Mariposa Food Co-op is planning to directly support local community groups and organizations through a new initiative – Round-up for Change. The Co-op is currently accepting applications from Philly-area groups and organizations to receive funding/donations from this initiative, which is expected to launch in early September.

Through the program, the Co-op will donate the extra change when shoppers choose to “round-up” their purchase to the nearest dollar, at the register at their store at 49th and Baltimore.  Continue Reading

Honest Tom’s new logo.

Neighborhood foodies may have noticed that popular local spot Honest Tom’s Taco Shop (on 44th between Spruce and Locust) was closed most of last week following a power outage on July 3rd, caused by a falling tree. While the power outage did cause them to close a bit early, Honest Tom’s had planned to close for a few days around the 4th of July holiday anyway, in order to change their menu over to a completely plant-based (aka vegan) menu. That’s right: it’s vegan-only tacos, burritos and bowls from here on in. Many of the new menu’s items were available on the old menu, or run as occasional specials, so they won’t be completely unknown to Honest Tom’s regulars. Others are brand new.  Continue Reading

University City Dining Days, the popular annual event organized by University City District, is returning this Thursday, July 12. This is a great opportunity to visit some of the best local restaurants and enjoy a three-course dinner at a fixed price – $15, $25 or $35.

More than 35 restaurants, from craft beer bars to celebrity chef restaurants to cozy BYOBs, are participating in this year’s Dining Days (the biggest one yet!). University City’s international dining scene features dishes from India, Ethiopia, China, Vietnam, and more! Some recently opened restaurants are also on this year’s list of participants.  Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of University City District.

The first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll this summer will be held Thursday, June 7. Businesses will be offering $1 items – from food to drinks to theatre tickets – from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will stretch from 43rd Street where select Clark Park farmers market vendors will be offering $1 deals, all the way to 52nd Street, where Greensgrow West will have some plants for sale for just one buck. The event will also feature live music and family entertainment along Baltimore Avenue.  Continue Reading

The holy month of Ramadan begins this week, and here’s what’s happening at two popular Muslim-owned businesses.

Saad’s Halal at 45th and Walnut will be closed for a little over a month while the owners take their annual vacation. The restaurant closed its doors on May 14 and will reopen on Monday, June 18, according to a sign posted on the window (see photo).

Manakeesh, the Lebanese cafe and bakery across the street from Saad’s, will have special hours until June 16. The restaurant will be closed during the day, but open nightly – from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.. Check out their Facebook page for updates.

Here’s a summary of the latest news and events at local restaurants, bars and coffee shops.

El Taco & Burritos opens in Powelton

Here’s some great news for Mexican food lovers in the Powelton/Drexel area. A new restaurant, El Taco & Burritos, opened earlier this spring at 3233 Powelton Ave., and the reception has been really good, according to owner Alvaro Luna. The restaurant serves very reasonably priced tacos (soft or crispy), burritos (regular, El Macho, or in a bowl), quesadillas, empañadas, and more! The full menu is available here. Also, check out specials: Margarita Mondays and Taco Tuesdays (see Facebook page for more info). The restaurant is open Monday – Thursday: 4 – 9:30 p.m.; Friday & Saturday: 4 – 10 p.m.; closed on Sundays.  Continue Reading