Barbecue: There are no good sit down BBQ restaurants in Center City. But there are two very good BBQ spots - Phoebe's on the 2100 Block of South Street and Ron's Ribs on the 1700 block of South Street. Phoebes does great smoked brisket and (try it, you'll like it) smoked corned beef brisket. Both Ron's and Phoebe's serve good ribs - watch Ron's hot sauce, it's a killer. Ron's has a few tables but is self service. Phoebe's is 100% take out. Another take-out and BBQ of another sort is the Jamacian Jerk Hut. Great jerk pork and chicken and about the best shrimp curry you'll find here-abouts. You won't want to try Rib-It unless you think the Olive Garden is a fine Italian Restaurant. Italian: Best, inexpensive Italian you'll find is on the corner of 3rd and Cherry. Changed their name a while back, but same owner. Entrees are in the $10 area. French: Inexpensive French is an oxymoron - I'd splurge and go to one of the nation's best French restaurant's Le' Bec Fin for LUNCH. Pris fixe is about $30, a heck of a deal when compared to dinner. The food's the same (3 courses), so is the atmosphere, service and their incredible dessert cart. ???: Forget the fourth category, but here are some other suggestions of relatively inexpensive dining: Cajun: Magnolia Cafe, 1600 block of Walnut, $7-$10 entrees. Really good gumbo. American: The Down Home Diner, in Reading Terminal market, is now open for dinner. Entrees $5 - $10. Also American: The Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant - Beer brewed on premises, try the Welsh Rarebit and the three way fries. Chineese: Joe's Peking Duck (10th Street) and Charles Plaza (11th Street). Joe's serves some of the best traditional (for America) Chinese Fare. Charles use organic meats and vegetables. Clear, crisp flavors. Greek: South Street Soulvaki on South Street Turkish: Dardenelles in the Old City area. Indian: Can't remeber it's name, but a really good Indian restaurant opened at the corner of Walnut and Juniper. Seafood: Sansom Street Oyster house on the 1500 block of Sansom and Seafood Unlimited (kinda dive-ish, fish market in front) on S. 20th between Spruce and Locust. Mediterranean: 16th Street Bar and Grill (16th between Locust and Spruce) Iberian: Tapas (a bit outside of Center City), 3rd and Girard Unique: The Restaurant School (in University City, west of Center City) 4200 block of Walnut Street. If you feel like spending $15-$20 for entrees one evening: Tequilla - regional Mexican above and beyond border fare D'Mitri's in South Philly (3rd and Queen - be prepared for a wait) Greek influenced, some of Phila's best seafood. The are a few of my favorite places - but Philadelphia is usually ranked as one of the top restaurant towns in the US of A, so wander about (just about everything in Center City will be a short walk from your hotel) and discover some places on your own. Chances are you'll do ok. And do, stroll Reading Terminal Market for at least one lunch. Enjoy
Barbecue