Fluorescent lights illuminate an impressive selection of alcoholic beverages lining the bar, patrons watch the city's beloved Eagles lay some smackdown on their opponents and students unwind after a tiring day of classes. While people could perceive Copabanana as a prototypical college bar going through a standard Monday night routine, it takes a finer acumen to appreciate the subtleties that make this establishment anything but ordinary.
Copabanana's original site, which still stands today, is located at the corner of Fourth and South streets and was founded in 1978. The University City branch at 40th and Spruce streets opened merely 14 months ago, and, according to corporate chef John Hayden, its clientele breakdown is about 40 percent college students and 60 percent community members.
Both spots feature tasty Tex-Mex selections and American favorites like chicken fajita salad ($8.95), Baja fried fish sandwiches ($7.25), cheesesteaks ($6.75) and Copa's "Hall of Fame" sirloin burgers ($5.75), although there are several slight variations in the menu depending on location. Copabanana is well-known for its margaritas (14 different flavors are available), and it has hardware to back it up -- the restaurant has been voted as having the "Best Margaritas" by Philadelphia Magazine in recent years, and only after I had a few sips of a (non-alcoholic) watermelon-flavored one did I realize why. Burgers are also a hot commodity at Copa, as People's Choice for Philadelphia has given them nods with the "Best Burgers" award. For vegetarians out there looking for a high-quality meal, I would personally recommend the grilled tuna salad ($8.95), which comes with grated cheese and dressing on the side.
I'm willing to bet that few bars around the country install chefs who completed practical training in France; Hayden did just that and worked as a corporate chef for EuroDisney during his tenure overseas as well. Back on this side of the Atlantic, he helped to open the Disney All-Star Resorts in Orlando, Fla., which, at the time of their inception, earned a placed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest resort complex in the world. Additionally, he also helped to start up a wedding pavilion in another Disney hotel, the Grand Floridian. Chef Hayden's past experiences in the culinary industry, although incredibly varied, are all interconnected. "If you don't like what you do, it doesn't matter what kind of food you make," he said.
It's the down-to-earth nature of Hayden and the entire contingent of Copabanana workers, combined with plenty of special promotions throughout the year, that gets customers to start singing along with Toby Keith's I Love This Bar. With the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas, Copa is open during all major holidays, and celebrates the Super Bowl, Day of the Dead and Mardi Gras. Half-price food and drinks are available every day of the week from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Hayden says that he's "researching Quizzo" possibly for Tuesday or Wednesday nights.
Copa's bar and dining room areas seat 25 and 55 people, respectively, and a room downstairs is available for private parties, with or without a DJ. Philadelphia sports teams play on the televisions 24-7, but Hayden remarks that "any team is favored here," stressing that the clientele won't give you attitude for rooting for the Red Sox.
Simply put, Copabanana is a convenient place to chill out with friends that's both "economical and flavorful."
