Philadelphia, PA - Dining out will probably never be the same post-pandemic; however, instead of focusing on the negative, Drifters Feel Good Food has found a way to feel good about the situation. Drifters announces the grand opening of Drifters Philly, which is a delivery and pickup restaurant servicing Center City, Northern Liberties, Fishtown, Temple University, and the surrounding areas. Featuring their eclectic menu of gourmet sliders, fresh-cut fries, chicken tenders, and funnel cakes, drifters has something for everyone.


 

Drifters was opened 10 years ago by C J Mills, a long time Sea Isle City lifeguard. The goal was to offer some different food options for the locals and vacationers who spend time in Sea Isle City during the summer months. Located downtown and surrounded by bars, drifters quickly became the crowd favorite, especially from midnight to 3 am, where diners lined up to grab a taste of Feel Good Food after a night out on the town. This year things were a bit different with COVID restrictions as all bars in Sea Isle City had to close by midnight. In order to find the benefit in that setback, drifters focused on online ordering for pick-up and delivery, and soon, people were getting their favorite Feel Good Food delivered to their beach, home and work. The Philly location will also cater to those who need late night snacks with hours from 3pm – 1am 6 days a week.

Drifters Gourmet Sliders are the first must-try item on the menu. The Certified Angus Beef sliders range from the basic Cheeseburger to the Jalapeno Bacon Ranch Cheeseburger and the Peanut Butter Cheeseburger. If beef isn't your thing, there are fried or grilled chicken options, including BBQ Bacon Cheese, Cajun Ranch, Buffalo Bleu, and Chicken Parmesan. Other options include cheesesteak or pizza steak, hot dog, sausage pepper and onion, tomato mozzarella basil, and of course, the famous homemade crab cake slider.

Fresh cut fries are the other main menu item that beachgoers flock to order, with an average of 1000 lbs. of potatoes a week being washed and cut during the summer in Sea Isle. The basic small, medium and large options of fries include Sea Salt, Old Bay, and Cajun with the optional side of warm American and Monterey Jack cheese sauce.   Specialty fries include Truffle Parmesan, Garlic Parmesan, Bacon Ranch Mozzarella, Buffalo Bleu Mozzarella, Cajun Ranch Mozzarella, Poutine (Brown Gravy and Mozzarella), and Brown Sugar and Cinnamon coated Sweet Potato Fries.  

To accommodate customers with allergies, drifters uses soybean oil instead of peanut oil, and drifters' fries are gluten-free with dedicated fryers and baskets designated strictly for potatoes.

What aren't gluten-free are the items on the Somethin' Different and Somethin' Sweet menu. For something different, there are chicken tenders served with Honey Mustard, BBQ or Ranch as well as Buffalo Bleu Tenders and Cajun Ranch Tenders.

Drifters also offers a Mozzarella and American grilled cheese sandwich with the additional options of bacon, tomato or both.  Finish off the meal, the Somethin' Sweet menu offers the healthy option of a small or large order of fresh-cut watermelon, or the Jersey Shore Boardwalk treats including funnel cake, fried Oreos, and fried Snickers bars.

As if the food wasn't enough, drifters also offers a "Musicians' Corner" to help out all of the musicians who pass through Sea Isle City performing at the many venues. Mills, a fiddle player who has been on the tri-state music scene for the past 25 years, saw a demand for musical gear that people need while at a gig and can't get at the Jersey Shore. To stick with the concept of providing Sea Isle City with something new, drifters sells guitar and bass strings, cables, kapos, tuners, picks, straps, drumsticks, and more!   All of these items will also be available for delivery in Philadelphia!  

Executive Chef RJ Smith, who is currently the general manager of the Sea Isle location, is the other owner/operator running the shop in Philadelphia. Drifters Philly is the first Drifters outside of Sea Isle City, NJ. and is open for pickup and delivery on Grubhub, Uber Eats, Doordash, and Postmates. All orders can be placed by visiting www.driftersphilly.com or by calling 215-339-2357.