As summer draws to a close, the Philadelphia restaurant scene is buzzing with a variety of news and events. From Tacoria’s expansion plans to Hop Sing Laundromat’s new cocktail program and the heartfelt celebration at Herman’s Coffee, there’s plenty to delve into this week.
Starting with Tacoria Mexican Street Kitchen, which has recently opened a new location in Cherry Hill on August 9. Born in New Jersey, Tacoria is known for its vibrant atmosphere and fresh, made-to-order Mexican food. With 12 locations already in New Jersey, the founders, Chuck and Vishal Patel, are now setting their sights on expanding into the suburbs of Philadelphia.
The Cherry Hill opening celebrated its launch with free t-shirts, merchandise, and complimentary burritos for app downloaders. Additionally, a community day is being held, featuring donations to the Food Bank of South Jersey along with free giveaways for the first 100 guests.
While the expansion into Philadelphia seems promising, the Patels are eyeing suburbs like the Main Line, Conshohocken, King of Prussia, Willow Grove, and Doylestown for future locations. Although details on specific sites are not yet confirmed, Tacoria is actively searching for high-traffic areas that will cater to dense populations.
Meanwhile, Hop Sing Laundromat is turning up the excitement with a revamped cocktail program. Chef Lê is launching a new $10 cocktail menu every Thursday, starting on August 21, featuring 26 different drinks crafted with care, none of which are batched.
In addition to the regular offerings, Hop Sing will now also be showcasing two-ounce pours of rare spirits, unveiling cherished bottles from their collection, like Eagle Rare and select Japanese whiskies. This initiative aims to bring back a sense of community and sophistication to the bar experience, echoing the establishment’s high standards.
In a touching community-focused event, Herman’s Coffee will be hosting its annual “Enzo’s Day” on August 22. This event honors the legacy of Matt Falco and Amy Strauss’s son, who passed away over a year ago. The couple aims to raise funds for the Down syndrome clinic at CHOP, with 22% of all sales that day being donated to the cause.
Herman’s will come alive with food trucks, a special donut collaboration with Okie Dokie Donuts, and offerings from other local food vendors, including Mighty Bread and Brass Monkey bakery. Guests can also enjoy activities such as a card-making station aimed at spreading joy to NICU babies, a tribute to the love and memories of their late son.
Lastly, a limited-edition collaboration donut between Federal Donuts and Asher’s Chocolates will be available from August 20 to 24. This Dubai Chocolate donut signifies the grand finale of their summer collaboration series and features a spiced cake donut topped with milk chocolate glaze and pistachio, among other delicious elements.
As if that’s not enough, Manayunk Restaurant Week will make a return after a five-year hiatus, featuring approximately 20 participating restaurants with prix-fixe menus ranging from $15 to $45. This event runs from September 8 to 14, allowing guests to indulge in specially curated meals.
To wrap things up, the South Philly Food Co-Op is organizing “Harvest Jawn” on September 21, where attendees can enjoy a lively day filled with food trucks, live music, crafts, and activities for the whole family, including a pie-eating contest.
The culinary world in Philadelphia is alive and thriving, making the transition into fall an anticipated time for food lovers in the area.
image source from：phillymag
