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!
