Pieces of Philly: Reading Terminal Market

Reading Terminal Market

51 North 12^th Street Philadelphia, PA 19107

The beginning:1680 Informal markets formed around Front and High (Market) Streets near where farmers and fisherman brought their goods from southern New Jersey.

The now: 2012 The Reading Terminal Market celebrated120 years of bringing fresh and local food to Philadelphia. Today the Reading Terminal Market is one of the nation’s most successful public markets with more than 75 independent small businesses that offer an array of fresh and prepared foods, lunch counters, and places to eat and shop.

I’ll tell you I went to school in the city in the 80’s and I used to take the train right there to market East and I never-ever went to the Reading Terminal market or knew about for that matter. I did not learn about the reading terminal market until early 2000 on a day trip to the city. I was overwhelmed by all the choices and to this day I don’t think I have covered every square inch of the market yet!

One place that I visit each and every time I make a trip to the city is the Famous 4^th Street Cookie Company for their mouthwatering, expensive as hell, oatmeal raisin cookies! OMG when I tell you that you have not lived until you tasted these cookies, I ain’t lying. I  pay $10.00 for F-O-U-R cookies, yes only four cookies but the taste is oh so worth it and they are big cookies. You can make a day out of just going to the market!

We ate food from Keven Parkers’ Soul Café. Although they did not have any cornbread (I don’t know what’s up with that) their food was delicious. I had Honey bar-b-q chicken, candied yams and collard greens. The food was finger licking good, seriously.

 

  

  

I tried to get that silver cuff with the elephant 

on it for $20 but it was a no-go.

 

Music on the sidewalk.