One part deli counter, one part food market, Milk & Honey is a slice of foodie heaven for West Philadelphia’s organic, locavore set.
Located a hop, skip and a jump away at 45th and Baltimore, the little corner store boasts hardwood floors and a whole lot of natural light, thanks to floor–to–ceiling windows looking out on the West Philly streets. There are a few tables along the windows for Milk & Honey’s dine–in clientele to eat lunch and people–watch.
Behind the counter, Milk & Honey serves up sandwiches, pastries, smoothies, coffee and ice cream (house–made milkshakes will return in the spring). In addition to (notably delicious) prepared foods, the counter also offers a selection of cheeses (some local and some European) and meats from the farms of Lancaster County.
Though some things, like hummus, are made in–house, Milk & Honey brings in a lot of its offerings from other Philadelphian eateries: they sell Bassett’s ice cream, bread from Metropolitan Bakery, cheese made by Claudio’s in the Italian Market and so on.
In the grocery department, the selection is somewhat limited, but if you’re in the market for specialty and organic food, Milk & Honey is a welcome alternative to Fresh Grocer — if you can afford it.
Their high prices and relatively limited selection will probably prevent Milk & Honey from becoming your go–to source of food, but where else are you going to find your favorite locally–harvested honey and apple butter?
Local food is Milk & Honey’s battle cry, so when it comes to produce, expect seasonal — don’t hold your breath for Chilean blueberries or California avocadoes. What they do offer is a decent selection of organic fruits and veggies from small Pennsylvania farms. For those with dietary restrictions, Milk & Honey is a good store to add to your grocery repertoire, as they stock things like soymilk and gluten–free flour and cake mixes.
Next time you’re in the mood to wander down to Baltimore, stop off for a sandwich or a croissant and boost your foodie cred by supporting local and sustainable food.
MILK & HONEY 4435 Baltimore Ave. milkandhoneymarket.com What you'll find there: Hard–to–find and high–quality (and often local) foodstuffs Bottom Line: Way fresher than FroGro, but with less variety or choice
