Fast & Loose In Philly: A Trip Down Memory Lane

I recently took a short trip down Memory Lane. How I got the idea is kind of a long story -- part bet, part reunion, part midlife crisis -- but in the end, the plot was hatched: With the help of three friends, a minivan and one designated driver, I set out to revisit my college days at Temple University in Philadelphia. I don’t mean Main Campus and Psych 101. I mean the cheese steak, the bars and the bands.

With less than 24 hours door to door, we had our work cut out for us, but we summoned that old college try. Safely back home in Annapolis, I am happy to report that while the names have changed a bit, the food, the fun and the music of Philadelphia remain much as they were in 1985. Come along with me for the ride.

First stop. Pat’s King of Steaks, or just “Pat’s.” A cold winter wind was whipping around the corner of 9th and Passyunk, and the line was probably 50 deep, but weather and crowds never deter the faithful from seeking the city’s iconic food: the Philly Cheese Steak. This combination of rib-eye steak and soya-bean oil on a fresh-baked Italian roll is an experience not to be missed. (My favorite version: the “wiz wit-out.”) No matter where you travel, some hoagie shop will profess to make an “original” Philly cheese steak. Don’t believe it. They are liars! Pat’s is the cheese steak, and has been dishing it up for 77 years. Pat’s King of Steaks, 9th & Passyunk, Philadelphia, 215-468-1546; open 24 hours a day, 361 days a year.

Second stop. The Grape Street Pub, in Manayunk. Why the Grape Street? Flashback to the 80s. Ah, yes, the old River Deck -- now I remember: a great little spot for live music overlooking the Schuylkill River, decent admission price, reasonably priced drinks and a great wait staff. But the real reason we went was for the band, Beru Revue. Beru was one of the most popular Philadelphia bands of the 80s, along with The Hooters, The Daves, Dynagroove and Tommy Conwell & the Young Rumblers. Sadly, after a falling out with their management, the band members went their separate ways. But the music was not forgotten, and after a hiatus of more than 15 years, the band bowed to pressure from a small but loyal group of fans and put on a reunion gig.

Beru’s music is unique -- a bit heavy, perhaps a little folksy, definitely original, with lots of costumes, props and over-the-top energy. Most decidedly, politically incorrect. The current band (sadly two members, Johnny Sacks and Jerry Healy, have passed away) is made up of Bob McCafferty (aka Bob Beru), Greg Davis (guitar player extraordinaire), Tommy Pinto (drums), Buzz Barkley (keyboards), Jerry Getz (bass) and Mark Julian Teague (guitar). They’re still just as wonderful as I remember from the 80s. But don’t take my word for it, sample the music and check out some snaps from their recent show on the official Beru Revue Web site. Rumor has it that the band might play three or four shows per year. The Grape Street Pub, 4100 Main St., Manayunk, 215-483-7084.

Third stop. Well, apparently some things have changed since 1985, because we were given the heave-ho from the Grape Street at 11 p.m. to make way for another live act taking the stage. Since the night was still young (just like us!), we decided to check out the nightclub scene. Back in my day, the college radio station, WXPN, played newcomers like Melissa Etheridge, Cowboy Junkies and Paul Westerbrook on a local program called “Live at the World Cafe.” Today, that little station has its own nightclub called World Cafe Live (apparently it was a stretch coming up with the name). Like its namesake radio show, the place has a coffeehouse vibe to it; it features top-rate concerts on the first floor and local and regional acts on the more casual and intimate second floor. Just a couple of years old, this newcomer is a welcome addition to the scene. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia, 215-222-1400.

Fourth stop. The Khyber has always been the place to stop for live, new, fresh, indie music. The small club, which dates back to the 19th century, has hosted many local and national acts such as Broken Social Scene, Rye Coalition, Scissor Sisters, Iggy Pop, Pete Yorn and The Hellacopters. Back in the 80s, most of the local Philly bands could be seen jammin’ on their small stage as well. The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., Philadelphia, 215-238-5888.

Fifth stop. By this time, age was taking its toll, and we figured we weren’t going to make it to last call. So instead of club hopping on South Street, we decided to cruise the nightspots in our minivan and leave the wild times to the youngsters. As expected, we found that many of the old clubs were gone, but the Theater of Living Arts (TLA) remains and so does Zipperhead, though it is now called Crash Bang Boom. Also new is a store called Condom Kingdom, which has tiny spermatozoa painted on the sidewalk. All in all, I’d say the nightlife is just as vibrant as ever.

Sixth stop. OK, so we were tired. But after a night of revisiting the old stomping grounds, we were also hungry, so we made a run back to Pat’s. Remember, it’s open 24 hours a day; see “First stop.”

Seventh stop. Time for some aspirin and some shuteye, so we headed back to the hotel, a Fairfield Inn by Marriott, located down by the airport. This was perfect for us as it was on the way home, and at $100 a night, the price was right (it happens that there was a giant crafts show in Philadelphia that weekend, and downtown rooms were going for $400, which we thought was better spent on beer). The Fairfield Inn was undergoing a renovation, but the rooms were very comfortable, the continental breakfast was welcome, and the pool looked very nice. But I’m still not sure about the elevator button that displayed a horizontal arrow. Go figure. Fairfield Inn, 8800 Bartram Ave., Philadelphia, 215-365-2254.

Eighth stop. Well, apparently that continental breakfast was not enough. See “First stop.”

No matter how old you are, no matter where you grew up or went to school, a trip down Memory Lane is always a fun time. Reconnect with the past, embrace the present, and experience firsthand how the more things change, the more they really do stay the same. As for me, my mind is still buzzing with memories of 1985, and they bring a smile to my face. The CD I made of Beru is still playing in my car, and I can practically smell the intoxicating aroma of a Pat’s steak.

Life is good! Till next time … altogether now: Whoop! Whoop!

Family Trip? 10 Tips

Last month, I was talking with some friends about the joys and tribulations of traveling with the kids. As a single dad, I have done my share of jet-setting with kids in tow, so I felt free to impart my wisdom. Out of that conversation came a list of 10 tips for taking the stress out of family travel. Here they are.

1. Involve the kids. Your ideal vacation may not be what your children have in mind. It’s a good idea to get the kids’ input at the very start of the planning process so they will have a stake in making things go right. Above all, make sure everyone is on board with the destination. European opera houses? Wait for your 50th anniversary!

2. Do your homework. The better your grasp on where you are going and what you want to do there, the more enjoyable the experience will be. You don’t need an itinerary carved in stone, but you really must have an outline. The Web is a great place to get up-to-date information, as are travel guidebooks. If you work with a travel professional, pick his or her brain; a good agent may have a better idea of what you want than you do.

3. Build in some downtime. Flexibility is the key when traveling with kids. Everyone will have a better time if each has a chance to do his own thing, whether it’s reading a book or hitting the beach. “Alone time” is greatly underrated in family travel planning, as is “grown-up time,” so take advantage of a kids-only movie night to share a special dinner with your special someone.

4. Watch your budget. It’s easy to overspend while on vacation, but by keeping an eye out for incentives, discounts and other special deals, you can have a great time for less. Let your travel professional know of any special events or celebrations you want to include to make your trip more special.

5. Book smarter. Traveling in the off-season (or the almost off-season) can help rein in those costs and keep the crowds down. (If you make your escape during school time, remember to get a homework pack for the kids.) Also ask your travel pro to keep an eye out for family-friendly specials, which often are not advertised to the general public. These “agent-only” specials cross my desk many times a week.

6. Lose the crowd. If you vacation at a busy time, look for ways to avoid the worst of the crowds. Here’s a trick: Go left when you enter a national park, museum or other crowded venue -- most people will go right. And go deep -- most visitors stop at the first thing they see. This strategy also works very well in the grocery store!

7. Honor your elders. Older folks like the chance to be kids, too, so why not see if Grandmom or Grandpop wants to tag along, or even foot part of the bill. It is a fantastic opportunity for children to connect with an older generation and learn a little about times gone by. Reality check: This year’s college freshmen do not recall a U.S. president before Bill Clinton.

8. Expect the unexpected. I wish I could say that every vacation goes off without a hitch. But the truth is that very few do. The plane is late, someone left the oven on, your room is not ready, someone gets ill, the rental car gets a flat tire, the guy sitting next to you really smells. To help with the rough patches, bring along some activity packs for everyone (adults can be just as whiny and miserable as kids, if not more so). Also, if you are investing a lot of money in your vacation and don’t want to lose it all, protect it with travel insurance.

9. Reap your reward. If you are traveling with your kids, you might as well seek out reward programs that fit your family’s lifestyle. No sense in accumulating points to buy business class airfare when what you want are free sodas, a souvenir T-shirt and a chance to meet Cinderella. For example, Disney has a flexible rewards credit card, the Disney Rewards Visa Card from Chase, which provides interest-free financing when you book your Disney vacation or cruise with the card, as well as all kinds of benefits to families planning a Disney vacation. You can earn rewards on everyday spending that are good toward theme park tickets, hotel stays, Disney DVDs, merchandise and other special discounts and perks that you can use while on your vacation. If you have kids and a Disney vacation is on the horizon, this is the credit card for you.

10. Get a passport. It will be required for any foreign travel. Besides, it is the ultimate identification and it is valid for 10 years (five years for kids under 16). Do it now. Download the paperwork here. Not gonna say any more. Rant over.

So, there you have it. Now go to work, plan out that perfect family vacation and call your travel professional. And, oh yeah, tell the kids!

If you are interested in reading some of my past family travel tales, take a look at these columns: Rome with the Kids, Traveling with the Grandparents, A Single Dad’s Trip Survival Guide and Cruising with the Kids.