I have found a reason to love the snow. Two words: snow day. I just had two of them. I have come to realize that snow days are really just an excuse to drink during the day. Here are some tips for daytime drinking during a snow day. Also pretty photo heavy.
1. Find a dimly lit bar with a big window to watch the snow. Bonus points for having a sweet jukebox.
The Royal Tavern has both of the above. Dimly lit but has a big window so you get a feel for the snow without actually feeling the snow. I still hate being out in the snow, but I definitely like it better when I’m sitting in a bar.
2. The bar must offer some kind of warm drink involving whiskey or rum.This is also a warming mechanism. I have found that having a small amount of whiskey flowing through my veins this winter has made me a warmer person. Oh and drunker. Funny how that works.
In this instance The Royal offers a hot cider with rum. Oh and a cinnamon stick which some of my friends may or may not have taken home with them to reuse. Weirdos.
3. Indulge in some kind of comfort food. Preferably a childhood classic and a large serving of french fries. Winter = carb overload. Don’t worry, you will walk it off when you realize that Septa has shut down and you must walk most of the way home.
Vegan Sloppy Joe at The Royal. Look I can eat vegan, I swear! It was good but not great. I think I like my Sloppy Joe a little more on the sweet side. This was more on the spicy side. I still ate the whole thing. CARBS! Their fries are excellent.
4. On the second day of daytime drinking, keep it close to home. You will be exhausted from your previous snow day. Drinking indoors can be exhausting work.
Many of my wonderful South Philly and West Philly compatriots met me at my favorite bar in the city, Johnny Brenda’s. Yes it’s my favorite. You can quote me on that.
They were offering an emergency brunch. I really appreciated this because I was craving something breakfasty.
5. Move to the more brunchy cocktails. You need to slowly sip on these so take it easy. You will be marathon brunching. So have a few cups of coffee and enjoy a mimosa or Bloody Mary. Also hydrate with some water. Basically you will have like 20 beverages in front of you. This is ok.
6. Eat only dishes containing pork and potatoes. Protein for energy and carbs to absorb the booze. Right? Ok, it’s just a good combo. Also alliteration.
Do you see how much pork they have on this menu? Love. You can also get 3 different kinds of potatoes. FRENCH FRIED POTATOES, SMASHED POTATOES, AND GRATIN POTATOES.
One friend followed my strict rules and ordered the Cubano. This is a must try at JB’s. Hot pressed sandwich with pork and cheese. Fries = potatoes, in case you forgot.
Unfortunately, not all of my friends could heed my advice. Vegetarian friend got the french toast. Very good and if you prefer a sweet breakfast this will do it for you.
This is the perfect kind of breakfast for me, ham and cheesy grits. I have mentioned my love for JB’s grits. And again I will beg them to BRING BACK YOUR SHRIMP AND GRITS. COME ON!
Crispy ham, creamy grits and yolky egg.
7. Make sure you do all of the above with awesome friends who will travel miles in the snow for you and brunch for 3 hours.
This is what you get when you play around with my camera while I have stepped away. Ok clearly this logic is false because none of them were holding the camera but still they were accomplices. Seriously though, thanks dudes for making my snow days so epic.















I love snow days because it is the perfect excuse for comfort food… Love that you mentioned it!!! Brunching for 3 hours must have been so fun! Perfect for a snow day!!!
Love it! I think I would’ve loved our recent bouts with the snow monster more if I were more confident that my house was water-tight.
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! This post, and you, are adorable. So fun spending snow days with you!
pork & potatoes, whiskey & warmth… i’m loving this theme! so glad i could join you for part of the snowday blitz. i almost wish it would snow like that again. almost.
Aww thanks everyone for the kind comments. I seriously had so much fun writing this.
@JT – Ugh to home ownership. I always worry about water in the basement. I could use more confidence in my ice walking abilities as well.
This is such an epic post! I wish my snow days had been as positive and productive. Dude, I love your blog so much. I find it very inspiring, and I don’t even eat burgers.
Nicely done, and of course as a southerner I am delighted to see props for GRITS along with the rest of the prefect brunchy stuff.
Love,
Angie at Eat Here
This post makes me wish for more snow (in theory). I also have to give props to the grits!
I’m lovin’ it: JJGo // Feb 26, 2010 at 3:10 pm
[...] I like snow for all the wrong reasons [...]
I love this post.
And hey, it’s JP in the last photo!
And… I’ll be at the next Burger Club meetup!
Yay Kate! Make sure you stop and say hi, not sure if we’ve met before.
A special Special: Royal Tavern’s short rib sloppy joe // Mar 24, 2010 at 10:55 am
[...] had dinner with some of my favorite ladies not too long ago at Royal Tavern. As I mentioned before, I was unimpressed with their vegan sloppy joe. When I saw a short rib sloppy joe listed on their [...]