It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Eagles season! Here in Delco, we bleed green, and especially after last year’s Super Bowl victory, we are raring to go this fall. Whether you’re a superfan, with Jalen, Saquon and A.J.’s stats committed to memory, or you just enjoy the energy and passion of football, we’ll bet you’ve got more than a few Sundays blocked off on your calendar.
Part of the fun of football is that game day is a great excuse to have friends over for a watch party, or to bundle up and head to South Philly for a tailgate. It’s a great way to meet neighbors, hang out with friends and feel connected to the city. And of course, there’s great food! Cheesy, meaty, spicy, craveable, indulgent: Game-day food must check at least a few of these boxes.
To help with your party planning, we’ve pulled together a killer menu of sacks, sandos and savory bites from all around the county. Consider it the ultimate Delco tailgate or game-day menu:
Around these parts, it’s basically sacrilege to even think of watching an Eagles game without a tray of hoagies on the kitchen counter. For top-notch hoagies, try America’s Pie, a pizza spot that also excels in specialty sandwiches. Some menu favs include the William J. Epperson, with a chicken cutlet and meatballs smothered in Cooper sharp and mozzarella with roasted peppers, mozzarella sticks, basil and vodka sauce; the Bambino, with cold roast pork, hot pepper spread, roasted garlic mayo, spinach, bruschetta and sharp prov; and the The Philly Special with brisket, roasted peppers, sharp provolone, broccoli rabe and mayo, on a seeded roll, of course. Pro tip: America’s Pie also has a location in the Linc!
206 Powhatan Ave., Essington; (610) 915-3265.

Photo: Pixabay
How’s this for a piece of local food history? The stromboli — pizza dough rolled up with cheese and sauce, vegetables or cured meats — was invented right here in Delco! Credit goes to Romano’s, which also happens to be the oldest family-owned Italian restaurant in the county. Legend has it that Romano’s founder, Nazzareno Romano invented the stromboli in the 1950s with help from a friend, William Scofield. They named it after the film “Stromboli” and offered it in three flavors: sweet, hot and pepperoni. These days, those flavors are still going strong, along with a few variations, like pizza steak and chicken-and-broccoli strombolis. Tack on a classic South Philly-style tomato pie to your order to make it a meal.
246 Wanamaker Ave., Essington; (610) 521-9010; 4791 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square; (610) 356-4099.
Pizza is a must at an Eagles watch party! There’s a lot of great ‘za in Delco, but sometimes it’s fun to branch out and try something a little different. For small-batch, gourmet pizza, with special touches and interesting toppings, try Hunneypie in Springfield. From the traditional menu try the Provy Pie, with sharp provolone in place of mozzarella, and extra tomato sauce on top. The specialty pie are where things get interesting, with creations like the Figgy Pie, with fig preserves, bacon, goat cheese and fig-infused balsamic vinegar, and the Mushroom Truffle pie with roasted garlic tomato sauce, shiitakes and a drizzle of white truffle oil. Whatever pizzas you choose, add a few orders of garlic butter dipping sauce to take your slices to the next level.
156 Saxer Ave., Springfield; (610) 990-6990.

Photo courtesy of Tanglewood Fire & Smoke
No need to fire up the smoker on game day—leave the barbecue to the pros! For super-delicious meats, head to Ridley Shopping Center and check out Tanglewood Fire & Smoke, which opened in 2021 under the helm of Chef Jeffrey Ebert. Start with a few starters, like the pimento cheese dip and buffalo-style ribs, and then load up on proteins, sold by the half-pound or pound. The smoked brisket and pulled pork are great options, especially with sides of collard greens, honeycrisp slaw and cornbread.
148 Morton Ave., Folsom; (610) 583-2103.
There are incredible wings in pretty much every borough and township in Delco; bringing a few orders along to your tailgate is a no-brainer! One stellar spot is Philly Wings & Things, where you can scoop up orders between 10 and 50 pieces, complete with classic buffalo, honey mustard and cajun sauces. For a fried chicken vibe, try the crunchy wing dings or the popcorn chicken. There is also traditional fried chicken on offer. Whatever you order, the chicken will be tender, juicy and amply seasoned.
111 E. Baltimore Ave., Clifton Heights; (610) 622-3100.

Photo: Pexels
Especially as temperatures start to drop in late fall and winter, chili makes an awesome game-day nosh. It’s crowd-pleasing, affordable and can be enjoyed on its own, or used to upgrade other snacks, like nachos and hot dogs. One of the top spots for chili in Delco is Ro Lynn Deli. In addition to a long menu of hoagies, hot and cold deli sandwiches and salads, it offers fantastic homemade soups, including four types of chili: classic, chicken, sausage and beef chili. They’re available frozen; load up with a few flavors and keep them in your freezer, so you’ll always be prepared for an impromptu Eagles watch party.
3407 Edgmont Ave., Brookhaven: (610) 872-9575.

If you haven’t had the chips and pico from 320 Market, it’s time to check that off your Delco food bucket list! Humble chips and dip are this cute market/cafe/wine shop’s claim to fame, and for good reason. The house made pico de gallo offers fresh, bold flavors thanks to the perfectly balanced combination of fresh avocado, tomato, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. The thick, homemade tortilla chips, made with high-quality corn tortillas fried in canola oil, are crispy, nicely salted and sturdy enough to stand up to big scoops of pico!
713 S. Chester Rd., Swarthmore; (610) 328-7211; 211 W. State St., Media; (610) 565-8320.

Chips and Pico photos courtesy of 320 Market Cafe
In Delco, Philly and the surrounding region, we have a well-documented obsession with soft pretzels. In fact, did you know that Philadelphians, on average, consume 12 times more pretzels each year than the national average? Pretty amazing! For excellent homemade soft pretzels, Country Twist in the Lancaster Farmers Market is the place to go. It’s got hand-rolled soft pretzels in a variety of styles and flavors, including our favorite: Party Dogs. These are like pigs in a blanket, but the mini hot dogs or cheese-stuffed sausages are rolled in pretzel dough for the ultimate party snack! Country Twist sells them ready-to-eat and in take-home freezer packs.
389 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne; (610) 975-0447.

Photo courtesy of 2SP
If you and your crew enjoy a few craft brews before or during the game, keep it local with beers made right here in Delco! You can’t go wrong with a sixer from 2SP Brewing Co. in Aston; the Delco Lager and autumnal Delco Fest Oktoberfest beers are particularly easy-drinking, and IPA fans will dig the Up & Out hazy IPA. In Media, find Sterling Pig Brewery, a homegrown brewpub with popular offerings like its Shoat Pilsner and The Snuffler IPA. To satisfy a group with different preferences, pick up the Pig Pack Variety Pack, with four different beer styles to enjoy: a classic IPA, a hazy IPA, a pilsner and a wheat beer.
2SP: 120 Concord Rd. #101-103, Aston Township; (484) 483-7860.
Sterling Pig: 609 W. State St., Media; (484) 444-2526.
Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA. They say we’re A LOT…and they’re right! Contact us at (610) 565-3679, by email or online.
Featured photo: Pexels