Gene Dykes
“World’s Fastest 70-Year-Old” Gene Dykes / Photograph by Jeff Fusco Outside magazine crowned this Bala Cynwyd guy the “World’s Fastest 70-Year-Old” for running a 2:54 marathon in 2018. Last year, at 73, he combusted the 50K record for runners his age, shaving off 19 minutes. Dykes, whose pace and stamina are such that researchers have subjected him to batteries of investigative tests, calls himself the “Ultrageezer.” “Don’t be afraid of getting old,” he counseled after his 3:56:43 50K. His secret? “I never stretch.”
Càphê Roasters
Càphê Roasters has everything you’d expect from a great coffee shop: caffeine, sun-soaked couches, strong wi-fi. But they also serve some of the best Vietnamese food in town, like fried chicken bánh mì and roasted tomato egg sandwiches. Not to mention coffee from barista and roaster Thu Pham that ranges from Viet drinks topped with sweet whipped egg custard to lattes inspired by Asian cereals. 3400 J Street, G1, Philadelphia, PA 19134, capheroasters.com.
Suya Suya
Fast-casual joints are about as riveting as a half-flaccid traffic cone reserving a parking spot. But this Nigerian restaurant in Northern Liberties operates in its own lane, serving a menu of grilled and yaji-rubbed proteins heavy on peanuts, paprika and scorching cayenne. Customize a bowl for takeout (or sit inside with your laptop and some generously provided wi-fi) for what’s by far the best lunch you’ll eat all week. 400 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19123, suyasuya.co.
Volvér
For the past year, chef Jose Garces has enlisted the likes of Poi Dog’s Kiki Aranita, Little Fish’s Alex Yoon, and Juana Tamale’s Jennifer Zavala to showcase their skills through a series of six-week residencies. The additional perk? The Garces Foundation is matching the first $5,000 raised by diners to support the guest-chefs’ current and future restaurant projects. 300 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, philadelphia.volverrestaurant.com.
The Dell Music Center
We know the city has a lot on its hands right now, but we wish it would do more with this lovely 6,000-person Fairmount Park amphitheater managed by Parks & Rec. There were only 12 (12!) concerts scheduled for all of July and August. Maybe the city shouldn’t be in the concert business? 2400 Strawberry Mansion Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19132, thedellmusiccenter.com.
Anchor Rock Club
If you like the aesthetic and programming of Johnny Brenda’s and Union Transfer, you’ll love this indie venue within feet of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the brainchild of South Philly Tap Room and American Sardine Bar owner (and now Atlantic City developer) John Longacre. This month, look for Guided By Voices (August 20th), the Mountain Goats (August 29), and Philly’s own Low Cut Connie (August 27th). 247 South New York Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, anchorrockclub.com.
Downstage @ the Mann
This season, the Mann debuted a brand-new seating option: onstage. That’s right. For select shows, the regular seats and lawn are closed off, and the audience sits right up there with the performers. There’s only one Downstage @ the Mann show left this season (sorry; you just missed Nigerian Afrobeat master Femi Kuti), but you can still get tickets for the Resistance Revival Chorus on October 7th. 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131, manncenter.org/downstage.
Engin Cycles
Engin Cycles owner Drew Guldalian / Photograph by Jeff Fusco Right off the bat: These are not cheap bikes. They start at $4,500, so we’d understand if your eyes just bugged out. But hear us out: They’re gorgeous. Nearly every piece of the bike is machined in-house, and the titanium frame adds a level of durability that no off-the-rack frame can match. So maybe put this on your “someday” list. 7837 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118, engincycles.com.
Mid-City Tire and Auto
You’ve exhausted AutoZone’s supply of Fix-a-Flat, and it’s time to admit you need a professional to repair your slowly ssssssinking tire. But you don’t have the patience to endure the tire shop’s sales pitch — or the thousand bucks it will cost you if you give in to it. We’ve brought tires into Mid-City with embarrassingly low — probably dangerously so — treads and walked out with patches, and without a sales pitch. That level of honesty brought us back when we decided, “Hey, maybe I really do need new tires.” 709 Washington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147, midcitytire.com.
Maria Quiñones-Sánchez
The Councilperson had hoped to keep her breast cancer and treatment a secret — so personal, you see. But then: “I thought about the women I know who have lost their battles with breast cancer.” She also thought about Philly women who, like her, weren’t getting regular screenings. So she changed her mind, wrote her story in the Inquirer, and kept on keeping on.
Flaunt Fitness
After 10 years in business and with a new studio space in the works, Flaunt Fitness remains the place to channel your inner vixen, whether through a pole workout, an inversion workshop, a sultry heels sesh, a twerking party, or one of the many high-energy dance fitness classes. You’ll feel so empowered, you’ll have no shame posting your progress all over IG. 1939 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, flauntfitness.net.
Riverwards Produce Old City
Nearly 3,000 square feet of all your favorite groceries: high-quality produce (hello, sour cherries!), plenty of vegan products, floral bouquets from local cooperatives like Terra Luna and Sunny Harvest, coffee from more than 25 regional roasteries, covetable frozen items like Mom-Mom’s Pierogies, an impressive array of cheeses, frozen desserts from Milk Jawn and Fiore, fresh baked goods from Mighty Bread Co. and Kismet Bagels, and a raw juice and smoothie bar. We may never leave. 146 North Bread Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, riverwardsproduce.com.
Lux Natural Teeth Whitening
It’s time to accept that we’re all so vain (cue Carly Simon) and just want to look good. And when it comes to getting pearly whites, Lux takes the gold with its plant-and-mineral-based gel that’ll lift your teeth up to 12 shades in a single visit. No irritated gums, no worn-away enamel, no waiting forever to see results — time to throw away those lame at-home strips. 1650 Market Street, suite 3600, Philadelphia, PA 19103, lux-whitening.com.
Barry's Philadelphia
Long before 50 Shades of Grey, Barry’s created its own red room for addictive HIIT workouts that are said to burn up to 1,000 calories in less than an hour (talk about efficient). At the Rittenhouse spot, the team provides an easy-to-learn, ever-changing lineup of intense treadmill sprints and strength-training exercises that are accessible for self-proclaimed non-runners but tough enough to challenge the most athletic among us. 1915-17 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, barrys.com/studio/philadelphia.
Lips and Drips by Erica Marie
Nurses Erica Mendez and Erica Hammel opened this posh spa where custom vitamin-and-mineral-packed IV drips give your body a hefty dose of nutrients in less time than it’ll take you to watch an ep of Bridgerton. Pick your pack (immunity, sports recovery, hangover helper, beauty), then sit back while the elixir goes to work. (P.S.: Hammel is also a Botox wizard, if you want to make the most of a visit.) 2342 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19145, lipsanddripsllc.com.