With nationwide egg shortages and inflation creep making themselves evident on restaurant menus, East Passyunk is getting passionate about affordable meals. This year marks the 13th annual East Passyunk Restaurant Week, with 18 local favorites offering a diverse mix of cuisines and dining experiences, from pork empanadas to Vietnamese short rib stew.
“Dining out does not have to break the bank,” said Sarah Cowell, of the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District. “Money is tight for everyone, and this gives us a nice opportunity to showcase these menus that are critically acclaimed.”
Menus are priced at $20, $40 and $60 and include three- and four-course meals. There are also some bonus drink deals. The Bottle Shop, for example, is offering a $10 flight option of four craft beers and ciders and the option to BYOF (bring your own food).
“Maybe you’ve been a million times,” Cowell said. “Maybe you’ve never been before, but this is a financial way for people to say I can actually go out to eat twice this week.”
East Passyunk is beloved for its Italian food, so pasta and pizza lovers will find a wide range of options to choose from. DaVinci & Yu, a new Italian and Asian-fusion restaurant that opened earlier this month, is serving up creative dishes like BBQ eel and arugula pizza. On the other end of the spectrum, Marra’s, a South Philly staple since 1927, sticks to tradition with offerings like shrimp and clams diavolo.
“We have these long-standing businesses,” Cowell said. “There’s restaurants that have been here for longer than this restaurant week has been running.”
The restaurant week, which is actually two weeks, officially begins Feb. 24 and will continue through March 7. Katie Hanford, Executive Director of the East Passyunk Avenue BID, hopes that diners will be inspired to diverge from their routines.
“We’re getting more folks in at different times they might not otherwise be coming in, especially in the dead cold of winter,” she said. “It gives them an opportunity to try new stuff, too. I think a lot of these menus are creative and inventive. It’s not things you would necessarily find in your day to day.”
Hanford says that she will be going to several of the restaurants and taking advantage of the special, limited-time deals—like Townsend’s pre-fix menu, which features upscale French cuisine.
“For a place that is so critically acclaimed and is seen as one of our premiere fine-dining establishments,” she said. “To be able to go there and have a full meal for $40 is wild to me!”
For anyone feeling overwhelmed by the choices, the East Passyunk Avenue BID Instagram offers a guide with kid-friendly picks, neighborhood favorites and spots to expand the palate. Those looking for critically acclaimed restaurants like Gabrielle’s Vietnam, Le Virtu or Noir can find them on the list, too.
“All of the food in this area is good. You’re not going to have a bad meal here,” Cowell added. “And this is really just about finding a way that it fits into people’s wallets.”
The restaurants and bars taking part in East Passyunk Restaurant Week include:
- The Bottle Shop
- The Palace of Indian
- Townsend
- Lucky 13 Pub
- Noir Restaurant
- Perla
- Pistola’s Del Sur
- Pizzata Pizzeria & Birreria
- Stogies Joe’s Tavern
- P’UNK Burger
- Agricola
- Barcelona Wine Bar
- Cantina Los Caballitos
- DaVinci & Yu
- Dough Head Pizza
- Gabriella’s Vietnam
- Le Virtu
- Marra’s Restaurant
- Pizza Plus
