John Doyle started working at McGillin’s Olde Ale House in April 1974, making him the longest-serving bartender at Philadelphia’s oldest operating bar. And likely in the city, state and, the country! John Doyle, bartender at McGillin’s Old Ale House The bar will toast him with a year-long celebration beginning on April 27 and ending on March 17, 2025, which will be his 50th St. Patrick’s Day at the iconic Philadelphia bar. Over the years Doyle has worked for three generations of ownership at McGillin’s Olde Ale House, Philadelphia’s oldest continuously operating tavern and one of the oldest in ..read more

As previously reported last week, Mamajuana Cafe on Frankford Avenue in Fishtown is now open. Close to the Brooklyn Bowl and the Fillmore, the 10,000-square-foot restaurant features seating for 350 inside. Known for its Latino cuisine, Mamajuana Cafe combines traditional recipes with new twists. Philly Grub correspondent Erin Flynn Jay took a look and sampled some dishes. What I was most impressed with at Mamajuana Cafe were the sauces, all made from scratch, representing cuisine from around Latin American countries such as Dominican Republic and Colombia. The following dishes stood out ..read more

Keith Wallace of The Wine School of Philadelphia and Stacy Wessel of Race Street Café Keith Wallace, Founder of The Wine School of Philadelphia, has awarded Race Street Café’s Owner Stacy Wessel as the 2024 Sommelier Student of the Year. In celebration of Wessel’s achievement, Wallace will provide complimentary glasses of sparkling wine to all dinner guests 21 years of age and older at Wessel’s café, located at 208 Race Street in Old City, between Monday, April 15 and Sunday, April 21. Veteran Philadelphia restaurateur Stacy Wessel earned the award after several years of grinding away at ..read more

Philly Grub, a stalwart in Philadelphia food news reporting, is on the cusp of its 16th Anniversary. This milestone marks a significant achievement and raises questions about the future. As founder and editor-in-chief of this longstanding blog, I am still deciding on a path, but it will involve exploring new content and formats. I might revisit my blogging roots, share more personal stories, and even experiment with a weekly or monthly column-like post to bring you the latest news and intriguing tidbits in one giant article.  Your constructive feedback is invaluable as I figure out the ne ..read more

Spring has finally arrived, and what better way to celebrate the season of blooming flowers and warmer weather than with some delightful cocktails from Fine Wine & Good Spirits? From recipes featuring blueberries, lemon, and hints of rose to others with apple, mint, and pineapple, there’s a variety to suit every taste. Whether you’re lounging in the backyard or hosting a garden party, these refreshing drinks are sure to impress. As always, please enjoy responsibly. Daisy Spring Spritz (April’s Cocktail of the Month) Ingredients – Blueberry ice cubes* – 3 oz Natura Organic Sauvignon Blanc ..read more

PHL’s marketplace of over 150 retail, dining and consumer service concessions just welcomed a familiar name last week. Sabrina’s Cafe has joined the family at PHL Food & Shops. Delaware Valley’s beloved brunch boutique is now open to passengers in Terminal C at Philadelphia International Airport. Sabrina’s Cafe at PHL Airport is now open! The quirky concept of comfort food “with a twist,” served in a cozy, eclectic dinette made its debut in 2001 near Philly’s Italian Market. Founders Raquel and Robert De Abreu further personalized the idea by naming the restaurant after their daughter, and ..read more

Mamajuana Café, located at 1000-1032 Frankford Avenue, will grand open on April 18th at 11 a.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony and party. The restaurant, which is the first in the Philadelphia area, is 10,000 square feet and consist of 350 seats in the dining area, plus 30 bar seats and a patio that will seat 60 people to be opened in time for summer.  “We are so excited to bring Philadelphia its first Mamajuana Café,” said the groups founders. “This is going to be a cultural experience for those who have never been to one of our businesses. We are known for our mouth-watering ..read more

Editor Note: Congratulations to Amada in Radnor celebrating its 1st anniversary. The 200-seat space in Radnor Financial Center opened last year to much fanfare and has quickly become a favorite dining destination on the Main Line. Philly Grub correspondent Erin Flynn Jay attended the anniversary party and reports on the highlights. For Amada Radnor’s 1st Anniversary Celebration, Chef Jose Garces hosted a special party with live music, flamenco dancing, brunch, and lite bites. Interior of Amada Radnor [Photo: Erin Flynn Jay] Loved two brunch dishes–the Tortilla Espanola and Sangria pancake ..read more

Margaret Kuo in Wayne closed last month after 22 years. Well, it didn’t take long for Win Signature Restaurants to snap up the space. According to its Instagram, the restaurant group will open a new concept at 175 Lancaster Avenue. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Blue Elephant Wayne (@blueelephantwayne) What could it be? Like its other restaurants, it will be probably Asian-themed. The restaurant group owns two Azie locations, two Blue Elephant locations, as well as Teikoku and Mikado Thai Pepper – all on the Main Line/Chester County areas. This will be its 7t ..read more

M2o Burgers & Salads, the made-to-order restaurant from Leo, Pep and Jim Osmanollaj, is celebrating 6 years in business on April 10th with $6 burgers and shakes. All proceeds from the day will benefit the former Lower Dublin Academy in Philadelphia, which is being restored to its former glory by the local Albanian community. M2o Burgers & Salads Celebrates 6 Years The Lower Dublin Academy, which was acquired by the local Bijte E Shqipes in 2018, with renovations beginning late-2023. Upon completion, students in the Albanian-American community will be able to attend and receive a f ..read more