Here’s the dish on University City Dining Days

Now through July 28, the University City District is hosting their annual University City Dining Days. This program boasts a “3 Courses, 3 Prices” promotion, with over 30 restaurants from around the neighborhood in participation.  

Categorized by price, Philadelphians and visitors can choose from restaurants offering a pre-fixe menu for $20, $30, or $40. From acai bowls to steak and lobster, here are some of the best bang-for-your-buck deals to take advantage of during Dining Days:

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop

For $20 at either lunch or dinner, Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is offering the choice between their Teriyaki Burger, Kung Pao Burger and BK Classic Burger, accompanied by your choice between five different appetizers and dessert dumplings over ice cream. 

Stratis Morfogen’s franchise with roots in Manhattan came to Philadelphia in December of 2023, delivering the food through a wall lined with lockers. Brooklyn Dumpling Shop turns “diner staples” into dumplings, with a system that mirrors automat machines for seamless ordering and pickup. This Dining Days deal is perfect if you’re on the go, on your lunch break or just craving a quick bite.

Pod

Pod’s pre-fixe menu for Dining Days is an undeniable steal. $30 may only get you so far ordering off the regular menu at Stephen Starr’s Japanese spot, but the 3-course menu will leave you full even with consideration for your bank account. Though this offer is only available for dinner in-house, it’s worth the visit. For $30, choose between three options for the first and second courses, and finish off the meal with seasonal mochi for dessert.

Sang Kee Noodle House

A half peking duck on their regular menu costs $38. For only $2 more, you can get dumplings and a smoothie in addition to the half duck during dining days. Since 1980, Sang Kee has been serving their signature peking duck, continuously noted as one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city. 

Even besides showcasing their famous dish, this meal deal also offers sautéed lobster with lo mein, crispy whole fish, and grilled lamb chops. Available for dine-in, takeout and delivery at both lunch and dinner.

Walnut Street Cafe

For some classic American comfort food, head to Walnut Street Cafe for their $30 lunch menu and $40 dinner menu. This restaurant offers something for everyone, from burgers at lunch to steak at dinner, both sandwiched between your choice of soup or salad and a spunky dessert. 

Their ice cream sandwich cheesecake ice cream is a mouthful in more ways than one, with a  soft graham cracker cookie and a sour cherry jam to accompany it. The coconut sorbet is a refreshing option to indulge no matter what time of day. With many other participating restaurants only offering one dessert option on their pre-fixe menus, the Walnut Street Cafe will stimulate your sweet tooth. 

White Dog Cafe

As the first restaurant in Philadelphia to use environmentally sustainable and local foods from farms within 50 miles, White Dog Cafe is a contemporary American spot with a seasonal menu to pair with their social activism. Despite their success in opening multiple locations spanning the Philadelphia area, White Dog Cafe has made a considerable effort in supporting Alpha Bravo Canine, an organization that donates service dogs to US veterans who endure medical and psychological problems resulting from their active combat duty. 

Their University City location is participating in the University City Dining Days, with both lunch and dinner menus offering a wider variety of options than most. Their lunch menu is $30 and their dinner menu is $40, available for dine in only.  

To see the full list of participating restaurants, visit ucdiningdays.com. Don’t miss out on this neighborhood’s rendition of restaurant week to sample some of University City’s best.