Philly in mid-September is a vibe \u2014 peak patio weather, peak tailgate energy, peak weird drinks (Caesar salad martini, anyone?). This week blends open streets, local legends, and one very dependable gold-glass chain restaurant. Whether you\u2019re pumpkin-picking in Yardley or singing along with Sheryl Crow, here\u2019s what\u2019s happening:<\/p>\n
This week\u2019s lineup:<\/b><\/p>\n
\u2014 Sam Ruland (Email me at thingstodo@inquirer.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here<\/a>.<\/p>\n When the power\u2019s out, the BYOB turns you away, or you just need a reliable Friday night fallback, there\u2019s one place Philly diners consistently turn to: The Cheesecake Factory. Yes, that Cheesecake Factory. Hira Qureshi unpacks the cult appeal of Center City\u2019s gold-glass temple of shrimp scampi and pasta \u2014 and why it\u2019s become a beloved standby for date nights, birthday dinners, and yap sessions over bread baskets and Diet Cokes.<\/a><\/p>\n The best things to do this week<\/p>\n \ud83e\udd85 Where to watch the Eagles game this Sunday:<\/b> Whether you\u2019re craving a 58-foot screen, a $6 citywide, or a wall-size projector at a local brewery, this roundup has all the top spots to post up for the Birds\u2019 game \u2014 from massive venues to neighborhood bars.<\/a><\/p>\n \u26be Kyle Schwarber just hit 50 home runs<\/b> \u2014 but how\u2019s your Phillies HR trivia game? Only two Phillies have ever hit 50+ home runs in a single season. Can you name all 11 players who\u2019ve hit 35 or more? Test your knowledge with our quiz.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf78 Would you drink a Caesar salad martini?<\/b> O\u2019Jung\u2019s Tavern in Pennsport is serving up a Dirty Spicy Caesar martini \u2014 made with vodka, buffalo sauce, and actual Caesar dressing.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf07 How to have a perfect Philly Day<\/b> like CCD\u2019s Prema Katari Gupta: Walk Open Streets in Center City, grab coffee, chase bubbles, browse Anthropologie, get chai ice cream from Malai, eat dosas at Amma\u2019s, and end with a Phillies game.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f Manayunk Restaurant Week:<\/b> Prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus ($15 \u2014$45) are on at Manayunk\u2019s top spots through Sept. 14. A great excuse to find a new fave or revisit an old one.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udfad Fringe Festival:<\/b> The citywide arts takeover is back with 300+ shows and events through Sept. 29 \u2014 think theater, dance, film, and lots of weird fun.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf83 FallFest at Shady Brook Farm:<\/b> Pick pumpkins, wander a Sesame Street corn maze, or hit haunted attractions after dark. Runs now through Halloween in Yardley.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc5 My calendar picks this week<\/b><\/a>: Watch the Eagles game at a bar with big screens and beer specials, try a Caesar salad martini made with real dressing in South Philly, and head to FallFest for pumpkins, corn mazes, and spooky night fun.<\/p>\n The thing of the week<\/p>\n Two Philly restaurants \u2014 Mawn in South Philly and Meetinghouse in Kensington \u2014 just made the New York Times\u2019 list of the best restaurants in America. Mawn is a wildly popular Cambodian BYOB with a James Beard-winning chef, and Meetinghouse is a polished tavern with house beers and next-level roast beef. A national spotlight on two very different, and very Philly, spots.<\/a><\/p>\n Summer fun this week and beyond<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf6a A new Girl Scout cookie is coming.<\/b> Meet the Exploremores \u2014 a rocky road \u2014 inspired cookie with chocolate, marshmallow, and toasted almond cream. They\u2019ll be available when the cookie season begins<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f Philly chef wins big (again).<\/b> Phila Lorn of Mawn just earned a spot on Food & Wine\u2019s 2025 Best New Chefs list, just days before opening his new restaurant, Sao.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf5d Miss a few openings this summer?<\/b> From Stephen Starr\u2019s celeb-filled Borromini to a vegan Puerto Rican spot in East Kensington and an Upper Darby Mexican BYOB, here are 25 new restaurants in Philly and beyond to add to your list.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83e\uddaa Meet Philly\u2019s oyster king.<\/b> A man who calls himself the Hippie Meathead attempted to eat 1,000 oysters at an Eagles tailgate \u2014 and made it to about 200. He\u2019s gone viral for his wild food challenges, and yes, there were funnels, bikinis, and a Tabasco-in-the-eye incident.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac <\/b>Patrice: The Movie<\/b> just won an Emmy.<\/b> The Philly-directed documentary about a New Jersey couple fighting for marriage equality and disability rights took home an Emmy for exceptional merit. Watch it on Hulu.<\/a><\/p>\n Our critic\u2019s picks<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfa4 Thursday:<\/b> A Huffamouse reunion lands in Ardmore, and Mondo Cozmo plays Johnny Brenda\u2019s. R&B fans can catch Sheena Easton in Millville and Eric Andersen in East Falls.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfb6 Friday:<\/b> The Outlaw Music Festival returns to Camden with legends Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and Sheryl Crow. Plus: Christian McBride plays City Winery, The Happy Fits do Free at Noon, and Car Seat Headrest hits the Mann.<\/p>\n \ud83e\udd41 Saturday:<\/b> Eric Clapton\u2019s first Philly show in 16 years headlines a packed night that also includes zydeco favorites Pine Leaf Boys in Norristown, Mdou Moctar and Yasmin Williams in King of Prussia, and King Britt and Tyshawn Sorey at ICA.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfba Sunday:<\/b> Charlie Wilson\u2019s R&B Cookout at the Mann features Babyface and El DeBarge, while Trombone Shorty brings the party to Wilmington and Wet Leg plays Franklin Music Hall.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfa4 Monday:<\/b> Garbage and Starcrawler close out the long weekend with a grungy double bill at Franklin Music Hall.<\/p>\n Read more music picks<\/a>.<\/p>\n The take<\/p>\n We\u2019re in it. The sweet spot. The time of year when hoodie mornings turn into sunny patio afternoons, \u201cGo Birds\u201d doubles as a greeting, and your block\u2019s fall decorations, Halloween blowups, and Eagles flags are all proudly fighting for space. It\u2019s \u201cpeak Philly season,\u201d and as Stephanie Farr writes, no one does cozy chaos like us.<\/a><\/p>\n