I'm specifically looking for good places within walking distance of the Marriott downtown. I have eaten at Maggione's and the terminal market. Looking for other ideas for the future... I like Mexican, Italian, American, Thai....
Thanks in advance

Wow...there are soooo many FANTASTIC restaurants in Phi. -- and this coming from a Manhattanite! I would do a search on this site and you'll come up with way more than you can handle.

If you like Mexican, walk to El Vez, right on 13th street about 2 blocks from the hotel. Very good. Other than Reading Terminal Market, everything right around the convention center is generally chain-food.

Down the street at 2nd and Market is Tangerine, which we really like.

Thanks folks - 2 great responses!!

You'll get a lot more responses by going to the Pennsylvania message board at www.chowhound.com and post your questions there.

You can get a lot of info by going to http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/dining/ and http://digitalcity.com/philadelphia/dining/.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reviews of El Vez were very good, but on digital city, the commoner reviews were not good. So the other week we went instead to Lolitas, a Mexican restaurant close to El Vez, and enjoyed our dinners.

I would try to venture a little away from the Marriott. Cabs are cheap in Philly and it's a very walkable city.

I second El Vez. I've also heard that the Mexican restaurant across the street from El Vez is equally as good. Capogiro next door has fantastic gelato.

If you walk to Walnut Street, there's Alma de Cuba on Walnut and 16th. Between 17th and 18th (stil on Walnut is Pietro's for good pizza and decent pasta. For Italian, I would try Branzino on 17th and Locust. Great food. It's a BYO though (which may be tough to manage as a traveler)

Indeed, BYOB's are becoming more numerous and appreciated. Near the Marriott at 1201 Market are 2 'State Stores'.
5 N 12th St.
1218 Chestnut St.