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South Philadelphia Taproom
Categories: Nightlife Bars Pubs Restaurants Gastropubs Pubs, Gastropubs [Edit]
1509 Mifflin StPhiladelphia, PA 19145
Neighbourhood: Point Breeze
(215) 271-7787
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
224 reviews for South Philadelphia Taproom
Review Highlights
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"I had the wild boar tacos, which were just delicious." In 18 reviews -
"and SPTR is a 5 Star neighborhood gem." In 70 reviews -
"Really good pub food and a huge beer selection." In 50 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
224 reviews in English
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Review from Alan G.
MASPETH, NY
4/30/2012
So to start off, I will say for some reason Yelp uploaded the bf's pic and not mine. Anywhoo, Im a woman, he's a man, the pictures are misleading, lol, doesnt matter, just clarifying. This was not my first experience at the Taproom. My boyfriend lives two blocks away so we occasionally go for happy hour, but not that much because many happy hours in the hood are much cheaper and have a better selection. On this occasion, we went for dinner because we had a http://Restaurant.com coupon and thought we would be able to splurge a little. We ordered our meal, fried chicken, some pork and potato appetizer (can't remember the name, it was spanish), and a side of mac and cheese. I mentioned to the bf that he should tell the server that we had a coupon, good thing because when I did she said they did not accept that coupon any longer and were in dispute with http://Restaurant.com over the whole issue. Thinking that our lovely experience was slowly going downhill, I was worried. My bf was pissed off and stewing in his chair so I knew that he was about to blow at the fact that we purchased the coupon, but were now being told we could not use it. About 5 minutes later, the manager came right over and said she would comp us $25 off the bill. What a pleasant surprise to be compensated without any prodding from us. The problem was corrected immediately in a courteous manner and we were able to continue eating our delicious meal and drinking our tasty beverages. A minor glitch that could have turned us away completely has actually made me have a greater respect for this establishment and the professionalism under which they operate. Kudos to you SPTR!!
Maia R. Maspeth, NY -
Review from Francis U.
Philadelphia, PA
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
Remember when the apocalyptic destination in 'Shawn of the Dead' was The Pub? I think we can all relate to the very certain safety which lies in the bosom of ones favourite pub.
I give the nod to The Taproom as my default Pub destination. Their beer list is balanced, and changes regularly. Someone behind the bar knows how to make a first-rate dirty martini, and some of the food is unexpectedly good. The cheese steak sliders and burger are both made with good quality meat, but the sauce (I suspect some nouvelle torison on a french dijon classic) which the chef has devised to accompany them, puts them in the 'remarkably good bar food' category. The tomato soup has a very controlled amount of heat, which makes it interesting and fun to eat. The grilled cheese is a modern (and tasty) variation on a classic. Most of the meals are accompanied by an array of artisan pickles. What a good idea to brighten up the palate with some tart pickled goodness.
The Taproom is also agreeably affordable. $20 can provide enough food and drink for two people (during happy hour). With the only drawbacks being that it's a bit noisy and the chairs are uncomfortable, it's easy to give the Taproom 4 stars and a confident commendation. -
Review from Matt D.
Updated - 4/7/2012
This is now our "go-to" spot on Friday or Saturday nights. I can't express how perfect of a neighborhood bar this is. The ever-evolving beer menu is always perfection, they give endless samples, and the prices are reasonable (even better during happy hour). I've tried nearly everything on the menu, but last night I ventured out and got the meatloaf for the first time: perfection served over mac and cheese. I saved half of it just so I could look forward to eating it again this afternoon!
The reason for the update is for the Mexican inspired ceviche with fried plantains on the menu last night. I order ceviche pretty much every time I see it on a menu, and this one was near perfection. TONS of fresh seafood in a spicy citrus broth and a big dollop of guac on top to cool it down. Heaven in my mouth, and it even had oysters in it (which is unusual).
Beer was fantastic as usual. We always get the Allagash White, but I particularly liked the barley wine last night, and at $4...can't beat it. I love to venture out and try new places, but it's getting to the point of conceding to SPTR every week.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/3/2012
Wow, am I glad that I just moved in up the street from this place! This was our first venture out… Read more »
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Review from johnny b.
Philadelphia, PA
5/20/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Their food is so good. I love their new, or rather not sooo new, buffalo wings. AND their burger...well, it is amazing. It's like the best hot dog you could ever hope for in a burger's body...you'll understand after you eat it.
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Review from Theresa P.
Philadelphia, PA
3/27/2012
Just as Yelp suggests...this is truly a "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" review.
A few years ago--back when we lived on the "other" side of Broad--the Tap Room used to be our regular spot. In those days the Plantain Nachos were a part of our dietary food pyramid and craft beers made up the rest. At some point or another, management changed (or at least a chef or two) and our favorite meal went by the way side--as did consistency in general. Needless to say, the Tap Room slowly became a place we visited with less and less frequently. Since then, they've renovated from top to bottom--a new dining room, chef, waitstaff, and menu. Fast forward to the the other night when we both came home from work CRAVING a burger. Since we're all about second chances, we made the spontaneous decision to head across the great divide to see what our old favorite had to offer us.
Although this is a very well intended 5 Star review, I will offer one suggestion--if groups of 2's, 3's and 4's are filing in and awkwardly looking around it's a pretty good bet that they probably want to be seated (or at least have someone ask). For us it wasn't a "thing" since we waited all of about 6 minutes before we were seated. Some of the other folks around us were a little less easy going about which is why I'm offering the suggestion. :)
Upon getting settled at our table for 2, we were immediately greeted by Candice our server. She was polite, SUPER personable, and patient. My biggest pet peeve is impersonal waitstaff that rush you through your night. Candice should teach classes on how it's done. She's 5 Stars all on her own.
A table near us ordered Wings and the intoxicating scent of buffalo sauce meant that we absolutely HAD to have them. They were extra crispy and, to my delight, an entire plate full of drums. The only downside is that all of the condiments are homemade which means there wasn't a substitute for the Bleu Cheese (I'm usually a ranch-and-wings kind of gal).
The "piece de resistance"? THE BURGERS!! 100% Grass Fed Beef with TWO 1/4" Thick Slabs of Bacon, American Cheese, and "Special Sauce"--a combination definitely worth writing home about. Typically if I see American Cheese on the menu I'm quick to see about substituting it for something less "American". I'm SO glad that I forgot to ask. It was delicious. Another honorable mention goes to the BEST homemade pickles I have ever had--which were part of a spicy pickled vegetable salad that appeared on each of our plates (in addition to a mountain of fries and a pasta salad side dish). These pickles were SO good that I actually pulled Candice aside to ask her to go pat the guy responsible for this salad on the back. Literally. 99% of the time homemade pickles just taste like wet cucumbers. Gross. I would honestly go back to the Tap Room just to eat their pickles. YUM.
All in all, we are so glad that the Tap Room has won our hearts back and we can't wait to go back and do it all over again. Also I am secretly crossing my fingers that the plantain nachos make their way back to the menu....Hey! A girl can dream, can't she?? -
Review from Pat H.
Pennsburg, PA
4/30/2012
Went this past Saturday before the Philly's game. What they have in beer, they lack in wine. 4 choices by the glass, and only one can you purchase by the bottle.
we had two serviers, one was really friendly and the other very unfriendly. Food was so-so. Mac and cheese was good. -
Review from John M.
Philadelphia, PA
3/12/2012
My local bar. Excellent beer selection, delicious food, good atmosphere. What more can you ask for?
The tap list has a few regulars and a number of rotating taps. The beer prices are pretty decent ($3 Kenzinger pints!) and their happy hour helps more by taking 50% off local brews. You can find some rarities here at times and their bottle selection is not bad at all.
The food here is awesome! The 3-cheese grilled cheese and tomato lager soup (made with Yuengling lager!) is amazingly yummy, and they have pretty good steak fries (with homemade ketchup). The food specials change around; everything from wild boar tacos to a huge eggplant parmesan, crispy potato tacos to a vegan hoagie, and lots more.
I'm so happy this is my local bar. -
Review from Brock B.
4/8/2012
I had the breakfast burger....Hit the spot. More options as to brunch would have been appreciated, but the problem was that I had had eggs beforehand. Didn't want to double down on the eggie weggies. I liked sitting outside. My beer was beer.
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Review from Erik s.
5/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
South Philly Taproom, Memphis Taproom, Standard Tap and Pub & Kitchen make up my four horse men of gastropubs in Philadelphia. I love these mofos. Tasty cheese steak sliders, fried peanut & butter sandwiches, a banging grill cheese, wild boar tacos, a pretty decent fried chicken, some excellent meat loaf and a huge beer list ... yup yup everything in the world that will make sure I will become a fat disgusting slob once my metabolism and will to exercise goes. They also have a rotating taco special...recently I had a head cheese taco...I'm not a fan of head cheese but this concoction was pretty darn tasty. But, their crown jewel are ricotta donuts w/ hot caramel dipping sauce, they are little fried balls of heaven. Plus..SPT has TVs there... so if there is a game or a fight the lovely wait staff will be more than happy to accommodate you. So no more suffering thru shitty sports bar food when rooting on your team during their playoff run or watching the 2 out of the 3 fighters you bet on during the last UFC get beaten half to death... not that I sports bet or anything that's illegal.
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Review from Clarissa G.
Philadelphia, PA
2/14/2012
Have not ever been disappointed on any of my visits to this place. And it's been many. Even better is when they offer up a deal on http://restaurant.com. Yeah it has me comin back for more and more, So between all of my friends, i'd say we've tried the whole food menu. My faves? Tomato Lager soup and grilled cheese sammich, Wild boar tacos, if only they weren't the tiniest of taco sizes, but so good,,, the roasted beet salad... and of course the 100% local grassfed, beer braised bacon cheeseburger. Helllls yeahhh!
Also the mac n cheese is creamy and delish too. -
Review from Chris G.
Philadelphia, PA
1/7/2012
There are several reasons I am giving this bar my 5 star approval so Ill cut right to the chase:
I frequent the bar 2-3 times a month on average.
1. They serve quality food, consistently.
2. The service even when busy is more acceptable than most bars.
3. They have a better burger than Royal Tavern (yes the Royal Tavern burger being the best burger is an absolute myth, anyone can make a better burger and they do)
4. They have the best grilled cheese and tomato soup. (And it rivals the Abbey circa 2006)
5. They are often times $1 dollar cheaper than the other bars in the city and their quality is a notch higher. That if you ask me is the deal maker in these economic times of hardship.
I have to give a few cons only on deserts.
1. Rotate the desert menu more often or expand it.
2. Make sure the center of the pot brownie is hot!
3. You don't have to make the desert as big as the entree to make people happy. -
Review from Jill T.
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wild Boar Tacos. Mmmm mmm good! Brunch on New Year's Day was awesome. Perfect place to stop in on my way to 2 street to relive the parade.
The tacos were fab! The mac & Cheese extra fab! Cheesesteak sliders- delish, Pork Sandwich - flavorful ... I was with 6 people- I didn't eat all of this myself.
Anyway, I'd def. check it out again. I liked the beer list also! -
Review from Julia N.
11/16/2011 ROTD 5/22/2012
Lately, every time I reach the "sounds good, where should we meet up?" portion of the conversation, the answer's been "South Philly Tap Room!" I've been here 3 times in the past week, so these people are obviously doing things right.
The drafts are well-chosen and diverse, with multiple and varied styles. The list changes all the time and always acknowledges the season (pumpkin cider in the fall, Christmas ale a little later in the fall, etc. etc.), and I love that. This is a good place to bring people who love double imperial hopmonster pales AND people who love malty chocolatey caramely coffee-y stouts AND adventurous types who just want to try something new.
Vegetarians will do well here, and most of the food is priced well, in or around the $10 range, so you can eat and drink a couple pints without breaking the bank. The special potato tacos are super filling and they come with a salad that is basically barely chopped salsa fresca, with tons of cilantro (into it). The grilled cheese and tomato soup is my current favorite iteration of this comfort dish, with thick Texas toast, smoked cheddar, and a better-than-average side salad (I'm talking avocado) too.
It gets a little loud on weekends, but I always seem to hear Iggy and Gang of Four over the din, which makes me feel right at home. The seating situation seems a little confusing when you first walk in, but it's spacious, so there will be enough room for you and your friends. Final note: awesome jukebox. -
Review from Jacqueline K.
Philadelphia, PA
4/5/2012
I have been coming to this bar for years. Every time I come here I get a smile, good beer and great food. The service is always awesome and the staff are great at making me feel welcome. During my latest visit I sat near service bar and had great conversation with candice1, candice2, and meredith. You girls are awesome. If you go here request them! Keep up the great work sptr!
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Review from Pam S.
10/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Beautiful atmosphere, but not good for a veg friendly dinner. I'd hit this place up for beers - if someone else was suggesting it - but I don't think I'l return on my own.
The deal? Well, the service wasn't bad - just inattentive. It wasn't terribly busy, so I don't really know why. Also, the veg options (the vegan hoagie and vegan pizza) are just disguised salads -- the 'pizza' was veggies on essentially pita bread, with lots of oil. That was good, if you're in the mood for that.
The hoagie, however, was 50% iceberg lettuce on a ginormous roll. We didn't even touch the thing at the restaurant (it was ginormous! and didn't look very good!) ... still my frugal nature made me take it home. When I ate the leftovers, getting rid of the lettuce and moving the good stuff into part of the sandwich left me with 1/3 (or less). One third. Wow. Just make a smaller sandwich that's better.
I had high hopes for this place, so quite bummed by the disappointment.Listed in: Tour de Gastropub
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Review from Jason T.
Langhorne, PA
9/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great draft beer list. Lunch menu is a little too short for my liking.
Bad service however on my last, and final, visit.
I stopped in for lunch, the place was empty at 1pm, mid-week. I was thinking of some food and several pints. The bartender working barely spoke to me when I came in an ordered and not at all after that. I had a fantastic sandwich and a great beer but a second beer wasn't offered until I had finished my food and had had enough watching tv with mute on.
It got worse after that, I posted on twitter that SPTR has great beer and food but poor bartender service. Whomever runs their twitter account chose to call me out rather than ask what happened. They didn't seem to care very much about a customer with a complaint.
I won't be back. There are plenty of places in Phila. to get draft beer. -
Review from stephen s.
Philadelphia, PA
10/13/2011
I don't really hang out in South Philly often but I'd say I've been to a decent amount of the bars down there. Somehow I just never got around to SPTR. This all changed on on Monday night and I don't think I'll ever be the same.
The space is comfortable. I didn't expect it to be so big! Definitely liked being there. The Beer list was pretty good. My mind wasn't blown but I had a couple drafts which were delish.
The food was craaaazy good!! I was all "Oh, I'll try this grilled cheese, no big deal"...brain explosion! It came with tomato soup and a side of macaroni & cheese for $1 extra. All three elements together made for a trifecta of perfection. Euphoria washed over me with every bite. Yum. -
Review from Greg R.
Philadelphia, PA
3/11/2012
WILD BOAR TACOS!!!! I want to go back just to get them again. For $10 this is a deal if you just want something fairly light for having a drinks at the bar. They also have a great beer selection on draft and I enjoyed some Allagash white. It was a decent atmosphere on a Thursday night with people constantly coming and going. My only complaint would be there are not a ton of appetizers for sharing. However, next time I am in South Philadelphia I will be stopping here for those tacos!
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Review from Jessica W.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 10/15/2011
Wait... I LOVE THIS PLACE! My trips to South Philly are just going to have to become more frequent... I tried the burger last night and I can't stop thinking about it. We got a plate of the old faithful mac and cheese for the table- everyone loved it, obviously. The burger was well seasoned and came with fries or a salad. I love that this place doesn't skimp on the fries- they're huge wedges of potato fried to perfection and come with their house-made ketchup. Pair these with the burger and I'm dying happy.
I know it's a good restaurant when I a.) can't decide what to order because there are so many awesome things on the menu, and b.) wake up craving the food at 8am. Seriously, who wants a burger at 8am? Me, as long as it's from SPTR.
Next trip I'm going to OWN that fried PB&J. You best believe it. -
Review from Steve C.
Philadelphia, PA
1/24/2012
I RECOMMEND:
Burger = amazing. No seriously, amazing.
Beer selection = solid
Salads = unique and well executed
STAY AWAY FROM:
Guacamole Appetizer = is a plate of onions coated in guac. Not what I was expecting nor what you should expect when you order "Guacamole Appetizer."
Service = Minor air of "Waitress toughened by life" so you may get a little attitude but service is always expedient. -
Review from Michelle B.
Delran, NJ
This has become my go-to gastropub for a really slammin meal. I have only been here in the early or middle afternoon, so the service has always been great. They always have a solid draft list and the servers are quick to offer their recommendations if you are torn.
Many restaurants seem to have a hard time when preparing dishes with tempeh but SPTR doesn't belong on that list at all. The vegan hoagie is super good and HUGE. The 3 cheese grilled cheese with tomato lager soup is what dreams are made of. Additionally, I am a mac & cheese snob and this is one of the best I've had in the city. If there is a slight chance you have room for dessert, definitely go with the lemon pudding with black pepper cookies. -
Review from Jeff L.
Wayne, PA
2/29/2012
The service here was very good. Waitstaff was attentive and willing to let me get a taste of some of the variety of craft beers. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, but the food is the sad part of this restaurant. My wife and I like organic, grass-fed beef. SPTR menu had advertised that they had hamburgers with organic beef.
Unfortunately, the chef knows only one spice...SALT. If you like salty food, you'll LOVE this place. The clams in broth were salty, my wife's pork sandwich was salty and my $11 Organic Grass-Fed burger was so salty, I could barely eat it.
I would go here again, only if I were in the neighborhood, but only for beer. -
Review from Christopher R.
Philadelphia, PA
South Philly Taproom is one of those spots that my friends always mention and I feel left out of the conversation. I hem and haw about how its located in South Philly--obviously--and I am usually not down there and blah blah blah, I have heard good things, whatever, one day I plan to check it out...
Guys! I can participate in the SPTR lovefest now!
I stopped by with a friend on a recent Friday night. The low-key atmosphere and immediate availability of a table created a good first impression. Service was attentive and remained so throughout the meal.
For a place with "taproom" right in the name, I kind of expected to be impressed by the brews; I was not, but the selection was still more than satisfactory. A decent variety of beers were on tap, though it was mostly limited to beers/breweries that are widely available in Philly. (The bottle list could be deeper, but that is not really an issue.) Plenty of spots go to local brews. Prices range from $4-$7.
For appetizers, we started with "Mexican construction worker" headcheese tacos ($1/special), because everyone loves getting brain. We also ordered a half-dozen oysters with a Dogfish Head Festina Peche sauce ($2 ea./special), because [another innuendo]. The tacos were prepared in a manner that might calm the nerves of any diner squeamish over the prospect of consuming headcheese. The oysters were perfectly shucked and the Festina Peche sauce subtle but complimentary.
For entrees, I chose the fried chicken dinner ($12/special) and my dining companion opted for the tomato lager soup & grilled cheese ($9/regular menu). Not usually a huge grilled cheese fan, but the three cheeses piled on Texas toast-like seasoned bread was killer; the tomato lager soup I liked, but found a bit too booze-y. Came with a side salad, which was a side salad.
New paragraph for the fried chicken! ('Cause it earned it.) This fried chicken was the best fried chicken I have ever eaten. Perfectly seasoned & crispy skin, moist & flavorful meat, just a real treat for my mouth. That would be good enough but it was also served with cornbread (eh), the porkiest/unhealthiest/most delicious collards in the world and mac & cheese that would be the envy of anyone's mama. If you go to SPTR and see fried chicken on the menu, GET AT IT.
South Philly Taproom was a great experience on all counts. Even though its out of my way, I definitely plan to return here.Listed in: RotD
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Review from Adrienne G.
San Francisco, CA
6/17/2011
After a fab dinner at Circles, our nice waiter guided us to SPTR for a nightcap
There was a great beer selection & we got to try some things we normally wouldn't have chosen - fun to experiment! Awesomely nice waitstaff!
German birthday buddy tried his first IPA.....a SF IPA.....he wasn't a fan. I'm not an IPA fan either & warned him but I thought it was awesome he at least was adventurous enough to give it a try
I tried their Apple Cider & it was okay - tasted kinda vinegary at first but left a somewhat sweet aftertaste. Don't think I'd get it again
Next tried a Royal Porter - kinda too hoppy for my taste - I like a smoother finishing beer
So although we didn't find our fermented nirvana we had a great time perusing the menu & taking a stab in the dark & that makes for an A-OK joint to me
Joy Division playing inside - I knew this place was way cool! Their menu looked extremely Pub-like & promising w/ lots of veggie options & I expect a star upgrade after we get to enjoy their foodie wares! -
Review from Amanda S.
Philadelphia, PA
3/19/2012
love. love. love. love. love.
I can't get enough of the great service, beer and food.
Tomato lager soup w/mini grilled cheese....to die for.
Burger= Melt in my mouth fantastic.
Mac and cheese= heavenly.
I get hungry every time I THINK about SPTR. -
Review from Jen K.
9/2/2011
This is a great little bar deep in South Philly. My friend and I spent several hours at one of the sidewalk tables. It is in a lively, busy neighborhood, and there was a steady flow of people going in and out of the bar throughout the evening, but it was never crowded. It looked like a lot of them were local, as many of them arrived walking.
Excellent beer list. The Apex is delicious. And the Kenzinger is only $3.00, as a Kenzinger should be.
I had the wild boar tacos, which were just delicious. My friend, who has celiacs, was easily accommodated (and goes there often herself; they can always accommodate for her), and enjoyed her meal as well.
Very nice atmosphere, not a kid bar, most of the people looked to be around 30. I prefer dive bars myself, and this was a nice alternative, non-pretentious, but not a dive; not too loud, but not boring. Great place! -
Review from Brad P.
5/13/2011
South Philadelphia Taproom is that really great friend who moved to another part of town that is just barely out of reach for convenience. You keep missing each other when you try to make plans and every time you bump into one another on the street, you vow to hang out(but it just doesn't seem to happen). It's almost a running gag between you two - bump into one another, try to make plans, fail, then run into each other again 8 months later randomly at a show. You know you'd be better friends if you were just...a little...closer, geographically.
SPTR has no weaknesses that I can think of. The menu is solid pub fare with a dash of creativity. The beer selection is diverse enough to please most human beings who like beer.
Also, this place has SPACE, which is totally awesome. There is ample seating room. This allows you to have pleasant conversation, food, and beer without being packed into embarrassingly close quarters with some jerks.
The fried pickles are very good. They are served with a delicious dipping sauce. They will satisfy your craving for vinegar and fried at the same time.
The crab tacos are good.
The eggplant parm is OK.
I kinda wish I had tried the boar tacos because I love the idea of eating anything that could probably kick my ass in a one-on-one fight. I suppose this means I will be returning.
On the action-movie-parallel-satisfaction-scale, this place is Willow(damn right, I liked Willow). -
Review from Alexa R.
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Wowza. We trekked down to SPTR a few days before New Year's Eve and man, was it worth it. We had a table of 12 and did not make a reservation (duh) so we sat at the bar. I had the tomato soup and chopped salad. The tomato soup was awesome and came with two mini grilled cheeses floating in it. The salad was also delicious and came with your choice of dressing. I am about 6 months pregnant and the bartenders were so nice and accomodating even when I was not drinking and taking up a barstool. My husband had grilled cheese and loved it and another friend of ours had a burger, which he had been talking about since he walked in. SPTR is cozy and the food is great. What a perfect combo!
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Review from Aleksandra D.
Philadelphia, PA
2/11/2012
Beer section is good and it has a nice vibe. Still, I'm always disappointed by the food. Just ordered the vegan pizza, which sounded good but ended up soaked in olive oil and tasting like straight, raw garlic. Too bad!
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Review from Bill M.
5/16/2011 8 Check-ins Here
After a few solid visits I'm happy to dub SPTR easily one of the favorite bars of my hood. And that's before I give it the essential brunch test.
If Happy Hour didn't start during the unheard of time of 4PM, it would hands down be a candidate for my top 5 in Philly. But even still the 1/2 off local draughts and appetizers manage to make itpretty legendary. small plates like the oysters, and even the head cheese tacos for the curious, can be pretty slamming. and appetizers like the wild boar tacos and tomato lager soup 9with mini grilled cheese bites!) are near impossible to resist. and other winners include the huge grass fed bacon cheese burger, and the tantalizing vegan hoagie with grilled tempeh.
the rotating and well rounded tap list features plenty of local brews (The Hop Phanatic is sounding like a new must try!), but tosses in plenty of surprise hits that will win any beer lover over. -
Review from Emily C.
Bellmawr, NJ
6/12/2011
SPTR made my day - wow.
We stopped in to try the Kentucky Breakfast Stout during Philly Beer Week and make a brunch of it. First off - this stout was incredible. Like creamy chocolate/coffee. Wow. Too bad I have to wait till next year or drive to Michigan to have it again.
I ordered an asparagus/tomato/ricotta fratatta special that was absolutely delicious. Their homefries are perfect and the ketchup served with them has a kick of something awesome mixed in. I was given butter with sea salt to spread on my toast that took it to another level. I tried some of the mac and cheese and that was also so so good. Everything was so fresh and flavorful.
My friends loved their dishes - the wild boar tacos, the homemade sausage, and enfrijolatas. The regular beer menu looked killer, and I was struck by how large the place is. I felt like we had a lot of space and didn't feel rushed at all. The wait staff was friendly and efficient. Overall, such an enjoyable experience. I will def have brunch here again, and I hope to come back every other part of the day too! -
Review from Emily K.
Updated - 8/9/2011
It is almost embarrassing how much I love the South Philly Taproom. I'm not sure I'm old enough yet to reach such Cheers levels of comfort with and reliance on a neighborhood bar (as in, I think we might have a table). WHATEVER THOUGH. Screw convention. I have found my niche there and I'm happy to stay in it.
Why, you ask? The beer list is ALWAYS solid (sometimes even "super") and chef Scott does not mess around with the dinner specials. I don't even order off of the normal menu anymore (boar tacos and the occasional tomato soup being the exceptions). In the sea of things I have tried for the first time at SPTR: bluefish, duck hearts, soft-shell crabs, blood clams, beef hearts...more. All delicious. Really delicious. Honest and f-king flavorful. Note: I'm lying about the blood clams being delicious, but whatever, it was cool to eat something called a blood clam. He does a wicked ceviche and a stellar trout - and you cannot go wrong with the burger or the amazing spicy pickled green tomatoes that go along with it.
I'm a horrifically high-maintenance bitch of a patron, but SPTR has sat quiet, patient and unmoving through all of my requisite pissing and moaning, refusing to yield and confident in its dismissal of my stupidity. Thank god for that, because now that I've calmed, I've realized that I've found my Cheers match. Whether it's just me and my man or a whole shit ton of us, there's no where else I'd rather dump a paycheck.Listed in: I Love Gastropubs
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/16/2011
Yo dude WTF is up with this shrimp cocktail - you gotta either peel the shrimp or not peel the… Read more »
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Review from Michelle C.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 3/16/2011 8 Check-ins Here
I'm not sure why it didn't cross my mind sooner to hit SPTR for brunch, but now that I've experienced its greatness, my trips across Broad to some of my usual spots will become less frequent.
The bloody Mary was everything I hoped for and more. While Royal Tavern still holds it down as my favorite, South Philly Tap Room's version came sodamnclose. Spicy, salty, celery-tinted deliciousness with a kick.
Next up was an app to share: southern fried chicken wings with blue cheese dipping sauce and collard greens. As I've said before, this is some of the best fried chicken to be had in this city. We were also surprised by a round of oysters from the chef, which were super refreshing and tasty.
Deciding on mains proved quite difficult, but I eventually went with Jorjito's enfrijoladas, a lovely plate filled with an egg-topped tortilla, black beans, queso fresco and a slivered red onion salad. Delicious. A dining companion ordered the Philly cheesesteak omelet, which was huge and topped with shreds of iceberg and diced tomato and accompanied by a side salad, breakfast potatoes and toast. Ridiculous. I'll be ordering this to reward myself after a long run or a stint on American Gladiators. That is one manly meal right there.
SPTR just skyrocketed to the top of my brunch picks.Listed in: We Be Brunchin', The Bloody Mary List, Fried Chicken, South of Washington, West of…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/24/2010
SPTR gets a solid four stars from me. The bar never seems overcrowded, but there's always a strong… Read more »
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Review from Hannah K.
7/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I found heaven.. & it's in South Philly on Mifflin St.
Garlic bread grilled cheese sandwich, fried chicken with mac & cheese, & jalapeno corn bread, & wait for it.......... Deep fried PB&J sandwich. It was love at first bite. I've never had a deep fried PB&J, but after I had one, I'm determined to have one at least once a week. (Hopefully I don't end up having a heart attack mid PB&J bite.)
They also have my favorite beer ever, Lindeman's Framboise Lambic, which makes this place a win for me in my book. -
Review from Sally f.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 12/30/2011
can i just say......I AM SOUTH PHILLY TAP ROOMS BIGGEST FAN. i have come here for my birthday for the past 3 years. MY BIRTHDAY. my fav day of the year. yeah.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/26/2009
i do believe that every philadelphian should go here at least once - although once you go i bet you… Read more »
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Review from Vinny P.
3/21/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Don't come here, you won't like it.
I promise, it's a waste of your time. The mushroom-tofu scramble that I tasted and was delicious is not something you'd want. The sticky rice dumplings drizzled with soy sauce which were downright amazing is not something you'd be interested in.
I can't imagine you'd appreciate the enfrijoladas with the black bean sauce and queso fresco. I don't even think you'd like spicy bloody marys that they make or their awesome beer selection.
Really, I'm thinking of you here and trying to help you out. Move along.
These aren't the droids you're looking for.Listed in: VEG - PHL, Visiting Philly? (pubs), Coffee, Breakfast (and brunch)
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Review from Dan C.
7/7/2011
The food first. Vegan pizza is a bit oily, but almost tart with salt and so very delicious. Hot dogs are freaking amazing when you're hungry!
Great beer selection and a sweet happy hour. Portions here are huge (except for the hot dogs, aw well), and you won't leave hungry. It's a bit pricey for the quality of food, but people here are friendly and service is great. Don't know if I'll stop by again in the near future since it's a couple miles from me, but I'd definitely suggest it as a go-to place to hang out if I'm in the neighborhood. -
Review from Jessica E.
Philadelphia, PA
5/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
In my eyes, this place is only okay. I have been there a bunch of times for lunch and dinner trying to make it live up to the hype that everyone gives it, but I just can't.
This is not one of the best burgers in town. It is only okay. Along with all of the other food I've tried - which is not many things, since the menu is pretty small, and it hasn't rotated in a little while. The beer selection is very good. Service is spotty.
I will probably keep going because it is close to my house and all of my friends like it and maybe one day I will figure out what everyone is talking about. -
Review from Julianna K.
Haddonfield, NJ
3/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I was in a mood the day I came to SPTR for the first time. I was like, "why do we have to come all the way out here?" "Why is this area so dirty?" "There's bits of Philly flying in my eyes!" "This better be good or else!" And so on and so forth. But DANG I loved this place! It's open and airy, inviting, with friendly staff and a nice looking crowd.
We filled our bellies with brunch and some beers, while chatting with friends, listening to good tunes, and glancing occasionally at the Flyers game. I had the vegan hoagie with a side of pasta salad and a cup of spicy pickled veggies. My beau had the cheese steak omelet. We both very much enjoyed our food and drinks, and I cleared my plate like a good little eater. During our dinning experience, a friend texted me and asked how I could go to his favorite place and not invite him, after seeing my check-in. I had no idea he loved this place, but now I know why and I heart it too!Listed in: The Best of the Best
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Review from R B.
Philadelphia, PA
7/18/2011
This place is epicly sweet! Friendly servers, bar tenders who actually know about the crazy indie beer selection they are selling and food that actually defines this place as a gastro pub and not a want to be gastro pub like Cav's somethinghouse.
Thanks to the Yelp reviews and a friends recommendations I had the southern fried buffalo wings with collared greens and both were exceptional. Also they have homemade ketchup wich the waiter was kind enough to give me a side to take home since I liked it so much. If I lived around the area I would make this my regular watering hole.
Anyways, I tend to ramble so here's my summary:
GREAT Food
GREAT Staff
GREAT Beers
Do you need anything else?
