Chef

Ben Puchowitz

"This tiny BYOB sushi bar tucked away on a side street has the best sushi in town. You can't go wrong with any of the specialty rolls, but the signature Vic is my favorite, topped with lobster salad and filled with shrimp tempura, crab sticks, and cucumber."

"I eat at Mama's about once a week. The place is always packed, exactly how you know it's good. I get my falafel sandwich extra spicy with the works. It's a healthy alternative for sandwich lovers."

"This burger is consistently satisfying. It's stuffed with blue cheese, and the burger meat itself has the perfect consistency. This place is also probably my favorite bar in the city. It has lots of industry people and a pool table on the third floor."

"There's tons of great Mexican joints down in South Philly, but for some reason I'm not sure of, I always find myself drawn to Veracruzana. The tacos al pastor have pineapple-braised pork shoulder and super spicy salsa verde. It's pretty amazing."

"This is far and away the best phở in Philadelphia. The broth is incredible. Get it with the Vietnamese sausage."

"I have to get this soup at least once a week or I will start getting a serious case of migraines. It delivers on every level: tender pork, shrimp dumplings, ramen noodles and choy. Doesn't get any better than that."