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Fast food isn't what it used to be, and that's a damn good thing. Fried chicken is better when it's farm-fresh, burgers are better when their meat is properly ground in-house, and hummus is better when it's topped with fancy vegetables and braised meat. Today's fast casual scene in Philly is as strong as ever, and as we watch the trend grow bigger and bigger, it's safe to say that we're doing a great job fitting in.
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Top Quality Fast Food Restaurants To Try Right Now in Philadelphia
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Scratch Biscuits
Southern food is slow food, but in the case of Mitch Prensky's fast-casual biscuit shop, Scratch Biscuits, there's a clear exception. From breakfast to late-night (1 a.m. on weekends), Prensky and his teams serves up fried chicken, braised brisket, pulled pork, smoked catfish sandwiched between two golden, flaky, delightfully crumbly, biscuits — with a side of chips and pickles to boot.
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Federal Donuts
Now, when America sums up Philly restaurants, Federal Donuts is always part of the equation. With four nationally-esteemed locations, the fried chicken and donut king rules Philly's fast food landscape with a uniquely Philly vibe, and utterly juicy, shatteringly crispy fried chicken alongside bedazzled cake donuts.
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Hai Street Kitchen & Co.
Sushi burritos might sound like excess gone wrong, but really, they shouldn't be considered sushi at all. While the beauty of sushi relies on delicacy and craft, Hai Street Kitchen leans on quick service, efficiency, and a carbo-loaded power-lunch that'll keep you fueled up for whatever work-day onslaught comes your way.
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honeygrow
Locally conscious stir-fry, salads, and smoothies — that's a market owned by Philly-born Honeygrow, now expanded to, count 'em, seven locations from Hoboken, NJ to Wilmington, DE. Spicy garlic chicken noodles perked up by pineapple is a sure fire, but don't sleep on a healthy smoothie to get you rip-roaring through the day.
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Desi Chaat House
Need something crunchy, sweet, savory, spicy, and quick? Chaat's your answer, and few do it better than West Philly's Desi Chaat House. The Indian flavor-bomb is fast food at its finest: cheap, fast, and fulfilling in every way.
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Spice End : Kati Roll and Platter
Tucked inside Indian flatbread could be any number of things: spiced potatoes, eggs, lamb, beef, vegetables — really, anything you want. They're open till midnight daily, except on weekends, where your quick-serve Indian lunch spot turns out some of the best nightcap food in Philly till 3 a.m.
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SpOt Burgers
SpOt burgers are picture-perfect. A buttery bun tops crisp vegetables, drooling cheese, and a half-inch, fresh-ground patty cooked to an impeccable pink. Kim's recent evolution
into brick-and-mortardome gives him the space and capacity to really show his worth with near-flawless burgers, cheesesteaks, and pork sandwiches, in a classic burger and fry shop now open in Brewerytown.
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HipCityVeg
Lines perennially out the door for vegan fast food might seem silly to you, that is, until you try a Ziggy Burger for yourself. It takes is one bite, and you'll be a follower just the same. Nicole Marquis helped bring vegan food to new light in Philadelphia, and with an expansion to University City and a third and fourth location on the way, HipCityVeg continues to dominate the new-era of vegan cuisine in Philly.
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Rotisseur
Back before rotisserie-cooking became a dining trend of 2015, Rotisseur stood alone. Amish rotisserie chicken, all gussied up with eco-friendliness: cage, anti-biotic, guilt free, rotate behind the line, awaiting your consumption. Buy a whole bird to-go, or have a leg and thigh for under $5. All sides and salads are made in house, and in a city chock-full of banh mi sandwiches, know that few do them better than chef-owner Aaron Matzkin.
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Agno Grill
There's a lot to like about Agno Grill's menu. It could be that it's all fresh, everything made in-house. It could be that it's healthy but not boring, like Mediterranean food likes to be. But the best thing about Agno Grill is how convenient it is to enjoy — located near Rittenhouse Square, order it Chipotle-style, and know full-well that whatever way you order, it'll be healthy and nutritious.
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Dizengoff
Cook+Solo's fast-casual venture was an immediate success in Philadelphia, so much so that they're recreating the concept in New York. But in Philly, it stands as the one of the best all-inclusive meals in town: silky hummus topped with nuts, meats, and vegetables, with a side of fire-baked pita, pickles and salad. Add a mouth-puckering lemonnanas (mint lemonade), and you've got a meal fit for a king.
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Revolution Taco
Revolution Taco, the brainchild of the Street Food Philly, Taco Mondo and Say Cheese food trucks, opened up shop in Rittenhouse just a few weeks ago, and it's been booming ever since. Here, unconventional tacos are all the rage: plum sauce-slathered peking duck tacos mounted on scallion pancakes, Korean tongue and cheek tacos (with a name oh so tongue-in-cheek) made with crisped beef tongue and pork cheek over kimchi, and ginger-cabbage slaw topped barbecued brisket. Check your authenticity whims at the door and find out what next-level tacos taste like.
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