If you didn’t know already, the Mike McCann Team absolutely loves Philadelphia! We want you to love this city just as much as we do so we are highlighting some of our favorite local hot spots in each neighborhood to help you thoroughly enjoy everything Philly has to offer. No matter how long you’ve lived here, whether you just re-located or have been a resident for decades, there’s always more to explore and uncover in Philadelphia’s endless supply of hidden treasures.
Philadelphia’s Pennsport neighborhood has always been a wonderful part of the Philadelphia landscape and in the last few years, it’s really growing in recognition for the treasure that it is. The youthful energy of new residents mixed with the area’s strong roots gives Pennsport a vibrant and community oriented atmosphere. With clean streets, new parks and friendly neighbors, Pennsport is simply a wonderful place to live. It is situated in an excellent location with convenient access to I-95 and Delaware Ave. by car and Center City and Passyunk Ave. by foot. One of the things we love most about Pennsport is that it is actually possible to find a cost free parking spot with relative ease, which is a super big deal for Philadelphians. Let us tell you about our favorite Pennsport spots and then tell us some of yours on Facebook or in the comments below!
Restaurants
If you are looking for a good meal in Pennsport, Moyamensing Avenue has a booming restaurant scene. Moonshine has a really wild menu with specialty drinks containing ingredients like pumpkin puree and candy corn dilution. The food ranges from basic burgers to more eccentric dishes like “fried cornflake catfish.” Caffé Valentino serves up some extraordinary Italian food including brick oven pizza, salads, pastas, chicken and veal. Also, don’t miss out on local staple, Gooey Looie’s, for some larger than life cheesesteaks and hoagies. There are lots of lunch and dinner stops offering authentic Mexican food like the often missed but absolutely to-die-for La Fonda de Teresita on 8th and Dickinson. Almost everywhere you go in Pennsport you can find something delicious!
Coffee
If you want to get your caffeine buzz on in Pennsport head over to Grindcore House for a hip and happening atmosphere with delicious and vegan friendly coffee. The Grindcore offers a somewhat roomy dining area where you can hang out or catch up on some work. The name comes from the owners love of metal music, so don’t be surprised if there’s some intense jams blasting through the speakers as you wait to fill your caffeine addiction! The famous and delicious Federal Donuts has a South Philly location in Pennsport where you can get coffee, donuts and fried chicken too; a winning combination if you ask us! There are also an ample amount of little bodega shops that sell coffee and snacks.
Family Fun
For free recreation and family fun, go to the new and improved, Dickinson Square Park. This lush area offers farmers’ markets and outdoor movie nights. The park is extremely dog friendly, Pennsport residents adore their pups!, so bring your furry friends out for a little exercise and fun. The playground equipment is super cool and fun (it makes us grown ups want to play!) and the basketball courts are superbly well maintained so kids, teens and adults of all ages can enjoy Dickinson Square Park. Plus in the fall the trees become gorgeous shades of Pennsylvania beautiful, what better place to hang out than that? Keep your eye out for the food trucks when the weather is nice! From cupcake trucks to taco trucks and more, they’re often parked around and offer budget-friendly bites!
If you’re in the mood for a traditional dinner and a movie/drinks and a movie/a movie, you can walk down to the UA Riverview Plaza and catch any popular movie without needing to drive! Although if you’d like to drive, there’s more than enough covered parking for everyone.
Nightlife
Though Pennsport may not have the huge assortment of bars and night clubs that some neighborhoods offer, it still offers tons of fun with an authentic, local Philly feel. The Irish pubs along Two Street (that’s 2nd St. for all of you out-of-towners) offer everything you could ever want in a bar; affordable drinks, greasy food, colorful characters, TV and bar games. Personally, we recommend Shamrock and 2nd Street Brew House if you’re looking for a real taste of South Philly. We have to admit, we were very impressed with the extensive beer menu at 2nd Street Brew House. Also, keep your eyes open for a new Nano-brewery, rumored to be popping up at the corner of Moore Street and East Moyamensing Avenue.
Of course we can’t talk about South Philly without mentioning those wild and crazy mummers! Head down to the Mummer’s Museum on Thursday nights all summer long for “Mummers under the Stars” and experience live string bands, food and drink in a block party setting.
Finally if you’re looking for a cool atmosphere with an extensively delicious cocktail menu, late night snacks and delicious local beer on tap (of course), stop down to The Industry! Started by the people who brought you Rittenhouse’s Good Dog, The Industry offers super cool decor and the bartenders are always available to help you choose a drink when you can’t decide. They have affordable happy hour specials and discounts for food industry workers. Stop in for Quizzo on Thursday nights!
Alright Philly, you have heard why we love Pennsport so much, now go out and experience it!
