Northeast (OK, Mayfair) makes Philly mag’s ‘Best of Philly’ list 3
By Shannon McDonald
The August issue of Philadelphia magazine is out, complete with the 2009 Best of Philly Awards. And believe it or not, a few Northeast spots made the list. Though we often rag on Philly mag (and others) for ignoring the NEast, there’s no denying the editors over there paid us some well-deserved attention in this issue. Maybe it’s got something to do with the fact that Michael Callahan, who hails from the Northeast, edited the list. Either way, we’re honored.
One thing we have to make note of though: all these places are in Mayfair. And they’re all on or right off Frankford Avenue. Though two of the winners straddle the Mayfair/Wissinoming border, they usually get pegged as Mayfair for their proximity to the avenue. We love Mayfair, but the rest of our region has plenty to offer. Just ask Donna Ward, resident restaurant reviewer, or Pat McNally, who has probably explored every inch of our region with his kids. This year’s winners are among the best, but they don’t represent all of the Northeast.
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Wit or Witout (7352 Frankford Ave. in Mayfair) was voted Best Cheesesteak. Owner and Mayfair native Nicole DiZio was lauded for giving the South Philly guys a run for their money, and the Northeast was named a key battlefield in the cheesesteak wars. - Lawndale Construction Management (6234 Frankford Ave. in Mayfair) took the title of Best Contractor, and owner Tom Niedermayer was given credit for his vision and “top-notch craftsmanship.”
- McMenamin’s, a Mount Airy bar on Germantown Avenue, was named Best Sports Bar That Isn’t Chickie’s and Pete’s. McMenamin’s isn’t in the Northeast, but even the Philly mag staff has to admit nothing can come close to the Mayfair-based bar that’s home to favorites like Crab Fries and the Magooby.
- Haegele’s Bakery (4164 Barnett St. in Mayfair) was voted as having the Best Doughnuts. No other bakery in the city can compete with this corner store’s array of doughnuts, which include cream-filled, iced cinnamon, powdered, jelly and fastnachts. And if you’re not the doughnut type, go for the tasty chocolate flake cake.
- Nifty Fifty’s is this year’s winner for Best Milkshake. Duh. Though the ‘50-themed restaurant started in Bucks County and has several other locations, many people think the one at Grant Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard is the orinigal. With shakes like those, we’ll forgive the mistake.
What do you think of this year’s winners? Are they deserving of their titles, or are there better places out there?
Wit or Without? Give me a break. The best cheesesteak, bar none, is still made at Chink’s on Torresdale Avenue. Get over the name – the sandwich is the bomb.
You want to talk about great? Philly Mag should name Holmesburg Bakery as the best place to get a strawberry shortcake, or Geiger’s for their outstanding pound cake. And do not forget Mayfair Bakery’s outstanding raisin bars.
I just realized that I know too much about cheesesteaks and baked goods. No surprise that my waistline has suffered.
I wrote “Wit or Witout” off immediately because of that name. No offense to them, but it made me think the place was run by people from somewhere else who only know stereotypes about Philly (”This is how the locals talk, right ‘youse guys’?? ::wink wink nudge::”). Apparently I was way off… Maybe I should have actually eaten there before judging, ha.
Chink’s is good but their steaks are too small. According to my dad that is a pretty common complaint, to which the original owner always responded, “That’s because I don’t use kangaroo meat like those other guys.”
Jacky, I did the same thing, but only living a few blocks away I decided to give it a shot. It blew my expectations out of the water, you should definitely give it a shot. I still hate the name though, haha