What a delicious brunch! Fresh eggs, potatoes cooked perfectly and seasoned well. And the scrapple--oh, the scrapple! I think it's house-made. Whoever makes it is my new favorite person. It had a lot of grain in it, and the pig part was mostly pork loin. So good... Everything we ordered was good. It was far superior to any standard two-egg breakfast or biscuits and gravy. I only wish I could have eaten more meals here. Thanks to the lovely Severa K. for bringing us here. I'm a fan.
(5)
Bill M.
Since nobody has dubbed me a slacker over the past couple of months ( yelp.com/biz/the-sidecar… ), I may as well drop a long overdue review for Kraftwork. Especially since I still have their epic burger fresh in my mind. From enjoying an excellent brunch after a successful days work at the Punk Rock Flea Market, to enjoying a feast and a couple brews during a not so successful Phillies NLCS loss, I've been able to to see he deliver on both good times and bad,, and they do it so attentively without missing a beat! Kudos especially goes to Chef Mike Thomas for adding just the right amount of tantalizing variations to to simple culinary treats you know and love. Whether you mix it up with Point Reyes Blue and carmelized onions, or go all out with the 2 year Grafton cheddar and bacon onion jam (or the other way around), the burger is a true delight. And that's not even with factoring in the incredible garlic & herb fries that they come with. Even though my brunch was the standard eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, and toast; it especially set the bar high with the quality of ingredients that was put into it! But the king among reasons to love here is the selection of taps it has to offer. not only is it an incredible blend of brewers, styles, and levels of alcohol content; its ingeniously setup so that as soon as a line of two brewers get kicked, they're immediately switched out for a whole other rotation. its a lot harder to mourn the loss of a Lefthand ESB once its switched out for a Lancaster Milk Stout. Between those reasons, and the wonderfully industrial decor, it has a lot of things that manages to make it one of my favorite bars in Philly!
(5)
RD B.
A cool place to enjoy a beer and conversation. I'll be back!
(4)
Jamie M.
So many amazing beers to choose from. Everything on the menu is fantastic.
(5)
Abigail L.
I tend to visit Kraftwork at least once a week these days and just have to update and add a star to their rating. I love you Kraftwork. I love your beer selection, I love your bloody marias, I love your signature cocktails, I love your cheese and vegetable plates, I love all your vegetarian soups, I love that you listened to your reviews and lowered your prices on a few of your menu items, I love your flatbread pizzas, I love your specials, I love your staff, etc. etc. etc. I hope I don't sound like a stalker. Please don't ever leave me Kraftwork, I don't know what I'd do. I do, however, wish you'd throw some vegetarian meats all up on your menu- veggie burger style or some brunchy veggie sausage or something. You might have to get a restraining order against me if you did though so, you know, I understand your hesitation.
(5)
Jim M.
If Local 44 and Standard Tap had a one night stand, Kraftwork would be the resultant illegimate offspring. It has the look of a cool gastropub with kitschy decorations in the bathroom and outside. I ordered the pretzel bites as an appetizer and the short rib sandwich, since it sounded good. The pretzel bite resembled baked bread bites, not pretzels. The dipping sauce was nice though. The short rib sandwich was actually the first I'd ever had. There wasn't a lot of flavor to the meat and the meat was kind of mushy. Since this visit, I've had two great tasting sandwiches, so I can honestly say this was the worst I've had so far. The beer selection was good, and varied. The beer prices were a little high, given that Krafwork is in Fishtown, not Rittenhouse Square or "NoLibs". The service was somewhat lacking. I went on an early Sunday evening. There weren't that many people. And yet it took forever to get my beers and a refill of my water. I also had to wait a long time just to get my check. My server didn't offer any apologies and appeared to be disinterested(like the Standard Tap servers). The seating was the other weird thing about this place. There were two tables open, one that could seat 6 people, and one that could seat 4 people. I went to the 4 person table, but was told that I should sit at the 6 people table. I then proceeded to see a group of 2 and a group of 3 shooed away from this same table and directed elsewhere. If they wanted to reserve the table, they should have put a sign. I also ended up having a family sit at the same table as myself towards the end, which made for a somewhat uncomfortable situation. Maybe I went on an off night. But I"m not real motivated to trek out here again.
(2)
Nick P.
Service is always on point. They greet you and seat you quickly, and the wait staff is always prepared on the craft beer selection, which is pretty big and changes constantly. They have an excellent charcuterie (meat) board and cheese board. I highly recommend ordering them both, and sampling some of their beers with it. It's what I usually do when I go here, though I haven't ate any other menu items, I hear they are just as great.
(4)
Mike G.
BIG fan of this place now. Don't go judging me as some sort of trendy hipster, either! I'm neither trendy or skinny. So there. I decided to try this place out a bunch before finally stepping up to the mic here. Today's lunch experience has me in a food mood that's plenty mellow, let me tell ya. Ive had a decent burger here. The fries are crazy good with rosmary and garlic. I had the trout BLT and admit that's the weakest part of my 5 or 6 visits. The cheese board is more than it looks like and I often help a friend with hers while I'm there and it's really very impressive. Today I had the short rib sandwich and it was incredible. The beers are always great and the staff smart and generous with helpful suggestions if you just tell them what type of beer you're interested in. I tried choosing for myself the first time, but most of their stuff is not familiar and they have different drafts all the time. I was disappointed the first time but have since learned to just say what I like about beer and every time they've delivered a super delicious experience. This review might've been better composed if I wasn't still on that afternoon beer buzz that makes me think it's nappy time. Trust me though, this isnt a one-timer food-high praise parade. Ive been here lots to be sure. This is up there as a major destination in the area.
(4)
Denise H.
Awww, c'mon! With an impressive rotating 25 beer selection (great idea), you couldn't find a better pilsner than PBR? And the back up pilsner - PBR. Yes, very original for Fishtown, because you can't find a Pabst locally! Otherwise, impressive selection of drafts. Upon entering this place, there was a brick, metal, wood nut 'n bolt decor - minimalistic, but cozy. Great picture windows and ample seating for groups. Bar was packed but inviting. Staff was busy, but friendly and informative with recommendations. I understand this place hasn't been around long, but the food needs improvement. I was safe and ordered a burger - medium, but it ended up medium-rare. Edible, but not wow! The fries were tasty but a bit heavy- handed with spice. At least they were crispy. My companion ordered mussels and didn't eat them due to the 'soggy' not rubbery texture. Yes, scary - I don't go there with seafood. He walked out hungry. The price tag didn't match the quality. I'd say this is a drinking establishment and no more. Ja, it's a shame and hopefully they'll step it up - this place has potential. I'd hate to see another uninhabited building in the 19125.
(2)
Daniel T.
I've been here several times with each visit thinking, "Great place, but hmm, needs something to push it over the top." That happened several nights ago. Some friends and I came in around 11pm, and we decide over the gigantic beer list. My one friend chooses a wheatwine, to which at my utmost approval, the bartender asks my friend if he would rather try a small sample first before buying it. The bartender would not sell the beer to my friend without a sample first, simply because the bartender didn't like how this particular wheatwine was executed. We have the samples and I get into a discussion with the guy, to which we agreed it was unbalanced and too harsh for the style. My friend ordered it anyway. That's as good as it gets for a beer-slinger. The food is pretty good, typical gastropub fare. The fries kinda taste like Andy Capp's cheddar fries and that's fantastic. And the interior is awesome. I want to take (steal) one of the stools and yes the saw blade hanging in the middle of the bar moves.
(5)
Suzanne S.
Great place if you like a casual atmosphere (think industrial ... tools ...), good food, and great beer! The bartenders are knowledgeable and are always willing to let you sample something new. Their beer menu always has a large and interesting variety of brews and the best part is that they give you a look at what they will tap immediately after each beer gets kicked. The last time I was there they had a few seasonals as well, which I always tend to like to try. Food menu is awesome and they tend to change it up a few times per year. They also have a specials food menu each day, which makes it fun to pair with new beers! Oh, and if you're into cocktails, they offer a few specialty drinks on their menu that are worth a try. If you're into growlers, they offer that too. And the best part is that you can get a growler from *any* bar filled there (don't have to buy the growler from Kraftwork). I'd totally recommend this place!
(5)
Brad P.
I wanted to love Kraftwork. A Fishtown gastropub with constantly rotating beers? Sounded good to me. After reading positive reviews ad infinitum about the beer can chicken sandwich, I decided that this thing was going to blow apart my expectations of what a chicken sandwich could do. My expectations were let down. It was a fine sandwich. It was decent chicken served over a nice, soft brioche roll. Sadly, I did not receive the chicken/bread nirvana that I was hoping lurked on the other side of this sandwich. There was just nothing terribly unique about it. Their mussels and fries are decent, but don't stack up to Monk's. I appreciate the constantly rotating beer selection but it wasn't enough to salvage the food. If you are going to market yourself as a gastropub(I think I hate this term), then your food should rock as much as your beer does. In my opinion, this is not the case with Kraftwork.
(3)
Gwen T.
I work three doors down from Kraftwork and it's dangerous for my wallet Love the industrial overall design and lighting; love that the bar itself is the room's centerpiece and is enormous with seating all around 3 sides. Love that the clientele is just as diverse as the menu itself. Love that their beer selection is large and includes some rare finds, and that they specifically list what will be on the beer menu next once the current options are kicked. Favorites: chickpea sandwich (not currently offered as their menu changes seasonally but they have a trout sandwich right now in its place which also A+), pierogies, beer can chicken sandwich, roasted hen of the woods mushroom salad. Have yet to try brunch, but if it's just as great as its sister restaurant Sidecar in G-Ho, I'm very hopeful. Dislike the prices. And their special "dry aged blend" Kraftwork burger was a let-down for me. I ordered medium rare and it came out indeed pretty "dry" although I don't think that was the intent.
(3)
Steph A.
My boyfriend and I practically live at this place. Their specials are fantastic.. always changing. The beer list is amazing.. always changing as well. All of that aside, it has by far the nicest staff out of any of the places in Fishtown/NoLibs. These people don't seem judgey, they're not lazy, super attentive, they're engaging, and they know their beer and food. I cannot say enough nice things about the people who work at Kraftwork. The environment is super relaxing, the music is never too loud.. just all around great place. This is probably why I'm here 1-2 times a week. I don't feel judged or stressed.. just so chill. Really a great place to be.
(5)
Chris D.
It's been three months since I went to Kraftwork with an old friend, but I remember it fondly. Well, I remember it as much as I can after drinking more than my share of delicious, delicious Belgian beer. To be honest, I didn't think Philly would embrace a place like this. I spent my college years there and I would have never guessed somewhere that seems more at home in Chicago could thrive in Fishtown. The term "gastropub" just seems like something the city would have laughed at when I was living there. Who knows, maybe the gastropub virus has infected even the most blue collar of towns. Food good. Beer great. Minus one star because it was so freaking loud conversation was near impossible.
(4)
Cristen S.
Kraftwork continues to amaze me! Not only did they add a few items to their menu, they also updated their cocktail list. PLEASE do yourself a favor and get the cheesesteak foie gras spring rolls, they won't disappoint. Yes, I did say fois gras and spring roll in the same sentence! Crispy outside, tender meat and gooey cheese on the inside, accompanied by a velvety foie gras spread and spicy pepper relish. If you go between 4-6 Monday thru Friday, you can get them for only 7$!! For 7$ as well, you can order a house crafted cocktail. I opted for the 'hop to it' with hop infused vodka, soda, lemon and simple syrup. It was so refreshing and bitter, combining exactly what I like about a hoppy beer with a hint of sweetness from the simple syrup. Hell yeah Kraftwork- keep rocking it out!
(5)
Jon B.
It's my first time in Philly and got this recommendation from fellow Yelpers. They did not disappoint. The ambiance of this place, and the neighborhood is very close to home with it's upscale dive-y decor and great craft beer selection and chill music. After a long weekend of drinking, we legitimately required a hearty, high quality breakfast before we left to go back to Boston. We ordered: huevos rancheros, eggs Benedict, and breakfast sandwich. I was entirely way too busy devouring my meal to even see what my friends meals looked like, however we barely spoke a word to each other, and it wasn't due to our hangovers. But, let me give you the low-down on the breakfast sandwich. A massively fluffy scrambled egg, folded onto itself, with a house made sausage patty, stuffed between two flaky house made biscuits. It was slightly bigger than what my mouth was capable of handling (does that sound dirty?) and could not have been more happy. Plus, the home fries it came with, were perfect. Crispy outside, soft inside, and just the right amount of seasoning. The kind of thing you enjoy saving for last, because the temptation makes them taste that much better. I also had my first Bloody Mary here. I didn't think I was going to like it - and I didn't. However, I could tell that if I did like that type of drink, it would have been amazing. It didn't have an overly tomato-y taste, and was very spicy, which surprisingly felt nice in my stomach. Definitely complemented a breakfast well. There were a few other things I wanted to try, like the cubano, so will definitely be coming back here the next time i'm in Philly.
(5)
Jay W.
The tofu banh mi was terrific. The tofu was seasoned well, the vegetables were crisp and tasty, the bread was soft with a bit of crust to it. The salad that this dish came with was a simple salad, well prepared and tasted fresh. I was disappointed with the burger, it was over cooked and dried out. I expected more than that. I don't think that I would order a burger here again. The pretzel bites were a little strange, they tasted almost like a biscuit pretzel hybrid. Not really something that I would order again either. The service was good enough. We weren't lacking anything.
(3)
Tim B.
Haven't written many reviews yet... but this place deserves one. I want to be careful to not be all like "best place EVAR" but it was definitely a completely enjoyable meal and experience. We went for our anniversary... low key I know... and wanted to just chill. Asked for suggestions and basically ordered what was suggested. Steak Spring rolls with foie gras "smear" (sauce on plate), wings, steak flat bread, and desserts. Cocktails were OK, beer was fantastic (pricey bottle to be sure), and server was perfect for us. (He resembled John Lennon!) Overall GREAT service, GREAT food... will definitely go back.
(5)
Sammy G.
This is such an awesome hipster bar/dinner restaurant! Accommodating 12 people on a Saturday night and only a 10-15 minute wait? HOW AWESOME! There isn't a ton of seating for people to eat, it's more of a bar then an actual restaurant. Unless there is an upstairs or downstairs but it is an awesome place to get beer and food. I ordered the pretzel appetizer with beer cheese, very tasty - I wish the cheese had a little more flavor but it was still delicious. For my entree I got the special risotto without the sauce because it wasn't vegetarian and I think this took away from the flavor a bit. It is a huge portion of food. Unfortunately, while I was eating my meal there was a big piece of plastic wrap hidden in my meal - cause for a lost appetite. The waitress was extremely friendly and took my meal off the bill and asked if I wanted a new one, already full I was okay with trying everyone else's food. For dessert? I tried both the fried apple pie and the chocolate cake, free of charge form the waitress, thanks for the good customer service. Both were fantastic. I highly recommend the chocolate cake.. that peanut butter ice cream, and that banana sauce! UGH I WANT IT NOW. Oh, and if you need another appetizer? The garlic fries are heavenly! Tons of beer selections and good food. Although mine had a bit of a hiccup in it, they took care of me and totally made up for it with their great service.
(4)
Matthew H.
This is one of those places that I have been meaning to get to for a while but just haven't. It always seems like the places that are closest to your house are the hardest to get to. One Sunday I finally decided that I had enough and that I just had to go. It was a good decision. Rolled in and I have to say I thought that Kraftwork would be bigger but that is not a criticism so much as an observation. Started off with the perogies which I love good perogies and these did not disappoint. The perogies were your run of the mill potato ones but they were cooked to perfection especially with the pan crust. The sour cream apple mixture was great and they were huge, will go back just for these. Got the burger and the short rib sandwich, both were really good, the short rib sandwich was huge. I can't wait to get back and branch out a bit more and explore Kraftwork's menu. Definitely a great place in Fishtown that you should visit.
(4)
Courtney F.
Cool brunch spot. Atmosphere's a little hipster-y, but really it's Fishtown so what isn't? I will say that their Kentucky iced coffee is AMAZING! Nothing better than coffee that you can just drink without adding anything to it. Cool outdoor seating and parking is reasonable for the area. I've been twice and would definitely return.
(3)
Rebecca N.
Oh, how the mighty fall. There is really no reason why pretzel bites should be tough enough to strain my TMJ when the kitchen just opened 1 hour ago. Also, it shouldn't take 20min to get a beer and 25 more to get the check when there is 1 other occupied table on a Saturday afternoon. Y'all almost had me miss my flight - officially no longer on the short list of places to stop by on every Philly visit. Womp.
(2)
Allison B.
Kraftwork: A Free Form Poem Carbs. Pretzel bites and cheese sauce. Potato stuffed pierogies. Heavy hoppy beer. Yes. Picnic tables long enough for a group with better-than-decent service. Need green? There are salads, too. But always: sandwiches.
(5)
Michael N.
It's a shame that I have to knock this down from 5 stars to 1, but the service was absolutely awful the other night. Rarely do I ever get up and leave a restaurant, but it happened. I really hope this was an anomaly and not the direction this place is going.
(1)
Anna A.
Spontaneously came up to Philly from DC, the menu was intriguing so we decided on this place. Great rotating beer selection, so I started off with a beer flight. Everything we had was amazing. The cheese board was incredible; perfect parings and some of them were made in house. Mussels are usually a favorite of mine, but everything else was so great I kind of forgot about them. The pirogies were great too, and our dessert was a peanut mousse or something. Whatever it was, it was delicious. Our server was super helpful, he was new but any questions he couldn't answer he would go find out from someone who did. Great experience!
(5)
Mike M.
Kraftwork, where would I be without you? Hungry, that's where I'd be. Kraftwork has established itself as one of my favorite brunch spots in the Fishtown/Northern Liberties areas. I'm a simple man and stick with the Kraftwork breakfast which entails eggs, meat, potatoes, and toast but I go all out with their incredible Bloody Mary. That, my friends, is the best Bloody Mary I've ever had. Thick, spicy, and comes with all the fixings! The staff can be a little irritable at times and will often put up a fight if you attempt to split the bill with a large party. On weekends, this place gets packed so, be ready to wait at least 30-45 minutes before getting seated for brunch on a Sunday!
This place has really declined over the years. The service is always good, but I feel that the place is not run well. On my most recent visit, during brunch, they were apparently sold out of three of the six items on the brunch menu. There were no vegan items on the brunch menu, and the two vegetarian options weren't available. My boyfriend tried to order the breakfast burrito, which they were also out of. What part did they run out of? Tortillas? It boggles my mind that an established gastropub can run out of 50% of their available options during a busy brunch. We went there around noon, so it's not like we arrived at the end of the service. I tried to order the tofu bahn mi from the regular menu that was given to me, but unfortunately they were only serving items from the brunch menu. Odd, since a couple of people at the table next to me ordered burgers that I'm not sure were not on the brunch menu. I ended up just drinking a bloody mary, which was a bit watered down and did not come with olives- only thinly sliced carrots and pickles. WTF, never did I need those olives more. Anyway, that is likely the last time I'll go to Kraftwork since every visit seems to disappoint a little more than the last.
(2)
Ashley M.
Visiting from Boston for the weekend with some friends, I was in search of a great Sunday brunch spot to feed the soul and cure a hangover... and found this gem! In a cool, hip neighborhood with friendly, knowledgable staff, and an industrial, yet vintage feel, Kraftwork Bar certainly impressed this girl. I got the Huevos Rancheros (mild spice, eggs cooked perfectly over-easy, delicious salsa verde), a Bloody Mary (just the right amount of spice and horseradish, packed with flavor), and their Kentucky Iced Coffee (sweet, maple flavored, nothing like I've ever tasted before). Overall a wonderful experience and delicious brunch. I will certainly be returning to check out their lunch/dinner menu when I'm back in town.
(5)
Allie D.
Amazing beer selection and delicious food. Love their brunch menu! A little pricey, but so worth it. Ambiance is nice - great style, small bar (attentive staff and never feels crowded), outdoor seating is a plus!
(5)
Brittany R.
Went here for a late dinner one evening. It's a great environment. We sat outside. The mussels were good. Wish you had a choice of a side rather than the fries. I also tried some of my boyfriends Mediterranean plate and it was very delicious. Will definitely come by more often when I move to the area next month
(4)
Sarah P.
I've lost count of how often I go to Kraftwork. All meals are winners at Kraftwork. Brunch, dinner... you can't lose. Their brunch usually has a baked good of the day, entree specials, and a variety of specialty cocktails. I don't know how their bloody mary hasn't shown up on a list yet. If you like a spicy bloody then this is your place. They don't wimp out on a ten ouncer with ice... you get a full pint to replenish all the much needed nutrients in your body. Another standout is the cocktail made with gin and fennel. Brunch standouts include the breakfast cubano and the smoked salmon potato rosti. My favorite items include the pepper crusted trout BLT and the beer can chicken sandwich. All of these items are served with your choice of french fries or baby greens. Service is always good here. Bring your growler and get some beer to-go from their forever changing tap list.
(4)
Adam C.
After a hard day of car shopping my brother and I decided to pop in for a light dinner. We sat at the bar and were greeted by a sassy bartender (in a good way). We had a little difficulty interpreting the beer list but once she explained it to us we were good. My brother ordered a beer, I concluded that everything was too hoppy and passed. We both independently settled on the trout BLTs. Why is Salmon so ubiquitous and trout used so little? What yummy sandwiches. The atmosphere is pretty cool too with the room resembling a construction project and the menus resembling blueprints. We finished our dinners and drinks and settled up and moved on but we'll both be coming back soon.
(4)
John S.
Their food is good and they have a great selection of beer. Seating can be pretty cramped and isn't great if you're uncomfortable sharing a table with strangers. Their garlic herb fries are absolutely delicious and I love the short rib sandwich though.
(4)
Jennifer D.
Best brunch menu in Fishtown, hands down. Whenever I have friends or family visiting, I take them to Kraftwork at least once. I raved about their brunch, but their regular menu is pretty great too. I've had the bahn mi, the burger, pulled pork, mussels, falafel wrap, and more specials than I can remember, and I loved them all. Try to go on a weekday for lunch and dinner, it's a lot less crowded.
(5)
Tanya M.
So I have heard great things about this place so I decided to try and wow!!!! I hated my first beer so they brought me samples and I picked what I want. Yay! Then the burger was amazing and I could add what toppings I wanted ( see pic) including a egg then the fries. We're perfect. Servers work together and were fab. Can't say anything negative about this place at all. Can't wait to come back
(5)
Elizabeth H.
Great food, nice trendy warm industrial decor, lively ambiance. Bahn Mi is delicious, Pretzel Bites, fries, and Short Rib sandwich are on point. Kid friendly too!
(4)
Lenny R.
Awesome beer selection that rotates regularly. Food is fabulous and has variability from creative specials to a killer burger as a staple menu item. The servers , bar tenders, and hostesses are super knowledgable and always friendly. Love this place!!!
(5)
Nile H.
Everything about think this place is worth the time...the beer list, the food and the folks who work there. If you're a novice to beer drinking, the bartenders will try and work with your tastes, complete with letting you taste the beer before ordering. I've eaten a couple of the times that I've been here and the food was always amazing. The beer can chicken sandwich is simply one of my favorites - the chicken is so tender and flavorful...it's delicious!! The beer list is great and depending on how busy it is (can be) ever changing. They let you know what is current in draft but then also what is coming up next when a keg is kicked.
(4)
Sarah P.
I might be biased because I always come here after a night of climbing when I'm starving and ready for a beer, but I gotta say, Kraftwork has never let me down. The beer list is the best in the city in my opinion. Every beer I've tried here has been a valuable discovery. Their amazing half price HH makes my craft beer habit a little less damaging to the wallet. The falafel is filling, refreshing, and full of bright flavors when paired with a side salad instead of fries. Half price beer, a delicious vegetarian dinner, a cool atmosphere, and a bunch of sweaty climbing friends... What's not to love!? I will say that I usually avoid going here on the weekends since it gets maaaad crowded Thursday-Saturday nights and I'm not about that wait. Oh, and I adore the plentiful bike parking out front. So Fishtown.
(5)
Katelin S.
I ordered takeout tonight with my mom. It was all delicious. We tried the cheese board appetizer, which was great. I had the burger with a fried egg and it was so yummy. The burger was so big I couldn't finish it. My mom had a salad and she said it was delicious. The place is really cool inside and I will definitely come back here to sit and eat!
(5)
Ramon F.
This place is great! They have 20 beers on tap at any given time with a list of the back up, in case it taps out. The menu is good too, with a little spin on the usual fare on some dishes and just what you expect on others, it makes for a great night out. One of the best parts is you can build your own flight of 4 beers! Oh what fun it is lol :-) like a kid in a candy store. The service has always been excellent and the staff is knowledgeable. I had the short rib frites in my last visit and it was really good! They didn't hold back on the rib either, it's a good size portion. I also had the sausage en croute, which I have almost every time I come here, it's really good. If you enjoy pretzels then go with the nuggets, no surprises there, just your average yummy pretzels. I don't know if the names of the food are correct, but if you ask the bartender, they'll know what you mean ;-) enjoy!
(5)
Asa C.
Great ambiance, great service, great food. Ordered the beer can chicken sandwich and it was delicious.
(5)
Brandon W.
Great food, great beer, great atmosphere...it's all deadly...perfect go to spot for a good meal and some booze if you live nearby.
(5)
John P.
After a great haircut on Saturday afternoon at Ed's Barber Shop, I stopped in Kraftwork. Great beer selection with flights. The bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable. I would recommend the burger. Though the fries could use a bit of work all in all was a great place.
(5)
Mary Kate R.
Kraftwork immediately turned me on with their offbeat mechanical decor and long beer menu. My boyfriend and I went here for dinner a few weeks ago and I am still thinking about their beer can chicken sandwich. It was so moist and flavorful. The portion was huge and came with either side salad or fries. I chose the side salad which was fresh and appropriately dressed. Their beer selection is extensive and we were able to get good recommendations from our waitress. Our food, beers, and experience here were great and I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Anthony L.
Gastropubs are my favorite places to eat nowadays so I decided to hop on i95 from the NE and head down to Fishtown to check out Kraftwork, upon reading good reviews and exploring their appealing menu. Wise decision. This place is awesome. Visually its a work of art with its clean industrial decor. The metal works theme is pulled off nicely. No detail is overlooked, right down to the metal gear bases of their tables. As soon as you work through their door you are greeted by their horse-shoe bar piloted by an impressive lineup of craft brews on tap. They even had Southern Tier Pumking, one of the premier pumpkin ales. My friend and I opted to eat at the bar where we could more easily oggle the beer selection. The bartender was working alone since it was a Tuesday afternoon but she hustled and was very attentive. Having a second hand out there may have given her time to make suggestions or talk about specials, but I digress! On to the food, I ordered the Korean BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos and an order of Garlic Herb fries. My friend ordered the Sausage Pastries and the Garlic Herb Flat Breads. The tacos were phenomenal, as were the fries which came with a ridiculously good Beer Mustard Aioli. Id order both again in a heartbeat. I didnt try the Sausages but my buddy did enjoy them. I did try the Flat Bread. Perfectly cooked but could have used maybe a little bit more flavor or perhaps a dipping sauce of some sort. They were still all devoured though so dont confuse me for saying they werent good! Kraftwork is another gem and considering its about 1 minute off 95 on Girard Ave, I will absolutely be back to try other items on the menu and of course, more beer.
(5)
Anna J.
I definitely like the food here. I do wish they would add more veggie friendly items to their menu. The bartenders are really great. They are always polite, knowledgeable and quick. The place can get crowded quick, so finding a seat can sometimes be challenging. Still worth going back to!
(4)
Danny C.
The pretzel balls are freshly made, yum! The sausage roll is not bad as well. Their special cocktails are actually "special". I had pear off in threes. It's rich layered flavors. The service is not bad. It's timely and got everything correct. Price is reasonable too.
(4)
Gabrielle W.
I came here with my husband tonight and had the burger, short rib sandwich, and of course many beers. Everything was well played. Well played! I liked our server but my husband said she was kind of had an attitude which I found particularly hilarious since he never says anything about anything. No one cares what he thinks..he doesn't have a yelp account! She was ok but I would especially like to give props to our runner...we needed silverware..he brought it. We needed ketchup..he brought it. I needed a shot of kick -ass..he brought it! Well he brought it in the kick-ass as in he did a kick ass job he did attending to our every need. Well done!
(5)
Danan R.
Great dive bar in the Northern Liberties with a nice selection of brews and solid food. My friend got the spiced apple cider (served hot!), which was a nice change and great for the cold weather. The herbed garlic fries are nicely seasoned, crispy, and very generously portioned. The burger was also solid, and comes on a crusty, buttery brioche. The ambiance is very low key and friendly, and the decor (metalcraft-based with a giant chainsaw in the middle of the bar) is pretty fun and quite thematic. Worth a try!
(3)
Joe L.
I take brunch for granted. We all do. Eventually you get hurt, you take some time apart, and you try to remember why you got together in the first place. My last brunch left me wondering if we really had a long-term future together, but Kraftwork was my rebound. Sitting outside being offered regular refills of water and good coffee makes for good foreplay, and in this case I've never been happier that the main event came so fast. Sometimes you try to spice things up with benedicts or omelets, but after a break you need to start back with the basics. Generous portion of delicious eggs, crispy bacon, perfect potatoes, and four enormous slices of chewy sourdough toast, and this love affair is hot and steamy again. When the bill came, the price didn't ruin the afterglow. Even though this will have to be a long-distance romance for now (I live in DC), I'm already looking forward to sneaking back up to Philly for our next tryst.
(5)
Hiya R.
Everything about this place is amazing. Great food, fun stuff, chill atmosphere. I have never been disappointed by anything I've ordered, and my new favorite is the Mediterranean platter. Great spot for a rainy day beer or a Sunday brunch without a wait.
(5)
Annie F.
Yummy, yummy sour beers and sausage rolls. Such a unique atmosphere. 5 stars, I will be back.
(5)
Carly W.
Love this place!! The menu is so plentiful and awesome, just what I needed after a night out. We went for lunch and I got the burger (added caramelized onions, provalone, and bacon) it was delish! A very hearty burger, it was more like a giant meatball and a little messy to eat, ok a lot messy to eat, but well worth it. The fries were overcooked but I was so full after the burger I was thankful to not eat all of them. My fiance got the breakfast Cubano which was also very tasty! The pork belly was nicely cooked, topped with egg, I really liked it, I always welcome unique menu items. We also had plentiful bloody Mary's and their custom mix was a little different tasting but I welcome that in a bloody, rather than the same old. Overall definitely a place to check out; nice cozy interior, friendly people, worth a stop.
(4)
Sandood A.
The food and drinks are great here. The service did not disappoint either!
(5)
Kaitlin N.
Great beer selection, late night weekday happy hour, delicious food and snacks, and good atmosphere. Lively but not so loud you can't have a conversation. Love the decor, like a museum of vintage wall coverings. Enjoyed the pork tacos, pierogis, and cheese caramel popcorn. All very good! Plenty of menu options for the vegetarians, thank goodness. Would certainly return when in Philly again.
(4)
Larissa G.
This place definitely did the trick last night. It was a friend's first night in town and we were looking for something low-key where we could walk in without a wait, eat good pub fare, and not pay too much. Their tap list is impressive and I tried both a blonde and wheat beer that I loved. Our party of three had to sit at a communal table, which was okay. I prefer separate tables, but it really wasn't too much of a bother. Like others have said, the beer can chicken sandwich was a bit too soggy for the bun. They also didn't cut either sandwich we ordered in half (the chicken or the bahn mi), which was a small annoyance for eating, but again, nothing too terrible. Based on reviews, I got the french fries and they were pretty good. When my friend got the butter lettuce side salad though instead, I was a bit jealous. It looked really fresh and delicious. Her boyfriend ordered the ribs and was very happy with his choice. The service here is fine, but nothing too special. The only real mishap is that we used two cards to pay (which they state is fine on their menu- you just can't split checks more than three ways) and our server mixed up the cards and the amounts going on them. When we pointed it out, he seemed annoyed that he had to fix the problem (and didn't apologize), which was a bummer. Regardless, it was a good overall experience and the food is definitely worth returning for. If I could change one thing, I would add a veggie burger or something similar to the menu. There is a falafel sandwich, but that's the only vegetarian option that I saw, which seems a bit lacking to me.
(4)
Michael S.
Let me make myself clear, Kraftwork is a pretty great place. However, it doesn't exactly have anything going for it that I'm drawn to. I can't give it more stars because I'm usually not sure what to do with myself when I'm there. I've been to Kraftwork probably a dozen times. It's a really popular spot and has one of the best late night happy hours in Philly. From what I can tell that's pretty much the main draw of this place, cheap craft beers from 10pm to midnight every night. They have an ever changing list of beers on tap and usually there's several good ones (from what I've been told/seen). The problem for me is I don't drink beer. The only thing I really drink (aside from occasional cocktails) is hard cider. This normally isn't a huge issue in Philly because I know multiple great places to buy difficult to find ciders in shops and even in one bar that I know of, Bottle Bar, but that is kind of a shop anyway. Kraftwork normally DOES have a cider on tap, but sadly sometimes it isn't part of the happy hour and it has never been one I liked. It seems strange that with as often as I go there they haven't once had one of the ciders I've grown to love. So that's disappointing. That pretty much leaves me getting a cherry coke and ordering some food, but again that's another low point for me. I've never gotten anything I love at Kraftwork. The fries are a good deal as you get a ton of them for cheap, but they aren't anywhere near the kind of fries I like. They're super small shoe string ones that sometimes have a slightly burnt taste in my opinion. I feel bad not giving Kraftwork a better review because I do like hanging out there somtimes. But when it comes to food and drink there's many places I'd choose first. But if you're into craft beer, saving money, and nice looking bars, then definitely give it a try. Plenty of people love the place so I'm sure you will too.
(3)
Matthieu K.
Reverse happy hour ... interesting. Beer can chicken sandwich ... necessary. Solid but narrow menu. Great pub all around. Highly recommended.
(5)
Chip S.
Great food and great beer! I have been going to Kraftwork for the past 2 years and have never had a bad time! The food is incredible! They should be in the running for best burger in Philadelphia! Their brunch is fabulous as well! There are always specials that are interesting and tasty but if you're not in the mood to go crazy, the breakfast sandwich will change your life. One thing that also needs to be known is that their beer selection is so much fun. The beer menu is consistently updated and is organized with information that always helps to choose the best beer to go with your mood. Whether you want a chalice, a pint, or a growler, the only problem you may have is that you may want to try all their options. The staff is extremely knowledgeable too. Whenever I can't decide what I want, they always give me details about where the beer is made and pairs well with the food. All in all, very consistent great experiences. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good meal!
(5)
Steve B.
I can only review based on the brief time I had to stop in a pick up a growler this past weekend before a show at Union Transfer, but the early results were very positive. A lot of phenomenal craft beers on tap (I opted for Founder's Red Rye IPA). Looking forward to hopefully getting back there soon to try the food and sit down for a few pints.
(4)
Matthew L.
My girlfriend and I recently went to Philadelphia on a 4-day sight-seeing tour. We're both teachers, but I also work for a craft brewery part-time and craft beer is one of my passions. We had heard about Kraftwork on the Philadelphia episode of the tv series "BrewDogs". It was rated as one of the Top 5 best craft beer bars in Philly. We stopped in for lunch on a Saturday afternoon, in between our trips to Philadelphia Brewing and Yards Brewing. The place seemed really cool and they had a great selection of beers on tap. I loved the whole 'Kraftsman' decor theme. We had heard great things about their pierogis, but apparently they only serve brunch until 4:00 or so. Some people next to us ordered some delicious-looking eggs dishes so we decided to do the same. I had the Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and my girlfriend ordered the Huevos Rancheros. Both were delicious and paired well with the beers. All in all, we were very impressed by our visit to Kraftwork and would definitely return if we ever visit Philly again.
(5)
Ana V.
Awsome food staff are all well knowledgeable sometimes it's very loud wish the food menu would change up a bit or make it bigger. the beet salad is my favorite
(4)
Mike P.
Let me say that was one of the worst breakfasts I've had the displeasure of partially consuming. Breakfast flatbread had a cardboard-like consistency. Potato pancakes were way over-salted, and the lox may have been a remnant of the original settlers of Fishtown. Scrapple was undercooked, and they couldn't even get eggs over easy right - the plate was a pool of uncooked egg whites. Unfortunately, it was early enough in the day that I hadn't first consumed any overpriced hipster beer to drown my disappointment.
(1)
Ame G.
I have to say that the food has been consistently good here, but service time is consistently slow. Can't go here if you want to be in and out in an hour...and lunchtime DEFINITELY needs to be less than an hour...Food...Fantastic. Service...SLOW
(4)
Katie P.
My go-to! Any day, any time.... I've probably eaten everything on the menu, but these are my favs -pierogies -cheddar pretzel bites -korean tacos (holy bursting with flavor!) -mediterr. board -vietnamese iced coffee (for brunch) You should go here with a friend, and split everything because you will not be disappointed.. oh and did I mention their beer list is always awesome
(4)
Brian H.
3 stars for the food - the flatbread special with curry and chicken was just OK, as well as the wings glazed in watermelon or whatever 5 stars for the service - Jake, the best 5 for the beer list - as good as it gets 4 for the outdoor sidewalk seating, not a 5 only because it's on noisy Girard Ave, and the birds shit on my car parked under the tree. Absolutely I will return.
(4)
Jonny R.
I visited again. I got four great beers on a flight for $10--Petrus Pale Ale, St. Feuillien Tripel, Liefmans Goudenband, and De Dolle Dulle Teve. Amazing! And the garlic herb fries were delicious. The beer can chicken? Also good, but with a bun that couldn't handle it, it was just WAY too soggy. Could barely hold it. At three stars this hipster magnet stays.
(3)
Kristin G.
Kraftwork is one of the most wonderful bars in my neighborhood, I honestly go to it so much that I need to force myself to take a break so I don't spend all my money. Dinner and brunch here are all equally amazing. I prefer to sit at the bar when I go here and the bartenders are great. I love the beers, the food, the service and I love the beer events that I have had the pleasure to attend in the past. I love your Hazelnut salad, and your flatbreads. I also love that there is outdoor seating, the only downside is that trashcan on the corner during the hot hot summer, but it's likely the only trashcan in a 20 block radius so I understand. I really wish Philly had more public trash cans, seriously. I LOVE YOU KRAFTWORK!
(5)
Robin C.
They have pretty reasonable prices for beer and food and for the most part have definitely satisfied my needs. The one exception was the biscuits and gravy at brunch - horrible! Completely tasteless and by no means work the $9. However, the breakfast Cubano (which comes with a side; not listed on the menu as such) and falafel sandwich were delicious, and they make a mean bloody maria. This place is right around the corner from me so I'll definitely be back again but I still can't quite forget the horrible first brunch so that bumps it down a star.
(4)
Amanda S.
God I love this place. My sister brought me here quite a few times when she lived in this neighborhood. It was always a treat. We sat inside and outside. We came for lunch, for dinner, and for drinks. I have not one bad thing to say. The people who work here are always cool. The people who come here are cool too. It would be sad for you to skip out on the: Popcorn Hazelnut Salad Pirogues The build your own burger .. I wish she would move back to Fishtown!
(5)
Leanne C.
Top notch brunch spot. Great beer list, zesty Bloody Marias with their own pickled vegetables, and a fantastic array of breakfast-y options with the choice of salad on the side. I grabbed tofu scramble and a bloody Maria. So so so good. The interior was artfully rockin' and the metalwork detail within the walls/tables/bar was beautiful. Can't wait to come back!
(4)
Zach V.
I really wish there were cool bars like Kraftwork in the Burbs. I enjoyed everything about this small bar. The decor, food & large draft beer selection were all fantastic. The service was excellent from the hostess to our waiter. I had to try their mustard dipping sauce from all the reviews on yelp. I did like it but not as much as most people have. I thought the prices were very fair and actually a bit less then I would have thought for the city.
(4)
Rachael T.
The food is amazing here; I had the perogies and falafel. I loved them. The beer flights are very generous as well. You can pick any 4 and they're big glasses. I will definitely return.
(5)
Josh K.
Stopped here on the way to DC from NY! Great layout with the huge 4 sided bar and tables all around. The decor is super unique and there's all these machined metal parts all over the bar. There is a rattle 'n' hum like beer list on a piece of paper, they have an enormous selection, and it's all decently affordable. Wish we had this up in NYC!
(5)
David G.
Love the rotating draft list. When your up for an adventure in craft brews, this is a great place stop to try something new. Pretzel bites are a fantastic hot and buttery way to get started, although you also can't go wrong with pierogies or the sausage rolls. The burger is great, but the Beer Can Chicken and the French Onion Short Rib Sandwich are consistently some of my favorites.
(5)
A A.
Amazing beers on tap and amazing foods to eat. I always order the wild mushroom sandwich but only because it's so unbelievably good that I never get tired of it. Burgers, flatbreads, and popcorns of the day are always good choices also. It's become super hip lately (along with the neighborhood) but the quality is still awesome.
(5)
Christina M.
I had really excellent service from Micheal. 5 stars for service 4 stars for food. Stopped in Saturday evening October 5th. After a little confusion on who was waiting on us we were greeted by Michael. I have to say that I'm from chicago, Gastropubs are like starbucks...there's one on every corner. With that said, I was impressed with the selection of food we ordered from Kraftworks, We started with the Truffle Deviled Eggs and Korean Tacos. The truffle wasn't over powering and they had these potato crisps on the side. I found it great to at the crisps on top of the eggs gave it great texture. The Korean Tacos were great although I'm not a fan of flour tortillas. I opted for the short rib sandwich where my friends went with the burgers. I Really enjoyed the short rib sandwich....it was missing a crunch. Michael I will say gave great recommendations was very accommodating, and up selled us a growler. He did a great job and I thought it should be acknowledged.
(5)
Aelita P.
I came here with a friend and we both got burgers with a fried egg on top. Good but very very greasy. It's a bar so I wasn't expecting that much, and it didn't over or underwhelm. If you just want some American comfort food I'd recommend it
(4)
Valerie G.
This is a late review that I forgot to post over a year ago, but better late than never: I heard of Kraftwork on Reddit in a thread that gave some suggestions on good places to get craft beers. I've lived 20 minutes from Philly my entire life, but had never ventured into Fishtown (that I recall) so when I drove in, I was a little iffy on the location. There are some areas that you drive through that aren't the nicest, but the area where Kraftwork is located actually seems like a really cool place. Very hipster. I went with my boyfriend and our two friends. We were all EXTREMELY satisfied with the food and service. The menu has some different selections. I got the beer can chicken sandwhich, which was superb. After tasting my boyfriend's burger, however, I have to say that the burger is the first thing you have to try when you go here. The beer selection is great. We got a few flights for the table. The table next to us was a bigger party of about 10-12 people or so and they ordered a sample of every beer and lined them up down their table (25 selections on tap at any time)... so that was pretty cool, and something I'd recommend for bigger groups that are mostly comprised of beer drinkers. The decor inside is pretty industrial and gives the place a really cool feel. A little noisy, but not to the point where you're screaming over each other. The waiter just needed to bend down a bit to make himself heard. The service was great. We actually sparked up a conversation with the couple next to us who asked us how we had heard of the place. They were surprised to hear that 3/4 of us (not me) had driven an hour or so to give the place a try. When we asked how they had heard of the place (they seemed to be familiar with the menu so we assumed they were regulars), the guy said he was actually one of the owners. After they got up to leave, they went and spoke to a few of the waiters for a bit (I assumed to just shoot the breeze since they obviously knew them)... after they waved bye to us and walked out the door, the waiter came over and said our bill was taken care of! We were shocked and extremely grateful and a little bummed that we couldn't thank him ourselves. Hopefully we will run into him when we come back and get to thank him. For now, all I can say is try this place out! You won't be disappointed!! There's also a nice little bar down the road that we walked to after eating called Interstate Draft House.
(5)
Tracy R.
Ive eaten here many times & ive never been disappointed. .now when i come into town, i go here
(5)
Dustin K.
Amazingly good beer selection and a perfectly cooked sunny side up egg on a perfectly cooked medium burger.
(5)
Jarret L.
I am not sure what all the hype was around the beer can chicken sandwich. It tasked like I had taken leftover chicken out of the fridge, heated it up and slapped it on a roll with some gravy. Not impressed. The place was filled with a bunch of hipsters and people ordering salads and craft beers. I guess it not my type of place or food.
(2)
Lisa D.
The burger here is absolutely delicious. The burger meat is awesome and doesn't really need any toppings because of it. Good selection of beer too
(5)
Steven P.
Sunday morning in Philly equals finding a good place for brunch, so we recently went to Kraftwork with friends. The staff were very friendly and quick with water and menus. My girlfriend had an egg omelot with a side of sausage and I had the egg breakfast with side of hash and house made scrapple as well as a homemade biscuit. The scrambled eggs were quite good. The house made scrapple was something very different and tasty. Although, I still couldn't get my girlfriend to try it, it was quite better the usual scrapple on offer in diners. The side of hash was good, but deep fried. I may be old fashioned, but I prefer the potatoes fried on a griddle with onions. Finally, the biscuit was light, fluffy, and very delicious with the jam the restaurant had. My girlfriend seemed to enjoy her meal. Although at first the side of sausage was undercooked and had to be returned. In the end, it was an interesting experience and I would like to go again in order to try their breakfast burrito.
(3)
Paulina M.
Great burgers. Great fries. Great brunch. GREAT beer list. Definitely one of best spots in Fishtown for happy hour/ late night happy hour. Can't get pretty swamped so dont show up in the middle of dinner/brunch service or you'll be waiting for a very, very long time. Staff is friendly, food is consistent and I highly suggest their iced coffee with condensed milk , it's unreal.
(4)
Carol C.
Came here for lunch on a Sunday afternoon around 2PM. The place has a cool workshop theme going on, with a giant saw hanging over the bar with a wide draft beer selection. Both service and food were pretty good, but there were a few cons that is keeping this place from being 5 stars. Service: They were very accommodating of our large group, and did their best to seat us comfortably. . They were quick to serve us water and hand us our menus. Con: After we sat with our menus for about 10 minutes, they came over to notify us that only the brunch side of the menu was available. Too bad most of us had already decided what we were ordering....from the wrong side. Food: Most of us ordered the kraft burger, which came with optional additional toppings. If you don't get toppings, the burger will be pretty boring. However, add the cheese and some carmelized onions and peppers, and BOOM - you got yourself a juicy gourmet burger. Con: Breakfast options are pretty bland, and some of the options had very small portions. Salmon Rosi was pretty much 2 bites. Overall, an awesome place for burgers and beer, but not much else.
(4)
Ariel M.
A place for us to go for lunch or brunch. Love the employees because of how friendly they are. Few of my favorites are the perogies, beer can chicken sandwich, their fries are beyond, and I'm sure I could go on forever. The only reason i didn't give them a 5 was because the menu is a bit on the shorter side and I like more variety.
(4)
Julia L.
I was so surprised by how crowded this place was on a Saturday at 2 PM. It looked super clean for a bar but kind of dark. The only lighting is natural sunlight coming in from the front and flashing lights from the HD TV on the walls playing college football games. And lots of ppl were ordering brunch items like eggs and some tofu dish. Isn't 2 PM kind of late for breakfast? Anywho, I came here to get my beer and burger on! This is one of the better known gastro-pubs in the Philly area. Conveniently it is located in Northern liberties and there was plenty of street parking. I really liked the brick decor, very home-y and welcoming. I couldn't decide between the beers so I got a flight of four. I think the pale ale was my least favorite, and I really liked my pumpkin ale, christmas ale and hard cider. Delicious! And so refreshing with burgers. Joe got his own flight of four, which was a big mistake because he gets really bad asian glow. He was bright red by the end of his 1st glass. Joe got the Kraftwork burger with gruyere cheese, mushrooms, bacon and fried egg. Even though we live in different cities, we have very similar tastes in food. We both independently ordered a fried egg on burgers which then sparked a conversation about how the best dishes mix egg and beef. Like korean bibimbap (mixed rice, veggies, beef and fried egg!) I also got the Kraftwork burger with cheddar cheese, fried egg, bacon and caramelized onions. The beef patty is a special dry aged blend. I love thick patty burgers. The ones that you feel like you need to unhinge your jaw to take a bite. Hot greasy oil dripped down my chin as I took bites into my yummy burger.
(5)
John B.
Pretty good spot. Enjoyed the apps, deviled eggs, pretzels bites and pierogis? Staff was pretty good, reasonable prices
(4)
Jeff D.
A while back I started a burger thread on Yelp asking Philadelphians where their favorite burger in the city came from. I got a lot of answers and Kraftwork was among those mentioned; however, it slid to the back of my mind and I sorta forgot about Kraftwork for a while. Fast forward about a year and I find myself here. We had attended the Philly Beer Expo at the Naval Yard earlier in the day and met up with a friend who lived in Fishtown. She was nice and sober enough to drive us back to her place where we sobered up. We asked her if we could grab a bite to eat before heading back to Jersey and she suggested Kraftwork. "Oh I've heard of them!" I said, but I couldn't drum up where or when I had heard of them. We get to the bar, I open the menu, and then it hits me when I look at the list of burgers. "I heard that the burgers were good here" I drunkly thought to myself (or maybe I said it out loud, I can't quite say). I opted for the Kraftwork burger with cheddar (I think) and bacon red onion marmalade (that's right bacon red onion marmalade). Just typing it now has me drooling again, so you can only imagine my enthusiasm for this condiment. Needless to say the burger was cooked just right and the bacon red onion marmalade was absolutely delicious. Come to think of it, even if the burger was bad, I don't think I would've noticed because I was still in post-beer fest awe at the deliciousness of this creation. I did not order a beer, but word on the street is that they have a pretty nifty tap selection, so I will be sure to return for that. Good food with good service for a decent price has made me a fan of Kraftwork. Next time I am in Fishtown, I will not hesitate to stop on in.
(4)
Holly N.
Incredible taps with the choice of getting a flight of 4 for $12. Incredible deal, especially considering they occasionally have a couple MIkkelers on rotation. When I was there, the Bear Racer V was on the engine--so good! Mediterranean plate is spot on--secretly but perhaps not so secretly the best thing on the menu. Vegetarian, so of course I can't speak for a lot of the food but I truly go here for the beer list alone.
(5)
Melissa H.
Crispy perogies. I was a woman on a mission, so we wandered into Fishtown's Kraftwork for pre-dinner eats (hat tip to Tolkien's hobbits and their six meals a day). We got started with beers and hot spiced apple cider with bourbon. A pretty impressive list of brews! Glad to see an SF favorite on the list (Racer 5). We split the crispy perogies (mission accomplished, filled with mashed potatoes, choucroute, mushrooms and a side of chive creme fraiche and apple chutney) and truffled deviled eggs (with a delicious presentation of tender and pickled roasted beet salad and latticed crispy waffle chips). Goodness. Perogies and deviled eggs were amazing. The atmosphere? Clean, rustic yet warm interiors. Quiet on a weekday late afternoon with only the subtle chatter of other happy hour goers. The service was friendly and quick, and our server knew his beers well. We did feel pressured to order dinner and hurried along when we decided to forgo entrees (it wasn't peak dinner hours). Overall, great food and drinks, cozy and clean. Can't wait to come back and try other options on the menu.
(4)
Jessica H.
Wandered in the place for lunch a few years ago. Love this place. I've had brunch, lunch and dinner here and it has never disappointed. Great place to meet up with friends, have a dinner for two or even alone. It is very chill, friendly, clean atmosphere with a boatload of great brews to pick from. They even suggest pairing for food and beer. Samplers are a great way to find the beer you like. Their other drinks are also killer - bloody mary's are out of this world, but hot! Not a huge menu, which is nice. What they do, they do well. Try any of the salads, cheese boards, samplers, beer can chicken, and they have in season or tasty specials - call ahead to find out what or go on website. My vegetarian friends love it too. Parking can be a hassle but we usually find a spot after circling the block 2-3 times. We drove into Phila just for the fiddleheads when in season!. Delicious Food with healthy alternatives. Aso nice that you can sit outside when nice (with your dogs). I head for this place everytime I am in Fishtown. I actually crave it! Just a good vibe when hanging out here. Wish it was my neighborhood bar.
(5)
Elyse A.
When the food was placed in front of me, I got so excited I started shaking. This freaked my sister out. The trout BLT and beer can chicken sandwich is out of the world. I probably prefer the trout BLT though. The beer selection is incredible. And if you're not in the mood for beer, try the dark & not too stormy. Absolutely delicious!! It was pretty crowded tonight but the service was impeccable. From the moment we walked in and put our name in to when we were served drinks to when we left, I felt like our service was actually appreciated.
(5)
Roger L.
Ok wow, this is my number one Gastro pub so far. Fish town, who would have thought. I don't give 5 stars but this place earned all five. The service was great with an intimate knowledge of the beers on tap. The hamburgers were aged beef and awesome! My first 5 star restaurant so please Go.
Great happy hour from 10-12. awesome draft list they are much more the beer garden rather than Frankford Hall. New menu change up! Much more diet n pescatairin friendly, yay check it out!
(4)
Holly W.
The bartender who doubled as our waiter during the quiet late weekday lunch was very affable and knowledgeable about the impressive list of 25 beers available. He brought us over a few samples to try before we made our selection. We started lunch with Korean pork tacos for $8 which were absolutely delicious. Two large, soft tacos stuffed quite generously with a nicely hot/sweet juicy serving of pork (which I dripped down the front of my shirt as I bit into - ug! But so worth it heehee.) Then hubby had a blue cheese burger he loved - perfectly cooked and it also had some delicious bacon/onion relish which he said was a wonderful combination with the blue cheese. I had the mushroom baguette which was really good, packed full of tender, succulent mushrooms, red peppers and spinach(?I think it was spinach), topped with a tasty parmesan cheese and all on a fresh, soft slightly crispy baguette. The fries were really good too, thin, well seasoned and served with both catsup and a nice creamy mustardy dip. The service was excellent, the room was very cool in an exposed brick/industrial kind of way and the bathrooms clean. I'd definitely go back if I was in the area.
(4)
Ron H.
A hipster type local neighborhood feel with a nice and open main room centered around the bar. I have only been three times for lunch, so the evening scene might be alot different. The hazlenut salad is huge but dressing was too creamy, no flavor to the hazlenuts and the butter lettuce is too sweet. This dish has alot of potential, but as it was served, I wouldn't recommend it. Fries are great, perfectly seasoned and fried, love them Burger is the wrong mix of meat, tastes like "chuck". Cooked perfectly but needs to be seasoned, def needs salt! Awesome craft beer selection. You can spend plenty of time here with friends turning lunch into happy hour (and with this beer selection, it's hard not to).
(3)
Seldom W.
I sure do with this place was a bit cheaper. It is just a little too pricey for my pocket book. The service is nice and the food is good. They always have nice cocktails (and beer obviously) but the cocktails are a lot and well.. maybe when I have a better job?
(3)
James S.
Visited this jem via yelp. Had the pork belly sandwich excellent. I had to check out the branch on sunday my girlfriend had a soft shell crab egg benadict. Wow... friendly staff everything you can ask for and more in a gastrio pub
(5)
Aaliyah P.
Let me state for the record we usually dont do fish town but since the #noeaterrepeatery2013 is in full swing we decided to cross that barrier and mingle with the dark side of the city. We arrived to a pretty decent size bar it was a monday but this place was in full swing.Service was great the entire time and the menu options offer something for everyone. I was sad to see that at least 3 beers i wanted to try weren't up yet so i opted for a snap and cider. We started with those infamous pretzel nuggets. They were everything , everyone claimed them to be. truth be told i would come back for just them. I opted for a salad since i had just done an hour of brutal cardio and leg work. The hazelnut and gruyere salad was pretty large. The salad came with a generous helping of nuts, though not so much cheese atop butter lettuce.The dressing had a nice creamy balance but i was thinking it should have been sweeter to offset the fatty cheese and nuts. I can honestly say that i would eat here again. Apparently brunch here is amazing and the staff was super cool and the atmosphere seems low key which i need more of in my life.
(4)
Judy D.
I had brunch here today and it was a pleasure. As a visitor from NY I was so impressed with the friendly service and willingness to accommodate. We sat outside which was lovely on an early October day and the food was on point. I ordered a cheese and bacon omelet and couldn't decide between home fries or salad and was offered a little of each. Nice touch and a great Bloody Mary. Great start to the day,
(4)
Deann M.
I was in an awful mood when we got to Kraftwork because we walked from our house in the sweltering heat and I was grumpy and hungry. It took no time at all for that mood to change when I tried the iced coffee. I think it was a special, can't remember, but it hit the spot! So many beer taps too! I had the smoked salmon rosti - smoked salmon with chive creme fraiche atop potato pancakes and served with arugula salad. It was delicious but most of the plate was the sald, with two small potato pancakes. There was a lot of salmon, but I think I would have preferred 3 potato pancakes with the salmon split between the three. Overall, I'm nitpicking, the dish was delicious and I wanted more! My BF tried Huevos Rancheros - he had never had them before, he's usually a breakfast burrito guy. He loved it and now wants to try huevos rancheros everywhere. My friend had the waffle with fresh berries. The food was excellent and we'll definitely be back, but I think we'll drive next time.
(4)
Edward M.
I've driven past Kraftwork on several occasions, but only recently finally made it inside to try their grub and brews. I came prepared to be unimpressed. But.... The pierogi (apparently handmade on site) were delicious and had great texture -- crispy on the outside, chewy and potato-y on the inside. The wild mushroom sandwich was good, though not great. Happily, the server asked if I'd rather have it with fries or greens. I chose the greens, which also accompanied the pierogi very nicely. The beer selection is extensive, with about twenty beers on tap. Conveniently, the selections are listed on a printout that is given to you to peruse at leisure (gee, what a novel idea, all you other bars that only list your beers on a chalkboard tucked away somewhere annoying...). And the list also shows you the next keg on tap for when a keg is tapped (tapped kegs are crossed out on the sheet), so you don't need a ton of back-and-forth with your server -- which is quite useful when the place is packed and noisy. If you do happen to want to discuss the beers, though, the staff is knowledgable and friendly and will do so. The beer list is a bit heavy on the hoppy side, but there are enough other choices to keep a non-hop-head happy. The layout here is quite good, as well, with a large central bar where you can sit and see other patrons and variously sized tables in the periphery if you're with a group.
(5)
Michael A.
Though a bit off the beaten track, Kraftwork is well worth the journey. Decorated what can only be described as hipster industrial, Kraftwork nonetheless offers a welcoming atmosphere with a killer beer list. Kraftwork has more than twenty beers on tap, and every single one has been carefully selected for quality. The bartenders know a great deal about the beer and drinks and are more than happy to help you make a selection. I stopped in on a Friday night with a friend, and it was immediately clear that Kraftwork was far more than just a neighborhood pub - it's a go-to spot for those gearing up for a night out on the town and others enjoying the atmosphere. There's a horseshoe-shaped bar in the center of the bar surrounded by tables the outside. Most people ordered food to enjoy with their drinks, but we weren't hungry, so we stuck to the beer list, and we were not disappointed. The bartenders were incredibly friendly and helpful. All in all, we had a great time and will definitely be returning.
(4)
Dennis U.
Lots of good interesting beers and a menu with a number of interesting selections. I had the pepper crusted trout BLT with fries. Yum lots of B, sauteed arugula for L and tasty trout on a great whole grain toast... great fries too. My companion had the beer can chicken sandwich... massive amounts of chicken. Worth a visit as well as a revisit. Out door dining is available but kind of stark at lunch. Breakfast looked interesting as well!
(4)
Parker S.
Nice u-shaped bar with lots of seating, even though the space is relatively small. I didn't get anything to eat but the food smelled good, especially the french fries. The draft list is good, with about 20 beers on tap. They also provide a list of what is on deck after a keg gets kicked. This is a nice feature and a smart move on their part since it could easily bring you back to the bar if you know something you want to try is coming up soon. Another excellent aspect of the spot is that their happy hour is 10pm-Midnight. It is half off 6 preselected drafts. It would be nice if it was all their beers but being that this is one of the few places that does a late night happy hour you can't complain too much.
(4)
Don G.
One of my favorite places for beer and food. Always something good on draft and the menu specials are great. The beer can chicken is outstanding. Brunch is great and is never too crowded. Try the house made breakfast sausage.
(5)
Alex C.
What a great place! We had awesome afternoon beers here and herb spiced fries that were amazing (nice rosemary kick). The bartender was lovely--she was helpful and friendly, and she ran us through how they rock and rolled with the menu. The beer list is great. Not just your neighborhood bar. We ordered a great imperial stout (Oscar Blues Ten Fidy) that we know we'll want as our winter beer. Nice saisons and sours on draft too. Next time we go, well be sure to grab a big lunch. Turns out Kraftwork runs this special where if you get one lunch, your second lunch dish is half off. So we saw lots of pairs!
(4)
Chris M.
Kraftwork is legit, like 2legit2quit legit. And with that reference, I've proven my antiquity and thus my lack of qualification to bestow upon anything (save perhaps Matlock) the title of legit. Nonetheless, trust me on this one: you'll like Kraftwork. We went for brunch, and have a great meal. They have a lot of beers on tap, and I think there had just been a Bear Republic tap takeover (that alone tells you how awesome this place is). So at least half of the taps were made up of hard-to-find Bear Republic beers. Food is also very good. I highly recommend the beer-can chicken sandwich. The roll it was on was perfect (fresh and crusty), the chicken was moist, and I loved that it was topped with fried long hots. My wife got the stuffed french toast, which seems like a sweet tooth's dream. It was covered in a mascarpone cream sauce and apple compote. Really delicious, but I couldn't eat more than a bite or two of that, given how rich it was. She loved it though. The ambiance is pretty relaxed, and the servers were nice enough. I would definitely recommend Kraftwork if you're in the area.
(4)
Katherine S.
The food is fine, but the staff are a nightmare. Brunch is a very stressful experience here! The past couple visits here have been unpleasant, but the most recent visit last month was enough to guarantee I will not go back. The last time I went, I was convinced the hostess was either high or hadn't slept after a night out, because she legit seemed cracked out. She was frantic and couldn't find us a table, until I pointed out a vacant table she had missed. The waitress ignored us the entire time and we had to wait twenty minutes just to get more coffee. I don't understand why this place is so popular- I think it's completely overrated. I don't know how they can get away with having such poor service.
(3)
Nicole E.
I've been to Kraftwork plenty of times over the years and have always had a great experience. Friendly staff, awesome drink menu (cocktails and beer), surprising gluten-free drink options, casual vibe, and great bar food. But guys, I'm here to tell you that I tried the shrimp and grits on their brunch menu this past weekend and it was basically the best food I have ever had. Sooooo. Goooooooood. Grilled shrimp on top of perfectly cooked grits (in a shellfish broth, I think it's cooked in??) with these unbelievable bacon-braised collard greens mixed in, and a fried egg. Omg. WORTH THE WAIT. I even took my leftovers (and the leftovers of a friend, who'd had the same dish) and ate it later.
(4)
Sara W.
This has become a standard go-to for me and the boo. Great, rotating draft selection; one of the best burgers in town; and a stellar brunch that's so indulgent and fabulous it could even bring the crypt-keeper back to life. Bring a large group and cozy up at the benches or hop next to a neighbor and make a new buddy. The vibe is always pretty chill and the servers are awesome. Ask and you shall receive--they're all beer connoisseurs that can give you a small wiki page on each brewery on tap without a single hint of pretense. Gotta love that. A definite lack of veggie options, but I've never been disappointed with the Mediterranean plate and their finely crafted, locally sourced cheese plate.
(5)
Lauren C.
The beet salad is probably the most delicious salad ever. It is also a huge portion so can split into 2 meals or good for sharing.
(5)
Brian M.
Pretty standard hipster gastro pub with an industrial theme. Went for brunch which was good but nothing stood out from the typical brunch fare in the city. The rotating beer list was probably the best feature.
(4)
Mo S.
Incredibly knowledgable staff especially when it comes to their selection of beer. Look no further for a local craft beer selection. Food is great and the interior space has a great aesthetic.
(5)
Meishka M.
I come here too much...Kraftwork is one of those places in the hood that I just can't escape. The food is good and the draft list is always interesting, but I always feel like my fiance is dragging me here. I'm not complaining...I love a good beer and a burger. The menu is simple, but I do encourage exploring the specials. I assume there is a budding chef hiding somewhere in that kitchen. The reverse happy hour is also a really good deal. One complaint though...the music (especially when the girls are working) can get downright wretched at times.
(4)
Brian L.
I'm not much of a beer person, but I was with good company which earns the 4th star. The selection is quite vast and the staff is helpful enough and friendly. Nice atmosphere. The food is also really really good. The people there seemed cool and chilled out, very different from most Chicago bars. Ugh. Wish that I could trade up.
(4)
Victoria L.
I love Kraftwork mostly for their beer, but the few food menu items I've tried were good. They have a great beer flights system! Most times I don't thoroughly enjoy sitting at a bar, but the layout here is nice and open so it's very comfortable. All the servers and bartenders are great too. Definitely get the french fries every time.
Went here last night for a few beers with a friend. First off, the staff is extremely friendly. They knew a lot about the beers and answered a few questions I had on some. The bartender (Mike?) was quick to offer me a sample of a couple of beers I was interested in trying. Their tap list is amazing and constantly changing. Prices for the area are pretty damn good. I'll be back for sure.
(5)
Jennifer T.
This place might be better for other meals but skip brunch. I was super excited to try this place just because of the way it looks from the outside. We went for Sunday brunch and the menu looked promising. Unfortunately we were all a little disappointed. The breakfast burrito was mostly rice and beans and the omelets weren't quite right. I think they cook the eggs, then put the filling inside (uncooked) and transfer to your plate. The spinach inside was cold like salad and the cheese wasn't melted. Not my idea of an omelet. Also not sure they cooked my sausage completely.
(2)
Michelle T.
Def need to come back for late night HH!
(4)
Thor T.
The beer line-up is usually a great mix of styles and breweries and it certainly is fun to also read about the "on-deck" selections waiting for pouring should a keg kick while you are there. As for food, the fantastic Charcuterie Board is always a winner, with morcilla, La Quercia prosciutto, and a fine house-made rabbit terrine, as is the Short Rib Sandwich, slow braised meat resplendent on a brioche bun (the excellent, well-informed and kind waitstaff will agree to split it for you - a good idea if you also want to eat all of the generous charcuterie board). Some other food selections are less successful, the prime culprit is a flatbread margherita that made me pine for store bought frozen pies. The atmosphere is convivial and fun, if loud and crowded most of the time - sure signs of a very successful bar.
(4)
Mike G.
UPDATE 4/6/13 - This place has seriously stepped it up from when I first wrote a review (I hear they swapped out chefs at some point a while back). The brunch here is incredible. I can't say enough good things! ------------- This place has an amazing rotating beer selection. I like how they give you a beer menu that shows which beer will be tapped next. They also have growlers! I was very happy when this place opened up right around the corner from my house. The only thing I'd have to complain about is the food. It's OK but it's nothing amazing. I feel it's a bit expensive for what it is. I ordered the falafel sandwich for $9 and all that came out was a piece of pita bread, 3 falafel balls and some yogurt sauce. No lettuce or tomato. The people I have gone with all feel the same about the food. I really feel that they could use a food makeover.
(4)
Mike S.
This is what I do when I walk into Kraftwork: 1) get a flight of amazing beers 2) drink them while looking at the specials menu 3) order something from the specials menu (i have yet to be dissapointed) 4) order a goblet of tasty beer to accompany the food that I chose 5) key lime desert I. Love. This. Place.
(5)
Ann R.
Although I have already reviewed Kraftwork I feel compelled to review it again upon reading Augie B and Jen L's reviews because I was sitting at the table next to them the night they dined at Kraftwork. I can remember this night so clearly because of the humorous situation Augie created when he sent his crostini back to the kitchen multiple times. Now I'm not one to judge (yes I am), but when someone has ordered not one but TWO meat and cheese platters then complains about four pieces of toasted bread that person is cra-zay. I enjoyed the scene Augie created when he complained about his meal despite eating it (no, I didn't measure how much he ate but it was most of it). I find it ridiculous that you could actually argue about toasted bread and then eat, eat, and eat. I also find it humorous that you use the royal "we" in your review, as if you are speaking for everyone. While you cite an "unfortunate trend in Philadelphia...(to) get it right then screw the pooch" I could also cite an unfortunate trend in Philadelphia for people to think that studying the "Culinary Arts" qualifies you to review restaurants and pass judgement. I'm sorry you aren't Craig LaBan and I'm sorry that you felt the need to criticize a the waitress and the chef on date. The night you dined at Kraftwork the staff was on point, the food was excellent, and the beer was top notch. EVERY meal I've had at Kraftwork has been great, fresh, and yummy. The waitstaff has NEVER been condescending or rude because I've never been condescending or rude but I can honestly attest to the fact that Augie's waitress was not rude, she was more than patient. I hope you read Augie and Jen's reviews and think, "Wow, those people think a good date is spending time at a bar while my date berates a waitress then go to Oh! Hara's." Bottom Line: Kraftwork is still great. Their specials are always fresh and local and their beer selection is like no other in the city. Go there immediately!
(5)
Felicia D.
I used to have this dream of lying down underneath a whole row of taps and turning them all on full blast to literally loll around in BEER. Yes, I'm weird, but someone else MUST have thought this at least once, or why would Kraftwork have installed 24 draft lines and one full-time cask? No bottles here, but world-class, rare, local and otherwise fly brews pouring all the time. If you're a heartless type who don't find brew cool, the food is appealing uber-pub-grub -- a juicy burger you can dress with your choices of accoutrements like Grafton cheddar and bacon jam (!), plus charcuterie made in-house and a dessert Krispy treat that subs out pork rinds for puffed rice. There's 2 TVs to keep updated on the game without having your eyeballs seared by HD at every turn, and picnic-table style seating. Bump elbows with your neighbors, maybe you'll make a friend, dudes. (full disclosure: One of my great girl friends is the hot brunette server, you know which one)
(5)
Tatyana B.
I love to come to this place with my husband. The Server is very knowledgeable , always advices us drinks and food, and we love that! Food is fresh and delicious!
(5)
Josh M.
I love this place. The food is unique and top notch. The beer list is extremely diverse and changes constantly. It's not loud and has a nice outside area. Love it.
(5)
B G.
Like the other reviewers, I like the amount of fresh, on tap beer this place has. But the sheer number of taps is not enough to impress me. The food is barely "meh" and overpriced. To be considered a "gastropub" the "gastro" part should be at least equal to the "pub" part. I'm all about rabbit terrine when its made well, but you are in Fishtown, guys... take it down a notch or two. While I am aware some restaurants need a little time to find their groove, I'm sure the owners and chefs of Kraftwork are also aware that when you open a place, that should be the time to really get your future regulars in and settled. First impressions and all. Kraftwork, I may come back for a beer, but if you want my food money, you're going to have to try a bit harder.
(2)
Sophia S.
Went to Kratfwork for a beer week event last night. It was my first visit, but I doubt it will be my last. Our group ordered the mediterranean plate to start--excellent hummus, baba ghanoush (some of the best i've had!), stuffed grape leaves, olives, pita, and a mini-greek salad. Great start. My burger was good--not HUGE, but filling. I ordered it medium and that is how it arrived. I got the bleu cheese, which was AWESOME. you must love blue to go for it. Similarly, one of my companions described the aged cheddar on his burger as "sharp as shit" (in a good way). Kraftwork gets major points for understanding the power of awesome cheese. The tap list was all from denver brewery Great Divide, which i know is not the norm. The format of the list itself however, was their standard and was certainly cool. it lists all available beers and the possible serving sizes (pint, goblet, etc), prices for each serving size in an information-driven chart....it also shows what kegs are on deck once this one kicks. and while it may seem out of the way in fishtown, it is an easy walk from the girard stop on the el, so don't let that deter you from trying this great spot!
(4)
Hieu P.
Great spot to come to if you're able to get seating. If you're coming in with a ton of people on a weekend, good luck, the place gets mobbed with moderate waits involved, but oh is it worth it. The beers are plentiful, the wine isn't bad, and the food is absolutely scrumptious! The portions are sizable, but not overwhelming, and the cooks get it right the handful of times I've been there. since the menu is rotating, it's always been a different experience when it came to the food, but I never found myself complaining once, it's really good grub. The beers are abundant! So many kinds to choose from, and you can get little pubbers at 8oz each to try a bunch of different beers without hurting the wallet much, all they way up to 40s if you found one to hit home enough to get absolutely plaster off of it... or to bring home to share, we won't tell anyone :D Kraftwork looks great, too. Dark ambiance with fantastic details to really push the industrial look without encroaching the actually dirty, greasy mess that actually comes along with it. Awesome place I've no qualms bringing people to!
(4)
Annie D.
Since I wrote my previous review so close to Kraftwork opening its doors I thought I'd write a little "Kraftwork one month after: a retrospective" I've been to Kraftwork about 1/2 dozen times now, eating something different every time I've gone and always drinking 1/2 draughts (when possible) to maximize my beer tasting potential. In addition I've gone with someone different every time to maximize my menu tasting potential. Now that my study is conclusive I'm happy to say that Kraftwork is holding up their end of the bargain big time. The food is consistent and yummy, the beer selection doesn't disappoint and you can catch a Phillies or Flyers (RIP '10 Stanley Cup run) on the flat screens. My personal pick, after all these visits the trout sandwich is still my favorite followed closely by the falafel.
(4)
Sara C.
Ohhhh yeah. Adam Ritter has brought the same friendly service, awesome beer, and amazing food to Fishtown. That space is goddamn beautiful - the exposed brick, the awesome metal work. Service was on point and the beer selection that night was a solid line-up of Founders drafts for Beer Week - including the elusive Kentucky Breakfast Stout and Devil Dancer. I had to go for the lauded beer can chicken sandwich, and it did NOT disappoint. The chicken was so juicy that it tasted more like pork, and the sharp provolone and long hots certainly would have made this sandwich a home in South Philly. The side of cabbage and apple slaw was delicious, but I can't lie, a small side of fries would have put it on the top. While Kraftwork may not have that same cozy neighborhood corner bar feel like Sidecar, I'm glad they've accomplished something completely different - and just as amazing.
(5)
Katie I.
I had no idea they had opened for business. I passed the corner of Montgomery and Girard in Fishtown a few days ago and noticed a bright change. Today was Kraftwork's soft opening! My beau and I were looking for dinner and we were thrilled to stumble upon its open doors! 1. Tucked away on a busy thoroughfare seldom enjoyed for it's culinary offerings Kraftwork is the newest rough hewn, yet well-polished foodie-bar North Philly has to offer. I imibibed a Lagunitas IPA and a few choice Modernist cocktails (the Le Corbusier was so springy, in a serious way) that I would recommend to any lover of a well made drink. Very subtle, very fresh, and exceptionally well mixed. 2. The food is so fresh, expertly prepared and presented, and well thought out I had no idea we were at a brand new restaurant. Sampling the fiddle ferns (what are these and why are they SO delicious?), ricotta dumplings (never a tastier cheese dish have I ever tasted), rabbit terrine (I don't even eat rabbit and this was to die for, with fresh mustard!) and mussels (by FAR the best I've had in the entire city), we were delighted again and again by brand new and immensely satisfying flavors. 3. Go here! Give Kratwork a chance of survival in the food desert that is north of Girard! They promise to have 24 craft beers on tap and the ambiance is as industrial as this area's history, but the vibe is pure fun. Especially if they include a rotating menu and local fare, Kraftwork promises to be an all-time favorite hang-out for all of Philly's food and drink lovers.
(5)
Jess M.
I drive by this place all the time on my way home from work and just stopped in last night with the boyfriend for dinner, beer and Phillies. The decor is very industrial and the atmosphere started out laid back until it started filling up and everyone was buzzing, mostly into the Phillies game. The bartenders were very chill and Adam's iPod is full of excellent tunes (lots of RJD2 is a winner!). The beer list is extensive and it's all on tap. It's a good thing they don't believe in bottles at this bar because they wouldn't really have the room for them anyway. The menu is full of unique fare - indecisive on what to nosh on, boyfriend and I split our orders: the BL...Trout sandwich with salt & vinegar fries and the Shortrib Sandwich with garlic & herb fries. I'd never eaten trout before and it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it was great sandwich on this delicious, very crisp wheat toast. The shortrib sandwich was out of this world, a lot of which I attribute to the awesome kick from the hot peppers embedded in there. I preferred the salt & vinegar fries to the garlic & herb ones, but you can't go wrong with either thanks to the mustard aioli dipping sauce. Many compliments to the chefs on the great food and to the owner for opening such a great spot. Will certainly be back.
(5)
Colleen M.
The beer selection here is great, but the food is eh. We went here on a Saturday night and waited only about 15 minutes to be seated. I ordered the crispy perogies. They are not crispy, but still pretty tasty. However the sauce that is on them is overwhelming. It tasted like lemon and it overpowered the perogies. My friend had the pretzel bites with cheese dip and those were pretty good. Most of the food we got was ok but expensive for what it was. Overall, I would probably go here again if in the area and looking to drink beer. I would not go here to eat dinner and I wouldn't go out of my way to get here.
(3)
brei g.
For me this place is heaven! Amazing selection of beer and delicious food. Truly! Oh, and it's very reasonably priced. Domestic and import microbrews. 26 taps I think, which rotate! So as soon as one kicks, it rotates. Think about half of them are constantly rotating. So on any given night your options might be even greater than 26. One side of the menu is currently what's on tap or coming up. And to top it off you can get the beer tasting, 4x 6oz beers for $8! But watch out for what you order because many of the beers are 7+% alcohol. Oh yeah, food! Had the chicken liver mousse - very good. Rich and smooth. And then the short rib sandwich with crispy fries sprinkled with fresh herbs. Fantastic! And great music playing! Thank you for a fabulous evening, Kraftwork!
(5)
Pablo A.
My friends and I call it the tool bar. The acoustics are horrible, the food is only slightly better (the mushroom sandwich and Mediterranean plate are probably the only things worth ordering) and it is overpriced. The beer selection, of course, is solid, and they usually have a sour ale on tap, but with the Memphis Taproom so close why ever go to Kraftwork.
(2)
Rich G.
I have been there 3 times, and will not really make the effort to go back on my own. They do have an excellent beer selection, but I cannot agree with all the people saying that the bartenders are all knowing. I have had to dinners there, and a bunch of other random things. All food I have had has been very good. Table servers and bus boys are great...mostly ppl from the neighborhood, and are very friendly. I cannot say the same for the bartenders. I was there this past Saturday for the Craft Brew express, and you would have thought they were caught by surprise. 2 bartenders for an overly packed place, it didnt make sense. This is certainly not a negative, but the place has been overly packed during all my visits....and hot as hell....even in the middle of winter.
(3)
Tim P.
I've been stopping into Kraftwork since they opened, usually I just sit at the bar for a drink or two. When it comes to beer this place is amazing. They have 25 taps and offer their beers in half pints, pints or growlers. The growlers are very reasonably priced too. The selection usually includes one or two beers that I have never seen in Philly before and I try to keep up on these things. The cocktails are also all well thought out and rather good. The bartenders are all friendly and helpful with suggestions. I've sat at the tables only once or twice, the first time I had great service, the second time so-so. I usually don't eat here though, I feel there is too limited a selection of entrees and some are overpriced (the burger) or just not that amazing (BL Tuna). The chicken sandwich and the cabbage slaw are the exception though. They have a ton of small plate options though, perhaps that is just the theme the bar is going for. The desserts seem ok, though I did recently have a dessert special that was young's double chocolate stout waffles with mint chocolate chip ice cream. I really hope that becomes a regular menu item. I know I am in the minority here but I really don't like the garlic and herb fries. They are kind of soggy and I just don't like the herbs they used. So usually if I want a quick unhealthy snack I will go elsewhere but come here for a beer when I am done.
(4)
Tori K.
I love the beer selection at Krafwork. It's always different. Don't get too attached to any one beer. If you go on Friday it may not be there Sunday but don't worry there will be something else delicious to replace it. The staff is friendly and helpful. I'm not really a fan of the table set up though. The tables are large and they will seat you with another group. I don't mind sitting next to strangers at a bar but something about sharing my dining experience with an unknown group makes me uncomfortable. Fortunately they do have a few high top tables that 2 to 4 people can comfortably share.
(4)
Neil K.
I had been wanting to go here since it opened up a couple a months ago. It's kind of far from where I live in South Philly (meaning I can't walk) but it looked like a interesting place. I finally made the trek up there last weekend with a few friends and I was definitely impressed by the bar. The beer selection is one of the best I have seen in the city, the $8 flights are great for trying out a bunch of different brews. The food was really good as well...I got the shortrib sandwich. The staff was all really friendly too. I can't wait for my next trip up here.
(5)
Philip S.
i am not a drinker at all ,,,,,but i heard the food at kraftwork was worth the trip ....wow , this was absolutely the best meal and night out i have had in awhile ,,,,,the cheese board was creative and rich ,,,amazing flavor pairings ,,,,,,,the salad was amazing , we both had pasta dishes ,and pierogies ,,,,the pasta was fresh and truly amazing , i think house made fresh ,,, the pierogies were to die for !!! i love the environment, and the food, and from what i can tell they have an amazing selection of beers from all over the world ,,,,,girard ave has come long way !!! i will be back to eat , definately !! the best part ,,,,,is we totally pigged out and try many many items , it was like a four course dinner ,,,and the bill was 58.oo ,,,,for two ,,,wow !!!!! 58.00 for the best meal i have had in awhile !!! i was super happy !!
(5)
Gary L.
Went for dinner with a group of 4. Sat outside. Solid rotating beer selection. The beer taps had a larger assortment of higher abv beers (6% and up) than ligher beers. Our group ordered the Mediterranean Board to share, Lentil Salad, and Korean Tacos. All 3 were great with the tacos as the best. Most of the group ordered burgers for dinner, which were great. They use a dry-aged burger blend which was a nice touch. Go for the fried egg on top, it makes a difference. The french fries have a light garlic seasoning which was good. Overall a solid burger, and worth a visit.
(4)
christina g.
We went to Kraftwork about a month ago. I really wanted to like it, but eh. Since it had only been open a week or two, we decided we'll give it another try in another month or so. We really enjoyed the decor and more communal seating. long tables and benches. I also enjoyed the uniquely styled menu. The food was overpriced and pretentious in tiny portions. They seemed a little vinegar happy too. The service was decent. Very little vegetarian fare. I had the smallest $10 salad evar! The falafel was pretty horrible. I'm told they use local and in season ingredients, so hopefully they change the menu up with something good. The beer on the other hand, was great as well as reasonably priced. They had a good amount of beer on tap. Plus there was a wide variety. One of our party decided to be brave and try the Pork Krispy Treat. STAY AWAY! It was hard as a rock and was basically just a plain rice krispy treat with bacon bits and chocolate on top. I told the waitress about it and she brought another one, which was equally rock-like. Then she brought Chocolate Terrine which was delicious. They were really nice about her disgust with the first dessert and didn't charge her for the krispy treat or the terrine. Basically, it's a decent place to have great beer, but eat before you go.
(3)
J S.
Needed a good meal the day after one of the best shows ever-Roger Waters...1st time here n I had a superb Eggs Benedict...very attentive staff always keeping the water cup full and the server was very friendly and good...Bloody Mary was so so with just a mini hot pepper, pickle slices and a few olives...would of been nice if they had bacon and/or shrimp as well..also had an Irish coffee though without whip cream but it was strong and woke me up...will have to go back for the good beer selection n maybe dinner...solid place all around...nice layout
(5)
Lily A.
Great beers. Great burgers (amazing, actually). Walking distance to the bar/music venue Johnny Brenda's. Great pre-concert dinner!!
(4)
Roxanne J.
I have been to this place twice for brunch and twice for dinner/drinks, and loved it every time. At brunch it's chill, never too crowded, with awesome food and substantial but not overwhelming portions. A thousand times better than many of the other (more popular) breakfast places I've been in Fishtown and NoLibs, and their biscuits could take on the dry, brick-like ones served at Honey's any day of the week. In fact, the biscuits alone are reason to go. My friends also loved their breakfasts (both sweet and savory offerings), and we tend to be picky foodie types. It's a little more intense in the evening, because the tables (admittedly kind of uncomfortable) fill up and there isn't a lot of room to maneuver if you just want to hang and drink. But I've also found their dinner fare to be yummy. The pretzel bites leave you wanting more and I flipped over the eggplant parm sandwich that I had. Beer selection is yummy if a little pricey for the neighborhood. Overall, a place I'd like to get to more often and worth the trip. I don't often write reviews but I like this place enough that I thought it was worth the praise. Go!
(4)
Christopher W.
I really really dug this place. Every aesthetic detail is paid attention to at this place, and its all brought together by a beautiful large Saw that hangs above the bar. You just want to like this place right when you walk through the door. I had a great cheese plate with my roommate and a burger that had to be in the top 3 I've had in Philly. The burger was cooked perfectly (which is seemingly hard to get these days) and topped with a poached egg that made the whole experience a messy, gooey, salty heaven. Im pretty sure I should have been pixelated so the kids around me couldn't see the faces I was making. I'll definitely be back to try more of this menu, and hopefully they'll hire a better bartendress by the next time I head here. A Definite Stop in Fishtown.
(4)
Mike D.
It was funny walking into this bar with my dad in his old neighborhood; he kept on saying how much everything has changed. Well, this is a good place to come out of that change. After mixing it up with a few samplers, we ordered the burger and the beer can chicken sandwich. Although the fries were nothing special, my burger was better than expected.. I went with the blue cheese and caramelized onions. The burger was cooked a perfect medium and the bun was perfectly fluffy and light. Although I didn't get to try to beer can chicken sandwich, my pops gave it a thumbs up. The side of red cabbage and apple slaw was on point as well. Our first bartender lacked personality but luckily the girl who took over nailed it down. With this many beers (3 saisons too!) and two good sandwiches, this place is the new neighborhood spot.
(4)
Katie B.
Excellent beer list with bartenders that really know what they are talking about and who make great recommendations! Besides the bar/restaurant being a bit small the atmosphere and decor are amazing - I have never had a meal hear that I didn't enjoy and I can't wait to go back to get one of the ever changing specials!
(4)
Corey B.
Food = 4.5 Stars Beer Menu = 4.5 Stars Atmosphere = 4.5 Stars Service = 5 Stars GENIUS! If you like draft beer, you have to try Kraftwork. They have 25 beers on tap at all times, and have a really great selection. The food was pretty awesome.. I've been jonesing for a good burger, and Kraftwork's was excellent. My lady had the beer can sammich, which was also great. Here's a few suggestions based on what we ordered. Olive and Bacon Flatbread = It was a special, but it was amazing. I'd recommend getting it as an appy to share while you wait for.... The Burger = Really, really effin good. Try it with cheddar and bacon onion jam. That's right... bacon.onion.JAM. Beer Can Chicken Sandwich = Really good. It comes with this sweet slaw, and I usually abhor slaw, but grab some of that slaw, and throw it on the sandwich. Without the slaw, it is still good. With the slaw, its unearthly. Caramel Strawberry Desert = It was also on the specials menu, but my god it was amazing. Caramel + Strawberries + Mint + Sea Salt. OMGOMGOMG The atmosphere was pretty cool, everything had like a factory, schematic, tools and machinery theme. Daylight pours in from multiple directions, and the tables are nice and large for all the food and beer you will be consuming. Last but not least, our server was amazing. I'll be back.
(5)
Brooke W.
So sadly, I've been back 2 more times and have to say now that although it's a great place to drink, I'd have to be really hungry to eat there again. I ordered the scallops special for $14 that was an entree and I was told that they are two huge scallops with asparagus and something else. Um, they were you average two scallops. There were maybe 4 half-sized stalks of asparagus. I'd rather pay $20 and get 4 scallops! And if they chinze on the scallops, you'd think you'd get a bunch of side stuff but no. And they were out of the two vegetarian appetizers so I had no options since I was still hungry. The next time I went I ordered the falafel sandwich and the cabbage and apple slaw. The falafel came on thick, good pita but the tahini was rather tasteless and the falafel was mushy. The pickled veggies on the side left a lot to be desired--I'm not sure pickled anything is a good side dish. The cabbage and apple slaw was also tasteless. I think I had one forkful and I sent the rest back. I tried some fries and they are called herbed something or other. As my friend remarked, they're all stubby fries. It looks like they went through the short side of the potato peeler so you can't really get a good grip on any of them. And some were undercooked. Some were fine. My other friend ordered a basket of them which was a steep $6...and she remarked it would be nice to pay $4 for half of them...since she got a 1/4 of the way through and they were all cold and clearly just too many fries even for a table of 4. So I better stick with the veggie board since I don't eat meat.
(3)
S L.
Went for Sunday Brunch. 23 taps, not particularly Philadelphia biased. Had a couple beers I've never seen before on tap. Good printed beer list showing what's on and what's up and coming, as well as price and glass size. We had the breakfast sandwiches - they were good, but for $9.50 I'd expect a bit more than one slice of scrapple. Wife go her's with t-bacon and it was a generous portion. Specials sounded real good too. Very hipster - there were more neck-beards, thick glasses and iPhones than I've ever seen. Ambiance was a bit noisy. Service was top notch and VERY friendly. We will definitely be going back here.
(4)
Sarah B.
This is by far my favorite place to eat dinner in Philadelphia (still haven't quite made it for brunch yet). The beer selection is great. There's always one or two basics that I recognize, but the wide selection (and ever changing list) have been a huge encouragement for me to try new beers. It helps that they let you sample first, like any true gastropub, and the flight of four is pretty nice as well. However, what brings me back, time and time again, is the vegetarian board. Goat cheese with truffle oil wrapped in potato, it's a solid foodgasm all by itself, then paired, with (usually) frisee in a nice light dressing and oven roasted tomatoes (which occasionally could stand to be cooked a little more, but are still fantastic) just takes the cake. I found I wasn't a huge fan of the pizza, but the steak they had the very next time I went for a special more than made up for it. The seasoned fries and the pirogies with apple chutney are also completely worth a try. Very much looking forward to taking the cheese board for a spin, but it's so hard to walk away from the truffled goat cheese. On a final note, I know a point of contention for a lot of people is that if you're a small group, it's not uncommon for you to be sat at a large table with another group. This sort of communal dining isn't for everyone. If that's not you, look to sit at the bar, or ask for a small table specifically (it may be a longer wait, but you'll probably enjoy your meal better). However, anytime I've gone and had this dining experience, it's been very pleasant (on one occasion we exchanged menu suggestions and conversed over what beers we'd each had that night, and both ended up ordering a bit of what the other group had ordered).
(5)
Vanessa G.
This is my favorite place in the neighborhood to get a beer and something to eat. I love the fact that you can get a half pint of many of the beers. I don't love paying a little extra for the half pint, but it is not a deal breaker for me. I am always impressed with the beer selection. I have always been happy with the food here. Favorites are the beer can chicken, the burger, and the tasty pretzel bites. Yum! I am getting hungry thinking about it.
(5)
Jes S.
Been wanting to go here forever... Things I loved: - Ummm, The beer clearly! So many tasty beers! Had tried to order The Older Viscosity, luckily the bartender asked if I wanted a sample first... Cuz it's 12.5%!! Clearly, I wasn't paying attn... Wheew... AND they have GROWLERS! Yay. - The food! I was there for brunch and got the Kraftwork Breakfast. Two eggs, toast with DELICIOUS homemade strawberry jam! , BACON! potatoes! -- I realize it is easy to make a simple breakfast delicious, but this was FANTASTIC!! - The service. Thank goodness for the bartender! I was not prepared to be trashy faced at 11am. Everyone was super helpful, knowledgeable and sweet. :) -The Decor! Very nicely done inside. VERY VERY Comfy stools. I could sit there all day. Things that I did not love, but did not hate either: - The fries were not memorable. :/ - Someone got the falafel sammich and was not pleased with the texture. :/ It wasn't bad, just not what he was expecting since the menu did say "take on a falafel sammich" 5 stars bc I'm rounding up from 4.5... I was blown away but the rest of the group was not so much. But the beer and everything else makes it a MUST GO AND TRY! :)
(5)
Carolyn M.
Was brought here for the first time last week and really enjoyed it! I got the beer can sandwich with mixed greens and everything was very good. I was a little thrown off that it was a pulled chicken and not just a piece of grilled chicken (I typically don't really enjoy eatin shredded meat), but it worked nicely with the awesome bun they serve it on. They were serving the brunch menu, which was a little lacking, but I was happy with my selection. I love the look of the place, though a bit small if you're looking to come in to sit and eat (which I was doing). Exposed brick with some metal touches but very clean and well done. The service was great...the owner even came and took our plates for us when we were finished...he was very friendly. I also enjoyed a Walt Whit which was fresh, cold and delish. Oh, and I was a big fan of the bathrooms...I know it might sound silly but they can sometimes make or break a place for me! :-P Overall, it's definitely worth a visit. Careful what time you go though...the tables get crowded fast!
(4)
Susan W.
Love it here have never had a bad meal, along with always great service.
(5)
mnd d.
I have the good luck to live within walking distance of this beautiful little bar. I find myself there more often than I should, with friends wanting to try it out constantly when they're in the area, but I'm not complaining. The decor is an ongoing observational experience - it doesn't change, but it is so well incorporated that you notice something new every time. Saws, anvils, perfect craftsmanship of the bar, wrenches in the bathroom, exposed layers of different walls - it's perfect for someone like me who does a lot of looking around. I am also pleased that they only have two televisions in the place and they're not very distracting at all from the rest of the experience. The draught list is huge (25 in all, I believe) and there is absolutely something for everyone. I'm a huge fan of stouts and there is usually chocolate, coffee, milk, oatmeal or something of the like on the list. They do a lot of half-pints - a practice which more places should adopt. They also have their own Growler which is priced decently and you can get nearly every beer on the list to take home. The bottles used to be a gorgeous brown with the logo in white, but for some reason they changed to plain clear bottle that doesn't do the beer or the logo justice. The food is usually fantastic and the specials can be really interesting. The flatbread pizza is never a bad choice and the burgers are THE BEST I HAVE EVER HAD. I love trying burgers with good beer and Kraftwork has stolen my heart and my tastebuds. Their topping choices are great (4 different kinds of cheese, bacon, mushrooms, bacon onion jam, caramelized onions, fried egg, etc.) and the burger is always cooked to perfection. I hardly ever eat fries, but the ones here are ridiculously good. I have finished my entire plate of food nearly every time and I'm always the one going home with a doggie bag. The atmosphere is friendly & laid-back and all of the servers have their own style of doing things. It gets extremely busy after 7pm on weekends and the wait for a table gets to be over an hour sometimes. They do their best to seat everyone as quickly as possible but it's a small bar with a lot of fans - get there early for dinner! Be warned - unless you're with a group or sitting at the bar, you will be bench-seated next to strangers. It can sometimes be awkward, but the crowd is usually very cool.
(5)
Jessica G.
I would call this genre of food "Sophisticated Fresh Bar Food." That is a good thing. I like to ask questions about the food I'm ordering if it is unfamiliar to me, just to get an idea of what a certain item's flavor palette is more than anything else. Some servers at some places react to this pretty rudely, which I can kind of understand I guess. But not those at Kraftwork. They know their food is different and they're very gracious about elaborating on it, probably because they are proud of and confident in their food.. and they should be. Everything I've had has been so yummy! They change the menu somewhat often because fresh, seasonal ingredients are very important to them. I'm really impressed by their beer list. It's quite extensive, but also, they go to the trouble to include a list of substitutions they can make if they are out of the beer you ordered. That is just a plain old good idea. Everything they do, they do very well. I find the decor very aesthetically pleasing, even down to the bathrooms. It's industrial-ish, but also, somehow pretty. And one of the best things is how broad their customer demographic is. I've seen all kinds of people here. Families, hipsters, yuppies, everyone is made to feel welcome and no one seems out of place.
(5)
Christopher S.
This place is a great addition to the already fantastic beer geek scene in Philly. Twenty or so taps and the 8oz serving option kept me more than interested for a few hours. The bartender was knowledgeable without being pretentious. My only complaint, and this is a very small complaint, was that the Racer 5 on cask was far too cold. The food is definitly tasty; I enjoyed a nice burger. It's the beer that makes this place shine.
(5)
Alex H.
There's really only one thing you have to say about this bar: a dozen high-quality craft beers are half-off from 10-12PM every Mon-Thurs. But the environment's decent and the crowd's nice, too. Pub food is good, the appetizers and munchies are great.
(5)
Jeff M.
I wanted so bad to love this place. The idea of it seemed so great. But Kraftwork is the definition of hipster, seems really cool at first, then you realize it's trying soooo hard to try not to try so hard. The decor seems so cool, but then it becomes stark and uncomfortable, like sitting in the middle of an unfinished cafeteria. The menu is so unique, but the food is just not very good. Thought this would be a cool neighborhood spot...but cool neighborhood spots just are, without trying so hard to be.
(2)
Joseph D.
At first I was put off by this place, and the only reason iI went there was for the beer selection. But every adjustment to the menu they made complements my interest in tasting things. At my last visit I had the truffled deviled eggs with and a BFM - biere de garde (on tap). The best thing about their beer menu is that it is accessible to all beer loving people; it provides the beer enthusiast with data necessary to hone onto the beer you desire. Go here to taste things!
(4)
Joe B.
I went to Kraftwork sunday night to try their Donner Kabob. I had first been turned on to Donner Kabob at Brauhaus Schmitz, and have really gotten to like it. Unfortunately, Brauhaus Schmitz only serves this dish on weekends during the Bundesleague (sp?) soccer games on TV there. If you go after 6PM, you're SOL. A bartender there told me about Kraftwork, and informed me that they served Donner Kabob all the time. I really like the atmosphere at Kraftwork. Very unique and visually stimulating. As other reviewers here have noted, the staff was very friendly and helpful. The crowd seemed kind of young and white-collar, but everyone seemed cool. I ordered the Donner Kabob with French Fries as a side. The fries were amazing. I've never tasted fries as good as that. I asked the guy tending, and he informed me that they had fresh dried herbs on them. The Donner Kabob was OK, but not nearly as good as the ones at Brauhaus Schmitz. I wouldn't hesitate to come back here. The Donner Kabob might have been so so, but I would be more than willing to try other dishes here. The people were nice, the place seems clean and well managed, and the atmosphere there is awesome. It's a cool spot to stop for a bite to eat or have a drink and hang out.
(4)
Sahra M.
LOVE the beer flights.. & the fact that they are constantly changing the list up.... i would love to see a little more by the way of veggie options... but overall thumbs up.
(4)
Jack H.
I didn't dig it at first but after 7 Jamison doubles, it grow on me, my wife and I shared a bowl of roasted garlic French fries which were amazing, we just sat outside on a cool day watching the world go by,and after it was all said and done the bill wasn't bad
(4)
Jon K.
Great food, amazing service, ridiculous beers. Pork croquettes with house-pickled onions were light and paired perfectly. Beer-can chicken sandwich and crispy pork on creamed corn (the latter may have been a special) were both winners. Desserts are solid, the chocolate terrine with sea salt was very good though. Great beer list with lots of wacky IPAs and sours.
(4)
Matthew C.
We came here after recommendations from people who loved Royal Tavern. We weren't disappointed. I had the beer can chicken and the truffled Deviled Eggs. Which both were excellent! The atmosphere is great. You don't feel cramped. Plus they have an amazing selection of beers. If you love Royal Tavern or North on 3rd then you'll love this place.
(4)
Abigail C.
Favorite bar and bartenders in our neighborhood. Love going in here on Sunday nights and having Tom describe the complex tastes and origins of the new brews.
(5)
bill f.
good food and beer offering, only negative I have to say is the place is pretty small so seating a little too close together for me, but I would go back, def worth at least checking out
(3)
Justin W.
Great beer selection. Nice two sided beer menu so when one tap runs out you get the next selection. They always have a sour ale or two on tap when I go. The food is decent but I go for the beer.
(4)
Justin K.
A friend of mine told me I pretty much had to come here and try the Beer Can Chicken. So I did. And I was not disappointed. We pulled up to the bar and ordered a couple of Beers which the friendly bartenders were all too happy to answer any and all questions about. They weren't pushy with the beers either, they had suggestions if you asked for them, but otherwise they would serve them up as ordered. We ordered the Truffled Deviled Eggs as a starter, and they were quite tasty. Really great mustardy flavor! They also came with a nice pile of of what I can only assume is home made waffle chips and some beet salad, which we ignored, because beets frighten us thanks to Dwight Schrute. The big star though was my juicy and delicious Beer Can Chicken sandwich. They use PBR to marinate the chicken and serve it up on a nice brioche bun with sharp provolone (and long hots, but I opted out of them). The chicken is DELICIOUS! I'm pretty sure this is better than the traditional Philly Roast Pork. I would actually be interested to taste it with some Broccoli Rabe to truly compare, but the meat is so big and flavorful here that I fear it would be no contest. The plate also had about 50 metric tons of delicious thin cut fries on it. I was only able to eat about 40% of them before I threw in the towel. There was a kind of sweet mustard on the side as well which I put on my sandwich and used for my fries. It was kind of like a honey flavored mustard that was not honey mustard is the best way I can explain it. My buddy was also pleased with his Margherita Pizza, which he wished had a little more cheese on it, but otherwise was great. Go try this place, you cant beat it for the value, the beer selection, and the assorted crazy crap on the walls (giant saw, wrench, an anvil at the bar, etc etc.) make for an all around great atmosphere.
(5)
damien t.
they always have a great beer list that has me pondering my selections for a good half hour or so. can be a bit pricey but you can get around that. no too hard. menu is solid pub grub. the short rib sandwich and korean tacos are my picks. the staff is laid back and they like their friends more than you but they don't slight you for it. my biggest gripe is the noise. it's an acoustic nightmare in there since it's so metallic and raw. every sound bounces around like a 15 year old at a gaga concert
(4)
Travis T.
Being two blocks away, it confounds me that it took me so long to enter the doors. This place is a true diamond in the roughneck Fishtown. Amazing spread of beers to try and each dish was well executed. Short rib sandwich was excellent through and through. The duck confit was cooked perfectly. I guess I could be a critical of the slaw, but even that was satisfying. Their genre of food has completely won me over. It's a lot of hearty, stuff-your-face, beer swillin' food-- and yet refined enough to still excite your palette. Some of the other bar/restaurants in the area are starting to feel worn out. With the exception of Standard Tap, there has been a recent surge of slip-ups; whether it's unwashed clams, forgotten orders, cold food, or horrific service. Kraftwork has yet to disappoint. Keep it coming Fishtown.
(5)
Er B.
I am sitting at the bar as I write this. They are nine days since opening and I am in heaven. 25 beers on tap and an audience of folks ranging from ten months to sixty years. I NEVER got to a place so soon after opening bc I like to see a place with their A game. Kraftwork is on their A game and have pleased me mightily. We enjoyed some of our favorite styles of beer (me: imperial stout; him: ipa). Along with the vegetable platter. The Faux Gras was so.damn.good. I also have to respect the place b/c they only have 5 or 6 liquors behind the bar and make some solid traditional mixed beverages. The staff also seems to help each other out, with all asking if we needed a refill or how our dish was (without being overbearing). I am also impressed with the cross section of diners/drinkers here. You have families, neighborhood residents, suburbanites (like me); all various ages represented, too. Oh yes, I'll be back and it makes the trek from Chester County to Fishtown worth it completely. **ps: this was drafted on Sunday, while sitting at Kraftwork, but not posted until later, mid-week**
(5)
melissa h.
Great beer selection, food, staff, vibe and neighborhood. only downside.... which, i know, it's probably silly to you:: the placement of the 2 televisions. they seem like an afterthought to me. unless you are at the bar, they are very tough to see. i guess i would just rather them not be there. it is torturous to know that the phillies are playing but that you can't actually see the game from your seat. : / much love anyway. : )
(5)
Leila G.
Livity fridays with rob paine and solomonic sound paired with joy and food and beer and great company and..and...and...
(4)
Danie G.
Was a big fan of Sidecar in Grad Hospital but then moved out of the neighborhood so was delighted to hear that they were opening a new place in Fishtown, closer to my new place. Wow, what an impressive place they have put together. It's worth going, just to check out the decor. Whoever designed and crafted the giant metal saw above the board, the lights, and the furniture did a really great job. The beer list is extensive, intriguing, and apparently changes quite a bit. And unlike Sidecar, the menu makes it really easy to tell what they have on tap and what type of glass it comes in. For most of the pints, you can always order a half-pint (pub glass) for 25c more than half price. They also have a flight option so that you can try 4 different beers. For wine and cocktail drinkers, they also have you covered with some excellent selections. The menu is about perfect for a place like this. Cheese boards to keep it interesting, great sandwiches to keep everyone happy, and kickass fries to round everything out. Our service was definitely slow, but friendly, and all and all it was a great experience.
(4)
Chris S.
Had our Christmas party there. Food and service where great! Only draw back it the tables are bolted to the floor, so the place is not really good for parties of 8 or more that want to sit together.
(4)
Bill C.
I took my parents and we had a lovely snacky dinner with drinks and hard-to-find-anything-wrong-with service. Knowledgeable, caring, attentive, friendly, etc. I just went back for more of that crack-like chicken liver mousse and had the pork croquettes. That honey-mustard! So good. The decor, the vibe, the menu, the vast beer selection, all stellar. Good work, folks.
(5)
Retset Y.
I would like Kraftwork so much more if the food prices were justified. However, their tap list is out of control. The food isn't bad but not wonderful either.
(3)
John K.
I was pretty excited when I heard about this place opening. Finally had the chance to go Friday night 2 weeks ago. Beer list was excellent in my opinion, but a bit pricey for a few brews. Seven dollars for five ounce goblet of Hitachino nest... it is hard to find, so maybe I'm wrong. The local stuff was reasonable, but I loathe that they have PBR as an option. The food menu was a bit underwelming and overpriced. I wouldn't call it a pretentious menu, I just feel that the combinations haven't been quite fine tuned yet. The burger was tasty but maybe not twelve bucks tasty. The mussels in beer broth were forgettable. Service was good and we didn't have to wait long for a table. Nice decor throughout.
(4)
Jennifer S.
You hear the hype about Philly being one of the best beer towns in America. I haven't lived in all that many towns, but I'm beginning to believe it's true. Thanks to wonderful establishments like Kraftwork, Devils Den, the Royal, the new Khyber, the Foodery and Hawthornes ( i could go on...) exotic, creative, fresh, tasty microbrews and craft beers are now expected and readily available. Philadelphians beware! Do not take these wonderful beer establishments for granted! remember how lucky we are... I'll drink to that!! Now back to Kraftwork. I've been there twice.... the first time, I had beer for dinner. I was on my own, tired after a tough Sunday at work, waiting for the Eagles game to come on. I stopped in on my way home... sat at the bar, definitely a great place for people watching and chatting up the bartenders. I had a few little tastes of some Pumking, a japanese buckwheat beer, and a red. Ended up ordering a couple pints and left with a nice shine on the world. My second time back was with a friend and fellow beer-drinker from work. This time we did a flight of four, times two... If you are a sampler like me this is the way to go. Our choices ranged from dark amber to black. The standout for me included the Rauchbier, ("smoke beer" in German.) We dubbed this one "bacon beer". Sounds a little gross, but don't knock it till you try it. It was actually delicious, in my mind perfect for apres-ski in front of a fire. Being mostly veg, it's as close to bacon as i'll get these days. For food, I had some yummy mussels and fries... I hear the burger is great... but food is really like a bonus here. Only improvement I would make: I'd like to see the locations where the beer is from listed on the menu. It is fun to see how many brewery locales that you can name, but still... I like to know that stuff. Also loved it how you can see what beer they are tapping next. I was disappointed to miss the Rogue Hazelnut, but like so many friends have told me, there are plenty of other fish in the sea.
(4)
Kelley W.
can't beat the beer can chicken sandwich. this place is very close to my house so my boyfriend and i will just stop in for a quick bite or a nice brew. I love the atmosphere, he loves the t.v. I also tend to run into some friendly faces both behind and in front of the bar.
(4)
Ian d.
Great beer selection. Tasty food. The fois gras meatloaf is a must try. Juicy burgers and clever cheese plate. Just make sure to skip the mussels. Kinda bland. servers are friendly and attentive.
(5)
Kirk B.
I don't particularly enjoy the ambience of this bar, nor would I see myself frequenting it often if it weren't for the amazing food and non-stop great beer selection,. It's so good, and everything I've gotten here is absolutely delicious. I would choose Kraftwerk's "pub food" over just about any higher priced restaurant in the city just as a go to for food that never disappoints.
(5)
Michelle C.
Kraftwork is Sidecar's Northern sibling. The beer list is great, and you can see what's on deck after any particular keg is kicked. The look of the bar is industrial and a lot of the materials were salvaged and re-used, which makes for a cool space. We stopped by for some beers and a bite on a Sunday afternoon. The bartender was nice enough to let us sample a couple different beers while we made our decisions. We shared the beer can chicken sandwich, which was pretty tasty. The bun is really big and it's easier to just eat the thing open-faced. The fries that came with were delish and especially good with the mustard dipping sauce. The parmesan truffle popcorn was a bit of a let-down. Definitely not as good as the version at Royal. But probably a lot healthier. I wouldn't go out of my way for Kraftwork, and that's probably because I'm lucky enough to have Sidecar around the corner from my apartment. But when in Fishtown, it's a solid choice.
(3)
Joey B.
The problem with living in the heart of Northern Liberties is I don't have to walk more than a block and a half to at least 5 different amazing bar/restaurants. There's another 10 respectable spots within 5 blocks of home. Because of this fortune, my lady and I rarely get out of our immediate area for eats. After years of rave reviews from friends and family, my lady and I made the trek over into Fishtown to check out Kraftwork at long last this past Saturday night. We arrived around 7pm to a packed bar, and due to this and the fact that half the tables in the joint are picnic bench style seating we wound up "sharing" a table with a group of 3 people we did not know. This type of seating works great for groups, not so much for couples. While slightly weird at first this turned out to not be an issue for us as we were distracted by the great service, food and drink. I would have been fine with eating at the bar but there was not a single stool available there either. The good news is, this is one of only two gripes with our entire experience at Kraftwork (the other being mostly Gin-based drinks taking up real estate on their specialty cocktail menu. Gross). I don't remember our servers name but he was very friendly, attentive yet not overbearing, explained all the specials in detail, and apologized profusely when a beer my wife ordered was out. No biggie, the draft list is extensive and wide ranging. In fact, I tried a flight for my second round so I got to sample 5 different beers throughout dinner. For food, I got their much buzzed about burger with cheddar and bacon, pickles and lettuce, and a side of garlic fries. Both were cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. The type of food that makes you regret not trying a place out sooner. The other half, a picky eater most of the time, had the short rib sandwich and raved about it the entire time she was eating, vowing to come back as soon as possible. One thing we noticed is that not only did our food arrive at our table with an almost unreal speed, so did all the tables around us. The staff does a fine job of getting you in, filling your belly with all kinds of deliciousness, and getting you out the door. I'll definitely be back sooner than later.
(4)
Mazhar T.
Easily the best spot in Fishtown. Everything on the menu is delicious, fresh, and a relative bargain. As many other Yelpers have pointed out, the service and their rotating list are among the best in all of Philadelphia. Just thinking about Kraftwork makes me wish I were there right now!
(5)
Eva D.
So this is my story. I was laying in bed reminiscing about Kraftwork's fantastic french onion spare rib sandwich that I practically drooled all over my pillow covers. I thought "Hey, I should go back to Fishtown and get it". I was craving it that much. Went to see how much airline fare was and tickets to Philadelphia was about $250 round trip. Done. Booked. I'm on the next flight out and I am going to make a vacation out of it. Took the train and subway to Fishtown after getting off the plane and went straight to Kraftwork. I have been craving this sandwich for months and I went to the extreme just to come back here again to get it. It is THAT good. Not to mention their featured specials like the watermelon salad. It is EXCELLENT. I went to Barcade after having dinner at Kraftwork. Got a couple of drinks in me and demanded that my friend and I walk back to Kraftwork for their salad. Worth it. Their falafel wrap is really great too. I love the combination of pickled veggies with everything else stuffed in this gigantic wrap. You bearded men in Fishtown really know how to make a Southern gal come back for more! ;)
(5)
Jordan S.
Great decor and environment for drinks but the food is really lacking. I'd come here to hang out any night still but only if I ate beforehand. The food is very over priced and just not that exciting. Greasy, sloppy food. Perhaps it would taste better at half the price. I really want to like the place as the ambiance is so great but I just cannot get over the ridiculous prices.
(3)
James G.
Great beer selection and service.. We will def be back soon!
(4)
Rachel S.
I'm a huge fan of Kraftwork. The husband and I stalked the place from the moment we saw the orange permit posted in the window and couldn't wait until it opened We frequent the place together and sometimes solo b/c it's that's good and welcoming. I love the atmosphere, the bartenders and the beer selection. It's within walking distance to our house and I love that it has joined the neighborhood. My favorite spot is at the bar - it's 3 sided which wins big stars from me. They have a couple of flatscreens which are usually showing a football or basketball game, but they are not the main focus at this bar. The menu is growing on me - I would like to see more of a selection. I tried the Duck Confit Salad for the first time the other night and was completely won over! You must get it with the poached egg on top. The fries are very good and come with a whole grain mustard dipping sauce but I'm ready for something new to dip those rosemary fries in - some type of aioli? Flatbread Pizza is decent, cheese plate is outstanding. Liver Mousse was on special one night and it was divine. We needed more flatbread b/c the liver to flatbread ratio was off. We were charged for the flatbread which I thought was a little weak. As many people have mentioned in their reviews, the beer selection is outstanding. And I love that they offer most beers in an 8oz pub, 10oz goblet, 16oz pint and 64oz growler to go. I tend to frequent Kraftwork about 5 times a month. So glad you are my neighbor!
(4)
Jenny S.
Had an amazing brunch there this past Sunday. Bloodies, iced maple bourbon coffee, eggs Benedict, and the croque were what we chose. We were definitely not disappointed! I would highly suggest this place if your looking for a new brunch spot. Portions were great and the detail of the menu makes this place so exciting to eat at.
(5)
Heather F.
I had lunch with a friend at Kraftwork today and everything was delicious as always. I live very close so this was not my first time at Kraftwork. The beer selection is very diverse. I ALWAYS get the French onion short rib sandwich. It tastes like French onion soup on a bun. The ciabatta bun provides the sandwich with a great amount of crunch and the herbed fries are a great side. Everyone is super friendly and knowledgeable about the beer and food selections. Definitely a great place to take friends or family for a night out or a sit down dinner.
(5)
Jen M.
Great beer selection but the pierogies and pork belly sandwich are must tries. I'll be back for those!
(5)
Karen S.
The food was excellent. I had a Bahn Mi sandwich with pork belly and the flavor was excellent, the bread perfectly toasted (and fresh) and the ratio of protein to produce was spot on. We also ordered the deviled eggs as a starter. They served not just the eggs, but also gave a nice amount of pickled radish and beet as well as homemade potato chips. The place looks a bit unassuming for a foodie lunch so don't be fooled. We wound up with a very comfortable and enjoyable lunch meeting and the staff was very accommodating to our needs.
(5)
Jessie A.
I like Kraft works interior, the whole industrialized look. The food is really good also. All the good things about this spot gets ruined by poor customer service.
(3)
Katie A.
Go for happy hour! JUST DO IT. 1/2 off twelve of the beers on their very extensive beer list, Mon thru Thurs, 10pm - midnight. You can drink five craft beers for less than $15?! Did I mention that I love late night happy hours? They are the best. And the food! What else can I say? It's pretty awesome too. I am IN LOVE with the mussels!
(5)
Arod M.
Needed to write a review about Kraftwork and what is, in my opinion, the burger to beat in Fishtown. When Kraftwork first opened, I thought the beer selection was excellent and that the food was passable pub fare dressed up as fancier than it was. Not bad, but in need of improvement to be a food destination and not just a beer oasis. I'm happy to say that in time, the food grew to match the gorgeous interior design and wonderful beer menu. Always great eats, specials, and as I said, the burger to beat. People usually rave about Sketch burger, but I found it to be overrated and pricey (about $9 without fries is a bit much). Kraftwork's burger is thick, juicy, chocked full of flavor, and like most places, includes fries (or a salad if you're gonna be like that). But the true fun of a Kraftwork burger is the choice of toppings. I cannot recommend enough their bacon red onion marmalade. Once you taste it on your burger, you will be forever hooked. It is so good that I searched around and found a comparable recipe for it and now make it myself for when I'm grilling burgers. Huzzah to great beer and great food!
(5)
Lauren S.
My mission to hit the 2012 top 50 bars in 2013 brought me to Kraftwork which was awesome. Loved the circular/u shaped bar. The beer list was fabulous, although I always fine the what's on tap next list to be a bit of a tease since I always seem to want something on it. I split one of the flat bread specials of the day and Wild Mushroom Baguette with my friend and we were so glad we shared so we could tastes more of there awesome food. I've been meaning to get back here and keep passing on the way home from the gym so I know I will at some point. I just wish it was closer to wear I live cause I'd defiantly frequent it more it if was.
(5)
Paige C.
I thought I had carefully done my research to ensure that my 100th review as a Yelper would be a solid 5...oh well :( This place has all the ingredients I usually require to love a place. Great/extensive beer list? Check. Interesting Menu? Check. Cool vibe? Check. Good service? Check. But somehow they lack the little extra oomph that would make me want to come back. We were there around 1:30 and I was really pumped to try out some of their sandwiches but I was told they only serve brunch until 3. Total bummer, but whatever. The waitress recommended the special ratatouille eggs benedict on puff pastry. I sounded like it should be awesome but it was an incredibly small serving size. Not quite sure where they found chickens to lay such small eggs. Additionally the puff pastry was cracker sized and literally had no puff. A couple pieces of zucchini does not really qualify it as ratatouille either. My husband had the burger which was good and cooked well but once again nothing really about it was amazing. Yes, the beer was awesome. But it was hella expensive. I have never paid $9.00 for a goblet of beer in my life until here. Philly has such an extensive beer scene that I don't know if anything about this place will bring me back.
(2)
Peter S.
Solid gastropub. Cool vibe good service nice beer selection interesting sandwiches. The banh mi and French onion short rib sandwiches were both great. The soft pretzel bites were good enough but not classic (think auntie ann). Curious to explore the rest of the menu.
(4)
Andi S.
I have eaten here at least a dozen times and have never had a bad meal. I love that they use fresh, whole food ingredients in thier food preparations. They know how to add flavor without going overboard and they do get creative. The ambiance is always fantastic, more eateries and imbiberies need to take lessons from whomever is in charge of the tunes at Kraftwork. I really appreciate the industrial supplies used as door handles, automotive side-view mirrors as bathroom mirrors and other industrial effects as lighting. Thier cider list is IMPRESSIVE. If you are a fan of cider, excellent food and tunes, go to Kraftwork. They also have a few wines wines and a lot of beers.
(5)
Lisa L.
Crowded on the weekends but great place to catch a beer and burger. The growlers are a bit pricey to carry out but I loved the selection. I will definitely be going back here, especially since it's right around the corner.
(4)
Scott N.
Been here about 4 times and never really had a meal that was great. Not really even good. Bloodys are too spicy. Meals look ok but not that good. Beer is great so I guess it's a great place to drink only!
(1)
Valentina D.
We were starving after a not so good brunch earlier today, so we stopped in for drinks and snacks. We got the deviled eggs, the Korean pork tacos, the pierogies, and the fries. The portion of fries was huge for a side order. The deviled eggs also were a good sized portion. They were my favorite of what I ordered. The Korean pork tacos were on the mild-medium side of spicy. I liked them, but my girlfriend wanted more heat. She really liked the pierogies, but I wasn't a huge fan. A few too many chives for my liking and not enough other flavor. Good beer list, great decor, and a really delicious looking set of hand-crafted cocktails. Bonus, decent music but not too loud. I wouldn't hesitate to return here.
(5)
Nichola L.
Kraftwork's late night happy hour is a must! They have a massive beer menu, and from 10 to midnight, select beers are half off. You can get a pint of awesome beer for under three bucks, and I would suggest accompanying your drinks with their french fries, which are out of this world. The rest of their food menu is a little pricy, but I have heard good things about it from others.
(5)
Amanda G.
Don't take my three star rating the wrong way - there were plenty of good things about Kraftwork, but I think OVERALL it was a three-star experience. My husband, on the other hand, insists it was 5 stars. Food (3 stars): -The pierogies were good, but I just prefer mine with lots of caramelized onions and sour cream. The apple chutney and chive crème fraiche was a little too sweet for my taste. -My man got the burger, and it came out just how he ordered it. He liked it, I liked it, it was a good, solid, burger. -I got the French onion short rib sandwich. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't really much gruyere on it and that the horseradish sauce wasn't spicier, but overall it was a decent sandwich. Libations (4 stars): -I don't drink beer, but they had hard cider, so I was happy about that. -My husband got a few beers and really enjoyed them. He wants to go back to try more, and tells me that the selection is quite impressive. Ambiance (3 stars): -The decor in Kraftwork is interesting. I like the brick walls and the giant saw. It's creative. -I do NOT like the noise level. Yes, we were there on a Friday night, but it was SOOOOOOOOOOOO loud!! I couldn't have a conversation without shouting. -The seating. Yes, it's shared seating, and I just am not a fan of that. At first I thought our experience would differ from the norm for us and we'd be seated next to some polite/non-irritating people, but that didn't last long because after they left we were seated next to a man who had obviously been to the restaurant before and thought this qualified him to lecture the couple he was with about what to get, what the food comes with, what you can substitude for what, etc. etc. Dude, SHUT UP!! Let them decide! Service (5 stars): -It's not possible for me to exaggerate how good the service was here. We were greeted right away, seated right away, drinks came out right away, our plates were cleared right away, our water glasses were filled right away, etc. Our server (Jamie) was attentive without being overbearing or trying too hard to earn a tip by being artificial. Seriously, service was amazing. I would probably go back to Kraftwork at an off-peak time to avoid the loud noise level and having to sit next to someone irritating.
(3)
Mary M.
Finally tried Kraftwork for brunch and I'm kicking myself for not checking it out sooner! I had the blue cheese quiche (quiche of the day) and was very happy with the subtly of flavor in regards to the blue cheese they used. I also had the Green Tea Cooler, a cocktail made with St Germain which was very tasty. My fiance had the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit as recommended by our server. It was HUGE and the biscuit was so good. His hash browns were uber-crispy which I love. We will definitely be coming back!
(4)
Rafael D.
Delicious food, great service and outstanding beer. It can get a little loud in the restaurant for my taste, but everything else balances it out.
(4)
Walter K.
Just got back from lunch at Kraftwork. I'm impressed with this place. It's a small bar at the east end of Girard Ave. It boasts 24 taps. Stepping inside, there is a great, U shaped bar in the center of the space. The decor is modern/industrial, with a lot of exposed brick and metal work. There's several tables around as well; it's a good size without trying to be humongous. I really like the space. It's not really fair to review a spot only a few days after it opens, but I'm going to do so anyways. When I first saw the menu and taplist, I was pessimistic. I thought, "With 24 taps, you should have high quality beer on each one." After visiting, however, I've changed my mind. Kraftwork doesn't have any bottled beer, so the tap list is aimed to have something to please every taste (or lack thereof). The older guys across from me, after trying several different craft beers and then ordering PBR, confirmed this. I really like how the menu is set up. The 24 taps are listed, and next to them is the beer that will replace each one on tap. That's a whopping 48 beers on tap or on deck. Although there are a lot of repeats, it's still impressive. Depending on the beer, pours are served in a goblet, pint, or half-pint. Many of the beers can be filled in a growler for a reasonable price. It was quite busy while we ate. There was one bartender and one food runner, and both of these girls were overworked and still managed to provide excellent service. Before it got too crowded, Dan and I were offered several samples of beers on tap while we deliberated. I ended up drinking Southern Tier Hoppe and Bell's Consecrator. The menu here is kind of small. I'm not sure if it will expand with time, or if they will continue to offer a small selection of solid food. I find that the cheeseburger is an excellent way to judge an entire menu. I ordered a medium rare burger with aged cheddar, lettuce, pickles, and caramelized onions. It was served on a great role and with thin, crispy fries tossed with rosemary. All of the food here is high qaulity, and everything was tasty. The patty is loose packed, good tasting meat. Dan ordered soup and I tried it: creme of mushroom. The mushrooms were pureed, giving the soup a creamy taste and smooth consistency. It was a unique take on a standard soup. Bottom Line: I like this space, I like competition for Johnny Brenda's, and I expect this location to have a lot of good beers on tap. It won't likely be a regular lunch or dinner spot for me, but the beer, atmosphere and service are enough to keep me visiting. I'm also looking forward to having brunch here.
(4)
Liz L.
Nice relaxed place to enjoy a bite to eat and a couple beers. The beer menu is perfect in my opinion, nice selection without being overwhelming. Our bartender, Lizzy, was friendly, helpful and attentive. A number of people seemed to be enjoying themselves, but you could still comfortably hold a conversation. Nice place to relax.
(4)
Sean C.
Great food and beer selection. I have been going to the sister restaurant Sidecar for years and was thrilled to hear about this spot when I moved to Fishtown. Try the French onion short rib sandwich. It's incredible
(5)
Adam R.
Great little neighborhood spot! 20-30 craft beers on tap that are constantly rotating. I love how the beer menu has what's on deck once that keg kicks. You always know well in advance what craft beer is next in line. The employees here have always been super friendly. They'll let you sample drinks, and if you're unsure what your in the mood for they'll take time to talk you through it. Rebecca (dreads) is supa supa friendly, and knowledgeable. When it comes to the food, I find myself creating the "heart attack" burger fairly regularly, that is assuming I am not there for brunch, which is also always superb. They give you the option to build your own burger as you see fit, I tend to go with, bacon, carmelized onions, aged cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and aioli....soooooo bad for you but soooooo good! I am yet to be disappointed with this place!
(4)
Neil S.
Kraftwork comes from the same folks as Sidecar in G-Ho, which means excellent brunch, above-average gastropub fare, and one of the best curated tap lists in the city. Adam, the friendly owner, will best help you select a brew of your liking, but the rest of the staff are knowledgeable as well. I dig Kraftwork's more open, industrial, communal aesthetic with long tables, a big center bar, and metal accents everywhere. Brunch is on point (and with a sub five minute wait during peak Saturday hours); the fluffy, buttery biscuits and not-excessively-rich gravy hits the spot with a perfect portion and deft seasoning. The tofu scramble misses the mark with watery cubes of tofu but redeems itself with very tasty veggies and crispy potatoes. Dinner doesn't fare quite as well. My Kraftwork burger was cooked past my desired medium rare, though still had a decent amount of juice and a tasty, dry-aged beef funk. Long hots, though scantly portioned, are a delicious sweet and spicy topping. Fries are crispy, garlicky, and addictive with a dijon dipping sauce. The falafel's house made wrap and condiments taste great, but the dry, mealy fritters kill an otherwise enjoyable sandwich. For now, I think of Kraftwork as a brunch destination rather than a dinner option, but regardless its blend of great service, atmosphere, and kick-ass beers have won me over.
(4)
Natalie C.
" I never had a drink I didn't like" should be my quote to describe my hundreds of experiences at Kraftworks. Food is amazing. They have a wide range of things. ALWAYS get something off the specials. Great beer and cocktails list. Get one of those boards to share. Service is always awesome. Oh, get some beer cheese and pretzel balls. and dessert ! no matter what it is, get the dessert!
(5)
Michelle C.
I moved to California right before one of my good friends broke his veganism. Now, call me a sadist if you must, but little gives me as much joy as watching an ex-vegetarian tear into a burger. So we made a date for a red meat feast while I visited over Thanksgiving. We started the meal off with my first raw oyster experience and, let me tell you, it was life changing. We made it in time for the last of the coffee from the brunch carafe, and after a cup just in time for our burgers, we ordered a round of beer. It was over a month ago, so I don't remember what I ended up ordering but I do remember the waitress steered me towards a beer that I really enjoyed. Kraftwork embodies everything that I love and miss about Philly. My kingdom for a South Bay gastropub.
(4)
Mike E.
This end of Girard is a real f##king schlep for me, but after last night's dinner I may have to come up with more excuses to head out here. Great beer menu, in terms of breadth, quality and price, as every single other reviewer here has surely noted. And I was expecting that when I showed up. But the food? That was a nice surprise. And very generous portions... especially if you order based on typical 'gastropub' serving sizes, and especially if you were fool enough to go there for dinner after a relatively late lunch. I got the Korean BBQ tacos, expecting a trio of tiny tortillas lightly sprinkled with meat and veggies. Instead, I got two hu-normous bundles overflowing with spicy-sweet porky deliciousness. Mmm. That, plus the mound of pretzel bites (surprisingly addictive), left little room for the Mediterranean platter my gf and I planned to share as the 'main event'. That's ok, because it packed up well and was the least interesting part of the overall meal - still tasty, but not as good as the other courses, which literally overrode the fullness commands being frantically issued by the primitive reptile segment of my brain and compelled me to keep cramming food in my gullet well after my appetite had been pacified. Guess I can expect to be taking quite a few more long, icy walks before winter is through...
(5)
Oleg B.
Always love the beer and food specials here. The late night happy hour is definitely great and is one of the first late night happy hours in the neighborhood. The cheese board is always a treat! This is my choice bar in the neighborhood.
(5)
Llana C.
I've never had a bad meal, beer, or interaction at Kraftwork. I live down the street from the bar and it's my go-to at any given time, but especially when I have friends visiting from out of town. The beer selection is always nothing short of impressive; definitely something for everyone and they keep up with the seasons in a non-obvious way. The food is consistently delicious. The service is friendly and casual, but prompt and professional at the same time. Kraftwork gets it right. Noteworthy menu items: - THE PEROGIES. I come from a Polish family and these are up there at the top of my list. Served with an apple chutney that is fantastic and a chive sour cream that compliments every flavor, you cannot go wrong. - the Falafel sandwich is not like traditional double fried Philly falafel... it's light and filling, and without all the grease South Street dumps on theirs. - French Onion Short Rib sandwich is phenomenal every time. Also... you can never go wrong with the burger (I like gruyere cheese and caramelized onions) and the pretzel bites. *** I always order half salad, half fries. It's the perfect combination. My only complaints: I wish they would have a better main course salad selection!!! Also, I would like the website/fb page updated with daily specials. Other than that, Kraftwork is by far my favorite spot to grab a beer and a bite to eat!
(5)
Elise K.
We came here for the first time with a friend from Fishtown who absolutely loves it here, so we had really high expectations. Fishtown friend has quite a discerning palate both in the beer and food departments, and the beer at Kraftwork was dead on. They have a ridiculously huge selection of drafts and a wonderfully informative menu like the best beer bars in Philly do now. Service was knowledgeable and friendly without any hipster 'tude (despite the plaid and beards). We snacked on a few things while drinking our beers - it was fall, so they had a few autumn-themed specials. The pretzel bites off the regular menu came highly recommended and were a huge hit - chewy (in a good way), salty and served with a homemade cheese sauce for dipping. The "special" items, a sweet+salty specialty popcorn and some spiced apple mini donuts, were pretty disappointing - the popcorn was chewy (in a bad way), like it was stale but it was probably more likely just over cooked in whatever sticky coating it was served in, and the donuts were overly sweet with a too-thick glaze/frosting. Food everywhere around us looked mouthwatering, and Fishtown friend swears the specials were a fluke. I believe him, and we will be back for sure. It's a great place for a marathon beer day or a Sunday Funday (brunch!), and I'm looking forward to trying some other of the tasty looking menu items (but will probably stick to the savory and stay away from the sweet).
(3)
David R.
5 stars isn't enough for this place. I can't count how many times of been here in the past year or so, but this place is by far my favorite spot to come to. Whether I'm there for some great beer or amazing good, Kraftwork has never let me down. I've tried almost everything on their menu and everything is spot on. The one thing I find myself eating almost everytime is their Beer Can Chicken Sandwich...absolutely amazing! I always put hot sauce in it and it's absolutely perfect. My mouth is watering just from writing this review. Their burgers are also great. I think it goes toe-to-toe with Village Whiskey (yeah I said it). Service is always superb and eventhough the crowd is generally hipster's...everyone just seems to get along there. I honestly can't say enough about this place! Cheers to Kraftwork! P.S. The only thing this place needs on their menu (I'm kind of glad they don't, because I would probably eat there every night) is WINGS! I think that would put you guys way over the top! Keep up the great work guys!
(5)
Sara K.
CANNOT STOP EATING THE EGGS BENEDICT. I get brunch here like, every weekend. Beer is awesome. Drinks are awesome. I wish the fries were crispier :'( I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could, only because it's sometimes way too crowded and they don't let you sit if your whole party isn't present (I guess that's fair) so then you have to wait and stand in the back with a drink which is kinda awk. But Kraftwork kills it with the outside seating in the summer, I love it.
(4)
Dee J.
There was major buildup for a year ago from friends that talked about how great this place is. Being a foodie, I kept it on my short list of places in Fishtown that I needed to try. I must say it was somewhat of a letdown. The charcuterie board was good, but one can't really go wrong with cured meats and cheeses. I ordered a few items on the menu while there. The pork taco's were lack luster, the salad with beets & goat cheese - just okay. The burger was good, but didn't knock my socks off. Like I said before there was a big build up to how good this place was. I personally prefer the Girard Gastropub down the street. While smaller, the food is prepared much better, and the raw oyster bar is a great deal during happy hour.
(3)
Amanda S.
I've only been here a handful of times but it never seems to disappoint. The last time I went was on First Friday of this month. As expected, it was busy. Thankfully we didn't have to wait for a seat. Our server came over and provided us with menus and asked if we'd like something to drink. I had a hard time deciding because there were a number of great choices. Finally I decided on the Mikkeller It's Alive! Great choice, btw. As far as food goes both my friend and I got burgers. I got mine medium rare with cheddar and blue cheese, bacon and grilled onions. Typically when I go out and request a burger cooked medium rare it comes out more medium than medium rare. Kraftwork nailed it though. It was perfect. Our server came around several times to refill our water glasses and check up on us. My friend and I debated on whether we'd stay for another beer or continue on our way. In the end we decided to leave. All in all I can say that I've never had a bad experience here. The food is great, the beer selection is legit and the people who work there are all friendly and knowledgeable. Great bar.
(4)
James D.
Was in here on Saturday Night. Great selection of beer, the bartenders were nice enough to recommend some of their favorites. Not a huge crowd, didn't try anything on the menu. A cool place to enjoy a beer and conversation. Def will be back.
(4)
Mike M.
Really was a good burger, pretty reasonable price for the tastiness of the food and value of service.
(4)
Clint F.
Dirty. Slow service that acted as though they were doing you a favor by waiting on you. Food mediocre at best. Plenty of better places nearby.
(1)
Christine H.
We decided to go there because the kitchen was open until 1 on a Thursday night. Once there we found out about their late night happy hour (10-12) on Thursdays I believe. A pint of their select beers was 1/2 price. Excellent selection of beers. I ordered the falafel wrap and it was one of the better falafel concoctions I've had. The fries and dip were fresh and delicious. Our service was excellent. A good first experience & well definitely be returning. 32$ well worth spent
(5)
Veronica T.
Cheese and meat platter are great. Beer selection is as well. Try a sampler. Nice atmosphere more for dinner than to hangout.
(4)
Vania V.
All i can say is the staff was very friendly, especially when the found out that we came in all the way from Jersey. We had seen this restaurant on DDD. We like to go to some local DDDs we see on there. As expected the food was also good especially the deviled eggs one of my faves.
(3)
Dave K.
4.5 stars. Damn this is one fine burger. Cooked to a perfect medium rare, the sweet meat juices were rolling down my wrists as I was chomping away. The dry age blend is a little salty, but luckily, counterbalanced nicely by the sweet, sweet bacon onion marmalade. It is a must. Needs improvement: honey mustard aioli. Please give me a worthy dipping sauce for those tasty garlic herb fries.
(5)
Rosemary B.
Had brunch here today. My son and his girlfriend just moved up the street. The food was delicious and the service was great. Very warm atmosphere. The brunch menu had so many selections it was hard to chose. I had the Huevos Rancheros with potatoes...delicious. The beans had a really nice smokey flavor. My son had the Chili Rellanos ( a brunch special) and tried the biscuits and sausage gravy. The steak inside the chili was tender, flavorful and delicious and I've never tried better sausage gravy. My son's GF had some amazing looking brioche French toast. My bloody mary was XTRA spicy but really good. They have a nice selection of beers too. I'd love to try dinner here and will be back for brunch.
(4)
Fay H.
I'm wondering why I don't come here more often. The food is amazing. I rarely go to a gastropub and moan over the food. Vegetarian friendly, but not really super vegan friendly.
(4)
Dan M.
Great food and beer selection - an excellent addition to the neighborhood and to Philly's already extensive inventory of gastropubs.
(4)
Carolyn L.
BEER? Check! Solid selection of 24 beers on tap. Each with a successor to take over as soon as it's kicked. FOOD? Check! Solid food menu. Above average bar food. Their Margherita pizza, beer can chicken sandwich, and their soups are never-fail options. Shoestring french fries= the yum! I have made my way here for dinner and a few drinks on several occasions. COMFORTABLE LAYOUT? Check! U-shaped bar with ample seating, backed up by tables lining the perimeter of the bar. Plenty of room to move around and breathe. The noise level is usually acceptable. My only complaint, albeit a small one, is that is sometime gets pretty hot in there, even in the winter. The decor is industrial with a modern twist and they have some really cool, interesting furniture and creative details all over the place. I've had many great nights at this establishment and don't doubt that you will too. Check it out if you get a chance.
(4)
Joe T.
kinda ended up here on a whim. but i have to admit im pretty glad. It was st. patricks day so the crowds were pretty thick in fishtown. we were just looking for a bite to eat and maybe a cocktail. the crowd was heavy but we got a seat right away, the beer selection is insane, i mean they have alot of beers, something for everyone no doubt. i started with a flight mixed with dark beers and ipas. i settled on youngs chocolate stoudt! extremely tastey. the server was knowledgable and willing to help with beer selections for my date, which was very helpful. they were serving brunch, so the menu was restricted, but there are enough selections to choose from. the server read the specials and i was sold on the chicken and waffles. a complete belgian waffle, with a chicken and veg in a mushroom sauce! absolutely deliscious! It really hit the spot i was glad we stumbled along this joint!
(4)
Helen D.
First let me say this - be sure to check out my pictures! helentdiehl.posterous.co… Glad we finally got here after wanting to come for awhile. Loved the whole scene - the atmosphere, the BEER & the food. The decor is totally cool. The beer selection is OUTSTANDING. We only had a few things on the menu but enjoyed every one - fried green tomatoes, creamy ricotta dumplings & the cheese plate. The bartender was knowledgeable but not super friendly (hence why only 4 stars!). My only complaint is the location - way TOO FAR from my house in Bucks County.......
(4)
Janine F.
My favorite neighborhood bar - the Dirty Dozen Happy Hour can not be beat. 1/2 price selected drafts, Sun-Thurs from 10-midnight. Of GOOD beer. The staff is super friendly and great on recommending things.
(5)
Leah G.
We finally made it to Kraftwork after talking about it for the last few weeks. I'll start with the beer . . . if the rating were only based on beer, it would be a five without a second glance. A flight of four beers is 8.00 and the selection is fabulous. My waiter quickly figured out my beer taste preferences and made suggestions based on those. He also had great adjective selection for each beer choice . . . transcendental was my personal favorite. We loved the interior; we found it to be well-done industrial . . . not over the top. My friend/dinner partner had a mild obsession with the music selection and will be back solely for that reason. We started with the fiddlehead ferns, which were fabulous, and the chicken liver mousse . . . . which were I a pate fan, I would have enjoyed. I had the winning entree with the beer can chicken sandwich. I am an ultimate sandwich snob, and this one met my standards. The meat was perfect, as was the bread . . . the most integral part. I cannot make a statement regarding the other entrees at the table . . . but when you have 25 fabulous beers on tap, all you really need is one great entree.
(4)
Thom G.
Kraftwork has quickly become one of, if not my favorite bar in Philadelphia. I go there about once or twice a week and every time I go the food is delicious. They have a pretty good beer list with alternates for all items and they rotate it frequently. The cocktails shouldn't be overlooked either, the Apple Cider Cocktail with Art in The Age Snap, is amazing. The pretzel bites are a must have. They are easily some of the best pretzels in a city that's known for taking it's pretzels seriously. Also of note is their flatbread Margherita Pizza which ranks among one of the best pizzas in the city.
(5)
Nicole D.
Cool atmosphere, knowledgeable and friendly staff, big beer selection. The food has gotten consistently better since the pub opened, and there are plentiful veggie options. Reading the schematic-themed menu feels a little like work at the end of a long day, and sometimes the beer selection follows a theme, resulting in a more limited variety, but this place can generally please everyone.
(4)
Robert B.
The beer list is top-notch (get a flight), the food is spectacular (get the braised short rib sandwich), and the impressive tattoos and beards are icing on the proverbial cake.
(5)
Ryan C.
I stopped into Kraftwork last night to grab beer and a bite with a friend of mine. The beer menu blew my socks off! They have an extremely wide variety of beers. I was most impressed with the Racer 5, which they had on cask. I also noticed that they had a beer sampler for $8...you get 4 6-8 oz glasses of any beer on tap. Moving on to the food menu. As a full-time vegetarian and part-time vegan I have come to expect a few things from most of the gastropubs / restaurants in and around the northern liberties area. I was a little surprised by the menu in 2 ways. Firstly, the items on the menu seemed to be a little overpriced. Secondly, they had no vegan entrees on the menu and unless you wanted an appetizer the only vegetarian selection was the falafel sandwich. I ordered a falafel sandwich, which was $10. The bartender informed me that the only sandwich that comes with fries is the burger and that the kitchen doesn't allow substitutions. For a falafel sandwich and fries the total was $16, almost twice what I would have paid elsewhere. The sandwich itself was a decent size with three falafel cakes spread out with an ample amount of cucumber tzatziki sauce (could have used some tomato and lettuce). The sandwich also came with a side of kosher pickled carrot, cucumber and cauliflower...which was pretty tasty. The french fries were a tad dainty, but the portion was a nice size and the mustard aioli was terrific. All in all....Kraftwork is an awesome watering hole because it has a fantastic beer selection (which would please any beer snob) and neat contemporary decor. (Plus the staff is extremely friendly and hard working!) I haven't decided, however, if I will be returning. With the extremely limited vegan/vegetarian options and the high food prices... I feel as though I could make out much better at other local stops....like my personal favorite Memphis Taproom. Ohhh. and although I can not eat it. The hamburger looked incredible. Definitely a homemade roll!
(3)
Alexander M.
A solid four-star outing on the first go around. Granted, it was brunch, so I didn't actually get a beer; and saying you went to Kraftwork without drinking is like saying you bought Playboy and skipped right to the insightful interview with James Franco. Nevertheless, Kraftwork brunch did impress me. I had a Philly Omelette stuffed with sausages with potatoes on the side. I practically finished it the second it landed on the table. My gf's gravy and biscuits were also great. Garrett M was eating a burger right next to me, and I became insanely jealous. Definite win for Kraftwork; will certainly come back for the drinking and dinner portion.
(4)
Ida G.
Three of us were in the area dropping off our drywall guy who had recommended the burgers at Sketch. We parked the car and walked in, but they were just getting ready to close for the night and we were turned away. Bummed, we piled back into the car, only to find that it was completely out of gas. As we trudged to the gas station a couple of blocks away, we started walking by an establishment that seemed to be be really hip and happening, and suddenly I found myself babbling "Ohmigodkraftwork!" and dragged my companions in. It just so happened that we had rocked up on the day of their Mikkeller vs. Evil Twin event, which meant that we ended up spending a ridiculous amount of money on beer, even if we hadn't been the kind of people who run out of gas. As for the food, the pork roll wasn't quite what I expected (I'm Aussie, so my standards are low but specific), but the corn fritters were to die for, and the boyfriend was not disappointed with his burger. The service was great even for such an insanely busy night, and we had a fun time sampling the beers, even the ones that tasted like campfire.
(4)
Erin W.
Boyfriend and I helped a friend move into a new house recently, the greatest feature of which is its proximity to Kraftwork. Really, their real estate agent gave them a gift certificate to it after they closed on the sale. When we agreed to help them move, we were promised lunch and beer here. And let me tell you, lugging a giant Uhaul-worth of furniture and boxes on an unseasonably hot day (and ripping my favorite leggings in the process! wah!) was made totally worth it by the meal afterwards. If you can take your face out of the bowl of garlic french fries and porter mustard sauce long enough, check out the muffins. I know, you're probably thinking "muffins?" Dude, MUFFINS. My kind, gentle group of friends turned into crazed vultures around them and came close to a fistacuffs over who got the last little bit with all the yummy blueberry goodness on it. That might be an exaggeration, but make sure you order one anyway. I had the mushroom baguette which could have used a bit more seasoning for my taste, but boyfriend got the same thing and had nary a complaint. Everyone else took the (huge!) beer selection for a spin while I, in my extreme lameness, went with a cocktail (I know, I know, shame on me). I can't tell you what was in the Robinson Crusoe, but all you need to know is that it was delicious and STRONG. I'm now super jealous of my friends sweet new digs and how close they are to this joint. It's a total schlep for me, but the Call of the Muffin cannot be ignored.
(4)
Jo-ann F.
I LOVE this place the food, the burgers are the best, and the staff are awesome!!
(5)
Leo M.
UPDATE: Things have changed for the better. Menu's changed a bit and it's delicious. Servers are friendly, know their beers well, and are very happy to assist with beer choices. Service is attentive and quick. Still gets a little crowded, but now that the food's improved, I can accept bumping elbows with my neighbors. Try the charcuterie board - it's enough to share.
(5)
David F.
Writing this review was REALLY hard. Kraftwork not only has amazing beer, but their food selection and quality is really good. Their atmosphere is a little crowded, and less than satisfactory. Even when they are not busy I could be sitting at the bar for ten minutes without a hello. I am a pretty polite person, so I look to make eye contact or or chime in with an "Excuse me!" but when I am looked at several times without any attention, when there is not much for business, it is a little hard to swallow. The prices are pretty high, although I appreciate that for the amazing selection they have. And I do not mind paying a higher premium for a nice selection of beer. However, the last time I went in I paid $17 for a growler and walked out and discovered in the sunlight that it was only a quarter of the way full! First off...$17? Yikes...but I guess I was willing to pay it. That's a tough one when you can head over to yards or PBC and get one filled for $8...regardless...they emptied it out and replaced my beer, but still, I was hoping for at least a little bit of an incentive. Very hip, very pretentious, and not overly friendly. But it can be a good place to grab a quick beer. I will be back of course.
(2)
Julie G.
This place is like a chic person that you talk to...and then you quickly find out that they have no personality. It's disappointing. It looks good...you want it to be good...and then it isn't. The pros? - People I go with like the beer selection...though, you can find it elsewhere, and likely at a better price. - Pretzel bites...they're great - Rarely crowded The cons? - They are clearly over-reaching on their menu. They have too many items and do not do most of them well. - Everything has so much salt on it, you feel like you might stroke out at the end of the evening. The food is also a bit mislabeled. For example, they have $14 "Kabobs" that are really a "gyro". When I asked a server about the difference between my Kabob and what a Gyro would be...he didn't know. At first he tried to tell me theirs was "UK and Mediterranean Street Food"...which, after I told him I LIVED in London, and I had kabobs there...he seemed to realize I wasn't falling for his ridiculous attempt to bluff me. Anyway, don't get those horribly overpriced "Kabobs" (which are really gyros)...you can get wayy better gyros elsewhere. It's an okay place to go if you want to hang out with friends who want a few beers and have some greasy overpriced food...but that's about it. There are so many better places than this out there...don't get sucked in by the cool decor or the hipsters lurking outside.
(2)
Jose A.
This place has a really great vibe, great beer selection (founders, russian river, bells, etc...) and great service, one of my new favorite beer spots in philly. Enough said! oh yeah and check out the band Philadelphia Slick...
(5)
H L.
The selection of food was great especially for a bar. The beer list was pretty big too. The atmosphere was welcoming and the service was great!
(5)
Gandhus M.
Dinner and after work beers, the usual. After some deliberation, off to Kraftwork it was. I'm not going to mince words, I was impressed. The rectangular bar sits in the center of the establishment. I believe there were twenty-four offerings on tap. The beer menu is broken down by the ABV, serving sizes & price. There is another column of twenty-four or so beers on order, yet to come in the rotation. There's a real cool, industrial theme at work with their decor. Lots of tools and metal. A huge saw over the bar. Over-sized screws and wrenches in places and used as door handles. Large round metal lampshades. It's their shtick, it's different, it works. I ordered the sausage rolls and the short rib sandwich. The sausage rolls are homemade brats in puff pastry with a red onion salad. They were awesome. Cooked wonderfully. The brat was simple yet flavorful. This was wrapped in just the right amount of light & delicious puff pastry. It held together well and didn't fall apart. Sliced up red onion was a nice touch on the side. The short rib sandwich comes shredded on a roll with a poblano creme. It was tasty. It took a few bites for the heat of the peppers to hit but it was enhancing and not overbearing. This came served with a heaping pile of their garlic & herb fries which were also very tasty. Fine proprietors of Kraftwork: Please update your website. The food menu on your website is worded slightly differently than the one I was given, not a crisis by any means. It just should be noted and corrected. That whole 'twenty-one varieties of Terrapin' menu is sadly, outdated. You know what it's like seeing a list of twenty-one beers from one of your favorite breweries all in one place...then discovering you don't have them? This was a huge attention grabber for me when checking out your site....and a huge let down after discovering they were not available. Again, forgivable. Thank you. Was there a hipster presence? Of course. Does it detract from the experience? Not at all. It was a fairly mixed clientele. Groups of non-hipster women, couples & older people...even other random dudes at the bar like us. As I've stated before, while I don't personally subscribe to hipster culture, I find them innocuous. They have outside seating. It's nice being a little on the fringe. You're almost at the on-ramp for 95 at the end of Girard Ave., so it's a little less hectic than being down by Frankford Ave. or Front Street.. The bartenders were cool. The guys running the food out were awesome. They were making sure orders where getting where they needed to go and that people had what they needed. Great crew. Your effort wasn't lost on me guys, I noticed. Shit, even their bar stools are rad! The whole experience totally exceeded my expectations. I'll admit, I was skeptical about all the five star reviews of the place. I don't believe five star reviews should be given flippantly and I've been giving this review serious thought bouncing between four and five stars. It happened to be Mick Jagger's birthday and a generous playlist of Stones was on while we were there. There you go - done deal, five stars. Based on what I saw, drank, ate & heard during this visit, I honestly couldn't give it less. Bravo.
(5)
Michael B.
We live in a city that infested by hipsters. Hell, I might be one myself for all I know. There are a few things without which the hipster cannot survive. Bands that you've never heard of. Ironic t shirts. Ironic facial hair. How it's even possible for facial hair to be ironic, I don't know. But most importantly, the hipster cannot survive without a pub in which a combination of good beer, good food, and PBR can be ordered. Without such surroundings, the hipster will wither and die, like that polar bear on that nature show that tried to eat a seal because it was starving but couldn't. Because it was a bloody seal, and those things are huge. What I'm trying to say is that there are a ton of good gastropubs in Philly, and this one is a cut above the rest. Their beer list is amazing, and when they tap a keg they actually bring on a new beer rather than replacing it, so it changes constantly. The food we've had has all been great. The biscuits and sausage gravy are probably the best in the city. If you like your sausage covered in gravy and drizzled onto biscuits, this is the place to get that. The staff has always been friendly and entertaining. The last time we went we asked if they ever did quizzo. They don't. But we spent the meal trading trivia questions with our server. Awesome.
(5)
Melissa W.
Do you like your food and beer with a side of hipster? If so, then this is your place. The ambiance at Kraftwork is decidedly hipster, as are the clientele and the staff. The staff, accessorized with a healthy dose of irony in the form of tattoos and facial hair, are actually quite friendly and exhibit none of the hipster pretension, or at least they hide it well at work. Assuming that you either are a hipster, are dating a hipster (in which case you are likely the former), and/or enjoy hipster-watching, the beer list is pretty good and decently-priced. However, and this is a big however, the food isn't the best. We tried the Korean tacos, mussels and fries, and the shortrib sandwich. Don't get me wrong, it was all fine. But for the price and the overwhelming hipsterness, I expected better. If I lived in the neighborhood and owned more plaid shirts and facial piercings, I would consider coming here again. Maybe just for the beer, though.
(3)
C K.
Oh wow - their food was delicious! We got the truffled popcorn which was super tasty and then a trout BLT which was very tasty and I believe a pulled pork sandwich which was also very good. I can't wait till I have a free weekend so I can go back for brunch!!!
(4)
Travis L.
This spot really is as good as it gets. With 24 taps and an ill food selection, i dont think there is a better gastropub in Philadelphia, and I say that with no hyperbole. Start with a flight of beers to warm up (even if you are a craft beer novice like myself, the waiter can usually build a good flight from something you know you like), then put in your order. Go early on Sundays for brunch, they open at 10:30, it's really amazing. Thursdays used to feature Statik from Illvibe Collective spinning some dope beats in the background, not sure if his residency is still active. Highly recommended.
(5)
Lawrence K.
so I just sort of went over for a beer or two to catch the rest of the Phils game but I ended up getting a few oysters and then when the game went into extra innings, the cheese plate. I've gotten oysters here on two other occasions and they were phenomenal. This night the menu listed them as being from Canada, Prince Edward Island but they were sold out. They actually had substitutions from Nova Scotia! these were good but not great. However, I'm just thrilled that a place down the street from my house has quality oysters. no, really good quality oysters. Other than the sansom st oyster house in cc I dont know who else gets oysters like this in July (haven't been to Fathom yet). Now if there is another thing besides oysters that I'm a nuts-o about, its cheese. For the money ($16?) it was one of the better cheese plates I've had. A nice mix of hard and soft, goat, cow, blue, etc with great accompanyments (candied walnuts, cherry preserves, some strange/salty caper thingies). really really good. 3 people could easily share it and be satisfied. Along with the Belgian style triple I drank with it, it was all easily as good as anything you'd get in Belgium. and yes I ate the whole thing myself. I should also mention how good the bar area is in general, especailly to watch a ball game. The 2 TVs are not intrusive to people who don't care about them, yet are easily viewable from select seats at the bar and some tables. I really like the large feel of the space too. It was crowded but still comfortable. There is no sound on the TVs but I was digging the music and general vibe of the place anyway. ...and there was a good old fashioned brawl too which made me feel right at home in Fishtown! I should mention that the staff handled it very well and it was all over in minutes.
(5)
Caitlyn H.
Meh. Overpriced and their menu is lacking. It's always crowded and loud. I get it, it's a bar, but it seems excessive here. I've tried coming here a few times, but I've always found the food to be OK and expensive considering the portions. I usually write more for these things, but meh I probably the best thing I can say.
(3)
Jennifer N.
MY FAVORITE!!! I can not say enough about how wonderful Kraftwork is - you must give it a try for yourself! The staff are amazing, friendly, and VERY knowledgeable of beer and food offered. The beer selection is one of the best I have come across. Perfect for a quick beer and appetizer, brunch or dinner. Their brunch is one of the best in town - you can always get a table and doesn't matter if 2 or 8 people, they will do their best to accommodate you and your party. Stop in and give them a try.
(5)
Brendan O.
SOOO close to 5 stars! Spectacular beer selection, cool and creative atmosphere, inventive and tasty menu, friendly and enthusiastic staff. So why not 5 stars? One reason: Prices are a little too high across the board. Apps are super interesting and well prepared, but simply cost too much for the portion size.
(4)
Bethany R.
i don't understand why more gastropubs don't do flights. for those who are just venturing into the craft beer world, it's a sad day when you order an unfamiliar beer only to find that you dislike it and you're stuck with anywhere from 8-16 ounces to finish. for those who are craft beer nerds, it's a great way to try a number of things side by side and compare them to each other. i think it's the best way learn the basic differences between a pilsner and hefeweisen, a porter and a stout. but i digress. BIG bonus points to Kraftwork for having a four taste flight for $10. bigger bonus points for having a great selection of domestics, and a few decent imports. the breadth of what's available is comparable to The Sidecar in grad hospital. the crowd was decidedly more mainstream and less dirty hipster. the decor was industrial flavored, with little interesting touches here and there. there is a large square bar in the middle of restaurant, and all liquor is stored under the bar, giving the space a large, airy feeling. usual gastropub fare, good and delicious but nothing to really write home about - honestly, there are probably about two dozen other establishments in the city serving close to the same food. i got a burger and fries, which came with the obligatory artisanal dipping sauce - which i was disappointed to find was mustard based. who the heck puts mustard on fries? time to get some aioli going... all in all, a good place. i will be back.
(3)
Claire O.
Love this place! Staff is on point, food is always really fresh and delicious, and I can't rave enough about the beer list here, with a constant fresh rotation of a ridiculous selection of craft beers. They're really accommodating of vegetarians/vegans. Only thing I'd hope to see here is a little more variation in the menu.
(5)
MaryKate M.
Try the specials every time. They are always amazing. The pretzels are awesome, too. Get a flight of any 4 beers you want. Why would you only want one beer when they have SO MANY? Cool giant saw decoration.
(4)
Dan S.
I live a short walk from Kraftwork - this is exceptionally dangerous as I have a love of sour beers and they're always there to help me out. My wife loves IPA's, so we both end up happy due to their large beer selection. The mushroom baguette is addictive and the fries are awesome. Try coming for brunch. They have fantastic biscuits with homemade jams and never too much of a wait!
(5)
Alyssa M.
Best new restaurant in Philly! My favorite thing about Kraftwork is the beer. Duh. They have a beautiful, everchanging list of beer and you don't have to settle for just pints! You can drink a variety of beers in a smaller size, called a pub. It's smaller, cheaper, and you get to taste more beer that way. (Not every kind can be gotten in the pub size.) Every bartender I've encountered has been helpful, knowledgeable, and fun to talk to. The decor at Kraftwork is also really unique and fun to discover. Even the bathrooms are fun! The mirrors are actually rearview mirrors you see on cars. Cute. The menu isn't very extensive. So far I've liked everything... soups, beet salad, mussels, falafel.
(4)
Marissa W.
I have to admit that I'm here AT LEAST once a week and there was one week that I actually came here 2 days in a row (not my choice, I swear). It is absolutely my favorite place to go for some great craft brews or some grub. Or both. I've never had anything here that I didn't want to eat over and over again. I was pretty broken hearted when they took my Asparagus Salad off the menu for the summer (they stick to seasonal ingredients for their salad options, cant be mad about that) but I was quickly introduced to the Hazelnut Salad and all was forgiven. When I'm not pretending to be healthy their burgers and the Beer Can Chicken are out of this world. I've had everything from brunch to flatbreads to grilled salmon to pork tacos to salted caramel bacon pudding (if you're ever lucky enough to be here when that's on the specials menu you MUST get it) and the quality and freshness of their ingredients is always top notch. The bartenders are great as well. Even before we became regulars here we were always greeted with smiles and friendly conversation. They are all very knowledgable about the draft list as well which can be a little overwhelming for a first-timer. Whatever you fancy, I guarantee you will find something to love here!
(5)
Melissa S.
Great place! Huge beer selection. Really good food. Highlights- pretzel bites and pierogie for apps, beer chicken sandwich for entree. Burgers are BIG and very tasty. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Jen K.
Awesome beer, that's about it. Food mediocre. This is the most yuppie bar I have been to in the renewed Fishtown.
(1)
Bryne Y.
Didn't get to try the food but the bar area itself, as well as the beer selection, were both top-notch. Friendly, laid-back service without any real pretension, despite the overbearing use of the term "hipster" in some of these reviews.
(5)
Alexandra W.
How has it taken me so long to get to Kraftwork? Beats me. I like it here. I don't LOVE it, but I like it. Great beer selection, the staff is nice, the food is good. Something I don't like, however, is the seating situation. The tables are kind of uncomfortable. On one side, you have a picnic-style bench. No back. Dislike. On the other side, you have a long wooden bench along the wall, so there is a back. Still, oddly uncomfortable. I doubt I'd come here to sit down for a meal, but I'd gladly return for a seat at the bar.
(4)
Andre P.
Always revolving selection of beers. Bartenders who are knowledgeable and attentive. Ever-changing food specials. This is a place that I love to go to wind down after working, or after a night of bar hopping throughout Fishtown. It's a place where the hipsters clash with the foodies and beer snobs, in a good way. Went there with a friend who fell in love with the beer can chicken. I enjoyed the Korean bbq tacos. And I'm waiting to try the morcilla on the charcuterie plate. I also had a butternut squash soup that I thoroughly enjoyed. The beer menu is one of the best mixes in the city. IPA's- Check. Local Favorites- uh huh. Belgians- Sure. Cheapass PBR- Yep. Also the beer menu shows the next keg up to bat, so if you see one of your favorites coming up you know you can go there in a couple of days to get a taste. Bartenders let you have a taste, and will steer you in the right direction if you have questions. Nothing else I can say 5 stars.
(5)
Davida L.
What a gem of a place. Where to even start? I'm pretty sure I finally feel compelled to review Kraftwork in lieu of the opening of a certain restauranteur's version of a gastropub/beer garden down the way. If any of you are fooled and would rather spend your dollars at Frankford Hall, shame on you, you don't deserve to have a true blue place like Kraftwork in your increasingly white bred neighborhood. Awesome food, awesome beer selection, awesome staff. I started going to Kraftwork last summer when I moved to Port Richmond from NY, and they made me feel immediately at home. Not only have I met awesome people at the bar that are still my close friends a year later, but by my third visit I was already recognized and greeted warmly by the staff- something that is so severely lacking in NY at even my favorite local spots. The decor is inspired- someone worked really hard on making this place look as great as it does. Everything from the car rear view mirrors in the bathrooms to the textured brick walls to the gigantic saw that hangs over the bar to the gorgeous wood bar itself and the matching stools has the touch of a master carpenter and aesthete. They are very conscious about serving up local, seasonal dishes, from hearty hanger steaks and squash soup in the winter, to softshell crabs, ramps and fiddlehead ferns in the spring. Their core menu is a good mix of pubfare while their specials usually push a little beyond the reach of what you would expect from a little gastro. Their extensive beer list changes all the time, and they let you know about all the kegs that are on deck so there's always something I know I need to come back for. Their cocktail offerings are a profound cut above what you would expect from a beer bar- usually places like this punish you for not picking a brew by offering little else, but Christian, one of their bartenders and head of the Philadelphia Bartender's Guild, has created an innovative cocktail menu that always tempts me even when I come in in the mood for beer. A few more important factors; the kitchen serves until 1am every night no matter what, they have growlers to go (and if you already have the glassware from somewhere else you can use that!) and they offer an "in the biz" discount for anyone who works in a restaurant. And did I mention the house made Parmesan flan on their cheese plate? Or the awesome reggae DJs? Go there.
(5)
Ron C.
Stopped in with my buddy after the last Yelp Elite event at Luckystrike as it was close to home and we could watch the end of the Fightens' game. Beer selection is awesome. Any type of beer you like will be represented here but with options you won't find elsewhere. The bartender had his laptop on the bar and we could follow the Cardinals, Rays and Red Soxs games. Friendly and knowledgeable is how I can describe him. Shared a cheese plate and it was great. One of the best around with a selection of blue, hard, goat and fantastic accompaniments. I have heard mixed reviews on the food and will have to get here for a meal but to kick back with a cold one for a game, this place will not disappoint.
(3)
Brian H.
as a beer geek, having kraftwork as a local bar is really a treat considering their impressive (and constantly rotating!) draught beer list and amazing happy hour which is half off 12 different beers sun-thurs 10pm-12am. the bartenders all know their shit, are friendly and attentive and gladly give out tasters of beer if you just want to try something before ordering. their food isn't amazing and it's definitely overpriced, but it's decent and the portions are pretty big (usually my gf and i can split a dish and leave satisfied). the daily special flatbread is usually really good, the burger is consistently ok (once amazing though...), the chicken sandwich is tasty and the korean BBQ tacos aren't exactly authentic but they're filling and yummy - as for sides with the sandwich, i'd stick with the salad as it's a very nice portion of good spring greens. the misses have been the beef shortrib sandwich (more like a not very good pulled pork sandwich), the pretzel bites (wtf?) and the fries in general are WAY overspiced, salted and cut far too thin. i also dislike the overall decor of the place - the numerous/random light fixtures and the corny (and way too orderly) distressing done to the walls. they tried way too hard too make the place look like some old industrial spot and just didn't quite hit the mark... close but no cigar.
(4)
Garrett M.
Who would have thought that having a gastropub as your neighborhood bar could be both wonderful and terrifying? It's great having a place to go that's open late and always has fantastic food and twenty-five (!!) beers on tap... but my next purchase should probably be a tourniquet for my wallet to stop the hemorrhage of cash. The menu lays out all of 25 beers they have on tap, complete with the origin and style of beer, along with the beer that will follow it when the keg kicks. The servers always seem to know their stuff when it comes to the beer, so definitely ask questions if you've got any. I guess at this point, I should confess that I've planned trips in advance upon seeing that they're going to be getting something awesome (Russian River's Blind Pig IPA, I'm talking about you) on tap later in the week. Anyway, last time I was in, my friend and I shared a plate of six oysters, which were served with a pleasingly tangy mignonette. We followed this with two cheeseburgers, which I'm told are some of the best in the city. I've only very recently hurled myself from the vegan bandwagon, so I can't attest to anything other than that they are damn delicious. I got mine with the bacon onion jam, the aged cheddar, and a poached egg. It was glorious. The fries are also some of the best I've had around here, but I could see how some might think them over-seasoned. I've been here several times now, and the food has always been great. With a revolving door of both food and drink, this is definitely a place to return to and is worth every penny. That said, can anyone spare some cash?
(5)
Ronald M.
A frequent diner, a resident of Fishtown and a lover of Kraftwork. From the creative design, to the service and beer list and most of all the food, there is nothing left to be desired here. I have to honestly say that one of the best meals I have ever had the pleasure to eat was enjoyed at Kraftwork. Do not hesitate, GO!
(5)
Tom H.
Kraftwork may be the best bar in the city. Do you love an always changing, never boring, all-draft beer selection? Do you need fresh, creative, mind-blowing entree and appetizer specials? Fruit, cheese, and charcuterie to go with your beer? Do you need go-to gastropub staples to fall back on when you're not feeling adventurous? Friendly, knowledgeable staff? Good mix of locals, center city folk, out of town beer snobs? Total lack of Miller Lite bottles? DJ's on the weekends? Phillies on the weekdays? Kraftwork delivers satisfaction no matter your tastes and mood. Suggestions: Always go for the specials. Always. Mix up the beers, ask for a taste if you aren't sure. Be careful: Don't miss out on the specials by ordering the beer can chicken. Let someone else in your group order the sandwiches, then you can be adventurous. And don't try to pay with Amex; they don't accept it.
(5)
Kelly Ann D.
Kraftwork might just be my favorite place to grab a quick drink and food near my house. Sooo many delicious beers on tap and the bald gentleman who usually serves us always makes a killer reccomendation for a hoppy bitter beer that I request. Food is delicious! I usually grab a burger over mixed greens with a fried egg, gruyere and carmelized onions and it comes out perfect every time. Another go to, Korean BBQ tacos-Perfectly spicy and a nice bit of crunch with the Asian slaw. We come here often for brunch (best bloody mary's in town) and all of the brunch food is pretty good plus they always give us a card for 10% off our next brunch which is nice. Give this place your business, but not too often because I don't want too large of a crowd when i'm there on Friday for dinner.
(5)
Jillian C.
I love the atmosphere they want to have in here, but haven't quite felt it work out. However, I have enjoyed the pierogis numerous times and haven't eaten a bad one yet. The apple chutney is friggin' awesome, even if the four piergois are a little pricey. Everything in here is just a little pricey. If you go at a time when they are insanely slow, you tend to be left alone, but the food gets out quick. It's up to you whether you want to be nagged by your bartender or not. I had a Robinson Crusoe drink once which is super ginger crazy. Delicious, but a little overwhelming for me. I'll be back, but next time to try a new beer. Still want to try their PB&J Zeppoli. Yum.
(4)
Lauren R.
I recently went here with several people. It was PACKED and we had resort to eating at the bar, but that's really my only complaint. Beer? Excellent. Food? Fancy pub grub. Its good and they don't skimp with the portions. People? Nice mix. We liked our server and none of our fellow patrons rubbed us the wrong way. We'll totally be coming back.
(4)
Jenny K.
I hate to do this, but I'm dropping my review by 1 star. I went here with friends on Friday night for dinner. We had to wait forever to get a table, but that didn't really bother me. (It was beer week after all.) What bothered me was the $120 price tag for 4 people. That's $30 a person! I nearly choked on my $12 flatbread pizza when I saw that. The meal was good, maybe even pretty darn good. But it just didn't live up to the price if you ask me. Also, I've heard rumblings that they added cheese to the beer can chicken sandwich, which is overpowering and takes away from the deliciousness of the sandwich. I wonder if you could ask for it w/o cheese?
(3)
Anthony S.
I've now put Kraftwork on my shortlist! A friend was in from out of town and we were set on finding a stellar burger some place we haven't been to already. Without venturing to center city in the 15° weather, and based upon a recommendation (and the great burger photos on yelp!), we took a cab to Kraftwork and arrived around 7:30pm on a Saturday. This place was packed so the wait was about a half hour. While my buddy and I waited for our table, we had plenty of time to stand around and try a few different beers - all of great quality and really hitting the "craft" beer variety. The bar tender, who's name I believe was Victoria, was a shining star in a cluttered and hustled environment. Service and personal attention was exceptional the whole night. We managed to find a couple stools at the bar while we waiting for a proper table and ordered a snack. People sitting to our left and right, outside sharing a smoke with and waiting in line at the restroom were all pretty awesome. There's good peeps hangin out here! The guy sitting next to me ordered the cheese plate he claims to drive to Kraftwork for every week. When our party became three instead of two, the only commotion was to verify with the staff that they knew to fit us all in. The three of us managed to sit down around 8pm and the server was over immediately to refresh our drinks and provide menus. A few hours after deciding to try the Kraftwork Burger, we were finally blessed with bringing this jaw dropper to our lips. While not the absolute supreme of all burgers, it's easily in my personal top five. I think the only other item on the table was the clam chowder which was probably the best I've ever had. Again, attention to our needs, drinks, the check, etc were all exceptional even with a fully packed house. I already want to go back again this weekend.
(5)
mike v.
Best bar in Philly. Chill, great beer, great food...not too many trashy hipsters.
(5)
Lauren H.
I've visited Kraftwork twice in the past few weeks and walked away impressed each time. First time was during the most recent incarnation of the Craft Beer Express. The place was crowded when my friend and I got off the bus, but we managed to snag a table and settled into a few of the featured beers and an order of the pretzel bites. The service was prompt, efficient and the place was friendly - I walked away feeling that if I lived closer, this place might become my default. Second time was over lunch, on a Tuesday. Three of us arrived around 12:30pm and we were a little concerned at being only party there, not that should have been concerning at mid-day on a Tuesday, but after a half an hour the place got decently busy. Our meal, now known as "the best lunch ever", consisted of practically every appetizer on the menu as none of us could make a decision on what to eat (or rather what not to eat), which turned out to be the best decision. We ordered the pretzel bites, perogies, bratwurst, Korean BBQ tacos and fries and vigorously tucked into each plate all as soon as it arrived, only pausing to here and there to declare with mouths full of food that this was "the best lunch ever". The bratwurst and perogies were overall winners and and my only wish would be a bit more salt on the pretzel bites. Yes, we were starved, and yes, there was a certain thrill in taking a lunch away from one's desk (which we don't normally do), but combination of good food, beer selection, atmosphere and service = awesomeness.
(4)
mishel c.
I hadn't been to Kraftwork in many months, and was disappointed to learn yesterday that the new chef has removed/or edited the only things on the menu I liked. The veg board is apparently now more or less a salad with a bunch of cheese + other items that are of zero interest (the old one was vegan + chock full of local awesome veg + hummus, faux gras, etc). Our server was awesomely honest + suggested we NOT order the new veg board as she even said it wasn't worth it. Also...no more falafel....lame. We settled on just getting some fries with our beers + went elsewhere. Oh, and the awesome beer flight price is now $10 from $8. Not a major deal, really, but still kind of a bummer. I don't think I'll be visiting Kraftwork very often unless I just go for beer + fries.
(2)
Ben P.
My M-O with gastropubs recently has been to rate them only on food and service, no longer being impressed (in Philadelphia) with a good beer list. With Kraftwork, I must diverge from my path. Not only is their food awesome, their beer list truly stands out from the rest. Nothing but really cool selections from mostly (all?) domestic craft breweries from all over. Spectacular beer list. Food is well presented and tastes great. Atmostphere is lots of metal and wood. Made we want to go build something. Service was sketchy, but it seemed like our server was taking care of a lot of tables, not her fault. I was impressed overall and will be back, for sure!
(4)
Kurt I.
Great beer selection, very small menu. The food I had was ok, but the service was a bit slow (both times I've gone), and as a vegetarian, my choices are super limited. I'd love to see more of a menu in this great establishment.
(3)
jillian n.
My boyfriend and I went on a saturday night at about 9. We were seating fairly quickly for how busy it was. Our waiter was very pleasant, attentive and helpful. BUT overall the food was just . . eh. Even a little bit cold. I would go back for a bar experience, but definitely not for a meal or even appetizers. Great beer list though.
(3)
Larissa M.
Meh. It's, fine. I live on the other side of town and always wanted to check this place out because I really like their other bar, Sidecar. Unfortunately I don't see much reason to return. Another neighborhood spot that pleasantly caters to its regulars while turning quickly terse on people they don't recognize, which is funny because I recognized one bartender from another establishment across town where I was left with ironicallythe same impression. Lukewarm sincerity and an overly krafty menu create a conundrum: potentially confused customers and bartenders who seem annoyed by the fact that you don't immediately 'get it'. It seems like a lot more effort went into eye-catching design elements, some of which are admittedly cool - like the giant saw and the wrench-held chopping blocks that deliver the cheese plates - but that stuff wears off when the bartender ignores your order to yell at the waiter because he just dead bolted the front door that kept flapping open in the wind. HINT: use one of the fancy wrenches to tighten the hydrolic arm on the door and that probably won't happen. It's like being in a library with a bunch of illiterates.
(2)
Heather C.
awesome food and great beer. can't go wrong with this place. the only problem is its a little small so it can get pretty crowded at certain times but thats fishtown for you.
(4)
Katie H.
Went here last Sunday with a few friends and WE LOVED KRAFTWORK. Let me tell you why. 1. Awesome server - nice guy, I asked him to pick out my beers for the flight of samplers because I figured he knew about bizillion times more about beer than I do and I tasted yummy things I wouldn't have tasted otherwise. 2. Great food. Like, really really good. We split ricotta dumplings, hazelnut salad, korean style tacos, short rib sandwhich and arancini. Everything super yummy and very savory. 3. See above. I mean - really - with more beer on tap than you can possibly need in an evening, great food... oh, I forgot #4.... 4. Reasonably priced. Beers, wine, food for 3 of us - $40 each. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
PJ H.
Hands down the best looking and most architecturally interesting bar in Philadelphia. Whoever did the metal work in there is a gifted human being. My roommate and I sat at the bar, in awe by the giant metal saw hanging above the twenty something drafts they have there. Awesome. Everything from the giant-bolt doorhandle to the walls had me in a trance. Now onto the meal. We did the cheese plate, which was excellent. Great variety and the accoutremont (?) that came with each cheese worked really well. I had the calamari over a salad with roasted cherry tomatoes and it was great, as well as the fries (MUSTARD sauce rocked). My roommate had a burger and was making noises similar to the ones i hear coming from his room at night. Awesome beer selection. I will definitely be back here. For dessert, The Strawberry Shortcake over a BISCUIT with balsamic reduction. This was the best part of the meal and really had me speechless. The biscuit was awesome, and the balsamic/strawberry/whipped cream connection was awesome. Best use for whipped cream since that scene in Varsity Blues. My only beef is that the bartender wasnt friendly and took a long time for everything. Will definitely be back here in the future.
(4)
Matt A.
On the most essential details, having a great beer selection and food that rises above what you expect from a bar, Kraftwork nails it, just nails it. The beer can chicken sandwich ($11) comes with a heaping side of fries, is served succulent and full of flavors that I don't think they got just out of a chopped beer in can. The bacon jam for the burger ($11) is unique and some serious umami excellence. Go for that at least once. That said, there are several things that I think keep it from going to 5 stars. First, they have too many beers, this is my perception based on the difficulty of reading their spreadsheet menu. Each bit of data about a beer-Brewery, type, ABV, price by size, is included in its own cell. It's a cute idea, but in going here maybe three times it never becomes an easy way to pick a beer, both for myself and my friends. I think the rigid segmentation of a selection into discreet data points makes it hard to see a single row as one option. Also, they have interesting-sounding cocktails that I would love to try, but I'm not interested in paying 12 or so bucks for a whiskey cocktail made with Old Grandad.
(4)
Seanmhair F.
04/13/12 Went to Kraftwork last night. I really like the space. I'm a big girl, I require alot of yaw, so it was nice that you don't have to push past people. It wasn't very crowded, but filled up before we left. Honestly, not overwhelmed. It was nice, it was good. It seemed to take a long time for the kitchen to get out two sandwhiches and a salad, but the server was nice, and explained alot of things. I think the problem with me was I'm not a beer head, so that part really didn't interest me. My salad was good, with beets and goat cheese, and pumpkin seeds. The rib sandwhich was good, and the burger looked fine. The fries were good, not as garlicky as I thought they might be. It took another twenty minutes or so to get the desserts to the table, which were fine. Chocolate banana bread pudding, (rather dry) and an apple empanada which was okay. I'd certainly go back again, but probably just to grab a burger and no booze. Four glasses of wine, and three beers. $114.00 + tip for three people. With tip that comes to about $45 a person. I think I'm just really spoiled by BYOB's at this point. I liked the place, the menu isn't stunning, but its good and sturdy. But I kinda didn't expect to go over $100 for two sammies and a salad, and two desserts. I keep forgetting how much we drink.
(3)
Jessica M.
I love Kraftwork! Solid food, an awesome beer selection, and generally good service. It isn't cheap, but I feel like you pay for what you get. Maybe we have become regulars because it is around the corner from my boyfriend's house, but I really couldn't ask for a better neighborhood bar in my second city. I really enjoy the truffled deviled eggs, the cheese board, and the charcuterie board. For brunch, I love their bloody mary's and I'm partial to the flatbread pizza. They have a pretty solid list of specials that hasn't disappointed. It's a fun bar, and has a comfortable atmosphere (not pretentious, and industrial finishing).
(4)
Katherine K.
Likes: 1. Beer selection. They have an $8 flight of 4, which is very reasonable and a great way to check out something new. Their list of craft brews is so extensive and varied, I almost had a panic attack trying to pick only 4! The beer came to us extra cold, just how I like it. 2. Atmosphere. The art in this place is amazing. It's hard to get over it being a brewpub. 3. Waitstaff. Very attentive, and our waitress agreed with my criticism of a movie. Extra points there. Dislikes: 1. Location. It's definitely driving distance for me, so it's a little rough with all those tempting beers. This place would be a gift from heaven if I lived in this area, though. 2. My burger was only so-so, I've had better (it's pretty hard for any burger to out-do Royal Tavern's in my opinion). I'll have to go back to check out some of the other options- I hear the Beer Can Chicken sandwich is pretty delicious. I'm kicking myself for not getting it.
(4)
Marie D.
I'd pitch a tent on the corner of Montgomery and Girard to be able to call Kraftwork my neighborhood haunt. Meeting a friend here to catch up after a two-year hiatus may not have been the best idea because I was enthralled with the menu, the mega saw dangling above the bar and the bolts that may have once been used to hold together an architectural monstrosity. It's too bad I don't have less self-control because I would have loved to eat and drink the entire menu. Let me say, though, the Avery Maharaja Imperial IPA and mussels with fries are now logged on my death-row meal wish list. It's probably really rude of me to brag about my amazing combo because the draft list rotates weekly or when the keg kicks, whichever comes first. By the way, the mussels steeped in a sauce so rich that I'd have drunk it in a glass if the Maharaja ran out. Shout out to our awesome server. Unfortunately, I have no idea what his name was but he was infinitely helpful and patient - like I said I was pleasantly overwhelmed and impossibly torn between all of the stellar selections. The $8 sampler is great for the adventurous or the undecided.
(4)
Zoe P.
As a thank you for looking after their dog one weekend, my bf's family offered to take us out for dinner - and Kraftwork got my vote due to all the praise Yelp has bestowed upon it. We were already excited, but when we arrived and started looking around at the decor and people and FOOD...we were more than ready to chow down by the time we got our table. Thankfully they moved us from the first one (directly beneath a/c = 3 frozen ladies, 2 uncomfortable men) to another that was much more pleasant, and bigger which was great since we ordered quite a bit of stuff. The men each got beer flights of 4; everything they offer is strictly on tap (AWESOME!! but therefore limited beer menu that changes seasonally), and if you have a hard time choosing the staff seems pretty well versed since our waitress instantly started listing options when prompted. The beer is truly delicious, they make quite the effort to have a diverse and relatively extensive list of microbrews. But we weren't just there to drink - and thankfully our food came out quickly. We split 2 orders of the ricotta dumplings (fantastic, 4 pieces per order) and a side of pickled veggies (Yum! Although I still prefer Resurrection Ale House's), and then technically each ordered separate entrees although we all tasted everything on the table: 2 beer can chicken sandwiches, 1 prime rib sandwich, 1 beet salad, and a special poached eggs over sauteed Kennett Square assorted mushrooms with brioche toast. The food was great. That chicken was so tender and juicy (need to try that technique out for myself!), as was the prime rib, the beet salad was delicious, huge and not overly saturated with vinaigrette, but that poached egg special stole the show, mostly because those mushrooms are TO DIE FOR. Thank god I marked down the Kennett Square Mushroom Festival on my calendar because THAT is a dish that I will definitely replicate on my own. Kraftwork is great! All the servers were really nice, especially our waitress who gave great recommendations and was constantly smiling. The decor is wonderful too, with a laid-back feel that's still nice and put together. Great place to come for any occasion, or just to chill at the end of the day!
(5)
Katie W.
Way too overpriced for mediocore food and atmosphere... Please note, that I don't drink beer - I'm purely a liqour and martini girl - so I this review is critiquing Kraftwork's food, atmosphere, and service. We came on a Wednesday night around 7:30 p.m. and it was packed! My party of three had to share a picnic bench with another couple. There longing gazes and kisses between each bite might have thrown me off, but they were def a couple. awkward....to share a table with... The menu is VERY limited and everything is trying ot be so freakin gourmet i couldn't stand it. I ordered the chicken sandwich, for $11.00 dollars! It came with some carrot cole slaw. At the price it should have come with fires and a side salad! It was only okay, kind of dry and very greasy. Yes, those two things can go together! The cheapest thing that any of my party ordered was my martini. For a place known for it's beer, i was surprised to get a decently strong lemon drop martini for only $5.50! Seriously! My friends okay glass of wine was $9.00! This place needs to add more Oomph to their menu for the prices they are asking for! And give romantic couples there own table! ha
(2)
Marie R.
I continue to have better expectations each time I go there (and this was the third). I know a couple of people here so I really wanted to like it but honestly it's a place I'd pass on. I've had about 7 items on the menu- my favorite being the charcuterie board appetizer- were mediocre to fair, definitely over seasoned. The front of the house service was lacking. They need a hostess if they don't already have one. The decor is fun for the area and the beer selection rules, but I'd go with Johnny B's if you're already on Girard.
(2)
Kimberly M.
We came here because we live in the neighborhood. It's a cool place, aesthetically. But other than that not worth it. They claim they are a microbrewery and sell growlers but don't even brew their own beer. I could go to a beer distributer and get the same beers they charge $26 for 64 oz and pay less for a case. Also we each tried a different beer then when one of us ordered a new beer from the server, 20 minutes went by when we finally had to remind him that we asked for a beer. It was on the house for the screw up but we had also asked for a menu and never received that either. If they want to keep up their posh reputation they are trying to push they need to try a little harder
(2)
jen nah n.
Beer, beer and more beer. Oh yeah, and it's awesome beer. Stuff I've never heard of before but now dream about at night. Unfortunately, was hoping for a little of the band to be thrown in there somewhere, but one cannot be that greedy.
(4)
Chloe J.
Visited Kraftwork on a Thursday night. It was pretty busy and EXTREMELY loud inside. We decided to sit outside so we could hold a conversation. It smelled of sewer outside, which is not thier fault but it just added to the many reasons I disliked this place. The menu is small and pretty much everything is overpriced. We ordered the beer can chicken sandwich. It comes with a red cabbage and apple slaw (more like carrot and apple). We thought for the price ($11) fries would be included but no. So we ordered toasted garlic and herb fries for $5. The sandwich was okay. Chicken was a bit dry and I did not taste the SHARP provolone that is on the sandwich at all. The best part was the bun. The fries were even more disappointing. Although it is a large bowl of fries, still not worth $5 in my opinion, they are lacking any garlic flavor. The rosemary was so overwhelming I did not taste any other herb, if there even was any. All of our fries were broken or perhaps they just used super small potatoes. I doubt that. When I asked the waitress about the fries she said sometimes they are like that. I wanted to dip my fries in the mustard aioli but the cup holding the aioli was deeper than the length of my fry. As far as the beer goes.... The beers are also overpriced. I can understand why a beer with a abv of 10% might be served in a goblet and cost $8. But my beer which had an abv of 6% was also served in a goblet and cost the same????? More beers should be offered in a pint as well as growlers. I don't think we will return to Kraftwork anytime soon. I do hope they get it together over time. Oh also people were smoking outside at the tables. Pretty gross. I don't want to smell cigarettes while I'm eating. Take your cancer stick to the curb.
(2)
Max D.
Great place! Real chill, not the place I would watch an Eagles game, but go there for the beer. I have never been a craft beer person, but they always have loads to choose from. Last night I had the most bitter stout ever. Versatile drink menu and great food. Very important a knowledgeable staff who can guide you to the right decision.
(4)
Michele B.
Breakfast is consistently amazing! Uber kid friendly. Lovely staff. I live in the NY area but I can't wait to go back home to Philadelphia to have breakfast. YUM!!!!
(5)
Three R.
The food is great - somedays the selection of beers are not the best. Great location, great service and fun style group seating. So if you like eating with perfect strangers this is the place to go to. A MUST
(4)
Samantha H.
so i am one to try new local places with good beer and good food. i was very impressed with the beer selection, although anyone with a love of beer would feel the same. i'm just saying 25 or however many beers on tap makes it hard to be disappointed unless miller lite is your beer of choice.. now, the food. where do i begin. terrible, that's where. the french fries really caught my eye because of the herbs they are covered in. did anyone else think they looked and tasted exactly like McDonald's french fries?? i mean come on, you don't hand-cut your french fries? what is this amateur night? when i walk into a locally owned establishment i expect the fries to be hand-cut and delicious. now this was the week they opened and maybe (hopefully) they realized the err of their ways and changed things up. i also ordered the flatbread pizza, dry dry dry..bland. beer good, food bad.
(2)
Johnny L.
Beer selection is top notch. Beer can chicken is killer. Service was Smooth. Only reason to travel north towards kensington for beer in my opinion. If you didn't spend all your loot on pricey bowling and or noise in NL, check it out. Fish town is lucky to get this GEM. Salame.
(4)
Jen K.
This place is great! The food specials are always amazing, the regular menu food is great too, and they have an incredible selection of beers. The only thing that sucks is most of the tables are "communal style" so unless you can snag a bar seat or one of the high tops you randomly get seated with other people. Other than that, can't get enough of this place.
(5)
Aaron B.
My favorite watering hole. The drafts are always changing; I've tried so many new beers there. The bottle list is huge. Drafts range from $4.50 to 7 at most- some pints, some glasses. The food! It's such an interesting menu. Their brunch is incredible! The staff are generally nice and love to talk. The clientele range in ages depending on time of day and it can get pretty busy (and a little loud for conversation) at night. Lunch is my favorite time to go, when it's nice and quiet. The decor is vintage-y, with low watt light bulbs and dark patterned wallpaper.
(5)
ray p.
Now, mind you, this is just about the burger; our service was great, the place was a lot of fun, and the beer line up was fantastic. BUT for having such a small menu, and most of that being dominated by burger and burger options, i was expecting greatness...which did not come on the plate of food i ordered. Ill start from the bun down: the bun was actually really good, it was easily the best part of the burger, im not sure if they make the bread there or not, but i would have been happier simply eating that. underneath my bun was a smaller than i was expecting mass. It was the burger meat. The grind on the meat was so fine that it left the patty without any texture, it was literally like baby food, there was no distinguishable difference from meat to fat or anything, just peach puree smooth gray meat. The color of my burger looked as though it had been cooked in a microwave, really really just....uniformly gray; no grill marks, no beautiful dark brown crust, no nooks and crannies of juicy goodness, no nothing...like a frozen white castle patty. To boot, it was under seasoned, if seasoned at all, and i dont mean anything fancy, i mean simple salt and pepper. Atop my formed and pressed patty was supposed to be cheddar and a bacon jam, i was surprised to find a literal thumb-nail sized smudge of what i guess what supposed to pass for bacon onion jam but there was no identifiable bacon and the amount that was on there was so small that it offered almost no taste of anything at all. the cheese sounded great on the menu, 2 year aged cheddar, but what i got was a portion of white liquid the size of a flash drive hanging off the size of the meat patty. My fries were cooked well and they themselves were properly seasoned, however they were all the length of matchsticks making it a little hard to eat without a fork. For $12.00 i was highly disappointed. I would go back for sure, but not for the food, just for drinks. Like I said before, the service was great. Our server was attentive when our glasses were empty, helpful to the other people in my party with suggestions, and the beer line up was fantastic. The seating was uncluttered and comfortable and overall we had a good time drinking. But as for the star item on the menu? no me gusta.
(2)
Gene F.
This is a really nice place. I like the decor, and they have a solid beer selection and great food. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the prices are a bit high.
(4)
km a.
typical gastropub food, but its good! the fries are my favorite. they have a rotating draft list which is great and keeps up with the season. i am gluten free, so i cant really enjoy the drafts but they almost always have a cider on draft. nice chill place to grab food and drinks with friends. it is normally pretty easy to get a table for a large party, i have been there multiple times with a party over 6 and we had great service and no issues.
(4)
Brian D.
kraftwork = the truth. total game changer. philadelphia is one of the top 5 craft beer cities in the country. it's bars like this that uphold that reputation. without question one of the most fantastic bars in this fine ass town. i've been coming here weekly with a group of pals for over 5 months now, and it ne'er disappoints. here's why: - the staff rules. i'm consistently pleased with the service and conversation (not to mention their keen knowledge of the ever-changing beer selection). - the food is gourmet all the way (right down to the pretzel bites. trust me). - the beer selection is second to none. and it changes almost daily. 10 dollar flights with over 25 beers to choose from? righteous. if you're a fan of fine beer, or even if you're just starting out in the craft beer circuit (like I did about a year ago), this place is a magical bar to start your journey. overall this a bar for beer-fans. it's not a dive bar, no. but if you're looking for one of those just throw an arctic splash container and you'll hit one
(5)
mimi h.
I was really excited to have a new place in Fishtown for dinner and drinks, but was pretty disappointed. The 2 stars are for the service which was good, all else left little to be desired. The decor is ok, but the colored lights around the bar sort of ruined it for me. I am not much of a beer drinker but I understand the selection is great. Otherwise the food was a bummer and the big bill at the end was an even bigger bummer. Two people eating a dry burger, so so muscles and not so good oysters and drinking one drink each should not warrant a bill close to $100....
(2)
Lindsey A.
It's been awhile since I've been to Kraftwork. I went shortly after it opened. During Philly Beer Week and I had a flatbread pizza and it was great!! Best part they had great beers on tap. It was a bit pricy but I've heard that since then they have lowered prices on their dishes! I would definitely like to go back again!
(4)
stevee b.
Checked this place out Friday night. It was totally mobbed so we couldn't eat. No biggie, figured we'd just have a beer. Unfortunately, they didn't have our favorite local beer--Kenzinger. This seemed weird since the brewery is right down the street. So, we asked if they had any PBC products. At this point the bartender--whom I think was also the manager since he had a "I love my staff" button on-- got kind of weird. He basically threw a beer menu in our hands and walked off. A menu doesn't do you much good if you already know the bar don't got what you're drinking. Needless to say, our visit was cut short by this interaction. So, we walked back towards home and stopped into Les and Doreen's happy tap. We were indeed happy since they did, in fact, have Kenzinger. I guess we'll give Kraftwork another try on a night when it is not so busy so maybe we can try the food and see why they would open a beer bar in the fishtown/pt richmond/kensington nexus and not have Kenzinger on tap for the locals. My only other comment concerns parking, namely BIKE parking. This place--like so many other of the new breed of bars riding the wave started by the true pioneers like Johnny Brendas, has opened without installing a single bike rack on the sidewalk. This is a major oversight and they should install some bike racks ASAP.
(2)
Kathryn M.
Great service and great beer offerings so I'll soon be back. We only tried the pork krispy treats for food and I can't particular suggest them as they were a little strange. I'm a big fan of unique combinations and thought this looked right up my alley but the pork rinds make the krispy treat a little too tough but are probably necessary for the depth of pork flavor they are going for. The rest of the food all looked good albeit a little pricey particularly for the area (falafel for $11?! Burger for $12?!). Also, the location is a little difficult to get to but I found parking in no time so that's at least a plus when venturing to that area. All that being said, I found myself texting a friend from the bar to tell her how much I thought she would enjoy it so clearly I'm a fan as well!
(4)
Robert F.
Food was good, drinks were good, I don't think the place was out of this world, just ok!!
(2)
PJ F.
Wow, there are some ridiculously harsh reviews of the food here. Don't confuse yourself, you're coming to this place for the alcohol and simply put, the food served here is a nice compliment to the absurdly good beer list that they offer. Contrary to others on this board, I really enjoyed the food at Kraftwork and was psyched to see that Ben works here (a great waiter from Bar Ferdinand). My girlfriend and I ordered only "specials" off the menu when we ate here which included: roast pork tenderloin, fluke, fried green tomatoes, a beet/goat cheese/arugula salad and a special white peach/shortcake dessert. Everything was excellent and Ben informed us that 1) the tomatoes were grown at the Chef's uncle's farm about an hour outside of the city, 2) the fluke was caught locally and 3) the beets were grown by youth at an urban community garden at 8th and Poplar. In my opinion, that is fantastic. Also, did you guys really think this place was so overpriced? If so, you really need to eat at more places. All of that food I mentioned above, plus 2 craft beers for myself, and 2 cocktails for my girlfriend was only around $80. These days I am happy with any food/bar bill under $100 for two people. This place was very reasonably priced in comparison to similar places throughout the city. I'll tell you, as a local resident, I am really glad to see another place like this opening up in the area. We need it. I'll definitely be coming back to Kraftwork. Do yourself a favor and come check it out. Let's also not forget that this place is pretty new and they will probably make changes based on constructive feedback. P.S. - of course the beer selection here is silly. Sooooooo good.
(4)
Sarah B.
Stylish, airy, and bright. Interesting and delicious food menu; intriguing beer menu. Totally going back for brunch again.
(4)
Bernadette F.
Great beer selection and wonderful food. The beer can chicken sandwich is delicious as are the muscles. The only drawback is the family style seating. They cram as many people at a table as they can.
(4)
Laura M.
Went here for the first time last week and I really enjoyed it. It gets really crowded on a Saturday night so I suggest getting there early. The staff was very attentive and helped us pick out beers to try and menu items. The cheese board was delicious and included very interesting types of cheese and great pairings. I wasn't a huge fan of the decor but if the food is good (which it was) I'll keep coming back despite the industrial feel.
(4)
Meg B.
Why it has take me this long to review Kraftwork is beyond me. I first stumbled across this place during a Fishtown beer run as it was the bar destination for the week. I loved the fun grid of beers to chose from and they defintely satisfied all the different palates sitting around the table. It was then I first sampled their margarita flatbread and riccotta balls. Yum, yum yum! They were so good. Since then I've been back and have had their delicious mussels with sliced garlic bread bagettes for dipping as well as there toasted garlic fries with yards porter aioli ( genious!) and most recently, there most amazing perogies I've ever tasted in a restaurant. The apple chutney paired with chive creme fresh- I could haven't eaten 5 orders of this- they were THAT good. Another fall change up was the mushroom/proscuito and ricotta flatbread. You can never go wrong with their flat bread. It's so light yet so tasty. Yes, Fishtown is off the map to some Philadelphians if you love craft beer and you love good eats, then please try here!!! Get in there and sample their current brews from Terrapin. The Rye Pale was perfect me as I had quite a few last night:)
(5)
Jackie B.
Had heard about this place from a friend. Definitely a bit far of a bike ride from where I live in South Philly, but absolutely worth the trip. Their extensive beer list is extremely impressive. They list everything you would want to know about the beer and the list changes daily. I had the Great Divide Rumble Oaked IPA and it was fantastic. My date and I shared the bratwurst roll as an appetizer. Oh. My. God. This was a phenomenal dish. Simple, English pub food but to a T. A perfectly cooked bratwurst wrapped in a puff pastry with a delicious mustard sauce. Actually can't wait to go back and get it again... This was the perfect amount of food to split with someone so I wouldn't be too full for the main course. I ordered the short rib sandwich whose description was too good for me to pass up: "roasted poblano creme, crispy fried onions, pepper jack cheese, garlic and herb fries." This was served on a perfectly toasted brioche bun and was mind-blowing. All of the flavors worked so well together and had the perfect amount of bite to it. The one thing I would change would be the fries were great, but a liiittttle too herb-y. Our server was fantastic and was extremely nice and knowledgeable about every food item on the menu. Also, noticed that one of the bartenders was my favorite bartender at the Pope in south philly! Overall, I can't wait to get back to this place again. Beautiful bar, beautiful beer, beautiful food.
(5)
Pam R.
Awesome! In town for a conference and a friend suggested we check this place out. Once Ben (the server) came to our table, I knew we were in for a treat. Ben provided us with a wealth of information on the beer list and the wonderful stories behind the beers. What a selection! And then it was time to check out the food - wow! Everything was great. You can't go wrong with a meal at Kraftwork.
(5)
Casey L.
ok. I'm two visits in and both times everything was exceptional. I went during beer week with two old friends and we celebrated their Hitachino night. At first I was skeptical because the only beers they were serving were Hitachino. To the rescue? HOORAY for the beer flight! seriously, the beer flight is genius. especially during beer week. the menu for beer week was also limited, not realizing we should just trust all Kraftwork decisions we played it safe and just split an appetizer. We ordered the asparagus and egg. (real name unknown) it was incredible. On my most recent visit I quietly wished it would be part of their regular menu. alas, it is not. Maybe on their specials sometime..... I will have to keep trying. 2nd visit was after going to the 26th to report a robbery. you would think a birthday theft would ruin the night, but no! Kraftwork fixed all, for however so temporarily. we sat outside and had beers I've never heard of and do not recall now, but they were super. I had the margarita pizza and fries (I like to start with the simplest items on my first dinner visit, then go adventurous each time after) my husband got the mussels. It would be unfair to gauge anyone's mussels against Monk's so we try not to do that. In which case they were really good and my simple fair was delicious. There should be a note about the staff here - they are fantastic. We had one waiter, but at least two other people checking on us and all three filling waters. I am putting Kraftwork on a regular rotation. oh - the reason we sat outside? it is really loud in there. might be an issue for me in the future, but as long as tables on the sidewalk are open, all is well.
(5)
Brian F.
For a gastro-pub Kraftwork is as good as it gets. The first time I was there, I had the best burger I may ever have had ...and that's just the beginning of a great menu. Tonight I had two specials, a chilled asparagus soup, and a duck prosciutto salad. Both were outstanding. My girlfriend had the mussels, and they were to die for. They have an amazing selection of beers, and growlers to go. The decor is deconstructed and whimsical, with exposed brick & hardware fixtures, with a very cozy vibe. I highly suggest this place if you're a beer snob & a foodie. Kraftwork Bar is a true gift to Fishtown.
(5)
Angelica R.
Kraftwork has the most delicious mussel and fries dish ever; the mussels are in a tasty garlic sauce, and they are plentiful! The fries come with a spicy mustard sauce and they also give you a huge amount. I usually split this dish with a friend... best bar food :-]
(4)
Rebekah O.
GREAT beer selection and a knowledgeable, friendly staff! The food is excellent however I feel like it could be just tad bit more reasonable. I'm feeling like I'm about to become a 'regular' here!
(4)
K Y.
I'm not sure why so many people feel the need to comment on the amount of "hipsters" that frequent this bar... who cares who the customers are as long as the food, drinks & service are on point? That being said... this bar is fantastic. Why? Tons of *free* parking, great beer (I drink whiskey, but friends drink beer), at least 25 craft beers on tap at all times along with the old stand by, PBR. They have a great menu with plenty of options for everyone in your party... burgers, sandwiches, flat breads, salads, etc. To top it off, they offer awesome brunch selections on Saturdays & Sundays. I love that I can go to Kraftwork on a friday night with a bunch of friends and then return on Sunday with my parents for brunch. To top it off, the service is always great! From the servers to the bartenders, bar backs, etc. everyone is super friendly and helpful.. I'm a server so I truly appreciate the outstanding service and I will continue to bring everyone I know here!
(5)
jennifer F.
Love this place and their selection of brews on tap.. Any place that brings in good Belgians and a fine selection of local beers, is awesome in my book. It's worth the bike ride from South philly to Girard and Montgomery.. One warning - this place gets crowded, especially on the weekends so good luck finding a seat!
(5)
L. G.
Oh my gentle Jesus this place is my fat girl heaven. I am in love with their pretzel bites with cheese. However, my absolute favorite is their burger. They some how manage to cook it perfectly on the outside and keep all of the flavor and juiciness on the inside. Amazing. Not much of a beer drinker but my inner circle seems to enjoy their tap list a great deal. I am a little too poor to come here all of the time but when I do have some extra cash to spare I like to make this my social rendezvous.
(4)
Allie F.
Great beer, amazing food, friendly service and clean facilities. A little pricey.
(4)
Tony R.
We've been here for brunch and lunch. Each time the food was incredible and service was also. I highly recommend this!
(5)
Craig N.
I didn't wanna like this place, but every aspect of it on my 6 visits has been absolutely bangin. I even brought my father here and he hates everything. I had him eating Korean tacos, too funny!! Outstanding service, great beer and food for foodies. Best spot in Fishtown
(5)
Zul R.
OMG ! I already love Kraftwork, but today they have outdone themselves! My friends and I went in as part of a mini-fishtown bar crawl and were pleasantly surprised to find out that they were giving out FREE JAMESON SHOTS!!!!! of course you have to be in something green, but wow! on a day that bars and pubs can charge extra, they are giving a gift. effing sweet!
(5)
Tom S.
I like this place a lot. It's airy and open, nice decor. But of course, those things are secondary to what I'm there for. Craft beer, and a decent burger. The beer is pretty hit or miss for me. The German influences to the menu seem to invite a lot more imported beers and local beers brewed in European styles that generally are not to my taste. That's fine, as there are usually a few decent American style crafts to try. Last time I went, they had Pliny the Elder ( and not much else I wanted to drink) so that was pretty telling that they are serious about their beer selection. Then there's the burger. Very nice. Good size patty, very nicely cooked to order. Seemingly zero danger of it being over/undercooked. Well seasoned and very little extraneous toppings unless by request. I may be in the minority in this, but I very much appreciate that. In fact, the standard burger is completely barebones, with nothing but lettuce and pickles on it. There are also two lists from which you can add toppings, one from each list free, and $.50 (I believe) for each additional. The lists are small but interesting enough. I like mine with the Grafton 2 yr cheddar (the pepper jack they use has to be the mildest I've ever tasted, a disappointment), carmelized onions and bacon if I'm in the mood. The rolls they use are light and soft enough that they don't mask the flavor of the meat, a quality that some restaurants forget (looking at you, Standard Tap!) Definitely rates as one of the better, probably one of the best gastropub burgers I've had. The fries are not quite so great, but they're not terrible. They're very small, thin and short, a style I'm really not a fan of. I prefer a fry that is a bit more meaty, but then, that's a matter of taste. They are very nicely flavored with garlic and come with a mustard sauce that's flavorful but not overpowering. It's really not the flavor I don't love here because they are good, they're just more labor intensive to eat and vaguely less satisfying than they would be if they were a little more hefty. This is a place I'd like to get to a little more often than I do.
(4)
roberta b.
the bacon and onion jam is my new jam. it's like having bacon on your burger without actually having bacon on your burger. aside from the burger, i have tried various other things from their menu and specials selections ...i enjoyed them all. i often find it hard to decide whether or not to order the side salad instead of the fries with my sandwich because - even though i know i should order the salad - the mustard dipping sauce is one of my favorite things, besides the jam, about kraftwork's sandwiches. since this pub is in my hood i frequent it pretty regularly and the only thing that ever turns me away is the lack of seating when they're busy... there's nowhere to wait, unless it's warm outside. i don't drink beer much, but i still find their ever-changing, wide selection of draft beer impressive.
(5)
Zachary K.
Favorite place to go in fishtown! Beer selection is never disappointing, and neither is the food. Service is top notch too! Staff is always knowledgeable of what's on draft! I've been here countless times and have never had a bad experience. I typically get the burger when I go and haven't been to brunch enough to find my "go to" meal. The owner is dope too.
(5)
Jane F.
Went there early (4pm) Sat. with 7 friends - all women in our umm, mature years - 35 to 65. . . and a 1 year old who was welcomed with a baby seat (in a gastropub? Yes) Anyway - short and sweet: Service was an absolute 10, not only did our server explain all the beers he helped up pick, he did it patiently - and this is while busloads of beer browsers were being dropped off in front of the restaurant. The bus service was even nice and efficient - dirty dishes were whisked away in due time. Nice bartender girl too. We probably wouldn't have gone had we known how crowded and noisy it was that day - but I'm glad we hung in there. GREAT selection of Beer was nice and fresh, could have been a bit colder, but that's my taste - food really good. I had the shortrib sandwich, (a 10) shared apps, pretzels just ok, bratwurst roll really good, friends canned chick (said it was a 10) Hamburgers looked good - they said they were really good. We will certainly go back esp. when it's quieter! (oh yeah we all fought over the desserts - the keylime tart was delicious as was the cheesecake) Bill with tip came to $40 per person (with generous tip) ($260 plus tip)
(5)
Lynn P.
I have had most things on the menu and have never been let down. I would highly recommend the short rib sandwich, although I REALLY dislike that they don't serve it on a brioche roll any longer :( The chef seems to be a master at putting different flavors together and making things taste phenomenal. The burger and beer can chicken sandwich are great, also. I hope this place lasts. The staff is always friendly, I like the music and....the BEER. I would still frequent this place if they didn't serve awesome food, just for the beer alone. They always have a ton of great choices on tap. This place is a beer geeks heaven!
(5)
Drew D.
I wouldn't be surprised if I'm on here revising my review in a few months, but I felt I had to give only three stars because of the menu. This place has enormous potential. The bar is really like nothing else in the area; they have a massive tap selection and they fill growlers! However, I think the menu is too small and it seems like there are gaps that must be filled in with some more standard pub fare (with a creative twist of course). Also, the prices are kind of all over the place with some menu items priced well over what you would expect as the market equilibrium so to speak. That being said, I'll definitely be back for some of the more exotic items like the rabbit terrine and the chicken liver mousse.
(3)
Kristen B.
YUM! A friend and I stopped in for lunch today and boy am I glad we did. We shared the veggie board and mussels w/ fries. The food was excellent- very fresh and well prepared. We didn't sample any beer, but the menu is very extensive and looks like any beer drinker's dream. My only knock is the prices. A bowl of mussels & fries (at $16) is more expensive than at monk's and well, no one beats monk's mussels. And the veggie board, while very delicious, wasn't the most filling $15 worth of food I've had. Our waitress was great and told us how almost everything in the place (stools, tables, benches) was made by the owners/staff and well, that makes it just that much more charming, doesn't it? Should you go here? YES!
(4)
Erik E.
Cool crowd , great food , dope music. What else do u look for in a fishtown bar ? Glad i walked in this joint , happy to stumble out.
They are getting 4 out of 5 based on atmosphere, service, and drinks. All great! I hope to go back soon for food, then maybe they'll earn the 5th star.
(4)
Caitlin V.
I went back here and it looks like there's a couple more things on the menu that were vegetarian family which was probably my biggest gripe with this place. just work on the vegan options (i'm not vegan but my friend was and felt like she didn't have many choices).
(4)
Holly H.
Solid service, great beer list (and very inventive), cool to look at. We had a great time here after the kenetic scuplture race and had a fab time picking out tasters from the beer list. I wanna take the boy back but it's a bit out of the way and the table situation is tricky too (as in, first come first serve leads to 2 tops at the biggest tables, although the waitress was quick to move peoples around). O, maple bacon rice krispy treats were anazing!
(4)
Jessica E.
I still like this place a lot and continue to be impressed with the quickly rotating beer selection. I was not blown away by the service the last time I went though. Our server seemed somewhat distracted. Two rounds of beers and she mixed up our beers among the table both times. I got an order of the fries, which were good, but I am not sure if they were $6 good. I will go back, but I think I would prefer to stick to the bar and eat elsewhere.
(4)
Teresa D.
YES. Yes yes yes. This place is just a hop, skip and a half jump from my place. My friends and I decided to go here for a bite to eat, and were joined by a few friends later. Even though the place was packed, the bench seating allowed for all of us (6 to be exact) to sit comfortably at a table. The menu is small, but caters to meat-eaters, pescatarians and vegetarians alike. My friend and I ordered the mussels with fries and the cheese plate to share. So good were the mussels, but the cheese plate was my favorite. And don't be afraid to ask for a change or two on your meal, one of our friends is pescatarian and ordered the B-L-Trout, sans bacon, and it was no problem. The beer and drinks are quite good as well. They have a margarita of sorts called the Walter Gropius, it was delicious. The beer selection was great, they tell you everything from the % of alcohol to the origin of each beer on the menu, awesome. It was CRAZY busy on a Tuesday evening, but the waitstaff was amazing. And for all of you bacon lovers out there, three words: PORK KRISPY TREAT. Yes. Pork rinds, marshmallows, chocolate and bacon. All combined into a little scrumptious "rice crispy treat". Try it, and I promise you will not be disappointed. Whoever came up with this little nugget of awesomeness deserves an award. I will now have a difficult time choosing between Kraftwork and Memphis Taproom, since they are both so close to my damn house...
(4)
Curtis A.
Great place! Good food, food service, friendly and laid back. My kinda spot. Apart from the monumental bacon blue burger, they're brunch menu is solid. Try the Philly omelet, it's like a sausage cheese sandwich but instead of bread it's egg.Mmmmm. If your a bloody Mary fan this is your place. There's is topped with a porter which seems weird at first but trust me it's good.
(5)
Carlos N.
I went to Kraftwork yesterday for brunch. This place was great. As soon as the doors opened at 10:30 am it was pretty much full in a matter of minutes. Great draft beer selection and the food was great. I got the egg white omelet with Gruyere and caramelized onions and it was delicious. The service was very good. I am a fan of this place and will be coming back for more food and beer.
(4)
Chelsea N.
pretty darn tasty stuff. last time i got the shortrib sandwich and was blown away!
(4)
fred m.
Excellent brunch spot. Great food, especially the smoked salmon and potato rosti, the croque madame and the breakfast flatbread. The mimosas are also wonderful and only $5! Beer selection is fab. Waitstaff awesome. Music good and not overbearing. TVs are there but not the focal point. We were able to watch the Sixers beat the Knicks, which was a bonus. The other great thing about Kraftwork is that there is rarely a wait on a Sunday at brunch time. What a treat! We will be back to try it for dinner.
(4)
Todd T.
Stumbled onto this place while heading to Johnny Brenda's. Awesome craft beer selections. Food was very good. Garlic and herb fries were my favorite. The bartenders were friendly and helpful. They were eager to let us try some beers. The interior is really well done. This place is well worth a visit. I look forward to going back.
(4)
Karma B.
First, in terms of decor and Kraftsmanship, this place is very cool. Really cool metal and wood work pervades. The door handles on the front door are giant screws (very cool). The bar in the center of the place has a giant saw hanging over it. The bathrooms have all kinds of artistic metal work going on. The tables, stools, and benches are finely crafted wood. The place is really cool looking. Food wise, I was quite impressed. I had the beer-can chicken sandwhich and it was awesome. Totally tender chicken, spiced just right. It came with a side of cole slaw that was a little spicy and light. It was really good. We also had the cheese plate which was also very good. As a matter of taste, I wasn't a fan of two of the cheeses but they were of good quality and exactly as expected. The service is good and friendly as well. My only complaint is that the menu is hard to decipher. The beer selection is great but you have to study the list for like 10 minutes to get the organization. They do servce beer in 8 oz, 12 oz, and 16 oz servings -- a nice touch if you want to try a bunch of different ones without getting smashed. The food menu is on a form that looks like a blueprint. Again, too much going on for me. It is clever, but I really just want to be able to see what's on the menu and order what I want. But overall, this place is really good. The food is not typical bar food and the decor is very cool. Definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Tom L.
Great beer selection (tried the local Yards IPA) and one of the best burgers I've ever had - a perfect medium-rare with a nice dark char on the outside topped with aged cheddar and bacon/onion jam. Just ridiculously good.
(4)
S L.
the beer list is great.... the atmoshpere is warm, lively and friendly and the food is where it's at! i want to have sex with the food at Kraftwork. I have spoken with the chef Michael at length and know for a fact that... Kraftwork's kitchen sources it's produce, meat and dairy in season. locally. LET"S SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY! the meat they use is free-range, mostly grass-fed and free of chemicals/hormones. anything local, organic, small producer, artisanal etc. is going to be tastier, better for you and a little more expensive. the ingredients are top notch and the dishes are all made in house. nothing is bought frozen or pre-fab. there are actual real live people back there in the kitchen kneading pizza dough, mixing dressings from scratch, butchering, prepping and busting ass at HAND CUTTING FRENCH FRIES! wake up. workers who do things like this get paid. there is a price for their work. they aren't slaves. if you want cheap food...unripe mealy tomatoes flown in from Chile, made and served by someone who doesn't give a poop about you or your food cause they only make 6$ an hour.... then go to those other places and fill your face with them at all-you-can-eat buffets and stuff. but seriously folks, you get what you pay for...so stop bitching about paying for quality. eat at taco bell if you want a cheap dinner.
(5)
Galeet C.
A haiku for yesterday's soup: seasonal beet soup you were a rothko painting of nutrition.mmmmm.
(5)
Eric S.
Herb Fries are awesome. Great selection of beer!
(5)
Vinicius C.
Chef, great job....Here's someone who finally accepts the fact that this is a bar scene where bar food should be served. No...not frozen pizzas and taquitos...I'm talking about the real deal...the kind of food Ben Frank probably used to get when he went to bars...well executed mussels, oysters, beer chicken sandwich and burgers...Eh maybe he didn't get to eat the beer chicken sandwich...but I sure am glad I did. Nicely cooked chicken very flavorful and juicy not dry like most places, the apple slaw adds sweetness and cuts through the rich chicken with a little "zing". I've been here a couple of times since it opened and got to say although they have an amazing selection of beers, the food is my favorite part! Oh god the pickled veggies...I could sit all day eating whole cloves of pickled garlic (eek, I know right?! But they're so good I can't help it! it's perfect with the beer!) The waitstaff is a little confused... I think they should organize the seating a bit better, specially if it's really busy....You either treat the whole thing as a bar where you come in and find a seat yourself or you come in and put your name in the waiting list...But you gotta follow through with it and make sure the waiting list is enforced, or else it can be very frustrating as I've experienced first handed...(I know it's very very very busy and you got to pour like 6 beers and wait on six tables and that guy across the bar is yelling your name and trying to talk to you...trust me I understand!....thus, either treat it as bar or enforce the waiting list!)
(4)
Colin S.
Heavenly beer selection and a very nice interior as well. Jammed packed on a Tuesday at 8 p.m. and the service was good (usually service in a new spot is the reason I don't go back). For me, the menu looks a little too much like Johnny Brenda's and the Standard. Quirky-gastro. The question is do we really need another gastro-pub, in terms of the menu? The answer for me is no - we need more menu items that inspire, not invoke direct comparison to 15 other places like this in the city. That being said, I went for what I always have in any new place, the burger. It was very good, though it had way too much blue cheese, which totally overpowered the onion and meat itself! The end result was it came off more as a swanky cheese steak, than a burger (except it was on a bun). With such a strong cheese, a light hint is all that is needed. Otherwise, it was good stuff, great bun and perfect fries.
(3)
Sally f.
im so happy to see new, quality places opening on girard in fishtown. and i was so pleased with my experience at kraftwork. the interior was so cool - the design was well executed. the service was great and the food was great! i had a delicious falafel sandwitch. my boyfriend was very impressed with his meal and the beer list. theres some exciting rare brews in there! def going back many many times!
(5)
Nikki D.
awesome beer, decent food (but small selection), not so good service.
(3)
Jim B.
Finally! I keep hearing about the latest places that call themselves "gastropubs" and am almost always disappointed. Most places manage an okay beer selection and fall flat on their faces when it comes to food. Kraftwork is exceptional in both respects and ups the ante with deliciously crafted cocktails (Corbusier -- a tasty drink that contains absinthe? How novel!) and a small but well-chosen selection of wine that accommodates the wino in me. On to the real meat of the place: the food! Anyone can invest in a lot of taps and a beer consultant, or throw in the kitchen sink when it comes to bottles (Kraftwork has none), but I'm almost always left wanting when it comes to the "gastro-" part of "gastropub". The menu size is restrained and the descriptions are simple, but everything I've had delivers big time in the taste, preparation, and usually size. And usually contains substantial amounts of meat. The burger -- medium-rare, Point Reyes Blue(!) and bacon onion jam(!) -- is the new burger to beat in Philadelphia. The "Crispy Pork Terrine" are lovely little crispy fried, melt-in-your-mouth balls of porky deliciousness. The charcuterie board, including an unhealthy portion of non-fried (but bacon wrapped) rabbit terrine, was nearly meal enough for two. The meat finale is a "pork crispy treat" -- crackling substituting rice crispies, topped with chocolate and bacon. It's a meat-eater's dream come true. On the vegetable side, the "fiddlehead ferns" special was a remarkably simple but satisfying dish. I was told by the server that they're only in season for a short time and would be taken off the menu as soon as they were no longer freshly available. I'm used to hearing discussion of seasonal veggies in fine dining establishments, but it's nice to hear that a pub is basing their menu on the freshness of their produce. There's a veggie plate in addition to the charcuterie board. The "faux gras" tastes nothing like the real thing, but was a good, rich, creamy, buttery slab of non-meat products -- all i could pick out specifically was garlic. For me, the fish was 50-50. Most yelpers seem to be partial to Monk's mussels, but I think Kraftwork's easily give them a run for their money. Maybe I just went on a good night. The Trout BLT, on the other hand, was, well, fishy. Trout is a fishy fish, and I should've expected this, but I guess I was just expecting them to miraculously balance it out or cover it up with bacon or sauce. They don't. It's definitely a trout sandwich. Period. I can't say enough good things about this place. It's actually motivating me to trek up to Fishtown from South Philly. I almost wish it were further away so I could burn off more of the calories I consume in beer, pig, beef, pig, rabbit, and most everything else they're cooking up.
(5)
Vivian T.
Great place to grab a beer and snack. I had the eggplant parm sandwich. Man that was good. Wine selection wasn't so great but one does not come to this place for wine. Really good beer selection. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Sean T.
Yes, I went for the Beer Can Chicken. Nothing quite like it anywhere else so there's enough of a reason to check it out. Great beer selection. Busy but friendly on a Friday night. Short walk to Johnny Brenda's!
(4)
Monica S.
Kraftwork pleased me and my dinner companion very much. Upon entry, a busy waitress hurried over and explained their take on communal seating. "If it's okay with you guys, we're going with communal seating and there's a spot for two at that table over there." She points to the open spot when my friends goes, "don't you know that girl?" We walk over and my unaware buddy glances up to see I'll be taking a seat right next to her. Could've been a disaster had I not returned the friendship ring we once shared. Nevertheless, community seating brought back those good ol' friend feelings in no time. I dug into the fiddleheads special and even convinced my friend we were eating caterpillars. Do you know how nutritious these suckers are? To quote Wikipedia, they're "even better than blueberries, the gold standard for antioxidants!" Simply prepared with olive oil and sea salt, the ferns were all goodness. My beer can chicken sandwich came served over doughy brioche and went down without issue and extreme pleasure. The menu's a simple one, but who can scoff at their blueprint style design. As others have noted, the beer selection is robust and with every available option comes a replacement, should they run out of your choice (which they did). So never fear, there's a similar style beer ready to fill your pint. My friend's scallop special looked a little meager for his big man appetite, but once digested, he quit his bitching and leaned back, stretched his arms, and gave his belly a metaphorical rub. Bacon and pork rinds for dessert? Bring it on. And they did. With a famished gusto, we devoured and reveled in the unexpected rice crispy treat - which believe it or not were pork rinds brought together with gooey marshmallows and topped with bacon bits. Don't hurl, it was awesome. A resounding yes yes yes!
(5)
Colin H.
This place is great. A fishtown 'original' or sorts, I highly recommend anyone in the area stop in given the chance. Their 10pm specials encourage you to try new beers to go with your delicious garlic and parm fries. Not to mention, there is a giant saw in the ceiling, so you know, that's cool.
(5)
Jim S.
When you first walk in this looks like just a bar with some seating around it. But I heard they also had good food so I decided to stay. I am sure glad I did. Yes they do have a large selection of beer on tap but they also have really great food. My friend had a burger that he said was cooked to perfection and had great fries. I had the Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Fritter Salad that was huge and really good. The table next to me was raving about a beer can chicken sandwich that she loved. The seating is not great as it is a small place and they have hard bar stools or hard both type benches where you sit really close to the people next to you. But with food of this quality I an fine with the hard and loud bar atmosphere. If you have not tried this place I recommend you give it a try.
(5)
Vincent J.
Great atmosphere, the food was good enough, we just had apps so I cannot really comment on the food. The staff was friendly and attentive and the beer selection was very good.
(4)
Adam K.
Lot of craft beers so it's not just a witty name. Sit at the long tables or pull a seat up at the bar. They have servers who are pretty educated on the beer in case the menu overwhelms you. They have food but we just drank. It's in a random part of the city but worth making the trek.
(4)
Philly D.
Started here for Philly Beer Week 2010. Decided to go with the Kraftwork Burger... Grilled to a perfect medium rare. I ordered it with 2yr Grafton Cheddar Cheese and the bacon onion jam. Comes with toasted herb garlic fries. Burger was great, I was told that the beef is ground in house. As for beer, I started with an Ommengang Witbier and then a Petus "something...?" I forget which one.
(4)
Jennifer L.
I love this place!!! They have great beer, the staff is awesome and knowledgeable, the food is good and the brunch is AMAZING, do brunch here!!! I promise you'll come out a very happy boy or girl. I really like how they have special beer events too. I was there with Brian L. for the Lagunitas beer event and it was really fun! I cannot wait to come back!
(4)
Mike H.
Service was great, Renata was our bartender until shift end, then Kevan. Very knowledgable about menu and beer selection. Speaking of which, 25 beers on tap, including one on nitro (Firestone Walker) and one on cask. We had cheese board, pretzel bites, Avery Tripel, alagash white, urthel saisonniere saison, Firestone walker on nitro, new holland saison, Margherita pizza, shellfish gnocchi, salted caramel pudding with maple cred bacon. Had the four beer taster, then switched to Avery Tripel in goblets. All food was inventive and perfect for a bar like this. Decor is unique, a lot of custom details by carpenter and old tools incorporated into decor. Great music on pandora (rolling stones radio this day). Great late afternoon early evening stop for us.
(5)
Isabelle K.
20+ rotating craft beers on tap and proper gastro-fantastic food...need I say more?! Well, I will. Kraftwork has been one of my favorites since it opened and is easily my most recommended bar in the city. Their decor is spectacular...layers of the wall exposing brick, plaster and old wallpaper. I believe one of the owners was a iron or steel worker as there is a ton of awesome metalwork throughout. I love the massive saw with cutout hops hanging over the bar. They're bathrooms are friggin' awesome! Cool metal work, giant wrenches and pipes, really artsy industrial. This place is either packed or dead, which is true for most places in the area. But the crowd is usually awesome. Lots of interesting people, neighborhood regulars, hipsters, old school punk rockers, guys in suits and blue collar boys all sitting around the same bar, talking sports, art, or charcuterie. The beauty is that most people here, esp the staff, are well-versed in beer and food, but leave the pretentiousness elsewhere. I can always rely on them to recommend a great beer or new menu item when I'm being "that" person at the bar who doesn't know what they're in the mood for. They have a phenomenal selection of craft beers, a full stocked bar and a few featured wines. They also have ginger beer!! Weekly, they'll update the beers on their Facebook and post food features. I've tried justttt about everything on the menu. The Hen of the Woods mushroom salad is my favorite...think truffled Caesar salad w/ wild mushrooms and all the joy that comes with it...x50. Their specials are always excellent and are often the reason I make a trip down. Their burgers are my 2nd favorite in the city. Their fries are #1. While you may have to camp out for an outdoor table for brunch on a nice day (also typical of most restaurants here), it's well worth it!! Their eggs Benedict are in my top 2 and their service is always fast no matter how slammed they are.
(5)
Yolanda Y.
Wish I had come here sooner and lived closer! The drinks were great, especially for those who are really into beer, the food was good, and the service great too. I was surprised by how quickly I found parking right around the corner. It fills up pretty quickly on weekends for dinner, but we got a table, and didn't feel rushed even though we kept ordering food and drinks. It's hard to complain when you have a tasty cocktail and food. There were only two restrooms that I found, but I didn't have to wait for them because I guess people go pretty quickly even though it was crowded. All the people we encountered were friendly. Of course, the decor is cool too especially if you have time to sit and take it all in and look at all the details.
(5)
Jackson T.
Can't get enough. Great beer selection and even better gastropub fare. The people are great and the mix of customers makes for a very welcoming atmosphere. Mental note...bring the growler next time...beer to go baby!
(5)
Emmaleigh A.
The beer selection at Kraftwork is amazing (25 beers on tap), and the food is delicious! I went once for brunch and had eggs benedict with potato hash and fruit salad. I loved the potato hash, and the fruit salad was really fresh. I also went for dinner more recently and had pretzel bites and vegetable flatbread. I didn't love the pretzel bites -- they were sort of greasy and the cheese sauce didn't have much of a taste. But the veggie flatbread (tomatoes, summer squash, onions, goat cheese) was great. My only complaint is that the dinner menu isn't huge. The veggie flatbread was on the specials menu and nothing was really jumping out at me on the regular menu. The industrial look is really cool and unique. And the staff is friendly and helpful -- they're good about recommending beers and letting you taste something before ordering it.
(4)
Kelly P.
decent brunch spot, have yet to go for any other reason. i ordered this massive egg & chicken burrito special and i will dream about it for weeks to come. fresh ingredients, well cooked breakfast potatoes. i had the cider that everyone else was ordering with the snap in it. very tasty.
(3)
Vinny P.
If you happen to be in Fishtown you should check this place out. I'm not saying I'd make a special trip up there. The last time I was driving down Girard I saw it and since I was moving quickly I thought it was like next door to Johnny Brenda's. It's not. Not that it's far, but a good 5-7 minute walk from JBs. Maybe 10 from the el. Nice beer selection. The menu is a bit confusing to read. It's this grid style approach to the beer selection and if after a long day of work where you stare at speadsheets put together by aspiring marketeers, you don't want to see one when you order beer. Still, it's not that difficult to figure out but it's harder than it should be. I'm up to 4 because I like to err on the side of positive. Honestly, this place would be 3.5 in my mind only due to location. My beet salad with arugula, walnuts and a vinaigrette was tasty and reasonably price. The margherita pizza was think crust, crispy and had a nice sauce on it with fresh mozzarella. They don't skimp on the details. Anyway, I would go back. I find a way to get up to fishtown now and again to visit people. Nice to see another good spot in that neighborhood. If I was local, I would probably be there a lot more.
(3)
Joseph C.
I just moved into the neighborhood and this was my first outing. Killer beer list. Very good burger cooked exactly like I asked. Fun atmosphere. This will definitely become a regular place of mine.
(4)
Robin S.
I love this place! Have been there on several occasions, as I have friends that live in the area. Had 2 wonderful glasses of wine and a burger to die for...the salad with fresh greens, beets and goat cheese could not have been more delicious. This small but awesome place is a real keeper!
(5)
Jill C.
So - i pass the corner of Montgomery and Girard perhaps weekly. I recently noticed activity at the corner. Last weekend it looked like SOMETHING was about to open. So we went to investigate Monday. We just went for beers, but so far so good. They only have a tap system, but fear not. The beer menu was set up "construction-blueprint" style. Go see it for yourself, it was cool. Like the other Yelper said, u can see the sizes, cost, and alcohol level of the beers and they have a list on the side so you know whats on deck. The staff was nice and had it together - eventhough it was busy and they have been open for maybe a week. So kudos to the staff. The atmosphere was cool - exposed brick, big windows and lots of custom metalwork. The beer list had a little something for everyone. I liked the fact that most of the beers came in a little size - that way if your're not in the mood for a full pint or want to just give something a try, you're covered! We did not try the food, but it all looked and smelled fantastic (i may have drooled on a neighbor over the muscles). They have a gastro-pub style menu and vegetarians - you're covered. I am reserving a star because we didnt try the food. UPDATE Have now been back quite a few times and the food has always been great. A fav is the beer can chicken sandwich!
(4)
Margaux M.
This place was awesome. The food, the beer selection, and the music. The staff was very helpful. The beer/cheese fondue that comes with the pretzel bites is extremely tasty and addictive. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Philly.
(5)
Anna P.
MUST GET THE BURGER. I have tried burgers all over this city and the burger here is amazing! They hit the mark with flavor, bun and grilled patty. My friend is the one that actually ordered it and I had a bite and now I'm craving it! I had the Beet Salad which was really delicious. And their beer selection is top notch! It's worth the trip people!
(5)
Louisa E.
Amazing ever changing beer selection- one of the best in Fishtown. The food started good when they opened, got lousy a few months later and now it's good again. The new falafel is amazing and the burgers and fries are always good. The salads are overpriced and it is annoying that both have fried things on them, although you can ask for the beer salad with unfried goat cheese and it's great - and huge! I almost wish that they would offer half the salad for half the price since it's really two servings worth. Neat specialty drinks and the servers are always knowledgable, personable and attentive. Love the outside seating and late night happy hour where a dozen drafts are half priced from 10-12am. Overall a great place. Lots of large tables inside so it's easy to go to with 6 or 8 people when it's not crowded.
(4)
KJ S.
Great food, decent beer selection, but I am not a fan of the cafeteria style tables... I had to be uncomfortably close to a couple that was breaking up/ fighting for the whole time we were there. (he cheated on her, but she suggested that she was thinking about cheating, so he figured it was ok... is that too much detail about a strangers' relationship? Then you know how I felt- except I got it in real time & in person...)
(3)
Brian M.
I don't generally come here often but when I do I enjoy it a lot. They have an excellent selection of beer and there are always enough bartenders to make sure you're not waiting too long. 2 of the 3 times I have been here have been during the craft beer express, so it's usually pretty packed. It's a pretty small place so it gets crowded quickly, but they have tables outside which you can sit at which helps a little bit. I have ordered food every time I've been here and it always gets out to me fairly quickly considering the crowd. The food has always been absolutely delicious. I got brunch twice and just went with typical bacon, eggs, hasbrowns and once I got a bacon egg and cheddar burger which was a revelation. Maybe it was because I was kinda drunk and really hungry but it was so damn good. It also comes with garlic herb fries which were perfectly cooked and incredibly tasty. I would totally recommend making a stop at Kraftworks if you're in the area. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(4)
Bill B.
Great vibe and atmosphere. The service was excellent even though it was very crowded. Very good beer selection. Reasonably priced. The Mediterranean Plate was outstanding as was their burger and fries. I would recommend this place if you are in the area.
(4)
Flora T.
This place is worth trying- nice decor, very friendly service. We had the falafel sandwich, pierogi, and trout blt. Not the best food ever, but good solid flavors.
(4)
Mo A.
Spectacular brunch in Philadelphia, The biscuits, sausage, omelets and sandwiches were sublime. They also make a legit bloody mary.
(4)
Hyun K.
Came here with a friend on a Friday night. Super cool decor and our server was funny and nice. We started off with the asparagus, the truffle aoli or whatever, was bomb! I had the french onion sandwich and it was to die for. I'm totally coming back again asap!
(4)
Ian F.
The salads and main courses are better than the sandwiches - a little pricier than Johnny Brenda's, though.
(5)
Nunya B.
I was in the city a few days back and I asked some of my girlfriend's coworkers where to eat- one of them recommended this place. I don't live in philly, so I was glad I could get referred a place by a local so i wouldn't have to troll yelp on my phone for an hour (we've all been there). I see the appeal of this place...its a cool spot. There's nuts and bolts on the fucking doors and hardwood everything. The lights are dimmed and a certain type of music plays for a certain type of young professional clientele. However, I have no interest in coming here again. The beer is intentionally over your head. Every single beverage on their beer chart (its like an excel spreadsheet....wtf) is something I've never heard of. Now I'm not a beer snob but I know my beers and consider myself to have pretty good taste. The fact that everything is a foreign import vanity label brewery is just obnoxious. I just wanted a Victory or Dogfish Head. Instead I could choose between 10 different Norwegian beers. Now, I love exploring food and drink as much as the next guy- that's how you discover better beers...however I'm not looking for an exploration of the alcoholic arts every time I want to have a meal. Just stock a fucking (good) well known beer, don't force me to expand my palette you assholes (Let me add that a "goblet" is $8-9). I chose the Pale Ale from this norwegian brewery. It tasted like someone created a hop extract in a laboratory and mixed it with already bitter beer. Dudes, I am just not ready for that level of beer snobbery. The food is a similar deal. The items on the dinner menu sound potentially interesting, but they are marred by pretentiousness. I got the korean tacos, my girlfriend got the burger. The tacos were fine, the meat filling was tasty but it was covered in pickled jalapenos. I had to take them off because they were ruining the whole thing. Way too hot. It also came with a bland "bean salad" that was ice cold. My girlfriend's burger was ok, again a little too bland. Why make the topping choice for the burger such an ordeal? Just make two or three burgers with a decent combination of ingredients picked out by a chef instead of giving you 10 options. The burger alone is not good enough to have it stand by itself like that. Have the chef take some direction with that thing. The saving grace of the meal was the french fries. They were simply done, quality french fries. Nuff said. So really i do understand what these guys are trying to do...It's a craft beer gastropub. It tries to be cool with a creative menu, adventurous beers and trendy interior. But it falls flat in trying to be way smarter than they know what to do with.
(2)
Erica M.
The beer selection is excellent. They rotate the beers on tap often enough. The food is great too. Anything I have ever ordered here has been awesome. The food selection changes, but it is consistently delicious. Come here on a weekday night and get your beer half off!
(4)
Ashley A.
Their burger...(speaks in tongues, falls on the ground)...get the red onion bacon marmalade and aged cheddar. Their drink selection...(drooling)...always the selection is a cornucopia that makes me wish my belly button had a valve which I could funnel booze into. Damn skippy this place is delishadelphiashious.
(5)
christina j.
my friend and i came here saturday night for some beers and a bite to eat. we arrived 9:30ish & found seats at the bar. this being my first time here and after reading the reviews on the beer can chicken sandwich, i was looking forward to ordering. still learning about beer my friend selected a refreshing beer not to hoppy, which i enjoyed. we shared an order of fries nicely flavored with rosemary & the portion was more than enough for 2 people. i would definitely go back to try the mussels or the short rib sandwich. the bartenders are friendly and helpful with suggestions & the prices are reasonable. and who knew there would be a dj spinning in the back.
(4)
Thom N.
Kraftwork is a handsome looking bar but it "tries" too hard. The music is way too loud, so loud it is difficult to have a conversation there. One has to shout or talk above the music. There's no reason why the music has to blast like this. This is not a dance bar or a club. The drinks are also too expensive. A small glass of wine for $8.00 is rather absurd, especially when the wine glasses are small and the servings are very conservative. I prefer a more rustic, genuinely bohemian "undiscovered" place, but this is "Northern Liberties plastic" to the max. The servers were very nice and engaging but this doesn't make up for the obnoxiously loud music and the chi chi gourmet food selections and overpriced drinks. Disappointing. I kept wishing I was in a plain ole neighborhood Irish Pub where things were not so self consciously "hip."
(2)
J T.
This is the place I have been waiting for. Brilliant tap,great menu and it delivers really good food. had the cold beet soup and falafel some wonderful beers nice atmosphere really I could not ask for more. Honestly it is dangerous to have this place walking distance from my house. For the quality of what I had prices were more than reasonable. I foresee being a regular.
(5)
Amy M.
I love this place! Went there for the first time last night with two friends and we all agree - we will be back! Our waiter set the stage - his service was impeccable and a real surprise - like what you would expect at a high-end restaurant. He knew the menu inside out and did a great job when we asked him to select our beer flights. We loved everything we ordered and would highly recommend - the Hazelnut Salad, Sicilian Arancini, Korean BBQ Tacos, and Short rib Sandwich. Whoever created the menu clearly knows food and knows how to present it. One very small complaint - but not enough to keep me from going back - the heavy metal rock music playing when we first sat down was making me wonder if I could stay (not my idea of a pleasurable dining experience, sorry). Just as I was about to make a request the music switched to the Stones and for the most part stayed within that venue for the rest of our stay. Given the level of attention and service we received all night, I'm sure they would have accommodated any music requests. This little unassuming Fishtown Gastrobar is a delightful surprise and I would recommend it to anyone.
(5)
Beth G.
Best bloody mary in town, and trust me, I am an expert in hangovers. Great staff, and the burger is to die for...long hots and all.
(5)
Sean D.
What a great place to grab brunch on a Sunday morning. The little lady and I decided to give Kraftwork a shot one morning, and we did not regret it. I had the Huevos Rancheros, she had the Eggs Benedict. Neither were disappointing. Throw in some cheap brunch drink specials, and you had a happy couple. Definitely will be coming here again.
(4)
Sara M.
Came to this German inspired pub for National Burger Day because my friend said they have killer burgers. I've confirmed they do. Started with a flight of 4 draft beers (quite a little deal) and loved all of them, especially the Liquid Gold. I got my burger with sharp cheddar and bacon and red onion marmalade (at the server's emphatic request) and was so pleased. Well cooked, the jam a perfect blend of sweet and salty. Quick service and 70s jams ranks this hipster place high in my book.
(5)
Arianne S.
This place has an incredible beer selection. As a local, and relatively frequent, purveyor of Kraftwork, I do wish their lunch and dinner menu would change a bit more frequently. That being said, you can't go wrong with one of their delicious burgers or sandwiches, or awesome appetizers. The pretzel bites are an excellent snack. Kraftwork's brunch is heaven, though. A great variety of breakfast staples and some twists on your favorites. Everything is fresh, and their brunch drinks are equally delicious. Get there early, because it's quite popular!
(4)
Shari P.
Industrial, spare interiors make the historic setting of this bar and restaurant come to life. Tasty, fresh combinations and artfully designed dishes. Portions are huge! We had the pirogi appetizer for example, and it was a meal-size portion. Definitely a place for Sharing.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Cherie C.
What a delicious brunch! Fresh eggs, potatoes cooked perfectly and seasoned well. And the scrapple--oh, the scrapple! I think it's house-made. Whoever makes it is my new favorite person. It had a lot of grain in it, and the pig part was mostly pork loin. So good... Everything we ordered was good. It was far superior to any standard two-egg breakfast or biscuits and gravy. I only wish I could have eaten more meals here. Thanks to the lovely Severa K. for bringing us here. I'm a fan.
(5)Bill M.
Since nobody has dubbed me a slacker over the past couple of months ( yelp.com/biz/the-sidecar… ), I may as well drop a long overdue review for Kraftwork. Especially since I still have their epic burger fresh in my mind. From enjoying an excellent brunch after a successful days work at the Punk Rock Flea Market, to enjoying a feast and a couple brews during a not so successful Phillies NLCS loss, I've been able to to see he deliver on both good times and bad,, and they do it so attentively without missing a beat! Kudos especially goes to Chef Mike Thomas for adding just the right amount of tantalizing variations to to simple culinary treats you know and love. Whether you mix it up with Point Reyes Blue and carmelized onions, or go all out with the 2 year Grafton cheddar and bacon onion jam (or the other way around), the burger is a true delight. And that's not even with factoring in the incredible garlic & herb fries that they come with. Even though my brunch was the standard eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, and toast; it especially set the bar high with the quality of ingredients that was put into it! But the king among reasons to love here is the selection of taps it has to offer. not only is it an incredible blend of brewers, styles, and levels of alcohol content; its ingeniously setup so that as soon as a line of two brewers get kicked, they're immediately switched out for a whole other rotation. its a lot harder to mourn the loss of a Lefthand ESB once its switched out for a Lancaster Milk Stout. Between those reasons, and the wonderfully industrial decor, it has a lot of things that manages to make it one of my favorite bars in Philly!
(5)RD B.
A cool place to enjoy a beer and conversation. I'll be back!
(4)Jamie M.
So many amazing beers to choose from. Everything on the menu is fantastic.
(5)Abigail L.
I tend to visit Kraftwork at least once a week these days and just have to update and add a star to their rating. I love you Kraftwork. I love your beer selection, I love your bloody marias, I love your signature cocktails, I love your cheese and vegetable plates, I love all your vegetarian soups, I love that you listened to your reviews and lowered your prices on a few of your menu items, I love your flatbread pizzas, I love your specials, I love your staff, etc. etc. etc. I hope I don't sound like a stalker. Please don't ever leave me Kraftwork, I don't know what I'd do. I do, however, wish you'd throw some vegetarian meats all up on your menu- veggie burger style or some brunchy veggie sausage or something. You might have to get a restraining order against me if you did though so, you know, I understand your hesitation.
(5)Jim M.
If Local 44 and Standard Tap had a one night stand, Kraftwork would be the resultant illegimate offspring. It has the look of a cool gastropub with kitschy decorations in the bathroom and outside. I ordered the pretzel bites as an appetizer and the short rib sandwich, since it sounded good. The pretzel bite resembled baked bread bites, not pretzels. The dipping sauce was nice though. The short rib sandwich was actually the first I'd ever had. There wasn't a lot of flavor to the meat and the meat was kind of mushy. Since this visit, I've had two great tasting sandwiches, so I can honestly say this was the worst I've had so far. The beer selection was good, and varied. The beer prices were a little high, given that Krafwork is in Fishtown, not Rittenhouse Square or "NoLibs". The service was somewhat lacking. I went on an early Sunday evening. There weren't that many people. And yet it took forever to get my beers and a refill of my water. I also had to wait a long time just to get my check. My server didn't offer any apologies and appeared to be disinterested(like the Standard Tap servers). The seating was the other weird thing about this place. There were two tables open, one that could seat 6 people, and one that could seat 4 people. I went to the 4 person table, but was told that I should sit at the 6 people table. I then proceeded to see a group of 2 and a group of 3 shooed away from this same table and directed elsewhere. If they wanted to reserve the table, they should have put a sign. I also ended up having a family sit at the same table as myself towards the end, which made for a somewhat uncomfortable situation. Maybe I went on an off night. But I"m not real motivated to trek out here again.
(2)Nick P.
Service is always on point. They greet you and seat you quickly, and the wait staff is always prepared on the craft beer selection, which is pretty big and changes constantly. They have an excellent charcuterie (meat) board and cheese board. I highly recommend ordering them both, and sampling some of their beers with it. It's what I usually do when I go here, though I haven't ate any other menu items, I hear they are just as great.
(4)Mike G.
BIG fan of this place now. Don't go judging me as some sort of trendy hipster, either! I'm neither trendy or skinny. So there. I decided to try this place out a bunch before finally stepping up to the mic here. Today's lunch experience has me in a food mood that's plenty mellow, let me tell ya. Ive had a decent burger here. The fries are crazy good with rosmary and garlic. I had the trout BLT and admit that's the weakest part of my 5 or 6 visits. The cheese board is more than it looks like and I often help a friend with hers while I'm there and it's really very impressive. Today I had the short rib sandwich and it was incredible. The beers are always great and the staff smart and generous with helpful suggestions if you just tell them what type of beer you're interested in. I tried choosing for myself the first time, but most of their stuff is not familiar and they have different drafts all the time. I was disappointed the first time but have since learned to just say what I like about beer and every time they've delivered a super delicious experience. This review might've been better composed if I wasn't still on that afternoon beer buzz that makes me think it's nappy time. Trust me though, this isnt a one-timer food-high praise parade. Ive been here lots to be sure. This is up there as a major destination in the area.
(4)Denise H.
Awww, c'mon! With an impressive rotating 25 beer selection (great idea), you couldn't find a better pilsner than PBR? And the back up pilsner - PBR. Yes, very original for Fishtown, because you can't find a Pabst locally! Otherwise, impressive selection of drafts. Upon entering this place, there was a brick, metal, wood nut 'n bolt decor - minimalistic, but cozy. Great picture windows and ample seating for groups. Bar was packed but inviting. Staff was busy, but friendly and informative with recommendations. I understand this place hasn't been around long, but the food needs improvement. I was safe and ordered a burger - medium, but it ended up medium-rare. Edible, but not wow! The fries were tasty but a bit heavy- handed with spice. At least they were crispy. My companion ordered mussels and didn't eat them due to the 'soggy' not rubbery texture. Yes, scary - I don't go there with seafood. He walked out hungry. The price tag didn't match the quality. I'd say this is a drinking establishment and no more. Ja, it's a shame and hopefully they'll step it up - this place has potential. I'd hate to see another uninhabited building in the 19125.
(2)Daniel T.
I've been here several times with each visit thinking, "Great place, but hmm, needs something to push it over the top." That happened several nights ago. Some friends and I came in around 11pm, and we decide over the gigantic beer list. My one friend chooses a wheatwine, to which at my utmost approval, the bartender asks my friend if he would rather try a small sample first before buying it. The bartender would not sell the beer to my friend without a sample first, simply because the bartender didn't like how this particular wheatwine was executed. We have the samples and I get into a discussion with the guy, to which we agreed it was unbalanced and too harsh for the style. My friend ordered it anyway. That's as good as it gets for a beer-slinger. The food is pretty good, typical gastropub fare. The fries kinda taste like Andy Capp's cheddar fries and that's fantastic. And the interior is awesome. I want to take (steal) one of the stools and yes the saw blade hanging in the middle of the bar moves.
(5)Suzanne S.
Great place if you like a casual atmosphere (think industrial ... tools ...), good food, and great beer! The bartenders are knowledgeable and are always willing to let you sample something new. Their beer menu always has a large and interesting variety of brews and the best part is that they give you a look at what they will tap immediately after each beer gets kicked. The last time I was there they had a few seasonals as well, which I always tend to like to try. Food menu is awesome and they tend to change it up a few times per year. They also have a specials food menu each day, which makes it fun to pair with new beers! Oh, and if you're into cocktails, they offer a few specialty drinks on their menu that are worth a try. If you're into growlers, they offer that too. And the best part is that you can get a growler from *any* bar filled there (don't have to buy the growler from Kraftwork). I'd totally recommend this place!
(5)Brad P.
I wanted to love Kraftwork. A Fishtown gastropub with constantly rotating beers? Sounded good to me. After reading positive reviews ad infinitum about the beer can chicken sandwich, I decided that this thing was going to blow apart my expectations of what a chicken sandwich could do. My expectations were let down. It was a fine sandwich. It was decent chicken served over a nice, soft brioche roll. Sadly, I did not receive the chicken/bread nirvana that I was hoping lurked on the other side of this sandwich. There was just nothing terribly unique about it. Their mussels and fries are decent, but don't stack up to Monk's. I appreciate the constantly rotating beer selection but it wasn't enough to salvage the food. If you are going to market yourself as a gastropub(I think I hate this term), then your food should rock as much as your beer does. In my opinion, this is not the case with Kraftwork.
(3)Gwen T.
I work three doors down from Kraftwork and it's dangerous for my wallet Love the industrial overall design and lighting; love that the bar itself is the room's centerpiece and is enormous with seating all around 3 sides. Love that the clientele is just as diverse as the menu itself. Love that their beer selection is large and includes some rare finds, and that they specifically list what will be on the beer menu next once the current options are kicked. Favorites: chickpea sandwich (not currently offered as their menu changes seasonally but they have a trout sandwich right now in its place which also A+), pierogies, beer can chicken sandwich, roasted hen of the woods mushroom salad. Have yet to try brunch, but if it's just as great as its sister restaurant Sidecar in G-Ho, I'm very hopeful. Dislike the prices. And their special "dry aged blend" Kraftwork burger was a let-down for me. I ordered medium rare and it came out indeed pretty "dry" although I don't think that was the intent.
(3)Steph A.
My boyfriend and I practically live at this place. Their specials are fantastic.. always changing. The beer list is amazing.. always changing as well. All of that aside, it has by far the nicest staff out of any of the places in Fishtown/NoLibs. These people don't seem judgey, they're not lazy, super attentive, they're engaging, and they know their beer and food. I cannot say enough nice things about the people who work at Kraftwork. The environment is super relaxing, the music is never too loud.. just all around great place. This is probably why I'm here 1-2 times a week. I don't feel judged or stressed.. just so chill. Really a great place to be.
(5)Chris D.
It's been three months since I went to Kraftwork with an old friend, but I remember it fondly. Well, I remember it as much as I can after drinking more than my share of delicious, delicious Belgian beer. To be honest, I didn't think Philly would embrace a place like this. I spent my college years there and I would have never guessed somewhere that seems more at home in Chicago could thrive in Fishtown. The term "gastropub" just seems like something the city would have laughed at when I was living there. Who knows, maybe the gastropub virus has infected even the most blue collar of towns. Food good. Beer great. Minus one star because it was so freaking loud conversation was near impossible.
(4)Cristen S.
Kraftwork continues to amaze me! Not only did they add a few items to their menu, they also updated their cocktail list. PLEASE do yourself a favor and get the cheesesteak foie gras spring rolls, they won't disappoint. Yes, I did say fois gras and spring roll in the same sentence! Crispy outside, tender meat and gooey cheese on the inside, accompanied by a velvety foie gras spread and spicy pepper relish. If you go between 4-6 Monday thru Friday, you can get them for only 7$!! For 7$ as well, you can order a house crafted cocktail. I opted for the 'hop to it' with hop infused vodka, soda, lemon and simple syrup. It was so refreshing and bitter, combining exactly what I like about a hoppy beer with a hint of sweetness from the simple syrup. Hell yeah Kraftwork- keep rocking it out!
(5)Jon B.
It's my first time in Philly and got this recommendation from fellow Yelpers. They did not disappoint. The ambiance of this place, and the neighborhood is very close to home with it's upscale dive-y decor and great craft beer selection and chill music. After a long weekend of drinking, we legitimately required a hearty, high quality breakfast before we left to go back to Boston. We ordered: huevos rancheros, eggs Benedict, and breakfast sandwich. I was entirely way too busy devouring my meal to even see what my friends meals looked like, however we barely spoke a word to each other, and it wasn't due to our hangovers. But, let me give you the low-down on the breakfast sandwich. A massively fluffy scrambled egg, folded onto itself, with a house made sausage patty, stuffed between two flaky house made biscuits. It was slightly bigger than what my mouth was capable of handling (does that sound dirty?) and could not have been more happy. Plus, the home fries it came with, were perfect. Crispy outside, soft inside, and just the right amount of seasoning. The kind of thing you enjoy saving for last, because the temptation makes them taste that much better. I also had my first Bloody Mary here. I didn't think I was going to like it - and I didn't. However, I could tell that if I did like that type of drink, it would have been amazing. It didn't have an overly tomato-y taste, and was very spicy, which surprisingly felt nice in my stomach. Definitely complemented a breakfast well. There were a few other things I wanted to try, like the cubano, so will definitely be coming back here the next time i'm in Philly.
(5)Jay W.
The tofu banh mi was terrific. The tofu was seasoned well, the vegetables were crisp and tasty, the bread was soft with a bit of crust to it. The salad that this dish came with was a simple salad, well prepared and tasted fresh. I was disappointed with the burger, it was over cooked and dried out. I expected more than that. I don't think that I would order a burger here again. The pretzel bites were a little strange, they tasted almost like a biscuit pretzel hybrid. Not really something that I would order again either. The service was good enough. We weren't lacking anything.
(3)Tim B.
Haven't written many reviews yet... but this place deserves one. I want to be careful to not be all like "best place EVAR" but it was definitely a completely enjoyable meal and experience. We went for our anniversary... low key I know... and wanted to just chill. Asked for suggestions and basically ordered what was suggested. Steak Spring rolls with foie gras "smear" (sauce on plate), wings, steak flat bread, and desserts. Cocktails were OK, beer was fantastic (pricey bottle to be sure), and server was perfect for us. (He resembled John Lennon!) Overall GREAT service, GREAT food... will definitely go back.
(5)Sammy G.
This is such an awesome hipster bar/dinner restaurant! Accommodating 12 people on a Saturday night and only a 10-15 minute wait? HOW AWESOME! There isn't a ton of seating for people to eat, it's more of a bar then an actual restaurant. Unless there is an upstairs or downstairs but it is an awesome place to get beer and food. I ordered the pretzel appetizer with beer cheese, very tasty - I wish the cheese had a little more flavor but it was still delicious. For my entree I got the special risotto without the sauce because it wasn't vegetarian and I think this took away from the flavor a bit. It is a huge portion of food. Unfortunately, while I was eating my meal there was a big piece of plastic wrap hidden in my meal - cause for a lost appetite. The waitress was extremely friendly and took my meal off the bill and asked if I wanted a new one, already full I was okay with trying everyone else's food. For dessert? I tried both the fried apple pie and the chocolate cake, free of charge form the waitress, thanks for the good customer service. Both were fantastic. I highly recommend the chocolate cake.. that peanut butter ice cream, and that banana sauce! UGH I WANT IT NOW. Oh, and if you need another appetizer? The garlic fries are heavenly! Tons of beer selections and good food. Although mine had a bit of a hiccup in it, they took care of me and totally made up for it with their great service.
(4)Matthew H.
This is one of those places that I have been meaning to get to for a while but just haven't. It always seems like the places that are closest to your house are the hardest to get to. One Sunday I finally decided that I had enough and that I just had to go. It was a good decision. Rolled in and I have to say I thought that Kraftwork would be bigger but that is not a criticism so much as an observation. Started off with the perogies which I love good perogies and these did not disappoint. The perogies were your run of the mill potato ones but they were cooked to perfection especially with the pan crust. The sour cream apple mixture was great and they were huge, will go back just for these. Got the burger and the short rib sandwich, both were really good, the short rib sandwich was huge. I can't wait to get back and branch out a bit more and explore Kraftwork's menu. Definitely a great place in Fishtown that you should visit.
(4)Courtney F.
Cool brunch spot. Atmosphere's a little hipster-y, but really it's Fishtown so what isn't? I will say that their Kentucky iced coffee is AMAZING! Nothing better than coffee that you can just drink without adding anything to it. Cool outdoor seating and parking is reasonable for the area. I've been twice and would definitely return.
(3)Rebecca N.
Oh, how the mighty fall. There is really no reason why pretzel bites should be tough enough to strain my TMJ when the kitchen just opened 1 hour ago. Also, it shouldn't take 20min to get a beer and 25 more to get the check when there is 1 other occupied table on a Saturday afternoon. Y'all almost had me miss my flight - officially no longer on the short list of places to stop by on every Philly visit. Womp.
(2)Allison B.
Kraftwork: A Free Form Poem Carbs. Pretzel bites and cheese sauce. Potato stuffed pierogies. Heavy hoppy beer. Yes. Picnic tables long enough for a group with better-than-decent service. Need green? There are salads, too. But always: sandwiches.
(5)Michael N.
It's a shame that I have to knock this down from 5 stars to 1, but the service was absolutely awful the other night. Rarely do I ever get up and leave a restaurant, but it happened. I really hope this was an anomaly and not the direction this place is going.
(1)Anna A.
Spontaneously came up to Philly from DC, the menu was intriguing so we decided on this place. Great rotating beer selection, so I started off with a beer flight. Everything we had was amazing. The cheese board was incredible; perfect parings and some of them were made in house. Mussels are usually a favorite of mine, but everything else was so great I kind of forgot about them. The pirogies were great too, and our dessert was a peanut mousse or something. Whatever it was, it was delicious. Our server was super helpful, he was new but any questions he couldn't answer he would go find out from someone who did. Great experience!
(5)Mike M.
Kraftwork, where would I be without you? Hungry, that's where I'd be. Kraftwork has established itself as one of my favorite brunch spots in the Fishtown/Northern Liberties areas. I'm a simple man and stick with the Kraftwork breakfast which entails eggs, meat, potatoes, and toast but I go all out with their incredible Bloody Mary. That, my friends, is the best Bloody Mary I've ever had. Thick, spicy, and comes with all the fixings! The staff can be a little irritable at times and will often put up a fight if you attempt to split the bill with a large party. On weekends, this place gets packed so, be ready to wait at least 30-45 minutes before getting seated for brunch on a Sunday!
(4)Megan M.
Updating my review... the beer can chicken sandwich deserves a star of its own. Moist, juicy, tender chicken with long hots and sharp provolone on an insanely delicious ciabatta type roll. A must try. Worth noting- They recently tweaked the menu a little bit, and the mushroom baguette is different now. The old one (which was my FAVORITE!) featured seasonal wild mushrooms, sautéed greens, roasted red peppers, and shaved parmesan cheese on an amazing baguette. I haven't tried the new version, which includes walnut-arugula sun dried tomato pesto, sun dried tomatoes, and red onions on a ciabattini roll. I really loved the old version... sadface.
(4)Elizabeth R.
This place has really declined over the years. The service is always good, but I feel that the place is not run well. On my most recent visit, during brunch, they were apparently sold out of three of the six items on the brunch menu. There were no vegan items on the brunch menu, and the two vegetarian options weren't available. My boyfriend tried to order the breakfast burrito, which they were also out of. What part did they run out of? Tortillas? It boggles my mind that an established gastropub can run out of 50% of their available options during a busy brunch. We went there around noon, so it's not like we arrived at the end of the service. I tried to order the tofu bahn mi from the regular menu that was given to me, but unfortunately they were only serving items from the brunch menu. Odd, since a couple of people at the table next to me ordered burgers that I'm not sure were not on the brunch menu. I ended up just drinking a bloody mary, which was a bit watered down and did not come with olives- only thinly sliced carrots and pickles. WTF, never did I need those olives more. Anyway, that is likely the last time I'll go to Kraftwork since every visit seems to disappoint a little more than the last.
(2)Ashley M.
Visiting from Boston for the weekend with some friends, I was in search of a great Sunday brunch spot to feed the soul and cure a hangover... and found this gem! In a cool, hip neighborhood with friendly, knowledgable staff, and an industrial, yet vintage feel, Kraftwork Bar certainly impressed this girl. I got the Huevos Rancheros (mild spice, eggs cooked perfectly over-easy, delicious salsa verde), a Bloody Mary (just the right amount of spice and horseradish, packed with flavor), and their Kentucky Iced Coffee (sweet, maple flavored, nothing like I've ever tasted before). Overall a wonderful experience and delicious brunch. I will certainly be returning to check out their lunch/dinner menu when I'm back in town.
(5)Allie D.
Amazing beer selection and delicious food. Love their brunch menu! A little pricey, but so worth it. Ambiance is nice - great style, small bar (attentive staff and never feels crowded), outdoor seating is a plus!
(5)Brittany R.
Went here for a late dinner one evening. It's a great environment. We sat outside. The mussels were good. Wish you had a choice of a side rather than the fries. I also tried some of my boyfriends Mediterranean plate and it was very delicious. Will definitely come by more often when I move to the area next month
(4)Sarah P.
I've lost count of how often I go to Kraftwork. All meals are winners at Kraftwork. Brunch, dinner... you can't lose. Their brunch usually has a baked good of the day, entree specials, and a variety of specialty cocktails. I don't know how their bloody mary hasn't shown up on a list yet. If you like a spicy bloody then this is your place. They don't wimp out on a ten ouncer with ice... you get a full pint to replenish all the much needed nutrients in your body. Another standout is the cocktail made with gin and fennel. Brunch standouts include the breakfast cubano and the smoked salmon potato rosti. My favorite items include the pepper crusted trout BLT and the beer can chicken sandwich. All of these items are served with your choice of french fries or baby greens. Service is always good here. Bring your growler and get some beer to-go from their forever changing tap list.
(4)Adam C.
After a hard day of car shopping my brother and I decided to pop in for a light dinner. We sat at the bar and were greeted by a sassy bartender (in a good way). We had a little difficulty interpreting the beer list but once she explained it to us we were good. My brother ordered a beer, I concluded that everything was too hoppy and passed. We both independently settled on the trout BLTs. Why is Salmon so ubiquitous and trout used so little? What yummy sandwiches. The atmosphere is pretty cool too with the room resembling a construction project and the menus resembling blueprints. We finished our dinners and drinks and settled up and moved on but we'll both be coming back soon.
(4)John S.
Their food is good and they have a great selection of beer. Seating can be pretty cramped and isn't great if you're uncomfortable sharing a table with strangers. Their garlic herb fries are absolutely delicious and I love the short rib sandwich though.
(4)Jennifer D.
Best brunch menu in Fishtown, hands down. Whenever I have friends or family visiting, I take them to Kraftwork at least once. I raved about their brunch, but their regular menu is pretty great too. I've had the bahn mi, the burger, pulled pork, mussels, falafel wrap, and more specials than I can remember, and I loved them all. Try to go on a weekday for lunch and dinner, it's a lot less crowded.
(5)Tanya M.
So I have heard great things about this place so I decided to try and wow!!!! I hated my first beer so they brought me samples and I picked what I want. Yay! Then the burger was amazing and I could add what toppings I wanted ( see pic) including a egg then the fries. We're perfect. Servers work together and were fab. Can't say anything negative about this place at all. Can't wait to come back
(5)Elizabeth H.
Great food, nice trendy warm industrial decor, lively ambiance. Bahn Mi is delicious, Pretzel Bites, fries, and Short Rib sandwich are on point. Kid friendly too!
(4)Lenny R.
Awesome beer selection that rotates regularly. Food is fabulous and has variability from creative specials to a killer burger as a staple menu item. The servers , bar tenders, and hostesses are super knowledgable and always friendly. Love this place!!!
(5)Nile H.
Everything about think this place is worth the time...the beer list, the food and the folks who work there. If you're a novice to beer drinking, the bartenders will try and work with your tastes, complete with letting you taste the beer before ordering. I've eaten a couple of the times that I've been here and the food was always amazing. The beer can chicken sandwich is simply one of my favorites - the chicken is so tender and flavorful...it's delicious!! The beer list is great and depending on how busy it is (can be) ever changing. They let you know what is current in draft but then also what is coming up next when a keg is kicked.
(4)Sarah P.
I might be biased because I always come here after a night of climbing when I'm starving and ready for a beer, but I gotta say, Kraftwork has never let me down. The beer list is the best in the city in my opinion. Every beer I've tried here has been a valuable discovery. Their amazing half price HH makes my craft beer habit a little less damaging to the wallet. The falafel is filling, refreshing, and full of bright flavors when paired with a side salad instead of fries. Half price beer, a delicious vegetarian dinner, a cool atmosphere, and a bunch of sweaty climbing friends... What's not to love!? I will say that I usually avoid going here on the weekends since it gets maaaad crowded Thursday-Saturday nights and I'm not about that wait. Oh, and I adore the plentiful bike parking out front. So Fishtown.
(5)Katelin S.
I ordered takeout tonight with my mom. It was all delicious. We tried the cheese board appetizer, which was great. I had the burger with a fried egg and it was so yummy. The burger was so big I couldn't finish it. My mom had a salad and she said it was delicious. The place is really cool inside and I will definitely come back here to sit and eat!
(5)Ramon F.
This place is great! They have 20 beers on tap at any given time with a list of the back up, in case it taps out. The menu is good too, with a little spin on the usual fare on some dishes and just what you expect on others, it makes for a great night out. One of the best parts is you can build your own flight of 4 beers! Oh what fun it is lol :-) like a kid in a candy store. The service has always been excellent and the staff is knowledgeable. I had the short rib frites in my last visit and it was really good! They didn't hold back on the rib either, it's a good size portion. I also had the sausage en croute, which I have almost every time I come here, it's really good. If you enjoy pretzels then go with the nuggets, no surprises there, just your average yummy pretzels. I don't know if the names of the food are correct, but if you ask the bartender, they'll know what you mean ;-) enjoy!
(5)Asa C.
Great ambiance, great service, great food. Ordered the beer can chicken sandwich and it was delicious.
(5)Brandon W.
Great food, great beer, great atmosphere...it's all deadly...perfect go to spot for a good meal and some booze if you live nearby.
(5)John P.
After a great haircut on Saturday afternoon at Ed's Barber Shop, I stopped in Kraftwork. Great beer selection with flights. The bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable. I would recommend the burger. Though the fries could use a bit of work all in all was a great place.
(5)Mary Kate R.
Kraftwork immediately turned me on with their offbeat mechanical decor and long beer menu. My boyfriend and I went here for dinner a few weeks ago and I am still thinking about their beer can chicken sandwich. It was so moist and flavorful. The portion was huge and came with either side salad or fries. I chose the side salad which was fresh and appropriately dressed. Their beer selection is extensive and we were able to get good recommendations from our waitress. Our food, beers, and experience here were great and I can't wait to go back!
(5)Anthony L.
Gastropubs are my favorite places to eat nowadays so I decided to hop on i95 from the NE and head down to Fishtown to check out Kraftwork, upon reading good reviews and exploring their appealing menu. Wise decision. This place is awesome. Visually its a work of art with its clean industrial decor. The metal works theme is pulled off nicely. No detail is overlooked, right down to the metal gear bases of their tables. As soon as you work through their door you are greeted by their horse-shoe bar piloted by an impressive lineup of craft brews on tap. They even had Southern Tier Pumking, one of the premier pumpkin ales. My friend and I opted to eat at the bar where we could more easily oggle the beer selection. The bartender was working alone since it was a Tuesday afternoon but she hustled and was very attentive. Having a second hand out there may have given her time to make suggestions or talk about specials, but I digress! On to the food, I ordered the Korean BBQ Pulled Pork Tacos and an order of Garlic Herb fries. My friend ordered the Sausage Pastries and the Garlic Herb Flat Breads. The tacos were phenomenal, as were the fries which came with a ridiculously good Beer Mustard Aioli. Id order both again in a heartbeat. I didnt try the Sausages but my buddy did enjoy them. I did try the Flat Bread. Perfectly cooked but could have used maybe a little bit more flavor or perhaps a dipping sauce of some sort. They were still all devoured though so dont confuse me for saying they werent good! Kraftwork is another gem and considering its about 1 minute off 95 on Girard Ave, I will absolutely be back to try other items on the menu and of course, more beer.
(5)Anna J.
I definitely like the food here. I do wish they would add more veggie friendly items to their menu. The bartenders are really great. They are always polite, knowledgeable and quick. The place can get crowded quick, so finding a seat can sometimes be challenging. Still worth going back to!
(4)Danny C.
The pretzel balls are freshly made, yum! The sausage roll is not bad as well. Their special cocktails are actually "special". I had pear off in threes. It's rich layered flavors. The service is not bad. It's timely and got everything correct. Price is reasonable too.
(4)Gabrielle W.
I came here with my husband tonight and had the burger, short rib sandwich, and of course many beers. Everything was well played. Well played! I liked our server but my husband said she was kind of had an attitude which I found particularly hilarious since he never says anything about anything. No one cares what he thinks..he doesn't have a yelp account! She was ok but I would especially like to give props to our runner...we needed silverware..he brought it. We needed ketchup..he brought it. I needed a shot of kick -ass..he brought it! Well he brought it in the kick-ass as in he did a kick ass job he did attending to our every need. Well done!
(5)Danan R.
Great dive bar in the Northern Liberties with a nice selection of brews and solid food. My friend got the spiced apple cider (served hot!), which was a nice change and great for the cold weather. The herbed garlic fries are nicely seasoned, crispy, and very generously portioned. The burger was also solid, and comes on a crusty, buttery brioche. The ambiance is very low key and friendly, and the decor (metalcraft-based with a giant chainsaw in the middle of the bar) is pretty fun and quite thematic. Worth a try!
(3)Joe L.
I take brunch for granted. We all do. Eventually you get hurt, you take some time apart, and you try to remember why you got together in the first place. My last brunch left me wondering if we really had a long-term future together, but Kraftwork was my rebound. Sitting outside being offered regular refills of water and good coffee makes for good foreplay, and in this case I've never been happier that the main event came so fast. Sometimes you try to spice things up with benedicts or omelets, but after a break you need to start back with the basics. Generous portion of delicious eggs, crispy bacon, perfect potatoes, and four enormous slices of chewy sourdough toast, and this love affair is hot and steamy again. When the bill came, the price didn't ruin the afterglow. Even though this will have to be a long-distance romance for now (I live in DC), I'm already looking forward to sneaking back up to Philly for our next tryst.
(5)Hiya R.
Everything about this place is amazing. Great food, fun stuff, chill atmosphere. I have never been disappointed by anything I've ordered, and my new favorite is the Mediterranean platter. Great spot for a rainy day beer or a Sunday brunch without a wait.
(5)Annie F.
Yummy, yummy sour beers and sausage rolls. Such a unique atmosphere. 5 stars, I will be back.
(5)Carly W.
Love this place!! The menu is so plentiful and awesome, just what I needed after a night out. We went for lunch and I got the burger (added caramelized onions, provalone, and bacon) it was delish! A very hearty burger, it was more like a giant meatball and a little messy to eat, ok a lot messy to eat, but well worth it. The fries were overcooked but I was so full after the burger I was thankful to not eat all of them. My fiance got the breakfast Cubano which was also very tasty! The pork belly was nicely cooked, topped with egg, I really liked it, I always welcome unique menu items. We also had plentiful bloody Mary's and their custom mix was a little different tasting but I welcome that in a bloody, rather than the same old. Overall definitely a place to check out; nice cozy interior, friendly people, worth a stop.
(4)Sandood A.
The food and drinks are great here. The service did not disappoint either!
(5)Kaitlin N.
Great beer selection, late night weekday happy hour, delicious food and snacks, and good atmosphere. Lively but not so loud you can't have a conversation. Love the decor, like a museum of vintage wall coverings. Enjoyed the pork tacos, pierogis, and cheese caramel popcorn. All very good! Plenty of menu options for the vegetarians, thank goodness. Would certainly return when in Philly again.
(4)Larissa G.
This place definitely did the trick last night. It was a friend's first night in town and we were looking for something low-key where we could walk in without a wait, eat good pub fare, and not pay too much. Their tap list is impressive and I tried both a blonde and wheat beer that I loved. Our party of three had to sit at a communal table, which was okay. I prefer separate tables, but it really wasn't too much of a bother. Like others have said, the beer can chicken sandwich was a bit too soggy for the bun. They also didn't cut either sandwich we ordered in half (the chicken or the bahn mi), which was a small annoyance for eating, but again, nothing too terrible. Based on reviews, I got the french fries and they were pretty good. When my friend got the butter lettuce side salad though instead, I was a bit jealous. It looked really fresh and delicious. Her boyfriend ordered the ribs and was very happy with his choice. The service here is fine, but nothing too special. The only real mishap is that we used two cards to pay (which they state is fine on their menu- you just can't split checks more than three ways) and our server mixed up the cards and the amounts going on them. When we pointed it out, he seemed annoyed that he had to fix the problem (and didn't apologize), which was a bummer. Regardless, it was a good overall experience and the food is definitely worth returning for. If I could change one thing, I would add a veggie burger or something similar to the menu. There is a falafel sandwich, but that's the only vegetarian option that I saw, which seems a bit lacking to me.
(4)Michael S.
Let me make myself clear, Kraftwork is a pretty great place. However, it doesn't exactly have anything going for it that I'm drawn to. I can't give it more stars because I'm usually not sure what to do with myself when I'm there. I've been to Kraftwork probably a dozen times. It's a really popular spot and has one of the best late night happy hours in Philly. From what I can tell that's pretty much the main draw of this place, cheap craft beers from 10pm to midnight every night. They have an ever changing list of beers on tap and usually there's several good ones (from what I've been told/seen). The problem for me is I don't drink beer. The only thing I really drink (aside from occasional cocktails) is hard cider. This normally isn't a huge issue in Philly because I know multiple great places to buy difficult to find ciders in shops and even in one bar that I know of, Bottle Bar, but that is kind of a shop anyway. Kraftwork normally DOES have a cider on tap, but sadly sometimes it isn't part of the happy hour and it has never been one I liked. It seems strange that with as often as I go there they haven't once had one of the ciders I've grown to love. So that's disappointing. That pretty much leaves me getting a cherry coke and ordering some food, but again that's another low point for me. I've never gotten anything I love at Kraftwork. The fries are a good deal as you get a ton of them for cheap, but they aren't anywhere near the kind of fries I like. They're super small shoe string ones that sometimes have a slightly burnt taste in my opinion. I feel bad not giving Kraftwork a better review because I do like hanging out there somtimes. But when it comes to food and drink there's many places I'd choose first. But if you're into craft beer, saving money, and nice looking bars, then definitely give it a try. Plenty of people love the place so I'm sure you will too.
(3)Matthieu K.
Reverse happy hour ... interesting. Beer can chicken sandwich ... necessary. Solid but narrow menu. Great pub all around. Highly recommended.
(5)Chip S.
Great food and great beer! I have been going to Kraftwork for the past 2 years and have never had a bad time! The food is incredible! They should be in the running for best burger in Philadelphia! Their brunch is fabulous as well! There are always specials that are interesting and tasty but if you're not in the mood to go crazy, the breakfast sandwich will change your life. One thing that also needs to be known is that their beer selection is so much fun. The beer menu is consistently updated and is organized with information that always helps to choose the best beer to go with your mood. Whether you want a chalice, a pint, or a growler, the only problem you may have is that you may want to try all their options. The staff is extremely knowledgeable too. Whenever I can't decide what I want, they always give me details about where the beer is made and pairs well with the food. All in all, very consistent great experiences. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good meal!
(5)Steve B.
I can only review based on the brief time I had to stop in a pick up a growler this past weekend before a show at Union Transfer, but the early results were very positive. A lot of phenomenal craft beers on tap (I opted for Founder's Red Rye IPA). Looking forward to hopefully getting back there soon to try the food and sit down for a few pints.
(4)Matthew L.
My girlfriend and I recently went to Philadelphia on a 4-day sight-seeing tour. We're both teachers, but I also work for a craft brewery part-time and craft beer is one of my passions. We had heard about Kraftwork on the Philadelphia episode of the tv series "BrewDogs". It was rated as one of the Top 5 best craft beer bars in Philly. We stopped in for lunch on a Saturday afternoon, in between our trips to Philadelphia Brewing and Yards Brewing. The place seemed really cool and they had a great selection of beers on tap. I loved the whole 'Kraftsman' decor theme. We had heard great things about their pierogis, but apparently they only serve brunch until 4:00 or so. Some people next to us ordered some delicious-looking eggs dishes so we decided to do the same. I had the Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon and my girlfriend ordered the Huevos Rancheros. Both were delicious and paired well with the beers. All in all, we were very impressed by our visit to Kraftwork and would definitely return if we ever visit Philly again.
(5)Ana V.
Awsome food staff are all well knowledgeable sometimes it's very loud wish the food menu would change up a bit or make it bigger. the beet salad is my favorite
(4)Mike P.
Let me say that was one of the worst breakfasts I've had the displeasure of partially consuming. Breakfast flatbread had a cardboard-like consistency. Potato pancakes were way over-salted, and the lox may have been a remnant of the original settlers of Fishtown. Scrapple was undercooked, and they couldn't even get eggs over easy right - the plate was a pool of uncooked egg whites. Unfortunately, it was early enough in the day that I hadn't first consumed any overpriced hipster beer to drown my disappointment.
(1)Ame G.
I have to say that the food has been consistently good here, but service time is consistently slow. Can't go here if you want to be in and out in an hour...and lunchtime DEFINITELY needs to be less than an hour...Food...Fantastic. Service...SLOW
(4)Katie P.
My go-to! Any day, any time.... I've probably eaten everything on the menu, but these are my favs -pierogies -cheddar pretzel bites -korean tacos (holy bursting with flavor!) -mediterr. board -vietnamese iced coffee (for brunch) You should go here with a friend, and split everything because you will not be disappointed.. oh and did I mention their beer list is always awesome
(4)Brian H.
3 stars for the food - the flatbread special with curry and chicken was just OK, as well as the wings glazed in watermelon or whatever 5 stars for the service - Jake, the best 5 for the beer list - as good as it gets 4 for the outdoor sidewalk seating, not a 5 only because it's on noisy Girard Ave, and the birds shit on my car parked under the tree. Absolutely I will return.
(4)Jonny R.
I visited again. I got four great beers on a flight for $10--Petrus Pale Ale, St. Feuillien Tripel, Liefmans Goudenband, and De Dolle Dulle Teve. Amazing! And the garlic herb fries were delicious. The beer can chicken? Also good, but with a bun that couldn't handle it, it was just WAY too soggy. Could barely hold it. At three stars this hipster magnet stays.
(3)Kristin G.
Kraftwork is one of the most wonderful bars in my neighborhood, I honestly go to it so much that I need to force myself to take a break so I don't spend all my money. Dinner and brunch here are all equally amazing. I prefer to sit at the bar when I go here and the bartenders are great. I love the beers, the food, the service and I love the beer events that I have had the pleasure to attend in the past. I love your Hazelnut salad, and your flatbreads. I also love that there is outdoor seating, the only downside is that trashcan on the corner during the hot hot summer, but it's likely the only trashcan in a 20 block radius so I understand. I really wish Philly had more public trash cans, seriously. I LOVE YOU KRAFTWORK!
(5)Robin C.
They have pretty reasonable prices for beer and food and for the most part have definitely satisfied my needs. The one exception was the biscuits and gravy at brunch - horrible! Completely tasteless and by no means work the $9. However, the breakfast Cubano (which comes with a side; not listed on the menu as such) and falafel sandwich were delicious, and they make a mean bloody maria. This place is right around the corner from me so I'll definitely be back again but I still can't quite forget the horrible first brunch so that bumps it down a star.
(4)Amanda S.
God I love this place. My sister brought me here quite a few times when she lived in this neighborhood. It was always a treat. We sat inside and outside. We came for lunch, for dinner, and for drinks. I have not one bad thing to say. The people who work here are always cool. The people who come here are cool too. It would be sad for you to skip out on the: Popcorn Hazelnut Salad Pirogues The build your own burger .. I wish she would move back to Fishtown!
(5)Leanne C.
Top notch brunch spot. Great beer list, zesty Bloody Marias with their own pickled vegetables, and a fantastic array of breakfast-y options with the choice of salad on the side. I grabbed tofu scramble and a bloody Maria. So so so good. The interior was artfully rockin' and the metalwork detail within the walls/tables/bar was beautiful. Can't wait to come back!
(4)Zach V.
I really wish there were cool bars like Kraftwork in the Burbs. I enjoyed everything about this small bar. The decor, food & large draft beer selection were all fantastic. The service was excellent from the hostess to our waiter. I had to try their mustard dipping sauce from all the reviews on yelp. I did like it but not as much as most people have. I thought the prices were very fair and actually a bit less then I would have thought for the city.
(4)Rachael T.
The food is amazing here; I had the perogies and falafel. I loved them. The beer flights are very generous as well. You can pick any 4 and they're big glasses. I will definitely return.
(5)Josh K.
Stopped here on the way to DC from NY! Great layout with the huge 4 sided bar and tables all around. The decor is super unique and there's all these machined metal parts all over the bar. There is a rattle 'n' hum like beer list on a piece of paper, they have an enormous selection, and it's all decently affordable. Wish we had this up in NYC!
(5)David G.
Love the rotating draft list. When your up for an adventure in craft brews, this is a great place stop to try something new. Pretzel bites are a fantastic hot and buttery way to get started, although you also can't go wrong with pierogies or the sausage rolls. The burger is great, but the Beer Can Chicken and the French Onion Short Rib Sandwich are consistently some of my favorites.
(5)A A.
Amazing beers on tap and amazing foods to eat. I always order the wild mushroom sandwich but only because it's so unbelievably good that I never get tired of it. Burgers, flatbreads, and popcorns of the day are always good choices also. It's become super hip lately (along with the neighborhood) but the quality is still awesome.
(5)Christina M.
I had really excellent service from Micheal. 5 stars for service 4 stars for food. Stopped in Saturday evening October 5th. After a little confusion on who was waiting on us we were greeted by Michael. I have to say that I'm from chicago, Gastropubs are like starbucks...there's one on every corner. With that said, I was impressed with the selection of food we ordered from Kraftworks, We started with the Truffle Deviled Eggs and Korean Tacos. The truffle wasn't over powering and they had these potato crisps on the side. I found it great to at the crisps on top of the eggs gave it great texture. The Korean Tacos were great although I'm not a fan of flour tortillas. I opted for the short rib sandwich where my friends went with the burgers. I Really enjoyed the short rib sandwich....it was missing a crunch. Michael I will say gave great recommendations was very accommodating, and up selled us a growler. He did a great job and I thought it should be acknowledged.
(5)Aelita P.
I came here with a friend and we both got burgers with a fried egg on top. Good but very very greasy. It's a bar so I wasn't expecting that much, and it didn't over or underwhelm. If you just want some American comfort food I'd recommend it
(4)Valerie G.
This is a late review that I forgot to post over a year ago, but better late than never: I heard of Kraftwork on Reddit in a thread that gave some suggestions on good places to get craft beers. I've lived 20 minutes from Philly my entire life, but had never ventured into Fishtown (that I recall) so when I drove in, I was a little iffy on the location. There are some areas that you drive through that aren't the nicest, but the area where Kraftwork is located actually seems like a really cool place. Very hipster. I went with my boyfriend and our two friends. We were all EXTREMELY satisfied with the food and service. The menu has some different selections. I got the beer can chicken sandwhich, which was superb. After tasting my boyfriend's burger, however, I have to say that the burger is the first thing you have to try when you go here. The beer selection is great. We got a few flights for the table. The table next to us was a bigger party of about 10-12 people or so and they ordered a sample of every beer and lined them up down their table (25 selections on tap at any time)... so that was pretty cool, and something I'd recommend for bigger groups that are mostly comprised of beer drinkers. The decor inside is pretty industrial and gives the place a really cool feel. A little noisy, but not to the point where you're screaming over each other. The waiter just needed to bend down a bit to make himself heard. The service was great. We actually sparked up a conversation with the couple next to us who asked us how we had heard of the place. They were surprised to hear that 3/4 of us (not me) had driven an hour or so to give the place a try. When we asked how they had heard of the place (they seemed to be familiar with the menu so we assumed they were regulars), the guy said he was actually one of the owners. After they got up to leave, they went and spoke to a few of the waiters for a bit (I assumed to just shoot the breeze since they obviously knew them)... after they waved bye to us and walked out the door, the waiter came over and said our bill was taken care of! We were shocked and extremely grateful and a little bummed that we couldn't thank him ourselves. Hopefully we will run into him when we come back and get to thank him. For now, all I can say is try this place out! You won't be disappointed!! There's also a nice little bar down the road that we walked to after eating called Interstate Draft House.
(5)Tracy R.
Ive eaten here many times & ive never been disappointed. .now when i come into town, i go here
(5)Dustin K.
Amazingly good beer selection and a perfectly cooked sunny side up egg on a perfectly cooked medium burger.
(5)Jarret L.
I am not sure what all the hype was around the beer can chicken sandwich. It tasked like I had taken leftover chicken out of the fridge, heated it up and slapped it on a roll with some gravy. Not impressed. The place was filled with a bunch of hipsters and people ordering salads and craft beers. I guess it not my type of place or food.
(2)Lisa D.
The burger here is absolutely delicious. The burger meat is awesome and doesn't really need any toppings because of it. Good selection of beer too
(5)Steven P.
Sunday morning in Philly equals finding a good place for brunch, so we recently went to Kraftwork with friends. The staff were very friendly and quick with water and menus. My girlfriend had an egg omelot with a side of sausage and I had the egg breakfast with side of hash and house made scrapple as well as a homemade biscuit. The scrambled eggs were quite good. The house made scrapple was something very different and tasty. Although, I still couldn't get my girlfriend to try it, it was quite better the usual scrapple on offer in diners. The side of hash was good, but deep fried. I may be old fashioned, but I prefer the potatoes fried on a griddle with onions. Finally, the biscuit was light, fluffy, and very delicious with the jam the restaurant had. My girlfriend seemed to enjoy her meal. Although at first the side of sausage was undercooked and had to be returned. In the end, it was an interesting experience and I would like to go again in order to try their breakfast burrito.
(3)Paulina M.
Great burgers. Great fries. Great brunch. GREAT beer list. Definitely one of best spots in Fishtown for happy hour/ late night happy hour. Can't get pretty swamped so dont show up in the middle of dinner/brunch service or you'll be waiting for a very, very long time. Staff is friendly, food is consistent and I highly suggest their iced coffee with condensed milk , it's unreal.
(4)Carol C.
Came here for lunch on a Sunday afternoon around 2PM. The place has a cool workshop theme going on, with a giant saw hanging over the bar with a wide draft beer selection. Both service and food were pretty good, but there were a few cons that is keeping this place from being 5 stars. Service: They were very accommodating of our large group, and did their best to seat us comfortably. . They were quick to serve us water and hand us our menus. Con: After we sat with our menus for about 10 minutes, they came over to notify us that only the brunch side of the menu was available. Too bad most of us had already decided what we were ordering....from the wrong side. Food: Most of us ordered the kraft burger, which came with optional additional toppings. If you don't get toppings, the burger will be pretty boring. However, add the cheese and some carmelized onions and peppers, and BOOM - you got yourself a juicy gourmet burger. Con: Breakfast options are pretty bland, and some of the options had very small portions. Salmon Rosi was pretty much 2 bites. Overall, an awesome place for burgers and beer, but not much else.
(4)Ariel M.
A place for us to go for lunch or brunch. Love the employees because of how friendly they are. Few of my favorites are the perogies, beer can chicken sandwich, their fries are beyond, and I'm sure I could go on forever. The only reason i didn't give them a 5 was because the menu is a bit on the shorter side and I like more variety.
(4)Julia L.
I was so surprised by how crowded this place was on a Saturday at 2 PM. It looked super clean for a bar but kind of dark. The only lighting is natural sunlight coming in from the front and flashing lights from the HD TV on the walls playing college football games. And lots of ppl were ordering brunch items like eggs and some tofu dish. Isn't 2 PM kind of late for breakfast? Anywho, I came here to get my beer and burger on! This is one of the better known gastro-pubs in the Philly area. Conveniently it is located in Northern liberties and there was plenty of street parking. I really liked the brick decor, very home-y and welcoming. I couldn't decide between the beers so I got a flight of four. I think the pale ale was my least favorite, and I really liked my pumpkin ale, christmas ale and hard cider. Delicious! And so refreshing with burgers. Joe got his own flight of four, which was a big mistake because he gets really bad asian glow. He was bright red by the end of his 1st glass. Joe got the Kraftwork burger with gruyere cheese, mushrooms, bacon and fried egg. Even though we live in different cities, we have very similar tastes in food. We both independently ordered a fried egg on burgers which then sparked a conversation about how the best dishes mix egg and beef. Like korean bibimbap (mixed rice, veggies, beef and fried egg!) I also got the Kraftwork burger with cheddar cheese, fried egg, bacon and caramelized onions. The beef patty is a special dry aged blend. I love thick patty burgers. The ones that you feel like you need to unhinge your jaw to take a bite. Hot greasy oil dripped down my chin as I took bites into my yummy burger.
(5)John B.
Pretty good spot. Enjoyed the apps, deviled eggs, pretzels bites and pierogis? Staff was pretty good, reasonable prices
(4)Jeff D.
A while back I started a burger thread on Yelp asking Philadelphians where their favorite burger in the city came from. I got a lot of answers and Kraftwork was among those mentioned; however, it slid to the back of my mind and I sorta forgot about Kraftwork for a while. Fast forward about a year and I find myself here. We had attended the Philly Beer Expo at the Naval Yard earlier in the day and met up with a friend who lived in Fishtown. She was nice and sober enough to drive us back to her place where we sobered up. We asked her if we could grab a bite to eat before heading back to Jersey and she suggested Kraftwork. "Oh I've heard of them!" I said, but I couldn't drum up where or when I had heard of them. We get to the bar, I open the menu, and then it hits me when I look at the list of burgers. "I heard that the burgers were good here" I drunkly thought to myself (or maybe I said it out loud, I can't quite say). I opted for the Kraftwork burger with cheddar (I think) and bacon red onion marmalade (that's right bacon red onion marmalade). Just typing it now has me drooling again, so you can only imagine my enthusiasm for this condiment. Needless to say the burger was cooked just right and the bacon red onion marmalade was absolutely delicious. Come to think of it, even if the burger was bad, I don't think I would've noticed because I was still in post-beer fest awe at the deliciousness of this creation. I did not order a beer, but word on the street is that they have a pretty nifty tap selection, so I will be sure to return for that. Good food with good service for a decent price has made me a fan of Kraftwork. Next time I am in Fishtown, I will not hesitate to stop on in.
(4)Holly N.
Incredible taps with the choice of getting a flight of 4 for $12. Incredible deal, especially considering they occasionally have a couple MIkkelers on rotation. When I was there, the Bear Racer V was on the engine--so good! Mediterranean plate is spot on--secretly but perhaps not so secretly the best thing on the menu. Vegetarian, so of course I can't speak for a lot of the food but I truly go here for the beer list alone.
(5)Melissa H.
Crispy perogies. I was a woman on a mission, so we wandered into Fishtown's Kraftwork for pre-dinner eats (hat tip to Tolkien's hobbits and their six meals a day). We got started with beers and hot spiced apple cider with bourbon. A pretty impressive list of brews! Glad to see an SF favorite on the list (Racer 5). We split the crispy perogies (mission accomplished, filled with mashed potatoes, choucroute, mushrooms and a side of chive creme fraiche and apple chutney) and truffled deviled eggs (with a delicious presentation of tender and pickled roasted beet salad and latticed crispy waffle chips). Goodness. Perogies and deviled eggs were amazing. The atmosphere? Clean, rustic yet warm interiors. Quiet on a weekday late afternoon with only the subtle chatter of other happy hour goers. The service was friendly and quick, and our server knew his beers well. We did feel pressured to order dinner and hurried along when we decided to forgo entrees (it wasn't peak dinner hours). Overall, great food and drinks, cozy and clean. Can't wait to come back and try other options on the menu.
(4)Jessica H.
Wandered in the place for lunch a few years ago. Love this place. I've had brunch, lunch and dinner here and it has never disappointed. Great place to meet up with friends, have a dinner for two or even alone. It is very chill, friendly, clean atmosphere with a boatload of great brews to pick from. They even suggest pairing for food and beer. Samplers are a great way to find the beer you like. Their other drinks are also killer - bloody mary's are out of this world, but hot! Not a huge menu, which is nice. What they do, they do well. Try any of the salads, cheese boards, samplers, beer can chicken, and they have in season or tasty specials - call ahead to find out what or go on website. My vegetarian friends love it too. Parking can be a hassle but we usually find a spot after circling the block 2-3 times. We drove into Phila just for the fiddleheads when in season!. Delicious Food with healthy alternatives. Aso nice that you can sit outside when nice (with your dogs). I head for this place everytime I am in Fishtown. I actually crave it! Just a good vibe when hanging out here. Wish it was my neighborhood bar.
(5)Elyse A.
When the food was placed in front of me, I got so excited I started shaking. This freaked my sister out. The trout BLT and beer can chicken sandwich is out of the world. I probably prefer the trout BLT though. The beer selection is incredible. And if you're not in the mood for beer, try the dark & not too stormy. Absolutely delicious!! It was pretty crowded tonight but the service was impeccable. From the moment we walked in and put our name in to when we were served drinks to when we left, I felt like our service was actually appreciated.
(5)Roger L.
Ok wow, this is my number one Gastro pub so far. Fish town, who would have thought. I don't give 5 stars but this place earned all five. The service was great with an intimate knowledge of the beers on tap. The hamburgers were aged beef and awesome! My first 5 star restaurant so please Go.
(5)Sean R.
Was here for the first time back in March. Loved the beer list. Love. Very busy. Getting a spot at the bar doesn't come easy, but getting a table didn't prove difficult. For food I had a burger topped with Gruyere and fried egg. It was cooked perfectly, the beef was tasty and the egg was perfect. Amazing flavors when combined with my imperial porter. Place was loud but chill. Service was laid back and down to earth. The server talked to you like you were his buddy or he had seen you 100 times before. Pretty cool place. Lots of metalwork detail as part of the interior/décor. Prices are respectable and street parking isn't too hard to come by. Went here again back as a stop on the Craft Beer Express and despite the influx of drunks, the barstaff stayed cool and on top of the volume.
(5)Kristin S.
Great happy hour from 10-12. awesome draft list they are much more the beer garden rather than Frankford Hall. New menu change up! Much more diet n pescatairin friendly, yay check it out!
(4)Holly W.
The bartender who doubled as our waiter during the quiet late weekday lunch was very affable and knowledgeable about the impressive list of 25 beers available. He brought us over a few samples to try before we made our selection. We started lunch with Korean pork tacos for $8 which were absolutely delicious. Two large, soft tacos stuffed quite generously with a nicely hot/sweet juicy serving of pork (which I dripped down the front of my shirt as I bit into - ug! But so worth it heehee.) Then hubby had a blue cheese burger he loved - perfectly cooked and it also had some delicious bacon/onion relish which he said was a wonderful combination with the blue cheese. I had the mushroom baguette which was really good, packed full of tender, succulent mushrooms, red peppers and spinach(?I think it was spinach), topped with a tasty parmesan cheese and all on a fresh, soft slightly crispy baguette. The fries were really good too, thin, well seasoned and served with both catsup and a nice creamy mustardy dip. The service was excellent, the room was very cool in an exposed brick/industrial kind of way and the bathrooms clean. I'd definitely go back if I was in the area.
(4)Ron H.
A hipster type local neighborhood feel with a nice and open main room centered around the bar. I have only been three times for lunch, so the evening scene might be alot different. The hazlenut salad is huge but dressing was too creamy, no flavor to the hazlenuts and the butter lettuce is too sweet. This dish has alot of potential, but as it was served, I wouldn't recommend it. Fries are great, perfectly seasoned and fried, love them Burger is the wrong mix of meat, tastes like "chuck". Cooked perfectly but needs to be seasoned, def needs salt! Awesome craft beer selection. You can spend plenty of time here with friends turning lunch into happy hour (and with this beer selection, it's hard not to).
(3)Seldom W.
I sure do with this place was a bit cheaper. It is just a little too pricey for my pocket book. The service is nice and the food is good. They always have nice cocktails (and beer obviously) but the cocktails are a lot and well.. maybe when I have a better job?
(3)James S.
Visited this jem via yelp. Had the pork belly sandwich excellent. I had to check out the branch on sunday my girlfriend had a soft shell crab egg benadict. Wow... friendly staff everything you can ask for and more in a gastrio pub
(5)Aaliyah P.
Let me state for the record we usually dont do fish town but since the #noeaterrepeatery2013 is in full swing we decided to cross that barrier and mingle with the dark side of the city. We arrived to a pretty decent size bar it was a monday but this place was in full swing.Service was great the entire time and the menu options offer something for everyone. I was sad to see that at least 3 beers i wanted to try weren't up yet so i opted for a snap and cider. We started with those infamous pretzel nuggets. They were everything , everyone claimed them to be. truth be told i would come back for just them. I opted for a salad since i had just done an hour of brutal cardio and leg work. The hazelnut and gruyere salad was pretty large. The salad came with a generous helping of nuts, though not so much cheese atop butter lettuce.The dressing had a nice creamy balance but i was thinking it should have been sweeter to offset the fatty cheese and nuts. I can honestly say that i would eat here again. Apparently brunch here is amazing and the staff was super cool and the atmosphere seems low key which i need more of in my life.
(4)Judy D.
I had brunch here today and it was a pleasure. As a visitor from NY I was so impressed with the friendly service and willingness to accommodate. We sat outside which was lovely on an early October day and the food was on point. I ordered a cheese and bacon omelet and couldn't decide between home fries or salad and was offered a little of each. Nice touch and a great Bloody Mary. Great start to the day,
(4)Deann M.
I was in an awful mood when we got to Kraftwork because we walked from our house in the sweltering heat and I was grumpy and hungry. It took no time at all for that mood to change when I tried the iced coffee. I think it was a special, can't remember, but it hit the spot! So many beer taps too! I had the smoked salmon rosti - smoked salmon with chive creme fraiche atop potato pancakes and served with arugula salad. It was delicious but most of the plate was the sald, with two small potato pancakes. There was a lot of salmon, but I think I would have preferred 3 potato pancakes with the salmon split between the three. Overall, I'm nitpicking, the dish was delicious and I wanted more! My BF tried Huevos Rancheros - he had never had them before, he's usually a breakfast burrito guy. He loved it and now wants to try huevos rancheros everywhere. My friend had the waffle with fresh berries. The food was excellent and we'll definitely be back, but I think we'll drive next time.
(4)Edward M.
I've driven past Kraftwork on several occasions, but only recently finally made it inside to try their grub and brews. I came prepared to be unimpressed. But.... The pierogi (apparently handmade on site) were delicious and had great texture -- crispy on the outside, chewy and potato-y on the inside. The wild mushroom sandwich was good, though not great. Happily, the server asked if I'd rather have it with fries or greens. I chose the greens, which also accompanied the pierogi very nicely. The beer selection is extensive, with about twenty beers on tap. Conveniently, the selections are listed on a printout that is given to you to peruse at leisure (gee, what a novel idea, all you other bars that only list your beers on a chalkboard tucked away somewhere annoying...). And the list also shows you the next keg on tap for when a keg is tapped (tapped kegs are crossed out on the sheet), so you don't need a ton of back-and-forth with your server -- which is quite useful when the place is packed and noisy. If you do happen to want to discuss the beers, though, the staff is knowledgable and friendly and will do so. The beer list is a bit heavy on the hoppy side, but there are enough other choices to keep a non-hop-head happy. The layout here is quite good, as well, with a large central bar where you can sit and see other patrons and variously sized tables in the periphery if you're with a group.
(5)Michael A.
Though a bit off the beaten track, Kraftwork is well worth the journey. Decorated what can only be described as hipster industrial, Kraftwork nonetheless offers a welcoming atmosphere with a killer beer list. Kraftwork has more than twenty beers on tap, and every single one has been carefully selected for quality. The bartenders know a great deal about the beer and drinks and are more than happy to help you make a selection. I stopped in on a Friday night with a friend, and it was immediately clear that Kraftwork was far more than just a neighborhood pub - it's a go-to spot for those gearing up for a night out on the town and others enjoying the atmosphere. There's a horseshoe-shaped bar in the center of the bar surrounded by tables the outside. Most people ordered food to enjoy with their drinks, but we weren't hungry, so we stuck to the beer list, and we were not disappointed. The bartenders were incredibly friendly and helpful. All in all, we had a great time and will definitely be returning.
(4)Dennis U.
Lots of good interesting beers and a menu with a number of interesting selections. I had the pepper crusted trout BLT with fries. Yum lots of B, sauteed arugula for L and tasty trout on a great whole grain toast... great fries too. My companion had the beer can chicken sandwich... massive amounts of chicken. Worth a visit as well as a revisit. Out door dining is available but kind of stark at lunch. Breakfast looked interesting as well!
(4)Parker S.
Nice u-shaped bar with lots of seating, even though the space is relatively small. I didn't get anything to eat but the food smelled good, especially the french fries. The draft list is good, with about 20 beers on tap. They also provide a list of what is on deck after a keg gets kicked. This is a nice feature and a smart move on their part since it could easily bring you back to the bar if you know something you want to try is coming up soon. Another excellent aspect of the spot is that their happy hour is 10pm-Midnight. It is half off 6 preselected drafts. It would be nice if it was all their beers but being that this is one of the few places that does a late night happy hour you can't complain too much.
(4)Don G.
One of my favorite places for beer and food. Always something good on draft and the menu specials are great. The beer can chicken is outstanding. Brunch is great and is never too crowded. Try the house made breakfast sausage.
(5)Alex C.
What a great place! We had awesome afternoon beers here and herb spiced fries that were amazing (nice rosemary kick). The bartender was lovely--she was helpful and friendly, and she ran us through how they rock and rolled with the menu. The beer list is great. Not just your neighborhood bar. We ordered a great imperial stout (Oscar Blues Ten Fidy) that we know we'll want as our winter beer. Nice saisons and sours on draft too. Next time we go, well be sure to grab a big lunch. Turns out Kraftwork runs this special where if you get one lunch, your second lunch dish is half off. So we saw lots of pairs!
(4)Chris M.
Kraftwork is legit, like 2legit2quit legit. And with that reference, I've proven my antiquity and thus my lack of qualification to bestow upon anything (save perhaps Matlock) the title of legit. Nonetheless, trust me on this one: you'll like Kraftwork. We went for brunch, and have a great meal. They have a lot of beers on tap, and I think there had just been a Bear Republic tap takeover (that alone tells you how awesome this place is). So at least half of the taps were made up of hard-to-find Bear Republic beers. Food is also very good. I highly recommend the beer-can chicken sandwich. The roll it was on was perfect (fresh and crusty), the chicken was moist, and I loved that it was topped with fried long hots. My wife got the stuffed french toast, which seems like a sweet tooth's dream. It was covered in a mascarpone cream sauce and apple compote. Really delicious, but I couldn't eat more than a bite or two of that, given how rich it was. She loved it though. The ambiance is pretty relaxed, and the servers were nice enough. I would definitely recommend Kraftwork if you're in the area.
(4)Katherine S.
The food is fine, but the staff are a nightmare. Brunch is a very stressful experience here! The past couple visits here have been unpleasant, but the most recent visit last month was enough to guarantee I will not go back. The last time I went, I was convinced the hostess was either high or hadn't slept after a night out, because she legit seemed cracked out. She was frantic and couldn't find us a table, until I pointed out a vacant table she had missed. The waitress ignored us the entire time and we had to wait twenty minutes just to get more coffee. I don't understand why this place is so popular- I think it's completely overrated. I don't know how they can get away with having such poor service.
(3)Nicole E.
I've been to Kraftwork plenty of times over the years and have always had a great experience. Friendly staff, awesome drink menu (cocktails and beer), surprising gluten-free drink options, casual vibe, and great bar food. But guys, I'm here to tell you that I tried the shrimp and grits on their brunch menu this past weekend and it was basically the best food I have ever had. Sooooo. Goooooooood. Grilled shrimp on top of perfectly cooked grits (in a shellfish broth, I think it's cooked in??) with these unbelievable bacon-braised collard greens mixed in, and a fried egg. Omg. WORTH THE WAIT. I even took my leftovers (and the leftovers of a friend, who'd had the same dish) and ate it later.
(4)Sara W.
This has become a standard go-to for me and the boo. Great, rotating draft selection; one of the best burgers in town; and a stellar brunch that's so indulgent and fabulous it could even bring the crypt-keeper back to life. Bring a large group and cozy up at the benches or hop next to a neighbor and make a new buddy. The vibe is always pretty chill and the servers are awesome. Ask and you shall receive--they're all beer connoisseurs that can give you a small wiki page on each brewery on tap without a single hint of pretense. Gotta love that. A definite lack of veggie options, but I've never been disappointed with the Mediterranean plate and their finely crafted, locally sourced cheese plate.
(5)Lauren C.
The beet salad is probably the most delicious salad ever. It is also a huge portion so can split into 2 meals or good for sharing.
(5)Brian M.
Pretty standard hipster gastro pub with an industrial theme. Went for brunch which was good but nothing stood out from the typical brunch fare in the city. The rotating beer list was probably the best feature.
(4)Mo S.
Incredibly knowledgable staff especially when it comes to their selection of beer. Look no further for a local craft beer selection. Food is great and the interior space has a great aesthetic.
(5)Meishka M.
I come here too much...Kraftwork is one of those places in the hood that I just can't escape. The food is good and the draft list is always interesting, but I always feel like my fiance is dragging me here. I'm not complaining...I love a good beer and a burger. The menu is simple, but I do encourage exploring the specials. I assume there is a budding chef hiding somewhere in that kitchen. The reverse happy hour is also a really good deal. One complaint though...the music (especially when the girls are working) can get downright wretched at times.
(4)Brian L.
I'm not much of a beer person, but I was with good company which earns the 4th star. The selection is quite vast and the staff is helpful enough and friendly. Nice atmosphere. The food is also really really good. The people there seemed cool and chilled out, very different from most Chicago bars. Ugh. Wish that I could trade up.
(4)Victoria L.
I love Kraftwork mostly for their beer, but the few food menu items I've tried were good. They have a great beer flights system! Most times I don't thoroughly enjoy sitting at a bar, but the layout here is nice and open so it's very comfortable. All the servers and bartenders are great too. Definitely get the french fries every time.
(4)Jessica P.
Came here on a Saturday night and had the "a rested nut" drink with tequila which was delicious and not weak. Also had the beer can chicken which was good, but my fiancé's burger with egg was amazing. Fries were good too. I love the vibe of fishtown. Kraftsork, we will be back!
(5)David S.
Went here last night for a few beers with a friend. First off, the staff is extremely friendly. They knew a lot about the beers and answered a few questions I had on some. The bartender (Mike?) was quick to offer me a sample of a couple of beers I was interested in trying. Their tap list is amazing and constantly changing. Prices for the area are pretty damn good. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Jennifer T.
This place might be better for other meals but skip brunch. I was super excited to try this place just because of the way it looks from the outside. We went for Sunday brunch and the menu looked promising. Unfortunately we were all a little disappointed. The breakfast burrito was mostly rice and beans and the omelets weren't quite right. I think they cook the eggs, then put the filling inside (uncooked) and transfer to your plate. The spinach inside was cold like salad and the cheese wasn't melted. Not my idea of an omelet. Also not sure they cooked my sausage completely.
(2)Michelle T.
Def need to come back for late night HH!
(4)Thor T.
The beer line-up is usually a great mix of styles and breweries and it certainly is fun to also read about the "on-deck" selections waiting for pouring should a keg kick while you are there. As for food, the fantastic Charcuterie Board is always a winner, with morcilla, La Quercia prosciutto, and a fine house-made rabbit terrine, as is the Short Rib Sandwich, slow braised meat resplendent on a brioche bun (the excellent, well-informed and kind waitstaff will agree to split it for you - a good idea if you also want to eat all of the generous charcuterie board). Some other food selections are less successful, the prime culprit is a flatbread margherita that made me pine for store bought frozen pies. The atmosphere is convivial and fun, if loud and crowded most of the time - sure signs of a very successful bar.
(4)Mike G.
UPDATE 4/6/13 - This place has seriously stepped it up from when I first wrote a review (I hear they swapped out chefs at some point a while back). The brunch here is incredible. I can't say enough good things! ------------- This place has an amazing rotating beer selection. I like how they give you a beer menu that shows which beer will be tapped next. They also have growlers! I was very happy when this place opened up right around the corner from my house. The only thing I'd have to complain about is the food. It's OK but it's nothing amazing. I feel it's a bit expensive for what it is. I ordered the falafel sandwich for $9 and all that came out was a piece of pita bread, 3 falafel balls and some yogurt sauce. No lettuce or tomato. The people I have gone with all feel the same about the food. I really feel that they could use a food makeover.
(4)Mike S.
This is what I do when I walk into Kraftwork: 1) get a flight of amazing beers 2) drink them while looking at the specials menu 3) order something from the specials menu (i have yet to be dissapointed) 4) order a goblet of tasty beer to accompany the food that I chose 5) key lime desert I. Love. This. Place.
(5)Ann R.
Although I have already reviewed Kraftwork I feel compelled to review it again upon reading Augie B and Jen L's reviews because I was sitting at the table next to them the night they dined at Kraftwork. I can remember this night so clearly because of the humorous situation Augie created when he sent his crostini back to the kitchen multiple times. Now I'm not one to judge (yes I am), but when someone has ordered not one but TWO meat and cheese platters then complains about four pieces of toasted bread that person is cra-zay. I enjoyed the scene Augie created when he complained about his meal despite eating it (no, I didn't measure how much he ate but it was most of it). I find it ridiculous that you could actually argue about toasted bread and then eat, eat, and eat. I also find it humorous that you use the royal "we" in your review, as if you are speaking for everyone. While you cite an "unfortunate trend in Philadelphia...(to) get it right then screw the pooch" I could also cite an unfortunate trend in Philadelphia for people to think that studying the "Culinary Arts" qualifies you to review restaurants and pass judgement. I'm sorry you aren't Craig LaBan and I'm sorry that you felt the need to criticize a the waitress and the chef on date. The night you dined at Kraftwork the staff was on point, the food was excellent, and the beer was top notch. EVERY meal I've had at Kraftwork has been great, fresh, and yummy. The waitstaff has NEVER been condescending or rude because I've never been condescending or rude but I can honestly attest to the fact that Augie's waitress was not rude, she was more than patient. I hope you read Augie and Jen's reviews and think, "Wow, those people think a good date is spending time at a bar while my date berates a waitress then go to Oh! Hara's." Bottom Line: Kraftwork is still great. Their specials are always fresh and local and their beer selection is like no other in the city. Go there immediately!
(5)Felicia D.
I used to have this dream of lying down underneath a whole row of taps and turning them all on full blast to literally loll around in BEER. Yes, I'm weird, but someone else MUST have thought this at least once, or why would Kraftwork have installed 24 draft lines and one full-time cask? No bottles here, but world-class, rare, local and otherwise fly brews pouring all the time. If you're a heartless type who don't find brew cool, the food is appealing uber-pub-grub -- a juicy burger you can dress with your choices of accoutrements like Grafton cheddar and bacon jam (!), plus charcuterie made in-house and a dessert Krispy treat that subs out pork rinds for puffed rice. There's 2 TVs to keep updated on the game without having your eyeballs seared by HD at every turn, and picnic-table style seating. Bump elbows with your neighbors, maybe you'll make a friend, dudes. (full disclosure: One of my great girl friends is the hot brunette server, you know which one)
(5)Tatyana B.
I love to come to this place with my husband. The Server is very knowledgeable , always advices us drinks and food, and we love that! Food is fresh and delicious!
(5)Josh M.
I love this place. The food is unique and top notch. The beer list is extremely diverse and changes constantly. It's not loud and has a nice outside area. Love it.
(5)B G.
Like the other reviewers, I like the amount of fresh, on tap beer this place has. But the sheer number of taps is not enough to impress me. The food is barely "meh" and overpriced. To be considered a "gastropub" the "gastro" part should be at least equal to the "pub" part. I'm all about rabbit terrine when its made well, but you are in Fishtown, guys... take it down a notch or two. While I am aware some restaurants need a little time to find their groove, I'm sure the owners and chefs of Kraftwork are also aware that when you open a place, that should be the time to really get your future regulars in and settled. First impressions and all. Kraftwork, I may come back for a beer, but if you want my food money, you're going to have to try a bit harder.
(2)Sophia S.
Went to Kratfwork for a beer week event last night. It was my first visit, but I doubt it will be my last. Our group ordered the mediterranean plate to start--excellent hummus, baba ghanoush (some of the best i've had!), stuffed grape leaves, olives, pita, and a mini-greek salad. Great start. My burger was good--not HUGE, but filling. I ordered it medium and that is how it arrived. I got the bleu cheese, which was AWESOME. you must love blue to go for it. Similarly, one of my companions described the aged cheddar on his burger as "sharp as shit" (in a good way). Kraftwork gets major points for understanding the power of awesome cheese. The tap list was all from denver brewery Great Divide, which i know is not the norm. The format of the list itself however, was their standard and was certainly cool. it lists all available beers and the possible serving sizes (pint, goblet, etc), prices for each serving size in an information-driven chart....it also shows what kegs are on deck once this one kicks. and while it may seem out of the way in fishtown, it is an easy walk from the girard stop on the el, so don't let that deter you from trying this great spot!
(4)Hieu P.
Great spot to come to if you're able to get seating. If you're coming in with a ton of people on a weekend, good luck, the place gets mobbed with moderate waits involved, but oh is it worth it. The beers are plentiful, the wine isn't bad, and the food is absolutely scrumptious! The portions are sizable, but not overwhelming, and the cooks get it right the handful of times I've been there. since the menu is rotating, it's always been a different experience when it came to the food, but I never found myself complaining once, it's really good grub. The beers are abundant! So many kinds to choose from, and you can get little pubbers at 8oz each to try a bunch of different beers without hurting the wallet much, all they way up to 40s if you found one to hit home enough to get absolutely plaster off of it... or to bring home to share, we won't tell anyone :D Kraftwork looks great, too. Dark ambiance with fantastic details to really push the industrial look without encroaching the actually dirty, greasy mess that actually comes along with it. Awesome place I've no qualms bringing people to!
(4)Annie D.
Since I wrote my previous review so close to Kraftwork opening its doors I thought I'd write a little "Kraftwork one month after: a retrospective" I've been to Kraftwork about 1/2 dozen times now, eating something different every time I've gone and always drinking 1/2 draughts (when possible) to maximize my beer tasting potential. In addition I've gone with someone different every time to maximize my menu tasting potential. Now that my study is conclusive I'm happy to say that Kraftwork is holding up their end of the bargain big time. The food is consistent and yummy, the beer selection doesn't disappoint and you can catch a Phillies or Flyers (RIP '10 Stanley Cup run) on the flat screens. My personal pick, after all these visits the trout sandwich is still my favorite followed closely by the falafel.
(4)Sara C.
Ohhhh yeah. Adam Ritter has brought the same friendly service, awesome beer, and amazing food to Fishtown. That space is goddamn beautiful - the exposed brick, the awesome metal work. Service was on point and the beer selection that night was a solid line-up of Founders drafts for Beer Week - including the elusive Kentucky Breakfast Stout and Devil Dancer. I had to go for the lauded beer can chicken sandwich, and it did NOT disappoint. The chicken was so juicy that it tasted more like pork, and the sharp provolone and long hots certainly would have made this sandwich a home in South Philly. The side of cabbage and apple slaw was delicious, but I can't lie, a small side of fries would have put it on the top. While Kraftwork may not have that same cozy neighborhood corner bar feel like Sidecar, I'm glad they've accomplished something completely different - and just as amazing.
(5)Katie I.
I had no idea they had opened for business. I passed the corner of Montgomery and Girard in Fishtown a few days ago and noticed a bright change. Today was Kraftwork's soft opening! My beau and I were looking for dinner and we were thrilled to stumble upon its open doors! 1. Tucked away on a busy thoroughfare seldom enjoyed for it's culinary offerings Kraftwork is the newest rough hewn, yet well-polished foodie-bar North Philly has to offer. I imibibed a Lagunitas IPA and a few choice Modernist cocktails (the Le Corbusier was so springy, in a serious way) that I would recommend to any lover of a well made drink. Very subtle, very fresh, and exceptionally well mixed. 2. The food is so fresh, expertly prepared and presented, and well thought out I had no idea we were at a brand new restaurant. Sampling the fiddle ferns (what are these and why are they SO delicious?), ricotta dumplings (never a tastier cheese dish have I ever tasted), rabbit terrine (I don't even eat rabbit and this was to die for, with fresh mustard!) and mussels (by FAR the best I've had in the entire city), we were delighted again and again by brand new and immensely satisfying flavors. 3. Go here! Give Kratwork a chance of survival in the food desert that is north of Girard! They promise to have 24 craft beers on tap and the ambiance is as industrial as this area's history, but the vibe is pure fun. Especially if they include a rotating menu and local fare, Kraftwork promises to be an all-time favorite hang-out for all of Philly's food and drink lovers.
(5)Jess M.
I drive by this place all the time on my way home from work and just stopped in last night with the boyfriend for dinner, beer and Phillies. The decor is very industrial and the atmosphere started out laid back until it started filling up and everyone was buzzing, mostly into the Phillies game. The bartenders were very chill and Adam's iPod is full of excellent tunes (lots of RJD2 is a winner!). The beer list is extensive and it's all on tap. It's a good thing they don't believe in bottles at this bar because they wouldn't really have the room for them anyway. The menu is full of unique fare - indecisive on what to nosh on, boyfriend and I split our orders: the BL...Trout sandwich with salt & vinegar fries and the Shortrib Sandwich with garlic & herb fries. I'd never eaten trout before and it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, but it was great sandwich on this delicious, very crisp wheat toast. The shortrib sandwich was out of this world, a lot of which I attribute to the awesome kick from the hot peppers embedded in there. I preferred the salt & vinegar fries to the garlic & herb ones, but you can't go wrong with either thanks to the mustard aioli dipping sauce. Many compliments to the chefs on the great food and to the owner for opening such a great spot. Will certainly be back.
(5)Colleen M.
The beer selection here is great, but the food is eh. We went here on a Saturday night and waited only about 15 minutes to be seated. I ordered the crispy perogies. They are not crispy, but still pretty tasty. However the sauce that is on them is overwhelming. It tasted like lemon and it overpowered the perogies. My friend had the pretzel bites with cheese dip and those were pretty good. Most of the food we got was ok but expensive for what it was. Overall, I would probably go here again if in the area and looking to drink beer. I would not go here to eat dinner and I wouldn't go out of my way to get here.
(3)brei g.
For me this place is heaven! Amazing selection of beer and delicious food. Truly! Oh, and it's very reasonably priced. Domestic and import microbrews. 26 taps I think, which rotate! So as soon as one kicks, it rotates. Think about half of them are constantly rotating. So on any given night your options might be even greater than 26. One side of the menu is currently what's on tap or coming up. And to top it off you can get the beer tasting, 4x 6oz beers for $8! But watch out for what you order because many of the beers are 7+% alcohol. Oh yeah, food! Had the chicken liver mousse - very good. Rich and smooth. And then the short rib sandwich with crispy fries sprinkled with fresh herbs. Fantastic! And great music playing! Thank you for a fabulous evening, Kraftwork!
(5)Pablo A.
My friends and I call it the tool bar. The acoustics are horrible, the food is only slightly better (the mushroom sandwich and Mediterranean plate are probably the only things worth ordering) and it is overpriced. The beer selection, of course, is solid, and they usually have a sour ale on tap, but with the Memphis Taproom so close why ever go to Kraftwork.
(2)Rich G.
I have been there 3 times, and will not really make the effort to go back on my own. They do have an excellent beer selection, but I cannot agree with all the people saying that the bartenders are all knowing. I have had to dinners there, and a bunch of other random things. All food I have had has been very good. Table servers and bus boys are great...mostly ppl from the neighborhood, and are very friendly. I cannot say the same for the bartenders. I was there this past Saturday for the Craft Brew express, and you would have thought they were caught by surprise. 2 bartenders for an overly packed place, it didnt make sense. This is certainly not a negative, but the place has been overly packed during all my visits....and hot as hell....even in the middle of winter.
(3)Tim P.
I've been stopping into Kraftwork since they opened, usually I just sit at the bar for a drink or two. When it comes to beer this place is amazing. They have 25 taps and offer their beers in half pints, pints or growlers. The growlers are very reasonably priced too. The selection usually includes one or two beers that I have never seen in Philly before and I try to keep up on these things. The cocktails are also all well thought out and rather good. The bartenders are all friendly and helpful with suggestions. I've sat at the tables only once or twice, the first time I had great service, the second time so-so. I usually don't eat here though, I feel there is too limited a selection of entrees and some are overpriced (the burger) or just not that amazing (BL Tuna). The chicken sandwich and the cabbage slaw are the exception though. They have a ton of small plate options though, perhaps that is just the theme the bar is going for. The desserts seem ok, though I did recently have a dessert special that was young's double chocolate stout waffles with mint chocolate chip ice cream. I really hope that becomes a regular menu item. I know I am in the minority here but I really don't like the garlic and herb fries. They are kind of soggy and I just don't like the herbs they used. So usually if I want a quick unhealthy snack I will go elsewhere but come here for a beer when I am done.
(4)Tori K.
I love the beer selection at Krafwork. It's always different. Don't get too attached to any one beer. If you go on Friday it may not be there Sunday but don't worry there will be something else delicious to replace it. The staff is friendly and helpful. I'm not really a fan of the table set up though. The tables are large and they will seat you with another group. I don't mind sitting next to strangers at a bar but something about sharing my dining experience with an unknown group makes me uncomfortable. Fortunately they do have a few high top tables that 2 to 4 people can comfortably share.
(4)Neil K.
I had been wanting to go here since it opened up a couple a months ago. It's kind of far from where I live in South Philly (meaning I can't walk) but it looked like a interesting place. I finally made the trek up there last weekend with a few friends and I was definitely impressed by the bar. The beer selection is one of the best I have seen in the city, the $8 flights are great for trying out a bunch of different brews. The food was really good as well...I got the shortrib sandwich. The staff was all really friendly too. I can't wait for my next trip up here.
(5)Philip S.
i am not a drinker at all ,,,,,but i heard the food at kraftwork was worth the trip ....wow , this was absolutely the best meal and night out i have had in awhile ,,,,,the cheese board was creative and rich ,,,amazing flavor pairings ,,,,,,,the salad was amazing , we both had pasta dishes ,and pierogies ,,,,the pasta was fresh and truly amazing , i think house made fresh ,,, the pierogies were to die for !!! i love the environment, and the food, and from what i can tell they have an amazing selection of beers from all over the world ,,,,,girard ave has come long way !!! i will be back to eat , definately !! the best part ,,,,,is we totally pigged out and try many many items , it was like a four course dinner ,,,and the bill was 58.oo ,,,,for two ,,,wow !!!!! 58.00 for the best meal i have had in awhile !!! i was super happy !!
(5)Gary L.
Went for dinner with a group of 4. Sat outside. Solid rotating beer selection. The beer taps had a larger assortment of higher abv beers (6% and up) than ligher beers. Our group ordered the Mediterranean Board to share, Lentil Salad, and Korean Tacos. All 3 were great with the tacos as the best. Most of the group ordered burgers for dinner, which were great. They use a dry-aged burger blend which was a nice touch. Go for the fried egg on top, it makes a difference. The french fries have a light garlic seasoning which was good. Overall a solid burger, and worth a visit.
(4)christina g.
We went to Kraftwork about a month ago. I really wanted to like it, but eh. Since it had only been open a week or two, we decided we'll give it another try in another month or so. We really enjoyed the decor and more communal seating. long tables and benches. I also enjoyed the uniquely styled menu. The food was overpriced and pretentious in tiny portions. They seemed a little vinegar happy too. The service was decent. Very little vegetarian fare. I had the smallest $10 salad evar! The falafel was pretty horrible. I'm told they use local and in season ingredients, so hopefully they change the menu up with something good. The beer on the other hand, was great as well as reasonably priced. They had a good amount of beer on tap. Plus there was a wide variety. One of our party decided to be brave and try the Pork Krispy Treat. STAY AWAY! It was hard as a rock and was basically just a plain rice krispy treat with bacon bits and chocolate on top. I told the waitress about it and she brought another one, which was equally rock-like. Then she brought Chocolate Terrine which was delicious. They were really nice about her disgust with the first dessert and didn't charge her for the krispy treat or the terrine. Basically, it's a decent place to have great beer, but eat before you go.
(3)J S.
Needed a good meal the day after one of the best shows ever-Roger Waters...1st time here n I had a superb Eggs Benedict...very attentive staff always keeping the water cup full and the server was very friendly and good...Bloody Mary was so so with just a mini hot pepper, pickle slices and a few olives...would of been nice if they had bacon and/or shrimp as well..also had an Irish coffee though without whip cream but it was strong and woke me up...will have to go back for the good beer selection n maybe dinner...solid place all around...nice layout
(5)Lily A.
Great beers. Great burgers (amazing, actually). Walking distance to the bar/music venue Johnny Brenda's. Great pre-concert dinner!!
(4)Roxanne J.
I have been to this place twice for brunch and twice for dinner/drinks, and loved it every time. At brunch it's chill, never too crowded, with awesome food and substantial but not overwhelming portions. A thousand times better than many of the other (more popular) breakfast places I've been in Fishtown and NoLibs, and their biscuits could take on the dry, brick-like ones served at Honey's any day of the week. In fact, the biscuits alone are reason to go. My friends also loved their breakfasts (both sweet and savory offerings), and we tend to be picky foodie types. It's a little more intense in the evening, because the tables (admittedly kind of uncomfortable) fill up and there isn't a lot of room to maneuver if you just want to hang and drink. But I've also found their dinner fare to be yummy. The pretzel bites leave you wanting more and I flipped over the eggplant parm sandwich that I had. Beer selection is yummy if a little pricey for the neighborhood. Overall, a place I'd like to get to more often and worth the trip. I don't often write reviews but I like this place enough that I thought it was worth the praise. Go!
(4)Christopher W.
I really really dug this place. Every aesthetic detail is paid attention to at this place, and its all brought together by a beautiful large Saw that hangs above the bar. You just want to like this place right when you walk through the door. I had a great cheese plate with my roommate and a burger that had to be in the top 3 I've had in Philly. The burger was cooked perfectly (which is seemingly hard to get these days) and topped with a poached egg that made the whole experience a messy, gooey, salty heaven. Im pretty sure I should have been pixelated so the kids around me couldn't see the faces I was making. I'll definitely be back to try more of this menu, and hopefully they'll hire a better bartendress by the next time I head here. A Definite Stop in Fishtown.
(4)Mike D.
It was funny walking into this bar with my dad in his old neighborhood; he kept on saying how much everything has changed. Well, this is a good place to come out of that change. After mixing it up with a few samplers, we ordered the burger and the beer can chicken sandwich. Although the fries were nothing special, my burger was better than expected.. I went with the blue cheese and caramelized onions. The burger was cooked a perfect medium and the bun was perfectly fluffy and light. Although I didn't get to try to beer can chicken sandwich, my pops gave it a thumbs up. The side of red cabbage and apple slaw was on point as well. Our first bartender lacked personality but luckily the girl who took over nailed it down. With this many beers (3 saisons too!) and two good sandwiches, this place is the new neighborhood spot.
(4)Katie B.
Excellent beer list with bartenders that really know what they are talking about and who make great recommendations! Besides the bar/restaurant being a bit small the atmosphere and decor are amazing - I have never had a meal hear that I didn't enjoy and I can't wait to go back to get one of the ever changing specials!
(4)Corey B.
Food = 4.5 Stars Beer Menu = 4.5 Stars Atmosphere = 4.5 Stars Service = 5 Stars GENIUS! If you like draft beer, you have to try Kraftwork. They have 25 beers on tap at all times, and have a really great selection. The food was pretty awesome.. I've been jonesing for a good burger, and Kraftwork's was excellent. My lady had the beer can sammich, which was also great. Here's a few suggestions based on what we ordered. Olive and Bacon Flatbread = It was a special, but it was amazing. I'd recommend getting it as an appy to share while you wait for.... The Burger = Really, really effin good. Try it with cheddar and bacon onion jam. That's right... bacon.onion.JAM. Beer Can Chicken Sandwich = Really good. It comes with this sweet slaw, and I usually abhor slaw, but grab some of that slaw, and throw it on the sandwich. Without the slaw, it is still good. With the slaw, its unearthly. Caramel Strawberry Desert = It was also on the specials menu, but my god it was amazing. Caramel + Strawberries + Mint + Sea Salt. OMGOMGOMG The atmosphere was pretty cool, everything had like a factory, schematic, tools and machinery theme. Daylight pours in from multiple directions, and the tables are nice and large for all the food and beer you will be consuming. Last but not least, our server was amazing. I'll be back.
(5)Brooke W.
So sadly, I've been back 2 more times and have to say now that although it's a great place to drink, I'd have to be really hungry to eat there again. I ordered the scallops special for $14 that was an entree and I was told that they are two huge scallops with asparagus and something else. Um, they were you average two scallops. There were maybe 4 half-sized stalks of asparagus. I'd rather pay $20 and get 4 scallops! And if they chinze on the scallops, you'd think you'd get a bunch of side stuff but no. And they were out of the two vegetarian appetizers so I had no options since I was still hungry. The next time I went I ordered the falafel sandwich and the cabbage and apple slaw. The falafel came on thick, good pita but the tahini was rather tasteless and the falafel was mushy. The pickled veggies on the side left a lot to be desired--I'm not sure pickled anything is a good side dish. The cabbage and apple slaw was also tasteless. I think I had one forkful and I sent the rest back. I tried some fries and they are called herbed something or other. As my friend remarked, they're all stubby fries. It looks like they went through the short side of the potato peeler so you can't really get a good grip on any of them. And some were undercooked. Some were fine. My other friend ordered a basket of them which was a steep $6...and she remarked it would be nice to pay $4 for half of them...since she got a 1/4 of the way through and they were all cold and clearly just too many fries even for a table of 4. So I better stick with the veggie board since I don't eat meat.
(3)S L.
Went for Sunday Brunch. 23 taps, not particularly Philadelphia biased. Had a couple beers I've never seen before on tap. Good printed beer list showing what's on and what's up and coming, as well as price and glass size. We had the breakfast sandwiches - they were good, but for $9.50 I'd expect a bit more than one slice of scrapple. Wife go her's with t-bacon and it was a generous portion. Specials sounded real good too. Very hipster - there were more neck-beards, thick glasses and iPhones than I've ever seen. Ambiance was a bit noisy. Service was top notch and VERY friendly. We will definitely be going back here.
(4)Sarah B.
This is by far my favorite place to eat dinner in Philadelphia (still haven't quite made it for brunch yet). The beer selection is great. There's always one or two basics that I recognize, but the wide selection (and ever changing list) have been a huge encouragement for me to try new beers. It helps that they let you sample first, like any true gastropub, and the flight of four is pretty nice as well. However, what brings me back, time and time again, is the vegetarian board. Goat cheese with truffle oil wrapped in potato, it's a solid foodgasm all by itself, then paired, with (usually) frisee in a nice light dressing and oven roasted tomatoes (which occasionally could stand to be cooked a little more, but are still fantastic) just takes the cake. I found I wasn't a huge fan of the pizza, but the steak they had the very next time I went for a special more than made up for it. The seasoned fries and the pirogies with apple chutney are also completely worth a try. Very much looking forward to taking the cheese board for a spin, but it's so hard to walk away from the truffled goat cheese. On a final note, I know a point of contention for a lot of people is that if you're a small group, it's not uncommon for you to be sat at a large table with another group. This sort of communal dining isn't for everyone. If that's not you, look to sit at the bar, or ask for a small table specifically (it may be a longer wait, but you'll probably enjoy your meal better). However, anytime I've gone and had this dining experience, it's been very pleasant (on one occasion we exchanged menu suggestions and conversed over what beers we'd each had that night, and both ended up ordering a bit of what the other group had ordered).
(5)Vanessa G.
This is my favorite place in the neighborhood to get a beer and something to eat. I love the fact that you can get a half pint of many of the beers. I don't love paying a little extra for the half pint, but it is not a deal breaker for me. I am always impressed with the beer selection. I have always been happy with the food here. Favorites are the beer can chicken, the burger, and the tasty pretzel bites. Yum! I am getting hungry thinking about it.
(5)Jes S.
Been wanting to go here forever... Things I loved: - Ummm, The beer clearly! So many tasty beers! Had tried to order The Older Viscosity, luckily the bartender asked if I wanted a sample first... Cuz it's 12.5%!! Clearly, I wasn't paying attn... Wheew... AND they have GROWLERS! Yay. - The food! I was there for brunch and got the Kraftwork Breakfast. Two eggs, toast with DELICIOUS homemade strawberry jam! , BACON! potatoes! -- I realize it is easy to make a simple breakfast delicious, but this was FANTASTIC!! - The service. Thank goodness for the bartender! I was not prepared to be trashy faced at 11am. Everyone was super helpful, knowledgeable and sweet. :) -The Decor! Very nicely done inside. VERY VERY Comfy stools. I could sit there all day. Things that I did not love, but did not hate either: - The fries were not memorable. :/ - Someone got the falafel sammich and was not pleased with the texture. :/ It wasn't bad, just not what he was expecting since the menu did say "take on a falafel sammich" 5 stars bc I'm rounding up from 4.5... I was blown away but the rest of the group was not so much. But the beer and everything else makes it a MUST GO AND TRY! :)
(5)Carolyn M.
Was brought here for the first time last week and really enjoyed it! I got the beer can sandwich with mixed greens and everything was very good. I was a little thrown off that it was a pulled chicken and not just a piece of grilled chicken (I typically don't really enjoy eatin shredded meat), but it worked nicely with the awesome bun they serve it on. They were serving the brunch menu, which was a little lacking, but I was happy with my selection. I love the look of the place, though a bit small if you're looking to come in to sit and eat (which I was doing). Exposed brick with some metal touches but very clean and well done. The service was great...the owner even came and took our plates for us when we were finished...he was very friendly. I also enjoyed a Walt Whit which was fresh, cold and delish. Oh, and I was a big fan of the bathrooms...I know it might sound silly but they can sometimes make or break a place for me! :-P Overall, it's definitely worth a visit. Careful what time you go though...the tables get crowded fast!
(4)Susan W.
Love it here have never had a bad meal, along with always great service.
(5)mnd d.
I have the good luck to live within walking distance of this beautiful little bar. I find myself there more often than I should, with friends wanting to try it out constantly when they're in the area, but I'm not complaining. The decor is an ongoing observational experience - it doesn't change, but it is so well incorporated that you notice something new every time. Saws, anvils, perfect craftsmanship of the bar, wrenches in the bathroom, exposed layers of different walls - it's perfect for someone like me who does a lot of looking around. I am also pleased that they only have two televisions in the place and they're not very distracting at all from the rest of the experience. The draught list is huge (25 in all, I believe) and there is absolutely something for everyone. I'm a huge fan of stouts and there is usually chocolate, coffee, milk, oatmeal or something of the like on the list. They do a lot of half-pints - a practice which more places should adopt. They also have their own Growler which is priced decently and you can get nearly every beer on the list to take home. The bottles used to be a gorgeous brown with the logo in white, but for some reason they changed to plain clear bottle that doesn't do the beer or the logo justice. The food is usually fantastic and the specials can be really interesting. The flatbread pizza is never a bad choice and the burgers are THE BEST I HAVE EVER HAD. I love trying burgers with good beer and Kraftwork has stolen my heart and my tastebuds. Their topping choices are great (4 different kinds of cheese, bacon, mushrooms, bacon onion jam, caramelized onions, fried egg, etc.) and the burger is always cooked to perfection. I hardly ever eat fries, but the ones here are ridiculously good. I have finished my entire plate of food nearly every time and I'm always the one going home with a doggie bag. The atmosphere is friendly & laid-back and all of the servers have their own style of doing things. It gets extremely busy after 7pm on weekends and the wait for a table gets to be over an hour sometimes. They do their best to seat everyone as quickly as possible but it's a small bar with a lot of fans - get there early for dinner! Be warned - unless you're with a group or sitting at the bar, you will be bench-seated next to strangers. It can sometimes be awkward, but the crowd is usually very cool.
(5)Jessica G.
I would call this genre of food "Sophisticated Fresh Bar Food." That is a good thing. I like to ask questions about the food I'm ordering if it is unfamiliar to me, just to get an idea of what a certain item's flavor palette is more than anything else. Some servers at some places react to this pretty rudely, which I can kind of understand I guess. But not those at Kraftwork. They know their food is different and they're very gracious about elaborating on it, probably because they are proud of and confident in their food.. and they should be. Everything I've had has been so yummy! They change the menu somewhat often because fresh, seasonal ingredients are very important to them. I'm really impressed by their beer list. It's quite extensive, but also, they go to the trouble to include a list of substitutions they can make if they are out of the beer you ordered. That is just a plain old good idea. Everything they do, they do very well. I find the decor very aesthetically pleasing, even down to the bathrooms. It's industrial-ish, but also, somehow pretty. And one of the best things is how broad their customer demographic is. I've seen all kinds of people here. Families, hipsters, yuppies, everyone is made to feel welcome and no one seems out of place.
(5)Christopher S.
This place is a great addition to the already fantastic beer geek scene in Philly. Twenty or so taps and the 8oz serving option kept me more than interested for a few hours. The bartender was knowledgeable without being pretentious. My only complaint, and this is a very small complaint, was that the Racer 5 on cask was far too cold. The food is definitly tasty; I enjoyed a nice burger. It's the beer that makes this place shine.
(5)Alex H.
There's really only one thing you have to say about this bar: a dozen high-quality craft beers are half-off from 10-12PM every Mon-Thurs. But the environment's decent and the crowd's nice, too. Pub food is good, the appetizers and munchies are great.
(5)Jeff M.
I wanted so bad to love this place. The idea of it seemed so great. But Kraftwork is the definition of hipster, seems really cool at first, then you realize it's trying soooo hard to try not to try so hard. The decor seems so cool, but then it becomes stark and uncomfortable, like sitting in the middle of an unfinished cafeteria. The menu is so unique, but the food is just not very good. Thought this would be a cool neighborhood spot...but cool neighborhood spots just are, without trying so hard to be.
(2)Joseph D.
At first I was put off by this place, and the only reason iI went there was for the beer selection. But every adjustment to the menu they made complements my interest in tasting things. At my last visit I had the truffled deviled eggs with and a BFM - biere de garde (on tap). The best thing about their beer menu is that it is accessible to all beer loving people; it provides the beer enthusiast with data necessary to hone onto the beer you desire. Go here to taste things!
(4)Joe B.
I went to Kraftwork sunday night to try their Donner Kabob. I had first been turned on to Donner Kabob at Brauhaus Schmitz, and have really gotten to like it. Unfortunately, Brauhaus Schmitz only serves this dish on weekends during the Bundesleague (sp?) soccer games on TV there. If you go after 6PM, you're SOL. A bartender there told me about Kraftwork, and informed me that they served Donner Kabob all the time. I really like the atmosphere at Kraftwork. Very unique and visually stimulating. As other reviewers here have noted, the staff was very friendly and helpful. The crowd seemed kind of young and white-collar, but everyone seemed cool. I ordered the Donner Kabob with French Fries as a side. The fries were amazing. I've never tasted fries as good as that. I asked the guy tending, and he informed me that they had fresh dried herbs on them. The Donner Kabob was OK, but not nearly as good as the ones at Brauhaus Schmitz. I wouldn't hesitate to come back here. The Donner Kabob might have been so so, but I would be more than willing to try other dishes here. The people were nice, the place seems clean and well managed, and the atmosphere there is awesome. It's a cool spot to stop for a bite to eat or have a drink and hang out.
(4)Sahra M.
LOVE the beer flights.. & the fact that they are constantly changing the list up.... i would love to see a little more by the way of veggie options... but overall thumbs up.
(4)Jack H.
I didn't dig it at first but after 7 Jamison doubles, it grow on me, my wife and I shared a bowl of roasted garlic French fries which were amazing, we just sat outside on a cool day watching the world go by,and after it was all said and done the bill wasn't bad
(4)Jon K.
Great food, amazing service, ridiculous beers. Pork croquettes with house-pickled onions were light and paired perfectly. Beer-can chicken sandwich and crispy pork on creamed corn (the latter may have been a special) were both winners. Desserts are solid, the chocolate terrine with sea salt was very good though. Great beer list with lots of wacky IPAs and sours.
(4)Matthew C.
We came here after recommendations from people who loved Royal Tavern. We weren't disappointed. I had the beer can chicken and the truffled Deviled Eggs. Which both were excellent! The atmosphere is great. You don't feel cramped. Plus they have an amazing selection of beers. If you love Royal Tavern or North on 3rd then you'll love this place.
(4)Abigail C.
Favorite bar and bartenders in our neighborhood. Love going in here on Sunday nights and having Tom describe the complex tastes and origins of the new brews.
(5)bill f.
good food and beer offering, only negative I have to say is the place is pretty small so seating a little too close together for me, but I would go back, def worth at least checking out
(3)Justin W.
Great beer selection. Nice two sided beer menu so when one tap runs out you get the next selection. They always have a sour ale or two on tap when I go. The food is decent but I go for the beer.
(4)Justin K.
A friend of mine told me I pretty much had to come here and try the Beer Can Chicken. So I did. And I was not disappointed. We pulled up to the bar and ordered a couple of Beers which the friendly bartenders were all too happy to answer any and all questions about. They weren't pushy with the beers either, they had suggestions if you asked for them, but otherwise they would serve them up as ordered. We ordered the Truffled Deviled Eggs as a starter, and they were quite tasty. Really great mustardy flavor! They also came with a nice pile of of what I can only assume is home made waffle chips and some beet salad, which we ignored, because beets frighten us thanks to Dwight Schrute. The big star though was my juicy and delicious Beer Can Chicken sandwich. They use PBR to marinate the chicken and serve it up on a nice brioche bun with sharp provolone (and long hots, but I opted out of them). The chicken is DELICIOUS! I'm pretty sure this is better than the traditional Philly Roast Pork. I would actually be interested to taste it with some Broccoli Rabe to truly compare, but the meat is so big and flavorful here that I fear it would be no contest. The plate also had about 50 metric tons of delicious thin cut fries on it. I was only able to eat about 40% of them before I threw in the towel. There was a kind of sweet mustard on the side as well which I put on my sandwich and used for my fries. It was kind of like a honey flavored mustard that was not honey mustard is the best way I can explain it. My buddy was also pleased with his Margherita Pizza, which he wished had a little more cheese on it, but otherwise was great. Go try this place, you cant beat it for the value, the beer selection, and the assorted crazy crap on the walls (giant saw, wrench, an anvil at the bar, etc etc.) make for an all around great atmosphere.
(5)damien t.
they always have a great beer list that has me pondering my selections for a good half hour or so. can be a bit pricey but you can get around that. no too hard. menu is solid pub grub. the short rib sandwich and korean tacos are my picks. the staff is laid back and they like their friends more than you but they don't slight you for it. my biggest gripe is the noise. it's an acoustic nightmare in there since it's so metallic and raw. every sound bounces around like a 15 year old at a gaga concert
(4)Travis T.
Being two blocks away, it confounds me that it took me so long to enter the doors. This place is a true diamond in the roughneck Fishtown. Amazing spread of beers to try and each dish was well executed. Short rib sandwich was excellent through and through. The duck confit was cooked perfectly. I guess I could be a critical of the slaw, but even that was satisfying. Their genre of food has completely won me over. It's a lot of hearty, stuff-your-face, beer swillin' food-- and yet refined enough to still excite your palette. Some of the other bar/restaurants in the area are starting to feel worn out. With the exception of Standard Tap, there has been a recent surge of slip-ups; whether it's unwashed clams, forgotten orders, cold food, or horrific service. Kraftwork has yet to disappoint. Keep it coming Fishtown.
(5)Er B.
I am sitting at the bar as I write this. They are nine days since opening and I am in heaven. 25 beers on tap and an audience of folks ranging from ten months to sixty years. I NEVER got to a place so soon after opening bc I like to see a place with their A game. Kraftwork is on their A game and have pleased me mightily. We enjoyed some of our favorite styles of beer (me: imperial stout; him: ipa). Along with the vegetable platter. The Faux Gras was so.damn.good. I also have to respect the place b/c they only have 5 or 6 liquors behind the bar and make some solid traditional mixed beverages. The staff also seems to help each other out, with all asking if we needed a refill or how our dish was (without being overbearing). I am also impressed with the cross section of diners/drinkers here. You have families, neighborhood residents, suburbanites (like me); all various ages represented, too. Oh yes, I'll be back and it makes the trek from Chester County to Fishtown worth it completely. **ps: this was drafted on Sunday, while sitting at Kraftwork, but not posted until later, mid-week**
(5)melissa h.
Great beer selection, food, staff, vibe and neighborhood. only downside.... which, i know, it's probably silly to you:: the placement of the 2 televisions. they seem like an afterthought to me. unless you are at the bar, they are very tough to see. i guess i would just rather them not be there. it is torturous to know that the phillies are playing but that you can't actually see the game from your seat. : / much love anyway. : )
(5)Leila G.
Livity fridays with rob paine and solomonic sound paired with joy and food and beer and great company and..and...and...
(4)Danie G.
Was a big fan of Sidecar in Grad Hospital but then moved out of the neighborhood so was delighted to hear that they were opening a new place in Fishtown, closer to my new place. Wow, what an impressive place they have put together. It's worth going, just to check out the decor. Whoever designed and crafted the giant metal saw above the board, the lights, and the furniture did a really great job. The beer list is extensive, intriguing, and apparently changes quite a bit. And unlike Sidecar, the menu makes it really easy to tell what they have on tap and what type of glass it comes in. For most of the pints, you can always order a half-pint (pub glass) for 25c more than half price. They also have a flight option so that you can try 4 different beers. For wine and cocktail drinkers, they also have you covered with some excellent selections. The menu is about perfect for a place like this. Cheese boards to keep it interesting, great sandwiches to keep everyone happy, and kickass fries to round everything out. Our service was definitely slow, but friendly, and all and all it was a great experience.
(4)Chris S.
Had our Christmas party there. Food and service where great! Only draw back it the tables are bolted to the floor, so the place is not really good for parties of 8 or more that want to sit together.
(4)Bill C.
I took my parents and we had a lovely snacky dinner with drinks and hard-to-find-anything-wrong-with service. Knowledgeable, caring, attentive, friendly, etc. I just went back for more of that crack-like chicken liver mousse and had the pork croquettes. That honey-mustard! So good. The decor, the vibe, the menu, the vast beer selection, all stellar. Good work, folks.
(5)Retset Y.
I would like Kraftwork so much more if the food prices were justified. However, their tap list is out of control. The food isn't bad but not wonderful either.
(3)John K.
I was pretty excited when I heard about this place opening. Finally had the chance to go Friday night 2 weeks ago. Beer list was excellent in my opinion, but a bit pricey for a few brews. Seven dollars for five ounce goblet of Hitachino nest... it is hard to find, so maybe I'm wrong. The local stuff was reasonable, but I loathe that they have PBR as an option. The food menu was a bit underwelming and overpriced. I wouldn't call it a pretentious menu, I just feel that the combinations haven't been quite fine tuned yet. The burger was tasty but maybe not twelve bucks tasty. The mussels in beer broth were forgettable. Service was good and we didn't have to wait long for a table. Nice decor throughout.
(4)Jennifer S.
You hear the hype about Philly being one of the best beer towns in America. I haven't lived in all that many towns, but I'm beginning to believe it's true. Thanks to wonderful establishments like Kraftwork, Devils Den, the Royal, the new Khyber, the Foodery and Hawthornes ( i could go on...) exotic, creative, fresh, tasty microbrews and craft beers are now expected and readily available. Philadelphians beware! Do not take these wonderful beer establishments for granted! remember how lucky we are... I'll drink to that!! Now back to Kraftwork. I've been there twice.... the first time, I had beer for dinner. I was on my own, tired after a tough Sunday at work, waiting for the Eagles game to come on. I stopped in on my way home... sat at the bar, definitely a great place for people watching and chatting up the bartenders. I had a few little tastes of some Pumking, a japanese buckwheat beer, and a red. Ended up ordering a couple pints and left with a nice shine on the world. My second time back was with a friend and fellow beer-drinker from work. This time we did a flight of four, times two... If you are a sampler like me this is the way to go. Our choices ranged from dark amber to black. The standout for me included the Rauchbier, ("smoke beer" in German.) We dubbed this one "bacon beer". Sounds a little gross, but don't knock it till you try it. It was actually delicious, in my mind perfect for apres-ski in front of a fire. Being mostly veg, it's as close to bacon as i'll get these days. For food, I had some yummy mussels and fries... I hear the burger is great... but food is really like a bonus here. Only improvement I would make: I'd like to see the locations where the beer is from listed on the menu. It is fun to see how many brewery locales that you can name, but still... I like to know that stuff. Also loved it how you can see what beer they are tapping next. I was disappointed to miss the Rogue Hazelnut, but like so many friends have told me, there are plenty of other fish in the sea.
(4)Kelley W.
can't beat the beer can chicken sandwich. this place is very close to my house so my boyfriend and i will just stop in for a quick bite or a nice brew. I love the atmosphere, he loves the t.v. I also tend to run into some friendly faces both behind and in front of the bar.
(4)Ian d.
Great beer selection. Tasty food. The fois gras meatloaf is a must try. Juicy burgers and clever cheese plate. Just make sure to skip the mussels. Kinda bland. servers are friendly and attentive.
(5)Kirk B.
I don't particularly enjoy the ambience of this bar, nor would I see myself frequenting it often if it weren't for the amazing food and non-stop great beer selection,. It's so good, and everything I've gotten here is absolutely delicious. I would choose Kraftwerk's "pub food" over just about any higher priced restaurant in the city just as a go to for food that never disappoints.
(5)Michelle C.
Kraftwork is Sidecar's Northern sibling. The beer list is great, and you can see what's on deck after any particular keg is kicked. The look of the bar is industrial and a lot of the materials were salvaged and re-used, which makes for a cool space. We stopped by for some beers and a bite on a Sunday afternoon. The bartender was nice enough to let us sample a couple different beers while we made our decisions. We shared the beer can chicken sandwich, which was pretty tasty. The bun is really big and it's easier to just eat the thing open-faced. The fries that came with were delish and especially good with the mustard dipping sauce. The parmesan truffle popcorn was a bit of a let-down. Definitely not as good as the version at Royal. But probably a lot healthier. I wouldn't go out of my way for Kraftwork, and that's probably because I'm lucky enough to have Sidecar around the corner from my apartment. But when in Fishtown, it's a solid choice.
(3)Joey B.
The problem with living in the heart of Northern Liberties is I don't have to walk more than a block and a half to at least 5 different amazing bar/restaurants. There's another 10 respectable spots within 5 blocks of home. Because of this fortune, my lady and I rarely get out of our immediate area for eats. After years of rave reviews from friends and family, my lady and I made the trek over into Fishtown to check out Kraftwork at long last this past Saturday night. We arrived around 7pm to a packed bar, and due to this and the fact that half the tables in the joint are picnic bench style seating we wound up "sharing" a table with a group of 3 people we did not know. This type of seating works great for groups, not so much for couples. While slightly weird at first this turned out to not be an issue for us as we were distracted by the great service, food and drink. I would have been fine with eating at the bar but there was not a single stool available there either. The good news is, this is one of only two gripes with our entire experience at Kraftwork (the other being mostly Gin-based drinks taking up real estate on their specialty cocktail menu. Gross). I don't remember our servers name but he was very friendly, attentive yet not overbearing, explained all the specials in detail, and apologized profusely when a beer my wife ordered was out. No biggie, the draft list is extensive and wide ranging. In fact, I tried a flight for my second round so I got to sample 5 different beers throughout dinner. For food, I got their much buzzed about burger with cheddar and bacon, pickles and lettuce, and a side of garlic fries. Both were cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious. The type of food that makes you regret not trying a place out sooner. The other half, a picky eater most of the time, had the short rib sandwich and raved about it the entire time she was eating, vowing to come back as soon as possible. One thing we noticed is that not only did our food arrive at our table with an almost unreal speed, so did all the tables around us. The staff does a fine job of getting you in, filling your belly with all kinds of deliciousness, and getting you out the door. I'll definitely be back sooner than later.
(4)Mazhar T.
Easily the best spot in Fishtown. Everything on the menu is delicious, fresh, and a relative bargain. As many other Yelpers have pointed out, the service and their rotating list are among the best in all of Philadelphia. Just thinking about Kraftwork makes me wish I were there right now!
(5)Eva D.
So this is my story. I was laying in bed reminiscing about Kraftwork's fantastic french onion spare rib sandwich that I practically drooled all over my pillow covers. I thought "Hey, I should go back to Fishtown and get it". I was craving it that much. Went to see how much airline fare was and tickets to Philadelphia was about $250 round trip. Done. Booked. I'm on the next flight out and I am going to make a vacation out of it. Took the train and subway to Fishtown after getting off the plane and went straight to Kraftwork. I have been craving this sandwich for months and I went to the extreme just to come back here again to get it. It is THAT good. Not to mention their featured specials like the watermelon salad. It is EXCELLENT. I went to Barcade after having dinner at Kraftwork. Got a couple of drinks in me and demanded that my friend and I walk back to Kraftwork for their salad. Worth it. Their falafel wrap is really great too. I love the combination of pickled veggies with everything else stuffed in this gigantic wrap. You bearded men in Fishtown really know how to make a Southern gal come back for more! ;)
(5)Jordan S.
Great decor and environment for drinks but the food is really lacking. I'd come here to hang out any night still but only if I ate beforehand. The food is very over priced and just not that exciting. Greasy, sloppy food. Perhaps it would taste better at half the price. I really want to like the place as the ambiance is so great but I just cannot get over the ridiculous prices.
(3)James G.
Great beer selection and service.. We will def be back soon!
(4)Rachel S.
I'm a huge fan of Kraftwork. The husband and I stalked the place from the moment we saw the orange permit posted in the window and couldn't wait until it opened We frequent the place together and sometimes solo b/c it's that's good and welcoming. I love the atmosphere, the bartenders and the beer selection. It's within walking distance to our house and I love that it has joined the neighborhood. My favorite spot is at the bar - it's 3 sided which wins big stars from me. They have a couple of flatscreens which are usually showing a football or basketball game, but they are not the main focus at this bar. The menu is growing on me - I would like to see more of a selection. I tried the Duck Confit Salad for the first time the other night and was completely won over! You must get it with the poached egg on top. The fries are very good and come with a whole grain mustard dipping sauce but I'm ready for something new to dip those rosemary fries in - some type of aioli? Flatbread Pizza is decent, cheese plate is outstanding. Liver Mousse was on special one night and it was divine. We needed more flatbread b/c the liver to flatbread ratio was off. We were charged for the flatbread which I thought was a little weak. As many people have mentioned in their reviews, the beer selection is outstanding. And I love that they offer most beers in an 8oz pub, 10oz goblet, 16oz pint and 64oz growler to go. I tend to frequent Kraftwork about 5 times a month. So glad you are my neighbor!
(4)Jenny S.
Had an amazing brunch there this past Sunday. Bloodies, iced maple bourbon coffee, eggs Benedict, and the croque were what we chose. We were definitely not disappointed! I would highly suggest this place if your looking for a new brunch spot. Portions were great and the detail of the menu makes this place so exciting to eat at.
(5)Heather F.
I had lunch with a friend at Kraftwork today and everything was delicious as always. I live very close so this was not my first time at Kraftwork. The beer selection is very diverse. I ALWAYS get the French onion short rib sandwich. It tastes like French onion soup on a bun. The ciabatta bun provides the sandwich with a great amount of crunch and the herbed fries are a great side. Everyone is super friendly and knowledgeable about the beer and food selections. Definitely a great place to take friends or family for a night out or a sit down dinner.
(5)Jen M.
Great beer selection but the pierogies and pork belly sandwich are must tries. I'll be back for those!
(5)Karen S.
The food was excellent. I had a Bahn Mi sandwich with pork belly and the flavor was excellent, the bread perfectly toasted (and fresh) and the ratio of protein to produce was spot on. We also ordered the deviled eggs as a starter. They served not just the eggs, but also gave a nice amount of pickled radish and beet as well as homemade potato chips. The place looks a bit unassuming for a foodie lunch so don't be fooled. We wound up with a very comfortable and enjoyable lunch meeting and the staff was very accommodating to our needs.
(5)Jessie A.
I like Kraft works interior, the whole industrialized look. The food is really good also. All the good things about this spot gets ruined by poor customer service.
(3)Katie A.
Go for happy hour! JUST DO IT. 1/2 off twelve of the beers on their very extensive beer list, Mon thru Thurs, 10pm - midnight. You can drink five craft beers for less than $15?! Did I mention that I love late night happy hours? They are the best. And the food! What else can I say? It's pretty awesome too. I am IN LOVE with the mussels!
(5)Arod M.
Needed to write a review about Kraftwork and what is, in my opinion, the burger to beat in Fishtown. When Kraftwork first opened, I thought the beer selection was excellent and that the food was passable pub fare dressed up as fancier than it was. Not bad, but in need of improvement to be a food destination and not just a beer oasis. I'm happy to say that in time, the food grew to match the gorgeous interior design and wonderful beer menu. Always great eats, specials, and as I said, the burger to beat. People usually rave about Sketch burger, but I found it to be overrated and pricey (about $9 without fries is a bit much). Kraftwork's burger is thick, juicy, chocked full of flavor, and like most places, includes fries (or a salad if you're gonna be like that). But the true fun of a Kraftwork burger is the choice of toppings. I cannot recommend enough their bacon red onion marmalade. Once you taste it on your burger, you will be forever hooked. It is so good that I searched around and found a comparable recipe for it and now make it myself for when I'm grilling burgers. Huzzah to great beer and great food!
(5)Lauren S.
My mission to hit the 2012 top 50 bars in 2013 brought me to Kraftwork which was awesome. Loved the circular/u shaped bar. The beer list was fabulous, although I always fine the what's on tap next list to be a bit of a tease since I always seem to want something on it. I split one of the flat bread specials of the day and Wild Mushroom Baguette with my friend and we were so glad we shared so we could tastes more of there awesome food. I've been meaning to get back here and keep passing on the way home from the gym so I know I will at some point. I just wish it was closer to wear I live cause I'd defiantly frequent it more it if was.
(5)Paige C.
I thought I had carefully done my research to ensure that my 100th review as a Yelper would be a solid 5...oh well :( This place has all the ingredients I usually require to love a place. Great/extensive beer list? Check. Interesting Menu? Check. Cool vibe? Check. Good service? Check. But somehow they lack the little extra oomph that would make me want to come back. We were there around 1:30 and I was really pumped to try out some of their sandwiches but I was told they only serve brunch until 3. Total bummer, but whatever. The waitress recommended the special ratatouille eggs benedict on puff pastry. I sounded like it should be awesome but it was an incredibly small serving size. Not quite sure where they found chickens to lay such small eggs. Additionally the puff pastry was cracker sized and literally had no puff. A couple pieces of zucchini does not really qualify it as ratatouille either. My husband had the burger which was good and cooked well but once again nothing really about it was amazing. Yes, the beer was awesome. But it was hella expensive. I have never paid $9.00 for a goblet of beer in my life until here. Philly has such an extensive beer scene that I don't know if anything about this place will bring me back.
(2)Peter S.
Solid gastropub. Cool vibe good service nice beer selection interesting sandwiches. The banh mi and French onion short rib sandwiches were both great. The soft pretzel bites were good enough but not classic (think auntie ann). Curious to explore the rest of the menu.
(4)Andi S.
I have eaten here at least a dozen times and have never had a bad meal. I love that they use fresh, whole food ingredients in thier food preparations. They know how to add flavor without going overboard and they do get creative. The ambiance is always fantastic, more eateries and imbiberies need to take lessons from whomever is in charge of the tunes at Kraftwork. I really appreciate the industrial supplies used as door handles, automotive side-view mirrors as bathroom mirrors and other industrial effects as lighting. Thier cider list is IMPRESSIVE. If you are a fan of cider, excellent food and tunes, go to Kraftwork. They also have a few wines wines and a lot of beers.
(5)Lisa L.
Crowded on the weekends but great place to catch a beer and burger. The growlers are a bit pricey to carry out but I loved the selection. I will definitely be going back here, especially since it's right around the corner.
(4)Scott N.
Been here about 4 times and never really had a meal that was great. Not really even good. Bloodys are too spicy. Meals look ok but not that good. Beer is great so I guess it's a great place to drink only!
(1)Valentina D.
We were starving after a not so good brunch earlier today, so we stopped in for drinks and snacks. We got the deviled eggs, the Korean pork tacos, the pierogies, and the fries. The portion of fries was huge for a side order. The deviled eggs also were a good sized portion. They were my favorite of what I ordered. The Korean pork tacos were on the mild-medium side of spicy. I liked them, but my girlfriend wanted more heat. She really liked the pierogies, but I wasn't a huge fan. A few too many chives for my liking and not enough other flavor. Good beer list, great decor, and a really delicious looking set of hand-crafted cocktails. Bonus, decent music but not too loud. I wouldn't hesitate to return here.
(5)Nichola L.
Kraftwork's late night happy hour is a must! They have a massive beer menu, and from 10 to midnight, select beers are half off. You can get a pint of awesome beer for under three bucks, and I would suggest accompanying your drinks with their french fries, which are out of this world. The rest of their food menu is a little pricy, but I have heard good things about it from others.
(5)Amanda G.
Don't take my three star rating the wrong way - there were plenty of good things about Kraftwork, but I think OVERALL it was a three-star experience. My husband, on the other hand, insists it was 5 stars. Food (3 stars): -The pierogies were good, but I just prefer mine with lots of caramelized onions and sour cream. The apple chutney and chive crème fraiche was a little too sweet for my taste. -My man got the burger, and it came out just how he ordered it. He liked it, I liked it, it was a good, solid, burger. -I got the French onion short rib sandwich. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't really much gruyere on it and that the horseradish sauce wasn't spicier, but overall it was a decent sandwich. Libations (4 stars): -I don't drink beer, but they had hard cider, so I was happy about that. -My husband got a few beers and really enjoyed them. He wants to go back to try more, and tells me that the selection is quite impressive. Ambiance (3 stars): -The decor in Kraftwork is interesting. I like the brick walls and the giant saw. It's creative. -I do NOT like the noise level. Yes, we were there on a Friday night, but it was SOOOOOOOOOOOO loud!! I couldn't have a conversation without shouting. -The seating. Yes, it's shared seating, and I just am not a fan of that. At first I thought our experience would differ from the norm for us and we'd be seated next to some polite/non-irritating people, but that didn't last long because after they left we were seated next to a man who had obviously been to the restaurant before and thought this qualified him to lecture the couple he was with about what to get, what the food comes with, what you can substitude for what, etc. etc. Dude, SHUT UP!! Let them decide! Service (5 stars): -It's not possible for me to exaggerate how good the service was here. We were greeted right away, seated right away, drinks came out right away, our plates were cleared right away, our water glasses were filled right away, etc. Our server (Jamie) was attentive without being overbearing or trying too hard to earn a tip by being artificial. Seriously, service was amazing. I would probably go back to Kraftwork at an off-peak time to avoid the loud noise level and having to sit next to someone irritating.
(3)Mary M.
Finally tried Kraftwork for brunch and I'm kicking myself for not checking it out sooner! I had the blue cheese quiche (quiche of the day) and was very happy with the subtly of flavor in regards to the blue cheese they used. I also had the Green Tea Cooler, a cocktail made with St Germain which was very tasty. My fiance had the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit as recommended by our server. It was HUGE and the biscuit was so good. His hash browns were uber-crispy which I love. We will definitely be coming back!
(4)Rafael D.
Delicious food, great service and outstanding beer. It can get a little loud in the restaurant for my taste, but everything else balances it out.
(4)Walter K.
Just got back from lunch at Kraftwork. I'm impressed with this place. It's a small bar at the east end of Girard Ave. It boasts 24 taps. Stepping inside, there is a great, U shaped bar in the center of the space. The decor is modern/industrial, with a lot of exposed brick and metal work. There's several tables around as well; it's a good size without trying to be humongous. I really like the space. It's not really fair to review a spot only a few days after it opens, but I'm going to do so anyways. When I first saw the menu and taplist, I was pessimistic. I thought, "With 24 taps, you should have high quality beer on each one." After visiting, however, I've changed my mind. Kraftwork doesn't have any bottled beer, so the tap list is aimed to have something to please every taste (or lack thereof). The older guys across from me, after trying several different craft beers and then ordering PBR, confirmed this. I really like how the menu is set up. The 24 taps are listed, and next to them is the beer that will replace each one on tap. That's a whopping 48 beers on tap or on deck. Although there are a lot of repeats, it's still impressive. Depending on the beer, pours are served in a goblet, pint, or half-pint. Many of the beers can be filled in a growler for a reasonable price. It was quite busy while we ate. There was one bartender and one food runner, and both of these girls were overworked and still managed to provide excellent service. Before it got too crowded, Dan and I were offered several samples of beers on tap while we deliberated. I ended up drinking Southern Tier Hoppe and Bell's Consecrator. The menu here is kind of small. I'm not sure if it will expand with time, or if they will continue to offer a small selection of solid food. I find that the cheeseburger is an excellent way to judge an entire menu. I ordered a medium rare burger with aged cheddar, lettuce, pickles, and caramelized onions. It was served on a great role and with thin, crispy fries tossed with rosemary. All of the food here is high qaulity, and everything was tasty. The patty is loose packed, good tasting meat. Dan ordered soup and I tried it: creme of mushroom. The mushrooms were pureed, giving the soup a creamy taste and smooth consistency. It was a unique take on a standard soup. Bottom Line: I like this space, I like competition for Johnny Brenda's, and I expect this location to have a lot of good beers on tap. It won't likely be a regular lunch or dinner spot for me, but the beer, atmosphere and service are enough to keep me visiting. I'm also looking forward to having brunch here.
(4)Liz L.
Nice relaxed place to enjoy a bite to eat and a couple beers. The beer menu is perfect in my opinion, nice selection without being overwhelming. Our bartender, Lizzy, was friendly, helpful and attentive. A number of people seemed to be enjoying themselves, but you could still comfortably hold a conversation. Nice place to relax.
(4)Sean C.
Great food and beer selection. I have been going to the sister restaurant Sidecar for years and was thrilled to hear about this spot when I moved to Fishtown. Try the French onion short rib sandwich. It's incredible
(5)Adam R.
Great little neighborhood spot! 20-30 craft beers on tap that are constantly rotating. I love how the beer menu has what's on deck once that keg kicks. You always know well in advance what craft beer is next in line. The employees here have always been super friendly. They'll let you sample drinks, and if you're unsure what your in the mood for they'll take time to talk you through it. Rebecca (dreads) is supa supa friendly, and knowledgeable. When it comes to the food, I find myself creating the "heart attack" burger fairly regularly, that is assuming I am not there for brunch, which is also always superb. They give you the option to build your own burger as you see fit, I tend to go with, bacon, carmelized onions, aged cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and aioli....soooooo bad for you but soooooo good! I am yet to be disappointed with this place!
(4)Neil S.
Kraftwork comes from the same folks as Sidecar in G-Ho, which means excellent brunch, above-average gastropub fare, and one of the best curated tap lists in the city. Adam, the friendly owner, will best help you select a brew of your liking, but the rest of the staff are knowledgeable as well. I dig Kraftwork's more open, industrial, communal aesthetic with long tables, a big center bar, and metal accents everywhere. Brunch is on point (and with a sub five minute wait during peak Saturday hours); the fluffy, buttery biscuits and not-excessively-rich gravy hits the spot with a perfect portion and deft seasoning. The tofu scramble misses the mark with watery cubes of tofu but redeems itself with very tasty veggies and crispy potatoes. Dinner doesn't fare quite as well. My Kraftwork burger was cooked past my desired medium rare, though still had a decent amount of juice and a tasty, dry-aged beef funk. Long hots, though scantly portioned, are a delicious sweet and spicy topping. Fries are crispy, garlicky, and addictive with a dijon dipping sauce. The falafel's house made wrap and condiments taste great, but the dry, mealy fritters kill an otherwise enjoyable sandwich. For now, I think of Kraftwork as a brunch destination rather than a dinner option, but regardless its blend of great service, atmosphere, and kick-ass beers have won me over.
(4)Natalie C.
" I never had a drink I didn't like" should be my quote to describe my hundreds of experiences at Kraftworks. Food is amazing. They have a wide range of things. ALWAYS get something off the specials. Great beer and cocktails list. Get one of those boards to share. Service is always awesome. Oh, get some beer cheese and pretzel balls. and dessert ! no matter what it is, get the dessert!
(5)Michelle C.
I moved to California right before one of my good friends broke his veganism. Now, call me a sadist if you must, but little gives me as much joy as watching an ex-vegetarian tear into a burger. So we made a date for a red meat feast while I visited over Thanksgiving. We started the meal off with my first raw oyster experience and, let me tell you, it was life changing. We made it in time for the last of the coffee from the brunch carafe, and after a cup just in time for our burgers, we ordered a round of beer. It was over a month ago, so I don't remember what I ended up ordering but I do remember the waitress steered me towards a beer that I really enjoyed. Kraftwork embodies everything that I love and miss about Philly. My kingdom for a South Bay gastropub.
(4)Mike E.
This end of Girard is a real f##king schlep for me, but after last night's dinner I may have to come up with more excuses to head out here. Great beer menu, in terms of breadth, quality and price, as every single other reviewer here has surely noted. And I was expecting that when I showed up. But the food? That was a nice surprise. And very generous portions... especially if you order based on typical 'gastropub' serving sizes, and especially if you were fool enough to go there for dinner after a relatively late lunch. I got the Korean BBQ tacos, expecting a trio of tiny tortillas lightly sprinkled with meat and veggies. Instead, I got two hu-normous bundles overflowing with spicy-sweet porky deliciousness. Mmm. That, plus the mound of pretzel bites (surprisingly addictive), left little room for the Mediterranean platter my gf and I planned to share as the 'main event'. That's ok, because it packed up well and was the least interesting part of the overall meal - still tasty, but not as good as the other courses, which literally overrode the fullness commands being frantically issued by the primitive reptile segment of my brain and compelled me to keep cramming food in my gullet well after my appetite had been pacified. Guess I can expect to be taking quite a few more long, icy walks before winter is through...
(5)Oleg B.
Always love the beer and food specials here. The late night happy hour is definitely great and is one of the first late night happy hours in the neighborhood. The cheese board is always a treat! This is my choice bar in the neighborhood.
(5)Llana C.
I've never had a bad meal, beer, or interaction at Kraftwork. I live down the street from the bar and it's my go-to at any given time, but especially when I have friends visiting from out of town. The beer selection is always nothing short of impressive; definitely something for everyone and they keep up with the seasons in a non-obvious way. The food is consistently delicious. The service is friendly and casual, but prompt and professional at the same time. Kraftwork gets it right. Noteworthy menu items: - THE PEROGIES. I come from a Polish family and these are up there at the top of my list. Served with an apple chutney that is fantastic and a chive sour cream that compliments every flavor, you cannot go wrong. - the Falafel sandwich is not like traditional double fried Philly falafel... it's light and filling, and without all the grease South Street dumps on theirs. - French Onion Short Rib sandwich is phenomenal every time. Also... you can never go wrong with the burger (I like gruyere cheese and caramelized onions) and the pretzel bites. *** I always order half salad, half fries. It's the perfect combination. My only complaints: I wish they would have a better main course salad selection!!! Also, I would like the website/fb page updated with daily specials. Other than that, Kraftwork is by far my favorite spot to grab a beer and a bite to eat!
(5)Elise K.
We came here for the first time with a friend from Fishtown who absolutely loves it here, so we had really high expectations. Fishtown friend has quite a discerning palate both in the beer and food departments, and the beer at Kraftwork was dead on. They have a ridiculously huge selection of drafts and a wonderfully informative menu like the best beer bars in Philly do now. Service was knowledgeable and friendly without any hipster 'tude (despite the plaid and beards). We snacked on a few things while drinking our beers - it was fall, so they had a few autumn-themed specials. The pretzel bites off the regular menu came highly recommended and were a huge hit - chewy (in a good way), salty and served with a homemade cheese sauce for dipping. The "special" items, a sweet+salty specialty popcorn and some spiced apple mini donuts, were pretty disappointing - the popcorn was chewy (in a bad way), like it was stale but it was probably more likely just over cooked in whatever sticky coating it was served in, and the donuts were overly sweet with a too-thick glaze/frosting. Food everywhere around us looked mouthwatering, and Fishtown friend swears the specials were a fluke. I believe him, and we will be back for sure. It's a great place for a marathon beer day or a Sunday Funday (brunch!), and I'm looking forward to trying some other of the tasty looking menu items (but will probably stick to the savory and stay away from the sweet).
(3)David R.
5 stars isn't enough for this place. I can't count how many times of been here in the past year or so, but this place is by far my favorite spot to come to. Whether I'm there for some great beer or amazing good, Kraftwork has never let me down. I've tried almost everything on their menu and everything is spot on. The one thing I find myself eating almost everytime is their Beer Can Chicken Sandwich...absolutely amazing! I always put hot sauce in it and it's absolutely perfect. My mouth is watering just from writing this review. Their burgers are also great. I think it goes toe-to-toe with Village Whiskey (yeah I said it). Service is always superb and eventhough the crowd is generally hipster's...everyone just seems to get along there. I honestly can't say enough about this place! Cheers to Kraftwork! P.S. The only thing this place needs on their menu (I'm kind of glad they don't, because I would probably eat there every night) is WINGS! I think that would put you guys way over the top! Keep up the great work guys!
(5)Sara K.
CANNOT STOP EATING THE EGGS BENEDICT. I get brunch here like, every weekend. Beer is awesome. Drinks are awesome. I wish the fries were crispier :'( I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could, only because it's sometimes way too crowded and they don't let you sit if your whole party isn't present (I guess that's fair) so then you have to wait and stand in the back with a drink which is kinda awk. But Kraftwork kills it with the outside seating in the summer, I love it.
(4)Dee J.
There was major buildup for a year ago from friends that talked about how great this place is. Being a foodie, I kept it on my short list of places in Fishtown that I needed to try. I must say it was somewhat of a letdown. The charcuterie board was good, but one can't really go wrong with cured meats and cheeses. I ordered a few items on the menu while there. The pork taco's were lack luster, the salad with beets & goat cheese - just okay. The burger was good, but didn't knock my socks off. Like I said before there was a big build up to how good this place was. I personally prefer the Girard Gastropub down the street. While smaller, the food is prepared much better, and the raw oyster bar is a great deal during happy hour.
(3)Amanda S.
I've only been here a handful of times but it never seems to disappoint. The last time I went was on First Friday of this month. As expected, it was busy. Thankfully we didn't have to wait for a seat. Our server came over and provided us with menus and asked if we'd like something to drink. I had a hard time deciding because there were a number of great choices. Finally I decided on the Mikkeller It's Alive! Great choice, btw. As far as food goes both my friend and I got burgers. I got mine medium rare with cheddar and blue cheese, bacon and grilled onions. Typically when I go out and request a burger cooked medium rare it comes out more medium than medium rare. Kraftwork nailed it though. It was perfect. Our server came around several times to refill our water glasses and check up on us. My friend and I debated on whether we'd stay for another beer or continue on our way. In the end we decided to leave. All in all I can say that I've never had a bad experience here. The food is great, the beer selection is legit and the people who work there are all friendly and knowledgeable. Great bar.
(4)James D.
Was in here on Saturday Night. Great selection of beer, the bartenders were nice enough to recommend some of their favorites. Not a huge crowd, didn't try anything on the menu. A cool place to enjoy a beer and conversation. Def will be back.
(4)Mike M.
Really was a good burger, pretty reasonable price for the tastiness of the food and value of service.
(4)Clint F.
Dirty. Slow service that acted as though they were doing you a favor by waiting on you. Food mediocre at best. Plenty of better places nearby.
(1)Christine H.
We decided to go there because the kitchen was open until 1 on a Thursday night. Once there we found out about their late night happy hour (10-12) on Thursdays I believe. A pint of their select beers was 1/2 price. Excellent selection of beers. I ordered the falafel wrap and it was one of the better falafel concoctions I've had. The fries and dip were fresh and delicious. Our service was excellent. A good first experience & well definitely be returning. 32$ well worth spent
(5)Veronica T.
Cheese and meat platter are great. Beer selection is as well. Try a sampler. Nice atmosphere more for dinner than to hangout.
(4)Vania V.
All i can say is the staff was very friendly, especially when the found out that we came in all the way from Jersey. We had seen this restaurant on DDD. We like to go to some local DDDs we see on there. As expected the food was also good especially the deviled eggs one of my faves.
(3)Dave K.
4.5 stars. Damn this is one fine burger. Cooked to a perfect medium rare, the sweet meat juices were rolling down my wrists as I was chomping away. The dry age blend is a little salty, but luckily, counterbalanced nicely by the sweet, sweet bacon onion marmalade. It is a must. Needs improvement: honey mustard aioli. Please give me a worthy dipping sauce for those tasty garlic herb fries.
(5)Rosemary B.
Had brunch here today. My son and his girlfriend just moved up the street. The food was delicious and the service was great. Very warm atmosphere. The brunch menu had so many selections it was hard to chose. I had the Huevos Rancheros with potatoes...delicious. The beans had a really nice smokey flavor. My son had the Chili Rellanos ( a brunch special) and tried the biscuits and sausage gravy. The steak inside the chili was tender, flavorful and delicious and I've never tried better sausage gravy. My son's GF had some amazing looking brioche French toast. My bloody mary was XTRA spicy but really good. They have a nice selection of beers too. I'd love to try dinner here and will be back for brunch.
(4)Fay H.
I'm wondering why I don't come here more often. The food is amazing. I rarely go to a gastropub and moan over the food. Vegetarian friendly, but not really super vegan friendly.
(4)Dan M.
Great food and beer selection - an excellent addition to the neighborhood and to Philly's already extensive inventory of gastropubs.
(4)Carolyn L.
BEER? Check! Solid selection of 24 beers on tap. Each with a successor to take over as soon as it's kicked. FOOD? Check! Solid food menu. Above average bar food. Their Margherita pizza, beer can chicken sandwich, and their soups are never-fail options. Shoestring french fries= the yum! I have made my way here for dinner and a few drinks on several occasions. COMFORTABLE LAYOUT? Check! U-shaped bar with ample seating, backed up by tables lining the perimeter of the bar. Plenty of room to move around and breathe. The noise level is usually acceptable. My only complaint, albeit a small one, is that is sometime gets pretty hot in there, even in the winter. The decor is industrial with a modern twist and they have some really cool, interesting furniture and creative details all over the place. I've had many great nights at this establishment and don't doubt that you will too. Check it out if you get a chance.
(4)Joe T.
kinda ended up here on a whim. but i have to admit im pretty glad. It was st. patricks day so the crowds were pretty thick in fishtown. we were just looking for a bite to eat and maybe a cocktail. the crowd was heavy but we got a seat right away, the beer selection is insane, i mean they have alot of beers, something for everyone no doubt. i started with a flight mixed with dark beers and ipas. i settled on youngs chocolate stoudt! extremely tastey. the server was knowledgable and willing to help with beer selections for my date, which was very helpful. they were serving brunch, so the menu was restricted, but there are enough selections to choose from. the server read the specials and i was sold on the chicken and waffles. a complete belgian waffle, with a chicken and veg in a mushroom sauce! absolutely deliscious! It really hit the spot i was glad we stumbled along this joint!
(4)Helen D.
First let me say this - be sure to check out my pictures! helentdiehl.posterous.co… Glad we finally got here after wanting to come for awhile. Loved the whole scene - the atmosphere, the BEER & the food. The decor is totally cool. The beer selection is OUTSTANDING. We only had a few things on the menu but enjoyed every one - fried green tomatoes, creamy ricotta dumplings & the cheese plate. The bartender was knowledgeable but not super friendly (hence why only 4 stars!). My only complaint is the location - way TOO FAR from my house in Bucks County.......
(4)Janine F.
My favorite neighborhood bar - the Dirty Dozen Happy Hour can not be beat. 1/2 price selected drafts, Sun-Thurs from 10-midnight. Of GOOD beer. The staff is super friendly and great on recommending things.
(5)Leah G.
We finally made it to Kraftwork after talking about it for the last few weeks. I'll start with the beer . . . if the rating were only based on beer, it would be a five without a second glance. A flight of four beers is 8.00 and the selection is fabulous. My waiter quickly figured out my beer taste preferences and made suggestions based on those. He also had great adjective selection for each beer choice . . . transcendental was my personal favorite. We loved the interior; we found it to be well-done industrial . . . not over the top. My friend/dinner partner had a mild obsession with the music selection and will be back solely for that reason. We started with the fiddlehead ferns, which were fabulous, and the chicken liver mousse . . . . which were I a pate fan, I would have enjoyed. I had the winning entree with the beer can chicken sandwich. I am an ultimate sandwich snob, and this one met my standards. The meat was perfect, as was the bread . . . the most integral part. I cannot make a statement regarding the other entrees at the table . . . but when you have 25 fabulous beers on tap, all you really need is one great entree.
(4)Thom G.
Kraftwork has quickly become one of, if not my favorite bar in Philadelphia. I go there about once or twice a week and every time I go the food is delicious. They have a pretty good beer list with alternates for all items and they rotate it frequently. The cocktails shouldn't be overlooked either, the Apple Cider Cocktail with Art in The Age Snap, is amazing. The pretzel bites are a must have. They are easily some of the best pretzels in a city that's known for taking it's pretzels seriously. Also of note is their flatbread Margherita Pizza which ranks among one of the best pizzas in the city.
(5)Nicole D.
Cool atmosphere, knowledgeable and friendly staff, big beer selection. The food has gotten consistently better since the pub opened, and there are plentiful veggie options. Reading the schematic-themed menu feels a little like work at the end of a long day, and sometimes the beer selection follows a theme, resulting in a more limited variety, but this place can generally please everyone.
(4)Robert B.
The beer list is top-notch (get a flight), the food is spectacular (get the braised short rib sandwich), and the impressive tattoos and beards are icing on the proverbial cake.
(5)Ryan C.
I stopped into Kraftwork last night to grab beer and a bite with a friend of mine. The beer menu blew my socks off! They have an extremely wide variety of beers. I was most impressed with the Racer 5, which they had on cask. I also noticed that they had a beer sampler for $8...you get 4 6-8 oz glasses of any beer on tap. Moving on to the food menu. As a full-time vegetarian and part-time vegan I have come to expect a few things from most of the gastropubs / restaurants in and around the northern liberties area. I was a little surprised by the menu in 2 ways. Firstly, the items on the menu seemed to be a little overpriced. Secondly, they had no vegan entrees on the menu and unless you wanted an appetizer the only vegetarian selection was the falafel sandwich. I ordered a falafel sandwich, which was $10. The bartender informed me that the only sandwich that comes with fries is the burger and that the kitchen doesn't allow substitutions. For a falafel sandwich and fries the total was $16, almost twice what I would have paid elsewhere. The sandwich itself was a decent size with three falafel cakes spread out with an ample amount of cucumber tzatziki sauce (could have used some tomato and lettuce). The sandwich also came with a side of kosher pickled carrot, cucumber and cauliflower...which was pretty tasty. The french fries were a tad dainty, but the portion was a nice size and the mustard aioli was terrific. All in all....Kraftwork is an awesome watering hole because it has a fantastic beer selection (which would please any beer snob) and neat contemporary decor. (Plus the staff is extremely friendly and hard working!) I haven't decided, however, if I will be returning. With the extremely limited vegan/vegetarian options and the high food prices... I feel as though I could make out much better at other local stops....like my personal favorite Memphis Taproom. Ohhh. and although I can not eat it. The hamburger looked incredible. Definitely a homemade roll!
(3)Alexander M.
A solid four-star outing on the first go around. Granted, it was brunch, so I didn't actually get a beer; and saying you went to Kraftwork without drinking is like saying you bought Playboy and skipped right to the insightful interview with James Franco. Nevertheless, Kraftwork brunch did impress me. I had a Philly Omelette stuffed with sausages with potatoes on the side. I practically finished it the second it landed on the table. My gf's gravy and biscuits were also great. Garrett M was eating a burger right next to me, and I became insanely jealous. Definite win for Kraftwork; will certainly come back for the drinking and dinner portion.
(4)Ida G.
Three of us were in the area dropping off our drywall guy who had recommended the burgers at Sketch. We parked the car and walked in, but they were just getting ready to close for the night and we were turned away. Bummed, we piled back into the car, only to find that it was completely out of gas. As we trudged to the gas station a couple of blocks away, we started walking by an establishment that seemed to be be really hip and happening, and suddenly I found myself babbling "Ohmigodkraftwork!" and dragged my companions in. It just so happened that we had rocked up on the day of their Mikkeller vs. Evil Twin event, which meant that we ended up spending a ridiculous amount of money on beer, even if we hadn't been the kind of people who run out of gas. As for the food, the pork roll wasn't quite what I expected (I'm Aussie, so my standards are low but specific), but the corn fritters were to die for, and the boyfriend was not disappointed with his burger. The service was great even for such an insanely busy night, and we had a fun time sampling the beers, even the ones that tasted like campfire.
(4)Erin W.
Boyfriend and I helped a friend move into a new house recently, the greatest feature of which is its proximity to Kraftwork. Really, their real estate agent gave them a gift certificate to it after they closed on the sale. When we agreed to help them move, we were promised lunch and beer here. And let me tell you, lugging a giant Uhaul-worth of furniture and boxes on an unseasonably hot day (and ripping my favorite leggings in the process! wah!) was made totally worth it by the meal afterwards. If you can take your face out of the bowl of garlic french fries and porter mustard sauce long enough, check out the muffins. I know, you're probably thinking "muffins?" Dude, MUFFINS. My kind, gentle group of friends turned into crazed vultures around them and came close to a fistacuffs over who got the last little bit with all the yummy blueberry goodness on it. That might be an exaggeration, but make sure you order one anyway. I had the mushroom baguette which could have used a bit more seasoning for my taste, but boyfriend got the same thing and had nary a complaint. Everyone else took the (huge!) beer selection for a spin while I, in my extreme lameness, went with a cocktail (I know, I know, shame on me). I can't tell you what was in the Robinson Crusoe, but all you need to know is that it was delicious and STRONG. I'm now super jealous of my friends sweet new digs and how close they are to this joint. It's a total schlep for me, but the Call of the Muffin cannot be ignored.
(4)Jo-ann F.
I LOVE this place the food, the burgers are the best, and the staff are awesome!!
(5)Leo M.
UPDATE: Things have changed for the better. Menu's changed a bit and it's delicious. Servers are friendly, know their beers well, and are very happy to assist with beer choices. Service is attentive and quick. Still gets a little crowded, but now that the food's improved, I can accept bumping elbows with my neighbors. Try the charcuterie board - it's enough to share.
(5)David F.
Writing this review was REALLY hard. Kraftwork not only has amazing beer, but their food selection and quality is really good. Their atmosphere is a little crowded, and less than satisfactory. Even when they are not busy I could be sitting at the bar for ten minutes without a hello. I am a pretty polite person, so I look to make eye contact or or chime in with an "Excuse me!" but when I am looked at several times without any attention, when there is not much for business, it is a little hard to swallow. The prices are pretty high, although I appreciate that for the amazing selection they have. And I do not mind paying a higher premium for a nice selection of beer. However, the last time I went in I paid $17 for a growler and walked out and discovered in the sunlight that it was only a quarter of the way full! First off...$17? Yikes...but I guess I was willing to pay it. That's a tough one when you can head over to yards or PBC and get one filled for $8...regardless...they emptied it out and replaced my beer, but still, I was hoping for at least a little bit of an incentive. Very hip, very pretentious, and not overly friendly. But it can be a good place to grab a quick beer. I will be back of course.
(2)Julie G.
This place is like a chic person that you talk to...and then you quickly find out that they have no personality. It's disappointing. It looks good...you want it to be good...and then it isn't. The pros? - People I go with like the beer selection...though, you can find it elsewhere, and likely at a better price. - Pretzel bites...they're great - Rarely crowded The cons? - They are clearly over-reaching on their menu. They have too many items and do not do most of them well. - Everything has so much salt on it, you feel like you might stroke out at the end of the evening. The food is also a bit mislabeled. For example, they have $14 "Kabobs" that are really a "gyro". When I asked a server about the difference between my Kabob and what a Gyro would be...he didn't know. At first he tried to tell me theirs was "UK and Mediterranean Street Food"...which, after I told him I LIVED in London, and I had kabobs there...he seemed to realize I wasn't falling for his ridiculous attempt to bluff me. Anyway, don't get those horribly overpriced "Kabobs" (which are really gyros)...you can get wayy better gyros elsewhere. It's an okay place to go if you want to hang out with friends who want a few beers and have some greasy overpriced food...but that's about it. There are so many better places than this out there...don't get sucked in by the cool decor or the hipsters lurking outside.
(2)Jose A.
This place has a really great vibe, great beer selection (founders, russian river, bells, etc...) and great service, one of my new favorite beer spots in philly. Enough said! oh yeah and check out the band Philadelphia Slick...
(5)H L.
The selection of food was great especially for a bar. The beer list was pretty big too. The atmosphere was welcoming and the service was great!
(5)Gandhus M.
Dinner and after work beers, the usual. After some deliberation, off to Kraftwork it was. I'm not going to mince words, I was impressed. The rectangular bar sits in the center of the establishment. I believe there were twenty-four offerings on tap. The beer menu is broken down by the ABV, serving sizes & price. There is another column of twenty-four or so beers on order, yet to come in the rotation. There's a real cool, industrial theme at work with their decor. Lots of tools and metal. A huge saw over the bar. Over-sized screws and wrenches in places and used as door handles. Large round metal lampshades. It's their shtick, it's different, it works. I ordered the sausage rolls and the short rib sandwich. The sausage rolls are homemade brats in puff pastry with a red onion salad. They were awesome. Cooked wonderfully. The brat was simple yet flavorful. This was wrapped in just the right amount of light & delicious puff pastry. It held together well and didn't fall apart. Sliced up red onion was a nice touch on the side. The short rib sandwich comes shredded on a roll with a poblano creme. It was tasty. It took a few bites for the heat of the peppers to hit but it was enhancing and not overbearing. This came served with a heaping pile of their garlic & herb fries which were also very tasty. Fine proprietors of Kraftwork: Please update your website. The food menu on your website is worded slightly differently than the one I was given, not a crisis by any means. It just should be noted and corrected. That whole 'twenty-one varieties of Terrapin' menu is sadly, outdated. You know what it's like seeing a list of twenty-one beers from one of your favorite breweries all in one place...then discovering you don't have them? This was a huge attention grabber for me when checking out your site....and a huge let down after discovering they were not available. Again, forgivable. Thank you. Was there a hipster presence? Of course. Does it detract from the experience? Not at all. It was a fairly mixed clientele. Groups of non-hipster women, couples & older people...even other random dudes at the bar like us. As I've stated before, while I don't personally subscribe to hipster culture, I find them innocuous. They have outside seating. It's nice being a little on the fringe. You're almost at the on-ramp for 95 at the end of Girard Ave., so it's a little less hectic than being down by Frankford Ave. or Front Street.. The bartenders were cool. The guys running the food out were awesome. They were making sure orders where getting where they needed to go and that people had what they needed. Great crew. Your effort wasn't lost on me guys, I noticed. Shit, even their bar stools are rad! The whole experience totally exceeded my expectations. I'll admit, I was skeptical about all the five star reviews of the place. I don't believe five star reviews should be given flippantly and I've been giving this review serious thought bouncing between four and five stars. It happened to be Mick Jagger's birthday and a generous playlist of Stones was on while we were there. There you go - done deal, five stars. Based on what I saw, drank, ate & heard during this visit, I honestly couldn't give it less. Bravo.
(5)Michael B.
We live in a city that infested by hipsters. Hell, I might be one myself for all I know. There are a few things without which the hipster cannot survive. Bands that you've never heard of. Ironic t shirts. Ironic facial hair. How it's even possible for facial hair to be ironic, I don't know. But most importantly, the hipster cannot survive without a pub in which a combination of good beer, good food, and PBR can be ordered. Without such surroundings, the hipster will wither and die, like that polar bear on that nature show that tried to eat a seal because it was starving but couldn't. Because it was a bloody seal, and those things are huge. What I'm trying to say is that there are a ton of good gastropubs in Philly, and this one is a cut above the rest. Their beer list is amazing, and when they tap a keg they actually bring on a new beer rather than replacing it, so it changes constantly. The food we've had has all been great. The biscuits and sausage gravy are probably the best in the city. If you like your sausage covered in gravy and drizzled onto biscuits, this is the place to get that. The staff has always been friendly and entertaining. The last time we went we asked if they ever did quizzo. They don't. But we spent the meal trading trivia questions with our server. Awesome.
(5)Melissa W.
Do you like your food and beer with a side of hipster? If so, then this is your place. The ambiance at Kraftwork is decidedly hipster, as are the clientele and the staff. The staff, accessorized with a healthy dose of irony in the form of tattoos and facial hair, are actually quite friendly and exhibit none of the hipster pretension, or at least they hide it well at work. Assuming that you either are a hipster, are dating a hipster (in which case you are likely the former), and/or enjoy hipster-watching, the beer list is pretty good and decently-priced. However, and this is a big however, the food isn't the best. We tried the Korean tacos, mussels and fries, and the shortrib sandwich. Don't get me wrong, it was all fine. But for the price and the overwhelming hipsterness, I expected better. If I lived in the neighborhood and owned more plaid shirts and facial piercings, I would consider coming here again. Maybe just for the beer, though.
(3)C K.
Oh wow - their food was delicious! We got the truffled popcorn which was super tasty and then a trout BLT which was very tasty and I believe a pulled pork sandwich which was also very good. I can't wait till I have a free weekend so I can go back for brunch!!!
(4)Travis L.
This spot really is as good as it gets. With 24 taps and an ill food selection, i dont think there is a better gastropub in Philadelphia, and I say that with no hyperbole. Start with a flight of beers to warm up (even if you are a craft beer novice like myself, the waiter can usually build a good flight from something you know you like), then put in your order. Go early on Sundays for brunch, they open at 10:30, it's really amazing. Thursdays used to feature Statik from Illvibe Collective spinning some dope beats in the background, not sure if his residency is still active. Highly recommended.
(5)Lawrence K.
so I just sort of went over for a beer or two to catch the rest of the Phils game but I ended up getting a few oysters and then when the game went into extra innings, the cheese plate. I've gotten oysters here on two other occasions and they were phenomenal. This night the menu listed them as being from Canada, Prince Edward Island but they were sold out. They actually had substitutions from Nova Scotia! these were good but not great. However, I'm just thrilled that a place down the street from my house has quality oysters. no, really good quality oysters. Other than the sansom st oyster house in cc I dont know who else gets oysters like this in July (haven't been to Fathom yet). Now if there is another thing besides oysters that I'm a nuts-o about, its cheese. For the money ($16?) it was one of the better cheese plates I've had. A nice mix of hard and soft, goat, cow, blue, etc with great accompanyments (candied walnuts, cherry preserves, some strange/salty caper thingies). really really good. 3 people could easily share it and be satisfied. Along with the Belgian style triple I drank with it, it was all easily as good as anything you'd get in Belgium. and yes I ate the whole thing myself. I should also mention how good the bar area is in general, especailly to watch a ball game. The 2 TVs are not intrusive to people who don't care about them, yet are easily viewable from select seats at the bar and some tables. I really like the large feel of the space too. It was crowded but still comfortable. There is no sound on the TVs but I was digging the music and general vibe of the place anyway. ...and there was a good old fashioned brawl too which made me feel right at home in Fishtown! I should mention that the staff handled it very well and it was all over in minutes.
(5)Caitlyn H.
Meh. Overpriced and their menu is lacking. It's always crowded and loud. I get it, it's a bar, but it seems excessive here. I've tried coming here a few times, but I've always found the food to be OK and expensive considering the portions. I usually write more for these things, but meh I probably the best thing I can say.
(3)Jennifer N.
MY FAVORITE!!! I can not say enough about how wonderful Kraftwork is - you must give it a try for yourself! The staff are amazing, friendly, and VERY knowledgeable of beer and food offered. The beer selection is one of the best I have come across. Perfect for a quick beer and appetizer, brunch or dinner. Their brunch is one of the best in town - you can always get a table and doesn't matter if 2 or 8 people, they will do their best to accommodate you and your party. Stop in and give them a try.
(5)Brendan O.
SOOO close to 5 stars! Spectacular beer selection, cool and creative atmosphere, inventive and tasty menu, friendly and enthusiastic staff. So why not 5 stars? One reason: Prices are a little too high across the board. Apps are super interesting and well prepared, but simply cost too much for the portion size.
(4)Bethany R.
i don't understand why more gastropubs don't do flights. for those who are just venturing into the craft beer world, it's a sad day when you order an unfamiliar beer only to find that you dislike it and you're stuck with anywhere from 8-16 ounces to finish. for those who are craft beer nerds, it's a great way to try a number of things side by side and compare them to each other. i think it's the best way learn the basic differences between a pilsner and hefeweisen, a porter and a stout. but i digress. BIG bonus points to Kraftwork for having a four taste flight for $10. bigger bonus points for having a great selection of domestics, and a few decent imports. the breadth of what's available is comparable to The Sidecar in grad hospital. the crowd was decidedly more mainstream and less dirty hipster. the decor was industrial flavored, with little interesting touches here and there. there is a large square bar in the middle of restaurant, and all liquor is stored under the bar, giving the space a large, airy feeling. usual gastropub fare, good and delicious but nothing to really write home about - honestly, there are probably about two dozen other establishments in the city serving close to the same food. i got a burger and fries, which came with the obligatory artisanal dipping sauce - which i was disappointed to find was mustard based. who the heck puts mustard on fries? time to get some aioli going... all in all, a good place. i will be back.
(3)Claire O.
Love this place! Staff is on point, food is always really fresh and delicious, and I can't rave enough about the beer list here, with a constant fresh rotation of a ridiculous selection of craft beers. They're really accommodating of vegetarians/vegans. Only thing I'd hope to see here is a little more variation in the menu.
(5)MaryKate M.
Try the specials every time. They are always amazing. The pretzels are awesome, too. Get a flight of any 4 beers you want. Why would you only want one beer when they have SO MANY? Cool giant saw decoration.
(4)Dan S.
I live a short walk from Kraftwork - this is exceptionally dangerous as I have a love of sour beers and they're always there to help me out. My wife loves IPA's, so we both end up happy due to their large beer selection. The mushroom baguette is addictive and the fries are awesome. Try coming for brunch. They have fantastic biscuits with homemade jams and never too much of a wait!
(5)Alyssa M.
Best new restaurant in Philly! My favorite thing about Kraftwork is the beer. Duh. They have a beautiful, everchanging list of beer and you don't have to settle for just pints! You can drink a variety of beers in a smaller size, called a pub. It's smaller, cheaper, and you get to taste more beer that way. (Not every kind can be gotten in the pub size.) Every bartender I've encountered has been helpful, knowledgeable, and fun to talk to. The decor at Kraftwork is also really unique and fun to discover. Even the bathrooms are fun! The mirrors are actually rearview mirrors you see on cars. Cute. The menu isn't very extensive. So far I've liked everything... soups, beet salad, mussels, falafel.
(4)Marissa W.
I have to admit that I'm here AT LEAST once a week and there was one week that I actually came here 2 days in a row (not my choice, I swear). It is absolutely my favorite place to go for some great craft brews or some grub. Or both. I've never had anything here that I didn't want to eat over and over again. I was pretty broken hearted when they took my Asparagus Salad off the menu for the summer (they stick to seasonal ingredients for their salad options, cant be mad about that) but I was quickly introduced to the Hazelnut Salad and all was forgiven. When I'm not pretending to be healthy their burgers and the Beer Can Chicken are out of this world. I've had everything from brunch to flatbreads to grilled salmon to pork tacos to salted caramel bacon pudding (if you're ever lucky enough to be here when that's on the specials menu you MUST get it) and the quality and freshness of their ingredients is always top notch. The bartenders are great as well. Even before we became regulars here we were always greeted with smiles and friendly conversation. They are all very knowledgable about the draft list as well which can be a little overwhelming for a first-timer. Whatever you fancy, I guarantee you will find something to love here!
(5)Melissa S.
Great place! Huge beer selection. Really good food. Highlights- pretzel bites and pierogie for apps, beer chicken sandwich for entree. Burgers are BIG and very tasty. Would definitely go back.
(5)Jen K.
Awesome beer, that's about it. Food mediocre. This is the most yuppie bar I have been to in the renewed Fishtown.
(1)Bryne Y.
Didn't get to try the food but the bar area itself, as well as the beer selection, were both top-notch. Friendly, laid-back service without any real pretension, despite the overbearing use of the term "hipster" in some of these reviews.
(5)Alexandra W.
How has it taken me so long to get to Kraftwork? Beats me. I like it here. I don't LOVE it, but I like it. Great beer selection, the staff is nice, the food is good. Something I don't like, however, is the seating situation. The tables are kind of uncomfortable. On one side, you have a picnic-style bench. No back. Dislike. On the other side, you have a long wooden bench along the wall, so there is a back. Still, oddly uncomfortable. I doubt I'd come here to sit down for a meal, but I'd gladly return for a seat at the bar.
(4)Andre P.
Always revolving selection of beers. Bartenders who are knowledgeable and attentive. Ever-changing food specials. This is a place that I love to go to wind down after working, or after a night of bar hopping throughout Fishtown. It's a place where the hipsters clash with the foodies and beer snobs, in a good way. Went there with a friend who fell in love with the beer can chicken. I enjoyed the Korean bbq tacos. And I'm waiting to try the morcilla on the charcuterie plate. I also had a butternut squash soup that I thoroughly enjoyed. The beer menu is one of the best mixes in the city. IPA's- Check. Local Favorites- uh huh. Belgians- Sure. Cheapass PBR- Yep. Also the beer menu shows the next keg up to bat, so if you see one of your favorites coming up you know you can go there in a couple of days to get a taste. Bartenders let you have a taste, and will steer you in the right direction if you have questions. Nothing else I can say 5 stars.
(5)Davida L.
What a gem of a place. Where to even start? I'm pretty sure I finally feel compelled to review Kraftwork in lieu of the opening of a certain restauranteur's version of a gastropub/beer garden down the way. If any of you are fooled and would rather spend your dollars at Frankford Hall, shame on you, you don't deserve to have a true blue place like Kraftwork in your increasingly white bred neighborhood. Awesome food, awesome beer selection, awesome staff. I started going to Kraftwork last summer when I moved to Port Richmond from NY, and they made me feel immediately at home. Not only have I met awesome people at the bar that are still my close friends a year later, but by my third visit I was already recognized and greeted warmly by the staff- something that is so severely lacking in NY at even my favorite local spots. The decor is inspired- someone worked really hard on making this place look as great as it does. Everything from the car rear view mirrors in the bathrooms to the textured brick walls to the gigantic saw that hangs over the bar to the gorgeous wood bar itself and the matching stools has the touch of a master carpenter and aesthete. They are very conscious about serving up local, seasonal dishes, from hearty hanger steaks and squash soup in the winter, to softshell crabs, ramps and fiddlehead ferns in the spring. Their core menu is a good mix of pubfare while their specials usually push a little beyond the reach of what you would expect from a little gastro. Their extensive beer list changes all the time, and they let you know about all the kegs that are on deck so there's always something I know I need to come back for. Their cocktail offerings are a profound cut above what you would expect from a beer bar- usually places like this punish you for not picking a brew by offering little else, but Christian, one of their bartenders and head of the Philadelphia Bartender's Guild, has created an innovative cocktail menu that always tempts me even when I come in in the mood for beer. A few more important factors; the kitchen serves until 1am every night no matter what, they have growlers to go (and if you already have the glassware from somewhere else you can use that!) and they offer an "in the biz" discount for anyone who works in a restaurant. And did I mention the house made Parmesan flan on their cheese plate? Or the awesome reggae DJs? Go there.
(5)Ron C.
Stopped in with my buddy after the last Yelp Elite event at Luckystrike as it was close to home and we could watch the end of the Fightens' game. Beer selection is awesome. Any type of beer you like will be represented here but with options you won't find elsewhere. The bartender had his laptop on the bar and we could follow the Cardinals, Rays and Red Soxs games. Friendly and knowledgeable is how I can describe him. Shared a cheese plate and it was great. One of the best around with a selection of blue, hard, goat and fantastic accompaniments. I have heard mixed reviews on the food and will have to get here for a meal but to kick back with a cold one for a game, this place will not disappoint.
(3)Brian H.
as a beer geek, having kraftwork as a local bar is really a treat considering their impressive (and constantly rotating!) draught beer list and amazing happy hour which is half off 12 different beers sun-thurs 10pm-12am. the bartenders all know their shit, are friendly and attentive and gladly give out tasters of beer if you just want to try something before ordering. their food isn't amazing and it's definitely overpriced, but it's decent and the portions are pretty big (usually my gf and i can split a dish and leave satisfied). the daily special flatbread is usually really good, the burger is consistently ok (once amazing though...), the chicken sandwich is tasty and the korean BBQ tacos aren't exactly authentic but they're filling and yummy - as for sides with the sandwich, i'd stick with the salad as it's a very nice portion of good spring greens. the misses have been the beef shortrib sandwich (more like a not very good pulled pork sandwich), the pretzel bites (wtf?) and the fries in general are WAY overspiced, salted and cut far too thin. i also dislike the overall decor of the place - the numerous/random light fixtures and the corny (and way too orderly) distressing done to the walls. they tried way too hard too make the place look like some old industrial spot and just didn't quite hit the mark... close but no cigar.
(4)Garrett M.
Who would have thought that having a gastropub as your neighborhood bar could be both wonderful and terrifying? It's great having a place to go that's open late and always has fantastic food and twenty-five (!!) beers on tap... but my next purchase should probably be a tourniquet for my wallet to stop the hemorrhage of cash. The menu lays out all of 25 beers they have on tap, complete with the origin and style of beer, along with the beer that will follow it when the keg kicks. The servers always seem to know their stuff when it comes to the beer, so definitely ask questions if you've got any. I guess at this point, I should confess that I've planned trips in advance upon seeing that they're going to be getting something awesome (Russian River's Blind Pig IPA, I'm talking about you) on tap later in the week. Anyway, last time I was in, my friend and I shared a plate of six oysters, which were served with a pleasingly tangy mignonette. We followed this with two cheeseburgers, which I'm told are some of the best in the city. I've only very recently hurled myself from the vegan bandwagon, so I can't attest to anything other than that they are damn delicious. I got mine with the bacon onion jam, the aged cheddar, and a poached egg. It was glorious. The fries are also some of the best I've had around here, but I could see how some might think them over-seasoned. I've been here several times now, and the food has always been great. With a revolving door of both food and drink, this is definitely a place to return to and is worth every penny. That said, can anyone spare some cash?
(5)Ronald M.
A frequent diner, a resident of Fishtown and a lover of Kraftwork. From the creative design, to the service and beer list and most of all the food, there is nothing left to be desired here. I have to honestly say that one of the best meals I have ever had the pleasure to eat was enjoyed at Kraftwork. Do not hesitate, GO!
(5)Tom H.
Kraftwork may be the best bar in the city. Do you love an always changing, never boring, all-draft beer selection? Do you need fresh, creative, mind-blowing entree and appetizer specials? Fruit, cheese, and charcuterie to go with your beer? Do you need go-to gastropub staples to fall back on when you're not feeling adventurous? Friendly, knowledgeable staff? Good mix of locals, center city folk, out of town beer snobs? Total lack of Miller Lite bottles? DJ's on the weekends? Phillies on the weekdays? Kraftwork delivers satisfaction no matter your tastes and mood. Suggestions: Always go for the specials. Always. Mix up the beers, ask for a taste if you aren't sure. Be careful: Don't miss out on the specials by ordering the beer can chicken. Let someone else in your group order the sandwiches, then you can be adventurous. And don't try to pay with Amex; they don't accept it.
(5)Kelly Ann D.
Kraftwork might just be my favorite place to grab a quick drink and food near my house. Sooo many delicious beers on tap and the bald gentleman who usually serves us always makes a killer reccomendation for a hoppy bitter beer that I request. Food is delicious! I usually grab a burger over mixed greens with a fried egg, gruyere and carmelized onions and it comes out perfect every time. Another go to, Korean BBQ tacos-Perfectly spicy and a nice bit of crunch with the Asian slaw. We come here often for brunch (best bloody mary's in town) and all of the brunch food is pretty good plus they always give us a card for 10% off our next brunch which is nice. Give this place your business, but not too often because I don't want too large of a crowd when i'm there on Friday for dinner.
(5)Jillian C.
I love the atmosphere they want to have in here, but haven't quite felt it work out. However, I have enjoyed the pierogis numerous times and haven't eaten a bad one yet. The apple chutney is friggin' awesome, even if the four piergois are a little pricey. Everything in here is just a little pricey. If you go at a time when they are insanely slow, you tend to be left alone, but the food gets out quick. It's up to you whether you want to be nagged by your bartender or not. I had a Robinson Crusoe drink once which is super ginger crazy. Delicious, but a little overwhelming for me. I'll be back, but next time to try a new beer. Still want to try their PB&J Zeppoli. Yum.
(4)Lauren R.
I recently went here with several people. It was PACKED and we had resort to eating at the bar, but that's really my only complaint. Beer? Excellent. Food? Fancy pub grub. Its good and they don't skimp with the portions. People? Nice mix. We liked our server and none of our fellow patrons rubbed us the wrong way. We'll totally be coming back.
(4)Jenny K.
I hate to do this, but I'm dropping my review by 1 star. I went here with friends on Friday night for dinner. We had to wait forever to get a table, but that didn't really bother me. (It was beer week after all.) What bothered me was the $120 price tag for 4 people. That's $30 a person! I nearly choked on my $12 flatbread pizza when I saw that. The meal was good, maybe even pretty darn good. But it just didn't live up to the price if you ask me. Also, I've heard rumblings that they added cheese to the beer can chicken sandwich, which is overpowering and takes away from the deliciousness of the sandwich. I wonder if you could ask for it w/o cheese?
(3)Anthony S.
I've now put Kraftwork on my shortlist! A friend was in from out of town and we were set on finding a stellar burger some place we haven't been to already. Without venturing to center city in the 15° weather, and based upon a recommendation (and the great burger photos on yelp!), we took a cab to Kraftwork and arrived around 7:30pm on a Saturday. This place was packed so the wait was about a half hour. While my buddy and I waited for our table, we had plenty of time to stand around and try a few different beers - all of great quality and really hitting the "craft" beer variety. The bar tender, who's name I believe was Victoria, was a shining star in a cluttered and hustled environment. Service and personal attention was exceptional the whole night. We managed to find a couple stools at the bar while we waiting for a proper table and ordered a snack. People sitting to our left and right, outside sharing a smoke with and waiting in line at the restroom were all pretty awesome. There's good peeps hangin out here! The guy sitting next to me ordered the cheese plate he claims to drive to Kraftwork for every week. When our party became three instead of two, the only commotion was to verify with the staff that they knew to fit us all in. The three of us managed to sit down around 8pm and the server was over immediately to refresh our drinks and provide menus. A few hours after deciding to try the Kraftwork Burger, we were finally blessed with bringing this jaw dropper to our lips. While not the absolute supreme of all burgers, it's easily in my personal top five. I think the only other item on the table was the clam chowder which was probably the best I've ever had. Again, attention to our needs, drinks, the check, etc were all exceptional even with a fully packed house. I already want to go back again this weekend.
(5)mike v.
Best bar in Philly. Chill, great beer, great food...not too many trashy hipsters.
(5)Lauren H.
I've visited Kraftwork twice in the past few weeks and walked away impressed each time. First time was during the most recent incarnation of the Craft Beer Express. The place was crowded when my friend and I got off the bus, but we managed to snag a table and settled into a few of the featured beers and an order of the pretzel bites. The service was prompt, efficient and the place was friendly - I walked away feeling that if I lived closer, this place might become my default. Second time was over lunch, on a Tuesday. Three of us arrived around 12:30pm and we were a little concerned at being only party there, not that should have been concerning at mid-day on a Tuesday, but after a half an hour the place got decently busy. Our meal, now known as "the best lunch ever", consisted of practically every appetizer on the menu as none of us could make a decision on what to eat (or rather what not to eat), which turned out to be the best decision. We ordered the pretzel bites, perogies, bratwurst, Korean BBQ tacos and fries and vigorously tucked into each plate all as soon as it arrived, only pausing to here and there to declare with mouths full of food that this was "the best lunch ever". The bratwurst and perogies were overall winners and and my only wish would be a bit more salt on the pretzel bites. Yes, we were starved, and yes, there was a certain thrill in taking a lunch away from one's desk (which we don't normally do), but combination of good food, beer selection, atmosphere and service = awesomeness.
(4)mishel c.
I hadn't been to Kraftwork in many months, and was disappointed to learn yesterday that the new chef has removed/or edited the only things on the menu I liked. The veg board is apparently now more or less a salad with a bunch of cheese + other items that are of zero interest (the old one was vegan + chock full of local awesome veg + hummus, faux gras, etc). Our server was awesomely honest + suggested we NOT order the new veg board as she even said it wasn't worth it. Also...no more falafel....lame. We settled on just getting some fries with our beers + went elsewhere. Oh, and the awesome beer flight price is now $10 from $8. Not a major deal, really, but still kind of a bummer. I don't think I'll be visiting Kraftwork very often unless I just go for beer + fries.
(2)Ben P.
My M-O with gastropubs recently has been to rate them only on food and service, no longer being impressed (in Philadelphia) with a good beer list. With Kraftwork, I must diverge from my path. Not only is their food awesome, their beer list truly stands out from the rest. Nothing but really cool selections from mostly (all?) domestic craft breweries from all over. Spectacular beer list. Food is well presented and tastes great. Atmostphere is lots of metal and wood. Made we want to go build something. Service was sketchy, but it seemed like our server was taking care of a lot of tables, not her fault. I was impressed overall and will be back, for sure!
(4)Kurt I.
Great beer selection, very small menu. The food I had was ok, but the service was a bit slow (both times I've gone), and as a vegetarian, my choices are super limited. I'd love to see more of a menu in this great establishment.
(3)jillian n.
My boyfriend and I went on a saturday night at about 9. We were seating fairly quickly for how busy it was. Our waiter was very pleasant, attentive and helpful. BUT overall the food was just . . eh. Even a little bit cold. I would go back for a bar experience, but definitely not for a meal or even appetizers. Great beer list though.
(3)Larissa M.
Meh. It's, fine. I live on the other side of town and always wanted to check this place out because I really like their other bar, Sidecar. Unfortunately I don't see much reason to return. Another neighborhood spot that pleasantly caters to its regulars while turning quickly terse on people they don't recognize, which is funny because I recognized one bartender from another establishment across town where I was left with ironicallythe same impression. Lukewarm sincerity and an overly krafty menu create a conundrum: potentially confused customers and bartenders who seem annoyed by the fact that you don't immediately 'get it'. It seems like a lot more effort went into eye-catching design elements, some of which are admittedly cool - like the giant saw and the wrench-held chopping blocks that deliver the cheese plates - but that stuff wears off when the bartender ignores your order to yell at the waiter because he just dead bolted the front door that kept flapping open in the wind. HINT: use one of the fancy wrenches to tighten the hydrolic arm on the door and that probably won't happen. It's like being in a library with a bunch of illiterates.
(2)Heather C.
awesome food and great beer. can't go wrong with this place. the only problem is its a little small so it can get pretty crowded at certain times but thats fishtown for you.
(4)Katie H.
Went here last Sunday with a few friends and WE LOVED KRAFTWORK. Let me tell you why. 1. Awesome server - nice guy, I asked him to pick out my beers for the flight of samplers because I figured he knew about bizillion times more about beer than I do and I tasted yummy things I wouldn't have tasted otherwise. 2. Great food. Like, really really good. We split ricotta dumplings, hazelnut salad, korean style tacos, short rib sandwhich and arancini. Everything super yummy and very savory. 3. See above. I mean - really - with more beer on tap than you can possibly need in an evening, great food... oh, I forgot #4.... 4. Reasonably priced. Beers, wine, food for 3 of us - $40 each. Can't wait to go back!
(5)PJ H.
Hands down the best looking and most architecturally interesting bar in Philadelphia. Whoever did the metal work in there is a gifted human being. My roommate and I sat at the bar, in awe by the giant metal saw hanging above the twenty something drafts they have there. Awesome. Everything from the giant-bolt doorhandle to the walls had me in a trance. Now onto the meal. We did the cheese plate, which was excellent. Great variety and the accoutremont (?) that came with each cheese worked really well. I had the calamari over a salad with roasted cherry tomatoes and it was great, as well as the fries (MUSTARD sauce rocked). My roommate had a burger and was making noises similar to the ones i hear coming from his room at night. Awesome beer selection. I will definitely be back here. For dessert, The Strawberry Shortcake over a BISCUIT with balsamic reduction. This was the best part of the meal and really had me speechless. The biscuit was awesome, and the balsamic/strawberry/whipped cream connection was awesome. Best use for whipped cream since that scene in Varsity Blues. My only beef is that the bartender wasnt friendly and took a long time for everything. Will definitely be back here in the future.
(4)Matt A.
On the most essential details, having a great beer selection and food that rises above what you expect from a bar, Kraftwork nails it, just nails it. The beer can chicken sandwich ($11) comes with a heaping side of fries, is served succulent and full of flavors that I don't think they got just out of a chopped beer in can. The bacon jam for the burger ($11) is unique and some serious umami excellence. Go for that at least once. That said, there are several things that I think keep it from going to 5 stars. First, they have too many beers, this is my perception based on the difficulty of reading their spreadsheet menu. Each bit of data about a beer-Brewery, type, ABV, price by size, is included in its own cell. It's a cute idea, but in going here maybe three times it never becomes an easy way to pick a beer, both for myself and my friends. I think the rigid segmentation of a selection into discreet data points makes it hard to see a single row as one option. Also, they have interesting-sounding cocktails that I would love to try, but I'm not interested in paying 12 or so bucks for a whiskey cocktail made with Old Grandad.
(4)Seanmhair F.
04/13/12 Went to Kraftwork last night. I really like the space. I'm a big girl, I require alot of yaw, so it was nice that you don't have to push past people. It wasn't very crowded, but filled up before we left. Honestly, not overwhelmed. It was nice, it was good. It seemed to take a long time for the kitchen to get out two sandwhiches and a salad, but the server was nice, and explained alot of things. I think the problem with me was I'm not a beer head, so that part really didn't interest me. My salad was good, with beets and goat cheese, and pumpkin seeds. The rib sandwhich was good, and the burger looked fine. The fries were good, not as garlicky as I thought they might be. It took another twenty minutes or so to get the desserts to the table, which were fine. Chocolate banana bread pudding, (rather dry) and an apple empanada which was okay. I'd certainly go back again, but probably just to grab a burger and no booze. Four glasses of wine, and three beers. $114.00 + tip for three people. With tip that comes to about $45 a person. I think I'm just really spoiled by BYOB's at this point. I liked the place, the menu isn't stunning, but its good and sturdy. But I kinda didn't expect to go over $100 for two sammies and a salad, and two desserts. I keep forgetting how much we drink.
(3)Jessica M.
I love Kraftwork! Solid food, an awesome beer selection, and generally good service. It isn't cheap, but I feel like you pay for what you get. Maybe we have become regulars because it is around the corner from my boyfriend's house, but I really couldn't ask for a better neighborhood bar in my second city. I really enjoy the truffled deviled eggs, the cheese board, and the charcuterie board. For brunch, I love their bloody mary's and I'm partial to the flatbread pizza. They have a pretty solid list of specials that hasn't disappointed. It's a fun bar, and has a comfortable atmosphere (not pretentious, and industrial finishing).
(4)Katherine K.
Likes: 1. Beer selection. They have an $8 flight of 4, which is very reasonable and a great way to check out something new. Their list of craft brews is so extensive and varied, I almost had a panic attack trying to pick only 4! The beer came to us extra cold, just how I like it. 2. Atmosphere. The art in this place is amazing. It's hard to get over it being a brewpub. 3. Waitstaff. Very attentive, and our waitress agreed with my criticism of a movie. Extra points there. Dislikes: 1. Location. It's definitely driving distance for me, so it's a little rough with all those tempting beers. This place would be a gift from heaven if I lived in this area, though. 2. My burger was only so-so, I've had better (it's pretty hard for any burger to out-do Royal Tavern's in my opinion). I'll have to go back to check out some of the other options- I hear the Beer Can Chicken sandwich is pretty delicious. I'm kicking myself for not getting it.
(4)Marie D.
I'd pitch a tent on the corner of Montgomery and Girard to be able to call Kraftwork my neighborhood haunt. Meeting a friend here to catch up after a two-year hiatus may not have been the best idea because I was enthralled with the menu, the mega saw dangling above the bar and the bolts that may have once been used to hold together an architectural monstrosity. It's too bad I don't have less self-control because I would have loved to eat and drink the entire menu. Let me say, though, the Avery Maharaja Imperial IPA and mussels with fries are now logged on my death-row meal wish list. It's probably really rude of me to brag about my amazing combo because the draft list rotates weekly or when the keg kicks, whichever comes first. By the way, the mussels steeped in a sauce so rich that I'd have drunk it in a glass if the Maharaja ran out. Shout out to our awesome server. Unfortunately, I have no idea what his name was but he was infinitely helpful and patient - like I said I was pleasantly overwhelmed and impossibly torn between all of the stellar selections. The $8 sampler is great for the adventurous or the undecided.
(4)Zoe P.
As a thank you for looking after their dog one weekend, my bf's family offered to take us out for dinner - and Kraftwork got my vote due to all the praise Yelp has bestowed upon it. We were already excited, but when we arrived and started looking around at the decor and people and FOOD...we were more than ready to chow down by the time we got our table. Thankfully they moved us from the first one (directly beneath a/c = 3 frozen ladies, 2 uncomfortable men) to another that was much more pleasant, and bigger which was great since we ordered quite a bit of stuff. The men each got beer flights of 4; everything they offer is strictly on tap (AWESOME!! but therefore limited beer menu that changes seasonally), and if you have a hard time choosing the staff seems pretty well versed since our waitress instantly started listing options when prompted. The beer is truly delicious, they make quite the effort to have a diverse and relatively extensive list of microbrews. But we weren't just there to drink - and thankfully our food came out quickly. We split 2 orders of the ricotta dumplings (fantastic, 4 pieces per order) and a side of pickled veggies (Yum! Although I still prefer Resurrection Ale House's), and then technically each ordered separate entrees although we all tasted everything on the table: 2 beer can chicken sandwiches, 1 prime rib sandwich, 1 beet salad, and a special poached eggs over sauteed Kennett Square assorted mushrooms with brioche toast. The food was great. That chicken was so tender and juicy (need to try that technique out for myself!), as was the prime rib, the beet salad was delicious, huge and not overly saturated with vinaigrette, but that poached egg special stole the show, mostly because those mushrooms are TO DIE FOR. Thank god I marked down the Kennett Square Mushroom Festival on my calendar because THAT is a dish that I will definitely replicate on my own. Kraftwork is great! All the servers were really nice, especially our waitress who gave great recommendations and was constantly smiling. The decor is wonderful too, with a laid-back feel that's still nice and put together. Great place to come for any occasion, or just to chill at the end of the day!
(5)Katie W.
Way too overpriced for mediocore food and atmosphere... Please note, that I don't drink beer - I'm purely a liqour and martini girl - so I this review is critiquing Kraftwork's food, atmosphere, and service. We came on a Wednesday night around 7:30 p.m. and it was packed! My party of three had to share a picnic bench with another couple. There longing gazes and kisses between each bite might have thrown me off, but they were def a couple. awkward....to share a table with... The menu is VERY limited and everything is trying ot be so freakin gourmet i couldn't stand it. I ordered the chicken sandwich, for $11.00 dollars! It came with some carrot cole slaw. At the price it should have come with fires and a side salad! It was only okay, kind of dry and very greasy. Yes, those two things can go together! The cheapest thing that any of my party ordered was my martini. For a place known for it's beer, i was surprised to get a decently strong lemon drop martini for only $5.50! Seriously! My friends okay glass of wine was $9.00! This place needs to add more Oomph to their menu for the prices they are asking for! And give romantic couples there own table! ha
(2)Marie R.
I continue to have better expectations each time I go there (and this was the third). I know a couple of people here so I really wanted to like it but honestly it's a place I'd pass on. I've had about 7 items on the menu- my favorite being the charcuterie board appetizer- were mediocre to fair, definitely over seasoned. The front of the house service was lacking. They need a hostess if they don't already have one. The decor is fun for the area and the beer selection rules, but I'd go with Johnny B's if you're already on Girard.
(2)Kimberly M.
We came here because we live in the neighborhood. It's a cool place, aesthetically. But other than that not worth it. They claim they are a microbrewery and sell growlers but don't even brew their own beer. I could go to a beer distributer and get the same beers they charge $26 for 64 oz and pay less for a case. Also we each tried a different beer then when one of us ordered a new beer from the server, 20 minutes went by when we finally had to remind him that we asked for a beer. It was on the house for the screw up but we had also asked for a menu and never received that either. If they want to keep up their posh reputation they are trying to push they need to try a little harder
(2)jen nah n.
Beer, beer and more beer. Oh yeah, and it's awesome beer. Stuff I've never heard of before but now dream about at night. Unfortunately, was hoping for a little of the band to be thrown in there somewhere, but one cannot be that greedy.
(4)Chloe J.
Visited Kraftwork on a Thursday night. It was pretty busy and EXTREMELY loud inside. We decided to sit outside so we could hold a conversation. It smelled of sewer outside, which is not thier fault but it just added to the many reasons I disliked this place. The menu is small and pretty much everything is overpriced. We ordered the beer can chicken sandwich. It comes with a red cabbage and apple slaw (more like carrot and apple). We thought for the price ($11) fries would be included but no. So we ordered toasted garlic and herb fries for $5. The sandwich was okay. Chicken was a bit dry and I did not taste the SHARP provolone that is on the sandwich at all. The best part was the bun. The fries were even more disappointing. Although it is a large bowl of fries, still not worth $5 in my opinion, they are lacking any garlic flavor. The rosemary was so overwhelming I did not taste any other herb, if there even was any. All of our fries were broken or perhaps they just used super small potatoes. I doubt that. When I asked the waitress about the fries she said sometimes they are like that. I wanted to dip my fries in the mustard aioli but the cup holding the aioli was deeper than the length of my fry. As far as the beer goes.... The beers are also overpriced. I can understand why a beer with a abv of 10% might be served in a goblet and cost $8. But my beer which had an abv of 6% was also served in a goblet and cost the same????? More beers should be offered in a pint as well as growlers. I don't think we will return to Kraftwork anytime soon. I do hope they get it together over time. Oh also people were smoking outside at the tables. Pretty gross. I don't want to smell cigarettes while I'm eating. Take your cancer stick to the curb.
(2)Max D.
Great place! Real chill, not the place I would watch an Eagles game, but go there for the beer. I have never been a craft beer person, but they always have loads to choose from. Last night I had the most bitter stout ever. Versatile drink menu and great food. Very important a knowledgeable staff who can guide you to the right decision.
(4)Michele B.
Breakfast is consistently amazing! Uber kid friendly. Lovely staff. I live in the NY area but I can't wait to go back home to Philadelphia to have breakfast. YUM!!!!
(5)Three R.
The food is great - somedays the selection of beers are not the best. Great location, great service and fun style group seating. So if you like eating with perfect strangers this is the place to go to. A MUST
(4)Samantha H.
so i am one to try new local places with good beer and good food. i was very impressed with the beer selection, although anyone with a love of beer would feel the same. i'm just saying 25 or however many beers on tap makes it hard to be disappointed unless miller lite is your beer of choice.. now, the food. where do i begin. terrible, that's where. the french fries really caught my eye because of the herbs they are covered in. did anyone else think they looked and tasted exactly like McDonald's french fries?? i mean come on, you don't hand-cut your french fries? what is this amateur night? when i walk into a locally owned establishment i expect the fries to be hand-cut and delicious. now this was the week they opened and maybe (hopefully) they realized the err of their ways and changed things up. i also ordered the flatbread pizza, dry dry dry..bland. beer good, food bad.
(2)Johnny L.
Beer selection is top notch. Beer can chicken is killer. Service was Smooth. Only reason to travel north towards kensington for beer in my opinion. If you didn't spend all your loot on pricey bowling and or noise in NL, check it out. Fish town is lucky to get this GEM. Salame.
(4)Jen K.
This place is great! The food specials are always amazing, the regular menu food is great too, and they have an incredible selection of beers. The only thing that sucks is most of the tables are "communal style" so unless you can snag a bar seat or one of the high tops you randomly get seated with other people. Other than that, can't get enough of this place.
(5)Aaron B.
My favorite watering hole. The drafts are always changing; I've tried so many new beers there. The bottle list is huge. Drafts range from $4.50 to 7 at most- some pints, some glasses. The food! It's such an interesting menu. Their brunch is incredible! The staff are generally nice and love to talk. The clientele range in ages depending on time of day and it can get pretty busy (and a little loud for conversation) at night. Lunch is my favorite time to go, when it's nice and quiet. The decor is vintage-y, with low watt light bulbs and dark patterned wallpaper.
(5)ray p.
Now, mind you, this is just about the burger; our service was great, the place was a lot of fun, and the beer line up was fantastic. BUT for having such a small menu, and most of that being dominated by burger and burger options, i was expecting greatness...which did not come on the plate of food i ordered. Ill start from the bun down: the bun was actually really good, it was easily the best part of the burger, im not sure if they make the bread there or not, but i would have been happier simply eating that. underneath my bun was a smaller than i was expecting mass. It was the burger meat. The grind on the meat was so fine that it left the patty without any texture, it was literally like baby food, there was no distinguishable difference from meat to fat or anything, just peach puree smooth gray meat. The color of my burger looked as though it had been cooked in a microwave, really really just....uniformly gray; no grill marks, no beautiful dark brown crust, no nooks and crannies of juicy goodness, no nothing...like a frozen white castle patty. To boot, it was under seasoned, if seasoned at all, and i dont mean anything fancy, i mean simple salt and pepper. Atop my formed and pressed patty was supposed to be cheddar and a bacon jam, i was surprised to find a literal thumb-nail sized smudge of what i guess what supposed to pass for bacon onion jam but there was no identifiable bacon and the amount that was on there was so small that it offered almost no taste of anything at all. the cheese sounded great on the menu, 2 year aged cheddar, but what i got was a portion of white liquid the size of a flash drive hanging off the size of the meat patty. My fries were cooked well and they themselves were properly seasoned, however they were all the length of matchsticks making it a little hard to eat without a fork. For $12.00 i was highly disappointed. I would go back for sure, but not for the food, just for drinks. Like I said before, the service was great. Our server was attentive when our glasses were empty, helpful to the other people in my party with suggestions, and the beer line up was fantastic. The seating was uncluttered and comfortable and overall we had a good time drinking. But as for the star item on the menu? no me gusta.
(2)Gene F.
This is a really nice place. I like the decor, and they have a solid beer selection and great food. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the prices are a bit high.
(4)km a.
typical gastropub food, but its good! the fries are my favorite. they have a rotating draft list which is great and keeps up with the season. i am gluten free, so i cant really enjoy the drafts but they almost always have a cider on draft. nice chill place to grab food and drinks with friends. it is normally pretty easy to get a table for a large party, i have been there multiple times with a party over 6 and we had great service and no issues.
(4)Brian D.
kraftwork = the truth. total game changer. philadelphia is one of the top 5 craft beer cities in the country. it's bars like this that uphold that reputation. without question one of the most fantastic bars in this fine ass town. i've been coming here weekly with a group of pals for over 5 months now, and it ne'er disappoints. here's why: - the staff rules. i'm consistently pleased with the service and conversation (not to mention their keen knowledge of the ever-changing beer selection). - the food is gourmet all the way (right down to the pretzel bites. trust me). - the beer selection is second to none. and it changes almost daily. 10 dollar flights with over 25 beers to choose from? righteous. if you're a fan of fine beer, or even if you're just starting out in the craft beer circuit (like I did about a year ago), this place is a magical bar to start your journey. overall this a bar for beer-fans. it's not a dive bar, no. but if you're looking for one of those just throw an arctic splash container and you'll hit one
(5)mimi h.
I was really excited to have a new place in Fishtown for dinner and drinks, but was pretty disappointed. The 2 stars are for the service which was good, all else left little to be desired. The decor is ok, but the colored lights around the bar sort of ruined it for me. I am not much of a beer drinker but I understand the selection is great. Otherwise the food was a bummer and the big bill at the end was an even bigger bummer. Two people eating a dry burger, so so muscles and not so good oysters and drinking one drink each should not warrant a bill close to $100....
(2)Lindsey A.
It's been awhile since I've been to Kraftwork. I went shortly after it opened. During Philly Beer Week and I had a flatbread pizza and it was great!! Best part they had great beers on tap. It was a bit pricy but I've heard that since then they have lowered prices on their dishes! I would definitely like to go back again!
(4)stevee b.
Checked this place out Friday night. It was totally mobbed so we couldn't eat. No biggie, figured we'd just have a beer. Unfortunately, they didn't have our favorite local beer--Kenzinger. This seemed weird since the brewery is right down the street. So, we asked if they had any PBC products. At this point the bartender--whom I think was also the manager since he had a "I love my staff" button on-- got kind of weird. He basically threw a beer menu in our hands and walked off. A menu doesn't do you much good if you already know the bar don't got what you're drinking. Needless to say, our visit was cut short by this interaction. So, we walked back towards home and stopped into Les and Doreen's happy tap. We were indeed happy since they did, in fact, have Kenzinger. I guess we'll give Kraftwork another try on a night when it is not so busy so maybe we can try the food and see why they would open a beer bar in the fishtown/pt richmond/kensington nexus and not have Kenzinger on tap for the locals. My only other comment concerns parking, namely BIKE parking. This place--like so many other of the new breed of bars riding the wave started by the true pioneers like Johnny Brendas, has opened without installing a single bike rack on the sidewalk. This is a major oversight and they should install some bike racks ASAP.
(2)Kathryn M.
Great service and great beer offerings so I'll soon be back. We only tried the pork krispy treats for food and I can't particular suggest them as they were a little strange. I'm a big fan of unique combinations and thought this looked right up my alley but the pork rinds make the krispy treat a little too tough but are probably necessary for the depth of pork flavor they are going for. The rest of the food all looked good albeit a little pricey particularly for the area (falafel for $11?! Burger for $12?!). Also, the location is a little difficult to get to but I found parking in no time so that's at least a plus when venturing to that area. All that being said, I found myself texting a friend from the bar to tell her how much I thought she would enjoy it so clearly I'm a fan as well!
(4)Robert F.
Food was good, drinks were good, I don't think the place was out of this world, just ok!!
(2)PJ F.
Wow, there are some ridiculously harsh reviews of the food here. Don't confuse yourself, you're coming to this place for the alcohol and simply put, the food served here is a nice compliment to the absurdly good beer list that they offer. Contrary to others on this board, I really enjoyed the food at Kraftwork and was psyched to see that Ben works here (a great waiter from Bar Ferdinand). My girlfriend and I ordered only "specials" off the menu when we ate here which included: roast pork tenderloin, fluke, fried green tomatoes, a beet/goat cheese/arugula salad and a special white peach/shortcake dessert. Everything was excellent and Ben informed us that 1) the tomatoes were grown at the Chef's uncle's farm about an hour outside of the city, 2) the fluke was caught locally and 3) the beets were grown by youth at an urban community garden at 8th and Poplar. In my opinion, that is fantastic. Also, did you guys really think this place was so overpriced? If so, you really need to eat at more places. All of that food I mentioned above, plus 2 craft beers for myself, and 2 cocktails for my girlfriend was only around $80. These days I am happy with any food/bar bill under $100 for two people. This place was very reasonably priced in comparison to similar places throughout the city. I'll tell you, as a local resident, I am really glad to see another place like this opening up in the area. We need it. I'll definitely be coming back to Kraftwork. Do yourself a favor and come check it out. Let's also not forget that this place is pretty new and they will probably make changes based on constructive feedback. P.S. - of course the beer selection here is silly. Sooooooo good.
(4)Sarah B.
Stylish, airy, and bright. Interesting and delicious food menu; intriguing beer menu. Totally going back for brunch again.
(4)Bernadette F.
Great beer selection and wonderful food. The beer can chicken sandwich is delicious as are the muscles. The only drawback is the family style seating. They cram as many people at a table as they can.
(4)Laura M.
Went here for the first time last week and I really enjoyed it. It gets really crowded on a Saturday night so I suggest getting there early. The staff was very attentive and helped us pick out beers to try and menu items. The cheese board was delicious and included very interesting types of cheese and great pairings. I wasn't a huge fan of the decor but if the food is good (which it was) I'll keep coming back despite the industrial feel.
(4)Meg B.
Why it has take me this long to review Kraftwork is beyond me. I first stumbled across this place during a Fishtown beer run as it was the bar destination for the week. I loved the fun grid of beers to chose from and they defintely satisfied all the different palates sitting around the table. It was then I first sampled their margarita flatbread and riccotta balls. Yum, yum yum! They were so good. Since then I've been back and have had their delicious mussels with sliced garlic bread bagettes for dipping as well as there toasted garlic fries with yards porter aioli ( genious!) and most recently, there most amazing perogies I've ever tasted in a restaurant. The apple chutney paired with chive creme fresh- I could haven't eaten 5 orders of this- they were THAT good. Another fall change up was the mushroom/proscuito and ricotta flatbread. You can never go wrong with their flat bread. It's so light yet so tasty. Yes, Fishtown is off the map to some Philadelphians if you love craft beer and you love good eats, then please try here!!! Get in there and sample their current brews from Terrapin. The Rye Pale was perfect me as I had quite a few last night:)
(5)Jackie B.
Had heard about this place from a friend. Definitely a bit far of a bike ride from where I live in South Philly, but absolutely worth the trip. Their extensive beer list is extremely impressive. They list everything you would want to know about the beer and the list changes daily. I had the Great Divide Rumble Oaked IPA and it was fantastic. My date and I shared the bratwurst roll as an appetizer. Oh. My. God. This was a phenomenal dish. Simple, English pub food but to a T. A perfectly cooked bratwurst wrapped in a puff pastry with a delicious mustard sauce. Actually can't wait to go back and get it again... This was the perfect amount of food to split with someone so I wouldn't be too full for the main course. I ordered the short rib sandwich whose description was too good for me to pass up: "roasted poblano creme, crispy fried onions, pepper jack cheese, garlic and herb fries." This was served on a perfectly toasted brioche bun and was mind-blowing. All of the flavors worked so well together and had the perfect amount of bite to it. The one thing I would change would be the fries were great, but a liiittttle too herb-y. Our server was fantastic and was extremely nice and knowledgeable about every food item on the menu. Also, noticed that one of the bartenders was my favorite bartender at the Pope in south philly! Overall, I can't wait to get back to this place again. Beautiful bar, beautiful beer, beautiful food.
(5)Pam R.
Awesome! In town for a conference and a friend suggested we check this place out. Once Ben (the server) came to our table, I knew we were in for a treat. Ben provided us with a wealth of information on the beer list and the wonderful stories behind the beers. What a selection! And then it was time to check out the food - wow! Everything was great. You can't go wrong with a meal at Kraftwork.
(5)Casey L.
ok. I'm two visits in and both times everything was exceptional. I went during beer week with two old friends and we celebrated their Hitachino night. At first I was skeptical because the only beers they were serving were Hitachino. To the rescue? HOORAY for the beer flight! seriously, the beer flight is genius. especially during beer week. the menu for beer week was also limited, not realizing we should just trust all Kraftwork decisions we played it safe and just split an appetizer. We ordered the asparagus and egg. (real name unknown) it was incredible. On my most recent visit I quietly wished it would be part of their regular menu. alas, it is not. Maybe on their specials sometime..... I will have to keep trying. 2nd visit was after going to the 26th to report a robbery. you would think a birthday theft would ruin the night, but no! Kraftwork fixed all, for however so temporarily. we sat outside and had beers I've never heard of and do not recall now, but they were super. I had the margarita pizza and fries (I like to start with the simplest items on my first dinner visit, then go adventurous each time after) my husband got the mussels. It would be unfair to gauge anyone's mussels against Monk's so we try not to do that. In which case they were really good and my simple fair was delicious. There should be a note about the staff here - they are fantastic. We had one waiter, but at least two other people checking on us and all three filling waters. I am putting Kraftwork on a regular rotation. oh - the reason we sat outside? it is really loud in there. might be an issue for me in the future, but as long as tables on the sidewalk are open, all is well.
(5)Brian F.
For a gastro-pub Kraftwork is as good as it gets. The first time I was there, I had the best burger I may ever have had ...and that's just the beginning of a great menu. Tonight I had two specials, a chilled asparagus soup, and a duck prosciutto salad. Both were outstanding. My girlfriend had the mussels, and they were to die for. They have an amazing selection of beers, and growlers to go. The decor is deconstructed and whimsical, with exposed brick & hardware fixtures, with a very cozy vibe. I highly suggest this place if you're a beer snob & a foodie. Kraftwork Bar is a true gift to Fishtown.
(5)Angelica R.
Kraftwork has the most delicious mussel and fries dish ever; the mussels are in a tasty garlic sauce, and they are plentiful! The fries come with a spicy mustard sauce and they also give you a huge amount. I usually split this dish with a friend... best bar food :-]
(4)Rebekah O.
GREAT beer selection and a knowledgeable, friendly staff! The food is excellent however I feel like it could be just tad bit more reasonable. I'm feeling like I'm about to become a 'regular' here!
(4)K Y.
I'm not sure why so many people feel the need to comment on the amount of "hipsters" that frequent this bar... who cares who the customers are as long as the food, drinks & service are on point? That being said... this bar is fantastic. Why? Tons of *free* parking, great beer (I drink whiskey, but friends drink beer), at least 25 craft beers on tap at all times along with the old stand by, PBR. They have a great menu with plenty of options for everyone in your party... burgers, sandwiches, flat breads, salads, etc. To top it off, they offer awesome brunch selections on Saturdays & Sundays. I love that I can go to Kraftwork on a friday night with a bunch of friends and then return on Sunday with my parents for brunch. To top it off, the service is always great! From the servers to the bartenders, bar backs, etc. everyone is super friendly and helpful.. I'm a server so I truly appreciate the outstanding service and I will continue to bring everyone I know here!
(5)jennifer F.
Love this place and their selection of brews on tap.. Any place that brings in good Belgians and a fine selection of local beers, is awesome in my book. It's worth the bike ride from South philly to Girard and Montgomery.. One warning - this place gets crowded, especially on the weekends so good luck finding a seat!
(5)L. G.
Oh my gentle Jesus this place is my fat girl heaven. I am in love with their pretzel bites with cheese. However, my absolute favorite is their burger. They some how manage to cook it perfectly on the outside and keep all of the flavor and juiciness on the inside. Amazing. Not much of a beer drinker but my inner circle seems to enjoy their tap list a great deal. I am a little too poor to come here all of the time but when I do have some extra cash to spare I like to make this my social rendezvous.
(4)Allie F.
Great beer, amazing food, friendly service and clean facilities. A little pricey.
(4)Tony R.
We've been here for brunch and lunch. Each time the food was incredible and service was also. I highly recommend this!
(5)Craig N.
I didn't wanna like this place, but every aspect of it on my 6 visits has been absolutely bangin. I even brought my father here and he hates everything. I had him eating Korean tacos, too funny!! Outstanding service, great beer and food for foodies. Best spot in Fishtown
(5)Zul R.
OMG ! I already love Kraftwork, but today they have outdone themselves! My friends and I went in as part of a mini-fishtown bar crawl and were pleasantly surprised to find out that they were giving out FREE JAMESON SHOTS!!!!! of course you have to be in something green, but wow! on a day that bars and pubs can charge extra, they are giving a gift. effing sweet!
(5)Tom S.
I like this place a lot. It's airy and open, nice decor. But of course, those things are secondary to what I'm there for. Craft beer, and a decent burger. The beer is pretty hit or miss for me. The German influences to the menu seem to invite a lot more imported beers and local beers brewed in European styles that generally are not to my taste. That's fine, as there are usually a few decent American style crafts to try. Last time I went, they had Pliny the Elder ( and not much else I wanted to drink) so that was pretty telling that they are serious about their beer selection. Then there's the burger. Very nice. Good size patty, very nicely cooked to order. Seemingly zero danger of it being over/undercooked. Well seasoned and very little extraneous toppings unless by request. I may be in the minority in this, but I very much appreciate that. In fact, the standard burger is completely barebones, with nothing but lettuce and pickles on it. There are also two lists from which you can add toppings, one from each list free, and $.50 (I believe) for each additional. The lists are small but interesting enough. I like mine with the Grafton 2 yr cheddar (the pepper jack they use has to be the mildest I've ever tasted, a disappointment), carmelized onions and bacon if I'm in the mood. The rolls they use are light and soft enough that they don't mask the flavor of the meat, a quality that some restaurants forget (looking at you, Standard Tap!) Definitely rates as one of the better, probably one of the best gastropub burgers I've had. The fries are not quite so great, but they're not terrible. They're very small, thin and short, a style I'm really not a fan of. I prefer a fry that is a bit more meaty, but then, that's a matter of taste. They are very nicely flavored with garlic and come with a mustard sauce that's flavorful but not overpowering. It's really not the flavor I don't love here because they are good, they're just more labor intensive to eat and vaguely less satisfying than they would be if they were a little more hefty. This is a place I'd like to get to a little more often than I do.
(4)roberta b.
the bacon and onion jam is my new jam. it's like having bacon on your burger without actually having bacon on your burger. aside from the burger, i have tried various other things from their menu and specials selections ...i enjoyed them all. i often find it hard to decide whether or not to order the side salad instead of the fries with my sandwich because - even though i know i should order the salad - the mustard dipping sauce is one of my favorite things, besides the jam, about kraftwork's sandwiches. since this pub is in my hood i frequent it pretty regularly and the only thing that ever turns me away is the lack of seating when they're busy... there's nowhere to wait, unless it's warm outside. i don't drink beer much, but i still find their ever-changing, wide selection of draft beer impressive.
(5)Zachary K.
Favorite place to go in fishtown! Beer selection is never disappointing, and neither is the food. Service is top notch too! Staff is always knowledgeable of what's on draft! I've been here countless times and have never had a bad experience. I typically get the burger when I go and haven't been to brunch enough to find my "go to" meal. The owner is dope too.
(5)Jane F.
Went there early (4pm) Sat. with 7 friends - all women in our umm, mature years - 35 to 65. . . and a 1 year old who was welcomed with a baby seat (in a gastropub? Yes) Anyway - short and sweet: Service was an absolute 10, not only did our server explain all the beers he helped up pick, he did it patiently - and this is while busloads of beer browsers were being dropped off in front of the restaurant. The bus service was even nice and efficient - dirty dishes were whisked away in due time. Nice bartender girl too. We probably wouldn't have gone had we known how crowded and noisy it was that day - but I'm glad we hung in there. GREAT selection of Beer was nice and fresh, could have been a bit colder, but that's my taste - food really good. I had the shortrib sandwich, (a 10) shared apps, pretzels just ok, bratwurst roll really good, friends canned chick (said it was a 10) Hamburgers looked good - they said they were really good. We will certainly go back esp. when it's quieter! (oh yeah we all fought over the desserts - the keylime tart was delicious as was the cheesecake) Bill with tip came to $40 per person (with generous tip) ($260 plus tip)
(5)Lynn P.
I have had most things on the menu and have never been let down. I would highly recommend the short rib sandwich, although I REALLY dislike that they don't serve it on a brioche roll any longer :( The chef seems to be a master at putting different flavors together and making things taste phenomenal. The burger and beer can chicken sandwich are great, also. I hope this place lasts. The staff is always friendly, I like the music and....the BEER. I would still frequent this place if they didn't serve awesome food, just for the beer alone. They always have a ton of great choices on tap. This place is a beer geeks heaven!
(5)Drew D.
I wouldn't be surprised if I'm on here revising my review in a few months, but I felt I had to give only three stars because of the menu. This place has enormous potential. The bar is really like nothing else in the area; they have a massive tap selection and they fill growlers! However, I think the menu is too small and it seems like there are gaps that must be filled in with some more standard pub fare (with a creative twist of course). Also, the prices are kind of all over the place with some menu items priced well over what you would expect as the market equilibrium so to speak. That being said, I'll definitely be back for some of the more exotic items like the rabbit terrine and the chicken liver mousse.
(3)Kristen B.
YUM! A friend and I stopped in for lunch today and boy am I glad we did. We shared the veggie board and mussels w/ fries. The food was excellent- very fresh and well prepared. We didn't sample any beer, but the menu is very extensive and looks like any beer drinker's dream. My only knock is the prices. A bowl of mussels & fries (at $16) is more expensive than at monk's and well, no one beats monk's mussels. And the veggie board, while very delicious, wasn't the most filling $15 worth of food I've had. Our waitress was great and told us how almost everything in the place (stools, tables, benches) was made by the owners/staff and well, that makes it just that much more charming, doesn't it? Should you go here? YES!
(4)Erik E.
Cool crowd , great food , dope music. What else do u look for in a fishtown bar ? Glad i walked in this joint , happy to stumble out.
(5)Maggie U.
I hate giving Kraftworks a bad review but I've been here multiple times, and it seems to get worse and worse with each visit. This past sunday my boyfriend and I took his brother and fiancée here for brunch. It was our first time for brunch and were really looking forward to the meal. We got there around 11:30 and were told it would be a 15 minute wait... Fine except it was more like 30/40 minute wait. When we were finally able to sit, two tables were being cleared, a corner private 4 top table and a table with 2 patrons already seated. After requesting the private table we were sat at the cramped shared table. Fine. I ordered the eggs Benedict and my boyfriend the Philly style omelet. They must ration the hollandaise bc it was almost non existent and I ended up dipping my eggs in the also sparse ketchup. BUT what pushed the experience from crappy to never going back for brunch again was the nice big piece of scotch tape that was cooked into the egg of my boyfriends omelet. A nice label stating 3-25 burger... (at least I know they date and label things in the kitchen) Working in kitchens I know his meal should have been compt, instead we were brought a free muffin and still charged for his meal. I will never go back for anything other than a beer and fries and only because of the convenience of this bar being so close. The new chef needs to step it up and get his line in shape.
(2)Angela V.
They are getting 4 out of 5 based on atmosphere, service, and drinks. All great! I hope to go back soon for food, then maybe they'll earn the 5th star.
(4)Caitlin V.
I went back here and it looks like there's a couple more things on the menu that were vegetarian family which was probably my biggest gripe with this place. just work on the vegan options (i'm not vegan but my friend was and felt like she didn't have many choices).
(4)Holly H.
Solid service, great beer list (and very inventive), cool to look at. We had a great time here after the kenetic scuplture race and had a fab time picking out tasters from the beer list. I wanna take the boy back but it's a bit out of the way and the table situation is tricky too (as in, first come first serve leads to 2 tops at the biggest tables, although the waitress was quick to move peoples around). O, maple bacon rice krispy treats were anazing!
(4)Jessica E.
I still like this place a lot and continue to be impressed with the quickly rotating beer selection. I was not blown away by the service the last time I went though. Our server seemed somewhat distracted. Two rounds of beers and she mixed up our beers among the table both times. I got an order of the fries, which were good, but I am not sure if they were $6 good. I will go back, but I think I would prefer to stick to the bar and eat elsewhere.
(4)Teresa D.
YES. Yes yes yes. This place is just a hop, skip and a half jump from my place. My friends and I decided to go here for a bite to eat, and were joined by a few friends later. Even though the place was packed, the bench seating allowed for all of us (6 to be exact) to sit comfortably at a table. The menu is small, but caters to meat-eaters, pescatarians and vegetarians alike. My friend and I ordered the mussels with fries and the cheese plate to share. So good were the mussels, but the cheese plate was my favorite. And don't be afraid to ask for a change or two on your meal, one of our friends is pescatarian and ordered the B-L-Trout, sans bacon, and it was no problem. The beer and drinks are quite good as well. They have a margarita of sorts called the Walter Gropius, it was delicious. The beer selection was great, they tell you everything from the % of alcohol to the origin of each beer on the menu, awesome. It was CRAZY busy on a Tuesday evening, but the waitstaff was amazing. And for all of you bacon lovers out there, three words: PORK KRISPY TREAT. Yes. Pork rinds, marshmallows, chocolate and bacon. All combined into a little scrumptious "rice crispy treat". Try it, and I promise you will not be disappointed. Whoever came up with this little nugget of awesomeness deserves an award. I will now have a difficult time choosing between Kraftwork and Memphis Taproom, since they are both so close to my damn house...
(4)Curtis A.
Great place! Good food, food service, friendly and laid back. My kinda spot. Apart from the monumental bacon blue burger, they're brunch menu is solid. Try the Philly omelet, it's like a sausage cheese sandwich but instead of bread it's egg.Mmmmm. If your a bloody Mary fan this is your place. There's is topped with a porter which seems weird at first but trust me it's good.
(5)Carlos N.
I went to Kraftwork yesterday for brunch. This place was great. As soon as the doors opened at 10:30 am it was pretty much full in a matter of minutes. Great draft beer selection and the food was great. I got the egg white omelet with Gruyere and caramelized onions and it was delicious. The service was very good. I am a fan of this place and will be coming back for more food and beer.
(4)Chelsea N.
pretty darn tasty stuff. last time i got the shortrib sandwich and was blown away!
(4)fred m.
Excellent brunch spot. Great food, especially the smoked salmon and potato rosti, the croque madame and the breakfast flatbread. The mimosas are also wonderful and only $5! Beer selection is fab. Waitstaff awesome. Music good and not overbearing. TVs are there but not the focal point. We were able to watch the Sixers beat the Knicks, which was a bonus. The other great thing about Kraftwork is that there is rarely a wait on a Sunday at brunch time. What a treat! We will be back to try it for dinner.
(4)Todd T.
Stumbled onto this place while heading to Johnny Brenda's. Awesome craft beer selections. Food was very good. Garlic and herb fries were my favorite. The bartenders were friendly and helpful. They were eager to let us try some beers. The interior is really well done. This place is well worth a visit. I look forward to going back.
(4)Karma B.
First, in terms of decor and Kraftsmanship, this place is very cool. Really cool metal and wood work pervades. The door handles on the front door are giant screws (very cool). The bar in the center of the place has a giant saw hanging over it. The bathrooms have all kinds of artistic metal work going on. The tables, stools, and benches are finely crafted wood. The place is really cool looking. Food wise, I was quite impressed. I had the beer-can chicken sandwhich and it was awesome. Totally tender chicken, spiced just right. It came with a side of cole slaw that was a little spicy and light. It was really good. We also had the cheese plate which was also very good. As a matter of taste, I wasn't a fan of two of the cheeses but they were of good quality and exactly as expected. The service is good and friendly as well. My only complaint is that the menu is hard to decipher. The beer selection is great but you have to study the list for like 10 minutes to get the organization. They do servce beer in 8 oz, 12 oz, and 16 oz servings -- a nice touch if you want to try a bunch of different ones without getting smashed. The food menu is on a form that looks like a blueprint. Again, too much going on for me. It is clever, but I really just want to be able to see what's on the menu and order what I want. But overall, this place is really good. The food is not typical bar food and the decor is very cool. Definitely worth checking out.
(4)Tom L.
Great beer selection (tried the local Yards IPA) and one of the best burgers I've ever had - a perfect medium-rare with a nice dark char on the outside topped with aged cheddar and bacon/onion jam. Just ridiculously good.
(4)S L.
the beer list is great.... the atmoshpere is warm, lively and friendly and the food is where it's at! i want to have sex with the food at Kraftwork. I have spoken with the chef Michael at length and know for a fact that... Kraftwork's kitchen sources it's produce, meat and dairy in season. locally. LET"S SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD ECONOMY! the meat they use is free-range, mostly grass-fed and free of chemicals/hormones. anything local, organic, small producer, artisanal etc. is going to be tastier, better for you and a little more expensive. the ingredients are top notch and the dishes are all made in house. nothing is bought frozen or pre-fab. there are actual real live people back there in the kitchen kneading pizza dough, mixing dressings from scratch, butchering, prepping and busting ass at HAND CUTTING FRENCH FRIES! wake up. workers who do things like this get paid. there is a price for their work. they aren't slaves. if you want cheap food...unripe mealy tomatoes flown in from Chile, made and served by someone who doesn't give a poop about you or your food cause they only make 6$ an hour.... then go to those other places and fill your face with them at all-you-can-eat buffets and stuff. but seriously folks, you get what you pay for...so stop bitching about paying for quality. eat at taco bell if you want a cheap dinner.
(5)Galeet C.
A haiku for yesterday's soup: seasonal beet soup you were a rothko painting of nutrition.mmmmm.
(5)Eric S.
Herb Fries are awesome. Great selection of beer!
(5)Vinicius C.
Chef, great job....Here's someone who finally accepts the fact that this is a bar scene where bar food should be served. No...not frozen pizzas and taquitos...I'm talking about the real deal...the kind of food Ben Frank probably used to get when he went to bars...well executed mussels, oysters, beer chicken sandwich and burgers...Eh maybe he didn't get to eat the beer chicken sandwich...but I sure am glad I did. Nicely cooked chicken very flavorful and juicy not dry like most places, the apple slaw adds sweetness and cuts through the rich chicken with a little "zing". I've been here a couple of times since it opened and got to say although they have an amazing selection of beers, the food is my favorite part! Oh god the pickled veggies...I could sit all day eating whole cloves of pickled garlic (eek, I know right?! But they're so good I can't help it! it's perfect with the beer!) The waitstaff is a little confused... I think they should organize the seating a bit better, specially if it's really busy....You either treat the whole thing as a bar where you come in and find a seat yourself or you come in and put your name in the waiting list...But you gotta follow through with it and make sure the waiting list is enforced, or else it can be very frustrating as I've experienced first handed...(I know it's very very very busy and you got to pour like 6 beers and wait on six tables and that guy across the bar is yelling your name and trying to talk to you...trust me I understand!....thus, either treat it as bar or enforce the waiting list!)
(4)Colin S.
Heavenly beer selection and a very nice interior as well. Jammed packed on a Tuesday at 8 p.m. and the service was good (usually service in a new spot is the reason I don't go back). For me, the menu looks a little too much like Johnny Brenda's and the Standard. Quirky-gastro. The question is do we really need another gastro-pub, in terms of the menu? The answer for me is no - we need more menu items that inspire, not invoke direct comparison to 15 other places like this in the city. That being said, I went for what I always have in any new place, the burger. It was very good, though it had way too much blue cheese, which totally overpowered the onion and meat itself! The end result was it came off more as a swanky cheese steak, than a burger (except it was on a bun). With such a strong cheese, a light hint is all that is needed. Otherwise, it was good stuff, great bun and perfect fries.
(3)Sally f.
im so happy to see new, quality places opening on girard in fishtown. and i was so pleased with my experience at kraftwork. the interior was so cool - the design was well executed. the service was great and the food was great! i had a delicious falafel sandwitch. my boyfriend was very impressed with his meal and the beer list. theres some exciting rare brews in there! def going back many many times!
(5)Nikki D.
awesome beer, decent food (but small selection), not so good service.
(3)Jim B.
Finally! I keep hearing about the latest places that call themselves "gastropubs" and am almost always disappointed. Most places manage an okay beer selection and fall flat on their faces when it comes to food. Kraftwork is exceptional in both respects and ups the ante with deliciously crafted cocktails (Corbusier -- a tasty drink that contains absinthe? How novel!) and a small but well-chosen selection of wine that accommodates the wino in me. On to the real meat of the place: the food! Anyone can invest in a lot of taps and a beer consultant, or throw in the kitchen sink when it comes to bottles (Kraftwork has none), but I'm almost always left wanting when it comes to the "gastro-" part of "gastropub". The menu size is restrained and the descriptions are simple, but everything I've had delivers big time in the taste, preparation, and usually size. And usually contains substantial amounts of meat. The burger -- medium-rare, Point Reyes Blue(!) and bacon onion jam(!) -- is the new burger to beat in Philadelphia. The "Crispy Pork Terrine" are lovely little crispy fried, melt-in-your-mouth balls of porky deliciousness. The charcuterie board, including an unhealthy portion of non-fried (but bacon wrapped) rabbit terrine, was nearly meal enough for two. The meat finale is a "pork crispy treat" -- crackling substituting rice crispies, topped with chocolate and bacon. It's a meat-eater's dream come true. On the vegetable side, the "fiddlehead ferns" special was a remarkably simple but satisfying dish. I was told by the server that they're only in season for a short time and would be taken off the menu as soon as they were no longer freshly available. I'm used to hearing discussion of seasonal veggies in fine dining establishments, but it's nice to hear that a pub is basing their menu on the freshness of their produce. There's a veggie plate in addition to the charcuterie board. The "faux gras" tastes nothing like the real thing, but was a good, rich, creamy, buttery slab of non-meat products -- all i could pick out specifically was garlic. For me, the fish was 50-50. Most yelpers seem to be partial to Monk's mussels, but I think Kraftwork's easily give them a run for their money. Maybe I just went on a good night. The Trout BLT, on the other hand, was, well, fishy. Trout is a fishy fish, and I should've expected this, but I guess I was just expecting them to miraculously balance it out or cover it up with bacon or sauce. They don't. It's definitely a trout sandwich. Period. I can't say enough good things about this place. It's actually motivating me to trek up to Fishtown from South Philly. I almost wish it were further away so I could burn off more of the calories I consume in beer, pig, beef, pig, rabbit, and most everything else they're cooking up.
(5)Vivian T.
Great place to grab a beer and snack. I had the eggplant parm sandwich. Man that was good. Wine selection wasn't so great but one does not come to this place for wine. Really good beer selection. I would definitely go back.
(4)Sean T.
Yes, I went for the Beer Can Chicken. Nothing quite like it anywhere else so there's enough of a reason to check it out. Great beer selection. Busy but friendly on a Friday night. Short walk to Johnny Brenda's!
(4)Monica S.
Kraftwork pleased me and my dinner companion very much. Upon entry, a busy waitress hurried over and explained their take on communal seating. "If it's okay with you guys, we're going with communal seating and there's a spot for two at that table over there." She points to the open spot when my friends goes, "don't you know that girl?" We walk over and my unaware buddy glances up to see I'll be taking a seat right next to her. Could've been a disaster had I not returned the friendship ring we once shared. Nevertheless, community seating brought back those good ol' friend feelings in no time. I dug into the fiddleheads special and even convinced my friend we were eating caterpillars. Do you know how nutritious these suckers are? To quote Wikipedia, they're "even better than blueberries, the gold standard for antioxidants!" Simply prepared with olive oil and sea salt, the ferns were all goodness. My beer can chicken sandwich came served over doughy brioche and went down without issue and extreme pleasure. The menu's a simple one, but who can scoff at their blueprint style design. As others have noted, the beer selection is robust and with every available option comes a replacement, should they run out of your choice (which they did). So never fear, there's a similar style beer ready to fill your pint. My friend's scallop special looked a little meager for his big man appetite, but once digested, he quit his bitching and leaned back, stretched his arms, and gave his belly a metaphorical rub. Bacon and pork rinds for dessert? Bring it on. And they did. With a famished gusto, we devoured and reveled in the unexpected rice crispy treat - which believe it or not were pork rinds brought together with gooey marshmallows and topped with bacon bits. Don't hurl, it was awesome. A resounding yes yes yes!
(5)Colin H.
This place is great. A fishtown 'original' or sorts, I highly recommend anyone in the area stop in given the chance. Their 10pm specials encourage you to try new beers to go with your delicious garlic and parm fries. Not to mention, there is a giant saw in the ceiling, so you know, that's cool.
(5)Jim S.
When you first walk in this looks like just a bar with some seating around it. But I heard they also had good food so I decided to stay. I am sure glad I did. Yes they do have a large selection of beer on tap but they also have really great food. My friend had a burger that he said was cooked to perfection and had great fries. I had the Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Fritter Salad that was huge and really good. The table next to me was raving about a beer can chicken sandwich that she loved. The seating is not great as it is a small place and they have hard bar stools or hard both type benches where you sit really close to the people next to you. But with food of this quality I an fine with the hard and loud bar atmosphere. If you have not tried this place I recommend you give it a try.
(5)Vincent J.
Great atmosphere, the food was good enough, we just had apps so I cannot really comment on the food. The staff was friendly and attentive and the beer selection was very good.
(4)Adam K.
Lot of craft beers so it's not just a witty name. Sit at the long tables or pull a seat up at the bar. They have servers who are pretty educated on the beer in case the menu overwhelms you. They have food but we just drank. It's in a random part of the city but worth making the trek.
(4)Philly D.
Started here for Philly Beer Week 2010. Decided to go with the Kraftwork Burger... Grilled to a perfect medium rare. I ordered it with 2yr Grafton Cheddar Cheese and the bacon onion jam. Comes with toasted herb garlic fries. Burger was great, I was told that the beef is ground in house. As for beer, I started with an Ommengang Witbier and then a Petus "something...?" I forget which one.
(4)Jennifer L.
I love this place!!! They have great beer, the staff is awesome and knowledgeable, the food is good and the brunch is AMAZING, do brunch here!!! I promise you'll come out a very happy boy or girl. I really like how they have special beer events too. I was there with Brian L. for the Lagunitas beer event and it was really fun! I cannot wait to come back!
(4)Mike H.
Service was great, Renata was our bartender until shift end, then Kevan. Very knowledgable about menu and beer selection. Speaking of which, 25 beers on tap, including one on nitro (Firestone Walker) and one on cask. We had cheese board, pretzel bites, Avery Tripel, alagash white, urthel saisonniere saison, Firestone walker on nitro, new holland saison, Margherita pizza, shellfish gnocchi, salted caramel pudding with maple cred bacon. Had the four beer taster, then switched to Avery Tripel in goblets. All food was inventive and perfect for a bar like this. Decor is unique, a lot of custom details by carpenter and old tools incorporated into decor. Great music on pandora (rolling stones radio this day). Great late afternoon early evening stop for us.
(5)Isabelle K.
20+ rotating craft beers on tap and proper gastro-fantastic food...need I say more?! Well, I will. Kraftwork has been one of my favorites since it opened and is easily my most recommended bar in the city. Their decor is spectacular...layers of the wall exposing brick, plaster and old wallpaper. I believe one of the owners was a iron or steel worker as there is a ton of awesome metalwork throughout. I love the massive saw with cutout hops hanging over the bar. They're bathrooms are friggin' awesome! Cool metal work, giant wrenches and pipes, really artsy industrial. This place is either packed or dead, which is true for most places in the area. But the crowd is usually awesome. Lots of interesting people, neighborhood regulars, hipsters, old school punk rockers, guys in suits and blue collar boys all sitting around the same bar, talking sports, art, or charcuterie. The beauty is that most people here, esp the staff, are well-versed in beer and food, but leave the pretentiousness elsewhere. I can always rely on them to recommend a great beer or new menu item when I'm being "that" person at the bar who doesn't know what they're in the mood for. They have a phenomenal selection of craft beers, a full stocked bar and a few featured wines. They also have ginger beer!! Weekly, they'll update the beers on their Facebook and post food features. I've tried justttt about everything on the menu. The Hen of the Woods mushroom salad is my favorite...think truffled Caesar salad w/ wild mushrooms and all the joy that comes with it...x50. Their specials are always excellent and are often the reason I make a trip down. Their burgers are my 2nd favorite in the city. Their fries are #1. While you may have to camp out for an outdoor table for brunch on a nice day (also typical of most restaurants here), it's well worth it!! Their eggs Benedict are in my top 2 and their service is always fast no matter how slammed they are.
(5)Yolanda Y.
Wish I had come here sooner and lived closer! The drinks were great, especially for those who are really into beer, the food was good, and the service great too. I was surprised by how quickly I found parking right around the corner. It fills up pretty quickly on weekends for dinner, but we got a table, and didn't feel rushed even though we kept ordering food and drinks. It's hard to complain when you have a tasty cocktail and food. There were only two restrooms that I found, but I didn't have to wait for them because I guess people go pretty quickly even though it was crowded. All the people we encountered were friendly. Of course, the decor is cool too especially if you have time to sit and take it all in and look at all the details.
(5)Jackson T.
Can't get enough. Great beer selection and even better gastropub fare. The people are great and the mix of customers makes for a very welcoming atmosphere. Mental note...bring the growler next time...beer to go baby!
(5)Emmaleigh A.
The beer selection at Kraftwork is amazing (25 beers on tap), and the food is delicious! I went once for brunch and had eggs benedict with potato hash and fruit salad. I loved the potato hash, and the fruit salad was really fresh. I also went for dinner more recently and had pretzel bites and vegetable flatbread. I didn't love the pretzel bites -- they were sort of greasy and the cheese sauce didn't have much of a taste. But the veggie flatbread (tomatoes, summer squash, onions, goat cheese) was great. My only complaint is that the dinner menu isn't huge. The veggie flatbread was on the specials menu and nothing was really jumping out at me on the regular menu. The industrial look is really cool and unique. And the staff is friendly and helpful -- they're good about recommending beers and letting you taste something before ordering it.
(4)Kelly P.
decent brunch spot, have yet to go for any other reason. i ordered this massive egg & chicken burrito special and i will dream about it for weeks to come. fresh ingredients, well cooked breakfast potatoes. i had the cider that everyone else was ordering with the snap in it. very tasty.
(3)Vinny P.
If you happen to be in Fishtown you should check this place out. I'm not saying I'd make a special trip up there. The last time I was driving down Girard I saw it and since I was moving quickly I thought it was like next door to Johnny Brenda's. It's not. Not that it's far, but a good 5-7 minute walk from JBs. Maybe 10 from the el. Nice beer selection. The menu is a bit confusing to read. It's this grid style approach to the beer selection and if after a long day of work where you stare at speadsheets put together by aspiring marketeers, you don't want to see one when you order beer. Still, it's not that difficult to figure out but it's harder than it should be. I'm up to 4 because I like to err on the side of positive. Honestly, this place would be 3.5 in my mind only due to location. My beet salad with arugula, walnuts and a vinaigrette was tasty and reasonably price. The margherita pizza was think crust, crispy and had a nice sauce on it with fresh mozzarella. They don't skimp on the details. Anyway, I would go back. I find a way to get up to fishtown now and again to visit people. Nice to see another good spot in that neighborhood. If I was local, I would probably be there a lot more.
(3)Joseph C.
I just moved into the neighborhood and this was my first outing. Killer beer list. Very good burger cooked exactly like I asked. Fun atmosphere. This will definitely become a regular place of mine.
(4)Robin S.
I love this place! Have been there on several occasions, as I have friends that live in the area. Had 2 wonderful glasses of wine and a burger to die for...the salad with fresh greens, beets and goat cheese could not have been more delicious. This small but awesome place is a real keeper!
(5)Jill C.
So - i pass the corner of Montgomery and Girard perhaps weekly. I recently noticed activity at the corner. Last weekend it looked like SOMETHING was about to open. So we went to investigate Monday. We just went for beers, but so far so good. They only have a tap system, but fear not. The beer menu was set up "construction-blueprint" style. Go see it for yourself, it was cool. Like the other Yelper said, u can see the sizes, cost, and alcohol level of the beers and they have a list on the side so you know whats on deck. The staff was nice and had it together - eventhough it was busy and they have been open for maybe a week. So kudos to the staff. The atmosphere was cool - exposed brick, big windows and lots of custom metalwork. The beer list had a little something for everyone. I liked the fact that most of the beers came in a little size - that way if your're not in the mood for a full pint or want to just give something a try, you're covered! We did not try the food, but it all looked and smelled fantastic (i may have drooled on a neighbor over the muscles). They have a gastro-pub style menu and vegetarians - you're covered. I am reserving a star because we didnt try the food. UPDATE Have now been back quite a few times and the food has always been great. A fav is the beer can chicken sandwich!
(4)Margaux M.
This place was awesome. The food, the beer selection, and the music. The staff was very helpful. The beer/cheese fondue that comes with the pretzel bites is extremely tasty and addictive. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Philly.
(5)Anna P.
MUST GET THE BURGER. I have tried burgers all over this city and the burger here is amazing! They hit the mark with flavor, bun and grilled patty. My friend is the one that actually ordered it and I had a bite and now I'm craving it! I had the Beet Salad which was really delicious. And their beer selection is top notch! It's worth the trip people!
(5)Louisa E.
Amazing ever changing beer selection- one of the best in Fishtown. The food started good when they opened, got lousy a few months later and now it's good again. The new falafel is amazing and the burgers and fries are always good. The salads are overpriced and it is annoying that both have fried things on them, although you can ask for the beer salad with unfried goat cheese and it's great - and huge! I almost wish that they would offer half the salad for half the price since it's really two servings worth. Neat specialty drinks and the servers are always knowledgable, personable and attentive. Love the outside seating and late night happy hour where a dozen drafts are half priced from 10-12am. Overall a great place. Lots of large tables inside so it's easy to go to with 6 or 8 people when it's not crowded.
(4)KJ S.
Great food, decent beer selection, but I am not a fan of the cafeteria style tables... I had to be uncomfortably close to a couple that was breaking up/ fighting for the whole time we were there. (he cheated on her, but she suggested that she was thinking about cheating, so he figured it was ok... is that too much detail about a strangers' relationship? Then you know how I felt- except I got it in real time & in person...)
(3)Brian M.
I don't generally come here often but when I do I enjoy it a lot. They have an excellent selection of beer and there are always enough bartenders to make sure you're not waiting too long. 2 of the 3 times I have been here have been during the craft beer express, so it's usually pretty packed. It's a pretty small place so it gets crowded quickly, but they have tables outside which you can sit at which helps a little bit. I have ordered food every time I've been here and it always gets out to me fairly quickly considering the crowd. The food has always been absolutely delicious. I got brunch twice and just went with typical bacon, eggs, hasbrowns and once I got a bacon egg and cheddar burger which was a revelation. Maybe it was because I was kinda drunk and really hungry but it was so damn good. It also comes with garlic herb fries which were perfectly cooked and incredibly tasty. I would totally recommend making a stop at Kraftworks if you're in the area. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(4)Bill B.
Great vibe and atmosphere. The service was excellent even though it was very crowded. Very good beer selection. Reasonably priced. The Mediterranean Plate was outstanding as was their burger and fries. I would recommend this place if you are in the area.
(4)Flora T.
This place is worth trying- nice decor, very friendly service. We had the falafel sandwich, pierogi, and trout blt. Not the best food ever, but good solid flavors.
(4)Mo A.
Spectacular brunch in Philadelphia, The biscuits, sausage, omelets and sandwiches were sublime. They also make a legit bloody mary.
(4)Hyun K.
Came here with a friend on a Friday night. Super cool decor and our server was funny and nice. We started off with the asparagus, the truffle aoli or whatever, was bomb! I had the french onion sandwich and it was to die for. I'm totally coming back again asap!
(4)Ian F.
The salads and main courses are better than the sandwiches - a little pricier than Johnny Brenda's, though.
(5)Nunya B.
I was in the city a few days back and I asked some of my girlfriend's coworkers where to eat- one of them recommended this place. I don't live in philly, so I was glad I could get referred a place by a local so i wouldn't have to troll yelp on my phone for an hour (we've all been there). I see the appeal of this place...its a cool spot. There's nuts and bolts on the fucking doors and hardwood everything. The lights are dimmed and a certain type of music plays for a certain type of young professional clientele. However, I have no interest in coming here again. The beer is intentionally over your head. Every single beverage on their beer chart (its like an excel spreadsheet....wtf) is something I've never heard of. Now I'm not a beer snob but I know my beers and consider myself to have pretty good taste. The fact that everything is a foreign import vanity label brewery is just obnoxious. I just wanted a Victory or Dogfish Head. Instead I could choose between 10 different Norwegian beers. Now, I love exploring food and drink as much as the next guy- that's how you discover better beers...however I'm not looking for an exploration of the alcoholic arts every time I want to have a meal. Just stock a fucking (good) well known beer, don't force me to expand my palette you assholes (Let me add that a "goblet" is $8-9). I chose the Pale Ale from this norwegian brewery. It tasted like someone created a hop extract in a laboratory and mixed it with already bitter beer. Dudes, I am just not ready for that level of beer snobbery. The food is a similar deal. The items on the dinner menu sound potentially interesting, but they are marred by pretentiousness. I got the korean tacos, my girlfriend got the burger. The tacos were fine, the meat filling was tasty but it was covered in pickled jalapenos. I had to take them off because they were ruining the whole thing. Way too hot. It also came with a bland "bean salad" that was ice cold. My girlfriend's burger was ok, again a little too bland. Why make the topping choice for the burger such an ordeal? Just make two or three burgers with a decent combination of ingredients picked out by a chef instead of giving you 10 options. The burger alone is not good enough to have it stand by itself like that. Have the chef take some direction with that thing. The saving grace of the meal was the french fries. They were simply done, quality french fries. Nuff said. So really i do understand what these guys are trying to do...It's a craft beer gastropub. It tries to be cool with a creative menu, adventurous beers and trendy interior. But it falls flat in trying to be way smarter than they know what to do with.
(2)Erica M.
The beer selection is excellent. They rotate the beers on tap often enough. The food is great too. Anything I have ever ordered here has been awesome. The food selection changes, but it is consistently delicious. Come here on a weekday night and get your beer half off!
(4)Ashley A.
Their burger...(speaks in tongues, falls on the ground)...get the red onion bacon marmalade and aged cheddar. Their drink selection...(drooling)...always the selection is a cornucopia that makes me wish my belly button had a valve which I could funnel booze into. Damn skippy this place is delishadelphiashious.
(5)christina j.
my friend and i came here saturday night for some beers and a bite to eat. we arrived 9:30ish & found seats at the bar. this being my first time here and after reading the reviews on the beer can chicken sandwich, i was looking forward to ordering. still learning about beer my friend selected a refreshing beer not to hoppy, which i enjoyed. we shared an order of fries nicely flavored with rosemary & the portion was more than enough for 2 people. i would definitely go back to try the mussels or the short rib sandwich. the bartenders are friendly and helpful with suggestions & the prices are reasonable. and who knew there would be a dj spinning in the back.
(4)Thom N.
Kraftwork is a handsome looking bar but it "tries" too hard. The music is way too loud, so loud it is difficult to have a conversation there. One has to shout or talk above the music. There's no reason why the music has to blast like this. This is not a dance bar or a club. The drinks are also too expensive. A small glass of wine for $8.00 is rather absurd, especially when the wine glasses are small and the servings are very conservative. I prefer a more rustic, genuinely bohemian "undiscovered" place, but this is "Northern Liberties plastic" to the max. The servers were very nice and engaging but this doesn't make up for the obnoxiously loud music and the chi chi gourmet food selections and overpriced drinks. Disappointing. I kept wishing I was in a plain ole neighborhood Irish Pub where things were not so self consciously "hip."
(2)J T.
This is the place I have been waiting for. Brilliant tap,great menu and it delivers really good food. had the cold beet soup and falafel some wonderful beers nice atmosphere really I could not ask for more. Honestly it is dangerous to have this place walking distance from my house. For the quality of what I had prices were more than reasonable. I foresee being a regular.
(5)Amy M.
I love this place! Went there for the first time last night with two friends and we all agree - we will be back! Our waiter set the stage - his service was impeccable and a real surprise - like what you would expect at a high-end restaurant. He knew the menu inside out and did a great job when we asked him to select our beer flights. We loved everything we ordered and would highly recommend - the Hazelnut Salad, Sicilian Arancini, Korean BBQ Tacos, and Short rib Sandwich. Whoever created the menu clearly knows food and knows how to present it. One very small complaint - but not enough to keep me from going back - the heavy metal rock music playing when we first sat down was making me wonder if I could stay (not my idea of a pleasurable dining experience, sorry). Just as I was about to make a request the music switched to the Stones and for the most part stayed within that venue for the rest of our stay. Given the level of attention and service we received all night, I'm sure they would have accommodated any music requests. This little unassuming Fishtown Gastrobar is a delightful surprise and I would recommend it to anyone.
(5)Beth G.
Best bloody mary in town, and trust me, I am an expert in hangovers. Great staff, and the burger is to die for...long hots and all.
(5)Sean D.
What a great place to grab brunch on a Sunday morning. The little lady and I decided to give Kraftwork a shot one morning, and we did not regret it. I had the Huevos Rancheros, she had the Eggs Benedict. Neither were disappointing. Throw in some cheap brunch drink specials, and you had a happy couple. Definitely will be coming here again.
(4)Sara M.
Came to this German inspired pub for National Burger Day because my friend said they have killer burgers. I've confirmed they do. Started with a flight of 4 draft beers (quite a little deal) and loved all of them, especially the Liquid Gold. I got my burger with sharp cheddar and bacon and red onion marmalade (at the server's emphatic request) and was so pleased. Well cooked, the jam a perfect blend of sweet and salty. Quick service and 70s jams ranks this hipster place high in my book.
(5)Arianne S.
This place has an incredible beer selection. As a local, and relatively frequent, purveyor of Kraftwork, I do wish their lunch and dinner menu would change a bit more frequently. That being said, you can't go wrong with one of their delicious burgers or sandwiches, or awesome appetizers. The pretzel bites are an excellent snack. Kraftwork's brunch is heaven, though. A great variety of breakfast staples and some twists on your favorites. Everything is fresh, and their brunch drinks are equally delicious. Get there early, because it's quite popular!
(4)Shari P.
Industrial, spare interiors make the historic setting of this bar and restaurant come to life. Tasty, fresh combinations and artfully designed dishes. Portions are huge! We had the pirogi appetizer for example, and it was a meal-size portion. Definitely a place for Sharing.
(5)