Fabulous Philly Friends

World Food Tour: Oba Mediterranean Grill (Turkish)

Wed, Sep 23 · 6:30 PM EDT

Oba Grill, 563 Haddon Avenue ,, Collingswood, NJ, US

Get ready for an exquisite culinary journey to the Mediterranean and Middle East, right near Philadelphia! Our next stop on the World Food Tour is Oba Mediterranean Grill, where we'll discover the rich, vibrant, and delicious flavors of authentic Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable experience!

Why You Should Join Us: Oba Mediterranean Grill offers a warm, stylish atmosphere and a menu brimming with traditional Mediterranean favorites. From savory cold and hot mezes like hummus, babaganoush, and falafel to perfectly seasoned lamb kebabs, chicken shish, and fresh wood-fired flatbreads, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore a celebrated culinary tradition. It's the perfect chance to try something new, enjoy a welcoming ambiance, and connect with fellow adventurous eaters in our community.

What's the Plan?
We'll be gathering at Oba Mediterranean Grill to immerse ourselves in their diverse menu of Turkish and Mediterranean specialties. Get ready to share and savor a variety of dishes, experiencing the distinct spices and grilling techniques that make this food so special. You can explore their menu and get a preview of the deliciousness here: https://www.oba-restaurant.com/

The Deets:

• BYOB: Feel free to bring your favorite wine or beer to pair perfectly with the rich, aromatic flavors of Mediterranean cuisine!
• Cost: We will plan to order some shared appetizers for the table to sample a variety of tastes, and then everyone can order their own entrée. Please anticipate the total cost to be approximately $40–$55 per person (including tax and a 20% tip). To make bill-splitting easier, please bring.
• Allergies: If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please let me know as soon as you RSVP so I can inform the restaurant in advance. (Note: OBA has excellent vegetarian, ven, and gluten-free choices!)
• Important: I will send a confirmation message a day or two before our visit to finalize the headcount. If your plans change, please update your RSVP to "Not Going" promptly. This allows those on the waitlist to join us and helps me adjust our reservation accordingly.
• Parking: Oba Mediterranean Grill Click to open side panel for more information is located at 563 Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108. Metered street parking is available along Haddon Avenue, as well as nearby public parking lots off Collings Avenue.

Can't wait to explore the incredible flavors of the Mediterranean with you!

Happy Hour Meet and Greet: Sor Ynez

Fri, Sep 25 · 5:00 PM EDT

Sor Ynez, 1800 N American St, Philadelphia, PA, US

The establishment has capped us at 40 people. If you are not on the going list please wait for our next meet and greet in October.

Get ready to unwind and connect at our upcoming Happy Hour Meet & Greet at Sor Ynez! It's the perfect opportunity for new members to mingle with our friendly group in a vibrant, airy, and sustainable setting in Kensington.

What's the Plan?
We're heading to Sor Ynez for a casual, refreshing happy hour. Known for its modern spin on traditional Mexican cuisine, eco-conscious approach, and stunning decor, it offers a fantastic space to kick back, chat, and make new friends. Enjoy delicious scratch-made bites, handmade heirloom corn tortillas, and phenomenal cocktails in their bright dining room or gorgeous patio area. This is a low-key, come-as-you-are event designed for mingling and great conversation with fellow Fabulous Philly Friends.

When: Friday, September 25th from 5:00 PM onwards. Feel free to drop in whenever you can make it!
Where: Sor Ynez, 1800 N American St, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Look for our group in the bar area or outdoor patio space!

The Deets:

• Atmosphere: Expect a stylish, light-filled venue with a spacious outdoor patio and modern Mexican aesthetic.
• Food: Enjoy traditional Mexican small plates, scratch-made snacks, and incredible plant-based or gluten-free options. You can check out their food and drink selection on the Sor Ynez Menu.
• Drinks: Craft mezcal and tequila cocktails, natural wines, local craft beers, and refreshing non-alcoholic options.
• Purpose: This is a relaxed meet and greet, perfect for new members to get acquainted with our group.
• Parking: Plenty of street parking is available along N American Street and the surrounding blocks; rideshares and public transit are also great options.

Why You Should Be There:

• Meet new people and expand your social circle.
• Enjoy delicious handcrafted cocktails and authentic Mexican bites.
• Experience the unique, eco-chic atmosphere at Sor Ynez.
• It's a low-pressure way to dive in and get involved with our Meetup group.

We're looking forward to seeing you there for a fun and relaxed evening!
I will arrive early to find an area for us and I will post in the group where you can find me before the event.

Cheesesteak Wars 3 (READ ENTIRE POST)

Sat, Sep 26 · 12:00 PM EDT

Canal View Park, Main St, Manayunk, PA, US

Google Form Link: https://forms.gle/mYLnY5YTgwhmhjWF6 (Opens 1 week before the event at 12:00 PM).

The Manayunk to Roxborough Uphill Battle!
Get ready to indulge in the ultimate cheesesteak adventure as we embark on our next Cheesesteak Wars walking tour! If you enjoyed our previous food crawls, you know this is going to be a delicious and fun-filled afternoon.

For this tour, we're knocking out the hardest part right away! We'll meet down in lower Manayunk, sample our first two spots, conquer the steep 0.8-mile uphill climb together, and finish at our upper park basecamp at Prettyman Park in Manayunk to sample the final two legendary spots and tally our votes. This is the perfect opportunity to find your ultimate favorite while connecting with fellow food lovers!

🧺 Park Basecamps & Eating Locations
To keep things comfortable while sampling, we will be utilizing nearby green spaces for our tastings:

• Lower Basecamp (Prettyman Park / Canal View Park): Prettyman Park is located at the Henry Ave & Ridge Ave split, and Canal View Park is at 4418 Main St. We will use one of these green spaces to sit, eat, and score our first two lower-hill steaks.
• Upper Basecamp (Gorgas Park): Located at 6300 Ridge Ave (intersection of Ridge Ave & E Hermitage St). A large, beautiful neighborhood park with expansive lawns, shade trees, and benches—the ideal spot for our final tastings and vote tallying! Bring a folding chair or blanket if you’d like to settle in, but know you will have to carry it on the walk.

The Grand Tour Itinerary
Phase 1: Manayunk (The Base of the Hill)
Stop 1: Bar Jawn

• Location: 4247 Main St (Manayunk)
• Menu: barjawn.com/menu
• Highlights: Famous for high-end, artisan takes on classic Philly eats using top-grade ribeye and house-baked 9-inch seeded rolls.

Stop 2: Sorrentino's Delicatessen

• Location: 4368 Cresson St (Manayunk)
• Menu: Sorrentino's Deli & Market Menu
• Highlights: A historic, family-run neighborhood staple known for generous portions, classic melted cheeses, and traditional hot hoagies and steaks served on fresh 10–12 inch local rolls.

🚶‍♂️ The Uphill Climb to Roxborough

• The Route: We will walk uphill from Cresson & Main Streets up toward Ridge & Henry Avenues.
• Distance: Approximately 0.8 miles.
• Walking Time: Roughly 20 to 25 minutes at a steady, relaxed pace.
• Incline Note: This is the steepest part of the tour, so we're getting it out of the way early! Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Driving / Catching a Ride: If the uphill hike is too much or you prefer not to walk it, you are more than welcome to drive or carpool up the hill and meet the group at Stop 3! Street and lot parking are available near both upper spots.

Phase 2: Roxborough (Top of the Hill)
Stop 3: Chubby's Steaks

• Location: 5826 Henry Ave (Roxborough)
• Menu: chubbyssteaks.com
• Highlights: An iconic Roxborough fixture since 1987, featuring fried onions cooked right into the ribeye and classic cheeses on soft 10-inch rolls.

Stop 4: Dallesandro's Steaks

• Location: 600 Henry Ave (Roxborough)
• Menu: dalessandros.com
• Highlights: Located directly across the street from Chubby's! Widely renowned as one of Philadelphia's top cheesesteak destinations, famous for their finely chopped ribeye piled high on fresh 12-inch rolls.

Phase 3: Return to Base Manayunk (The Base of the Hill)

The Deets

• Cost: Estimated $20 per person. The final cost will depend on our group size and the total number of cheesesteaks ordered to sample at each location. Please bring cash to make splitting the bill easy!
• RSVP & Ordering: To avoid long wait times, we pre-order family-style samples. After you RSVP, you must fill out our Google Form to submit your preference choices.
  👉 Google Form Link: https://forms.gle/mYLnY5YTgwhmhjWF6 (Opens 1 week before the event at 12:00 PM).
• Attendance Confirmation: Space is limited and waitlists fill quickly. All attendees must confirm attendance. If you have not confirmed 24 hours prior to the event, you will be moved to "Not Going" so someone on the waitlist can attend.
• Guests: Guest options are disabled for this event. Please encourage your friends to join the Meetup group and sign up directly!
• Drinks: Everyone is responsible for purchasing or bringing their own beverages.
• Weather: This event requires walking and outdoor seating. In the event of heavy rain, we will reschedule.
• Parking: Street and lot parking are available near Main Street in Manayunk, as well as along Ridge Ave/Hermitage St near Gorgas Park.

I can't wait to conquer the hill first and sample these four legendary spots with all of you!

Cirque, Cocktails & Camaraderie at Fabrika

Sat, Oct 3 · 5:00 PM EDT

Fabrika, 1108 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, USA, Philadelphia, PA, US

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE RSVPing

• Ticket Purchase Required: All attendees remain on the waitlist until you message me to confirm you have purchased your ticket.
• Ticket Type & Entry: You must purchase a General Seating ticket with 5:00 PM entry (total cost is approximately $55 including fees).
• Mandatory Group Note: When purchasing your ticket, you must write "Fabulous Philly Friends" in the notes section, or the venue will not seat you with our group!
• Seating Policy: Fabrika seats parties only when everyone is present. We will observe a strict 10-minute grace period: we will wait until 5:10 PM, at which point we will be seated as a group. If you arrive after 5:10 PM, you will not be able to join our table.

Details:
Get ready for an electric, jaw-dropping night out as we head to Fishtown's premier dinner theater for OPUS at Fabrika! If you've ever wanted to experience Vegas-style entertainment right here in Philadelphia, this is the ultimate night to do it.

Why You Should Join Us:
OPUS is a breathtaking, high-energy variety show that completely redefines dinner theater. Centered around Fabrika's famous 360-degree hydraulic stage and industrial-chic space, the production brings together world-class international talent. Expect to be dazzled by gravity-defying aerialists, powerhouse acrobats, mesmerizing cirque acts, alluring burlesque, dynamic dancers, and sharp comedy. Performance artists don't just stay on stage—they work the entire room, making every single seat feel like front-row action. Plus, the main show starts at 6:45 PM and runs until 9:30 PM, after which Fabrika seamlessly transitions into a lively nightclub! It is an unforgettable, sensory-packed spectacle that guarantees plenty of laughs, gasps, and great conversations with your favorite Philly friends.

What's the Plan?
We'll be gathering at 5:00 PM to settle into our general seating area, grab some drinks, and browse the à la carte menu. You'll be able to order delicious food and handcrafted cocktails throughout the evening while taking in the incredible pre-show atmosphere and the full-scale production. You can preview the venue and experience here: https://fabrikaphilly.com/

The Deets:

• When: October 3rd at 5:00 PM sharp (remember our 10-minute grace period—we will be seated at 5:10 PM). The show itself runs from 6:45 PM to 9:30 PM, after which the venue transforms into a nightclub.
• Where: Fabrika, 1108 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125.
• Cost: General seating tickets are $55 including fees. Food and drinks from the à la carte menu are ordered individually on-site.
• Food & Drinks: An à la carte menu of delicious bites and full bar/cocktail service is available throughout the event.
• Parking: Street parking is available in the surrounding Fishtown neighborhood, but ridesharing and public transit are strongly encouraged.

Can't wait to share this mind-blowing entertainment experience with you all!