UPDATE (6/16/2019): Don Barriga Mexican Grill’s grand opening is on Sunday, June 16, from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. You can try their dishes at 50% off today, according to co-owner “Guero” Barriga.

Just a few months after The Farmacy restaurant closing, a new eatery is coming to 45th and Spruce. A restaurant serving authentic Mexican dishes, Don Barriga Mexican Grill, is opening in the space soon, possibly even this month, according to the building owners.

Currently, the space is being remodeled/renovated.

Stay tuned for the opening date and more info.

Just seven months after opening at 40th and Baltimore, Trolley Car Station restaurant has closed its doors. A new operator is currently being sought for the 125-seat restaurant, according to a report by Philly.com.

The highly anticipated restaurant opened in a new two-story building next to the remodeled 40th Street Trolley Portal in September 2018, but things didn’t go as well as the owner, developer and restaurateur Ken Weinstein, who had reportedly invested $2.5 million in the new restaurant, had expected. The restaurant concept, which included hiring 20 staff members with the neighborhood’s diversity in mind, didn’t turn out to be financially viable, according to Weinstein. “We opened with a concept that I thought would work and it just didn’t resonate,” Weinstein told Philly.com’s Michael Klein.  Continue Reading

The two-story restaurant space on the southwest corner of 40th and Walnut, where Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar used to be located, is finally getting a new tenant. Panera Bread is coming soon to the space, according to a sign posted outside. The space, which also includes an outdoor seating area, is currently undergoing renovation.

Harvest Seasonal closed its doors in early 2017 and until now the space remained vacant. The University of Pennsylvania owns the building and had been looking for “a tenant that will appeal to both the University and surrounding community,” according to an earlier report.

There is no official opening date for Panera Bread yet, but it is expected to be this Spring.

The Halal Guys Facebook photo.

The Halal Guys, the fast casual restaurant serving Middle Eastern-style chicken, beef and vegetable dishes, has opened its newest location in the recently renovated historic Hamilton Court at 39th and Chestnut. The grand opening for the University City location is set for this Saturday, March 23rd from 11 a.m. – 4 a.m.

This is the fourth Philadelphia location opened by local franchise owners Jung Ahn and Naveen Mohiuddin, who also operate locations in Chinatown, King of Prussia and Northeast Philadelphia.  Continue Reading

After a couple of years in the making, Alrayyan Food Market has finally opened on the corner of 43rd and Sansom, on the ground floor of the new 5-story apartment building. Alrayyan features an international and Middle Eastern food market and a restaurant.

The supermarket section also sells organic and halal foods, produce, meats, baked goods, dairy and more.

The restaurant serves traditional Middle Eastern foods, such as shawarma ($7.95), kofta ($9.25-$11.95), falafels ($5.99), and lamb chops plus appetizers and salads, like hummus, Baba ghanoush, and tabouli.  Continue Reading

After more than five years of operation, The Farmacy, the popular brunch spot at 45th and Spruce, has closed. The restaurant closed at the beginning of the month, and “For Rent” signs have been displayed in the windows since then.

The owners, local chefs Ross Scofield and Danielle Coulter, want to focus on their new restaurant in New Jersey, according to Foobooz.  Continue Reading