Secondary/Niche Philadelphia Cuisine (York, Norristown: home, to buy, school)

[ElijahAstin]

As the title implies, this is a thread to talk about less iconic, but no less fabulous, Philadelphia area cuisine favorites. No cheesesteak, Italian hoagie, soft pretzel, or water ice talk here. I’m talking about foods that include, but are absolutely not limited to, butter cake, Texas Tommies, corned beef specials, zeps, chicken salad and oysters, and pepper pot soup.

Have at it, folks.

[thedirtypirate]

Every once and a while, I crave the Schmitter from McNally's Tavern in Chestnut Hill. So good. And cool spot to visit if you have never been.

[nephi215]

The Diavolo from Paesanos in South Philly. Could be the best tasting sandwich in the city, especially if you like spicy food imo.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

Every once and a while, I crave the Schmitter from McNally's Tavern in Chestnut Hill. So good. And cool spot to visit if you have never been.

The Schmitter is a great sandwich, and McNally's is a cool spot.

I remember going there for lunch with a friend one Saturday. As we were talking, I remember noticing a couple dining at a table next to ours pricked up their ears when they heard me mention Philadelphia magazine.

But I wonder what most of the items ElijahAstin mentioned in the OP are doing in it. The only one of those I would associate with this city is pepper pot soup.

There was a hot dog shop on 6th Street between Lombard and South called Levis that had a signature hot dog served on a bun with two crab cakes smashed under it. I thought I heard that this shop had rematerialized in the 'burbs. Anyone know if it's still around?

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

Every once and a while, I crave the Schmitter from McNally's Tavern in Chestnut Hill. So good. And cool spot to visit if you have never been.

I like the Schmitter, but I like the Tobias (with griddled pepperoni) even more. McNally’s has other good bar fare, too, including homemade coconut cake and turkey chili.

Originally Posted by nephi215

The Diavolo from Paesanos in South Philly. Could be the best tasting sandwich in the city, especially if you like spicy food imo.

I never got to try Paesano’s before they closed. One of my biggest culinary regrets.

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

But I wonder what most of the items ElijahAstin mentioned in the OP are doing in it. The only one of those I would associate with this city is pepper pot soup.

Philadelphia-style butter cake, the kind associated with old school German bakeries with a compressed doughy base and topping that’s basically just butter, sugar, and salt, is very unique to this region. It’s rather different from the gooey butter cake of St. Louis fame. Texas Tommies were invented in Pottstown and are fairly unknown outside the region. Thinly sliced (and preferably extra lean) cold corned beef sandwiches on rye with cole slaw and Russian dressing were invented in Philadelphia Jewish delis. Zeps are endemic to Norristown and Bridgeport. Chicken salad and fried oysters, as a combination, is a vintage Philadelphia specialty.

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

There was a hot dog shop on 6th Street between Lombard and South called Levis that had a signature hot dog served on a bun with two crab cakes smashed under it. I thought I heard that this shop had rematerialized in the 'burbs. Anyone know if it's still around?

Fish cakes, actually (made from whitefish at Levis and elsewhere), but the Philly surf ‘n turf is another iconic secondary/niche local cuisine item I enjoy.

Levis did have an outpost on Old York Road in Abington for several years, but it closed in the mid-2010s. I went there once. Good fish cakes, and their rather lean and uniquely spiced house-made dogs were an interesting take on the kosher-style all beef tube steak standby.

[bigfish1]

The FDR Park South East Asian market is a lesser known and very unique Philadelphia spot for food. Probably the most authentic, especially at that scale, South East Asian cuisine. They finally got a permanent location after many years selling and grilling unlicensed. Its amazing on a spring or summer day to buy a wide variety of food and have a picnic there.

https://www.inquirer.com/news/philad...-20230126.html

[thedirtypirate]

Originally Posted by ElijahAstin

I never got to try Paesano’s before they closed. One of my biggest culinary regrets.

Paesano's is alive again and on 9th street in the Italian market.

I will always stump for that place. Their roasted potato and cheese side is so good.

Originally Posted by bigfish1

The FDR Park South East Asian market is a lesser known and very unique Philadelphia spot for food. Probably the most authentic, especially at that scale, South East Asian cuisine. They finally got a permanent location after many years selling and grilling unlicensed. Its amazing on a spring or summer day to buy a wide variety of food and have a picnic there.

mm yeah, great spot for asian street food. Always like going down there on the weekends

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by thedirtypirate

Paesano's is alive again and on 9th street in the Italian market.

I will always stump for that place. Their roasted potato and cheese side is so good.

Oh, happy day! I’ll have to check it out.

[Angus215]

snapper soup, roast pork (with sharp provolone and "greens"), pasta with gravy (and sausage and meatballs)

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Angus215

snapper soup, roast pork (with sharp provolone and "greens"), pasta with gravy (and sausage and meatballs)

While roast pork and snapper soup are great, I don’t know if I’d consider them secondary or niche. I wouldn’t call pasta with gravy distinctly Philadelphian (as amazing as it is and as amazing as Philadelphian tend to make it), but crab gravy is sublime and quite popular with multi-generational Philadelphia area Italian-American families. Of course, spaghetti and crab is not exclusive to this area, but I believe the crab gravy name (and prevailing home recipes) are greater Philadelphian in nature, thanks to longstanding ties to the South Jersey Shore.