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Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia



Hubby and I had to make a quick run to Philadelphia and for me, that meant one thing, a visit to the Reading Market.

Philadelphia has a lot of really great restaurants, cheese steak and pretzel places, and it is all just a two hour drive from NYC.  Philadelphia is a city full of great historical importance, with beautiful old neighborhoods and terrific museums.
My choice for lunch, snack or a treat is always the Reading Market.  This market first opened its doors in 1892 and has been a very popular destination ever since.  There, you will find everything from fresh meats, seafood, handmade confections, baked treats right out of the oven, kitchen ware, fresh flowers, a large variety of restaurants with either counter top or table and chair seating.  There are over 75 independent small businesses operating withing this huge market hall.



 We first like to stroll slowly, taking it all in.  There are so many tempting choices, it is really difficult to settle on just one thing.  Today, we knew that we were all in a mood for a cheesesteak, pretzels and donuts.  
  















 This wonderful ear or a palmier was calling my name.....maybe next time.






I'm not a fan of carrot cake but this looked quite inviting.


Long line for the cheesesteak, but we were going to a different vendor.






























 I personally am not a fudge fan but got some rocky road for my husband. 





 This was our cheesesteak stand.  Steak on the griddle till nicely done and moved quickly into a fresh hoagie roll.
   






I don't like cheese on my steak, just onions and a bit of ketchup.  This was absolutely delicious, the meat was cooked perfectly and the bread was soft and light.  Some places use a very heavy hoagie roll which, in my opinion,  overwhelms the taste.  This sandwich had just the right balance. 







 Miller's Pretzels, while not the traditional Philly pretzel, are still terrific.
 








 Really nothing beats a hot and buttery pretzel.









 These are the traditional Philly pretzels but we like to get them from a different shop.







 Beiler's Donuts

 This is where I tend to lose my mind.  At first, I told my husband that I would like to get two dozen, I'm glad that he looked at me like I was crazy.  A dozen is plenty.
We have been huge fans of these donuts for a few years now and I always bring some home for the boys. 



These apple fritters are their big sellers.  


Huge vats of filling are just waiting to be used. 








While waiting on line, we can watch them fill, powder and glaze the donuts.






I don't know about this one, bacon?


 I am partial to this baby, a plain glazed donut.  It is soft and a bit chewy, delicious and not overwhelmingly sweet.
















 Cookie cutters of every shape imaginable.
 




We leave with full bellies and smiles on our faces.

Reading Terminal Market
51 North 12th Street
Philadelphia
Monday - Saturday 8am -6pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm


I said that we didn't get pretzels at the market, they have them there, but we prefer another store.



Philly Pretzel Factory, in our opinion, has the most delicious pretzels.  Most of the time, the pretzels are hot and right out of the oven.  They are soft, delicious and for the full experience should be eaten with mustard.






 One of my boys likes the cinnamon pretzel.




Philly Pretzel Factory
locations throughout Philadelphia.

Joanna


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