The free South Street Spring Festival gets bigger every year. Along with the 40 bands at 10 different spots, more than 100 retailers setting up stands, local artists plying their wares and a Kid Zone with arts and crafts and entertainers, 30 of the neighborhood’s restaurants will be offering free samples and food to buy. Adding to the celebratory air, Brauhaus Schmitz will be hosting its annual Maifest, with German beer and food, music and dancers, and Atomic City Comics is holding a Free Comic Book Day.
To help you navigate the festivities and plan your route, we got a sneak peek of what the restaurants will be serving up. Here’s what we’re looking forward to.
The Twisted Tail The Sweet Life Bake Shop Bistro Romano Brauhaus Schmitz Fat Tuesday Tuk Tuk Real and Circles The Cow and the Curd MoJo’s Pop Co. Supper and Scratch Biscuits Bonus: Spreadable bacon A big day for fests:RITTENHOUSE ROW SPRING FESTIVAL
Walking distance away, the Rittenhouse neighborhood is hosting its own annual seasonal soiree on Saturday, the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival.
The fest draws more than 50,000 to the stretch of Walnut Street from Broad to 19th, with food, music, retail and even a fashion show.
The South Street Spring Festival is Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., on South Street between Front and Eighth streets. Details at www.southstreet.com. The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival is Saturday, May 2, noon to 5 p.m., on Walnut Street between Broad and 19th streets. Details are at www.rittenhouserow.org.
You can’t go wrong with barbecue. The Twisted Tail is grilling up cheeseburgers, corn on the cob and asparagus.
It’s spring, and you’ll be wandering outdoors, so skip the heavy sweets and try a strawberry banana pudding from new eatery The Sweet Life.
The Italian spot is tempting us with beef shortribs, mac ‘n’ cheese, house-made yukon gold potato chips with Gorgonzola cheese sauce and, for dessert, cannoli.
Get into the spirit of Maifest with Brauhaus Schmitz’s sausage or roast pork platters with potato salad and sauerkraut.
Cool down with an alcoholic daiquiri from Fat Tuesday – if you can decide which of the many varieties to order.
Chef Alex Boonphaya is combining dishes from his Mexican-Thai fusion and Thai restaurants with a menu including tacos, fried plantains, pad thai, crab Rangoon, chicken satay and more.
One of Philly’s favorite food trucks will be on hand with the best cheese curds you’ll ever have outside the Midwest.
Snack on handmade toffee popcorn in different flavors from MoJo’s, which just opened a brick & mortar shop in South Philly.
Chef Mitch Prensky of Supper (on South Street) is giving a preview of his upcoming second spot, Scratch Biscuits (on 13th and Chestnut). Stop by at the festival for the fried chicken biscuit.
You might not have even known bacon-infused jam was missing from your life. Spoiler alert: It absolutely was. Stop by The Bacon Jams table to taste the All Original, Red Chile & Garlic and Black Pepper varieties.