While I have some friends who won't venture to Girard Avenue, there are TONS of great things up this way they're missing out on. So to drop possibly some general knowledge or possibly some wise advice:
Top 10 Places to visit on East Girard:
1. Sketch Burger - little place on the 400 block painted in fluorescent colors has fantastic burgers. Kobe beef burger and a pound of fries for under $11? Sold.
2. The El. While the elevated train is notorious for being the bad part of town regardless of city, Girard Avenue would not be Girard Ave without the El. I recently realized not a ton of my friends have taken it. If you're afraid of it, go for a ride into the city. $2 and they don't give change. $15 taxi ride or $2 each way? Can't beat that with a stick.
3. Johnny Brenda's - Bar, concert venue, hipster paradise. Bring your thick glasses and beards. Great sandwiches, open air eating, and some decent acts come to play on the second floor. Also check out the nearby M Room if you have time. No real secret here. If you're been to a place on Girard, it's probably been here.
4. Jay's Pedal Power Bike Shop - Get your bike tuned up and start riding on the 200+ designated bikepath miles in and around the city. Nice guys & reasonable pricing.
5. Brotherhood Mission - No link for the shelter, but if you're up at 5:30am on Mon, Wed, Fri or 7am on Saturdays, you can watch 20+ runners from the shelter and volunteers out for a run organized by the Back On My Feet program. Get your exercise in and talk to some really down to earth guys & gals before you even step foot into work.
6. Hot Potato Cafe - Recently taken over and remodeled by Gordon Ramsey, this little shop is half decent dining with the BYO option.
7. Don's Auto Repair - 226 E. Girard. I needed an inspection, oil change, tire rotation & my ratty wipers replaced. Got out of there for right around $100. No Pep Boys upselling or anything. Dropped it off at 9 and picked it up at 11:30.
8. The Trolley - You can get your nostalgic fix by jumping on one of these. It takes you all the way down into Port Richmond or all the way up to the zoo. Refurbished and $2 no matter how far you ride, the trolley is something you've gotta get on once if you live around Philly.
9. The Fire - Not East Girard, but 4th St is close enough. Another cheap concert venue and bar with outside seating. Trolley rolls right by there. Oh, a few small bands have played there on their way to fame: My Chemical Romance, Cold War Kids, OK GO, Wilco, John Legend, Jason Mraz and some band called Maroon 5. Check out the Victor Victor Band playing there June 17. Black Keys with an 80s sounding singer is what I'm calling them. Call them what you want after you see them, but bluesy rock all the way.
10. Tiffin OR Ekta - It's debatable, but between these two dine in/take outs is the best Indian food in the city.
I know I'm pitching Girard like a friend who "has a great personality", but Girard has great personality and great potential. Between the bars, eats, bike shop, and more, indulge your curiosity and Philadelphiaism (like patriotism, but Philadelphiaism tastes like freedom. So does the liberty bell.) and walk around on Girard Ave.
Can you find classier? Sure. Can you find cleaner? Sure. I'm not saying Girard is a catch, but it certainly ain't nothing to throw back. Otolith Sustainable Seafood Otolith Sustainable Seafood
