The buffalo chicken Sandwhich was so delicious, a great place to eat at and the servers were all so nice and friendly! Definitely want to come back. read more

"Mind blowing!" says Noah (age 8) about the Kids grilled cheese sandwich. The adults enjoyed our food as well.

We went on the day the Ben Franklin bridge was closed so I think it was busier than usual. The wait wasn't too bad, but the service was not the best. The place is pretty small as well. The food was definitely a 2.5/5. The brisket was okay but the bun was soggy before it arrived. The burger had Kraft cheese on it so I think that should say it all. read more

Race Street Cafe - Brisket Sandwich w/ fries - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Got a buffalo chicken sandwich here today for takeout and it was tough and inedible. (I think it had been overcooked severely.) Paid $25 thru door dash, had to throw it out. First and last time ordering from here. read more

It was my first time here and I got Huevos rancheros. It was not good. It looked like a burrito which was not what I expected. I was very disappointed and I will not be coming back. The tator tats was good though. Busy so good ambiance. Good service. read more

Super clean and a hidden gem! Service was good but after the waitress said she was making a Fresh pot of coffee, she never gave me a refill. We grabbed a bite and the Portions are very Large. A great value for your money! The Large house salad was amazing and the chicken quesadillas had an Adobo sauce that was great. The loaded Tator Tots were Amazing and nice people there. read more

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Race Street Café is a bistro and pub that opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in November 1999. It was founded by business partners Neil Campbell and Stacy Wessel. The menu features a variety of classic pub staples including burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, soups, salads, and various bar bites. The bar also carries a dozen craft beers on tap at any given time as well as wine, craft cocktails, and a large supply of bottles and cans. My family and I recently stopped at Race Street Café for lunch. We were in Philadelphia for a few days and we found the small pub not long after arriving to the city. The small rustic café features heavy wooden beams, a wood stove, a gas street lamp, and exposed brick. In addition to the regular menu items, Race Street Café also has quite a few chalkboard specials each day. After looking over the impressive craft beer selection, I ordered a pour of Big Oyster Brewery's "Whale Song" (Fruited Sour). It's brewed with a nice blend of fresh blueberry and peach puree; very refreshing! For food, I had the "Brisket Sandwich" (slow cooked sweet and sour brisket, cheddar and jack cheeses on a Pugliese roll), my wife had the "Buffalo Chicken Sandwich" (breaded & fried chicken breast tossed in buffalo sauce with lettuce, tomato and red onion on a brioche bun), our older son had the "Kids Fish & Chips", and our younger son had the "Kids Chicken Tenders & Fries". Everyone really enjoyed their food and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. If you're looking for a nice lunch spot in Philadelphia's Old City, we highly recommend Race Street Café! read more

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Table sticky. Repeatedly told waitress, Mia bothered we asked for table to be wipe-downed still sticky. Ordered our food and drinks. Mia, Waitress very rude did not smile and felt like we were inconvenience even though we are supporting business she works at. Perhaps she was having a bad day who k owes but she was consistent with her attitude towards all her customers. Pa if you are not a people person choose another profession read more

Stopped in with Friends for a meal after an event at Arch Street meeting house. The place has the feel of a warm and welcoming pub/neighborhood bar. Drinks were offered and served quickly. The menu was fairly broad with upscale bar and café food. My friends both had impossible burgers and enjoyed them. I had the impossible burrito and thought it was really tasty. Both were very reasonably priced. Couldn't ask anything more from this type of establishment! read more

Race Street Cafe has quickly become a new favorite for my friends and I. My most recent visit was earlier today after a matinee at the Arden theater. My partner got the Rueben and loved it - he said that the sauerkraut was some of the best he's had. I had a chicken caesar salad that was delicious as well. We both enjoyed the fries - we even ordered extra to take home. We could tell they were a bit short staffed since it was a Sunday post-game, but the staff that was working was doing their best. I highly recommend stopping by on a day with less foot traffic! read more

What a fun bar/restaurant! Started with a flight since they serve craft beers. Absolutely loved the darks! And one had a grapefruit taste, which I enjoy! We ordered the favorite here, meatloaf sandwich. The sauce was delicious and the meatloaf had a great flavor. We also tried the Pork Italiano with the best part of it being the spinach. We did ask for sweet potato fries but got regular French fries. We also asked for our server to take a photo of our group and she said sure but never did, we also asked for a childs water and ranch which we never got. The bartender was very helpful and knowledgeable. read more

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Ate here on a Sunday night. Service was top notch. Fast, attentive, warm. Atmosphere was definitely cozy. This isn't a big place though so it might get packed. They had a great beer selection and full bar. Food was excellent. Brisket sandwich was reported to be good by others in our group. I had the garden salad with added avocado and extra tomato, dinner size and it was great. I also had the southwestern meatloaf. It had chipotle barbecue sauce which subverted my expectations. At first I wasn't sure about it because it didn't taste like meat loaf, but after two more bites I realized that was the point - it's not grandmas meatloaf and that was great. We even had desserts, carrot cake, apple crumble, and I had the bread pudding which was excellent. I love bread pudding and this one did not disappoint. Prices were reasonable too - $32 per person before tip, including drinks and desert. read more

Great food, great atmosphere! Our server, Mia was especially attentive and cheerful! Would definitely recommend.

Big fan of Race Street Cafe! Stoped in last week for a quick bite to eat with friends. We got there a bit late, we were seated right away! They had a great menu - we all got sandwiches. I got a veggie burger and it was one of the best I've ever had - next time I will ask to add cheese but it was seriously so good. I cleared my plate which is something I am rarely able to do. It is a cool and casual pub vibe which I love- it felt very comfortable and perfect for a quick bite or to sit and have a few drinks! I will definitely be back! read more

Little small dive bar feel inside but the food is top grade. Packed with flavor and love. We sat at the bar which seats maybe 10 people so very small. Few tables inside as well and if you're lucky enough you can sit next to the fireplace on a cold afternoon. The brisket sandwich was juicy and the bun was toasty to keep it together. The dipping sauce on the side was very good and shoestring fries were an easy 8.7 Chicken sandwich didn't disappoint as well. My girlfriend doesn't like the buffalo sauce so she got chipotle mayo on the side to put on. Sweet potato fries were salty and crispy. Wait staff was kind along with the bartender and cooks. Very nice people. read more

Race Street Cafe - Brisket Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Definitely a fun place to find yourself! Parking is rough, so I would suggest parking on Columbus. It's paid, but it's cheap. Like six bucks for almost 4 hours. The inside is definitely more bar looking than café. The food was excellent. I always sleep on a basic burger, but I regretted that today ha ha. The race Street burger is simple, but done so well. Delicious, toasted brioche bun with a massive. Mmm. I got the brisket and the twice baked potato accompaniment was fantastic. It could've been its own appetizer. Beer is great, service is chill. Definitely cool. read more

Race Street Cafe - Brisket Entree. I'd skip it. But the Twice Baked Potato was bomb. - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Went here for lunch during the week on an off day because my neighbor recommended! The service was attentive and quick - the restaurant wasn't completely full but it was pretty busy. Food came out pretty quickly as well. I'm a plain Jane so I went with the quesadillas a little too much chicken for my liking but flavor profile was great and it reheated well when I took home what I couldn't eat. Sour cream was extra but guacamole was included. My boyfriend got the brisket sandwich. He raved that the fries were cooked perfectly and well seasoned. The brisket he like the texture and the temp the meat was cooked with but said Brisket was a little too sweet - but the sauce on top was not to sweet and helped. His also reheated well for leftovers - and you definitely can't say that about just any sandwich! We checked out on a QR code which made it really speedy! read more

Race Street Cafe - Chicken Quesadilla and Brisket Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Absolutely love this place. Wonderful hidden gem in Olde City, tucked away at the end of - you guessed it - Race Street, practically under the bridge. I don't live in Philly but it's one of my go to places when I'm in the city because it never disappoints. It's a gorgeous small space with dark wood everywhere that adds to the atmosphere. There's also a wood burning stove (real or gas, not sure) that was a welcome sight after stumbling in from walking in 28 degree weather. Came here for dinner last night with my girlfriend. Every table was filled so it was a nice atmosphere, but it wasn't super loud or crazy. We each had a beer from the excellent list of draft beers, and she got the brisket sandwich while I got the meatloaf sandwich. They came out quickly and we loved them both. We will be back! read more

Race Street Cafe - Meatloaf sandwich. - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The best fries in town. Great service & atmosphere. Always something good on special here.

Extremely rude, mediocre food. I've been here a few times and the food is below average bar food. I wouldn't feel inclined to write a review if it weren't for the fact that I called asking what the specials were and they told me then yelled "why don't you check the fucking website." I couldn't find (and still can't find) the specials, hence why I called. Really nasty experience. It was a man on the phone, all the servers I've had have been women and have always been very nice. Very disappointed, but I definitely won't be spending money at a place that's going to blatantly disrespect customers. Especially if the food isn't good. read more

One of my favorite spots in the city! Great food, great outdoor/indoor seating, and everyone was very friendly. Our server Becca was awesome!!! Highly recommend :) read more

15 years later, Race Street Cafe remains a reliable stop for a drink or some pub grub. Now that I live in the neighborhood, I don't think it will take 15 years to return. This time around, my tastes have changed. The chili wasn't my favorite any more. But the turkey burger was good. They've got some good beers available. Staff are efficient and super-friendly. They have sangria on tap. read more

Pleasantly surprised by the charm, prices, and food. I passed by this place so many times, and for some reason never stepped in. Should have come sooner. Simple and inviting ambiance, good food, and very reasonably prices! My husband and I came in for an unplanned brunch and were shocked at how great our experience was and how sad that we didn't come sooner! Would come back! read more

Race Street Cafe - Avocado Toast with Egg - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Quaint little cafe/brew pub. Not sure what to classify this one. However, the interior is cozy, service is great, prices are decent and portions are good size. I had the soup of the day which was chicken something... sorry, I forgot the name, but it was broth base with various veggies, chicken and meatballs. It came on a big soup plate, piping hot and delicious. Just right to warm you up on a cold dreary day. I had also ordered the nachos, being that I anticipated a small soup... I couldn't eat all of it. They were served on a big baking dish and wonderfully spread out with toppings clear across the board. Not one of those tall stacks of chips with a bit of topping and nothing but plain chicps below. This was beautiful topping coverage and had a really nice flavor to it. If you are visiting the local sights like the Betsy Ross house or Elfreth's Alley, take the few steps out of your way and stop by here. It's worth it. read more

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Still my go-to spot for catching up with friends over great food and drinks. And u still can't go wrong with the specials. Any special will be a winner. On my last visit I had the special appetizer, a delicious plate of pork spring rolls. It did not disappoint. My previous review in 2015 wasn't too specific, so I'll highlight some of menu mainstays that keep me coming back in 2021. The bacon wrapped meatloaf is my favorite entree. My mouth waters just thinking about it. The brisket entree is good too. For appetizers the wings & nachos are awesome. The carrot cake is my favorite dessert. It's a moist square slice that stacks up against any bakery. If they don't have that go for the bread pudding. For lunch the juicy race st burger always hits the spot. I'm so happy to report that Race Street Cafe continues to be a 5 star spot after all these years. read more

Race Street Cafe - Brisket entree and a salmon entree with a salad - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The chili is the best the wings kick so either are a good buy you will love it there it's easy to find Race and 3/4 down towards 2nd street on right plus outside dining with good Weather read more

Food is decent pub food. The vibes are awesome for winter. Service was lacking unfortunately. It wasn't very busy the night we dined, we didn't receive a side item and drinks we slow to come out and a missed opportunity for a second drink read more

Race Street is the best!! It's the perfect place for a night cap or brunch. The servers are incredible, so warm and attentive! I love stopping in when I'm in the neighborhood and chatting with the bartenders or sitting at one of the tables by the big windows in the summertime! Such a great summer spot for drinks and getting together with a group!! read more

We ate here on a whim and it didn't disappoint. Our service was fantastic, great drink menu and our food was fantastic! It was nice and cozy inside. Every staff member was helpful and so nice. There seemed to be a lot of people doing take out as well as eating in. The meatloaf entree was perfect and the steak salad was amazing. read more

Great little spot in old town area. Elevated pub food, good beers, friendly service, cozy intimate interior. Perfect casual dinner. Steak on salad was a bit raw and they fixed it no problem. I'd return many times if I lived in the area. read more

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Locals love this cozy eatery in sight of the bridge, which features a serious bar. Low marks for food presentation -- nachos arrive on a baking sheet covered in goo, Caesar salad drizzled with bottled dressing on randomly torn Romaine lettuce plus 8 (exactly) grilled shrimp, calamari is greasy. On the plus side, table is available for hours and allows for hanging out with pals. read more

Came in last night after attending the Chinese lantern festival with my boo. The festival didn't have much food- so after all the walking we did we worked up an appetite. On this night it was very crowded but we got in right before the last table was taken. We started off our meal with some drinks, he got the rum and coke I just got a plain coke- and he was enjoying his drink. Then we ordered the chicken quesadilla for an appetizer to start off. It came right away and tasted so good. It had just the right amount of chicken and cheese inside, and had a spicy salsa drizzled on top. As for entrees I got the grilled chicken sandwich with French fries and my man got the pan seared duck which was the special of the day. My sandwich was huge and the chicken was juicy and flavorful, it was dripping down my hand! When the sandwich drips down your hand or mouth.... then you know the sandwich will be good. The French fries were nice and crispy and were salted perfectly! I'm not a duck eater but my boo enjoyed the duck and was saying that it was really good. I like this place cause the food is always so tasty, and the staff are super friendly and are good at their jobs. When people get finished and leave- the tables are cleared off quickly and are ready for the next mass of people walking in. This is a new favorite spot for me and maybe one day soon I'll try one of their mixed drinks and see how well they are put together as well! I definitely recommend this spot to have a nice meal! read more

Race Street Cafe - Dinner - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I ordered the Race Street Burger. The brioche bun was nice and soft and buttery. But the patty was too densely packed and lean. I prefer a more crumbly and fatty patty. The toppings were perfectly fine standard burger toppings. The fries were thin and crispy, which I enjoyed. read more

Dropped by on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant was packed! It had a real neighborhood feel. I mean, there was literally only one table left and luckily, it was ours for the taking!! My friend and I were tucked away in a corner of the restaurant, directly adjacent to the large barn doors that open in the warmer months (so I am told). The downside to this is the fact that there was a cold draft that kept creeping in the entire time we sat there. We were freezing our butts off the majority of the time. :-/ We ordered a few specialty cocktails (can't recall the name, it was pretty uneventful) and I had a turkey burger. Yep! I ate meat and it was AMAZING (I am practically 95% pescatarian). The burger was so juicy, the bun was soft, the pickle, the guac and the red onion slices were the perfect balance! Overall, I enjoyed my food. I am giving 4 our 5 stars (technically 3.5/5) because our server was so busy that we barely saw her. We had requested to change the channel twice (my favorite football team was playing) and she never came back to say whether she could honor the request. I felt it was a bit rude to simply pretend like we never made the request. She hardly checked on our table. read more

Race Street Cafe - Turkey burger - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The people who work here are perhaps some of the best in Philly. This bar is quaint and always provides just what I'm looking for. They have a good wine selection for what appears to be a beer centric joint. The price point here is phenomenal for city living. I am a frequent and repeat customer. Keep on crushing it read more

Went on a Friday night on the weekend of the Broad St 10 mile. Very busy but we got a table in 5 Min. Service was ok for a busy time, very dark in the whole area. Beer choices were ok,We had burger and pulled pork both were good. read more

The lemonade was a bit sour for my taste but it was still pretty good probably a 6/10 Really good food and nice service The pumpkin cheesecake was so good!!! The place is small but pretty cozy It's also quite dark in there but I didn't really have a problem with it read more

"Fine" dining (as in Meh). Nice view of the bridge from outdoor seating. Veggie burger was decent but the side Caesar salad was basically Mayo with sprinkled cheese. My husband's burger was decent. His fries were good but served with a weird Mayo sauce. Won't return. read more

Race Street Cafe - people sitting on benches under a tree - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Interesting menu, friendly, knowledgable bartender, great service (even on a busy Friday evening), large beer selection and cozy ambiance. I liked it so much I went back for lunch the next day. read more

Overall 3.5 stars. It's a solid bar. Definitely would come here if you're looking for a chill bar with a decent beer menu and good food. The brisket sandwich was amazing! It came with what seemed like an aioli sauce, on the side, and it was very tasty. The fries also took me by surprise, they were seasoned very well and I'm not even a fries person like that. The ranch was super watery, which turned me off and my friends aioli sauce had a dry top coat, which made us wonder how long it was sitting out for. My friends bun was also burnt and she had to ask for another one. Thank hey had no problem changing it, though, which was very nice of them. The lighting was also dark, which normally isn't a preference of mine. The staff was very friendly. Pertaining to COVID, everyone wore masks and was very cautious with their distance. Most of the guests were sitting outside, but they offered inside seating as well. Overall, decent spot. read more

Race Street Cafe - Brisket Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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