Where to Find Irish Potatoes in Philly
You have just days to enjoy the limited-edition, regional delicacy.
Shane Confectionery | photo provided
Two years ago, for reasons beyond my understanding, Foobooz published an attack on the Irish potato. It is well-written and witty and pretty on-brand (in that it’s a very contrarian piece of writing), but, boy, is it a heartbreaker.
Our beloved Irish potato! Torn to shreds! Nuggets of sweetened coconut cream (or cream cheese) rolled in cinnamon, made to look like tiny potatoes covered in dirt, so soft and chewy and, if your heart isn’t made of stone, undeniably adorable. Eviscerated. How could we?
So to make amends, here’s a peace offering list of places to go get yourself some Irish potatoes:
Lore’s
Lore’s | Facebook
A visit to Lore’s is a Philly bucket list item — an old-school candy shop that does everything the old-fashioned way — and a baggie of fresh Irish potatoes from Lore’s is a bucket list item within the bucket list. Online orders end March 17th. 34 South 7th Street
Baker Brothers
Baker Brothers | Google Maps
Pennsport is a hotbed for all sorts of Irish-American cultural goodies, and if you walk around the neighborhood long enough, one will likely come flying out of some Mummers clubhouse window and smack you in the face. But if you’re not willing to leave it up to chance, head to Baker Brothers, a little bake shop at 3rd and Wolf Streets that makes them fresh daily. 2300 South 3rd Street
Pennsylvania General Store
PA General Store | Official
Reading Terminal’s PA-sweets-focused store calls this month “Irish Potato Season”. Buy them in person, or order them online and in bulk. 51 North 12th Street
Anthony’s Italian Coffee and Chocolate House
Anthony’s | Facebook
Sure, “Italian” is in the name of the shop, but who cares? They’ve been making Irish potatoes for a long, long time, and munching on them while walking up and down the open markets of 9th Street is a lovely way to spend a Saturday. 903 – 905 South 9th Street
Barry’s Buns
Barry’s Buns Irish potato cupcakes
Irish. Potato. Cupcakes. Vanilla cupcake, Irish potato filling, cream cheese icing, sweetened coconut on top, dusted with cinnamon. Available through St. Patrick’s Day. 8221 Germantown Avenue and 111 South Independence Mall East
Christopher Chocolates & Gifts
Christopher | Official
The Newtown Square chocolate shop carries Oh Ryan’s potatoes covered in friggin’ chocolate. 3519 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square
Shane Confectionery
Leave it to Philly’s resident sweet treat historians Ryan and Eric Berley to do the sweet spuds right, their legion of confectioners rolling each one by hand with cream cheese and coconut. (Note: They’re already sold out for the year. Better luck in 2022!) 110 Market Street
Acme and Wawa
This time of year, most (if not all) locations are stocked floor-to-ceiling with boxes of (Delco-based) Oh Ryan’s Irish Potatoes. Multiple locations
