Illustration by Denise Erickson
back to school
A selective guide to our favorite Center City coffee spots. 1521 is smokin' again. (They flirted briefly with a no-smoke policy.
You can't attract bohos without smokes!) 1521 specializes in desserts,
so you must indulge. But their best-kept secret is their phenomenal Sunday
brunch. It's a little dusty and a lot comfy, like your great-aunt's living
room with mood lighting. Slump into a couch and order a glass
of iced java, with or without chocolate cake on the side. For the slave to java in all of us - Franny's is perhaps the only
place in the world that sells whips, chains, coffee and hotdogs.
And? may we suggest the Penis Bagel? Ned, the drummer from Zonic Shockum, co-owns this deli-like haunt.
Open until 4 a.m. on Saturdays, it's the perfect hangout after
a long night of Old City rock shows. Euro-bohemia meets Rittenhouse chic, with the richest java in
town. Their loyal cult refuses to drink anything less. One of the first coffeehouses that finally got Philly on the coffee
kick, Last Drop is the quintessential slacker hangout. The "Central Perk" to our grimy/artsy Friends from Northern Liberties.
Wear your threadbare Levis and quote your Kerouac. Oh, and do
try the carrot cake. Makam's has some phattest (in every sense of the word) sandwiches
in the city. Its small, cozy atmosphere is perfect for a cheap,
casual din-din. The "Central Perk" of the "Gay Mall." Probably the most stylish
of Center City java joints in sort of post-modern, post-industrial
way. The coffee and baked goods are tasty, as are the servers. We've picked this joint for the best quick take-out coffee. Choose
from flavored, varietal and house blends, and an assortment of
baked goods. A primo caffeination station for those unplugged
sluggish mornings. The coffee and eats are all above-average to excellent with cheap
refills. The basement is full of comfy couches, the sidewalk seating
is gorgeous on a summer evening, and the reading selection is
awesome. The Coffee Shop Formerly Known as Supreme Bean is now just Bean.
We wonder what isn't so supreme about it anymore, because they
still have great treats, decent java and good art on the walls. Once the Rittenhouse Square satellite of a great coffee empire,
this café is now the last of the former Tuscany chain. Fortunately
for us, we can still get their delicious Fredezza shakes and dark,
robust blends. And it's surprisingly cheaper than most. Owned by "That guy Glenn" from The Real World (who will probably never live down that distinction), this java
joint is a haven for Fourth Street tattoo types. Is it pronounced "X and O" or as one word, "ZANDO!"? We don't
know, we don't care. And we know their funky decor is so consciously
catered to the "hip" scenester in all of us. Still, we like it. These Rhino folks roast their own, 18 blends, and offer some of
the best coffee in the city. Their giant latte is fit for a Rhino.
And stop in for groovy musical entertainment on Sunday mornings. Great place to pick up a Jefferson/Pennsy Hospital internist.
Oh, you want coffee? That's good too. But their menu is killer
- filled with New Orleans-style comfort food and one of our favorite
sandwiches, The Alla Mario.
The Java Map
1. 1521 Café Gallery, 1521 Spruce St., 546-1521
2. Crimson Moon, 2005 Sansom St., 564-2228
3. Franny's Place, 203 S. 13th St., 985-2344
4. The Griffin Café, 230 Market St., 829-1050
5. La Colombe Torrefaction, 130 S. 19th St., 563-0860
6. Last Drop Coffeehouse, 13th & Pine Streets, 893-0434
7. Lionfish Coffee/Art House, 614 N. Second St., 829-9103
8. Makam's Kitchen, 2401 Lombard St., 546-8832
9. Millennium Coffee, 212 S. 12th St., 731-9798
10. Passero's, 1601 JFK Blvd. (in Penn Center), 567-3410 and 230 S. Broad St.
(on Locust), 546-2515
11. Quarry Street Café, 147 N. Third St., 413-1360
12. The Bean Café, 615 South St., 629-2250
13. Tuscany Premium Coffees, 222 W. Rittenhouse Square (at Locust), 772-0605
14. Venus Fly Trap, 608 S. Fourth St., 238-9373
15. XandO Coffee & Bar, 235 S. 15th St., 893-9696; and Fourth and Chestnut Streets,
399-0214
16. Rhino Coffee Co., 212 South St., 923-2630
17. Tenth Street Pour House, 262 S. 10th St., 922-5626