This week the Recorder has a special announcement to make.
We have finally discovered a place in this city where you can get lunch or a snack that is not only affordable, but also healthy.
A Taste of Philly offers gourmet pretzels, something refreshing for those who are tired of typical snack staples like bagels, hamburgers, pizza and salads.
However, these are not the average pretzels that you buy at the grocery or at some stand in the mall. We’re talking about authentic, Philadelphia style pretzels, and A Taste of Philly is one of just a few places in the Indianapolis area where they can be found.
Established two years ago by Philadelphia bred brothers Patrick and Christopher Wojtalick, A Taste of Philly is located near the intersection of 42nd Street and College Avenue right across from the College Avenue branch of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library.
Inside its small but neat facility, the restaurant cranks out fresh baked, handmade pretzels that are served in a variety of ways.
The regular pretzels are large and are made in rows of three. If you are in a hurry or just want something simple (as I did), you can buy a three-pack of them for just $2.75. At no charge, customers can select from four options of dipping sauces for the pretzels, including Classic Yellow, Sweet Honey and Spicy Brown mustards, as well as jalapeño cheese, Philadelphia Cream and chocolate sauces.
If your chocolate-covered pretzel doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, cinnamon pretzel twists are available.
Pretzels can be prepared in traditional style, in braided form or as small pretzel nugget bites. Those who want choices with more substance can try the pretzel dog with cheese, or the hot ham and cheese sandwich on a pretzel bun.
That’s it; just simple, but very tasty pretzels. When asked between customers to explain why he and his brother wanted to open a pretzel shop in Indianapolis, Patrick Wojtalik said their goal has been to introduce Indianapolis residents to the kind of pretzels they remember from the days they grew up in Philadelphia and a full bag of warm, soft pretzels could be purchased for 50 cents.
“We missed that kind of taste, and the idea was to bring it here for everyone to experience,” Wojtalik said. “It was hard to find a good Philadelphia pretzel in Indianapolis until now.”
So, what is it that makes a Philly pretzel different from what you may typically see?
For starters, Philly pretzels are not dipped in butter or grease, and are baked to a golden brown on the outside with softness in the middle. They are not hard and crispy.
A Taste of Philly pretzels, in particular, are salted just right, or can be purchased with no salt for the health conscious.
Whatever style or flavor of pretzel is chosen, satisfaction will definitely be experienced.
A Taste of Philly
Hand Twisted Soft Pretzel Bakery
Location: 670 E. 42nd St.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact: Call (317) 927-0109 or visit www.indypretzel.com.
