Before Jim’s closed due to a fire in 2022, the retro counter-service place on South Street usually had a line longer than the TLA’s. And now that it's back, the waiting game for hoagies and cheesesteaks continues. In the name of research, we stood in front of Jim's for 90 minutes to eat soft, buttery rolls packed with ribeye and cold cuts, respectively. While the standard hoagie doesn't warrant a wait, Jim's cheesesteak is one of the better options in town.

It's easy to underestimate Hi-Lo. The corporate-looking taco spot occupies a corner of Center City dominated by hospital staff, construction workers rebuilding half of Walnut, and people catching a Sunday matinee. But don't judge a book by its chain-y cover (FWIW, it's independently owned)—they make fantastic tacos. The space has a full bar, and plenty of seating for groups downing chewy handmade tortillas filled with Old Bay shrimp, grilled steak fajita, and tangy, chimichurri-topped mushrooms.

Pizzeria Shackamaxon, the takeout-only shop in Fishtown, makes slices so good that we’d happily line up for them during a rainstorm. Thankfully, we no longer have to. Their sister shop and BYOB in Port Richmond offers a major upgrade from scarfing tomato pies on the pavement, plus the ability to order online for pickup and delivery. Pizza Richmond has a large dining room packed with nostalgia, but the fun won’t distract you from the headliner here: the incredible, thin-sliced pizza.

When Saté Kampar was in East Passyunk, it was a coffee shop-restaurant hybrid that served well-seasoned meat and rice dishes. This iteration of the Malaysian restaurant still offers fragrant nasi lemak and tender beef rendang, now in a home just off South Street. They upgraded to a bi-level space (a kongsi upstairs with a bar and a la carte menu, and a kopitiam-style restaurant downstairs with a tasting menu from chefs in residency).

Despite the name, Amy’s Pastelillos in Fishtown isn’t entirely about the deep-fried meat pies—everything the Puerto Rican shop makes is pretty great. From the excellent sides like pickled yuca to the various bowls (go for the Vegano) and loaded sweet and spicy tostones nachos, it’s all going to make you feel like you’ve been doing this meal thing all wrong. Of course, all of the pastelillos are fantastic, but it’s the sweet and tender guava pork that has Philly lining up.

Philly has fewer places to get momo than Dollar Dog nights, but this isn’t our favorite place by default. It’s because these crisp-edged, doughy pouches are packed with the perfect combination of flavor and spice. The Spring Garden corner spot has a few tables for ordering the Himalayan veggie chili “hotter than hot,” while the rest is counter space for ordering takeout. It has a massive lineup of momo—we’re talking over 30—including fantastic vegetarian options.

This Black-owned brewery in University City has a relatively small beer menu, including a malty Nubian ale non-beer-drinkers might even chug. But no brewery in Philly serves better food. Stay at the front bar near the TVs and HBCU plaques and order some Liberian jollof rice. Or head to the back area with communal tables and a menu by Liberty Kitchen. You can drink Two Locals’ beer regardless of whether you’re parking it with a hoagie or listing the top five Martin episodes while the game is on.

CookNSolo spots follow the Three Little Bears model: Zahav is the fancy place, Laser Wolf is the trendy grill, and the new Dizengoff in Center City is a comfortable mix of both. The main perk: they serve Zahav and Laser Wolf hits a la carte, like za’atar roasted chicken and juicy dorade. Also, the scene is fun. People drink gin and swallow silky hummus like the world is ending, or at least like it's Friday even when it's a Monday.

Similar to the South Philly location, Headhouse Square’s Tamalex serves great Mexican food in a space that’s casual enough to walk in with a few friends. But this new spot has the bonus of a bar and live music. (Another main difference between the two: there's no all-day service or Honduran specialties here.) Come for good tacos, Modelo on tap, an impressive variety of mezcal and tequila, and Happy Hour until 7pm.

Once a roaming pop-up, Paffuto is now the Bella Vista cafe of our dreams. And by that, we mean a place where we can eat mortadella breakfast sandwiches on griddled kaiser rolls, work on our laptops, and watch as our productivity levels lose the battle against puffy, cream-filled maritozzi. While Italian sandwiches and pastries are about as common in this area as shoppers lugging two-wheeled carts, Paffuto stands out for its panzerotti—including a very good breakfast version with scrambled egg.