For the past 14 years, Top Chef has entertained audiences with intense food competitions and mouth–watering results. Now, fans of the show have the opportunity to try out their favorite chef's creations. Top–Chef Quickfire, which opened last week in The Concourse at Comcast Center, is serving up delicious meals inspired by contestants' dishes, curated from the last 16 seasons of the hit Bravo show. I stopped by this week to see if it lived up to the hype.
The fast–casual eatery has a sleek, modern look to it and while there is a register, customers in a rush can opt to use one of two kiosks to place their order. What first caught my eye when I ate at Quickfire was the open kitchen, complete with with a sit–down counter. Here, guests can catch a glimpse into the preparation that goes on behind the scenes and interact with the chefs. Die–hard fans can also watch re–runs of old episodes on the televisions hanging on the walls in the hopes of seeing their meal make its Top–Chef debut.
Looking at the menu, I was surprised by how upscale yet affordable the offerings were. Visitors can sample starters like the goat cheese, feta, and fig tart, a dish inspired by chef Sara Mair in season three, before digging into hearty entrees like the grilled cheese with portobello mushroom. And make sure to save room for dessert: Top–Chef Quickfire is serving up a variety of sweets like lemon yogurt cheesecake—all for under five dollars.
I ordered Quickfire’s truffle–cognac mac and cheese, inspired by season one’s Dave Martin and priced at $9.99, with a side of house–made sriracha ranch chips. My meal was prepared in a timely fashion and was served in a container that could be taken to–go, making Quickfire a great option for someone in a hurry. And while I could have gone for a bit more cheesy–ness on the mac, I was overall pleased with my selection. Quickfire successfully put an elegant spin on the traditional fast–food mac and cheese, which I will admit made me feel a little bit boujee while eating it.
Top–Chef Quickfire is more than just a novelty. With both high quality and efficiency, Quickfire has the potential to become a staple of Philly’s fast–casual scene.
Location: The Concourse, 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
Hours:
Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.—7:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Sunday, Closed
Price: $$
