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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Here’s some exciting news about new cafe and restaurant openings in the area, but there is one business closing, too.

Out West’s barista @swagscappuccino at work. (Instagram photo)

• A new cafe, Out West, opened over the summer at 5127 Walnut Street and already has a lot of admirers. Founded by Philadelphia entrepreneur and James Beard Award winner Muhammad Abdul-Hadi (he also owns Down North Pizza in Strawberry Mansion), Out West offers “coffee, breakfast and community,” according to its website. Executive Chef Mike Carter has prepared a creative menu, including items like Crispy Lamb Scrapple Sandwich and Smoked Black Bean Toast. Out West also has an interesting selection of specialty drinks, like Avocado Lemonade and Honeydew Sage Matcha Soda. Just like Down North Pizza, Out West is mission-driven – it provides job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. Continue Reading

This Saturday, Sept. 13, the Painted Bride Art Center is hosting a celebratory community event, Relish & Remember, at the Paul Robeson House (4949 Walnut St). The event, which will be held from 3-5 p.m., is honoring the foodways of 52nd Street and the people who have shaped them.

“Most would agree that food and memory are inseparable. Unique tastes, smells, and textures can transport us back through time, returning us to kitchens, corner tables, and community gatherings where laughter and stories were shared,” reads the event description.

The event, led by Painted Bride’s Voices of 52nd Street project director Pamela Hooks, features a Memory Potluck with dishes from local restaurants and community cooks, wine and cheese tastings, live poetry, and more.

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