— bring your own hand sanitizer. 1734 Snyder Ave., 215-462-0310
1311, bombbomb-restaurant.com
MELROSE DINER As anyone who grew up here can hum for you, “Everybody who knows ... goes to Melrose.” Because it’s open 24 hours, and sometimes you desperately need hash browns at 4 a.m. The first in the triumvirate of famous South Philly diners. 1501 Snyder Ave., 215-4676644, melrose-diner.com
NEW PHNOM PENH Homey food in a homely setting; known for their amazingly inexpensive pho-like but distinctly Cambodian noodle soup. 2301 S. Seventh St., 215-389-2122
OREGON DINER The second member of the South Philly diner triumvirate. 302 W. Oregon Ave., 215-462-5566, oregondinerphilly.com
PENROSE DINER The third member of the South Philly diner triumvirate. 2016 Penrose Ave., 215-465-1097,
454-5500, urbanoutfittersinc.com
south philly
BOMB BOMB BAR-B-Q This ribs joint was officially renamed in the ’90s to reflect its decades-old neighborhood name: Bomb Bomb. It had been called that for more than half a century, after two sets of explosives were detonated on the front steps in 1936, supposedly the work of local racketeers. Newspaper clippings recounting the bombings hang on the walls today. 1026 Wolf St., 215-463-
215-551-1245
URBN HQ The Navy Yard headquarters of URBN, the Philly-started and -based company behind Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People, is so beautifully renovated that it’s worth visiting at least once (luckily, they hold events open to the public every once in a while). Expect bitter visions of koi ponds, natural light, frolicking dogs and hundred-foottall ceilings to dance in your head upon your return to your sad cubicle. 5000 S. Broad, 215-
THE HOODS
RESTAURANTS + MARKETS
LOS GALLOS This LoMo (that’s Lower Moyamensing) newbie boasts incredibly cheap, incredibly delicious Mexican fare, from tacos and quesadillas to football-sized tortas. 951 Wolf St.,
PARKS + REC CITIZENS BANK PARK Home of the Phillies and occasional Springsteen concerts. 1 Citizens Bank Park Way, 215-463-1000, citizensbank.com/ballpark
FDR PARK Walk far enough, past all the greenery and down under the overpass, to find a truly amazing skate park designed with input from pro skaters, and occasionally visited by the Jackass crew. Broad and Pattison streets
penrosediner.com
CACIA’S This fourth-generation brick-oven bakery has expanded its franchise in recent years, but South Philly is still its home base. Grab a cannoli. 1526 W. Ritner St., 215-334-1340, caciabakery.com
GENNARO’S TOMATO PIE A ’40s-style BYOB pizzeria serving tomato pies, a Philly special in which the sauce goes over the cheese. They also have other great pies, most with a crispy thin crust. 1429 Jackson St., 215-462-5070, gennarostomatopie.com
JOHN’S ROAST PORK John’s cheesesteaks are coveted for a reason: The fresh rolls are key, but it’s really about the masterful folding of onions and cheese into the meat during grilling. 14 E. Snyder Ave., 215463-1951, johnsroastpork.com
LA ROSA PIZZERIA South Philly has a reputation for producing delicious pizzas that don’t conform to the American idea of what a pie looks like. La Rosa, right off the Snyder stop on the Broad Street subway line, makes square, Romanstyle pizza; their most famous varietal is a white pie with sliced potatoes and rosemary. 2106 S. Broad St., 215-271-5246
SKY CAFE It’s a trek from Center City, but the amount of great Indonesian you get for under $10 is worth it. 1540 W. Ritner St., 215-271-1983, skycafe215.com
TEXAS WIENERS Don’t giggle — this 90-year-old South Philly standby (“Texas” refers to the spicy chili plopped on top, not the state of origin) serves split hot dogs that will wipe that smirk right off your face. Try the secret-recipe “Greek Sauce,” so popular that it’s also sold wholesale for $3.25 a quart. 1426 Snyder Ave., 215-465-8635, texaswieners.com
TONY LUKE’S Self-styled renaissance man Tony Luke has dipped his toe into movies and music, but nothing draws a crowd like his cheesesteaks. 39 E. Oregon Ave., 215-551-5725, tonylukes.com
ARTS + CULTURE AMERICAN SWEDISH HISTORICAL MUSEUM Sure, it’s an odd location for a history museum, but that means the quirk factor is sufficiently amped: Expect everything from waffle parties to Swedish-language classes. 1900 Pattison Ave., 215-389-1776, americanswedish.org
LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD Home of the Eagles and some intense tailgating. The term “700 level,” still used in reference to the rowdiest, hardest-core sports fans, refers to the cheap upper-tier seats in the old Veterans Stadium (“The Vet” was torn down in 2004) — it’s ground zero for the origin of the reputation of Philly fans for getting drunk, throwing batteries at opposing teams and booing Santa Claus. (That happened, like, one time.) GO IGGLES! 1 NovaCare Way, 215339-6700, lincolnfinancialfield.com
WELLS FARGO CENTER When the Sixers and Flyers aren’t battling it out, the large indoor venue hosts big national acts like Ke$ha and Paul McCartney, plus twee-tastic tours like Glee! Live. 3601 S. Broad St., 215-389-9543 wellsfargocenterphilly.com C I T Y PA P E R . N E T
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