Pepsi recently held a VIP preview party at Cafe Carmela, 2859 Holme Ave., for a sneak peek of Pepsi Philly Eats Fest, which will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4, from noon to 5 p.m. at Eakins Oval.
Cafe Carmela will be one of nine restaurants participating in Pepsi Philly Eats Fest. Other local restaurants participating are East Torresdale-based Three Monkeys Cafe; Chickie’s & Pete’s, with two locations in the Northeast; Rocco’s Italian Sausage, which has a spot outside the Home Depot in the Leo Mall; and Lawncrest-based The Flavor Spot.
The rest of the lineup consists of Curly’s Comfort Food, Jacobs Northwest, Oregon Steaks and SQ Philip’s Steaks.
Entry is free, and guests can purchase food and Pepsi products from any of the restaurants. There will also be nine handmade beverages with Pepsi mix-ins.
Entertainment will be provided by the hip hop duo Clipse, R&B singer Ari Lennox and rapper Freeway.
Also appearing will be former Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, Swoop and Eagles cheerleaders and drum line.
Eakins Oval is at 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
“Philadelphia’s food scene is one of the most exciting in the country, where decades-old staples sit side by side with bold new spots. After the success of Pepsi NOLA Eats Fest, we’re proud to continue using our Local Eats platform to spotlight beloved restaurants that give a city its flavor, this time celebrating Philadelphia’s rich culinary traditions and pairing these fan-favorite dishes with Pepsi,” said Scott Finlow, Chief Marketing Officer, PepsiCo Away From Home.
Local Eats Deserve Pepsi is a national initiative that celebrates and supports local restaurants, providing restaurateurs with resources and opportunities to help their businesses thrive. The program also connects diners with local neighborhood favorites.
As for the Sept. 18 event at Cafe Carmela, guests feasted on cheesesteaks, truffle fries, salad, chicken parm, drunken rigatoni, pizza, cannoli cake, Pepsi drinks and wine.
Cafe Carmela owner Joe Maglio – there is also a location in Huntingdon Valley – carries Pepsi products exclusively in his refrigerator. He opened the Holme Avenue site in February 2020, right before the pandemic, with the Huntingdon Valley location opening in 2023.
Maglio said he tries to use the best ingredients, keep prices low and make customers feel like they are eating at their mom’s house.
The staff includes a number of Maglio’s family members.
“It really is a family affair,” he said. ••
