Food Network staple Alton Brown hit the Merriam Theater in Philly on Saturday on his national Edible Inevitable tour, which incorporates singing, comedy, and cooking demos — and even threatens audience members with a poncho zone a la Gallagher, or SeaWorld. His visit was brief — the show was in Cleveland on Friday, then headed to D.C. on Sunday — but he still managed to cram in a very respectable amount of food, which was well documented on his Instagram and Twitter feeds.
The morning began, as so many of Brown's roadtrips seem to, with donuts — at Federal Donuts, of course. Specifically, he ate, and took selfies with, hot fresh cinnamon-sugar donuts. (Also pictured: pumpkin spice latte fancies.)
Starting with fresh, hot cinnamon brown sugar donuts from @FederalDonuts #ABRoadEatsPhilly #AltonBrownLive pic.twitter.com/ioKbQMRsZB
— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) November 8, 2014
During a stop to the Reading Terminal Market, Brown downed a DiNic's roast pork ("Now that's a sandwich" — true statement), and signed all the copies of his books at the Cookbook Stall.
Now that's a sandwich @DiNicsPorknBeef #ABRoadEatsPhilly pic.twitter.com/5DqkuSIauR
— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) November 8, 2014
Just signed all my books @CookBookStall #AltonBrownLive pic.twitter.com/nnZvhjT0gE
— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) November 8, 2014
Brown also toured the Berley brothers' sibling shops in Old City, sucking down a phosphate at Franklin Fountain (which has "something going on," according to a follow-up tweet)...
Stepping back in time @franklinftn #ABRoadEatsPhilly https://t.co/vQqF5Ly1Uh
— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) November 8, 2014
...and taking a tour of Shane Confectionery.
New-old-school confectionery @ShanesCandies. Thanks for showing me around. Can't wait to come back. #ABRoadEatsPhilly pic.twitter.com/l1aybi2Jhq
— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) November 8, 2014
Then, it turns out, one trip to FedNuts in a day was not enough for Brown, who had to try the chicken. So it was back to the CookNSolo mini-empire on Sansom Street, where Brown found his "best bite of the day": shabazzi-dusted chicken. (Looks like he tried some plain, too.)
Best bite of the day was @FederalDonuts fried chicken. Za'atar is genius. #ABRoadEatsPhilly #AltonBrownLive pic.twitter.com/EsqJy16asQ
— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) November 9, 2014
And there was also a trip across the street to Dizengoff for some "fantastic" hummus (a rep tells us they grabbed three orders to go), accompanied by coffee from nearby Elixr.
Thanks to @ElixrCoffee and @Diz_and_Abe for the coffee and fantastic hummus. #ABRoadEatsPhilly #AltonBrownLive pic.twitter.com/HrCCHkbrMt
— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) November 8, 2014
After that, it was off to the Merriam, and the tight schedule seemingly allowed no time for breakfast: the next dispatch from Brown had him already downing donuts in D.C. This week, the tour will hit Hershey, Boston, New York, and points north, before taking a break for the holidays and resuming in February.
