Thunderbird Salvage
The tchotchkes here — German handbemalt candles, a Mork & Mindy doll, a taxidermied raccoon, a ceramic turtle ashtray — may be a random mishmash, but they’ll add gravitas to your bookshelves in a way nothing from Target ever could. 2441 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, instagram.com/thunderbirdsalvage.
Neuf
Best thing about Neuf: sitting at the bar and snacking on the kitchen's house-baked bread. It's crumbly, crisp-crusted and perfect, served with only parsley pesto and a few olives, because nothing else could improve it. 943 South 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, neufphilly.com.
Tony Luke's
Readers’ Choice: It was a fight to the finish, as the Philip’s folks worked hard to get out the vote among their devotees. (The even called our office. Often.) But in the end, stalwart Tony Luke’s walked away with Best Cheesesteak honors. 39 East Oregon Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, tonylukes.com.
Shake Shack
Readers' Choice: The surprising thing here isn't that the 2012 New York transplant's dense, decadent shakes won the vote, but just how much of a landslide win the Shack enjoyed against its extremely formidable competitors. 2000 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, shakeshack.com/location/philadelphia.
Ellelauri
Everything we want for our summer wardrobe -- easy, colorful knit dresses and the statement necklaces to jazz 'em up, plus flat sandals and cutesy totes -- all packaged up in a pretty little seashore-y shop. 264 West 21st Street, Avalon, NJ 08202, ellelauri.com.
Inspired Brews
The kombucha case at Whole Foods has nothing on this Old City fermentary's probiotic-packed tea concoctions, with rotating flavors like Elderflower Lemonade and seasonal treats like Gingerbread. (Pleasant shocker: It actually tastes like gingerbread!) 263 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, inspiredbrews.com.
Virtua Center for HealthFitness Washington Township
Luxe locker rooms, three pools, a film-free indoor track, TV-equipped treadmills, a buffet of group fitness classes, and Virtua's neighboring spa to boot: If that's doesn't inspire you to drop a few lbs., nothing will. 239 Hurffville Crosskeys Road, Suite 100, Sewell, NJ 08080, virtua.org/locations/Centers-for-healthfitness/washington-township-fitness.aspx.
Neil's Sharpening Service
It’s tomato season, and there’s nothing worse than having the Brandywine for your BLT mangled by a dull knife. Swing by Chestnut Hill’s Market at the Fareway (and a rotating collection of farmers’ markets), and Neil Jacob will spark that blade back to life. neilssharpeningservice.com.
Indy Hall
If group feedback and hanging with like-minded design-types is what keeps you motivated, nothing can top the energy level at Indy Hall, where it's first-come, first-serve for space and anyone is welcome to join in the events. 22 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, indyhall.org.
Bud & Marilyn's
There is nothing better in the world than cheese curds dipped in batter and deep-fried. And there is no place in the city better to eat fried cheese than at the bar at Marcie Turney and Val Safran's 1970s Midwestern-theme restaurant. (Trust us, we've looked.) 1234 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, budandmarilyns.com.
The Farm and Fisherman
Plenty of chefs do head-to-tail, root-to-leaf cooking. But none do it quite like Josh and Colleen Lawler, who work it without a walk-in refrigerator. From the beef hearts to the beet steaks, this fresh and inventive BYO is the real deal. 1120 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, thefarmandfisherman.com.
Wine to Go From Vino Volo
For those who want nothing more than to sip on a healthy pour of pinot grigio while thumbing through Us Weekly at their gate, we’re happy to report that your wish has been granted. B/C Connector and D/E Connector. philamarketplace.com/store/vino-volo.
Casa del Gatto Door Knockers
Nothing says “Welcome to my idiosyncratic house of delights” like a bronze door knocker shaped like a cat or mouse. Casa del Gatto’s additions to the genre of quirky door decor will lend your entryway the personality you didn’t know it was missing. etsy.com/shop/casadelgatto.
Malvern Buttery
Lunching here is a bit of a leap of faith—there’s no menu, so all you can do is wait to see what toasts, salads, soups and breads the kitchen crew slides onto the counters. And guess what? Nothing has fallen flat yet. 233 East King Street, Malvern, PA 19355, malvernbuttery.com.
Meister's Barbershop
This handsome addition to East Passyunk is everything it needs to be and nothing it doesn't: a smartly designed space, a simple first-come, first-served system, and four chairs where owner Rob Baumiester and his team will deliver the finest fade you've ever received. 1810 East Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19148, meistersbarbershop.com.