KYW is reporting today that the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I), that bastion of regulatory integrity, has presented both Pat’s and Geno’s with citations for operating with illegal outdoor sidewalk seating. According to our folks in the know, any restaurant within certain zones is allowed to “erect, construct or maintain a sidewalk café” provided they have a “sidewalk café license” from L&I. Additionally, the ordinance states that “All parts of a sidewalk café shall be easily removable.” Both of our neon-strewn, beef-providing institutions fall within a zone where outdoor seating is allowed, however, at last count those tables are practically earthquake-proofed into the sidewalks down there.
So what – no more day-glo patio furniture to spill your Whiz on?
Not so fast, kiddos. Philadelphia City Council’s Streets Committee is reportedly passing bills to give Pat’s and Geno’s special permission to keep their tables in place. It may be assumed that there is nothing but paperwork and money-changing to be done here, so you won’t be seeing those Got Junk? Trucks lined up on Ninth Street anytime soon. Tourists, Douchebags, and South Philly Lifers, worry not – no need to get your cheesesteaks wit a to-go bag just yet.
Let’s just hope those bills are written in AMERICAN.
0 Responses to “Pat’s & Geno’s, Feel The Wrath Of The Furious Gods Of L&I”