Michael Klein

Philadelphia

Food and Restaurant Reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer

I report on Philly’s food and restaurant scene for @phillyinquirer. My blue check was Elon-gated. Find me now on Threads.

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Articles

Will this popular cheesesteak spot’s new Center City location be a hit? You be the judge.

4 days ago | inquirer.com | Michael Klein

Shay’s Steaks, a prominent new Philadelphia cheesesteak shop, has opened its second location in Center City. Although this Shay’s, like the original, is also offering “elevated” sandwiches with cuts of filet mignon and prime rib, its calling card is a breakfast sandwich called the Shaygel, which piles chopped ribeye, Cooper Sharp cheese, and scrambled egg atop an everything bagel.
Award-winning Friday Saturday Sunday restaurant plans to expand with a second kitchen and even more exclusive new tasting menu

4 days ago | inquirer.com | Michael Klein

For years, Chad and Hanna Williams hunted for a space to open a sequel to Friday Saturday Sunday, their acclaimed Center City restaurant. They have found it — right next door.
This South Jersey BBQ gem got its start at the Free Library of Philadelphia

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Michael Klein

However you get to Big Swerve’s BBQ in Westville, New Jersey — whether from I-295 or off of Route 130 — it would be wise to follow Google Maps, which will send you not to the street address, but down an alley and around a parking lot that will swing you perilously close to a brick building. You’re almost there. In front of you will be the 20-foot converted shipping container that houses Big Swerve’s offset smoker, fashioned out of a 500-gallon propane tank.
Welcome to The Inquirer’s new Food section | Let’s Eat

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Michael Klein

Philly’s food scene keeps expanding, and so is our food coverage. Let’s explore The Inquirer’s new Food section. Also in this edition:Craig’s picks: Our critic enjoys a sip and nibble at the new Supérette, and raves about the snow pea leaves at Dim Sum Mania. Bluebird is expanding: The Phoenixville distillery is investing $2 million in a new tasting room. Who sells soft-shells: Here are dozen crab dishes, including a hoagie. Read on for restaurant news.
A dozen Philly restaurants with soft-shell crabs on the menu

1 week ago | inquirer.com | Michael Klein

Soft-shell crab season has arrived, and Philadelphia restaurants are offering a variety of preparations — batter-fried, grilled, pan-seared, stuffed inside a hoagie, and even enveloped in a potato pancake. Supplies of the delicacy are tighter and prices are up about 10% over last year, said Sammy D’Angelo, owner of Samuels Seafood, a large distributor in South Philadelphia. The season also began late.
Philadelphia’s new Little Gay Pub is making it big

2 weeks ago | inquirer.com | Michael Klein

On a dreary Wednesday night, where would friends James Yzkanin, Kyle Jackson, and Nikhil Mukherjee have been, if not sharing food, drinks, and stories at the new Little Gay Pub in Center City? “Home,” Yzkanin said, as the men, all in their 20s, laughed in agreement. The packed bar buzzed as servers scurried past with espresso martinis and plates of cocktail wieners and warm pretzels.
⭐ Does Philly really have any Michelin stars? | Let’s Eat

2 weeks ago | inquirer.com | Michael Klein

Michelin is coming to town. Will its inspectors be impressed? Sit in on our chat as we chew this over. Also in this edition:Money-saving tip: Here’s a cool way to cut your grocery bill. A mystery:Do the Phillies’ opponents get the best cheesesteaks at Citizens Bank Park? An Inquirer investigation. New restaurants: May has brought a long list of openings, which I bring you here. And read on for exclusive news of more places on the way.
The makers of Bing Bing Dim Sum and Cheu Noodle Bar are coming back, with a South Street bistro

2 weeks ago | inquirer.com | Michael Klein

Restaurateurs Shawn Darragh and chef Ben Puchowitz, who closed their cult favorites Cheu Fishtown and Bing Bing Dim Sum last year, are coming back with what they call an American neo-bistro called Banshee at 16th and South Streets, the former Tio Flores.They are targeting late summer for the opening. This time, Darragh and Puchowitz are taking a backseat to twin brothers Kyle and Bryan Donovan, 33, who will run Banshee as general manager and chef, respectively.
Gopuff will now deliver Starbucks to Philly and nearby suburbs 24/7

2 weeks ago | inquirer.com | Michael Klein

Starbucks and Philadelphia-based delivery service Gopuff have expanded their partnership, allowing a broad swath of Philadelphia and nearby Pennsylvania suburbs to order lattes, frappuccinos, and other Starbucks items 24 hours a day. To mark the widened territory, Gopuff said it would deliver a grande-size iced Starbucks coffee to any address on Wednesday for free, waiving the delivery charge as well. The deal is available through Gopuff’s app from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.
May is officially one of the busiest months of the year for splashy restaurant openings

2 weeks ago | inquirer.com | Michael Klein

What’s new in Philadelphia-area dining this month? A sprawling French brasserie, two high-minded Mexican spots, a 1970s-inspired bar-restaurant with a lounge, a fine-dining Georgian restaurant, a South Jersey trattoria, and the Philly premiere of a noted gay bar from D.C. Also new: a custard and soft-ice cream shop in West Chester, Indian ice cream (by way of New York) in Rittenhouse, and Formula One racing simulations from F1 Arcade in Center City.