28 hours in Philly: Cheesesteaks, Pho, Doughnuts and More, Philadelphia, PA

Who knew history tasted this good? Nothing says founding father like cheesesteaks, doughnuts and pho. Head to Philadelphia for a combination of olden times and the new culinary frontier.

Stop #1: Saigon Cuisine

Vietnamese please. Bare bones, authentic and delicious. Try the Pho or the Bun. Or both. Or really anything. Each table had something that looked better than the next.

Stop #2: The White Dog Cafe

This is the quintessential place where visitors take Penn students. But you don't have to know a college kid to dine on their chicken and dumplings or piles of tasty fries. Bonus - they have good gluten-free options, too. 

Stop #3: Federal Donuts

Oft-cited famous doughtnut spot that also sells fried chicken. Yes, Yes, Yes.

May even be better than The Holy Donut in Portland, ME.  Big's Z's selection is below.

Stop #4: Reading Terminal Market/MeltKraft

My love of food halls is well documented, either small and curated like Gotham West Market or complete chaos like Brooklyn Smorgasborg, Reading Terminal Market is somewhere in between. My suggestion: get in fast, grab an artisanal Grilled Cheese Sandwich at MeltKraft and get out. I recommend anything with Bacon. And for extra umphh, add some duck fat. P.S. There's also one in Brooklyn (who knew?)

Stop #5: Pat's the King of Steaks

Our trip would not have been complete with out this quintessential stop. Better than Geno's? We're Team Pat's. Follow their sage advice below.

I'm still full. 

Until our next Burger,

KLB

Details (all addresses are Philadelphia, PA):
Saigon Cuisine
4000 Chestnut Street
215.222.9777
No website, but reviews on Yelp

White Dog Cafe
3420 Sansom Street
215.386.9224
whitedog.com

Federal Donuts
3428 Sansom Street
267.275.8489
federaldonuts.com

Reading Terminal Market/MeltKraft
N. 12th & Arch Street
215.922.2317
readingterminalmarket.org
meltkraft.com

Pat's King of Steaks
1237 East Passyunk Avenue
215.468.1546
patskingofsteaks.com

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