Travel video guide
Where to Eat in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Ube Coffee
This guide turns My 24-Hour Search for Philly’s Best Food! from The Jamel Show into a practical food map with 2 saved spots around East Kensington and South Philadelphia. The mapped places include a dessert shop and a restaurant stop. Use it to understand the places, dishes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
The Jamel Show was most impressed by the quality of the pizza crust and pepperoni at Angelo's, declaring it the best he has ever had. While he found the cheese steak at Ishkabibble's to be average and comparable to any corner store, he was blown away by the perfectly rendered fat on the Korean short ribs and the unique ube coffee. Ultimately, he concluded that the homemade bread and Cooper Sharp cheese at Angelo's set the gold standard for the city's food scene.
What this map is good for
- Planning a dessert shop stop or short itinerary in East Kensington.
- Comparing food stops from a creator or saved local map before you commit time in the city.
- Saving 2 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- Geno's Steaks
Fast Food Restaurant in 1219 S 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA, South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Price level: Medium
Hours: Hours available - Famous Italian Ices, Inc.
Dessert Shop in 1950 E Lehigh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA, East Kensington, Pennsylvania, United States
Price level: Inexpensive
Hours: Hours available
Food notes from the video
- Laka hash brown with dill cream
- Pastrami and egg sandwich on rye
- Olivia's pancakes
- Cherry water ice
- Pineapple water ice
- Six Man pizza (pepperoni and sweet sausage)
- Angelo's cheese steak with Cooper Sharp cheese
- Ishkabibble's cheese steak
- 2 more included in the app.
Experiences captured
- Waited in a long line at Angelo's Pizzeria
- Experienced a brain freeze at John's Water Ice
- Witnessed a bird poop on a companion
- Met and chatted with local fans on the street
- Compared high-end cheese steaks to corner spots
- Explored food spots in different Philadelphia neighborhoods
- Visited an award-winning coffee shop
- Critiqued the naming of 'Philly cheese steaks' by locals
Planning notes for Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, established in 1682, serves as a primary site for United States historical heritage. In 2026, the city functions as the central hub for the nation’s Semiquincentennial, marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Key historical sites include Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage site completed in 1748.
Must-try foods nearby
- Philly Cheesesteak
The quintessential Philadelphia sandwich featuring thinly sliced ribeye steak and melted cheese (typically Cheez Whiz, American, or Provolone) on a long crusty roll. - Tomato Pie
A thick, square, focaccia-like crust topped with a dense, sweet tomato gravy and a light dusting of Romano cheese, traditionally served at room temperature. - Philly Soft Pretzel
Distinct from the New York style, these are figure-eight shaped, dense, chewy, and often sold in interconnected rows. - Water Ice
A smooth, refreshing frozen treat made from fruit or syrup and shaved ice, known elsewhere as Italian ice but strictly called 'wooder ice' by locals. - Italian Hoagie
A meticulously layered sandwich of Italian cured meats (salami, capicola, ham), provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, and 'hoagie oil.
When to go: The best time to visit Philadelphia is from late March to May or September to November, when the weather is mild and the city’s historic streets are framed by cherry blossoms or vibrant fall foliage. While summer is peak tourist season with high humidity.
Local tips
- Navigate the city using the grid system and numbered streets, but rely on SEPTA's Broad Street or Market-Frankford lines to bypass heavy traffic.
- When ordering a cheesesteak at iconic spots, specify your cheese and onion preference quickly using the 'one whiz wit' shorthand to keep the line moving.
- Expect a standard gratuity of 18-22% at sit-down restaurants, as tipping is a vital part of the local service industry culture.
- Stay aware of your surroundings and stick to well-lit, populated areas in Center City and University City, especially after dark.
What travelers are noticing
- Expansion of specialty roasters like Madis Coffee Roasters (opening its 4th location in Midtown Village) and Vibrant Coffee Roasters' new Broad Street flagship.
- The rise of 'functional' and viral coffee drinks, specifically Pistachio Matcha Lattes and 'Proffee' (protein-infused coffee) across local cafes.
- Blank Street Coffee's entry into the Philadelphia market with a high-tech, automated espresso and matcha hub at UPenn's campus.
Extra place context
- Geno's
Known for: Philly Cheesesteak. Mentioned as a must-try spot in top foods.
food and Philly Cheesesteak
Official tourism resource
The official visitor website for Philadelphia, providing travel information, events, and attractions for neighborhoods including East Kensington.
Planning questions
Where did The Jamel Show eat in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
This guide maps all 2 spots featured in the video, with names, addresses, and neighborhoods, so you can plan where to eat in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What are the must-try foods in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
Creator picks from the video include Laka hash brown with dill cream, Pastrami and egg sandwich on rye, Olivia's pancakes, Cherry water ice. Open the map in Varedelo to see which spot each one is at.
Can I save these spots to use on my trip?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save every spot, get directions, and revisit the guide from your phone while you travel.
Use it on your trip
Save this food map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.