One of the many goals of the guides I am writing is to let people know where they can get a meal and possibly get an inexpensive brew before or after the game. Ballpark beers are running $7.50 and up these days, and we all know how much ballpark food is. The Taxi Crab gives Phillies fans a lot of the better of both worlds.

 

The Taxi Crab is a shuttle run by Chickie’s and Pete’s, a popular Philadelphia area restaurant chain. It carries passengers from the restaurant’s nearby location on Packer Avenue to Citizens Bank Park (or any of the sports venues in the complex). It will also pick up passengers at the park to take to the restaurant for a meal and good times, and then return them to the parking lot when they’re finished, giving them something to do as the parking lot slowly empties.

 

The shuttle is free; unfortunately you have to pay to park at C&P’s. But it’s still a better deal than parking at the Bank–your car is valet parked, and you won’t have to deal with post-game traffic in the Bank’s parking lot. It costs about the same, maybe a little less.

 

In addition to getting a better deal on parking and an easier exit, you can enjoy a meal at a popular local institution. This is a much easier way to try Chickie’s and Pete’s famous crab fries. They have a stand in Citizens Bank Park, but the lines for the fries get far too long, and they’re more expensive at the game. If you’re interested in trying the crab fries, try going to the restaurant and using the shuttle.

 

Besides the fries, Chickie’s and Pete’s has some pretty good grub at reasonable prices. You won’t save much money eating here over eating at the game, but there’s a good selection of seafood and a long list of different beers. They were voted #1 Sports Bar on the East Coast by ESPN, and the Best Seafood and Wings by the Philadelphia Inquirer. And the beer is cheaper.

 

So in summary there are three benefits to the Taxi Crab: less of a wait for the crab fries, less post-game traffic hassles, and a less expensive place for a beer or two before the game.

 

And Dr. Ballgame is all about finding a better way to do it.