The horrible, terrible, no-good drive up and down I-95 just got worse … yet again. Around 1:30pm on Monday, April 1, a tractor-trailer hauling something cylindrical hit a Conrail bridge, and now both directions of I-95 will be fully-to-partially closed for, according to PennDot, a nonspecific “several days.”
So, just like we did in June of 2023, we’re offering you some ideas for things to do during your now extended commute into and out of Philly. (Pro tip: Don’t try taking the Atlantic City line between 30th Street and Pennsauken. It’s closed until the train bridge is repaired.)
Before you hop back behind the wheel, consider taking SEPTA instead. Although our beleaguered transit agency ain’t perfect, trains almost never get stuck in traffic jams. On the other hand, many of us must, or just prefer to, drive. For you, here are some ways to make the ride a little less crap — maybe even unexpectedly delightful? — while supporting local creatives and businesses.
Grab breakfast and / or lunch
Mister Chubby’s, Holmesburg
8312 State Road
Open Monday–Friday from 4:15am to 1:30pm, Saturday from 4:15 to 11am
For 28 years, this all-day breakfast spot has served amazing French toast, grilled cheesesteaks, fried Buffalo chicken sandwiches, BLTs, and bacon, egg and cheeses — and they’re not gonna stop for some interstate issue. Chubby’s offers free local delivery — from before dawn, on.
Gryphon Coffee Co., Kensington
100 W. Oxford Street
Open daily from 7am to 3pm weekdays, 8am to 3pm Saturdays, 8am to 2pm Sundays
Because an egg sandwich and cortado (or kombucha, or a mocha) always make everything better. Also healing: Avocado toast, mushroom panini, a prosciutto and Brie sandwich, maybe a bacon and fig grilled cheese — all available to order online.
Little Susie’s Coffee & Pie, Port Richmond
2532 E. Lehigh Avenue (at Belgrade)
Open daily, 7am to 2pm
A sweet — blueberry, cherry, glazed cherry, apple — and / or a savory — chicken pot; mushroom and Swiss; and … pork roll, American cheese, spicy mustard! — scratch-made pie ($4.50-$6) will cure what ails ya. Drinks, too: La Colombe coffees, cold iced tea, lemonade, and, as the menu says, “wooder.” Order online.
ReAnimator Coffee, Port Richmond
3118 Richmond Street
Open Monday–Friday from 7:30am to 3pm; Saturday–Sunday from 8am to 4pm
Sleek and serene, this spot just might entice you to have a seat and sip that single-origin roast before you clamber back into your hoopty and hit the busy road.
Pick up groceries
Riverwards Produce, Fishtown
2200 E. Norris Street (just off Frankford Ave.)
Open daily, from 8am to 8pm
Grab some fresh fruit to tide you over on the ride, some flowers to pretty it up or many other of the local treats as this fancy farm stand off the highway.
Have a sit-down meal — or takeout
Why fight traffic when you can cop a squat and dig into some locally-made dinner until it dies down?
Bonk’s Bar, Port Richmond
3467 Richmond Street
Open Monday from 5pm and Tuesday through Sunday from 11am
Anchoring crab alley, this corner tavern is nothing fancy, but it so does the trick. On the menu: steamed in-season crabs, fried pickles, other classic bar fare, relatively refined beers (plus the kind you serve in buckets), and Friday night karaoke. Yeah, boyee!
Byrne’s Tavern, Port Richmond
3301 Richmond Street (at Allegheny)
Open daily from 11am
Founded in 1978 and still feeling delightfully so, this workaday pub is known for its crabs, chicken wings, potato logs, potato pierogi and cold beer. Bonus: Parking.
Gaul & Co. Malt House, Port Richmond
2619 E. Indiana Avenue
Open from 11am weekdays; 8am weekends
The home of the Wit-or-Witowski kielbasa cheesesteak is not at all the worst place to be stuck during happy hour time. They’re open for lunch and dinner, serving burgers, loaded fries, lots of apps and hearty sandwiches.
Sweet Lucy’s Smokehouse, Holmesburg
7500 Street Road
Daily from 11am to 8pm (until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays)
Sweet Lucy’s rustic, hickory-smoked, melt-in-yo-mouth pulled pork or brisket is worth coming in for, detour or no. Note: Treat yourself to the bread pudding..
Check out these local podcasts
- Shameless plug for The Philadelphia Citizen’s How to Really Run a City. Two legendary former mayors — Philly’s Michael Nutter and Atlanta’s Kasim Reed — join Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt and urban problem-solvers from around the country for the show Bloomberg named to its list of “10 city-related podcasts to add to your playlist.”
- No time like the present to jump in to Dan Drago’s 25 O’Clock, the long-running Philly music podcast. Start with Episode #277, Summer ’23 music playlist.
- Everyone’s favorite former Eagle and his … real-life, two-time Super Bowl-winning brother, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, are endlessly entertaining in their New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce.
- Your detour may take you past some amazing street art you’ve not noticed before. Jump all in with Conrad Benner’s popular StreetsDept podcast for interviews with local artists.
Rock out, Philly-style
- The Best of Philadelphia International Records, the classics from Gamble & Huff, straight from Sigma Sound Studios … From Love Train to Me and Mrs. Jones, there ain’t no stopping you now.
- Questlove’s Top 50 Hip Hop Tracks. The Roots leader pulls out A Tribe Called Quest, Biz Markie, Grandmaster Flash, Naughty by Nature. If you don’t know these tracks already, you oughta.
Breathe. Literally.
Read these before you get in the car. Practice when you feel road rage coming on.
- Breathing exercises you can do anywhere — even along Roosevelt Boulevard.
- Car yoga (really, this exists)
Good luck and godspeed, Citizens.
Know a biz near the I-95 collapse that could use a boost? Let us know!