Messy and Picky

After not being able to get a seat at several other University City hang-outs on a Friday night, we decided to try the less-crowded New Deck Tavern. Even though it wasn't super-busy, we had to wait about 15 or 20 minutes while our hosts bustled around with headsets waiting for a table for two to open up. There were plenty of Penn kids out milling around, taking a break from finals preparation and enjoying the unlimited free peanutes that the New Deck provides.

We got a cozy table for two way in the back. Since we had plenty of time to look over the menu (which is pretty much an Irish-infused TGI Fridays type of thing), we knew exactly what we wanted. We ordered the spinach and artichoke dip for an appetizer, and it came out immediately. Picky found it a little too creamy and too salty, but Messy, who was starving, gobbled it up happily. Messy decided to go with a special: the tomato and cheese toasty. It was a delicious grilled cheese and tomato sandwich which was served with a tremendous heaping of unfortunately soggy fries. The sandwich was good, but it was still just a grilled cheese sandwich, and at $6.50, a pretty pricey one.

Picky opted for the less conventional bangers and mash. Unfortunately, they were less sausage-y and more breakfast link-y. Five shriveled up links were lined up on a mound of yummy mashed potatoes. Around the mound was a moat of gravy with peas and a few strings of onions. The breakfast links were disgusting. Just plain disgusting. Picky's used to much better bangers and mash with delicious plump sausages and a ton more onions [Picky loves him some onions]. Picky's pint of Guinness wasn't so hot either. Perhaps the pipes need to be cleaned or the taps themselves. All in all, our meal was somewhat disappointing.

Messy **1/2
Picky **

The final word: Mediocre bar food. . . but free peanuts!

New Deck Tavern
3408 Sansom St
215-386-4600
7 days a week: 11am – 2am

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