Kamala Harris visits Philadelphia Democratic event at Cherry Street Pier after presidential debate

They feasted on penne alla vodka with smoked salmon and guacamole and then, like millions of other Americans, attended the political feast they had been waiting for — a debate between presidential candidates, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump.

While raucous crowd-pleasers across the city — including one attended by Harris herself — elicited more than just whoops, whistles and groans Tuesday night, one thing was certain:

The outcome of the debate was nothing like the June debate between Trump and President Joe Biden, which led to Biden withdrawing from the race after party leaders raised concerns about his impoverished performance.

Harris’ supporters agreed she gave it her all. “I was very pleased with Kamala Harris’ performance,” said Sarah Johnson, a 44-year-old college administrator from Northern Liberties who was attending a reception hosted by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker at the Dell Music Center. “She’s well-rehearsed.”

» READ MORE: Kamala Harris, Donald Trump clash in Philadelphia debate: She threw the punches, he took the bait

As for Trump, said Andy Meehan, 60, who appeared in a MAGA hat and an American flag polo shirt at the posh Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Center City for a Young Republicans of Philadelphia event, gave him a “B-plus” grade during intermission.

“I don’t think he had a shining moment or a really shining play, but he consistently exposed his mistakes,” Harris said, Meehan

The Kimpton crowd erupted in hearty laughter when Trump made an unsubstantiated claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, “eat” cats and dogs. But the laughter turned to boos and groans when moderator David Muir noted that the Springfield city manager found “no specific claims of animal abuse.”

During the debate’s first commercial break, chants of “Fight, fight, fight” rang out — a reference to Trump’s reaction when he was injured in a July attack in Pennsylvania.

“Philadelphia is a place where the energy is,” said Moses Oliva, 47, who drove from his home in North Jersey to the event. Although a Trump supporter, Oliva, who is Jewish, said he was impressed by Harris’s ability to deliver keen retorts.

“She gave really good answers,” Oliva said, noting her comment that Trump was “fired by 81 million people.”

“It’s important to fight honestly,” said Oliva, who wore a Star of David necklace and a MAGA kippah. But he was unmoved by Harris’s response to Israel’s war with Hamas, in which she reaffirmed the country’s right to defend itself. “She was indecisive before,” he said. “Anything that favors Palestine or Hamas is not a victory for me.”

During an official Harris campaign reception at the Cherry Street Pier, Sophia Zoe Kilmer of Elkins Park compared Harris to Trump, who she said is “very opposed to the way I live my life as a trans woman.”

“I’m here for all the other trans women who can’t be here, I’m living my authentic life, you know, I’m living to inspire and inspire people to vote for the Democratic Party,” she said.

Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija said the event brought together local leaders from across the state, even Centre County.

“I think it’s really special to see so many people in Pennsylvania who are excited and mobilized for her,” he said. “I see people everywhere who I know are leaders in their communities.”

Attendees were also treated to a special guest as the debate came to a close. As Beyoncé’s songs played, supporters held up their phones in anticipation, and finally, at 11:22 p.m., Harris took the stage, led by fellow gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Harris reiterated that she considered herself an underdog in the race but stated that she would win in Pennsylvania.

At the Dell Music Center, state Senator Vincent Hughes of Philadelphia shouted to the audience, “All roads to the White House lead through Pennsylvania.”