Overheards November 2023
That Hummus Grill Checkout Guy: "You mean you don't want a log of beef in your pita?"
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That Hummus Grill Checkout Guy: "You mean you don't want a log of beef in your pita?"
I took a class last fall that made me believe food is the center of the universe.
I don’t really get homesick. Plenty of my friends count down the days until they get to take the next flight or train home. But as I sit on my dorm bed 2,704 miles away from “home,” I’m a little scared to admit to myself that I feel almost fine.
Imagine walking out of the movie theater, feeling either renewed or like you just wasted a few hours of your life, and wanting to rave, rant, or complain about it with someone. It’s a pretty common experience. Maybe you’d discuss the film with your friends over dinner; maybe you’d mention it to a classmate in passing.
Put a finger down if you love eating the same foods over and over again. Put a finger down if you don’t eat. Put a finger down if you pick at your fingers a lot … and put a bonus finger down if it’s because it helps you focus. If you put more than six fingers down, you might have ADHD.
Just a quick stroll away from Rittenhouse Square lies a quaint little storefront, its doors opening to the cozy world of My Loup. This modern French–inspired bistro, established in May 2023 by Penn alumna Amanda Shulman (C '15) and her husband and fellow chef Alex Kemp, puts its own twist on classic Québécois French–Canadian cuisine by incorporating dishes with local farm–grown ingredients and Philadelphian quirk.
From swanky wine bars to hole–in–the–wall neighborhood gems, it’s all too easy to lose oneself in the world of the foodie. But there is a certain privilege in the ability to choose and explore cuisine. Even in something as simple as a home–cooked hot meal. The Community Grocer (TCG) seeks to ensure that every person has access to the kind of warm meals worthy of a rave review.
Korean fried chicken: It’s more than finger–licking good. It’s heavenly. After a long day of classes, office hours, and meetings, a combination of perfectly tart radish, soy garlic chicken, and fries might just be a spiritual, out–of–body experience. That first crunch biting into Korean fried chicken is simply magical.
You walk into an art museum, a gallery, a concert, a comedy show, a play, and you turn your brain off. You give up the nuisance of choice and submit your senses totally to the experience in front of and around you. When you participate in Zama’s chef–tasting menu, you do the same thing. It's less of a meal and more of an experience. It's an art form.
The wood paneling and the multitude of panda murals that adorn the walls of Chengdu Famous Food tell you everything you need to know about the place as soon as you walk through the door—this is not your average Chinese takeout restaurant. About a 10–minute walk from Penn’s main campus, Chengdu Famous Food offers Chinese cuisine in an upscale setting. With warm yellow light emanating from metal lamps on the ceiling and an open kitchen layout that allows diners to see the goings–on in the kitchen, the atmosphere inside the restaurant is cozy and inviting. Though we came in around 1 p.m. for lunch—typically rush hour—we were seated immediately at a comfortable wooden table by the window.
Back home in the Philippines, Lance Tan (SEAS ‘23) grew up eating fries as his after–school snack. Not your ordinary McDonald's fries, but flavored fries, a common food concept in Southeast Asia. In college, noticing a gap in the snacking options on campus, Lance decided to bring a taste of home to Penn and launch his own specialty fries business. “Potato Pit Stop” was born.
All roads lead to Mom–Mom’s Kitchen on 15th and South Streets. Viewers of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive–Ins, and Dives, late–night patrons of Bob and Barbara’s Lounge right next door, or loyalists of Polish dining alike all find their way to this “brick and mortar food truck.” From vegans to cheesesteak fiends, their small menu manages to offer something for everyone.
Will Zong is the epitome of creativity. An energizer bunny with translucent pink Warby Parker glasses, Will is armed with a curious gleam in his eye and a good–hearted, go–with–the–flow nature that is always drawing him into his next grand adventure. He’s created just about everything under the sun, from binding his own books to computer games, and he doesn't show any signs of stopping post–graduation. To top it all off, he’s a volunteer with the greater Philadelphia youth to "create new inspiration" in the next generation.
El Fuerte de Loreto is a new, uniquely Mexican and American BYOB in South Philadelphia run by father–son duo Ascencion Sandoval and Ricardo Sandoval. After many years in the restaurant industry, the duo decided to put their skills together, coming from front and back of house respectively, to open El Fuerte de Loreto.
As customers walk past Bar Bombón’s open door, the wafting aroma of freshly baked sweet plantains and decadent tres leches cake overwhelms them while they are greeted by friendly smiles from the waiters and the subtle sound of Latin music playing in the background. Nestled on the corner of 18th Street, the soft overhanging lamps, beige tiles, and rustic decor further entices them to try it out.
Peanut butter and jelly. Mac & cheese. Chips and guacamole. Hearing these words, you’re probably imagining breakfast sandwiches, cozy lunch dishes, and tasty sides at Mexican restaurants. What if I told you these were burger toppings? Hot dogs? At Lucky’s Last Chance, each menu item is an unthinkably unique melding of flavor that draws people to the one–of–a–kind Philadelphia diner.
* Cooking time varies with microwave wattage.
It is no secret that Kalaya is one of Fishtown’s best restaurants, and it’s for good reason. Chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon has been serving Thai food to the northern Philadelphia neighborhood since April of 2019 and has received much acclaim while doing so, including the winner of the Best Chef Mid–Atlantic James Beard Award. The food is bound to impress, and for what you’re paying for, Kalaya definitely delivers in both culinary experience and ambiance.
Tucked away on Frankford Avenue in a quiet neighborhood, Cloud Cups explodes with the smells of fresh gelato, shades of yellow and green, and vague notions of giddiness.
The highly Instagrammable Neighborhood Ramen storefront beckons you to open its doors. Once inside, the laid–back order–at–the–counter setup and plenty of menu advice will leave you with a steaming bowl (or two) of ramen. You sit on the outdoor patio, surrounded by muraled walls, ivy colored bricks, and string lights, while enjoying pulsating music as you feast. Upon exit, one thing is for certain: You will be coming back.
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