See goat carcasses hanging from a butcher shop window, drink an espresso, walk in the footsteps of Rocky Balboa, or eat freshly baked Italian bread—these are just some of the things you can do at Philadelphia’s Italian Market.
South Philadelphia’s 9th Street is home to the oldest and largest open-air market in the United States, with many shops and restaurants indoors as well. Stretching from Wharton to Fitzwater streets, the Italian Market has more than 100 vendors, plus many other shops and restaurants on the streets off 9th Street.
Don’t expect elegance. Located on a busy street in a row house neighborhood, it’s noisy, sometimes smelly, and usually crowded. Outdoor vendors sell their wares — produce, fish (including eels), and dry goods from socks to brooms — from sidewalk stalls. Some of the indoor shops and restaurants also have stalls or outdoor seating, leaving a narrow walkway. But don’t try to walk down the street, where Rocky Balboa trained early in the morning. The street is open to cars and drivers are not friendly to pedestrians.
Expect a unique experience of wonder, banquets and shopping. When the weather is nice, you can pick up coffee and cannoli at Anthony’s Italian Coffee House and watch the shoppers from their outdoor tables. Anthony also sells ice cream and sandwiches, and a few doors down, delicious treats at Anthony’s Chocolate House.
Under gawk, be sure to look in the window at D’Angelo Bros. Meats, where you might see rabbit, pheasant or goat hanging in the window or on the counter. The butcher also sells “normal” meats like chorizo and roast. Down the street, Talluto’s Authentic Italian Food offers dozens of types of pasta they make, along with plenty of sauce (aka gravy).
To see and smell cheeses from around the world, visit Claudio Specialty Foods. Watch your head, because some of the cheese comes down from the ceiling. Take care of your hands too; Above the display of olives is a sign that reads: “Thieves will be killed. We mean it.”
For the perfect loaf of bread, stop by Sarcone’s Bakery and order a long loaf of Italian bread (with or without seeds). But get there early; the shelves empty quickly. If you visit the Italian Market in the winter, you’ll see vendors warming themselves over barrel fires.
Time your visit so that you have a meal at the Italian Market. For breakfast, try Sabrina’s Café, where you can feast on the barking chihuahua breakfast burrito, challah French toast stuffed with cream cheese and bananas topped with vanilla maple syrup, and many other unusual dishes. Or be unconventional and enjoy a slice of Sicilian pizza from Sarcone’s or a pork, roast beef or tripe sandwich from George’s Roast Beef (yes, it’s open in the morning) as you stroll through the market.
For a typical Philadelphia meal, order a Philly cheese-steak at Pat’s King of Steaks® (Pat’s Steaks) or Geno’s Steaks. Pat Olivieri, owner of Pat’s Steaks, “invented” the steak sandwich in the 1930s. You’ll order your sandwich at a window and then eat it at outdoor tables or standing up.
For dinner, or if you want to sit back and relax over lunch, there are many Italian restaurants, such as Ralph’s Italian Restaurant, in or near the market. Ralph’s serves great food, but be sure to bring your cash; Does not accept credit cards.