r/Phillylist • u/KindergartenBullshit • 10d ago

Found Just found out Essene is closed, did anyone salvage their recipes?

Used to work there, would love some of the kitchen and bakery recipes. Absolutely could die for even just their Harira soup recipe. RIP to a Philly institution.

34 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

20

u/Extreme_Succotash784 10d ago

RIP Essene. Was one of my favorite places to shop. Now we’re stuck with Whole Foods as the only option for natural food and vitamins. I sadly, do not have any recipes.

6

u/rooroopup 10d ago

Have you been to moms? It’s my favorite

3

u/Extreme_Succotash784 10d ago

Yes- I really like moms too!

1

u/ScoutG 7d ago

So much better than Whole Foods

0

u/inherendo 10d ago

Lol natural food. What would unnatural food be?

11

u/mcas06 10d ago

I lived on the second floor in the corner building across the street from them in the late 90s. I used to go there every few days. Sad to hear they’ve closed.

5

u/if_it_rotates 10d ago

The buffet closed during COVID and never reopened.

6

u/blushcacti 10d ago

rip. best hot bar ever. great spot.

4

u/KindergartenBullshit 10d ago

Absolutely, even the in-house made sandwiches were god tier.

2

u/InigoJonze 10d ago

Can anyone please remind me what brand of hummus they carried, against the back wall near the cookies? Particularly the black pepper variety, it was the best.

6

u/KindergartenBullshit 10d ago

Bobbi's maybe, they had a bunch of fun hummus flavors. Their kalamata olive hummus was perfection nothing on the market compares. They also had a local brand with very minimalist packaging, just a label and a clear plastic container, but I can't remember what it was called. It was a very solid humble hummus, not much garlic or lemon, sort on the plain side but a great picky eater/kids hummus.

4

u/TransMessyBessy 9d ago

Is Bobbi’s still around? Their garlic hummus was breathtaking.

2

u/wis91 10d ago

Abraham’s?

2

u/damon-daemon 3d ago

Really loved their buffet

2

u/Imaginary_Fix_4157 1h ago

If anyone can has recipes or a resource for the baked goods I'd be forever grateful!

-6

u/DunderMiffler 10d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/philadelphia/s/ul45rcOMqI OP of this thread used to work there and they’re salty about the closure so i bet theyd give up some recipes

21

u/KindergartenBullshit 10d ago

I'm talking About Essene Market and Cafe. Used to be on S 4th St and Monroe.