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Seattle's chef-driven scene is mostly about local chefs. I'd view that as a positive.
I would agree, generally more invested that way and also not trying to recreate something
On this and call me a homer but I do think Philly is the best among this set; Seattle probably next but for me Seattle still misses on to many areas but have had some good meals there.
I would honestly only put NYC, Chicago, LA, and SF ahead of Philly and to me Philly and Houston are today fighting for the 5th spot
Sam Fox Restaurants are highly renowned in Multiple Cities across the states and the concept was started and founded in Phoenix back in 96'. I love Atlanta's scene though, but the good places close earlier than they should on most weeknights & weekends.
I guess I slept on Philly. Always ate at the hood spots there.
What are some staples in the philly restaraunt scene?
Well first lesson is Pat's and Geno's are only cool for the idea of trying something famous. But they're not the best. I like Steve's the best. Haven't tried Dalessandro's yet.
Reading Terminal Market is my favorite market in the country. The pretzels there are probably the best pretzels anyone's ever made.
The area around 13th/Sansom is packed with all different types of restaurants. The lines there get ridiculous, but the food's always good. Places like El Vez, Sampan, Zavino, etc.
The city's footprint is small, but there are so many neighborhoods with their own local scenes. It's very very rare to find a chain restaurant in the city, and really nobody goes to them. The entire neighborhoods of Rittenhouse, Gayborhood, and Washington Sq West are full of local places on various streets. Talulua's Garden is one of the more famous ones around there, besides the 13th St area. South St through Graduate Hospital and Queen Village. There are some small clusters in Queen Village, including on 4th St with places like Hungry Pigeon. East Passyunk Ave area like around Morris and Mifflin and that whole area is one of the top places in South Philly. South Philly is known for its Italian restaurants, but is becoming far more than that. Washington and 6th is a big collection of Vietnamese restaurants and grocery stores that are some of the best I've had. Chinatown is a real, functioning Chinatown with great food and boba spots, and even a new food hall. 2nd St through Northern Liberties is full of places, and everyone waits at Green Eggs Cafe but I just don't have the patience for the line. Federal Donuts has a few locations throughout the city, and their donuts are amazing. Frankford Ave and Girard Ave through Northern Liberties and Fishtown are really hot for new restaurants opening up, and particularly Frankford Hall is really well-known. Less "hot" neighborhoods like Fairmount Ave through Fairmount/Francisville have amazing local places. Sabrina's is a well-known local chain near the area on Callowhill.
There are so many neighborhoods full of cafes and restaurants, and so many small, individually-owned establishments dotting street narrow street corners, it's impossible to describe the Philly dining scene. I think of the cities listed, it has the best variety of food scenes. Philly has the best Italian and Jewish food of the cities on the list, rivaling NYC and Boston in those categories. Marra's is a typical old school Mafia style place that's been around for nearly a century and 4th St Deli is very good. Zahav is a really well-known Israeli restaurant. Atlanta would have the southern/BBQ scene on lock, but I lived in Kentucky and have enjoyed the BBQ I had in Philly. Some of the best ribs I've ever had were at The Love in Rittenhouse. Phoenix has the Mexican food on lock, but I'm from LA and I know good Mexican food. The taco trucks and tiny hole-in-the-wall burrito joints and taquerias have always completely satisfied me. Been meaning to try South Philly Barbacoa, but Nora's is really good. Miami has the Latin/Caribbean places on lock, but Philly has a large Puerto Rican/Dominican/Caribbean population. Haven't had the pleasure of trying those cuisines in Philly yet, but I'm sure it's good based on the large population of people from those areas. Seattle has the seafood/Asian scene on lock, but Philly's Chinatown and Vietnamese area have great spots. Pho Ha is amazing for Vietnamese and the new Chinatown Square food hall is really interesting. Haven't had a chance to actually try the Chinese restaurants in Chinatown yet, but got food in the food hall once.
Honestly, the quality and variety of Philly is way better than most people realize. I've NEVER had a bad meal in Philly. I don't think I've ever even had a mediocre meal in Philly. I've loved every restaurant I've been to there of every style of cuisine. And one of the bonuses for me is due to the city's layout. There isn't one central location for everything. Every neighborhood has little places you'd never know about unless you accidentally walked down the street.
I'd never say any of these cities are bad for food. But it's the style of Philly's scene that I love, and the diversity/variety.
Well first lesson is Pat's and Geno's are only cool for the idea of trying something famous. But they're not the best. I like Steve's the best. Haven't tried Dalessandro's yet.
Reading Terminal Market is my favorite market in the country. The pretzels there are probably the best pretzels anyone's ever made.
The area around 13th/Sansom is packed with all different types of restaurants. The lines there get ridiculous, but the food's always good. Places like El Vez, Sampan, Zavino, etc.
The city's footprint is small, but there are so many neighborhoods with their own local scenes. It's very very rare to find a chain restaurant in the city, and really nobody goes to them. The entire neighborhoods of Rittenhouse, Gayborhood, and Washington Sq West are full of local places on various streets. Talulua's Garden is one of the more famous ones around there, besides the 13th St area. South St through Graduate Hospital and Queen Village. There are some small clusters in Queen Village, including on 4th St with places like Hungry Pigeon. East Passyunk Ave area like around Morris and Mifflin and that whole area is one of the top places in South Philly. South Philly is known for its Italian restaurants, but is becoming far more than that. Washington and 6th is a big collection of Vietnamese restaurants and grocery stores that are some of the best I've had. Chinatown is a real, functioning Chinatown with great food and boba spots, and even a new food hall. 2nd St through Northern Liberties is full of places, and everyone waits at Green Eggs Cafe but I just don't have the patience for the line. Federal Donuts has a few locations throughout the city, and their donuts are amazing. Frankford Ave and Girard Ave through Northern Liberties and Fishtown are really hot for new restaurants opening up, and particularly Frankford Hall is really well-known. Less "hot" neighborhoods like Fairmount Ave through Fairmount/Francisville have amazing local places. Sabrina's is a well-known local chain near the area on Callowhill.
There are so many neighborhoods full of cafes and restaurants, and so many small, individually-owned establishments dotting street narrow street corners, it's impossible to describe the Philly dining scene. I think of the cities listed, it has the best variety of food scenes. Philly has the best Italian and Jewish food of the cities on the list, rivaling NYC and Boston in those categories. Marra's is a typical old school Mafia style place that's been around for nearly a century and 4th St Deli is very good. Zahav is a really well-known Israeli restaurant. Atlanta would have the southern/BBQ scene on lock, but I lived in Kentucky and have enjoyed the BBQ I had in Philly. Some of the best ribs I've ever had were at The Love in Rittenhouse. Phoenix has the Mexican food on lock, but I'm from LA and I know good Mexican food. The taco trucks and tiny hole-in-the-wall burrito joints and taquerias have always completely satisfied me. Been meaning to try South Philly Barbacoa, but Nora's is really good. Miami has the Latin/Caribbean places on lock, but Philly has a large Puerto Rican/Dominican/Caribbean population. Haven't had the pleasure of trying those cuisines in Philly yet, but I'm sure it's good based on the large population of people from those areas. Seattle has the seafood/Asian scene on lock, but Philly's Chinatown and Vietnamese area have great spots. Pho Ha is amazing for Vietnamese and the new Chinatown Square food hall is really interesting. Haven't had a chance to actually try the Chinese restaurants in Chinatown yet, but got food in the food hall once.
Honestly, the quality and variety of Philly is way better than most people realize. I've NEVER had a bad meal in Philly. I don't think I've ever even had a mediocre meal in Philly. I've loved every restaurant I've been to there of every style of cuisine. And one of the bonuses for me is due to the city's layout. There isn't one central location for everything. Every neighborhood has little places you'd never know about unless you accidentally walked down the street.
I'd never say any of these cities are bad for food. But it's the style of Philly's scene that I love, and the diversity/variety.
Philly actually has really good Mexican food there, the Mexican population in the city is growing
I'm not sure if any of these are good examples for the three categories laid out by the OP.
I think Philadelphia, Seattle, and Miami offer several excellent options for the three categories, especially variety.
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