Dear Reader, I have a confession to make: I’m becoming a serial cheater. More specifically, I’ve become a fan of the food scene in Chestnut Hill. This makes me a “CHeater.”

They say cheaters never win, but they often find satisfaction, and in my case, it’s true. I moved here a few years ago and I have come to enjoy the urban/suburban feel of Northwest area neighborhoods such as Mt. Airy, Springfield, Germantown, and Chestnut Hill. The pace is slower this far from Center City, but trust me, the food scene offers an abundance of appealing choices to pacify even the pickiest palette.

I’m familiar with a professor at Chestnut Hill College who is a member of the coveted and interdisciplinary creative class. Beyond the classroom, the professor has a proclivity to give neighborhood walking tours. Professor, I know you’re reading this column, so I’m issuing the following challenge: Let’s kick off a series of guided tours along Germantown Avenue for foodies. I am proposing the first of these culinary crawls take place along a selected one mile connective corridor between Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill.

Check out these potential stops for a crisp fall morning or game-day evening in the near future.

Stop 1: O & F Farm & Garden

Nothing announces the arrival of autumn like a plethora of locally sourced fruits and veggies at Chestnut Hill Flower & Garden, aka O & F Farm & Garden. This neighborhood icon, located at 7639 Germantown Ave. and operated by Justine and Jeff Ocelus for more than a half century, offers a roadside attraction when coming to the Hill from Mt. Airy or Cresheim Valley Drive. In addition to food, the stand, one of three in the area owned by the couple, serves up firewood and mums, pansies, and asters in a multiplicity of colors.

According to Rosalina, who tends the counter at O & F, this summer was all about ripe, juicy watermelons (seeded and unseeded), but lately tomatoes have become the fruit of choice (yes, tomatoes are considered a fruit). Several varieties of apples are also prominently displayed. This Chestnut Hill gateway location would be a perfect meetup spot and kickoff for a food walk. You’ll be glad to know that adjacent to the establishment there’s also a farmer’s market every Saturday.

Stop 2: Chestnut Hill Hotel

Chestnut Hill Hotel is ground zero for the middle Hill. The entrance to the hotel is sandwiched between two eateries, Adelinas Restaurant & Bar (Italian) and the Chestnut Grill & Sidewalk Cafe (American). Both spaces offer diverse menus (sophisticated to simple) and the Grill feels like a local version of outdoor dining in Naples. This is a walking tour, but if your goal is to stop, look, listen, and people watch, there’s no better VIP seat than the Chestnut Hill Hotel patio.

Stop 3: Char & Stave

There are many watering holes in the immediate area, but we would make the final stop of the tour at Char & Stave all-day cafe and cocktail bar. (8441 Germantown Ave.) This chillaxing corner “third place” is waiting to be enjoyed. Whiskey and coffee are available for grown folks to obey their thirst, but there’s also hot chocolate, tea, and lemonade for the rest of us. The venue features live music on Wednesdays and game night schedules as well.

The selected Germantown Avenue corridor is as long as it is diverse with food offerings, so we can’t forget about a stop for our vegans.

Stop 4: Fino’s

If you stroll into Fino’s Pizzeria (6784 Germantown Ave.), I dare you to ask at the counter about the connection between food, mind, body, and soul. The wholesome, 99 percent vegan menu makes pancakes and pasta sound good for you. The family serves tasty substitutions for everything from cheesesteaks and stromboli to salmon and crab cakes. Gluten-free is also available. Fino’s offerings cater to the health conscious without compromising on taste. They also serve a velvety vegan banana pudding.

CHeat Code Top 3 for 3

Top three dining choices in the community, according to Rosalina, counterperson at Farm & Garden:

1. High Point Cafe (602 Carpenter Lane)

2. New Era Indian Cuisine (219 E. Willow Grove Ave.);

3. Cake (8501 Germantown Ave.)

Zipf’s Candies (8433 Germantown Ave.) best-selling confectionery creations, according to counterperson Casey:

1. Swedish candy

2. Nonpareils (chocolate)

3. Imported licorice

The top ice cream flavors ordered from Bredenbeck’s Bakery (8126 Germantown Ave.), according to counterperson Natalie:

1. Salted caramel pretzel

2. Butter pecan

3. Mint chocolate chip

Food is about making memorable experiences. In no way are these potential tasty tour stops comprehensive. Here’s my appeal to readers: Let me know what I missed so I can share with the professor. I’ll look for you around the way or at the next First Friday and Art & Eats.