Best Food in North Philadelphia
North Philly gets a bad rap. Not only has the neighborhood experienced deep racial segregation, leaving a legacy of generational income-gaps and unemployment. Shuttered factories, from Tastykake in Allegheny-West to Ford’ on Hunting Park Avenue, testify to decades of disinvestment following the post-industrial decline (for a great overview, read “Code of the Streets” by Elijah Anderson). Look beyond the headlines and you’ll discover the heart of the city, full of gritty entrepreneurs, emerging leaders, and epicureans creatives. Note: For the purposes of this article, we have not included restaurants in Fishtown, which is not traditionally considered a part of North Philly even though it is north of the Girard Avenue boundary.
Czerw’s Kielbasy-
A mainstay in the Philadelphia Polish community for decades, Czerw’s does the sausage the old-fashioned way… painstakingly by hand. Steal a look in the side entrance and you’ll see what looks like looms of sausage hanging from racks and cords of wood for the smoking. It is what a small-deli should be — full of pig tchotchkes, hand-written special signs, poster-board menu, and pictures of family. The small take-out deli also features locally made pierogies and traditional Polish pastries.
Kim’s Restaurant-
When you’re surrounded by four extended families around a charcoal grill, you know the food has to be good. Kim’s is a feature in the Korean corridor on Olney’s 5th street. Unlike other Korean BBQs that use a gas grill, Kim’s features an authentic charcoal table-grill. The result? A smokier, juicer cut but an outfit needs two washings. Unlike many other Korean BBQs in the city, traditional banchan (side dishes, often fermented) are included in the price of your meal. While you are there, don’t forget to order the restaurant’s Japchae, a blend of vegetables and sweet potato starch noodles. Note: Kim’s beef portions are massive so we recommend ordering 1 meat and 1 carb.
King’s Water-Ice-
On a normal day of operation, King’s Water Ice, pronounced “wooder ice”, has a longer line than the first day of spring at Rita’s. This Philadelphia-favorite, located right across from Fairmount Park’s driving range, features over 30 flavors that are made on-site. We recommend the passion-fruit gelato, a combination of passionfruit water ice and soft-serve. Combine salty with sweet, by purchasing one of the restaurant’s piping-hot soft pretzels. Can’t make it out of the city for your hometown fair? King’s makes funnel cake on site. King’s is cash-only but an ATM is on-site
Bob’s House of Crabs-
Not to be confused with Bob’s Crab House a few blocks away, Bob’s sources fresh crabs from a fisherman south of the border. Folks will wait hours for a bushel of fresh Maryland crabs while the experienced have learned to bribe children to hold their place in line with water-ice. The small store will steam the crabs on-site and features a number of side-orders such as shrimp and fries. Don’t be surprised if you end up picnicing in the parking lot.
Spot Burger-
What started as a food truck near the University of Pennsylvania is now one of the top burgers in the city. Unlike other burger joints (side-eye at ShakeShack), the beef is butchered in-house and ground-fresh every day. The menu features a variety of twists on usual fare. A Billy Burger features chevre and soft spinach while the Edamame Burger, chock full of portobellos, blue cheese, and kimchi, is guaranteed to forever change your burger-eating rituals. It’s why $20 of my grocery budget is set aside for kimchi.
Max’s Cheesesteaks-
If there is a 10-foot mural of Kevin Hart, it has to be good, right? Unlike tourist destinations like Pat’s, Geno’s, or Jim’s (there, I said it) in South Philly, Max’s uses sirloin skirt steak (there’s also chicken steak) and offers a generous, “brotherly love” meet-to-bread ratio. Not a beef eater? The restaurant features fried shrimp and hoagies. Max’s features a full-length bar for daiquiris and pina coladas, which are out of this world. They’re strong so order just one — Kevin is watching you.
Deborah’s-
Owner and operator Deborah, AKA Girlie, has been in the business of making soul food for over 20 years. Located on Girard Avenue, the restaurant features an abundance of soul-food favorites from fried chicken to better-than-your-grandma’s pound cake. Don’t judge us — but we like mixing our collard greens, a little hot sauce, Girlie’s mac-and-cheese, with our sweet potatoes. Don’t forget to save room for a slice of Girlie-pie or poundcake. Tip- Soul food takes a little time. Browse the nearby commercial corridor while waiting.
Tierra Colombiano-
Part club, part restaurant, this Hunting Park establishment has been cooking for over 30 years. Tierra Colombiano features traditional dishes from Cuba, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Fast forward a decade and folks are still flocking to Tierra to get a taste of mom’s cooking, wherever they are from. We recommend the Mofongo de Camaron (mashed plantains and shrimp) or the aranita (plantains with garlic sauce). If you are opting for a side of sauce, make sure your fellow diner approves. You might be driving home alone.
Charlie’s Country Ribs-
Charlie’s is your answer to “I can’t BBQ in a shared triplex porch” urban problems. The menu is extensive and features everything from short end and beef liver to soul-food favorites like oxtail and turkey wing. The restaurant features a plethora of sides, from fan-favorites like macaroni and cheese, to lima beans and cabbage. Tip- For the freshest food, call the restaurant to see when the meat is smoking.
