Growing up in a Philadelphia suburb definitely has its perks. I have never been more than a 45-minute drive or train ride away from the city, giving me access to the best concerts, shopping, sight-seeing and food. Every year, my mother and I take a trip to the Philadelphia flower show. However, we always spend more time across the street at the Reading Terminal Market than we do viewing the floral displays. Over the years, we have probably tried something from every vendor and became Terminal experts. The following is a list of places in the Reading Terminal Market that every out-of-towner must try before heading home:
1. Beilers
Located in the back corner, Beilers is a small congregation of booths selling homemade Amish cuisine. The booths are divided into two categories: bakery and doughnuts, because their doughnuts deserve a little shop all their own. Sweet, little, old women in white bonnets sit behind panes of glass rolling sticky buns and filling doughnuts. Here, you can buy sweets by the slice or an entire dessert to take home. I highly recommend any of the doughnuts (though my brother swears by the maple bacon), a slice of cheesecake to munch on while walking around or a big platter of sticky buns to take home for the next few mornings.
2. Termini Brothers
If you prefer Italian sweets to Amish ones, then this is the place for you! Brightly lit cases are lined with individual-sized pastries, elephant ears, biscotti and cannolis. When we come here, my mother and I know to pick my dad up a mini carrot cake or we might as well not even bother coming home.
3. Old City Coffee
After eating all the sweets and walking around Philly all day, you are going to need a pick-me-up. Old City Coffee is the place to get it. They have two locations in the Market, one in the middle and one by an entrance on the outside for quick grab-and-go service. Each day, they offer fresh recommended selection of coffee around the world. Though in tight quarters, the shop gives off a cute, eclectic vibe which would make any Starbucks-goer want to sit down, take out their laptop and start writing. If you fall in love with their coffee, don't worry; they sell their beans for you to take home so you can enjoy it until you can make it back to Philadelphia.
4. Flying Monkey Bakery
With a cup of coffee, you are ready for more sweets! The Flying Monkey Bakery was the first treasure that I discovered at the Reading Terminal Market, thanks to the Food Network. I recommend the butter cake, any of their truffles and the junk-in-the-trunk brownie (if you can find it!).
5. Carmen's Cheesesteaks
Every native Philadelphian will tell you a different name of a cheesesteak shop when you ask them where to find the "best Philly cheesesteak." Carmen's is my choice. The only way I can validate this choice is by telling you to go there and try it for yourself! And remember, when ordering a Philadelphia cheesesteak, always get wiz! 
6. Famous 4th Street Cookie Company
The. Best. Cookie. You. Will. Ever. Have. Period. Plus, in the mornings, they offer the deal "Buy 3, get 1 free!" and in the evenings they offer "$1 cookies" to make sure that they sell them all! When I go into the city, my brother requests four white chocolate macadamia nut cookies, and I myself can't go home without a few chocolate pecan cookies.
7. Tommy DiNiC's Pork & Beef
Another gem once featured on the Food Network and hailed as the best sandwich in America; I could not agree more. The line is always long, but always worth the wait. I recommend the roast pork with broccoli rabe and provolone cheese.
8. Profi's Crêperie
Undoubtedly, this is my favorite place at the Reading Terminal Market. I call it, "the crêpe de la crêpe." The menu boasts savory, sweet, and alamode crêpes. While you wait for your order, you can sit at the counter and watch the crêpes being made on the round hotplate with a squeegee-like device. Some of my favorites include chicken pesto, berry cheesecake, apple honey walnut and strawberry Nutella.
I am well aware that I just named eight places to eat and that no matter how hungry you may be when you arrive, there will never be enough room in anybody's stomach to fully enjoy all of these wonderful places. But don't worry, they all offer take out:
