Election Day lunch breaks at the Famous Deli in South Philadelphia have been a tradition for generations. In recent years, North Philadelphia politicos have taken to a spot of their own, Relish in Oak Lane, which is influential State Rep. Dwight Evans’ turf.
Both places offer fascinating opportunities to meet elected officials, candidates, aides, powerbrokers, playmakers, consultants and hangers-on in the exciting, sometimes rough-and-tumble world of Philadelphia politics.

OUTSIDE on 4th & Bainbridge corner, Local 98 operative Mike Neill, left, greets South Philly’s Register Of Wills Ron Donatucci and Councilman Jim Kenney.

SHARING brief lunch-hour break at Relish in W. Oak Lane were union leader Wendell Young, State Rep. Dwight Evans, candidate Omar Sabir, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Laborers leader Ryan Boyer and Sheriff Jewell Williams.

AMONG celebs checking election-day notes at Relish Restaurant on Ogontz Avenue were Jerry Mondesire, Sam Staten, Jr. and Marion Wimbush.

SEEN walking into Relish were Ken Washington, Keith Dial, Morgan Cephas, Ajeenah Amir and Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr.

FAMOUS DELI in Queen Village was busy as usual with election-day lunchtime schmoozing by city’s political elite. IBEW Local 98 troops made it clear which candidates they were for.

POLITICOS on election day have cellphones glued to their ears, like campaign strategist Ted Mucellin, as he lunches with State Sen. Larry Farnese.

POLITICAL gossip du jour was on menu at Famous Deli for these diners: from left, Lauren Vidas, Mary Isaacson, State Rep. Mike O’Brien and Charlie Kerlin.

COMMON PLEAS Court hopeful Dawn Tancredi shares a moment with IBEW Local 98 Business Agent Brian Stevenson, key player in union’s political operations.

CAMPAIGN maven Kenny Adams, left, hears breaking election-day reports from judicial candidate Hetsie Lewandowski, who wound up winning.

INSIDE Famous Deli, IBEW chieftain John Dougherty received courtesy call from Ross Associates’ Billy Miller.

COMMON PLEAS candidate Marty Coleman, right, was escorted to Famous Deli by consultant Ozzie Myers. Coleman won.

LECET Administrator Juan Ramos, foreground right, was moderator interviewing State Sen. Anthony Williams, Sam Staten, Jr., State Rep. Cherelle Parker, State Sen. LeAnna Washington and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown at Election Day lunch at Relish in W. Oak Lane.
Wonderful peek at the political aristocracy. The Generals and their courtiers lunch in the rear, while their soldiers/committee-people try for a lunch-time push rather than a period of voter doldrums. Whatever happened to “the Mission the Men then Me”? The Philadelphia Public Record keepin’ it real!
craigsolve
May 28, 2013 at 1:36 pm