Shane Confectionery-PA

Shane Confectionery 
110 Market St
Philadelphia, PA 19106

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-$40 a Day
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Shane Candies makes candy as it should be made - lovingly, with deep respect and affection for the craft of confectionery. You might even think of their chocolates as miniature works of art.  Shane is America's oldest candy shop since 1911. Now those are some big shoes to fill. Shane tries to bring back that olden-day candy shoppe vibe... The staff was very funny and entertaining in their 1920's garb, and the candy is all fresh, made in house with the original machinery and equipment. They make everything by hand the old fashioned way. This place is right next to The Franklin Fountain and they are both owned by the same bearded guys. They have thought of every detail to set their shops apart and they have become a real destination worth visiting. They said their most popular item is there creams. Round pieces of chocolate filled with different flavored sugary creme. These were very good. If you show them your Franklin Fountain receipt  you get a 10% discount so be sure to check out both when in Philly.

Franklin Fountain-PA

Franklin Fountain
116 Market St
Philadelphia, PA 19106

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Mmmmm, I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!!!

 This is an Olde City Corner Store configuration, long, narrow, and you can tell lovingly and painstakingly restored to what a true Victorian era ice cream parlor would have looked like - tin ceilings, wainscoting, small tables, down to the vintage cash register.  Some fun whimsical details - bust of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin on a coat rack.  I commend the ownership for such attention to detail, it's really cool.  The first thing i noticed was the door knob to get in was 100yrs old and I just knew. Also completely appropriate given that this place is in the heart of Olde City, where "period" rules.

We decide to split a sundae and a phosphate. I don't remember exactly which sundae it was but it has lots of pretzel balls that I have never had before. It was very good. The egg cream phosphate was made by a real jerk. A soda jerk that is. It has real raw egg in it. Hot fudge made from dark chocolate, not high fructose abominations from a jar bought at Acme.  Real, honest to goodness heavy whipped cream. Yum, something really darn special in the world of ice cream going on here. You can tell from the line out the door.

Go. Spend the money. It costs more because it's real, pure, complete dessert perfection. They cut no corners, this I suspect is as close to how they enjoyed "iced cream" back in the day.

Flying Monkey Bakery-PA

Flying Monkey Bakery
Reading Terminal Market
12th St & Arch St
Philadelphia, PA 19176

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-Outrageous Foods

-Guilty Pleasures 

How about some cake for Thanksgiving? How about a slice of pumple? Pumpkin  pie inside of chocolate cake and apple pie inside of vanilla cake all in one slice of cake. Sounds confusing but they actually bake two different pies into a two layer cake. Since Flying Monkey pioneered this concept people have taken it even farther to a Cherpumple, which is cherry pie, pumpkin pie, and apple pie, baked into a three layer cake. So Flying Monkey's Pumple is alittle outdated but still crazy. At $8 a slice and 2000 calories this is some serious dessert. Located in Reading Terminal Market, which is just an amazing place to visit and eat, Flying Monkey has been pumping out all sorts of desserts. They are especially known for their whoopie pies besides their pumple cake. I was actually very disappointed with this dessert. The icing they use is some kind of hard stuff to help support the 4 layers.  My wife and I made a Cherpumple a few years ago which was much better. I wouldn't even bother getting this cake just go straight to Dinic's and get a roast pork sandwich and then after a whoopie pie.

Hot Diggity-PA

Hot Diggity
630 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147

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-Hot Dog Paradise 2

Located in the middle of Philly's famous South St, Hot Diggity is the place to score  some serious sweet meat. I've had my share of regional and famous hotdogs from across the country but Hot Diggity, I think, is my favorite spot. They serve a ridiculous amount of regional dogs from all over the country. Their selection of toppings, beverages, and sauces are unparalleled in the dog world. They really elevate a hotdog to a sandwich almost. Extra big bun extra big dog with extra toppings. How about deep fried, fish, bacon, cream cheese, pineapples, guava, sauerkraut, nacho chips, chili, cheese, guacamole, sriracha, anything else they prob have that also. Their fries are awesome and remind me of the Belgium style frites with about 20 different dipping sauces. I cant speak highly enough of this place. They have everything i want in a hotdog and more. They even cater to gluten free types with a hot dog salad. I wish i ate here more then once during my trip to Philly. I'd take a Hot DIggity over a Tony Luke's cheesesteak anyday. O ya, don't forget to check out the sweet custom artwork they had made for each one of their hotdogs. 

La Colombe-PA

La Colombe
130 S 19th St
Philadelphia, PA 19103

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-Dangerous Grounds

If you have ever watched the show "Dangerous Grounds", on the travel channel, you know Todd Carmichael goes to great lengths to find the most outrageously rare and well grown coffee on the planet. Thru rain forests, third world countries, war zones, land mines, sleeping under his truck, whatever it takes to get the coffee. Well at least that's what the TV producers what you to think. His coffee shop, La Colombe, is a no nonsense straight to the point cafe. I mean come on NO MENU. REALLY! That's right you better know how you like your coffee because there is no venti mocha chino lattes at this place. I grabbed a few iced coffees and sat down. Coffee was a little burnt for my liking. I'm a heavy on the cream and sugar and add some flavorings while youre at it. So this was alittle hardcore. They even had a coffee vending machine with prebrewed coffee in glass bottles. Definitely a different approach than Starbucks. I would totally go back because of the unparalleled quality coming from this place. Todd is setting the new standard in coffee beans here in Philadelphia.

Federal Donuts-PA

Federal Donuts
1219 S 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19147

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Yes, donuts are the new cupcakes. Who isn't  a fan of donuts. How about chicken and donuts? A match made in heaven. Especially made to order hot out the oil doughnuts. Federal Donuts has a bunch of exotic flavors to fire up your taste buds. Ive had doughnuts all over and being steamy hot is always what elevates it to the next level. These are amazing. Pomegranate nutella tahini, raspberry balsamic, spicy PBJ, or how about mango chile. They have a few locations across the city. They sell out quick. So get here early like before noon. If hot donuts are something youre into then this is worth going to. Check it out.

Paesano's-PA

Paesano's
152 W Girard Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19123

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-The Layover
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Paesano's is pretty old school divey Philadelphia. Some of my favorite places in this country are dives. If the food is good, it doesn't matter what the place looks like. The food is crazy good here. This is a sandwich shop. Nothing less, nothing more. The menu is right up above the flattop. Most sandwiches hover around the $8 range. But they are taking what you think of a sandwich and elevating it to a whole other level.. Deep fried lasagna, suckling pig, chicken livers, house made lamb sausage, crazy over the top combinations of flavor. How about a breaded thick rectangle of lasagna battered and deep fried on a sub roll with over easy fried eggs on top. Ya it was carbo overload but it was pretty dam good with the egg yolk dripping all over. Chef Peter McAndrews is one of the top chefs in Philly and owns a number of restaurants around town. Take a look at the  menu and salivate for yourself.  

Always ahead of the curve