Mayfair - Philadelphia, PA Area Guide

The Mayfair neighborhood is the youngest community in Northeast Philadelphia, as it was incorporated as late as the 1930s. The first citizens of Mayfair depended on the surrounding neighborhoods of Tacony and Holmesburg for things such as police enforcement and utilities. Following World War II, the little slab of farmland became a popular building location for developers. Residents desired a community with more spacious living than other urban areas, and Mayfair offered large row houses with front yards and garages out back, which were uncommon characteristics of city dwellings. As shopping districts developed along Roosevelt Boulevard and Cottman Avenue, automobiles became more popular and represented a shift away from the inner city lifestyle to suburbanization in the outer regions. The neighborhood is not home to any museums, though the Ethan Allen School and Edwin Forrest School hold spots on the National Register of Historic Places list. Locals fill their weekends with many events organized by the Mayfair Civic Association, such as the Annual Mayfair Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade, a tradition over 35 years old. No prominent music venues reside in the neighborhood, but Torresdale’s nearby Pennypack Music Festival gives locals and their families free concerts through summer each year.

Dozens of local eateries crowd the length of Frankford Avenue, providing residents with a central location to indulge in cuisine from Vietnamese delicacies to classic slices of cheesy pizza. Several sandwich shops in the neighborhood, including Fink's and Marinucci's Deli, help instill Philadelphia's reputation for incredible sandwiches. However, the hoagie frontrunner in Mayfair continues to be Jack's Place on Hegerman Street. Start with the Original Italian, a staple that loads coteghino, Genoa salami, butt capicola, pepperoni and sharp provolone between two freshly baked rolls. Locals focus on sandwiches made with roast beef, roast pork or turkey because Jack's roasts them in house every day. Order a special turkey with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone, topped with the famed hot peppers to go, and make sure to grab a few helpings of marinated olives from the side item bar.

For comforting soul food with sweet and smoky flavors, visit Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse on State Road. The pulled chicken platter may represent the most satisfying dinner you ever have, with tender chicken smothered in sauce and a side of creamy macaroni and cheese. Stay true to traditional barbecue sides with a piece of the heavenly cornbread or bowl of Brussels sprouts peppered with bacon crumbles. Meat mavens opt for heaps of pulled pork or a mountain of spicy wings before taking on a plate of tender ribs. Regular visitors warn that Lucy's may prompt an addiction, especially for those living within walking distance of the barbecue kingdom.

Spend your lunch breaks or dinner dates at House of Thai on Cottman Avenue for some of the best Thai cuisine in the northeast. The hidden gem features all the standard dishes of a Thai restaurant, though locals note the specialty seasonings and presentation at House of Thai. The drunken noodles remain a masterpiece that combines onions, bell peppers, fresh basil leaves, chopped egg and a secret spicy sauce with flat stir-fried noodles. Paired with chicken lemongrass soup or crispy fried tofu, this affordable meal comes in at one of the best in town. The worst part of dining at this location is deciding what to order, but one taste of the chicken curry puffs or garlic duck will have you ordering the same plates on every visit.

Though Mayfair is not known for its nightlife, a group of dive bars and pubs form a respectable offering of late night fun and good drinks. For a larger selection of microbrews on tap, head to Brighton Street to try inexpensive drinks and loud music at McNally's Tavern.

The fairly compact layout of Mayfair makes a variety of transportation options moderately viable. Walking to many establishments for errands or daily routes within the neighborhood remains favorable among residents who do not work in the city. Locals biking or on foot reach several establishments within 5 minutes, especially in the areas south of Cottman Avenue or along Brous Avenue. The only designated bike lanes run the length of Brous Avenue as well. Though plenty of residents work outside Mayfair and opt for public transportation, 50 percent of residents choose driving as their primary mode of transportation, which makes locating free or paid parking spots easy. Taxi service can be scheduled ahead of time from Olde City Taxi on Torresdale Avenue, or locals can opt for Uber to find a set of wheels. Public transportation operates primarily through 10 bus routes that connect to SEPTA Stations in other neighborhoods. An average commute to the city from Mayfair takes around an hour and involves at least one bus connection, though peak commuting hours can drive the time higher. If you’re heading out of the area, access the Lincoln Highway from Roosevelt Boulevard to head Frankford Avenue to connect to the Delaware Expressway north of Torresdale.

The neighborhood’s only recreation center caters to families and youth. Mayfair Park, or Mayfair Recreation Center, spans 6 acres and encompasses five ball fields and two sport fields. The center offers day camps throughout the year as well. Locals head to Pennypack Park to take in the best of the outdoors. You can walk or bike through the park's 1,600 acres on trails without ever encountering another person. Joggers especially appreciate the paved paths that twist through scenic stretches along the creek. Residents say to look out for the hidden waterfall dam about a mile from the Pine Road entrance and advise keeping your pets on leashes.

Renters living in Mayfair pay an average of $1,200 to rent an apartment, compared to the Philadelphia average of $1,900. Houses for rent in Mayfair cost around $2,000. For those wanting to buy, the average price for a house in Mayfair is $2,500, compared to the city average of $2,500.

The food scene in Mayfair dominates over retail offerings. Big-name stores provide locals with basic products and locally owned and operated shops such as Giggles Gifts and Bullseye Darts supplement shopping options for specialty items. At the neighborhood’s highest point lies the Roosevelt Mall, an outdoor shopping center with plenty of parking. Residents head to this location for corporate retailers. Few boutiques exist in Mayfair, so locals travel to Torresdale for the nearest thrift store. A ShopRite grocery store sits directly in the center of the neighborhood, though locals prefer gathering groceries from the Capriotti Bros market on Frankford Avenue. This unique store brings the feel of a fruit stand to an enclosed market. Locals love the selection and low prices, but consistently fresh produce keeps them coming back. The Civic Association also hosts a farmers’ market from May to October at the corner of Cottman and Frankford Avenues.