Gone But Not Forgotten - The Restaurants That Left Us Too Soon
- Christina Mitchell
- Nov 21, 2019
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 5, 2020
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. Philadelphia has lost a number of great restaurants over the past couple of years, but they will always live on in our hearts. Here is a list of some of the restaurants we will miss the most.
So Crepe, 1506 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19146
Pictured: the smoked salmon and brie savory crepes
Anyone who knows me knows that crepes are my absolute favorite food. They're so versatile; you can eat them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and the combinations are endless. However, the "City of Brotherly Love" does not give enough love to crepes; despite Philadelphia's abundance in multicultural fare, there is a surprising scarcity of creperies in the city. Even more disappointing was when one of the few restaurants dedicated entirely to crepes, So Crepe, closed suddenly. Although I only had the chance to patronize this restaurant once before they closed their doors, I enjoyed my experience. I sat at a small table outside on a warm summer day, as though I was lounging outside of a Parisian cafe, which I have sadly never done. I ordered my savory go-to, the smoked salmon with an iced coffee. Although the crepes were a little on the expensive side, they were a fair size and tasted delicious. Unfortunately, I will never have the opportunity to return and try something off of the sweet menu, but I hope Philadelphia opens more creperies in the near future. On the bright side, I heard a wine bar replaced this place, so it's not a total loss.
Magpie, 1622 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19146
You're gonna have to do a lot of swiping for this. Pictured: nutella, ratatouille, peach and blackberry, chicken pot pie, pear and apple, brussel sprout quiche, mac and cheese with sun dried tomato, cherry, shepherds pie, lemon ginger, chickpea, pecan and pumpkin, broccoli cheddar mac and cheese, butterscotch bourbon, and the classic mac and cheese with cheezitz (can you tell I have a favorite?)
In memoriam: Words cannot describe how devastated I was by the loss of this pie-themed cafe, just down the street from So Crepe. My heart was ripped out of my chest and broken into a million tiny pieces (pun intended) when I heard the news. Magpie, which is actually named after a bird, not a pie, was my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia and possibly my favorite restaurant ever before they closed permanently in December 2018. Although I only discovered this eatery after moving to Philadelphia in August 2017, I went more times in that year and a half than most Philadelphians would probably go in a lifetime. In fact, this restaurant most likely holds the record of being my most frequented restaurant. I literally tried every savory pie off their menu, and it became a tradition among my friends/my boyfriend and me to go almost every Wednesday and partake in their 3 for $14 (3.14...get it?) deal, which included one savory pie, one slice of sweet pie, and a coffee or tea (coffee for the win). Every month, their dessert menu featured a new pie of the month, which gave us another excuse to come back and try the new flavor. Ultra creative and ultra cute, this cafe attracted a crowd, and half-way through dinner service they would often sell out; one time, my boyfriend and I got the two last savory and sweet pies and watched as customers were sent away, dejected and defeated. However, this restaurant gave off some serious "Waitress" the musical vibes, and whether you were sitting at a cozy table with adorable pillows or at the counter drooling over the pies in their cases, you were sure to feel like you were in a hybrid fifties diner/quaint living room. The mac and cheese pie was, hands down, my favorite, and my boyfriend and I loved the apple pie so much that he ordered a whole one for his family, which they naturally adored. The week before they closed, I went at exactly 11 am when they opened, and there was already a woman waiting outside the door before me; she ordered, I kid you not, 14 pies. After me, a line stretched out the door, and customer after customer ordered pies in bulk, 7 here, 11 there, presumably to freeze them. By the time I finished my lunch, they had already sold out of many of their pies. Although I almost regret not ordering enough pies to feed a small army myself, and I am still grieving this tragedy a year and a half later, I am hopeful that someday another restaurateur will be inspired by the legacy Magpie has left and follow in the owner's footsteps. Rest in peace :( *in the arms of the angels plays*
Capo Giro, multiple locations
Pictured: dulce de leche and double chocolate gelato
Unlike Magpie, I had never tried Capo Giro's famous gelato (though it was on my bucket list) when word got around that they were closing all of their locations. So, I rushed over to one during their final weekend and finally tried their highly anticipated gelato. Like So Crepe, it was slightly overpriced, but the small (pictured) was a large portion and tasted rich and creamy. I wish I had tried it earlier, but luckily there are still plenty of gelato shops in the city.
The Rooster, 1502 Samson St., Philadelphia, PA 19102
Pictured: turkey clubs and pickled cabbage salad
Alas, another restaurant I only got to dine at once before the window of opportunity was closed forever. The Rooster, from the creators of Goldie and Dizen Goff, two of my favorite lunch spots in the city, was a hidden gem, both literally because it was underground, and figuratively because it was often overshadowed by all of the other amazing dining options on Samson Street. This kitchenette was a counter-service lunch or dinner spot for a quick and cheap bite, featuring an array of sandwiches and salads. Unfortunately, about a week after trying it, it closed impromptu. The Happy Rooster down the block is still open, however, and although they are not affiliated with each other, this is my next stop.
Pho Saigon, 1601 N. 15th St., Philadelphia, PA 19121
Pictured: chicken pho
Before college, I had only tried pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup, once. Upon arriving to Temple, I was recommended Pho Saigan, a small, locally run Vietnamese restaurant right off campus. To this day, I can confidently say they had some of the best pho I've ever had, especially the chicken pho. This soup was definitely enough for two meals, but it was so good, I'd always finish it in one sitting. Nevertheless, despite their low prices, constant promotions, and stellar food, Pho Saigan closed unexpectedly, leaving me in a pho dessert. Although there are plenty of good pho places in Chinatown, the heart of Asian cuisine in Philly, in my opinion, none of them can replace Pho Saigan.
Fine Palate, 231 S. 15th St., Philadelphia, PA 19102
Pictured: eggs benedict and chicken and waffles, chicken pad thai, chicken parmesan
Fine Palate was not only for consumers who have impeccable taste in fine dining; it could have also been called "wide palate" because some of the varieties of entrees were so unusual, you'd have to have a diverse palate to be brave enough to try them. Nevertheless, I went for the more typical entrees- not because I am a picky eater or afraid to treading unknown waters, which could not be further from the truth, but just because it was what I was in the mood for. The brunch was superb, and the dinner was above average; my only complaint would be the service. Although our waitresses were always very friendly, they were inexplicably slow, given that both times we were the only patrons in the restaurant. Despite its prime location in the bustling center of Center City, the uber contemporary decor and its interesting menu, I guess the lackluster service and the fact that it was surrounded by a plethora of other restaurants could not save it from foreclosure. This was a bummer, especially since it was literally right next to my boyfriend's apartment!
Dixie Picnic, 1306 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Pictured: lunchbox deal with veggie sandwich, applesauce, a deviled egg and a carrot "upcake"
Where do I begin with Dixie Picnic? My boyfriend would constantly go to this tiny breakfast/lunch restaurant a block away from his office during his lunch break, and about a week or so after I finally got to see what all the hype was about and try it myself, their Center City location closed. Although technically Dixie Picnic is not gone forever- a Montco suburb location is still open- the convenient hotspot just two miles from Temple is now out of reach. Their lunchboxes, which included a sandwich, two sides, and a dessert, reminded me of a something my mom would pack me. Just kidding- I always packed my own lunches because my parents could burn water, but if your parents packed your school lunch as a kid, you probably would have had some childhood nostalgia. And for all of you that prefer the frosting of a cupcake to the cake like I do, the upcakes were designed just for you. Although, I never just lick the frosting off of my cupcakes; that's a waste of perfectly good cake!
Common Grounds, 1626 Cecil B. Moore Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19121
Pictured: a pumpkin waffle and a PSL
This neon lit, trendy coffee shop right outside of Temple's campus gave Starbucks and Saxby's a run for their money. Although I never got a chance to explore the downstairs study lounge with couches and tables (down the steps below this sign), I did let my inner basic white girl come out and get into the fall spirit with a pumpkin spice latte and pumpkin waffle. The waffle was a little smaller than I thought it would be, not going to lie. Nonetheless, it was very yummy and very, very photogenic, and the latte was super autumnal. The food and drinks were a little overpriced, given that their main clientele was broke college students, but I was looking forward to trying some of their other innovative drinks and breakfast/lunch menu options before I passed the place and discovered they were closed.
SUGA, 1720 Samson St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
Pictured: dumplings, short-rib lo mein, cashew chicken, creme brulee
When Susanna Foo, an esteemed culinary artist from Philadelphia who is known for her fusion of Asian and French cuisine, came to Temple and did a cooking demonstration, I was first in line to try her cashew chicken. And immediately after taking a bite, I booked a reservation at her restaurant SUGA for the following week, which happened to be restaurant week. This time around, I highly recommended my boyfriend get the cashew chicken, while I listened to the behest of a friend and got the short rib lo mein. To be honest- I tried a bite of his, and I thought the version she rushed to throw together in front of a group of hungry students was actually better! However, everything we ordered was up to par, so I couldn't believe when I heard it was closing temporarily. I knew this was not a good sign, and it did not come as a surprise to me when temporarily turned to indefinitely. Perhaps Philadelphians were not a fan of the Euro-Asian fusion? Your guess is as good as mine what went wrong.
Little Spoon Cafe, 1500 South St., Philadelphia, PA 19146
Pictured: little spoon omelet and apple pie french toast
I am convinced the west side of South Street is cursed- first So Crepe, then Magpie, and now Little Spoon Cafe. In order to avoid the weekend brunch crowd and not wait for an eternity at this un-ironically named little cafe, you had to either go on a weekday or go at 8 AM like my friend and I, both early risers, did. On this day, I was team savory, and she was team sweet. However, we both exchanged bites of each others' and could not come to a consensus on a winner. The food was cheap, the staff was amicable and fast, the portions were generous, and the restaurant was a popular brunch destination, so I was taken aback when I found out they were saying farewell as well. Another one bites the dust. To my chagrin, I only went one more time for breakfast, and I actually was underwhelmed by my meal- smoked salmon on an English muffin with not nearly enough cream cheese or lox. But one mistake I will never forgive myself for is not trying some of their unique, one-of-a-kind dishes, such as the chive and cheddar or lemon ricotta pancakes.
N2 Sweet Cafe, 125 N. 11 St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
Pictured: "muddy buddy" ice cream
I still stand by my belief that N2, an underrated cafe in Chinatown, had the best ice cream in the city. When I tried to take my boyfriend there for dessert, we were both dumbfounded; the doors were boarded up. N2 was unlike any other ice cream parlor in Philly. It had couches, pillows and the cutest paintings on the walls (as seen in this picture), making it instantly insta-worthy, and if you've never seen someone make nitrogen ice cream before, then you're missing out. It's a literal chemistry experiment; smoke consumed the shop, and the air was filled with vapor. You're not in an episode of Breaking Bad, however, nor are you watching a mad scientist concoct a formula. Just a man behind the counter making your signature dessert. Although this was probably one of the most expensive ice cream shops in the city, the flavors were (again, no pun intended) inventive, and their only size was large, so for the experience and the quality/quantity of the ice cream, it was worth the price.
Nom Nom Bowl, 1608 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Another underrated Asian restaurant in Philadelphia was Nom Nom Bowl, not to be confused with Nom Nom Ramen (which is still open, thank God). One thing both restaurants have in common, however, is that they have/had my all-time favorite poke bowl and ramen. Pictured in the first picture in the bottom left corner was my favorite, the tuna goma bowl. Not only was it gorgeous, but the quality of these ingredients made the more expensive price tag worth it. If only other people saw what we saw in it; maybe it would not be vacant.
The Poke Spot, 1804 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19103
It's not often that I take a picture with this good of lighting, nor is it often that I have a meal that's this colorful! For these reasons, I love this picture so much, but this poke bowl tasted even better than it looks! This really was "the spot" for a fully loaded poke bowl and cheap lunch in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, it appears as though most people do not love poke bowls as much as me because, like Nom Nom, it also did not make it. However, not all is lost; a new Playa Bowls replaced it! So, you can still get your healthy, colorful bowls.
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