The area known as the Italian Market is about as nitty & gritty as it gets, while still being a cool place to browse and shop. It’s diametric to the clean, bright organic markets of the west coast, yet loaded with treats that bring me back to Italy itself.

The outdoor fruit & vegetable stands are pretty much run by immigrants, with not an organic sign to be seen. Yet the produce is fresh and half the price of the grocery stores.

It’s the 9th Street brick stores contain the many authentic meat, cheese, pasta and pastry shops, many who have been run by the same families for generations. I passed on any real shopping this trip but indulged an amazing fruit tart from Isgro Pastries. Well, I carried it out in a box and then sat and ordered a dark rich coffee at Anthony’s Italian Coffee Shop. I’ll be back to buy a bit more cheese, fresh pasta and some only-in-Philadelphia Italian pastries.

All in moderation of course!