Where to Indulge in Delco’s Favorite Comfort Food
Where to Indulge in Delco’s Favorite Comfort Food Overview
There’s no singular definition of “comfort foods”—they can be anything that nourishes the soul as well as the body, and that emotional component is deeply personal. It might be what you ate to feel better when you were a kid, or a dish that had an important place on your family’s table during holidays or traditions. It might be something rich and warm that chases away the cold on a winter day, or something sweet and decadent that makes you smile.
With that in mind, and knowing that we won’t be able to cover everyone’s ideal comfort food, we’ve put together a list of “classic” comfort foods that you can find here in Delco. These are hearty, substantial, sometimes carb- or cheese-forward dishes that are crave-worthy, even if they’re not in your comfort food wheelhouse. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a new favorite to order when you need a little TLC!
The Ridley House’s dinner menu includes a lot of familiar comfort foods: gooey mac-and-cheese, burgers loaded with toppings, jumbo soft pretzels and more. But our top choice is the French onion soup, a deeply savory, earthy broth topped with a large crouton and a layer of bubbly, golden melted Gruyere and provolone. There’s something about nudging back that blanket of melted cheese and bread to reveal the steaming soup below that’s universally comforting.
2107 MacDade Boulevard, Holmes; (610) 522-5400.
Photo by Gab Bonghi, courtesy of Fond BYOB
If “comfort” to you means a thick, juicy steak, look no further than Prime Rib Night at Fond BYOB in Wallingford. This lovely restaurant moved to Delco in 2024 after 12 years in South Philly, and it is winning locals over with its thoughtful-but-not-stuffy menu. A great example is the steak special, which is offered on the second Sunday of every month: a soup or salad to start, a 12-ounce prime rib with all the fixings (including potatoes au gratin, of course) and a slice of chocolate cream pie for dessert for $65 per person.
21 N. Providence Rd., Wallingford; (484) 445-2108.
Braised collard greens—deeply umami, cooked down to silky perfection—are a staple soul food side, and represent peak comfort food for many! The version at JC AfroSoul Kitchen is top-tier, with a beautiful smokiness, a layered spice profile and an acidic vinegar kick for balance.
6825 Ludlow St., Upper Darby Township; (610) 864-2994.
Nearly everything at Johnny Paisano’s could be considered comfort food, from chicken parm sandwiches to pasta fagioli soup to baked ziti. But the Pepperoni Cheesy Bread is the unassuming dish that stole our hearts; it’s like an uber-elevated version of an afterschool snack. It starts with slices of Johnny Paisano’s buttery garlic bread, topped with cheese pull-ready melted mozzarella cheese and slices of spicy pepperoni. Dip it in the side of tangy marinara served with the dish for a truly satisfying bite.
143 S. State Rd., Springfield; (610) 690-0150.
Photo courtesy of Fellini Newtown Square
The lasagna al forno at Fellini Newtown Square falls into the category of “your Nonna would be impressed!” Dig into layers and layers of tender pasta and cheese with fresh tomato sauce and ground beef bolognese plus cheesy bechamel sauce. Bring a bottle of wine to this neighborhood BYOB for a fab night out!
3541 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square; (610) 353-6131.
The Love & Comfort handcrafted sandwich at The Tattooed Pig puts all the best parts of a BBQ joint on a roll: pulled pork, mac and cheese, bacon, and BBQ sauce. Plus, it has “comfort” right in its name! If you lean towards more traditional barbecue, the BBQ brisket platter with tender smoked brisket and your choice of sides (we like the baked beans and apple slaw) should do the trick.
110 S. Edgmont St., Media; (484) 935-3955.
Photo courtesy of Terrell’s
Prefer your comfort food fix at brunch? Take a look at the offerings at Terrell’s, a brand-new restaurant in downtown Chester, serving breakfast and dinner every day. For an extra warming, filling meal, try the shrimp and grits, with expertly seasoned, juicy shrimp (fried or sauteed, your choice), over luscious creamy grits with fried onions and peppers. Prefer sweet brunch? The peach cobbler pancakes and bananas foster French toast have you covered.
403 Avenue of the States, Chester; (484) 490-6178.
Fluffy biscuits smothered in sausage gravy is another breakfast comfort food winner. Try the tasty version served up at The Royal Diner & Bakery, which comes with a side of homefries. If you’ve still got room, order up a slice of grilled sponge cake with a cup of strong black coffee. Bonus: in true diner style, this spot is open 24 hours a day!
106 E. Baltimore Ave., Lansdowne; (610) 622-1662.
Original photo courtesy of Ro-Lynn Deli
The chicken noodle soup from Ro-Lynn Deli is in the running for most comforting comfort food! And you don’t have to be down for the count to crave it. Choose chicken noodle or (brace yourself) cheesy chicken noodle, fresh out of the pot. We love the two kinds of noodles and ample amounts of chicken in each spoonful. All soups are available frozen for takeout, too!
3407 Edgemont Ave., Brookhaven; (610) 872-9575.
How do you make mac-and-cheese even more delightful? Roll it up into bite-sized pieces, coat those in breadcrumbs and deep fry them! You can find these mac and cheese bites on the appetizers section of the menu at Delco Deli, along with lots of other yummy nibbles, like French fries piled with steak, whiz and jalapenos, fried ravioli, vegetable samosas and shrimp spring rolls.
817 Lincoln Ave., Prospect Park; (610) 222-6699.
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