Oh Daddy! Philly’s long-running soul food restaurant Warmdaddy’s is done on one side, but not completely cooked
When it comes to pairing music to food, and beloved melodies to scintillating culinary vibes – always original and in a unique setting – Mt. Airy natives Robert and Benjamin Bynum, do it. It’s in their blood (their parents owned the Cadillac Lounge in Germantown in the 1950s where Aretha Franklin and Billy Paul made their bones, as well as the Impulse disco on North Broad).
Robert and Benjamin opened their first hot spot – the much-heralded, era-defining live jazz-and-spoken word club, Zanzibar Blue – on South 11th Street, near Spruce, in 1990, moving that to the Bellevue on Broad Street before closing ZB in 2007.
Since then, there has been SOUTH (which caters to their live jazz and Southern menu brand started by Zanzibar Blue), its neighboring Green Soul, and Relish. The Bynum Hospitality Group has its own frontline workers relief program, The Hero Kitchen, that you can donate to.
Then there is Warmdaddy’s. Originally opened across the street from me on Front Street in Old City over 25 years ago (and relocated to Columbus and Reed 15 years ago), Warmdaddy’s was just a little more low-down and let your hair out funky than other Bynum locations. It was colorful – damn near Day-Glo. Live blues and R&B made a musical home there. So did sacred song a la its Sunday Gospel Brunches. The food was as groovy and zesty as the music.
I woke up this morning to the quick sad news that Warmaddy’s had closed that Columbus Boulevard location, but, would soon seek out a fresh landing at another address.
I reached out to Harry Hayman for this SEO before it went out to their dining and dancing public.
To Our Valued Guests:
Opened more than 25 years ago in 1995, and on Columbus Boulevard for the last 15 years, Warmdaddy’s has closed it’s current location at Columbus and Reed in the Pennsport neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Given the current restrictions imposed on restaurants due to the Covid-19 pandemic along with uncertainties across the economy, we felt now was the perfect time to begin our migration to a new home.
We are diligently searching for a new site and feel confident we will find the perfect place to reveal a new Warmdaddy’s. In the not-too-distant future, Warmdaddy’s will once again bring you the delicious soul food we are famous for, coupled with the areas best musical entertainment.
Not to worry, until our new Home for Happiness is open, Warmdaddy’s will continue to offer takeout through our SOUTH Restaurant location at 600 North Broad Street in the Spring Garden neighborhood. In addition, you’ll still be able to order delivery from Black and Mobile, Door Dash/Caviar, Uber Eats and Grub Hub.
Relish, our West Oak Lane restaurant, is now open for outdoor dining. Join us under the tent or on the patio Thursday through Sunday evenings. You’ll find some of your Warmdaddy’s favorites on the menu at Relish, too. Reservations are now available through Open Table. The link to reserve is conveniently found on the Relish website.
You can reach us through email or by phone at 215.600.0220.
Thank you all for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming you back, providing great hospitality and soulful music, in the very near future.
Stay healthy, wear a mask, be smart and stay 6 feet apart!
Robert Bynum
BYNUM HOSPITALITY GROUP
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