Fox Chase-Burholme - Philadelphia, PA Area Guide

Fox Chase was originally part of Dublin Township, a community comprised of farmland and rolling hills. Following World War II, the community transitioned to a residential suburb to accommodate an influx of people. The history of the Fox Chase area itself dates back to the 1700s, and the neighborhood is suspected to be named after The Fox Chase Inn. Additionally, farmers and hunters turned to this area for hunting fox.

One museum resides in the neighborhood, inside Burholme Park, that features antiques and family heirlooms from early Fox Chase residents. Similarly, prominent art scenes or niche communities lie outside of the neighborhood, with the exception of the sole art gallery, Iconic, on Loney Street. Residents head to Jenkintown for the annual Festival of Arts or to Melrose Park for the West Oak Lane Jazz and Arts Festival.

Fox Chase packs plenty of local eateries inside the neighborhood, leaving no shortage of delis or pizza joints. However, it's the Pita Pocket Eatery on Cottman Avenue that ranks first in local cuisine for its vegetarian offerings and Middle Eastern menu. Pile toppings and veggies from the salad bar on the esteemed falafel for an inexpensive and delicious lunch. If you prefer to delve deeper into the world of Middle Eastern cuisine, try the chicken shawarma pita with a pinch of red pepper paste. Locals say the maoz is the best in Philadelphia and consider the take-out and delivery options dangerous to wallets. For the best in praiseworthy pies, order a buffalo pizza from Golden Crust II on Cottman Avenue. Pairing excellent lunch specials with huge slices of pizza, the local pizza hot spot draws in customers who swear by the delectable crust and renowned mega fries, which combine hot melted cheese with salty chunks of bacon. Once you have had your fix at this location, head to Loney Street to compare your meal to Bill's Old London Pizza. Locals turn to Bill's for take-out-only pizza with a more Italian influence, such as the Greek pizza. The neighborhood would not be true to Philadelphia without great sandwiches. Several options exist, but locals alternate between Chubby's Fox Chase Deli and Timmy D's Deli. Timmy D's is known for excellent condiments, such as Cajun mayo. Almost all the five-star items on the cafe's menu involve turkey, though the Old Fashion holds its own with prosciutto, hot coppa, spicy sopressata, sharp Provolone and a drizzle of red wine vinegar. Likewise, Chubby's draws in crowds for hoagies so thick they can hardly be closed. Residents never stray from the classic Old World hoagie, and suggest ordering a side of the remarkable potato salad for a meal that will leave you in heaven. Nightlife activities in Fox Chase revolve around neighborhood bars rather than exuberant night clubs. Sweeney's Verree Tavern features inexpensive drinks in a social atmosphere with widely attended karaoke nights. Pounders Pub on Dungan Road caters to beer mavens in search of a great spot to watch sports or hang out with lively weekend crowds. A DJ and affordable drink specials help make Pounders a popular location for younger crowds, especially with a closing time past 1 a.m. Locals with a tamer sense of adventure stick to Sweeney's Verree Tavern for its simple beer offerings and weekly trivia. No music venues reside in the neighborhood, but locals can catch live music from upcoming artists at McNally's on Rhawn.

Residents use several means of transportation in the neighborhood. Those who prefer to navigate on foot do errands or head to coffee shops along Fox Chase Road, particularly around its intersection with Rhawn Street. Cyclists travel the neighborhood for local destinations, but commuting is not ideal since the bike lanes and cycling-friendly roads start and end within the neighborhood. Verree Road, Rhawn Street and Rockwell Avenue have the largest bike infrastructure, as well as paved lanes along the Pennypack Creek.

With the majority of residents choosing cars as their primary method of transportation, most areas see more automobiles than bikes. This does not mean limited parking options since most homes have driveways, and retailers provide parking lots. Driving to the city center takes roughly half an hour by accessing Interstate 95 from Cottman Avenue. Additionally, the Lincoln Highway sits just a few miles away and can be accessed through Rhawnhurst.

The Fox Chase Line brings rail service through the neighborhood and terminates near Rhawn Street. Seven SEPTA bus routes provide service through Fox Chase and surrounding neighborhoods. The neighborhood is not an area where taxis can be hailed, so residents arrange rides through Uber or call ahead to take a taxi.

Aside from Pennypack Park and Fox Chase Farm that nearly wrap half of the Fox Chase neighborhood, residents head to one other free location for peace and quiet. The Burholme Park rests just off Cottman Avenue in the neighborhood’s western corner. The 85-acre green space appeals to athletes and youth for its ample fields for baseball, football and soccer.

Locals suggest sticking around when it snows, since the park houses the neighborhood’s best hill for sledding. Golf mavens appreciate both the driving range and minigolf course, while nature lovers head to the Burholme woods to walk the winding paths through a canopy of trees. Bikers, joggers and pet owners take to the wide trails for exercise, while families with kids stick to the playground.

Stop by the Ryerss Museum and library to explore the best of Fox Chase’s history through family heirlooms, paintings and art. This museum hosts an annual Holiday Bazaar that invites crowds for holiday-themed crafts, food and entertainment.

Living in a neighborhood where city, suburbs and farmland come together costs about 8.5 percent more than the Philadelphia average. Locals face similar prices to the city for standard goods and services such as groceries and health care. A quart of beer, for example, runs locals around $8. The 40 percent of residents who rent pay an average of $890 a month, though a standard one-bedroom apartment can be found for as little as $675. Transportation prices are similar to the city, and residents purchase one-day passes for $8.00, which includes rail, trolley rides or bus trips. In general, Fox Chase remains as affordable as living in the heart of Philadelphia.

Although Fox Chase doesn't have a central shopping location, many retail options are either on Rhawn Street or Cottman Avenue. Most local shops fall in the service or dining categories rather than specialty boutiques. While chains such as CVS Pharmacy and Rite Aid exist, locals prefer the smaller option, Verree Pharmacy. In general, locally-owned stores, such as the thrift store Jeanes Hospital Opportunity Shoppe, can be found as an alternative to corporate chains. Residents looking for unique clothing head to Cheapest Closet Consignment Boutique on Township Line Road. The best selection of specialty retailers and fashion stores resides outside the neighborhood's boundaries. Residents visit Rhawnhurst for additional options and access to the Roosevelt Field shopping mall. Pick up groceries from Keller Market on Verree Road, a neighborhood market that specializes in savory deli options. Aside from a premium selection of meat, locals also suggest buying rolls and grabbing hoagies for lunch. Rieker's Prime Meats on Oxford Avenue similarly specializes in meat, though the market takes an authentic German approach and sells more sausages and wursts than typical lunch meats. Locals call this the best store to pick up condiments and hard-to-find European groceries, such as artisan Springerle cookies. One-stop chain grocery stores such as Acme and ShopRite are nearby. Locals pick up farm-stand groceries from Evergreen Young's Market, though they say the selection of vegetables and fresh flowers are also worth stopping for.