The new, “fully-modernized” McDonald’s restaurant at 40th and Walnut is expected to open this month on the ground floor of a new office building.

The original 50-year-old McDonald’s building at 40th and Walnut was demolished last year to make room for the new Penn-owned six-story building. The project is part of the University of Pennsylvania’s plan to invest in the 40th Street Corridor, which began more than 20 years ago. Penn purchased the land from McDonald’s in 2022 and is leasing space to it in the new building. The new building will house Penn offices on the floors two through six.

The new restaurant is expected to have a soft opening on Monday, Sept. 23. A grand opening is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 4. The restaurant has a new team of operators, who are reportedly “excited to open for the community.”

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Amina Ocean Restaurant is coming to 3.0 University Place at 41st and Market.

The team behind Amina Restaurant & Lounge in Old City is opening up a new venture, Amina Ocean, in University City. The new seafood-focused restaurant has inked a deal with University Place Associates (UPA) to become the anchor retail tenant in 3.0 University Place’s ground floor retail space. The new 250,000 square-foot eight story commercial lab and office building is located at 4101 Market Street.

Encompassing 4,800 square-feet, the upscale dining and nightlife brand is the second retail partner to be announced by UPA, and will be located on the northeast corner of 41st and Market Streets. Lancaster, PA-based Fulton Bank, which occupies 2,250 square-feet in the center of the street level retail corridor, opened on August 7.

“My vision for Amina Ocean is ‘Southern Seafood Fusion,” entrepreneur Felicia Wilson said in a statement. “The theme and vibe of the restaurant will provide a Tulum-meets-Morocco feel.”

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Kate and Yasser Aiq in 2020 (Photo by West Philly Local).

All are invited to Renata’s Kitchen‘s 10th anniversary party! The popular local Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant and brunch spot, managed by the husband and wife duo Yasser and Kate Aiq, will hold a free celebratory community party and open house on Wednesday, May 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event will take place on Renata’s expansive outdoor patio at 40th and Baltimore. Guests will be treated to lite bites, butlered hors d’oeuvres, carving stations and complimentary welcome cocktails courtesy of Revivalist Spirits.

“We wanted to have this party to say ‘thank you’ to the community for supporting us over the past decade,” said chef Yasser Aiq. “We would not have survived without the continued support of friends, neighbors and our incredibly loyal customers who stood by us through some tough times.” Continue Reading

Unfortunately, there have been reports of two more food establishments closing in West Philly.

• University City’s iconic City Tap House unexpectedly announced permanent closing after 13 years  in operation at 3925 Walnut Street on Feb. 23 and closed three days later. The following message was posted on City Tap House University City’s Instagram page:

“It is with a heavy heart that we are informing you that the last day of service will be Sunday, February 26th. This was a difficult decision, as this location was the launchpad for our company’s growth over the last 13 years.”

Following the announcement, numerous messages of support followed in the comments. Continue Reading

An artist’s rendering of the planned six-story office building with a ground-floor McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut.

A six-story mixed-use building is planned for the northeast corner of 40th and Walnut Streets, where a neighborhood fixture, McDonald’s, is currently located, according to an announcement by Penn’s Office of Facilities and Real Estate Services. The new, 50,000-square-foot facility will include a fully-modernized McDonald’s on the first floor of the building. Continue Reading

The long-anticipated opening of the new brewery and winery in the red-brick firehouse building, former Dock Street West location at 50th and Baltimore, is happening on Saturday.

Carbon Copy will open on Dec. 10, at 11 a.m. The menu includes craft beer and wine, pizza and vegetable-focused snacks prepared in the wood-fired oven, well-known to old Dock Street customers.

The new restaurant is owned and run by beer and wine making specialists with a 20-year experience in food service, Brendon Boudwin and Kyle Wolak. The newly renovated space has a brighter, “more inviting” design with a goal of creating a “relaxing neighborhood restaurant and bar for locals.” Continue Reading