Wawa
Fast food restaurant · Washington Square West ·
Cult favorite deli chain: sandwiches, coffee, gas, 24/7 access
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Cult favorite deli chain: sandwiches, coffee, gas, 24/7 access
"After caving to the massive billboards that read “Wawa has pizza” starting at 4 p.m., I tried the pizza and found it edible but an utter disappointment: a sloppily assembled pie with bland toppings and a dry, basic crust — I’ll never eat another slice again. For a company better known for tasty hoagies and coffee, this marketing-heavy push feels like an over-calculated money grab as Wawa tries to build a fast-food empire (they launched a 2021 dinner menu with burgers, fries, and pasta bowls). The heavy promotion across the city, after two previous failed attempts, makes the flop feel especially tone-deaf in Philadelphia, a place that excels at anything with dough." - Ernest Owens
"A regionally beloved sandwich shop and gas station with a cult-like following and strong nostalgia for locals, especially those from the Philadelphia suburbs; it’s known for breakfast items and late-night favorites like chicken fingers and mac-and-cheese bowls and often functions as a must-stop when people return home. The company traces its roots to an early-1900s dairy whose milk was transported by rail, and its name comes from a local Native American term for the Canada goose. The brand recently paid $5.4 million for a 10-year agreement to put its name on a SEPTA station, further cementing its visibility in the region." - Bettina Makalintal
"Wawa, the regional convenience store and deli that has over 850 stores in six states and Washington, D.C., and that cannot be written about without using the word 'cult,' was involved in every aspect of the pope’s visit. They rushed to open their flagship downtown store before His Holiness’s arrival; when the mayor cut the ribbon, he promised to offer the pontifex a hoagie of his choice. Wawa distributed branded water during Mass, fed legions of first responders, and put up a cardboard Bishop of Rome for selfies." - Meghan McCarron
"A regional convenience-chain cult favorite that many see as more than a simple stop for snacks and gas; it is praised for embodying the culinary and cultural spirit of Philadelphia and enjoys devoted affection well beyond its home territory." - Eater Staff
"The Wawa at Broad and Walnut, which opened in 2015, is permanently closed due to the pandemic and operational uncertainties." - Rachel Vigoda