Where's all the love for this place???? Stumbled across Jon's after having dinner down the road and snagged a couple of stools at the bar. It was 9:59 on a Saturday night (the only reason I am being specific about the time, is because when flipping through the drink menu they had a promotion from 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights for $3 beers, $4 shots and $5 cocktails) Fully expecting the "beer special" to include Busch light or the like, I was pleasantly surprised when the bartender told me it was for any of the beers - wahoo! They had a nice selection of local beers on draught, so I took full advantage! Girly ordered a bunch of high-octane brand-named drinks. God, why doesn't Boston have Happy Hours!!!! We stumbled out of there a couple of hours later, only $30 or so lighter - score! Also, why are people in Philadelphia so darn friendly? Did I fall asleep and wake up somewhere in the midwest? This is the east coast! Surly and snarky should be the order of the day. Not here though, the bartender was friendly and chatty, my bar neighbours seemed like regulars, but took us in the fold. Before we knew it we were signing along with the jukebox, arm-in-arm with the locals! As for the food, can't comment, because we didn't order any, but there were a bunch of folks at the bar scomping down on an assortment of sandwiches, burgers and appetizers - and they all looked happy and content. Just one complaint - while the only bartender was running around like a blue-arsed fly, there was a manager/owner-type who from time to time would pop behind the bar. His sole mission seemed to be to chat to the girls and ignore the thirsty folks. I may be mistaken, but he may have been completely shitfaced too. Nice job if you can get it.
(4)
Alli H.
A nice draft beer list, decent service at the bar. I'd stop in again for a drink.
(3)
Alli J.
"Meh" is the operative word here. "Meh" food. "Meh" service. Nothing to write home about. I had the San Fransisco Club (vegetarian club sandwich) and my husband had ribs. He gave me his coleslaw and I couldn't eat more than a few bites. WAAAAY too vinegary. The tomatoes on my sandwich were pink, hard and entirely inedible. HIs ribs were overpriced, fatty and tough. Service was slow, but polite. Also, the place is LOUD LOUD LOUD. Definitely not a spot for a romantic dinner for two. More of a point of last resort when you're about to pass out from hunger, but not desperate enough for fast food. I'll label it a tourist trap and leave it at that.
(2)
Brandon Z.
I'm not sure about other people's experience. Maybe it's a hit or miss? But when me and a co-worker were there this summer, the Philly Cheesesteak was the bomb! The location is ideal and checked out some hot women walking by. The service was good. I can say this was a very good visit.
(4)
Jennifer D.
This food was pretty good. I enjoyed it and the service was prompt. I was pleased with the food and had plenty to eat (and leftovers). It's a neat place and it's great for people watching.
(4)
Jason F.
I was at Jon's the day after Thanksgiving with my brother and his girlfriend. After wandering around Society Hill and South Street, we were tired and hungry and wanted to eat somewhere decent. I had seen this place a bunch of times and thought it might be worth checking out, since they claimed that famed Three Stooges member Larry Fine was born where there restaurant now stands. We sat outside on the patio and waited. And waited. And waited some more. Granted waiting 20 minutes for a simple hello at a restaurant, is not something I normally do. But we were starving and didn't feel like wandering around much. Nearly some thirty minutes after we sat down, we were finally acknowledged and asked what we would like to drink. The drinks then took nearly 15 more minutes to arrive, before we even got to place an order. Our food took forever to come out from the kitchen. Our server wasn't all that personable or apologetic for the slowness. She even forgot my soup that I ordered. I can't recall everything we ordered, but my sandwich was nothing special, and not all that hot as I recall. My guess is that it sat under a heat lamp for a few minutes before arriving at the table. It took over an hour to get seated, be greeted, get a drink, and then get our food. It was much longer than I normally have waited for lackluster service and average tasting food. I wanted to ask for a manager to complain, but didn't feel like waiting another hour to find one. What a shame, they have a great corner location, an interesting history with the Larry Fine angle, but they need better servers and better food quality.
(2)
SLydia K.
I went here with my boyfriend on slower night. The restaurant has a really comfortable feel to it, I felt right at home immediately. Our server was really nice and inviting and I love her wonderful upselling attempts. The food was much better than I would have expected. He got a burger and I got pasta as well as multiple helpings of their lobster bisque soup. The lobster bisque soup was amazing, it might as well have been a drink it was so good I got refills. The food was priced well for what you got. Overall I had a very good experience here and I will be back again.
(5)
Amanda J.
Didn't have their food here, but I loved the waitress. She was extremely helpful in her recommendations. We got their sample of assorted Philly beer and it was not bad at all. The outside seating was perfect to people watch.
(3)
Joe D.
Had dinner here on a trip to Philly back in August. We arrived just before the dinner rush and the restaurant was mostly empty with the exception of the bar. Our waitress was on the spot and very friendly. She had our drinks to us and the order taken in no time at all. Our food arrived in less than 10 minutes. My friend had the BBQ Chicken Quesadilla and I had a Philly Cheese Steak. The cheese steak wasn't the best I've ever had, kinda dry, but it wasn't the worst by far. Portions were large and very filling. We needed to take a walk down the length of South Street afterwords. Over all I enjoyed it, and if I ever get the chance I'll probably go again.
(3)
B A.
It will do. I think you just need to know what this place is. It is a bar mainly with a fantastic location and view of the South Street action for people watching. If you want to eat while you are here then you must prepare yourself for painfully SLOW service and mediocre food. But we didn't stop in here thinking we were going to be stopped for dress code, have valet parking, and get the surf and turf. Hello! We came here because we wanted outdoor seating, to kick back and relax over some drinks and have a leisurely dinner. Done. You better have time on your hands to come here though because I swear that each time we asked our waitress for anything and I do mean anything it would take her about 10 minutes to comply. 10 minutes may be a little on the quick time for her. Would I go back? Probably. The drinks had alcohol in them, I was feeling nice when we left. My blackened chicken was a letdown; but that is because I expect all my sinus' to be cleared when I order blackened (guess she thought I was kidding). My husband's cheesesteak on the other hand was excellent. So, yeah, when we find ourselves in the area I would go back if I have time to spare to watch some motorcycle gangs mouth off. Plus, I want to see some people get towed next time, go PPA :0)
(3)
Tricia G.
Do you believe I used to have the hots for Larry Fine when I was a kid? hahaha and ewwww! Anyway, I really enjoyed this little place. We ate outside and I had a delish Tex Mex salad (slabs of fresh avocado, beans, corn, grilled chicken, etc) and my gorgeous date had a burger he raved about. I love food and think I have good taste and was surprised by all the negative reviews. Our waitress was very nice too and I didn't find it dirty at all? To each his own but I'd go again.
(4)
sarah e.
Great location in Philly especially if you want to see south street or penn's landing. The food is by no means mind-blowing and borders on good but it's a good place for families or large groups. Comparable to TGIFs. With so many options on south street it's hard to make a serious recommendation but you can always go without having to wait or que like some of the better options.
(3)
Jessica P.
Went there last week, never again. I mean, if dirty restaurants and overpriced food that comes out wrong is your thing and you have low expectations, then go for it. We sat out on the patio and ordered our meal a little after 4. The patio was littered with trash and come on, if you're going to open the patio, at least change all the table cloths that have not been torn and are ratty from the winter weather. We ordered a round of "Jon's Famous Cocktails" and the only thing memorable about them was how watered down they were. W didn't receive our meal till almost 5PM. We asked our waiter multiple times where our food was and kept getting "5 minutes." I did a walk around the restaurant and there were only 3 tables inside with 4 or less people and 2 of them had their meals. Outside? Only 3 other tables were foodless, one just sat. My friend ordered Kelsey's Thai Chicken salad and I ordered a Mesquite Turkey burger. In case you did not know, a mesquite burger has cheese, bacon, avacado and (gasp!) mesquite mayo! My burger came out cold and with NO MESQUITE MAYO and my friend's came out without the chicken. Really? CHICKEN salad and MESQUITE mayo missing? Believe me, I was looking for the hidden camera...
(1)
Laura D.
Nice sitting outside on the patio, food was just OK. I came here with friends on a summer Friday evening, and it wasn't very crowded so we were seated right away. We sat outside on the patio which was really nice and good for people watching along South Street. They had a pretty standard beer and drink list - my Sam Summer Ale was good - and the food menu, while extensive, wasn't anything too exciting. They had your typical American grub: burgers, wraps, salads, etc. I had a thai chicken salad which wasn't bad, but could have used a few more ingredients; I can throw together lettuce, chicken, peanuts and cucumbers at home. My friends agreed the food was all-around very "meh". Kinda like a vacation to puratory: not bad... not really that good either... but not bad. Our waitress, Simone, was friendly and attentive so A for effort for her. She even split up the bill for each of us individually upon our request which was much appreciated. I'd eat here again if my friends suggested it, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)
Mike S.
Came here to sit out on the patio. Unfortunately it looked like it was going to rain so we sat inside. More of a bar than anything. This place has a great selection of beer. The burgers taste like something you'd eat at a neighborhood barbecue, nothing special. Service was ok. The crowd pretty much seemed like all tourist types. Not surprising. I could name a lot of other places I'd rather spend 11-12 bucks for a burger. It didn't even rain, go figure. The only reason I would see for going there is the patio.
(2)
p t.
Good beer selection, but the waiters were extremely rude (try being talked down to just for staying an hour before they closed)
(2)
Lisa M.
This is a good place to meet up with friends on South Street and catch a quick bite to eat before going out and bar hopping.
(3)
Bill M.
While it does have one of my favorite Murals in all of Philadelphia, The novelty of being built on the Birthplace of one of the 3 stooges, and it has one of the best outdoor eating areas in the city - beyond that it doesn't offer much of anything. Jon's is a traditional eatery that doesn't really offer any thing that's fancy or stands out beyond the Stooges novelty. the alcohol selection could be better. the appetizers are tasty but beyond that the food really isn't that worth it. It does have good service though.
(3)
Robyn H.
The best thing about this place is its location. It's the best place on South Street to sip on a cool drink, catch a patio breeze and people watch. Don't go there and expect to eat anything edible..... lol I ordered a pizza, and those morons used AMERICAN CHEESE on it instead of mozzarella. Who does that? When I complained about my food, my friend and I were ASKED to leave! I;m not kidding! I was told that they are a "family-owned" restaurant and they have the right to deny service if they so choose, and would we please leave!!! NO PROBLEM!!! The food was gross, and the staff was unaccomodating. I will never go there again. You can tell by the lukewarm ratings from most other people about this restaurant that I'm not the only one who hates this place.
(1)
Jon L.
Meh. More of the same. There isn't anything terrible about Jon's; it's just another New American Bar & Grille. I don't really understand why any independents would want to get into this business, since places like Friday's and Chili's seem to pretty much take care of the market. At any rate, Jon's claims to be built on the actual birthplace of Larry Fein of the Three Stooges -- a theme that the owners run with a little, though not something that really makes the restaurant stand out. Burgers are a fine choice, and I know plenty of people who've enjoyed the steaks they've ordered there, though I can't see why you wouldn't just save your steak money for one of Philly's more reputable steak houses. Location-wise, you can't really argue with 3rd and South, just about four blocks from the waterfront. But for Philadelphians, South Street (like Jon's) usually loses its novelty very quickly. It's over-hyped, and if Jon's sticks around forever, it'll be that very hype that keeps them going.
(2)
Taylor A.
If you are looking to be wowed by the cuisine...this is not the place for you. However, if you are looking for a place great for people watching on South Street while you have a couple of drinks and some simple American cuisine...then this place is great! I enjoy Jon's for what it is...a neighborhood American grill...with a great view of all the South Street crazies. Sit on the roof deck for the best view!
(2)
Robin T.
I came here for a Sunday lunch. Didn't expect much, since it always seems touristy. If you want reheated frozen food, this is your place. Decor is not good, food is not good. Boo. Bathroom was clean. That's earns it A star. Poor tourists! If they come to Philly and come here, they are getting a very poor representation of what Philly has to offer in dining. Very poor, indeed! Take a picture of the mural and keep walking. There are many, many better places on South St. and around the corners on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th streets.
(1)
Terry G.
Jon's claim to fame is that it the former home of Stooge Larry Fine. That is the only good thing about this place. My wife and I went here last year and were very dissapointed. The food was terrible and the service was equally bad. To top it off I was kinda bummed that there is no Stooge memorabilia in the main part of the restaurant. Even some cheesy menu items would have made the experience a bit better. I am pretty sure that if Larry, Moe and Curly ran this place you would at least leave with a few nuyks. Save your money and admire the mural of Larry from outside.
(1)
Chrissy R.
The birthplace of one Fine Philadelphian. That's about it.
(2)
Chris D.
If your a Philly tourist and you're in search of a trap this is your haunt. The food is aweful. Service meh. The only thing that Jon's has going is it's prime people watching location in the heart of South Street. Larry Fine would be painfully disappointed to see his muraled mug adorning this gastric nightmare.
(1)
Angela U.
We went here on the Friday afternoon, and it was not extremely busy. Our waitress was attentive. Portions were good. I liked the Coconut shrimp, the chicken quesidilla was also pretty tasty for appetizers. I had the frozen Banana Split for a drink and it was really refreshing after the walk to the restaurant. My husband had the Stooge burger and enjoyed it. I had a Tuscan chicken flatbread which was huge for me. I loved the murals with Larry Fine and the Stooges. When I get back to Philly, we will be back there.
(4)
Andrew S.
Great dinner and drink specials every day, and the beer selection is vast and well selected. I've been coming here for years and it's easy to define. Great drinks, great conversation, excellent service and good food in that order. I read the bad reviews and I'm shocked, but if your looking for a romantic night out on south st, or 5 star food than your an idiot, because this is an american family restaurant and a bar combined. If your expecting better than average bar food, a fun environment or a great view of south street than you won't be disappointed. If your looking for Zagat ratings and a quiet romantic evening than go to a number of boring locations around town. I suggest the Thai chicken sticks, Philly cheesesteak special with garlic bread, or 606 burger, all are awesome.
(5)
Stephen M.
Although it is great to sit outside,have a drink and people watch, their food was terrible. The beer selection was pretty good and the service ws great. Unfortunately, the food was awful. The crab and shrimp dip had so much oregano, it tasted like a bad frozen pizza. Their " signature" cheesesteak was bland at best - a disgrace to Philadelphia. If there ever was a cheesesteak mafia, they would be swimming with the fishes. Their roast pork sandwich made me want to start the night over and go to Tony Lukes. The best part of my meal was the chips - maybe I should have went to Wawa. If you go here stick to a nice cols beer and maybe try their wings - I don't think you can mess up wings . . . Or can you?
(1)
Paul R.
Taking our kids cross country we landed in Philly. When in Philly, eat cheese steaks. YES, I know Jon's Bar & Grill is NOT the place to get a cheese steak in Philly, South Street, yada, yada. But not everyone in our group of six wanted cheese steaks AND we wanted to sit outside during dinner. We stopped at Jon's Bar, got a table outside, and started to people watch. Great spot to people watch. Waitress seemed good, took our order, brought drinks, etc. Jon's was not that busy, but food took almost an hour. When it came; half of our order was cold... Which, in my experience is a waitress issue. Told the waitress and she was very unsympathetic. Took the food, never said a peep. When she came back with the food she never said anything. We were shocked! She just put the food down and turned-heel. She never came back to refill drinks, etc. Busperson came and I asked for manager. He came was beside himself with apologies. Almost too much. His solution was to give those who had the cold food a desert. We were stuffed and declined. He insisted and brought a to-go box with three slices of cake. We never saw waitress again. Needless to say, her tip suffered.
(2)
Gabriel D.
THE WORST BAR/ RESTAURANT ON SOUTH ST, AVOID! Firstly the food was not really that good, the pasta was bland, the chicken was terrible. My girlfriend and I ordered a drink, they brought the drinks out, then carded us. I had my I.D. but my girlfriend had forgotten hers, the waitress would not let her drink it, so I said fine then take it off the bill and she wouldn't so the manager came out. He was a very stubborn person and also would not do anything about the bill. I explained to him the situation and told him I did not want the drink for myself. He refused, so I said fine. The bill came up to around 40$, I believe the drink was 8$, so I paid the exact amount of 40$ and stiffed the waitress for her tip. Some people really need to learn how to provide better service and managers need to learn to respect their customers. You will not get either at this bar.
(1)
Greg S.
Jon's is right on the corner of South St and 3rd Street, a pretty short walk through Society Hill from the Independence Park and Olde Town area. This is a nice place to grab a little respite from all the walking one will do when visiting Philly. If you are tired and hungry, take a seat on the deck and have a few beers. We came with an infant and the staff was very accommodating and welcoming. The Jon's Signature Cheesesteak was souped up with addition of garlic bread and jalepenos. The sandwich was really good. Well seasoned, good onions, fresh bread, piping hot, and just a little spicy from the jalepeno. If you take a walk down South St. you will probably find many more cheesesteak place considered superior in the court of public opinion (look for lines down the street) but for this NYer the sandwich was just fine. I added fries to the order (+$2) but those weren't so good. They tasted like they weren't fried fresh and rather double fried when being heated up. Jon's has a decent selection of beers. The waitress recommended a pomegranate flavored beer which was just okay and didn't really go with the food. She also recommended me a pilsener that was awesome. Overall, the service was in general quick, friendly, and without any hassles. The food was basically well done, and as a place to rest and recharge in this area of town its great.
(3)
Kelly S.
This place is okay. I hung out here once in the dead of winter with crazy guys who wanted to sit outside, so I appreciated the outdoor heaters that they have. The drinks were okay. We didn't order dinner, just appetizers, and they were good. Nothing fantastic, but they were good enough. The servers were friendly and attentive. It's nothing unique, but this is an okay place to hang out once in a while.
(3)
garbanzo b.
Came here for an afternoon lunch since we had a kid in tow, and needed a place to sit. Service started off slow...but then it got better. Had the veggie wrap/fries...standard fare, nothing to write home about.
(3)
Shay K.
The location and atmosphere of Jon's is fairly nice. People watching and enjoying the great outdoors is a definite plus if you sit outside on the deck or porch. But, I ordered a "chopped salad" and found it to be worse than the food served at my college's dining hall. The dressing was corn syrup and flavoring, chicken tasted freezer-burnt, I could only tell the avocado was avocado based on color and shape, and the lettuce was mushy.
(1)
Mel H.
Great burgers. good prices. I was told i had to go for their burgers and we did. Awesome services. Very yummy would totally go again.
(4)
jenny m.
I was in town visiting with my family for the weekend and we stopped in here early evening on a Friday. We had been walking around all day sight seeing and were exhuasted and just wanted to sit outside somewhere and get a drink and a bite to eat. The outdoor patio is huge so we had no problems getting seated right away. I think the best thing about this place is the location. It's right on South Street and the patio is amazing for people watching! The food was ok - kind of your standard bar fare, nothing really all that special. Next time I'm in town I'd definitely stop in, but probably just for drinks and to enjoy the spectacle that is South St.
(3)
Caitlin C.
Meh is right. I used to live right down the block from this place and would rather walk 5 miles in the snow than eat here. Penne vodka to you might mean some srumptious marina-cream sauce. To Jon's it means melted nacho cheese with marinara sauce. No joke. Ok I'm sure you're asking me why I ordered penne vodka at Jon's. But I was sick of everything else. The wraps are dry. The salads are tasteless. The burgers are just alright. The only things this place has going for it is their amazing outdoor space in an awesome location and their fries. Also the dumb, non-Yelp reading tourists.
(1)
Denise W.
Been here first thing on a Sunday morning and a couple evenings, after a walk up and down the street but can't say that any of the times wowed me - or made me even say "Hey, let's go to Jon's." It's generally more like "Ah, God, my feet are killing me. Let's grab a drink." A bit kitschy and worn looking, but defintely only a place for those Three Stooge/Larry Fine fans or if you're looking for a place to get off your feet and people watch awhile. Again, nothing bad but well, nothing really great either.
(2)
Cy C.
Stopped in here for dinner with two of my sons tonight after a long day of seeing the sights. We were drawn by the nice outdoor seating areas on this beautiful day. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the setting. I had a pretty mediocre "Corned Beef Special" sandwich. My sons had the penne with vodka sauce. The kids thought it was OK, but I thought to me the sauce was reminiscent of Chef Boyardee. On the plus side, the service was good and, like I said, the setting was very nice. Go, but leave your high expectations at home.
(2)
Don R.
Sometimes you just have to walk into a place and keep your expectations and that precious ego in check. Now I understand when you're paying hard earned money in this economy, you should be expect to be razzle dazzled every time you eat out, but come on. A nice day, sitting outside with some friends, average burgers or quesadillas...a few beers...whatever. It's our Chilis or TGI's on South Street. Go in eat, drink and leave for better pastures...No sense waging war or harping like previous reviews. Did you really plan on staying there for the big night out in Philly? lol
(2)
victoria g.
pros: as many reviewers have already mentioned, the people watching on the patio is pretty much the only draw. cons: the food isn't that good, even for bar food. i ordered pesto, i don't know what i was thinking, and was served a neon green plate of toxic oil with some spaghetti floating in it. i've also had their nachos which leave much to be desired (read: soggy and bland). the service is also not so great, even when they're slow. go for the view, but stick to burgers & fries.
(2)
Lene P.
I went here one summer night a year or two ago. It wasn't too busy, we were seated outside and service was prompt. I ordered a great chicken wrap and a frozen margarita. I enjoyed my time. Not a bad stop on South Street.
(4)
Heather L M.
They served me a frozen pizza and skunked beer. 'Nuff said.
(1)
Kathleen T.
really? no....you've got to be joking me, right? how can you screw up a BLT?? i haven't the foggiest, but i know these guys can. bleh.
(2)
Monica C.
I do not remember the food sticking out in my mind.....It is BAR food.... Pretty good to fill the void......... but what stands out...WAS the Frozen Margheritas............. They were delish......I remember they had plenty of alcohol.....too...... I was feelin it.......... after about 2............. The atmosphere was welcoming and the people friendly....... there was a short wait on the seating...but the ambiance was great........... good to take a date to...... or a warm summer evening............. It is surely a good time.......
(4)
Meredith M.
Came here because nowhere else was serving food at that time. Our waitress was suppper nice but got our orders wrong at least 3 times. Cheesesteaks were ok. Not the best but not the worst.
(3)
Cara T.
Please don't waste your time and money. Although it might look fun in the summertime to sit on the outside patio and people watch, your bill will tell you otherwise. Food is your run-of-the-mill greasey bar fare and it's just lame!
(1)
Sarah G.
the food isn't bad, but the service is terrible. i've been there several times over the years, and the service has always sucked.
(2)
Ashley T.
From the outside this place looks nice. Plenty of outdoor seating and umbrellas along with tall black gates. My friend and I decided to give it a shot. We were on our way back and decided to walk down South to grab something. The staff here are nice. Saying hello as you walk in, walking you to your seat, and saying goodbye as you walk out. Attentive when your food comes out too. Comes back within 2-3 minutes to see if everything ok and if you need anything else at the moment. Drink choices are ok. Nothing too special. I ordered the half rack ribs with a baked potato and broccoli (with garlic). I'd give the ribs a solid 6 out of 10. A little bit too chewy for my liking. Whole meal came to about $25. Not sure why... i mean the place was cool for dinner once, but I dont think i'll be back b/c nothing really stood out to me.
Came here on a random trip to Philly a couple of weeks ago and dined on the roof deck. Was the service slow? Yes. We waited at least a half hour for food and kept checking out other diners' tables, relieved to see that theirs were also empty (hey, at least we were all hungry together). But when the food finally came, I wasn't disappointed. The seafood sampler was delicious! I don't even like coconut shrimp, but I had to give them props for theirs. And the crab and shrimp dip with pita bread? Scrumptious. The sweet potatoes? You could tell they were quality; naturally sweet and ripe without any added sugar. Not sure why anyone else was disappointed by the food. Were the drinks pricey? Sure, but I'm from New York so it was pretty much on par with city prices. I ordered a Brass Knuckle; please tell me I can walk up to any bartender at any bar and order this again. Our waiter was awesome; bonus points for recognizing the triforce on my hoodie and wallet, and my Deathly Hallows earrings. :) Great ambience too, overlooking the bustling nightlife of South Street. Will definitely return when I come back to Philly.
(4)
Andrew A.
Yes, we all know that Jon's was the birthplace of Larry Fine -- one of the Three Stooges. We've been to Jon's many times over the years during our visits to South Street. The patio overlooking the main drag is awesome if you love to dine outside and people watch. The food selection is quite extensive. While the place was pretty packed, we were quickly-seated on the outside patio, overlooking South Street, at a table that had plenty of room around it. Our server started things off quickly with the drinks. Arlene had a peach cobbler martini. I had a Jamakian Me Crazy, which had Captain Morgan, blue curaco, pineapple juice and sour mix. It was tasty. We moved on to the appetizer which was a seafood sampler with crab and shrimp dip, breaded shrimp, coconut shrimp and pita wedges. For dinner, we each ordered the seafood pasta with littleneck clams, shrimp in a garlic butter sauce over linguine. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. We had to ask for a "doggie bag." After a few more drinks, we were on our way. The only downside to this establishment is that you have to hike up a steep staircase onto the 2nd floor to use the rest room. While I know this is the case with many of the eating and drinking establishments along South Street, it seems like it should be a liability concern in an establishment that serves alcohol. We had a fine dinner at Jon's and recommend that you stop there on your next visit to Philadelphia.
(4)
Dave R.
I don't understand the hate. A pub with good food and strong drink on south street. The staff was friendly. I ate at the bar like an old man by myself. Very decent beer list and a fantastic "on tap" list. Was very surprised by the whiskey, rye and bourbon they had. Drinks were decently priced. Higher end bourbon was only 6-8 a glass (usually more like 10-12). Ordered the Jons Special Steak Sandwich with hot peppers and prov on garlic bread. Service was fast. The meat was tender and juicy, the sandwich was huge. This is a great spot to pregame at before a show at the TLA.
(4)
Joey M.
Not bad for a Tues night Prob one of more packed places... Has Nice outdoor seating Waiter took our drunk order and forgot water (which i asked for) until I asked again... Fish tacos: interesting... Different than what I'm used to... Marinated in a dark sauce and shredded Chicken fajitas wrap: what is indeed a wrap but what was weird is that it had cheese in it. Normally he does don't have cheese. It wasn't bad at all just not what I expected. The fajitas came with either chips french fries or sweet potato fries but the fries were $2 extra. I was however thrilled when I saw that they had rogue Chocolate Stout on tap...delicious!!!!! I also had the sangria which was decent. Overall not a bad place. Prefer over the "branded" food restaurants out there.
(3)
Eduardo R.
On the outside, this place looked like it would be a great place to stop in for a pint or two. Didn't order any food so I can't speak to the quality of their grub. But what I can speak to is the service. It was slow. Friendly, but slow. And my first pint was barely cold enough to drink. It wasn't very busy inside as most of the patrons were on the patio, so I'm not sure why the service for just drinks was so slow. I'd be willing to give it another shot next time I'm in town, but first impression wasn't very good.
(2)
Y T.
The best thing about Jon's is the atmosphere. Have a seat outside, check out the people, great for conversation and a drink. I ordered the crabcake entree, $21 for ONE crabcake and two sides. Not my type of crabcake, for $21 and one cake I should have had pure lump crab meat, not minced crab meat from the can mixed with lump crab meat. The spinach was actually good and so was the watermelon tini! Anyway, I would go back, just not for food.
(2)
Alexa S.
Jon's is great for pre-TLA show drinks and food. I typically get one of the salads as they have good dressings and are substantial but not overly filling; perfect before a concert. Last time I went to Jon's we split wings for the table, which were also good - not overly fried like some bar and grills, though I would say they were lacking sauce. Outside seating is a must, otherwise it feels like any other bar inside, but the patio and beer garden are perfect for Fall weather and enjoying a beer under the stars. Jon's typically has seasonal beers on draught which I like as well, I had the Southern Tier pumpkin ale - awesome. Definitely go if you're on South St looking for a non-cheesesteak meal with outside seating.
(4)
David J.
We had a nice waitress, but service was poor. You shouldn't have to wait forever to pay and bring the check up to the bar bc the waitress forgot about your table. Don't think I'll be back again.
(3)
Jessica A.
The problem with this place is that as prime South Street real estate, the exorbitant cost of rent is inherently passed down to its customers through its overpriced food and drinks. And I do mean overpriced. The food here is nothing special. Nothing you will eat here will make you think, "Oh my God. That was the best ________ I've ever had." You'll pay $6 for a Yuengling here and you'll hate it, but hopefully you'll be happy enough people-watching on the patio to forget about it.
(3)
Jessica T.
Quiet lonely bars aren't always bad! Ive been coming here since I was in highschool This has always been a hidden gem. Surprised it's not more popular. Small, semi-quiet for a bar. Great for an intimate date or when you want to be alone. Good variety of food for a bar. Great seasonal selection of beers. Moderately priced. And they always have a more unique selection on draft and will let you sample! Awesome bottle selection too. Like magic hat, leffe.. not pabst here! Haha. They also carry the fruity beers you can't usually get in bars. Like cherry wheat, banana bread beer, framboise... Awesome staff, they have been the same for years. they always recognize me and can guess what I want haha
(5)
Michael F.
Th3 absolute worst service I've ever had. We put in our name and we're told the wait would be 45 minutes. We stroll along South street only to come back 20 minutes later to have the hostess tell me she couldn't find our name and she must have already called us. Before I asked about my name, I overheard a gentleman enraged because the hostess told himComplete apathy from the hostess and complete ineptness in trying to seat a table are the only parts of this place I've seen and ever care to. Avoid this place at all costs.
(1)
Eric W.
Jon's Bar & Grille is becoming one of my favorite places to frequent. The atmosphere is laid back, there is closed off outside seating (upstairs & down) & the food is really good. The biggest draw for me is the always changing craft beer menu. The best part is the bartenders are very knowledgable in regards to the beer selection.
(4)
B M.
The food was alright. Sitting outside was fun though. I ordered a burger and it was alright-not spectacular... It was cheap too! Like $30 for two people cheap- but we weren't drinking. All in all- not spectacular, but a nice quick meal on south street!
Great location and loved how it looked. Only problem was a terrible waitresses that didn't speak English and didn't even know how to bring us drinks. Any place that hires waitresses like that will not get a return visit from me.
(2)
Jan L.
I like this place! i'm surprised the overall rating is so low. I usually come here whenever I'm in the area. waiters/waitresses are nice and pretty attentive. I like that you can sit outside and they have fire pits to keep you warm if it's a little chilly out. the food is pretty good as well. give it a try!
(4)
Parker S.
I didn't eat here but just stopped in for some drinks. Nice outdoor area that is perfect for people watching on south street. the beer list is shockingly good for a place that doesn't have a real reputation in the craft beer community. The service was a little subpar. I think we may have actually had a barback/bus boy as our server which wasn't a big deal given that we just wanted a drink and a place to sit outside for a while. Since its on South St. it is going to get a mixed crowd but that's part of the appeal. I don't think i'd go in the winter and sit inside but when the weather is nice and you want to check out the happenings on south st. its a good place to sit outside and grab a drink.
(3)
Truth B Told R.
This place is solid! Great salads, wings, burgers and service! Not sure why the 2.5 star review. This is not a fancy place, but it's predictable in a good way!
(4)
Melyni M.
I had a great experience at Jon's. We were there around 7pm on a Tuesday before the Veruca Salt concert @ the TLA. The drinks, food and service were wonderful. I loved sitting out on the patio. I ordered the Mesquite Burger with a Black Bean patty and Sweet Potatoe fries. It was heavenly. So was the crab dip. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Kristina C.
French fries are awesome (I being a french fry Phanatic lol) and good size serving size....oh the glorious Crispy outside, warm inside. Chips and salsa get the job done, pace out of jar basically though so wasn't impressed with that. Chips were nice and warm which make a difference. Really fast service and food was hot when it came out. The seating is plentiful inside and they have a nice outdoor patio seating area as well. Gluten free beer! Yessss they have it here, hoolllllaaar!
(4)
Yujia Z.
Food is good, but I can't see more about their service. The waitress does not walk around to see what u need and wait for too long to get check and box to go. Ribs are good and the French onions soup tastes wonderful. I like the white slim boy here.
(3)
Amanda G.
My husband and I came to Jon's because we were going to see a movie and needed to get something to eat first. It was blazing hot out, so we wanted to go somewhere with air conditioning where there wouldn't be a wait. Jon's met our needs. I have to say, I was really surprised by our meal. I got the southwest panini and he got the veggie panini. We each ate half of the other's sandwich, and both panini's were declicious. Like, surprisingly good. The southwest one came with this spicy mayo that I couldn't get enough of. The portion size was PERFECT, which has recently become important to me. We each finished everything on our plates and didn't leave feeling disgustingly stuffed. On another note, we opted for salads instead of fries or chips, mostly because there were about 15 dressing choices and several piqued my interest. I got the Asian ginger, and it was one of the best dressings I've ever had. He got the pineapple mango, which was decent, but didn't compare to mine. The one thing that really disappointed me, aside from the unsually loud atmosphere, was the drinks. I got a peach margarita and it tasted just like peach schnapps. It didn't seem fresh or natural at all. I then opted for a raspberry margarita, and it tasted like grape soda. Yuck. Totally not worth the $9.50. I won't be making a huge effort to return here, but if I find myself in the area needing a place to grab a quick bite, it's definitely a good option!
(3)
Gabby M.
I did not have any food but it has a cool beer list, both bottle and tap. The prices were reasonable. I also liked the ambiance; I got to sit outside and it was lots of fun to see all the interesting characters walking around South Street.
(3)
Kristen D.
Service sucks. Awful place. Don't ever go here. My waitress was rude also.
(1)
Casey R.
I always expect the worst from this place given the vibe and the location but have been pleasantly surprised more than once with their beer list and the salads. We came here most recently with the niece and nephew who easily found things they liked as well to eat. I was able to find a beer I had been chasing and enjoyed my seasonal salad. Definitely a good choice in the area.
(4)
Katrina H.
I've been to Jon's a few times now and each time was pretty good. The food is decent but nothing spectacular. Drinks and service have been pretty good when I was there. The outdoor seating is nice but it's always a bit chilly for me to sit outside. One thing I really love is their seafood sampler appetizer. The shrimp and crab dip is SO good. You can actually order the dip on it's own with warm pita bread but the sampler was only 2 bucks more and came with two kinds of shrimp plus the dip. It's probably my favorite thing there after the buffalo chicken wrap.
(3)
Michael T.
My friends and I came here for a happy hour which was organized on the rooftop deck. The deck overlooks scenic South street and provided a fantastic atmosphere for having drinks and appetizers. Rene, the manager, and the bartenders were great about providing quick service. I plan on returning soon to check out more of their draft selection and to try more items on the menu.
(5)
Kyle W.
Good draft selection. That's all for positives, been here several times now, and the food has been sub par every time. Cheap ingredients, sloppily prepared, and poor service from the waitstaff. Wanted to like this place, but won't be going back. Two stars is being generous.
(2)
J C.
Terrible food. gave them two tries. First time had to send back pasta, how do you screw up pasta? second time had a sandwich, also terrible. Came in just for the bar while strolling down south st. & the bartender was rude & insulted my drink choice, vodka. he called last call for kitchen so I asked to see a menu. Which he never brought. South st. has so many better options. Jons is a tourist trap, locals don't go here & tourists don't return.
(1)
Brianna S.
WOW! I had dinner with my husband here last night. Bernadette was very nice, and quick to take our orders, refill our drinks, describe certain dishes, etc. I've been in the neighborhood for years, but never thought to give Jon's a try! A VERY pleasant experience! I can't wait to bring the kids back. It has a neutral atmosphere (...a good thing!) that's perfect for couples, family, co-workers, clients, anybody. It's neighborhoody in a sense that you feel like part of the Jon's family, which I loved. Looking forward to girly drinks & people watching once summer hits!
(5)
Aaron H.
Some friends and I decided to come to Philadelphia for a day trip to grab some food, and Jon's was just a stop to let the food settle while having a couple of beers in between DiNic's and Pat's. I thought the place looked pretty nice on the inside and the bartender was pretty friendly. They had a pretty nice selection of beers on tap, which they graciously allowed us to taste shot glasses of, just to make sure it was something we would like. They have a great selection of micro brews and craft beers here. The prices were not too bad(about $6 for most drafts), but they were also running a $2 off special on drafts during the NFL playoff games. I cannot speak for the food as I did not get anything to eat, however I did look over the menu and it did seem pretty pricey. After reading most of the comments on the food, I will probably just keep this place as a quick stop for a drink while in town.
(3)
Chris C.
Terrible food and they didn't take the yelp coupon, bah. 15 dollar buckets of beer and heat lamps were the only saving grace
(2)
Kva K.
My husband and I were in from out of town visiting the area recently . We ate here on a Saturday night, normally I look at yelp reviews but I feel I can weed out the nonsense reviews and judge for myself. So anyway we had no problems here, I don't understand why everyone is bitching about service as a former server myself {as in another lifetime ago} I was a sever so I am more critical than most and we had no issues at all. Even as we walked in the door, the sign said seat yourself, but someone was right there helping us. I was cold but the patio looked inviting with the heaters set up so I kinda wished we would of sat out there. I had a tall specialty drink with absolute peach in it; was strong and fruity. My husband really put himself out there and had a couple of bottled coors light. I had the lobster soup and we were supposed to share the Santa Fe Flatbread which my husband thought was going to be the pizza version flatbread. Well it's more like a sandwich, he was disappointed for about 5 seconds until he tried it, liked it and well I never stood a chance of getting any of that. Luckily I had seen someone else's chicken wings and had ordered some of those ahead of time, which were excellent by the way. I would highly recommend this place except next time I would sit on the patio!
(4)
Krystal B.
Honestly, people don't go to Jon's for the food. They go to sit on the HUGE outdoor patio and people watch on South Street. The bar prices are a little spendy. O'neals has better deals & New Wave is tucked back hidden from tourists and less expensive. I would say the ONLY good eats at Jon's is the Mesquite Burger. Everything else is... well... mediocre at best. They have a wide selection of beers, but the bar is small and can get crowded quickly. I used to be a "regular" at this place & some times they would dock 10% off the bill for "locals" and some times they wouldn't. I found that annoying. Also, they seem friendly at first, but you quickly get lost in the crowd, unfortunately. If you want outdoor seating and a MASSIVELY LOUD environment, Jon's is the place for you. It's usually packed with tourists. I wouldn't sit in the restaurant though. I made this mistake TWICE (even after getting to know the staff) and the service was HORRIBLE! Seriously, if you want to get good food go somewhere else. If you just want to drink beer and sit on the patio and get wasted and watch people, then by all means, this is the place for you. Otherwise, save your coin and go somewhere else. Fact.
(2)
Dania D.
It is what it is, people. Jon's is not THAT bad. You can sit on the outside patio and enjoy a nice day while people watching. OR you can watch the game on one of the many TVs they have inside the restaurant. Yeah, the food is not that great but the beer selection makes up for it.
(3)
Esther F.
Went here for the first time with my husband. We're beer drinkers, and I saw they had 20 beers on tap, so I said, why the hell not. We got seated, and were handed a beer menu. Server came, and we ordered our beer, only to have the server come back and inform us that they were out of what we ordered. Ordered again. Same thing. It seems that we were given the menu from Beer Week, and most of them were already gone. After 5 beer choices were thwarted, I ended up with my usual go-to - a Yuengling. Still tasty, but not what I originally wanted. Then we ordered an appetizer - tortilla chips and salsa. The chips were hot, but they weren't anything special, and very bland. Like they just took them out of a bag and popped them in the oven for a little bit. The salsa wasn't that great either. So $5.99 wasted there. I ordered the Mesquite burger (which came highly recommended on Foursquare) and my husband ordered the 3rd St cheesesteak. My burger was almost $15!!! Was it tasty? Yes, the avocado and bacon with the mesquite mayo was delicious. Was it worth almost $15? Hell no! The menu doesn't even have a price listed for the Mesquite burger! You have to sit there and figure out that it's the basic burger and add up the toppings so then you have the price. As far as the cheesesteak goes, my husband said that it looked/tasted like someone took a bunch of White Castle sliders, chopped them up and threw them on a bun with some cheese. Certainly not good enough to warrant the $10 price tag. The only saving grace was that the server was nice, and the Mesquite burger was good albeit expensive as hell. That's why this review is 2 stars instead of 1. Bottom line - overpriced and mediocre. I can get a delicious Kobe beef burger with avocado and bacon on it at Cheesecake factory for less than I paid for my burger at Jon's.
(2)
Marissa R.
It's a typical bar place. Nothing fancy mostly fried food. The wait staff is a bit slow. The drinks are weak. What else can I say? Went there cause Curly from the 3 stooges lived there that was maybe the best part of the whole place.
(2)
Enjella L.
Not sure why everyone hates this place so. Each time, I go - although I average going once every couple of years - the food had improved. The portions are BIG - take a look at the photos I posted. The food itself is pretty good - not great, but what do you expect folks - it's just an average restaurant. Also - this place serves frozen cocktails - which is so hard to find. For that I gave it 4 stars despite the service which was very inefficient & disorganized. Plus - it has an outside patio so you can people watch or motorcycle watch in the summer time. So the 4 stars are for 1. Big portions 2. Frozen Drinks 3. Outside Patio Relax & enjoy it for what it is in the hustle & bustle of South Street.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Pete J.
Where's all the love for this place???? Stumbled across Jon's after having dinner down the road and snagged a couple of stools at the bar. It was 9:59 on a Saturday night (the only reason I am being specific about the time, is because when flipping through the drink menu they had a promotion from 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights for $3 beers, $4 shots and $5 cocktails) Fully expecting the "beer special" to include Busch light or the like, I was pleasantly surprised when the bartender told me it was for any of the beers - wahoo! They had a nice selection of local beers on draught, so I took full advantage! Girly ordered a bunch of high-octane brand-named drinks. God, why doesn't Boston have Happy Hours!!!! We stumbled out of there a couple of hours later, only $30 or so lighter - score! Also, why are people in Philadelphia so darn friendly? Did I fall asleep and wake up somewhere in the midwest? This is the east coast! Surly and snarky should be the order of the day. Not here though, the bartender was friendly and chatty, my bar neighbours seemed like regulars, but took us in the fold. Before we knew it we were signing along with the jukebox, arm-in-arm with the locals! As for the food, can't comment, because we didn't order any, but there were a bunch of folks at the bar scomping down on an assortment of sandwiches, burgers and appetizers - and they all looked happy and content. Just one complaint - while the only bartender was running around like a blue-arsed fly, there was a manager/owner-type who from time to time would pop behind the bar. His sole mission seemed to be to chat to the girls and ignore the thirsty folks. I may be mistaken, but he may have been completely shitfaced too. Nice job if you can get it.
(4)Alli H.
A nice draft beer list, decent service at the bar. I'd stop in again for a drink.
(3)Alli J.
"Meh" is the operative word here. "Meh" food. "Meh" service. Nothing to write home about. I had the San Fransisco Club (vegetarian club sandwich) and my husband had ribs. He gave me his coleslaw and I couldn't eat more than a few bites. WAAAAY too vinegary. The tomatoes on my sandwich were pink, hard and entirely inedible. HIs ribs were overpriced, fatty and tough. Service was slow, but polite. Also, the place is LOUD LOUD LOUD. Definitely not a spot for a romantic dinner for two. More of a point of last resort when you're about to pass out from hunger, but not desperate enough for fast food. I'll label it a tourist trap and leave it at that.
(2)Brandon Z.
I'm not sure about other people's experience. Maybe it's a hit or miss? But when me and a co-worker were there this summer, the Philly Cheesesteak was the bomb! The location is ideal and checked out some hot women walking by. The service was good. I can say this was a very good visit.
(4)Jennifer D.
This food was pretty good. I enjoyed it and the service was prompt. I was pleased with the food and had plenty to eat (and leftovers). It's a neat place and it's great for people watching.
(4)Jason F.
I was at Jon's the day after Thanksgiving with my brother and his girlfriend. After wandering around Society Hill and South Street, we were tired and hungry and wanted to eat somewhere decent. I had seen this place a bunch of times and thought it might be worth checking out, since they claimed that famed Three Stooges member Larry Fine was born where there restaurant now stands. We sat outside on the patio and waited. And waited. And waited some more. Granted waiting 20 minutes for a simple hello at a restaurant, is not something I normally do. But we were starving and didn't feel like wandering around much. Nearly some thirty minutes after we sat down, we were finally acknowledged and asked what we would like to drink. The drinks then took nearly 15 more minutes to arrive, before we even got to place an order. Our food took forever to come out from the kitchen. Our server wasn't all that personable or apologetic for the slowness. She even forgot my soup that I ordered. I can't recall everything we ordered, but my sandwich was nothing special, and not all that hot as I recall. My guess is that it sat under a heat lamp for a few minutes before arriving at the table. It took over an hour to get seated, be greeted, get a drink, and then get our food. It was much longer than I normally have waited for lackluster service and average tasting food. I wanted to ask for a manager to complain, but didn't feel like waiting another hour to find one. What a shame, they have a great corner location, an interesting history with the Larry Fine angle, but they need better servers and better food quality.
(2)SLydia K.
I went here with my boyfriend on slower night. The restaurant has a really comfortable feel to it, I felt right at home immediately. Our server was really nice and inviting and I love her wonderful upselling attempts. The food was much better than I would have expected. He got a burger and I got pasta as well as multiple helpings of their lobster bisque soup. The lobster bisque soup was amazing, it might as well have been a drink it was so good I got refills. The food was priced well for what you got. Overall I had a very good experience here and I will be back again.
(5)Amanda J.
Didn't have their food here, but I loved the waitress. She was extremely helpful in her recommendations. We got their sample of assorted Philly beer and it was not bad at all. The outside seating was perfect to people watch.
(3)Joe D.
Had dinner here on a trip to Philly back in August. We arrived just before the dinner rush and the restaurant was mostly empty with the exception of the bar. Our waitress was on the spot and very friendly. She had our drinks to us and the order taken in no time at all. Our food arrived in less than 10 minutes. My friend had the BBQ Chicken Quesadilla and I had a Philly Cheese Steak. The cheese steak wasn't the best I've ever had, kinda dry, but it wasn't the worst by far. Portions were large and very filling. We needed to take a walk down the length of South Street afterwords. Over all I enjoyed it, and if I ever get the chance I'll probably go again.
(3)B A.
It will do. I think you just need to know what this place is. It is a bar mainly with a fantastic location and view of the South Street action for people watching. If you want to eat while you are here then you must prepare yourself for painfully SLOW service and mediocre food. But we didn't stop in here thinking we were going to be stopped for dress code, have valet parking, and get the surf and turf. Hello! We came here because we wanted outdoor seating, to kick back and relax over some drinks and have a leisurely dinner. Done. You better have time on your hands to come here though because I swear that each time we asked our waitress for anything and I do mean anything it would take her about 10 minutes to comply. 10 minutes may be a little on the quick time for her. Would I go back? Probably. The drinks had alcohol in them, I was feeling nice when we left. My blackened chicken was a letdown; but that is because I expect all my sinus' to be cleared when I order blackened (guess she thought I was kidding). My husband's cheesesteak on the other hand was excellent. So, yeah, when we find ourselves in the area I would go back if I have time to spare to watch some motorcycle gangs mouth off. Plus, I want to see some people get towed next time, go PPA :0)
(3)Tricia G.
Do you believe I used to have the hots for Larry Fine when I was a kid? hahaha and ewwww! Anyway, I really enjoyed this little place. We ate outside and I had a delish Tex Mex salad (slabs of fresh avocado, beans, corn, grilled chicken, etc) and my gorgeous date had a burger he raved about. I love food and think I have good taste and was surprised by all the negative reviews. Our waitress was very nice too and I didn't find it dirty at all? To each his own but I'd go again.
(4)sarah e.
Great location in Philly especially if you want to see south street or penn's landing. The food is by no means mind-blowing and borders on good but it's a good place for families or large groups. Comparable to TGIFs. With so many options on south street it's hard to make a serious recommendation but you can always go without having to wait or que like some of the better options.
(3)Jessica P.
Went there last week, never again. I mean, if dirty restaurants and overpriced food that comes out wrong is your thing and you have low expectations, then go for it. We sat out on the patio and ordered our meal a little after 4. The patio was littered with trash and come on, if you're going to open the patio, at least change all the table cloths that have not been torn and are ratty from the winter weather. We ordered a round of "Jon's Famous Cocktails" and the only thing memorable about them was how watered down they were. W didn't receive our meal till almost 5PM. We asked our waiter multiple times where our food was and kept getting "5 minutes." I did a walk around the restaurant and there were only 3 tables inside with 4 or less people and 2 of them had their meals. Outside? Only 3 other tables were foodless, one just sat. My friend ordered Kelsey's Thai Chicken salad and I ordered a Mesquite Turkey burger. In case you did not know, a mesquite burger has cheese, bacon, avacado and (gasp!) mesquite mayo! My burger came out cold and with NO MESQUITE MAYO and my friend's came out without the chicken. Really? CHICKEN salad and MESQUITE mayo missing? Believe me, I was looking for the hidden camera...
(1)Laura D.
Nice sitting outside on the patio, food was just OK. I came here with friends on a summer Friday evening, and it wasn't very crowded so we were seated right away. We sat outside on the patio which was really nice and good for people watching along South Street. They had a pretty standard beer and drink list - my Sam Summer Ale was good - and the food menu, while extensive, wasn't anything too exciting. They had your typical American grub: burgers, wraps, salads, etc. I had a thai chicken salad which wasn't bad, but could have used a few more ingredients; I can throw together lettuce, chicken, peanuts and cucumbers at home. My friends agreed the food was all-around very "meh". Kinda like a vacation to puratory: not bad... not really that good either... but not bad. Our waitress, Simone, was friendly and attentive so A for effort for her. She even split up the bill for each of us individually upon our request which was much appreciated. I'd eat here again if my friends suggested it, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)Mike S.
Came here to sit out on the patio. Unfortunately it looked like it was going to rain so we sat inside. More of a bar than anything. This place has a great selection of beer. The burgers taste like something you'd eat at a neighborhood barbecue, nothing special. Service was ok. The crowd pretty much seemed like all tourist types. Not surprising. I could name a lot of other places I'd rather spend 11-12 bucks for a burger. It didn't even rain, go figure. The only reason I would see for going there is the patio.
(2)p t.
Good beer selection, but the waiters were extremely rude (try being talked down to just for staying an hour before they closed)
(2)Lisa M.
This is a good place to meet up with friends on South Street and catch a quick bite to eat before going out and bar hopping.
(3)Bill M.
While it does have one of my favorite Murals in all of Philadelphia, The novelty of being built on the Birthplace of one of the 3 stooges, and it has one of the best outdoor eating areas in the city - beyond that it doesn't offer much of anything. Jon's is a traditional eatery that doesn't really offer any thing that's fancy or stands out beyond the Stooges novelty. the alcohol selection could be better. the appetizers are tasty but beyond that the food really isn't that worth it. It does have good service though.
(3)Robyn H.
The best thing about this place is its location. It's the best place on South Street to sip on a cool drink, catch a patio breeze and people watch. Don't go there and expect to eat anything edible..... lol I ordered a pizza, and those morons used AMERICAN CHEESE on it instead of mozzarella. Who does that? When I complained about my food, my friend and I were ASKED to leave! I;m not kidding! I was told that they are a "family-owned" restaurant and they have the right to deny service if they so choose, and would we please leave!!! NO PROBLEM!!! The food was gross, and the staff was unaccomodating. I will never go there again. You can tell by the lukewarm ratings from most other people about this restaurant that I'm not the only one who hates this place.
(1)Jon L.
Meh. More of the same. There isn't anything terrible about Jon's; it's just another New American Bar & Grille. I don't really understand why any independents would want to get into this business, since places like Friday's and Chili's seem to pretty much take care of the market. At any rate, Jon's claims to be built on the actual birthplace of Larry Fein of the Three Stooges -- a theme that the owners run with a little, though not something that really makes the restaurant stand out. Burgers are a fine choice, and I know plenty of people who've enjoyed the steaks they've ordered there, though I can't see why you wouldn't just save your steak money for one of Philly's more reputable steak houses. Location-wise, you can't really argue with 3rd and South, just about four blocks from the waterfront. But for Philadelphians, South Street (like Jon's) usually loses its novelty very quickly. It's over-hyped, and if Jon's sticks around forever, it'll be that very hype that keeps them going.
(2)Taylor A.
If you are looking to be wowed by the cuisine...this is not the place for you. However, if you are looking for a place great for people watching on South Street while you have a couple of drinks and some simple American cuisine...then this place is great! I enjoy Jon's for what it is...a neighborhood American grill...with a great view of all the South Street crazies. Sit on the roof deck for the best view!
(2)Robin T.
I came here for a Sunday lunch. Didn't expect much, since it always seems touristy. If you want reheated frozen food, this is your place. Decor is not good, food is not good. Boo. Bathroom was clean. That's earns it A star. Poor tourists! If they come to Philly and come here, they are getting a very poor representation of what Philly has to offer in dining. Very poor, indeed! Take a picture of the mural and keep walking. There are many, many better places on South St. and around the corners on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th streets.
(1)Terry G.
Jon's claim to fame is that it the former home of Stooge Larry Fine. That is the only good thing about this place. My wife and I went here last year and were very dissapointed. The food was terrible and the service was equally bad. To top it off I was kinda bummed that there is no Stooge memorabilia in the main part of the restaurant. Even some cheesy menu items would have made the experience a bit better. I am pretty sure that if Larry, Moe and Curly ran this place you would at least leave with a few nuyks. Save your money and admire the mural of Larry from outside.
(1)Chrissy R.
The birthplace of one Fine Philadelphian. That's about it.
(2)Chris D.
If your a Philly tourist and you're in search of a trap this is your haunt. The food is aweful. Service meh. The only thing that Jon's has going is it's prime people watching location in the heart of South Street. Larry Fine would be painfully disappointed to see his muraled mug adorning this gastric nightmare.
(1)Angela U.
We went here on the Friday afternoon, and it was not extremely busy. Our waitress was attentive. Portions were good. I liked the Coconut shrimp, the chicken quesidilla was also pretty tasty for appetizers. I had the frozen Banana Split for a drink and it was really refreshing after the walk to the restaurant. My husband had the Stooge burger and enjoyed it. I had a Tuscan chicken flatbread which was huge for me. I loved the murals with Larry Fine and the Stooges. When I get back to Philly, we will be back there.
(4)Andrew S.
Great dinner and drink specials every day, and the beer selection is vast and well selected. I've been coming here for years and it's easy to define. Great drinks, great conversation, excellent service and good food in that order. I read the bad reviews and I'm shocked, but if your looking for a romantic night out on south st, or 5 star food than your an idiot, because this is an american family restaurant and a bar combined. If your expecting better than average bar food, a fun environment or a great view of south street than you won't be disappointed. If your looking for Zagat ratings and a quiet romantic evening than go to a number of boring locations around town. I suggest the Thai chicken sticks, Philly cheesesteak special with garlic bread, or 606 burger, all are awesome.
(5)Stephen M.
Although it is great to sit outside,have a drink and people watch, their food was terrible. The beer selection was pretty good and the service ws great. Unfortunately, the food was awful. The crab and shrimp dip had so much oregano, it tasted like a bad frozen pizza. Their " signature" cheesesteak was bland at best - a disgrace to Philadelphia. If there ever was a cheesesteak mafia, they would be swimming with the fishes. Their roast pork sandwich made me want to start the night over and go to Tony Lukes. The best part of my meal was the chips - maybe I should have went to Wawa. If you go here stick to a nice cols beer and maybe try their wings - I don't think you can mess up wings . . . Or can you?
(1)Paul R.
Taking our kids cross country we landed in Philly. When in Philly, eat cheese steaks. YES, I know Jon's Bar & Grill is NOT the place to get a cheese steak in Philly, South Street, yada, yada. But not everyone in our group of six wanted cheese steaks AND we wanted to sit outside during dinner. We stopped at Jon's Bar, got a table outside, and started to people watch. Great spot to people watch. Waitress seemed good, took our order, brought drinks, etc. Jon's was not that busy, but food took almost an hour. When it came; half of our order was cold... Which, in my experience is a waitress issue. Told the waitress and she was very unsympathetic. Took the food, never said a peep. When she came back with the food she never said anything. We were shocked! She just put the food down and turned-heel. She never came back to refill drinks, etc. Busperson came and I asked for manager. He came was beside himself with apologies. Almost too much. His solution was to give those who had the cold food a desert. We were stuffed and declined. He insisted and brought a to-go box with three slices of cake. We never saw waitress again. Needless to say, her tip suffered.
(2)Gabriel D.
THE WORST BAR/ RESTAURANT ON SOUTH ST, AVOID! Firstly the food was not really that good, the pasta was bland, the chicken was terrible. My girlfriend and I ordered a drink, they brought the drinks out, then carded us. I had my I.D. but my girlfriend had forgotten hers, the waitress would not let her drink it, so I said fine then take it off the bill and she wouldn't so the manager came out. He was a very stubborn person and also would not do anything about the bill. I explained to him the situation and told him I did not want the drink for myself. He refused, so I said fine. The bill came up to around 40$, I believe the drink was 8$, so I paid the exact amount of 40$ and stiffed the waitress for her tip. Some people really need to learn how to provide better service and managers need to learn to respect their customers. You will not get either at this bar.
(1)Greg S.
Jon's is right on the corner of South St and 3rd Street, a pretty short walk through Society Hill from the Independence Park and Olde Town area. This is a nice place to grab a little respite from all the walking one will do when visiting Philly. If you are tired and hungry, take a seat on the deck and have a few beers. We came with an infant and the staff was very accommodating and welcoming. The Jon's Signature Cheesesteak was souped up with addition of garlic bread and jalepenos. The sandwich was really good. Well seasoned, good onions, fresh bread, piping hot, and just a little spicy from the jalepeno. If you take a walk down South St. you will probably find many more cheesesteak place considered superior in the court of public opinion (look for lines down the street) but for this NYer the sandwich was just fine. I added fries to the order (+$2) but those weren't so good. They tasted like they weren't fried fresh and rather double fried when being heated up. Jon's has a decent selection of beers. The waitress recommended a pomegranate flavored beer which was just okay and didn't really go with the food. She also recommended me a pilsener that was awesome. Overall, the service was in general quick, friendly, and without any hassles. The food was basically well done, and as a place to rest and recharge in this area of town its great.
(3)Kelly S.
This place is okay. I hung out here once in the dead of winter with crazy guys who wanted to sit outside, so I appreciated the outdoor heaters that they have. The drinks were okay. We didn't order dinner, just appetizers, and they were good. Nothing fantastic, but they were good enough. The servers were friendly and attentive. It's nothing unique, but this is an okay place to hang out once in a while.
(3)garbanzo b.
Came here for an afternoon lunch since we had a kid in tow, and needed a place to sit. Service started off slow...but then it got better. Had the veggie wrap/fries...standard fare, nothing to write home about.
(3)Shay K.
The location and atmosphere of Jon's is fairly nice. People watching and enjoying the great outdoors is a definite plus if you sit outside on the deck or porch. But, I ordered a "chopped salad" and found it to be worse than the food served at my college's dining hall. The dressing was corn syrup and flavoring, chicken tasted freezer-burnt, I could only tell the avocado was avocado based on color and shape, and the lettuce was mushy.
(1)Mel H.
Great burgers. good prices. I was told i had to go for their burgers and we did. Awesome services. Very yummy would totally go again.
(4)jenny m.
I was in town visiting with my family for the weekend and we stopped in here early evening on a Friday. We had been walking around all day sight seeing and were exhuasted and just wanted to sit outside somewhere and get a drink and a bite to eat. The outdoor patio is huge so we had no problems getting seated right away. I think the best thing about this place is the location. It's right on South Street and the patio is amazing for people watching! The food was ok - kind of your standard bar fare, nothing really all that special. Next time I'm in town I'd definitely stop in, but probably just for drinks and to enjoy the spectacle that is South St.
(3)Caitlin C.
Meh is right. I used to live right down the block from this place and would rather walk 5 miles in the snow than eat here. Penne vodka to you might mean some srumptious marina-cream sauce. To Jon's it means melted nacho cheese with marinara sauce. No joke. Ok I'm sure you're asking me why I ordered penne vodka at Jon's. But I was sick of everything else. The wraps are dry. The salads are tasteless. The burgers are just alright. The only things this place has going for it is their amazing outdoor space in an awesome location and their fries. Also the dumb, non-Yelp reading tourists.
(1)Denise W.
Been here first thing on a Sunday morning and a couple evenings, after a walk up and down the street but can't say that any of the times wowed me - or made me even say "Hey, let's go to Jon's." It's generally more like "Ah, God, my feet are killing me. Let's grab a drink." A bit kitschy and worn looking, but defintely only a place for those Three Stooge/Larry Fine fans or if you're looking for a place to get off your feet and people watch awhile. Again, nothing bad but well, nothing really great either.
(2)Cy C.
Stopped in here for dinner with two of my sons tonight after a long day of seeing the sights. We were drawn by the nice outdoor seating areas on this beautiful day. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the setting. I had a pretty mediocre "Corned Beef Special" sandwich. My sons had the penne with vodka sauce. The kids thought it was OK, but I thought to me the sauce was reminiscent of Chef Boyardee. On the plus side, the service was good and, like I said, the setting was very nice. Go, but leave your high expectations at home.
(2)Don R.
Sometimes you just have to walk into a place and keep your expectations and that precious ego in check. Now I understand when you're paying hard earned money in this economy, you should be expect to be razzle dazzled every time you eat out, but come on. A nice day, sitting outside with some friends, average burgers or quesadillas...a few beers...whatever. It's our Chilis or TGI's on South Street. Go in eat, drink and leave for better pastures...No sense waging war or harping like previous reviews. Did you really plan on staying there for the big night out in Philly? lol
(2)victoria g.
pros: as many reviewers have already mentioned, the people watching on the patio is pretty much the only draw. cons: the food isn't that good, even for bar food. i ordered pesto, i don't know what i was thinking, and was served a neon green plate of toxic oil with some spaghetti floating in it. i've also had their nachos which leave much to be desired (read: soggy and bland). the service is also not so great, even when they're slow. go for the view, but stick to burgers & fries.
(2)Lene P.
I went here one summer night a year or two ago. It wasn't too busy, we were seated outside and service was prompt. I ordered a great chicken wrap and a frozen margarita. I enjoyed my time. Not a bad stop on South Street.
(4)Heather L M.
They served me a frozen pizza and skunked beer. 'Nuff said.
(1)Kathleen T.
really? no....you've got to be joking me, right? how can you screw up a BLT?? i haven't the foggiest, but i know these guys can. bleh.
(2)Monica C.
I do not remember the food sticking out in my mind.....It is BAR food.... Pretty good to fill the void......... but what stands out...WAS the Frozen Margheritas............. They were delish......I remember they had plenty of alcohol.....too...... I was feelin it.......... after about 2............. The atmosphere was welcoming and the people friendly....... there was a short wait on the seating...but the ambiance was great........... good to take a date to...... or a warm summer evening............. It is surely a good time.......
(4)Meredith M.
Came here because nowhere else was serving food at that time. Our waitress was suppper nice but got our orders wrong at least 3 times. Cheesesteaks were ok. Not the best but not the worst.
(3)Cara T.
Please don't waste your time and money. Although it might look fun in the summertime to sit on the outside patio and people watch, your bill will tell you otherwise. Food is your run-of-the-mill greasey bar fare and it's just lame!
(1)Sarah G.
the food isn't bad, but the service is terrible. i've been there several times over the years, and the service has always sucked.
(2)Ashley T.
From the outside this place looks nice. Plenty of outdoor seating and umbrellas along with tall black gates. My friend and I decided to give it a shot. We were on our way back and decided to walk down South to grab something. The staff here are nice. Saying hello as you walk in, walking you to your seat, and saying goodbye as you walk out. Attentive when your food comes out too. Comes back within 2-3 minutes to see if everything ok and if you need anything else at the moment. Drink choices are ok. Nothing too special. I ordered the half rack ribs with a baked potato and broccoli (with garlic). I'd give the ribs a solid 6 out of 10. A little bit too chewy for my liking. Whole meal came to about $25. Not sure why... i mean the place was cool for dinner once, but I dont think i'll be back b/c nothing really stood out to me.
(3)GT W.
Type. . . . . . . . . . ..Bar + Restaurant Level. . . . . . . . . . .Medium to Low Location. . . . . . . .Poor, Crazy Area of Philly Prices. . . . . . . . . .Low Tap Selection. . . .Good, 20-30 local and specialty taps Bottle Selection. .Unknown Samplers. . . . . . ..Free small splashes Full Pours. . . . . . .Yes Beer Level. . . . . ..Medium Food. . . . . . . . . . .Yes Food Level. . . . ..Low Staff. . . . . . . . . . ..Nice, Slow Growlers. . . . . . ..No Noise Level. . . . .Loud Décor. . . . . . . . . .Outdated, Wood, Cramped Good for Kids. . .No Parking. . . . . . . ..Street, Highly Enforced WiFi. . . . . . . . . . .Unknown Cash Only. . . . . .No Recommended. .No Comments: Jon's hosted an awesome Bullfrog tap takeover event for Philly Beer Week, so tap selection when I was there was probably better than normal. Crowds came and went, and the clientele was diverse to say the least. Bartender was busy, sometimes leaving us hanging for 5 minutes or so. Service was on and off. Food quality was pretty low. 3 Stooges Burger was supposed to be sauteed onions, rare, etc. Everything was done incorrectly. Sweet potato fries were limp. Eh, wouldn't be back unless specialties confirmed on the tap list.
(2)Quandra T.
Came here on a random trip to Philly a couple of weeks ago and dined on the roof deck. Was the service slow? Yes. We waited at least a half hour for food and kept checking out other diners' tables, relieved to see that theirs were also empty (hey, at least we were all hungry together). But when the food finally came, I wasn't disappointed. The seafood sampler was delicious! I don't even like coconut shrimp, but I had to give them props for theirs. And the crab and shrimp dip with pita bread? Scrumptious. The sweet potatoes? You could tell they were quality; naturally sweet and ripe without any added sugar. Not sure why anyone else was disappointed by the food. Were the drinks pricey? Sure, but I'm from New York so it was pretty much on par with city prices. I ordered a Brass Knuckle; please tell me I can walk up to any bartender at any bar and order this again. Our waiter was awesome; bonus points for recognizing the triforce on my hoodie and wallet, and my Deathly Hallows earrings. :) Great ambience too, overlooking the bustling nightlife of South Street. Will definitely return when I come back to Philly.
(4)Andrew A.
Yes, we all know that Jon's was the birthplace of Larry Fine -- one of the Three Stooges. We've been to Jon's many times over the years during our visits to South Street. The patio overlooking the main drag is awesome if you love to dine outside and people watch. The food selection is quite extensive. While the place was pretty packed, we were quickly-seated on the outside patio, overlooking South Street, at a table that had plenty of room around it. Our server started things off quickly with the drinks. Arlene had a peach cobbler martini. I had a Jamakian Me Crazy, which had Captain Morgan, blue curaco, pineapple juice and sour mix. It was tasty. We moved on to the appetizer which was a seafood sampler with crab and shrimp dip, breaded shrimp, coconut shrimp and pita wedges. For dinner, we each ordered the seafood pasta with littleneck clams, shrimp in a garlic butter sauce over linguine. The food was delicious and the portions were generous. We had to ask for a "doggie bag." After a few more drinks, we were on our way. The only downside to this establishment is that you have to hike up a steep staircase onto the 2nd floor to use the rest room. While I know this is the case with many of the eating and drinking establishments along South Street, it seems like it should be a liability concern in an establishment that serves alcohol. We had a fine dinner at Jon's and recommend that you stop there on your next visit to Philadelphia.
(4)Dave R.
I don't understand the hate. A pub with good food and strong drink on south street. The staff was friendly. I ate at the bar like an old man by myself. Very decent beer list and a fantastic "on tap" list. Was very surprised by the whiskey, rye and bourbon they had. Drinks were decently priced. Higher end bourbon was only 6-8 a glass (usually more like 10-12). Ordered the Jons Special Steak Sandwich with hot peppers and prov on garlic bread. Service was fast. The meat was tender and juicy, the sandwich was huge. This is a great spot to pregame at before a show at the TLA.
(4)Joey M.
Not bad for a Tues night Prob one of more packed places... Has Nice outdoor seating Waiter took our drunk order and forgot water (which i asked for) until I asked again... Fish tacos: interesting... Different than what I'm used to... Marinated in a dark sauce and shredded Chicken fajitas wrap: what is indeed a wrap but what was weird is that it had cheese in it. Normally he does don't have cheese. It wasn't bad at all just not what I expected. The fajitas came with either chips french fries or sweet potato fries but the fries were $2 extra. I was however thrilled when I saw that they had rogue Chocolate Stout on tap...delicious!!!!! I also had the sangria which was decent. Overall not a bad place. Prefer over the "branded" food restaurants out there.
(3)Eduardo R.
On the outside, this place looked like it would be a great place to stop in for a pint or two. Didn't order any food so I can't speak to the quality of their grub. But what I can speak to is the service. It was slow. Friendly, but slow. And my first pint was barely cold enough to drink. It wasn't very busy inside as most of the patrons were on the patio, so I'm not sure why the service for just drinks was so slow. I'd be willing to give it another shot next time I'm in town, but first impression wasn't very good.
(2)Y T.
The best thing about Jon's is the atmosphere. Have a seat outside, check out the people, great for conversation and a drink. I ordered the crabcake entree, $21 for ONE crabcake and two sides. Not my type of crabcake, for $21 and one cake I should have had pure lump crab meat, not minced crab meat from the can mixed with lump crab meat. The spinach was actually good and so was the watermelon tini! Anyway, I would go back, just not for food.
(2)Alexa S.
Jon's is great for pre-TLA show drinks and food. I typically get one of the salads as they have good dressings and are substantial but not overly filling; perfect before a concert. Last time I went to Jon's we split wings for the table, which were also good - not overly fried like some bar and grills, though I would say they were lacking sauce. Outside seating is a must, otherwise it feels like any other bar inside, but the patio and beer garden are perfect for Fall weather and enjoying a beer under the stars. Jon's typically has seasonal beers on draught which I like as well, I had the Southern Tier pumpkin ale - awesome. Definitely go if you're on South St looking for a non-cheesesteak meal with outside seating.
(4)David J.
We had a nice waitress, but service was poor. You shouldn't have to wait forever to pay and bring the check up to the bar bc the waitress forgot about your table. Don't think I'll be back again.
(3)Jessica A.
The problem with this place is that as prime South Street real estate, the exorbitant cost of rent is inherently passed down to its customers through its overpriced food and drinks. And I do mean overpriced. The food here is nothing special. Nothing you will eat here will make you think, "Oh my God. That was the best ________ I've ever had." You'll pay $6 for a Yuengling here and you'll hate it, but hopefully you'll be happy enough people-watching on the patio to forget about it.
(3)Jessica T.
Quiet lonely bars aren't always bad! Ive been coming here since I was in highschool This has always been a hidden gem. Surprised it's not more popular. Small, semi-quiet for a bar. Great for an intimate date or when you want to be alone. Good variety of food for a bar. Great seasonal selection of beers. Moderately priced. And they always have a more unique selection on draft and will let you sample! Awesome bottle selection too. Like magic hat, leffe.. not pabst here! Haha. They also carry the fruity beers you can't usually get in bars. Like cherry wheat, banana bread beer, framboise... Awesome staff, they have been the same for years. they always recognize me and can guess what I want haha
(5)Michael F.
Th3 absolute worst service I've ever had. We put in our name and we're told the wait would be 45 minutes. We stroll along South street only to come back 20 minutes later to have the hostess tell me she couldn't find our name and she must have already called us. Before I asked about my name, I overheard a gentleman enraged because the hostess told himComplete apathy from the hostess and complete ineptness in trying to seat a table are the only parts of this place I've seen and ever care to. Avoid this place at all costs.
(1)Eric W.
Jon's Bar & Grille is becoming one of my favorite places to frequent. The atmosphere is laid back, there is closed off outside seating (upstairs & down) & the food is really good. The biggest draw for me is the always changing craft beer menu. The best part is the bartenders are very knowledgable in regards to the beer selection.
(4)B M.
The food was alright. Sitting outside was fun though. I ordered a burger and it was alright-not spectacular... It was cheap too! Like $30 for two people cheap- but we weren't drinking. All in all- not spectacular, but a nice quick meal on south street!
(3)Angie W.
Walking down south street and overwhelmed with restaurant options. Service sucked, we waited for a long time because he didn't know we were there. Spinach omelette was meh and my turkey burger (wrapped in lettuce cause no one needs that much white bread in their life let alone a meal) was pretty good. I did enjoy some pork flesh aka bacon aka artery-killer on the burger which gave it some additional flavor. They ran out of sweet potato fries so I had sautéed spinach...not bad but sweet potato fries go better with beer and turkey burger. The outdoor seating was comfortable and breezy and the beer cold. So, not too bad.
(3)Brian F.
Great location and loved how it looked. Only problem was a terrible waitresses that didn't speak English and didn't even know how to bring us drinks. Any place that hires waitresses like that will not get a return visit from me.
(2)Jan L.
I like this place! i'm surprised the overall rating is so low. I usually come here whenever I'm in the area. waiters/waitresses are nice and pretty attentive. I like that you can sit outside and they have fire pits to keep you warm if it's a little chilly out. the food is pretty good as well. give it a try!
(4)Parker S.
I didn't eat here but just stopped in for some drinks. Nice outdoor area that is perfect for people watching on south street. the beer list is shockingly good for a place that doesn't have a real reputation in the craft beer community. The service was a little subpar. I think we may have actually had a barback/bus boy as our server which wasn't a big deal given that we just wanted a drink and a place to sit outside for a while. Since its on South St. it is going to get a mixed crowd but that's part of the appeal. I don't think i'd go in the winter and sit inside but when the weather is nice and you want to check out the happenings on south st. its a good place to sit outside and grab a drink.
(3)Truth B Told R.
This place is solid! Great salads, wings, burgers and service! Not sure why the 2.5 star review. This is not a fancy place, but it's predictable in a good way!
(4)Melyni M.
I had a great experience at Jon's. We were there around 7pm on a Tuesday before the Veruca Salt concert @ the TLA. The drinks, food and service were wonderful. I loved sitting out on the patio. I ordered the Mesquite Burger with a Black Bean patty and Sweet Potatoe fries. It was heavenly. So was the crab dip. Will definitely be back.
(5)Kristina C.
French fries are awesome (I being a french fry Phanatic lol) and good size serving size....oh the glorious Crispy outside, warm inside. Chips and salsa get the job done, pace out of jar basically though so wasn't impressed with that. Chips were nice and warm which make a difference. Really fast service and food was hot when it came out. The seating is plentiful inside and they have a nice outdoor patio seating area as well. Gluten free beer! Yessss they have it here, hoolllllaaar!
(4)Yujia Z.
Food is good, but I can't see more about their service. The waitress does not walk around to see what u need and wait for too long to get check and box to go. Ribs are good and the French onions soup tastes wonderful. I like the white slim boy here.
(3)Amanda G.
My husband and I came to Jon's because we were going to see a movie and needed to get something to eat first. It was blazing hot out, so we wanted to go somewhere with air conditioning where there wouldn't be a wait. Jon's met our needs. I have to say, I was really surprised by our meal. I got the southwest panini and he got the veggie panini. We each ate half of the other's sandwich, and both panini's were declicious. Like, surprisingly good. The southwest one came with this spicy mayo that I couldn't get enough of. The portion size was PERFECT, which has recently become important to me. We each finished everything on our plates and didn't leave feeling disgustingly stuffed. On another note, we opted for salads instead of fries or chips, mostly because there were about 15 dressing choices and several piqued my interest. I got the Asian ginger, and it was one of the best dressings I've ever had. He got the pineapple mango, which was decent, but didn't compare to mine. The one thing that really disappointed me, aside from the unsually loud atmosphere, was the drinks. I got a peach margarita and it tasted just like peach schnapps. It didn't seem fresh or natural at all. I then opted for a raspberry margarita, and it tasted like grape soda. Yuck. Totally not worth the $9.50. I won't be making a huge effort to return here, but if I find myself in the area needing a place to grab a quick bite, it's definitely a good option!
(3)Gabby M.
I did not have any food but it has a cool beer list, both bottle and tap. The prices were reasonable. I also liked the ambiance; I got to sit outside and it was lots of fun to see all the interesting characters walking around South Street.
(3)Kristen D.
Service sucks. Awful place. Don't ever go here. My waitress was rude also.
(1)Casey R.
I always expect the worst from this place given the vibe and the location but have been pleasantly surprised more than once with their beer list and the salads. We came here most recently with the niece and nephew who easily found things they liked as well to eat. I was able to find a beer I had been chasing and enjoyed my seasonal salad. Definitely a good choice in the area.
(4)Katrina H.
I've been to Jon's a few times now and each time was pretty good. The food is decent but nothing spectacular. Drinks and service have been pretty good when I was there. The outdoor seating is nice but it's always a bit chilly for me to sit outside. One thing I really love is their seafood sampler appetizer. The shrimp and crab dip is SO good. You can actually order the dip on it's own with warm pita bread but the sampler was only 2 bucks more and came with two kinds of shrimp plus the dip. It's probably my favorite thing there after the buffalo chicken wrap.
(3)Michael T.
My friends and I came here for a happy hour which was organized on the rooftop deck. The deck overlooks scenic South street and provided a fantastic atmosphere for having drinks and appetizers. Rene, the manager, and the bartenders were great about providing quick service. I plan on returning soon to check out more of their draft selection and to try more items on the menu.
(5)Kyle W.
Good draft selection. That's all for positives, been here several times now, and the food has been sub par every time. Cheap ingredients, sloppily prepared, and poor service from the waitstaff. Wanted to like this place, but won't be going back. Two stars is being generous.
(2)J C.
Terrible food. gave them two tries. First time had to send back pasta, how do you screw up pasta? second time had a sandwich, also terrible. Came in just for the bar while strolling down south st. & the bartender was rude & insulted my drink choice, vodka. he called last call for kitchen so I asked to see a menu. Which he never brought. South st. has so many better options. Jons is a tourist trap, locals don't go here & tourists don't return.
(1)Brianna S.
WOW! I had dinner with my husband here last night. Bernadette was very nice, and quick to take our orders, refill our drinks, describe certain dishes, etc. I've been in the neighborhood for years, but never thought to give Jon's a try! A VERY pleasant experience! I can't wait to bring the kids back. It has a neutral atmosphere (...a good thing!) that's perfect for couples, family, co-workers, clients, anybody. It's neighborhoody in a sense that you feel like part of the Jon's family, which I loved. Looking forward to girly drinks & people watching once summer hits!
(5)Aaron H.
Some friends and I decided to come to Philadelphia for a day trip to grab some food, and Jon's was just a stop to let the food settle while having a couple of beers in between DiNic's and Pat's. I thought the place looked pretty nice on the inside and the bartender was pretty friendly. They had a pretty nice selection of beers on tap, which they graciously allowed us to taste shot glasses of, just to make sure it was something we would like. They have a great selection of micro brews and craft beers here. The prices were not too bad(about $6 for most drafts), but they were also running a $2 off special on drafts during the NFL playoff games. I cannot speak for the food as I did not get anything to eat, however I did look over the menu and it did seem pretty pricey. After reading most of the comments on the food, I will probably just keep this place as a quick stop for a drink while in town.
(3)Chris C.
Terrible food and they didn't take the yelp coupon, bah. 15 dollar buckets of beer and heat lamps were the only saving grace
(2)Kva K.
My husband and I were in from out of town visiting the area recently . We ate here on a Saturday night, normally I look at yelp reviews but I feel I can weed out the nonsense reviews and judge for myself. So anyway we had no problems here, I don't understand why everyone is bitching about service as a former server myself {as in another lifetime ago} I was a sever so I am more critical than most and we had no issues at all. Even as we walked in the door, the sign said seat yourself, but someone was right there helping us. I was cold but the patio looked inviting with the heaters set up so I kinda wished we would of sat out there. I had a tall specialty drink with absolute peach in it; was strong and fruity. My husband really put himself out there and had a couple of bottled coors light. I had the lobster soup and we were supposed to share the Santa Fe Flatbread which my husband thought was going to be the pizza version flatbread. Well it's more like a sandwich, he was disappointed for about 5 seconds until he tried it, liked it and well I never stood a chance of getting any of that. Luckily I had seen someone else's chicken wings and had ordered some of those ahead of time, which were excellent by the way. I would highly recommend this place except next time I would sit on the patio!
(4)Krystal B.
Honestly, people don't go to Jon's for the food. They go to sit on the HUGE outdoor patio and people watch on South Street. The bar prices are a little spendy. O'neals has better deals & New Wave is tucked back hidden from tourists and less expensive. I would say the ONLY good eats at Jon's is the Mesquite Burger. Everything else is... well... mediocre at best. They have a wide selection of beers, but the bar is small and can get crowded quickly. I used to be a "regular" at this place & some times they would dock 10% off the bill for "locals" and some times they wouldn't. I found that annoying. Also, they seem friendly at first, but you quickly get lost in the crowd, unfortunately. If you want outdoor seating and a MASSIVELY LOUD environment, Jon's is the place for you. It's usually packed with tourists. I wouldn't sit in the restaurant though. I made this mistake TWICE (even after getting to know the staff) and the service was HORRIBLE! Seriously, if you want to get good food go somewhere else. If you just want to drink beer and sit on the patio and get wasted and watch people, then by all means, this is the place for you. Otherwise, save your coin and go somewhere else. Fact.
(2)Dania D.
It is what it is, people. Jon's is not THAT bad. You can sit on the outside patio and enjoy a nice day while people watching. OR you can watch the game on one of the many TVs they have inside the restaurant. Yeah, the food is not that great but the beer selection makes up for it.
(3)Esther F.
Went here for the first time with my husband. We're beer drinkers, and I saw they had 20 beers on tap, so I said, why the hell not. We got seated, and were handed a beer menu. Server came, and we ordered our beer, only to have the server come back and inform us that they were out of what we ordered. Ordered again. Same thing. It seems that we were given the menu from Beer Week, and most of them were already gone. After 5 beer choices were thwarted, I ended up with my usual go-to - a Yuengling. Still tasty, but not what I originally wanted. Then we ordered an appetizer - tortilla chips and salsa. The chips were hot, but they weren't anything special, and very bland. Like they just took them out of a bag and popped them in the oven for a little bit. The salsa wasn't that great either. So $5.99 wasted there. I ordered the Mesquite burger (which came highly recommended on Foursquare) and my husband ordered the 3rd St cheesesteak. My burger was almost $15!!! Was it tasty? Yes, the avocado and bacon with the mesquite mayo was delicious. Was it worth almost $15? Hell no! The menu doesn't even have a price listed for the Mesquite burger! You have to sit there and figure out that it's the basic burger and add up the toppings so then you have the price. As far as the cheesesteak goes, my husband said that it looked/tasted like someone took a bunch of White Castle sliders, chopped them up and threw them on a bun with some cheese. Certainly not good enough to warrant the $10 price tag. The only saving grace was that the server was nice, and the Mesquite burger was good albeit expensive as hell. That's why this review is 2 stars instead of 1. Bottom line - overpriced and mediocre. I can get a delicious Kobe beef burger with avocado and bacon on it at Cheesecake factory for less than I paid for my burger at Jon's.
(2)Marissa R.
It's a typical bar place. Nothing fancy mostly fried food. The wait staff is a bit slow. The drinks are weak. What else can I say? Went there cause Curly from the 3 stooges lived there that was maybe the best part of the whole place.
(2)Enjella L.
Not sure why everyone hates this place so. Each time, I go - although I average going once every couple of years - the food had improved. The portions are BIG - take a look at the photos I posted. The food itself is pretty good - not great, but what do you expect folks - it's just an average restaurant. Also - this place serves frozen cocktails - which is so hard to find. For that I gave it 4 stars despite the service which was very inefficient & disorganized. Plus - it has an outside patio so you can people watch or motorcycle watch in the summer time. So the 4 stars are for 1. Big portions 2. Frozen Drinks 3. Outside Patio Relax & enjoy it for what it is in the hustle & bustle of South Street.
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