Well, we're in Philadelphia now, and we're already exploring neighborhoods and getting ideas for good places to open the "House". (First we spent a few days back home in Vineland, NJ with the family and our baby nephews, David and Davion - more on that in other posts).

We must have put in 25 miles in the past two days walking around. Yesterday we explored that Gayborhood in Philly and had and absolutely amazing dinner and couple of beers at Moriarty's. We're seriously considering that neighborhood, as the people are friendly, the food is good already, and there's a built-in clientele given all the other businesses around. Price could be a problem, but hey - we're still just exploring.

Today we walked all through Breweytown and the Fairmount area. (Oy, my feet!) Right across from a funky coffee shop was a small vacant and available mixed-use building (storefront below, apartment above). Turns out a couple of older ladies bought it to run a salon downstairs, but got bored with it. It's on the corner of 26 and Brown.


We stopped by a Prudential and spoke with Andrew Kratz (thanks, Andrew!) to get a rough idea of what we might expect. We have a few printouts and some price points to look at. He ended up walking us around the corner to another mixed use on 24 and Olive.

It's very small, and would take some work to rehab and put a kitchen in, but it looks promising. And get this - there used to be a pet food store in the store front named The Dog House. Feels like the universe is telling us something here.

Finally we walked down Fairmount and the main area while Ruben collected menus from all the local restaurants. He's getting an idea of what local ingredients are most popular and reflect some of the preferred local tastes. Good thinking.

Later this week we'll check out the Food Trust's Headhouse Farmer's Market. "More than 30 foodie-favorite farmers and producers selling local fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses." We'll also explore the Italian Market area. We found out from a bartender last night that it's known for its high quality butchers, bakers, and general artisans.
-Brett

A Boy and His Dog

A few years ago I got the idea about opening up a hot dog joint. As a waiter in some of LA's finest restaurants I fell in love with different foods. The kitchens were always a place that I could lose myself in, although I spent most of my time talking up the great menus to the front of the house.

I'm a Puerto Rican from New Jersey that grew up eating Carribean, East Coast fair and learned about the finer foods in LA. Working in Real estate for five years every once in a while I'd run across a commercial place that just screamed at me with possibilities. My TIVO is overflowing with Food Network shows and I could give most of them a run for their money. Never went to cooking school but food is mostly in the heart. When you can express love and feeling through your cooking that's the best raw talent there is.

Last year when a little place on Rowena Ave in Silverlake that had been vacant for so long got rented my stomach turned. And two weeks ago when I saw them setting up little tables I got mad. Anger ususaly translates into action for me and that's why I'm in Philadelphia. My summer session at LACC got canceled because of budget cuts, and Brett has had trouble getting a new job as a Medical Librarian (I love you Boo) so we're here to try something new.

We'll spend the next 4 weeks looking around for the right area and place for me to pour my blood sweat and tears into. Philly is 40 minutes from Jersey where my LARGE extended Puerto Rican family lives and that will come in handy. It's cheaper to live in Philly. They are diverse and welcoming. And even in a recession everyone has a couple of bucks to buy what will be one of the best dogs around.
-Ruben