Sophie’s BBQ is ready to bring their big bold flavors from the Main Line to Main Street Manayunk. Executive Chef/ Owner Greg Herman is teaming up with Melissa and Kevin Walter to fire up a full food menu inside the much-anticipated, coming-soon location for Love City Manayunk, at 4323 Main Street, in the former home of Fat Lady Brewing. The popular Havertown barbecue restaurant will offer barbecue favorites seven nights a week when Love City Manayunk opens later this spring. Menu selections will include Smokehouse Nachos, BBQ Sliders, Candy Bacon Mac, Pork Belly Burnt Ends, Briskey Cheesesteak, Smoked Vegetarian Meatloaf, BBQ Coffee Rubber Briskey, Pulled Chicken, Pulled Pork Shoulder, BBQ Platter, St. Louis Ribs, Collard Greens, Mac N Cheese, Butterscotch Cornbread and more. Herman started his career many years ago in Manayunk and looks forward to returning to the food scene there. Sophie’s BBQ will take part in Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival on Sunday, April 19th. He invites the community to come say hello, meet the Sophie’s BBQ team and preview select menu items ahead of Love City’s grand opening. Dishes that day will be pay-as-you-go. Love City Brewing will also be pouring outside that day. Sopie’s BBQ’s flagship location in Havertown will continue to operate, and soon will announce its biggest spring event line-up and a new menu soon.
“We are thrilled to announce Sophie’s BBQ is coming to Philadelphia,” said Herman. “This is a moment that has been a long time in coming. After customer requests and popular demand, we are excited to bring our BBQ to historic Main Street in Manayunk as the food partner for Love City Manayunk when it opens later this spring. There’s nothing more classic than the pairing of great barbecue with amazing locally made beer. Melissa, Kevin and their team are rockstars in their space and their products are top notch. We are big fans of what they do at their flagship off of Spring Garden, and now we can’t wait to work with them in Manayunk”
“Manayunk has a very special place in my heart – I lived and worked here for several years. Main Street Manayunk is where I met my General Manager and friend Ian Arayata. Manuyunk is where I was introduced to my wife Norah. Manayunk is full of great people who love what they do. It is like its own little town inside the great city of Philadelphia, full of great restaurants, bars and shops. Its a place where you can pull up a barstool and get to know the bartender who will forever remember your order; its a place where you can get award winning cuisine from around the world; its a place full of characters where everyone has a story – and they all love their community and neighborhood. Manayunk is the hottest festival neighborhood with giant events that attract people from across the country – for things like the StrEAT Food Festival to the world-famous Manayunk Art Show – and tons in between.”
“In our search for the right food partner, Sophie’s BBQ stood out immediately, not just for the quality of the food, but for the care and intention behind it. After tasting through the menu, it was clear that Greg and his team approach barbecue with the same level of craft and thoughtfulness that we bring to our beers. We’re thrilled to welcome them to our Manayunk taproom. What’s better than beer and BBQ?” – Melissa Walter Love City Brewing Co-Owner and Director of Operations Melissa Walter.
“Manayunk is thrilled to welcome Love City Brewing and Sophie’s BBQ to our historic restaurant row,” said Manayunk Development Corporation Executive Director Gwen McCauley. “Love City Brewing has built an amazing reputation as one of the city’s top craft beer makers, and their energy and community spirit are a natural fit for Main Street. Sophie’s BBQ is a Main Line gem bringing top-rated, award-winning barbecue to the neighborhood – and it’s a special homecoming, as Chef Greg Heman got his roots started right here in Manayunk years ago. That both businesses chose Manayunk for their expansions speaks volumes. They represent exactly the kind of bold, independent operators that make this corridor one of the most exciting dining destinations in the region.”
RETURNING TO MANAYUNK ROOTS
Chef lived in Manayunk from 2015 to 2019 and worked in the food scene in Manayunk in 2017 at Pitchers Pub. During his time in ‘Yunk he fell in love with the people, the neighbors, the businesses and owners, the real characters that give Manaunk so much personality and make it so unique. He loved the energy and tight knit community not only in the food and drink scene, but in the small business scene in general.
Chef met Ian Arayata in Manayunk – who would become a friend and Chef’s General Manager for Sophie’s BBQ Havertown. Arayata would go on to introduce Chef to his wife Norah during those years they were hanging out in Manayunk! Both Chef and Arayata look forward to returning to Manayunk with this exciting new project.
WHY EXPAND, WHY NOW
After selling out nightly for years in Ardmore and later in Havertown, Chef had been scouting for new potential venues for a second location. Chef had been looking at hot food neighborhoods in the city for his expansion – from Fishtown to Northern Liberties to Center City to East Passyunk. One neighborhood repeatedly came up over and over in his search: Manayunk.
Manayunk had a well-known BBQ restaurant that closed before the pandemic – and there was a growing demand for the return of BBQ to Main Street’s restaurant row. Chef had been looking at a few opportunities in that area Love City Brewing announced it was coming to Main Street.
Chef and his team were fans of Love City Brewing and reached out to explore a potential partnership. The Love City team came to sample food and talk details over a great meal and the rest was history. Now the two teams are hard at work prepping for their big grand opening.
MANAYUNK MENU
Sophie’s BBQ will take over the former back bar area with an expansive food service space and counter toward the back of the first floor dining room with its own separate POS, menu and ordering system. Look for the following on the opening menu:
TAPROOM SNACKS
SMOKEHOUSE NACHOS
Cooper cheese sauce, pickled red onions, candied jalapeños, Alabama white sauce ⁃ Add pulled chicken ⁃ Add brisket ⁃ Add pulled pork
BBQ SLIDERS
1 Alabama white pulled chicken, 1 honey hot pulled pork, and 1 kc bbq brisket slider topped with sweet and spicy slaw and house pickles.
CANDY BACON MAC
Creamy Mac topped with caramelized onions and candied bacon, and fresh chives.
PORK BELLY BURNT ENDS
Twice smoked pork belly, glazed in bbq, served wjth Carolina mustard.
SANDWICHES
BBQ SANDWICH
Your choice of brisket, pulled pork, or pulled chicken. Topped with sweet and spicy coleslaw, horsey pickles, KC bbq sauce and served on a country white roll.
BRISKET CHEESESTEAK
Smoked brisket, caramelized onions, Cooper cheese sauce, seeded long roll.
SMOKED VEGETARIAN MEATLOAF
Impossible meatloaf smoked with cherry wood, glazed with our signature KC bbq sauce, topped with pickled veggies, and topped with Carolina mustard sauce
BBQCOFFEE RUBBED BRISKET
Half or full pound
PULLED CHICKEN
Half or full pound
PULLED PORK SHOULDER
Half or full pound
ST. LOUIS RIBS
Half or full rack
BBQ PLATTER
Your choice of a half of any of our smoked bbq meats, 2 sides, and a piece of cornbread
SIDES
BBQ BEANS
Smoked brisket & pork shoulder
COLLARD GREENS
Sweet & smokey pork stock
MAC & CHEESE
Cooper sharp & cheddar
COLESLAW
Sweet & spicy dressed cabbage & carrot
BUTTERSCOTCH SWIRL CORNBREAD
Maple blueberry butter
EXCLUSIVE CATERING
Sophie’s BBQ will also be the exclusive caterer for Love City Manayunk for private events and parties. Love City Manayunk has extensive private party and event space upstairs and Herman will design special catering menus for events of all varieties from birthdays, anniversaries, corporate affairs, special occasions, special events and more.
Look for catering to include all of Herman’s BBQ favorites up to more exclusive and elevated options – with menus for everything from casual parties to move upscale events. Both Sophie’s BBQ and Love City look forward to teaming up as a unique package and offering for rehearsal dinners and unique weddings – both currently host events now in their flagship locations and Sophie’s BBQ is one of the Main Line’s top wedding and private party caterers.
CITY DELIVERY
Sophie’s BBQ at Love City Manayunk will mean delivery through popular delivery apps for the first time ever for Philadelphia residents – looking to service foodies in Manayunk, Roxborough, East Falls and nearby communities – plus across the bridge in select parts of Lower Merion Township. Look for delivery to start late spring after the brick and mortar service gets under way and out the door.
PARTNERSHIPS
Not only will the menu by Sophie’s look to compliment the beer and drink offerings by Love City Manayunk, but Chef Herman is aiming to work with Love City Manayunk on other collaborations, including the idea of a collab special BBQ and beer dinner with offerings from his menu not normally available, plus hosting special events that he has had in mind for years when he had access to a large space than Havertown. Look for exciting things to come!
ANTICIPATED HOURS
Kitchen will probably close an hour before depending on day. Tap Room’s projected hours are below (please watch for the final hours when grand opening info is posted):
Monday to Thursday 4:00pm to 11:00pm
Friday 4:00pm to 12:00pm
Saturday 12:00pm to 12:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm to 8:00pm
SPECIAL PREVIEW AT MANAYUNK STREAT
Come out and welcome Chef and his team from Sophie’s BBQ to the neighborhood – look for them at Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival on Sunday, April; 19th. Sophie’s will be previewing their menu and getting to know the neighborhood again. Chef and some of the Sophie’s team have roots with Manayunk that go back over a decade or more. “I got my start early in my career on historic Main Street and I can’t wait to return. We are excited to be part of the Manayunk food scene and especially thrilled to join the line-up for one of the biggest food truck and outdoor food festivals in the nation. Look for us firing up a preview of some of our menu items at Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival on April 19th.” Per Love City’s PR team: Love City Manayunk is confirmed and now added to the line-up and will also be out there meeting their new neighbors and new patrons – they will be pouring at the festival.
“We can’t wait to get back into the Manayunk scene and host all of our new neighbors and friends. We absolutely can’t wait to get involved in the community and all those great events with our BBQ – starting at Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival on April 19th. Come out and pull up outside where we will be previewing some of our dishes.”
HAVERTOWN
Sophie’s BBQ will continue to operate like normal in Havertown and in fact has the largest special event line-up ever planned for 2026 – including expanded dates for the monthly whole pig roasts that started in the fall, a special Easter brunch, a special Mother’s Day brunch, theme brunches and pairing dinners, and more to be announced. Sophie’s will continue to partner with Four Birds Distillery at the flagship store and looks forward to debuting new spring cocktails there THIS COMING WEEK along with a new spring menu from the kitchen.
ABOUT CHEF
Executive Chef/Owner Greg Herman brings twenty years experience in cooking and BBQ over his career – starting his love of working in the kitchen in his teens at Samuel’s Pancake House in Wildwood flipping pancakes (the best job he ever had!), to notable restaurants like Le Castagne in Center City, The General in LaFayette Hill, Lucky Well in Ambler and then on to Sophie’s BBQ.
ABOUT SOPHIE’S BBQ HAVERTOWN
Sophie’s BBQ + Four Birds Distillery in HAVERTOWN:
Monday & Thursday 4:00pm to 9:00pm
Tuesday & Wednesday Closed
Friday – Saturday 11:30am to 10:00pm
Sunday 11:30am-9:00pm
1901 Darby Road, Havertown, PA 19083
Sophie’s BBQ and Four Birds Distilling Co. are two family-run, award-winning names in the local food and beverage industry. We’ve joined forces to create a truly unforgettable dining experience here in Havertown. Our partnership combines Sophie’s slow-smoked, mouthwatering barbecue and Four Birds’ meticulously crafted spirits and cocktails for a meal you’ll savor from the first bite to the last sip.
Sophie’s was born with a mission to handcraft and serve the best barbecue using the freshest seasonal ingredients. By nature, barbecue is a labor of love. From the moment we light the fire in the smoker, we pay homage to the attention, hard work, and care that goes into creating and serving incredible bbq, comfort, and soul food.
Four Birds takes great pride in crafting artisanal cocktails and spirits. Every sip is an expression of our dedication to creating beverages born from a unique combination of traditional distilling techniques and modern innovation. We use only the finest ingredients and put the utmost effort into perfecting every recipe.
With heartfelt admiration for our crafts and a passion for giving customers the best experience around, it was clear that when we came together — we became a family. Come grab a table with your friends and loved ones. Eat, drink, relax, and experience why we love doing what we do. We’ll see you soon!
CONTACT SOPHIE’S BBQ:
(484) 454-3074
sophiesbarbecue at gmail dot com
sophiesbbq dot com
instagram dot com/sophies_bbq/
ABOUT LOVE CITY MANAYUNK
Love City Brewing, the beloved Philadelphia-based brewery celebrated for unfailingly delicious beer, their flagship Love City Lager, and commitment to inclusivity – helmed by Co-Owners/Operators Melissa and Kevin Walter – is thrilled to announce its expansion to Manayunk (4323 Main St). Love City Manayunk, Love City’s first ever tasting room expansion, will celebrate its Grand Opening with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Spring 2026.
Inside the two-story, 5,884 sq. ft tasting room and events space, guests will experience an elevated neighborhood bar with vintage flair that presents the same welcoming messages as the flagship location (located at 1023 Hamilton St in Callowhill); mid-century and antique influences that nod to the building’s storied past; warm modern touches, and relaxed, communal seating built for hanging out. From a design perspective, industrial-chic foundations are anchored by exposed brick, wrought-iron and original beams accented by a plethora of draping ivy and tumbling greenery; with bold, high-color art by True Hand Society.
Overhead, a vintage-feeling tin ceiling calls back to bars and breweries of the early previous century. The historic building most recently housed a like-minded woman-owned brewery, Fat Lady Brewing, as well as a Woolworth’s retail store, a 5 & 10 shop, and a family business of collectibles and antiques.
The first floor remains a primary gathering space, open seven days a week, with a full bar featuring a capacity of approximately 75 – plus a retail and merch area where guests can shop their favorite brews, t-shirts, hats, and more. Several large mounted TVs make Love City Manayunk an ideal spot for catching Philly sports games year-round.
The second floor loft, featuring the building’s original hardwood floors, will function as the primary events space, and will open with selective hours. Featuring a capacity of approximately 60, the brewery’s upstairs can be booked for private events and parties – and will hold local vendor markets (and other fun special events) that Love City Brewing is known for hosting and plans to continue. News on the food side will be announced at a later date.
ABOUT LOVE CITY BREWING
Love for each other, for craft beer, for Philadelphia. We create unfailingly delicious beer that is the centerpiece of Philadelphia’s table. We do whatever it takes to ensure the quality of each beer we serve. We prioritize relationships with our customers, colleagues, and community. We grow at a pace that allows us to maintain these values and priorities. We work hard to demonstrate what a craft brewery should be – a responsible small business that makes outstanding beer while respecting the people that make it possible.
At Love City Brewing Company, we believe that beer isn’t supposed to be complicated – it should be approachable, and so should the places we drink it. After all, beer is “the workers’ drink” and there’s something nice about the simplicity of the pastime: a special kind of unity born of people from different walks of life coming together to unwind in the same way. We think you should know your brewer and be able to watch your beer being made. We’re about good people, good beer, and a good way to cap off the day. It doesn’t need to be more complicated than that.