Fat Guy's Midscale Philly Golf Weekend
[Note: This page still under construction.]
After trying my hand at a more hoighty-toighty approach to Philly (see Fat Guy's Upscale Philly Golf Weekend), I felt compelled to get back to basics in my transplanted hometown.
Where To Play:
Where To Booze:
Where To Grub: Skipping over the typical Pat's & Geno's, here are some of Philly's best midscale/cheap eats.
Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy Guide To Philly (2010):
HISTORICAL HOOCH
Opened in 1860, the oldest continually operating tavern in Philadelphia is McGillin’s Olde Ale House. Originally called the Bell in Hand, the laborers who frequented it, nearly 150 years ago, started calling it McGillin’s after the owner, William McGillin, and eventually the nickname stuck. After his death in 1901, William’s wife “Ma” McGillin took over running the tavern. It has outlasted the Civil War and Prohibition and today features one of the best beer lists in the city, featuring a large selection of regional brews like Yards, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Flying Fish, Stoudt’s and Victory.
They also serve 2 house beers, McGillin’s Real Ale and McGillin’s Genuine Lager brewed by Stoudt’s Brewing. To mark their 150th Anniversary in 2010, McGillin’s partnered again with Stoudt’s to launch its own beer: 1860 IPA. An unfiltered ale, the 1860 IPA is made from a secret recipe using multiple hop varieties and is currently found exclusively at McGillin’s.
McGillin’s Olde Ale House | 1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 | (215) 735-5562
Located down the street, and just a few blocks away from Independence Hall is another watering hole with historical significance: City Tavern. Built in 1773, it was one of the most elegant buildings in the city at the time and quickly became a social and economic center for the city. It was here that many of our nation’s founding fathers would gather over a glass of Madeira, or fortified wine. Frequented by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin and Paul Revere, it was the host to the official celebration for the first Independence Day and was the site of the “unofficial” meeting place for the First Congressional Congress in 1774.
The original structure was destroyed by a fire in 1854 but was rebuilt in 1975. Today it is not only a historic site, but also an award-winning restaurant serving up authentic 18th Century American cuisine and drinks.
City Tavern Cooler
Peach Brandy
Jamaican Rum
Whiskey
Fresh Apple Cider
City Tavern | 138 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | (215) 413-1443
BEER
In the early part of the 20th century, Philadelphia was known as the greatest brewing city in the Western Hemisphere. It was here, in 1840, where John Wagner likely brewed America’s first lager. With more than 90 breweries in Philly proper and another 100 or more in the outskirts, one northwestern region of the city even became known as Brewerytown. Today, its microbreweries are reclaiming the region’s reputation by brewing some of the world’s best beer.
The most significant beer to come out of Pennsylvania is undoubtedly, D.G. Yuengling & Son. Established in 1829, it is the oldest operating brewery in the United States, has the longest uninterrupted history of management by a single family in the country and is the second largest American owned brewery (next to Boston Beer Company) in the US. Its flagship brew, the Yuengling Lager is so popular locally that it can most often be ordered by simply asking for a “lager.” Their other standard brews include Light Lager, Black & Tan, Porter, Chesterfield Ale, Premium and Light. Only available in 14 states, it’s become an east coast tradition.
Yard’s Brewing Company is one of the newer additions to the Philly beer scene. Founded in 1994 by college friends Tom Kehoe and Jon Bovit, it began as a modest operation, producing small batches of beer that they delivered themselves to the local bars. After developing a loyal following, the business expanded and Yards began bottling as well. In 2003 they partnered with City Tavern to create Ales of the Revolution, a line of historic beer recreations using the original recipes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. With ingredients like honey, molasses and spruce, these brews offer a unique taste of history. Their signature ales include the Philadelphia Pale Ale, named one of the best Pale Ales in the country by the New York Times, the Extra Special Ale, which was the first one they ever brewed and the English style ale, Brawler.
Another new and notable brewery in the area is the Philadelphia Brewing Company. Located in a warehouse that was originally built in 1885 and housed the Weisbrod & Hess Oriental Brewing Company, PBC has renovated the space and created sought after beers and a well-respected business. Their four handcrafted ales –the Kenzinger, Newbold IPA, Rowhouse Red and Walt Wit pay homage to Philadelphia.
Other well known breweries in and around Philadelphia includeStoudt’s Brewery (Adamstown, PA) , Victory BrewingCompany (Downingtown, PA), Dogfish Head (Milton, DE), and Flying Fish Brewing Co.(Cherry Hill, NJ).
If you’re looking for a place with some variety, The Blockley Pourhouse might fit your mood. A local bar and live music venue, it features a beer menu full of local brews. Pop in for dinner, some live music and a cold brew.
Blockley Pourhouse | 3801 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 | (215) 222-1234
For a more international beer experience, you can check out some of the Belgian Beer Bar offerings in the city. Monk’s Café located in Rittenhouse Square is one of the best places to find an extensive selection of Belgian beers. With over 200 beer selections and a unique selection of Trappist ales, it is also renowned for its burgers and full menu featuring Belgian fare like mussels and frites.
For an even more authentic Belgian experience, check out Eulogy Belgian Tavern which features Philadelphia’s largest beer selection with a menu of over 300 international and domestic bottled craft brews and 21 on draft. The Belgian owned restaurant features a full menu of award winning Belgian and casual dining American foods, many of which can be paired with one of their many different beer offerings.
MEATY EATS
A visit to Philadelphia would not be complete without indulging in a traditional Philly cheese steak. Created in Philadelphia in the 1930s the cheese steak consists of thinly sliced pieces of steak and melted cheese in a long roll. Pat Olivieri, one of the men known for creating this culinary icon opened Pat’s King of Steaks in 1930 and today it remains in its original location. Instituting a now well-known cheese steak rivalry, Geno’s Steaks opened its doors in 1966 just across the street from Pat’s. Claiming to sell 4,500 cheese steaks a day, Geno’s takes credit for the addition of cheese whiz to the traditional cheese steak, though that continues to remain under debate. But regardless of whether you prefer Pat’s, Geno’s or a lesser known cheese steak shop, one thing remains: a true Philadelphia cheese steak can only be found in Philly.
“AMERICAN” COCKTAILS
For a little more Philadelphian beverage history and some good old fashioned cocktails, head over to The Ugly American, a “New American” bistro offering delicious seasonal food. Among other things, they feature a unique and local liquor called Jacquin’s Rock and Rye Whiskey which is made and bottled by Charles Jacquin et Cie in Philadelphia, and is a classic combination of rye whiskey, rock candy and fresh fruit. Established in 1884, this whiskey has been a quintessential part of American culture.
The Ugly Duckling
1 shot of Jacquin’s Rock & Rye Whiskey
Half glass of Yuengling Lager
Drop the shot into the beer and chug
The Ugly American | 1100 South Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 | (215) 336-1100
ALFA American Tavern is another place that makes cocktails using unique ingredients, like Root Liquor. This recently introduced product was created in Philly. Taking a page from the history books, it was originally called Root Tea, back in the 1700s. Native Americans were the first to use it and the recipe was passed onto colonial settlers. Pennsylvania was the most logical production place for Root Tea because the ingredients needed were plentiful. Not defined as a vodka, whiskey, bourbon or schnapps, it’s in a league of its own. During Prohibition, Root Tea became a non-alcoholic drink that we now know as Root Beer. Today the alcohol has been added back in and it’s simply known as Root Liquor. At 80 proof, it smells much like Root Beer but has a very different taste. With notes of cloves and vanilla, it’s spicy and earthy and is served well on its own, or mixed with cocktails. It’s produced locally by Art in the Age.
Sleight of Hand
½ oz of Root Liquor
1 ½ oz Guatemalan Run
Dash of Grapefruit bitters
Few drops of fresh lemon
Add ice and shake
Top with Ginger beer
I Heart Chase Utley
1 ½ oz of Bluecoat Gin
Aperol
2 oz of Cranberry Vodka
Sour Mix
Ice
ALFA American Tavern | 1709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 | (215) 751-0201