April 03, 2026
Provided Image/Bill Cassidy
Love City co-founders Kevin and Melissa Walter are pictured with Sophie's BBQ owner and chef Greg Herman, center. Love City will partner with the Havertown-based restaurant at its upcoming Manayunk brewery.
Love City Brewing has selected Sophie’s BBQ, a Havertown favorite, as the food partner for its Manayunk location that's planning to open later this spring.
Sophie’s BBQ will operate a full kitchen in Love City’s upcoming 4323 Main Street space, where it will serve up staples like smokehouse nachos, sliders, brisket cheesesteak, barbecue platters and more. It will also step up as the exclusive caterer for the brewery’s private bookings.
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"We are thrilled to announce Sophie's BBQ is coming to Philadelphia," owner and executive chef Greg Herman said in a statement. "After customer requests and popular demand. ... This is a moment that has been a long time coming."
Melissa and Kevin Walter, co-owners of Callowhill-based Love City Brewing, said in January that they would take over the former Fat Lady Brewing site as its second location. The nearly 5,900-square-foot, two-story space will hold a taproom and retail space on the first level with an event area above.
“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,” Melissa Walter said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to welcome them to our Manayunk taproom. What’s better than beer and BBQ?”
Sophie’s BBQ will open in Love City's upcoming Manayunk brewery this spring.
Herman opened Sophie’s BBQ in Ardmore in 2020 and was instantly met with such a high customer demand that they were forced to move to a bigger location at 1901 Darby Road in Havertown.
Over the years, the owner and head chef said he had been scouting locations in East Passyunk, Northern Liberties and Fishtown as potential spaces for Sophie’s second location, but ultimately saw the opportunity to collaborate with Love City on Manayunk's Main Street as a no-brainer.
“Melissa, Kevin and their team are rockstars in their space and their products are top notch,” he said. “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.”
The neighborhood also holds a special place in Herman’s heart, having spent many years living and working in Manayunk and crediting the Main Street scene for introducing him to his wife, Norah.
“Manayunk is full of great people who love what they do,” he said. “It is like its own little town inside the great city of Philadelphia, full of great restaurants, bars and shops. … We can’t wait to get back into the Manayunk scene and host all of our new neighbors and friends.”
