Italian Market 9th Street — Attraction in Philadelphia

Location: Easy parking and streets...fuhgeddaboudit! Congested, loud and dense. Park far away and walk over.

Street Vendors and Food: The "local" produce is not local. Many farmer's markets and fresh markets resell produce. Ex. "Local" Kiwi, Bananas and out of season fruits. The Italian storefronts are a must-do, and the butchers are not to be reckoned with. For the street vendors though, many goods could be better priced with higher quality at a flea market. Many cheap made-in-China trinkets and home goods available. I come from Pittsburgh where we have the Strip District which touts local and family-owned storefronts. This may be why I'm not floored here.

Diversity: I don't know why this is taunted as an Italian Market as the diversity includes Mexican, Middle-Eastern, American and French options. They have a few bakeries, cheese stores, coffee shops and meat markets that are Italian but don't expect hung prosciutto outside with cheesecake and cappuccino being consumed in outdoor seating. Ex: This area includes a Spanish Grocery store and Los Amigos Meat Market with garbage trucks spewing smells and exhaust as people throw in old boxes (no recycling?). The best food we found to eat was Blue Corn (Mexican) and it was excellent.

Overall: I think for produce you may be happier with the price and quality of produce by going to an Aldi. Also, you don't have the added taste of diesel delivery truck exhaust blowing into the "local" goods. I like the history of this area and protecting it's originality, but it does not compare to what we have in Pittsburgh (no brotherly love for your market). I would come through here to get cheese and fresh butcher cuts. Outside of this, it wasn't my shot of espresso.

Tips: Bring cash, a recycled bag for your items and forbearance as you may...

Have been shopping in the Italian Market for 30+ years. The Italian Market still feels like old Philly even though many of the Italian stands and shops have moved on to be replaced by other hard working Mexican, Central American and Asian ethnic groups, all adding something good to the market area. Great place to get a wide range of produce you won't see at many chain supermarkets but understand choose wisely, some produce may be slightly past prime so buy to cook in the next few days. Italian Market stalwarts that should not be missed: Fante's for kitchenwares, Claudio's, DiBrunno's and Talluto's for Italian deli delicacies, Esposito's and Cannuli's for meats and poultry. Stop by Tortilleria San Roman for fresh tortillas, chips and their salsas and sauces. There are eateries as well we like, try Blue Corn, Villa Di Roma and Paesano's to name a few. The are places off of 9th worth a visit, as well. If you love cured salmons, fishes and jewish delicacies don't miss Biederman’s around the corner on...

First of all, one of shops at the Italian Market cheated me badly this morning. It is terribly disappointing when I checked my plastic shopping bag at home. In the bag, there supposed to be 6 lemons, 2 fresh paprika and a green cabage which I paid $4.50. BUT there are 5 lemons, and the yellow paprika was bad and much smaller than the other paprika. Check my photos. I picked the shop because it looked it has more variety. I wish I checked the bag when the shop gave me, but I trust people so I didn't. Especially the guy put back a yellow paprika after checking the other one, so I assumed he picked a better one for me, BUT apparently he cheated his customer with the quality and quantity....I cannot understand. It was the first time for me to buy fruit and vegetables at the Italian Market. Cheating and lying, those are the things of which I have never expected but happened at the Italian Market. Sorry to say: BE CAREFUL and CHECK when you buy anything at the...