Chickie’s & Pete’s voted best sports bar in North America

Philadelphia has been at the bottom of its fair share of lists, but the city finally received a distinction that will make residents stick out their chests: Chickie’s & Pete’s has been voted the best sports bar in North America in an ESPN mobile poll.

The popular sports tavern with roots in Mayfair was selected from about 5,000 nominations and after a total of 15,000 votes. Some fans believe the award validates Philadelphia as the best sports town, regardless of that Santa Claus incident decades ago.

“Philadelphia has always been a passionate sports town. I’m a passionate sports fan,” said William Coyle, a police officer in Delaware County, at the Chickie’s & Pete’s on Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia yesterday. “This is Philadelphia right here. It’s a great place.”

The watering hole known for its crab fries had previously been voted the best bar on the East Coast in an ESPN poll and ranked in the top five sports bars in the country. The Packer Avenue location hosts pregame shows by all four professional sports teams and is packed every Sunday during football season.

“I’m amazed. I started screaming and my wife asked me what happened,” said executive chef Tom Ciarrocchi. “I didn’t even vote. I don’t know how to do it.”