Eat This Immediately

The (Chum)Bucket List

CP staffers dish on what Philly fare they would miss the most of they left the city...FOREVER.

Find out where to get the food in this slideshow in the listings below!

[1] SOFT PRETZELS : Let's start off with an oldie, but a goodie. OK, maybe this is initially not the most exciting prospect, but there's real beauty in the simplicity, right? Soft and doughy and salty...it's a classic.

[2] SANTUCCI'S PIZZA: It's pizza. It's square. It's crispy and saucy and delicious.

[3] A GRINDER: OK. Take all your favorite components to a tasty hoagie (let's say pork n' broccoli rabe n' cheese n'...etc.), then warm it up. Mmhmmm.

[4] HYMIE'S MISH MASH SOUP: Chicken, noodles, rice, Kreplach and Matzo ball. "It's that and so much more..."

[5] FORK ETC. VEGGIE PIZZA (RIP 8/23/13): Now a thing of the past, legend has it that a single slice of the fully-loaded veggie pizza could satisfy the greatest of appetites. If you've never had it, then you probably never will. Sorry.

[6] LOCO PEZ TACOS: I don't know many people who need a lot of convincing when it comes to tacos, but here it is — this Fishtown taqueria makes great tacos. Whether you're a meat lover or a vegetarian, they'll take care of you.

[7] MODO MIO 4 COURSE DINNER: My motto? There's no such thing as too much food. Load up on classic italian fare, like the Sformato (a crispy ricotta cake with roasted red pepper and crab guazzetto). Also, cats really dig their meatballs. So. There's that.

[8] STOGIE JOE'S SQUARE PIE: I'm not saying you HAVE to eat it with sausage and broccoli rabe, but I have it on good authority that that's a solid way to go.

Photo Credit: Justin Swain

[9] REX 1516 CHICKEN & WAFFLES BENEDICT: It's salty and sweet and spicy and crispy and, oh yeah, there's that giddiness you get when you break open the poached eggs on top. Also, you can pretend to be healthy and get a salad instead of potatoes. Or not.

[10] SANG KEE PEKING DUCK HOUSE DUCK WONTON SOUP: When a place has "duck" in the name, you should probably try something with duck in it. Namely, the Duck Wonton Soup. I've heard it warms the belly AND the soul.

[11] VILLAGE WHISKEY DUCK FAT FRIES WITH SLY FOX CHEDDAR SAUCE: Unless you're vegan, vegetarian or lactose intolerant, there's not much more I can say to describe this dish beyond its name. Oh yeah, you can get this with short rib on top too...(pictured)

[12] ZAVINO'S KENNETT PIZZA: Oven roasted crimini, shiitake and oyster mushrooms, mozzarella, béchamel, roasted onions and rosemary. I only know what 50% of those ingredients are, but it's pizza so I'm 100% into it.

Last week, I asked the City Paper staff what was (probably) one of the hardest questions they've ever had to answer: "If you were leaving Philadelphia forever, what is the single food item (or items) that you would HAVE to have one last time?" There were no top 3's and no top 5's, just the single most crave-worthy dish that you've ever had in the Philadelphia area. There were no limitations on price or availability — somethings are so delicious they may be gone, but never forgotten. The only caveat was no cheesesteaks, because that is one can of deliciously salty, cheesy, beefy worms that's best left closed...for now.  

As a card-carrying non-foodie, but someone who is REALLY excited about food in general, my personal favorite is a Rita's-gelati-with-a-cheese-filled-pretzel. Please note the oneness of that statement, because it is really one thought and should be eaten bite-by-bite all as one thing. But that's just me. Not surprisingly, the list is not lacking in pizza suggestions, and who can really argue with that? Click through the slideshow above to see 12 other things you should eat immediately. Comment below or e-mail me if there's something so amazingly drool-worthy you just have to share it with your fellow Philadelphians.

1. Soft Pretzels, Any of the 100s of Philly Pretzel Factory, Wawa or Rita's locations in the area | $1-$2.50
   

2. Santucci's Pizza, 901 S 10th St., Philadelphia, PA | $6+

3. A Grinder, Paesano's, 152 W Girard Ave., Philadelphia, PA/1017 S 9th St., Philadelphia, PA | $7-$9

4. Hymie's Mish Mash Soup, Hymie's Merion Delicatessen & Restaurant, 342 Montgomery Ave., Merion, PA | $5.95/$11.95

5. Fork, etc. Veggie Pizza, Nowhere | :(

6. Loco Pez Tacos, 2401 E Norris St., Philadelphia, PA | $1.75-$3 (cash only)

7. Modo Mio 4-Course Dinner (Turista Menu), 161 W Girard Ave., Philadelphia, PA | $32 (cash only/BYOB)

8. Stogie Joe's (Tavern) Square Pie, 1801 E Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, PA | $9+

9. Rex 1516 Chicken & Waffles Benedict, 1516 South St., Philadelphia, PA | $13 (at Saturday & Sunday brunch)

10. Sang Kee Peking Duck House Duck Wonton Soup, Reading Terminal Market, 12th St. and Arch St./238 N 9th St., Philadelphia, PA | $7.95

11. Village Whiskey Duck Fat Fries with Sly Fox Cheddar Sauce, 118 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA | $7

12. Zavino's Kennett Pizza, 112 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA | $15