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Center City Pretzel Co
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 12 am - 12 pm
Sat 4 am - 12 pm
Sun 6:30 am - 10:30 am
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
55 reviews for Center City Pretzel Co
Review Highlights
"Add a little mustard and chow down."
(in 20 reviews)
"Nothing beats a hot Philly Soft pretzel."
(in 5 reviews)
"I LOVE THIS PLACE-- great late night drunk food."
(in 7 reviews)
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55 reviews in English
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Review from Steven V.
Bellmawr, NJ
1/7/2012
I know there are hundreds of Philadelphia Pretzel factory chain stores popping up, but this is the real deal. When I was a kid growing up in South Philly this is what we ate. Kids walked the streets with shopping carts full of them screaming "FFFRRRRRRRREEEEEEESSSSSSSSSHHHHHHH PPPPPPPPRRRRRRREEEEEEETTTTTTTZZZZEEEELLLSSS!!! You can run out of your door and grab 5 pretzels for a dollar. Of course we are talking in the 80's here.
Back then there were two big players in the pretzel game. Of course there was Center City Pretzels, and their arch enemy Federal Pretzels. As kids we would argue which was better, and we knew which stores had which pretzels.
Federal pretzels is long gone, closed down years ago. That leaves Center City Pretzels the KING of the pretzels world for the Center City and South Philly area. If you want the real authentic Philadelphia pretzel you can get, stop at Center City Pretzels.
My favorite time to visit is just after midnight. The first batch is popping out of the oven. You walk in and get smacked with the scent of fresh baked pretzels. When they hand you your bag of pretzels it's so hot you have to wait a good while to eat them. The anticipation is the best.
Here's a tip, don't close the bag or they will get all soggy. Let it breath like a find wine.
ENJOY! -
Review from Vinny P.
8/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Impress your suburban co-workers!
When faced with the ever so daunting task of bringing in a snack for the communal office kitchen, you clearly want to put your best foot forward. Certain people bake, others bring in pretzels. I chose to enter the pretzel game.
I stopped off here at 7am on my way to the office. The smell let me float like Pepe le Pew from my car parked in the center lane of Washington into the door of this fine establishment. Within mere moments I was on my way with two dozen, a bottle of Keller's mustard and two things of nacho cheese. The smell on my 25 minute drive to work was both tantalizing and maddening.
People have been stopping by my office telling me how much they are enjoying the pretzels. "These are so fresh!" "They have such great texture." "These taste like pretzels I had when I was a kid!"
The day is mine. -
Review from kathleen d.
Philadelphia, PA
5/27/2011
The spare change in your pocket can buy you a warm, delicious pretzel or two. A story of hope.
A little crisp and salty outside, soft yet dense and chewy inside...These Philly pretzels are freakin perfect.
It's 4:48 in the morning as I'm writing this and you could have ya one right now.
Get. UP.Listed in: Bella Vista, Dig My Hood, Snack Strolling the City
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Review from Peter D.
Philadelphia, PA
5/29/2011
Three pretzels for ninety-nine cents. Cannot be beat!
Go at midnight especially after the Philly Pretzel Ride (starts at the Art Museum every Tuesday night around 11:50pm) and get yourself in line with the insane amount of hipsters and bike riders.
Get some mustard, pizza sauce, or caramel! You won't be disappointed! -
Review from Tim P.
West Deptford, NJ
3/21/2011
It would be just plain wrong to give a pretzel baker 5 stars....but I did consider it...
I stop in here once a week at about 3am while I'm working. Its pretty hard to not stop here knowing that the three I order are coming straight out of the oven. -
Review from Sonic S.
Philadelphia, PA
Best soft pretzels in philly. Kicks ass every time !
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Review from marissa t.
New York, NY
12/15/2010
I can't believe it has taken me THIS long to write this review, I figured after going here for 2 1/2 years - maybe it would write itself in my dreams.
The pretzels are always perfect and hot off the oven, they're added dips over the years and I always seem to stick with the plain mustard (however, A1 is probably my favorite eat-at-home dipping sauce). I think anytime i've whined about a 6:30AM flight, I've ALWAYS come here first and it's the perfect send off.
I love you midnight pretzels, forever and always. -
Review from Kim A.
Philadelphia, PA
5/22/2011
When I lived in the burbs I could appreciate Philly Soft Pretzel Factories popping up all over b/c who doesnt love a fresh, warm pretzel? But now that I live around the corner from the Center City Pretzel Co....oh its on. If you know anything about Philly soft pretzels, you know there are 2 kinds. The kind Philly Soft Pretzel Factory makes and then a more denser version. Oh, that denser version is what I love, and Center City Pretzel Compant does it just right.
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Review from Brad S.
Alexandria, VA
8/8/2010
Only the third FIVE STAR place I have reviewed
PROS: Pretzels, price, potpourri
CONS: No potpourri, parking
Ahhhh ... I pick up about 5 dozen or more every time I pass by ... freeze them, then pop them in the microwave for about 15 seconds each to reheat just enough not to lose the Philly tase. I am a middle pretzel person personally ... perfect pretzels present perfection pulled primarily perpendicular ... eh .. not sure what more to say, tried to be funny, failed miserably, tried to be cute, failed again ... just good pretzels.
GO EARLY (before noon if you can, otherwise they run out sometimes)
PARK ANYWHERE (having grown up in South Philly, it is funny to see frustrated tourists try to find legal parking, when we all just pull up and triple park - don't be afraid, that is what the hazard lights are for) -
Review from John R.
Philadelphia, PA
3/12/2008 ROTD 4/2/2008
If you're looking for soft pretzels in Philly, you need not look far. On any block there is a store, street cart, or just a man with a box willing to sell you pretzels. These pretzels may whet your appetite, but they are usually hours past their shelf life, and so they are cold and stale.
Sadly, the soft pretzel really only has a shelf life of an hour, maybe two hours depending on the temperature and humidity of the day. The hour old pretzel and the fresh out of the oven pretzel are really two different animals. That means to enjoy a soft pretzel you must get it right at the factory. Luckily in Philly this can be done in several locations, Center City Pretzel being one of the them.
Here you stand literally 10 feet away from the oven churning out a countless number of pretzels. You can feel the heat blasting you in the face. In between you and this machine is a man who will grab you the next row of pretzels and rip you off three of them for a dollar (if you buy more it can get as cheap as $0.19 each). The pretzels are so fresh you can't even hold them with your bare hands. You wrap the pretzels in a piece of the brown paper bag you got them in and you slather on some of the free mustard. Then you bite into the soft, piping hot pretzel taking note not to burn the roof of your mouth. It is perfectly crunchy on the outside, soft but just chewy enough on the inside.
Much like how a good loaf of bread is just wonderful, a fresh soft pretzel is also piece of culinary perfection. To eat a soft pretzel in its full god intended glory is sadly something many people will never engage in. If you are in or around philly you should try to get one. If you're a tourist, soft pretzels scream Philly just as much as a cheese steak. Go out and drink at The Royal Tavern, Dive Bar, or any of the other good bars around there. Then, before you stumble home, make the two block walk for the best pretzel you may have ever had. -
Review from Adam C.
Philadelphia, PA
11/10/2009 ROTD 8/21/2010
If you're new to Philly, this is a definite stop for you.
SOFT PRETZELS!
They are doughy, they are yummy, they are soft, they are pretzel, they come off a conveyer belt for you and go right into your mouth.
The place opens after midnight b/c that's the time they start cranking out pretzels for the masses.
The guy who will serve you here after midnight is not happy, so don't give him any crap, or you're gonna get a pretzel where the sun don't shine.
Anytime to experience pretzel heaven when you're drunk and stumbling home from the bar is a perfect time for a piping hot soft pretzel.
Tuesday into Wednesday nights is what they call "Pretzel Bike Run". It's basically a bunch of hipsters of all kinds that trek from West Philly and anywhere else to get some pretzels. This is one of the craziest nights and should be avoided unless you really want a pretzel? If so, you'll have to deal with a bunch of savvy, mixed-matched dressed, talking about what they just read online, scene stealers. Don't worry they don't bite, just toss them a Vice Magazine to fight over and soon a mouth-watering pretzel is YOURS!
Every time you come here the pretzels are still awesome. There isn't a special day where they taste any better or less. Don't get crazy now, they're just pretzels.
You have choices of different mustards.
Pepsi is your only choice of beverage, get over it. There are vending machines in the premise. Back in my day, there were only pretzels, that's it!
If you're complaining about this recession, then buy a pretzel! It's cheap and if you're still bitching, cut down on your bar nights. I see some of you every night at the same bar complaining about money.
So let's get PRETZELS!!!
Obama may have the Peace Prize but I got the Pretzel Price! -
Review from Jayna F.
4/26/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Hey look at me, I'm going to give this place one star because I'm a sober sally and snotty about soft pretzels.
How the hell, ahem, I mean, excuse me, how the HELL are you gonna be like "yeah these right off the line soft pretzels that cost $.35 at midnight are good... but these fresh soft pretzels in New jersey are better." I am imagining this person lives in a simple apartment with like five cats and lots of owl posters.
Anyway, I'm not going to add anything new to everything everyone else has said. Except for they might have some of the best honey mustard I've ever had. But I've never been here sober. But whatever. -
Review from Sara B.
Fort Worth, TX
10/11/2011
The best soft pretzels in Philly! The price is right and you will NOT be disappointed in the product!
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Review from GM F.
Delray Beach, FL
5/15/2011
If you are looking for pretzels... look no further.. this place is by far the best South Philly pretzel you will ever have... breakfast on the run... sliced in half with a piece of cheese for lunch... storefront is nothing to look at... I don't even think they accept credit cards actually... but I'm telling ya.. I grew up on pretzels and this is BY FAR the best place to go and get a pretzel... Don't waste your time with the others...
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Review from Jill A.
Philadelphia, PA
5/20/2009
If I were to move far, far away from Philly, this place would be one of the top three things I'd miss.
You just cannot beat cheap, hot, tasty pretzels. With spicy mustard. Especially at 2AM, after an evening of Olympic gold-winning alcohol consumption. -
Review from steven e.
Baltimore, MD
6/27/2007
It hasn't been mentioned yet, but though pretzels here only cost 3 for a dollar, a tiny dixie cup full of cheez whiz will cost you a buck each.
Last time my buddy John was so drunk he accidently dumped 3 dollars worth of cheez-whiz on the hood of some dude's late-model bimmer. Since we didn't want any trouble from the cops, we immediately high-tailed it to Cirque du Soleil. -
Review from Mark P.
Philadelphia, PA
5/23/2008
I forgot how much I love this place - only thing that sucks is the hours. I have tried to stop here soo many times and its always closed. Last night on my way home I saw it was open and imediately parked in the middle of the street ran in and grabbed a bag for all of $2. another thing that sucked was the fact that they were out of nacho cheese!!
This place makes for a great and cheap after bar/club spot to soak up the excess alcohol. There have been many morning where I wake up and find trails of pretzel salt all through my house. -
Review from Scott V.
Bristol, CT
7/10/2011
Wow! Fresh out of the oven starting at just after midnight these pretzels can't be beat. Bet you can't eat just one. Pretzel Perfection!
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Review from Bridget N.
Philadelphia, PA
7/19/2009
When you're hungry at 2AM and you happen to be in South Philly, or you have quick access to a car, bike, shoes, scooter...COME AND GET A WARM PRETZEL. They are delicious and you can pay for one with probably the amount of change you have in your pocket right now. I don't remember exactly how much they cost because well, I've never been here sober, which is so sad since I can practically spit on the factory from my house.
There's another location in SP too where my sister and I went to after a house party and the guy just gave us the pretzels for free. It made my night.
There is nothing bad to say about the Pretzel Co. And if you have something bad to say, you're just crazy.Listed in: south phillay, fast, cheap & outta control
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Review from Rachel W.
2/26/2009 1 Check-in Here
It just turned 12:02am as I'm writing this, and that means I will be departing for some pretzels as soon as I'm done.
I love this place. It's super cheap, and has great choices for dips.
One night (i don't remember) my boyfriend and roommate took me here after some heavy drinking and I apparently asked them if they had a map, and somehow probably incoherently ordered pretzels and caramel dip, and then got the caramel all over my bf's car and my awesome red plaid coat.
Anyway... cheap awesome pretzels that are great after a long night of drinking, whether or not you remember eating them. -
Review from Jenna N.
West Linn, OR
2/17/2010
These pretzels are also very good to eat when you are sober. Between Washington and Passyunk on 8th St. there is a soda machine where sodas only cost $0.75. Or is it $0.50? I don't know. Freezing cold coca cola paired with hot, salty pretzels = love for Philly.
These guys keep in the freezer for a good while, too. -
Review from Erin G.
Philadelphia, PA
7/16/2008
Oh, the good nights when I walked here from Center City, or stopped on my way back from a late-bight pick-up a the airport. I love salty things, and pretzels fall into this category. I also mostly think of them as a edible utensil for eating mustard. I LOVE mustard. Getting a hot press pretzel and dumping a crap load of mustard on it, and then getting mustard all over my face. That's awesome.
While the late-night hours add to the novelty and "members only" feel, I wish they were open at other times, too. And the last time I went, we got cold pretzels because the seller thought that the freshest batch was "too hot." Screw that. There is no such thing as too hot or too fresh when you're talking pretzels. -
Review from Daniel D.
Brooklyn, NY
6/29/2007
As Viv mentions in a previous post, their is a 'Pretzel Ride' every Tuesday night in which a whole slew of people, as diverse as you can imagine, ride from the Art Museum to Center City Pretzel Co Inc and get their fill for a buck! And boy is it fantastic! As an avid pretzel rider there is nothing I look forward to more than hopping on my bike on a nice summer night for this! The pretzels are fresh and hot, and they have mustard, caramel, and different cheeses for dipping.
Next Tuesday come check it out! Art Museum, 11:30PM. Be There! -
Review from reviewer m.
Philadelphia, PA
5/31/2010
So fresh and so good! These pretzels hit the spot day or night. Slight crunch on the outside and soft on the inside. They are best when still warm in the middle. We had some out of town guests stay with us and we told them how you can get a gross (144) from here and they decided they wanted the challenge of eating them all. They each decided to eat 20 each...that didn't last once they saw how big and dense each pretzel actually was. We ended up getting 100 and each person ate about 3 and gave up. These are delicious!
However, I am not 100% happy because they changed their hours so when we showed up at 2am they were closed. We saw online they were opened at midnight so we were very disappointed that night (they open at 4am now). Just be aware of the hours when you go! -
Review from Jennie H.
Philadelphia, PA
12/25/2010
This place kicks Philly Soft Pretzel Factory's ASS...ets. Enough said.
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Review from Heather N.
Philadelphia, PA
8/6/2010
The girl who gave this place one star is obviously from Jersey and should go back to Jersey..
This place is great. I love being able to bike here during the night when I can't sleep. Honey mustard is delicious. Cheap as fuck.
Make sure you pay attention to their hours, and when it is 11:59pm on Friday, you better be lookin at when they open SATURDAY. -
Review from Cat D.
Philadelphia, PA
1/15/2010
Since recently moving just 3 blocks away from this gem (and taking entirely too long to actually get there), I feel that my life has improved by 15%.
This is an important stop in anyone's tour of Philadelphia. Unfortunately you just have to stay up past midnight...which can't be too much of a problem, eh? Most people I know, including myself, like to stop here after some drinks. It's the perfect solution for sucking up the alcohol, being nearly broke, and wanting some salt.
I imagine that the people working here deal with drunk assholes all the time, so don't expect to have a wildly rousing conversation with them. But try to respect them.....they are pretzel gods. -
Review from Rob S.
12/23/2010 4 photos
Oh man... There is simply nothing like fresh, hot soft pretzel with good spicy brown mustard. Especially in between bars. A must try. Pretzels are about 35 cents each, but you save a little bit the more you buy. (For example, 3 pretzels for a dollar = You save 5 cents!) Wholesale prices over 50 pretzels start at 25 cents each. Check their hours as they have changed recently. The first few times we tried to go they were closed. They now open at midnight on weeknights Monday through Friday (read Sun. night through Thurs. night) but not until 4:00 AM Saturday morning (very, very late Friday night) or 6:30 AM Sunday morning (a very, very, very late Saturday night!).
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Review from Le Raccoon X.
Philadelphia, PA
2/7/2010
One of my favorite snacks of all time! So versatile: you can eat it plain, spread it with any type of mustard, turn it into a pizza, and - my summertime favorite - dip it in water ice!
This place sells it hot, fresh, and cheap! You guys are the best! -
Review from Jenna C.
Philadelphia, PA
4/8/2007
I love coming here, late at night, for a yummy pretzel with lots of mustard! And if you wait out front long enough (which I'm fairly certain they don't appreciate) you're bound to see someone you know come along. Also, if the garage doors are open, sneak a peak at their ovens... they're fun.
Just a few notes...
Bring something to drink (I think there's a soda machine two blocks down)
Don't bother trying to go on a Saturday night... they don't make pretzels on Sundays, so they won't be open Saturday night. -
Review from JACKIE G.
Philadelphia, PA
11/5/2009
Piping hot soft pretzels are the main reason I am reluctant to ever leave Philadelphia permanently. It's astonishing to me that there are other cities in America subsiding on only Super Pretzel soft pretzels and other freezer burnt varieties of "soft pretzels."
Center City Soft Pretzel Co is supreme. They make the best pretzels in the city. Philly Soft Pretzels are a joke compared to theirs. When I eat one, I'm settling. Plus, here you can buy like 24235 pretzels for a few dollars. And I feel so much better making the late night choice of soft pretzels over cheesesteaks. Gluttony without bellyache! -
Review from Mallory P.
Philadelphia, PA
7/24/2008
Best hangover prevention!
Best late-nite drunk fix! --Way better than Lorenzo's in that department, especially since they're so cheap. I'd still be way into them if they were expensive, though.
also:
Best way to burn your mouth!Listed in: My Slice of Bella Vista
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Review from stephen s.
Philadelphia, PA
2/22/2010
The ultimate late night Philly snack!! Hot soft pretzels right out of the oven from the Center City Pretzel Co. Grab a few and one of their dipping sauces then find a seat on the curb!
Pay attention to the hours, they're what makes this the essential finale for a night out on the town! -
Review from Steph D.
Philadelphia, PA
6/22/2008
I LOVE THIS PLACE-- great late night drunk food
There's really nothing like eating these pretzels fresh off the oven. If you're up past midnight, it's worth the trip. Soooooo soft and delicious... -
Review from Bernard B.
Houston, TX
12/24/2010
Best in Philly. Though the hours are kinda crappy, it's always fun for a midnight ride. Much better than that green and white chain. acht!
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Review from GINA F.
Ocean Grove, NJ
2/22/2010
This place is outrageously overrated. Hot pretzels are great an all but this place gets a lot of hype for nothing. If you want to people watch on a Tuesday night, that's a whole other story.
When you're in the mood for a good pretzel, you'll have to go over the bridge and visit South Jersey Pretzel Company on the White Horse Pike, whose pretzels trump these pieces of dough anyday. -
Review from Viv C.
San Francisco, CA
Apparently there's this Philly bicycle subculture where everyone takes a midnight ride around the city and ends up at the Center City Pretzel Co. This bakery not only supplies Philly food stands with cheap pretzels at wholesale prices ($0.19 each for 50 or more) but provides scensters with a fresh-out-of-the-oven doughy after bar food for a extremely affordable $0.30 each. Let me tell you...fresh-out-of-the-oven? SO GOOD. But don't try to go here during the day. They're only open in the middle of the night. Mmmm...midnight pretzel run. Add a little mustard and chow down.
Listed in: Like a Virgin, Philly: Not Just Cheese Steaks
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Review from Alexandra M.
Brooklyn, NY
10/14/2008
Does their lurk a g-spot at the root of the mouth? Where those nerves flush from the top of our gums to the tips of our teeth? If so it can only be discovered at 1am when the Center City Pretzel Co opens it's doors and starts selling it's freshly baked pretzels for a mere 25 cents a piece. There is nothing more quintessentially Philadelphia than this. Crazy south Philly parties - pabst or yuengling, are you rich or poor? Who cares we all live in row houses anyway! But BUT, the real answer lies in who brings the pretzels to the party. That is the savior.
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Review from Jason M.
Alexandria, VA
10/18/2010
This place is great, whether you want the pretzels for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you're in the area after a night out, I would recommend stopping by and getting some pretzels to go. The pretzels are hot and fresh, and you cannot beat the prices. If you're looking to raise some money at your school, pick-up 100 or so pretzels and sell them for $.50 or $1 each late night. Best pretzel place in Philly. And yes, it is expected that you double and triple park while running in to get your pretzels.
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Review from Jason F.
Philadelphia, PA
5/11/2009
Drunk? Hungry? Broke? This is your alternative to the wallet-raping, soul crushing, xenophobic Geno's. (Pat's is merely disgusting) In terms of snacks, it absolutely does not get better. Would be 5 stars, but tonight I was finally sober enough to actually taste the mustard and the cheese. The "spicy" mustard is just yellow mustard with some bullshit added to it. And the cheese sauce was watery and reminded all involved of melted plastic. Don't misunderstand; we LOVE cheese whiz. But this was not good.
