Went for happy hour and it was BOMB! The wings were smoked without being dry and the sauce was so flavorful. The mac and cheese...damn. So good, need to order it alone in its skillet. The Caesar could've been a little more plentiful, expected a bigger bowl but the biscuit croutons were so good, just don't need to order again! Will be back, great vibes! read more

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Birthday dinner for yours truly and I found Rex by googling "cozy restaurants in Philly". I wanted a sophisticated and intimate atmosphere and that's exactly what I got. As my girls arrived to celebrate with me, I loved the oooohs and aaahs from them. The live jazz was the cherry on top. I think the band was called Buddy Boy and there was no cover charge. AMAZING!! We sat in a deep, plush booth in the dining room. Definitely took some major wriggling to get in and out from the center where I sat but they're upholstered beautifully with candle lit marble tables. Service was pretty good, certainly attentive and she was able to corral one of my more picky guest. But the food for all of us, really hit the mark. We had two with the Fried Chicken Dinner which came with greens, Mac and cheese and a small piece of cornbread. One had the ribs that were fall off the bone tender and she raved about the sauce. And I had the grilled oyster appetizer (sorry I missed the pic) and the Frogmore Stew. It was delicious. Flavorful broth, mussels, shrimp, crab, fish, potatoes and corn. Oh and two slices of crispy bread. So good yall. A good time was had. I highly recommend. read more

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Very classy place. The peach cobbler my friend had looked really good but I was overwhelmed eating other food. The waiter we had suggested I try the mocktail I had. When I heard the ingredients compared to the menu ones, I personally agreed. He really could read my vibe from just looking at me. I did like what they had on the menu, but for me, I do like vanilla and honey like type things more. I would choose this over a chocolate one even though I like chocolate too. I would be open to coming back here even on my own. 1000-2000 South used to be much more residential and just off the radar but it seems to have gentrified with 100-1000 South gentrifying too. 100-1000 South has lost that artsy vibe that you still can see in Tattooed Moms and arguably, even Condom Kingdom for just still being there from the beginning lol. If there is going to be anything to replace that more gritty vibe, Rex at the Royal is definitely a wonderful transition to get in to. read more

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The aesthetic of the place is nice and they had good music playing. We came for Valentine's Day and they definitely raised the prices for the occasion. We paid $4 more for the fried chicken dinner. Service was not good. The server had a very low voice so it was hard to hear him at times. He was also not very attentive to our table. I had to flag him down to get some utensils. Food was just okay. The biscuit and the cinnamon butter was the best thing I had. The chicken had a nice crisp to it, however the skin has all the flavor. read more

Rex at the Royal - Southern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The ambiance of this place is dope, upscale looking, not a fan of the tables as opposed to the booths. This place reminded of a restaurant I visited in Chicago called the whale in terms of ambiance. The cornbread was my favorite thing from followed by the lamb chops. Everything else was below what it was valued at. Our waiter seemed to forget us or what we requested a few times, but it wasn't just us because the table next to us also made a comment. I'd definitely recommend going for the experience of going but I wouldn't go out of my way to go again. read more

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This is one of my favorite sit down restaurants in center city and even Philadelphia. I'm a seafood fan and they have a good amount of options. The restaurant is on a beautiful block with a nice entrance and a friendly upbeat staff. I've been there for restaurant week as well as other dining opportunities and I really enjoyed my meals and experiences. I had the fried green tomatoes and seafood main entrees but my absolute favorite is their key lime pie! It is sooo good and I think about it often. Awesome dining establishment. read more

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Great spot! Very good food, good service. Love the look and layout. The redo of an old movie house was very well done (and I've seen some that were not!) I look forward to returning! read more

We enjoyed happy hour a Rex Royale. Our burgers were just the right size (not sliders but not huge) and very flavorful. The wings were supper yummy and the coating was quite unique. We did not care for the fried tomatoes and I wish they had some nice veggies or salads to help balance the greasy southern food on the menu. We liked our cocktails by they were crazy small (maybe the smallest I have seen in Philly?) and still $16 which was not great. Service was solid and the ambiance was nice. We will return next time we are craving wings and burgers! read more

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My friends and I had a great time at Rex at the Royal! The food was really good! It was pricey but affordable for an upscale brunch. I will say that the service could have been better, but we still overall had a great time and enjoyed the food and drinks! read more

Rex at the Royal - Southern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I hardly ever leave reviews for venues, but I got married at the Rex a few weeks ago and they took such good care of us that I feel I owe it to them and the world to let people know. The restaurant is so beautiful that we saved money by not needing to bring in flowers to make it look wedding-ready. Multiple guests told us that the food was some of the best they'd ever had at a wedding. Cecile, the events manager, was incredibly responsive and detail-oriented, and she was happy to work with us in accommodating our guests' dietary restrictions and navigating the neighborhood noise restrictions. At the wedding itself, the staff were all warm and helpful and made things run smoothly. When I forgot my bridal bouquet, the staff rescued it and had it ready for my mother to pick up the next day. Our wedding was 75 people, and we had plenty of room to have everyone seated for the ceremony and dinner, plus space for a dance floor. We met with Cecile a few days before to walk through our plan, which she had clearly read through carefully, and she and her team were able to execute everything with no issues. In many ways, she acted like a day-of coordinator for us, which meant another big expense saved. It's a gorgeous space for an event with a great history, the food is delicious, and the staff are fantastic. What more can you want? read more

I recently had the pleasure of visiting this restaurant for a date night. There is not a lot of parking in downtown Philadelphia so we decided to Uber over. The restaurant was lively and had lots of patron in the bar when you first walked in. I love the colors and style of this restaurant. The bright blue and orange that greet you in the door is very inviting. We ordered drinks and small plates to start with. Our server Kayla was very nice and gave recommendations on menu items. We ordered smoked chicken, wings, and mac & cheese topped with crab meat. Both were really good. For entrées, we ordered catfish and waffles and frog more stew. The catfish and waffles came with a meat piece of catfish that was well seasoned. A twist to the waffles was that it included trout row on the waffle. the frog more stew was filled with delicious seafood. It had a wonderful flavor and the seafood inside the stew was cooked perfectly. We had a seasonal peach cobbler topped with ice cream. It was really good as well. I can't wait to return to sit in their main dining room after it is renovated. I'd love to try other items from their menu, especially if it changes seasonally. read more

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Rex at the Royal has my absolute favorite happy hour. Great beer options ($1 off) + deals on wines and a few cocktails... and absolutely delicious food. You could get away with a small snack, or just have dinner (po' boys and a burger are on the HH menu). We loved the shrimp po' boy, but are obsessed with the Alabama white smoked wings -- some of my favorite wings in the city. Highly recommend getting a spot at their beautiful bar, or you can enjoy an outside table on a nice day. read more

Full of flavor! I was in town on business travel during restaurant week so I decided to meet a friend for dinner at Rex at the Royal for dinner. We both went with the restaurant week menu but got different things. I went with the tempura vegetables, chicken with kale & street corn fish, and the key lime pie. My friend got the Caesar salad, shrimp & grits, and bread pudding. We both loved our food and also loved each other's meals. If I visit Philly again, I'd definitely visit Rex on the Royal again! read more

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Rex at the Royal is my new favorite happy hour spot in the city. Not only is the bar huge so you're almost guaranteed a seat, but the menu is so so good. The Groundbreaking cocktail was like a lavender spritz, and such a deal at $9. The jalapeño cucumber ice was the most incredible accompaniment I've ever been served with oysters. And the cheese sauce for the fries?? Addicting! I believe they put old bay seasoning in there but whatever it is it's so tasty and worth the $2 extra. The bartenders were friendly and attentive and my drink was never empty. The bar is open before dinner service, which brings a nice mix of crowd that helps the restaurant come alive. And the peach cobbler is probably one of my new favorite desserts in the city. Can't wait to come back and try the whole menu! read more

Rex at the Royal - Oysters, wings, and FRENCH FRIES with cheese sauce - Southern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The food is delicious!! Try the fried chicken dinner available on the weekends. The Crawfish pot pie is decadent. read more

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I love a restaurant with great decor. I googled romantic restaurants near me when I was in Philly and I was happy with my pick. super high ceilings, huge bar, green walls & plush seating. The only thing that took the romance out of it was a huge tv playing sports in the middle of the bar, but I ended up getting into the Phillies game. There was a cafe/ wine store in the same space, but it didn't necessarily take away from the space. I came around 4 which I learned is too late for brunch & too early for dinner so we could only order off of the happy hour menu. Options were extremely limited, but everything was delicious. Fish strips was a tiny portion, the burger bun was toasted dark (almost burnt!), fries were good, Mac & cheese creamy (initially looked watery but firmed up) & I thought I was being healthy ordering the fried tomatoes/peppers dish (but I realize now that I didn't put emphasis on the "fried" part ). But everything tasted good- not too salty or oily. The drinks I didn't really like, but Idk if it was the bartender or just the options. we were the only ones at the bar on a Saturday and the bartender cleaned up our dishes pretty quickly, coming to check on us a few times if we were done when we still had food in our plate. This made us feel a little rushed & I was originally considering ordering another drink/dessert. Overall, bring a date here and feel free to sit at the bar. read more

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I can't get over how good the shrimp and grits here is. After trying the dish for the first time in New Orleans, I thought I knew what shrimp and grits is supposed to taste like. After going to Rex and Royal, however, I must say that my expectation is calibrated to a different level of standard. The meaty jumbo shrimps were cooked just right, in that they were still juicy and not rubbery. The lumps of crab meat on the dish were a pleasant surprise along with the tangy tomatoes that added a citrusy aroma to the otherwise starchy dish. Everything on it was just delectable. I'll still be on a prowl for a place that serves shrimp and grits as good (or even better) than the one here, but it'll be a high bar for any other establishments to meet/beat. Aside from their noteworthy culinary offerings, their service and ambience were also grand. Our waitress checked up on us frequent enough to make sure our dishes and beverages were sufficiently served to meet our needs. Overall, dining at Rex is highly recommended experience. read more

Rex at the Royal - Southern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Its giving NOLA in good ole Philly. Rex is sorta newish - I think they just celebrated their 1 year being open. It looks like a pandemic venture that's offering something comfortable, different, and served in style. We came for a late night dinner and it was an easy find on South Street - and also got nearby street parking! We were seated in the downstairs main dining space which was very comfortable. Inside it's dimly lit creating a lounge type environment. There was some calming jazz music being played as well adding to the effect. We ordered some small plates - the green tomatoes, Mac and cheese, and the "hoppin' John" - which was this rice based dish with okra, carrots, onions, celery, and black eye peas. We really enjoyed everything really well! Things came out as they were readied and the portions were perfect for two! Great service as well - we were checked in on plenty and all of our requests were well attended towards. Would def recommend - enjoy your time!! read more

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Food was okay. I thought only one dish I would get again (frogmore stew), everything else was just fine. Good old fashioned. Cheaper than $19 for that drink on restaurant week menu Ambiance rocks and is glamorous - upstairs and stage. Service was disappointing. Food took 40 minutes among other things. I'd probably just come for drinks read more

My colleague and I met up here while on a work trip. I was excited to learn that it was a historical landmark --black owned theater! I was also excited to try the food. Food: 8/10 - Don't get me wrong, the food was pretty good! The wings, oysters and cornbread was a hit! The Mac and cheese wasn't bad, however not the best I've had. The oxtails were ok. They could've used a bit more flavor. My colleague said hers were on the fatty side and mine were in between but more meatier for me. Service- 8/10 - no complaints about the service. Our server was nice and welcoming. She explained the historical aspect of the venue and assisted with any questions about the menu. Ambiance- 9/10 - The ambiance is definitely a vibe. It gives a nice Philly vibe and would definitely come back for a live band. Overall it was great experience. Next time, I'll be sure to try more of the menu and their specialty cocktails. The cocktails seemed to look really good! read more

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Worst service I've ever had eating out and that is saying a lot because I am out in the city and go out to dinner often for work and for fun. It's almost impressive how bad our waitress was. Drinks were constantly empty. When we did finally get a chance to order them, we would watch them sit at the bar for over 10 minutes until they were finally served . Sitting there with empty drinks for what seemed like more than 15-20 minutes, we had to flag her to request the bill and then we had to ask another waitress to run the payment. When we left, we saw that our waitress was outside on the phone.. The general vibe is just odd. I don't recommend. The only redeeming quality was the place looked cool but the food is mid and the service all around was terrible. read more

This was a really cool spot! They are aiming to be southern inspired / coastally driven...and I think they hit that out of the park. I had the short rib hash for brunch, and it reminded me of being in Charleston, SC. Most of their menu reflected that sort of vibe to me, or New Orleans (grits, biscuits, oysters) - and that feels like a niche in the Philly food market, so big props to them for pulling it off. Aside from the food, they have the aesthetic that enhances the vibe. They kept much of the integrity from the original theater, and transformed it into a new gathering space for the community. Bright colors and comfy booth seating, it's really inviting and fun to stick around. I hear on Tuesday's, they have live music; I would love to go back here for a cocktail night and listen to some jams. Their bar looked stunning and while I didn't have any drinks in my visit, you could easily tell that is a draw for many. The food itself was good, no complaints what-so-ever...but did it leave me feeling like: "what have I been missing out on?" No - not really, but if I am down and around south street for brunch again, I wouldn't mind trying some more things on the menu. I have also heard their burger is a big hit, in case you wanted to try something that is typically recommended. read more

Rex at the Royal - SHORT RIB HASH ($24) short rib, rex home fries, onions & peppers, gruyere, two over easy eggs, smoked poblano hollandaise - Southern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What a great spot!! The staff was very attentive ( Kayla was amazing). She helped me make some dinner choices and helped me out when one of the dishes wasn't to my liking. The Rex burger is definitely worth a try and the seasoned old bay fries were delicious. The collard greens were different and not to my liking. Not bad, just different. They have a sweet taste and I was looking for savory. Also, try the biscuits . This is a great place to try if you're in Philly for a bit. Enjoy read more

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The Ambiance At Rex is great for a special occasion it has beautiful classy elegant southern decor with pops of color. The drinks we had were tasty and high quality. If you can, try to make it there for happy hour! There is also a coffee shop and an area to purchase bottles of wine that shares space with the restaurant. We wished the service was more friendly but we had a good time. read more

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We went to Rex at the Royal to celebrate after my best friend graduated from PA school. The design and vibes of the restaurant is very sexy with dark colors and it gives New Orleans vibes. It's very spacious and great for large parties and there is an event space on the 2nd floor that can be rented. I started off with the braised oxtail appetizer and it was tender and flavorful. So yummy! For dinner I got the crabs cakes with potatoes and the portion size was huge esp for a crab cake dish. I really enjoyed it! I also tried some of the cornbread and omg I still regret I didn't order a cornbread skillet to go. The service was very good and accommodating as we were a large party! *Just a note that the bathrooms are communal. read more

Rex at the Royal - Crab Cakes - Southern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Still a very good spot, but I do miss the intimacy and service at Rex 1516, its lil precursor. The burger just isn't what it used to be. Cocktails are ok but nothing special. The milk and cookies dessert still is king though. Go for a beer and that dessert. read more

Great happy hour spot in center city! We came here for happy hour and they have a few cocktails, wine, and beer at reasonable prices along with some apps. There was no wait to get two seats at the bar. Ambiance was cute with light music in the background and tasteful decor. Servers were attentive and service was great! We ordered their groundbreaking cocktail which was strong and well mixed with nicely balanced flavors ($8 for happy hour). We also got truffle fries which were crunchy and flavorful and came with both aioli and ketchup. Overall a great happy hour experience! read more

Rex at the Royal - "Groundbreaking" cocktail - Southern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Personality deficient bartenders. Mediocre food. Expensive. Pretentious. I miss the old place. Before they lost the run of themselves and were managed by Heather R. read more

Came in with a group of nine with reservations. We were seated once half of our group arrived. We had calamari and Mac and cheese for apps. Both were good. The expresso martini was very well made. My steak came with truffle butter. The steak was good but not great. To be fair, I spread too much butter on the steak which I should have not done. Service was great! Our waiter was very attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. The atmosphere here was also great. We were seated upstairs in a private dining area which had a private seating area and bar. This is a great place to have a birthday dinner or to just have a private area for you and your guests. I liked this restaurant and would return when in the area again. read more

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For appetizers, we started with the fried green tomatoes and cornmeal-dusted okra. I'm not sure which I liked more. The fried green tomatoes had a surprisingly spicy kick to them in the breading that was offset by the creamy pimento cheese dip. The okra was less spicy, but the spicy aioli brought some welcome heat. I consider myself a burger snob and have very high expectations, especially at a higher-end restaurant like this. So I had to order the Rex Burger. And, wow, it was amazing. It far exceeded those expectations. The meat itself was cooked perfectly -- medium well, just as I ordered it. The spread of pimento cheese added a spicy kick to each bite, which was complimented by the crunch of the crispy red onions. The (large) side of sweet potato fries paired very well with the burger. They were soft (so fans of crispy fries may not like this) and on the thicker side, so the sweet potato flavor was the star of the show. I enjoyed everything about the meal. The service was amazing and the ambiance inside was very upscale. I would definitely return to explore more of the menu. read more

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From the decor, the history, the drinks and the food...Rex at the Royal is where you want to be! The drinks are superb especially the Por Dio! Tequila mixed with carrot and tumeric, what a combination. The bourbon mussels are spectacular. We soaked up every bit of the sauce with the bread. Other hits: We loved the catfish which was perfectly fried along with the standout dish, the braised oxtails. Those mashed potatoes brought the dish together. And the cherry on top, we got to meet the chef. Definitely wish we had this is Los Angeles. A true GEM read more

Love this place for a romantic date night! The dimly lit old theater vibe, great specialty drinks, and delicious New Orleans Cajun food style menu makes for the perfect dining experience! The servers are on the ball & will help you with choices. I recommend the baked oysters & the ribs! read more

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I visited Rex at the Royal recently with a few friends for dinner and it was a beautiful time. I want to first say that customer service was excellent, seriously the hospitality didn't go unnoticed. A++ Overall everyone liked their entrees but the appetizers were either under seasoned or over cooked. The crab fondue needed more seasoning, the cornbread was so dry we sent it back, and the truffle fries were burnt. We ordered a few more appetizers and everything was just not seasoned enough. I feel like in the rush to get apps out quickly the quality did not hold up. Take your time please. My party loved their food and I was just not here for mine. I ordered the Memphis Jerk Ribs and they tasted more like liquid smoke than jerk. I actually took most of it home and added my own jerk sauce and cooked them more. This dish definitely needs some work. I give the food a C. It's most certainly not the reason I would come back. Now what sold me on Rex at the Royal was the ambiance and drinks. The cocktails were very delish so I will be coming back for happy hour or just when I want to be in a beautiful setting. This is one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city. Kudos to the design team. Very dreamy and sexy. Perfect for a date and drinks. I'll be back to try out some more of the menu and hopefully update my review. I need to know if the food was just a one off because I'd like to add Rex at the Royal to my favs rotation. read more

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Love!!! My visit here for dinner was phenomenal!! From the moment I walked in I was captivated! The ambiance, collective welcome from staff, noise level and the first glance at the menu. My friends and I stumbled upon this place after a few failed attempts at other establishments prior, and once we saw the menu, we were hooked! Always, I was homesick from the south and I was craving a great southern meal, and look! (Picture attached). The service was beyond great! The sides that we got, Mac & Cheese, Collards, and Cornbread were large enough to share! We ate most of it but had plenty to take home. The Brisket was cooked just right, and the food was fresh! The wait time on food and drinks were standard, nothing felt rushed and nothing took a long time. I recommend!! Cheers!! read more

Rex at the Royal - SMOKED BRISKET BRAISED COLLARD GREENS Cornbread PIMENTO MAC AND CHEESE - Southern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I had the Duck hash and ordered a side of biscuits. The duck has was delicious and very savory. I was skeptical of the sauerkraut, however I had nothing to worried about because it was cooked in perfectly. The ambiance here is beautiful and this is definitely a place to come to for specialty cocktails! read more

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My oh my... Don't miss out!!! I saw this spot on FYI Philly and I'm so glad that it was featured otherwise I do not think I would have heard about this place. I made reservations online so that was a quick and simple process. I originally had reservations with a friend but she canceled and my anticipation had peaked so I coerced my hubby into going (wink)... When we arrived we received a greeting full of vim and vigor and were also told that we were not at the entrance (lol) but nevertheless, we were directed to the hostess station and then to our seat and to my delight, the energetic person that we were greeted by (Jason) was also our waiter :-) We ordered drinks and quickly ordered food too as I already knew what I wanted - my drink was a Madras Cooler and my meal was shrimp and grits; my hubby ordered a chicken and waffle meal and we were both eyeing the hot chicken biscuit so we ordered this too. My oh my... I had the BEST shrimp and grits I ever tasted; the grits were cooked to perfection - not runny and not too thick but firm; it was like a crab bisque topped the grits along with succulent shrimp - magnifique! Even though I didn't order the chicken and waffle I did taste it and it was just as delicious - the waffles was slightly fluffy and flavorful and the chicken was fried well and juicy with great flavor also; the hot chicken biscuit, which we shared, was excellent too - a moist, firm biscuit with tender exceptionally cooked chicken. I was not able to finish my shrimp and grits so had to take them home but I did finish my half of the chicken biscuit :-) I was THOROUGHLY satisfied with my dining experience! The service was excellent (thanks again, Jason!) and all of the staff were attentive, the food was cooked to perfection and served at great temps and the pricing was reasonable too. The atmosphere is hip and vibrant and I love the decor of the restaurant. I truly had a wonderful experience and look forward to returning again very soon - next time will try dinner. read more

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A really fantastic experience. From the interior to the service to the drinks and the food - everything was top-notch. Very professional bartenders... Looks like a fun crowd shows up. I had a whiskey sour with egg white and I plan to go back for an espresso martini. As far as the food, I got the ribs and they did not disappoint! I was so much food for a reasonable price. About $26 for what you'll see in my photo. My friend got a burger I think for $18. He loved it. We got there right at open at 5 PM and it was reservation only except for the bar. So be sure to time your visit well. read more

Rex at the Royal - Ribs! Lots of food for a fair price - Southern Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What a wonderful culinary experience. It started off with us being greeted by a beautiful peacock on the door and only went up from there. The hostess/host were gracious and accomdating, as we added a 7th person to our reservation in the 11th hour and we ran 15 minutes late. The ambience and decor at Rex at the Royal are perfect for date night or a grown and sexy bite to eat. The food and drinks are beyond delicious. They serve large portions and all 7 people at our table required to go boxes. Kudos to the waitstaff! Everyone was very pleasant and helpful. I highly recommend treating yourself to this South St. gem! read more

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Rex at the royal was the 3rd and last location for drinks today. Was seated (1st come 1st to be seated) at a table for two near the bar area. It was very busy. Good music and everyone around me seemed to be enjoying themselves. I had a cocktail and baked oysters. Both were really good!!! read more

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Rex is back and it's opened it's new location at 1524 South Street, which was once the Royal Theater. It offers its southern style cuisine in a nicely designed, open space dining room along with a new hip bar. For now they are only offering dinner, but the plans are to expand into breakfast for which they already have a nice "coffee shop" area set up. Live music is also going to be part of the scene. The new revamped Rex is a great addition to the Grad Hospital South Street neighborhood! Now onto the food... My husband ordered the Frogmore Stew, which was a uniquely crafted entrée that included fish, mussels, shrimp and andouille sausage. He loved it and in fact said he had never eaten anything quite like it before. I ordered the Hoppin John. For me, it was sort of a "meh" type entrée. It was more or less fancy beans and rice, which had a smoky taste. I wouldn't order it again. Prior to our meal we were served cornbread muffins which were really good with the accompanying sweet butter. read more

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