Ask Whatever: Cheap eats on date night

"Hey Jen! I need ur help. I want to go to a cheap good restaurant in south Philly before going out tonight. Any ideas??" - GF

This is a text I got from a girlfriend last night, and has inspired me to do a Q&A tag. Not to brag (cough) but I do get a fair share of questions from girlfriends and the occasional guy friend on cooking and dining out. And I absolutely love it. So, with that said, here were my top picks for GF this weekend.

1. Snockey's Oyster and Crab House
1020 S. 2nd Street

Delicious, inexpensive fresh seafood in a real fisherman's bar setting. Everything is good here, even the cheap house wine. Best part is their Clammy Hour, from 4-6 M-F and 2-4 on the weekends (I dare you to spend more than $20). It's a real fun, cool authentic place which is getting harder to find in the newly chic South Philly-area.

2. Pho Hoa
1111 S. 11th Street

Cheap, healthy, clean Pho. Yes, Pho Hoa is a chain franchise that is sandwiched in-between very authentic vietnamese restaurants but I love it so and I love it the best. Plus whether you're adventurous or not, the menu is very extensive though it is hard to stray from the #5 small for about $6 bucks.

What is Pho you ask? Traditionally pronounced 'Fa', butchered by Philadelphians a 'Fo' it's a delicious beef broth-based noodle soup served with sprouts, basil, pickled onions and more. It's also a great hangover cure.

3. South Philly Tap Room
1509 Mifflin Street
Classic yet not without a scene so make sure you look good before going. The SPTR is an awesome place for a simple perfect cheese burger or a weird but delicious duck heart appetizer - and anything in between. And whatever you order there a million different beer varieties to wash it down with.