😋 18 new Philly restaurants to try

🚨 Emergency Dispatcher Changes

Sparked by a high-profile dispatch error last year, Philly’s 911 system is changing its protocols to better ensure police and other first-responders are sent to the correct address. Dispatcher salaries are increasing too, in hopes of attracting workers to fill vacant dispatch jobs. [6ABC]

💸 A Round of Grants for Philly Cultural Orgs

The William Penn Foundation has granted a total of $24 million to institutions like the Philadelphia Ballet ($2 million toward a big new building), Lemon Hill ($3 million for pre-World Cup improvements), and the Philadelphia Zoo ($3 million to help with accessibility to the neighborhood).

👮 What Has the CPOC Accomplished?

The Citizens Police Oversight Commission — an independent city commission with extensive power to look into police misconduct — has yet to investigate any complaints against police, despite being allocated $3 million in taxpayer dollars over the past two years. [Inquirer 🔒]

Philly’s local culinary scene is constantly growing and changing. To help you keep track of it all, we’re starting a running list of local eatery openings on our website, and we’ll bring the latest updates to you in Hey Philly once per month.

Let’s get this started with some summer openings. Here are some new spots that Philly said hello to this August:

🍔 Das Good Cafe (Germantown)

American, Southeast Asian, and Hawaiian cuisines come together at this new, all-day BYOB restaurant founded by the owner of University City’s now-shuttered Tipsy Bistro. Menu offerings range from empanadas and cheesesteaks to Lao burgers and poke. A variety of grab-and-go items are also available.

🦞 Provenance (Society Hill)

Make sure you make a reservation before you head to this much-anticipated 18-seat restaurant, which serves seafood-focused French dishes with “subtle Korean influences.” Eating through the tasting menu takes around two and a half hours and costs $225 per person.

🍸 Topside Tavern (Center City West)

The operators of ​​Thanal Indian Tavern in Logan Square just opened this new American spot, which is billing itself as the “ultimate sports destination.” On the menu, you’ll find appetizers like wings and bao buns alongside burgers, sandwiches, salads, and small plates.

🍪 Chip City Cookies (Rittenhouse)

This New York City cookie chain has just made its first foray into Philly. The flavor lineup changes weekly and includes dairy-free options. You can even try their version of the viral “crookie” (croissant + cookie)!

🍗 OK Hot Chicken + OK Smashed Burger (Mayfair)

The local, halal-friendly Nashville hot chicken chain OK Hot Chicken just soft-launched its third location. But something sets the Northeast Philly outpost apart from the other two: the addition of smashed burgers. The official grand opening is happening this Friday, Aug. 30.

🍽️ For 13 more recent restaurant, bar, and café openings, keep reading on our website.