Maggie's Cafe, Chickie's & Pete's, The Dining Car and Lipkin's Bakery were among the vendors at the 2011 Taste of Northeast Philly.

Though Saturday’s annual Taste of Northeast Philly event boasted fewer vendors than usual, the crowd was as lively as ever.

Staples like Chickie’s and Pete’s, The Dining Car and Three Monkeys Cafe dished out customers’ favorites in Father Judge High School’s cafeteria alongside first-timers like DNH Caterers and Lipkin’s bakery, while Northeast residents carried armfuls of loaded plates to their tables to chat and watch the Flyers on flatscreen TVs.

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Maggie's Waterfront Cafe owner Kevin Goodchild addresses the East Torresdale Civic Association. Photo by Danny Donnelly.

Since 1935, 9242 N. Delaware Ave. has housed several bars and restaurants. For the past three years; however, this address has been housing several concerns for the neighbors of  East Torresdale’s Pleasant Hill pocket.

Individuals present at Monday’s East Torresdale Civic Association meeting placed Maggie’s Waterfront Café, at the top of their list of issues facing the neighborhood.

John Swiker lives five blocks away from Maggie’s and says the dispute has been going on since he began attending the civic association’s meetings last year.

“It’s a quality of life thing. People don’t mind the bar, in actuality. I go to this bar. It’s the events that are going on,” he said. “The music is going too loud too long. If they kept it inside it wouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”

Current owner Kevin Goodchild purchased the building where Maggie’s now stands in 2008. Goodchild said he initially envisioned his business to be a small indoor restaurant and bar for local residents. continue reading »