Passyunk Square: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 20:27, 30 December 2025

Passyunk Square

Type	Neighborhood
Location	South Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)	19147, 19148
Named for	Passyunk Avenue (from Lenape "in the valley")
Boundaries	North: Washington Avenue, South: Snyder Avenue, East: 6th Street, West: Broad Street
Adjacent	Bella Vista, Point Breeze, Whitman
Major streets	East Passyunk Avenue, Broad Street, 9th Street
Transit	Broad Street Line (Snyder Station, Tasker-Morris Station)
Landmarks	Pat's King of Steaks, Geno's Steaks, Singing Fountain

Passyunk Square is a neighborhood in South Philadelphia centered on East Passyunk Avenue, a diagonal street that has become one of Philadelphia's premier dining destinations. The neighborhood is home to the famous rivalry between Pat's King of Steaks and Geno's Steaks at 9th and Passyunk, but has evolved far beyond cheesesteaks to include acclaimed restaurants, local shops, and a distinctive Philadelphia character.^[1]

History

Origins

East Passyunk Avenue follows the path of an ancient Lenape trail, predating William Penn's grid. The name "Passyunk" derives from a Lenape word meaning "in the valley."

Italian Heritage

Passyunk Square developed as an Italian-American neighborhood in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, part of South Philadelphia's broader Italian community. The Italian Market lies at the neighborhood's northern edge.

Restaurant Renaissance

While Pat's and Geno's put the intersection on the tourist map, East Passyunk's modern renaissance began in the 2000s when innovative chefs opened restaurants along the avenue. Today, the corridor hosts dozens of acclaimed eateries, from casual BYOBs to destination dining.

The Cheesesteak Corner

The intersection of 9th Street and Passyunk Avenue is Philadelphia's most famous food destination:

Pat's King of Steaks

Founded 1930
Birthplace of the cheesesteak
Open 24 hours

Geno's Steaks

Founded 1966
Famous neon signage
Open 24 hours

The two rivals face each other across the intersection, drawing tourists and locals around the clock.

East Passyunk Avenue

Beyond cheesesteaks, East Passyunk Avenue has become a dining destination:

Fine Dining

Laurel - Tasting menu, multiple James Beard nominations
Will BYOB - French-inspired fine dining

Casual Favorites

Fond - New American BYOB
Bing Bing Dim Sum - Chinese small plates
Cantina Los Caballitos - Mexican
Barcelona Wine Bar - Spanish tapas
Her Place Supper Club - Asian fusion

Pizza

Nomad Pizza - Wood-fired pizza
Marra's - Old-school Italian

Coffee and Bakeries

Rival Bros Coffee - Local roaster
Plenty Cafe - Breakfast and lunch
Isgro Pastries - Italian bakery (nearby on Christian Street)

The Singing Fountain

The Singing Fountain at the intersection of East Passyunk, Tasker, and 11th Streets features:

Musical water display
Gathering place for the neighborhood
Symbol of East Passyunk's revival
Regular programming and events

Shopping

East Passyunk Avenue offers independent shops:

Vintage clothing stores
Home goods boutiques
Book shops
Specialty food stores
Gift shops

The avenue maintains a local, independent character without chain retail.

Getting There

Public Transit

Broad Street Line (The B): Snyder Station, Tasker-Morris Station
SEPTA Bus Routes: 29, 45

Driving

Accessible from Broad Street
Street parking available (easier than Center City)

Living in Passyunk Square

Housing

Philadelphia rowhouses (2-3 stories)
Some apartment buildings
Mix of rentals and owner-occupied
Rising prices due to dining scene popularity

Demographics

Mix of Italian-American families
Young professionals
Restaurant industry workers
Newcomers attracted by food scene

Character

Passyunk Square offers:

World-class dining at BYOB prices
Walkable neighborhood feel
Authentic South Philadelphia character
Less expensive than Center City
Strong community identity

Events

Second Saturday Stroll - Monthly arts and shopping event
Fall Fest - Annual neighborhood festival
Restaurant Week - Seasonal dining promotions
Holiday events at the Singing Fountain

Template:FAQ

References

↑ "Visit East Passyunk". East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District. Retrieved December 22, 2025

[eastpassyunk-1] "Visit East Passyunk". East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District. Retrieved December 22, 2025

[1]

@@ Line 136: / Line 136: @@
 * '''Restaurant Week''' - Seasonal dining promotions
 * '''Holiday events''' at the Singing Fountain
+{{FAQ
+| q1 = Where is East Passyunk Avenue?
+| a1 = East Passyunk Avenue runs diagonally through South Philadelphia from Broad Street to the Delaware River. The main dining and shopping corridor is centered between Broad Street and 6th Street, accessible via the Broad Street Line at Snyder or Tasker-Morris stations.
+| q2 = What restaurants are on East Passyunk?
+| a2 = East Passyunk features acclaimed restaurants including Laurel (James Beard-nominated tasting menu), Will BYOB (French fine dining), Fond, Barcelona Wine Bar, Bing Bing Dim Sum, and dozens of casual BYOBs and cafes.
+| q3 = How do you pronounce Passyunk?
+| a3 = Passyunk is pronounced "PASH-unk" - the 'y' is silent. The name comes from the Lenape word meaning "in the valley."
+| q4 = What is the Singing Fountain?
+| a4 = The Singing Fountain is a musical water feature at the intersection of East Passyunk, Tasker, and 11th Streets. It serves as a community gathering place and symbol of the neighborhood's revival, hosting regular events and programming.
+| q5 = Is Passyunk Square just about cheesesteaks?
+| a5 = While Pat's and Geno's at 9th and Passyunk are famous, the neighborhood has evolved into one of Philadelphia's premier dining destinations with chef-driven restaurants, BYOBs, and independent shops. The cheesesteak corner is just one part of a vibrant culinary scene.
+}}
 == See Also ==