The Cook Book Stall

Cozy stall filled with unique and high-​quality cookbooks. The owner was friendly and knowledgeable about her inventory. She even had tried many of the cookbook recipes on her own. This is a hidden gem for anyone who loves to cook.
If I still lived in Philly, I would come every week. Highly recommend.

The prices are fine. they’re exactly what the retail value on the back of the book is. This isn’t the place to get «cutting their throat» prices. It’s a place to find EXTREMELY good and interesting cookbooks you wouldnt find otherwise.
I found the service to be the kind that lets you do your thing without hounding you, but still helpful, something I value. And they actually went out and got some of their selection signed brand new. I even rifled through them and noticed it was the etirety of that particular book.
Will be back. We need to keep local bookstores alive, even if they aren’t as cheap as amazon.

I don’t write many reviews and I am all for the small business owner. In fact, there is a sign asking customers to purchase books so the store can remain open. I’m a sucker for the underdog. But, I should have checked Amazon before I purchased books from this location. One book was 15.00 less on Amazon for the same exact book new and the other was 10.00 less on Amazon for the same new book. I’ll probably just take the hit one this one as I’m certain this will be the case with all books. I’m considering it a donation to the small business, but I will not be back. Lesson learned.

The selection is decent, but the bad customer service I experienced here makes me question how this place stays in business.
I spent about 5 minutes browsing on my own while the woman manning the store chatted with a friend and surfed the internet. I was not greeted, nor did she ask me if I needed help finding anything. I then waited for a break in her conversation to make eye contact and ask if she had one particular cookbook, and before I finished saying the title she kind of cut me off — «No, out of stock.» After an awkward pause, I then asked her what she thought of the cookbook, and if it was anything like the blog it was based off and she answered in a way that made me feel stupid for wanting to see it (she wasn’t familiar with the blog, and it was an okay book but there are better ones out there and she didn’t understand what the fuss was all about). The way she answered made me realize this was probably the owner, not just some disengaged employee. Which made it that much worse.
There’s a flyer posted in the stall that says «Find it here + Buy it here = Keep us here.» I’m happy to spend my money to help keep a local independent bookstore in business, but you have to do something to earn it.
My first visit here and likely my last. I just didn’t enjoy the experience.

This is okay for a quick pick of a cookbook, but I’m a bit disappointed in the selection of books that the Stall has. I understand there’s not a whole lot of room to work with here, but the selection just isn’t exciting for me.
I’m also disappointed to see a few self-​published books displayed prominently here. One of those books was even displayed ahead of The Reading Terminal Market Cookbook! Not cool!
And I can agree with another reviewer here in that the condition of some of the books is sad. While browsing, I have come across quite a few volumes with a considerable amount of dust on them. Again, not cool!
The Stall is okay, but I would love to see it become a whole lot more.

Hate to be a nay-​sayer — but I don;t know how this place stays in business — there are way cheaper sources for cookbooks and many places like Amazon,
and ebay for used copies.
I rarely buy new books anymore — especially a true cook book which will get beat up and spattered on in my kitchen.
I am glad they exist and love to browse here — but I buy elsewhere.
Sad but true and I wish the (very pleasant) owner luck. SOmehow they have lasted. Not sure how.

I received about $ 20 in RTM gift certificates as a holiday gift from a co-​worker. Seeing as how I had my eyes on a few cookbooks for my library, I thought I’d keep the money local and pick them up from here, rather than order from Amazon (which would have saved a bundle).
A copy of one of the books I was looking to buy was pretty beat up from sitting on a flimsy stand (it was a 1,000 page book, and half of the bottom was unsupported, leaving the book completely askew). I asked the woman who runs the shop if she had another copy, but got a brusque, «no.» That was it. That was the extent of our exchange. I would have gladly waited for another copy to come in, or special ordered one
It stinks. I was prepared to drop about $ 80-​$ 100 here. I would have gladly waited for a copy, too. I went back and ordered two books from Amazon instead. The grand total for the my order online was $ 35.
I generally buy a cookbook a month. Won’t be buying one here ever.

There’s no better place to buy a cook book. Anywhere. Period.
The selection is without peer, as is the staff expertise. Anyone interested in culinary arts at any level will be immediately converted to an instant devotee.

This is hands down the best place to go for all your cook book needs (obviously). From Emeril, to vegetarian cooking, to the Star Wars recipe book (apparently they have 2 of them. who knew?) they have it all.
It’s been inside the Reading Terminal for years and has always offered consistently good service. the people who work their really know there inventory and can walk you through any culinary style. So if your looking for a place to help you add onto your recipe list go no further.