Megan’s Philly Tour Part 2: Eastern State Penitentiary and Philly Foods

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Sure, I drank my way through Market Street, but surely, I wasn’t done. There is so much more of the Philly food landscape that’s ripe for exploring. To work up an appetite though I had to do a little sightseeing first. That brought me to The Franklin Institute and The Jurassic World exhibit.  ROAAAAAR, real monsters, and The Eastern State Penitentiary.

Straight up chillin’ in the prison yard, yo

The Eastern State Penitentiary is a pretty baller landmark to visit on a beautiful day. Using an audio tour, you weave in and out of its hallways, peak into Al Capone’s luxury cell, and get to take the tourist photo from atop the loft looking down a dark corridor. I accomplished all three and even got to work on my tan in the prison yard.

Eastern State Penitentiary
2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19130
https://www.easternstate.org

 

a view from the balcony

classy pants art installation

They had some pretty neat art installations on exhibit. This in particular by Cindy Stockton Moore entitled “Other Absences,” showcased the victims of the inmates, hanging their photos from the ceiling of a corroding jail cell. I emerged triumphant, having experienced my very own Shawshank Redemption, falling to my knees and staring up at the sky my head turned slightly, and I looked across the street noticing a charming eatery cobbled out of an old firehouse.

Jack’s Firehouse
2130 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
http://www.jacksfirehouse.com/

The day could not have been more perfect, and the warm April air joined us for our nosh. The large doors of the converted firehouse are left open when the weather is just right allowing diners inside to get a glimpse of the historical landmark and the gorgeous day.

Biscuits

Every table is treated to Biscuits with cherry preserves and butter. Below, you see the Southern Vegetable Risotto with Virginian Vegetable Broth. The risotto sits on a bed of sautéed spinach, and my inner sixteen-year-old that was vegan once upon a dream was swooning.

Southern Vegetable Risotto with Virginian Vegetable Broth

The Gaslight
120 Market, Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
http://www.thegaslightphilly.com

This spot is one of the best happy hours I’ve seen. Their cocktails are $5, and their Happy Hour snacks are $4.

Old Fashioned

Chef’s Daily Taco

Fresh Baked Soft Pretzels

Artisanal Cheese Board

Fish and Chips

Because the Happy Hour snacks were abundant, we decided to split the Fish and Chips. So beautifully light and well done.

Beiler’s Bakery
Reading Terminal Market, 51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/merchants/55-beiler-s-bakery

And you get a donut, and you get a donut, and YOU get a donut.  Beiler’s Bakery, a stapleamong regulars to Reading Terminal Market showcases some amazing takeaway flavors. I finally got my hands on a fruity pebbles donut. A spectacular runner-up is the maple bacon. While you wait in the line, you also get to witness first hand where the magic happens as the bakers make the fluffy wonders right before your very eyes.  

Molly Malloy’s
Reading Terminal Market, 51 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA
http://www.mollymalloysphilly.com

On my Create-Your-Own Omelette, I had the one, the only, scrapple. This often unappreciated breakfast meat is made up of everything left of the pig and I have to say, although it was dense and made me feel like I was carrying a scrapple baby in my lower stomach for the rest of my day, I liked it. I really really liked it.  Also, had a bite of delicious fresh Yogurt and Granola.

The next time you’re Phill-ing up in historical Old Town Philly and the bustling Reading Terminal Market, make sure to stop by some of these spots!

Megan

Born in Virginia and raised on the mean streets of Garden City, Long Island, I’ve learned to appreciate any type of cuisine from a late night burrito and tatcho’s to a tasting menu and wine pairing. I’m a bit of an adventurer when it comes to food and am always up for an eating challenge where I can find one. I may or may not have eaten sixteen chili tacos to become “The Taco Queen” of a small hole in the wall Mexican eatery. I also couldn’t help myself from ordering whale in Oslo (please don’t tell Green Peace) and can’t resist a zany menu choice. A writer and performer, I like to pair my meals with a good play and you can find my reviews on New York Theatre Guide. Baking is a guilty pleasure and I’m constantly preparing confectionaries with surprises inside. I hope one day to compile all my recipes into one called “Get Stuffed”.I’m looking forward to the next culinary adventure I carve out and sharing them with you. I may just need to create an entire series devoted to “did they really just make this Asian/Mexican/Korean/Italian fusion a food truck?”. Cheers!

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