I live in-town and go to Roller's every week, sometimes more than once a week! It is the best breakfast/brunch offering in Chestnut Hill. Even when super busy, you get seated quickly and served delicious, hot food super swiftly. I switch between getting the chocolate pancakes, blueberry pancakes, and the Swedish eggs dish. They have the best BACON ever. I love their rye bread toasted. Yum. All for very reasonable prices. Bring cash or check, no credit cards are taken. I have brought so many family members and friends (local & visiting) for breakfast/brunch because this cozy restaurant captures the charm of this town. If you want a friendly, local business where servers remember you & work hard, and where you can chat with other community members over an mouthwatering breakfast or lunch - THIS is the spot!
(5)
Yumi Y.
Rude staff Food was nasty and overpriced. I won't be back. I ordered 2 bacon sandwiches and egged with a side of toast. I got eggs that didn't even have the cheese mixed in. Just laid on top. and my sandwiches had 1 side of bacon broken into 2 pieces.
(1)
Jinsol L.
For the service, price, and ambiance, it'd be hard for me to rate this place above a 3. Nothing really stood out; it felt like only minimal effort was invested in everything (including the service), but perhaps some people enjoy the lack of ostentation and the routine neutrality. Anyways, I gave Roller's Express-O the extra star because I absolutely LOVE their 3-grain pancakes. I'm really not sure what it is about either a) my taste buds or b) the pancakes or c) the combination of the two that makes each bite so wonderful. I believe I'm not the only one to rave about these though, because it appears as though their website describes these 3-grain pancakes as being "famous". What's even better about this place is that they sell their own special pancake mix in adorable brown paper packaging so that you can make it at home by just adding a few of the non-dry ingredients! Highly convenient if you don't live nearby or if you want to save a couple extra bucks (since, of course, dining in adds to the price of the food experience). Especially because the boyfriend often makes these 3-grain pancakes for me when he's bringing me breakfast in bed, it's become a major favorite!
(4)
Matthew G.
What a cute place. Family owned experience. Intimate atmosphere and incredible tasting dishes. La Columbe coffee, 3 grain blueberry pancakes, Nutella stuffed French toast, Le Bus bread, what more could you ask for? Our favorite breakfast place to go to in all of Philadelphia.
(5)
Brian F.
Probably the best breakfast in Chestnut Hill. Albeit the options are limited, but between Roller's and Cake, the food was much better here. I had an omelet with bacon, peper jack, and onions. It was very tasty. My wife had the nutella stuffed french toast and a side of home fries. The prices are very good here. Only spent $20 and had coffee and tea. Only complaint is the cold feeling of the restaurant and the out of place pop-music.
(5)
SidneyGreenstreet S.
Great and convenient little breakfast spot. Excellent service and cozy atmosphere. Friendly staff and good coffee.
(5)
Erika D.
Quaint little cafe, and the food is excellent!! Can tell it's made with a lot of TLC!
(5)
Tara C.
My networking group, Northwest Philadelphia Professional Women's Network, met last Friday and we were delighted with our service and food. Becky, the owner, served the 12 of us personally. We can't wait to return next month!
(5)
Danita R.
I think the sammich may be Paul's, or it's his orange cranberry sauce--I'm not sure but either way there's some tart tastiness to be had along with grilled turkey and cheddar on some multigrain! Popped in there today for lunch with two co-workers, and we received quite friendly and prompt sunshiny service. The small space inspires friendliness, and it's a lovely, cash-only spot to tuck into for a quick, but filling bite.
(4)
Simona P.
Really cute place, looks like an old time coffee shop complete with counter and neon window lights. We came for Sunday brunch and there was no wait and the staff was super friendly and service was quick. I ordered the frittata and my husband had the lox - both dishes were really good! The lox in particular was really unique. Would definitely come back next time we're in the area! Only word of warning is it's cash only and we didn't realize until the end.
(4)
Charles S.
The place has some charm but is missing all the other factors. Its charming because it gives you an opportunity to walk through the kitchen on your way to the bathroom. I love seeing all the dirt and grease used when cooking my food. After waiting a good 20 minutes on top of the already 15 minutes we were told it would take, we were seated in the far corner next to the supply depot. It wasn't the extra napkins and unused decorations that were splattered in disarray that bothered me. I was bothered by the lack of service and the quality of the food. We had to ask on several occasions for condiments, silverware, and extra creamers. I like my toast buttered, I had to ask for the butter. I like my potatoes with ketchup, I had to ask for extra ketchup because they came in packets. I like 2 or 3 cups of coffee, I had to ask for extra creamer. Its the little things I appreciate. I've been here a few times and will probably come again. Its conveniently located in Chestnut Hill. If it was anywhere else I would write it off completely.
(2)
Matthew F.
My wife and 2 young kids eat breakfast at Roller's whenever we are heading to the Chestnut Hill area. It's a nice little cafe, the owner is actually there and working, food is great (it's cafe food so don't expect more). They serve La Colomb coffee which is a huge plus. A few quibbles: this place is tiny, so if it is busy either expect to wait a while or sit in the back. Also, I don't like the name - I really wish it was called something better, we actually almost didn't wander in the first time because we thought it was an ice cream parlor? The last two times I went, I ordered the breakfast casadia and really enjoyed it - spicy and tasty. Two final points: the food portions are small compared to most other places, which is fine by us. We don't need to take food home with us. Also, since the place is very small, expect to sit very close to your neighbors, like a European cafe, which I think is a plus. Not sure why Americans need so much space; it might be nice to meet someone over breakfast. Check this place out if you want sue good cafe food....
(4)
Rick K.
Three stars is just silly. Breakfasts have a great flair and service is friendly. Coffee is fresh and bold. The only aspect of Rollers that is a 3 is the ambiance which is just fine thank you very much
(4)
Amanda C.
We ended up Roller's Expresso because our Mother's Day brunch pick gave us a two hour wait time when we put our name in. But for my parents and myself, Roller's Expresso was right up our alley. The friendly owner sat us in the back room, which allows for seating beyond the tiny front room and counter. She checked in on us often throughout the meal, and my parents really liked her. We quickly had coffee and water, and the menu and specials were creative and appealing. I got a huge bowl of chicken salad and a side of fresh fruit. My mom had a veggie frittata, one of the specials of the day. I believe my dad had a chorizo breakfast quesadilla. We all were eating off of each other's plates - all of the dishes were fresh and delicious. The ambiance of the back room could have used a little love, but the service was impeccable and we loved the food. So a solid 4 stars from me.
(4)
L. R.
Food has always been good here. Always get a better experience than I expect. Cash only. Usually a wait to get a table on wknds. Service generally good.
(4)
Andrew K.
I was waiting for a table when it was given to a different couple who walked in after us.
(1)
Terrence J.
Love coming here on a regular basis a sweet waitress bonnie serves your breakfast with a smile and the food is good just a little expensive good strong la colombe
(4)
Amy C.
I have visited Roller's three times, but only eaten there twice. Today I went back for what would have been my 3rd trip, with a friend and her 9 month old baby. I asked for a table for two with a baby. The hostess said OK and walked away. My friend and her baby waited outside in the 22 degree weather, as we were not committing to this place until we knew the wait time. After several minutes, I got the hostess' attention and asked what the wait time would be. She said to have everyone come in, and she would see. I explained our non-committal situation, re-asked what the wait time would be, and she said, (eyeroll), "like 2 seconds." Rudely. The food is no where near good enough to tolerate customer service like that. We went to Cake and had a great breakfast in a great atmosphere.
(2)
Ryan G.
Rollers is probably the most quaint little Chestnut Hill breakfast location. Probably the only one where you can get mimosas as well. A plus because at the end of the day it's yummy and people have been friendly to us. The location is cute enough and I'm glad we have it. Kind of similar to my other reviews of Chestnut Hill breakfast locations, there really isn't one that is a clear front runner. I mean that to say that no breakfast spot really does anything too special. You can expect normal sized portions at a slightly expensive price. I had bacon and eggs and my wife had French toast. We each had coffee and the price after an 18% tip was about $24. The location is small, it's laid out something like a long table against the wall. Not a good place if you want an intimate breakfast. That's a fair assessment I think. It's nothing too special, but not at all bad.
(3)
Kristin S.
Rollers Expresso has quality ingredients and tried and true dishes. They know how important good coffee is, too. They're seamless to work with for catering meetings and functions.
(5)
James S.
Not a ton to say here. Went to breakfast a little while back. Food was delicious. Very enjoyable. Potatoes were awesome. One error made by our server when she made a mistake putting in our order, but they were very quick to fix that. Prices weren't bad either. It does seem like a very challenging place to get to if you work during the week. In the year I've lived here I've probably only seen it open 4 or 5 times since they close at lunch. If they had longer hours I'd probably go more often, otherwise I'll probably shoot to get over there next time I have off of work.
(3)
EmilyJoy C.
Love the owner and the staff. Love the food, delicious no matter what you get, and I've order everything by now. The cash only thing is what's keeping them from having 5 stars but most people don't even care about that. I digress. The food.... FABULOUS. it's the kind of thing I try to make but fail. So I have up and just started coming here for my Saturday and Sunday breakfast's. Love love love it here.
(4)
Susan D.
Just ate there for brunch today. Food decent & coffee good if you like strong coffee (which I prefer). the blonde haired server was curt, no smile, and made me feel a bit unwelcome. The dark haired server was nice. When I needed refills on my coffee and water, it was the dark haired woman. I had the bkfst quesadilla and do did my brother. My plate had green onions on top while his didn't. Not sure why. In this place, the servers never come to ask how everything is. Our bill was $46 for five people. I left a top less than 15%. I don't plan to return. If i'm going to eat at a sit down place, I want to be treated that way, and not like i'm buying food at McDonald's.
(2)
Mary L.
The service in this place is the worst I've seen in any restaurant I have ever been in. Because I work locally to Roller's, I have eaten in and ordered for pick-up. Forget ordering for pick-up. The staff on the phone was rude and made it clear that our business was a burden to their day. I was told that my order for four people was too much and they were too busy. During my eat in experience, asking for anything additional (more coffee, creamers, ketchup, sugar, etc.) was an imposition. There was a long wait between coffee and meal and no apologies. If I could give a lower number of stars, I would.
(1)
Kemi A.
Wow I came here based on recommendations from a friend. Went on saturday and we w(party of 2) were seated very quickly. I'm going to jump ahead. The breakfast was very delicous. I was torn between turkey club or something more breakfasty. Well for late breakfast the options included omelet, french toast with nutella (YUM), pancakes. Well I had two of the grain pancake (YUMMERS) with the apple topping. I think it was sauteed apples...nice. I had the toppign on the side because I didn't know how it would taste. I didn't even need syrup. I don't have a sweet tooth but the apple topping was just perfect. I ordered 2 eggs + turkey sausage. My friend has blue berry grain pancake + sausage. Anyway, I would def return. Even though the waitress said to come back and try something new, I think I'll come back and try the same thing because it was soo tasty.
(4)
David L.
The food is good, at least breakfast (never done lunch here), and the coffee also not bad, though I've yet to try their specialty drinks with CHC just up the road. That said, it's nothing amazing compared to some of what is on offer nearby and downtown. My primary gripe is that service is somewhat slow, especially for such a small place. The three times I've been there come nowhere close to some of the nightmares described in other reviews but it does bear mention that there's generally only a single waitress on duty for breakfast, and service is nonchalant at best in my experience. To sum up: good food (egg dishes definitely worth a try if you're headed here, homefries also quite good), decent coffee, but service needs to improve before it's worth picking this spot over some of the neighbors. Not very expensive.
(3)
Neil B.
Perfect place for Sunday Brunch, and good for bringing out of town guests for conversation in a relaxed atmosphere, with excellent food. My wife, infant son and my favorite breakfast place, too! It's the kind of place we always look for when on vacation: unpretentious, excellent food, reasonable prices, and a little charm. The place is family-owned, with a mother and daughter typically working there for Sunday brunch. They're both very friendly and laid back, even when the place is packed. Even better: their house coffee is La Colombe, and you can upgrade to Le Bus bread for your toast. Surprisingly, they also have an excellent beer menu.
(4)
Jeremy P.
I've been here many times and always enjoy the food. Fantastic breakfast with the right mix of unique offerings and traditional options. It's clean, charming, and the service when I've been has always been top notch. Definitely recommend.
(5)
Giatta g.
I love this place.. My first time here was about 6 years ago and Philly had one of its worst snow storms.. The city was pretty much shut down and unless you drive an SUV that day you were stuck at home.. Well I ventured out with my date to grab breakfast and to my surprise they were open.. We sat for hours drinking fresh hot coffee and ordered almost everything on the menu.. Fresh Squeezed orange juice.. maple syrup, whole grain pancakes and Rollers eggs... Delicious... The Owner is always there hands on.. and they have a cute little breakfast bar to sit at if a table is not your thing.. It does get rediculously crazy on weekends and they dont take credit cards... The decor is quaint but does need a freshen up...
(4)
R T.
Roller's is really popular only because no one has found the space (or perhaps desire?) to open another much better reasonably priced place for breakfast in Chestnut Hill. Service is often slow and occasionally unfriendly. They also allow customers to order something as a side and fail to tell them they will be charged an entree price. At least that has happened to me. The front room seating is small and uncomfortable, esp. when the place is busy. The back room seating feels like Siberia if it's slow as it's cut off from the rest of the place and activity. it's just not worth writing home about. Good coffee, and some some decent food, but the experience overall is just waiting to be outdone by someone else.
(2)
Linda M.
Their food has potential however service is APPALLING or how about NON existent. Actually attempted going there this morning, sat at the counter for about 15 minutes without even a simple hello from any of the waitstaff, instead we were ignored. There were only 4 tables of people and NOBODY even came near us. Ended up walking out.
(1)
Jenny M.
If you are looking for a nice healthy, non-greasy breakfast outside of the city, Roller's is a nice sit down and take your time Sunday stroll experience. Food is wonderful. I love anything with Nutella and so does Roller's. At least one of their menu staples and another one of their daily specials will include a Nutella dose. The owner is a cute middle-aged lady who seems to be doing everything at once trying to please her customers. This is the main-line's version of a diner, though when you get the bill you will be delightfully suprised at the non-mainline cost. Large groups are not advisable due to narrow seating areas. Roller's is a very intimate environment where Mother and Daughter or Father and Son can bond, and also old friends can catch up.
(5)
Nick V.
2 stars instead of one, because the place actually does have potential, and I have yet to try the lunch options. I was excited to see a local coffee shop/breakfast joint within walking distance of my new office. The first time I tried to experience this place was a Monday - they were closed. The next time, I walked in, asked for a takeout menu - the server kind of rolled her eyes and handed me one of the sit down menus. Uhm... wtf? Each successive time I've asked for a takeout menu they haven't given me one. I don't know if they even have them... Anyway the next time I tried to order a breakfast sandwich (egg-bacon-cheddar), and I was told it isn't on the menu - so I ordered an omlette with bacon/cheddar that came with two slices of toast.... hello!!! same f'in ingredients? What's the problem? Granted, it was 1 in the afternoon, so I had to order from their lunch menu which has about 3 breakfast options on it, despite the sign in the window saying they serve late breakfast.... if you don't want waffles pancakes or an omlette, after 11 or so, you're not going to be in luck. So today I tried again, before 11 am to see if I could get my sacred breakfast sandwich. No dice, it's not on the menu..... To boot, they don't take credit, and the ATM across the street charges a $3 surcharge. AND THEN, when I returned with my cash, she didn't have enough change to break the $20. Decent cup of coffee... and the place is closer than the 'bucks, but if this place wasn't so close, I'd probably never go there again.
(2)
Carrie E.
Come early on the weekends for a great brunch at Roller's Express. The lines can get long and there's not much inside space to wait in, so dress warmly if you arrive after 10 AM on a Sunday. The menu has plenty of choices, from the basics (eggs, pancakes and french toast) to the more exciting (I love the Swedish eggs scrambled with smoked salmon, scallions & cream cheese on black bread). The famous espresso machine is frequently broken, which is a bummer (especially since they make such a to-do about their "Express-O"). Seatings a bit tight, and the service can be less than stellar when they're really busy, but overall it's a nice option when your tummy is growling for a tasty breakfast.
(3)
Stella Q.
I like to pretend I'm in Paris when I'm here. And when I'm in Paris, I like to pretend I'm in Philadelphia. I'm indecisive.
(4)
Zoe R.
I've been to Roller's a few times in the last couple of weeks and have really enjoyed it each time. Here're the highlights: - Food is pretty good. Much better than other local places that will remain nameless. - Prices are very reasonable - I can get sides and drinks and not feel like I've put out a lot of cash at the end of my meal. - I actually like the low-key atmosphere, complete with magazines to browse and bench seating. - I've had good to solid service - I've always been offered coffee refills and I've gotten served in good time. I wouldn't go there if you are in a rush, but I also didn't think it was particularly slow. - They are really nice to my toddler when I bring him. He is fairly well behaved but they are not phased by anything he does (such as dropping items on the floor, smooshing whipped cream in his hair and on the high chair, etc.). In fact, they usually fuss over him an appropriate, non-annoying amount. - Goooood coffee. MMmm. Cash only, which is a bit inconvenient (although there's a bank across the street with ATM). Could also be better with more frequently changing specials/ more options, but what they have is great, in my non-foodie opinion.
(4)
Erica S.
Went here for Sunday brunch after Cake never called me back for a table (see review of Cake). We only had to wait a few minutes (it was around 11am). The place is bright, cute, and unpretentious. The service was okay, not spectacular. They did refill my coffee, unlike some of the experiences had by other patrons. I had the fritatta on special and it was delicious. Reasonably priced as well. I'd be interested in going back to try some of the desserts they have, which sound amazing.
(3)
Anna S.
This place has great food but lacks in atmosphere. Also, they have HORRIBLE service. My boyfriend and I have been going to Roller's for Sunday brunch for the past few years and the service used to be fine, but over the last year it has gotten progressively worse. The last time we went (on Sunday), they came to our table to take our order and bring our food, then they completely ignored us. My boyfriend had to get up twice to refill our coffee, and they forgot to bring his granola (for the third time in a row). The manager really needs to train her staff to pay more attention to their patrons. In the meantime, we will not be going back -- not until we hear service has improved, anyway. Which is too bad, because the food really is good and the price is right.
(2)
Sarah M.
We went here for breakfast with our 4 year old while in philly on a relo visit and staying at the Chestnut Hill Hotel. We waited an hour and a half and never got a single thing to eat not even a slice of toast and we were pretty much begging for any food we could get because we were due to go and look at houses all day and just wanted to feed our daughter something, anything before we left. When we finally got up to leave and pay for our coffee they had the cheek to try to charge us for the food we had not got because it was ready and they 'could put in a to go bag'. Well we did buy a house just up the road but we will never ever set foot in this restaurant or any other Rollers enterprise. never have i seen such uncaring service.
(1)
Conor S.
Good fresh breakfast with excellent coffee. Problem is service is horrible. Every time I go there is just one very unmotivated waitress for the whole place and it ruins the whole meal.
(3)
Barry H.
Why one star? Well, the one time I went here, I ordered a milkshake. I saw the server behind the counter making it the way one would usually make a milkshake. The metal cup under the mixer, mixing the ingredients together, pouring the milkshake from the metal cup to the glass serving cup. The glass cup filled with half of the metal cup's contents made it to our table. The metal cup? That should have been mine, placed at the table next to the glass cup just as any diner or burger joint would do. But at Roller's Express-O, the server sits behind the counter and drinks the rest of your milkshake from the metal cup in plain sight. Hope you enjoyed the milkshake and the one star rating!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
C B.
I live in-town and go to Roller's every week, sometimes more than once a week! It is the best breakfast/brunch offering in Chestnut Hill. Even when super busy, you get seated quickly and served delicious, hot food super swiftly. I switch between getting the chocolate pancakes, blueberry pancakes, and the Swedish eggs dish. They have the best BACON ever. I love their rye bread toasted. Yum. All for very reasonable prices. Bring cash or check, no credit cards are taken. I have brought so many family members and friends (local & visiting) for breakfast/brunch because this cozy restaurant captures the charm of this town. If you want a friendly, local business where servers remember you & work hard, and where you can chat with other community members over an mouthwatering breakfast or lunch - THIS is the spot!
(5)Yumi Y.
Rude staff Food was nasty and overpriced. I won't be back. I ordered 2 bacon sandwiches and egged with a side of toast. I got eggs that didn't even have the cheese mixed in. Just laid on top. and my sandwiches had 1 side of bacon broken into 2 pieces.
(1)Jinsol L.
For the service, price, and ambiance, it'd be hard for me to rate this place above a 3. Nothing really stood out; it felt like only minimal effort was invested in everything (including the service), but perhaps some people enjoy the lack of ostentation and the routine neutrality. Anyways, I gave Roller's Express-O the extra star because I absolutely LOVE their 3-grain pancakes. I'm really not sure what it is about either a) my taste buds or b) the pancakes or c) the combination of the two that makes each bite so wonderful. I believe I'm not the only one to rave about these though, because it appears as though their website describes these 3-grain pancakes as being "famous". What's even better about this place is that they sell their own special pancake mix in adorable brown paper packaging so that you can make it at home by just adding a few of the non-dry ingredients! Highly convenient if you don't live nearby or if you want to save a couple extra bucks (since, of course, dining in adds to the price of the food experience). Especially because the boyfriend often makes these 3-grain pancakes for me when he's bringing me breakfast in bed, it's become a major favorite!
(4)Matthew G.
What a cute place. Family owned experience. Intimate atmosphere and incredible tasting dishes. La Columbe coffee, 3 grain blueberry pancakes, Nutella stuffed French toast, Le Bus bread, what more could you ask for? Our favorite breakfast place to go to in all of Philadelphia.
(5)Brian F.
Probably the best breakfast in Chestnut Hill. Albeit the options are limited, but between Roller's and Cake, the food was much better here. I had an omelet with bacon, peper jack, and onions. It was very tasty. My wife had the nutella stuffed french toast and a side of home fries. The prices are very good here. Only spent $20 and had coffee and tea. Only complaint is the cold feeling of the restaurant and the out of place pop-music.
(5)SidneyGreenstreet S.
Great and convenient little breakfast spot. Excellent service and cozy atmosphere. Friendly staff and good coffee.
(5)Erika D.
Quaint little cafe, and the food is excellent!! Can tell it's made with a lot of TLC!
(5)Tara C.
My networking group, Northwest Philadelphia Professional Women's Network, met last Friday and we were delighted with our service and food. Becky, the owner, served the 12 of us personally. We can't wait to return next month!
(5)Danita R.
I think the sammich may be Paul's, or it's his orange cranberry sauce--I'm not sure but either way there's some tart tastiness to be had along with grilled turkey and cheddar on some multigrain! Popped in there today for lunch with two co-workers, and we received quite friendly and prompt sunshiny service. The small space inspires friendliness, and it's a lovely, cash-only spot to tuck into for a quick, but filling bite.
(4)Simona P.
Really cute place, looks like an old time coffee shop complete with counter and neon window lights. We came for Sunday brunch and there was no wait and the staff was super friendly and service was quick. I ordered the frittata and my husband had the lox - both dishes were really good! The lox in particular was really unique. Would definitely come back next time we're in the area! Only word of warning is it's cash only and we didn't realize until the end.
(4)Charles S.
The place has some charm but is missing all the other factors. Its charming because it gives you an opportunity to walk through the kitchen on your way to the bathroom. I love seeing all the dirt and grease used when cooking my food. After waiting a good 20 minutes on top of the already 15 minutes we were told it would take, we were seated in the far corner next to the supply depot. It wasn't the extra napkins and unused decorations that were splattered in disarray that bothered me. I was bothered by the lack of service and the quality of the food. We had to ask on several occasions for condiments, silverware, and extra creamers. I like my toast buttered, I had to ask for the butter. I like my potatoes with ketchup, I had to ask for extra ketchup because they came in packets. I like 2 or 3 cups of coffee, I had to ask for extra creamer. Its the little things I appreciate. I've been here a few times and will probably come again. Its conveniently located in Chestnut Hill. If it was anywhere else I would write it off completely.
(2)Matthew F.
My wife and 2 young kids eat breakfast at Roller's whenever we are heading to the Chestnut Hill area. It's a nice little cafe, the owner is actually there and working, food is great (it's cafe food so don't expect more). They serve La Colomb coffee which is a huge plus. A few quibbles: this place is tiny, so if it is busy either expect to wait a while or sit in the back. Also, I don't like the name - I really wish it was called something better, we actually almost didn't wander in the first time because we thought it was an ice cream parlor? The last two times I went, I ordered the breakfast casadia and really enjoyed it - spicy and tasty. Two final points: the food portions are small compared to most other places, which is fine by us. We don't need to take food home with us. Also, since the place is very small, expect to sit very close to your neighbors, like a European cafe, which I think is a plus. Not sure why Americans need so much space; it might be nice to meet someone over breakfast. Check this place out if you want sue good cafe food....
(4)Rick K.
Three stars is just silly. Breakfasts have a great flair and service is friendly. Coffee is fresh and bold. The only aspect of Rollers that is a 3 is the ambiance which is just fine thank you very much
(4)Amanda C.
We ended up Roller's Expresso because our Mother's Day brunch pick gave us a two hour wait time when we put our name in. But for my parents and myself, Roller's Expresso was right up our alley. The friendly owner sat us in the back room, which allows for seating beyond the tiny front room and counter. She checked in on us often throughout the meal, and my parents really liked her. We quickly had coffee and water, and the menu and specials were creative and appealing. I got a huge bowl of chicken salad and a side of fresh fruit. My mom had a veggie frittata, one of the specials of the day. I believe my dad had a chorizo breakfast quesadilla. We all were eating off of each other's plates - all of the dishes were fresh and delicious. The ambiance of the back room could have used a little love, but the service was impeccable and we loved the food. So a solid 4 stars from me.
(4)L. R.
Food has always been good here. Always get a better experience than I expect. Cash only. Usually a wait to get a table on wknds. Service generally good.
(4)Andrew K.
I was waiting for a table when it was given to a different couple who walked in after us.
(1)Terrence J.
Love coming here on a regular basis a sweet waitress bonnie serves your breakfast with a smile and the food is good just a little expensive good strong la colombe
(4)Amy C.
I have visited Roller's three times, but only eaten there twice. Today I went back for what would have been my 3rd trip, with a friend and her 9 month old baby. I asked for a table for two with a baby. The hostess said OK and walked away. My friend and her baby waited outside in the 22 degree weather, as we were not committing to this place until we knew the wait time. After several minutes, I got the hostess' attention and asked what the wait time would be. She said to have everyone come in, and she would see. I explained our non-committal situation, re-asked what the wait time would be, and she said, (eyeroll), "like 2 seconds." Rudely. The food is no where near good enough to tolerate customer service like that. We went to Cake and had a great breakfast in a great atmosphere.
(2)Ryan G.
Rollers is probably the most quaint little Chestnut Hill breakfast location. Probably the only one where you can get mimosas as well. A plus because at the end of the day it's yummy and people have been friendly to us. The location is cute enough and I'm glad we have it. Kind of similar to my other reviews of Chestnut Hill breakfast locations, there really isn't one that is a clear front runner. I mean that to say that no breakfast spot really does anything too special. You can expect normal sized portions at a slightly expensive price. I had bacon and eggs and my wife had French toast. We each had coffee and the price after an 18% tip was about $24. The location is small, it's laid out something like a long table against the wall. Not a good place if you want an intimate breakfast. That's a fair assessment I think. It's nothing too special, but not at all bad.
(3)Kristin S.
Rollers Expresso has quality ingredients and tried and true dishes. They know how important good coffee is, too. They're seamless to work with for catering meetings and functions.
(5)James S.
Not a ton to say here. Went to breakfast a little while back. Food was delicious. Very enjoyable. Potatoes were awesome. One error made by our server when she made a mistake putting in our order, but they were very quick to fix that. Prices weren't bad either. It does seem like a very challenging place to get to if you work during the week. In the year I've lived here I've probably only seen it open 4 or 5 times since they close at lunch. If they had longer hours I'd probably go more often, otherwise I'll probably shoot to get over there next time I have off of work.
(3)EmilyJoy C.
Love the owner and the staff. Love the food, delicious no matter what you get, and I've order everything by now. The cash only thing is what's keeping them from having 5 stars but most people don't even care about that. I digress. The food.... FABULOUS. it's the kind of thing I try to make but fail. So I have up and just started coming here for my Saturday and Sunday breakfast's. Love love love it here.
(4)Susan D.
Just ate there for brunch today. Food decent & coffee good if you like strong coffee (which I prefer). the blonde haired server was curt, no smile, and made me feel a bit unwelcome. The dark haired server was nice. When I needed refills on my coffee and water, it was the dark haired woman. I had the bkfst quesadilla and do did my brother. My plate had green onions on top while his didn't. Not sure why. In this place, the servers never come to ask how everything is. Our bill was $46 for five people. I left a top less than 15%. I don't plan to return. If i'm going to eat at a sit down place, I want to be treated that way, and not like i'm buying food at McDonald's.
(2)Mary L.
The service in this place is the worst I've seen in any restaurant I have ever been in. Because I work locally to Roller's, I have eaten in and ordered for pick-up. Forget ordering for pick-up. The staff on the phone was rude and made it clear that our business was a burden to their day. I was told that my order for four people was too much and they were too busy. During my eat in experience, asking for anything additional (more coffee, creamers, ketchup, sugar, etc.) was an imposition. There was a long wait between coffee and meal and no apologies. If I could give a lower number of stars, I would.
(1)Kemi A.
Wow I came here based on recommendations from a friend. Went on saturday and we w(party of 2) were seated very quickly. I'm going to jump ahead. The breakfast was very delicous. I was torn between turkey club or something more breakfasty. Well for late breakfast the options included omelet, french toast with nutella (YUM), pancakes. Well I had two of the grain pancake (YUMMERS) with the apple topping. I think it was sauteed apples...nice. I had the toppign on the side because I didn't know how it would taste. I didn't even need syrup. I don't have a sweet tooth but the apple topping was just perfect. I ordered 2 eggs + turkey sausage. My friend has blue berry grain pancake + sausage. Anyway, I would def return. Even though the waitress said to come back and try something new, I think I'll come back and try the same thing because it was soo tasty.
(4)David L.
The food is good, at least breakfast (never done lunch here), and the coffee also not bad, though I've yet to try their specialty drinks with CHC just up the road. That said, it's nothing amazing compared to some of what is on offer nearby and downtown. My primary gripe is that service is somewhat slow, especially for such a small place. The three times I've been there come nowhere close to some of the nightmares described in other reviews but it does bear mention that there's generally only a single waitress on duty for breakfast, and service is nonchalant at best in my experience. To sum up: good food (egg dishes definitely worth a try if you're headed here, homefries also quite good), decent coffee, but service needs to improve before it's worth picking this spot over some of the neighbors. Not very expensive.
(3)Neil B.
Perfect place for Sunday Brunch, and good for bringing out of town guests for conversation in a relaxed atmosphere, with excellent food. My wife, infant son and my favorite breakfast place, too! It's the kind of place we always look for when on vacation: unpretentious, excellent food, reasonable prices, and a little charm. The place is family-owned, with a mother and daughter typically working there for Sunday brunch. They're both very friendly and laid back, even when the place is packed. Even better: their house coffee is La Colombe, and you can upgrade to Le Bus bread for your toast. Surprisingly, they also have an excellent beer menu.
(4)Jeremy P.
I've been here many times and always enjoy the food. Fantastic breakfast with the right mix of unique offerings and traditional options. It's clean, charming, and the service when I've been has always been top notch. Definitely recommend.
(5)Giatta g.
I love this place.. My first time here was about 6 years ago and Philly had one of its worst snow storms.. The city was pretty much shut down and unless you drive an SUV that day you were stuck at home.. Well I ventured out with my date to grab breakfast and to my surprise they were open.. We sat for hours drinking fresh hot coffee and ordered almost everything on the menu.. Fresh Squeezed orange juice.. maple syrup, whole grain pancakes and Rollers eggs... Delicious... The Owner is always there hands on.. and they have a cute little breakfast bar to sit at if a table is not your thing.. It does get rediculously crazy on weekends and they dont take credit cards... The decor is quaint but does need a freshen up...
(4)R T.
Roller's is really popular only because no one has found the space (or perhaps desire?) to open another much better reasonably priced place for breakfast in Chestnut Hill. Service is often slow and occasionally unfriendly. They also allow customers to order something as a side and fail to tell them they will be charged an entree price. At least that has happened to me. The front room seating is small and uncomfortable, esp. when the place is busy. The back room seating feels like Siberia if it's slow as it's cut off from the rest of the place and activity. it's just not worth writing home about. Good coffee, and some some decent food, but the experience overall is just waiting to be outdone by someone else.
(2)Linda M.
Their food has potential however service is APPALLING or how about NON existent. Actually attempted going there this morning, sat at the counter for about 15 minutes without even a simple hello from any of the waitstaff, instead we were ignored. There were only 4 tables of people and NOBODY even came near us. Ended up walking out.
(1)Jenny M.
If you are looking for a nice healthy, non-greasy breakfast outside of the city, Roller's is a nice sit down and take your time Sunday stroll experience. Food is wonderful. I love anything with Nutella and so does Roller's. At least one of their menu staples and another one of their daily specials will include a Nutella dose. The owner is a cute middle-aged lady who seems to be doing everything at once trying to please her customers. This is the main-line's version of a diner, though when you get the bill you will be delightfully suprised at the non-mainline cost. Large groups are not advisable due to narrow seating areas. Roller's is a very intimate environment where Mother and Daughter or Father and Son can bond, and also old friends can catch up.
(5)Nick V.
2 stars instead of one, because the place actually does have potential, and I have yet to try the lunch options. I was excited to see a local coffee shop/breakfast joint within walking distance of my new office. The first time I tried to experience this place was a Monday - they were closed. The next time, I walked in, asked for a takeout menu - the server kind of rolled her eyes and handed me one of the sit down menus. Uhm... wtf? Each successive time I've asked for a takeout menu they haven't given me one. I don't know if they even have them... Anyway the next time I tried to order a breakfast sandwich (egg-bacon-cheddar), and I was told it isn't on the menu - so I ordered an omlette with bacon/cheddar that came with two slices of toast.... hello!!! same f'in ingredients? What's the problem? Granted, it was 1 in the afternoon, so I had to order from their lunch menu which has about 3 breakfast options on it, despite the sign in the window saying they serve late breakfast.... if you don't want waffles pancakes or an omlette, after 11 or so, you're not going to be in luck. So today I tried again, before 11 am to see if I could get my sacred breakfast sandwich. No dice, it's not on the menu..... To boot, they don't take credit, and the ATM across the street charges a $3 surcharge. AND THEN, when I returned with my cash, she didn't have enough change to break the $20. Decent cup of coffee... and the place is closer than the 'bucks, but if this place wasn't so close, I'd probably never go there again.
(2)Carrie E.
Come early on the weekends for a great brunch at Roller's Express. The lines can get long and there's not much inside space to wait in, so dress warmly if you arrive after 10 AM on a Sunday. The menu has plenty of choices, from the basics (eggs, pancakes and french toast) to the more exciting (I love the Swedish eggs scrambled with smoked salmon, scallions & cream cheese on black bread). The famous espresso machine is frequently broken, which is a bummer (especially since they make such a to-do about their "Express-O"). Seatings a bit tight, and the service can be less than stellar when they're really busy, but overall it's a nice option when your tummy is growling for a tasty breakfast.
(3)Stella Q.
I like to pretend I'm in Paris when I'm here. And when I'm in Paris, I like to pretend I'm in Philadelphia. I'm indecisive.
(4)Zoe R.
I've been to Roller's a few times in the last couple of weeks and have really enjoyed it each time. Here're the highlights: - Food is pretty good. Much better than other local places that will remain nameless. - Prices are very reasonable - I can get sides and drinks and not feel like I've put out a lot of cash at the end of my meal. - I actually like the low-key atmosphere, complete with magazines to browse and bench seating. - I've had good to solid service - I've always been offered coffee refills and I've gotten served in good time. I wouldn't go there if you are in a rush, but I also didn't think it was particularly slow. - They are really nice to my toddler when I bring him. He is fairly well behaved but they are not phased by anything he does (such as dropping items on the floor, smooshing whipped cream in his hair and on the high chair, etc.). In fact, they usually fuss over him an appropriate, non-annoying amount. - Goooood coffee. MMmm. Cash only, which is a bit inconvenient (although there's a bank across the street with ATM). Could also be better with more frequently changing specials/ more options, but what they have is great, in my non-foodie opinion.
(4)Erica S.
Went here for Sunday brunch after Cake never called me back for a table (see review of Cake). We only had to wait a few minutes (it was around 11am). The place is bright, cute, and unpretentious. The service was okay, not spectacular. They did refill my coffee, unlike some of the experiences had by other patrons. I had the fritatta on special and it was delicious. Reasonably priced as well. I'd be interested in going back to try some of the desserts they have, which sound amazing.
(3)Anna S.
This place has great food but lacks in atmosphere. Also, they have HORRIBLE service. My boyfriend and I have been going to Roller's for Sunday brunch for the past few years and the service used to be fine, but over the last year it has gotten progressively worse. The last time we went (on Sunday), they came to our table to take our order and bring our food, then they completely ignored us. My boyfriend had to get up twice to refill our coffee, and they forgot to bring his granola (for the third time in a row). The manager really needs to train her staff to pay more attention to their patrons. In the meantime, we will not be going back -- not until we hear service has improved, anyway. Which is too bad, because the food really is good and the price is right.
(2)Sarah M.
We went here for breakfast with our 4 year old while in philly on a relo visit and staying at the Chestnut Hill Hotel. We waited an hour and a half and never got a single thing to eat not even a slice of toast and we were pretty much begging for any food we could get because we were due to go and look at houses all day and just wanted to feed our daughter something, anything before we left. When we finally got up to leave and pay for our coffee they had the cheek to try to charge us for the food we had not got because it was ready and they 'could put in a to go bag'. Well we did buy a house just up the road but we will never ever set foot in this restaurant or any other Rollers enterprise. never have i seen such uncaring service.
(1)Conor S.
Good fresh breakfast with excellent coffee. Problem is service is horrible. Every time I go there is just one very unmotivated waitress for the whole place and it ruins the whole meal.
(3)Barry H.
Why one star? Well, the one time I went here, I ordered a milkshake. I saw the server behind the counter making it the way one would usually make a milkshake. The metal cup under the mixer, mixing the ingredients together, pouring the milkshake from the metal cup to the glass serving cup. The glass cup filled with half of the metal cup's contents made it to our table. The metal cup? That should have been mine, placed at the table next to the glass cup just as any diner or burger joint would do. But at Roller's Express-O, the server sits behind the counter and drinks the rest of your milkshake from the metal cup in plain sight. Hope you enjoyed the milkshake and the one star rating!
(1)