4 Delicious Foods You Have to Eat When You Visit Philadelphia

These foods will make you want them again and again.

I grew up in Philadelphia and love to eat certain foods when I visit the city. These aren’t your fancy or health conscience foods but once in a while, you will want to eat these foods over and over. The food is great and unlike any you have tried in other cities.

Philadelphia is known for many things such as Rocky, Will Smith, Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, University of Pennsylvania, the Mummers parade, and many other great things.

When it comes to food, these are the top four foods I eat every single time when I visit the city. I have tried imitations of these foods in other cities and the taste just isn’t the same. I always compare how the food tastes in Philadelphia to these copycats. Very few of these foods live up to the real thing.

Philadelphia is the heart of where you need to try these foods. Other cities will say they are Philadelphia originals but they are not quite the same. When you visit Philadelphia, these are the food you must try.

Cheesesteak

A cheesesteak is not a steak you order at a restaurant but slices of beefsteak on a hoagie roll with melted cheese and other toppings you like. Some other toppings can be mushrooms, onions, and peppers.

Personally, I like to add ketchup along with my cheesesteak.

One of the top restaurants in Philadelphia that serves cheesesteaks is John’s Pork Roast. Don’t let the name fool you since the cheesesteak does not contain pork.

This restaurant opened in 1930 and continues to serve locals such as dockworkers and contractors.

The restaurant is at 14 E. Snyder Ave.

Due to COVID safety, they only accept call-in orders. Their phone number is 215–463–1951.

Hoagie

A hoagie is like a large submarine sandwich, a poor boy in Louisiana, or a grinder in upstate New York.

Traditional hoagies are filled with Italian meats, cheese, and other toppings. You can pick other hoagies such as turkey, roast beef, and ham and cheese.

One of the top restaurants in Philadelphia that serves hoagies is Liberty Kitchen.

The restaurant is at 1244 North Front Street.

You can order your hoagie online. Their phone number is 215–309–2241.

Pretzel

Philadelphia pretzels are different than your Auntie Anne’s pretzels. The look, taste, and feel are completely different. Once you have had a Philly pretzel, you will always compare this pretzel to others.

These quick, cheap, pretzels are everywhere you look in Philadelphia.

Center City Soft Pretzel Co. makes the best and healthiest pretzels around.

Currently, you can call and pick up your order since deliveries are temporarily suspended. You can also place orders through Uber Eats.

The restaurant is at 816 Washington Ave.

You can place your order over the phone at 215–463–5664.

Water Ice

Water Ice in Philadelphia differs from the smooth shaved ice and looser than Italian ice. The best water ice is just fruit, sugar, and water.

The pronunciation of water ice is “wooter ice” due to the pronunciation of local Philly residents.

Tranzilli’s Real Italian Water Ice makes their water ice daily from their Germantown Philadelphia location. The mission of the company is to make the finest quality water ice with full flavor and texture.

The store sells water ice to you wholesale and retail.

Tranzilli’s Real Water Ice is at 5901 Belfield Ave.

To contact the store, you can reach Tranzilli’s Real Water Ice at 215–849–7965.

These are the top four foods I recommend you try when you visit Philadelphia.

If you have visited Philadelphia before, can you recommend any other meals and locations visitors should try?