Despite the Best of Philly accolades, Bobby Chez's crabcakes are a mystery to many Philadelphians, as the six-store takeout operation is only in South Jersey, from Collingswood to Margate. (There briefly was a location a few years ago in Narberth.) The first downtown location, that'll be No. 7, is due to open on Nov. 1 at The Lofts at 1352 South St. "Bobby Chez" is Bobby Sliwowski (right, in a photo from his Web site).
South Jerseyans may remember him from the fancy French restaurant Chez Robert, which he ran from 1976 until 1995 at its three different locations. In 1997, he opened Bobby Chez Seafood Specialties in Voorhees. His Web site is here.