Guides

10 Delicious Dishes Worth Going Out of Your Way to Eat in Philly

From Hardena’s #NotPizza box to Nano’s Austin-style breakfast tacos, this is what to order now.


Listen, they may be hard to find, and you might have to DM some folks on Instagram. You’ll have to go out of your way, you’ll have to plan ahead, and you’ll have to be diligent and smart. But there’s no doubt these 10 dishes are the most impressive, most delicious eats in all of Philly right now. Here’s exactly what goes into them.

1. Bean Pie

philadelphia foods

Illustration by Beth Walrond

What’s in it: Great Northern bean filling, sweetened like sweet potato pie, in a traditional buttery pie crust

Where to get it: Get it by donating $100 or more to Omar Tate’s Honeysuckle fund-raiser. Follow @honeysuckle_projects for more information.

2. “The Henry” Veggie Hoagie

philadelphia foods

Illustration by Beth Walrond

3. Ramly Burger

philadelphia foods

Illustration by Beth Walrond

What’s in it: Cabbage (better than iceberg lettuce), egg crepe, two smashburger-thin patties, curry sauce, and sambal mayo on a squishy bun

Where to get it: Find it at select Saté Kampar pop-ups. Follow @satekamparphilly on Instagram for more information.

4. Old-School Shoyu Ramen Kit

philadelphia foods

Illustration by Beth Walrond

What’s in it: Wavy noodles (like if ripple chips were noodles); scallions; nori; sweet and savory pork chashu; super-umami chicken dashi broth; ajitama (a seasoned soft-boiled egg); and fish cake

Where to get it: Find it at Neighborhood Ramen, 617 South 3rd Street, Queen Village; order online at neighborhoodramen.com.

5. Torta Tamale

philadelphia foods

Illustration by Beth Walrond

What’s in it: Beef and cheese tamale, crema, salsa verde, Oaxaca cheese, all sandwiched between Mexican bolillo bread

Where to get it: Find it at Juana Tamale at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street, Callowhill; follow @juanatamale on Instagram for more information.

6. #NotPizza Box

philadelphia foods

Illustration by Beth Walrond

What’s in it: Caramelized tempeh, red-hot sambal, lumpia stuffed with glass noodles and chicken, grilled chicken saté, jasmine rice, Indonesian-style beef rendang, bakwan (veggie corn fritters) — all atop banana leaves inside a pizza box

Where to get it: Find it at Hardena, 1754 South Hicks Street, Point Breeze; follow @hardenaphilly on Instagram for more information.

7. The Jollof Complex

philadelphia foods

Illustration by Beth Walrond

What’s in it: Nubs of fatty, crispy chicken thighs, spicy tomato stew, jollof rice (a.k.a. West African party food), and sautéed farm greens (whatever’s in season)

Where to get it: Find it at Fudena pop-up, 2025 Washington Avenue, Point Breeze; follow @eatfudena on Instagram for more information.

8. Austin-Style Breakfast Tacos

philadelphia foods

Illustration by Beth Walrond

What’s in it: Brisket burnt ends (because, you know, it’s Austin-style), scrambled eggs, and Monterey jack cheese packed into homemade flaky flour tortillas

Where to get it: Find them at Nano’s Tortillas pop-up; follow @nanostortillas on Instagram for more information.

9. Frizwit Cheesesteak

philadelphia foods

Illustration by Beth Walrond

What’s in it: Caramelized onions, frizzled steak from Primal Supply Meats, house-made beer cheese, all on a Merzbacher’s hoagie roll.

Where to get it: Find it at Musi, 100 Morris Street, Pennsport; order online at frizwit.com.

10. Spinach and Goat Cheese Kolache

philadelphia foods

Illustration by Beth Walrond

What’s in it: Sautéed spinach and goat cheese stuffed inside a soft, pillowy kolache dough.

Where to get it: Find it at Bohemian Style Kolaches pop-ups; follow @bohemianstylekolaches on Instagram for more information.

Published as “Hunt These Ten Dishes Down” in the “What to Eat Now!” feature in the January/February 2021 issue of Philadelphia magazine.