Kenny and Nina outside of their restaurant (Facebook photo).

Longtime owners of Pasqually’s, a popular Spruce Hill pizza and beer shop, are saying good-bye after more than 23 years. Kenny and his wife Nina have shared their news of leaving the restaurant in a long and emotional Facebook post.

“Pasqually’s has been more than just a restaurant to us,” reads the post. “It’s been our second home, and in many ways, it’s been where life happened. We came in every day to cook and serve, but what we really found was a community that embraced us, supported us, and grew alongside us here in the West Philly neighborhood.”

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There are some exciting happenings in the local cafe/restaurant scene:

Cleo Bagels‘ owners opened a cafe, Little Bean, next door to their bagel shop at 50th and Baltimore last month. The cafe has some additional seating so you can b.y.o. Cleo bagel and enjoy it with an espresso! It’s open daily 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

There are a few new restaurant/cafe openings in University City:

Korea Taqueria, a Korean-Mexican fusion spot, has recently opened at Franklin’s Table Food Hall (34th and Walnut). The business started as a beloved food truck and then opened hugely popular shops in South Philly and Fishtown. Korean-Australian chef Alexander Sherack and Head Chef Rene Lopez from Metztitlan, Hidalgo have created a menu inspired by childhood memories of Korean and Mexican flavors. The Franklin’s Table location is serving up their signature burritos, bowls, and tacos, like slow cooked bulgogi beef tacos and gochujang chicken bowls, plus crispy house fried tortilla chips and guacamole. For more info, visit: www.korea-taqueria.com.

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Manakeesh, the Lebanese cafe and bakery at 45th and Walnut, has permanently closed after 15 years of operation due to a “sharp increase in rental costs,” according to an Instagram post. The cafe’s last day of operation was Tuesday, Feb. 17. The closing was timed with Ramadan, which began on Tuesday evening.

However, there is some good news: Manakeesh is looking for a new location and will temporarily operate as a cloud kitchen accepting online orders.

“One silver lining from this, we are not totally going away,” reads the post on Instagram. “We will be moving and continue to offer our menu online and for extended hours in Ramadan and thereafter insha’Allah. We are hoping to keep Manakeesh up an running for the next generation with your support, and not just a memory.”

Named for the Lebanese flatbread sandwiches it serves, Manakeesh opened in 2011 in the renovated bank building at 45th and Walnut (see photo).

A new eatery specializing in halal chicken shawarma, Barakat Chicken, is in the works for the northeast corner of 43rd and Walnut. The space was previously occupied by a Chinese restaurant. While more details are currently not available, it looks like the new restaurant should open soon as the signage is already there.

The area around Walnut between 43rd and 45th Streets is known for halal food, featuring Muslim-owned food markets and restaurants. We hope that Barakat Chicken will be a great addition to the local halal restaurant scene.

Burrito Feliz, an award-winning Philadelphia food truck business, is about to open its first brick-and-mortar location serving authentic Mexican cuisine. The storefront at 4403 Chestnut Street has been secured by the owners since Spring 2024, and it looks like the opening is going to happen this winter, as soon as some issues with PGW are resolved.

Burrito Feliz, founded by Mexican natives Miguel Nolasco and his wife Leticia Jolapa, began its operation as a food cart in 2017 and was upgraded to a truck in 2019. Since then, the green food truck serving Mexican favorites has gained huge popularity and won the Best in Philly award in 2021 for its birria. Burrito Feliz is also known for its flavorful chicken tinga and Baja shrimp tacos, and more. Burrito Feliz also has vegan options and offers catering.

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Photo: West Philly Local

The ground-floor commercial space in the Garden Court Towers that was occupied by Garden Court Eatery until last summer is no longer vacant. Good Hatch, a South Philly-based eatery, has just opened its second Philly location at this space at 4721 Pine St.

Good Hatch specializes in breakfast sandwiches and has other breakfast options, like bagels and toasts. If you want something more substantial, they serve breakfast platters. Various lunch options are also available. Plus, they serve coffee, tea and smoothies. There is some seating available inside, so you can eat in.

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