Our Favorite Takeout Windows for Sandwiches, Doughnuts, Ice Cream and More

Restaurants in Philly spent 2020 perfecting the art of takeout, and one lasting impact is the proliferation of takeout windows throughout the city. They’re perfect for grab-and-go meals and fast-moving service. Whether you’d like to pick up a bottle of wine, a scoop of ice cream, or maybe a hulking porchetta sandwich, the takeout windows of Philly have plenty to offer.

Porcos Porchetteria, Point Breeze

Chad Durkin opened Porcos with a takeout window before the pandemic, but it turned out to be a stroke of both genius and luck. Guests can order Porcos’ sandwiches and ice cream as well Small Oven’s pastries at the window. If you need time to decide between the maritozzi and almond croissant, they’ve added another window where you can browse the pastries before making your selection. 2204 Washington Avenue.

Vanilya Bakery, East Passyunk

Vanilya serves some of our favorite bagels in the city, ideally topped with the juicy, spiced Turkish sausage that owner Bonnie Sarana makes from scratch every week. This takeout window is popular with parents pushing strollers down Passyunk and with dog owners out for a morning walk, but we’d come from anywhere in the city to snag a bagel and sit by the Singing Fountain for a few minutes. 1611 East Passyunk Avenue.

Ishkabibble’s, Queen Village

If you don’t have the time to sit down at Ishkabibble’s II at 5th and South, then walk a block over to their original location where they’ll sell you a cheesesteak the way God intended — wrapped tightly like a meat torpedo and passed through a window.

Gnocchi to Go by La Cucina, Center City

The team behind La Cucina’s cooking school has expanded their offerings by opening a takeout window with a super streamlined menu: fresh gnocchi with two choices of sauce, a couple of Italian sodas, and tiramisu for dessert. That’s it. Grab it when you’re near the Convention Center for lunch on the go. 1206 Arch Street.

Love & Honey, Northern Liberties

Once upon a time, Love & Honey had indoor seating, but their fried-chicken-takeout-window operation grew so much during the pandemic, they ended up getting rid of the seats to increase their production. This spot has become more than just a takeout window — they’ve become a destination with fried chicken so crispy and juicy you’ll make the trek from anywhere in the city for a taste. 1100 North Front Street.

Philly Bagels, Center City

Look out for “Hot Bagels Baked Fresh” written in neon lights and you’ll find your new favorite spot to-go bagel spot. Philly Bagels’ pick up window on Locust Street is the perfect place to grab a before-work bacon-egg-and-cheese bagel or a quick lunchtime hot honey sandwich. 1501 Locust Street.

Parc, Rittenhouse

If you’ve ever wanted to go to Parc just for the bread, now you can. Head inside and walk up to what looks like an old-timey ticket booth for Parc’s bread du jour. Every day brings a different loaf such as herbs de Provence focaccia or marble rye. It’s a must if you plan on having a picnic in Rittenhouse Square. 227 South 18th Street.

Tartes Pastry Shop, Old City

On the corner of Arch Street and Little Boys Court (a real street name in Old City, thank you for asking) is Tartes, a tiny bakeshop with a takeout window through which you can order a selection of tarts, including a buttermilk tart made with local blueberries and a key lime tart topped with whipped cream. They also have cakes, cookies, and bars for all your sweet cravings. 212 Arch Street.

WokWorks, multiple locations

WokWorks takeout windows are popular for their convenience and for the menu of wok-seared dishes that come out hot and fast. There are rice bowls topped with spicy orange chicken and drunken noodle bowls packed with seared shrimp, plus vegan and vegetarian options and family-sized portions perfect for sharing.

Pizza Shackamaxon, Fishtown

No phone. No delivery. If you want a slice or whole pie from Pizza Shackamaxon, you’ll have to walk up to the window, order and wait. But it’s all worth it for the chewy dough and leopard-spotted crust. 115 East Girard Avenue #3907.

Bloomsday, Society Hill

Bloomsday calls their takeout window the Fancy Pickup Window. Browse the shop’s wine and vermouth selection online, curate your own order, and then pick it up around the corner at the cutest little takeout window in town. Plan your pick-up for Saturday morning, and add a pastry to your order while you’re at it. 414 South 2nd Street.

Bassetts Ice Cream, Midtown Village

Reading Terminal Market may close at 6 p.m. but the Bassetts Ice Cream window is open until 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Stop by after dinner and get some scoops of fruity peach or chocolate-fudge-brownie to take on your stroll through Center City. 45 North 12th Street.

South Street Souvlaki, Queen Village

South Street Souvlaki’s takeout window is there for you when you simply must have some chicken on a stick (it’s only $4), which is probably more often than you realized. 509 South Street.

Okie Dokie Donuts, Point Breeze

With cakey doughnuts in unique flavors like mango sticky rice and blueberry basil, it’s hard to believe that Okie Dokie Donuts is gluten-free with a variety of options for our vegan friends. Their takeout window makes it easy to stop by before work and grab a dozen to surprise the office.

Sid Bookers Shrimp Corner, North Philly

Here at Foobooz, we love Sid Booker’s. The perfect, crunchy fried shrimp served over a bed of potato chips are good at any time of day, which makes sense because they’re open until 2 a.m. 4600 North Broad Street.

Nifty Fifty’s, South Philly

Not every Nifty Fifty’s has a takeout window, but the one in South Philly does, which makes it a perfect place to stop for a milkshake and an order of onion rings on your way to (or from) a game. 2700 South 10th Street.

Poe’s Sandwich Joint, Kensington

Is it still a takeout window if it’s inside? We say yes. At Poe’s, you can eat one of our favorite chicken cutlets in the city, paired with a wild, Czech-inspired beer from Human Robot’s exceptional program. 1710 North 5th Street.

Nannie Francos Pizza, Bella Vista

If you’re in the Italian Market doing some shopping and are struck with the desire — no, the need — for a slice of pizza to sustain you in your perusing, Nannie Franco’s is a great option. Their slices come out quickly, with crisp bottoms and generous toppings. Enjoy it sitting in the Piazza next door, or eat it while you walk. 910 South 9th Street.

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