Taproom on 19th Hosts 3rd Annual Chili Challenge with 20 Chefs Competing

Taproom on 19th Hosts 3rd Annual Chili Challenge with 20 Chefs Competing

Taproom on 19th (2400 S. 19th, Philadelphia) heats things up this winter with the return of their 3rd Annual Chili Challenge on Sunday, December 4, 2016 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Twenty local chefs and cooks will participate in an epic South Philadelphia chili throwdown. Admission is free for competitors and guests. Samples are free. All additional food and drink are pay-as-you-go. Guests must be 21 or older to drink. 

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Taproom on 19th Celebrates Two Year Anniversary with South Philly Block Party and Pop-up with Pigheaded BBQ

Taproom on 19th Celebrates Two Year Anniversary with South Philly Block Party and Pop-up with Pigheaded BBQ

Taproom on 19th (2400 S. 19th, Philadelphia) celebrates its second anniversary with a full day celebration of brews, barbecue and live music. This Saturday, November 7, 2015, from 1:00pm to 11:00pm, owners Michael Strauss and Pete Fry will host the “Two Year Anniversary Block Party” featuring a chef pop-up with Pigheaded BBQ, performance by the Gin Canaries, tap-takeover with Bella Vista Beer Distributor, and a special cocktail designed by Lê HopSing from Hop Sing Laundromat. A large heated tent will take up the 1900 block of Ritner, making the event rain or shine. Admission is free. All food and drink are pay-as-you-go. Guests must be 21 or older to drink. For more information, visit www.taproomon19th.com, call267-687-7817 or follow @TaproomOn19th

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Taproom on 19th Hosts One Year Anniversary SpecTAPular with Pigheaded BBQ, Gin Canaries, Tap Takeover and Fatties

Taproom on 19th (2400 S. 19th, Philadelphia) celebrates its one year anniversary with a special night of brews, barbecue and live music. This Saturday, November 8, 2014, from 4:00pm to 2:00am, owners Michael Strauss and Pete Fry will host the “One Year Anniversary SpecTAPular” featuring a chef pop-up with Pigheaded BBQ, performance by the Gin Canaries, tap-takeover with Bella Vista Beer Distributor, and visits with representatives from Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, DuClas and Clown Shoes Beer. A special version of Neshaminy Creek's brand new "JAWN" ale, made just for Taproom on 19th, will pour on the cask. Admission is free. All food and drink are pay-as-you-go. Guests must be 21 or older to drink. For more information, visit www.taproomon19th.com, call 267-687-7817 or follow @TaproomOn19th

One year ago, on November 8, 2013, current owners Michael Strauss and Pete Fry took over ownership of Taproom on 19th and revamped the South Philadelphia staple into a top destination for local and seasonal upscale pub fare, 14 rotating taps of craft beer (including a cask engine), a classic cocktail menu, a knowledgeable staff and a warm vibe.

“What a long and strange trip is has been,” said Strauss. “Pete and I are grateful for all the people that have supported us. We truly love South Philadelphia and our neighborhood. We are also honored to be part of the city’s thriving food and beer scene.”

Taproom’s Anniversary specials for the SpecTAPular will include:

  • Anniversary Burger - Lafrieda beef patty with collard greens, black pepper bacon from 1732 Meats, barbecue fried chicken skin ($13.00)
  • Mac and Cheese - Fontina and sharp cheddar, bacon bread crumbs and stewed tomato ($11.00)
  • Collard Greens - Featuring black pepper bacon from 1732 Meats and pork jus ($6.00)
  • Anniversary Chili - Chef’s family recipe with venison ($8.00)

The national barbecue competition team Pigheaded BBQ will pop-up in the kitchen with:

  • BBQ Fatties - House-rolled sausage stuffed with bacon and mac-n-cheese, coated in barbecue rub and smoked with peach wood for 2.5 hours ($5 half Fattie $10 whole Fattie)
  • Pulled Pork Nachos - Kettle cooked potato crisps smothered in slow-smoked barbecue pulled pork, topped with brisket and pork studded baked beans, slathered in cheese sauce and dressed with barbecue sauce, sour cream and jalapenos $8.00)
  • Brisket - Full packer cut brisket, rubbed with salt and pepper, smoked low and slow using peach wood for 12 hours, sliced to order ($10 for half lb. and $20 for full lb.)

Taps during the anniversary event will be taken over by Bella Vista Beer Distributor’s Jason A Miller. The night’s selection will feature:

  • Clown Shoes - Pecan Pie Porter
  • DuClaw - Retribution (2013 Vintage!)
  • Stillwater - Classique
  • Evil Twin - Femme Fatale Kabuso
  • Pizza Boy - Sunny Side Up
  • Carton - Boat Beer
  • Cigar City - Good Gourd
  • Ballast Point - Sculpin
  • Prairie - Cherry Funk
  • Traunstein - Pils

Representatives from Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, DuClas and Clown Shoes Beer will also be on hand to discuss their beers. A special version of Neshaminy Creek's brand new "JAWN" ale, made just for Taproom on 19th, will pour on the cask.

The Gin Canaries will perform from 7:00pm to 11:00pm with a full set of jazz age and American songbook. The concert is free. Food and drink are pay as you go. Guests must be 21 or older to drink (with identification). For more information, visit www.taproomon19th.com, call 267-687-7817 or follow @TaproomOn19th

ABOUT PIGHEADED BBQ

Pigheaded BBQ is an award-winning KCBS Competition BBQ Team based in Middletown, DE. Retired Philly Police Diver turned pitmaster Ron Templeman co-founded Pigheaded BBQ in 2006 with his son Ron Templeman, son-in-law Mike Sadgwar and nephew Brian Milito. Other team members include Norma Templeman (Ron Ron's wife), Trina Sadgwar (Ron's daughter & Mike's wife) and Stephanie Sadgwar (Mike's sister). Pigheaded also provides catering services and collaborates with restaurants in the tri-state area for pop-up barbecue events.

THE STORY BEHIND TAPROOM ON 19TH

What happens when two longtime friends from Central Jersey become disillusioned with their respective careers, and decide to follow their shared passion for good food and drink?

In 2012, after 25+ years in the printing business, Pete Fry decided he had had enough and needed to do something that he actually loved as opposed to just paying the bills. A quick call to good friend Michael Strauss consisting mainly of “hey, so I hate my job, want to open a bar?” and they were on their way, with Strauss leaving behind his career in commercial real estate.

With no specific locale in mind, and after checking out several locations, they homed in on the current 19th the solid neighborhood, and the good bones of the tavern that was there at the time. With Strauss being the driving force behind the overall food style and Fry putting his extensive

knowledge of craft beer into play, they brought on some of Philadelphia’s best young talent in Chef Christina De Silva, Sous Chris Myers, and Bar Manager Brian Padgett to complete the team. Taproom on 19th opened in its current format on November 8th, 2013.