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In Defense of Old City: 15 Reasons Not to Hate
Posted by Foobooz on February 14th, 2011
In Defense of Old City
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Hating on Old City has become something of a bloodsport around these parts. It's not quite as incendiary as saying the word "hipster" in a crowded blog, but it's close. At Foobooz World Headquarters – which is both a place and a state of mind, by the way – we have spent a lot of time discussing the various merits and demerits of the neighborhood over the years. And here's what we've decided: There are way, way more food-and-drink-related things to love about Old City than to hate. Yes, there is a lot of douchery to be had there and there are times that it's best to avoid the area, but there are many more reasons to like it. View the slideshow to see 15 of our favorite reasons to head east on Market.
Photo courtesy of Mike Cramer
Related Tags: Old-City
February 14th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
I’d take Triumph (their beer isn’t good) off the list and add Buddakan (still surprisingly good after all these years) in its place. I’d also mention Zahav, even though it’s just out of Old City in Society Hill.
February 14th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@Dan After much debate, it was decided that Zahav couldn’t be included because the geography nazis would take offense. But in my mind, where neighborhoods are more amorphous, I agree on Zahav.
February 14th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Couldn’t agree more with PBR and less with Triumph. Triumph feels like Rock Bottom Brewery with more rich mahogany. The food is consistently over-salted and Ruby Tuesday-like and the beers are decent and nothing more. Add to that the fact that the clientele most certainly pushes into the douchy range and it feels like it should be out in King of Prussia or off of one of the ubiquitous four lane roads in south jersey. PBR on the other hand is inventive with that fryer (Short rib puffs are pretty phenomenal) and the food is pretty damned good in general. The prices are also awesome. The crowd, OK slightly questionable… Why not Eulogy (great beers decent scene)?
February 14th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!! Finally someone has something positive to say about this neighborhood. The section of Old City north of market is one of the best neighborhoods to live in in Philadelphia, no actually in the world!
February 14th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Chloe is great in concept but has anyone actually eaten there lately? Big bland portions of generic dishes, plated with little enthusiasm or passion.
But um, Sugar mom’s is great too!
February 14th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Sugar Mom’s, Eulogy, Zahav, Buddakan…and the list goes on…starting to see a trend, there’s WAY more than 15 reasons to love Old City!
February 14th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Don’t forget La Locanda, Radicchio and Cafe Ole’
February 14th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
I think that I’d drop Triumph and Continental. Triumph’s food is pretty bad IMO and Continental has gotten a bit rough around the edges over the years.
Mac’s has a pretty great beer list and is a fun spot and I personally like Plough and Stars quite a bit – as long as it’s not packed in there.
February 14th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Zento rules! Also i want to honorably mention Beneluxxxxxx
February 15th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Farmicia has one of the best brunches in the city; crowd is douche-free.
February 15th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I will second Plough and the Stars. There is something to be said about drinking near the fireplace in the winter. No Mexican Post or Rotten Ralph’s?
February 15th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
What about the Mexican Post for some flavored (or original) margaritas? Charlies, Eulogy?
February 15th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
The list did get me thinking how many reasons there are to love Old City, beyond the 15 shown here. Old City is a great neighborhood to live in or visit.
I’ll keep my ‘hate’ under wraps…
February 15th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
@ Brian – lots of great reasons to visit though I tend to stay away between 8-2 on Friday and Saturday nights. I think it’s a great daytime neighborhood with all the parks and access to nice walking on Penn’s Landing.
February 21st, 2011 at 11:21 am
Yikes…more trouble in Old City this past weekend. right down from Khyber (LaBan’s reviewing them this weekend).
February 24th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
A good positive list. I’ve bookmarked most of these on Yelp. I’ve indulged in the Olde City hatin. We all make mistakes.
March 1st, 2011 at 10:15 am
Did I miss Farmacia!? That should definitely be mentioned here!
And now I’ve bookmarked a few new places to try! Of course I’ll probably do it on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of Thurs-Sat. for reasons that have been mentioned too many times before