Chaat and Chai
You know the city has changed when the best Indian food is coming out of a cheery, colorful place around the corner from the Melrose Diner. The menu's not huge, but that's just fine. The namesake chaats (Indian street snacks) and chais (Indian teas) make for a perfect, well, afternoon tea. For a more substantial meal, reach for the curry bowls. 1532 Snyder Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145, facebook.com/chaatandchai.
Gritty's Chaos Factory
The Chaos Factory at the soon-to-be-renamed Wells Fargo Center is like a Build-A-Bear Workshop for Gritizens, where kids — and, let’s be honest, adults — can customize their own 15-inch Gritty plushies. The space is packed with baskets of the “Itty Bitty Gritty” dolls and a selection of costumes (and belly buttons!) to dress them in, like classic Flyers jerseys or swim trunks with ducky pool floats. Everything, from the displays and signs to exclusive tees and enamel pins, seems like it was concocted by Gritty himself. 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, wellsfargocenterphilly.com.
Charles Shoe Repair
Yes, yes, we’re all still mourning the loss of Superior Shoe Repair. But Charles is the perfect rebound: Reliably good repairs and a speedy turnaround time. Penn Center, 1800 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103, .
Prepped by Carly
Registered dietitian Carly Foglia’s mission is to share the healing power of nutrient-dense, balanced food. Every Sunday, from her West Chester-based kitchen, she’ll deliver plate-clearing dishes — teriyaki shrimp, Snickers overnight oats, better-for-you crispy chicken snack wraps — made with whole, recognizable ingredients right to your door. Bonus: Bulk poultry, fish and veggies, protein balls, and Paleo desserts from the Northeast’s Ferry Good Treats are menu mainstays. carlyfoglianutrition.com.
Holly's Trinket Bar
Adorning your bag with bits and bobs, à la Jane Birkin, is very of the moment. So make an appointment to dig through artist Holly Simple’s collection (sourced over the past 20 years) of vintage charms and trinkets. She’ll take your picks and arrange them into an eye-catching purse chain. 1901 South 9th Street, Philadelphia , PA 19148, hollysimplestudio.com.
Trolley Car Diner
Running a family-friendly dining spot is harder than it looks: Cater too much to the kids, and parents want to blow their brains out; cater too much to the parents, and parents still want to blow their brains out (because if the kids ain't happy, ain't nobody happy). This neon-bright '50s-style Mount Airy spot gets the blend just right: The kids' menu (which comes on an old-school Viewmaster cool!) offers up crowd-pleasing kid fare like chicken nuggets and mac-and-cheese, while the regular menu has enough ambition and variety (including great veggie options, like an eggplant grinder) to make grown-ups happy, too. Mom-and-dad bonus: great craft beers and boozy adult milkshakes. 7619 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19119, trolleycardiner.com.
Southport Plaza Car Wash
Your standard sudsy drive-thru, but bolstered by an army of elbow-greased, cloth-bearing shiners who keep your wheels looking showroom-new. Low prices, too. 1600 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19102, .
The Unlimited Monthly Car Wash Club at Clean Machine Car Wash & Detail Center
For 20 bucks a month, you can roll your ride through the tunnel of sprayers and scrubbers as many times as you like. Vacuuming is free, but you’ll have to do it yourself. 401 West Glenside Avenue, Glenside, PA 19038, cleanmachinecarwash.net.
Hello World
When you bring along something really charming a quirky serving tray or a Philadelphia wine bag or an oak wine carafe it makes you seem really charming, even with your tendency to spill red wine on the couch. (On second thought, better grab two really charming things.) 257 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, shophelloworld.com.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Upper Darby
In a business where customer service typically leaves plenty to be desired, this Delaware County branch of the national chain is a beacon of hope, with friendly, expeditious employees eager to make sure you're happy behind and beyond the wheel. And should you leave your E-ZPass in one of their cars (as one Philly Magger did), the branch manager just might drive to Collegeville to retrieve it for you (as the branch manager here did). 706 Garrett Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082, enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?gpbr=1742&bid=004&cnty=US.
Yay Diff
Philly’s charm queen, Erika Diffendall, reigns supreme with Yay Diff, the queer- and woman-owned pop-up that turns any event into a full-on sparkle fest. With her arsenal of chain links and more than 300 cheeky charms sure to highlight your personality, these build-your-own jewelry bars are equal parts nostalgic, stylish, and abundantly fun. Look for her pop-up parties around town on IG, or book her for your own soiree. instagram.com/yay_diff.
Bistrot La Minette
Vive la charming private back room big enough for you and 19 of your closest friends! The $45-per-person family-style French meal is perfect for those who've finally come to appreciate the classy charms of wine over Jager, leather over vinyl and gteau l'opra over Fudgie the Whale. 623 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, bistrotlaminette.com.
Downingtown Primal Screaming Club
When the world feels like it’s collapsing around you, sometimes there’s only one thing to do: scream your lungs out. This is what this grassroots social group in Downingtown offers to anyone in need of an AHHHHHHH! — at no charge. All you have to do is show up once per month in Johnsontown Park and release your barbaric yawp. Trust us: You’ll walk away with softened shoulders, feeling much, much lighter. instagram.com/wearesproutinghope.
Closet Works
Did you know that a closet can be more than a place to shove things, then slam the door? News to us, too. Closet Works has spent decades transforming home chaos into home-eostasis, creating custom spaces so smartly designed that happy customers rave that their closets are now “my favorite room in the house” (?!) and “my peaceful sanctuary.” Walk-ins, pantries, mudrooms, Murphy beds, laundry rooms — if it can hold stuff, they can make it beautiful. 104B Park Drive, Montgomeryville, PA 18936, closetworksinc.com.
Cynthia Peditto
Peditto’s expertise shines in the curl world. The stylist — who’s been cutting and coloring hair of all textures for nearly 30 years — has perfected a freehand twisting technique that defines your locks, can get you proudly rocking bangs (Yes! Even you, curly girls!), and has helped at least one perimenopausal client we know maintain volume despite hair thinning. Bonus: Your grow-out will look just as tight and bouncy as it did in Peditto’s chair. 1503 Walnut Street, Suite 12A, Floor 3, Philadelphia, PA 19102, cynthiapeditto.glossgenius.com.