ABOVE PHOTO: Courtesy: DNCPHL.com
DNC PHL.com
Philadelphia is full of small businesses that reflect the richness and diversity of the region. At the Philadelphia 2016 Welcome Party some of Pennsylvania’s finest small businesses will have a chance to shine on a national stage. For visitors looking to “shop small” while they are in town, or who want a taste of what the delegates will experience during the party, below is a guide to just some of the many great homegrown food vendors that will be sharing their best bites during the Convention.
SNACKS
While touring the “City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection,” visitors will naturally need some fuel. From healthy to indulgent, these small shops (and trucks) are dishing up deliciousness.
Yellow Juice Bar
Location: 2046 Sansom Street
Blending Philly’s freshest cold-pressed juices, this mom-and-pop shop has all the kale and citrus fruits a health nut could ever desire. They serve a large variety of veggie juices, smoothies and even healthy, organic shots! And if the menu doesn’t have the perfect pairing for your taste, customers are always welcome to create their personalized drinks.
What the delegates will be tasting: Banana Twirl – frozen banana treat topped with strawberries, mangoes or chocolate chips
The Tot Cart (Photo: Courtesy: DNCPHL.com)
The Tot Cart
Location: Check out The Tot Cart’s Facebook page to see where they are located.
Mac and cheese, bacon, ranch… oh my! The Tot Cart prepares hot, mouthwatering tot dishes for every potato lover. Since its inception in 2013, Julie Crist and her team have been serving intriguing tots to the many Philadelphians who have quickly turned into loyal fans. The most popular of all the tot toppings? Drunk Cheese, an original beer cheese sauce recipe!
What the delegates will be tasting: Plain Tots; Drunk Cheese Tots; Garlic and Parm Tots; and more.
DELIS
Known for its cheesesteaks, Philly is also home to incredible delis slicing up towering sandwiches that leave visitors begging for a doggie bag.
Famous 4th Street Delicatessen
Location: 700 South 4th Street
A Philadelphia tradition, Famous 4th Street Delicatessen has been satisfying hungry customers since 1923. The Jewish deli serves all the goods from hot corn beef sandwiches and pastrami Reubens, to frank wurst hotdogs and giant black and white cookies. Known for their generous portion sizes and mouthwatering deli meat, Famous 4th Street is a popular spot for visiting politicians looking for their hot sandwich fix.
What the delegates will be tasting: Mini Corned Beef, Turkey and Pastrami Sandwiches; Potato Pancakes; Mini Potato Knishes; Mini Black and White Cookies (in patriotic colors) and more.
Lee’s Hoagie House
Location: 1428 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
Another Philly fav specializing in none other than hoagies! Serving award winning sandwiches since 1953, Lee’s has a broad menu of deli meats and steak specials. For-out-of-towners, the term hoagie actually originated in Philadelphia. Coincidentally, back in 1953 Italians working at the WWI shipyard known back then as Hog Island (now the Philadelphia International Airport) created a sandwich by putting various meats, cheese and lettuce between two slices of bread which became known as the “Hog Island” sandwich and later the “hoagie!”
What the delegates will be tasting: An assortment of Lee’s famous hoagies!
RESTAURANTS
There are hundreds of incredible restaurants spread across the city, but these two local spots are serving up a fresh take at traditional dishes.
The Twisted Tail
Location: 509 South 2nd Street
Helloooo Southern Comfort! The Twisted Tail dubs itself a “Southern-inspired Bourbon House & Juke Joint” and truly lives up to its name. Located a short walk from many of the historical sites and the attractions along the Delaware River, this restaurant gives a taste of the South – Philly style!
What the delegates will be tasting: Whole suckling pig paired with a barrel aged cocktail
Victoria’s Kitchen
Location: 7304 Ogontz Avenue
This community-focused eatery in the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia serves fresh, soulful cooking. Rooted in the soul food tradition, this husband and wife team concoct innovative, healthy twists on the traditional fare.
What the delegates will be tasting: Soul wontons with black eye pea salad; Bourbon glazed salmon with micro greens and more.
DESSERTS
Whether you want a scoop of creamy ice cream, Philly’s own water ice, gourmet popsicles or a fancier treat, you will find it here in Philly.
Weckerly’s Ice Cream (Photo: courtesy: DNCPHL.com)
Weckerly’s Ice Cream
Locations: Sold all around Philadelphia!
Dreamed up in a kitchen in West Philadelphia, this micro-creamery delivers inventive ice cream with locally sourced ingredients. With cream from grass fed cows from Seven Stars Farm in Chester County and eggs from Sandy Ridge Farm, this husband and wife duo knows that the ingredients that go into their ice cream matter! Try one of their unique ice cream sandwich flavors like the Honest Tom (spicy chocolate with cajeta on snickerdoodle) or the Honey Plum on Oatmeal – you won’t be sorry!
What the delegates will be tasting: Mini scoops of seasonal ice cream flavors made with locally grown blueberries, herbs and other fruit
Sugar Philly
Location: Food Truck – Stationed Tuesday to Friday at 38th & Walnut Streets
With a focus on making high-quality, “fancy” treats accessible, this team created a food truck filled with delicious desserts. Partners John (Drexel) and Franklin (Penn) grew a love for food trucks while in school in Philadelphia, and turned it into a treat for students and residents in University City.
What the delegates will be tasting: Macarons – classic milk and honey, chocolate pomegranate; and more.
Kate Stockton and Jennie Udell are proud residents of Center City Philadelphia and dedicated foodies. Kate and Jennie own Stockton & Partners, a full-service event planning, meeting management and destination management company based in Philadelphia. Stockton & Partners partnered with Perfection Events to plan the Philadelphia 2016 Welcome Party which will host 9,000 delegates and their families on Sunday, July 24.
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