Text by Shaun Frazier. Images by Marie Alyse Rodriguez.
Sharif Lacey is part MC, part stay-at-home dad and part sociologist. Making music under the moniker Reef the Lost Cauze for more than a decade, he has long since solidified himself on a deep roster of Philly rap veterans and carved out a worldwide following. He has compiled an extensive catalog of mixtapes, EPs and full-length albums, collaborated with some of his own hip-hop heroes and covered many miles bringing his art to appreciative fans around the globe.
Along the way he has gained a profound perspective about his business and his connection to the city that raised him.
Reef’s local roots run deep. He is a third-generation Philadelphian whose grandparents have resided in the same West Philly home for more than 60 years. He credits his grandfather, Frank Lacey, for instilling in him his blue-collar work ethic and drive to take care of his family.
“He is the O.G.,” Reef says. “I’ve seen this man go to work in fuckin’ eight feet of snow.”
Nine Places to Get Good Drunk Food in Philadelphia.
The Philly Phoodie tells us where to find a bite to eat once the bars shut down. Images by Gabrielle Lavin.
Little Pete’s
The biggest after-party in Center City takes place every weekend at Little Pete’s.
The small, wood-panelled restaurant that is open 24 hours per day is punctuated by the large U-shaped counter that’s the spot of choice for most patrons. In fact, if you come alone, don’t even try to grab one of the booths. You will be reprimanded and guided to the counter, where (depending on the night) you might get in a fight or get laid.
Or both.
The waitstaff at Little Pete’s (much like the rest of the diners featured here) are not to be messed with. They’ve seen it all, heard it all and lived it all, so you best quit your sass before you end up with an empty stomach and bruised ego.
Although they do a good rendition of traditional greasy spoon breakfast fare, the real highlight here is the dinner menu.
The sandwiches at Little Pete’s are the perfect sponge to absorb whatever swill you didn’t sweat out on the dance floor, and there are some local favorites in particular that should be paid special attention.
The burgers are a staple — small, griddled patties with just the right amount of sear, served with standard toppings and fries. It’s a steal for around $5.
The reubens are another thing of beauty. Drunk fare at its finest, there’s nothing better than salty meat and fatty Russian dressing on rye after drinking all night.
Pete’s also offers a decent selection of vegetarian-friendly options, so even your most annoying lettuce-eating friends will find something to eat (or just trick them into eating a bacon cheeseburger when drunk and hold it over their heads forever).
Darling’s Diner
One of the few places on the Northern Liberties/Fishtown/Old Kensington island to get a real meal 24 hours per day, seven days per week, Darling’s Diner is a true mess after the bars close.
After a night of dancing your ass off at The Barbary or 700 Club, the heavy portions and famous cheesecake will maintain your Sir Mix-A-Lot (baby got) back.
The diner started as a cheesecake shop in Rittenhouse before opening a second shop near Fairmont. Finally, they launched the flagship, full-menu spot at the top of the Piazza at Schmidt’s. Its proximity to bars, venues, clubs and strip joints makes it a late-night target of choice for those who don’t want to go home and can’t stay at the bar.
When ordering, go for a sandwich. The only thing Darling’s is actually recognized for is its cheesecake. While the dessert is good, I can’t really recommend it due to its inconsistency in quality and price tag.
In fact, I can’t really recommend a single menu item. But the thing is, this is a drunk-food roundup. You are drunk. You are hungry. The person you were dancing with all night wants to continue the night and where else is there to go nearby for late-late-night food?
McDonalds? You have to use the drive thru after 11 p.m. (and they don’t allow bicycles, I know from personal experience). Dapper Dog? Depends on the weather with its outdoor seating. 7-Eleven? C’mon, you must be drunk to not immediately rule this out. So, then there’s Darling’s. Sometimes, it just takes a pile of grease and a cup of coffee to make everything right in the world.
Melrose Diner
The venerable Melrose Diner is a landmark South Philly meeting place at the corner of Old School Boulevard and Hipster Way (or Snyder and Passyunk avenues) and it’s open 24 hours per day.
By day, it’s a traditional diner filled with longtime patrons and families from the local Newbold neighborhood who gather for no-frills, traditional American food in a classic, movie-type diner setting.
At night, that’s when the freaks come out.
Almost anyone who has spent any time in South Philly drunk on a few too many shots of Heaven Hill and Pabst pounders has probably made the trek to the Melrose.
If you include the gutter punk patrons from the nearby venue JR’s and those who crawl over from the Republican nudey bar/after-hours club/whatever it is, there’s a seedy element not found elsewhere in this fine city.
What the Melrose lacks in decor, culinary creativity and, well, quality, it more than makes up for with its long history of feeding drunks calorie-centric breakfast foods at ungodly hours.
The omelets and breakfast platters are always greasy, buttery, slam-dunks served with toast and homefries to soak up all the night’s (other) overindulgences. The ultimate champion of the drunk food game at the Melrose, however, is the S.O.S. (a.k.a. shit on a shingle, or creamed chipped beef).
Waitresses who look like they might toss you out by your ear if you get too carried away pour the coffee readily and refer to everyone as “hon.”
Take the edge off of tomorrow morning’s crippling hangover by doubling the post-party shame with a belly full of wonderful, greasy food.
Philip’s Steaks
An alternative to the big two (or four) cheesesteak spots, Phillip’s is always open and always delicious. Go for the cheesesteak and see if it doesn’t help sober you up.
Maoz
We’ve talked about Maoz before but for a late-night bite that is vegetarian friendly, it’s hard to beat Maoz for falafel, even if the place is part of a worldwide chain. The variety of ingredients available gratis at the salad bar make it worth the trip alone. This place is perfect for when your show at the TLA or Dobbs lets out.
Underdogs
Drunks, hot dogs, fries and more dipping sauces than you can shake a wiener at make this Center City late night a real treat. Try “The Michigan” for an indulgent pile of chili & cheese.
The Dapper Dog
Northern Liberties’ best spot for an outdoor drunk-food fix. Go hang in the garden and people watch to your heart’s content. The Dapper Dog only stays open until 2:30 a.m. on the weekend so get there quickly after the 700 closes. Check their Twitter page before your visit.
David’s Mai Lai Wah
Known for their salt & pepper dishes — squid or chicken wings — this Chinatown late-night eatery has some ‘secret’ dishes for those in-the-know. Ask to see the “noodle menu” if they didn’t already give it to you and get yourself full on pork & carbs.
Lorenzo and Sons
They recently made a triumphant return to the South Street scene after a fire severely damaged the building. The lines are back and it’s pretty insane. Grab a cheesesteak from Jim’s, wrap it in a slice of Lorenzo’s and you got yourself a “South Philly Taco.”
Huey West: Paying It Forward.
Text and image by Jumah Chaguan.
It’s cold outside the Spread Bagelry on South 20th street. A busker with his accordion plays the tune from “The Godfather” to customers. Huey sees him but walks away. The owners of the shop gave Huey permission to play today, not this guy. However, Huey’s not going to fight with an elderly man, especially a man in need of tips, like himself.
Huey needs the money bad. The rent has not been paid for the past two months. Luckily, the sun is out and the Farmers’ Market in Rittenhouse Square has a decent turnout. Perhaps Huey might have a shot after all.
William Huston West is his full name but he feels more comfortable with Huey. His baby sister gave him that nickname.
Felix Wilkins: Flutist and First Amendment Champion.
Text by Cary Carr. Image by G.W. Miller III.
Felix Wilkins plays his flute almost every afternoon while perched on or standing near an orange crate outside Reading Terminal Market.
While wearing a navy suit, he greets both visitors and Philadelphians with his bright blue eyes. The 71-year-old attracts a crowd with his contagious sense of humor (as well as with his music).
“I like to make jokes,” he says, “and I like the street audience.”
Julian Coleman: In Constant Motion.
Text by Naveed Ahsan. Images by Michael Bucher.
Since winning the Grammy U competition in April, 20-year-old Julian Coleman has had little time to reflect or even pause for a moment.
The guy literally will not slow down.
Coleman juggles his coursework at the University of the Arts with his job at the Apple store in King of Prussia and his burgeoning music career. He’s constantly writing and recording, and during the month-long Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts event in April, he commuted nearly an hour each way from his home in Mt. Airy to the Kimmel Center to perform in the musical “Flash of Time.”
It’s been difficult but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s really been a sacrifice but I enjoy what I’m doing,” he says.
Chvrches and Still Corners @ Union Transfer.
Text and images by Grace Dickinson.
On Sunday, Chvrches finished out their first U.S. headline tour to a welcoming crowd at Union Transfer.
“Normally, Sunday’s the night I watch TV at my parents’ house, so cheers to all of you for coming out,” said Martin Doherty, vocalist and synth-master.
Rancid @ The Electric Factory.
Text and images by Chad Sims.
I am not sure what I expected to see when I decided to see Rancid this time around.
Rancid’s albums were some of my favorites in high school and pretty much the reason I wanted to play bass guitar (Matt Freeman is a maniac).
Back in those days I saw them twice and neither time did they impress me, which says a lot because looking back I liked some fairly hideous bands in high school.
So I wanted to see what these many years had wrought on this band.
I have to say I was blown away.
We’re working with the folks at one of our favorite joints, Underground Arts, and we’ll be giving away a ton of tickets to their shows in the coming weeks.
On Thursday, Oakland’s Souls of Mischief will perform in celebration of their 20th anniversary of the debut album, 93 ’til Infinity. The album dropped at the height of the gangsta rap era but rather than follow that trend, the Souls of Mischief focused on smooth lyrics rapped over live jazz beats or samples from old records.
They are touring with fellow Oaklander Kev Choice (right). Philly’s Voss will open the show.
Like us on facebook and email us at FreeJumpStuff@gmail.com to enter to win a pair of tickets (give us your name and put “Souls” in the subject line).
If you want to play it safe and get your own tickets, find details for the show here.
Nalani & Sarina
On Friday, there was free music all around the city as part of the Make Music Philly celebration.
From the sidewalks of Market and Broad streets to a front porch in Fishtown to the University of Pennsylvania to an underground art space in North Philly to the courtyard at City Hall, people were able to experience the amazing wealth of talent that exists in the region (the majority of the musicians were local).
Opera Company of Philadelphia
There were opera singers and bluegrass groups, rappers and straight up rockers, folk singers and jazz artists and everything in between.
It’s hard to say whether the event was a success.
On one hand, the event actually happened. In such a competitive music landscape, it’s not often you get so many people and organizations working together on one project, especially on a project that earned no money for anyone – venues, promoters, musicians, etc. This was a day to celebrate music and everyone chipped in.
On the other hand, at many of the events, the crowds were small. At some events, the only people in attendance were other musicians waiting for their time on stage.
XXL Freshmen Live 2013 @ The Trocadero, Featuring Big K.R.I.T., Joey Bada$$ and Action Bronson.
Text by Chris Malo. Images by Evan Kaucher.
The XXL Freshman Live 2013 show is a little bit of a misnomer. (Much in the way that MTV’s Hottest MCs list has become.) The trio of performers have been doing their thing –and fairly well-known– for several years, with the possible exception being Joey Bada$$. (Bada$$’ nearly flawless 1999 dropped one year ago, nearly to the day.)
JUMP: The Philly Music Project 