As Harrison Butker kicked a 45-yard field goal tying the Kansas City Chiefs ticket back to their third Super Bowl appearance in four years, fans went wild inside Big Charlie’s Saloon. That wild excitement for some, was juxtaposed with knowledge of the team awaiting the Chiefs in the big game: the Philadelphia Eagles. Lounge area. For her and many other Chiefs fans here, it’s a fine line to walk for the next week and a half. That’s because Big Charlie’s is as far inside the Eagles Nation as you can get. It is located on the corner of 11th Street and McKean in South Philadelphia, less than two miles from Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the Eagles. While surrounded by a sea of green, Big Charlie’s is proudly red and gold. nearly 20 years old, but is owned by another Philadelphia native, Paul Staico. His love affair with the Chiefs began after Super Bowl IV, when his father (Big Charlie) bet on the Chiefs and bought Paul a bike with the winnings. At first, only a few of Staico’s friends watched Chiefs games with him, but the following quickly grew. “He was just contagious because he made everyone fall in love with them,” Galdo said. Philly after taking over his father’s bar in the 80’s. He started showing the Chiefs game on TV and the rest is history. “And it was really just by accident,” Galdo said of the bar dubbed Arrowhead East. “It wasn’t like a plan to do it, it just happened.” The bar is now covered in Chiefs memorabilia. There are even ceiling panels sporting the likes of Andy Reid holding up the Lombardi Trophy. The banners of the chiefs even adorn the exterior of the café. Chiefs and eagles don’t have an intense rivalry, so it usually doesn’t raise many eyebrows. But this week is different. “We stand out here,” Galdo said. “It’s like going out and it’s Eagleville.” During past Super Bowl appearances, the bar has hosted a block party and put up a big screen in the street to showcase the game. This year, Galdo says, they’ll keep the festivities inside to “respect the city we’re in.” Even that won’t stop the bar from cheering on the Chiefs in the heart of South Philly “and doing our thing,” Galdo said. “But don’t rub anyone’s face or something.”
As Harrison Butker kicked a 45-yard field goal tying the Kansas City Chiefs ticket back to their third Super Bowl appearance in four years, fans went wild inside Big Charlie’s Saloon. That wild excitement for some, was juxtaposed with knowledge of the team awaiting the Chiefs in the big game: the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Yes, that was our least scenario that we wanted to see,” said Laura Galdo, the manager of Big Charlie’s Saloon.
For her and many other Chiefs fans here, it’s a fine line to walk for the next week and a half. That’s because Big Charlie’s is as far inside the Eagles Nation as you can get. It is located on the corner of 11th Street and McKean in South Philadelphia, less than two miles from Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the Eagles. Surrounded by a sea of green, Big Charlie’s is proudly red and gold.
“It’s the opposite in here, like you might find the Eagles on a TV in the corner somewhere. Maybe,” Galdo said.
He’s been at the bar for nearly 20 years, but it’s owned by another Philadelphia native, Paul Staico. His love affair with the Chiefs began after Super Bowl IV, when his father (Big Charlie) bet on the Chiefs and bought Paul a bike with the winnings.
At first, only a few of Staico’s friends watched Chiefs games with him, but that following quickly grew.
“It was just contagious because it makes everyone fall in love with them,” Galdo said.
His love for the Chiefs continued to spread in South Philly after he took over his father’s bar in the 1980s. He started showing the Chiefs game on TV and the rest is history.
“And it was really just by accident,” Galdo said of the bar which is nicknamed Arrowhead East. “It wasn’t like a plan to do it, it just happened”
Now the bar is covered in Chiefs memorabilia. There are even ceiling panels sporting the likes of Andy Reid holding up the Lombardi Trophy. The banners of the chiefs even adorn the exterior of the café. Chiefs and eagles don’t have an intense rivalry, so it usually doesn’t raise many eyebrows. But this week is different.
“We stand out here,” Galdo said. “It’s like going out and it’s Eagleville.”
During past Super Bowl appearances, the bar has hosted a block party and put up a big screen in the street to showcase the game. This year, Galdo says, they’ll keep the festivities indoors to “respect the city we’re in.” Even that won’t stop the bar from cheering on the Chiefs in the heart of South Philly.
“This is our home though, so we’ll cheer like we want to cheer and do our own thing,” said Galdo. “But don’t rub anyone’s face or something.”
