The new 3-story mixed-use building at the southeast corner of 42nd Street and Chester Avenue may be getting a coffee shop. A request for a special zoning exception was submitted to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for 4134 Chester Avenue to include a coffee shop with up to 20 seats in the ground-floor commercial space of the building, which also houses two residential units on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

According to the zoning appeal posted on the city’s License’s and Inspections website, the coffee shop will not use any commercial cooking appliances and will serve prepared food.

It’s worth noting that there is a Dunkin Donuts shop on the same block, and a Starbucks on Woodland Avenue, just a block away from this building. However, Millcreek Tavern across the street may soon be replaced by another residential building, so that corner will likely have more residents soon.

Stay tuned for more information.

The Halal Guys Facebook photo.

The Halal Guys, the fast casual restaurant serving Middle Eastern-style chicken, beef and vegetable dishes, has opened its newest location in the recently renovated historic Hamilton Court at 39th and Chestnut. The grand opening for the University City location is set for this Saturday, March 23rd from 11 a.m. – 4 a.m.

This is the fourth Philadelphia location opened by local franchise owners Jung Ahn and Naveen Mohiuddin, who also operate locations in Chinatown, King of Prussia and Northeast Philadelphia.  Continue Reading

After a couple of years in the making, Alrayyan Food Market has finally opened on the corner of 43rd and Sansom, on the ground floor of the new 5-story apartment building. Alrayyan features an international and Middle Eastern food market and a restaurant.

The supermarket section also sells organic and halal foods, produce, meats, baked goods, dairy and more.

The restaurant serves traditional Middle Eastern foods, such as shawarma ($7.95), kofta ($9.25-$11.95), falafels ($5.99), and lamb chops plus appetizers and salads, like hummus, Baba ghanoush, and tabouli.  Continue Reading

A new juice bar, Blu Diamond Juicery, is holding a grand opening today at 5144 Walnut Street. The doors will open at 10 a.m..

Blu Diamond offers fresh cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and vegan wraps and salads, and specialty popcorn.

The hours of operation are currently 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, but will be extended starting this spring, according to owner Fred Williams.

Their website is expected to go live in a few days. In the meantime, check out their Instagram page:  Continue Reading

After more than five years of operation, The Farmacy, the popular brunch spot at 45th and Spruce, has closed. The restaurant closed at the beginning of the month, and “For Rent” signs have been displayed in the windows since then.

The owners, local chefs Ross Scofield and Danielle Coulter, want to focus on their new restaurant in New Jersey, according to Foobooz.  Continue Reading

Those on and around Penn’s campus may be happy to hear this news: Giant Food has set its sights on a location near 34th and Chestnut for its second small-format food market in Philadelphia, aka Heirloom Market. The city’s first Heirloom Market is opening this week in Graduate Hospital.

The new grocery store will reportedly open at 3401 Chestnut Street, the location previously occupied by Eastern Mountain Sports.  Continue Reading