Tony Fitts:  Sorry about the confusion there, Dom. Yes, it's Newtown, Bucks County.

[Comment From John] Well, I have heard there may be a new German place coming to South St... but we will see...

Tony Fitts:  Interesting...lemme look into it....

[Comment From Brett] Is there any place to purchase Prime Beef for cooking besides Main Line Prime, the closer to Center City the better-

Tony Fitts:  Absolutely! In the Reading Terminal, there's always Harry Ochs, which is probably the best butcher in town. But I've also become a quick fan of Giunta's Prime, a new-ish butcher just a few stands away. They have very nice meat, excellent service, and pretty good prices, too. Of course, there is also always Sonny D'Angelo in the Italian Market, who also has some of the only grass-fed beef in town that 's not previously frozen (as well as a selection of kobe beef, etc.)

[Comment From Jeremy D.] I'm sorry to come in so late to the chat, but has anyone mentioned Jones? I know that it is kitchy and gimmicky and all, but they--honest to god--have the real comfort foods from my childhood and I just LOVE that place, especially in the winter. That tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich warms my soul...

Tony Fitts:  Definitely - Jones delivers on the comfort food promise. I still think they make possibly the best fried chicken in town. And that chocolate cake (I believe a legacy of Sonjia Spector's stint there pre-Matyson)...is excellent.

[Comment From Steve G] Craig, any recommendations of where to get pho around Center City or Washington Ave? Haven't had it since my days out in California.

Tony Fitts:  I'm a Pho 75 fan, both on Washington Ave. (at 12th) and in Chinatown at their new-ish Race St. location. You've got to like a place that is so serious about its soup that pho is the only thing they make. If you want to nibble on something else, there's always Nam Phuong (across teh parking lot from Pho 75), Vietnam, Vietnam Palace and Pho Cali, also in Chinatown.

[Comment From Jeremy D.] Yeah, I love that cake, too! A little off-topic...I was on a chat with you a couple of months ago and someone briefly mentioned my neighborhood (wash west) sushi place, Shinju. I was just wondering if you have ever eaten there and what is your quick and dirty take on it? It just got really high marks (at least for the food) in Zagat.

Tony Fitts:  I liked Shinju QUITE a lot. It's a small place, with sort of flighty, slow service, but I found many of the composed rolls to be creative, generously portioned, and well crafted. This is not a place to go for any particularly exotic or special fish, but they make up for it in roll creativity, freshness and value. Wish Shinju was in my neighborhood.

[Comment From Chad C] Pho Ha at 6th and Washington is very good.

Tony Fitts:  I think Pho Ha is one of those places you go when people want to get something other than pho. It's ok, but I've had less luck here than Pho 75 - the noodles aren't quite as snappy, the broth isn't quite as complex. It's still not a bad spot - we sometimes use it for a weekend take-out lunch on the way back from a big stock-up shop at the supermaket on Del. Ave....

[Comment From Steve G] I've been to Shinju once before and thought it was pretty good. I'm not a big sushi fan, but it's one of the few places where I've actually found something that I liked. It's very tiny though, only about 5 or 6 tables.

Tony Fitts:  I was most intrigued by some of the pressed rolls - great textures, lots of crunchies, good spicy fish...

[Comment From Jeremy D.] Not to hijack the whole chat, but I have ONE MORE question. We really like La Lupe in south philly for that genuine mexican taqueria thing, but..we have (shamefully) never tried any of the other places. Are there any that you recommend. One caveat: we don't eat meat!

Tony Fitts:  Jeremy - you're right, that is another chat. ...

[Comment From Jay] craig, just got done "the man who ate everything"... is there any food you had to force yourself to learn to like if you were going ? Are there still things you order on a menu that you appreciate more for their execution/artistry than the actual pleasure you derive out of it, given it may not be your favorite type of food?

Tony Fitts:  Jay - I can't say I was looking forward to the grilled veal liver I just ate on Friday night. But if you happen to be hanging out at the right Uzbeki grill (as I was), you might be surprised at how good grilled liver can be....(I know I was...)

[Comment From Carol Fritz] All this food talk is making me hungry...