Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse is located at 7500 State Rd. right off I-95 Bringing a little southern style to our fast-paced big city, Sweet Lucy’s is best known for its barbecue-style meats and all-you-can-eat buffet on Monday nights. Sweet Lucy’s does not suggest elegant dinning, but rather, welcomes a sawdust-on-the-floor, casual dining outing for the whole family.

First opening its door to our public in 2003, Sweet Lucy’s has worked hard to maintain its status of serving the best southern barbeque to the Northeast. Sweet Lucy’s has a small parking lot and also has street parking available, which may be useful if you come on Monday evening for the buffet, as the restaurant fills up fast. Open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner, Sweet Lucy’s is kept clea.n Although the table I was seated at was sticky, the waitress immediately wiped it down upon our request. continue reading »

You don’t have to go to South Street for Latin food and fun, Copabanana has three locations in Philadelphia and one is located in the back of Grant Plaza in our beloved NEast. Always full of life, always full of music and laughter, Copabanana is a party trapped inside a restaurant.

Open everyday of the year from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. Copa is trying to accommodate all crowds for lunch and dinner. The darkly lit restaurant turns into more of a bar scene with loud music later on in the evening after the dinner crowd starts to disperse.  Well known for its margaritas and Spanish fries, this bar/restaurant is a great place to venture for relaxing and catching up with friends. continue reading »

By Donna Ward

Las Margaritas is a fantastic Mexican restaurant located at 2538 Welsh Rd. near Roosevelt Boulevard.  You have probably seen the jalapeño van driving around the NEast and other neighboring areas, but if you haven’t eaten at Las Margaritas you are missing some of the best Mexican cuisine in the NEast.  It may be true that some Mexican food requires an acquired taste, but at Las Margaritas there is something for everyone, even the mild-palated patrons. continue reading »

This quaint café is located at 9645 James Street right off Grant Avenue across from the Torresdale train station. Founded in 2005, Three Monkeys has polished hardwood floors and tabletops. With Internet access available, many college students in the area seek out Three Monkeys as a great place to have wonderful food, light conversation and accomplish their network needs. Parking can be a little interesting for dinnertime diners, but at lunch there is usually plenty of space outside the café on the street. continue reading »

A small little Italian restaurant located at 7602 Castor Ave., known commonly as Frank’s, sparked my interest as I drove past the wooden-framed windows out front. I had never even so much as heard of this small restaurant until recently, so I was very shocked to learn it had been established here for more than years. Trying to park can be a bit tricky, since it’s on the street, which can be hit or miss. continue reading »

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By Donna Ward

This very casual and informal bistro, located at 7980 Oxford Ave., serves both American and German cuisine. The Blue Ox is a wonderful restaurant and bar, which has been changed and revamped over the past century to provide good quality service with excellent food. Established back before the turn of the twentieth century, the Blue Ox has become a landmark that attracts visitors from all over Philadelphia. continue reading »

This quaint little eatery is located at 7933 Bustleton Avenue (between Borbeck and Loney).  A very small, plain restaurant with a continental food variety that is open for lunch and dinner. Parking is difficult as it is usually on the street or in the small lot out front of the restaurant, which is located in a tiny strip mall. continue reading »

By Donna Ward

China Buddha Inn is located within Franklin Mills Mall at 1920 Franklin Mills Drive. I know what you’re thinking: “a mall restaurant.” But China Buddha was full of non-mall surprises. True, China Buddha is a better takeout place than eat-in restaurant, but if you are shopping at Franklin Mills and looking for something other than your typical mall food court, China Buddha provides efficient service with tasty food.

Since the restaurant is located within Franklin Mills Mall there is no trouble finding parking spaces despite the crowds. When you enter China Buddha, the décor is as warm and inviting as the hostess and servers. Keeping with the name of the restaurant, there are Buddha statutes in strategic places ornamenting the walls throughout the establishment. The tables are kept relatively clean, as is the silverware and flatware. I was served promptly and my meal arrived in a timely fashion while still warm.

Keep reading to find out what Donna ordered. continue reading »

A delightful Portuguese-American restaurant and bar located at 8026 Bustleton Avenue in Rhawnhurst,  Mediterranean 2000 offers a dining experience in a pleasantly casual intimate setting that is good for couples and small parties.  Mediterranean 2000 is also available for banquets with prior notice and has a splendid catering service.  The menu may vary for catering and banquets depending on the amount of people and discusses between customers with management.

Established in 2000, Mediterranean 2000 has become a popular dining place for NEasters.  The bar area offers karaoke every Monday evening, and various DJs come in periodically throughout the week and weekends.  The bar is very relaxed and comfortable, with an array of mixed drinks, as well as old favorites.  The bar and glasses are kept clean, as is the floor.  Open seven days a week until 2:00 a.m., Mediterranean 2000 has become a regular haunt for some. continue reading »