Archive for the ‘American’ Category

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MARATHON GRILL – Chestnut St

Monday, January 30th, 2006

marathon grill - chestnut st

We are frequent patrons of the Marathon Grill located at 16th and Sansom Sts, and have found it to be reliably fast and good. Recently, however, we visited the Marathon Grill on Chestnut between 13th and Broad Sts and found ourselves with some of the worst service we've ever experienced. Just to get it out of the way, the food was good, just as good as the 16th St location, but the service was horrendous.

We were a party of four and as we entered the half full dining room, we were promptly seated for our late Saturday brunch. We eagerly opened our menus and got to looking through their specials. Five minutes passed. Ten minutes passed. Fifteen minutes passed. Normally, a server will come by after a party is seated, introduce themselves and ask if we'd like something to drink while we look over the menu, not this time. Picky scanned the dining room looking for a free server. There were around four servers for the half empty room. There were two just standing by a counter. Picky glared at one of them for a solid thirty seconds. He looked back at him a few times and contined to chat with another server. Then, he got the message.

He walked over to us, but then made a left to the table behind us, a table that was seated about five minutes after we were. Picky was pissed and hungry so he blurted out "WE WERE HERE FIRST" right as another server walked over to our table. Server #2 said that this was Server #1's table, but that he'd help out. Server #1 heard Picky and walked over, after taking their order. He took our order.

The water, coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice came out and also the message that Messy's croissant sandwich wasn't available, they were out of croissants. She ordered the gorgonzola, pear and walnut omelette as a replacement.

A few minutes passed and what looked like our food came out. But Picky's sister's Our whole wheat and banana waffles with canned (not fresh!) strawberries were headed to the other table. The other table said that they didn't order it. We looked on incredulously. The server took it back to the counter. And turned around and brought it to our table along with half of our food. A few minutes passed and the rest of the food came. The side of bacon one of our party ordered took another five minutes (good grief, bacon!). We enjoyed the food, but were still miffed from the (lack of) service.

When were winding down, the server took away the finished plates of Messy and Picky, but not the other side of the table. Five minutes passed. Ten minutes passed. After fifteen minutes or so, we flagged him down for a check, he walked right passed us without looking, very much avoiding our table. When he finally came back around after we asked for the check, he incredibly said "It was a long hard battle, but we got through it" – some of us bit our lips to not lash out at him. Ten percent later, we left.

Based on a U.S. Department of Labor finding as a result of numerous complaints by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission "alleging that Marathon Grill discriminated against its Mexican employees by failing to pay them overtime" we can no longer recommend the Marathon Grill chain as a destination.

More info here.

Messy **
Picky * (because of the horrendous service)

The final word: Head to 16th St instead.

Marathon Grill
1339 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA
215-561-4460
Mon – Fri: 7am – 10pm
Sat – Sun: 9am – 10pm

Posted in American, Center City East, Diner | 6 Comments »

TONY LUKE'S BEEF AND BEER SPORTS BAR

Wednesday, August 17th, 2005

tony luke's

First off, we didn't go to the original outdoor Tony Luke's stand, we went into the [comparatively] fancy and futuristic diner / sports bar across the street, which opened last year. We sat down in a booth in the very spacious main seating area. There is also seating available at the bar and upstairs. Picky immediately noticed at least ten plasma televisions scattered all over the establishment, probably a great place to watch an Iggles game with the South Philly crew. But if you're a non-sports fan vegetarian like Messy, you might not be so thrilled.

We had our favorite appetizer, jalapeño poppers. They were disappionting, probably straight out of the freezer and into a microwave. And what's with serving everything with marinara sauce? We like our poppers with sour cream! Messy had one of the two sandwich options available for vegetarians: a big and yummy eggplant parmesan.

Picky went with the standard Tony Luke's roast pork with sharp provalone [no rabe please]: it too was big — no, ginormous — and yummy. Picky also snarfed four hot bell peppers. Tony Luke's is not the most eco-friendly establishment, as they serve everything on styrofoam plates, with plastic utensils (as if you were ordering from the stand).

Messy **
Picky ***

The final word: Vegetarians, head to Gianna's instead, but stick around for some good meaty fare otherwise.

Tony Luke's
26 East Oregon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148-4109
(215) 551-5725

Posted in American, Cheesesteak, Hoagie/Sandwich, South Philly East | 2 Comments »

WHITE DOG CAFÉ

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

We can't even afford to eat in this restaurant, so we didn't; we ate in the bar area, complete with a much cheaper fare. But don't knock the bar menu, it's not your normal bar munchies food. In fact, it has a better menu than many "real" restaurants we've been to. We started off with nachos, but not just any nachos– a huge order piled high with re-fried black beans, jack cheese, salsa, sour cream and a dollop of guacamole (for 75¢ extra). Our party of four had a hard time finishing it.

Messy had the Balsamic Roasted Portobello Mushroom with Mozzarella on a sourdough roll with pesto, grilled onion, and roasted peppers. It was excellent, considering Messy doesn't like most portobello mushroom sandwiches.

Picky had the Lemon-Herb Grilled Chicken Sandwich with melted mozzarella and pesto on sourdough bread with roasted peppers, tomato, and romaine, which came with weird hand cut potato chips. The only one in our party who liked the chips was Messy. (Go figure.) Picky fancied himself a glass of the house beer, the Leg Lifter Lager, complete with a logo of, yes, a white dog lifting its leg as nature called. It was a light colored and light tasting beer, neither to Picky's liking.

We were told by Messy's sister that the bathrooms were confusing with funky labels on them, but can't vouch for that. We'll have to go back to lift our legs at another time.

Since reviewing The White Dog, they've changed ownership, management and menu
Messy ***1/2
Picky **

The final word: Very good and not very cheap.

White Dog Café
3420 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA
(215) 386-9224
Lunch: Mon – Sat: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Brunch: Sun: 10:30am – 2:30pm
Dinner: Mon – Thu: 5:30pm – 10pm, Fri & Sat: 5:30pm – 11pm, Sun: 5pm – 10pm
Grill: Mon – Sat: 2:30pm – 1am, Sun: 2:30pm – Midnight
Bar: Daily Open until 2am
Happy Hour: Sun – Thu: 10pm – Midnight

Posted in American, Bars, West Philly/UCD | No Comments »

TEN STONE BAR AND RESTAURANT

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

ten stone
Ten Stone is a loud, smoky pub/sandwich place that seems to cater to young people. The menu offers some nice variations from typical pub fare, with choices like fondue and 3 cheese risotto fritters. We tried the fritters, and they didn't really taste like anything– but we give Ten Stone props for originality, and we both enjoyed the accompanying tasty horseradish sauce.

Their sandwiches were good, but both of us were desperately trying to recreate an orgasmic past sandwich experience – and Ten Stone's portabella mushroom and goat cheese could not live up to the similar sandwich at Sotto Voce on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Similarly, their pulled pork came up short when compared to other juicy masterpieces Picky has experienced.

The main bar area is spacious. A good sized U-shape bar with a slab of slate displaying the daily brews on tap. Tables line the main room which can get crowded quickly. During the nice weather, tables are set up all around the exterior of the building. There's a seating area directly behind the bar which is good for a gathering of twenty or so. To the side, there's a darker room with a pool table and a plasma flat panel television. This deep room which runs the length of the bar is a great spot to watch sports or get a little space between the more hectic bar area and yourself.

On its face, however, the food is pretty good. And they always have a good selection of local brews on tap and bottled.

Messy **1/2
Picky **1/2

The final word: Good, if you don't make comparisons.

Ten Stone Bar and Restaurant
2063 South St.
Philadelphia, PA
215-735-9939
Mon – Sat: 11:30am-2am
Sun: 10am – 2am (kitchen closes at 1am)

Posted in American, Bars, Center City West, South St | 1 Comment »

SLACK'S HOAGIE SHACK

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

***The Snyder Ave. location reviewed below is now closed***

Don't be fooled by the exterior, this dingy-looking take-out joint has freaking amazing hoagies! Slack's is a local chain with an awesomely extensive selection of hoagies, sandwiches, burgers and dogs, steaks, wings and salads. A "half" sandwich is about 12" long and overflowing with inside goodies. Not as great were their speciality "teezers," cheese-filled tater tots, served, strangely, with salsa. There's only one vegetarian hoagie served hot or cold, but for the meat lovers, there are 14 varieties of 'steak, 7 varieties of hot dogs as well as tons of specialty sandwiches.

One of their best deals could be the 100 wings for $33.99 – great for Eagles parties! Picky's polished off 50 in one sitting, but not the Slack's variety. Picky's favorite is a half Italian Deluxe hoagie which is overstuffed with Genoa salami, peppered ham, cooked salami, extra capicola, plain ham and extra provolone cheese, at $6.15, a steal. There's one weird thing about this place, though: there are always cops here.

Messy ****
Picky ****

The final word: We'd go back in a second!

Slack's Hoagie Shack
41 Snyder Avenue, Snyder Plaza North
Philadelphia, PA
11-10 Daily

Posted in American, Hoagie/Sandwich, Queen Village | 4 Comments »

NODDING HEAD

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

nodding head

Can it be? Is it possible we found the perfect restaurant this early in our adventure? We had only dreamed of such a place, where Messy could have a vegan burger and baked brie while Picky gobbled on ribs and beer-battered onion rings. Nodding Head boasts an extensive menu that could satisfy anyone from, well, Messy to Picky. Make sure to order fries, or something you can dip into the highly addictive signature bourbon mayonnaise.

We've been to Nodding Head with as diverse companions as Picky's carnivorous college buddies; our vegan couple friends; and Messy's diabetic dad, low-cholesterol-dieting mom, and notoriously picky brother. The food has been consistently good all around. Even though the food there is great, on two subsequent visits, we've come across some serious Philly 'tude from the hosts at the top of the stairs. But that hasn't stopped us from going back, the food is just too good to pass up and the service is almost always great (always accomodating requests for extra bourbon mayonnaise!).

Nodding Head is a brewery as well. Award winning beers flow from their taps. They usually have about five to choose from each day, Picky's favorite is the Grog – a dark beer falling in between a Newcastle and a Guinness.

Messy ****
Picky ****

The final word: Bound to please everyone.

Nodding Head
1516 Sansom St, Second floor
Philadelphia, PA
Mon.-Sat.: 11:30 am- 1:30
Sun.: 11am-Midnight. (Jazz brunch and Quizzo at 9pm)
(215) 569-9525

Posted in American, Bars, Center City West, Vegetarian | 2 Comments »

NICK'S ROAST BEEF OF PHILLY

Thursday, August 4th, 2005

Nick's is like a piece of South Philly in the middle of bougie Olde City. We enjoyed some fairly-priced pub food while we were entertained by the Eagles game on several TV's, wing-guzzling frat boys at the next table, and an attractive-yet-hardened waitress with no time to be charming.

Picky's cheesesteak was too dry, but that didn't discourage him- he's going back for the famous roast beef. Otherwise the food was pretty good. With all of the options in Olde City, Nick's might not be a top choice. But, then again, if you're short on cash and craving beer and cheesefries, Nick's is the place to be. Especially since there is a "French Fry Gallery" section on the menu, with thirteen choices available. It starts off with the normal golden french fries and golden cheese fries, but then the gallery expands. Maryland crab fries, cajun fries, chili fries, gravy fries, pizza fries, chajun cheese fries, curly fries, curly cheese fries, curly crab fries, curly cajun fries and curly cajun cheese fries.

Nick's kitchen is open until 1am all week and the bar closes at 2am, so if you find yourself craving grease while you're out at a club in Olde City, break out a little early and head on over to Nick's.

Messy **
Picky ***

The final word: We'll be back for the namesake. Well, one of us, at least.

Nick's Roast Beef
16 S. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA
215-928-9411

Posted in American, Bars, Center City East, Cheesesteak, Olde City | 2 Comments »

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