Fishtown’s Frankford Bend has a new way to soak up a pint. Forest & Main’s cozy neighborhood taproom is now home to Snack Shack, a chef‑curated setup with James Beard‑recognized Dane DeMarco steering a menu of elevated concession stand favorites to match the brewery’s beers.
The food lineup leans hard into nostalgia, with hot dogs, loaded burgers and giant pretzels reworked through DeMarco’s playful, chef‑driven lens. Tucked into the former Cheu space, the compact, beer‑forward room is built as a laid‑back spot for casual, late‑night snacking alongside a fresh pour.
According to 6abc, Snack Shack at Forest & Main operates out of 1416 Frankford Avenue in Fishtown and pairs Forest & Main craft beers with cocktails, ciders from local makers and a takeout refrigerator stocked with bottles to go. The station notes that the menu highlights a pork roll cheesesteak, a giant pretzel and a fry flight, and reports that this is the first Fishtown venture for both Forest & Main and DeMarco.
Per the Snack Shack menu on Toast, the offerings are designed to be shareable: French‑bread pizzas, a “Main Street” burger, the pork‑roll cheesesteak and a French‑fry flight built for beer pairing. The listing also shows vegetarian and vegan options and group‑friendly snacks like a supersized “Big Pretzel” served with lager beer cheese. Toast’s page includes Fishtown hours and a full itemized menu for both walk‑ins and takeout orders.
DeMarco’s Culinary Track Record
Dane DeMarco is bringing serious credentials to the project. DeMarco was named a 2024 James Beard Awards semifinalist for Best Chef: Mid‑Atlantic, a distinction listed by the James Beard Foundation. Coverage by The Philadelphia Inquirer notes that DeMarco is the chef‑owner of Gass & Main in Haddonfield and has cooked at American Sardine Bar and Second District Brewing. That background helps explain why the Snack Shack lineup keeps one foot in classic bar food and the other in carefully tweaked, chef‑y details.
Forest & Main’s Fishtown Turn
Forest & Main, an Ambler brewery that opened in 2012, converted the former Cheu address at Frankford and Belgrade into a compact Fishtown taproom outfitted with hand‑pumps and Lukr side‑pull faucets to spotlight lagers and British‑style ales, according to Philadelphia Magazine. The opening report described a 10‑seat bar, indoor tables and a patio, a footprint that keeps the focus on drinking first and snacking alongside. Forest & Main confirms the Snack Shack partnership and posts draft lists and hours for the Fishtown location.
Where It Sits In The Neighborhood
Planting a beer‑centric taproom with a chef‑driven snack menu at the Frankford Bend helps fill in the corridor’s casual late‑night options between Suraya and Pizzeria Beddia. Eater Philly included Snack Shack at Forest & Main on its list of notable new openings around the city and called out DeMarco’s Philadelphia debut. The mix of shareable plates and approachable beers is clearly aimed at both neighborhood regulars and diners drifting along the strip’s busy restaurant scene.
The Snack Shack collaboration keeps the vibe relaxed, trading formality for comfort food built for splitting and late‑night grazing, which is exactly the kind of menu that plays well with Forest & Main’s English‑leaning beer list. For the complete lineup and current hours, check the Snack Shack menu on Toast and the Fishtown details on Forest & Main.
