How do you discover an undiscovered restaurant?
Through an advertisement? Not likely.
In a guidebook? Never.
By word of mouth? But of course!
So we asked locals for their neighborhood favorites - the unheralded, easy-on-the-budget restaurants.
We found plenty of these so-called sleepers. All they have in common is a strong local clientele, outstanding food and service, clean surroundings, low prices - and low advertising budgets.
There is no way we could have included all the great places out there, and there is no way we could have hit every neighborhood. So here, in no particular order, is a sampling of the better finds. (Then again, now that they've been found out - are they still finds?)
TENTH STREET POUR HOUSE. This place fits right into Washington Square West in Center City. It's a little bit bohemian, a little bit - dare we say it? - establishment, and quite a bit relaxing. Sit on a comfy banquette or in a wooden booth, sip espresso or a double-capp and maybe play the Ouija board from the pile of games.
This is not your daddy-o's coffeehouse. Sure, there are muffins, scones, cookies and the like, but the service is un-slacker cordial. The food, served on faux Fiestaware, is serious and outrageously different: New Orleans! We've had the shrimp creole ($7.95 for a small), the Cajun shepherd's pie ($6.95) and Mama K's meat loaf ($6.95). All are terrific, hearty comfort foods, suitably spicy.
The Pour House also serves po'-boys - not hoagies. The fried shrimp version ($5.95) has lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and Thousand Island dressing on marvelously crunchy Le Bus bread. There's a full sandwich menu (the turkey and roast beef are roasted in-house), plus salads and soup. Full breakfast menu, too.
The only turnoff was the dirty entryway, littered with weekly newspapers and fliers.
Tenth Street Pour House, 262 S. 10th St. (off Spruce St.); 215-922-5626. No Credit Cards. BYOB. No smoking permitted.
MICHAEL ANGELO'S. That's Michael (space) Angelo's. Not ``Michelangelo's.'' The first one creates masterpieces on tables, the other put his on a ceiling in Italy.
Michael Angelo's is not just a Jersey pizzeria, although the pizzas and Italian sandwiches are better than average. Cherry Hill folks pack this homey, slightly worn treasure in a strip mall off Brace Road for the outstanding pastas, topped by all kinds of beautifully prepared sauces. The prices here, especially at lunch, are a steal.
