Fountain Porter
Salt, pepper, a juicy beef patty for $5. It's a fast-food price for a legit burger. Wash it down with a beer from one of the smartest lists in the city. 1601 South 10th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148, fountainporter.com.
Mole Poblano
The South Philly storefront might look like your average taqueria, but Mole Poblano's game is a step above. Order the al pastor, which is stuffed with flavorful pork and tangy pineapple. 1144 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, molepoblanophiladelphia.com.
Firehouse Bicycles
You'll find a huge selection of secondhand mountain bikes, tandem bikes, road bikes you name it. It's the biggest selection of used rides in the city, for way less than you'd pay for the factory-fresh versions. 701 South 50th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143, firehousebicycles.com.
Curran's Irish Inn
A great sports bar needs four things: plenty of TVs, killer Buffalo wings, cheap ice-cold beers, and a fiercely sports-hungry clientele. This friendly haunt just off I-95 has all of that, but it also has shuffleboard. Trust us; it just works. 6900 State Road, Philadelphia, PA 19135, curransirishinnbensalem.com.
Foolish Waffles Food Truck
The black-pepper pork belly (or tofu), pickled cabbage, fresh jalape_os and dash of chili sauce are good enough. Roll that all up in a fresh waffle from this food truck? So good it'll make you giggle. 3544 Cresson Street, Philadelphia, PA 19129, foolishwaffles.com.
Philadelphia Sculpture Gym
This three-week class focuses on woodworking techniques, but also incorporates whatever refinishing or welding skills you'll need to turn that sturdy piece of driftwood you found in Ocean City into, say, a stool. 1834 East Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19125, philadelphiasculpturegym.com.
Vagabond
Vagabond is all about variety: Vintage clothes share racks with indie labels; super-affordable blouses hang next to investment-piece dresses; shoes line up next to skeins of yarn and cross-body bags. The one thing all this stuff has in common? It'll make your look instantly cooler. 37 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, vagabondboutique.com.
The Fat Ham
The hot chicken at Kevin Sbraga's ode to Southern cooking is the real deal. Your eyes will tear, your pores will sweat, your mouth will blister and despite all that heat, you'll clean it to the bone. 3131 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, sbragadining.com/fatham.
Commonwealth Proper
Because a bespoke suit that fits perfectly and looks fresh, from a place that serves whiskey while you wait, shouldn't be something reserved solely for those who have drivers and Bentleys. 1839 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, commonwealthproper.com.
Jose Pistola's
Jose Pistola's is about as down-to-earth as it gets, with good drink specials ($15 happy-hour marg pitchers), craft brews, a kitchen that's open until 1 a.m., live music, and a come-as-you-are attitude. 263 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, josepistolas.com.
Lithe Cinch
Hoping to erase or at least shrink that post-baby bump? Head to Lithe's Cinch class, during which haramakis (belly bands) worn around the waist help new moms focus on their core while keeping the entire midsection compressed during an hour of transformative bar and mat work. You'll tighten, tone and slim the entire area between the ribs and hips. Screw you, mom jeans. Lithe Method; see website for locations, 00000, lithemethod.com.
Drexel Convenient Care Center
Two things guaranteed to make you feel better: 1) No appointments needed. 2) Leaving with your prescription in hand. The Shops at Liberty Place, 1625 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19192, drexelmedicine.org/patient-services/convenient-care-center.
Four-Handed Massage at Nurture Spa
Just in case the thought of a simultaneous scalp and foot massage isn't enough to make your eyes roll back in your head, we'll explain it this way: It might be best to have a loved one come along to drive you home afterward, as if you are undergoing an outpatient medical procedure for which you are receiving heavy sedation. Because truth be told, after this massage, we shouldn't have been on the road. 415 South York Road, New Hope, PA 18938, nurturespa.com.
The Palm
Each Wednesday, a resounding "I'll have the meatloaf" is heard from the tables and booths inside the city's power dining room. In fact, this $12 midweek lunch special has movers and shakers (Ed Rendell, Brian Tierney and Ron Rubin are known fans) calling ahead to reserve orders of the spicy, Cajun-inspired all-beef loaf, served with tangy house-made brown gravy and a mound of whipped potatoes. 200 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, thepalm.com/Philadelphia.
The Arden's Play-in-a-Day Workshop
Your kids (and a dozen or so other K-to-second-graders) spend five hours inside the Old City theater, concocting, writing and rehearsing an original play. Afterward, you come back to witness the too-cute fruits of their labor. Don't forget the camera. 40 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, ardentheatre.org/classes.