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Why are Philly people so phat (By Sheri Fernandes)
Why are Philly people so Phat?By Sherira Fernandes '05 Sage Staff Writer
Philly has been called the fattest city in the country. The reason is obvious -- the food is oh-so yummy, and there is lots of it. Philly has it all: ranging from ethnic foods, to the unidentifiable, to amazing treats, anything and everything that are all, without a doubt, the essence of this one-of-a-kind city.
One of the biggest pound-producers in the city is the availability of excellent and cheap ethnic cuisine. For instance, South Philly is home to some of the best Italian food (outside of Italy, of course). Mom-and-Pop pizza parlors and restaurants have been passed down through generations, serving up delectable dishes from time-honored family recipes. Just looking at bakery windows while walking down the sidewalks could cause a person to gain weight.
If your looking for fantastic General Tso's chicken and egg drop soup, try Chinatown. Not only home to unbelievably delicious Chinese food, Chinatown also boasts a large variety of other Asian foodstuffs, including Burmese, Thai, Indian, Taiwanese, and Korean, just to name a few.
Adjacent to Chinatown, one can find Jamaican food (I highly recommend the little place in the Gallery, near the El station), and Mexican food among several hundred other cuisines.
For the best Latino food and atmosphere, North Philly will have you covered. If that is not enough for your thighs, about an hour away from the city is the home of the Pennsylvania Dutch. The PA Dutch have distinctive Shoe Fly Pie, breads, and donuts that would put Krispy Kremes out of business. All that variety is still not what makes Philly-folks so famously fat.
The cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, gelaties, and scrapple are among the foods that put Philadelphia on the map as home to the best greasy/fatty/taste-bud boggling junk chow. Although there is much debate over where the best cheesesteak is, anyplace within the city limits creates a truly unique Philly marvel. However, the easiest place to get an authentic Philly cheesesteak is Pat's on South Street. Gelaties, for those who do not know, consist of a layer of soft serve ice cream, a layer of water ice, topped off with another layer of soft serve. Rita's Water Ice makes exceptional gelaties. However, for regular water ice, I recommend the Italian Delight on Route 320. As for scrapple, I do not think one needs to say what is in it; just that it is something that only Philly people can know and love, akin to the South's fascination with chitlins and grits and New York's with fish for breakfast (lox and bagels).
Among all the ethnic/local assortments, there are a few hundred theme restaurants. For instance, local area favorite: the Nifty Fifties. Anyone who knows of it will tell you that they have the absolute BEST milkshakes, most fizzy flavored sodas, and scrumptious hot dogs in the world. A waitress (most likely named Sherry) will serve you your dream shake, any and all combintions, ranging from Almond Joy, Coffee and Peanut Butter Cup, to Honey Dew, and all for a college-student friendly price.
So, for anyone who eats tofu and granola, although Philadelphians say that there is a "time and place for everything"-- this is just not the place for that low-fat,low-sodium, non-greasy "rabbit food."
