I used to work as a chef in Philadelphia. Here are the 12 restaurants I always recommend to first-time visitors.

• I'm a Philadelphia native who used to work as a chef and baker in restaurants around the city.
• Philadelphia is known for its cheesesteaks, but it also has great Mexican, Italian, and Thai food.
• No trip is complete without a basket of fries from Monk's Cafe and a hoagie from Middle Child.

After spending three years working as a chef and baker in various Philadelphia restaurants, I've been exposed to quite a few of the best spots in town.

I've learned so much about the city's dining scene that I've become my friends' unofficial restaurant finder. So, I compiled a list of the places I recommend over and over again.