Philly Food Tour

Best Free Food…that comes with your meal!

The following post was due to run in the March issue of two.one.five magazine as part of their “Food Compendium 2010.”  Unfortunately, printing of the magazine was halted a couple weeks before the release, so I figured I shouldn’t let the “research” go to waste…

Everyone has their favorite place to dine from the steakhouse to the deli.  Something about that establishment carved its niche in your food repertoire from one experience to the other.  Has it ever occurred to you that it might not actually be the meal that made the carving?  The old saying goes; the best things in life are free.  Some might think that it’s too good to be true, but that’s only if you have not dined at these five locations:

1- Sarcone’s Deli – Pizza Bread and Red Pepper Cheese Spread from DiBruno Bros.

734 South 9th Street Philadelphia, PA 19147, (215) 922-1717

Not only do you get the best hoagie in the city, but while you wait, some of the best samples are in constant rotation.  Sarcone’s specialty, their bread, topped with homemade sauce and mozzarella, cooked with just the right crisp n crackle.  If you’re lucky, they’ll bust out the special red pepper cheese spread from another Philly legend, the DiBruno Brothers.

Sarcone's Pizza Bread

Sarcone's Seeded Hoagie Roll/DiBruno Bros Red Pepper Cheese Spread

2- Fogo de Cao –  Pao de Queijo (Cheese Bread)

1337 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107-3521(215) 636-9700

This Brazilian take on the dinner roll has cheese in the batter which leaves the dough so soft and flaky you almost forget about the feast of a lifetime is ahead of you.  These are served piping hot before, during and after your steak extravaganza.

3- Tamarindo’s Mexican Restaurant – Complimentary Maragaritas

36 West Skippack Pike, Ambler, PA 19002-5138 (215)619-2390

You know that massive glass that magically stays iced to the brim throughout most dining experiences?  Um…well…at Tamarindo’s they replace the water part with MARGARITA’s!  I repeat, free bottomless Margarita’s.

4- Famous 4^th Street Delicatessen – Famous Jr. Chocolate Chip Cookie

700 South 4th Street Philadelphia, PA 19147-3102, (215) 922-3274

The cookie your Jewish grandmother attempted for decades.  Enjoy a nosh at 4^th street and obtain this crunchy yet chewy chocolate chip creation that’ll make bubby smile.

Famous 4th Street Cookies (photo from roadfood.com)

5- Ted’s Montana Grill – Half Sours

260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102-5015, (215) 772-1230

This pickle imposter’s recipe is so near and dear to Mr. Ted Turner’s heart, they truly have a secret recipe.  Imagine the pickle with the perfect texture and crunchiness with a garlic, pepper flavor, mmmm.

Dessert for Breakfast…

The following post was due to run in the March issue of two.one.five magazine as part of their “Food Compendium 2010.”  Unfortunately, printing of the magazine was halted a couple weeks before the release, so I figured I shouldn’t let the “research” go to waste.  Those who know me are aware that I enjoy the sweets, so my set of sweet teeth were ecstatic at the thought of a piece on the breakfast dishes around town that would truly be at home on the dessert menu…

The brunch craze has stormed Philadelphia, like the troops on Normandy, so look out for all the French, toast, on the list.  Neighborhood by neighborhood, you’ll find a niche for each individual locales take on the flourishing meal combo.  No venue is unsuitable for the cities new favorite meal as you’ll soon find out.   In this day you can find a delicious brunch for that sweet tooth from the brass in Rittenhouse to the tracks in Northern Liberties:

1-Carmans Country Kitchen – Challah French toast, Bananas Foster, scoop vanilla ice cream

1301 South 11th Street, Philadelphia 19148, (215) 339-9613

Perfectly sliced, thick Challah French Toast, smothered with a Bananas Foster, that’ll make Richard Foster want to rename it “Banana’s Carmen.”  If that wasn’t enough, it’s topped with Vanilla Ice Cream, perfect, for an atmosphere as warm as the coffee.

Bananas Foster Challah French Toast

Carman's at Christmas

You’d think that the strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cranberries in the rich vanilla flavored pancakes were straight from the farm, but Giordano’s is close enough.  Save your insulin because the white chocolate sauce topping should be administered through IV.

Glory Cakes

3-The Pop Shop, Belgian Waffle, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chips, Carmel Sauce, sautéed apples

729 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108, (856) 869-0111

Think Christmas Eve, when your favorite grandma cuts those delicious caramel covered apples awaiting their peanut butter bath…enough said.

4-Parc – Pain Perdu – Brioche French Toast, Apples, Hazelnut butter

227 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, (215) 545-2262

The Hazelnut Butter and the rich flavorful apples assist in giving the Brioche the perfect texture. This Pain Perdu is fit for any man or women who call Rittenhouse home, or the occasional passerby, or even Hollywood’s finest during their time in town.

5- La Creperie Café – Oh LaLa – Choice of Apples, Pears or Bananas with Nutella, Gran Marnier and Whipped Cream

1722 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 215-564-6460

One might think there is not a sweet tooth out there that could handle this satisfyingly sweet sensation, but yours can.  Any of these fine fruits are a prudent choice, but hey, what wouldn’t go with these here toppings?

Ole Sweetness…Franzone’s Pizzeria

Here at Philly Food Tour I believe that pizza is one of the great forms of culinary art, no wonder it’s been a staple for centuries across the world. When it comes to pizza, some may think you have your favorite pie and that’s it. With me however, simply stated, it’s like comparing apples and oranges. You have your Neapolitan, thin crust, square, Chicago style, Sicilian, Leopard or softer crust, sauce on top or sauce on the bottom, Gourmet Style (funky toppings and combos), yada, yada, yada, and then Franzone’s. We’ll call Franzone’s Pizzeria, eh, Roy Halladay if you will. The rest of the pies all play their role on the staff and have something unique about them, but there is just one Mr. Halladay out there. Just as there is only one Franzone’s Pizza. You’ll read about the rest of my starting rotation a little further down the road on Philly Food Tour.

Franzone's Pizza w/Birch Beer

It’s not uncommon these days to find your favorite purveyor of pizza , some of which may even be future ventures aboard the Philly Food Tour, flash their plaques and honors of Best of Philly, Best of Main Line, MyFox Philly, Best Delco/Montco…you get the idea. That being said, there is only one, I repeat only one stop on the Philly Food Tour that states their pie to be…dun dun dun, “The Best on the Planet,” and they mean it. I, along with the rest of my family and the accurate acceptance average (AAA) rate of 9 out of 10 newcomers I bring along for the ride wholeheartedly concur with this notion, or shall I say fact. What’s the secret? Read on fellow tour members. Franzone’s has been my favorite slice of plain (cheese and sauce) pizza for over 15 years now. As an advocate for fine pizzas everywhere, I must make you aware of something about this prestigious pie slinging empire. There are two Franzone’s Pizzeria’s in Montgomery County, one in Bridgeport and the other serving Conshohocken and the Greater Plymouth area. Even though there are two establishments with the same name, this tour guide only has room in his heart, mind and belly for the side of the family that inhabits 1940 Main Avenue in Conshohocken. I feel that it is an all around better atmosphere and most importantly, a better pie. Please, don’t get me wrong, both are model pies but Conshy is superior. How about we find out why?

As I stated earlier, this truly is the model pie, plain pie that is (cheese and sauce). When it comes to pepperoni, another location holds the top spot but you’ll read about that later on the Philly Food Tour, Lets stick to Franzone’s, god of the perfect pie on this here stop. First, let us start with the perfectly cooked, crisp yet flaky, thinner pastry like crust that most definitely gets scarfed down without a sign of life left on the plate. On this faultless crust we have a unique white cheddar cheese, generously spread about, that is just so rich and allows for a perfect consistency that will keep your mouth watering even after the slice is complete. For the piece de resistance, we arrive at the spirally lain, sweet and sugary red nectar that one might think was sent to the Franzone family straight from the God’s at Mount Vesuvius solely to ladle upon their ‘za.

Saucey Swirl Close-up

It is believed but not confirmed, that many decades ago, in Grandma Franzone’s kitchen she chose to add some sugar to her sauce to sweeten the deal. Nice work Grandma! Adding toppings to this doughy, cheesy and saucy masterpiece could detract from, how shall I put it, its simple splendor. However, do not hesitate to do so, pepperoni as well as the meatball are highly recommended if you do. It is just my recommendation that for your first Franzone’s, you stick to the basics so your palate can experience the sheer goodness of this great slice, in other words…go with the plain!! For me though, and I’m sure most of you will agree very shortly, that the plain version of the Franzone magnum opus is best when you get the rich taste of the white cheddar commingling with the sweet, sweet sauce atop that pastry like crust. If you dine in, make sure to wash your slices down with a fountain or bottled birch beer!

Since the “Conshy” area may be a slight drive for some of us aboard the tour, there is plenty to do in the area. All within a mile or so from Franzone’s: Two movie theaters, Plymouth Meeting Mall, IKEA, Best Buy, Guitar Center, Bed Bath and Beyond (if you have time). Acquaint yourself with the area because the Philly Food Tour has frequent stops in the area because this section of Ridge Pike has been coined, by Philly Food Tour and friends, the suburban “Food Mecca.” Other stops include; Primo Hoagies, Fingers-Wings-and Other Things, and even a Baja Fresh for your healthy taco needs, just to name a few.
We like to think that Philly Food Tour is quite unbiased and fair with its thoughts and assessments, so we can understand if the sweetness of the saucy nectar is just not right for you. But do yourself a favor and give the sweetness some love and hop on board with Philly Food Tour and cruise on over to the Franzone’s Pizzeria of Conshy. You will not be disappointed my friends. At Franzone’s; Derek, Charles and the entire crew put the same amount of care and effort into every pie always looking to create the best product to go along with their honored family name, Franzone.

The first addition to my “food arm,” displays my heart and dedication towards “the best on the planet”

My Franzone's Tattoo

Franzone’s Pizzeria
1940 Main Ave.
Plymouth Township, PA 19428
610-825-0323

Franzone's Plymouth

Hours:
Mon – Thu 08:00 AM-11:00 PM
Fri – Sat 08:00 AM-01:00 AM
Sun 11:00 AM-10:00 PM

Having Said That…

T.L.C. Chicken Burger from PYT

TLC Chicken Burger, Kenzinger Beer Battered Onion Rings & Stone IPA

Allow me to preface this entry with a bit of personal information: I dislike condiments and all that they stand for. Perhaps the most vicious offender is mayonnaise. I will never place this vile substance on anything that I eat and it should never appear on any man, woman or child’s hoagie or cheese steak, for heaven’s sake I beg you. The only exception to Philly Food Tour’s condiment rule may be a serving of ketchup, somewhere between a dab and a dollop, on a burger or cheese steak that may be in need of a little flavor. When I eat a cheeseburger that is in fact what I eat, cheese plus burger plus bun, in its truest and most enjoyable form. Having said that, I fully succumb to the west coast burger style offered in the heart of the Piazza and eagerly consume these colossal concoctions. Walking into P.Y.T. is like stepping into a burger bizarro realm that I wish to never escape from and you’re about to see why.

Perhaps we will chill out in the bizarro world for the rest of this stop and I will introduce to you, straight from Tommy Up’s heart to yours and mine, the T.L.C Chicken Burger. The T.LC. Chicken Burger is a perfectly seasoned, sizeable patty of ground chicken. The chicken is so perfectly seasoned and cooked, retaining all of its flavorful juices, it truly could be eaten a la carte, but we both know that’s not how this movie ends.

TLClose-up

This tantalizing treasure is then garnished with lettuce, tomato, thick-n-crispy pepper bacon, a few Martin’s Kettle Potato Chips and topped off with the P.Y.T. special sauce that can be denied by no man, mayo hater or not (maybe a little less generous of a smear though, eh?). One of my favorite aspects of this West Coast style burger joint is their loyalty to Martin’s of Lancaster County, PA. They use Martin’s Potato Rolls for all of their menu items and Martin’s Kettle Potato Chips are on the tops and sides of most selections as well. Growing up, Martin’s hamburger and hot dog rolls were staples at all family grilling sessions so this slightly toasted version hits the spot with this guy. One might like to think that back in the 1950’s Lois and Lloyd Martin created this roll to one day keep together this vast culinary creation. See how well kept the T.L.C. remains even at two-thirds of the way in …

Still well put together 2/3 in...

When it comes to onion rings, the most important factor is that said onion ring remains intact after each bite. Lucky for us, PYT thinks so as well. The thick ring is flavorfully battered in a well seasoned tempura, with just enough pepper. Even though it’s early into the ride on the Philly Food Tour, these rings might be tough to bump out of the driver’s seat. This meal goes great with a gift from the hop heavens, such as an IPA from the brew masters at Stone Brewing (San Diego, CA). This gargoyle should have a permanent perch upon the tap at this burger bar and lounge (wink wink, nudge nudge).

Kenzinger Beer Battered Onion Rings

Tommy Up is the “Don King of Fun” in Philadelphia and now burgers have been added to his repertoire. Great start so far PYT Crew… I look forward to future stops on the Philly Food Tour. And to all of my loyal passengers on board, keep your eye out for a post on the PYT Burger as well as a featured “Burger of the Week.”

PYT

www.PYTphilly.com

In the Piazza at Schmidt’s:

1050 N. Hancock Street

Philadelphia, PA 19123

215-268-7825

Welcome, to all yous aboard the Philly Food Tour!

Logo designed by Josh Gittleman and Joey Gothelf

Welcome aboard the Philly Food Tour! Together we will embark on an undeniably delectable journey through the “City of Brotherly Love” (and surrounding areas) and its dynamic cuisinical culture (might have just made that word up, see what yous are in store for, eh?). Its roots stemming from the rich in history; family-value bound streets of South Philadelphia and stretching its seemingly endless branches, north, south, east, west and beyond. The roots, having grown so thick over the years, have valiantly come to don all of our plates with a mouth-watering meal at almost any hour, any day, any part of the city.

On this palate pleasing journey there will be something for everyone, from pizza to hoagies to steaks to pork n beef to cutlets to meatballs to you name it, we will stop there and give you all that you need to know to feel like a regular. All tour members will get my objective views, suggestions and opinions on old favorites, traditional delicacies, and new trends as well as the scoop on what’s around the bend, keeping your palate well ahead of the rest. Other content on the site will include photos of each location, photos of food items, and my favorite, the actual menu from each spot. I will also provide data on the surrounding area that will give you some options if you do in fact, want to plan a tour and take part in some of the cities cultural activities along the way.

In the coming weeks, while PhillyFoodTour.com is being finished up, I will be leading the tour from my shiny, brand spanking new, 2009…….Blog! All content and supplemental data from the blog will be transferred over to the actual site, once PhillyFoodTour.com goes live. I really look forward to communicating my views, thoughts and ideas and this will be the best way to speed the process along.

What to expect on this tantalizing tour for the tongue and tummy? Well here is a taste of your first course. You will find out why Franzone’s (Plymouth) is the sweetest option for a pizza, why Pica’s (Upper Darby) has remained a family favorite for twenty five plus years and why there is no atmosphere anywhere like Chinks (Northeast – Torresdale), especially for a cheese steak. You also will find out the only thing I can handle overboard, Nick’s Roast Beef (South Philly and Springfield Delco) and why does a cheeseburger seem to taste best out of wax paper from Charlie’s (Ridley Park) and the best spot with the hottest actor in the area, Tony Lukes (South Philly)…yous see what I’m getting at, and soon yous’ll see all that I’ve eaten in this delicious city.

In the next couple of days, I will be posting the history of Philly Food Tour, as well as a few of my favorite stops on my daily quest for a satisfied stomach. Please come ride the HoagieBus and allow me to lead you on the Philly Food Tour…HOP-ON, DIG-IN and let the pants out friends, it’s time to take the taste buds on a journey through the finest neighborhoods and food locales in Philadelphia.

Thank you for your patience and I look forward to our many journeys together here at phillyfoodtour.blogspot.com and very soon at phillyfoodtour.com. With the next post you will find images for the History section, as well as this here Intro. Thank you -Danny