First off, if you don’t know what the Main Line is, it’s basically where every kid who says they’re from “outside of Philly” is actually from. While the boundaries are pretty loose, technically speaking, the Main Line includes the suburbs to the West of Philadelphia (que “in West Philadelphia born and raised…”) that runs along US Route 30, or Lancaster Avenue as natives know it.
I was born and raised on the Main Line, but I now go to a school where the food on and around campus is incredible. Despite the vast array of great food options, I still miss some of the Main Line’s iconic food spots.
Most of the time, it’s not even the actual food that I long for. It’s all of the memories I have in these places that make them so dearly missed when I’m away. Sure, they may not be like some of the restaurants in New York City or LA, but here are the top 11 Main Line food spots that every kid misses when they go away to school.
11. Campus Corner
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
This place is more than just a pizza joint for Villanova students. This was where tons of high school kids gathered on Friday nights to scheme about the night’s plans or reminisce about Friday nights past spent at Shipley dances, Paoli Parties, or St. Kev’s (if you were a little more edgy).
10. Peace A Pizza
Photo courtesy of @mandismeals on Instagram
It’s no secret that Philly is severely challenged when it comes to good pizza, but you grew up with and came to love Peace A Pizza’s sweet tomato sauce, wide range of flavors, and psychedelic atmosphere. The best part? Hope’s for dessert.
9. Minella’s
Photo courtesy of yelp.com
The only legit diner on the Main Line, Minella’s was the place to be between midnight and 2 am on weekend nights. You went here after every house party for anything from a stack of chocolate chip pancakes to a milkshake and saw at least 10 other groups of friends you knew doing the same.
8. Philly Pretzel Factory
Photo courtesy of @pretzel.factory.lansdale on Instagram
Nothing, and I mean nothing, made a better post-game snack than a good soft pretzel from Philly Pretzel Factory. Just the sight of the signature brown paper bag could give you the motivation to win your tennis match or lacrosse game. These pretzels also made the ideal snack to cheer you up if you lost. #winwin
7. Azie
Photo courtesy of mainlinetoday.com
No birthday celebration was complete without dinner at Azie. From the sushi to the rock shrimp to the kobe beef fried rice and the truffle fries, you left this place feeling 10 pounds heavier every time you went. You didn’t mind, though, because it was a hella good meal.
6. Bakery House
Photo courtesy of @caloriecrew on Instagram
Sure, your best friend probably sent you Baked by Melissa on your birthday, and that’s all well and good, but no cake or cupcake has that same unbelievable density and rich frosting that Bakery House’s do.
5. The Ardmore Farmers Market
Photo courtesy of montco.happeningmag.com
This place is home to some of the best food you can find on the Main Line, and it’s all in one spot. You can get a whole meal from start to finish from every corner of the world. Sushi with a side of soft pretzels from Stoltzfus Bakery? Sure. A sandwich from DiBruno’s and a kale shake to wash it all down? Go for it. The world is your oyster.
4. Sweetgreen
Photo courtesy of @halle_etc on Instagram
First of all, I know that some schools do have a Sweetgreen near them. However, for those of us that don’t, the lack of Sweetgreen leaves a massive hole in our hearts while we are at school. Here at Michigan, we do have a few build-your-own salad places, but nothing compares to Sweetgreen. We had one of the first locations outside of the DC area, and we are proud to have eaten it for lunch at least three to four times every week.
3. Ardmore Station Cafe
Photo courtesy of @ardmorecafe on Instagram
Nothing said Saturday morning like a trip to Station. You went here partially for the food (fried Oreo’s FTW), but mostly for the scene.
2. Hope’s Cookies
Photo courtesy of @czagarow on Instagram
Insomnia is not the same. Period.
1. Wawa
Photo courtesy of @wawa on Instagram
Main Line kids love nothing more — and miss nothing more when they go away to college — than Wawa. A convenience store? Sorta. A sandwich shop? Kinda. There’s really no point in trying to explain what makes it so amazing to people not from the area, so your new college friends will just have to make the trek out to the Main Line to visit you to truly appreciate Wawa’s greatness.