In mid-August wife and I will be going to a friend's wedding in Philadelphia. Though I realize that Philly is the home of the cheesesteak I was wondering if AHT and/or the readership might offer some burger recommendations, as I'd like to partake of the best burgers that Philly has to offer. Any suggestions will be most welcomed.
—Herbert N.
I've actually wondered the same thing as Herbert, as I visit Philadelphia about once every other month. So far I've tried Good Dog, Monk's, and Royal Tavern (as did Nick Solares) with less than stellar results. Not to say that any of them were bad; just that none was one I would heartily recommend to someone visiting Philadelphia.
After the jump, potential sources of burger bliss.
Some burger-happy Philadelphia food blogs I'd turn to for burger recs are Fries With That Shake and Unbreaded. Ben Kessler of Unbreaded recommended Pub & Kitchen to us a while back. Fries With That Shake has a master burger list for their Burger Club Philly group with input from other Philadelphians. There are also more recent recommendations from AHT readers on Nick's Royal Tavern review, the most prominent one being Standard Tap, and others including Silk City Diner, Rouge, and Rembrandt's.
The best deal at the moment seems to be the weekday lunch burger deal from Butcher & Singer. Some recently opened burger joints in Philadelphia are PYT and Squareburger.
Something to keep in mind: AHT reader EazyB commented that Philadelphians tend to go for gourmet pub-style burgers over California-style. My preference for the latter might prevent me from finding a favorite burger in Philadelphia, but I'll keep looking.
A restaurant not in Center City but out in Chestnut Hill is worth the drive...http://www.mcnallystavern.com/ . They are known for their Schmitters (a cheesesteak-y, sauce-y delicious-y mess) but I go for their unbelievable cheeseburgers.
The bun is perfect, the cheese is melted perfectly, the meat is perfect--you get the idea.
Really? I LOVE Monk's. A LOT. I just wish the wait wasn't that long.
If you love tapas, check out Amada http://www.amadarestaurant.com/ (make sure to make reservations ahead).
For a full list of the places I ate at when visiting Philadelphia, click here.
If you're ever on the Main Line, check out George's in Wayne...George Perrier (of Le Bec Fin fame) has a casual bistro there. Check out the black angus burger with gruyere and caramelized onion on a brioche bun....::drools::
@orchidgirl: If you love Monk's, the wait at The Belgian Cafe (21st and Green in Fairmount) is much shorter--same yummy mussels, burgers and fries!
I also love the burgers at The Belgian. Though last time I went, I ordered medium-well takeout for a picky friend and it came back more medium-rare. Picky friend was not happy.
As a California style lovin' burger eater, PYT and Evolution Burger (just outside Philly in Wynnewood) come closest to those delightful west coast burgers. My favorite gourmet pub burgers are at Pub & Kitchen and Johnny Brenda's. Also a nod to SquareBurger for cranking out a simple but tasty burger and to Butcher and Singer for their weekday lunch deal.
I'm a purist - just burger and bun - so many of the city's 'best burgers' don't stand up under that scrutiny (Monks, this means you - I've never had a good burger there, and I found the Good Dog one pretty disappointing). But nothing has topped the Varga Bar's burger for me - I like Pub & Kitchen too, but the Varga offering is in another class. I heartily second Jess's suggestion about Evolution for California-style burgers - they even outdo In n Out.
In the burbs, TJ's in Paoli has the best, with Teresa's Next Door in Wayne very close.
Standard Tap and Royal Tavern are my favorites. The Khyber does a small version of the RT burger for just a few bucks, which is great because then you have room to try other things. Standard Tap has the best fries in the city, in my opinion. Greasy but crispy with bits of peel left on.
I like the Good Dog burger with cheese on top, not inside. The temperature of the cheese stuffed one turns me off if they cook it medium and I just don't like burgers cooked more than that.
For Pete's Sake also has an excellent burger. And Coco's on jewelers row has really good kobe burgers - get them with the salad instead of fries and order a $3 mountain of freshly fried potato chips sprinkled with blue cheese and scallions to share with your table.
Mitch Prensky's burger at Supper was an unexpectedly awesome discovery at brunch one Sunday. One of the best burgers I've tasted in a while. Also fond of the burger at McCrossen's Tavern. It's unfancy, unfussy, well-constructed, plus good fries.
My two favorites are the Royal Burger at Royal Tavern (angus, bacon, gouda, long hots, caramelized onion, spicy mayo), which I believe I've seen on AHT before, and the Kelly's Burger from Grace Tavern, the simplest, most delicious bacon cheeseburger in all the land.
South Philly Taproom has a good grass-fed burger..
Diner style I go for Little Pete's (17th & Locust, 24 hours) all the way. Snow White Diner (19th & Chestnut) also has a decent burger, on Craig Laban's list a few years ago, not sure if it still holds up.
Also check out Nick's Charcoal Pit on Snyder for a Char-Grilled burger on a kaiser roll covered in bacon and cheese whiz.
You all need to stop in and try Sketch Burger in Fishtown. I like a lot of these places on the list but Sketch's is definitely better than some of these.
How one can narrow it down is a mystery to me though. This town has no shortage of burgers.
Let's get as big a list of cheese steaks, because frankly the pickings are slim.
For me, the best burger in Philadelphia, without question is Barclay Prime pub burger. (NOTE: Not the kobe sliders. The pub menu burger - happens to be a couplet of mini burgers.)
Best burgers I've had in Philly, no contest, are at a super cheesy looking place called Copabanana. Great fries too. I always go to the location at 40th and Spruce, but there are 2 other locations. I've tried the burgers at Parc, Butcher & Singer, Good Dog and other famous and popular burger spots, and as far as I'm concerned, none compare to Copabanana.
While I'm not a vegetarian and I'm known to eat beef burgers, I have to give it to National Mechanics for their Veggie Burger. Yes, a veggie burger is my favorite burger in Philly. Filled with finely shredded fresh vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and zucchini (among others), it's a burst of vegetable goodness in your mouth. And it's quite sizable. So you will be sated. Comes with their yummy hand-cut steak fries, too.
I love Philly burgers but being a Jerzee girl my favorite burger is actually in Atlantic City. Gallagher's pub is an offshoot of Gallagher's Steakhouse located in Resort's casino on the dining level. The Gallagher burger is juicy, cooked to order and you can choose from an array of toppings. My husband laughs at me when I eat one because all I say after my burger arrives and I bite into it is ummm, ummm, ummm. You cannot talk to me til I am done. It is worth the ride,although we are usually already downa shore anyway.
I'm on a mission to convince people that the best burger in Philly doesn't look like any burger they've ever seen before - it is the Chapli Kabob at Kabobeesh in University City. Well worth expanding your horizons for (sadly no bacon available though).
"The Burger" @ Serrano's on 2nd is pretty tasty as well. And I have to also agree with Jessward about the Johnny Brenda burger. That is quite tasty also. I have yet to try the Evolution or the Sketch burger. This is a great post. I can't wait to do some Philly burgering again.
I've eaten almost every burger on the board and think that Grace Tavern has the tastiest burgers of them all. Substitute the fries with the blackened green beans. They're sensational.
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In mid-August wife and I will be going to a friend's wedding in Philadelphia. Though I realize that Philly is the home of the cheesesteak I was wondering if AHT and/or the readership might offer some burger recommendations, as I'd like to partake of the best burgers that Philly has to offer. Any suggestions will be most welcomed.
30 Comments:
I haven't been to B&S or PYT yet, but I've tried the rest and here're my recommendations:
Pub-style: Pub & Kitchen Windsor burger
Regular (not sure if that's what a "California" style burger is): Nifty Fifties
waxeater at 3:46PM on 08/11/09
I highly recommend the Rouge Burger. Great location too! http://gastronomyblog.com/2007/05/08/rouge/
Cathy Danh at 3:52PM on 08/11/09
Good dog has a great burger. I like Charlie's in Folsom. Rouge has a huge burger 12 oz., I believe which is super also. Pub & Kitchen is nice also.
Oneiron at 4:05PM on 08/11/09
From Grub Street Philly: http://philadelphia.grubstreet.com/2009/07/burgers_phl.html#photo=22
Jenn Sit at 4:17PM on 08/11/09
This site might be able to help, except it mostly focuses on hot dogs, steaks, and other Philly sandwiches.
http://www.hollyeats.com/
pbelardo at 4:21PM on 08/11/09
A restaurant not in Center City but out in Chestnut Hill is worth the drive...http://www.mcnallystavern.com/ . They are known for their Schmitters (a cheesesteak-y, sauce-y delicious-y mess) but I go for their unbelievable cheeseburgers.
The bun is perfect, the cheese is melted perfectly, the meat is perfect--you get the idea.
kpope at 4:25PM on 08/11/09
Really? I LOVE Monk's. A LOT. I just wish the wait wasn't that long.
If you love tapas, check out Amada http://www.amadarestaurant.com/ (make sure to make reservations ahead).
For a full list of the places I ate at when visiting Philadelphia, click here.
Hope this will help.
orchidgirl at 4:32PM on 08/11/09
@Jenn Sit
i thoroughly enjoyed that link! really helpful-and with all those pictures?! god if that doesn't make you want a burger i don't know what does.
philly is definitely a pub burger city, but i love it for that.
cheesebreadbutter at 5:41PM on 08/11/09
Philadelphia magazine's Best Of Philly issue gives the honor to BUTCHER AND SINGER @1500 Walnut St.
donnie at 6:18PM on 08/11/09
The burger at Butcher & Singer is Freaking. Amazing.
And at 5.95 for a weekday lunch? Oh snap.
Watch out though, the Coke will run you 3.50.
eat_a_cookies at 7:11PM on 08/11/09
I like tommy's adult milkshakes a little more than the burgers...
mobot at 7:33AM on 08/12/09
If you're ever on the Main Line, check out George's in Wayne...George Perrier (of Le Bec Fin fame) has a casual bistro there. Check out the black angus burger with gruyere and caramelized onion on a brioche bun....::drools::
DomesticMuse at 8:04AM on 08/12/09
@orchidgirl: If you love Monk's, the wait at The Belgian Cafe (21st and Green in Fairmount) is much shorter--same yummy mussels, burgers and fries!
I also love the burgers at The Belgian. Though last time I went, I ordered medium-well takeout for a picky friend and it came back more medium-rare. Picky friend was not happy.
inothernews at 8:17AM on 08/12/09
As a California style lovin' burger eater, PYT and Evolution Burger (just outside Philly in Wynnewood) come closest to those delightful west coast burgers. My favorite gourmet pub burgers are at Pub & Kitchen and Johnny Brenda's. Also a nod to SquareBurger for cranking out a simple but tasty burger and to Butcher and Singer for their weekday lunch deal.
jessward at 9:21AM on 08/12/09
I'm a purist - just burger and bun - so many of the city's 'best burgers' don't stand up under that scrutiny (Monks, this means you - I've never had a good burger there, and I found the Good Dog one pretty disappointing). But nothing has topped the Varga Bar's burger for me - I like Pub & Kitchen too, but the Varga offering is in another class. I heartily second Jess's suggestion about Evolution for California-style burgers - they even outdo In n Out.
In the burbs, TJ's in Paoli has the best, with Teresa's Next Door in Wayne very close.
superfecta at 9:30AM on 08/12/09
Standard Tap and Royal Tavern are my favorites. The Khyber does a small version of the RT burger for just a few bucks, which is great because then you have room to try other things. Standard Tap has the best fries in the city, in my opinion. Greasy but crispy with bits of peel left on.
I like the Good Dog burger with cheese on top, not inside. The temperature of the cheese stuffed one turns me off if they cook it medium and I just don't like burgers cooked more than that.
For Pete's Sake also has an excellent burger. And Coco's on jewelers row has really good kobe burgers - get them with the salad instead of fries and order a $3 mountain of freshly fried potato chips sprinkled with blue cheese and scallions to share with your table.
travers at 9:55AM on 08/12/09
Mitch Prensky's burger at Supper was an unexpectedly awesome discovery at brunch one Sunday. One of the best burgers I've tasted in a while. Also fond of the burger at McCrossen's Tavern. It's unfancy, unfussy, well-constructed, plus good fries.
Tara Mataraza Desmond at 9:56AM on 08/12/09
My two favorites are the Royal Burger at Royal Tavern (angus, bacon, gouda, long hots, caramelized onion, spicy mayo), which I believe I've seen on AHT before, and the Kelly's Burger from Grace Tavern, the simplest, most delicious bacon cheeseburger in all the land.
drewlazor at 10:03AM on 08/12/09
South Philly Taproom has a good grass-fed burger..
Diner style I go for Little Pete's (17th & Locust, 24 hours) all the way. Snow White Diner (19th & Chestnut) also has a decent burger, on Craig Laban's list a few years ago, not sure if it still holds up.
Also check out Nick's Charcoal Pit on Snyder for a Char-Grilled burger on a kaiser roll covered in bacon and cheese whiz.
Hawk Krall at 10:29AM on 08/12/09
You all need to stop in and try Sketch Burger in Fishtown. I like a lot of these places on the list but Sketch's is definitely better than some of these.
How one can narrow it down is a mystery to me though. This town has no shortage of burgers.
Let's get as big a list of cheese steaks, because frankly the pickings are slim.
meatmanmike at 11:02AM on 08/12/09
How has no one said the burger at Noble American Cookery yet?
Grass-fed, topped with a big slice of beet, sauce gribiche, some lovely cheese and for one single dollar extra, a twice-fried, chopped BACON WAFER.
The beet ketchup that comes with the fries is also worth the visit. Truly magical.
FeliciasMealTicket at 11:36AM on 08/12/09
For me, the best burger in Philadelphia, without question is Barclay Prime pub burger. (NOTE: Not the kobe sliders. The pub menu burger - happens to be a couplet of mini burgers.)
jeffunbreaded at 2:16PM on 08/12/09
Best burgers I've had in Philly, no contest, are at a super cheesy looking place called Copabanana. Great fries too. I always go to the location at 40th and Spruce, but there are 2 other locations. I've tried the burgers at Parc, Butcher & Singer, Good Dog and other famous and popular burger spots, and as far as I'm concerned, none compare to Copabanana.
melly991 at 3:45PM on 08/12/09
While I'm not a vegetarian and I'm known to eat beef burgers, I have to give it to National Mechanics for their Veggie Burger. Yes, a veggie burger is my favorite burger in Philly. Filled with finely shredded fresh vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and zucchini (among others), it's a burst of vegetable goodness in your mouth. And it's quite sizable. So you will be sated. Comes with their yummy hand-cut steak fries, too.
phillygrub at 6:04PM on 08/12/09
I love Philly burgers but being a Jerzee girl my favorite burger is actually in Atlantic City. Gallagher's pub is an offshoot of Gallagher's Steakhouse located in Resort's casino on the dining level. The Gallagher burger is juicy, cooked to order and you can choose from an array of toppings. My husband laughs at me when I eat one because all I say after my burger arrives and I bite into it is ummm, ummm, ummm. You cannot talk to me til I am done. It is worth the ride,although we are usually already downa shore anyway.
seefoodcook at 6:25PM on 08/12/09
I'm on a mission to convince people that the best burger in Philly doesn't look like any burger they've ever seen before - it is the Chapli Kabob at Kabobeesh in University City. Well worth expanding your horizons for (sadly no bacon available though).
http://burgatory.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/philadelphia-pa-kabobeeshs-chapli-kabab-burger-yes-or-no/
burgatory at 9:50PM on 08/12/09
"The Burger" @ Serrano's on 2nd is pretty tasty as well. And I have to also agree with Jessward about the Johnny Brenda burger. That is quite tasty also. I have yet to try the Evolution or the Sketch burger. This is a great post. I can't wait to do some Philly burgering again.
BigWoollyMammoth at 8:44AM on 08/13/09
The place in Wynnewood is Elevation Burger, not Evolution Burger.
Buckethead at 12:03PM on 08/14/09
@ Buckethead - Thanks, I would have been driving for a while... ;)
BigWoollyMammoth at 3:16PM on 08/14/09
I've eaten almost every burger on the board and think that Grace Tavern has the tastiest burgers of them all. Substitute the fries with the blackened green beans. They're sensational.
zachy at 9:23PM on 10/13/09