Sophie’s BBQ, a beloved barbecue spot, will bring its bold flavors to Manayunk this spring.
Owner Chef Greg Herman is partnering with Melissa and Kevin Walter of Love City Brewing on the forthcoming location at 4323 Main St., in the former Fat Lady Brewing space.
Chef Herman brings 20 years of culinary experience, starting in his teens at Samuel’s Pancake House in Wildwood. He has worked at notable restaurants including Le Castagne in Center City, The General in Lafayette Hill and Lucky Well in Ambler.
This marks Sophie’s BBQ’s Philadelphia debut; it currently operates an outpost in Havertown.
“This is a moment that has been a long time in coming. After customer requests and popular demand, we are excited to bring our BBQ to historic Main Street in Manayunk as the food partner for Love City Manayunk when it opens later this spring,” Chef Herman said in a statement.
Love City Brewing is set to become a tasting room and event venue, echoing the warm, inviting atmosphere of its flagship location in Philadelphia’s Callowhill neighborhood.
“There’s nothing more classic than the pairing of great barbecue with amazing locally made beer. Melissa, Kevin and their team are rockstars in their space and their products are top notch. We are big fans of what they do at their flagship off of Spring Garden, and now we can’t wait to work with them in Manayunk,” Chef Herman said.
The menu centers on smoked meats and Southern-style comfort fare, with a mix of snacks, sandwiches and platters.
Highlights include smokehouse nachos with Cooper cheese sauce, pickled onions and candied jalapeños; BBQ sliders with pulled chicken, pork and brisket; and dishes such as candy bacon mac and pork belly burnt ends. Sandwiches range from a classic BBQ sandwich to a brisket cheesesteak and a smoked vegetarian meatloaf made with plant-based protein. Meats will also be offered by the pound, including brisket, pulled pork, chicken and St. Louis ribs, alongside sides such as mac and cheese, collard greens, BBQ beans and butterscotch swirl cornbread.
The Walters are equally excited about the partnership.
“In our search for the right food partner, Sophie’s BBQ stood out immediately, not just for the quality of the food, but for the care and intention behind it. After tasting through the menu, it was clear that Greg and his team approach barbecue with the same level of craft and thoughtfulness that we bring to our beers. We’re thrilled to welcome them to our Manayunk taproom,” Melissa Walter said in a statement.
The new Sophie’s BBQ outpost is also a homecoming for Chef Herman, who lived in Manayunk from 2015 to 2019 and worked at Pitchers Pub in 2017. While in the neighborhood, Herman met Ian Arayata, now his general manager at the Havertown location, who later introduced him to his wife, Norah.
“Manayunk is full of great people who love what they do. It’s a place where you can pull up a barstool and get to know the bartender who will forever remember your order; it’s a place where you can get award winning cuisine from around the world; it’s a place full of characters where everyone has a story—and they all love their community and neighborhood,” Herman said.
Sophie’s BBQ will join the Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival on April 19, giving the community a first taste of its barbecue ahead of Love City Brewing’s grand opening.
An official opening date for both has not been announced, but updates are available on the Sophie’s BBQ and Love City Brewing websites. Stay tuned!
