Around the Block: 9/23/2022

September 26, 2022 BY JEFF CITY BLOCK

Philly soft pretzels, our new and current listings, and fun things to do this week. Do you enjoy Philly soft pretzels? Have you ever had one? I’d love to discuss. Please send me an email: [email protected]. This edition of Around the Block was originally published on Friday, 9/23/22.

9/23/2022

Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block

Philly Soft Pretzels

A soft pretzel with spicy mustard (i.e. Gulden’s).

This was a part of my diet throughout my childhood. For 25 cents (I think it went up to 35 when I was in high school) I could buy my own freshly baked snack. And I could quickly make this purchase on many street corners throughout Center City. I would take the 42 or D (now the 21) bus to Friends Select, and multiple hot dog vendors dotted 17th Street between Walnut and the Parkway. I could grab a perfectly fine breakfast of flour, water, yeast, and salt. What else could a high school kid need?

Same for after school. Whether on the way home or perhaps to Supercade on Chestnut Street for a few rounds of Frogger or Centipede, a soft pretzel was the ideal snack. If I was hungrier, I would go for the hot sausage with sauerkraut and spicy mustard, but the pretzel was the go-to.

You can still get awesome Philly soft pretzels that taste just like I remember them 40 years ago. It is the distribution that has changed. But first, I just want to clarify that in referring to a Philly soft pretzel, as most of you already understand, it looks like this:

Certainly not like this:

SuperPretzel photo courtesy of Alison’s Pantry [alisonspantry.com]

Nor any other shape (though I must admit that the soft Philly pretzel “rivets” that get served at kids’ birthday parties these days are quite the hit. One reason for this is because that doughy, chewy middle is the best part of the Philly soft pretzel, and the nugget hits that vibe. Though the rivets sometimes get a little wet from condensation under the big plastic dome that covers the tray).

Ok, back to the distribution. When I was a kid, you got soft pretzels at hot dog carts. It was that simple. I remember they would sell pretzels, dogs, hot sausages, and offered kraut, onions, and relish. Cans of soda & chips. That was it. No cheesesteaks. No bottled water (seems like it wasn’t even “invented” yet, at least not in the States. Remember when Evian and Perrier first showed up?). These were small carts where the vendor stood outside with an umbrella, and they were on almost every street corner. Later, a few vendors got the larger aluminum carts where they stood inside often with a grill to add cheesesteaks and burgers. Perhaps they sold plain bagels wrapped in cellophane with a slice of cream cheese thicker than a hockey puck.

As time went on, these vendors mostly disappeared. We still have vendors of course. Halal, fruit salad and smoothies, and even some who still sell hot dogs along with gyros, cheesesteaks, etc. Some Chinese, falafel, and all kinds of food trucks–from basic to sublime. But guess what none of them sell? Soft pretzels.

In fact, many of the old school pretzel bakeries have closed down and the soft pretzel industry has consolidated into a few, with one franchising into multiple locations and seemingly as ubiquitous as the old hot dog carts. At this time, your best bet for a soft pretzel is Center City Soft Pretzel Company‘s bakery at 816 Washington or one of Philly Pretzel Factory‘s many locations (actually, to say they have “many locations” is an understatement). Also, Philadelphia Soft Pretzels, Inc. Center City has limited morning hours and you may want to order ahead. As they say, “A bakery. Not a factory.” PSP is another bakery with similar hours. PPF offers both abundant retail convenience as well as an authentic, fresh-baked product. Check out all three web pages. They have a lot going on.

Another type of local soft pretzel is the buttered variety like Miller’s Twist in the Reading Terminal Market (you can read a past ATB about RTM here). This style of pretzel is actually associated with the Amish, not Philly. Though who doesn’t love the smell of Auntie Anne’s when you walk through the mall?

So long story short, the old-style street corner pretzel vendors are gone, but the classic Philly soft pretzel remains. And one important pro tip: soft pretzels from Wawa are not good. Another: try to avoid soft pretzels from guys selling them out of shopping carts at the conclusion of a game at the sports complex.

On that note, have a great weekend and Shana Tova to all who celebrate.

Warm regards,

Jeff

Spotlight Property

GRADUATE HOSPITAL

706 S Bancroft Street

3 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,650 SF | Open Layout | Rear Patio | Roof Patio | Awesome Location | $635,000

High-end sustainability on lovely, quiet block.

This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home offers both a secluded, shady rear patio and a bright, sunny roof patio with stunning skyline views and a green roof.

Enjoy the open layout, beautiful reclaimed brick façade, abundant natural light, hard Bamboo floors, and Bosch ENERGY STAR appliances. Sizeable 2nd floor primary suite. Exterior, secure bike storage (or trash cans/stroller).

Awesome location-lovely and quiet block; just a short walk to superb restaurants, gastro pubs, and coffee shops. Easy walk to Rittenhouse Square. One of the city’s most convenient locations–99 WalkScore. 100 TransitScore. Convenient Parking options available!

NOTES– Designed by Best of Philly Green Architects Re:Vision. Seller converted 3rd bedroom into a large, custom, walk-in custom and dressing area. Seller can leave as-is or remove, repaint, and turn back into a 3rd bedroom at buyer’s option.

View full listing here

Philly Fun This Week

Outdoor Screenings, Entertainment, and Latino Celebrations

Enjoy wonderful performances and music during Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O22. The 12-day event began on Wednesday and this week includes two huge debuts: The Raven at Miller Theater (9/21–10/1) and a new production Otello at the Academy of Music (9/23–10/2).

Photograph & content courtesy of uwishunu.

Tasty Food to Try and Events

Head to Midtown Village for the recently reopened Halloween-themed pop-up bar Nightmare Before Tinsel. This spectacular, spooky bar includes incredible decorations and themed cocktails such as vodka cranberry “blood bags.”
Check out the newly opened South Philly food spot, Taco Heart, that’s serving up tasty breakfast options on homemade tortillas. To hear more about ordering info, check out the official Taco Heart Instagram.

Photograph from @tinselphilly on Instagram & content courtesy of uwishunu.

Featured Listings

NEWBOLD

1413 S Chadwick Street

BRAND NEW LISTING

3 BD | 3 BA | 2,340 SF | $579,000

GRADUATE HOSPITAL

706 S Bancroft Street

3 BD | 3 BA | 1,650 SF | $635,000

MOUNT AIRY

7111 Germantown Avenue

4 UNITS REMAIN AVAILABLE

New Construction

$340,000 – $1,200,000

SOCIETY HILL

742 Lombard Street

3 BD | 2 BA | 1,446 SF | $725,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

403 S 42nd Street

6 Units | 4,790 SF | $1,200,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

349 S 47th Street #A310

COMING SOON

2 BD | 2BA | 1,481 SF | $325,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4601 Springfield Avenue

6 BD | 3 BA | 3,036 SF | $499,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4928 Pine Street

Duplex | 2,025 SF | $489,000

AVENUE OF THE ARTS SOUTH

1324 Locust Street #1517

Studio | 1 BA | 342 SF | $99,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4614 Paschall Avenue

4 BD | 5BA | 2,800 SF | $650,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4627 Paschall Avenue

3 BD | 2BA | 1,082 SF | $250,000

FRANKFORD – PHILADELPHIA

4115 Salem Street

NEW PRICE

3 BD | 1 BA | 648 SF | $79,900

Experienced real estate agent?

Would you consider joining one of the most respected real estate teams in Philadelphia?

The City Block Team is looking for an experienced agent who wants to provide Expert Real Estate Representation. CBT is committed to helping you build your business and offers excellent coaching and mentoring; solid systems & admin support; leads (quality over quantity); superb team camaraderie; and outstanding team name recognition and regard.

Please contact [email protected] to discuss. All inquiries are confidential. Thank you.

Know Someone Looking to Buy or Sell?

As always, please know that I’m humbled by and appreciative of your introductions and referrals. If you have a friend, colleague, or family member that is in need of Expert Real Estate Representation, please have them contact me.

Be assured, I will do my best to exceed their expectations! Thanks for taking the time to read this issue of Around the Block.

Some imagery in this e-newsletter was sourced via UWISHUNU, tinselphilly, and Canva.

Office: 212-913-9058

Compass is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

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