Delicious City Philly

Beer lovers, belly up to the newest episode of Delicious City and pour yourself a pint. Rich Colli is in studio to talk about all the brewers from Philadelphia and beyond who are not only quenching your thirst, but throwing some of the most ridiculously fun parties in the city. From sours to stouts, we cover it all.

(00:00:00) Hat chat and Phillies jerseys

(00:06:10) Rich Colli is here to talk all things beer, which Marisa is VERY excited about. He also owns Varga Bar, and he tells us about the itchiest interview of his life…

(00:11:00) Rich bought Varga Bar right as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, but he tells us how he got lucky with the bar's setup. Can we bring back to-go cocktails, please?

(00:16:07) Philly Beer Week is all about beer, but also about bringing people together for a good time. Think Jeopardy, karaoke, themed nights, contest and more - and of course, tap takeovers and happy hour specials all week starting on May 31st

(00:26:09) Marisa compares the beer scenes of Pennsylvania and Colorado, and how the cannabis industry affects brewery business

(00:27:37) Favorite Philly Beer Week memories, which may or may not include smashing a car with a hammer

(00:31:38) Varga Bar's great list of sour and funky beers, and Rich shouts out other bars in the city with great beer selections

(00:37:21) In It to Win It: Get the secret word that you'll need to win a gift card to Scarpetta in Rittenhouse, and follow @deliciouscitypodcast to enter the contest

(00:42:54) Best Bites include a new chef residency, a hoagie spot on Washington Avenue, and Eli's jazzed up Jim's Steaks

(00:59:39) We play Pair That Beer: Eli and Marisa throw some popular Philly dishes at Rich, who expertly names the perfect beer to pair them with

(01:07:14) Food News: a new dish with crab fat butter catches our eye, plus a Tiki bar in the heart of Center City, the largest board game café on the East Coast, and more

(01:20:16) Pop Up Run Down: wine dinners, lots of events for oyster lovers, and a party in a playground

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

With Memorial Day Weekend fast approaching, the Delicious City gang have scoured the internet (i.e. we polled our followers) for the best beach experiences that'll turn a typical holiday weekend into a legendary party. We've got the info for you, plus the scoop on the new restaurant from the mind of Liz Grothe, self-described "fearlessly silly" Philly chef.

(00:00:00) Everybody vote for Dave Wez for Philly Mag's Influencer of the Year award!

(00:07:04) Liz Grothe tells us about how she landed in Philadelphia, via a food safety job involving cheesesteaks

(00:27:45) The story behind Couch Cafe, the in-home dinners that Liz began after she quit her corporate job. She tells us how her own couch became the hottest seat in town, and the crew discuss how collab culture in Philly has rapidly grown in the past few years

(00:34:00) Liz reveals the debut plans for Scampi, and Italian concept opening this summer in the spot that Neighborhood Ramen currently occupies (but not for much longer!)

(00:47:22) Best Bites include a mini golf breakfast, a classic pizza, oyster with ramp sauce, and a pork gyro

(01:00:47) Bored with burgers and dogs on the grill? Try something new this Memorial Day Weekend! Eli, Marisa and Dave suggest local businesses that'll bring ice luges, mechanical bulls, oyster shuckers and even a mobile hibachi grill to your house party

(01:14:04) In It To Win It! We're partnering with Oloroso for your chance to win an amazing Spanish experience right here in Philly. Listen for the secret word and DM it to @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram to enter. Visit olorosophl.com to learn more.

(01:18:43) Food News: several Philly mainstays are celebrating milestone anniversaries, like Pumpkin and Vetri Cucina. Plus, two cheesesteak mainstays have big announcements, and a couple coffee shops opening up soon

(01:26:46) Pop-Up Run-Down - Festival season is in full swing!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• Balancing a busy life and eating healthy is a challenge for anyone. Make your life easier and more delicious with Performance Meal Prep
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs

Heads up, Delicious City fam: due to some technical difficulties, this episode may sound a bit different. We'll be back to normal next time, and no, we do not have drunken lisps in real life. Head to our Instagram @deliciouscitypodcast for videos from the studio (that all sound normal!). Speaking of Instagram, one of Philadelphia's original foodie influencers @josheatsphilly is here to talk about social media, brunch spots you can actually score a reso at, and Cinco de Mayo plans.

00:00 Marisa had to bail at the last minute, so producer Sara is joining in on the conversation

03:38 We discuss our favorite cheeses

06:05 Josh Eats Philly tells us his origins story, and he and Dave bond over the Pine Barrens and the Jersey Devil

12:03 When Josh got involved in the food scene in our city, and how "Instagram influencer culture" has evolved since then

17:40 Dave and Josh reveal the unspoken "rules" of foodie influencers, and discuss the importance of putting your mental health above algorithm attachment

31:40 Dave's Best Bite involves an oyster farm tour of Sweet Amalia in New Jersey for Earth Day

36:38 Eli had a phenomenal eating week, and he describes an outstanding dinner with his son at River Twice, his love for creamy rice, and the sushi omakase experience that's flying under the radar right now (his advice: go there now before the price skyrockets!)

45:00 Josh's Best Bite was at Sofi Corner Cafe in the Gayborhood - they just started doing dinner service there

47:20 Cinco de Mayo is coming up! Eli, Dave and Josh try to pick from a TON of events that are happening around Philly on May 5th. Josh brought us tacos from Si Taqueria on Federal Street, and Dave names his favorite tacos South Jersey. Plus: we find out what a "drunken piñata" is

54:07 The gang runs down their plans for Mother's Day, including where you might still be able to score a reservation for brunch, where the best breakfast buffet is at, and Josh's pick for a sweet treat for Mom

59:34 In It to Win It: This week, Delicious City is giving you a chance to win a $100 gift card to Rosey's Banh Mi in Ambler. Listen for the secret word from Dave, and DM us at @deliciouscitypodcast to enter!

01:06:04 Eli dishes out food news and upcoming events, and Sara handles the Pop-Up Run-Down

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Balancing a busy life and eating healthy is a challenge for anyone. Make your life easier and more delicious with Performance Meal Prep
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Eclipses, earthquakes and eats, oh my! Not even Mother Nature can stop us from trying every bite in the city of Philadelphia. Let's dive into this jam-packed episode of Delicious City, complete with insider info, a giveaway announcement, and a special discount for listeners

• The solar eclipse was underwhelming for us here in Philly, but what does NOT disappoint is our good friends Jen Carroll and Billy Riddle joining us for an update on their many food projects
• We cover how they landed back in our city during the pandemic, get an update on their cooking classes and events, and they make a big announcement: Delicious City listeners are the first to hear about their new food experience, a walking tour of Fishtown that highlights all the best spots and snacks in the neighborhood (including very in-demand dishes)
• As a couple that cooks together, and works together, we need to know: what annoys Jen and Billy the most about sharing a kitchen
• Jen, who was on three seasons of Top Chef, recaps her most difficult challenge on the show
• Billy explains how an illness forced him to reprioritize his life, but ultimately, it put him on a much healthier and more fulfilling career path than he ever could have expected
• The gang recaps the Philly Makers Night Market, with pizza, butter and an insane ice cream taco
• Other Best Bites include a donut, an Italian cookie, and Eli's best kept lunch secret in the city
• We welcome a new sponsor, Performance Meal Prep, and talk to Jesse about how he blends his influence from the fine dining world and the fitness world to create healthy, ready-to-go meals. BONUS: Listen for a special discount for Delicious City listeners that can be used any time you order from PMP!
• Merch Madness: The epic conclusion! We announce the winner of the bracket AND the winner of the merch bundle
• Pickle Party! Marisa gives out the secret word that you'll need to enter our Instagram contest. We're giving away two passes to The World's Largest Pickle Party, happening at Xfinity Live on June 15th
• Plus, Food News, with lots of pop-ups in April!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Balancing a busy life and eating healthy is a challenge for anyone. Make your life easier and more delicious with Performance Meal Prep
• Social media and content are two of the most important things you can do for your business. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all digital needs for your company

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

What are your favorite snacks? Well, we all have our opinions, but today we have the perfect guests to be on an episode that is fully dedicated to those salty, crispy treats. "Hit it, Snacktime!" You hear us say it in every episode of Delicious City, and now, Snacktime themselves have joined us in the studio. We have a little April Fools fun in this hour of snacking, crunching, reminiscing, and looking forward to the future, including:

• Merch Madness Update: The bracket has been narrowed down to the final championship round. Listen to find out how you can win a merch bundle from all of the competitors, and make sure you vote in the finals this Friday (4/5) on our Instagram stories: @deliciouscitypodcast
• We miss Marisa! She's traveling this week, but in her absence, we have THREE guests: Sam, Mike and Ben from the Philadelphia based band Snacktime
• Snacktime tell us about how they garnered a loyal following during COVID lockdown by performing in Rittenhouse Park. They may have made a couple of enemies that way, but they made FAR more friends.
• Plus: they give us the details behind their new music that's out now on all streaming platforms, and their recent feature in a Taco Bell commercial
• Snacks are the theme of this episode: the guys from the band give us their best bites *from the road*, the eats they request in their show rider (and debunk the Van Halen/M&Ms myth)
• We play a rapid-fire game of "This or That" and debate the more superior treats
• We run down our Best Bites of the week, and psychoanalyze Mike's lack of enthusiasm for eating new and exciting things (but we do get some good taco memories out of him)
• Dave introduces Eli to the show's new favorite snack. Hint: it has the perfect crunch
• Food News includes an annual charity event involving our sister podcast, Chef Radio, plus a couple of springtime openings, and the Pop-Up Run-Down!

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level

We're fresh off of our first Delicious City Happy Hour, and we can't thank you all enough for joining us! We recap that great event, and on the other side of the coin, we run down a fantastic chef's tasting that Eli, Marisa, and Dave all took part in. Plus, we welcome a guest whose Mexican dishes are getting national attention. There's something for everyone in this episode.

Here's what you're going to hear in this episode:

• Happy Hour at Paulie Gee's was a DC family affair. The beer! The pizza! The 90s decor! We had a blast getting to know our listeners IRL
• Chef Carlos Aparicio of El Chingon joins us in studio. He brings Pueblan cuisine to Passyunk, and his restaurant recently landed on the New York Times list as one of the best new spots in the country!
• Eli talks about how, when opening a restaurant, you are running multiple marathons before that restaurant is fully hitting its stride
• The Philly famous mural artist who graced the building with their work
• Why they decided not to have reservations at El Chingon
• Carlos tells us why he doesn't drink tequila. His answer will surprise you
• How Carlos' exceptional height helped him get work right away when he came to the US even though he was only 13 years old
• Best Bites: We recap the Voi•ãge dining experience with Chef Jeremy Fox from Los Angeles. Plus, Marisa eats the tomato soup to end all tomato soups, some pickled shrimp make BB's, and a duck press machine
• Have you ever heard of a double shucked pea? Well, listen up because Eli explains this, and you're going to want to do this for your next spring dish;)
• Dave learns why his best bite was so delicious when Eli tells him of the other painstaking technique that Jeremy Fox applied to his dinner for Voi•ãge
• Everyone gushes at the beauty of the Lark dining room
• Merch Madness! Follow @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram to find out how to vote for your favorite foodie merch in our brand new bracket contest
• Food News includes a special collab that Chef Carlos is taking part in, the launch of Kampar, and the demise (and resurrection) of Dollar Dog Night

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level

Delicious City is back with a *sweet* new episode. We welcome Ryan Fitzgerald of 1-900-ICE-CREAM. His small-batch ice cream combos will satisfy your sweet tooth, and his flavor names are some of the most creative. We put him to the test to name our own fictional flavors.

Vote for your favorite on Instagram: @deliciouscitypodcast - Ryan tells us he'll create a limited edition pint based on our votes!

Episode 61 is brought to us by our friends at Forsythia restaurant in Old City where chef Christopher Kearse's modern French food continues to wow guests. Listen to find out how you can win a chef's tasting menu for you and a lucky guest that's as beautiful as it is delicious during our In It 2 Win It segment. For some drool inducing food pics, check out Forsythia HERE 👈 and cue the instant hunger pangs!

Here's the lowdown on episode 61:

• Eli finally succumbed to all the peer pressure and watched 'The Bear', and everyone breaks down what's plausible and what's far-fetched about how the show portrays the restaurant industry
• As a serial hobbyist, Ryan talks about turning his hobby into a business
• Ryan tells us about how his supper club shifted him towards churning out ice cream full time, balancing business and creativity, and how his recent trip to France inspired him to create the best experience possible for his customers
• Copyright conundrums: Choco Taco, Taco Tuesday, Kunz Spoons and more
• Did any of the gang call 1-900 numbers back in the day? Time to fess up!
• We're partnering with Dewey Beer to bring you a happy hour hang on Monday, March 11th at Paulie Gee's. It's free with RSVP. Come hang with us and enjoy some brews and slices!
• Best Bites include venison, scallops, tuna, and lamb ribs
• Food News: A new deli in Cherry Hill, a chocolate speakeasy, and a Vietnamese spot that's getting a lot of attention. Plus: the Pop-Up Run-Down!

And of course we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• So excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Hoagies are the fabric of Philadelphian society. They fuel our long days and late nights. They bring us together at the deli counter. Our orders show off our individuality: are you an extra hot peppers kinda guy, or a seeded roll only kinda gal? Our own Hoagie Hero (as voted by you, Delicious City listeners, in the Tasties awards) Jason Okdeh tells us how this special sandwich has put him on a path to success and allowed him to foster community around his shop, Farina Di Vita.

Plus!

• Jae explains how he went from having a pasta pop-up to an award winning shop that sells fresh and tasty sandwiches, sauces and more in South Philly. He goes even further back to his upbringing, and the gang talks about all the trouble they got into as kids (and how they got away with it)
• We debate seeded vs non-seeded rolls for hoagies (which do you prefer?) and East Coast Hoagies vs. West Coast Subs (you know which one is better)
• The importance of community support: Jay was given a lot of love and opportunity when he was first starting his business, and now he wants to pay it forward by offering his space to anyone who wants to do a pop-up there
• Shout out to Fox & Son in Reading Terminal Market. We were munching on their Valentines Corn Dog Bouquet throughout this episode
• Best Bites include the "world's best hot dog," a haunted dinner, a private pop-up, and succulent shrimp. We also add some bonus bites from NJ and NYC, and surprise Eli with funnel cake for his birthday last week!
• We announce a new Delicious City partner and a special happy hour event happening on March 11th at Paulie Gee's
• Food News: Pizza in Passyunk, good news for La Croix, and Dave is curating a wagyu cheesesteak pop-up on February 27th
• In It To Win It: Listen to find out how you can win a $100 gift card to one of Delicious City's favorite restaurants, Cantina La Martina! Hint: You'll need to follow @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram to be in the running.
• Pop-Up Run-Down: get the scoop on these one-night-only events, and follow us on Instagram for reminders and ticket info. AND: Jae reveals his pasta flight pop-up here first!

And of course we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• So excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

Philadelphia Magazine's annual list of 50 Best Restaurants always sparks controversy in our food scene. Who's in? Who's out? What does "best" mean, anyway? We discuss it all in a riveting conversation with Philly Mag's food editor, Kae Lani Palmisano. We've also got new music from our friends in Snacktime, AND something for you, loyal listener, to potentially win!

Plus This!

• Eli brings his homegrown "rooftop juice" to share with the crew. It's fire!
• Our friend and self-described "food history nerd" Kae Lani impresses all of us with her ability to expertly balance so many projects at once: writing, editing, hosting, scoping out all the best dishes in Philly, AND she just became a mama last year!
• We dive into the 50 Best Restaurants list and ask about the process of narrowing the list down when there are so many heritage and contemporary spots to choose from. Kae Lani explains the new bonus categories this year, including markets and pop-ups.
• We debate what the word "best" means to us. Is it consistency? Creativity? Commitment? Or perhaps a combination of that and more?
• Best Bites: Marisa and Kae Lani describe two unique experiences at the same restaurant, Dave eats a pig's face and Eli sheds some light on an underrated Mexican dish.
• GIVEAWAY TIME! Listen to find out how you can win a $100 gift card to a spot we talk about on Delicious City all the time! Hint: You'll need to follow @deliciouscitypodcast on Instagram to be in the running.
• Food News: So. Many. Pop-ups. Thanks to Delicious City's bff Sharon for giving us the scoop. There's something to eat almost every night of the week with this big list of unique dining experiences.
• NEW MUSIC! Hear the new track "Together" from our friends at Snacktime, and then go add it to your playlist on your favorite music streaming app.

And of course we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!

A glass of wine can elevate a meal from good to great with a single sip. Pair local eats with local drinks, and you've got a match made in foodie heaven. That's what this episode of Delicious City is all about! The folks from Mural City Cellars join us in studio and quickly become our favorite guests ever when they crack open a bottle of wine for us that's not even on bar shelves yet! No offense every other amazing guest we've ever had on here, but.....did you bring wine? Plus: a HUGE event announcement in Food News that podcast listeners can get early access to, so listen closely.

Here's what we talked about:

• Nicholas Ducos and Francesca Galarus tell the stories of their culinary journeys and when they converged. They tell us how Nicholas fell in love with winemaking, and how Francesca's hospitality and business acumen helped launch Mural City Cellars in Fishtown.
• Making batches of wine in Francesca's mom's garage, and how they're going to open a bar in a converted garage later this year. Full circle moment
• Eli and Nicholas compare their experiences at the Culinary Institute of America, while Marisa and Francesca bond over growing up on the Main Line
• Did you know that Pennsylvania is one of the top 5 grape producing states in the country? Another one in the top 5 is close to Eli's heart
• We taste the "Sauvi B" and all agree that it's a winner. Eli gets into his obsession with fermentation, both with food and beverage
• BYO in the Know: We took YOUR suggestions, dear listeners, from Instagram and paired your favorite restaurants with Mural City Cellars wines. Save these in a note on your phone, they'll come in handy the next time you ask "What should we bring?"
• Best Bites: Turkish takeout, a private dinner with Italian focus, and a beautifully layered parfait
• Food News: Eli is bursting at the seams to announce the Voi•ãge next dinner! It goes on sale TODAY with early access for Delicious City listeners. It features two well-known chefs over two nights in a gorgeous space. Go get your tickets now!
• Plus: a nod to the restaurants closing this month, and a big list of pop-ups and collabs you need to put on your calendar. What freeze?! Get out of the house and EAT!

And of course we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow

If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!