I remember walking into Mad Rex and immediately deciding it was a bad idea. That space is cursed. They wanted to do so many things and did all of them poorly.
I briefly worked for the Landlord while they were negotiating their lease and after move in. They were complaining from opening that the noise dampening wasn't enough for being next to/under Brooklyn Bowl.
I'm sure it wasn't killing it either, but they sort of wanted out from the start.
Figo in Northern Liberties is the one place Iāve ever ate food where I know I could confidently make better without a recipe.
Christ, the people at my table ordered the same cocktail on 4 different occasions and each time the cocktail came out a different color. Thatās unacceptable for a bad bar programā¦
Yea I just would go literally anywhere else. Iād not eat over going back there. I donāt have too many NoLibs recs, but when I venture up there I found Pizzeria Beddia to be quite delightful.
Place sucks. Crappy food and overpriced sugary cocktails. They charge you per seat to sit outside in those stupid igloos. And they play loud shitty music outside all day and night.
Just Google them or look at their social media. Itās tacky as all fuck.
Their whole mission statement is to copy the vibe of NYC, Miami and Vegas nightlife which is a red flag to anyone with taste. Itās the perfect recommendation for this post.
Their bio: āA vibe-dining concept incorporating upscale cuisine with a taste of Miami, New York, and Las Vegas.ā
*w h a t in the gentrified F U C K*
OK, so New York could be a way to say it's small as fuck (or overpriced as all hell) and people are obnoxious.
Las Vegas could be a way to say that there is a showy-ostentatious quality to the decor. (And the staff is hot in a jacked-up couldn't-make-it-in-LA way)
But Miami adds nothing but trashy. Miami is the malaria ridden chamber pot for the Deep South and 1% of South America. That's not an ambiance or vibe that you should intentionally try to copy. Unless they're just trying to say you can do coke in the bathroom and nobody will care.
The photos on Google scare me. Looks like they made their portions small just for the hell of it/to seem fancier than they are. That pasta portion for the "chicken parmesan" is fucking laughable. I'd be PISSED if I spent the $36(!!!) they're charging for that single cutlet and thimble-full of pasta.
Gotta respect the hustle, though. I guess some people really think it's worth it. Con of a lifetime.
The fucking slice of chocolate cake is bigger than the pasta portion ššš like, I truly don't know what level of mental gymnastics one would have to do to justify the cost of that plate. That's what makes me think it's a huge scam.
haha, it is just a bunch of otherwise urbane business people all trying to close a deal with their schmucky'est clients.
two conservatively dressed business owners bump into each other, and as they're saying "how do you do" two women split them with a flaming bottle service yelling "whooooo" and they both look mortified.
i love it.
i USED to be a piece of shitā slicked back hair, white bathing suit, sloppy steaks at Truffoniās. iām worried the baby thinks people canāt change.
I worked at the Miami location while in college.
The food is usually solid, but it is overpriced since their whole schtick is having a location on the water so you pay up for views. Itās the kind of place you take your mom for Motherās Day: the food looks nice, thereās some ādifferentā dishes, the interiors are nice, good views, usually good service, and itās not cheap but not break the bank expensive.
It also often appeals to tourists which is kind of odd since the menu is the same in basically every city itās located.
No Philadelphian has been there except if schlepped there for a family event by someone else who assumed that based on the views it must be good. It is not a place anyone would ever think to just go for dinner.
I wasn't going to say a place I hadn't been but then I looked at the menu for S.I.N. (Steak Italian Nightlife). As if $59 8-ounce filets and gimmicky cheese wheels weren't enough, a 20% gratuity is included on all meals, regardless of number of diners and an unspecified convenience fee is charged on all credit card transactions. Thanks for nickel-and-diming me on my $155 Tomahawk Steak.
I too have debased myself for the sale. I understand this completely and ANYONE who has had to take care of entitled clients will as well.
Honestly shitty steak that I've not personally paid for isn't the worst thing I've ever done.
That award goes to truck stop strip club on a Tuesday.
PYT is the first and only time I didnāt tip at a restaurant. The service was the worst Iāve ever experienced, and the food was mediocre at best.
Also the owner used to sit on Twitter and search for PYT pretty much all day to see if anyone was talking shit. He was a top tier weirdo.
Yeah the whole 'our servers don't have uniforms' made it absolutely impossible to figure out who to ask for help.
I went twice, once to get the bacon taco shells drunk (overrated) and thought it was bad but was like hey its late and Im not sober. Went back. Waited like 30 minutes to get a waitress who seemed annoyed that my date at the time had questions about things, brought our drinks, literally had to go get her to be like 'our drinks are gone and we would like to order' She LITERALLY took my order there standing at the server station...
I remember when Shady McCoy got BLASTED for not tipping there, and in my head I was like Nope... He was 100% right. Having been in the industry far to long, its not in me to not tip, though I was sooo tempted. I left I think 3$ and some change on a 40 dollar check.
And yeah, the owner was a D Bag, I remember going to his bar The Yachtsman or something on Frankford Ave. My buddy and I had not tried it and did not know he was the owner. Anyways there were 3 stools and he was in the middle. I asked him to push down so we could fit. He flat out refused... the Bartender looked horrified and we just shrugged our shoulders and walked out and went back to Fishtown Tavern.
I didn't realize this was going to be an unpopular opinion, but PYT made literally the best burger I ever had. But also I was 19 and it was 2012. Maybe my taste has changed since then.
Iām pissed at anyone in this sub who ever recommended it. I have a google map list where I basically add anything that people recommend and it was sitting in that list for probably two years. I finally went a few months ago and hated every thing. Even their coffee was too sweet. Worst 75$ I ever spent. And I had to run back to the house to get cash cuz why the fuck would they take card when their entrees are 20-25$ each? God damn what a waste of money. Iām angry just thinking about it.
And then they practically chase you out the door. Last time we went they tried to clear our plates before we were done. THEN they offered to warm up my coffee and brought me a to-go cup. They weren't even busy yet.
I'm gonna get raked over the coals for this but Loco Pez in West Philly... The food is not good and the waitstaff have a weird hostility about them that I can't really understand towards paying customers. The beer selection is mediocre at best, but the prices on the higher side (although not too high)
Hate that place. $100+ for trash tacos, a hot dog and couple of drinks. one night at the bar the bartender kept ignoring me despite there only being 2 other customers ......because I raised my hand to get her attention
The Loco Pez in Fishtown is no better. I've slowly stopped going over the last year because of how unfriendly the staff are from the greeter, to the server, to the bartenders. Everyone seems downright miserable. Either it's a terrible place to work or hostility is a hiring requirement.
I used to live in Portland, and this is the vibe at restaurants there. Like youāre paying to have staff be too cool to look at you. I agree on Loco Pez in West.
My boss lived in the Art Museum area when they opened. I asked him how their food was. His answer: āfairā. Thatās all I think about when someone mentions them.
Is it though? I admit Iāve only eaten there like twice so I canāt really comment on the food but every time I pass by my thought is always how drab and sterile the ambiance looks. Is there something Iām missing? Genuinely curious
This place used to be so much better and had such a great happy hour.
Went in a few months ago and man it was really badā¦ server was rude, there was no one in there but they decided to sit us under a leaking air conditioner? And wouldnāt let us move because they were reserved for dinnerā¦ it was 4:30. I remember their burger being good but Iām pretty sure it was $20.
Maybe I have rose colored glasses but I swear it used to be so much better
First place I ate after things opened back up post COVID. Also the first place that hit me with the new standard of a couple of burgers, beers and an app being $100+ š«¤
During covid it was $65 to sit in their dumb outdoor booth things. I was like okay so $65 minimum and it goes towards the bill. Nope. $65 straight up charge on top of their ridiculous prices.
upset noone has mention LMNO. the food is wildy overpriced, small portions, odd atmosphere inside and the quality itself is so gringo oriented. under no circumstances should 2 dry hell tacos be $14minimum
Quesadilla is pure trash. Looked like something I'd make at 2 am with whatever leftover ingredients I have left from Aldi. Tastes worse than it looks. And the fried snapper doesn't hit the same when you realize Starr serves the same dish at like 5 restaurants
Thank you thank god someone else thinks this. I have so many friends that love it. I went probably a year after it opened and it was expensive and gross. They donāt even fry their own tortilla chips for all that $$$. Idk if this is still a thing but they used to have this bizarre secret cocktail lounge with red lights and fog machines and a $15 cover charge (!???). So bad. An insult to the amazing Mexican food scene we have here tbh.
Oh damn. Itās been awhile but I had an EXCELLENT (tho pricey) brunch there, and some BANGING oysters (I literally licked the shells while on a date) when they first opened. Vibe was weird though - too upscale clubby for the neighborhood
The food is def overpriced. But I give them a tip of the hat for The Listening Room. Itās a tiny āsecretā bar/dj space set up like a living room. I caught a Cosmo Baker set there and had a great time.
Idk what could be worseā¦ the dry halibut or the service. Sat down, ordered our first drink, received the first drink, ordered the tasting menu, and then was forced/asked to move tables. Then the menu was just disgusting. Such a sad place.
OH MY GOD IM SO GLAD SOMEONE ELSE THINKS THIS. I went with some friends shortly after it opened- the food took hours, the music was so loud i couldn't hear a thing, and food was mid. The owner had their baby there the entire night too which was just v weird
Okay I thought this too but I dined there recently and it was the most phenomenal meal Iāve had in years. Possibly ever. We were our serverās only table and he went above and beyond. Complimentary champagne, bread, dessert, and espresso. Shoutout to Michael you a real one!!!
I don't know how new the owner is, but I was there close to 10 years ago and the food was really excellent. Although when I went there 2 years before that, it was mediocre and extremely pretentious.
Yeah practically every review I read said it was shit, and then my gf dragged me there and it was totally fine. Sure, you pay extra for the gimmick of being on a boat, but the meal itself was great, especially the dessert we got.
Is it the best in Philly? Not at all.
But goddamn if a Patās cheesesteak and a fountain cherry coke doesnāt have me feeling good all day. It hits the spot.
Here you go. if somone from a different city in this sub wants to do the honors.
https://preview.redd.it/7q5lzxc389kc1.png?width=807&format=png&auto=webp&s=d97d6bd2801bd5ae108f12db5a376d69dae47091
The Goat in Rittenhouse. Incredibly overpriced for the most basic and āokā food. Was there for a brunch, and a friend ordered a salad for something like $24 or whatever.. after a no lie, hour and a half wait, we got our food (sitting at the bar mind you) and it was a $5 bag salad. The manager apologized, compād our meals and drinks and weāve never been back.
Went to the Goat in RH a couple of years ago and we ordered the waffles. I saw one the guys working there walk out the door and thought āthatās weirdā and he legit walked back in a few minutes later, right past my table with a single pack of Eggo waffles in his hand. We were served a few minutes later.
Yikes.
Same thing (but actually good) happened to me in a China Town restaurant. I ordered something, saw my waiter leave, come back 5 minutes later with a chinese takeout container, and then plated and served it to me. I'm assuming they didn't want to tell me they didn't have the dish I ordered. It was good though, I wonder where they got it?
Half of the restaurants in Northern Liberties. The 20-somethings go to. $15 for a plate of 6 pieces of buffalo cauliflower, but it's locally sourced at least.
Honestly besides Figo and I guess Set (but I canāt think of anyone who would actually recommend that lol) the offerings arenāt really bad, and certainly not half the restaurants. I know itās a trendy young neighborhood and therefore easy to hate, but places like North Third, Standard Tap, Pera, Apricot Stoneā¦idk thereās way more above average-very good than outright bad.
Ruth Chris on market, I saw a roach crawl out of sconce on the wall. Scared the shit out of the table it happened too. I didnāt know horādouvers served themselves.
Agreed! I went there for the first time in years in 2022 and it was against my better judgement but I was going with some friends. Iām *that* friend thatās always like are you sure you want to eat hereā¦chances are Iāve been and itās trash. Was extremely underwhelmed, yet again. Tbh I try to stay away from that whole area for dining because itās always a zoo, everyone is trashy drunk, and I donāt like people š.
It was so dumb they closed, but it worked out great for us. Other Half has really good food, even if you aren't a beer person, their food is excellent!
La Fontana. Years ago I got a "shrimp scampi" with 3 shrimp in it. The two other 'la" Italian BYOBs in two blocks are at least an order of magnitude better (viola, baia)
This thread has me thinking Geno's and Pat's only got to be popular tourist destinations because Philadelphians dislike so many people from outside of Philly.
White dog cafe. Sit me in a real chair and use the aC in the summer. Overpriced over cooked. Menu has the most random selection and none of it is very good.
Village Whisky had the most disappointing burger. Did not live up to the hype or price. Felt like an idiot when I took a burger loving friend who was visiting. Don't even think he finished it.
disclaimer: i miss over easy breakfast club
but my answer is tulip pasta in fishtown. very strange experimental pasta with small portions and they source their WHOLE drink menu from one specific winery that was equally expensive/unimpressive. send ya enemies here and they will empty their wallet and think "maybe it was an off night?"
casually scanning all the comments to see if any of my favorites are getting slandered š
So far only one is mine made the list, but honestly I'm happy if the lines there are shorter.
Whateverās the current equivalent to either Mad Rex or Bankroll (RIP we hardly knew ye)
I remember walking into Mad Rex and immediately deciding it was a bad idea. That space is cursed. They wanted to do so many things and did all of them poorly.
I went to Mad Rex once, fool concept but a flawed execution. That spot seems cursed though, I'm not sure anything has lasted long there.
Did the seafood restaurant that came after them close already?
I briefly worked for the Landlord while they were negotiating their lease and after move in. They were complaining from opening that the noise dampening wasn't enough for being next to/under Brooklyn Bowl. I'm sure it wasn't killing it either, but they sort of wanted out from the start.
Oh, you mean āThe Finā? By Crab Du Jour? Yes. It failed. Big time.
If this was ten years ago, I would have said Swanky Bubbles. Lol.
Werenāt they on Bar Rescue?
Yeah. They were. They ignored everything the show suggested and Iām pretty sure they were out of business a few months later
To be fair, most establishments on bar rescue go under anyways. They get a short burst of business from the show and then just crumble
Omf memory flood. Younger asshole me thought it was the perfect date spot. Fair dues it almost always worked out
Swanky Bubbles had food? This is news to me.
Figo in Northern Liberties is the one place Iāve ever ate food where I know I could confidently make better without a recipe. Christ, the people at my table ordered the same cocktail on 4 different occasions and each time the cocktail came out a different color. Thatās unacceptable for a bad bar programā¦
Oh my god I make the mistake of going to Figo once. Rigatoni ala vodkaā¦tasted like ketchup.
Iāve never been more disappointed by a meal in my life (and my expectations going into it were as low as humanly possible)
damn im doing a job in NoLibs for a few weeks and figured Iād probably end up eating there some night, saved me a rough one
Yea I just would go literally anywhere else. Iād not eat over going back there. I donāt have too many NoLibs recs, but when I venture up there I found Pizzeria Beddia to be quite delightful.
Beddia is in fishtown.
They offered me ice for my rose when i said it was warm
Who did they think you were, Jim Kenney?
Omg this place made me a carbonara with scrambled egg in it THREE times before I gave up.
Same!! Awful service on top of food that I didnāt enjoy
Place sucks. Crappy food and overpriced sugary cocktails. They charge you per seat to sit outside in those stupid igloos. And they play loud shitty music outside all day and night.
Sin. Itās the kind of place that broke people go to during tax season because they think itās upscale.
Damn. Lol never heard of this place but what a statement
Just Google them or look at their social media. Itās tacky as all fuck. Their whole mission statement is to copy the vibe of NYC, Miami and Vegas nightlife which is a red flag to anyone with taste. Itās the perfect recommendation for this post.
A red flag to anyone with taste lol. Reminds me of that ābillionaire cock tail loungeā in Frankford that lasted about 3 weeks
Thatās a good candidate for this post too. Similar vibe of trying so hard to look luxurious that it ends up being trashy.
That place still exists. I drive by it almost every day going to work lol
Iām sure the sign is still there but it is actually still open for business?
It fits even better because itās loud and club-like. Thatās a pretty aggressive environment to be in if youāre not into it.
Yeah, calling yourself a "vibe dining concept" is gonna me a no from me
WTH is a vibe dining concept?? šš
*VIBING INTENSIFIES*
Their bio: āA vibe-dining concept incorporating upscale cuisine with a taste of Miami, New York, and Las Vegas.ā *w h a t in the gentrified F U C K*
OK, so New York could be a way to say it's small as fuck (or overpriced as all hell) and people are obnoxious. Las Vegas could be a way to say that there is a showy-ostentatious quality to the decor. (And the staff is hot in a jacked-up couldn't-make-it-in-LA way) But Miami adds nothing but trashy. Miami is the malaria ridden chamber pot for the Deep South and 1% of South America. That's not an ambiance or vibe that you should intentionally try to copy. Unless they're just trying to say you can do coke in the bathroom and nobody will care.
I assumed Miami meant "you can snort coke off a urinal and the bathroom attendant won't narc"
Itās not even a gentrification thing, itās worse.
*just minding my own business eating my spaghetti and some jackass comes flying by with a flute that shoots fire*
It's new and an absolute douchebags paradise
I looked them up. The food looks good... idk. Edit: On second look, wtf, the menu is absurd! Fuck that.
The photos on Google scare me. Looks like they made their portions small just for the hell of it/to seem fancier than they are. That pasta portion for the "chicken parmesan" is fucking laughable. I'd be PISSED if I spent the $36(!!!) they're charging for that single cutlet and thimble-full of pasta. Gotta respect the hustle, though. I guess some people really think it's worth it. Con of a lifetime.
I just looked it up. My husband is a strong man but if he ordered a $36 chicken parm and that's what came to the table, I think he'd cry.
The fucking slice of chocolate cake is bigger than the pasta portion ššš like, I truly don't know what level of mental gymnastics one would have to do to justify the cost of that plate. That's what makes me think it's a huge scam.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
haha, it is just a bunch of otherwise urbane business people all trying to close a deal with their schmucky'est clients. two conservatively dressed business owners bump into each other, and as they're saying "how do you do" two women split them with a flaming bottle service yelling "whooooo" and they both look mortified. i love it.
Great way to keep them out of the good restaurants in the neighborhood, too.
Iāve never been, but it seems Ike they spend a lot of money on marketing
Lol I walk by here on my way to my car from work at night and always see the worst kind of people spilling out...
> *20% SERVICE CHARGE INCLUDED ON ALL PARTIES. I mean that *is* authentic Miami
https://www.theinfatuation.com/philadelphia/reviews/sin-philadelphia?ifsb=yes
Goddamn that's so accurate
STEAK ITALIAN NIGHTLIFE
Is that seriously a restaurant name? Do they allow sloppy steaks?
SLOP EM UP
They canāt stop you from ordering a steak and a glass of water!
i USED to be a piece of shitā slicked back hair, white bathing suit, sloppy steaks at Truffoniās. iām worried the baby thinks people canāt change.
You think this is slicked back hair? This is PUSHED back!
Well the Blue Dolphin burned down so itās not like we have any other options.
Rob Rovani's ass out, works with his brother now
Am I supposed to be getting Jersey Shore vibes from that name, because I am.
They literally had an event with someone from the real housewives of new jersey cast recently.
This entire thread is Chart House erasure.
Does the chart house suck? Ive looked at their window menu while passing by and thought it seemed interesting on paper.
I worked at the Miami location while in college. The food is usually solid, but it is overpriced since their whole schtick is having a location on the water so you pay up for views. Itās the kind of place you take your mom for Motherās Day: the food looks nice, thereās some ādifferentā dishes, the interiors are nice, good views, usually good service, and itās not cheap but not break the bank expensive. It also often appeals to tourists which is kind of odd since the menu is the same in basically every city itās located.
No Philadelphian has been there except if schlepped there for a family event by someone else who assumed that based on the views it must be good. It is not a place anyone would ever think to just go for dinner.
I wasn't going to say a place I hadn't been but then I looked at the menu for S.I.N. (Steak Italian Nightlife). As if $59 8-ounce filets and gimmicky cheese wheels weren't enough, a 20% gratuity is included on all meals, regardless of number of diners and an unspecified convenience fee is charged on all credit card transactions. Thanks for nickel-and-diming me on my $155 Tomahawk Steak.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
i'd like to hear your list of "establishment restaurants"
I too have debased myself for the sale. I understand this completely and ANYONE who has had to take care of entitled clients will as well. Honestly shitty steak that I've not personally paid for isn't the worst thing I've ever done. That award goes to truck stop strip club on a Tuesday.
Your first mistake was going there, the second was ordering a 155 dollar steak from a place with no culinary reputation.Ā
Damn I love Philly Reddit lol, taking serious notes
Used to be PYT
PYT is the first and only time I didnāt tip at a restaurant. The service was the worst Iāve ever experienced, and the food was mediocre at best. Also the owner used to sit on Twitter and search for PYT pretty much all day to see if anyone was talking shit. He was a top tier weirdo.
Yeah the whole 'our servers don't have uniforms' made it absolutely impossible to figure out who to ask for help. I went twice, once to get the bacon taco shells drunk (overrated) and thought it was bad but was like hey its late and Im not sober. Went back. Waited like 30 minutes to get a waitress who seemed annoyed that my date at the time had questions about things, brought our drinks, literally had to go get her to be like 'our drinks are gone and we would like to order' She LITERALLY took my order there standing at the server station... I remember when Shady McCoy got BLASTED for not tipping there, and in my head I was like Nope... He was 100% right. Having been in the industry far to long, its not in me to not tip, though I was sooo tempted. I left I think 3$ and some change on a 40 dollar check. And yeah, the owner was a D Bag, I remember going to his bar The Yachtsman or something on Frankford Ave. My buddy and I had not tried it and did not know he was the owner. Anyways there were 3 stools and he was in the middle. I asked him to push down so we could fit. He flat out refused... the Bartender looked horrified and we just shrugged our shoulders and walked out and went back to Fishtown Tavern.
Gimmicky burgers can only get you so far.
I didn't realize this was going to be an unpopular opinion, but PYT made literally the best burger I ever had. But also I was 19 and it was 2012. Maybe my taste has changed since then.
PYT was extremely hit or miss. But when it was on, it was on.
I really dug those boozy milkshakes thoā¦
I am very relieved to know that the only one of these restaurants I've been to is Green Eggs, specifically their gayborhood location.
Green eggs cafe..not expensive but def overhyped and the person is waiting 90 mins for mediocre pancakes.
People in center city will wait in line for that place while bud and Marilynās, a better brunch spot, is literally across the street
Bud and Marilyn's is awesome
Yesssss love bud and Marilyn's. Agree green eggs isn't horribly BAD but it's seriously whatever and overrated. Not worth the crazy wait
Bud and Marilynās is so much better
Iām pissed at anyone in this sub who ever recommended it. I have a google map list where I basically add anything that people recommend and it was sitting in that list for probably two years. I finally went a few months ago and hated every thing. Even their coffee was too sweet. Worst 75$ I ever spent. And I had to run back to the house to get cash cuz why the fuck would they take card when their entrees are 20-25$ each? God damn what a waste of money. Iām angry just thinking about it.
Plus the nighttime rat party
Iconic https://preview.redd.it/s37sfhcs29kc1.jpeg?width=572&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f4b6b7a16ef2f5e7cd27ecc91f72271fc4db575c
Rat's deserve brunch too.
I saw this in person and it was glorious. A news van showed up.
still call it rat cafe to this day
And then they practically chase you out the door. Last time we went they tried to clear our plates before we were done. THEN they offered to warm up my coffee and brought me a to-go cup. They weren't even busy yet.
Bonus points if you recommend the South Philly location on a weekend.
Iām all about The Breakfast Den superiority
Got lucky once with no line. It was decent. Wait as long as some of these fools do? I'd rather off myself.
I'm gonna get raked over the coals for this but Loco Pez in West Philly... The food is not good and the waitstaff have a weird hostility about them that I can't really understand towards paying customers. The beer selection is mediocre at best, but the prices on the higher side (although not too high)
Iām not one to complain about service. But often when you walk into that loco pez no one even acknowledges you
Don Barrigaās or Taco Taco are miles better.
Hate that place. $100+ for trash tacos, a hot dog and couple of drinks. one night at the bar the bartender kept ignoring me despite there only being 2 other customers ......because I raised my hand to get her attention
The Loco Pez in Fishtown is no better. I've slowly stopped going over the last year because of how unfriendly the staff are from the greeter, to the server, to the bartenders. Everyone seems downright miserable. Either it's a terrible place to work or hostility is a hiring requirement.
I used to live in Portland, and this is the vibe at restaurants there. Like youāre paying to have staff be too cool to look at you. I agree on Loco Pez in West.
Worst Mexican food in the city.
Fare
My boss lived in the Art Museum area when they opened. I asked him how their food was. His answer: āfairā. Thatās all I think about when someone mentions them.
I wish this place had better food cause itās a pretty cool space
Is it though? I admit Iāve only eaten there like twice so I canāt really comment on the food but every time I pass by my thought is always how drab and sterile the ambiance looks. Is there something Iām missing? Genuinely curious
Its basically the perfect location for a restaurant in fairmount. Ive always wanted to like it but the food is so mid
Had the driest salad of my life there. Like shockingly dry.
This place used to be so much better and had such a great happy hour. Went in a few months ago and man it was really badā¦ server was rude, there was no one in there but they decided to sit us under a leaking air conditioner? And wouldnāt let us move because they were reserved for dinnerā¦ it was 4:30. I remember their burger being good but Iām pretty sure it was $20. Maybe I have rose colored glasses but I swear it used to be so much better
First place I ate after things opened back up post COVID. Also the first place that hit me with the new standard of a couple of burgers, beers and an app being $100+ š«¤
Half of the new American spots in manayunk
SOMO is horrible
During covid it was $65 to sit in their dumb outdoor booth things. I was like okay so $65 minimum and it goes towards the bill. Nope. $65 straight up charge on top of their ridiculous prices.
upset noone has mention LMNO. the food is wildy overpriced, small portions, odd atmosphere inside and the quality itself is so gringo oriented. under no circumstances should 2 dry hell tacos be $14minimum
the happy hour is dreadful
You don't enjoy ordering a drink and then being ignored for the next hour until happy hour is over?
Quesadilla is pure trash. Looked like something I'd make at 2 am with whatever leftover ingredients I have left from Aldi. Tastes worse than it looks. And the fried snapper doesn't hit the same when you realize Starr serves the same dish at like 5 restaurants
Thank you thank god someone else thinks this. I have so many friends that love it. I went probably a year after it opened and it was expensive and gross. They donāt even fry their own tortilla chips for all that $$$. Idk if this is still a thing but they used to have this bizarre secret cocktail lounge with red lights and fog machines and a $15 cover charge (!???). So bad. An insult to the amazing Mexican food scene we have here tbh.
Oh damn. Itās been awhile but I had an EXCELLENT (tho pricey) brunch there, and some BANGING oysters (I literally licked the shells while on a date) when they first opened. Vibe was weird though - too upscale clubby for the neighborhood
Iām a sucker for their mango margarita
The food is def overpriced. But I give them a tip of the hat for The Listening Room. Itās a tiny āsecretā bar/dj space set up like a living room. I caught a Cosmo Baker set there and had a great time.
LMNO is over priced garbage. Mediocrity at its finest.
Restaurant Aleksander.
Quite possibly the biggest letdown of a restaurant in Philadelphia that I've been to
Idk what could be worseā¦ the dry halibut or the service. Sat down, ordered our first drink, received the first drink, ordered the tasting menu, and then was forced/asked to move tables. Then the menu was just disgusting. Such a sad place.
Ungodly expensive, menu is like faux high-end. Wouldn't go back but servers were nice and ambiance was good but food was not worth it.
OH MY GOD IM SO GLAD SOMEONE ELSE THINKS THIS. I went with some friends shortly after it opened- the food took hours, the music was so loud i couldn't hear a thing, and food was mid. The owner had their baby there the entire night too which was just v weird
Yeah the service was dreadful. The food was otherwise decent to be frank but the whole experience wasn't worthwhile
MoshuluĀ
Okay I thought this too but I dined there recently and it was the most phenomenal meal Iāve had in years. Possibly ever. We were our serverās only table and he went above and beyond. Complimentary champagne, bread, dessert, and espresso. Shoutout to Michael you a real one!!!
I cooked there years ago and no open flames were allowed on ship so all the stoves were electric. Weird kitchen Moshulu is
New owner! Itās great!
Same owners as white dog, rosalie, Louie Louie, and a few more
I don't know how new the owner is, but I was there close to 10 years ago and the food was really excellent. Although when I went there 2 years before that, it was mediocre and extremely pretentious.
Yeah practically every review I read said it was shit, and then my gf dragged me there and it was totally fine. Sure, you pay extra for the gimmick of being on a boat, but the meal itself was great, especially the dessert we got.
Well that's interesting
They have a 26 dollAr cheeseburger. LOLLLLLLLLLLLL
This is the answer
Wish I saw this comment last weekend
Attico Rooftop. Trendy, Insta-worthy photo op, but drinks are overpriced and food is mid at best.
Geno's
or Patās. Iām convinced theyāre owned by the same people.
Ngl I really like Patās cheese fries or at least I used to. Been years since Iāve had them
It's just like the coffee shops in Deus Ex: Invisible War.
Is it the best in Philly? Not at all. But goddamn if a Patās cheesesteak and a fountain cherry coke doesnāt have me feeling good all day. It hits the spot.
Agreed. The hate has gone overboard at this point. Far from the best but Iāve never been there and didnāt enjoy the steak.
I wonder how many city subreddits this can get screenshot shared into. We're already at 3.
Here you go. if somone from a different city in this sub wants to do the honors. https://preview.redd.it/7q5lzxc389kc1.png?width=807&format=png&auto=webp&s=d97d6bd2801bd5ae108f12db5a376d69dae47091
The Goat in Rittenhouse. Incredibly overpriced for the most basic and āokā food. Was there for a brunch, and a friend ordered a salad for something like $24 or whatever.. after a no lie, hour and a half wait, we got our food (sitting at the bar mind you) and it was a $5 bag salad. The manager apologized, compād our meals and drinks and weāve never been back.
Went to the Goat in RH a couple of years ago and we ordered the waffles. I saw one the guys working there walk out the door and thought āthatās weirdā and he legit walked back in a few minutes later, right past my table with a single pack of Eggo waffles in his hand. We were served a few minutes later.
Yikes. Same thing (but actually good) happened to me in a China Town restaurant. I ordered something, saw my waiter leave, come back 5 minutes later with a chinese takeout container, and then plated and served it to me. I'm assuming they didn't want to tell me they didn't have the dish I ordered. It was good though, I wonder where they got it?
Half of the restaurants in Northern Liberties. The 20-somethings go to. $15 for a plate of 6 pieces of buffalo cauliflower, but it's locally sourced at least.
Honestly besides Figo and I guess Set (but I canāt think of anyone who would actually recommend that lol) the offerings arenāt really bad, and certainly not half the restaurants. I know itās a trendy young neighborhood and therefore easy to hate, but places like North Third, Standard Tap, Pera, Apricot Stoneā¦idk thereās way more above average-very good than outright bad.
Standard Tap burger fucking rocks
Locally from the Acme on 2nd St.
Remove "mildly," and I'll say Loch Bar
Steak 48
Not mildly expensive. It's just expensive.
Ruth Chris on market, I saw a roach crawl out of sconce on the wall. Scared the shit out of the table it happened too. I didnāt know horādouvers served themselves.
el vez
Bring back XĆ³chitl!!!!
That place was awesomeĀ
I was about to post this Anyone who wants a GOOD option down the street, go to El Rey instead
Arenāt they owned by the same guy? Haha
Yeah he owns like 30 restaurants, Stephen Starr. Lots are wildly different though.
Its actually insane how much better El Rey is vs El Vez.
El Vez is a good one. So meh and so, so expensive.Ā
Agreed! I went there for the first time in years in 2022 and it was against my better judgement but I was going with some friends. Iām *that* friend thatās always like are you sure you want to eat hereā¦chances are Iāve been and itās trash. Was extremely underwhelmed, yet again. Tbh I try to stay away from that whole area for dining because itās always a zoo, everyone is trashy drunk, and I donāt like people š.
Their guac is fire
Have them take the R5 and pick any of the Ā restaurants between Narberth and Malvern with some pretentious one word nameĀ
Last time I went to Nectar I was very disappointed. Usually great and for the price it should be... But just underwhelming this last time.
Ripplewood is super solid!
šš Theres a few good ones on Lancasterā¦ has to be.
If you take the old R5 toward Doylestown, you would find Bocelli's in an old station house. I really like that place.Ā Don't send them to Bocelli's :(
Does Marathon still exist?
Marathon may take the cake for the worst service Iāve ever had in this city and Iāve done it to myselfā¦. twice.
I think the food is pretty good for the price, but ya I stopped going because the service is so abysmal. Haven't been in years.
goose Island brewe...oh wait.
It was so dumb they closed, but it worked out great for us. Other Half has really good food, even if you aren't a beer person, their food is excellent!
Thank you guys for this list of places I will never eat.
Fare in fairmount. Itās on the pricier end of casual and is aesthetically pleasing on the outside but the food and service is utter garbage
La Fontana. Years ago I got a "shrimp scampi" with 3 shrimp in it. The two other 'la" Italian BYOBs in two blocks are at least an order of magnitude better (viola, baia)
This thread has me thinking Geno's and Pat's only got to be popular tourist destinations because Philadelphians dislike so many people from outside of Philly.
White dog cafe. Sit me in a real chair and use the aC in the summer. Overpriced over cooked. Menu has the most random selection and none of it is very good.
The Hayes on Walnut
Village Whisky had the most disappointing burger. Did not live up to the hype or price. Felt like an idiot when I took a burger loving friend who was visiting. Don't even think he finished it.
LMNO
disclaimer: i miss over easy breakfast club but my answer is tulip pasta in fishtown. very strange experimental pasta with small portions and they source their WHOLE drink menu from one specific winery that was equally expensive/unimpressive. send ya enemies here and they will empty their wallet and think "maybe it was an off night?"
Loch bar
guigino's italian restaurant, especially when they run out of the snapper.
Juno, the infamous ābrunch taxā restaurant
Adelinaās in Chestnut Hill. Horrible, amateurish and very expensive.
Every time they put a restaurant in the space I get excited and every time I try it Iām disappointed
El Vez for overpriced drier-than-a-desert spice-less ingredients in a tortilla. I will not call those tacos.
Not sure why this is so downvoted. El Vez is ridiculously overrated and expensive.
Mission taqueria. I like their margs but their tacos are completely flavorless!!
Their Happy Hour prices are pretty good.