🌭 Is Philly a hot dog city?

🌭 Hot Dogs Are Having a ‘Little Moment’ in Philly

How do you convince a Philadelphian to order a hot dog over a hoagie? Chefs in the city have been getting creative. Hear a food reporter explain the essential elements of a great hot dog — and where you can find a fantastic frank in Philadelphia. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

💵 Regional Rail Parking Fees To Return

SEPTA will gradually end free weekday parking at train stations between Sept. 23 and Nov. 15. Surface lot parking will cost $2 per day, and garage parking will be $4 per day. [PhillyVoice]

📚 $150K for School Library Development

The School District of Philadelphia and a local advocacy group have received a federal grant to develop a five-year plan for bringing more certified librarians to Philly schools. Currently, the district has only one full-time librarian. [Chalkbeat Philadelphia]

• How did Philly’s school librarian staffing crisis get so bad? [City Cast Philly 🎧]

Welcome back to our weekly local art location game! Last week, I showed you this small dinosaur submitted by Hey Philly reader Donna B.

📍 You can find it at 5th and Locust, in the St. Mary Interparochial School window alcove. “I taught there during the time the dinosaur was stenciled during the night,” Donna wrote. “The artist is still a mystery!”

❌ No one guessed 5th and Locust! I did receive a few good guesses, but I couldn’t confirm whether or not there might also be dinos stenciled at those locations. So if you’ve seen this or a similar design elsewhere, I’d love to see your photos!

⭐ Now, for this week’s challenge. Hey Philly reader Louisa B. suggested this one.

Anyone else make that exact face when it seems like somebody wants a bite of your pretzel? Like, seriously — get your own!

Anyway … where is this mural? Submit your guess here, or send me an email.

If you’re looking for a Philadelphia neighborhood with a wealth of places to eat and drink packed into just a few blocks, Chinatown may very well be your spot.

Philly food influencer, blogger, and Chinatown enthusiast Dave Wez (a.k.a. @feedingtimetv) sat down with City Cast Philly podcast host Trenae Nuri to offer some starting points for exploring the neighborhood’s bustling restaurant and bar scene. Here are some of his recommendations ⬇️

☀️ Have Brunch at Ocean Harbor

Dave describes this place as basically a “giant room filled with Asian aunties” who push around carts with congee, dumplings, fried foods, and more, and you pick which ones you want from the carts. The experience is “never ending” in that the carts never stop coming around — though you do have to pay for each item individually.

1023 Race St.

🥟 Eat Dumplings at Dim Sum Garden

You can find a wide selection of dumplings here — Dave loves the soup dumplings in particular. The restaurant is also a good choice if you’re a dumpling novice, since the menu has beginner-friendly pictures.

1020 Race St.

🔥 Get Your Spice Fix at EMei Restaurant

Come here for Sichuan flavors and dishes with a high spice level, like stir-fried chicken livers and gizzards with pickled pepper sauce, and dry-fried spicy lamb with cumin.

915 Arch St.

🍜 Slurp Up Soup at Terakawa Ramen

Come here for the best ramen in the whole city, at least according to Dave. He likes the tan tan ramen — a miso and chicken broth soup topped with minced pork — but “you can’t go wrong” with any dish there.

204 N. 9th St.

🥃 Drink (and Sing!) at Yakitori Boy

Enjoy some beer, sake, and sushi here — and go upstairs for some karaoke! You can rent a private room with your friends or show off your musical talent (or lack thereof) to a fuller crowd.

211 N. 11th St.

😋 When it comes to dining in Chinatown, this handful of restaurants only scratches the surface! Tune into the City Cast Philly podcast for an in-depth discussion of the neighborhood’s culinary offerings, including 13 more restaurants, bars, and sweet shops you should try.