Readers’ Choice: Shift it into victory mode 

Readers’ Choice: Shift it into victory mode

Photo by Maria Young

When Frank Saur received a phone call last week that 11th Street Auto had earned Readers’ Choice bragging rights for auto mechanic, his first words were “I am thrilled beyond belief.”

“It’s an unbelievable honor knowing how many shops there are in the city. Winning something like that is really special,” he said of the business located at 820–22 S. 11th St.

The business is in its 41st year, with Saur’s father, William, opening it in 1972. Frank joined the team four years later. 11th Street Auto handles general repairs, such as tires, brakes and oil changes. He said they average about 15 to 16 cars per day. Like a patient visiting the doctor, providing customer service and curing the problem are the top priorities.

“I’ve been fortunate to see it last,” Saur aid.

Like funeral homes and sandwich shops, there are plenty of South Philly auto mechanics around. But the 11th Street Auto team has built a loyal following that continues coming back.

“After all of these years, you have some new people moving in, which keeps it fresh,” Saur said. “In some cases we are dealing with the third generation of family members, taking care of their cars.”

Pinnacle Auto Repairs and Tires pulled into second while Dom’s Auto Repair parked in third.