“Let’s face it: For Philadelphia natives looking for distinctive street vendor cuisine, the last thing you want is a cheesesteak.”

~ Sam Benesby

By Sam Benesby  |  Send to Friend

When you’re a tourist, far from home and on the prowl for lunch, it’s easy to settle for the predictable and devilishly consistent chain-food restaurants, with their flashy window signs and subliminal ad campaigns. Hell, even Philadelphians get sick of cheesesteaks and Wendy’s hamburgers. It’s a good thing, then, that some of the city’s best-kept dining treasures are right there in the gutter before you. I checked out some of the most popular food vendors in the Independence Mall region and asked for their best, recommended items, so the next time you’re exploring the birthplace of freedom you’ll know where to liberate your taste buds. 

Big Winner:

6th and Chestnut (South)

Recommended Item: Chicken Caesar Wrap, made with 10 oz. of grilled chicken breast, bacon, lettuce, provolone and Parmesan cheese with a homemade Caesar dressing in a pita roll. $4.50

Ambience: In the shade of the Public Ledger building, which features giant, marble columns. Just across the street is the back of Independence Hall, a perfect place to sit and enjoy your meal.

Overall Rating: The savory and juicy chicken was grilled to perfection, crispy on the outside, but juicy and tender within, and the cool lettuce provided the perfect splash of refreshment. The cheeses were melted to the soft, fresh pita bread and the homemade Caesar dressing was there waiting for us, resting at the bottom of the wrap, providing a final shock of flavor at the end of every bite. It’s really a great summer eat and also comes in BBQ.

4.5 out of 5


Not Bad:

Mom’s at Independence Hall West (6th street) and Chestnut

Recommended Item: Mom’s Best Cheesesteak. Made with 12 oz. of seared sirloin, minced onions, Mom’s marinara, made of garlic and oregano, with American cheese, salt, and pepper on a hearty Italian roll.

Ambience: Mom’s is on the corner diagonally across from Independence hall, making for both beautiful and iconic scenery. It’s difficult to not have a picturesque view when ordering from this street vendor.

Overall Rating: Yes. Another cheesesteak, but what can you expect from a cart that boasts to be voted number one in the city? The more than one-foot long, fluffy roll was almost saturated in grease by the time I got to it and the marinara blended seamlessly with the American cheese. The true epitome of a classic Philly cheese steak -- though at the same time, nothing terribly special.

3.6 out of 5


6th and Market (North)

Recommended Item: Chicken and Broccoli made with sliced chicken breast, steamed rice, sliced carrots, broccoli, shallots, chili pepper, and finished with a garlic teriyaki sauce. $3.80

Ambience: The ordering window is facing the street, rather than the sidewalk, making customers feel like they’re about to be clipped by the rear-view mirror of a SEPTA bus at any moment. We wouldn't put it past them, either.

Overall Rating: With savory chicken and carrots, steamed to perfection, it sure beat the hell out of Panda Express or any other Chinese chain establishment. The chicken was surprisingly fresh and juicy and was complimented well by the garlic sauce, which helped to dissolve the potentially overwhelming spice of the chili pepper.

3.3 out of 5


5th and Market (North)

Recommended Item: Cheesesteak, made with 11 ounces of sirloin, fried onions, sweet and hot peppers, mayonnaise, wiz, salt, pepper and oregano with sprinklings of parsley finished on an Amoroso roll.  $3.50

Ambience: A decorative and festive cart that is sure to catch the eye of passersby, as it's paired with the acoustic, strumming melodies of one Bruce Hampton. Be sure to request his smash single, "The Cheese Steak Blues."

Overall Rating: Let’s face it: For Philadelphia natives looking for distinctive street vendor cuisine, the last thing you want is a cheesesteak. Still, the combination of mayonnaise and hot and sweet peppers blended well to create a sweet and spicy aioli of sorts. However, the amoroso roll made it taste like a cheese steak I could make in my kitchen. Bonus for Mr. Hampton’s performance.

3 out of 5


Big Loser:

6th and Market (South)

Recommended Item: Shish kabob sandwich, with charcoal grilled chicken and carrots, marinated in a “don’t know” sauce in an amoroso roll.  $3.00

Ambience: While the cart is simplistic and unadorned, the charcoal pit offers a homely, backyard appeal and the charcoal grill helps to mask the scent of horseshit from carriages lined up across the street. Mmmmm. Horseshit.

Overall Rating: The sandwich, which comes in chicken or pork, holds the potential to become a truly unique food item in the region, but falls short with its lack of accompanying ingredients. The “mystery marinara” -- mystery to both customer and, seemingly, to owner -- was almost nonexistent and the roll combined with the charcoaled chicken to make an unpleasantly dry experience.

2.5 out of 5