PHLReview
Included In
When a friend asks you to hit up a Philly brewery with them, that's another way of saying they want to relax in an industrial warehouse with a beer and complain about potholes the size of Hagrid’s footprint. These meet-ups all kinda feel the same. So the next time someone invites you to a brewery, avoid IPA déjà vu and suggest the Albanian-leaning Töska in Mount Airy, especially if you're hungry. The platters and pizzas are more interesting than that bag of Herr's, or whatever you usually eat while glugging something with citra hops.
At first glance, Töska's food menu covers the beer-adjacent classics: pizza, wings, and sandwiches. Only the wood-fire pies are topped with sujak and creamy kajmak that you'll get a whiff of as soon as it comes your way. The hefty crusts taste like free breadsticks at an Italian restaurant, in a nice way. Slice-for-slice, this is some of the better pizza in Mt. Airy, even if it's nowhere near the best pizza you'll eat all month.
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
Töska really hits its stride with Albanian spreads and meats. The garlicky cevapi brings a much-needed shakeup to an otherwise forgettable food lineup. And the bright green and spicy feferona peppers would be good on your next sandwich. Unfortunately, the Albanian food only makes up around 20% of Töska's menu. Eating here is like dipping a toe into a cuisine that's majorly lacking in Philly. We want to jump into the whole pool.
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
So go ahead and get a pizza and some meats, even if the people next to you only ordered Kosovo light lagers. In addition to serving wine, cocktails, and local cider and beer, the staff at Töska brew about seven beers, including a few versions that nod to their Albanian heritage.
Töska is especially useful for Happy Hour, which runs weekdays from 4pm to 6pm and also from 10pm to 12am on Fridays and Saturdays. But a noticeable lack of screens means this two-story brewery doesn't work so well for gamedays—there's probably no other place in Philly with this much beer and people staring at a çifteli on the wall instead of a TV. Bring a casual date to their dining room, get a $5 beer during Happy Hour, or just stop by when you're sick of the same old breweries your friends keep suggesting.
Food Rundown
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
Töska Mezze
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
Motherland Pizza
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
Korean BBQ Pizza
photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO
Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich