John's roast pork with sharp provolone long hots and rabe.

Tommy DiNic's Italian pulled pork with sharp provolone and rabe. Or their brisket.

South Philly Barbacoa

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but any Italian recs? Good places near the tourist areas?

Skip Termini Brothers in Reading Terminal Market, their pastries are very disappointing, especially for the price of 6 dollars per cannoli

I like the donuts at Beiler's (sometimes...it's kind of hit or miss with each donut but in general the boston cream and plain old glazed are reliably good)

People rave about 4th Street Cookies if you like big sloppy cookies stuffed with stuff (nuts, chocolate chips, caramels, etc)

éclat chocolate bars are european-level-good and are made nearby in West Chester (they are widely sold in the philly area)

Skip 4th Street Cookies and go to Hope's, though I don't know if that's still the name. It's in the back corner near the restrooms, the place sells the world's best cookies (after my homemade ones ), chocolates, and tchatchkes. Skip the latter and get a cookie.

Also in Reading Terminal, Sang Kee is very good if you stick to the amazing (but greasy) duck rolls and the duck or roasted pork noodle soup. So good.

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but any Italian recs? Good places near the tourist areas?

Little Nonna’s is great and is in Center City/Midtown Village. Barbuzzo (same owners) is around the corner and is more Mediterranean leaning, but it is excellent - probably my favorite restaurant in Philly. There are a couple of neighborhood places around that are also great if you’re in the Rittenhouse area. I love Trattoria Carina, Gran Caffe L’Aquila (great gelato), and Ambrosia. Also worth checking out DiBruno Bros., which is an Italian market just north of Rittenhouse Square. They have prepared foods, snacks, and an amazing cheese section. Also a very good cafe upstairs.

The Italian Market is a little south of where tourists regularly go, but it’s not that far and if you’re looking for good Italian it’s worth checking out. Villa di Roma and Ralph’s are the two popular ones, they’re both good.

OP, I also agree with the recommendations for Reading Terminal Market. Beiler’s Donuts is very good, as is Famous 4th Street Cookies. I would also get a meal or at least some cocktails at Parc (make a reservation now), a snack or coffee at K’Far and Metropolitan Bakery, happy hour at Walnut Street Cafe, and Middle Eastern at Suraya (you’ll need to Uber from Center City) or Laser Wolf (same). IMO Zahav is okay, but not worth the hassle of getting a reservation or waiting. Laser Wolf is by the same people and I think it is better.

Barbuzzo
Amada
Morimoto
Estia
Morning glory diner
Sabrina’s

Anonymous wrote:Not OP but any Italian recs? Good places near the tourist areas?

Skip Termini Brothers in Reading Terminal Market, their pastries are very disappointing, especially for the price of 6 dollars per cannoli

I like the donuts at Beiler's (sometimes...it's kind of hit or miss with each donut but in general the boston cream and plain old glazed are reliably good)

People rave about 4th Street Cookies if you like big sloppy cookies stuffed with stuff (nuts, chocolate chips, caramels, etc)

éclat chocolate bars are european-level-good and are made nearby in West Chester (they are widely sold in the philly area)