About this Restaurant
About The Original Philly’s
Guy, a Philadelphia native, has been the owner since 2003 along with owners Charles and Minerva Humphrie who founded and operated The Original Philly’s in 1994. He was well established in the corporate world back east when a buddy in Seattle asked him to help open a Philadelphia style restaurant. Guy was ready for a change from the daily grind so he got on a plane and landed in Seattle not thinking he would become a restaurant owner. “I wanted to bring an authentic Philly cheese steak to the people of the PNW and have them love it like I do.”
Guy was surprised to find out how much he enjoyed the work and that he was good at it. He found his niche in the restaurant business. It isn’t just the restaurant business that he enjoys; he is inspired by the vibrant location of Philly’s at MLK & Rainier and the diverse clientele. “I love the diversity of the community here,” he said. His customers include Franklin High School students at lunch, light rail commuters in the evening and a loyal base of regular Philly followers. According to Guy, it’s all about being legit. “I’m from Philly and know how to make it right,” he said.
You may have seen the Philly Van parked next to the Original Philly’s. On game days he drives the van over to the stadiums and feeds the fans. This full service mobile restaurant can be hired for special events, picnics, parties, carnivals, and festivals.
The Original Philly’s on PON
Guy likes new and different opportunities to meet people and share his product which is why he didn’t hesitate to participate in the Plate of Nations year after year. He also sees a lot of new faces during the event. He said, “I think that we get so many new customers from Plate of Nations not just because our food is good, but because Plate of Nations is fun.”
The authenticity of The Original Philly’s is not lost on Plate of Nations customers. One said, “I love the sandwiches! This stuff is amazing. Super friendly, I’ll be back. Hard to find a good Philly on this coast.” Another said, “Don’t change anything! Excellent food and people.”
Restaurant Info
Established: 2014
Proprietor: Guy Thomas
Plate of Nations: 2011 - 2023
Neighborhood: MLK/Rainier