Eater Philly’s Top News Stories of 2017

Maybe 2017 was the perfect year to open a post-apocalypse-themed restaurant.

Excluding Eater Philly’s maps, such as the ever-popular Eater 38, and frequently updated lists, like this one, here are the 10 most-read stories on the site over this past year.

1. Where to Eat at Philadelphia International Airport

Was everyone heading out of Philly? Readers were clamoring to know about the new dining options at the airport.

2. Philadelphia’s Most Anticipated Openings, Spring 2017

Eater Philly’s look ahead to the most exciting restaurants opening in the spring was a welcome sight at the end of winter. When summer came to a close, the preview of highly anticipated restaurants opening in the fall was another popular post.

3. Mad Rex Is the Post-Apocalyptic Restaurant Philly Didn’t Know It Needed

A report on the progress of Mad Rex, a post-apocalypse-themed restaurant/virtual reality lounge coming to Fishtown, caught everyone’s eye in 2017.

4. Chick’s on Washington Avenue Has an Opening Date

Readers wanted to know what was up with this gastropub/pizza shop opening west of Broad Street on Washington Avenue — a strip not exactly known for its eateries.

5. First Look Inside Chick's on Washington Avenue

Seriously, people couldn’t get enough of this place.

6. Spin, a 12,000-Square-Foot Ping Pong Bar, Bounces Into Philly

Eater sent a photographer to capture the ping pong tables, murals, red room, and scratch-and-sniff wallpaper at Spin, the new Center City venue embracing the trend of combining food, drink, and an activity.

Michael Persico

7. Behold Rooster Soup Co., the Restaurant That Gives Away 100% of Its Profits

Not only does this retro restaurant have star chef Michael Solomonov behind it, it also supports Philadelphians in need in a novel way.

8. 5 Reasons Why The Love Is a Big-Deal Opening

The match up of Stephen Starr, Aimee Olexy, and Rittenhouse Square proved too much for readers to resist.

9. Chinatown Square Food Hall Finally Opens

Chinatown’s first food hall (in a city bereft of food halls) has a little bit of everything, from hand-rolled ice cream and Korean-Mexican fusion tacos to the Halal Guys’ gyros.

10. Pizzeria Beddia May Not Be Long for This World

In an interview about his new cookbook, pizza master Joe Beddia let slip he already has plans to close up shop.