Jim and Brooke Higgins of Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse

Brooke and Jim Higgins have traveled the world, working as personal chefs and caterers for high-end clientele. Northeast native Brooke even had the experience of working under celebrity chef Todd English at his Boston restaurant, Olives.

In 2003, the couple found itself a new calling in Holmesburg, in the form of a lunch truck. With experienced culinary backgrounds and a little inspiration from their 110-pound Newfoundland, Sweet Lucy, the couple took the catering business to a whole new level.

“Brooke’s father has a business here,” said Jim, “First, we thought we were just going to park it in his parking lot and you know, end up taking it around the city. Then, one day, we decided to open up the window and see if people would come and we had such a good response, we decided to put the restaurant right here.” continue reading »

Are you looking for a great spot to go and hang out with your friends?  Are you looking for that great spot to be in the NEast?  Well look no further, because Cafe MichelAngelo at 11901 Bustleton Ave. is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m.   Providing great service, fabulous food and a cozy ,warm environment even on the outside patio area, MichelAngelo’s is the place to be.  Prices are reasonable and the food is fantastic. continue reading »

What’s better than hot chocolate on a snowy day after shoveling?  How about making some hot, creamy potato soup to warm you from the inside out.

Made fresh and fast, this is a wonderful delicacy for any household in the very white winter months this season.  Kids usually love the taste without realizing they are eating something wholesome, and adults can’t get enough of this filling soup.

Push the snow aside and pull up a bowl of delicious hot potato soup that only takes about 30 to 45 minutes to cook and can feed up to eight people.

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In the mood for a quick bite or some fantastic pizza?  Montesini’s on Frankford Avenue in the Mayfair Shopping Center has delicious food at very affordable prices.  Whether you are in the mood for pizza shop fast food, or a sit-down, relaxed, casual dining experience, Montesini’s can accommodate.  Parking shouldn’t be too much trouble with the abundance of the shopping center spaces, but beware: with the holidays rapidly approaching, the malls are becoming more crowded.

Very small and common, Montesini’s may not impress you much by its look or décor, but taking the advice of an old adage “never judge a book by its cover,” you will be pleasantly surprised by the taste of the food.  The staff manages to keep the restaurant relatively tidy and the silverware and flatware is clean, which is always a good sign.  The service is very friendly and fast.  I ordered my food, and in less than 10 minutes it was at my table prepared steaming hot. continue reading »

Turkey, stuffing, cranberries, squash and yams– it must be Thanksgiving.  What better day to stay in and have a wonderful home-cooked meal with family and friends.  Of course, no Thanksgiving meal would be complete without the traditional pumpkin pie, but here’s a great recipe for those looking to add a different flavor that still works with the color scheme of yellows, reds, oranges and browns.

Lemon meringue pie is a tasty treat that accompanies pumpkin pie, or can be served on its own.  This year, surprise your family and friends with a new end to Thanksgiving that they are sure to enjoy.  This wonderful pie could feed anywhere from eight to 12 people depending on your serving slice. continue reading »

With the increasing financial hardship and economic strain, more NEasters are choosing to dine in and save some money, rather then eat out.  Given the fact that more and more people are taking on this custom, I am including a recipe that I came upon a few weeks ago for all our money-saving friends, and those who want to try a little something different.  A Beef teriyaki with cucumber salad recipe I discovered in an Asian-style cookbook (Homestyle Asian) intrigued my creative side, as well as my taste buds.

The preparation time is around 20 to 30 minutes, takes 20 minutes to cook and serves 4 people.

What you will need for the beef teriyaki:

• 4 filet steaks
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 tablespoon of sake (optional, but recommended)
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ginger
• 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds
• 1/3 cup of soy sauce

What you will need for the cucumber salad:

• 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of vinegar (rice wine vinegar preferred)
• ½ red pepper, diced
• ¼ a cup of water

Continue reading for cooking instructions continue reading »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »