Last weekend I took a weekend trip to Philadelphia without any fooding plans in mind. And then I ate two burgers within a 24-hour period. I just can't help myself.
The first burger I ate was from Royal Tavern, a bar/restaurant that welcomes you with a chalkboard that shouts, "COME TRY PHILADELPHIA'S BEST BURGER!" (among other non-burger related things). So, being the easily swayed person I am, I did what the sign told me to do.
The eight-ounce Angus burger ($9) was topped with bacon, caramelized onions, smoked Gouda, pickled long hot peppers, and chile mayonnaise on a seeded brioche bun. Autopsy shot after the jump.
This is one of the worst autopsy shots I've ever taken. Sorry.
The first bite of the hot pepper jolted my mouth awake with a slight burning sensation, but it wasn't really a complement to the meat, which I thought tasted bland. Juiciness level was satisfying—not excessive, not dry. Chile mayonnaise added another layer of fatty creaminess. I also liked the soft, toasted bun. But overall, I couldn't say that this is Philly's best burger.
I know I also have to check out Pub & Kitchen, but I'll take other recommendations if you have them—preferably for non-stuffed burgers and burgers that aren't larger than eight ounces, since by that point my stomach is ready to explode. (Even better is if you can recommend restaurants that are vegetarian-friendly for my non-meat eating friends.)
Royal Tavern
937 E Passyunk Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (map)
215-389-6694
Monk's Cafe at 16th and Spruce gets my vote for best burger in the city. Best place to get a beer in the city too. Go for lunch - it's generally packed wall to wall for dinner.
@cxg23: Thanks for the recs! I actually went to Monk's the following morning, but that doesn't get my vote for "Best Burger" either. :[ I'll write about it next week. Maybe I'll like Copabanana!
That's the great thing about America, we all can like different stuff! Sorry to hear that Monk's disappointed you. Looking forward to your review.
Just a heads up - don't expect stellar service at Copa - I've been there a few times and it's always very slow. My burger last Friday was worth the wait though - cooked to my specification and very juicy without overwhelming the bun with drippings.
I can't speak to the burgers, but Nodding Head (15th & Sansom) has good beer, good vegan burgers & good fries. Your vegetarian friends will be pretty happy here.
Monk's is where you go for mussels, fries and awesome Belgian beer...not burgers. Curious that someone recommends Nodding Head, which is a good micro-brewery/restaurant, because its owned by the same guys who own Monks!
For a long time the best burgers in city were at the Standard Tap in Northern Liberties. I haven't had one in several years, but I would most definitely guess that that's still the case.
As far as your vegetarian friend's go, go to Horizon's just south of South St. on 7th St. It's been voted one of the best vegan restaurants in the country several times over. It's the best vege/vegan food I've ever had, and as someone who could eat Shack burgers all day, and everyday...its just plain awesome whether its vegan or not.
Lastly, go to Tacconelli's for pizza already! I can't believe no one on Slice has done this yet. The best pizza in Philly....and perhaps the East Coast....yeah, I said it. Just make sure to order your dough a couple days in advance and bring you own beer/wine.
@EazyB: A few other people recommended Horizons to me, although you're the first to say, "AND THIS IS COMING FROM A SHAKE SHACK LOVER!" ;) Their menu looks gooood. Sounds like I'll have to save it for a semi-special occasion, but I guess any trip to Philly is kinda special.
And yeaah my friend wants to try that pizza. Gaah! Maybe I should plan that for my next visit.
Oddly, Royal Tavern is my favorite burger in Philly and my vegetarian girlfriend's favorite bar food. I'm sorry to hear you didn't love it. Their meatloaf sandwich is also great.
The other burgers I dig in Philly are Good Dog, Rouge and Sketch.
Craig Laban thinks Good Dog is the top dog in Philly burgers.
Enjoy this how-to-tacconelli's giude if you end up going. It's all true, except I would say your don't have to stick to the pie/topping recommendations at the end.
It's nit-picking, I know, but you really meant to write "complement", not "compliment". It's one of those things that really bugs me, like people who write "it's" when they mean "its".
@Dan Mason: Unfortunately I wasn't a big fan of Good Dog's, but that's a personal preference: I don't really like stuffed burgers. :( If I were recommending a burger to someone who liked stuffed burgers, then I'd say it's good!
Meatloaf sandwich sounds tasty...
@EasyB: Thanks! That's helpful info. I had no idea what the process was.
@KevinB: It's okay to nitpick! Who else will edit me when I'm my own editor? ;)
The traditional burger at Good Dog constantly gets overlook because of their stuffed burger. While I like the stuffed one, I especially love their regular old burger.
I second the suggestion for Rouge. It's a fancy burger but it's really good.
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15 Comments:
Monk's Cafe at 16th and Spruce gets my vote for best burger in the city. Best place to get a beer in the city too. Go for lunch - it's generally packed wall to wall for dinner.
http://www.monkscafe.com/
I had a burger at the copabanana on 4th and South last Friday that was very good as well, but I would not say that it was the best in the city...
http://www.copabanana.com/
cxg231 at 2:49PM on 03/06/09
@cxg23: Thanks for the recs! I actually went to Monk's the following morning, but that doesn't get my vote for "Best Burger" either. :[ I'll write about it next week. Maybe I'll like Copabanana!
Robyn Lee at 2:54PM on 03/06/09
@ robobby:
That's the great thing about America, we all can like different stuff! Sorry to hear that Monk's disappointed you. Looking forward to your review.
Just a heads up - don't expect stellar service at Copa - I've been there a few times and it's always very slow. My burger last Friday was worth the wait though - cooked to my specification and very juicy without overwhelming the bun with drippings.
Good luck, enjoy Philadelphia!
cxg231 at 3:01PM on 03/06/09
I can't speak to the burgers, but Nodding Head (15th & Sansom) has good beer, good vegan burgers & good fries. Your vegetarian friends will be pretty happy here.
hamngatan at 3:21PM on 03/06/09
Try the burger at Rouge! a) It's a really great burger, b) it comes with pommes frites, and c) it was a contest in the Burger Bash at SoBe this year.
elsam at 3:46PM on 03/06/09
Monk's is where you go for mussels, fries and awesome Belgian beer...not burgers. Curious that someone recommends Nodding Head, which is a good micro-brewery/restaurant, because its owned by the same guys who own Monks!
For a long time the best burgers in city were at the Standard Tap in Northern Liberties. I haven't had one in several years, but I would most definitely guess that that's still the case.
As far as your vegetarian friend's go, go to Horizon's just south of South St. on 7th St. It's been voted one of the best vegan restaurants in the country several times over. It's the best vege/vegan food I've ever had, and as someone who could eat Shack burgers all day, and everyday...its just plain awesome whether its vegan or not.
Lastly, go to Tacconelli's for pizza already! I can't believe no one on Slice has done this yet. The best pizza in Philly....and perhaps the East Coast....yeah, I said it. Just make sure to order your dough a couple days in advance and bring you own beer/wine.
EazyB at 3:50PM on 03/06/09
@hamngatan and elsam: Thanks for the recs!
@EazyB: A few other people recommended Horizons to me, although you're the first to say, "AND THIS IS COMING FROM A SHAKE SHACK LOVER!" ;) Their menu looks gooood. Sounds like I'll have to save it for a semi-special occasion, but I guess any trip to Philly is kinda special.
And yeaah my friend wants to try that pizza. Gaah! Maybe I should plan that for my next visit.
Robyn Lee at 4:19PM on 03/06/09
Oddly, Royal Tavern is my favorite burger in Philly and my vegetarian girlfriend's favorite bar food. I'm sorry to hear you didn't love it. Their meatloaf sandwich is also great.
The other burgers I dig in Philly are Good Dog, Rouge and Sketch.
Craig Laban thinks Good Dog is the top dog in Philly burgers.
Dan Mason at 5:10PM on 03/06/09
@roboppy
Enjoy this how-to-tacconelli's giude if you end up going. It's all true, except I would say your don't have to stick to the pie/topping recommendations at the end.
http://www.phoodie.info/2008/03/19/how-to-order-at-tacconellis/
EazyB at 5:19PM on 03/06/09
It's nit-picking, I know, but you really meant to write "complement", not "compliment". It's one of those things that really bugs me, like people who write "it's" when they mean "its".
KevinB at 5:22PM on 03/06/09
@Dan Mason: Unfortunately I wasn't a big fan of Good Dog's, but that's a personal preference: I don't really like stuffed burgers. :( If I were recommending a burger to someone who liked stuffed burgers, then I'd say it's good!
Meatloaf sandwich sounds tasty...
@EasyB: Thanks! That's helpful info. I had no idea what the process was.
@KevinB: It's okay to nitpick! Who else will edit me when I'm my own editor? ;)
Robyn Lee at 5:28PM on 03/06/09
The traditional burger at Good Dog constantly gets overlook because of their stuffed burger. While I like the stuffed one, I especially love their regular old burger.
I second the suggestion for Rouge. It's a fancy burger but it's really good.
jessward at 4:41PM on 03/07/09
Standard Tap gets my vote
browngravy at 12:07PM on 03/09/09
You know that burger as you described it sounded very bizarre, but yet I want to try it now.
FrostyGhost at 1:01PM on 03/09/09
i would suggest two places:
the green rock tavern @ 2546 east lehigh ave
the standard tap @ 901 north second street
lexschmidt at 12:35PM on 03/17/09