Soft Pretzels

[mmc1369]

Who makes the best soft pretzels?

I like the ones from Federal in South Philly. I think the ones I get at stores on Penn's campus are supplied by them. They are good but are thick. I prefer a thinner soft pretzel. My favorite is Furfari's on Frankford ave in Fishtown. They are thinner and sometimes crispy. I like 'em. Grew up eating those!

Any others?

Mike

[KatieLoeb]

Who makes the best soft pretzels?

I like the ones from Federal in South Philly.  I think the ones I get at stores on Penn's campus are supplied by them.  They are good but are thick.  I prefer a thinner soft pretzel.  My favorite is Furfari's on Frankford ave in Fishtown.  They are thinner and sometimes crispy.  I like 'em.  Grew up eating those!

Any others?

Mike

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The pretzels from Fisher's at Reading Terminal Market are the best pretzels on the planet, without a doubt. Knotted expertly before your eyes by generations of Amish ladies, brushed with real melted butter and sprinkled with coarse salt as they exit the ovens, only to be placed in your outstretched hands, still warm and soft and smelling like fresh baked bread. :drool:

It gives me goosebumps just thinking about them...

[jmbrightman]

Fisher's is great, but it is to the Philadelphia soft pretzel what Salumeria's version is to the traditional hoagie...better in some ways, but not the real deal.

[philadining]

The pretzels from Fisher's at Reading Terminal Market are the best pretzels on the planet, without a doubt.

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I'll second that! I got goosebumps just reading about them...

[DTBarton]

Fisher's is great, but it is to the Philadelphia soft pretzel what Salumeria's version is to the traditional hoagie...better in some ways, but not the real deal.

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So, where's the real deal?

We have an Amish market in Annapolis that makes pretzels like the ones from Fisher's are being described and they're very good.

Much better than the sheets of stale ones we used to get 5 for a dollar from the guys with the grocery carts upon exiting the Spectrum in the mid 70s after a long night's concert debauchery (usually 3 bands and a ton of fun!). Those grocery cart guys knew their audience was hungry, almost broke, and not real picky!

[rockhopper]

There is a place on the south side of Sansom just west of city hall. Can't remember the name.

South Jersey Soft Pretzels in Somerdale and The Philly Soft Pretzel Factory in Moorestown also; but dont get a water ice at the Moorestown shop.

[elicious]

There is a place on the south side of Sansom just west of city hall. Can't remember the name.

It's the Philadelphia Soft Pretzel Company. They have 3 small pretzels for a dollar and long ones for $1 each. Not as hot off the ovens as Fisher's but still pretty yummy.

[Holly Moore]

You're not going to find a more authentic or a better priced genuine Philadelphia Pretzel than at Federal Pretzel on Federal Street in South Philadelphia. As fresh as it gets.

That said, if I could only have one more pretzel in my life, it would be from Fishers, aswim in melted butter and traced with mustard.

[shacke]

The pretzels from Fisher's at Reading Terminal Market are the best pretzels on the planet, without a doubt.

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I'll second that! I got goosebumps just reading about them...

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Ditto. (cue Righteous Brothers music....)

[KatieLoeb]

There is a place on the south side of Sansom just west of city hall. Can't remember the name.

It's the Philadelphia Soft Pretzel Company. They have 3 small pretzels for a dollar and long ones for $1 each. Not as hot off the ovens as Fisher's but still pretty yummy.

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The pretzel dough wrapped hot dogs are the best thing here. Very tasty and filling. And they have good brown mustard too. Best $1.25 you can spend.

[john b]

but dont get a water ice at the Moorestown shop.

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Why not?

[MarketStEl]

If I might comment here: The typical Philadelphia soft pretzel is denser and chewier than the typical Pennsylvania Dutch soft pretzel. I do believe we are talking about two distinct species here.

The Auntie Anne's chain, for example, sells Pennsylvania Dutch-style pretzels. And as chains go, they're not too bad.

But I also gotta cast my best-pretzel vote for those served at Fisher's. I also like their pigs in blankets, which use the little smoky links sold just down the aisle at Hatville Farms.

[MysticMilt]

Sandy, I'm glad you made the distinction between Philly pretzels and PA Dutch pretzels. I think you're right -- they're the same genus, but not the same species, if that makes any sense. Both kinds hold an equal space in my heart.

I believe there's a branch of the Philadelphia Soft Pretzel shop in Doylestown, or at the very least, the one that we go to in D'town shares a name with the one on Sansom street. Their pretzels really are phenomenal; their cinnamon sugar ones practically bring me to my knees.

Also, at the Amish market up by us (in Newtown) there's a pretzel baker who makes these unbelievable things called cheesers, which are similar to the pretzel-wrapped little smokey links that you mentioned, Sandy, but the links have cheese in them. It's just this side of gilding the lily, but it works.

[jmbrightman]

You're not going to find a more authentic or a better priced genuine Philadelphia Pretzel than at Federal Pretzel on Federal Street in South Philadelphia.  As fresh as it gets.

That said, if I could only have one more pretzel in my life, it would be from Fishers, aswim in melted butter and traced with mustard.

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agreed (but without the mustard)