The Philadelphia food scene is buzzing with some exciting changes and events this month, bringing a mix of nostalgia, innovation, and fun to locals and visitors alike.
One of the most significant updates comes from ESO Ramen Workshop, which has officially announced its final month of service.
Following the closure of Neighborhood Ramen in 2024, owners Lindsay Steigerwald and Jesse Pryor have been preparing for their upcoming move to Tokyo, aiming to immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant ramen culture.
On social media, the duo revealed, “The end is near! We might do a couple days in the beginning of August, but we are into the last few weeks of ESO!”
Fans of their ramen are eager to savor their last bowls at the South 4th Street location, a spot that has become synonymous with quality ramen in the city.
Though there’s sadness in saying goodbye, there’s also excitement for the duo’s journey ahead as they strive to elevate their craft in Japan.
Meanwhile, Porco’s, known for its mouth-watering porchetta sandwiches, is making waves with a new long roll that aims to capture the essence of a classic Philadelphia sandwich.
After collaborating with Baker Street Bread Co., owner Durkin embarked on a six-month endeavor to create a more substantial and shareable roll suited to his renowned sandwiches.
The rollout of this seeded long roll has been coupled with a revamped menu featuring the original porchetta sandwich, a Philly-style variation with rapini pesto and provolone, a meatball sandwich, and their new “Long Boy Panini.”
As Porco’s embraces this new chapter, their commitment to delivering quality sandwiches remains a priority for patrons.
In another exciting development, the Philadelphia Zoo will host the Summer Ale Fest on July 19th, marking one of the city’s biggest beer festivals.
This adults-only event will include unlimited samples of over 100 seasonal craft beers, ciders, and seltzers, with proceeds benefitting the zoo.
The festival will showcase a dozen food trucks, featuring favorites like Mac Mart and Bacon on a Stick, while live music and DJs promise to enhance the vibrant atmosphere throughout the evening.
Tickets range from $35 for non-drinkers to $99 for early admission, and with the festivities taking place rain or shine, it presents a unique opportunity for beer enthusiasts to enjoy the zoo like never before.
As trends in the food scene evolve, the emergence of fry-based concepts seems to be capturing the attention of local entrepreneurs.
Following the recent pop-up by Fia Berisha and Nick Elmi with Fifi’s Fry & Co., and the announcement of a frites-based concept by Starr in Atlantic City, Medium Rare, a Washington D.C.-based chain, is set to open a new location in Fishtown.
The focus of Medium Rare is straightforward: steak frites as the main dish, highlighting simplicity in its offerings with a prix fixe menu.
The brunch menu will expand the options slightly, including steak frites among a few other selections.
As Medium Rare prepares for its debut sometime this month, there’s palpable curiosity about how their concept will resonate within the Philadelphia market.
Moreover, Grace Winery in Glen Mills has made a noteworthy addition to its team with executive chef Dan Netter, celebrated for his work at Parc, SPTR, and Harper’s Garden.
Netter’s arrival heralds a new menu that emphasizes hyper-local ingredients, aligning with the winery’s commitment to supporting local farms and producers.
This fresh approach will feature items like heirloom tomato salads, French country chicken braised in house cabernet Franc, and an array of desserts that showcase local flavors.
Another exciting addition to the Philadelphia food landscape is The Slider Co., which is returning to the city with a focus on sliders after their successful venture in Wilmington.
Operating out of The Luxe in Fishtown, The Slider Co. is launching an extended pop-up that offers a delightful meal of two sliders, fries, chipotle-lime coleslaw, house pickles, and a soda.
The pop-up launches on July 11th, with free sliders for the first 100 attendees, a gesture intended to draw in the community and showcase their offerings.
This pop-up serves as a precursor to their new brick-and-mortar shop planned for the fall at 2043 Frankford Avenue, just streets away from Medium Rare.
And if these food offerings aren’t enough, the John’s Water Ice truck will be making a special appearance at Chick’s on Washington Avenue on July 10th, offering free water ice to the first 100 people in line.
Additionally, a limited-time special will feature frozen piña coladas paired with John’s pineapple water ice, perfect for those looking to cool down during the hot summer days.
To wrap up this roundup of exciting food news, chefs Tim Dearing and Scott Calhoun are teaming up for a collaborative dinner called Low Tide, High Fire, designed to bring the flavors of the Jersey Shore to Philadelphia.
Scheduled for July 24th at Calhoun’s Ember & Ash, the event will spotlight live-fire cooking and include an intriguing à la carte menu featuring dishes like lobster bao donuts, cold clam chowder, and boudin blanc.
The dinner is poised to deliver a unique culinary experience, with creative ingredients reflecting the essence of Shore dining.
As we celebrate the diverse and evolving food landscape in Philadelphia, these happenings demonstrate the city’s vibrant culinary scene, promising exciting experiences for food lovers.
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