Postcard from Philadelphia

October 11, 2012 in Places,United States

My mom grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, so I’ve grown up hearing stories of Philadelphia. My mom and my grandma would reminisce about cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and scrapple: they just couldn’t find anything quite the same in sunny, health-conscious California.

Christine Amorose and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

So I came to Philadelphia ready to eat. We did plenty of the historical musts: the Betsy Ross house, Elfreth’s Alley, Independence Hall, and, of course, the Liberty Bell. But my favorite memories of Philadelphia are more intertwined with the tastes: we couldn’t get enough of the stalls at Reading Market, the upscale restaurants and the adorable cafes. Needless to say, we didn’t leave hungry.

Philly cheesesteak at Sonny's Famous Steaks in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

First things first: we had to have a cheesesteak. It wasn’t as over-the-top seasoned and stuffed as what I grew up on in California, the chain shops that served as a hazy shadow of what my mom was used to in Philadelphia. This cheesesteak was simpler: grilled steak, onions, cheese on a flaky roll. Proof that sometimes simple is better.

The Thinker at the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A refreshing bit of culture: a stroll around the gardens at the Rodin Museum.

Soft pretzel in the Reading Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Soft pretzels at Reading Market: no words for just how good this was.

LOVE sculpture and skyline in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The home of brotherly love–and of a ridiculously cool mirrored skyscraper.

Turkey cranberry sandwich at The Original Turkey, Reading Market, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A turkey and cranberry sandwich from The Original Turkey at Reading Market: personally, I think this is one of the best combinations that America has come up with.

Capogiro Gelato in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Recommended by my foodie friend and Philly native Lindsey of Lost in Cheeseland, Capogiro Gelato was the perfect antidote to a sweltering afternoon.

Eagle in the old Wanamaker's Department Store, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

My mom has always talked about meeting at the eagle at Wanamaker’s. The department store is now Macy’s, but it was nice to see that they’ve still kept the eagle that as served as a meeting point for many Philadelphians. It was also pretty neat to take a wander around the store where my mom and uncles always went for their yearly back-to-school shopping trip.

This post is dedicated to Mimi Paist, who passed away on September 18 at the age of 85. I’m incredibly grateful for all she taught me about traveling, and that I was able to tell her that I loved Philadelphia just as much as she did. 

Note: There are plenty of brilliant Philadelphia hotels to choose from when planning your trip–but make sure to book online and early! The city had many more tourists than I expected. 

Tagged as: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Road Trips, USA, USA Road Trip

  • http://www.polyglottony.com/ Ashlee D.

    As a native Philadelphian expat (whose parents are ironically from the Sacramento/San José, and just moved back a few weeks ago!) I love this post and it made me miss home! My thoughts:
    1. Yes!!! The real Philly Cheesesteak is all about simplicity and the quality of the bread!
    2. I’m glad you enjoyed the city, and yes, Philadelphia has a really vibrant restaurant/bar scene that I feel is really overlooked when compared to NYC, Boston, DC, etc. If you go back you MUST eat at one of José Garces’ restaurants if you haven’t already!
    3. The Reading Terminal Market is amazing! I used to work in the Wanamaker building (and trust me, working right above Macy’s was such a temptation come payday!!) and I would eat there all the time!
    4. Nothing beats Pennsylvania soft pretzels!
    5. Capogiro is the best gelato I’ve had in the States, hands down! I’m going to make a wild guess that the flavors you had were blackberry and sea salt??? (Blackberry is my absolute favorite!)
    6. The mirrored skyscraper is the Comcast Center, and the tallest building in Philly. If you find yourself there again, enter the main lobby, it’s pretty cool!!!

    Thanks for the taste of home :)

  • http://expatedna.com/ Edna

    Ah, my home state! I went to Philly many times as a kid on field trips and then as an adult for conferences and to visit friends who went to college there. Thanks to them I always go to Pat’s, not Geno’s!

    And I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother — I bet you two had a grand time talking about Philadelphia after your trip.

  • http://twitter.com/amontrealer A Montrealer Abroad

    I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother – I know how important she was to you, and how she influenced you to travel. You definitely honored her memory with this great post!

  • Megan Stroup

    I lived in PA for six years, but we visit Pittsburgh more often. It’s a pretty cool city, too, if you haven’t been there! Decent nightlife, plus it’s on the river.

  • Alicia C

    So sorry to hear about your grandma. She truly sounded like a great inspiration to you. Nice to have such wonderful memories.
    PS Mmm gelato….

  • camorose

    What a small world! We absolutely loved Reading Terminal Market–we happily ate there every day and still felt as if we didn’t try half of what we wanted! Capogiro definitely is the best in the States–but I still hold that Gelato Messina in Sydney is the best in the world. And yes, blackberry and sea salt!!!

  • camorose

    Thanks lady–very glad that I was able to tell her just how good Philadelphia food was in real life! Really enjoyed Pennsylvania, would love to go back and explore outside of the city.

  • camorose

    Thanks lovely <3

  • camorose

    Thank you, much appreciated <3 And yes, the gelato was incredible!

  • LostInCheeseland

    You did good, kid! Thanks for the Capogiro mention/shout out, you know I can’t live without them! I hope you’ll return to Philly again now that you’ve gotten the tourist spots out of the way – there is SO much cool stuff happening there these days, I’m in constant envy. So sorry for your grandma, I’m sure you made her proud with all your adventures. xx

  • http://twitter.com/eurotravelista Debbie Beardsley

    Loved reading this! I’ve never been to Philadelphia but would enjoy seeing all the sights and eating my way through these delights.

  • Kristine

    Did you go to Pat’s or Geno’s for the cheesesteak? I remember going, waiting in a huge line, freaking out over all the rules for ordering, and finally getting a “cheesewit” that was the size of a small child. Still the best cheesesteak I ever had though!!

    I love Philly–Old City is beautiful and super fun for going out, too.

  • Pingback: The best of the USA, via Instagram | C'est Christine

  • Briel79

    So sorry to hear about your grandmother passing away. :(

    My dad was born in Monongahela, PA. I think they moved to CA when he was young but we still have a couple relatives out there. :)

  • camorose

    Would love to go back to Philly–like you predicted, I really loved the city! So many cool restaurants and bars, and I think I would go back JUST for Reading Terminal Market :)

  • camorose

    Thanks! I’m getting hungry just thinking about how delicious Philadelphia was :)

  • camorose

    Neither–clearly I need to go back again!!!

  • camorose

    I think I probably have some second cousins or something floating around Pennsylvania as well! Should really look that up!

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