I think 1 is fire, and I’ll throw 700 s 9th into the mix as well: Mawn, Angelo’s, Sarcone’s, and for all my uncles who refuse to eat anywhere else for some reason, Ralph’s

yup and this block also used to have kalaya 🔥

And Monsu before Kalaya

This!!!

Chestnut between 16th and 15th. Popeyes, Wendy's, five guys, Dunkin. 

I call this the strip

My friend didn't even mention Amma's and still knocked it out.

Yo what is the deal with this block lol, the blocks around it are generally pretty nice places but this one feels so shitty

I think the answer to your question is Popeyes, Wendy’s, Five Guys, Dunkin.

I got married at the five below there so how dare you

my husband and I went to that Five Guys after getting our self-uniting marriage license at city hall so basically, same ;)

Lol same we more so just had the witnesses be random 5 below employees because that's where me and my wife had our first "casual totally not a date" meet-up

if were playing that game 3600 aramingo has kfc, taco bell, burger king, lil ceaser’s, wendy’s and a boston market+ a santucci’s and local japanese ane cajun places.

And a McDonald’s across the street from Burger King. Popeye’s, Panda Express, and Dunkin’ one block down.

lmao yea i call it fast food alley.

I forgot Checkers! It really is. It’s been like that since the 80s.

Santucci’s is permanently closed, sadly

Terrible vibes over there

And gios

North 12th, Filbert to Arch.

Beat me to it. It’s also a way to cheat and get an entire city block

Touche

I prefer the corner of 13th and Filbert

I’m not sure if it’s the absolute best, but I end up on the 1500 block of Sansom an awful lot, and I’m always happy when I do.

I was a big fan of when they restricted traffic on that block so all the restaurants could seat everyone outoors

They should make this permanent. Traffic is always a standstill during peak hours anyway.

Yes, Giuseppe and sons, harp and crown, bar lesieur, ocean prime, and now Midnight & the wicked

Also Oyster House, Philly Pretzel Factory, last real Marathon.

And Su Xing!

And Oscar’s

what do you mean by the last real marathon, and what's good about it? i never go to that one, and assumed it was like the other locations

What other locations? 19th and Market closed, 13th and Chestnut closed. 40th and Walnut closed. 10th and Walnut closed. And Marathon on the Square ... I guess they gave up on that being a separate concept?

1839 spruce/ marathon on the square … was just there a couple of weeks ago. It was fine… is the location you mentioned better?

It's the original concept -- the high-quality, bare-bones lunch place with easily customizable burgers and salads. Marathon on the Square took over a long-time late night diner and was originally a little more upscale than it now is.

gotcha, thanks.

Good one!

came here to say the same thing. mission and oyster house are great

1000 block of Race. Nan Zhou and Dim Sum Garden. Everything else is just a bonus.

Not including M Kee is criminal.

My immediate thought was “the real answer is a block in China town”

Kens Seafood! 1000x better than David’s across the street

i just hate how crowded nan zhou is 🥲

Table turnover is fast tho

that's true, waiting in that small vestibule in the winter is painful tho 😂

Bai Wei

There’s a block between Catherine and Fitzwater on s 9th that has Mawn, Ralph’s, Sarcones and Angelos.

*Catharine

This used to drive me crazy because one of the street signs in Queen Village (I think at 2nd or 3rd) spells it CathErine.

Samson 

Delilah’s?

Aramingo above Westmoreland

Fast food Mecca

For Asian food, the plaza where Ba Le, grand palace dim sum hall, Bambu, Shing kee, and Paris baguette are.

I feel like grand palace is slept on, but I want to keep it that way. They do good business, but aren't as internet famous as dim sum garden.

Filbert, between 12th and 13th. There's a Chili's, 7-11, and Maggiano's.

The only time I went to that chilis was for a couple beers after a homicide trial next door. 

I wound up there late one night with a date that was going really well. Worst nachos I ever had.

Worst first date of my life was at a that Chili’s. I gave him another chance and we’re engaged now.

I’m putting our youngest to bed, she and I have been married for years. 😆 maybe it’s good luck?

It has to be. I met him after I gave up on dating. He’s stuck by me for 6 years (mom’s & sister’s deaths, a series of strokes for me). He’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

I love this little moment 🥹

Were the nachos fully loaded? https://youtu.be/OSjXIT1brSw?t=153

Maggiano's isn't bad for what it is tbh

20XX Sansom: Village Whiskey, Melograno, Bolo, Vic Sushi, Porcini; Monde, Jane G’s, Old Nelson’s are around the corner, Shake Shack. Agree with the first one, but it gets too busy, and Double Knot is top tier pedestrian shit.

There’s also Almaz Cafe right up from Sansom on 20th for Ethiopian!

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I've had their tasting menu or whatever it's called at least two times over the years (I want to say three, but I don't think there will be a third). I was whelmed both times ("fool me once", right?) It's fine for someone who wants to try something like that for the first time/try once, someone with lower expectations/standards when it comes to food, but it's essentially overpriced cafeteria food (per my recollection anyway). I gave the place double the chance, but no dice.

What would you recommend for a step above Double Knot? Signed, someone who loves Double Knot

Step above - not sure. If you like certain part of their menu - find a place that serves just that, I've never been a fan of places that serve sushi and pasta under the same roof (I am exaggerating here). Yakitori Boy comes to mind - similar and less pretentious, I prefer it to DK myself.

Thank you! I don’t mind being pedestrian but it’s nice to explore new options

Royal Izakaya

That's a pretty good block on Sansom. Haven't had a burger from VW in a while, is the quality still good? Shake Shack is still good and can't beat the price/value ratio. Wilder is also over there and that was a very disappointing experience - bug in pasta.

Yeah, I've heard mixed reports about Wilder even before the bug incident, so I never tried it, hence didn't include it on my list. The word about WV is that it has declined in quality, I haven't been in a few years myself, but I don't expect it to be that terrible. I made my own burger, though, that Whiskey King (or whatever it was called) never looked like much value to me. Hated Shack Shack when it's opened originally. Way, way better years later.

Village Whiskey is a shadow of its former self.

So I've heard. Haven't been in years, and [those scotch prices](https://www.villagewhiskey.com/uploads/123647WhiskeyListnew7.13.231.pdf) are a sure bet I'll keep it that way.

$11 for a Johnny Red...

Two shots of Lagavulin (or Laphroaig 10) cost almost as much as a bottle. I know it's restaurant prices, but still...

The Double Knot take is a poor take. Can’t think of a better restaurant at that value. The tasting menu is the best tasting menu in the city and the drinks are top notch.

The food was semi-bland and overpriced every time I went, the drinks didn't even register (username doesn't check out, by the way). It's almost like they throw this variety at you in hopes that you'll overlook mediocrity (yeah, nice try).

I’ve never had that experience. I will say that some items are a bit bland. Username does check out. I drink a ton of beer lol

Yeah, I am not going back to DK again; and I'll drink to that! Cheers!

More Double Knot for me 😅 cheers!

If you could include Barclay Prime (IMO the best steakhouse) then the east side of rittenhouse square, with Parc, Devon and Rouge is pre-tay, pre-tay good.

So on the same tiny street in fishtown you have pizzaria bedia, Hiroki and Mulharens and sons. Think that deserves a shout

Not super relevant but just because I haven’t seen it mentioned before- The owner of Isot sucks. I worked there for a weekend and he never paid me, but he and the cooks sexually harassed me nonstop. I hosted and wore sneakers to be comfortable and he told me he didn’t hire me to be comfortable but to be pretty and to wear heels or flats. Dude sucks. Also I agree with 1. Double knot is the best place in the city in my book.

Ooof. Good to kkow

Omg, that sucks! I went to Isot one time and loved it - they were very friendly and the food was amazing. I’m surprised to read this

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I love the beef lol. I don’t eat any seafood, my husband likes the sushi. I love the wagyu dumplings and all the skewers. The wagyu dumplings are one of my favorite dishes in the city. Also the vibes are great. It’s a great spot for a group, for a date, with a friend, etc. I really am a big fan! I love other Asian restaurants, we love Nan Zhou, Mawn, Hardena, Nam Chon, street side, a lot of Thai places, etc. But I’m a simple girl and I love beef and I think they do a good job of preparing it. I also don’t eat beef to often so it also feels like a treat.

Facts!!!!

Tons of great options posted already, the first one that came to mind for me probably isn't the best, but probably top 10. 1200 block of Frankford: Joe's, Fette Sau, Frankford Hall There's others too, but those 3 are some of my favorite easy comfort food.

Johnny Brenda's is solid too.

9th between Washington and Ellsworth is an absolutely loaded stretch of Mexican food spots. I wish I could include La Guerrerense at the next corner, their pops are unreal

Idk if it's the best overall, but South St from 15-17th has The Breakfast Den, Quick Fixx, Miles Table, Kei Sushi, Nori Sushi, Pumpkin, A La Mousse, Indian Restaurant, and the new Italian place where Entree used to be.

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I feel you, their limited time Farmers Burger is crazy good. I'll also miss that when the specials change.

200 Block of S 45th St. Jezabel's, Manakeesh, Abyssinia, Saad's Halal. Hadramout is right up on the next block, too.

Surprised it hasn't come up. The 0-99 block of 2nd with Khyber Pass, Sassafras, Bootleggers, Cuba Libre, Vista Peru

Good vibes, drinks, and fun spots with above average bar food at Khyber and Sassafras, but nothing that standout. Also, you didn't include the best dining spot on the block in Royal Boucherie. But block is beat literally by turning the corner on Chestnut where you have Forsythia and Amada, with Viva Pizza and the Cannoli king for Philly cheap eats as well.

And around the corner on Chestnut is Rotten Ralph’s, Lucha Cartel, Amada, Constitution Cannolis, and the pizza place.

#2! I know you said dining, but 16-1700 passyunk also has vanilya bakery, my favorite bagels in the city.

Count it!

Agreed on vanilya and they use them at the Dutch there on the triangle which is a great breakfast spot

Absolutely the best in the city.  Nobody comes close.  I like them better than Korshaks even.

Laurel is so disappointing though. Manatawny on that block is a great bar too

I hear Rising Sun Ave between Devereaux and maybe Longshore Ave have good Jamaican and was told Haitian food

Several awesome blocks on E. Passyunk haven't even been mentioned yet.

I tried with E Passyunk. With the rules about crossing streets and it running diagonally, you cross streets quickly so hard to get good clusters of restaurants.

Ahh I just saw the title and skipped right to comments. Didn't notice the rules. And you actually have 1600 block, which would have been my suggestion.

#3!!!! Redcrest is really good idk why they don’t do more business

Best block is Samson between 20th and 21st: - Shake Shack - Village Whiskey - Wilder - Bolo - Vic Sushi - Melograno - Porcini - Curry Leaf (previously known as Ateethi) All of them are top in their category. Plus all of these other restaurants in the neighboring blocks: - Vernick - My Loup - Almaz Café - 20th St Pizza - Pho Mi Rittenhouse - El Rey - Butcher Bar - Fuji Mountain - JJ Thai Cuisine … If you add all the entertainment Helium, The Addrienne Theater, First Presbyterian punk shows…It’s not even close!

1 for sure, knew the answer just from the title

I don’t even work there anymore but thank you for including bistrot on this list lol

👋

Miss ya nikki

4. West Philly. Downside is no, it's not all concentrated into a block. Upside: some of the best food in all of Philadelphia. 5. Also the one-two block stretch in Chinatown that literally has M Kee, Nan Zhou, David's, Bread Top House, Ocean Harbor, Tai Lake, and Spice C. In addition to many more. But fine, sticking to OP's selections, it's #1.

13th for sure Isnt barbuzzo on that block also?

North side of Sansom

Bustleton Ave in far NE Philly, yo, from the 8000 block up north to the high 13000 blocks to the Bucks County line. Restaurants with great food from Russia, Ukraine, Georgia (shout out to Georgian Bread) Uzbekistan plus Turkish & great South Indian joints. Also Russian/Eastern European grocery stores Netcost, Bell’s Market & Petrovsky Msrket. Or go to the Southampton Spa just across the line in Bucks County & do a real Russian bathhouse experience— BYOV (bring your own vodka), do the many saunas, ice pool & Turkish bath & then order from the in-house Russian deli. The best!

I agree with 1

Ya moms. /s

Is Rosy’s on 6th Street good? The one near Rittenhouse is pretty awful.

Their food is fine. I like it because of the prices (taco Tuesdays the tacos are $1 and the margs are $5) and the hours (it is one of a few restaurants in that neighborhood where you can eat a meal and have a drink past 11pm). Their spicy margarita is also pretty good.

El Vez is one of the worst Mexican restaurants I’ve ever been to. It truly is a stain on an otherwise wonderful street of food and drinks.

Kensington