10 Delicious Dishes Worth Going Out of Your Way to Eat in Philly
From Hardena’s #NotPizza box to Nano’s Austin-style breakfast tacos, this is what to order now.
Listen, they may be hard to find, and you might have to DM some folks on Instagram. You’ll have to go out of your way, you’ll have to plan ahead, and you’ll have to be diligent and smart. But there’s no doubt these 10 dishes are the most impressive, most delicious eats in all of Philly right now. Here’s exactly what goes into them.
1. Bean Pie
Illustration by Beth Walrond
What’s in it: Great Northern bean filling, sweetened like sweet potato pie, in a traditional buttery pie crust
Where to get it: Get it by donating $100 or more to Omar Tate’s Honeysuckle fund-raiser. Follow @honeysuckle_projects for more information.
2. “The Henry” Veggie Hoagie
Illustration by Beth Walrond
What’s in it: Roasted peppers for zing; provolone with a bite; garlicky rabe; thinly sliced eggplant, all grilled and smoky; crispy fried zucchini; long hot pepper mayo; all smashed into a seeded Sarcone’s roll (natch)
Where to get it: Find it at Dolores’ in Pennsport, 1841 South 2nd Street.
3. Ramly Burger
Illustration by Beth Walrond
What’s in it: Cabbage (better than iceberg lettuce), egg crepe, two smashburger-thin patties, curry sauce, and sambal mayo on a squishy bun
Where to get it: Find it at select Saté Kampar pop-ups. Follow @satekamparphilly on Instagram for more information.
4. Old-School Shoyu Ramen Kit
Illustration by Beth Walrond
What’s in it: Wavy noodles (like if ripple chips were noodles); scallions; nori; sweet and savory pork chashu; super-umami chicken dashi broth; ajitama (a seasoned soft-boiled egg); and fish cake
Where to get it: Find it at Neighborhood Ramen, 617 South 3rd Street, Queen Village; order online at neighborhoodramen.com.
5. Torta Tamale
Illustration by Beth Walrond
What’s in it: Beef and cheese tamale, crema, salsa verde, Oaxaca cheese, all sandwiched between Mexican bolillo bread
Where to get it: Find it at Juana Tamale at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street, Callowhill; follow @juanatamale on Instagram for more information.
6. #NotPizza Box
Illustration by Beth Walrond
What’s in it: Caramelized tempeh, red-hot sambal, lumpia stuffed with glass noodles and chicken, grilled chicken saté, jasmine rice, Indonesian-style beef rendang, bakwan (veggie corn fritters) — all atop banana leaves inside a pizza box
Where to get it: Find it at Hardena, 1754 South Hicks Street, Point Breeze; follow @hardenaphilly on Instagram for more information.
7. The Jollof Complex
Illustration by Beth Walrond
What’s in it: Nubs of fatty, crispy chicken thighs, spicy tomato stew, jollof rice (a.k.a. West African party food), and sautéed farm greens (whatever’s in season)
Where to get it: Find it at Fudena pop-up, 2025 Washington Avenue, Point Breeze; follow @eatfudena on Instagram for more information.
8. Austin-Style Breakfast Tacos
Illustration by Beth Walrond
What’s in it: Brisket burnt ends (because, you know, it’s Austin-style), scrambled eggs, and Monterey jack cheese packed into homemade flaky flour tortillas
Where to get it: Find them at Nano’s Tortillas pop-up; follow @nanostortillas on Instagram for more information.
9. Frizwit Cheesesteak
Illustration by Beth Walrond
What’s in it: Caramelized onions, frizzled steak from Primal Supply Meats, house-made beer cheese, all on a Merzbacher’s hoagie roll.
Where to get it: Find it at Musi, 100 Morris Street, Pennsport; order online at frizwit.com.
10. Spinach and Goat Cheese Kolache
Illustration by Beth Walrond
What’s in it: Sautéed spinach and goat cheese stuffed inside a soft, pillowy kolache dough.
Where to get it: Find it at Bohemian Style Kolaches pop-ups; follow @bohemianstylekolaches on Instagram for more information.
Published as “Hunt These Ten Dishes Down” in the “What to Eat Now!” feature in the January/February 2021 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
