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    Rose's Water Ice

    4.4 (39 reviews)
    InexpensiveSpecialty Food, Grocery
    Closed 7:00 am - 11:00 AM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Me
    Tamara B.

    The food was delicious. The bread was fresh, the egg was real!, the meat scrapple and bacon crisp and tasty My coffee like I made it myself

    Lee L.

    Great local family business. Friendly service. Super tasty Black Cherry Water Ice. Delish pretzel. It was the perfect hot day snack stop.

    Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sandwich $6
    Matt R.

    Heard about the breakfast sandwiches here and have been here in the past for water ice. Water ice is solid and good spot if it's walkable. Parking is a hard ask near this intersection. Ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese on a long roll which was made fresh and rather quickly. Nice soft roll. $6 total for the sandwich.

    mango water ice

    randomly drove by this place and decided to try their mango water ice. really refreshing and tasty! the lady working was also the sweetest. she said it was a family business. lots of street parking. definitely give this spot a try!

    Maggie M.

    8 or 9 years ago I had an apartment directly across the street from the window and bench that are Rose's Water Ice. I remember those summers as paradise-- I would ride my bike the 3 1/2 miles uphill home from work and at the end would be the glorious reward of a large Rose's lemon or vanilla water ice. Perhaps the best thing about Rose's, however, was that they added year-round breakfast sandwiches and hot sausage. This meant, on lazy weekend mornings, I could basically roll out of bed and have a bacon egg and cheese almost instantly. It's 8 or 9 years later and, though I no longer live across the street, I still swing through for my own version of the hair of the dog, and still find myself counting down the days til summer and water ice... A large bacon/sausage, egg and cheese is $5-- a little steep, but the rolls are fresh and if you stand at the window you get to watch the guy cook it. Look at as the price of admission. If you like your eggs scrambled make sure to ask for it that way, otherwise you'll get them hard fried. They also offer sandwiches on bagels. During the off-seasons they don't always have soft pretzels, but once Memorial Day rolls around they carry them regularly (though they rarely last all day). If you swing through early enough, you can also snag an Inquirer and/or the Daily News. It's on street parking, but (knock wood) I am usually able to cruise up and park right in front of the place (gotta admit, however, I've never tried it before 10 am)... The water ice is homemade on the premises and they throw in random flavors occasionally to supplement the standards. They also used to have a little yellow and green jeep that drove around manayunk selling lemon, cherry, and random flavor x out of the back every day. i don't live or work anywhere that I used to see him anymore, so I can't say for sure if they still do it, but I hope so. I used to work at a playground in MYK, and my favorite thing of a night was when the Rose's truck would cruise by. WE got Mr Softee and Jack & Jill all the time, but i've always been awater ice girl.... Rose's is a neighborhood staple, and deservedly so. There are plenty of mornings when it can be a real lifesaver and there are tons of summer days when it's one of the best ways to survive the heat.

    Food & Hours
    Kelly C.

    First time there today - went for breakfast and made it there just in time ! I called to see what time they closed .. 11am (on Wednesday) They had sandwiches ready and even though our walk there took longer than expected .. (We arrived a little after 11) The man working there was very kind ! Sandwiches were so good ! Hot & fresh! Definitely going back !

    Breakfast sandwich on a long roll
    Elise K.

    Water ice, schmater ice - come here for the breakfast sandwiches! At first, you may be reluctant to fork over your $5 bill for one sandwich, but trust me when I say that when you unwrap that steaming hot beauty on a perfectly soft roll, it's totally worth it. They are DELICIOUS and always hit the spot! We're a scrapple-egg-and-cheese-on-a-long-roll family, sometimes splitting one sandwich, or, depending on level of hangover, greedily scarfing one down per person. In the summers, they have plastic tables and chairs outside. It's kind of a Roxborough institution with local owners and friendly local folks who work there, so it's got a great homey Philadelphia atmosphere. Call ahead to order your sandwiches if you don't feel like watching/waiting while they make them to order.

    Large cherry

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    16 days ago

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    15 days ago

    Great breakfast sandwiches with great vegetarian options behind just egg and cheese. Will be going back

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

    I'm a breakfast person and I love Joe's selection of breakfast sandwiches and the coffee. It's fast the prices are good too!

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great water ice! One of the must-go places in Roxborough! Just get anything OTHER than lemon, and you'd be fine!

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    6 years ago

    If you have not been to Rose's for some water ice you are a sad excuse of a human being. That is all.

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    13 years ago

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    10 years ago

    This place was closed at 830pm. Their hours are supposed to be until 9pm. Not a very good first impression or experience.

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    11 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Amazing food in the morning and real Philly water ice to die for

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    13 years ago

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    11 years ago

    My kids and I love their water ice! The prices are good and the staff is very friendly. We actually prefer Rose's over Rita's.

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    9 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Had their water ice at our community event. The flavors were great and the staff were very accommodating and nice.

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    12 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Made me remember what real Italian ice is supposed to taste like! Never want to go back to Rita's again. Great stuff.

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    Ask the Community - Rose's Water Ice

    Review Highlights - Rose's Water Ice

    A bit overpriced at $7 for what looks like 2 eggs and a couple pieces of pork roll.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Trader Joe's

    Trader Joe's

    3.9(519 reviews)
    5.5 miPenn Center, Logan Square
    $$

    This Trader Joe's on Market Street is one of my favorite stores to visit. I think of it more as a…read moreneighborhood market than a traditional supermarket, a place where you can quickly pick up what you need and be on your way without feeling overwhelmed. Its smaller footprint, especially for this location, works in its favor. The store is bright, clean, and well-organized, which immediately elevates the experience. The lively music, upbeat energy, and beautiful packaging create a fun, almost "adult amusement park" atmosphere. Even when it's busy, and the lines look long, they move quickly and efficiently. I usually walk, but there's a parking lot behind the store and street parking nearby when needed. What truly makes this place special is the staff. They are consistently warm, friendly, and genuinely helpful. If you ask about an item, they walk you right to it, and they never seem bothered if you interrupt while they're stocking shelves. I also appreciate the team's continuity. Over time, you start to recognize familiar faces, and I've met crew members who transferred here from places like Oakland and Charleston, which speaks to a strong internal culture and mobility within the company. Just being in the store lifts my spirits. Another standout is the curated selection. Trader Joe's carries a fraction of the SKUs you'd find in a typical grocery store, about one-tenth as many, and that dramatically reduces decision fatigue. Instead of comparing endless versions of the same product, you can trust that what's on the shelf is a good choice. It makes shopping faster, easier, and far more enjoyable. Prices are competitive, and the quality is strong across the board. The meat and fish are generally fresh, the produce is reliable, and while I occasionally try something that's just average, the overall hit rate is excellent. The rotating seasonal items add a festive, timely element that makes each visit feel a little different and always fun, whether you're getting into the spirit of a holiday, planning a dinner party, or just trying something new. Some of my regular favorites are the Shrimp Scampi, Chicken Shawarma, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Chocolate Croissants, Bolognese sauce, Green Chile Chicken Bowl, Cookie Butter ice cream, the Focaccia Baguette, the fresh salmon, grilled sliced chicken, and the eucalyptus plants, which always make my apartment feel calmer and more inviting. More broadly, this company feels like it was built with real love and creativity. There is a genuine culture of celebrating people for who they are and encouraging everyone, both customers and crew, to show up authentically, and you can feel that the moment you walk in. Trader Joe's is also intentionally a bit mysterious and low profile as a brand. If you're ever curious about the backstory, the Freakonomics podcast episode on the company is fantastic and explains many of the thoughtful, unconventional decisions that you notice reflected in the stores. It's incredibly rare to watch a company scale the way this one has while still holding onto its character and values. This location is a perfect microcosm of why Trader Joe's is such a special and distinctive brand: great value, efficient shopping, carefully curated products, and genuinely kind people, all in a space that consistently leaves me happier than when I walked in. I always look forward to coming here. Thank you!

    I think this is the best Trader Joe's in the Philadelphia area. My regular haunt for sure as a…read moreresident in Center City. First off, parking is a pretty nice experience. Of course, you can expect to maybe wait a bit during peak hours (before work, right after work), but they usually have someone stationed at the front of the lot to only let you in once there's a space available. A nice courtesy! Inside this location is kept stocked, organized, and clean. I think the only time I was not able to find something was when roads froze over and caused for one of their morning shipments to get canceled. External factors aside, you should be able to find anything you're looking for here in stock. The lines can definitely wrap around the store during peak shopping times, but the system they have to push people through the checkouts proceeds as fast as I could imagine. They've got a well-oiled machine here, and just have that many customers. Finally, just one anecdote. One time my wife was shopping here last minute for flowers after a friend's pet died. Since she was running late, she asked the person directly cashier traffic if she could cut the line and checkout with just her flowers. The person proceeded to ask for the flowers, cut off the tag, and let her go without purchase. Amazing service is just the norm here!

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    Trader Joe's
    Trader Joe's
    Trader Joe's

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    Rittenhouse Market

    Rittenhouse Market

    2.7(134 reviews)
    6.0 miRittenhouse Square
    $$$

    Rittenhouse Market is a neighborhood staple. Their staff is super friendly and knowledgable about…read moretheir store and offerings. The store is well kept, clean, organized and stocked. They have just about everything you'd see at a larger grocery store, just a bit less variety. As you could expect from a Center City neighborhood market, the prices are a bit steeper, but not enough to deter from going entirely. I do my main grocery shopping at ACME, but Rittenhouse Market is the perfect spot if I'm in between grocery trips or need to grab a few items.

    I first started spending time in Philadelphia in 2017 during a long-distance relationship with my…read morenow-wife. I was living in Soho and very much immersed in the New York lifestyle. New York will always be a singular, extraordinary place to me, but Rittenhouse Market has come to represent my transition into Philly and my growing appreciation for what makes this city special. After getting married in 2021, I moved here full-time. Leaving New York was bittersweet, and apartment hunting during COVID was emotional. I'd never imagined living anywhere else. But discovering Rittenhouse Market immediately pulled me toward this neighborhood and helped it feel like home. Today, it's a staple of my daily life. The market is organic, well cared for, and thoughtfully run by people who understand their community. Prices are fair, the selection is practical yet discerning, and nothing feels overly precious or performative. The staff is consistently friendly and knowledgeable, with almost no turnover, which gives the place a rare sense of continuity. Countless small touches reflect its role as a neighborhood institution: stamps, cards, Christmas trees, firewood, those random essentials you don't realize you need until you do. It's a modern corner market that still remembers its roots. My previous local markets were Gourmet Garage, Citarella, and Gristedes. Rittenhouse Market feels like the best elements of all three: the charm and curation, the organic sensibility, the everyday practicality, without the usual tradeoffs. It's a market rather than a full-scale grocery, but the breadth of offerings is impressive. (Their South Street location, South Square Market, is even larger.) The store functions as a kind of mini town square for neighborhood residents, and the people watching is great. The staff and regulars have this effortlessly cool, authentic, and unpretentious vibe that feels very Philly. While I love gourmet spots like Di Bruno Bros, which serve a different purpose, Rittenhouse Market is where daily life actually happens. They complement each other perfectly. For me, this place mirrors the experience of settling into Philadelphia, becoming a family person, and finding a rhythm that balances convenience with character. It's not engineered for trends or social media, just quietly confident in what it is. That combination, progressive and global yet grounded and unpretentious, is exactly what I've come to love about Philly. Rittenhouse Market embodies that spirit, and I'll remain a loyal customer as long as I live nearby. Thank you!

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    Rittenhouse Market
    Rittenhouse Market - The bad business and where you don't need to spend your money  save yourself the headache. Not worth the risk.

    The bad business and where you don't need to spend your money save yourself the headache. Not worth the risk.

    Rittenhouse Market - Unfair pricing practices

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    Unfair pricing practices

    Di Bruno Bros.

    Di Bruno Bros.

    4.0(635 reviews)
    5.8 miPenn Center, Rittenhouse Square
    $$
    Private events
    Grab-and-go

    Di Bruno Bros on Chestnut Street in Rittenhouse has just about everything one needs. Within its…read morewalls is a butcher shop, a sushi stall, cheese market, desert and coffee counter, delicatessen, hot food bar, rotisserie chicken cabinet, appetizer refrigerator, fresh fish, vegetable aisle, wines of many colors and flavors, frozen food, as well as staples. I'm sure I left stuff out but you have to immerse yourself in it to love it as much as I do. I found that their lunch hero's and focaccia sandwiches are the best in the city for under 15USD each. Every employee is helpful and goes out of their way to make sure things go well. There are a few tables inside and outside to enjoy your meal and snacks. 5 stars!

    As someone visiting from Miami, I was immediately drawn to Di Bruno Bros. -- we just don't have…read moremany places like this back home! The store is absolutely beautiful and full of character. The incredible cheese selection, the curated Italian pastas, wines, and specialty foods -- it's a food lover's dream. I felt like a kid in a candy store, completely mesmerized by all the options. The staff was friendly, and everything looked so high-quality and well-presented. I was genuinely tempted to buy an assortment of cheeses to bring back home, and I still kind of regret not doing it. That said, I did have one experience that made me pause. Later that evening, as I walked by after closing hours, I peeked through the window to show my husband the shop I had visited earlier and I happened to see a few mice moving around inside the store. It was definitely unsettling to witness, especially after seeing all the exposed cheeses and displays earlier in the day. I completely understand that older city buildings (especially in places like Philly) have their challenges, and I'm sure this isn't unique to Di Bruno Bros. Still, as a customer, it did take away from the magic of my earlier visit. Overall, Di Bruno Bros. is a gorgeous and well-curated Italian market that I'd recommend visiting for its atmosphere and specialty goods but I hope management is able to address cleanliness concerns, because the store truly deserves to shine as brightly as its reputation.

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    Di Bruno Bros.
    Di Bruno Bros.
    Di Bruno Bros.

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    MOM's Organic Market

    MOM's Organic Market

    4.3(109 reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$

    Great food selection, fresh fruits, and vegetables and dairy. I can't find in other supermarkets…read moregood healthy choices for other grocery items wonderful atmosphere. I never have to wait for a long time in line to pay Center Coty parking available if you go with a car.

    On a recent trip to Philly I stopped in Mom's Organic Market to stock up on groceries for my home…read morestay where I could cook. I am currently living in San Francisco so San Franciscans in Philly can think of Mom's Organic Market akin to Rainbow Grocery in SF. Mom's has a great variety of local and organic produce. Hard to find items that you would find in a good well stocked natural food store or cooperative like Mom's is. Staff is friendly. The layout of the store is a labyrinth that can be confusing like a rubik's cube too far gone yet with a little patience and perhaps asking security, staff, or one of the regulars they can help you get your learning curve to navigate the store of organic natural food product heaven. Within Mom's is the Naked Lunch vegan restaurant which I will return to have a bite there as it looks interesting. I am a proud graduate of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University in Boulder, CO where I received the William S. Burroughs scholarship. I did my thesis on William S. Burroughs and William S. Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch aka the cut up novel for which this restaurant is named. Since I was in Philly two weeks I was mixing up dining out at the wonderful vegan foodie scene in Philly along with cooking at my homestay. For cooking at my homestay at Mom's I picked up the following: Soymilk Local and organic blueberries Bananas Garnet jewel sweet potatoes Limes Avocados Organic granny smith apples Red cabbage Ginger root Sweet yellow onion I am pretty sure all the produce was organic. Mom's has been family owned and operated since 1987. Great bulk bin items. Great produce. In a word, great. Mom's sets the bar high for a natural food store. They are like the special forces of natural food stores which is quite alright in my book.Each day Mom's states customers prevent 9,233 grocery bags from being used. Mom's has banned over 250 ingredients from our products storewide. Mom's has chosen to print their receipts on BPA and BPS free paper products for the safety of it's community and the environment. In a word...Yes!

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    MOM's Organic Market
    MOM's Organic Market
    MOM's Organic Market - 6/14/23

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    6/14/23

    Rose's Water Ice - gourmet - Updated May 2026

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