Category Archives: Food & Drinks

Restaurants, bars, and all the food of Philadelphia.

Wander Inn opens in Whitman

June 1, 2018 Kate T Leave a comment

Otis & Pickles didn’t last very long, but luckily Wander Inn is here to take its place.

Last year, the owner of The Dive and Watkins Drinkery purchased the taproom at Third and Porter Streets in South Philadelphia that last operated as Otis & Pickles. He renamed the gastropub The Wander Inn, after the historic Wander Inn that once stood at 18th and Federal Streets in Point Breeze before becoming the home of American Sardine Bar.

We haven’t read any recent press releases or announcements about the opening of Wander Inn, but at least a soft opening must have happened over the past weekend (according to all the untappd checkins we’ve seen).

The Wander Inn
2500 S 3rd St
Philadelphia, PA 19148

East Passyunk, Food & Drinks

Step aside, Cantina: Pistola’s Del Sur is here

October 23, 2017 Kate T Leave a comment

Mexican dining on Passyunk with attentive staff and good service? Count us in!

Pistola’s Del Sur, the East Passyunk edition of Casey Parker and Joe Gunn’s popular modern Mexican hot spot serves fusion tacos, Mexican flatbreads and more creative fare by chef Adan Trinidad. The buzzy restaurant & bar serves inventive Mexican eats, beer, tequilas & more in a lively and intimate setting.

Pistolas

Pistola’s Del Sur
1943 East Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
(267) 519-2329

Events, Food & Drinks, Pennsport, Whitman

Otis & Pickles Speakeasy expands: brunch, kitchen, events

April 21, 2017 Kate T 1 Comment

When we first wrote about the long-awaited opening of Otis & Pickles Speakeasy, we were expecting craft beers and cocktails in an unassuming and intimate neighborhood bar. Following up on Otis & Pickles now, we see that this local South Philly bar has already expanded to offer so much more and to so many people. Whitman and Pennsport neighbors show their gratitude by making frequent visits, but travelers from outside South Philly also brave their way to this humble bar.

One not so local reviewer states, “O&P is located in a quiet South Philly neighborhood just off of Oregon near Tony Luke’s. I mention this because the next time you head this way for a late night sandwich, I suggest checking out O&P instead. You won’t be disappointed.” That is an impressive feat for such a small business.

In addition to their expansive drink options, Otis & Pickles Speakeasy has expanded to a full menu with brunch, all served on their distinctive trays. Their food is available for delivery on Caviar, for the homebound types.

On May 6th, Otis & Pickles will host a Cocktails and Cupcakes event from 1-10pm. The theme for May’s event is the Rum Diaries, so expect movie showings starring Johny Depp and wide selections of rum infused cocktails.

If you have never ventured this far South, make a point to stop by for a drink and check out the interesting concept. Don’t expect anything fancy or pretentious. It’s a dive in the Far South, but one that should make anyone feel welcome.

East Passyunk, Events, Food & Drinks, Neighborhood

Flavors on the Avenue 2017 Festival

April 3, 2017 Kate T Leave a comment

Foodies, rejoice! On Sunday, April 30, East Passyunk Avenue is hosting Flavors on the Avenue: A Street Festival. This year, they’re out from under the big tent, and heading to the street for a neighborhood-wide street festival! Over two dozen of East Passyunk Avenue’s award-winning chefs and restaurants will be serving up sample-sized portions of their favorite dishes.

A limited number of ‘Flavors Tastes’ books are available for $50 each, which includes:

A coupon book that will allow you to try something from every participating restaurant – that’s more than 24 different dishes!
Two glasses of beer or wine from our EPABID beverage area
A coupon for FREE valet parking during the event

Participating restaurants include:

Bing Bing Dim Sum
Laurel
Noord
Will BYOB
Noir
Townsend
Brigantessa
Le Virtu
Paradiso
Stateside…..
and many more!

Food & Drinks, Whitman

Otis & Pickles Speakeasy reveals menu

February 2, 2017 Kate T Leave a comment

Otis & Pickles Speakeasy, the new Whitman and Pennsport neighborhood bar, has a tentative opening date of March 3rd, 2017. The opening date keeps getting pushed back, but at least we have a tentative opening date and food menu now.

In the next few days, the owners will be sharing their opening draft cocktail list. According to the Otis & Pickles Facebook page, the draft cocktails will focus on variations of classics and will include vodka, rum, gin, tequila and bourbon and sangria. They will also have a selection of hand crafted cocktails and pickle backs. The focus will be boozy, but simple and fun.

As for the food menu, you can see from below that it will be a mix of the essential bar snack foods like wings, fries, and sliders – and plates unique to the pickles speakeasy style. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available to cater to different dietary needs. We are most excited for the pickles component!

Otis & Pickles Food Menu

Snacks / Small Plates

Grilled Corn $3
Chile oil and cilantro or Cajun-honey compound butter and romano cheese

Pickled Plate $8
Selection of sweet and classic pickled fruits and veggies, grilled bread, and spreads

Deep Fried Pickles $6
Seasonal veggies and cucumbers, dippers and chutneys

French Fries $4 v
Garlic “aioli”

Hummus Plate $8 vv
Pita, veggies,

Cheese Plate $12
Assorted local cheeses, grilled bread, cranberry mustard, assorted pickles

Eats / Large Plates

Cheese Burger Sliders $9
Custom beef blend, caramelized onions, American, marrow aioli, house made pickles

Roast Beef Sliders $9
Sharp provolone, caramelized onions, jus

Pickled Brined Wings $10
Classic buffalo hot, Sweet-Spicy ginger teriyaki, blue cheese

Taco’s $9
Choice of pulled chicken, pickled pork belly, pickled tofu, grilled salmon, or seasoned ground beef, fresh pico, pickled red onions, aioli (vegan available)

Hungry Hipster Plate $11
Roast beef, mashed red potatoes, jus, grilled corn

Desserts

Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte $6

Bread Pudding with coffee and bourbon caramel sauce $6

Events, Food & Drinks

Philly Cooks 2017

January 29, 2017 Kate T Leave a comment

Philly Cooks, Philadelphia magazine and Foobooz’s annual food and drink festival returns to Philadelphia on Wednesday, February 8th, 2017 from 6:30pm-9pm at the Sheraton Philadelphia.

Early bird specials have sold out, but tickets are still on sale for $99, which will get you all-you-can-eat food from some of the best chefs in the city, all-you-can-drink beer, wine and cocktails from some of the best bars and bartenders, and a chance to spend the night with all of Philly’s most dedicated gastronauts.

Food & Drinks, Neighborhood, Pennsport, Whitman

ACME brings Starbucks, Beer, & Wine to Snyder Plaza

January 21, 2017 Kate T 1 Comment

ACME is moving into ShopRite’s old spot in Snyder Plaza, according to the Goldenberg Group, ACME Markets real estate and development firm. The new ACME is rumored to include a Starbucks coffee, as well as a beer and wine shop.

We’ve never seen a Starbucks inside an ACME around these parts, but for the neighborhood’s sake, we hope someone will confirm these rumors soon.

ACME opening Summer 2017

The new full-line grocery market, set to open in the Summer of 2017, will be located in the Snyder Plaza Shopping Center and will serve the Pennsport and Whitman neighborhoods as well as the greater Center City area.

Food & Drinks, Neighborhood, Pennsport, Whitman

Otis & Pickles Speakeasy coming to Whitman/Pennsport

December 27, 2016 Kate T 1 Comment

Otis & Pickles Speakeasy, a craft beer and cocktail bar in the Whitman/Pennsport neighborhood of South Philly, is expected to open its doors January 2017.

Located at the former Cooley’s Bar at 2500 South 3rd Street, Otis & Pickles is a new bar that will be inclusive of new Philadelphians, without alienating any of the old residents. The owner, Collazo, suggests the bar will uphold the fun and rough essence of South Philly, without tolerating any “douchebaggery” of pretension. Otis & Pickles will be “a bar where you can have some fucking fun.”

Otis and Pickles Speakeasy opening in Whitman, Philadelphia — Otis & Pickles Speakeasy, still under construction, will soon feature an original tin ceiling

Read more about Otis & Pickles Speakeasy opening at http://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/2016/11/29/otis-pickles-speakeasy-3rd-porter-streets/#DBTQIFQyhcgOu6d1.99

Is Whitman neighborhood following suit with the rest of South Philly and becoming gentrified? Looks like the deep South Philly is no different from any other parts of South Philly.

Food & Drinks, Neighborhood, Pennsport, Whitman

Valena’s Simple Cafe opening in Pennsport/Whitman

October 10, 2016 Kate T Leave a comment

The vacuum repair shop has closed and is transitioning into Valena’s Simple Cafe! Pennsport and Whitman neighborhood have been sorely lacking in independently owned coffee shops. This new cafe, opening right at the border of Pennsport and Whitman, will be located at the corner of Front st and Snyder ave.

Valena's Simple Cafe opening soon — Valena’s Simple Cafe is hiring in the neighborhood (photo courtesy of Pennsport Facebook)

Events, Food & Drinks, Rittenhouse

Irish Pub & VMCO Fundraising Social Event

April 3, 2016 Kate T Leave a comment

Vietnamese Medical Charity Organization hosts their annual Fundraising Social at Irish Pub to raise money for the Vietnam Medical/Pharmacy Mission, a healthcare mission led by Philadelphia’s Temple University School of Pharmacy students and staff. 100% of proceeds from the social admission and raffle goes to buying medical and medical supplies. You can read more about the mission or donate at vietmeds.com.

VMCO Fundraising Social
When: April 14, 2016 from 7PM-10PM
Where: Irish Pub @ 2007 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
RSVP: $5 wristband @ door or RSVP on the event page.
Complimentary Appetizers, Drink Specials, Raffles, Prizes, Games