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.
Busybee Homestore and Design Center
Make an appointment, and an onsite designer will give you a 30-minute planning consultation, present a library book of furniture options, and walk you through the small but mighty floor selection of staples (dressers from Oeuf and Argington) and accessories (mini Eames-like chairs and Stokke high chairs). For $500, the designer will do more, like dream up art installations or help with paint colors. 734 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, busybeephilly.com.
Tiberi Studios
Photograph by Jeff Fusco Jen Tiberi (pictured) can take your old accent chair (or that one you scored on Delancey Street on trash day) and turn it into the chicest item in your home. The keen-eyed artisan once did home textiles R&D for Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, and now breathes new life into Eero Saarinen tulip chairs and whips up plush velvet ottomans, custom draperies, and a single throw pillow capable of transforming the entire vibe of your living room — all made to order in her Old City studio. 227 New Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, jentiberi.com.
Nigro's Auto Body
As long as Philly is all narrow streets and parallel parking, your car's going to be all pockmarks and dents. Quit fretting and go see South Philly's Aniello Nigro, an Italian-trained die-hard car lover who's been making beat-up, beat-down and just beat cars look new for 30 years. 939 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, nigrosautobody.com.
CarVault Main Line
Love cars? Join the club, literally. This social club for auto enthusiasts offers more than secure storage for your ride — the staff will wash and detail your car, schedule maintenance, and take delivery of a new vehicle and have it transported to your chosen destination. There’s also a stocked members lounge with a racing simulator, co-working space, and a calendar of events. You don’t even need a car to join. 1340 West Swedesford Road, Berwyn, PA 19312, carvaultmainline.com.
Jo Jo’s Professional Auto Detailing
Whether it’s a wash-and-wax or you’re sick and tired of the lingering smell from the one time (just once!) your chain-smoking uncle borrowed your Honda, Jo Jo’s Professional Auto Detailing is the place to go. The Fuscellaro family will vacuum, shampoo, wax, shine, and work their general magic on your car or truck, all with upfront, reasonable pricing. We’re sure they’d even send the bill to your uncle if you asked nicely. 1913 South Bancroft Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, jo-jos-pro-auto-detailing.business.site.
All That Jazz Sound & Security
It’s right there in the name: All That Jazz Sound & Security. This Lancaster Ave shop has spent its entire existence keeping Philadelphians’ trunks thumping and vehicles secure, but the electronic expertise here has kept pace with the trends, too, with remote starters, backup and dashboard cameras, LED lighting, whatever. While these might seem like bells and whistles — hey, they do custom horns, too — adding undercarriage lighting to your motorcycle is an increasingly popular way to stay safe on your bike. 4977 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131, allthatjazzphilly.com.
Epic Mobile Detailing
On their days off, Philly firefighters Tyrone Thomas and Cleveland Jones bring their industrial-strength vacuum and half a dozen crates of potions and polishers to you. They’ll spend hours erasing coffee spills, buffing out the evidence of a swipe with a suburban mailbox, and whisking away every last speck of dirt, making your ride as close to perfect as it’s been since you drove it off the lot. epicmobiledetail.com.
Simagas Autodetailing
Abdoul Simaga seems to really hate dirt, grime and all sorts of filth. That’s what you’ll learn if you hire him to clean and detail your car. He goes deep and doesn’t rest until your baby looks sparklingly new. The Ivory Coast native does pop-up mobile detailing in parking lots along City Avenue, but for the best service (and so you don’t have to wait in the very long line), hire him to bring his thoroughly outfitted mobile detailing truck to your home.