Bob and Barbara's
Whether it's Friday night's DJ'd happy hour, Thursday's long-standing drag show, Sunday karaoke with Sara or the foot-stomping jazz on the weekends, this quintessential dive is always a party, fueled by the all-important Pabst-and-Jim Beam special, still only $3 ($3.50 after 9 p.m.) after all these years. 1509 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146, bobandbarbaras.com.
Wit or Witout
It's been years even decades since someone was brave enough to enter into the Philly cheesesteak wars. But 2009 saw the opening of Wit or Witout, where Mayfair native Nicole DiZio not only tossed her name into the ring, but opened her modern red-and-gray shop in one of the key battlefields: the Northeast. And boy, did she do it right. Moist and meaty top round is sliced, grilled, slathered with melted American, Whiz or provolone, and layered on a substantial, chewy hoagie roll, creating a beefy sandwich that isn't overloaded with cheese. Watch out, boys (yeah, we're talkin' to you, Steve, Jim, Joey and Pat): There's a new girl in town. 7352 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19136, witorwitout.com.
Tyrese Maxey
Post-game press conferences are where original quotations go to die. Not so with Maxey. In January, the point guard showed up after a victory and started singing the Sixers fight song. Then, when the soporific sportswriter hive failed to react, he asked them: “Why y’all always so serious?” That joyful spontaneity is what makes Maxey such a compelling player on the court, too — and why we’re starting to think he’ll have plenty more singing opportunities in years to come. Clap your hands, everybody …
Eye's Gallery
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Famed Magic Gardens artist Isaiah Zagar and wife Julia established this Latin American folk-art epicenter on South Street in 1968, covering its ceilings and walls with his signature mosaics. Despite being around for decades, the gallery today remains fresh and exciting, and its three floors contain a one-of-a-kind mix of decor — paintings from Guerrero, Mexico-based La Familia Lorenzo, painted glass pieces from Peru, carved wooden statues from Guatemala. Say hello to Julia at the front when you visit. 402 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, eyesgallery.com.
Revival Letterpress
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Matthew Hiller has been letterpress printing since 2011, and his equipment — antique Chandler & Price platen presses and a hand-cranked Challenge cylinder press — has been at work for more than a century longer. Inside his studio, Hiller designs everything from wedding invites and business cards to posters and custom packaging, then uses the finest paper and old-fashioned techniques to bring them to life. In a world where DM’d party invites and texted birthday GIFs have become the norm, these character-filled pieces convey the beauty of the human touch. 1901 South 9th Street, number 208, Philadelphia, PA 19148, revivalletterpress.com/project-gallery-page.
Chops
The power crowd wants two things in a restaurant: enough of a scene that its worth being seen, and enough privacy that you can actually get down to business. Alex Plotkins City Avenue steakhouse offers both, which is why its become the perfect meeting ground for suits from city and suburb. Dine among TV newsers from nearby Channels 6 and 10, bigwigs like Carl Dranoff, Pete Musser and Charlie Pizzi, and the occasional Center City law partner playing hooky from the Palm or Capital Grille. 401 City Line Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, chops-restaurant.com.
“A Gritty Resolution”
Photograph by Jeff Fusco It’s been close to six years since the Flyers unleashed Gritty into the world, and we thought we had seen every possible creative tribute to the beastly orange mascot. But then, in June, Northern Liberties composer Melissa Dunphy, who has seen her modern classical music performed at such esteemed venues as Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, debuted this dramatic five-minute choral work with words adapted from Helen Gym’s 2018 City Council resolution honoring our orange id. “I would die for Gritty,” Dunphy tells us. Catch a live performance of the song at melissadunphy.com. melissadunphy.com.
Paesano's Philly Style
We've been waiting for someone to come along and give all the best parts of a sandwich good bread, melty cheese, that bitter/spicy/meaty contrast a face-lift. Which is why Paesano's stole our hearts (and stomachs). There's the Arista, for which a whole suckling pig is house-roasted, pulled, and served on Liscio's bread with broccoli rabe; the Gustaio, in which house-made lamb sausage is slathered with a sweet-cherry mostarda, gorgonzola and roasted fennel before being wrapped up in a buttery pita; and the namesake Paesano: slow-roasted beef layered on a substantial hoagie roll with gorgonzola, roasted tomatoes, pepperoncinis and house-made cole slaw. 1017 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, paesanosphillystyle.com.
Parc Restaurant
Man cannot live by bread alone unless we're talking about Parc's house-baked baguettes. Copious slices are provided for every table, filling the restaurant with their deliciously yeasty aroma. Like genuine French loaves, these have a richly browned, crackling exterior and a flavorful, chewy interior that's substantial without being dense. Slathered with butter, pt or brandade, or used to mop your bowl clean of bouillabaisse, the bread will be the most memorable part of your meal. Pick a loaf up at the hostess stand on your way out ($3 each). 227 South 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, parc-restaurant.com.
Black and Mobile
David Cabello, founder of Black and Mobile, is both incredibly ballsy and a little bit crazy. In a delivery economy dominated by behemoths like Caviar and Uber Eats, his idea was to launch a small, local delivery service that focused exclusively on Black-owned restaurants. He tried a Kickstarter campaign (which failed). He got hit by a car. He launched an app (that he designed himself) in Philly in October, with the goal of keeping jobs and money inside the Black community, and it worked. In March, he expanded to Detroit — right before coronavirus hit. And now he’s looking at Atlanta, too, with his biggest challenge being managing the speed at which his business is growing. All of this in under a year. Oh, and also? Cabello is 25 years old, so he’s just getting started. blackandmobile.com.
Megan Bridge
See Brat Porductions' newly appointed artistic director, the always-daring Jess Conda, in Pig Iron Theatre Company's Pay Up at this year's FringeArts Festival and in Brat's own Eternal Glamnation, also part of FringeArts. Philadanco alum Jesse Sani is a rising star on the Philadelphia dance scene: Look for him to shine at the Wilma in the upcoming season's offerings from BalletX, which he joined in 2011. And find dancer-choreographer extraordinaire Megan Bridge performing and producing modern dance all season long at her Kensington-based warehouse performance venue, The Fidget Space. Well-rounded actor/director James Ijames is also keeping busy this season, starring in Maukingbird's adaption of the Importance of Being Earnest and InterAct's We Are Proud to Present. Plus, he's directing shows for Simpatico and Theatre Horizon. 00000, thefidget.org/directors/megan-bridge.
Jesse Sani
See Brat Porductions' newly appointed artistic director, the always-daring Jess Conda, in Pig Iron Theatre Company's Pay Up at this year's FringeArts Festival and in Brat's own Eternal Glamnation, also part of FringeArts. Philadanco alum Jesse Sani is a rising star on the Philadelphia dance scene: Look for him to shine at the Wilma in the upcoming season's offerings from BalletX, which he joined in 2011. And find dancer-choreographer extraordinaire Megan Bridge performing and producing modern dance all season long at her Kensington-based warehouse performance venue, The Fidget Space. Well-rounded actor/director James Ijames is also keeping busy this season, starring in Maukingbird's adaption of the Importance of Being Earnest and InterAct's We Are Proud to Present. Plus, he's directing shows for Simpatico and Theatre Horizon. 00000, balletx.org/dancers.html.
Brandon Marsh
Photograph by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images The most quixotic Phillie ever wears his unkempt hair and unruly beard as a tongue-in-cheek tribute to his clean-cut dad Jake, who got a haircut every week of his life before he died of cancer in 2021. Marsh told the Inquirer before last year’s World Series that he sometimes sees Jake’s spirit in the butterflies riding the outfield breezes during games: “It’s a comforting feeling, having him there with me.” Flutter on, Jake! But there’s more! After Marsh saw on Twitter that 92-year-old Lancaster grandma Lois Hostetter got a birthday present of a pillow with his mug on it, Marsh arranged to sign it for her, sending it back with a gloveful of goodies. And he can hit, too!
Kylie Kelce
From the moment Delco’s own Kylie Kelce (née McDevitt) came on screen in the Kelce documentary, describing her and Jason’s first Tinder date without an air of pretension, we knew we had a legend on our hands. Kylie’s rise has been meteoric, but the mother of three keeps it refreshingly real, with laid-back game-day outfits (black athleisure, jean shorts) and a makeup routine that can even be accomplished on the edge of a hotel bed (IYKYK). Of course, she can also glam it up at Milan Fashion Week and help sell out a vintage-style Eagles jacket (yes, the same kind Princess Di wore, naturally) — and raise $100k for the Eagles Autism Foundation in the process simply by signing and modeling it. But she doesn’t have to. And that kind of confidence never goes out of style. instagram.com/kykelce.
Jess Conda
See Brat Porductions' newly appointed artistic director, the always-daring Jess Conda, in Pig Iron Theatre Company's Pay Up at this year's FringeArts Festival and in Brat's own Eternal Glamnation, also part of FringeArts. Philadanco alum Jesse Sani is a rising star on the Philadelphia dance scene: Look for him to shine at the Wilma in the upcoming season's offerings from BalletX, which he joined in 2011. And find dancer-choreographer extraordinaire Megan Bridge performing and producing modern dance all season long at her Kensington-based warehouse performance venue, The Fidget Space. Well-rounded actor/director James Ijames is also keeping busy this season, starring in Maukingbird's adaption of the Importance of Being Earnest and InterAct's We Are Proud to Present. Plus, he's directing shows for Simpatico and Theatre Horizon. 00000, bratproductions.org/about/brats/jess-conda.