Chef Ken's, NW Philly
I'm new to the area, so any recs for NW Philly would be appreciated. So far, Earth Bread + Brewery is my favorite up here (the seed pizza is so good). I like craft beer and all cuisines. Places I'd like to try include Tiffin, Wine Thief, McMenamin's, and Osaka - any tips?
I thought I'd give Chef Ken's Cafe a mention, since I didn't find anything about them on these boards. Counter service, about a dozen seats, not so great for a large group (but you could do take-out). Ken was welcoming and friendly. In case you're thinking take-out, the food didn't come out very quickly, but that's because they take the time to do a proper fry job. Here's what we tried:
Brisket: Tender and flaky, more of a beef braise/stew as opposed to a firmer BBQ brisket. Deeply flavored, lots of spices, really good.
Beef ribs: Very tender for what's typically a chewy cut. Sauce on the sweet side.
Whiting: Filleted. Great fry job, nice cornmeal crust. No sauce (opinions were split on this). The fish itself wasn't super clean or fresh tasting, but the only whiting I've had to compare was really, really fresh.
Wings: Great fry job. Good seasoning. These are excellent wings.
Jambalaya: A tad dry, good flavor, my favorite side, but maybe wouldn't carry a meal on its own.
Green beans: Cooked for a while, a subtle smokey flavor.
Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and collard greens were all fine, but not noteworthy.
