Old City Restaurants

It wouldn’t be a trip to Philly without sinking your teeth into a Philly cheesesteak. Sonny’s in Old City makes half a dozen or so iterations of the classic steak (or chicken) and cheese sandwich. And while no one would suggest the melts are in any way healthy, they do have gluten-free buns and the ingredients are as fresh as can be. The communal tables inside are ideal for a low-frill lunch—though we prefer grabbing one of the outdoor seats.

You’ve been forewarned: High Street is not a place for the carb shy. Here, at chef Eli Kulp’s lowkey eatery, it feels like the entire menu is designed to spotlight the extensive (and delicious) breads in all their glory. Let’s start with the Forager, a veggie take on the breakfast sandwich featuring oyster mushrooms, braised kale, a fried egg, and Swiss cheese on a Kaiser roll. Then, come lunch, there’s the “Best Grilled Cheese Ever” on a house-made roasted potato bread, which despite the #humblebrag, seriously delivers.