Adult night out – 2011 Readers’ Choice

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Post-work wind down

A classic chilled lemon margarita with salt sounds good after a long day of work. Afraid you will run a tab and waist your freshly cashed check?

Cantina Los Caballitos’ renowned Mexican drink will leave money in your wallet. Wrap your lips around $2 margaritas or some cold $2 Mexican suds. These specials have helped Cantina become South Philly’s favorite spot for drink specials/happy hour.

Serving 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Cantina, 1651 E. Passyunk Ave, is rapidly becoming the it spot for happy hour sousing. The Mexican experience Cantina presents can be enjoyed outside on their lounge chairs that are set against their adobe’s red facade which distinguishes Cantina on the avenue.

“I know we get really good turnouts here not just because [of] our prices, but because we are in such a great neighborhood spot,” Cantina manager Renee Rowlett said. “You add the time we serve and the quality of ingredients we use in every drink and it turns out to be a good place to come and enjoy the afternoon.”

But it is just not the mouth-foaming drinks, the eye-popping prices or even the relaxing scene that has made Cantina such a hit with South Philadelphians. A lot of their success is credited to their staff that provides the friendliest service while serving tequila-based concoctions, Rowlett said.

“The care our staff puts on the customers and drinks is great. We take great pride serving South Philly and it has shown,” she said.

Besides Mexican imports, Cantina offers an array of local beers, as well as craft and draft brews that are rotated weekly. Draft suds are half-off during happy hour.

Chickie’s and Pete’s toasted a second-place finish while South Philly Tap Room raised a glass to third.

Out of the park

In a matter of weeks, a stream of diehard fans dressed in red and white pinstripes will be heading down to Citizens Bank Park to watch what is arguably one of the best pitching staffs in baseball history strike out the opposition. But before heading to One Citizens Bank Way, many plan on stopping at Chickie’s and Pete’s Crab House and Sports Bar, 1526 Packer Ave., as its the Readers’ Choice for place for a quick bite before the game . The establishment also claimed bragging rights for best french fries.

Owner Pete Ciarrocchi said the most popular items of choice to enjoy before the first pitch are Crabfries (more on them later), white lobster pizza, cheesesteak nachos an the lobster cheesesteak. Why does everyone keep coming back to the Packer Park establishment?

“Because it’s a meeting place for everyone who has the same cheering desire,” Ciarrocchi said. “It’s a Philadelphia institution. We cry when we lose and cheer when we win.”

Chicke’s and Pete’s trademarked Crabfries can be found on just about every table, no matter what time of day. Little did Ciarrocchi know when these little crispy treats were invented back in they late 1970s that they would skyrocket into the food stratosphere. They are so popular that the restaurant goes through between one-and-a-half to two million pounds of potatoes a year to keep the customers satisfied.

“They just took off,” Ciarrocchi said of the specially seasoned Crabfries. “More money is spent on Crabfries at Lincoln Financial Field then any other food. It’s the No. 1 food product sold at sporting events.”

In the quick bite category, Talk of the Town was the second favorite stop while Celebre’s and Philadium shared fans for third. In the french fry battle, Geno’s greased up second and Steak ’Em Up filled the order for third.

Questionable content

Trivia rarely fails to attract interest. Lou Maglio, the owner of The Station Bar & Grill , 1550 McKean St., realized its draw 18 months ago. Voters have let him know he made a good move, giving his Newbold location the top quizzo award.

Station has hosted the competition for more than half of its two-and-a-half-year existence, livening often dull Tuesday evenings with inquiries on such topics as history, music, sports and the ever-bewitching miscellany. Popular among college students, the game enables minutial maniacs to tackle daunting probes like “How many ridges are on a U.S. quarter?”

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Maglio, a resident of the 1600 block of McKean Street, occasionally participates yet strays from being as fanatical about it as others are. He keeps their spirits high with drink specials and rewards winners with gift certificates. The games typically begin at 9 p.m. and always leave the crowds thirsty for more tests.

“Oh, yeah, it can become animated,” Maglio said of a typical session.

Having gained most of its legacy in Philadelphia through the efforts of advocate Johnny Goodtimes, who hosted last month’s Quizzo Bowl VII in University City, the game has built a reputation as a true examination of one’s trivia skills. Maglio is happy the community finds his establishment’s rendition a hit.

“We are always looking for participants,” he said. “Come by, grab a brew and try your luck.”

South Philly Tap Room answered the challenge in second place, while Wolf Street Café solved third.

For a chance to win a free draft beer from The Station, visit www.southphillyreview.com/contests.

Two times the fun

One of the year’s big winners is Stogie Joe’s Tavern , 1801 E. Passyunk Ave., which takes home first-place honors in two distinctive categories: Best neighborhood bar and top karaoke venue.

“It’s great, we appreciate being named best neighborhood bar and best karaoke,” tavern owner Joe DiOrio said.

Stogie Joe’s provides plenty of entertainment for a variety of bar-goers. The tavern offers daily drink and food specials, happy hours, live music, DJ dance parties and other exciting events. The first Monday of every month is an Open Mic night, which allows performers to bless the microphone with their own singing talents.

The most exciting Stogie Joe’s event occurs at 9 p.m. Tuesdays, when their award-winning karaoke event kicks off with host DJ Anthony Biondo from Biondo Entertainment Services. Biondo gets the crowd rocking weekly with a fun night of audience participation of singing classic hits.

“Anthony brings great energy; he’s lively with the audience,” DiOrio said. “He really knows the crowd and they have a great time.”

With a variety of events and specials, it’s no surprise that this East Passyunk Avenue tavern has become a local favorite. For those looking to just sit down and have a drink, readers agree that the tavern, which offers a variety of beers on tap, has become an area hot spot.

Wolf Street Café took home second place in the karaoke voting, while The Station Bar & Grill came in third.

Quattro Bar & Grill received the second most votes for neighborhood bar, and Philadium Tavern finished third. SPR

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