Philadelphia is no Paris, but believe it or not, it has vibrant crepe scene. Whether you're in the mood for sweet or savory, there are crepes available to satisfy all cravings right near by—and at a reasonable price, too. The price range for each of these places ranges from around $5 to $10, so for relatively cheap, you can make a quick French getaway with these angelic, thin, Parisian pancakes.
Having found its niche in the heart of the bustling Reading Terminal Market for 15 years, Profi's Creperie is the place to stop in, order a crepe for under $10, and head back out into the city. With a steady stream of tourists and locals alike crowding the area, it can be difficult to squeeze your way in to claim one of the bar stools during peak times. However, if you get a chance to sit down at the bar to eat your crepe, you'll have the opportunity to watch the crepe makers ladle out fresh batter onto a hot griddle, and in the span of a few flips and folds, you are left with a delicious final product to enjoy right then and there. Profi's specializes in sweet and dinner crepes, so be adventurous with your decision, because there are many options to choose from. If you find yourself there during a mealtime, shop owner George Profi suggests trying one of the most popular crepes, the Chicken Tomato Pesto. Or, try a specialty like the Paris crepe, which is filled with your choice of meat and a variety of fresh veggies. Save some room for the sweet crepes, filled with honey, caramel, a variety of fruits and the most popular option—Nutella. "Everything is made fresh," says Mr. Profi, in a fleeting moment of pause, "so come out and taste how fresh it is." He is back behind the bustling counter in a flurry.
Located right here in University City at 3300 Market Street, La Dominique food truck assembles a series of mouthwatering crepes for you to try. Take some time between the hours of 12 to 5 p.m. during the week to stop by for lunch, and try a signature Mexican, Coconut Chicken or even a Smoked Salmon crepe. Or, satisfy your sweet tooth with a Tiramisu or Apple Cinnamon crepe. Food truck owner Zbigniew Chojnacki handles each crepe with care, only using fresh ingredients to make his works of art. If you are looking for flavor and creativity in your crepes, at a price of around $7 to $8, go visit this food truck and enhance your lunchtime experience, only a few blocks from campus.
Ever tried Japanese crepes? Made of 100% rice flour, these crepes are wrapped up into a cone that you can bite into on the go. This twist on the western concept of crepes leads to a crunchier version of the delicacy, layered with mouth watering ingredients and built with precise artistic detail. The Philadelphia location is in Chinatown at 150 North 10th Street, and is open from 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Check out their detailed descriptions of each crepe at their website before heading to Chinatown, or you'll be perusing the menu for a long while as you decide which one to pick. Make sure to come hungry because these crepe cones—sweet or savory—are sure to fill you up. Try a sweet crepe like the Matcha Chocolate Truffles, which is delicately layered with strawberry slices, chocolate truffles, matcha custard cream and more. You can even choose your own additional toppings, from red bean and chocolate Pocky sticks, to matcha ice cream while still keeping your crepe budget between $8–$10. Or, if you're looking for a lunch option, their signature Okinawa Hotdog, Smoked Salmon, or Angus Short Ribs crepes might be the ones for you.
If you decide you don't actually want to go that far to satisfy your crepe cravings, have no fear. You've probably already noticed this creperie tucked away inside of Houston Hall—if you haven't, take note now. If you're stopping here for a bite, definitely come hungry because you'll be walking away with a large crepe that you'll want to eat all at once. Open from 8 a.m.—9 p.m. during the week, and 10 a.m.—9 p.m. on weekends, this cafe can fulfill all your crepe needs right on campus, all for about $8. Stop by for breakfast and pick up an egg and cheese crepe with your choice of meat, or come by around lunch or dinner to try some interesting flavors like the Buffalo Chicken, the Greek Gyro or the Meatball crepes. For dessert, warm Nutella crepes with strawberries and bananas will easily make your day.
There are plenty of creperies to explore around Philly, all showcasing unique flavors with artistic presentation. While these four places aren't the only ones, they're great starting points for exploring the local crepe scene. Happy eating!
