Joyful Eats
An Ode to Philly Food
Food is joy. There are bites, moments, and flavors that can bring you back to childhood memories, make you burst out in glee, and even on the rare occasion, shed a tear.
According to my Belli app, I’ve been to over 200 restaurants in Philadelphia over the last 8 years. As a self-proclaimed unofficial (Ph)ood ambassador of the City of Brotherly Love, I am always preaching about the unique, diversified, and incredible food scene in the city I call home.
But instead of another list of top restaurants in the city based on cuisine, price, or neighborhood — I decided to share with you my top 10 most joyful bites over the last 8 years. They may not be all be winning Michelin’s (although some of them will be), but instead evoked true joy throughout the experience.
Check it out, let me know what you think in the comments, and apologies for the lateness on my regular posting.
Joy • a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.
Joyful Scale:
😊 = Happy
😊😊 = Pure Bliss
😊😊😊 = Euphoria
The Pistachio Sticky Bun at K’Far - 😊😊
One bite of pure perfection. It’s sweet, it’s sticky, and just the right amount of denseness. This is pure bliss.
SALTED BRÛLÉE CÀ PHÊ at Caphe Roasters - 😊😊
My favorite coffee shop in the world. Period. Caphe Roasters can do no wrong. From their J St. Sando to their Vietnamese Coffee Tiramisu — I could live happy only going here for the rest of my life. Their Vietnamese latte is perfection, so when I ventured off my regular course to try their Salted Brulee Ca Phe — I was expecting to be annoyed with myself for veering off course. Instead, the first sip outdid the perfection of my normal Vietnamese Latte. It was sweet, it was salty, and it had enough caffeine to keep a sloth from sleeping for the rest of it’s life. In other words, pure bliss.
The Pastrami Breakfast Burrito at Middle Child Clubhouse - 😊😊
The Breakfast Burrito. My favorite food in the world. Middle Child Clubhouse - one of my favorite places in the world. Their vibe, their drinks, their food makes it one of my favorite dinners in the city (a must get martini x burger combo). But one bite into this monster of a burrito just always brings a smile to my face. Another bite of pure bliss.
The Reuben at Hershel’s East Side Deli - 😊😊
Staying on the theme of pastrami. The reuben. Located in the heart of Reading Terminal it’s not a place I tend to go to. But one bite into this behemoth of a Reuben is enough to make me traverse the tourist filled aisles on any day of the week. It is everything a reuben should be… pure bliss.
Pho (specifically a large #12) at Pho 75 - 😊
Wave for a table and sit down. Order the large number 12, hot tea, and Vietnamese coffee. 30 seconds later you have warm Pho for the soul. It makes me happy every single time. No notes.
The BLT at Middle Child - 😊😊😊
If you lived in Philly long enough, you know the lore behind these massive BLT sandwiches at Middle Child. Local tomatoes, mayo, bacon, lettuce, and a line that never seems to end for just a few short weeks in the summer. The first time I had it, I was impressed, but not blown away. But then I went back later last summer to give it another go. Tweaks were made. Euphoria was achieved. A bacon mayo tomato jam of sorts with the perfect ratio of everything between two slices of bread. This bite was so Transcendental — even Dave P had to incorporate into his transcendental plan (IFYK).
tran·scen·den·tal • relating to a spiritual or nonphysical realm.
Pizza at Char - 😊 😊
It’s the best pizza in the city and the owner is 22. Get the caesar salad. Get the pizza. Enjoy a master at work. Truly the best pizza I’ve ever had.
Revolving Flavors at 1-900 Ice Cream - 😊
When I was a kid, I thought the best part about being an adult was that you could get ice cream whenever you wanted. When I became an adult - I learned that was true. Living across the street from 1-900 is the biggest blessing in the world. Their weekly rotating soft serve flavors blow my mind, and their ice cream sandwich is indeed perfection. Guaranteed happiness - even when it is 0 degrees outside.
Tiramisu at Scampi - 😊😊😊
Scampi is a restaurant that feels more like dinner club with Chef Liz (she/rimp) creating wild new menus each month. The only thing that never leaves the menu is the Tiramisu (and for good reason). On the night I attended Scampi — it was a pasta only menu. After 6 courses of pasta, I was convinced I might explode. So when the Tiramisu came out (my favorite dessert) I almost didn’t try it. But then I did. And I literally cried. The best Tiramisu I have ever had. The crunchy corn flakes on top adding just the right amount of salt, every layer (spongecake instead of lady fingers) perfectly portioned. Euphoria.
Swiss Chard Gnocci at Vetri Cucina - 😊😊😊
I cried. Like really. Yes it was after 6 glasses of wine with the most perfect wine pairing. Yes I was emotional as we celebrated my friend PJ’s college graduation. But it was one bite of buttery perfection into this Gnocci that brought the tears. Truly the best bite I have ever had. Pure joy.
Honorable Mention: Tabachoy - 😊
I didn’t know how to fit Tabachoy on this list. It wasn’t one bite, but just the entire experience. Laid back, delicious, and fun. Truly fun. I went for my birthday last year and between 2chainz playing in the background to the adobo, it was a joyful time.
I want to hear from you! Do you have a most joyful bite? Sound off in the comments and I'll add it to the list. We all need a little more joy.
need to try Caphe Roasters now, 🇻🇳🙏🏻🙏🏻
Nice list!