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Happy Birthday, Gritty: Philadelphia's furry friend turns 5

Gritty is growing up before our eyes! He's got a girlfriend now, a new tattoo and soon a calendar.

News

New restaurants to watch in Philadelphia this fall

Food and Drink

Pennsylvania adopts automatic voter registration

The policy could have significant implications for the November and 2024 elections.

Why you should watch the new Jason Kelce documentary

Not all gridiron greats show their layers, but the  documentary gives an intimate peek at Kelce beyond the field.

Sports

A host of new restaurants are taking their first orders in Philly this fall.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s food scene has been on a tear — raking in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/09/20/new-york-times-best-restaurants-philadelphia" data-vars-content-id="649a7321-ccb9-433f-89fa-d5fb5692469b" data-vars-headline="New restaurants to watch in Philadelphia this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/09/20/new-york-times-best-restaurants-philadelphia" target="_self">awards</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top mentions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/09/15/pietramala-and-heavy-metal-sausage-named-among-best-new-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="649a7321-ccb9-433f-89fa-d5fb5692469b" data-vars-headline="New restaurants to watch in Philadelphia this fall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/09/15/pietramala-and-heavy-metal-sausage-named-among-best-new-restaurants" target="_self">top mentions</a> — while showing no signs of slowing down.

Illustration of repeating dinner plate emojis with smiley faces on them.

Philadelphia gets spotlight on NYT's 2023 best restaurants list

Simple Mexican sandwiches and "head-turning" Asian cuisine.

Three of Philadelphia&#x27;s best dining spots — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kalaya" data-vars-click-url="https://kalayaphilly.com/" data-vars-content-id="e723dcd3-16e3-42c0-a207-780510e947b9" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia gets spotlight on NYT&#x27;s 2023 best restaurants list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kalayaphilly.com/" target="_blank">Kalaya</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Chingon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.elchingonphilly.com/" data-vars-content-id="e723dcd3-16e3-42c0-a207-780510e947b9" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia gets spotlight on NYT&#x27;s 2023 best restaurants list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.elchingonphilly.com/" target="_blank">El Chingon</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="My Loup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.myloupphl.com/" data-vars-content-id="e723dcd3-16e3-42c0-a207-780510e947b9" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia gets spotlight on NYT&#x27;s 2023 best restaurants list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.myloupphl.com/" target="_blank">My Loup</a> — made the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Times&#x27; third annual list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/dining/best-restaurants-america.html#" data-vars-content-id="e723dcd3-16e3-42c0-a207-780510e947b9" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia gets spotlight on NYT&#x27;s 2023 best restaurants list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/dining/best-restaurants-america.html#" target="_blank">New York Times&#x27; third annual list</a> of the country&#x27;s best restaurants.Why it matters: Our restaurateurs are knocking it out of the park.

Animated illustration of three chef hats popping up out of nowhere, one after another.

Pietramala and Heavy Metal Sausage named among best new restaurants

It's a golden age for the city's restaurant and bar scene.

A pair of Philadelphia restaurants were named to Bon Appétit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best New Restaurants of 2023" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-new-restaurants-2023/" data-vars-content-id="0a47ff95-de63-43b1-a2a1-032df3efb71f" data-vars-headline="Pietramala and Heavy Metal Sausage named among best new restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-new-restaurants-2023/" target="_blank">Best New Restaurants of 2023</a>.The big picture: It&#x27;s a golden age for the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2023-james-beard-award-winners" data-vars-content-id="0a47ff95-de63-43b1-a2a1-032df3efb71f" data-vars-headline="Pietramala and Heavy Metal Sausage named among best new restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2023-james-beard-award-winners" target="_blank">restaurant</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/bars/a43989427/best-bars-america-2023/?mc_cid=6d165df97a&amp;mc_eid=79407d7834" data-vars-content-id="0a47ff95-de63-43b1-a2a1-032df3efb71f" data-vars-headline="Pietramala and Heavy Metal Sausage named among best new restaurants" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/bars/a43989427/best-bars-america-2023/?mc_cid=6d165df97a&amp;mc_eid=79407d7834" target="_blank">bar</a> scene.

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Her Place's Amanda Shulman named a Food & Wine "Best New Chef"

Philly's restaurant scene can't stop winning.

Philadelphia chef Amanda Shulman of Her Place Supper Club was just named one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Food &amp; Wine&#x27;s Best New Chefs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foodandwine.com/2023-best-new-chefs-7852273" data-vars-content-id="608d8f65-9c3c-408a-876c-f267c844fd8b" data-vars-headline="Her Place&#x27;s Amanda Shulman named a Food &amp; Wine &quot;Best New Chef&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foodandwine.com/2023-best-new-chefs-7852273" target="_blank">Food &amp; Wine&#x27;s Best New Chefs</a> for 2023.Why it matters: Philly&#x27;s restaurant scene can&#x27;t stop winning.

New restaurant brings the taste of Nigeria to Old City

An assortment of stews and other Nigerian staples.

A new Nigerian restaurant has brought the flavors of the West African nation to Old City.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southwest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/09/30/africatown-southwest-philadelphia" data-vars-content-id="4607e3d0-b3eb-4af0-ab96-3c93156af9de" data-vars-headline="New restaurant brings the taste of Nigeria to Old City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/09/30/africatown-southwest-philadelphia" target="_self">Southwest</a> and West Philly are home to most of the city&#x27;s African restaurants, but Eatwell African Restaurant &amp; Lounge aims to bring African food to this historic enclave in the city.

How Hoagie Dom earned his sandwich hype

Dominic Rocconi has turned his one-man operation into a contender for the city's "hottest sandwich."

Philadelphia&#x27;s self-described &quot;nomad sandwich maker&quot; is nearing two years since he broke into the city&#x27;s cutthroat hoagie scene.Why it matters: Since launching his Northern Liberties pop-up in 2021, Dominic Rocconi, better known as &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hoagie Dom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/hoagie_dom/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="45b6b624-6c37-4288-b436-bd4ffde8adb4" data-vars-headline="How Hoagie Dom earned his sandwich hype" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/hoagie_dom/?hl=en" target="_blank">Hoagie Dom</a>,&quot; has turned his one-man operation into a contender for the city&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hottest sandwich" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/02/08/hoagie-dom-review-philadelphia-bardot-cafe" data-vars-content-id="45b6b624-6c37-4288-b436-bd4ffde8adb4" data-vars-headline="How Hoagie Dom earned his sandwich hype" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2022/02/08/hoagie-dom-review-philadelphia-bardot-cafe" target="_self">hottest sandwich</a>.&quot;

Neshaminy Creek's mango brew is fruity water ice in a can

Delightfully sweet with a slightly bitter kick.

My <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beer travels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/07/14/philadelphia-breweries-attic-brewing" data-vars-content-id="46a08137-cb41-44ad-8113-c08f9f50bede" data-vars-headline="Neshaminy Creek&#x27;s mango brew is fruity water ice in a can" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2023/07/14/philadelphia-breweries-attic-brewing" target="_self">beer travels</a> have led me to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rita&#x27;s Fruit Brews Mango" data-vars-click-url="https://neshaminycreekbrewing.com/beer/ritas-fruit-brews-mango/" data-vars-content-id="46a08137-cb41-44ad-8113-c08f9f50bede" data-vars-headline="Neshaminy Creek&#x27;s mango brew is fruity water ice in a can" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://neshaminycreekbrewing.com/beer/ritas-fruit-brews-mango/" target="_blank">Rita&#x27;s Fruit Brews Mango</a> from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Neshaminy Creek Brewing" data-vars-click-url="https://neshaminycreekbrewing.com/beer/ritas-fruit-brews-mango/" data-vars-content-id="46a08137-cb41-44ad-8113-c08f9f50bede" data-vars-headline="Neshaminy Creek&#x27;s mango brew is fruity water ice in a can" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://neshaminycreekbrewing.com/beer/ritas-fruit-brews-mango/" target="_blank">Neshaminy Creek Brewing</a>.Details: I stumbled upon the brew at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Foodery in Roxborough" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/TheFooderyRoxborough/" data-vars-content-id="46a08137-cb41-44ad-8113-c08f9f50bede" data-vars-headline="Neshaminy Creek&#x27;s mango brew is fruity water ice in a can" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/TheFooderyRoxborough/" target="_blank">Foodery in Roxborough</a>. The limited mango beer was released in April and is part of a series of Rita&#x27;s fruit beers that include peach ring tart and lemon.

Rita’s Fruit Brews Mango from Neshaminy Creek

Find your fried shrimp fix at Sid Booker's in North Philly

I found a gem of a place to score fried shrimp (which I have been meaning to try for years).Details: Sid Booker&#x27;s Shrimp Corner, a North Philly institution since 1966, is a no-frills spot that only accepts cash.

Ask Axios: Philadelphia Brewing's hops rise again

We&#x27;re back with another installment of Ask Axios.<ul><li>The question: Is Philadelphia Brewing Co.&#x27;s seasonal Harvest from the Hood coming back this year?</li></ul>

Rita's Italian Ice reigns supreme in Philadelphia

Move aside, DQ. Rita&#x27;s queen of this town.Driving the news: Rita&#x27;s Italian Ice is the most common ice cream chain across the Philadelphia metro area, per an Axios analysis of Yelp data from Axios&#x27; Kavya Beheraj and Erin Davis.

Food and Drink 🍽