Philadelphia Café Launches Free Thursday Dinners

PHILADELPHIA — A Center City café is marking its fourth anniversary by with free Thursday dinners.

The Hart of Catering & Café, located at Samson and 21st streets, said complimentary Thursday night dinners will begin April 9.

The effort will be known as “community night,” with service running from 3 to 4:30 p.m. each Thursday. Guests can eat in the café or take their dinners to go. No reservations are required.

Hart of Catering business and life partners Kevin Hart and Tim Judge said the meals are intended to be open and welcoming. Anyone who could use a complimentary meal or wants to share a meal is welcome.

“Anyone in need is invited — single parents, families feeling the squeeze of rising costs, people new to the city, folks dealing with job loss, health challenges, loneliness, depression, anxiety — whatever,” Hart said. “We may not reach everyone, but we want to remove any stigma around coming together for a shared meal. Everyone is welcome.”

Hart of Catering will gauge the opening-night response before deciding whether the initiative continues past April. But they hope to keep it going for the foreseeable future, a spokesperson for the business says.

The Thursday menu will include pasta (beef and vegetable lasagna), salad, garlic bread and mini cannoli for dessert. The announcement said the meals are complimentary and open to anyone who wants to share a meal.

The Hart of Catering & Café is open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Thursday hours extended until 4:30 p.m.

The café, which opened in late 2022, serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, along with desserts. They specialize in corporate and social catering.

The Hart of Catering & Café is located at 2101 Samson St.