Copabanana

Original South Street Copabanana.............. Born in the halcyon days of the original South Street Renaissance 34 years ago, the Copa has become a true Philadelphia institution with generations of loyal fans. Starting as a tiny pub with a kitchen in the window the restaurant has grown over the year to include five storefronts and a outside sidewalk cafe — and now a separate new wine and beer bistro. The menu — which pioneered gourmet burgers, fresh lime margaritas and the original Spanish fries — has grown, too. The signature burgers, fries and margaritas remain the big draw but the menu now includes imaginative tapas and dinners with a tropical flair. A long parade of "best" awards have honored the Copa over the years including the most recent Zagat's guide. Long a hangout for South Street's bohemian artists and musicians, the Copa also attracts a diverse mix of young professionals, neighborhood residents and tourists from around the world.