Tortured Poets Unite: Where to Celebrate Taylor Swift’s New Album in Philly

Taylor Swift releases her 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department, on April 19th. / Photograph by Ashok Kumar/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Are you ready for it? Taylor Swift releases her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, on Friday, April 19th. If you’re looking to dance and celebrate with fellow Swifties, here’s what Philly’s got planned.

The Tortured Poets Department Menu at Taqueria Amor

Before the album even comes out, Taqueria Amor will be celebrating Taylor Swift’s latest with themed menu offerings. Starting Thursday, April 18th, order drinks inspired by the TTPD tracklist. “Guilty as Sin?” becomes “Guilty as Gin?,” “I Can Fix Him” becomes the champagne (problems?)-forward “I Can Fizz Him,” and “Florida!!!” doesn’t change because that’s a perfectly chaotic title that works for both a song and a citrusy alcoholic beverage. Taqueria Amor is also planning to team up with nearby Main Street Music for a Record Store Day event on April 20th.
April 18th-28th, Taqueria Amor, 4410 Main Street.

Kittens & Poets: A Taylor Release Party

Latchkey is teaming up with Morris Animal Refuge — Taylor loves cats, in case you didn’t know — for a free listening party with something none of the others around town have: a litter of kittens! (While you can’t take home a kitten on the spot, you can meet one and learn next steps to making it your forever friend.) Plus, you get to listen to TTPD in our favorite record shop! This party is free to attend and for all ages.
April 19th, 5-7 p.m., Latchkey, 1502 East Passyunk Avenue.

Taylor Swift Album Drop Party at Bark Social

If you prefer dogs to cats, we’ve got you covered, too! All day long, the dog-friendly bar in Manayunk will be playing Taylor Swift and giving prizes for best Taylor Era costume. Plus, a themed cocktail, and did we mention dogs? Kids are also welcome prior to 8 p.m. (accompanied by an adult); humans without dogs are welcome, too. (Note: Dogs must be registered with vaccine records and Bark Social membership.)
April 19th, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Bark Social Manayunk, 3720 Main Street.

Swiftie Hot Yoga Flow

Amrita Yoga is hosting a special pop-up class in honor of The Tortured Poets Department on its release day. The all-levels vinyasa flow with Kiera Missanelli will be soundtracked Taylor’s latest album. Pre-register online to reserve your spot.
April 19th, 6-7 p.m., Amrita Yoga & Wellness, 1204 Frankford Avenue.

Unicorn Party’s Taylor Swift Night

Manatawny’s Fishtown tasting room is hosting a free Tortured Poets Department release party where they’ll play the new album along with more Taylor Swift thanks to DJs from Unicorn Party, who will also be bringing a “glitterbooth” (and Instax to capture it all). Plus, friendship bracelets, themed drinks and decorations.
April 19th, 8-11 p.m., Manatawny Still Works, 1321 North Lee Street.

The Swemo Experience

Over at City Winery, they’ll playing through the entire Tortured Poets Department album and then jumping into the Swemo Experience: “Emo x T. Swift chaos,” to use their description. The playlist includes emo, pop-punk, Taylor Swift, and Pop Goes Punk covers.
April 19th, 9 p.m., City Winery, 990 Filbert Street.

Taylor’s Version: A Swiftie Dance Party

Brooklyn Bowl’s getting right to the point, and just throwing a Taylor Swift dance party. The Tortured Poets Department will be part of the all-Eras playlist, too, but it’s just another opportunity to gather and dance (and bowl?) with Swifties. No notes.
April 20th, 9:30 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, 1009 Canal Street.

Tortured Poets Department Listening Party

Evil Genius will be celebrating by playing the new album in full, along with a free friendship-bracelet-making station and cookies from Madison K. You can also add glitter to any of Evil Genius’s beers by ordering it “Taylor’s Version.”
April 21st, 4-6 p.m., Evil Genius Beer Company, 1727 North Front Street.

Taylor Swift cookies from Madison K / Photograph courtesy of Madison K Cookies

A SwifTea Party

Wilmington’s historic Hotel Du Pont is hosting a Taylor Swift-themed tea party, with menu items like the “Catching Kelce” sandwich and a Lemon Lavender Haze Bar for dessert. The party will also have a glow-up station with hair tinsel, gems, and custom nail art by Currie. And, of course, there will be friendship bracelets.
April 21st, 3 p.m., Hotel Du Pont, 42 West 11th Street, Wilmington.

Eras Dance Party at Garage

Come dressed as your favorite Era for an afternoon dance party of Taylor’s greatest hits (including TTPD) courtesy of DJ Carl Michaels.
April 28th, 2-5 p.m., Garage Passyunk, 1231 East Passyunk Avenue.

Shake it Off: Taylor Swift Night

Even more Jenny Henny! Riot Nerd brings back its super-popular Taylor Swift night in honor of her newest album. Expect a Tay-Tay soundtrack spun by DJs 21Sparksfly and Riot Meg, plus a drag impersonation performance by Jenny Henny. You can catch the party in early May at Ardmore Music Hall, then later in the month at Underground Arts.
May 3rd, 8:30 p.m., Ardmore Music Hall, 23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore.
May 25th, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street.

The Tortured Poets Department Drag Brunch

Taylor Swift drag impersonator Jenny Henny hosts a daytime fête at Underground Arts. Expect guest performances, Riot Nerd DJs and mimosas! An a la carte brunch menu will be available at an extra cost.
April 28th, noon, Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street.

Mother’s Day Drag Brunch: Taylor’s Version

Another Taylor drag brunch! This time, Evil Genius gets in on the fun, and Mom’s invited! A lineup of drag performers will celebrate every era of Taylor Swift, and the event is adults-only. Tickets are by-the-table; brunch will be available at an extra cost.
May 12th, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Evil Genius, 1727 North Front Street.

For the Kids

Rock and Roll Playhouse / Photograph by Laura Swartz

Sure, some of the events above are for all ages, but here are some parties just for the littlest Swifties.

The Rock & Roll Playhouse presents Music of Taylor Swift for Kids

The Rock and Roll Playhouse brings the music of Taylor Swift to Ardmore with a side of fun (think glow-sticks, freeze-dance games and a giant parachute) for the littlest fans. The concert always sells out (so hurry up!) and is a full-on tribute that parents will enjoy too. This one’s on Mother’s Day, and $1 from every ticket benefits the nonprofit Femme House, which helps create opportunities for women and gender-expansive individuals in technical fields of music like DJ’ing and production.
May 12th, 11:45 a.m., Ardmore Music Hall, 23 East Lancaster Avenue.

Taylor Swift Junior Jamboree

Bring the kids in their favorite Eras costume to sing and dance — Sunset Social is setting up a dance floor above the city! The party will also have $3 ice-cream pints, a caricature artist, and bubbles (because everyone likes bubbles). Tickets are free for kids two and under.
May 26th, noon-3 p.m., Sunset Social, 129 South 30th Street.

Swifty Disco

South Philly’s kiddie haven, Beehive at Bok, is hosting a Swiftie dance party for kids ages four through 10 with Music With Ry. Expect pizza, bracelet making, photo ops, and lots of dancing to Taylor Swift! (Note: Tickets are priced per family.)
May 31st, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Beehive at Bok, 1901 South 9th Street.

The Enduring Simplicity of Fountain Porter’s $6 Burger

Fountain Porter’s burger / Photograph by Chloé Pantazi-Wolber

Welcome to Just One Dish, a Foobooz series that looks at an outstanding item on a Philly restaurant’s menu — the story behind the dish, how it’s made, and why you should be going out of your way to try it.

The cheeseburger from Fountain Porter was the first thing I ate after moving to Philly. Almost two years later, I visit the East Passyunk bar to eat the same burger at least once or twice a month, sometimes more. It’s there when I’m having a bad day, and when I’ve just gotten back from out of town and I’m too lazy to cook. And it was there when I watched the credits roll at the end of The Menu and all I wanted was a damn burger.

If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying it, let me describe the Fountain Porter burger for you: a juicy, slightly salty beef patty — cooked medium-rare — under a melted layer of American cheese and atop a crisp slice of lettuce and tomato, all tucked inside a soft potato roll. And on the side, two pickle chips for good measure.

At $6, it’s a great burger. Reliably delicious, it has all the components of a classic cheeseburger. And in the best way, it’s messy to eat; you can expect drips of fat to accumulate on your plate as you go — proof the patty is cooked just right. The taste and low price, plus the fact it’s available seven days a week until 1 a.m., keep me coming back for more. I’m not the only one. Fountain Porter’s owner Evan Clancy tells me the bar sells anywhere from 800 to 1,000 burgers each week.

Part of the burger’s appeal, besides its simplicity, is that it’s tasted the same for years. The bar began slinging them in 2013, and though I tried it for the first time in 2018 (then as a visitor to Philly), it still tastes exactly as I remember it. The consistency is impressive. When I ask Clancy how they do it, he tells me it’s easy to get it right when it’s one thing.

The burger is one of just a few items on Fountain Porter’s food menu, but, without a doubt, it’s the star, supported by the fries and dill pickles, carrots, jalapeños, or green beans — perfectly respectable sides that pair nicely with anything off the bar’s beer or wine list. In previous years, the bar has offered charcuterie boards, breakfast sandwiches, and a veggie burger, though the latter left the menu after the oven broke (which was required to cook the tempeh and roasted beets used to make them). Clancy no longer eats meat himself — but he’ll still taste the beef burger whenever he’s hiring a new cook — and won’t say never to the idea of another veggie option in the future.

Fountain Porter’s burger with a side of fries. / Photograph by Chloé Pantazi-Wolber

While Clancy says “there’s no secret” to the burger the bar has become known for, there is of course a method that ensures the quality remains top-notch. “We weigh out each patty,” he says, “so the weight of each burger is the exact same.” The beef is also seasoned and cooked consistently — nothing fancy, he says, just “high heat, salt, and pepper.” And there’s even a guide for the cook, with the grilling technique baked into the kitchen’s ticketing process, down to the minute. “Each ticket has two times on it: when you’re essentially ready to flip it, and then when you’re basically ready to pull it off,” Clancy says. It’s a simple, but effective system in a two-person kitchen, where one cook makes the burgers and the other plates them.

The ingredients are, unsurprisingly, just as no-frills. “We don’t source from, like, a farm in Bucks County,” Clancy says. “It’s not sexy in that sense. It’s straightforward.” The bar gets Martin’s potato buns from a bread distribution company, beef from the Italian Market, and the lettuce and tomato delivered from a produce vendor.

The cost of these ingredients has, naturally, fluctuated over the years, and at one point impacted the price of Fountain Porter’s burger, which was previously $5. Sometime before the pandemic, the price went up by a dollar — a hike that Clancy says was necessary, given the increasing cost of beef at the time. It was not as dramatic of a price increase as Southwark’s burger which went from $17 in 2019 to $24 in 2022 (their double cheeseburger with fries currently costs $25). Still, it’s one of the most affordable burgers in the city outside of a fast-food joint, and the bar owner says it’s always been important to him that the cost of the burger remain low.

When he opened Fountain Porter, Clancy knew he wanted to serve a burger — “something simple that we could offer at a good price point” — in part inspired by corner bars like Cherry Street Tavern and Nick’s Roast Beef, places he says don’t try to do “too much” with their food. In that spirit, Clancy consulted a former colleague — the late chef, Al Anderson — to help find the right formula for the burger, factoring in everything from portion size to seasoning, so the bar could price it fairly.

When I ask Clancy how the burger is still so affordable today, he points to the operation at Fountain Porter as a whole. “As long as, at the end of the day, it all shakes out and people get paid and the bar is still open, that’s what guides me,” he says.

Thankfully, people like to drink beer which certainly helps. And more often than not, they’ll come in for a drink and stay for the burger.

Delco Band Claims Country Star Jelly Roll Stole Its Name

Jelly Roll, seen here at the Grammys with Taylor Swift earlier this year, is the subject of a new lawsuit filed by the Delco wedding band Jellyroll. (Getty Images)

Check phillymag.com each morning Monday through Thursday for the latest edition of Philly Today. And if you have a news tip for our hardworking Philly Mag reporters, please direct it here. You can also use that form to send us reader mail. We love reader mail!

Delco Band Jellyroll Files Lawsuit Against Country Star Jelly Roll Over Name

The Delco band Jellyroll has been playing weddings in the Greater Philadelphia region for decades, entertaining crowds with covers of songs like “Jungle Boogie,” “This Is How We Do It” and “Poison.” You may also have seen Jellyroll at local galas and events like the Philadelphia Auto Show’s Black Tie Tailgate.

And then there’s Jelly Roll. No, not Jellyroll. Jelly Roll. That’s the country music star/rapper, whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord. Jelly Roll has been around since the early 2010s, but he only recently gained country star status.

In 2022, his song “Dead Man Walking” was top of the charts on rock radio. One year later, his “Son of a Sinner” was one of the most-played new songs on country radio. The Country Music Association named him New Artist of the Year for 2023. And just this year, he was nominated for Best New Artist at the Grammys. He didn’t win, but he did seem to enjoy Miley Cyrus’s performance at the ceremony.

Well, Delco’s Jellyroll hasn’t taken too kindly to Nashville’s Jelly Roll. In fact, the local band just sued Jelly Roll in Philadelphia’s federal court. The founder of Jellyroll registered for a trademark on the name for use as a musical act way back in 2009. And he says that Jelly Roll is infringing on that trademark. A quick search of the national trademark database shows that DeFord just applied for a trademark on the name Jelly Roll for use on clothing and other wearables (a.k.a. concert merch) in early March and that the application is awaiting examination by a trademark office attorney.

According to the suit, DeFord’s use of the name Jelly Roll for a musical act leads to confusion, and since Jelly Roll recently shot to stardom, Google searches for a band called Jelly Roll that once led to Jellyroll’s site now lead to the country singer’s site. Plus, claims the suit, DeFord’s criminal past (he had several run-ins with the law in the 2000s, starting at age 14 — he’s now 39) harms the reputation of Jellyroll for anybody who might associate one act with the other.

Jellyroll’s attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Jelly Roll’s attorney, but Jelly Roll continues to promote himself as Jelly Roll, hence the suit.

Lawyers representing Jellyroll and Jelly Roll did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Broad Street Crackdown

If you’ve driven in Philadelphia anytime since 2020, you probably realize that drivers seem a bit nuts — nuttier than they used to be. They blatantly disregard red lights and stop signs. If you’re waiting for oncoming traffic to stop so you can make a left turn at an intersection, the impatient driver behind you might just go around you and dangerously make that same turn. Drivers basically do what they want these days, but the Philadelphia police department says it’s finally going to do something about that. Well, on Broad Street at least.

Police just announced a 30-day crackdown on Broad Street from City Hall up to Cheltenham Avenue. The initiative began on Monday, and police say officers are focusing on bad driving and double-parking and will be ready to hand out tickets left and right. The department has characterized this as a “zero-tolerance approach.”

“These reckless actions have put the safety of our citizens and visitors at risk,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said in a statement. “This initiative is designed to address these concerns and create a safer environment for everyone traveling along this busy corridor.”

Police say that in the past year, there were 1,601 crashes on North Broad Street alone. And 52 of those crashes involved pedestrians. Nine people died. Again, this is just on North Broad Street.

No word on what exactly is supposed to happen when that 30-day period ends.

Coyotes in Delco?

I have to say, I didn’t realize there were coyotes in these parts. But it turns out there are. And there’s one in Delco that just snatched a small dog out of a family’s backyard and ran into the woods. Where’s that damn Road Runner when you need him? Her? Wait, was Road Runner a boy or a girl?

By the Numbers

$2.6 billion: What SEPTA wants to spend in 2025. The transit agency just unveiled its latest budget proposal. That proposal includes more police officers and various system upgrades. But let’s just remember that some SEPTA upgrades aren’t necessarily upgrades.

4: Years in business for Center City medical marijuana dispensary Ethos Cannabis, which is shutting down on, yes, 4/20. Apparently, the property’s newish owners secured financing that doesn’t allow marijuana dispensaries to operate in the building.

7: Wawa stores in and around Center City that the company has closed since 2020. But the company’s president declared yesterday (Wawa’s 60th anniversary) that Wawa remains committed to Philadelphia and is, in fact, “Philly proud.”

Local Talent

As I mentioned above, Tuesday was the 60th anniversary of Wawa. Yes, I got my free Wawa coffee in honor of the occasion. I rarely get food at Wawa, but, I figured, why not? The only thing I’ll eat at Wawa these days is a chicken salad Shorti with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, hot peppers and oregano. So I got one. But who cares what I eat at Wawa? What do local talents and celebrities like Michael Solomonov, Governor Josh Shapiro, weather predictor Cecily Tynan, and FOX 29’s Alex Holley eat at Wawa? We’ve got the answers to those burning questions right here.

And From the Ranger-Danger Sports Desk …

Ranger Suárez had all he needed and then some in a masterful performance last night against the Rockies. He pitched a baseball unicorn these days: a complete-game shutout. He only gave up seven hits, one walk and had eight strikeouts. And he got good offensive support for a change. J.T. Realmuto smacked a two-run homer in the first inning:

Dinger szn 🔔‼️

J.T. Realmuto puts the Phillies on the board first!

(via @Phillies)pic.twitter.com/SA3pvyr8F2

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 16, 2024

And Bryce Harper had an RBI double in the sixth and then a two-run homer in the eighth, just for fun.

Ring the bell, Bryce Harper! 🔔

(via @Phillies)pic.twitter.com/OCak78w0a4

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 17, 2024

There were some nifty defensive plays in the game as well. Gotta feel good about this one!

Shutout for Ranger #RingTheBell #MLB pic.twitter.com/xIKsNEeXfq

— Kyle Ross (@krr5045) April 17, 2024

One more against the Rockies tonight, starting at 6:05.

Any Sixers News?

Um, yeah. Tonight is also the big Sixers play-in game against the Heat. It’s at home, Joel is possible the last we heard, and tip-off is at 7 p.m. The season series, by the way, is tied at 2-2. Terry Rozier is officially out for the game for the Heat, which can only be a good thing for our guys. Wish it was Jimmy Butler, but what can you do?

The Flyers also played. And now they won’t anymore.

All Philly Today sports coverage is provided by Sandy Hingston.

A Chill-Meets-Cheeky Home Renovation on the Main Line

A Main Line home renovation by Remy Creative / Photography by Rebecca McAlpin

After living in their Main Line home for a few years, a couple with three school-age children decided it was time to remake their Penn Valley space. A large addition by Jack Burns Architecture gave them a new kitchen, family room and butler’s pantry, while a reshuffling moved their two daughters into separate bedrooms. Ardmore designer Randi Edelman, founder of boutique firm Remy Creative, was hired to bring all the new spaces together. “Their style is streamlined but also a little boho and edgy,” says Edelman. “You’ll see natural accents and materials to soften things up, but also unexpected pops in purposeful places, like modern art and bold wallpaper in bathrooms. Everything is pretty calm, but in the spaces where we could push things, we did.”

The addition made the house more functional and gave everyone their own space. And we reimagined the existing elements so they felt fresher.”

This chill-meets-cheeky mix is quickly becoming a hallmark of Edelman’s designs. After a career in events, hospitality and fashion, she followed her longtime dream and opened for business during the pandemic. Word of mouth has kept her busy — she’s completed nearly 70 projects to date.

“This is the fifth house I’ve done in this neighborhood,” she says. “My wallpaper hanger calls it ‘Randi Street.’”

The family room

This hangout area has two full walls of windows, new oak floors, built-ins,­ and a black granite fireplace. A Samsung Frame TV — which doubles as art when not being watched — is the focal point.

The kitchen

A new built-in bar and butler’s pantry provided ample storage room, which meant the kitchen design didn’t have to revolve around cabinets and open shelves. Instead, Edelman let the quartz backsplash and countertops (sourced at Cambria in King of Prussia)­ take center stage. “It freed us from visual clutter,” she says.

Boy’s bedroom

Redecorating the son’s room wasn’t in the original plan, but Edelman wanted to do something special for him. “He loves sports, specifically basketball, and gave me his favorite colors, so that’s where I started,” she says. She found art on Etsy and incorporated locker-themed side tables from Novogratz.

Girl’s bedroom

The wallpaper was already here, so Edelman updated the space with a macramé chandelier and rattan lamps, to keep things sweet but not too cutesy.

Published as “Habitat: Big Little Moments” in the April 2024 issue of Philadelphia magazine.

Just Listed: Refreshed Expanded Trinity in Bella Vista

This classic expanded trinity at 726 S. Percy St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 has a twist. Or rather, its stairway lacks one, making moving your stuff in less of a hassle. / Bright MLS images via Realty Mark Associates

In case you haven’t been paying attention, higher interest rates do not appear to have deterred house-hunters shopping in the lower and middle parts of the market. Houses in the suburbs with price tags under $1 million are selling fast, and those in the city are going almost as quickly.

It appears, however, that trinities may be a partial exception to this rule. Most of the trinities you’ve seen here over the past two months remain on the market while pricier (and larger) city homes have sold quickly.

This refreshed Bella Vista expanded trinity house for sale may join them, but I hope it doesn’t. While it has one element that could use a little work, it’s otherwise move-in ready, recently refreshed and conveniently located.

It sits just a few doors down and across the street from this trinity I featured last week. Like it, it has two bedrooms and one full bathroom.

Living room

The main floor contains a living room with an exposed brick accent wall. All the other walls in this house have a fresh coat of paint.

Living room

Note also the straight-line staircase. Getting your mattresses up to the two bedrooms won’t be a struggle here.

Kitchen

The kitchen and bathroom are in the rear ell.

Kitchen

The kitchen has brand-new cabinets and a brand-new range.

Bathroom

And the bathroom off the kitchen has been completely rebuilt.

Bedroom

Because the bathroom sits on the first floor, making it easy on your guests, the two upstairs bedrooms have plenty of space.

Roof deck

A roof deck sits off the one on the second floor.

Roof deck

If you haven’t noticed yet, the owner of this house has a fondness for colorful tile.

Primary bedroom

The top-floor primary bedroom gets natural light all day thanks to windows on its east and west sides. This means you can wake up and go to bed with the sun, particularly in the summer.

Rear patio

The one area that could use some work is the rear patio, which currently consists of crushed stone. This presents a great opportunity for a buyer to turn it into a green oasis.

The unfinished basement contains the laundry.

This refreshed Bella Vista expanded trinity house for sale is just as convenient to so many places as last week’s trinity up the block is. I’ll refer you to that article for a full list of what you can walk to from here.

And since it’s priced lower than its up-the-block neighbor, you will have money left over to spruce up its backyard.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 2

BATHS: 1

SQUARE FEET: 1,020

SALE PRICE: $334,000

726 S. Percy St., Philadelphia, PA 19147 [Tami Dang | Realty Mark Associates]

Here’s What Our Favorite Philadelphians Order at Wawa

Alex Holley showing off one of her favorite Wawa menu items back in 2018 / Photograph provided

Over the years, we’ve asked countless notable Philadelphians what they order at Wawa. Hey, it’s just the kind of thing we do.

So in honor of Wawa’s 60th anniversary today, we thought we’d delve into the archives to find our favorites. Some of their answers weren’t particularly surprising (of course Cecily Tynan opts for wheat), while others, we weren’t really expecting.

Michael Solomonov, restaurateur

“My favorite Wawa menu item is a junior meatball sandwich on wheat with tomatoes, pepperoncinis and pickles, and parmesan cheese and provolone.”

Josh Shapiro, PA Governor

“Egg and cheese on a wheat Shorti with ketchup, apple slices, Wawa coffee, and a soft pretzel.”

Lê, Hop Sing Laundromat owner

“A ham-and-cheese but I tell them not to put too much ham on it. They don’t have a price for a half portion, but I will happily pay full price for a half portion.”

Chuck Peruto, criminal defense attorney

“The large meatball. Always. No cheese. No oregano.”

The Preston & Steve cast and Wawa Welcome America friends.

The Preston & Steve Cast, 93.3 WMMR

Preston Elliot: “Italian Shorti with provolone, tomatoes, hot peppers and mustard. And I usually grab a grapes, cheese & crackers pack.”

Steve Morrison: “Classic hoagie on wheat bread. Turkey. Swiss. Mayo. Onions. Oregano. Bottled water.”

Casey Boy: “Tabasco-flavored Monster Slim Jim, Italian Shorti, toasted with oil, vinegar, pickles and hot peppers. And Spicier Nacho Doritos — a small bag.”

Kathy Romano: “Turkey whole wheat Shorti with American cheese, a little bit of oil and vinegar, oregano. And then the seven things my son throws on the counter, because he thinks it’s a free-for-all!”

Marisa Magnatta: “Late-night grilled cheese: wheat bread, American cheese, Munster cheese, tomatoes, and a little bit of spicy mustard, toasted. Plus some crazy new chip flavor to snack on while I’m waiting. For a daytime or sober run, it’s just a water and two bags of apple slices.”

Nick McIlwain: “Turkey Classic, toasted, with spinach, tomato, Swiss cheese, honey mustard, salt, pepper, oregano and parmesan, a Wawa soft pretzel, a banana, diet orange soda, and a Wawa chocolate chip cookie.”

Jennifer Zavala swears by the Wawa chicken noodle soup.

Jennifer “Fear” Zavala, restaurateur

“One cup of chicken noodle soup, a Shorti Italian wit’ pepper-jack, mayo, lil’ bit of oil and vinegar, onion, lettuce, jalapeños, black pepper, and jalapeño kettle chips. But my favorite items at Wawa are actually the Irish coffee creamer and the chicken noodle soup. Wawa fell off a lil’ — ever since they opened in Florida. Pretty much anything in the ‘baked goods’ case is fire — as in bomb, delish, banging, the heat, the good good.”

Alex Holley, Good Day Philadelphia co-host

“The Italian sub sandwich and a peach smoothie.” [Ed. Note: We didn’t feel it was our place to correct Holley on her use of the word “sub.” She’s not from here.]

Cecily Tynan, 6 ABC meteorologist

“A turkey Shorti on wheat.”

Michael Coard, attorney and activist

“The fresh fruit salad, because I’m vegan.”

Bobbi Booker, journalist

“Jalapeño-stuffed cheese pretzels and a 20-ounce coffee.”

Christine Flowers and her questionable Wawa purchase.

Christine Flowers, conservative firebrand

“The chicken fingers over mashed potatoes and the chicken corn chowder, along with a caramel-chip Frappuccino thingie, which is not called a Frappuccino or a thingie but I don’t pay attention I just drink it. And sometimes the mozzarella sticks.”

Fergus “Fergie” Carey, bar owner

“A tuna Shorti with lettuce, tomato and sweet peppers, with some sort of Arnold Palmer to wash it down.”

Frank Olivieri, Pat’s Steaks owner

“Tuna provolone with lettuce, tomato, onion, hot pepper, and mayo. Usually a Shorti but sometimes I get that really mini one and that just satisfies me.”

Ian Morrison, a.k.a. drag queen Brittany Lynn

“Always a chicken salad Classic, toasted with American cheese, sweet peppers and pickles.”

Kate Marlys, Philly PR Girl owner

“Chicken salad with provolone cheese, lettuce and banana peppers, salt pepper and oregano. You simply can’t go wrong with Wawa‘s chicken salad! This has been my go-to order for years.”

Dwight Evans, Congressman

“My standard Wawa order is the newspaper. It used to be the small turkey hoagie, but I’m trying to cut back.”

Ryan Long, Jeopardy champ

“Those mozzarella sticks that have been sitting under the heater for ten hours.”

Casey Parker, restaurateur

“A sausage, egg and cheese classic with mayonnaise and bacon. Delicious. Usually for a hangover.”

Adam Joseph, 6 ABC meteorologist

“Grilled chicken on wheat with all the veggies you can get on there. And a cup of hot tea. I despise coffee. It’s one of the worst things on the planet.”

Eye-Catching Accessories Inspired by the Barnes Foundation’s Latest Exhibition

Necklace, $85, and earrings, from $62, both by Dconstruct Jewelry at the Barnes Foundation’s gift shop / Photograph by Cory Foote

Any visit to the Barnes Foundation should include a stop at its gift shop, where merchandise manager Tia Bianchini curates collections inspired by the institution’s exhibitions, including “Alexey Brodovitch: Astonish Me.”

On view through May 19th, the exhibition highlights the visual impact the photographer, designer and instructor (who once worked at University of the Arts) had on magazines — particularly­ as art director of Harper’s Bazaar from 1934 to 1958.

At the shop, his surreal and playful layouts are honored in various must-buy pieces for you or anyone in your life who appreciates art — and magazines, of course.

Consider the silk scarf by Jessie Zhao. It features exaggerated urban and natural illustrations. “The scarf’s retro quality nods to both surrealism and high-fashion, and bridges vintage sensibility with contemporary flair,” says Bianchini.

Then there are the custom earrings and necklaces by Dconstruct Jewelry that bear look-at-me motifs (pictured above). Says Bianchini, “We supplied images of Brodovitch’s work in Harper’s Bazaar, targeted a few recurring motifs — namely the lips and eyes — and gave Dconstruct creative license to work them into a bold collection that still feels accessible.”

Among the other goods to snap up are paper vases by Octaevo and a coffee-table book about Harper’s Bazaar and some of the talents who have contributed to its pages over the years.

Go take a peek — at the shop and exhibit — here.

Published as “Creative Vision” in the April 2024 issue of Philadelphia magazine.

The 4/20 Dinner Party in South Jersey You Don’t Want to Miss

Up in smoke s’more / Photograph by Jonathan Hudson

Howdy, buckaroos! And welcome back to the Foobooz food news round-up. Just a few quick things to get to this week, including expansion news from FedNuts, a big week for chef Dionicio Jiménez, and some 4/20 tips for getting high in New Jersey. So let’s get right to it, shall we?

Living The High Life in Collingswood

Collingswood is a dry town. But recreational weed is legal in New Jersey. So what do you do if you want to get a little loose to celebrate 4/20?

You hit up chef Michael DeLone’s Nunzio on Haddon Avenue where, in collaboration with Mercantile 1888 Zero Proof Bar, they’re throwing a boozeless, THC-infused party to mark everyone’s favorite stoner holiday.

Here’s how it’s gonna go: On Saturday, April 20th, at 6 p.m., DeLone will be serving four courses paired with “cannabinoid-infused beverages [to] celebrate the spirit of 4/20 and the wonders of cannabis culture.” And they’re calling it the “No Booze, All Buzz 4/20 Munchie Madness Pairing Dinner” which pretty much tells you all you need to know.

Except, of course, what they’re going to be serving. But have no fear. I’ve got the full menu for you right here:

Hamunchie Crudo: Hamachi Strawberry, Jalapeño, Cucumber & Balsamic
Paired with Lime Cannabis Spritz, 2.5 mg THC made with Cali Sober Ranch Water

Loaded Potato Gnocchi: Cheddar, Guanciale, Sour Cream, Green Onion, Fried Potato Skins
Paired with The Mellow Mike, 10 mg CBD made with Flyers Bklyn Gold

Italian Chicken & Waffles: Fried Chicken, Tomato Waffle, Sun Dried Tomato, Charred Spring Onion & Honey
Paired with Weed Wooder, 1 mg THC made with Mighty Kind Watermelon D9 Cannabis Seltzer

Up in Smoke S’more: Chocolate Brownie, Burnt Marshmallow, Chocolate Custard, Graham Cracker
Paired with Elevated Espresso Martini, 1 mg THC & 5 mg CBD made with Endo Medium Dank Roast Nitro Cold Brew

Okay, for starters? Italian chicken and waffles sounds delicious. I think it’s worth going for that course alone. But for anyone concerned about wigging out and going all Reefer Madness in the middle of a fancy dinner, it should be noted that the total amount of THC that will be consumed is 4.5 mg — below the legal limit for micro-dosing, like taking two hits from a joint of ’90s-style ditch weed — and 15 mg of CBD (equivalent to chewing a couple of gummies). It’s not enough to make you go out of your mind, but just enough for you to feel a little loose.

Tickets to this Italo-hippie waffle party will run you $120. You can make your reservation through Nunzio’s website, or on Tock, right here.

Moving on …

Dionicio’s Really Big Week

Chef Dionicio Jiménez and Mariangeli Alicea Saez. / Photograph by Kerri Sitrin

Chef Dionicio Jiménez from Cantina La Martina (which I just reviewed for this month’s issue) had a very big week last week.

On Instagram, there’s one epic post from consultant Kerri Sitrin talking about all of it, but here are the highlights:

First, there was the review. Yeah, I gave the place four stars. Inasmuch as I think the star system is stupid, broken, classist, pointless, lazy, wrong and essentially just a tl;dr for people who hate words, if I’m still forced to bestow them on restaurants (which I am), then I want them to mean something. Cantina La Martina is one of the best restaurants we have in one of our neighborhoods hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, housing crisis and endemic poverty. Everyone should go there, and everyone should do it with their eyes wide open. End of sermon.

After that, Jiménez and his Cantina partner, Mariangeli Alicea Saez, announced that they were opening a whole second restaurant — this one in Ambler, at 9 North Main Street. Called La Baja, it’ll be a small, BYO, and focus on the flavors of Baja-style Mexican cuisine crossed with Mediterranean and Asian ingredients. It’s something he flirts with a little at Cantina, but here he’ll be able to stretch some of those muscles he got cooking for Vetri back in the day and play around a little with Asian inspirations, and if that means more dishes like the ramen pozole he has on the board at Cantina, I’m all in. No hard date for the opening yet, but it’s looking like kinda soon …

And after all that, Jiménez and Saez went and got married! I know, right? That’s a bonkers kind of week. But still, they found the time. If you’re interested in seeing some wedding pictures, there are some posted here. But this one is my favorite.

And don’t forget, Cantina also has a huge Cinco de Mayo party coming up on Sunday, May 5th. So keep an eye out for more information on that, too.

Federal Donuts Announces Plans for World Domination (Beginning With the Philly Suburbs)

A full spread from Federal Donuts & Chicken / Photograph courtesy of CookNSolo Restaurants

Dionicio and his crew aren’t the only ones who’ve had their eye on the suburbs lately. We’ve now got word that the crew from Federal Donuts & Chicken (their new, grown-up name) have spots picked out in the ‘burbs for their next three expansions. I’ll list these in order of size:

With the smallest footprint, there’s the 1,250-square-foot location at 4021 Welsh Road in Willow Grove. Next, there’s the Radnor store with 1,550 square feet at 200 Radnor Chester Road — which is basically inside that same, weirdly confusing hotel/strip mall/office park as that new Amada location I wrote about not too long ago. And finally, there’s the biggest of the bunch: the new Conshohocken location clocking in at 1,700 square feet, in the Plymouth Square strip mall at 200 Ridge Pike. There are no opening dates yet for any of these locations, which is a little worrying, but I’ll be keeping an eye on all three of them.

Something else to keep in mind: These three new locations are all franchise stores. More importantly, they’re the first franchise stores of what looks like its going to be a major push to put a Federal Donuts and Chicken in every backyard. The announcement of these three new locations came from FedNuts World Headquarters along with a promise that there is going to be a bunch of new openings in the Philly area and franchise opportunities both on the regional and national level.

So yeah, that’s a big jump. But don’t worry, because no matter how big they get, just remember: We loved Federal Donuts before they were cool.

Now who wants some Leftovers?

The Leftovers

Smoothie from Breezy’s Deli & Market / Photograph by Scott Campbell

If you happen to find yourself at Terminal C at the Philadelphia International Airport and hungry for a little brunch, I’ve got some good news for you. Sabrina’s Cafe just announced that they’ve now got their first airport location up and running. The menu will offer the same kind of comfort food that all the other Sabrina’s locations are known for — cannoli French toast, Lucky Charms matcha lattes, teriyaki salmon bowls, the works. Only now you’ll get to eat it while waiting for them to call your flight to SeaTac.

Speaking of comfort food, Breezy’s Deli & Market opened last week at 23rd and Washington. I really like the description of this place that’s being pushed by their PR: “Think of Breezy’s as if a chef opened a Wawa.” And also, there are robots there.

Behind the counter, they’ve got hoagies. On the floor, grab-and-go coffee, snacks, local produce and some basic groceries. And then, handling the smoothies, slushies and mixed drinks, Breezy’s Botrista — the smoothie-making robot. The cynic in me wants to be pissed off by every soul-sucking development like this that erases the humanity of our shared experiences. But the super-nerd in me just yells, “Check it out! Robots!” and then runs gleefully into the arms of our cold, smoothie-scented overlords.

The new Point Breeze shop is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., every day but Monday.

You guys know Stone’s Beer & Beverage Market? It was a neighborhood beer store, open since 1955, that was bought in 2019 by Nick and Jen Wendowski in order to keep the well-known local shop going.

In 2022, the landlord tore down the entire building, forcing a temporary move to Brewerytown. But now, after more than a year of rebuilding, it looks like Stone’s is coming back to its original home at 17th and Fairmount Avenue late this month, with a grand reopening party already scheduled for Saturday, June 8th.

The new digs have been completely revamped and will now include three rotating beers on tap (mostly local breweries and exclusive brands) for customers to try, a huge walk-in, craft kegs, a seating area up front for people to just hang out and have a beer, plus room for a variety of community events. All of that, plus what the Wendowski’s call the “best online beer buying experience in the city,” are all heading back to the old neighborhood later this month. Here’s hoping the new Stone’s lasts another 70 years.

Philadelphia’s Unemployment Rate Drops to Lowest in 30 Years

Philadelphia’s unemployment rate is lower than it’s been in decades.

Check phillymag.com each morning Monday through Thursday for the latest edition of Philly Today. And if you have a news tip for our hardworking Philly Mag reporters, please direct it here. You can also use that form to send us reader mail. We love reader mail!

Philadelphia Unemployment Rate Drops to Lowest In 30 Years

As we shared with you last week, Philly Mag’s April cover story is “An Optimist’s Guide to Philadelphia.” And it’s exactly what it sounds like: a thoughtful, data-driven, glass-half-full look at a city that’s usually viewed from a more glass-half-empty point of view. My personal contribution to the optimistic (but not unrealistic!) feature was this: “Yes, Philadelphia Is Safer Than They Say On TV”. Because it really is!

And it turns out that we here at Philly Mag aren’t the only ones bearing good news about Philadelphia. The Pew Charitable Trusts just released its annual “State of the City” report on Philadelphia. And it includes plenty of data that should make you happy, or at least hopeful.

Philadelphia’s unemployment rate in 2023? Down to 4.2 percent, on average. That’s the lowest Philadelphia unemployment rate in more than 30 years. Median household income? That went up 19 percent from 2019 to 2022. Good news? Yes. But as Pew rightly points out, our median household income is still significantly below the national average. We’re also becoming a more diverse city, with the percentage of residents born outside the United States at 15.7 percent, the highest percentage since way back in the 1940s. (Of course, depending on your politics, you might think that’s a very bad thing; we don’t.) And 36 percent of our residents have a four-year degree or better, a number that goes up to more than 50 percent for those between the ages of 25 and 34.

The Pew report certainly doesn’t ignore major problems the city still faces, including with public safety (though that’s clearly improving), public transportation, poverty and the opioid crisis.

“In this year of transition,” reads the report, “the challenge is clear for Philadelphia and its new leaders: They must nurture and strengthen the positive trends while making progress on a set of deep-seated problems that can sometimes seem intractable. That mission won’t be easy. But its success is essential for the future of the city and its people.”

You can say that again.

Read the full Pew report on Philadelphia for yourself here.

More Deadlines!

Yesterday brought with it an important deadline: filing your taxes. And today brings with it yet another important deadline: requesting a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania. You can request one here. You can also just go to your county’s local election office, get a ballot, and hand it in. The biggest race you’ll be voting in is Pennsylvania Attorney General. Here’s what you need to know about all that.

Local Talent

Code Emo is a local musical duo that performs, well, emo tunes, as well as music of other genres. And they got a major assist over the weekend when playing a set at the popular Green Parrot bar and restaurant in Newtown, Bucks County.

As they were rolling through “Whiskey Glasses” by Morgan Wallen, they noticed a big guy at the back of the room singing and dancing along. At some point, Code Emo’s lead singer realizes said big guy is none other than Philadelphia Eagles crooner (and offensive tackle) Jordan Mailata, who lent his stellar pipes to those Eagles Christmas albums.

Knowing that Mailata is a John Legend fan, Code Emo immediately starts playing a John Legend song. And before long, the staff at the Green Parrot is telling Code Emo that Mailata wants to do some songs with them. And he does! It doesn’t get much better than that for a local bar band.

You can check out some of the action on Code Emo’s Instagram page.

By the Numbers

$600,000: Speaking of Bucks County, this is the amount that the former director of medical staffing at Doylestown Hospital just pleaded guilty to stealing from the the hospital’s charitable account. That money was supposed to help the community as well as hospital employees in need. Instead, Norma Galagarza used the funds to pay her taxes, car payments, credit cards, and cell-phone bill. Hey, at least she actually paid her taxes!

50: Stories expected at the really tall Harper Square, an apartment building that’s about to go up in Rittenhouse Square. The project has been under discussion for about four years and is finally moving forward with construction. No word on what the rent is going to be, but keep in mind that you’ll want to budget for regular meals at Goldie and The Dandelion, which are just around the corner.

0: Number of independents who’ll be able to vote in Pennsylvania’s primary, which is a week away. That’s thanks to Pennsylvania’s silly closed primary system. But some people are working to change that.

And From the Unlikely-Hero Sports Desk …

In last night’s Phils game vs. the Rockies, Trea Turner doubled in the third and Bryce Harper singled him home to give starter Aaron Nola a 1-0 lead, but Michael Toglia tied it in the fifth on a solo homer. Nola made it through the seventh, in which he struck out the side, and started the eighth as well before coming out for José Alvarado. Nola had nine strikeouts and only allowed four hits and one walk.

In our half, Kyle Schwarber walked to lead things off and took second on a wild pitch. Trea Turner struck out, Bryce Harper flied out, Cristian Pache came in to run for Schwarbs, and the Rockies made a pitching change, bringing in Jalen Beeks to face J.T. Realmuto, who made the third out with a fly ball. On to the ninth! Jeff Hoffman was masterful through two batters, with a pop fly and a strikeout, before Elías Diaz doubled off the wall. Hoffman’s wild pitch sent Diaz’s pinch runner, Kyle Freeland, to third, Nolan Jones was intentionally walked, and this went down:

Runner is out. Inning over. Game is still tied. pic.twitter.com/hpv4TFOsX7

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) April 16, 2024

Nice body block, Jeff! The Rockies challenged the call to no avail. Last chance for the Phils, but Brandon Marsh, Nick Castellanos and Bryson Stott couldn’t do squat. Tenth time, with Seranthony Domínguez on the mound. Harper made a nice play to stop a potential single, the runner on second took third on a long fly, and Brenton Doyle flew out to end that threat. In our half, Whit Merrifield sac-bunted second-base runner Bryson Stott to third; Alec Bohm, pinch-hitting for Rojas, grounded out; and Pache, of all people …

Cristian Pache walks it off! #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/MYPhj13sAI

— MLB (@MLB) April 16, 2024

The first walk-off winner of his career. Woo! The Rockies are up again at CBP tonight, same 6:40 start.

Got Any NBA News?

As a matter of fact, we do. Joel Embiid is on the USA roster for the Paris Olympics. And there’s this as well:

New all-time attendance records:

🌟 Total attendance (22,536,341)
🌟 Average attendance (18,322)
🌟 Sellouts (872)
🌟 Percentage of capacity (98%)

Thank you to all of our fans for a record-setting season! pic.twitter.com/qZcSbGUAgt

— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2024

And please enjoy this replay of former Sixer and current Houston Rocket center Boban Marjanovic deliberately missing his second free throw in order to provide free chicken to the masses:

This is funny as heck in a game the Rockets were about to win in LA, The fans were cheering when Boban missed his first free-throw, because if the opposition misses two in a row, the fans get free chicken.

So watch what Boban does. I love Boban! pic.twitter.com/O5eY7TFR6K

— Michael Beckman (@michaelbeck) April 15, 2024

What a guy. The Flyers also play.

All Philly Today sports coverage is provided by Sandy Hingston.

How Philly’s Get the Led Out Became the World’s Best Led Zeppelin Tribute Band

Paul Sinclair (left) and Paul Hammond of the Led Zeppelin tribute band Get the Led Out / Photograph by Lisa Schaffer

It was 1970 when Paul Hammond’s father began playing Led Zeppelin on the family’s reel-to-reel in Montco. Then-five-year-old Hammond wasn’t exactly a fan. “I was so scared of that music,” he says. “It was dark. I was much more comfortable listening to the Beatles, who seemed so … happy.”

Decades later, Hammond, who still lives in Montco, stands in for Jimmy Page in the most successful tribute band there is to Led Zeppelin, a group that hasn’t performed since a 2007 one-night reunion. Get the Led Out, in which Hammond plays guitar alongside singer Paul Sinclair and a lineup of four top session musicians from the Philly area (the two Pauls are the only original members), takes a break from a 50-city tour this month to play a three-night run at Collingswood’s 1,050-seat Scottish Rite Auditorium. And then they’re back in the area for shows at the Keswick in June.

“We play 130 shows a year,” says Hammond, now 58. “And not in small rock clubs — in theaters. It’s fair to say I don’t have to do anything else to live. This is it.”

In the early 2000s, Hammond and Sinclair weren’t exactly selling out theaters. They were working recording-studio jobs while playing a classic rock cover band’s monthly bar gig. Then, in 2003, Sinclair got a call from somebody who wanted to launch a Led Zeppelin tribute. The caller didn’t just want the band to sound the part. He wanted the members to look like Led Zeppelin, too. “Paul pretty much put his foot down when they said he should dye his hair blond to look like Robert Plant,” Hammond says of his dark-haired bandmate. They quickly abandoned the look-alike plan.

What would set Get the Led Out apart, the pair decided, was that their tribute band would perform, note for note, the album versions of Led Zeppelin songs, complete with vocal and guitar overdubs (which Led Zeppelin utilized heavily in the studio) and sound effects, such as the wild theremin-punctuated interlude in “Whole Lotta Love.”

We play 130 shows a year. And not in small rock clubs — in theaters. It’s fair to say I don’t have to do anything else to live. This is it.”

Because Led Zeppelin was a four-piece band, and, well, because its members were likely inebriated much of the time, this was something the iconic original group couldn’t do had they wanted to. Hammond acquired and performs on the same guitar and amp models — down to the year — that Page used. Hammond says the value of one guitar is $25,000. The result is like you’re sitting at home listening to the album, except it’s being performed live. Meticulously. And it all seems to have worked.

“We really didn’t have to pay our dues,” says Hammond. “Nobody else was attempting it, and we were all virtuosos. So it just took off.”

Another reason for Get the Led Out’s success: It’s unlikely you’ll see the same show twice in the same town. Hammond promises that all three nights of the Collingswood leg will be different from each other — and even distinct from the last time the band played there. Sinclair keeps a database of each show in every town to ensure just that. The same will be true for Get the Led Out’s 10th performance at massive Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado later this year.

In retrospect, Hammond confesses, he originally wanted nothing to do with a Led Zeppelin tribute — or any tribute, for that matter. “I just wanted to help out Sinclair,” he says. “But I have to admit: This isn’t exactly a bad gig.”

Published as “Whole Lotta Led” in the April 2024 issue of Philadelphia magazine.