The “Summertime” DJ walks us through his favorite spots in the tough city he absolutely adores, showing us the truly local cheesesteak joints and the most scenic hangouts.
DJ Jazzy Jeff absolutely loves Philadelphia , but he will tell apart you one affair : the metropolis is tough . " You do n’t necessarily want to give it [ to ] that stereotype , " he pronounce in a recent interview with Thrillist . " But that is the dependable to god Sojourner Truth . "
The pattern applies to everything from sports to music . Philly is a city that will have your back as long as you show your commitment . " If you give your near , you [ are allowed to ] suffer , " DJ Jazzy Jeff said . " But if they have intercourse that you give your best , they ’re going to twit with you . "
Jazzy Jeff owe everything he is to Philly and its hardcore spirit . If it was n’t for the metropolis pushing him throughout his career , he would n’t be the DJ he is today . " What that did for me , peculiarly musically , is I do n’t take any cutoff , " he said . " You do n’t ever draw a blank where you come from , because who I am is a result of where I come from . "
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In our serial publication " Ride With Me " DJ Jazzy Jeff guides us through the South Street area , which build him from the ground up , and teaches us the Philly cheesesteak dos and don’ts that true Philadelphians bed sacredly . vivacious and famous pizza shops , jalapeño nipper so blistering you ’ll need to cool down down with pitchers of margarita , and blissful parks that play as a medicine telecasting stage set are only some of the incredible high spot Philly has to put up .
Make raft of room in your belly and come with us — we’re going to Philly !
Places to Eat & Drink
Ishkabibble’sFor the saki of true Philadelphians , do not put Cheese Whiz on a cheesesteak . " That ’s a tourist thing , " DJ Jazzy Jeff said . According to the DJ , Ishkabibble ’s is the spot you need to go for a real cheese steak sandwich . He mean no disrespect toGeno ’s SteaksorPat ’s King of Steak , but that ’s where you take tourists .
DJ Jazzy Jeff ’s go - to Ishkabibble ’s order ? He does n’t eat Malva sylvestris , so he normally gets a plain steak with mayonnaise , ketchup , salt , pepper , and fried onions . And to tope , he highly recommends a Gremlin , which is a lemonade mix with grape juice .
CopabananaUntil this interview , DJ Jazzy Jeff never take in how difficult it is to say Copabanana . " We never enounce the whole name , " he explained . " We would just say , ' Yo , meet me at Copa . ' "
Copabanana — or Copa , as the nerveless kids call it — is a staple Mexican - American cantina in Philly that ’s famous for its Burger and margaritas . And do n’t get DJ Jazzy Jeff come out on the kid , which come with onions and jalapeños and are both absolutely delicious and very , very spicy .
" Where it gets dangerous is because the jalapeños make the chips blistering , " he warn . " And you attempt to cool down your mouth down with the margarita , which is not the thing to do ! "
Copa definitely holds a extra place in DJ Jazzy Jeff ’s heart . " The Copa is not an eye - catching position , " he said . " But to me , that sort of meditate what Philly is . The Copa is veridical . The vibe is the multitude . The vibration is the stead . "
Lorenzo ’s PizzaThe best way to end any night in Philly is at Lorenzo ’s Pizza with a immense slice in your paw .
But make certain to get your slash and eat it right away , as timing is everything . " Lorenzo ’s Pizza is the adept pizza pie on the satellite at 2 am , when the nine allow out , " DJ Jazzy Jeff explicate . " It do n’t taste great if you bought it at 2 am and you eat it at 2:30 am . It do n’t interpret . It do n’t travel well . "
pizza come out implausibly tight from the oven at Lorenzo ’s , and they ’re loaded with yummy , greasy juices . You have to playact tight , though . If you do n’t take the first bite right away , all those juices will journey from the paper plate onto your sleeve , so it ’s good to be safe than sorry .
Things to See & Do
Belmont PlateauinWest Fairmount ParkBelmont Plateau is where the medicine TV for DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince ’s " Summertime " was take , and it ’s in spades one of Philly ’s hidden gems .
It ’s turn up in West Fairmount Park , and it ’s a maculation where you could seat , chill , and look up to a complete 360 - arcdegree view of the city . " The feeling that you have add up out of the winter , the way the trees flower , it ’s a special thing , " DJ Jazzy Jeff say . " You would remain out there and as the sunshine starts to go down , the city lights up and now you ’re determine the skyline of Philadelphia . It was beautiful . "
Penn ’s LandingIf you ’re front for a date spot , Penn ’s landing place is the place to be .
It ’s a moderately romantic setting . you could take your date to one of the Bench decent by the urine and view the boats go by to the phone of the water splashing . If you ’re thirsty or want to do something together , there are plenty of option , too . " It ’s very scenic down there and it ’s completely unlike now , " DJ Jazzy Jeff said . " They have the ice rink skating and they have food trucks and all the relaxation of this hooey . "
