Restaurant good for groups near convention center (Philadelphia, Reading: renting, restaurants)

[Kate88]

Hi Philadelphians! I am looking for a restaurant within walking distance (.5 miles or less) of the convention center that would be good for dinner for a group of 10 people, ages 6 to 37 (but most between 18 and 25) at lower end of the price range. Open to any suggestions, but most of the group is not adventurous so to speak so we would be leaning towards more traditional / American style cuisine (vegan friendly is a huge bonus!)

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

[mcguirk]

You're in luck, that market is exactly what the neighboring restaurants cater to. Maggiano's and Chili's are right outside the convention center. There's an Applebee's about six blocks away around 15th and Walnut. There is (was?) a TGI Friday's somewhere along the western side of the Parkway. The Marriott has a restaurant. The Loew's restaurants are probably too adventurous, and I'd gander to say Reading Terminal Market could be a bad choice.

[Clark Park]

Why not head to Chinatown which is right outside the Convention Center? There are several restaurants that can easily handle a group of that size.

Of course, not everone is crazy about Chinese or Asian food. Personally I would much, much, much rather have a good Chinese or Thai or Malaysian or Vietnamese meal than a generic mediocre meal at a chain restaurant like Appleby's, Chili's, or TGI Friday's.

[mcguirk]

Originally Posted by Clark Park

Why not head to Chinatown which is right outside the Convention Center? There are several restaurants that can easily handle a group of that size.

Of course, not everone is crazy about Chinese or Asian food. Personally I would much, much, much rather have a good Chinese or Thai or Malaysian or Vietnamese meal than a generic mediocre meal at a chain restaurant like Appleby's, Chili's, or TGI Friday's.

The OP already said that the group is not adventurous. So your rhetoric is misguided, and that's why I mentioned the chain restaurants. I'm also a very unadventurous/picky eater due to lazy parenting -- I have problems just getting unappetizing food in my mouth without dry hacking and convulsions. But even I have found a wealth of delicious independent restaurants who cater to me, such as Devil's Alley, Kite and Key, Nodding Head, Good Dog Bar, Smokin' Bettie's, Triumph, the Irish Pub, Dutch Eating Place, and so on.

[Larry Bowa]

Originally Posted by mcguirk

The OP already said that the group is not adventurous. So your rhetoric is misguided, and that's why I mentioned the chain restaurants. I'm also a very unadventurous/picky eater due to lazy parenting -- I have problems just getting unappetizing food in my mouth without dry hacking and convulsions. But even I have found a wealth of delicious independent restaurants who cater to me, such as Devil's Alley, Kite and Key, Nodding Head, Good Dog Bar, Smokin' Bettie's, Triumph, the Irish Pub, Dutch Eating Place, and so on.

What's more traditional/American/unadventurous than wonton soup, eggroll, dumplings, fried rice and sesame chicken? Chinatown would be perfect for the op, most of the restaurants can easily handle a party of ten and the prices are right. Plus, they can get all the vegetarian dishes they want.
BTW, what's stopping you now, as an adult, from trying different foods and acquiring new tastes?

[mcguirk]

Originally Posted by Larry Bowa

What's more traditional/American/unadventurous than wonton soup, eggroll, dumplings, fried rice and sesame chicken? Chinatown would be perfect for the op, most of the restaurants can easily handle a party of ten and the prices are right. Plus, they can get all the vegetarian dishes they want.
BTW, what's stopping you now, as an adult, from trying different foods and acquiring new tastes?

The OP didn't ask for Americanized Chinese food.

Not to derail the thread, but I literally can't stomach anything I'm not used to. Most people can try something and say, "I don't like that." I can try something and end up with my last meal on the floor. My eating new things isn't pretty. Don't know what to do about it.

[Larry Bowa]

Originally Posted by mcguirk

The OP didn't ask for Americanized Chinese food.

Not to derail the thread, but I literally can't stomach anything I'm not used to. Most people can try something and say, "I don't like that." I can try something and end up with my last meal on the floor. My eating new things isn't pretty. Don't know what to do about it.

It doesn't matter, it's still the op's best option (maybe at the time they made the post, American/Chinese wasn't fresh on their mind, and that's why CP mentioned it). Sucks to be you ... sorry.

[mcguirk]

Well, I don't think I can sleep until we find out what the OP chooses to do.

[Angus215]

Magianno's is very good for large groups. I imagine it would also have plenty of vegan options?

[soulsurv]

Originally Posted by mcguirk

The OP didn't ask for Americanized Chinese food.

Not to derail the thread, but I literally can't stomach anything I'm not used to. Most people can try something and say, "I don't like that." I can try something and end up with my last meal on the floor. My eating new things isn't pretty. Don't know what to do about it.

Wow...that's a drag. Sincerely. But it almost sounds more like a phobia than a gastro thing. Was there ever any new food which you tried and liked at first sample?