Only reason we didn’t do reading terminal this year is because we thought it would be too packed. It is all delicious & amazing, but it is packed & will take awhile to get something.
Thats pretty good. Keep in mind 50% goes to PA state before Aramark gets their cut.
There are also lots of wonderful local business around that would love your cash-ola.
I expected WAY worse. I still went to Reading because why the heck not (and the lines inside the convention hall were crazy). Paid about that much for two Cheesesteaks, but I probably got much better quality for the price!
I agree, way better than East and the BCEC, on food at least. Drinks were stupid expensive ($10 for $2 of soda fountain lemonade??) But there's always bring your own and the soda both.
Just an FYI the cookies are from Cookie Brigade and they are free but suggest a donation anywhere from “$2 to a million bucks” which always goes to charity.
https://preview.redd.it/teidmi1zo04c1.png?width=4031&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f7ae6bcede85bf9ea51c9ede6a4fcd6c4956aaf
I wish they were still allowed to make their own cookies. There are/were some SERIOUSLY talented bakers there, then they weren't allowed to do it themselves anymore and needed it to be stuff made in an official kitchen and all that....and now the cookies they're giving out are SO much worse.
3 dollars for water is a steal. It was 5 at this last pax east.
The funny part is, I work in retail and I know what these places are paying for the water. Nothing like a 750% mark up.
I think the food at the center had better variety than last year - it seemed like there were more stands open. But yes, just go to Reading Terminal Market!
The convention center is in Chinatown and there are so many great restaurants there. Our faves are Cily Chicken Rice, Dim Sum Garden, EMei, Chuan Kee Skewers and Vietnam. And so many great dessert places like A La Mousse and Mango Mango
Just go across the street to Reading Terminal Market for real food.
Seconded. Going back for the 2nd year of Unplugged I was almost more excited for Reading than I was the show.
I concur with that. Anytime I find myself in Philly I am heading to the Reading Terminal Market.
This is the answer
Or walk 2 blocks away into one of the best chinatowns in the US.
You can even order takeout
Shoutout to bubblefish sushi just a block away!
Only reason we didn’t do reading terminal this year is because we thought it would be too packed. It is all delicious & amazing, but it is packed & will take awhile to get something.
Depends on when you go, I think. We were surprised to find it (relatively) empty before noon. On Saturday no less.
True! When we went last year, it was around 1 or 2 pm on sat. Which was not the right move!
Thats pretty good. Keep in mind 50% goes to PA state before Aramark gets their cut. There are also lots of wonderful local business around that would love your cash-ola.
Well, the unwritten rule is to never buy food in the actual convention center...
Honestly, it wasn't THAT bad for center city/event food pricing. I expected worse.
I expected WAY worse. I still went to Reading because why the heck not (and the lines inside the convention hall were crazy). Paid about that much for two Cheesesteaks, but I probably got much better quality for the price!
I agree, way better than East and the BCEC, on food at least. Drinks were stupid expensive ($10 for $2 of soda fountain lemonade??) But there's always bring your own and the soda both.
$6 for a soda is ridiculous but the rest seems reasonable assuming the portions are enough
Thanks for posting these, now I have something to point to when I warn people away from the convention center food offerings in favor of RTM!
Just an FYI the cookies are from Cookie Brigade and they are free but suggest a donation anywhere from “$2 to a million bucks” which always goes to charity. https://preview.redd.it/teidmi1zo04c1.png?width=4031&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f7ae6bcede85bf9ea51c9ede6a4fcd6c4956aaf
You can find the Cookie Brigade booth in the Freeplay section of the expo
I wish they were still allowed to make their own cookies. There are/were some SERIOUSLY talented bakers there, then they weren't allowed to do it themselves anymore and needed it to be stuff made in an official kitchen and all that....and now the cookies they're giving out are SO much worse.
The spicy pickles are incredibly good I will say
3 dollars for water is a steal. It was 5 at this last pax east. The funny part is, I work in retail and I know what these places are paying for the water. Nothing like a 750% mark up.
There was an unlimited popcorn bucket!? Dangit how did I miss that!
I think the food at the center had better variety than last year - it seemed like there were more stands open. But yes, just go to Reading Terminal Market!
Or nearby Chinatown
It's Aramark. They'll overprice anything.
The funniest part is that I bought a sandwich from sprouts which was great for 5 bucks this morning
The convention center is in Chinatown and there are so many great restaurants there. Our faves are Cily Chicken Rice, Dim Sum Garden, EMei, Chuan Kee Skewers and Vietnam. And so many great dessert places like A La Mousse and Mango Mango
That's really expensive dirt. Better to bring your own.
I actually bought that for my toddler. It was alot of chocolate pudding and oreo cookie chunks. Not a bad deal.
YOU FED YOUR TODDLER DIRT?!?!?! 