Tanya Birch - Discovering Vintage Philadelphia: A Guide to the Citys Timeless Shops, Bars, Delis & More

A born and raised Pennsylvania girl, Tanya Birch began her writing career as a teenager, when she won two national and three state Gold Scholastic Awards for writing dramatic scripts. Throughout college and after, her writing continued as a hobby, but she was sidetracked by ten years of financial services careers in New York City. That all changed in 2012 when Tanya moved to London, England, and homed in on her passion, creating a successful blog, Pennsylvania Girl Abroad (pagirlgoesabroad.com), where she traveled to over 20 countries and shared her memorable stories through her writing. Now back in the US, shes more than excited to write about all the inspiring stories out there closer to home.

W ords cant truly express my gratitude to my husband, Jim, who supported me emotionally, financially, and in countless other unforeseen ways as I pursued this path toward a new profession, especially the writing profession, which (at least for the time being) is way less secure and financially viable than the one I had when he married me.

To my parents (Lori and Rich, Bryon and Mary), grandparents (Carol and Lee), and sister, Lindsey, who have always supported me, told me they were proud of me, and trusted me in anything Ive pursued. Special thanks to my mom, Lori, who will always be my No. 1 supporter and who has devoted her time, energy, and love to me and to our entire family. Shes also usually the one who does all the worrying for our entire family, so we dont have to.

Thanks to my dear friend Tony (my honorary brother), and his partner, Alex, for giving me a key to their Philadelphia house and for letting me become a temporary roommatethe worst kind of roommate ever, the one who shows up unexpectedly and doesnt pay rent.

To my father-in-law, David, who graciously helped me understand the legal language behind my first official book contract.

To my editor at Globe Pequot, Tracee Williams, for taking the risk to work with a new writer. I appreciate your reading that first e-mail I sent pitching myself. I hoped thered be a tiny chance that someone might actually read it. I couldnt have asked for a better person to do that than you.

To all my wonderful friends who have encouraged me to keep writing, who have devoted hours of their lives to reading and critiquing that writing, often when it was particularly bad and mediocre, especially Michael Hew, Sandy Jimenez, and Mirkka Jokelainen.

To the people who offered their valuable insights and contributed to my research for this book and who, based on their expert knowledge of all things Philadelphia, helped me to find some of those hidden spots that I otherwise may have overlooked, including Marcy Hetelson, Cara and Jenea on the Visit Philly team, David Auspitz, Michele Gambino, and some great contacts I spoke to at the Independence National Historic Park and at the Historical Society.

Lastly, I want to thank all the business owners who have taken time out of their busy days to spend an hour or two with me along the way, to share their stories that are admirable and, above all, inspirational.

Im so lucky to have the opportunity to write about it.

FEATURED PLACES BY CATEGORY

Bakeries

Cacias Bakery

Iannellis Bakery

Isgro Pasticceria

Sarcones Bakery

Stocks Bakery

Bars

Bob & Barbaras Lounge

Bomb Bomb BBQ Grill & Italian Restaurant

Cherry Street Tavern

Cookies Tavern

Dirty Franks Bar

McGillins Olde Ale House

McMenamins Tavern

McNallys Tavern

The Mermaid Inn

Old Original Nicks Roast Beef

Rays Happy Birthday Bar

Smokey Joes

Books

Joseph Fox Bookshop

Butchers

Cappuccios Meats

Czerws Polish Kielbasa

Espositos Meats

Swiacki Meats

Candy

Shane Confectionary

Cheese

Di Bruno Bros.

Lucio Mancuso & Son

Cheesesteaks

Campos Deli

Cosmis Deli

Dalessandros Steaks and Hoagies

Genos Steaks

Joes Steaks & Soda Shop

Johns Roast Pork

McNallys Tavern

Pats King of Steaks

Clothing

Goldsteins Mens and Boys Clothing

Delis

Campos Deli

Cosmis Deli

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

Diners

The Dining Car

Entertainment

The Mermaid Inn

The Victor Caf

Fabrics

Fleishman Fabrics & Supplies

Flags

Humphrys Flag Company

Fruit and Produce

P&F Giordano

Hoagies

Campos Deli

Cosmis Deli

Dalessandros Steaks and Hoagies

Joes Steaks & Soda Shop

Johns Roast Pork

McMenamins Tavern

McNallys Tavern

Kielbasa

Czerws Polish Kielbasa

Swiacki Meats

Kitchen Tools & Equipment

Fantes Kitchen Shop

Ice Cream

Bassetts Ice Cream

Joes Steaks & Soda Shop

Musical Instruments

Cunningham Piano Company

Frederick W. Oster Fine Violins & Vintage Instruments

Pasta (to prepare at home)

Di Bruno Bros.

Superior Pasta Company

Restaurants

Bomb Bomb BBQ Grill & Italian Restaurant

Cherry Street Tavern

City Tavern Restaurant

DeLucas Villa di Roma

The Dining Car

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

McGillins Olde Ale House

McMenamins Tavern

McNallys Tavern

Old Original Nicks Roast Beef

Ralphs Italian Restaurant

Smokey Joes

Snockeys Oyster and Crab House

The Victor Caf

Roast Beef

Cherry Street Tavern

Johns Roast Pork

McNallys Tavern

Old Original Nicks Roast Beef

Tomato Pies/Pizza

Cacias Bakery

Iannellis Bakery

Sarcones Bakery

Water Ice

Johns Water Ice

Pops Water Ice

FEATURED PLACES BY NEIGHBORHOOD

Center City

Logan Square

Cherry Street Tavern

Market East

Bassetts Ice Cream

Old City

Campos Deli

City Tavern Restaurant

Humphrys Flag Company

Shane Confectionary

Rittenhouse Square

Joseph Fox Bookshop

Washington Square West

Dirty Franks Bar

Frederick W. Oster Fine Violins & Vintage Instruments

McGillins Olde Ale House

North

Kensington/Port Richmond

Stocks Bakery

Port Richmond

Czerws Polish Kielbasa

Swiacki Meats

Northeast

Tacony/Wissinoming

Joes Steaks & Soda Shop

Torresdale

The Dining Car

Northwest

Chestnut Hill

McNallys Tavern

The Mermaid Inn

Germantown

Cunningham Piano Company

Mount Airy

McMenamins Tavern

Roxborough

Dalessandros Steaks and Hoagies

South

Bella Vista

Cappuccios Meats

DeLucas Villa di Roma

Di Bruno Bros.

Espositos Meats

Fantes Kitchen Shop

Goldsteins Mens and Boys Clothing

Isgro Pasticceria

Johns Water Ice

P&F Giordano

Ralphs Italian Restaurant

Sarcones Bakery

Superior Pasta Company

East Passyunk Crossing

Lucio Mancuso & Son

Graduate Hospital

Bob & Barbaras Lounge

Lower Moyamensing

Bomb Bomb BBQ Grill & Italian Restaurant

Cookies Tavern

Pops Water Ice

Melrose

Cacias Bakery

Passyunk Square

Cosmis Deli

Genos Steaks

Iannellis Bakery

Pats King of Steaks

Rays Happy Birthday Bar

The Victor Caf

Pennsport

Johns Roast Pork

Queen Village

Famous 4th Street Delicatessen

Fleishman Fabrics & Supplies

Snockeys Oyster and Crab House

West Passyunk

Old Original Nicks Roast Beef

West

University City

Smokey Joes

FEATURED PLACES BY YEAR OF ORIGIN