"Before 5pm at Heavy Metal Sausage, grill dads hover over the perfect slab of short rib behind the glass deli case, and friends wait impatiently for their Italiano platters for game day snacking. But post-sundown, My Chemical Romance gets cranked up, and an unexpected and inventive Italian tasting menu takes over. It’s that rare place that does it all, and does it well: a no-nonsense neighborhood deli by day, and a fun, impressive trattoria by night. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO The South Philly BYOB is lowkey to say the least—there’s a massive chalkboard menu, Heavy Metal and Phillies’ merch, and a gothic skeletal mural on the wall. During the day, hand-rolled pasta and pork crépinette aren’t the heavy hitters—it’s the quality meat in cold cut, charcuterie, and sandwich form. Locals pick up their to-go orders and call dibs on next week’s smoked trout, while others pillage a ham sandwich with pickled asparagus. During these walk-in hours, the last ounce of silky chicken liver mousse is as in demand as a dinner reservation. The food on the $100, five-course tasting menu is serious, even if the place is not. The kitchen is open, so you’ll be in the smoky beef heart of it all. Someone's gonna mention the Eagles or sing along to Taking Back Sunday while sipping their barolo. You’ll hear about the chef’s process for foraging mushrooms and walnuts, and why nepitella is the perfect herb to amp up salsa verde. Everything served on the vintage china is a product of PA produce—including their mainstay antipasto tower, unmatched confit tuna fettuccine with raisins, and beet gelato over a moist black walnut ricotta cake. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO An Italian BYOB in South Philly isn’t special, but Heavy Metal Sausage is. The shop is as proficient with a deli slicer as it is with warm, friendly service and exceptional food. It feels like dinner at a friend’s house—the one who never gave up on cooking school, or their garage band fantasies. Food Rundown The menu here changes monthly, but here are a few examples of things you might see. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Antipasto Tower This starter has the same versatility as the rest of the menu, and changes as frequently. We’ve had it with pickled vegetables, grilled pork skewers, and lightly salted crescent potatoes, and other times with rolls of Pennsylvania salami and bologna. The outline remains the same: a little salty cured meat here, a tangy vegetable there, and giardiniera worth bottling so you can eat a spoonful a day. Plus, it always comes with excellent bread made from local grains, and whipped butter. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Aged Toro, Peperonata, Agrodolce Onion, And Fennel Pollen photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Corn Ravioli With Heavy Metal Ragu photo credit: CANDIS R. MCLEAN Gran Arso Fettucine, Confit Tuna, and Raisins Rich. Comforting. And worth creating a sign that says, “Will work for pasta instead of a paycheck.” If we haven't been clear—this is a plate-clearing, fork-scraping, fighting-over-the-last-drop dish. There are chunks of garlicky tuna, a slightly nutty aspect to each bite of pasta, and raisins, giving the tomato-y red sauce a hint of sweetness and wine-like flavor. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Busiate With Radish Greens And Garum photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Beef Sirloin Heart, Kabocha Squash, Ají Dulce, And Napa Cabbage photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Black Walnut Ricotta Cake With Apples" - Candis R. McLean
