The food was great. Appetizers were extremely good. Service was attentive. Really enjoyed our dinner. Will be back very soon. Highly recommend. read more

We've been meaning to stop by for quite awhile and we finally made it. We were in the mood for some Italian comfort food. The kitchen is in the center of the room so even though the restaurant was empty when we arrived - whatever was cooking smelled delicious. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. We started with Joe the Boss Eggplant Salad - I've been looking for new ways to make eggplant and they nailed it. It was light and fluffy, oddly I've never thought to serve it with salad. The chef gave us a few complimentary hummus crostinis that were delicious. I never order gnocchi- I'm just not a huge fan of their dense doughiness but I took a chance that their red sauce could sway me- and I wasn't wrong- it was good. The chicken parm was on point too. We enjoyed everything and will definitely return. Don't forget it's a BYOB. read more

South Philly Italian Kitchen - JoeTheBoss Eggplant Salad - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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South Philly Italian Kitchen is located in West Mt. Airy, near Lincoln Drive and Mt. Pleasant Ave. There is only on street parking. Walking up to the place it wasn't fancy at all and much smaller than I thought it would be. I made a reservation for 5 of us. We were greeted and seated right away. I can see why you would need a reservation, because the place doesn't seat many people. The waitress was pleasant and did her job well, checking on us often. I must say the service is pretty slow because they make your orders pretty much from scratch. So if you're in a hurry, this is not the place for you. They give you Italian bread with olive oil and Parmesan cheese for starters. For our appetizers to share, we ordered the Fried Calamari, ( chewy and no seasoning), sausage & Cauliflower (this was pretty good), South Philly meatballs, (2 big meatballs in marinara sauce) this was very good, Joe the boss Eggplant Salad (this was good) I like the fresh mozzarella! For our main courses we ordered, Seafood Rose, Chicken Parmesan, Shrimp and broccoli Alfredo and the Boss pasta. All of these dishes had generous portions. The Chicken Parmesan was honestly the most flavorful dish. That was because it was made with gnocchi instead of spaghetti. Asking everyone in our party what they thought of their dinner they said the seafood was good, put the sauce didn't stick to the pasta. It was watery and lacked flavor. I just ate the seafood out of my dish and left the watery sauce and pasta. They were nice and gave us free desserts to share, 2 cannolis and a Tiramisu. Both of these were delicious! South Philly Italian Kitchen is a hit or miss for me. I guess it depends on what you order. My advice would be to work on your sauces, to thicken them and add more seasoning. They are too watery and lack flavor and didn't stick to the pasta. Forgot to mention you can bring your own bottle if you like! Not sure if I'll be coming back though! read more

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South Philly Italian Kitchen was exactly like having someone cook you a meal out of their kitchen. The hardest part about my visit was finding parking. It is located in a residential neighborhood so you may have to find a side street and walk back. The decor is no frills. Just simple tables chairs nothing fancy. It is byob. Keep this in mind. I forgot but they offer soda and water. Everyone is friendly here. We were seated right away and placed our order. For apps we had fried calamari and fresh mozzarella made in house. The calamari was good. I felt like they were a tad over cooked but still good. The cheese was amazing. It had so much flavor. We were also happy to see that when they served bread it was with oil and balsamic. We order chicken rotini and the salmon special for entrees. The salmon was cooked perfect not a dry edge or bite and the lemon butter sauce and shrimp were a perfect combination. The chicken rotini was tender as well and match well with the roasted vegetables. While there we also got a chance to meet the owner who encouraged this non eggplant lover to give it a shot and I was not disappointed. The eggplant paired with the fresh mozzarella was delicious. I am happy to add this local spot to my date night rotation and support someone very local. read more

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Ordered delivery Overpriced and not great quality small amount of chicken Would not repeat Italian bread stale Gnocchi like rocks read more

Solid red gravy Italian restaurant. If he's local to you there's no reason to go to South Philly. The meals are great. Don't bother with the bread. read more

Place isn't very clean Mediocre pasta scampi shrimp with thin sauce Veal not tenderized sinuous hard to slice -but acceptable -deglaze Marsala wine sauce not tasted; risottos hard not cooked -poor Portions small -best freshest item was tiramisu ! Disappointed overall read more

I had an extremely tasty takeout dinner from South Philly Italian Kitchen tonight, Indeed this was one of my favorite Covid-19 pandemic meals tp date. First of all let's get this straight - South Philly Italian Kitchen is about as far as you can get from South Philly as it is located in my Northwest Philly neck of the woods. But the owners and the dishes served up are pure old time South Philly. Yes this is a classic Philly gravy eatery. My appetizer was totally tasty. It consisted of sauteed Italian sausages and cauliflower in a garlic olive oil sauce. The flavor combination was perfect. My main course was a delicious Chicken Marsala. The chicken was juicy and the sauce was great ~ (note to restaurant - just a little more Marsala sauce please!) A nice risotto was the perfect side. Fresh Italian bread completed the feast. When there is no pandemic this is a cozy spot to eat at. But it is also well worth ordering from here during the pandemic. My stomach is in agreement with that last statement. read more

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This was our first time trying this place out. It is a small BYOB in The Mt Airy section. We learned about it from their ad on Groupon. We had reservations for 7:30 and when we arrived we were the second table in there.. the place was quiet the entire time we were there.. which was nice and secured good service for us. Our waitress was really nice + attentive. They started our meal with three small rolls and some dipping oil with balsamic. It was super odd for us when we opened up the bread basket because the rolls weren't Italian rolls or even Italian bread. They were three small rolls that could have been bought at a grocery store as a burger bun. Definitely weird way to start a meal at a place that has "Italian Kitchen" in their name. For appetizers we ordered the sausage and cauliflower and fried calamari. The sauce that came with the fried calamari was delicious and very chunky. We asked for more since it was a smaller portion and our waitress happily brought us a second serving. Oddly, the second serving was really liquidy and did not resemble the first serving whatsoever. For dinner we ordered a veal Parm and 2 chicken parm platters. Both came with homemade gnocchi... they were flexible about swapping out the pasta as well. The chicken Parm was good, the gnocchis weren't my favorite. I was told the veal parm was delicious as well. Lastly, our table ordered tiramisu. I don't eat tiramisu but I was told it was absolutely delicious. Overall, the food came out nice and hot, service was quick and portions were pretty big! read more

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People are very nice and place is cute but food was not good. Meatballs were barely cooked. Chicken was chewy. Sauce had no taste.

A cute, delicious quiet spot run by locals. I love the atmosphere here. It's no frills, good food made fresh. Our waiter was also our chef the night we went. He was at tentative and friendly. We split the mozzarella and peppers to start. The mozzarella was very fresh and delicious. I had the Boss Pasta. The shrimp was so amazing. I loved the pasta itself for the light white sauce - I feel most places can make the sauce too heavy. It was simply good Italian food. I also love the "frequent flyer" punch card program. We will be back soon - maybe even tonight!! Only thing is it can be hard to find parking in the area. If you see a spot - take it. read more

Delicious!!! Southern style Italian. Filled with flavor! We ordered JoetheBoss Eggplant Salad, Caesar Salad, Boss Pasta white wine (a little spicy but so so good, shrimp was cooked to perfection), Chicken Parm (loved that it came with gnocchi - so delightful), and Bolognese Manicotti (my favorite! It was a special). Overall very happy with the food! read more

Amazing food, and even better service. The Enviormental inside the restaurant was extremely homey. It felt as though I was at a casual Sunday dinner back at home. I will definitely be back soon! read more

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Delicious from scratch Italian food. The Veal Parmesan with gnocchi was sublime. And the Sarconne bread!!! A perfect espresso and light as air tiramisu for dessert. Joe and Tatiana are treasures. This was our first time - definitely not our last. True value for money, and love that it is BYOB. read more

So we tried this place based off the solid reviews; the food 'Boss Pasta' was good but the portion was 'comically' small. $23 bucks for what looked like a small plate; it looked like an appetizer; read more

3 stars because it's a rough time for restaurants. Really wanted to not cook. I ordered alfredo Chicken with spinach and eggplant parm. The food was okay. The portion however was teeny tiny. You win some, you lose some. read more

I recently came here after two people within 48 hours recommended the place to me. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I did take out and I would like the full experience of the dining inside. I ordered Boss Pasta, Calamari, and a Caesar Salad. All of it was very tasty. I however would have preferred my pasta to have added seasonings. The pasta was good but not as seasoned as I would have liked it. I could have added some once I got home but after a long day I had no energy to do so and it was still good as it. But for it to be delicious, the seasoning would have taken it up a notch. I will definitely go back so I can gain the full experience. Parking is easy and it's local. I enjoyed it. Happy Eating Good People read more

We had a great dinner here last night. Small byob - kitchen is open and facing the dining room. For starters we had mozzarella and peppers and the meatballs. The mozzarella and peppers was fantastic. Seasoning on the mozzarella was perfect and the peppers melted in my mouth. I could have eaten that for dinner alone. For mains we had the ravioli special and chicken Marsala. I'm a pasta snob - the ravioli was awesome. Can't wait to come back. You can tell that the owner / chef has passion for the food he is putting out. read more

This was our first time at South Philly Italian Kitchen - and we will definitely be back! The food was delicious and it felt like a friend was cooking you a good meal. We had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Joe, who was attentive and enthusiastic. He encouraged us to try his homemade mozzarella (which we got with roasted red peppers) and it was SO good. My partner ordered the chicken parmesan and loved it. Well seasoned, crispy crust, and served with gnocchis. I got the gnocchi and thought it was great! We can't wait to return for another great meal or order takeout. Thanks to Joe and his staff! read more

The eggplant was perfect. Not too greasy or bready. Meatballs were fluffy and delicious. Sauce was excellent.

Great classic Italian restaurant. It really is a South Philly Italian Kitchen- family run, great fresh food. We've been getting takeout thru the pandemic and we look forward to returning in person. Favorites include the Joe the Boss Eggplant Salad, which is basically a Caprese with a couple of perfectly fried slices of eggplant, the chicken Marsala, pasta with vodka sauce, sautéed spinach or broccoli Rand and of course, classic cannoli. read more

I was looking for some authentic Italian comfort food and that's just what I got. I got Gnocchi with bolognese and my fiancé got the Pollo Pesto Rigatoni and both are delicious. Great portion sizes to allow for leftovers tomorrow. I also really appreciate the effort the owner made with little contact pick up. We'll be ordering again! read more

South Philly Italian Kitchen - Gnocchi with Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Spent a great Mother's Day here. The calamari was delicious and all our entrees were great. The service was super sweet and it was nice to see a family working together on Mother's Day. Highly recommend! read more

It's solidly good southern Italian food. It's consistent. They serve the basics. The portions aren't huge, especially for the prices, but it's definitely enough food. We like it. read more

Thanks again SoPhIK! Kayla was our server tonight and, as always, we weren't disappointed. I love bringing friends here because of the family-owned, quaint atmosphere and tasty, wonderful food! Joe's family knows how to please. read more

Very cute, quiet and tucked away in a residential neighborhood. An intimate setting with an open kitchen. Very informal but potentially a romantic night. The food was fresh and delicious. The server was pleasant and knowledgeable. Will return! read more

4.5 stars for the food. 3 for the value. I'll round up. I treated myself to the delivery of an entree from here recently. The food was good...although I only had one thing...but the portion size was surprisingly small, especially for the rather high price. Tag on delivery fee, tip, and some additional mystery fee and it was not at all worth it. Once it reopens I hope to try again. read more

First time ordering take out from here. Surprisingly tasty food, very friendly staff, we'll add this to our list of regular neighborhood eateries. Bad: I ordered via Yelp!, i.e. online. When I arrived, there was no record of our order in their system. I will order by phone only in the future. God: The guy behind the counter was very responsive, and he expedited our order. Yes, I had to wait a few minutes, but not long, and we ended up with food right off the stove. Could have been an unpleasant hassle, instead it was a really good recovery. The chicken parm was very good, nicely breaded but not heavy, flavorful gravy, good portion, maybe not "the best best ever," but better than what I normally expect, way better than anything else nearby. We also got a side of fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers, excellent. They are across the street from the old Goat Hollow, on a block where restaurants seem to come and go. I hope this one lasts, we'll do our part to support. read more

Visited for the first time tonight because I was craving Italian. Did not disappoint and we are already thinking about what we'll order next time! Our takeout order consisted of the caprese salad, fried calamari, eggplant parmesan, and gnocchi. The mozzarella is homemade so I imagine any appetizer with it would be delicious. You can tell the marinara/gravy is homemade, too. I hate a boring gravy but this was fresh and my kid and I used the (very tasty) bread to sop up every last drop. My only wish would be for more dipping gravy with the calamari. :) The staff I met were friendly and they welcomed us to the neighborhood. Glad I got the frequent visitor punch card because we'll be back. read more

This place is not good. I eat all around the country, this was faux Italian lots of fried stuff, very little flavor. The veal piccata was rubbery and bland; no garlic no seasoning. The service was fine. The owner seems to be kind of a dick when he came out and challenged our table that the food didn't taste good to us. Sorry about that, but I didn't cook it. If this place was in South Dakota, it might be acceptable, but given that it's calling itself South Phila Italian kitchen, in the heart of the best Italian food in the world (in my opinion), is a joke. this place sucks. read more

I had a delicious take out meal from South Philly Italian restaurant! Highly recommend. I did delievery and they were prompt and responsive.

Went for dinner tonight and our first visit. Overall it was delicious. Small restaurant with kitchen in the middle of the dining room. The eggplant salad with fresh mozzarella and greens was absolutely amazing. Side of meatballs with red sauce and side of garlicky broccoli rabe were outstanding. Had eggplant parmigiana and a pasta dish with shrimp as entrees which we split in half and both entrees were hits. Joey's red sauce is yummmmy! Can't wait to return. If you live in Mt. Airy or Chestnut Hill you must give it a try! Great little family run spot. read more

This is the best place to get real authentic Italian food! I am in absolute love with this place! The food bursts with flavor! It is so fresh and delicious! We started with bread with oil and balsamic and fresh parmigiana cheese. It paired well with a delicious caprese salad with amazing fresh homemade mozzarella cheese with balsamic drizzled. So yummy! We sampled the fish soup and I was in love. The flavor was divine!! So much fresh fish shrimp mussels and even calamari! Wow! I could of just eaten this! As my main dish was served I was in heaven breathing in the wonderful aroma of shrimp and crab fettuccine in a creamy red sauce! Wow! This place is so good! I'm so grateful to have found this gem in Mt airy! Hope you enjoy it as much as I have! read more

I hate leaving bad reviews and I sooooo wanted to LOVE this restaurant, the good reviews and the photos made me want to try it (I now believe those were written by friends of the owner and the photos taken by the owner himself). We booked a large group to come on a Saturday night. It wasn't busy which is never a good sign but seeing as it is new I was hopeful it was just because of that. The waitress was really sweet and accommodating but the rest of the just plain bad. The food was bland and even the bread they served was dry and tasteless. They say it's all homemade and fresh to order but considering our meatball appetizer was practically frozen on the inside leaves me to believe that while they may have made it it wasn't that day and certainly not to order. The sauce on it was good but the other appetizers were greasy and tasteless. My dish was the gnocchi and the sauce was hot but the gnocchi was hard, cold and rubbery. When I sent it back the waitress was really cool about it but moments later the owner came out and yelled at me while holding up a baggie of uncooked gnocchi telling me it's all fresh not frozen. I'm not sure how he thought this could make things better but I can assure you it did not. I tried a bite of the eggplant parmigiana which was so overly fried all I tasted was grease. There are so many great Italian restaurants in Philadelphia and unfortunately this just isn't one of them. read more

The waitress was nice and attentive. The condiment shakers were greasy. It was a dirty restaurant: the plates didn't seem clean--like worn and used so much that it had residue on them. The bread was stale. The food wasn't anything special, meh, underwhelming for $16. The complementary salad was over-dressed--soggy--just lettuce and croutons. Spaghetti was decent, though the meatballs were dry. I have heard from others that the food was good here. read more

I love this spot. You can tell that their sauce is made from scratch. This is definitely a go to spot for excellent Italian food. read more

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Great food, large portions and good service. The menu has a variety of choices for vegetarians and carnivores. They were accommodating when someone in our party wanted to change the protein from shrimp to chicken. Thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. read more

Great neighborhood restaurant. The food was fabulous. It was our first time eating here. We had the eggplant, tomato and mozzarella salad; which was delicious. The gnocchi which had an amazing blush sauce with pancetta and red onion. We also had a chicken special with fontina cheese and mushrooms. Our server was friendly and attentive. We can't wait to go back. read more

So glad to have a new restaurant here on W Mt Pleasant. I was very impressed with their eggplant parmesan - crispy fried eggplant rounds with fresh mozzarella melted on top and fresh red sauce, served with penne just slightly al dente. The salad was fresh and the chocolate cake rich and delicious. The owner is actually from South Philly! He came over to the table to chat with us after the meal. Great BYOB with friendly and attentive service. read more

So glad this new classic Italian restaurant just opened in Mt. Airy. We loved the 3 fresh pasta dishes we tried: one with mixed seafood, one with spinach & cream, and one with classic meat ragu. Roasted peppers & homemade mozzarella was delicious. Reasonable prices, especially given the fresh ingredients & careful preparation. And BYO! Very Friendly service. Our brand new waitress was still learning the menu, but cheerfully accommodated our group of 6 on short notice. And even accommodated one kid's with for plain penne, no garlic, just olive oil. Welcome to Mt Airy! Can't wait to return. read more