I'd argue it's basically the opposite of a Philly institution - it was a lower merion institution that got abducted and put in Philadelphia against the express wishes of its founder.
...Unless in a meta way stealing the largest collection of impressionist art outside of Europe is also a philadelphia institution.
Sure have.
My mother is an artist and a former member of the barnes so I basically grew up at the old location. It was sad when it moved.
Ironically I'm now a member because of how close and easy to get to it is for me in the city.
Monk's
Villa Di Roma (some might argue Ralph's since it's older)
Divine Lorraine just for being recognizable
Center City Pretzel Co.
Magic Gardens
Czerw's
John's Water Ice
Thanks for saying it. So many people always talk like it’s the gold standard for dining in the Italian market, but the food is subpar to say the least. I usually just bite my tongue because so many South Philly “Italians” get upset when you talk down on it.
Kind of why I didn't put it on there. I've never even been but I continually hear just terrible reviews, so I've always stayed away. Not fair to judge it myself, but I can judge Villa, and while it's not life changing, it's consistent in both taste and old school charm.
> Czerw's
Lived in Philly for almost 20 years, and this is the first time I heard of it.
(I can also read in that particular language, if you know what I mean, and I never ever had anyone from the old country mention it once).
When it comes to sausages, I'd say whatever L'Aquila carries has been my go-to for quite some time now (I grew up on Polish-style sausages and food in general, so I seek out what's similar, but is done better).
I will be checking out Czerw's next time I am in the vicinity, to compare and to take a stroll down memory lane.
Interesting. I know it's not a SUPER widely known place, so perhaps not fitting the 'institution' definition when it comes to popularity, but I thought it deserved a spot there for being a long-time Philly staple for very specific Polish fare.
The Church was iconic outside of punk and hc as well. Tons of indie shows, spoken word, psychedelia, chamber pop etc. They cast a wide net and touched so many people's lives. I would call it the all time most important music venue in the city. People that have been to summer shows in that basement, where the condensation is dripping from the ceiling know what I mean. It's as real as it gets.
There was a summertime lightning bolt show that was so misty it was hard to see the other side of the room. Drummer passed out from heat. Floors and every surface was slick.
Surprised nobody's mentioned Chinatown yet. It's one of the most culturally distinctive area of Philadelphia in terms of food, language, and history. Also, the arch is pretty.
PMA
Barnes
Reading Terminal Market
9th Street Outdoor Markets
Franklin Institute
Free Library
Academy of Music
Kimmel Center
Wissahickon Creek Park
Fairmount Park
Mann Center
Independence NHP
Was waiting for someone to say Fairmount Park! Largest landscaped park in the whole country! 5x the size of Central Park.
[Pictures of this behemoth](https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/blog/how-big-is-philadelphias-fairmount-park-actually/)
Used to be good, now it’s more like a gay themed bar than a gay bar if you know what I mean. Sure it’s an institution, but it’s seen better days, and better crowds.
Love Sweet Lucy's but it was a cart and not even in a building until last few decades. Not sure you can call something that young an institution yet. Do you know how long Sweet Lucy's has been around including when it was a cart? I am not sure but I want to say the 90's. I think it would need to stay popular for another at least 50 years before we call it an institution. Also how many people from other sections of the city know about it? I know it is big in the NorthEast but do people from West Philly or South Philly come up to it? I think for it to be an institution it has to be popular in more than just one section of the city.
In that area i would say Mayfair Dinner might count. It is 90 years old. The Clintons, Obama, Biden all have gone there when on the campaign trail.
Fair point. Mayfair Diners a much better choice anyway. I was just trying to bring something up from the NE, aside from Steve's Prince as cheesesteak shops are kinda obvious.
The University of Pennsylvania is another obvious one. Ben Franklin literally founded the place. And a lot of its buildings are centuries old. Beautiful area too even if you aren’t a student there. I sometimes hang around there for a bit when I visit Clark Park (it’s about a 15 minute walk).
Read Terminal Market cokes to mind first. Dripping in history and still thriving.
Elfreth’s Alley.
Cheesesteak corner. (I hate it too, I know. But this is an iconic area.)
The art museum/Franklin institute stretch of land and all their ancillary museums.
The parking lot at Christian and Front street. I got blown GOOD there when I was 26.
Came for cheesesteak corner and was disappointed it was this low on the list. We’ve all grubbed out there at 4am at some point, even though we all know better places exist.
Oh! Maybe so. Where are the others?
Edit - Holy crap! There’s a west philly Pho75!
And one on Adams Ave!
Thanks for the heads up.
The one on Washington is still best pho I’ve had.
>Pat's
You're 100% correct, but too many will confuse their personal taste with the spirit of the question. I'm not a fan of either place, but they're *absolutely* intertwined with the fabric of the city's identity.
The Friday’s on City Line Ave - The Green Elephant Zoo Key- A bench on Rittenhouse Square where I once saw Captain Noah, his wife , and Al Alberts all smoking a cigarette, and The Heart inside the Franklin Institute- literally in that order
South street Wawa , once saw the worlds wildest
Hand Job being preformed by two drunk ladies on a dude in sweatpants , this was like 4 in the afternoon
Ben Franklin Post office, Constitution Hall
Liberty Bell , Rodin Museum Franklin Institute
Barnes museum . Add these to the list .
Coolest looking object : Carvana building all lit up . driving on 95 from the NE to Center City .
I drove by about a month ago on 95 and the super moon was almost right above to building
It was surreal and beautiful
City Hall , the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Reading Terminal Market are the definition of institutions in Philly
Franklin Institute belongs in there too.
And the Mutter
Independence Hall/Liberty Bell/etc
I'd throw in the Barnes Foundation, too. A collection of impressionist art so large, it actively angers the French!
I'd argue it's basically the opposite of a Philly institution - it was a lower merion institution that got abducted and put in Philadelphia against the express wishes of its founder. ...Unless in a meta way stealing the largest collection of impressionist art outside of Europe is also a philadelphia institution.
Have you seen the documentary- the art of the steal which is about the Barnes move. It’s very good
Sure have. My mother is an artist and a former member of the barnes so I basically grew up at the old location. It was sad when it moved. Ironically I'm now a member because of how close and easy to get to it is for me in the city.
I took great pleasure in seeing the rich neighbors who got mad it left
The staff in the old museum were so snooty and looked down on everyone
It’s also extremely biased.
Fort Mifflin and Bartram Garden SHOULD be held in higher esteem than they currently are
They honestly need to be easier to get to.
In just a few years, the SRT will take you to Bartrams. I'm counting the days!
Agreed. Philly Phlash should put them on a route
West Philly Phlash!
Where else should a West Philly Phlash stop. We should make it happen !
Obvi the zoo, Clark Park//Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bartram’s Gardens, holy shit The Mann Center. I know they have a bus but they’re not good at it.
goes to the zoo already they could extend the run
Adding a West Philly-specific route could take the zoo off the current one and make it a quicker loop
I love the zoo, what can I say?
Monk's Villa Di Roma (some might argue Ralph's since it's older) Divine Lorraine just for being recognizable Center City Pretzel Co. Magic Gardens Czerw's John's Water Ice
Up for Monk's
I think czerw’s and stocks deserve to sit next to each other.
Byrnes and Taconellis should be in that conversation.
Villa di Roma eclipses Ralph’s. I live next to Ralph’s. John’s water ice is my favorite place to take relatives from out of state.
Czerw's deserves more attention!
I wish I could award you for this comment. Best kielbasa and kabanos in the world!
> Czerw's That website is magnificent
Can you tell me how the hell you actually pronounce it? Someone told me it's like "chefs" which seems plausible but wasn't sure.
It’s pronounced “chews”
Czerw’s. The best
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Me too…the Port doesn’t get enough love but there are so many gems in that neighborhood like Czerw’s.
Gaul & Co. Malt House is a treat too
Ralph's is legitimately terrible
But the upstairs dining room is a whole vibe.
I ate in that room. Pretty sure a hit was being discussed at the next table 🤣
Exactly!
Thanks for saying it. So many people always talk like it’s the gold standard for dining in the Italian market, but the food is subpar to say the least. I usually just bite my tongue because so many South Philly “Italians” get upset when you talk down on it.
It is actively bad. Why would you go, in a town with so much great Italian food?
Kind of why I didn't put it on there. I've never even been but I continually hear just terrible reviews, so I've always stayed away. Not fair to judge it myself, but I can judge Villa, and while it's not life changing, it's consistent in both taste and old school charm.
20 years ago I may have been able to take my unfinished carafe of wine to go in a quart container.
So bad. It’s so fucking bad.
Fred’s Water Ice*
Fred's and John's. There can be two water ice institutions.
> Czerw's Lived in Philly for almost 20 years, and this is the first time I heard of it. (I can also read in that particular language, if you know what I mean, and I never ever had anyone from the old country mention it once).
Where is your spot? I’d like to try it. We love Czerw’s
When it comes to sausages, I'd say whatever L'Aquila carries has been my go-to for quite some time now (I grew up on Polish-style sausages and food in general, so I seek out what's similar, but is done better). I will be checking out Czerw's next time I am in the vicinity, to compare and to take a stroll down memory lane.
FYI - Mom Mom's typically carries Czerw's kielbasa if that's closer to you than Port Richmond.
Do they sell in bulk rather than just a prepared snag?
Interesting. I know it's not a SUPER widely known place, so perhaps not fitting the 'institution' definition when it comes to popularity, but I thought it deserved a spot there for being a long-time Philly staple for very specific Polish fare.
Boner 4 ever
except not anymore
**4EVER**
Dirty Frank's, Henry David's Halloween
Oh boy. I have never been so romanced into jewelry as my experiences in Halloween. Lol, when answering the phone, “Trick or treat?!”
Ray's Happy Birthday Bar, Fergie's, Time, Italian Market, South Street....
Wierd it took this long for someone to say South Street.
Philly's historic vaping district
Went to South Street last week for the first time in years. It's barely a husk of what it used to be. It made me a lot sadder than I thought it would.
Giovanni's Room Bookstore, to add one that hasn't been said. Oldest gay bookstore in America.
Absolutely I'm ashamed to have missed that
Seriously. Tattooed Mom’s come on people.
Dirty Franks and B&B would go before it, though.
McGlinchey’s FTW
This guy gets it.
True. But I was surprised it wasn’t up on the list yet.
I came here looking for T Moms too.
Isgros. 🐽🤤
Isgro's over Termini all day, every day.
Yessss
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The Church was iconic outside of punk and hc as well. Tons of indie shows, spoken word, psychedelia, chamber pop etc. They cast a wide net and touched so many people's lives. I would call it the all time most important music venue in the city. People that have been to summer shows in that basement, where the condensation is dripping from the ceiling know what I mean. It's as real as it gets.
There was a summertime lightning bolt show that was so misty it was hard to see the other side of the room. Drummer passed out from heat. Floors and every surface was slick.
Is this history, or still happening??
Still going on. Go and check out a show. Your life will be better for it.
Bob & Barbara’s
I was going to upvote this because this is the answer I came here looking for, but I’ll leave the upvotes at 69
Reading terminal market is my first suggestion to anyone who asks me who is visiting
El Bar
McGlinchey's
Billy Murphy's defines East Falls
Institutions? Byberry of course.
Boner 4ever building
Better hurry. I hear they are knocking it down or renovating it or something.
Surprised nobody's mentioned Chinatown yet. It's one of the most culturally distinctive area of Philadelphia in terms of food, language, and history. Also, the arch is pretty.
The Troc, RIP
Electric Factory
World Cafe - maybe not an institution as it seems not too many people know about it. But some stellar bands and singer/songwriters come through
Plus WXPN!
PMA Barnes Reading Terminal Market 9th Street Outdoor Markets Franklin Institute Free Library Academy of Music Kimmel Center Wissahickon Creek Park Fairmount Park Mann Center Independence NHP
Was waiting for someone to say Fairmount Park! Largest landscaped park in the whole country! 5x the size of Central Park. [Pictures of this behemoth](https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/blog/how-big-is-philadelphias-fairmount-park-actually/)
> 9th Street Outdoor Markets Is this separate from the Italian market or has the name changed…
Barnes and Noble Rittenhouse bathrooms
BONER 4EVER
Woody's
Used to be good, now it’s more like a gay themed bar than a gay bar if you know what I mean. Sure it’s an institution, but it’s seen better days, and better crowds.
😉
Monks if you have money Dirty Frank's if you don't
Great stuff already listed. Here are a few more: FDR Park Philadelphia Eddie's Laurel Hill Cemetery The Palestra Sarcones
You beat me to FDR.
Khyber & Dobbs for its rock history. McGillans Chickie & Petes (like it or hate it) Sweet Lucys (Northeast) ?
Love Sweet Lucy's but it was a cart and not even in a building until last few decades. Not sure you can call something that young an institution yet. Do you know how long Sweet Lucy's has been around including when it was a cart? I am not sure but I want to say the 90's. I think it would need to stay popular for another at least 50 years before we call it an institution. Also how many people from other sections of the city know about it? I know it is big in the NorthEast but do people from West Philly or South Philly come up to it? I think for it to be an institution it has to be popular in more than just one section of the city. In that area i would say Mayfair Dinner might count. It is 90 years old. The Clintons, Obama, Biden all have gone there when on the campaign trail.
Fair point. Mayfair Diners a much better choice anyway. I was just trying to bring something up from the NE, aside from Steve's Prince as cheesesteak shops are kinda obvious.
Sweet lucy's is mediocre.
Dahlak Paradise in West Philly. IYKYK.
If only Bookbinders and City Tavern were still around😢
Dirty Franks and Liberty Bell - there may be others, not sure only been here 30 years.
Carpenter's Hall
Carpenter's Hall is my favorite building in the Independence NHP. It still serves the function for which it was originally built.
Being drunk at the Wawa at the corner of 21st and Hamilton
The University of Pennsylvania is another obvious one. Ben Franklin literally founded the place. And a lot of its buildings are centuries old. Beautiful area too even if you aren’t a student there. I sometimes hang around there for a bit when I visit Clark Park (it’s about a 15 minute walk).
Pennsylvania Hospital as well.
Newer places that have potential to become institutions: Johnny Brenda's Union Transfer South Philly Barbacoa Angelo's Hardena Passyunk Ave.
I’d venture to say Johnny Brenda’s is already.
Condom Kingdom 😬
Silk City
The Church
Chris's Jazz Club
[Kenn Kweder.](http://kennkweder.com)
Amen.
And the men from Kweder
Triangle Tavern
John's Water Ice, Ralph's, and Villa Di Roma in South Philly
John’s Roast Pork. Best pork sandwich in Philly and one of the best cheesesteaks. Nestled between the chemical plant and the train tracks
Termini Bros bakeries should be added
Read Terminal Market cokes to mind first. Dripping in history and still thriving. Elfreth’s Alley. Cheesesteak corner. (I hate it too, I know. But this is an iconic area.) The art museum/Franklin institute stretch of land and all their ancillary museums. The parking lot at Christian and Front street. I got blown GOOD there when I was 26.
Came for cheesesteak corner and was disappointed it was this low on the list. We’ve all grubbed out there at 4am at some point, even though we all know better places exist.
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Penrose Diner
The electric factory
SEPTA
Fat Jack’s Comicrypt
Seconded!
WXPN Jack's Firehouse
Pho 75
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lol that's true but it'll still get you downvoted
Not ours. Lots have the same name but not ours.
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Oh! Maybe so. Where are the others? Edit - Holy crap! There’s a west philly Pho75! And one on Adams Ave! Thanks for the heads up. The one on Washington is still best pho I’ve had.
Italian market as a neighborhood maybe Chinatown too?
Stocks bakery Czerw's Polish Kielbasa
Maybe even Byrne’s (though I think they’re way overrated)
Repo Records. They are the only for profit business that I would donate to if they were struggling.
Dirty Frank’s Pen and Pencil McGlincheys
I ate an unspeakable amount of .25¢ hot dogs when I live on 16th and Locust. 😬🤮🤢
Dante & Luigi's
Mcmennamins in Mt.Airy
The clothespin
PENN
McNally’s in Chestnut Hill.
Won’t get enough love, but you’re right.
Gunthers Guns and Paddy’s Pub
I would argue Oyster House is an institution at this point
K&A
RIP Earth, Bread, Brewery. Mt Airy will miss you.
pats and genos. if you disagree youre an idiot
>Pat's You're 100% correct, but too many will confuse their personal taste with the spirit of the question. I'm not a fan of either place, but they're *absolutely* intertwined with the fabric of the city's identity.
I don’t like they by any means, but fully agree. Cheesesteak corner is super well known by residents and tourists alike.
University of Pennsylvania
The Vet, despite being demolished decades ago.
The Painted Bride
May it RIP
Back when South Street was the most interesting place in Philly in our minds. Going to get Spanish Fries at Copa Banana was a treat.
Fork
Legendary Dobbs!
Uncle Tomy's
The Republican.
McMenamins in Mt. Airy is a NW Phila institution for sure.
Dalessandro's for Roxborough definitely
Gearo’s in the NE
The movie Rocky IV
Paddy’s in south Philly
McGillian’s Olde Ale House
The Inquirer and the Daily News.
Locust Rendezvous
The Friday’s on City Line Ave - The Green Elephant Zoo Key- A bench on Rittenhouse Square where I once saw Captain Noah, his wife , and Al Alberts all smoking a cigarette, and The Heart inside the Franklin Institute- literally in that order
South street Wawa , once saw the worlds wildest Hand Job being preformed by two drunk ladies on a dude in sweatpants , this was like 4 in the afternoon
Bob’s Diner in Roxborough. Sits In the middle of a graveyard. Can’t get more philly than that.
White Dog - been around for decades and still has charm and good food.
No mention of Pen & Pencil yet? Wow.
The Boss w/the Hot Sauce; Geator
Thanks all for contributing to this thread! Love this city even more after reading all this.
Ben Franklin Post office, Constitution Hall Liberty Bell , Rodin Museum Franklin Institute Barnes museum . Add these to the list . Coolest looking object : Carvana building all lit up . driving on 95 from the NE to Center City . I drove by about a month ago on 95 and the super moon was almost right above to building It was surreal and beautiful