Most of the names of rivers, towns, and streets in the Philadelphia area we owe to the Lenape Native Americans who lived on that land way before all of us. This includes Manayunk, which the Lenape occupied until the late 17th century. To learn more about these indigenous people, we suggest you check out The Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania.
Just like we think it’s important you know about Manayunk’s geographical history, we want you to know where to eat in the neighborhood too. From great restaurants to bars and breweries that line its steeply inclined hills, here are 5 places in Manayunk to try right now.
The Spots
Whether you’re dining on their outdoor courtyard or taking in its industrial-style interiors, this new neighborhood bar has daily specials like BOGO margaritas on Tuesday and $7 build-you-own-burger Wednesdays. When you’re there, try the chicken cheesesteak. It has the perfect melty-cheese-to-chicken ratio that’s all served on a soft, seeded bun.
This new Main Street spot only sells pies on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and offers up three distinct styles to choose from, including Grandma, Detroit, and New York-style round, plus a toppings list longer than the Eagles IR. The ultimate flex of a traditional New York-style pizza is a slightly-charred crust done right, and that’s why this is our favorite option here. From the crispy crust to the sweet sauce, Pizza Jawn gets it right.
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Mi ‘N Tea
This Vietnamese cafe, that’s open for takeout or outdoor dining, serves up some of the best bánh mì in town. Their crispy chicken version is one of our favorites with katsu-style fried chicken breast that’s perfectly crispy and well-seasoned. Topped with pickled carrots and daikon, the sandwich has a great blend of flavors that brings the heat but isn’t so overpowering that you’ll need an extra “Thai Sunset” bubble tea.
Chef Li 庭說
With the weather taking a turn, finding a good hot pot shop like Chef Li on Main Street is a must. To create the perfect meal to warm you up, try any of their soup bases, with options like beef bone broth, mushroom, and Szechuan spicy. The garlic and chili in the Szechuan base is both tangy and has a nice balance of tingling spice from the broth that jumps out when you’re dipping their homemade glass noodles, fresh napa cabbage, and marbled beef into the bubbly pot. Add their slightly sweet, shrimp-flavored, and aromatic shacha sauce to take your meal to the next level.
Lucky's Last Chance
Lucky’s Last Chance is the place to go for excellent burgers in Manayunk. There are 15 uniquely-flavored burgers on the menu, ranging from “PB & Bacon” to the “Pickle Monster” that’s stacked with chips and fried pickles, but our favorite is the “Buffalo Wing Burger.” The patty is piled with shredded chicken that’s been smothered in hot Buffalo sauce and topped with crumbled blue cheese, making a burger that’s juicy, spicy, and savory.
