This is the best bar in Philly - but remember that its exactly that - a bar - in Philly. This is not a first date place, or a place to meet 20 friends, or enjoy overpriced atmosphere. This is a bar. It is comfortable, it is dark, and it is wonderful. The bartenders are true Philly gold. Depending on the night you go, you might be greeted by a tough Philly skull cracker or warm smiles and laughs from Reese. But regardless of who serves you, one thing remains the same, they don't put up with obnoxious customers, they are quick, they are smart, and they are all Philly. This type of bar rewards your frequent patronage with great new beers more frequently than you would believe, fantastic food that is reasonably consistent, and the opportunity to be surrounded by other people that appreciate these things. Food Note- The charred green beans are spectacular - be sure to order those instead of fries (although the fries are good too). I believe they make their sausage fresh, and all of it is good. The fried oyster po-boy is perfect for those heavy beers. Basically, I have eaten the whole menu and have rarely been disappointed. I can see where all of the people who discovered the bar in Philly mag and thought that they would roll in on a crowded weekend night and fall in love with Grace's would be disappointed because it is hard to see all of this in one sitting. You really need to go on an off night - say mon, tues, wed - and soak in the laid back vibe and enjoy. That way, when you show up on Fri or Sat to get that next fix, you won't notice or care about the invariable crowd, because you will be focused on the beer, the food, and the great people that make this the best bar in Philly.
(5)
rebecca h.
If I could have given this establishment zero stars, I would have. If you are hungry and do not want to drink an alcoholic beverage, and you forgot your driver's license- don't bother coming here. After a bulky, rude bartender took my food order he proceeded to ask for my driver's license. I misplaced it, and after searching my purse for about 5 minutes, I was told I would have to leave. But wait, I ordered food about 5 seconds before. He wouldn't let me cancel my order. What a d-bag. So I ate on the stoop around the corner like a hobo. Needless to say, I did not tip him. I agree that it was my mistake to forget my id, but come on man, I'm 25 and have no desire to sneak a sip of my friend's beer. Grow up, son. This place blows- there are plenty of better bars in Philly. I hope the guy that turned me away (big, goatee, stupid Mohawk) cries himself to sleep every night because he realizes that he is a simpleminded man with no future and gets his kicks by putting down independent, strong women. Thank you.
(1)
Jack M.
Grace Tavern makes going to a neighborhood bar fun again. All of the bland bars of Rittenhouse Square have managed to bore me in under three months of living in Philadelphia. Grace's bartenders are excellent. They actually care about their beer and ensure you enjoy the right ones. The vibe of the bar is the perfect mix of eclectic music, bar/table/counter locations to enjoy your drink, and folks from the neighborhood. I walked ten blocks in the freezing cold last night to go there, when I live three doors down from Irish Pub, which is a more schizophrenic version of a neighborhood bar (that weird back seating area?). That's commitment.
(4)
Erika G.
I was stuck in Philadelphia en route from NYC to SFO for the night and my Philly friend Andi, being the wonderful lady she is, suggested Grace's for a few drinks before we head out to some house party. I live in Manhattan and the first thing I thought was--damn, this looks like it belongs in the Village! It has that NYU vibe to it, which makes complete sense since it was packed with UPenn kids.. not that NYU and UPenn students are the same. But it also has that Greenwich Village look and feel. Okay, I may not be making any sense but just trust me on this. Anyway, Andi suggested this place because the beers and the bar food are both good. There's a wide range of beers on tap (Monks Cafe is my favorite!) and an even greater selection of bottled beers. And the food! The blackened green beans--yum! It was piping hot and served with a spicy mayo dipping sauce. In addition to this, I had the chicken apple sausage sandwich, which was delicious. Best of all, everything was SO cheap. This place was packed and it's a no-brainer why--Grace's is awesome!
(4)
Jessica S.
With the closing of South Street bridge, I haven't been to Grace's as much as I'd like (or as often as I use to) but every time I do make it there, I truly enjoy myself. This isn't a bar where you need to look a certain way or act a certain way. - it's an old-style neighborhood bar with a single TV (not flat panel), some colorful bartenders (Reese is great!), great beer, and AMAZING food. The bar is dark and has a variety of bar-seating, dining tables and standing room. Although the bartenders can make just about any drink under the sun, I wouldn't recommend coming here for the latest "it" drink you read about in cosmo - this just ain't that kinda place. Try the Kelly burger with fries - I might like this even better than the burgers at Good Dog! I honestly prefer going here on weeknights as it just gets too crowded on the weekend - especially since it's become so popular! Damn, now after writing this all I want is a burger and a beer at Grace Tavern!
(5)
Michael K.
Ah, a nice, dark, neighborhoody place in a hood that gets dodgy quickly to the south, and expensive and ritzy to the North. This place is a great bridge between the two and not just because they carry La Fin du Monde (translates to: the end of the world) here. This is a great spot for a sausage sandwich and a few beers. Which can become 4. No, make that 6, in the course of a great night or weekend afternoon. Staff is awesome, and the other patrons are unassuming and fun in a way that reminds me of a Bukowski story. I like it there, and I wonder why I don't end up there more often.
(4)
Chrissy R.
I LOVE the Grace Tavern. Good food. The only reason I mark it down as low as I have is because there are just not enough places to sit down and have a fucking burger. This place is also awesome if you wanna catch sight of the illustrious Fergie as he seems to be there more than at Fergie's and other places. Dude needs to get some more tables in though.
(4)
Mel I.
Kelly burger....I love you.
(5)
Chris W.
Grace is everything you want and expect from a neighborhood bar. They have a great selection of beers, the food is greasy but good as far as bar food goes, and the bartenders are super nice if you are, and super mean to those who deserve it. I would, however, suggest to visit this wonderful bar during off hours, or when school isn't in session. Since it's right off the South St. Bridge, it tends to get a younger, obnoxious crowd on weekend nights. I'm not even sure why kids choose Grace of all places to come to; you would think they would go to some crap Irish bar, or a place that has massive man-imals as bouncers. It's very apparent that the bartenders aren't happy about that relationship either, which only makes me love the place that much more. Still, Grace gets four stars for it's comfortable feel, great bartenders, and nice selection of beers. Side note: Find out whenever Reese or Lulu is bartending... go, and you're guaranteed to have a good time.
(4)
dan V.
I went with limited expectations, but at least thought my food would be fair or better. I'll admit that the green beans were worth it. However, the burger I had ordered medium rare was served charred. No burger should ever be served that way. Is it too much to ask that a chef performs some quality control. While the atmosphere was good, the burger experience is enough for me never to return.
(1)
Sierra T.
So this is my tried and true favorite bar in philadelphia. I have to say I'm in love with Reese and Leo. My hands down two favorite bartenders in this fine city. Reese, he's the sweetest guy you'll ever meet, gives great service, and says "right on." Leo, is well Leo, he's kind of a dick to others, but we get along swimmingly and I adore him. The food here is eehhh, but they serve till 2 a.m. so who cares and the beer is pretty all right. All in all a damn good bar.
(5)
kathy t.
Beer=good. Burgers, sausage sandwiches=good. Fries= sometimes incredibly good and crispy and straight out of the deep fryer with a little spicy kick from the spicy dust and the remoulade dippy stuff, sometimes limp, soggy and barely warm, or overly salty and covered in so much spicy salt that I'm going into sodium overload. Why?! This inconsistency makes me sad b/c I want to love them all the time.
(3)
Anne F.
Awful service. Felt un-welcomed. Rude waitress.
(1)
Milk W.
Pretty run of the mill, old corner bar that is trying to be more than they are. Burgers are fine, but there are plenty of fine burgers in Philly. A selection of 10 draught beers sounds great. When you look closer, one is Yuengling, one is Guinness, a few others are not very good beers and in the end you are left with about 2 or three possibly interesting beers. The bartenders do not interact. The one CD, Ramones - a good choice, keeps playing over and over and over; how many times can you listen to :Sheena is a Punk Rocker" in one evening? And unless you are really looking for a super heavily spiced, salted Green Bean, avoid the blackened Green Beans. Overall, if I had this or some corporate type day of the week bar, this wins. But Philly has grown up, Graces has to grow up too.
(2)
Andrew B.
I love this place. The food is great, there is usually a great beer selection (always, if you like hoppy beers, but they usually have a few other good options on tap). The people are also very friendly. We've probably been here 50 times, and had orders screwed up 2-3 times, and they always make it right if you let them know (if it's just another burger that looks good, I don't waste their time). A lot of people seem to object to the ID policy, but beer is their business, and they can't afford to lose their license. I've also seen kids (that's what they looked and acted like) leave in a huff, because there were three of them, and they wanted to sit at a table for four, even though there was an open table for three (within half an hour, every table was full anyway - not sure why three scrawny guys felt they needed to impose on the customers coming a few minutes later than them, but the waitress said they get hassled by kids like that all the time). I like the atmosphere for dinner, inside or out. I never really hang out at bars (unless I'm waiting for a table), but it seems pretty cool for that too. I've almost never had to wait for dinner, going a bit early for dinner, but if you have more than 2 people and it's prime eating time, be ready for the possibility of a wait. The chicken fingers are a great snack, and I love the fries. The burgers are fantastic. Probably not the best place if you're in a rush, though maybe it speeds up when the tables fill up.
(5)
Jenny G.
Bad service. Just bad bad service! There's just one bartender during peak hours to serve people at the bar, the tables and outside! And he's so slow, is rude, and doesn't give you your drink until you walk up to the bar and stare him in the face. They have a list of beautiful beers on tap, but its not worth the servers attitude. Not going there again. The 2 stars are only for the quality and range of the beers.
(2)
Ade B.
A typical neighborhood dive bar. No ambiance and slow service. But I must admit they do make a great burger. My bacon cheeseburger was a perfectly cooked to order burger with just the right amount of bacon and melted cheddar. A burger right up there with some of the best in the city. Worth stopping in for a burger and a drink if you happen to be in the neighborhood, but no need to go out of your way to go here.
(3)
Van W.
Great Gastro-Pub. Excellent Veggie Burgers (and meat burgers I hear). Good beer selection.
(5)
Ashley O.
The waitress that we had was very rude and was not kind or helpful at all. It was a shame because the food here is amazing and reasonably priced! Please get some new servers!
(3)
Brandon K.
Food - solid 4 stars Service - 0-1 star I'm always torn when my friends want to hit up Grace Tavern. On the one hand, the food is delicious. The burgers are good, cooked right, with tasty toppings. The blackened green beans are also unique with a little kick and are worth a stop in of themselves. I've also tried the oyster po'boy which decent and pretty good outside of the bayou. However, as you can probably guess, I just can't deal with the service sometimes. After a long day at work, the last thing you want to put up with is condescension and attitude for the waitstaff, and it just gets to be tiring. Yup, there's the ID Nazi, but in the end, that kind of makes sense because you do want a Tavern that's following the rules. But you don't want people who are always having a bad day being short with questions and drink refills. It just leaves a sour taste, and hopefully, Grace fixes this soon. Get it, get out, enjoy the food.
(2)
Walter K.
Grace Tavern has been regarded as one of the best bars in Philadelphia for years, and deservedly so. I've visited several times over the past 6 years, and always been impressed. The beer list is on the small side, but makes up for that by being well thought out and eclectic. The small, dark bar area is cozy and intimate. Standard pub fare here, which is well done. The blackened green beans are a particular stand out. Above all, the prices here are excellent when compared with bars of this caliber. High marks on all fronts.
(5)
Marcelo M.
I always thought that my first review on Yelp would be to a place that that blew my mind, either positively or negatively. Grace Tavern place blew my mind negatively... I've never had a worse impression of a place as I did here. The waiter with long hair treated me so badly that I cancelled my order and left. Don't come here, they don't deserve it.
(1)
John C.
Four and our dog for dinner. I was disappointed they did not have frozen drinks, but was more than satisfied with their improvised Singapore Sling. The blackened green beans appetizer were crisp and deliciously spicy. The burgers were juicy and tasty. The lady bartender server was very friendly. Perfect way to end a hot summer day.
(5)
Kelly C.
Overall - just ok .. Went here the other nite and service was a little off .. Didn't get the most warm and welcoming feeling from the staff. Had 2 different sausage sandwiches - Italian & spinach/feta ! They were tasty and the fries and green beans are good too. Not a bad experience .. But I probably wouldn't rush back there for anything.
(3)
Yla A.
Grace is a solid choice if you are not in the mood to cook or if you want to be bad for a meal. Casual place where locals go type of feel. And you can order take out! That being said, take out can be hit or miss depending on how busy they are. Beer selection is small but good with Chimay and allagash available. I flop between the grace burger and the grilled chicken sandwich (when I want to lie to myself that eating chicken isn't as bad as the burger!). The blackened green beans are a must! The seasoning will get stuck on your teeth but it is so worth it. This reheats pretty well on a stove top too.
(3)
Rachel N.
A tiny place but it was awesome for a quick sunday lunch with a few friends. Not many food options but the burgers were great and the service was fast. A decent beer list as well is always a plus. Will be coming back again.
(4)
Chris N.
I have been here several times, the beer list is always solid, and the burgers are delicious (especially at that price point). The one thing where grace tavern suffers is in their service. Some of the staff members are really nice, but others are very cold and inattentive.
(3)
Kathryn S.
I snuck in here yesterday when it started raining, and boy am I glad I did! They had a decent number of craft beers on tap, and the menu looked great! Everyone around me had burgers, and they looked delicious, but I ordered the nicoise salad. The grilled tuna steak was absolutely delicious. I see a few other people mentioned that the service was poor. I will say, after I was done eating, no one ever cleared my plate (I was sitting at the bar, so it was cramped), and it took about 20 minutes to get the check. Even after they ran my credit card, they still didn't clear my plate, so it was basically impossible to sign the receipt.. so while my experience was positive, and I definitely see getting annoyed at the slow/lack of service. Also to note - no happy hour? boooooooo.. why pay full price for beers on a Tuesday night from 5-7pm? Most places in that area offer some kind of discount...
(4)
Mark G.
As a frequent patron and neighbor of Graces, I have to say I am loosing faith in the place. 80% of the time we sit at the bar - great but not friendly service. Only bartender worth a visit is the sweet gal with bangs and art. Last week my wife and I sat in the back table section with only three other tables in use. Mike was working the bar and said the other bartender was taking the back. Big guy and seemed out of it - he walked back and serviced all three tables without asking us what we wanted to drink. He kept going back to the bar entry handed. After 10 minutes of being ignored - we left as I waved a large farewell to them both. Mike recognized me as a regular but services us like we were contagious!!!! Time for the owner to get more involved or hire a third person.
(1)
Sarah B.
If it wasn't one block from my apartment I'd never go. Food is ok and again, it's close by. The service however is awful and rude. I've been in several tiems while it's busy and while it's empty. Generally the staff doesn't make eye contact or is nowhere to be found. Months ago I found the bartender with the long hair smoking pot out front while everyone was waiting for drinks. A few nights ago my friend and I waited over 10 minutes standing at the bar waiting to even make eye contact. When we were finally able to ask if we could get drinks from the bar or whether a waiter would come to our table, the bartender (bald guy who looks like Mr. Clean) told us to calm down. He was rude and walked away. We waited another ten minutes and then walked out. Mr. Clean saw us and laughed and told us thanks for coming in. I'm done. Not going back.
I have been frequenting Grace Tavern for years. The burgers are top notch, despite occasionally being a tad overcooked. Brioche has always been my preferred choice of bun for a burger and Grace always delivers. I'm also a huge fan of their blackened green beans, divey tin ceiling/wall motif, and dig their above average beer selection. It seems as if the management is delivering on all ends except one. Hiring. The bartenders as of the last couple years have all been horrible. Gone are the days of Ian during the day and Reese at night. Those dudes are awesome. Now you have the squirrely dude that always wears plaid and has 0% personality, draw or beverage knowledge. He's tolerable in comparison to the woman, I believe her name is Abby. She is seriously in the wrong business. In terms of the city's worst bartenders I would rank her pretty high. She deliberately ignores customers, is snippy, has no knowledge of the beverages (in servicing is key) and from my understanding doesn't even drink alcohol. That interests me because bartenders, especially nowadays, should have a good grasp on the product they serve. Otherwise why not just have a robot open bottles and cans for you. You're not there to grace (pun intended) the world with your presence, you're there to work -- for the customer. There is a bigger guy working there too that is amicable enough but again not the most memorable of bartenders. Bottom line. With all the competition in this city between good beer bars it would benefit you to choose the face of your business more wisely. 4 stars for food and speed from the kitchen, -2 stars for poor service.
(2)
Tanner M.
Worst service I've seen.
(1)
Sara S.
Burgers and Beer. Apparently this is the place to go for those two things. Short review: Well, I went, and I had. It wasn't the most life changing burger I've had, and the beer was decent. I'd come back for sure. Less short review: Being a fan of burgers and beer my new Philly friends directed me towards Grace Tavern. It's local, and who doesn't want their first dinner of the new year to be something comforting and delicious? (Jerks! Thats who! ;) ) I digress...So I order the Kennett Square burger (cheddar and mushrooms). It came on a brioche bun with fries and the Monks bourbon mayo. My first impression that the burger itself was on the smaller side. But being short myself I know that good things come in small packages. And I am on the belief that all you need to know about a burger you get in that first bite. Well- this first bite was pretty solid. Cheese was tasty, the mushrooms were good but cold, so it kind of threw off the balance. The brioche was perfect and held up to the juicy, and flavorful patty. A solid burger. The fries were good, the beer was good-. The points were deducted b/c there was something missing- a fresh element to the plate. When you've got a burger, and fries- there should be some crisp, cool element to the plate. A pickle? Some coleslaw? Lettuce and tomato? It was missing and I noticed. Overall a great place for a good burger and beer.
(3)
Dave B.
I love this place, I stumbled upon this location after a snow storm, work and school were closed and this bar was hoppin' with young and old professionals. The location was scenic and the inside was warm and cozy. They can serve up some good drinks!
(3)
Nathan N.
Terrible customer service. The id Nazi is the worst. I completely understand requesting id at a bar but when someone produces a European Union id with a birthdate and the staff still gives them ship there is a problem. And the burgers are not that great. PYT is worth the trip to fishtown
(1)
Nazee Z.
This place is great! I usually am quite the klepto when it comes to bars with cool glasses, but this bar gave me no reason to steal!! I went with a friend because we wanted to try a new bar. Tried the Tuesday craft special and it was a Summit Oktoberfest and as a gimmick we got these fantastic cool glasses!! The beer was also super tasty (if you made yuengling delicious and pumpkin-ey, it'd be this). And also, relatively cheap! We got 4 beers for $16, not too shabby! The bartender (even though she was working alone with about 15-20 patrons) was incredibly attentive and never rude. She always refreshed my beer right before I had one sip left and asked for water multiple times. Didn't catch her name, but she was great! Overall, good atmosphere, good drinks, great service!
(5)
Ross I.
Unbelievably poor service. We came in hungry, looking for a bite and a beer on a Tuesday night with a crowd of 3 people. There was only one table available so we sat down only to be told by a female bartender to stand up and wait until a smaller table was ready. The table had no reservations and the reason we were given was that since the table was for 5 people and we were a party of 3, we couldn't sit there and had to wait until another table freed up. This practice might make sense if there were multiple parties entering the establishment at the same time, but we were the only ones waiting for a table. We were so shocked by this request, we couldn't do anything but obey it, standing up to order a beer and waiting until further instructed. Halfway through the beer we realized we didn't want to give this establishment any more business and decided that it would be best to finish the beers, pay for them, and go grab a bite elsewhere. However, the icing on the cake came when the female bartender came back to the three of us stating that a table was finally ready (20-30 minutes later) and we politely told her that we had changed our minds about eating (mind you there was still no one else waiting to be seated). Upon hearing this she was obviously offended for some reason and returned to the bar gesturing towards us as she spoke with a scour on her face to another employee in front of the entire establishment... Classy. Sadly this wasn't my first poor experience here (but it will surely be my last) as i had been to this bar before in the summer on a hot day looking for lunch. The place was empty and I decided to leave after sitting at the bar for 5 minutes with no one even acknowledging my existence (there was a bartender in plain sight). I heard tell that this place used to be rated highly in the Philadelphia bar scene, but in my opinion it ranks below the DMV in terms of a service oriented business.
(1)
Kayla G.
The service is awesome and the food is also on par! The burgers are really good especially only being 8.75$! Beer list is also pretty good! I would recommend it to anyone.
(5)
David H.
The burgers and fries are tasty here, and the beer selection is great. Service, however is pretty touch-and go. Recently came in and had a difficult time getting service in a timely fashion. Waited a while for a server to take our order, and then waited longer for even our beers to come out, despite things being fairly quiet at the bar. Our server was kind of snippy with us when we asked how much longer it would be. Really want to like this place more - I live nearby and this could be the perfect neighborhood bar.
(3)
Tim L.
Great neighborhood spot. A little small with limited seating but beers are always good and rotating. A couple of great bartenders and good food until 2am.
(4)
Seema F.
Grace Tavern is a small, dark bar that seems to only employ 2 very rude people at a time. It was Monday, and the 5 of us were starving. We sat at a table in the back area and waited for someone to approach us. After several minutes, a guy came by and told us to move to a different table near the bar. It was uncomfortable and we were all crammed into a corner bench seat next to the bathroom, but we were hungry so we didn't make a huge fuss. My husband decided there was nothing good on tap so he only wanted a burger. When the waiter came by again, he immediately asked us all for ID. It didn't matter that we were all well past 20 or that not everyone was drinking. That's when my husband (who is in his mid 30s with grey hair and was the oldest in the group) realized that he forgot his ID. Most bars/restaurants would not care, especially since he wasn't drinking anyway. Our waiter, however, told us that we couldn't even be in the bar. (Though I suspect that if I was there with a child, it wouldn't have been an issue.) If that was the case, why wasn't there someone at the door checking IDs? I've never been to a place that serves food and alcohol and been told that I can't even be in there to eat. The whole process was dealt with in a very rough, unapologetic manner. If places are going to get all "nanny-state" on customers, they should at least pretend to be reasonable about it.
(1)
Abby B.
Having lived in a neighborhood where Grace's is always a 2-minute walk from my apartment, I figured it was time to write an update, considering the amount of times my husband and I randomly pop-in for a beer or two. First, the beer - it's cheap than say going to Resurrection or P&K, both nearby. They have a draft list of about 6 or 7 beers listed on a chalkboard by the bar. Easy enough, right?! I like the beer selection too - some local and some from nearby breweries like upstate NY. The staff - nice, attentive, but they leave you alone and are not having overly-loud conversations with themselves or other patrons. I like a bar where I can go and have a drink with my husband and actually talk to him. The TV - it had Harry Potter playing, which was a bonus for my husband. I haven't tried the food lately, but then again, I live 2 minutes from the place, so eating at home is more economical.
(4)
Lauren S.
Updated Review: Finally made it back to Graces in a small group, and honestly I've never seen this place so empty but I wasn't complaining it was nice to have some space. I was told the Blackened Green Beans were a must so without checking out the menu I put an order in for them and they were fabulous. I thought the side order was rather large and enough to share with a few people. Having my heart set on French Fires even though a friend told me not to order them I got the Oyster Po-Boy Platter since fries were on the side. The Po-Boy was tasty and I loved the fires. There a different style than Grace's sister Bar Monk's, my friend thought Monk's fires were better but I don't think you can compare them since there not the same style of fires. I recommend the fires here there great just don't compare them to Monk there different types of fires. Original Review: Grace Tavern is not meant for medium to large groups and every time I've been here it's been with my dodgeball team if not everyone comes out be the smallest we've had is 5 or 6 and that seems to be too large for this place. The bar is always full, there isn't a ton of standing room and they don't seem to like it if you move the tables around. So it's not an ideal after dodgeball spot but it is the closet bar to where we play so I've frequented it often. The beer list is usually good. And I can see why this would make the Top 50 Bar list. Maybe if I try going in a smaller group of 2 or 3 max I might enjoy this place more.
(3)
Pete E.
Grace Tavern is a great local hangout. It's a tad dark and dated inside but the staff, the food and bar selection are outstanding. We are big fans of this comfortable neighborhood favorite. Do yourself a favor and sit down at the bar on a sleepy weekend and order a Grace Burger with blackened green beans. Wash it down with a beer or with a specialty Bloody Mary.
(4)
Corbett B.
Not sure how this place can be rated higher than ten stone two blocks down south street. Small, mediocre food and grungy look and feel...
(2)
Brian M.
Yeah, this is going to come across as bitter. I do not care. I've been to Grace a bunch of times. I will go to Grace a bunch more. It's unavoidable in a sense if you or anyone you're fond of lives in the area. Grace or Doobies (still unsure how to review that place)? The food at Grace is decent. Just decent. Relax on the green beans people, y'all act like they're the second coming when really it's something you can make in 5 minutes at home. Fortunately for Grace 70% of green bean consumption comes when already intoxicated (official statistic). Otherwise, all I've had there is certainly not bad, just straightforward bar food. So it's run of the mill. A-OK, right? Why the Meh? I'll tell you why. As others have mentioned, they can be dicks about their ID policy. I mean come on, do college kids really trek to a dark neighborhood bar to sneak beers? Came here on a Tuesday night after volleyball with 6 people of which I am the oldest member and was told I couldn't eat a burger with my friends since my license had expired a week prior. I'm 27 dammit. I look 35 and am balding for goodness sake! Doobies!
(2)
Ruggy J.
Graduate Hospital... what an odd name for a neighborhood. But you know what's not odd? The amazingness that is Grace Tavern. I'm a sucker for a good rathskeller, and this is like a dive bar that still wears a dirty pair of Levi 501 jeans and a ripped band t-shirt... but one that showers and shaves more than once a month. A dive with a bit of class, if you will. The type of bar where you can get all of the grittiness you need, but without the fear of contracting bed bugs in the booths or an STD after using the loo. Reese, the bartender, is as sweet as a honeycomb and really makes the experience what is is. He'll talk you though your thoughts to get you the exact beer your craving, and he does it with a smile. Couple that with some seriously fantastic bar bites (blackened green beans, and surprisingly above average chicken fingers + french fries) makes it a neighborhood favorite for everyone within earshot. If I lived here, I'd no doubt be a regular. The beer fridge dressed up as Frankenstein for Halloween, and word had it he transmorphs into Sandy Claus come the winter time... I might have to return and tell ol' St. Nick what I expect under the dead pine tree on December 25th.
(4)
Joshua S.
Best burgers in the city. If anyone tells you otherwise, cut ties. Caveat: if you walk in and the person waiting on you resembles a tatted up Aimee Mann, politely excuse yourself and return another day. No burger is worth her passive-aggressive shit.
(4)
Erica M.
We have wanted to try the burger at Grace for over a year now as we've heard it's the best in the city. We live in the neighborhood and had to finally find out if it really is the best burger around. We had wine (they have a few wine options...more than most bars that specialize in beer, but not too many) and a 7&7. My fiance said the 7&7 was excellent (but that may also be because it was much needed at the end of a super long week). We each had the Kennett Square burger and at a friend's suggestion, I subbed blackened green beans for the fries. The burgers were very good. Cooked to temperature and generous in size. I didn't like that my cheese wasn't fully melted (it was still hard/cold on the top). The fries were great and the green beans were really good, too. I wouldn't say the burger is our favorite in town, but it was very good. The service was good and despite being crazy busy, the servers/bartenders were friendly. We arrived on the early side (around 7:15) and they didn't card us, but we saw a table of girls arrive a few minutes before 8 just to eat and they had to leave because they were carded and weren't 21. So make sure you bring your ID, even if you aren't drinking!
(4)
Shereen C.
I don't know what's going on, but the fries at Grace are getting worse. Last few times I've been here, I've been getting a lot of tiny burnt-to-a-crisp leftover pieces of fries, instead of real full-length, or even medium-length, fries. Are they just re-frying whatever's fallen into the vat of oil from previous orders of fries? This makes me very sad. I used to love Grace, but when most of the fries are shorter than 1" long (with many shorter than 0.5" long), this is a serious problem. In other news, the oyster po boy was solid. Beer's still cold. 3.5 stars
(4)
Jonny R.
Grace Tavern was called the best bar in the city by PW. And I have numerous friends who might call it their favorite bar in the city as well. There's something about Grace Tavern that demands attention. It's not just that it has a good beer list (promising Monk's Flemish Sour on tap everytime--in pints!), or that it might have the best appetizer in Philadelphia, blackened green beans (I think Prohibition's beer-battered green beans give them a run for their money). This place has a presence about it. A certain "barness" to it that makes it special. I always leave satisfied--sometimes it's crowded, but not often, and usually there's a place to sit. It's a manufactured neighborhood bar. In a gentrified neighborhood it's hard to have that authentic local feeling, but at the very least, I think Grace tries to do it well. I think it succeeds. And I don't think this is a moment for the bar to gloat and march as if it's done something marvelous. Grace feels sure of itself, but still humble. Not as loud or obnoxious as Ten Stone, nor is it as ritzy as Pub & Kitchen, and it's a safer place to go for those unsure of their beer taste than Sidecar. The bar has a great feel. And can I do that? Can I say it's my favorite bar because it feels right? Because it feels good? I think so. It's really delightful. And tell Reese I said hello.
(3)
Keith S.
I've been in the neighborhood for the past couple years and have stopped into Grace a few times. The atmosphere is a delight and the service, food and beer has always been quality. About a week ago I stopped seeking a beer, but was blown away by Chris the bartender's knowledge of mixed drinks that I kicked back a few instead of my beloved beer. He had such a vast knowledge that when I told him how much I hated smoked liquor he made two drinks with the smoky scotch and they were fantastic. If you're in the neighborhood stop in and ask Chris to make a Blood and Sand or Aztec especially if you dig smoke. Cheers!
(5)
Hee Jin C.
Low key place with good beers on draft. Their burgers are solid, definitely try the blackened green beans. Despite how it looks from the outside, it's a kid friendly establishment with lots of food offerings for your tyke. If they're fussy, promise them a fro-yo from igloo next door after your meal :)
(4)
Adam F.
Grace Tavern is a classic gastropub - I think it's the same people who do Nodding Head and Monks. Grace is known for their blackened green beans w/ dipping sauce, awesome selection of sausages and burger/fries (same fries as Monks Cafe). Really like their Po-Boy here As you would expect, the beer selection here is great. Service can be sub-par at times, so don't come if you're in a hurry.
(4)
Greg Y.
I've been frequenting his place for the past year. The food is really good and thats the only reason I go back. All the burgers are good, grace burger is the best imo. I'm not a fan of the green beans lately...my body begins to reject them after a few, prolly bc of the burnt char that covers them. The poboy and tuna sandwiches are good too. Service is spotty but usually decent as long as it's not too busy.
(4)
Susannah L.
Never thought I'd be writing a bad review about this place, but I will have to. As far as food and beer go, this place is A+. That said, I will never ever be going back. My boyfriend and I went on a slow Tuesday night on one of our last nights in town before we moved to Texas. He'd never had a Grace burger and I insisted he try it before we leave as it is (was) my favorite burger in Philly. Upon sitting down at the bar, we were carded - my ID was fine, my boyfriend had left his Passport at home and didn't have a state ID - we go out to bars all the time, he is 31, intimidating looking and appears far older than 21, it's never a problem. That said, the dude refused to serve us and walked away. Perturbed, I joked that next he was going to kick us out. When he wandered back over, we started to order food and were just going to get sodas. We were there for food, not beer anyway. This is when the pretentious, handlebar-mustachioed gent told us that we had to leave, he could't even serve us food. WHICH IS BULLSHIT. You are absolutely allowed to serve food only in a bar to someone without an ID. He was being a huge fucking asshole and had major attitude about it as well, and ruined one of our last nights in town. You can't put a price on service.
(1)
Alex M.
The food is good and the beer flows. Can't ask for much more! Will this place blow your mind? Ehhhh. Will I come back for their vegan burger and a cider? Certainly!
(4)
Kathleen D.
A creature of habit, some peculiar, my latest gimmick is that every time I come home after some train or mega bus travel, our next stop straight from the station is Grace Tavern... cause we did that one time, and I liked it, and so now a visit to this chill, neighborhood spot is the ritual hankerin. And it goes a little somethin like this: Perfectly poured pints of Guinness, Grace Tavern's great fries, an order of those blackened green beans w/ remoulade to share, in a small, dimly lit bar...annnd commence the harrowing tales of characters I met on the bus...
(4)
Michelle C.
This bar is the final destination on approximately four out of five nights when I'm out with my boyfriend. It's his neighborhood bar and it's about to become mine, too, so I'm glad Grace and I get along. The menu is limited but the selections are solid. Plus, the kitchen is open late, which is both a very good (drunken munchies) and very bad (morning food regret) thing. People rave about the burgers although I haven't yet tried one. At 1 a.m. I'm usually getting down with the blackened green beans, chicken fingers or fries, which come with a garlic dipping sauce. I am also a fan of the chicken waldorf salad. The rolls used for the sausage sandwiches are absolutely massive, which takes away from the otherwise awesome sausage, but I'd still recommend the sammies, regardless. The beer selection is always great, and the bartenders definitely know their stuff. When I inquired about the 21st Amendment Hop Crisis on tap last weekend, Leo warned me it was an 11% brew. Then he said he would not carry me home if I chose to drink it. Fair enough! I had two, but only because I had gone easy on the boozies earlier in the night. Overall, I feel like Grace has everything a neighborhood bar should have (including the inevitable neighborhood drunkard makin' a fool at the end of any given night). Cheers!
(4)
Tiffany S.
A friend and I went to Grace after reading several bad reviews about the service. However, we were starving and it was close - you throw your standards out the window in situations like that, ya know? Anyhow, we walked in and were immediately greeted by one of the bar tenders. We sat ourselves and another bar tender was over quickly to take our drink orders. After all was said and done, we shared an order of fries, and I had the Grace burger w/ green beans. It. was. mind-blowingly delicious. And the service continued to be awesome! My only complaint was that there was a long hair in our fries.. Eww.. But you know that moment when you swallow your dignity, finish off your drink and carry on with the delicious food? Yeah.. That happened.. And I'm only a little ashamed.
(4)
Seth M.
Great food, great service. Sausages were fantastic....but the blackened green beans stole the show. Great little joint.
(4)
Elleanna D.
Had my first Grace Tavern burger today and it was AMAZING. I love the look and feel of the place, beautiful and cozy. Our server/bartender Mike was awesome and provided extremely nice and fast service. I've found my new favorite spot in Philly.
(5)
Todd B.
I love the neighborhood and ambience of this place that feels very local and friendly. The beer and cider selection is local and diverse, and I enjoyed the banter while I ate my dinner. I chose the chicken sausage on a roll, and the locally made sausage was quite tasty and healthy. The roll? hard, stale. The wait for it was at least 20 minutes on a Monday at 9:30 pm. I would go to Grace for a drink but probably not for a meal in a town of so many great options.
I love Grace because they don't try to be anything they aren't. It's a local walk up with a commitment to good beer and quality fare. Nothing too expensive..and nothing too fancy. The bar is small...the dining room smaller (but always very clean). There's one TV, the bartender controls the music...and you always feel comfortable, by yourself or with a crowd. All the reviews are right...the burgers are great...chicken fingers and fries are as well. Everyone deserves one trip to Grace to see what a gem is hidden in Fitler's Square. Then feel free to go back to your neighborhoods and leave an open seat at the bar for me.
(5)
Brett M.
Worst service and most rude bartenders. I've lived in the neighborhood for 5 years...tried it 2 years ago and had a terrible experience. Tried it again the other day and the service has deteriorated. I'm 30 and the ID nazi carded me and my much older friend. Then walked away without asking what we wanted. We had to flag the same dipshit bartender down to take our order. He then responded, "can I help you?" At that point we walked out and gave our business to doobies, one of the many friendly bars with great beer in GHo. You can find good food and beer anywhere in the neighborhood...sidecar, resurrection, strip club...to name a few within blocks. I don't see how grace tavern will sustain with their customer service.
(1)
Kel H.
Dear blackened green beans: Didn't know how tasty you were Sorry I ate y'all.
(4)
Cameron S.
When we originally came on a Sunday morning, it was a very pleasant experience. We got some good food and decent beer. Went back a second time to this establishment and the bartenders and service were terrible. The bartender tried to act pretentious. The food was blah. The beer was still decent. And the service made me never want to come back again. And that I have not. Sorry Grave Tavern, you fell out of grace for me.
(2)
Leah S.
This intimate local Greys Ferry neighborhood dive bar is just what I love! I love when bars have unique and different selections of beer that I've never had before! (instead of the standard choices and they look at you funny when you ask whats new and exciting) I am a pesky customer who likes to try three beer samples before I make the decision of the night and their bartender was awesome at telling what they had and new ones. (Which they should be). We walked in at 12:30AM and the service was not annoyed even though I was fully aware last call in Philly is always 2am. My friend and I just wanted to catch up with two beers and go home and Grace's tavern was perfect for that. They made me feel welcomed and told ask to come back anytime - They were super cool and now a favorite local bar of mine! Thanks Grace Tavern! on 23rd and Greys Ferry! (Off of South) (There is also my favorite frozen yogurt , Igloo joint and a small fountain across the street!) - Super cute.
(5)
Mike D.
My new year's resolution is to yelp more, who's isn't. So in an effort to start early i would say my best bar experience of the last week was with Lulu at grace tavern. Always enjoyed this place, great draft line and the sausages and burgers are very good. Highlight is the bartenders though, always a nice chat, solid beer suggestions, and great haircuts.
(4)
Sss S.
Had quite the poor experience here last night. Was told the wait for 4 people would be 20min, which got prolonged to 1hr an 15min. Not once was an apology or explanation given by the hostess. Got the Kennett Square burger which was decent. Beer selection was ok but not terribly inspiring.
(1)
Chelsea T.
I miss Reese, the only bartender who seemed to treat anyone kindly here. That sure is a bummer. Many better places to go in the area with better food, better attitude.
(2)
Christopher S.
If you could rate a place strictly on the food and beer, this place would be 4-5 stars. Sadly, I cannot do this. I've been to Grace Tavern a handful of times and always enjoyed the Kelly Burger (bacon cheeseburger) and their blackened green beans are killer. The beer selection is rather decent as well. Some great crafts on there. In my previous visits, the service never floored me, but it hadn't really deterred me from going back. My friends and I have had nights where it'd take almost 20 minutes to get a beverage when there was only one other table seated. Tonight might keep me from going back as the waiter gave us a "you should be so lucky to eat here" attitude. I walked in with two other friends, both men. The waiter directed us to a two-top table that couldn't have been larger than 20" x 30" and was crammed in a corner. We intended on having dinner and drinks and couldn't fathom how we would fit everything on the table and be comfortable. After unsuccessfully trying to find our waiter for a few minutes to ask about another table, we decided to just move to one of the 2 open four-top tables considering there were only 8 other patrons in the restaurant (most of which were at the bar). The waiter comes over to tell us that we could not have that table because "this place fills up quickly and we can't have three people using that large of a table". We tried to tell him how we couldn't all fit there, but he wouldn't hear it. Really, man? You want us to bump knees and elbows in the corner while we eat after coming in from 95 degree weather? No. Instead, he opted for having three existing customers leave angry and hungry because he might get a big rush at 8:30 on a Tuesday night. He also informed us that "Go ahead! Every other place in the city is gonna tell you where you can sit as well" as we walked out the door. Eight minutes later, I walked into The Sidecar Bar & Grille for my first time ever and was told "grab a seat wherever you'd like." I have having to give this review, but the waiter really rubbed me the wrong way and soured my opinion of a place I really liked. There was no reason for him to be so spiteful in us not wanting to sit at a small corner table when there was plenty of space elsewhere. I guess I would suggest there if you're eating alone.
(2)
Vinny P.
This is the kind of place to go hang out with a friend, drink some good beer and not be hassled. Sometimes you want glitz and glamour, or you want to dine at a place that features products created by the hardworking indigenous peoples of wherever. This is not Grace Tavern. Grace satisfies that "it's Monday night, I just went for a run, I want beer and a sausage sandwich" feeling. I met up with the Duke here and we just shot the schiesse while drinking beer. I arrived early and as I sat at the bar, trying samples and sipping on a Monk's Cafe Ale, I read the Philly Beer Scene magazine and it was just cool. When my drinking/dining partner arrived, we saddled up to the bar and just talked about stuff and things while we drank Mongo from Port Brewing (very delicious double IPA). The atmosphere was relaxed and we ended up staying for almost 3 hours because we had no rush to leave and we just hung out and talked with the bartender. No rush, no fuss. That's what this place is, completely chill. I'll be back.
(4)
Kat W.
I have been going to Grace for about 3 years and really used to love this place. Recently however, I have been fed up with the rude staff. I feel some of the staffing changes have had a very negative effect on the vibe. The food is always good, especially the blackened green beans. The beer selection is usually interesting, even if it's not always my taste. But this just can't make up for the stinky bathroom (overwhelming scent of urinal cakes, and not very clean either), or the cold, rude bar tenders I've had to suffer recently. Overall, i would say this is a fine place to stop in if your in the area for just a quick bite or one beer, but it's certainly not a destination.
(2)
Karen L.
This is one of my most frequented bars. The atmosphere is dark and divey, but the beer and food is great. They have delicious pub food: go with the burgers, chicken tenders, and blackened string beans (warning, they are spicy!). The front area with the bar and stools is perfect for hanging out and watching sports on TV, and the back is good for a sit-down meal. There's a good selection of draft beers or $3 PBR pounders, depending on how you're feeling that night. The staff is very attentive and nice too.
(5)
Taylor S.
Love this bar! Its a small dive and if that is not what your into this is not your place. Every time I come here I get the oyster po boy! Absolutely delicious! The burgers are great too. Small tap list but a good selection of tasty brews. 1
(4)
Carla T.
I've been here a few times but came back this past weekend after a long time away from the area. Really glad I did. It's everything I'd want in a neighborhood bar, good beer, good food and good people. The lighting is dim but not too dark; it's a cozy spot. I went with a friend on Saturday afternoon and there were a few people in there but it wasn't crowded. The food and beer were good (I got the Italian sausage sandwich and Ace Pear Cider) and the atmosphere was nice. Will be coming back for sure.
(4)
Marie B.
Once my flight landed in Philadelphia, I went straight to Grace's for my first American meal after two years abroad. It was just as I had remembered. Great service, atmosphere, beer selection, and above all else - FOOD! In my opinion, they have the best cheeseburgers and anybody else I have ever brought there agreed. The best. The end.
(5)
Emily W.
A delicious local pumpkin beer, a spinach and feta chicken sausage with lots of Dijon mustard, and a well-dressed side salad made me one happy camper. This place may be unassuming and super chill, but it has quality food. It's the perfect place for an easy and not-too-expensive night out with friends. Our bartender was attentive and made us feel like regulars even though it was our first time. We split the blackened green beans which were surprise- spicy,!! but i guess that's the point of the remoulade they come with... The only thing I would improve about my otherwise satisfying meal, would be to shrink the size of the baguette the sausage comes in. It's a good baguette, but I ordered a sausage on a baguette- not the other way around. I wish the owners of Monk's and Grace Tavern would get the bread to filling ratio right...
(4)
Lou P.
Keepin' it local Can't decide on a spot? Grace. Never overrun Grace is where I go when I don't feel at all adventurous (read: don't want to go anywhere new) but don't want to leave anything to chance. It's a few blocks away from my place, and it's the de-facto choice when it's 10pm and I don't want to 'go out' for the evening but still want to grab a beer. It's definitely a neighborhood bar, and it's never really crowded no matter when you're there. The kitchen's open late, and you'll pretty much always find a seat. If there's an Eagles or Phillies game on people come out, but mostly it's just a group of regulars and folks who've ventured outside of Center City. The staff is generally friendly, and most of the time you'll catch at least one staff person who's not working chilling on a stool at the bar anyway. While they're mostly great, if you're rude to them, expect some pretty harsh retribution. They don't take kindly to people ruining the generally casual atmosphere, and if you're in the mind to be a moron, they definitely make an example out of you. On the menu tip, all of the burger options are delicious. They really do them up right, perfectly medium-rare for me, and will put whatever you want on them. They're not so huge as to induce a food coma, which thankfully leaves more room for beer. If you're looking for the best burger on the menu, go with the Kellys or South St. Burger. The Kellys has bacon and cheddar, and the South St. has sauteed onions and bleu cheese. They're both pretty stellar. They also have a sausage sandwich menu, as well as some salads. Overall the menu isn't in any way extensive, but perfectly satisfying for the neighborhood and my expectations of the place. If you're looking for something to share, grab a large order of the blackened green beans. I always get them with the burger instead of fries, they're that good. They always have some great beer options, including at least one sour. I believe they have 9 taps, and a selection of bottles as well. They try to keep it pretty mixed (IPA's, whites, stouts, pilsners etc.), so it's definitely a good place for both picky and adventurous beer drinkers. The only real detraction for Grace is that there's only one television. I would love to see a screen somewhere in the back by the tables. Standing in the main bar area to watch a game can get tedious when there's no stools available, and you can't see the TV from the back tables.
(4)
Alexander B.
Great burgers, tasty beers. Good local hang out.
(5)
Steve S.
Can't believe it took 4 years to get back here. We've been thinking of the charred, spicy green beans since that 1st visit. Love this place. The food and service was as perfect as it was 4 yrs. ago. Had 2 of the the Ithaca, Apricot Wheat draft - very enjoyable. To eat we had: the charred green beans, frites w/ Monks great dipping sauce, Nicosia salad with tuna and the Jambalaya. Great prices, good portions, great tasting food. What's not to like.
(5)
Christine B.
We hadn't been here in a long time and wanted to check out their Beer Week event for the first night of PBW. When we got there, there were only 2 or 3 other tables occupied, we ordered a flight of beers, and were ready for a nice meal. 10+ minutes after ordering our flight, the waitress/bartender comes back to confirm what beers we had ordered, which was good because she remembered none of them. The rest of the tables are filled, all other tables get their beers, and eventually food before we get our flight of 5 tastes of beer. We waited over half an hour to get one flight, and people who had gotten there 10-15 minutes after us were eating before we even had drinks. With our frustration level already sky high, our food comes out. My VEGAN (not vegetarian) burger has a slice of cheddar cheese on it, which was supposed to be on my boyfriend's chicken sandwich. I get it, things get mixed up sometimes, but then the kitchen staff member who brought the food out argued with me about how my burger was still vegan with a slice of cheese on it. He obviously didn't even know what vegan meant, and I really didn't feel comfortable eating something "vegan" from a kitchen that doesn't know that word means "no dairy". We cancelled our food order, paid for the half-foam flight we got after 45 minutes and left. I've never had such a horrendous dining experience and will definitely not be going back there ever. I know it was a busy night, I know they seemed woefully understaffed, but everyone next to us was taken care of well before we were, and we had been there first (and ordered right away). There's a million better places to spend your money and get better service.
(1)
Christine B.
Great neighborhood bar. Stopped in a Sunday afternoon for some lunch/dinner. My friend and I each tried a new beer. Mine was better than his. I ordered a cheeseburger and he had the sausage sandwich. We did have to wait a super long time for our food, but it was really good. I'm not sure what happened because other people that came in after us got their good right away. My burger was awesome as were the fries and of course the Monk's dipping sauce. I live in the neighborhood so I will definitely be back.
(4)
Steph P.
I really wanted to like this place. Went in with a group of girlfriends on a Saturday and ate at the bar. Bartender was friendly and mostly attentive. And, the burger I ordered was delicious. Well, it was delicious until I woke up violently ill with food poisoning the next morning, and checked in with my friends who were also feeling sick. When I finally was able to crawl off of my couch and get back into the office, my coworkers informed me that this place is notorious for experiences like this. I wouldn't know - it was only my first (and likely last) time. If you're headed here, best stick to the booze.
(1)
Nikki V.
Blackened green beans & Anchor Steam & the beer cooler is always wearing a new seasonal hat.
(4)
Kim J.
Damn but their food is tasty. I've actually had dreams about the Spicy green beans- yes, they are spicy enough to warrant an upper-case "s". The tuna burger is also close to divine, but be sure to order fries or you'll feel left out since it comes with a salad. The burgers are quite tasty and you might not feel like you have any room left for beer, but you better save some- they've got pretty nice ones on tap. Last time for me, it was Stoudt's Scarlet Lady. Yum. The tin ceilings are great, but too bad the place is tiny and there's only room for a few tables. It is indeed a "lovingly restored" pub and I wish there were more places like this!
(5)
Peter B.
Not a fan of the food, but I really like the atmosphere...dark, small old-style Irish taproom with the Fergie's touch. Crowd is a mix of hipsters and G-Ho young professionals. I miss it now that I live miles away.
(3)
Larissa S.
We love Grace Tavern! My roommate and I go here all of the time because its near our house and everything is done right: from the friendly, genuine service to the perfectly cooked burgers. The burgers are the best we've had in Philly, and the $8-$9 price tag is just an added bonus. They also have a nice selection of beer including some choices from local breweries, and although their fries are just o.k., the sauce that comes with them its amazing. Go! You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Chihee K.
Dark, old, eclectic little dive bar. The beer was good but the place just doesn't make me feel comfortable. I wouldn't take a date or a friend visiting from out of town to this little joint.
(2)
Philee M.
I have a little secret to share with Yelp reviewers: I am a cheating vegetarian. So I eat a burger or other red meat about once a year when someone says there's something I HAVE to eat or I just want to go for it. So I recently cheated at Grace Tavern b/c my husband--who NEVER EVER eats hamburgers told me the burgers there were good. Huh? Since when did you eat a burger? Anyway, I ate the whole thing right up. It was charcoaly and tasty and delicious. The fries were my favorite of the Monk's, Belgian, Fergie's, Grace group, too. Yum!
(4)
Meghan H.
Oyster Po' Boy. Wow. Seriously, I crave this sandwich. And the sauce they serve with it is delicious on the sandwich as well as the fries. Add to that an effortlessly laid back atmosphere, low prices, and great beer selection, and you have an excellent neighborhood spot.
(4)
Heather C.
This is definitely my favorite favorite pub to come and grab a burger/sandwich and stay for a couple of beers. The beers on tap are great, and the green beans are to die for ( phillymag.com/dining_foo… ). Bartender is friendly. Service can be slow if they're busy and you're not eating at the bar. Bathroom is scary. All to be expected!
(5)
Lauren D.
You know, I really like Grace Tavern. For some reason I was pretty intimidated by it at first but it's a nice place. It attracts a good mix of people and is usually way less crowded than Monk's, it's sister restaurant. Although I have only really gone there at 1am so that could be why. ANYWAY, I know everyone brags about the fries at Monk's (hell, I did too) but believe me when I say that the fries at Grace trump them completely. they are thicker and the seasoning is a lot better. I haven't had a chance to try the other food but people have told me that their Po' Boys are delicious. Another good thing about Grace is that their kitchen is open until 2am, where as most bars close their kitchen early. This way you can satisfy those drunchies without having to make that Wawa run post-bar. Oddly enough, the same bartender has been there all the times that I've been there too. His name is Joey and he seems like a really good guy, as well as a great bartender. My friend came along the first two times I went there and he remembered us, which instantly made us feel welcome (apparently it's now our official local bar too, but those are Joey's words, not mine :X). Grace Tavern is a great place with a slightly dive-ish feel to it. Although I would recommend going before 1am because you won't want to leave after an hour ;]
(5)
Tim C.
Bar tender is a complete hand job. Very rude. Won't be going back to try the food.
(2)
mary l.
Good beers on draught, decent prices $5-6/each. I have to confess that on this night, beer wasn't a priority but food was. And it was surprisingly great quality/totally hit the spot. The kenneth burger (medium) with cheddar and mushrooms was so juicy and had great meat flavor. It was simple by prepared really well. The burger came with fries and Cajun spices all over. It was totally unexpectedly delish. On top of that, we had sauteed green beans with blackened Cajun spices and a remoulade sauce that took the beans to another level. Chicken apple sausage was pretty good too, quite ginormous, with a heap of greens. Totally divey atmosphere with bartenders who seem like they've worked there forever.
(4)
Eugenia C.
pros: - sweet jesus, the chicken tenders are good - the bourbon sauce for the fries are to die for - reese, one of the bartenders there, is a total sweetheart - excellent beer choices cons: - i'm pretty sure the bathroom doors dont lock - actually, come to think of it, the bourbon sauce for the fries may be laced with crack. there is no other explanation for it being THAT good and that addictive.
(5)
michelle p.
I went here with some friends after a night out ice skating. The service was fast for midnight on a friday night. They had seating available, which the first time I tried to have a drink here they didn't have any. The staff was knowledgeable about the beer that they had on tap and was pretty attentive. We ordered the fries and they were gobbled up fast, because they were delicious.
(4)
Tom A.
Grace Tavern, it took me a long time to get here, but I did. Had to wait till after the second trip, and food, to write the review. So here goes nothing. Been here two times, on weekend nights, both times walked right up to a seat at the bar. Good start. The tap menu is slim, and two of those spots are/were ciders, step backwards. The bottle list was a bit beefier though. step forward. Atmosphere was the right kind for me, chill, pressed tin ceiling, long bar and little dining room. Another step ahead. The bartenders were cool, although a bit busy. Peak Organic Pale Ale was really good. Then there is the food. Everyone on here was raving about the Blackened Green Beans, so I had to try the small ($2.00) size of them. When I got them I couldn't believe they were only 2 bucks... there was more than I or my buddy could eat, and actually I didn't feel right eating them. I just know they can't be any good for you. Greasy, flavored of all the other things that were ever cooked there ever, and just a little too much. if that makes sense. I can see why people go ape for them, but I was a bit weary. I also had a burger with bleu cheese and something, cooked almost completely rare, that scared me too, but I ate it and it was really really damn good. (the next days trips to the toilet led me to believe I should have gotten it a little more cooked). They make a note on the menu of calling fries 'frites' and guess what, they were plain old SYSCO frozen french fries (the time I was there anyway). My buddy commented that "the frites were good" and I nearly put him in the million dollar dream for using the term frites on obviously standard issue fries. Anyway, after I berated him on that we got on to a good night at drinking at a very nice bar. Last note... my favorite beer here is at $5.00, 50 cents cheaper than anywhere else I know about. POPE, you have been beat on that finally... And for anyone who wants to know, that beer is La Fin Du Monde, so if you are reading and know you can get it for 5 or less alert me so I can track it on the "LaFindex" which right now is hovering around 6 bucks a bottle. Thanks.
(4)
Totally I.
Since I'm not a fan of Monks - I like Grace. The atmosphere is a bit less cave-esque. The beer on tap is fairly genaric, but not bad (genaric as in Lager, Yards, Dogfish head - as opposed to Bud, Bud light, yak, yak, yak) but the bottle selection is quite eclectic, tasty, and slightly pricey - but no more so than the Foodery, the only non-bar you'll find these guys in in Philly. Food's pub+ food... that gastro-pub type thing that's going around. The staff is a kick. Sadly, the clientele seems less and less diverse... maybe it's that monstrocity of urbanity - Naval Square that's finally being populated. Oh, and the Neighborhood is Devil's Pocket! Don't let the realtors YUPify the vernacular. I'd add... in my all things hated of Monks, the same bottles of beer are more reasonably priced at Grace - even if they share the same owner.
(4)
J D.
First off, I don't get this Philly thing that bartender's seem to be annoyed that their reading has been interrupted by a customer??!! The bartender then proceeds to go back and read and never looks up again until I am walking out the door. There are more complaints, but that's enough actually, pretty much sums it up.
(1)
Kay B.
I was very disappointed by Grace Tavern. I seemed to have always held Grace on a pedestal, as if it were one of the best pubs in the city. I hadn't been there in years, and my husband and I went there yesterday for a pint around 4:30pm. While the beer selection was wonderful, the two beers that we bought cost $12 total. And at 4:30pm! If you go to most places at that hour, there are happy hour specials and you rarely pay more than $3 for even the tastiest of brews. Moreover, the bartender was quite gruff and barely acknowledged us when we arrived. After taking her time in getting to us, we ordered our beers. When I questioned the $8 change we received on a $20 bill, she simply said, 'yea, your Manayunk Black Eye PA was $5.50 plus tax, which comes out to $6.05; as if I was crazy to even question a $6 happy hour pint. plus, who charges tax on beer? um, Grace Tavern, this is not New York City - and you are not that cool.
(2)
Omar E.
Yeah, fuck this place. The end.
(1)
Kathy L.
A hidden gem. Delicious spot for burgers and beer. It's more tilted toward the dive scene than pub atmosphere, but that's all a part of the charm. The service here is excellent, even by restaurant standards. Our server was a great host - really attentive and knowledgeable - despite it being a busy friday night. My advice would be to stick to the burgers. We've tried the jambalaya and it was ok, but not great. Would have been a disappointment if it was the main event and not serving as an appetizer. The double fried fries are good. If you get the string beans instead - watch out - they're pretty spicy.
(4)
Stephen H.
The server was a trip on this Thursday night..super friendly, with a hint theatrics, adds to the fun. It's amazing how much a little personality behind the bar, can make a a neighborhood bar, the kind of place you walk out of your way for. I had the jambalaya and it was done well with all the ingredients mixing, sometimes that doesn't happen. My friend liked her hot sausage, ( thats a n awkward sentence) and who would have thunk, that green beans were the perfect bar snack. Reasons why this place didn't hit the big 4or 5 star are it gets crowded even on a week night. You have to eat practical on your neighbors lap. finally, its very hot in there. first visit was in early May, and it was sweltering, did drink my beers fast, so for them its a plus. I was going to stop in two weeks ago, but as I went inside the heat hit me in the face, so I left. last night it was un seasonably cool, so i decided perfect night for a visit, and I was right. I think come Fall, i will be frequenting this nice bar more often.
(3)
Tim O.
The drink prices are fair. The bartenders aren't even close to being dicks. They're friendly with a strong pour. And maybe they'll even smoke some tree with you. A bit small and no jukebox. Music controlled beyond the bar. Those are the only downsides. Nice and dark and not too hip. I'd definitely go back. I'm surprised it took me so long to come.
(4)
Vince R.
Good place. Nice beer selection. Service is a bit slow but prices make up for it. Divey but in a classy way.
(4)
rey b.
strolled in on a grey sunday afternoon with a friend to find out what all the fuss is about. there were 2 other patrons at the bar & a large table of people sitting in the back dining room. the bartender got our drink order, 2 sodas & 2 coffees. for some odd reason, we had to wait a bit longer than anticipated for our beverages. we placed our brunch order & chatted & chatted & chatted. we weren't sure why our salad, blackened green beans, & eggs benny were taking so long, so we asked the bartender if it'd be much longer for our food. she mentioned the large table placed an order right before us, so it would be out momentarily. the food was tasty, but we were disappointed about the 45 minute wait for our brunch. hoping the bartender would at least comp our sodas, the check arrived, everything was on the bill. i guess i'd give this place another shot based on all the lip service this place gets, but don't be surprised if you wait a long time for your meal. it's a shame because i enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere & the food was reasonably priced. maybe i just need to return in the evening for a proper dinner.
(2)
Karma B.
I love everything about this place. It's small, the bartenders know their trade. The food is nothing super fancy but always well prepared and good. Great burgers here. Blackened green beans are awesome and I hate vegetables. Beer a plenty. This is a pretty cool place for Philly. The crowd is very grounded. Not for hipsters or socialites.
(5)
Jason O.
Yes it's a bar with beer and stuff but OMG the jambalaya and the blackened string beans. O. M. G.
(5)
To M.
Good beer selection and delicious burgers. Great "old man bar" atmosphere. Some hipsters, but all are welcome.
(4)
Nicole R.
Grace has everything you need in a pub-- great, simple pub food (the Jambalaya is unspeakably delish and the blackened string beans provide a tasty alternative to french fries), a varied beer selection including many local microbrews and craft beer as well as Belgians (try Orval...) The bartenders are really great. Say hi to Reece and Lulu who play great music and are personable AND snarkastic. It is no surprise that this is one of Fergie's places. It has that smart simplicity that makes his establishments so successful.
(5)
Jake P.
Great secret of the highly-ignored Gray's Ferry section of the city. Grace's has one of the better beer lists per price in the city. From $4-7, you can sample some belgium brews like the bigtimers. What's more, the extremely-friendly staff is more than happy to offer suggestions or field questions, so as not to be pretentious like so many barkeeps. The food is served late, and better than your average pub grease. The menu is very original, like the beer list. I like the dark lighting, the loud conversation, the prime '80s New-Wave/Indie music, and the friendliest staff in this section of the city. Grace's is a well-kept secret, so be careful who you tell... [says the guy posting it online]
(4)
Jesse M.
I really like the vibe of this place. I recently spent the past Sunday watching football here for over seven hours. I had a blast speaking with the bartenders and other patrons. Good selection of beers, the food is decent and reasonably priced. Someone needs to tell me what the dipping sauce is that comes with the fries because I can't get enough of it. If I could fill my bathtub with this sauce and throw a bunch of different food items in there I would be in heaven.
(4)
heather j.
good cheap food, but don't look to be impressed. the cajun green beans are a must to try. great beer selection, but a dollar more in price than the god dog. small bar, Reese (bartender) is the best!
(3)
matt h.
Only been here once but it was a fun place. Interior is small but there is a back section with tables. They have a great selection of beer including some fantastic imports on draft. I was there on a Saturday afternoon with some friends and the bartender was very kind and didn't mind our nighttime behavior. If you go def. check out their burgers - I recommend the Kennett Square Burger.
(4)
boz V.
Hadn't been to this place since they opened and I never tried the food. The wife and I got out of the 90 degree heat and sat down at a tiny table tucked into a dark corner. Stoked. We both couldn't resist the description of the South Street burger, and ordered up two. She got the blackened green beans on the side while I went with the traditional frites. The burger was real good. Bleu cheese and sauteed onions. What took it to the awesome level for me was the brioche bun. Perfect size and a nice texture. My only complaint is that the famous Monk's mayo for the fries was a bit too salty. My wife noticed there were capers in there so maybe it was that. We washed it all down with a couple drafts, Ithaca Apricot Wheat and Lagunitas Dogtown Pale Ale. Not sure if that's named after the Venice surf/ skateboard scene that started in the 70's, but I like to think that it is. They had nine taps and a decent selection of bottles. Recommended, brah.
(4)
Veronica Y.
This is one of my local bars. Make sure you go on nights of the week when Reese is working the bar. The other guy is a complete asshole and will make you cry. The food is cheap, quick to come out, and surprisingly good for bar food. Decent selection of beers and drinks.
(4)
Amanda F.
Totally empty at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon, we were greeted by an adorable, gigantic German Shepard-type dog, and grabbed the big round table next to the bar. The bartender didn't mind that we sat there for ages, only ordered chicken fingers (delicious) and fries (with an awesome sauce), an iced tea, and some beer. It was a pretty nice place to hang out, have a nice conversation, a drink and a snack.
(4)
Jonathan B.
Rude service to regulars. I have been going to Grace Tavern for years and have spent hundreds of dollars at this place. It is generally fine -- they have a decent beer selection and pretty good food -- but tonight I was encountered by such rudeness by the staff that I will likely never go to Grace again. I was sitting at a table with 6 other people, each of whom ordered and finished food and 1-2 beers, and after 30 minutes, a couple of us had ordered another round. We were forced to get up from our table because people apparently needed to sit there, yet no one was seated for quite some time. I calmly asked the staff member why he made us get up, and he yelled, wouldn't allow me to get a word in edge wise, and failed to listen. I'm taken aback as to how unappreciative they are of their customers, and tonight they lost several regulars.
(1)
Sally f.
i love this place. great food!!!! the greenbeans - wow. the servers are friendly. my boyfriends uncle brings his two little kids here all the time and they always have coloring books and crayons. it really is nice to be able to bring up kids in the city and have them experince real south philly. i read someone else said theres no typical croud here - i realize now thats true and how nice that is.
(4)
John T.
Grace Tavern is, was, and always will be my favorite bar. Sadly I'm no longer in Philadelphia, but I always make a pilgrimage whenever I return to my old 'hood. The beer list is top notch, as you'd expect from a Monk's subsidiary. But the atmosphere, music and food really make it. Fantastic service - Rees and Leo rule, though newcomers who don't know what to expect sometimes can be taken aback. This is not a place to do shots and jagerbombs; it's way more low key than that (and the bartenders will let you know). Best burger. Best fries. Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Grace was the homemade cake. If I had lots of money, I'd invest in a teleport solely to be able to still go to Grace for a late night beer, some fries and a piece of chocolate stout cake.
(5)
Warren A.
We popped in for a late night snack and some beers. We chatted with the bartender and ate some of their great slightly-spicy french fries. Bliss.
(4)
Kingsley S.
Fun out of the way bar with really good food. The burgers are reliable as is the rest of the menu. Love the beer selection. The service is not in your face but gets it done. The decor is old world charm.
(4)
Retset Y.
went on a saturday night with only one bartender tending the entire bar plus the tables. this meant it took forever to get our drink, food and check. however, the burger and fries was so good! i think it was the actual bun that made the burger and they use old bay seasoning (i think) on the fries (which i like) and it's served with a yummy aoli. beer selection is not bad. they just need to hire another bartender and/or server.
(3)
astro t.
I've been to Grace Tavern on many occasions and it has been great all the time. Sometimes crowded, Grace Tavern has a pub atmosphere with great burgers, sausages and fries. Beers are tasty as well, associated with the Nodding Head Brewery, Monks'. The bartenders do what they do, sometimes talkative sometimes not. It's become a good place to hang out and relax afterwork to grab a drink. There's some seating in the rear and then the bar and wall counter in front.
(5)
Rachel B.
this place has fantastic burgers and fries (with bay seasoning). don't bother telling them how you want your burger cooked, it's always the same and always good. it's dark and quiet enough to talk but not quiet enough that everyone else knows your business. grace is best on weeknights when not that crowded.
(5)
matthew l.
Monk's took an old old style neighborhood taproom and converted it into a new new style neighborhood bar. Fairly small. Good food with great fries, sausages and burgers with the signature deep fried green beans hugely overrated. Excellent selection of beers and we have always gotten a server who is knowledgeable about them. Great juke box. This place puzzles me as people who go are usually split in their opinion of the food and service, though everyone loves the beer. We began going when Monk's got so difficult to get in. Despite the controversy that it sparks, we have never had anything but a great time at Grace.
(3)
scott s.
these sandwiches are great. the blackened green beens are great. the beer is great. lulu and rees are great. i got nothing else to say. great great great
(4)
Michael M.
Grace Tavern is old reliable. Good vegan burgers (same as the other Fergie-Tom Peters restaurants), great fries, excellent blackened green beans, and my carnivore friends swear by their real burgers. The beer selection is good, with a nice mix of local drafts (including Nodding Head Grog fairly often) and the always awesome Monk's Sour Ale. Service is occasionally good (Reese is a fantastic dude), occasionally spotty and unnecessarily stuck up. It's small, attracts a good mixed crowd--professional drunks, hipsters, runoff from the Penn Museum (pre-South-St-Bridge-closing), and neighborhood locals. The space is beautiful and rarely too packed, and is by far the best option in the neighborhood (haven't yet tried Pub & Kitchen, but Grace blows Ten Stone and Doobies away). So, relaxed, good beer, and good food. Pretty perfect for a neighborhood bar which doesn't try to be anything else, much to the chagrin of trendbots who have managed to find their way out of Old City.
(4)
Una M.
Great place in G-Ho which is more and more a "destination" in the city. I obsess over the sausage sandwich. Prices are fair, food is good and it is not pretentious.
(5)
Diana G.
This is a pretty congenial place, but I'm still not sure why it was awarded "Best Bar" by a couple different publications. There's a definitely after-work professional crowd, along with locals and some folks who seem to travel from other parts of the city. I love the apple-walnut salad with ORGANIC chicken, but the nicoise salad was not impressive. Grace Tavern is more of a bar with food, rather than a food place. It's dark wood-paneled, which lends a colonial feel, with a long bar as you walk in. The staff are very personable, if not always able to spend lots of time with each table. It's definitely a gauntlet, though, as one walks in, with easily 90% of the crowd young men. It gets loud, crowded, and kind of scene-y on weekend evenings. Seated at the tables in the back are couples of all ages, though, and friends out for a quick bite. Interesting beer variety, reasonably priced. I go for the convenience, if not the food, necessarily.
(3)
Zina R.
Best bar in Philadelphia? That's a stretch. It's dark and there are always a few hipsters brooding at the bar. Also, ever since the PW article, it has consistently been packed with loud, obnoxious kids who look and act like they're fresh out of high school. But the food and Rees make up for it all. The burgers are flavorful and moist sandwiched b/w the most amazing le bus brioche roll. My favorite is the kelly burger. The sausages are perfectly seasoned. I often daydream about the tuna burger. So so good. And don't discount the chicken fingers and fries. I could eat them for every meal. The chicken is juicy and the outside has just the right amount of crispiness. And the (horseradish?) dipping sauce for the fries is like crack. Dip your burger in it and you'll be temporarily transported to heaven. But when you get back to earth you'll realize you're still in a small dark and dingy bar and you need another high life (i'm no beer snob). I only go when Rees is working and he's a total sweetheart. The other bartenders are not quite as...friendly.
(4)
emmalee c.
Came in during a Sunday afternoon. The bartender was awesome. There was only one other person in the whole place and she was another Grace worker who was also friendly and pretty cool. We all hung out and drank and ate. I had never been here and heard from friends (and yelp friends) that the burgers are bitchin. I am a phanatic so I got the Kelly (?) burger and the cajun beans. Slammin, the food was awesome. They had my favorite beer on tap, It was my lucky day. The cook came out and hung out with us after he was done, again, another awesome friendly guy. I came back again another night and it was packed. Service was still awesome. They put the Simpsons on and my boyfriend jizzed his pants. I love Grace.
(4)
Wade W.
I dig the place. Sure it helps its 60 yards from my in-laws house but always feel the waitstaff is courteous. Food is good and the Guinness is perfect. I will always pop in here when visiting my in-laws, who by the way, think highly of GT as well.
(4)
Anna M.
I guess being voted the best bar in philadelphia sent my expectations soaring to unreasonable proportions. Realistically, there wasn't anything grossly objectionable about Grace, but I left feeling disappointed. Echoing what's been said by a few folks before, the service on my visit was surly and offputting. My buddy with me leaned over soon after our first interaction with the bartender and asked in a hushed voice, "Why does she hate me?" Good question. Couldn't tell him. It was the kind of service that made me want to crawl over the bar and pour the brews on my own. The plus side to Grace Tavern, and it is a major plus: Walking in during the afternoon hours makes you feel like a film noir star. The sunlight peeks in and casts gorgeous shadows over the deep dark room, and you feel as though you could be a lonely, forgotten housewife embarking on an ill-advised affair with the private eye you hired to investigate your adulterous hubby. That kind of cinematic atmosphere is rare and precious, so soak it up kids. Hell, maybe the pissy service adds to the dramatic effect.
(3)
Rebecca M.
Let me start by saying that we live in the neighborhood and that this was our favorite go-to bar for years. We would come here with friends from out-of-town, after a really late night at work for dinner, and sometimes on a random afternoon for a cold drink on a hot and sweaty day when we were too gross to go anywhere else. We had made this place part of our lives. My father-in-law had been here back in the 80's and was thrilled to see new ownership. My best friend (raised by a bar-owning family) had given it approval way before the Philly Weekly did. Reasons we loved it back then: blackened green beans, fries like at Monk's when you don't want to deal with the wait there, great beer selection, unpretentious, perfect amount of dive and grime. But we had a inconceivable experience about a year and a half ago and have never been back. And I think that other people should skip it as well. January 1, 2009. I know it was a holiday and bad manners can sometimes be excused by the stress that comes with it, but bear with me. My cousins and brother are in-town and we are headed to the Poconos the next day for our annual, under-40, family ski-day. We drop by Grace's for a low-key dinner and some beers. It's not that crowded and we get the big round table without much wait. My cousin, who has learning disabilities and is also a bartender, goes to order a beer he had never heard of before and has trouble pronouncing it (I know you have all had this problem with imports somewhere). He tries to order the beer and the bartender snaps at him because he can't understand what he said. My cousin becomes flustered and apologizes and says he didn't know how to pronounce it. The bartender snarls, "If your mouth wasn't full when you were trying to talk, I could hear what you were saying." My cousin wasn't eating. My cousin then proceeds to says that he is sorry, he has dyslexia, points to the menu, and asks how to pronounce it. The bartender essentially calls him a liar. At this point in time, I talk my slightly inebriated kid brother out of starting a honor fight on his cousin's behalf and we (now unhappily) finish our dinner and our round and go to leave. I've had conversations with this bartender before. He's given me samples, offered beer education, mentioned his favorite books. I figure he is having an off-night. On the way out, I approach the bartender and tell him about how we are regulars, about how my cousin does have disabilities, and that I am upset by how he treated my family. He essentially tells me to go fuck myself. Again, I have to talk my kid brother out of a brawl. And that is why I have given up blackened green beans.
(1)
Colin C.
Craving fries and beer, my friend and I stumbled around the block from her apartment to Grace, which was overflowing on this Saturday night. Squeezing through the unruly, largely professional-looking crowd which seemed to be producing demonic voices like that of Linda Blair's from the Exorcist, we felt lucky to find a table for two open in the back. Amidst the chaos, the only things that kept me there were the retro tin paneling on the walls and ceiling and the incredible basket of fries. The fries were great, though I would say they are comparable to Monk's in terms of deliciousness (especially since they come with the Monk's dippin sauce) and I don't think I will ever go back to Grace for more. In the end, the 45 minute wait for a server to acknowledge my friend and me was a major put-off. The surly waiter stomped back and forth past our table without even saying hi. It was probably the worst service I've received in Philadelphia, and it just made me feel sad.
(3)
Mark P.
Ok this is tough for me...went there a bunch of times when Reese was bartending and had a great time. However this past Saturday afternoon me, my gf another friend and his gf went there for a drink after we got back from a pool party . We were joking around cracking each other up just having a good time when the super skinny wanna be rocker bartender comes over and asks us if we can keep it down because people were complaining - aka his 3 friends at the bar. Last time I checked it was a bar and not a library. My gf is a bartender and I work in the nightclub industry and have never seen people laughing and having a good time told to tone it down. Def sticking to going there when Reese is behind the bar
(4)
Lucy H.
I didn't think I would like this place, but it kind of grew on me - it had a nice crowd. The bar keeps are extremely friendly and my husband loved his tuna steak sandwich - he especially loved the fries. I thought the food was reasonably priced. I say it's well worth a visit and plan to hang out for a bit and some of their great beers!
(3)
Margaret F.
This bar is a place I return to again and again. Get the blackened green beans.
(4)
J K.
Leo, the Napoleonic bartender at Grace, is the most obnoxious person I have encountered in my entire life. IF the food here was even halfway decent, and for soggy fries and mediocre burgers, it's not, it still wouldn't be worth being verbally assaulted by an angry bartender who is clearly trying to compensate for a small penis. I love beer and burgers. There are hundreds of good places to find them in Philadelphia, several within a few blocks of Grace. If you respect yourself at all and wish to be treated like a human being, take your business elsewhere. I'm better than that. So are you.
(1)
Simon L.
Back when the south street bridge is still open, this is where I will always stopped between Penn and my apartment. I moved to Philly for Penn not knowing a soul, Reese and James (the owner) are amazing. I miss this place so much. If you are able to make it here, you must, must, try the grace burger with the green beans.
(5)
Shaun O.
After our dodgeball games. the team and I have been sampling the local bars in the neighborhood. After a semi-victorious run in the playoffs (we beat the #17 seed and were competitive with the #1 seed before losing), we decided to give Grace Tavern a shot. I was initially hesitant as I remember this place being packed. For a Wednesday night, we were able to score a table for 7. Plus-friendly bartender who made sure to go out of his way to strike up conversation with us. Beer selection was amazing too. I had their spinach and sausage sandwich, which was quite tasty. We definitely lucked out as folks were raving about their fries and the beers there. I was about 4 deep in before we called it a night-so it was definitely a good spot for us to hit up after dodgeball on a Wednesday night.
(4)
Carlo D.
OK burgers and great fries
(3)
Stephen C.
As others have stated, this is a place that I frequent when I'm doing a night out in my neighborhood. It's one of those small neighborhood finds that I somehow want to keep it under cover so it doesn't get too crowded. The beer selection is always rotating and everything I've tried on the menu has been excellent. The only thing to add is that during Philly Beer Week, this place hosts some cool events. I went to a Sam Adams/Naked Chocolate event a couple years back. I got some beer, chocolate and a pretty cool t-shirt for free. They have a few events like this during the week and I think having these events in an intimate setting like Grace makes it all the better. It's a unique place to go, the staff is excellent but please don't tell too many people about it! ;)
(4)
Jackie C.
GREAT BURGERS! GREAT GREEN BEANS! bad bad bad bad service. If you can stomach being treated with no respect but love your burgers this is the place for you. It seems like most of their servers here were told by management they should act as if you are imposing by ordering food. It's the "I'm so annoyed I have to wait on you attitude". It's a shame I feel like more people would go back if they service didn't suck. Regardless I have been going here for years because I love there burgers. I can't seem to get enough of them. I have just learned to order take out and have a beer while I wait (be careful one time we waited 2 hours, although we suspect our bartender was not all there, I have only seen him once and never again) AGAIN LOVE THE BURGERS!!!
(3)
Holly T.
Grace Tavern is a great neighborhoody little bar. It has a more casual feel than some of the more blatantly gastropubby bars in the area, and occupies a pleasant spot in between the divey-ness of Doobies and the more high-end feel of Pub & Kitchen. Just a simple place to get a good beer and a good bar food without any pretension. I love their blackened green beans, which make for a brilliant bar snack, as well as their fries. I have yet to try their burger, but it looks amazing and is a great price compared to some of the other burgers in the neighborhood. The beer selection is very good for the most part, though they do have a few macro-ish beers on draft. They have a great location, and I love the things they do for the neighborhood, including participating in the low-key Plazapalooza festival. I'm glad to have this as one of our beer options in the neighborhood!
(4)
Justin B.
Grace Tavern has one of the most delicious burgers my taste buds have ever experienced. Their fries are currently the number 1 fries in the city (in my opinion) My only qualm is that i live too far from this place, if i lived closer i would be a much happier person.
(5)
James G.
God help anyone who enters this hole!! It's run by rude and, quite frankly, ugly toothless people! We went in on a Friday night and stood at the bar for 15 mins. Being a bartender I'm very patient but nobody even looked toward the bar. Why? Because the 2 people working were working the bar and tabled and, apparently, the tables were more important. It got so infuriating that, eventually, I shouted out at the top of my voice....yoooo!! When I was noticed he asked, very condescendingly, have you approached the bar??? No!!! I was just standing here for fun you toothless goon!! Cut a long story short the staff here were rude, slow and, quite frankly, disgusting!!! Never, ever ever give these tramps your hard earned money because they dint appreciate it!!
(1)
Elizabeth D.
This is a really chill place to grab a burger and a beer. The proximity to a friend's place was definitely a draw, but I was really happy to finally try it out. It's small, but it was not crowded at all for a Saturday. Our server was nice, but a little erratic. Great selection of rotating drafts. The blackened green beans as an appetizer were delicious! Leftovers the next day were reportedly equally good. My Kelly's Burger with cheddar and bacon was quite good. Not as medium rare as I usually enjoy, but it hit the spot. Fries on the side were crispy! Tab for three people was just about $45. Great spot in the area if you are looking for something casual.
(4)
Janek J.
Small neighborhood tavern with tin ceiling that serves good food in a casual atmosphere and attracts customers from a wider area than would be expected. It COULD be a bit brighter. The blackened green beans are to die for. GREAT burgers. One server, Lulu, is particularly friendly and accommodating. Now that they' have placed tables and chairs in the triangular park at 23rd and South Streets to serve food and drinks, sitting outside under trees, next to a fountain, would be a LOT more pleasant if they weeded, cleaned, and cared for the park that Odunde claims, but does not maintain.
(3)
lyndsey F.
Well sometimes life changes for the better and because of some phenomenal life changes, I have been to Grace pretty much every other night for the past two weeks. They have a great selection of beers (although I'm not a huge beer drinker) and they have two different kinds of bottled Anchor, which i do love! They have a decent Cabernet for $5 a glass and they have an amazing burger. Apparently their Jambalaya is on point too, but I have yet to taste it. Everyone that works there is lovely. And it is all in all a really great neighborhood place.
(5)
Leslie M.
I've been meaning to write something nice about Grace Tavern for a long time. When my boyfriend and I moved to Philly two years ago, we wandered around our neighborhood looking for a bar that could be our "home" bar. We found it in Grace for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the service. We love the bartenders, especially Rees and Mike. They were some of the first people we met in Philly and I'm always happy to walk in Grace and see them, even if it's too busy to chat. Second, the burgers are the best. Get them with the beans or the fries. It doesn't even matter which burger you order, it's going to be the best. Third, it's a comfortable atmosphere. Come here after work. Come before a night out. Stagger in afterwards. It's always welcoming and you're not going to be surrounded by idiot college kids. We don't make it to Grace as often as we used to, but it will always be our "home" bar for these reasons. A side rant: Why are so many adults walking around without their ID's? What if something would happen to you? Please lay off the staff for carding you, IT'S THEIR JOB no matter how old you look. Most people wouldn't go to your place of work, ask you to bend the rules, and then get upset when you don't. Let's say you are an accountant and I came to your office and simply told you, I made 30k this past year. Would you do my taxes? No. Because it's illegal and you would be liable, right? Give them a break, they're liable too.
(5)
Michael P.
I'd heard a lot of hype about Grace Tavern before going there, and I finally got the chance a few weeks ago, meeting up with a friend from work. Now that I've been there, I'm not really sure where I fall on it. I like the nice, unpretentious bar feel, the dark wood and tin ceiling, combined with the lone tube tv give it a throwback feel. The tap had a moderate selection, but it was the situation where despite being a step beyond the usual suspects, nothing really interested me. I never really got a look at the bottle list either. The bartenders were engaging, which is always a plus. We split a basket of the fried green beans, which were pretty good. A deeper sample of their menu might raise my opinion, but really, I wasn't very impressed. The few small tables in the back seem like an afterthought. I don't think I would really describe it as a dive, but it toes the line between dive and neighbourhood haunt. If you're in the area, its probably worth a visit, but I wouldn't call it a destination, worth traveling to.
(3)
Mike T.
Mediocre tap selection, especially for an establishment that advertisers in craft beer publications. One of those dark lighting bars, too dark in my opinion. And a staff that needs to step up their level of customer service. If the owner catches reads this, retrain your staff or fire them, it will be to your benefit. They get the 2 stars, because it is decent bar with a couple tasty brews. Just do not expect anything special on tap or to be served by friendly people.
(2)
YelpHatesMe Y.
We'll go 3 1/2 here, based solely on the burger and fries. I loved the roll. It wasn't brioche, like I expect most of the better burgers in the city to use but it was good none the less. All in all it had a good flavor but lacked that "pop". It didn't really have that spiciness or that zesty taste that really makes a good burger stand out. The fries were pretty good also. Bottom line; Its a pretty good burger, but no where near the Angus burger from the Royal Tavern.
(3)
Alicia O.
One of those dark, small bars that everyone seems to love. First time I came here, I didn't know what all the fuss was about. It was a bit too crowded for me. However last time I was here on Saturday night and the crowd was a lot smaller than usual. It was better experience. Around Christmas time, they had Mad Elf on tap which gets another star from me. We also sat around and ate their fries and they were sort of addicting. The actual fries aren't anything special, but it's the spicy mayo that comes with it that gets you.
(3)
Andrea T.
I live closer to Ten Stone, but I walk the extra few steps to Grace. Reese is my favorite bartender. The mixed drinks are great. Stiff and cheap. They do not have frills or redbull, but to make up for they have the most delectable green beans on earth. The toilets are amusing little nooks resembling harry potter's bedroom under the stairs, but they have two which is awesome. The place is great on quiet nights of the week a little crowded on weekends, but what bar isn't? The bartenders are quick to throw out anyone who annoys them or they think might be trouble. The ashtray outside is always catching on fire. The beer selection is awesome. The chairs at the bar are comfy. It's a great bar in my hood and way better than that other place.
(5)
MaryAnn Z.
One of my requirements for choosing a place to live is a decent neighborhood bar. Now, I would generally only give this place 4 stars, but I've tacked on one of the leftover stars that Ten Stone wasn't worthy of. I would say this is hands down the best bar in my neighborhood, and have contemplated wearing my slippers there on several occasions. I recently had guests from NYC and we had to pick up another friend at the airport at 5 AM (I should probably reevaluate my friendship with said airport guest...), so didn't want to stray too far. At a loss for what to do, I took them to Grace. I wasn't going to try to out glam Manhattan or prove that we had swank in our town, I was just going to show them what, for me, makes Philly Philly. Shortly after arriving, the bartender came over to answer some questions about what was on tap, and a few moments later he was telling us stories about doing acid in Maryland in the 80s. YES. This is what I pay my tax dollars for (that doesn't even make sense. I know. Continue.). The beer on tap is great, and like another reviewer mentioned, it's unique. Not just generic light beer and other miscellanous, uncreative crap brews. In fact, he described one of the things on tap as "if someone walked into Nodding Head and asked for a Miller lite, this is what they'd serve them instead." Excellent. We got some chicken fingers and fries to munch on. They were yummy; nothing extraordinary. Portion sizes were good and the whole table was satisfied. I love the layout of Grace. I love the beer. I love the people who work there. I can understand why people contest the "best bar in Philly" award entirely. But I think in a lot of ways, that place embodies Philadelphia. It feels familiar whether you've been there once or a thousand times. As such, I vow to wear my slippers there at least once before the end of winter. I really don't like having to take them off.
(5)
Melanie R.
Hands down the best burger I've had in the city. I was full halfway through but forced myself to eat the whole thing because I didn't want to leave any behind. It was cooked perfectly. Medium-well and juicy. The fries were good too. The spicy mayo sauce that comes on the side was yummy and not too spicy. Just enough kick. I would've given it 5 stars but the atmosphere was a little odd. Granted it's a tiny bar with a few tables in the back where the bartender is also the server. He was the only one working the front when we got there around 7 but another guy showed up at 8. The seats at the bar were all taken so we had to sit at a table. Please know that you will be seated according to the size of your party so if you are only a party of 2 then don't sit at a table for 3 or 4. They have a system and like to stick to it. A couple came in and sat at the table for 3 and were asked to move. The chick had a hissy fit and refused. Seating is tight so it created an awkward feeling among the rest of us trying to enjoy our food. Not to mention it pissed off the server. He asked nicely and gave a good reason why but she wouldn't give in. Fortunatly, they just ending up leaving. All in all, I'd go back for another burger. They have a good beer selection but I'm not much of a beer drinker. Just give me another one of those burgers and I'm happy.
(4)
Rebecca F.
Nice, unassuming neighborhood bar. I came in one time by myself and the bartender took me under his wing seeing as how I didn't know anybody. Maybe that's standard, but I appreciate it when bartenders do that.. Get the blackened green beans.
(4)
Beth R.
Good menu and good beer selections here. Plus, it's a great atmosphere with the iron molded walls and dim lighting. Last night the soundtrack was mostly classic Beatles. It's small but there are tables to sit if you're dining. I love that they have Ace Pear Cider available year round.
(4)
Lillian C.
Dear Grace Tavern, Do you deliver to Queens, NY? I think about you every day. I've been searching for six months to find a burger that comes close to you, but my hunt is fruitless. I know I should let you go, but I'm just not ready. I think I miss you most of all, South Street Burger. Forever yours, Lillian
(4)
Katherine A.
This stalwart institution of the Grad Hospital neighborhood never gets old. It's hard to get a table to eat on weekends (e.g. be prepared to wait a while if you walk in after 7pm), and the ambiance is by no means posh, but the excellent food and unexpectedly awesome beer selection totally make up for any wait. Had the veggie burger last night, which is moist and delicious - the antithesis of your typical cardboard slab - and the blackened green beans are out of this world. No idea what they put on those bad boys but they are seriously addictive... The staff are also all super friendly, and quickly get to know you by name after a few visits, which is always a plus!
(4)
Molly F.
Was looking for a place with good beer and decent food for a casual dining experience. Checked out this place on a Wednesday evening. Nice, low key bar. I came in freezing and no one rushed me to get a drink or sit down. Bar tenders are friendly but not overly chatty, which I appreciate. They have a decent food menu, but not extensive sit-down space and the seating is intimate (small) so don't bring people that smells funky. Downside- if you are trying to get here in a car the difficulty in parking cannot be overemphasized.
(4)
Sarah B.
Holy frijoles, batman! Those blackened green beans were delicious.
(4)
Melissa L.
I loved this bar before I went in yesterday, but now I rully rully love it. I had a friend in town from the Middle East where she's working and I had her for only one afternoon and she requested draft beer she can't have there, and to check out a very a Philly neighborhoody bar, so we went to Grace for a late afternoon beer. We had such a great time. The bartender and a couple of the other guys who work there were doing early set up and I know it's easy to give great service when there aren't a lot of people at the bar, but they were just so nice. My bartender played lots of Beatles from his ipod, which is pretty much the way to my heart. He even played Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite twice for me when I said it was my favorite. We got a couple of Manayunk Summer Paradise...es, which is an awesome, crisp beer. (and now I want to go to the brewery/restaurant) We chatted and chewed the fat with the bartender, and he told us hilarious stories of bringing the hand of justice down on crabby/jerky/stupid patrons, and I appreciated it because I like my neighborhood bar to have biting bulldog bartenders for when the Erin Express crowd gets lost and winds up there drunk, wearing shamrock stickers on their cheeks, and ruining the cozy vibe. I want to say my bartender's name was Mike. (Sorry if you're reading this and I messed it up!) I got their names in a rush as we left. So nice, but he didn't crowd us too much either. He has long hair and a beard & tattoo around his neck .. His pal who had on a rasta hat was really nice, too. It felt like I was having a beer at someone's house. Best neighborhood bar in Fitler Square. Like I said, I've been a lot before, and it's always a good place to walk a few blocks for a beer in the hood. Also they take credit cards, and I love Doobie's but they're kind of like Grace's grumpy uncle that smells a little like old clothes and mothballs, so I think I'm going to be a one-bar-woman while near home.
(5)
Jen K.
This place is happening! They were not-overcrowded with lots of young adults (late 20s-30s) that all seemed bubbly and fun. Not trendy. Not hipstery. This is where the rest of us are going. Very nice atmosphere. The have an oyster po boy that is better than any po boy I've had in New Orleans. And the fries rocked. Great beer selection, nice staff, 2 thumbs up. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Barrett L.
This isn't just my neighborhood bar, but this is Philly's neighborhood bar. It's the kind of bar that you go to when you want to go out but don't want to try anything new or different. It's the place you go where all you want is a good burger, a good beer, and not much else. In other words: your perfect local bar. This small but charming local watering hole also has an open secret: they serve some of Philadelphia's best and most well-liked hamburgers. Unlike some of the newer and more publicized burger joints in town, they don't make a big deal about the ingredients or the quality of the meat, but they cook everything right and serve it to you fresh with a side of golden delicious french fries and a tangy aioli mayo that'll keep you from grabbing the ketchup. The Grace Burger (a cheeseburger with Swiss) is very good, but if you're feeling decadent, try the Kelly Burger, perfectly cooked and complemented with smoky, flavorful bacon and sharp cheddar. The bar also has a great draft options. Local and regional breweries like Yards, Troegs, Stoudts, Ithaca, and state hero Yuengling dominate the taps, with virtually everything else available by the bottle. If you're planning a big group bar crawl or a crazy night out, skip this and head to Ten Stone down the street, but for an unpretentious night out with friends, Grace Tavern is your friendly local pub where you might just see your neighbor watching the Flyers game alongside you.
(4)
Gwen T.
I really really like Grace. I go mostly because I live in the area and it's convenient for me, but I might make the trek even if I were a bit farther away. What I like most is that it's never crowded or super loud. There might be no seats at the bar but there are almost always tables available. It's pretty dark in there, which I actually like because the whole ambience has a really nice old tavern/pub feel. Staff is very laid back. If you've never thought to order green beans at a bar before, do it at Grace. They are sooooo good. I love their fries too but beware if you have peanut allergies because I'm pretty sure they're made with peanut oil. Lots of options for burgers & sausages; if you're vegetarian they even have a Vegan Burger.
(4)
Sean B.
Best Burgers ever!! Love this place. I have heard that later in the night it can get very ugly crowd wise and staff can get fed up with the drunks. Kennett square mushroom burger to die for with a ice cold beer
(5)
Jack N.
I can't rate for the food since we didn't get to stay long enough but the place is really fun. Went for the Plaza Palooza- live music outside and plenty of different beers. This is a "I have tattoos and am 30-ish with kids" kind of bar.
(3)
Mark C.
This place is clearly take it or leave it. I've had OK experiences, and I've had god-awful experiences. Though I've thoroughly enjoyed all the food I've ordered here, the service always leaves a lot to be desired. Rude, condescending staff seems to be a pretty consistent theme -- especially if you're at the bar. I'd love to go more often, especially for those green beans, but I usually end up walking past because it's hard to enjoy food when you feel like you aren't really all that welcome.
(2)
Mike R.
came here on a thursday afternoon bar crawl and accually came across it by accident....i was impressed! its a old, old bar with neat decor...upscale divey but clean....didn't eat here but the beer was cold and a good selection....the female bartender wasn't the friendlyest but maybe she was having a bad day....kinda got ignored.....toilet was clean but the coolest smallest restroom i have ever seen in philly...i will def. give it another try and get something to eat next time!!
(4)
Whitney R.
A short list of likes and dislikes about Grace Tavern: Likes: Cute bartender. Great beer selection. Close to where I live Sometimes good music Dislikes: Not a fan of the green beans. Bar is too high for me to sit at. Other than that. It's ok. Just okay.
(3)
Nancy M.
This is only an experience having drinks. There are a range of beers on tap, they are listed on a board. The list is by name only, so if you don't know what kind of beer clown shoes is, for example, you will be a little lost. The bartenders were helpful and enthusiastically gave us a taste. They did disappear at times, so there could be a little waiting. It is a fun crowd, although the bathroom was a throwback to NYC in the eighties. We will go again and check out the food.
(3)
Teresa L.
This place has solid, no excellent, thick juicy burgers for ~$8. And. Solid frites with the same spicy/creamy sauce that we covet from Monk's Cafe. Served till late (latestDecent beers in Graduate Hospital area. In this dive world, drink some normal-priced beers ($5-7) and watch some sports from their TV. I think they even do take-out on these amazing burgers. Amazing +1!
(4)
Rebecca C.
The Girls and i enjoyed Ladies night here recently! It's a no frills type of place, which is great and the food and drinks won't "break the bank" and they are delicious! The Green Beans and French Fries with remoulade and bourbon mayo respectively were crowd pleasers for all and others enjoyed the vegan burgar, tuna steak sandwich and a regular burger! we all enjoyed our drinks and for a place that serves a lot of beer and a group that doesn't particularly love beer, they had something for everyone! Personally i was happy to see Ace Pear Cider in the bottle...most places only carry apple...so if your in the neighborhood...or not...definitely stop by...the beans will be your new best friend!
(4)
Erin W.
Two words: SPICED. WALNUTS. Boyfriend and I stopped in on a Saturday afternoon, and the place was empty. I got the Bistro salad, with mixed greens, bleu cheese, house vinagrette, and by god, the most delicious spiced walnuts on the planet. Boyfriend got chicken fingers (why? why, boyfriend?) and fries, and we were both pleasantly surprised to find they serve Monk's dipping sauce! Couple that with the Monk's Sour Ale, minus the wait for a table you'll undoubtedly encounter at Monk's (I ain't hatin! I love me some Monk's!), and what do you get? A great little spot, that's what.
(4)
Jeanny C.
I came here with a friend on a Thursday night for some late night burgers. He recommended this place and I wanted to try it. We had the chicken tenders for appetizer and both ordered Kennett Square Burger, replacing the cheddar with blue cheese, topping it off with sauteed mushrooms. The place definitely was a real tavern, the ones from back in the days. There was a decent amount of people, so the atmosphere was thriving. The chicken tenders was delicious. it was made fresh to orders. The BBQ sauce that comes with it tasted very smokey. I ordered my burger medium rare, for the most part of the burger it was cooked to order, but 1/4 of it was well done. It's not a gourmet place so I dont expect it to be top notch, but for what it is, I feel it was pretty good. It also came with fries and this amazing in house mayo sauce. It is a bit spicy and definitely does not taste like mayo. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Ritu K.
I love this unpretentious bar just a stone's throw away from the shambles that was once the South Street Bridge. Why is it so great? 1) Awesome beer selection!!!- I've tried a bunch of different brews with fantastic flavors. Wish I could actually remember even one but that's what happens when you're a lightweight. Just go there and try it! 2) The crowd isn't lame! There's no scene. Just people grabbing a drink with friends- exactly what a good neighborhood bar should be. I'm eager to return to try the food (and more beer!!). Warning it is small and I went on a weekday but I hear its packed on the weekends...
(4)
Erin F.
Stopped in Sat for a beer to check out Grace Tavern. They have about 10 beers on tap. We tried a few and enjoyed them. I liked that they had a bunch of light/good for summer beers. A few were unique that we had never heard of. We tried the feta and spinach sausage = yum! French fries were great too. It is a dark, divey type of bar, but it has a friendly vibe. There is a long bar on the left when you walk in and a few tables in a back room that is kind of separate from the bar.
(3)
A B.
Four stars for the burgers!! Definitely the best I've had in the city. And an easy way to spend a summer night outside on South with drinks.
(4)
hibba u.
Graces! This place is a no frills great go to if I am looking for a guaranteed good dinner. Although I have really only had 3 things from their menu and can't speak for anything else. I have many friends who have branched out and enjoyed it though. I've had the Grace's burger but with cheddar instead of Swiss and it is amaaaaazing. The perfect size and it has lettuce, tomato and onion. The burger is always perfectly cooked and juicy, never dry. Definitely my favorite no frills go to burger in Philly. The string beans and french fries are super tasty as well. Everyone always enjoys the beverage selection as well, it has something for everybody which is great for such a small place that I think qualifies as a dive bar. Don't expect anything elaborate with the service either, while the servers are accessible don't expect much more. Not that I am complaining, sometimes I just want to catch up with friends over a burger and beverages and not be interrupted.
(5)
Christine E.
It's a dark bar, which usually is a big turn off, but I could describe it as intimate since the dining area is small, but quiet. The chairs are comfortable and the bar is out enough of the way there isn't a lot of annoying tourist foot traffic. There is a selection of four different burgers, but they're willing to play with topping choice. In about fifteen to twenty minutes, our burgers arrived with a very distinct look and smell-- Grilled beef proved by char marks. Don't question my ladyness when I say I drooled-- like, duck behind my hand because a big splotch of spit dripped from my lips onto my leg drooled. I ordered mine medium (but the cook seems to be a little grill-happy, so I would recommend medium rare), and the perfectly charred bits melded perfectly with the bourbon sauce. The blackened green beans are nice, and the fries are pretty tasty, but really I can't imagine not eating the burger every time I go there. I paired mine with a blonde ale this time since it's summer time. They usually have some fantastic beers (like Shark Attack!) on tap. I've been here four times over the last year and never had a problem with the service or an empty glass, but I tend to eat at off-peak times to avoid crowds, because I might be a hermit. I do kind of believe the crappy service rumors though based on the absolutely horrendous service at Monk's Cafe (owned by the same people.) Only note I can personally make on the service is that this time around our male server had long hair that was not pulled back. Being one of those people who has long hair, my hair falls out constantly, and if you have hair that fits in a ponytail, it should be secured. I didn't find anything but my own hair (because my hair really does fall out that much) this time.
(5)
Coco K.
I like the place but the bartendetrs are mostly jackoffs who act like they are doing you a favor by doing their job.
(4)
L C.
Half of the bartenders are great, others are judgy hipsters. However, still upvoted because of the great food and casual atmosphere.
(4)
Jacqueline C.
Everyone who rated Grace's less than 4 stars didn't go there for the right reasons. To avoid any confusion, here is when you should head to Grace's: - You are covered in paint or sweat from the gym and don't care what you look like (they don't either) - It is after midnight, but you still haven't eaten and the pizza joint isn't picking up the phone - You don't feel like dealing with frat-packed Tenstone - You like whiskey (they have a surprisingly good selection) - Your goal is to get blackout drunk (to say that the pours are generous is an understatement... as they come neat in a 1/2 filled rocks glass) - You are embarassed by your date and don't want to see anyone you know for fear they will find out (refer to the point above) In summary, just because a place serves food, does not mean you should eat it.
(4)
Robert C.
This is one of those dive bars with surprisingly good food. It seems like a local neighborhood hangout. I think its rise in popularity makes getting around in the small place a complete cluster. It was a nice experience, but I wouldn't fight the crowds to go back there.
(3)
Brendan O.
We really enjoyed our first (about time!) visit to Grace Tavern, an understated effort at "upgrading" a neighborhood pub into something that offers more in terms of food and drink than the typical "'hood bar", but maintains its local, homey feel. A dozen great beers on tap and in healthy rotation, and a short but "tight" food menu that boasts some great but inexpensive sandwiches (I tried and really liked the Boudin Blanc, a veal sausage) and some nice simple sides, most notably the Belgian Frites that are a favorite at Fergie's other establishments in town (Monk's, The Belgian, etc.) and the nearly-famous-now Blackened Green Beans, well worth the $2.50 up-charge with my sandwich. Grace Tavern is small, so be warned: We went at a low-population time (6pm on a Monday), and I can only imagine how densely packed it might be during busier hours.
(4)
Laura C.
Exciting vibe and surprisingly good food. Fun local place and the prices are reasonable. Minus 1 star because the staff could've been more friendly. I also got mocked for asking about their wine.
(3)
Dana V.
This cool pub is a bit out of the way, so I don't end up here often. Excellent beer selection. And the one bartender is so friendly and funny, he always makes sure we have a good time. Some of the other staff, isn't quite as easy going, and one guy is downright rude. However, their burgers and fries make up for it. I also particularly like their salads. Beware, it can get really really crowded, so I would advise you not to stop by late night on a Friday or Saturday.
(3)
Michael M.
Bartender with the wraparound neck ratio is a dick. Bar's got a good vibe though. Blackened green beans are awesome.
(3)
Chris W.
Great food, excellent beer selection, awful service. I was impressed with the food at Grace Tavern when I first tried it... big taste for a small place. I order their burger and several other items on the menu, everything that I tried didn't disappoint. The beer selection - (as mentioned in many reviews) is very good. The staff and service - thumbs down. I can take jokes, and never take them personally. The one bartender at Grace Tavern is one of the worst bartenders I've come across. Its not even for a gimmick to keep the atmosphere of a local bar, hes a miserable person. I would ignore his comments completely if it wasn't for his slow service. Also, be aware - if you don't laugh while hes making fun of you, he will probably skip you a few times when you're looking for another beer. Its a shame, Grace Tavern is a nice place. I would enjoy it much more if I can put down a few beers without all of the stupid comments.
(3)
Aleksandra D.
Great low-key neighborhood bar with a nice beer selection and fantastic burgers. It can be a little dark and dirty, but it's overall a reliable spot.
(4)
Bradley D.
Super burgers, fast service, great ambiance. Grace's is the perfect neighborhood bar. There's a good mix of every type of group there in the evenings, and I sometimes even see families there in the afternoon. Do yourself a favor and get down to Grace's ASAP and get yourself a beer, burger, and fries.
(4)
Kristen L.
I had heard a lot about how great Grace Tavern was and that it was a must see spot. I decided to invite two friends to dinner with my fiance and I on a Friday night. We got there around 6:30pm and the place was crowded, completely jam packed. We saw they had a large selection of good beers, so we decided to stay and put our name on the list for a table. Because it was so crowded it took the four of us well over 30 minutes to actually order a drink. We figured once we had our drinks it couldn't possibly be too much longer until we got a table. 30 more minutes elapsed and another beer in our bellies. The two friends I had invited had to leave to make it to their other plans. After an hour of waiting on a Friday night my fiance and I decided that we might as well wait it out because if we left at that point any other place would have a wait as well. 45 more minutes went by before we finally got a table. I took a look at the menu and was genuinely surprised that I had waited 1 hour and 45 minutes for frozen fried food. I ordered the chicken fingers and fries and my fiance ordered Oyster Po-Boy Platter. It took another 25 minutes for us to get our food and it was mediocre. While we were eating, people were hovering over us trying to make room for others waiting. We felt genuinely rushed after having waited so long just to be able to eat. The food was the quality of something I could have made at home. I'd be willing to try Grace Tavern again if it were for lunch during the week. It's definitely not worth any wait over 5 minutes.
(1)
Cherie C.
Another great pub from the folks who brought you Monk's and Nodding Head. Great beer selection, quality food, friendly vibe. Try the spicy green beans. People eat them like French fries here...so good. But the real fries are good, too. And the burgers. The Philly 'gastro-pub' scene is a bit richer thanks to Grace.
(4)
Jennifer R.
Just about my favorite burger in Philly. And the spicy string beans? Don't even get me started. Delish!
(4)
Anna Marie C.
When I first moved to Philly, everyone told me to go to Monk's. Now, I like Monk's. But why is Grace better? The burger buns. They're soft and buttery, unlike the hard dry rolls that Monk's serves it burgers on. And the fries are longer, making it easier to dip into the deliciously spicy and creamy sauce. And nothing else beats beer and cake. Cake! and it's good cake. mmmm.... (And I have a friend who loves the fact that they serve Miller High Life. So if you're a fan of that...well, there ya go...)
(5)
J P.
These aint ya momma's green beans and that aint your daddy's beer. I like Grace. Good bar food (forget the gastropub shiz), good prices, good brews, nice staff (especial dudebro #1 behind the bar) Just go. If you want to sit go at an off hour. It fills up and gets crowded. Try the green beans and the tuna burger with hot sauce. Serious.
(4)
Jonathan O.
This is my favorite bar in Philly. Don't miss it. Grace Tavern is affiliated with other Philadelphia greats like Nodding Head, Monk's, Beerbistro, etc., but this one just gets it "right." It's the perfect blend of everything you want out of a neighborhood pub and nothing you don't. Top grades on everything: the delicious bar food, excellent beer selection, vibe, and friendly, knowledgeable staff, including my favorite bartender, Reese. I used to live on the 2300 block of St. Albans and used to come here very often. My only complaint about this place is that it didn't come with me when I moved. Things to look out for: - draft beer selection (seasonal, constantly evolving, great; many people go straight for their bottled offerings, but don't knock the pints! if you need help when ordering, which happens often to me because they're always rotating their great beers to new ones I've never tried before, simply ask the bartenders and they are sure to oblige. they'll even pour you a sample tasting before you commit to the full glass) - fries (my favorite in the whole world, and I'm a fry guy! so that's saying something. similar to Monk's Cafe's fries but thicker cut. perfectly fried and just the right amount of seasoning, served with pub mayonnaise dipping sauce) - blackened green beans (green, crunchy, spicy, the perfect, healthy fry alternative to their potato-based cousins, also served with pub mayonnaise) - entrees & sandwiches: burgers, vegan burger, & cajun dishes (prepared promptly, simply great, served late--kitchen's open until 2 am everyday)
(5)
Alec S.
Food: I am a sucker for toasted buns. Would go as far to say as this is the BEST BURGER IN PHILLY, especially considering the price ($7, fries included w/ the tangy mayonnaise dipping sauce). Simple, great char-broiled taste. Jambalaya and blackened green beans are good too. Drink: Beer list is right up there with any of the Philly gasto pubs. Not Belgian-y like Monks or (gross) homebrew choices like Nodding Head. Service: Hit or miss. Agree w/ others that shaved head dude epitomizes the Philly surly-service type. Long haired dude who says "cheers" after you order anything = one of the nicer servers I have encountered in Philly.
(4)
M P.
Favorite burger stand-by in the G-Ho area. Kennett Square burger is my favorite, and absolutely can't miss the blackened green beans. Beer list is constantly changing, and they are an active participant in all sorts of beer events. Cheap, consistent, tasty. Makes me hungry just to write about it.
(4)
Jessica W.
I feel really guilty saying this, but honestly Grace, WHAT IS GOING ON?! You used to be one of my favorite places to grab a burger and a beer! Now you bring me my burger and fries with WAY too much seasoning, they're almost inedible! We used to be bff. What happened? I'm not giving up yet...
(4)
Tim S.
Food: Excellent. Beyond excellent. The blackened green beans are one of a kind (at least as far as I've experienced), and the sausages and burgers are great. Service: Bizarre and wonderful. The waiters/bartenders all have distinct, quirky personalities and are just the kind of people you'd expect and want at a place like this. Beer Selection: Incredibly well curated and a staff knowledgeable and passionate enough about the selection to help know what's going on.
(5)
Mikey I.
I'd have to agree strongly with the review by Bixley on 12/3. Went there yesterday evening (New Year's Day) and figured that maybe the inadequate service and medium burgers coming out charred was just on account of being there on a bad day. I mean, who really wants to work on 1/1 anyways? I went there with a fairly large group considering the space, my party was seven people - all of which ordered a burger aside from one po'boy sandwich. And of those 6 burgers, 3 of them were the Kelly's Burger - and I'm pretty sure they were all requested as medium. Not sure what part a charred-tasting extra-well done patty is considered medium, but mine was most definitely not medium. The fries that accompanied it also appeared to have been diced, perhaps I just got the shaft with bottom of the bag crumbs or something. The fries were also seasoned, which was great but probably bad for some as I don't think I saw any indication that they'd be as such on the menu. The food not living up to my expectations could have been forgivable if the service had been better. Our waitress ran back and forth without so much even asking out of courtesy as my group of friends grew thirsty with empty water glasses. It's not like the place is huge or anything either. There's what, 6 or 7 tables max? Willing to give the place another shot on account of having a good beer selection and the hopeful promise that if done right, their burger could quite possibly be one of the best. But for now, 3 stars is probably too generous and forgiving.
(3)
Cecily R.
Grace is wonderfully simple and delightful in it's own way! The blackened green beans and vegan burger keep me coming back for dinner. The beer selection is pretty awesome for a small pub. Great local watering hole.
(4)
Robin C.
I love this place. There's one bartender who is particularly amusing and friendly and for the most part the rest of them are as well. Try the oyster po' boy and you will super happy. Their fries are amazing especially when paired with their delicious dipping sauce. Pair all that with the great selection of beer and the convenience to my apartment and it's a winner.
(5)
John K.
Great burgers, fantastic beer selection, and a charming atmosphere. Only complaint is that I live too far to make the trip on a regular basis.
(4)
Simon E.
I like Grace's, it really feels like some of the old men style pubs back in the UK. People may have issues with the dark moulding but this is very much old man UK pub style and I would be depressed if it went away. The food is good as long as you want a burger and you don't mind it being a bit greasy. I've never had a major problem with the staff but there certainly hasn't been a lot of banter when I've been in there. I was in on Friday night and had three pints of Yards. It was a new style that I hadn't tried before and so didn't stop drinking it due to the fruity flavor as it looked cloudy and I thought it must be a Wheat Beer. Needless to say, the fourth pint came and was clear and tasted very different. Resulted in me and a friend having pretty crap guts on Saturday morning. Never any excuse for this, if you are going to serve draft beer and charge a fair whack for it, then you have to keep your taps clean. They lost a star just for that, win it back please.
(3)
Kathryn M.
After reading about this place in Philadelphia magazine and on philadelphiaweekly.com I figure I had to check out this "amazing" bar that is two blocks from my house. I was a little disappointed upon entering as I think I was assuming it would be less dive barish. Now keep in mind I was there at 5pm on a Wednesday so the place was mostly empty and no one ever really wants to see a bar during the day - it just looses it's mystique. We had three burgers and three beers - pretty standard. The beer selection is pretty good. There are about 8 beers on tap and a fairly long list of bottled beer that had I noticed before I ordered one on tap I might have tried. Two of the beers we ordered came out pretty flat but not so bad as to send it back. The prices are extremely reasonable and the selection wonderfully varied. As I kept hearing about the burgers at this place I figured that's what I had to order (although the various sausage options looked really interesting and tasty). I got the standard Grace Burger with onions, lettuce and tomato. My companions had the South Street (blue cheese and onions) and the Kelly (bacon and sharp cheddar). The burgers were awesome, really. I wasn't expecting them to be anything special but they were really great. Mine had this great char-grilled taste and the size was perfect. More often than not I eat half a burger and call it a day. But that was just NOT going to happen here. Not only was the burger awesome and so forced me to eat the whole thing, but I ate all of the fries too. The fries aren't anything special (as reviewed elsewhere on here) but the house mayo for dipping and the grey poupon on the table. Well I'm a sucker for dips so - yay. All in all the meal was as success. I might think twice before bringing my boyfriends mother the minute she lands in town (as we did this time) but definitely a great option for a great burger in the grad-ho/fitler square area!
(3)
Paul B.
I was completely blown away by Grace Tavern. Good beers. They had around 8 on tap. They even had a sour on tap so this place wasn't messing around. I would have liked a better stout option ( I know it is summer and no one wants stout in the summer but why even carry Guinness then? Although at least that was the most mainstream beer on the draft list). So the beer options were definitely high quality. The atmosphere is great too. An old school metal kinda feel but the bar tenders are super nice. They seemed honestly concerned about trying to find us a table. And then... There was the food. Incredible. The burger I got was absolutely perfect. So juicy. Soft delicious bun. Covered in tasty mushrooms. Excellent fries with a spicy dipping sauce. This place looks like a dive bar but has the food of a quality sit down restaurant. Oh god I want that burger right now. Sorry other reviewers. If you don't like this place it's definitely you and not grace tavern because this place is amazing.
(5)
Aaron B.
The best burger in the city! The place is small so you will usually have to wait a little for a table. It is well worth the wait if you get a burger. They are perfectly cooked to your desired temperature. This is hard for many places to accomplish when pumping out so many burgers. Good beer selection and pretty good service for the most part. They get super busy so you may wait longer for your beer but it's nothing that will ruin the experience. After the burger you won't remember your beer took an extra three minutes to arrive
(4)
kelly f.
I have been to Grace many times in the past and always enjoy their beer selection, addictive burgers and enjoyable service...BUT tonight was different. Yes the burgers were still delicious, but really could a person be so horrible at their job? After getting our first round of drinks and ordering the blackened green beans to start, the barmaid did not come back to the table until we were drooling to order burgers. She preceeded to ask if we wanted to wait to order until the green beans came out. Thankfully we did not, because we never got the green beans. She never came back to check on us and when I was just about to get up so I could get something to drink she scolded me for having my legs on the chair next to mine! Mind you there was no one in the room and only 3 at the bar! (I'm pretty sure my legs are much cleaner then most behinds) I have been in the service industry for many years now and never had such outrageous service. When times are tough and people are dying to work, how could someone like this slip through the cracks?! Oh grace, I will make sure to visit when i know Reese or Ian are behind the bar.
(1)
lana p.
If you wanna come here on a weekend evening to eat good luck getting a seat. Food is fairly inexpensive, cool music, rock a billy vibe. Vegan burger-delicious and they even offer a nicoise salad-one of my personal favorite dishes anywhere. Also like the blackened green beans, but what the hell is that black stuff??? My friends and I decided it's burnt grease and probably not the vegetarian type.
(4)
Andrew D.
We stopped in Grace Tavern for a quick bite and drink on a weeknight. We'd heard a lot of good things and they are all true. We also have called ahead and gotten takeout. The beer selection is pretty good, in a "there is something here for everyone" sort of way - but it is definitely catering to the beer aficionado. Prices were very reasonable. The food really stands out. Burgers were excellent, well cooked and very well seasoned and fit in well with the Cajun theme that seems to run though the menu. The sausage sandwiches are very good. I was a little under whelmed with the tuna steak sandwich - the burgers and sausgage are king here. The green beans are good in a greasy, spicy way but some may find them too greasy to palate. The food prices are very, very reasonable - five sandwiches, two apps and a salad barely passed the $60 mark. The atmosphere is OK, sort of dive bar-ish but charming. The staff was very friendly and that helps to dispel the old-man bar vibe. My only complaint was the service was a bit slow, even with just a few people at the bar (we were the only table in the dinning area). Overall - great place to grab a beer and some cheap but delicious eats.
(4)
Cara S.
Great little hide-away.. Nice selection of fine beers and great bar food. Bar tenders are friendly, and very casual.
(5)
Rob H.
Great burger, good beer selection, what more do you need in a local dive bar? The place isn't ideal for a big group but has its place for 4 or less. The waiter spilled a small part of beer on our group one time and comp'ed every drink we had after that, even though he certainly did not have to, definitely won me over. Sometimes can be frustrating if you'd like to get a table before your entire party is there but you have to know this going into it.
(4)
Felix H.
What you're going to read below was written by somebody who was hungry. I'm not hungry anymore, but it wasn't because Grace Tavern did me a favor. Go somewhere else in center city and not Grace Tavern. Want to know why? Parking problems and troglodyte bartenders. If your 36 year old friend, who only wants a tasty burger and NOT drink, forgets his identification, it's okay to have a burger, mozzarella sticks, fries, and anything you please in center city. On an idle Monday, there isn't a loser behind the bar who can't see an area for exception. You don't have to look for parking for an hour and only find it at 15th and Catherine street because all the neighborhood people installed unnecessary garages on their recently constructed lofts. The bar won't be full of trendy dressed hipsters who don't realize their bartender doesn't even want their money; he wants to enforce bureaucracy to save his own hide. And he wouldn't tell you, after you walked from 15th and Catherine street to 23rd and south, that you had to leave on account of a rule. He would be perceptive enough to realize you were all grown adults and not treat you like children. If you were smart and went somewhere else, like center city, instead of a crappy, hipster friendly douche bar called Grace Tavern, you'd actually have less quality food. However, the people there would be nice, the atmosphere would be less crowded, and the tool behind the bar wouldn't be there. Instead, he would be a pleasant, unassuming woman who did not contribute to your growing hunger and serve you food.
(1)
Christina P.
Interesting, weirdly cheap menu ("fresh" fried oyster po boy for $11?) that is served until 2am all the time. They have a decent beer selection both on draft and in bottles. The bartender/server was pretty surly but I guess that's part of the charm? It's very small in here, I'm not sure if it ever gets that crowded but if it does I would imagine it gets uncomfortable.
(3)
Kass H.
A good friend of mine moved near Grace. We checked it out last week. I liked the Vegan burger, and I thought they had a good beer selection. The bartender, I felt, was a little over extended. Poor guy had to work the entire room by himself, so it took a little while to get noticed. BUT, for a guy in the weeds, he was very nice and never seemed to be too overwhelmed to answer any questions about the menu or life in general. Not a bad place to hang out.
(4)
Christopher C.
Small cozy bar, with a pretty good beer selection, I believe it's the same owner as Monk's which is my fav. We didn't have a food but I did have a nice Kasteel Flemish sour, will come back if in the hood.
(3)
Michael H.
This place is grimey with mediocre food. If it was not for the location I'm sure it would have closed years ago, regretfully it still continues to occupy a great space. I can only hope people soon realize the food is not good, the hamburgers are not special and new ownership will take over. If you are looking for the smell of smoke, broken ac, and wannabe hipsters this is your place. The only plus, is the fairly extensive beer options. This I repeat is the only plus of this place.
(1)
Mark S.
I've always enjoyed a visit to Grace Tavern. One of my favorite neighborhood bars in town.
(5)
Kristin H.
On a recent weekend trip to Philly, I managed to visit Grace Tavern twice and sample 2 different burgers...so I feel highly qualified to write this review. The first time we went in was about 8:30 on a Friday night. Grace Tavern was humming and there was a great feel to the place. I definitely had local-watering-hole-envy. I'm not sure if it's the best bar in Philly, but I can see how it made the top of somebody's list. We ordered a variety of burgers (1 with cheddar and mushrooms, 1 with bleu cheese and sauteed onions, 1 with swiss, tomato, lettuce and red onion), served on a buttery bun with garlicky mayo. All were delicious -- Definitely several notches above typical pub food. I was particularly excited to learn that the house specialty was crispy, spicy green beans. Is there another bar on the planet that can claim that as the house specialty?! What a great snack food! (I should also mention that the french fries were quite good.) They had a great selection of beers on tap and quirky bartenders/waiters who managed to handle the large Friday night crowd with relative ease. My second visit was for Sunday lunch. On a sunny fall day, Grace Tavern felt a little dark and depressing inside -- but that's my fault for going to a bar for Sunday lunch. My real complaint is that the wait for our burgers and tuna sandwich was RIDICULOUS (one hour plus) considering almost no one was in there. It obviously makes sense to visit this place at normal-bar-times when they're fully staffed.
(4)
Matt R.
Grace Tavern completes the "Bermuda Triangle" of bars in the western portion of Graduate Hospital. Why liken these bars to a geographic associated with mysterious disappearances? I'll tell you why. With so many delicious "high-test" beers being served between these three establishments, you could literally fall off the Earth if you are not careful. Even the famed Larry Kusche wouldn't know how to rationalize this one. Anyway, Grace Tavern is a good local spot with a nice tap list and formidable burgers. During my last visit, they had almost exclusively porters and stouts on tap which was disappointing. I realize gastropubs (Grace is more of a plain old pub) nowadays feature ever changing tap lists, which I love, however, on occasion the selection ends up on a dead-end road in Portertown, which is fine for porter lovers, that's just not my preferred scenery. The interior of Grace is a little rough. Its dark, and a little dank. The smell of cigarette smoke must be ingrained in the wood from the good old days. The prices are reasonable, and the bartenders and wait staff are friendly. The place gets pretty crowded in the evenings, so you might have to wait for a table if you are coming for dinner, something I was unprepared for on my first visit. Overall, Grace is a good spot to have a beer (or a few) and a burger. I wouldn't say its a great spot, but I don't think its trying to be. Grace is confident in who she is, a local bar with beer and food, and there's nothing wrong with that.
(3)
Coco D.
Best bar in Philly? really? REALLY? This is joke, yes? While I was digging the pressed tin ceiling, the dark wood bar, and the fabulous beer fridge, this place is a most effective lullaby, as I was so bored within 15 minutes of being here that it was off to nappy town. At first I thought maybe I'd spotted my first hot Philly scumbag bartender. Then I realized that he had washed his hair today, was wearing clean pants, seemed to care about serving customers, and didn't appear to be even slightly retarded. For shame! You sir, are a TERRIBLE dirtbag! Also, I thought this place was supposed to have a jukebox! I was totally stoked! And yet, I saw none. Something else I saw ZERO of was hipsters. Everyone here just seemed real nice and swell, drinking a beer and wearing a fleece. Zzzzzzzzzz. They probably have tasty food, and the drinks are adequately strong. However, this place didn't just miss the "cool boat", it probably didn't even have any idea where it was sailing from.
(3)
Bixley T.
The Grace Tavern is acceptable, but it most definitely does not stand up to two of its sister bars, Nodding Head and Fergie's. If it were not in walking distance I likely wouldn't bother going back. The first time I visited my medium burger came out extra-well done, as did my dining companions burger, burnt and looking like a hockey puck actually. And to top that off no one came to check on us ever... there were five other people in the bar, seriously? You work for tips, I also work for tips- move, I really want to over-tip you, but that is not going to happen if you suck. Well, while nursing my hangover after thanksgiving, we decided to give it another shot. The food was remarkably better. However, I am still bewildered as to why I can't add a simple side of greens to my burger and fries, but must instead order a $6.50 salad, a price I'm sure reflects the blue cheese on it I am allergic too and will not eat anyway. If one can choose greens or fries with a sandwich why can one not add greens to their sandwich and fries for an upcharge? Also, reflecting the sentiments of another reviewer- I have to agree the draft list is not half bad, but frankly I expect more from an establishment linked to some of the most successful beer-oriented pubs in the city. The bottle prices are definitely a win though!
(3)
Cyrus B.
I went to Grace Tavern on a Saturday night this past summer, and ordered a burger (well-done), fries, and of course, some beer. It was all excellent. The place has nice decor and a low-key atmosphere, although I was disappointed that it hadn't attracted a larger crowd. I've been back since, and plan on visiting again soon.
(4)
Hayley W.
Really love the burgers and fries here! Also had the blackened green beans (delicious!) and my friend had the oyster po'boy, which he loved as well. The ambiance is fantastic, too. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Schuyler L.
I waited more than 24 hours to write this review about my (probably unique) experience at Grace Tavern: Make sure you're ok with getting in a fight if you go to this crap hole. After trying to square up the bill for around 20 minutes the bartender eventually got close enough to me while still ignoring, I get his attention by tapping him on the shoulder. Then he promptly swung around and yells "IF THERE'S ONE THING YOU DO IT'S DON'T FUCKING POKE ME! I'LL BREAK YOUR FUCKING FINGERS!" I didn't poke him and didn't deserved to be threatened. It's really too bad because I'm sure he's talented. He found a beer that I really liked based on my description. We all have our days, but I cannot rationalize an employee yelling at anyone and remaining professional.
(1)
Clare H.
We started off our afternoon at Grace Tavern on a Saturday. Its a small place, isn't overly clean, but has a great charm to it. The beer selection isn't too special but has some grade A beers. The food was pretty good and the bartender wasn't too chatty but tried to be helpful. I will be back, maybe next time on a weekend night.
(4)
Lisa S.
Hahaha I have to laugh at all these negative posts because the staff did their job carding. Sorry but the law is the law. They are required to card people who appear to be under a certain age - and it is not 21 - it is either 30 or 35. It is the law that if you do not have ID, they cannot serve you. To come on Yelp and trash a place for upholding their legal responsible is a joke. Your friend forgot his ID - he should be well aware at his age of the laws and should have respected that. The LCB periodically goes to establishments and checks - if they do serve someone under the age they need to card for, not just under 21, they are fined $1,000. The server is fined, the establishment is fined and the door person (if there is one) is now also fined. Sad that Yelp has become a vehicle for snotty brats to just trash a place without real merit. Seema F you seem to be a jerk. I'm over 40 but look much younger and I know I need to have my ID when I go out. I'm sure if I read your I will find out you take your Yelp Elite status as some ridiculous power trip. As for my personal review of Grace Tavern - I have been there a handful of times when friends are bartending or hanging out. Although I've only eaten fries, the beer is good and cold and the atmosphere has always been warm and comfortable like a neighborhood bar should be. It is sad how whiners have ruined the credibility of many Yelp reviews. Lisa
(4)
Ann R.
This is one of our go-to neighborhood spots. The only downside about the place is that it is kind of small so sometimes it's hard to get a seat but that just goes to show how good the place is. The service is great, the guys that work the bar and dining room area are awesome and super friendly. They have solid food. The burger is terrific, the fries with the Monk's dipping sauce is amazing, and I personally really enjoy the jambalaya too. They have really affordable drinks and a good drink menu in a cool, laid back atmosphere. The place is kind of a dive but since the neighborhood has changed, it doesn't really feel like it as much anymore. It's a great place!
(5)
Michael L.
I have been there a few times, solid burger, fantastic blackened green beans, and an exceptionally large and affordable beer collection. I recommend the Kennett Square Burger and a Dale's Pale Ale for a heavy lunch or a very filling dinner. Fries are fantastic. As far as the Atmosphere of the bar its very very dark and not the spot you want to go to on a nice summer night for al fresco dining. They have a bit of a dungeony feel going on and it would be my choice spot if 22nd and South streets were snowed in and no one can go to work. Enjoy!
(3)
Elise G.
If I could give this bar negative stars I would. We drove around for 20 minutes looking for parking because we heard that this place has really good burgers. We found parking...10 blocks away...and walked. We got there around 9pm (it was a quiet Monday night). There's a little area towards the back where there are tables, and we sat down. We didn't necessarily go there to drink, though I intended to get a beer if they had anything good on tap. They didn't. It seemed like the tables in the back were taken up by couples and families there to eat. It certainly wasn't crowded or rowdy at all, which is what we were looking for. After sitting there for 15 minutes without any attention, the bartender told us to get up and sit in the bar instead (not very politely, mind you). So we moved to the cramped and uncomfortable table at the bar. The bartender came back 5 minutes later and asked for IDs. Fine. My friend (who is almost 40, and looks over 30) forgot his ID at home. He asked if he could just order food and not a drink. The bartender (with a mohawk) swore at us and told us to get out. "It's the f---- law." He didn't even want to order a drink. just a burger. Apparently you can't eat a burger at a restaurant if you're 36. You can vote without an ID, but not eat a burger. Awful excuse for any establishment that actually has to deal with customers. If you're going to require everyone in the place to show ID (except the teenager eating there with his family at one of the back tables, and everyone else that walked in around the same time as us), you should do it at the door, not make people sit there for 20 minutes, treat them rudely, and then swear at them. They could even put it on their web site, so I don't have to walk pretty far just to be insulted by their ridiculous excuse for a bartender. Needless to say, I will never even venture near this place again, and I will make sure all of my friends know not to either. We ended up at another bar/restaurant, where we were treated nicely and were able to eat without being sworn at.
(1)
Rhiannon D.
I went to Grace Tavern for the first time the other night. What an amazing experience. I wish I could give this place more than 5 stars. The decor is adorable, original wall panels and ceiling tiles. The bathroom was tiny but very old school. We went to Grace because we were hungry and were sick of all of the other gastro pubs. The draught list was pretty nice, but we opted for Guiness (the only stout option). I can judge a restaurant or bartender on how they pour a Guiness, and this guy knew what he was doing. We both ordered burgers, holy shit. The meat was fresh, came out much quicker than I expected, and was absolutely delicious. Also the fries are to die for, probably best fries in Philadelphia. The only downfall was that there was a table full of yuppie assholes spilling their drinks and being rude to the waiter. So all I have to say to them is welcome to Philadelphia, now go the fuck back to where you came from. The people that work at Grace are awesome and super friendly. I will definitely be going back there VERY soon.
(5)
Michael N.
Came down for lunch and had the Kennet Square burger which had sauteed mushrooms and cheddar on a brioche. Good burger, good fries, relatively clean place, albeit a little dark. Thankfully the AC was turned all the way up to 11 because it was hot and gross outside. The beer list is not pretentious and overpopulated by ridiculous things you can't pronounce. My beer, however, was the first pour of the day and tasted as such. There was a little staleness to it and it seemed like the line should have been flushed a bit better. The waitress was a bit cold, but she got the job done and did not come by with annoying "how is everything" nonsense. I would definitely go back for lunch. Good, cheap, and simple.
(4)
Kelley B.
This place has great beer. The food isnt stellar and I wish I had gotten more fries, but the beer is why Im there. Has a hip atmosphere which is fun.
(4)
Sheila F.
the blackened green beans were the perfect marriage of spice & savory. The heat is subtle so you can really savor the flavor of the green bean itself. The jambalaya was also good, but nothing about this dish stood out to me as being particularly noteworthy. It was good, just not the best I've ever had. As a woman, I did not appreciate the unisex restroom. in order to hover, a woman must take a position which leaves her face directly next to a urinal cake. Not pleasant.
(2)
Kelly M.
Burgers are amazing gourmet tastiness. Great beers selection too.
(5)
Shannon M.
Grace Tavern is a good choice if you don't mind spending a little extra money on some delicious bar food (ie. burgers and sandwiches). The beer selection was good, and not too expensive. Dinner for 2 people, with 2 drinks, ran about $50. When I was there, they had a special $5 absinthe cocktail. The drink was pretty refreshing, and I had a buzz after my first one. My only complaint is that the service was a little slow. There was only one person working there, and she had to take care of the bar while waiting on the tables.
(4)
Anne F.
Awful service. Felt un-welcomed. Rude waitress.
(1)
Andrew B.
I love this place. The food is great, there is usually a great beer selection (always, if you like hoppy beers, but they usually have a few other good options on tap). The people are also very friendly. We've probably been here 50 times, and had orders screwed up 2-3 times, and they always make it right if you let them know (if it's just another burger that looks good, I don't waste their time). A lot of people seem to object to the ID policy, but beer is their business, and they can't afford to lose their license. I've also seen kids (that's what they looked and acted like) leave in a huff, because there were three of them, and they wanted to sit at a table for four, even though there was an open table for three (within half an hour, every table was full anyway - not sure why three scrawny guys felt they needed to impose on the customers coming a few minutes later than them, but the waitress said they get hassled by kids like that all the time). I like the atmosphere for dinner, inside or out. I never really hang out at bars (unless I'm waiting for a table), but it seems pretty cool for that too. I've almost never had to wait for dinner, going a bit early for dinner, but if you have more than 2 people and it's prime eating time, be ready for the possibility of a wait. The chicken fingers are a great snack, and I love the fries. The burgers are fantastic. Probably not the best place if you're in a rush, though maybe it speeds up when the tables fill up.
(5)
Jenny G.
Bad service. Just bad bad service! There's just one bartender during peak hours to serve people at the bar, the tables and outside! And he's so slow, is rude, and doesn't give you your drink until you walk up to the bar and stare him in the face. They have a list of beautiful beers on tap, but its not worth the servers attitude. Not going there again. The 2 stars are only for the quality and range of the beers.
(2)
Ade B.
A typical neighborhood dive bar. No ambiance and slow service. But I must admit they do make a great burger. My bacon cheeseburger was a perfectly cooked to order burger with just the right amount of bacon and melted cheddar. A burger right up there with some of the best in the city. Worth stopping in for a burger and a drink if you happen to be in the neighborhood, but no need to go out of your way to go here.
(3)
Van W.
Great Gastro-Pub. Excellent Veggie Burgers (and meat burgers I hear). Good beer selection.
(5)
Ashley O.
The waitress that we had was very rude and was not kind or helpful at all. It was a shame because the food here is amazing and reasonably priced! Please get some new servers!
(3)
Brandon K.
Food - solid 4 stars Service - 0-1 star I'm always torn when my friends want to hit up Grace Tavern. On the one hand, the food is delicious. The burgers are good, cooked right, with tasty toppings. The blackened green beans are also unique with a little kick and are worth a stop in of themselves. I've also tried the oyster po'boy which decent and pretty good outside of the bayou. However, as you can probably guess, I just can't deal with the service sometimes. After a long day at work, the last thing you want to put up with is condescension and attitude for the waitstaff, and it just gets to be tiring. Yup, there's the ID Nazi, but in the end, that kind of makes sense because you do want a Tavern that's following the rules. But you don't want people who are always having a bad day being short with questions and drink refills. It just leaves a sour taste, and hopefully, Grace fixes this soon. Get it, get out, enjoy the food.
(2)
Walter K.
Grace Tavern has been regarded as one of the best bars in Philadelphia for years, and deservedly so. I've visited several times over the past 6 years, and always been impressed. The beer list is on the small side, but makes up for that by being well thought out and eclectic. The small, dark bar area is cozy and intimate. Standard pub fare here, which is well done. The blackened green beans are a particular stand out. Above all, the prices here are excellent when compared with bars of this caliber. High marks on all fronts.
(5)
Marcelo M.
I always thought that my first review on Yelp would be to a place that that blew my mind, either positively or negatively. Grace Tavern place blew my mind negatively... I've never had a worse impression of a place as I did here. The waiter with long hair treated me so badly that I cancelled my order and left. Don't come here, they don't deserve it.
(1)
John C.
Four and our dog for dinner. I was disappointed they did not have frozen drinks, but was more than satisfied with their improvised Singapore Sling. The blackened green beans appetizer were crisp and deliciously spicy. The burgers were juicy and tasty. The lady bartender server was very friendly. Perfect way to end a hot summer day.
(5)
Kelly C.
Overall - just ok .. Went here the other nite and service was a little off .. Didn't get the most warm and welcoming feeling from the staff. Had 2 different sausage sandwiches - Italian & spinach/feta ! They were tasty and the fries and green beans are good too. Not a bad experience .. But I probably wouldn't rush back there for anything.
(3)
Yla A.
Grace is a solid choice if you are not in the mood to cook or if you want to be bad for a meal. Casual place where locals go type of feel. And you can order take out! That being said, take out can be hit or miss depending on how busy they are. Beer selection is small but good with Chimay and allagash available. I flop between the grace burger and the grilled chicken sandwich (when I want to lie to myself that eating chicken isn't as bad as the burger!). The blackened green beans are a must! The seasoning will get stuck on your teeth but it is so worth it. This reheats pretty well on a stove top too.
(3)
A B.
Four stars for the burgers!! Definitely the best I've had in the city. And an easy way to spend a summer night outside on South with drinks.
(4)
hibba u.
Graces! This place is a no frills great go to if I am looking for a guaranteed good dinner. Although I have really only had 3 things from their menu and can't speak for anything else. I have many friends who have branched out and enjoyed it though. I've had the Grace's burger but with cheddar instead of Swiss and it is amaaaaazing. The perfect size and it has lettuce, tomato and onion. The burger is always perfectly cooked and juicy, never dry. Definitely my favorite no frills go to burger in Philly. The string beans and french fries are super tasty as well. Everyone always enjoys the beverage selection as well, it has something for everybody which is great for such a small place that I think qualifies as a dive bar. Don't expect anything elaborate with the service either, while the servers are accessible don't expect much more. Not that I am complaining, sometimes I just want to catch up with friends over a burger and beverages and not be interrupted.
(5)
Cara S.
Great little hide-away.. Nice selection of fine beers and great bar food. Bar tenders are friendly, and very casual.
(5)
Rob H.
Great burger, good beer selection, what more do you need in a local dive bar? The place isn't ideal for a big group but has its place for 4 or less. The waiter spilled a small part of beer on our group one time and comp'ed every drink we had after that, even though he certainly did not have to, definitely won me over. Sometimes can be frustrating if you'd like to get a table before your entire party is there but you have to know this going into it.
(4)
Christopher C.
Small cozy bar, with a pretty good beer selection, I believe it's the same owner as Monk's which is my fav. We didn't have a food but I did have a nice Kasteel Flemish sour, will come back if in the hood.
(3)
Michael H.
This place is grimey with mediocre food. If it was not for the location I'm sure it would have closed years ago, regretfully it still continues to occupy a great space. I can only hope people soon realize the food is not good, the hamburgers are not special and new ownership will take over. If you are looking for the smell of smoke, broken ac, and wannabe hipsters this is your place. The only plus, is the fairly extensive beer options. This I repeat is the only plus of this place.
(1)
Mark S.
I've always enjoyed a visit to Grace Tavern. One of my favorite neighborhood bars in town.
(5)
Rachel N.
A tiny place but it was awesome for a quick sunday lunch with a few friends. Not many food options but the burgers were great and the service was fast. A decent beer list as well is always a plus. Will be coming back again.
(4)
Chris N.
I have been here several times, the beer list is always solid, and the burgers are delicious (especially at that price point). The one thing where grace tavern suffers is in their service. Some of the staff members are really nice, but others are very cold and inattentive.
(3)
Kathryn S.
I snuck in here yesterday when it started raining, and boy am I glad I did! They had a decent number of craft beers on tap, and the menu looked great! Everyone around me had burgers, and they looked delicious, but I ordered the nicoise salad. The grilled tuna steak was absolutely delicious. I see a few other people mentioned that the service was poor. I will say, after I was done eating, no one ever cleared my plate (I was sitting at the bar, so it was cramped), and it took about 20 minutes to get the check. Even after they ran my credit card, they still didn't clear my plate, so it was basically impossible to sign the receipt.. so while my experience was positive, and I definitely see getting annoyed at the slow/lack of service. Also to note - no happy hour? boooooooo.. why pay full price for beers on a Tuesday night from 5-7pm? Most places in that area offer some kind of discount...
(4)
Mark G.
As a frequent patron and neighbor of Graces, I have to say I am loosing faith in the place. 80% of the time we sit at the bar - great but not friendly service. Only bartender worth a visit is the sweet gal with bangs and art. Last week my wife and I sat in the back table section with only three other tables in use. Mike was working the bar and said the other bartender was taking the back. Big guy and seemed out of it - he walked back and serviced all three tables without asking us what we wanted to drink. He kept going back to the bar entry handed. After 10 minutes of being ignored - we left as I waved a large farewell to them both. Mike recognized me as a regular but services us like we were contagious!!!! Time for the owner to get more involved or hire a third person.
(1)
Sarah B.
If it wasn't one block from my apartment I'd never go. Food is ok and again, it's close by. The service however is awful and rude. I've been in several tiems while it's busy and while it's empty. Generally the staff doesn't make eye contact or is nowhere to be found. Months ago I found the bartender with the long hair smoking pot out front while everyone was waiting for drinks. A few nights ago my friend and I waited over 10 minutes standing at the bar waiting to even make eye contact. When we were finally able to ask if we could get drinks from the bar or whether a waiter would come to our table, the bartender (bald guy who looks like Mr. Clean) told us to calm down. He was rude and walked away. We waited another ten minutes and then walked out. Mr. Clean saw us and laughed and told us thanks for coming in. I'm done. Not going back.
I have been frequenting Grace Tavern for years. The burgers are top notch, despite occasionally being a tad overcooked. Brioche has always been my preferred choice of bun for a burger and Grace always delivers. I'm also a huge fan of their blackened green beans, divey tin ceiling/wall motif, and dig their above average beer selection. It seems as if the management is delivering on all ends except one. Hiring. The bartenders as of the last couple years have all been horrible. Gone are the days of Ian during the day and Reese at night. Those dudes are awesome. Now you have the squirrely dude that always wears plaid and has 0% personality, draw or beverage knowledge. He's tolerable in comparison to the woman, I believe her name is Abby. She is seriously in the wrong business. In terms of the city's worst bartenders I would rank her pretty high. She deliberately ignores customers, is snippy, has no knowledge of the beverages (in servicing is key) and from my understanding doesn't even drink alcohol. That interests me because bartenders, especially nowadays, should have a good grasp on the product they serve. Otherwise why not just have a robot open bottles and cans for you. You're not there to grace (pun intended) the world with your presence, you're there to work -- for the customer. There is a bigger guy working there too that is amicable enough but again not the most memorable of bartenders. Bottom line. With all the competition in this city between good beer bars it would benefit you to choose the face of your business more wisely. 4 stars for food and speed from the kitchen, -2 stars for poor service.
(2)
Tanner M.
Worst service I've seen.
(1)
Sara S.
Burgers and Beer. Apparently this is the place to go for those two things. Short review: Well, I went, and I had. It wasn't the most life changing burger I've had, and the beer was decent. I'd come back for sure. Less short review: Being a fan of burgers and beer my new Philly friends directed me towards Grace Tavern. It's local, and who doesn't want their first dinner of the new year to be something comforting and delicious? (Jerks! Thats who! ;) ) I digress...So I order the Kennett Square burger (cheddar and mushrooms). It came on a brioche bun with fries and the Monks bourbon mayo. My first impression that the burger itself was on the smaller side. But being short myself I know that good things come in small packages. And I am on the belief that all you need to know about a burger you get in that first bite. Well- this first bite was pretty solid. Cheese was tasty, the mushrooms were good but cold, so it kind of threw off the balance. The brioche was perfect and held up to the juicy, and flavorful patty. A solid burger. The fries were good, the beer was good-. The points were deducted b/c there was something missing- a fresh element to the plate. When you've got a burger, and fries- there should be some crisp, cool element to the plate. A pickle? Some coleslaw? Lettuce and tomato? It was missing and I noticed. Overall a great place for a good burger and beer.
(3)
Dave B.
I love this place, I stumbled upon this location after a snow storm, work and school were closed and this bar was hoppin' with young and old professionals. The location was scenic and the inside was warm and cozy. They can serve up some good drinks!
(3)
Nathan N.
Terrible customer service. The id Nazi is the worst. I completely understand requesting id at a bar but when someone produces a European Union id with a birthdate and the staff still gives them ship there is a problem. And the burgers are not that great. PYT is worth the trip to fishtown
(1)
Nazee Z.
This place is great! I usually am quite the klepto when it comes to bars with cool glasses, but this bar gave me no reason to steal!! I went with a friend because we wanted to try a new bar. Tried the Tuesday craft special and it was a Summit Oktoberfest and as a gimmick we got these fantastic cool glasses!! The beer was also super tasty (if you made yuengling delicious and pumpkin-ey, it'd be this). And also, relatively cheap! We got 4 beers for $16, not too shabby! The bartender (even though she was working alone with about 15-20 patrons) was incredibly attentive and never rude. She always refreshed my beer right before I had one sip left and asked for water multiple times. Didn't catch her name, but she was great! Overall, good atmosphere, good drinks, great service!
(5)
Ross I.
Unbelievably poor service. We came in hungry, looking for a bite and a beer on a Tuesday night with a crowd of 3 people. There was only one table available so we sat down only to be told by a female bartender to stand up and wait until a smaller table was ready. The table had no reservations and the reason we were given was that since the table was for 5 people and we were a party of 3, we couldn't sit there and had to wait until another table freed up. This practice might make sense if there were multiple parties entering the establishment at the same time, but we were the only ones waiting for a table. We were so shocked by this request, we couldn't do anything but obey it, standing up to order a beer and waiting until further instructed. Halfway through the beer we realized we didn't want to give this establishment any more business and decided that it would be best to finish the beers, pay for them, and go grab a bite elsewhere. However, the icing on the cake came when the female bartender came back to the three of us stating that a table was finally ready (20-30 minutes later) and we politely told her that we had changed our minds about eating (mind you there was still no one else waiting to be seated). Upon hearing this she was obviously offended for some reason and returned to the bar gesturing towards us as she spoke with a scour on her face to another employee in front of the entire establishment... Classy. Sadly this wasn't my first poor experience here (but it will surely be my last) as i had been to this bar before in the summer on a hot day looking for lunch. The place was empty and I decided to leave after sitting at the bar for 5 minutes with no one even acknowledging my existence (there was a bartender in plain sight). I heard tell that this place used to be rated highly in the Philadelphia bar scene, but in my opinion it ranks below the DMV in terms of a service oriented business.
(1)
Kayla G.
The service is awesome and the food is also on par! The burgers are really good especially only being 8.75$! Beer list is also pretty good! I would recommend it to anyone.
(5)
David H.
The burgers and fries are tasty here, and the beer selection is great. Service, however is pretty touch-and go. Recently came in and had a difficult time getting service in a timely fashion. Waited a while for a server to take our order, and then waited longer for even our beers to come out, despite things being fairly quiet at the bar. Our server was kind of snippy with us when we asked how much longer it would be. Really want to like this place more - I live nearby and this could be the perfect neighborhood bar.
(3)
Tim L.
Great neighborhood spot. A little small with limited seating but beers are always good and rotating. A couple of great bartenders and good food until 2am.
(4)
Seema F.
Grace Tavern is a small, dark bar that seems to only employ 2 very rude people at a time. It was Monday, and the 5 of us were starving. We sat at a table in the back area and waited for someone to approach us. After several minutes, a guy came by and told us to move to a different table near the bar. It was uncomfortable and we were all crammed into a corner bench seat next to the bathroom, but we were hungry so we didn't make a huge fuss. My husband decided there was nothing good on tap so he only wanted a burger. When the waiter came by again, he immediately asked us all for ID. It didn't matter that we were all well past 20 or that not everyone was drinking. That's when my husband (who is in his mid 30s with grey hair and was the oldest in the group) realized that he forgot his ID. Most bars/restaurants would not care, especially since he wasn't drinking anyway. Our waiter, however, told us that we couldn't even be in the bar. (Though I suspect that if I was there with a child, it wouldn't have been an issue.) If that was the case, why wasn't there someone at the door checking IDs? I've never been to a place that serves food and alcohol and been told that I can't even be in there to eat. The whole process was dealt with in a very rough, unapologetic manner. If places are going to get all "nanny-state" on customers, they should at least pretend to be reasonable about it.
(1)
Abby B.
Having lived in a neighborhood where Grace's is always a 2-minute walk from my apartment, I figured it was time to write an update, considering the amount of times my husband and I randomly pop-in for a beer or two. First, the beer - it's cheap than say going to Resurrection or P&K, both nearby. They have a draft list of about 6 or 7 beers listed on a chalkboard by the bar. Easy enough, right?! I like the beer selection too - some local and some from nearby breweries like upstate NY. The staff - nice, attentive, but they leave you alone and are not having overly-loud conversations with themselves or other patrons. I like a bar where I can go and have a drink with my husband and actually talk to him. The TV - it had Harry Potter playing, which was a bonus for my husband. I haven't tried the food lately, but then again, I live 2 minutes from the place, so eating at home is more economical.
(4)
Lauren S.
Updated Review: Finally made it back to Graces in a small group, and honestly I've never seen this place so empty but I wasn't complaining it was nice to have some space. I was told the Blackened Green Beans were a must so without checking out the menu I put an order in for them and they were fabulous. I thought the side order was rather large and enough to share with a few people. Having my heart set on French Fires even though a friend told me not to order them I got the Oyster Po-Boy Platter since fries were on the side. The Po-Boy was tasty and I loved the fires. There a different style than Grace's sister Bar Monk's, my friend thought Monk's fires were better but I don't think you can compare them since there not the same style of fires. I recommend the fires here there great just don't compare them to Monk there different types of fires. Original Review: Grace Tavern is not meant for medium to large groups and every time I've been here it's been with my dodgeball team if not everyone comes out be the smallest we've had is 5 or 6 and that seems to be too large for this place. The bar is always full, there isn't a ton of standing room and they don't seem to like it if you move the tables around. So it's not an ideal after dodgeball spot but it is the closet bar to where we play so I've frequented it often. The beer list is usually good. And I can see why this would make the Top 50 Bar list. Maybe if I try going in a smaller group of 2 or 3 max I might enjoy this place more.
(3)
Pete E.
Grace Tavern is a great local hangout. It's a tad dark and dated inside but the staff, the food and bar selection are outstanding. We are big fans of this comfortable neighborhood favorite. Do yourself a favor and sit down at the bar on a sleepy weekend and order a Grace Burger with blackened green beans. Wash it down with a beer or with a specialty Bloody Mary.
(4)
Corbett B.
Not sure how this place can be rated higher than ten stone two blocks down south street. Small, mediocre food and grungy look and feel...
(2)
Brian M.
Yeah, this is going to come across as bitter. I do not care. I've been to Grace a bunch of times. I will go to Grace a bunch more. It's unavoidable in a sense if you or anyone you're fond of lives in the area. Grace or Doobies (still unsure how to review that place)? The food at Grace is decent. Just decent. Relax on the green beans people, y'all act like they're the second coming when really it's something you can make in 5 minutes at home. Fortunately for Grace 70% of green bean consumption comes when already intoxicated (official statistic). Otherwise, all I've had there is certainly not bad, just straightforward bar food. So it's run of the mill. A-OK, right? Why the Meh? I'll tell you why. As others have mentioned, they can be dicks about their ID policy. I mean come on, do college kids really trek to a dark neighborhood bar to sneak beers? Came here on a Tuesday night after volleyball with 6 people of which I am the oldest member and was told I couldn't eat a burger with my friends since my license had expired a week prior. I'm 27 dammit. I look 35 and am balding for goodness sake! Doobies!
(2)
Ruggy J.
Graduate Hospital... what an odd name for a neighborhood. But you know what's not odd? The amazingness that is Grace Tavern. I'm a sucker for a good rathskeller, and this is like a dive bar that still wears a dirty pair of Levi 501 jeans and a ripped band t-shirt... but one that showers and shaves more than once a month. A dive with a bit of class, if you will. The type of bar where you can get all of the grittiness you need, but without the fear of contracting bed bugs in the booths or an STD after using the loo. Reese, the bartender, is as sweet as a honeycomb and really makes the experience what is is. He'll talk you though your thoughts to get you the exact beer your craving, and he does it with a smile. Couple that with some seriously fantastic bar bites (blackened green beans, and surprisingly above average chicken fingers + french fries) makes it a neighborhood favorite for everyone within earshot. If I lived here, I'd no doubt be a regular. The beer fridge dressed up as Frankenstein for Halloween, and word had it he transmorphs into Sandy Claus come the winter time... I might have to return and tell ol' St. Nick what I expect under the dead pine tree on December 25th.
(4)
Joshua S.
Best burgers in the city. If anyone tells you otherwise, cut ties. Caveat: if you walk in and the person waiting on you resembles a tatted up Aimee Mann, politely excuse yourself and return another day. No burger is worth her passive-aggressive shit.
(4)
Erica M.
We have wanted to try the burger at Grace for over a year now as we've heard it's the best in the city. We live in the neighborhood and had to finally find out if it really is the best burger around. We had wine (they have a few wine options...more than most bars that specialize in beer, but not too many) and a 7&7. My fiance said the 7&7 was excellent (but that may also be because it was much needed at the end of a super long week). We each had the Kennett Square burger and at a friend's suggestion, I subbed blackened green beans for the fries. The burgers were very good. Cooked to temperature and generous in size. I didn't like that my cheese wasn't fully melted (it was still hard/cold on the top). The fries were great and the green beans were really good, too. I wouldn't say the burger is our favorite in town, but it was very good. The service was good and despite being crazy busy, the servers/bartenders were friendly. We arrived on the early side (around 7:15) and they didn't card us, but we saw a table of girls arrive a few minutes before 8 just to eat and they had to leave because they were carded and weren't 21. So make sure you bring your ID, even if you aren't drinking!
(4)
Shereen C.
I don't know what's going on, but the fries at Grace are getting worse. Last few times I've been here, I've been getting a lot of tiny burnt-to-a-crisp leftover pieces of fries, instead of real full-length, or even medium-length, fries. Are they just re-frying whatever's fallen into the vat of oil from previous orders of fries? This makes me very sad. I used to love Grace, but when most of the fries are shorter than 1" long (with many shorter than 0.5" long), this is a serious problem. In other news, the oyster po boy was solid. Beer's still cold. 3.5 stars
(4)
Jonny R.
Grace Tavern was called the best bar in the city by PW. And I have numerous friends who might call it their favorite bar in the city as well. There's something about Grace Tavern that demands attention. It's not just that it has a good beer list (promising Monk's Flemish Sour on tap everytime--in pints!), or that it might have the best appetizer in Philadelphia, blackened green beans (I think Prohibition's beer-battered green beans give them a run for their money). This place has a presence about it. A certain "barness" to it that makes it special. I always leave satisfied--sometimes it's crowded, but not often, and usually there's a place to sit. It's a manufactured neighborhood bar. In a gentrified neighborhood it's hard to have that authentic local feeling, but at the very least, I think Grace tries to do it well. I think it succeeds. And I don't think this is a moment for the bar to gloat and march as if it's done something marvelous. Grace feels sure of itself, but still humble. Not as loud or obnoxious as Ten Stone, nor is it as ritzy as Pub & Kitchen, and it's a safer place to go for those unsure of their beer taste than Sidecar. The bar has a great feel. And can I do that? Can I say it's my favorite bar because it feels right? Because it feels good? I think so. It's really delightful. And tell Reese I said hello.
(3)
Keith S.
I've been in the neighborhood for the past couple years and have stopped into Grace a few times. The atmosphere is a delight and the service, food and beer has always been quality. About a week ago I stopped seeking a beer, but was blown away by Chris the bartender's knowledge of mixed drinks that I kicked back a few instead of my beloved beer. He had such a vast knowledge that when I told him how much I hated smoked liquor he made two drinks with the smoky scotch and they were fantastic. If you're in the neighborhood stop in and ask Chris to make a Blood and Sand or Aztec especially if you dig smoke. Cheers!
(5)
Hee Jin C.
Low key place with good beers on draft. Their burgers are solid, definitely try the blackened green beans. Despite how it looks from the outside, it's a kid friendly establishment with lots of food offerings for your tyke. If they're fussy, promise them a fro-yo from igloo next door after your meal :)
(4)
Adam F.
Grace Tavern is a classic gastropub - I think it's the same people who do Nodding Head and Monks. Grace is known for their blackened green beans w/ dipping sauce, awesome selection of sausages and burger/fries (same fries as Monks Cafe). Really like their Po-Boy here As you would expect, the beer selection here is great. Service can be sub-par at times, so don't come if you're in a hurry.
(4)
Greg Y.
I've been frequenting his place for the past year. The food is really good and thats the only reason I go back. All the burgers are good, grace burger is the best imo. I'm not a fan of the green beans lately...my body begins to reject them after a few, prolly bc of the burnt char that covers them. The poboy and tuna sandwiches are good too. Service is spotty but usually decent as long as it's not too busy.
(4)
Susannah L.
Never thought I'd be writing a bad review about this place, but I will have to. As far as food and beer go, this place is A+. That said, I will never ever be going back. My boyfriend and I went on a slow Tuesday night on one of our last nights in town before we moved to Texas. He'd never had a Grace burger and I insisted he try it before we leave as it is (was) my favorite burger in Philly. Upon sitting down at the bar, we were carded - my ID was fine, my boyfriend had left his Passport at home and didn't have a state ID - we go out to bars all the time, he is 31, intimidating looking and appears far older than 21, it's never a problem. That said, the dude refused to serve us and walked away. Perturbed, I joked that next he was going to kick us out. When he wandered back over, we started to order food and were just going to get sodas. We were there for food, not beer anyway. This is when the pretentious, handlebar-mustachioed gent told us that we had to leave, he could't even serve us food. WHICH IS BULLSHIT. You are absolutely allowed to serve food only in a bar to someone without an ID. He was being a huge fucking asshole and had major attitude about it as well, and ruined one of our last nights in town. You can't put a price on service.
(1)
Alex M.
The food is good and the beer flows. Can't ask for much more! Will this place blow your mind? Ehhhh. Will I come back for their vegan burger and a cider? Certainly!
(4)
Kathleen D.
A creature of habit, some peculiar, my latest gimmick is that every time I come home after some train or mega bus travel, our next stop straight from the station is Grace Tavern... cause we did that one time, and I liked it, and so now a visit to this chill, neighborhood spot is the ritual hankerin. And it goes a little somethin like this: Perfectly poured pints of Guinness, Grace Tavern's great fries, an order of those blackened green beans w/ remoulade to share, in a small, dimly lit bar...annnd commence the harrowing tales of characters I met on the bus...
(4)
Michelle C.
This bar is the final destination on approximately four out of five nights when I'm out with my boyfriend. It's his neighborhood bar and it's about to become mine, too, so I'm glad Grace and I get along. The menu is limited but the selections are solid. Plus, the kitchen is open late, which is both a very good (drunken munchies) and very bad (morning food regret) thing. People rave about the burgers although I haven't yet tried one. At 1 a.m. I'm usually getting down with the blackened green beans, chicken fingers or fries, which come with a garlic dipping sauce. I am also a fan of the chicken waldorf salad. The rolls used for the sausage sandwiches are absolutely massive, which takes away from the otherwise awesome sausage, but I'd still recommend the sammies, regardless. The beer selection is always great, and the bartenders definitely know their stuff. When I inquired about the 21st Amendment Hop Crisis on tap last weekend, Leo warned me it was an 11% brew. Then he said he would not carry me home if I chose to drink it. Fair enough! I had two, but only because I had gone easy on the boozies earlier in the night. Overall, I feel like Grace has everything a neighborhood bar should have (including the inevitable neighborhood drunkard makin' a fool at the end of any given night). Cheers!
(4)
Tiffany S.
A friend and I went to Grace after reading several bad reviews about the service. However, we were starving and it was close - you throw your standards out the window in situations like that, ya know? Anyhow, we walked in and were immediately greeted by one of the bar tenders. We sat ourselves and another bar tender was over quickly to take our drink orders. After all was said and done, we shared an order of fries, and I had the Grace burger w/ green beans. It. was. mind-blowingly delicious. And the service continued to be awesome! My only complaint was that there was a long hair in our fries.. Eww.. But you know that moment when you swallow your dignity, finish off your drink and carry on with the delicious food? Yeah.. That happened.. And I'm only a little ashamed.
(4)
Seth M.
Great food, great service. Sausages were fantastic....but the blackened green beans stole the show. Great little joint.
(4)
Elleanna D.
Had my first Grace Tavern burger today and it was AMAZING. I love the look and feel of the place, beautiful and cozy. Our server/bartender Mike was awesome and provided extremely nice and fast service. I've found my new favorite spot in Philly.
(5)
Todd B.
I love the neighborhood and ambience of this place that feels very local and friendly. The beer and cider selection is local and diverse, and I enjoyed the banter while I ate my dinner. I chose the chicken sausage on a roll, and the locally made sausage was quite tasty and healthy. The roll? hard, stale. The wait for it was at least 20 minutes on a Monday at 9:30 pm. I would go to Grace for a drink but probably not for a meal in a town of so many great options.
I love Grace because they don't try to be anything they aren't. It's a local walk up with a commitment to good beer and quality fare. Nothing too expensive..and nothing too fancy. The bar is small...the dining room smaller (but always very clean). There's one TV, the bartender controls the music...and you always feel comfortable, by yourself or with a crowd. All the reviews are right...the burgers are great...chicken fingers and fries are as well. Everyone deserves one trip to Grace to see what a gem is hidden in Fitler's Square. Then feel free to go back to your neighborhoods and leave an open seat at the bar for me.
(5)
Brett M.
Worst service and most rude bartenders. I've lived in the neighborhood for 5 years...tried it 2 years ago and had a terrible experience. Tried it again the other day and the service has deteriorated. I'm 30 and the ID nazi carded me and my much older friend. Then walked away without asking what we wanted. We had to flag the same dipshit bartender down to take our order. He then responded, "can I help you?" At that point we walked out and gave our business to doobies, one of the many friendly bars with great beer in GHo. You can find good food and beer anywhere in the neighborhood...sidecar, resurrection, strip club...to name a few within blocks. I don't see how grace tavern will sustain with their customer service.
(1)
Kel H.
Dear blackened green beans: Didn't know how tasty you were Sorry I ate y'all.
(4)
Cameron S.
When we originally came on a Sunday morning, it was a very pleasant experience. We got some good food and decent beer. Went back a second time to this establishment and the bartenders and service were terrible. The bartender tried to act pretentious. The food was blah. The beer was still decent. And the service made me never want to come back again. And that I have not. Sorry Grave Tavern, you fell out of grace for me.
(2)
Leah S.
This intimate local Greys Ferry neighborhood dive bar is just what I love! I love when bars have unique and different selections of beer that I've never had before! (instead of the standard choices and they look at you funny when you ask whats new and exciting) I am a pesky customer who likes to try three beer samples before I make the decision of the night and their bartender was awesome at telling what they had and new ones. (Which they should be). We walked in at 12:30AM and the service was not annoyed even though I was fully aware last call in Philly is always 2am. My friend and I just wanted to catch up with two beers and go home and Grace's tavern was perfect for that. They made me feel welcomed and told ask to come back anytime - They were super cool and now a favorite local bar of mine! Thanks Grace Tavern! on 23rd and Greys Ferry! (Off of South) (There is also my favorite frozen yogurt , Igloo joint and a small fountain across the street!) - Super cute.
(5)
Mike D.
My new year's resolution is to yelp more, who's isn't. So in an effort to start early i would say my best bar experience of the last week was with Lulu at grace tavern. Always enjoyed this place, great draft line and the sausages and burgers are very good. Highlight is the bartenders though, always a nice chat, solid beer suggestions, and great haircuts.
(4)
Sss S.
Had quite the poor experience here last night. Was told the wait for 4 people would be 20min, which got prolonged to 1hr an 15min. Not once was an apology or explanation given by the hostess. Got the Kennett Square burger which was decent. Beer selection was ok but not terribly inspiring.
(1)
Chelsea T.
I miss Reese, the only bartender who seemed to treat anyone kindly here. That sure is a bummer. Many better places to go in the area with better food, better attitude.
(2)
Christopher S.
If you could rate a place strictly on the food and beer, this place would be 4-5 stars. Sadly, I cannot do this. I've been to Grace Tavern a handful of times and always enjoyed the Kelly Burger (bacon cheeseburger) and their blackened green beans are killer. The beer selection is rather decent as well. Some great crafts on there. In my previous visits, the service never floored me, but it hadn't really deterred me from going back. My friends and I have had nights where it'd take almost 20 minutes to get a beverage when there was only one other table seated. Tonight might keep me from going back as the waiter gave us a "you should be so lucky to eat here" attitude. I walked in with two other friends, both men. The waiter directed us to a two-top table that couldn't have been larger than 20" x 30" and was crammed in a corner. We intended on having dinner and drinks and couldn't fathom how we would fit everything on the table and be comfortable. After unsuccessfully trying to find our waiter for a few minutes to ask about another table, we decided to just move to one of the 2 open four-top tables considering there were only 8 other patrons in the restaurant (most of which were at the bar). The waiter comes over to tell us that we could not have that table because "this place fills up quickly and we can't have three people using that large of a table". We tried to tell him how we couldn't all fit there, but he wouldn't hear it. Really, man? You want us to bump knees and elbows in the corner while we eat after coming in from 95 degree weather? No. Instead, he opted for having three existing customers leave angry and hungry because he might get a big rush at 8:30 on a Tuesday night. He also informed us that "Go ahead! Every other place in the city is gonna tell you where you can sit as well" as we walked out the door. Eight minutes later, I walked into The Sidecar Bar & Grille for my first time ever and was told "grab a seat wherever you'd like." I have having to give this review, but the waiter really rubbed me the wrong way and soured my opinion of a place I really liked. There was no reason for him to be so spiteful in us not wanting to sit at a small corner table when there was plenty of space elsewhere. I guess I would suggest there if you're eating alone.
(2)
Vinny P.
This is the kind of place to go hang out with a friend, drink some good beer and not be hassled. Sometimes you want glitz and glamour, or you want to dine at a place that features products created by the hardworking indigenous peoples of wherever. This is not Grace Tavern. Grace satisfies that "it's Monday night, I just went for a run, I want beer and a sausage sandwich" feeling. I met up with the Duke here and we just shot the schiesse while drinking beer. I arrived early and as I sat at the bar, trying samples and sipping on a Monk's Cafe Ale, I read the Philly Beer Scene magazine and it was just cool. When my drinking/dining partner arrived, we saddled up to the bar and just talked about stuff and things while we drank Mongo from Port Brewing (very delicious double IPA). The atmosphere was relaxed and we ended up staying for almost 3 hours because we had no rush to leave and we just hung out and talked with the bartender. No rush, no fuss. That's what this place is, completely chill. I'll be back.
(4)
Kat W.
I have been going to Grace for about 3 years and really used to love this place. Recently however, I have been fed up with the rude staff. I feel some of the staffing changes have had a very negative effect on the vibe. The food is always good, especially the blackened green beans. The beer selection is usually interesting, even if it's not always my taste. But this just can't make up for the stinky bathroom (overwhelming scent of urinal cakes, and not very clean either), or the cold, rude bar tenders I've had to suffer recently. Overall, i would say this is a fine place to stop in if your in the area for just a quick bite or one beer, but it's certainly not a destination.
(2)
Karen L.
This is one of my most frequented bars. The atmosphere is dark and divey, but the beer and food is great. They have delicious pub food: go with the burgers, chicken tenders, and blackened string beans (warning, they are spicy!). The front area with the bar and stools is perfect for hanging out and watching sports on TV, and the back is good for a sit-down meal. There's a good selection of draft beers or $3 PBR pounders, depending on how you're feeling that night. The staff is very attentive and nice too.
(5)
Taylor S.
Love this bar! Its a small dive and if that is not what your into this is not your place. Every time I come here I get the oyster po boy! Absolutely delicious! The burgers are great too. Small tap list but a good selection of tasty brews. 1
(4)
Carla T.
I've been here a few times but came back this past weekend after a long time away from the area. Really glad I did. It's everything I'd want in a neighborhood bar, good beer, good food and good people. The lighting is dim but not too dark; it's a cozy spot. I went with a friend on Saturday afternoon and there were a few people in there but it wasn't crowded. The food and beer were good (I got the Italian sausage sandwich and Ace Pear Cider) and the atmosphere was nice. Will be coming back for sure.
(4)
Marie B.
Once my flight landed in Philadelphia, I went straight to Grace's for my first American meal after two years abroad. It was just as I had remembered. Great service, atmosphere, beer selection, and above all else - FOOD! In my opinion, they have the best cheeseburgers and anybody else I have ever brought there agreed. The best. The end.
(5)
Emily W.
A delicious local pumpkin beer, a spinach and feta chicken sausage with lots of Dijon mustard, and a well-dressed side salad made me one happy camper. This place may be unassuming and super chill, but it has quality food. It's the perfect place for an easy and not-too-expensive night out with friends. Our bartender was attentive and made us feel like regulars even though it was our first time. We split the blackened green beans which were surprise- spicy,!! but i guess that's the point of the remoulade they come with... The only thing I would improve about my otherwise satisfying meal, would be to shrink the size of the baguette the sausage comes in. It's a good baguette, but I ordered a sausage on a baguette- not the other way around. I wish the owners of Monk's and Grace Tavern would get the bread to filling ratio right...
(4)
Lou P.
Keepin' it local Can't decide on a spot? Grace. Never overrun Grace is where I go when I don't feel at all adventurous (read: don't want to go anywhere new) but don't want to leave anything to chance. It's a few blocks away from my place, and it's the de-facto choice when it's 10pm and I don't want to 'go out' for the evening but still want to grab a beer. It's definitely a neighborhood bar, and it's never really crowded no matter when you're there. The kitchen's open late, and you'll pretty much always find a seat. If there's an Eagles or Phillies game on people come out, but mostly it's just a group of regulars and folks who've ventured outside of Center City. The staff is generally friendly, and most of the time you'll catch at least one staff person who's not working chilling on a stool at the bar anyway. While they're mostly great, if you're rude to them, expect some pretty harsh retribution. They don't take kindly to people ruining the generally casual atmosphere, and if you're in the mind to be a moron, they definitely make an example out of you. On the menu tip, all of the burger options are delicious. They really do them up right, perfectly medium-rare for me, and will put whatever you want on them. They're not so huge as to induce a food coma, which thankfully leaves more room for beer. If you're looking for the best burger on the menu, go with the Kellys or South St. Burger. The Kellys has bacon and cheddar, and the South St. has sauteed onions and bleu cheese. They're both pretty stellar. They also have a sausage sandwich menu, as well as some salads. Overall the menu isn't in any way extensive, but perfectly satisfying for the neighborhood and my expectations of the place. If you're looking for something to share, grab a large order of the blackened green beans. I always get them with the burger instead of fries, they're that good. They always have some great beer options, including at least one sour. I believe they have 9 taps, and a selection of bottles as well. They try to keep it pretty mixed (IPA's, whites, stouts, pilsners etc.), so it's definitely a good place for both picky and adventurous beer drinkers. The only real detraction for Grace is that there's only one television. I would love to see a screen somewhere in the back by the tables. Standing in the main bar area to watch a game can get tedious when there's no stools available, and you can't see the TV from the back tables.
(4)
Alexander B.
Great burgers, tasty beers. Good local hang out.
(5)
Steve S.
Can't believe it took 4 years to get back here. We've been thinking of the charred, spicy green beans since that 1st visit. Love this place. The food and service was as perfect as it was 4 yrs. ago. Had 2 of the the Ithaca, Apricot Wheat draft - very enjoyable. To eat we had: the charred green beans, frites w/ Monks great dipping sauce, Nicosia salad with tuna and the Jambalaya. Great prices, good portions, great tasting food. What's not to like.
(5)
Christine B.
We hadn't been here in a long time and wanted to check out their Beer Week event for the first night of PBW. When we got there, there were only 2 or 3 other tables occupied, we ordered a flight of beers, and were ready for a nice meal. 10+ minutes after ordering our flight, the waitress/bartender comes back to confirm what beers we had ordered, which was good because she remembered none of them. The rest of the tables are filled, all other tables get their beers, and eventually food before we get our flight of 5 tastes of beer. We waited over half an hour to get one flight, and people who had gotten there 10-15 minutes after us were eating before we even had drinks. With our frustration level already sky high, our food comes out. My VEGAN (not vegetarian) burger has a slice of cheddar cheese on it, which was supposed to be on my boyfriend's chicken sandwich. I get it, things get mixed up sometimes, but then the kitchen staff member who brought the food out argued with me about how my burger was still vegan with a slice of cheese on it. He obviously didn't even know what vegan meant, and I really didn't feel comfortable eating something "vegan" from a kitchen that doesn't know that word means "no dairy". We cancelled our food order, paid for the half-foam flight we got after 45 minutes and left. I've never had such a horrendous dining experience and will definitely not be going back there ever. I know it was a busy night, I know they seemed woefully understaffed, but everyone next to us was taken care of well before we were, and we had been there first (and ordered right away). There's a million better places to spend your money and get better service.
(1)
Christine B.
Great neighborhood bar. Stopped in a Sunday afternoon for some lunch/dinner. My friend and I each tried a new beer. Mine was better than his. I ordered a cheeseburger and he had the sausage sandwich. We did have to wait a super long time for our food, but it was really good. I'm not sure what happened because other people that came in after us got their good right away. My burger was awesome as were the fries and of course the Monk's dipping sauce. I live in the neighborhood so I will definitely be back.
(4)
Steph P.
I really wanted to like this place. Went in with a group of girlfriends on a Saturday and ate at the bar. Bartender was friendly and mostly attentive. And, the burger I ordered was delicious. Well, it was delicious until I woke up violently ill with food poisoning the next morning, and checked in with my friends who were also feeling sick. When I finally was able to crawl off of my couch and get back into the office, my coworkers informed me that this place is notorious for experiences like this. I wouldn't know - it was only my first (and likely last) time. If you're headed here, best stick to the booze.
(1)
Michael L.
I have been there a few times, solid burger, fantastic blackened green beans, and an exceptionally large and affordable beer collection. I recommend the Kennett Square Burger and a Dale's Pale Ale for a heavy lunch or a very filling dinner. Fries are fantastic. As far as the Atmosphere of the bar its very very dark and not the spot you want to go to on a nice summer night for al fresco dining. They have a bit of a dungeony feel going on and it would be my choice spot if 22nd and South streets were snowed in and no one can go to work. Enjoy!
(3)
Schuyler L.
I waited more than 24 hours to write this review about my (probably unique) experience at Grace Tavern: Make sure you're ok with getting in a fight if you go to this crap hole. After trying to square up the bill for around 20 minutes the bartender eventually got close enough to me while still ignoring, I get his attention by tapping him on the shoulder. Then he promptly swung around and yells "IF THERE'S ONE THING YOU DO IT'S DON'T FUCKING POKE ME! I'LL BREAK YOUR FUCKING FINGERS!" I didn't poke him and didn't deserved to be threatened. It's really too bad because I'm sure he's talented. He found a beer that I really liked based on my description. We all have our days, but I cannot rationalize an employee yelling at anyone and remaining professional.
(1)
Clare H.
We started off our afternoon at Grace Tavern on a Saturday. Its a small place, isn't overly clean, but has a great charm to it. The beer selection isn't too special but has some grade A beers. The food was pretty good and the bartender wasn't too chatty but tried to be helpful. I will be back, maybe next time on a weekend night.
(4)
Lisa S.
Hahaha I have to laugh at all these negative posts because the staff did their job carding. Sorry but the law is the law. They are required to card people who appear to be under a certain age - and it is not 21 - it is either 30 or 35. It is the law that if you do not have ID, they cannot serve you. To come on Yelp and trash a place for upholding their legal responsible is a joke. Your friend forgot his ID - he should be well aware at his age of the laws and should have respected that. The LCB periodically goes to establishments and checks - if they do serve someone under the age they need to card for, not just under 21, they are fined $1,000. The server is fined, the establishment is fined and the door person (if there is one) is now also fined. Sad that Yelp has become a vehicle for snotty brats to just trash a place without real merit. Seema F you seem to be a jerk. I'm over 40 but look much younger and I know I need to have my ID when I go out. I'm sure if I read your I will find out you take your Yelp Elite status as some ridiculous power trip. As for my personal review of Grace Tavern - I have been there a handful of times when friends are bartending or hanging out. Although I've only eaten fries, the beer is good and cold and the atmosphere has always been warm and comfortable like a neighborhood bar should be. It is sad how whiners have ruined the credibility of many Yelp reviews. Lisa
(4)
Ann R.
This is one of our go-to neighborhood spots. The only downside about the place is that it is kind of small so sometimes it's hard to get a seat but that just goes to show how good the place is. The service is great, the guys that work the bar and dining room area are awesome and super friendly. They have solid food. The burger is terrific, the fries with the Monk's dipping sauce is amazing, and I personally really enjoy the jambalaya too. They have really affordable drinks and a good drink menu in a cool, laid back atmosphere. The place is kind of a dive but since the neighborhood has changed, it doesn't really feel like it as much anymore. It's a great place!
(5)
Elise G.
If I could give this bar negative stars I would. We drove around for 20 minutes looking for parking because we heard that this place has really good burgers. We found parking...10 blocks away...and walked. We got there around 9pm (it was a quiet Monday night). There's a little area towards the back where there are tables, and we sat down. We didn't necessarily go there to drink, though I intended to get a beer if they had anything good on tap. They didn't. It seemed like the tables in the back were taken up by couples and families there to eat. It certainly wasn't crowded or rowdy at all, which is what we were looking for. After sitting there for 15 minutes without any attention, the bartender told us to get up and sit in the bar instead (not very politely, mind you). So we moved to the cramped and uncomfortable table at the bar. The bartender came back 5 minutes later and asked for IDs. Fine. My friend (who is almost 40, and looks over 30) forgot his ID at home. He asked if he could just order food and not a drink. The bartender (with a mohawk) swore at us and told us to get out. "It's the f---- law." He didn't even want to order a drink. just a burger. Apparently you can't eat a burger at a restaurant if you're 36. You can vote without an ID, but not eat a burger. Awful excuse for any establishment that actually has to deal with customers. If you're going to require everyone in the place to show ID (except the teenager eating there with his family at one of the back tables, and everyone else that walked in around the same time as us), you should do it at the door, not make people sit there for 20 minutes, treat them rudely, and then swear at them. They could even put it on their web site, so I don't have to walk pretty far just to be insulted by their ridiculous excuse for a bartender. Needless to say, I will never even venture near this place again, and I will make sure all of my friends know not to either. We ended up at another bar/restaurant, where we were treated nicely and were able to eat without being sworn at.
(1)
Rhiannon D.
I went to Grace Tavern for the first time the other night. What an amazing experience. I wish I could give this place more than 5 stars. The decor is adorable, original wall panels and ceiling tiles. The bathroom was tiny but very old school. We went to Grace because we were hungry and were sick of all of the other gastro pubs. The draught list was pretty nice, but we opted for Guiness (the only stout option). I can judge a restaurant or bartender on how they pour a Guiness, and this guy knew what he was doing. We both ordered burgers, holy shit. The meat was fresh, came out much quicker than I expected, and was absolutely delicious. Also the fries are to die for, probably best fries in Philadelphia. The only downfall was that there was a table full of yuppie assholes spilling their drinks and being rude to the waiter. So all I have to say to them is welcome to Philadelphia, now go the fuck back to where you came from. The people that work at Grace are awesome and super friendly. I will definitely be going back there VERY soon.
(5)
Michael N.
Came down for lunch and had the Kennet Square burger which had sauteed mushrooms and cheddar on a brioche. Good burger, good fries, relatively clean place, albeit a little dark. Thankfully the AC was turned all the way up to 11 because it was hot and gross outside. The beer list is not pretentious and overpopulated by ridiculous things you can't pronounce. My beer, however, was the first pour of the day and tasted as such. There was a little staleness to it and it seemed like the line should have been flushed a bit better. The waitress was a bit cold, but she got the job done and did not come by with annoying "how is everything" nonsense. I would definitely go back for lunch. Good, cheap, and simple.
(4)
Kelley B.
This place has great beer. The food isnt stellar and I wish I had gotten more fries, but the beer is why Im there. Has a hip atmosphere which is fun.
(4)
Sheila F.
the blackened green beans were the perfect marriage of spice & savory. The heat is subtle so you can really savor the flavor of the green bean itself. The jambalaya was also good, but nothing about this dish stood out to me as being particularly noteworthy. It was good, just not the best I've ever had. As a woman, I did not appreciate the unisex restroom. in order to hover, a woman must take a position which leaves her face directly next to a urinal cake. Not pleasant.
(2)
Kelly M.
Burgers are amazing gourmet tastiness. Great beers selection too.
(5)
Shaun O.
After our dodgeball games. the team and I have been sampling the local bars in the neighborhood. After a semi-victorious run in the playoffs (we beat the #17 seed and were competitive with the #1 seed before losing), we decided to give Grace Tavern a shot. I was initially hesitant as I remember this place being packed. For a Wednesday night, we were able to score a table for 7. Plus-friendly bartender who made sure to go out of his way to strike up conversation with us. Beer selection was amazing too. I had their spinach and sausage sandwich, which was quite tasty. We definitely lucked out as folks were raving about their fries and the beers there. I was about 4 deep in before we called it a night-so it was definitely a good spot for us to hit up after dodgeball on a Wednesday night.
(4)
Carlo D.
OK burgers and great fries
(3)
Stephen C.
As others have stated, this is a place that I frequent when I'm doing a night out in my neighborhood. It's one of those small neighborhood finds that I somehow want to keep it under cover so it doesn't get too crowded. The beer selection is always rotating and everything I've tried on the menu has been excellent. The only thing to add is that during Philly Beer Week, this place hosts some cool events. I went to a Sam Adams/Naked Chocolate event a couple years back. I got some beer, chocolate and a pretty cool t-shirt for free. They have a few events like this during the week and I think having these events in an intimate setting like Grace makes it all the better. It's a unique place to go, the staff is excellent but please don't tell too many people about it! ;)
(4)
Jackie C.
GREAT BURGERS! GREAT GREEN BEANS! bad bad bad bad service. If you can stomach being treated with no respect but love your burgers this is the place for you. It seems like most of their servers here were told by management they should act as if you are imposing by ordering food. It's the "I'm so annoyed I have to wait on you attitude". It's a shame I feel like more people would go back if they service didn't suck. Regardless I have been going here for years because I love there burgers. I can't seem to get enough of them. I have just learned to order take out and have a beer while I wait (be careful one time we waited 2 hours, although we suspect our bartender was not all there, I have only seen him once and never again) AGAIN LOVE THE BURGERS!!!
(3)
Holly T.
Grace Tavern is a great neighborhoody little bar. It has a more casual feel than some of the more blatantly gastropubby bars in the area, and occupies a pleasant spot in between the divey-ness of Doobies and the more high-end feel of Pub & Kitchen. Just a simple place to get a good beer and a good bar food without any pretension. I love their blackened green beans, which make for a brilliant bar snack, as well as their fries. I have yet to try their burger, but it looks amazing and is a great price compared to some of the other burgers in the neighborhood. The beer selection is very good for the most part, though they do have a few macro-ish beers on draft. They have a great location, and I love the things they do for the neighborhood, including participating in the low-key Plazapalooza festival. I'm glad to have this as one of our beer options in the neighborhood!
(4)
Shannon M.
Grace Tavern is a good choice if you don't mind spending a little extra money on some delicious bar food (ie. burgers and sandwiches). The beer selection was good, and not too expensive. Dinner for 2 people, with 2 drinks, ran about $50. When I was there, they had a special $5 absinthe cocktail. The drink was pretty refreshing, and I had a buzz after my first one. My only complaint is that the service was a little slow. There was only one person working there, and she had to take care of the bar while waiting on the tables.
(4)
Justin B.
Grace Tavern has one of the most delicious burgers my taste buds have ever experienced. Their fries are currently the number 1 fries in the city (in my opinion) My only qualm is that i live too far from this place, if i lived closer i would be a much happier person.
(5)
James G.
God help anyone who enters this hole!! It's run by rude and, quite frankly, ugly toothless people! We went in on a Friday night and stood at the bar for 15 mins. Being a bartender I'm very patient but nobody even looked toward the bar. Why? Because the 2 people working were working the bar and tabled and, apparently, the tables were more important. It got so infuriating that, eventually, I shouted out at the top of my voice....yoooo!! When I was noticed he asked, very condescendingly, have you approached the bar??? No!!! I was just standing here for fun you toothless goon!! Cut a long story short the staff here were rude, slow and, quite frankly, disgusting!!! Never, ever ever give these tramps your hard earned money because they dint appreciate it!!
(1)
Elizabeth D.
This is a really chill place to grab a burger and a beer. The proximity to a friend's place was definitely a draw, but I was really happy to finally try it out. It's small, but it was not crowded at all for a Saturday. Our server was nice, but a little erratic. Great selection of rotating drafts. The blackened green beans as an appetizer were delicious! Leftovers the next day were reportedly equally good. My Kelly's Burger with cheddar and bacon was quite good. Not as medium rare as I usually enjoy, but it hit the spot. Fries on the side were crispy! Tab for three people was just about $45. Great spot in the area if you are looking for something casual.
(4)
Janek J.
Small neighborhood tavern with tin ceiling that serves good food in a casual atmosphere and attracts customers from a wider area than would be expected. It COULD be a bit brighter. The blackened green beans are to die for. GREAT burgers. One server, Lulu, is particularly friendly and accommodating. Now that they' have placed tables and chairs in the triangular park at 23rd and South Streets to serve food and drinks, sitting outside under trees, next to a fountain, would be a LOT more pleasant if they weeded, cleaned, and cared for the park that Odunde claims, but does not maintain.
(3)
Leslie M.
I've been meaning to write something nice about Grace Tavern for a long time. When my boyfriend and I moved to Philly two years ago, we wandered around our neighborhood looking for a bar that could be our "home" bar. We found it in Grace for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the service. We love the bartenders, especially Rees and Mike. They were some of the first people we met in Philly and I'm always happy to walk in Grace and see them, even if it's too busy to chat. Second, the burgers are the best. Get them with the beans or the fries. It doesn't even matter which burger you order, it's going to be the best. Third, it's a comfortable atmosphere. Come here after work. Come before a night out. Stagger in afterwards. It's always welcoming and you're not going to be surrounded by idiot college kids. We don't make it to Grace as often as we used to, but it will always be our "home" bar for these reasons. A side rant: Why are so many adults walking around without their ID's? What if something would happen to you? Please lay off the staff for carding you, IT'S THEIR JOB no matter how old you look. Most people wouldn't go to your place of work, ask you to bend the rules, and then get upset when you don't. Let's say you are an accountant and I came to your office and simply told you, I made 30k this past year. Would you do my taxes? No. Because it's illegal and you would be liable, right? Give them a break, they're liable too.
(5)
Nancy M.
This is only an experience having drinks. There are a range of beers on tap, they are listed on a board. The list is by name only, so if you don't know what kind of beer clown shoes is, for example, you will be a little lost. The bartenders were helpful and enthusiastically gave us a taste. They did disappear at times, so there could be a little waiting. It is a fun crowd, although the bathroom was a throwback to NYC in the eighties. We will go again and check out the food.
(3)
Michael P.
I'd heard a lot of hype about Grace Tavern before going there, and I finally got the chance a few weeks ago, meeting up with a friend from work. Now that I've been there, I'm not really sure where I fall on it. I like the nice, unpretentious bar feel, the dark wood and tin ceiling, combined with the lone tube tv give it a throwback feel. The tap had a moderate selection, but it was the situation where despite being a step beyond the usual suspects, nothing really interested me. I never really got a look at the bottle list either. The bartenders were engaging, which is always a plus. We split a basket of the fried green beans, which were pretty good. A deeper sample of their menu might raise my opinion, but really, I wasn't very impressed. The few small tables in the back seem like an afterthought. I don't think I would really describe it as a dive, but it toes the line between dive and neighbourhood haunt. If you're in the area, its probably worth a visit, but I wouldn't call it a destination, worth traveling to.
(3)
Mike T.
Mediocre tap selection, especially for an establishment that advertisers in craft beer publications. One of those dark lighting bars, too dark in my opinion. And a staff that needs to step up their level of customer service. If the owner catches reads this, retrain your staff or fire them, it will be to your benefit. They get the 2 stars, because it is decent bar with a couple tasty brews. Just do not expect anything special on tap or to be served by friendly people.
(2)
YelpHatesMe Y.
We'll go 3 1/2 here, based solely on the burger and fries. I loved the roll. It wasn't brioche, like I expect most of the better burgers in the city to use but it was good none the less. All in all it had a good flavor but lacked that "pop". It didn't really have that spiciness or that zesty taste that really makes a good burger stand out. The fries were pretty good also. Bottom line; Its a pretty good burger, but no where near the Angus burger from the Royal Tavern.
(3)
lyndsey F.
Well sometimes life changes for the better and because of some phenomenal life changes, I have been to Grace pretty much every other night for the past two weeks. They have a great selection of beers (although I'm not a huge beer drinker) and they have two different kinds of bottled Anchor, which i do love! They have a decent Cabernet for $5 a glass and they have an amazing burger. Apparently their Jambalaya is on point too, but I have yet to taste it. Everyone that works there is lovely. And it is all in all a really great neighborhood place.
(5)
Alicia O.
One of those dark, small bars that everyone seems to love. First time I came here, I didn't know what all the fuss was about. It was a bit too crowded for me. However last time I was here on Saturday night and the crowd was a lot smaller than usual. It was better experience. Around Christmas time, they had Mad Elf on tap which gets another star from me. We also sat around and ate their fries and they were sort of addicting. The actual fries aren't anything special, but it's the spicy mayo that comes with it that gets you.
(3)
Andrea T.
I live closer to Ten Stone, but I walk the extra few steps to Grace. Reese is my favorite bartender. The mixed drinks are great. Stiff and cheap. They do not have frills or redbull, but to make up for they have the most delectable green beans on earth. The toilets are amusing little nooks resembling harry potter's bedroom under the stairs, but they have two which is awesome. The place is great on quiet nights of the week a little crowded on weekends, but what bar isn't? The bartenders are quick to throw out anyone who annoys them or they think might be trouble. The ashtray outside is always catching on fire. The beer selection is awesome. The chairs at the bar are comfy. It's a great bar in my hood and way better than that other place.
(5)
MaryAnn Z.
One of my requirements for choosing a place to live is a decent neighborhood bar. Now, I would generally only give this place 4 stars, but I've tacked on one of the leftover stars that Ten Stone wasn't worthy of. I would say this is hands down the best bar in my neighborhood, and have contemplated wearing my slippers there on several occasions. I recently had guests from NYC and we had to pick up another friend at the airport at 5 AM (I should probably reevaluate my friendship with said airport guest...), so didn't want to stray too far. At a loss for what to do, I took them to Grace. I wasn't going to try to out glam Manhattan or prove that we had swank in our town, I was just going to show them what, for me, makes Philly Philly. Shortly after arriving, the bartender came over to answer some questions about what was on tap, and a few moments later he was telling us stories about doing acid in Maryland in the 80s. YES. This is what I pay my tax dollars for (that doesn't even make sense. I know. Continue.). The beer on tap is great, and like another reviewer mentioned, it's unique. Not just generic light beer and other miscellanous, uncreative crap brews. In fact, he described one of the things on tap as "if someone walked into Nodding Head and asked for a Miller lite, this is what they'd serve them instead." Excellent. We got some chicken fingers and fries to munch on. They were yummy; nothing extraordinary. Portion sizes were good and the whole table was satisfied. I love the layout of Grace. I love the beer. I love the people who work there. I can understand why people contest the "best bar in Philly" award entirely. But I think in a lot of ways, that place embodies Philadelphia. It feels familiar whether you've been there once or a thousand times. As such, I vow to wear my slippers there at least once before the end of winter. I really don't like having to take them off.
(5)
Molly F.
Was looking for a place with good beer and decent food for a casual dining experience. Checked out this place on a Wednesday evening. Nice, low key bar. I came in freezing and no one rushed me to get a drink or sit down. Bar tenders are friendly but not overly chatty, which I appreciate. They have a decent food menu, but not extensive sit-down space and the seating is intimate (small) so don't bring people that smells funky. Downside- if you are trying to get here in a car the difficulty in parking cannot be overemphasized.
(4)
Sarah B.
Holy frijoles, batman! Those blackened green beans were delicious.
(4)
Melanie R.
Hands down the best burger I've had in the city. I was full halfway through but forced myself to eat the whole thing because I didn't want to leave any behind. It was cooked perfectly. Medium-well and juicy. The fries were good too. The spicy mayo sauce that comes on the side was yummy and not too spicy. Just enough kick. I would've given it 5 stars but the atmosphere was a little odd. Granted it's a tiny bar with a few tables in the back where the bartender is also the server. He was the only one working the front when we got there around 7 but another guy showed up at 8. The seats at the bar were all taken so we had to sit at a table. Please know that you will be seated according to the size of your party so if you are only a party of 2 then don't sit at a table for 3 or 4. They have a system and like to stick to it. A couple came in and sat at the table for 3 and were asked to move. The chick had a hissy fit and refused. Seating is tight so it created an awkward feeling among the rest of us trying to enjoy our food. Not to mention it pissed off the server. He asked nicely and gave a good reason why but she wouldn't give in. Fortunatly, they just ending up leaving. All in all, I'd go back for another burger. They have a good beer selection but I'm not much of a beer drinker. Just give me another one of those burgers and I'm happy.
(4)
Rebecca F.
Nice, unassuming neighborhood bar. I came in one time by myself and the bartender took me under his wing seeing as how I didn't know anybody. Maybe that's standard, but I appreciate it when bartenders do that.. Get the blackened green beans.
(4)
Beth R.
Good menu and good beer selections here. Plus, it's a great atmosphere with the iron molded walls and dim lighting. Last night the soundtrack was mostly classic Beatles. It's small but there are tables to sit if you're dining. I love that they have Ace Pear Cider available year round.
(4)
Lillian C.
Dear Grace Tavern, Do you deliver to Queens, NY? I think about you every day. I've been searching for six months to find a burger that comes close to you, but my hunt is fruitless. I know I should let you go, but I'm just not ready. I think I miss you most of all, South Street Burger. Forever yours, Lillian
(4)
Katherine A.
This stalwart institution of the Grad Hospital neighborhood never gets old. It's hard to get a table to eat on weekends (e.g. be prepared to wait a while if you walk in after 7pm), and the ambiance is by no means posh, but the excellent food and unexpectedly awesome beer selection totally make up for any wait. Had the veggie burger last night, which is moist and delicious - the antithesis of your typical cardboard slab - and the blackened green beans are out of this world. No idea what they put on those bad boys but they are seriously addictive... The staff are also all super friendly, and quickly get to know you by name after a few visits, which is always a plus!
(4)
Melissa L.
I loved this bar before I went in yesterday, but now I rully rully love it. I had a friend in town from the Middle East where she's working and I had her for only one afternoon and she requested draft beer she can't have there, and to check out a very a Philly neighborhoody bar, so we went to Grace for a late afternoon beer. We had such a great time. The bartender and a couple of the other guys who work there were doing early set up and I know it's easy to give great service when there aren't a lot of people at the bar, but they were just so nice. My bartender played lots of Beatles from his ipod, which is pretty much the way to my heart. He even played Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite twice for me when I said it was my favorite. We got a couple of Manayunk Summer Paradise...es, which is an awesome, crisp beer. (and now I want to go to the brewery/restaurant) We chatted and chewed the fat with the bartender, and he told us hilarious stories of bringing the hand of justice down on crabby/jerky/stupid patrons, and I appreciated it because I like my neighborhood bar to have biting bulldog bartenders for when the Erin Express crowd gets lost and winds up there drunk, wearing shamrock stickers on their cheeks, and ruining the cozy vibe. I want to say my bartender's name was Mike. (Sorry if you're reading this and I messed it up!) I got their names in a rush as we left. So nice, but he didn't crowd us too much either. He has long hair and a beard & tattoo around his neck .. His pal who had on a rasta hat was really nice, too. It felt like I was having a beer at someone's house. Best neighborhood bar in Fitler Square. Like I said, I've been a lot before, and it's always a good place to walk a few blocks for a beer in the hood. Also they take credit cards, and I love Doobie's but they're kind of like Grace's grumpy uncle that smells a little like old clothes and mothballs, so I think I'm going to be a one-bar-woman while near home.
(5)
Jen K.
This place is happening! They were not-overcrowded with lots of young adults (late 20s-30s) that all seemed bubbly and fun. Not trendy. Not hipstery. This is where the rest of us are going. Very nice atmosphere. The have an oyster po boy that is better than any po boy I've had in New Orleans. And the fries rocked. Great beer selection, nice staff, 2 thumbs up. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Mike R.
came here on a thursday afternoon bar crawl and accually came across it by accident....i was impressed! its a old, old bar with neat decor...upscale divey but clean....didn't eat here but the beer was cold and a good selection....the female bartender wasn't the friendlyest but maybe she was having a bad day....kinda got ignored.....toilet was clean but the coolest smallest restroom i have ever seen in philly...i will def. give it another try and get something to eat next time!!
(4)
Whitney R.
A short list of likes and dislikes about Grace Tavern: Likes: Cute bartender. Great beer selection. Close to where I live Sometimes good music Dislikes: Not a fan of the green beans. Bar is too high for me to sit at. Other than that. It's ok. Just okay.
(3)
Barrett L.
This isn't just my neighborhood bar, but this is Philly's neighborhood bar. It's the kind of bar that you go to when you want to go out but don't want to try anything new or different. It's the place you go where all you want is a good burger, a good beer, and not much else. In other words: your perfect local bar. This small but charming local watering hole also has an open secret: they serve some of Philadelphia's best and most well-liked hamburgers. Unlike some of the newer and more publicized burger joints in town, they don't make a big deal about the ingredients or the quality of the meat, but they cook everything right and serve it to you fresh with a side of golden delicious french fries and a tangy aioli mayo that'll keep you from grabbing the ketchup. The Grace Burger (a cheeseburger with Swiss) is very good, but if you're feeling decadent, try the Kelly Burger, perfectly cooked and complemented with smoky, flavorful bacon and sharp cheddar. The bar also has a great draft options. Local and regional breweries like Yards, Troegs, Stoudts, Ithaca, and state hero Yuengling dominate the taps, with virtually everything else available by the bottle. If you're planning a big group bar crawl or a crazy night out, skip this and head to Ten Stone down the street, but for an unpretentious night out with friends, Grace Tavern is your friendly local pub where you might just see your neighbor watching the Flyers game alongside you.
(4)
Gwen T.
I really really like Grace. I go mostly because I live in the area and it's convenient for me, but I might make the trek even if I were a bit farther away. What I like most is that it's never crowded or super loud. There might be no seats at the bar but there are almost always tables available. It's pretty dark in there, which I actually like because the whole ambience has a really nice old tavern/pub feel. Staff is very laid back. If you've never thought to order green beans at a bar before, do it at Grace. They are sooooo good. I love their fries too but beware if you have peanut allergies because I'm pretty sure they're made with peanut oil. Lots of options for burgers & sausages; if you're vegetarian they even have a Vegan Burger.
(4)
Sean B.
Best Burgers ever!! Love this place. I have heard that later in the night it can get very ugly crowd wise and staff can get fed up with the drunks. Kennett square mushroom burger to die for with a ice cold beer
(5)
Jack N.
I can't rate for the food since we didn't get to stay long enough but the place is really fun. Went for the Plaza Palooza- live music outside and plenty of different beers. This is a "I have tattoos and am 30-ish with kids" kind of bar.
(3)
Mark C.
This place is clearly take it or leave it. I've had OK experiences, and I've had god-awful experiences. Though I've thoroughly enjoyed all the food I've ordered here, the service always leaves a lot to be desired. Rude, condescending staff seems to be a pretty consistent theme -- especially if you're at the bar. I'd love to go more often, especially for those green beans, but I usually end up walking past because it's hard to enjoy food when you feel like you aren't really all that welcome.
(2)
Teresa L.
This place has solid, no excellent, thick juicy burgers for ~$8. And. Solid frites with the same spicy/creamy sauce that we covet from Monk's Cafe. Served till late (latestDecent beers in Graduate Hospital area. In this dive world, drink some normal-priced beers ($5-7) and watch some sports from their TV. I think they even do take-out on these amazing burgers. Amazing +1!
(4)
Rebecca C.
The Girls and i enjoyed Ladies night here recently! It's a no frills type of place, which is great and the food and drinks won't "break the bank" and they are delicious! The Green Beans and French Fries with remoulade and bourbon mayo respectively were crowd pleasers for all and others enjoyed the vegan burgar, tuna steak sandwich and a regular burger! we all enjoyed our drinks and for a place that serves a lot of beer and a group that doesn't particularly love beer, they had something for everyone! Personally i was happy to see Ace Pear Cider in the bottle...most places only carry apple...so if your in the neighborhood...or not...definitely stop by...the beans will be your new best friend!
(4)
Erin W.
Two words: SPICED. WALNUTS. Boyfriend and I stopped in on a Saturday afternoon, and the place was empty. I got the Bistro salad, with mixed greens, bleu cheese, house vinagrette, and by god, the most delicious spiced walnuts on the planet. Boyfriend got chicken fingers (why? why, boyfriend?) and fries, and we were both pleasantly surprised to find they serve Monk's dipping sauce! Couple that with the Monk's Sour Ale, minus the wait for a table you'll undoubtedly encounter at Monk's (I ain't hatin! I love me some Monk's!), and what do you get? A great little spot, that's what.
(4)
Jeanny C.
I came here with a friend on a Thursday night for some late night burgers. He recommended this place and I wanted to try it. We had the chicken tenders for appetizer and both ordered Kennett Square Burger, replacing the cheddar with blue cheese, topping it off with sauteed mushrooms. The place definitely was a real tavern, the ones from back in the days. There was a decent amount of people, so the atmosphere was thriving. The chicken tenders was delicious. it was made fresh to orders. The BBQ sauce that comes with it tasted very smokey. I ordered my burger medium rare, for the most part of the burger it was cooked to order, but 1/4 of it was well done. It's not a gourmet place so I dont expect it to be top notch, but for what it is, I feel it was pretty good. It also came with fries and this amazing in house mayo sauce. It is a bit spicy and definitely does not taste like mayo. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Ritu K.
I love this unpretentious bar just a stone's throw away from the shambles that was once the South Street Bridge. Why is it so great? 1) Awesome beer selection!!!- I've tried a bunch of different brews with fantastic flavors. Wish I could actually remember even one but that's what happens when you're a lightweight. Just go there and try it! 2) The crowd isn't lame! There's no scene. Just people grabbing a drink with friends- exactly what a good neighborhood bar should be. I'm eager to return to try the food (and more beer!!). Warning it is small and I went on a weekday but I hear its packed on the weekends...
(4)
Erin F.
Stopped in Sat for a beer to check out Grace Tavern. They have about 10 beers on tap. We tried a few and enjoyed them. I liked that they had a bunch of light/good for summer beers. A few were unique that we had never heard of. We tried the feta and spinach sausage = yum! French fries were great too. It is a dark, divey type of bar, but it has a friendly vibe. There is a long bar on the left when you walk in and a few tables in a back room that is kind of separate from the bar.
(3)
Christine E.
It's a dark bar, which usually is a big turn off, but I could describe it as intimate since the dining area is small, but quiet. The chairs are comfortable and the bar is out enough of the way there isn't a lot of annoying tourist foot traffic. There is a selection of four different burgers, but they're willing to play with topping choice. In about fifteen to twenty minutes, our burgers arrived with a very distinct look and smell-- Grilled beef proved by char marks. Don't question my ladyness when I say I drooled-- like, duck behind my hand because a big splotch of spit dripped from my lips onto my leg drooled. I ordered mine medium (but the cook seems to be a little grill-happy, so I would recommend medium rare), and the perfectly charred bits melded perfectly with the bourbon sauce. The blackened green beans are nice, and the fries are pretty tasty, but really I can't imagine not eating the burger every time I go there. I paired mine with a blonde ale this time since it's summer time. They usually have some fantastic beers (like Shark Attack!) on tap. I've been here four times over the last year and never had a problem with the service or an empty glass, but I tend to eat at off-peak times to avoid crowds, because I might be a hermit. I do kind of believe the crappy service rumors though based on the absolutely horrendous service at Monk's Cafe (owned by the same people.) Only note I can personally make on the service is that this time around our male server had long hair that was not pulled back. Being one of those people who has long hair, my hair falls out constantly, and if you have hair that fits in a ponytail, it should be secured. I didn't find anything but my own hair (because my hair really does fall out that much) this time.
(5)
Coco K.
I like the place but the bartendetrs are mostly jackoffs who act like they are doing you a favor by doing their job.
(4)
L C.
Half of the bartenders are great, others are judgy hipsters. However, still upvoted because of the great food and casual atmosphere.
(4)
Jacqueline C.
Everyone who rated Grace's less than 4 stars didn't go there for the right reasons. To avoid any confusion, here is when you should head to Grace's: - You are covered in paint or sweat from the gym and don't care what you look like (they don't either) - It is after midnight, but you still haven't eaten and the pizza joint isn't picking up the phone - You don't feel like dealing with frat-packed Tenstone - You like whiskey (they have a surprisingly good selection) - Your goal is to get blackout drunk (to say that the pours are generous is an understatement... as they come neat in a 1/2 filled rocks glass) - You are embarassed by your date and don't want to see anyone you know for fear they will find out (refer to the point above) In summary, just because a place serves food, does not mean you should eat it.
(4)
Robert C.
This is one of those dive bars with surprisingly good food. It seems like a local neighborhood hangout. I think its rise in popularity makes getting around in the small place a complete cluster. It was a nice experience, but I wouldn't fight the crowds to go back there.
(3)
Brendan O.
We really enjoyed our first (about time!) visit to Grace Tavern, an understated effort at "upgrading" a neighborhood pub into something that offers more in terms of food and drink than the typical "'hood bar", but maintains its local, homey feel. A dozen great beers on tap and in healthy rotation, and a short but "tight" food menu that boasts some great but inexpensive sandwiches (I tried and really liked the Boudin Blanc, a veal sausage) and some nice simple sides, most notably the Belgian Frites that are a favorite at Fergie's other establishments in town (Monk's, The Belgian, etc.) and the nearly-famous-now Blackened Green Beans, well worth the $2.50 up-charge with my sandwich. Grace Tavern is small, so be warned: We went at a low-population time (6pm on a Monday), and I can only imagine how densely packed it might be during busier hours.
(4)
Laura C.
Exciting vibe and surprisingly good food. Fun local place and the prices are reasonable. Minus 1 star because the staff could've been more friendly. I also got mocked for asking about their wine.
(3)
Dana V.
This cool pub is a bit out of the way, so I don't end up here often. Excellent beer selection. And the one bartender is so friendly and funny, he always makes sure we have a good time. Some of the other staff, isn't quite as easy going, and one guy is downright rude. However, their burgers and fries make up for it. I also particularly like their salads. Beware, it can get really really crowded, so I would advise you not to stop by late night on a Friday or Saturday.
(3)
Michael M.
Bartender with the wraparound neck ratio is a dick. Bar's got a good vibe though. Blackened green beans are awesome.
(3)
Chris W.
Great food, excellent beer selection, awful service. I was impressed with the food at Grace Tavern when I first tried it... big taste for a small place. I order their burger and several other items on the menu, everything that I tried didn't disappoint. The beer selection - (as mentioned in many reviews) is very good. The staff and service - thumbs down. I can take jokes, and never take them personally. The one bartender at Grace Tavern is one of the worst bartenders I've come across. Its not even for a gimmick to keep the atmosphere of a local bar, hes a miserable person. I would ignore his comments completely if it wasn't for his slow service. Also, be aware - if you don't laugh while hes making fun of you, he will probably skip you a few times when you're looking for another beer. Its a shame, Grace Tavern is a nice place. I would enjoy it much more if I can put down a few beers without all of the stupid comments.
(3)
Aleksandra D.
Great low-key neighborhood bar with a nice beer selection and fantastic burgers. It can be a little dark and dirty, but it's overall a reliable spot.
(4)
Bradley D.
Super burgers, fast service, great ambiance. Grace's is the perfect neighborhood bar. There's a good mix of every type of group there in the evenings, and I sometimes even see families there in the afternoon. Do yourself a favor and get down to Grace's ASAP and get yourself a beer, burger, and fries.
(4)
Kristen L.
I had heard a lot about how great Grace Tavern was and that it was a must see spot. I decided to invite two friends to dinner with my fiance and I on a Friday night. We got there around 6:30pm and the place was crowded, completely jam packed. We saw they had a large selection of good beers, so we decided to stay and put our name on the list for a table. Because it was so crowded it took the four of us well over 30 minutes to actually order a drink. We figured once we had our drinks it couldn't possibly be too much longer until we got a table. 30 more minutes elapsed and another beer in our bellies. The two friends I had invited had to leave to make it to their other plans. After an hour of waiting on a Friday night my fiance and I decided that we might as well wait it out because if we left at that point any other place would have a wait as well. 45 more minutes went by before we finally got a table. I took a look at the menu and was genuinely surprised that I had waited 1 hour and 45 minutes for frozen fried food. I ordered the chicken fingers and fries and my fiance ordered Oyster Po-Boy Platter. It took another 25 minutes for us to get our food and it was mediocre. While we were eating, people were hovering over us trying to make room for others waiting. We felt genuinely rushed after having waited so long just to be able to eat. The food was the quality of something I could have made at home. I'd be willing to try Grace Tavern again if it were for lunch during the week. It's definitely not worth any wait over 5 minutes.
(1)
Cherie C.
Another great pub from the folks who brought you Monk's and Nodding Head. Great beer selection, quality food, friendly vibe. Try the spicy green beans. People eat them like French fries here...so good. But the real fries are good, too. And the burgers. The Philly 'gastro-pub' scene is a bit richer thanks to Grace.
(4)
Jennifer R.
Just about my favorite burger in Philly. And the spicy string beans? Don't even get me started. Delish!
(4)
Wade W.
I dig the place. Sure it helps its 60 yards from my in-laws house but always feel the waitstaff is courteous. Food is good and the Guinness is perfect. I will always pop in here when visiting my in-laws, who by the way, think highly of GT as well.
(4)
Jessica W.
I feel really guilty saying this, but honestly Grace, WHAT IS GOING ON?! You used to be one of my favorite places to grab a burger and a beer! Now you bring me my burger and fries with WAY too much seasoning, they're almost inedible! We used to be bff. What happened? I'm not giving up yet...
(4)
Jonathan O.
This is my favorite bar in Philly. Don't miss it. Grace Tavern is affiliated with other Philadelphia greats like Nodding Head, Monk's, Beerbistro, etc., but this one just gets it "right." It's the perfect blend of everything you want out of a neighborhood pub and nothing you don't. Top grades on everything: the delicious bar food, excellent beer selection, vibe, and friendly, knowledgeable staff, including my favorite bartender, Reese. I used to live on the 2300 block of St. Albans and used to come here very often. My only complaint about this place is that it didn't come with me when I moved. Things to look out for: - draft beer selection (seasonal, constantly evolving, great; many people go straight for their bottled offerings, but don't knock the pints! if you need help when ordering, which happens often to me because they're always rotating their great beers to new ones I've never tried before, simply ask the bartenders and they are sure to oblige. they'll even pour you a sample tasting before you commit to the full glass) - fries (my favorite in the whole world, and I'm a fry guy! so that's saying something. similar to Monk's Cafe's fries but thicker cut. perfectly fried and just the right amount of seasoning, served with pub mayonnaise dipping sauce) - blackened green beans (green, crunchy, spicy, the perfect, healthy fry alternative to their potato-based cousins, also served with pub mayonnaise) - entrees & sandwiches: burgers, vegan burger, & cajun dishes (prepared promptly, simply great, served late--kitchen's open until 2 am everyday)
(5)
Alec S.
Food: I am a sucker for toasted buns. Would go as far to say as this is the BEST BURGER IN PHILLY, especially considering the price ($7, fries included w/ the tangy mayonnaise dipping sauce). Simple, great char-broiled taste. Jambalaya and blackened green beans are good too. Drink: Beer list is right up there with any of the Philly gasto pubs. Not Belgian-y like Monks or (gross) homebrew choices like Nodding Head. Service: Hit or miss. Agree w/ others that shaved head dude epitomizes the Philly surly-service type. Long haired dude who says "cheers" after you order anything = one of the nicer servers I have encountered in Philly.
(4)
M P.
Favorite burger stand-by in the G-Ho area. Kennett Square burger is my favorite, and absolutely can't miss the blackened green beans. Beer list is constantly changing, and they are an active participant in all sorts of beer events. Cheap, consistent, tasty. Makes me hungry just to write about it.
(4)
michelle p.
I went here with some friends after a night out ice skating. The service was fast for midnight on a friday night. They had seating available, which the first time I tried to have a drink here they didn't have any. The staff was knowledgeable about the beer that they had on tap and was pretty attentive. We ordered the fries and they were gobbled up fast, because they were delicious.
(4)
Mikey I.
I'd have to agree strongly with the review by Bixley on 12/3. Went there yesterday evening (New Year's Day) and figured that maybe the inadequate service and medium burgers coming out charred was just on account of being there on a bad day. I mean, who really wants to work on 1/1 anyways? I went there with a fairly large group considering the space, my party was seven people - all of which ordered a burger aside from one po'boy sandwich. And of those 6 burgers, 3 of them were the Kelly's Burger - and I'm pretty sure they were all requested as medium. Not sure what part a charred-tasting extra-well done patty is considered medium, but mine was most definitely not medium. The fries that accompanied it also appeared to have been diced, perhaps I just got the shaft with bottom of the bag crumbs or something. The fries were also seasoned, which was great but probably bad for some as I don't think I saw any indication that they'd be as such on the menu. The food not living up to my expectations could have been forgivable if the service had been better. Our waitress ran back and forth without so much even asking out of courtesy as my group of friends grew thirsty with empty water glasses. It's not like the place is huge or anything either. There's what, 6 or 7 tables max? Willing to give the place another shot on account of having a good beer selection and the hopeful promise that if done right, their burger could quite possibly be one of the best. But for now, 3 stars is probably too generous and forgiving.
(3)
Cecily R.
Grace is wonderfully simple and delightful in it's own way! The blackened green beans and vegan burger keep me coming back for dinner. The beer selection is pretty awesome for a small pub. Great local watering hole.
(4)
Robin C.
I love this place. There's one bartender who is particularly amusing and friendly and for the most part the rest of them are as well. Try the oyster po' boy and you will super happy. Their fries are amazing especially when paired with their delicious dipping sauce. Pair all that with the great selection of beer and the convenience to my apartment and it's a winner.
(5)
Anna Marie C.
When I first moved to Philly, everyone told me to go to Monk's. Now, I like Monk's. But why is Grace better? The burger buns. They're soft and buttery, unlike the hard dry rolls that Monk's serves it burgers on. And the fries are longer, making it easier to dip into the deliciously spicy and creamy sauce. And nothing else beats beer and cake. Cake! and it's good cake. mmmm.... (And I have a friend who loves the fact that they serve Miller High Life. So if you're a fan of that...well, there ya go...)
(5)
J P.
These aint ya momma's green beans and that aint your daddy's beer. I like Grace. Good bar food (forget the gastropub shiz), good prices, good brews, nice staff (especial dudebro #1 behind the bar) Just go. If you want to sit go at an off hour. It fills up and gets crowded. Try the green beans and the tuna burger with hot sauce. Serious.
(4)
Kathryn M.
After reading about this place in Philadelphia magazine and on philadelphiaweekly.com I figure I had to check out this "amazing" bar that is two blocks from my house. I was a little disappointed upon entering as I think I was assuming it would be less dive barish. Now keep in mind I was there at 5pm on a Wednesday so the place was mostly empty and no one ever really wants to see a bar during the day - it just looses it's mystique. We had three burgers and three beers - pretty standard. The beer selection is pretty good. There are about 8 beers on tap and a fairly long list of bottled beer that had I noticed before I ordered one on tap I might have tried. Two of the beers we ordered came out pretty flat but not so bad as to send it back. The prices are extremely reasonable and the selection wonderfully varied. As I kept hearing about the burgers at this place I figured that's what I had to order (although the various sausage options looked really interesting and tasty). I got the standard Grace Burger with onions, lettuce and tomato. My companions had the South Street (blue cheese and onions) and the Kelly (bacon and sharp cheddar). The burgers were awesome, really. I wasn't expecting them to be anything special but they were really great. Mine had this great char-grilled taste and the size was perfect. More often than not I eat half a burger and call it a day. But that was just NOT going to happen here. Not only was the burger awesome and so forced me to eat the whole thing, but I ate all of the fries too. The fries aren't anything special (as reviewed elsewhere on here) but the house mayo for dipping and the grey poupon on the table. Well I'm a sucker for dips so - yay. All in all the meal was as success. I might think twice before bringing my boyfriends mother the minute she lands in town (as we did this time) but definitely a great option for a great burger in the grad-ho/fitler square area!
(3)
Paul B.
I was completely blown away by Grace Tavern. Good beers. They had around 8 on tap. They even had a sour on tap so this place wasn't messing around. I would have liked a better stout option ( I know it is summer and no one wants stout in the summer but why even carry Guinness then? Although at least that was the most mainstream beer on the draft list). So the beer options were definitely high quality. The atmosphere is great too. An old school metal kinda feel but the bar tenders are super nice. They seemed honestly concerned about trying to find us a table. And then... There was the food. Incredible. The burger I got was absolutely perfect. So juicy. Soft delicious bun. Covered in tasty mushrooms. Excellent fries with a spicy dipping sauce. This place looks like a dive bar but has the food of a quality sit down restaurant. Oh god I want that burger right now. Sorry other reviewers. If you don't like this place it's definitely you and not grace tavern because this place is amazing.
(5)
Aaron B.
The best burger in the city! The place is small so you will usually have to wait a little for a table. It is well worth the wait if you get a burger. They are perfectly cooked to your desired temperature. This is hard for many places to accomplish when pumping out so many burgers. Good beer selection and pretty good service for the most part. They get super busy so you may wait longer for your beer but it's nothing that will ruin the experience. After the burger you won't remember your beer took an extra three minutes to arrive
(4)
kelly f.
I have been to Grace many times in the past and always enjoy their beer selection, addictive burgers and enjoyable service...BUT tonight was different. Yes the burgers were still delicious, but really could a person be so horrible at their job? After getting our first round of drinks and ordering the blackened green beans to start, the barmaid did not come back to the table until we were drooling to order burgers. She preceeded to ask if we wanted to wait to order until the green beans came out. Thankfully we did not, because we never got the green beans. She never came back to check on us and when I was just about to get up so I could get something to drink she scolded me for having my legs on the chair next to mine! Mind you there was no one in the room and only 3 at the bar! (I'm pretty sure my legs are much cleaner then most behinds) I have been in the service industry for many years now and never had such outrageous service. When times are tough and people are dying to work, how could someone like this slip through the cracks?! Oh grace, I will make sure to visit when i know Reese or Ian are behind the bar.
(1)
lana p.
If you wanna come here on a weekend evening to eat good luck getting a seat. Food is fairly inexpensive, cool music, rock a billy vibe. Vegan burger-delicious and they even offer a nicoise salad-one of my personal favorite dishes anywhere. Also like the blackened green beans, but what the hell is that black stuff??? My friends and I decided it's burnt grease and probably not the vegetarian type.
(4)
Andrew D.
We stopped in Grace Tavern for a quick bite and drink on a weeknight. We'd heard a lot of good things and they are all true. We also have called ahead and gotten takeout. The beer selection is pretty good, in a "there is something here for everyone" sort of way - but it is definitely catering to the beer aficionado. Prices were very reasonable. The food really stands out. Burgers were excellent, well cooked and very well seasoned and fit in well with the Cajun theme that seems to run though the menu. The sausage sandwiches are very good. I was a little under whelmed with the tuna steak sandwich - the burgers and sausgage are king here. The green beans are good in a greasy, spicy way but some may find them too greasy to palate. The food prices are very, very reasonable - five sandwiches, two apps and a salad barely passed the $60 mark. The atmosphere is OK, sort of dive bar-ish but charming. The staff was very friendly and that helps to dispel the old-man bar vibe. My only complaint was the service was a bit slow, even with just a few people at the bar (we were the only table in the dinning area). Overall - great place to grab a beer and some cheap but delicious eats.
(4)
Jesse M.
I really like the vibe of this place. I recently spent the past Sunday watching football here for over seven hours. I had a blast speaking with the bartenders and other patrons. Good selection of beers, the food is decent and reasonably priced. Someone needs to tell me what the dipping sauce is that comes with the fries because I can't get enough of it. If I could fill my bathtub with this sauce and throw a bunch of different food items in there I would be in heaven.
(4)
Felix H.
What you're going to read below was written by somebody who was hungry. I'm not hungry anymore, but it wasn't because Grace Tavern did me a favor. Go somewhere else in center city and not Grace Tavern. Want to know why? Parking problems and troglodyte bartenders. If your 36 year old friend, who only wants a tasty burger and NOT drink, forgets his identification, it's okay to have a burger, mozzarella sticks, fries, and anything you please in center city. On an idle Monday, there isn't a loser behind the bar who can't see an area for exception. You don't have to look for parking for an hour and only find it at 15th and Catherine street because all the neighborhood people installed unnecessary garages on their recently constructed lofts. The bar won't be full of trendy dressed hipsters who don't realize their bartender doesn't even want their money; he wants to enforce bureaucracy to save his own hide. And he wouldn't tell you, after you walked from 15th and Catherine street to 23rd and south, that you had to leave on account of a rule. He would be perceptive enough to realize you were all grown adults and not treat you like children. If you were smart and went somewhere else, like center city, instead of a crappy, hipster friendly douche bar called Grace Tavern, you'd actually have less quality food. However, the people there would be nice, the atmosphere would be less crowded, and the tool behind the bar wouldn't be there. Instead, he would be a pleasant, unassuming woman who did not contribute to your growing hunger and serve you food.
(1)
Christina P.
Interesting, weirdly cheap menu ("fresh" fried oyster po boy for $11?) that is served until 2am all the time. They have a decent beer selection both on draft and in bottles. The bartender/server was pretty surly but I guess that's part of the charm? It's very small in here, I'm not sure if it ever gets that crowded but if it does I would imagine it gets uncomfortable.
(3)
Kass H.
A good friend of mine moved near Grace. We checked it out last week. I liked the Vegan burger, and I thought they had a good beer selection. The bartender, I felt, was a little over extended. Poor guy had to work the entire room by himself, so it took a little while to get noticed. BUT, for a guy in the weeds, he was very nice and never seemed to be too overwhelmed to answer any questions about the menu or life in general. Not a bad place to hang out.
(4)
Tim S.
Food: Excellent. Beyond excellent. The blackened green beans are one of a kind (at least as far as I've experienced), and the sausages and burgers are great. Service: Bizarre and wonderful. The waiters/bartenders all have distinct, quirky personalities and are just the kind of people you'd expect and want at a place like this. Beer Selection: Incredibly well curated and a staff knowledgeable and passionate enough about the selection to help know what's going on.
(5)
John K.
Great burgers, fantastic beer selection, and a charming atmosphere. Only complaint is that I live too far to make the trip on a regular basis.
(4)
Kristin H.
On a recent weekend trip to Philly, I managed to visit Grace Tavern twice and sample 2 different burgers...so I feel highly qualified to write this review. The first time we went in was about 8:30 on a Friday night. Grace Tavern was humming and there was a great feel to the place. I definitely had local-watering-hole-envy. I'm not sure if it's the best bar in Philly, but I can see how it made the top of somebody's list. We ordered a variety of burgers (1 with cheddar and mushrooms, 1 with bleu cheese and sauteed onions, 1 with swiss, tomato, lettuce and red onion), served on a buttery bun with garlicky mayo. All were delicious -- Definitely several notches above typical pub food. I was particularly excited to learn that the house specialty was crispy, spicy green beans. Is there another bar on the planet that can claim that as the house specialty?! What a great snack food! (I should also mention that the french fries were quite good.) They had a great selection of beers on tap and quirky bartenders/waiters who managed to handle the large Friday night crowd with relative ease. My second visit was for Sunday lunch. On a sunny fall day, Grace Tavern felt a little dark and depressing inside -- but that's my fault for going to a bar for Sunday lunch. My real complaint is that the wait for our burgers and tuna sandwich was RIDICULOUS (one hour plus) considering almost no one was in there. It obviously makes sense to visit this place at normal-bar-times when they're fully staffed.
(4)
Matt R.
Grace Tavern completes the "Bermuda Triangle" of bars in the western portion of Graduate Hospital. Why liken these bars to a geographic associated with mysterious disappearances? I'll tell you why. With so many delicious "high-test" beers being served between these three establishments, you could literally fall off the Earth if you are not careful. Even the famed Larry Kusche wouldn't know how to rationalize this one. Anyway, Grace Tavern is a good local spot with a nice tap list and formidable burgers. During my last visit, they had almost exclusively porters and stouts on tap which was disappointing. I realize gastropubs (Grace is more of a plain old pub) nowadays feature ever changing tap lists, which I love, however, on occasion the selection ends up on a dead-end road in Portertown, which is fine for porter lovers, that's just not my preferred scenery. The interior of Grace is a little rough. Its dark, and a little dank. The smell of cigarette smoke must be ingrained in the wood from the good old days. The prices are reasonable, and the bartenders and wait staff are friendly. The place gets pretty crowded in the evenings, so you might have to wait for a table if you are coming for dinner, something I was unprepared for on my first visit. Overall, Grace is a good spot to have a beer (or a few) and a burger. I wouldn't say its a great spot, but I don't think its trying to be. Grace is confident in who she is, a local bar with beer and food, and there's nothing wrong with that.
(3)
Coco D.
Best bar in Philly? really? REALLY? This is joke, yes? While I was digging the pressed tin ceiling, the dark wood bar, and the fabulous beer fridge, this place is a most effective lullaby, as I was so bored within 15 minutes of being here that it was off to nappy town. At first I thought maybe I'd spotted my first hot Philly scumbag bartender. Then I realized that he had washed his hair today, was wearing clean pants, seemed to care about serving customers, and didn't appear to be even slightly retarded. For shame! You sir, are a TERRIBLE dirtbag! Also, I thought this place was supposed to have a jukebox! I was totally stoked! And yet, I saw none. Something else I saw ZERO of was hipsters. Everyone here just seemed real nice and swell, drinking a beer and wearing a fleece. Zzzzzzzzzz. They probably have tasty food, and the drinks are adequately strong. However, this place didn't just miss the "cool boat", it probably didn't even have any idea where it was sailing from.
(3)
Bixley T.
The Grace Tavern is acceptable, but it most definitely does not stand up to two of its sister bars, Nodding Head and Fergie's. If it were not in walking distance I likely wouldn't bother going back. The first time I visited my medium burger came out extra-well done, as did my dining companions burger, burnt and looking like a hockey puck actually. And to top that off no one came to check on us ever... there were five other people in the bar, seriously? You work for tips, I also work for tips- move, I really want to over-tip you, but that is not going to happen if you suck. Well, while nursing my hangover after thanksgiving, we decided to give it another shot. The food was remarkably better. However, I am still bewildered as to why I can't add a simple side of greens to my burger and fries, but must instead order a $6.50 salad, a price I'm sure reflects the blue cheese on it I am allergic too and will not eat anyway. If one can choose greens or fries with a sandwich why can one not add greens to their sandwich and fries for an upcharge? Also, reflecting the sentiments of another reviewer- I have to agree the draft list is not half bad, but frankly I expect more from an establishment linked to some of the most successful beer-oriented pubs in the city. The bottle prices are definitely a win though!
(3)
Cyrus B.
I went to Grace Tavern on a Saturday night this past summer, and ordered a burger (well-done), fries, and of course, some beer. It was all excellent. The place has nice decor and a low-key atmosphere, although I was disappointed that it hadn't attracted a larger crowd. I've been back since, and plan on visiting again soon.
(4)
Hayley W.
Really love the burgers and fries here! Also had the blackened green beans (delicious!) and my friend had the oyster po'boy, which he loved as well. The ambiance is fantastic, too. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Diana G.
This is a pretty congenial place, but I'm still not sure why it was awarded "Best Bar" by a couple different publications. There's a definitely after-work professional crowd, along with locals and some folks who seem to travel from other parts of the city. I love the apple-walnut salad with ORGANIC chicken, but the nicoise salad was not impressive. Grace Tavern is more of a bar with food, rather than a food place. It's dark wood-paneled, which lends a colonial feel, with a long bar as you walk in. The staff are very personable, if not always able to spend lots of time with each table. It's definitely a gauntlet, though, as one walks in, with easily 90% of the crowd young men. It gets loud, crowded, and kind of scene-y on weekend evenings. Seated at the tables in the back are couples of all ages, though, and friends out for a quick bite. Interesting beer variety, reasonably priced. I go for the convenience, if not the food, necessarily.
(3)
Zina R.
Best bar in Philadelphia? That's a stretch. It's dark and there are always a few hipsters brooding at the bar. Also, ever since the PW article, it has consistently been packed with loud, obnoxious kids who look and act like they're fresh out of high school. But the food and Rees make up for it all. The burgers are flavorful and moist sandwiched b/w the most amazing le bus brioche roll. My favorite is the kelly burger. The sausages are perfectly seasoned. I often daydream about the tuna burger. So so good. And don't discount the chicken fingers and fries. I could eat them for every meal. The chicken is juicy and the outside has just the right amount of crispiness. And the (horseradish?) dipping sauce for the fries is like crack. Dip your burger in it and you'll be temporarily transported to heaven. But when you get back to earth you'll realize you're still in a small dark and dingy bar and you need another high life (i'm no beer snob). I only go when Rees is working and he's a total sweetheart. The other bartenders are not quite as...friendly.
(4)
emmalee c.
Came in during a Sunday afternoon. The bartender was awesome. There was only one other person in the whole place and she was another Grace worker who was also friendly and pretty cool. We all hung out and drank and ate. I had never been here and heard from friends (and yelp friends) that the burgers are bitchin. I am a phanatic so I got the Kelly (?) burger and the cajun beans. Slammin, the food was awesome. They had my favorite beer on tap, It was my lucky day. The cook came out and hung out with us after he was done, again, another awesome friendly guy. I came back again another night and it was packed. Service was still awesome. They put the Simpsons on and my boyfriend jizzed his pants. I love Grace.
(4)
heather j.
good cheap food, but don't look to be impressed. the cajun green beans are a must to try. great beer selection, but a dollar more in price than the god dog. small bar, Reese (bartender) is the best!
(3)
matt h.
Only been here once but it was a fun place. Interior is small but there is a back section with tables. They have a great selection of beer including some fantastic imports on draft. I was there on a Saturday afternoon with some friends and the bartender was very kind and didn't mind our nighttime behavior. If you go def. check out their burgers - I recommend the Kennett Square Burger.
(4)
Anna M.
I guess being voted the best bar in philadelphia sent my expectations soaring to unreasonable proportions. Realistically, there wasn't anything grossly objectionable about Grace, but I left feeling disappointed. Echoing what's been said by a few folks before, the service on my visit was surly and offputting. My buddy with me leaned over soon after our first interaction with the bartender and asked in a hushed voice, "Why does she hate me?" Good question. Couldn't tell him. It was the kind of service that made me want to crawl over the bar and pour the brews on my own. The plus side to Grace Tavern, and it is a major plus: Walking in during the afternoon hours makes you feel like a film noir star. The sunlight peeks in and casts gorgeous shadows over the deep dark room, and you feel as though you could be a lonely, forgotten housewife embarking on an ill-advised affair with the private eye you hired to investigate your adulterous hubby. That kind of cinematic atmosphere is rare and precious, so soak it up kids. Hell, maybe the pissy service adds to the dramatic effect.
(3)
Rebecca M.
Let me start by saying that we live in the neighborhood and that this was our favorite go-to bar for years. We would come here with friends from out-of-town, after a really late night at work for dinner, and sometimes on a random afternoon for a cold drink on a hot and sweaty day when we were too gross to go anywhere else. We had made this place part of our lives. My father-in-law had been here back in the 80's and was thrilled to see new ownership. My best friend (raised by a bar-owning family) had given it approval way before the Philly Weekly did. Reasons we loved it back then: blackened green beans, fries like at Monk's when you don't want to deal with the wait there, great beer selection, unpretentious, perfect amount of dive and grime. But we had a inconceivable experience about a year and a half ago and have never been back. And I think that other people should skip it as well. January 1, 2009. I know it was a holiday and bad manners can sometimes be excused by the stress that comes with it, but bear with me. My cousins and brother are in-town and we are headed to the Poconos the next day for our annual, under-40, family ski-day. We drop by Grace's for a low-key dinner and some beers. It's not that crowded and we get the big round table without much wait. My cousin, who has learning disabilities and is also a bartender, goes to order a beer he had never heard of before and has trouble pronouncing it (I know you have all had this problem with imports somewhere). He tries to order the beer and the bartender snaps at him because he can't understand what he said. My cousin becomes flustered and apologizes and says he didn't know how to pronounce it. The bartender snarls, "If your mouth wasn't full when you were trying to talk, I could hear what you were saying." My cousin wasn't eating. My cousin then proceeds to says that he is sorry, he has dyslexia, points to the menu, and asks how to pronounce it. The bartender essentially calls him a liar. At this point in time, I talk my slightly inebriated kid brother out of starting a honor fight on his cousin's behalf and we (now unhappily) finish our dinner and our round and go to leave. I've had conversations with this bartender before. He's given me samples, offered beer education, mentioned his favorite books. I figure he is having an off-night. On the way out, I approach the bartender and tell him about how we are regulars, about how my cousin does have disabilities, and that I am upset by how he treated my family. He essentially tells me to go fuck myself. Again, I have to talk my kid brother out of a brawl. And that is why I have given up blackened green beans.
(1)
Colin C.
Craving fries and beer, my friend and I stumbled around the block from her apartment to Grace, which was overflowing on this Saturday night. Squeezing through the unruly, largely professional-looking crowd which seemed to be producing demonic voices like that of Linda Blair's from the Exorcist, we felt lucky to find a table for two open in the back. Amidst the chaos, the only things that kept me there were the retro tin paneling on the walls and ceiling and the incredible basket of fries. The fries were great, though I would say they are comparable to Monk's in terms of deliciousness (especially since they come with the Monk's dippin sauce) and I don't think I will ever go back to Grace for more. In the end, the 45 minute wait for a server to acknowledge my friend and me was a major put-off. The surly waiter stomped back and forth past our table without even saying hi. It was probably the worst service I've received in Philadelphia, and it just made me feel sad.
(3)
Mark P.
Ok this is tough for me...went there a bunch of times when Reese was bartending and had a great time. However this past Saturday afternoon me, my gf another friend and his gf went there for a drink after we got back from a pool party . We were joking around cracking each other up just having a good time when the super skinny wanna be rocker bartender comes over and asks us if we can keep it down because people were complaining - aka his 3 friends at the bar. Last time I checked it was a bar and not a library. My gf is a bartender and I work in the nightclub industry and have never seen people laughing and having a good time told to tone it down. Def sticking to going there when Reese is behind the bar
(4)
Lucy H.
I didn't think I would like this place, but it kind of grew on me - it had a nice crowd. The bar keeps are extremely friendly and my husband loved his tuna steak sandwich - he especially loved the fries. I thought the food was reasonably priced. I say it's well worth a visit and plan to hang out for a bit and some of their great beers!
(3)
Margaret F.
This bar is a place I return to again and again. Get the blackened green beans.
(4)
J K.
Leo, the Napoleonic bartender at Grace, is the most obnoxious person I have encountered in my entire life. IF the food here was even halfway decent, and for soggy fries and mediocre burgers, it's not, it still wouldn't be worth being verbally assaulted by an angry bartender who is clearly trying to compensate for a small penis. I love beer and burgers. There are hundreds of good places to find them in Philadelphia, several within a few blocks of Grace. If you respect yourself at all and wish to be treated like a human being, take your business elsewhere. I'm better than that. So are you.
(1)
Simon L.
Back when the south street bridge is still open, this is where I will always stopped between Penn and my apartment. I moved to Philly for Penn not knowing a soul, Reese and James (the owner) are amazing. I miss this place so much. If you are able to make it here, you must, must, try the grace burger with the green beans.
(5)
B G.
This is the best bar in Philly - but remember that its exactly that - a bar - in Philly. This is not a first date place, or a place to meet 20 friends, or enjoy overpriced atmosphere. This is a bar. It is comfortable, it is dark, and it is wonderful. The bartenders are true Philly gold. Depending on the night you go, you might be greeted by a tough Philly skull cracker or warm smiles and laughs from Reese. But regardless of who serves you, one thing remains the same, they don't put up with obnoxious customers, they are quick, they are smart, and they are all Philly. This type of bar rewards your frequent patronage with great new beers more frequently than you would believe, fantastic food that is reasonably consistent, and the opportunity to be surrounded by other people that appreciate these things. Food Note- The charred green beans are spectacular - be sure to order those instead of fries (although the fries are good too). I believe they make their sausage fresh, and all of it is good. The fried oyster po-boy is perfect for those heavy beers. Basically, I have eaten the whole menu and have rarely been disappointed. I can see where all of the people who discovered the bar in Philly mag and thought that they would roll in on a crowded weekend night and fall in love with Grace's would be disappointed because it is hard to see all of this in one sitting. You really need to go on an off night - say mon, tues, wed - and soak in the laid back vibe and enjoy. That way, when you show up on Fri or Sat to get that next fix, you won't notice or care about the invariable crowd, because you will be focused on the beer, the food, and the great people that make this the best bar in Philly.
(5)
rebecca h.
If I could have given this establishment zero stars, I would have. If you are hungry and do not want to drink an alcoholic beverage, and you forgot your driver's license- don't bother coming here. After a bulky, rude bartender took my food order he proceeded to ask for my driver's license. I misplaced it, and after searching my purse for about 5 minutes, I was told I would have to leave. But wait, I ordered food about 5 seconds before. He wouldn't let me cancel my order. What a d-bag. So I ate on the stoop around the corner like a hobo. Needless to say, I did not tip him. I agree that it was my mistake to forget my id, but come on man, I'm 25 and have no desire to sneak a sip of my friend's beer. Grow up, son. This place blows- there are plenty of better bars in Philly. I hope the guy that turned me away (big, goatee, stupid Mohawk) cries himself to sleep every night because he realizes that he is a simpleminded man with no future and gets his kicks by putting down independent, strong women. Thank you.
(1)
Jack M.
Grace Tavern makes going to a neighborhood bar fun again. All of the bland bars of Rittenhouse Square have managed to bore me in under three months of living in Philadelphia. Grace's bartenders are excellent. They actually care about their beer and ensure you enjoy the right ones. The vibe of the bar is the perfect mix of eclectic music, bar/table/counter locations to enjoy your drink, and folks from the neighborhood. I walked ten blocks in the freezing cold last night to go there, when I live three doors down from Irish Pub, which is a more schizophrenic version of a neighborhood bar (that weird back seating area?). That's commitment.
(4)
Erika G.
I was stuck in Philadelphia en route from NYC to SFO for the night and my Philly friend Andi, being the wonderful lady she is, suggested Grace's for a few drinks before we head out to some house party. I live in Manhattan and the first thing I thought was--damn, this looks like it belongs in the Village! It has that NYU vibe to it, which makes complete sense since it was packed with UPenn kids.. not that NYU and UPenn students are the same. But it also has that Greenwich Village look and feel. Okay, I may not be making any sense but just trust me on this. Anyway, Andi suggested this place because the beers and the bar food are both good. There's a wide range of beers on tap (Monks Cafe is my favorite!) and an even greater selection of bottled beers. And the food! The blackened green beans--yum! It was piping hot and served with a spicy mayo dipping sauce. In addition to this, I had the chicken apple sausage sandwich, which was delicious. Best of all, everything was SO cheap. This place was packed and it's a no-brainer why--Grace's is awesome!
(4)
Jessica S.
With the closing of South Street bridge, I haven't been to Grace's as much as I'd like (or as often as I use to) but every time I do make it there, I truly enjoy myself. This isn't a bar where you need to look a certain way or act a certain way. - it's an old-style neighborhood bar with a single TV (not flat panel), some colorful bartenders (Reese is great!), great beer, and AMAZING food. The bar is dark and has a variety of bar-seating, dining tables and standing room. Although the bartenders can make just about any drink under the sun, I wouldn't recommend coming here for the latest "it" drink you read about in cosmo - this just ain't that kinda place. Try the Kelly burger with fries - I might like this even better than the burgers at Good Dog! I honestly prefer going here on weeknights as it just gets too crowded on the weekend - especially since it's become so popular! Damn, now after writing this all I want is a burger and a beer at Grace Tavern!
(5)
Michael K.
Ah, a nice, dark, neighborhoody place in a hood that gets dodgy quickly to the south, and expensive and ritzy to the North. This place is a great bridge between the two and not just because they carry La Fin du Monde (translates to: the end of the world) here. This is a great spot for a sausage sandwich and a few beers. Which can become 4. No, make that 6, in the course of a great night or weekend afternoon. Staff is awesome, and the other patrons are unassuming and fun in a way that reminds me of a Bukowski story. I like it there, and I wonder why I don't end up there more often.
(4)
Chrissy R.
I LOVE the Grace Tavern. Good food. The only reason I mark it down as low as I have is because there are just not enough places to sit down and have a fucking burger. This place is also awesome if you wanna catch sight of the illustrious Fergie as he seems to be there more than at Fergie's and other places. Dude needs to get some more tables in though.
(4)
Mel I.
Kelly burger....I love you.
(5)
Simon E.
I like Grace's, it really feels like some of the old men style pubs back in the UK. People may have issues with the dark moulding but this is very much old man UK pub style and I would be depressed if it went away. The food is good as long as you want a burger and you don't mind it being a bit greasy. I've never had a major problem with the staff but there certainly hasn't been a lot of banter when I've been in there. I was in on Friday night and had three pints of Yards. It was a new style that I hadn't tried before and so didn't stop drinking it due to the fruity flavor as it looked cloudy and I thought it must be a Wheat Beer. Needless to say, the fourth pint came and was clear and tasted very different. Resulted in me and a friend having pretty crap guts on Saturday morning. Never any excuse for this, if you are going to serve draft beer and charge a fair whack for it, then you have to keep your taps clean. They lost a star just for that, win it back please.
(3)
Chris W.
Grace is everything you want and expect from a neighborhood bar. They have a great selection of beers, the food is greasy but good as far as bar food goes, and the bartenders are super nice if you are, and super mean to those who deserve it. I would, however, suggest to visit this wonderful bar during off hours, or when school isn't in session. Since it's right off the South St. Bridge, it tends to get a younger, obnoxious crowd on weekend nights. I'm not even sure why kids choose Grace of all places to come to; you would think they would go to some crap Irish bar, or a place that has massive man-imals as bouncers. It's very apparent that the bartenders aren't happy about that relationship either, which only makes me love the place that much more. Still, Grace gets four stars for it's comfortable feel, great bartenders, and nice selection of beers. Side note: Find out whenever Reese or Lulu is bartending... go, and you're guaranteed to have a good time.
(4)
dan V.
I went with limited expectations, but at least thought my food would be fair or better. I'll admit that the green beans were worth it. However, the burger I had ordered medium rare was served charred. No burger should ever be served that way. Is it too much to ask that a chef performs some quality control. While the atmosphere was good, the burger experience is enough for me never to return.
(1)
Sierra T.
So this is my tried and true favorite bar in philadelphia. I have to say I'm in love with Reese and Leo. My hands down two favorite bartenders in this fine city. Reese, he's the sweetest guy you'll ever meet, gives great service, and says "right on." Leo, is well Leo, he's kind of a dick to others, but we get along swimmingly and I adore him. The food here is eehhh, but they serve till 2 a.m. so who cares and the beer is pretty all right. All in all a damn good bar.
(5)
kathy t.
Beer=good. Burgers, sausage sandwiches=good. Fries= sometimes incredibly good and crispy and straight out of the deep fryer with a little spicy kick from the spicy dust and the remoulade dippy stuff, sometimes limp, soggy and barely warm, or overly salty and covered in so much spicy salt that I'm going into sodium overload. Why?! This inconsistency makes me sad b/c I want to love them all the time.
(3)
Milk W.
Pretty run of the mill, old corner bar that is trying to be more than they are. Burgers are fine, but there are plenty of fine burgers in Philly. A selection of 10 draught beers sounds great. When you look closer, one is Yuengling, one is Guinness, a few others are not very good beers and in the end you are left with about 2 or three possibly interesting beers. The bartenders do not interact. The one CD, Ramones - a good choice, keeps playing over and over and over; how many times can you listen to :Sheena is a Punk Rocker" in one evening? And unless you are really looking for a super heavily spiced, salted Green Bean, avoid the blackened Green Beans. Overall, if I had this or some corporate type day of the week bar, this wins. But Philly has grown up, Graces has to grow up too.
(2)
Nikki V.
Blackened green beans & Anchor Steam & the beer cooler is always wearing a new seasonal hat.
(4)
Kim J.
Damn but their food is tasty. I've actually had dreams about the Spicy green beans- yes, they are spicy enough to warrant an upper-case "s". The tuna burger is also close to divine, but be sure to order fries or you'll feel left out since it comes with a salad. The burgers are quite tasty and you might not feel like you have any room left for beer, but you better save some- they've got pretty nice ones on tap. Last time for me, it was Stoudt's Scarlet Lady. Yum. The tin ceilings are great, but too bad the place is tiny and there's only room for a few tables. It is indeed a "lovingly restored" pub and I wish there were more places like this!
(5)
Peter B.
Not a fan of the food, but I really like the atmosphere...dark, small old-style Irish taproom with the Fergie's touch. Crowd is a mix of hipsters and G-Ho young professionals. I miss it now that I live miles away.
(3)
Larissa S.
We love Grace Tavern! My roommate and I go here all of the time because its near our house and everything is done right: from the friendly, genuine service to the perfectly cooked burgers. The burgers are the best we've had in Philly, and the $8-$9 price tag is just an added bonus. They also have a nice selection of beer including some choices from local breweries, and although their fries are just o.k., the sauce that comes with them its amazing. Go! You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Chihee K.
Dark, old, eclectic little dive bar. The beer was good but the place just doesn't make me feel comfortable. I wouldn't take a date or a friend visiting from out of town to this little joint.
(2)
Philee M.
I have a little secret to share with Yelp reviewers: I am a cheating vegetarian. So I eat a burger or other red meat about once a year when someone says there's something I HAVE to eat or I just want to go for it. So I recently cheated at Grace Tavern b/c my husband--who NEVER EVER eats hamburgers told me the burgers there were good. Huh? Since when did you eat a burger? Anyway, I ate the whole thing right up. It was charcoaly and tasty and delicious. The fries were my favorite of the Monk's, Belgian, Fergie's, Grace group, too. Yum!
(4)
Lauren D.
You know, I really like Grace Tavern. For some reason I was pretty intimidated by it at first but it's a nice place. It attracts a good mix of people and is usually way less crowded than Monk's, it's sister restaurant. Although I have only really gone there at 1am so that could be why. ANYWAY, I know everyone brags about the fries at Monk's (hell, I did too) but believe me when I say that the fries at Grace trump them completely. they are thicker and the seasoning is a lot better. I haven't had a chance to try the other food but people have told me that their Po' Boys are delicious. Another good thing about Grace is that their kitchen is open until 2am, where as most bars close their kitchen early. This way you can satisfy those drunchies without having to make that Wawa run post-bar. Oddly enough, the same bartender has been there all the times that I've been there too. His name is Joey and he seems like a really good guy, as well as a great bartender. My friend came along the first two times I went there and he remembered us, which instantly made us feel welcome (apparently it's now our official local bar too, but those are Joey's words, not mine :X). Grace Tavern is a great place with a slightly dive-ish feel to it. Although I would recommend going before 1am because you won't want to leave after an hour ;]
(5)
Tim C.
Bar tender is a complete hand job. Very rude. Won't be going back to try the food.
(2)
mary l.
Good beers on draught, decent prices $5-6/each. I have to confess that on this night, beer wasn't a priority but food was. And it was surprisingly great quality/totally hit the spot. The kenneth burger (medium) with cheddar and mushrooms was so juicy and had great meat flavor. It was simple by prepared really well. The burger came with fries and Cajun spices all over. It was totally unexpectedly delish. On top of that, we had sauteed green beans with blackened Cajun spices and a remoulade sauce that took the beans to another level. Chicken apple sausage was pretty good too, quite ginormous, with a heap of greens. Totally divey atmosphere with bartenders who seem like they've worked there forever.
(4)
J D.
First off, I don't get this Philly thing that bartender's seem to be annoyed that their reading has been interrupted by a customer??!! The bartender then proceeds to go back and read and never looks up again until I am walking out the door. There are more complaints, but that's enough actually, pretty much sums it up.
(1)
Meghan H.
Oyster Po' Boy. Wow. Seriously, I crave this sandwich. And the sauce they serve with it is delicious on the sandwich as well as the fries. Add to that an effortlessly laid back atmosphere, low prices, and great beer selection, and you have an excellent neighborhood spot.
(4)
Heather C.
This is definitely my favorite favorite pub to come and grab a burger/sandwich and stay for a couple of beers. The beers on tap are great, and the green beans are to die for ( phillymag.com/dining_foo… ). Bartender is friendly. Service can be slow if they're busy and you're not eating at the bar. Bathroom is scary. All to be expected!
(5)
Tom A.
Grace Tavern, it took me a long time to get here, but I did. Had to wait till after the second trip, and food, to write the review. So here goes nothing. Been here two times, on weekend nights, both times walked right up to a seat at the bar. Good start. The tap menu is slim, and two of those spots are/were ciders, step backwards. The bottle list was a bit beefier though. step forward. Atmosphere was the right kind for me, chill, pressed tin ceiling, long bar and little dining room. Another step ahead. The bartenders were cool, although a bit busy. Peak Organic Pale Ale was really good. Then there is the food. Everyone on here was raving about the Blackened Green Beans, so I had to try the small ($2.00) size of them. When I got them I couldn't believe they were only 2 bucks... there was more than I or my buddy could eat, and actually I didn't feel right eating them. I just know they can't be any good for you. Greasy, flavored of all the other things that were ever cooked there ever, and just a little too much. if that makes sense. I can see why people go ape for them, but I was a bit weary. I also had a burger with bleu cheese and something, cooked almost completely rare, that scared me too, but I ate it and it was really really damn good. (the next days trips to the toilet led me to believe I should have gotten it a little more cooked). They make a note on the menu of calling fries 'frites' and guess what, they were plain old SYSCO frozen french fries (the time I was there anyway). My buddy commented that "the frites were good" and I nearly put him in the million dollar dream for using the term frites on obviously standard issue fries. Anyway, after I berated him on that we got on to a good night at drinking at a very nice bar. Last note... my favorite beer here is at $5.00, 50 cents cheaper than anywhere else I know about. POPE, you have been beat on that finally... And for anyone who wants to know, that beer is La Fin Du Monde, so if you are reading and know you can get it for 5 or less alert me so I can track it on the "LaFindex" which right now is hovering around 6 bucks a bottle. Thanks.
(4)
Totally I.
Since I'm not a fan of Monks - I like Grace. The atmosphere is a bit less cave-esque. The beer on tap is fairly genaric, but not bad (genaric as in Lager, Yards, Dogfish head - as opposed to Bud, Bud light, yak, yak, yak) but the bottle selection is quite eclectic, tasty, and slightly pricey - but no more so than the Foodery, the only non-bar you'll find these guys in in Philly. Food's pub+ food... that gastro-pub type thing that's going around. The staff is a kick. Sadly, the clientele seems less and less diverse... maybe it's that monstrocity of urbanity - Naval Square that's finally being populated. Oh, and the Neighborhood is Devil's Pocket! Don't let the realtors YUPify the vernacular. I'd add... in my all things hated of Monks, the same bottles of beer are more reasonably priced at Grace - even if they share the same owner.
(4)
Eugenia C.
pros: - sweet jesus, the chicken tenders are good - the bourbon sauce for the fries are to die for - reese, one of the bartenders there, is a total sweetheart - excellent beer choices cons: - i'm pretty sure the bathroom doors dont lock - actually, come to think of it, the bourbon sauce for the fries may be laced with crack. there is no other explanation for it being THAT good and that addictive.
(5)
Kay B.
I was very disappointed by Grace Tavern. I seemed to have always held Grace on a pedestal, as if it were one of the best pubs in the city. I hadn't been there in years, and my husband and I went there yesterday for a pint around 4:30pm. While the beer selection was wonderful, the two beers that we bought cost $12 total. And at 4:30pm! If you go to most places at that hour, there are happy hour specials and you rarely pay more than $3 for even the tastiest of brews. Moreover, the bartender was quite gruff and barely acknowledged us when we arrived. After taking her time in getting to us, we ordered our beers. When I questioned the $8 change we received on a $20 bill, she simply said, 'yea, your Manayunk Black Eye PA was $5.50 plus tax, which comes out to $6.05; as if I was crazy to even question a $6 happy hour pint. plus, who charges tax on beer? um, Grace Tavern, this is not New York City - and you are not that cool.
(2)
Omar E.
Yeah, fuck this place. The end.
(1)
Kathy L.
A hidden gem. Delicious spot for burgers and beer. It's more tilted toward the dive scene than pub atmosphere, but that's all a part of the charm. The service here is excellent, even by restaurant standards. Our server was a great host - really attentive and knowledgeable - despite it being a busy friday night. My advice would be to stick to the burgers. We've tried the jambalaya and it was ok, but not great. Would have been a disappointment if it was the main event and not serving as an appetizer. The double fried fries are good. If you get the string beans instead - watch out - they're pretty spicy.
(4)
Stephen H.
The server was a trip on this Thursday night..super friendly, with a hint theatrics, adds to the fun. It's amazing how much a little personality behind the bar, can make a a neighborhood bar, the kind of place you walk out of your way for. I had the jambalaya and it was done well with all the ingredients mixing, sometimes that doesn't happen. My friend liked her hot sausage, ( thats a n awkward sentence) and who would have thunk, that green beans were the perfect bar snack. Reasons why this place didn't hit the big 4or 5 star are it gets crowded even on a week night. You have to eat practical on your neighbors lap. finally, its very hot in there. first visit was in early May, and it was sweltering, did drink my beers fast, so for them its a plus. I was going to stop in two weeks ago, but as I went inside the heat hit me in the face, so I left. last night it was un seasonably cool, so i decided perfect night for a visit, and I was right. I think come Fall, i will be frequenting this nice bar more often.
(3)
Tim O.
The drink prices are fair. The bartenders aren't even close to being dicks. They're friendly with a strong pour. And maybe they'll even smoke some tree with you. A bit small and no jukebox. Music controlled beyond the bar. Those are the only downsides. Nice and dark and not too hip. I'd definitely go back. I'm surprised it took me so long to come.
(4)
Vince R.
Good place. Nice beer selection. Service is a bit slow but prices make up for it. Divey but in a classy way.
(4)
rey b.
strolled in on a grey sunday afternoon with a friend to find out what all the fuss is about. there were 2 other patrons at the bar & a large table of people sitting in the back dining room. the bartender got our drink order, 2 sodas & 2 coffees. for some odd reason, we had to wait a bit longer than anticipated for our beverages. we placed our brunch order & chatted & chatted & chatted. we weren't sure why our salad, blackened green beans, & eggs benny were taking so long, so we asked the bartender if it'd be much longer for our food. she mentioned the large table placed an order right before us, so it would be out momentarily. the food was tasty, but we were disappointed about the 45 minute wait for our brunch. hoping the bartender would at least comp our sodas, the check arrived, everything was on the bill. i guess i'd give this place another shot based on all the lip service this place gets, but don't be surprised if you wait a long time for your meal. it's a shame because i enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere & the food was reasonably priced. maybe i just need to return in the evening for a proper dinner.
(2)
Karma B.
I love everything about this place. It's small, the bartenders know their trade. The food is nothing super fancy but always well prepared and good. Great burgers here. Blackened green beans are awesome and I hate vegetables. Beer a plenty. This is a pretty cool place for Philly. The crowd is very grounded. Not for hipsters or socialites.
(5)
Jason O.
Yes it's a bar with beer and stuff but OMG the jambalaya and the blackened string beans. O. M. G.
(5)
To M.
Good beer selection and delicious burgers. Great "old man bar" atmosphere. Some hipsters, but all are welcome.
(4)
Nicole R.
Grace has everything you need in a pub-- great, simple pub food (the Jambalaya is unspeakably delish and the blackened string beans provide a tasty alternative to french fries), a varied beer selection including many local microbrews and craft beer as well as Belgians (try Orval...) The bartenders are really great. Say hi to Reece and Lulu who play great music and are personable AND snarkastic. It is no surprise that this is one of Fergie's places. It has that smart simplicity that makes his establishments so successful.
(5)
Jake P.
Great secret of the highly-ignored Gray's Ferry section of the city. Grace's has one of the better beer lists per price in the city. From $4-7, you can sample some belgium brews like the bigtimers. What's more, the extremely-friendly staff is more than happy to offer suggestions or field questions, so as not to be pretentious like so many barkeeps. The food is served late, and better than your average pub grease. The menu is very original, like the beer list. I like the dark lighting, the loud conversation, the prime '80s New-Wave/Indie music, and the friendliest staff in this section of the city. Grace's is a well-kept secret, so be careful who you tell... [says the guy posting it online]
(4)
boz V.
Hadn't been to this place since they opened and I never tried the food. The wife and I got out of the 90 degree heat and sat down at a tiny table tucked into a dark corner. Stoked. We both couldn't resist the description of the South Street burger, and ordered up two. She got the blackened green beans on the side while I went with the traditional frites. The burger was real good. Bleu cheese and sauteed onions. What took it to the awesome level for me was the brioche bun. Perfect size and a nice texture. My only complaint is that the famous Monk's mayo for the fries was a bit too salty. My wife noticed there were capers in there so maybe it was that. We washed it all down with a couple drafts, Ithaca Apricot Wheat and Lagunitas Dogtown Pale Ale. Not sure if that's named after the Venice surf/ skateboard scene that started in the 70's, but I like to think that it is. They had nine taps and a decent selection of bottles. Recommended, brah.
(4)
Veronica Y.
This is one of my local bars. Make sure you go on nights of the week when Reese is working the bar. The other guy is a complete asshole and will make you cry. The food is cheap, quick to come out, and surprisingly good for bar food. Decent selection of beers and drinks.
(4)
Amanda F.
Totally empty at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon, we were greeted by an adorable, gigantic German Shepard-type dog, and grabbed the big round table next to the bar. The bartender didn't mind that we sat there for ages, only ordered chicken fingers (delicious) and fries (with an awesome sauce), an iced tea, and some beer. It was a pretty nice place to hang out, have a nice conversation, a drink and a snack.
(4)
Jonathan B.
Rude service to regulars. I have been going to Grace Tavern for years and have spent hundreds of dollars at this place. It is generally fine -- they have a decent beer selection and pretty good food -- but tonight I was encountered by such rudeness by the staff that I will likely never go to Grace again. I was sitting at a table with 6 other people, each of whom ordered and finished food and 1-2 beers, and after 30 minutes, a couple of us had ordered another round. We were forced to get up from our table because people apparently needed to sit there, yet no one was seated for quite some time. I calmly asked the staff member why he made us get up, and he yelled, wouldn't allow me to get a word in edge wise, and failed to listen. I'm taken aback as to how unappreciative they are of their customers, and tonight they lost several regulars.
(1)
Sally f.
i love this place. great food!!!! the greenbeans - wow. the servers are friendly. my boyfriends uncle brings his two little kids here all the time and they always have coloring books and crayons. it really is nice to be able to bring up kids in the city and have them experince real south philly. i read someone else said theres no typical croud here - i realize now thats true and how nice that is.
(4)
John T.
Grace Tavern is, was, and always will be my favorite bar. Sadly I'm no longer in Philadelphia, but I always make a pilgrimage whenever I return to my old 'hood. The beer list is top notch, as you'd expect from a Monk's subsidiary. But the atmosphere, music and food really make it. Fantastic service - Rees and Leo rule, though newcomers who don't know what to expect sometimes can be taken aback. This is not a place to do shots and jagerbombs; it's way more low key than that (and the bartenders will let you know). Best burger. Best fries. Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Grace was the homemade cake. If I had lots of money, I'd invest in a teleport solely to be able to still go to Grace for a late night beer, some fries and a piece of chocolate stout cake.
(5)
Warren A.
We popped in for a late night snack and some beers. We chatted with the bartender and ate some of their great slightly-spicy french fries. Bliss.
(4)
Kingsley S.
Fun out of the way bar with really good food. The burgers are reliable as is the rest of the menu. Love the beer selection. The service is not in your face but gets it done. The decor is old world charm.
(4)
Retset Y.
went on a saturday night with only one bartender tending the entire bar plus the tables. this meant it took forever to get our drink, food and check. however, the burger and fries was so good! i think it was the actual bun that made the burger and they use old bay seasoning (i think) on the fries (which i like) and it's served with a yummy aoli. beer selection is not bad. they just need to hire another bartender and/or server.
(3)
astro t.
I've been to Grace Tavern on many occasions and it has been great all the time. Sometimes crowded, Grace Tavern has a pub atmosphere with great burgers, sausages and fries. Beers are tasty as well, associated with the Nodding Head Brewery, Monks'. The bartenders do what they do, sometimes talkative sometimes not. It's become a good place to hang out and relax afterwork to grab a drink. There's some seating in the rear and then the bar and wall counter in front.
(5)
Rachel B.
this place has fantastic burgers and fries (with bay seasoning). don't bother telling them how you want your burger cooked, it's always the same and always good. it's dark and quiet enough to talk but not quiet enough that everyone else knows your business. grace is best on weeknights when not that crowded.
(5)
matthew l.
Monk's took an old old style neighborhood taproom and converted it into a new new style neighborhood bar. Fairly small. Good food with great fries, sausages and burgers with the signature deep fried green beans hugely overrated. Excellent selection of beers and we have always gotten a server who is knowledgeable about them. Great juke box. This place puzzles me as people who go are usually split in their opinion of the food and service, though everyone loves the beer. We began going when Monk's got so difficult to get in. Despite the controversy that it sparks, we have never had anything but a great time at Grace.
(3)
scott s.
these sandwiches are great. the blackened green beens are great. the beer is great. lulu and rees are great. i got nothing else to say. great great great
(4)
Michael M.
Grace Tavern is old reliable. Good vegan burgers (same as the other Fergie-Tom Peters restaurants), great fries, excellent blackened green beans, and my carnivore friends swear by their real burgers. The beer selection is good, with a nice mix of local drafts (including Nodding Head Grog fairly often) and the always awesome Monk's Sour Ale. Service is occasionally good (Reese is a fantastic dude), occasionally spotty and unnecessarily stuck up. It's small, attracts a good mixed crowd--professional drunks, hipsters, runoff from the Penn Museum (pre-South-St-Bridge-closing), and neighborhood locals. The space is beautiful and rarely too packed, and is by far the best option in the neighborhood (haven't yet tried Pub & Kitchen, but Grace blows Ten Stone and Doobies away). So, relaxed, good beer, and good food. Pretty perfect for a neighborhood bar which doesn't try to be anything else, much to the chagrin of trendbots who have managed to find their way out of Old City.
(4)
Una M.
Great place in G-Ho which is more and more a "destination" in the city. I obsess over the sausage sandwich. Prices are fair, food is good and it is not pretentious.
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Groups : Yes Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Juke Box Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Has TV : Yes
B G.
This is the best bar in Philly - but remember that its exactly that - a bar - in Philly. This is not a first date place, or a place to meet 20 friends, or enjoy overpriced atmosphere. This is a bar. It is comfortable, it is dark, and it is wonderful. The bartenders are true Philly gold. Depending on the night you go, you might be greeted by a tough Philly skull cracker or warm smiles and laughs from Reese. But regardless of who serves you, one thing remains the same, they don't put up with obnoxious customers, they are quick, they are smart, and they are all Philly. This type of bar rewards your frequent patronage with great new beers more frequently than you would believe, fantastic food that is reasonably consistent, and the opportunity to be surrounded by other people that appreciate these things. Food Note- The charred green beans are spectacular - be sure to order those instead of fries (although the fries are good too). I believe they make their sausage fresh, and all of it is good. The fried oyster po-boy is perfect for those heavy beers. Basically, I have eaten the whole menu and have rarely been disappointed. I can see where all of the people who discovered the bar in Philly mag and thought that they would roll in on a crowded weekend night and fall in love with Grace's would be disappointed because it is hard to see all of this in one sitting. You really need to go on an off night - say mon, tues, wed - and soak in the laid back vibe and enjoy. That way, when you show up on Fri or Sat to get that next fix, you won't notice or care about the invariable crowd, because you will be focused on the beer, the food, and the great people that make this the best bar in Philly.
(5)rebecca h.
If I could have given this establishment zero stars, I would have. If you are hungry and do not want to drink an alcoholic beverage, and you forgot your driver's license- don't bother coming here. After a bulky, rude bartender took my food order he proceeded to ask for my driver's license. I misplaced it, and after searching my purse for about 5 minutes, I was told I would have to leave. But wait, I ordered food about 5 seconds before. He wouldn't let me cancel my order. What a d-bag. So I ate on the stoop around the corner like a hobo. Needless to say, I did not tip him. I agree that it was my mistake to forget my id, but come on man, I'm 25 and have no desire to sneak a sip of my friend's beer. Grow up, son. This place blows- there are plenty of better bars in Philly. I hope the guy that turned me away (big, goatee, stupid Mohawk) cries himself to sleep every night because he realizes that he is a simpleminded man with no future and gets his kicks by putting down independent, strong women. Thank you.
(1)Jack M.
Grace Tavern makes going to a neighborhood bar fun again. All of the bland bars of Rittenhouse Square have managed to bore me in under three months of living in Philadelphia. Grace's bartenders are excellent. They actually care about their beer and ensure you enjoy the right ones. The vibe of the bar is the perfect mix of eclectic music, bar/table/counter locations to enjoy your drink, and folks from the neighborhood. I walked ten blocks in the freezing cold last night to go there, when I live three doors down from Irish Pub, which is a more schizophrenic version of a neighborhood bar (that weird back seating area?). That's commitment.
(4)Erika G.
I was stuck in Philadelphia en route from NYC to SFO for the night and my Philly friend Andi, being the wonderful lady she is, suggested Grace's for a few drinks before we head out to some house party. I live in Manhattan and the first thing I thought was--damn, this looks like it belongs in the Village! It has that NYU vibe to it, which makes complete sense since it was packed with UPenn kids.. not that NYU and UPenn students are the same. But it also has that Greenwich Village look and feel. Okay, I may not be making any sense but just trust me on this. Anyway, Andi suggested this place because the beers and the bar food are both good. There's a wide range of beers on tap (Monks Cafe is my favorite!) and an even greater selection of bottled beers. And the food! The blackened green beans--yum! It was piping hot and served with a spicy mayo dipping sauce. In addition to this, I had the chicken apple sausage sandwich, which was delicious. Best of all, everything was SO cheap. This place was packed and it's a no-brainer why--Grace's is awesome!
(4)Jessica S.
With the closing of South Street bridge, I haven't been to Grace's as much as I'd like (or as often as I use to) but every time I do make it there, I truly enjoy myself. This isn't a bar where you need to look a certain way or act a certain way. - it's an old-style neighborhood bar with a single TV (not flat panel), some colorful bartenders (Reese is great!), great beer, and AMAZING food. The bar is dark and has a variety of bar-seating, dining tables and standing room. Although the bartenders can make just about any drink under the sun, I wouldn't recommend coming here for the latest "it" drink you read about in cosmo - this just ain't that kinda place. Try the Kelly burger with fries - I might like this even better than the burgers at Good Dog! I honestly prefer going here on weeknights as it just gets too crowded on the weekend - especially since it's become so popular! Damn, now after writing this all I want is a burger and a beer at Grace Tavern!
(5)Michael K.
Ah, a nice, dark, neighborhoody place in a hood that gets dodgy quickly to the south, and expensive and ritzy to the North. This place is a great bridge between the two and not just because they carry La Fin du Monde (translates to: the end of the world) here. This is a great spot for a sausage sandwich and a few beers. Which can become 4. No, make that 6, in the course of a great night or weekend afternoon. Staff is awesome, and the other patrons are unassuming and fun in a way that reminds me of a Bukowski story. I like it there, and I wonder why I don't end up there more often.
(4)Chrissy R.
I LOVE the Grace Tavern. Good food. The only reason I mark it down as low as I have is because there are just not enough places to sit down and have a fucking burger. This place is also awesome if you wanna catch sight of the illustrious Fergie as he seems to be there more than at Fergie's and other places. Dude needs to get some more tables in though.
(4)Mel I.
Kelly burger....I love you.
(5)Chris W.
Grace is everything you want and expect from a neighborhood bar. They have a great selection of beers, the food is greasy but good as far as bar food goes, and the bartenders are super nice if you are, and super mean to those who deserve it. I would, however, suggest to visit this wonderful bar during off hours, or when school isn't in session. Since it's right off the South St. Bridge, it tends to get a younger, obnoxious crowd on weekend nights. I'm not even sure why kids choose Grace of all places to come to; you would think they would go to some crap Irish bar, or a place that has massive man-imals as bouncers. It's very apparent that the bartenders aren't happy about that relationship either, which only makes me love the place that much more. Still, Grace gets four stars for it's comfortable feel, great bartenders, and nice selection of beers. Side note: Find out whenever Reese or Lulu is bartending... go, and you're guaranteed to have a good time.
(4)dan V.
I went with limited expectations, but at least thought my food would be fair or better. I'll admit that the green beans were worth it. However, the burger I had ordered medium rare was served charred. No burger should ever be served that way. Is it too much to ask that a chef performs some quality control. While the atmosphere was good, the burger experience is enough for me never to return.
(1)Sierra T.
So this is my tried and true favorite bar in philadelphia. I have to say I'm in love with Reese and Leo. My hands down two favorite bartenders in this fine city. Reese, he's the sweetest guy you'll ever meet, gives great service, and says "right on." Leo, is well Leo, he's kind of a dick to others, but we get along swimmingly and I adore him. The food here is eehhh, but they serve till 2 a.m. so who cares and the beer is pretty all right. All in all a damn good bar.
(5)kathy t.
Beer=good. Burgers, sausage sandwiches=good. Fries= sometimes incredibly good and crispy and straight out of the deep fryer with a little spicy kick from the spicy dust and the remoulade dippy stuff, sometimes limp, soggy and barely warm, or overly salty and covered in so much spicy salt that I'm going into sodium overload. Why?! This inconsistency makes me sad b/c I want to love them all the time.
(3)Anne F.
Awful service. Felt un-welcomed. Rude waitress.
(1)Milk W.
Pretty run of the mill, old corner bar that is trying to be more than they are. Burgers are fine, but there are plenty of fine burgers in Philly. A selection of 10 draught beers sounds great. When you look closer, one is Yuengling, one is Guinness, a few others are not very good beers and in the end you are left with about 2 or three possibly interesting beers. The bartenders do not interact. The one CD, Ramones - a good choice, keeps playing over and over and over; how many times can you listen to :Sheena is a Punk Rocker" in one evening? And unless you are really looking for a super heavily spiced, salted Green Bean, avoid the blackened Green Beans. Overall, if I had this or some corporate type day of the week bar, this wins. But Philly has grown up, Graces has to grow up too.
(2)Andrew B.
I love this place. The food is great, there is usually a great beer selection (always, if you like hoppy beers, but they usually have a few other good options on tap). The people are also very friendly. We've probably been here 50 times, and had orders screwed up 2-3 times, and they always make it right if you let them know (if it's just another burger that looks good, I don't waste their time). A lot of people seem to object to the ID policy, but beer is their business, and they can't afford to lose their license. I've also seen kids (that's what they looked and acted like) leave in a huff, because there were three of them, and they wanted to sit at a table for four, even though there was an open table for three (within half an hour, every table was full anyway - not sure why three scrawny guys felt they needed to impose on the customers coming a few minutes later than them, but the waitress said they get hassled by kids like that all the time). I like the atmosphere for dinner, inside or out. I never really hang out at bars (unless I'm waiting for a table), but it seems pretty cool for that too. I've almost never had to wait for dinner, going a bit early for dinner, but if you have more than 2 people and it's prime eating time, be ready for the possibility of a wait. The chicken fingers are a great snack, and I love the fries. The burgers are fantastic. Probably not the best place if you're in a rush, though maybe it speeds up when the tables fill up.
(5)Jenny G.
Bad service. Just bad bad service! There's just one bartender during peak hours to serve people at the bar, the tables and outside! And he's so slow, is rude, and doesn't give you your drink until you walk up to the bar and stare him in the face. They have a list of beautiful beers on tap, but its not worth the servers attitude. Not going there again. The 2 stars are only for the quality and range of the beers.
(2)Ade B.
A typical neighborhood dive bar. No ambiance and slow service. But I must admit they do make a great burger. My bacon cheeseburger was a perfectly cooked to order burger with just the right amount of bacon and melted cheddar. A burger right up there with some of the best in the city. Worth stopping in for a burger and a drink if you happen to be in the neighborhood, but no need to go out of your way to go here.
(3)Van W.
Great Gastro-Pub. Excellent Veggie Burgers (and meat burgers I hear). Good beer selection.
(5)Ashley O.
The waitress that we had was very rude and was not kind or helpful at all. It was a shame because the food here is amazing and reasonably priced! Please get some new servers!
(3)Brandon K.
Food - solid 4 stars Service - 0-1 star I'm always torn when my friends want to hit up Grace Tavern. On the one hand, the food is delicious. The burgers are good, cooked right, with tasty toppings. The blackened green beans are also unique with a little kick and are worth a stop in of themselves. I've also tried the oyster po'boy which decent and pretty good outside of the bayou. However, as you can probably guess, I just can't deal with the service sometimes. After a long day at work, the last thing you want to put up with is condescension and attitude for the waitstaff, and it just gets to be tiring. Yup, there's the ID Nazi, but in the end, that kind of makes sense because you do want a Tavern that's following the rules. But you don't want people who are always having a bad day being short with questions and drink refills. It just leaves a sour taste, and hopefully, Grace fixes this soon. Get it, get out, enjoy the food.
(2)Walter K.
Grace Tavern has been regarded as one of the best bars in Philadelphia for years, and deservedly so. I've visited several times over the past 6 years, and always been impressed. The beer list is on the small side, but makes up for that by being well thought out and eclectic. The small, dark bar area is cozy and intimate. Standard pub fare here, which is well done. The blackened green beans are a particular stand out. Above all, the prices here are excellent when compared with bars of this caliber. High marks on all fronts.
(5)Marcelo M.
I always thought that my first review on Yelp would be to a place that that blew my mind, either positively or negatively. Grace Tavern place blew my mind negatively... I've never had a worse impression of a place as I did here. The waiter with long hair treated me so badly that I cancelled my order and left. Don't come here, they don't deserve it.
(1)John C.
Four and our dog for dinner. I was disappointed they did not have frozen drinks, but was more than satisfied with their improvised Singapore Sling. The blackened green beans appetizer were crisp and deliciously spicy. The burgers were juicy and tasty. The lady bartender server was very friendly. Perfect way to end a hot summer day.
(5)Kelly C.
Overall - just ok .. Went here the other nite and service was a little off .. Didn't get the most warm and welcoming feeling from the staff. Had 2 different sausage sandwiches - Italian & spinach/feta ! They were tasty and the fries and green beans are good too. Not a bad experience .. But I probably wouldn't rush back there for anything.
(3)Yla A.
Grace is a solid choice if you are not in the mood to cook or if you want to be bad for a meal. Casual place where locals go type of feel. And you can order take out! That being said, take out can be hit or miss depending on how busy they are. Beer selection is small but good with Chimay and allagash available. I flop between the grace burger and the grilled chicken sandwich (when I want to lie to myself that eating chicken isn't as bad as the burger!). The blackened green beans are a must! The seasoning will get stuck on your teeth but it is so worth it. This reheats pretty well on a stove top too.
(3)Rachel N.
A tiny place but it was awesome for a quick sunday lunch with a few friends. Not many food options but the burgers were great and the service was fast. A decent beer list as well is always a plus. Will be coming back again.
(4)Chris N.
I have been here several times, the beer list is always solid, and the burgers are delicious (especially at that price point). The one thing where grace tavern suffers is in their service. Some of the staff members are really nice, but others are very cold and inattentive.
(3)Kathryn S.
I snuck in here yesterday when it started raining, and boy am I glad I did! They had a decent number of craft beers on tap, and the menu looked great! Everyone around me had burgers, and they looked delicious, but I ordered the nicoise salad. The grilled tuna steak was absolutely delicious. I see a few other people mentioned that the service was poor. I will say, after I was done eating, no one ever cleared my plate (I was sitting at the bar, so it was cramped), and it took about 20 minutes to get the check. Even after they ran my credit card, they still didn't clear my plate, so it was basically impossible to sign the receipt.. so while my experience was positive, and I definitely see getting annoyed at the slow/lack of service. Also to note - no happy hour? boooooooo.. why pay full price for beers on a Tuesday night from 5-7pm? Most places in that area offer some kind of discount...
(4)Mark G.
As a frequent patron and neighbor of Graces, I have to say I am loosing faith in the place. 80% of the time we sit at the bar - great but not friendly service. Only bartender worth a visit is the sweet gal with bangs and art. Last week my wife and I sat in the back table section with only three other tables in use. Mike was working the bar and said the other bartender was taking the back. Big guy and seemed out of it - he walked back and serviced all three tables without asking us what we wanted to drink. He kept going back to the bar entry handed. After 10 minutes of being ignored - we left as I waved a large farewell to them both. Mike recognized me as a regular but services us like we were contagious!!!! Time for the owner to get more involved or hire a third person.
(1)Sarah B.
If it wasn't one block from my apartment I'd never go. Food is ok and again, it's close by. The service however is awful and rude. I've been in several tiems while it's busy and while it's empty. Generally the staff doesn't make eye contact or is nowhere to be found. Months ago I found the bartender with the long hair smoking pot out front while everyone was waiting for drinks. A few nights ago my friend and I waited over 10 minutes standing at the bar waiting to even make eye contact. When we were finally able to ask if we could get drinks from the bar or whether a waiter would come to our table, the bartender (bald guy who looks like Mr. Clean) told us to calm down. He was rude and walked away. We waited another ten minutes and then walked out. Mr. Clean saw us and laughed and told us thanks for coming in. I'm done. Not going back.
(1)James B.
Easily in my top 5 of places to get a burger in the city. 10 options of brew on tap, very easy to find something you'd enjoy. There's a sauce that comes with the fries, goes well with the burger too. The Sautéed Green Beans are a delicious substitute for the fries, make sure you use a fork.
(5)Joe C.
I have been frequenting Grace Tavern for years. The burgers are top notch, despite occasionally being a tad overcooked. Brioche has always been my preferred choice of bun for a burger and Grace always delivers. I'm also a huge fan of their blackened green beans, divey tin ceiling/wall motif, and dig their above average beer selection. It seems as if the management is delivering on all ends except one. Hiring. The bartenders as of the last couple years have all been horrible. Gone are the days of Ian during the day and Reese at night. Those dudes are awesome. Now you have the squirrely dude that always wears plaid and has 0% personality, draw or beverage knowledge. He's tolerable in comparison to the woman, I believe her name is Abby. She is seriously in the wrong business. In terms of the city's worst bartenders I would rank her pretty high. She deliberately ignores customers, is snippy, has no knowledge of the beverages (in servicing is key) and from my understanding doesn't even drink alcohol. That interests me because bartenders, especially nowadays, should have a good grasp on the product they serve. Otherwise why not just have a robot open bottles and cans for you. You're not there to grace (pun intended) the world with your presence, you're there to work -- for the customer. There is a bigger guy working there too that is amicable enough but again not the most memorable of bartenders. Bottom line. With all the competition in this city between good beer bars it would benefit you to choose the face of your business more wisely. 4 stars for food and speed from the kitchen, -2 stars for poor service.
(2)Tanner M.
Worst service I've seen.
(1)Sara S.
Burgers and Beer. Apparently this is the place to go for those two things. Short review: Well, I went, and I had. It wasn't the most life changing burger I've had, and the beer was decent. I'd come back for sure. Less short review: Being a fan of burgers and beer my new Philly friends directed me towards Grace Tavern. It's local, and who doesn't want their first dinner of the new year to be something comforting and delicious? (Jerks! Thats who! ;) ) I digress...So I order the Kennett Square burger (cheddar and mushrooms). It came on a brioche bun with fries and the Monks bourbon mayo. My first impression that the burger itself was on the smaller side. But being short myself I know that good things come in small packages. And I am on the belief that all you need to know about a burger you get in that first bite. Well- this first bite was pretty solid. Cheese was tasty, the mushrooms were good but cold, so it kind of threw off the balance. The brioche was perfect and held up to the juicy, and flavorful patty. A solid burger. The fries were good, the beer was good-. The points were deducted b/c there was something missing- a fresh element to the plate. When you've got a burger, and fries- there should be some crisp, cool element to the plate. A pickle? Some coleslaw? Lettuce and tomato? It was missing and I noticed. Overall a great place for a good burger and beer.
(3)Dave B.
I love this place, I stumbled upon this location after a snow storm, work and school were closed and this bar was hoppin' with young and old professionals. The location was scenic and the inside was warm and cozy. They can serve up some good drinks!
(3)Nathan N.
Terrible customer service. The id Nazi is the worst. I completely understand requesting id at a bar but when someone produces a European Union id with a birthdate and the staff still gives them ship there is a problem. And the burgers are not that great. PYT is worth the trip to fishtown
(1)Nazee Z.
This place is great! I usually am quite the klepto when it comes to bars with cool glasses, but this bar gave me no reason to steal!! I went with a friend because we wanted to try a new bar. Tried the Tuesday craft special and it was a Summit Oktoberfest and as a gimmick we got these fantastic cool glasses!! The beer was also super tasty (if you made yuengling delicious and pumpkin-ey, it'd be this). And also, relatively cheap! We got 4 beers for $16, not too shabby! The bartender (even though she was working alone with about 15-20 patrons) was incredibly attentive and never rude. She always refreshed my beer right before I had one sip left and asked for water multiple times. Didn't catch her name, but she was great! Overall, good atmosphere, good drinks, great service!
(5)Ross I.
Unbelievably poor service. We came in hungry, looking for a bite and a beer on a Tuesday night with a crowd of 3 people. There was only one table available so we sat down only to be told by a female bartender to stand up and wait until a smaller table was ready. The table had no reservations and the reason we were given was that since the table was for 5 people and we were a party of 3, we couldn't sit there and had to wait until another table freed up. This practice might make sense if there were multiple parties entering the establishment at the same time, but we were the only ones waiting for a table. We were so shocked by this request, we couldn't do anything but obey it, standing up to order a beer and waiting until further instructed. Halfway through the beer we realized we didn't want to give this establishment any more business and decided that it would be best to finish the beers, pay for them, and go grab a bite elsewhere. However, the icing on the cake came when the female bartender came back to the three of us stating that a table was finally ready (20-30 minutes later) and we politely told her that we had changed our minds about eating (mind you there was still no one else waiting to be seated). Upon hearing this she was obviously offended for some reason and returned to the bar gesturing towards us as she spoke with a scour on her face to another employee in front of the entire establishment... Classy. Sadly this wasn't my first poor experience here (but it will surely be my last) as i had been to this bar before in the summer on a hot day looking for lunch. The place was empty and I decided to leave after sitting at the bar for 5 minutes with no one even acknowledging my existence (there was a bartender in plain sight). I heard tell that this place used to be rated highly in the Philadelphia bar scene, but in my opinion it ranks below the DMV in terms of a service oriented business.
(1)Kayla G.
The service is awesome and the food is also on par! The burgers are really good especially only being 8.75$! Beer list is also pretty good! I would recommend it to anyone.
(5)David H.
The burgers and fries are tasty here, and the beer selection is great. Service, however is pretty touch-and go. Recently came in and had a difficult time getting service in a timely fashion. Waited a while for a server to take our order, and then waited longer for even our beers to come out, despite things being fairly quiet at the bar. Our server was kind of snippy with us when we asked how much longer it would be. Really want to like this place more - I live nearby and this could be the perfect neighborhood bar.
(3)Tim L.
Great neighborhood spot. A little small with limited seating but beers are always good and rotating. A couple of great bartenders and good food until 2am.
(4)Seema F.
Grace Tavern is a small, dark bar that seems to only employ 2 very rude people at a time. It was Monday, and the 5 of us were starving. We sat at a table in the back area and waited for someone to approach us. After several minutes, a guy came by and told us to move to a different table near the bar. It was uncomfortable and we were all crammed into a corner bench seat next to the bathroom, but we were hungry so we didn't make a huge fuss. My husband decided there was nothing good on tap so he only wanted a burger. When the waiter came by again, he immediately asked us all for ID. It didn't matter that we were all well past 20 or that not everyone was drinking. That's when my husband (who is in his mid 30s with grey hair and was the oldest in the group) realized that he forgot his ID. Most bars/restaurants would not care, especially since he wasn't drinking anyway. Our waiter, however, told us that we couldn't even be in the bar. (Though I suspect that if I was there with a child, it wouldn't have been an issue.) If that was the case, why wasn't there someone at the door checking IDs? I've never been to a place that serves food and alcohol and been told that I can't even be in there to eat. The whole process was dealt with in a very rough, unapologetic manner. If places are going to get all "nanny-state" on customers, they should at least pretend to be reasonable about it.
(1)Abby B.
Having lived in a neighborhood where Grace's is always a 2-minute walk from my apartment, I figured it was time to write an update, considering the amount of times my husband and I randomly pop-in for a beer or two. First, the beer - it's cheap than say going to Resurrection or P&K, both nearby. They have a draft list of about 6 or 7 beers listed on a chalkboard by the bar. Easy enough, right?! I like the beer selection too - some local and some from nearby breweries like upstate NY. The staff - nice, attentive, but they leave you alone and are not having overly-loud conversations with themselves or other patrons. I like a bar where I can go and have a drink with my husband and actually talk to him. The TV - it had Harry Potter playing, which was a bonus for my husband. I haven't tried the food lately, but then again, I live 2 minutes from the place, so eating at home is more economical.
(4)Lauren S.
Updated Review: Finally made it back to Graces in a small group, and honestly I've never seen this place so empty but I wasn't complaining it was nice to have some space. I was told the Blackened Green Beans were a must so without checking out the menu I put an order in for them and they were fabulous. I thought the side order was rather large and enough to share with a few people. Having my heart set on French Fires even though a friend told me not to order them I got the Oyster Po-Boy Platter since fries were on the side. The Po-Boy was tasty and I loved the fires. There a different style than Grace's sister Bar Monk's, my friend thought Monk's fires were better but I don't think you can compare them since there not the same style of fires. I recommend the fires here there great just don't compare them to Monk there different types of fires. Original Review: Grace Tavern is not meant for medium to large groups and every time I've been here it's been with my dodgeball team if not everyone comes out be the smallest we've had is 5 or 6 and that seems to be too large for this place. The bar is always full, there isn't a ton of standing room and they don't seem to like it if you move the tables around. So it's not an ideal after dodgeball spot but it is the closet bar to where we play so I've frequented it often. The beer list is usually good. And I can see why this would make the Top 50 Bar list. Maybe if I try going in a smaller group of 2 or 3 max I might enjoy this place more.
(3)Pete E.
Grace Tavern is a great local hangout. It's a tad dark and dated inside but the staff, the food and bar selection are outstanding. We are big fans of this comfortable neighborhood favorite. Do yourself a favor and sit down at the bar on a sleepy weekend and order a Grace Burger with blackened green beans. Wash it down with a beer or with a specialty Bloody Mary.
(4)Corbett B.
Not sure how this place can be rated higher than ten stone two blocks down south street. Small, mediocre food and grungy look and feel...
(2)Brian M.
Yeah, this is going to come across as bitter. I do not care. I've been to Grace a bunch of times. I will go to Grace a bunch more. It's unavoidable in a sense if you or anyone you're fond of lives in the area. Grace or Doobies (still unsure how to review that place)? The food at Grace is decent. Just decent. Relax on the green beans people, y'all act like they're the second coming when really it's something you can make in 5 minutes at home. Fortunately for Grace 70% of green bean consumption comes when already intoxicated (official statistic). Otherwise, all I've had there is certainly not bad, just straightforward bar food. So it's run of the mill. A-OK, right? Why the Meh? I'll tell you why. As others have mentioned, they can be dicks about their ID policy. I mean come on, do college kids really trek to a dark neighborhood bar to sneak beers? Came here on a Tuesday night after volleyball with 6 people of which I am the oldest member and was told I couldn't eat a burger with my friends since my license had expired a week prior. I'm 27 dammit. I look 35 and am balding for goodness sake! Doobies!
(2)Ruggy J.
Graduate Hospital... what an odd name for a neighborhood. But you know what's not odd? The amazingness that is Grace Tavern. I'm a sucker for a good rathskeller, and this is like a dive bar that still wears a dirty pair of Levi 501 jeans and a ripped band t-shirt... but one that showers and shaves more than once a month. A dive with a bit of class, if you will. The type of bar where you can get all of the grittiness you need, but without the fear of contracting bed bugs in the booths or an STD after using the loo. Reese, the bartender, is as sweet as a honeycomb and really makes the experience what is is. He'll talk you though your thoughts to get you the exact beer your craving, and he does it with a smile. Couple that with some seriously fantastic bar bites (blackened green beans, and surprisingly above average chicken fingers + french fries) makes it a neighborhood favorite for everyone within earshot. If I lived here, I'd no doubt be a regular. The beer fridge dressed up as Frankenstein for Halloween, and word had it he transmorphs into Sandy Claus come the winter time... I might have to return and tell ol' St. Nick what I expect under the dead pine tree on December 25th.
(4)Joshua S.
Best burgers in the city. If anyone tells you otherwise, cut ties. Caveat: if you walk in and the person waiting on you resembles a tatted up Aimee Mann, politely excuse yourself and return another day. No burger is worth her passive-aggressive shit.
(4)Erica M.
We have wanted to try the burger at Grace for over a year now as we've heard it's the best in the city. We live in the neighborhood and had to finally find out if it really is the best burger around. We had wine (they have a few wine options...more than most bars that specialize in beer, but not too many) and a 7&7. My fiance said the 7&7 was excellent (but that may also be because it was much needed at the end of a super long week). We each had the Kennett Square burger and at a friend's suggestion, I subbed blackened green beans for the fries. The burgers were very good. Cooked to temperature and generous in size. I didn't like that my cheese wasn't fully melted (it was still hard/cold on the top). The fries were great and the green beans were really good, too. I wouldn't say the burger is our favorite in town, but it was very good. The service was good and despite being crazy busy, the servers/bartenders were friendly. We arrived on the early side (around 7:15) and they didn't card us, but we saw a table of girls arrive a few minutes before 8 just to eat and they had to leave because they were carded and weren't 21. So make sure you bring your ID, even if you aren't drinking!
(4)Shereen C.
I don't know what's going on, but the fries at Grace are getting worse. Last few times I've been here, I've been getting a lot of tiny burnt-to-a-crisp leftover pieces of fries, instead of real full-length, or even medium-length, fries. Are they just re-frying whatever's fallen into the vat of oil from previous orders of fries? This makes me very sad. I used to love Grace, but when most of the fries are shorter than 1" long (with many shorter than 0.5" long), this is a serious problem. In other news, the oyster po boy was solid. Beer's still cold. 3.5 stars
(4)Jonny R.
Grace Tavern was called the best bar in the city by PW. And I have numerous friends who might call it their favorite bar in the city as well. There's something about Grace Tavern that demands attention. It's not just that it has a good beer list (promising Monk's Flemish Sour on tap everytime--in pints!), or that it might have the best appetizer in Philadelphia, blackened green beans (I think Prohibition's beer-battered green beans give them a run for their money). This place has a presence about it. A certain "barness" to it that makes it special. I always leave satisfied--sometimes it's crowded, but not often, and usually there's a place to sit. It's a manufactured neighborhood bar. In a gentrified neighborhood it's hard to have that authentic local feeling, but at the very least, I think Grace tries to do it well. I think it succeeds. And I don't think this is a moment for the bar to gloat and march as if it's done something marvelous. Grace feels sure of itself, but still humble. Not as loud or obnoxious as Ten Stone, nor is it as ritzy as Pub & Kitchen, and it's a safer place to go for those unsure of their beer taste than Sidecar. The bar has a great feel. And can I do that? Can I say it's my favorite bar because it feels right? Because it feels good? I think so. It's really delightful. And tell Reese I said hello.
(3)Keith S.
I've been in the neighborhood for the past couple years and have stopped into Grace a few times. The atmosphere is a delight and the service, food and beer has always been quality. About a week ago I stopped seeking a beer, but was blown away by Chris the bartender's knowledge of mixed drinks that I kicked back a few instead of my beloved beer. He had such a vast knowledge that when I told him how much I hated smoked liquor he made two drinks with the smoky scotch and they were fantastic. If you're in the neighborhood stop in and ask Chris to make a Blood and Sand or Aztec especially if you dig smoke. Cheers!
(5)Hee Jin C.
Low key place with good beers on draft. Their burgers are solid, definitely try the blackened green beans. Despite how it looks from the outside, it's a kid friendly establishment with lots of food offerings for your tyke. If they're fussy, promise them a fro-yo from igloo next door after your meal :)
(4)Adam F.
Grace Tavern is a classic gastropub - I think it's the same people who do Nodding Head and Monks. Grace is known for their blackened green beans w/ dipping sauce, awesome selection of sausages and burger/fries (same fries as Monks Cafe). Really like their Po-Boy here As you would expect, the beer selection here is great. Service can be sub-par at times, so don't come if you're in a hurry.
(4)Greg Y.
I've been frequenting his place for the past year. The food is really good and thats the only reason I go back. All the burgers are good, grace burger is the best imo. I'm not a fan of the green beans lately...my body begins to reject them after a few, prolly bc of the burnt char that covers them. The poboy and tuna sandwiches are good too. Service is spotty but usually decent as long as it's not too busy.
(4)Susannah L.
Never thought I'd be writing a bad review about this place, but I will have to. As far as food and beer go, this place is A+. That said, I will never ever be going back. My boyfriend and I went on a slow Tuesday night on one of our last nights in town before we moved to Texas. He'd never had a Grace burger and I insisted he try it before we leave as it is (was) my favorite burger in Philly. Upon sitting down at the bar, we were carded - my ID was fine, my boyfriend had left his Passport at home and didn't have a state ID - we go out to bars all the time, he is 31, intimidating looking and appears far older than 21, it's never a problem. That said, the dude refused to serve us and walked away. Perturbed, I joked that next he was going to kick us out. When he wandered back over, we started to order food and were just going to get sodas. We were there for food, not beer anyway. This is when the pretentious, handlebar-mustachioed gent told us that we had to leave, he could't even serve us food. WHICH IS BULLSHIT. You are absolutely allowed to serve food only in a bar to someone without an ID. He was being a huge fucking asshole and had major attitude about it as well, and ruined one of our last nights in town. You can't put a price on service.
(1)Alex M.
The food is good and the beer flows. Can't ask for much more! Will this place blow your mind? Ehhhh. Will I come back for their vegan burger and a cider? Certainly!
(4)Kathleen D.
A creature of habit, some peculiar, my latest gimmick is that every time I come home after some train or mega bus travel, our next stop straight from the station is Grace Tavern... cause we did that one time, and I liked it, and so now a visit to this chill, neighborhood spot is the ritual hankerin. And it goes a little somethin like this: Perfectly poured pints of Guinness, Grace Tavern's great fries, an order of those blackened green beans w/ remoulade to share, in a small, dimly lit bar...annnd commence the harrowing tales of characters I met on the bus...
(4)Michelle C.
This bar is the final destination on approximately four out of five nights when I'm out with my boyfriend. It's his neighborhood bar and it's about to become mine, too, so I'm glad Grace and I get along. The menu is limited but the selections are solid. Plus, the kitchen is open late, which is both a very good (drunken munchies) and very bad (morning food regret) thing. People rave about the burgers although I haven't yet tried one. At 1 a.m. I'm usually getting down with the blackened green beans, chicken fingers or fries, which come with a garlic dipping sauce. I am also a fan of the chicken waldorf salad. The rolls used for the sausage sandwiches are absolutely massive, which takes away from the otherwise awesome sausage, but I'd still recommend the sammies, regardless. The beer selection is always great, and the bartenders definitely know their stuff. When I inquired about the 21st Amendment Hop Crisis on tap last weekend, Leo warned me it was an 11% brew. Then he said he would not carry me home if I chose to drink it. Fair enough! I had two, but only because I had gone easy on the boozies earlier in the night. Overall, I feel like Grace has everything a neighborhood bar should have (including the inevitable neighborhood drunkard makin' a fool at the end of any given night). Cheers!
(4)Tiffany S.
A friend and I went to Grace after reading several bad reviews about the service. However, we were starving and it was close - you throw your standards out the window in situations like that, ya know? Anyhow, we walked in and were immediately greeted by one of the bar tenders. We sat ourselves and another bar tender was over quickly to take our drink orders. After all was said and done, we shared an order of fries, and I had the Grace burger w/ green beans. It. was. mind-blowingly delicious. And the service continued to be awesome! My only complaint was that there was a long hair in our fries.. Eww.. But you know that moment when you swallow your dignity, finish off your drink and carry on with the delicious food? Yeah.. That happened.. And I'm only a little ashamed.
(4)Seth M.
Great food, great service. Sausages were fantastic....but the blackened green beans stole the show. Great little joint.
(4)Elleanna D.
Had my first Grace Tavern burger today and it was AMAZING. I love the look and feel of the place, beautiful and cozy. Our server/bartender Mike was awesome and provided extremely nice and fast service. I've found my new favorite spot in Philly.
(5)Todd B.
I love the neighborhood and ambience of this place that feels very local and friendly. The beer and cider selection is local and diverse, and I enjoyed the banter while I ate my dinner. I chose the chicken sausage on a roll, and the locally made sausage was quite tasty and healthy. The roll? hard, stale. The wait for it was at least 20 minutes on a Monday at 9:30 pm. I would go to Grace for a drink but probably not for a meal in a town of so many great options.
(3)Emily C.
Great craft beer list, with a bunch on tap. The burgers were fantastic. I would go back for those in a heartbeat. We tried the Kelly (bacon and cheddar) and South St (sautéed onions and bleu cheese). Service was majorly lacking unfortunately. The waiter took forever and wasn't helpful when I was asking questions about the beers on tap. Would give them another try though because the burgers were so good! 233/365
(4)Mark L.
I love Grace because they don't try to be anything they aren't. It's a local walk up with a commitment to good beer and quality fare. Nothing too expensive..and nothing too fancy. The bar is small...the dining room smaller (but always very clean). There's one TV, the bartender controls the music...and you always feel comfortable, by yourself or with a crowd. All the reviews are right...the burgers are great...chicken fingers and fries are as well. Everyone deserves one trip to Grace to see what a gem is hidden in Fitler's Square. Then feel free to go back to your neighborhoods and leave an open seat at the bar for me.
(5)Brett M.
Worst service and most rude bartenders. I've lived in the neighborhood for 5 years...tried it 2 years ago and had a terrible experience. Tried it again the other day and the service has deteriorated. I'm 30 and the ID nazi carded me and my much older friend. Then walked away without asking what we wanted. We had to flag the same dipshit bartender down to take our order. He then responded, "can I help you?" At that point we walked out and gave our business to doobies, one of the many friendly bars with great beer in GHo. You can find good food and beer anywhere in the neighborhood...sidecar, resurrection, strip club...to name a few within blocks. I don't see how grace tavern will sustain with their customer service.
(1)Kel H.
Dear blackened green beans: Didn't know how tasty you were Sorry I ate y'all.
(4)Cameron S.
When we originally came on a Sunday morning, it was a very pleasant experience. We got some good food and decent beer. Went back a second time to this establishment and the bartenders and service were terrible. The bartender tried to act pretentious. The food was blah. The beer was still decent. And the service made me never want to come back again. And that I have not. Sorry Grave Tavern, you fell out of grace for me.
(2)Leah S.
This intimate local Greys Ferry neighborhood dive bar is just what I love! I love when bars have unique and different selections of beer that I've never had before! (instead of the standard choices and they look at you funny when you ask whats new and exciting) I am a pesky customer who likes to try three beer samples before I make the decision of the night and their bartender was awesome at telling what they had and new ones. (Which they should be). We walked in at 12:30AM and the service was not annoyed even though I was fully aware last call in Philly is always 2am. My friend and I just wanted to catch up with two beers and go home and Grace's tavern was perfect for that. They made me feel welcomed and told ask to come back anytime - They were super cool and now a favorite local bar of mine! Thanks Grace Tavern! on 23rd and Greys Ferry! (Off of South) (There is also my favorite frozen yogurt , Igloo joint and a small fountain across the street!) - Super cute.
(5)Mike D.
My new year's resolution is to yelp more, who's isn't. So in an effort to start early i would say my best bar experience of the last week was with Lulu at grace tavern. Always enjoyed this place, great draft line and the sausages and burgers are very good. Highlight is the bartenders though, always a nice chat, solid beer suggestions, and great haircuts.
(4)Sss S.
Had quite the poor experience here last night. Was told the wait for 4 people would be 20min, which got prolonged to 1hr an 15min. Not once was an apology or explanation given by the hostess. Got the Kennett Square burger which was decent. Beer selection was ok but not terribly inspiring.
(1)Chelsea T.
I miss Reese, the only bartender who seemed to treat anyone kindly here. That sure is a bummer. Many better places to go in the area with better food, better attitude.
(2)Christopher S.
If you could rate a place strictly on the food and beer, this place would be 4-5 stars. Sadly, I cannot do this. I've been to Grace Tavern a handful of times and always enjoyed the Kelly Burger (bacon cheeseburger) and their blackened green beans are killer. The beer selection is rather decent as well. Some great crafts on there. In my previous visits, the service never floored me, but it hadn't really deterred me from going back. My friends and I have had nights where it'd take almost 20 minutes to get a beverage when there was only one other table seated. Tonight might keep me from going back as the waiter gave us a "you should be so lucky to eat here" attitude. I walked in with two other friends, both men. The waiter directed us to a two-top table that couldn't have been larger than 20" x 30" and was crammed in a corner. We intended on having dinner and drinks and couldn't fathom how we would fit everything on the table and be comfortable. After unsuccessfully trying to find our waiter for a few minutes to ask about another table, we decided to just move to one of the 2 open four-top tables considering there were only 8 other patrons in the restaurant (most of which were at the bar). The waiter comes over to tell us that we could not have that table because "this place fills up quickly and we can't have three people using that large of a table". We tried to tell him how we couldn't all fit there, but he wouldn't hear it. Really, man? You want us to bump knees and elbows in the corner while we eat after coming in from 95 degree weather? No. Instead, he opted for having three existing customers leave angry and hungry because he might get a big rush at 8:30 on a Tuesday night. He also informed us that "Go ahead! Every other place in the city is gonna tell you where you can sit as well" as we walked out the door. Eight minutes later, I walked into The Sidecar Bar & Grille for my first time ever and was told "grab a seat wherever you'd like." I have having to give this review, but the waiter really rubbed me the wrong way and soured my opinion of a place I really liked. There was no reason for him to be so spiteful in us not wanting to sit at a small corner table when there was plenty of space elsewhere. I guess I would suggest there if you're eating alone.
(2)Vinny P.
This is the kind of place to go hang out with a friend, drink some good beer and not be hassled. Sometimes you want glitz and glamour, or you want to dine at a place that features products created by the hardworking indigenous peoples of wherever. This is not Grace Tavern. Grace satisfies that "it's Monday night, I just went for a run, I want beer and a sausage sandwich" feeling. I met up with the Duke here and we just shot the schiesse while drinking beer. I arrived early and as I sat at the bar, trying samples and sipping on a Monk's Cafe Ale, I read the Philly Beer Scene magazine and it was just cool. When my drinking/dining partner arrived, we saddled up to the bar and just talked about stuff and things while we drank Mongo from Port Brewing (very delicious double IPA). The atmosphere was relaxed and we ended up staying for almost 3 hours because we had no rush to leave and we just hung out and talked with the bartender. No rush, no fuss. That's what this place is, completely chill. I'll be back.
(4)Kat W.
I have been going to Grace for about 3 years and really used to love this place. Recently however, I have been fed up with the rude staff. I feel some of the staffing changes have had a very negative effect on the vibe. The food is always good, especially the blackened green beans. The beer selection is usually interesting, even if it's not always my taste. But this just can't make up for the stinky bathroom (overwhelming scent of urinal cakes, and not very clean either), or the cold, rude bar tenders I've had to suffer recently. Overall, i would say this is a fine place to stop in if your in the area for just a quick bite or one beer, but it's certainly not a destination.
(2)Karen L.
This is one of my most frequented bars. The atmosphere is dark and divey, but the beer and food is great. They have delicious pub food: go with the burgers, chicken tenders, and blackened string beans (warning, they are spicy!). The front area with the bar and stools is perfect for hanging out and watching sports on TV, and the back is good for a sit-down meal. There's a good selection of draft beers or $3 PBR pounders, depending on how you're feeling that night. The staff is very attentive and nice too.
(5)Taylor S.
Love this bar! Its a small dive and if that is not what your into this is not your place. Every time I come here I get the oyster po boy! Absolutely delicious! The burgers are great too. Small tap list but a good selection of tasty brews. 1
(4)Carla T.
I've been here a few times but came back this past weekend after a long time away from the area. Really glad I did. It's everything I'd want in a neighborhood bar, good beer, good food and good people. The lighting is dim but not too dark; it's a cozy spot. I went with a friend on Saturday afternoon and there were a few people in there but it wasn't crowded. The food and beer were good (I got the Italian sausage sandwich and Ace Pear Cider) and the atmosphere was nice. Will be coming back for sure.
(4)Marie B.
Once my flight landed in Philadelphia, I went straight to Grace's for my first American meal after two years abroad. It was just as I had remembered. Great service, atmosphere, beer selection, and above all else - FOOD! In my opinion, they have the best cheeseburgers and anybody else I have ever brought there agreed. The best. The end.
(5)Emily W.
A delicious local pumpkin beer, a spinach and feta chicken sausage with lots of Dijon mustard, and a well-dressed side salad made me one happy camper. This place may be unassuming and super chill, but it has quality food. It's the perfect place for an easy and not-too-expensive night out with friends. Our bartender was attentive and made us feel like regulars even though it was our first time. We split the blackened green beans which were surprise- spicy,!! but i guess that's the point of the remoulade they come with... The only thing I would improve about my otherwise satisfying meal, would be to shrink the size of the baguette the sausage comes in. It's a good baguette, but I ordered a sausage on a baguette- not the other way around. I wish the owners of Monk's and Grace Tavern would get the bread to filling ratio right...
(4)Lou P.
Keepin' it local Can't decide on a spot? Grace. Never overrun Grace is where I go when I don't feel at all adventurous (read: don't want to go anywhere new) but don't want to leave anything to chance. It's a few blocks away from my place, and it's the de-facto choice when it's 10pm and I don't want to 'go out' for the evening but still want to grab a beer. It's definitely a neighborhood bar, and it's never really crowded no matter when you're there. The kitchen's open late, and you'll pretty much always find a seat. If there's an Eagles or Phillies game on people come out, but mostly it's just a group of regulars and folks who've ventured outside of Center City. The staff is generally friendly, and most of the time you'll catch at least one staff person who's not working chilling on a stool at the bar anyway. While they're mostly great, if you're rude to them, expect some pretty harsh retribution. They don't take kindly to people ruining the generally casual atmosphere, and if you're in the mind to be a moron, they definitely make an example out of you. On the menu tip, all of the burger options are delicious. They really do them up right, perfectly medium-rare for me, and will put whatever you want on them. They're not so huge as to induce a food coma, which thankfully leaves more room for beer. If you're looking for the best burger on the menu, go with the Kellys or South St. Burger. The Kellys has bacon and cheddar, and the South St. has sauteed onions and bleu cheese. They're both pretty stellar. They also have a sausage sandwich menu, as well as some salads. Overall the menu isn't in any way extensive, but perfectly satisfying for the neighborhood and my expectations of the place. If you're looking for something to share, grab a large order of the blackened green beans. I always get them with the burger instead of fries, they're that good. They always have some great beer options, including at least one sour. I believe they have 9 taps, and a selection of bottles as well. They try to keep it pretty mixed (IPA's, whites, stouts, pilsners etc.), so it's definitely a good place for both picky and adventurous beer drinkers. The only real detraction for Grace is that there's only one television. I would love to see a screen somewhere in the back by the tables. Standing in the main bar area to watch a game can get tedious when there's no stools available, and you can't see the TV from the back tables.
(4)Alexander B.
Great burgers, tasty beers. Good local hang out.
(5)Steve S.
Can't believe it took 4 years to get back here. We've been thinking of the charred, spicy green beans since that 1st visit. Love this place. The food and service was as perfect as it was 4 yrs. ago. Had 2 of the the Ithaca, Apricot Wheat draft - very enjoyable. To eat we had: the charred green beans, frites w/ Monks great dipping sauce, Nicosia salad with tuna and the Jambalaya. Great prices, good portions, great tasting food. What's not to like.
(5)Christine B.
We hadn't been here in a long time and wanted to check out their Beer Week event for the first night of PBW. When we got there, there were only 2 or 3 other tables occupied, we ordered a flight of beers, and were ready for a nice meal. 10+ minutes after ordering our flight, the waitress/bartender comes back to confirm what beers we had ordered, which was good because she remembered none of them. The rest of the tables are filled, all other tables get their beers, and eventually food before we get our flight of 5 tastes of beer. We waited over half an hour to get one flight, and people who had gotten there 10-15 minutes after us were eating before we even had drinks. With our frustration level already sky high, our food comes out. My VEGAN (not vegetarian) burger has a slice of cheddar cheese on it, which was supposed to be on my boyfriend's chicken sandwich. I get it, things get mixed up sometimes, but then the kitchen staff member who brought the food out argued with me about how my burger was still vegan with a slice of cheese on it. He obviously didn't even know what vegan meant, and I really didn't feel comfortable eating something "vegan" from a kitchen that doesn't know that word means "no dairy". We cancelled our food order, paid for the half-foam flight we got after 45 minutes and left. I've never had such a horrendous dining experience and will definitely not be going back there ever. I know it was a busy night, I know they seemed woefully understaffed, but everyone next to us was taken care of well before we were, and we had been there first (and ordered right away). There's a million better places to spend your money and get better service.
(1)Christine B.
Great neighborhood bar. Stopped in a Sunday afternoon for some lunch/dinner. My friend and I each tried a new beer. Mine was better than his. I ordered a cheeseburger and he had the sausage sandwich. We did have to wait a super long time for our food, but it was really good. I'm not sure what happened because other people that came in after us got their good right away. My burger was awesome as were the fries and of course the Monk's dipping sauce. I live in the neighborhood so I will definitely be back.
(4)Steph P.
I really wanted to like this place. Went in with a group of girlfriends on a Saturday and ate at the bar. Bartender was friendly and mostly attentive. And, the burger I ordered was delicious. Well, it was delicious until I woke up violently ill with food poisoning the next morning, and checked in with my friends who were also feeling sick. When I finally was able to crawl off of my couch and get back into the office, my coworkers informed me that this place is notorious for experiences like this. I wouldn't know - it was only my first (and likely last) time. If you're headed here, best stick to the booze.
(1)Nikki V.
Blackened green beans & Anchor Steam & the beer cooler is always wearing a new seasonal hat.
(4)Kim J.
Damn but their food is tasty. I've actually had dreams about the Spicy green beans- yes, they are spicy enough to warrant an upper-case "s". The tuna burger is also close to divine, but be sure to order fries or you'll feel left out since it comes with a salad. The burgers are quite tasty and you might not feel like you have any room left for beer, but you better save some- they've got pretty nice ones on tap. Last time for me, it was Stoudt's Scarlet Lady. Yum. The tin ceilings are great, but too bad the place is tiny and there's only room for a few tables. It is indeed a "lovingly restored" pub and I wish there were more places like this!
(5)Peter B.
Not a fan of the food, but I really like the atmosphere...dark, small old-style Irish taproom with the Fergie's touch. Crowd is a mix of hipsters and G-Ho young professionals. I miss it now that I live miles away.
(3)Larissa S.
We love Grace Tavern! My roommate and I go here all of the time because its near our house and everything is done right: from the friendly, genuine service to the perfectly cooked burgers. The burgers are the best we've had in Philly, and the $8-$9 price tag is just an added bonus. They also have a nice selection of beer including some choices from local breweries, and although their fries are just o.k., the sauce that comes with them its amazing. Go! You won't be disappointed.
(5)Chihee K.
Dark, old, eclectic little dive bar. The beer was good but the place just doesn't make me feel comfortable. I wouldn't take a date or a friend visiting from out of town to this little joint.
(2)Philee M.
I have a little secret to share with Yelp reviewers: I am a cheating vegetarian. So I eat a burger or other red meat about once a year when someone says there's something I HAVE to eat or I just want to go for it. So I recently cheated at Grace Tavern b/c my husband--who NEVER EVER eats hamburgers told me the burgers there were good. Huh? Since when did you eat a burger? Anyway, I ate the whole thing right up. It was charcoaly and tasty and delicious. The fries were my favorite of the Monk's, Belgian, Fergie's, Grace group, too. Yum!
(4)Meghan H.
Oyster Po' Boy. Wow. Seriously, I crave this sandwich. And the sauce they serve with it is delicious on the sandwich as well as the fries. Add to that an effortlessly laid back atmosphere, low prices, and great beer selection, and you have an excellent neighborhood spot.
(4)Heather C.
This is definitely my favorite favorite pub to come and grab a burger/sandwich and stay for a couple of beers. The beers on tap are great, and the green beans are to die for ( phillymag.com/dining_foo… ). Bartender is friendly. Service can be slow if they're busy and you're not eating at the bar. Bathroom is scary. All to be expected!
(5)Lauren D.
You know, I really like Grace Tavern. For some reason I was pretty intimidated by it at first but it's a nice place. It attracts a good mix of people and is usually way less crowded than Monk's, it's sister restaurant. Although I have only really gone there at 1am so that could be why. ANYWAY, I know everyone brags about the fries at Monk's (hell, I did too) but believe me when I say that the fries at Grace trump them completely. they are thicker and the seasoning is a lot better. I haven't had a chance to try the other food but people have told me that their Po' Boys are delicious. Another good thing about Grace is that their kitchen is open until 2am, where as most bars close their kitchen early. This way you can satisfy those drunchies without having to make that Wawa run post-bar. Oddly enough, the same bartender has been there all the times that I've been there too. His name is Joey and he seems like a really good guy, as well as a great bartender. My friend came along the first two times I went there and he remembered us, which instantly made us feel welcome (apparently it's now our official local bar too, but those are Joey's words, not mine :X). Grace Tavern is a great place with a slightly dive-ish feel to it. Although I would recommend going before 1am because you won't want to leave after an hour ;]
(5)Tim C.
Bar tender is a complete hand job. Very rude. Won't be going back to try the food.
(2)mary l.
Good beers on draught, decent prices $5-6/each. I have to confess that on this night, beer wasn't a priority but food was. And it was surprisingly great quality/totally hit the spot. The kenneth burger (medium) with cheddar and mushrooms was so juicy and had great meat flavor. It was simple by prepared really well. The burger came with fries and Cajun spices all over. It was totally unexpectedly delish. On top of that, we had sauteed green beans with blackened Cajun spices and a remoulade sauce that took the beans to another level. Chicken apple sausage was pretty good too, quite ginormous, with a heap of greens. Totally divey atmosphere with bartenders who seem like they've worked there forever.
(4)Eugenia C.
pros: - sweet jesus, the chicken tenders are good - the bourbon sauce for the fries are to die for - reese, one of the bartenders there, is a total sweetheart - excellent beer choices cons: - i'm pretty sure the bathroom doors dont lock - actually, come to think of it, the bourbon sauce for the fries may be laced with crack. there is no other explanation for it being THAT good and that addictive.
(5)michelle p.
I went here with some friends after a night out ice skating. The service was fast for midnight on a friday night. They had seating available, which the first time I tried to have a drink here they didn't have any. The staff was knowledgeable about the beer that they had on tap and was pretty attentive. We ordered the fries and they were gobbled up fast, because they were delicious.
(4)Tom A.
Grace Tavern, it took me a long time to get here, but I did. Had to wait till after the second trip, and food, to write the review. So here goes nothing. Been here two times, on weekend nights, both times walked right up to a seat at the bar. Good start. The tap menu is slim, and two of those spots are/were ciders, step backwards. The bottle list was a bit beefier though. step forward. Atmosphere was the right kind for me, chill, pressed tin ceiling, long bar and little dining room. Another step ahead. The bartenders were cool, although a bit busy. Peak Organic Pale Ale was really good. Then there is the food. Everyone on here was raving about the Blackened Green Beans, so I had to try the small ($2.00) size of them. When I got them I couldn't believe they were only 2 bucks... there was more than I or my buddy could eat, and actually I didn't feel right eating them. I just know they can't be any good for you. Greasy, flavored of all the other things that were ever cooked there ever, and just a little too much. if that makes sense. I can see why people go ape for them, but I was a bit weary. I also had a burger with bleu cheese and something, cooked almost completely rare, that scared me too, but I ate it and it was really really damn good. (the next days trips to the toilet led me to believe I should have gotten it a little more cooked). They make a note on the menu of calling fries 'frites' and guess what, they were plain old SYSCO frozen french fries (the time I was there anyway). My buddy commented that "the frites were good" and I nearly put him in the million dollar dream for using the term frites on obviously standard issue fries. Anyway, after I berated him on that we got on to a good night at drinking at a very nice bar. Last note... my favorite beer here is at $5.00, 50 cents cheaper than anywhere else I know about. POPE, you have been beat on that finally... And for anyone who wants to know, that beer is La Fin Du Monde, so if you are reading and know you can get it for 5 or less alert me so I can track it on the "LaFindex" which right now is hovering around 6 bucks a bottle. Thanks.
(4)Totally I.
Since I'm not a fan of Monks - I like Grace. The atmosphere is a bit less cave-esque. The beer on tap is fairly genaric, but not bad (genaric as in Lager, Yards, Dogfish head - as opposed to Bud, Bud light, yak, yak, yak) but the bottle selection is quite eclectic, tasty, and slightly pricey - but no more so than the Foodery, the only non-bar you'll find these guys in in Philly. Food's pub+ food... that gastro-pub type thing that's going around. The staff is a kick. Sadly, the clientele seems less and less diverse... maybe it's that monstrocity of urbanity - Naval Square that's finally being populated. Oh, and the Neighborhood is Devil's Pocket! Don't let the realtors YUPify the vernacular. I'd add... in my all things hated of Monks, the same bottles of beer are more reasonably priced at Grace - even if they share the same owner.
(4)J D.
First off, I don't get this Philly thing that bartender's seem to be annoyed that their reading has been interrupted by a customer??!! The bartender then proceeds to go back and read and never looks up again until I am walking out the door. There are more complaints, but that's enough actually, pretty much sums it up.
(1)Kay B.
I was very disappointed by Grace Tavern. I seemed to have always held Grace on a pedestal, as if it were one of the best pubs in the city. I hadn't been there in years, and my husband and I went there yesterday for a pint around 4:30pm. While the beer selection was wonderful, the two beers that we bought cost $12 total. And at 4:30pm! If you go to most places at that hour, there are happy hour specials and you rarely pay more than $3 for even the tastiest of brews. Moreover, the bartender was quite gruff and barely acknowledged us when we arrived. After taking her time in getting to us, we ordered our beers. When I questioned the $8 change we received on a $20 bill, she simply said, 'yea, your Manayunk Black Eye PA was $5.50 plus tax, which comes out to $6.05; as if I was crazy to even question a $6 happy hour pint. plus, who charges tax on beer? um, Grace Tavern, this is not New York City - and you are not that cool.
(2)Omar E.
Yeah, fuck this place. The end.
(1)Kathy L.
A hidden gem. Delicious spot for burgers and beer. It's more tilted toward the dive scene than pub atmosphere, but that's all a part of the charm. The service here is excellent, even by restaurant standards. Our server was a great host - really attentive and knowledgeable - despite it being a busy friday night. My advice would be to stick to the burgers. We've tried the jambalaya and it was ok, but not great. Would have been a disappointment if it was the main event and not serving as an appetizer. The double fried fries are good. If you get the string beans instead - watch out - they're pretty spicy.
(4)Stephen H.
The server was a trip on this Thursday night..super friendly, with a hint theatrics, adds to the fun. It's amazing how much a little personality behind the bar, can make a a neighborhood bar, the kind of place you walk out of your way for. I had the jambalaya and it was done well with all the ingredients mixing, sometimes that doesn't happen. My friend liked her hot sausage, ( thats a n awkward sentence) and who would have thunk, that green beans were the perfect bar snack. Reasons why this place didn't hit the big 4or 5 star are it gets crowded even on a week night. You have to eat practical on your neighbors lap. finally, its very hot in there. first visit was in early May, and it was sweltering, did drink my beers fast, so for them its a plus. I was going to stop in two weeks ago, but as I went inside the heat hit me in the face, so I left. last night it was un seasonably cool, so i decided perfect night for a visit, and I was right. I think come Fall, i will be frequenting this nice bar more often.
(3)Tim O.
The drink prices are fair. The bartenders aren't even close to being dicks. They're friendly with a strong pour. And maybe they'll even smoke some tree with you. A bit small and no jukebox. Music controlled beyond the bar. Those are the only downsides. Nice and dark and not too hip. I'd definitely go back. I'm surprised it took me so long to come.
(4)Vince R.
Good place. Nice beer selection. Service is a bit slow but prices make up for it. Divey but in a classy way.
(4)rey b.
strolled in on a grey sunday afternoon with a friend to find out what all the fuss is about. there were 2 other patrons at the bar & a large table of people sitting in the back dining room. the bartender got our drink order, 2 sodas & 2 coffees. for some odd reason, we had to wait a bit longer than anticipated for our beverages. we placed our brunch order & chatted & chatted & chatted. we weren't sure why our salad, blackened green beans, & eggs benny were taking so long, so we asked the bartender if it'd be much longer for our food. she mentioned the large table placed an order right before us, so it would be out momentarily. the food was tasty, but we were disappointed about the 45 minute wait for our brunch. hoping the bartender would at least comp our sodas, the check arrived, everything was on the bill. i guess i'd give this place another shot based on all the lip service this place gets, but don't be surprised if you wait a long time for your meal. it's a shame because i enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere & the food was reasonably priced. maybe i just need to return in the evening for a proper dinner.
(2)Karma B.
I love everything about this place. It's small, the bartenders know their trade. The food is nothing super fancy but always well prepared and good. Great burgers here. Blackened green beans are awesome and I hate vegetables. Beer a plenty. This is a pretty cool place for Philly. The crowd is very grounded. Not for hipsters or socialites.
(5)Jason O.
Yes it's a bar with beer and stuff but OMG the jambalaya and the blackened string beans. O. M. G.
(5)To M.
Good beer selection and delicious burgers. Great "old man bar" atmosphere. Some hipsters, but all are welcome.
(4)Nicole R.
Grace has everything you need in a pub-- great, simple pub food (the Jambalaya is unspeakably delish and the blackened string beans provide a tasty alternative to french fries), a varied beer selection including many local microbrews and craft beer as well as Belgians (try Orval...) The bartenders are really great. Say hi to Reece and Lulu who play great music and are personable AND snarkastic. It is no surprise that this is one of Fergie's places. It has that smart simplicity that makes his establishments so successful.
(5)Jake P.
Great secret of the highly-ignored Gray's Ferry section of the city. Grace's has one of the better beer lists per price in the city. From $4-7, you can sample some belgium brews like the bigtimers. What's more, the extremely-friendly staff is more than happy to offer suggestions or field questions, so as not to be pretentious like so many barkeeps. The food is served late, and better than your average pub grease. The menu is very original, like the beer list. I like the dark lighting, the loud conversation, the prime '80s New-Wave/Indie music, and the friendliest staff in this section of the city. Grace's is a well-kept secret, so be careful who you tell... [says the guy posting it online]
(4)Jesse M.
I really like the vibe of this place. I recently spent the past Sunday watching football here for over seven hours. I had a blast speaking with the bartenders and other patrons. Good selection of beers, the food is decent and reasonably priced. Someone needs to tell me what the dipping sauce is that comes with the fries because I can't get enough of it. If I could fill my bathtub with this sauce and throw a bunch of different food items in there I would be in heaven.
(4)heather j.
good cheap food, but don't look to be impressed. the cajun green beans are a must to try. great beer selection, but a dollar more in price than the god dog. small bar, Reese (bartender) is the best!
(3)matt h.
Only been here once but it was a fun place. Interior is small but there is a back section with tables. They have a great selection of beer including some fantastic imports on draft. I was there on a Saturday afternoon with some friends and the bartender was very kind and didn't mind our nighttime behavior. If you go def. check out their burgers - I recommend the Kennett Square Burger.
(4)boz V.
Hadn't been to this place since they opened and I never tried the food. The wife and I got out of the 90 degree heat and sat down at a tiny table tucked into a dark corner. Stoked. We both couldn't resist the description of the South Street burger, and ordered up two. She got the blackened green beans on the side while I went with the traditional frites. The burger was real good. Bleu cheese and sauteed onions. What took it to the awesome level for me was the brioche bun. Perfect size and a nice texture. My only complaint is that the famous Monk's mayo for the fries was a bit too salty. My wife noticed there were capers in there so maybe it was that. We washed it all down with a couple drafts, Ithaca Apricot Wheat and Lagunitas Dogtown Pale Ale. Not sure if that's named after the Venice surf/ skateboard scene that started in the 70's, but I like to think that it is. They had nine taps and a decent selection of bottles. Recommended, brah.
(4)Veronica Y.
This is one of my local bars. Make sure you go on nights of the week when Reese is working the bar. The other guy is a complete asshole and will make you cry. The food is cheap, quick to come out, and surprisingly good for bar food. Decent selection of beers and drinks.
(4)Amanda F.
Totally empty at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon, we were greeted by an adorable, gigantic German Shepard-type dog, and grabbed the big round table next to the bar. The bartender didn't mind that we sat there for ages, only ordered chicken fingers (delicious) and fries (with an awesome sauce), an iced tea, and some beer. It was a pretty nice place to hang out, have a nice conversation, a drink and a snack.
(4)Jonathan B.
Rude service to regulars. I have been going to Grace Tavern for years and have spent hundreds of dollars at this place. It is generally fine -- they have a decent beer selection and pretty good food -- but tonight I was encountered by such rudeness by the staff that I will likely never go to Grace again. I was sitting at a table with 6 other people, each of whom ordered and finished food and 1-2 beers, and after 30 minutes, a couple of us had ordered another round. We were forced to get up from our table because people apparently needed to sit there, yet no one was seated for quite some time. I calmly asked the staff member why he made us get up, and he yelled, wouldn't allow me to get a word in edge wise, and failed to listen. I'm taken aback as to how unappreciative they are of their customers, and tonight they lost several regulars.
(1)Sally f.
i love this place. great food!!!! the greenbeans - wow. the servers are friendly. my boyfriends uncle brings his two little kids here all the time and they always have coloring books and crayons. it really is nice to be able to bring up kids in the city and have them experince real south philly. i read someone else said theres no typical croud here - i realize now thats true and how nice that is.
(4)John T.
Grace Tavern is, was, and always will be my favorite bar. Sadly I'm no longer in Philadelphia, but I always make a pilgrimage whenever I return to my old 'hood. The beer list is top notch, as you'd expect from a Monk's subsidiary. But the atmosphere, music and food really make it. Fantastic service - Rees and Leo rule, though newcomers who don't know what to expect sometimes can be taken aback. This is not a place to do shots and jagerbombs; it's way more low key than that (and the bartenders will let you know). Best burger. Best fries. Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Grace was the homemade cake. If I had lots of money, I'd invest in a teleport solely to be able to still go to Grace for a late night beer, some fries and a piece of chocolate stout cake.
(5)Warren A.
We popped in for a late night snack and some beers. We chatted with the bartender and ate some of their great slightly-spicy french fries. Bliss.
(4)Kingsley S.
Fun out of the way bar with really good food. The burgers are reliable as is the rest of the menu. Love the beer selection. The service is not in your face but gets it done. The decor is old world charm.
(4)Retset Y.
went on a saturday night with only one bartender tending the entire bar plus the tables. this meant it took forever to get our drink, food and check. however, the burger and fries was so good! i think it was the actual bun that made the burger and they use old bay seasoning (i think) on the fries (which i like) and it's served with a yummy aoli. beer selection is not bad. they just need to hire another bartender and/or server.
(3)astro t.
I've been to Grace Tavern on many occasions and it has been great all the time. Sometimes crowded, Grace Tavern has a pub atmosphere with great burgers, sausages and fries. Beers are tasty as well, associated with the Nodding Head Brewery, Monks'. The bartenders do what they do, sometimes talkative sometimes not. It's become a good place to hang out and relax afterwork to grab a drink. There's some seating in the rear and then the bar and wall counter in front.
(5)Rachel B.
this place has fantastic burgers and fries (with bay seasoning). don't bother telling them how you want your burger cooked, it's always the same and always good. it's dark and quiet enough to talk but not quiet enough that everyone else knows your business. grace is best on weeknights when not that crowded.
(5)matthew l.
Monk's took an old old style neighborhood taproom and converted it into a new new style neighborhood bar. Fairly small. Good food with great fries, sausages and burgers with the signature deep fried green beans hugely overrated. Excellent selection of beers and we have always gotten a server who is knowledgeable about them. Great juke box. This place puzzles me as people who go are usually split in their opinion of the food and service, though everyone loves the beer. We began going when Monk's got so difficult to get in. Despite the controversy that it sparks, we have never had anything but a great time at Grace.
(3)scott s.
these sandwiches are great. the blackened green beens are great. the beer is great. lulu and rees are great. i got nothing else to say. great great great
(4)Michael M.
Grace Tavern is old reliable. Good vegan burgers (same as the other Fergie-Tom Peters restaurants), great fries, excellent blackened green beans, and my carnivore friends swear by their real burgers. The beer selection is good, with a nice mix of local drafts (including Nodding Head Grog fairly often) and the always awesome Monk's Sour Ale. Service is occasionally good (Reese is a fantastic dude), occasionally spotty and unnecessarily stuck up. It's small, attracts a good mixed crowd--professional drunks, hipsters, runoff from the Penn Museum (pre-South-St-Bridge-closing), and neighborhood locals. The space is beautiful and rarely too packed, and is by far the best option in the neighborhood (haven't yet tried Pub & Kitchen, but Grace blows Ten Stone and Doobies away). So, relaxed, good beer, and good food. Pretty perfect for a neighborhood bar which doesn't try to be anything else, much to the chagrin of trendbots who have managed to find their way out of Old City.
(4)Una M.
Great place in G-Ho which is more and more a "destination" in the city. I obsess over the sausage sandwich. Prices are fair, food is good and it is not pretentious.
(5)Diana G.
This is a pretty congenial place, but I'm still not sure why it was awarded "Best Bar" by a couple different publications. There's a definitely after-work professional crowd, along with locals and some folks who seem to travel from other parts of the city. I love the apple-walnut salad with ORGANIC chicken, but the nicoise salad was not impressive. Grace Tavern is more of a bar with food, rather than a food place. It's dark wood-paneled, which lends a colonial feel, with a long bar as you walk in. The staff are very personable, if not always able to spend lots of time with each table. It's definitely a gauntlet, though, as one walks in, with easily 90% of the crowd young men. It gets loud, crowded, and kind of scene-y on weekend evenings. Seated at the tables in the back are couples of all ages, though, and friends out for a quick bite. Interesting beer variety, reasonably priced. I go for the convenience, if not the food, necessarily.
(3)Zina R.
Best bar in Philadelphia? That's a stretch. It's dark and there are always a few hipsters brooding at the bar. Also, ever since the PW article, it has consistently been packed with loud, obnoxious kids who look and act like they're fresh out of high school. But the food and Rees make up for it all. The burgers are flavorful and moist sandwiched b/w the most amazing le bus brioche roll. My favorite is the kelly burger. The sausages are perfectly seasoned. I often daydream about the tuna burger. So so good. And don't discount the chicken fingers and fries. I could eat them for every meal. The chicken is juicy and the outside has just the right amount of crispiness. And the (horseradish?) dipping sauce for the fries is like crack. Dip your burger in it and you'll be temporarily transported to heaven. But when you get back to earth you'll realize you're still in a small dark and dingy bar and you need another high life (i'm no beer snob). I only go when Rees is working and he's a total sweetheart. The other bartenders are not quite as...friendly.
(4)emmalee c.
Came in during a Sunday afternoon. The bartender was awesome. There was only one other person in the whole place and she was another Grace worker who was also friendly and pretty cool. We all hung out and drank and ate. I had never been here and heard from friends (and yelp friends) that the burgers are bitchin. I am a phanatic so I got the Kelly (?) burger and the cajun beans. Slammin, the food was awesome. They had my favorite beer on tap, It was my lucky day. The cook came out and hung out with us after he was done, again, another awesome friendly guy. I came back again another night and it was packed. Service was still awesome. They put the Simpsons on and my boyfriend jizzed his pants. I love Grace.
(4)Wade W.
I dig the place. Sure it helps its 60 yards from my in-laws house but always feel the waitstaff is courteous. Food is good and the Guinness is perfect. I will always pop in here when visiting my in-laws, who by the way, think highly of GT as well.
(4)Anna M.
I guess being voted the best bar in philadelphia sent my expectations soaring to unreasonable proportions. Realistically, there wasn't anything grossly objectionable about Grace, but I left feeling disappointed. Echoing what's been said by a few folks before, the service on my visit was surly and offputting. My buddy with me leaned over soon after our first interaction with the bartender and asked in a hushed voice, "Why does she hate me?" Good question. Couldn't tell him. It was the kind of service that made me want to crawl over the bar and pour the brews on my own. The plus side to Grace Tavern, and it is a major plus: Walking in during the afternoon hours makes you feel like a film noir star. The sunlight peeks in and casts gorgeous shadows over the deep dark room, and you feel as though you could be a lonely, forgotten housewife embarking on an ill-advised affair with the private eye you hired to investigate your adulterous hubby. That kind of cinematic atmosphere is rare and precious, so soak it up kids. Hell, maybe the pissy service adds to the dramatic effect.
(3)Rebecca M.
Let me start by saying that we live in the neighborhood and that this was our favorite go-to bar for years. We would come here with friends from out-of-town, after a really late night at work for dinner, and sometimes on a random afternoon for a cold drink on a hot and sweaty day when we were too gross to go anywhere else. We had made this place part of our lives. My father-in-law had been here back in the 80's and was thrilled to see new ownership. My best friend (raised by a bar-owning family) had given it approval way before the Philly Weekly did. Reasons we loved it back then: blackened green beans, fries like at Monk's when you don't want to deal with the wait there, great beer selection, unpretentious, perfect amount of dive and grime. But we had a inconceivable experience about a year and a half ago and have never been back. And I think that other people should skip it as well. January 1, 2009. I know it was a holiday and bad manners can sometimes be excused by the stress that comes with it, but bear with me. My cousins and brother are in-town and we are headed to the Poconos the next day for our annual, under-40, family ski-day. We drop by Grace's for a low-key dinner and some beers. It's not that crowded and we get the big round table without much wait. My cousin, who has learning disabilities and is also a bartender, goes to order a beer he had never heard of before and has trouble pronouncing it (I know you have all had this problem with imports somewhere). He tries to order the beer and the bartender snaps at him because he can't understand what he said. My cousin becomes flustered and apologizes and says he didn't know how to pronounce it. The bartender snarls, "If your mouth wasn't full when you were trying to talk, I could hear what you were saying." My cousin wasn't eating. My cousin then proceeds to says that he is sorry, he has dyslexia, points to the menu, and asks how to pronounce it. The bartender essentially calls him a liar. At this point in time, I talk my slightly inebriated kid brother out of starting a honor fight on his cousin's behalf and we (now unhappily) finish our dinner and our round and go to leave. I've had conversations with this bartender before. He's given me samples, offered beer education, mentioned his favorite books. I figure he is having an off-night. On the way out, I approach the bartender and tell him about how we are regulars, about how my cousin does have disabilities, and that I am upset by how he treated my family. He essentially tells me to go fuck myself. Again, I have to talk my kid brother out of a brawl. And that is why I have given up blackened green beans.
(1)Colin C.
Craving fries and beer, my friend and I stumbled around the block from her apartment to Grace, which was overflowing on this Saturday night. Squeezing through the unruly, largely professional-looking crowd which seemed to be producing demonic voices like that of Linda Blair's from the Exorcist, we felt lucky to find a table for two open in the back. Amidst the chaos, the only things that kept me there were the retro tin paneling on the walls and ceiling and the incredible basket of fries. The fries were great, though I would say they are comparable to Monk's in terms of deliciousness (especially since they come with the Monk's dippin sauce) and I don't think I will ever go back to Grace for more. In the end, the 45 minute wait for a server to acknowledge my friend and me was a major put-off. The surly waiter stomped back and forth past our table without even saying hi. It was probably the worst service I've received in Philadelphia, and it just made me feel sad.
(3)Mark P.
Ok this is tough for me...went there a bunch of times when Reese was bartending and had a great time. However this past Saturday afternoon me, my gf another friend and his gf went there for a drink after we got back from a pool party . We were joking around cracking each other up just having a good time when the super skinny wanna be rocker bartender comes over and asks us if we can keep it down because people were complaining - aka his 3 friends at the bar. Last time I checked it was a bar and not a library. My gf is a bartender and I work in the nightclub industry and have never seen people laughing and having a good time told to tone it down. Def sticking to going there when Reese is behind the bar
(4)Lucy H.
I didn't think I would like this place, but it kind of grew on me - it had a nice crowd. The bar keeps are extremely friendly and my husband loved his tuna steak sandwich - he especially loved the fries. I thought the food was reasonably priced. I say it's well worth a visit and plan to hang out for a bit and some of their great beers!
(3)Margaret F.
This bar is a place I return to again and again. Get the blackened green beans.
(4)J K.
Leo, the Napoleonic bartender at Grace, is the most obnoxious person I have encountered in my entire life. IF the food here was even halfway decent, and for soggy fries and mediocre burgers, it's not, it still wouldn't be worth being verbally assaulted by an angry bartender who is clearly trying to compensate for a small penis. I love beer and burgers. There are hundreds of good places to find them in Philadelphia, several within a few blocks of Grace. If you respect yourself at all and wish to be treated like a human being, take your business elsewhere. I'm better than that. So are you.
(1)Simon L.
Back when the south street bridge is still open, this is where I will always stopped between Penn and my apartment. I moved to Philly for Penn not knowing a soul, Reese and James (the owner) are amazing. I miss this place so much. If you are able to make it here, you must, must, try the grace burger with the green beans.
(5)Shaun O.
After our dodgeball games. the team and I have been sampling the local bars in the neighborhood. After a semi-victorious run in the playoffs (we beat the #17 seed and were competitive with the #1 seed before losing), we decided to give Grace Tavern a shot. I was initially hesitant as I remember this place being packed. For a Wednesday night, we were able to score a table for 7. Plus-friendly bartender who made sure to go out of his way to strike up conversation with us. Beer selection was amazing too. I had their spinach and sausage sandwich, which was quite tasty. We definitely lucked out as folks were raving about their fries and the beers there. I was about 4 deep in before we called it a night-so it was definitely a good spot for us to hit up after dodgeball on a Wednesday night.
(4)Carlo D.
OK burgers and great fries
(3)Stephen C.
As others have stated, this is a place that I frequent when I'm doing a night out in my neighborhood. It's one of those small neighborhood finds that I somehow want to keep it under cover so it doesn't get too crowded. The beer selection is always rotating and everything I've tried on the menu has been excellent. The only thing to add is that during Philly Beer Week, this place hosts some cool events. I went to a Sam Adams/Naked Chocolate event a couple years back. I got some beer, chocolate and a pretty cool t-shirt for free. They have a few events like this during the week and I think having these events in an intimate setting like Grace makes it all the better. It's a unique place to go, the staff is excellent but please don't tell too many people about it! ;)
(4)Jackie C.
GREAT BURGERS! GREAT GREEN BEANS! bad bad bad bad service. If you can stomach being treated with no respect but love your burgers this is the place for you. It seems like most of their servers here were told by management they should act as if you are imposing by ordering food. It's the "I'm so annoyed I have to wait on you attitude". It's a shame I feel like more people would go back if they service didn't suck. Regardless I have been going here for years because I love there burgers. I can't seem to get enough of them. I have just learned to order take out and have a beer while I wait (be careful one time we waited 2 hours, although we suspect our bartender was not all there, I have only seen him once and never again) AGAIN LOVE THE BURGERS!!!
(3)Holly T.
Grace Tavern is a great neighborhoody little bar. It has a more casual feel than some of the more blatantly gastropubby bars in the area, and occupies a pleasant spot in between the divey-ness of Doobies and the more high-end feel of Pub & Kitchen. Just a simple place to get a good beer and a good bar food without any pretension. I love their blackened green beans, which make for a brilliant bar snack, as well as their fries. I have yet to try their burger, but it looks amazing and is a great price compared to some of the other burgers in the neighborhood. The beer selection is very good for the most part, though they do have a few macro-ish beers on draft. They have a great location, and I love the things they do for the neighborhood, including participating in the low-key Plazapalooza festival. I'm glad to have this as one of our beer options in the neighborhood!
(4)Justin B.
Grace Tavern has one of the most delicious burgers my taste buds have ever experienced. Their fries are currently the number 1 fries in the city (in my opinion) My only qualm is that i live too far from this place, if i lived closer i would be a much happier person.
(5)James G.
God help anyone who enters this hole!! It's run by rude and, quite frankly, ugly toothless people! We went in on a Friday night and stood at the bar for 15 mins. Being a bartender I'm very patient but nobody even looked toward the bar. Why? Because the 2 people working were working the bar and tabled and, apparently, the tables were more important. It got so infuriating that, eventually, I shouted out at the top of my voice....yoooo!! When I was noticed he asked, very condescendingly, have you approached the bar??? No!!! I was just standing here for fun you toothless goon!! Cut a long story short the staff here were rude, slow and, quite frankly, disgusting!!! Never, ever ever give these tramps your hard earned money because they dint appreciate it!!
(1)Elizabeth D.
This is a really chill place to grab a burger and a beer. The proximity to a friend's place was definitely a draw, but I was really happy to finally try it out. It's small, but it was not crowded at all for a Saturday. Our server was nice, but a little erratic. Great selection of rotating drafts. The blackened green beans as an appetizer were delicious! Leftovers the next day were reportedly equally good. My Kelly's Burger with cheddar and bacon was quite good. Not as medium rare as I usually enjoy, but it hit the spot. Fries on the side were crispy! Tab for three people was just about $45. Great spot in the area if you are looking for something casual.
(4)Janek J.
Small neighborhood tavern with tin ceiling that serves good food in a casual atmosphere and attracts customers from a wider area than would be expected. It COULD be a bit brighter. The blackened green beans are to die for. GREAT burgers. One server, Lulu, is particularly friendly and accommodating. Now that they' have placed tables and chairs in the triangular park at 23rd and South Streets to serve food and drinks, sitting outside under trees, next to a fountain, would be a LOT more pleasant if they weeded, cleaned, and cared for the park that Odunde claims, but does not maintain.
(3)lyndsey F.
Well sometimes life changes for the better and because of some phenomenal life changes, I have been to Grace pretty much every other night for the past two weeks. They have a great selection of beers (although I'm not a huge beer drinker) and they have two different kinds of bottled Anchor, which i do love! They have a decent Cabernet for $5 a glass and they have an amazing burger. Apparently their Jambalaya is on point too, but I have yet to taste it. Everyone that works there is lovely. And it is all in all a really great neighborhood place.
(5)Leslie M.
I've been meaning to write something nice about Grace Tavern for a long time. When my boyfriend and I moved to Philly two years ago, we wandered around our neighborhood looking for a bar that could be our "home" bar. We found it in Grace for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the service. We love the bartenders, especially Rees and Mike. They were some of the first people we met in Philly and I'm always happy to walk in Grace and see them, even if it's too busy to chat. Second, the burgers are the best. Get them with the beans or the fries. It doesn't even matter which burger you order, it's going to be the best. Third, it's a comfortable atmosphere. Come here after work. Come before a night out. Stagger in afterwards. It's always welcoming and you're not going to be surrounded by idiot college kids. We don't make it to Grace as often as we used to, but it will always be our "home" bar for these reasons. A side rant: Why are so many adults walking around without their ID's? What if something would happen to you? Please lay off the staff for carding you, IT'S THEIR JOB no matter how old you look. Most people wouldn't go to your place of work, ask you to bend the rules, and then get upset when you don't. Let's say you are an accountant and I came to your office and simply told you, I made 30k this past year. Would you do my taxes? No. Because it's illegal and you would be liable, right? Give them a break, they're liable too.
(5)Michael P.
I'd heard a lot of hype about Grace Tavern before going there, and I finally got the chance a few weeks ago, meeting up with a friend from work. Now that I've been there, I'm not really sure where I fall on it. I like the nice, unpretentious bar feel, the dark wood and tin ceiling, combined with the lone tube tv give it a throwback feel. The tap had a moderate selection, but it was the situation where despite being a step beyond the usual suspects, nothing really interested me. I never really got a look at the bottle list either. The bartenders were engaging, which is always a plus. We split a basket of the fried green beans, which were pretty good. A deeper sample of their menu might raise my opinion, but really, I wasn't very impressed. The few small tables in the back seem like an afterthought. I don't think I would really describe it as a dive, but it toes the line between dive and neighbourhood haunt. If you're in the area, its probably worth a visit, but I wouldn't call it a destination, worth traveling to.
(3)Mike T.
Mediocre tap selection, especially for an establishment that advertisers in craft beer publications. One of those dark lighting bars, too dark in my opinion. And a staff that needs to step up their level of customer service. If the owner catches reads this, retrain your staff or fire them, it will be to your benefit. They get the 2 stars, because it is decent bar with a couple tasty brews. Just do not expect anything special on tap or to be served by friendly people.
(2)YelpHatesMe Y.
We'll go 3 1/2 here, based solely on the burger and fries. I loved the roll. It wasn't brioche, like I expect most of the better burgers in the city to use but it was good none the less. All in all it had a good flavor but lacked that "pop". It didn't really have that spiciness or that zesty taste that really makes a good burger stand out. The fries were pretty good also. Bottom line; Its a pretty good burger, but no where near the Angus burger from the Royal Tavern.
(3)Alicia O.
One of those dark, small bars that everyone seems to love. First time I came here, I didn't know what all the fuss was about. It was a bit too crowded for me. However last time I was here on Saturday night and the crowd was a lot smaller than usual. It was better experience. Around Christmas time, they had Mad Elf on tap which gets another star from me. We also sat around and ate their fries and they were sort of addicting. The actual fries aren't anything special, but it's the spicy mayo that comes with it that gets you.
(3)Andrea T.
I live closer to Ten Stone, but I walk the extra few steps to Grace. Reese is my favorite bartender. The mixed drinks are great. Stiff and cheap. They do not have frills or redbull, but to make up for they have the most delectable green beans on earth. The toilets are amusing little nooks resembling harry potter's bedroom under the stairs, but they have two which is awesome. The place is great on quiet nights of the week a little crowded on weekends, but what bar isn't? The bartenders are quick to throw out anyone who annoys them or they think might be trouble. The ashtray outside is always catching on fire. The beer selection is awesome. The chairs at the bar are comfy. It's a great bar in my hood and way better than that other place.
(5)MaryAnn Z.
One of my requirements for choosing a place to live is a decent neighborhood bar. Now, I would generally only give this place 4 stars, but I've tacked on one of the leftover stars that Ten Stone wasn't worthy of. I would say this is hands down the best bar in my neighborhood, and have contemplated wearing my slippers there on several occasions. I recently had guests from NYC and we had to pick up another friend at the airport at 5 AM (I should probably reevaluate my friendship with said airport guest...), so didn't want to stray too far. At a loss for what to do, I took them to Grace. I wasn't going to try to out glam Manhattan or prove that we had swank in our town, I was just going to show them what, for me, makes Philly Philly. Shortly after arriving, the bartender came over to answer some questions about what was on tap, and a few moments later he was telling us stories about doing acid in Maryland in the 80s. YES. This is what I pay my tax dollars for (that doesn't even make sense. I know. Continue.). The beer on tap is great, and like another reviewer mentioned, it's unique. Not just generic light beer and other miscellanous, uncreative crap brews. In fact, he described one of the things on tap as "if someone walked into Nodding Head and asked for a Miller lite, this is what they'd serve them instead." Excellent. We got some chicken fingers and fries to munch on. They were yummy; nothing extraordinary. Portion sizes were good and the whole table was satisfied. I love the layout of Grace. I love the beer. I love the people who work there. I can understand why people contest the "best bar in Philly" award entirely. But I think in a lot of ways, that place embodies Philadelphia. It feels familiar whether you've been there once or a thousand times. As such, I vow to wear my slippers there at least once before the end of winter. I really don't like having to take them off.
(5)Melanie R.
Hands down the best burger I've had in the city. I was full halfway through but forced myself to eat the whole thing because I didn't want to leave any behind. It was cooked perfectly. Medium-well and juicy. The fries were good too. The spicy mayo sauce that comes on the side was yummy and not too spicy. Just enough kick. I would've given it 5 stars but the atmosphere was a little odd. Granted it's a tiny bar with a few tables in the back where the bartender is also the server. He was the only one working the front when we got there around 7 but another guy showed up at 8. The seats at the bar were all taken so we had to sit at a table. Please know that you will be seated according to the size of your party so if you are only a party of 2 then don't sit at a table for 3 or 4. They have a system and like to stick to it. A couple came in and sat at the table for 3 and were asked to move. The chick had a hissy fit and refused. Seating is tight so it created an awkward feeling among the rest of us trying to enjoy our food. Not to mention it pissed off the server. He asked nicely and gave a good reason why but she wouldn't give in. Fortunatly, they just ending up leaving. All in all, I'd go back for another burger. They have a good beer selection but I'm not much of a beer drinker. Just give me another one of those burgers and I'm happy.
(4)Rebecca F.
Nice, unassuming neighborhood bar. I came in one time by myself and the bartender took me under his wing seeing as how I didn't know anybody. Maybe that's standard, but I appreciate it when bartenders do that.. Get the blackened green beans.
(4)Beth R.
Good menu and good beer selections here. Plus, it's a great atmosphere with the iron molded walls and dim lighting. Last night the soundtrack was mostly classic Beatles. It's small but there are tables to sit if you're dining. I love that they have Ace Pear Cider available year round.
(4)Lillian C.
Dear Grace Tavern, Do you deliver to Queens, NY? I think about you every day. I've been searching for six months to find a burger that comes close to you, but my hunt is fruitless. I know I should let you go, but I'm just not ready. I think I miss you most of all, South Street Burger. Forever yours, Lillian
(4)Katherine A.
This stalwart institution of the Grad Hospital neighborhood never gets old. It's hard to get a table to eat on weekends (e.g. be prepared to wait a while if you walk in after 7pm), and the ambiance is by no means posh, but the excellent food and unexpectedly awesome beer selection totally make up for any wait. Had the veggie burger last night, which is moist and delicious - the antithesis of your typical cardboard slab - and the blackened green beans are out of this world. No idea what they put on those bad boys but they are seriously addictive... The staff are also all super friendly, and quickly get to know you by name after a few visits, which is always a plus!
(4)Molly F.
Was looking for a place with good beer and decent food for a casual dining experience. Checked out this place on a Wednesday evening. Nice, low key bar. I came in freezing and no one rushed me to get a drink or sit down. Bar tenders are friendly but not overly chatty, which I appreciate. They have a decent food menu, but not extensive sit-down space and the seating is intimate (small) so don't bring people that smells funky. Downside- if you are trying to get here in a car the difficulty in parking cannot be overemphasized.
(4)Sarah B.
Holy frijoles, batman! Those blackened green beans were delicious.
(4)Melissa L.
I loved this bar before I went in yesterday, but now I rully rully love it. I had a friend in town from the Middle East where she's working and I had her for only one afternoon and she requested draft beer she can't have there, and to check out a very a Philly neighborhoody bar, so we went to Grace for a late afternoon beer. We had such a great time. The bartender and a couple of the other guys who work there were doing early set up and I know it's easy to give great service when there aren't a lot of people at the bar, but they were just so nice. My bartender played lots of Beatles from his ipod, which is pretty much the way to my heart. He even played Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite twice for me when I said it was my favorite. We got a couple of Manayunk Summer Paradise...es, which is an awesome, crisp beer. (and now I want to go to the brewery/restaurant) We chatted and chewed the fat with the bartender, and he told us hilarious stories of bringing the hand of justice down on crabby/jerky/stupid patrons, and I appreciated it because I like my neighborhood bar to have biting bulldog bartenders for when the Erin Express crowd gets lost and winds up there drunk, wearing shamrock stickers on their cheeks, and ruining the cozy vibe. I want to say my bartender's name was Mike. (Sorry if you're reading this and I messed it up!) I got their names in a rush as we left. So nice, but he didn't crowd us too much either. He has long hair and a beard & tattoo around his neck .. His pal who had on a rasta hat was really nice, too. It felt like I was having a beer at someone's house. Best neighborhood bar in Fitler Square. Like I said, I've been a lot before, and it's always a good place to walk a few blocks for a beer in the hood. Also they take credit cards, and I love Doobie's but they're kind of like Grace's grumpy uncle that smells a little like old clothes and mothballs, so I think I'm going to be a one-bar-woman while near home.
(5)Jen K.
This place is happening! They were not-overcrowded with lots of young adults (late 20s-30s) that all seemed bubbly and fun. Not trendy. Not hipstery. This is where the rest of us are going. Very nice atmosphere. The have an oyster po boy that is better than any po boy I've had in New Orleans. And the fries rocked. Great beer selection, nice staff, 2 thumbs up. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Barrett L.
This isn't just my neighborhood bar, but this is Philly's neighborhood bar. It's the kind of bar that you go to when you want to go out but don't want to try anything new or different. It's the place you go where all you want is a good burger, a good beer, and not much else. In other words: your perfect local bar. This small but charming local watering hole also has an open secret: they serve some of Philadelphia's best and most well-liked hamburgers. Unlike some of the newer and more publicized burger joints in town, they don't make a big deal about the ingredients or the quality of the meat, but they cook everything right and serve it to you fresh with a side of golden delicious french fries and a tangy aioli mayo that'll keep you from grabbing the ketchup. The Grace Burger (a cheeseburger with Swiss) is very good, but if you're feeling decadent, try the Kelly Burger, perfectly cooked and complemented with smoky, flavorful bacon and sharp cheddar. The bar also has a great draft options. Local and regional breweries like Yards, Troegs, Stoudts, Ithaca, and state hero Yuengling dominate the taps, with virtually everything else available by the bottle. If you're planning a big group bar crawl or a crazy night out, skip this and head to Ten Stone down the street, but for an unpretentious night out with friends, Grace Tavern is your friendly local pub where you might just see your neighbor watching the Flyers game alongside you.
(4)Gwen T.
I really really like Grace. I go mostly because I live in the area and it's convenient for me, but I might make the trek even if I were a bit farther away. What I like most is that it's never crowded or super loud. There might be no seats at the bar but there are almost always tables available. It's pretty dark in there, which I actually like because the whole ambience has a really nice old tavern/pub feel. Staff is very laid back. If you've never thought to order green beans at a bar before, do it at Grace. They are sooooo good. I love their fries too but beware if you have peanut allergies because I'm pretty sure they're made with peanut oil. Lots of options for burgers & sausages; if you're vegetarian they even have a Vegan Burger.
(4)Sean B.
Best Burgers ever!! Love this place. I have heard that later in the night it can get very ugly crowd wise and staff can get fed up with the drunks. Kennett square mushroom burger to die for with a ice cold beer
(5)Jack N.
I can't rate for the food since we didn't get to stay long enough but the place is really fun. Went for the Plaza Palooza- live music outside and plenty of different beers. This is a "I have tattoos and am 30-ish with kids" kind of bar.
(3)Mark C.
This place is clearly take it or leave it. I've had OK experiences, and I've had god-awful experiences. Though I've thoroughly enjoyed all the food I've ordered here, the service always leaves a lot to be desired. Rude, condescending staff seems to be a pretty consistent theme -- especially if you're at the bar. I'd love to go more often, especially for those green beans, but I usually end up walking past because it's hard to enjoy food when you feel like you aren't really all that welcome.
(2)Mike R.
came here on a thursday afternoon bar crawl and accually came across it by accident....i was impressed! its a old, old bar with neat decor...upscale divey but clean....didn't eat here but the beer was cold and a good selection....the female bartender wasn't the friendlyest but maybe she was having a bad day....kinda got ignored.....toilet was clean but the coolest smallest restroom i have ever seen in philly...i will def. give it another try and get something to eat next time!!
(4)Whitney R.
A short list of likes and dislikes about Grace Tavern: Likes: Cute bartender. Great beer selection. Close to where I live Sometimes good music Dislikes: Not a fan of the green beans. Bar is too high for me to sit at. Other than that. It's ok. Just okay.
(3)Nancy M.
This is only an experience having drinks. There are a range of beers on tap, they are listed on a board. The list is by name only, so if you don't know what kind of beer clown shoes is, for example, you will be a little lost. The bartenders were helpful and enthusiastically gave us a taste. They did disappear at times, so there could be a little waiting. It is a fun crowd, although the bathroom was a throwback to NYC in the eighties. We will go again and check out the food.
(3)Teresa L.
This place has solid, no excellent, thick juicy burgers for ~$8. And. Solid frites with the same spicy/creamy sauce that we covet from Monk's Cafe. Served till late (latestDecent beers in Graduate Hospital area. In this dive world, drink some normal-priced beers ($5-7) and watch some sports from their TV. I think they even do take-out on these amazing burgers. Amazing +1!
(4)Rebecca C.
The Girls and i enjoyed Ladies night here recently! It's a no frills type of place, which is great and the food and drinks won't "break the bank" and they are delicious! The Green Beans and French Fries with remoulade and bourbon mayo respectively were crowd pleasers for all and others enjoyed the vegan burgar, tuna steak sandwich and a regular burger! we all enjoyed our drinks and for a place that serves a lot of beer and a group that doesn't particularly love beer, they had something for everyone! Personally i was happy to see Ace Pear Cider in the bottle...most places only carry apple...so if your in the neighborhood...or not...definitely stop by...the beans will be your new best friend!
(4)Erin W.
Two words: SPICED. WALNUTS. Boyfriend and I stopped in on a Saturday afternoon, and the place was empty. I got the Bistro salad, with mixed greens, bleu cheese, house vinagrette, and by god, the most delicious spiced walnuts on the planet. Boyfriend got chicken fingers (why? why, boyfriend?) and fries, and we were both pleasantly surprised to find they serve Monk's dipping sauce! Couple that with the Monk's Sour Ale, minus the wait for a table you'll undoubtedly encounter at Monk's (I ain't hatin! I love me some Monk's!), and what do you get? A great little spot, that's what.
(4)Jeanny C.
I came here with a friend on a Thursday night for some late night burgers. He recommended this place and I wanted to try it. We had the chicken tenders for appetizer and both ordered Kennett Square Burger, replacing the cheddar with blue cheese, topping it off with sauteed mushrooms. The place definitely was a real tavern, the ones from back in the days. There was a decent amount of people, so the atmosphere was thriving. The chicken tenders was delicious. it was made fresh to orders. The BBQ sauce that comes with it tasted very smokey. I ordered my burger medium rare, for the most part of the burger it was cooked to order, but 1/4 of it was well done. It's not a gourmet place so I dont expect it to be top notch, but for what it is, I feel it was pretty good. It also came with fries and this amazing in house mayo sauce. It is a bit spicy and definitely does not taste like mayo. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Ritu K.
I love this unpretentious bar just a stone's throw away from the shambles that was once the South Street Bridge. Why is it so great? 1) Awesome beer selection!!!- I've tried a bunch of different brews with fantastic flavors. Wish I could actually remember even one but that's what happens when you're a lightweight. Just go there and try it! 2) The crowd isn't lame! There's no scene. Just people grabbing a drink with friends- exactly what a good neighborhood bar should be. I'm eager to return to try the food (and more beer!!). Warning it is small and I went on a weekday but I hear its packed on the weekends...
(4)Erin F.
Stopped in Sat for a beer to check out Grace Tavern. They have about 10 beers on tap. We tried a few and enjoyed them. I liked that they had a bunch of light/good for summer beers. A few were unique that we had never heard of. We tried the feta and spinach sausage = yum! French fries were great too. It is a dark, divey type of bar, but it has a friendly vibe. There is a long bar on the left when you walk in and a few tables in a back room that is kind of separate from the bar.
(3)A B.
Four stars for the burgers!! Definitely the best I've had in the city. And an easy way to spend a summer night outside on South with drinks.
(4)hibba u.
Graces! This place is a no frills great go to if I am looking for a guaranteed good dinner. Although I have really only had 3 things from their menu and can't speak for anything else. I have many friends who have branched out and enjoyed it though. I've had the Grace's burger but with cheddar instead of Swiss and it is amaaaaazing. The perfect size and it has lettuce, tomato and onion. The burger is always perfectly cooked and juicy, never dry. Definitely my favorite no frills go to burger in Philly. The string beans and french fries are super tasty as well. Everyone always enjoys the beverage selection as well, it has something for everybody which is great for such a small place that I think qualifies as a dive bar. Don't expect anything elaborate with the service either, while the servers are accessible don't expect much more. Not that I am complaining, sometimes I just want to catch up with friends over a burger and beverages and not be interrupted.
(5)Christine E.
It's a dark bar, which usually is a big turn off, but I could describe it as intimate since the dining area is small, but quiet. The chairs are comfortable and the bar is out enough of the way there isn't a lot of annoying tourist foot traffic. There is a selection of four different burgers, but they're willing to play with topping choice. In about fifteen to twenty minutes, our burgers arrived with a very distinct look and smell-- Grilled beef proved by char marks. Don't question my ladyness when I say I drooled-- like, duck behind my hand because a big splotch of spit dripped from my lips onto my leg drooled. I ordered mine medium (but the cook seems to be a little grill-happy, so I would recommend medium rare), and the perfectly charred bits melded perfectly with the bourbon sauce. The blackened green beans are nice, and the fries are pretty tasty, but really I can't imagine not eating the burger every time I go there. I paired mine with a blonde ale this time since it's summer time. They usually have some fantastic beers (like Shark Attack!) on tap. I've been here four times over the last year and never had a problem with the service or an empty glass, but I tend to eat at off-peak times to avoid crowds, because I might be a hermit. I do kind of believe the crappy service rumors though based on the absolutely horrendous service at Monk's Cafe (owned by the same people.) Only note I can personally make on the service is that this time around our male server had long hair that was not pulled back. Being one of those people who has long hair, my hair falls out constantly, and if you have hair that fits in a ponytail, it should be secured. I didn't find anything but my own hair (because my hair really does fall out that much) this time.
(5)Coco K.
I like the place but the bartendetrs are mostly jackoffs who act like they are doing you a favor by doing their job.
(4)L C.
Half of the bartenders are great, others are judgy hipsters. However, still upvoted because of the great food and casual atmosphere.
(4)Jacqueline C.
Everyone who rated Grace's less than 4 stars didn't go there for the right reasons. To avoid any confusion, here is when you should head to Grace's: - You are covered in paint or sweat from the gym and don't care what you look like (they don't either) - It is after midnight, but you still haven't eaten and the pizza joint isn't picking up the phone - You don't feel like dealing with frat-packed Tenstone - You like whiskey (they have a surprisingly good selection) - Your goal is to get blackout drunk (to say that the pours are generous is an understatement... as they come neat in a 1/2 filled rocks glass) - You are embarassed by your date and don't want to see anyone you know for fear they will find out (refer to the point above) In summary, just because a place serves food, does not mean you should eat it.
(4)Robert C.
This is one of those dive bars with surprisingly good food. It seems like a local neighborhood hangout. I think its rise in popularity makes getting around in the small place a complete cluster. It was a nice experience, but I wouldn't fight the crowds to go back there.
(3)Brendan O.
We really enjoyed our first (about time!) visit to Grace Tavern, an understated effort at "upgrading" a neighborhood pub into something that offers more in terms of food and drink than the typical "'hood bar", but maintains its local, homey feel. A dozen great beers on tap and in healthy rotation, and a short but "tight" food menu that boasts some great but inexpensive sandwiches (I tried and really liked the Boudin Blanc, a veal sausage) and some nice simple sides, most notably the Belgian Frites that are a favorite at Fergie's other establishments in town (Monk's, The Belgian, etc.) and the nearly-famous-now Blackened Green Beans, well worth the $2.50 up-charge with my sandwich. Grace Tavern is small, so be warned: We went at a low-population time (6pm on a Monday), and I can only imagine how densely packed it might be during busier hours.
(4)Laura C.
Exciting vibe and surprisingly good food. Fun local place and the prices are reasonable. Minus 1 star because the staff could've been more friendly. I also got mocked for asking about their wine.
(3)Dana V.
This cool pub is a bit out of the way, so I don't end up here often. Excellent beer selection. And the one bartender is so friendly and funny, he always makes sure we have a good time. Some of the other staff, isn't quite as easy going, and one guy is downright rude. However, their burgers and fries make up for it. I also particularly like their salads. Beware, it can get really really crowded, so I would advise you not to stop by late night on a Friday or Saturday.
(3)Michael M.
Bartender with the wraparound neck ratio is a dick. Bar's got a good vibe though. Blackened green beans are awesome.
(3)Chris W.
Great food, excellent beer selection, awful service. I was impressed with the food at Grace Tavern when I first tried it... big taste for a small place. I order their burger and several other items on the menu, everything that I tried didn't disappoint. The beer selection - (as mentioned in many reviews) is very good. The staff and service - thumbs down. I can take jokes, and never take them personally. The one bartender at Grace Tavern is one of the worst bartenders I've come across. Its not even for a gimmick to keep the atmosphere of a local bar, hes a miserable person. I would ignore his comments completely if it wasn't for his slow service. Also, be aware - if you don't laugh while hes making fun of you, he will probably skip you a few times when you're looking for another beer. Its a shame, Grace Tavern is a nice place. I would enjoy it much more if I can put down a few beers without all of the stupid comments.
(3)Aleksandra D.
Great low-key neighborhood bar with a nice beer selection and fantastic burgers. It can be a little dark and dirty, but it's overall a reliable spot.
(4)Bradley D.
Super burgers, fast service, great ambiance. Grace's is the perfect neighborhood bar. There's a good mix of every type of group there in the evenings, and I sometimes even see families there in the afternoon. Do yourself a favor and get down to Grace's ASAP and get yourself a beer, burger, and fries.
(4)Kristen L.
I had heard a lot about how great Grace Tavern was and that it was a must see spot. I decided to invite two friends to dinner with my fiance and I on a Friday night. We got there around 6:30pm and the place was crowded, completely jam packed. We saw they had a large selection of good beers, so we decided to stay and put our name on the list for a table. Because it was so crowded it took the four of us well over 30 minutes to actually order a drink. We figured once we had our drinks it couldn't possibly be too much longer until we got a table. 30 more minutes elapsed and another beer in our bellies. The two friends I had invited had to leave to make it to their other plans. After an hour of waiting on a Friday night my fiance and I decided that we might as well wait it out because if we left at that point any other place would have a wait as well. 45 more minutes went by before we finally got a table. I took a look at the menu and was genuinely surprised that I had waited 1 hour and 45 minutes for frozen fried food. I ordered the chicken fingers and fries and my fiance ordered Oyster Po-Boy Platter. It took another 25 minutes for us to get our food and it was mediocre. While we were eating, people were hovering over us trying to make room for others waiting. We felt genuinely rushed after having waited so long just to be able to eat. The food was the quality of something I could have made at home. I'd be willing to try Grace Tavern again if it were for lunch during the week. It's definitely not worth any wait over 5 minutes.
(1)Cherie C.
Another great pub from the folks who brought you Monk's and Nodding Head. Great beer selection, quality food, friendly vibe. Try the spicy green beans. People eat them like French fries here...so good. But the real fries are good, too. And the burgers. The Philly 'gastro-pub' scene is a bit richer thanks to Grace.
(4)Jennifer R.
Just about my favorite burger in Philly. And the spicy string beans? Don't even get me started. Delish!
(4)Anna Marie C.
When I first moved to Philly, everyone told me to go to Monk's. Now, I like Monk's. But why is Grace better? The burger buns. They're soft and buttery, unlike the hard dry rolls that Monk's serves it burgers on. And the fries are longer, making it easier to dip into the deliciously spicy and creamy sauce. And nothing else beats beer and cake. Cake! and it's good cake. mmmm.... (And I have a friend who loves the fact that they serve Miller High Life. So if you're a fan of that...well, there ya go...)
(5)J P.
These aint ya momma's green beans and that aint your daddy's beer. I like Grace. Good bar food (forget the gastropub shiz), good prices, good brews, nice staff (especial dudebro #1 behind the bar) Just go. If you want to sit go at an off hour. It fills up and gets crowded. Try the green beans and the tuna burger with hot sauce. Serious.
(4)Jonathan O.
This is my favorite bar in Philly. Don't miss it. Grace Tavern is affiliated with other Philadelphia greats like Nodding Head, Monk's, Beerbistro, etc., but this one just gets it "right." It's the perfect blend of everything you want out of a neighborhood pub and nothing you don't. Top grades on everything: the delicious bar food, excellent beer selection, vibe, and friendly, knowledgeable staff, including my favorite bartender, Reese. I used to live on the 2300 block of St. Albans and used to come here very often. My only complaint about this place is that it didn't come with me when I moved. Things to look out for: - draft beer selection (seasonal, constantly evolving, great; many people go straight for their bottled offerings, but don't knock the pints! if you need help when ordering, which happens often to me because they're always rotating their great beers to new ones I've never tried before, simply ask the bartenders and they are sure to oblige. they'll even pour you a sample tasting before you commit to the full glass) - fries (my favorite in the whole world, and I'm a fry guy! so that's saying something. similar to Monk's Cafe's fries but thicker cut. perfectly fried and just the right amount of seasoning, served with pub mayonnaise dipping sauce) - blackened green beans (green, crunchy, spicy, the perfect, healthy fry alternative to their potato-based cousins, also served with pub mayonnaise) - entrees & sandwiches: burgers, vegan burger, & cajun dishes (prepared promptly, simply great, served late--kitchen's open until 2 am everyday)
(5)Alec S.
Food: I am a sucker for toasted buns. Would go as far to say as this is the BEST BURGER IN PHILLY, especially considering the price ($7, fries included w/ the tangy mayonnaise dipping sauce). Simple, great char-broiled taste. Jambalaya and blackened green beans are good too. Drink: Beer list is right up there with any of the Philly gasto pubs. Not Belgian-y like Monks or (gross) homebrew choices like Nodding Head. Service: Hit or miss. Agree w/ others that shaved head dude epitomizes the Philly surly-service type. Long haired dude who says "cheers" after you order anything = one of the nicer servers I have encountered in Philly.
(4)M P.
Favorite burger stand-by in the G-Ho area. Kennett Square burger is my favorite, and absolutely can't miss the blackened green beans. Beer list is constantly changing, and they are an active participant in all sorts of beer events. Cheap, consistent, tasty. Makes me hungry just to write about it.
(4)Jessica W.
I feel really guilty saying this, but honestly Grace, WHAT IS GOING ON?! You used to be one of my favorite places to grab a burger and a beer! Now you bring me my burger and fries with WAY too much seasoning, they're almost inedible! We used to be bff. What happened? I'm not giving up yet...
(4)Tim S.
Food: Excellent. Beyond excellent. The blackened green beans are one of a kind (at least as far as I've experienced), and the sausages and burgers are great. Service: Bizarre and wonderful. The waiters/bartenders all have distinct, quirky personalities and are just the kind of people you'd expect and want at a place like this. Beer Selection: Incredibly well curated and a staff knowledgeable and passionate enough about the selection to help know what's going on.
(5)Mikey I.
I'd have to agree strongly with the review by Bixley on 12/3. Went there yesterday evening (New Year's Day) and figured that maybe the inadequate service and medium burgers coming out charred was just on account of being there on a bad day. I mean, who really wants to work on 1/1 anyways? I went there with a fairly large group considering the space, my party was seven people - all of which ordered a burger aside from one po'boy sandwich. And of those 6 burgers, 3 of them were the Kelly's Burger - and I'm pretty sure they were all requested as medium. Not sure what part a charred-tasting extra-well done patty is considered medium, but mine was most definitely not medium. The fries that accompanied it also appeared to have been diced, perhaps I just got the shaft with bottom of the bag crumbs or something. The fries were also seasoned, which was great but probably bad for some as I don't think I saw any indication that they'd be as such on the menu. The food not living up to my expectations could have been forgivable if the service had been better. Our waitress ran back and forth without so much even asking out of courtesy as my group of friends grew thirsty with empty water glasses. It's not like the place is huge or anything either. There's what, 6 or 7 tables max? Willing to give the place another shot on account of having a good beer selection and the hopeful promise that if done right, their burger could quite possibly be one of the best. But for now, 3 stars is probably too generous and forgiving.
(3)Cecily R.
Grace is wonderfully simple and delightful in it's own way! The blackened green beans and vegan burger keep me coming back for dinner. The beer selection is pretty awesome for a small pub. Great local watering hole.
(4)Robin C.
I love this place. There's one bartender who is particularly amusing and friendly and for the most part the rest of them are as well. Try the oyster po' boy and you will super happy. Their fries are amazing especially when paired with their delicious dipping sauce. Pair all that with the great selection of beer and the convenience to my apartment and it's a winner.
(5)John K.
Great burgers, fantastic beer selection, and a charming atmosphere. Only complaint is that I live too far to make the trip on a regular basis.
(4)Simon E.
I like Grace's, it really feels like some of the old men style pubs back in the UK. People may have issues with the dark moulding but this is very much old man UK pub style and I would be depressed if it went away. The food is good as long as you want a burger and you don't mind it being a bit greasy. I've never had a major problem with the staff but there certainly hasn't been a lot of banter when I've been in there. I was in on Friday night and had three pints of Yards. It was a new style that I hadn't tried before and so didn't stop drinking it due to the fruity flavor as it looked cloudy and I thought it must be a Wheat Beer. Needless to say, the fourth pint came and was clear and tasted very different. Resulted in me and a friend having pretty crap guts on Saturday morning. Never any excuse for this, if you are going to serve draft beer and charge a fair whack for it, then you have to keep your taps clean. They lost a star just for that, win it back please.
(3)Kathryn M.
After reading about this place in Philadelphia magazine and on philadelphiaweekly.com I figure I had to check out this "amazing" bar that is two blocks from my house. I was a little disappointed upon entering as I think I was assuming it would be less dive barish. Now keep in mind I was there at 5pm on a Wednesday so the place was mostly empty and no one ever really wants to see a bar during the day - it just looses it's mystique. We had three burgers and three beers - pretty standard. The beer selection is pretty good. There are about 8 beers on tap and a fairly long list of bottled beer that had I noticed before I ordered one on tap I might have tried. Two of the beers we ordered came out pretty flat but not so bad as to send it back. The prices are extremely reasonable and the selection wonderfully varied. As I kept hearing about the burgers at this place I figured that's what I had to order (although the various sausage options looked really interesting and tasty). I got the standard Grace Burger with onions, lettuce and tomato. My companions had the South Street (blue cheese and onions) and the Kelly (bacon and sharp cheddar). The burgers were awesome, really. I wasn't expecting them to be anything special but they were really great. Mine had this great char-grilled taste and the size was perfect. More often than not I eat half a burger and call it a day. But that was just NOT going to happen here. Not only was the burger awesome and so forced me to eat the whole thing, but I ate all of the fries too. The fries aren't anything special (as reviewed elsewhere on here) but the house mayo for dipping and the grey poupon on the table. Well I'm a sucker for dips so - yay. All in all the meal was as success. I might think twice before bringing my boyfriends mother the minute she lands in town (as we did this time) but definitely a great option for a great burger in the grad-ho/fitler square area!
(3)Paul B.
I was completely blown away by Grace Tavern. Good beers. They had around 8 on tap. They even had a sour on tap so this place wasn't messing around. I would have liked a better stout option ( I know it is summer and no one wants stout in the summer but why even carry Guinness then? Although at least that was the most mainstream beer on the draft list). So the beer options were definitely high quality. The atmosphere is great too. An old school metal kinda feel but the bar tenders are super nice. They seemed honestly concerned about trying to find us a table. And then... There was the food. Incredible. The burger I got was absolutely perfect. So juicy. Soft delicious bun. Covered in tasty mushrooms. Excellent fries with a spicy dipping sauce. This place looks like a dive bar but has the food of a quality sit down restaurant. Oh god I want that burger right now. Sorry other reviewers. If you don't like this place it's definitely you and not grace tavern because this place is amazing.
(5)Aaron B.
The best burger in the city! The place is small so you will usually have to wait a little for a table. It is well worth the wait if you get a burger. They are perfectly cooked to your desired temperature. This is hard for many places to accomplish when pumping out so many burgers. Good beer selection and pretty good service for the most part. They get super busy so you may wait longer for your beer but it's nothing that will ruin the experience. After the burger you won't remember your beer took an extra three minutes to arrive
(4)kelly f.
I have been to Grace many times in the past and always enjoy their beer selection, addictive burgers and enjoyable service...BUT tonight was different. Yes the burgers were still delicious, but really could a person be so horrible at their job? After getting our first round of drinks and ordering the blackened green beans to start, the barmaid did not come back to the table until we were drooling to order burgers. She preceeded to ask if we wanted to wait to order until the green beans came out. Thankfully we did not, because we never got the green beans. She never came back to check on us and when I was just about to get up so I could get something to drink she scolded me for having my legs on the chair next to mine! Mind you there was no one in the room and only 3 at the bar! (I'm pretty sure my legs are much cleaner then most behinds) I have been in the service industry for many years now and never had such outrageous service. When times are tough and people are dying to work, how could someone like this slip through the cracks?! Oh grace, I will make sure to visit when i know Reese or Ian are behind the bar.
(1)lana p.
If you wanna come here on a weekend evening to eat good luck getting a seat. Food is fairly inexpensive, cool music, rock a billy vibe. Vegan burger-delicious and they even offer a nicoise salad-one of my personal favorite dishes anywhere. Also like the blackened green beans, but what the hell is that black stuff??? My friends and I decided it's burnt grease and probably not the vegetarian type.
(4)Andrew D.
We stopped in Grace Tavern for a quick bite and drink on a weeknight. We'd heard a lot of good things and they are all true. We also have called ahead and gotten takeout. The beer selection is pretty good, in a "there is something here for everyone" sort of way - but it is definitely catering to the beer aficionado. Prices were very reasonable. The food really stands out. Burgers were excellent, well cooked and very well seasoned and fit in well with the Cajun theme that seems to run though the menu. The sausage sandwiches are very good. I was a little under whelmed with the tuna steak sandwich - the burgers and sausgage are king here. The green beans are good in a greasy, spicy way but some may find them too greasy to palate. The food prices are very, very reasonable - five sandwiches, two apps and a salad barely passed the $60 mark. The atmosphere is OK, sort of dive bar-ish but charming. The staff was very friendly and that helps to dispel the old-man bar vibe. My only complaint was the service was a bit slow, even with just a few people at the bar (we were the only table in the dinning area). Overall - great place to grab a beer and some cheap but delicious eats.
(4)Cara S.
Great little hide-away.. Nice selection of fine beers and great bar food. Bar tenders are friendly, and very casual.
(5)Rob H.
Great burger, good beer selection, what more do you need in a local dive bar? The place isn't ideal for a big group but has its place for 4 or less. The waiter spilled a small part of beer on our group one time and comp'ed every drink we had after that, even though he certainly did not have to, definitely won me over. Sometimes can be frustrating if you'd like to get a table before your entire party is there but you have to know this going into it.
(4)Felix H.
What you're going to read below was written by somebody who was hungry. I'm not hungry anymore, but it wasn't because Grace Tavern did me a favor. Go somewhere else in center city and not Grace Tavern. Want to know why? Parking problems and troglodyte bartenders. If your 36 year old friend, who only wants a tasty burger and NOT drink, forgets his identification, it's okay to have a burger, mozzarella sticks, fries, and anything you please in center city. On an idle Monday, there isn't a loser behind the bar who can't see an area for exception. You don't have to look for parking for an hour and only find it at 15th and Catherine street because all the neighborhood people installed unnecessary garages on their recently constructed lofts. The bar won't be full of trendy dressed hipsters who don't realize their bartender doesn't even want their money; he wants to enforce bureaucracy to save his own hide. And he wouldn't tell you, after you walked from 15th and Catherine street to 23rd and south, that you had to leave on account of a rule. He would be perceptive enough to realize you were all grown adults and not treat you like children. If you were smart and went somewhere else, like center city, instead of a crappy, hipster friendly douche bar called Grace Tavern, you'd actually have less quality food. However, the people there would be nice, the atmosphere would be less crowded, and the tool behind the bar wouldn't be there. Instead, he would be a pleasant, unassuming woman who did not contribute to your growing hunger and serve you food.
(1)Christina P.
Interesting, weirdly cheap menu ("fresh" fried oyster po boy for $11?) that is served until 2am all the time. They have a decent beer selection both on draft and in bottles. The bartender/server was pretty surly but I guess that's part of the charm? It's very small in here, I'm not sure if it ever gets that crowded but if it does I would imagine it gets uncomfortable.
(3)Kass H.
A good friend of mine moved near Grace. We checked it out last week. I liked the Vegan burger, and I thought they had a good beer selection. The bartender, I felt, was a little over extended. Poor guy had to work the entire room by himself, so it took a little while to get noticed. BUT, for a guy in the weeds, he was very nice and never seemed to be too overwhelmed to answer any questions about the menu or life in general. Not a bad place to hang out.
(4)Christopher C.
Small cozy bar, with a pretty good beer selection, I believe it's the same owner as Monk's which is my fav. We didn't have a food but I did have a nice Kasteel Flemish sour, will come back if in the hood.
(3)Michael H.
This place is grimey with mediocre food. If it was not for the location I'm sure it would have closed years ago, regretfully it still continues to occupy a great space. I can only hope people soon realize the food is not good, the hamburgers are not special and new ownership will take over. If you are looking for the smell of smoke, broken ac, and wannabe hipsters this is your place. The only plus, is the fairly extensive beer options. This I repeat is the only plus of this place.
(1)Mark S.
I've always enjoyed a visit to Grace Tavern. One of my favorite neighborhood bars in town.
(5)Kristin H.
On a recent weekend trip to Philly, I managed to visit Grace Tavern twice and sample 2 different burgers...so I feel highly qualified to write this review. The first time we went in was about 8:30 on a Friday night. Grace Tavern was humming and there was a great feel to the place. I definitely had local-watering-hole-envy. I'm not sure if it's the best bar in Philly, but I can see how it made the top of somebody's list. We ordered a variety of burgers (1 with cheddar and mushrooms, 1 with bleu cheese and sauteed onions, 1 with swiss, tomato, lettuce and red onion), served on a buttery bun with garlicky mayo. All were delicious -- Definitely several notches above typical pub food. I was particularly excited to learn that the house specialty was crispy, spicy green beans. Is there another bar on the planet that can claim that as the house specialty?! What a great snack food! (I should also mention that the french fries were quite good.) They had a great selection of beers on tap and quirky bartenders/waiters who managed to handle the large Friday night crowd with relative ease. My second visit was for Sunday lunch. On a sunny fall day, Grace Tavern felt a little dark and depressing inside -- but that's my fault for going to a bar for Sunday lunch. My real complaint is that the wait for our burgers and tuna sandwich was RIDICULOUS (one hour plus) considering almost no one was in there. It obviously makes sense to visit this place at normal-bar-times when they're fully staffed.
(4)Matt R.
Grace Tavern completes the "Bermuda Triangle" of bars in the western portion of Graduate Hospital. Why liken these bars to a geographic associated with mysterious disappearances? I'll tell you why. With so many delicious "high-test" beers being served between these three establishments, you could literally fall off the Earth if you are not careful. Even the famed Larry Kusche wouldn't know how to rationalize this one. Anyway, Grace Tavern is a good local spot with a nice tap list and formidable burgers. During my last visit, they had almost exclusively porters and stouts on tap which was disappointing. I realize gastropubs (Grace is more of a plain old pub) nowadays feature ever changing tap lists, which I love, however, on occasion the selection ends up on a dead-end road in Portertown, which is fine for porter lovers, that's just not my preferred scenery. The interior of Grace is a little rough. Its dark, and a little dank. The smell of cigarette smoke must be ingrained in the wood from the good old days. The prices are reasonable, and the bartenders and wait staff are friendly. The place gets pretty crowded in the evenings, so you might have to wait for a table if you are coming for dinner, something I was unprepared for on my first visit. Overall, Grace is a good spot to have a beer (or a few) and a burger. I wouldn't say its a great spot, but I don't think its trying to be. Grace is confident in who she is, a local bar with beer and food, and there's nothing wrong with that.
(3)Coco D.
Best bar in Philly? really? REALLY? This is joke, yes? While I was digging the pressed tin ceiling, the dark wood bar, and the fabulous beer fridge, this place is a most effective lullaby, as I was so bored within 15 minutes of being here that it was off to nappy town. At first I thought maybe I'd spotted my first hot Philly scumbag bartender. Then I realized that he had washed his hair today, was wearing clean pants, seemed to care about serving customers, and didn't appear to be even slightly retarded. For shame! You sir, are a TERRIBLE dirtbag! Also, I thought this place was supposed to have a jukebox! I was totally stoked! And yet, I saw none. Something else I saw ZERO of was hipsters. Everyone here just seemed real nice and swell, drinking a beer and wearing a fleece. Zzzzzzzzzz. They probably have tasty food, and the drinks are adequately strong. However, this place didn't just miss the "cool boat", it probably didn't even have any idea where it was sailing from.
(3)Bixley T.
The Grace Tavern is acceptable, but it most definitely does not stand up to two of its sister bars, Nodding Head and Fergie's. If it were not in walking distance I likely wouldn't bother going back. The first time I visited my medium burger came out extra-well done, as did my dining companions burger, burnt and looking like a hockey puck actually. And to top that off no one came to check on us ever... there were five other people in the bar, seriously? You work for tips, I also work for tips- move, I really want to over-tip you, but that is not going to happen if you suck. Well, while nursing my hangover after thanksgiving, we decided to give it another shot. The food was remarkably better. However, I am still bewildered as to why I can't add a simple side of greens to my burger and fries, but must instead order a $6.50 salad, a price I'm sure reflects the blue cheese on it I am allergic too and will not eat anyway. If one can choose greens or fries with a sandwich why can one not add greens to their sandwich and fries for an upcharge? Also, reflecting the sentiments of another reviewer- I have to agree the draft list is not half bad, but frankly I expect more from an establishment linked to some of the most successful beer-oriented pubs in the city. The bottle prices are definitely a win though!
(3)Cyrus B.
I went to Grace Tavern on a Saturday night this past summer, and ordered a burger (well-done), fries, and of course, some beer. It was all excellent. The place has nice decor and a low-key atmosphere, although I was disappointed that it hadn't attracted a larger crowd. I've been back since, and plan on visiting again soon.
(4)Hayley W.
Really love the burgers and fries here! Also had the blackened green beans (delicious!) and my friend had the oyster po'boy, which he loved as well. The ambiance is fantastic, too. Definitely recommend!
(5)Schuyler L.
I waited more than 24 hours to write this review about my (probably unique) experience at Grace Tavern: Make sure you're ok with getting in a fight if you go to this crap hole. After trying to square up the bill for around 20 minutes the bartender eventually got close enough to me while still ignoring, I get his attention by tapping him on the shoulder. Then he promptly swung around and yells "IF THERE'S ONE THING YOU DO IT'S DON'T FUCKING POKE ME! I'LL BREAK YOUR FUCKING FINGERS!" I didn't poke him and didn't deserved to be threatened. It's really too bad because I'm sure he's talented. He found a beer that I really liked based on my description. We all have our days, but I cannot rationalize an employee yelling at anyone and remaining professional.
(1)Clare H.
We started off our afternoon at Grace Tavern on a Saturday. Its a small place, isn't overly clean, but has a great charm to it. The beer selection isn't too special but has some grade A beers. The food was pretty good and the bartender wasn't too chatty but tried to be helpful. I will be back, maybe next time on a weekend night.
(4)Lisa S.
Hahaha I have to laugh at all these negative posts because the staff did their job carding. Sorry but the law is the law. They are required to card people who appear to be under a certain age - and it is not 21 - it is either 30 or 35. It is the law that if you do not have ID, they cannot serve you. To come on Yelp and trash a place for upholding their legal responsible is a joke. Your friend forgot his ID - he should be well aware at his age of the laws and should have respected that. The LCB periodically goes to establishments and checks - if they do serve someone under the age they need to card for, not just under 21, they are fined $1,000. The server is fined, the establishment is fined and the door person (if there is one) is now also fined. Sad that Yelp has become a vehicle for snotty brats to just trash a place without real merit. Seema F you seem to be a jerk. I'm over 40 but look much younger and I know I need to have my ID when I go out. I'm sure if I read your I will find out you take your Yelp Elite status as some ridiculous power trip. As for my personal review of Grace Tavern - I have been there a handful of times when friends are bartending or hanging out. Although I've only eaten fries, the beer is good and cold and the atmosphere has always been warm and comfortable like a neighborhood bar should be. It is sad how whiners have ruined the credibility of many Yelp reviews. Lisa
(4)Ann R.
This is one of our go-to neighborhood spots. The only downside about the place is that it is kind of small so sometimes it's hard to get a seat but that just goes to show how good the place is. The service is great, the guys that work the bar and dining room area are awesome and super friendly. They have solid food. The burger is terrific, the fries with the Monk's dipping sauce is amazing, and I personally really enjoy the jambalaya too. They have really affordable drinks and a good drink menu in a cool, laid back atmosphere. The place is kind of a dive but since the neighborhood has changed, it doesn't really feel like it as much anymore. It's a great place!
(5)Michael L.
I have been there a few times, solid burger, fantastic blackened green beans, and an exceptionally large and affordable beer collection. I recommend the Kennett Square Burger and a Dale's Pale Ale for a heavy lunch or a very filling dinner. Fries are fantastic. As far as the Atmosphere of the bar its very very dark and not the spot you want to go to on a nice summer night for al fresco dining. They have a bit of a dungeony feel going on and it would be my choice spot if 22nd and South streets were snowed in and no one can go to work. Enjoy!
(3)Elise G.
If I could give this bar negative stars I would. We drove around for 20 minutes looking for parking because we heard that this place has really good burgers. We found parking...10 blocks away...and walked. We got there around 9pm (it was a quiet Monday night). There's a little area towards the back where there are tables, and we sat down. We didn't necessarily go there to drink, though I intended to get a beer if they had anything good on tap. They didn't. It seemed like the tables in the back were taken up by couples and families there to eat. It certainly wasn't crowded or rowdy at all, which is what we were looking for. After sitting there for 15 minutes without any attention, the bartender told us to get up and sit in the bar instead (not very politely, mind you). So we moved to the cramped and uncomfortable table at the bar. The bartender came back 5 minutes later and asked for IDs. Fine. My friend (who is almost 40, and looks over 30) forgot his ID at home. He asked if he could just order food and not a drink. The bartender (with a mohawk) swore at us and told us to get out. "It's the f---- law." He didn't even want to order a drink. just a burger. Apparently you can't eat a burger at a restaurant if you're 36. You can vote without an ID, but not eat a burger. Awful excuse for any establishment that actually has to deal with customers. If you're going to require everyone in the place to show ID (except the teenager eating there with his family at one of the back tables, and everyone else that walked in around the same time as us), you should do it at the door, not make people sit there for 20 minutes, treat them rudely, and then swear at them. They could even put it on their web site, so I don't have to walk pretty far just to be insulted by their ridiculous excuse for a bartender. Needless to say, I will never even venture near this place again, and I will make sure all of my friends know not to either. We ended up at another bar/restaurant, where we were treated nicely and were able to eat without being sworn at.
(1)Rhiannon D.
I went to Grace Tavern for the first time the other night. What an amazing experience. I wish I could give this place more than 5 stars. The decor is adorable, original wall panels and ceiling tiles. The bathroom was tiny but very old school. We went to Grace because we were hungry and were sick of all of the other gastro pubs. The draught list was pretty nice, but we opted for Guiness (the only stout option). I can judge a restaurant or bartender on how they pour a Guiness, and this guy knew what he was doing. We both ordered burgers, holy shit. The meat was fresh, came out much quicker than I expected, and was absolutely delicious. Also the fries are to die for, probably best fries in Philadelphia. The only downfall was that there was a table full of yuppie assholes spilling their drinks and being rude to the waiter. So all I have to say to them is welcome to Philadelphia, now go the fuck back to where you came from. The people that work at Grace are awesome and super friendly. I will definitely be going back there VERY soon.
(5)Michael N.
Came down for lunch and had the Kennet Square burger which had sauteed mushrooms and cheddar on a brioche. Good burger, good fries, relatively clean place, albeit a little dark. Thankfully the AC was turned all the way up to 11 because it was hot and gross outside. The beer list is not pretentious and overpopulated by ridiculous things you can't pronounce. My beer, however, was the first pour of the day and tasted as such. There was a little staleness to it and it seemed like the line should have been flushed a bit better. The waitress was a bit cold, but she got the job done and did not come by with annoying "how is everything" nonsense. I would definitely go back for lunch. Good, cheap, and simple.
(4)Kelley B.
This place has great beer. The food isnt stellar and I wish I had gotten more fries, but the beer is why Im there. Has a hip atmosphere which is fun.
(4)Sheila F.
the blackened green beans were the perfect marriage of spice & savory. The heat is subtle so you can really savor the flavor of the green bean itself. The jambalaya was also good, but nothing about this dish stood out to me as being particularly noteworthy. It was good, just not the best I've ever had. As a woman, I did not appreciate the unisex restroom. in order to hover, a woman must take a position which leaves her face directly next to a urinal cake. Not pleasant.
(2)Kelly M.
Burgers are amazing gourmet tastiness. Great beers selection too.
(5)Shannon M.
Grace Tavern is a good choice if you don't mind spending a little extra money on some delicious bar food (ie. burgers and sandwiches). The beer selection was good, and not too expensive. Dinner for 2 people, with 2 drinks, ran about $50. When I was there, they had a special $5 absinthe cocktail. The drink was pretty refreshing, and I had a buzz after my first one. My only complaint is that the service was a little slow. There was only one person working there, and she had to take care of the bar while waiting on the tables.
(4)Anne F.
Awful service. Felt un-welcomed. Rude waitress.
(1)Andrew B.
I love this place. The food is great, there is usually a great beer selection (always, if you like hoppy beers, but they usually have a few other good options on tap). The people are also very friendly. We've probably been here 50 times, and had orders screwed up 2-3 times, and they always make it right if you let them know (if it's just another burger that looks good, I don't waste their time). A lot of people seem to object to the ID policy, but beer is their business, and they can't afford to lose their license. I've also seen kids (that's what they looked and acted like) leave in a huff, because there were three of them, and they wanted to sit at a table for four, even though there was an open table for three (within half an hour, every table was full anyway - not sure why three scrawny guys felt they needed to impose on the customers coming a few minutes later than them, but the waitress said they get hassled by kids like that all the time). I like the atmosphere for dinner, inside or out. I never really hang out at bars (unless I'm waiting for a table), but it seems pretty cool for that too. I've almost never had to wait for dinner, going a bit early for dinner, but if you have more than 2 people and it's prime eating time, be ready for the possibility of a wait. The chicken fingers are a great snack, and I love the fries. The burgers are fantastic. Probably not the best place if you're in a rush, though maybe it speeds up when the tables fill up.
(5)Jenny G.
Bad service. Just bad bad service! There's just one bartender during peak hours to serve people at the bar, the tables and outside! And he's so slow, is rude, and doesn't give you your drink until you walk up to the bar and stare him in the face. They have a list of beautiful beers on tap, but its not worth the servers attitude. Not going there again. The 2 stars are only for the quality and range of the beers.
(2)Ade B.
A typical neighborhood dive bar. No ambiance and slow service. But I must admit they do make a great burger. My bacon cheeseburger was a perfectly cooked to order burger with just the right amount of bacon and melted cheddar. A burger right up there with some of the best in the city. Worth stopping in for a burger and a drink if you happen to be in the neighborhood, but no need to go out of your way to go here.
(3)Van W.
Great Gastro-Pub. Excellent Veggie Burgers (and meat burgers I hear). Good beer selection.
(5)Ashley O.
The waitress that we had was very rude and was not kind or helpful at all. It was a shame because the food here is amazing and reasonably priced! Please get some new servers!
(3)Brandon K.
Food - solid 4 stars Service - 0-1 star I'm always torn when my friends want to hit up Grace Tavern. On the one hand, the food is delicious. The burgers are good, cooked right, with tasty toppings. The blackened green beans are also unique with a little kick and are worth a stop in of themselves. I've also tried the oyster po'boy which decent and pretty good outside of the bayou. However, as you can probably guess, I just can't deal with the service sometimes. After a long day at work, the last thing you want to put up with is condescension and attitude for the waitstaff, and it just gets to be tiring. Yup, there's the ID Nazi, but in the end, that kind of makes sense because you do want a Tavern that's following the rules. But you don't want people who are always having a bad day being short with questions and drink refills. It just leaves a sour taste, and hopefully, Grace fixes this soon. Get it, get out, enjoy the food.
(2)Walter K.
Grace Tavern has been regarded as one of the best bars in Philadelphia for years, and deservedly so. I've visited several times over the past 6 years, and always been impressed. The beer list is on the small side, but makes up for that by being well thought out and eclectic. The small, dark bar area is cozy and intimate. Standard pub fare here, which is well done. The blackened green beans are a particular stand out. Above all, the prices here are excellent when compared with bars of this caliber. High marks on all fronts.
(5)Marcelo M.
I always thought that my first review on Yelp would be to a place that that blew my mind, either positively or negatively. Grace Tavern place blew my mind negatively... I've never had a worse impression of a place as I did here. The waiter with long hair treated me so badly that I cancelled my order and left. Don't come here, they don't deserve it.
(1)John C.
Four and our dog for dinner. I was disappointed they did not have frozen drinks, but was more than satisfied with their improvised Singapore Sling. The blackened green beans appetizer were crisp and deliciously spicy. The burgers were juicy and tasty. The lady bartender server was very friendly. Perfect way to end a hot summer day.
(5)Kelly C.
Overall - just ok .. Went here the other nite and service was a little off .. Didn't get the most warm and welcoming feeling from the staff. Had 2 different sausage sandwiches - Italian & spinach/feta ! They were tasty and the fries and green beans are good too. Not a bad experience .. But I probably wouldn't rush back there for anything.
(3)Yla A.
Grace is a solid choice if you are not in the mood to cook or if you want to be bad for a meal. Casual place where locals go type of feel. And you can order take out! That being said, take out can be hit or miss depending on how busy they are. Beer selection is small but good with Chimay and allagash available. I flop between the grace burger and the grilled chicken sandwich (when I want to lie to myself that eating chicken isn't as bad as the burger!). The blackened green beans are a must! The seasoning will get stuck on your teeth but it is so worth it. This reheats pretty well on a stove top too.
(3)A B.
Four stars for the burgers!! Definitely the best I've had in the city. And an easy way to spend a summer night outside on South with drinks.
(4)hibba u.
Graces! This place is a no frills great go to if I am looking for a guaranteed good dinner. Although I have really only had 3 things from their menu and can't speak for anything else. I have many friends who have branched out and enjoyed it though. I've had the Grace's burger but with cheddar instead of Swiss and it is amaaaaazing. The perfect size and it has lettuce, tomato and onion. The burger is always perfectly cooked and juicy, never dry. Definitely my favorite no frills go to burger in Philly. The string beans and french fries are super tasty as well. Everyone always enjoys the beverage selection as well, it has something for everybody which is great for such a small place that I think qualifies as a dive bar. Don't expect anything elaborate with the service either, while the servers are accessible don't expect much more. Not that I am complaining, sometimes I just want to catch up with friends over a burger and beverages and not be interrupted.
(5)Cara S.
Great little hide-away.. Nice selection of fine beers and great bar food. Bar tenders are friendly, and very casual.
(5)Rob H.
Great burger, good beer selection, what more do you need in a local dive bar? The place isn't ideal for a big group but has its place for 4 or less. The waiter spilled a small part of beer on our group one time and comp'ed every drink we had after that, even though he certainly did not have to, definitely won me over. Sometimes can be frustrating if you'd like to get a table before your entire party is there but you have to know this going into it.
(4)Christopher C.
Small cozy bar, with a pretty good beer selection, I believe it's the same owner as Monk's which is my fav. We didn't have a food but I did have a nice Kasteel Flemish sour, will come back if in the hood.
(3)Michael H.
This place is grimey with mediocre food. If it was not for the location I'm sure it would have closed years ago, regretfully it still continues to occupy a great space. I can only hope people soon realize the food is not good, the hamburgers are not special and new ownership will take over. If you are looking for the smell of smoke, broken ac, and wannabe hipsters this is your place. The only plus, is the fairly extensive beer options. This I repeat is the only plus of this place.
(1)Mark S.
I've always enjoyed a visit to Grace Tavern. One of my favorite neighborhood bars in town.
(5)Rachel N.
A tiny place but it was awesome for a quick sunday lunch with a few friends. Not many food options but the burgers were great and the service was fast. A decent beer list as well is always a plus. Will be coming back again.
(4)Chris N.
I have been here several times, the beer list is always solid, and the burgers are delicious (especially at that price point). The one thing where grace tavern suffers is in their service. Some of the staff members are really nice, but others are very cold and inattentive.
(3)Kathryn S.
I snuck in here yesterday when it started raining, and boy am I glad I did! They had a decent number of craft beers on tap, and the menu looked great! Everyone around me had burgers, and they looked delicious, but I ordered the nicoise salad. The grilled tuna steak was absolutely delicious. I see a few other people mentioned that the service was poor. I will say, after I was done eating, no one ever cleared my plate (I was sitting at the bar, so it was cramped), and it took about 20 minutes to get the check. Even after they ran my credit card, they still didn't clear my plate, so it was basically impossible to sign the receipt.. so while my experience was positive, and I definitely see getting annoyed at the slow/lack of service. Also to note - no happy hour? boooooooo.. why pay full price for beers on a Tuesday night from 5-7pm? Most places in that area offer some kind of discount...
(4)Mark G.
As a frequent patron and neighbor of Graces, I have to say I am loosing faith in the place. 80% of the time we sit at the bar - great but not friendly service. Only bartender worth a visit is the sweet gal with bangs and art. Last week my wife and I sat in the back table section with only three other tables in use. Mike was working the bar and said the other bartender was taking the back. Big guy and seemed out of it - he walked back and serviced all three tables without asking us what we wanted to drink. He kept going back to the bar entry handed. After 10 minutes of being ignored - we left as I waved a large farewell to them both. Mike recognized me as a regular but services us like we were contagious!!!! Time for the owner to get more involved or hire a third person.
(1)Sarah B.
If it wasn't one block from my apartment I'd never go. Food is ok and again, it's close by. The service however is awful and rude. I've been in several tiems while it's busy and while it's empty. Generally the staff doesn't make eye contact or is nowhere to be found. Months ago I found the bartender with the long hair smoking pot out front while everyone was waiting for drinks. A few nights ago my friend and I waited over 10 minutes standing at the bar waiting to even make eye contact. When we were finally able to ask if we could get drinks from the bar or whether a waiter would come to our table, the bartender (bald guy who looks like Mr. Clean) told us to calm down. He was rude and walked away. We waited another ten minutes and then walked out. Mr. Clean saw us and laughed and told us thanks for coming in. I'm done. Not going back.
(1)James B.
Easily in my top 5 of places to get a burger in the city. 10 options of brew on tap, very easy to find something you'd enjoy. There's a sauce that comes with the fries, goes well with the burger too. The Sautéed Green Beans are a delicious substitute for the fries, make sure you use a fork.
(5)Joe C.
I have been frequenting Grace Tavern for years. The burgers are top notch, despite occasionally being a tad overcooked. Brioche has always been my preferred choice of bun for a burger and Grace always delivers. I'm also a huge fan of their blackened green beans, divey tin ceiling/wall motif, and dig their above average beer selection. It seems as if the management is delivering on all ends except one. Hiring. The bartenders as of the last couple years have all been horrible. Gone are the days of Ian during the day and Reese at night. Those dudes are awesome. Now you have the squirrely dude that always wears plaid and has 0% personality, draw or beverage knowledge. He's tolerable in comparison to the woman, I believe her name is Abby. She is seriously in the wrong business. In terms of the city's worst bartenders I would rank her pretty high. She deliberately ignores customers, is snippy, has no knowledge of the beverages (in servicing is key) and from my understanding doesn't even drink alcohol. That interests me because bartenders, especially nowadays, should have a good grasp on the product they serve. Otherwise why not just have a robot open bottles and cans for you. You're not there to grace (pun intended) the world with your presence, you're there to work -- for the customer. There is a bigger guy working there too that is amicable enough but again not the most memorable of bartenders. Bottom line. With all the competition in this city between good beer bars it would benefit you to choose the face of your business more wisely. 4 stars for food and speed from the kitchen, -2 stars for poor service.
(2)Tanner M.
Worst service I've seen.
(1)Sara S.
Burgers and Beer. Apparently this is the place to go for those two things. Short review: Well, I went, and I had. It wasn't the most life changing burger I've had, and the beer was decent. I'd come back for sure. Less short review: Being a fan of burgers and beer my new Philly friends directed me towards Grace Tavern. It's local, and who doesn't want their first dinner of the new year to be something comforting and delicious? (Jerks! Thats who! ;) ) I digress...So I order the Kennett Square burger (cheddar and mushrooms). It came on a brioche bun with fries and the Monks bourbon mayo. My first impression that the burger itself was on the smaller side. But being short myself I know that good things come in small packages. And I am on the belief that all you need to know about a burger you get in that first bite. Well- this first bite was pretty solid. Cheese was tasty, the mushrooms were good but cold, so it kind of threw off the balance. The brioche was perfect and held up to the juicy, and flavorful patty. A solid burger. The fries were good, the beer was good-. The points were deducted b/c there was something missing- a fresh element to the plate. When you've got a burger, and fries- there should be some crisp, cool element to the plate. A pickle? Some coleslaw? Lettuce and tomato? It was missing and I noticed. Overall a great place for a good burger and beer.
(3)Dave B.
I love this place, I stumbled upon this location after a snow storm, work and school were closed and this bar was hoppin' with young and old professionals. The location was scenic and the inside was warm and cozy. They can serve up some good drinks!
(3)Nathan N.
Terrible customer service. The id Nazi is the worst. I completely understand requesting id at a bar but when someone produces a European Union id with a birthdate and the staff still gives them ship there is a problem. And the burgers are not that great. PYT is worth the trip to fishtown
(1)Nazee Z.
This place is great! I usually am quite the klepto when it comes to bars with cool glasses, but this bar gave me no reason to steal!! I went with a friend because we wanted to try a new bar. Tried the Tuesday craft special and it was a Summit Oktoberfest and as a gimmick we got these fantastic cool glasses!! The beer was also super tasty (if you made yuengling delicious and pumpkin-ey, it'd be this). And also, relatively cheap! We got 4 beers for $16, not too shabby! The bartender (even though she was working alone with about 15-20 patrons) was incredibly attentive and never rude. She always refreshed my beer right before I had one sip left and asked for water multiple times. Didn't catch her name, but she was great! Overall, good atmosphere, good drinks, great service!
(5)Ross I.
Unbelievably poor service. We came in hungry, looking for a bite and a beer on a Tuesday night with a crowd of 3 people. There was only one table available so we sat down only to be told by a female bartender to stand up and wait until a smaller table was ready. The table had no reservations and the reason we were given was that since the table was for 5 people and we were a party of 3, we couldn't sit there and had to wait until another table freed up. This practice might make sense if there were multiple parties entering the establishment at the same time, but we were the only ones waiting for a table. We were so shocked by this request, we couldn't do anything but obey it, standing up to order a beer and waiting until further instructed. Halfway through the beer we realized we didn't want to give this establishment any more business and decided that it would be best to finish the beers, pay for them, and go grab a bite elsewhere. However, the icing on the cake came when the female bartender came back to the three of us stating that a table was finally ready (20-30 minutes later) and we politely told her that we had changed our minds about eating (mind you there was still no one else waiting to be seated). Upon hearing this she was obviously offended for some reason and returned to the bar gesturing towards us as she spoke with a scour on her face to another employee in front of the entire establishment... Classy. Sadly this wasn't my first poor experience here (but it will surely be my last) as i had been to this bar before in the summer on a hot day looking for lunch. The place was empty and I decided to leave after sitting at the bar for 5 minutes with no one even acknowledging my existence (there was a bartender in plain sight). I heard tell that this place used to be rated highly in the Philadelphia bar scene, but in my opinion it ranks below the DMV in terms of a service oriented business.
(1)Kayla G.
The service is awesome and the food is also on par! The burgers are really good especially only being 8.75$! Beer list is also pretty good! I would recommend it to anyone.
(5)David H.
The burgers and fries are tasty here, and the beer selection is great. Service, however is pretty touch-and go. Recently came in and had a difficult time getting service in a timely fashion. Waited a while for a server to take our order, and then waited longer for even our beers to come out, despite things being fairly quiet at the bar. Our server was kind of snippy with us when we asked how much longer it would be. Really want to like this place more - I live nearby and this could be the perfect neighborhood bar.
(3)Tim L.
Great neighborhood spot. A little small with limited seating but beers are always good and rotating. A couple of great bartenders and good food until 2am.
(4)Seema F.
Grace Tavern is a small, dark bar that seems to only employ 2 very rude people at a time. It was Monday, and the 5 of us were starving. We sat at a table in the back area and waited for someone to approach us. After several minutes, a guy came by and told us to move to a different table near the bar. It was uncomfortable and we were all crammed into a corner bench seat next to the bathroom, but we were hungry so we didn't make a huge fuss. My husband decided there was nothing good on tap so he only wanted a burger. When the waiter came by again, he immediately asked us all for ID. It didn't matter that we were all well past 20 or that not everyone was drinking. That's when my husband (who is in his mid 30s with grey hair and was the oldest in the group) realized that he forgot his ID. Most bars/restaurants would not care, especially since he wasn't drinking anyway. Our waiter, however, told us that we couldn't even be in the bar. (Though I suspect that if I was there with a child, it wouldn't have been an issue.) If that was the case, why wasn't there someone at the door checking IDs? I've never been to a place that serves food and alcohol and been told that I can't even be in there to eat. The whole process was dealt with in a very rough, unapologetic manner. If places are going to get all "nanny-state" on customers, they should at least pretend to be reasonable about it.
(1)Abby B.
Having lived in a neighborhood where Grace's is always a 2-minute walk from my apartment, I figured it was time to write an update, considering the amount of times my husband and I randomly pop-in for a beer or two. First, the beer - it's cheap than say going to Resurrection or P&K, both nearby. They have a draft list of about 6 or 7 beers listed on a chalkboard by the bar. Easy enough, right?! I like the beer selection too - some local and some from nearby breweries like upstate NY. The staff - nice, attentive, but they leave you alone and are not having overly-loud conversations with themselves or other patrons. I like a bar where I can go and have a drink with my husband and actually talk to him. The TV - it had Harry Potter playing, which was a bonus for my husband. I haven't tried the food lately, but then again, I live 2 minutes from the place, so eating at home is more economical.
(4)Lauren S.
Updated Review: Finally made it back to Graces in a small group, and honestly I've never seen this place so empty but I wasn't complaining it was nice to have some space. I was told the Blackened Green Beans were a must so without checking out the menu I put an order in for them and they were fabulous. I thought the side order was rather large and enough to share with a few people. Having my heart set on French Fires even though a friend told me not to order them I got the Oyster Po-Boy Platter since fries were on the side. The Po-Boy was tasty and I loved the fires. There a different style than Grace's sister Bar Monk's, my friend thought Monk's fires were better but I don't think you can compare them since there not the same style of fires. I recommend the fires here there great just don't compare them to Monk there different types of fires. Original Review: Grace Tavern is not meant for medium to large groups and every time I've been here it's been with my dodgeball team if not everyone comes out be the smallest we've had is 5 or 6 and that seems to be too large for this place. The bar is always full, there isn't a ton of standing room and they don't seem to like it if you move the tables around. So it's not an ideal after dodgeball spot but it is the closet bar to where we play so I've frequented it often. The beer list is usually good. And I can see why this would make the Top 50 Bar list. Maybe if I try going in a smaller group of 2 or 3 max I might enjoy this place more.
(3)Pete E.
Grace Tavern is a great local hangout. It's a tad dark and dated inside but the staff, the food and bar selection are outstanding. We are big fans of this comfortable neighborhood favorite. Do yourself a favor and sit down at the bar on a sleepy weekend and order a Grace Burger with blackened green beans. Wash it down with a beer or with a specialty Bloody Mary.
(4)Corbett B.
Not sure how this place can be rated higher than ten stone two blocks down south street. Small, mediocre food and grungy look and feel...
(2)Brian M.
Yeah, this is going to come across as bitter. I do not care. I've been to Grace a bunch of times. I will go to Grace a bunch more. It's unavoidable in a sense if you or anyone you're fond of lives in the area. Grace or Doobies (still unsure how to review that place)? The food at Grace is decent. Just decent. Relax on the green beans people, y'all act like they're the second coming when really it's something you can make in 5 minutes at home. Fortunately for Grace 70% of green bean consumption comes when already intoxicated (official statistic). Otherwise, all I've had there is certainly not bad, just straightforward bar food. So it's run of the mill. A-OK, right? Why the Meh? I'll tell you why. As others have mentioned, they can be dicks about their ID policy. I mean come on, do college kids really trek to a dark neighborhood bar to sneak beers? Came here on a Tuesday night after volleyball with 6 people of which I am the oldest member and was told I couldn't eat a burger with my friends since my license had expired a week prior. I'm 27 dammit. I look 35 and am balding for goodness sake! Doobies!
(2)Ruggy J.
Graduate Hospital... what an odd name for a neighborhood. But you know what's not odd? The amazingness that is Grace Tavern. I'm a sucker for a good rathskeller, and this is like a dive bar that still wears a dirty pair of Levi 501 jeans and a ripped band t-shirt... but one that showers and shaves more than once a month. A dive with a bit of class, if you will. The type of bar where you can get all of the grittiness you need, but without the fear of contracting bed bugs in the booths or an STD after using the loo. Reese, the bartender, is as sweet as a honeycomb and really makes the experience what is is. He'll talk you though your thoughts to get you the exact beer your craving, and he does it with a smile. Couple that with some seriously fantastic bar bites (blackened green beans, and surprisingly above average chicken fingers + french fries) makes it a neighborhood favorite for everyone within earshot. If I lived here, I'd no doubt be a regular. The beer fridge dressed up as Frankenstein for Halloween, and word had it he transmorphs into Sandy Claus come the winter time... I might have to return and tell ol' St. Nick what I expect under the dead pine tree on December 25th.
(4)Joshua S.
Best burgers in the city. If anyone tells you otherwise, cut ties. Caveat: if you walk in and the person waiting on you resembles a tatted up Aimee Mann, politely excuse yourself and return another day. No burger is worth her passive-aggressive shit.
(4)Erica M.
We have wanted to try the burger at Grace for over a year now as we've heard it's the best in the city. We live in the neighborhood and had to finally find out if it really is the best burger around. We had wine (they have a few wine options...more than most bars that specialize in beer, but not too many) and a 7&7. My fiance said the 7&7 was excellent (but that may also be because it was much needed at the end of a super long week). We each had the Kennett Square burger and at a friend's suggestion, I subbed blackened green beans for the fries. The burgers were very good. Cooked to temperature and generous in size. I didn't like that my cheese wasn't fully melted (it was still hard/cold on the top). The fries were great and the green beans were really good, too. I wouldn't say the burger is our favorite in town, but it was very good. The service was good and despite being crazy busy, the servers/bartenders were friendly. We arrived on the early side (around 7:15) and they didn't card us, but we saw a table of girls arrive a few minutes before 8 just to eat and they had to leave because they were carded and weren't 21. So make sure you bring your ID, even if you aren't drinking!
(4)Shereen C.
I don't know what's going on, but the fries at Grace are getting worse. Last few times I've been here, I've been getting a lot of tiny burnt-to-a-crisp leftover pieces of fries, instead of real full-length, or even medium-length, fries. Are they just re-frying whatever's fallen into the vat of oil from previous orders of fries? This makes me very sad. I used to love Grace, but when most of the fries are shorter than 1" long (with many shorter than 0.5" long), this is a serious problem. In other news, the oyster po boy was solid. Beer's still cold. 3.5 stars
(4)Jonny R.
Grace Tavern was called the best bar in the city by PW. And I have numerous friends who might call it their favorite bar in the city as well. There's something about Grace Tavern that demands attention. It's not just that it has a good beer list (promising Monk's Flemish Sour on tap everytime--in pints!), or that it might have the best appetizer in Philadelphia, blackened green beans (I think Prohibition's beer-battered green beans give them a run for their money). This place has a presence about it. A certain "barness" to it that makes it special. I always leave satisfied--sometimes it's crowded, but not often, and usually there's a place to sit. It's a manufactured neighborhood bar. In a gentrified neighborhood it's hard to have that authentic local feeling, but at the very least, I think Grace tries to do it well. I think it succeeds. And I don't think this is a moment for the bar to gloat and march as if it's done something marvelous. Grace feels sure of itself, but still humble. Not as loud or obnoxious as Ten Stone, nor is it as ritzy as Pub & Kitchen, and it's a safer place to go for those unsure of their beer taste than Sidecar. The bar has a great feel. And can I do that? Can I say it's my favorite bar because it feels right? Because it feels good? I think so. It's really delightful. And tell Reese I said hello.
(3)Keith S.
I've been in the neighborhood for the past couple years and have stopped into Grace a few times. The atmosphere is a delight and the service, food and beer has always been quality. About a week ago I stopped seeking a beer, but was blown away by Chris the bartender's knowledge of mixed drinks that I kicked back a few instead of my beloved beer. He had such a vast knowledge that when I told him how much I hated smoked liquor he made two drinks with the smoky scotch and they were fantastic. If you're in the neighborhood stop in and ask Chris to make a Blood and Sand or Aztec especially if you dig smoke. Cheers!
(5)Hee Jin C.
Low key place with good beers on draft. Their burgers are solid, definitely try the blackened green beans. Despite how it looks from the outside, it's a kid friendly establishment with lots of food offerings for your tyke. If they're fussy, promise them a fro-yo from igloo next door after your meal :)
(4)Adam F.
Grace Tavern is a classic gastropub - I think it's the same people who do Nodding Head and Monks. Grace is known for their blackened green beans w/ dipping sauce, awesome selection of sausages and burger/fries (same fries as Monks Cafe). Really like their Po-Boy here As you would expect, the beer selection here is great. Service can be sub-par at times, so don't come if you're in a hurry.
(4)Greg Y.
I've been frequenting his place for the past year. The food is really good and thats the only reason I go back. All the burgers are good, grace burger is the best imo. I'm not a fan of the green beans lately...my body begins to reject them after a few, prolly bc of the burnt char that covers them. The poboy and tuna sandwiches are good too. Service is spotty but usually decent as long as it's not too busy.
(4)Susannah L.
Never thought I'd be writing a bad review about this place, but I will have to. As far as food and beer go, this place is A+. That said, I will never ever be going back. My boyfriend and I went on a slow Tuesday night on one of our last nights in town before we moved to Texas. He'd never had a Grace burger and I insisted he try it before we leave as it is (was) my favorite burger in Philly. Upon sitting down at the bar, we were carded - my ID was fine, my boyfriend had left his Passport at home and didn't have a state ID - we go out to bars all the time, he is 31, intimidating looking and appears far older than 21, it's never a problem. That said, the dude refused to serve us and walked away. Perturbed, I joked that next he was going to kick us out. When he wandered back over, we started to order food and were just going to get sodas. We were there for food, not beer anyway. This is when the pretentious, handlebar-mustachioed gent told us that we had to leave, he could't even serve us food. WHICH IS BULLSHIT. You are absolutely allowed to serve food only in a bar to someone without an ID. He was being a huge fucking asshole and had major attitude about it as well, and ruined one of our last nights in town. You can't put a price on service.
(1)Alex M.
The food is good and the beer flows. Can't ask for much more! Will this place blow your mind? Ehhhh. Will I come back for their vegan burger and a cider? Certainly!
(4)Kathleen D.
A creature of habit, some peculiar, my latest gimmick is that every time I come home after some train or mega bus travel, our next stop straight from the station is Grace Tavern... cause we did that one time, and I liked it, and so now a visit to this chill, neighborhood spot is the ritual hankerin. And it goes a little somethin like this: Perfectly poured pints of Guinness, Grace Tavern's great fries, an order of those blackened green beans w/ remoulade to share, in a small, dimly lit bar...annnd commence the harrowing tales of characters I met on the bus...
(4)Michelle C.
This bar is the final destination on approximately four out of five nights when I'm out with my boyfriend. It's his neighborhood bar and it's about to become mine, too, so I'm glad Grace and I get along. The menu is limited but the selections are solid. Plus, the kitchen is open late, which is both a very good (drunken munchies) and very bad (morning food regret) thing. People rave about the burgers although I haven't yet tried one. At 1 a.m. I'm usually getting down with the blackened green beans, chicken fingers or fries, which come with a garlic dipping sauce. I am also a fan of the chicken waldorf salad. The rolls used for the sausage sandwiches are absolutely massive, which takes away from the otherwise awesome sausage, but I'd still recommend the sammies, regardless. The beer selection is always great, and the bartenders definitely know their stuff. When I inquired about the 21st Amendment Hop Crisis on tap last weekend, Leo warned me it was an 11% brew. Then he said he would not carry me home if I chose to drink it. Fair enough! I had two, but only because I had gone easy on the boozies earlier in the night. Overall, I feel like Grace has everything a neighborhood bar should have (including the inevitable neighborhood drunkard makin' a fool at the end of any given night). Cheers!
(4)Tiffany S.
A friend and I went to Grace after reading several bad reviews about the service. However, we were starving and it was close - you throw your standards out the window in situations like that, ya know? Anyhow, we walked in and were immediately greeted by one of the bar tenders. We sat ourselves and another bar tender was over quickly to take our drink orders. After all was said and done, we shared an order of fries, and I had the Grace burger w/ green beans. It. was. mind-blowingly delicious. And the service continued to be awesome! My only complaint was that there was a long hair in our fries.. Eww.. But you know that moment when you swallow your dignity, finish off your drink and carry on with the delicious food? Yeah.. That happened.. And I'm only a little ashamed.
(4)Seth M.
Great food, great service. Sausages were fantastic....but the blackened green beans stole the show. Great little joint.
(4)Elleanna D.
Had my first Grace Tavern burger today and it was AMAZING. I love the look and feel of the place, beautiful and cozy. Our server/bartender Mike was awesome and provided extremely nice and fast service. I've found my new favorite spot in Philly.
(5)Todd B.
I love the neighborhood and ambience of this place that feels very local and friendly. The beer and cider selection is local and diverse, and I enjoyed the banter while I ate my dinner. I chose the chicken sausage on a roll, and the locally made sausage was quite tasty and healthy. The roll? hard, stale. The wait for it was at least 20 minutes on a Monday at 9:30 pm. I would go to Grace for a drink but probably not for a meal in a town of so many great options.
(3)Emily C.
Great craft beer list, with a bunch on tap. The burgers were fantastic. I would go back for those in a heartbeat. We tried the Kelly (bacon and cheddar) and South St (sautéed onions and bleu cheese). Service was majorly lacking unfortunately. The waiter took forever and wasn't helpful when I was asking questions about the beers on tap. Would give them another try though because the burgers were so good! 233/365
(4)Mark L.
I love Grace because they don't try to be anything they aren't. It's a local walk up with a commitment to good beer and quality fare. Nothing too expensive..and nothing too fancy. The bar is small...the dining room smaller (but always very clean). There's one TV, the bartender controls the music...and you always feel comfortable, by yourself or with a crowd. All the reviews are right...the burgers are great...chicken fingers and fries are as well. Everyone deserves one trip to Grace to see what a gem is hidden in Fitler's Square. Then feel free to go back to your neighborhoods and leave an open seat at the bar for me.
(5)Brett M.
Worst service and most rude bartenders. I've lived in the neighborhood for 5 years...tried it 2 years ago and had a terrible experience. Tried it again the other day and the service has deteriorated. I'm 30 and the ID nazi carded me and my much older friend. Then walked away without asking what we wanted. We had to flag the same dipshit bartender down to take our order. He then responded, "can I help you?" At that point we walked out and gave our business to doobies, one of the many friendly bars with great beer in GHo. You can find good food and beer anywhere in the neighborhood...sidecar, resurrection, strip club...to name a few within blocks. I don't see how grace tavern will sustain with their customer service.
(1)Kel H.
Dear blackened green beans: Didn't know how tasty you were Sorry I ate y'all.
(4)Cameron S.
When we originally came on a Sunday morning, it was a very pleasant experience. We got some good food and decent beer. Went back a second time to this establishment and the bartenders and service were terrible. The bartender tried to act pretentious. The food was blah. The beer was still decent. And the service made me never want to come back again. And that I have not. Sorry Grave Tavern, you fell out of grace for me.
(2)Leah S.
This intimate local Greys Ferry neighborhood dive bar is just what I love! I love when bars have unique and different selections of beer that I've never had before! (instead of the standard choices and they look at you funny when you ask whats new and exciting) I am a pesky customer who likes to try three beer samples before I make the decision of the night and their bartender was awesome at telling what they had and new ones. (Which they should be). We walked in at 12:30AM and the service was not annoyed even though I was fully aware last call in Philly is always 2am. My friend and I just wanted to catch up with two beers and go home and Grace's tavern was perfect for that. They made me feel welcomed and told ask to come back anytime - They were super cool and now a favorite local bar of mine! Thanks Grace Tavern! on 23rd and Greys Ferry! (Off of South) (There is also my favorite frozen yogurt , Igloo joint and a small fountain across the street!) - Super cute.
(5)Mike D.
My new year's resolution is to yelp more, who's isn't. So in an effort to start early i would say my best bar experience of the last week was with Lulu at grace tavern. Always enjoyed this place, great draft line and the sausages and burgers are very good. Highlight is the bartenders though, always a nice chat, solid beer suggestions, and great haircuts.
(4)Sss S.
Had quite the poor experience here last night. Was told the wait for 4 people would be 20min, which got prolonged to 1hr an 15min. Not once was an apology or explanation given by the hostess. Got the Kennett Square burger which was decent. Beer selection was ok but not terribly inspiring.
(1)Chelsea T.
I miss Reese, the only bartender who seemed to treat anyone kindly here. That sure is a bummer. Many better places to go in the area with better food, better attitude.
(2)Christopher S.
If you could rate a place strictly on the food and beer, this place would be 4-5 stars. Sadly, I cannot do this. I've been to Grace Tavern a handful of times and always enjoyed the Kelly Burger (bacon cheeseburger) and their blackened green beans are killer. The beer selection is rather decent as well. Some great crafts on there. In my previous visits, the service never floored me, but it hadn't really deterred me from going back. My friends and I have had nights where it'd take almost 20 minutes to get a beverage when there was only one other table seated. Tonight might keep me from going back as the waiter gave us a "you should be so lucky to eat here" attitude. I walked in with two other friends, both men. The waiter directed us to a two-top table that couldn't have been larger than 20" x 30" and was crammed in a corner. We intended on having dinner and drinks and couldn't fathom how we would fit everything on the table and be comfortable. After unsuccessfully trying to find our waiter for a few minutes to ask about another table, we decided to just move to one of the 2 open four-top tables considering there were only 8 other patrons in the restaurant (most of which were at the bar). The waiter comes over to tell us that we could not have that table because "this place fills up quickly and we can't have three people using that large of a table". We tried to tell him how we couldn't all fit there, but he wouldn't hear it. Really, man? You want us to bump knees and elbows in the corner while we eat after coming in from 95 degree weather? No. Instead, he opted for having three existing customers leave angry and hungry because he might get a big rush at 8:30 on a Tuesday night. He also informed us that "Go ahead! Every other place in the city is gonna tell you where you can sit as well" as we walked out the door. Eight minutes later, I walked into The Sidecar Bar & Grille for my first time ever and was told "grab a seat wherever you'd like." I have having to give this review, but the waiter really rubbed me the wrong way and soured my opinion of a place I really liked. There was no reason for him to be so spiteful in us not wanting to sit at a small corner table when there was plenty of space elsewhere. I guess I would suggest there if you're eating alone.
(2)Vinny P.
This is the kind of place to go hang out with a friend, drink some good beer and not be hassled. Sometimes you want glitz and glamour, or you want to dine at a place that features products created by the hardworking indigenous peoples of wherever. This is not Grace Tavern. Grace satisfies that "it's Monday night, I just went for a run, I want beer and a sausage sandwich" feeling. I met up with the Duke here and we just shot the schiesse while drinking beer. I arrived early and as I sat at the bar, trying samples and sipping on a Monk's Cafe Ale, I read the Philly Beer Scene magazine and it was just cool. When my drinking/dining partner arrived, we saddled up to the bar and just talked about stuff and things while we drank Mongo from Port Brewing (very delicious double IPA). The atmosphere was relaxed and we ended up staying for almost 3 hours because we had no rush to leave and we just hung out and talked with the bartender. No rush, no fuss. That's what this place is, completely chill. I'll be back.
(4)Kat W.
I have been going to Grace for about 3 years and really used to love this place. Recently however, I have been fed up with the rude staff. I feel some of the staffing changes have had a very negative effect on the vibe. The food is always good, especially the blackened green beans. The beer selection is usually interesting, even if it's not always my taste. But this just can't make up for the stinky bathroom (overwhelming scent of urinal cakes, and not very clean either), or the cold, rude bar tenders I've had to suffer recently. Overall, i would say this is a fine place to stop in if your in the area for just a quick bite or one beer, but it's certainly not a destination.
(2)Karen L.
This is one of my most frequented bars. The atmosphere is dark and divey, but the beer and food is great. They have delicious pub food: go with the burgers, chicken tenders, and blackened string beans (warning, they are spicy!). The front area with the bar and stools is perfect for hanging out and watching sports on TV, and the back is good for a sit-down meal. There's a good selection of draft beers or $3 PBR pounders, depending on how you're feeling that night. The staff is very attentive and nice too.
(5)Taylor S.
Love this bar! Its a small dive and if that is not what your into this is not your place. Every time I come here I get the oyster po boy! Absolutely delicious! The burgers are great too. Small tap list but a good selection of tasty brews. 1
(4)Carla T.
I've been here a few times but came back this past weekend after a long time away from the area. Really glad I did. It's everything I'd want in a neighborhood bar, good beer, good food and good people. The lighting is dim but not too dark; it's a cozy spot. I went with a friend on Saturday afternoon and there were a few people in there but it wasn't crowded. The food and beer were good (I got the Italian sausage sandwich and Ace Pear Cider) and the atmosphere was nice. Will be coming back for sure.
(4)Marie B.
Once my flight landed in Philadelphia, I went straight to Grace's for my first American meal after two years abroad. It was just as I had remembered. Great service, atmosphere, beer selection, and above all else - FOOD! In my opinion, they have the best cheeseburgers and anybody else I have ever brought there agreed. The best. The end.
(5)Emily W.
A delicious local pumpkin beer, a spinach and feta chicken sausage with lots of Dijon mustard, and a well-dressed side salad made me one happy camper. This place may be unassuming and super chill, but it has quality food. It's the perfect place for an easy and not-too-expensive night out with friends. Our bartender was attentive and made us feel like regulars even though it was our first time. We split the blackened green beans which were surprise- spicy,!! but i guess that's the point of the remoulade they come with... The only thing I would improve about my otherwise satisfying meal, would be to shrink the size of the baguette the sausage comes in. It's a good baguette, but I ordered a sausage on a baguette- not the other way around. I wish the owners of Monk's and Grace Tavern would get the bread to filling ratio right...
(4)Lou P.
Keepin' it local Can't decide on a spot? Grace. Never overrun Grace is where I go when I don't feel at all adventurous (read: don't want to go anywhere new) but don't want to leave anything to chance. It's a few blocks away from my place, and it's the de-facto choice when it's 10pm and I don't want to 'go out' for the evening but still want to grab a beer. It's definitely a neighborhood bar, and it's never really crowded no matter when you're there. The kitchen's open late, and you'll pretty much always find a seat. If there's an Eagles or Phillies game on people come out, but mostly it's just a group of regulars and folks who've ventured outside of Center City. The staff is generally friendly, and most of the time you'll catch at least one staff person who's not working chilling on a stool at the bar anyway. While they're mostly great, if you're rude to them, expect some pretty harsh retribution. They don't take kindly to people ruining the generally casual atmosphere, and if you're in the mind to be a moron, they definitely make an example out of you. On the menu tip, all of the burger options are delicious. They really do them up right, perfectly medium-rare for me, and will put whatever you want on them. They're not so huge as to induce a food coma, which thankfully leaves more room for beer. If you're looking for the best burger on the menu, go with the Kellys or South St. Burger. The Kellys has bacon and cheddar, and the South St. has sauteed onions and bleu cheese. They're both pretty stellar. They also have a sausage sandwich menu, as well as some salads. Overall the menu isn't in any way extensive, but perfectly satisfying for the neighborhood and my expectations of the place. If you're looking for something to share, grab a large order of the blackened green beans. I always get them with the burger instead of fries, they're that good. They always have some great beer options, including at least one sour. I believe they have 9 taps, and a selection of bottles as well. They try to keep it pretty mixed (IPA's, whites, stouts, pilsners etc.), so it's definitely a good place for both picky and adventurous beer drinkers. The only real detraction for Grace is that there's only one television. I would love to see a screen somewhere in the back by the tables. Standing in the main bar area to watch a game can get tedious when there's no stools available, and you can't see the TV from the back tables.
(4)Alexander B.
Great burgers, tasty beers. Good local hang out.
(5)Steve S.
Can't believe it took 4 years to get back here. We've been thinking of the charred, spicy green beans since that 1st visit. Love this place. The food and service was as perfect as it was 4 yrs. ago. Had 2 of the the Ithaca, Apricot Wheat draft - very enjoyable. To eat we had: the charred green beans, frites w/ Monks great dipping sauce, Nicosia salad with tuna and the Jambalaya. Great prices, good portions, great tasting food. What's not to like.
(5)Christine B.
We hadn't been here in a long time and wanted to check out their Beer Week event for the first night of PBW. When we got there, there were only 2 or 3 other tables occupied, we ordered a flight of beers, and were ready for a nice meal. 10+ minutes after ordering our flight, the waitress/bartender comes back to confirm what beers we had ordered, which was good because she remembered none of them. The rest of the tables are filled, all other tables get their beers, and eventually food before we get our flight of 5 tastes of beer. We waited over half an hour to get one flight, and people who had gotten there 10-15 minutes after us were eating before we even had drinks. With our frustration level already sky high, our food comes out. My VEGAN (not vegetarian) burger has a slice of cheddar cheese on it, which was supposed to be on my boyfriend's chicken sandwich. I get it, things get mixed up sometimes, but then the kitchen staff member who brought the food out argued with me about how my burger was still vegan with a slice of cheese on it. He obviously didn't even know what vegan meant, and I really didn't feel comfortable eating something "vegan" from a kitchen that doesn't know that word means "no dairy". We cancelled our food order, paid for the half-foam flight we got after 45 minutes and left. I've never had such a horrendous dining experience and will definitely not be going back there ever. I know it was a busy night, I know they seemed woefully understaffed, but everyone next to us was taken care of well before we were, and we had been there first (and ordered right away). There's a million better places to spend your money and get better service.
(1)Christine B.
Great neighborhood bar. Stopped in a Sunday afternoon for some lunch/dinner. My friend and I each tried a new beer. Mine was better than his. I ordered a cheeseburger and he had the sausage sandwich. We did have to wait a super long time for our food, but it was really good. I'm not sure what happened because other people that came in after us got their good right away. My burger was awesome as were the fries and of course the Monk's dipping sauce. I live in the neighborhood so I will definitely be back.
(4)Steph P.
I really wanted to like this place. Went in with a group of girlfriends on a Saturday and ate at the bar. Bartender was friendly and mostly attentive. And, the burger I ordered was delicious. Well, it was delicious until I woke up violently ill with food poisoning the next morning, and checked in with my friends who were also feeling sick. When I finally was able to crawl off of my couch and get back into the office, my coworkers informed me that this place is notorious for experiences like this. I wouldn't know - it was only my first (and likely last) time. If you're headed here, best stick to the booze.
(1)Michael L.
I have been there a few times, solid burger, fantastic blackened green beans, and an exceptionally large and affordable beer collection. I recommend the Kennett Square Burger and a Dale's Pale Ale for a heavy lunch or a very filling dinner. Fries are fantastic. As far as the Atmosphere of the bar its very very dark and not the spot you want to go to on a nice summer night for al fresco dining. They have a bit of a dungeony feel going on and it would be my choice spot if 22nd and South streets were snowed in and no one can go to work. Enjoy!
(3)Schuyler L.
I waited more than 24 hours to write this review about my (probably unique) experience at Grace Tavern: Make sure you're ok with getting in a fight if you go to this crap hole. After trying to square up the bill for around 20 minutes the bartender eventually got close enough to me while still ignoring, I get his attention by tapping him on the shoulder. Then he promptly swung around and yells "IF THERE'S ONE THING YOU DO IT'S DON'T FUCKING POKE ME! I'LL BREAK YOUR FUCKING FINGERS!" I didn't poke him and didn't deserved to be threatened. It's really too bad because I'm sure he's talented. He found a beer that I really liked based on my description. We all have our days, but I cannot rationalize an employee yelling at anyone and remaining professional.
(1)Clare H.
We started off our afternoon at Grace Tavern on a Saturday. Its a small place, isn't overly clean, but has a great charm to it. The beer selection isn't too special but has some grade A beers. The food was pretty good and the bartender wasn't too chatty but tried to be helpful. I will be back, maybe next time on a weekend night.
(4)Lisa S.
Hahaha I have to laugh at all these negative posts because the staff did their job carding. Sorry but the law is the law. They are required to card people who appear to be under a certain age - and it is not 21 - it is either 30 or 35. It is the law that if you do not have ID, they cannot serve you. To come on Yelp and trash a place for upholding their legal responsible is a joke. Your friend forgot his ID - he should be well aware at his age of the laws and should have respected that. The LCB periodically goes to establishments and checks - if they do serve someone under the age they need to card for, not just under 21, they are fined $1,000. The server is fined, the establishment is fined and the door person (if there is one) is now also fined. Sad that Yelp has become a vehicle for snotty brats to just trash a place without real merit. Seema F you seem to be a jerk. I'm over 40 but look much younger and I know I need to have my ID when I go out. I'm sure if I read your I will find out you take your Yelp Elite status as some ridiculous power trip. As for my personal review of Grace Tavern - I have been there a handful of times when friends are bartending or hanging out. Although I've only eaten fries, the beer is good and cold and the atmosphere has always been warm and comfortable like a neighborhood bar should be. It is sad how whiners have ruined the credibility of many Yelp reviews. Lisa
(4)Ann R.
This is one of our go-to neighborhood spots. The only downside about the place is that it is kind of small so sometimes it's hard to get a seat but that just goes to show how good the place is. The service is great, the guys that work the bar and dining room area are awesome and super friendly. They have solid food. The burger is terrific, the fries with the Monk's dipping sauce is amazing, and I personally really enjoy the jambalaya too. They have really affordable drinks and a good drink menu in a cool, laid back atmosphere. The place is kind of a dive but since the neighborhood has changed, it doesn't really feel like it as much anymore. It's a great place!
(5)Elise G.
If I could give this bar negative stars I would. We drove around for 20 minutes looking for parking because we heard that this place has really good burgers. We found parking...10 blocks away...and walked. We got there around 9pm (it was a quiet Monday night). There's a little area towards the back where there are tables, and we sat down. We didn't necessarily go there to drink, though I intended to get a beer if they had anything good on tap. They didn't. It seemed like the tables in the back were taken up by couples and families there to eat. It certainly wasn't crowded or rowdy at all, which is what we were looking for. After sitting there for 15 minutes without any attention, the bartender told us to get up and sit in the bar instead (not very politely, mind you). So we moved to the cramped and uncomfortable table at the bar. The bartender came back 5 minutes later and asked for IDs. Fine. My friend (who is almost 40, and looks over 30) forgot his ID at home. He asked if he could just order food and not a drink. The bartender (with a mohawk) swore at us and told us to get out. "It's the f---- law." He didn't even want to order a drink. just a burger. Apparently you can't eat a burger at a restaurant if you're 36. You can vote without an ID, but not eat a burger. Awful excuse for any establishment that actually has to deal with customers. If you're going to require everyone in the place to show ID (except the teenager eating there with his family at one of the back tables, and everyone else that walked in around the same time as us), you should do it at the door, not make people sit there for 20 minutes, treat them rudely, and then swear at them. They could even put it on their web site, so I don't have to walk pretty far just to be insulted by their ridiculous excuse for a bartender. Needless to say, I will never even venture near this place again, and I will make sure all of my friends know not to either. We ended up at another bar/restaurant, where we were treated nicely and were able to eat without being sworn at.
(1)Rhiannon D.
I went to Grace Tavern for the first time the other night. What an amazing experience. I wish I could give this place more than 5 stars. The decor is adorable, original wall panels and ceiling tiles. The bathroom was tiny but very old school. We went to Grace because we were hungry and were sick of all of the other gastro pubs. The draught list was pretty nice, but we opted for Guiness (the only stout option). I can judge a restaurant or bartender on how they pour a Guiness, and this guy knew what he was doing. We both ordered burgers, holy shit. The meat was fresh, came out much quicker than I expected, and was absolutely delicious. Also the fries are to die for, probably best fries in Philadelphia. The only downfall was that there was a table full of yuppie assholes spilling their drinks and being rude to the waiter. So all I have to say to them is welcome to Philadelphia, now go the fuck back to where you came from. The people that work at Grace are awesome and super friendly. I will definitely be going back there VERY soon.
(5)Michael N.
Came down for lunch and had the Kennet Square burger which had sauteed mushrooms and cheddar on a brioche. Good burger, good fries, relatively clean place, albeit a little dark. Thankfully the AC was turned all the way up to 11 because it was hot and gross outside. The beer list is not pretentious and overpopulated by ridiculous things you can't pronounce. My beer, however, was the first pour of the day and tasted as such. There was a little staleness to it and it seemed like the line should have been flushed a bit better. The waitress was a bit cold, but she got the job done and did not come by with annoying "how is everything" nonsense. I would definitely go back for lunch. Good, cheap, and simple.
(4)Kelley B.
This place has great beer. The food isnt stellar and I wish I had gotten more fries, but the beer is why Im there. Has a hip atmosphere which is fun.
(4)Sheila F.
the blackened green beans were the perfect marriage of spice & savory. The heat is subtle so you can really savor the flavor of the green bean itself. The jambalaya was also good, but nothing about this dish stood out to me as being particularly noteworthy. It was good, just not the best I've ever had. As a woman, I did not appreciate the unisex restroom. in order to hover, a woman must take a position which leaves her face directly next to a urinal cake. Not pleasant.
(2)Kelly M.
Burgers are amazing gourmet tastiness. Great beers selection too.
(5)Shaun O.
After our dodgeball games. the team and I have been sampling the local bars in the neighborhood. After a semi-victorious run in the playoffs (we beat the #17 seed and were competitive with the #1 seed before losing), we decided to give Grace Tavern a shot. I was initially hesitant as I remember this place being packed. For a Wednesday night, we were able to score a table for 7. Plus-friendly bartender who made sure to go out of his way to strike up conversation with us. Beer selection was amazing too. I had their spinach and sausage sandwich, which was quite tasty. We definitely lucked out as folks were raving about their fries and the beers there. I was about 4 deep in before we called it a night-so it was definitely a good spot for us to hit up after dodgeball on a Wednesday night.
(4)Carlo D.
OK burgers and great fries
(3)Stephen C.
As others have stated, this is a place that I frequent when I'm doing a night out in my neighborhood. It's one of those small neighborhood finds that I somehow want to keep it under cover so it doesn't get too crowded. The beer selection is always rotating and everything I've tried on the menu has been excellent. The only thing to add is that during Philly Beer Week, this place hosts some cool events. I went to a Sam Adams/Naked Chocolate event a couple years back. I got some beer, chocolate and a pretty cool t-shirt for free. They have a few events like this during the week and I think having these events in an intimate setting like Grace makes it all the better. It's a unique place to go, the staff is excellent but please don't tell too many people about it! ;)
(4)Jackie C.
GREAT BURGERS! GREAT GREEN BEANS! bad bad bad bad service. If you can stomach being treated with no respect but love your burgers this is the place for you. It seems like most of their servers here were told by management they should act as if you are imposing by ordering food. It's the "I'm so annoyed I have to wait on you attitude". It's a shame I feel like more people would go back if they service didn't suck. Regardless I have been going here for years because I love there burgers. I can't seem to get enough of them. I have just learned to order take out and have a beer while I wait (be careful one time we waited 2 hours, although we suspect our bartender was not all there, I have only seen him once and never again) AGAIN LOVE THE BURGERS!!!
(3)Holly T.
Grace Tavern is a great neighborhoody little bar. It has a more casual feel than some of the more blatantly gastropubby bars in the area, and occupies a pleasant spot in between the divey-ness of Doobies and the more high-end feel of Pub & Kitchen. Just a simple place to get a good beer and a good bar food without any pretension. I love their blackened green beans, which make for a brilliant bar snack, as well as their fries. I have yet to try their burger, but it looks amazing and is a great price compared to some of the other burgers in the neighborhood. The beer selection is very good for the most part, though they do have a few macro-ish beers on draft. They have a great location, and I love the things they do for the neighborhood, including participating in the low-key Plazapalooza festival. I'm glad to have this as one of our beer options in the neighborhood!
(4)Shannon M.
Grace Tavern is a good choice if you don't mind spending a little extra money on some delicious bar food (ie. burgers and sandwiches). The beer selection was good, and not too expensive. Dinner for 2 people, with 2 drinks, ran about $50. When I was there, they had a special $5 absinthe cocktail. The drink was pretty refreshing, and I had a buzz after my first one. My only complaint is that the service was a little slow. There was only one person working there, and she had to take care of the bar while waiting on the tables.
(4)Justin B.
Grace Tavern has one of the most delicious burgers my taste buds have ever experienced. Their fries are currently the number 1 fries in the city (in my opinion) My only qualm is that i live too far from this place, if i lived closer i would be a much happier person.
(5)James G.
God help anyone who enters this hole!! It's run by rude and, quite frankly, ugly toothless people! We went in on a Friday night and stood at the bar for 15 mins. Being a bartender I'm very patient but nobody even looked toward the bar. Why? Because the 2 people working were working the bar and tabled and, apparently, the tables were more important. It got so infuriating that, eventually, I shouted out at the top of my voice....yoooo!! When I was noticed he asked, very condescendingly, have you approached the bar??? No!!! I was just standing here for fun you toothless goon!! Cut a long story short the staff here were rude, slow and, quite frankly, disgusting!!! Never, ever ever give these tramps your hard earned money because they dint appreciate it!!
(1)Elizabeth D.
This is a really chill place to grab a burger and a beer. The proximity to a friend's place was definitely a draw, but I was really happy to finally try it out. It's small, but it was not crowded at all for a Saturday. Our server was nice, but a little erratic. Great selection of rotating drafts. The blackened green beans as an appetizer were delicious! Leftovers the next day were reportedly equally good. My Kelly's Burger with cheddar and bacon was quite good. Not as medium rare as I usually enjoy, but it hit the spot. Fries on the side were crispy! Tab for three people was just about $45. Great spot in the area if you are looking for something casual.
(4)Janek J.
Small neighborhood tavern with tin ceiling that serves good food in a casual atmosphere and attracts customers from a wider area than would be expected. It COULD be a bit brighter. The blackened green beans are to die for. GREAT burgers. One server, Lulu, is particularly friendly and accommodating. Now that they' have placed tables and chairs in the triangular park at 23rd and South Streets to serve food and drinks, sitting outside under trees, next to a fountain, would be a LOT more pleasant if they weeded, cleaned, and cared for the park that Odunde claims, but does not maintain.
(3)Leslie M.
I've been meaning to write something nice about Grace Tavern for a long time. When my boyfriend and I moved to Philly two years ago, we wandered around our neighborhood looking for a bar that could be our "home" bar. We found it in Grace for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the service. We love the bartenders, especially Rees and Mike. They were some of the first people we met in Philly and I'm always happy to walk in Grace and see them, even if it's too busy to chat. Second, the burgers are the best. Get them with the beans or the fries. It doesn't even matter which burger you order, it's going to be the best. Third, it's a comfortable atmosphere. Come here after work. Come before a night out. Stagger in afterwards. It's always welcoming and you're not going to be surrounded by idiot college kids. We don't make it to Grace as often as we used to, but it will always be our "home" bar for these reasons. A side rant: Why are so many adults walking around without their ID's? What if something would happen to you? Please lay off the staff for carding you, IT'S THEIR JOB no matter how old you look. Most people wouldn't go to your place of work, ask you to bend the rules, and then get upset when you don't. Let's say you are an accountant and I came to your office and simply told you, I made 30k this past year. Would you do my taxes? No. Because it's illegal and you would be liable, right? Give them a break, they're liable too.
(5)Nancy M.
This is only an experience having drinks. There are a range of beers on tap, they are listed on a board. The list is by name only, so if you don't know what kind of beer clown shoes is, for example, you will be a little lost. The bartenders were helpful and enthusiastically gave us a taste. They did disappear at times, so there could be a little waiting. It is a fun crowd, although the bathroom was a throwback to NYC in the eighties. We will go again and check out the food.
(3)Michael P.
I'd heard a lot of hype about Grace Tavern before going there, and I finally got the chance a few weeks ago, meeting up with a friend from work. Now that I've been there, I'm not really sure where I fall on it. I like the nice, unpretentious bar feel, the dark wood and tin ceiling, combined with the lone tube tv give it a throwback feel. The tap had a moderate selection, but it was the situation where despite being a step beyond the usual suspects, nothing really interested me. I never really got a look at the bottle list either. The bartenders were engaging, which is always a plus. We split a basket of the fried green beans, which were pretty good. A deeper sample of their menu might raise my opinion, but really, I wasn't very impressed. The few small tables in the back seem like an afterthought. I don't think I would really describe it as a dive, but it toes the line between dive and neighbourhood haunt. If you're in the area, its probably worth a visit, but I wouldn't call it a destination, worth traveling to.
(3)Mike T.
Mediocre tap selection, especially for an establishment that advertisers in craft beer publications. One of those dark lighting bars, too dark in my opinion. And a staff that needs to step up their level of customer service. If the owner catches reads this, retrain your staff or fire them, it will be to your benefit. They get the 2 stars, because it is decent bar with a couple tasty brews. Just do not expect anything special on tap or to be served by friendly people.
(2)YelpHatesMe Y.
We'll go 3 1/2 here, based solely on the burger and fries. I loved the roll. It wasn't brioche, like I expect most of the better burgers in the city to use but it was good none the less. All in all it had a good flavor but lacked that "pop". It didn't really have that spiciness or that zesty taste that really makes a good burger stand out. The fries were pretty good also. Bottom line; Its a pretty good burger, but no where near the Angus burger from the Royal Tavern.
(3)lyndsey F.
Well sometimes life changes for the better and because of some phenomenal life changes, I have been to Grace pretty much every other night for the past two weeks. They have a great selection of beers (although I'm not a huge beer drinker) and they have two different kinds of bottled Anchor, which i do love! They have a decent Cabernet for $5 a glass and they have an amazing burger. Apparently their Jambalaya is on point too, but I have yet to taste it. Everyone that works there is lovely. And it is all in all a really great neighborhood place.
(5)Alicia O.
One of those dark, small bars that everyone seems to love. First time I came here, I didn't know what all the fuss was about. It was a bit too crowded for me. However last time I was here on Saturday night and the crowd was a lot smaller than usual. It was better experience. Around Christmas time, they had Mad Elf on tap which gets another star from me. We also sat around and ate their fries and they were sort of addicting. The actual fries aren't anything special, but it's the spicy mayo that comes with it that gets you.
(3)Andrea T.
I live closer to Ten Stone, but I walk the extra few steps to Grace. Reese is my favorite bartender. The mixed drinks are great. Stiff and cheap. They do not have frills or redbull, but to make up for they have the most delectable green beans on earth. The toilets are amusing little nooks resembling harry potter's bedroom under the stairs, but they have two which is awesome. The place is great on quiet nights of the week a little crowded on weekends, but what bar isn't? The bartenders are quick to throw out anyone who annoys them or they think might be trouble. The ashtray outside is always catching on fire. The beer selection is awesome. The chairs at the bar are comfy. It's a great bar in my hood and way better than that other place.
(5)MaryAnn Z.
One of my requirements for choosing a place to live is a decent neighborhood bar. Now, I would generally only give this place 4 stars, but I've tacked on one of the leftover stars that Ten Stone wasn't worthy of. I would say this is hands down the best bar in my neighborhood, and have contemplated wearing my slippers there on several occasions. I recently had guests from NYC and we had to pick up another friend at the airport at 5 AM (I should probably reevaluate my friendship with said airport guest...), so didn't want to stray too far. At a loss for what to do, I took them to Grace. I wasn't going to try to out glam Manhattan or prove that we had swank in our town, I was just going to show them what, for me, makes Philly Philly. Shortly after arriving, the bartender came over to answer some questions about what was on tap, and a few moments later he was telling us stories about doing acid in Maryland in the 80s. YES. This is what I pay my tax dollars for (that doesn't even make sense. I know. Continue.). The beer on tap is great, and like another reviewer mentioned, it's unique. Not just generic light beer and other miscellanous, uncreative crap brews. In fact, he described one of the things on tap as "if someone walked into Nodding Head and asked for a Miller lite, this is what they'd serve them instead." Excellent. We got some chicken fingers and fries to munch on. They were yummy; nothing extraordinary. Portion sizes were good and the whole table was satisfied. I love the layout of Grace. I love the beer. I love the people who work there. I can understand why people contest the "best bar in Philly" award entirely. But I think in a lot of ways, that place embodies Philadelphia. It feels familiar whether you've been there once or a thousand times. As such, I vow to wear my slippers there at least once before the end of winter. I really don't like having to take them off.
(5)Molly F.
Was looking for a place with good beer and decent food for a casual dining experience. Checked out this place on a Wednesday evening. Nice, low key bar. I came in freezing and no one rushed me to get a drink or sit down. Bar tenders are friendly but not overly chatty, which I appreciate. They have a decent food menu, but not extensive sit-down space and the seating is intimate (small) so don't bring people that smells funky. Downside- if you are trying to get here in a car the difficulty in parking cannot be overemphasized.
(4)Sarah B.
Holy frijoles, batman! Those blackened green beans were delicious.
(4)Melanie R.
Hands down the best burger I've had in the city. I was full halfway through but forced myself to eat the whole thing because I didn't want to leave any behind. It was cooked perfectly. Medium-well and juicy. The fries were good too. The spicy mayo sauce that comes on the side was yummy and not too spicy. Just enough kick. I would've given it 5 stars but the atmosphere was a little odd. Granted it's a tiny bar with a few tables in the back where the bartender is also the server. He was the only one working the front when we got there around 7 but another guy showed up at 8. The seats at the bar were all taken so we had to sit at a table. Please know that you will be seated according to the size of your party so if you are only a party of 2 then don't sit at a table for 3 or 4. They have a system and like to stick to it. A couple came in and sat at the table for 3 and were asked to move. The chick had a hissy fit and refused. Seating is tight so it created an awkward feeling among the rest of us trying to enjoy our food. Not to mention it pissed off the server. He asked nicely and gave a good reason why but she wouldn't give in. Fortunatly, they just ending up leaving. All in all, I'd go back for another burger. They have a good beer selection but I'm not much of a beer drinker. Just give me another one of those burgers and I'm happy.
(4)Rebecca F.
Nice, unassuming neighborhood bar. I came in one time by myself and the bartender took me under his wing seeing as how I didn't know anybody. Maybe that's standard, but I appreciate it when bartenders do that.. Get the blackened green beans.
(4)Beth R.
Good menu and good beer selections here. Plus, it's a great atmosphere with the iron molded walls and dim lighting. Last night the soundtrack was mostly classic Beatles. It's small but there are tables to sit if you're dining. I love that they have Ace Pear Cider available year round.
(4)Lillian C.
Dear Grace Tavern, Do you deliver to Queens, NY? I think about you every day. I've been searching for six months to find a burger that comes close to you, but my hunt is fruitless. I know I should let you go, but I'm just not ready. I think I miss you most of all, South Street Burger. Forever yours, Lillian
(4)Katherine A.
This stalwart institution of the Grad Hospital neighborhood never gets old. It's hard to get a table to eat on weekends (e.g. be prepared to wait a while if you walk in after 7pm), and the ambiance is by no means posh, but the excellent food and unexpectedly awesome beer selection totally make up for any wait. Had the veggie burger last night, which is moist and delicious - the antithesis of your typical cardboard slab - and the blackened green beans are out of this world. No idea what they put on those bad boys but they are seriously addictive... The staff are also all super friendly, and quickly get to know you by name after a few visits, which is always a plus!
(4)Melissa L.
I loved this bar before I went in yesterday, but now I rully rully love it. I had a friend in town from the Middle East where she's working and I had her for only one afternoon and she requested draft beer she can't have there, and to check out a very a Philly neighborhoody bar, so we went to Grace for a late afternoon beer. We had such a great time. The bartender and a couple of the other guys who work there were doing early set up and I know it's easy to give great service when there aren't a lot of people at the bar, but they were just so nice. My bartender played lots of Beatles from his ipod, which is pretty much the way to my heart. He even played Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite twice for me when I said it was my favorite. We got a couple of Manayunk Summer Paradise...es, which is an awesome, crisp beer. (and now I want to go to the brewery/restaurant) We chatted and chewed the fat with the bartender, and he told us hilarious stories of bringing the hand of justice down on crabby/jerky/stupid patrons, and I appreciated it because I like my neighborhood bar to have biting bulldog bartenders for when the Erin Express crowd gets lost and winds up there drunk, wearing shamrock stickers on their cheeks, and ruining the cozy vibe. I want to say my bartender's name was Mike. (Sorry if you're reading this and I messed it up!) I got their names in a rush as we left. So nice, but he didn't crowd us too much either. He has long hair and a beard & tattoo around his neck .. His pal who had on a rasta hat was really nice, too. It felt like I was having a beer at someone's house. Best neighborhood bar in Fitler Square. Like I said, I've been a lot before, and it's always a good place to walk a few blocks for a beer in the hood. Also they take credit cards, and I love Doobie's but they're kind of like Grace's grumpy uncle that smells a little like old clothes and mothballs, so I think I'm going to be a one-bar-woman while near home.
(5)Jen K.
This place is happening! They were not-overcrowded with lots of young adults (late 20s-30s) that all seemed bubbly and fun. Not trendy. Not hipstery. This is where the rest of us are going. Very nice atmosphere. The have an oyster po boy that is better than any po boy I've had in New Orleans. And the fries rocked. Great beer selection, nice staff, 2 thumbs up. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Mike R.
came here on a thursday afternoon bar crawl and accually came across it by accident....i was impressed! its a old, old bar with neat decor...upscale divey but clean....didn't eat here but the beer was cold and a good selection....the female bartender wasn't the friendlyest but maybe she was having a bad day....kinda got ignored.....toilet was clean but the coolest smallest restroom i have ever seen in philly...i will def. give it another try and get something to eat next time!!
(4)Whitney R.
A short list of likes and dislikes about Grace Tavern: Likes: Cute bartender. Great beer selection. Close to where I live Sometimes good music Dislikes: Not a fan of the green beans. Bar is too high for me to sit at. Other than that. It's ok. Just okay.
(3)Barrett L.
This isn't just my neighborhood bar, but this is Philly's neighborhood bar. It's the kind of bar that you go to when you want to go out but don't want to try anything new or different. It's the place you go where all you want is a good burger, a good beer, and not much else. In other words: your perfect local bar. This small but charming local watering hole also has an open secret: they serve some of Philadelphia's best and most well-liked hamburgers. Unlike some of the newer and more publicized burger joints in town, they don't make a big deal about the ingredients or the quality of the meat, but they cook everything right and serve it to you fresh with a side of golden delicious french fries and a tangy aioli mayo that'll keep you from grabbing the ketchup. The Grace Burger (a cheeseburger with Swiss) is very good, but if you're feeling decadent, try the Kelly Burger, perfectly cooked and complemented with smoky, flavorful bacon and sharp cheddar. The bar also has a great draft options. Local and regional breweries like Yards, Troegs, Stoudts, Ithaca, and state hero Yuengling dominate the taps, with virtually everything else available by the bottle. If you're planning a big group bar crawl or a crazy night out, skip this and head to Ten Stone down the street, but for an unpretentious night out with friends, Grace Tavern is your friendly local pub where you might just see your neighbor watching the Flyers game alongside you.
(4)Gwen T.
I really really like Grace. I go mostly because I live in the area and it's convenient for me, but I might make the trek even if I were a bit farther away. What I like most is that it's never crowded or super loud. There might be no seats at the bar but there are almost always tables available. It's pretty dark in there, which I actually like because the whole ambience has a really nice old tavern/pub feel. Staff is very laid back. If you've never thought to order green beans at a bar before, do it at Grace. They are sooooo good. I love their fries too but beware if you have peanut allergies because I'm pretty sure they're made with peanut oil. Lots of options for burgers & sausages; if you're vegetarian they even have a Vegan Burger.
(4)Sean B.
Best Burgers ever!! Love this place. I have heard that later in the night it can get very ugly crowd wise and staff can get fed up with the drunks. Kennett square mushroom burger to die for with a ice cold beer
(5)Jack N.
I can't rate for the food since we didn't get to stay long enough but the place is really fun. Went for the Plaza Palooza- live music outside and plenty of different beers. This is a "I have tattoos and am 30-ish with kids" kind of bar.
(3)Mark C.
This place is clearly take it or leave it. I've had OK experiences, and I've had god-awful experiences. Though I've thoroughly enjoyed all the food I've ordered here, the service always leaves a lot to be desired. Rude, condescending staff seems to be a pretty consistent theme -- especially if you're at the bar. I'd love to go more often, especially for those green beans, but I usually end up walking past because it's hard to enjoy food when you feel like you aren't really all that welcome.
(2)Teresa L.
This place has solid, no excellent, thick juicy burgers for ~$8. And. Solid frites with the same spicy/creamy sauce that we covet from Monk's Cafe. Served till late (latestDecent beers in Graduate Hospital area. In this dive world, drink some normal-priced beers ($5-7) and watch some sports from their TV. I think they even do take-out on these amazing burgers. Amazing +1!
(4)Rebecca C.
The Girls and i enjoyed Ladies night here recently! It's a no frills type of place, which is great and the food and drinks won't "break the bank" and they are delicious! The Green Beans and French Fries with remoulade and bourbon mayo respectively were crowd pleasers for all and others enjoyed the vegan burgar, tuna steak sandwich and a regular burger! we all enjoyed our drinks and for a place that serves a lot of beer and a group that doesn't particularly love beer, they had something for everyone! Personally i was happy to see Ace Pear Cider in the bottle...most places only carry apple...so if your in the neighborhood...or not...definitely stop by...the beans will be your new best friend!
(4)Erin W.
Two words: SPICED. WALNUTS. Boyfriend and I stopped in on a Saturday afternoon, and the place was empty. I got the Bistro salad, with mixed greens, bleu cheese, house vinagrette, and by god, the most delicious spiced walnuts on the planet. Boyfriend got chicken fingers (why? why, boyfriend?) and fries, and we were both pleasantly surprised to find they serve Monk's dipping sauce! Couple that with the Monk's Sour Ale, minus the wait for a table you'll undoubtedly encounter at Monk's (I ain't hatin! I love me some Monk's!), and what do you get? A great little spot, that's what.
(4)Jeanny C.
I came here with a friend on a Thursday night for some late night burgers. He recommended this place and I wanted to try it. We had the chicken tenders for appetizer and both ordered Kennett Square Burger, replacing the cheddar with blue cheese, topping it off with sauteed mushrooms. The place definitely was a real tavern, the ones from back in the days. There was a decent amount of people, so the atmosphere was thriving. The chicken tenders was delicious. it was made fresh to orders. The BBQ sauce that comes with it tasted very smokey. I ordered my burger medium rare, for the most part of the burger it was cooked to order, but 1/4 of it was well done. It's not a gourmet place so I dont expect it to be top notch, but for what it is, I feel it was pretty good. It also came with fries and this amazing in house mayo sauce. It is a bit spicy and definitely does not taste like mayo. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Ritu K.
I love this unpretentious bar just a stone's throw away from the shambles that was once the South Street Bridge. Why is it so great? 1) Awesome beer selection!!!- I've tried a bunch of different brews with fantastic flavors. Wish I could actually remember even one but that's what happens when you're a lightweight. Just go there and try it! 2) The crowd isn't lame! There's no scene. Just people grabbing a drink with friends- exactly what a good neighborhood bar should be. I'm eager to return to try the food (and more beer!!). Warning it is small and I went on a weekday but I hear its packed on the weekends...
(4)Erin F.
Stopped in Sat for a beer to check out Grace Tavern. They have about 10 beers on tap. We tried a few and enjoyed them. I liked that they had a bunch of light/good for summer beers. A few were unique that we had never heard of. We tried the feta and spinach sausage = yum! French fries were great too. It is a dark, divey type of bar, but it has a friendly vibe. There is a long bar on the left when you walk in and a few tables in a back room that is kind of separate from the bar.
(3)Christine E.
It's a dark bar, which usually is a big turn off, but I could describe it as intimate since the dining area is small, but quiet. The chairs are comfortable and the bar is out enough of the way there isn't a lot of annoying tourist foot traffic. There is a selection of four different burgers, but they're willing to play with topping choice. In about fifteen to twenty minutes, our burgers arrived with a very distinct look and smell-- Grilled beef proved by char marks. Don't question my ladyness when I say I drooled-- like, duck behind my hand because a big splotch of spit dripped from my lips onto my leg drooled. I ordered mine medium (but the cook seems to be a little grill-happy, so I would recommend medium rare), and the perfectly charred bits melded perfectly with the bourbon sauce. The blackened green beans are nice, and the fries are pretty tasty, but really I can't imagine not eating the burger every time I go there. I paired mine with a blonde ale this time since it's summer time. They usually have some fantastic beers (like Shark Attack!) on tap. I've been here four times over the last year and never had a problem with the service or an empty glass, but I tend to eat at off-peak times to avoid crowds, because I might be a hermit. I do kind of believe the crappy service rumors though based on the absolutely horrendous service at Monk's Cafe (owned by the same people.) Only note I can personally make on the service is that this time around our male server had long hair that was not pulled back. Being one of those people who has long hair, my hair falls out constantly, and if you have hair that fits in a ponytail, it should be secured. I didn't find anything but my own hair (because my hair really does fall out that much) this time.
(5)Coco K.
I like the place but the bartendetrs are mostly jackoffs who act like they are doing you a favor by doing their job.
(4)L C.
Half of the bartenders are great, others are judgy hipsters. However, still upvoted because of the great food and casual atmosphere.
(4)Jacqueline C.
Everyone who rated Grace's less than 4 stars didn't go there for the right reasons. To avoid any confusion, here is when you should head to Grace's: - You are covered in paint or sweat from the gym and don't care what you look like (they don't either) - It is after midnight, but you still haven't eaten and the pizza joint isn't picking up the phone - You don't feel like dealing with frat-packed Tenstone - You like whiskey (they have a surprisingly good selection) - Your goal is to get blackout drunk (to say that the pours are generous is an understatement... as they come neat in a 1/2 filled rocks glass) - You are embarassed by your date and don't want to see anyone you know for fear they will find out (refer to the point above) In summary, just because a place serves food, does not mean you should eat it.
(4)Robert C.
This is one of those dive bars with surprisingly good food. It seems like a local neighborhood hangout. I think its rise in popularity makes getting around in the small place a complete cluster. It was a nice experience, but I wouldn't fight the crowds to go back there.
(3)Brendan O.
We really enjoyed our first (about time!) visit to Grace Tavern, an understated effort at "upgrading" a neighborhood pub into something that offers more in terms of food and drink than the typical "'hood bar", but maintains its local, homey feel. A dozen great beers on tap and in healthy rotation, and a short but "tight" food menu that boasts some great but inexpensive sandwiches (I tried and really liked the Boudin Blanc, a veal sausage) and some nice simple sides, most notably the Belgian Frites that are a favorite at Fergie's other establishments in town (Monk's, The Belgian, etc.) and the nearly-famous-now Blackened Green Beans, well worth the $2.50 up-charge with my sandwich. Grace Tavern is small, so be warned: We went at a low-population time (6pm on a Monday), and I can only imagine how densely packed it might be during busier hours.
(4)Laura C.
Exciting vibe and surprisingly good food. Fun local place and the prices are reasonable. Minus 1 star because the staff could've been more friendly. I also got mocked for asking about their wine.
(3)Dana V.
This cool pub is a bit out of the way, so I don't end up here often. Excellent beer selection. And the one bartender is so friendly and funny, he always makes sure we have a good time. Some of the other staff, isn't quite as easy going, and one guy is downright rude. However, their burgers and fries make up for it. I also particularly like their salads. Beware, it can get really really crowded, so I would advise you not to stop by late night on a Friday or Saturday.
(3)Michael M.
Bartender with the wraparound neck ratio is a dick. Bar's got a good vibe though. Blackened green beans are awesome.
(3)Chris W.
Great food, excellent beer selection, awful service. I was impressed with the food at Grace Tavern when I first tried it... big taste for a small place. I order their burger and several other items on the menu, everything that I tried didn't disappoint. The beer selection - (as mentioned in many reviews) is very good. The staff and service - thumbs down. I can take jokes, and never take them personally. The one bartender at Grace Tavern is one of the worst bartenders I've come across. Its not even for a gimmick to keep the atmosphere of a local bar, hes a miserable person. I would ignore his comments completely if it wasn't for his slow service. Also, be aware - if you don't laugh while hes making fun of you, he will probably skip you a few times when you're looking for another beer. Its a shame, Grace Tavern is a nice place. I would enjoy it much more if I can put down a few beers without all of the stupid comments.
(3)Aleksandra D.
Great low-key neighborhood bar with a nice beer selection and fantastic burgers. It can be a little dark and dirty, but it's overall a reliable spot.
(4)Bradley D.
Super burgers, fast service, great ambiance. Grace's is the perfect neighborhood bar. There's a good mix of every type of group there in the evenings, and I sometimes even see families there in the afternoon. Do yourself a favor and get down to Grace's ASAP and get yourself a beer, burger, and fries.
(4)Kristen L.
I had heard a lot about how great Grace Tavern was and that it was a must see spot. I decided to invite two friends to dinner with my fiance and I on a Friday night. We got there around 6:30pm and the place was crowded, completely jam packed. We saw they had a large selection of good beers, so we decided to stay and put our name on the list for a table. Because it was so crowded it took the four of us well over 30 minutes to actually order a drink. We figured once we had our drinks it couldn't possibly be too much longer until we got a table. 30 more minutes elapsed and another beer in our bellies. The two friends I had invited had to leave to make it to their other plans. After an hour of waiting on a Friday night my fiance and I decided that we might as well wait it out because if we left at that point any other place would have a wait as well. 45 more minutes went by before we finally got a table. I took a look at the menu and was genuinely surprised that I had waited 1 hour and 45 minutes for frozen fried food. I ordered the chicken fingers and fries and my fiance ordered Oyster Po-Boy Platter. It took another 25 minutes for us to get our food and it was mediocre. While we were eating, people were hovering over us trying to make room for others waiting. We felt genuinely rushed after having waited so long just to be able to eat. The food was the quality of something I could have made at home. I'd be willing to try Grace Tavern again if it were for lunch during the week. It's definitely not worth any wait over 5 minutes.
(1)Cherie C.
Another great pub from the folks who brought you Monk's and Nodding Head. Great beer selection, quality food, friendly vibe. Try the spicy green beans. People eat them like French fries here...so good. But the real fries are good, too. And the burgers. The Philly 'gastro-pub' scene is a bit richer thanks to Grace.
(4)Jennifer R.
Just about my favorite burger in Philly. And the spicy string beans? Don't even get me started. Delish!
(4)Wade W.
I dig the place. Sure it helps its 60 yards from my in-laws house but always feel the waitstaff is courteous. Food is good and the Guinness is perfect. I will always pop in here when visiting my in-laws, who by the way, think highly of GT as well.
(4)Jessica W.
I feel really guilty saying this, but honestly Grace, WHAT IS GOING ON?! You used to be one of my favorite places to grab a burger and a beer! Now you bring me my burger and fries with WAY too much seasoning, they're almost inedible! We used to be bff. What happened? I'm not giving up yet...
(4)Jonathan O.
This is my favorite bar in Philly. Don't miss it. Grace Tavern is affiliated with other Philadelphia greats like Nodding Head, Monk's, Beerbistro, etc., but this one just gets it "right." It's the perfect blend of everything you want out of a neighborhood pub and nothing you don't. Top grades on everything: the delicious bar food, excellent beer selection, vibe, and friendly, knowledgeable staff, including my favorite bartender, Reese. I used to live on the 2300 block of St. Albans and used to come here very often. My only complaint about this place is that it didn't come with me when I moved. Things to look out for: - draft beer selection (seasonal, constantly evolving, great; many people go straight for their bottled offerings, but don't knock the pints! if you need help when ordering, which happens often to me because they're always rotating their great beers to new ones I've never tried before, simply ask the bartenders and they are sure to oblige. they'll even pour you a sample tasting before you commit to the full glass) - fries (my favorite in the whole world, and I'm a fry guy! so that's saying something. similar to Monk's Cafe's fries but thicker cut. perfectly fried and just the right amount of seasoning, served with pub mayonnaise dipping sauce) - blackened green beans (green, crunchy, spicy, the perfect, healthy fry alternative to their potato-based cousins, also served with pub mayonnaise) - entrees & sandwiches: burgers, vegan burger, & cajun dishes (prepared promptly, simply great, served late--kitchen's open until 2 am everyday)
(5)Alec S.
Food: I am a sucker for toasted buns. Would go as far to say as this is the BEST BURGER IN PHILLY, especially considering the price ($7, fries included w/ the tangy mayonnaise dipping sauce). Simple, great char-broiled taste. Jambalaya and blackened green beans are good too. Drink: Beer list is right up there with any of the Philly gasto pubs. Not Belgian-y like Monks or (gross) homebrew choices like Nodding Head. Service: Hit or miss. Agree w/ others that shaved head dude epitomizes the Philly surly-service type. Long haired dude who says "cheers" after you order anything = one of the nicer servers I have encountered in Philly.
(4)M P.
Favorite burger stand-by in the G-Ho area. Kennett Square burger is my favorite, and absolutely can't miss the blackened green beans. Beer list is constantly changing, and they are an active participant in all sorts of beer events. Cheap, consistent, tasty. Makes me hungry just to write about it.
(4)michelle p.
I went here with some friends after a night out ice skating. The service was fast for midnight on a friday night. They had seating available, which the first time I tried to have a drink here they didn't have any. The staff was knowledgeable about the beer that they had on tap and was pretty attentive. We ordered the fries and they were gobbled up fast, because they were delicious.
(4)Mikey I.
I'd have to agree strongly with the review by Bixley on 12/3. Went there yesterday evening (New Year's Day) and figured that maybe the inadequate service and medium burgers coming out charred was just on account of being there on a bad day. I mean, who really wants to work on 1/1 anyways? I went there with a fairly large group considering the space, my party was seven people - all of which ordered a burger aside from one po'boy sandwich. And of those 6 burgers, 3 of them were the Kelly's Burger - and I'm pretty sure they were all requested as medium. Not sure what part a charred-tasting extra-well done patty is considered medium, but mine was most definitely not medium. The fries that accompanied it also appeared to have been diced, perhaps I just got the shaft with bottom of the bag crumbs or something. The fries were also seasoned, which was great but probably bad for some as I don't think I saw any indication that they'd be as such on the menu. The food not living up to my expectations could have been forgivable if the service had been better. Our waitress ran back and forth without so much even asking out of courtesy as my group of friends grew thirsty with empty water glasses. It's not like the place is huge or anything either. There's what, 6 or 7 tables max? Willing to give the place another shot on account of having a good beer selection and the hopeful promise that if done right, their burger could quite possibly be one of the best. But for now, 3 stars is probably too generous and forgiving.
(3)Cecily R.
Grace is wonderfully simple and delightful in it's own way! The blackened green beans and vegan burger keep me coming back for dinner. The beer selection is pretty awesome for a small pub. Great local watering hole.
(4)Robin C.
I love this place. There's one bartender who is particularly amusing and friendly and for the most part the rest of them are as well. Try the oyster po' boy and you will super happy. Their fries are amazing especially when paired with their delicious dipping sauce. Pair all that with the great selection of beer and the convenience to my apartment and it's a winner.
(5)Anna Marie C.
When I first moved to Philly, everyone told me to go to Monk's. Now, I like Monk's. But why is Grace better? The burger buns. They're soft and buttery, unlike the hard dry rolls that Monk's serves it burgers on. And the fries are longer, making it easier to dip into the deliciously spicy and creamy sauce. And nothing else beats beer and cake. Cake! and it's good cake. mmmm.... (And I have a friend who loves the fact that they serve Miller High Life. So if you're a fan of that...well, there ya go...)
(5)J P.
These aint ya momma's green beans and that aint your daddy's beer. I like Grace. Good bar food (forget the gastropub shiz), good prices, good brews, nice staff (especial dudebro #1 behind the bar) Just go. If you want to sit go at an off hour. It fills up and gets crowded. Try the green beans and the tuna burger with hot sauce. Serious.
(4)Kathryn M.
After reading about this place in Philadelphia magazine and on philadelphiaweekly.com I figure I had to check out this "amazing" bar that is two blocks from my house. I was a little disappointed upon entering as I think I was assuming it would be less dive barish. Now keep in mind I was there at 5pm on a Wednesday so the place was mostly empty and no one ever really wants to see a bar during the day - it just looses it's mystique. We had three burgers and three beers - pretty standard. The beer selection is pretty good. There are about 8 beers on tap and a fairly long list of bottled beer that had I noticed before I ordered one on tap I might have tried. Two of the beers we ordered came out pretty flat but not so bad as to send it back. The prices are extremely reasonable and the selection wonderfully varied. As I kept hearing about the burgers at this place I figured that's what I had to order (although the various sausage options looked really interesting and tasty). I got the standard Grace Burger with onions, lettuce and tomato. My companions had the South Street (blue cheese and onions) and the Kelly (bacon and sharp cheddar). The burgers were awesome, really. I wasn't expecting them to be anything special but they were really great. Mine had this great char-grilled taste and the size was perfect. More often than not I eat half a burger and call it a day. But that was just NOT going to happen here. Not only was the burger awesome and so forced me to eat the whole thing, but I ate all of the fries too. The fries aren't anything special (as reviewed elsewhere on here) but the house mayo for dipping and the grey poupon on the table. Well I'm a sucker for dips so - yay. All in all the meal was as success. I might think twice before bringing my boyfriends mother the minute she lands in town (as we did this time) but definitely a great option for a great burger in the grad-ho/fitler square area!
(3)Paul B.
I was completely blown away by Grace Tavern. Good beers. They had around 8 on tap. They even had a sour on tap so this place wasn't messing around. I would have liked a better stout option ( I know it is summer and no one wants stout in the summer but why even carry Guinness then? Although at least that was the most mainstream beer on the draft list). So the beer options were definitely high quality. The atmosphere is great too. An old school metal kinda feel but the bar tenders are super nice. They seemed honestly concerned about trying to find us a table. And then... There was the food. Incredible. The burger I got was absolutely perfect. So juicy. Soft delicious bun. Covered in tasty mushrooms. Excellent fries with a spicy dipping sauce. This place looks like a dive bar but has the food of a quality sit down restaurant. Oh god I want that burger right now. Sorry other reviewers. If you don't like this place it's definitely you and not grace tavern because this place is amazing.
(5)Aaron B.
The best burger in the city! The place is small so you will usually have to wait a little for a table. It is well worth the wait if you get a burger. They are perfectly cooked to your desired temperature. This is hard for many places to accomplish when pumping out so many burgers. Good beer selection and pretty good service for the most part. They get super busy so you may wait longer for your beer but it's nothing that will ruin the experience. After the burger you won't remember your beer took an extra three minutes to arrive
(4)kelly f.
I have been to Grace many times in the past and always enjoy their beer selection, addictive burgers and enjoyable service...BUT tonight was different. Yes the burgers were still delicious, but really could a person be so horrible at their job? After getting our first round of drinks and ordering the blackened green beans to start, the barmaid did not come back to the table until we were drooling to order burgers. She preceeded to ask if we wanted to wait to order until the green beans came out. Thankfully we did not, because we never got the green beans. She never came back to check on us and when I was just about to get up so I could get something to drink she scolded me for having my legs on the chair next to mine! Mind you there was no one in the room and only 3 at the bar! (I'm pretty sure my legs are much cleaner then most behinds) I have been in the service industry for many years now and never had such outrageous service. When times are tough and people are dying to work, how could someone like this slip through the cracks?! Oh grace, I will make sure to visit when i know Reese or Ian are behind the bar.
(1)lana p.
If you wanna come here on a weekend evening to eat good luck getting a seat. Food is fairly inexpensive, cool music, rock a billy vibe. Vegan burger-delicious and they even offer a nicoise salad-one of my personal favorite dishes anywhere. Also like the blackened green beans, but what the hell is that black stuff??? My friends and I decided it's burnt grease and probably not the vegetarian type.
(4)Andrew D.
We stopped in Grace Tavern for a quick bite and drink on a weeknight. We'd heard a lot of good things and they are all true. We also have called ahead and gotten takeout. The beer selection is pretty good, in a "there is something here for everyone" sort of way - but it is definitely catering to the beer aficionado. Prices were very reasonable. The food really stands out. Burgers were excellent, well cooked and very well seasoned and fit in well with the Cajun theme that seems to run though the menu. The sausage sandwiches are very good. I was a little under whelmed with the tuna steak sandwich - the burgers and sausgage are king here. The green beans are good in a greasy, spicy way but some may find them too greasy to palate. The food prices are very, very reasonable - five sandwiches, two apps and a salad barely passed the $60 mark. The atmosphere is OK, sort of dive bar-ish but charming. The staff was very friendly and that helps to dispel the old-man bar vibe. My only complaint was the service was a bit slow, even with just a few people at the bar (we were the only table in the dinning area). Overall - great place to grab a beer and some cheap but delicious eats.
(4)Jesse M.
I really like the vibe of this place. I recently spent the past Sunday watching football here for over seven hours. I had a blast speaking with the bartenders and other patrons. Good selection of beers, the food is decent and reasonably priced. Someone needs to tell me what the dipping sauce is that comes with the fries because I can't get enough of it. If I could fill my bathtub with this sauce and throw a bunch of different food items in there I would be in heaven.
(4)Felix H.
What you're going to read below was written by somebody who was hungry. I'm not hungry anymore, but it wasn't because Grace Tavern did me a favor. Go somewhere else in center city and not Grace Tavern. Want to know why? Parking problems and troglodyte bartenders. If your 36 year old friend, who only wants a tasty burger and NOT drink, forgets his identification, it's okay to have a burger, mozzarella sticks, fries, and anything you please in center city. On an idle Monday, there isn't a loser behind the bar who can't see an area for exception. You don't have to look for parking for an hour and only find it at 15th and Catherine street because all the neighborhood people installed unnecessary garages on their recently constructed lofts. The bar won't be full of trendy dressed hipsters who don't realize their bartender doesn't even want their money; he wants to enforce bureaucracy to save his own hide. And he wouldn't tell you, after you walked from 15th and Catherine street to 23rd and south, that you had to leave on account of a rule. He would be perceptive enough to realize you were all grown adults and not treat you like children. If you were smart and went somewhere else, like center city, instead of a crappy, hipster friendly douche bar called Grace Tavern, you'd actually have less quality food. However, the people there would be nice, the atmosphere would be less crowded, and the tool behind the bar wouldn't be there. Instead, he would be a pleasant, unassuming woman who did not contribute to your growing hunger and serve you food.
(1)Christina P.
Interesting, weirdly cheap menu ("fresh" fried oyster po boy for $11?) that is served until 2am all the time. They have a decent beer selection both on draft and in bottles. The bartender/server was pretty surly but I guess that's part of the charm? It's very small in here, I'm not sure if it ever gets that crowded but if it does I would imagine it gets uncomfortable.
(3)Kass H.
A good friend of mine moved near Grace. We checked it out last week. I liked the Vegan burger, and I thought they had a good beer selection. The bartender, I felt, was a little over extended. Poor guy had to work the entire room by himself, so it took a little while to get noticed. BUT, for a guy in the weeds, he was very nice and never seemed to be too overwhelmed to answer any questions about the menu or life in general. Not a bad place to hang out.
(4)Tim S.
Food: Excellent. Beyond excellent. The blackened green beans are one of a kind (at least as far as I've experienced), and the sausages and burgers are great. Service: Bizarre and wonderful. The waiters/bartenders all have distinct, quirky personalities and are just the kind of people you'd expect and want at a place like this. Beer Selection: Incredibly well curated and a staff knowledgeable and passionate enough about the selection to help know what's going on.
(5)John K.
Great burgers, fantastic beer selection, and a charming atmosphere. Only complaint is that I live too far to make the trip on a regular basis.
(4)Kristin H.
On a recent weekend trip to Philly, I managed to visit Grace Tavern twice and sample 2 different burgers...so I feel highly qualified to write this review. The first time we went in was about 8:30 on a Friday night. Grace Tavern was humming and there was a great feel to the place. I definitely had local-watering-hole-envy. I'm not sure if it's the best bar in Philly, but I can see how it made the top of somebody's list. We ordered a variety of burgers (1 with cheddar and mushrooms, 1 with bleu cheese and sauteed onions, 1 with swiss, tomato, lettuce and red onion), served on a buttery bun with garlicky mayo. All were delicious -- Definitely several notches above typical pub food. I was particularly excited to learn that the house specialty was crispy, spicy green beans. Is there another bar on the planet that can claim that as the house specialty?! What a great snack food! (I should also mention that the french fries were quite good.) They had a great selection of beers on tap and quirky bartenders/waiters who managed to handle the large Friday night crowd with relative ease. My second visit was for Sunday lunch. On a sunny fall day, Grace Tavern felt a little dark and depressing inside -- but that's my fault for going to a bar for Sunday lunch. My real complaint is that the wait for our burgers and tuna sandwich was RIDICULOUS (one hour plus) considering almost no one was in there. It obviously makes sense to visit this place at normal-bar-times when they're fully staffed.
(4)Matt R.
Grace Tavern completes the "Bermuda Triangle" of bars in the western portion of Graduate Hospital. Why liken these bars to a geographic associated with mysterious disappearances? I'll tell you why. With so many delicious "high-test" beers being served between these three establishments, you could literally fall off the Earth if you are not careful. Even the famed Larry Kusche wouldn't know how to rationalize this one. Anyway, Grace Tavern is a good local spot with a nice tap list and formidable burgers. During my last visit, they had almost exclusively porters and stouts on tap which was disappointing. I realize gastropubs (Grace is more of a plain old pub) nowadays feature ever changing tap lists, which I love, however, on occasion the selection ends up on a dead-end road in Portertown, which is fine for porter lovers, that's just not my preferred scenery. The interior of Grace is a little rough. Its dark, and a little dank. The smell of cigarette smoke must be ingrained in the wood from the good old days. The prices are reasonable, and the bartenders and wait staff are friendly. The place gets pretty crowded in the evenings, so you might have to wait for a table if you are coming for dinner, something I was unprepared for on my first visit. Overall, Grace is a good spot to have a beer (or a few) and a burger. I wouldn't say its a great spot, but I don't think its trying to be. Grace is confident in who she is, a local bar with beer and food, and there's nothing wrong with that.
(3)Coco D.
Best bar in Philly? really? REALLY? This is joke, yes? While I was digging the pressed tin ceiling, the dark wood bar, and the fabulous beer fridge, this place is a most effective lullaby, as I was so bored within 15 minutes of being here that it was off to nappy town. At first I thought maybe I'd spotted my first hot Philly scumbag bartender. Then I realized that he had washed his hair today, was wearing clean pants, seemed to care about serving customers, and didn't appear to be even slightly retarded. For shame! You sir, are a TERRIBLE dirtbag! Also, I thought this place was supposed to have a jukebox! I was totally stoked! And yet, I saw none. Something else I saw ZERO of was hipsters. Everyone here just seemed real nice and swell, drinking a beer and wearing a fleece. Zzzzzzzzzz. They probably have tasty food, and the drinks are adequately strong. However, this place didn't just miss the "cool boat", it probably didn't even have any idea where it was sailing from.
(3)Bixley T.
The Grace Tavern is acceptable, but it most definitely does not stand up to two of its sister bars, Nodding Head and Fergie's. If it were not in walking distance I likely wouldn't bother going back. The first time I visited my medium burger came out extra-well done, as did my dining companions burger, burnt and looking like a hockey puck actually. And to top that off no one came to check on us ever... there were five other people in the bar, seriously? You work for tips, I also work for tips- move, I really want to over-tip you, but that is not going to happen if you suck. Well, while nursing my hangover after thanksgiving, we decided to give it another shot. The food was remarkably better. However, I am still bewildered as to why I can't add a simple side of greens to my burger and fries, but must instead order a $6.50 salad, a price I'm sure reflects the blue cheese on it I am allergic too and will not eat anyway. If one can choose greens or fries with a sandwich why can one not add greens to their sandwich and fries for an upcharge? Also, reflecting the sentiments of another reviewer- I have to agree the draft list is not half bad, but frankly I expect more from an establishment linked to some of the most successful beer-oriented pubs in the city. The bottle prices are definitely a win though!
(3)Cyrus B.
I went to Grace Tavern on a Saturday night this past summer, and ordered a burger (well-done), fries, and of course, some beer. It was all excellent. The place has nice decor and a low-key atmosphere, although I was disappointed that it hadn't attracted a larger crowd. I've been back since, and plan on visiting again soon.
(4)Hayley W.
Really love the burgers and fries here! Also had the blackened green beans (delicious!) and my friend had the oyster po'boy, which he loved as well. The ambiance is fantastic, too. Definitely recommend!
(5)Diana G.
This is a pretty congenial place, but I'm still not sure why it was awarded "Best Bar" by a couple different publications. There's a definitely after-work professional crowd, along with locals and some folks who seem to travel from other parts of the city. I love the apple-walnut salad with ORGANIC chicken, but the nicoise salad was not impressive. Grace Tavern is more of a bar with food, rather than a food place. It's dark wood-paneled, which lends a colonial feel, with a long bar as you walk in. The staff are very personable, if not always able to spend lots of time with each table. It's definitely a gauntlet, though, as one walks in, with easily 90% of the crowd young men. It gets loud, crowded, and kind of scene-y on weekend evenings. Seated at the tables in the back are couples of all ages, though, and friends out for a quick bite. Interesting beer variety, reasonably priced. I go for the convenience, if not the food, necessarily.
(3)Zina R.
Best bar in Philadelphia? That's a stretch. It's dark and there are always a few hipsters brooding at the bar. Also, ever since the PW article, it has consistently been packed with loud, obnoxious kids who look and act like they're fresh out of high school. But the food and Rees make up for it all. The burgers are flavorful and moist sandwiched b/w the most amazing le bus brioche roll. My favorite is the kelly burger. The sausages are perfectly seasoned. I often daydream about the tuna burger. So so good. And don't discount the chicken fingers and fries. I could eat them for every meal. The chicken is juicy and the outside has just the right amount of crispiness. And the (horseradish?) dipping sauce for the fries is like crack. Dip your burger in it and you'll be temporarily transported to heaven. But when you get back to earth you'll realize you're still in a small dark and dingy bar and you need another high life (i'm no beer snob). I only go when Rees is working and he's a total sweetheart. The other bartenders are not quite as...friendly.
(4)emmalee c.
Came in during a Sunday afternoon. The bartender was awesome. There was only one other person in the whole place and she was another Grace worker who was also friendly and pretty cool. We all hung out and drank and ate. I had never been here and heard from friends (and yelp friends) that the burgers are bitchin. I am a phanatic so I got the Kelly (?) burger and the cajun beans. Slammin, the food was awesome. They had my favorite beer on tap, It was my lucky day. The cook came out and hung out with us after he was done, again, another awesome friendly guy. I came back again another night and it was packed. Service was still awesome. They put the Simpsons on and my boyfriend jizzed his pants. I love Grace.
(4)heather j.
good cheap food, but don't look to be impressed. the cajun green beans are a must to try. great beer selection, but a dollar more in price than the god dog. small bar, Reese (bartender) is the best!
(3)matt h.
Only been here once but it was a fun place. Interior is small but there is a back section with tables. They have a great selection of beer including some fantastic imports on draft. I was there on a Saturday afternoon with some friends and the bartender was very kind and didn't mind our nighttime behavior. If you go def. check out their burgers - I recommend the Kennett Square Burger.
(4)Anna M.
I guess being voted the best bar in philadelphia sent my expectations soaring to unreasonable proportions. Realistically, there wasn't anything grossly objectionable about Grace, but I left feeling disappointed. Echoing what's been said by a few folks before, the service on my visit was surly and offputting. My buddy with me leaned over soon after our first interaction with the bartender and asked in a hushed voice, "Why does she hate me?" Good question. Couldn't tell him. It was the kind of service that made me want to crawl over the bar and pour the brews on my own. The plus side to Grace Tavern, and it is a major plus: Walking in during the afternoon hours makes you feel like a film noir star. The sunlight peeks in and casts gorgeous shadows over the deep dark room, and you feel as though you could be a lonely, forgotten housewife embarking on an ill-advised affair with the private eye you hired to investigate your adulterous hubby. That kind of cinematic atmosphere is rare and precious, so soak it up kids. Hell, maybe the pissy service adds to the dramatic effect.
(3)Rebecca M.
Let me start by saying that we live in the neighborhood and that this was our favorite go-to bar for years. We would come here with friends from out-of-town, after a really late night at work for dinner, and sometimes on a random afternoon for a cold drink on a hot and sweaty day when we were too gross to go anywhere else. We had made this place part of our lives. My father-in-law had been here back in the 80's and was thrilled to see new ownership. My best friend (raised by a bar-owning family) had given it approval way before the Philly Weekly did. Reasons we loved it back then: blackened green beans, fries like at Monk's when you don't want to deal with the wait there, great beer selection, unpretentious, perfect amount of dive and grime. But we had a inconceivable experience about a year and a half ago and have never been back. And I think that other people should skip it as well. January 1, 2009. I know it was a holiday and bad manners can sometimes be excused by the stress that comes with it, but bear with me. My cousins and brother are in-town and we are headed to the Poconos the next day for our annual, under-40, family ski-day. We drop by Grace's for a low-key dinner and some beers. It's not that crowded and we get the big round table without much wait. My cousin, who has learning disabilities and is also a bartender, goes to order a beer he had never heard of before and has trouble pronouncing it (I know you have all had this problem with imports somewhere). He tries to order the beer and the bartender snaps at him because he can't understand what he said. My cousin becomes flustered and apologizes and says he didn't know how to pronounce it. The bartender snarls, "If your mouth wasn't full when you were trying to talk, I could hear what you were saying." My cousin wasn't eating. My cousin then proceeds to says that he is sorry, he has dyslexia, points to the menu, and asks how to pronounce it. The bartender essentially calls him a liar. At this point in time, I talk my slightly inebriated kid brother out of starting a honor fight on his cousin's behalf and we (now unhappily) finish our dinner and our round and go to leave. I've had conversations with this bartender before. He's given me samples, offered beer education, mentioned his favorite books. I figure he is having an off-night. On the way out, I approach the bartender and tell him about how we are regulars, about how my cousin does have disabilities, and that I am upset by how he treated my family. He essentially tells me to go fuck myself. Again, I have to talk my kid brother out of a brawl. And that is why I have given up blackened green beans.
(1)Colin C.
Craving fries and beer, my friend and I stumbled around the block from her apartment to Grace, which was overflowing on this Saturday night. Squeezing through the unruly, largely professional-looking crowd which seemed to be producing demonic voices like that of Linda Blair's from the Exorcist, we felt lucky to find a table for two open in the back. Amidst the chaos, the only things that kept me there were the retro tin paneling on the walls and ceiling and the incredible basket of fries. The fries were great, though I would say they are comparable to Monk's in terms of deliciousness (especially since they come with the Monk's dippin sauce) and I don't think I will ever go back to Grace for more. In the end, the 45 minute wait for a server to acknowledge my friend and me was a major put-off. The surly waiter stomped back and forth past our table without even saying hi. It was probably the worst service I've received in Philadelphia, and it just made me feel sad.
(3)Mark P.
Ok this is tough for me...went there a bunch of times when Reese was bartending and had a great time. However this past Saturday afternoon me, my gf another friend and his gf went there for a drink after we got back from a pool party . We were joking around cracking each other up just having a good time when the super skinny wanna be rocker bartender comes over and asks us if we can keep it down because people were complaining - aka his 3 friends at the bar. Last time I checked it was a bar and not a library. My gf is a bartender and I work in the nightclub industry and have never seen people laughing and having a good time told to tone it down. Def sticking to going there when Reese is behind the bar
(4)Lucy H.
I didn't think I would like this place, but it kind of grew on me - it had a nice crowd. The bar keeps are extremely friendly and my husband loved his tuna steak sandwich - he especially loved the fries. I thought the food was reasonably priced. I say it's well worth a visit and plan to hang out for a bit and some of their great beers!
(3)Margaret F.
This bar is a place I return to again and again. Get the blackened green beans.
(4)J K.
Leo, the Napoleonic bartender at Grace, is the most obnoxious person I have encountered in my entire life. IF the food here was even halfway decent, and for soggy fries and mediocre burgers, it's not, it still wouldn't be worth being verbally assaulted by an angry bartender who is clearly trying to compensate for a small penis. I love beer and burgers. There are hundreds of good places to find them in Philadelphia, several within a few blocks of Grace. If you respect yourself at all and wish to be treated like a human being, take your business elsewhere. I'm better than that. So are you.
(1)Simon L.
Back when the south street bridge is still open, this is where I will always stopped between Penn and my apartment. I moved to Philly for Penn not knowing a soul, Reese and James (the owner) are amazing. I miss this place so much. If you are able to make it here, you must, must, try the grace burger with the green beans.
(5)B G.
This is the best bar in Philly - but remember that its exactly that - a bar - in Philly. This is not a first date place, or a place to meet 20 friends, or enjoy overpriced atmosphere. This is a bar. It is comfortable, it is dark, and it is wonderful. The bartenders are true Philly gold. Depending on the night you go, you might be greeted by a tough Philly skull cracker or warm smiles and laughs from Reese. But regardless of who serves you, one thing remains the same, they don't put up with obnoxious customers, they are quick, they are smart, and they are all Philly. This type of bar rewards your frequent patronage with great new beers more frequently than you would believe, fantastic food that is reasonably consistent, and the opportunity to be surrounded by other people that appreciate these things. Food Note- The charred green beans are spectacular - be sure to order those instead of fries (although the fries are good too). I believe they make their sausage fresh, and all of it is good. The fried oyster po-boy is perfect for those heavy beers. Basically, I have eaten the whole menu and have rarely been disappointed. I can see where all of the people who discovered the bar in Philly mag and thought that they would roll in on a crowded weekend night and fall in love with Grace's would be disappointed because it is hard to see all of this in one sitting. You really need to go on an off night - say mon, tues, wed - and soak in the laid back vibe and enjoy. That way, when you show up on Fri or Sat to get that next fix, you won't notice or care about the invariable crowd, because you will be focused on the beer, the food, and the great people that make this the best bar in Philly.
(5)rebecca h.
If I could have given this establishment zero stars, I would have. If you are hungry and do not want to drink an alcoholic beverage, and you forgot your driver's license- don't bother coming here. After a bulky, rude bartender took my food order he proceeded to ask for my driver's license. I misplaced it, and after searching my purse for about 5 minutes, I was told I would have to leave. But wait, I ordered food about 5 seconds before. He wouldn't let me cancel my order. What a d-bag. So I ate on the stoop around the corner like a hobo. Needless to say, I did not tip him. I agree that it was my mistake to forget my id, but come on man, I'm 25 and have no desire to sneak a sip of my friend's beer. Grow up, son. This place blows- there are plenty of better bars in Philly. I hope the guy that turned me away (big, goatee, stupid Mohawk) cries himself to sleep every night because he realizes that he is a simpleminded man with no future and gets his kicks by putting down independent, strong women. Thank you.
(1)Jack M.
Grace Tavern makes going to a neighborhood bar fun again. All of the bland bars of Rittenhouse Square have managed to bore me in under three months of living in Philadelphia. Grace's bartenders are excellent. They actually care about their beer and ensure you enjoy the right ones. The vibe of the bar is the perfect mix of eclectic music, bar/table/counter locations to enjoy your drink, and folks from the neighborhood. I walked ten blocks in the freezing cold last night to go there, when I live three doors down from Irish Pub, which is a more schizophrenic version of a neighborhood bar (that weird back seating area?). That's commitment.
(4)Erika G.
I was stuck in Philadelphia en route from NYC to SFO for the night and my Philly friend Andi, being the wonderful lady she is, suggested Grace's for a few drinks before we head out to some house party. I live in Manhattan and the first thing I thought was--damn, this looks like it belongs in the Village! It has that NYU vibe to it, which makes complete sense since it was packed with UPenn kids.. not that NYU and UPenn students are the same. But it also has that Greenwich Village look and feel. Okay, I may not be making any sense but just trust me on this. Anyway, Andi suggested this place because the beers and the bar food are both good. There's a wide range of beers on tap (Monks Cafe is my favorite!) and an even greater selection of bottled beers. And the food! The blackened green beans--yum! It was piping hot and served with a spicy mayo dipping sauce. In addition to this, I had the chicken apple sausage sandwich, which was delicious. Best of all, everything was SO cheap. This place was packed and it's a no-brainer why--Grace's is awesome!
(4)Jessica S.
With the closing of South Street bridge, I haven't been to Grace's as much as I'd like (or as often as I use to) but every time I do make it there, I truly enjoy myself. This isn't a bar where you need to look a certain way or act a certain way. - it's an old-style neighborhood bar with a single TV (not flat panel), some colorful bartenders (Reese is great!), great beer, and AMAZING food. The bar is dark and has a variety of bar-seating, dining tables and standing room. Although the bartenders can make just about any drink under the sun, I wouldn't recommend coming here for the latest "it" drink you read about in cosmo - this just ain't that kinda place. Try the Kelly burger with fries - I might like this even better than the burgers at Good Dog! I honestly prefer going here on weeknights as it just gets too crowded on the weekend - especially since it's become so popular! Damn, now after writing this all I want is a burger and a beer at Grace Tavern!
(5)Michael K.
Ah, a nice, dark, neighborhoody place in a hood that gets dodgy quickly to the south, and expensive and ritzy to the North. This place is a great bridge between the two and not just because they carry La Fin du Monde (translates to: the end of the world) here. This is a great spot for a sausage sandwich and a few beers. Which can become 4. No, make that 6, in the course of a great night or weekend afternoon. Staff is awesome, and the other patrons are unassuming and fun in a way that reminds me of a Bukowski story. I like it there, and I wonder why I don't end up there more often.
(4)Chrissy R.
I LOVE the Grace Tavern. Good food. The only reason I mark it down as low as I have is because there are just not enough places to sit down and have a fucking burger. This place is also awesome if you wanna catch sight of the illustrious Fergie as he seems to be there more than at Fergie's and other places. Dude needs to get some more tables in though.
(4)Mel I.
Kelly burger....I love you.
(5)Simon E.
I like Grace's, it really feels like some of the old men style pubs back in the UK. People may have issues with the dark moulding but this is very much old man UK pub style and I would be depressed if it went away. The food is good as long as you want a burger and you don't mind it being a bit greasy. I've never had a major problem with the staff but there certainly hasn't been a lot of banter when I've been in there. I was in on Friday night and had three pints of Yards. It was a new style that I hadn't tried before and so didn't stop drinking it due to the fruity flavor as it looked cloudy and I thought it must be a Wheat Beer. Needless to say, the fourth pint came and was clear and tasted very different. Resulted in me and a friend having pretty crap guts on Saturday morning. Never any excuse for this, if you are going to serve draft beer and charge a fair whack for it, then you have to keep your taps clean. They lost a star just for that, win it back please.
(3)Chris W.
Grace is everything you want and expect from a neighborhood bar. They have a great selection of beers, the food is greasy but good as far as bar food goes, and the bartenders are super nice if you are, and super mean to those who deserve it. I would, however, suggest to visit this wonderful bar during off hours, or when school isn't in session. Since it's right off the South St. Bridge, it tends to get a younger, obnoxious crowd on weekend nights. I'm not even sure why kids choose Grace of all places to come to; you would think they would go to some crap Irish bar, or a place that has massive man-imals as bouncers. It's very apparent that the bartenders aren't happy about that relationship either, which only makes me love the place that much more. Still, Grace gets four stars for it's comfortable feel, great bartenders, and nice selection of beers. Side note: Find out whenever Reese or Lulu is bartending... go, and you're guaranteed to have a good time.
(4)dan V.
I went with limited expectations, but at least thought my food would be fair or better. I'll admit that the green beans were worth it. However, the burger I had ordered medium rare was served charred. No burger should ever be served that way. Is it too much to ask that a chef performs some quality control. While the atmosphere was good, the burger experience is enough for me never to return.
(1)Sierra T.
So this is my tried and true favorite bar in philadelphia. I have to say I'm in love with Reese and Leo. My hands down two favorite bartenders in this fine city. Reese, he's the sweetest guy you'll ever meet, gives great service, and says "right on." Leo, is well Leo, he's kind of a dick to others, but we get along swimmingly and I adore him. The food here is eehhh, but they serve till 2 a.m. so who cares and the beer is pretty all right. All in all a damn good bar.
(5)kathy t.
Beer=good. Burgers, sausage sandwiches=good. Fries= sometimes incredibly good and crispy and straight out of the deep fryer with a little spicy kick from the spicy dust and the remoulade dippy stuff, sometimes limp, soggy and barely warm, or overly salty and covered in so much spicy salt that I'm going into sodium overload. Why?! This inconsistency makes me sad b/c I want to love them all the time.
(3)Milk W.
Pretty run of the mill, old corner bar that is trying to be more than they are. Burgers are fine, but there are plenty of fine burgers in Philly. A selection of 10 draught beers sounds great. When you look closer, one is Yuengling, one is Guinness, a few others are not very good beers and in the end you are left with about 2 or three possibly interesting beers. The bartenders do not interact. The one CD, Ramones - a good choice, keeps playing over and over and over; how many times can you listen to :Sheena is a Punk Rocker" in one evening? And unless you are really looking for a super heavily spiced, salted Green Bean, avoid the blackened Green Beans. Overall, if I had this or some corporate type day of the week bar, this wins. But Philly has grown up, Graces has to grow up too.
(2)Nikki V.
Blackened green beans & Anchor Steam & the beer cooler is always wearing a new seasonal hat.
(4)Kim J.
Damn but their food is tasty. I've actually had dreams about the Spicy green beans- yes, they are spicy enough to warrant an upper-case "s". The tuna burger is also close to divine, but be sure to order fries or you'll feel left out since it comes with a salad. The burgers are quite tasty and you might not feel like you have any room left for beer, but you better save some- they've got pretty nice ones on tap. Last time for me, it was Stoudt's Scarlet Lady. Yum. The tin ceilings are great, but too bad the place is tiny and there's only room for a few tables. It is indeed a "lovingly restored" pub and I wish there were more places like this!
(5)Peter B.
Not a fan of the food, but I really like the atmosphere...dark, small old-style Irish taproom with the Fergie's touch. Crowd is a mix of hipsters and G-Ho young professionals. I miss it now that I live miles away.
(3)Larissa S.
We love Grace Tavern! My roommate and I go here all of the time because its near our house and everything is done right: from the friendly, genuine service to the perfectly cooked burgers. The burgers are the best we've had in Philly, and the $8-$9 price tag is just an added bonus. They also have a nice selection of beer including some choices from local breweries, and although their fries are just o.k., the sauce that comes with them its amazing. Go! You won't be disappointed.
(5)Chihee K.
Dark, old, eclectic little dive bar. The beer was good but the place just doesn't make me feel comfortable. I wouldn't take a date or a friend visiting from out of town to this little joint.
(2)Philee M.
I have a little secret to share with Yelp reviewers: I am a cheating vegetarian. So I eat a burger or other red meat about once a year when someone says there's something I HAVE to eat or I just want to go for it. So I recently cheated at Grace Tavern b/c my husband--who NEVER EVER eats hamburgers told me the burgers there were good. Huh? Since when did you eat a burger? Anyway, I ate the whole thing right up. It was charcoaly and tasty and delicious. The fries were my favorite of the Monk's, Belgian, Fergie's, Grace group, too. Yum!
(4)Lauren D.
You know, I really like Grace Tavern. For some reason I was pretty intimidated by it at first but it's a nice place. It attracts a good mix of people and is usually way less crowded than Monk's, it's sister restaurant. Although I have only really gone there at 1am so that could be why. ANYWAY, I know everyone brags about the fries at Monk's (hell, I did too) but believe me when I say that the fries at Grace trump them completely. they are thicker and the seasoning is a lot better. I haven't had a chance to try the other food but people have told me that their Po' Boys are delicious. Another good thing about Grace is that their kitchen is open until 2am, where as most bars close their kitchen early. This way you can satisfy those drunchies without having to make that Wawa run post-bar. Oddly enough, the same bartender has been there all the times that I've been there too. His name is Joey and he seems like a really good guy, as well as a great bartender. My friend came along the first two times I went there and he remembered us, which instantly made us feel welcome (apparently it's now our official local bar too, but those are Joey's words, not mine :X). Grace Tavern is a great place with a slightly dive-ish feel to it. Although I would recommend going before 1am because you won't want to leave after an hour ;]
(5)Tim C.
Bar tender is a complete hand job. Very rude. Won't be going back to try the food.
(2)mary l.
Good beers on draught, decent prices $5-6/each. I have to confess that on this night, beer wasn't a priority but food was. And it was surprisingly great quality/totally hit the spot. The kenneth burger (medium) with cheddar and mushrooms was so juicy and had great meat flavor. It was simple by prepared really well. The burger came with fries and Cajun spices all over. It was totally unexpectedly delish. On top of that, we had sauteed green beans with blackened Cajun spices and a remoulade sauce that took the beans to another level. Chicken apple sausage was pretty good too, quite ginormous, with a heap of greens. Totally divey atmosphere with bartenders who seem like they've worked there forever.
(4)J D.
First off, I don't get this Philly thing that bartender's seem to be annoyed that their reading has been interrupted by a customer??!! The bartender then proceeds to go back and read and never looks up again until I am walking out the door. There are more complaints, but that's enough actually, pretty much sums it up.
(1)Meghan H.
Oyster Po' Boy. Wow. Seriously, I crave this sandwich. And the sauce they serve with it is delicious on the sandwich as well as the fries. Add to that an effortlessly laid back atmosphere, low prices, and great beer selection, and you have an excellent neighborhood spot.
(4)Heather C.
This is definitely my favorite favorite pub to come and grab a burger/sandwich and stay for a couple of beers. The beers on tap are great, and the green beans are to die for ( phillymag.com/dining_foo… ). Bartender is friendly. Service can be slow if they're busy and you're not eating at the bar. Bathroom is scary. All to be expected!
(5)Tom A.
Grace Tavern, it took me a long time to get here, but I did. Had to wait till after the second trip, and food, to write the review. So here goes nothing. Been here two times, on weekend nights, both times walked right up to a seat at the bar. Good start. The tap menu is slim, and two of those spots are/were ciders, step backwards. The bottle list was a bit beefier though. step forward. Atmosphere was the right kind for me, chill, pressed tin ceiling, long bar and little dining room. Another step ahead. The bartenders were cool, although a bit busy. Peak Organic Pale Ale was really good. Then there is the food. Everyone on here was raving about the Blackened Green Beans, so I had to try the small ($2.00) size of them. When I got them I couldn't believe they were only 2 bucks... there was more than I or my buddy could eat, and actually I didn't feel right eating them. I just know they can't be any good for you. Greasy, flavored of all the other things that were ever cooked there ever, and just a little too much. if that makes sense. I can see why people go ape for them, but I was a bit weary. I also had a burger with bleu cheese and something, cooked almost completely rare, that scared me too, but I ate it and it was really really damn good. (the next days trips to the toilet led me to believe I should have gotten it a little more cooked). They make a note on the menu of calling fries 'frites' and guess what, they were plain old SYSCO frozen french fries (the time I was there anyway). My buddy commented that "the frites were good" and I nearly put him in the million dollar dream for using the term frites on obviously standard issue fries. Anyway, after I berated him on that we got on to a good night at drinking at a very nice bar. Last note... my favorite beer here is at $5.00, 50 cents cheaper than anywhere else I know about. POPE, you have been beat on that finally... And for anyone who wants to know, that beer is La Fin Du Monde, so if you are reading and know you can get it for 5 or less alert me so I can track it on the "LaFindex" which right now is hovering around 6 bucks a bottle. Thanks.
(4)Totally I.
Since I'm not a fan of Monks - I like Grace. The atmosphere is a bit less cave-esque. The beer on tap is fairly genaric, but not bad (genaric as in Lager, Yards, Dogfish head - as opposed to Bud, Bud light, yak, yak, yak) but the bottle selection is quite eclectic, tasty, and slightly pricey - but no more so than the Foodery, the only non-bar you'll find these guys in in Philly. Food's pub+ food... that gastro-pub type thing that's going around. The staff is a kick. Sadly, the clientele seems less and less diverse... maybe it's that monstrocity of urbanity - Naval Square that's finally being populated. Oh, and the Neighborhood is Devil's Pocket! Don't let the realtors YUPify the vernacular. I'd add... in my all things hated of Monks, the same bottles of beer are more reasonably priced at Grace - even if they share the same owner.
(4)Eugenia C.
pros: - sweet jesus, the chicken tenders are good - the bourbon sauce for the fries are to die for - reese, one of the bartenders there, is a total sweetheart - excellent beer choices cons: - i'm pretty sure the bathroom doors dont lock - actually, come to think of it, the bourbon sauce for the fries may be laced with crack. there is no other explanation for it being THAT good and that addictive.
(5)Kay B.
I was very disappointed by Grace Tavern. I seemed to have always held Grace on a pedestal, as if it were one of the best pubs in the city. I hadn't been there in years, and my husband and I went there yesterday for a pint around 4:30pm. While the beer selection was wonderful, the two beers that we bought cost $12 total. And at 4:30pm! If you go to most places at that hour, there are happy hour specials and you rarely pay more than $3 for even the tastiest of brews. Moreover, the bartender was quite gruff and barely acknowledged us when we arrived. After taking her time in getting to us, we ordered our beers. When I questioned the $8 change we received on a $20 bill, she simply said, 'yea, your Manayunk Black Eye PA was $5.50 plus tax, which comes out to $6.05; as if I was crazy to even question a $6 happy hour pint. plus, who charges tax on beer? um, Grace Tavern, this is not New York City - and you are not that cool.
(2)Omar E.
Yeah, fuck this place. The end.
(1)Kathy L.
A hidden gem. Delicious spot for burgers and beer. It's more tilted toward the dive scene than pub atmosphere, but that's all a part of the charm. The service here is excellent, even by restaurant standards. Our server was a great host - really attentive and knowledgeable - despite it being a busy friday night. My advice would be to stick to the burgers. We've tried the jambalaya and it was ok, but not great. Would have been a disappointment if it was the main event and not serving as an appetizer. The double fried fries are good. If you get the string beans instead - watch out - they're pretty spicy.
(4)Stephen H.
The server was a trip on this Thursday night..super friendly, with a hint theatrics, adds to the fun. It's amazing how much a little personality behind the bar, can make a a neighborhood bar, the kind of place you walk out of your way for. I had the jambalaya and it was done well with all the ingredients mixing, sometimes that doesn't happen. My friend liked her hot sausage, ( thats a n awkward sentence) and who would have thunk, that green beans were the perfect bar snack. Reasons why this place didn't hit the big 4or 5 star are it gets crowded even on a week night. You have to eat practical on your neighbors lap. finally, its very hot in there. first visit was in early May, and it was sweltering, did drink my beers fast, so for them its a plus. I was going to stop in two weeks ago, but as I went inside the heat hit me in the face, so I left. last night it was un seasonably cool, so i decided perfect night for a visit, and I was right. I think come Fall, i will be frequenting this nice bar more often.
(3)Tim O.
The drink prices are fair. The bartenders aren't even close to being dicks. They're friendly with a strong pour. And maybe they'll even smoke some tree with you. A bit small and no jukebox. Music controlled beyond the bar. Those are the only downsides. Nice and dark and not too hip. I'd definitely go back. I'm surprised it took me so long to come.
(4)Vince R.
Good place. Nice beer selection. Service is a bit slow but prices make up for it. Divey but in a classy way.
(4)rey b.
strolled in on a grey sunday afternoon with a friend to find out what all the fuss is about. there were 2 other patrons at the bar & a large table of people sitting in the back dining room. the bartender got our drink order, 2 sodas & 2 coffees. for some odd reason, we had to wait a bit longer than anticipated for our beverages. we placed our brunch order & chatted & chatted & chatted. we weren't sure why our salad, blackened green beans, & eggs benny were taking so long, so we asked the bartender if it'd be much longer for our food. she mentioned the large table placed an order right before us, so it would be out momentarily. the food was tasty, but we were disappointed about the 45 minute wait for our brunch. hoping the bartender would at least comp our sodas, the check arrived, everything was on the bill. i guess i'd give this place another shot based on all the lip service this place gets, but don't be surprised if you wait a long time for your meal. it's a shame because i enjoyed the comfortable atmosphere & the food was reasonably priced. maybe i just need to return in the evening for a proper dinner.
(2)Karma B.
I love everything about this place. It's small, the bartenders know their trade. The food is nothing super fancy but always well prepared and good. Great burgers here. Blackened green beans are awesome and I hate vegetables. Beer a plenty. This is a pretty cool place for Philly. The crowd is very grounded. Not for hipsters or socialites.
(5)Jason O.
Yes it's a bar with beer and stuff but OMG the jambalaya and the blackened string beans. O. M. G.
(5)To M.
Good beer selection and delicious burgers. Great "old man bar" atmosphere. Some hipsters, but all are welcome.
(4)Nicole R.
Grace has everything you need in a pub-- great, simple pub food (the Jambalaya is unspeakably delish and the blackened string beans provide a tasty alternative to french fries), a varied beer selection including many local microbrews and craft beer as well as Belgians (try Orval...) The bartenders are really great. Say hi to Reece and Lulu who play great music and are personable AND snarkastic. It is no surprise that this is one of Fergie's places. It has that smart simplicity that makes his establishments so successful.
(5)Jake P.
Great secret of the highly-ignored Gray's Ferry section of the city. Grace's has one of the better beer lists per price in the city. From $4-7, you can sample some belgium brews like the bigtimers. What's more, the extremely-friendly staff is more than happy to offer suggestions or field questions, so as not to be pretentious like so many barkeeps. The food is served late, and better than your average pub grease. The menu is very original, like the beer list. I like the dark lighting, the loud conversation, the prime '80s New-Wave/Indie music, and the friendliest staff in this section of the city. Grace's is a well-kept secret, so be careful who you tell... [says the guy posting it online]
(4)boz V.
Hadn't been to this place since they opened and I never tried the food. The wife and I got out of the 90 degree heat and sat down at a tiny table tucked into a dark corner. Stoked. We both couldn't resist the description of the South Street burger, and ordered up two. She got the blackened green beans on the side while I went with the traditional frites. The burger was real good. Bleu cheese and sauteed onions. What took it to the awesome level for me was the brioche bun. Perfect size and a nice texture. My only complaint is that the famous Monk's mayo for the fries was a bit too salty. My wife noticed there were capers in there so maybe it was that. We washed it all down with a couple drafts, Ithaca Apricot Wheat and Lagunitas Dogtown Pale Ale. Not sure if that's named after the Venice surf/ skateboard scene that started in the 70's, but I like to think that it is. They had nine taps and a decent selection of bottles. Recommended, brah.
(4)Veronica Y.
This is one of my local bars. Make sure you go on nights of the week when Reese is working the bar. The other guy is a complete asshole and will make you cry. The food is cheap, quick to come out, and surprisingly good for bar food. Decent selection of beers and drinks.
(4)Amanda F.
Totally empty at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon, we were greeted by an adorable, gigantic German Shepard-type dog, and grabbed the big round table next to the bar. The bartender didn't mind that we sat there for ages, only ordered chicken fingers (delicious) and fries (with an awesome sauce), an iced tea, and some beer. It was a pretty nice place to hang out, have a nice conversation, a drink and a snack.
(4)Jonathan B.
Rude service to regulars. I have been going to Grace Tavern for years and have spent hundreds of dollars at this place. It is generally fine -- they have a decent beer selection and pretty good food -- but tonight I was encountered by such rudeness by the staff that I will likely never go to Grace again. I was sitting at a table with 6 other people, each of whom ordered and finished food and 1-2 beers, and after 30 minutes, a couple of us had ordered another round. We were forced to get up from our table because people apparently needed to sit there, yet no one was seated for quite some time. I calmly asked the staff member why he made us get up, and he yelled, wouldn't allow me to get a word in edge wise, and failed to listen. I'm taken aback as to how unappreciative they are of their customers, and tonight they lost several regulars.
(1)Sally f.
i love this place. great food!!!! the greenbeans - wow. the servers are friendly. my boyfriends uncle brings his two little kids here all the time and they always have coloring books and crayons. it really is nice to be able to bring up kids in the city and have them experince real south philly. i read someone else said theres no typical croud here - i realize now thats true and how nice that is.
(4)John T.
Grace Tavern is, was, and always will be my favorite bar. Sadly I'm no longer in Philadelphia, but I always make a pilgrimage whenever I return to my old 'hood. The beer list is top notch, as you'd expect from a Monk's subsidiary. But the atmosphere, music and food really make it. Fantastic service - Rees and Leo rule, though newcomers who don't know what to expect sometimes can be taken aback. This is not a place to do shots and jagerbombs; it's way more low key than that (and the bartenders will let you know). Best burger. Best fries. Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Grace was the homemade cake. If I had lots of money, I'd invest in a teleport solely to be able to still go to Grace for a late night beer, some fries and a piece of chocolate stout cake.
(5)Warren A.
We popped in for a late night snack and some beers. We chatted with the bartender and ate some of their great slightly-spicy french fries. Bliss.
(4)Kingsley S.
Fun out of the way bar with really good food. The burgers are reliable as is the rest of the menu. Love the beer selection. The service is not in your face but gets it done. The decor is old world charm.
(4)Retset Y.
went on a saturday night with only one bartender tending the entire bar plus the tables. this meant it took forever to get our drink, food and check. however, the burger and fries was so good! i think it was the actual bun that made the burger and they use old bay seasoning (i think) on the fries (which i like) and it's served with a yummy aoli. beer selection is not bad. they just need to hire another bartender and/or server.
(3)astro t.
I've been to Grace Tavern on many occasions and it has been great all the time. Sometimes crowded, Grace Tavern has a pub atmosphere with great burgers, sausages and fries. Beers are tasty as well, associated with the Nodding Head Brewery, Monks'. The bartenders do what they do, sometimes talkative sometimes not. It's become a good place to hang out and relax afterwork to grab a drink. There's some seating in the rear and then the bar and wall counter in front.
(5)Rachel B.
this place has fantastic burgers and fries (with bay seasoning). don't bother telling them how you want your burger cooked, it's always the same and always good. it's dark and quiet enough to talk but not quiet enough that everyone else knows your business. grace is best on weeknights when not that crowded.
(5)matthew l.
Monk's took an old old style neighborhood taproom and converted it into a new new style neighborhood bar. Fairly small. Good food with great fries, sausages and burgers with the signature deep fried green beans hugely overrated. Excellent selection of beers and we have always gotten a server who is knowledgeable about them. Great juke box. This place puzzles me as people who go are usually split in their opinion of the food and service, though everyone loves the beer. We began going when Monk's got so difficult to get in. Despite the controversy that it sparks, we have never had anything but a great time at Grace.
(3)scott s.
these sandwiches are great. the blackened green beens are great. the beer is great. lulu and rees are great. i got nothing else to say. great great great
(4)Michael M.
Grace Tavern is old reliable. Good vegan burgers (same as the other Fergie-Tom Peters restaurants), great fries, excellent blackened green beans, and my carnivore friends swear by their real burgers. The beer selection is good, with a nice mix of local drafts (including Nodding Head Grog fairly often) and the always awesome Monk's Sour Ale. Service is occasionally good (Reese is a fantastic dude), occasionally spotty and unnecessarily stuck up. It's small, attracts a good mixed crowd--professional drunks, hipsters, runoff from the Penn Museum (pre-South-St-Bridge-closing), and neighborhood locals. The space is beautiful and rarely too packed, and is by far the best option in the neighborhood (haven't yet tried Pub & Kitchen, but Grace blows Ten Stone and Doobies away). So, relaxed, good beer, and good food. Pretty perfect for a neighborhood bar which doesn't try to be anything else, much to the chagrin of trendbots who have managed to find their way out of Old City.
(4)Una M.
Great place in G-Ho which is more and more a "destination" in the city. I obsess over the sausage sandwich. Prices are fair, food is good and it is not pretentious.
(5)