Mantua is seeing more and more Drexel and Penn students move into the neighborhood than ever. With college students starting to pack the West Philadelphia neighborhood, that usually means an increased number of college parties. College parties usually mean binge drinking, which means more hangovers. Everyone knows the best way to beat a rough hangover is with some good grub and some Gatorade. Here is a list of places where you can easily grab both.
1. Stan’s Deli
37th & Powelton Streets. Usually open from 11:00 a.m. to around 5 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday.
Stan’s is the place to be that afternoon after the party. Offering all kinds of hoagies and sandwiches, Stan’s is truly a hidden gem of Philadelphia. Run by a couple who have owned the place since the original Stan sold it to them, service could not be friendlier. Whether you’re getting their famous “Stanwich,” a hot corned beef and pastrami hoagie or your own deli creation, you can’t go wrong with their prime selection of Dietz & Watson cold cuts and fresh baked rolls. All of their offerings are under $10 and they’ll even whip you up an old-fashioned milkshake. Although they aren’t open as long as some of the other places around Mantua, Stan’s is one of those places that makes students rejoice when they turn the corner on Lancaster Avenue to find the open sign blinking away. Stan’s is the go to place for anyone looking for a lot of food for a little bit of cash.
2. Chris’s Pizza
37th and Haverford Ave. Open from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. on weekends
Chris’s is a longtime Mantua favorite. Usually picking up around lunchtime, the pies at Chris’s are a little smaller than average large pies, but you can get a whole pie for $11. That price is pretty unbeatable, especially by the other pizza joints surrounding the Penn and Drexel area (Ed’s, Mad Greek’s, Powelton …). The service is always friendly and the food comes out quick. Pizza is not the only good thing that Chris’s does; a mean cheesesteak can be had for under $6.
3. Spring Chinese
38th & Lancaster Ave. Open at 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. seven days a week.
When it comes to hangovers, one of the ultimate hair-of-the-dog cures is the good plate of American Chinese food. General Tso’s Chicken, Pork Fried Rice, and egg rolls—these three things will ditch any hangover. Another menu item that has become quite popular in Philadelphia has been mastered by the chefs at Spring Chinese, the cheesesteak egg roll: a wonton wrapper stuffed with chip steak, cheese and fried onions. At $1.25 a piece, these bad boys can beat down any mid-afternoon slump, only to send you into an early-evening food coma before gearing up to go out again.
4. One Time Breakfast & Lunch
36th & Wallace Streets. Open 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Although bacon has made it to the spotlight in every other meal, it is definitely appreciated most after a hard night of drinking cheap beer and Jell-O shots made with grain alcohol. One Time is the place to get the breakfast classic: bacon, egg and cheese on a long roll. The service is super quick and prices are nice and cheap for any college student who did one too many keg stands on a Thursday night. For an extra buck, the staff will throw some extra crispy hash browns on top of that sandwich and make it a full-blown meal. For any engineering student running late to a thermodynamics lecture, this quick breakfast stop is as close as you’ll get to heaven.
5. Lee’s Market
36th & Spring Garden Streets. Open 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
The call of the munchies must be answered. Lee’s Market is stocked wall-to-wall with all kinds of goodies that any college kid could ever want. Little Debbie snacks, Herr’s chips and Jack & Jill ice cream are some of the easy snacks that can be grabbed on the way to class. Forget charcoal for your big Spring Break barbecue? Lee’s has got you covered. Even down to things that you need in a hurry like shampoo or cat food, the store with the small, green-and-white sign will help you get whatever you need. Cashier David Le is quick with a joke and will definitely make fun of your roommate who had way too much the night before. Even if you’re in the mood for something more substantia,l Lee’s can whip you up a quick cheesesteak to satiate those post-party hunger pangs.
Photos & Text by Patrick McPeak
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