, on Broad Street, and right down the street from City Hall (which we want to visit).
If we were to drive straight to the hotel, it looks like we would take I76 coming from the west, to 676 and so forth. However, I'm open to suggestions on parking elsewhere and taking the rail to the hotel.
"I once spend a week in Philadelphia, I think it was a Sunday". (W.C. Fields circa 1935).
They, (SEPTA - Southeast PA Transportation Authority) have all kinds of options. You should purchase a Key card ($4.95) on Wednesday at one of the Kiosks and add the Three-Day Convenience Pass($15.00) to this card on Thursday morning. If you decide to just do single tickets, there are a bunch of options, but I usually just use a contactless credit card.
Here is a link that you'll need to read.
You wouldn't happen to work for Pat's or Geno's or both, would you? The way you are selling them goes a tad above and beyond!
Before I forget - safe travels to all of you making the trip, and good luck to the Hawks.
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