Reading Market

I'll have to admit, I was a little hesitant about Philly's food scene. Come on, they put Cheez-wiz on their famous sandwich, the cheesesteak. How 'bout provolone or even American cheese? Cheez-wiz? That's like allowing George Lucas to continually ruin the Star Wars franchise by adding unnecessary and...dare I say...cheesy elements to the classics?

I was very fortunate to be introduced to opposite of the greasy cheesesteak, Reading Terminal Market, to go where the locals frequent. Bakeries, gourmet cheese stands (no cheez-wiz, folks), fresh seafood and chocolate-dipped chocolate chip cookies.

Here are a few of my purchases:

A delicious Italian hoagie with hots, balsamic vinegar and fresh-sliced meat.

Coconut cupcakes from Flying Monkey patisserie. Note: photo is not available of actual purchase, since they were consumed in the car ride home.

Baklava and walnut fingers.


Delicious French table bread.


And the best item? Amish bacon that was smoked that day. Good grief. It is INCREDIBLE.

I later used this bacon as a base for my chipotle-chocolate chili, which will be posted soon.