The University City food scene has seen a variety of updates this year. Here’s all you need to know about restaurant changes as the semester comes to an end.
Jan. 12 — The burger chain Five Guys opened a University City location after over a year of delays. The restaurant, which was first announced in August 2021, is located next to the Quad at 3714 Spruce St.
Jan. 16 — The McDonald’s at 40th and Walnut streets, which has operated in University City for over 50 years, closed to make way for the site’s redevelopment into a mixed-use University office building.
Jan. 30 — Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea opened at Franklin’s Table Food Hall, offering unique boba drinks made with raw ingredients and fresh fruits.
Feb. 19 — Fried chicken restaurant Wishbone suddenly closed after 10 years of operation. It was located at 4034 Walnut St.
Feb. 26 — Craft beer brewhouse and restaurant City Tap House closed its University City location one year after it reopened, following nearly two years of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was located in The Radian apartment complex at 39th and Walnut streets.
March 30 — Coffee shop and retailer United By Blue closed both of its Philadelphia locations, including one on Penn’s campus at 3421 Walnut St.
June 13 — Gong Cha, a bubble tea chain with around 1,800 stores worldwide, opened in The Radian at 3925 Walnut St.
June 17 — Acai bowl chain Playa Bowls opened at 4043 Walnut St, the former location of Wishbone.
June 19 — Acai bowl chain SoBol, located at 3736 Spruce St., closed over the summer after five years of operation.
Sept. 12 — Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings opened a University City location at 125 S. 40th St., serving Nashville-style chicken fingers, Korean fried chicken, and boba.
Oct. 25 — Tropical Smoothie Cafe, which specializes in smoothies and health foods, opened a University City location in the ground floor of the 3737 Chestnut apartment building.
A new food hall was scheduled to open this fall in University City, featuring 16 food and beverage vendors. It will occupy over 13,000 square feet of the Bulletin Building at 3025 Market St. Vendors and an official opening date are yet to be announced.
Check out the rest of the DP’s Year in Review content here.
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