Stacked, Stuffed and Smothered: Over-the-Top Dishes in Delco

Here in Delco, we’re a passionate, opinionated bunch. Among our unofficial mottos might be “Go big or go home.” And, we love to see that ethos reflected in our sports teams, our music and especially in our food. Lucky for us—and for our visitors from near and far—there are plenty of restaurants ready to heed the call, serving up dishes that are unapologetically big, bold and bountiful.

 

If you’re in the mood for an over-the-top snack or sweet that reminds you that you only live once (so live it up!), here are some of our top picks for stacked, stuffed and smothered dishes in Delco:

 

Chadds Ford Tavern does steakhouse-meets-pub grub right. Alongside hearty dishes like eggplant parm and filet with mashed potatoes, you’ll find a menu of starters that pair perfectly with a cold pint. One of the tastiest dishes is the short rib fries: crispy fries heaped with tender braised short ribs, doused with gooey cheese fondue and sprinkled with black truffle sea salt. It’s a top-notch shareable, great at happy hour, before dinner or with a night cap. 

1400 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford; (484) 800-4084.

 

 

Hot Clucks, a popular local Nashville-style fried chicken chain, opened a location in Glen Mills earlier this year, bringing its crave-worthy fast food to the southwest corner of Delco. If you’re feeling extra, check out the viral Loaded Dirty Bird Special. It combines all of the menu hits: a base of skin-on french fries loaded with creamy mac-and-cheese and topped with chopped hot chicken tenders and glazed with Hot Clucks’ signature house sauce. 

391 Wilmington Pike, Glen Mills; (610) 887-0067.

 

You might not expect a cheesesteak spot to offer donuts for dessert, but that’s just what you’ll find at Jackson St. Steaks in Media. To end your meal on a sweet note, give the Dubai Chocolate Donut Bites a whirl. Pillowy golden donut holes are topped with an on-trend combo of kataifi (a traditional Middle Eastern pastry), nutty Nutella, pistachio cream and crushed pistachios. Not a fan of nuts? Try the Oreo or birthday donut bites instead!

110 S. Jackson St., Media; (484) 442-8646.

 

 

When it comes to milkshakes at The Sugaree, more is more. Underneath mounds of whipped cream, its specialty shakes weave together layers of yummy flavors. Try the s’mores shake, with chocolate ice cream blended with fluffy marshmallow, chocolate drizzle and crushed graham cracked, or the Peanut Butter Delight, with peanut butter ice cream, tons of crushed Reese’s cups and both peanut butter and chocolate sauce. You can always go bigger with custom toppings, like brownie bites, mini gummy worms and warm caramel sauce.

3117 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square; (610) 356-1066; 134 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne; (484) 580-8822.

 

 

Can’t choose between sweet or savory at brunch? At The Fainting Goat, you don’t have to! Its special Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Sandwich delivers all the classic egg sando fillings—savory sausage, a fried egg and melted cheddar—between a split and griddled cinnamon bun. Served with a side of french fries, it’ll kick start Sunday funday for sure. If you’re out with a group, go truly big with the mimosa tower, a literal tower that will keep the good times flowing.

105 S. MacDade Blvd., Glenolden; (484) 497-8609.

 

It’s not hard to find fabulous French toast in Delco—we’ve got a lot of great brunch spots all across the county. But no one does it quite like Tank & Libby’s; its menu, which is packed with delicious options, always features at least a few types of mile-high loaded French toast. During fall, you can’t go wrong with the caramel apple cheesecake variety, thick slices of challah bread buried under succulent apple pie and cheesecake filling, topped with graham cracker crumble and a generous drizzle of caramel sauce. 

1011 Pontiac Rd., Drexel Hill; (484) 455-7527.

 

Why only put one kind of meat on a cheesesteak when you could have three?! The Welshie’s Barnyard cheesesteak at Delco Steaks goes bigger than big with shaved ribeye, juicy chicken and crumbled, thick-cut bacon tucked into a fresh-baked seeded roll. Ribbons of cheesy, creamy whiz finish it off, of course. It’s available in 8-, 12- and whopping 24-inch sizes.

336 Kedron Ave., Folsom; (484) 497-6600.

 

 

Regular cheeseburgers are great, but “regular” is not the Delco way. At Delco Deli, the Delco Burger bears our county’s name proudly and doesn’t disappoint. A juicy Angus beef patty is topped with a jaw-dropping combo of mozzarella sticks, strips of bacon, melted provolone cheese and crunchy onion rings. Plenty of the deli’s signature Delco sauce (tangy and zesty) finishes off the burger in style. 

817 Lincoln Ave, Prospect Park; (610) 364-5386.

 

BBQ joints aren’t known for their restraint, and Tanglewood Fire and Smoke is no different. In addition to platters piled with slow-smoked meats, wings, burgers and hot dogs, there’s a serious selection of sandwiches. Chief among them is the cheekily named Triple Bypass, a truly decadent blend of smoked brisket, hickory bacon and blackened pork belly and plenty of melted queso and creamy remoulade. It’s as over-the-top as it gets! 

148 Morton Ave., Folsom; (610) 583-2103.

 

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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.

– Emily Kovach

 

Featured photo courtesy of Tank & Libby’s