A Peek at the Upcoming Drop From the LeSportsac x Yowie Collab

A LeSportsac x Yowie lilac crossbody with a cheetah-print lining / Photograph by Casey Robinson

Best of Philly-winning Yowie visionary Shannon Maldonado has loved LeSportsac bags since she was a teen — she appreciates the way they straddle the line between luxurious and affordable. So a collaboration with the company, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, was a natural fit. Enter LeSportsac x Yowie, nine bags she designed with the brand. Up first in June was a trio of colorful options.

The second iteration, debuting in October, is meant for commuters, with a floral-patterned tote; a non-gendered, vintage-influenced duffel; and a lilac crossbody with a cheetah-print lining, seen above. While we love all three of the new designs, that pretty lilac look is our fave, and we can’t wait to sport it to yoga, brunch and the farmer’s market, on a day trip — wherever we’re headed, it’s coming along.

A Yowie yellow tag is on the interior of each. “I wanted the branding inside, with the exterior color and shape speaking to the ethos of Yowie,” explains Maldonado. (It’s like a little clue — IYKYK.) The third drop? Styles that mix form and function, coming later this year.

While your anticipation builds for the latest bag release, hit Yowie to browse all the colorful, whimsical goods in the shop. (Books! Socks! Mugs! Fragrances!) Or hang out for an event, like salsa night on Friday, September 13th. Or just book a room for a sweet staycation — the choice is yours.

Tote, $175, duffel, $225, and crossbody, $95; available in October online and at 226 South Street, Queen Village.

Published as “Bagging Rights” in the September 2024 issue of Philadelphia magazine.

Alexandra Holt Takes Her Avant-Garde Dining Experiment, Roxanne, to Headhouse

Dessert at Roxanne (house-made chocolate with hazelnut, mandarinquat and edible money) is chef Alexandra Holt’s comment on the ethics of the chocolate industry. / Photograph by Rebecca McAlpin

Howdy, buckaroos! And welcome back to the weekly Foobooz food news round-up. We’ve got lots to get through this week — everything from late-night tacos and sushi to commemorative Eagles liquor, Hawaiian jerky, and Philly’s only Goatoberfest. But let’s kick things off with the biggest news of the week, concerning chef Alexandra Holt’s next big move … 

Roxanne, v2.0

There was no way Roxanne was going to last. Not in its current incarnation. Not as the brilliant, wild, revolutionary project that Alexandra Holt began behind a purple door in South Philly two years ago. 24 seats, straight BYOB, a multi-course tasting menu that changed week-to-week (and sometimes day-by-day) executed every night by Holt alone? There were a thousand reasons why it wasn’t going to be around forever — many of them discussed, at length, by Holt and me for this profile I wrote about her last year.

“Roxanne is, at every level, an experiment — a rough, physical refutation of so much that the industry finds sacred and necessary. From simple, harmless resistance (like putting potatoes on a dessert plate) to asking structural questions about whether or not a kitchen requires a brigade to function, Roxanne operates like a test of what, exactly, a restaurant needs to be weighed against what one can be… [And] no one except Alexandra Holt could have opened Roxanne. Her life, her mistakes, her self-sabotage, her triumphs — they’re there on every plate. She understands better than most that sometimes you have to do the impossible just to prove that it’s not. You have to be willing to let it all burn, and then, the next night, do it all again — because that’s the only way to make something you love better for those that come after you.”

That was Roxanne, in a nutshell. And almost the minute that piece came out — in May of last year — Holt was already talking about what had to happen next:

“What’s next for us: closing, eventually. This project isn’t meant to last more than another year, really. Along with feeling better comes the ability to embrace people again, so our life here is short and someday I’ll open a real restaurant (with staff).”

That was from Roxanne’s Instagram. May, 2023. And here we are, just a little over a year later, and guess what?

Alex Holt has a new space. A whole new restaurant. With staff. And though there’s nothing even resembling a hard date, she’s hoping to have it open by the end of this month. It will also be called Roxanne, after her mother (who has been in town, helping her with the build-out), and is opening in the old Queen & Rook space at 607 South 2nd Street in Headhouse Square.

Do I know a ton about what she’s planning on doing there? I do not. But I do know a few things. This new spot will seat almost three times as many as the original Roxanne, with 65 on the floor when it’s fully committed. And she’s got a local liquor license now, so she will be serving PA spirits while still allowing wine nerds to bring their own favorite bottles. I know she’s not going all-prix-fixe this time, but that there will be tables set aside for a tasting menu, which will be balanced against an à la carte board and a list of bar snacks.

And this time around, she’s going to have a staff. Servers on the floor and cooks in the kitchen. A much more sustainable situation, to be sure, but also a huge change from the original, which more or less defined itself by being this bonkers one-woman show that, on any given night, was equally likely to be the best dinner party you’ve ever been to, an absolute disaster, or simply closed with very little warning.

Holt has been teasing the upcoming opening (a little) on the Roxanne Instagram feed. She also gave a great (long) interview on Eli Kulp and Marisa Magnatta’s Delicious City podcast, where she talked a lot about the new opening — while at the same time, managed to give very little away beyond a design aesthetic of vintage skateboards and Giving Tree prints.

But no matter how this all ultimately shakes out, this is huge news. First, because Holt is a remarkable talent — a chef who operates every night like she has absolutely nothing to lose. Like she hit this scene with “Fuck around and find out” tattooed on her heart. Second, because as much as I adored the chaos of the original Roxanne, a stable version of that vibe that comes with the same energy could be a sight to see. And third (and most importantly), because this is an evolution that Holt has chosen for herself. Along with feeling better comes the ability to embrace people again, she said a year ago. And that’s exactly what she’s doing.

The old Roxanne has served its purpose. It did exactly what it was built to do.

Now it’s time for something new.

Late-Night Tacos and Ramen

Photograph courtesy of Yanaga Kappo Izakaya

We’ve got not one, but TWO restaurants leaning into those rapidly approaching long winter nights this week.

First, Hi-Lo Taco in Midtown Village has a new late-night menu. They’re doing $4 tacos, smoked and fried wings, nacho fries, shot-sized cocktails called “chupitos” (served in pairs), and a tequila-and-Tecate Citywide variant called “Beer & A Boot” for $10. The new menu is currently up and running on Friday and Saturday nights, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Meanwhile, over at Yanaga Kappo Izakaya in Northern Liberties, they’re also launching a late-night happy hour with a “curated selection of small plates” from the regular menu (think Japanese potato salad sandwiches, wagyu hot dogs, YKI instant ramen, poke bowls, and spicy tuna rolls), along with regular drink specials. Hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 10 p.m. to midnight.

But YKI is also doubling down on the deals by adding on a whole extra service. Starting yesterday, they tacked on a Monday “Neighborhood Night” from 5 p.m. to midnight, with beer and drink deals and a special “Neighborhood Menu” available only on Monday nights. Bonus: They’re not taking reservations on Monday nights. The whole thing is being done walk-in only.

Hot Chicken and … More Hot Chicken

Look, I love a good hot chicken sandwich as much as the next guy. Probably as much as the next three guys. But Philly has been in this kind of escalating hot chicken war for years, with opening after opening and expansion after expansion moving in on every neighborhood in the city, and I’m beginning to wonder if it’s ever going to stop.

I mean, I don’t want it to. I honestly don’t believe there’s any such thing as too many hot chicken options. But if things keep on like this, we’re going to reach some kind of mathematically implausible saturation point where every block has its own chicken spot, and then another place across the street for when you get tired of the first one. It’ll be hot chicken all the way down. There’ll be no space for anything else.

But we’re not there yet. So, for now, let me just inform you that we have two new hot chicken spots, both of which opened just last week. First, there’s Asad Khan’s chicken-and-smoothie juggernaut, Asad’s Hot Chicken (my personal favorite), which opened its 10th location at 542 Berlin-Cross Keys Road in Sicklerville on Friday. Then, across town, Nanu’s Hot Chicken opened its eighth shop at 1947 Street Road in Bensalem. That grand opening also happened on Friday — and right around the corner from (you guessed it) a different Asad’s.

And Now, Some Sad News

Cafe Ynez / Photograph by Alex Tewfik

It looks like Cafe Ynez is shutting down after a decade of bringing a little bit of Mexico City to Washington Avenue. Jill Weber, Evan Malone, and exec chef Gabriel Romero will be shutting down for good come September 15th.

“Our goal at Cafe Ynez was to create a second home – and a little bit of Mexico City – in our dining room,” Weber posted on social media. “Through the years, we have hosted your birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events. We will miss you and will miss celebrating these big moments with you as well as all of the wonderful day to day interactions with our regulars … Thank you so much for bringing us into your lives and for helping us to create amazing memories.”

No reason was given for the closure, but a 10-year run for any restaurant these days is solid — particularly when it comes with a pandemic in the middle of it. And between Sor Ynez, Jet Wine Bar, and Rex at the Royal, it’s not like Weber and Malone will be at a loss for things to do.

Still, they’re not shutting off the lights without throwing a party first.

This Thursday, September 12th, they’re celebrating 10 years worth of memories for friends, family, and regulars. There’ll be food, drinks available at the bar, fresh ceviche, and house guacamole. The catch is, there’s only going to be a single seating — a 6:30 p.m. arrival for a 7 p.m. dinner — which means there’s only space for a couple dozen people. Tickets are $75 for the dinner, and you can get yours right here if you’re looking for a last chance to say goodbye.

Now how about some leftovers?

The Leftovers

Scenes from The Philly Goat Project’s GOAToberfest / Photograph by Kerri Sitrin

You guys remember Bird Gang, right? That’s the very Philly-centric, Eagles-branded liquor being put out by Andrew Auwerda’s BOTLD bottling company. Well, they’ve got a new series they’ve just rolled celebrating the 75th anniversary of the 1949 World Championship. It’s an optimistic way to kick off the new season, for sure. So if you’re a fan, a collector, or just someone who can’t eat or drink anything that doesn’t come in Kelly Green, you can pick up bottles of Bird Gang 1949 vodka, bourbon, tequila, and/or spicy tequila at the BOTLD shop in Rittenhouse.

Puyero has its own kind of celebration going. In honor of World Arepa Day (Saturday, September 14th — mark your calendars), they’re selling a “Philly Trio” of arepas for $14 each. The trio consists of a cheesesteak arepa with smoked gouda and caramelized onions, a roast pork arepa provolone, garlic broccoli rabe and roasted red peppers, and a hoagie arepa with turkey, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, pickled onion, and pink sriracha.

No, I’m not sure what pink sriracha is, either. But for $14, I guess you can find out.

The Philly Trio is available for one day only, Saturday the 14th, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Puyero’s 524 South 4th Street location. So get ’em while you can.

This weekend, Wm. Mulherin’s Sons is bringing in NYC street-pizza expert chef Justin Smillie of SlowFires to sling pies in the garden from his mobile pizza oven. He’ll be doing his thing on Friday and Saturday, the 13th and 14th, starting at 5 p.m. He’ll be doing specialty pies featuring “ultra-seasonal local ingredients.” Basically, it’s whatever Smillie can find that day, like green zebra tomatoes, mozzarella, labneh, roasted garlic and feta, or a pie with smoked mushroom, heirloom summer squash, rosemary, and crescenza.

You won’t know the actual menu ’til you show up, but it should be interesting. You can get your reservations here.

I know we’ve talked quite a bit lately about Kiki Aranita and Poi Dog Sauces, but I just heard about another one of her collaborations that I had to let you know about. Seems that jerky raconteur (and former Foobooz pen-for-hire) Marcos Espinoza of Side Project Jerky got his hands on some of Aranita’s Huli Huli sauce and created Huli Huli Hawaiian chicken jerky. Available for sale now at Side Project and Poi Dog Sauces, it’s basically a blend of pineapple, miso, and Chinese five-spice flavors that sounds kinda awesome. You should check it out if you like jerky. And who doesn’t like jerky?

Finally this week, GOAToberfest. There’ll be beer. There’ll be food. There’ll be drag queens. There’ll be a costume contest, goat art raffles, and historic cemetery tours. And, of course, there will be goats. And if this all sounds a little weird, that’s because it is, but that’s exactly why I’m telling you about it. Because there are some of you out there that just don’t have enough goats and drag queens in your lives.

GOAToberfest is an annual fundraising event for the Philly Goat Project, taking place this year on Sunday, October 6th, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Laurel Hill West Conservatory. It will be your first chance to see (and purchase) their 2025 Goat Calendar, which features goats posing at some of Philly’s most iconic landmarks. Triple Bottom Brewing is supplying an official GOAToberfest-branded beer, and the event’s custom cocktail (the Ray Ray) is named after a goat (Ray), who is, in turn, named after Raymond Pace Alexander — the first Black judge to be appointed to the Common Pleas Court, and who is buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. And, of course, 13 goats from the Goat Project will be there for you to meet. Because we shouldn’t ever lose sight of who the real celebrities are here.

Anyway, it all sounds like a good time, and it’s certainly for a good cause. So I guess we’ll see you all there.

Kamala Harris Releases Corny Philly-Centric Ads

Two Philadelphia-focused campaign ads released by the Kamala Harris campaign (images via Kamala Harris for President)

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Kamala Harris Releases Corny Philly-Centric Ads

Kamala Harris for President has unleashed a series of Philly-centric ads on the city.

Naturally, her team couldn’t resisting co-opting the totally-Philly term “wit” (as in Whiz wit, provolone wit) in naming the new ad campaign, which is labeled “Philly Is Wit Kamala.” If you go to kamalaharris.com/wit, you’ll find a photo comparison of the audience size at the Kamala Harris rally at Temple and the Donald Trump rally at Temple:

A screenshot from the Kamala Harris campaign website

Beyond that, there’s an ad that shows that the Kamala Harris soft pretzel is bigger than the Donald Trump soft pretzel:

Then there’s this somewhat convoluted use of Wawa:

You can’t really have a Kamala Harris Philly ad campaign without using what’s trying to be Cheez Whiz to paint the word “wit”:

Oh, and don’t let me forget about the Kamala Harris ad that nods to the famous Elton John song that doesn’t really have anything to do with Philadelphia:

Are you ready for this election to be over as much as I am?

Now Here’s a Philly-Centric Ad that Works

I’m not really a Pearl Jam fan. And I’m not really a Sixers fan. But I have to give props to Pearl Jam for this wildly good poster that was on sale at last night’s sold out Philly show:

(Image courtesy Ames Bros)

The Inquirer Having a Little Too Much Fun With Debate

The Inquirer is really milking the presidential debate for all it’s worth. Case in point: The braintrust over there apparently couldn’t decide between running a presidential debate bingo game (you mark your spot when, for instance, a candidate uses the word “hoax” or mentions Hannibal Lecter or when there’s an awkward handshake) or a presidential debate drinking game, so they ran both. Ugh.

All This Politics Talk Stressing You Out?

Northeast Philly spa Zen Serenity may have just what you’re looking for: Their new “Pre-Election De-Stress” package. “Zen Serenity is the peaceful escape you’ve been seeking amidst the political noise,” spa partner Xu Zheng explains. “Whether it’s the constant ‘breaking news’ in the 24-hour news cycle or the tension in the ongoing political debates as election season ramps up, many feel overwhelmed and fatigued by the constant barrage of information, but we’re offering some solutions to unplug from the outside world and release those politically influenced anxieties.” Hey, if bars can cash in with their silly “debate cocktails,” why shouldn’t a Northeast Philly spa find their own hook? And, actually, a “manual lymphatic draining” and a full body massage does sound really good right about now.

2: Philly restaurants that just landed on Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants list. There are only 20 restaurants deemed worthy. Our winners? Meetinghouse in Port Richmond and My Loup in Rittenhouse. We were just raving about the roast beef sandwich at Meetinghouse in our 50th anniversary edition of Best of Philly. Mmmm.

7: Days of the next seven with forecasted highs of 80 or above. So summer isn’t quite done with us yet. Notably, lows are in the 50s, which sounds like perfect sleeping weather.

11: Giant grocery stores that will be operating in Philadelphia proper by the time this just-announced one opens in Northwest Philly.

Local Talent

The two moderators for the presidential debate are David Muir and Linsey Davis. And it turns out that Davis is a local. Davis is a 1995 graduate of Moorestown Friends School in South Jersey.

Living in Point Breeze: A Neighborhood Guide

South Philadelphia Tap Room in Point Breeze / Photograph by Gab Bonghi

Forward into the past?

Though it sits well inland, Point Breeze takes its name from a spot on the Schuylkill’s west bank where light winds blew in the 19th century. Once a multi­racial working-­class enclave, the neighborhood declined from the late 1960s to the 1990s. Low-income housing built around the end of that period began a turnaround that accelerated with an influx of more affluent­ residents on its east side. They dubbed that area “Newbold,”­ taking­ a cue from a street sign on the South Philadelphia Tap Room (1509 Mifflin Street) and fanning the flames of controversy­ over gentrification.­

Keith Haring’s We the Youth mural / Photograph by Robert K. Chin/Alamy Stock Photo

Acknowledgment and unity

In 2016, the civic group the newcomers established changed its name to East Point Breeze Neighbors, a recognition of the people already there when they moved in. Today, everyone from Broad to 25th coexists, with Keith Haring’s restored 1987 mural We the Youth at 22nd and Ellsworth streets forming a bridge between the old and the new.

A multicultural menu

The Tap Room was one of the first of the wave of restaurants­ that accompanied those new residents.­ Other lauded spots include Hardena (1754 South Hicks Street) and El Mezcal­ Cantina­ (1260 Point Breeze Avenue). Longtime stalwarts­ like Scotty’s Bar (1420 Ellsworth­ Street), where every holiday is cause for decoration­ and a portrait of President Barack Obama still watches over the festivities, are also among the offerings.

El Mezcal Cantina’s dishes / Photograph by Ted Nghiem

Shopping and style

Pick up gifts, cards, books, and other items at Culture Exchange (1450 Point Breeze Avenue) and sweet treats from Favors4Life Extraordinary Delights (1614 South Bancroft Street). Or order a custom hat from Dust to Dawn Fashions (1505 Reed Street, by appointment only).

On the up and up

Point Breezer Dava Costello, a realtor­ at OCF Realty, is pleased with the changes in the community.­ “I have always envisioned great things for this neighborhood. It’s remarkable to witness the new residential and commercial developments along Washington Avenue, connecting Southwest Center­ City with Point Breeze,” she says. OCF’s owner, developer Ori Feibush,­ has built many of Point Breeze’s newer, fancier homes, and Costello also views that as cause for optimism. However, she notes, “Recently, there has been a shortage of robust inventory, and we typically see a fast appreciation of home values.” As of July, you could spend anywhere­ from $180,000 to nearly $1 million on a home there.

Published as “Living in Point Breeze” in the September 2024 issue of Philadelphia magazine.

The Debate Lockdown Has Officially Begun in Philadelphia

Security barricades have sprung up in Philadelphia ahead of Tuesday night’s presidential debate with Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump (photo by Bradford Pearson)

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The Presidential Debate Lockdown Has Begun in Philadelphia

All eyes will be on Philadelphia on Tuesday night for the first (and possibly only) presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, a guy who was shot at in Pennsylvania less than two months ago. Needless to say, security for the debate is a major concern.

Security barricades have sprung up in the area surrounding the Constitution Center, the venue for the debate. Parking restrictions and lane closures were already in place over the weekend. And once Tuesday morning gets here, expect many more restrictions.

Starting early in the morning on Tuesday, the city will have the streets around the Constitution Center on lockdown. While car and pedestrian traffic is expected to be allowed on 4th Street and Market Street, that will not be the case on other streets in the area. The closed roads are as follows:

• Race Street from 4th to 8th
• Arch Street from 4th to 7th
• 5th, 6th, and 7th streets from I-676 to Market

No one will be allowed into the “secure zone” except for people who work inside of it. They’ll need to enter through a security checkpoint at 7th and Arch streets.

The city is also closing the 6th Street exit on the eastbound side of I-676. After rush hour on Tuesday, you can also expect access to the eastbound lanes of the Ben Franklin Bridge from I-676 into New Jersey to close, while the city expects to leave the westbound lanes from New Jersey into Philadelphia open.

Officials know that demonstrations in the area are likely and say to expect rolling closures as circumstances warrant.

Taking SEPTA? Stay tuned to the SEPTA alerts page for any potential issues.

About that Debate…

If you don’t want to watch the debate from the comfort of your own home, there are lots of debate watch parties happening around the region. Want to drink? I’d pick the debate watch party at McGillin’s, the oldest bar in Philly. If you’re a Republican, it sounds like Hotel Monaco is where you want to be. And if you want to watch the thing with the mayor, head to the Dell Music Center.

By the Numbers

4.4 percent: That’s the raise that Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker just agreed to give city workers who are members of District Council 47 AFSCME, a group that comprises about 3,700 white collar employees. Those workers also get a $1,400 bonus. Plus, Parker is giving them off the day after Thanksgiving. She’s yet to send a memo requiring them to spend “Black Friday” shopping at the struggling shops and boutiques in Center City, but I wouldn’t put it past her.

$8,462: Monthly (yes, monthly) co-op fee you’ll have to fork over if you purchase this bi-level Rittenhouse Square penthouse. Oh, you’ll also need to come up with $6,995,000 to buy the thing. And get this: $7 million doesn’t even get you a parking spot. But, hey, they do throw in cable!

2 hours, 43 minutes: Time that passed between one City of Philadelphia department notifying its workers that they were no longer allowed to eat at their desks and the department retracting the ban after employees freaked out. Inquirer reporter Jake Blumgart got involved and filed this piece, which makes the bureaucrats look pretty silly. The workers are, no doubt, happy with Blumgart’s story and with the city’s reversal. Well, everyone except for the woman who sits next to the guy who insists on eating leftover fish every day. [Ed. Note: This item has been updated to correct the timing of Blumgart’s story in relation to the city’s retraction.]

Local Talent

Congrats to Friends’ Central grad Benj Pasek and his songwriting partner Justin Paul, the pair having just achieved EGOT status. As in Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony.

They won the Oscar in 2017 for a song they wrote for the movie La La Land. Then it was the Tony for their Dear Evan Hansen score. After that, Pasek and Paul scored a Grammy for the original cast recording album from that show. And now, they picked up an Emmy for a song they co-wrote for Only Murders in the Building.

Next up? Pasek and Paul are working on music for Disney’s live action version of Snow White that’s scheduled for release in 2025. The movie already has lots of haters. But that’s the great thing about this gig that Pasek and Paul have. The movie can suck and you can still win awards for your music.

The Car-Free Philly Bike Ride Is Returning This Fall

The Philly Bike Ride returns on Saturday, October 19th. / Photography by Bruce Buckley

For the past two years, Philly Bike Ride has welcomed cyclists of all ages as a low-stakes, car-free, 20-mile event. (Did we mention no cars?!!)

The good news is the recreational ride — which helps support the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and its youth cycling program — is returning for its third year on Saturday, October 19th!

Below, find everything you need to know about the 2024 Philly Bike Ride. Remember: It’s a ride, not a race — the goal is to cruise, not compete.

The course

The closed-road course spans 20 miles across Philadelphia — from Penn’s Landing to Manayunk. The route starts and ends by the Art Museum, with course highlights like the LOVE statue, City Hall, the Delaware River Waterfront, Boathouse Row, and Manayunk’s Main Street. You can view the full course here.

If you don’t want to cover all 20 miles, opt for the shorter 7.6-mile version, which excludes the Kelly Drive/Manayunk portion.

Who can participate?

One of the best things about the Philly Bike Ride is that it’s open to riders ages three and up, making it an outing the whole family can partake in and enjoy. Bonus: Kids who are three to seven years old ride for free! They just have to be in a child bike seat, tagalong/tandem bike, bike trailer, or bike cargo.

Riders ages eight through 17 can participate by riding their own bike at a discounted rate, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Time/date/weather info

The Philly Bike Ride will take place on Saturday, October 19th at 7:30 a.m. Though everyone begins at the same time, the ride is go-at-your-own-pace for a stress-free, fun time. Heads up, though: The road will open back up to traffic once the last rider crosses the finish line, so don’t try to ride the course more than once or you’ll be dodging cars and SEPTA buses!

Also, the ride will happen rain or shine. If the forecast is looking like rain that morning, plan your outfit accordingly — think rain jacket, moisture-wicking pants, waterproof shoes, a poncho, etc. Unfortunately, no refunds will be given if you decide to sit it out.

BYO bike?

If you have your own bike, you’re encouraged to ride your own. The event also welcomes class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes (with a motor that doesn’t exceed 750 watts). If you’re riding an e-bike, your speed must be below 18 miles per hour the entire time.

If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one through the event’s Rent & Ride program, which is designated on the registration page. Your rental also includes a helmet, and you’ll need to pick up your gear between 6 and 7 a.m. on the day of the ride. (You’ll be emailed specific details if you choose to rent.)

Registration info

Registration for riders 18 and over starts at $74 which might seem steep for riding your bike at 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday, but just remember: No! Cars!

In addition, the event is partially philanthropic, as a portion of the event’s proceeds support the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia’s youth cycling program which focuses on creating healthy lifestyle habits and skills via biking for kids ages 12 through 18.

As we mentioned, participants ages three through seven ride for free, while registration costs $37 for anyone ages eight through 17. There’s also a $25 discounted rate for college students.

After the ride

The event ends with a festival, which is free and open to the public. The party — which takes place from 9 a.m. to noon — will feature live music, food trucks, family-friendly activities, photo booths and more. Anyone who registers as a VIP rider will receive a catered lunch in the VIP lounge.

Yo! Check Out the New Eagles Hype Video and More Fun Ahead of 2024 Season Opener

Eagles Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata in the 2024 hype video ahead of their season opener in Brazil.

Do you feel it, Philly? The air is a little crisper this morning. The sun is shining a little brighter. And there’s a lot more green around town. Yes, the Birds are finally back. (And by “back,” we mean in Brazil, but that’s okay.)

The Eagles open their season “hosting” the Green Bay Packers in São Paolo tonight. And despite our collective grief over Jason Kelce’s retirement, he remains involved in the team — of course he does! — and features heavily in the Eagles’ new 2024 hype video, along with wife Kylie and some other surprise guests (including comedian Shane Gillis). The script can be summed up in one very Philly word, but it works.

We open on Kelce enjoying a retirement hobby in a study more tidy than his lost Super Bowl ring antics would suggest.

Then, fellow Eagles off-season retiree Fletcher Cox disturbs Kelce’s solitude. But for good reason: It’s jets to Brazil for their former team! Kelce is appropriately excited.

The video’s got everything: jokes, some actual football footage, fans, cheesesteaks, Big Dom, Swoop skitching down the street, a golf cart glam shot …

But I’ve given enough away; just watch it for yourself:

YO! Eagles football is back. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/Z1r15gDiHz

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 5, 2024

Meanwhile, the Eagles seem to be having a fun and adorable time in Brazil, greeting fans, trying to speak Portuguese, and, most importantly, dancing it out.

The vibes in Brazil are immaculate pic.twitter.com/DFmF0Ed8sw

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 5, 2024

The Eagles take on the Packers tonight at 8:15 p.m. Unless you’re also in São Paolo, you can watch the game on Peacock. Don’t feel like streaming it from your couch? Head to one of our Philly sports bar picks to cheer on the Birds.

McDonald’s Drops the Philly Cheese Stack Burger on London, and Fans Are Going Mental

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McDonald’s Drops the Philly Cheese Stack Burger on London, and Fans Are Going Mental

Today let us think about a sandwich from a faraway land. It is a kingdom of music and literature, of tall buses and short monarchs, of hands-free football and worse baseball, of wizard children and TERF authors and Stonehenge teeth and colorful accents which bring to mind long-suffering street urchins, well-I-never dowagers, and the colorful sales staff at a dreary ’70s department store. And, for a limited time, it’s the only place you can get the Philly Cheese Stack.

What is the Philly Cheese Stack?

Well, for one thing, it’s certainly not a cheesesteak.

It appears to be, merely, a double-patty cheeseburger. I mean there’s more, of course there’s more, but it’s normal-ish stuff: crispy bits of fried onion, pickles, two slices of cheese, a dollop of un-slice-able liquid cheese, and a top bun cleft in twain like a butt to moon the Lord.

How did we make the Philly Cheese Stack so delicious? Here’s the breakdown. pic.twitter.com/8kwHJmWwMl

— McDonald’s UK (@McDonaldsUK) October 20, 2023

That’s it, no special sauce or anything. Unless you count the cheese, which, go ahead and count the cheese. There are two of them.

I suppose it is unusual to be served cheese in two different states of matter — solid and liquid — in the same burger. (Sadly no gaseous cheese, plasmatic cheese, or Fermionic condensate cheese. Get to work, science!)

Despite its status as just a hamburger sandwich, the Philly Cheese Stack appears to be quite popular, at least among the sorts of Brits who pray to Maccas. After appearing and disappearing from the menu last year, the Philly Cheese Stack has returned today to much rejoicing.

• “Just found out the Philly Cheese Stack is back, by far the best thing McDonalds has released since the Signature range,” Tweets one person, along with a gif of somebody dropping to her knees with rapturous joy.
• “McDonald’s Philly cheese stack burger, was it here in the UK late last year and I lost count how many I had! Easily the best burger I’ve had from there…” Tweets another.
• “Maccies burgers have been boring as shit for the best part of a year but now the Philly cheese stack is back. So I’m back.”
• Somebody made a petition to keep the Philly Cheese Stack on the menu permanently.
• This blogger liked it so much, they recreated it at home.
• This guy recorded an ASMR video of himself eating one and I feel sick!

Near as I can tell, the Philly Cheese Stack has yet to make an appearance in the United States, and it’s certainly never come to its namesake city, and you can probably guess why: It has nothing to do with Philly.

It’s just a hamburger with extra steps. Or fewer, if you were trying to make a Big Mac. Clearly the name is meant to invoke the cheesesteak, and Philadelphia, but it’s just a burger in a butt bun. Everybody has burgers and butts.

Oh okay, I suppose it’s the liquid cheese that makes it Philly. We do serve a lot of that. We know it’s wrong. And, if we’re being honest, a lot of Philadelphians would eat a Philly Cheese Stack if you put it in front of them. We are like animals in that way.

By the Numbers

$500,000: How much a Nevaaaada family was willing to spend on house when started to thinking of moving to the Philly area, as profiled in this New York Times real estate piece. They really do get too personal in these articles. I have no problem with Bethanie taking a gap year, but I hope she continues her studies.

$42,000: Approximate street value of the three pallets of crab meat a bunch of masked men stole from a tractor trailer at 7th and Packer early Wednesday morning. I’m probably supposed to write a joke here, but I just think it’s sad all those fishermen risked their lives to haul in those crab pots, and a whole mess of dead-on-their-feet factory workers toiled to cut and package the meat, and all those supermarkets paid good money in hopes of bringing that meat to market. Money is distilled labor, you know. Oh sure, the fishermen and the factory workers still got paid, and the supermarket man, he has insurance. But it’s wasted time, wasted effort. Nobody wants to spend those pieces of themselves without a purpose. You can’t put a price on purpose. Oh, and the crabs. What kind of hell is it being a crab, wandering the featureless ocean floor in search of carcasses, dreamless, endless. And on top of that you get yanked away, cracked and scooped and quartered and frozen, and for what? Just to rot in some unrefrigerated van while a crook who never thought he’d get this far is on the phone to every unscrupulous chef in town trying to dump the stolen meat at rock bottom prices. At best these room temperature crabs will become the tummy-ache half of some surf and turf special on greasy Fiesta ware, at worst their heartiest microbes and parasites will survive the cooking process with murder on their minds.

13: How many leadoff homers Kyle Schwarber has hit this year, counting last night.

32: Internet domains shut down by the Philly FBI office under suspicion that they were part of a Russian operation to spread disinformation in swing states. You should read the affidavit; it’s bonkers. When they’re not trying to stir up antisemitism or trick Pennsylvanians into voting for CANDIDATE A (Trump) with fake news or stoke a new civil war, the Russians ops are trying to make Canada mad at us. Dude, Canada and the U.S. are friends for life, nothing can change that.

1: Days until the Eagles play the Packers in Brazil, which is kind of a shame because Philly’s away team reporters are writing some funny stuff. See: “Eagles in São Paulo: Commentators educate audience about NFL in soccer-crazy Brazil.” Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. Friday night.

The Passyunk Menagerie

Hey you know that old Acme in South Philly? Corner of Reed and Passyunk. Some people call the place Prison Acme, as it resides on the site of the old Moyamensing Prison that once held abolitionist Passmore Williamson, serial killer H.H. Holmes, and nutty scribe Edgar Allan Poe.

Anyway, somebody’s arranged a motley zoom of toys out there on the corner, and it’s delightful. I mean, eventually, all this stuff will roll into the gutter and steep in our water supply like toxic Darjeeling. But right now: totes delightful. Especially the little cheetah. Cute!

who is behind this small army of figurines guarding the acme on east passyunk pic.twitter.com/xSi7CDNBHv

— Ellie Rushing (@EllieRushing) September 5, 2024

Christmas Specialists Jason Kelce and Pals Reunite for One Last Holiday Album

Jason Kelce and the rest of the gang behind A Philly Special Christmas and A Philly Special Christmas Special return with A Philly Special Christmas Party.

Jason Kelce and Eagles Pals Reunite for One Last Christmas Album

Ex-Eagle Connor Barwin, founder of the Make The World Better Foundation benefitting city parks — and perhaps the only pro athlete to hang out with Jelloman — has announced the coming of a third and final “Special” Christmas record.

Says 6ABC, A Philly Special Christmas Party will reunite Jason Kelce with his old teammates/current Eagles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata in the sound booth, and include contributions from Boyz II Men, Travis Kelce, and more TBA. Here’s where it would be fun to start a rumor that Taylor Swift is involved, but that’s already been shot down. As always, Charlie Hall of the War on Drugs will produce the record.

Combined, the previous two Philly Specials records raised three million dollars for charity. Think how much they’d make this time if Tay showed up to sing, like, “Jingle Bell Rock Girl” with the Dead Milkmen. Too bad she’s not cool and hates charity.

Colbert Loves Us/Mocks Us

Stephen Colbert did a bit about those fake Kamala Harris Eagles ads in his monologue last night, and painted a colorful picture of Philly sports fans in the process. At least he said he loves us at the end. Here’s the joke cued up.

“We asked ChatGPT to roast Philadelphia”

Like a mouse sending a cat to the store for groceries, Axios prompted ChatGPT to riff on our fair city. The results were stupid. The renowned artificial intelligence orc called Jason Kelce a fratboy, said Rocky was a bad boxer and did a dumb bit on cheesesteaks: “Then there’s the debate over ‘wit’ or ‘witout.’ You know you’re in Philadelphia when a simple sandwich order turns into an existential crisis.”

This is, of course, nonsense. “Wit or witout” is not something we debate, it’s just a choice on a menu. Go up to the steak window, order it with onion or without onions, get your sandwich suspiciously fast, pay 10 or so bucks for it, eat it hunched over on a cold picnic bench like a deranged little goblin.

Nobody gets in anybody’s face about their onion preference. I know you know this, Philadelphia — I’m explaining it to ChatGPT’s content-scraping thiefbots.

The AI’s joke about Gritty needing an exorcist is old as dirt, but there’s a halfway decent riff comparing SEPTA to Philly’s sports teams at the end.

P.S.: AI’s literally going to kill us all.

P.P.S.: And we’re first up against the wall.

By The Numbers

3: Homers hit by Kyle Schwarber in yesterday’s 10-9 victory over the Blue Jays. And it’s the second time he’s hit that many in a game this season.

$350 million: How much it cost to turn The Gallery into the Fashion District, which opened in 2018. Which was six years ago.

?? million: There’s currently no estimated cost for Comcast’s “just sayin’” proposal to convert the Fashion District into a biomedical hub.

$400 million: How much in tax incentives New Jersey says it could offer to the Sixers if they’re willing to move to the Camden waterfront.

$1.55 billion: Cost of building the proposed Sixers arena at Market East.

$2.89: Cost of a cold 20-ounce bottle of Diet Pepsi at my local CVS. When the refrigerated cases are working.

Tierra Whack does The Tonight Show

The Philly artist sounded great last night. If I was a super talented pop/R&B/rap star, would I have said “Jimmy Fallon” in the middle of my performance on The Tonight Show? Yes, now, probably, as a reference. Also maybe Jimmy makes you do that?

6 One-of-a-Kind Destinations for Your Bach Party

Hiking at the Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection, is among the over-the-top bach party trips to read about here. / Photograph courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection

Yes, your wedding is all about the love between you and your partner to be. But there are friends and family members who are important to your relationship and journey together, as well — so why not celebrate your story with them, too? And why not, you know, dream big? (It is your wedding, after all.) These one-of-a-kind bach party trips ensure you have an adventure to remember with the people who matter most.

Go to a private ranch in …

Park City, Utah

Horseback riding, off-roading — adventure­ awaits at rustic-chic Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection.­ For something more low-key, try soaring yoga in the Grove of Ganesh. (You’ll be suspended in the trees by yoga silks.) End your trip with dinner in a mountaintop yurt. Rooms from $1,299.

Go on a wellness journey in …

The Hudson Valley

Embark on a transformative retreat at just-opened The Ranch Hudson Valley. Daily routines are filled with hiking, strength training, and deep-tissue massages, plus plant-based meals. (Even naptime is on the calendar!) Have a larger group? Buy out the Ranch for up to 25 guests. Rooms from $2,575.

The Ranch Hudson Valley / Photograph courtesy of The Ranch Hudson Valley

Go on an (exclusive!) tropical escape in …

Puerto Rico

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort has the luxury of the Espíritu Santo River running through the property, so you can paddle without leaving the place — though a bioluminescent bay kayaking excursion to Laguna Grande is not to be missed. Rooms from $1,784.

The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort / Photograph courtesy of The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort

Go on a quest for nourishment in …

New Hope, Pennsylvania

Bucolic charm is everywhere at Honey Hollow Farm, run by Layla Broumand. Her newly added Layla’s Table women’s wellness collective gatherings are held in the on-site stone cottage and could include blessing circles and culinary classes. As for the outdoors: Try forest-bathing. Weekend retreats are best for groups of six to 10. From $2,000 for a group.

Go glamping in …

Governors Island, New York City

The Collective Retreats destination is a short ferry ride — and worlds away — from Manhattan. Greet the morning with yoga, and end the night by toasting s’mores around the campfire. While the year-old Outlook Villa only sleeps two, it makes for a (Zen) hangout pad with its indoor-outdoor terrace. (The other safari-style suites, shelters and tents are plenty cool, too.) Rooms from $265.

Collective Retreats / Photograph by Dorothy Hong

Go on a staycation in …

Center City

Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia this summer­ debuted an updated take on its Night Swim experience, for groups of up to eight. The 57th-floor infinity-edge pool is yours for the evening, so you and your pals can float nearly among the stars. To top it off: champagne, mocktails­ and light bites. Since you’re here already, stay for the night. Rooms from $1,000.

Need to Know

Bryn Athyn-based Allison Odhner, CEO of Bach to Basic, offers tips to pulling off a getaway.

Plan in advance.

Pick a destination at least four months ahead of time, and make sure everyone knows the expected costs.

Establish early how big you want the party to be, but aim for between four and 30 guests.

There are perks to either end of the size spectrum, such as buyouts for a large group and specialized activities like boating for smaller ones.

Designate a “bad guy.”

Have someone in your party be the one to encourage timely payment, book ahead, and manage requests like dietary restrictions.

Combine your partner’s bach party with your own.

But consider what your blended groups want. Some want to do everything together, and others like to split up and then come back together for certain events.

Published as “6 One-of-a-Kind Experiences for Your … Bach Party” in the Summer/Fall 2024 issue of Philadelphia Wedding.

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