This expansion marks a triumphant milestone for a restaurant that has weathered devastating setbacks and a deeply personal homecoming for its founder.
A Full-Circle Homecoming
For Chef Greg Herman, bringing Sophie’s BBQ to Main Street is more than just a business move—it is a homecoming. Herman launched his culinary career and lived in downtown Manayunk from 2015 to 2019. It was within this bustling neighborhood that he met the two people who would become pivotal to his life and business: his general manager and his future wife.
Now, years later, Herman is bringing his critically acclaimed barbecue back to the community where his journey began. The Manayunk spot will serve as the brand's second location, operating alongside its thriving flagship restaurant and bar in Havertown, Pennsylvania.
Teaming Up with Love City Brewing
When Love City Brewing founders Melissa and Kevin Walter decided to open a second location in Manayunk, they needed a culinary partner capable of matching the quality of their craft beers. After an extensive search, they selected Sophie’s BBQ.
Sophie’s will serve as the exclusive food partner for Love City Brewing’s main taproom, offering their signature barbecue favorites to complement the brewery's drafts. In addition to feeding the taproom crowd, Sophie’s BBQ has been tapped to handle all exclusive catering for Love City’s upstairs private event and party spaces.
The joint venture brings two well-respected food and drink concepts together, promising to be a massive draw for Manayunk’s bustling historic restaurant row.
Out of the Ashes: A Story of Resilience
The announcement of the Manayunk location is the culmination of nearly two years of careful planning and a testament to the Sophie's BBQ team's resilience.
The restaurant's journey has been anything but easy. Sophie's originally opened in Ardmore, where its barbecue routinely sold out nightly. To meet the overwhelming demand, the team relocated to a larger space in Havertown. Tragically, a devastating fire forced them to close their doors. Rather than give up, Herman and his team completely rebuilt and reopened the Havertown location.
Since reopening, the restaurant has only grown in popularity, once again selling out of its smoked meats and outgrowing its current footprint. This new Philadelphia expansion represents a massive, positive shift from the ashes of that fire just a few years ago.
Get a Sneak Peek at the StrEAT Food Festival
Locals won't have to wait until the taproom's official opening later this spring to get a taste. Sophie’s BBQ will be previewing its menu and reintroducing itself to the Manayunk and Roxborough communities at the upcoming Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival.
Recognized as the single largest food event in Philadelphia, the biggest food truck festival in Pennsylvania, and one of the largest in the country, the StrEAT Food Festival will serve as the perfect welcome party for Sophie's BBQ's highly anticipated Philadelphia debut.
At a Glance: Sophie's BBQ Manayunk Expansion
- Location: Inside the upcoming Love City Brewing on Main Street, Manayunk.
- Timeline: Slated for a later spring opening.
- Offerings: Main taproom barbecue menu and exclusive catering for upstairs private events.
- Preview Event: Catch their menu preview at the Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival.
