What has happened to "customer service"?! I had lunch at SB today and it was fairly crowded. I am usually happy to see independent places thriving so I'm forgiving when it comes to small mishaps. However, the turkey burger I ordered today not only took a millennium to arrive (because they were busy) but it was also raw in the middle. I would have been willing to move past this if the waiter or manager or chef/cook were to sincerely apologize and take it off the check. Done. INSTEAD, the waiter gave me a look of disbelief when I complained about my raw burger as if I might be angling for a free meal . . . then scooted off to the kitchen without uttering a word of apology. She was gone forever only to come back and tell me they had put my burger back on the grill. Ew. Someone from the kitchen then delivered the burger back to the table - clearly feeling pleased that she'd fixed the situation. I didn't want a half-eaten, recooked burger. I wanted someone to acknowledge that the meat was in fact raw, apologize and tell me that, of course, I would not have to pay for undercooked food. The woman from the kitchen started making excuses that it was busy, they cooked the food too fast and didn't realize it wasn't fully cooked, could she bring me something else. YES - bring me an apology and stop making me feel like it's my fault for complaining! It's really not that difficult.
(2)
Christine L.
Came to Smokin' Betty's tonight with some good friends. Overall good time. There was some holiday party in the other room, so it was really loud. Hard to talk / hear my friends over all the noise. Also, the number of people and lack of available seating meant that the hostess kept coming to ask for the extra chair at our table. I felt like the staff was a bit disoriented by the sheer number of people they had to handle. Maybe this isn't a normal occurrence, so that's okay. We had heard great things about the tur-duck-en burger. Pretty interesting! Came out tall and stacked with the cranberry relish, sweet potato ribbons, turkey patty, stuffing, gravy, all in a soft brioche(?) bun. It was a little too big to put in my mouth, and while each part separately was really good, I thought it was too ... salty overall, and a little too much for me to handle all at once. I'm going to assume all the tur-duck-en components were there, too. I couldn't discern them, so I'll go in full faith that they were there. I'm no chef, but my suggestions - 1) A little more cranberry sauce would have helped. Next time I'll ask for extra. Or another pickle. 2) Or... less stuffing/gravy? That part made the burger feel really heavy. Another friend had the Betty Burger, said similar things too. Our burgers were all good. Just a little too big and pretty messy, which detracts from the enjoyability factor. Sweet potato fries were nice. They came out a little darker than I was expecting, but were really soft, which is how I like them. Just a preference. Would have been 3.5 stars if not for the service of one of the receptionists? there. Ran after us about a block to hand us the to-go-box I'd left behind. That kind of service is rare. Props to you. If I get through my list of places to eat, I'd probably see you again, Smokin' Betty's. It'll be better to go on a less busy night. And it'd be helpful in the meantime if I can figure out how to unhinge my jaw like a snake for your burgers.
(4)
Jose A.
Been here a few times. The design of the space is really the nicest thing about it. Downstairs can open up when it gets nice out, and the upstairs area is big, good for events, and has nice windows overlooking the street. The draft list is ok, have some decent beers on it, can't really say much more than that. The cocktails look interesting but I'm never that compelled to try them. The happy hour specials don't seem that great to me. The food is pretty good also, had the chicken and broccoli rabe sandwich last time I went which is a lot of food for a low/moderate price. It's a place though I never can get excited about.
(3)
Ann V.
Loved the BBQ Sandwich Sliders. Loved the Mac N' Cheese. Loved the chalkboard wall displays. Loved the atmosphere Liked the french fries. Liked the wait staff. Disliked the wait to be seated. Good enough for me! I'd go back. Maybe next time i'll try the turducken burger - sounds like it could be quite appetizing.
(4)
Olivia R.
My husband and I can't seem to resist barbecue whenever it pops up as "nearby" on our Yelp app. Hence, we made a beeline for Smokin' Betty's. It's situated on the northwest corner of 11th and Sansom, so there's a lot of nice sunlight coming in during lunch. The seating is open and airy. My long-sleeved shirt kept sticking to the edge of the table, so either the table was not completely wiped clean or the veneer got soft in the sunlight. Our waiter was friendly and kept our drinks full, but wasn't super descriptive when we had a question about the food: "What is a corn souffle?" "It's a souffle made out of corn, and no flour." Okay. I eventually got enough information out of him to decide I'd skip it. I ordered the BBQ sliders as my meal, and my husband ordered the daily special: pulled beef brisket wrap with a with a side of hand-cut fries. The pulled chicken slider tasted a lot like a sloppy joe...that was my first and enduring thought. The pulled beef slider was my favorite because it was tender and had good BBQ sauce on it, but I had to pick out some thick slices of fat before I dug in. The pork was moist, but kinda flavorless and needed more sauce. The buns were potato buns, I think...very soft, a little sweet, and slightly yellow in color. The small side of Carolina slaw (not the creamy variety) was okay...not super flavorful, but added a nice crunch to the sliders. As for my husband's meal, he liked his fries, but didn't seem thrilled with the wrap. Oh well. There was no distinct BBQ style at Smokin' Betty's. They seemed to take a little bit from everywhere, and the flavors we tasted today didn't wow us. Plus, I got the distinct impression that my sliders were made haphazardly...I know sliders aren't intricate gourmet fare, but unequal amounts of meat and sauce kinda tell me that it was a slop job. The food was okay and the service was nice, but we probably won't go back.
(2)
J B.
The Sangria was good. However, the waitress was so bad we could not even stay for food. We stopped by on a Wednesday for a quick bite and a drink. Our waitress greeted us with a "it's been a rough night" really it was only 7:30? And not to mention not our fault. When we asked what the specials were she said "there aren't any" when I asked about the tilapia on the board (as she stared at the diner across the street) she said " O I thought you meant drinks" even though we had already been served Sangria. When we asked for a few minutes she disappeared for 10, and we decided it best to move on. Her attitude was beyond rude. It is not our fault you had a bad day.
(2)
Jim K.
Great BBQ in a great location. I've eaten business lunches here a few times and it's always good. The pulled pork is almost as good as my own - delicious. The interior is rather eclectic and the servers are more so but quite friendly and efficient. This has to be the most "hip" BBQ joint for many miles. I've also had their turkey Reuben. I wish it were a "real" Reuben vs. turkey but for what it is, it was delicious. Excellent sauces and manageable portion sizes. The building is on a corner. In the summer they have huge windows that open up to give you the feeling of sitting on the sidewalk while not having to watch your cellphone or wallet too closely since you're already a couple of feet higher than the sidewalk plus they have open metal screens that come up to table height for the unobstructed view you want while keeping creepy fingers out. Hey, this is Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love. One of my engineers requires vegan choices and has always found something that she likes. If you're in or near center city and have a BBQ craving you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Chirag P.
Did our company party here while we were in Philadelphia. Had a nice private room and a great menu to choose from... try the wings or the cheesesteak spring roll apps. I got the Dry Rub St. Louis ribs as my entree and realized, i'm a fan of actual BBQ sauce, not the dry rub deal, but they were cooked perfectly and did taste great... but even better after I got a side of sauce. Also had the homemade bread pudding for dessert, and it was damn good. I have to give kudos to our server, as we had 45 people in our party and the server at our table (18 of us) was on top of his game... we all had separate credit cards for the drinks and he "magically" kept everyone's CC's perfectly separated and in order... mad props. Overall just a fun place. We hung out there after the majority went home and just had more drinks. They have a crap-load of micro-brews, so give them a try. Overall a good joint for some Philly BBQ.
(4)
Julie M.
I found this place on yelp and decided to give it a try on a Friday night with my friends. I made a reservation, which was a smart decision because the place was crowded and I think there was a waiting time when we got there. Service was very good and food was delicious. Thumbs up for the cheeseteak egrolls! We tried different meats and everything had a very nice and authentic bbq flavor to it. I was surprised because I am used to bbq places being less formal and this place is nice and the food is still amazing. I loved the sangria as well. Will definitely go back!
(4)
David A.
Food was SO bland. I desperately sought out seasoning and nothing helped. Half of the beers on the draft list were no longer available. Bad food + overpriced beer = won't go back.
(1)
CrystalRae S.
Love this place. I first went with a co worker and had a great time at happy hour. The drinks and service were great and the staff was very friendly. I returned with my boyfriend for date night and we both had a blast. Food was great again as was the service. One of my favorite spots.
(5)
Eugene D.
One-issue voter. Sweet potato fries. Best anywhere.
(5)
Monica S.
They've been open for a month or so and already, this place is awesome. I tried them out for lunch today and left completely full and satisfied. I went with the BBQ half chicken and Jill A is totally right, that sauce is finger licking good. So good I even licked my friend's fingers. Then I poured it all over him and- The beef brisket is awesome. Tender, meaty, topped off with what I think is just the jus. Each of these big platters comes with 2 sides and they offer a great selection of standard classics to chose from (mac&cheese, potatoes made sideways and every other way, veggies). The only thing I'd say I wasn't overly impressed with was the cocktail menu. What's missing? Two obviously southern-style drinks come to mind: a Mint Julep and a Sweet Tea cocktail (those are so popular now). Looks like they have a pretty awesome beer selection though. Finished off the lunch gorgefest with a warm blueberry bread pudding. Sweet baby jesus, that thing was awe inspiring and left me wishing I had enough room in my stomach to finish it. With so much to choose from on the menu, you'll need to make a quick return visit to sample the rest of their goods.
(4)
Kemi A.
I had to return here so I can give a proper review. My first time here months ago, I just had drinks and the french fries...this after eating and chatting at Chifa's. So I didn't want to review it then because I didn't really have enough of an experience (tho what I had was good) to write a review. I returned here for drinks with the gf because I already scooped out the happy hour menu during my first visit. We sat by the bar downstairs. the funny thing abut this place is that it always has that "empty look", like no one is there but don't be deceived...because inside it's actually a nice place to meet with a group of people without having to worry about yelling your conversations to each other. Our waitress by the bar was very nice and non-imposing at all. I had the mango drink which was delicious as I love sweet things. I then had the rum punch (which was the special cocktail of the day) that was very good also. We also ordered the dry wings (had the sauce on the side) and the cheesesteak spring rolls...we ordered 2sets actually. Then someone else across the bar ordered the bread budding and was gracious enough to let us taste it....it was delicious ofcourse we ordered our own. Down side was that they didn't have ice cream and I wanted ice cream. Instead we settled for whipped cream. It was really nice and i can def see myself coming back just to chill, have drinks or have a quick dinner bite(try other items on the menu). I def am a fan of the wings, not the best wings in the world but def better than a lot of places.
(4)
Dalla A.
This place gets 3 stars because the ribs were surprisingly excellent, the beer list is decent and our server was sweet and perky. Rest of the food (fish tacos, corn souffle, fries, beans) was bland at best.
(3)
John S.
Great little non-traditional bbq spot in Philly. Nice beer list and GREAT Happy Hour specials.
(4)
dragon r.
I had the sliders appetizer with a beer. Not the best, but good service, atmosphere, beer and food. I would go back.
(4)
Adam C.
First off I noticed many people are giving this place 4 or 5 stars. Sorry to be the one to burst the bubble but I didn't feel so welcomed here. Maybe if I crawled in with a bunch of my frat buddies (which I don't have) or fellow nurse pals like in SCRUBS (which I don't have) or a group of cool trust fund kid hipsters who just got back from a Prague trip for inspiration for their next art exhibit (which I am not and don't have, ok maybe a few). To get to the point, it seems this place is meant for groups of six or more to wander in here and the space is accomodating for that. The problem is that the ceilings are quite high, and the speakers for music which the place provides is also quite high, and what happens exactly because of that? Well being someone aware of sound, it gets LOUD! So loud that the costumers as you'll find out when you come here on a friday or saturday, when this place is really hopping, are given no choice but to shout... "HOW DID YOUR WEEK GO AT THE OFFICE!?!?" "WHAT?!?!" "I SAID HOW DID!!!!" This isn't an exaggeration, I actually could hear many people's conversations and noise echoing throughout the space that tries to create a calm atmosphere with it's cream colored walls, paintings of modern taste, some plant-life of feng shui sorts, and candles as the night pressed on as our small four (not six to twenty) group ordered. Mind you, we asked to be seated downstairs, which for some reason was completely empty and not as loud, plus the ceiling downstairs was not as high as the upstairs which as we know could help make it less noisy. The hostess was hesitant to give us that option as she discussed it with her co-worker and later approached us saying "You can sit down here but you might not get a waiter. He's busy upstairs with customers" Ok... does that make any sense? Now before we came inside you could hear the noise from upstairs but you see no activity downstairs where people are passing by outside, looking for a place to eat. Now I don't know about you but don't you want to come to a place where you see people chatting, eatting, and having a good time in plain sight? Not walking by a deserted, creepy, empty downstairs. It's like... Why even have this floor? There's still a bar down here like upstairs and plenty of seating. I mean what?! It boggles the mind. The twilight zone of restaurants! I'm not sure if they ever get enough people in the building and I assume only weekends to start bringing people downstairs. Are they still doing construction? Is there some rule or strange superstition these people practice that keeps people from seating on the first floor, which is what it's supposed to be, but I guess since the second floor is their first floor, this as I been calling it is the downstairs. It sounds like a script for a movie starring Seth Rogen and IDK we'll say Beyounce. They go on a date here and maybe Seth argues why he has to be seated upstairs and not here? Maybe he even gets so obsesssed that he breaks into the place with some stupid side-kick, let's say Jack Black, and they find out that the people here do strange rituals that later opens a portal to Zuul from Ghostbusters. Wow! That sounds like a blockbuster to me! Ok I should stay on subject and stop complaining about WTF the first floor remains vacant with two smiling idiots greeting you. I guess that's what Smokin' Betty is aiming for. And who is Betty? And why call it "Smokin'"? You can't smoke in any public building. Thanks to that douche bag they make fun of on an episode of Pen and Teller's BULLSHIT (which everyone needs to see and maybe they should film an episode about this place). The food wasn't bad but wasn't "smokin'" either. I got fish tacos, never had them before but mine were made with swordfish as the waiter softly whispered, I will get to our waiter next, that they were out of flounder or whatever the fish they usually use for the fish tacos so mine was with swordfish. Ok, whatever, fish is fish. So our waiter! A cute, skinny, hipster, perfect to blend into a screamo band concert, complete with a messy mop of hair. Now as a waiter or any server at some establishment you want to have some social speaking skills of some sort. Like be able to allow the whole table to hear you as you tell them the specials of the day, or what is on and off the menu. Something important to those matters. This boy is good at talking at library levels, which is fine if this place wasn't so.... EEEEFFFING LOUD!!!!! With blasting contemporary bands and electro music, jocks and ladies giggling at the bar and surrounding tables, and noise, noise, noise from all angles. And we get a waiter who is too shy to scream unless he's at band practice where he gets to yell "I HATE YOU SARAH!!!" Seems I don't have much left to say since I wrote too long on noise issues. Last thing, their menus were scrambled with this and last months, so that also spiced things up! TATA!
(2)
Aneesh B.
Pleasantly surprised with the BBQ here. Went for dinner with friends on a Tuesday night so pretty much had the place to ourselves. If you expect piles of paper napkins on the table and gingham-oilcloth tablecloths, you are in for a surprise. Much more of a bbq-boutique-style place, with tasteful decor that is a far cry from picnic-table-grub. Not that there's anything wrong with that; you just won't find it here. I had the brisket platter with green beans and latkes, which were all done well. Friends had the pork spareribs (choose sauce or dry-rub, though my friend chose dry -rub with a side of sauce, which the server indulged), hot dog plate (don't laugh, it was pretty good), grilled pizza, quinoa salad, and veggies. Large portions and tasty food. Big menu with lots to choose; excellent drinks with a good selection of beers/cocktails/wine. Try the French Flower and the Sobieski cocktails. 5 people, $150 plus tip, which I thought was a good deal. I'll go back again when I am in town.
(4)
Rachel E.
I went there for happy hour with some coworkers. I was incredibly excited to try the food and drinks offered at a great rate. The food and drinks were mediocre. The environment is cute and has a great neighborhood vibe. However the manager ruined my experience and is the reason I will not return. After all my coworkers had left, I stayed a bit longer. The bill had been paid about half an hour earlier and the manager approached me. She told me that I had tipped poorly. I was very confused as another person had signed the bill. I was so caught off guard and told her I didn't know what she was talking about. She proceeded to come back to the table with the receipt to prove me wrong. Admittedly my friend accidentally tipped on only half of the bill since we used a credit card for only half. However I do not think approaching me in a such a manner was appropriate or professional. I was embarrassed. I had never been approached by a manager who basically called me out for a bad tip. It was incredibly rude. I felt bad for the mistake but it was not handled well by management at all. The food was not worth returning to this place as I would prefer not to be accosted by a manager at the conclusion of my meal.
(1)
Will T.
Definitely the place to go if you want good BBQ. I've twice, once ordered the BBQ sliders and the second time ordered the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich. There really wasn't much else on the menu that caught my eye except for the short ribs which I plan on getting next time I go. The beer list is impressive (I'd go with the Hennepin or Righteous ale). The dessert menu is pretty lacking but hopefully that will improve over time.
(4)
Aaron B.
Food is ok. Space is nice. Service is good. Beer list is respectable and changes frequently. Value is fantastic. In this neighborhood where overpriced bars abound, there aren't many other non-dives around to get a beer for less than $5. 4 stars!
(4)
Pete S.
Came here for Med school event. Decent crowd. Good drinks. Nothing that would really merit a 4 star review. Just, good. Definitely will go back to try the rest of the menu...
(3)
Michelle S.
Absolutely delicious. I loved every minute of it. The betty burger and sweet potato fries were unbelievably delicious. I practically licked my plate. My sister and mother got the BBQ sliders, they enjoyed them very much. It was fun getting a taste of all. Our waiter was attentive and helpful and it was a great place to get dinner!
(5)
Sara L.
I feel a bit schizo for updating this review so many times, but I had a brunch experience so bad that it has to lose a star! On Mother's Day, our brunch started with being shuttled into the bar because we didn't have a reservation, though the restaurant was empty when we got there and empty when we left. Christmas music played through the first half of our meal (because "that's what was playing on the jazz station") in spite of repeated requests to have it changed. The food for each of our four diners arrived at different times. The pancakes arrived without either the "fresh honey butter" or "special syrup", and upon request the pancake eater was presented with a single pat of Land O Lakes, and a paper cup of Aunt Jemima. Two grilled cheese sandwiches with fontina, prosciutto and fig jam arrived in similarly soggy and overgreased states. However, one of them somehow merited and extra $2 charge on our bill. It was just not good. I will not go back here for brunch, and you should not either.
(3)
Bethany S.
We we popped in during a rain storm for the Beer Week menu. I know it's bad form to judge a place by a special menu, but I think our experience merits some commentary. I think our meal was exemplary simply for how polarized it was. My dining partner and I chose completely different dishes off the prix fix menu. My dinner was delicious and well-executed, his was pretty sub-par. I had: the empanadas, the mahi and the cheesecake He had: mussels, filet tips and the brownie. I'm not sure what it says about a BBQ place that overlooks beef, but his filet tips were so tough he could barely make it though them -- almost as if they had been sitting u der a lamp for a while ... The other courses for him weren't nearly as indelible, just disappointing. The broth in the muss,es and the bread they were served with were delicious, but the mussels themselves were chewy (more than usual) and rather bland -- as if they hadn't been cooked in the broth. The brownie was dry and the s pop of ice cream it came with was already mostly melted by the time it got to us. My meal on the other had was awesome. The empanadas were well-flavored and and a great meat to dough ratio (heavy on the meat). The BBQ sauce accompanying them was a little sweet, a little spicy -- delicious. My mahi was cooked perfectly as was the tangy sweet risotto it was laying on. And the cheesecake was perfectly fluffy and creamy at the same time. Night and day Our service was very peasant. It's a loud restaurant, but not overwhelmingly so. My one complaint was that there was a leak in the ceiling (it was torrentially raining for or whole meal) and were seated next to the little silver bucket meant to catch the water. Like, I had to awkwardly step over the bucket to get into my chair. Not a huge deduction, but it was sort of tacky. Overall the rating comes from the completely polarized experience we had with this special menu. I plan to go back to give their regular menu a try, but I go anxiously.
(3)
Alli H.
They've got some decent happy hour snacks and drinks! Mon-Fri 5-7pm. I've been to Smokin' Betty's for beers, for dinner, and for a 90's-themed party they had back in October. Every time I've been, I've had a good time. Service is friendly and attentive, and the food and beer is good. Yay :-)
(4)
Liz S.
Mediocre food. HORRENDOUS service from all the employees we encountered. We will not be returning.
(1)
Sarah H.
We decided to sample a bunch of sides this time around. DEFINITELY TRY THE POTATO LATKES. The accompanying cinnamon apple sauce is bangin'. I also recommend the mac & cheese - sumptuously creamy with just the right amount of bread crumbs for that perfect crunch. Betty's still totally smokin'.
(4)
Jamie D.
There was a Small But Mighty Knight Arts Challenge event going on at this place, so I decided to stop by and support! I'm not sure if these are an all the time thing, but they were serving Cream Soda cocktails with Art in the Age Snap, vanilla simple syrup, and ginger ale....they were amazing! We split an order of the slider appetizer and they were really good! Tender meats on perfect little buns with a side of some bangin' cole slaw. I will definitely need to come back to this place and explore more of their menu and things!
(4)
Michelle C.
When Smokin' Betty's was suggested as the locale for a Friday happy hour between friends, I was pretty stoked; especially because I missed Sam's MOOB UYE earlier that week. Our rain soaked crew arrived around 5:30 to a completely empty restaurant. It wasn't until a hostess appeared that we found out they were seating everyone on the second floor. We went upstairs and were surprised to find a fairly crowded bar and a few occupied tables. How we didn't hear the peeps and music from the first floor, I have no idea. We were seated at a booth that fit all six of us, and my side faced a wall that featured a gigantic chalkboard filled with beers, cocktails, the day's specials and happy hour info. Smokin' Betty's Blonde, the house beer, was only three bucks during happy hour so most of us started with that. I thought it was similar in taste to Magic Hat #9 and I enjoyed it a lot. When a friend wrinkled her nose after tasting the Curious Georgia (a bellini-like concoction of white beer, peach schnapps and a ginger syrup-marinated peach slice), I gladly took it off her hands as I adore bellinis in their natural state and I enjoyed this interesting spin-off as well. (So yes, for those of you doing the math, technically I was double fisting for a short period of time but I'm half Irish and this is widely accepted in our culture.) Our group was going to order off the menu but when we saw the cheap eats offered as part of happy hour, we changed our minds. I had the spicy dry rub wings which were awesome, but what made them even better was the barbecue sauce I requested on the side for dipping. Sweet but with a definite zip, it was one saucy sauce! The onion rings and corn bread we ordered for sides were pretty standard. A friend ordered the bbq sliders and I had major food envy. I will definitely hit those up on my next visit, with an extra side of that sauce, of course! A five star rating might be viewed as a bit generous by some, but there wasn't a single thing I disliked about my experience at Betty's. The food, drinks and service were all on point and I will gladly return.
(5)
Jonny D.
We came here for drinks last night and my diabetic wife's blood sugar got low, which can cause her to pass out. I ran to the waiter and asked for some emergency OJ to get her blood sugar back up. He quickly ran to get some, which I really appreciate. Once it arrived, two waiters took turns checking up on her every couple of minutes to make sure she'd be OK, and refilled the juice. When we left they hadn't even charged us for the OJ. They were so concerned about her well being that I guess they just didn't ring it up. I'm not an emotional guy, but that kind of compassion is hard to come by and really left a mark. They really honestly cared about a stranger's well-being. That means a lot to me. I tipped the hell out of them and I hope they know that they made my week. That's real, honest, true kindness. Plus the happy hour here is a really cheap too. :)
(5)
Ashley L.
Smokin' Betty's is a solid spot for drinks and food. It's a large space with 2 floors and modern decor. It's right next to Thomas Jefferson, which can mean that it can be hit or miss as far as whether it's packed or pretty quiet. I prefer to come during happy hour. The $2 lagers & $4 cheesesteak eggrolls are a great deal. They also have a delicious burger. I wasn't adventurous enough to try the Betty Burger, but it is next on my list! Yummy comfort food and reasonably priced drinks are what keeps me coming back.
(4)
Dooly M.
I would love to give it 5 stars, but I have tried better. Sorry. However, I will definitely vistit this restaurant in my next trip to Philadelphia over and over again. Why? 1- our servent, Seth, was amaaaaaaazing. He has such a wonderful personality and spirit. I was happy all the time and pleased with his service and helpful recommendations. Food is not everything, the service is as important as the food to me. With all the tress in life, you want to have a nice place with good food and service. Did I was lucky this time? Or all the servant are nice? I am really not sure. 2- I ordered Smokin' Betty's Burger, and it was excellent. I usually get medium well because I usually get it with little pink from where I came from, but with Seth recommendation I ordered medium and it was perfect. He notified us with how medium and medium well is cooked in their restaurant or Philadelphia. However, I did not like their hand cut fries. It was too thin for my taste and not crispy. I would order a green salad next time. 3- my sister ordered mahi mahi tacos. It was good but it needed more flavors or sauce. It was light dish and healthy though. 4- finally, we ordered a layered chocolate cake for TO GO. OMG. I WAS IN HEAVEN. every bite was a whole new experience. I tried many chocolate cakes but nothing beat Cheesecake Factory. This one is my second favorite now, it is moist, dark enough as I like, and very heavy and rich with a cranberry sauce! It was perfect perfect perfect. I will never forget the taste. UHH. Overall, it was a very good experience for us. I really recommend it to you.
(4)
Michael M.
So I like this place, and I'll be going back. Four of us hit it this past Friday night at 7pm. Hits - Cheesesteak spring rolls, Yum, now with spicier sauce. Beef Brisket, delicious. Various mixed drinks, top notch. Wet chicken wings were the best true BBQ item, with real chargrilled flavor lacking in some other items. OK stuff. Riblets - yum, need more chargrilled flavor (see wings above). Stuffing and gravy, also yum but strangely sweet. Pork slider, needs more spice. Roast chicken, needs more BBQ flavor. Ribs themselves were tender bit lacked that on the grill bite the winds had. Misses - mahi mahi tacos. Bland and the wrap they were in disintegrated into mush by the time they were served. It they weren't in wax paper they wouldn't have made it to the table. Green bean and potato balsamic salad - tasted like bad aids. Would have been perfect if ingredients included band aids but did not. Bleah. Service was slow but the place was new and it was a jumping Friday night. Free onion rings (due to a server mix up) were nice. So we'll be going back, sitting downstairs where its quieter, and ordering that brisket and yummy wings again!
(4)
Zanna H.
I want to give this place a higher rating but find myself hesitant to, it is solid 3.5 at least. The decor is minimal and sleek. The place is pretty well lit with dark woods and accents in the upstairs making it feel warm and inviting. The service was awesome, I wish I remembered her name because she served our rather large group with no problem and then split up the bill by individual like a pro. Now what makes me downgrade you ask, well the food is good but I just don't feel it is a value for the price. Their beet and arugula salad was nice, the dressing was light and tangy which helped off-set the sweetness of the beets. The should have opted to throw a little goat cheese in the mix instead of putting onion crispy springs on top. The cheese steak egg roll was nothing exciting or new, I was told by others in the group that it had a spicy kick to it but I was not getting it. Maybe I am too desensitized to spicy things since I brush my teeth with Sriracha sauce. I also got the Betty burger which was very large in size and had some nice flavor to it. My problem was that I asked for it to be cooked well done and it was very pink and cold in the center. So I left 3/4 of it on my plate. The onion rings were standard and the fries were even less impressive. Anyhoo the drinks were mediocre and once again were highly over priced - $4 was a little much for a champagne flute of light ale mixed with peach schnapps with a slice of peach floating in it (thus taking up about 1/3 of the glass so I am paying for even less drink by volume)... and it was on special for 1/2 off. So for price versus value on the meal it left me lacking... mostly in the wallet area.
(3)
Vinny P.
Ok Betty's it seems like what I've been hearing is true. Recently I was afforded the chance to have some ribs, cornbread and mac and cheese at this establishment. I was rather impressed with both the service and the food. The party I was with was able to get a table relatively quickly and begin our BBQ adventure. I ended up splitting a rack of ribs with one of my friends and we both agreed that they were cooked perfectly. There was smoky flavor and the sauce complimented it very well. Also, the texture of the ribs indicated that they were perfectly cooked. If you held a rib bone and just shook it once, the meat would fall off onto the plate (or possibly fly at someone nearby depending on how hard you shook it) The mac and cheese was a little too creamy for me. I did like the small cornbread muffins that came with scallion butter. I should also mention that I am normally more of a fan of dry rub but the sauced ribs did not disappoint. I will be returning for the dry rub ribs along with other menu selections.
(4)
Margo K.
I have to update. I went here for brunch with my brother on our birthday. It was a Saturday birthday brunch! I was sold on my first visit earlier in the week, and my brother loves this kind of eatin'. I ordered the smoked salmon hash which features smoked salmon (obvs), sweet potatoes, bacon, and a fried egg on top. I wanted to try some of my favorite foods in a different format and certainly enjoyed it. I have to note that some people might not find this serving size to be enough, although I did. My brother got BBQ sliders which came with one hickory smoked beef brisket, one carolina pulled pork, and one carribean pulled chicken. He was a fan. We also split some cornbread muffins (because how could you not) for $2 which is a great price for something as comforting as cornbread muffins are! Service was slightly slow, but it didn't really bother us. I usually don't drink this early, so I still have not tried their dranks! Happy hour, soon soon soon!
(4)
Walter K.
Smokin' Betty's has been open for just over one week. I've been anticipating this place for two reasons: my good friend Brooks is working here. Secondly, I'm always looking for a good BBQ sandwich. My friend Jess and I headed out to check out this new establishment. Usually I like to talk about food and drink first, but I have to talk about atmosphere. The inside of this place looks excellent. It's just a cool looking spot. It has two levels of seating, with a bar on both floors, and really has the capacity to be a hopping place, in terms of coolness and the sheer numbers I'm sure it will be packing in shortly (after my review is read). I recommend grabbing a seat upstairs, especially a window seat if available. The service is excellent. I'm not just saying this because Brooks was my server; all of the servers tag-team the tables to make sure that everything is taken care of quickly and efficiently. The menu is impressive. It's much larger than ones I've seen at "real" restaurants in quite some time. There are different sections, with appetizers, small plates, entrees, soups, and salads represented. Lots of choices. There was even a small kids menu with a few choice under $5! Really, it's a great idea and basically unheard of outside of chains. There's an small plate of three sliders featuring three different types of BBQ: great for the indecisive. I decided to just go for the beef brisquet BBQ. It was a really good sandwich, but not the best I've had. Plus there's enough other great things on the menu that I'd try first before I had this again. One downside was the tiny side of macaroni salad, especially because it was pretty good. I also had a side of onion rings which were standard, but good. Smokin' Betties boasts sixteen taps which are arranged in order on the bar from dark to light in terms of the color it pours. While this order is a bit arbitrary and has no effect on actual taste, style, or ABV; I like it. It's better than nothing at all. All the beers are American craft brews. While most of the beers are "safe bets" and not very adventurous, there is good diversity and a lot of solid choices. I went with the Yellowtale Pale Ale from Ballast Point, which was good. An easy drinking, light pale ale. Bottom Line: This place was very slow when I went in, but I suspect it will only be another week or two before it gets busy. It's a cool spot in a good location. The menu is massive and packed with good choices. The prices are decent and there's a few good beers to chose from. It's not perfect, but it's definitely worth a try. I'll check it out again in the future.
(4)
Kara M.
This review is for the 'Puppy Love' event hosted by Smokin' Betty's and Devil's Alley. The event was amazing! I can't even decide where to begin! The food- delectable, The drinks- delicious, the decor- delightful! The tapas seemed to be never ending- my personal favorite was a bite sized sweet potato topped with (perfectly prepared) filet crowned with onion straws- loved it! This was by far the best event i've been to in a long time- an excellent evening with proceeds benefitting a wonderful cause! I can't wait to venture to Smokin' Betty's and try more of their menu.
(5)
Sylvia M.
Dear Ms. Betty, You are SMOKIN!!! Wow, not a single thing went wrong at this place... ok maybe 1. We stood at the host stand for an awkward amount of time. You know that feeling, when you don't know if it's seat yourself or you just assume the host is being a terrible employee and not standing at his post to great you warmly. He finally arrived, asked upstairs or downstairs. We didn't care so he took us upstairs. We sat near that chalkboard wall with all the specials! Good thing too! I ordered the house red wine for happy hour and my bf for their featured beer which the server described as lemonade, it was really good. We also had the cheesesteak spring rolls that came with a chipotle-ketchup-y dip. we only had 1 cut in half for $4. But they were so good! My bf got the turducken burger, idk if thats spelled right. I had the special 3 bean chili and the buffalo chicken quesadillas. Yea, lots of food but i was really hungry! I didnt like the burger because im not a fan of cranberry sauce, but he loved it!!! I loved my chili, it came in a coffee mug! with 2 corn muffins and some butter with jalapenos chopped in it, so good! The quesadillas were amazing. If you have ever had 'al pastor' tacos, thats what it tasted like. Staff: She was so helpful! She gave us a happy hour ending warning! i still had most of my wine and she let me order another. she brought us water without asking, which is always a plus. she checked in on us more than enough times but she was so nice and pleasant that it wasnt annoying! She recommended that next time we get the buffalo sandwich, mac n cheese and some other stuff... basically, its all good. We are def. going to be regulars! The atmosphere is cool and relaxed with a bit of hype during HH. It was loud but not obnoxious. Some standing room which was cool and they put candles on a cake for a party on the other side of the room. Overall, great time! ps the music was great. i never find that place that just plays music i like.. its either terrible or things i never heard of. it was a great blend like alicia keys, beach boys, etc.
(5)
Michael C.
Cool bar/restaurant next to Jefferson, lots of cool beers on tap, great wait staff and bartenders. No surprise that this place is often frequented by Jeff doctors/nurses/staff after work. Didn't really taste much of the food, but did enjoy the Philly cheesesteak spring rolls and the mac and cheese.
(3)
Jessica S.
We had an early dinner at 4:15pm on New Year's Eve so that we could catch the 6pm fireworks at Penn's Landing. The menu was great! Our party of 7 tried everything from burgers to mahi mahi tacos to brisket sandwiches. Everyone was happy with the food and service. We will definitely be returning!!!
(4)
Alex G.
When on my way to this Southern BBQ joint, I was excited to start the night off with some fine Southern spirit, either bourbon or whiskey. However, the cocktail menu was short and didn't include anything remotely Southern spirit-like. Its totally cool to have pomegranate martinis on your menu but if you are modeling yourself after the South you have to have at least a few authentic Southern specialty cocktails to offer. For appetizers, we ordered the BBQ sliders which were ok. The amount of sauce poured on them overwhelmed the actual taste of the meat. It was as if I took a BBQ sauce bottle and just poured it in my mouth. My entree was the pulled chicken sandwich. Part of the chicken was cold, the other part bland. No reason to come back here.
(2)
FT M.
I was in Philly for business travel and wanted to try Smokin Bettys. The service was excellent. Seth knew how to juggle a lot of tables. I got the BBQ combo. Had 1/4 chicken and ribs. The dry rub was delicious. Meat nice and tender. Fries were good. The green beans need to be cooked more for my taste. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Chloe G.
I'm so glad this was my first stop during my trip to Philly. We came in during brunch hour, and I ordered the breakfast burrito with a chocolate pumpkin beer. It was possibly one of the most satisfying meals I have ever had. The only part was that it was on the pricier side, but other than that amazing. I seriously left the restaurant with a smile on my face, that's how good it was.
(4)
Schuyler L.
Smokin' Betty's, you've lost a customer. This is not because your bathrooms are filthy stink holes, but they are. Urine on the floor, faucets don't work, and hair balls in the sink. I was ready to document this nastiness with photos, but was advised against it by my dining partner. Wet naps don't cut it, sticky fingers. Continuing on to the real issues... I'm not sure if it's customary to be ignored by the hostess as she walks past within slapping distance, but that's what I wanted to do to her. I request a table upstairs, she says downstairs by the window, "it's too busy upstairs." We were guided to a crappy table, not really near the window. We decide this isn't really what we wanted and go back to the hostess to request a table upstairs by the window. Ignored. This was happening around mid afternoon on Sunday, May 13th, a beautiful spring afternoon. After having to repeat ourselves to her she barked that she was looking for a table, a considerate person would know that lack of eye contact could cause confusion. When we got upstairs, not only were all the two person tables free, but she sat us at the only two top without a window!! (No reservations came in while we were eating either) To add to the drama, it wasn't busy. Evidence: The servers actually had time to not only chit chat with us but high five friends at another table and join them briefly at the table. Thankfully that was the last I had to deal with her. Never again, Smokin' Betty's. So to recap, the hostess was very rude, passive aggressive, and lied straight to our faces. Lied. To our faces. Portions were very very small. I think they were running out of food!!! Honestly, the only good thing to come out of our out visit was our down to earth, attentive, and energetic server, David D. He was cheerful and it was evident that he truly cared about his customers. He deserves better than the trash Smokin' Betty's was trying to pull and David, if you're reading this, feel free to contact me to use as a reference in the future.
(1)
Terri B.
I've been to Smokin' Betty's three times. For Center City Sips, work lunch and happy hour. I'm never disappointed. I've had the Betty Burger (yum), the pork belly BLT sliders (delish), pulled pork taquitos (double delish), and the honey bbq wings. All great choices. Their drinks are really awesome as well. The Strawberry Lemonade (alcoholic) is my all-time fave! For you beer snobs out there, their selection is very extensive. I try to get here as often as I can. It's definitely a good go-to choice when you're in the city and want to impress someone ;)
(5)
Jason N.
Stopped in for a private party. The back room was spacious and while open and still part of the main bar areas it was separate enough for a small party. The atmosphere was relaxed and laid back. Bar staff was fast and courteous. I like the area and would return. Got to try just a little taste of the food, but not much due to the party size and time spent talking and mingling. The bbq chicken quesadilla was good. The bbq sauce was rich, thick, and had a mild smokey flavor. I would return to eat and hang out here again.
(3)
Aaliyah P.
Bopped in for cocktails and some sweet potatoes fries. Yelp cocktails week has made me a drinkin fool! Sissy and I each did the berry Betty. Rich in the voodah-kah(said in an Russian accent ) topped with champange:) made to perfection . Fries were bombness !!! Very yum I'm intrigued to go back . Bartender super nice :)
(4)
Shavon B.
Went to Smokin' Betty's because the wait at El Vez was too long... Definitely a mistake. I got the special, salmon burger sliders, which although the menu said all burgers come with fries, don't, but whatever I ordered some side sweet potato fries for an extra $5. My friend ordered a vegetable quesadilla and my sis a turkey burger. The one star is for my drink and my friends which was delicious and the other star is for my sisters burger because she said it was good. Now for everything else. Waitress... Mediocre in terms of attentiveness. Salmon burgers are unseasoned pieces of fish on top of dollar store potato bread with two pieces of arugula and tomatoes slivers per slider and a ton of dill tarter sauce... Freaking gross and not worth the $15. Vegetable quesadilla was lots of vegetables soaked in oil that runs down ur hand when u eat it and again not seasoned. I was disappointed to say the least and the guy next to us screaming and laughing like a hyena because he was drunk didn't help. This is my second disappointed experience here. Needless to say I won't be back.
(2)
Andrew W.
Good for the happy hour: good apps, drink specials,and never too crowded... not sure I'd call it a legit BBQ place but the food has always been good and it is very reasonably priced. I like to sit upstairs when they have the windows open, it is a nice alternative when the other outdoor seating options in the area are taken up.
(4)
Kristin W.
We stopped by for an early girls' night out and got in right before happy hour ended at 7pm when an assortment of drinks and appetizers are available for ~$4. We tried the Sangria (reasonably strong), the tasty Veggie Quesadillas (tasty combination of cheese and onions), and Hand Cut Fries (nice balance of crisp and soft) Also, a shout out for awesome service - the bartender took care of us superbly even though we weren't right by the bar and checked in frequently to make sure that we didn't need anything without being over-bearing.
(4)
Troy S.
The pulled pork was fantastic. Nicely sauced and with a bit of crisp without dryness. Well made cocktail, too. Delicious place.
(5)
Regina F.
There are sweet potato fries. That's about it. There's also wine. It's odd that when you order sliders, there's no BBQ sauce served with them. It's also odd that you have to request BBQ sauce at a BBQ joint. Odd. Very. Peculiar.
(3)
Moo Young K.
When moving from the west coast to the right coast, I never thought I'd transform into a burger girl. Smokin' Betty's gave me an all around great experience. What really helped me out with this gigantic burger was the knife that is stabbed in the middle of it to hold the thing together. I don't know if this was intentional, but it's just too much burger and it helps an eater like myself cut the burger in half to pack it for lunch the next day. As soon as I took my first bite, my server came up to me to ask how I liked my burger. He seemed excited and I guess his enthusiasm was infectious because I soon became giddy over this burger. For the rest of my burger, I was PUMPED! But my best reaction came at lunch the next day. The burger was still good! Wowza! I was so afraid that the burger would just not hold up to my initial experience, but it did! Shockingly, the sweet potato fries were good in their own ways. The fries weren't stale like how McDonald's fries become 30 minutes after it's been sitting around (not like it normally would), but it was kind of like a sweet, mashy fry that was still delicious. I say give the Betty Burger a try! It's a go! :)
(4)
Louis R.
Ok...I loooove bbq....and I love cool, hip, chill restos. This place is fresh when it comes to decor and a clutch(ugh) date spot...but...the bbq, itself, is just okay. * The pulled pork sliders were fuckin awesome * The dry-rubbed wings were deelish and the macaroni salad was the star of this plate * The mac n cheese was sick...soooo good * The dry-rubbed st louis style ribs were okay...just okay...and the bbq sauce I asked for on the side was waaaaaaay too sweet, yikes Like I said...dope decor...just okay for the bbq.
(3)
K. A. N. A. K.
I swear that somebody in the kitchen is referencing my homesickness for Hawaii eats in the dry-rub chicken wings; they have that perfect hibachi char, and they come with a "mac salad"-treatment on tri-color spiral pasta. We consistently order this, and it's always good. Our recent discovery was the "grilled cheese." It is just delightful, with abundant melty mozzarella, warm pesto and grilled tomato, and fluffy-yet-crispy cheddar focaccia.
(4)
Katie O.
The food is great, but as I type this we've been eating for over 20 minutes for a table even though we called ahead. Why? Because one member of our party uses a wheelchair, and apparently estimating the time it might take to get a table on the first floor (despite having been warned of all of this when we called) is asking too much.
(2)
Mike L.
I had the Betty Burger. I will be back to try the Tur-Duck-En burger sometime next month. The bar is kind of small, so show up early!!
(5)
Mandy H.
My sister and I came to Smokin' Betty's last night before a concert we were going to nearby at the Trocadero. My sister is a picky eater so the burger on the menu was perfect for her. It was huge, i think it was a 1/2 lb burger. It didn't come with cheese or anything on it, which is just how she likes it so she was happy. We got a bucket of fries on the side that reminded me of Five Guys fries. Yum! I had the BBQ sliders, which came with the Carolina pulled chicken and coleslaw, brisket, and pulled pork mini sandwiches. I usually tend to favor the pulled pork, but the brisket was the best out of all the sliders. It had a sweet BBQ sauce on it and the bun was nice and crispy. However, each little sandwich is overflowing with meat so after just eating the one brisket sandwich and what was overflowing out of the other two, I was stuffed. We also each had the raspberry tea drink which tasted just like a raspberry iced tea, but I'm not sure that it had any alcohol in it. That's the only reason I'm knocking off a star on this review. For $8 ea in a small whiskey glass, I thought they could have been a little more liberal with the vodka. Other than that, the food is delish! One last comment is that they had weird bathrooms in the upstairs dining area. It has a communal sink and each stall has it's own individual room with a door. I was a little surprised to come out of my bathroom at the same time as a man and both head to the same communal sink. It's kind of like El Vez's bathroom. Weird but interesting.
(4)
Gene B.
Food was very good and it was extra good with the Bloody Mario to kickstart the day! Service is good and the staff is very friendly. A great brunch destination, too!
(4)
pracheta t.
Came here for my girl's bachelorette pre-party dinner and we had sucha good time! I called a few days ahead to make a reservation for 16 and the hostess stated that they were more than willing to accommodate us and will cooperate with any surprise we have planned (we didn't, but it was nice they offered). I got there first so I sat at the bar upstairs and enjoyed a Blonde Betty and a Dirty Bastard...i think those were the names. Anyway, it was good. When the girls got there, we were promptly seated, drinks were brought out and food didn't take long. It wasn't too expensive, we had the entire upstairs area behind the bar to ourselves and our waitress was so friendly and fun. We had a great time!
(4)
Dee G.
Brunched here with friends last weekend. Relaxed atmosphere with plenty of room for a big group and also kid-friendly. Food was also very good. I enjoyed my salmon dish very much and also tried out the French Toast which was absolutely yum - it had just the right amount of caramel goodness.
(4)
Meghan C.
The food was boring. The service was clearly bored with us. Expensive for very mediocre sandwiches.
I've been here for happy hour a few times and I am never let down. The BBQ sliders are the best bang and variety for your buck - 8 dollars will get you three sliders with pulled pork, brisket, and chicken with different sauces. I've never found the service slow or curt and the drinks are satisfactory. I'm really, really, really trying hard to come up with something I don't like about Smokin' Betty's so that this review seems a little more fair and balanced. Oh yeah, I got the fish tacos once just to be the one jerk at the table getting something different. My expectations were modest and they were met. The fish tacos are OK but if you are smart then you should stick with the BBQ options. The chicken wings are a little fatty. Take that, Smokin' Betty's. On the action-movie-parallel-satisfaction-scale, this establishment is Doomsday.
(4)
Matt M.
Our favorite happy hour spot - good drink and food deals. Usually try their daily pizza ap and are not disappointed. Great beer selection that changes up a bit. We dont ever sit at the downstairs bar unless its at lunch time - the downstairs is very small and not as nice as the upstairs bar which is fantastic. They also have a great room that could be rented out for a party too, havent used it but have it in mind just in case!
(4)
Connie S.
Came back for drinks and late night bites with friends... and man, I love this place. You must try the Tur-duck-en Burger here. It's essentially Thanksgiving dinner in one neat package: patty of duck rillette surrounded by chicken and turkey, slathered with stuffing, gravy, cranberry-orange relish, and fried sweet potato ribbons for extra crunch, all between some soft, fresh buns. So much to be thankful for.
(5)
Ciara S.
Smokin Betty's was a cool place to eat... I consider this to be a hidden gem because nothing about the exterior catches your attention. If I wasn't come to a birthday party this place would have passed me by. I must say their food was delicious and they had a wide variety of food.. Def will be back!
(4)
Matthew L.
Several good experiences, one awful one. In general, this restaurant has been good to me. The beer selection is reasonable, with options ranging from light to porters. I tend to enjoy the Betty Burger, which is laden with bacon, fried egg, and avocado. This location is absolutely packed on Fridays and Saturdays so I'd suggest reservations. You can always attempt to get a seat at the bar with varying levels of success. Upstairs is a second bar and additional seating and several flatscreen TVs playing the most popular sport channel at the time. I've never found the service (hostesses) to be particularly welcoming or really make the attempt to help seat people but they aren't generally rude. On to the awful experience. Random Wednesday night, sitting in the downstairs bar area, I and a friend order the Betty Burger medium rare (as with every previous visit). The burger comes out looking fabulous, yet when we bite into the burger, the center is virtually uncooked - think of what ground beef looks like before you even put it on the grill. I understand medium rare to be warm, slightly cooked, and still pink. This seemed to have been the same understanding from the kitchen until this last visit. Needless, we asked that it be cooked a little more and met little resistance. We were informed they'd have to completely remake the burger because of all of the toppings, etc. We thanked them and waited for the burgers to come out - exactly the same. At this point, I was disappointed but rather hungry and figured I'd risk it. My friend was still perturbed with this 'medium rare' and reasonably requested that it be cooked longer. At this point, our waiter began to debate 'medium rare' and informed us, 'this is how our chef does medium rare.' Given all of our previous experiences, this seemed unreasonable but we simply said that the center was still entirely uncooked and thus not medium rare. The waiter took the plate back and they remade it again. We noticed several of the kitchen staff poking their heads out to stare at us, which just seemed unprofessional. On the third attempt, the burger at least seemed somewhat cooked in the center and was consumed. When the bill arrived, we were charged for both burgers with no apology and perhaps a little sass. While I recognize it's a business of making money and it's not a requirement to comp food for mistakes, we spent an extra 45 minutes in this restaurant waiting for the kitchen to make a burger correctly. Along with the disappointing service, this experience has soured my otherwise pleasant feelings. Prices aren't cheap enough here to be this disappointed at any point. Despite the convenience, I'm not sure I should come back. Cheers.
(2)
Nathan S.
So uh... I'm not coming back. I had high hopes for this place after grabbing a Turkey Reuben and a few drinks here months ago, and finally had the chance to swing by again. I dined here on 1/21 for a late dinner with my significant other. She had the grilled veggies sandwich, and I had the BBQ Pulled Pork and a Smokin Betty's lager. About six hours later I began an all-night extravaganza keeling over in the bathoom rejecting the meal, followed by an all day visit to Pennsylvania Hospital for food poisoning. Now I'm not one to throw around the food poisoning card willy-nilly, but this was the only meal in the past 48 hours we did not have in common. Also, to note something in hindsight about the BBQ sauce... it was very sweet, more so than smokey. It is a somewhat-known restaurant trick to artificially extend the life of sauces and things to throw a handful of sugar on top to counter-act the spoilage and acidity-- which incidentally only covers the spoiled taste but does not eliminate bacteria. Luckily, you do have the option to cut across the street to Jefferson Hospital if the five blocks to Pennsylvania Hospital are a bit too much for you. Plan it out in any case-- otherwise, you might be the next guy writing this with stomach crams and a mandatory diet of Gatorade and Chicken Ramen.
(1)
Jerry T.
I really like this place . . . I was unsure at first, as my first visit was just okay . . . but, after 6 or 7 more visits I can say that it has become one of my favorite stops. Excellent food (with great specials each day) - the soups and chili are excellent (the mushroom soup on a recent visit was absolutely amazing). The burgers are really some of the best in the city - and always cooked exactly as ordered. While I'm not a fan of sweet potato fries, my friends who are LOVE the one's at Betty's! Excellent beer selection with good descriptions - the staff not only knows their stuff, but they are friendly and welcoming. Service is perfect - there when you need them, not when you don't. The pulled pork sandwich is awesome, too!! Give this one a try!
(4)
Wally W.
Came here for breakfast on a Saturday morning. They have really good hash browns. They're like potato strings fried and then mashed together to form a fried potato amalgam. The eggs benedict I ordered was a bit over done. The yolks weren't runny and were rather solid. The sauce was good, though. The prices were really fair and the waitresses are quick.
(4)
Marie C.
Food was great and nice beer selection!
(4)
Omar K.
The front of house was pleasant, but the waiter was terrible. I asked for a glass of wine, took him 15 minutes to get it over. Then, soup arrives, clearly over-microwaved and burned my mouth. Then, food arrives, half-chicken with veggies and mac and cheese. Mac and cheese: dry. Chicken: bland. Overall not a great experience hence the two stars. I wanted to give one but that would be too harsh, the place has got a decent vibe.
(2)
Mario N.
I had the combo chicken and ribs and my wife had the fish tacos. Its was good. Its not the best BBQ your find but I would definitely go back. They have a great beer list and atmosphere is awesome. We sat by the big open window on the second floor. Its helps that the weather was perfect. We just kind of chilled out after dinner and even with the extra drinks it was still a cheap night out.
(3)
Kinnari A.
My friends and i go here to hang out all the time. Drinks and burgers. and amazing sweet potato fries. I love their veggie burger, I get it almost every time I go there, so I highly recommend it. They also have a lot of space which means that its good for big groups.
(4)
Jayna B.
This place is ideal for an easy, quick bite and has food to satisfy everyone's needs. I have taken my nephews, my friends and my boyfriend here. The food is not super fantastic but it is yummy and I find myself using this as my old standard for out of town guests on weekends. There is never a line or a wait, which might not be a good thing for them, but it is for the customers. Brunch is good for me here too because I don't eat meat and they have lots of options. They will also be creative with your meal if you ask for add ins/ subs. In fact, I went here today and enjoyed delicious and actually fresh fresh fruit. The corn muffins were probably Jif but Jif is the best so who cares? My friend ate the veggie burger and loved it, as I have during past visits. You can't beat the location but you can beat the service. Although the host people are always very smiley and nice, sometimes they aren't there when you walk in. And the totally hipster staff make it seem like they are never pleased to serve you. I can look past this because I can easily call someone over if they aren't bringing me my water fast enough but some people might not like this aspect. All in all, I will continue to eat here and enjoy it and I hope to see you there too :)
(4)
Patty M.
Went for Sipz, the drinks were mehhh. THey tasted like lemonade w/out any alcohol, considering it's beer week i was disapointed with their beer selection. The pork taquitos were good though.
(2)
Kayla A.
Hands down the best bbq pulled pork sandwich I have ever had. They also have really great specialty drinks that were a lot of fun trying. My boyfriend and I love coming here whenever we are looking for a place to eat in the city. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
(5)
Pat A.
Big fan of Betty's. Went here last Friday night for my birthday dinner and were seated upstairs in a big booth. It was spacious and the crowd was lively at the bar. A Friday @ 6 pm in the city when the weather is nice makes for an awesome dinner / happy hour. Apps: Both the cheesesteak egg rolls and the grilled wings (with dry-rub seasoning) were very good. Drinks: nice beer selction. Domestic drafts were $2 during HH, and special kraft beers were $3. Dinner: I ordered the Angus burger medium with caramelized onions and it was very good. Took half of it home with me, as it's a good size. Going back to Betty's again this Friday for more of the same, definitely recommended.
(4)
John C.
Came in here for a few drinks one night. Only sat in the bar section, which was small and intimate. The drink choice among all for the night was Original Sin Apple Cider, served in a cool drinking glass. Had a solid selection of beers on tap and cocktails. The smell of the food sailed into the room every now and then, and appetizers looked good. Hope to return soon.
(4)
Francesco R.
Went for Philly Beer Week 3 course for $35. Sticky tables; like arms stick to them kind of sticky. Waiter cleaned it using a sloppy rag pulled from a pitcher. I had mussels - some never opened, others were rubber bands; the shrimp tacos - two enormous overcooked shrimp in dry crumbly tortillas; and then the brownie dessert - which was like a wafer thin piece of brown Velcro covered in the smallest spoon (not scoop) of ice cream ever. Wife had empanadas - smallest ever, then the smoked chicken - i have seen bigger finches in my life, and the same brownie since the cheesecake was sold out. Oh,,,and three really small glasses of good beer. Got ripped off for bad food. The only thing they did well was serve someone else's beer. Won't return.
(2)
DeBora F.
The WORST place ever! I'm going to sum this up real quick. Not busy, no service, only water provided within the first 10-15 minutes of being seated. Unfortunately they lost a great customer and awesome tips. On to the next one.
(1)
Emma N.
It's a solid 3 in my book. This place is good for Friday night dinner. The one that's doesn't make you look cheap and doesn't break the bank dinner. It has good ambiance for a group of girlfriends get together or like a good first date place if your date like Burgers. You probably can get away with less than $20 (tax and tip included) per person if you don't drink. We had the Turducken Burger, the BBQ combo, and the Fish Taco. All good solid flavors but no cigars. The Onion rings was the highlight of the BBQ combo meal. I can just eat a basket of onion rings alone and paired with a glass of their cider. Next time I'm probably going to do that for dinner and forgo the rest.
(3)
Bill M.
Stopped here on a rainy Saturday Night. The place is very esthetically pleasing. There are 2 bars - 1 upstairs and 1 Down. We sat upstairs and ordered a few appetizers - Dry rubbed St. Louis Riblets and a grilled Tomato and goat cheese pizza. Both were good but the Riblets were exceptional. Table ordered a mixed bag for dinner - guys had the Angus Burgers with fries and they were very good. Also sampled was the Flame broiled Chicken Entree and it was also very good. The salad with chicken was average. The wait staff was attentive and very friendly. The place is very lively but not loud. This is a great spot for starting a night out in Philly. We will be back.
(4)
Anandi B.
Went here when we had a hankering for bbq, and boy did it deliver! i got the half ribs with the dry rub (a gluten free option at any bbq place is rare) and the brocolini side dish was amazing. the ribs were perfect, fall off the bone tender. My friends said the pumpkin beer was an other worldly experience, and i got a mixed drink that was so smooth i forgot it had alcohol. headed back here again soon. wonderful spot!
(5)
Susanne J.
Visited Smokin' Betty's last night for Restaurant Week. The meal was excellent, but I'm holding off on extra stars because there was no history of my reservation when I called to confirm. I had made it two weeks earlier. Luckily, there was no problem securing a spot for 4 at 7pm. Still, I was disappointed that my original call was all for naught. We didn't end up eating off of the RW menu. They offer 4 courses for $35 and all of us felt we wouldn't be able to eat that much food. I was also disappointed that there wasn't a burger or BBQ sandwich on the RW menu. I started with the Root of All Evil cocktail, which was a delicious mix of Root liquor, black tea, agave nectar, and fresh orange. They have a good selection of beer on tap and in bottles and there is sure to be something to suite everyone's palate, whether you're a PBR fan or like something more sophisticated. My BBQ brisket sandwich was wonderful. Tender, saucy meat on a buttered and toasted brioche bun. I loved the mix of flavor and texture. The boyfriend and I shared an order of handcut fries which were crisp and thick and seasoned well so as to not require ketchup. I didn't love the Carolina 'slaw, but I'm picky about my coleslaw having been spoiled by two decades of eating my mom's version. We finished the meal the with peanut butter and banana bread pudding. This was really, really rich and a little hard to stomach after such a hearty meal. It was very good with an almost-creamy texture. I think ice cream would have been better than whipped cream, though. I thought the dessert choices could have been a bit more varied. Chocolate mousse, triple chocolate cake, and cheesecake are all kind of similar in a sense. A simple ice cream sundae might have been a nice way to end a meal of comfort food. The atmosphere is nice, especially with the large windows open to the fall breeze. The music was a little loud for my taste, especially with all the people at the bar on a Friday night. I can't deal with loud music and obnoxious women laughing at ear-drum-splitting level. They appear to have good happy hour deals, though. The menu prices were very reasonable for the portions and the food. I'll certainly be back to tackle other menu options.
(3)
Erica H.
I just left this place. We sat for 10 minutes and no one asked us if we wanted water or anything. Service was terrible and there wasn't much diversity among staff or customers. Felt uncomfortable!! Waiter watched us and never even came over to ask if we wanted water or anything. Will never ever go back!!!
(1)
Christian S.
Drove past this place a million times. Stopped in Friday afternoon for lunch with a few coworkers. I ordered the combo platter with the dry rub ribs with sauce on the side. The sauce was a mild & sweet bbq sauce. The sides of Mac & Cheese and Whipped Sweet Potatoes were also good. Not my favorite BBQ establishment, but I will become a regular at this place. Besides I need to get back and sample the beers.
(4)
Jackie B.
I have been to Smokin' Betty's on a few occasions, and have always left super stuffed and happy. All of the burgers I've had are amazing. What solidifies this as 5-star entry for me is the service I had there on my last visit. We chose Smokin' Betty's as the venue for a surprise party I was throwing for a friend. Because of the nature of the event, we had a lot of weird requests for our group, and the hostess handled them all with a smile. When it came time for the actual meal, our server didn't rush us at all. We sat for at least a half hour just chatting and drinking before anyone ordered. It took a little while for the food to come out, but that's to be expected with a group of 15. Everything came out perfectly, another feat for a large group order. After the meal, our server brought out the cake I had made for the evening and provided a knife and plates and just let us hang out at the table for a while longer, even though the restaurant was full. I can't thank the staff enough for a wonderful evening. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Kim A.
Had my birthday brunch there last Sunday and enjoyed the drinks and food. Accommodated our larger group after another restaurant canceled on us. We sat up stairs and it was very private. Tried all the drinks on the brunch menu, loved them all. Had the eggs benedict and it was pretty good. Their hollindaise was interesting. Fluffy and very buttery. Not what I am used to but still good. Sweet potato hash was greasy and the potatoes where mushy. Great service and would recommend.
(4)
Amanda S.
i had an AMAZING meal for a rehearsal dinner here. granted, the menu chosen was out.of.this.world and it was free. but for what it's worth, i will definitely be back as a paying customer! i know it's a bbq joint, but i didn't actually have anything bbq at the place. so i can't rate anything as far as that goes. however, i can rate a few other items: -cheesesteak spring rolls: a+ -fried green tomato bruschetta: a+ -turkey bacon wraps: a -pizza bites: a -cheddar sirloin burger: a+ -fries: a+ on top of a delicious dinner, they had a great beer selection that made me very happy. and the waitstaff was super friendly and very fast.
(5)
Sarah C.
The search for fish tacos continues... The fish tacos at Smokin Bettys change every day based on what kind of fish is fresh. When I went it was swordfish. They were flavorful, messy, and delicious. I will return. But I know better fish tacos exist in NYC, so I will continue the search in Philly
(4)
Jessica L.
For a BBQ place their atmosphere is more on the Frat boy side. I ate here with a group that had a special menu, so my options were limited. The dry rub wings were excellent as well as the non chocolate desserts. The chocolate ones just tastes like Hersey's baking coco. The service was nice, although they confused themselves constantly with our large group.
(3)
Kenny C.
One of the few places big enough to accommodate a huge group (~11) on very short notice. Loved the Betty Burger, which had basically everything I love in a burger (especially a fan of the confit pork belly, egg and avocado!). I ordered it medium and it came exactly as I wanted. The burgers also come with a knife stabbed through the middle, which is now going to be my gold standard for burger presentation. My friend ordered the Turducken burger and we swapped half burgers. The Betty was definitely better. The Turducken was too Thanksgiving-y. Not a fan of cranberry sauce in a burger. The fries were delicious as well. Service was excellent. The decor was great (especially a fan of how much attention to detail went into the menu chalkboard on the second floor). There are also a ton of private bathrooms. And last but certainly not least, they make a yummy Bloody Mary.
(5)
Whitney M.
Had a wonderful meal here while on a business trip. It was a group of ten of us, and they were accommodating and efficient. I ordered a beet salad with goat cheese and chicken and it tasted fresh and yummy. They had a great beer selection, and my colleagues all enjoyed their food which ranged from barbeque sandwiches to chicken and waffles. I wouldn't hesitate to go back if I was in Philly.
(5)
Vincent I.
This place has one of the top 5 burgers I have ever had. It's a non traditional burger, so keep your mind open. It's not even beef. Can you say Turducken? It was amazing. I have gone back so many times. I have also done brunch here quite often. It is must. Try the french toast and they also have a cool spin on a mimosa that is delicious. It's also just a great place to grab drinks with friends. They have a good variety of local beers that seem to rotate.
(5)
Smrithi D.
Went here as a 2nd SIPS stop and boy was it packed. We ordered drinks while we waited for a table to clear and the bartender was pretty quick. They have a great beer selected and the chipotle pierogis was a new, refreshing alternative to typical bar food.
(3)
Philly D.
Philly Din Club hit up Smokin' Betty's in August for our monthly gathering. We went on a Tuesday night so the place wasn't very crowded and they had plenty of room for the 10 of us (we always make reservations just in case). The food was amazing! The Turkey Dinner Platter was delicious and came with the best whipped sweet potatoes I've ever had. A few of us had the Tur-duck-en Burger and to quote our crew, Tur-duck-en Burger = non red meat heaven. If you're looking for a hearty meal that reminds you of being home for the holidays, these are your two options. Other than the Thanksgiving themed meals, we also recommend the Fish Tacos (crispiest breading in town), the wings, and the chili. My only complaint is that they were out of cornbread for the chili, which was the only reason I ordered it. They did tell me they were out before they served it, but they proceeded to bring it out with a side of saltine crackers. Really? Saltine crackers? At least throw me a roll or something. Apart from that little disappointment, the experience here was superb and we would recommend Smokin' Betty's to anyone looking for a great menu with lots of variety.
(4)
Sarah K.
Went here for lunch with a large group. Seems that this place is meant for small groups but we were able to get seated since the place was not as busy. Our server (girl who works at the bar) was friendly, therefore the service was awesome. I ordered the betty burger and the taste was amazing. The burger was cooked just how I like it and all of the toppings make the price worth it. My only problem was that the bun were small and the bottom was soaked in juice. So it was very very messy to eat. Also one thing to note was that even though our server was friendly, I wish she came around to check on us at least to make sure our drinks were filled. I would recommend this place as the food (the fries, OMG the fries) was tasty and the prices are reasonable.
(4)
Chloe T.
I'm a little surprised by the mixed reviews here! Went here with a group of 7 or so for my friend's bachelorette weekend in Philly, and we were extremely satisfied with the food, drinks and service. I got the biscuits and gravy, which were amazingly hearty - enough so that I only ate about half my portion. Of course, that might be because we started with the nutella french toast for the table. That was a dish worth every single calorie and a perfect start to our brunch. My friend next to me got the cobb salad, which I scoffed at, and then took a bite of. Holy crap, that was a delicious cobb salad. Jampacked with all sorts of good stuff. Our waitress was friendly and more than happy to take a few brunch group photos while we posed with our mimosas. And the price could not be beat!
(4)
Margo v.
A very nice ambiance. Here for dinner prior to going to the Walnut to see Elf. Service good. Very interesting menu, but results were under-whelming. I had the special, Pork oso bucco with a basalmic reduction over polenta. The polenta delicious, the gravy delicious but sparse. The pork dry and not too much flavor. Companion had Turducken Hamburger. Meh. Another had macaroni and cheese. Flavor good, noodles mushy. Desert delicious. Bread pudding, yum. All in all, the food was a disappointment. Prices are very reasonable, but I'd rather have better food.
(2)
Tom C.
We were there Saturday early evening on 1/18/2014 and I thought it was very good and I would definitely go back. Pros: - parking is very easy/accessible - got the burger with fried egg and it was very filling, loved the fried egg, sweet potato fries were good - beer selection and prices were good, about $18 PP total for dinner - LOCATION/AREA seems very safe - cheesesteak egg roll appetizer were very good Cons: - bathrooms were unique, but clean and they worked so no real complaints
(4)
Nicole L.
Came here during for a coworker's going-away drinks sendoff earlier this week. Two levels of bars and comfy couch seating, combined with an absurdly cheap happy hour menu for food and drinks? Win. The experience was slightly marred by the fact that my seasonal sangria tasted fairly watered down, and there were flies flitting around our table the entire time. Granted, our waiter was hugely attentive to our large party and dealt with the eccentrics very well, and my grilled pizza was deliciously filling. Overall it was a decent experience, and hopefully I'll make it back to Smokin' Betty's for another round in the future.
(3)
Evelyn G.
Good sliders
(3)
Clint W.
So, here's the skinny. I think Smokin' Betty's is a victim of some mixed advertising. Some of the reviews below, by self-titled foodies and snobs, sound as if they were expecting a gourmet experience in Center City. I realize that this place markets itself as a barbecue place, but as a former North Carolina resident and all-around bbq lover, I try not to judge a place based on its barbecue (especially north of the Mason-Dixon). No offense intended, Yanks. However, give this place a shot. Smokin' Betty's gave me the single best buffalo chicken sandwich I have ever eaten. Real strips of fried chicken doused in buffalo sauce then with ranch pouring out between toasted buns. Not for the faint of heart, my friends. They can customize spice-level and are very flexible with most menu items. The drinks are decent, but nothing to write home about. I had a hot cider with caramel vodka, which was fine, but probably not worth the price. The service is great, the vibe is fun but nothing too original unfortunately. It's a competitive business, designing a restaurant. The Vetri's and the Vez's will always take the awards, but Smokin' Betty's is nice enough. Just let the food do the talking, and apparently, the bbq isn't the highlight. I'll try it next time and give an update - for all my invested readers (joke). The customers of Betty's is something strange, a balance betwen suits on their lunch break and sleeve-tattooed bike delivery agents, all stopping in for a quick sandwich. The music reflects the amalgamation, alternating in a bi-polar fashion between soft rock and mellow house music. All around, the aesthetic isn't what draws a crowd. It's the niche foodstuffs: the buffalo chicken and other lunch-menu favorites. It's not an entree place, in my opinion, so go grab a casual, good meal. Might be a nice, casual date place as well.
(4)
Steve S.
I had been here many times to drink, but never ate. Finally went for a business lunch and was pleasantly surprised. I had chicken noodle soup and a pulled chicken sandwich. Both were excellent. I would highly recommend it for lunch.
(4)
Amanda F.
I stumbled into this restaurant on a very stormy day while visiting Philadelphia from San Francisco. First of all, as a California girl, I've never been in a storm like you guys have on the east coast, so bravo for dealing with those. Anyway, my boyfriend and I decided to have brunch and spend the afternoon there and wait it out. The restaurant is very well styled with great ambiance. There are cute vintage couches, christmas lights, dark walls and exposed brick. It has a very cozy feeling, plus the 40's music in the background made it very dreamy. The food we ordered was excellent - peaches and cream stuffed french toast, and breakfast flatbread pizza with scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese. I thought they were innovative twists on traditional brunch fare, and executed beautifully. The french toast in particular was sumptuous: creamy and fruity and cinnamon-y. The brunch drinks also had a different twist to them - instead of the traditional bloody mary's and mimosas, they had Mommy's Orange Juice (which is amaretto plus orange - which I wasn't sure would go well together, but amazingly it worked). There were also several other delicious innovative brunch drinks - of which I had many. We finished our afternoon with a slice of cheesecake before braving the conditions outside again. I will definitely go back to Smokin' Betty's the next time I'm in Philadelphia. And I will definitely check the weather the next time as well.
(5)
Phil M.
Went there last Saturday with friends. Everyone enjoyed their food. I went old school and ordered the Turkey Platter dinner. Service was fine, drinks decent and we liked the atmosphere. Prices were reasonable too. The one negative comment I have is that our table was really sticky! The waiter wiped it clean but it stayed sticky. Guess that's what happens after years of BBQ sauce.
(3)
Erin W.
Came here over the weekend with a group of about 8 as it was the only place in the area that could accommodate a reservation for a group our size on a busy Saturday night. This should have been the first indication that we weren't in for a stellar time. First of all, I feel like this place is suffering from a major identity crisis. Are you a barbecue joint? Or an industrial-themed burgers and beer place? Why do you offer mussels as well as racks of ribs? Never one to shy away from a plate of mussels if available, boyfriend and I took the leap and ordered them. And they honestly weren't bad, but their place on the menu just seemed weird. There were more salads and burgers than barbecue options. I was confused from the moment we sat down, but I had plenty of time to mull things over; it took over an hour for our appetizers to arrive at the table, and another 30 minutes for our entrees. Now, I understand that on a Saturday night with a party our size, things can be slow. But the place was not packed to the gills, and several times during the wait, different servers came over with food that wasn't intended for us but for another table in what I can only guess was some sort of plan to torture us. "Who had this delicious looking plate of hot food...JUST KIDDING, NOT FOR YOU!" Everyone else's food was coming out in a timely matter, just not ours. Nor were our drinks. Luckily, my company for the evening were a lot of people who live out of town, so it provided us AMPLE time to catch up. The second offense came when a few of us tried to order a side of cornbread with our entrees, only to find out they were out cornbread, corn pie, and any other corn related corn products. This leads me to believe that even Smokin' Betty's doesn't know what it is, because no respectable barbecue place ever runs out of cornbread at 9pm on a Saturday night. It's in the constitution, look it up. The third offense is pretty ridiculous but I'm going to throw it out there anyway: the bathrooms are annoying. The toilets are in their own rooms and the sinks are in a communal spot outside of them, which would be fine except that out of the 2, one was broken and the other one had the spigot so low on the counter your hands actually touch the bottom of the sink when you're washing them off. Not hygienic in the slightest. All in all, the meal wasn't memorable, and no one at the table was raving about their food, even though we were all ravenous by the time it got to us. I'm bummed to have to be so negative about this place, because I had such high hopes. I'm guessing we caught this place on an off-night, but it was enough to turn me off. Plus, it's on the opposite side of the city. I can't say I'll make the trip back just for this place.
(2)
Chris W.
This is a great place to hold private events. There are multiple areas upstairs they have dedicated for different functions I have attended on weekdays post work hours. From what I understand, they will work closely to help set up drink specials for an extended period of time while bringing out delicious appetizers whenever requested. My only complaint if the food in general runs on the heavy side but I guess that should be expected for this kind of joint. I have done happy hour here also and enjoyed the open feel that surrounds the upstairs bar. As for the food, both the BBQ wings and dry rub wings are can't miss for wings fans. They come with macaroni salad which is an afterthought of this meat. BBQ chicken pizza is nothing special (too cheesy IMO). The quesadillas are nicely balanced and have some kick to them. I've had the brisket sandwich at lunch also which is finger licking good BBQ, make sure to add on fries for a buck. A true staple of the Market East section of Philly, give it a shot.
(4)
Michelle P.
My friend was in town and staying near the convention center so we planned to meet up for dinner/happy hour. I wanted to select a place that was both close to the convention center and had an all around good happy hour with both food and drink specials. I had been to Smokin' Betty's before for Sips so they came to mind as a good choice. As with normal Sips fashion, it had been packed the last time I was there. Yesterday it had a nice crowd but nothing too overwhelming. We arrived a little before 6:00 and were told we can sit at a table and still get the happy hour specials. Score! It is nice sometimes not having to cram around the bar. I already had some idea that I wanted to try the pizza of the day. When I found out it was buffalo chicken, the deal was sealed. Both my husband and I had the craft beer of the day to drink. I honestly forget what i was, but it was $3 and pleasant. My friend had the grilled chicken salad and the cheesesteak egg rolls and my husband had the slider combo. We all enjoyed our meals. Nothing really to rave about, but it totally hit the spot at the time. In hind site, I probably should have ordered 2 appetizers because I was hungry later in the evening, but it was still a decent sized happy hour pizza. The service was so-so. Attentive and friendly enough. We did ask our server for two separate checks but he forgot about it. My only real complaint was the little flies circling the dining room. I believe they were just fruit flies- the typical, unavoidable summer type. I didn't see any in the food and nothing bit me but they did fly by every so often. I think that just happens on hot days when the doors are open. Smokin' Betty's fit the bill for a happy hour spot with good food and drink specials.
(3)
Moe W.
Honestly, the atmosphere of the place was great. The service was great. The food was ok. The salmon was swimming in barbecue sauce. The broccoli rab was over garlicky. The cole slaw was soupy...
(2)
Adam S.
Betty Burger is unreal. Pork belly, a huge beef patty, a fried egg, lettuce, tomato and avocado... Had to eat with a fork and knife because it was so huge. Delicious. Fries were great as well. There was an issue with our reservation being for 4 instead of 5 but they quickly and without any fuss made a table for 5 for us. Definitely will be back for another colossal burger.
(4)
Roberta M.
We ate here last night before going to the theatre. I made a reservation using Open Table - and guess what, the restaurant gave us a10% discount because I mentioned this was pre-theatre. Who know and how nice. We had burgers which were amazing- and cooked to our specifications. The toppings were generous and we loved every mouthful. We shared a wedge salad first - it was 1/2 head of letteuse- enough for the 4 of us. The service was courteous and prompt and all the other main courses being served around us looked fabulous. We would definitely come here again. Very moderately priced too.
(4)
Courtney J.
I went here for happy hour with a few co-workers. We actually arrived about 20 minutes before five, so I ordered my first drink off the regular menu. I choose The Root of all Evil ($9) because it contained root liquor which I'd been wanting to try for a long time. It arrived in a martini glass, and the taste reminded me of this orange monster brand Frankenstein candy I used to get on Halloween as a kid. That was a positive thing, so I enjoyed the cocktail. Then things started to take a downturn. We started ordering off the happy hour menu. I had sangria, which had no fruit in it what-so-ever other than a slice of apple for garnish. This was a big disappointment. It didn't taste fruity at all. My friend ordered wings with barbeque sauce. I tasted the sauce, and it was so sweet and almost candy-like and ketchupy which is not how I like my barbeque sauce at all. At that point I knew I'd better stay away from the barbeque even though this was supposedly a barbeque joint. I then made the mistake of ordering another drink off the happy hour menu, the berry lemonade cocktail. It was overly sweet and cloying. It tasted like minute maid lemonade with strawberry flavored syrup. Usually drinks taste better the more you drink because you start to feel the effects of the alcohol. That was not the case here, as I became more and more disappointed with each drink. Dinner was the biggest disappointment of the night. There were mussels with a Thai curry sauce on special. I didn't want anything sweet, so I thought spicy might be the way to go. Big mistake... The mussels were tough, dry, and had pieces of shell and grit in them. The sauce tasted like packaged red Thai curry paste with maybe a teaspoon of coconut milk and then a lot of water. Ick! It came with four huge pieces of toast that were a little burnt on the edges. One of my co-workers ordered the risotto. It was so bland that she just pushed it aside and started eating her husband's meal instead (fish and chips). I feel like this place has an identity crisis. They are supposed to be a barbeque joint, but what I tasted of that wasn't so good, or was anything else other than my first cocktail. Smokin' Betty's menu has a large range of items on it, too large in fact. I would much rather them do one thing, and do it right. I lived in Memphis for five years, so to be honest it's pretty hard to impress me with barbeque. However, none of Smokin' Betty's offerings were anything I'd come back for. The service was also a mess. Four times we were brought other tables' food. Four times! I understand mistakes happen, but this is just ridiculous. I left agitated, hungry, and with a lot less money in my wallet.
(1)
Kevin S.
I had a lot of fun at Smokin' Betty's! Its got a great atmosphere, the service was fantastic. They had a great selection of beers, always a plus in my book. I loved the huge chalkboard menus! The bathrooms were clean and inviting. I didn't eat here, just a few drinks one evening. However, I am left with nothing negative to say! I'm looking forward to having some lunch here one afternoon!
(4)
Bruce B.
I never knew it was so hard to have a decent lunch on Saturdays in Center City these days. I was in town with a fellow Colonel, and everywhere we went, was closed for lunch. After trying about a half dozen places, we came upon an open Smokin' Betty's. First of all I would like to say that it is the most un-barbeque looking Joint I've ever been to, But that's not important to me- the food is. We were seated in a dining room full of hungry hipsters. The server came over and gave us menus and asked if we would like a drink. It was brunch time so we both ordered a mimosa. I ordered a cup of chili and the barbecue slider sampler, which was three types of barbecue on a small bun. The chili came out first and it was ice cold. Then there was something wrong with my friends drink. Plus he forgot the bread and butter. But to their credit everything was replaced,not reheated and so on. My new bowl of chili was absolutely delicious! Full of Chunks of meat and lots of vegetables and a nice spicy flavor. the barbecue sliders consisted of pulled barbecue chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket. The brisket was the best, very flavorful and tender, the pulled barbecue pork was delicious with a mustard based barbecue sauce. the pulled barbecue chicken was dead last and not worth mentioning. They all were served on a miniature hamburger bun that reminded me of Wonder Bread. A toasted Brioche bun would make this dish really pop. the dish also came with homemade coleslaw and corn bread, both were very very tasty. I felt lucky because my friend didn't like anything she ordered. Considering that with the service snafus, brought it down to three stars for me. Shame, A couple of changes here there and Betty's could really be smokin' hot!
(3)
Hesham A.
Just moved to Philly, and a buddy and I needed to take a break. We walked a couple blocks from my apt and ran into this place. It was a Wed evening and had a ton of people there. We only had to wait about 15 min for a table. I had fish taco's and some sweet potato fries, my friend had some ribs and some drinks. It was all pretty delicious. Great location, atmosphere, and very friendly staff. Will be back.
(4)
Ashley S.
I was really excited to come here for happy hour a few Fridays ago because I've heard such great things, and Smokin Bettys did not disappoint. My group of friends and I came hungry, so we made sure to order food off the happy hour menu. My boyfriend and I had veggie quesadillas, which were flavorful but a little greasy; unfortunately, they also didn't quite fill me up. My friends got the wings and cheesesteak eggroll and thought both were great, but again they received smaller portions than they were hoping for. Our main draw was the drinks, though. Each of us had a cocktail then moved on to beer. I started with the Berry Lemonade, which tasted great. I think it was strong, but I couldn't tell because the sweetness masked the alcohol. I tried my friend's sangria, and I felt like it tasted a little too much like juice for my liking, but it was definitely drinkable. The best part was the cheap beer! They had an awesome IPA as their $3 special for the night, and Yeunglings were only $2. This is definitely a great place to start off a night with cheap drinks and some tasty snacks.
(4)
Margaret Z.
My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while wandering Center City, and were encouraged to stop in due to the nice atmosphere and good variety on the menu. It was a beautiful day outside, and the cafe had opened up its doors to provide for an enclosed/half-open dining experience... the breeze was lovely, but I appreciated being out of the midday sun. The menu boasts offerings from sandwiches to fish tacos to salads to burgers, with extremely reasonable prices in the $10 to $15 range. The sandwiches and burgers come with a side of fries. I opted for the mahi mahi fish tacos while the boy went for a chicken rabe (basically chicken breast + roasted veggies and melted cheese on a french baguette). The portions here are BIG, but not overwhelming. My fish tacos tasted extremely fresh and the fish, though not heavily seasoned, was complemented perfectly by the sauce and mango/corn/black bean salsa on the side. The guac was also a great addition. I got 3 overflowing tacos for ~$14. The boy's sandwich was also tasty -- the roasted peppers were done perfectly, and none of the flavors were too overpowering, yet still delicious enough to clean off the plate. You definitely leave feeling full, but not the gross kind of full you get from stuffing your face with fast food. It's obvious that the ingredients used here are top notch... and the service is great too! Extremely friendly and very prompt/attentive. I'm really glad we found this place by chance, and I would definitely come by again if in the area.
(4)
Katrina C.
I've been here many times, but here are my thoughts: 1. Good drinks and beer selections. Great happy hour specials! ($2 lager, a $3 featured beer - it was a Sly Fox last night, $4 wine, $5 cocktails - last night was a lemonade and sangria. Plus, there's some app specials). 2. They take reservations and seem pretty flexible, willing to work with groups. 3. 2 floors, small bar downstairs with dining room; bigger bar with a bigger dining room upstairs 4. Food here is solid. I love love love the grilled chicken sandwich - sharp provolone, broccoli rabe, pesto mayo, roasted red peppers. Their grilled cheese is awesome too. So is the turkey reuben (pro tip - get it with cole slaw instead of sauerkraut). Fries or salad is $1 extra - but the sandwiches are like $8 or $9, so add the dollar. They come with an awesome pickle too. (love pickles). They have BBQ, but I've never had it.
(4)
Elva L.
We stopped in yesterday for a margarita fix. The margarita was just okay. I was really craving a blended one, but they only serve it on the rocks. We stumbled on a delightful discovery with the sangria pitcher. It was fantastic. The sangria was almost deceptively fizzy, fruity and light. It had a high alcohol content (with Chablis, vodka AND peach brandy) but you wouldn't know it from how airy and sweet it was. I can definitely see myself sipping on this throughout the oncoming summer. It looks like they have an inexpensive happy hour too with 2 and 3 dollar drafts as well as game specials. I'm excited to go back and try their food. It wasn't the right time when we did happen in, but studying the menu certainly seeded a barbecue craving. I saw someone's sandwich go by, and though I've my heart set on trying the roasted beet and goat cheese salad as well as their barbecue, it did look quite good. * Service was a little slow but I wouldn't hold that against them on a big drinking holiday. There's also outdoor seating and I'm thinking the pup might want to come along for the barbecue.
(4)
Evan F.
I was treated to Smokin' Betty's on Thursday (during Center City Sips) and was all-around pleased with the experience. We arrived at 5:00 to the barely-filled restaurant and were seated promptly by a really nice hostess. Within a minute or two, our server stopped by with some water and explained the restaurant's "Sips" promotions (where various drinks / appetizers / meals are severely discounted). Their decent selection of unique mixed drinks ranged from $3 to $8 dollars, and the appetizers were discounted as well. I highly recommend trying the Hummus- it's a creamy dish served with delicious pita chips but beware that the serving size could be eaten by one person alone. Little time passed after ordering each drink / appetizer and our server was courteous and checked in numerous times (but wasn't pesky). One of the food runners, however, basically threw our appetizer at our table and walked away without acknowlegding us or saying a word. Awkward on his part. While we sampled the Berry Lemonade and Hummus, I would like to return to try some of the delicious meals that I'm sure this place serves up. Oh, and Sips can be annoying because of all of the 20/30 year olds that crowd into the joint, but this annoyance is easily disregarded by the great discounts on the offerings. I'll be back :)
(5)
Victoria L.
Went here during restaurant week and was sorely disappointed, especially since I've heard such amazing things about them. I ordered their pumpkin tiramisu, and I think they made it with something spoiled because it was sour.
(2)
Lauren G.
I really like this place. As a veggie burger connoisseur, I have to say theirs is one of the best in Philly. I honestly have never gotten anything else off the menu, and I've probably been here five or six times. During SIPS they had good drinks, and the atmosphere is nice. There's a lot maybe a block away on Sansom if you can't find street parking.
(4)
Kwazi H.
It was ok. I had the ribs with a "spicy dry rub" . The ribs were cooked well, falling of the bone, but the weren't seasoned. I ended up dumping bbq sauce on them so they tasted Like something. My sides were broccoli rabe which also had no seasoning and wasn't cooked enough for bbq, coleslaw that was so fine it might as well be porridge and baked beans that stood on their own as the best item on the plate. Service was extremely slow. Not out serve but the food coming out.
(2)
Alie A.
I finally made it here for Sunday brunch. The place was far less crowded than I would have imagined, so it's definitely a good place to take a group. The upstairs area would be ideal to rent out for an event. I had the breakfast sandwich with scrambled eggs, avocado, sriracha and sausage piled on top of cheddar focaccia. Large servings for a reasonable price. They need help in the Bloody Mary department, but I am kind of a snob when it comes to that. The service seemed slow and sporadic, which was surprising since they weren't crowded. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would. A solid brunch spot overall.
(3)
Anna H.
We were out looking for a place to grab a quick bite during Happy Hour. We happily found Smokin' Betty's. Great Happy Hour food selection, and good drink selection as well. Christopher our bartender was very busy, but also very helpful. He even took the time to write down a website for our to find things to do while we were in town. The food was good. I enjoyed the grilled, flatbread, buffalo wing pizza, and the veggie quesadilla. They had a great selection of craft beers, and made an excellent martini.
(4)
Jeanette S.
I come here from time to time for happy hour. I had positive service from the waitstaff and bartenders, both upstairs and down. Great specials, great beer, great sangria, and above all else for me- GREAT WINGS.
(4)
Dan M.
This place rocks. Great bar upstairs. The food is awesome and the service is excellent. Definitely worth a visit anytime you're in Philly.
(4)
Nora B.
Had dinner there last night before heading to the theater. Ordered the BBQ sliders. The pork slider was moist and delicious, the others slightly dryer but very good as well. The cole slaw was outstanding! It seemed like they added a little caraway. Haven't had better. The only issue was with the white peach sangria. The sangria has a nice crisp taste but it was served in a small rocks glass, so it was like two shots of a drink. Sadly, not worth it.
(4)
Joanna H.
I was contemplating b/w 2 or 3 stars, but I'm giving 2 because it takes forever to get a waitress or anyone who works there to come over. After we ordered and got our first dish-cheesesteak eggrolls for the appetizer-and we realized we still didntt have our silverware sets and plates. We waited 5minutes to get someone's attention. We got the Betty's burger and BBQ sandwich w/ pulled pork. The pulled pork was very tender, but both entrees didn't wow me at all. They were just plain burgers that you can get anywhere else. The atmosphere is adequate to come w/ a big party or even just a friend or family. It's great to chill w/ a glass of beer and munch on your dish but don't get ready to be amazed by anything particular cuz there's nothing particularly special here.
(2)
Alicia O.
I tried to schedule my birthday dinner this year at another restaurant, but I was told by the other restaurant that parties over eight people must order their family style dinner which was $32/person. I didn't want my friends spending $32 for my birthday dinner, so I ended up cancelling at the other restaurant and made reservations at Smokin' Betty's instead. It ended up being a good decision! This place is great for large groups. I think we were one of the three birthday parties going on that night. My friends all loved the bbq and burgers and we all left pretty happy and full. I was also happy with their house beer--Smokin' Betty Blonde. It reminded me of a lighter version of Blue Moon. I ended up having a couple of those. Really loved it.
(4)
gavin s.
Went with a group of seven to Betty's last night for a pre-partying meal. Had high hopes for this place, I had driven by many times and thought the building looked very cool. Inside it was pretty neat, exposed brick and a lot of wood. We sat upstairs where it seams to be the main restaurant area, the downstairs had the kitchen about 10 tables and a small event space that seemed to be rented out. It was cold upstairs and the girls didn't want to take their jackets off. Our waitress was nice and fairly attentive. We ordered drinks and a $38 bottle of sav blanc that was not good. I had my typical belvedere dirty martini, it was too dirty and tasted watered down. The others in our group had similar comments about their drinks. We ordered our food, most of us ordering burgers, which some wanted to omit the egg on theirs, which the waitress replied "we don't make changes to our Betty". We got the apps, cheese steak egg rolls, which were pretty good. The burgers came, and looked pretty good. I found my burger cooked to right temperature, but it was under seasoned, and I kept getting chunks of hard cartilage which was gross. The fries were lame, old and soggy. We couldn't wait to get out of there at this point. While it wasn't the worst experience I've ever had, there's many other restaurants right in the vicinity that are much better. I won't be returning.
(2)
Robert B.
Simply awesome BBQ, best I have had in the city hands down. On top of that, it is affordable. You can't beat it. $16 for chix and ribs combo. Great sauce and cooked perfect. Waitress could have been more friendly, but the food more than made up for that. Will be back
(5)
Rita C.
I was really excited to check out Smokin' Betty's after sampling their wings and ribs at the Summer Ale Fest at the zoo in back in July. The restaurant has a pretty cool set up and seems really chill and laid back - my kind of place. They had several good beers on tap, including one called Dragon's Milk, which I just couldn't resist. (What a cool name for a beer!) Apparently, there's a really good happy hour at Smokin' Betty's but I went on a Wednesday and there was no sign of happy hour anywhere (the board actually said Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri.). I'm not sure what that's about, but I'd go back to check it out sometime. For an appetizer, we ordered the mac & cheese. To me, it just tasted like buttered noodles - not enough cheese = not enough love. Very sad. For entrees, I got the spicy dry rub ribs (with corn bread and coleslaw) and the BF got the buffalo chicken sandwich. The ribs were fall off the bone and cooked beautifully, but the dry rub didn't have any flavor whatsoever. Where's the spicy? I was hoping this would taste something like what I had at the zoo, but it just wasn't there. On the flip side, the cornbread muffins (with jalapeno butter) and coleslaw were both really good. I'd probably go back again to try the ribs with the BBQ sauce. The buffalo chicken sandwich was unlike one I've never seen - it was huge! The sauce was good, it wasn't over bleu-cheesed. It was really good. I'd recommend that to all my chicken lovers out there. All-in-all, Smokin' Betty's seems like a cool place, but my food experience wasn't exactly the best. I must admit that I liked the decor inside, the beer list, and the service enough to give it another chance. Hopefully, I'm not disappointed!
(3)
Elle W.
I went to smokin Betty's this past Sunday for brunch. The server highly recommended the crab cake Benedict so that is what I went with. It was supposed to come with Siracha hollandaise sauce but when my food arrived the server said sorry it's just regular hollandaise. No explanation. The crab cakes were terrible!! I could not eat them bc the salt was so intense my tongue was tingling. I pushed them to the side and ate the eggs and biscuits. A couple bites in I found two large egg shells in my food which I also pushed to the side. After the meal I told my server about the shells. She apologized and told me she would let them know. Great thanks lady. She never asked me if there was anything wrong with my crab cakes. Nor did she address that I could have gotten salmonella poisoning from the egg shells bc that is where it breeds!! Come on. She never took any money off my bill and just let me know with the return of my credit card that she was thankful for my complaints. In sum, this place is kinda crummy and has really nothing to offer. Not to mention there were only like 5 people in the whole restaurant for brunch on a Sunday!
(1)
Emily G.
This place is awesome! The atmosphere is great, staff is great, and food was amazing! We ordered the Black Angus Beef Cheesesteak Eggrolls came out piping hot and tasted amazing! The California Turkey sandwich was dripping with avocado (I absolutely love avocado) and was a great blend of flavors. And the 1/2 Pound Sirloin Angus Burger (with caramelized onions for a little more) was fantastic! (I didn't have a bite of this, but I did eat half of the amazing fries that came out with the burger). Our waitress was friendly, and approachable! All in all a great experience!
(4)
Maria D.
Went here for dinner and ordered the angus burger medium rare. Burger was cooked as requested, but was pretty standard. It could have used some mayo or aioli. The fries were delicious. BF ordered the flame grilled chicken and LOVED it. The bbq sauce was pretty darn good.
(4)
Rizwan A.
This place has a lot of potential, I really liked the vibe here, the decor and design of the whole place are pretty cool and although you don't know what to expect when you're walking into a place called "smokin betty's," once you're inside, you feel like they really nailed it. It's a mix between a diner and an old school saloon, so I was excited to eat here. Sadly, the food just doesn't deliver. They had a couple of cool options on the menu like fish tacos and sliders (automatic win in my book) but they didn't really have a lot of ingredients and they just didn't taste all that impressive either. The food wasn't bland all together, but they just seemed to be using the bare minimum ingredients. Even the preparation was a little tired looking and just could have been way better. Service was still decent and I'm sure they're doing much better on the bar end than the restaurant end. They're usually pretty empty during lunch and really only seem to get any business during happy hour. I want to like this place, so I'll probably give them another chance in the future.
(3)
Olivia J.
Avocadoes and fried eggs on a burger?!? I knew Smokin' Betty's was known for their Tur-Duk-en Burger, i.e. a Thanksgiving meal packed into a burger, but as an egg/avocado foodie, I HAD to try their Betty Burger. To be honest, it wasn't amazing - it was just OK. First of all, it was too big so I couldn't fit it into my mouth at once, so I didn't get to taste the flavor of everything at one time. Second, the sirloin and pork belly together tasted too salty. Third, the saltiness cancelled out the tastes of egg/avocado. I don't know, I guess their selection of burgers is creative, but the taste is aiight.
(3)
Brett A.
Good beer selection and reasonably priced, considering the location. Ordered the Smokin' Betty burger and it was a sloppy, delicious mess. Very enjoyable food and great overall exeprience.
(5)
Uzoma N.
This is a cool place to chill. They have great beers on tap but not a wide selection of beers. The food was ok I got the signature Betty burger and it was very dry and didn't have much flavor. Not a lot of desert options so didn't get any.
(2)
Dana B.
While I can't yet vouch for the quality of the food, I attended a Purim event (kind of like the Jewish version of Halloween) hosted by Philly Spectrum in Smokin' Betty's upstairs lounge area that included drag, burlesque, and bellydancing, with easy access to the bar. The bartending staff was friendly, the drinks were well-crafted, and the environment was fun, lively, and upbeat. There were just enough seats in the performance area for everyone to enjoy the show, which was then cleared out for the dance party that followed. I definitely hope to return and try some of the items on their food menu!
(4)
Michael G.
Came here last night with a large group of coworkers. The place was packed when we got there and because an even bigger party upstairs was not out yet for our reserved time, we were asked to go to the bar. The bar was not meant for a group our size (12) when it was already packed. However, we made it work, and finally went upstairs. It seemed even more packed when we were seated, and the biggest problem of the night was service. However, it was not because of the servers being idiots. There were only two working upstairs, and one bartender. Bad planning on the Manager's job scheduling! Bonnie, our main server, did her very best to keep everything moving along nicely, but you could tell she was a bit frazzled. The drink of the nght was the Mrs. Daly - citrus vodka, sweet tea vodka, iced tea and lemonade. The food ranged from sliders (2 of 3 were really good - brisket and pork. Chicken not that good), to burgers - no complaints, to grilled cheese (we had no kids - what's up with that order "manly" coworkers?), riblets which were tasty, and everyone had a good time. The bill came to about $280 for everything, and I appreciated that although they say the tip would be automatic on it of 18%, it was not added on the bill. This is good, because Bonnie got a better tip that way. She was really trying hard to do us well!
(3)
Greg L.
The family and I took the train down to Market East and made the easy 10 minute walk to Smokin' Betty's one Friday evening. This is a 2-story restaurant and at 6:30 PM, the place was fairly packed. We were seated upstairs, where there is also a bar area, which had a number of people around it. It was a beautiful night, so they had all the windows open, which provided for a nice breeze throughout the restaurant. Food was good, but it wasn't my favorite BBQ by any means. I had the chicken, which was very juicy and the meat just fell off the bone. My wife had the brisket, but she said it didn't have the smoky flavor that she prefers. There is a kids meal, and my boys had the chicken fingers, but it was a bit too crunch for their liking. The homemade ice cream and the Nutella roll we had for desert were absolutely delicious! Service was just OK. We had to remind our waitress to bring us straws and extra napkins and I felt she could have been a little quicker to respond to things and she should have checked back a bit more often to see how we were doing. The real problem was the noise level. It was so noisy, that it was very difficult to carry on a conversation during dinner. All in all, the dinner was OK, but it's probably not a place I would crave to go back to.
(3)
Shereen C.
Was here last year for happy hour and the bar food was so-so but not great. A lot of it sounds like it'd be tasty in theory, but the execution was off. Wings are not that great - could be juicier, tastier. I wouldn't recommend the cheesesteak egg rolls. Bad combo, with skimpy overcooked filling. Worse than any cheesesteak I've had, and worse than any eggroll I've had. The space is attractive and comfortable. Service is fine.
(2)
Caitlin O.
We LOVE Smokin' Betty's!!!! Last night we threw a 20-person surprise dinner party for my boyfriend Dave's 30th birthday. Emily & the SB staff did everything for us from letting people bring noisemakers & rip shots to setting up a fake reservation so the surprise wasn't ruined when Dave & I got there. They were ridiculously helpful, professional & patient with my million questions. Incredible food with a wide variety of menu options for small parties & an even better staff. HIGHLY recommended for big dinners in Philly! Thanks for making his 30th so great!
(5)
Beth B.
Smokin' Betty's is smokin' hot!!!!! Go here for AMAZING comfort food, creative cocktails, and an awesome draft beer list. Dave and I shared the BBQ style Riblets to enjoy as appetizer with our beers. I am pretty sure these babies must have been the inspiration for the description "fall off the bone"... The meat was unbelievable. So juicy and flavorful. You don't even have to bite into them and get it all stuck between your teeth. Just perfect. For our dinner, Dave and I split the Chopped Cobb Salad & the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. The salad was not my favorite- at first when it arrived at our table in a GIANT glass bowl I was super excited. Lots of yummy ingredients too. The issue was the dressing- we chose the Balsamic which had no flavor whatsoever. While it was a great awesome big salad, it was lacking in flavor. The sandwich was AWESOME. I rarely allow myself to get chicken sandwiches when they're "crispy" or fried but I'm glad I agreed to split this one! The chicken was so good, crispy and juicy and flavorful. The sauce wasn't as spicy as I'd prefer but it was still very tasty. Blue cheese is ALWAYS my cherry ontop and in this case it was perfect. Can't wait to go back and try more!
(4)
Donna D.
OMG what an awesome place.The Betty burger was divine and the bread pudding well that was right outta heaven!! We even went back to get more to take back to our room to eat later! Once again Yelp got this plce right!!
(5)
Nicole H.
I went for Center City Sips. The crowd was kind of on the young side and I felt a little out of place (and I'm only in my early 30s). People were a little dressed up, having come from work. The Sips specials were pretty good, but the wait at the bar was long. I couldn't even get near the bar upstairs, so stuck to the one downstairs. For my first round, I was helped fairly quickly. For my second round, the bar was more crowded and I literally had to flag the bartender down after I'd waited for about 10 minutes. I got 2 drinks at once and left after that.
(3)
Christopher D.
I'm only giving this one star because the menu looked absolutely delicious. We sat down and weren't greeted by anyone for 10 minutes. We ended up walking out. I can't begin to explain how annoying this is. We obviously left without eating. Really disappointing.
(1)
Sue S.
Glad we found this place. Decor is very cute and has a vintage southern feel to it. Service was good. Food brought to us quickly and was quite tasty. Would definitely go there again.
(4)
Paul G.
Went there tonight prior to a show. Had a 5:30 reservation. Was seated in the dining room to the left of the entry in front of glass doors. Now granted it was bitterly cold outside tonight so didn't expect the restaurant to be overly warm. However, definite chill by the doors. When asked to be seated at another table, of which there were at least 10, were given the option of sitting by the side entry door off of Samson which was even colder. Okay, got past the bad seating and surly attitude of host staff, had an attentive waiter, but was quite disappointed by the meal. Mac & cheese was terrible, basically cheese sauce poured over elbow noodles with toasted bread crumbs. Did not appear to be baked at all. Barely a step up from the blue box. Wine at $10 a glass were definitely smaller than average size, bbq sliders, while good, had way too much sauce. Will definitely not go back and would not recommend at all. Strangelove's in the same area is a much better option.
(2)
Carol C.
Came here for a late night bite. We entered around 10pm on a Saturday and it was pretty empty. We ordered some appetizers, mini meals, dessert, and drinks. Their quesadilla and Mac and cheese were pretty bland, but their sweet potato fries were pretty good. Got fried Nutella with marshmallow and it came with a school of chocolate hazelnut ice cream, which was a bomb combo. Don't think I would come for a regular meal, but their nibbles are pretty good for some snacking and drinking.
(4)
Rowena M.
I took a group of colleagues here for brunch right before we left Philly for a conference that we attended. Brunch had a small but impressive menu. It doesn't try to overwhelm you with so many choices but diverse enough to appeal to everyone's taste. The most amazing thing was the mascarpone banana french toast - we ordered one for the table to share and it disappeared in 2 seconds so we quickly ordered a second enough. Service was courteous but noncommittal. I also wonder about the level of commitment on the waiter's part when tip is a given due to the large group. The bathroom, as creative as it wants to be by being co-ed, is just gross. There's a reason why men should have a different washroom than women.
(3)
Ray L.
Turducken burger? Yes please! I've been here for brunch twice and this place has great variety on the menu, including the aforementioned turducken burger! A handsome serving of turducken patty with stuffing and cranberry sauce. It was a ridiculous size and quite delicious to boot. I've also been here for happy hour after work on a few occasions and I really like this place a lot. Great service and on top of that it's not super crowded (I'm not a big fan of screaming across the table). Overall a pretty good option for either happy hour or Sunday brunch/lunch.
(4)
Kiana S.
Great place! The food is great and the Resturant is super cozy. The brunch drink specials are great. We had the breakfast sandwich and the turkey club. Everything was great and reasonably priced. We ordered the sweet potato fries as well, the portions are big. The server was so friendly and staff was super attentive! I will definitely be coming back!
(4)
Steve W.
The BBQ chicken came to the table, not just undercooked but bloody still on the inside. Since the outside had such a well done grilled look to it makes you wonder if its just painted on. Had it replaced with the dry rubbed ribs which were not under cooked and good. The interior is clean and modern looking. It was a nice evening, so they had the windows open to the street which was ok as long as the wind didn't blow the occasional city stench into the restaurant. Would have a much better experience on a different street. Even without the raw chicken experience it would be hard to give this place more than 3 stars.
(2)
Arthur V.
Smokin' Betty's is a versatile restaurant that plays to its strengths. Great beer list, excellent sandwiches, and a variety of seating options. Works equally well as a place for a big group dinner or a bar to watch a game. Really nice in the summer when the big second floor windows are open.
(4)
Susan H.
I was disappointed. The place is cute, the waitress was fine, and the menu looked delicious. My pork barbecue sandwich was dry until I asked for more sauce, but the meet was gamey tasting and not a standout at all. My husband had a delicious burger. The kids had mac and cheese - totally tasteless, like a cream sauce with no cheese - chicken fingers (fine but ordinary) and a hot dog declared to be "delicious." We waited fifteen minutes for our bill after the waitress said she would bring it right back. Prices are reasonable.
(2)
Larry W.
1. We planned arriving in Philly around 6:00PM so were looking for something close to convention center and being BBQ, and Beer lovers the description was appealing the beer list was long and there were plenty of BBQ type dishes on menu. so we were happy to see Smokin Betty's close to hotel and booked for 7:30 PM on a Friday night. Arrived 15 minutes early, 7:15 PM and were told to cool heels at bar and come back at our reservation time and then they would "start looking" for seats. There are 2 bars there both were packed so we waited by the door, witnessed 3 or 4 parties seated ahead of us on walk in basis and no there were no big tips passed. At 7:30 after standing in front of podium presenting ourselves were actually seated promptly. 2. Ordered St Louis Ribs and Chicken with Rabe sandwich. Presentation was good, flavor bland I have had better ribs out of frozen food box??? Chicken sandwich not on type of bread that was advertised. For a place with Smokin in name food was well presented but lacking any hint of smoke. 3. After being insulted during seating process service was ok but not great, had to ask for flatware. 4. Be careful with beer selection, as well, portions are different for many selections but the sizes are noted in the smallest font I have ever seen on a menu. I ordered a pale ale and was brought a very small portion I genuinely felt ripped off. My wife ordered a stoudt that came in standard full size beer glass the type you would expect in a craft beer type bar. 5. The crowd was young and very loud even though there was no music, conversation impossible.
(2)
Jan T.
We stopped into Smokin' Betty's on a business trip the other day and were pleasantly surprised. While the restaurant bills itself as barbeque, the decor is more hip and urban, with blackboards, warm colors, booths, and a surprising amount of metal on the walls. Not your usual bbq joint, but then this is the North and a fancy city. The beer menu here is extensive, offering microbrews from parts foreign and domestic, including several local Philly beers. Good selection overall. The menu is kind of interesting. There are only a very few barbeque dishes on there, albeit many dishes can have bbq sauce added. A colleague of mine and I both went with the Betty Burger, a huge but delicious concoction of 1/2 lb of beef, a piece of pork belly, avocado, cheese, and veggies, accompanied by either regular or sweet potato fries. Delicious but big, it serves to fill one up for a busy night ahead. Service was very good, with the only issue being that the restaurant was very warm (it being a 100+ degree day), so a bit more air con could have helped. Also, the fact that the specials board was half blocking the steps on the way down after dinner could be construed as a hazard or some form of sobriety test. Would visit again.
(4)
Hiu Ting C.
I've been here many times and the food never disappoints. I'm a fan of the fish taco entree, it comes with black beans and rice but I don't care for either. The rice and beans seems to be undercooked and it's been consistent so I guess they do it on purpose. I also like their waldorf chicken salad sandwich...it is sooooo good. Their sweet potato fries and cheesesteak springrolls are amazing too. Drinks specials during happy hour is pretty decent. Go there.
(4)
E. A.
Service was great. Prices are decent, especially considering the portion sizes. Location and decor are cool as well. What's lacking is a focus on food. It seems like the greasy basics like ribs and loaded burgers are the tastiest things here, but everything else is pretty middling. It's not hard to make fat taste good, so I can't really get on board with this place. Saturday night dinner and the place was mostly empty. Three of us ordered a few beers, the Betty burger, the po' boy special, a cobb salad, and a large mac & cheese. Mac & cheese was nothing to write home about. It's creamy with crunchy breadcrumbs on top. The dominant flavor was onion+black pepper, rather than cheese, or, say, macaroni. The cobb salad also lacked flavor. None of the individual ingredients were particularly tasty, and the dressing didn't have enough pep to bring it all together. The greens obviously came from a bagged salad mix, the avocado was underripe... meh. I love me a good cobb salad..this wasn't one. Betty burger looked crazy good...but then anything with pork belly and a fried egg on it looks good. Beware (or rejoice) the absolutely enormous portions. The large mac & cheese was enough for three adults to each have a helping or two. Oyster po' boy was the size of three or four normal sandwiches. So maybe share an entree, or go in with a healthy appetite, or just be prepared to carry home some leftovers.
(3)
Grace F.
Always really delicious BBQ and the Mac N Cheese is A-mazing! The prices are great...I leave satisfied everytime. I would take off half a star b/c I have had better BBQ--but overall, just a delicious meal and a great place!
(5)
Pira T.
I came here to try Turducken sandwich because I saw it on foodnetwork. It was very disappointing. Didn't taste good. and other food is just average for the price I paid for.
(2)
Rick A.
I was pleasantly surprised when I ate at Smokin Betty's. The BBQ was great and so was the sauce. I am not sure if they make it themselves but it was a thin and sweet sauce which goes well on everything. It is the complete opposite of the bottled sauce you get in a store which is thicker than Ketchup. They also a a great selection of beers from all over the country so if you are a fan of meat and beer check this place out.
(5)
Steph D.
I went here for restaurant week, and I was extremely impressed. During restaurant week, I usually expect really great food, just in tiny portions. The first course was one crabcake slider, which was ok, but what I was expecting. The second course was a butternut squash bisque with candied pumpkin seeds...Awesome! It was so good. For the main entree, I was really surprised. I ordered the beef short ribs, expecting a little turd of meat on the plate, and it came out with 2 huge steaks of it, plus delicious cheesy potatoes, and steamed broccoli. The dinner was enough for my next day's lunch and dinner. For dessert I had the maple peach cobbler and it was awesome.. Again, served me for two meals. Overall I was very pleased! Awesome hostess, waitress, bartender, and manager. The beer selection was great (though their 60-minute IPA only comes in 10oz, which I don't understand). Food was awesome and I definitely want to go back and try their regular menu.
(4)
Katelyn I.
One of our favorite places to visit when my family comes into town, since they have "limited" palates, haha. It's a two story restaurant and there are bars on both floors. The staff is great and the food is good. Great barbeque and an excellent beer selection! Definitely worth checking out!
(4)
Patrick B.
Executive Summary: Fun, sophisticated place with excellent beer selection. I was in town for a conference and looking for a place for something easy. Smokin' Betty's was right around the corner from my hotel. Very cool place. Minimalist but very chic interior and very comfortable. I always like to sample the local beers when I travel so I was pleased to see SB had eight or ten on tap. The bartender was helpful and made some excellent suggestions. Food was also very good. The cheesesteak eggrolls were terrific-not greasy at all and more flavor than the overrated cheesesteak hoagie I had elsewhere for lunch. I had the BBQ sliders for my entree; the meat was tender and the sauces were excellent. I will be back!
(5)
Mitch S.
I've been to this place a few times before, and I always had a pretty positive experience. I typically get the slider trio, which comes with one pulled pork, one BBQ chicken and one BBQ beef sandwich. The meat is delicious and the buns are soft and bunny. They also have really really great chicken wings for an appetizer, which are char-grillicious. If it weren't for today's experience, this place would definitely get four stars. But today, they really screwed up! Instead of serving the meat on nice, soft, toasty buns, they accidentally served it on sponges that had been soaked in pork grease for about 10 minutes or so! I squeezed some of the grease out of the bun-sponge that was holding the pork and it literally covered the bottom of my plate with a pool of greasy goo. Even the bbq chicken sandwich "bun" was soaked through with grease. I had to eat quickly in order to finish because my stomach was rapidly taking a beating. On top of the grease sponge buns, my BBQ beef sandwich was actually half beef, HALF LARD! One half of the sandwich filling was simply an approximately 2x2in cuboid of fat, which they cleverly disguised with BBQ sauce. I am really not a picky eater, and I'm not normally grossed out at all by things that are too greasy or otherwise unhealthy. But this was beyond greasy. I felt like John Travolta's hair was in my mouth. I'm probably going to need to have a carotid endarterectomy in a few days simply because I finished this meal. And even beyond actually somewhat caring about my cardiovascular system, it's kind of hard to enjoy the meal because literally 3 bites in my stomach started feeling like someone was filling it with lead pellet. So, anyway, Smokin' Betty's overall is not a bad place. However, I will never ever go back because my body is actually traumatized from the experience I had there today. If you do go, please please please, for your own sake and that of your family, do not order the grease sandwiches.
(3)
Kerry B.
I've been to smokin betty's a few times. Always enjoyed what i've eaten! The hotess was a bit rude, and it was FREEZING in the front room when the doors opened (and then wouldn't shut). Ask to sit somewhere else!
(4)
erin o.
First visit was lunch with a woman whose opinion I really value. I noticed this place while it was being renovated, because they sure did put in a LOT of windows! Little did I know I only knew the half of it... A first glance at the menu online peaked my curiosity enough to suggest this for a Friday lunch date with said cool lady. Lunch happened at high noon on an extremely cold winter day, but even so, I expected more of a crowd. " Hopefully it's the economy and not the quality of the food/service," I thought to myself. We were greeted and seated quickly at an unsteady table upstairs. It was no match for 6 sugar packets and the napkin that was already doing duty under the table leg. Service staff was also attentive and pleasant. The food was less than I expected because I was very impressed by the skylight and the decor, which I considered to be minimalist but cool. I ordered the pulled porked BBQ sandwich, which admittedly has tough competition from what my brother in law makes at home, but it was a little dry and didn't have as robust a flavor as I might have hoped. Cool lady friend ordered the cobb salad, which looked decent. I was trying to be good and got a side salad, which wasn't remotely fresh or interesting. I'd go there again to try some of their other food and for happy hour. It is a nice open space and ADA accessible, so it possesses qualities I like in a happy hour bar.
(3)
Zippy G.
Was visiting Philly with my daughter to check out colleges and needed a casual, vegetarian-friendly place within walking distance of our hotel, which had given us a list of nearby restaurants including Smokin' Betty's. I previewed the menu online and it seemed to be a good choice so we headed over. BOY am I glad we did -- great beer selection and a knowledgeable helpful bartender, Nick, who also happened to be our server. He was generous with recommendations but not at all pushy, and candidly said when something wasn't his favorite. When I asked about something that WAS his favorite, he was so generous with his praise that I had to order it, and I'm glad I did -- the buffalo chicken sandwich was the perfect combo of spicy, tangy, crunchy; every bit as delicious as Nick said it was! Daughter wasn't super-hungry and the kids' serving of mac 'n cheese was generous and hit the spot, but mine was so good I felt the need to spread the word! My only regret is that I was too full for dessert -- everything sounded fresh, creative and delicious and I'm sure I'll regret passing it up in an hour or so! I will definitely visit again, so you Philadelphians need to support this restaurant so it's still around the next time I come to town!
(5)
Rachel S.
What a pleasant surprise! My friends and I went a few weeks ago for the first time to celebrate one of the gang's birthday and had such a great experience. The decor certainly wasn't what I expected from a BBQ joint, but it the upscale, chic appeal definitely added to our experience. The prices are very reasonable for the size and quality of the food (and drinks!). By the end of the night, our table was littered with sauce-soaked napkins as we all dug in and shared our delicious meal together. We sat on the 2nd floor which had lovely views of the city. Our server was very accommodating and managed a busy night very well. The one downside: awkward bathrooms. We tried so much on the menu and not one thing was disappointing. Yum!
(4)
Sophia S.
I've been here for drinks and much enjoyed it. However, I was less impressed by a recent brunch visit. It felt like I was in a bar trying to do brunch--they didn't quite have it down. Things like continually running out of coffee (it happened 3 times and they were not packed, big faux pas), having a very small brunch menu, and underwhelming home fries tell me they're kinda half-assing brunch.
(3)
Cat N.
Good atmosphere, decent food, but nothing to write home about. Party for ten on NCAA Saturday night. The bar had the game on (yay) and we were seated upstairs at a long table with a booth on one side, but it was comfortable. We waited a while for some rounds of drinks to come out, but the place was pretty busy so perhaps to be expected. Good beer selection and some fun mixed drinks. The portions were pretty enormous... half-chicken came with a ton of other food; the bowl of chili was enormous (topped with delicious and fresh guac and sour cream); side of flourless corn souffle was tiny but aweeeesome; the burger-eaters said they were decent, and the fish taco-eaters were very happy.
(2)
Meg B.
Went to Smokin Bettys this afternoon for lunch with some co-workers. As I entered, I was pleased by the set up and decor- i'm always a fan of modern, hardwood, exposed wood- etc. We were seated upstairs. They had a nice bar set up and some flat screens- I wasn't really feeling the view I had from the side of the booth I was sititng- it looked to a warn down pink building on the other side of Samson- made me feel like I was looking out to somewhere in Mexico or something. Since I'm trying to stick with my new years resolution- I only ordered the house salad with grilled chicken- It was good- nothing out of the norm for a house salad. Friends of mine had the pork sliders- they looked good and they both enjoyed them. Some other selections were the Turkey and apple chilli and baby ribs- Everything was enjoyed by the table. They had a nice variety of drinks on their menu- unique beer choices and fun fruity drink concoctions. I was boring and just went with some wine. Overall, I'd go back- they had a nice atmosphere and crowd there and the food choices could satisfy anyone.
(3)
Chris W.
Smokin' Betty's doesn't disappoint. I tried Betty's during the summer for CC sips and I was impressed. I wanted to wait to write a review until I tried the turducken burger. The atmosphere is clean and gives off a warm vibe. The layout, decor, and lighting are very inviting. The high ceilings gives a relaxing and open feeling. The bathrooms like most of the newer establishments I've been to are unisex. I don't mind unisex bathrooms, I actually think they're better because it reduces or completely eliminates a wait. The drinks are great! The beer on draft is always good. The cocktails are clever and delicious. The food is usually great. Unfortunately I finally was able to try the turducken burger and I wasn't impressed. It seemed too dry and the cranberry sauce was a little bland. So.. I'll be sticking to the BBQ, because it is very good and I recommend it. Smokin' Betty's is a great place for a bite to eat and drinks with friends. Its a good atmosphere for a laid back conversation.
(4)
Fernanda K.
I didn't eat here, but they said the food was great. Nice happy hour specials. On the casual dressy place, seems like an after-work hangout for business people. With a name like that, you'd think it could be a little edgier, but alas, it is not.
(3)
KJ S.
I had heard great things about this place, but I wasn't blown away. The food was good, not amazing. The sweet potato fries were very salty! The BBQ pulled pork sandwich was average. The grilled cheese was only average too. The atmosphere was very loud and we had to shout across the table to hear each other, but it was a Saturday night. Surprisingly, the prices were pretty good for a center city restaurant.
(3)
Omar K.
I've only been here for dinner and drinks, and instantly became a fan due to the food. Drink selection is typical, nothing really special about the bar, but the overall restaurant has a cool atmosphere. I recommend on checking out the place. I would have given the place a 5 star rating, but I felt the service was slower than usual. Maybe I just have my standard set too high.
(4)
Cara S.
My BF and I planned to go here for lunch one day, but there was no one in the restaurant. So we retreated. Then we decided to go back on a Friday night, and it was packed, so we stayed! The place is a lot bigger inside than it looks from the outside, and the interior is nice and modern. We had great service, so I guess it depends who you get as a waitress (unfortunately can't remember our waitress's name). I ordered the brisket and my BF had the salmon. He said his was great. Mine was good too; the meat was tender and the sauce was good with a little bar-b-q kick, but it was pretty salty. They also have a good drink selection, though drinks are expensive. I did have a little confusion with the menu - my brisket didn't say it came with applesauce, and I wanted applesauce, so I ordered it as a side. Then when my meal came, it had applesauce! No wonder the waitress looked at me funny when I asked for it as a side. Not my fault - your menu's fault! Also there was a little drama going on at the tables near us. This one girl wanted her window open even though it was a chilly, rainy night. A guy at a different table complained to the waitress that it was cold, so the waitress handled it well and went and told the girl to shut her window. I realize that has nothing to do with the restaurant, except to say that the waitress did a good job. I do have to say that girl was a snob. Subjecting the rest of the restaurant to a cold chill because you're having hot flashes? Seriously. If you want it your way, eat at BK! I'd definitely recommend Smokin' Betty's to everyone for a unique food experience, just be aware that the brisket comes with its own applesauce!
(3)
Justin F.
Had a chance to have a later dinner here last Friday night, the scene was definitely a lot different from what I expected. It was a very 'trendy' place with modern furniture and decorations. Some decent music i.e. Beck, The Gorillaz as well. As for the food, it was pretty solid. For an appitizers we had their Chicken and Waffle Sliders which were very good and very filling. We also had some of their Asian Beef Wraps which were way over-marinated. They had so much sauce on them the lettuce wraps could not hold all of the meat. For dinner I had their fried chicken, which was very good. It was heavily salted but was very crispy and the chicken was good as well. For dessert we had the fried oreos with cookies and cream ice cream which was freaking awesome. Definitely worth getting if you are there.
(3)
Nicohya M.
I work near here so I just order take out. I have never ate inside. The times I have been inside it seemed quiet. I had got my food downstairs, but I had to get my change upstairs. (weird). I either get the dry rub chicken wings or the chicken quesadilla. I love the wings, but whenever I order something is missing from my order.
(3)
Nehemiah J.
Place was great. I solo ate on a sunday afternoon and had the steak and the blonde beer. overall it was delicious and great while sitting next to the bar.
(5)
Debbie D.
Everything I have had is amazing, especially the roasted beet and goat cheese salad! I crave it!!! The wings, the grilled veggie sandwich, the BBQ, worth the trip!
(5)
Sarab S.
Smokin Betty's was a place I stopped off for a quick lunch with the sig. other. We ordered a pitcher of margaritas (which was light on the booze), had a couple of appetizers- the riblets which were pretty bland, had a burger which was okay and a fish tacho which was and paid about $70 for the whole deal. Definitely not worth the money for the underpowered drinks and the blah food.
(2)
Michael K.
Here is the run down of my trip to Smokin Bettys.... Cool atmosphere and nice staff. GREAT beer selection and no complaints there. When you get down to the food the BBQ is the way to go. Lets break down the ordering... Apps- We ordered bbq wings and riblets for appetizer and they were awesome. Great tang to the sauce and meat that falls off the bone. I highly recommend either of these two apps...I also Strongly suggest you order BBQ as your main meal because if your thinking burger please continue to read this review.... Main Course - I made the mistake of reading a ton of reviews about this so called "amazing" burger that bettys offers. They even name it after the restaurant itself, so how could you go wrong!?!? Well its a mistake to order it! Honestly, is it a ton of stuff on a burger with the potential of being tastey and artery clogging? Yes! BUT i ordered mine medium rare and it came out well done. Restaurants that serve a well done burger might as well save themselves the time and money and just serve car tires instead of actually wasting quality hamburger meat. The burger itself was SOOOO sloppy that i couldnt eat it. My hands were covered in egg and avacado and the burger just fell apart in my hands. I felt like a ravenous homeless person who hasnt had food in over a month. There was no good way to eat this car tire covered in everything in the kitchen. And to be honest i wanted to dip it in ketchup, which that alone should explain its disappointment. If a burger comes with avacado, egg, and Pork Belly it better not need ketchup...But i used the ketchup to help the tough tire make it down my throat. - So i am tough on the burger. A friend of mine who got the same burger at the entire thing, but lets be honest most men are gonna eat their burger no matter what! Just certainly not worth the hype and crazy reviews. If it were cooked right this might be a different review of the burger itself My wife got fish tacos and loved them...not complaints we didnt do desert, just beers! I gave them 3 stars because honestly i think its got potential if you order well... Stick to the BBQ everyone....dont listen to the burger people, they dont know what they are talking about, you will be way way WAY happier with BBQ. Staff - friendly and quick with the service... pretty much what you are looking for at a restaurant. Side note: the bathrooms are co-ed just fyi...they dont tell ya that or have a sign.. i at first thought i had walked into the ladies room and thought this nice lady was gonna crack me in the head... she laughed and said she did the same thing... so eat BBQ and pee with women!
(3)
Truth B Told R.
My new go to place. Went twice last week, once for brunch and once for happy hour. The menu is great, food is plentiful and delicious and the staff is friendly. The prices are very fair.
(5)
Nico L.
This place fills you up! They have everything needed to be a 5 star joint. However, it's like a mule with a wheelbarrow. You don't know how he got it and doubt he knows how to use it. A wide variety of ingredients, I went on a Saturday night, but the cook (not chef) does not use them correctly. The servers also guess who ordered what. I asked if the burger handed to me was medium rare, they openly said "I don't know". Nice. I got the betty burger ordered medium rare. Definitely came rare. The bread was good. The avocado and egg definitely seem thrown on. The flavors did not mix. I got the side of sweet potato fries. Stay away! You will be disappointed. Overcooked and no flavor on the good fries. The garlic aioli sauce was essentially mayo with a dash of garlic. It was on the burger and I ordered a side. The drinks are varied enough and cheap enough to warrant a visit. If you have no other options and feel adventurous, go there. If you want a solid meal that won't disappoint nor wow, come here. My gf got the Waldorf chicken salad sandwich. It was good. Also, it was large and filling. However, the baguette it came on was too big and crunchy to eat so she had to remove the meat from the roll.
(3)
Joseph V.
Stopped in by chance to try this little joint and was pleasantly surprised. Food was very good, staff was courteous. Food was priced reasonably for being in center city Philadelphia. Ribs and chicken combo very good as well as the turkey burger . The hand cut fries are great !
(4)
Liza K.
I came here for SIPs with my friend. I was actually expecting not to like it because a foodie friend of mine said that it was terrible. But I liked it better than I expected. It was a fun place - but without being too crowded or noisy. I really liked the Pink Bogart cocktail even though it wasn't on the SIPs menu. It was really girly but not too sweet. My friend had a mojito from the SIPs menu and it was very refreshing but nothing special. Foodwise, between the two of us, we had the quesadilla, taquitos, shrimp and veggie skewers. The chicken quesadilla was really good - it was very flavorful without being too spicy. The taquitos came with this delicious pineapple salsa that complimented the pork very well. The veggie skewers were just ok - but they went well with all of the meat we had ordered. The only thing I did not like was how hot it was inside. They had a lot of windows and the front door wide open. So it was just muggy inside. We wanted to escape from the heat by sitting inside, but apparently it did not make a difference. It would have been nice if they had cooled the place down a bit more. Also, their menu online looks like it's outdated. Some of the food and drinks we had are not on there.
(3)
Dana H.
Went wednesday, early evening for Center City Sips with a small group. We had drinks and appetizers (sliders, egg rolls, etc.) The food tasted very good for appetizers. The atmosphere...LOUD. This is a happening place on Wednesdays. I will definitely return and try the rest of the menu.
(3)
Nancy P.
We came back for happy hour and boy, was it chaotic. Super noisy at the downstairs bar area (there was a Phillies game on). We got orders of the wings (both the BBQ ones and the dry rub ones). The dry rub ones were tasty! And went great with the macaroni salad. The BBQ sauce ones were just okay. The bartender was taking orders for the tables in the bar area so service was a bit slow. For dinner, we had the BBQ sliders. The brisket was the best one..the pork was dry and the chicken paled in comparison to the beef. I also had the 'bitty Betty' cheeseburger with mac and cheese. A perfect portion when you're almost stuffed. The mac and cheese was disappointing..it was wet and runny. Definitely would come back for those dry rub wings!
(4)
Juliana K.
Not a memorable dinner. We had a half rack of ribs (dry rub) and a half chicken (BBQ sauce). The half rack of ribs was tender and fell off the bone; however, the dry rub was bland. There was really no flavor to the dry rub, I had to dip each bite into BBQ sauce for flavor. The chicken was okay. It was moist, but needed more sauce. It was by no means amazing, but it was good. As for sides... Mashed potatoes were decent, but I wasn't wowed. Honestly, I could make better mashed potatoes at home. Baked beans were just okay. I expected better from a "bbq" place. Corn bread was dry and unflavorful. Mac and cheese was bland and dry. Overall the mean was okay. it was not memorable and i am not likely to go back again for the food. This is not really a BBQ place, so much as it's american good with some bbq dishes. The decor and space is nice though. It's dim and the wood decor plays in very nicely. Service is okay, friendly, but nothing special. The music is quite loud so this is not a place to have any real conversation without having to raise your voice. I heard the happy hours here are decent, but I can only judge off my dinner experience.
(3)
Scott P.
This is my favorite happy hour spot in the city! $2 yeunglings from 5 to 7 and a stellar appetizer list for happy hour (cheesteak eggroll!!) The upstairs bar always has room and great service with rotating craft beers and the windows are open if its a nice day. There's plenty of seating for any time of day, almost never a wait. The dinner menu is nothing to talk about but is tasty and reasonably priced. The sandwiches are generously portioned with fries and ask for any sauce and chances are they have it. All in all a solid experience for the frugal center city happy hour enthusiast but check out some of the other neighboring options before you decide on dinner. Theres a reason this place is cleared out by 8pm or 9pm.
(4)
Maurice S.
If you are in the mood for a burger, this is a good option. The Betty Burger is large and in charge. Good stuff. The fries could have been crispier but I guess you can't have everything. A good beer lineup. The service was good too. The people I was dining with had a couple of different types of sliders and said they were good.
(4)
Maureen M.
This review is for takeout only. My mom picked up a pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries, cole slaw, and a pickle. The serving was pretty generous so we split everything. Pulled pork was soft and sweet with just the right amount of sauce. Sweet potato fries were amazing! Perfectly salted, sweet, cooked just right. And the coleslaw was delicious. We were so hungry we practically inhaled our food and didn't speak til we were done eating. We also picked up some bread pudding. I don't know if there was a miscommunication but we got a huge pan of it, like enough to feed 6 people. But it didn't matter once we tasted it. I knew that dessert had no chance of lasting more than 24 hours. Sweet, sticky goodness loaded with berries and cream. My oh my was my belly happy. We'll have to eat in sometime and see how the service is. If it's anything like the food though it's gotta be great!
(5)
Dave K.
2 stars for the food, 4 stars for the service. For a Friday evening, it was surprisingly not crowded and there were empty seats on either side of our table. For an app, the cheesesteak egg rolls were just so-so and the dipping sauce needed more of a kick. I had been eagerly anticipating the turducken burger for some time now, but was disappointed with its lack of depth. The turkey-duck-meat patty concoction needed more seasoning and less time on the grill. It was too dry for my liking. The one saving grace for the sandwich was the herbacious disc of flavorful stuffing tucked beneath the patty. For the entree, the short ribs were fork tender as they should be, but the star of the plate was the green bean as it consumed two-thirds of the plate. More meat, less greens please.
(3)
Kerri B.
I have always wanted to come here since I moved to Philly almost two years ago. Finally went last weekend when my parents came to visit. It was a pretty cool place. They had a lot of beer, let me taste some before deciding, and pretty much everything on the menu appealed to me. Our waiter was really nice and attentive. It was a little loud, which is fine, I jut prefer a little quieter of an atmosphere for dinner because I have a hard time hearing when there is a lot of background noise. I got the ribs which were very delicious. Everyone was very happy with their food (turkey platter, chili, and fish tacos). I would definitely check it out again, even if just for a drink.
(4)
Kristie W.
One of the best BBQ restaurants I've been too. The riblets are my favorite and the service is great!
(5)
Brian C.
I was pretty happy with Smokin' Betty's. I was a bit hesitant on coming here, but yes I saw the Food Network filming here a while ago (a long while ago), and the opportunity popped up last weekend so I decided to give the brunch a try. Not bad. - Turducken burger - I just had to get it since it was on the menu. It didn't disappoint. There was a patty entirely made of stuffing (I love stuffing!), and then the turducken patty which was good too. It really was like Thanksgiving in a burger. It's topped with gravy and cranberry sauce just to push it over the edge a little. - Betty's Breakfast Sandwich - The housemade sausage in it is seasoned well and paired with the crispy bread, this was quite good as well. It definitely satisfied the little glutton living inside of me.
(4)
Jess D.
HAPPY HOUR: This is a great go-to spot for Happy Hour. $2 Yuenglings and great draft beers. I'm a cocktail drinker and enjoy their specialty cocktails and unique seasonal sangrias. Their apps for Happy Hour range from $3- $5 and are well worth it. The portions are big and the quality is decent. I like their Veggie Quesadillas although the chef could cut down a bit on the onions. I also really enjoy their Cheesesteak Spring Rolls and fun ketchupy sauce they are served with. The BBQ chicken pizza was OK but again too many onions (I think the cook loves onions. All in all a great deal for happy hour. We spent $20 + tip for 2 beer, 1 cocktail, and 3 apps... we were full and didn't even need dinner! RESTAURANT WEEK: I also came here for restaurant week before and have to say is was the best bargain for your money and the food quality was excellent! I had the short ribs and had plenty leftover for lunch and dinner the next day. LUNCH: I've been here for lunch twice and really enjoyed myself. The service was great and the sandwiches I got were delicious! Great atmosphere too! CC SIPS: I've been here once for CC Sips and you can't beat the apps! The drinks are great too as they do a great job of offering summery drinks that are delicious and refreshing. The bartenders aren't bad looking either... I'm just saying.... All in all a good consistent neighborhood spot. Not a 5 but definitely a 4 :-)
(4)
Rob W.
My new favorite happy hour spot. My girlfriend and I popped in for happy hour on a snowy Friday night. I wasn't necessarily craving anything but when I saw the grilled wings I was immediately intrigued. I was really there for happy hour / dinner so our order consisted of grilled wings, a pull pork sandwich, half rack of ribs, beers and sangria. The grilled wings were killer! Perfectly cooked with a little char flavor and a delicious sweet and spicy BBQ sauce. I only got a bite of the pulled pork sandwich but it was great as well. So tender with the same BBQ sauce lightly drizzled on top. My ribs were awesome! Mac and cheese, onion rings and a glorious pile of hot off the grill pork ribs. I got them dry with sauce on the side but couldn't help just pouring it on. They aren't fall off the bone but that's what I like about them. You bite in and get something that tastes like meat. ALL of this for only $57!!! Game over.
(5)
Jaime H.
I've been here several times over the years and always had a great experience. The bartenders both upstairs and downstairs are quite accommodating and are incredibly personable. Some menu items that I and my dining partners have had and would recommend: The turducken burger - a friend LOVED it The cheese steak spring rolls- multiple orders every visit The buffalo wings - my boyfriend and I dream of these wings Brisket sliders - Yum. I think the menu offers you three options for sliders and they're all good, but the brisket is my fave. They also have a bangin' happy hour!
(4)
Sarah F.
My boyfriends parents took us here for dinner on Friday night. It was horrible. Firstly, they were out of every beer we tried to order. The server should have told us right away instead of waiting until we ordered them. We finally decided on drinks. They were out of the fried tomato special, so we settled on two orders of wings and and order of the spare ribs. Although juicy, the wings were relatively flavorless, and the bbq sauce on the side tasted like ketchup. None of us ate the accompanying macaroni salad. For entrees, two of us ordered the crabcake special, and two ordered the fried chicken special. Guess what? They were out of white meat. Fine. Guess what again? They only had enough chicken left for one meal. He switched the chicken order to a burger. The avocado crabcakes could be described as mushy. Brussels sprouts, mushy. Spaetzel, good but a bit mushy. The burger was described to us as "the worst burger ever", but my boyfriend ate it anyway. I'm not sure how the chicken was. The server didn't check back on us at all, and it took at least 20 minutes after eating to get our check. Had I been the one paying for this meal, I most definitely would have complained to a manager. I'd still go here for a drink, but not to eat.
(2)
Sara V.
Great atmosphere, decent service, tasty food, and great happy hour prices. The Betty Burger is DELISH. The service was a bit slow, but the food is great. Homemade sweet tater fries, crisp fresh salads, flavorful house wine. Their lamb sliders are UNREAL and I don't eat lamb. I would've had them as a whole burger. Seriously. Definitely be sure to stop on by!
(4)
kristy k.
We had an excellent meal here with friends! Service was great! Food was fantastic! Atmosphere was so cool! I'm so happy smokin' Betty's is around the corner from work!! I'll be back...often!!
(5)
Sean H.
I liked the ambience of Smokin' Betty's more than anything else. The place just feels good. As for the food, I had a cup of the housemade chili and a Betty burger. Despite the hype of each, I have to say that while both were good, neither was worth a return trip. The chili, while good, was a bit too lukewarm for my tastes. And the burger sounded like it would be heaven on a bun, but it wasn't exactly mind-blowing. Not to mention that with all the stuff on it, it was extremely difficult to eat. If I do return, I think I'll try some of the actual BBQ in the chicken/rib combo plate I was eyeing. That might do the trick.
(3)
Devon M.
This was an excellent beer and grub experience. The Betty Blonde is a fantasticly smooth beer, and their signature burger was incredibly large and reasonable for CC prices! Highly recommended for a girl's dinner, happy hour before a show, or to just get some really yummy beer and eats.
(5)
Peter D.
Pleasantly surprised here. A friend suggested eating at Smokin' Betty's when I have two nickels and a ball of lint in my pocket. I ended up having a great time and ordered the house chili, a very delicious and fairly affordable meal. With tip I paid about $7 for great service and a good, good chili. I'd like to come back to try their sliders but I don't know if I will seek Smokin' Betty's in the future, but at least I can give it props when I walk by.
(4)
Kerry R.
Went here for a friend's birthday. First impressions were definitely good as the staff was friendly. The atmosphere was fun and energetic. I requested that they put on the Flyers vs. Devils game and they had no issues with that. We killed time at the bar while we waited for the rest of the group to come. Choice of beers and spirits wasn't extensive but good nonetheless. Literally everything was fine until the food came out. I never had such bland unappetizing fish tacos before. It sounded great on paper but sucked in execution. Two of us at the table got them and we both barely wanted to finish our plates. My fiance got the turkey burger and she said that was also underseasoned and lacked any kind of flavor. This place isn't crazy expensive by foody standards but it aint McDonald's either. Maybe it was an off night? If it was, I still wouldn't recommend going here since you don't know what you'll be getting. On the plus side, Mayer Nutter walked in and said hi to me. That was interesting to see him out on a Friday night like a normal person.
(2)
Michael S.
Good spot to get food. Came here after classes for a quick bite to eat with some friends. I order the Buffalo Sandwich that was pretty good. It was a generous portion but not very spicy. My friend ordered a sliders sampler. He thought all the sliders were great. My last friend ordered the ribs. They weren't that great. Overall, the food was pretty good. Unfortunately, the service wasn't the best in the upstairs area. It wasn't a very busy day, so I think that the server just forgot about it for most of the time.
(3)
Z B.
Grilled chicken wings, BBQ sliders and grilled pizza appetizers were all good. The turducken burger was a bit disappointing because the meat really did not have a distinct flavor. The service was mediocre. At times we felt rushed in to ordering
(3)
Pauline S.
From the restaurant week menu: KFC Waffles: 2 Korean fried chicken waffle sandwiches, (they were ball sized and the waffles were a quarter of a belgian waffle each, making one single whole belgian waffle if pieced together), and a couple of asian veggies and ketchup or red sauce. It was decent. Turkey & bacon chowder: came in a cup with a mini biscuit. It was very good and had mixed veggies like corn, peas, carrots, and green beans. Pork ribs w/ cheesy potatoes and sour veggies: It was okay, I did not like the sour veggies and generally don't care for potatoes, much less CHEESY potatoes. The ribs were soft and fell off the bone. At first I thought it was good but then it became bland. I would have chosen a different entree if I could do it over. Apple pie w/ vanilla ice cream: I only wanted this one cause of the ice cream. I don't generally like pie cause I don't like sweet or gooey stuff. I only like the crust. My bf got a special burger that was actually very good. Next time I would get that and a different kind of ribs.
(3)
lenny A.
I travel for a living. A hobby of mine is to find a local BBQ joint and have dinner. Very few times have I been disappointed. Smoking Betty's is one of those times. I was seated right away because I had made a reservation. A nicely located table by a window upstairs. Table is set with menu and paper place mat. The table was very very sticky. I watched the set a table next to me an all they did was wipe it a dirty towel. I spent the next 15 mins waiting for a waiter to take my order. Once he arrived I ordered the ribletts as an app and chicken breast with grilled veggies am steamed broccoli for my dinner. Both prepared with dry rub Ribletts arrived in a few mins with a side of something i can only assume was coleslaw. The ribs themselves were a little dry and the rub was flavorless. I had to request a side of the BBQ sauce to give them some flavor. The coleslaw was a very odd texture and flavorless. It sorta reminded me of the shredded cardboard fiber they use in home insulation with a little crunch. Not good at all The main course was hot upon arrival but coated in the same tasteless dry rub. A little dry as well. The grilled veggies were cold and drowned in oil. Not as healthy as I had hopped for. The broccoli was good and I was given a full head. The BBQ sauce was sweet and spicy but a bit one dimensional Over all not a great meal. Barely passable Definitely disappointing. .
(2)
N Y.
Plus: Great burgers, cool location, good food all together Minus: Staff is so so, last time the waiter barely came to our table, stood and starred at us and didn't take our order until I just started ordering. He also lied and said we were not allowed to have half sweet potato/half normal fries when I have gotten it several other times.
(3)
Christina M.
In town traveling. So glad the husband and I agreed on BBQ. The setting is great as was our server Katie, very welcoming. The ribs were some of the best I have ever had, the BBQ sauce made it!!!! If we come back to Philly, definitely coming back!
(5)
Lisa R.
So convenient for Lantern Theater (at St Stephen Church on 10th & Chancellor); great for pre or after theater dining. Great bar. Open large windows in warm weather for indoor/outdoor feel. (This can get too hot on humid summer nights.) Love the gourmet Southern comfort menu -- from riblet appetizers (messy and tasty chunks of well-made rib slathered in great barbeque sauce), to slider sampler, to fish to great salads and sides. Check out chalk board specials -- servers almost never mention them, possibly because the chalkboards are 10 feet high and hard to miss. We have rarely saved room for dessert here, but when we did share one it was very tasty. Great drinks, good wine selection, reasonable prices all around.
(4)
Diana K.
Love this place. I go here all of the time. Two things: 1. Great happy hour specials for both drinks AND food! 2. GET THE BETTY BURGER. Just do it.
(4)
P P.
Don't order the grilled cheese. Not tasty. I gave it 5 stars because I think it's a great place for a drink.
(5)
Patrick H.
Smokin' Betty's is a pretty decent place. The environment and decor give a very welcoming and comfortable feeling. There were many tables, an outdoor seating area, two bar areas, and an upstairs seating area as well. It was happy hour along with Philly Sips happening when I came, so there was a wait to be seated and it was pretty crowded. We had a bunch of items from their appetizer/Philly Sips menu: wings (both their BBQ and dry rub), buffalo chicken quesadilla, and pepperoni pizza. My friends also got the pork belly sliders. The dry rub wings were really good, one of the best wings I ever had, but there were no dipping sauces to it, which was fine. The BBQ wings were actually very sweet, not really BBQ-y. The quesadillas were good; there were melted bleu cheese in them that gave it that extra boost, definitely try those. Pizza was very cheesy, but other than that, it was a typical small pizza. Everything was prepared very aesthetically pleasing, so props to the modern classiness! Food was really good, and there selection of alcohol was just as good. They have a really good selection, and the prices were cheap. The sizes and taste of their mixed drinks, on the other had, were just average. I would definitely come here for a drink or two after work! Service was OK, our host and server were really friendly. Seating was confusing since we put our name down on the waiting list, but they just told us to hang out at the bar until a table was ready for us; we had no idea how they were going to find us or know who we were. I ended up just waiting up front while my friends went to the bar. Our server did have trouble getting to us since it was pretty busy, but I'd just give them the benefit of the doubt that they are usually better.
(4)
Annie W.
3.75 Ordered the beef brisket sandwhich with sweet potato fries The bun is divinnnee and the brisket is super tender & well seasoned The sweet potato fries r sweet, salty &b crispy. A side of syrup to dip em in would take them to a whole notha motha fuggin level. Ordered @ the bar food came out n 3 mins. Literally
(4)
Christine B.
Ended up here after a long day of celebrating beer week with a couple other yelpers. The boys went with a rack of ribs with bbq sauce, and I got the pulled pork sandwich. I think the ribs were better than the pulled pork. The meat fell right off the bone, and the sauce was really tasty. The pulled pork had a nice spiciness to it, and the roll it was served one was perfectly toasted. I met up with some other friends at the bar upstairs for one more beer. All the windows were open which created a really nice atmosphere. The service was really good too.
(4)
Jennifer W.
This place during lunch wasn't as busy as some other restaurants. The specials are located on the blackboard in the back of the room. They did look delicious. I wish I could have ordered more food. Haha...Torn between getting the special pizza: arugula, mozarella, and proscuitto pizza or a salad. They both looked good on the menu. Decided to go for the cobb salad instead. It was absolutely huge and filling, AND healthy!
(4)
Zoe P.
When one of your close friends is a Texan, finding great or even good bbq north of the Mason Dixon Line becomes nigh impossible. She and her bf had a recent disappointing bbq experience and were eager to find a good place in CC. We went to Smokin' Betty's on a Saturday evening, arriving at 7pm and discovering a mostly vacant restaurant. The interior is quite nice, we got a glimpse of the ground floor before being seated upstairs where a few other parties were already dining. Lots of dark stained wood, a sort of chic, modern take on a barbeque shack (just nowhere near what a 'shack' looks like). On the suggestion of a number of Yelpers, we shared the grilled chicken wings with Sam's Famous Bbq Sauce. The wings were super juicy while still bearing grill marks, and the sauce was a nice sweet but tangy recipe. The pasta salad it comes with was peppery and fresh by comparison. My bf and I decided to share things and to maximize the menu we ordered the trio of bbq sliders, which comes with a crisp vinegar based coleslaw, and a half rack of St. Louis style ribs with their spicy dry rub and sides of broccoli rabe (can't F that up) and flourless corn pudding (yummy! and on the sweet side). They are not kidding about that dry rub, it's SPICY! But very enjoyably so. The sliders were also tasty, although the bottom buns were half soaked with juices by the time the dish arrived. The pulled meats were tender and the bbq sauces flavorful - the pork was my favorite, the brisket was my bf's, and the chicken was really great but just not as good. Our friends had the pulled pork sandwich (entree sized of what we had) with a side of the mac and cheese, and the Betty's Burger with sweet potato fries, and I swear the entire contents of that plate disappeared waaay before I was halfway through my food - in other foods, finger-f-ing-lickin' good! Our friends love mac and cheese (and have been trying to find their favorite in Philly), but I don't think this version lived up to their expectations - although they did consume the entire small portion :D There was so much food, it was a true feat that we finished. Afterwards, we didn't want to see meat in any amount or form for awhile. Seriously, it's the next day and I don't want to eat meat, the thought makes me nauseous. But this was good bbq, so it was totally worth it - and the price was very reasonable too! We plan on continuing to try more bbq places in Philly, but we can add Smokin Betty's to the list of tried and true places for a good, reasonable meal - with a lot of meat!
(4)
Mary S.
Loved it! I went for the first night of Center City Sips last night and we had a blast! When we arrived there weren't a ton of people in the restaurant so we were offered whatever seats we wanted. We chose a table by the huge open windows that face the overpass bridge from Jefferson- such a great decision because as we drank, we realized that if you watch the bridge between buildings, there's definitely a possibility for a drinking game, or bingo via the variety of people walking along. Doctor! Nurse! patient in a gurney! you get the idea. As far as SB's itself, we only ate and drank from the Sips menu, but it was all awesome. The cheesesteak spring roll and the wings were especially of note. Our waitress had a ton of tables, and at first I think she was a bit out of it, but eventually she got her game face on and handled everyone quite well. I will definitely return here for Sips or just a meal in the future, as the decor, food, and bev. are all great. the bathrooms upstairs are coed (private doors) with a shared sink, which is confusing as your BAL goes up- so just know that much going in.
(5)
Jess M.
Stopped in yesterday afternoon for brunch with friends. Much of the menu sounds delicious, but needing more than just cards for breakfast (pancakes, specialty waffles & French toast), I went with the Country Gravy & Biscuits with sweet potato hash. What a good decision that was, especially considering I normally choose the breakfast burrito wherever I'm at. The gravy was creamy and flavorful and the sweet potato hash was outstanding mixed with veggies and perfectly seasoned. I ordered a Build Me Up Buttercup to accompany my delicious breakfast - it was an iced coffee loaded with vanilla vodka and butterscotch and coffee liquor. Yum! Without tasting too boozy. Fairly priced and great service in a relaxed atmosphere. Would love to try again for lunch or dinner. Would certainly recommend for brunch.
(4)
Samantha R.
Servers were all extremely friendly and informative. It was lunch time so she was hungry and rattling off alllll her favs! Definitely try the riblets for a lunch appetite with the veggie chili including guacamole and sour cream! delish :-)
Came here yesterday with the boy and his friend. The place was pretty inviting. Easy to find despite the small sign on their door (maybe I didn't look hard enough for a bigger sign). Upon entering, we got seated right away. Service was alright, the waitress only stopped by our table about 3 times. There were about 4-5 servers on the bottom floor, don't know how many others were upstairs, but only ONE server was actually taking orders from all the tables. I felt like they definitely needed more servers to take orders. We started off with a couple of drinks from the happy hour menu and bbq wings. The wings were grilled and the bbq sauce was pretty good. It's not the tangy bbq sauce, but the sweet kind. Just the way I like it. For my main course, I got the BBQ Atlantic Salmon with sides of grilled veggies and mac n' cheese. I didn't like my grilled veggies but the mac n' cheese was good. My bf got the BBQ combo with sides of green beans and whipped sweet potatoes (not too sweet, just right) and his friend got the Flamed Grilled chicken. I actually would come back to Smokin' Betty's because there's a couple of choices on the menu that I'd like to try, like the Betty Burger. There will most likely be a next time since my bf lives so close! Hopefully next time, I can give 4 stars. update 1/15/11: i got the Betty Burger today. It was huge but I don't know if i totally enjoyed it because if its messy-ness. I saw some guy eating it with a knife and fork.. which I started using toward the end of my burger. It actually tasted better that way. The burger's alright, took the pork confit belly out because it was just a blob of fat :\ next time, i want to try the betty cristo haha or fish tacos.
(3)
Deneen W.
I finally stopped into Smokin' Betty's (after walking by a multitude of times) last night to grab a quick bite and a beer to watch the Flyers. I sat at the bar and found the service to be quite good. The bartender was very personable and kept my glass full. I had the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich and fries...some of the best bbq I've had. The only critique I have is that the bun was very buttery...overly buttery. The flavor of the pork, the fries and the cole slaw, however, more than compensated for the bun. I can't wait to go back and try one of the specials!
(4)
Alexander M.
Went to Center City Sips last night, knowing next to nothing about the food or the atmosphere. Happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. We were able to sample a few of the bar appetizers on special, and I enjoyed all of them. The quesadilla and spring rolls were good, but the bbq wings were excellent- like they had come fresh off the grill. I was also happy with the $2 Yuengling and Kensinger specials. About the bathrooms- I had no problem with them. The girl behind me, on the other hand, look positively baffled. Definitely worth checking out. I can't give it the full 5 stars until I go again, but it's guaranteed now that I'll come back.
(4)
Daniel H.
Went here for brunch over the weekend. Nice space, cool decor (I took note of the steps, but I doubt you'll find them as exciting as I did). Waitress was funny, and that was a bonus... but she left a bit to be desired in the competency category, which is arguably more important than her disposition. Anyway, the meal was decent. My meal was everyone's favorite (I think). Got the breakfast burrito, which you might think is the same everywhere, but it's not. Smokin' Betty's did a nice job and the sweet potato hash on the side was really good! Don't get the grilled cheese unless you want to be disappointed. Too much bread, not enough cheese, and generally mediocre, if that. The menu has a few other items I'd like to try, and I hear they're good for dinner and drinks. Would definitely check this out again, but hopefully the service will be better.
(3)
Sylvie C.
Underwhelming. Had Sunday brunch there, an experience saved only by the company I had with me. Positives: the space was open and airy, with tons of room between tables and an interesting layout. And a very solid bloody Mary. Faux pas #1: waitress, I hadn't seen these people in months. Give us a second to catch up without giving us the 'tude! Número dos: a hard omelette. "tough" is the only word in had to describe it, which should never be an adjective used on eggs. This "omelette" came with prosciutto, equally hard and flavorless, and mozzarella, also terribly chewy. Problem #3: biscuits and gravy. Maybe we're just idiots to try biscuits and gravy outside the confines of the south, but for me, this was just a total miss. The biscuit was too soft and the gravy had no definable flavor. All in all, not a memorable brunch, and I've heard equally underwhelming comments about lunch and dinner.
(2)
Angela P.
One of my favorite places to eat in Philly! The food is delish, the atmosphere is pretty cool as well. Also, the staff is very customer service oriented and are really knowledgeable of the menu as well. I love this place!!
(5)
Anna Marie C.
remember how the movie clueless gave us all these new words? one of my favorites was 'monet'--meaning somebody hot from far away, and when you get in closer, that person's just a total mess. well, smokin betty's is a total monet. it's beautiful, sleek, and new. it's big and shiny. i happen to like devil's alley. and barbecue. so i'm thinking, this is going to be great. the menu sounded great. what wasn't so great: the server seating us at the awkward couch spots. seriously? there's three of us. it's kind of awkward. then, i think things are getting better, as i got the allagash white/peach schnapps cocktail. tasty. things just get... sad. alright, i admit. it's a barbecue place, and perhaps matzoh ball soup and mac and cheese and potato latkes are weird things to order. but i give it a go. my matzoh ball soup comes with still frozen balls. and when they bring a replacement, somehow all the veggies have disappeared from the broth. mac and cheese was meh. and the potato latkes were dismissable. my friend called her salad 'wimpy'...and the hot dog platter was not devoured. alas. my barbecue dreams were not to be fulfilled tonight. goodbye, monet.
(1)
Ben M.
Server was LAME. We had to wait 30 mins on more champagne, we had to buss our own table because the server never picked up the plates when we were done, waters weren't brought to EVERYONE at the table, too much vermouth in the dirty martini, the burger was undercooked, the sausage gravy tasted like a Christmas tree and we won't be back.
(1)
Debbie G.
Only worth trying if you want a decent burger in my opinion. Which of course I didn't get. Instead, I had the mahi-mahi tacos which were subpar. My husband and his friend however did partake in the meaty goodness and they both looked sufficiently satisfied in trying the Betty Burger. The beer list is unique which is also a draw to try this place. I enjoyed my Allegash Belgian White very much - good for if you're into the wheat variety.
(3)
Vlad K.
This seemed like a perfect place for dinner on a rainy cold Saturday night. We called in ahead, made reservations and quickly fund the place (though some of the previous reviews were right - a sign would be helpful). Smokin' Betty's has an open modern yet tasteful decor and presents itself as a friendly comfy place. The service was incredibly friendly though at more than one occasions we wondered if everyone there was a bit high.... Between the atmosphere and a cool menu there was a lot of promise. Sadly, Smokin' Betty's falls far short of that promise. The Homemade chili tasted really good, though once you add sour cream and guacamole it was a bit on a colder side... Drinks are interesting and Paradise Kitty was a smashing success. But that's where the good part ends... Riblets with dry spicy rub were just OK. BBQ Plater seemed very promising. However, the chicken was dry and though wet ribs weren't necessarily bad, there was really nothing special about them... Mashed potatoes looked great and had soft, nice consistency but they tasted sour.. Baked beans tasted awful - too much sauce and it seemed as if they cooked the beans and sauce separately... Potato Latkes were good... well okay they were good for non=Polish/Jewish/Russian place.... Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment...
(2)
Christopher R.
Have you ever thought to yourself, "Gee, wouldn't it be great if Devil's Alley had a slightly expanded menu & beer list but wasn't in as good of a location?" If you have, Smokin' Betty's is the place for you. On my first trip I ordered the Tur-Duck-En Burger (with orange-cranberry relish) which I had been eagerly anticipating for some time. It wasn't mind-blowing, it was merely reminiscent of a very high quality turkey burger; you are likely to notice more of difference in color and texture than of flavor. John Madden is rolling in his grave.* The french fries tasted as if they were frozen. The grilled vegetables--fennel, onion, zucchini if I recall correctly--were also kind of lackluster. Sadly, this meal was a disappointment and it led me to hold off with my review until a follow-up visit so as not to let it sour my overall impression. Today's visit turned out slightly better, though there were some minor complications. Like the Tur-duck-en Burger, I have also put serious thought into ordering the Lamb Burger. I made an attempt but they were all out at lunch, so I had to go with the Betty Burger (with pickled jalapeno, grilled corn, smoked mozzarella and "mojo sauce") as my back-up. This was actually quite good, possibly better than the Devil Burger. The baked beans, though, appeared just to be beans in barbecue sauce, and they did not even begin to approach the beans at Devil's Alley. The onion rings, like the fries, are almost certainly frozen. I've been here twice now and I'm generally indifferent towards this versus Devil's Alley. Its nice to have a few more solid beers to choose from--the Blond Betty reminds me of Flying Fish Exit 4, the two or three others I've had we likewise pretty good--and additional menu options but from what I've tried the food falls just short. Overall, I'd probably stick to the more established location for the time being. * Not actually dead. Yet.
(3)
Jill A.
I'm in love with the BBQ sliders (brisket, pork and chicken). They're moist and juicy and I just want to stuff my face with them every day, for every meal. The dry-rub wings are tasty, too. They're $5 bucks at happy hour, and though you only get about five or six wings, they're not too skimpy. Plus, they taste the way I always want my chicken on the grill to taste--crispy, almost a little burnt, with a nice charred flavor and tender on the inside. While I fail at cooking (er, grilling), Betty's does not. The sauce (Sam's Famous BBQ) used on the BBQ combo platter (1/4 chicken and 1/4 ribs) is sweet and tangy and so wonderfully finger-lickin' good. I'm definitely a fan of having to lick my fingers a million times after each bite of messy BBQ. Wet wipes are available, of course, but who wants to waste any last drop of sauce, even if it means lick-lick-licking away? The macaroni salad is decent and the mac and cheese is oozy with a little bit of breadcrumb crunch on top. Both are worthy of thumbs up. The stuffing with gravy is just okay ... there was a flavor in there I couldn't quite pick out and I probably wouldn't order it again. And the buttermilk biscuit was quite dry. It tasted like someone went overboard with the flour and forgot about the butter. But! The rest of the menu looks promising (lots of interesting sandwiches and plenty of other sides). Must try more! I wasn't drinking yesterday (huh?!) but the beer/wine/cocktail menu was similar to that of Devil's Alley--plentiful enough for drinkers across the board. The Smokin' Betty's Blonde and house wines were being offered for $3 during happy hour. I'm sure I'll be hittin' that up next time. Oh, and I loved dining upstairs by the windows. Actually, the whole space is quite swank but in a non-glitzy way. Dark wood and lots of light. I could see it being a great spot for an event. Plus, the service (both hostess and servers) was friendly and attentive. Let's see if that sticks. Yay and more yay! I hope this place does well because I'm looking forward to getting my BBQ on a lot more often this summer. Dammit, I want a slider right now.
(4)
Jennie H.
If you like Devil's Alley, you'll probably like Smokin' Betty's considering their menus are VERY similar. I went there for a friend's birthday in April, and the place were undergoing some renovations in the bathrooms. I had to breathe in some heavy fumes of paint that made me feel a little light-headed. Food was good. Service was slow.
(4)
Rickina C.
I decided to go to lunch with a friend and a little one when we decided on this place. When entering the place no one seemed to be around. Then when I talked to the waiter he acted like I was nuts for telling him how many people we had and just pointed to seats. After that he seemed a bit nicer but that was just off putting. Aside from that, everything was great. The food was delicious and the serving size a decent amount.
(4)
Thuy F.
the food here is very good, and service is as good as it gets. if only parking wasnt so difficult id come here more often
(5)
Nicole W.
Picture it: a stormy rainy night.. sheets of water pouring down on you and your friends.. thunder and lightening in yo face. Everyone is from out of town, and we can barely see the street signs to find our restaurant. Yeah, that was the story of the Brave 9 that eventually made it to Smokin Betty's. Enough about us- this place is AWESOME! Once we arrived the staff was immediately helpful-- giving us towels to dry off with (yes, we looked like we'd just exited the swimming pool). The service continued to be EXCELLENT, and the wait staff deserves the recognition. The food lived up to the reviews- and I wanted to order almost everything off the menu. What I settled with was PULLED BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICH w sweet potato fries. Ordered some crispy onion rings for the table.. and finished it off with the bread pudding. As a critic of all things bread pudding- let me tell you-- this was delicious! Moist, sweet, and full of berries (different, but I liked it!). PLEASE VISIT, AND ENJOY! :)
(4)
Colleen M.
Came here because of Yelp Cocktail Week. Loved my Berry Betty. There was also a pretty decent beer list and the fries were good too. The prices seemed about average for Center City,or perhaps a little on the high end because we decided to leave and hit up LVL once Happy Hour was over. The place is cute, it needs a more visible sign outside however. I didn't know what I was looking for and passed it once. Maybe it's my poor eyesight, even with glasses on, but I wasn't immediately sure I had found it because the etching on the door is not visible enough from the opposite side of the street. Have to mention that the service good too. I'd give this one another shot -- maybe next time I'll get dinner. :)
(3)
Laura J.
This review is for a private event at Smokin' Bettys: I was in charge of booking an affordable dinner for about 20 board members who were staying at the Loews Hotel for an annual conference. Our budget was a bit low considering the dinner should include food and alcohol and a private space. I found Smokin' Bettys on Google and totally took a chance. I actually didn't even attend the dinner, but I had rave reviews from our board members. The executive director said the Chef came out to say hello, and the waiters forewarned her when someone another member ordered her a "welcome to the team" tequila shot! Everyone went above and beyond to make it a fun night. Special thanks to Rachel who didn't mind that I called with 30 minutes to spare to confirm a guest count. Everyone was extremely accommodating and helped to work with our budget. I will definitely recommend this venue for other clients!
(5)
Desi M.
Beautiful restaurant with a just as beautiful staff to match. I sat at the bar on the top floor, bartenders were very friendly and awesome to chat with. I had the mahi mahi tacos and sweet potato fries which were both quite delectable. The taco's focus seemed more about the fillers and all things beside the mahi mahi, but they were tasty. This place won me over when I saw my fave whiskey behind the bar, Makers 46. Any place with Makers 46 has to be awesome. Nice after work spot to chill or pregame spot before a night out on the town.
(5)
Clifton S.
I have to say that if you were to judge a book by the cover, then this is the place to be. It has a great atmosphere. I love the windows and the second level (it allows for an open breeze experience). Overall, I will say that the service is the pits. Maybe they are still getting the hang of things; however, my friend and I waited about 30 minutes for the waiter to bring our drink from the bar. That was just crazy. The wait staff is "too quick" to provide you with a good experience. I may thy this place again; however, I will certainly wait until it has been open for a few months and their service improves.
(2)
Bill C.
Last week went to Bettys and the beer was the best thing about my Betty experience. I have been back several times since my initial review and have found the food to be at times inconsistent but usually still pretty good. My last experience however is something that I cannot ignore (partly because of terrible indegestion). I ordered a very tasty draft beer but it was served in a daiquiri glass. Good beer but I felt kind of wierd drinking it in its funny glass. Ordered a burger (no surprise, since i am a burger head). Asked for it medium with bacon and chedder and waited anxiously for it to arrive. When it came it did not appear medium, it appeared burnt. I was hungry at this point that I decided just to eat it. Well done burger can sometimes still be juicy but this was not, it was very difficult to eat and now i regret having consumed it. Next time (if there is a next time) I will remember to ask for rare hoping to get medium. An undercooked burger can sometimes be saved and if its quality meat it should still be safe to eat but an overcooked burger of the sort I had should only be used as an extra puck for a game of street hockey.
(2)
Tom G.
Reserved my review of this place after several meals both lunch and dinner. The atmosphere coupled with the good (although somewhat limited) menu and reasonable prices has made this one of my favorite go to places. The service needs some work but that's not uncommon for a new restaurant. The Second floor has a great feel when the weather is nice as all the oversized windows fold open. At times it can get noisy being directly across from the hospital but in my experience not annoyingly so.
(4)
KayGee G.
I was able to schedule a impromptu meetup last week thanks to Smokin' Betty's. Everyone on staff was so wonderful and helpful. Everyone had a great time and the food and drinks were great. I especially liked the philly cheesesteak spring rolls and the blood orange mojito that I had. Will definitely return to the place.
(4)
Terry C.
I like the way this place is laid out - downstairs is a lounge with nice sofas, small tables, floor to ceiling windows that open; upstairs is a groovy bar, tables, exposed brick, dark wood, floor to ceiling blackboard inscribed with the specials and drink selections, and great lighting! Prior to going I thought this restaurant was an exploration of BBQ / Southern themed cooking. But was delighted to find that it is much more than just BBQ, cornbread, and stick to your ribs potatoes! They have interesting quesadillas (I highly recommend the Vegetarian), fish tacos (type of fish changes daily), and an amazing Chocolate Cake! The brisket, latke, and sauteed green beans is also very good - although the latke was a bit too salty for my taste. There's wine (no melbec), a multitude of beers (apricot and pear), and some really awesome cocktails (Grace Lightening, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Miss Behavior to name a few). The service was kind of slow, but overall it was a good time! I definitely plan on going back - I need to try the Turkey platter with Mashed Sweet Potatoes!
(4)
Erik s.
Smokin Betty's is like Devil's Alley on human growth hormone. The space is much larger and open with a bit more light. The menu is more expansive and executed a lot better then it's counterpart. For the most part I would stick to the comfort foods part of the menu: the beef burgers, mac and cheese , biscuits and BBQ sliders are all good. The ribs are some of the better ones I have had in Philly ( I had them dry rubbed and dipped em in their sweet and tangy St Louis style BBQ sauce). What chaps my ass on city BBQ is when you order a full rack at some spots and they give you what appears to be ribs from an anemic miniature Cambodian pot belly pig. Not so at Betty's a full rack is a red blood American style portion proving why American will always suffer from heart disease- no problem Jefferson is down the street. I would stay away from their riskier dishes: salmon BLT and Turducken burger, both were a bit dry and disappointing, but they have a good happy hour. Either way a welcome addition to what is fast beginning to be my favorite part of the city.
(4)
John M.
Goal for 2011: review more on Yelp. OK, so Smokin Betty's was a few blocks from my hotel and got decent reviews. Plus, I am a sucker for BBQ. I assumed with "smokin" in the name, that I'd have some real BBQ, but no. First off, it took 10 minuets before the girl that seated me decided I was worth waiting on. I got the brisket from the standard menu, though I was tempted to go for the restaurant week fare. The food was OK, though I am fairly certain it was not smoked. I saw no smoke rings, and it was drenched in a mushroom sauce (which was actually good, just not what I expected for a BBQ place). I did have a cup of chilli also, and it was excellent. Also has a decent beer list. I'd go back, but wouldn't be excited.
(3)
Kate B.
Ever since the Smoked Joint closed a few years back, I've been on the lookout for a good BBQ place. Smokin' Betty's might just have filled that void. Housed in a large brick building on 11th and Sansom, the joint is, miraculously, both roomie AND cozy, with dark paint and high wooden stools and tables downstairs, and a smattering of couches and candlelit tables upstairs. Tons of space means it takes a while to fill up -- although I expect it will fill up very quickly once more people find out about this place! The bbq was, quite simply, bangin' -- I ordered the Beef Brisket sandwich and it was mouth-watering-ly incredible; the bf went with the pulled pork and had a similar experience. The menu is rather extensive and contains non-bbq staples as well (tacos, quesadillas, gourmet sandwiches) -- will have to try these next time. The beer list was small, but excellent -- I was pleased to find both Arrogant Bastard and Hennepin (two of my faves!). As we were finishing our beers, the owner wandered over to see how we liked our meal and ask for feedback -- a nice touch for sure. I can't wait to return!
(4)
Patrick H.
This place was a nice surprise. Its a bi-level BBQ place that offers some very interesting dishes. I had the BBQ Salmon with a bucket of fries and it was Delicious. The have a Betty's burger too, that look good but I was not to eating that much. Mainly because I was saving room for the triple chocolate mousse dessert. There are no shortage of drink specials here either. I recommend the hard cider or the Yuenling buth the have a huge selection of beers so why not just work through the list. The staff was very friendly and the prices fair. One not to business travelers, they give you an itemized receipt. ;)
(4)
Courtney H.
I really love this place and have been recommending it to everyone I know who likes bbq. I think I've been there 3 times in the last 6 weeks.They did an amazing job with the renovations- great idea with the windows that fold open! When they are open it feels like you're outside without the sunburn. As for food- I say, if it's your first time you should get the sliders with one of each of the bbq'ed meats- one with the Caribbean chicken, one with the traditional pulled pork and one brisket. This also comes with macaroni salad- or if you are me, I like to change it up and get the cold slaw instead because I like to add it to my pulled pork slider- but anyways....I have also had the turkey burger- which was a real turkey burger that someone in the kitchen prepared by hand- instead of gross frozen burgers which is what I usually get as a turkey burger. The Mac & cheese is just ok- I would skip it in favor of the cold slaw or the macaroni salad. We have also had really good service each time we have gone. I am planning on trying a Friday night happy hour soon...I'm looking forward to sipping some of their specialty drinks!
(5)
Claire R.
Good for a low-wait brunch and happy hour; solid food with a little kick every now and then. I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars. This place deserves 4 stars for brunch and happy hour. There's a decent amount of seating and a clean, laid-back, modern feel with a little bit of retro around the edges. They have some decent appetizers and the drinks are reasonably priced. And while it's probably not where you want to end your night, it's spacious and quiet enough to lend a comfortable environment to catch up with friends after work and carry on a conversation in a normal tone. The menu has a lot of standard selections a step above your typical American style restaurant bar but definitely a step below a gastro-pub. Nothing on the menu is particularly innovative or amazing but the menu has a few strengths (salad with chickpeas and quinoa, corn cakes (that were made gluten-free the last time I was there)). While the ease of getting a table here is always good, It's particularly appreciated during brunch time. Generally without waiting, you can enjoy the surprisingly solid brunch menu (that executes a few twists well--albeit safe and common ones) in a relaxed environment.
(3)
Ally G.
A Restaurant Week Review: *Note: online RW menu isn't reliable* I so badly wanted to give Smokin' Betty's 5 stars! But I couldn't... As phenomenal as their BBQ was, two things kinda bugged me: 1) We were seated fairly close to the bar on the 2nd floor. It was pretty full, and quite loud. If you have the chance, ask your waitress for a table further from the bar. 2) The womens bathroom on the 2nd floor... absolutely disgusting. Not only were 1/3 of the stalls "Out of Order", the working ones were really dirty and one lacked toilet paper. Hopefully they'll clean it up soon! On the more yummy sides of things, Smokin' Betty's offered us the best Restaurant Week experience we've had yet. And possibly some of the BEST BBQ in the Center City area... Service - Our waiter was so sweet and attentive. The best service I've had in a loooong time. Thanks guys! Drinks - Good, yet selective beer selection. - Fun, refreshing cocktails (try the Raspberry Lemonade Cocktail). First Course - Cheesesteak Springroll: I was skeptical at first, but WOW. The spicy ketchup that they offer for dipping is realllly good too. Any cheesesteak buff has to try these. And the best part... they're 1/2 off during their happy hour! - BBQ Sliders: YUM. The carolina pulled pork had an amazing mesquite zest; just the best kind of "spicy." My favorite, hickory smoked beef brisket, had a sweet and tangy BBQ flavor. Then the caribbean pulled chicken, though tasty, lacked the kind of awesome flavor the other two had. But all of them were cooked to yummy, tender perfection... Second Course - Soup of the Day, Portobello Mushroom & Sage: When we walked up to Smokin' Betty's I noticed this special on their board outside. I absolutely love mushroom soup, I got so excited! Rich, creamy, loads of mushrooms :)This was, hands down, the best mushroom soup I've EVER had. For a soup of the day at a BBQ joint, I was very impressed... - Mixed Green Salad: Tasty, crisp salad. But the balsamic vinaigrette it was served with was WAY over-powering on the bitter factor! Some people like their vinaigrette that way, but definitely not me. Third Course - Hickory Smoked St. Louis Ribs: I don't even know what to say or where to begin... These BBQ ribs were jaw dropping-ly, UHmazing. Again, I got my favorite of the BBQ sauces (sweet and tangy, hickory smoked BBQ goodness). But the even better part... the juicy, tender meat pulled right off the bone *insert Homer's drool here.* I'm just gonna leave it at that. The ribs were served with two sides, like most of the entree items, we got asparagus (perfectly cooked with a nice crunch) and... MAC & CHEESE*!! Fourth Course - Triple Chocolate Layer Cake Typical chocolate mousse and ganache cake. Nothing special. If you really want a treat, go with the... - Chocolate Mousse served w/ mixed berries I prefer my mousse to be light and fluffy. But Betty's thick mousse was still insanely YUMMY. The strawberries, raspberries, and black berries were key :) Overall Smokin' Betty's Restaurant Week menu, offered an extremely tasty selection with hearty portions, for that price we all love... $35. I'm super excited to come back and try some more of their menu items!! *Mac & Cheese: But before we get too excited, I have to admit... I was kind of disappointed. So here's the scoop... I learned that Smokin' Betty's is owned by the same guy who owns Devil's Alley (I knew their mac & cheese tasted familiar... I'm not a fan of Devil's Alley's mac & cheese either). The noodles are always over cooked to me (I prefer the more al dente kind) and the cheese sauce, though nice and thick, has a kind of gritty texture. Then instead of a tomato jam on-top, there were bread crumbs with a hint of garlic flavor to them (which was the best part of this mac & cheese). Though it has potential, I wasn't a fan...
(4)
Iz A.
Only had a snack and a cocktail here but loved, loved, loved it! We ordered three different drinks off of their cocktail list and were impressed by the high quality ingredients, unique concoctions and variety. I ordered the "Root of all Evil," which called for fresh orange juice. I was floored when I saw the bartender grab an orange, juice it and pour my drink. Let me tell you something, I drink A LOT and I never see anything THAT fresh going into my cocktails. The root liquor, which makes the drink taste like root beer, is an uncommon poison to stock on bar shelves but I liked it! We also ordered the brisket sliders, which were FANTASTIC! I'd like to go back and order a full appetizer for myself. We shared the three sliders and we were three ladies, which means I did not get enough! Based on the quality of the sliders and the yumminess of the BBQ sauce, they probably have an awesome menu. The bartender, whose name escapes me, was awesome too. She listed out some local spots for us (we're from DC) and was friendly yet super professional. I'd definitely go back. When I think back, Smokin' Betty's stands out from the many establishments we visited throughout the weekend. And, let me tell you something, we visited A LOT of watering holes!
(4)
Chris F.
I stopped in last night for a Thursday evening drink and a small bite to eat. I called up my friend who lives nearby and asked if he wanted to try something new. I had planned to go on the west side of Broad but some construction made it more trouble than it was worth. He met me outside his apartment and fired up the Yelp app on his iPhone. I don't know what filter he had applied but it didn't show any of the same places I now pull up using the website with the nearest intersection to his apartment (strange?). Regardless he suggested Smokin' Betty's, not more than a few blocks walk. Stepping inside the 11th street entrance (they also have a side entrance with a ramp) the doorway opens up to a nicely decorated interior but more importantly STAIRS. I don't know about you, but when I get the chance to eat above common folk, I take it one step at a time :) In all reality they had two bars, but the downstairs was vacant so we sat upstairs at the bar. They had a decent selection on the tap reasonably priced. I had myself the B.B.Q Sliders consisting hickory smoked beef brisket, carolina pulled pork & caribbean pulled chicken served with carolina slaw with a side 'bucket' of sweet potato fries. I'm all about any kind of meat trifecta. The sliders were great, as were the sweet potato fries, but I was slightly disappointed by the lack of anything aside from ketchup to eat the sweet potato fries with; a notion which I find slightly repulsive. When in doubt, chipotle mayo! Goes great on everything, even air. My only other gripe lies in the design of the back of the bar. It's simply Plexiglas with chain link fence mesh inside. You could see everybody on the other side eating and there were definitely a few that felt like they were being watched. Not trendy, unless your idea of trendy means not knowing how to lock the door at Paradigm. If all I can complain about is a lack of one condiment and a piece of glass, that sounds like a pretty solid business and one that I'd definitely visit again.
(3)
Sara C.
Smokin' indeed. I've never imagined BBQ in a place as sleek as this, but it works! Let's start first with the drinks, as most my time here was spent.....drinking. The selection? AWESOME. I was intrigued by their beer cocktails (which seem to be all the rage at the moment) - I went for the Curious Georgia, which was Allagash White with peach schnapps and a peach at the bottom of the glass. Seriously the most delicious thing ever. The beer list was impressive - and filled with my summer favorites from their Smokin' Betty Blonde to an Ithaca Apricot Wheat. At happy hour, they have amazing specials. As for the food - I sampled the cheese steak egg roll, served with REALLY spicy ketchup which I want to bottle up and take home with me. I also tried the BBQ chicken (WHOA to that sauce, you're right Monica and Jill). The decor seems to be lacking some originality or focus - but like I mentioned before, it's sleek. And like Apothecary, they have a unisex bathroom that's quite fancy. I'll absolutely be back for more.
(4)
Catherine C.
I've been to Smokin' Betty's a few times and can safely say that I'm a fan of this place. They have a great list of beers, and flights (any four 5oz beers you choose) are only $8! That is a total bargain, and a great way to try some new brews. All the food I've had here has been very good. They usually have some great stuff on their specials list, so check it out. The waitstaff is generally friendly and helpful, but not 100% reliable. They lose a star for an incident on my first visit. My friend had her birthday party here (called ahead, arranged for a large group, etc). However, Betty's decided to call it quits at 1am despite typical closing time being 2am. I guess our party wasn't enough for them to justify keeping the otherwise lightly patroned bar open. Still, we felt a little jilted when the "get out" lights went on an hour ahead of schedule. Oh also, it's never packed. I've never had to wait for a table (and I've shown up with a party of 7 on a Saturday night without reservations).
(4)
Chris M.
Hit this up again. I can't stress enough how chill this place is. We had a great time upstairs, next to the windows. It's really tough to beat. Got there for HH.. they had deals on their Smokin Betty's Blonde Beer (a Weisse, very good), and also their wings..again, tre bien. Also gobbled on their Grilled Salmon Fish Tacos. Nice. Good Sauce. Had Fish tacos many times in SoCal.. these are the closest we'll get in Philly.. Go here now!
(4)
Doug P.
Went for happy hour. Clearly a post-work office hangout. It was surprisingly loud (and nice inside given the corner). My friend liked the 'paradise kitty' (at $4 during happy hour), and the pizza was a flatbread pizza. At $6 it was appropriately priced, but I'm not sure about $8. It was fine. Bottom line: $2 lagers, what's not to like?
(3)
Katie L.
Although I've been a bit put-out by the union guys handing out fliers at the door during the day, I decided to give Smokin Bettys a try. The decor is amazing, very warm and homey, though I'm not sure it quite matches the menu. It doesn't have a down-home BBQ southern fried food feeling, which the menu seems to. Food: Sliders were pretty good, wasn't a huge fan of the chicken. Pork and beef were great. Cornbread is amazing. Duck salad is beyond amazing! All the appetizers could definitely have been a full meal for me, portions were huge. Mixed drinks were too expensive and pretty weak. They were changing out all the kegs and the wine list, which means they were out of pretty much everything else. I understand the need to change things, but many, many restaurants can make that change without a hitch. They can do better. Service was alright, albeit a bit slow. The server made a mistake with my salad order, but promptly corrected it. I might go back, but I'm not in a rush to do so.
(3)
Brian C.
Great food, Perfect Saturday afternoon lunch, Solid 4 stars, could be 5... we'll see! This is my first impression review, so we'll see what happens as I come back. I just came here today (it's Saturday) for a late lunch, and it was delicious. The place was practically empty, so we had a great table upstairs next to the window. I was really impressed by the size of the restaurant... They could easily handle several large parties here, although I'm sure during weekend nights, that's easier said than done. The decor was nice, exposed brick and beams, a big skylight viewable from the second floor, funky modern furniture, and lots of windows that open when the weather is nice. The first floor was similar, except with the addition of the view of the kitchen. There is a bar on both floors with a decent number of bar stools. If only they had outdoor space too... oh well, you can't win em all. The BBQ sliders were amazing (I favored the brisket... sooo good). Also served was a waldorf chicken salad sandwich on french bread which was pretty good as well. The macaroni salad & cole slaw were as good as it gets. All the food tasted really fresh. We enjoyed a few beers with our lunch - Betty's Blonde, which was a nice lighter ale and the Pear Cider (a delicious pairing with the sliders... no pun intended). The service was excellent, but again... it was not a busy time. I'll definitely be back, especially to try the ribs. BTW, this place beats the crap out of Q in old city...
(4)
Sarah S.
I really wanted to like this place. I swear I did! Maybe this is all my fault for looking at the menu ahead of time and getting really stoked on my upcoming dinner. I eyed up the menu thoroughly and decided to get the BBQ sliders so I could try a variety of the goods. Pulled Pork, Brisket & Pulled Chicken. I also ordered a side of mac & cheese for the full comfort food effect. I tried a little of each slider and ended up giving two of them away to other friends at the table. The pulled pork was surely the best. The sauce was tasty, but I am pretty sure I've had better at family BBQs. The side of mac & cheese was REALLY disappointing. For $4 I was expecting a small bowl of mac & cheese.. instead I got something about the size of a condiment dish full of weird NON-BAKED mac & cheese. Gooey and strange... and lacking macaroni. Spirals? It was mostly cheesey goo. The noodles were few and far between. As for the rest of my dining experience: The waiter was very nice. He was on top of everything... getting fresh beers and being nice in general. The atmosphere was a bit strange. I expected something more RUSTIC, but it kind of just looks like a dimly lit panera bread. The acoustics in there are also TERRIBLE. We were screaming across the table just to have a conversation. I will say this... I will probably give this place another try sometime since my boyfriend is from North Carolina and wants to try the "carolina" bbq, but I will deff just stick to the pulled pork and i will NOT order that mac & cheese since we make it way better at home. Hopefully I like it better next time!
(2)
Jessica G.
We ordered Smokin' Betty's('s) signature surfeit of fowl, the Tur-Duck-En Burger, with a side of hunting knife in case any of the three species between the buns began squirming anew. Someone ordered a marinated grilled vegetable sandwich--at a barbeque joint!--but he was forgiven this gaffe on account of his vegetarianism and lactose intolerance. Someone else ordered fish tacos--at a barbeque joint!--and, to be honest, nobody really got over that. But both dishes were satisfactory, even given their status as outliers on a BBQ menu.
(3)
Mindy Y.
Riblets? Riblets? Riblets! Had to wait forever to get them, but once they arrived they were hot, tender and delicious. The slow service wasn't our waitress's fault - she was definitely in the weeds with 5+ tables, two of which were larger parties. The Grace Lightening (Midori sour) was ok, nothing to write home about. The roast turkey platter? Very good comfort food, but be prepared for a heaping pile of turkey and stuffing smothered in gravy. The homemade cranberry sauce was very good. I'm not sure how I feel about the whipped sweet potatoes - they had some good points but there was just something about them that was a little strange to me. The upstairs bar/seating area was loud and packed, but there was (literally) one guy sitting downstairs. As long as the upstairs is crowded I guess they do a good business, but I imagine being empty on the street level will hurt them in the long run. I'll be back to try the lamb burger, sliders, and the betty cristo... and the riblets, of course.
(4)
Jonathan O.
All-in-all a pretty solid showing by Smokin' Betty's. Nothing fantastic though. First off, it should be noted that I've only ever been here to meet up with friends for Happy Hour during Center City Sips. I'll update my review when I come for dinner...and now on with the show: The place is always really busy for Sips, so it's loud (in a fun way, I guess, but it would be hard to enjoy a dinner at this time if you weren't there for happy hour) and the staff get pretty bogged down, but they handle the crowd decently well. Our server was great, but I frequently didn't see her often enough so had to go up to the bar to take care of the order myself. The happy hour bites were good; try their cheesesteak springrolls--their legit...although a small portion (it's just one springroll cut in half). My friends weren't sure, but they thought the white wine might be Franzia poured into a wine bottle. I could neither confirm nor disconfirm that, since I'm a beer drinker. Speaking of, awesome value for a pint of Philly Brewing Company's Fleur de Lehigh for 2 bucks.
(3)
Michael L.
I wanted to try this place out since I have yet to have incredible BBQ in center city. I still have yet to have incredible BBQ in center city. The ambiance was nice; I liked the atmosphere the place exuded--funky but not trying too hard. The waitress was nice, attentive and knowledgeable, and their list of cocktails was interesting. I started off with the sliders sampler to get a taste of the barbeque, and was very disappointed. I had a hard time discerning the difference between the chicken and the pork, besides the fact that one was too watery and bland, whereas the other one was way too sweet. The brisket was good, but nothing spectacular. i got the salad with quinoa, which was very pleasant. If I had to go back, I would probably order it again--nicely sized and tasty. Looked like a nice place out for drinks and ambiance, but overall the food was less than extraordinary.
(3)
Brian A.
Awesome food, good beer selection, good cocktails. Try the Betty Burger - it's little more than I'd usually spend for a burger and fries ($13) but it was well worth it; hands-down the best burger I've had yet in Philly. Add in a nice stout or porter and you've got yourself a delicious, stick-to-your ribs dinner. Service was fair and the atmosphere was pretty cozy, if fairly noisy. Would come back again.
(5)
Kelly T.
Great barbeque. Service was efficient and friendly.
(4)
Hill F.
Greeat spot for dinner. Ice cold Yuengling on draft, and the BBQ was excellent. We had the St. Louis ribs and a pulled-pork sandwich. The service was excellent and professional.
(4)
Bill G.
My girlfriend and I don't usually let other women into our relationship, but for Betty's we make an exception. With giant chalk board menus on exposed brick and a more than adequate beer list, Smokin B's is our steady go to gal. The portions are generous enough that I leave every time with a feeling of gluttonous accomplishment. I recommend their brisket platter, a heaping helping of Hebraic delight complete with latkas and apple sauce. If your feeling especially randy, try your luck on the mountain of beef, cheese, pork belly, avocado and egg that is the Betty burger. You won't regret it (immediately). Try to get seated upstairs by one of the huge windows that border the relatively open space behind the bar. On these perfect fall nights it is the best way to escape the sometimes overly loud music (my only complaint). Which by the way is always in good taste. I love Motown for brunch.
(4)
Jake V.
After the Brownhaus Shittz, I was a little leary of going to a restaurant so soon after they opened. Luckily, not all places can have a catastrophic opening month... That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with this place. The girlfriend and I ordered a bbq sampler platter and got a roasted quarter chicken and a couple ribs. We also split a salad and all and all the whole thing was pretty good for a reasonable price. The bbq wasn't blow-the-doors off in either direction (spicy or sweet) but generally neutral which is nice. The beer selection wasn't bad either with a wide range which was also reasonable. Overall, it's a pretty good start for a place that has potential.
(4)
Jon D.
NOTE: This review is for Center City Sips only. Went here a few weeks ago to meet a friend for Sips. I liked the setup of the place as a corner location - lots of good light & window seats. We had a table and service for was terrible, it took 15-20 minutes for drinks. My girlfriend went recently for Sips and said service was terrible then too. On the positive side, they had a blonde ale (and Lager) on tap for the special, which was pretty good. I also tried the pizza which was just ok. Altogether, not a bad place for Sips. Just stock up when you order.
(3)
Mike S.
When 13 of us can sit down for dinner at 7:45 on a Friday, its a good thing. When the waitress can rattle off some dishes, but forget a few of the sides, and be able to say it in a manner that makes us laugh, that's a good thing. Beer selection was good. Had one of the specials, haddock with cous cous. The haddock was a bit under cooked. The red bell pepper puree accented the fish well. The citrus cous cous was good. The best part of the meal was the salted greens sprinkled over the dish. It really made the dinner. Pricing was fair. I would go back, its a good place for a decent meal that's not too loud w/ more of a laid back atmosphere.
(3)
Perri W.
This is my favorite place to eat downtown. The service has always been great and everyone has been really friendly each time I've eaten here. I love the atmosphere and it seems like they play music straight from my iTunes library. I always order the grilled salmon, but switch up the sides. The salmon always has really great flavor and barely any skin to worry about. I've had the mashed potatoes, grilled veggies, and sweet potato fries as sides - all really great (mashed potatoes were my favorite). We came during restaurant week and my boyfriend ordered from the prix fixe menu and everything was phenomenal. He started with Korean fried chicken & waffles, then had a turkey/bacon chowder, teriyaki salmon over rice, and ended with apple pie. I nibbled on everything and it was all delicious. Everything had great flavor and was cooked perfectly. Drinks are good- last time I had a local beer (forgetting the name) and my boyfriend liked it so much he ordered one too. All in all, we love this place. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because when I went to use the restroom I looked all over for a lightswitch only to realize the light WAS on. It was really dark and a little annoying, but nothing worth ruining my experiences here.
(4)
Charles R.
Every once in a while I have a taste for BBQ. Having lived in NC for a few years I learned there are distinct types even in one state, thus I ordered the trio of bbq sliders. The sliders had plenty of meat on each one, and the meat was tender and juicy. The first one was Eastern Carolina style, lots of vinegar, the second was Western Style with the richer normal bbq sauce, and the third was smokey. All 3 were very good, but I prefer the Eastern style the best. The grilled cheese was quite large with plenty of rich gooey cheese. It came with a small side salad and was more than enough for a hearty appetite. Next time I stop for lunch I will make sure I'm hungry enough for the Turducken burger. One went by our table and it was really big, but looked soooooo good. Make sure you have the address, because there is etched glass doors with the name and that's about it. It was even a little hard to find in the daytime.
(4)
Q K.
Nice menu and solid micro beer selection. Reasonably priced for city. Bar, menu, seating a little limited, but good spot in Market East area.
(4)
Rebecca S.
I work around the corner, I don't like to eat out most of the time anymore. I forgot my lunch one day and the smell was calling my name!! felt so good in there and I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with provolone and roasted peppers.. one word AMAZING.. I had to go the next day and get it again.. I have also gone for dinner/happy hr. good service.resonable.good atmosphere. highly recomend.. oh and great beer selection !
(5)
K J.
Went there for lunch this past Friday because it was so nice out. Was expecting a great bbq meal and was kind of disappointed. First off, the sangria was very weak and had very little flavor, which was surprising since I go here for SIPS in the summer and loved their sangria. For our lunch, we got a full rack of ribs and a whole chicken (wanting to have leftovers) and got the sauce on the side. Both dishes were overcooked and dry. Also, the meat was not smoked, which we thought it would be, given the name. The sauce came on the side, however it tasted like catalina french dressing. We took the majority of our meal home, and we re-heated in the oven with our own BBQ sauce and it was much better. On a good note, we loved the broccoli and sweet potato fries. My friend got a burger that was also perfectly cooked, however it was bland and only had 3 mushrooms on it! For close to $80 with tip, I just expected more. I guess I'm spoiled by Khyber Pass Pub, which has amazing smoked bbq at similar prices. I do like the atmosphere though and will probably continue to keep this place in my SIPS rotation, just won't be back for lunch anytime soon.
(2)
Sarah S.
I eat at Betty's every couple months and really like the place. Pulled pork sammy = juicy and delicious. The roll is kind of monstrous, so sometimes I eat with a fork and knife. Sweet potato fries are also very tasty. One comment - this weekend was the first time I ordered a salad (red quinoa, spinach, feta, chickpeas) - it was a solid meal, but there was WAY too much dressing. Like half a bottle. Order it on the side.
(4)
Linz J.
Smokin' Betty's, please stop making me dream about your ribs. Your fall-off-the-bone meat, decadently drizzed in some fantastic brown sugar BBQ saucey concoction's flawlessness has got me in a choke hold. I want to eat them for every meal for the rest of my life. It is likely that none of that made much sense, but neither is the fact that I think that when I dip the sweet potato fries in the whipped sweet potato it tastes like french toast.
(5)
Christy T.
Too tasty for words. The man/woman behind the grill is all that! I loved each and every meal I had there. I was in Philly for a convention and stayed around the corner, so location was great, atmosphere was fantastic and the food was really great. I had a great salmon dinner one night and some great slow cooked pork the next. Keep up the good work, Smokin' Betty's you are all that!
(4)
christina j.
This was the scene for dinner last night. I had the 1/2 rack bbq ribs(dry rub) along with the macaroni salad and steamed broccoli. The meat from the ribs fell right off the bone & extremely tender. I also had a smokin' betty blonde which paired well with the ribs. My beer buddy ordered the turducken burger and seemed to enjoy it. It was a huge burger and what a mouthful, with the stuffing and cranberry sauce. I sat amazed that he was able to fit this burger in his mouth. The only remains were his side order of fries. The food was good and the waitress was friendly and attentive. Prices are reasonable. One note to add; the bathroom is unisex.
(3)
Endyiia E.
Terrible food and customer service. I ordered a pulled chicken sandwich with fries. I was so excited to receive the sandwich I tried it in front of the waiter. The chicken was overcooked and lacking in flavor. I requested to exchange the chicken sandwich for a turkey sandwich since I hadn't bitten the sandwich just tasted it with my fork. The waiter took the sandwich back to the kitchen and returned with it in hand. He stated that the chef and kitchen staff tasted the chicken and it was fine and that I could order a turkey sandwich but would be paying for two sandwiches. My response was no thank you and that I would rather take it home to the family dog or toss it at home. Since the sandwich taste so "great" to the chef and staff would hate to think I'm paying for them to eat my trash! My friend ordered half a grilled chicken that was undercooked and bleeding once she cut near the bone. The waiter took the chicken back to the kitchen for the chef to place it back on the grill. I'm sure heat kills germs but would hate to think someone's fresh piece of chicken is being cooked next to a piece that has been forked over. Overall would have kept walking if I .knew it would be such a bad experience. Would have had a way better meal from Reading Terminal a few blocks way.
(1)
sarah j.
Overall, this place was pretty good. Some of the lighting sucks (I had to change seats as soon as I sat down because some crazy track light thing was shining right in my eyes, but I'm sensitive to such things). The bathroom is cool, especially the trough sink, except that unisex = guys don't put the seat down. Happy hour drink specials are a good deal, though I don't know if I could ever ask for a drink with "kitty" in the name. I had the Smokin' Bettly's Blonde beer and the Betty's Grilled Cheese, which was delicious. My only issue is that I ordered it without prosciutto but still had to pay full price; it would be nice if a veg grilled cheese was on the menu. There were other vegetarian options available, but they were of the mushrooms/roasted vegetables/veggie burger variety that just bores me to death. The hosting staff seemed a bit nervously overattentive (possibly because we didn't look like businessfolk?) and the place seemed slightly too organized for the rather unorganized happy hour I attend. Our server did a great job... he was always there to ask if anyone needed another drink, reminded us when happy hour was over, patiently split our checks, and was overall very accommadating to our group. I'd visit this place again with my boyfriend so he can try the bbq, though I probably wouldn't end up here on my own. I'd give this 3.5 stars, and I'll err on the positive side for now.
(4)
Eric V.
Not bad. The service was pretty good... of course I haven't seen this place too busy (maybe I just go at the wrong times). The food is pretty good too.... you can't go wrong with a smoked salmon blt.
(3)
lindsay t.
They have multiple sauces for the meats which is nice, but my ultimate test at every barbecue location is the sides. The biscuits looked great but a person I was with wouldn't even finish one. Another person didn't enjoy the whipped sweet potatoes, and the mac & cheese (which I had been craving all day) was way too creamy and not even macaroni. The service was good (the server was very accommodating with the multiple checks), and the happy hour drink specials were decent-- so if you go just keep to the main plates.
(3)
Anjali M.
After so much hype after the MOOB event and hearing about a new place opening up in my 'hood, I was really excited to try Smokin' Betty's. Without much signage, the anticipation escalated as I was mystified as to whether the restaurant was open. To my dining partner's and my fortune, the restaurant was indeed open and we were promptly seated upstairs by a window overlooking Sansom Street. I think the place essentially looked more spacious because it was still sunny with warm weather so the windows were open and there was some light through the sky light windows. The service was timely and was not rushed. We had come in time for happy hour which I believe runs every day from 5-7 pm (don't quote me on this) so we decided to get a grilled veggie quesadilla for our appetizer and a Paradise Kitty and a Smokin' Betty's Blonde for our drinks. The Paradise Kitty was much mango, little alcohol kick (I think this one of the reasons why I ended up drinking a lot of wine later this night). Grilled veggie quesadilla was a pretty standard fare for an appetizer in the sense that it whet my appetite (ha ha). I had ordered the lamb burger over the turducken burger because I feared the cranberry (or some other berry) topping on it. I ordered it to be medium well and it came out a tiny bit burnt but no worries. Dude, this piece of lamb was HUGE. I literally stuffed myself in the sense that it was one of those sandwiches that I had to pat down in order for me to bite it and in the sense that at the end of my meal, I was ready to bowl over. So why the three stars you ask? I just wasn't too impressed. I feel that the lamb could have been juicier or some other sauce should be added so it doesn't taste so dry. Or give some option to add sauces because I like my burgers like that (juicy or saucy if dry). But it's in my 'hood so I think I'm bound to return and I am open to any suggestions you all may have regarding a good menu choice :)
(3)
Wendy S.
I work right around the corner from Smokin' Betty's and I've been walking past ten times a week since they opened. I finally gave it a try last night and I'm just sorry I didn't do it sooner. I'll start with my only complaint - we were seated in the bar area upstairs and it was barely controlled chaos. We arrived at about 6:30 on a Friday night and the noise level was just shy of intolerable. I'm getting old, I'm way past boring, and I no longer drink so please take that into consideration. It's clearly a hot spot for the young, casual after work crowd, so if that's you, you'll love it. Anyway, after taking a look at the menu, I was most excited about the warm bread pudding, so my boyfriend and I decided to order 2 small plates to share and 2 sides rather than full entrees. Umm...yeah. The servings were *huge*. We split the chicken wings (dry rub - spicy, succulent, and delish with a schmear of spicy mayo and fab pasta salad), bbq sliders trio (all 3 were excellent, but brisket and pork stood out and the vinegar-heavy coleslaw was a winner), grilled vegetables (crazy good), and bucket o' fries (up there with the best I've had and so perfectly seasoned that they didn't need a thing). In fact, my only complaint about the food was that I was so stuffed, we didn't get to try the bread pudding. We enjoy pigging out, but the two small plates and two sides were so generously sized that we took half the wings, fries, and veggies home. I believe our server's name was Emily. She was slammed with tables, but super friendly nonetheless. Our total bill for two was under $40 with tax and tip. I think I might prefer lunch to dinner next time, due to the crazy atmosphere...but I will definitely be back and highly recommend you check it out.
(4)
Joseph K.
I went to celebrate a friend's birthday. The dim, breezy atmosphere was a great complement to the bright, hot evening outside. We sat in front of French doors that opened onto 13th Street for some great people watching. Our server (wish I could remember her name) was charming and efficient. I'm still fantasizing about the delightful variety of the barbeque sliders, their various piquant sauces and tender meat. The whipped sweet potatoes brought back memories of holidays that never happened. The birthday cake exceeded my chocolate expectations: moist chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache.
(4)
Katie V.
Great Happy Hour specials and friendly staff.
(4)
Mike S.
Two words will keep me coming back to this great beer bar - Turducken burger! The perfect pairing of spices and flavors bring together three staples of the meatyverse - turkey, duck, and chicken! It was delicious, and with a solid beer menu to wash it down with, you can't go wrong. I'm looking forward to trying more on the menu!
(4)
David B.
3rd or 4th visit here. We have previously enjoyed all other visits. Saturday April 14th - not so much. The food was fine and our server was good. However, our evening (a birthday gathering) was dominated by a private party in the upstairs space beside the stairwell. This space is completely open to the rest of the restaurant and because they were allowed to bring in live music WITH amplification, conversation for our 9-top was uncomfortable and sometimes impossible. We have seen this space used for private groups before - without intruding into anyone elses evening. Since the space is not closed off, they should reconsider the impact of the event on Saturday on the rest of their clients. In addition to this, our seating was enough for 6-7 max. We had reserved well in advance for 10 and ended up being 9. It was incredibly tight. Unfortunately, it was also unseasonably hot. Some windows upstairs were open but many were not. There was no air-conditioning and the temperature became uncomfortable and sticky. Honestly, we we couldn't wait to leave once we settled our $400 bill. More than 1/2 our group had not been before and I don't think they'll be rushing back.
(2)
Brian W.
The service is great. Happy hour is always packed and beer selection is unique. The food is good but I think slightly overpriced.
(3)
Pong C.
Definitely a great spot for happy hour (great atmosphere upstairs, blah blah, blah). More importantly, great prices on booze ($2 lagers, $3 house wines) and some decent food specials ($5 wings). I had the wings (dry-rubbed) and they were pretty amazing. Very meaty and nicely charred. Order some bbq sauce on the side and you'll thing you're in wing heaven. Our server was pretty awful, he kept forgetting people's order and instead of admitting that he forgot, he would just say "he'll check on it." I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and say he's an outlier.
(4)
Kimberly T.
We came to Philadelphia for a weekend of touristy wandering, and just happened upon Smokin' Betty's on one of our outings. It was early on a Friday afternoon, so not quite happy hour time (5-7pm), but we decided to have a drink anyway. My husband and I decided to split a pitcher of Sangria - which while it had potential to have been really good, was not. The bartender took a perfectly good looking mixture out of the fridge and doused it with carbonated water, and then served it. Without mixing. Or stirring; resulting in the first three quarters of the pitcher being oddly watery. The last glass or so at the bottom of untouched goodness was perfectly tasty, so I hope they stick with that for the future!
(3)
Elizabeth D.
Finally went back to Smokin' Betty's after a brief visit last Center City Sips. Seemed to be only one or two servers for the whole upstairs, which was a little disconcerting. Our waiter was very apologetic though as he also had a huge party 2 tables down from us. I had their Raspberry Lemonade, which was refreshing. Husband had Arrogant Bastard Ale (WHICH WAS ON TAP!), one of his favorite brews. We split the BBQ Sliders to start. Solid appetizer - very flavorful and pretty authentic BBQ for our southern-school-attending selves. I had the Grilled Cheese (Fig Jam, Mozzarella, Prosciutto), which was wonderful. Definitely hit the spot. Also had a side of coleslaw, which was NC style - nice vinegar base. Husband had the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, which didn't wow him, but his side of Mac 'n Cheese was "amazing." I agree about the bathrooms as most people have noted. They seemed a little half assed. My stall had no toilet paper dispenser, and the seat was totally messed up. Plus, the placement of the soap dispenser is really weird. If there was more than one person washing up, it would be an awkward reach. Overall good spot for dinner. I want to go back and try the Sweet Tea Vodka cocktail & have some of those ribs...
(4)
Ramen F.
Every time I go back to this place I am increasingly disappointed. Why would I spend a pretty dollar at this place when there are so many great restaurants in this area? I used to enjoy the atmosphere, but the food really ruins the experience. The burgers used to be awesome, but lately they are overcooked and the toppings are sparse. I love the pulled pork sandwiches at Devil's Alley and thought they would be similar here - huge mistake - the three mini sandwiches with different flavored fillings were not good. Each of them lacked depth of flavor and fundamental seasoning. The grilled cheese was a mess. The bread was super thickly cut and not even toasted or cooked on the grill to bring the sandwich together. The fig jam was spread on so thickly that I couldn't muster more than a few bites. Mozzarella was a poor choice for a grilled cheese because it was only half melted, stuck in clumps and fell out of the sandwich with each bite. Was great at one time. Has seriously fell from grace. An okay place to come if you just plan on drinking. I do not plan on coming back to eat.
(1)
Sean G.
Who doesn't love restaurant week? We always pick a restaurant that we wouldn't typically go to and get a delighful sampler of what they have to offer during Restaurant Week. Based on a recommendation of my fiance's co-worker, we headed out to Smokin' Betty's... Food: 3.5 stars The food was pretty good. We took advantage of the menu and each ordered something different. My fiance and I tried: First-- OYSTER PO'BOY SLIDER-- Not bad. The oyster was more fried coating than oyster so it tasted like a batter slider than an oyster slider LAMB MEATBALLS-- Delicious. They were working to harness a very greek taste profile and were successful with the meat and pea puree and raita sauce Second-- CHICKEN & POTATO SOUP-- The bowl was topped with a buttermilk biscuit which was delicious. Sadly the soup was only luke warm... FRIED GREEN TOMATO SALAD-- The tomatoes were delicious but the salad as a whole was under-dressed Entree-- BEEF SHORT RIB-- The short rib was delicious. Portions of the meal were too salty and likely canned instead of made from scratch. You can always taste when something isn't fresh. The polenta was good but the salty Jus overwhelmed everything JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKE-- The roasted beet risotto felt short of the mark. It was a good idea that really didn't pan out. The slaw was ok and the Crab Cake was large but lack luster Dessert-- Go with the APPLE PIE Ã la MODE-- It comes with vanilla bean ice cream and avoid the CHOCOLATE DIPPED BACON & CARAMEL POPCORN (gross!) Service: 3.0 stars They was one waitress working the the evening crowd. She could only do one thing at a time, which is an issue for anyone with this job. Drinks were left empty for long periods of time, food was brought out luke warm, and the general attention to any detail was poor. You can always tell when someone doesn't take pride or really care about what they do. Ambiance: 4.0 stars The restaurant was very well done inside. The vibe reminded me of a more west coast style restaurant and the decor was unique compared to other restaurants. Price: 4.0 stars $35 per person (without drinks) makes Restaurant Week a good deal for the amount of food you get. Location: 4.0 stars 11th and Sansom Overall: 3.0 stars The restaurant was cool and a good, new experience for Restaurant Week. The food had its highs and lows but combined with the service, the overall experience was middle of the road. The only thing that will draw us back to Smokin' Betty's is their extensive Lunch and Dinner menus. There are better options for restaurant week but Smokin' Betty's might be a good option if you're impressed with their regular menu.
(3)
Stephanie Y.
I've been here twice for sips and I can't get enough of it. Upstairs is crazy busy and crowded. I'm only 5ft tall and I even had a hard time getting through without spilling some of my precious beer. I got a chance to try the Shandy, which is perfect in the hot and humid weather. It's very refreshing and goes down easy. Also, you need to order the trio sliders and the spice rubbed wings. Sometimes the wings are a little burnt, but overall they go well with the beers and the wings are pretty juicy and tender.
(4)
Jim L.
More or less a hipper version of TGI Fridays. First, a couple of positives. The pub like atmosphere is cool and the wait staff is pretty hip and cool. They have a nice, extensive beer list, able to please any taste. The place is kid friendly and this was important to my girl and I as we were entertaining a visitor with two little boys. There is a kids' menu with the usual chicken fingers and grilled cheese kids' fare. The big negative here is the food itself. I ordered a rack of St. Louis ribs with dry rub and a side of barbecue sauce. What I got was a meaty rack of overly cooked, dry ribs with a side of what seemed more like ketchup than barbecue sauce. This is supposed to be a barbecue joint. There was nothing at all succulent about the barbecue I was served. The sides I chose were decent at best, mixed vegetable medley and the potato latkes. The two ladies I was with didn't fare much better. My girlfriend ordered the barbecued chicken and complained that her dish was dry and was served cold. Our friend ordered the fish tacos. She seemed to be fine with the ingredients but had the same complaint that her dish was served cold. Perhaps we adults should have taken the lead of the two children we were with. They seemed quite content with their sides of french fries and baked macaroni and cheese. As for me and my barbecue experience, let's just say I've had a lot better.
(2)
Nisa G.
Good place for happy hour. Beer selection is OK, wine not so much. Food, I would not recommend. The barbecue tastes reheated everytime I go. It tastes like they are preparing this food way too far in advance, forcing them to constantly reheat. Nothing fresh about the barbecue. Sauce tastes store bought. Service is ok. Nothing out of the ordinary here. Most people go for the outside seating and atmosphere. Location is convenient also.
(3)
Thom K.
I've been there four times now. The first time was just after they opened. I was excited, since Devil's Alley is one of favorite places during the work week. I felt like I was "catching them at a bad time". So, I chalked it up to start-up, growing pains. However the other three return visits, the last being just two weeks ago...proved to be similar experiences. When I go out to eat, I want to feel welcomed and appreciated. I want my meal to be a tasty value. And, I want the atmosphere to be inviting. I've not experienced that yet with Smokin' Betty.
(2)
Stacey R.
My husband and I were looking for last minute reservations for Center City restaurant week, and this place was one of the few that had an opening with a decent-looking menu. Luckily we were not disappointed! It was $35 for a generous four course menu which included appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered; out of eight things brought out not one was a miss. I think the highlights were the chicken and waffle sliders, pumpkin soup, pork ribs and sticky toffee pudding. I ordered some fruit thing for dessert because I thought I would be too full for something more decadent. Rookie mistake! If a choice is sticky toffee pudding, then son, go with the pudding. Beer, wine and cocktail selection was also great. We don't find ourselves in this neighborhood very often, but we would happily go back.
(4)
Michael P.
I went here with a group of fellow yelpers to try it out. Our focus was on the burgers, but I absolutely need to get back there to try the barbecue options. I have to agree with previous reviews that suggest that Smokin Betty's doesn't look open. The dark glass and lightly used first floor combine with the lack of signage. If the windows are open on the second floor you can tell its there, otherwise its looks closed. Even if you walk in, it initially looks empty, but then the hostess greets you and takes you upstairs. It's a big, airy space, lined with windows that can be opened to the outdoors. There's bar by the top of the stairs, and surrounded by a few semi-divided dining room. Waist high walls are a great way to take a big space and make it feel more intimate and private, even if you can hear every bit of chatter from across the room. The bar has a nice range of micros, and I really like the betty blonde, which was on happy hour special. It also has the Ithaca Apricot Wheat, which takes me back to my college days, and is starting to pop up in more places in Philly. They also have beer cocktails that have been garnering some attention, but I did not try them. We split some appetizers, including a tasty beet salad and the very good sliders, which could almost be an entree. The cheesesteak eggrolls were better than most I've had, most of the time feel like they just slap some steakum in a wonton wrapper, but these actually had a good flavor and texture. They come with spicy ketchup, which i'm guessing is straight out of the heinz bottle, as it was barely spicy. I also tried the onion rings, which were pretty good. I had the Lamb burger, which came out nicely tender and moist, The "yogurt cucumber mint sauce" is kind of an odd way to say "Tzatziki", but its a good pairing here. The burger was substantial, and almost justified the price. If the cheese and sides weren't extra, it might not feel quite as bad, but its always a cardinal sin in my book to charge extra for sides with a sandwich, especially one that costs more than $10. Our waitress was attentive, and but may have confused some similar orders. She was fast to notice extra drinks, and to get food out from the kitchen. She was also well versed on the menu, always a good sign for a relatively new restaurant. Overall, I enjoyed Smokin' Betty's, but found it a bit expensive. I guess that comes with the center city territory. On the other hand, the barbecue menu looks a bit more reasonably priced, so I'll have to get back to try that, and potentially update this review.
(4)
Meredith W.
I've gone here a bunch of times with friends and had a good time. Its menu is good (but not exciting) and the specials are great. While it is a decent option in Center City, I did have one not great experience. I took my grandmother to Betty's a few weeks ago, for a pre-show dinner (Walnut Street Theater date!). The food was fine, but the service was pretty short and snarky. She's very spry, but I was a little disappointed when they made us go upstairs, when there were plenty of table down stairs. She could climb the stairs, but it would have been better had she not had to. Also, the waitress was also very impatient and short. She might have been disappointed in our low bar tab, but it seemed geared to my mom-mom. While I realize Betty's might not be seeking the octogenarian crowd, I would hope they would be just as warm and friendly with us as they are when I'm there with younger people.
(3)
Matthew A.
Food was good but service slowwwwwww!!!!! 3 beers in 2 hours?!?! Really?????
(2)
Rob S.
Should be called not so smokin bettys!! Betty wasn't too hot today! Probably the worst brunch experience I've ever had. I work at one of the local large hotel chains in the area and my concierge sends people here often. I will be sure to tell them about my experience today. We were the first people in the restaurant this morning and I would have thought we would have the freshest food and cleanest table. We sit down and the table was sticky and we literally had to peel the menus off the table. Place had a cool vibe for sure but I definitely had a dirty, not well maintained feeling throughout the entire experience. My wife had some brown gooey stuff on the inside of her coffee cup. If looked and felt like peanut butter - we sent this back right way! I then went to the bathroom and there were nats everywhere! Disgusting!! So back to the food. We ordered the corn bread muffins. Jiffy anyone??? Well that's what they tasted like; just like jiffy muffins!! Dry and crumbled apart when broke open. The jalepeno butter they came with sounded great but it was so cold it was inedible. When you get warm muffins you should get warm butter with them. What a shame! We then ordered the brunch special which were breakfast tacos. We also got the Betty's burger. The tacos were pretty bad. The shell was a pancake that was dry, tasteless and spongy. My wife only had a few bites and didn't eat the rest. The burger I ordered wasn't all that great either. While the actually burger was tasty the runny egg that was supposed to be on it was dry and way over cooked. The pork belly that was on the burger was extremely dry and stringy. I only ate the burger and left everything else on the plate. What a shame is what my wife said because the place looks really cool and I'm sure it's a nice spot to grab drinks, but I don't think I'll be giving the food another try. Sorry Betty!
(1)
Feygens S.
Great Atmosphere!! Food was great! I had the dry ribs w/ mac & cheese. Well done like how I like it. Staff was nice and the music was cool. I heard the bus boy made the music selection for the night and was playing nothing but classic Hip Hop. DOPE! I will recommend this spot and will go again when in town. Thumbs UP!
(4)
Nicole C.
The food was really really good. I had the BBQ sliders which are a trio of three types of briskets. The ambiance was dark and cozy but upscale. Our waitress was kinda rushing us and seemed interested, but the rest of the staff was very friendly! Must have just had an off night! Would definitely go backl
(4)
Kelly P.
strawberry lemonade, mmm! red pepper hummus, mmm! buffalo chicken quesadilla, m---- wait, is that bacon? yuck. loud as hell upstairs. -- what's that you say? i said: IT'S LOOOOUD UPSTAIRS. cute servers.
(4)
Amber M.
Strawberry Lemonade was bang-ing, might be my new favorite. Sangria was a little boring and basically I should have ordered another lemonade haha. Overall, I think this place is super cool. Love the layout and there's plenty of space. Cool spot to hang out after work for drinks/appetizers or for something more intimate/cool to get to know each other better (wink). Waitstaff were quick and effective. Smokin!
(5)
Jacqueline L.
I came to dinner at Smokin' Betty's on a double date and I was happily surprised. Based on some of the reviews, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy my meal or the place in general but I did! After walking in I was immediately happy with the ambiance and feel of the place. I was expecting a super casual BBQ joint but the decor gave off a bit of a trendy/hip feel to it which I enjoy when I make an effort to get dressed and go out to eat! It is by no means over the top but the lighting was fun and overall I was happy with the appearance of the joint. For dinner, I got the pulled pork sandwich, the boyfriend got the BBQ salmon, and the other couple got the sliders and the Smokin' Betty burger. The pulled pork and other sliders were great (except the chicken was bland) and the burger was gigantic and had an egg on it (anything with an egg on it is A-OK in my book). The only average entree was my boyfriend's salmon, which he said was good, but nothing special, just simple. Sides were all enjoyable (Mashed sweet potatoes tasted like pumpkin pie and the mini corn bread muffins were cooked nicely as well). I've already recommended this place to some of my friends who are into BBQ with a twist!
(4)
Sandra W.
I visited for a happy hour and the food was delicious. Delicious corn muffins. Everything I had ( or sampled from friends) was really tasty. There is a second floor with a full bar so probably a great place to try on a weekend night when other places might be too crowded. Can't vouch for that, just a thought. I'd recommend it for sure.
(4)
Amy R.
Just delicious!!! A true find. The food was great. Great selection of alcohol. The atmosphere's fun. Can't think of a bad thing to say!! YUMMMMYYYYY!!!!
(4)
Melissa J.
This place has a great atmosphere and vibe. I have only experienced happy hour, so I have not had any entrees. The starters are delicious, specifically the sliders and cheesesteak eggrolls Their drinks are also great, I love the pomegranate martini. They sometimes have music too. The only negatives are it is very small and dark, and sometimes the service is a tad slow.
(4)
Erin S.
"Love it here! Great atmosphere and love the happy hour specials. Servers are super friendly and prices are reasonable."
(4)
Kenneth C.
Smokin' Betty's was a small place that we found after searching for a restaurant to go to after a beerfest. The main criteria being the menu had to be more on the comfort food side, the drink menu had to be extensive and they needed to be able to accept a large group. While I was not overly thrilled with the beer menu (a bit lacking in selection) the food was phenomenal!! I had the beef brisket sandwich and a number of the group had the pulled pork, on top of that we split a few orders of mac and cheese. My sandwich was amazing and those that had the pulled pork raved as well, the mac and cheese went quicker than I have ever seen. All in all we ended with a great dinner and drinks for relatively cheap for center city dining.
(5)
john m.
When am I going to learn?!?! A friend once told me not to go to a restaurant to try their Restaurant Week menu because often times the food seems mass produced. Makes sense... and it really seemed that way last night. I went to SB with my wife last night for Restaurant Week. We were both really excited because we checked out the menu beforehand. On paper, it seemed so promising. Upon arriving, I really dug the vibe... modern, but not too pretentious... not too noisy with the right amount of background noise. Here's what I got: 1st course... Oyster Po'boy Sliders... really did nothing for me at all. It felt like I was eating mini Big Macs with a leaner meat. It didn't taste bad at all... just had nothing to really make it stand out. 2nd course... Fried Green Tomato salad... again, did nothing for me at all. The salad and side dressing had no flavor at all. Come to think of it... the fried tomato seemed to not really have any flavor at all. 3rd course... Beef Short Rib with creamy polenta, broccolini with roasted mushroom jus... ok, this was awesome. It was hearty, comforting and delicious. The short rib was as it should be, so tender you could cut it with your fork, Good stuff... 4th course... Chocolate Dipped bacon with Caramel corn... this was probably the biggest disappointment of the night. What we got was definitely not what we thought we were going to get. I thought it would be more refined, but it was literally bacon dipped in chocolate over caramel corn. I thought it would at least be chocolate covered bacon crushed up and sprinkled over caramel corn... nope... just my preference though. As for our waiter... I don't even remember his name. I don't even know if he told it to us. A lot of the time, there would be an empty glass on the table and I'd have to flag him down to ask him for something. He was nice, but didn't seem overly attentive. With all of the hundreds of restaurants in the area, I won't be going back to SB. I didn't have anything that made me want to go back. On the plus side, my wife really enjoyed her meal. Me, not so much!!!
(2)
Curt S.
Great sevice! Excellent waiter
(5)
Valerie M.
I'll refrain from simply saying that it's smokin' and will expand upon my verbal abilities to dig deeper into why this is likely my favorite underrated bar in the city. First up: sweet potato fries. I love them, and I would marry them if it weren't weird. In fact, I might get over that judgement someday and just go for it. I love pretty much everything on the menu, and find that the specials are always delicious. Brunch is excellent, lunch is great, and happy hours and dinner never disappoint. The strangest thing about this place is that it never seems to be crowded. I have never waited for a table, and have enjoyed a great deal of immediate walk up bar service....which I love. So what's the bottom line? Go there. Eat, Drink, and be Merry.
(5)
Steven L.
I took a trip to Philadelphia for a wedding and was extremely excited to stop by Smokin Betty's for their famous Turduken Burger. I took the train into center city and walked the few blocks from the market to the restaurant. Upon my arrival I noticed how nice the interior of the restaurant looked. For a comfort food place it looked rustic but upscale. The wait staff was very polite though my waiter did take a while to come talk to me for the first time. I was also excited by the large craft beer selection and quickly ordered a nice Blonde Ale. A few minutes later I ordered my turduken burger with a side of sweet potato fries. After staring at the burger for a bit once it arrived I cut it in half and dug right in. So for those who do not know, a turduken is a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken filled with stuffing, so a turduken burger has all the meats cooked together and the rest of Thanksgiving as toppings. I will say that I have not eaten many turkey burgers in my day, usually I am beef all the way, but I would imagine that this patty tasted very similar to a normal turkey burger. I would say that the difference would be a richer flavor because of the duck fat but if I hadn't known I would have just thought it was a traditional turkey burger. Did this make a difference? Absolutely not! The burger patty was full of flavor and dripped juices right down my arm. This burger was a Thanksgiving meal on a bun. A fluffy and flavorful bun, just like the rolls you normally get on the big day. Beneath the patty was a layer of stuffing and gravy topped with melted cheese. Generally I find stuffing pretty dry and boring but add gravy and cheese to it and you've got a party! Now I know a new stuffing recipe to try out. On top of the patty was a wonderful cranberry chutney. Adding the tang and sweetness to cut through all the rich flavorings of the dish. Truly a perfect addition to the burger and definitely not what you get from the can. Last but certainly not least, fried sweet potato chips, adding the final delicious crunch to the meal. There is only one word to describe this burger...epic. I kept cutting it down to make it last longer because I didn't want it to end. So many flavors dancing around on my palette and all in harmony. It really was Thanksgiving in each and every bite! The most prominent flavor was the cranberry chutney so if you don't like cranberries you may not like this dish but then again you may love it. All in all a really well designed entree and one that I would go back to again and again over some of my favorite beef burgers. You probably are thinking, what about the fries. Well no need to worry, they were also pretty great. I have never eaten thick cut sweet potato fries but I was not disappointed. These fries were crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside like potato wedges. Not too greasy but with just enough to add the needed flavor. A really great side dish to a Thanksgiving burger. I will say though that every time I get sweet potato fries I am hoping for a dipping sauce. A brown sugar and cinnamon aioli to be specific, but I never seem to get it. I just can't get behind dipping them in ketchup. Next time you are in Philly, check out Smokin Betty's, get the Turduken burger, and plan to be full for a long time. Probably not the best idea right before a wedding but I toughed it out. Overall Review: 8/10 myfoodventures.blogspot.…
(4)
nicole e.
Went here last night. The service was fairly terrible. They didn't bring us little appetizer plates and we had to ask 2 times. The quesadilla appetizer was messy and we needed them for sure. The food looked very nice but the deliciousness does NOT reflect the prices. I had the fish tacos for 13$. It was more like a fish taco wrap. It was just okay. i wouldnt say it tasted bad but it wasnt anything special. Also, it just came with a tiny bowl of canned black beans with little pieces of pineapple on top. again, nothing special. someone with me got the turkey sandwich for 11$. NOT worth 11$ although, it was very big. it did not come with a side. just an 11 dollar sandwich. the kitchen closes at 10 and they wouldnt even serve us dessert at 10:07pm. lame. also, there was a really weird karaoke thing happening but nobody cared. the place was pretty empty at 10:15pm when we left. the establishment itself is very nice. just too expensive and not very delicious.
(2)
Joan V.
Just ok. Went here after a busy center city shopping day. Had the waldorf sandwich which I enjoyed. My DD had the riblettes which she did not like at all and she is a big ribs fan. She described "too much blubber, no meat". DH had a draft beer recommended by our server as the one on the menu he wanted was unavailable. He said the one she recommended was nothing like the one that was on the menu. He did not enjoy it at all. We were seated downstairs which I thought had no ambience or character at all. Felt rushed out by our server. Won't be in hurry to go back. There are plenty of other center city establishments to enjoy.
(3)
Vince C.
Server was fantastic. Food was as ordered and when bacon came out slightly undercooked for someone's taste they happily crisped it. Food was delicious and prepared quickly even though our party was quite large. Well done!
(5)
Wei T.
Went here for brunch, today. It was surprisingly good! Went around 12 and there was no wait - that's always a plus when going for brunch. I ordered the smoked salmon with sweet potatoes... delicious. The only thing keeping this from a 4 star review is the service; although I'm stereotypically impatient, this place is painstakingly slow. Overall, great meal! Oh, this time, the waitress was really nice. : )
(3)
Janine L.
Came across this restaurant while searching for a venue close to the Forrest Theater; although I did not dine there the evening of my show, I was intrigued by the menu and thrilled with the pricing to give it a try last night. Decorated in warm colors and small eatery gives a cozy and inviting feeling. The bathrooms could use a little work - not the cleanest and only one working sink - but like that I did not have to go into a basement to use them (on the main floor). The menu is simple yet good for foodies with unique items like he Tur-Duk-en Burger and their amazing smoked tomato jam, which I requested on the side for my macaroni and cheese. Was surprised to learn Devil's Alley and Smokin' Betty's was owned by the same person. But once learned it made sense and the menus use the same lay-out, some of the items are similar and the sinks outside of the batroom should have been my dead give away. As Devil's Alley is a favorite for my husband and me, and the food here was pretty good, plus we loved the pricing, we will definately be returning; most likely with my father so the boys can enjoy a flight of the unique beers they keep on tap.
(4)
Nik B.
Grilled chicken wings. all.day .long. I like my wings like I like my...nothing makes sense. Forget it. I like my wings grilled, and Betty does it right. These beautiful babies come out looking scrumptious. Charred from the grill? Yes, please. Crispy, perfect wing dimensions. Silly good. The sauce on the side is from above. I don't know what it is, but I'm alright with that. Blind love. The draft brewser list is great. Curveball: They offer a beer flight. Take that, wine. I went for it. The cool thing about the beer flight is that you're in the driver's seat. Pick 4 beers, it's that simple. Once you find a keeper, place the order post-flight and you're dialed in. Laid back ambiance. Borderline hipster upstairs with the mega chalkboard and contemporary furniture. Not sure who was in control of the music...but they were laying it dowwwwn. With my friend, bobbing my head, crushing my wings, enjoying my beer, loving my life.
(4)
Anthony W.
I finally got down to Betty's this is a cool spot. It has large bay windows and I think a couple of tables outside. A mix of seating inside ranging from lounge couches to plush booths, small tables, and of course there's the bar (upstairs and downstairs). The atmosphere is a mesh of upscale casual sophistication with many young professionals. Rather than a meal I got a couple of appetizers (cheesesteak springrolls and buffalo chicken meatballs) and split a pitcher of sangria. The sangria was MIGHTHY TART so the bartender was kind enough to add a couple of things to kill the harshness. The service was great. We got a booth despite having a small party because it was during a down time. The springrolls and meatballs were CRIMINAL in how FEW they were. More appeteaser than appetizer. They tasted great though! I could snack on each all day. The sauce really had a punch in it. With each bite it was right in my nose, but at the same time it wasn't too spicy. That means it was done right. Had a great time. I'd love to come back with a larger group and try a full entree. It was about as lively as I'd expect for a Friday evening. Also, it's an excellent addition to Market East.
(4)
Daniel Z.
Pros: The Betty Burger was really REALLY good! It will clog your arteries, but sometimes it's worth the risk. Cons: The service was so-so. And the restrooms were dirty.
(3)
Teti R.
Went here for dinner on a trip to Philly. Hipster vibe, but classy and grounded. Salads were fantastic. Wait staff was personable. It was pretty crowded when we were there, but the noise level was not bad at all because of their interesting layout - and check out the bathrooms. Ordering from the light side of the menu came to a pretty reasonable total for a lovely experience.
(3)
Scott M.
I'm not an easy reviewer, and I really love this place. I'll second some of the other comments - menu is almost too varied, lunch waiter service can be hit or miss on the negative side. On the +, very good beer selection (tap and bottle), though I think their sister bar Devil's Alley is a shade better (Let's add the Lancaster Milk Stout here too, shall we?). It's usually a very laid back crowd. Burger's are pretty good. Yes - there are better burgers in town, but these guys aren't trying to be Rouge. I'm a big believer in the when in Rome eat like a Roman method, so you take your chances with the fish tacos. This ain't Cali or Seattle. They're good for Philly standards of fish tacos. Btw - the bartender upstairs who also works at Devil's is fantastic.
(4)
Leeanne M.
I ate really nice Eggs Benedict here. They have nice beer, and breakfast cocktails. Evening meals for vegetarians are not so great but my carnivorous friends keep going back.
(3)
Julie K.
We had a great experience at Smokin' Betty's this past weekend. We were a big group (23) with a lot of kids and they not only accommodated us but they put up with a lot- i.e. many milk spills! Our waiter was a saint and everyone was extremely helpful/professional. The food was also delicious! Loved the ribs and the steak and cheese won tons! Fun menu and great atmosphere.
(5)
Nadia S.
Umm... I know I shouldn't expect Southern style BBQ here. But even then, BBQ at Smokin Betty's is not so smokin'. I heard about the sliders, 3 different meat types, the beef brisket was not a fav. They had a special with grilled shrimp and cheddar polenta... not what you would expect from the description; Sweet potato fries, were OK. My fav was the cornbread muffins and the regular fries..YUM. Everything else...not feeling it! Sorry Betty.
(2)
Matt S.
Went for brunch on Sunday. Nice staff, very accomodating. Had the best Cobb salad ever! Also try the BBQ sliders, amazing!! Can't wait to go back. Same owners as Devil's Alley.
(4)
Stephanie S.
I've been there 2 times the food is great but the service sucked both times!
(2)
Heesun K.
Happy Hour!!! 5pm-7pm =) Had a drink called Paradise Kitty ($4) - mango puree with mango liquor and citrus something...anyways, I couldn't taste any alcohol but i loved the texture and the flavor. For h.h.appetizer, I had Vegetarian Quesadillas - mushroom,onions,bell peppers with chopped tomatoes, sour cream and shredded cabbage. Unique to any other quesadillas i've ever had. delicious and satisfied my veggie craving since I was overwhelmed with the riblets. For the main entree, I had Smoking' Betty's Riblet. I liked how they were bite-size but the BBQ sauce was too sweet for me. Tasted the smokey-ness at the end of each bite, but knew it wasn't for me. I would definitely go back for another Happy Hour and maybe to try the sliders/burgers.
(4)
Katherine C.
The space is beautiful and very hip. I was expecting a lot more though from the food. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and it really was quite flavorless. I had to add extra sauce just to give it a little umphf. My friend ordered the Portabella sandwich and she also was unimpressed. The service started out a little shaky but by the end of the night our server was on point and did a great job. I would go here for drinks but probably not for food.
(2)
brad C.
This place was utterly empty when I came on a Friday night. Strange because apparently the food is good. The drink menu was fun and appropriately seasonal. The beers were clearly well chosen which I appreciated. They have some good stuff on tap that I was really surprised to find. The summer cocktail menu will please any girlie-drink aficionado. Brad's rating (out of 5): Drinks: 4 Price: 3 Decor: 4 Service: 4 Wild card: This place will not survive in Philly, mostly because of the location, but also partially because the sign on the door is too freaking hard to read. I was standing in front of the place for 3 minutes looking for it, and it was right there, just no good signage.
(3)
Ryan P.
We ate at the bar on Sunday and watched football, drank beer. It was good. The chili was good, the pulled chicken sandwich was also good. The beers were affordable. We ate and drank for about $60 for the three of us. The one thing that will make me return was the bartender Autumn. She was welcoming to everyone in the bar, included everyone in conversation, and you felt like you were a part the culture.
(3)
Glenn J.
What a evening I had at this place...it really F*%cking sucked! I have never been upset by a eatery like this one! First off lets start with the waiter Josh that clearly new nothing. Do they even go through training to even work at establishments like this? I can go on and on about the inconsistencies of this place, but I'll try to keep it short. First off paper napkins? In a place such as this in the location that it's in and a place that serves BBQ what the hell do u seriously think I'm going to do with one, thin, cheap ass; napkin? We sat a table 21 as a party of six with water we hope was from the A/C dripped on one of my friends. When we alerted the staff this lady came out that I can only describe as looking like Mrs. Garret from the 80's sitcom 'The Facts Of Life' hollering "Well there's nothing we can do" "It's the humidity". Number one u never tell ur customers there is nothing u can do as water from Lord knows where is dripping on them! Number two never try to cover something up by stating some lame as Sh!t like it's the humidity! Like really? This is not the Smokin' Sweat shop. My friend made adjustments and moved over a bit from the leakage. Let's get on the food. We started with the corn muffins wich were luke warm with hard and jalapenos that came in horrible, cheap, paper cups... like if I wanted to eat this cheaply I could have gone to the diner across the street. and who serves hard butter with jalapeno on top like at least whip it...it's not rocket science the little things count!!! The BBQ was alright, but nothing to write home about for my family is from S.C. and I know BBQ. The dry rub is better then the lackluster sauce. I ordered the Tur-duc-en burger after seeing it featured on FOOD Network and was treated to raw meat in my mouth the burger was under cooked and looked nothing like it was televised. When I alerted the staff after I found out I was eating raw meat..... mind u ground meat which ups ur chances of food born illness....... he asked me whether I wanted a new one or did he want me to fry up the other half.....WHAAAAAAAAAT? Fry up the other half????? Is it not custom to send me a whole new one??? In short with service and food the way it is in that area the only thing that will be smokin' is Betty's car on the way to Bankruptcy!!
(1)
Laura W.
Their Saturday brunch is amazing. Since it was slow, we picked a table right near the window and sat back to enjoy our meal. My friend and I split the grilled cheese w/fig jam and the turkey sandwich. I was a little nervous about the grilled cheese but this is a culinary masterpiece! It was a party in my mouth! The hostess/server was extremely friendly and the prices were very reasonable.
(5)
R L.
This transcends epicurean evolution; yes, the Turducken Burger is irrefutable proof of intelligent design. It is truly the master work of a culinary deity, a Frankensteinian genius with the audacity to meld three fowl into one. Turkey, chicken, duck pate, stuffing, and cranberry sauce drenched in gravy and barely contained by a bun. An abomination of nature? No, rather a new tome in the bible of flavor.
(5)
John C.
The set up is really nice and a great space for groups. The bar looks fun but we sat in the dining area. The beer list was pretty good with a variety of beers from the West Coast and East Coast. The beer list was also priced well with most beers being about $5. The service was good, our server could have been a little more enthusiastic about the food or beer but our waters were continually filled and the food came on time. We had the burger and the chicken cordon blue sandwich. The chicken sandwich was really good, the bread was great. The burger has a lot of potential but we tried to split it, which was a disastrous decision. The burger is topped with a ton of stuff: avocado, tomato, onion, cheese, pork belly and egg. It seems silly to whine about too many toppings on a burger but when you can't actually eat it without losing some toppings and getting stuff all over your hands then there is probably too much stuff on a burger. We didn't have dessert. I would go back for a beer and atmosphere, the food was good but not something I would seek out. Prices were good as well.
(4)
Carl C.
Ok, if you get the waitress whose name rhymes with "Crook" she is bound to forget something. I am not sure what kind of green bud she is smokng but I need her connection. Went with 2 friends of mine on cold, dreary, dreadful night. There were 12 people in the whole restaraunt and the service was terrible. I have had experienced this here before (forget the ketchup, forget my water...) but last night spawned me to write this review. She brought out our entrees and forgot the soup...got the drinks mixed up, asked us to repeat our order. These are all classic signs of the aformentioned green bud but c'mon Crook. You are doing Devil s Alley injustice by representing this establishment like this. If it was busy I could understand but there was no one there. On a side note, what is with waitress's/waiters memorizing the order. Please just write it down. It makes the diner feel more comfortable. The food other than the soups which we didn't receive was good. The best part is she said she would take the soup off the bill. Thanks genius, did you smoke a blunt or doing bong hits before you came in tonight? Anyway I am sure i will go back because I dig the atmoshpere and the food but they need to have a training sessions with the wait staff.....not a smoke session.
(2)
Dave F.
Best brunch I've ever had. Stumbling upon this place mid heavy rain shower, it turned out to be a very lucky find. The place was cosy, the music was cool, the service was excellent and above all the brunch menu was both innovative and delicious. And for the not so innovative dish; the standard American breakfast; it cost a mere $7.95. Amazing deal for a place as nice as this. Also try the drinks here - had a warm coffee, butter scotch and baileys irish cream drink. Perfect for a rainy day.
(5)
Jessica W.
Hello, review #3. I had to tell all you Yelpers about how much I LOVED the bbq sliders I had here the other night. I don't even eat pulled pork, and the pulled pork slider was my favorite. You also get a brisket and a caribbean chicken, but honestly- the pulled pork was phenomenal. I also thought the order wouldn't fill me up, but I left ridiculously full. Smokin' Betty's just keeps me coming back with their amazing food. I can't wait to try more of that bbq.
(5)
Kate W.
Came in late one night after work so around 9 pm on a Wednesday night, we were the only people there but didn't feel rushed even though we knew they were closing at 10. The dry rub wings are an absolute must have, they were so delicious. I just ordered those with a Kenzinger and my boyfriend got the brisket sandwich which he was a big fan of. I like this place alot and will definitely be back, even just for the wings alone.
(4)
Mike S.
Stopped in for happy hour dranks and nom noms last night. The atmosphere is... hard to understand? It's comfortable and slick but hard to tell who they're really targeting. Beer list was pretty good... but we had wine. Menu had some alright choices, nothing that wowed us. However, happy hour food prices were good for Center City and, more importantly, very tasty! Cheesesteak eggrolls, BBQ wings, and a 6" flank steak w/ shrooms and spinach pizza - all delicious. Wait staff was prompt with everything except our check. All in all, not a bad place.
(3)
Wen V.
My review may seem bias since I used to work at the restaurant; on the contrary, I may have some resourceful info to help make your visit to smokin bettys more enjoyable. During dinner, it's really noisy, esp during happy hr so I would avoid coming here for a meeting or with your grandparents. I would also bring a sweater, sometime it can get cold near the windows and doors. Don't get mad at the staff, the staff is pretty much awesome, blame the managers. Since I've been there, the management struggles with keeping a solid staff, people tend to quit after a month. Meaning your server is probably new and inexperienced. I would recommend asking the host to be seated by their "best servers who isn't too busy." If you're going for a pre-show dinner, make sure ur order is made 2 hr before. Don't bother to ask servers about food recommendations, chances are the server hasn't tried everything on the menu since the owner is too cheap to feed their waitstaff. It's a classier bbq joint but with an odd mix of customers, there's no dress code, you'll get doctors in scrubs to old people with walker to loud BBWs. I would recommend eating there but definitely not work there. The best is saved for last: while I was working there didn't ask for verication of the Jefferson Discount, so totally take advantage getting 15% off. If Smokin Betty's doesn't seem for you try Percy Street BBQ, or Sweet Lucy's smokedhouse voted better than Smokin Betty's by Zagat.
(1)
Natedogg G.
Smokin' Betty's is conveniently located across the street from Jefferson Hospital. We were thrilled to discover that they would allow us to order carry out while we were in the hospital for 4 days following the birth of our child. We liked our dinner so much the first night that we ordered it again for lunch the next day, then the next night for dinner and so on. We have officially tried most things on the menu at this point! The salads are awesome...especially the beet salad. The brisket sandwich was perfect and the California turkey sandwich has the best homemade bread...it was great that all of the bbq uses different sauces made especially for the dish...a lot of places just put the same sauce on everything. Highly recommended...especially if you find yourself needing some carry out!
(5)
liza c.
I'm pretty sure that there was some type of vortex on the second floor of Smokin' Betty's that sucks in the innocent guest and employee as they pass by the bar on their way to a table. This is the only possible scenario I can envision to account for the absence of the bubbly hostess when she travelled upstairs to "set up a table". Fifteen minutes later, still waiting and getting viciously hungry, we took matters into our own hands and headed upstairs. The MOD found and sat us, quite thankfully, though he didn't seem too concerned that there hadn't been a hostess downstairs for an indeterminant amount of time. Plus, he wasn't the friendliest chap ever to run a restaurant. So, we're off to a bad start. This was quickly followed by two separate servers taking a drink order. Unluckily, we didn't get double drinks. What we DID get was a server who seemed to be a little "high on life" in a very overzealous sort of way, if you get my drift. Ok, so the service was bad. End of story. Let's talk about the food: Cut me off at the knees and call me shorty. Best fish tacos I've had since I made them two weeks ago. Even though they were pretty messy and the sauce dripped all over the place, the combination of flavors was incredible - pickled onions, tiniest radish slices ever made, and fish grilled perfectly!!! Yum with a capital why. The cider that I ordered was completely disgusting though. It actually smelled and tasted like an apple jolly rancher. If I wanted something like that, I would have ordered an apple martini. Gross. All things considered, I will definitely go back to sample from the plethora of items on their menu. Honestly, though, I will probably still have the fish tacos.
(3)
Amanda S.
We chose to dine at Smokin' Betty's for my husband's birthday dinner because they could easily accommodate a party of 8. I would liken the restaurant to a non-chain version of a TGI Fridays or Ruby Tuesday's. It was a good, casual place to go for comfort food with a relatively large group. The Betty Burger sounded delicious, but overwhelming. Most of our group got other sandwiches and beer. I had an oyster po' boy that was a special and it was pretty good. The mac n' cheese was absolutely delicious, though. I wish I knew how to achieve that level of creaminess when I make my homemade mac. We would probably come back to Betty's with out-of-town guests who would likely be intimidated by some Philly's smaller, trendier restaurants. Oh, and as other reviewers have commented, the bathrooms were pretty gross....something that can probably be attributed to the fact that they are unisex and men's bathrooms typically are pretty gross.
(3)
GM F.
Tried this place recently and was not impressed. The food is about on par with a subpar Applebees. I had the BBQ sliders and was left wanting much more. The brisket was the only decent one of the three, helped by regular BBQ sauce. The chicken was dry and flavorless and the pork was more of the same, albeit a tad less dry. The fries were decent. Worst part was the turkey chili. It was the consistency of clay, it could have been used as a spackle by a bricklayer.
(2)
D K.
(2.5 stars, really) I've been here twice now, once for a happy hour and today for lunch. Happy hour drink specials were good but the food seemed just so-so. Today's experience was sort of odd: There were three of us and the place was nearly empty...and quite chilly. The host seated us at a four-top, which turned out to be partially un-cleaned. We moved to a clean table and, due to the chill, two of ate with coats on. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food...my burger with blue cheese was tasty and the sweet-potato fries were great. Our serve was good, but the host was ... off, for lack of a better word... and the chef also forgot the 'shrooms on one of our burgers. Not a horrible experience, but definitely more near misses than I'd expect in an empty restaurant. I'd come back if a group wanted to or it was the only nearby place that's open.
(3)
Michael R.
I went here for brunch recently and came away with mixed feelings. I had the open faced omelet which was good, but slightly overpriced at $10. My companion had the sliders which were outstanding, and cost less than omelet at $8. The verdict: I would go again, but would skip the brunch items. If you are interested in a traditional brunch (eggs, pancakes, etc) there are other places that do it better.
(3)
Angela C.
The BBQ riblets (with the sauce) were really tasty! I ordered them for lunch and the server recommended I order a side dish. I chose the flourless corn cake...ewww. The portion was huge but it was for naught since it was inedible. It was flavorless and the bottom was downright soggy. The server asked if I liked it, and when I told her no, she told me the corn cake was supposed to be soft. Uh, what? Soft, yes, mushy, no. This server and another that we briefly interacted with were a little standoffish.
(3)
David L.
My Girlfriend came into town and I wanted to take her to a spot that was different and where people gave good reviews. Well, I'm with Adam on this one. When we got there the place had a cool little vibe until the hostess/waitress showed up and said just pick a seat anywhere. So we sat and brushed it off but we soon got the impression that are waitress probably wanted to go home. Mind you it was only like 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon. She asked us if we wanted to get drinks and we said give us a minute to think it over. To make a long story short she never asked us if we needed drinks again, if we needed anything or anything else to be quite frank. The only times she did speak to us she was quite snappy and irritated. We ordered some of those dry rub wings but they looked like the cook went on break and forgot to take the off the grill. My girlfriend ordered the beef brisket sandwich which was pretty good and I ordered the lamb burger which was pretty bland. The highlight of the whole experience was when another employee came to put up the specials for the evening on the dinning room blackboard. We admired the creativity of the dishes while wishing we came at a different time.
(2)
lisa g.
The food was ok, the atmosphere really nice but the service bad! We had to find the waitress-it took forever
(2)
marie d.
Last night was my first time at Smokin' Betty's and the first thing that struck me was the fair prices on the menu. As an unemployed grad student, I certainly appreciate a place that doesn't overcharge you. Also, the atmosphere and lay-out of the restaurant was great and lends itself to socializing and a general good time. However, I was compelled to write this review for anyone who may be interested in ordering their Quesadillas. I ordered the chicken quesadillas, which are $6 more than the standard cheese ones; however, there was one tiny piece of chicken in each triangle, and the majority of the quesadillas was nothing but fried onions. They were very disappointing and certainly not worth the $13 I piad for them. Each quesadilla was basically an overwhelming slew of greasy onions sandwiched between tortillas. I'd go back and try this place again, but I am skeptical that their low prices correlate with skimpy dishes.
(2)
Alyssa P.
BEST WINGS IN PHILADELPHIA. Hands Down. I feel like it has been a life mission of mine to find them, and they have arrived at Smoking Betty's with dry rub, spicalicious sauce and crispy grilled perfection. For you hot and blue wing eaters, you won't have a hard time finding those or just making them yourself. But for the true flavor loving, chicken bone sucking, tongue smackin', fingerlickin' wingaholics, this is the spot where your dreams meet reality. We went 3 times in one weekend and keep coming back for more. The price is great too. This review is solely for the wings. All other things aside, they earn the stars for the wings. I dare anyone to challenge, review or shed light on a better wing in the city.
(5)
Kristen S.
Meh. Great draught beer options--love the Furthermore Knot Stock with BBQ. The food was definitely just ok. Fish tacos were lacking in the flavor and crunch that's so easy to find at just about any restaurant in the Southwest, and was served in a tortilla that hadn't been warmed fully, so it split around its contents. Mac and cheese was good, but not phenomenal. Cornbread muffins were great texture, but tasted a bit like plastic--maybe too much time in a plastic bag? BBQ sliders tasted a lot like liquid smoke, which isn't really acceptable in a place with the word "smokin" in the name, but the slaw that came with them was great--deliciously vinegary and sweet with a little bit of bite. Sweet potato fries were really good, but fries and slaw and beer do not a meal make. Might go back for a beer after work, but definitely not for the food. Servers were nice but food seemed to come out really slowly.
(2)
Kara L.
I had my wedding in Philly and chose to have my rehearsal dinner here since it was close to the Loews Hotel. To be honest, I had not tried this place prior to my rehearsal, so it was a bit of a toss-up. The restaurant really worked with me to customize my rehearsal dinner menu. They were extremely helpful in helping me keep within my budget, and gave me insightful suggestions for food options. The overall bill was reasonable and I was completely able to stay within my set amount. We rented the upstairs, which comfortably fit my entire party (about 50 people). The appetizers we chose were amazing. Our guests could not stop raving about the cheese steak egg rolls, mini pizza and fried green tomato bruschetta appetizers. The wait staff was very attentive and helped to cater to our guests' needs. Though I was too nervous to eat much myself, every item that my family/friends ordered was a hit. I got a lot of "A+'s" from the cheddar burger and french fries. I definitely will be hitting this restaurant up again next time I'm in Philly. The only negative (and it's really not a negative because it's out of anyone's control) is that it was really loud from the other tables/bar area which was right next to the private dining area.
(4)
Stephanie S.
I was there this past weekend with my fiance. He got the ribs, which came with french fries. I got the Caesar salad with chicken and some potato latkes. Initially, I had asked for a cherry coke, no ice because that's what I always order to drink. They said they had no cherry coke. I'm like, hello? You have a full bar? Don't you have Grenadine... but I decided to drop it, and just drink plain coke. Then the food came out. My salad had several brown leaves of lettuce. The chicken just looked like boiled chicken that had absolutely no flavor whatsoever. I guess if you just wanted protein of some sort, it would've been okay, but if you wanted flavor, you were shit out of luck. There was also hardly any salad dressing on the salad. The potato latkes were burnt and tasteless. My fiance's ribs, he said, were good. The fries, however, were caked in grease. The prices were kind of meh. If the salad would've cost more, I'd be much more pissed. Also, considering this was about 5pm on a Saturday and there were only 2 other tables, kind of raises a red flag. Most likely won't be coming back.
(2)
Kate W.
Cool little joint. I came for Yelp cocktail week, sat at the bar around 5pm when it wasn't busy yet, and had the Berry Betty which was good - nothing shockingly awesome about it but it's a solidly good drink. For my super-late lunch/way-too-early dinner, I had a small salad to start - which came covered in dressing... I usually hate that, but it surprisingly didn't bug me this time because it didn't taste like too much even though it looked it. Then I went with the bbq sliders and a side of grilled veggies. The sliders were good, not a ton of food but with the salad & veggies I had more than enough. I was shocked to find the pulled pork to be so. incredibly. boring. - I thought it would be my favorite but instead I almost didn't even bother to finish it! The brisket was great, hearty and meaty. But winner winner chicken dinner without a doubt - the bbq chicken was awesome! And the cole slaw that it comes with was citrus-y/vinegar-y with celery seeds, no mayo at all (the best surprise all night!) and it was delish!!! If I could get a giant side of cole slaw to go, I would.
(4)
Lee G.
We went to this place for lunch and have been back several times. The best is the pulled pork sandwich. It is moist and the sauce is evenly distributed. I've tried the french fries and the sweet potato fries and both were delicious. The only dissapointment so far is the pulled chicken. It was dry and not very flavorful.
(4)
Justin C.
Not worth a return trip. Got the signature burger here. Was a mess, was way over ( asked for med rare got well done), and was too busy ( couldn't get one bite that had all the ingredients on it). The service, as I read was lackluster. Could not read the specials board as another table had been sat right in front of it. Got sat near drafty windows. Sweet potato fries were okay but not uniformly cooked so some were perfect, some were overdone, and some still raw. I should have listened to the "yelps" an not the Zagat rating on this one!
(2)
Derek B.
Had a meal with friends here. Drinks were amazing albeit a little weak for my liver. My chili starter was great, but the corn bread jalapeno butter was more a gimmick than anything real. I had the focaccia grilled cheese and was really disappointed with the mozzarella. Felt like the same tired mozzarella they shred for supermarket bags. Rubbery and bland. Overall nice place and my friends enjoyed their meal.
(3)
Todd T.
We visited SB for Restaurant Week. We had a reservation and were quickly seated even though our party was not all present. They had a good beer and drink selection. I had the pork egg roll, cauliflower salad, Dr. Pepper Ribs and pistachio cheesecake. I enjoyed everything although the salad was a bit bland. We all had a great time and I look forward to coming back.
(4)
Jamie B.
Food is always delicious, love the house beer and love atmosphere. It's one of my go-to places in the city.
(5)
Lenny Z.
What started out for the search of a good burger and sweet potato fries for my wife, made a bit of a turn when we decided to have a Labor Day BBQ the next day. I was not feeling back to back burger meals, but my wife really wanted sweet potato fries and Smokin' Betty's which was on my short list had a lot of options other than burgers. So, it was on. Perhaps, one of the best decisions ever. At the center of my meal was the Buffalo Chicken sandwich. It was pass out faint on the ground and fan me back to conscious good. Hands down, the best buffalo chicken sandwich I have ever allowed to touch my belly. This is serious! The bacon was perfect. The blue cheese was just right. The chicken was battered and fried to perfection. And whatever this other cheese was that they melted on it, pure gold. The buffalo sauce was tasty. And, the bun was everything I want in a bun, whatever that means. Okay, maybe I'm getting carried away on the bun, but the rest was so good that it amounts to this train of thinking. My wife got the Tur-duck-en Burger. Who thought this up? A genius, that's who. It's a turkey/duck/chicken burger. And it's loaded a-la Thanksgiving with stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce & sweet potato ribbons. I mean, oh lord, I might faint, again! Soooo, gooood. The sweet potato fries were the awesome. Nice, sweet, and crispy. The mac n cheese was tasty. Great consistency and some bread crumbs to boot. The potato latkes reminded me of the good ole times at my Jewish grandma's house. The baked beans were different, more of the pinto bean variety, but pretty good none-the-less. The free refill lemonades were also very nice. The service was good and quick. Nice space as well. But honestly, I hardly remember the small details. Since leaving, all I can do is dream about a reunion with the Buffalo Chicken sandwich.
(5)
Chris K.
Smokin' Betty's delivers some of the best food in the neighborhood. We stumbled across Betty's on a lazy Sunday afternoon and were blown away by the food. The Betty burger was amazing, 1/2 pound burger stacked on a confit pork belly, topped with avocado, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, a roasted garlic aoli and an egg sunny side up (don't knock it until you've tried it- it's life changing). Not to be outdone, the Tur-Duck-En Burger was also outstanding. If you took thanksgiving dinner and put it into a tasty burger bun and topped it with sweet potato ribbons, you would not be far off. Simply Delicious. Definitely give Smokin Betty's a try. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Kevin J.
One of the bests in center city and priced reasonably, this BBQ hangout is a favorite place to have a leisurely lunch or early dinner. The wide open windows creates a concept of dining outside on somebody's porch. The pulled pork sandwich has both quality and quantity. A good pulled pork sandwich isn't hard to find but this one in particular has a very distinctive quality about it. The servers are top notch and bring everything out in a timely manner.
(4)
Shaji K.
First stop on the most recent Philly trip. Tur-ducken Burger? Yes please. Best way to start off the day possible: greasy, filling, and stuffed with various ingredients you're not sure about. But it works. Sweet potato fries were salted and tasty. A tad pricy ($13) but the portions are enormous, and according to my comrades all the other meals were orgasmic. Great rotating craft selection, wish I could order a beer flight though for brunch-time (we tend to start early).
(4)
B. B.
Definitely a 3 star joint. The beers on tap are solid and the bartenders are great, but the food is very average. The philly cheese steak egg rolls and the friendly bartenders are the two positives from my experience.
(3)
D G.
We came here recently during restaurant week. It was a 4 course special. The place looks nice and the employees are very friendly. The food was really bad for us. It was busy and it could be an anomaly, but here goes: Our table was so sticky we had to peel the place mat to move it. Mahi ceviche - the fish tasted old and the citrus blend used was not fresh. Mini chicken biscuit sliders - microwaved (pretty sure) one end of the plate was super hot and the food on the other end was cold. The chicken was worse than what you'd get at McDonalds. The biscuit was tough to chew through. Roasted Cauliflower salad was really good. Cheddar beer soup - tasted like any canned soup. Braised short rib - inedible. It had absolutely no taste. Dr. Pepper ribs - also microwaved. sent it back because it was cold in the middle. Flavor was ok. But not something I'd recommend. Apple cobbler - was good. Peanut butter Rice krispy - was ok We probably left at least half of each plate. It just wasn't good. I'm not sure if they have the restaurant week menu food pre made and then they just heat it. Whatever they did, it was bad. The burgers there did look good. Shoulda got that. I'm hoping my experience was just unlucky because I've read some good reviews of this place.
(1)
Daniel N.
Love this place. Great atmosphere and great food. Not too pricey especially for the portions.
(4)
Bernadette M.
I love this place. It's consistent & the staff is friendly. I'm amazed at how quick I can get in & out of there during lunch even when they're packed. Keep up the great work Betty's!
(5)
Chamille B.
I'm not from the area, but visited Smokin Betty's for a friends birthday brunch. The atmosphere in there is pretty laid back, while still having a good look and vibe for celebrations and dates. There were so many things that looked amazing on the menu, but Seth (the greatest and most entertaining server I've ever experienced) helped me choose the Smoked Salmon and Sweet Potato Hash. Three of us (two women, one guy) choose this for our meal. We all agreed that the flavor was great and the salmon was cooked almost perfectly. The potatoes were well seasoned, with herbs, onions, and bacon throughout. On top was an egg over easy, which was cooked longer than I like (me likes runny yokes!). The three of us agreed that the portion wasn't quite enough, and I ended up ordering another egg and eating off other people's plates. One person ordered the mac and cheese and claimed it was horrible, but a few of us tried it and felt it was just very bland. I tried a bite of the breakfast burrito, and really like that as well as the cottage fries. We ordered pitchers of the white sangria. I'm more of a red sangria girl (which they don't have), but it was light, fruity and slightly fizzy and enjoyed by the table. I finished brunch with the bread pudding (flavor changes daily) which happened to be a wildberry cheesecake with a caramel sauce. It was very moist, a good thing with this dessert, and had lots of berries and cheesecake bits in it. As a self-proclaimed bread pudding connoisseur, I'm more partial to a more classic bread pudding with a bourbon or liqueur sauce, however the caramel sauce added a nice touch (I'd recommend asking for extra though), and the portion was enough for sharing. I'd be curious to try some of the lunch/dinner options as they had a lot that piqued my interest, but I probably won't be going back, simply because I live a couple hours away.
(3)
Sasha P.
Overall an amazing night. Great food. Great service. Great dining room. But the most memorable part of the meal was the biscuit!fluffy and moist, so so delicious. I wish I could order an all biscuit dinner. My Italian friend said "that's a nice biscuit". Eat here!
(5)
Eric N.
As a college student it's hard to find affordable meals that satisfy my gourmet craving. Smokin' Betty's is the place I've been searching for. It's amazing menu that has everything making you drool. My first time there I had a Betty burger because I thought, "I might as well try their signature burger". It was phenomenal and superb. If you're ever in Philly and want a nice sit down gourmet meal specializing in comfort food, then I recommend Betty's!
(5)
Hannah K.
Heard some decent reviews about this place so I went here for lunch today. I ordered the Betty burger, while my sister got the Tur-Duck-En burger. We opted to get the $4 bucket of fries, & the side of macaroni & cheese (which the waitress suggested). The food came fairly quickly. The Betty burger was huge. a 1/2 pound sirloin burger, confit pork belly, guacamole, cheddar cheese, lettuce, roasted garlic aioli & fried egg. Cooked medium rare, the burger was hard to eat but so worth it. My sister's Tur-Duck-en burger seemed pretty good too. Stuffed with homemade stuffing, southern style gravy, & a side of homemade cranberry sauce. She seemed to really enjoy it. The fries were lack luster, and the macaroni & cheese was standard. The waitress was friendly, but didn't bother to refill our cups with water. The menu seems similar to Devil's Alley but in all a positive first experience.
(3)
RB B.
We arrived 15 minutes early for our opentable reservation. It had been a rough week for me and my husband and we were looking forward to a great meal and some good drinks. As we waited for our table I was digging the warm, cozy, mellow vibe of the half empty restaurant. A guy then escorted us up the stairs, past the ridiculously loud, ridiculously packed bar and seated us at a tiny table for two surrounded by tables of 10 and 15 and 20. Our table was clearly an afterthought and I knew we'd be lost amongst the dozen larger parties around us, let alone having to struggle to talk to each other over the volume of the room. This area is clearly utilized for larger parties. Not my idea of a nice, relaxing dinner. So my husband and I walked back downstairs to talk to the hostess. Here's the conversation: Me: "it's pretty loud upstairs. We'd like to sit down here." Hostess: "we reserved you a table upstairs." Me: "we'd like to be down here where it's quite a bit quieter." Hostess: "we can't seat you downstairs." Me: "half the tables are empty." Hostess: "those tables are reserved for reservations." Me: "um, I have a reservation." Hostess: "the table we reserved for you is upstairs." Me: "well, then we're not staying." Hostess: "ok." We went out to the sidewalk and quickly made another reservation at a restaurant where the food was delicious and the service terrific. So Smokin Betty's, here's the lesson....we may not have been one of your big money tables for the night, but I'm a yelper, and I'm on Facebook and Twitter, and I'm a sharer. So everyone I know who follows me on social media now knows how you treated two of your guests. It doesn't matter how large or small the party. You always make your guests feel like they're the most important diners in your restaurant.
(1)
Jenny R.
Great for brunch and happy hour
(4)
Jess R.
The restaurant is dirty--tables are always sticky. Service is alright. The ambiance is not bad--kind of a hopping place, but they should try to step up their cleanliness game. However, that breakfast sandwich is BANGING (with sausage, egg, avocado, red sauce etc etc). I crave it. I dream about it. It can be shared with two people or eaten by one very hungry brunch-goer. So go here, get that sandwich and be merry.
(4)
Heather S.
We've been here many times in the past 2 years and have never had a bad experience. Last Friday (3/7/14) we went with a group of 5 people, no reservation, so we waited at the bar for half an hour for a table (pretty quick for a Friday night at 8:30). Around the table guests got: the buffalo chicken sandwich, the Betty's burger, the ribs entree, fish tacos. The portions never disappoint: everything is either just right or too much that you take home some for later. The buffalo chicken sandwich is seriously one of the best in the city; we've suggested it to many friends and they all agree. We always get the dry rub wings appetizer each time: AMAZING. We went on a Friday night but if you're looking for a good happy hour, Betty's has a good one: Mon-Fri 5-7, with a $3 draft (only one particular draft though), $4 wine, and cheap apps (the apps are smaller but are good to satisfy a craving before a bigger dinner at Betty's or elsewhere). Only downside is it can get pretty crowded at both the downstairs and upstairs bars.
(5)
Justine J.
The Berry lemonade with absolute citron was pretty good. The thing I hate about their happy hour is that when we ordered another drink when we were half way done with the first, we were not allowed because it was 'stacking.' We would have been finished by the time it got to us, but I guess they're encouraging binge drinking. The food was OK. The cheesesteak egg roll with smoked tomato jam was meh. There was barely any cheese in it, which left the meat flavorless. It kinda just tasted like beef boiled in water. That smokey tomato jam is not as fancy as it sounds. It just tastes like ketchup with smoked paprika. And serving that in a paper cup you find at the fast food condiments table?! Four bucks for one of those is far from being worth every penny. If you are charging that much for that piece of crap at least get the presentation right. If you want good cheesesteak egg rolls go to Circles and use sriracha. The ribs were ribs and the Mac and cheese was Mac and cheese. I really don't have much to say -it was just average food with pretty average service. All I know is I'm not itching to go back. To put things into perspective, my friend and I tried to go to three other neighboring places but all had a wait time of 30+ minutes and came here because of the 0 wait time,
(3)
Jade S.
I want to share my experience at Smokin' Betty's last night...My fiance's father is a patient at Jefferson and last week we decided to try out this place since it is across the street from the Hospital. We all had a wonderful experience and notably LOVED the bread pudding. We brought it back to the hospital where my fiance's father found it to be spectacular. As a result, he requested we go back last night just so he could get another taste of this lavish dessert again. When we arrived at the restaurant, it was 6:30 on a Friday night and we had no reservation. After we were told that it would be a 30 min wait, we decided to just order the Bread Pudding and eat somewhere else back home in Jersey. We briefly explained the situation of my fiance's terminally ill father (we had to give some sort of reason why we were ordering dessert to go and then hightailing it out of there) and the hostess told us that it would be "a couple minutes" for a table. We were very surprised by the hospitality. For an appetizer we shared a plate of Veggie Quesadillas which were fabulous. For dinner, I ordered the Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos while my fiance and his mother ordered the short rib tacos and Brisket sandwich. My fish tacos were okay (needed a bit more flavor); however, the short rib tacos and brisket sandwich were AMAZING. My future mother-in-law exclaimed how it was the best brisket she's ever had (She's Jewish and once owned a BBQ joint so her opinion is gold) while my fiance thoroughly enjoyed his tacos. We also ordered a Bread pudding for the 3 of us to share as a dessert. SO, SO, SO good. It is nice and warm with homemade whipped cream and drizzled caramel syrup. At the end of the meal the hostess came up to us and wished us the best with my fiance's father. Overall: Service is EXCELLENT. The wait staff was very friendly and hospitable. The food is above exceptional (I wouldn't order the fish tacos--it's bland in comparison to other dinner choices), and if you don't order the Bread Pudding, you're definitely missing out. For the price, this place is on my "Favorite" list for Top Philly Restaurants.
(4)
Lawrence M.
I don't care how good your bread pudding is(sometimes), I will never again walk into this establishment! My girlfriend and I have been to this restaurant on a number of occasion. While the food is good, the bread pudding is orgasmic, depending on the flavor they are offering. We more than enjoyed their Oreo cheese cake and apple bread pudding on our first 2 visits, but was disgusted when trying their banana peanut butter during our last visit. I know you may be thinking to yourself, "so what? you had one bad dish, get over it" Under normal circumstances I would agree with you, however, when I'm told that there is another bread pudding available besides the one I was offered, but I cant have it until the current one if sold out and then I'm given a hard time when I asked to take this disgusting piece of poo poo off of my bill, my response to that if GTFOH! Therefore, you will not catch me in this establishment again, I swear! I just called them and they said they had the Oreo cheesecake bread pudding in today and like the other day my response was GTFOH!!!
(2)
Vincent B.
Awesome place. At convention and just stumbled upon it. Gotta try the Betty Burger It was best burger i have ever had! Avocado, white cheddar cheese 1/3 lb beef, pork confit, garlic aioli, on fresh bun Coleslaw was slightly tangy but has sweet finish...creamy. Great price and good service. Other tablemates had bettys grilled cheese and bbq pork sandwich which were delicious. Lunch for 3 under $40. Great value
(5)
Ann A.
Great spot. I met up with friends and our 9 year olds for lunch. For and service were great. Amazing spin on grilled cheese: fresh mozzarella tomato on focaccia Full bar too!!! Perfect for pre or post theater meals
(5)
Rebekah T.
On a mission to try all the best of the brews in Philly, we stopped by Smokin' Betty's for a sampler of beer each. That way we could double our taste buds up on good beer. Our bartender was very knowledgable about beer, so we made a fun game out of trying and comparing notes on each beer. We went with mostly local, higher APV, interesting named and tasting beers: He had the yelp.com/biz_photos/V0SH… *Smoking Betty's Blonde, 5.9 APV% *Flying Fish Grand, 9.5 APV% *Furthermore Make Weight, 8.5 APV% *Avery New World Porter, 6.7 APV% I ordered the yelp.com/biz_photos/V0SH… *Dogfish 60 IPA, 6.0 APV% *Smuttynose Finest Kind, 6.9 APV% *Roy Pitz Laydown Staydown, 9.0 APV% *Longtrail Triple Bag Ale 9.2 APV% After a fun round of guess who ordered the best beer, I think we were pretty much even and I had a cool little buzz on. Smokin' Betty really knows her beer.
(5)
Noheli T.
I went to Smokin' Betty's last night and it was just loud! My friend and I were seated upstairs and and it was as if a cheerleading squad was there because you had to yell to talk to the person across from you. The party seated next to us was all over the place and kept getting up and moving around in an already crammed space, which became very annoying. My friend and I just ordered some beers and split a quesadilla, which was good but greasy. Overall the place was pretty good but I'll have to try it again when the noise level is a little bit more bearable
(3)
Michael Y.
This was my fourth or fifth time at Smokin' Betty's in 2014, and I have to say, the buzz and hype have finally worn off. I don't have any specific negative comments -- food, service, atmosphere were all adequate -- but I don't have any high marks to share either. I ordered a simple bowl of chili, and it was, well, a simple bowl of chili. One of the primary reasons I've returned so often (aside from its convenient location) is to see what all the hooplah is about; I still can't figure it out. It's all so "meh" to me. I've had their tacos (both fish and rib), their burgers, and the salmon on different visits. And while the meal is always fine and satisfying, I'm just never dazzled. I don't understand the fuss people make over this place. There is much better bbq in Philly: Sweet Lucy's in the northeast, Percy Street downtown, and even Famous Dave's. Again, there was nothing wrong with my meals on any of my visits. I just always leave there thinking, "So what?" A comment re: staff and atmosphere (which I maintain were not bad, just "adequate"): I was admittedly turned off by the saturation of hipster customers, possibly spilling over from MilkDud (or whatever that place next store is called). But in 2014 Philadelphia, they are becoming inevitable. They've infested the staff too. They make for lousy waiters/bartenders/food runners/bussers/hosts, and Smokin' Betty's staff is no exception. Though nothing went wrong, I'm really unimpressed when the median age for front-of-the-house staff is 22. So I'll cop to my bias, but it would have been refreshing to see a grown-up manager observe the staff once in a while.
(2)
Kate M.
I've been here twice, no problems the first time. The second time the waitress was horrible. She never came back to see if we needed anything, a refill and some butter or jam would have been nice but we were never asked. We sat waiting after we finished our meal for a bit until she finally came over to ask if we were ready for the check. Terrible service.
(2)
AJ A.
Service is a little slow for groups. Wings are great though! Get the dry rub! Buffalo chicken was great as well!
(3)
Sean M.
Went out to catch up with a good friend i hadn't seen in a while. The atmosphere and decor is great although it was a bit noising during happy our as the evening progressed things died down a bit. Phenomenal music selection throughout the whole meal which isn't something I always notice but it stuck out. The BBQ Slider appetizer was decent but the grilled cheese sandwich was awesome with delicious sweet potato fries! Great spot for a fun night out with friends or a date!
(4)
Aleks K.
Ate brunch here before the holidays right after they opened one day. I had a delicious Cobb salad, my best friend had Eggs Benedict - as always. My salad was definitely worth having again and the eggs got a good review. Our significant others did not fair so well - a botched order for one and some halfway decent sliders for the other. Our waiter was not very helpful and didn't know the specials. We asked about the waffle of the day and were told it's "probably banana pecan". Probably? Ok. We ordered a stuffed French toast as a shared dessert and it was meh. Coffee tasted burnt. Overall, I wouldn't eat here again.
(3)
John K.
Someone in the kitchen is very creative and had some really amazing dishes. However, I assume because it was restaurant week, execution was a little off. Green Eggs & Ham = inspired! Especially pickled honeydew melon(?) gave just enough acidity to cut the unctuous pork belly ('ham'). Bison sliders had a nice smokiness, Calamari 'noodles' quite good as well. Mango chipotle chicken, pretty good (not great) idea - chicken breast was a bit dry, and (canned?) jalapeños (not chipotles) didn't match well. Bad news: the cheese whiz potato gratin was burnt on top, to the point I could smell it (with a cold!). Waiter brought back a slightly less burnt one, but the bottom was dry, and he left before checking to make sure it was okay. Really, it looked 10% better than the first attempt. Not worth sending back twice - it was probably cooked in a big pan, and end of the night probably didn't have another handy. He should have explained, in any case. Didn't finish it but I would go back. Still, why do places turn off quality control during restaurant week when they should be showing new customers why we should come back? Hoping to upgrade to 4*s next time I go (not during Restaurant Week, thank you very much). Oh, forgot to mention, cool cocktails! Pretty happening bar. That block is fast food chains + local pizzerias/sandwiches, but you feel like you're at 13th & Sansom instead of 11th! Worth the walk from the residential part of CC. Also, price/quantity/quality ratio was there (I checked out the normal menu).
(3)
Jana S.
I was here on a Thursday afternoon back in April with my dad and brother who were visiting from out of town. The hostess seated us, brought us menus (though not drinks menus, which confused me. I would've liked one), brought out our food, and promptly disappeared. Well into the meal, we had to flag down another waiter to refill our water glasses and bring us our check. Annoying, but he was a much better waiter than the missing hostess, so props to him for being great. The food was pretty darn good. My family members seemed to very much enjoy their meat-based dishes, while my Red Quinoa Chickpea Salad was really all spinach and couldn't have contained more than a tablespoon or two of quinoa. A little disappointing. I love quinoa. Overall, while the food was pretty yummy, the service was lacking (even though the restaurant was nearly deserted), and I'm not itching to return. I've gotten better service at Midtown II across the street, which is probably where I'll go next time I'm in the neighborhood and hungry.
(3)
Wendy P.
Came here for brunch today. Food and drink were both great. I highly recommend the wings.
(4)
Karin R.
The food is so-so, the service is challenged and it is very noisy, even when it is half empty.
(2)
Mike O.
Great food, great drinks, excellent service. Any time I'm in Philly, I'll convince my buddies to head to Betty's. As a staunch carnivore, I am a huge fan of the pulled-pork sandwich here. In fact, that's about the only thing I order. Some great appetizers include the buffalo wings and fried onion rings. All in all, Smokin' Betty's is absolutely worth a try.
(4)
Alex C.
Eh just ok. I'm a huge fan if the devil's alley having worked there for over 2 years previously, and loving their food to this day, but this place was way below expectations when it came to food/drink. The Betty burger which should be there mainstay wasn't that great compared to the devil compared to the devil burger. It was bland in flavor and even though it had some nice hints and style it wasn't on par at all. The drinks were ok but the beers on tap appeared to be picked at random and while the Brown Aled Girl is delcious it wasn't worth the $5.5 price tag. If you're looking for an original spin on some American classics than you might be in luck, if you've never tried the Devil's Alley. I recommend the spicy dry rub wings (anything on the menu, with a side of BBQ sauce). Also, the Chipotle ranch dressing (only at the Devil's Alley) is incredible.
(3)
Mikonora R.
Number one maximum sliders! Good deal at 8 dollars for three! Very tasty and variety!
(5)
Ilana R.
went here after reading so many rave reviews, cannot say i was impressed with it. Staff was friendly, enjoyed the location. quite noisy/loud in dining area and all around, but beautiful restaurant. have had much better bbq elsewhere in the city, but fun experience to get out
(3)
Elizabeth B.
Convenient location , good service but a bit pricey ....
(3)
Alix H.
I really must tell you about the "new" betty burger. I ate this burger, and then I died of a fat induced heart attack, but then I went to burger heaven. Oh Holy Geez. This burger beats the crap out of a lot of the fancy big name trendy burgers in town, most of which I have tried, because I love cheeseburgers. It is an absolute treat. The staff here are always VERY nice, attentive, and the bartenders are chatty. I love this place. And I am still very much in love with the big beautiful upstairs windows. Sigh. Let's go tomorrow, shall we?
(5)
Jeremy D.
I went here over the weekend for an early-ish dinner with my family. We rolled in around 6:30, and it was fairly empty. While the other patrons may have been lacking, the food definitely was not. We had 5 very good meals, and the total for 5 was around $80. Our waitress was more attentive than I've come to expect, which may have been influenced by the lack of other diners. All things considered, definitely a solid bet. I'll be going back.
(4)
Yellmstng ..
This review is based on my overall experience. Waitress was nice n friendly. Food was served quick n was yummy. The fish tacos were very flavorful. A neutral comment: it's very loud in here. There are definitely no quiet sections. Just something to keep in mind. My only complaint were the bathrooms. They were really dirty and reeked of urine and they're coed. Nothing against the gents, but if they had separate bathrooms the smell of urine would probably improve.
(3)
Rachel C.
My friend and I were in the mood for bbq and mac & cheese. We've never been here before and wanted to try it. After experiencing it here, I am confident that we will never be returning. Here goes the rundown . . . we sit at the table and immediately our arms and hands are sticking to the table. We expressed our concern to the server but apparently it was due to the finish of the tables. If that is the case I would recommend a table cloth, just b/c the stickiness is kind of turn off for cleanliness standards. Then we started to order and unfortunately this BBQ place was out of brisket and short ribs, which was a huge let down! However, we got the bbq sliders that were actually really good. The meat here is cooked really well, however everything else was pretty terrible. The mac & cheese was like having a bowl of cereal with milk. The cornbread muffins were either stale or just really dry. If they did the corn bread as tray and cut squares as it was ordered it would stay fresh longer. The baked beans were pretty terrible as well. Also, after we received our food, we were waiting for plates. After two attempts at giving us dirty plates, we finally got clean ones. Since we were so disappointed with a lot of the food and the service here we tried to talk with our waitress and the manager about it, and gave them several opportunities to practice some good customer service. We were continuously looked at with a blank stare of what do you want us to do?!?! They at least took off 1 beer, thanks for saving us the $5, but they should of offered something more than that. The service was really horrible, and the upper management seemed just as clueless. I would recommend Percy Street or Kyber Pass Pub for some reliable BBQ.
Went here a few times since it was easy to find parking. The restaurant is divided with a bar and dining area. The dining room was a bit dark the times I've dined there. They had a policy of not seating a party unless everyone was present. I understand the rules... But I think those rules are meant for very busy restaurants. The 2-3 times I came were Saturday nights and place was almost empty except for the bar side. Awkward.... The food is decent BBQ joint. I guess it's a fancier famous Dave's but slightly smaller portions. Service was prompt considering we were the only large party [4, and 6 the second time]. Others tables were on dates. Tried the BBQ combo, short ribs taco and the traditional sides. Food was good as I recall. Overall, it wasn't the best, but not the worse. I think I'd prob eat here before fette sau, but prob goto fette sau for the up tempo environment depending on my mood. I guess it boils down to what type of night/meal you're into! 1 star knocked down BC I remember it being a bit dirty and tables not cleaned off throughout the meal. And the awkward waiting for party to be all present with a near empty dining room.
(3)
Sabrina W.
I cannot say enough good things about Smokin Bettty's! THANK YOU to the amazing manager and our awesome server (I am horrible with names) who managed to accommodate our huge group of 25 on a Friday night at 5:30pm with only 15 minutes notice. (Another restaurant cancelled on me at 5:00pm, so I was scrambling for any restaurant to host a birthday surprise!) Upon arrival, we were greeted and led upstairs where everything was all set up for us - including ice waters and menus. Our server was quick, friendly and engaging. If you ever need a place for a large group event, this is the place - quick service and excellent management. Prices were very reasonable, especially with their happy hour drinks/snacks. Food/Drinks: - Berry Lemonade ($5 HH) A little on the sweeter side (which I didn't mind), but keep watch of how many of these little suckers you down - BBQ Wings ($4 HH) Flavorful BBQ sauce that is perfectly grilled. Definitely a good bang for your buck if you're stopping by just for a nibble - BBQ Combo ($16) Includes 3-4 ribs, grilled chicken & 2 sides; I was a little disappointed in how few ribs there were, but I guess that's a result of ordering the combo and not just the ribs. However, the ribs & chicken were both AMAZING. Tender, fall off the bone meat that is just oozing with flavor. This was a great option for me and a friend to share with the addition of an appetizer. - Grilled Vegetable Risotto ($13) I didn't order this one myself, but a friend did and I have to admit I probably ate at least a third of it. Probably one of my favorite (if not my favorite) risottos I've ever had. Atmosphere: - Large space; downstairs & upstairs seating and is not too cramped - Great service; quick and efficient communication - Excellent happy hours specials (M-F)
(5)
Kelsey S.
Smokin Betty's is always a solid choice for brunch, lunch, or just drinks. As a Jefferson student, I have come here a bunch of times in between or after classes. The service and food are MUCH better than some of the neighboring places (milkboy). I recommend getting the chili because I love how it is served with cornbread on the side. As for brunch, the whole wheat pancakes were top notch, and even better paired with a mimosa.
(4)
Tisha S.
Seth was our waiter. It took a minute for him to get to us, but he was working the whole floor. Let me back up. Sit upstairs when you come. it is great to sit and people watch, have the breeze come in on you and just say AAAAHHHH...We came after my youngest sister graduation and walked all the way from south broad....we were hungry and thirsty. Ok, back to Seth. Whoever hired him needs a pat on the back and needs to give him a raise. He was a riot and then some. Very professional with just enough silly to keep us going. He dealt with our requests with smiles and laughter and such flair. He described the items so well we had images of the food in our heads.. once he got going he was quick, kept checking on us and having fun. Now the food. man. heaven. the mac and cheese...the cornbread and jalapeno butter...portions were great, food was tender.. some appetizers were a bit cool vs hot, but the flavor was great. We enjoyed it all. I can't say what was the best though as we loved it all. My mom is a Baker and she loved the cake. She doesn't like many places cake since she knows what it should be like, but she loved yours! the fresh ice cream was awesome. it even had that ice cream machine taste.. if you ever had fresh ice cream you know what i mean!! i could go on and on. but this is a must stop if your in philly...
(5)
Nicole V.
We came at 5:30 with a group of 6 people for a 22nd birthday. We were seated upstairs in a large booth. The only reason why this restaurant isn't getting 5 stars is the bathroom. I don't mind unisex bathrooms. It's a nifty idea. However, I am not ok with 3 of the 6 bathrooms being out of order, and the rest of them not having toilet paper. You have one bathroom. In my opinion there is no excuse why a very large, fairly nice restaurant can't keep the one bathroom they have clean. Regardless of the toilet paper shortage, we had a great experience at this restaurant. Our waiter was pleasant, informative, and attentive. We had a round of draft beers and sangrias. The sangrias were an interesting twist on the concept of sangrias, and they were really great. The features draft was 3 bucks, and yuengling for 2 dollars. That's an awesome deal! They also had everything gluten free marked on the menu, which is wonderful for me because I don't need to play 20 questions to eat! The only screwed up a little in that department though. I told them I was gluten free and ordered my food. I ended up with pasta salad on my plate. I don't really care because I just didn't eat it. But, I feel some people probably would care. I would go back again in a heart beat. I thought the sangria was great, the dry rub wings were perfectly cooked, and the grilled vegetables were flavorful and plentiful.
(4)
Rachel B.
Good food. They seem to get overwhelmed with large crowds....They were definitely understaffed during Sunday afternoon brunch. Drinks are strong.
(4)
Herbie H.
I ended up dining at Smokin Bettys twice within one weekend (once with my mom while she was in town for a conference, and then with my whole family a few days later while they were visiting.) The fact that I was here twice over 72 hours speaks to Smokin Betty's appeal. It's comfort food with some great options for both the more adventurous and reserved eaters. Visit 1: Friday, happy hour Mom & I had a great visit. We enjoyed $4 wine, a cheesesteak eggroll as an appetizer, and then split two entrees: Braised Short Rib Tacos & the Marinated Grilled Vegetable Risotto. We enjoyed everything we ordered. The cheesesteak eggroll is what you would expect, but enjoyable nonetheless. The tacos were great. Tons of flavor and the short rib was tender. I was surprised by the Risotto. I wasn't expecting to be blown away by perfect and creamy risotto, but they did a better-than-expected job. The vegetables had a lot of flavor and the balsamic reduction & basil puree added some nice bright spots. Not your average vegetarian dish! Visit 2: Sunday, dinner My mom enjoyed her short rib tacos so much that she ordered them again, just 2 days later. I chose to try a sandwich and went with the Grilled Chicken & Broccoli Rabe sandwich. The sandwich was really delicious and had a lot of flavor. The chicken was tender and had a nice grilled taste. I chose sweet potato fries as my side, and they were great. Salty and crispy. My dad went for a burger, which he liked a lot. My sister ordered the pulled pork sandwich, and liked hers a lot, too. Service both times was friendly and quick. Our servers both times were easygoing and knowledgeable of the menu.
(4)
Kareem M.
Great brunch and good beer list. Loved the egg sandwich with avacado. Bread was very soft and tasty. Eggs were perfect. Great soul music too. Relaxed atmosphere. Try the sweet potatoe hash browns and beermosa.
(4)
Nazee Z.
Came here for happy hr with a friend and found myself feeling kinda eh about the food we got. we tried pulled pork sliders, mac and cheese, and cheesesteak egg rolls. Maybe it was just me, but everything had this strange gritty feel to it, as if it was kept frozen and then heated up--especially the cheesesteak eggrolls. The mac and cheese was creamy, but I felt that the sauce had no flavor, and again had this weirdddd gritty feeling to it! cheesesteak eggrolls were also ok, had no flavor! I think this is the kind of place where you should just get a damn burger. The best thing we had was the pulled pork sliders, so that kinda makes me feel like I should lean towards the meat here (heh, heh, hehhhh....)
(3)
Nancy N.
Boyfriend took me here for Restaurant Week but of course, we ended up not ordering from the Prefix Menu. We got cheesesteak egg rolls as an app. Delish! But you don't get that many. I got the Betty Burger with fries. So flavorful and made perfectly. I also got a side of cornbread with some delicious homemade butter they have, YUM-MY!!! The boyfriend got ribs/chicken platter. So good! And so much food! Very happy with this place! I came back another time for Center City Sips... it was crowded so we went upstairs. It was so hot,uncomfortable, and the service sucked. My girlfriends were disappointed since I talked this place up so much.
(4)
Kim L.
My friend brought me here after looking up for suggestions of good food after our own tour or Philly in the area. We came on a week night and in time for Happy Hour. We started off the night with a Happy Hour quesadilla, a cute small dish to whet our appetites before moving onto our Betty Burger and BBQ dishes. What an undertaking. I have to say, portions are nice and flavor was totally there. We loved every bite of our dishes and still managed to order a pumpkin and chocolate bread pudding to finish up the night and carry ourselves out of the restaurant. I read a review about poor service but the guy who helped us out was really great; checked up on us at the right times and gave good suggestions along the way. Overall great experience and food. Definitely will come back when I'm in the area!
Serve brunch until three? Don't mind if I do. The sweet potato hash browns are amazing! I would suggest ordering anything that happens to also come with the hash browns. The cottage fries are also good but expect circular fries.
(4)
Casey S.
Had a corporate event here and the top floor was rented out the top floor for us. It was a neat place upstairs and I liked how the bar and tables were set up. It was a nice spring day so all of the windows were open which made it feel like we were outside. The bartenders were attentive and friendly occasionally joking with the customers. The happy hour prices were good and k enjoyed the sangria. The berry lemonade on the other hand was pretty much flavorless. Now to the food. Four appetizers were ordered for us. All in all I must say the food is terrible. We had plantain chips which were mostly soggy and soaking in grease with black bean mango salsa which had no distinguishable flavor. Limp looking cheese quesadilla. Tried to spice them up with salsa but that was watery and flavorless. Next the buffalo chicken meatballs which had the worst texture i had ever eaten and tasted like nothing except sauce. It was orange and called buffalo but again tasted like nothing. Finally, the only good thing on the table, jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon. The pepper was well cooked and charter and the bacon was tasty and crispy. Certainly would never eat here again. Would maybe consider it for a drink but that's about it.
(2)
Faina D.
We came in after an appointment at Jefferson being that it's right across the street. It was clearly that lull before dinner time or just a rainy afternoon (5PM). Ordered light with fish tacos, mash potatoes (had a craving) and sweet potato fries. All of it was good esp. the tacos, sweet potato fries were a little too oily. My complaint is that it was clearly not a busy time and the food took a long time and I felt like we out waitress gave us very little attention. Overall I would probably not come back because I wasn't blown away and there's simply too many places to try in philly! I am sure the ambiance and hopefully service is better during more normal hours but can't help imagine it would only be worse when it's busy (rationale, right?).
(3)
Kristen M.
Smokin' Betty's has been on my radar for quite some time; I am a big fan of comfort food. I came here with a group of 9 for brunch Sunday morning. We had a reservation for 10:15, but we didn't need it because when we entered we were the only party there. I had the country biscuit and sausage gravy with sweet potatoes, it was underwhelming and the biscuit was really dry. Several others at the table got the breakfast burrito and the standard Betty's breakfast with two eggs, fries and breakfast meats. The food took quite a while to come considering it was breakfast and we were the only group in the restaurant. It was nice to be able to seat such a large group for brunch without a wait, but there are definitely better brunch spots in Philly.
(2)
Joycelin W.
3.5 stars! I wasn't super hungry but I didn't want a salad and couldn't decide between the sandwiches, so I got the BBQ sliders -- beef brisket, pulled pork and pulled chicken. All three were tasty, but the brisket was my favorite by far. Texture was perfect and I wish I had more! The coleslaw that came with it was good, nothing too special. The presentation though...el oh el. Let's just say that it left a lot to be desired. The restaurant itself is really nice, bright and spacious, so this plate of sloppily presented sliders and coleslaw just looked out of place, almost like it had escaped a middle school cafeteria. But other than that, food and service were both pretty good. My friend got the Betty burger which looked pretty amazing, I'll probably get that (or the tur-duck-en burger which people talk about) if I come back.
(3)
Allison G.
I've been here a few times for sips and happy hour, and tried it for dinner for the first time last week. I knew it was pretty big, and was hoping we'd be able to sit down right away, which (yay) we did. We got our drinks and food quickly, and our server was friendly. I had Betty's grilled cheese- grilled tomato and mozzarella on a ciabatta. It was delicious, but more of a panini than a grilled cheese? No biggie- it was melty and yummy. Overall, it was pretty much what I expected. The only downside was it was pretty warm in there.
(3)
Kimberly C.
I went with a few friends after work for Center City Sips. (Side note: if you want to try different restaurants for a great price restaurant week is the best time to do this but Center City Sips is a close 2nd. You get $3, $4 & $5 drink specials plus 1/2 priced appetizers. A great way to get out for those of us on a budget!) Anyway, back to this place. DRINKS: I wouldn't recommend it. If you do, be sure to say no ice. The drinks were really weak. I'm not a drinker but I had two cocktails and it was like drinking that once coveted ice cold glass of Pepsi after the ice has melted and the fizz is all gone. FOOD: This is where the money is. Since we went for Sips, we all stuck with the appetizers. We ordered the dry rub riblets, cheesesteak quesadilla, grilled bbq wings and these pulled pork sliders. Everything was really good! The only exception was that the riblets were a little bland but smoky and really tender. Sauce made a huge difference. My interest is peaked I would definitely go back. ATMOSPHERE: I'm not sure yet. It seemed like the people that were dining in had pretty good service. The setting upstairs was shear chaos. It may have just been the set up for sips but you had to order your drink and your appetizer at the bar. If you weren't actually sitting at the bar you had to stand behind those who were and flag down a bartender to take your order. I will definitely give this place another try. I'll just stay clear of the bar.
(3)
Emily K.
Food is extremely average. The best thing I had was bread pudding and I wish it came with ice cream instead of being charged 2.00 for one scoop that was small enough for a toddler. I had the pulled pork and my boyfriend had the chicken and ribs. Both were something that uou can easily get at a Boston market. Just priced higher. Service was good and ambience was good too.
(2)
Eunni C.
Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.
(3)
Lauren C.
I came here during lunch one day to meet a girlfriend. Contrary to its usual crazy-bar-ness, it was pretty quiet which kind of felt weird, but I liked it. We sat upstairs and enjoyed a really great meal. I ordered the Mahi tacos which were cooked really well, and all around tasty. Given the pricepoint, I was kind of expecting them to be bigger though? Either that or they need a side or something. They looked sad on the plate all by themselves (2 tacos). My friend got the Cobb salad and sweet potato fries which she really enjoyed, and i poached some of her fries to liven up my tacos a bit. The fries were un-freaking-real; SO tasty and definitely made in-house. All in all, this place has me intrigued. I'd go back for sure! Just have to play around with the menu a bit.
(4)
Amanda M.
On a bitter cold Saturday night, Smokin' Bettys was emitting a warm glow that seemed to promise belly-warming soul food, so stopping in was an easy decision. I'd walked by this place many times and figured it was as good a night as any to finally go inside. The decor downstairs was beautiful, and I was surprised to find the place almost completely empty. Despite the lack of a crowd, we were seated upstairs, right next to a large family and under chilly, draft-prone windows. I was disappointed in the seating, but unfortunately the disappointment didn't stop there. With a name like Smokin' Bettys, I expected smokin' flavor. However, my mahi-mahi tacos were totally lame, served with a bland concoction of fillers on old tortillas that attempted to hide tiny pieces of fish. My boyfriend ordered the beef brisket and loved it, and I enjoyed his sweet potato fries on the side, but even the other sides we ordered - mac and cheese and corn muffins - left quite a bit to be desired. The bill was reasonable, and we left full - I think I'll just have to be more selective if I return!
(2)
Helena B.
I had the turducken and Alex had the angus burger, medium. We also tried the philly cheese steak egg rolls. The server was awesome--very awkward, but totally on point and very kind. He brought our beers and was patient was we waited for happy hour to kick in. Happy hour is reasonable for food, but the $2 Yuengling was what caught my eye. The Philly egg rolls I'd pass on next time. They're EXACTLY what they sound like, but once they hit your tongue, they don't taste that good... The turducken was...interesting. I obviously didn't order this to be "healthy" but this fucking thing is a guaranteed coronary. I had a quarter of it and got the rest to go. The fries were fantastic. The angus burger was cooked perfectly medium. It was juicy and delicious. The sweet potato fries were very good, and crunchy! I'd come here again for the food. -1 star for the helicopters and the emergency cars going to Jefferson...noisy!
(4)
Liz F.
Just went to Smokin' Betty's for lunch and was extremely pleased! I had the red quinoa and chickpea salad with grilled chicken. It was delicious. The spinach was extremely fresh and each part of the salad was prepared with precision. I also ate most of my boyfriend's sweet potato fries. As a self admitting sweet potato fries addict, these were some of the best I've had in Philly. They were thick cut and cooked to the ideal crisp. We also had a cup of the veggie chili. It was thick yet not too over the top and filling that it kept us from eating out meals. I loved that it came in a mug, perfect for a snowy afternoon. The staff was also extremely attentive and helpful in deciding what to order and what specials were offered. I think it's pretty safe to say I'll be back soon!
(5)
Stacey G.
Excellent goat cheese and fried green tomato bruschetta!!! You must get this when you come here, even if you're just grabbing a drink. Veggie burger sliders were okay. Excellent staff!!
(4)
Victoria S.
This place was a diamond in the rough after running around town all morning. We were leaving to head back to Baltimore, and I wanted a fun cute place for brunch. We came across this place and everything was great as soon as we walked in the door. First of all, the smell was out of this world. Pumpkin, cozy, I just wanted to wrap up in a blanket and stay there all day. The hostess was friendly, and said it would only be a 5 minute wait. We sat in a half booth/table over towards the kitchen. The place was packed with lots of large groups. The cocktails looked awesome. I opted for a bloody mary, which was great! Just the right mix of spicy and kick. For breakfast, we ordered eggs benedict, and the sweet potato hash and salmon, which I LOVED. It was smoked salmon but heated up just the way I like it. Their usual sweet potato hash was tossed with carmelized onions and bacon pieces. It came with a sunny side egg on top which just tied the whole thing together. Everything we saw brought out looked great. The lunch menu looks more comfort food and I wish that was available also because I was not sure if I wanted breakfast when I walked in but I sure was glad I did. Loved the atmosphere.
(4)
Dan D.
The service was better then the pulled pork but maybe that is where I went wrong. After talking to some friends after the fact, I think I need to give this food another shot.
(3)
Sue U.
I didn't know what I was expecting but was definitely pleased with order selection, quality of our drinks and food.
(4)
Jessica W.
We went to Smokin' Betty's to celebrate a friend's birthday. She loves the restaurant and wanted us to try it. We had great service and delicious food. We had an early dinner reservation on a Friday, and it was pretty quiet at that time.
(3)
Melody M.
Just ok. Came in for the famous burger with egg and pork belly. None of the flavors melded. The bread was sort of cheap. Fries were EXCELLENT. Beer selection is great. I wouldn't go out of my way for the burger.
(3)
Flora W.
Smokin Bettys is one of the best burgers in Philly. Their Betty Burger is awesome!! I really like the pork patty inside. And the fries is good as well. The price is really fair cause the giant burger comes with the fries. I know another great burger place Village Whiskey, but their burger is pretty expensive and you should pay for the fries. Must try Betty Burger!!!
(5)
Nina S.
Great spot for brunch. I went recently with a big group of friends and we all had a great time. Their cocktail list is fantastic! I suggest 'The French' The french fries are so worth the extra calories. I got them as a side to my California Turkey Sandwich. The sandwich was large and very filling. I also tried a bit of my friend's Tur-Duck-En Burger and that is delicous too! It's also very reasonably priced compared to other spots in the neighborhood.
(4)
Kim L.
Came here for brunch on Sunday with a fairly large party. I was the first to arrive so I was directed to the bar where I ordered a way overpriced mimosa ($8 for a teeny champagne class filled mostly with OJ? Probably should've gone with a Bloody Mary). My complaints end there though. Our party was seated upstairs as soon as we were all accounted for. Our server was prompt with taking drink and food orders, and was able to help me with my always-agonizing decision of what to have for brunch. Pork belly benedict vs. breakfast burrito?! How do you even choose?! The food offerings here are pretty standard brunch fare, although some dishes do have a creative twist. One of my dining partners had breakfast "tacos", which were basically pancakes serving as the taco shells, filled with savory breakfast goodness such as eggs and cheese. I ended up going with the breakfast burrito and was very pleased with my decision, especially since it involved sriracha (although I wish there were more)! Overall, a great place to brunch as a group because it takes reservations, which I feel is a rarity for brunch in CC, and the upstairs is very spacious so you don't feel like you're going to elbow someone sitting at the table next to you. A solid four stars!
(4)
Kimberly Y.
Their menu is deceivingly delicious, but don't get your hopes up! The food doesn't live up to it. I had the sliders, of which I only liked one. I did appreciate the different sauces though. I remember my friend got the broccoli rabe because she's vegetarian... It was literally a small tree of barely-steamed broccoli with absolutely nothing on it for FOUR DOLLARS! We probably could've made that at home for $0.40. The inside is pretty loud and dark for some reason... was not expecting that from a BBQ place. At least the server was extremely nice for coming outside and taking pictures of us for my friend (Betty)'s birthday! All of us really liked the font for the "smokin' betty's" sign outside, haha!
(2)
Rachel R.
Went here for a dinner with 11 people on a Saturday night with 7 pm reservations. We were seating upstairs promptly by 7:05. The beer selection had a wide range of selections and was unique and fun. I liked how they had Sweaty Betty from Boulder Beer which was like the name of the restaurant. Also because I like the beer. The food was delicious. All of it. We passed around the egg roll cheese steaks and rib bites for apps. I had the tur-duck-en burger after much internal debate. It was heaven! Get this burger. Portions were huge. Prices were moderate. My crazy burger was $13 but they had more normal ones for less. The service was great. Several people helped with our large party. It was a nice day and the windows on the second floor were opened wide which gave a nice breeze. The atmosphere was lively. A new favorite in Philly. I just wish I had room for dessert. They also looked delicious but huge - I'll have to share one.
(5)
Wellington J.
The family and I were up for some bbq. This was closeby and had good reviews from Yelp. I had the turkey dinner, and it was enormous. There was so much turkey!! I barely finished half of the dinner, and it was really tasty. The family enjoyed their dinners too, and service was good
(4)
Kathleen D.
I finally made it out to Smokin' Betty's a couple weekends ago with a party of three. Two of us arrived first and were informed of their strict full-party-before-seating rule. As such, we shuffled over to the bar and ordered a couple cocktails while we waited. The bartender wasn't overly friendly or apparently enthused about his occupation (actually not sure that he even muttered a single word to us?) but he delivered on the drinks. I had the Pink Bogart -- a girly gin-based conconction served in a martini glass that didn't taste much like gin. It might just be the highlight of my visit. My friend also enjoyed her drink, of which I cannot recall the name. Later, once seated (downstairs), we all generally enjoyed our food. I ordered the barbecue sliders trio and a side of mac and cheese. I wouldn't say that any of the dishes were exceptionally exciting in an "I must go back ASAP and eat ________ again right now because it was the best ever!" type of way. But, it was a perfunctory meal. I'd make a return trip if in CC and at a loss for another option.
(3)
Philip R.
Excellent Sunday brunch before theatre! Sunday cocktails, specials and BREAKFAST BURRITO! YUM!
(5)
Gina C.
Smokin' Betty's is a very unique and gorgeous restaurant. I love the large windows that bring in a lot of fresh air and natural light. My husband and I decided to try out their lunch menu and we were not disappointed. We were seated immediately, there seems to be enough space for the lunch rush because they opened up the second floor. Service: very professional and well-informed. He provided us with great recommendations. He was also very attentative without being overwhelming. Food: #1. BBQ sliders: plate arrived with one chicken, one pulled pork and one brisket. I would ask if we could skip the chicken next time (tasted like a canned tomato sauce). The coleslaw was delicious. #2. Mac and cheese "side": we got a large and it was delicious! #3. Tur-duck-en burger: It's slightly misleading because the burger patty is just ground turkey + ground chicken + duck mousse. When you get a taste of the duck mousse, it's incredible but the rest of the patty was pretty dry. However, if you like turkey burgers, you'll love this sandwich. The stuffing is great and the shaved sweet potatoes was a nice touch. I would recommend getting the cranberry sauce on the side because it became a little too overwhelming. Overall experience: Would definitely return. We may even look into their private events since it's such a nice restaurant.
(4)
Jamaica Y.
I'll never go back. My last trip to Smokin' Betty's turned me off for good. We are such fans of the bread pudding that we took an impromptu visit. I asked the type of bread pudding and was told that there was a peanut butter banana bread pudding, but that they were finishing it up and would be on the next batch soon. I happen to dislike peanut butter, and asked if I could have a slice of the next batch. The ridiculous response was that there were four slices of peanut butter banana left, and I could not have a slice of the next one until they were done. Excuse me? Wtf? I broke down and accepted the peanut butter banana, hoping I might like it. It was God awful, and I returned it to the kitchen. I then had to wait for a manager in order to have the uneaten/returned bread pudding removed from my bill. ...and I still couldn't get another slice of bread pudding! Ridiculous. I'm so disappointed to have lost a great dessert spot, but I can't be mistreated at restaurants! Never again.
(1)
Cinthia K.
Decided to come here with some friends during our last night in Philly. The menu was pretty big and it looked like they had quite a number of beers on draft, along with several wines. Despite my being a vegetarian, I was still able to find items to order (a portobello sandwich and some sides shared with my friends). The portions were large and flavorful, the service was attentive. I'd say that this place is a safe bet to go to if you have a large group and you all have big appetites at that particular moment in time.
(4)
Larissa A.
I have been to Smokin' Betty's twice now, both times the food was delicious, the staff super friendly and the drinks tasty. This last time I made a reservation because on a weekend night there is a little bit of a wait but it's worth it. Strongly suggest the BBQ Combo plate, a ton of food for a good price, with one of their local beers. (I think I had the Betty's Blonde, that was really nice with the BBQ) We will be back Betty, see you next time we're in Philly!!!!
(4)
John K.
My favorite - yes my actual favorite - burger in the city lies at Smokin' Betty's - a casual, yet sleek restaurant that totally has the ability to transform itself into a relaxed lounge or an upscale, but unpretentious bar. Better yet, Smokin' Betty's has a wide variety of BBQ-driven options available on their menu, along with affordable prices. Roasted Turkey Platter [$14] Carved turkey breast, southern style gravy, classic stuffing, whipped sweet potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce But before we get to my favorite burger in Philly, let's start with something apropos for this time of year. The GF went with the turkey platter, in anticipation of what was to come in a few weeks. The carved turkey was moist and juicy with a light smattering of gravy atop. The stuffing was rich, hefty, and nicely contrasted with the tart whole cranberries. The whipped sweet potatoes were creamy, light, and actually emanated a sweet potato / pumpkin pie with the additional spice - nice. Betty Burger [$12.95] 1/2 pound sirloin, confit pork belly, avocado, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, roasted garlic aioli, runny sunny side up egg But let's move on to the masterpiece - the piece de resistance if you will. I stumbled upon this Betty Burger within a few months after moving to Philly and I haven't looked back since. I've had this delicious burger close to a dozen times now and I can't recall a time when I didn't enjoy it. And that price! For what's on it - it certainly can't be beat. Requested medium rare- that's exactly how it came. The light brioche bun housed a rich, well-seasoned burger with a nice outer crust. The pork belly confit is fabulous - it should totally be shredded and put on top of fries to make a nice pork belly poutine. The mayo, airy guac, and the fried egg act to create a perfect melange of umami flavors that put this burger over the top. The fries that accompany this gut bomb are crisp and well-seasoned. Heaven. So be sure to head a few blocks off of Restaurant Row and order the namesake burger at Smokin' Betty's. It doesn't hurt to get a few of the sides as well - many of which are less than $5! When the food is great and the drinks are flowing, you're pretty much guaranteed to have a great time.
(5)
Lea T.
Like other Yelpers I was less than blown away by Smokin' Betty's. I had a drink at the downstairs bar where the bartender seemed unenthusiastic and took my menu to give to another patron after I had ordered a drink and wasn't even done looking at it! Is there a shortage of menus behind the bar? Upstairs I joined a group of 10 women who all had to get up and get their own drinks from the bar because apparently we couldn't get the attention from a server on a Wednesday night at 6 pm? The happy hour appetizers all seemed lackluster. My $4 Cheesesteak Eggroll was bland (the side of "smoked tomato jam" just tasted like BBQ sauce), the $6 Grilled Pizza looked depressing, and even the Vegetable Quesadilla was unappetizing ($3 is SO cheap, but I'd rather pay $5-6 for better food). Fortunately the space is comfortable and classy, but I wouldn't return based on the poor service and poor food. Smokin' Betty's could have some real potential if they got it together and offered some comforting soul-food but for now it just falls short of being memorable.
(2)
Majlinda K.
Smoking Bettys you have been so good to me every trip, it's a shame it took me so long to write a review! This place is really neat and shockingly not very crowded so you can always find a table here. We came here on a Sunday night and they were showing the eagles game in one of the rooms. They have your standard comfort food and healthy salad options that won't break your bank. Last time I was here I got the mahi-mahi tacos and they were absolutely delicious. They were very flavorful and came with a side of rice and beans. We got a pitcher of pomegranate sangria to go with our food and it went quite well with the tacos. They have some awesome happy hour specials here too so definitely come check it out!
(4)
Grace R.
Love Smokin Betty's! Always comes through with great menu that tastes great! I have been here twice with really large groups and they were not only very accommodating but everyone was happy with their meal-- which is almost impossible I think. Definitely would recommend!
(5)
Felicia C.
I've had Restaurant Week dinner at Smokin' Betty's, and it was ok. They're food is very...specific. With artsy, sometimes strange, preparations. But the fried green tomato appetizer was fantastic. Whenever I order out from Smokin' Betty's for lunch, I always order the fish tacos. They are better than fish tacos anywhere else. So fresh and plentiful (3 tacos for about $14), with sweet mango slaw and crema. No cheese or anything else that does not belong on a fish taco.
(4)
Jo C.
Was intrigued by the tur-duck-en burger on the menu. It was a huge burger with ground turkey, duck & chicken layered with stuffing, gravy & cranberries. It was delicious but too much to eat. Nice selection of local & popular beers. Service was quick & efficient. My spouse ordered the chicken & ribs covered with bbq sauce and he said that was good. Didn't have room to try desserts.
(4)
Abigail M.
Thoroughly mediocre, in need of acoustic remediation. We went to Smoking Betty's without a reservation. The hostess was great and the wait was short. We started with cocktails (I had a Pink Bogart) and crab cake sliders (the special). My cocktail was not quite cold enough, lacked flavor, and thoroughly disappointing (especially for $11). No pretty garnish or sugared rim (which would have helped). The crab cakes looked pretty (nice plating), but were flavorless (they were described as having a spicy remoulade- not sure what their definition of spicy was, but I couldn't tats anything- not onion, capers or hot sauce). I had the pulled pork sandwich. Nice smoky smell and tender meat, but again, little flavor (not vinegary not sweet). The fries and coke were the best part of the meal. The service was completely mediocre, and the restaurant was EXTREMELY loud (needs acoustic remediation/ panels). Food was reasonably priced.
(3)
Hali R.
Turduckhen burger was amazing. I paired it with a beermosa. Omg this place is so good. I came for dinner one night and brought my boyfriend back for brunch the same weekend. I love this place! I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Jennifer R.
This place has a ton of charm. I want to come back and try some of the fancy burgers they got going on. I however got a pulled pork sandwich and honestly, it wasn't the best. I figured that was the way to go being at a BBQ place but it was pretty dry and not too fresh in flavor. We came for lunch on a Tuesday for work though, so I wouldn't expect that to be the best time. They had some innovative drinks, menu items and decor though so they're definitely doing a lot of things right...just not pulled pork on a tuesday afternoon.
(4)
Alex H.
Delicious food! Had the bbq combo, dry rub rib and bbq chicken. Cooked to perfection. Katie, the server, was a sweetheart. Bulleitproof cocktail was nicceeee...banana peanut butter bread pudding with a hazelnut cocoa ice cream had my arteries working overtime. Luckily, TJU hospital is across the street :-) plenty of healthy choices, it was my cheat day, indulge my friends!
(5)
Amy S.
First of all Seth was an excellent waiter. He made great recommendations and didn't steer us wrong. The mac and cheese was delicious, the buffalo chicken pizza was spicy and cheesy and the riblets with the dry rub AND dipped in the BBQ sauce gave me new life. I want to eat the meal I had here every day for the rest of my life or if I am on death row I will choose this as my final meal (bold statement, I know). We also split a pitcher of the white peach sangria and the bread pudding to top it all off. Everything was excellent. I want to try everything on the menu.
(5)
Jerica D.
After my husband finished planning every detail to our trip to the Philadelphia area, this resturant was located conveniently between the two tourist destinations we visited. Going down the street it's located on, you wouldn't think you would find a nice restaurant but Smoking Betty's is hidden nicely down this rough street. Upon entering during brunch time, we were immediately greeted and seated. There is indoor seating, out door seating, an upstairs and downstairs. Our waiter immediately came over and was so nice. I ordered the BBQ sliders and my daughter ordered one of the smaller burgers. The breakfast food that came out for other tables looked delicious! I also saw that they served mimosas and inquired. I ordered the houses special Fuzzy Mimosa! It was delicious and the best Mimosa I have had!!! My BBQ sliders were ok, but being from the south I've has better BBQ and pulled meat sandwiches. My daughters burger didn't taste that great to me either. Besides the food being just ok, the Mimosa and atmosphere was excellent. This is a really nice restaurant located in the downtown Philly area.
(3)
Luba P.
It's the perfect casual happy hour place to catch up! It has two levels, with exposed brick and a variety of tables. Their food is really delicious, especially the veggie burgers and sweet potato fries. They also do specials for large parties, so it's great for a work happy hour. Yum!
(4)
Center Stage Party Planning ..
HAPPY HOUR MENU WAS SO GOOD... Sangria was a little watered down but the food was AMAZING. I will definitely be visiting again soon!
(5)
Liz O.
This is a solid option if you want to go to brunch. We had a big group of people, and they were able to accommodate us with a reservation. There were actually a lot of open tables; I was surprised it wasn't more crowded. The food was delicious. Everyone at my table loved what they ordered. They didn't have enough coffee brewed, so we had to wait a while for it to be made. And then they didn't have skim or soy milk to put in it. I was a little surprised and disappointed but the coffee was fine black. I would definite come back here to try more of the items on the menu.
(3)
Anne K.
We booked a party of 30 for the private room. The air conditioning broke (on a 95 degree day) and they informed us just a couple hours before the party. We arrived at the restaurant and it was just as warm inside as it was outside. We paid for a party in the upstairs area so we could have our own space and got seated in the main dining area. Our waiter, Mike, was excellent. When we asked for a round of complimentary drinks, the manager approached us and was unkind and defensive. She reluctantly agreed. When they brought out a round of shots they were watered down. The food was good but unfortunately the service was horrible. I will not return and will definitely make sure that I let others know of this horrible experience.
(1)
Shadab S.
Waiter was awesome!! However we had over a party of over 20+ people and the air conditioning was broken. So throughout the whole dinner we didn't complain once up until the end where we asked for a complimented round of shots. Manager reluctantly agreed to it however once we got the shots we got watered down fireballs.... Never again will I return nor will the 20+ co workers of mine.
(1)
Lina S.
They have a decent beer selection and I like the setup for HH. But the food is just Ok and the service is pathetic. I came here for lunch with some coworkers and got the turkey sandwich. I asked for mayo instead of mustard and you would think I was asking to substitute pancakes for the bread. When my sandwich came It had bare bread with a cup of mayo in the side. Really? I understand that people go overboard with substitutions but the kitchen couldn't smear mayo on my bread instead of mustard? Lame. My friend asked if she could get the short rib sandwich on a wrap instead of bread (they have wraps) and the guy almost killed her on the spot. It's called basic customer service.
(2)
Shane J.
A friend took me here for Happy Hour...Let me tell you - I fell in LOVE with this place. I really liked the specials offered during happy hour - $5 drinks and menu items were $4 & $5 respectively. The cheesesteak egg rolls & BBQ chicken were delicious!! The beer list was respectable, and the speciality drinks were tasty. I have been thinking about this place since my visit, I will definitely be back and bring friends so they can see what all the FUSS is about.
(4)
Michael R.
Really, really mediocre food here, folks. Tried a bunch of different things while here with my lady. BBQ Sliders -- sauces were way too sweet. No heat, no vinegar, just tasted like Kraft BBQ sauce. Served on crappy dinner rolls. Chicken and Waffles Sliders -- this was a special. They must have meant especially bad because it was inedible. My waffles were soggy and undercooked, the chicken was dry, tough and mostly dark meat. Very unappetizing in a slider. It came with cranberry sauce which was off to the side -- thankfully -- because you could tell it was from a can. We also had the macaroni and cheese, which tasted more like macaroni and milk. French fries were hand cut but had no flavor or seasoning! Completely forgettable food. I can't speak to the cocktails, but the beer selection was weird and ours tasted flat. Overall, I wanted to like this place as it is really cute, but the food was so bad. Either we hit it on an off night or other reviewers just love bad food.
(1)
Dana S.
Great place for Happy Hour, good variety of options both for drink and apps. I've eaten here twice and the food was great both times. I didn't run into the "full party before you get seated" option but I was also there on a week night. Service was prompt and friendly.
(4)
Lisa G.
Found them on a whim. Great food, atmosphere, kind staff. Grateful to find well made comfort food so close to my mom's hospital. Would highly recommend. Seth, my waiter, was exceptional.
(5)
Lauren S.
I have brought several people here during my visits to Philly and they have all been very satisfied! The food is top notch and the staff is very pleasant. I would definitely recommend making a reservation, especially at busy times and with large parties.
(5)
Megan L.
Skip the cocktails. The food was really good. What I loved is that their vegetarian courses were not an afterthought. They had the largest selection of any bbq place I've seen. Best veggie quesadilla and I enjoyed the risotto.
(4)
Sybille P.
So I decided to knock off another restaurant off of my "Bookmark List" and went to Smokin' Betty's for a late lunch. First of all, finding street parking in that area of town is a bear, so save yourself some time and an ulcer and park in a lot. We had a reservation and was seated by the big windows facing the street. Anyone who's been alive for the past few weeks knows that Philly has been super cold for a while now and today was no different. Why sit us by those windows when, I'm sure you know there's a draft? And there were hardly anyone in the restaurant at the time, but whatevs. When ordering we bypassed the drinks and went straight for the food. For starters we had the cheesesteak egg rolls and the slider trio sans pulled pork, which were good; not outstanding, but good. For the entrees we decided to go with the grilled mahi mahi tacos and the tur-duck-en burger. I specially asked for my fries to be fried hard because of previous Yelp pics. Unfortunately I hated the burger. There was nothing about it that was delicious to me. I didn't even think about asking for something else, so I just swallowed as much as I could. I couldn't even eat the whole meat patty, so I ate the bun and the stuffing. I didn't even bother trying the fish tacos. It was one small piece of grilled fish on a healing bed of cabbage or whatever it was, no thanks. Even after all that we ordered dessert. We ordered a dish of plain vanilla ice cream and the Nutella roll. The ice cream was pretty basic so I have no gripes. The Nutella roll, however... I was deceived. It was a spring roll filled with some chocolate thing with a scoop of chocolate coffee ice cream, though I was told it was hazelnut ice cream. Not what I was expecting at all. I don't know; I thought my experience would have been better. The service was great. Out waitress was super nice, but the food didn't so it for me. Oh well, on to the next.
(2)
Sang D.
Completely bland and mediocre. Dont really understand the positive reviews. The menu was not exciting nor was the food flavorful. For me, just fell flat. Vegetable quesadilla was alright. Burger was bad compared to what you can get for the price at good burger joints. Buffalo chicken sandwich? Trashy. Glad i didnt splurge for BBQ ribs (i bet theyre between poor and average). Also it was too loud. We asked to be moved and it was still too effing loud. Tell your drunk patrons to shut the hell up, theyre ruining everyones dinner.
(2)
Tiffany L.
My bf and I were really in the mood for BBQ, and a friend had previously suggested this place, so we were eager to check it out! I ordered the BBQ ribs and he got the BBQ combo ( which is chicken, your choice of light or dark meat, and 3 ribs). They were SO GOOOOOD! The meat fell off the bone, and I really liked the BBQ sauce. It wasn't too sweet, which I highly dislike, and it had some heat/spice to it as well. Really good. There is outdoor/sidewalk seating for those who want to enjoy their food outdoors, and then there is a small bar and indoor seating as well. The decor is really cute and cozy. I'll definitely be back in the future to try other items! (fyi: Their burgers and salads all looked amazing and HUGE!)
(4)
Ann V.
Loved the BBQ Sandwich Sliders. Loved the Mac N' Cheese. Loved the chalkboard wall displays. Loved the atmosphere Liked the french fries. Liked the wait staff. Disliked the wait to be seated. Good enough for me! I'd go back. Maybe next time i'll try the turducken burger - sounds like it could be quite appetizing.
(4)
Olivia R.
My husband and I can't seem to resist barbecue whenever it pops up as "nearby" on our Yelp app. Hence, we made a beeline for Smokin' Betty's. It's situated on the northwest corner of 11th and Sansom, so there's a lot of nice sunlight coming in during lunch. The seating is open and airy. My long-sleeved shirt kept sticking to the edge of the table, so either the table was not completely wiped clean or the veneer got soft in the sunlight. Our waiter was friendly and kept our drinks full, but wasn't super descriptive when we had a question about the food: "What is a corn souffle?" "It's a souffle made out of corn, and no flour." Okay. I eventually got enough information out of him to decide I'd skip it. I ordered the BBQ sliders as my meal, and my husband ordered the daily special: pulled beef brisket wrap with a with a side of hand-cut fries. The pulled chicken slider tasted a lot like a sloppy joe...that was my first and enduring thought. The pulled beef slider was my favorite because it was tender and had good BBQ sauce on it, but I had to pick out some thick slices of fat before I dug in. The pork was moist, but kinda flavorless and needed more sauce. The buns were potato buns, I think...very soft, a little sweet, and slightly yellow in color. The small side of Carolina slaw (not the creamy variety) was okay...not super flavorful, but added a nice crunch to the sliders. As for my husband's meal, he liked his fries, but didn't seem thrilled with the wrap. Oh well. There was no distinct BBQ style at Smokin' Betty's. They seemed to take a little bit from everywhere, and the flavors we tasted today didn't wow us. Plus, I got the distinct impression that my sliders were made haphazardly...I know sliders aren't intricate gourmet fare, but unequal amounts of meat and sauce kinda tell me that it was a slop job. The food was okay and the service was nice, but we probably won't go back.
(2)
Jim K.
Great BBQ in a great location. I've eaten business lunches here a few times and it's always good. The pulled pork is almost as good as my own - delicious. The interior is rather eclectic and the servers are more so but quite friendly and efficient. This has to be the most "hip" BBQ joint for many miles. I've also had their turkey Reuben. I wish it were a "real" Reuben vs. turkey but for what it is, it was delicious. Excellent sauces and manageable portion sizes. The building is on a corner. In the summer they have huge windows that open up to give you the feeling of sitting on the sidewalk while not having to watch your cellphone or wallet too closely since you're already a couple of feet higher than the sidewalk plus they have open metal screens that come up to table height for the unobstructed view you want while keeping creepy fingers out. Hey, this is Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love. One of my engineers requires vegan choices and has always found something that she likes. If you're in or near center city and have a BBQ craving you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Chirag P.
Did our company party here while we were in Philadelphia. Had a nice private room and a great menu to choose from... try the wings or the cheesesteak spring roll apps. I got the Dry Rub St. Louis ribs as my entree and realized, i'm a fan of actual BBQ sauce, not the dry rub deal, but they were cooked perfectly and did taste great... but even better after I got a side of sauce. Also had the homemade bread pudding for dessert, and it was damn good. I have to give kudos to our server, as we had 45 people in our party and the server at our table (18 of us) was on top of his game... we all had separate credit cards for the drinks and he "magically" kept everyone's CC's perfectly separated and in order... mad props. Overall just a fun place. We hung out there after the majority went home and just had more drinks. They have a crap-load of micro-brews, so give them a try. Overall a good joint for some Philly BBQ.
(4)
Julie M.
I found this place on yelp and decided to give it a try on a Friday night with my friends. I made a reservation, which was a smart decision because the place was crowded and I think there was a waiting time when we got there. Service was very good and food was delicious. Thumbs up for the cheeseteak egrolls! We tried different meats and everything had a very nice and authentic bbq flavor to it. I was surprised because I am used to bbq places being less formal and this place is nice and the food is still amazing. I loved the sangria as well. Will definitely go back!
(4)
David A.
Food was SO bland. I desperately sought out seasoning and nothing helped. Half of the beers on the draft list were no longer available. Bad food + overpriced beer = won't go back.
(1)
CrystalRae S.
Love this place. I first went with a co worker and had a great time at happy hour. The drinks and service were great and the staff was very friendly. I returned with my boyfriend for date night and we both had a blast. Food was great again as was the service. One of my favorite spots.
(5)
Eugene D.
One-issue voter. Sweet potato fries. Best anywhere.
(5)
Monica S.
They've been open for a month or so and already, this place is awesome. I tried them out for lunch today and left completely full and satisfied. I went with the BBQ half chicken and Jill A is totally right, that sauce is finger licking good. So good I even licked my friend's fingers. Then I poured it all over him and- The beef brisket is awesome. Tender, meaty, topped off with what I think is just the jus. Each of these big platters comes with 2 sides and they offer a great selection of standard classics to chose from (mac&cheese, potatoes made sideways and every other way, veggies). The only thing I'd say I wasn't overly impressed with was the cocktail menu. What's missing? Two obviously southern-style drinks come to mind: a Mint Julep and a Sweet Tea cocktail (those are so popular now). Looks like they have a pretty awesome beer selection though. Finished off the lunch gorgefest with a warm blueberry bread pudding. Sweet baby jesus, that thing was awe inspiring and left me wishing I had enough room in my stomach to finish it. With so much to choose from on the menu, you'll need to make a quick return visit to sample the rest of their goods.
(4)
Kemi A.
I had to return here so I can give a proper review. My first time here months ago, I just had drinks and the french fries...this after eating and chatting at Chifa's. So I didn't want to review it then because I didn't really have enough of an experience (tho what I had was good) to write a review. I returned here for drinks with the gf because I already scooped out the happy hour menu during my first visit. We sat by the bar downstairs. the funny thing abut this place is that it always has that "empty look", like no one is there but don't be deceived...because inside it's actually a nice place to meet with a group of people without having to worry about yelling your conversations to each other. Our waitress by the bar was very nice and non-imposing at all. I had the mango drink which was delicious as I love sweet things. I then had the rum punch (which was the special cocktail of the day) that was very good also. We also ordered the dry wings (had the sauce on the side) and the cheesesteak spring rolls...we ordered 2sets actually. Then someone else across the bar ordered the bread budding and was gracious enough to let us taste it....it was delicious ofcourse we ordered our own. Down side was that they didn't have ice cream and I wanted ice cream. Instead we settled for whipped cream. It was really nice and i can def see myself coming back just to chill, have drinks or have a quick dinner bite(try other items on the menu). I def am a fan of the wings, not the best wings in the world but def better than a lot of places.
(4)
Aneesh B.
Pleasantly surprised with the BBQ here. Went for dinner with friends on a Tuesday night so pretty much had the place to ourselves. If you expect piles of paper napkins on the table and gingham-oilcloth tablecloths, you are in for a surprise. Much more of a bbq-boutique-style place, with tasteful decor that is a far cry from picnic-table-grub. Not that there's anything wrong with that; you just won't find it here. I had the brisket platter with green beans and latkes, which were all done well. Friends had the pork spareribs (choose sauce or dry-rub, though my friend chose dry -rub with a side of sauce, which the server indulged), hot dog plate (don't laugh, it was pretty good), grilled pizza, quinoa salad, and veggies. Large portions and tasty food. Big menu with lots to choose; excellent drinks with a good selection of beers/cocktails/wine. Try the French Flower and the Sobieski cocktails. 5 people, $150 plus tip, which I thought was a good deal. I'll go back again when I am in town.
(4)
Adam S.
Betty Burger is unreal. Pork belly, a huge beef patty, a fried egg, lettuce, tomato and avocado... Had to eat with a fork and knife because it was so huge. Delicious. Fries were great as well. There was an issue with our reservation being for 4 instead of 5 but they quickly and without any fuss made a table for 5 for us. Definitely will be back for another colossal burger.
(4)
Roberta M.
We ate here last night before going to the theatre. I made a reservation using Open Table - and guess what, the restaurant gave us a10% discount because I mentioned this was pre-theatre. Who know and how nice. We had burgers which were amazing- and cooked to our specifications. The toppings were generous and we loved every mouthful. We shared a wedge salad first - it was 1/2 head of letteuse- enough for the 4 of us. The service was courteous and prompt and all the other main courses being served around us looked fabulous. We would definitely come here again. Very moderately priced too.
(4)
Noheli T.
I went to Smokin' Betty's last night and it was just loud! My friend and I were seated upstairs and and it was as if a cheerleading squad was there because you had to yell to talk to the person across from you. The party seated next to us was all over the place and kept getting up and moving around in an already crammed space, which became very annoying. My friend and I just ordered some beers and split a quesadilla, which was good but greasy. Overall the place was pretty good but I'll have to try it again when the noise level is a little bit more bearable
(3)
Sean M.
Went out to catch up with a good friend i hadn't seen in a while. The atmosphere and decor is great although it was a bit noising during happy our as the evening progressed things died down a bit. Phenomenal music selection throughout the whole meal which isn't something I always notice but it stuck out. The BBQ Slider appetizer was decent but the grilled cheese sandwich was awesome with delicious sweet potato fries! Great spot for a fun night out with friends or a date!
(4)
Aleks K.
Ate brunch here before the holidays right after they opened one day. I had a delicious Cobb salad, my best friend had Eggs Benedict - as always. My salad was definitely worth having again and the eggs got a good review. Our significant others did not fair so well - a botched order for one and some halfway decent sliders for the other. Our waiter was not very helpful and didn't know the specials. We asked about the waffle of the day and were told it's "probably banana pecan". Probably? Ok. We ordered a stuffed French toast as a shared dessert and it was meh. Coffee tasted burnt. Overall, I wouldn't eat here again.
(3)
Kimberly T.
We came to Philadelphia for a weekend of touristy wandering, and just happened upon Smokin' Betty's on one of our outings. It was early on a Friday afternoon, so not quite happy hour time (5-7pm), but we decided to have a drink anyway. My husband and I decided to split a pitcher of Sangria - which while it had potential to have been really good, was not. The bartender took a perfectly good looking mixture out of the fridge and doused it with carbonated water, and then served it. Without mixing. Or stirring; resulting in the first three quarters of the pitcher being oddly watery. The last glass or so at the bottom of untouched goodness was perfectly tasty, so I hope they stick with that for the future!
(3)
Nicole W.
Picture it: a stormy rainy night.. sheets of water pouring down on you and your friends.. thunder and lightening in yo face. Everyone is from out of town, and we can barely see the street signs to find our restaurant. Yeah, that was the story of the Brave 9 that eventually made it to Smokin Betty's. Enough about us- this place is AWESOME! Once we arrived the staff was immediately helpful-- giving us towels to dry off with (yes, we looked like we'd just exited the swimming pool). The service continued to be EXCELLENT, and the wait staff deserves the recognition. The food lived up to the reviews- and I wanted to order almost everything off the menu. What I settled with was PULLED BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICH w sweet potato fries. Ordered some crispy onion rings for the table.. and finished it off with the bread pudding. As a critic of all things bread pudding- let me tell you-- this was delicious! Moist, sweet, and full of berries (different, but I liked it!). PLEASE VISIT, AND ENJOY! :)
(4)
Colleen M.
Came here because of Yelp Cocktail Week. Loved my Berry Betty. There was also a pretty decent beer list and the fries were good too. The prices seemed about average for Center City,or perhaps a little on the high end because we decided to leave and hit up LVL once Happy Hour was over. The place is cute, it needs a more visible sign outside however. I didn't know what I was looking for and passed it once. Maybe it's my poor eyesight, even with glasses on, but I wasn't immediately sure I had found it because the etching on the door is not visible enough from the opposite side of the street. Have to mention that the service good too. I'd give this one another shot -- maybe next time I'll get dinner. :)
(3)
Kristin W.
We stopped by for an early girls' night out and got in right before happy hour ended at 7pm when an assortment of drinks and appetizers are available for ~$4. We tried the Sangria (reasonably strong), the tasty Veggie Quesadillas (tasty combination of cheese and onions), and Hand Cut Fries (nice balance of crisp and soft) Also, a shout out for awesome service - the bartender took care of us superbly even though we weren't right by the bar and checked in frequently to make sure that we didn't need anything without being over-bearing.
(4)
Troy S.
The pulled pork was fantastic. Nicely sauced and with a bit of crisp without dryness. Well made cocktail, too. Delicious place.
(5)
Feygens S.
Great Atmosphere!! Food was great! I had the dry ribs w/ mac & cheese. Well done like how I like it. Staff was nice and the music was cool. I heard the bus boy made the music selection for the night and was playing nothing but classic Hip Hop. DOPE! I will recommend this spot and will go again when in town. Thumbs UP!
(4)
Nicole C.
The food was really really good. I had the BBQ sliders which are a trio of three types of briskets. The ambiance was dark and cozy but upscale. Our waitress was kinda rushing us and seemed interested, but the rest of the staff was very friendly! Must have just had an off night! Would definitely go backl
(4)
Jacqueline L.
I came to dinner at Smokin' Betty's on a double date and I was happily surprised. Based on some of the reviews, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy my meal or the place in general but I did! After walking in I was immediately happy with the ambiance and feel of the place. I was expecting a super casual BBQ joint but the decor gave off a bit of a trendy/hip feel to it which I enjoy when I make an effort to get dressed and go out to eat! It is by no means over the top but the lighting was fun and overall I was happy with the appearance of the joint. For dinner, I got the pulled pork sandwich, the boyfriend got the BBQ salmon, and the other couple got the sliders and the Smokin' Betty burger. The pulled pork and other sliders were great (except the chicken was bland) and the burger was gigantic and had an egg on it (anything with an egg on it is A-OK in my book). The only average entree was my boyfriend's salmon, which he said was good, but nothing special, just simple. Sides were all enjoyable (Mashed sweet potatoes tasted like pumpkin pie and the mini corn bread muffins were cooked nicely as well). I've already recommended this place to some of my friends who are into BBQ with a twist!
(4)
Sandra W.
I visited for a happy hour and the food was delicious. Delicious corn muffins. Everything I had ( or sampled from friends) was really tasty. There is a second floor with a full bar so probably a great place to try on a weekend night when other places might be too crowded. Can't vouch for that, just a thought. I'd recommend it for sure.
(4)
Amy R.
Just delicious!!! A true find. The food was great. Great selection of alcohol. The atmosphere's fun. Can't think of a bad thing to say!! YUMMMMYYYYY!!!!
(4)
john m.
When am I going to learn?!?! A friend once told me not to go to a restaurant to try their Restaurant Week menu because often times the food seems mass produced. Makes sense... and it really seemed that way last night. I went to SB with my wife last night for Restaurant Week. We were both really excited because we checked out the menu beforehand. On paper, it seemed so promising. Upon arriving, I really dug the vibe... modern, but not too pretentious... not too noisy with the right amount of background noise. Here's what I got: 1st course... Oyster Po'boy Sliders... really did nothing for me at all. It felt like I was eating mini Big Macs with a leaner meat. It didn't taste bad at all... just had nothing to really make it stand out. 2nd course... Fried Green Tomato salad... again, did nothing for me at all. The salad and side dressing had no flavor at all. Come to think of it... the fried tomato seemed to not really have any flavor at all. 3rd course... Beef Short Rib with creamy polenta, broccolini with roasted mushroom jus... ok, this was awesome. It was hearty, comforting and delicious. The short rib was as it should be, so tender you could cut it with your fork, Good stuff... 4th course... Chocolate Dipped bacon with Caramel corn... this was probably the biggest disappointment of the night. What we got was definitely not what we thought we were going to get. I thought it would be more refined, but it was literally bacon dipped in chocolate over caramel corn. I thought it would at least be chocolate covered bacon crushed up and sprinkled over caramel corn... nope... just my preference though. As for our waiter... I don't even remember his name. I don't even know if he told it to us. A lot of the time, there would be an empty glass on the table and I'd have to flag him down to ask him for something. He was nice, but didn't seem overly attentive. With all of the hundreds of restaurants in the area, I won't be going back to SB. I didn't have anything that made me want to go back. On the plus side, my wife really enjoyed her meal. Me, not so much!!!
(2)
Curt S.
Great sevice! Excellent waiter
(5)
Valerie M.
I'll refrain from simply saying that it's smokin' and will expand upon my verbal abilities to dig deeper into why this is likely my favorite underrated bar in the city. First up: sweet potato fries. I love them, and I would marry them if it weren't weird. In fact, I might get over that judgement someday and just go for it. I love pretty much everything on the menu, and find that the specials are always delicious. Brunch is excellent, lunch is great, and happy hours and dinner never disappoint. The strangest thing about this place is that it never seems to be crowded. I have never waited for a table, and have enjoyed a great deal of immediate walk up bar service....which I love. So what's the bottom line? Go there. Eat, Drink, and be Merry.
(5)
Steven L.
I took a trip to Philadelphia for a wedding and was extremely excited to stop by Smokin Betty's for their famous Turduken Burger. I took the train into center city and walked the few blocks from the market to the restaurant. Upon my arrival I noticed how nice the interior of the restaurant looked. For a comfort food place it looked rustic but upscale. The wait staff was very polite though my waiter did take a while to come talk to me for the first time. I was also excited by the large craft beer selection and quickly ordered a nice Blonde Ale. A few minutes later I ordered my turduken burger with a side of sweet potato fries. After staring at the burger for a bit once it arrived I cut it in half and dug right in. So for those who do not know, a turduken is a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken filled with stuffing, so a turduken burger has all the meats cooked together and the rest of Thanksgiving as toppings. I will say that I have not eaten many turkey burgers in my day, usually I am beef all the way, but I would imagine that this patty tasted very similar to a normal turkey burger. I would say that the difference would be a richer flavor because of the duck fat but if I hadn't known I would have just thought it was a traditional turkey burger. Did this make a difference? Absolutely not! The burger patty was full of flavor and dripped juices right down my arm. This burger was a Thanksgiving meal on a bun. A fluffy and flavorful bun, just like the rolls you normally get on the big day. Beneath the patty was a layer of stuffing and gravy topped with melted cheese. Generally I find stuffing pretty dry and boring but add gravy and cheese to it and you've got a party! Now I know a new stuffing recipe to try out. On top of the patty was a wonderful cranberry chutney. Adding the tang and sweetness to cut through all the rich flavorings of the dish. Truly a perfect addition to the burger and definitely not what you get from the can. Last but certainly not least, fried sweet potato chips, adding the final delicious crunch to the meal. There is only one word to describe this burger...epic. I kept cutting it down to make it last longer because I didn't want it to end. So many flavors dancing around on my palette and all in harmony. It really was Thanksgiving in each and every bite! The most prominent flavor was the cranberry chutney so if you don't like cranberries you may not like this dish but then again you may love it. All in all a really well designed entree and one that I would go back to again and again over some of my favorite beef burgers. You probably are thinking, what about the fries. Well no need to worry, they were also pretty great. I have never eaten thick cut sweet potato fries but I was not disappointed. These fries were crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside like potato wedges. Not too greasy but with just enough to add the needed flavor. A really great side dish to a Thanksgiving burger. I will say though that every time I get sweet potato fries I am hoping for a dipping sauce. A brown sugar and cinnamon aioli to be specific, but I never seem to get it. I just can't get behind dipping them in ketchup. Next time you are in Philly, check out Smokin Betty's, get the Turduken burger, and plan to be full for a long time. Probably not the best idea right before a wedding but I toughed it out. Overall Review: 8/10 myfoodventures.blogspot.…
(4)
nicole e.
Went here last night. The service was fairly terrible. They didn't bring us little appetizer plates and we had to ask 2 times. The quesadilla appetizer was messy and we needed them for sure. The food looked very nice but the deliciousness does NOT reflect the prices. I had the fish tacos for 13$. It was more like a fish taco wrap. It was just okay. i wouldnt say it tasted bad but it wasnt anything special. Also, it just came with a tiny bowl of canned black beans with little pieces of pineapple on top. again, nothing special. someone with me got the turkey sandwich for 11$. NOT worth 11$ although, it was very big. it did not come with a side. just an 11 dollar sandwich. the kitchen closes at 10 and they wouldnt even serve us dessert at 10:07pm. lame. also, there was a really weird karaoke thing happening but nobody cared. the place was pretty empty at 10:15pm when we left. the establishment itself is very nice. just too expensive and not very delicious.
(2)
Joan V.
Just ok. Went here after a busy center city shopping day. Had the waldorf sandwich which I enjoyed. My DD had the riblettes which she did not like at all and she is a big ribs fan. She described "too much blubber, no meat". DH had a draft beer recommended by our server as the one on the menu he wanted was unavailable. He said the one she recommended was nothing like the one that was on the menu. He did not enjoy it at all. We were seated downstairs which I thought had no ambience or character at all. Felt rushed out by our server. Won't be in hurry to go back. There are plenty of other center city establishments to enjoy.
(3)
Vince C.
Server was fantastic. Food was as ordered and when bacon came out slightly undercooked for someone's taste they happily crisped it. Food was delicious and prepared quickly even though our party was quite large. Well done!
(5)
Wei T.
Went here for brunch, today. It was surprisingly good! Went around 12 and there was no wait - that's always a plus when going for brunch. I ordered the smoked salmon with sweet potatoes... delicious. The only thing keeping this from a 4 star review is the service; although I'm stereotypically impatient, this place is painstakingly slow. Overall, great meal! Oh, this time, the waitress was really nice. : )
(3)
Janine L.
Came across this restaurant while searching for a venue close to the Forrest Theater; although I did not dine there the evening of my show, I was intrigued by the menu and thrilled with the pricing to give it a try last night. Decorated in warm colors and small eatery gives a cozy and inviting feeling. The bathrooms could use a little work - not the cleanest and only one working sink - but like that I did not have to go into a basement to use them (on the main floor). The menu is simple yet good for foodies with unique items like he Tur-Duk-en Burger and their amazing smoked tomato jam, which I requested on the side for my macaroni and cheese. Was surprised to learn Devil's Alley and Smokin' Betty's was owned by the same person. But once learned it made sense and the menus use the same lay-out, some of the items are similar and the sinks outside of the batroom should have been my dead give away. As Devil's Alley is a favorite for my husband and me, and the food here was pretty good, plus we loved the pricing, we will definately be returning; most likely with my father so the boys can enjoy a flight of the unique beers they keep on tap.
(4)
Nik B.
Grilled chicken wings. all.day .long. I like my wings like I like my...nothing makes sense. Forget it. I like my wings grilled, and Betty does it right. These beautiful babies come out looking scrumptious. Charred from the grill? Yes, please. Crispy, perfect wing dimensions. Silly good. The sauce on the side is from above. I don't know what it is, but I'm alright with that. Blind love. The draft brewser list is great. Curveball: They offer a beer flight. Take that, wine. I went for it. The cool thing about the beer flight is that you're in the driver's seat. Pick 4 beers, it's that simple. Once you find a keeper, place the order post-flight and you're dialed in. Laid back ambiance. Borderline hipster upstairs with the mega chalkboard and contemporary furniture. Not sure who was in control of the music...but they were laying it dowwwwn. With my friend, bobbing my head, crushing my wings, enjoying my beer, loving my life.
(4)
Anthony W.
I finally got down to Betty's this is a cool spot. It has large bay windows and I think a couple of tables outside. A mix of seating inside ranging from lounge couches to plush booths, small tables, and of course there's the bar (upstairs and downstairs). The atmosphere is a mesh of upscale casual sophistication with many young professionals. Rather than a meal I got a couple of appetizers (cheesesteak springrolls and buffalo chicken meatballs) and split a pitcher of sangria. The sangria was MIGHTHY TART so the bartender was kind enough to add a couple of things to kill the harshness. The service was great. We got a booth despite having a small party because it was during a down time. The springrolls and meatballs were CRIMINAL in how FEW they were. More appeteaser than appetizer. They tasted great though! I could snack on each all day. The sauce really had a punch in it. With each bite it was right in my nose, but at the same time it wasn't too spicy. That means it was done right. Had a great time. I'd love to come back with a larger group and try a full entree. It was about as lively as I'd expect for a Friday evening. Also, it's an excellent addition to Market East.
(4)
Daniel Z.
Pros: The Betty Burger was really REALLY good! It will clog your arteries, but sometimes it's worth the risk. Cons: The service was so-so. And the restrooms were dirty.
(3)
Kara L.
I had my wedding in Philly and chose to have my rehearsal dinner here since it was close to the Loews Hotel. To be honest, I had not tried this place prior to my rehearsal, so it was a bit of a toss-up. The restaurant really worked with me to customize my rehearsal dinner menu. They were extremely helpful in helping me keep within my budget, and gave me insightful suggestions for food options. The overall bill was reasonable and I was completely able to stay within my set amount. We rented the upstairs, which comfortably fit my entire party (about 50 people). The appetizers we chose were amazing. Our guests could not stop raving about the cheese steak egg rolls, mini pizza and fried green tomato bruschetta appetizers. The wait staff was very attentive and helped to cater to our guests' needs. Though I was too nervous to eat much myself, every item that my family/friends ordered was a hit. I got a lot of "A+'s" from the cheddar burger and french fries. I definitely will be hitting this restaurant up again next time I'm in Philly. The only negative (and it's really not a negative because it's out of anyone's control) is that it was really loud from the other tables/bar area which was right next to the private dining area.
(4)
Kelly P.
strawberry lemonade, mmm! red pepper hummus, mmm! buffalo chicken quesadilla, m---- wait, is that bacon? yuck. loud as hell upstairs. -- what's that you say? i said: IT'S LOOOOUD UPSTAIRS. cute servers.
(4)
Stephanie S.
I was there this past weekend with my fiance. He got the ribs, which came with french fries. I got the Caesar salad with chicken and some potato latkes. Initially, I had asked for a cherry coke, no ice because that's what I always order to drink. They said they had no cherry coke. I'm like, hello? You have a full bar? Don't you have Grenadine... but I decided to drop it, and just drink plain coke. Then the food came out. My salad had several brown leaves of lettuce. The chicken just looked like boiled chicken that had absolutely no flavor whatsoever. I guess if you just wanted protein of some sort, it would've been okay, but if you wanted flavor, you were shit out of luck. There was also hardly any salad dressing on the salad. The potato latkes were burnt and tasteless. My fiance's ribs, he said, were good. The fries, however, were caked in grease. The prices were kind of meh. If the salad would've cost more, I'd be much more pissed. Also, considering this was about 5pm on a Saturday and there were only 2 other tables, kind of raises a red flag. Most likely won't be coming back.
(2)
Kate W.
Cool little joint. I came for Yelp cocktail week, sat at the bar around 5pm when it wasn't busy yet, and had the Berry Betty which was good - nothing shockingly awesome about it but it's a solidly good drink. For my super-late lunch/way-too-early dinner, I had a small salad to start - which came covered in dressing... I usually hate that, but it surprisingly didn't bug me this time because it didn't taste like too much even though it looked it. Then I went with the bbq sliders and a side of grilled veggies. The sliders were good, not a ton of food but with the salad & veggies I had more than enough. I was shocked to find the pulled pork to be so. incredibly. boring. - I thought it would be my favorite but instead I almost didn't even bother to finish it! The brisket was great, hearty and meaty. But winner winner chicken dinner without a doubt - the bbq chicken was awesome! And the cole slaw that it comes with was citrus-y/vinegar-y with celery seeds, no mayo at all (the best surprise all night!) and it was delish!!! If I could get a giant side of cole slaw to go, I would.
(4)
Lee G.
We went to this place for lunch and have been back several times. The best is the pulled pork sandwich. It is moist and the sauce is evenly distributed. I've tried the french fries and the sweet potato fries and both were delicious. The only dissapointment so far is the pulled chicken. It was dry and not very flavorful.
(4)
Justin C.
Not worth a return trip. Got the signature burger here. Was a mess, was way over ( asked for med rare got well done), and was too busy ( couldn't get one bite that had all the ingredients on it). The service, as I read was lackluster. Could not read the specials board as another table had been sat right in front of it. Got sat near drafty windows. Sweet potato fries were okay but not uniformly cooked so some were perfect, some were overdone, and some still raw. I should have listened to the "yelps" an not the Zagat rating on this one!
(2)
Amber M.
Strawberry Lemonade was bang-ing, might be my new favorite. Sangria was a little boring and basically I should have ordered another lemonade haha. Overall, I think this place is super cool. Love the layout and there's plenty of space. Cool spot to hang out after work for drinks/appetizers or for something more intimate/cool to get to know each other better (wink). Waitstaff were quick and effective. Smokin!
(5)
Melissa J.
This place has a great atmosphere and vibe. I have only experienced happy hour, so I have not had any entrees. The starters are delicious, specifically the sliders and cheesesteak eggrolls Their drinks are also great, I love the pomegranate martini. They sometimes have music too. The only negatives are it is very small and dark, and sometimes the service is a tad slow.
(4)
Erin S.
"Love it here! Great atmosphere and love the happy hour specials. Servers are super friendly and prices are reasonable."
(4)
Kenneth C.
Smokin' Betty's was a small place that we found after searching for a restaurant to go to after a beerfest. The main criteria being the menu had to be more on the comfort food side, the drink menu had to be extensive and they needed to be able to accept a large group. While I was not overly thrilled with the beer menu (a bit lacking in selection) the food was phenomenal!! I had the beef brisket sandwich and a number of the group had the pulled pork, on top of that we split a few orders of mac and cheese. My sandwich was amazing and those that had the pulled pork raved as well, the mac and cheese went quicker than I have ever seen. All in all we ended with a great dinner and drinks for relatively cheap for center city dining.
(5)
Thom K.
I've been there four times now. The first time was just after they opened. I was excited, since Devil's Alley is one of favorite places during the work week. I felt like I was "catching them at a bad time". So, I chalked it up to start-up, growing pains. However the other three return visits, the last being just two weeks ago...proved to be similar experiences. When I go out to eat, I want to feel welcomed and appreciated. I want my meal to be a tasty value. And, I want the atmosphere to be inviting. I've not experienced that yet with Smokin' Betty.
(2)
Stacey R.
My husband and I were looking for last minute reservations for Center City restaurant week, and this place was one of the few that had an opening with a decent-looking menu. Luckily we were not disappointed! It was $35 for a generous four course menu which included appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered; out of eight things brought out not one was a miss. I think the highlights were the chicken and waffle sliders, pumpkin soup, pork ribs and sticky toffee pudding. I ordered some fruit thing for dessert because I thought I would be too full for something more decadent. Rookie mistake! If a choice is sticky toffee pudding, then son, go with the pudding. Beer, wine and cocktail selection was also great. We don't find ourselves in this neighborhood very often, but we would happily go back.
(4)
Kevin S.
I had a lot of fun at Smokin' Betty's! Its got a great atmosphere, the service was fantastic. They had a great selection of beers, always a plus in my book. I loved the huge chalkboard menus! The bathrooms were clean and inviting. I didn't eat here, just a few drinks one evening. However, I am left with nothing negative to say! I'm looking forward to having some lunch here one afternoon!
(4)
Jan T.
We stopped into Smokin' Betty's on a business trip the other day and were pleasantly surprised. While the restaurant bills itself as barbeque, the decor is more hip and urban, with blackboards, warm colors, booths, and a surprising amount of metal on the walls. Not your usual bbq joint, but then this is the North and a fancy city. The beer menu here is extensive, offering microbrews from parts foreign and domestic, including several local Philly beers. Good selection overall. The menu is kind of interesting. There are only a very few barbeque dishes on there, albeit many dishes can have bbq sauce added. A colleague of mine and I both went with the Betty Burger, a huge but delicious concoction of 1/2 lb of beef, a piece of pork belly, avocado, cheese, and veggies, accompanied by either regular or sweet potato fries. Delicious but big, it serves to fill one up for a busy night ahead. Service was very good, with the only issue being that the restaurant was very warm (it being a 100+ degree day), so a bit more air con could have helped. Also, the fact that the specials board was half blocking the steps on the way down after dinner could be construed as a hazard or some form of sobriety test. Would visit again.
(4)
Hiu Ting C.
I've been here many times and the food never disappoints. I'm a fan of the fish taco entree, it comes with black beans and rice but I don't care for either. The rice and beans seems to be undercooked and it's been consistent so I guess they do it on purpose. I also like their waldorf chicken salad sandwich...it is sooooo good. Their sweet potato fries and cheesesteak springrolls are amazing too. Drinks specials during happy hour is pretty decent. Go there.
(4)
E. A.
Service was great. Prices are decent, especially considering the portion sizes. Location and decor are cool as well. What's lacking is a focus on food. It seems like the greasy basics like ribs and loaded burgers are the tastiest things here, but everything else is pretty middling. It's not hard to make fat taste good, so I can't really get on board with this place. Saturday night dinner and the place was mostly empty. Three of us ordered a few beers, the Betty burger, the po' boy special, a cobb salad, and a large mac & cheese. Mac & cheese was nothing to write home about. It's creamy with crunchy breadcrumbs on top. The dominant flavor was onion+black pepper, rather than cheese, or, say, macaroni. The cobb salad also lacked flavor. None of the individual ingredients were particularly tasty, and the dressing didn't have enough pep to bring it all together. The greens obviously came from a bagged salad mix, the avocado was underripe... meh. I love me a good cobb salad..this wasn't one. Betty burger looked crazy good...but then anything with pork belly and a fried egg on it looks good. Beware (or rejoice) the absolutely enormous portions. The large mac & cheese was enough for three adults to each have a helping or two. Oyster po' boy was the size of three or four normal sandwiches. So maybe share an entree, or go in with a healthy appetite, or just be prepared to carry home some leftovers.
(3)
Eric N.
As a college student it's hard to find affordable meals that satisfy my gourmet craving. Smokin' Betty's is the place I've been searching for. It's amazing menu that has everything making you drool. My first time there I had a Betty burger because I thought, "I might as well try their signature burger". It was phenomenal and superb. If you're ever in Philly and want a nice sit down gourmet meal specializing in comfort food, then I recommend Betty's!
(5)
Hannah K.
Heard some decent reviews about this place so I went here for lunch today. I ordered the Betty burger, while my sister got the Tur-Duck-En burger. We opted to get the $4 bucket of fries, & the side of macaroni & cheese (which the waitress suggested). The food came fairly quickly. The Betty burger was huge. a 1/2 pound sirloin burger, confit pork belly, guacamole, cheddar cheese, lettuce, roasted garlic aioli & fried egg. Cooked medium rare, the burger was hard to eat but so worth it. My sister's Tur-Duck-en burger seemed pretty good too. Stuffed with homemade stuffing, southern style gravy, & a side of homemade cranberry sauce. She seemed to really enjoy it. The fries were lack luster, and the macaroni & cheese was standard. The waitress was friendly, but didn't bother to refill our cups with water. The menu seems similar to Devil's Alley but in all a positive first experience.
(3)
Grace F.
Always really delicious BBQ and the Mac N Cheese is A-mazing! The prices are great...I leave satisfied everytime. I would take off half a star b/c I have had better BBQ--but overall, just a delicious meal and a great place!
(5)
Pira T.
I came here to try Turducken sandwich because I saw it on foodnetwork. It was very disappointing. Didn't taste good. and other food is just average for the price I paid for.
(2)
Rick A.
I was pleasantly surprised when I ate at Smokin Betty's. The BBQ was great and so was the sauce. I am not sure if they make it themselves but it was a thin and sweet sauce which goes well on everything. It is the complete opposite of the bottled sauce you get in a store which is thicker than Ketchup. They also a a great selection of beers from all over the country so if you are a fan of meat and beer check this place out.
(5)
Steph D.
I went here for restaurant week, and I was extremely impressed. During restaurant week, I usually expect really great food, just in tiny portions. The first course was one crabcake slider, which was ok, but what I was expecting. The second course was a butternut squash bisque with candied pumpkin seeds...Awesome! It was so good. For the main entree, I was really surprised. I ordered the beef short ribs, expecting a little turd of meat on the plate, and it came out with 2 huge steaks of it, plus delicious cheesy potatoes, and steamed broccoli. The dinner was enough for my next day's lunch and dinner. For dessert I had the maple peach cobbler and it was awesome.. Again, served me for two meals. Overall I was very pleased! Awesome hostess, waitress, bartender, and manager. The beer selection was great (though their 60-minute IPA only comes in 10oz, which I don't understand). Food was awesome and I definitely want to go back and try their regular menu.
(4)
Zoe P.
When one of your close friends is a Texan, finding great or even good bbq north of the Mason Dixon Line becomes nigh impossible. She and her bf had a recent disappointing bbq experience and were eager to find a good place in CC. We went to Smokin' Betty's on a Saturday evening, arriving at 7pm and discovering a mostly vacant restaurant. The interior is quite nice, we got a glimpse of the ground floor before being seated upstairs where a few other parties were already dining. Lots of dark stained wood, a sort of chic, modern take on a barbeque shack (just nowhere near what a 'shack' looks like). On the suggestion of a number of Yelpers, we shared the grilled chicken wings with Sam's Famous Bbq Sauce. The wings were super juicy while still bearing grill marks, and the sauce was a nice sweet but tangy recipe. The pasta salad it comes with was peppery and fresh by comparison. My bf and I decided to share things and to maximize the menu we ordered the trio of bbq sliders, which comes with a crisp vinegar based coleslaw, and a half rack of St. Louis style ribs with their spicy dry rub and sides of broccoli rabe (can't F that up) and flourless corn pudding (yummy! and on the sweet side). They are not kidding about that dry rub, it's SPICY! But very enjoyably so. The sliders were also tasty, although the bottom buns were half soaked with juices by the time the dish arrived. The pulled meats were tender and the bbq sauces flavorful - the pork was my favorite, the brisket was my bf's, and the chicken was really great but just not as good. Our friends had the pulled pork sandwich (entree sized of what we had) with a side of the mac and cheese, and the Betty's Burger with sweet potato fries, and I swear the entire contents of that plate disappeared waaay before I was halfway through my food - in other foods, finger-f-ing-lickin' good! Our friends love mac and cheese (and have been trying to find their favorite in Philly), but I don't think this version lived up to their expectations - although they did consume the entire small portion :D There was so much food, it was a true feat that we finished. Afterwards, we didn't want to see meat in any amount or form for awhile. Seriously, it's the next day and I don't want to eat meat, the thought makes me nauseous. But this was good bbq, so it was totally worth it - and the price was very reasonable too! We plan on continuing to try more bbq places in Philly, but we can add Smokin Betty's to the list of tried and true places for a good, reasonable meal - with a lot of meat!
(4)
Mary S.
Loved it! I went for the first night of Center City Sips last night and we had a blast! When we arrived there weren't a ton of people in the restaurant so we were offered whatever seats we wanted. We chose a table by the huge open windows that face the overpass bridge from Jefferson- such a great decision because as we drank, we realized that if you watch the bridge between buildings, there's definitely a possibility for a drinking game, or bingo via the variety of people walking along. Doctor! Nurse! patient in a gurney! you get the idea. As far as SB's itself, we only ate and drank from the Sips menu, but it was all awesome. The cheesesteak spring roll and the wings were especially of note. Our waitress had a ton of tables, and at first I think she was a bit out of it, but eventually she got her game face on and handled everyone quite well. I will definitely return here for Sips or just a meal in the future, as the decor, food, and bev. are all great. the bathrooms upstairs are coed (private doors) with a shared sink, which is confusing as your BAL goes up- so just know that much going in.
(5)
Jess M.
Stopped in yesterday afternoon for brunch with friends. Much of the menu sounds delicious, but needing more than just cards for breakfast (pancakes, specialty waffles & French toast), I went with the Country Gravy & Biscuits with sweet potato hash. What a good decision that was, especially considering I normally choose the breakfast burrito wherever I'm at. The gravy was creamy and flavorful and the sweet potato hash was outstanding mixed with veggies and perfectly seasoned. I ordered a Build Me Up Buttercup to accompany my delicious breakfast - it was an iced coffee loaded with vanilla vodka and butterscotch and coffee liquor. Yum! Without tasting too boozy. Fairly priced and great service in a relaxed atmosphere. Would love to try again for lunch or dinner. Would certainly recommend for brunch.
(4)
Samantha R.
Servers were all extremely friendly and informative. It was lunch time so she was hungry and rattling off alllll her favs! Definitely try the riblets for a lunch appetite with the veggie chili including guacamole and sour cream! delish :-)
Came here yesterday with the boy and his friend. The place was pretty inviting. Easy to find despite the small sign on their door (maybe I didn't look hard enough for a bigger sign). Upon entering, we got seated right away. Service was alright, the waitress only stopped by our table about 3 times. There were about 4-5 servers on the bottom floor, don't know how many others were upstairs, but only ONE server was actually taking orders from all the tables. I felt like they definitely needed more servers to take orders. We started off with a couple of drinks from the happy hour menu and bbq wings. The wings were grilled and the bbq sauce was pretty good. It's not the tangy bbq sauce, but the sweet kind. Just the way I like it. For my main course, I got the BBQ Atlantic Salmon with sides of grilled veggies and mac n' cheese. I didn't like my grilled veggies but the mac n' cheese was good. My bf got the BBQ combo with sides of green beans and whipped sweet potatoes (not too sweet, just right) and his friend got the Flamed Grilled chicken. I actually would come back to Smokin' Betty's because there's a couple of choices on the menu that I'd like to try, like the Betty Burger. There will most likely be a next time since my bf lives so close! Hopefully next time, I can give 4 stars. update 1/15/11: i got the Betty Burger today. It was huge but I don't know if i totally enjoyed it because if its messy-ness. I saw some guy eating it with a knife and fork.. which I started using toward the end of my burger. It actually tasted better that way. The burger's alright, took the pork confit belly out because it was just a blob of fat :\ next time, i want to try the betty cristo haha or fish tacos.
(3)
Katelyn I.
One of our favorite places to visit when my family comes into town, since they have "limited" palates, haha. It's a two story restaurant and there are bars on both floors. The staff is great and the food is good. Great barbeque and an excellent beer selection! Definitely worth checking out!
(4)
Patrick B.
Executive Summary: Fun, sophisticated place with excellent beer selection. I was in town for a conference and looking for a place for something easy. Smokin' Betty's was right around the corner from my hotel. Very cool place. Minimalist but very chic interior and very comfortable. I always like to sample the local beers when I travel so I was pleased to see SB had eight or ten on tap. The bartender was helpful and made some excellent suggestions. Food was also very good. The cheesesteak eggrolls were terrific-not greasy at all and more flavor than the overrated cheesesteak hoagie I had elsewhere for lunch. I had the BBQ sliders for my entree; the meat was tender and the sauces were excellent. I will be back!
(5)
Deneen W.
I finally stopped into Smokin' Betty's (after walking by a multitude of times) last night to grab a quick bite and a beer to watch the Flyers. I sat at the bar and found the service to be quite good. The bartender was very personable and kept my glass full. I had the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich and fries...some of the best bbq I've had. The only critique I have is that the bun was very buttery...overly buttery. The flavor of the pork, the fries and the cole slaw, however, more than compensated for the bun. I can't wait to go back and try one of the specials!
(4)
Alexander M.
Went to Center City Sips last night, knowing next to nothing about the food or the atmosphere. Happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. We were able to sample a few of the bar appetizers on special, and I enjoyed all of them. The quesadilla and spring rolls were good, but the bbq wings were excellent- like they had come fresh off the grill. I was also happy with the $2 Yuengling and Kensinger specials. About the bathrooms- I had no problem with them. The girl behind me, on the other hand, look positively baffled. Definitely worth checking out. I can't give it the full 5 stars until I go again, but it's guaranteed now that I'll come back.
(4)
Daniel H.
Went here for brunch over the weekend. Nice space, cool decor (I took note of the steps, but I doubt you'll find them as exciting as I did). Waitress was funny, and that was a bonus... but she left a bit to be desired in the competency category, which is arguably more important than her disposition. Anyway, the meal was decent. My meal was everyone's favorite (I think). Got the breakfast burrito, which you might think is the same everywhere, but it's not. Smokin' Betty's did a nice job and the sweet potato hash on the side was really good! Don't get the grilled cheese unless you want to be disappointed. Too much bread, not enough cheese, and generally mediocre, if that. The menu has a few other items I'd like to try, and I hear they're good for dinner and drinks. Would definitely check this out again, but hopefully the service will be better.
(3)
Liz O.
This is a solid option if you want to go to brunch. We had a big group of people, and they were able to accommodate us with a reservation. There were actually a lot of open tables; I was surprised it wasn't more crowded. The food was delicious. Everyone at my table loved what they ordered. They didn't have enough coffee brewed, so we had to wait a while for it to be made. And then they didn't have skim or soy milk to put in it. I was a little surprised and disappointed but the coffee was fine black. I would definite come back here to try more of the items on the menu.
(3)
Anne K.
We booked a party of 30 for the private room. The air conditioning broke (on a 95 degree day) and they informed us just a couple hours before the party. We arrived at the restaurant and it was just as warm inside as it was outside. We paid for a party in the upstairs area so we could have our own space and got seated in the main dining area. Our waiter, Mike, was excellent. When we asked for a round of complimentary drinks, the manager approached us and was unkind and defensive. She reluctantly agreed. When they brought out a round of shots they were watered down. The food was good but unfortunately the service was horrible. I will not return and will definitely make sure that I let others know of this horrible experience.
(1)
Shadab S.
Waiter was awesome!! However we had over a party of over 20+ people and the air conditioning was broken. So throughout the whole dinner we didn't complain once up until the end where we asked for a complimented round of shots. Manager reluctantly agreed to it however once we got the shots we got watered down fireballs.... Never again will I return nor will the 20+ co workers of mine.
(1)
Lina S.
They have a decent beer selection and I like the setup for HH. But the food is just Ok and the service is pathetic. I came here for lunch with some coworkers and got the turkey sandwich. I asked for mayo instead of mustard and you would think I was asking to substitute pancakes for the bread. When my sandwich came It had bare bread with a cup of mayo in the side. Really? I understand that people go overboard with substitutions but the kitchen couldn't smear mayo on my bread instead of mustard? Lame. My friend asked if she could get the short rib sandwich on a wrap instead of bread (they have wraps) and the guy almost killed her on the spot. It's called basic customer service.
(2)
Shane J.
A friend took me here for Happy Hour...Let me tell you - I fell in LOVE with this place. I really liked the specials offered during happy hour - $5 drinks and menu items were $4 & $5 respectively. The cheesesteak egg rolls & BBQ chicken were delicious!! The beer list was respectable, and the speciality drinks were tasty. I have been thinking about this place since my visit, I will definitely be back and bring friends so they can see what all the FUSS is about.
(4)
Michael R.
Really, really mediocre food here, folks. Tried a bunch of different things while here with my lady. BBQ Sliders -- sauces were way too sweet. No heat, no vinegar, just tasted like Kraft BBQ sauce. Served on crappy dinner rolls. Chicken and Waffles Sliders -- this was a special. They must have meant especially bad because it was inedible. My waffles were soggy and undercooked, the chicken was dry, tough and mostly dark meat. Very unappetizing in a slider. It came with cranberry sauce which was off to the side -- thankfully -- because you could tell it was from a can. We also had the macaroni and cheese, which tasted more like macaroni and milk. French fries were hand cut but had no flavor or seasoning! Completely forgettable food. I can't speak to the cocktails, but the beer selection was weird and ours tasted flat. Overall, I wanted to like this place as it is really cute, but the food was so bad. Either we hit it on an off night or other reviewers just love bad food.
(1)
Dana S.
Great place for Happy Hour, good variety of options both for drink and apps. I've eaten here twice and the food was great both times. I didn't run into the "full party before you get seated" option but I was also there on a week night. Service was prompt and friendly.
(4)
Lisa G.
Found them on a whim. Great food, atmosphere, kind staff. Grateful to find well made comfort food so close to my mom's hospital. Would highly recommend. Seth, my waiter, was exceptional.
(5)
Lauren S.
I have brought several people here during my visits to Philly and they have all been very satisfied! The food is top notch and the staff is very pleasant. I would definitely recommend making a reservation, especially at busy times and with large parties.
(5)
Megan L.
Skip the cocktails. The food was really good. What I loved is that their vegetarian courses were not an afterthought. They had the largest selection of any bbq place I've seen. Best veggie quesadilla and I enjoyed the risotto.
(4)
Sybille P.
So I decided to knock off another restaurant off of my "Bookmark List" and went to Smokin' Betty's for a late lunch. First of all, finding street parking in that area of town is a bear, so save yourself some time and an ulcer and park in a lot. We had a reservation and was seated by the big windows facing the street. Anyone who's been alive for the past few weeks knows that Philly has been super cold for a while now and today was no different. Why sit us by those windows when, I'm sure you know there's a draft? And there were hardly anyone in the restaurant at the time, but whatevs. When ordering we bypassed the drinks and went straight for the food. For starters we had the cheesesteak egg rolls and the slider trio sans pulled pork, which were good; not outstanding, but good. For the entrees we decided to go with the grilled mahi mahi tacos and the tur-duck-en burger. I specially asked for my fries to be fried hard because of previous Yelp pics. Unfortunately I hated the burger. There was nothing about it that was delicious to me. I didn't even think about asking for something else, so I just swallowed as much as I could. I couldn't even eat the whole meat patty, so I ate the bun and the stuffing. I didn't even bother trying the fish tacos. It was one small piece of grilled fish on a healing bed of cabbage or whatever it was, no thanks. Even after all that we ordered dessert. We ordered a dish of plain vanilla ice cream and the Nutella roll. The ice cream was pretty basic so I have no gripes. The Nutella roll, however... I was deceived. It was a spring roll filled with some chocolate thing with a scoop of chocolate coffee ice cream, though I was told it was hazelnut ice cream. Not what I was expecting at all. I don't know; I thought my experience would have been better. The service was great. Out waitress was super nice, but the food didn't so it for me. Oh well, on to the next.
(2)
Sang D.
Completely bland and mediocre. Dont really understand the positive reviews. The menu was not exciting nor was the food flavorful. For me, just fell flat. Vegetable quesadilla was alright. Burger was bad compared to what you can get for the price at good burger joints. Buffalo chicken sandwich? Trashy. Glad i didnt splurge for BBQ ribs (i bet theyre between poor and average). Also it was too loud. We asked to be moved and it was still too effing loud. Tell your drunk patrons to shut the hell up, theyre ruining everyones dinner.
(2)
Tiffany L.
My bf and I were really in the mood for BBQ, and a friend had previously suggested this place, so we were eager to check it out! I ordered the BBQ ribs and he got the BBQ combo ( which is chicken, your choice of light or dark meat, and 3 ribs). They were SO GOOOOOD! The meat fell off the bone, and I really liked the BBQ sauce. It wasn't too sweet, which I highly dislike, and it had some heat/spice to it as well. Really good. There is outdoor/sidewalk seating for those who want to enjoy their food outdoors, and then there is a small bar and indoor seating as well. The decor is really cute and cozy. I'll definitely be back in the future to try other items! (fyi: Their burgers and salads all looked amazing and HUGE!)
(4)
Kenny C.
One of the few places big enough to accommodate a huge group (~11) on very short notice. Loved the Betty Burger, which had basically everything I love in a burger (especially a fan of the confit pork belly, egg and avocado!). I ordered it medium and it came exactly as I wanted. The burgers also come with a knife stabbed through the middle, which is now going to be my gold standard for burger presentation. My friend ordered the Turducken burger and we swapped half burgers. The Betty was definitely better. The Turducken was too Thanksgiving-y. Not a fan of cranberry sauce in a burger. The fries were delicious as well. Service was excellent. The decor was great (especially a fan of how much attention to detail went into the menu chalkboard on the second floor). There are also a ton of private bathrooms. And last but certainly not least, they make a yummy Bloody Mary.
(5)
Whitney M.
Had a wonderful meal here while on a business trip. It was a group of ten of us, and they were accommodating and efficient. I ordered a beet salad with goat cheese and chicken and it tasted fresh and yummy. They had a great beer selection, and my colleagues all enjoyed their food which ranged from barbeque sandwiches to chicken and waffles. I wouldn't hesitate to go back if I was in Philly.
(5)
Vincent I.
This place has one of the top 5 burgers I have ever had. It's a non traditional burger, so keep your mind open. It's not even beef. Can you say Turducken? It was amazing. I have gone back so many times. I have also done brunch here quite often. It is must. Try the french toast and they also have a cool spin on a mimosa that is delicious. It's also just a great place to grab drinks with friends. They have a good variety of local beers that seem to rotate.
(5)
Smrithi D.
Went here as a 2nd SIPS stop and boy was it packed. We ordered drinks while we waited for a table to clear and the bartender was pretty quick. They have a great beer selected and the chipotle pierogis was a new, refreshing alternative to typical bar food.
(3)
Philly D.
Philly Din Club hit up Smokin' Betty's in August for our monthly gathering. We went on a Tuesday night so the place wasn't very crowded and they had plenty of room for the 10 of us (we always make reservations just in case). The food was amazing! The Turkey Dinner Platter was delicious and came with the best whipped sweet potatoes I've ever had. A few of us had the Tur-duck-en Burger and to quote our crew, Tur-duck-en Burger = non red meat heaven. If you're looking for a hearty meal that reminds you of being home for the holidays, these are your two options. Other than the Thanksgiving themed meals, we also recommend the Fish Tacos (crispiest breading in town), the wings, and the chili. My only complaint is that they were out of cornbread for the chili, which was the only reason I ordered it. They did tell me they were out before they served it, but they proceeded to bring it out with a side of saltine crackers. Really? Saltine crackers? At least throw me a roll or something. Apart from that little disappointment, the experience here was superb and we would recommend Smokin' Betty's to anyone looking for a great menu with lots of variety.
(4)
Sarah K.
Went here for lunch with a large group. Seems that this place is meant for small groups but we were able to get seated since the place was not as busy. Our server (girl who works at the bar) was friendly, therefore the service was awesome. I ordered the betty burger and the taste was amazing. The burger was cooked just how I like it and all of the toppings make the price worth it. My only problem was that the bun were small and the bottom was soaked in juice. So it was very very messy to eat. Also one thing to note was that even though our server was friendly, I wish she came around to check on us at least to make sure our drinks were filled. I would recommend this place as the food (the fries, OMG the fries) was tasty and the prices are reasonable.
(4)
Derek B.
Had a meal with friends here. Drinks were amazing albeit a little weak for my liver. My chili starter was great, but the corn bread jalapeno butter was more a gimmick than anything real. I had the focaccia grilled cheese and was really disappointed with the mozzarella. Felt like the same tired mozzarella they shred for supermarket bags. Rubbery and bland. Overall nice place and my friends enjoyed their meal.
(3)
Todd T.
We visited SB for Restaurant Week. We had a reservation and were quickly seated even though our party was not all present. They had a good beer and drink selection. I had the pork egg roll, cauliflower salad, Dr. Pepper Ribs and pistachio cheesecake. I enjoyed everything although the salad was a bit bland. We all had a great time and I look forward to coming back.
(4)
Jamie B.
Food is always delicious, love the house beer and love atmosphere. It's one of my go-to places in the city.
(5)
B. B.
Definitely a 3 star joint. The beers on tap are solid and the bartenders are great, but the food is very average. The philly cheese steak egg rolls and the friendly bartenders are the two positives from my experience.
(3)
D G.
We came here recently during restaurant week. It was a 4 course special. The place looks nice and the employees are very friendly. The food was really bad for us. It was busy and it could be an anomaly, but here goes: Our table was so sticky we had to peel the place mat to move it. Mahi ceviche - the fish tasted old and the citrus blend used was not fresh. Mini chicken biscuit sliders - microwaved (pretty sure) one end of the plate was super hot and the food on the other end was cold. The chicken was worse than what you'd get at McDonalds. The biscuit was tough to chew through. Roasted Cauliflower salad was really good. Cheddar beer soup - tasted like any canned soup. Braised short rib - inedible. It had absolutely no taste. Dr. Pepper ribs - also microwaved. sent it back because it was cold in the middle. Flavor was ok. But not something I'd recommend. Apple cobbler - was good. Peanut butter Rice krispy - was ok We probably left at least half of each plate. It just wasn't good. I'm not sure if they have the restaurant week menu food pre made and then they just heat it. Whatever they did, it was bad. The burgers there did look good. Shoulda got that. I'm hoping my experience was just unlucky because I've read some good reviews of this place.
(1)
Lenny Z.
What started out for the search of a good burger and sweet potato fries for my wife, made a bit of a turn when we decided to have a Labor Day BBQ the next day. I was not feeling back to back burger meals, but my wife really wanted sweet potato fries and Smokin' Betty's which was on my short list had a lot of options other than burgers. So, it was on. Perhaps, one of the best decisions ever. At the center of my meal was the Buffalo Chicken sandwich. It was pass out faint on the ground and fan me back to conscious good. Hands down, the best buffalo chicken sandwich I have ever allowed to touch my belly. This is serious! The bacon was perfect. The blue cheese was just right. The chicken was battered and fried to perfection. And whatever this other cheese was that they melted on it, pure gold. The buffalo sauce was tasty. And, the bun was everything I want in a bun, whatever that means. Okay, maybe I'm getting carried away on the bun, but the rest was so good that it amounts to this train of thinking. My wife got the Tur-duck-en Burger. Who thought this up? A genius, that's who. It's a turkey/duck/chicken burger. And it's loaded a-la Thanksgiving with stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce & sweet potato ribbons. I mean, oh lord, I might faint, again! Soooo, gooood. The sweet potato fries were the awesome. Nice, sweet, and crispy. The mac n cheese was tasty. Great consistency and some bread crumbs to boot. The potato latkes reminded me of the good ole times at my Jewish grandma's house. The baked beans were different, more of the pinto bean variety, but pretty good none-the-less. The free refill lemonades were also very nice. The service was good and quick. Nice space as well. But honestly, I hardly remember the small details. Since leaving, all I can do is dream about a reunion with the Buffalo Chicken sandwich.
(5)
Chris K.
Smokin' Betty's delivers some of the best food in the neighborhood. We stumbled across Betty's on a lazy Sunday afternoon and were blown away by the food. The Betty burger was amazing, 1/2 pound burger stacked on a confit pork belly, topped with avocado, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, a roasted garlic aoli and an egg sunny side up (don't knock it until you've tried it- it's life changing). Not to be outdone, the Tur-Duck-En Burger was also outstanding. If you took thanksgiving dinner and put it into a tasty burger bun and topped it with sweet potato ribbons, you would not be far off. Simply Delicious. Definitely give Smokin Betty's a try. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Kevin J.
One of the bests in center city and priced reasonably, this BBQ hangout is a favorite place to have a leisurely lunch or early dinner. The wide open windows creates a concept of dining outside on somebody's porch. The pulled pork sandwich has both quality and quantity. A good pulled pork sandwich isn't hard to find but this one in particular has a very distinctive quality about it. The servers are top notch and bring everything out in a timely manner.
(4)
Shaji K.
First stop on the most recent Philly trip. Tur-ducken Burger? Yes please. Best way to start off the day possible: greasy, filling, and stuffed with various ingredients you're not sure about. But it works. Sweet potato fries were salted and tasty. A tad pricy ($13) but the portions are enormous, and according to my comrades all the other meals were orgasmic. Great rotating craft selection, wish I could order a beer flight though for brunch-time (we tend to start early).
(4)
Daniel N.
Love this place. Great atmosphere and great food. Not too pricey especially for the portions.
(4)
Bernadette M.
I love this place. It's consistent & the staff is friendly. I'm amazed at how quick I can get in & out of there during lunch even when they're packed. Keep up the great work Betty's!
(5)
Chamille B.
I'm not from the area, but visited Smokin Betty's for a friends birthday brunch. The atmosphere in there is pretty laid back, while still having a good look and vibe for celebrations and dates. There were so many things that looked amazing on the menu, but Seth (the greatest and most entertaining server I've ever experienced) helped me choose the Smoked Salmon and Sweet Potato Hash. Three of us (two women, one guy) choose this for our meal. We all agreed that the flavor was great and the salmon was cooked almost perfectly. The potatoes were well seasoned, with herbs, onions, and bacon throughout. On top was an egg over easy, which was cooked longer than I like (me likes runny yokes!). The three of us agreed that the portion wasn't quite enough, and I ended up ordering another egg and eating off other people's plates. One person ordered the mac and cheese and claimed it was horrible, but a few of us tried it and felt it was just very bland. I tried a bite of the breakfast burrito, and really like that as well as the cottage fries. We ordered pitchers of the white sangria. I'm more of a red sangria girl (which they don't have), but it was light, fruity and slightly fizzy and enjoyed by the table. I finished brunch with the bread pudding (flavor changes daily) which happened to be a wildberry cheesecake with a caramel sauce. It was very moist, a good thing with this dessert, and had lots of berries and cheesecake bits in it. As a self-proclaimed bread pudding connoisseur, I'm more partial to a more classic bread pudding with a bourbon or liqueur sauce, however the caramel sauce added a nice touch (I'd recommend asking for extra though), and the portion was enough for sharing. I'd be curious to try some of the lunch/dinner options as they had a lot that piqued my interest, but I probably won't be going back, simply because I live a couple hours away.
(3)
Sasha P.
Overall an amazing night. Great food. Great service. Great dining room. But the most memorable part of the meal was the biscuit!fluffy and moist, so so delicious. I wish I could order an all biscuit dinner. My Italian friend said "that's a nice biscuit". Eat here!
(5)
Anna H.
We were out looking for a place to grab a quick bite during Happy Hour. We happily found Smokin' Betty's. Great Happy Hour food selection, and good drink selection as well. Christopher our bartender was very busy, but also very helpful. He even took the time to write down a website for our to find things to do while we were in town. The food was good. I enjoyed the grilled, flatbread, buffalo wing pizza, and the veggie quesadilla. They had a great selection of craft beers, and made an excellent martini.
(4)
Jeanette S.
I come here from time to time for happy hour. I had positive service from the waitstaff and bartenders, both upstairs and down. Great specials, great beer, great sangria, and above all else for me- GREAT WINGS.
(4)
RB B.
We arrived 15 minutes early for our opentable reservation. It had been a rough week for me and my husband and we were looking forward to a great meal and some good drinks. As we waited for our table I was digging the warm, cozy, mellow vibe of the half empty restaurant. A guy then escorted us up the stairs, past the ridiculously loud, ridiculously packed bar and seated us at a tiny table for two surrounded by tables of 10 and 15 and 20. Our table was clearly an afterthought and I knew we'd be lost amongst the dozen larger parties around us, let alone having to struggle to talk to each other over the volume of the room. This area is clearly utilized for larger parties. Not my idea of a nice, relaxing dinner. So my husband and I walked back downstairs to talk to the hostess. Here's the conversation: Me: "it's pretty loud upstairs. We'd like to sit down here." Hostess: "we reserved you a table upstairs." Me: "we'd like to be down here where it's quite a bit quieter." Hostess: "we can't seat you downstairs." Me: "half the tables are empty." Hostess: "those tables are reserved for reservations." Me: "um, I have a reservation." Hostess: "the table we reserved for you is upstairs." Me: "well, then we're not staying." Hostess: "ok." We went out to the sidewalk and quickly made another reservation at a restaurant where the food was delicious and the service terrific. So Smokin Betty's, here's the lesson....we may not have been one of your big money tables for the night, but I'm a yelper, and I'm on Facebook and Twitter, and I'm a sharer. So everyone I know who follows me on social media now knows how you treated two of your guests. It doesn't matter how large or small the party. You always make your guests feel like they're the most important diners in your restaurant.
(1)
Nina S.
Great spot for brunch. I went recently with a big group of friends and we all had a great time. Their cocktail list is fantastic! I suggest 'The French' The french fries are so worth the extra calories. I got them as a side to my California Turkey Sandwich. The sandwich was large and very filling. I also tried a bit of my friend's Tur-Duck-En Burger and that is delicous too! It's also very reasonably priced compared to other spots in the neighborhood.
(4)
Kathleen D.
I finally made it out to Smokin' Betty's a couple weekends ago with a party of three. Two of us arrived first and were informed of their strict full-party-before-seating rule. As such, we shuffled over to the bar and ordered a couple cocktails while we waited. The bartender wasn't overly friendly or apparently enthused about his occupation (actually not sure that he even muttered a single word to us?) but he delivered on the drinks. I had the Pink Bogart -- a girly gin-based conconction served in a martini glass that didn't taste much like gin. It might just be the highlight of my visit. My friend also enjoyed her drink, of which I cannot recall the name. Later, once seated (downstairs), we all generally enjoyed our food. I ordered the barbecue sliders trio and a side of mac and cheese. I wouldn't say that any of the dishes were exceptionally exciting in an "I must go back ASAP and eat ________ again right now because it was the best ever!" type of way. But, it was a perfunctory meal. I'd make a return trip if in CC and at a loss for another option.
(3)
Philip R.
Excellent Sunday brunch before theatre! Sunday cocktails, specials and BREAKFAST BURRITO! YUM!
(5)
Gina C.
Smokin' Betty's is a very unique and gorgeous restaurant. I love the large windows that bring in a lot of fresh air and natural light. My husband and I decided to try out their lunch menu and we were not disappointed. We were seated immediately, there seems to be enough space for the lunch rush because they opened up the second floor. Service: very professional and well-informed. He provided us with great recommendations. He was also very attentative without being overwhelming. Food: #1. BBQ sliders: plate arrived with one chicken, one pulled pork and one brisket. I would ask if we could skip the chicken next time (tasted like a canned tomato sauce). The coleslaw was delicious. #2. Mac and cheese "side": we got a large and it was delicious! #3. Tur-duck-en burger: It's slightly misleading because the burger patty is just ground turkey + ground chicken + duck mousse. When you get a taste of the duck mousse, it's incredible but the rest of the patty was pretty dry. However, if you like turkey burgers, you'll love this sandwich. The stuffing is great and the shaved sweet potatoes was a nice touch. I would recommend getting the cranberry sauce on the side because it became a little too overwhelming. Overall experience: Would definitely return. We may even look into their private events since it's such a nice restaurant.
(4)
Kate M.
I've been here twice, no problems the first time. The second time the waitress was horrible. She never came back to see if we needed anything, a refill and some butter or jam would have been nice but we were never asked. We sat waiting after we finished our meal for a bit until she finally came over to ask if we were ready for the check. Terrible service.
(2)
AJ A.
Service is a little slow for groups. Wings are great though! Get the dry rub! Buffalo chicken was great as well!
(3)
Dan M.
This place rocks. Great bar upstairs. The food is awesome and the service is excellent. Definitely worth a visit anytime you're in Philly.
(4)
Nora B.
Had dinner there last night before heading to the theater. Ordered the BBQ sliders. The pork slider was moist and delicious, the others slightly dryer but very good as well. The cole slaw was outstanding! It seemed like they added a little caraway. Haven't had better. The only issue was with the white peach sangria. The sangria has a nice crisp taste but it was served in a small rocks glass, so it was like two shots of a drink. Sadly, not worth it.
(4)
Joanna H.
I was contemplating b/w 2 or 3 stars, but I'm giving 2 because it takes forever to get a waitress or anyone who works there to come over. After we ordered and got our first dish-cheesesteak eggrolls for the appetizer-and we realized we still didntt have our silverware sets and plates. We waited 5minutes to get someone's attention. We got the Betty's burger and BBQ sandwich w/ pulled pork. The pulled pork was very tender, but both entrees didn't wow me at all. They were just plain burgers that you can get anywhere else. The atmosphere is adequate to come w/ a big party or even just a friend or family. It's great to chill w/ a glass of beer and munch on your dish but don't get ready to be amazed by anything particular cuz there's nothing particularly special here.
(2)
Michelle P.
My friend was in town and staying near the convention center so we planned to meet up for dinner/happy hour. I wanted to select a place that was both close to the convention center and had an all around good happy hour with both food and drink specials. I had been to Smokin' Betty's before for Sips so they came to mind as a good choice. As with normal Sips fashion, it had been packed the last time I was there. Yesterday it had a nice crowd but nothing too overwhelming. We arrived a little before 6:00 and were told we can sit at a table and still get the happy hour specials. Score! It is nice sometimes not having to cram around the bar. I already had some idea that I wanted to try the pizza of the day. When I found out it was buffalo chicken, the deal was sealed. Both my husband and I had the craft beer of the day to drink. I honestly forget what i was, but it was $3 and pleasant. My friend had the grilled chicken salad and the cheesesteak egg rolls and my husband had the slider combo. We all enjoyed our meals. Nothing really to rave about, but it totally hit the spot at the time. In hind site, I probably should have ordered 2 appetizers because I was hungry later in the evening, but it was still a decent sized happy hour pizza. The service was so-so. Attentive and friendly enough. We did ask our server for two separate checks but he forgot about it. My only real complaint was the little flies circling the dining room. I believe they were just fruit flies- the typical, unavoidable summer type. I didn't see any in the food and nothing bit me but they did fly by every so often. I think that just happens on hot days when the doors are open. Smokin' Betty's fit the bill for a happy hour spot with good food and drink specials.
(3)
Moe W.
Honestly, the atmosphere of the place was great. The service was great. The food was ok. The salmon was swimming in barbecue sauce. The broccoli rab was over garlicky. The cole slaw was soupy...
(2)
Nicole L.
Came here during for a coworker's going-away drinks sendoff earlier this week. Two levels of bars and comfy couch seating, combined with an absurdly cheap happy hour menu for food and drinks? Win. The experience was slightly marred by the fact that my seasonal sangria tasted fairly watered down, and there were flies flitting around our table the entire time. Granted, our waiter was hugely attentive to our large party and dealt with the eccentrics very well, and my grilled pizza was deliciously filling. Overall it was a decent experience, and hopefully I'll make it back to Smokin' Betty's for another round in the future.
(3)
Evelyn G.
Good sliders
(3)
Maria D.
Went here for dinner and ordered the angus burger medium rare. Burger was cooked as requested, but was pretty standard. It could have used some mayo or aioli. The fries were delicious. BF ordered the flame grilled chicken and LOVED it. The bbq sauce was pretty darn good.
(4)
Courtney J.
I went here for happy hour with a few co-workers. We actually arrived about 20 minutes before five, so I ordered my first drink off the regular menu. I choose The Root of all Evil ($9) because it contained root liquor which I'd been wanting to try for a long time. It arrived in a martini glass, and the taste reminded me of this orange monster brand Frankenstein candy I used to get on Halloween as a kid. That was a positive thing, so I enjoyed the cocktail. Then things started to take a downturn. We started ordering off the happy hour menu. I had sangria, which had no fruit in it what-so-ever other than a slice of apple for garnish. This was a big disappointment. It didn't taste fruity at all. My friend ordered wings with barbeque sauce. I tasted the sauce, and it was so sweet and almost candy-like and ketchupy which is not how I like my barbeque sauce at all. At that point I knew I'd better stay away from the barbeque even though this was supposedly a barbeque joint. I then made the mistake of ordering another drink off the happy hour menu, the berry lemonade cocktail. It was overly sweet and cloying. It tasted like minute maid lemonade with strawberry flavored syrup. Usually drinks taste better the more you drink because you start to feel the effects of the alcohol. That was not the case here, as I became more and more disappointed with each drink. Dinner was the biggest disappointment of the night. There were mussels with a Thai curry sauce on special. I didn't want anything sweet, so I thought spicy might be the way to go. Big mistake... The mussels were tough, dry, and had pieces of shell and grit in them. The sauce tasted like packaged red Thai curry paste with maybe a teaspoon of coconut milk and then a lot of water. Ick! It came with four huge pieces of toast that were a little burnt on the edges. One of my co-workers ordered the risotto. It was so bland that she just pushed it aside and started eating her husband's meal instead (fish and chips). I feel like this place has an identity crisis. They are supposed to be a barbeque joint, but what I tasted of that wasn't so good, or was anything else other than my first cocktail. Smokin' Betty's menu has a large range of items on it, too large in fact. I would much rather them do one thing, and do it right. I lived in Memphis for five years, so to be honest it's pretty hard to impress me with barbeque. However, none of Smokin' Betty's offerings were anything I'd come back for. The service was also a mess. Four times we were brought other tables' food. Four times! I understand mistakes happen, but this is just ridiculous. I left agitated, hungry, and with a lot less money in my wallet.
(1)
Caitlin O.
We LOVE Smokin' Betty's!!!! Last night we threw a 20-person surprise dinner party for my boyfriend Dave's 30th birthday. Emily & the SB staff did everything for us from letting people bring noisemakers & rip shots to setting up a fake reservation so the surprise wasn't ruined when Dave & I got there. They were ridiculously helpful, professional & patient with my million questions. Incredible food with a wide variety of menu options for small parties & an even better staff. HIGHLY recommended for big dinners in Philly! Thanks for making his 30th so great!
(5)
Bruce B.
I never knew it was so hard to have a decent lunch on Saturdays in Center City these days. I was in town with a fellow Colonel, and everywhere we went, was closed for lunch. After trying about a half dozen places, we came upon an open Smokin' Betty's. First of all I would like to say that it is the most un-barbeque looking Joint I've ever been to, But that's not important to me- the food is. We were seated in a dining room full of hungry hipsters. The server came over and gave us menus and asked if we would like a drink. It was brunch time so we both ordered a mimosa. I ordered a cup of chili and the barbecue slider sampler, which was three types of barbecue on a small bun. The chili came out first and it was ice cold. Then there was something wrong with my friends drink. Plus he forgot the bread and butter. But to their credit everything was replaced,not reheated and so on. My new bowl of chili was absolutely delicious! Full of Chunks of meat and lots of vegetables and a nice spicy flavor. the barbecue sliders consisted of pulled barbecue chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket. The brisket was the best, very flavorful and tender, the pulled barbecue pork was delicious with a mustard based barbecue sauce. the pulled barbecue chicken was dead last and not worth mentioning. They all were served on a miniature hamburger bun that reminded me of Wonder Bread. A toasted Brioche bun would make this dish really pop. the dish also came with homemade coleslaw and corn bread, both were very very tasty. I felt lucky because my friend didn't like anything she ordered. Considering that with the service snafus, brought it down to three stars for me. Shame, A couple of changes here there and Betty's could really be smokin' hot!
(3)
Hesham A.
Just moved to Philly, and a buddy and I needed to take a break. We walked a couple blocks from my apt and ran into this place. It was a Wed evening and had a ton of people there. We only had to wait about 15 min for a table. I had fish taco's and some sweet potato fries, my friend had some ribs and some drinks. It was all pretty delicious. Great location, atmosphere, and very friendly staff. Will be back.
(4)
Ashley S.
I was really excited to come here for happy hour a few Fridays ago because I've heard such great things, and Smokin Bettys did not disappoint. My group of friends and I came hungry, so we made sure to order food off the happy hour menu. My boyfriend and I had veggie quesadillas, which were flavorful but a little greasy; unfortunately, they also didn't quite fill me up. My friends got the wings and cheesesteak eggroll and thought both were great, but again they received smaller portions than they were hoping for. Our main draw was the drinks, though. Each of us had a cocktail then moved on to beer. I started with the Berry Lemonade, which tasted great. I think it was strong, but I couldn't tell because the sweetness masked the alcohol. I tried my friend's sangria, and I felt like it tasted a little too much like juice for my liking, but it was definitely drinkable. The best part was the cheap beer! They had an awesome IPA as their $3 special for the night, and Yeunglings were only $2. This is definitely a great place to start off a night with cheap drinks and some tasty snacks.
(4)
Margaret Z.
My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while wandering Center City, and were encouraged to stop in due to the nice atmosphere and good variety on the menu. It was a beautiful day outside, and the cafe had opened up its doors to provide for an enclosed/half-open dining experience... the breeze was lovely, but I appreciated being out of the midday sun. The menu boasts offerings from sandwiches to fish tacos to salads to burgers, with extremely reasonable prices in the $10 to $15 range. The sandwiches and burgers come with a side of fries. I opted for the mahi mahi fish tacos while the boy went for a chicken rabe (basically chicken breast + roasted veggies and melted cheese on a french baguette). The portions here are BIG, but not overwhelming. My fish tacos tasted extremely fresh and the fish, though not heavily seasoned, was complemented perfectly by the sauce and mango/corn/black bean salsa on the side. The guac was also a great addition. I got 3 overflowing tacos for ~$14. The boy's sandwich was also tasty -- the roasted peppers were done perfectly, and none of the flavors were too overpowering, yet still delicious enough to clean off the plate. You definitely leave feeling full, but not the gross kind of full you get from stuffing your face with fast food. It's obvious that the ingredients used here are top notch... and the service is great too! Extremely friendly and very prompt/attentive. I'm really glad we found this place by chance, and I would definitely come by again if in the area.
(4)
Katrina C.
I've been here many times, but here are my thoughts: 1. Good drinks and beer selections. Great happy hour specials! ($2 lager, a $3 featured beer - it was a Sly Fox last night, $4 wine, $5 cocktails - last night was a lemonade and sangria. Plus, there's some app specials). 2. They take reservations and seem pretty flexible, willing to work with groups. 3. 2 floors, small bar downstairs with dining room; bigger bar with a bigger dining room upstairs 4. Food here is solid. I love love love the grilled chicken sandwich - sharp provolone, broccoli rabe, pesto mayo, roasted red peppers. Their grilled cheese is awesome too. So is the turkey reuben (pro tip - get it with cole slaw instead of sauerkraut). Fries or salad is $1 extra - but the sandwiches are like $8 or $9, so add the dollar. They come with an awesome pickle too. (love pickles). They have BBQ, but I've never had it.
(4)
Elva L.
We stopped in yesterday for a margarita fix. The margarita was just okay. I was really craving a blended one, but they only serve it on the rocks. We stumbled on a delightful discovery with the sangria pitcher. It was fantastic. The sangria was almost deceptively fizzy, fruity and light. It had a high alcohol content (with Chablis, vodka AND peach brandy) but you wouldn't know it from how airy and sweet it was. I can definitely see myself sipping on this throughout the oncoming summer. It looks like they have an inexpensive happy hour too with 2 and 3 dollar drafts as well as game specials. I'm excited to go back and try their food. It wasn't the right time when we did happen in, but studying the menu certainly seeded a barbecue craving. I saw someone's sandwich go by, and though I've my heart set on trying the roasted beet and goat cheese salad as well as their barbecue, it did look quite good. * Service was a little slow but I wouldn't hold that against them on a big drinking holiday. There's also outdoor seating and I'm thinking the pup might want to come along for the barbecue.
(4)
Evan F.
I was treated to Smokin' Betty's on Thursday (during Center City Sips) and was all-around pleased with the experience. We arrived at 5:00 to the barely-filled restaurant and were seated promptly by a really nice hostess. Within a minute or two, our server stopped by with some water and explained the restaurant's "Sips" promotions (where various drinks / appetizers / meals are severely discounted). Their decent selection of unique mixed drinks ranged from $3 to $8 dollars, and the appetizers were discounted as well. I highly recommend trying the Hummus- it's a creamy dish served with delicious pita chips but beware that the serving size could be eaten by one person alone. Little time passed after ordering each drink / appetizer and our server was courteous and checked in numerous times (but wasn't pesky). One of the food runners, however, basically threw our appetizer at our table and walked away without acknowlegding us or saying a word. Awkward on his part. While we sampled the Berry Lemonade and Hummus, I would like to return to try some of the delicious meals that I'm sure this place serves up. Oh, and Sips can be annoying because of all of the 20/30 year olds that crowd into the joint, but this annoyance is easily disregarded by the great discounts on the offerings. I'll be back :)
(5)
Victoria L.
Went here during restaurant week and was sorely disappointed, especially since I've heard such amazing things about them. I ordered their pumpkin tiramisu, and I think they made it with something spoiled because it was sour.
(2)
Lauren G.
I really like this place. As a veggie burger connoisseur, I have to say theirs is one of the best in Philly. I honestly have never gotten anything else off the menu, and I've probably been here five or six times. During SIPS they had good drinks, and the atmosphere is nice. There's a lot maybe a block away on Sansom if you can't find street parking.
(4)
Kwazi H.
It was ok. I had the ribs with a "spicy dry rub" . The ribs were cooked well, falling of the bone, but the weren't seasoned. I ended up dumping bbq sauce on them so they tasted Like something. My sides were broccoli rabe which also had no seasoning and wasn't cooked enough for bbq, coleslaw that was so fine it might as well be porridge and baked beans that stood on their own as the best item on the plate. Service was extremely slow. Not out serve but the food coming out.
(2)
Alie A.
I finally made it here for Sunday brunch. The place was far less crowded than I would have imagined, so it's definitely a good place to take a group. The upstairs area would be ideal to rent out for an event. I had the breakfast sandwich with scrambled eggs, avocado, sriracha and sausage piled on top of cheddar focaccia. Large servings for a reasonable price. They need help in the Bloody Mary department, but I am kind of a snob when it comes to that. The service seemed slow and sporadic, which was surprising since they weren't crowded. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would. A solid brunch spot overall.
(3)
Chloe T.
I'm a little surprised by the mixed reviews here! Went here with a group of 7 or so for my friend's bachelorette weekend in Philly, and we were extremely satisfied with the food, drinks and service. I got the biscuits and gravy, which were amazingly hearty - enough so that I only ate about half my portion. Of course, that might be because we started with the nutella french toast for the table. That was a dish worth every single calorie and a perfect start to our brunch. My friend next to me got the cobb salad, which I scoffed at, and then took a bite of. Holy crap, that was a delicious cobb salad. Jampacked with all sorts of good stuff. Our waitress was friendly and more than happy to take a few brunch group photos while we posed with our mimosas. And the price could not be beat!
(4)
Margo v.
A very nice ambiance. Here for dinner prior to going to the Walnut to see Elf. Service good. Very interesting menu, but results were under-whelming. I had the special, Pork oso bucco with a basalmic reduction over polenta. The polenta delicious, the gravy delicious but sparse. The pork dry and not too much flavor. Companion had Turducken Hamburger. Meh. Another had macaroni and cheese. Flavor good, noodles mushy. Desert delicious. Bread pudding, yum. All in all, the food was a disappointment. Prices are very reasonable, but I'd rather have better food.
(2)
Clint W.
So, here's the skinny. I think Smokin' Betty's is a victim of some mixed advertising. Some of the reviews below, by self-titled foodies and snobs, sound as if they were expecting a gourmet experience in Center City. I realize that this place markets itself as a barbecue place, but as a former North Carolina resident and all-around bbq lover, I try not to judge a place based on its barbecue (especially north of the Mason-Dixon). No offense intended, Yanks. However, give this place a shot. Smokin' Betty's gave me the single best buffalo chicken sandwich I have ever eaten. Real strips of fried chicken doused in buffalo sauce then with ranch pouring out between toasted buns. Not for the faint of heart, my friends. They can customize spice-level and are very flexible with most menu items. The drinks are decent, but nothing to write home about. I had a hot cider with caramel vodka, which was fine, but probably not worth the price. The service is great, the vibe is fun but nothing too original unfortunately. It's a competitive business, designing a restaurant. The Vetri's and the Vez's will always take the awards, but Smokin' Betty's is nice enough. Just let the food do the talking, and apparently, the bbq isn't the highlight. I'll try it next time and give an update - for all my invested readers (joke). The customers of Betty's is something strange, a balance betwen suits on their lunch break and sleeve-tattooed bike delivery agents, all stopping in for a quick sandwich. The music reflects the amalgamation, alternating in a bi-polar fashion between soft rock and mellow house music. All around, the aesthetic isn't what draws a crowd. It's the niche foodstuffs: the buffalo chicken and other lunch-menu favorites. It's not an entree place, in my opinion, so go grab a casual, good meal. Might be a nice, casual date place as well.
(4)
Alicia O.
I tried to schedule my birthday dinner this year at another restaurant, but I was told by the other restaurant that parties over eight people must order their family style dinner which was $32/person. I didn't want my friends spending $32 for my birthday dinner, so I ended up cancelling at the other restaurant and made reservations at Smokin' Betty's instead. It ended up being a good decision! This place is great for large groups. I think we were one of the three birthday parties going on that night. My friends all loved the bbq and burgers and we all left pretty happy and full. I was also happy with their house beer--Smokin' Betty Blonde. It reminded me of a lighter version of Blue Moon. I ended up having a couple of those. Really loved it.
(4)
gavin s.
Went with a group of seven to Betty's last night for a pre-partying meal. Had high hopes for this place, I had driven by many times and thought the building looked very cool. Inside it was pretty neat, exposed brick and a lot of wood. We sat upstairs where it seams to be the main restaurant area, the downstairs had the kitchen about 10 tables and a small event space that seemed to be rented out. It was cold upstairs and the girls didn't want to take their jackets off. Our waitress was nice and fairly attentive. We ordered drinks and a $38 bottle of sav blanc that was not good. I had my typical belvedere dirty martini, it was too dirty and tasted watered down. The others in our group had similar comments about their drinks. We ordered our food, most of us ordering burgers, which some wanted to omit the egg on theirs, which the waitress replied "we don't make changes to our Betty". We got the apps, cheese steak egg rolls, which were pretty good. The burgers came, and looked pretty good. I found my burger cooked to right temperature, but it was under seasoned, and I kept getting chunks of hard cartilage which was gross. The fries were lame, old and soggy. We couldn't wait to get out of there at this point. While it wasn't the worst experience I've ever had, there's many other restaurants right in the vicinity that are much better. I won't be returning.
(2)
Robert B.
Simply awesome BBQ, best I have had in the city hands down. On top of that, it is affordable. You can't beat it. $16 for chix and ribs combo. Great sauce and cooked perfect. Waitress could have been more friendly, but the food more than made up for that. Will be back
(5)
Tom C.
We were there Saturday early evening on 1/18/2014 and I thought it was very good and I would definitely go back. Pros: - parking is very easy/accessible - got the burger with fried egg and it was very filling, loved the fried egg, sweet potato fries were good - beer selection and prices were good, about $18 PP total for dinner - LOCATION/AREA seems very safe - cheesesteak egg roll appetizer were very good Cons: - bathrooms were unique, but clean and they worked so no real complaints
(4)
Rita C.
I was really excited to check out Smokin' Betty's after sampling their wings and ribs at the Summer Ale Fest at the zoo in back in July. The restaurant has a pretty cool set up and seems really chill and laid back - my kind of place. They had several good beers on tap, including one called Dragon's Milk, which I just couldn't resist. (What a cool name for a beer!) Apparently, there's a really good happy hour at Smokin' Betty's but I went on a Wednesday and there was no sign of happy hour anywhere (the board actually said Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri.). I'm not sure what that's about, but I'd go back to check it out sometime. For an appetizer, we ordered the mac & cheese. To me, it just tasted like buttered noodles - not enough cheese = not enough love. Very sad. For entrees, I got the spicy dry rub ribs (with corn bread and coleslaw) and the BF got the buffalo chicken sandwich. The ribs were fall off the bone and cooked beautifully, but the dry rub didn't have any flavor whatsoever. Where's the spicy? I was hoping this would taste something like what I had at the zoo, but it just wasn't there. On the flip side, the cornbread muffins (with jalapeno butter) and coleslaw were both really good. I'd probably go back again to try the ribs with the BBQ sauce. The buffalo chicken sandwich was unlike one I've never seen - it was huge! The sauce was good, it wasn't over bleu-cheesed. It was really good. I'd recommend that to all my chicken lovers out there. All-in-all, Smokin' Betty's seems like a cool place, but my food experience wasn't exactly the best. I must admit that I liked the decor inside, the beer list, and the service enough to give it another chance. Hopefully, I'm not disappointed!
(3)
Elle W.
I went to smokin Betty's this past Sunday for brunch. The server highly recommended the crab cake Benedict so that is what I went with. It was supposed to come with Siracha hollandaise sauce but when my food arrived the server said sorry it's just regular hollandaise. No explanation. The crab cakes were terrible!! I could not eat them bc the salt was so intense my tongue was tingling. I pushed them to the side and ate the eggs and biscuits. A couple bites in I found two large egg shells in my food which I also pushed to the side. After the meal I told my server about the shells. She apologized and told me she would let them know. Great thanks lady. She never asked me if there was anything wrong with my crab cakes. Nor did she address that I could have gotten salmonella poisoning from the egg shells bc that is where it breeds!! Come on. She never took any money off my bill and just let me know with the return of my credit card that she was thankful for my complaints. In sum, this place is kinda crummy and has really nothing to offer. Not to mention there were only like 5 people in the whole restaurant for brunch on a Sunday!
(1)
Emily G.
This place is awesome! The atmosphere is great, staff is great, and food was amazing! We ordered the Black Angus Beef Cheesesteak Eggrolls came out piping hot and tasted amazing! The California Turkey sandwich was dripping with avocado (I absolutely love avocado) and was a great blend of flavors. And the 1/2 Pound Sirloin Angus Burger (with caramelized onions for a little more) was fantastic! (I didn't have a bite of this, but I did eat half of the amazing fries that came out with the burger). Our waitress was friendly, and approachable! All in all a great experience!
(4)
Rizwan A.
This place has a lot of potential, I really liked the vibe here, the decor and design of the whole place are pretty cool and although you don't know what to expect when you're walking into a place called "smokin betty's," once you're inside, you feel like they really nailed it. It's a mix between a diner and an old school saloon, so I was excited to eat here. Sadly, the food just doesn't deliver. They had a couple of cool options on the menu like fish tacos and sliders (automatic win in my book) but they didn't really have a lot of ingredients and they just didn't taste all that impressive either. The food wasn't bland all together, but they just seemed to be using the bare minimum ingredients. Even the preparation was a little tired looking and just could have been way better. Service was still decent and I'm sure they're doing much better on the bar end than the restaurant end. They're usually pretty empty during lunch and really only seem to get any business during happy hour. I want to like this place, so I'll probably give them another chance in the future.
(3)
Olivia J.
Avocadoes and fried eggs on a burger?!? I knew Smokin' Betty's was known for their Tur-Duk-en Burger, i.e. a Thanksgiving meal packed into a burger, but as an egg/avocado foodie, I HAD to try their Betty Burger. To be honest, it wasn't amazing - it was just OK. First of all, it was too big so I couldn't fit it into my mouth at once, so I didn't get to taste the flavor of everything at one time. Second, the sirloin and pork belly together tasted too salty. Third, the saltiness cancelled out the tastes of egg/avocado. I don't know, I guess their selection of burgers is creative, but the taste is aiight.
(3)
Brett A.
Good beer selection and reasonably priced, considering the location. Ordered the Smokin' Betty burger and it was a sloppy, delicious mess. Very enjoyable food and great overall exeprience.
(5)
Uzoma N.
This is a cool place to chill. They have great beers on tap but not a wide selection of beers. The food was ok I got the signature Betty burger and it was very dry and didn't have much flavor. Not a lot of desert options so didn't get any.
(2)
Dana B.
While I can't yet vouch for the quality of the food, I attended a Purim event (kind of like the Jewish version of Halloween) hosted by Philly Spectrum in Smokin' Betty's upstairs lounge area that included drag, burlesque, and bellydancing, with easy access to the bar. The bartending staff was friendly, the drinks were well-crafted, and the environment was fun, lively, and upbeat. There were just enough seats in the performance area for everyone to enjoy the show, which was then cleared out for the dance party that followed. I definitely hope to return and try some of the items on their food menu!
(4)
Michael G.
Came here last night with a large group of coworkers. The place was packed when we got there and because an even bigger party upstairs was not out yet for our reserved time, we were asked to go to the bar. The bar was not meant for a group our size (12) when it was already packed. However, we made it work, and finally went upstairs. It seemed even more packed when we were seated, and the biggest problem of the night was service. However, it was not because of the servers being idiots. There were only two working upstairs, and one bartender. Bad planning on the Manager's job scheduling! Bonnie, our main server, did her very best to keep everything moving along nicely, but you could tell she was a bit frazzled. The drink of the nght was the Mrs. Daly - citrus vodka, sweet tea vodka, iced tea and lemonade. The food ranged from sliders (2 of 3 were really good - brisket and pork. Chicken not that good), to burgers - no complaints, to grilled cheese (we had no kids - what's up with that order "manly" coworkers?), riblets which were tasty, and everyone had a good time. The bill came to about $280 for everything, and I appreciated that although they say the tip would be automatic on it of 18%, it was not added on the bill. This is good, because Bonnie got a better tip that way. She was really trying hard to do us well!
(3)
Greg L.
The family and I took the train down to Market East and made the easy 10 minute walk to Smokin' Betty's one Friday evening. This is a 2-story restaurant and at 6:30 PM, the place was fairly packed. We were seated upstairs, where there is also a bar area, which had a number of people around it. It was a beautiful night, so they had all the windows open, which provided for a nice breeze throughout the restaurant. Food was good, but it wasn't my favorite BBQ by any means. I had the chicken, which was very juicy and the meat just fell off the bone. My wife had the brisket, but she said it didn't have the smoky flavor that she prefers. There is a kids meal, and my boys had the chicken fingers, but it was a bit too crunch for their liking. The homemade ice cream and the Nutella roll we had for desert were absolutely delicious! Service was just OK. We had to remind our waitress to bring us straws and extra napkins and I felt she could have been a little quicker to respond to things and she should have checked back a bit more often to see how we were doing. The real problem was the noise level. It was so noisy, that it was very difficult to carry on a conversation during dinner. All in all, the dinner was OK, but it's probably not a place I would crave to go back to.
(3)
Shereen C.
Was here last year for happy hour and the bar food was so-so but not great. A lot of it sounds like it'd be tasty in theory, but the execution was off. Wings are not that great - could be juicier, tastier. I wouldn't recommend the cheesesteak egg rolls. Bad combo, with skimpy overcooked filling. Worse than any cheesesteak I've had, and worse than any eggroll I've had. The space is attractive and comfortable. Service is fine.
(2)
Beth B.
Smokin' Betty's is smokin' hot!!!!! Go here for AMAZING comfort food, creative cocktails, and an awesome draft beer list. Dave and I shared the BBQ style Riblets to enjoy as appetizer with our beers. I am pretty sure these babies must have been the inspiration for the description "fall off the bone"... The meat was unbelievable. So juicy and flavorful. You don't even have to bite into them and get it all stuck between your teeth. Just perfect. For our dinner, Dave and I split the Chopped Cobb Salad & the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. The salad was not my favorite- at first when it arrived at our table in a GIANT glass bowl I was super excited. Lots of yummy ingredients too. The issue was the dressing- we chose the Balsamic which had no flavor whatsoever. While it was a great awesome big salad, it was lacking in flavor. The sandwich was AWESOME. I rarely allow myself to get chicken sandwiches when they're "crispy" or fried but I'm glad I agreed to split this one! The chicken was so good, crispy and juicy and flavorful. The sauce wasn't as spicy as I'd prefer but it was still very tasty. Blue cheese is ALWAYS my cherry ontop and in this case it was perfect. Can't wait to go back and try more!
(4)
Donna D.
OMG what an awesome place.The Betty burger was divine and the bread pudding well that was right outta heaven!! We even went back to get more to take back to our room to eat later! Once again Yelp got this plce right!!
(5)
Nicole H.
I went for Center City Sips. The crowd was kind of on the young side and I felt a little out of place (and I'm only in my early 30s). People were a little dressed up, having come from work. The Sips specials were pretty good, but the wait at the bar was long. I couldn't even get near the bar upstairs, so stuck to the one downstairs. For my first round, I was helped fairly quickly. For my second round, the bar was more crowded and I literally had to flag the bartender down after I'd waited for about 10 minutes. I got 2 drinks at once and left after that.
(3)
Paul G.
Went there tonight prior to a show. Had a 5:30 reservation. Was seated in the dining room to the left of the entry in front of glass doors. Now granted it was bitterly cold outside tonight so didn't expect the restaurant to be overly warm. However, definite chill by the doors. When asked to be seated at another table, of which there were at least 10, were given the option of sitting by the side entry door off of Samson which was even colder. Okay, got past the bad seating and surly attitude of host staff, had an attentive waiter, but was quite disappointed by the meal. Mac & cheese was terrible, basically cheese sauce poured over elbow noodles with toasted bread crumbs. Did not appear to be baked at all. Barely a step up from the blue box. Wine at $10 a glass were definitely smaller than average size, bbq sliders, while good, had way too much sauce. Will definitely not go back and would not recommend at all. Strangelove's in the same area is a much better option.
(2)
Carol C.
Came here for a late night bite. We entered around 10pm on a Saturday and it was pretty empty. We ordered some appetizers, mini meals, dessert, and drinks. Their quesadilla and Mac and cheese were pretty bland, but their sweet potato fries were pretty good. Got fried Nutella with marshmallow and it came with a school of chocolate hazelnut ice cream, which was a bomb combo. Don't think I would come for a regular meal, but their nibbles are pretty good for some snacking and drinking.
(4)
Rowena M.
I took a group of colleagues here for brunch right before we left Philly for a conference that we attended. Brunch had a small but impressive menu. It doesn't try to overwhelm you with so many choices but diverse enough to appeal to everyone's taste. The most amazing thing was the mascarpone banana french toast - we ordered one for the table to share and it disappeared in 2 seconds so we quickly ordered a second enough. Service was courteous but noncommittal. I also wonder about the level of commitment on the waiter's part when tip is a given due to the large group. The bathroom, as creative as it wants to be by being co-ed, is just gross. There's a reason why men should have a different washroom than women.
(3)
Ray L.
Turducken burger? Yes please! I've been here for brunch twice and this place has great variety on the menu, including the aforementioned turducken burger! A handsome serving of turducken patty with stuffing and cranberry sauce. It was a ridiculous size and quite delicious to boot. I've also been here for happy hour after work on a few occasions and I really like this place a lot. Great service and on top of that it's not super crowded (I'm not a big fan of screaming across the table). Overall a pretty good option for either happy hour or Sunday brunch/lunch.
(4)
Jenny R.
Great for brunch and happy hour
(4)
Jess R.
The restaurant is dirty--tables are always sticky. Service is alright. The ambiance is not bad--kind of a hopping place, but they should try to step up their cleanliness game. However, that breakfast sandwich is BANGING (with sausage, egg, avocado, red sauce etc etc). I crave it. I dream about it. It can be shared with two people or eaten by one very hungry brunch-goer. So go here, get that sandwich and be merry.
(4)
Heather S.
We've been here many times in the past 2 years and have never had a bad experience. Last Friday (3/7/14) we went with a group of 5 people, no reservation, so we waited at the bar for half an hour for a table (pretty quick for a Friday night at 8:30). Around the table guests got: the buffalo chicken sandwich, the Betty's burger, the ribs entree, fish tacos. The portions never disappoint: everything is either just right or too much that you take home some for later. The buffalo chicken sandwich is seriously one of the best in the city; we've suggested it to many friends and they all agree. We always get the dry rub wings appetizer each time: AMAZING. We went on a Friday night but if you're looking for a good happy hour, Betty's has a good one: Mon-Fri 5-7, with a $3 draft (only one particular draft though), $4 wine, and cheap apps (the apps are smaller but are good to satisfy a craving before a bigger dinner at Betty's or elsewhere). Only downside is it can get pretty crowded at both the downstairs and upstairs bars.
(5)
Justine J.
The Berry lemonade with absolute citron was pretty good. The thing I hate about their happy hour is that when we ordered another drink when we were half way done with the first, we were not allowed because it was 'stacking.' We would have been finished by the time it got to us, but I guess they're encouraging binge drinking. The food was OK. The cheesesteak egg roll with smoked tomato jam was meh. There was barely any cheese in it, which left the meat flavorless. It kinda just tasted like beef boiled in water. That smokey tomato jam is not as fancy as it sounds. It just tastes like ketchup with smoked paprika. And serving that in a paper cup you find at the fast food condiments table?! Four bucks for one of those is far from being worth every penny. If you are charging that much for that piece of crap at least get the presentation right. If you want good cheesesteak egg rolls go to Circles and use sriracha. The ribs were ribs and the Mac and cheese was Mac and cheese. I really don't have much to say -it was just average food with pretty average service. All I know is I'm not itching to go back. To put things into perspective, my friend and I tried to go to three other neighboring places but all had a wait time of 30+ minutes and came here because of the 0 wait time,
(3)
Jade S.
I want to share my experience at Smokin' Betty's last night...My fiance's father is a patient at Jefferson and last week we decided to try out this place since it is across the street from the Hospital. We all had a wonderful experience and notably LOVED the bread pudding. We brought it back to the hospital where my fiance's father found it to be spectacular. As a result, he requested we go back last night just so he could get another taste of this lavish dessert again. When we arrived at the restaurant, it was 6:30 on a Friday night and we had no reservation. After we were told that it would be a 30 min wait, we decided to just order the Bread Pudding and eat somewhere else back home in Jersey. We briefly explained the situation of my fiance's terminally ill father (we had to give some sort of reason why we were ordering dessert to go and then hightailing it out of there) and the hostess told us that it would be "a couple minutes" for a table. We were very surprised by the hospitality. For an appetizer we shared a plate of Veggie Quesadillas which were fabulous. For dinner, I ordered the Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos while my fiance and his mother ordered the short rib tacos and Brisket sandwich. My fish tacos were okay (needed a bit more flavor); however, the short rib tacos and brisket sandwich were AMAZING. My future mother-in-law exclaimed how it was the best brisket she's ever had (She's Jewish and once owned a BBQ joint so her opinion is gold) while my fiance thoroughly enjoyed his tacos. We also ordered a Bread pudding for the 3 of us to share as a dessert. SO, SO, SO good. It is nice and warm with homemade whipped cream and drizzled caramel syrup. At the end of the meal the hostess came up to us and wished us the best with my fiance's father. Overall: Service is EXCELLENT. The wait staff was very friendly and hospitable. The food is above exceptional (I wouldn't order the fish tacos--it's bland in comparison to other dinner choices), and if you don't order the Bread Pudding, you're definitely missing out. For the price, this place is on my "Favorite" list for Top Philly Restaurants.
(4)
Lawrence M.
I don't care how good your bread pudding is(sometimes), I will never again walk into this establishment! My girlfriend and I have been to this restaurant on a number of occasion. While the food is good, the bread pudding is orgasmic, depending on the flavor they are offering. We more than enjoyed their Oreo cheese cake and apple bread pudding on our first 2 visits, but was disgusted when trying their banana peanut butter during our last visit. I know you may be thinking to yourself, "so what? you had one bad dish, get over it" Under normal circumstances I would agree with you, however, when I'm told that there is another bread pudding available besides the one I was offered, but I cant have it until the current one if sold out and then I'm given a hard time when I asked to take this disgusting piece of poo poo off of my bill, my response to that if GTFOH! Therefore, you will not catch me in this establishment again, I swear! I just called them and they said they had the Oreo cheesecake bread pudding in today and like the other day my response was GTFOH!!!
(2)
Vincent B.
Awesome place. At convention and just stumbled upon it. Gotta try the Betty Burger It was best burger i have ever had! Avocado, white cheddar cheese 1/3 lb beef, pork confit, garlic aioli, on fresh bun Coleslaw was slightly tangy but has sweet finish...creamy. Great price and good service. Other tablemates had bettys grilled cheese and bbq pork sandwich which were delicious. Lunch for 3 under $40. Great value
(5)
Ann A.
Great spot. I met up with friends and our 9 year olds for lunch. For and service were great. Amazing spin on grilled cheese: fresh mozzarella tomato on focaccia Full bar too!!! Perfect for pre or post theater meals
(5)
Rebekah T.
On a mission to try all the best of the brews in Philly, we stopped by Smokin' Betty's for a sampler of beer each. That way we could double our taste buds up on good beer. Our bartender was very knowledgable about beer, so we made a fun game out of trying and comparing notes on each beer. We went with mostly local, higher APV, interesting named and tasting beers: He had the yelp.com/biz_photos/V0SH… *Smoking Betty's Blonde, 5.9 APV% *Flying Fish Grand, 9.5 APV% *Furthermore Make Weight, 8.5 APV% *Avery New World Porter, 6.7 APV% I ordered the yelp.com/biz_photos/V0SH… *Dogfish 60 IPA, 6.0 APV% *Smuttynose Finest Kind, 6.9 APV% *Roy Pitz Laydown Staydown, 9.0 APV% *Longtrail Triple Bag Ale 9.2 APV% After a fun round of guess who ordered the best beer, I think we were pretty much even and I had a cool little buzz on. Smokin' Betty really knows her beer.
(5)
Arthur V.
Smokin' Betty's is a versatile restaurant that plays to its strengths. Great beer list, excellent sandwiches, and a variety of seating options. Works equally well as a place for a big group dinner or a bar to watch a game. Really nice in the summer when the big second floor windows are open.
(4)
Michael Y.
This was my fourth or fifth time at Smokin' Betty's in 2014, and I have to say, the buzz and hype have finally worn off. I don't have any specific negative comments -- food, service, atmosphere were all adequate -- but I don't have any high marks to share either. I ordered a simple bowl of chili, and it was, well, a simple bowl of chili. One of the primary reasons I've returned so often (aside from its convenient location) is to see what all the hooplah is about; I still can't figure it out. It's all so "meh" to me. I've had their tacos (both fish and rib), their burgers, and the salmon on different visits. And while the meal is always fine and satisfying, I'm just never dazzled. I don't understand the fuss people make over this place. There is much better bbq in Philly: Sweet Lucy's in the northeast, Percy Street downtown, and even Famous Dave's. Again, there was nothing wrong with my meals on any of my visits. I just always leave there thinking, "So what?" A comment re: staff and atmosphere (which I maintain were not bad, just "adequate"): I was admittedly turned off by the saturation of hipster customers, possibly spilling over from MilkDud (or whatever that place next store is called). But in 2014 Philadelphia, they are becoming inevitable. They've infested the staff too. They make for lousy waiters/bartenders/food runners/bussers/hosts, and Smokin' Betty's staff is no exception. Though nothing went wrong, I'm really unimpressed when the median age for front-of-the-house staff is 22. So I'll cop to my bias, but it would have been refreshing to see a grown-up manager observe the staff once in a while.
(2)
Larry W.
1. We planned arriving in Philly around 6:00PM so were looking for something close to convention center and being BBQ, and Beer lovers the description was appealing the beer list was long and there were plenty of BBQ type dishes on menu. so we were happy to see Smokin Betty's close to hotel and booked for 7:30 PM on a Friday night. Arrived 15 minutes early, 7:15 PM and were told to cool heels at bar and come back at our reservation time and then they would "start looking" for seats. There are 2 bars there both were packed so we waited by the door, witnessed 3 or 4 parties seated ahead of us on walk in basis and no there were no big tips passed. At 7:30 after standing in front of podium presenting ourselves were actually seated promptly. 2. Ordered St Louis Ribs and Chicken with Rabe sandwich. Presentation was good, flavor bland I have had better ribs out of frozen food box??? Chicken sandwich not on type of bread that was advertised. For a place with Smokin in name food was well presented but lacking any hint of smoke. 3. After being insulted during seating process service was ok but not great, had to ask for flatware. 4. Be careful with beer selection, as well, portions are different for many selections but the sizes are noted in the smallest font I have ever seen on a menu. I ordered a pale ale and was brought a very small portion I genuinely felt ripped off. My wife ordered a stoudt that came in standard full size beer glass the type you would expect in a craft beer type bar. 5. The crowd was young and very loud even though there was no music, conversation impossible.
(2)
Sarab S.
Smokin Betty's was a place I stopped off for a quick lunch with the sig. other. We ordered a pitcher of margaritas (which was light on the booze), had a couple of appetizers- the riblets which were pretty bland, had a burger which was okay and a fish tacho which was and paid about $70 for the whole deal. Definitely not worth the money for the underpowered drinks and the blah food.
(2)
Michael K.
Here is the run down of my trip to Smokin Bettys.... Cool atmosphere and nice staff. GREAT beer selection and no complaints there. When you get down to the food the BBQ is the way to go. Lets break down the ordering... Apps- We ordered bbq wings and riblets for appetizer and they were awesome. Great tang to the sauce and meat that falls off the bone. I highly recommend either of these two apps...I also Strongly suggest you order BBQ as your main meal because if your thinking burger please continue to read this review.... Main Course - I made the mistake of reading a ton of reviews about this so called "amazing" burger that bettys offers. They even name it after the restaurant itself, so how could you go wrong!?!? Well its a mistake to order it! Honestly, is it a ton of stuff on a burger with the potential of being tastey and artery clogging? Yes! BUT i ordered mine medium rare and it came out well done. Restaurants that serve a well done burger might as well save themselves the time and money and just serve car tires instead of actually wasting quality hamburger meat. The burger itself was SOOOO sloppy that i couldnt eat it. My hands were covered in egg and avacado and the burger just fell apart in my hands. I felt like a ravenous homeless person who hasnt had food in over a month. There was no good way to eat this car tire covered in everything in the kitchen. And to be honest i wanted to dip it in ketchup, which that alone should explain its disappointment. If a burger comes with avacado, egg, and Pork Belly it better not need ketchup...But i used the ketchup to help the tough tire make it down my throat. - So i am tough on the burger. A friend of mine who got the same burger at the entire thing, but lets be honest most men are gonna eat their burger no matter what! Just certainly not worth the hype and crazy reviews. If it were cooked right this might be a different review of the burger itself My wife got fish tacos and loved them...not complaints we didnt do desert, just beers! I gave them 3 stars because honestly i think its got potential if you order well... Stick to the BBQ everyone....dont listen to the burger people, they dont know what they are talking about, you will be way way WAY happier with BBQ. Staff - friendly and quick with the service... pretty much what you are looking for at a restaurant. Side note: the bathrooms are co-ed just fyi...they dont tell ya that or have a sign.. i at first thought i had walked into the ladies room and thought this nice lady was gonna crack me in the head... she laughed and said she did the same thing... so eat BBQ and pee with women!
(3)
Truth B Told R.
My new go to place. Went twice last week, once for brunch and once for happy hour. The menu is great, food is plentiful and delicious and the staff is friendly. The prices are very fair.
(5)
Susan H.
I was disappointed. The place is cute, the waitress was fine, and the menu looked delicious. My pork barbecue sandwich was dry until I asked for more sauce, but the meet was gamey tasting and not a standout at all. My husband had a delicious burger. The kids had mac and cheese - totally tasteless, like a cream sauce with no cheese - chicken fingers (fine but ordinary) and a hot dog declared to be "delicious." We waited fifteen minutes for our bill after the waitress said she would bring it right back. Prices are reasonable.
(2)
Nico L.
This place fills you up! They have everything needed to be a 5 star joint. However, it's like a mule with a wheelbarrow. You don't know how he got it and doubt he knows how to use it. A wide variety of ingredients, I went on a Saturday night, but the cook (not chef) does not use them correctly. The servers also guess who ordered what. I asked if the burger handed to me was medium rare, they openly said "I don't know". Nice. I got the betty burger ordered medium rare. Definitely came rare. The bread was good. The avocado and egg definitely seem thrown on. The flavors did not mix. I got the side of sweet potato fries. Stay away! You will be disappointed. Overcooked and no flavor on the good fries. The garlic aioli sauce was essentially mayo with a dash of garlic. It was on the burger and I ordered a side. The drinks are varied enough and cheap enough to warrant a visit. If you have no other options and feel adventurous, go there. If you want a solid meal that won't disappoint nor wow, come here. My gf got the Waldorf chicken salad sandwich. It was good. Also, it was large and filling. However, the baguette it came on was too big and crunchy to eat so she had to remove the meat from the roll.
(3)
Joseph V.
Stopped in by chance to try this little joint and was pleasantly surprised. Food was very good, staff was courteous. Food was priced reasonably for being in center city Philadelphia. Ribs and chicken combo very good as well as the turkey burger . The hand cut fries are great !
(4)
Liza K.
I came here for SIPs with my friend. I was actually expecting not to like it because a foodie friend of mine said that it was terrible. But I liked it better than I expected. It was a fun place - but without being too crowded or noisy. I really liked the Pink Bogart cocktail even though it wasn't on the SIPs menu. It was really girly but not too sweet. My friend had a mojito from the SIPs menu and it was very refreshing but nothing special. Foodwise, between the two of us, we had the quesadilla, taquitos, shrimp and veggie skewers. The chicken quesadilla was really good - it was very flavorful without being too spicy. The taquitos came with this delicious pineapple salsa that complimented the pork very well. The veggie skewers were just ok - but they went well with all of the meat we had ordered. The only thing I did not like was how hot it was inside. They had a lot of windows and the front door wide open. So it was just muggy inside. We wanted to escape from the heat by sitting inside, but apparently it did not make a difference. It would have been nice if they had cooled the place down a bit more. Also, their menu online looks like it's outdated. Some of the food and drinks we had are not on there.
(3)
Dana H.
Went wednesday, early evening for Center City Sips with a small group. We had drinks and appetizers (sliders, egg rolls, etc.) The food tasted very good for appetizers. The atmosphere...LOUD. This is a happening place on Wednesdays. I will definitely return and try the rest of the menu.
(3)
Nancy P.
We came back for happy hour and boy, was it chaotic. Super noisy at the downstairs bar area (there was a Phillies game on). We got orders of the wings (both the BBQ ones and the dry rub ones). The dry rub ones were tasty! And went great with the macaroni salad. The BBQ sauce ones were just okay. The bartender was taking orders for the tables in the bar area so service was a bit slow. For dinner, we had the BBQ sliders. The brisket was the best one..the pork was dry and the chicken paled in comparison to the beef. I also had the 'bitty Betty' cheeseburger with mac and cheese. A perfect portion when you're almost stuffed. The mac and cheese was disappointing..it was wet and runny. Definitely would come back for those dry rub wings!
(4)
Juliana K.
Not a memorable dinner. We had a half rack of ribs (dry rub) and a half chicken (BBQ sauce). The half rack of ribs was tender and fell off the bone; however, the dry rub was bland. There was really no flavor to the dry rub, I had to dip each bite into BBQ sauce for flavor. The chicken was okay. It was moist, but needed more sauce. It was by no means amazing, but it was good. As for sides... Mashed potatoes were decent, but I wasn't wowed. Honestly, I could make better mashed potatoes at home. Baked beans were just okay. I expected better from a "bbq" place. Corn bread was dry and unflavorful. Mac and cheese was bland and dry. Overall the mean was okay. it was not memorable and i am not likely to go back again for the food. This is not really a BBQ place, so much as it's american good with some bbq dishes. The decor and space is nice though. It's dim and the wood decor plays in very nicely. Service is okay, friendly, but nothing special. The music is quite loud so this is not a place to have any real conversation without having to raise your voice. I heard the happy hours here are decent, but I can only judge off my dinner experience.
(3)
Scott P.
This is my favorite happy hour spot in the city! $2 yeunglings from 5 to 7 and a stellar appetizer list for happy hour (cheesteak eggroll!!) The upstairs bar always has room and great service with rotating craft beers and the windows are open if its a nice day. There's plenty of seating for any time of day, almost never a wait. The dinner menu is nothing to talk about but is tasty and reasonably priced. The sandwiches are generously portioned with fries and ask for any sauce and chances are they have it. All in all a solid experience for the frugal center city happy hour enthusiast but check out some of the other neighboring options before you decide on dinner. Theres a reason this place is cleared out by 8pm or 9pm.
(4)
Maurice S.
If you are in the mood for a burger, this is a good option. The Betty Burger is large and in charge. Good stuff. The fries could have been crispier but I guess you can't have everything. A good beer lineup. The service was good too. The people I was dining with had a couple of different types of sliders and said they were good.
(4)
Maureen M.
This review is for takeout only. My mom picked up a pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries, cole slaw, and a pickle. The serving was pretty generous so we split everything. Pulled pork was soft and sweet with just the right amount of sauce. Sweet potato fries were amazing! Perfectly salted, sweet, cooked just right. And the coleslaw was delicious. We were so hungry we practically inhaled our food and didn't speak til we were done eating. We also picked up some bread pudding. I don't know if there was a miscommunication but we got a huge pan of it, like enough to feed 6 people. But it didn't matter once we tasted it. I knew that dessert had no chance of lasting more than 24 hours. Sweet, sticky goodness loaded with berries and cream. My oh my was my belly happy. We'll have to eat in sometime and see how the service is. If it's anything like the food though it's gotta be great!
(5)
Dave K.
2 stars for the food, 4 stars for the service. For a Friday evening, it was surprisingly not crowded and there were empty seats on either side of our table. For an app, the cheesesteak egg rolls were just so-so and the dipping sauce needed more of a kick. I had been eagerly anticipating the turducken burger for some time now, but was disappointed with its lack of depth. The turkey-duck-meat patty concoction needed more seasoning and less time on the grill. It was too dry for my liking. The one saving grace for the sandwich was the herbacious disc of flavorful stuffing tucked beneath the patty. For the entree, the short ribs were fork tender as they should be, but the star of the plate was the green bean as it consumed two-thirds of the plate. More meat, less greens please.
(3)
Kerri B.
I have always wanted to come here since I moved to Philly almost two years ago. Finally went last weekend when my parents came to visit. It was a pretty cool place. They had a lot of beer, let me taste some before deciding, and pretty much everything on the menu appealed to me. Our waiter was really nice and attentive. It was a little loud, which is fine, I jut prefer a little quieter of an atmosphere for dinner because I have a hard time hearing when there is a lot of background noise. I got the ribs which were very delicious. Everyone was very happy with their food (turkey platter, chili, and fish tacos). I would definitely check it out again, even if just for a drink.
(4)
Kristie W.
One of the best BBQ restaurants I've been too. The riblets are my favorite and the service is great!
(5)
Brian C.
I was pretty happy with Smokin' Betty's. I was a bit hesitant on coming here, but yes I saw the Food Network filming here a while ago (a long while ago), and the opportunity popped up last weekend so I decided to give the brunch a try. Not bad. - Turducken burger - I just had to get it since it was on the menu. It didn't disappoint. There was a patty entirely made of stuffing (I love stuffing!), and then the turducken patty which was good too. It really was like Thanksgiving in a burger. It's topped with gravy and cranberry sauce just to push it over the edge a little. - Betty's Breakfast Sandwich - The housemade sausage in it is seasoned well and paired with the crispy bread, this was quite good as well. It definitely satisfied the little glutton living inside of me.
(4)
Jess D.
HAPPY HOUR: This is a great go-to spot for Happy Hour. $2 Yuenglings and great draft beers. I'm a cocktail drinker and enjoy their specialty cocktails and unique seasonal sangrias. Their apps for Happy Hour range from $3- $5 and are well worth it. The portions are big and the quality is decent. I like their Veggie Quesadillas although the chef could cut down a bit on the onions. I also really enjoy their Cheesesteak Spring Rolls and fun ketchupy sauce they are served with. The BBQ chicken pizza was OK but again too many onions (I think the cook loves onions. All in all a great deal for happy hour. We spent $20 + tip for 2 beer, 1 cocktail, and 3 apps... we were full and didn't even need dinner! RESTAURANT WEEK: I also came here for restaurant week before and have to say is was the best bargain for your money and the food quality was excellent! I had the short ribs and had plenty leftover for lunch and dinner the next day. LUNCH: I've been here for lunch twice and really enjoyed myself. The service was great and the sandwiches I got were delicious! Great atmosphere too! CC SIPS: I've been here once for CC Sips and you can't beat the apps! The drinks are great too as they do a great job of offering summery drinks that are delicious and refreshing. The bartenders aren't bad looking either... I'm just saying.... All in all a good consistent neighborhood spot. Not a 5 but definitely a 4 :-)
(4)
Rob W.
My new favorite happy hour spot. My girlfriend and I popped in for happy hour on a snowy Friday night. I wasn't necessarily craving anything but when I saw the grilled wings I was immediately intrigued. I was really there for happy hour / dinner so our order consisted of grilled wings, a pull pork sandwich, half rack of ribs, beers and sangria. The grilled wings were killer! Perfectly cooked with a little char flavor and a delicious sweet and spicy BBQ sauce. I only got a bite of the pulled pork sandwich but it was great as well. So tender with the same BBQ sauce lightly drizzled on top. My ribs were awesome! Mac and cheese, onion rings and a glorious pile of hot off the grill pork ribs. I got them dry with sauce on the side but couldn't help just pouring it on. They aren't fall off the bone but that's what I like about them. You bite in and get something that tastes like meat. ALL of this for only $57!!! Game over.
(5)
Jaime H.
I've been here several times over the years and always had a great experience. The bartenders both upstairs and downstairs are quite accommodating and are incredibly personable. Some menu items that I and my dining partners have had and would recommend: The turducken burger - a friend LOVED it The cheese steak spring rolls- multiple orders every visit The buffalo wings - my boyfriend and I dream of these wings Brisket sliders - Yum. I think the menu offers you three options for sliders and they're all good, but the brisket is my fave. They also have a bangin' happy hour!
(4)
Sarah F.
My boyfriends parents took us here for dinner on Friday night. It was horrible. Firstly, they were out of every beer we tried to order. The server should have told us right away instead of waiting until we ordered them. We finally decided on drinks. They were out of the fried tomato special, so we settled on two orders of wings and and order of the spare ribs. Although juicy, the wings were relatively flavorless, and the bbq sauce on the side tasted like ketchup. None of us ate the accompanying macaroni salad. For entrees, two of us ordered the crabcake special, and two ordered the fried chicken special. Guess what? They were out of white meat. Fine. Guess what again? They only had enough chicken left for one meal. He switched the chicken order to a burger. The avocado crabcakes could be described as mushy. Brussels sprouts, mushy. Spaetzel, good but a bit mushy. The burger was described to us as "the worst burger ever", but my boyfriend ate it anyway. I'm not sure how the chicken was. The server didn't check back on us at all, and it took at least 20 minutes after eating to get our check. Had I been the one paying for this meal, I most definitely would have complained to a manager. I'd still go here for a drink, but not to eat.
(2)
Sara V.
Great atmosphere, decent service, tasty food, and great happy hour prices. The Betty Burger is DELISH. The service was a bit slow, but the food is great. Homemade sweet tater fries, crisp fresh salads, flavorful house wine. Their lamb sliders are UNREAL and I don't eat lamb. I would've had them as a whole burger. Seriously. Definitely be sure to stop on by!
(4)
kristy k.
We had an excellent meal here with friends! Service was great! Food was fantastic! Atmosphere was so cool! I'm so happy smokin' Betty's is around the corner from work!! I'll be back...often!!
(5)
Sean H.
I liked the ambience of Smokin' Betty's more than anything else. The place just feels good. As for the food, I had a cup of the housemade chili and a Betty burger. Despite the hype of each, I have to say that while both were good, neither was worth a return trip. The chili, while good, was a bit too lukewarm for my tastes. And the burger sounded like it would be heaven on a bun, but it wasn't exactly mind-blowing. Not to mention that with all the stuff on it, it was extremely difficult to eat. If I do return, I think I'll try some of the actual BBQ in the chicken/rib combo plate I was eyeing. That might do the trick.
(3)
Liz S.
Mediocre food. HORRENDOUS service from all the employees we encountered. We will not be returning.
(1)
Sarah H.
We decided to sample a bunch of sides this time around. DEFINITELY TRY THE POTATO LATKES. The accompanying cinnamon apple sauce is bangin'. I also recommend the mac & cheese - sumptuously creamy with just the right amount of bread crumbs for that perfect crunch. Betty's still totally smokin'.
(4)
Kerry R.
Went here for a friend's birthday. First impressions were definitely good as the staff was friendly. The atmosphere was fun and energetic. I requested that they put on the Flyers vs. Devils game and they had no issues with that. We killed time at the bar while we waited for the rest of the group to come. Choice of beers and spirits wasn't extensive but good nonetheless. Literally everything was fine until the food came out. I never had such bland unappetizing fish tacos before. It sounded great on paper but sucked in execution. Two of us at the table got them and we both barely wanted to finish our plates. My fiance got the turkey burger and she said that was also underseasoned and lacked any kind of flavor. This place isn't crazy expensive by foody standards but it aint McDonald's either. Maybe it was an off night? If it was, I still wouldn't recommend going here since you don't know what you'll be getting. On the plus side, Mayer Nutter walked in and said hi to me. That was interesting to see him out on a Friday night like a normal person.
(2)
Michael S.
Good spot to get food. Came here after classes for a quick bite to eat with some friends. I order the Buffalo Sandwich that was pretty good. It was a generous portion but not very spicy. My friend ordered a sliders sampler. He thought all the sliders were great. My last friend ordered the ribs. They weren't that great. Overall, the food was pretty good. Unfortunately, the service wasn't the best in the upstairs area. It wasn't a very busy day, so I think that the server just forgot about it for most of the time.
(3)
Z B.
Grilled chicken wings, BBQ sliders and grilled pizza appetizers were all good. The turducken burger was a bit disappointing because the meat really did not have a distinct flavor. The service was mediocre. At times we felt rushed in to ordering
(3)
Pauline S.
From the restaurant week menu: KFC Waffles: 2 Korean fried chicken waffle sandwiches, (they were ball sized and the waffles were a quarter of a belgian waffle each, making one single whole belgian waffle if pieced together), and a couple of asian veggies and ketchup or red sauce. It was decent. Turkey & bacon chowder: came in a cup with a mini biscuit. It was very good and had mixed veggies like corn, peas, carrots, and green beans. Pork ribs w/ cheesy potatoes and sour veggies: It was okay, I did not like the sour veggies and generally don't care for potatoes, much less CHEESY potatoes. The ribs were soft and fell off the bone. At first I thought it was good but then it became bland. I would have chosen a different entree if I could do it over. Apple pie w/ vanilla ice cream: I only wanted this one cause of the ice cream. I don't generally like pie cause I don't like sweet or gooey stuff. I only like the crust. My bf got a special burger that was actually very good. Next time I would get that and a different kind of ribs.
(3)
lenny A.
I travel for a living. A hobby of mine is to find a local BBQ joint and have dinner. Very few times have I been disappointed. Smoking Betty's is one of those times. I was seated right away because I had made a reservation. A nicely located table by a window upstairs. Table is set with menu and paper place mat. The table was very very sticky. I watched the set a table next to me an all they did was wipe it a dirty towel. I spent the next 15 mins waiting for a waiter to take my order. Once he arrived I ordered the ribletts as an app and chicken breast with grilled veggies am steamed broccoli for my dinner. Both prepared with dry rub Ribletts arrived in a few mins with a side of something i can only assume was coleslaw. The ribs themselves were a little dry and the rub was flavorless. I had to request a side of the BBQ sauce to give them some flavor. The coleslaw was a very odd texture and flavorless. It sorta reminded me of the shredded cardboard fiber they use in home insulation with a little crunch. Not good at all The main course was hot upon arrival but coated in the same tasteless dry rub. A little dry as well. The grilled veggies were cold and drowned in oil. Not as healthy as I had hopped for. The broccoli was good and I was given a full head. The BBQ sauce was sweet and spicy but a bit one dimensional Over all not a great meal. Barely passable Definitely disappointing. .
(2)
N Y.
Plus: Great burgers, cool location, good food all together Minus: Staff is so so, last time the waiter barely came to our table, stood and starred at us and didn't take our order until I just started ordering. He also lied and said we were not allowed to have half sweet potato/half normal fries when I have gotten it several other times.
(3)
Christina M.
In town traveling. So glad the husband and I agreed on BBQ. The setting is great as was our server Katie, very welcoming. The ribs were some of the best I have ever had, the BBQ sauce made it!!!! If we come back to Philly, definitely coming back!
(5)
Lisa R.
So convenient for Lantern Theater (at St Stephen Church on 10th & Chancellor); great for pre or after theater dining. Great bar. Open large windows in warm weather for indoor/outdoor feel. (This can get too hot on humid summer nights.) Love the gourmet Southern comfort menu -- from riblet appetizers (messy and tasty chunks of well-made rib slathered in great barbeque sauce), to slider sampler, to fish to great salads and sides. Check out chalk board specials -- servers almost never mention them, possibly because the chalkboards are 10 feet high and hard to miss. We have rarely saved room for dessert here, but when we did share one it was very tasty. Great drinks, good wine selection, reasonable prices all around.
(4)
Diana K.
Love this place. I go here all of the time. Two things: 1. Great happy hour specials for both drinks AND food! 2. GET THE BETTY BURGER. Just do it.
(4)
P P.
Don't order the grilled cheese. Not tasty. I gave it 5 stars because I think it's a great place for a drink.
(5)
Patrick H.
Smokin' Betty's is a pretty decent place. The environment and decor give a very welcoming and comfortable feeling. There were many tables, an outdoor seating area, two bar areas, and an upstairs seating area as well. It was happy hour along with Philly Sips happening when I came, so there was a wait to be seated and it was pretty crowded. We had a bunch of items from their appetizer/Philly Sips menu: wings (both their BBQ and dry rub), buffalo chicken quesadilla, and pepperoni pizza. My friends also got the pork belly sliders. The dry rub wings were really good, one of the best wings I ever had, but there were no dipping sauces to it, which was fine. The BBQ wings were actually very sweet, not really BBQ-y. The quesadillas were good; there were melted bleu cheese in them that gave it that extra boost, definitely try those. Pizza was very cheesy, but other than that, it was a typical small pizza. Everything was prepared very aesthetically pleasing, so props to the modern classiness! Food was really good, and there selection of alcohol was just as good. They have a really good selection, and the prices were cheap. The sizes and taste of their mixed drinks, on the other had, were just average. I would definitely come here for a drink or two after work! Service was OK, our host and server were really friendly. Seating was confusing since we put our name down on the waiting list, but they just told us to hang out at the bar until a table was ready for us; we had no idea how they were going to find us or know who we were. I ended up just waiting up front while my friends went to the bar. Our server did have trouble getting to us since it was pretty busy, but I'd just give them the benefit of the doubt that they are usually better.
(4)
Annie W.
3.75 Ordered the beef brisket sandwhich with sweet potato fries The bun is divinnnee and the brisket is super tender & well seasoned The sweet potato fries r sweet, salty &b crispy. A side of syrup to dip em in would take them to a whole notha motha fuggin level. Ordered @ the bar food came out n 3 mins. Literally
(4)
Ashley L.
Smokin' Betty's is a solid spot for drinks and food. It's a large space with 2 floors and modern decor. It's right next to Thomas Jefferson, which can mean that it can be hit or miss as far as whether it's packed or pretty quiet. I prefer to come during happy hour. The $2 lagers & $4 cheesesteak eggrolls are a great deal. They also have a delicious burger. I wasn't adventurous enough to try the Betty Burger, but it is next on my list! Yummy comfort food and reasonably priced drinks are what keeps me coming back.
(4)
Jennifer W.
This place during lunch wasn't as busy as some other restaurants. The specials are located on the blackboard in the back of the room. They did look delicious. I wish I could have ordered more food. Haha...Torn between getting the special pizza: arugula, mozarella, and proscuitto pizza or a salad. They both looked good on the menu. Decided to go for the cobb salad instead. It was absolutely huge and filling, AND healthy!
(4)
Bethany S.
We we popped in during a rain storm for the Beer Week menu. I know it's bad form to judge a place by a special menu, but I think our experience merits some commentary. I think our meal was exemplary simply for how polarized it was. My dining partner and I chose completely different dishes off the prix fix menu. My dinner was delicious and well-executed, his was pretty sub-par. I had: the empanadas, the mahi and the cheesecake He had: mussels, filet tips and the brownie. I'm not sure what it says about a BBQ place that overlooks beef, but his filet tips were so tough he could barely make it though them -- almost as if they had been sitting u der a lamp for a while ... The other courses for him weren't nearly as indelible, just disappointing. The broth in the muss,es and the bread they were served with were delicious, but the mussels themselves were chewy (more than usual) and rather bland -- as if they hadn't been cooked in the broth. The brownie was dry and the s pop of ice cream it came with was already mostly melted by the time it got to us. My meal on the other had was awesome. The empanadas were well-flavored and and a great meat to dough ratio (heavy on the meat). The BBQ sauce accompanying them was a little sweet, a little spicy -- delicious. My mahi was cooked perfectly as was the tangy sweet risotto it was laying on. And the cheesecake was perfectly fluffy and creamy at the same time. Night and day Our service was very peasant. It's a loud restaurant, but not overwhelmingly so. My one complaint was that there was a leak in the ceiling (it was torrentially raining for or whole meal) and were seated next to the little silver bucket meant to catch the water. Like, I had to awkwardly step over the bucket to get into my chair. Not a huge deduction, but it was sort of tacky. Overall the rating comes from the completely polarized experience we had with this special menu. I plan to go back to give their regular menu a try, but I go anxiously.
(3)
Alli H.
They've got some decent happy hour snacks and drinks! Mon-Fri 5-7pm. I've been to Smokin' Betty's for beers, for dinner, and for a 90's-themed party they had back in October. Every time I've been, I've had a good time. Service is friendly and attentive, and the food and beer is good. Yay :-)
(4)
Christopher D.
I'm only giving this one star because the menu looked absolutely delicious. We sat down and weren't greeted by anyone for 10 minutes. We ended up walking out. I can't begin to explain how annoying this is. We obviously left without eating. Really disappointing.
(1)
Sue S.
Glad we found this place. Decor is very cute and has a vintage southern feel to it. Service was good. Food brought to us quickly and was quite tasty. Would definitely go there again.
(4)
Steve W.
The BBQ chicken came to the table, not just undercooked but bloody still on the inside. Since the outside had such a well done grilled look to it makes you wonder if its just painted on. Had it replaced with the dry rubbed ribs which were not under cooked and good. The interior is clean and modern looking. It was a nice evening, so they had the windows open to the street which was ok as long as the wind didn't blow the occasional city stench into the restaurant. Would have a much better experience on a different street. Even without the raw chicken experience it would be hard to give this place more than 3 stars.
(2)
Michelle C.
When Smokin' Betty's was suggested as the locale for a Friday happy hour between friends, I was pretty stoked; especially because I missed Sam's MOOB UYE earlier that week. Our rain soaked crew arrived around 5:30 to a completely empty restaurant. It wasn't until a hostess appeared that we found out they were seating everyone on the second floor. We went upstairs and were surprised to find a fairly crowded bar and a few occupied tables. How we didn't hear the peeps and music from the first floor, I have no idea. We were seated at a booth that fit all six of us, and my side faced a wall that featured a gigantic chalkboard filled with beers, cocktails, the day's specials and happy hour info. Smokin' Betty's Blonde, the house beer, was only three bucks during happy hour so most of us started with that. I thought it was similar in taste to Magic Hat #9 and I enjoyed it a lot. When a friend wrinkled her nose after tasting the Curious Georgia (a bellini-like concoction of white beer, peach schnapps and a ginger syrup-marinated peach slice), I gladly took it off her hands as I adore bellinis in their natural state and I enjoyed this interesting spin-off as well. (So yes, for those of you doing the math, technically I was double fisting for a short period of time but I'm half Irish and this is widely accepted in our culture.) Our group was going to order off the menu but when we saw the cheap eats offered as part of happy hour, we changed our minds. I had the spicy dry rub wings which were awesome, but what made them even better was the barbecue sauce I requested on the side for dipping. Sweet but with a definite zip, it was one saucy sauce! The onion rings and corn bread we ordered for sides were pretty standard. A friend ordered the bbq sliders and I had major food envy. I will definitely hit those up on my next visit, with an extra side of that sauce, of course! A five star rating might be viewed as a bit generous by some, but there wasn't a single thing I disliked about my experience at Betty's. The food, drinks and service were all on point and I will gladly return.
(5)
Jonny D.
We came here for drinks last night and my diabetic wife's blood sugar got low, which can cause her to pass out. I ran to the waiter and asked for some emergency OJ to get her blood sugar back up. He quickly ran to get some, which I really appreciate. Once it arrived, two waiters took turns checking up on her every couple of minutes to make sure she'd be OK, and refilled the juice. When we left they hadn't even charged us for the OJ. They were so concerned about her well being that I guess they just didn't ring it up. I'm not an emotional guy, but that kind of compassion is hard to come by and really left a mark. They really honestly cared about a stranger's well-being. That means a lot to me. I tipped the hell out of them and I hope they know that they made my week. That's real, honest, true kindness. Plus the happy hour here is a really cheap too. :)
(5)
Kiana S.
Great place! The food is great and the Resturant is super cozy. The brunch drink specials are great. We had the breakfast sandwich and the turkey club. Everything was great and reasonably priced. We ordered the sweet potato fries as well, the portions are big. The server was so friendly and staff was super attentive! I will definitely be coming back!
(4)
Dooly M.
I would love to give it 5 stars, but I have tried better. Sorry. However, I will definitely vistit this restaurant in my next trip to Philadelphia over and over again. Why? 1- our servent, Seth, was amaaaaaaazing. He has such a wonderful personality and spirit. I was happy all the time and pleased with his service and helpful recommendations. Food is not everything, the service is as important as the food to me. With all the tress in life, you want to have a nice place with good food and service. Did I was lucky this time? Or all the servant are nice? I am really not sure. 2- I ordered Smokin' Betty's Burger, and it was excellent. I usually get medium well because I usually get it with little pink from where I came from, but with Seth recommendation I ordered medium and it was perfect. He notified us with how medium and medium well is cooked in their restaurant or Philadelphia. However, I did not like their hand cut fries. It was too thin for my taste and not crispy. I would order a green salad next time. 3- my sister ordered mahi mahi tacos. It was good but it needed more flavors or sauce. It was light dish and healthy though. 4- finally, we ordered a layered chocolate cake for TO GO. OMG. I WAS IN HEAVEN. every bite was a whole new experience. I tried many chocolate cakes but nothing beat Cheesecake Factory. This one is my second favorite now, it is moist, dark enough as I like, and very heavy and rich with a cranberry sauce! It was perfect perfect perfect. I will never forget the taste. UHH. Overall, it was a very good experience for us. I really recommend it to you.
(4)
Michael M.
So I like this place, and I'll be going back. Four of us hit it this past Friday night at 7pm. Hits - Cheesesteak spring rolls, Yum, now with spicier sauce. Beef Brisket, delicious. Various mixed drinks, top notch. Wet chicken wings were the best true BBQ item, with real chargrilled flavor lacking in some other items. OK stuff. Riblets - yum, need more chargrilled flavor (see wings above). Stuffing and gravy, also yum but strangely sweet. Pork slider, needs more spice. Roast chicken, needs more BBQ flavor. Ribs themselves were tender bit lacked that on the grill bite the winds had. Misses - mahi mahi tacos. Bland and the wrap they were in disintegrated into mush by the time they were served. It they weren't in wax paper they wouldn't have made it to the table. Green bean and potato balsamic salad - tasted like bad aids. Would have been perfect if ingredients included band aids but did not. Bleah. Service was slow but the place was new and it was a jumping Friday night. Free onion rings (due to a server mix up) were nice. So we'll be going back, sitting downstairs where its quieter, and ordering that brisket and yummy wings again!
(4)
Christine B.
Ended up here after a long day of celebrating beer week with a couple other yelpers. The boys went with a rack of ribs with bbq sauce, and I got the pulled pork sandwich. I think the ribs were better than the pulled pork. The meat fell right off the bone, and the sauce was really tasty. The pulled pork had a nice spiciness to it, and the roll it was served one was perfectly toasted. I met up with some other friends at the bar upstairs for one more beer. All the windows were open which created a really nice atmosphere. The service was really good too.
(4)
Zanna H.
I want to give this place a higher rating but find myself hesitant to, it is solid 3.5 at least. The decor is minimal and sleek. The place is pretty well lit with dark woods and accents in the upstairs making it feel warm and inviting. The service was awesome, I wish I remembered her name because she served our rather large group with no problem and then split up the bill by individual like a pro. Now what makes me downgrade you ask, well the food is good but I just don't feel it is a value for the price. Their beet and arugula salad was nice, the dressing was light and tangy which helped off-set the sweetness of the beets. The should have opted to throw a little goat cheese in the mix instead of putting onion crispy springs on top. The cheese steak egg roll was nothing exciting or new, I was told by others in the group that it had a spicy kick to it but I was not getting it. Maybe I am too desensitized to spicy things since I brush my teeth with Sriracha sauce. I also got the Betty burger which was very large in size and had some nice flavor to it. My problem was that I asked for it to be cooked well done and it was very pink and cold in the center. So I left 3/4 of it on my plate. The onion rings were standard and the fries were even less impressive. Anyhoo the drinks were mediocre and once again were highly over priced - $4 was a little much for a champagne flute of light ale mixed with peach schnapps with a slice of peach floating in it (thus taking up about 1/3 of the glass so I am paying for even less drink by volume)... and it was on special for 1/2 off. So for price versus value on the meal it left me lacking... mostly in the wallet area.
(3)
Vinny P.
Ok Betty's it seems like what I've been hearing is true. Recently I was afforded the chance to have some ribs, cornbread and mac and cheese at this establishment. I was rather impressed with both the service and the food. The party I was with was able to get a table relatively quickly and begin our BBQ adventure. I ended up splitting a rack of ribs with one of my friends and we both agreed that they were cooked perfectly. There was smoky flavor and the sauce complimented it very well. Also, the texture of the ribs indicated that they were perfectly cooked. If you held a rib bone and just shook it once, the meat would fall off onto the plate (or possibly fly at someone nearby depending on how hard you shook it) The mac and cheese was a little too creamy for me. I did like the small cornbread muffins that came with scallion butter. I should also mention that I am normally more of a fan of dry rub but the sauced ribs did not disappoint. I will be returning for the dry rub ribs along with other menu selections.
(4)
Margo K.
I have to update. I went here for brunch with my brother on our birthday. It was a Saturday birthday brunch! I was sold on my first visit earlier in the week, and my brother loves this kind of eatin'. I ordered the smoked salmon hash which features smoked salmon (obvs), sweet potatoes, bacon, and a fried egg on top. I wanted to try some of my favorite foods in a different format and certainly enjoyed it. I have to note that some people might not find this serving size to be enough, although I did. My brother got BBQ sliders which came with one hickory smoked beef brisket, one carolina pulled pork, and one carribean pulled chicken. He was a fan. We also split some cornbread muffins (because how could you not) for $2 which is a great price for something as comforting as cornbread muffins are! Service was slightly slow, but it didn't really bother us. I usually don't drink this early, so I still have not tried their dranks! Happy hour, soon soon soon!
(4)
Walter K.
Smokin' Betty's has been open for just over one week. I've been anticipating this place for two reasons: my good friend Brooks is working here. Secondly, I'm always looking for a good BBQ sandwich. My friend Jess and I headed out to check out this new establishment. Usually I like to talk about food and drink first, but I have to talk about atmosphere. The inside of this place looks excellent. It's just a cool looking spot. It has two levels of seating, with a bar on both floors, and really has the capacity to be a hopping place, in terms of coolness and the sheer numbers I'm sure it will be packing in shortly (after my review is read). I recommend grabbing a seat upstairs, especially a window seat if available. The service is excellent. I'm not just saying this because Brooks was my server; all of the servers tag-team the tables to make sure that everything is taken care of quickly and efficiently. The menu is impressive. It's much larger than ones I've seen at "real" restaurants in quite some time. There are different sections, with appetizers, small plates, entrees, soups, and salads represented. Lots of choices. There was even a small kids menu with a few choice under $5! Really, it's a great idea and basically unheard of outside of chains. There's an small plate of three sliders featuring three different types of BBQ: great for the indecisive. I decided to just go for the beef brisquet BBQ. It was a really good sandwich, but not the best I've had. Plus there's enough other great things on the menu that I'd try first before I had this again. One downside was the tiny side of macaroni salad, especially because it was pretty good. I also had a side of onion rings which were standard, but good. Smokin' Betties boasts sixteen taps which are arranged in order on the bar from dark to light in terms of the color it pours. While this order is a bit arbitrary and has no effect on actual taste, style, or ABV; I like it. It's better than nothing at all. All the beers are American craft brews. While most of the beers are "safe bets" and not very adventurous, there is good diversity and a lot of solid choices. I went with the Yellowtale Pale Ale from Ballast Point, which was good. An easy drinking, light pale ale. Bottom Line: This place was very slow when I went in, but I suspect it will only be another week or two before it gets busy. It's a cool spot in a good location. The menu is massive and packed with good choices. The prices are decent and there's a few good beers to chose from. It's not perfect, but it's definitely worth a try. I'll check it out again in the future.
(4)
Kara M.
This review is for the 'Puppy Love' event hosted by Smokin' Betty's and Devil's Alley. The event was amazing! I can't even decide where to begin! The food- delectable, The drinks- delicious, the decor- delightful! The tapas seemed to be never ending- my personal favorite was a bite sized sweet potato topped with (perfectly prepared) filet crowned with onion straws- loved it! This was by far the best event i've been to in a long time- an excellent evening with proceeds benefitting a wonderful cause! I can't wait to venture to Smokin' Betty's and try more of their menu.
(5)
Sylvia M.
Dear Ms. Betty, You are SMOKIN!!! Wow, not a single thing went wrong at this place... ok maybe 1. We stood at the host stand for an awkward amount of time. You know that feeling, when you don't know if it's seat yourself or you just assume the host is being a terrible employee and not standing at his post to great you warmly. He finally arrived, asked upstairs or downstairs. We didn't care so he took us upstairs. We sat near that chalkboard wall with all the specials! Good thing too! I ordered the house red wine for happy hour and my bf for their featured beer which the server described as lemonade, it was really good. We also had the cheesesteak spring rolls that came with a chipotle-ketchup-y dip. we only had 1 cut in half for $4. But they were so good! My bf got the turducken burger, idk if thats spelled right. I had the special 3 bean chili and the buffalo chicken quesadillas. Yea, lots of food but i was really hungry! I didnt like the burger because im not a fan of cranberry sauce, but he loved it!!! I loved my chili, it came in a coffee mug! with 2 corn muffins and some butter with jalapenos chopped in it, so good! The quesadillas were amazing. If you have ever had 'al pastor' tacos, thats what it tasted like. Staff: She was so helpful! She gave us a happy hour ending warning! i still had most of my wine and she let me order another. she brought us water without asking, which is always a plus. she checked in on us more than enough times but she was so nice and pleasant that it wasnt annoying! She recommended that next time we get the buffalo sandwich, mac n cheese and some other stuff... basically, its all good. We are def. going to be regulars! The atmosphere is cool and relaxed with a bit of hype during HH. It was loud but not obnoxious. Some standing room which was cool and they put candles on a cake for a party on the other side of the room. Overall, great time! ps the music was great. i never find that place that just plays music i like.. its either terrible or things i never heard of. it was a great blend like alicia keys, beach boys, etc.
(5)
Michael C.
Cool bar/restaurant next to Jefferson, lots of cool beers on tap, great wait staff and bartenders. No surprise that this place is often frequented by Jeff doctors/nurses/staff after work. Didn't really taste much of the food, but did enjoy the Philly cheesesteak spring rolls and the mac and cheese.
(3)
Jessica S.
We had an early dinner at 4:15pm on New Year's Eve so that we could catch the 6pm fireworks at Penn's Landing. The menu was great! Our party of 7 tried everything from burgers to mahi mahi tacos to brisket sandwiches. Everyone was happy with the food and service. We will definitely be returning!!!
(4)
Alex G.
When on my way to this Southern BBQ joint, I was excited to start the night off with some fine Southern spirit, either bourbon or whiskey. However, the cocktail menu was short and didn't include anything remotely Southern spirit-like. Its totally cool to have pomegranate martinis on your menu but if you are modeling yourself after the South you have to have at least a few authentic Southern specialty cocktails to offer. For appetizers, we ordered the BBQ sliders which were ok. The amount of sauce poured on them overwhelmed the actual taste of the meat. It was as if I took a BBQ sauce bottle and just poured it in my mouth. My entree was the pulled chicken sandwich. Part of the chicken was cold, the other part bland. No reason to come back here.
(2)
Jamie D.
There was a Small But Mighty Knight Arts Challenge event going on at this place, so I decided to stop by and support! I'm not sure if these are an all the time thing, but they were serving Cream Soda cocktails with Art in the Age Snap, vanilla simple syrup, and ginger ale....they were amazing! We split an order of the slider appetizer and they were really good! Tender meats on perfect little buns with a side of some bangin' cole slaw. I will definitely need to come back to this place and explore more of their menu and things!
(4)
Devon M.
This was an excellent beer and grub experience. The Betty Blonde is a fantasticly smooth beer, and their signature burger was incredibly large and reasonable for CC prices! Highly recommended for a girl's dinner, happy hour before a show, or to just get some really yummy beer and eats.
(5)
Peter D.
Pleasantly surprised here. A friend suggested eating at Smokin' Betty's when I have two nickels and a ball of lint in my pocket. I ended up having a great time and ordered the house chili, a very delicious and fairly affordable meal. With tip I paid about $7 for great service and a good, good chili. I'd like to come back to try their sliders but I don't know if I will seek Smokin' Betty's in the future, but at least I can give it props when I walk by.
(4)
FT M.
I was in Philly for business travel and wanted to try Smokin Bettys. The service was excellent. Seth knew how to juggle a lot of tables. I got the BBQ combo. Had 1/4 chicken and ribs. The dry rub was delicious. Meat nice and tender. Fries were good. The green beans need to be cooked more for my taste. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Chloe G.
I'm so glad this was my first stop during my trip to Philly. We came in during brunch hour, and I ordered the breakfast burrito with a chocolate pumpkin beer. It was possibly one of the most satisfying meals I have ever had. The only part was that it was on the pricier side, but other than that amazing. I seriously left the restaurant with a smile on my face, that's how good it was.
(4)
K. A. N. A. K.
I swear that somebody in the kitchen is referencing my homesickness for Hawaii eats in the dry-rub chicken wings; they have that perfect hibachi char, and they come with a "mac salad"-treatment on tri-color spiral pasta. We consistently order this, and it's always good. Our recent discovery was the "grilled cheese." It is just delightful, with abundant melty mozzarella, warm pesto and grilled tomato, and fluffy-yet-crispy cheddar focaccia.
(4)
Katie O.
The food is great, but as I type this we've been eating for over 20 minutes for a table even though we called ahead. Why? Because one member of our party uses a wheelchair, and apparently estimating the time it might take to get a table on the first floor (despite having been warned of all of this when we called) is asking too much.
(2)
Mike L.
I had the Betty Burger. I will be back to try the Tur-Duck-En burger sometime next month. The bar is kind of small, so show up early!!
(5)
Schuyler L.
Smokin' Betty's, you've lost a customer. This is not because your bathrooms are filthy stink holes, but they are. Urine on the floor, faucets don't work, and hair balls in the sink. I was ready to document this nastiness with photos, but was advised against it by my dining partner. Wet naps don't cut it, sticky fingers. Continuing on to the real issues... I'm not sure if it's customary to be ignored by the hostess as she walks past within slapping distance, but that's what I wanted to do to her. I request a table upstairs, she says downstairs by the window, "it's too busy upstairs." We were guided to a crappy table, not really near the window. We decide this isn't really what we wanted and go back to the hostess to request a table upstairs by the window. Ignored. This was happening around mid afternoon on Sunday, May 13th, a beautiful spring afternoon. After having to repeat ourselves to her she barked that she was looking for a table, a considerate person would know that lack of eye contact could cause confusion. When we got upstairs, not only were all the two person tables free, but she sat us at the only two top without a window!! (No reservations came in while we were eating either) To add to the drama, it wasn't busy. Evidence: The servers actually had time to not only chit chat with us but high five friends at another table and join them briefly at the table. Thankfully that was the last I had to deal with her. Never again, Smokin' Betty's. So to recap, the hostess was very rude, passive aggressive, and lied straight to our faces. Lied. To our faces. Portions were very very small. I think they were running out of food!!! Honestly, the only good thing to come out of our out visit was our down to earth, attentive, and energetic server, David D. He was cheerful and it was evident that he truly cared about his customers. He deserves better than the trash Smokin' Betty's was trying to pull and David, if you're reading this, feel free to contact me to use as a reference in the future.
(1)
Terri B.
I've been to Smokin' Betty's three times. For Center City Sips, work lunch and happy hour. I'm never disappointed. I've had the Betty Burger (yum), the pork belly BLT sliders (delish), pulled pork taquitos (double delish), and the honey bbq wings. All great choices. Their drinks are really awesome as well. The Strawberry Lemonade (alcoholic) is my all-time fave! For you beer snobs out there, their selection is very extensive. I try to get here as often as I can. It's definitely a good go-to choice when you're in the city and want to impress someone ;)
(5)
Jason N.
Stopped in for a private party. The back room was spacious and while open and still part of the main bar areas it was separate enough for a small party. The atmosphere was relaxed and laid back. Bar staff was fast and courteous. I like the area and would return. Got to try just a little taste of the food, but not much due to the party size and time spent talking and mingling. The bbq chicken quesadilla was good. The bbq sauce was rich, thick, and had a mild smokey flavor. I would return to eat and hang out here again.
(3)
Aaliyah P.
Bopped in for cocktails and some sweet potatoes fries. Yelp cocktails week has made me a drinkin fool! Sissy and I each did the berry Betty. Rich in the voodah-kah(said in an Russian accent ) topped with champange:) made to perfection . Fries were bombness !!! Very yum I'm intrigued to go back . Bartender super nice :)
(4)
Shavon B.
Went to Smokin' Betty's because the wait at El Vez was too long... Definitely a mistake. I got the special, salmon burger sliders, which although the menu said all burgers come with fries, don't, but whatever I ordered some side sweet potato fries for an extra $5. My friend ordered a vegetable quesadilla and my sis a turkey burger. The one star is for my drink and my friends which was delicious and the other star is for my sisters burger because she said it was good. Now for everything else. Waitress... Mediocre in terms of attentiveness. Salmon burgers are unseasoned pieces of fish on top of dollar store potato bread with two pieces of arugula and tomatoes slivers per slider and a ton of dill tarter sauce... Freaking gross and not worth the $15. Vegetable quesadilla was lots of vegetables soaked in oil that runs down ur hand when u eat it and again not seasoned. I was disappointed to say the least and the guy next to us screaming and laughing like a hyena because he was drunk didn't help. This is my second disappointed experience here. Needless to say I won't be back.
(2)
Andrew W.
Good for the happy hour: good apps, drink specials,and never too crowded... not sure I'd call it a legit BBQ place but the food has always been good and it is very reasonably priced. I like to sit upstairs when they have the windows open, it is a nice alternative when the other outdoor seating options in the area are taken up.
(4)
Moo Young K.
When moving from the west coast to the right coast, I never thought I'd transform into a burger girl. Smokin' Betty's gave me an all around great experience. What really helped me out with this gigantic burger was the knife that is stabbed in the middle of it to hold the thing together. I don't know if this was intentional, but it's just too much burger and it helps an eater like myself cut the burger in half to pack it for lunch the next day. As soon as I took my first bite, my server came up to me to ask how I liked my burger. He seemed excited and I guess his enthusiasm was infectious because I soon became giddy over this burger. For the rest of my burger, I was PUMPED! But my best reaction came at lunch the next day. The burger was still good! Wowza! I was so afraid that the burger would just not hold up to my initial experience, but it did! Shockingly, the sweet potato fries were good in their own ways. The fries weren't stale like how McDonald's fries become 30 minutes after it's been sitting around (not like it normally would), but it was kind of like a sweet, mashy fry that was still delicious. I say give the Betty Burger a try! It's a go! :)
(4)
Louis R.
Ok...I loooove bbq....and I love cool, hip, chill restos. This place is fresh when it comes to decor and a clutch(ugh) date spot...but...the bbq, itself, is just okay. * The pulled pork sliders were fuckin awesome * The dry-rubbed wings were deelish and the macaroni salad was the star of this plate * The mac n cheese was sick...soooo good * The dry-rubbed st louis style ribs were okay...just okay...and the bbq sauce I asked for on the side was waaaaaaay too sweet, yikes Like I said...dope decor...just okay for the bbq.
(3)
Mandy H.
My sister and I came to Smokin' Betty's last night before a concert we were going to nearby at the Trocadero. My sister is a picky eater so the burger on the menu was perfect for her. It was huge, i think it was a 1/2 lb burger. It didn't come with cheese or anything on it, which is just how she likes it so she was happy. We got a bucket of fries on the side that reminded me of Five Guys fries. Yum! I had the BBQ sliders, which came with the Carolina pulled chicken and coleslaw, brisket, and pulled pork mini sandwiches. I usually tend to favor the pulled pork, but the brisket was the best out of all the sliders. It had a sweet BBQ sauce on it and the bun was nice and crispy. However, each little sandwich is overflowing with meat so after just eating the one brisket sandwich and what was overflowing out of the other two, I was stuffed. We also each had the raspberry tea drink which tasted just like a raspberry iced tea, but I'm not sure that it had any alcohol in it. That's the only reason I'm knocking off a star on this review. For $8 ea in a small whiskey glass, I thought they could have been a little more liberal with the vodka. Other than that, the food is delish! One last comment is that they had weird bathrooms in the upstairs dining area. It has a communal sink and each stall has it's own individual room with a door. I was a little surprised to come out of my bathroom at the same time as a man and both head to the same communal sink. It's kind of like El Vez's bathroom. Weird but interesting.
(4)
Gene B.
Food was very good and it was extra good with the Bloody Mario to kickstart the day! Service is good and the staff is very friendly. A great brunch destination, too!
(4)
pracheta t.
Came here for my girl's bachelorette pre-party dinner and we had sucha good time! I called a few days ahead to make a reservation for 16 and the hostess stated that they were more than willing to accommodate us and will cooperate with any surprise we have planned (we didn't, but it was nice they offered). I got there first so I sat at the bar upstairs and enjoyed a Blonde Betty and a Dirty Bastard...i think those were the names. Anyway, it was good. When the girls got there, we were promptly seated, drinks were brought out and food didn't take long. It wasn't too expensive, we had the entire upstairs area behind the bar to ourselves and our waitress was so friendly and fun. We had a great time!
(4)
Dee G.
Brunched here with friends last weekend. Relaxed atmosphere with plenty of room for a big group and also kid-friendly. Food was also very good. I enjoyed my salmon dish very much and also tried out the French Toast which was absolutely yum - it had just the right amount of caramel goodness.
(4)
Meghan C.
The food was boring. The service was clearly bored with us. Expensive for very mediocre sandwiches.
I've been here for happy hour a few times and I am never let down. The BBQ sliders are the best bang and variety for your buck - 8 dollars will get you three sliders with pulled pork, brisket, and chicken with different sauces. I've never found the service slow or curt and the drinks are satisfactory. I'm really, really, really trying hard to come up with something I don't like about Smokin' Betty's so that this review seems a little more fair and balanced. Oh yeah, I got the fish tacos once just to be the one jerk at the table getting something different. My expectations were modest and they were met. The fish tacos are OK but if you are smart then you should stick with the BBQ options. The chicken wings are a little fatty. Take that, Smokin' Betty's. On the action-movie-parallel-satisfaction-scale, this establishment is Doomsday.
(4)
Matt M.
Our favorite happy hour spot - good drink and food deals. Usually try their daily pizza ap and are not disappointed. Great beer selection that changes up a bit. We dont ever sit at the downstairs bar unless its at lunch time - the downstairs is very small and not as nice as the upstairs bar which is fantastic. They also have a great room that could be rented out for a party too, havent used it but have it in mind just in case!
(4)
Regina F.
There are sweet potato fries. That's about it. There's also wine. It's odd that when you order sliders, there's no BBQ sauce served with them. It's also odd that you have to request BBQ sauce at a BBQ joint. Odd. Very. Peculiar.
(3)
Connie S.
Came back for drinks and late night bites with friends... and man, I love this place. You must try the Tur-duck-en Burger here. It's essentially Thanksgiving dinner in one neat package: patty of duck rillette surrounded by chicken and turkey, slathered with stuffing, gravy, cranberry-orange relish, and fried sweet potato ribbons for extra crunch, all between some soft, fresh buns. So much to be thankful for.
(5)
Ciara S.
Smokin Betty's was a cool place to eat... I consider this to be a hidden gem because nothing about the exterior catches your attention. If I wasn't come to a birthday party this place would have passed me by. I must say their food was delicious and they had a wide variety of food.. Def will be back!
(4)
Matthew L.
Several good experiences, one awful one. In general, this restaurant has been good to me. The beer selection is reasonable, with options ranging from light to porters. I tend to enjoy the Betty Burger, which is laden with bacon, fried egg, and avocado. This location is absolutely packed on Fridays and Saturdays so I'd suggest reservations. You can always attempt to get a seat at the bar with varying levels of success. Upstairs is a second bar and additional seating and several flatscreen TVs playing the most popular sport channel at the time. I've never found the service (hostesses) to be particularly welcoming or really make the attempt to help seat people but they aren't generally rude. On to the awful experience. Random Wednesday night, sitting in the downstairs bar area, I and a friend order the Betty Burger medium rare (as with every previous visit). The burger comes out looking fabulous, yet when we bite into the burger, the center is virtually uncooked - think of what ground beef looks like before you even put it on the grill. I understand medium rare to be warm, slightly cooked, and still pink. This seemed to have been the same understanding from the kitchen until this last visit. Needless, we asked that it be cooked a little more and met little resistance. We were informed they'd have to completely remake the burger because of all of the toppings, etc. We thanked them and waited for the burgers to come out - exactly the same. At this point, I was disappointed but rather hungry and figured I'd risk it. My friend was still perturbed with this 'medium rare' and reasonably requested that it be cooked longer. At this point, our waiter began to debate 'medium rare' and informed us, 'this is how our chef does medium rare.' Given all of our previous experiences, this seemed unreasonable but we simply said that the center was still entirely uncooked and thus not medium rare. The waiter took the plate back and they remade it again. We noticed several of the kitchen staff poking their heads out to stare at us, which just seemed unprofessional. On the third attempt, the burger at least seemed somewhat cooked in the center and was consumed. When the bill arrived, we were charged for both burgers with no apology and perhaps a little sass. While I recognize it's a business of making money and it's not a requirement to comp food for mistakes, we spent an extra 45 minutes in this restaurant waiting for the kitchen to make a burger correctly. Along with the disappointing service, this experience has soured my otherwise pleasant feelings. Prices aren't cheap enough here to be this disappointed at any point. Despite the convenience, I'm not sure I should come back. Cheers.
(2)
Nathan S.
So uh... I'm not coming back. I had high hopes for this place after grabbing a Turkey Reuben and a few drinks here months ago, and finally had the chance to swing by again. I dined here on 1/21 for a late dinner with my significant other. She had the grilled veggies sandwich, and I had the BBQ Pulled Pork and a Smokin Betty's lager. About six hours later I began an all-night extravaganza keeling over in the bathoom rejecting the meal, followed by an all day visit to Pennsylvania Hospital for food poisoning. Now I'm not one to throw around the food poisoning card willy-nilly, but this was the only meal in the past 48 hours we did not have in common. Also, to note something in hindsight about the BBQ sauce... it was very sweet, more so than smokey. It is a somewhat-known restaurant trick to artificially extend the life of sauces and things to throw a handful of sugar on top to counter-act the spoilage and acidity-- which incidentally only covers the spoiled taste but does not eliminate bacteria. Luckily, you do have the option to cut across the street to Jefferson Hospital if the five blocks to Pennsylvania Hospital are a bit too much for you. Plan it out in any case-- otherwise, you might be the next guy writing this with stomach crams and a mandatory diet of Gatorade and Chicken Ramen.
(1)
Jerry T.
I really like this place . . . I was unsure at first, as my first visit was just okay . . . but, after 6 or 7 more visits I can say that it has become one of my favorite stops. Excellent food (with great specials each day) - the soups and chili are excellent (the mushroom soup on a recent visit was absolutely amazing). The burgers are really some of the best in the city - and always cooked exactly as ordered. While I'm not a fan of sweet potato fries, my friends who are LOVE the one's at Betty's! Excellent beer selection with good descriptions - the staff not only knows their stuff, but they are friendly and welcoming. Service is perfect - there when you need them, not when you don't. The pulled pork sandwich is awesome, too!! Give this one a try!
(4)
Wally W.
Came here for breakfast on a Saturday morning. They have really good hash browns. They're like potato strings fried and then mashed together to form a fried potato amalgam. The eggs benedict I ordered was a bit over done. The yolks weren't runny and were rather solid. The sauce was good, though. The prices were really fair and the waitresses are quick.
(4)
Marie C.
Food was great and nice beer selection!
(4)
Omar K.
The front of house was pleasant, but the waiter was terrible. I asked for a glass of wine, took him 15 minutes to get it over. Then, soup arrives, clearly over-microwaved and burned my mouth. Then, food arrives, half-chicken with veggies and mac and cheese. Mac and cheese: dry. Chicken: bland. Overall not a great experience hence the two stars. I wanted to give one but that would be too harsh, the place has got a decent vibe.
(2)
Mario N.
I had the combo chicken and ribs and my wife had the fish tacos. Its was good. Its not the best BBQ your find but I would definitely go back. They have a great beer list and atmosphere is awesome. We sat by the big open window on the second floor. Its helps that the weather was perfect. We just kind of chilled out after dinner and even with the extra drinks it was still a cheap night out.
(3)
Kinnari A.
My friends and i go here to hang out all the time. Drinks and burgers. and amazing sweet potato fries. I love their veggie burger, I get it almost every time I go there, so I highly recommend it. They also have a lot of space which means that its good for big groups.
(4)
Jayna B.
This place is ideal for an easy, quick bite and has food to satisfy everyone's needs. I have taken my nephews, my friends and my boyfriend here. The food is not super fantastic but it is yummy and I find myself using this as my old standard for out of town guests on weekends. There is never a line or a wait, which might not be a good thing for them, but it is for the customers. Brunch is good for me here too because I don't eat meat and they have lots of options. They will also be creative with your meal if you ask for add ins/ subs. In fact, I went here today and enjoyed delicious and actually fresh fresh fruit. The corn muffins were probably Jif but Jif is the best so who cares? My friend ate the veggie burger and loved it, as I have during past visits. You can't beat the location but you can beat the service. Although the host people are always very smiley and nice, sometimes they aren't there when you walk in. And the totally hipster staff make it seem like they are never pleased to serve you. I can look past this because I can easily call someone over if they aren't bringing me my water fast enough but some people might not like this aspect. All in all, I will continue to eat here and enjoy it and I hope to see you there too :)
(4)
Patty M.
Went for Sipz, the drinks were mehhh. THey tasted like lemonade w/out any alcohol, considering it's beer week i was disapointed with their beer selection. The pork taquitos were good though.
(2)
Kayla A.
Hands down the best bbq pulled pork sandwich I have ever had. They also have really great specialty drinks that were a lot of fun trying. My boyfriend and I love coming here whenever we are looking for a place to eat in the city. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
(5)
Pat A.
Big fan of Betty's. Went here last Friday night for my birthday dinner and were seated upstairs in a big booth. It was spacious and the crowd was lively at the bar. A Friday @ 6 pm in the city when the weather is nice makes for an awesome dinner / happy hour. Apps: Both the cheesesteak egg rolls and the grilled wings (with dry-rub seasoning) were very good. Drinks: nice beer selction. Domestic drafts were $2 during HH, and special kraft beers were $3. Dinner: I ordered the Angus burger medium with caramelized onions and it was very good. Took half of it home with me, as it's a good size. Going back to Betty's again this Friday for more of the same, definitely recommended.
(4)
John C.
Came in here for a few drinks one night. Only sat in the bar section, which was small and intimate. The drink choice among all for the night was Original Sin Apple Cider, served in a cool drinking glass. Had a solid selection of beers on tap and cocktails. The smell of the food sailed into the room every now and then, and appetizers looked good. Hope to return soon.
(4)
Francesco R.
Went for Philly Beer Week 3 course for $35. Sticky tables; like arms stick to them kind of sticky. Waiter cleaned it using a sloppy rag pulled from a pitcher. I had mussels - some never opened, others were rubber bands; the shrimp tacos - two enormous overcooked shrimp in dry crumbly tortillas; and then the brownie dessert - which was like a wafer thin piece of brown Velcro covered in the smallest spoon (not scoop) of ice cream ever. Wife had empanadas - smallest ever, then the smoked chicken - i have seen bigger finches in my life, and the same brownie since the cheesecake was sold out. Oh,,,and three really small glasses of good beer. Got ripped off for bad food. The only thing they did well was serve someone else's beer. Won't return.
(2)
DeBora F.
The WORST place ever! I'm going to sum this up real quick. Not busy, no service, only water provided within the first 10-15 minutes of being seated. Unfortunately they lost a great customer and awesome tips. On to the next one.
(1)
Emma N.
It's a solid 3 in my book. This place is good for Friday night dinner. The one that's doesn't make you look cheap and doesn't break the bank dinner. It has good ambiance for a group of girlfriends get together or like a good first date place if your date like Burgers. You probably can get away with less than $20 (tax and tip included) per person if you don't drink. We had the Turducken Burger, the BBQ combo, and the Fish Taco. All good solid flavors but no cigars. The Onion rings was the highlight of the BBQ combo meal. I can just eat a basket of onion rings alone and paired with a glass of their cider. Next time I'm probably going to do that for dinner and forgo the rest.
(3)
Bill M.
Stopped here on a rainy Saturday Night. The place is very esthetically pleasing. There are 2 bars - 1 upstairs and 1 Down. We sat upstairs and ordered a few appetizers - Dry rubbed St. Louis Riblets and a grilled Tomato and goat cheese pizza. Both were good but the Riblets were exceptional. Table ordered a mixed bag for dinner - guys had the Angus Burgers with fries and they were very good. Also sampled was the Flame broiled Chicken Entree and it was also very good. The salad with chicken was average. The wait staff was attentive and very friendly. The place is very lively but not loud. This is a great spot for starting a night out in Philly. We will be back.
(4)
Phil M.
Went there last Saturday with friends. Everyone enjoyed their food. I went old school and ordered the Turkey Platter dinner. Service was fine, drinks decent and we liked the atmosphere. Prices were reasonable too. The one negative comment I have is that our table was really sticky! The waiter wiped it clean but it stayed sticky. Guess that's what happens after years of BBQ sauce.
(3)
Anandi B.
Went here when we had a hankering for bbq, and boy did it deliver! i got the half ribs with the dry rub (a gluten free option at any bbq place is rare) and the brocolini side dish was amazing. the ribs were perfect, fall off the bone tender. My friends said the pumpkin beer was an other worldly experience, and i got a mixed drink that was so smooth i forgot it had alcohol. headed back here again soon. wonderful spot!
(5)
Susanne J.
Visited Smokin' Betty's last night for Restaurant Week. The meal was excellent, but I'm holding off on extra stars because there was no history of my reservation when I called to confirm. I had made it two weeks earlier. Luckily, there was no problem securing a spot for 4 at 7pm. Still, I was disappointed that my original call was all for naught. We didn't end up eating off of the RW menu. They offer 4 courses for $35 and all of us felt we wouldn't be able to eat that much food. I was also disappointed that there wasn't a burger or BBQ sandwich on the RW menu. I started with the Root of All Evil cocktail, which was a delicious mix of Root liquor, black tea, agave nectar, and fresh orange. They have a good selection of beer on tap and in bottles and there is sure to be something to suite everyone's palate, whether you're a PBR fan or like something more sophisticated. My BBQ brisket sandwich was wonderful. Tender, saucy meat on a buttered and toasted brioche bun. I loved the mix of flavor and texture. The boyfriend and I shared an order of handcut fries which were crisp and thick and seasoned well so as to not require ketchup. I didn't love the Carolina 'slaw, but I'm picky about my coleslaw having been spoiled by two decades of eating my mom's version. We finished the meal the with peanut butter and banana bread pudding. This was really, really rich and a little hard to stomach after such a hearty meal. It was very good with an almost-creamy texture. I think ice cream would have been better than whipped cream, though. I thought the dessert choices could have been a bit more varied. Chocolate mousse, triple chocolate cake, and cheesecake are all kind of similar in a sense. A simple ice cream sundae might have been a nice way to end a meal of comfort food. The atmosphere is nice, especially with the large windows open to the fall breeze. The music was a little loud for my taste, especially with all the people at the bar on a Friday night. I can't deal with loud music and obnoxious women laughing at ear-drum-splitting level. They appear to have good happy hour deals, though. The menu prices were very reasonable for the portions and the food. I'll certainly be back to tackle other menu options.
(3)
Erica H.
I just left this place. We sat for 10 minutes and no one asked us if we wanted water or anything. Service was terrible and there wasn't much diversity among staff or customers. Felt uncomfortable!! Waiter watched us and never even came over to ask if we wanted water or anything. Will never ever go back!!!
(1)
Christian S.
Drove past this place a million times. Stopped in Friday afternoon for lunch with a few coworkers. I ordered the combo platter with the dry rub ribs with sauce on the side. The sauce was a mild & sweet bbq sauce. The sides of Mac & Cheese and Whipped Sweet Potatoes were also good. Not my favorite BBQ establishment, but I will become a regular at this place. Besides I need to get back and sample the beers.
(4)
Jackie B.
I have been to Smokin' Betty's on a few occasions, and have always left super stuffed and happy. All of the burgers I've had are amazing. What solidifies this as 5-star entry for me is the service I had there on my last visit. We chose Smokin' Betty's as the venue for a surprise party I was throwing for a friend. Because of the nature of the event, we had a lot of weird requests for our group, and the hostess handled them all with a smile. When it came time for the actual meal, our server didn't rush us at all. We sat for at least a half hour just chatting and drinking before anyone ordered. It took a little while for the food to come out, but that's to be expected with a group of 15. Everything came out perfectly, another feat for a large group order. After the meal, our server brought out the cake I had made for the evening and provided a knife and plates and just let us hang out at the table for a while longer, even though the restaurant was full. I can't thank the staff enough for a wonderful evening. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Steve S.
I had been here many times to drink, but never ate. Finally went for a business lunch and was pleasantly surprised. I had chicken noodle soup and a pulled chicken sandwich. Both were excellent. I would highly recommend it for lunch.
(4)
Amanda F.
I stumbled into this restaurant on a very stormy day while visiting Philadelphia from San Francisco. First of all, as a California girl, I've never been in a storm like you guys have on the east coast, so bravo for dealing with those. Anyway, my boyfriend and I decided to have brunch and spend the afternoon there and wait it out. The restaurant is very well styled with great ambiance. There are cute vintage couches, christmas lights, dark walls and exposed brick. It has a very cozy feeling, plus the 40's music in the background made it very dreamy. The food we ordered was excellent - peaches and cream stuffed french toast, and breakfast flatbread pizza with scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese. I thought they were innovative twists on traditional brunch fare, and executed beautifully. The french toast in particular was sumptuous: creamy and fruity and cinnamon-y. The brunch drinks also had a different twist to them - instead of the traditional bloody mary's and mimosas, they had Mommy's Orange Juice (which is amaretto plus orange - which I wasn't sure would go well together, but amazingly it worked). There were also several other delicious innovative brunch drinks - of which I had many. We finished our afternoon with a slice of cheesecake before braving the conditions outside again. I will definitely go back to Smokin' Betty's the next time I'm in Philadelphia. And I will definitely check the weather the next time as well.
(5)
Jose A.
Been here a few times. The design of the space is really the nicest thing about it. Downstairs can open up when it gets nice out, and the upstairs area is big, good for events, and has nice windows overlooking the street. The draft list is ok, have some decent beers on it, can't really say much more than that. The cocktails look interesting but I'm never that compelled to try them. The happy hour specials don't seem that great to me. The food is pretty good also, had the chicken and broccoli rabe sandwich last time I went which is a lot of food for a low/moderate price. It's a place though I never can get excited about.
(3)
Erin W.
Came here over the weekend with a group of about 8 as it was the only place in the area that could accommodate a reservation for a group our size on a busy Saturday night. This should have been the first indication that we weren't in for a stellar time. First of all, I feel like this place is suffering from a major identity crisis. Are you a barbecue joint? Or an industrial-themed burgers and beer place? Why do you offer mussels as well as racks of ribs? Never one to shy away from a plate of mussels if available, boyfriend and I took the leap and ordered them. And they honestly weren't bad, but their place on the menu just seemed weird. There were more salads and burgers than barbecue options. I was confused from the moment we sat down, but I had plenty of time to mull things over; it took over an hour for our appetizers to arrive at the table, and another 30 minutes for our entrees. Now, I understand that on a Saturday night with a party our size, things can be slow. But the place was not packed to the gills, and several times during the wait, different servers came over with food that wasn't intended for us but for another table in what I can only guess was some sort of plan to torture us. "Who had this delicious looking plate of hot food...JUST KIDDING, NOT FOR YOU!" Everyone else's food was coming out in a timely matter, just not ours. Nor were our drinks. Luckily, my company for the evening were a lot of people who live out of town, so it provided us AMPLE time to catch up. The second offense came when a few of us tried to order a side of cornbread with our entrees, only to find out they were out cornbread, corn pie, and any other corn related corn products. This leads me to believe that even Smokin' Betty's doesn't know what it is, because no respectable barbecue place ever runs out of cornbread at 9pm on a Saturday night. It's in the constitution, look it up. The third offense is pretty ridiculous but I'm going to throw it out there anyway: the bathrooms are annoying. The toilets are in their own rooms and the sinks are in a communal spot outside of them, which would be fine except that out of the 2, one was broken and the other one had the spigot so low on the counter your hands actually touch the bottom of the sink when you're washing them off. Not hygienic in the slightest. All in all, the meal wasn't memorable, and no one at the table was raving about their food, even though we were all ravenous by the time it got to us. I'm bummed to have to be so negative about this place, because I had such high hopes. I'm guessing we caught this place on an off-night, but it was enough to turn me off. Plus, it's on the opposite side of the city. I can't say I'll make the trip back just for this place.
(2)
Chris W.
This is a great place to hold private events. There are multiple areas upstairs they have dedicated for different functions I have attended on weekdays post work hours. From what I understand, they will work closely to help set up drink specials for an extended period of time while bringing out delicious appetizers whenever requested. My only complaint if the food in general runs on the heavy side but I guess that should be expected for this kind of joint. I have done happy hour here also and enjoyed the open feel that surrounds the upstairs bar. As for the food, both the BBQ wings and dry rub wings are can't miss for wings fans. They come with macaroni salad which is an afterthought of this meat. BBQ chicken pizza is nothing special (too cheesy IMO). The quesadillas are nicely balanced and have some kick to them. I've had the brisket sandwich at lunch also which is finger licking good BBQ, make sure to add on fries for a buck. A true staple of the Market East section of Philly, give it a shot.
(4)
Zoe S.
What has happened to "customer service"?! I had lunch at SB today and it was fairly crowded. I am usually happy to see independent places thriving so I'm forgiving when it comes to small mishaps. However, the turkey burger I ordered today not only took a millennium to arrive (because they were busy) but it was also raw in the middle. I would have been willing to move past this if the waiter or manager or chef/cook were to sincerely apologize and take it off the check. Done. INSTEAD, the waiter gave me a look of disbelief when I complained about my raw burger as if I might be angling for a free meal . . . then scooted off to the kitchen without uttering a word of apology. She was gone forever only to come back and tell me they had put my burger back on the grill. Ew. Someone from the kitchen then delivered the burger back to the table - clearly feeling pleased that she'd fixed the situation. I didn't want a half-eaten, recooked burger. I wanted someone to acknowledge that the meat was in fact raw, apologize and tell me that, of course, I would not have to pay for undercooked food. The woman from the kitchen started making excuses that it was busy, they cooked the food too fast and didn't realize it wasn't fully cooked, could she bring me something else. YES - bring me an apology and stop making me feel like it's my fault for complaining! It's really not that difficult.
(2)
Christine L.
Came to Smokin' Betty's tonight with some good friends. Overall good time. There was some holiday party in the other room, so it was really loud. Hard to talk / hear my friends over all the noise. Also, the number of people and lack of available seating meant that the hostess kept coming to ask for the extra chair at our table. I felt like the staff was a bit disoriented by the sheer number of people they had to handle. Maybe this isn't a normal occurrence, so that's okay. We had heard great things about the tur-duck-en burger. Pretty interesting! Came out tall and stacked with the cranberry relish, sweet potato ribbons, turkey patty, stuffing, gravy, all in a soft brioche(?) bun. It was a little too big to put in my mouth, and while each part separately was really good, I thought it was too ... salty overall, and a little too much for me to handle all at once. I'm going to assume all the tur-duck-en components were there, too. I couldn't discern them, so I'll go in full faith that they were there. I'm no chef, but my suggestions - 1) A little more cranberry sauce would have helped. Next time I'll ask for extra. Or another pickle. 2) Or... less stuffing/gravy? That part made the burger feel really heavy. Another friend had the Betty Burger, said similar things too. Our burgers were all good. Just a little too big and pretty messy, which detracts from the enjoyability factor. Sweet potato fries were nice. They came out a little darker than I was expecting, but were really soft, which is how I like them. Just a preference. Would have been 3.5 stars if not for the service of one of the receptionists? there. Ran after us about a block to hand us the to-go-box I'd left behind. That kind of service is rare. Props to you. If I get through my list of places to eat, I'd probably see you again, Smokin' Betty's. It'll be better to go on a less busy night. And it'd be helpful in the meantime if I can figure out how to unhinge my jaw like a snake for your burgers.
(4)
Elizabeth D.
Finally went back to Smokin' Betty's after a brief visit last Center City Sips. Seemed to be only one or two servers for the whole upstairs, which was a little disconcerting. Our waiter was very apologetic though as he also had a huge party 2 tables down from us. I had their Raspberry Lemonade, which was refreshing. Husband had Arrogant Bastard Ale (WHICH WAS ON TAP!), one of his favorite brews. We split the BBQ Sliders to start. Solid appetizer - very flavorful and pretty authentic BBQ for our southern-school-attending selves. I had the Grilled Cheese (Fig Jam, Mozzarella, Prosciutto), which was wonderful. Definitely hit the spot. Also had a side of coleslaw, which was NC style - nice vinegar base. Husband had the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, which didn't wow him, but his side of Mac 'n Cheese was "amazing." I agree about the bathrooms as most people have noted. They seemed a little half assed. My stall had no toilet paper dispenser, and the seat was totally messed up. Plus, the placement of the soap dispenser is really weird. If there was more than one person washing up, it would be an awkward reach. Overall good spot for dinner. I want to go back and try the Sweet Tea Vodka cocktail & have some of those ribs...
(4)
Ramen F.
Every time I go back to this place I am increasingly disappointed. Why would I spend a pretty dollar at this place when there are so many great restaurants in this area? I used to enjoy the atmosphere, but the food really ruins the experience. The burgers used to be awesome, but lately they are overcooked and the toppings are sparse. I love the pulled pork sandwiches at Devil's Alley and thought they would be similar here - huge mistake - the three mini sandwiches with different flavored fillings were not good. Each of them lacked depth of flavor and fundamental seasoning. The grilled cheese was a mess. The bread was super thickly cut and not even toasted or cooked on the grill to bring the sandwich together. The fig jam was spread on so thickly that I couldn't muster more than a few bites. Mozzarella was a poor choice for a grilled cheese because it was only half melted, stuck in clumps and fell out of the sandwich with each bite. Was great at one time. Has seriously fell from grace. An okay place to come if you just plan on drinking. I do not plan on coming back to eat.
(1)
Sarah C.
The search for fish tacos continues... The fish tacos at Smokin Bettys change every day based on what kind of fish is fresh. When I went it was swordfish. They were flavorful, messy, and delicious. I will return. But I know better fish tacos exist in NYC, so I will continue the search in Philly
(4)
Jessica L.
For a BBQ place their atmosphere is more on the Frat boy side. I ate here with a group that had a special menu, so my options were limited. The dry rub wings were excellent as well as the non chocolate desserts. The chocolate ones just tastes like Hersey's baking coco. The service was nice, although they confused themselves constantly with our large group.
(3)
Sean G.
Who doesn't love restaurant week? We always pick a restaurant that we wouldn't typically go to and get a delighful sampler of what they have to offer during Restaurant Week. Based on a recommendation of my fiance's co-worker, we headed out to Smokin' Betty's... Food: 3.5 stars The food was pretty good. We took advantage of the menu and each ordered something different. My fiance and I tried: First-- OYSTER PO'BOY SLIDER-- Not bad. The oyster was more fried coating than oyster so it tasted like a batter slider than an oyster slider LAMB MEATBALLS-- Delicious. They were working to harness a very greek taste profile and were successful with the meat and pea puree and raita sauce Second-- CHICKEN & POTATO SOUP-- The bowl was topped with a buttermilk biscuit which was delicious. Sadly the soup was only luke warm... FRIED GREEN TOMATO SALAD-- The tomatoes were delicious but the salad as a whole was under-dressed Entree-- BEEF SHORT RIB-- The short rib was delicious. Portions of the meal were too salty and likely canned instead of made from scratch. You can always taste when something isn't fresh. The polenta was good but the salty Jus overwhelmed everything JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKE-- The roasted beet risotto felt short of the mark. It was a good idea that really didn't pan out. The slaw was ok and the Crab Cake was large but lack luster Dessert-- Go with the APPLE PIE Ã la MODE-- It comes with vanilla bean ice cream and avoid the CHOCOLATE DIPPED BACON & CARAMEL POPCORN (gross!) Service: 3.0 stars They was one waitress working the the evening crowd. She could only do one thing at a time, which is an issue for anyone with this job. Drinks were left empty for long periods of time, food was brought out luke warm, and the general attention to any detail was poor. You can always tell when someone doesn't take pride or really care about what they do. Ambiance: 4.0 stars The restaurant was very well done inside. The vibe reminded me of a more west coast style restaurant and the decor was unique compared to other restaurants. Price: 4.0 stars $35 per person (without drinks) makes Restaurant Week a good deal for the amount of food you get. Location: 4.0 stars 11th and Sansom Overall: 3.0 stars The restaurant was cool and a good, new experience for Restaurant Week. The food had its highs and lows but combined with the service, the overall experience was middle of the road. The only thing that will draw us back to Smokin' Betty's is their extensive Lunch and Dinner menus. There are better options for restaurant week but Smokin' Betty's might be a good option if you're impressed with their regular menu.
(3)
Stephanie Y.
I've been here twice for sips and I can't get enough of it. Upstairs is crazy busy and crowded. I'm only 5ft tall and I even had a hard time getting through without spilling some of my precious beer. I got a chance to try the Shandy, which is perfect in the hot and humid weather. It's very refreshing and goes down easy. Also, you need to order the trio sliders and the spice rubbed wings. Sometimes the wings are a little burnt, but overall they go well with the beers and the wings are pretty juicy and tender.
(4)
Jim L.
More or less a hipper version of TGI Fridays. First, a couple of positives. The pub like atmosphere is cool and the wait staff is pretty hip and cool. They have a nice, extensive beer list, able to please any taste. The place is kid friendly and this was important to my girl and I as we were entertaining a visitor with two little boys. There is a kids' menu with the usual chicken fingers and grilled cheese kids' fare. The big negative here is the food itself. I ordered a rack of St. Louis ribs with dry rub and a side of barbecue sauce. What I got was a meaty rack of overly cooked, dry ribs with a side of what seemed more like ketchup than barbecue sauce. This is supposed to be a barbecue joint. There was nothing at all succulent about the barbecue I was served. The sides I chose were decent at best, mixed vegetable medley and the potato latkes. The two ladies I was with didn't fare much better. My girlfriend ordered the barbecued chicken and complained that her dish was dry and was served cold. Our friend ordered the fish tacos. She seemed to be fine with the ingredients but had the same complaint that her dish was served cold. Perhaps we adults should have taken the lead of the two children we were with. They seemed quite content with their sides of french fries and baked macaroni and cheese. As for me and my barbecue experience, let's just say I've had a lot better.
(2)
Nisa G.
Good place for happy hour. Beer selection is OK, wine not so much. Food, I would not recommend. The barbecue tastes reheated everytime I go. It tastes like they are preparing this food way too far in advance, forcing them to constantly reheat. Nothing fresh about the barbecue. Sauce tastes store bought. Service is ok. Nothing out of the ordinary here. Most people go for the outside seating and atmosphere. Location is convenient also.
(3)
Matt S.
Went for brunch on Sunday. Nice staff, very accomodating. Had the best Cobb salad ever! Also try the BBQ sliders, amazing!! Can't wait to go back. Same owners as Devil's Alley.
(4)
Stephanie S.
I've been there 2 times the food is great but the service sucked both times!
(2)
Heesun K.
Happy Hour!!! 5pm-7pm =) Had a drink called Paradise Kitty ($4) - mango puree with mango liquor and citrus something...anyways, I couldn't taste any alcohol but i loved the texture and the flavor. For h.h.appetizer, I had Vegetarian Quesadillas - mushroom,onions,bell peppers with chopped tomatoes, sour cream and shredded cabbage. Unique to any other quesadillas i've ever had. delicious and satisfied my veggie craving since I was overwhelmed with the riblets. For the main entree, I had Smoking' Betty's Riblet. I liked how they were bite-size but the BBQ sauce was too sweet for me. Tasted the smokey-ness at the end of each bite, but knew it wasn't for me. I would definitely go back for another Happy Hour and maybe to try the sliders/burgers.
(4)
Katherine C.
The space is beautiful and very hip. I was expecting a lot more though from the food. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and it really was quite flavorless. I had to add extra sauce just to give it a little umphf. My friend ordered the Portabella sandwich and she also was unimpressed. The service started out a little shaky but by the end of the night our server was on point and did a great job. I would go here for drinks but probably not for food.
(2)
Michael P.
I went here with a group of fellow yelpers to try it out. Our focus was on the burgers, but I absolutely need to get back there to try the barbecue options. I have to agree with previous reviews that suggest that Smokin Betty's doesn't look open. The dark glass and lightly used first floor combine with the lack of signage. If the windows are open on the second floor you can tell its there, otherwise its looks closed. Even if you walk in, it initially looks empty, but then the hostess greets you and takes you upstairs. It's a big, airy space, lined with windows that can be opened to the outdoors. There's bar by the top of the stairs, and surrounded by a few semi-divided dining room. Waist high walls are a great way to take a big space and make it feel more intimate and private, even if you can hear every bit of chatter from across the room. The bar has a nice range of micros, and I really like the betty blonde, which was on happy hour special. It also has the Ithaca Apricot Wheat, which takes me back to my college days, and is starting to pop up in more places in Philly. They also have beer cocktails that have been garnering some attention, but I did not try them. We split some appetizers, including a tasty beet salad and the very good sliders, which could almost be an entree. The cheesesteak eggrolls were better than most I've had, most of the time feel like they just slap some steakum in a wonton wrapper, but these actually had a good flavor and texture. They come with spicy ketchup, which i'm guessing is straight out of the heinz bottle, as it was barely spicy. I also tried the onion rings, which were pretty good. I had the Lamb burger, which came out nicely tender and moist, The "yogurt cucumber mint sauce" is kind of an odd way to say "Tzatziki", but its a good pairing here. The burger was substantial, and almost justified the price. If the cheese and sides weren't extra, it might not feel quite as bad, but its always a cardinal sin in my book to charge extra for sides with a sandwich, especially one that costs more than $10. Our waitress was attentive, and but may have confused some similar orders. She was fast to notice extra drinks, and to get food out from the kitchen. She was also well versed on the menu, always a good sign for a relatively new restaurant. Overall, I enjoyed Smokin' Betty's, but found it a bit expensive. I guess that comes with the center city territory. On the other hand, the barbecue menu looks a bit more reasonably priced, so I'll have to get back to try that, and potentially update this review.
(4)
Meredith W.
I've gone here a bunch of times with friends and had a good time. Its menu is good (but not exciting) and the specials are great. While it is a decent option in Center City, I did have one not great experience. I took my grandmother to Betty's a few weeks ago, for a pre-show dinner (Walnut Street Theater date!). The food was fine, but the service was pretty short and snarky. She's very spry, but I was a little disappointed when they made us go upstairs, when there were plenty of table down stairs. She could climb the stairs, but it would have been better had she not had to. Also, the waitress was also very impatient and short. She might have been disappointed in our low bar tab, but it seemed geared to my mom-mom. While I realize Betty's might not be seeking the octogenarian crowd, I would hope they would be just as warm and friendly with us as they are when I'm there with younger people.
(3)
Matthew A.
Food was good but service slowwwwwww!!!!! 3 beers in 2 hours?!?! Really?????
(2)
Rob S.
Should be called not so smokin bettys!! Betty wasn't too hot today! Probably the worst brunch experience I've ever had. I work at one of the local large hotel chains in the area and my concierge sends people here often. I will be sure to tell them about my experience today. We were the first people in the restaurant this morning and I would have thought we would have the freshest food and cleanest table. We sit down and the table was sticky and we literally had to peel the menus off the table. Place had a cool vibe for sure but I definitely had a dirty, not well maintained feeling throughout the entire experience. My wife had some brown gooey stuff on the inside of her coffee cup. If looked and felt like peanut butter - we sent this back right way! I then went to the bathroom and there were nats everywhere! Disgusting!! So back to the food. We ordered the corn bread muffins. Jiffy anyone??? Well that's what they tasted like; just like jiffy muffins!! Dry and crumbled apart when broke open. The jalepeno butter they came with sounded great but it was so cold it was inedible. When you get warm muffins you should get warm butter with them. What a shame! We then ordered the brunch special which were breakfast tacos. We also got the Betty's burger. The tacos were pretty bad. The shell was a pancake that was dry, tasteless and spongy. My wife only had a few bites and didn't eat the rest. The burger I ordered wasn't all that great either. While the actually burger was tasty the runny egg that was supposed to be on it was dry and way over cooked. The pork belly that was on the burger was extremely dry and stringy. I only ate the burger and left everything else on the plate. What a shame is what my wife said because the place looks really cool and I'm sure it's a nice spot to grab drinks, but I don't think I'll be giving the food another try. Sorry Betty!
(1)
Kerry B.
I've been to smokin betty's a few times. Always enjoyed what i've eaten! The hotess was a bit rude, and it was FREEZING in the front room when the doors opened (and then wouldn't shut). Ask to sit somewhere else!
(4)
erin o.
First visit was lunch with a woman whose opinion I really value. I noticed this place while it was being renovated, because they sure did put in a LOT of windows! Little did I know I only knew the half of it... A first glance at the menu online peaked my curiosity enough to suggest this for a Friday lunch date with said cool lady. Lunch happened at high noon on an extremely cold winter day, but even so, I expected more of a crowd. " Hopefully it's the economy and not the quality of the food/service," I thought to myself. We were greeted and seated quickly at an unsteady table upstairs. It was no match for 6 sugar packets and the napkin that was already doing duty under the table leg. Service staff was also attentive and pleasant. The food was less than I expected because I was very impressed by the skylight and the decor, which I considered to be minimalist but cool. I ordered the pulled porked BBQ sandwich, which admittedly has tough competition from what my brother in law makes at home, but it was a little dry and didn't have as robust a flavor as I might have hoped. Cool lady friend ordered the cobb salad, which looked decent. I was trying to be good and got a side salad, which wasn't remotely fresh or interesting. I'd go there again to try some of their other food and for happy hour. It is a nice open space and ADA accessible, so it possesses qualities I like in a happy hour bar.
(3)
Zippy G.
Was visiting Philly with my daughter to check out colleges and needed a casual, vegetarian-friendly place within walking distance of our hotel, which had given us a list of nearby restaurants including Smokin' Betty's. I previewed the menu online and it seemed to be a good choice so we headed over. BOY am I glad we did -- great beer selection and a knowledgeable helpful bartender, Nick, who also happened to be our server. He was generous with recommendations but not at all pushy, and candidly said when something wasn't his favorite. When I asked about something that WAS his favorite, he was so generous with his praise that I had to order it, and I'm glad I did -- the buffalo chicken sandwich was the perfect combo of spicy, tangy, crunchy; every bit as delicious as Nick said it was! Daughter wasn't super-hungry and the kids' serving of mac 'n cheese was generous and hit the spot, but mine was so good I felt the need to spread the word! My only regret is that I was too full for dessert -- everything sounded fresh, creative and delicious and I'm sure I'll regret passing it up in an hour or so! I will definitely visit again, so you Philadelphians need to support this restaurant so it's still around the next time I come to town!
(5)
Rachel S.
What a pleasant surprise! My friends and I went a few weeks ago for the first time to celebrate one of the gang's birthday and had such a great experience. The decor certainly wasn't what I expected from a BBQ joint, but it the upscale, chic appeal definitely added to our experience. The prices are very reasonable for the size and quality of the food (and drinks!). By the end of the night, our table was littered with sauce-soaked napkins as we all dug in and shared our delicious meal together. We sat on the 2nd floor which had lovely views of the city. Our server was very accommodating and managed a busy night very well. The one downside: awkward bathrooms. We tried so much on the menu and not one thing was disappointing. Yum!
(4)
Sophia S.
I've been here for drinks and much enjoyed it. However, I was less impressed by a recent brunch visit. It felt like I was in a bar trying to do brunch--they didn't quite have it down. Things like continually running out of coffee (it happened 3 times and they were not packed, big faux pas), having a very small brunch menu, and underwhelming home fries tell me they're kinda half-assing brunch.
(3)
Cat N.
Good atmosphere, decent food, but nothing to write home about. Party for ten on NCAA Saturday night. The bar had the game on (yay) and we were seated upstairs at a long table with a booth on one side, but it was comfortable. We waited a while for some rounds of drinks to come out, but the place was pretty busy so perhaps to be expected. Good beer selection and some fun mixed drinks. The portions were pretty enormous... half-chicken came with a ton of other food; the bowl of chili was enormous (topped with delicious and fresh guac and sour cream); side of flourless corn souffle was tiny but aweeeesome; the burger-eaters said they were decent, and the fish taco-eaters were very happy.
(2)
Meg B.
Went to Smokin Bettys this afternoon for lunch with some co-workers. As I entered, I was pleased by the set up and decor- i'm always a fan of modern, hardwood, exposed wood- etc. We were seated upstairs. They had a nice bar set up and some flat screens- I wasn't really feeling the view I had from the side of the booth I was sititng- it looked to a warn down pink building on the other side of Samson- made me feel like I was looking out to somewhere in Mexico or something. Since I'm trying to stick with my new years resolution- I only ordered the house salad with grilled chicken- It was good- nothing out of the norm for a house salad. Friends of mine had the pork sliders- they looked good and they both enjoyed them. Some other selections were the Turkey and apple chilli and baby ribs- Everything was enjoyed by the table. They had a nice variety of drinks on their menu- unique beer choices and fun fruity drink concoctions. I was boring and just went with some wine. Overall, I'd go back- they had a nice atmosphere and crowd there and the food choices could satisfy anyone.
(3)
Chris W.
Smokin' Betty's doesn't disappoint. I tried Betty's during the summer for CC sips and I was impressed. I wanted to wait to write a review until I tried the turducken burger. The atmosphere is clean and gives off a warm vibe. The layout, decor, and lighting are very inviting. The high ceilings gives a relaxing and open feeling. The bathrooms like most of the newer establishments I've been to are unisex. I don't mind unisex bathrooms, I actually think they're better because it reduces or completely eliminates a wait. The drinks are great! The beer on draft is always good. The cocktails are clever and delicious. The food is usually great. Unfortunately I finally was able to try the turducken burger and I wasn't impressed. It seemed too dry and the cranberry sauce was a little bland. So.. I'll be sticking to the BBQ, because it is very good and I recommend it. Smokin' Betty's is a great place for a bite to eat and drinks with friends. Its a good atmosphere for a laid back conversation.
(4)
Fernanda K.
I didn't eat here, but they said the food was great. Nice happy hour specials. On the casual dressy place, seems like an after-work hangout for business people. With a name like that, you'd think it could be a little edgier, but alas, it is not.
(3)
KJ S.
I had heard great things about this place, but I wasn't blown away. The food was good, not amazing. The sweet potato fries were very salty! The BBQ pulled pork sandwich was average. The grilled cheese was only average too. The atmosphere was very loud and we had to shout across the table to hear each other, but it was a Saturday night. Surprisingly, the prices were pretty good for a center city restaurant.
(3)
Omar K.
I've only been here for dinner and drinks, and instantly became a fan due to the food. Drink selection is typical, nothing really special about the bar, but the overall restaurant has a cool atmosphere. I recommend on checking out the place. I would have given the place a 5 star rating, but I felt the service was slower than usual. Maybe I just have my standard set too high.
Went here a few times since it was easy to find parking. The restaurant is divided with a bar and dining area. The dining room was a bit dark the times I've dined there. They had a policy of not seating a party unless everyone was present. I understand the rules... But I think those rules are meant for very busy restaurants. The 2-3 times I came were Saturday nights and place was almost empty except for the bar side. Awkward.... The food is decent BBQ joint. I guess it's a fancier famous Dave's but slightly smaller portions. Service was prompt considering we were the only large party [4, and 6 the second time]. Others tables were on dates. Tried the BBQ combo, short ribs taco and the traditional sides. Food was good as I recall. Overall, it wasn't the best, but not the worse. I think I'd prob eat here before fette sau, but prob goto fette sau for the up tempo environment depending on my mood. I guess it boils down to what type of night/meal you're into! 1 star knocked down BC I remember it being a bit dirty and tables not cleaned off throughout the meal. And the awkward waiting for party to be all present with a near empty dining room.
(3)
Sabrina W.
I cannot say enough good things about Smokin Bettty's! THANK YOU to the amazing manager and our awesome server (I am horrible with names) who managed to accommodate our huge group of 25 on a Friday night at 5:30pm with only 15 minutes notice. (Another restaurant cancelled on me at 5:00pm, so I was scrambling for any restaurant to host a birthday surprise!) Upon arrival, we were greeted and led upstairs where everything was all set up for us - including ice waters and menus. Our server was quick, friendly and engaging. If you ever need a place for a large group event, this is the place - quick service and excellent management. Prices were very reasonable, especially with their happy hour drinks/snacks. Food/Drinks: - Berry Lemonade ($5 HH) A little on the sweeter side (which I didn't mind), but keep watch of how many of these little suckers you down - BBQ Wings ($4 HH) Flavorful BBQ sauce that is perfectly grilled. Definitely a good bang for your buck if you're stopping by just for a nibble - BBQ Combo ($16) Includes 3-4 ribs, grilled chicken & 2 sides; I was a little disappointed in how few ribs there were, but I guess that's a result of ordering the combo and not just the ribs. However, the ribs & chicken were both AMAZING. Tender, fall off the bone meat that is just oozing with flavor. This was a great option for me and a friend to share with the addition of an appetizer. - Grilled Vegetable Risotto ($13) I didn't order this one myself, but a friend did and I have to admit I probably ate at least a third of it. Probably one of my favorite (if not my favorite) risottos I've ever had. Atmosphere: - Large space; downstairs & upstairs seating and is not too cramped - Great service; quick and efficient communication - Excellent happy hours specials (M-F)
(5)
Tisha S.
Seth was our waiter. It took a minute for him to get to us, but he was working the whole floor. Let me back up. Sit upstairs when you come. it is great to sit and people watch, have the breeze come in on you and just say AAAAHHHH...We came after my youngest sister graduation and walked all the way from south broad....we were hungry and thirsty. Ok, back to Seth. Whoever hired him needs a pat on the back and needs to give him a raise. He was a riot and then some. Very professional with just enough silly to keep us going. He dealt with our requests with smiles and laughter and such flair. He described the items so well we had images of the food in our heads.. once he got going he was quick, kept checking on us and having fun. Now the food. man. heaven. the mac and cheese...the cornbread and jalapeno butter...portions were great, food was tender.. some appetizers were a bit cool vs hot, but the flavor was great. We enjoyed it all. I can't say what was the best though as we loved it all. My mom is a Baker and she loved the cake. She doesn't like many places cake since she knows what it should be like, but she loved yours! the fresh ice cream was awesome. it even had that ice cream machine taste.. if you ever had fresh ice cream you know what i mean!! i could go on and on. but this is a must stop if your in philly...
(5)
Nicole V.
We came at 5:30 with a group of 6 people for a 22nd birthday. We were seated upstairs in a large booth. The only reason why this restaurant isn't getting 5 stars is the bathroom. I don't mind unisex bathrooms. It's a nifty idea. However, I am not ok with 3 of the 6 bathrooms being out of order, and the rest of them not having toilet paper. You have one bathroom. In my opinion there is no excuse why a very large, fairly nice restaurant can't keep the one bathroom they have clean. Regardless of the toilet paper shortage, we had a great experience at this restaurant. Our waiter was pleasant, informative, and attentive. We had a round of draft beers and sangrias. The sangrias were an interesting twist on the concept of sangrias, and they were really great. The features draft was 3 bucks, and yuengling for 2 dollars. That's an awesome deal! They also had everything gluten free marked on the menu, which is wonderful for me because I don't need to play 20 questions to eat! The only screwed up a little in that department though. I told them I was gluten free and ordered my food. I ended up with pasta salad on my plate. I don't really care because I just didn't eat it. But, I feel some people probably would care. I would go back again in a heart beat. I thought the sangria was great, the dry rub wings were perfectly cooked, and the grilled vegetables were flavorful and plentiful.
(4)
Rachel B.
Good food. They seem to get overwhelmed with large crowds....They were definitely understaffed during Sunday afternoon brunch. Drinks are strong.
(4)
Herbie H.
I ended up dining at Smokin Bettys twice within one weekend (once with my mom while she was in town for a conference, and then with my whole family a few days later while they were visiting.) The fact that I was here twice over 72 hours speaks to Smokin Betty's appeal. It's comfort food with some great options for both the more adventurous and reserved eaters. Visit 1: Friday, happy hour Mom & I had a great visit. We enjoyed $4 wine, a cheesesteak eggroll as an appetizer, and then split two entrees: Braised Short Rib Tacos & the Marinated Grilled Vegetable Risotto. We enjoyed everything we ordered. The cheesesteak eggroll is what you would expect, but enjoyable nonetheless. The tacos were great. Tons of flavor and the short rib was tender. I was surprised by the Risotto. I wasn't expecting to be blown away by perfect and creamy risotto, but they did a better-than-expected job. The vegetables had a lot of flavor and the balsamic reduction & basil puree added some nice bright spots. Not your average vegetarian dish! Visit 2: Sunday, dinner My mom enjoyed her short rib tacos so much that she ordered them again, just 2 days later. I chose to try a sandwich and went with the Grilled Chicken & Broccoli Rabe sandwich. The sandwich was really delicious and had a lot of flavor. The chicken was tender and had a nice grilled taste. I chose sweet potato fries as my side, and they were great. Salty and crispy. My dad went for a burger, which he liked a lot. My sister ordered the pulled pork sandwich, and liked hers a lot, too. Service both times was friendly and quick. Our servers both times were easygoing and knowledgeable of the menu.
(4)
Kareem M.
Great brunch and good beer list. Loved the egg sandwich with avacado. Bread was very soft and tasty. Eggs were perfect. Great soul music too. Relaxed atmosphere. Try the sweet potatoe hash browns and beermosa.
(4)
Nazee Z.
Came here for happy hr with a friend and found myself feeling kinda eh about the food we got. we tried pulled pork sliders, mac and cheese, and cheesesteak egg rolls. Maybe it was just me, but everything had this strange gritty feel to it, as if it was kept frozen and then heated up--especially the cheesesteak eggrolls. The mac and cheese was creamy, but I felt that the sauce had no flavor, and again had this weirdddd gritty feeling to it! cheesesteak eggrolls were also ok, had no flavor! I think this is the kind of place where you should just get a damn burger. The best thing we had was the pulled pork sliders, so that kinda makes me feel like I should lean towards the meat here (heh, heh, hehhhh....)
(3)
Nancy N.
Boyfriend took me here for Restaurant Week but of course, we ended up not ordering from the Prefix Menu. We got cheesesteak egg rolls as an app. Delish! But you don't get that many. I got the Betty Burger with fries. So flavorful and made perfectly. I also got a side of cornbread with some delicious homemade butter they have, YUM-MY!!! The boyfriend got ribs/chicken platter. So good! And so much food! Very happy with this place! I came back another time for Center City Sips... it was crowded so we went upstairs. It was so hot,uncomfortable, and the service sucked. My girlfriends were disappointed since I talked this place up so much.
(4)
Kim L.
My friend brought me here after looking up for suggestions of good food after our own tour or Philly in the area. We came on a week night and in time for Happy Hour. We started off the night with a Happy Hour quesadilla, a cute small dish to whet our appetites before moving onto our Betty Burger and BBQ dishes. What an undertaking. I have to say, portions are nice and flavor was totally there. We loved every bite of our dishes and still managed to order a pumpkin and chocolate bread pudding to finish up the night and carry ourselves out of the restaurant. I read a review about poor service but the guy who helped us out was really great; checked up on us at the right times and gave good suggestions along the way. Overall great experience and food. Definitely will come back when I'm in the area!
Serve brunch until three? Don't mind if I do. The sweet potato hash browns are amazing! I would suggest ordering anything that happens to also come with the hash browns. The cottage fries are also good but expect circular fries.
(4)
Casey S.
Had a corporate event here and the top floor was rented out the top floor for us. It was a neat place upstairs and I liked how the bar and tables were set up. It was a nice spring day so all of the windows were open which made it feel like we were outside. The bartenders were attentive and friendly occasionally joking with the customers. The happy hour prices were good and k enjoyed the sangria. The berry lemonade on the other hand was pretty much flavorless. Now to the food. Four appetizers were ordered for us. All in all I must say the food is terrible. We had plantain chips which were mostly soggy and soaking in grease with black bean mango salsa which had no distinguishable flavor. Limp looking cheese quesadilla. Tried to spice them up with salsa but that was watery and flavorless. Next the buffalo chicken meatballs which had the worst texture i had ever eaten and tasted like nothing except sauce. It was orange and called buffalo but again tasted like nothing. Finally, the only good thing on the table, jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon. The pepper was well cooked and charter and the bacon was tasty and crispy. Certainly would never eat here again. Would maybe consider it for a drink but that's about it.
(2)
Faina D.
We came in after an appointment at Jefferson being that it's right across the street. It was clearly that lull before dinner time or just a rainy afternoon (5PM). Ordered light with fish tacos, mash potatoes (had a craving) and sweet potato fries. All of it was good esp. the tacos, sweet potato fries were a little too oily. My complaint is that it was clearly not a busy time and the food took a long time and I felt like we out waitress gave us very little attention. Overall I would probably not come back because I wasn't blown away and there's simply too many places to try in philly! I am sure the ambiance and hopefully service is better during more normal hours but can't help imagine it would only be worse when it's busy (rationale, right?).
(3)
Kristen M.
Smokin' Betty's has been on my radar for quite some time; I am a big fan of comfort food. I came here with a group of 9 for brunch Sunday morning. We had a reservation for 10:15, but we didn't need it because when we entered we were the only party there. I had the country biscuit and sausage gravy with sweet potatoes, it was underwhelming and the biscuit was really dry. Several others at the table got the breakfast burrito and the standard Betty's breakfast with two eggs, fries and breakfast meats. The food took quite a while to come considering it was breakfast and we were the only group in the restaurant. It was nice to be able to seat such a large group for brunch without a wait, but there are definitely better brunch spots in Philly.
(2)
Eunni C.
Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.
(3)
Joycelin W.
3.5 stars! I wasn't super hungry but I didn't want a salad and couldn't decide between the sandwiches, so I got the BBQ sliders -- beef brisket, pulled pork and pulled chicken. All three were tasty, but the brisket was my favorite by far. Texture was perfect and I wish I had more! The coleslaw that came with it was good, nothing too special. The presentation though...el oh el. Let's just say that it left a lot to be desired. The restaurant itself is really nice, bright and spacious, so this plate of sloppily presented sliders and coleslaw just looked out of place, almost like it had escaped a middle school cafeteria. But other than that, food and service were both pretty good. My friend got the Betty burger which looked pretty amazing, I'll probably get that (or the tur-duck-en burger which people talk about) if I come back.
(3)
Allison G.
I've been here a few times for sips and happy hour, and tried it for dinner for the first time last week. I knew it was pretty big, and was hoping we'd be able to sit down right away, which (yay) we did. We got our drinks and food quickly, and our server was friendly. I had Betty's grilled cheese- grilled tomato and mozzarella on a ciabatta. It was delicious, but more of a panini than a grilled cheese? No biggie- it was melty and yummy. Overall, it was pretty much what I expected. The only downside was it was pretty warm in there.
(3)
Kimberly C.
I went with a few friends after work for Center City Sips. (Side note: if you want to try different restaurants for a great price restaurant week is the best time to do this but Center City Sips is a close 2nd. You get $3, $4 & $5 drink specials plus 1/2 priced appetizers. A great way to get out for those of us on a budget!) Anyway, back to this place. DRINKS: I wouldn't recommend it. If you do, be sure to say no ice. The drinks were really weak. I'm not a drinker but I had two cocktails and it was like drinking that once coveted ice cold glass of Pepsi after the ice has melted and the fizz is all gone. FOOD: This is where the money is. Since we went for Sips, we all stuck with the appetizers. We ordered the dry rub riblets, cheesesteak quesadilla, grilled bbq wings and these pulled pork sliders. Everything was really good! The only exception was that the riblets were a little bland but smoky and really tender. Sauce made a huge difference. My interest is peaked I would definitely go back. ATMOSPHERE: I'm not sure yet. It seemed like the people that were dining in had pretty good service. The setting upstairs was shear chaos. It may have just been the set up for sips but you had to order your drink and your appetizer at the bar. If you weren't actually sitting at the bar you had to stand behind those who were and flag down a bartender to take your order. I will definitely give this place another try. I'll just stay clear of the bar.
(3)
Emily K.
Food is extremely average. The best thing I had was bread pudding and I wish it came with ice cream instead of being charged 2.00 for one scoop that was small enough for a toddler. I had the pulled pork and my boyfriend had the chicken and ribs. Both were something that uou can easily get at a Boston market. Just priced higher. Service was good and ambience was good too.
(2)
Lauren C.
I came here during lunch one day to meet a girlfriend. Contrary to its usual crazy-bar-ness, it was pretty quiet which kind of felt weird, but I liked it. We sat upstairs and enjoyed a really great meal. I ordered the Mahi tacos which were cooked really well, and all around tasty. Given the pricepoint, I was kind of expecting them to be bigger though? Either that or they need a side or something. They looked sad on the plate all by themselves (2 tacos). My friend got the Cobb salad and sweet potato fries which she really enjoyed, and i poached some of her fries to liven up my tacos a bit. The fries were un-freaking-real; SO tasty and definitely made in-house. All in all, this place has me intrigued. I'd go back for sure! Just have to play around with the menu a bit.
(4)
Kelsey S.
Smokin Betty's is always a solid choice for brunch, lunch, or just drinks. As a Jefferson student, I have come here a bunch of times in between or after classes. The service and food are MUCH better than some of the neighboring places (milkboy). I recommend getting the chili because I love how it is served with cornbread on the side. As for brunch, the whole wheat pancakes were top notch, and even better paired with a mimosa.
(4)
Amanda M.
On a bitter cold Saturday night, Smokin' Bettys was emitting a warm glow that seemed to promise belly-warming soul food, so stopping in was an easy decision. I'd walked by this place many times and figured it was as good a night as any to finally go inside. The decor downstairs was beautiful, and I was surprised to find the place almost completely empty. Despite the lack of a crowd, we were seated upstairs, right next to a large family and under chilly, draft-prone windows. I was disappointed in the seating, but unfortunately the disappointment didn't stop there. With a name like Smokin' Bettys, I expected smokin' flavor. However, my mahi-mahi tacos were totally lame, served with a bland concoction of fillers on old tortillas that attempted to hide tiny pieces of fish. My boyfriend ordered the beef brisket and loved it, and I enjoyed his sweet potato fries on the side, but even the other sides we ordered - mac and cheese and corn muffins - left quite a bit to be desired. The bill was reasonable, and we left full - I think I'll just have to be more selective if I return!
(2)
Helena B.
I had the turducken and Alex had the angus burger, medium. We also tried the philly cheese steak egg rolls. The server was awesome--very awkward, but totally on point and very kind. He brought our beers and was patient was we waited for happy hour to kick in. Happy hour is reasonable for food, but the $2 Yuengling was what caught my eye. The Philly egg rolls I'd pass on next time. They're EXACTLY what they sound like, but once they hit your tongue, they don't taste that good... The turducken was...interesting. I obviously didn't order this to be "healthy" but this fucking thing is a guaranteed coronary. I had a quarter of it and got the rest to go. The fries were fantastic. The angus burger was cooked perfectly medium. It was juicy and delicious. The sweet potato fries were very good, and crunchy! I'd come here again for the food. -1 star for the helicopters and the emergency cars going to Jefferson...noisy!
(4)
Liz F.
Just went to Smokin' Betty's for lunch and was extremely pleased! I had the red quinoa and chickpea salad with grilled chicken. It was delicious. The spinach was extremely fresh and each part of the salad was prepared with precision. I also ate most of my boyfriend's sweet potato fries. As a self admitting sweet potato fries addict, these were some of the best I've had in Philly. They were thick cut and cooked to the ideal crisp. We also had a cup of the veggie chili. It was thick yet not too over the top and filling that it kept us from eating out meals. I loved that it came in a mug, perfect for a snowy afternoon. The staff was also extremely attentive and helpful in deciding what to order and what specials were offered. I think it's pretty safe to say I'll be back soon!
(5)
Stacey G.
Excellent goat cheese and fried green tomato bruschetta!!! You must get this when you come here, even if you're just grabbing a drink. Veggie burger sliders were okay. Excellent staff!!
(4)
Victoria S.
This place was a diamond in the rough after running around town all morning. We were leaving to head back to Baltimore, and I wanted a fun cute place for brunch. We came across this place and everything was great as soon as we walked in the door. First of all, the smell was out of this world. Pumpkin, cozy, I just wanted to wrap up in a blanket and stay there all day. The hostess was friendly, and said it would only be a 5 minute wait. We sat in a half booth/table over towards the kitchen. The place was packed with lots of large groups. The cocktails looked awesome. I opted for a bloody mary, which was great! Just the right mix of spicy and kick. For breakfast, we ordered eggs benedict, and the sweet potato hash and salmon, which I LOVED. It was smoked salmon but heated up just the way I like it. Their usual sweet potato hash was tossed with carmelized onions and bacon pieces. It came with a sunny side egg on top which just tied the whole thing together. Everything we saw brought out looked great. The lunch menu looks more comfort food and I wish that was available also because I was not sure if I wanted breakfast when I walked in but I sure was glad I did. Loved the atmosphere.
(4)
Dan D.
The service was better then the pulled pork but maybe that is where I went wrong. After talking to some friends after the fact, I think I need to give this food another shot.
(3)
Sue U.
I didn't know what I was expecting but was definitely pleased with order selection, quality of our drinks and food.
(4)
Jessica W.
We went to Smokin' Betty's to celebrate a friend's birthday. She loves the restaurant and wanted us to try it. We had great service and delicious food. We had an early dinner reservation on a Friday, and it was pretty quiet at that time.
(3)
Melody M.
Just ok. Came in for the famous burger with egg and pork belly. None of the flavors melded. The bread was sort of cheap. Fries were EXCELLENT. Beer selection is great. I wouldn't go out of my way for the burger.
(3)
Flora W.
Smokin Bettys is one of the best burgers in Philly. Their Betty Burger is awesome!! I really like the pork patty inside. And the fries is good as well. The price is really fair cause the giant burger comes with the fries. I know another great burger place Village Whiskey, but their burger is pretty expensive and you should pay for the fries. Must try Betty Burger!!!
(5)
Laura J.
This review is for a private event at Smokin' Bettys: I was in charge of booking an affordable dinner for about 20 board members who were staying at the Loews Hotel for an annual conference. Our budget was a bit low considering the dinner should include food and alcohol and a private space. I found Smokin' Bettys on Google and totally took a chance. I actually didn't even attend the dinner, but I had rave reviews from our board members. The executive director said the Chef came out to say hello, and the waiters forewarned her when someone another member ordered her a "welcome to the team" tequila shot! Everyone went above and beyond to make it a fun night. Special thanks to Rachel who didn't mind that I called with 30 minutes to spare to confirm a guest count. Everyone was extremely accommodating and helped to work with our budget. I will definitely recommend this venue for other clients!
(5)
Desi M.
Beautiful restaurant with a just as beautiful staff to match. I sat at the bar on the top floor, bartenders were very friendly and awesome to chat with. I had the mahi mahi tacos and sweet potato fries which were both quite delectable. The taco's focus seemed more about the fillers and all things beside the mahi mahi, but they were tasty. This place won me over when I saw my fave whiskey behind the bar, Makers 46. Any place with Makers 46 has to be awesome. Nice after work spot to chill or pregame spot before a night out on the town.
(5)
Kim L.
Came here for brunch on Sunday with a fairly large party. I was the first to arrive so I was directed to the bar where I ordered a way overpriced mimosa ($8 for a teeny champagne class filled mostly with OJ? Probably should've gone with a Bloody Mary). My complaints end there though. Our party was seated upstairs as soon as we were all accounted for. Our server was prompt with taking drink and food orders, and was able to help me with my always-agonizing decision of what to have for brunch. Pork belly benedict vs. breakfast burrito?! How do you even choose?! The food offerings here are pretty standard brunch fare, although some dishes do have a creative twist. One of my dining partners had breakfast "tacos", which were basically pancakes serving as the taco shells, filled with savory breakfast goodness such as eggs and cheese. I ended up going with the breakfast burrito and was very pleased with my decision, especially since it involved sriracha (although I wish there were more)! Overall, a great place to brunch as a group because it takes reservations, which I feel is a rarity for brunch in CC, and the upstairs is very spacious so you don't feel like you're going to elbow someone sitting at the table next to you. A solid four stars!
(4)
Kimberly Y.
Their menu is deceivingly delicious, but don't get your hopes up! The food doesn't live up to it. I had the sliders, of which I only liked one. I did appreciate the different sauces though. I remember my friend got the broccoli rabe because she's vegetarian... It was literally a small tree of barely-steamed broccoli with absolutely nothing on it for FOUR DOLLARS! We probably could've made that at home for $0.40. The inside is pretty loud and dark for some reason... was not expecting that from a BBQ place. At least the server was extremely nice for coming outside and taking pictures of us for my friend (Betty)'s birthday! All of us really liked the font for the "smokin' betty's" sign outside, haha!
(2)
Rachel R.
Went here for a dinner with 11 people on a Saturday night with 7 pm reservations. We were seating upstairs promptly by 7:05. The beer selection had a wide range of selections and was unique and fun. I liked how they had Sweaty Betty from Boulder Beer which was like the name of the restaurant. Also because I like the beer. The food was delicious. All of it. We passed around the egg roll cheese steaks and rib bites for apps. I had the tur-duck-en burger after much internal debate. It was heaven! Get this burger. Portions were huge. Prices were moderate. My crazy burger was $13 but they had more normal ones for less. The service was great. Several people helped with our large party. It was a nice day and the windows on the second floor were opened wide which gave a nice breeze. The atmosphere was lively. A new favorite in Philly. I just wish I had room for dessert. They also looked delicious but huge - I'll have to share one.
(5)
Wellington J.
The family and I were up for some bbq. This was closeby and had good reviews from Yelp. I had the turkey dinner, and it was enormous. There was so much turkey!! I barely finished half of the dinner, and it was really tasty. The family enjoyed their dinners too, and service was good
(4)
Yellmstng ..
This review is based on my overall experience. Waitress was nice n friendly. Food was served quick n was yummy. The fish tacos were very flavorful. A neutral comment: it's very loud in here. There are definitely no quiet sections. Just something to keep in mind. My only complaint were the bathrooms. They were really dirty and reeked of urine and they're coed. Nothing against the gents, but if they had separate bathrooms the smell of urine would probably improve.
(3)
Jamaica Y.
I'll never go back. My last trip to Smokin' Betty's turned me off for good. We are such fans of the bread pudding that we took an impromptu visit. I asked the type of bread pudding and was told that there was a peanut butter banana bread pudding, but that they were finishing it up and would be on the next batch soon. I happen to dislike peanut butter, and asked if I could have a slice of the next batch. The ridiculous response was that there were four slices of peanut butter banana left, and I could not have a slice of the next one until they were done. Excuse me? Wtf? I broke down and accepted the peanut butter banana, hoping I might like it. It was God awful, and I returned it to the kitchen. I then had to wait for a manager in order to have the uneaten/returned bread pudding removed from my bill. ...and I still couldn't get another slice of bread pudding! Ridiculous. I'm so disappointed to have lost a great dessert spot, but I can't be mistreated at restaurants! Never again.
(1)
Cinthia K.
Decided to come here with some friends during our last night in Philly. The menu was pretty big and it looked like they had quite a number of beers on draft, along with several wines. Despite my being a vegetarian, I was still able to find items to order (a portobello sandwich and some sides shared with my friends). The portions were large and flavorful, the service was attentive. I'd say that this place is a safe bet to go to if you have a large group and you all have big appetites at that particular moment in time.
(4)
Larissa A.
I have been to Smokin' Betty's twice now, both times the food was delicious, the staff super friendly and the drinks tasty. This last time I made a reservation because on a weekend night there is a little bit of a wait but it's worth it. Strongly suggest the BBQ Combo plate, a ton of food for a good price, with one of their local beers. (I think I had the Betty's Blonde, that was really nice with the BBQ) We will be back Betty, see you next time we're in Philly!!!!
(4)
John K.
My favorite - yes my actual favorite - burger in the city lies at Smokin' Betty's - a casual, yet sleek restaurant that totally has the ability to transform itself into a relaxed lounge or an upscale, but unpretentious bar. Better yet, Smokin' Betty's has a wide variety of BBQ-driven options available on their menu, along with affordable prices. Roasted Turkey Platter [$14] Carved turkey breast, southern style gravy, classic stuffing, whipped sweet potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce But before we get to my favorite burger in Philly, let's start with something apropos for this time of year. The GF went with the turkey platter, in anticipation of what was to come in a few weeks. The carved turkey was moist and juicy with a light smattering of gravy atop. The stuffing was rich, hefty, and nicely contrasted with the tart whole cranberries. The whipped sweet potatoes were creamy, light, and actually emanated a sweet potato / pumpkin pie with the additional spice - nice. Betty Burger [$12.95] 1/2 pound sirloin, confit pork belly, avocado, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, roasted garlic aioli, runny sunny side up egg But let's move on to the masterpiece - the piece de resistance if you will. I stumbled upon this Betty Burger within a few months after moving to Philly and I haven't looked back since. I've had this delicious burger close to a dozen times now and I can't recall a time when I didn't enjoy it. And that price! For what's on it - it certainly can't be beat. Requested medium rare- that's exactly how it came. The light brioche bun housed a rich, well-seasoned burger with a nice outer crust. The pork belly confit is fabulous - it should totally be shredded and put on top of fries to make a nice pork belly poutine. The mayo, airy guac, and the fried egg act to create a perfect melange of umami flavors that put this burger over the top. The fries that accompany this gut bomb are crisp and well-seasoned. Heaven. So be sure to head a few blocks off of Restaurant Row and order the namesake burger at Smokin' Betty's. It doesn't hurt to get a few of the sides as well - many of which are less than $5! When the food is great and the drinks are flowing, you're pretty much guaranteed to have a great time.
(5)
Lea T.
Like other Yelpers I was less than blown away by Smokin' Betty's. I had a drink at the downstairs bar where the bartender seemed unenthusiastic and took my menu to give to another patron after I had ordered a drink and wasn't even done looking at it! Is there a shortage of menus behind the bar? Upstairs I joined a group of 10 women who all had to get up and get their own drinks from the bar because apparently we couldn't get the attention from a server on a Wednesday night at 6 pm? The happy hour appetizers all seemed lackluster. My $4 Cheesesteak Eggroll was bland (the side of "smoked tomato jam" just tasted like BBQ sauce), the $6 Grilled Pizza looked depressing, and even the Vegetable Quesadilla was unappetizing ($3 is SO cheap, but I'd rather pay $5-6 for better food). Fortunately the space is comfortable and classy, but I wouldn't return based on the poor service and poor food. Smokin' Betty's could have some real potential if they got it together and offered some comforting soul-food but for now it just falls short of being memorable.
(2)
Majlinda K.
Smoking Bettys you have been so good to me every trip, it's a shame it took me so long to write a review! This place is really neat and shockingly not very crowded so you can always find a table here. We came here on a Sunday night and they were showing the eagles game in one of the rooms. They have your standard comfort food and healthy salad options that won't break your bank. Last time I was here I got the mahi-mahi tacos and they were absolutely delicious. They were very flavorful and came with a side of rice and beans. We got a pitcher of pomegranate sangria to go with our food and it went quite well with the tacos. They have some awesome happy hour specials here too so definitely come check it out!
(4)
Grace R.
Love Smokin Betty's! Always comes through with great menu that tastes great! I have been here twice with really large groups and they were not only very accommodating but everyone was happy with their meal-- which is almost impossible I think. Definitely would recommend!
(5)
Felicia C.
I've had Restaurant Week dinner at Smokin' Betty's, and it was ok. They're food is very...specific. With artsy, sometimes strange, preparations. But the fried green tomato appetizer was fantastic. Whenever I order out from Smokin' Betty's for lunch, I always order the fish tacos. They are better than fish tacos anywhere else. So fresh and plentiful (3 tacos for about $14), with sweet mango slaw and crema. No cheese or anything else that does not belong on a fish taco.
(4)
Jo C.
Was intrigued by the tur-duck-en burger on the menu. It was a huge burger with ground turkey, duck & chicken layered with stuffing, gravy & cranberries. It was delicious but too much to eat. Nice selection of local & popular beers. Service was quick & efficient. My spouse ordered the chicken & ribs covered with bbq sauce and he said that was good. Didn't have room to try desserts.
(4)
Abigail M.
Thoroughly mediocre, in need of acoustic remediation. We went to Smoking Betty's without a reservation. The hostess was great and the wait was short. We started with cocktails (I had a Pink Bogart) and crab cake sliders (the special). My cocktail was not quite cold enough, lacked flavor, and thoroughly disappointing (especially for $11). No pretty garnish or sugared rim (which would have helped). The crab cakes looked pretty (nice plating), but were flavorless (they were described as having a spicy remoulade- not sure what their definition of spicy was, but I couldn't tats anything- not onion, capers or hot sauce). I had the pulled pork sandwich. Nice smoky smell and tender meat, but again, little flavor (not vinegary not sweet). The fries and coke were the best part of the meal. The service was completely mediocre, and the restaurant was EXTREMELY loud (needs acoustic remediation/ panels). Food was reasonably priced.
(3)
Hali R.
Turduckhen burger was amazing. I paired it with a beermosa. Omg this place is so good. I came for dinner one night and brought my boyfriend back for brunch the same weekend. I love this place! I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Jennifer R.
This place has a ton of charm. I want to come back and try some of the fancy burgers they got going on. I however got a pulled pork sandwich and honestly, it wasn't the best. I figured that was the way to go being at a BBQ place but it was pretty dry and not too fresh in flavor. We came for lunch on a Tuesday for work though, so I wouldn't expect that to be the best time. They had some innovative drinks, menu items and decor though so they're definitely doing a lot of things right...just not pulled pork on a tuesday afternoon.
(4)
Alex H.
Delicious food! Had the bbq combo, dry rub rib and bbq chicken. Cooked to perfection. Katie, the server, was a sweetheart. Bulleitproof cocktail was nicceeee...banana peanut butter bread pudding with a hazelnut cocoa ice cream had my arteries working overtime. Luckily, TJU hospital is across the street :-) plenty of healthy choices, it was my cheat day, indulge my friends!
(5)
Amy S.
First of all Seth was an excellent waiter. He made great recommendations and didn't steer us wrong. The mac and cheese was delicious, the buffalo chicken pizza was spicy and cheesy and the riblets with the dry rub AND dipped in the BBQ sauce gave me new life. I want to eat the meal I had here every day for the rest of my life or if I am on death row I will choose this as my final meal (bold statement, I know). We also split a pitcher of the white peach sangria and the bread pudding to top it all off. Everything was excellent. I want to try everything on the menu.
(5)
Jerica D.
After my husband finished planning every detail to our trip to the Philadelphia area, this resturant was located conveniently between the two tourist destinations we visited. Going down the street it's located on, you wouldn't think you would find a nice restaurant but Smoking Betty's is hidden nicely down this rough street. Upon entering during brunch time, we were immediately greeted and seated. There is indoor seating, out door seating, an upstairs and downstairs. Our waiter immediately came over and was so nice. I ordered the BBQ sliders and my daughter ordered one of the smaller burgers. The breakfast food that came out for other tables looked delicious! I also saw that they served mimosas and inquired. I ordered the houses special Fuzzy Mimosa! It was delicious and the best Mimosa I have had!!! My BBQ sliders were ok, but being from the south I've has better BBQ and pulled meat sandwiches. My daughters burger didn't taste that great to me either. Besides the food being just ok, the Mimosa and atmosphere was excellent. This is a really nice restaurant located in the downtown Philly area.
(3)
Luba P.
It's the perfect casual happy hour place to catch up! It has two levels, with exposed brick and a variety of tables. Their food is really delicious, especially the veggie burgers and sweet potato fries. They also do specials for large parties, so it's great for a work happy hour. Yum!
(4)
Center Stage Party Planning ..
HAPPY HOUR MENU WAS SO GOOD... Sangria was a little watered down but the food was AMAZING. I will definitely be visiting again soon!
(5)
Cara S.
My BF and I planned to go here for lunch one day, but there was no one in the restaurant. So we retreated. Then we decided to go back on a Friday night, and it was packed, so we stayed! The place is a lot bigger inside than it looks from the outside, and the interior is nice and modern. We had great service, so I guess it depends who you get as a waitress (unfortunately can't remember our waitress's name). I ordered the brisket and my BF had the salmon. He said his was great. Mine was good too; the meat was tender and the sauce was good with a little bar-b-q kick, but it was pretty salty. They also have a good drink selection, though drinks are expensive. I did have a little confusion with the menu - my brisket didn't say it came with applesauce, and I wanted applesauce, so I ordered it as a side. Then when my meal came, it had applesauce! No wonder the waitress looked at me funny when I asked for it as a side. Not my fault - your menu's fault! Also there was a little drama going on at the tables near us. This one girl wanted her window open even though it was a chilly, rainy night. A guy at a different table complained to the waitress that it was cold, so the waitress handled it well and went and told the girl to shut her window. I realize that has nothing to do with the restaurant, except to say that the waitress did a good job. I do have to say that girl was a snob. Subjecting the rest of the restaurant to a cold chill because you're having hot flashes? Seriously. If you want it your way, eat at BK! I'd definitely recommend Smokin' Betty's to everyone for a unique food experience, just be aware that the brisket comes with its own applesauce!
(3)
Justin F.
Had a chance to have a later dinner here last Friday night, the scene was definitely a lot different from what I expected. It was a very 'trendy' place with modern furniture and decorations. Some decent music i.e. Beck, The Gorillaz as well. As for the food, it was pretty solid. For an appitizers we had their Chicken and Waffle Sliders which were very good and very filling. We also had some of their Asian Beef Wraps which were way over-marinated. They had so much sauce on them the lettuce wraps could not hold all of the meat. For dinner I had their fried chicken, which was very good. It was heavily salted but was very crispy and the chicken was good as well. For dessert we had the fried oreos with cookies and cream ice cream which was freaking awesome. Definitely worth getting if you are there.
(3)
Nicohya M.
I work near here so I just order take out. I have never ate inside. The times I have been inside it seemed quiet. I had got my food downstairs, but I had to get my change upstairs. (weird). I either get the dry rub chicken wings or the chicken quesadilla. I love the wings, but whenever I order something is missing from my order.
(3)
Nehemiah J.
Place was great. I solo ate on a sunday afternoon and had the steak and the blonde beer. overall it was delicious and great while sitting next to the bar.
(5)
Debbie D.
Everything I have had is amazing, especially the roasted beet and goat cheese salad! I crave it!!! The wings, the grilled veggie sandwich, the BBQ, worth the trip!
(5)
Sylvie C.
Underwhelming. Had Sunday brunch there, an experience saved only by the company I had with me. Positives: the space was open and airy, with tons of room between tables and an interesting layout. And a very solid bloody Mary. Faux pas #1: waitress, I hadn't seen these people in months. Give us a second to catch up without giving us the 'tude! Número dos: a hard omelette. "tough" is the only word in had to describe it, which should never be an adjective used on eggs. This "omelette" came with prosciutto, equally hard and flavorless, and mozzarella, also terribly chewy. Problem #3: biscuits and gravy. Maybe we're just idiots to try biscuits and gravy outside the confines of the south, but for me, this was just a total miss. The biscuit was too soft and the gravy had no definable flavor. All in all, not a memorable brunch, and I've heard equally underwhelming comments about lunch and dinner.
(2)
Angela P.
One of my favorite places to eat in Philly! The food is delish, the atmosphere is pretty cool as well. Also, the staff is very customer service oriented and are really knowledgeable of the menu as well. I love this place!!
(5)
Anna Marie C.
remember how the movie clueless gave us all these new words? one of my favorites was 'monet'--meaning somebody hot from far away, and when you get in closer, that person's just a total mess. well, smokin betty's is a total monet. it's beautiful, sleek, and new. it's big and shiny. i happen to like devil's alley. and barbecue. so i'm thinking, this is going to be great. the menu sounded great. what wasn't so great: the server seating us at the awkward couch spots. seriously? there's three of us. it's kind of awkward. then, i think things are getting better, as i got the allagash white/peach schnapps cocktail. tasty. things just get... sad. alright, i admit. it's a barbecue place, and perhaps matzoh ball soup and mac and cheese and potato latkes are weird things to order. but i give it a go. my matzoh ball soup comes with still frozen balls. and when they bring a replacement, somehow all the veggies have disappeared from the broth. mac and cheese was meh. and the potato latkes were dismissable. my friend called her salad 'wimpy'...and the hot dog platter was not devoured. alas. my barbecue dreams were not to be fulfilled tonight. goodbye, monet.
(1)
Ben M.
Server was LAME. We had to wait 30 mins on more champagne, we had to buss our own table because the server never picked up the plates when we were done, waters weren't brought to EVERYONE at the table, too much vermouth in the dirty martini, the burger was undercooked, the sausage gravy tasted like a Christmas tree and we won't be back.
(1)
Amanda S.
i had an AMAZING meal for a rehearsal dinner here. granted, the menu chosen was out.of.this.world and it was free. but for what it's worth, i will definitely be back as a paying customer! i know it's a bbq joint, but i didn't actually have anything bbq at the place. so i can't rate anything as far as that goes. however, i can rate a few other items: -cheesesteak spring rolls: a+ -fried green tomato bruschetta: a+ -turkey bacon wraps: a -pizza bites: a -cheddar sirloin burger: a+ -fries: a+ on top of a delicious dinner, they had a great beer selection that made me very happy. and the waitstaff was super friendly and very fast.
(5)
Vlad K.
This seemed like a perfect place for dinner on a rainy cold Saturday night. We called in ahead, made reservations and quickly fund the place (though some of the previous reviews were right - a sign would be helpful). Smokin' Betty's has an open modern yet tasteful decor and presents itself as a friendly comfy place. The service was incredibly friendly though at more than one occasions we wondered if everyone there was a bit high.... Between the atmosphere and a cool menu there was a lot of promise. Sadly, Smokin' Betty's falls far short of that promise. The Homemade chili tasted really good, though once you add sour cream and guacamole it was a bit on a colder side... Drinks are interesting and Paradise Kitty was a smashing success. But that's where the good part ends... Riblets with dry spicy rub were just OK. BBQ Plater seemed very promising. However, the chicken was dry and though wet ribs weren't necessarily bad, there was really nothing special about them... Mashed potatoes looked great and had soft, nice consistency but they tasted sour.. Baked beans tasted awful - too much sauce and it seemed as if they cooked the beans and sauce separately... Potato Latkes were good... well okay they were good for non=Polish/Jewish/Russian place.... Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment...
(2)
Christopher R.
Have you ever thought to yourself, "Gee, wouldn't it be great if Devil's Alley had a slightly expanded menu & beer list but wasn't in as good of a location?" If you have, Smokin' Betty's is the place for you. On my first trip I ordered the Tur-Duck-En Burger (with orange-cranberry relish) which I had been eagerly anticipating for some time. It wasn't mind-blowing, it was merely reminiscent of a very high quality turkey burger; you are likely to notice more of difference in color and texture than of flavor. John Madden is rolling in his grave.* The french fries tasted as if they were frozen. The grilled vegetables--fennel, onion, zucchini if I recall correctly--were also kind of lackluster. Sadly, this meal was a disappointment and it led me to hold off with my review until a follow-up visit so as not to let it sour my overall impression. Today's visit turned out slightly better, though there were some minor complications. Like the Tur-duck-en Burger, I have also put serious thought into ordering the Lamb Burger. I made an attempt but they were all out at lunch, so I had to go with the Betty Burger (with pickled jalapeno, grilled corn, smoked mozzarella and "mojo sauce") as my back-up. This was actually quite good, possibly better than the Devil Burger. The baked beans, though, appeared just to be beans in barbecue sauce, and they did not even begin to approach the beans at Devil's Alley. The onion rings, like the fries, are almost certainly frozen. I've been here twice now and I'm generally indifferent towards this versus Devil's Alley. Its nice to have a few more solid beers to choose from--the Blond Betty reminds me of Flying Fish Exit 4, the two or three others I've had we likewise pretty good--and additional menu options but from what I've tried the food falls just short. Overall, I'd probably stick to the more established location for the time being. * Not actually dead. Yet.
(3)
Jill A.
I'm in love with the BBQ sliders (brisket, pork and chicken). They're moist and juicy and I just want to stuff my face with them every day, for every meal. The dry-rub wings are tasty, too. They're $5 bucks at happy hour, and though you only get about five or six wings, they're not too skimpy. Plus, they taste the way I always want my chicken on the grill to taste--crispy, almost a little burnt, with a nice charred flavor and tender on the inside. While I fail at cooking (er, grilling), Betty's does not. The sauce (Sam's Famous BBQ) used on the BBQ combo platter (1/4 chicken and 1/4 ribs) is sweet and tangy and so wonderfully finger-lickin' good. I'm definitely a fan of having to lick my fingers a million times after each bite of messy BBQ. Wet wipes are available, of course, but who wants to waste any last drop of sauce, even if it means lick-lick-licking away? The macaroni salad is decent and the mac and cheese is oozy with a little bit of breadcrumb crunch on top. Both are worthy of thumbs up. The stuffing with gravy is just okay ... there was a flavor in there I couldn't quite pick out and I probably wouldn't order it again. And the buttermilk biscuit was quite dry. It tasted like someone went overboard with the flour and forgot about the butter. But! The rest of the menu looks promising (lots of interesting sandwiches and plenty of other sides). Must try more! I wasn't drinking yesterday (huh?!) but the beer/wine/cocktail menu was similar to that of Devil's Alley--plentiful enough for drinkers across the board. The Smokin' Betty's Blonde and house wines were being offered for $3 during happy hour. I'm sure I'll be hittin' that up next time. Oh, and I loved dining upstairs by the windows. Actually, the whole space is quite swank but in a non-glitzy way. Dark wood and lots of light. I could see it being a great spot for an event. Plus, the service (both hostess and servers) was friendly and attentive. Let's see if that sticks. Yay and more yay! I hope this place does well because I'm looking forward to getting my BBQ on a lot more often this summer. Dammit, I want a slider right now.
(4)
Jennie H.
If you like Devil's Alley, you'll probably like Smokin' Betty's considering their menus are VERY similar. I went there for a friend's birthday in April, and the place were undergoing some renovations in the bathrooms. I had to breathe in some heavy fumes of paint that made me feel a little light-headed. Food was good. Service was slow.
(4)
Rickina C.
I decided to go to lunch with a friend and a little one when we decided on this place. When entering the place no one seemed to be around. Then when I talked to the waiter he acted like I was nuts for telling him how many people we had and just pointed to seats. After that he seemed a bit nicer but that was just off putting. Aside from that, everything was great. The food was delicious and the serving size a decent amount.
(4)
Thuy F.
the food here is very good, and service is as good as it gets. if only parking wasnt so difficult id come here more often
(5)
Kate B.
Ever since the Smoked Joint closed a few years back, I've been on the lookout for a good BBQ place. Smokin' Betty's might just have filled that void. Housed in a large brick building on 11th and Sansom, the joint is, miraculously, both roomie AND cozy, with dark paint and high wooden stools and tables downstairs, and a smattering of couches and candlelit tables upstairs. Tons of space means it takes a while to fill up -- although I expect it will fill up very quickly once more people find out about this place! The bbq was, quite simply, bangin' -- I ordered the Beef Brisket sandwich and it was mouth-watering-ly incredible; the bf went with the pulled pork and had a similar experience. The menu is rather extensive and contains non-bbq staples as well (tacos, quesadillas, gourmet sandwiches) -- will have to try these next time. The beer list was small, but excellent -- I was pleased to find both Arrogant Bastard and Hennepin (two of my faves!). As we were finishing our beers, the owner wandered over to see how we liked our meal and ask for feedback -- a nice touch for sure. I can't wait to return!
(4)
Patrick H.
This place was a nice surprise. Its a bi-level BBQ place that offers some very interesting dishes. I had the BBQ Salmon with a bucket of fries and it was Delicious. The have a Betty's burger too, that look good but I was not to eating that much. Mainly because I was saving room for the triple chocolate mousse dessert. There are no shortage of drink specials here either. I recommend the hard cider or the Yuenling buth the have a huge selection of beers so why not just work through the list. The staff was very friendly and the prices fair. One not to business travelers, they give you an itemized receipt. ;)
(4)
Courtney H.
I really love this place and have been recommending it to everyone I know who likes bbq. I think I've been there 3 times in the last 6 weeks.They did an amazing job with the renovations- great idea with the windows that fold open! When they are open it feels like you're outside without the sunburn. As for food- I say, if it's your first time you should get the sliders with one of each of the bbq'ed meats- one with the Caribbean chicken, one with the traditional pulled pork and one brisket. This also comes with macaroni salad- or if you are me, I like to change it up and get the cold slaw instead because I like to add it to my pulled pork slider- but anyways....I have also had the turkey burger- which was a real turkey burger that someone in the kitchen prepared by hand- instead of gross frozen burgers which is what I usually get as a turkey burger. The Mac & cheese is just ok- I would skip it in favor of the cold slaw or the macaroni salad. We have also had really good service each time we have gone. I am planning on trying a Friday night happy hour soon...I'm looking forward to sipping some of their specialty drinks!
(5)
Chris F.
I stopped in last night for a Thursday evening drink and a small bite to eat. I called up my friend who lives nearby and asked if he wanted to try something new. I had planned to go on the west side of Broad but some construction made it more trouble than it was worth. He met me outside his apartment and fired up the Yelp app on his iPhone. I don't know what filter he had applied but it didn't show any of the same places I now pull up using the website with the nearest intersection to his apartment (strange?). Regardless he suggested Smokin' Betty's, not more than a few blocks walk. Stepping inside the 11th street entrance (they also have a side entrance with a ramp) the doorway opens up to a nicely decorated interior but more importantly STAIRS. I don't know about you, but when I get the chance to eat above common folk, I take it one step at a time :) In all reality they had two bars, but the downstairs was vacant so we sat upstairs at the bar. They had a decent selection on the tap reasonably priced. I had myself the B.B.Q Sliders consisting hickory smoked beef brisket, carolina pulled pork & caribbean pulled chicken served with carolina slaw with a side 'bucket' of sweet potato fries. I'm all about any kind of meat trifecta. The sliders were great, as were the sweet potato fries, but I was slightly disappointed by the lack of anything aside from ketchup to eat the sweet potato fries with; a notion which I find slightly repulsive. When in doubt, chipotle mayo! Goes great on everything, even air. My only other gripe lies in the design of the back of the bar. It's simply Plexiglas with chain link fence mesh inside. You could see everybody on the other side eating and there were definitely a few that felt like they were being watched. Not trendy, unless your idea of trendy means not knowing how to lock the door at Paradigm. If all I can complain about is a lack of one condiment and a piece of glass, that sounds like a pretty solid business and one that I'd definitely visit again.
(3)
Sara C.
Smokin' indeed. I've never imagined BBQ in a place as sleek as this, but it works! Let's start first with the drinks, as most my time here was spent.....drinking. The selection? AWESOME. I was intrigued by their beer cocktails (which seem to be all the rage at the moment) - I went for the Curious Georgia, which was Allagash White with peach schnapps and a peach at the bottom of the glass. Seriously the most delicious thing ever. The beer list was impressive - and filled with my summer favorites from their Smokin' Betty Blonde to an Ithaca Apricot Wheat. At happy hour, they have amazing specials. As for the food - I sampled the cheese steak egg roll, served with REALLY spicy ketchup which I want to bottle up and take home with me. I also tried the BBQ chicken (WHOA to that sauce, you're right Monica and Jill). The decor seems to be lacking some originality or focus - but like I mentioned before, it's sleek. And like Apothecary, they have a unisex bathroom that's quite fancy. I'll absolutely be back for more.
(4)
Catherine C.
I've been to Smokin' Betty's a few times and can safely say that I'm a fan of this place. They have a great list of beers, and flights (any four 5oz beers you choose) are only $8! That is a total bargain, and a great way to try some new brews. All the food I've had here has been very good. They usually have some great stuff on their specials list, so check it out. The waitstaff is generally friendly and helpful, but not 100% reliable. They lose a star for an incident on my first visit. My friend had her birthday party here (called ahead, arranged for a large group, etc). However, Betty's decided to call it quits at 1am despite typical closing time being 2am. I guess our party wasn't enough for them to justify keeping the otherwise lightly patroned bar open. Still, we felt a little jilted when the "get out" lights went on an hour ahead of schedule. Oh also, it's never packed. I've never had to wait for a table (and I've shown up with a party of 7 on a Saturday night without reservations).
(4)
Chris M.
Hit this up again. I can't stress enough how chill this place is. We had a great time upstairs, next to the windows. It's really tough to beat. Got there for HH.. they had deals on their Smokin Betty's Blonde Beer (a Weisse, very good), and also their wings..again, tre bien. Also gobbled on their Grilled Salmon Fish Tacos. Nice. Good Sauce. Had Fish tacos many times in SoCal.. these are the closest we'll get in Philly.. Go here now!
(4)
Doug P.
Went for happy hour. Clearly a post-work office hangout. It was surprisingly loud (and nice inside given the corner). My friend liked the 'paradise kitty' (at $4 during happy hour), and the pizza was a flatbread pizza. At $6 it was appropriately priced, but I'm not sure about $8. It was fine. Bottom line: $2 lagers, what's not to like?
(3)
Katie L.
Although I've been a bit put-out by the union guys handing out fliers at the door during the day, I decided to give Smokin Bettys a try. The decor is amazing, very warm and homey, though I'm not sure it quite matches the menu. It doesn't have a down-home BBQ southern fried food feeling, which the menu seems to. Food: Sliders were pretty good, wasn't a huge fan of the chicken. Pork and beef were great. Cornbread is amazing. Duck salad is beyond amazing! All the appetizers could definitely have been a full meal for me, portions were huge. Mixed drinks were too expensive and pretty weak. They were changing out all the kegs and the wine list, which means they were out of pretty much everything else. I understand the need to change things, but many, many restaurants can make that change without a hitch. They can do better. Service was alright, albeit a bit slow. The server made a mistake with my salad order, but promptly corrected it. I might go back, but I'm not in a rush to do so.
(3)
Brian C.
Great food, Perfect Saturday afternoon lunch, Solid 4 stars, could be 5... we'll see! This is my first impression review, so we'll see what happens as I come back. I just came here today (it's Saturday) for a late lunch, and it was delicious. The place was practically empty, so we had a great table upstairs next to the window. I was really impressed by the size of the restaurant... They could easily handle several large parties here, although I'm sure during weekend nights, that's easier said than done. The decor was nice, exposed brick and beams, a big skylight viewable from the second floor, funky modern furniture, and lots of windows that open when the weather is nice. The first floor was similar, except with the addition of the view of the kitchen. There is a bar on both floors with a decent number of bar stools. If only they had outdoor space too... oh well, you can't win em all. The BBQ sliders were amazing (I favored the brisket... sooo good). Also served was a waldorf chicken salad sandwich on french bread which was pretty good as well. The macaroni salad & cole slaw were as good as it gets. All the food tasted really fresh. We enjoyed a few beers with our lunch - Betty's Blonde, which was a nice lighter ale and the Pear Cider (a delicious pairing with the sliders... no pun intended). The service was excellent, but again... it was not a busy time. I'll definitely be back, especially to try the ribs. BTW, this place beats the crap out of Q in old city...
(4)
Sarah S.
I really wanted to like this place. I swear I did! Maybe this is all my fault for looking at the menu ahead of time and getting really stoked on my upcoming dinner. I eyed up the menu thoroughly and decided to get the BBQ sliders so I could try a variety of the goods. Pulled Pork, Brisket & Pulled Chicken. I also ordered a side of mac & cheese for the full comfort food effect. I tried a little of each slider and ended up giving two of them away to other friends at the table. The pulled pork was surely the best. The sauce was tasty, but I am pretty sure I've had better at family BBQs. The side of mac & cheese was REALLY disappointing. For $4 I was expecting a small bowl of mac & cheese.. instead I got something about the size of a condiment dish full of weird NON-BAKED mac & cheese. Gooey and strange... and lacking macaroni. Spirals? It was mostly cheesey goo. The noodles were few and far between. As for the rest of my dining experience: The waiter was very nice. He was on top of everything... getting fresh beers and being nice in general. The atmosphere was a bit strange. I expected something more RUSTIC, but it kind of just looks like a dimly lit panera bread. The acoustics in there are also TERRIBLE. We were screaming across the table just to have a conversation. I will say this... I will probably give this place another try sometime since my boyfriend is from North Carolina and wants to try the "carolina" bbq, but I will deff just stick to the pulled pork and i will NOT order that mac & cheese since we make it way better at home. Hopefully I like it better next time!
(2)
Jessica G.
We ordered Smokin' Betty's('s) signature surfeit of fowl, the Tur-Duck-En Burger, with a side of hunting knife in case any of the three species between the buns began squirming anew. Someone ordered a marinated grilled vegetable sandwich--at a barbeque joint!--but he was forgiven this gaffe on account of his vegetarianism and lactose intolerance. Someone else ordered fish tacos--at a barbeque joint!--and, to be honest, nobody really got over that. But both dishes were satisfactory, even given their status as outliers on a BBQ menu.
(3)
Claire R.
Good for a low-wait brunch and happy hour; solid food with a little kick every now and then. I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars. This place deserves 4 stars for brunch and happy hour. There's a decent amount of seating and a clean, laid-back, modern feel with a little bit of retro around the edges. They have some decent appetizers and the drinks are reasonably priced. And while it's probably not where you want to end your night, it's spacious and quiet enough to lend a comfortable environment to catch up with friends after work and carry on a conversation in a normal tone. The menu has a lot of standard selections a step above your typical American style restaurant bar but definitely a step below a gastro-pub. Nothing on the menu is particularly innovative or amazing but the menu has a few strengths (salad with chickpeas and quinoa, corn cakes (that were made gluten-free the last time I was there)). While the ease of getting a table here is always good, It's particularly appreciated during brunch time. Generally without waiting, you can enjoy the surprisingly solid brunch menu (that executes a few twists well--albeit safe and common ones) in a relaxed environment.
(3)
Iz A.
Only had a snack and a cocktail here but loved, loved, loved it! We ordered three different drinks off of their cocktail list and were impressed by the high quality ingredients, unique concoctions and variety. I ordered the "Root of all Evil," which called for fresh orange juice. I was floored when I saw the bartender grab an orange, juice it and pour my drink. Let me tell you something, I drink A LOT and I never see anything THAT fresh going into my cocktails. The root liquor, which makes the drink taste like root beer, is an uncommon poison to stock on bar shelves but I liked it! We also ordered the brisket sliders, which were FANTASTIC! I'd like to go back and order a full appetizer for myself. We shared the three sliders and we were three ladies, which means I did not get enough! Based on the quality of the sliders and the yumminess of the BBQ sauce, they probably have an awesome menu. The bartender, whose name escapes me, was awesome too. She listed out some local spots for us (we're from DC) and was friendly yet super professional. I'd definitely go back. When I think back, Smokin' Betty's stands out from the many establishments we visited throughout the weekend. And, let me tell you something, we visited A LOT of watering holes!
(4)
Kim A.
Had my birthday brunch there last Sunday and enjoyed the drinks and food. Accommodated our larger group after another restaurant canceled on us. We sat up stairs and it was very private. Tried all the drinks on the brunch menu, loved them all. Had the eggs benedict and it was pretty good. Their hollindaise was interesting. Fluffy and very buttery. Not what I am used to but still good. Sweet potato hash was greasy and the potatoes where mushy. Great service and would recommend.
(4)
Ally G.
A Restaurant Week Review: *Note: online RW menu isn't reliable* I so badly wanted to give Smokin' Betty's 5 stars! But I couldn't... As phenomenal as their BBQ was, two things kinda bugged me: 1) We were seated fairly close to the bar on the 2nd floor. It was pretty full, and quite loud. If you have the chance, ask your waitress for a table further from the bar. 2) The womens bathroom on the 2nd floor... absolutely disgusting. Not only were 1/3 of the stalls "Out of Order", the working ones were really dirty and one lacked toilet paper. Hopefully they'll clean it up soon! On the more yummy sides of things, Smokin' Betty's offered us the best Restaurant Week experience we've had yet. And possibly some of the BEST BBQ in the Center City area... Service - Our waiter was so sweet and attentive. The best service I've had in a loooong time. Thanks guys! Drinks - Good, yet selective beer selection. - Fun, refreshing cocktails (try the Raspberry Lemonade Cocktail). First Course - Cheesesteak Springroll: I was skeptical at first, but WOW. The spicy ketchup that they offer for dipping is realllly good too. Any cheesesteak buff has to try these. And the best part... they're 1/2 off during their happy hour! - BBQ Sliders: YUM. The carolina pulled pork had an amazing mesquite zest; just the best kind of "spicy." My favorite, hickory smoked beef brisket, had a sweet and tangy BBQ flavor. Then the caribbean pulled chicken, though tasty, lacked the kind of awesome flavor the other two had. But all of them were cooked to yummy, tender perfection... Second Course - Soup of the Day, Portobello Mushroom & Sage: When we walked up to Smokin' Betty's I noticed this special on their board outside. I absolutely love mushroom soup, I got so excited! Rich, creamy, loads of mushrooms :)This was, hands down, the best mushroom soup I've EVER had. For a soup of the day at a BBQ joint, I was very impressed... - Mixed Green Salad: Tasty, crisp salad. But the balsamic vinaigrette it was served with was WAY over-powering on the bitter factor! Some people like their vinaigrette that way, but definitely not me. Third Course - Hickory Smoked St. Louis Ribs: I don't even know what to say or where to begin... These BBQ ribs were jaw dropping-ly, UHmazing. Again, I got my favorite of the BBQ sauces (sweet and tangy, hickory smoked BBQ goodness). But the even better part... the juicy, tender meat pulled right off the bone *insert Homer's drool here.* I'm just gonna leave it at that. The ribs were served with two sides, like most of the entree items, we got asparagus (perfectly cooked with a nice crunch) and... MAC & CHEESE*!! Fourth Course - Triple Chocolate Layer Cake Typical chocolate mousse and ganache cake. Nothing special. If you really want a treat, go with the... - Chocolate Mousse served w/ mixed berries I prefer my mousse to be light and fluffy. But Betty's thick mousse was still insanely YUMMY. The strawberries, raspberries, and black berries were key :) Overall Smokin' Betty's Restaurant Week menu, offered an extremely tasty selection with hearty portions, for that price we all love... $35. I'm super excited to come back and try some more of their menu items!! *Mac & Cheese: But before we get too excited, I have to admit... I was kind of disappointed. So here's the scoop... I learned that Smokin' Betty's is owned by the same guy who owns Devil's Alley (I knew their mac & cheese tasted familiar... I'm not a fan of Devil's Alley's mac & cheese either). The noodles are always over cooked to me (I prefer the more al dente kind) and the cheese sauce, though nice and thick, has a kind of gritty texture. Then instead of a tomato jam on-top, there were bread crumbs with a hint of garlic flavor to them (which was the best part of this mac & cheese). Though it has potential, I wasn't a fan...
(4)
Mitch S.
I've been to this place a few times before, and I always had a pretty positive experience. I typically get the slider trio, which comes with one pulled pork, one BBQ chicken and one BBQ beef sandwich. The meat is delicious and the buns are soft and bunny. They also have really really great chicken wings for an appetizer, which are char-grillicious. If it weren't for today's experience, this place would definitely get four stars. But today, they really screwed up! Instead of serving the meat on nice, soft, toasty buns, they accidentally served it on sponges that had been soaked in pork grease for about 10 minutes or so! I squeezed some of the grease out of the bun-sponge that was holding the pork and it literally covered the bottom of my plate with a pool of greasy goo. Even the bbq chicken sandwich "bun" was soaked through with grease. I had to eat quickly in order to finish because my stomach was rapidly taking a beating. On top of the grease sponge buns, my BBQ beef sandwich was actually half beef, HALF LARD! One half of the sandwich filling was simply an approximately 2x2in cuboid of fat, which they cleverly disguised with BBQ sauce. I am really not a picky eater, and I'm not normally grossed out at all by things that are too greasy or otherwise unhealthy. But this was beyond greasy. I felt like John Travolta's hair was in my mouth. I'm probably going to need to have a carotid endarterectomy in a few days simply because I finished this meal. And even beyond actually somewhat caring about my cardiovascular system, it's kind of hard to enjoy the meal because literally 3 bites in my stomach started feeling like someone was filling it with lead pellet. So, anyway, Smokin' Betty's overall is not a bad place. However, I will never ever go back because my body is actually traumatized from the experience I had there today. If you do go, please please please, for your own sake and that of your family, do not order the grease sandwiches.
(3)
Debbie G.
Only worth trying if you want a decent burger in my opinion. Which of course I didn't get. Instead, I had the mahi-mahi tacos which were subpar. My husband and his friend however did partake in the meaty goodness and they both looked sufficiently satisfied in trying the Betty Burger. The beer list is unique which is also a draw to try this place. I enjoyed my Allegash Belgian White very much - good for if you're into the wheat variety.
(3)
Mindy Y.
Riblets? Riblets? Riblets! Had to wait forever to get them, but once they arrived they were hot, tender and delicious. The slow service wasn't our waitress's fault - she was definitely in the weeds with 5+ tables, two of which were larger parties. The Grace Lightening (Midori sour) was ok, nothing to write home about. The roast turkey platter? Very good comfort food, but be prepared for a heaping pile of turkey and stuffing smothered in gravy. The homemade cranberry sauce was very good. I'm not sure how I feel about the whipped sweet potatoes - they had some good points but there was just something about them that was a little strange to me. The upstairs bar/seating area was loud and packed, but there was (literally) one guy sitting downstairs. As long as the upstairs is crowded I guess they do a good business, but I imagine being empty on the street level will hurt them in the long run. I'll be back to try the lamb burger, sliders, and the betty cristo... and the riblets, of course.
(4)
Jonathan O.
All-in-all a pretty solid showing by Smokin' Betty's. Nothing fantastic though. First off, it should be noted that I've only ever been here to meet up with friends for Happy Hour during Center City Sips. I'll update my review when I come for dinner...and now on with the show: The place is always really busy for Sips, so it's loud (in a fun way, I guess, but it would be hard to enjoy a dinner at this time if you weren't there for happy hour) and the staff get pretty bogged down, but they handle the crowd decently well. Our server was great, but I frequently didn't see her often enough so had to go up to the bar to take care of the order myself. The happy hour bites were good; try their cheesesteak springrolls--their legit...although a small portion (it's just one springroll cut in half). My friends weren't sure, but they thought the white wine might be Franzia poured into a wine bottle. I could neither confirm nor disconfirm that, since I'm a beer drinker. Speaking of, awesome value for a pint of Philly Brewing Company's Fleur de Lehigh for 2 bucks.
(3)
Michael L.
I wanted to try this place out since I have yet to have incredible BBQ in center city. I still have yet to have incredible BBQ in center city. The ambiance was nice; I liked the atmosphere the place exuded--funky but not trying too hard. The waitress was nice, attentive and knowledgeable, and their list of cocktails was interesting. I started off with the sliders sampler to get a taste of the barbeque, and was very disappointed. I had a hard time discerning the difference between the chicken and the pork, besides the fact that one was too watery and bland, whereas the other one was way too sweet. The brisket was good, but nothing spectacular. i got the salad with quinoa, which was very pleasant. If I had to go back, I would probably order it again--nicely sized and tasty. Looked like a nice place out for drinks and ambiance, but overall the food was less than extraordinary.
(3)
Brian A.
Awesome food, good beer selection, good cocktails. Try the Betty Burger - it's little more than I'd usually spend for a burger and fries ($13) but it was well worth it; hands-down the best burger I've had yet in Philly. Add in a nice stout or porter and you've got yourself a delicious, stick-to-your ribs dinner. Service was fair and the atmosphere was pretty cozy, if fairly noisy. Would come back again.
(5)
Kelly T.
Great barbeque. Service was efficient and friendly.
(4)
Hill F.
Greeat spot for dinner. Ice cold Yuengling on draft, and the BBQ was excellent. We had the St. Louis ribs and a pulled-pork sandwich. The service was excellent and professional.
(4)
Nadia S.
Umm... I know I shouldn't expect Southern style BBQ here. But even then, BBQ at Smokin Betty's is not so smokin'. I heard about the sliders, 3 different meat types, the beef brisket was not a fav. They had a special with grilled shrimp and cheddar polenta... not what you would expect from the description; Sweet potato fries, were OK. My fav was the cornbread muffins and the regular fries..YUM. Everything else...not feeling it! Sorry Betty.
(2)
Bill G.
My girlfriend and I don't usually let other women into our relationship, but for Betty's we make an exception. With giant chalk board menus on exposed brick and a more than adequate beer list, Smokin B's is our steady go to gal. The portions are generous enough that I leave every time with a feeling of gluttonous accomplishment. I recommend their brisket platter, a heaping helping of Hebraic delight complete with latkas and apple sauce. If your feeling especially randy, try your luck on the mountain of beef, cheese, pork belly, avocado and egg that is the Betty burger. You won't regret it (immediately). Try to get seated upstairs by one of the huge windows that border the relatively open space behind the bar. On these perfect fall nights it is the best way to escape the sometimes overly loud music (my only complaint). Which by the way is always in good taste. I love Motown for brunch.
(4)
Jake V.
After the Brownhaus Shittz, I was a little leary of going to a restaurant so soon after they opened. Luckily, not all places can have a catastrophic opening month... That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with this place. The girlfriend and I ordered a bbq sampler platter and got a roasted quarter chicken and a couple ribs. We also split a salad and all and all the whole thing was pretty good for a reasonable price. The bbq wasn't blow-the-doors off in either direction (spicy or sweet) but generally neutral which is nice. The beer selection wasn't bad either with a wide range which was also reasonable. Overall, it's a pretty good start for a place that has potential.
(4)
Jon D.
NOTE: This review is for Center City Sips only. Went here a few weeks ago to meet a friend for Sips. I liked the setup of the place as a corner location - lots of good light & window seats. We had a table and service for was terrible, it took 15-20 minutes for drinks. My girlfriend went recently for Sips and said service was terrible then too. On the positive side, they had a blonde ale (and Lager) on tap for the special, which was pretty good. I also tried the pizza which was just ok. Altogether, not a bad place for Sips. Just stock up when you order.
(3)
Mike S.
When 13 of us can sit down for dinner at 7:45 on a Friday, its a good thing. When the waitress can rattle off some dishes, but forget a few of the sides, and be able to say it in a manner that makes us laugh, that's a good thing. Beer selection was good. Had one of the specials, haddock with cous cous. The haddock was a bit under cooked. The red bell pepper puree accented the fish well. The citrus cous cous was good. The best part of the meal was the salted greens sprinkled over the dish. It really made the dinner. Pricing was fair. I would go back, its a good place for a decent meal that's not too loud w/ more of a laid back atmosphere.
(3)
Perri W.
This is my favorite place to eat downtown. The service has always been great and everyone has been really friendly each time I've eaten here. I love the atmosphere and it seems like they play music straight from my iTunes library. I always order the grilled salmon, but switch up the sides. The salmon always has really great flavor and barely any skin to worry about. I've had the mashed potatoes, grilled veggies, and sweet potato fries as sides - all really great (mashed potatoes were my favorite). We came during restaurant week and my boyfriend ordered from the prix fixe menu and everything was phenomenal. He started with Korean fried chicken & waffles, then had a turkey/bacon chowder, teriyaki salmon over rice, and ended with apple pie. I nibbled on everything and it was all delicious. Everything had great flavor and was cooked perfectly. Drinks are good- last time I had a local beer (forgetting the name) and my boyfriend liked it so much he ordered one too. All in all, we love this place. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because when I went to use the restroom I looked all over for a lightswitch only to realize the light WAS on. It was really dark and a little annoying, but nothing worth ruining my experiences here.
(4)
Charles R.
Every once in a while I have a taste for BBQ. Having lived in NC for a few years I learned there are distinct types even in one state, thus I ordered the trio of bbq sliders. The sliders had plenty of meat on each one, and the meat was tender and juicy. The first one was Eastern Carolina style, lots of vinegar, the second was Western Style with the richer normal bbq sauce, and the third was smokey. All 3 were very good, but I prefer the Eastern style the best. The grilled cheese was quite large with plenty of rich gooey cheese. It came with a small side salad and was more than enough for a hearty appetite. Next time I stop for lunch I will make sure I'm hungry enough for the Turducken burger. One went by our table and it was really big, but looked soooooo good. Make sure you have the address, because there is etched glass doors with the name and that's about it. It was even a little hard to find in the daytime.
(4)
Q K.
Nice menu and solid micro beer selection. Reasonably priced for city. Bar, menu, seating a little limited, but good spot in Market East area.
(4)
Rebecca S.
I work around the corner, I don't like to eat out most of the time anymore. I forgot my lunch one day and the smell was calling my name!! felt so good in there and I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with provolone and roasted peppers.. one word AMAZING.. I had to go the next day and get it again.. I have also gone for dinner/happy hr. good service.resonable.good atmosphere. highly recomend.. oh and great beer selection !
(5)
K J.
Went there for lunch this past Friday because it was so nice out. Was expecting a great bbq meal and was kind of disappointed. First off, the sangria was very weak and had very little flavor, which was surprising since I go here for SIPS in the summer and loved their sangria. For our lunch, we got a full rack of ribs and a whole chicken (wanting to have leftovers) and got the sauce on the side. Both dishes were overcooked and dry. Also, the meat was not smoked, which we thought it would be, given the name. The sauce came on the side, however it tasted like catalina french dressing. We took the majority of our meal home, and we re-heated in the oven with our own BBQ sauce and it was much better. On a good note, we loved the broccoli and sweet potato fries. My friend got a burger that was also perfectly cooked, however it was bland and only had 3 mushrooms on it! For close to $80 with tip, I just expected more. I guess I'm spoiled by Khyber Pass Pub, which has amazing smoked bbq at similar prices. I do like the atmosphere though and will probably continue to keep this place in my SIPS rotation, just won't be back for lunch anytime soon.
(2)
Sarah S.
I eat at Betty's every couple months and really like the place. Pulled pork sammy = juicy and delicious. The roll is kind of monstrous, so sometimes I eat with a fork and knife. Sweet potato fries are also very tasty. One comment - this weekend was the first time I ordered a salad (red quinoa, spinach, feta, chickpeas) - it was a solid meal, but there was WAY too much dressing. Like half a bottle. Order it on the side.
(4)
Teti R.
Went here for dinner on a trip to Philly. Hipster vibe, but classy and grounded. Salads were fantastic. Wait staff was personable. It was pretty crowded when we were there, but the noise level was not bad at all because of their interesting layout - and check out the bathrooms. Ordering from the light side of the menu came to a pretty reasonable total for a lovely experience.
(3)
Scott M.
I'm not an easy reviewer, and I really love this place. I'll second some of the other comments - menu is almost too varied, lunch waiter service can be hit or miss on the negative side. On the +, very good beer selection (tap and bottle), though I think their sister bar Devil's Alley is a shade better (Let's add the Lancaster Milk Stout here too, shall we?). It's usually a very laid back crowd. Burger's are pretty good. Yes - there are better burgers in town, but these guys aren't trying to be Rouge. I'm a big believer in the when in Rome eat like a Roman method, so you take your chances with the fish tacos. This ain't Cali or Seattle. They're good for Philly standards of fish tacos. Btw - the bartender upstairs who also works at Devil's is fantastic.
(4)
Leeanne M.
I ate really nice Eggs Benedict here. They have nice beer, and breakfast cocktails. Evening meals for vegetarians are not so great but my carnivorous friends keep going back.
(3)
Julie K.
We had a great experience at Smokin' Betty's this past weekend. We were a big group (23) with a lot of kids and they not only accommodated us but they put up with a lot- i.e. many milk spills! Our waiter was a saint and everyone was extremely helpful/professional. The food was also delicious! Loved the ribs and the steak and cheese won tons! Fun menu and great atmosphere.
(5)
brad C.
This place was utterly empty when I came on a Friday night. Strange because apparently the food is good. The drink menu was fun and appropriately seasonal. The beers were clearly well chosen which I appreciated. They have some good stuff on tap that I was really surprised to find. The summer cocktail menu will please any girlie-drink aficionado. Brad's rating (out of 5): Drinks: 4 Price: 3 Decor: 4 Service: 4 Wild card: This place will not survive in Philly, mostly because of the location, but also partially because the sign on the door is too freaking hard to read. I was standing in front of the place for 3 minutes looking for it, and it was right there, just no good signage.
(3)
Ryan P.
We ate at the bar on Sunday and watched football, drank beer. It was good. The chili was good, the pulled chicken sandwich was also good. The beers were affordable. We ate and drank for about $60 for the three of us. The one thing that will make me return was the bartender Autumn. She was welcoming to everyone in the bar, included everyone in conversation, and you felt like you were a part the culture.
(3)
John K.
Someone in the kitchen is very creative and had some really amazing dishes. However, I assume because it was restaurant week, execution was a little off. Green Eggs & Ham = inspired! Especially pickled honeydew melon(?) gave just enough acidity to cut the unctuous pork belly ('ham'). Bison sliders had a nice smokiness, Calamari 'noodles' quite good as well. Mango chipotle chicken, pretty good (not great) idea - chicken breast was a bit dry, and (canned?) jalapeños (not chipotles) didn't match well. Bad news: the cheese whiz potato gratin was burnt on top, to the point I could smell it (with a cold!). Waiter brought back a slightly less burnt one, but the bottom was dry, and he left before checking to make sure it was okay. Really, it looked 10% better than the first attempt. Not worth sending back twice - it was probably cooked in a big pan, and end of the night probably didn't have another handy. He should have explained, in any case. Didn't finish it but I would go back. Still, why do places turn off quality control during restaurant week when they should be showing new customers why we should come back? Hoping to upgrade to 4*s next time I go (not during Restaurant Week, thank you very much). Oh, forgot to mention, cool cocktails! Pretty happening bar. That block is fast food chains + local pizzerias/sandwiches, but you feel like you're at 13th & Sansom instead of 11th! Worth the walk from the residential part of CC. Also, price/quantity/quality ratio was there (I checked out the normal menu).
(3)
Alix H.
I really must tell you about the "new" betty burger. I ate this burger, and then I died of a fat induced heart attack, but then I went to burger heaven. Oh Holy Geez. This burger beats the crap out of a lot of the fancy big name trendy burgers in town, most of which I have tried, because I love cheeseburgers. It is an absolute treat. The staff here are always VERY nice, attentive, and the bartenders are chatty. I love this place. And I am still very much in love with the big beautiful upstairs windows. Sigh. Let's go tomorrow, shall we?
(5)
Jana S.
I was here on a Thursday afternoon back in April with my dad and brother who were visiting from out of town. The hostess seated us, brought us menus (though not drinks menus, which confused me. I would've liked one), brought out our food, and promptly disappeared. Well into the meal, we had to flag down another waiter to refill our water glasses and bring us our check. Annoying, but he was a much better waiter than the missing hostess, so props to him for being great. The food was pretty darn good. My family members seemed to very much enjoy their meat-based dishes, while my Red Quinoa Chickpea Salad was really all spinach and couldn't have contained more than a tablespoon or two of quinoa. A little disappointing. I love quinoa. Overall, while the food was pretty yummy, the service was lacking (even though the restaurant was nearly deserted), and I'm not itching to return. I've gotten better service at Midtown II across the street, which is probably where I'll go next time I'm in the neighborhood and hungry.
(3)
Wendy P.
Came here for brunch today. Food and drink were both great. I highly recommend the wings.
(4)
Karin R.
The food is so-so, the service is challenged and it is very noisy, even when it is half empty.
(2)
Mike O.
Great food, great drinks, excellent service. Any time I'm in Philly, I'll convince my buddies to head to Betty's. As a staunch carnivore, I am a huge fan of the pulled-pork sandwich here. In fact, that's about the only thing I order. Some great appetizers include the buffalo wings and fried onion rings. All in all, Smokin' Betty's is absolutely worth a try.
(4)
Alex C.
Eh just ok. I'm a huge fan if the devil's alley having worked there for over 2 years previously, and loving their food to this day, but this place was way below expectations when it came to food/drink. The Betty burger which should be there mainstay wasn't that great compared to the devil compared to the devil burger. It was bland in flavor and even though it had some nice hints and style it wasn't on par at all. The drinks were ok but the beers on tap appeared to be picked at random and while the Brown Aled Girl is delcious it wasn't worth the $5.5 price tag. If you're looking for an original spin on some American classics than you might be in luck, if you've never tried the Devil's Alley. I recommend the spicy dry rub wings (anything on the menu, with a side of BBQ sauce). Also, the Chipotle ranch dressing (only at the Devil's Alley) is incredible.
(3)
Mikonora R.
Number one maximum sliders! Good deal at 8 dollars for three! Very tasty and variety!
(5)
Ilana R.
went here after reading so many rave reviews, cannot say i was impressed with it. Staff was friendly, enjoyed the location. quite noisy/loud in dining area and all around, but beautiful restaurant. have had much better bbq elsewhere in the city, but fun experience to get out
(3)
Elizabeth B.
Convenient location , good service but a bit pricey ....
(3)
Jeremy D.
I went here over the weekend for an early-ish dinner with my family. We rolled in around 6:30, and it was fairly empty. While the other patrons may have been lacking, the food definitely was not. We had 5 very good meals, and the total for 5 was around $80. Our waitress was more attentive than I've come to expect, which may have been influenced by the lack of other diners. All things considered, definitely a solid bet. I'll be going back.
(4)
Rachel C.
My friend and I were in the mood for bbq and mac & cheese. We've never been here before and wanted to try it. After experiencing it here, I am confident that we will never be returning. Here goes the rundown . . . we sit at the table and immediately our arms and hands are sticking to the table. We expressed our concern to the server but apparently it was due to the finish of the tables. If that is the case I would recommend a table cloth, just b/c the stickiness is kind of turn off for cleanliness standards. Then we started to order and unfortunately this BBQ place was out of brisket and short ribs, which was a huge let down! However, we got the bbq sliders that were actually really good. The meat here is cooked really well, however everything else was pretty terrible. The mac & cheese was like having a bowl of cereal with milk. The cornbread muffins were either stale or just really dry. If they did the corn bread as tray and cut squares as it was ordered it would stay fresh longer. The baked beans were pretty terrible as well. Also, after we received our food, we were waiting for plates. After two attempts at giving us dirty plates, we finally got clean ones. Since we were so disappointed with a lot of the food and the service here we tried to talk with our waitress and the manager about it, and gave them several opportunities to practice some good customer service. We were continuously looked at with a blank stare of what do you want us to do?!?! They at least took off 1 beer, thanks for saving us the $5, but they should of offered something more than that. The service was really horrible, and the upper management seemed just as clueless. I would recommend Percy Street or Kyber Pass Pub for some reliable BBQ.
(1)
Dalla A.
This place gets 3 stars because the ribs were surprisingly excellent, the beer list is decent and our server was sweet and perky. Rest of the food (fish tacos, corn souffle, fries, beans) was bland at best.
(3)
John S.
Great little non-traditional bbq spot in Philly. Nice beer list and GREAT Happy Hour specials.
(4)
dragon r.
I had the sliders appetizer with a beer. Not the best, but good service, atmosphere, beer and food. I would go back.
(4)
J B.
The Sangria was good. However, the waitress was so bad we could not even stay for food. We stopped by on a Wednesday for a quick bite and a drink. Our waitress greeted us with a "it's been a rough night" really it was only 7:30? And not to mention not our fault. When we asked what the specials were she said "there aren't any" when I asked about the tilapia on the board (as she stared at the diner across the street) she said " O I thought you meant drinks" even though we had already been served Sangria. When we asked for a few minutes she disappeared for 10, and we decided it best to move on. Her attitude was beyond rude. It is not our fault you had a bad day.
(2)
Michelle S.
Absolutely delicious. I loved every minute of it. The betty burger and sweet potato fries were unbelievably delicious. I practically licked my plate. My sister and mother got the BBQ sliders, they enjoyed them very much. It was fun getting a taste of all. Our waiter was attentive and helpful and it was a great place to get dinner!
(5)
Sara L.
I feel a bit schizo for updating this review so many times, but I had a brunch experience so bad that it has to lose a star! On Mother's Day, our brunch started with being shuttled into the bar because we didn't have a reservation, though the restaurant was empty when we got there and empty when we left. Christmas music played through the first half of our meal (because "that's what was playing on the jazz station") in spite of repeated requests to have it changed. The food for each of our four diners arrived at different times. The pancakes arrived without either the "fresh honey butter" or "special syrup", and upon request the pancake eater was presented with a single pat of Land O Lakes, and a paper cup of Aunt Jemima. Two grilled cheese sandwiches with fontina, prosciutto and fig jam arrived in similarly soggy and overgreased states. However, one of them somehow merited and extra $2 charge on our bill. It was just not good. I will not go back here for brunch, and you should not either.
(3)
Linz J.
Smokin' Betty's, please stop making me dream about your ribs. Your fall-off-the-bone meat, decadently drizzed in some fantastic brown sugar BBQ saucey concoction's flawlessness has got me in a choke hold. I want to eat them for every meal for the rest of my life. It is likely that none of that made much sense, but neither is the fact that I think that when I dip the sweet potato fries in the whipped sweet potato it tastes like french toast.
(5)
Christy T.
Too tasty for words. The man/woman behind the grill is all that! I loved each and every meal I had there. I was in Philly for a convention and stayed around the corner, so location was great, atmosphere was fantastic and the food was really great. I had a great salmon dinner one night and some great slow cooked pork the next. Keep up the good work, Smokin' Betty's you are all that!
(4)
christina j.
This was the scene for dinner last night. I had the 1/2 rack bbq ribs(dry rub) along with the macaroni salad and steamed broccoli. The meat from the ribs fell right off the bone & extremely tender. I also had a smokin' betty blonde which paired well with the ribs. My beer buddy ordered the turducken burger and seemed to enjoy it. It was a huge burger and what a mouthful, with the stuffing and cranberry sauce. I sat amazed that he was able to fit this burger in his mouth. The only remains were his side order of fries. The food was good and the waitress was friendly and attentive. Prices are reasonable. One note to add; the bathroom is unisex.
(3)
Endyiia E.
Terrible food and customer service. I ordered a pulled chicken sandwich with fries. I was so excited to receive the sandwich I tried it in front of the waiter. The chicken was overcooked and lacking in flavor. I requested to exchange the chicken sandwich for a turkey sandwich since I hadn't bitten the sandwich just tasted it with my fork. The waiter took the sandwich back to the kitchen and returned with it in hand. He stated that the chef and kitchen staff tasted the chicken and it was fine and that I could order a turkey sandwich but would be paying for two sandwiches. My response was no thank you and that I would rather take it home to the family dog or toss it at home. Since the sandwich taste so "great" to the chef and staff would hate to think I'm paying for them to eat my trash! My friend ordered half a grilled chicken that was undercooked and bleeding once she cut near the bone. The waiter took the chicken back to the kitchen for the chef to place it back on the grill. I'm sure heat kills germs but would hate to think someone's fresh piece of chicken is being cooked next to a piece that has been forked over. Overall would have kept walking if I .knew it would be such a bad experience. Would have had a way better meal from Reading Terminal a few blocks way.
(1)
sarah j.
Overall, this place was pretty good. Some of the lighting sucks (I had to change seats as soon as I sat down because some crazy track light thing was shining right in my eyes, but I'm sensitive to such things). The bathroom is cool, especially the trough sink, except that unisex = guys don't put the seat down. Happy hour drink specials are a good deal, though I don't know if I could ever ask for a drink with "kitty" in the name. I had the Smokin' Bettly's Blonde beer and the Betty's Grilled Cheese, which was delicious. My only issue is that I ordered it without prosciutto but still had to pay full price; it would be nice if a veg grilled cheese was on the menu. There were other vegetarian options available, but they were of the mushrooms/roasted vegetables/veggie burger variety that just bores me to death. The hosting staff seemed a bit nervously overattentive (possibly because we didn't look like businessfolk?) and the place seemed slightly too organized for the rather unorganized happy hour I attend. Our server did a great job... he was always there to ask if anyone needed another drink, reminded us when happy hour was over, patiently split our checks, and was overall very accommadating to our group. I'd visit this place again with my boyfriend so he can try the bbq, though I probably wouldn't end up here on my own. I'd give this 3.5 stars, and I'll err on the positive side for now.
(4)
Adam C.
First off I noticed many people are giving this place 4 or 5 stars. Sorry to be the one to burst the bubble but I didn't feel so welcomed here. Maybe if I crawled in with a bunch of my frat buddies (which I don't have) or fellow nurse pals like in SCRUBS (which I don't have) or a group of cool trust fund kid hipsters who just got back from a Prague trip for inspiration for their next art exhibit (which I am not and don't have, ok maybe a few). To get to the point, it seems this place is meant for groups of six or more to wander in here and the space is accomodating for that. The problem is that the ceilings are quite high, and the speakers for music which the place provides is also quite high, and what happens exactly because of that? Well being someone aware of sound, it gets LOUD! So loud that the costumers as you'll find out when you come here on a friday or saturday, when this place is really hopping, are given no choice but to shout... "HOW DID YOUR WEEK GO AT THE OFFICE!?!?" "WHAT?!?!" "I SAID HOW DID!!!!" This isn't an exaggeration, I actually could hear many people's conversations and noise echoing throughout the space that tries to create a calm atmosphere with it's cream colored walls, paintings of modern taste, some plant-life of feng shui sorts, and candles as the night pressed on as our small four (not six to twenty) group ordered. Mind you, we asked to be seated downstairs, which for some reason was completely empty and not as loud, plus the ceiling downstairs was not as high as the upstairs which as we know could help make it less noisy. The hostess was hesitant to give us that option as she discussed it with her co-worker and later approached us saying "You can sit down here but you might not get a waiter. He's busy upstairs with customers" Ok... does that make any sense? Now before we came inside you could hear the noise from upstairs but you see no activity downstairs where people are passing by outside, looking for a place to eat. Now I don't know about you but don't you want to come to a place where you see people chatting, eatting, and having a good time in plain sight? Not walking by a deserted, creepy, empty downstairs. It's like... Why even have this floor? There's still a bar down here like upstairs and plenty of seating. I mean what?! It boggles the mind. The twilight zone of restaurants! I'm not sure if they ever get enough people in the building and I assume only weekends to start bringing people downstairs. Are they still doing construction? Is there some rule or strange superstition these people practice that keeps people from seating on the first floor, which is what it's supposed to be, but I guess since the second floor is their first floor, this as I been calling it is the downstairs. It sounds like a script for a movie starring Seth Rogen and IDK we'll say Beyounce. They go on a date here and maybe Seth argues why he has to be seated upstairs and not here? Maybe he even gets so obsesssed that he breaks into the place with some stupid side-kick, let's say Jack Black, and they find out that the people here do strange rituals that later opens a portal to Zuul from Ghostbusters. Wow! That sounds like a blockbuster to me! Ok I should stay on subject and stop complaining about WTF the first floor remains vacant with two smiling idiots greeting you. I guess that's what Smokin' Betty is aiming for. And who is Betty? And why call it "Smokin'"? You can't smoke in any public building. Thanks to that douche bag they make fun of on an episode of Pen and Teller's BULLSHIT (which everyone needs to see and maybe they should film an episode about this place). The food wasn't bad but wasn't "smokin'" either. I got fish tacos, never had them before but mine were made with swordfish as the waiter softly whispered, I will get to our waiter next, that they were out of flounder or whatever the fish they usually use for the fish tacos so mine was with swordfish. Ok, whatever, fish is fish. So our waiter! A cute, skinny, hipster, perfect to blend into a screamo band concert, complete with a messy mop of hair. Now as a waiter or any server at some establishment you want to have some social speaking skills of some sort. Like be able to allow the whole table to hear you as you tell them the specials of the day, or what is on and off the menu. Something important to those matters. This boy is good at talking at library levels, which is fine if this place wasn't so.... EEEEFFFING LOUD!!!!! With blasting contemporary bands and electro music, jocks and ladies giggling at the bar and surrounding tables, and noise, noise, noise from all angles. And we get a waiter who is too shy to scream unless he's at band practice where he gets to yell "I HATE YOU SARAH!!!" Seems I don't have much left to say since I wrote too long on noise issues. Last thing, their menus were scrambled with this and last months, so that also spiced things up! TATA!
(2)
Eric V.
Not bad. The service was pretty good... of course I haven't seen this place too busy (maybe I just go at the wrong times). The food is pretty good too.... you can't go wrong with a smoked salmon blt.
(3)
Anjali M.
After so much hype after the MOOB event and hearing about a new place opening up in my 'hood, I was really excited to try Smokin' Betty's. Without much signage, the anticipation escalated as I was mystified as to whether the restaurant was open. To my dining partner's and my fortune, the restaurant was indeed open and we were promptly seated upstairs by a window overlooking Sansom Street. I think the place essentially looked more spacious because it was still sunny with warm weather so the windows were open and there was some light through the sky light windows. The service was timely and was not rushed. We had come in time for happy hour which I believe runs every day from 5-7 pm (don't quote me on this) so we decided to get a grilled veggie quesadilla for our appetizer and a Paradise Kitty and a Smokin' Betty's Blonde for our drinks. The Paradise Kitty was much mango, little alcohol kick (I think this one of the reasons why I ended up drinking a lot of wine later this night). Grilled veggie quesadilla was a pretty standard fare for an appetizer in the sense that it whet my appetite (ha ha). I had ordered the lamb burger over the turducken burger because I feared the cranberry (or some other berry) topping on it. I ordered it to be medium well and it came out a tiny bit burnt but no worries. Dude, this piece of lamb was HUGE. I literally stuffed myself in the sense that it was one of those sandwiches that I had to pat down in order for me to bite it and in the sense that at the end of my meal, I was ready to bowl over. So why the three stars you ask? I just wasn't too impressed. I feel that the lamb could have been juicier or some other sauce should be added so it doesn't taste so dry. Or give some option to add sauces because I like my burgers like that (juicy or saucy if dry). But it's in my 'hood so I think I'm bound to return and I am open to any suggestions you all may have regarding a good menu choice :)
(3)
Wendy S.
I work right around the corner from Smokin' Betty's and I've been walking past ten times a week since they opened. I finally gave it a try last night and I'm just sorry I didn't do it sooner. I'll start with my only complaint - we were seated in the bar area upstairs and it was barely controlled chaos. We arrived at about 6:30 on a Friday night and the noise level was just shy of intolerable. I'm getting old, I'm way past boring, and I no longer drink so please take that into consideration. It's clearly a hot spot for the young, casual after work crowd, so if that's you, you'll love it. Anyway, after taking a look at the menu, I was most excited about the warm bread pudding, so my boyfriend and I decided to order 2 small plates to share and 2 sides rather than full entrees. Umm...yeah. The servings were *huge*. We split the chicken wings (dry rub - spicy, succulent, and delish with a schmear of spicy mayo and fab pasta salad), bbq sliders trio (all 3 were excellent, but brisket and pork stood out and the vinegar-heavy coleslaw was a winner), grilled vegetables (crazy good), and bucket o' fries (up there with the best I've had and so perfectly seasoned that they didn't need a thing). In fact, my only complaint about the food was that I was so stuffed, we didn't get to try the bread pudding. We enjoy pigging out, but the two small plates and two sides were so generously sized that we took half the wings, fries, and veggies home. I believe our server's name was Emily. She was slammed with tables, but super friendly nonetheless. Our total bill for two was under $40 with tax and tip. I think I might prefer lunch to dinner next time, due to the crazy atmosphere...but I will definitely be back and highly recommend you check it out.
(4)
lindsay t.
They have multiple sauces for the meats which is nice, but my ultimate test at every barbecue location is the sides. The biscuits looked great but a person I was with wouldn't even finish one. Another person didn't enjoy the whipped sweet potatoes, and the mac & cheese (which I had been craving all day) was way too creamy and not even macaroni. The service was good (the server was very accommodating with the multiple checks), and the happy hour drink specials were decent-- so if you go just keep to the main plates.
(3)
Joseph K.
I went to celebrate a friend's birthday. The dim, breezy atmosphere was a great complement to the bright, hot evening outside. We sat in front of French doors that opened onto 13th Street for some great people watching. Our server (wish I could remember her name) was charming and efficient. I'm still fantasizing about the delightful variety of the barbeque sliders, their various piquant sauces and tender meat. The whipped sweet potatoes brought back memories of holidays that never happened. The birthday cake exceeded my chocolate expectations: moist chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache.
(4)
Katie V.
Great Happy Hour specials and friendly staff.
(4)
Mike S.
Two words will keep me coming back to this great beer bar - Turducken burger! The perfect pairing of spices and flavors bring together three staples of the meatyverse - turkey, duck, and chicken! It was delicious, and with a solid beer menu to wash it down with, you can't go wrong. I'm looking forward to trying more on the menu!
(4)
David B.
3rd or 4th visit here. We have previously enjoyed all other visits. Saturday April 14th - not so much. The food was fine and our server was good. However, our evening (a birthday gathering) was dominated by a private party in the upstairs space beside the stairwell. This space is completely open to the rest of the restaurant and because they were allowed to bring in live music WITH amplification, conversation for our 9-top was uncomfortable and sometimes impossible. We have seen this space used for private groups before - without intruding into anyone elses evening. Since the space is not closed off, they should reconsider the impact of the event on Saturday on the rest of their clients. In addition to this, our seating was enough for 6-7 max. We had reserved well in advance for 10 and ended up being 9. It was incredibly tight. Unfortunately, it was also unseasonably hot. Some windows upstairs were open but many were not. There was no air-conditioning and the temperature became uncomfortable and sticky. Honestly, we we couldn't wait to leave once we settled our $400 bill. More than 1/2 our group had not been before and I don't think they'll be rushing back.
(2)
Glenn J.
What a evening I had at this place...it really F*%cking sucked! I have never been upset by a eatery like this one! First off lets start with the waiter Josh that clearly new nothing. Do they even go through training to even work at establishments like this? I can go on and on about the inconsistencies of this place, but I'll try to keep it short. First off paper napkins? In a place such as this in the location that it's in and a place that serves BBQ what the hell do u seriously think I'm going to do with one, thin, cheap ass; napkin? We sat a table 21 as a party of six with water we hope was from the A/C dripped on one of my friends. When we alerted the staff this lady came out that I can only describe as looking like Mrs. Garret from the 80's sitcom 'The Facts Of Life' hollering "Well there's nothing we can do" "It's the humidity". Number one u never tell ur customers there is nothing u can do as water from Lord knows where is dripping on them! Number two never try to cover something up by stating some lame as Sh!t like it's the humidity! Like really? This is not the Smokin' Sweat shop. My friend made adjustments and moved over a bit from the leakage. Let's get on the food. We started with the corn muffins wich were luke warm with hard and jalapenos that came in horrible, cheap, paper cups... like if I wanted to eat this cheaply I could have gone to the diner across the street. and who serves hard butter with jalapeno on top like at least whip it...it's not rocket science the little things count!!! The BBQ was alright, but nothing to write home about for my family is from S.C. and I know BBQ. The dry rub is better then the lackluster sauce. I ordered the Tur-duc-en burger after seeing it featured on FOOD Network and was treated to raw meat in my mouth the burger was under cooked and looked nothing like it was televised. When I alerted the staff after I found out I was eating raw meat..... mind u ground meat which ups ur chances of food born illness....... he asked me whether I wanted a new one or did he want me to fry up the other half.....WHAAAAAAAAAT? Fry up the other half????? Is it not custom to send me a whole new one??? In short with service and food the way it is in that area the only thing that will be smokin' is Betty's car on the way to Bankruptcy!!
(1)
Laura W.
Their Saturday brunch is amazing. Since it was slow, we picked a table right near the window and sat back to enjoy our meal. My friend and I split the grilled cheese w/fig jam and the turkey sandwich. I was a little nervous about the grilled cheese but this is a culinary masterpiece! It was a party in my mouth! The hostess/server was extremely friendly and the prices were very reasonable.
(5)
R L.
This transcends epicurean evolution; yes, the Turducken Burger is irrefutable proof of intelligent design. It is truly the master work of a culinary deity, a Frankensteinian genius with the audacity to meld three fowl into one. Turkey, chicken, duck pate, stuffing, and cranberry sauce drenched in gravy and barely contained by a bun. An abomination of nature? No, rather a new tome in the bible of flavor.
(5)
John C.
The set up is really nice and a great space for groups. The bar looks fun but we sat in the dining area. The beer list was pretty good with a variety of beers from the West Coast and East Coast. The beer list was also priced well with most beers being about $5. The service was good, our server could have been a little more enthusiastic about the food or beer but our waters were continually filled and the food came on time. We had the burger and the chicken cordon blue sandwich. The chicken sandwich was really good, the bread was great. The burger has a lot of potential but we tried to split it, which was a disastrous decision. The burger is topped with a ton of stuff: avocado, tomato, onion, cheese, pork belly and egg. It seems silly to whine about too many toppings on a burger but when you can't actually eat it without losing some toppings and getting stuff all over your hands then there is probably too much stuff on a burger. We didn't have dessert. I would go back for a beer and atmosphere, the food was good but not something I would seek out. Prices were good as well.
(4)
Carl C.
Ok, if you get the waitress whose name rhymes with "Crook" she is bound to forget something. I am not sure what kind of green bud she is smokng but I need her connection. Went with 2 friends of mine on cold, dreary, dreadful night. There were 12 people in the whole restaraunt and the service was terrible. I have had experienced this here before (forget the ketchup, forget my water...) but last night spawned me to write this review. She brought out our entrees and forgot the soup...got the drinks mixed up, asked us to repeat our order. These are all classic signs of the aformentioned green bud but c'mon Crook. You are doing Devil s Alley injustice by representing this establishment like this. If it was busy I could understand but there was no one there. On a side note, what is with waitress's/waiters memorizing the order. Please just write it down. It makes the diner feel more comfortable. The food other than the soups which we didn't receive was good. The best part is she said she would take the soup off the bill. Thanks genius, did you smoke a blunt or doing bong hits before you came in tonight? Anyway I am sure i will go back because I dig the atmoshpere and the food but they need to have a training sessions with the wait staff.....not a smoke session.
(2)
Dave F.
Best brunch I've ever had. Stumbling upon this place mid heavy rain shower, it turned out to be a very lucky find. The place was cosy, the music was cool, the service was excellent and above all the brunch menu was both innovative and delicious. And for the not so innovative dish; the standard American breakfast; it cost a mere $7.95. Amazing deal for a place as nice as this. Also try the drinks here - had a warm coffee, butter scotch and baileys irish cream drink. Perfect for a rainy day.
(5)
Jessica W.
Hello, review #3. I had to tell all you Yelpers about how much I LOVED the bbq sliders I had here the other night. I don't even eat pulled pork, and the pulled pork slider was my favorite. You also get a brisket and a caribbean chicken, but honestly- the pulled pork was phenomenal. I also thought the order wouldn't fill me up, but I left ridiculously full. Smokin' Betty's just keeps me coming back with their amazing food. I can't wait to try more of that bbq.
(5)
Brian W.
The service is great. Happy hour is always packed and beer selection is unique. The food is good but I think slightly overpriced.
(3)
Pong C.
Definitely a great spot for happy hour (great atmosphere upstairs, blah blah, blah). More importantly, great prices on booze ($2 lagers, $3 house wines) and some decent food specials ($5 wings). I had the wings (dry-rubbed) and they were pretty amazing. Very meaty and nicely charred. Order some bbq sauce on the side and you'll thing you're in wing heaven. Our server was pretty awful, he kept forgetting people's order and instead of admitting that he forgot, he would just say "he'll check on it." I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and say he's an outlier.
(4)
Kate W.
Came in late one night after work so around 9 pm on a Wednesday night, we were the only people there but didn't feel rushed even though we knew they were closing at 10. The dry rub wings are an absolute must have, they were so delicious. I just ordered those with a Kenzinger and my boyfriend got the brisket sandwich which he was a big fan of. I like this place alot and will definitely be back, even just for the wings alone.
(4)
Mike S.
Stopped in for happy hour dranks and nom noms last night. The atmosphere is... hard to understand? It's comfortable and slick but hard to tell who they're really targeting. Beer list was pretty good... but we had wine. Menu had some alright choices, nothing that wowed us. However, happy hour food prices were good for Center City and, more importantly, very tasty! Cheesesteak eggrolls, BBQ wings, and a 6" flank steak w/ shrooms and spinach pizza - all delicious. Wait staff was prompt with everything except our check. All in all, not a bad place.
(3)
Wen V.
My review may seem bias since I used to work at the restaurant; on the contrary, I may have some resourceful info to help make your visit to smokin bettys more enjoyable. During dinner, it's really noisy, esp during happy hr so I would avoid coming here for a meeting or with your grandparents. I would also bring a sweater, sometime it can get cold near the windows and doors. Don't get mad at the staff, the staff is pretty much awesome, blame the managers. Since I've been there, the management struggles with keeping a solid staff, people tend to quit after a month. Meaning your server is probably new and inexperienced. I would recommend asking the host to be seated by their "best servers who isn't too busy." If you're going for a pre-show dinner, make sure ur order is made 2 hr before. Don't bother to ask servers about food recommendations, chances are the server hasn't tried everything on the menu since the owner is too cheap to feed their waitstaff. It's a classier bbq joint but with an odd mix of customers, there's no dress code, you'll get doctors in scrubs to old people with walker to loud BBWs. I would recommend eating there but definitely not work there. The best is saved for last: while I was working there didn't ask for verication of the Jefferson Discount, so totally take advantage getting 15% off. If Smokin Betty's doesn't seem for you try Percy Street BBQ, or Sweet Lucy's smokedhouse voted better than Smokin Betty's by Zagat.
(1)
Natedogg G.
Smokin' Betty's is conveniently located across the street from Jefferson Hospital. We were thrilled to discover that they would allow us to order carry out while we were in the hospital for 4 days following the birth of our child. We liked our dinner so much the first night that we ordered it again for lunch the next day, then the next night for dinner and so on. We have officially tried most things on the menu at this point! The salads are awesome...especially the beet salad. The brisket sandwich was perfect and the California turkey sandwich has the best homemade bread...it was great that all of the bbq uses different sauces made especially for the dish...a lot of places just put the same sauce on everything. Highly recommended...especially if you find yourself needing some carry out!
(5)
liza c.
I'm pretty sure that there was some type of vortex on the second floor of Smokin' Betty's that sucks in the innocent guest and employee as they pass by the bar on their way to a table. This is the only possible scenario I can envision to account for the absence of the bubbly hostess when she travelled upstairs to "set up a table". Fifteen minutes later, still waiting and getting viciously hungry, we took matters into our own hands and headed upstairs. The MOD found and sat us, quite thankfully, though he didn't seem too concerned that there hadn't been a hostess downstairs for an indeterminant amount of time. Plus, he wasn't the friendliest chap ever to run a restaurant. So, we're off to a bad start. This was quickly followed by two separate servers taking a drink order. Unluckily, we didn't get double drinks. What we DID get was a server who seemed to be a little "high on life" in a very overzealous sort of way, if you get my drift. Ok, so the service was bad. End of story. Let's talk about the food: Cut me off at the knees and call me shorty. Best fish tacos I've had since I made them two weeks ago. Even though they were pretty messy and the sauce dripped all over the place, the combination of flavors was incredible - pickled onions, tiniest radish slices ever made, and fish grilled perfectly!!! Yum with a capital why. The cider that I ordered was completely disgusting though. It actually smelled and tasted like an apple jolly rancher. If I wanted something like that, I would have ordered an apple martini. Gross. All things considered, I will definitely go back to sample from the plethora of items on their menu. Honestly, though, I will probably still have the fish tacos.
(3)
Amanda S.
We chose to dine at Smokin' Betty's for my husband's birthday dinner because they could easily accommodate a party of 8. I would liken the restaurant to a non-chain version of a TGI Fridays or Ruby Tuesday's. It was a good, casual place to go for comfort food with a relatively large group. The Betty Burger sounded delicious, but overwhelming. Most of our group got other sandwiches and beer. I had an oyster po' boy that was a special and it was pretty good. The mac n' cheese was absolutely delicious, though. I wish I knew how to achieve that level of creaminess when I make my homemade mac. We would probably come back to Betty's with out-of-town guests who would likely be intimidated by some Philly's smaller, trendier restaurants. Oh, and as other reviewers have commented, the bathrooms were pretty gross....something that can probably be attributed to the fact that they are unisex and men's bathrooms typically are pretty gross.
(3)
GM F.
Tried this place recently and was not impressed. The food is about on par with a subpar Applebees. I had the BBQ sliders and was left wanting much more. The brisket was the only decent one of the three, helped by regular BBQ sauce. The chicken was dry and flavorless and the pork was more of the same, albeit a tad less dry. The fries were decent. Worst part was the turkey chili. It was the consistency of clay, it could have been used as a spackle by a bricklayer.
(2)
Clifton S.
I have to say that if you were to judge a book by the cover, then this is the place to be. It has a great atmosphere. I love the windows and the second level (it allows for an open breeze experience). Overall, I will say that the service is the pits. Maybe they are still getting the hang of things; however, my friend and I waited about 30 minutes for the waiter to bring our drink from the bar. That was just crazy. The wait staff is "too quick" to provide you with a good experience. I may thy this place again; however, I will certainly wait until it has been open for a few months and their service improves.
(2)
Bill C.
Last week went to Bettys and the beer was the best thing about my Betty experience. I have been back several times since my initial review and have found the food to be at times inconsistent but usually still pretty good. My last experience however is something that I cannot ignore (partly because of terrible indegestion). I ordered a very tasty draft beer but it was served in a daiquiri glass. Good beer but I felt kind of wierd drinking it in its funny glass. Ordered a burger (no surprise, since i am a burger head). Asked for it medium with bacon and chedder and waited anxiously for it to arrive. When it came it did not appear medium, it appeared burnt. I was hungry at this point that I decided just to eat it. Well done burger can sometimes still be juicy but this was not, it was very difficult to eat and now i regret having consumed it. Next time (if there is a next time) I will remember to ask for rare hoping to get medium. An undercooked burger can sometimes be saved and if its quality meat it should still be safe to eat but an overcooked burger of the sort I had should only be used as an extra puck for a game of street hockey.
(2)
Tom G.
Reserved my review of this place after several meals both lunch and dinner. The atmosphere coupled with the good (although somewhat limited) menu and reasonable prices has made this one of my favorite go to places. The service needs some work but that's not uncommon for a new restaurant. The Second floor has a great feel when the weather is nice as all the oversized windows fold open. At times it can get noisy being directly across from the hospital but in my experience not annoyingly so.
(4)
KayGee G.
I was able to schedule a impromptu meetup last week thanks to Smokin' Betty's. Everyone on staff was so wonderful and helpful. Everyone had a great time and the food and drinks were great. I especially liked the philly cheesesteak spring rolls and the blood orange mojito that I had. Will definitely return to the place.
(4)
Terry C.
I like the way this place is laid out - downstairs is a lounge with nice sofas, small tables, floor to ceiling windows that open; upstairs is a groovy bar, tables, exposed brick, dark wood, floor to ceiling blackboard inscribed with the specials and drink selections, and great lighting! Prior to going I thought this restaurant was an exploration of BBQ / Southern themed cooking. But was delighted to find that it is much more than just BBQ, cornbread, and stick to your ribs potatoes! They have interesting quesadillas (I highly recommend the Vegetarian), fish tacos (type of fish changes daily), and an amazing Chocolate Cake! The brisket, latke, and sauteed green beans is also very good - although the latke was a bit too salty for my taste. There's wine (no melbec), a multitude of beers (apricot and pear), and some really awesome cocktails (Grace Lightening, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Miss Behavior to name a few). The service was kind of slow, but overall it was a good time! I definitely plan on going back - I need to try the Turkey platter with Mashed Sweet Potatoes!
(4)
Erik s.
Smokin Betty's is like Devil's Alley on human growth hormone. The space is much larger and open with a bit more light. The menu is more expansive and executed a lot better then it's counterpart. For the most part I would stick to the comfort foods part of the menu: the beef burgers, mac and cheese , biscuits and BBQ sliders are all good. The ribs are some of the better ones I have had in Philly ( I had them dry rubbed and dipped em in their sweet and tangy St Louis style BBQ sauce). What chaps my ass on city BBQ is when you order a full rack at some spots and they give you what appears to be ribs from an anemic miniature Cambodian pot belly pig. Not so at Betty's a full rack is a red blood American style portion proving why American will always suffer from heart disease- no problem Jefferson is down the street. I would stay away from their riskier dishes: salmon BLT and Turducken burger, both were a bit dry and disappointing, but they have a good happy hour. Either way a welcome addition to what is fast beginning to be my favorite part of the city.
(4)
John M.
Goal for 2011: review more on Yelp. OK, so Smokin Betty's was a few blocks from my hotel and got decent reviews. Plus, I am a sucker for BBQ. I assumed with "smokin" in the name, that I'd have some real BBQ, but no. First off, it took 10 minuets before the girl that seated me decided I was worth waiting on. I got the brisket from the standard menu, though I was tempted to go for the restaurant week fare. The food was OK, though I am fairly certain it was not smoked. I saw no smoke rings, and it was drenched in a mushroom sauce (which was actually good, just not what I expected for a BBQ place). I did have a cup of chilli also, and it was excellent. Also has a decent beer list. I'd go back, but wouldn't be excited.
(3)
D K.
(2.5 stars, really) I've been here twice now, once for a happy hour and today for lunch. Happy hour drink specials were good but the food seemed just so-so. Today's experience was sort of odd: There were three of us and the place was nearly empty...and quite chilly. The host seated us at a four-top, which turned out to be partially un-cleaned. We moved to a clean table and, due to the chill, two of ate with coats on. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food...my burger with blue cheese was tasty and the sweet-potato fries were great. Our serve was good, but the host was ... off, for lack of a better word... and the chef also forgot the 'shrooms on one of our burgers. Not a horrible experience, but definitely more near misses than I'd expect in an empty restaurant. I'd come back if a group wanted to or it was the only nearby place that's open.
(3)
Michael R.
I went here for brunch recently and came away with mixed feelings. I had the open faced omelet which was good, but slightly overpriced at $10. My companion had the sliders which were outstanding, and cost less than omelet at $8. The verdict: I would go again, but would skip the brunch items. If you are interested in a traditional brunch (eggs, pancakes, etc) there are other places that do it better.
(3)
Angela C.
The BBQ riblets (with the sauce) were really tasty! I ordered them for lunch and the server recommended I order a side dish. I chose the flourless corn cake...ewww. The portion was huge but it was for naught since it was inedible. It was flavorless and the bottom was downright soggy. The server asked if I liked it, and when I told her no, she told me the corn cake was supposed to be soft. Uh, what? Soft, yes, mushy, no. This server and another that we briefly interacted with were a little standoffish.
(3)
David L.
My Girlfriend came into town and I wanted to take her to a spot that was different and where people gave good reviews. Well, I'm with Adam on this one. When we got there the place had a cool little vibe until the hostess/waitress showed up and said just pick a seat anywhere. So we sat and brushed it off but we soon got the impression that are waitress probably wanted to go home. Mind you it was only like 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon. She asked us if we wanted to get drinks and we said give us a minute to think it over. To make a long story short she never asked us if we needed drinks again, if we needed anything or anything else to be quite frank. The only times she did speak to us she was quite snappy and irritated. We ordered some of those dry rub wings but they looked like the cook went on break and forgot to take the off the grill. My girlfriend ordered the beef brisket sandwich which was pretty good and I ordered the lamb burger which was pretty bland. The highlight of the whole experience was when another employee came to put up the specials for the evening on the dinning room blackboard. We admired the creativity of the dishes while wishing we came at a different time.
(2)
lisa g.
The food was ok, the atmosphere really nice but the service bad! We had to find the waitress-it took forever
(2)
marie d.
Last night was my first time at Smokin' Betty's and the first thing that struck me was the fair prices on the menu. As an unemployed grad student, I certainly appreciate a place that doesn't overcharge you. Also, the atmosphere and lay-out of the restaurant was great and lends itself to socializing and a general good time. However, I was compelled to write this review for anyone who may be interested in ordering their Quesadillas. I ordered the chicken quesadillas, which are $6 more than the standard cheese ones; however, there was one tiny piece of chicken in each triangle, and the majority of the quesadillas was nothing but fried onions. They were very disappointing and certainly not worth the $13 I piad for them. Each quesadilla was basically an overwhelming slew of greasy onions sandwiched between tortillas. I'd go back and try this place again, but I am skeptical that their low prices correlate with skimpy dishes.
(2)
Alyssa P.
BEST WINGS IN PHILADELPHIA. Hands Down. I feel like it has been a life mission of mine to find them, and they have arrived at Smoking Betty's with dry rub, spicalicious sauce and crispy grilled perfection. For you hot and blue wing eaters, you won't have a hard time finding those or just making them yourself. But for the true flavor loving, chicken bone sucking, tongue smackin', fingerlickin' wingaholics, this is the spot where your dreams meet reality. We went 3 times in one weekend and keep coming back for more. The price is great too. This review is solely for the wings. All other things aside, they earn the stars for the wings. I dare anyone to challenge, review or shed light on a better wing in the city.
(5)
Kristen S.
Meh. Great draught beer options--love the Furthermore Knot Stock with BBQ. The food was definitely just ok. Fish tacos were lacking in the flavor and crunch that's so easy to find at just about any restaurant in the Southwest, and was served in a tortilla that hadn't been warmed fully, so it split around its contents. Mac and cheese was good, but not phenomenal. Cornbread muffins were great texture, but tasted a bit like plastic--maybe too much time in a plastic bag? BBQ sliders tasted a lot like liquid smoke, which isn't really acceptable in a place with the word "smokin" in the name, but the slaw that came with them was great--deliciously vinegary and sweet with a little bit of bite. Sweet potato fries were really good, but fries and slaw and beer do not a meal make. Might go back for a beer after work, but definitely not for the food. Servers were nice but food seemed to come out really slowly.
(2)
Rachel E.
I went there for happy hour with some coworkers. I was incredibly excited to try the food and drinks offered at a great rate. The food and drinks were mediocre. The environment is cute and has a great neighborhood vibe. However the manager ruined my experience and is the reason I will not return. After all my coworkers had left, I stayed a bit longer. The bill had been paid about half an hour earlier and the manager approached me. She told me that I had tipped poorly. I was very confused as another person had signed the bill. I was so caught off guard and told her I didn't know what she was talking about. She proceeded to come back to the table with the receipt to prove me wrong. Admittedly my friend accidentally tipped on only half of the bill since we used a credit card for only half. However I do not think approaching me in a such a manner was appropriate or professional. I was embarrassed. I had never been approached by a manager who basically called me out for a bad tip. It was incredibly rude. I felt bad for the mistake but it was not handled well by management at all. The food was not worth returning to this place as I would prefer not to be accosted by a manager at the conclusion of my meal.
(1)
Will T.
Definitely the place to go if you want good BBQ. I've twice, once ordered the BBQ sliders and the second time ordered the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich. There really wasn't much else on the menu that caught my eye except for the short ribs which I plan on getting next time I go. The beer list is impressive (I'd go with the Hennepin or Righteous ale). The dessert menu is pretty lacking but hopefully that will improve over time.
(4)
Aaron B.
Food is ok. Space is nice. Service is good. Beer list is respectable and changes frequently. Value is fantastic. In this neighborhood where overpriced bars abound, there aren't many other non-dives around to get a beer for less than $5. 4 stars!
(4)
Pete S.
Came here for Med school event. Decent crowd. Good drinks. Nothing that would really merit a 4 star review. Just, good. Definitely will go back to try the rest of the menu...
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Zoe S.
What has happened to "customer service"?! I had lunch at SB today and it was fairly crowded. I am usually happy to see independent places thriving so I'm forgiving when it comes to small mishaps. However, the turkey burger I ordered today not only took a millennium to arrive (because they were busy) but it was also raw in the middle. I would have been willing to move past this if the waiter or manager or chef/cook were to sincerely apologize and take it off the check. Done. INSTEAD, the waiter gave me a look of disbelief when I complained about my raw burger as if I might be angling for a free meal . . . then scooted off to the kitchen without uttering a word of apology. She was gone forever only to come back and tell me they had put my burger back on the grill. Ew. Someone from the kitchen then delivered the burger back to the table - clearly feeling pleased that she'd fixed the situation. I didn't want a half-eaten, recooked burger. I wanted someone to acknowledge that the meat was in fact raw, apologize and tell me that, of course, I would not have to pay for undercooked food. The woman from the kitchen started making excuses that it was busy, they cooked the food too fast and didn't realize it wasn't fully cooked, could she bring me something else. YES - bring me an apology and stop making me feel like it's my fault for complaining! It's really not that difficult.
(2)Christine L.
Came to Smokin' Betty's tonight with some good friends. Overall good time. There was some holiday party in the other room, so it was really loud. Hard to talk / hear my friends over all the noise. Also, the number of people and lack of available seating meant that the hostess kept coming to ask for the extra chair at our table. I felt like the staff was a bit disoriented by the sheer number of people they had to handle. Maybe this isn't a normal occurrence, so that's okay. We had heard great things about the tur-duck-en burger. Pretty interesting! Came out tall and stacked with the cranberry relish, sweet potato ribbons, turkey patty, stuffing, gravy, all in a soft brioche(?) bun. It was a little too big to put in my mouth, and while each part separately was really good, I thought it was too ... salty overall, and a little too much for me to handle all at once. I'm going to assume all the tur-duck-en components were there, too. I couldn't discern them, so I'll go in full faith that they were there. I'm no chef, but my suggestions - 1) A little more cranberry sauce would have helped. Next time I'll ask for extra. Or another pickle. 2) Or... less stuffing/gravy? That part made the burger feel really heavy. Another friend had the Betty Burger, said similar things too. Our burgers were all good. Just a little too big and pretty messy, which detracts from the enjoyability factor. Sweet potato fries were nice. They came out a little darker than I was expecting, but were really soft, which is how I like them. Just a preference. Would have been 3.5 stars if not for the service of one of the receptionists? there. Ran after us about a block to hand us the to-go-box I'd left behind. That kind of service is rare. Props to you. If I get through my list of places to eat, I'd probably see you again, Smokin' Betty's. It'll be better to go on a less busy night. And it'd be helpful in the meantime if I can figure out how to unhinge my jaw like a snake for your burgers.
(4)Jose A.
Been here a few times. The design of the space is really the nicest thing about it. Downstairs can open up when it gets nice out, and the upstairs area is big, good for events, and has nice windows overlooking the street. The draft list is ok, have some decent beers on it, can't really say much more than that. The cocktails look interesting but I'm never that compelled to try them. The happy hour specials don't seem that great to me. The food is pretty good also, had the chicken and broccoli rabe sandwich last time I went which is a lot of food for a low/moderate price. It's a place though I never can get excited about.
(3)Ann V.
Loved the BBQ Sandwich Sliders. Loved the Mac N' Cheese. Loved the chalkboard wall displays. Loved the atmosphere Liked the french fries. Liked the wait staff. Disliked the wait to be seated. Good enough for me! I'd go back. Maybe next time i'll try the turducken burger - sounds like it could be quite appetizing.
(4)Olivia R.
My husband and I can't seem to resist barbecue whenever it pops up as "nearby" on our Yelp app. Hence, we made a beeline for Smokin' Betty's. It's situated on the northwest corner of 11th and Sansom, so there's a lot of nice sunlight coming in during lunch. The seating is open and airy. My long-sleeved shirt kept sticking to the edge of the table, so either the table was not completely wiped clean or the veneer got soft in the sunlight. Our waiter was friendly and kept our drinks full, but wasn't super descriptive when we had a question about the food: "What is a corn souffle?" "It's a souffle made out of corn, and no flour." Okay. I eventually got enough information out of him to decide I'd skip it. I ordered the BBQ sliders as my meal, and my husband ordered the daily special: pulled beef brisket wrap with a with a side of hand-cut fries. The pulled chicken slider tasted a lot like a sloppy joe...that was my first and enduring thought. The pulled beef slider was my favorite because it was tender and had good BBQ sauce on it, but I had to pick out some thick slices of fat before I dug in. The pork was moist, but kinda flavorless and needed more sauce. The buns were potato buns, I think...very soft, a little sweet, and slightly yellow in color. The small side of Carolina slaw (not the creamy variety) was okay...not super flavorful, but added a nice crunch to the sliders. As for my husband's meal, he liked his fries, but didn't seem thrilled with the wrap. Oh well. There was no distinct BBQ style at Smokin' Betty's. They seemed to take a little bit from everywhere, and the flavors we tasted today didn't wow us. Plus, I got the distinct impression that my sliders were made haphazardly...I know sliders aren't intricate gourmet fare, but unequal amounts of meat and sauce kinda tell me that it was a slop job. The food was okay and the service was nice, but we probably won't go back.
(2)J B.
The Sangria was good. However, the waitress was so bad we could not even stay for food. We stopped by on a Wednesday for a quick bite and a drink. Our waitress greeted us with a "it's been a rough night" really it was only 7:30? And not to mention not our fault. When we asked what the specials were she said "there aren't any" when I asked about the tilapia on the board (as she stared at the diner across the street) she said " O I thought you meant drinks" even though we had already been served Sangria. When we asked for a few minutes she disappeared for 10, and we decided it best to move on. Her attitude was beyond rude. It is not our fault you had a bad day.
(2)Jim K.
Great BBQ in a great location. I've eaten business lunches here a few times and it's always good. The pulled pork is almost as good as my own - delicious. The interior is rather eclectic and the servers are more so but quite friendly and efficient. This has to be the most "hip" BBQ joint for many miles. I've also had their turkey Reuben. I wish it were a "real" Reuben vs. turkey but for what it is, it was delicious. Excellent sauces and manageable portion sizes. The building is on a corner. In the summer they have huge windows that open up to give you the feeling of sitting on the sidewalk while not having to watch your cellphone or wallet too closely since you're already a couple of feet higher than the sidewalk plus they have open metal screens that come up to table height for the unobstructed view you want while keeping creepy fingers out. Hey, this is Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love. One of my engineers requires vegan choices and has always found something that she likes. If you're in or near center city and have a BBQ craving you won't be disappointed.
(4)Chirag P.
Did our company party here while we were in Philadelphia. Had a nice private room and a great menu to choose from... try the wings or the cheesesteak spring roll apps. I got the Dry Rub St. Louis ribs as my entree and realized, i'm a fan of actual BBQ sauce, not the dry rub deal, but they were cooked perfectly and did taste great... but even better after I got a side of sauce. Also had the homemade bread pudding for dessert, and it was damn good. I have to give kudos to our server, as we had 45 people in our party and the server at our table (18 of us) was on top of his game... we all had separate credit cards for the drinks and he "magically" kept everyone's CC's perfectly separated and in order... mad props. Overall just a fun place. We hung out there after the majority went home and just had more drinks. They have a crap-load of micro-brews, so give them a try. Overall a good joint for some Philly BBQ.
(4)Julie M.
I found this place on yelp and decided to give it a try on a Friday night with my friends. I made a reservation, which was a smart decision because the place was crowded and I think there was a waiting time when we got there. Service was very good and food was delicious. Thumbs up for the cheeseteak egrolls! We tried different meats and everything had a very nice and authentic bbq flavor to it. I was surprised because I am used to bbq places being less formal and this place is nice and the food is still amazing. I loved the sangria as well. Will definitely go back!
(4)David A.
Food was SO bland. I desperately sought out seasoning and nothing helped. Half of the beers on the draft list were no longer available. Bad food + overpriced beer = won't go back.
(1)CrystalRae S.
Love this place. I first went with a co worker and had a great time at happy hour. The drinks and service were great and the staff was very friendly. I returned with my boyfriend for date night and we both had a blast. Food was great again as was the service. One of my favorite spots.
(5)Eugene D.
One-issue voter. Sweet potato fries. Best anywhere.
(5)Monica S.
They've been open for a month or so and already, this place is awesome. I tried them out for lunch today and left completely full and satisfied. I went with the BBQ half chicken and Jill A is totally right, that sauce is finger licking good. So good I even licked my friend's fingers. Then I poured it all over him and- The beef brisket is awesome. Tender, meaty, topped off with what I think is just the jus. Each of these big platters comes with 2 sides and they offer a great selection of standard classics to chose from (mac&cheese, potatoes made sideways and every other way, veggies). The only thing I'd say I wasn't overly impressed with was the cocktail menu. What's missing? Two obviously southern-style drinks come to mind: a Mint Julep and a Sweet Tea cocktail (those are so popular now). Looks like they have a pretty awesome beer selection though. Finished off the lunch gorgefest with a warm blueberry bread pudding. Sweet baby jesus, that thing was awe inspiring and left me wishing I had enough room in my stomach to finish it. With so much to choose from on the menu, you'll need to make a quick return visit to sample the rest of their goods.
(4)Kemi A.
I had to return here so I can give a proper review. My first time here months ago, I just had drinks and the french fries...this after eating and chatting at Chifa's. So I didn't want to review it then because I didn't really have enough of an experience (tho what I had was good) to write a review. I returned here for drinks with the gf because I already scooped out the happy hour menu during my first visit. We sat by the bar downstairs. the funny thing abut this place is that it always has that "empty look", like no one is there but don't be deceived...because inside it's actually a nice place to meet with a group of people without having to worry about yelling your conversations to each other. Our waitress by the bar was very nice and non-imposing at all. I had the mango drink which was delicious as I love sweet things. I then had the rum punch (which was the special cocktail of the day) that was very good also. We also ordered the dry wings (had the sauce on the side) and the cheesesteak spring rolls...we ordered 2sets actually. Then someone else across the bar ordered the bread budding and was gracious enough to let us taste it....it was delicious ofcourse we ordered our own. Down side was that they didn't have ice cream and I wanted ice cream. Instead we settled for whipped cream. It was really nice and i can def see myself coming back just to chill, have drinks or have a quick dinner bite(try other items on the menu). I def am a fan of the wings, not the best wings in the world but def better than a lot of places.
(4)Dalla A.
This place gets 3 stars because the ribs were surprisingly excellent, the beer list is decent and our server was sweet and perky. Rest of the food (fish tacos, corn souffle, fries, beans) was bland at best.
(3)John S.
Great little non-traditional bbq spot in Philly. Nice beer list and GREAT Happy Hour specials.
(4)dragon r.
I had the sliders appetizer with a beer. Not the best, but good service, atmosphere, beer and food. I would go back.
(4)Adam C.
First off I noticed many people are giving this place 4 or 5 stars. Sorry to be the one to burst the bubble but I didn't feel so welcomed here. Maybe if I crawled in with a bunch of my frat buddies (which I don't have) or fellow nurse pals like in SCRUBS (which I don't have) or a group of cool trust fund kid hipsters who just got back from a Prague trip for inspiration for their next art exhibit (which I am not and don't have, ok maybe a few). To get to the point, it seems this place is meant for groups of six or more to wander in here and the space is accomodating for that. The problem is that the ceilings are quite high, and the speakers for music which the place provides is also quite high, and what happens exactly because of that? Well being someone aware of sound, it gets LOUD! So loud that the costumers as you'll find out when you come here on a friday or saturday, when this place is really hopping, are given no choice but to shout... "HOW DID YOUR WEEK GO AT THE OFFICE!?!?" "WHAT?!?!" "I SAID HOW DID!!!!" This isn't an exaggeration, I actually could hear many people's conversations and noise echoing throughout the space that tries to create a calm atmosphere with it's cream colored walls, paintings of modern taste, some plant-life of feng shui sorts, and candles as the night pressed on as our small four (not six to twenty) group ordered. Mind you, we asked to be seated downstairs, which for some reason was completely empty and not as loud, plus the ceiling downstairs was not as high as the upstairs which as we know could help make it less noisy. The hostess was hesitant to give us that option as she discussed it with her co-worker and later approached us saying "You can sit down here but you might not get a waiter. He's busy upstairs with customers" Ok... does that make any sense? Now before we came inside you could hear the noise from upstairs but you see no activity downstairs where people are passing by outside, looking for a place to eat. Now I don't know about you but don't you want to come to a place where you see people chatting, eatting, and having a good time in plain sight? Not walking by a deserted, creepy, empty downstairs. It's like... Why even have this floor? There's still a bar down here like upstairs and plenty of seating. I mean what?! It boggles the mind. The twilight zone of restaurants! I'm not sure if they ever get enough people in the building and I assume only weekends to start bringing people downstairs. Are they still doing construction? Is there some rule or strange superstition these people practice that keeps people from seating on the first floor, which is what it's supposed to be, but I guess since the second floor is their first floor, this as I been calling it is the downstairs. It sounds like a script for a movie starring Seth Rogen and IDK we'll say Beyounce. They go on a date here and maybe Seth argues why he has to be seated upstairs and not here? Maybe he even gets so obsesssed that he breaks into the place with some stupid side-kick, let's say Jack Black, and they find out that the people here do strange rituals that later opens a portal to Zuul from Ghostbusters. Wow! That sounds like a blockbuster to me! Ok I should stay on subject and stop complaining about WTF the first floor remains vacant with two smiling idiots greeting you. I guess that's what Smokin' Betty is aiming for. And who is Betty? And why call it "Smokin'"? You can't smoke in any public building. Thanks to that douche bag they make fun of on an episode of Pen and Teller's BULLSHIT (which everyone needs to see and maybe they should film an episode about this place). The food wasn't bad but wasn't "smokin'" either. I got fish tacos, never had them before but mine were made with swordfish as the waiter softly whispered, I will get to our waiter next, that they were out of flounder or whatever the fish they usually use for the fish tacos so mine was with swordfish. Ok, whatever, fish is fish. So our waiter! A cute, skinny, hipster, perfect to blend into a screamo band concert, complete with a messy mop of hair. Now as a waiter or any server at some establishment you want to have some social speaking skills of some sort. Like be able to allow the whole table to hear you as you tell them the specials of the day, or what is on and off the menu. Something important to those matters. This boy is good at talking at library levels, which is fine if this place wasn't so.... EEEEFFFING LOUD!!!!! With blasting contemporary bands and electro music, jocks and ladies giggling at the bar and surrounding tables, and noise, noise, noise from all angles. And we get a waiter who is too shy to scream unless he's at band practice where he gets to yell "I HATE YOU SARAH!!!" Seems I don't have much left to say since I wrote too long on noise issues. Last thing, their menus were scrambled with this and last months, so that also spiced things up! TATA!
(2)Aneesh B.
Pleasantly surprised with the BBQ here. Went for dinner with friends on a Tuesday night so pretty much had the place to ourselves. If you expect piles of paper napkins on the table and gingham-oilcloth tablecloths, you are in for a surprise. Much more of a bbq-boutique-style place, with tasteful decor that is a far cry from picnic-table-grub. Not that there's anything wrong with that; you just won't find it here. I had the brisket platter with green beans and latkes, which were all done well. Friends had the pork spareribs (choose sauce or dry-rub, though my friend chose dry -rub with a side of sauce, which the server indulged), hot dog plate (don't laugh, it was pretty good), grilled pizza, quinoa salad, and veggies. Large portions and tasty food. Big menu with lots to choose; excellent drinks with a good selection of beers/cocktails/wine. Try the French Flower and the Sobieski cocktails. 5 people, $150 plus tip, which I thought was a good deal. I'll go back again when I am in town.
(4)Rachel E.
I went there for happy hour with some coworkers. I was incredibly excited to try the food and drinks offered at a great rate. The food and drinks were mediocre. The environment is cute and has a great neighborhood vibe. However the manager ruined my experience and is the reason I will not return. After all my coworkers had left, I stayed a bit longer. The bill had been paid about half an hour earlier and the manager approached me. She told me that I had tipped poorly. I was very confused as another person had signed the bill. I was so caught off guard and told her I didn't know what she was talking about. She proceeded to come back to the table with the receipt to prove me wrong. Admittedly my friend accidentally tipped on only half of the bill since we used a credit card for only half. However I do not think approaching me in a such a manner was appropriate or professional. I was embarrassed. I had never been approached by a manager who basically called me out for a bad tip. It was incredibly rude. I felt bad for the mistake but it was not handled well by management at all. The food was not worth returning to this place as I would prefer not to be accosted by a manager at the conclusion of my meal.
(1)Will T.
Definitely the place to go if you want good BBQ. I've twice, once ordered the BBQ sliders and the second time ordered the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich. There really wasn't much else on the menu that caught my eye except for the short ribs which I plan on getting next time I go. The beer list is impressive (I'd go with the Hennepin or Righteous ale). The dessert menu is pretty lacking but hopefully that will improve over time.
(4)Aaron B.
Food is ok. Space is nice. Service is good. Beer list is respectable and changes frequently. Value is fantastic. In this neighborhood where overpriced bars abound, there aren't many other non-dives around to get a beer for less than $5. 4 stars!
(4)Pete S.
Came here for Med school event. Decent crowd. Good drinks. Nothing that would really merit a 4 star review. Just, good. Definitely will go back to try the rest of the menu...
(3)Michelle S.
Absolutely delicious. I loved every minute of it. The betty burger and sweet potato fries were unbelievably delicious. I practically licked my plate. My sister and mother got the BBQ sliders, they enjoyed them very much. It was fun getting a taste of all. Our waiter was attentive and helpful and it was a great place to get dinner!
(5)Sara L.
I feel a bit schizo for updating this review so many times, but I had a brunch experience so bad that it has to lose a star! On Mother's Day, our brunch started with being shuttled into the bar because we didn't have a reservation, though the restaurant was empty when we got there and empty when we left. Christmas music played through the first half of our meal (because "that's what was playing on the jazz station") in spite of repeated requests to have it changed. The food for each of our four diners arrived at different times. The pancakes arrived without either the "fresh honey butter" or "special syrup", and upon request the pancake eater was presented with a single pat of Land O Lakes, and a paper cup of Aunt Jemima. Two grilled cheese sandwiches with fontina, prosciutto and fig jam arrived in similarly soggy and overgreased states. However, one of them somehow merited and extra $2 charge on our bill. It was just not good. I will not go back here for brunch, and you should not either.
(3)Bethany S.
We we popped in during a rain storm for the Beer Week menu. I know it's bad form to judge a place by a special menu, but I think our experience merits some commentary. I think our meal was exemplary simply for how polarized it was. My dining partner and I chose completely different dishes off the prix fix menu. My dinner was delicious and well-executed, his was pretty sub-par. I had: the empanadas, the mahi and the cheesecake He had: mussels, filet tips and the brownie. I'm not sure what it says about a BBQ place that overlooks beef, but his filet tips were so tough he could barely make it though them -- almost as if they had been sitting u der a lamp for a while ... The other courses for him weren't nearly as indelible, just disappointing. The broth in the muss,es and the bread they were served with were delicious, but the mussels themselves were chewy (more than usual) and rather bland -- as if they hadn't been cooked in the broth. The brownie was dry and the s pop of ice cream it came with was already mostly melted by the time it got to us. My meal on the other had was awesome. The empanadas were well-flavored and and a great meat to dough ratio (heavy on the meat). The BBQ sauce accompanying them was a little sweet, a little spicy -- delicious. My mahi was cooked perfectly as was the tangy sweet risotto it was laying on. And the cheesecake was perfectly fluffy and creamy at the same time. Night and day Our service was very peasant. It's a loud restaurant, but not overwhelmingly so. My one complaint was that there was a leak in the ceiling (it was torrentially raining for or whole meal) and were seated next to the little silver bucket meant to catch the water. Like, I had to awkwardly step over the bucket to get into my chair. Not a huge deduction, but it was sort of tacky. Overall the rating comes from the completely polarized experience we had with this special menu. I plan to go back to give their regular menu a try, but I go anxiously.
(3)Alli H.
They've got some decent happy hour snacks and drinks! Mon-Fri 5-7pm. I've been to Smokin' Betty's for beers, for dinner, and for a 90's-themed party they had back in October. Every time I've been, I've had a good time. Service is friendly and attentive, and the food and beer is good. Yay :-)
(4)Liz S.
Mediocre food. HORRENDOUS service from all the employees we encountered. We will not be returning.
(1)Sarah H.
We decided to sample a bunch of sides this time around. DEFINITELY TRY THE POTATO LATKES. The accompanying cinnamon apple sauce is bangin'. I also recommend the mac & cheese - sumptuously creamy with just the right amount of bread crumbs for that perfect crunch. Betty's still totally smokin'.
(4)Jamie D.
There was a Small But Mighty Knight Arts Challenge event going on at this place, so I decided to stop by and support! I'm not sure if these are an all the time thing, but they were serving Cream Soda cocktails with Art in the Age Snap, vanilla simple syrup, and ginger ale....they were amazing! We split an order of the slider appetizer and they were really good! Tender meats on perfect little buns with a side of some bangin' cole slaw. I will definitely need to come back to this place and explore more of their menu and things!
(4)Michelle C.
When Smokin' Betty's was suggested as the locale for a Friday happy hour between friends, I was pretty stoked; especially because I missed Sam's MOOB UYE earlier that week. Our rain soaked crew arrived around 5:30 to a completely empty restaurant. It wasn't until a hostess appeared that we found out they were seating everyone on the second floor. We went upstairs and were surprised to find a fairly crowded bar and a few occupied tables. How we didn't hear the peeps and music from the first floor, I have no idea. We were seated at a booth that fit all six of us, and my side faced a wall that featured a gigantic chalkboard filled with beers, cocktails, the day's specials and happy hour info. Smokin' Betty's Blonde, the house beer, was only three bucks during happy hour so most of us started with that. I thought it was similar in taste to Magic Hat #9 and I enjoyed it a lot. When a friend wrinkled her nose after tasting the Curious Georgia (a bellini-like concoction of white beer, peach schnapps and a ginger syrup-marinated peach slice), I gladly took it off her hands as I adore bellinis in their natural state and I enjoyed this interesting spin-off as well. (So yes, for those of you doing the math, technically I was double fisting for a short period of time but I'm half Irish and this is widely accepted in our culture.) Our group was going to order off the menu but when we saw the cheap eats offered as part of happy hour, we changed our minds. I had the spicy dry rub wings which were awesome, but what made them even better was the barbecue sauce I requested on the side for dipping. Sweet but with a definite zip, it was one saucy sauce! The onion rings and corn bread we ordered for sides were pretty standard. A friend ordered the bbq sliders and I had major food envy. I will definitely hit those up on my next visit, with an extra side of that sauce, of course! A five star rating might be viewed as a bit generous by some, but there wasn't a single thing I disliked about my experience at Betty's. The food, drinks and service were all on point and I will gladly return.
(5)Jonny D.
We came here for drinks last night and my diabetic wife's blood sugar got low, which can cause her to pass out. I ran to the waiter and asked for some emergency OJ to get her blood sugar back up. He quickly ran to get some, which I really appreciate. Once it arrived, two waiters took turns checking up on her every couple of minutes to make sure she'd be OK, and refilled the juice. When we left they hadn't even charged us for the OJ. They were so concerned about her well being that I guess they just didn't ring it up. I'm not an emotional guy, but that kind of compassion is hard to come by and really left a mark. They really honestly cared about a stranger's well-being. That means a lot to me. I tipped the hell out of them and I hope they know that they made my week. That's real, honest, true kindness. Plus the happy hour here is a really cheap too. :)
(5)Ashley L.
Smokin' Betty's is a solid spot for drinks and food. It's a large space with 2 floors and modern decor. It's right next to Thomas Jefferson, which can mean that it can be hit or miss as far as whether it's packed or pretty quiet. I prefer to come during happy hour. The $2 lagers & $4 cheesesteak eggrolls are a great deal. They also have a delicious burger. I wasn't adventurous enough to try the Betty Burger, but it is next on my list! Yummy comfort food and reasonably priced drinks are what keeps me coming back.
(4)Dooly M.
I would love to give it 5 stars, but I have tried better. Sorry. However, I will definitely vistit this restaurant in my next trip to Philadelphia over and over again. Why? 1- our servent, Seth, was amaaaaaaazing. He has such a wonderful personality and spirit. I was happy all the time and pleased with his service and helpful recommendations. Food is not everything, the service is as important as the food to me. With all the tress in life, you want to have a nice place with good food and service. Did I was lucky this time? Or all the servant are nice? I am really not sure. 2- I ordered Smokin' Betty's Burger, and it was excellent. I usually get medium well because I usually get it with little pink from where I came from, but with Seth recommendation I ordered medium and it was perfect. He notified us with how medium and medium well is cooked in their restaurant or Philadelphia. However, I did not like their hand cut fries. It was too thin for my taste and not crispy. I would order a green salad next time. 3- my sister ordered mahi mahi tacos. It was good but it needed more flavors or sauce. It was light dish and healthy though. 4- finally, we ordered a layered chocolate cake for TO GO. OMG. I WAS IN HEAVEN. every bite was a whole new experience. I tried many chocolate cakes but nothing beat Cheesecake Factory. This one is my second favorite now, it is moist, dark enough as I like, and very heavy and rich with a cranberry sauce! It was perfect perfect perfect. I will never forget the taste. UHH. Overall, it was a very good experience for us. I really recommend it to you.
(4)Michael M.
So I like this place, and I'll be going back. Four of us hit it this past Friday night at 7pm. Hits - Cheesesteak spring rolls, Yum, now with spicier sauce. Beef Brisket, delicious. Various mixed drinks, top notch. Wet chicken wings were the best true BBQ item, with real chargrilled flavor lacking in some other items. OK stuff. Riblets - yum, need more chargrilled flavor (see wings above). Stuffing and gravy, also yum but strangely sweet. Pork slider, needs more spice. Roast chicken, needs more BBQ flavor. Ribs themselves were tender bit lacked that on the grill bite the winds had. Misses - mahi mahi tacos. Bland and the wrap they were in disintegrated into mush by the time they were served. It they weren't in wax paper they wouldn't have made it to the table. Green bean and potato balsamic salad - tasted like bad aids. Would have been perfect if ingredients included band aids but did not. Bleah. Service was slow but the place was new and it was a jumping Friday night. Free onion rings (due to a server mix up) were nice. So we'll be going back, sitting downstairs where its quieter, and ordering that brisket and yummy wings again!
(4)Zanna H.
I want to give this place a higher rating but find myself hesitant to, it is solid 3.5 at least. The decor is minimal and sleek. The place is pretty well lit with dark woods and accents in the upstairs making it feel warm and inviting. The service was awesome, I wish I remembered her name because she served our rather large group with no problem and then split up the bill by individual like a pro. Now what makes me downgrade you ask, well the food is good but I just don't feel it is a value for the price. Their beet and arugula salad was nice, the dressing was light and tangy which helped off-set the sweetness of the beets. The should have opted to throw a little goat cheese in the mix instead of putting onion crispy springs on top. The cheese steak egg roll was nothing exciting or new, I was told by others in the group that it had a spicy kick to it but I was not getting it. Maybe I am too desensitized to spicy things since I brush my teeth with Sriracha sauce. I also got the Betty burger which was very large in size and had some nice flavor to it. My problem was that I asked for it to be cooked well done and it was very pink and cold in the center. So I left 3/4 of it on my plate. The onion rings were standard and the fries were even less impressive. Anyhoo the drinks were mediocre and once again were highly over priced - $4 was a little much for a champagne flute of light ale mixed with peach schnapps with a slice of peach floating in it (thus taking up about 1/3 of the glass so I am paying for even less drink by volume)... and it was on special for 1/2 off. So for price versus value on the meal it left me lacking... mostly in the wallet area.
(3)Vinny P.
Ok Betty's it seems like what I've been hearing is true. Recently I was afforded the chance to have some ribs, cornbread and mac and cheese at this establishment. I was rather impressed with both the service and the food. The party I was with was able to get a table relatively quickly and begin our BBQ adventure. I ended up splitting a rack of ribs with one of my friends and we both agreed that they were cooked perfectly. There was smoky flavor and the sauce complimented it very well. Also, the texture of the ribs indicated that they were perfectly cooked. If you held a rib bone and just shook it once, the meat would fall off onto the plate (or possibly fly at someone nearby depending on how hard you shook it) The mac and cheese was a little too creamy for me. I did like the small cornbread muffins that came with scallion butter. I should also mention that I am normally more of a fan of dry rub but the sauced ribs did not disappoint. I will be returning for the dry rub ribs along with other menu selections.
(4)Margo K.
I have to update. I went here for brunch with my brother on our birthday. It was a Saturday birthday brunch! I was sold on my first visit earlier in the week, and my brother loves this kind of eatin'. I ordered the smoked salmon hash which features smoked salmon (obvs), sweet potatoes, bacon, and a fried egg on top. I wanted to try some of my favorite foods in a different format and certainly enjoyed it. I have to note that some people might not find this serving size to be enough, although I did. My brother got BBQ sliders which came with one hickory smoked beef brisket, one carolina pulled pork, and one carribean pulled chicken. He was a fan. We also split some cornbread muffins (because how could you not) for $2 which is a great price for something as comforting as cornbread muffins are! Service was slightly slow, but it didn't really bother us. I usually don't drink this early, so I still have not tried their dranks! Happy hour, soon soon soon!
(4)Walter K.
Smokin' Betty's has been open for just over one week. I've been anticipating this place for two reasons: my good friend Brooks is working here. Secondly, I'm always looking for a good BBQ sandwich. My friend Jess and I headed out to check out this new establishment. Usually I like to talk about food and drink first, but I have to talk about atmosphere. The inside of this place looks excellent. It's just a cool looking spot. It has two levels of seating, with a bar on both floors, and really has the capacity to be a hopping place, in terms of coolness and the sheer numbers I'm sure it will be packing in shortly (after my review is read). I recommend grabbing a seat upstairs, especially a window seat if available. The service is excellent. I'm not just saying this because Brooks was my server; all of the servers tag-team the tables to make sure that everything is taken care of quickly and efficiently. The menu is impressive. It's much larger than ones I've seen at "real" restaurants in quite some time. There are different sections, with appetizers, small plates, entrees, soups, and salads represented. Lots of choices. There was even a small kids menu with a few choice under $5! Really, it's a great idea and basically unheard of outside of chains. There's an small plate of three sliders featuring three different types of BBQ: great for the indecisive. I decided to just go for the beef brisquet BBQ. It was a really good sandwich, but not the best I've had. Plus there's enough other great things on the menu that I'd try first before I had this again. One downside was the tiny side of macaroni salad, especially because it was pretty good. I also had a side of onion rings which were standard, but good. Smokin' Betties boasts sixteen taps which are arranged in order on the bar from dark to light in terms of the color it pours. While this order is a bit arbitrary and has no effect on actual taste, style, or ABV; I like it. It's better than nothing at all. All the beers are American craft brews. While most of the beers are "safe bets" and not very adventurous, there is good diversity and a lot of solid choices. I went with the Yellowtale Pale Ale from Ballast Point, which was good. An easy drinking, light pale ale. Bottom Line: This place was very slow when I went in, but I suspect it will only be another week or two before it gets busy. It's a cool spot in a good location. The menu is massive and packed with good choices. The prices are decent and there's a few good beers to chose from. It's not perfect, but it's definitely worth a try. I'll check it out again in the future.
(4)Kara M.
This review is for the 'Puppy Love' event hosted by Smokin' Betty's and Devil's Alley. The event was amazing! I can't even decide where to begin! The food- delectable, The drinks- delicious, the decor- delightful! The tapas seemed to be never ending- my personal favorite was a bite sized sweet potato topped with (perfectly prepared) filet crowned with onion straws- loved it! This was by far the best event i've been to in a long time- an excellent evening with proceeds benefitting a wonderful cause! I can't wait to venture to Smokin' Betty's and try more of their menu.
(5)Sylvia M.
Dear Ms. Betty, You are SMOKIN!!! Wow, not a single thing went wrong at this place... ok maybe 1. We stood at the host stand for an awkward amount of time. You know that feeling, when you don't know if it's seat yourself or you just assume the host is being a terrible employee and not standing at his post to great you warmly. He finally arrived, asked upstairs or downstairs. We didn't care so he took us upstairs. We sat near that chalkboard wall with all the specials! Good thing too! I ordered the house red wine for happy hour and my bf for their featured beer which the server described as lemonade, it was really good. We also had the cheesesteak spring rolls that came with a chipotle-ketchup-y dip. we only had 1 cut in half for $4. But they were so good! My bf got the turducken burger, idk if thats spelled right. I had the special 3 bean chili and the buffalo chicken quesadillas. Yea, lots of food but i was really hungry! I didnt like the burger because im not a fan of cranberry sauce, but he loved it!!! I loved my chili, it came in a coffee mug! with 2 corn muffins and some butter with jalapenos chopped in it, so good! The quesadillas were amazing. If you have ever had 'al pastor' tacos, thats what it tasted like. Staff: She was so helpful! She gave us a happy hour ending warning! i still had most of my wine and she let me order another. she brought us water without asking, which is always a plus. she checked in on us more than enough times but she was so nice and pleasant that it wasnt annoying! She recommended that next time we get the buffalo sandwich, mac n cheese and some other stuff... basically, its all good. We are def. going to be regulars! The atmosphere is cool and relaxed with a bit of hype during HH. It was loud but not obnoxious. Some standing room which was cool and they put candles on a cake for a party on the other side of the room. Overall, great time! ps the music was great. i never find that place that just plays music i like.. its either terrible or things i never heard of. it was a great blend like alicia keys, beach boys, etc.
(5)Michael C.
Cool bar/restaurant next to Jefferson, lots of cool beers on tap, great wait staff and bartenders. No surprise that this place is often frequented by Jeff doctors/nurses/staff after work. Didn't really taste much of the food, but did enjoy the Philly cheesesteak spring rolls and the mac and cheese.
(3)Jessica S.
We had an early dinner at 4:15pm on New Year's Eve so that we could catch the 6pm fireworks at Penn's Landing. The menu was great! Our party of 7 tried everything from burgers to mahi mahi tacos to brisket sandwiches. Everyone was happy with the food and service. We will definitely be returning!!!
(4)Alex G.
When on my way to this Southern BBQ joint, I was excited to start the night off with some fine Southern spirit, either bourbon or whiskey. However, the cocktail menu was short and didn't include anything remotely Southern spirit-like. Its totally cool to have pomegranate martinis on your menu but if you are modeling yourself after the South you have to have at least a few authentic Southern specialty cocktails to offer. For appetizers, we ordered the BBQ sliders which were ok. The amount of sauce poured on them overwhelmed the actual taste of the meat. It was as if I took a BBQ sauce bottle and just poured it in my mouth. My entree was the pulled chicken sandwich. Part of the chicken was cold, the other part bland. No reason to come back here.
(2)FT M.
I was in Philly for business travel and wanted to try Smokin Bettys. The service was excellent. Seth knew how to juggle a lot of tables. I got the BBQ combo. Had 1/4 chicken and ribs. The dry rub was delicious. Meat nice and tender. Fries were good. The green beans need to be cooked more for my taste. Will definitely be back.
(4)Chloe G.
I'm so glad this was my first stop during my trip to Philly. We came in during brunch hour, and I ordered the breakfast burrito with a chocolate pumpkin beer. It was possibly one of the most satisfying meals I have ever had. The only part was that it was on the pricier side, but other than that amazing. I seriously left the restaurant with a smile on my face, that's how good it was.
(4)Schuyler L.
Smokin' Betty's, you've lost a customer. This is not because your bathrooms are filthy stink holes, but they are. Urine on the floor, faucets don't work, and hair balls in the sink. I was ready to document this nastiness with photos, but was advised against it by my dining partner. Wet naps don't cut it, sticky fingers. Continuing on to the real issues... I'm not sure if it's customary to be ignored by the hostess as she walks past within slapping distance, but that's what I wanted to do to her. I request a table upstairs, she says downstairs by the window, "it's too busy upstairs." We were guided to a crappy table, not really near the window. We decide this isn't really what we wanted and go back to the hostess to request a table upstairs by the window. Ignored. This was happening around mid afternoon on Sunday, May 13th, a beautiful spring afternoon. After having to repeat ourselves to her she barked that she was looking for a table, a considerate person would know that lack of eye contact could cause confusion. When we got upstairs, not only were all the two person tables free, but she sat us at the only two top without a window!! (No reservations came in while we were eating either) To add to the drama, it wasn't busy. Evidence: The servers actually had time to not only chit chat with us but high five friends at another table and join them briefly at the table. Thankfully that was the last I had to deal with her. Never again, Smokin' Betty's. So to recap, the hostess was very rude, passive aggressive, and lied straight to our faces. Lied. To our faces. Portions were very very small. I think they were running out of food!!! Honestly, the only good thing to come out of our out visit was our down to earth, attentive, and energetic server, David D. He was cheerful and it was evident that he truly cared about his customers. He deserves better than the trash Smokin' Betty's was trying to pull and David, if you're reading this, feel free to contact me to use as a reference in the future.
(1)Terri B.
I've been to Smokin' Betty's three times. For Center City Sips, work lunch and happy hour. I'm never disappointed. I've had the Betty Burger (yum), the pork belly BLT sliders (delish), pulled pork taquitos (double delish), and the honey bbq wings. All great choices. Their drinks are really awesome as well. The Strawberry Lemonade (alcoholic) is my all-time fave! For you beer snobs out there, their selection is very extensive. I try to get here as often as I can. It's definitely a good go-to choice when you're in the city and want to impress someone ;)
(5)Jason N.
Stopped in for a private party. The back room was spacious and while open and still part of the main bar areas it was separate enough for a small party. The atmosphere was relaxed and laid back. Bar staff was fast and courteous. I like the area and would return. Got to try just a little taste of the food, but not much due to the party size and time spent talking and mingling. The bbq chicken quesadilla was good. The bbq sauce was rich, thick, and had a mild smokey flavor. I would return to eat and hang out here again.
(3)Aaliyah P.
Bopped in for cocktails and some sweet potatoes fries. Yelp cocktails week has made me a drinkin fool! Sissy and I each did the berry Betty. Rich in the voodah-kah(said in an Russian accent ) topped with champange:) made to perfection . Fries were bombness !!! Very yum I'm intrigued to go back . Bartender super nice :)
(4)Shavon B.
Went to Smokin' Betty's because the wait at El Vez was too long... Definitely a mistake. I got the special, salmon burger sliders, which although the menu said all burgers come with fries, don't, but whatever I ordered some side sweet potato fries for an extra $5. My friend ordered a vegetable quesadilla and my sis a turkey burger. The one star is for my drink and my friends which was delicious and the other star is for my sisters burger because she said it was good. Now for everything else. Waitress... Mediocre in terms of attentiveness. Salmon burgers are unseasoned pieces of fish on top of dollar store potato bread with two pieces of arugula and tomatoes slivers per slider and a ton of dill tarter sauce... Freaking gross and not worth the $15. Vegetable quesadilla was lots of vegetables soaked in oil that runs down ur hand when u eat it and again not seasoned. I was disappointed to say the least and the guy next to us screaming and laughing like a hyena because he was drunk didn't help. This is my second disappointed experience here. Needless to say I won't be back.
(2)Andrew W.
Good for the happy hour: good apps, drink specials,and never too crowded... not sure I'd call it a legit BBQ place but the food has always been good and it is very reasonably priced. I like to sit upstairs when they have the windows open, it is a nice alternative when the other outdoor seating options in the area are taken up.
(4)Kristin W.
We stopped by for an early girls' night out and got in right before happy hour ended at 7pm when an assortment of drinks and appetizers are available for ~$4. We tried the Sangria (reasonably strong), the tasty Veggie Quesadillas (tasty combination of cheese and onions), and Hand Cut Fries (nice balance of crisp and soft) Also, a shout out for awesome service - the bartender took care of us superbly even though we weren't right by the bar and checked in frequently to make sure that we didn't need anything without being over-bearing.
(4)Troy S.
The pulled pork was fantastic. Nicely sauced and with a bit of crisp without dryness. Well made cocktail, too. Delicious place.
(5)Regina F.
There are sweet potato fries. That's about it. There's also wine. It's odd that when you order sliders, there's no BBQ sauce served with them. It's also odd that you have to request BBQ sauce at a BBQ joint. Odd. Very. Peculiar.
(3)Moo Young K.
When moving from the west coast to the right coast, I never thought I'd transform into a burger girl. Smokin' Betty's gave me an all around great experience. What really helped me out with this gigantic burger was the knife that is stabbed in the middle of it to hold the thing together. I don't know if this was intentional, but it's just too much burger and it helps an eater like myself cut the burger in half to pack it for lunch the next day. As soon as I took my first bite, my server came up to me to ask how I liked my burger. He seemed excited and I guess his enthusiasm was infectious because I soon became giddy over this burger. For the rest of my burger, I was PUMPED! But my best reaction came at lunch the next day. The burger was still good! Wowza! I was so afraid that the burger would just not hold up to my initial experience, but it did! Shockingly, the sweet potato fries were good in their own ways. The fries weren't stale like how McDonald's fries become 30 minutes after it's been sitting around (not like it normally would), but it was kind of like a sweet, mashy fry that was still delicious. I say give the Betty Burger a try! It's a go! :)
(4)Louis R.
Ok...I loooove bbq....and I love cool, hip, chill restos. This place is fresh when it comes to decor and a clutch(ugh) date spot...but...the bbq, itself, is just okay. * The pulled pork sliders were fuckin awesome * The dry-rubbed wings were deelish and the macaroni salad was the star of this plate * The mac n cheese was sick...soooo good * The dry-rubbed st louis style ribs were okay...just okay...and the bbq sauce I asked for on the side was waaaaaaay too sweet, yikes Like I said...dope decor...just okay for the bbq.
(3)K. A. N. A. K.
I swear that somebody in the kitchen is referencing my homesickness for Hawaii eats in the dry-rub chicken wings; they have that perfect hibachi char, and they come with a "mac salad"-treatment on tri-color spiral pasta. We consistently order this, and it's always good. Our recent discovery was the "grilled cheese." It is just delightful, with abundant melty mozzarella, warm pesto and grilled tomato, and fluffy-yet-crispy cheddar focaccia.
(4)Katie O.
The food is great, but as I type this we've been eating for over 20 minutes for a table even though we called ahead. Why? Because one member of our party uses a wheelchair, and apparently estimating the time it might take to get a table on the first floor (despite having been warned of all of this when we called) is asking too much.
(2)Mike L.
I had the Betty Burger. I will be back to try the Tur-Duck-En burger sometime next month. The bar is kind of small, so show up early!!
(5)Mandy H.
My sister and I came to Smokin' Betty's last night before a concert we were going to nearby at the Trocadero. My sister is a picky eater so the burger on the menu was perfect for her. It was huge, i think it was a 1/2 lb burger. It didn't come with cheese or anything on it, which is just how she likes it so she was happy. We got a bucket of fries on the side that reminded me of Five Guys fries. Yum! I had the BBQ sliders, which came with the Carolina pulled chicken and coleslaw, brisket, and pulled pork mini sandwiches. I usually tend to favor the pulled pork, but the brisket was the best out of all the sliders. It had a sweet BBQ sauce on it and the bun was nice and crispy. However, each little sandwich is overflowing with meat so after just eating the one brisket sandwich and what was overflowing out of the other two, I was stuffed. We also each had the raspberry tea drink which tasted just like a raspberry iced tea, but I'm not sure that it had any alcohol in it. That's the only reason I'm knocking off a star on this review. For $8 ea in a small whiskey glass, I thought they could have been a little more liberal with the vodka. Other than that, the food is delish! One last comment is that they had weird bathrooms in the upstairs dining area. It has a communal sink and each stall has it's own individual room with a door. I was a little surprised to come out of my bathroom at the same time as a man and both head to the same communal sink. It's kind of like El Vez's bathroom. Weird but interesting.
(4)Gene B.
Food was very good and it was extra good with the Bloody Mario to kickstart the day! Service is good and the staff is very friendly. A great brunch destination, too!
(4)pracheta t.
Came here for my girl's bachelorette pre-party dinner and we had sucha good time! I called a few days ahead to make a reservation for 16 and the hostess stated that they were more than willing to accommodate us and will cooperate with any surprise we have planned (we didn't, but it was nice they offered). I got there first so I sat at the bar upstairs and enjoyed a Blonde Betty and a Dirty Bastard...i think those were the names. Anyway, it was good. When the girls got there, we were promptly seated, drinks were brought out and food didn't take long. It wasn't too expensive, we had the entire upstairs area behind the bar to ourselves and our waitress was so friendly and fun. We had a great time!
(4)Dee G.
Brunched here with friends last weekend. Relaxed atmosphere with plenty of room for a big group and also kid-friendly. Food was also very good. I enjoyed my salmon dish very much and also tried out the French Toast which was absolutely yum - it had just the right amount of caramel goodness.
(4)Meghan C.
The food was boring. The service was clearly bored with us. Expensive for very mediocre sandwiches.
(2)Niyant S.
Oh man, what a hidden gem Smokin' Betty's is! The restaurant is in an area that is not really known for having too many nice restaurants, a la Rittenhouse Square or 13th Street, but it stacks up right next to any one of the restaurants in those areas. Located right next to Jefferson Hospital, Smokin' Betty's is a nice little bar/restaurant that specializes in bbq fare...coincidentally bbq is some of my all time favorite food! The fiancé and I decided to stop by for brunch after checking out their menu right here on Yelp, and we were both very pleased with our experience! I went with a plate of their bbq sliders, which comes with a pork, brisket, and chicken slider, and a side of coleslaw, along with a glass of their Blond beer. The beer was very good, a little on the wheat side, but my lunch was awesome! All three of those burgers were delicious and quite filling, and the side of coleslaw was also surprisingly good (so much so that I finished every bite of it along with the rest of my meal). The best part about all this? It only costed $8! Meanwhile, my fiancé decided to go with their breakfast burrito, minus the bacon. I'm of the opinion that I make one pretty good breakfast burrito myself, however I have to admit that this one of the best breakfast burritos that I've ever tasted, and a definite must have if your coming here for some eggs! Finally, we shared a side dish of their hash browns, and surprise surprise, they were also delicious! Good job Smokin' Betty's, keep it up and I will definitely be back for more!
(5)Brad P.
I've been here for happy hour a few times and I am never let down. The BBQ sliders are the best bang and variety for your buck - 8 dollars will get you three sliders with pulled pork, brisket, and chicken with different sauces. I've never found the service slow or curt and the drinks are satisfactory. I'm really, really, really trying hard to come up with something I don't like about Smokin' Betty's so that this review seems a little more fair and balanced. Oh yeah, I got the fish tacos once just to be the one jerk at the table getting something different. My expectations were modest and they were met. The fish tacos are OK but if you are smart then you should stick with the BBQ options. The chicken wings are a little fatty. Take that, Smokin' Betty's. On the action-movie-parallel-satisfaction-scale, this establishment is Doomsday.
(4)Matt M.
Our favorite happy hour spot - good drink and food deals. Usually try their daily pizza ap and are not disappointed. Great beer selection that changes up a bit. We dont ever sit at the downstairs bar unless its at lunch time - the downstairs is very small and not as nice as the upstairs bar which is fantastic. They also have a great room that could be rented out for a party too, havent used it but have it in mind just in case!
(4)Connie S.
Came back for drinks and late night bites with friends... and man, I love this place. You must try the Tur-duck-en Burger here. It's essentially Thanksgiving dinner in one neat package: patty of duck rillette surrounded by chicken and turkey, slathered with stuffing, gravy, cranberry-orange relish, and fried sweet potato ribbons for extra crunch, all between some soft, fresh buns. So much to be thankful for.
(5)Ciara S.
Smokin Betty's was a cool place to eat... I consider this to be a hidden gem because nothing about the exterior catches your attention. If I wasn't come to a birthday party this place would have passed me by. I must say their food was delicious and they had a wide variety of food.. Def will be back!
(4)Matthew L.
Several good experiences, one awful one. In general, this restaurant has been good to me. The beer selection is reasonable, with options ranging from light to porters. I tend to enjoy the Betty Burger, which is laden with bacon, fried egg, and avocado. This location is absolutely packed on Fridays and Saturdays so I'd suggest reservations. You can always attempt to get a seat at the bar with varying levels of success. Upstairs is a second bar and additional seating and several flatscreen TVs playing the most popular sport channel at the time. I've never found the service (hostesses) to be particularly welcoming or really make the attempt to help seat people but they aren't generally rude. On to the awful experience. Random Wednesday night, sitting in the downstairs bar area, I and a friend order the Betty Burger medium rare (as with every previous visit). The burger comes out looking fabulous, yet when we bite into the burger, the center is virtually uncooked - think of what ground beef looks like before you even put it on the grill. I understand medium rare to be warm, slightly cooked, and still pink. This seemed to have been the same understanding from the kitchen until this last visit. Needless, we asked that it be cooked a little more and met little resistance. We were informed they'd have to completely remake the burger because of all of the toppings, etc. We thanked them and waited for the burgers to come out - exactly the same. At this point, I was disappointed but rather hungry and figured I'd risk it. My friend was still perturbed with this 'medium rare' and reasonably requested that it be cooked longer. At this point, our waiter began to debate 'medium rare' and informed us, 'this is how our chef does medium rare.' Given all of our previous experiences, this seemed unreasonable but we simply said that the center was still entirely uncooked and thus not medium rare. The waiter took the plate back and they remade it again. We noticed several of the kitchen staff poking their heads out to stare at us, which just seemed unprofessional. On the third attempt, the burger at least seemed somewhat cooked in the center and was consumed. When the bill arrived, we were charged for both burgers with no apology and perhaps a little sass. While I recognize it's a business of making money and it's not a requirement to comp food for mistakes, we spent an extra 45 minutes in this restaurant waiting for the kitchen to make a burger correctly. Along with the disappointing service, this experience has soured my otherwise pleasant feelings. Prices aren't cheap enough here to be this disappointed at any point. Despite the convenience, I'm not sure I should come back. Cheers.
(2)Nathan S.
So uh... I'm not coming back. I had high hopes for this place after grabbing a Turkey Reuben and a few drinks here months ago, and finally had the chance to swing by again. I dined here on 1/21 for a late dinner with my significant other. She had the grilled veggies sandwich, and I had the BBQ Pulled Pork and a Smokin Betty's lager. About six hours later I began an all-night extravaganza keeling over in the bathoom rejecting the meal, followed by an all day visit to Pennsylvania Hospital for food poisoning. Now I'm not one to throw around the food poisoning card willy-nilly, but this was the only meal in the past 48 hours we did not have in common. Also, to note something in hindsight about the BBQ sauce... it was very sweet, more so than smokey. It is a somewhat-known restaurant trick to artificially extend the life of sauces and things to throw a handful of sugar on top to counter-act the spoilage and acidity-- which incidentally only covers the spoiled taste but does not eliminate bacteria. Luckily, you do have the option to cut across the street to Jefferson Hospital if the five blocks to Pennsylvania Hospital are a bit too much for you. Plan it out in any case-- otherwise, you might be the next guy writing this with stomach crams and a mandatory diet of Gatorade and Chicken Ramen.
(1)Jerry T.
I really like this place . . . I was unsure at first, as my first visit was just okay . . . but, after 6 or 7 more visits I can say that it has become one of my favorite stops. Excellent food (with great specials each day) - the soups and chili are excellent (the mushroom soup on a recent visit was absolutely amazing). The burgers are really some of the best in the city - and always cooked exactly as ordered. While I'm not a fan of sweet potato fries, my friends who are LOVE the one's at Betty's! Excellent beer selection with good descriptions - the staff not only knows their stuff, but they are friendly and welcoming. Service is perfect - there when you need them, not when you don't. The pulled pork sandwich is awesome, too!! Give this one a try!
(4)Wally W.
Came here for breakfast on a Saturday morning. They have really good hash browns. They're like potato strings fried and then mashed together to form a fried potato amalgam. The eggs benedict I ordered was a bit over done. The yolks weren't runny and were rather solid. The sauce was good, though. The prices were really fair and the waitresses are quick.
(4)Marie C.
Food was great and nice beer selection!
(4)Omar K.
The front of house was pleasant, but the waiter was terrible. I asked for a glass of wine, took him 15 minutes to get it over. Then, soup arrives, clearly over-microwaved and burned my mouth. Then, food arrives, half-chicken with veggies and mac and cheese. Mac and cheese: dry. Chicken: bland. Overall not a great experience hence the two stars. I wanted to give one but that would be too harsh, the place has got a decent vibe.
(2)Mario N.
I had the combo chicken and ribs and my wife had the fish tacos. Its was good. Its not the best BBQ your find but I would definitely go back. They have a great beer list and atmosphere is awesome. We sat by the big open window on the second floor. Its helps that the weather was perfect. We just kind of chilled out after dinner and even with the extra drinks it was still a cheap night out.
(3)Kinnari A.
My friends and i go here to hang out all the time. Drinks and burgers. and amazing sweet potato fries. I love their veggie burger, I get it almost every time I go there, so I highly recommend it. They also have a lot of space which means that its good for big groups.
(4)Jayna B.
This place is ideal for an easy, quick bite and has food to satisfy everyone's needs. I have taken my nephews, my friends and my boyfriend here. The food is not super fantastic but it is yummy and I find myself using this as my old standard for out of town guests on weekends. There is never a line or a wait, which might not be a good thing for them, but it is for the customers. Brunch is good for me here too because I don't eat meat and they have lots of options. They will also be creative with your meal if you ask for add ins/ subs. In fact, I went here today and enjoyed delicious and actually fresh fresh fruit. The corn muffins were probably Jif but Jif is the best so who cares? My friend ate the veggie burger and loved it, as I have during past visits. You can't beat the location but you can beat the service. Although the host people are always very smiley and nice, sometimes they aren't there when you walk in. And the totally hipster staff make it seem like they are never pleased to serve you. I can look past this because I can easily call someone over if they aren't bringing me my water fast enough but some people might not like this aspect. All in all, I will continue to eat here and enjoy it and I hope to see you there too :)
(4)Patty M.
Went for Sipz, the drinks were mehhh. THey tasted like lemonade w/out any alcohol, considering it's beer week i was disapointed with their beer selection. The pork taquitos were good though.
(2)Kayla A.
Hands down the best bbq pulled pork sandwich I have ever had. They also have really great specialty drinks that were a lot of fun trying. My boyfriend and I love coming here whenever we are looking for a place to eat in the city. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
(5)Pat A.
Big fan of Betty's. Went here last Friday night for my birthday dinner and were seated upstairs in a big booth. It was spacious and the crowd was lively at the bar. A Friday @ 6 pm in the city when the weather is nice makes for an awesome dinner / happy hour. Apps: Both the cheesesteak egg rolls and the grilled wings (with dry-rub seasoning) were very good. Drinks: nice beer selction. Domestic drafts were $2 during HH, and special kraft beers were $3. Dinner: I ordered the Angus burger medium with caramelized onions and it was very good. Took half of it home with me, as it's a good size. Going back to Betty's again this Friday for more of the same, definitely recommended.
(4)John C.
Came in here for a few drinks one night. Only sat in the bar section, which was small and intimate. The drink choice among all for the night was Original Sin Apple Cider, served in a cool drinking glass. Had a solid selection of beers on tap and cocktails. The smell of the food sailed into the room every now and then, and appetizers looked good. Hope to return soon.
(4)Francesco R.
Went for Philly Beer Week 3 course for $35. Sticky tables; like arms stick to them kind of sticky. Waiter cleaned it using a sloppy rag pulled from a pitcher. I had mussels - some never opened, others were rubber bands; the shrimp tacos - two enormous overcooked shrimp in dry crumbly tortillas; and then the brownie dessert - which was like a wafer thin piece of brown Velcro covered in the smallest spoon (not scoop) of ice cream ever. Wife had empanadas - smallest ever, then the smoked chicken - i have seen bigger finches in my life, and the same brownie since the cheesecake was sold out. Oh,,,and three really small glasses of good beer. Got ripped off for bad food. The only thing they did well was serve someone else's beer. Won't return.
(2)DeBora F.
The WORST place ever! I'm going to sum this up real quick. Not busy, no service, only water provided within the first 10-15 minutes of being seated. Unfortunately they lost a great customer and awesome tips. On to the next one.
(1)Emma N.
It's a solid 3 in my book. This place is good for Friday night dinner. The one that's doesn't make you look cheap and doesn't break the bank dinner. It has good ambiance for a group of girlfriends get together or like a good first date place if your date like Burgers. You probably can get away with less than $20 (tax and tip included) per person if you don't drink. We had the Turducken Burger, the BBQ combo, and the Fish Taco. All good solid flavors but no cigars. The Onion rings was the highlight of the BBQ combo meal. I can just eat a basket of onion rings alone and paired with a glass of their cider. Next time I'm probably going to do that for dinner and forgo the rest.
(3)Bill M.
Stopped here on a rainy Saturday Night. The place is very esthetically pleasing. There are 2 bars - 1 upstairs and 1 Down. We sat upstairs and ordered a few appetizers - Dry rubbed St. Louis Riblets and a grilled Tomato and goat cheese pizza. Both were good but the Riblets were exceptional. Table ordered a mixed bag for dinner - guys had the Angus Burgers with fries and they were very good. Also sampled was the Flame broiled Chicken Entree and it was also very good. The salad with chicken was average. The wait staff was attentive and very friendly. The place is very lively but not loud. This is a great spot for starting a night out in Philly. We will be back.
(4)Anandi B.
Went here when we had a hankering for bbq, and boy did it deliver! i got the half ribs with the dry rub (a gluten free option at any bbq place is rare) and the brocolini side dish was amazing. the ribs were perfect, fall off the bone tender. My friends said the pumpkin beer was an other worldly experience, and i got a mixed drink that was so smooth i forgot it had alcohol. headed back here again soon. wonderful spot!
(5)Susanne J.
Visited Smokin' Betty's last night for Restaurant Week. The meal was excellent, but I'm holding off on extra stars because there was no history of my reservation when I called to confirm. I had made it two weeks earlier. Luckily, there was no problem securing a spot for 4 at 7pm. Still, I was disappointed that my original call was all for naught. We didn't end up eating off of the RW menu. They offer 4 courses for $35 and all of us felt we wouldn't be able to eat that much food. I was also disappointed that there wasn't a burger or BBQ sandwich on the RW menu. I started with the Root of All Evil cocktail, which was a delicious mix of Root liquor, black tea, agave nectar, and fresh orange. They have a good selection of beer on tap and in bottles and there is sure to be something to suite everyone's palate, whether you're a PBR fan or like something more sophisticated. My BBQ brisket sandwich was wonderful. Tender, saucy meat on a buttered and toasted brioche bun. I loved the mix of flavor and texture. The boyfriend and I shared an order of handcut fries which were crisp and thick and seasoned well so as to not require ketchup. I didn't love the Carolina 'slaw, but I'm picky about my coleslaw having been spoiled by two decades of eating my mom's version. We finished the meal the with peanut butter and banana bread pudding. This was really, really rich and a little hard to stomach after such a hearty meal. It was very good with an almost-creamy texture. I think ice cream would have been better than whipped cream, though. I thought the dessert choices could have been a bit more varied. Chocolate mousse, triple chocolate cake, and cheesecake are all kind of similar in a sense. A simple ice cream sundae might have been a nice way to end a meal of comfort food. The atmosphere is nice, especially with the large windows open to the fall breeze. The music was a little loud for my taste, especially with all the people at the bar on a Friday night. I can't deal with loud music and obnoxious women laughing at ear-drum-splitting level. They appear to have good happy hour deals, though. The menu prices were very reasonable for the portions and the food. I'll certainly be back to tackle other menu options.
(3)Erica H.
I just left this place. We sat for 10 minutes and no one asked us if we wanted water or anything. Service was terrible and there wasn't much diversity among staff or customers. Felt uncomfortable!! Waiter watched us and never even came over to ask if we wanted water or anything. Will never ever go back!!!
(1)Christian S.
Drove past this place a million times. Stopped in Friday afternoon for lunch with a few coworkers. I ordered the combo platter with the dry rub ribs with sauce on the side. The sauce was a mild & sweet bbq sauce. The sides of Mac & Cheese and Whipped Sweet Potatoes were also good. Not my favorite BBQ establishment, but I will become a regular at this place. Besides I need to get back and sample the beers.
(4)Jackie B.
I have been to Smokin' Betty's on a few occasions, and have always left super stuffed and happy. All of the burgers I've had are amazing. What solidifies this as 5-star entry for me is the service I had there on my last visit. We chose Smokin' Betty's as the venue for a surprise party I was throwing for a friend. Because of the nature of the event, we had a lot of weird requests for our group, and the hostess handled them all with a smile. When it came time for the actual meal, our server didn't rush us at all. We sat for at least a half hour just chatting and drinking before anyone ordered. It took a little while for the food to come out, but that's to be expected with a group of 15. Everything came out perfectly, another feat for a large group order. After the meal, our server brought out the cake I had made for the evening and provided a knife and plates and just let us hang out at the table for a while longer, even though the restaurant was full. I can't thank the staff enough for a wonderful evening. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Kim A.
Had my birthday brunch there last Sunday and enjoyed the drinks and food. Accommodated our larger group after another restaurant canceled on us. We sat up stairs and it was very private. Tried all the drinks on the brunch menu, loved them all. Had the eggs benedict and it was pretty good. Their hollindaise was interesting. Fluffy and very buttery. Not what I am used to but still good. Sweet potato hash was greasy and the potatoes where mushy. Great service and would recommend.
(4)Amanda S.
i had an AMAZING meal for a rehearsal dinner here. granted, the menu chosen was out.of.this.world and it was free. but for what it's worth, i will definitely be back as a paying customer! i know it's a bbq joint, but i didn't actually have anything bbq at the place. so i can't rate anything as far as that goes. however, i can rate a few other items: -cheesesteak spring rolls: a+ -fried green tomato bruschetta: a+ -turkey bacon wraps: a -pizza bites: a -cheddar sirloin burger: a+ -fries: a+ on top of a delicious dinner, they had a great beer selection that made me very happy. and the waitstaff was super friendly and very fast.
(5)Sarah C.
The search for fish tacos continues... The fish tacos at Smokin Bettys change every day based on what kind of fish is fresh. When I went it was swordfish. They were flavorful, messy, and delicious. I will return. But I know better fish tacos exist in NYC, so I will continue the search in Philly
(4)Jessica L.
For a BBQ place their atmosphere is more on the Frat boy side. I ate here with a group that had a special menu, so my options were limited. The dry rub wings were excellent as well as the non chocolate desserts. The chocolate ones just tastes like Hersey's baking coco. The service was nice, although they confused themselves constantly with our large group.
(3)Kenny C.
One of the few places big enough to accommodate a huge group (~11) on very short notice. Loved the Betty Burger, which had basically everything I love in a burger (especially a fan of the confit pork belly, egg and avocado!). I ordered it medium and it came exactly as I wanted. The burgers also come with a knife stabbed through the middle, which is now going to be my gold standard for burger presentation. My friend ordered the Turducken burger and we swapped half burgers. The Betty was definitely better. The Turducken was too Thanksgiving-y. Not a fan of cranberry sauce in a burger. The fries were delicious as well. Service was excellent. The decor was great (especially a fan of how much attention to detail went into the menu chalkboard on the second floor). There are also a ton of private bathrooms. And last but certainly not least, they make a yummy Bloody Mary.
(5)Whitney M.
Had a wonderful meal here while on a business trip. It was a group of ten of us, and they were accommodating and efficient. I ordered a beet salad with goat cheese and chicken and it tasted fresh and yummy. They had a great beer selection, and my colleagues all enjoyed their food which ranged from barbeque sandwiches to chicken and waffles. I wouldn't hesitate to go back if I was in Philly.
(5)Vincent I.
This place has one of the top 5 burgers I have ever had. It's a non traditional burger, so keep your mind open. It's not even beef. Can you say Turducken? It was amazing. I have gone back so many times. I have also done brunch here quite often. It is must. Try the french toast and they also have a cool spin on a mimosa that is delicious. It's also just a great place to grab drinks with friends. They have a good variety of local beers that seem to rotate.
(5)Smrithi D.
Went here as a 2nd SIPS stop and boy was it packed. We ordered drinks while we waited for a table to clear and the bartender was pretty quick. They have a great beer selected and the chipotle pierogis was a new, refreshing alternative to typical bar food.
(3)Philly D.
Philly Din Club hit up Smokin' Betty's in August for our monthly gathering. We went on a Tuesday night so the place wasn't very crowded and they had plenty of room for the 10 of us (we always make reservations just in case). The food was amazing! The Turkey Dinner Platter was delicious and came with the best whipped sweet potatoes I've ever had. A few of us had the Tur-duck-en Burger and to quote our crew, Tur-duck-en Burger = non red meat heaven. If you're looking for a hearty meal that reminds you of being home for the holidays, these are your two options. Other than the Thanksgiving themed meals, we also recommend the Fish Tacos (crispiest breading in town), the wings, and the chili. My only complaint is that they were out of cornbread for the chili, which was the only reason I ordered it. They did tell me they were out before they served it, but they proceeded to bring it out with a side of saltine crackers. Really? Saltine crackers? At least throw me a roll or something. Apart from that little disappointment, the experience here was superb and we would recommend Smokin' Betty's to anyone looking for a great menu with lots of variety.
(4)Sarah K.
Went here for lunch with a large group. Seems that this place is meant for small groups but we were able to get seated since the place was not as busy. Our server (girl who works at the bar) was friendly, therefore the service was awesome. I ordered the betty burger and the taste was amazing. The burger was cooked just how I like it and all of the toppings make the price worth it. My only problem was that the bun were small and the bottom was soaked in juice. So it was very very messy to eat. Also one thing to note was that even though our server was friendly, I wish she came around to check on us at least to make sure our drinks were filled. I would recommend this place as the food (the fries, OMG the fries) was tasty and the prices are reasonable.
(4)Chloe T.
I'm a little surprised by the mixed reviews here! Went here with a group of 7 or so for my friend's bachelorette weekend in Philly, and we were extremely satisfied with the food, drinks and service. I got the biscuits and gravy, which were amazingly hearty - enough so that I only ate about half my portion. Of course, that might be because we started with the nutella french toast for the table. That was a dish worth every single calorie and a perfect start to our brunch. My friend next to me got the cobb salad, which I scoffed at, and then took a bite of. Holy crap, that was a delicious cobb salad. Jampacked with all sorts of good stuff. Our waitress was friendly and more than happy to take a few brunch group photos while we posed with our mimosas. And the price could not be beat!
(4)Margo v.
A very nice ambiance. Here for dinner prior to going to the Walnut to see Elf. Service good. Very interesting menu, but results were under-whelming. I had the special, Pork oso bucco with a basalmic reduction over polenta. The polenta delicious, the gravy delicious but sparse. The pork dry and not too much flavor. Companion had Turducken Hamburger. Meh. Another had macaroni and cheese. Flavor good, noodles mushy. Desert delicious. Bread pudding, yum. All in all, the food was a disappointment. Prices are very reasonable, but I'd rather have better food.
(2)Tom C.
We were there Saturday early evening on 1/18/2014 and I thought it was very good and I would definitely go back. Pros: - parking is very easy/accessible - got the burger with fried egg and it was very filling, loved the fried egg, sweet potato fries were good - beer selection and prices were good, about $18 PP total for dinner - LOCATION/AREA seems very safe - cheesesteak egg roll appetizer were very good Cons: - bathrooms were unique, but clean and they worked so no real complaints
(4)Nicole L.
Came here during for a coworker's going-away drinks sendoff earlier this week. Two levels of bars and comfy couch seating, combined with an absurdly cheap happy hour menu for food and drinks? Win. The experience was slightly marred by the fact that my seasonal sangria tasted fairly watered down, and there were flies flitting around our table the entire time. Granted, our waiter was hugely attentive to our large party and dealt with the eccentrics very well, and my grilled pizza was deliciously filling. Overall it was a decent experience, and hopefully I'll make it back to Smokin' Betty's for another round in the future.
(3)Evelyn G.
Good sliders
(3)Clint W.
So, here's the skinny. I think Smokin' Betty's is a victim of some mixed advertising. Some of the reviews below, by self-titled foodies and snobs, sound as if they were expecting a gourmet experience in Center City. I realize that this place markets itself as a barbecue place, but as a former North Carolina resident and all-around bbq lover, I try not to judge a place based on its barbecue (especially north of the Mason-Dixon). No offense intended, Yanks. However, give this place a shot. Smokin' Betty's gave me the single best buffalo chicken sandwich I have ever eaten. Real strips of fried chicken doused in buffalo sauce then with ranch pouring out between toasted buns. Not for the faint of heart, my friends. They can customize spice-level and are very flexible with most menu items. The drinks are decent, but nothing to write home about. I had a hot cider with caramel vodka, which was fine, but probably not worth the price. The service is great, the vibe is fun but nothing too original unfortunately. It's a competitive business, designing a restaurant. The Vetri's and the Vez's will always take the awards, but Smokin' Betty's is nice enough. Just let the food do the talking, and apparently, the bbq isn't the highlight. I'll try it next time and give an update - for all my invested readers (joke). The customers of Betty's is something strange, a balance betwen suits on their lunch break and sleeve-tattooed bike delivery agents, all stopping in for a quick sandwich. The music reflects the amalgamation, alternating in a bi-polar fashion between soft rock and mellow house music. All around, the aesthetic isn't what draws a crowd. It's the niche foodstuffs: the buffalo chicken and other lunch-menu favorites. It's not an entree place, in my opinion, so go grab a casual, good meal. Might be a nice, casual date place as well.
(4)Steve S.
I had been here many times to drink, but never ate. Finally went for a business lunch and was pleasantly surprised. I had chicken noodle soup and a pulled chicken sandwich. Both were excellent. I would highly recommend it for lunch.
(4)Amanda F.
I stumbled into this restaurant on a very stormy day while visiting Philadelphia from San Francisco. First of all, as a California girl, I've never been in a storm like you guys have on the east coast, so bravo for dealing with those. Anyway, my boyfriend and I decided to have brunch and spend the afternoon there and wait it out. The restaurant is very well styled with great ambiance. There are cute vintage couches, christmas lights, dark walls and exposed brick. It has a very cozy feeling, plus the 40's music in the background made it very dreamy. The food we ordered was excellent - peaches and cream stuffed french toast, and breakfast flatbread pizza with scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese. I thought they were innovative twists on traditional brunch fare, and executed beautifully. The french toast in particular was sumptuous: creamy and fruity and cinnamon-y. The brunch drinks also had a different twist to them - instead of the traditional bloody mary's and mimosas, they had Mommy's Orange Juice (which is amaretto plus orange - which I wasn't sure would go well together, but amazingly it worked). There were also several other delicious innovative brunch drinks - of which I had many. We finished our afternoon with a slice of cheesecake before braving the conditions outside again. I will definitely go back to Smokin' Betty's the next time I'm in Philadelphia. And I will definitely check the weather the next time as well.
(5)Phil M.
Went there last Saturday with friends. Everyone enjoyed their food. I went old school and ordered the Turkey Platter dinner. Service was fine, drinks decent and we liked the atmosphere. Prices were reasonable too. The one negative comment I have is that our table was really sticky! The waiter wiped it clean but it stayed sticky. Guess that's what happens after years of BBQ sauce.
(3)Erin W.
Came here over the weekend with a group of about 8 as it was the only place in the area that could accommodate a reservation for a group our size on a busy Saturday night. This should have been the first indication that we weren't in for a stellar time. First of all, I feel like this place is suffering from a major identity crisis. Are you a barbecue joint? Or an industrial-themed burgers and beer place? Why do you offer mussels as well as racks of ribs? Never one to shy away from a plate of mussels if available, boyfriend and I took the leap and ordered them. And they honestly weren't bad, but their place on the menu just seemed weird. There were more salads and burgers than barbecue options. I was confused from the moment we sat down, but I had plenty of time to mull things over; it took over an hour for our appetizers to arrive at the table, and another 30 minutes for our entrees. Now, I understand that on a Saturday night with a party our size, things can be slow. But the place was not packed to the gills, and several times during the wait, different servers came over with food that wasn't intended for us but for another table in what I can only guess was some sort of plan to torture us. "Who had this delicious looking plate of hot food...JUST KIDDING, NOT FOR YOU!" Everyone else's food was coming out in a timely matter, just not ours. Nor were our drinks. Luckily, my company for the evening were a lot of people who live out of town, so it provided us AMPLE time to catch up. The second offense came when a few of us tried to order a side of cornbread with our entrees, only to find out they were out cornbread, corn pie, and any other corn related corn products. This leads me to believe that even Smokin' Betty's doesn't know what it is, because no respectable barbecue place ever runs out of cornbread at 9pm on a Saturday night. It's in the constitution, look it up. The third offense is pretty ridiculous but I'm going to throw it out there anyway: the bathrooms are annoying. The toilets are in their own rooms and the sinks are in a communal spot outside of them, which would be fine except that out of the 2, one was broken and the other one had the spigot so low on the counter your hands actually touch the bottom of the sink when you're washing them off. Not hygienic in the slightest. All in all, the meal wasn't memorable, and no one at the table was raving about their food, even though we were all ravenous by the time it got to us. I'm bummed to have to be so negative about this place, because I had such high hopes. I'm guessing we caught this place on an off-night, but it was enough to turn me off. Plus, it's on the opposite side of the city. I can't say I'll make the trip back just for this place.
(2)Chris W.
This is a great place to hold private events. There are multiple areas upstairs they have dedicated for different functions I have attended on weekdays post work hours. From what I understand, they will work closely to help set up drink specials for an extended period of time while bringing out delicious appetizers whenever requested. My only complaint if the food in general runs on the heavy side but I guess that should be expected for this kind of joint. I have done happy hour here also and enjoyed the open feel that surrounds the upstairs bar. As for the food, both the BBQ wings and dry rub wings are can't miss for wings fans. They come with macaroni salad which is an afterthought of this meat. BBQ chicken pizza is nothing special (too cheesy IMO). The quesadillas are nicely balanced and have some kick to them. I've had the brisket sandwich at lunch also which is finger licking good BBQ, make sure to add on fries for a buck. A true staple of the Market East section of Philly, give it a shot.
(4)Michelle P.
My friend was in town and staying near the convention center so we planned to meet up for dinner/happy hour. I wanted to select a place that was both close to the convention center and had an all around good happy hour with both food and drink specials. I had been to Smokin' Betty's before for Sips so they came to mind as a good choice. As with normal Sips fashion, it had been packed the last time I was there. Yesterday it had a nice crowd but nothing too overwhelming. We arrived a little before 6:00 and were told we can sit at a table and still get the happy hour specials. Score! It is nice sometimes not having to cram around the bar. I already had some idea that I wanted to try the pizza of the day. When I found out it was buffalo chicken, the deal was sealed. Both my husband and I had the craft beer of the day to drink. I honestly forget what i was, but it was $3 and pleasant. My friend had the grilled chicken salad and the cheesesteak egg rolls and my husband had the slider combo. We all enjoyed our meals. Nothing really to rave about, but it totally hit the spot at the time. In hind site, I probably should have ordered 2 appetizers because I was hungry later in the evening, but it was still a decent sized happy hour pizza. The service was so-so. Attentive and friendly enough. We did ask our server for two separate checks but he forgot about it. My only real complaint was the little flies circling the dining room. I believe they were just fruit flies- the typical, unavoidable summer type. I didn't see any in the food and nothing bit me but they did fly by every so often. I think that just happens on hot days when the doors are open. Smokin' Betty's fit the bill for a happy hour spot with good food and drink specials.
(3)Moe W.
Honestly, the atmosphere of the place was great. The service was great. The food was ok. The salmon was swimming in barbecue sauce. The broccoli rab was over garlicky. The cole slaw was soupy...
(2)Adam S.
Betty Burger is unreal. Pork belly, a huge beef patty, a fried egg, lettuce, tomato and avocado... Had to eat with a fork and knife because it was so huge. Delicious. Fries were great as well. There was an issue with our reservation being for 4 instead of 5 but they quickly and without any fuss made a table for 5 for us. Definitely will be back for another colossal burger.
(4)Roberta M.
We ate here last night before going to the theatre. I made a reservation using Open Table - and guess what, the restaurant gave us a10% discount because I mentioned this was pre-theatre. Who know and how nice. We had burgers which were amazing- and cooked to our specifications. The toppings were generous and we loved every mouthful. We shared a wedge salad first - it was 1/2 head of letteuse- enough for the 4 of us. The service was courteous and prompt and all the other main courses being served around us looked fabulous. We would definitely come here again. Very moderately priced too.
(4)Courtney J.
I went here for happy hour with a few co-workers. We actually arrived about 20 minutes before five, so I ordered my first drink off the regular menu. I choose The Root of all Evil ($9) because it contained root liquor which I'd been wanting to try for a long time. It arrived in a martini glass, and the taste reminded me of this orange monster brand Frankenstein candy I used to get on Halloween as a kid. That was a positive thing, so I enjoyed the cocktail. Then things started to take a downturn. We started ordering off the happy hour menu. I had sangria, which had no fruit in it what-so-ever other than a slice of apple for garnish. This was a big disappointment. It didn't taste fruity at all. My friend ordered wings with barbeque sauce. I tasted the sauce, and it was so sweet and almost candy-like and ketchupy which is not how I like my barbeque sauce at all. At that point I knew I'd better stay away from the barbeque even though this was supposedly a barbeque joint. I then made the mistake of ordering another drink off the happy hour menu, the berry lemonade cocktail. It was overly sweet and cloying. It tasted like minute maid lemonade with strawberry flavored syrup. Usually drinks taste better the more you drink because you start to feel the effects of the alcohol. That was not the case here, as I became more and more disappointed with each drink. Dinner was the biggest disappointment of the night. There were mussels with a Thai curry sauce on special. I didn't want anything sweet, so I thought spicy might be the way to go. Big mistake... The mussels were tough, dry, and had pieces of shell and grit in them. The sauce tasted like packaged red Thai curry paste with maybe a teaspoon of coconut milk and then a lot of water. Ick! It came with four huge pieces of toast that were a little burnt on the edges. One of my co-workers ordered the risotto. It was so bland that she just pushed it aside and started eating her husband's meal instead (fish and chips). I feel like this place has an identity crisis. They are supposed to be a barbeque joint, but what I tasted of that wasn't so good, or was anything else other than my first cocktail. Smokin' Betty's menu has a large range of items on it, too large in fact. I would much rather them do one thing, and do it right. I lived in Memphis for five years, so to be honest it's pretty hard to impress me with barbeque. However, none of Smokin' Betty's offerings were anything I'd come back for. The service was also a mess. Four times we were brought other tables' food. Four times! I understand mistakes happen, but this is just ridiculous. I left agitated, hungry, and with a lot less money in my wallet.
(1)Kevin S.
I had a lot of fun at Smokin' Betty's! Its got a great atmosphere, the service was fantastic. They had a great selection of beers, always a plus in my book. I loved the huge chalkboard menus! The bathrooms were clean and inviting. I didn't eat here, just a few drinks one evening. However, I am left with nothing negative to say! I'm looking forward to having some lunch here one afternoon!
(4)Bruce B.
I never knew it was so hard to have a decent lunch on Saturdays in Center City these days. I was in town with a fellow Colonel, and everywhere we went, was closed for lunch. After trying about a half dozen places, we came upon an open Smokin' Betty's. First of all I would like to say that it is the most un-barbeque looking Joint I've ever been to, But that's not important to me- the food is. We were seated in a dining room full of hungry hipsters. The server came over and gave us menus and asked if we would like a drink. It was brunch time so we both ordered a mimosa. I ordered a cup of chili and the barbecue slider sampler, which was three types of barbecue on a small bun. The chili came out first and it was ice cold. Then there was something wrong with my friends drink. Plus he forgot the bread and butter. But to their credit everything was replaced,not reheated and so on. My new bowl of chili was absolutely delicious! Full of Chunks of meat and lots of vegetables and a nice spicy flavor. the barbecue sliders consisted of pulled barbecue chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket. The brisket was the best, very flavorful and tender, the pulled barbecue pork was delicious with a mustard based barbecue sauce. the pulled barbecue chicken was dead last and not worth mentioning. They all were served on a miniature hamburger bun that reminded me of Wonder Bread. A toasted Brioche bun would make this dish really pop. the dish also came with homemade coleslaw and corn bread, both were very very tasty. I felt lucky because my friend didn't like anything she ordered. Considering that with the service snafus, brought it down to three stars for me. Shame, A couple of changes here there and Betty's could really be smokin' hot!
(3)Hesham A.
Just moved to Philly, and a buddy and I needed to take a break. We walked a couple blocks from my apt and ran into this place. It was a Wed evening and had a ton of people there. We only had to wait about 15 min for a table. I had fish taco's and some sweet potato fries, my friend had some ribs and some drinks. It was all pretty delicious. Great location, atmosphere, and very friendly staff. Will be back.
(4)Ashley S.
I was really excited to come here for happy hour a few Fridays ago because I've heard such great things, and Smokin Bettys did not disappoint. My group of friends and I came hungry, so we made sure to order food off the happy hour menu. My boyfriend and I had veggie quesadillas, which were flavorful but a little greasy; unfortunately, they also didn't quite fill me up. My friends got the wings and cheesesteak eggroll and thought both were great, but again they received smaller portions than they were hoping for. Our main draw was the drinks, though. Each of us had a cocktail then moved on to beer. I started with the Berry Lemonade, which tasted great. I think it was strong, but I couldn't tell because the sweetness masked the alcohol. I tried my friend's sangria, and I felt like it tasted a little too much like juice for my liking, but it was definitely drinkable. The best part was the cheap beer! They had an awesome IPA as their $3 special for the night, and Yeunglings were only $2. This is definitely a great place to start off a night with cheap drinks and some tasty snacks.
(4)Margaret Z.
My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while wandering Center City, and were encouraged to stop in due to the nice atmosphere and good variety on the menu. It was a beautiful day outside, and the cafe had opened up its doors to provide for an enclosed/half-open dining experience... the breeze was lovely, but I appreciated being out of the midday sun. The menu boasts offerings from sandwiches to fish tacos to salads to burgers, with extremely reasonable prices in the $10 to $15 range. The sandwiches and burgers come with a side of fries. I opted for the mahi mahi fish tacos while the boy went for a chicken rabe (basically chicken breast + roasted veggies and melted cheese on a french baguette). The portions here are BIG, but not overwhelming. My fish tacos tasted extremely fresh and the fish, though not heavily seasoned, was complemented perfectly by the sauce and mango/corn/black bean salsa on the side. The guac was also a great addition. I got 3 overflowing tacos for ~$14. The boy's sandwich was also tasty -- the roasted peppers were done perfectly, and none of the flavors were too overpowering, yet still delicious enough to clean off the plate. You definitely leave feeling full, but not the gross kind of full you get from stuffing your face with fast food. It's obvious that the ingredients used here are top notch... and the service is great too! Extremely friendly and very prompt/attentive. I'm really glad we found this place by chance, and I would definitely come by again if in the area.
(4)Katrina C.
I've been here many times, but here are my thoughts: 1. Good drinks and beer selections. Great happy hour specials! ($2 lager, a $3 featured beer - it was a Sly Fox last night, $4 wine, $5 cocktails - last night was a lemonade and sangria. Plus, there's some app specials). 2. They take reservations and seem pretty flexible, willing to work with groups. 3. 2 floors, small bar downstairs with dining room; bigger bar with a bigger dining room upstairs 4. Food here is solid. I love love love the grilled chicken sandwich - sharp provolone, broccoli rabe, pesto mayo, roasted red peppers. Their grilled cheese is awesome too. So is the turkey reuben (pro tip - get it with cole slaw instead of sauerkraut). Fries or salad is $1 extra - but the sandwiches are like $8 or $9, so add the dollar. They come with an awesome pickle too. (love pickles). They have BBQ, but I've never had it.
(4)Elva L.
We stopped in yesterday for a margarita fix. The margarita was just okay. I was really craving a blended one, but they only serve it on the rocks. We stumbled on a delightful discovery with the sangria pitcher. It was fantastic. The sangria was almost deceptively fizzy, fruity and light. It had a high alcohol content (with Chablis, vodka AND peach brandy) but you wouldn't know it from how airy and sweet it was. I can definitely see myself sipping on this throughout the oncoming summer. It looks like they have an inexpensive happy hour too with 2 and 3 dollar drafts as well as game specials. I'm excited to go back and try their food. It wasn't the right time when we did happen in, but studying the menu certainly seeded a barbecue craving. I saw someone's sandwich go by, and though I've my heart set on trying the roasted beet and goat cheese salad as well as their barbecue, it did look quite good. * Service was a little slow but I wouldn't hold that against them on a big drinking holiday. There's also outdoor seating and I'm thinking the pup might want to come along for the barbecue.
(4)Evan F.
I was treated to Smokin' Betty's on Thursday (during Center City Sips) and was all-around pleased with the experience. We arrived at 5:00 to the barely-filled restaurant and were seated promptly by a really nice hostess. Within a minute or two, our server stopped by with some water and explained the restaurant's "Sips" promotions (where various drinks / appetizers / meals are severely discounted). Their decent selection of unique mixed drinks ranged from $3 to $8 dollars, and the appetizers were discounted as well. I highly recommend trying the Hummus- it's a creamy dish served with delicious pita chips but beware that the serving size could be eaten by one person alone. Little time passed after ordering each drink / appetizer and our server was courteous and checked in numerous times (but wasn't pesky). One of the food runners, however, basically threw our appetizer at our table and walked away without acknowlegding us or saying a word. Awkward on his part. While we sampled the Berry Lemonade and Hummus, I would like to return to try some of the delicious meals that I'm sure this place serves up. Oh, and Sips can be annoying because of all of the 20/30 year olds that crowd into the joint, but this annoyance is easily disregarded by the great discounts on the offerings. I'll be back :)
(5)Victoria L.
Went here during restaurant week and was sorely disappointed, especially since I've heard such amazing things about them. I ordered their pumpkin tiramisu, and I think they made it with something spoiled because it was sour.
(2)Lauren G.
I really like this place. As a veggie burger connoisseur, I have to say theirs is one of the best in Philly. I honestly have never gotten anything else off the menu, and I've probably been here five or six times. During SIPS they had good drinks, and the atmosphere is nice. There's a lot maybe a block away on Sansom if you can't find street parking.
(4)Kwazi H.
It was ok. I had the ribs with a "spicy dry rub" . The ribs were cooked well, falling of the bone, but the weren't seasoned. I ended up dumping bbq sauce on them so they tasted Like something. My sides were broccoli rabe which also had no seasoning and wasn't cooked enough for bbq, coleslaw that was so fine it might as well be porridge and baked beans that stood on their own as the best item on the plate. Service was extremely slow. Not out serve but the food coming out.
(2)Alie A.
I finally made it here for Sunday brunch. The place was far less crowded than I would have imagined, so it's definitely a good place to take a group. The upstairs area would be ideal to rent out for an event. I had the breakfast sandwich with scrambled eggs, avocado, sriracha and sausage piled on top of cheddar focaccia. Large servings for a reasonable price. They need help in the Bloody Mary department, but I am kind of a snob when it comes to that. The service seemed slow and sporadic, which was surprising since they weren't crowded. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would. A solid brunch spot overall.
(3)Anna H.
We were out looking for a place to grab a quick bite during Happy Hour. We happily found Smokin' Betty's. Great Happy Hour food selection, and good drink selection as well. Christopher our bartender was very busy, but also very helpful. He even took the time to write down a website for our to find things to do while we were in town. The food was good. I enjoyed the grilled, flatbread, buffalo wing pizza, and the veggie quesadilla. They had a great selection of craft beers, and made an excellent martini.
(4)Jeanette S.
I come here from time to time for happy hour. I had positive service from the waitstaff and bartenders, both upstairs and down. Great specials, great beer, great sangria, and above all else for me- GREAT WINGS.
(4)Dan M.
This place rocks. Great bar upstairs. The food is awesome and the service is excellent. Definitely worth a visit anytime you're in Philly.
(4)Nora B.
Had dinner there last night before heading to the theater. Ordered the BBQ sliders. The pork slider was moist and delicious, the others slightly dryer but very good as well. The cole slaw was outstanding! It seemed like they added a little caraway. Haven't had better. The only issue was with the white peach sangria. The sangria has a nice crisp taste but it was served in a small rocks glass, so it was like two shots of a drink. Sadly, not worth it.
(4)Joanna H.
I was contemplating b/w 2 or 3 stars, but I'm giving 2 because it takes forever to get a waitress or anyone who works there to come over. After we ordered and got our first dish-cheesesteak eggrolls for the appetizer-and we realized we still didntt have our silverware sets and plates. We waited 5minutes to get someone's attention. We got the Betty's burger and BBQ sandwich w/ pulled pork. The pulled pork was very tender, but both entrees didn't wow me at all. They were just plain burgers that you can get anywhere else. The atmosphere is adequate to come w/ a big party or even just a friend or family. It's great to chill w/ a glass of beer and munch on your dish but don't get ready to be amazed by anything particular cuz there's nothing particularly special here.
(2)Alicia O.
I tried to schedule my birthday dinner this year at another restaurant, but I was told by the other restaurant that parties over eight people must order their family style dinner which was $32/person. I didn't want my friends spending $32 for my birthday dinner, so I ended up cancelling at the other restaurant and made reservations at Smokin' Betty's instead. It ended up being a good decision! This place is great for large groups. I think we were one of the three birthday parties going on that night. My friends all loved the bbq and burgers and we all left pretty happy and full. I was also happy with their house beer--Smokin' Betty Blonde. It reminded me of a lighter version of Blue Moon. I ended up having a couple of those. Really loved it.
(4)gavin s.
Went with a group of seven to Betty's last night for a pre-partying meal. Had high hopes for this place, I had driven by many times and thought the building looked very cool. Inside it was pretty neat, exposed brick and a lot of wood. We sat upstairs where it seams to be the main restaurant area, the downstairs had the kitchen about 10 tables and a small event space that seemed to be rented out. It was cold upstairs and the girls didn't want to take their jackets off. Our waitress was nice and fairly attentive. We ordered drinks and a $38 bottle of sav blanc that was not good. I had my typical belvedere dirty martini, it was too dirty and tasted watered down. The others in our group had similar comments about their drinks. We ordered our food, most of us ordering burgers, which some wanted to omit the egg on theirs, which the waitress replied "we don't make changes to our Betty". We got the apps, cheese steak egg rolls, which were pretty good. The burgers came, and looked pretty good. I found my burger cooked to right temperature, but it was under seasoned, and I kept getting chunks of hard cartilage which was gross. The fries were lame, old and soggy. We couldn't wait to get out of there at this point. While it wasn't the worst experience I've ever had, there's many other restaurants right in the vicinity that are much better. I won't be returning.
(2)Robert B.
Simply awesome BBQ, best I have had in the city hands down. On top of that, it is affordable. You can't beat it. $16 for chix and ribs combo. Great sauce and cooked perfect. Waitress could have been more friendly, but the food more than made up for that. Will be back
(5)Rita C.
I was really excited to check out Smokin' Betty's after sampling their wings and ribs at the Summer Ale Fest at the zoo in back in July. The restaurant has a pretty cool set up and seems really chill and laid back - my kind of place. They had several good beers on tap, including one called Dragon's Milk, which I just couldn't resist. (What a cool name for a beer!) Apparently, there's a really good happy hour at Smokin' Betty's but I went on a Wednesday and there was no sign of happy hour anywhere (the board actually said Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri.). I'm not sure what that's about, but I'd go back to check it out sometime. For an appetizer, we ordered the mac & cheese. To me, it just tasted like buttered noodles - not enough cheese = not enough love. Very sad. For entrees, I got the spicy dry rub ribs (with corn bread and coleslaw) and the BF got the buffalo chicken sandwich. The ribs were fall off the bone and cooked beautifully, but the dry rub didn't have any flavor whatsoever. Where's the spicy? I was hoping this would taste something like what I had at the zoo, but it just wasn't there. On the flip side, the cornbread muffins (with jalapeno butter) and coleslaw were both really good. I'd probably go back again to try the ribs with the BBQ sauce. The buffalo chicken sandwich was unlike one I've never seen - it was huge! The sauce was good, it wasn't over bleu-cheesed. It was really good. I'd recommend that to all my chicken lovers out there. All-in-all, Smokin' Betty's seems like a cool place, but my food experience wasn't exactly the best. I must admit that I liked the decor inside, the beer list, and the service enough to give it another chance. Hopefully, I'm not disappointed!
(3)Elle W.
I went to smokin Betty's this past Sunday for brunch. The server highly recommended the crab cake Benedict so that is what I went with. It was supposed to come with Siracha hollandaise sauce but when my food arrived the server said sorry it's just regular hollandaise. No explanation. The crab cakes were terrible!! I could not eat them bc the salt was so intense my tongue was tingling. I pushed them to the side and ate the eggs and biscuits. A couple bites in I found two large egg shells in my food which I also pushed to the side. After the meal I told my server about the shells. She apologized and told me she would let them know. Great thanks lady. She never asked me if there was anything wrong with my crab cakes. Nor did she address that I could have gotten salmonella poisoning from the egg shells bc that is where it breeds!! Come on. She never took any money off my bill and just let me know with the return of my credit card that she was thankful for my complaints. In sum, this place is kinda crummy and has really nothing to offer. Not to mention there were only like 5 people in the whole restaurant for brunch on a Sunday!
(1)Emily G.
This place is awesome! The atmosphere is great, staff is great, and food was amazing! We ordered the Black Angus Beef Cheesesteak Eggrolls came out piping hot and tasted amazing! The California Turkey sandwich was dripping with avocado (I absolutely love avocado) and was a great blend of flavors. And the 1/2 Pound Sirloin Angus Burger (with caramelized onions for a little more) was fantastic! (I didn't have a bite of this, but I did eat half of the amazing fries that came out with the burger). Our waitress was friendly, and approachable! All in all a great experience!
(4)Maria D.
Went here for dinner and ordered the angus burger medium rare. Burger was cooked as requested, but was pretty standard. It could have used some mayo or aioli. The fries were delicious. BF ordered the flame grilled chicken and LOVED it. The bbq sauce was pretty darn good.
(4)Rizwan A.
This place has a lot of potential, I really liked the vibe here, the decor and design of the whole place are pretty cool and although you don't know what to expect when you're walking into a place called "smokin betty's," once you're inside, you feel like they really nailed it. It's a mix between a diner and an old school saloon, so I was excited to eat here. Sadly, the food just doesn't deliver. They had a couple of cool options on the menu like fish tacos and sliders (automatic win in my book) but they didn't really have a lot of ingredients and they just didn't taste all that impressive either. The food wasn't bland all together, but they just seemed to be using the bare minimum ingredients. Even the preparation was a little tired looking and just could have been way better. Service was still decent and I'm sure they're doing much better on the bar end than the restaurant end. They're usually pretty empty during lunch and really only seem to get any business during happy hour. I want to like this place, so I'll probably give them another chance in the future.
(3)Olivia J.
Avocadoes and fried eggs on a burger?!? I knew Smokin' Betty's was known for their Tur-Duk-en Burger, i.e. a Thanksgiving meal packed into a burger, but as an egg/avocado foodie, I HAD to try their Betty Burger. To be honest, it wasn't amazing - it was just OK. First of all, it was too big so I couldn't fit it into my mouth at once, so I didn't get to taste the flavor of everything at one time. Second, the sirloin and pork belly together tasted too salty. Third, the saltiness cancelled out the tastes of egg/avocado. I don't know, I guess their selection of burgers is creative, but the taste is aiight.
(3)Brett A.
Good beer selection and reasonably priced, considering the location. Ordered the Smokin' Betty burger and it was a sloppy, delicious mess. Very enjoyable food and great overall exeprience.
(5)Uzoma N.
This is a cool place to chill. They have great beers on tap but not a wide selection of beers. The food was ok I got the signature Betty burger and it was very dry and didn't have much flavor. Not a lot of desert options so didn't get any.
(2)Dana B.
While I can't yet vouch for the quality of the food, I attended a Purim event (kind of like the Jewish version of Halloween) hosted by Philly Spectrum in Smokin' Betty's upstairs lounge area that included drag, burlesque, and bellydancing, with easy access to the bar. The bartending staff was friendly, the drinks were well-crafted, and the environment was fun, lively, and upbeat. There were just enough seats in the performance area for everyone to enjoy the show, which was then cleared out for the dance party that followed. I definitely hope to return and try some of the items on their food menu!
(4)Michael G.
Came here last night with a large group of coworkers. The place was packed when we got there and because an even bigger party upstairs was not out yet for our reserved time, we were asked to go to the bar. The bar was not meant for a group our size (12) when it was already packed. However, we made it work, and finally went upstairs. It seemed even more packed when we were seated, and the biggest problem of the night was service. However, it was not because of the servers being idiots. There were only two working upstairs, and one bartender. Bad planning on the Manager's job scheduling! Bonnie, our main server, did her very best to keep everything moving along nicely, but you could tell she was a bit frazzled. The drink of the nght was the Mrs. Daly - citrus vodka, sweet tea vodka, iced tea and lemonade. The food ranged from sliders (2 of 3 were really good - brisket and pork. Chicken not that good), to burgers - no complaints, to grilled cheese (we had no kids - what's up with that order "manly" coworkers?), riblets which were tasty, and everyone had a good time. The bill came to about $280 for everything, and I appreciated that although they say the tip would be automatic on it of 18%, it was not added on the bill. This is good, because Bonnie got a better tip that way. She was really trying hard to do us well!
(3)Greg L.
The family and I took the train down to Market East and made the easy 10 minute walk to Smokin' Betty's one Friday evening. This is a 2-story restaurant and at 6:30 PM, the place was fairly packed. We were seated upstairs, where there is also a bar area, which had a number of people around it. It was a beautiful night, so they had all the windows open, which provided for a nice breeze throughout the restaurant. Food was good, but it wasn't my favorite BBQ by any means. I had the chicken, which was very juicy and the meat just fell off the bone. My wife had the brisket, but she said it didn't have the smoky flavor that she prefers. There is a kids meal, and my boys had the chicken fingers, but it was a bit too crunch for their liking. The homemade ice cream and the Nutella roll we had for desert were absolutely delicious! Service was just OK. We had to remind our waitress to bring us straws and extra napkins and I felt she could have been a little quicker to respond to things and she should have checked back a bit more often to see how we were doing. The real problem was the noise level. It was so noisy, that it was very difficult to carry on a conversation during dinner. All in all, the dinner was OK, but it's probably not a place I would crave to go back to.
(3)Shereen C.
Was here last year for happy hour and the bar food was so-so but not great. A lot of it sounds like it'd be tasty in theory, but the execution was off. Wings are not that great - could be juicier, tastier. I wouldn't recommend the cheesesteak egg rolls. Bad combo, with skimpy overcooked filling. Worse than any cheesesteak I've had, and worse than any eggroll I've had. The space is attractive and comfortable. Service is fine.
(2)Caitlin O.
We LOVE Smokin' Betty's!!!! Last night we threw a 20-person surprise dinner party for my boyfriend Dave's 30th birthday. Emily & the SB staff did everything for us from letting people bring noisemakers & rip shots to setting up a fake reservation so the surprise wasn't ruined when Dave & I got there. They were ridiculously helpful, professional & patient with my million questions. Incredible food with a wide variety of menu options for small parties & an even better staff. HIGHLY recommended for big dinners in Philly! Thanks for making his 30th so great!
(5)Beth B.
Smokin' Betty's is smokin' hot!!!!! Go here for AMAZING comfort food, creative cocktails, and an awesome draft beer list. Dave and I shared the BBQ style Riblets to enjoy as appetizer with our beers. I am pretty sure these babies must have been the inspiration for the description "fall off the bone"... The meat was unbelievable. So juicy and flavorful. You don't even have to bite into them and get it all stuck between your teeth. Just perfect. For our dinner, Dave and I split the Chopped Cobb Salad & the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. The salad was not my favorite- at first when it arrived at our table in a GIANT glass bowl I was super excited. Lots of yummy ingredients too. The issue was the dressing- we chose the Balsamic which had no flavor whatsoever. While it was a great awesome big salad, it was lacking in flavor. The sandwich was AWESOME. I rarely allow myself to get chicken sandwiches when they're "crispy" or fried but I'm glad I agreed to split this one! The chicken was so good, crispy and juicy and flavorful. The sauce wasn't as spicy as I'd prefer but it was still very tasty. Blue cheese is ALWAYS my cherry ontop and in this case it was perfect. Can't wait to go back and try more!
(4)Donna D.
OMG what an awesome place.The Betty burger was divine and the bread pudding well that was right outta heaven!! We even went back to get more to take back to our room to eat later! Once again Yelp got this plce right!!
(5)Nicole H.
I went for Center City Sips. The crowd was kind of on the young side and I felt a little out of place (and I'm only in my early 30s). People were a little dressed up, having come from work. The Sips specials were pretty good, but the wait at the bar was long. I couldn't even get near the bar upstairs, so stuck to the one downstairs. For my first round, I was helped fairly quickly. For my second round, the bar was more crowded and I literally had to flag the bartender down after I'd waited for about 10 minutes. I got 2 drinks at once and left after that.
(3)Christopher D.
I'm only giving this one star because the menu looked absolutely delicious. We sat down and weren't greeted by anyone for 10 minutes. We ended up walking out. I can't begin to explain how annoying this is. We obviously left without eating. Really disappointing.
(1)Sue S.
Glad we found this place. Decor is very cute and has a vintage southern feel to it. Service was good. Food brought to us quickly and was quite tasty. Would definitely go there again.
(4)Paul G.
Went there tonight prior to a show. Had a 5:30 reservation. Was seated in the dining room to the left of the entry in front of glass doors. Now granted it was bitterly cold outside tonight so didn't expect the restaurant to be overly warm. However, definite chill by the doors. When asked to be seated at another table, of which there were at least 10, were given the option of sitting by the side entry door off of Samson which was even colder. Okay, got past the bad seating and surly attitude of host staff, had an attentive waiter, but was quite disappointed by the meal. Mac & cheese was terrible, basically cheese sauce poured over elbow noodles with toasted bread crumbs. Did not appear to be baked at all. Barely a step up from the blue box. Wine at $10 a glass were definitely smaller than average size, bbq sliders, while good, had way too much sauce. Will definitely not go back and would not recommend at all. Strangelove's in the same area is a much better option.
(2)Carol C.
Came here for a late night bite. We entered around 10pm on a Saturday and it was pretty empty. We ordered some appetizers, mini meals, dessert, and drinks. Their quesadilla and Mac and cheese were pretty bland, but their sweet potato fries were pretty good. Got fried Nutella with marshmallow and it came with a school of chocolate hazelnut ice cream, which was a bomb combo. Don't think I would come for a regular meal, but their nibbles are pretty good for some snacking and drinking.
(4)Rowena M.
I took a group of colleagues here for brunch right before we left Philly for a conference that we attended. Brunch had a small but impressive menu. It doesn't try to overwhelm you with so many choices but diverse enough to appeal to everyone's taste. The most amazing thing was the mascarpone banana french toast - we ordered one for the table to share and it disappeared in 2 seconds so we quickly ordered a second enough. Service was courteous but noncommittal. I also wonder about the level of commitment on the waiter's part when tip is a given due to the large group. The bathroom, as creative as it wants to be by being co-ed, is just gross. There's a reason why men should have a different washroom than women.
(3)Ray L.
Turducken burger? Yes please! I've been here for brunch twice and this place has great variety on the menu, including the aforementioned turducken burger! A handsome serving of turducken patty with stuffing and cranberry sauce. It was a ridiculous size and quite delicious to boot. I've also been here for happy hour after work on a few occasions and I really like this place a lot. Great service and on top of that it's not super crowded (I'm not a big fan of screaming across the table). Overall a pretty good option for either happy hour or Sunday brunch/lunch.
(4)Kiana S.
Great place! The food is great and the Resturant is super cozy. The brunch drink specials are great. We had the breakfast sandwich and the turkey club. Everything was great and reasonably priced. We ordered the sweet potato fries as well, the portions are big. The server was so friendly and staff was super attentive! I will definitely be coming back!
(4)Steve W.
The BBQ chicken came to the table, not just undercooked but bloody still on the inside. Since the outside had such a well done grilled look to it makes you wonder if its just painted on. Had it replaced with the dry rubbed ribs which were not under cooked and good. The interior is clean and modern looking. It was a nice evening, so they had the windows open to the street which was ok as long as the wind didn't blow the occasional city stench into the restaurant. Would have a much better experience on a different street. Even without the raw chicken experience it would be hard to give this place more than 3 stars.
(2)Arthur V.
Smokin' Betty's is a versatile restaurant that plays to its strengths. Great beer list, excellent sandwiches, and a variety of seating options. Works equally well as a place for a big group dinner or a bar to watch a game. Really nice in the summer when the big second floor windows are open.
(4)Susan H.
I was disappointed. The place is cute, the waitress was fine, and the menu looked delicious. My pork barbecue sandwich was dry until I asked for more sauce, but the meet was gamey tasting and not a standout at all. My husband had a delicious burger. The kids had mac and cheese - totally tasteless, like a cream sauce with no cheese - chicken fingers (fine but ordinary) and a hot dog declared to be "delicious." We waited fifteen minutes for our bill after the waitress said she would bring it right back. Prices are reasonable.
(2)Larry W.
1. We planned arriving in Philly around 6:00PM so were looking for something close to convention center and being BBQ, and Beer lovers the description was appealing the beer list was long and there were plenty of BBQ type dishes on menu. so we were happy to see Smokin Betty's close to hotel and booked for 7:30 PM on a Friday night. Arrived 15 minutes early, 7:15 PM and were told to cool heels at bar and come back at our reservation time and then they would "start looking" for seats. There are 2 bars there both were packed so we waited by the door, witnessed 3 or 4 parties seated ahead of us on walk in basis and no there were no big tips passed. At 7:30 after standing in front of podium presenting ourselves were actually seated promptly. 2. Ordered St Louis Ribs and Chicken with Rabe sandwich. Presentation was good, flavor bland I have had better ribs out of frozen food box??? Chicken sandwich not on type of bread that was advertised. For a place with Smokin in name food was well presented but lacking any hint of smoke. 3. After being insulted during seating process service was ok but not great, had to ask for flatware. 4. Be careful with beer selection, as well, portions are different for many selections but the sizes are noted in the smallest font I have ever seen on a menu. I ordered a pale ale and was brought a very small portion I genuinely felt ripped off. My wife ordered a stoudt that came in standard full size beer glass the type you would expect in a craft beer type bar. 5. The crowd was young and very loud even though there was no music, conversation impossible.
(2)Jan T.
We stopped into Smokin' Betty's on a business trip the other day and were pleasantly surprised. While the restaurant bills itself as barbeque, the decor is more hip and urban, with blackboards, warm colors, booths, and a surprising amount of metal on the walls. Not your usual bbq joint, but then this is the North and a fancy city. The beer menu here is extensive, offering microbrews from parts foreign and domestic, including several local Philly beers. Good selection overall. The menu is kind of interesting. There are only a very few barbeque dishes on there, albeit many dishes can have bbq sauce added. A colleague of mine and I both went with the Betty Burger, a huge but delicious concoction of 1/2 lb of beef, a piece of pork belly, avocado, cheese, and veggies, accompanied by either regular or sweet potato fries. Delicious but big, it serves to fill one up for a busy night ahead. Service was very good, with the only issue being that the restaurant was very warm (it being a 100+ degree day), so a bit more air con could have helped. Also, the fact that the specials board was half blocking the steps on the way down after dinner could be construed as a hazard or some form of sobriety test. Would visit again.
(4)Hiu Ting C.
I've been here many times and the food never disappoints. I'm a fan of the fish taco entree, it comes with black beans and rice but I don't care for either. The rice and beans seems to be undercooked and it's been consistent so I guess they do it on purpose. I also like their waldorf chicken salad sandwich...it is sooooo good. Their sweet potato fries and cheesesteak springrolls are amazing too. Drinks specials during happy hour is pretty decent. Go there.
(4)E. A.
Service was great. Prices are decent, especially considering the portion sizes. Location and decor are cool as well. What's lacking is a focus on food. It seems like the greasy basics like ribs and loaded burgers are the tastiest things here, but everything else is pretty middling. It's not hard to make fat taste good, so I can't really get on board with this place. Saturday night dinner and the place was mostly empty. Three of us ordered a few beers, the Betty burger, the po' boy special, a cobb salad, and a large mac & cheese. Mac & cheese was nothing to write home about. It's creamy with crunchy breadcrumbs on top. The dominant flavor was onion+black pepper, rather than cheese, or, say, macaroni. The cobb salad also lacked flavor. None of the individual ingredients were particularly tasty, and the dressing didn't have enough pep to bring it all together. The greens obviously came from a bagged salad mix, the avocado was underripe... meh. I love me a good cobb salad..this wasn't one. Betty burger looked crazy good...but then anything with pork belly and a fried egg on it looks good. Beware (or rejoice) the absolutely enormous portions. The large mac & cheese was enough for three adults to each have a helping or two. Oyster po' boy was the size of three or four normal sandwiches. So maybe share an entree, or go in with a healthy appetite, or just be prepared to carry home some leftovers.
(3)Grace F.
Always really delicious BBQ and the Mac N Cheese is A-mazing! The prices are great...I leave satisfied everytime. I would take off half a star b/c I have had better BBQ--but overall, just a delicious meal and a great place!
(5)Pira T.
I came here to try Turducken sandwich because I saw it on foodnetwork. It was very disappointing. Didn't taste good. and other food is just average for the price I paid for.
(2)Rick A.
I was pleasantly surprised when I ate at Smokin Betty's. The BBQ was great and so was the sauce. I am not sure if they make it themselves but it was a thin and sweet sauce which goes well on everything. It is the complete opposite of the bottled sauce you get in a store which is thicker than Ketchup. They also a a great selection of beers from all over the country so if you are a fan of meat and beer check this place out.
(5)Steph D.
I went here for restaurant week, and I was extremely impressed. During restaurant week, I usually expect really great food, just in tiny portions. The first course was one crabcake slider, which was ok, but what I was expecting. The second course was a butternut squash bisque with candied pumpkin seeds...Awesome! It was so good. For the main entree, I was really surprised. I ordered the beef short ribs, expecting a little turd of meat on the plate, and it came out with 2 huge steaks of it, plus delicious cheesy potatoes, and steamed broccoli. The dinner was enough for my next day's lunch and dinner. For dessert I had the maple peach cobbler and it was awesome.. Again, served me for two meals. Overall I was very pleased! Awesome hostess, waitress, bartender, and manager. The beer selection was great (though their 60-minute IPA only comes in 10oz, which I don't understand). Food was awesome and I definitely want to go back and try their regular menu.
(4)Katelyn I.
One of our favorite places to visit when my family comes into town, since they have "limited" palates, haha. It's a two story restaurant and there are bars on both floors. The staff is great and the food is good. Great barbeque and an excellent beer selection! Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Patrick B.
Executive Summary: Fun, sophisticated place with excellent beer selection. I was in town for a conference and looking for a place for something easy. Smokin' Betty's was right around the corner from my hotel. Very cool place. Minimalist but very chic interior and very comfortable. I always like to sample the local beers when I travel so I was pleased to see SB had eight or ten on tap. The bartender was helpful and made some excellent suggestions. Food was also very good. The cheesesteak eggrolls were terrific-not greasy at all and more flavor than the overrated cheesesteak hoagie I had elsewhere for lunch. I had the BBQ sliders for my entree; the meat was tender and the sauces were excellent. I will be back!
(5)Mitch S.
I've been to this place a few times before, and I always had a pretty positive experience. I typically get the slider trio, which comes with one pulled pork, one BBQ chicken and one BBQ beef sandwich. The meat is delicious and the buns are soft and bunny. They also have really really great chicken wings for an appetizer, which are char-grillicious. If it weren't for today's experience, this place would definitely get four stars. But today, they really screwed up! Instead of serving the meat on nice, soft, toasty buns, they accidentally served it on sponges that had been soaked in pork grease for about 10 minutes or so! I squeezed some of the grease out of the bun-sponge that was holding the pork and it literally covered the bottom of my plate with a pool of greasy goo. Even the bbq chicken sandwich "bun" was soaked through with grease. I had to eat quickly in order to finish because my stomach was rapidly taking a beating. On top of the grease sponge buns, my BBQ beef sandwich was actually half beef, HALF LARD! One half of the sandwich filling was simply an approximately 2x2in cuboid of fat, which they cleverly disguised with BBQ sauce. I am really not a picky eater, and I'm not normally grossed out at all by things that are too greasy or otherwise unhealthy. But this was beyond greasy. I felt like John Travolta's hair was in my mouth. I'm probably going to need to have a carotid endarterectomy in a few days simply because I finished this meal. And even beyond actually somewhat caring about my cardiovascular system, it's kind of hard to enjoy the meal because literally 3 bites in my stomach started feeling like someone was filling it with lead pellet. So, anyway, Smokin' Betty's overall is not a bad place. However, I will never ever go back because my body is actually traumatized from the experience I had there today. If you do go, please please please, for your own sake and that of your family, do not order the grease sandwiches.
(3)Kerry B.
I've been to smokin betty's a few times. Always enjoyed what i've eaten! The hotess was a bit rude, and it was FREEZING in the front room when the doors opened (and then wouldn't shut). Ask to sit somewhere else!
(4)erin o.
First visit was lunch with a woman whose opinion I really value. I noticed this place while it was being renovated, because they sure did put in a LOT of windows! Little did I know I only knew the half of it... A first glance at the menu online peaked my curiosity enough to suggest this for a Friday lunch date with said cool lady. Lunch happened at high noon on an extremely cold winter day, but even so, I expected more of a crowd. " Hopefully it's the economy and not the quality of the food/service," I thought to myself. We were greeted and seated quickly at an unsteady table upstairs. It was no match for 6 sugar packets and the napkin that was already doing duty under the table leg. Service staff was also attentive and pleasant. The food was less than I expected because I was very impressed by the skylight and the decor, which I considered to be minimalist but cool. I ordered the pulled porked BBQ sandwich, which admittedly has tough competition from what my brother in law makes at home, but it was a little dry and didn't have as robust a flavor as I might have hoped. Cool lady friend ordered the cobb salad, which looked decent. I was trying to be good and got a side salad, which wasn't remotely fresh or interesting. I'd go there again to try some of their other food and for happy hour. It is a nice open space and ADA accessible, so it possesses qualities I like in a happy hour bar.
(3)Zippy G.
Was visiting Philly with my daughter to check out colleges and needed a casual, vegetarian-friendly place within walking distance of our hotel, which had given us a list of nearby restaurants including Smokin' Betty's. I previewed the menu online and it seemed to be a good choice so we headed over. BOY am I glad we did -- great beer selection and a knowledgeable helpful bartender, Nick, who also happened to be our server. He was generous with recommendations but not at all pushy, and candidly said when something wasn't his favorite. When I asked about something that WAS his favorite, he was so generous with his praise that I had to order it, and I'm glad I did -- the buffalo chicken sandwich was the perfect combo of spicy, tangy, crunchy; every bit as delicious as Nick said it was! Daughter wasn't super-hungry and the kids' serving of mac 'n cheese was generous and hit the spot, but mine was so good I felt the need to spread the word! My only regret is that I was too full for dessert -- everything sounded fresh, creative and delicious and I'm sure I'll regret passing it up in an hour or so! I will definitely visit again, so you Philadelphians need to support this restaurant so it's still around the next time I come to town!
(5)Rachel S.
What a pleasant surprise! My friends and I went a few weeks ago for the first time to celebrate one of the gang's birthday and had such a great experience. The decor certainly wasn't what I expected from a BBQ joint, but it the upscale, chic appeal definitely added to our experience. The prices are very reasonable for the size and quality of the food (and drinks!). By the end of the night, our table was littered with sauce-soaked napkins as we all dug in and shared our delicious meal together. We sat on the 2nd floor which had lovely views of the city. Our server was very accommodating and managed a busy night very well. The one downside: awkward bathrooms. We tried so much on the menu and not one thing was disappointing. Yum!
(4)Sophia S.
I've been here for drinks and much enjoyed it. However, I was less impressed by a recent brunch visit. It felt like I was in a bar trying to do brunch--they didn't quite have it down. Things like continually running out of coffee (it happened 3 times and they were not packed, big faux pas), having a very small brunch menu, and underwhelming home fries tell me they're kinda half-assing brunch.
(3)Cat N.
Good atmosphere, decent food, but nothing to write home about. Party for ten on NCAA Saturday night. The bar had the game on (yay) and we were seated upstairs at a long table with a booth on one side, but it was comfortable. We waited a while for some rounds of drinks to come out, but the place was pretty busy so perhaps to be expected. Good beer selection and some fun mixed drinks. The portions were pretty enormous... half-chicken came with a ton of other food; the bowl of chili was enormous (topped with delicious and fresh guac and sour cream); side of flourless corn souffle was tiny but aweeeesome; the burger-eaters said they were decent, and the fish taco-eaters were very happy.
(2)Meg B.
Went to Smokin Bettys this afternoon for lunch with some co-workers. As I entered, I was pleased by the set up and decor- i'm always a fan of modern, hardwood, exposed wood- etc. We were seated upstairs. They had a nice bar set up and some flat screens- I wasn't really feeling the view I had from the side of the booth I was sititng- it looked to a warn down pink building on the other side of Samson- made me feel like I was looking out to somewhere in Mexico or something. Since I'm trying to stick with my new years resolution- I only ordered the house salad with grilled chicken- It was good- nothing out of the norm for a house salad. Friends of mine had the pork sliders- they looked good and they both enjoyed them. Some other selections were the Turkey and apple chilli and baby ribs- Everything was enjoyed by the table. They had a nice variety of drinks on their menu- unique beer choices and fun fruity drink concoctions. I was boring and just went with some wine. Overall, I'd go back- they had a nice atmosphere and crowd there and the food choices could satisfy anyone.
(3)Chris W.
Smokin' Betty's doesn't disappoint. I tried Betty's during the summer for CC sips and I was impressed. I wanted to wait to write a review until I tried the turducken burger. The atmosphere is clean and gives off a warm vibe. The layout, decor, and lighting are very inviting. The high ceilings gives a relaxing and open feeling. The bathrooms like most of the newer establishments I've been to are unisex. I don't mind unisex bathrooms, I actually think they're better because it reduces or completely eliminates a wait. The drinks are great! The beer on draft is always good. The cocktails are clever and delicious. The food is usually great. Unfortunately I finally was able to try the turducken burger and I wasn't impressed. It seemed too dry and the cranberry sauce was a little bland. So.. I'll be sticking to the BBQ, because it is very good and I recommend it. Smokin' Betty's is a great place for a bite to eat and drinks with friends. Its a good atmosphere for a laid back conversation.
(4)Fernanda K.
I didn't eat here, but they said the food was great. Nice happy hour specials. On the casual dressy place, seems like an after-work hangout for business people. With a name like that, you'd think it could be a little edgier, but alas, it is not.
(3)KJ S.
I had heard great things about this place, but I wasn't blown away. The food was good, not amazing. The sweet potato fries were very salty! The BBQ pulled pork sandwich was average. The grilled cheese was only average too. The atmosphere was very loud and we had to shout across the table to hear each other, but it was a Saturday night. Surprisingly, the prices were pretty good for a center city restaurant.
(3)Omar K.
I've only been here for dinner and drinks, and instantly became a fan due to the food. Drink selection is typical, nothing really special about the bar, but the overall restaurant has a cool atmosphere. I recommend on checking out the place. I would have given the place a 5 star rating, but I felt the service was slower than usual. Maybe I just have my standard set too high.
(4)Cara S.
My BF and I planned to go here for lunch one day, but there was no one in the restaurant. So we retreated. Then we decided to go back on a Friday night, and it was packed, so we stayed! The place is a lot bigger inside than it looks from the outside, and the interior is nice and modern. We had great service, so I guess it depends who you get as a waitress (unfortunately can't remember our waitress's name). I ordered the brisket and my BF had the salmon. He said his was great. Mine was good too; the meat was tender and the sauce was good with a little bar-b-q kick, but it was pretty salty. They also have a good drink selection, though drinks are expensive. I did have a little confusion with the menu - my brisket didn't say it came with applesauce, and I wanted applesauce, so I ordered it as a side. Then when my meal came, it had applesauce! No wonder the waitress looked at me funny when I asked for it as a side. Not my fault - your menu's fault! Also there was a little drama going on at the tables near us. This one girl wanted her window open even though it was a chilly, rainy night. A guy at a different table complained to the waitress that it was cold, so the waitress handled it well and went and told the girl to shut her window. I realize that has nothing to do with the restaurant, except to say that the waitress did a good job. I do have to say that girl was a snob. Subjecting the rest of the restaurant to a cold chill because you're having hot flashes? Seriously. If you want it your way, eat at BK! I'd definitely recommend Smokin' Betty's to everyone for a unique food experience, just be aware that the brisket comes with its own applesauce!
(3)Justin F.
Had a chance to have a later dinner here last Friday night, the scene was definitely a lot different from what I expected. It was a very 'trendy' place with modern furniture and decorations. Some decent music i.e. Beck, The Gorillaz as well. As for the food, it was pretty solid. For an appitizers we had their Chicken and Waffle Sliders which were very good and very filling. We also had some of their Asian Beef Wraps which were way over-marinated. They had so much sauce on them the lettuce wraps could not hold all of the meat. For dinner I had their fried chicken, which was very good. It was heavily salted but was very crispy and the chicken was good as well. For dessert we had the fried oreos with cookies and cream ice cream which was freaking awesome. Definitely worth getting if you are there.
(3)Nicohya M.
I work near here so I just order take out. I have never ate inside. The times I have been inside it seemed quiet. I had got my food downstairs, but I had to get my change upstairs. (weird). I either get the dry rub chicken wings or the chicken quesadilla. I love the wings, but whenever I order something is missing from my order.
(3)Nehemiah J.
Place was great. I solo ate on a sunday afternoon and had the steak and the blonde beer. overall it was delicious and great while sitting next to the bar.
(5)Debbie D.
Everything I have had is amazing, especially the roasted beet and goat cheese salad! I crave it!!! The wings, the grilled veggie sandwich, the BBQ, worth the trip!
(5)Sarab S.
Smokin Betty's was a place I stopped off for a quick lunch with the sig. other. We ordered a pitcher of margaritas (which was light on the booze), had a couple of appetizers- the riblets which were pretty bland, had a burger which was okay and a fish tacho which was and paid about $70 for the whole deal. Definitely not worth the money for the underpowered drinks and the blah food.
(2)Michael K.
Here is the run down of my trip to Smokin Bettys.... Cool atmosphere and nice staff. GREAT beer selection and no complaints there. When you get down to the food the BBQ is the way to go. Lets break down the ordering... Apps- We ordered bbq wings and riblets for appetizer and they were awesome. Great tang to the sauce and meat that falls off the bone. I highly recommend either of these two apps...I also Strongly suggest you order BBQ as your main meal because if your thinking burger please continue to read this review.... Main Course - I made the mistake of reading a ton of reviews about this so called "amazing" burger that bettys offers. They even name it after the restaurant itself, so how could you go wrong!?!? Well its a mistake to order it! Honestly, is it a ton of stuff on a burger with the potential of being tastey and artery clogging? Yes! BUT i ordered mine medium rare and it came out well done. Restaurants that serve a well done burger might as well save themselves the time and money and just serve car tires instead of actually wasting quality hamburger meat. The burger itself was SOOOO sloppy that i couldnt eat it. My hands were covered in egg and avacado and the burger just fell apart in my hands. I felt like a ravenous homeless person who hasnt had food in over a month. There was no good way to eat this car tire covered in everything in the kitchen. And to be honest i wanted to dip it in ketchup, which that alone should explain its disappointment. If a burger comes with avacado, egg, and Pork Belly it better not need ketchup...But i used the ketchup to help the tough tire make it down my throat. - So i am tough on the burger. A friend of mine who got the same burger at the entire thing, but lets be honest most men are gonna eat their burger no matter what! Just certainly not worth the hype and crazy reviews. If it were cooked right this might be a different review of the burger itself My wife got fish tacos and loved them...not complaints we didnt do desert, just beers! I gave them 3 stars because honestly i think its got potential if you order well... Stick to the BBQ everyone....dont listen to the burger people, they dont know what they are talking about, you will be way way WAY happier with BBQ. Staff - friendly and quick with the service... pretty much what you are looking for at a restaurant. Side note: the bathrooms are co-ed just fyi...they dont tell ya that or have a sign.. i at first thought i had walked into the ladies room and thought this nice lady was gonna crack me in the head... she laughed and said she did the same thing... so eat BBQ and pee with women!
(3)Truth B Told R.
My new go to place. Went twice last week, once for brunch and once for happy hour. The menu is great, food is plentiful and delicious and the staff is friendly. The prices are very fair.
(5)Nico L.
This place fills you up! They have everything needed to be a 5 star joint. However, it's like a mule with a wheelbarrow. You don't know how he got it and doubt he knows how to use it. A wide variety of ingredients, I went on a Saturday night, but the cook (not chef) does not use them correctly. The servers also guess who ordered what. I asked if the burger handed to me was medium rare, they openly said "I don't know". Nice. I got the betty burger ordered medium rare. Definitely came rare. The bread was good. The avocado and egg definitely seem thrown on. The flavors did not mix. I got the side of sweet potato fries. Stay away! You will be disappointed. Overcooked and no flavor on the good fries. The garlic aioli sauce was essentially mayo with a dash of garlic. It was on the burger and I ordered a side. The drinks are varied enough and cheap enough to warrant a visit. If you have no other options and feel adventurous, go there. If you want a solid meal that won't disappoint nor wow, come here. My gf got the Waldorf chicken salad sandwich. It was good. Also, it was large and filling. However, the baguette it came on was too big and crunchy to eat so she had to remove the meat from the roll.
(3)Joseph V.
Stopped in by chance to try this little joint and was pleasantly surprised. Food was very good, staff was courteous. Food was priced reasonably for being in center city Philadelphia. Ribs and chicken combo very good as well as the turkey burger . The hand cut fries are great !
(4)Liza K.
I came here for SIPs with my friend. I was actually expecting not to like it because a foodie friend of mine said that it was terrible. But I liked it better than I expected. It was a fun place - but without being too crowded or noisy. I really liked the Pink Bogart cocktail even though it wasn't on the SIPs menu. It was really girly but not too sweet. My friend had a mojito from the SIPs menu and it was very refreshing but nothing special. Foodwise, between the two of us, we had the quesadilla, taquitos, shrimp and veggie skewers. The chicken quesadilla was really good - it was very flavorful without being too spicy. The taquitos came with this delicious pineapple salsa that complimented the pork very well. The veggie skewers were just ok - but they went well with all of the meat we had ordered. The only thing I did not like was how hot it was inside. They had a lot of windows and the front door wide open. So it was just muggy inside. We wanted to escape from the heat by sitting inside, but apparently it did not make a difference. It would have been nice if they had cooled the place down a bit more. Also, their menu online looks like it's outdated. Some of the food and drinks we had are not on there.
(3)Dana H.
Went wednesday, early evening for Center City Sips with a small group. We had drinks and appetizers (sliders, egg rolls, etc.) The food tasted very good for appetizers. The atmosphere...LOUD. This is a happening place on Wednesdays. I will definitely return and try the rest of the menu.
(3)Nancy P.
We came back for happy hour and boy, was it chaotic. Super noisy at the downstairs bar area (there was a Phillies game on). We got orders of the wings (both the BBQ ones and the dry rub ones). The dry rub ones were tasty! And went great with the macaroni salad. The BBQ sauce ones were just okay. The bartender was taking orders for the tables in the bar area so service was a bit slow. For dinner, we had the BBQ sliders. The brisket was the best one..the pork was dry and the chicken paled in comparison to the beef. I also had the 'bitty Betty' cheeseburger with mac and cheese. A perfect portion when you're almost stuffed. The mac and cheese was disappointing..it was wet and runny. Definitely would come back for those dry rub wings!
(4)Juliana K.
Not a memorable dinner. We had a half rack of ribs (dry rub) and a half chicken (BBQ sauce). The half rack of ribs was tender and fell off the bone; however, the dry rub was bland. There was really no flavor to the dry rub, I had to dip each bite into BBQ sauce for flavor. The chicken was okay. It was moist, but needed more sauce. It was by no means amazing, but it was good. As for sides... Mashed potatoes were decent, but I wasn't wowed. Honestly, I could make better mashed potatoes at home. Baked beans were just okay. I expected better from a "bbq" place. Corn bread was dry and unflavorful. Mac and cheese was bland and dry. Overall the mean was okay. it was not memorable and i am not likely to go back again for the food. This is not really a BBQ place, so much as it's american good with some bbq dishes. The decor and space is nice though. It's dim and the wood decor plays in very nicely. Service is okay, friendly, but nothing special. The music is quite loud so this is not a place to have any real conversation without having to raise your voice. I heard the happy hours here are decent, but I can only judge off my dinner experience.
(3)Scott P.
This is my favorite happy hour spot in the city! $2 yeunglings from 5 to 7 and a stellar appetizer list for happy hour (cheesteak eggroll!!) The upstairs bar always has room and great service with rotating craft beers and the windows are open if its a nice day. There's plenty of seating for any time of day, almost never a wait. The dinner menu is nothing to talk about but is tasty and reasonably priced. The sandwiches are generously portioned with fries and ask for any sauce and chances are they have it. All in all a solid experience for the frugal center city happy hour enthusiast but check out some of the other neighboring options before you decide on dinner. Theres a reason this place is cleared out by 8pm or 9pm.
(4)Maurice S.
If you are in the mood for a burger, this is a good option. The Betty Burger is large and in charge. Good stuff. The fries could have been crispier but I guess you can't have everything. A good beer lineup. The service was good too. The people I was dining with had a couple of different types of sliders and said they were good.
(4)Maureen M.
This review is for takeout only. My mom picked up a pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries, cole slaw, and a pickle. The serving was pretty generous so we split everything. Pulled pork was soft and sweet with just the right amount of sauce. Sweet potato fries were amazing! Perfectly salted, sweet, cooked just right. And the coleslaw was delicious. We were so hungry we practically inhaled our food and didn't speak til we were done eating. We also picked up some bread pudding. I don't know if there was a miscommunication but we got a huge pan of it, like enough to feed 6 people. But it didn't matter once we tasted it. I knew that dessert had no chance of lasting more than 24 hours. Sweet, sticky goodness loaded with berries and cream. My oh my was my belly happy. We'll have to eat in sometime and see how the service is. If it's anything like the food though it's gotta be great!
(5)Dave K.
2 stars for the food, 4 stars for the service. For a Friday evening, it was surprisingly not crowded and there were empty seats on either side of our table. For an app, the cheesesteak egg rolls were just so-so and the dipping sauce needed more of a kick. I had been eagerly anticipating the turducken burger for some time now, but was disappointed with its lack of depth. The turkey-duck-meat patty concoction needed more seasoning and less time on the grill. It was too dry for my liking. The one saving grace for the sandwich was the herbacious disc of flavorful stuffing tucked beneath the patty. For the entree, the short ribs were fork tender as they should be, but the star of the plate was the green bean as it consumed two-thirds of the plate. More meat, less greens please.
(3)Kerri B.
I have always wanted to come here since I moved to Philly almost two years ago. Finally went last weekend when my parents came to visit. It was a pretty cool place. They had a lot of beer, let me taste some before deciding, and pretty much everything on the menu appealed to me. Our waiter was really nice and attentive. It was a little loud, which is fine, I jut prefer a little quieter of an atmosphere for dinner because I have a hard time hearing when there is a lot of background noise. I got the ribs which were very delicious. Everyone was very happy with their food (turkey platter, chili, and fish tacos). I would definitely check it out again, even if just for a drink.
(4)Kristie W.
One of the best BBQ restaurants I've been too. The riblets are my favorite and the service is great!
(5)Brian C.
I was pretty happy with Smokin' Betty's. I was a bit hesitant on coming here, but yes I saw the Food Network filming here a while ago (a long while ago), and the opportunity popped up last weekend so I decided to give the brunch a try. Not bad. - Turducken burger - I just had to get it since it was on the menu. It didn't disappoint. There was a patty entirely made of stuffing (I love stuffing!), and then the turducken patty which was good too. It really was like Thanksgiving in a burger. It's topped with gravy and cranberry sauce just to push it over the edge a little. - Betty's Breakfast Sandwich - The housemade sausage in it is seasoned well and paired with the crispy bread, this was quite good as well. It definitely satisfied the little glutton living inside of me.
(4)Jess D.
HAPPY HOUR: This is a great go-to spot for Happy Hour. $2 Yuenglings and great draft beers. I'm a cocktail drinker and enjoy their specialty cocktails and unique seasonal sangrias. Their apps for Happy Hour range from $3- $5 and are well worth it. The portions are big and the quality is decent. I like their Veggie Quesadillas although the chef could cut down a bit on the onions. I also really enjoy their Cheesesteak Spring Rolls and fun ketchupy sauce they are served with. The BBQ chicken pizza was OK but again too many onions (I think the cook loves onions. All in all a great deal for happy hour. We spent $20 + tip for 2 beer, 1 cocktail, and 3 apps... we were full and didn't even need dinner! RESTAURANT WEEK: I also came here for restaurant week before and have to say is was the best bargain for your money and the food quality was excellent! I had the short ribs and had plenty leftover for lunch and dinner the next day. LUNCH: I've been here for lunch twice and really enjoyed myself. The service was great and the sandwiches I got were delicious! Great atmosphere too! CC SIPS: I've been here once for CC Sips and you can't beat the apps! The drinks are great too as they do a great job of offering summery drinks that are delicious and refreshing. The bartenders aren't bad looking either... I'm just saying.... All in all a good consistent neighborhood spot. Not a 5 but definitely a 4 :-)
(4)Rob W.
My new favorite happy hour spot. My girlfriend and I popped in for happy hour on a snowy Friday night. I wasn't necessarily craving anything but when I saw the grilled wings I was immediately intrigued. I was really there for happy hour / dinner so our order consisted of grilled wings, a pull pork sandwich, half rack of ribs, beers and sangria. The grilled wings were killer! Perfectly cooked with a little char flavor and a delicious sweet and spicy BBQ sauce. I only got a bite of the pulled pork sandwich but it was great as well. So tender with the same BBQ sauce lightly drizzled on top. My ribs were awesome! Mac and cheese, onion rings and a glorious pile of hot off the grill pork ribs. I got them dry with sauce on the side but couldn't help just pouring it on. They aren't fall off the bone but that's what I like about them. You bite in and get something that tastes like meat. ALL of this for only $57!!! Game over.
(5)Jaime H.
I've been here several times over the years and always had a great experience. The bartenders both upstairs and downstairs are quite accommodating and are incredibly personable. Some menu items that I and my dining partners have had and would recommend: The turducken burger - a friend LOVED it The cheese steak spring rolls- multiple orders every visit The buffalo wings - my boyfriend and I dream of these wings Brisket sliders - Yum. I think the menu offers you three options for sliders and they're all good, but the brisket is my fave. They also have a bangin' happy hour!
(4)Sarah F.
My boyfriends parents took us here for dinner on Friday night. It was horrible. Firstly, they were out of every beer we tried to order. The server should have told us right away instead of waiting until we ordered them. We finally decided on drinks. They were out of the fried tomato special, so we settled on two orders of wings and and order of the spare ribs. Although juicy, the wings were relatively flavorless, and the bbq sauce on the side tasted like ketchup. None of us ate the accompanying macaroni salad. For entrees, two of us ordered the crabcake special, and two ordered the fried chicken special. Guess what? They were out of white meat. Fine. Guess what again? They only had enough chicken left for one meal. He switched the chicken order to a burger. The avocado crabcakes could be described as mushy. Brussels sprouts, mushy. Spaetzel, good but a bit mushy. The burger was described to us as "the worst burger ever", but my boyfriend ate it anyway. I'm not sure how the chicken was. The server didn't check back on us at all, and it took at least 20 minutes after eating to get our check. Had I been the one paying for this meal, I most definitely would have complained to a manager. I'd still go here for a drink, but not to eat.
(2)Sara V.
Great atmosphere, decent service, tasty food, and great happy hour prices. The Betty Burger is DELISH. The service was a bit slow, but the food is great. Homemade sweet tater fries, crisp fresh salads, flavorful house wine. Their lamb sliders are UNREAL and I don't eat lamb. I would've had them as a whole burger. Seriously. Definitely be sure to stop on by!
(4)kristy k.
We had an excellent meal here with friends! Service was great! Food was fantastic! Atmosphere was so cool! I'm so happy smokin' Betty's is around the corner from work!! I'll be back...often!!
(5)Sean H.
I liked the ambience of Smokin' Betty's more than anything else. The place just feels good. As for the food, I had a cup of the housemade chili and a Betty burger. Despite the hype of each, I have to say that while both were good, neither was worth a return trip. The chili, while good, was a bit too lukewarm for my tastes. And the burger sounded like it would be heaven on a bun, but it wasn't exactly mind-blowing. Not to mention that with all the stuff on it, it was extremely difficult to eat. If I do return, I think I'll try some of the actual BBQ in the chicken/rib combo plate I was eyeing. That might do the trick.
(3)Devon M.
This was an excellent beer and grub experience. The Betty Blonde is a fantasticly smooth beer, and their signature burger was incredibly large and reasonable for CC prices! Highly recommended for a girl's dinner, happy hour before a show, or to just get some really yummy beer and eats.
(5)Peter D.
Pleasantly surprised here. A friend suggested eating at Smokin' Betty's when I have two nickels and a ball of lint in my pocket. I ended up having a great time and ordered the house chili, a very delicious and fairly affordable meal. With tip I paid about $7 for great service and a good, good chili. I'd like to come back to try their sliders but I don't know if I will seek Smokin' Betty's in the future, but at least I can give it props when I walk by.
(4)Kerry R.
Went here for a friend's birthday. First impressions were definitely good as the staff was friendly. The atmosphere was fun and energetic. I requested that they put on the Flyers vs. Devils game and they had no issues with that. We killed time at the bar while we waited for the rest of the group to come. Choice of beers and spirits wasn't extensive but good nonetheless. Literally everything was fine until the food came out. I never had such bland unappetizing fish tacos before. It sounded great on paper but sucked in execution. Two of us at the table got them and we both barely wanted to finish our plates. My fiance got the turkey burger and she said that was also underseasoned and lacked any kind of flavor. This place isn't crazy expensive by foody standards but it aint McDonald's either. Maybe it was an off night? If it was, I still wouldn't recommend going here since you don't know what you'll be getting. On the plus side, Mayer Nutter walked in and said hi to me. That was interesting to see him out on a Friday night like a normal person.
(2)Michael S.
Good spot to get food. Came here after classes for a quick bite to eat with some friends. I order the Buffalo Sandwich that was pretty good. It was a generous portion but not very spicy. My friend ordered a sliders sampler. He thought all the sliders were great. My last friend ordered the ribs. They weren't that great. Overall, the food was pretty good. Unfortunately, the service wasn't the best in the upstairs area. It wasn't a very busy day, so I think that the server just forgot about it for most of the time.
(3)Z B.
Grilled chicken wings, BBQ sliders and grilled pizza appetizers were all good. The turducken burger was a bit disappointing because the meat really did not have a distinct flavor. The service was mediocre. At times we felt rushed in to ordering
(3)Pauline S.
From the restaurant week menu: KFC Waffles: 2 Korean fried chicken waffle sandwiches, (they were ball sized and the waffles were a quarter of a belgian waffle each, making one single whole belgian waffle if pieced together), and a couple of asian veggies and ketchup or red sauce. It was decent. Turkey & bacon chowder: came in a cup with a mini biscuit. It was very good and had mixed veggies like corn, peas, carrots, and green beans. Pork ribs w/ cheesy potatoes and sour veggies: It was okay, I did not like the sour veggies and generally don't care for potatoes, much less CHEESY potatoes. The ribs were soft and fell off the bone. At first I thought it was good but then it became bland. I would have chosen a different entree if I could do it over. Apple pie w/ vanilla ice cream: I only wanted this one cause of the ice cream. I don't generally like pie cause I don't like sweet or gooey stuff. I only like the crust. My bf got a special burger that was actually very good. Next time I would get that and a different kind of ribs.
(3)lenny A.
I travel for a living. A hobby of mine is to find a local BBQ joint and have dinner. Very few times have I been disappointed. Smoking Betty's is one of those times. I was seated right away because I had made a reservation. A nicely located table by a window upstairs. Table is set with menu and paper place mat. The table was very very sticky. I watched the set a table next to me an all they did was wipe it a dirty towel. I spent the next 15 mins waiting for a waiter to take my order. Once he arrived I ordered the ribletts as an app and chicken breast with grilled veggies am steamed broccoli for my dinner. Both prepared with dry rub Ribletts arrived in a few mins with a side of something i can only assume was coleslaw. The ribs themselves were a little dry and the rub was flavorless. I had to request a side of the BBQ sauce to give them some flavor. The coleslaw was a very odd texture and flavorless. It sorta reminded me of the shredded cardboard fiber they use in home insulation with a little crunch. Not good at all The main course was hot upon arrival but coated in the same tasteless dry rub. A little dry as well. The grilled veggies were cold and drowned in oil. Not as healthy as I had hopped for. The broccoli was good and I was given a full head. The BBQ sauce was sweet and spicy but a bit one dimensional Over all not a great meal. Barely passable Definitely disappointing. .
(2)N Y.
Plus: Great burgers, cool location, good food all together Minus: Staff is so so, last time the waiter barely came to our table, stood and starred at us and didn't take our order until I just started ordering. He also lied and said we were not allowed to have half sweet potato/half normal fries when I have gotten it several other times.
(3)Christina M.
In town traveling. So glad the husband and I agreed on BBQ. The setting is great as was our server Katie, very welcoming. The ribs were some of the best I have ever had, the BBQ sauce made it!!!! If we come back to Philly, definitely coming back!
(5)Lisa R.
So convenient for Lantern Theater (at St Stephen Church on 10th & Chancellor); great for pre or after theater dining. Great bar. Open large windows in warm weather for indoor/outdoor feel. (This can get too hot on humid summer nights.) Love the gourmet Southern comfort menu -- from riblet appetizers (messy and tasty chunks of well-made rib slathered in great barbeque sauce), to slider sampler, to fish to great salads and sides. Check out chalk board specials -- servers almost never mention them, possibly because the chalkboards are 10 feet high and hard to miss. We have rarely saved room for dessert here, but when we did share one it was very tasty. Great drinks, good wine selection, reasonable prices all around.
(4)Diana K.
Love this place. I go here all of the time. Two things: 1. Great happy hour specials for both drinks AND food! 2. GET THE BETTY BURGER. Just do it.
(4)P P.
Don't order the grilled cheese. Not tasty. I gave it 5 stars because I think it's a great place for a drink.
(5)Patrick H.
Smokin' Betty's is a pretty decent place. The environment and decor give a very welcoming and comfortable feeling. There were many tables, an outdoor seating area, two bar areas, and an upstairs seating area as well. It was happy hour along with Philly Sips happening when I came, so there was a wait to be seated and it was pretty crowded. We had a bunch of items from their appetizer/Philly Sips menu: wings (both their BBQ and dry rub), buffalo chicken quesadilla, and pepperoni pizza. My friends also got the pork belly sliders. The dry rub wings were really good, one of the best wings I ever had, but there were no dipping sauces to it, which was fine. The BBQ wings were actually very sweet, not really BBQ-y. The quesadillas were good; there were melted bleu cheese in them that gave it that extra boost, definitely try those. Pizza was very cheesy, but other than that, it was a typical small pizza. Everything was prepared very aesthetically pleasing, so props to the modern classiness! Food was really good, and there selection of alcohol was just as good. They have a really good selection, and the prices were cheap. The sizes and taste of their mixed drinks, on the other had, were just average. I would definitely come here for a drink or two after work! Service was OK, our host and server were really friendly. Seating was confusing since we put our name down on the waiting list, but they just told us to hang out at the bar until a table was ready for us; we had no idea how they were going to find us or know who we were. I ended up just waiting up front while my friends went to the bar. Our server did have trouble getting to us since it was pretty busy, but I'd just give them the benefit of the doubt that they are usually better.
(4)Annie W.
3.75 Ordered the beef brisket sandwhich with sweet potato fries The bun is divinnnee and the brisket is super tender & well seasoned The sweet potato fries r sweet, salty &b crispy. A side of syrup to dip em in would take them to a whole notha motha fuggin level. Ordered @ the bar food came out n 3 mins. Literally
(4)Christine B.
Ended up here after a long day of celebrating beer week with a couple other yelpers. The boys went with a rack of ribs with bbq sauce, and I got the pulled pork sandwich. I think the ribs were better than the pulled pork. The meat fell right off the bone, and the sauce was really tasty. The pulled pork had a nice spiciness to it, and the roll it was served one was perfectly toasted. I met up with some other friends at the bar upstairs for one more beer. All the windows were open which created a really nice atmosphere. The service was really good too.
(4)Jennifer W.
This place during lunch wasn't as busy as some other restaurants. The specials are located on the blackboard in the back of the room. They did look delicious. I wish I could have ordered more food. Haha...Torn between getting the special pizza: arugula, mozarella, and proscuitto pizza or a salad. They both looked good on the menu. Decided to go for the cobb salad instead. It was absolutely huge and filling, AND healthy!
(4)Zoe P.
When one of your close friends is a Texan, finding great or even good bbq north of the Mason Dixon Line becomes nigh impossible. She and her bf had a recent disappointing bbq experience and were eager to find a good place in CC. We went to Smokin' Betty's on a Saturday evening, arriving at 7pm and discovering a mostly vacant restaurant. The interior is quite nice, we got a glimpse of the ground floor before being seated upstairs where a few other parties were already dining. Lots of dark stained wood, a sort of chic, modern take on a barbeque shack (just nowhere near what a 'shack' looks like). On the suggestion of a number of Yelpers, we shared the grilled chicken wings with Sam's Famous Bbq Sauce. The wings were super juicy while still bearing grill marks, and the sauce was a nice sweet but tangy recipe. The pasta salad it comes with was peppery and fresh by comparison. My bf and I decided to share things and to maximize the menu we ordered the trio of bbq sliders, which comes with a crisp vinegar based coleslaw, and a half rack of St. Louis style ribs with their spicy dry rub and sides of broccoli rabe (can't F that up) and flourless corn pudding (yummy! and on the sweet side). They are not kidding about that dry rub, it's SPICY! But very enjoyably so. The sliders were also tasty, although the bottom buns were half soaked with juices by the time the dish arrived. The pulled meats were tender and the bbq sauces flavorful - the pork was my favorite, the brisket was my bf's, and the chicken was really great but just not as good. Our friends had the pulled pork sandwich (entree sized of what we had) with a side of the mac and cheese, and the Betty's Burger with sweet potato fries, and I swear the entire contents of that plate disappeared waaay before I was halfway through my food - in other foods, finger-f-ing-lickin' good! Our friends love mac and cheese (and have been trying to find their favorite in Philly), but I don't think this version lived up to their expectations - although they did consume the entire small portion :D There was so much food, it was a true feat that we finished. Afterwards, we didn't want to see meat in any amount or form for awhile. Seriously, it's the next day and I don't want to eat meat, the thought makes me nauseous. But this was good bbq, so it was totally worth it - and the price was very reasonable too! We plan on continuing to try more bbq places in Philly, but we can add Smokin Betty's to the list of tried and true places for a good, reasonable meal - with a lot of meat!
(4)Mary S.
Loved it! I went for the first night of Center City Sips last night and we had a blast! When we arrived there weren't a ton of people in the restaurant so we were offered whatever seats we wanted. We chose a table by the huge open windows that face the overpass bridge from Jefferson- such a great decision because as we drank, we realized that if you watch the bridge between buildings, there's definitely a possibility for a drinking game, or bingo via the variety of people walking along. Doctor! Nurse! patient in a gurney! you get the idea. As far as SB's itself, we only ate and drank from the Sips menu, but it was all awesome. The cheesesteak spring roll and the wings were especially of note. Our waitress had a ton of tables, and at first I think she was a bit out of it, but eventually she got her game face on and handled everyone quite well. I will definitely return here for Sips or just a meal in the future, as the decor, food, and bev. are all great. the bathrooms upstairs are coed (private doors) with a shared sink, which is confusing as your BAL goes up- so just know that much going in.
(5)Jess M.
Stopped in yesterday afternoon for brunch with friends. Much of the menu sounds delicious, but needing more than just cards for breakfast (pancakes, specialty waffles & French toast), I went with the Country Gravy & Biscuits with sweet potato hash. What a good decision that was, especially considering I normally choose the breakfast burrito wherever I'm at. The gravy was creamy and flavorful and the sweet potato hash was outstanding mixed with veggies and perfectly seasoned. I ordered a Build Me Up Buttercup to accompany my delicious breakfast - it was an iced coffee loaded with vanilla vodka and butterscotch and coffee liquor. Yum! Without tasting too boozy. Fairly priced and great service in a relaxed atmosphere. Would love to try again for lunch or dinner. Would certainly recommend for brunch.
(4)Samantha R.
Servers were all extremely friendly and informative. It was lunch time so she was hungry and rattling off alllll her favs! Definitely try the riblets for a lunch appetite with the veggie chili including guacamole and sour cream! delish :-)
(4)Kimberly F.
I had a ball here. I went with a girlfriend and everything was grand. Our server was named Brooks (I totally recommend requesting her, she's such a kitten!) We had a plethora of the cocktails. I believe it was every one of their specialty cocktails (each refreshing!) We split a spinach & goat cheese salad, the chicken salad sammy (I love when things like raisins or dried cranberries are in chicken salad) and the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake (I'll reiterate.. it's Crème Brûlée AND Cheesecake... BOTH!... AT THE SAME TIME! = lady wood!) I had to let the MOD know how great everything was (most people only want to speak to one when something bad happens and that sucks.) I'll totally recommend this place to all. We'll be back Betty!
(4)Jenny L.
Came here yesterday with the boy and his friend. The place was pretty inviting. Easy to find despite the small sign on their door (maybe I didn't look hard enough for a bigger sign). Upon entering, we got seated right away. Service was alright, the waitress only stopped by our table about 3 times. There were about 4-5 servers on the bottom floor, don't know how many others were upstairs, but only ONE server was actually taking orders from all the tables. I felt like they definitely needed more servers to take orders. We started off with a couple of drinks from the happy hour menu and bbq wings. The wings were grilled and the bbq sauce was pretty good. It's not the tangy bbq sauce, but the sweet kind. Just the way I like it. For my main course, I got the BBQ Atlantic Salmon with sides of grilled veggies and mac n' cheese. I didn't like my grilled veggies but the mac n' cheese was good. My bf got the BBQ combo with sides of green beans and whipped sweet potatoes (not too sweet, just right) and his friend got the Flamed Grilled chicken. I actually would come back to Smokin' Betty's because there's a couple of choices on the menu that I'd like to try, like the Betty Burger. There will most likely be a next time since my bf lives so close! Hopefully next time, I can give 4 stars. update 1/15/11: i got the Betty Burger today. It was huge but I don't know if i totally enjoyed it because if its messy-ness. I saw some guy eating it with a knife and fork.. which I started using toward the end of my burger. It actually tasted better that way. The burger's alright, took the pork confit belly out because it was just a blob of fat :\ next time, i want to try the betty cristo haha or fish tacos.
(3)Deneen W.
I finally stopped into Smokin' Betty's (after walking by a multitude of times) last night to grab a quick bite and a beer to watch the Flyers. I sat at the bar and found the service to be quite good. The bartender was very personable and kept my glass full. I had the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich and fries...some of the best bbq I've had. The only critique I have is that the bun was very buttery...overly buttery. The flavor of the pork, the fries and the cole slaw, however, more than compensated for the bun. I can't wait to go back and try one of the specials!
(4)Alexander M.
Went to Center City Sips last night, knowing next to nothing about the food or the atmosphere. Happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. We were able to sample a few of the bar appetizers on special, and I enjoyed all of them. The quesadilla and spring rolls were good, but the bbq wings were excellent- like they had come fresh off the grill. I was also happy with the $2 Yuengling and Kensinger specials. About the bathrooms- I had no problem with them. The girl behind me, on the other hand, look positively baffled. Definitely worth checking out. I can't give it the full 5 stars until I go again, but it's guaranteed now that I'll come back.
(4)Daniel H.
Went here for brunch over the weekend. Nice space, cool decor (I took note of the steps, but I doubt you'll find them as exciting as I did). Waitress was funny, and that was a bonus... but she left a bit to be desired in the competency category, which is arguably more important than her disposition. Anyway, the meal was decent. My meal was everyone's favorite (I think). Got the breakfast burrito, which you might think is the same everywhere, but it's not. Smokin' Betty's did a nice job and the sweet potato hash on the side was really good! Don't get the grilled cheese unless you want to be disappointed. Too much bread, not enough cheese, and generally mediocre, if that. The menu has a few other items I'd like to try, and I hear they're good for dinner and drinks. Would definitely check this out again, but hopefully the service will be better.
(3)Sylvie C.
Underwhelming. Had Sunday brunch there, an experience saved only by the company I had with me. Positives: the space was open and airy, with tons of room between tables and an interesting layout. And a very solid bloody Mary. Faux pas #1: waitress, I hadn't seen these people in months. Give us a second to catch up without giving us the 'tude! Número dos: a hard omelette. "tough" is the only word in had to describe it, which should never be an adjective used on eggs. This "omelette" came with prosciutto, equally hard and flavorless, and mozzarella, also terribly chewy. Problem #3: biscuits and gravy. Maybe we're just idiots to try biscuits and gravy outside the confines of the south, but for me, this was just a total miss. The biscuit was too soft and the gravy had no definable flavor. All in all, not a memorable brunch, and I've heard equally underwhelming comments about lunch and dinner.
(2)Angela P.
One of my favorite places to eat in Philly! The food is delish, the atmosphere is pretty cool as well. Also, the staff is very customer service oriented and are really knowledgeable of the menu as well. I love this place!!
(5)Anna Marie C.
remember how the movie clueless gave us all these new words? one of my favorites was 'monet'--meaning somebody hot from far away, and when you get in closer, that person's just a total mess. well, smokin betty's is a total monet. it's beautiful, sleek, and new. it's big and shiny. i happen to like devil's alley. and barbecue. so i'm thinking, this is going to be great. the menu sounded great. what wasn't so great: the server seating us at the awkward couch spots. seriously? there's three of us. it's kind of awkward. then, i think things are getting better, as i got the allagash white/peach schnapps cocktail. tasty. things just get... sad. alright, i admit. it's a barbecue place, and perhaps matzoh ball soup and mac and cheese and potato latkes are weird things to order. but i give it a go. my matzoh ball soup comes with still frozen balls. and when they bring a replacement, somehow all the veggies have disappeared from the broth. mac and cheese was meh. and the potato latkes were dismissable. my friend called her salad 'wimpy'...and the hot dog platter was not devoured. alas. my barbecue dreams were not to be fulfilled tonight. goodbye, monet.
(1)Ben M.
Server was LAME. We had to wait 30 mins on more champagne, we had to buss our own table because the server never picked up the plates when we were done, waters weren't brought to EVERYONE at the table, too much vermouth in the dirty martini, the burger was undercooked, the sausage gravy tasted like a Christmas tree and we won't be back.
(1)Debbie G.
Only worth trying if you want a decent burger in my opinion. Which of course I didn't get. Instead, I had the mahi-mahi tacos which were subpar. My husband and his friend however did partake in the meaty goodness and they both looked sufficiently satisfied in trying the Betty Burger. The beer list is unique which is also a draw to try this place. I enjoyed my Allegash Belgian White very much - good for if you're into the wheat variety.
(3)Vlad K.
This seemed like a perfect place for dinner on a rainy cold Saturday night. We called in ahead, made reservations and quickly fund the place (though some of the previous reviews were right - a sign would be helpful). Smokin' Betty's has an open modern yet tasteful decor and presents itself as a friendly comfy place. The service was incredibly friendly though at more than one occasions we wondered if everyone there was a bit high.... Between the atmosphere and a cool menu there was a lot of promise. Sadly, Smokin' Betty's falls far short of that promise. The Homemade chili tasted really good, though once you add sour cream and guacamole it was a bit on a colder side... Drinks are interesting and Paradise Kitty was a smashing success. But that's where the good part ends... Riblets with dry spicy rub were just OK. BBQ Plater seemed very promising. However, the chicken was dry and though wet ribs weren't necessarily bad, there was really nothing special about them... Mashed potatoes looked great and had soft, nice consistency but they tasted sour.. Baked beans tasted awful - too much sauce and it seemed as if they cooked the beans and sauce separately... Potato Latkes were good... well okay they were good for non=Polish/Jewish/Russian place.... Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment...
(2)Christopher R.
Have you ever thought to yourself, "Gee, wouldn't it be great if Devil's Alley had a slightly expanded menu & beer list but wasn't in as good of a location?" If you have, Smokin' Betty's is the place for you. On my first trip I ordered the Tur-Duck-En Burger (with orange-cranberry relish) which I had been eagerly anticipating for some time. It wasn't mind-blowing, it was merely reminiscent of a very high quality turkey burger; you are likely to notice more of difference in color and texture than of flavor. John Madden is rolling in his grave.* The french fries tasted as if they were frozen. The grilled vegetables--fennel, onion, zucchini if I recall correctly--were also kind of lackluster. Sadly, this meal was a disappointment and it led me to hold off with my review until a follow-up visit so as not to let it sour my overall impression. Today's visit turned out slightly better, though there were some minor complications. Like the Tur-duck-en Burger, I have also put serious thought into ordering the Lamb Burger. I made an attempt but they were all out at lunch, so I had to go with the Betty Burger (with pickled jalapeno, grilled corn, smoked mozzarella and "mojo sauce") as my back-up. This was actually quite good, possibly better than the Devil Burger. The baked beans, though, appeared just to be beans in barbecue sauce, and they did not even begin to approach the beans at Devil's Alley. The onion rings, like the fries, are almost certainly frozen. I've been here twice now and I'm generally indifferent towards this versus Devil's Alley. Its nice to have a few more solid beers to choose from--the Blond Betty reminds me of Flying Fish Exit 4, the two or three others I've had we likewise pretty good--and additional menu options but from what I've tried the food falls just short. Overall, I'd probably stick to the more established location for the time being. * Not actually dead. Yet.
(3)Jill A.
I'm in love with the BBQ sliders (brisket, pork and chicken). They're moist and juicy and I just want to stuff my face with them every day, for every meal. The dry-rub wings are tasty, too. They're $5 bucks at happy hour, and though you only get about five or six wings, they're not too skimpy. Plus, they taste the way I always want my chicken on the grill to taste--crispy, almost a little burnt, with a nice charred flavor and tender on the inside. While I fail at cooking (er, grilling), Betty's does not. The sauce (Sam's Famous BBQ) used on the BBQ combo platter (1/4 chicken and 1/4 ribs) is sweet and tangy and so wonderfully finger-lickin' good. I'm definitely a fan of having to lick my fingers a million times after each bite of messy BBQ. Wet wipes are available, of course, but who wants to waste any last drop of sauce, even if it means lick-lick-licking away? The macaroni salad is decent and the mac and cheese is oozy with a little bit of breadcrumb crunch on top. Both are worthy of thumbs up. The stuffing with gravy is just okay ... there was a flavor in there I couldn't quite pick out and I probably wouldn't order it again. And the buttermilk biscuit was quite dry. It tasted like someone went overboard with the flour and forgot about the butter. But! The rest of the menu looks promising (lots of interesting sandwiches and plenty of other sides). Must try more! I wasn't drinking yesterday (huh?!) but the beer/wine/cocktail menu was similar to that of Devil's Alley--plentiful enough for drinkers across the board. The Smokin' Betty's Blonde and house wines were being offered for $3 during happy hour. I'm sure I'll be hittin' that up next time. Oh, and I loved dining upstairs by the windows. Actually, the whole space is quite swank but in a non-glitzy way. Dark wood and lots of light. I could see it being a great spot for an event. Plus, the service (both hostess and servers) was friendly and attentive. Let's see if that sticks. Yay and more yay! I hope this place does well because I'm looking forward to getting my BBQ on a lot more often this summer. Dammit, I want a slider right now.
(4)Jennie H.
If you like Devil's Alley, you'll probably like Smokin' Betty's considering their menus are VERY similar. I went there for a friend's birthday in April, and the place were undergoing some renovations in the bathrooms. I had to breathe in some heavy fumes of paint that made me feel a little light-headed. Food was good. Service was slow.
(4)Rickina C.
I decided to go to lunch with a friend and a little one when we decided on this place. When entering the place no one seemed to be around. Then when I talked to the waiter he acted like I was nuts for telling him how many people we had and just pointed to seats. After that he seemed a bit nicer but that was just off putting. Aside from that, everything was great. The food was delicious and the serving size a decent amount.
(4)Thuy F.
the food here is very good, and service is as good as it gets. if only parking wasnt so difficult id come here more often
(5)Nicole W.
Picture it: a stormy rainy night.. sheets of water pouring down on you and your friends.. thunder and lightening in yo face. Everyone is from out of town, and we can barely see the street signs to find our restaurant. Yeah, that was the story of the Brave 9 that eventually made it to Smokin Betty's. Enough about us- this place is AWESOME! Once we arrived the staff was immediately helpful-- giving us towels to dry off with (yes, we looked like we'd just exited the swimming pool). The service continued to be EXCELLENT, and the wait staff deserves the recognition. The food lived up to the reviews- and I wanted to order almost everything off the menu. What I settled with was PULLED BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICH w sweet potato fries. Ordered some crispy onion rings for the table.. and finished it off with the bread pudding. As a critic of all things bread pudding- let me tell you-- this was delicious! Moist, sweet, and full of berries (different, but I liked it!). PLEASE VISIT, AND ENJOY! :)
(4)Colleen M.
Came here because of Yelp Cocktail Week. Loved my Berry Betty. There was also a pretty decent beer list and the fries were good too. The prices seemed about average for Center City,or perhaps a little on the high end because we decided to leave and hit up LVL once Happy Hour was over. The place is cute, it needs a more visible sign outside however. I didn't know what I was looking for and passed it once. Maybe it's my poor eyesight, even with glasses on, but I wasn't immediately sure I had found it because the etching on the door is not visible enough from the opposite side of the street. Have to mention that the service good too. I'd give this one another shot -- maybe next time I'll get dinner. :)
(3)Laura J.
This review is for a private event at Smokin' Bettys: I was in charge of booking an affordable dinner for about 20 board members who were staying at the Loews Hotel for an annual conference. Our budget was a bit low considering the dinner should include food and alcohol and a private space. I found Smokin' Bettys on Google and totally took a chance. I actually didn't even attend the dinner, but I had rave reviews from our board members. The executive director said the Chef came out to say hello, and the waiters forewarned her when someone another member ordered her a "welcome to the team" tequila shot! Everyone went above and beyond to make it a fun night. Special thanks to Rachel who didn't mind that I called with 30 minutes to spare to confirm a guest count. Everyone was extremely accommodating and helped to work with our budget. I will definitely recommend this venue for other clients!
(5)Desi M.
Beautiful restaurant with a just as beautiful staff to match. I sat at the bar on the top floor, bartenders were very friendly and awesome to chat with. I had the mahi mahi tacos and sweet potato fries which were both quite delectable. The taco's focus seemed more about the fillers and all things beside the mahi mahi, but they were tasty. This place won me over when I saw my fave whiskey behind the bar, Makers 46. Any place with Makers 46 has to be awesome. Nice after work spot to chill or pregame spot before a night out on the town.
(5)Clifton S.
I have to say that if you were to judge a book by the cover, then this is the place to be. It has a great atmosphere. I love the windows and the second level (it allows for an open breeze experience). Overall, I will say that the service is the pits. Maybe they are still getting the hang of things; however, my friend and I waited about 30 minutes for the waiter to bring our drink from the bar. That was just crazy. The wait staff is "too quick" to provide you with a good experience. I may thy this place again; however, I will certainly wait until it has been open for a few months and their service improves.
(2)Bill C.
Last week went to Bettys and the beer was the best thing about my Betty experience. I have been back several times since my initial review and have found the food to be at times inconsistent but usually still pretty good. My last experience however is something that I cannot ignore (partly because of terrible indegestion). I ordered a very tasty draft beer but it was served in a daiquiri glass. Good beer but I felt kind of wierd drinking it in its funny glass. Ordered a burger (no surprise, since i am a burger head). Asked for it medium with bacon and chedder and waited anxiously for it to arrive. When it came it did not appear medium, it appeared burnt. I was hungry at this point that I decided just to eat it. Well done burger can sometimes still be juicy but this was not, it was very difficult to eat and now i regret having consumed it. Next time (if there is a next time) I will remember to ask for rare hoping to get medium. An undercooked burger can sometimes be saved and if its quality meat it should still be safe to eat but an overcooked burger of the sort I had should only be used as an extra puck for a game of street hockey.
(2)Tom G.
Reserved my review of this place after several meals both lunch and dinner. The atmosphere coupled with the good (although somewhat limited) menu and reasonable prices has made this one of my favorite go to places. The service needs some work but that's not uncommon for a new restaurant. The Second floor has a great feel when the weather is nice as all the oversized windows fold open. At times it can get noisy being directly across from the hospital but in my experience not annoyingly so.
(4)KayGee G.
I was able to schedule a impromptu meetup last week thanks to Smokin' Betty's. Everyone on staff was so wonderful and helpful. Everyone had a great time and the food and drinks were great. I especially liked the philly cheesesteak spring rolls and the blood orange mojito that I had. Will definitely return to the place.
(4)Terry C.
I like the way this place is laid out - downstairs is a lounge with nice sofas, small tables, floor to ceiling windows that open; upstairs is a groovy bar, tables, exposed brick, dark wood, floor to ceiling blackboard inscribed with the specials and drink selections, and great lighting! Prior to going I thought this restaurant was an exploration of BBQ / Southern themed cooking. But was delighted to find that it is much more than just BBQ, cornbread, and stick to your ribs potatoes! They have interesting quesadillas (I highly recommend the Vegetarian), fish tacos (type of fish changes daily), and an amazing Chocolate Cake! The brisket, latke, and sauteed green beans is also very good - although the latke was a bit too salty for my taste. There's wine (no melbec), a multitude of beers (apricot and pear), and some really awesome cocktails (Grace Lightening, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Miss Behavior to name a few). The service was kind of slow, but overall it was a good time! I definitely plan on going back - I need to try the Turkey platter with Mashed Sweet Potatoes!
(4)Erik s.
Smokin Betty's is like Devil's Alley on human growth hormone. The space is much larger and open with a bit more light. The menu is more expansive and executed a lot better then it's counterpart. For the most part I would stick to the comfort foods part of the menu: the beef burgers, mac and cheese , biscuits and BBQ sliders are all good. The ribs are some of the better ones I have had in Philly ( I had them dry rubbed and dipped em in their sweet and tangy St Louis style BBQ sauce). What chaps my ass on city BBQ is when you order a full rack at some spots and they give you what appears to be ribs from an anemic miniature Cambodian pot belly pig. Not so at Betty's a full rack is a red blood American style portion proving why American will always suffer from heart disease- no problem Jefferson is down the street. I would stay away from their riskier dishes: salmon BLT and Turducken burger, both were a bit dry and disappointing, but they have a good happy hour. Either way a welcome addition to what is fast beginning to be my favorite part of the city.
(4)John M.
Goal for 2011: review more on Yelp. OK, so Smokin Betty's was a few blocks from my hotel and got decent reviews. Plus, I am a sucker for BBQ. I assumed with "smokin" in the name, that I'd have some real BBQ, but no. First off, it took 10 minuets before the girl that seated me decided I was worth waiting on. I got the brisket from the standard menu, though I was tempted to go for the restaurant week fare. The food was OK, though I am fairly certain it was not smoked. I saw no smoke rings, and it was drenched in a mushroom sauce (which was actually good, just not what I expected for a BBQ place). I did have a cup of chilli also, and it was excellent. Also has a decent beer list. I'd go back, but wouldn't be excited.
(3)Kate B.
Ever since the Smoked Joint closed a few years back, I've been on the lookout for a good BBQ place. Smokin' Betty's might just have filled that void. Housed in a large brick building on 11th and Sansom, the joint is, miraculously, both roomie AND cozy, with dark paint and high wooden stools and tables downstairs, and a smattering of couches and candlelit tables upstairs. Tons of space means it takes a while to fill up -- although I expect it will fill up very quickly once more people find out about this place! The bbq was, quite simply, bangin' -- I ordered the Beef Brisket sandwich and it was mouth-watering-ly incredible; the bf went with the pulled pork and had a similar experience. The menu is rather extensive and contains non-bbq staples as well (tacos, quesadillas, gourmet sandwiches) -- will have to try these next time. The beer list was small, but excellent -- I was pleased to find both Arrogant Bastard and Hennepin (two of my faves!). As we were finishing our beers, the owner wandered over to see how we liked our meal and ask for feedback -- a nice touch for sure. I can't wait to return!
(4)Patrick H.
This place was a nice surprise. Its a bi-level BBQ place that offers some very interesting dishes. I had the BBQ Salmon with a bucket of fries and it was Delicious. The have a Betty's burger too, that look good but I was not to eating that much. Mainly because I was saving room for the triple chocolate mousse dessert. There are no shortage of drink specials here either. I recommend the hard cider or the Yuenling buth the have a huge selection of beers so why not just work through the list. The staff was very friendly and the prices fair. One not to business travelers, they give you an itemized receipt. ;)
(4)Courtney H.
I really love this place and have been recommending it to everyone I know who likes bbq. I think I've been there 3 times in the last 6 weeks.They did an amazing job with the renovations- great idea with the windows that fold open! When they are open it feels like you're outside without the sunburn. As for food- I say, if it's your first time you should get the sliders with one of each of the bbq'ed meats- one with the Caribbean chicken, one with the traditional pulled pork and one brisket. This also comes with macaroni salad- or if you are me, I like to change it up and get the cold slaw instead because I like to add it to my pulled pork slider- but anyways....I have also had the turkey burger- which was a real turkey burger that someone in the kitchen prepared by hand- instead of gross frozen burgers which is what I usually get as a turkey burger. The Mac & cheese is just ok- I would skip it in favor of the cold slaw or the macaroni salad. We have also had really good service each time we have gone. I am planning on trying a Friday night happy hour soon...I'm looking forward to sipping some of their specialty drinks!
(5)Claire R.
Good for a low-wait brunch and happy hour; solid food with a little kick every now and then. I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars. This place deserves 4 stars for brunch and happy hour. There's a decent amount of seating and a clean, laid-back, modern feel with a little bit of retro around the edges. They have some decent appetizers and the drinks are reasonably priced. And while it's probably not where you want to end your night, it's spacious and quiet enough to lend a comfortable environment to catch up with friends after work and carry on a conversation in a normal tone. The menu has a lot of standard selections a step above your typical American style restaurant bar but definitely a step below a gastro-pub. Nothing on the menu is particularly innovative or amazing but the menu has a few strengths (salad with chickpeas and quinoa, corn cakes (that were made gluten-free the last time I was there)). While the ease of getting a table here is always good, It's particularly appreciated during brunch time. Generally without waiting, you can enjoy the surprisingly solid brunch menu (that executes a few twists well--albeit safe and common ones) in a relaxed environment.
(3)Ally G.
A Restaurant Week Review: *Note: online RW menu isn't reliable* I so badly wanted to give Smokin' Betty's 5 stars! But I couldn't... As phenomenal as their BBQ was, two things kinda bugged me: 1) We were seated fairly close to the bar on the 2nd floor. It was pretty full, and quite loud. If you have the chance, ask your waitress for a table further from the bar. 2) The womens bathroom on the 2nd floor... absolutely disgusting. Not only were 1/3 of the stalls "Out of Order", the working ones were really dirty and one lacked toilet paper. Hopefully they'll clean it up soon! On the more yummy sides of things, Smokin' Betty's offered us the best Restaurant Week experience we've had yet. And possibly some of the BEST BBQ in the Center City area... Service - Our waiter was so sweet and attentive. The best service I've had in a loooong time. Thanks guys! Drinks - Good, yet selective beer selection. - Fun, refreshing cocktails (try the Raspberry Lemonade Cocktail). First Course - Cheesesteak Springroll: I was skeptical at first, but WOW. The spicy ketchup that they offer for dipping is realllly good too. Any cheesesteak buff has to try these. And the best part... they're 1/2 off during their happy hour! - BBQ Sliders: YUM. The carolina pulled pork had an amazing mesquite zest; just the best kind of "spicy." My favorite, hickory smoked beef brisket, had a sweet and tangy BBQ flavor. Then the caribbean pulled chicken, though tasty, lacked the kind of awesome flavor the other two had. But all of them were cooked to yummy, tender perfection... Second Course - Soup of the Day, Portobello Mushroom & Sage: When we walked up to Smokin' Betty's I noticed this special on their board outside. I absolutely love mushroom soup, I got so excited! Rich, creamy, loads of mushrooms :)This was, hands down, the best mushroom soup I've EVER had. For a soup of the day at a BBQ joint, I was very impressed... - Mixed Green Salad: Tasty, crisp salad. But the balsamic vinaigrette it was served with was WAY over-powering on the bitter factor! Some people like their vinaigrette that way, but definitely not me. Third Course - Hickory Smoked St. Louis Ribs: I don't even know what to say or where to begin... These BBQ ribs were jaw dropping-ly, UHmazing. Again, I got my favorite of the BBQ sauces (sweet and tangy, hickory smoked BBQ goodness). But the even better part... the juicy, tender meat pulled right off the bone *insert Homer's drool here.* I'm just gonna leave it at that. The ribs were served with two sides, like most of the entree items, we got asparagus (perfectly cooked with a nice crunch) and... MAC & CHEESE*!! Fourth Course - Triple Chocolate Layer Cake Typical chocolate mousse and ganache cake. Nothing special. If you really want a treat, go with the... - Chocolate Mousse served w/ mixed berries I prefer my mousse to be light and fluffy. But Betty's thick mousse was still insanely YUMMY. The strawberries, raspberries, and black berries were key :) Overall Smokin' Betty's Restaurant Week menu, offered an extremely tasty selection with hearty portions, for that price we all love... $35. I'm super excited to come back and try some more of their menu items!! *Mac & Cheese: But before we get too excited, I have to admit... I was kind of disappointed. So here's the scoop... I learned that Smokin' Betty's is owned by the same guy who owns Devil's Alley (I knew their mac & cheese tasted familiar... I'm not a fan of Devil's Alley's mac & cheese either). The noodles are always over cooked to me (I prefer the more al dente kind) and the cheese sauce, though nice and thick, has a kind of gritty texture. Then instead of a tomato jam on-top, there were bread crumbs with a hint of garlic flavor to them (which was the best part of this mac & cheese). Though it has potential, I wasn't a fan...
(4)Iz A.
Only had a snack and a cocktail here but loved, loved, loved it! We ordered three different drinks off of their cocktail list and were impressed by the high quality ingredients, unique concoctions and variety. I ordered the "Root of all Evil," which called for fresh orange juice. I was floored when I saw the bartender grab an orange, juice it and pour my drink. Let me tell you something, I drink A LOT and I never see anything THAT fresh going into my cocktails. The root liquor, which makes the drink taste like root beer, is an uncommon poison to stock on bar shelves but I liked it! We also ordered the brisket sliders, which were FANTASTIC! I'd like to go back and order a full appetizer for myself. We shared the three sliders and we were three ladies, which means I did not get enough! Based on the quality of the sliders and the yumminess of the BBQ sauce, they probably have an awesome menu. The bartender, whose name escapes me, was awesome too. She listed out some local spots for us (we're from DC) and was friendly yet super professional. I'd definitely go back. When I think back, Smokin' Betty's stands out from the many establishments we visited throughout the weekend. And, let me tell you something, we visited A LOT of watering holes!
(4)Chris F.
I stopped in last night for a Thursday evening drink and a small bite to eat. I called up my friend who lives nearby and asked if he wanted to try something new. I had planned to go on the west side of Broad but some construction made it more trouble than it was worth. He met me outside his apartment and fired up the Yelp app on his iPhone. I don't know what filter he had applied but it didn't show any of the same places I now pull up using the website with the nearest intersection to his apartment (strange?). Regardless he suggested Smokin' Betty's, not more than a few blocks walk. Stepping inside the 11th street entrance (they also have a side entrance with a ramp) the doorway opens up to a nicely decorated interior but more importantly STAIRS. I don't know about you, but when I get the chance to eat above common folk, I take it one step at a time :) In all reality they had two bars, but the downstairs was vacant so we sat upstairs at the bar. They had a decent selection on the tap reasonably priced. I had myself the B.B.Q Sliders consisting hickory smoked beef brisket, carolina pulled pork & caribbean pulled chicken served with carolina slaw with a side 'bucket' of sweet potato fries. I'm all about any kind of meat trifecta. The sliders were great, as were the sweet potato fries, but I was slightly disappointed by the lack of anything aside from ketchup to eat the sweet potato fries with; a notion which I find slightly repulsive. When in doubt, chipotle mayo! Goes great on everything, even air. My only other gripe lies in the design of the back of the bar. It's simply Plexiglas with chain link fence mesh inside. You could see everybody on the other side eating and there were definitely a few that felt like they were being watched. Not trendy, unless your idea of trendy means not knowing how to lock the door at Paradigm. If all I can complain about is a lack of one condiment and a piece of glass, that sounds like a pretty solid business and one that I'd definitely visit again.
(3)Sara C.
Smokin' indeed. I've never imagined BBQ in a place as sleek as this, but it works! Let's start first with the drinks, as most my time here was spent.....drinking. The selection? AWESOME. I was intrigued by their beer cocktails (which seem to be all the rage at the moment) - I went for the Curious Georgia, which was Allagash White with peach schnapps and a peach at the bottom of the glass. Seriously the most delicious thing ever. The beer list was impressive - and filled with my summer favorites from their Smokin' Betty Blonde to an Ithaca Apricot Wheat. At happy hour, they have amazing specials. As for the food - I sampled the cheese steak egg roll, served with REALLY spicy ketchup which I want to bottle up and take home with me. I also tried the BBQ chicken (WHOA to that sauce, you're right Monica and Jill). The decor seems to be lacking some originality or focus - but like I mentioned before, it's sleek. And like Apothecary, they have a unisex bathroom that's quite fancy. I'll absolutely be back for more.
(4)Catherine C.
I've been to Smokin' Betty's a few times and can safely say that I'm a fan of this place. They have a great list of beers, and flights (any four 5oz beers you choose) are only $8! That is a total bargain, and a great way to try some new brews. All the food I've had here has been very good. They usually have some great stuff on their specials list, so check it out. The waitstaff is generally friendly and helpful, but not 100% reliable. They lose a star for an incident on my first visit. My friend had her birthday party here (called ahead, arranged for a large group, etc). However, Betty's decided to call it quits at 1am despite typical closing time being 2am. I guess our party wasn't enough for them to justify keeping the otherwise lightly patroned bar open. Still, we felt a little jilted when the "get out" lights went on an hour ahead of schedule. Oh also, it's never packed. I've never had to wait for a table (and I've shown up with a party of 7 on a Saturday night without reservations).
(4)Chris M.
Hit this up again. I can't stress enough how chill this place is. We had a great time upstairs, next to the windows. It's really tough to beat. Got there for HH.. they had deals on their Smokin Betty's Blonde Beer (a Weisse, very good), and also their wings..again, tre bien. Also gobbled on their Grilled Salmon Fish Tacos. Nice. Good Sauce. Had Fish tacos many times in SoCal.. these are the closest we'll get in Philly.. Go here now!
(4)Doug P.
Went for happy hour. Clearly a post-work office hangout. It was surprisingly loud (and nice inside given the corner). My friend liked the 'paradise kitty' (at $4 during happy hour), and the pizza was a flatbread pizza. At $6 it was appropriately priced, but I'm not sure about $8. It was fine. Bottom line: $2 lagers, what's not to like?
(3)Katie L.
Although I've been a bit put-out by the union guys handing out fliers at the door during the day, I decided to give Smokin Bettys a try. The decor is amazing, very warm and homey, though I'm not sure it quite matches the menu. It doesn't have a down-home BBQ southern fried food feeling, which the menu seems to. Food: Sliders were pretty good, wasn't a huge fan of the chicken. Pork and beef were great. Cornbread is amazing. Duck salad is beyond amazing! All the appetizers could definitely have been a full meal for me, portions were huge. Mixed drinks were too expensive and pretty weak. They were changing out all the kegs and the wine list, which means they were out of pretty much everything else. I understand the need to change things, but many, many restaurants can make that change without a hitch. They can do better. Service was alright, albeit a bit slow. The server made a mistake with my salad order, but promptly corrected it. I might go back, but I'm not in a rush to do so.
(3)Brian C.
Great food, Perfect Saturday afternoon lunch, Solid 4 stars, could be 5... we'll see! This is my first impression review, so we'll see what happens as I come back. I just came here today (it's Saturday) for a late lunch, and it was delicious. The place was practically empty, so we had a great table upstairs next to the window. I was really impressed by the size of the restaurant... They could easily handle several large parties here, although I'm sure during weekend nights, that's easier said than done. The decor was nice, exposed brick and beams, a big skylight viewable from the second floor, funky modern furniture, and lots of windows that open when the weather is nice. The first floor was similar, except with the addition of the view of the kitchen. There is a bar on both floors with a decent number of bar stools. If only they had outdoor space too... oh well, you can't win em all. The BBQ sliders were amazing (I favored the brisket... sooo good). Also served was a waldorf chicken salad sandwich on french bread which was pretty good as well. The macaroni salad & cole slaw were as good as it gets. All the food tasted really fresh. We enjoyed a few beers with our lunch - Betty's Blonde, which was a nice lighter ale and the Pear Cider (a delicious pairing with the sliders... no pun intended). The service was excellent, but again... it was not a busy time. I'll definitely be back, especially to try the ribs. BTW, this place beats the crap out of Q in old city...
(4)Sarah S.
I really wanted to like this place. I swear I did! Maybe this is all my fault for looking at the menu ahead of time and getting really stoked on my upcoming dinner. I eyed up the menu thoroughly and decided to get the BBQ sliders so I could try a variety of the goods. Pulled Pork, Brisket & Pulled Chicken. I also ordered a side of mac & cheese for the full comfort food effect. I tried a little of each slider and ended up giving two of them away to other friends at the table. The pulled pork was surely the best. The sauce was tasty, but I am pretty sure I've had better at family BBQs. The side of mac & cheese was REALLY disappointing. For $4 I was expecting a small bowl of mac & cheese.. instead I got something about the size of a condiment dish full of weird NON-BAKED mac & cheese. Gooey and strange... and lacking macaroni. Spirals? It was mostly cheesey goo. The noodles were few and far between. As for the rest of my dining experience: The waiter was very nice. He was on top of everything... getting fresh beers and being nice in general. The atmosphere was a bit strange. I expected something more RUSTIC, but it kind of just looks like a dimly lit panera bread. The acoustics in there are also TERRIBLE. We were screaming across the table just to have a conversation. I will say this... I will probably give this place another try sometime since my boyfriend is from North Carolina and wants to try the "carolina" bbq, but I will deff just stick to the pulled pork and i will NOT order that mac & cheese since we make it way better at home. Hopefully I like it better next time!
(2)Jessica G.
We ordered Smokin' Betty's('s) signature surfeit of fowl, the Tur-Duck-En Burger, with a side of hunting knife in case any of the three species between the buns began squirming anew. Someone ordered a marinated grilled vegetable sandwich--at a barbeque joint!--but he was forgiven this gaffe on account of his vegetarianism and lactose intolerance. Someone else ordered fish tacos--at a barbeque joint!--and, to be honest, nobody really got over that. But both dishes were satisfactory, even given their status as outliers on a BBQ menu.
(3)Mindy Y.
Riblets? Riblets? Riblets! Had to wait forever to get them, but once they arrived they were hot, tender and delicious. The slow service wasn't our waitress's fault - she was definitely in the weeds with 5+ tables, two of which were larger parties. The Grace Lightening (Midori sour) was ok, nothing to write home about. The roast turkey platter? Very good comfort food, but be prepared for a heaping pile of turkey and stuffing smothered in gravy. The homemade cranberry sauce was very good. I'm not sure how I feel about the whipped sweet potatoes - they had some good points but there was just something about them that was a little strange to me. The upstairs bar/seating area was loud and packed, but there was (literally) one guy sitting downstairs. As long as the upstairs is crowded I guess they do a good business, but I imagine being empty on the street level will hurt them in the long run. I'll be back to try the lamb burger, sliders, and the betty cristo... and the riblets, of course.
(4)Jonathan O.
All-in-all a pretty solid showing by Smokin' Betty's. Nothing fantastic though. First off, it should be noted that I've only ever been here to meet up with friends for Happy Hour during Center City Sips. I'll update my review when I come for dinner...and now on with the show: The place is always really busy for Sips, so it's loud (in a fun way, I guess, but it would be hard to enjoy a dinner at this time if you weren't there for happy hour) and the staff get pretty bogged down, but they handle the crowd decently well. Our server was great, but I frequently didn't see her often enough so had to go up to the bar to take care of the order myself. The happy hour bites were good; try their cheesesteak springrolls--their legit...although a small portion (it's just one springroll cut in half). My friends weren't sure, but they thought the white wine might be Franzia poured into a wine bottle. I could neither confirm nor disconfirm that, since I'm a beer drinker. Speaking of, awesome value for a pint of Philly Brewing Company's Fleur de Lehigh for 2 bucks.
(3)Michael L.
I wanted to try this place out since I have yet to have incredible BBQ in center city. I still have yet to have incredible BBQ in center city. The ambiance was nice; I liked the atmosphere the place exuded--funky but not trying too hard. The waitress was nice, attentive and knowledgeable, and their list of cocktails was interesting. I started off with the sliders sampler to get a taste of the barbeque, and was very disappointed. I had a hard time discerning the difference between the chicken and the pork, besides the fact that one was too watery and bland, whereas the other one was way too sweet. The brisket was good, but nothing spectacular. i got the salad with quinoa, which was very pleasant. If I had to go back, I would probably order it again--nicely sized and tasty. Looked like a nice place out for drinks and ambiance, but overall the food was less than extraordinary.
(3)Brian A.
Awesome food, good beer selection, good cocktails. Try the Betty Burger - it's little more than I'd usually spend for a burger and fries ($13) but it was well worth it; hands-down the best burger I've had yet in Philly. Add in a nice stout or porter and you've got yourself a delicious, stick-to-your ribs dinner. Service was fair and the atmosphere was pretty cozy, if fairly noisy. Would come back again.
(5)Kelly T.
Great barbeque. Service was efficient and friendly.
(4)Hill F.
Greeat spot for dinner. Ice cold Yuengling on draft, and the BBQ was excellent. We had the St. Louis ribs and a pulled-pork sandwich. The service was excellent and professional.
(4)Bill G.
My girlfriend and I don't usually let other women into our relationship, but for Betty's we make an exception. With giant chalk board menus on exposed brick and a more than adequate beer list, Smokin B's is our steady go to gal. The portions are generous enough that I leave every time with a feeling of gluttonous accomplishment. I recommend their brisket platter, a heaping helping of Hebraic delight complete with latkas and apple sauce. If your feeling especially randy, try your luck on the mountain of beef, cheese, pork belly, avocado and egg that is the Betty burger. You won't regret it (immediately). Try to get seated upstairs by one of the huge windows that border the relatively open space behind the bar. On these perfect fall nights it is the best way to escape the sometimes overly loud music (my only complaint). Which by the way is always in good taste. I love Motown for brunch.
(4)Jake V.
After the Brownhaus Shittz, I was a little leary of going to a restaurant so soon after they opened. Luckily, not all places can have a catastrophic opening month... That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with this place. The girlfriend and I ordered a bbq sampler platter and got a roasted quarter chicken and a couple ribs. We also split a salad and all and all the whole thing was pretty good for a reasonable price. The bbq wasn't blow-the-doors off in either direction (spicy or sweet) but generally neutral which is nice. The beer selection wasn't bad either with a wide range which was also reasonable. Overall, it's a pretty good start for a place that has potential.
(4)Jon D.
NOTE: This review is for Center City Sips only. Went here a few weeks ago to meet a friend for Sips. I liked the setup of the place as a corner location - lots of good light & window seats. We had a table and service for was terrible, it took 15-20 minutes for drinks. My girlfriend went recently for Sips and said service was terrible then too. On the positive side, they had a blonde ale (and Lager) on tap for the special, which was pretty good. I also tried the pizza which was just ok. Altogether, not a bad place for Sips. Just stock up when you order.
(3)Mike S.
When 13 of us can sit down for dinner at 7:45 on a Friday, its a good thing. When the waitress can rattle off some dishes, but forget a few of the sides, and be able to say it in a manner that makes us laugh, that's a good thing. Beer selection was good. Had one of the specials, haddock with cous cous. The haddock was a bit under cooked. The red bell pepper puree accented the fish well. The citrus cous cous was good. The best part of the meal was the salted greens sprinkled over the dish. It really made the dinner. Pricing was fair. I would go back, its a good place for a decent meal that's not too loud w/ more of a laid back atmosphere.
(3)Perri W.
This is my favorite place to eat downtown. The service has always been great and everyone has been really friendly each time I've eaten here. I love the atmosphere and it seems like they play music straight from my iTunes library. I always order the grilled salmon, but switch up the sides. The salmon always has really great flavor and barely any skin to worry about. I've had the mashed potatoes, grilled veggies, and sweet potato fries as sides - all really great (mashed potatoes were my favorite). We came during restaurant week and my boyfriend ordered from the prix fixe menu and everything was phenomenal. He started with Korean fried chicken & waffles, then had a turkey/bacon chowder, teriyaki salmon over rice, and ended with apple pie. I nibbled on everything and it was all delicious. Everything had great flavor and was cooked perfectly. Drinks are good- last time I had a local beer (forgetting the name) and my boyfriend liked it so much he ordered one too. All in all, we love this place. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because when I went to use the restroom I looked all over for a lightswitch only to realize the light WAS on. It was really dark and a little annoying, but nothing worth ruining my experiences here.
(4)Charles R.
Every once in a while I have a taste for BBQ. Having lived in NC for a few years I learned there are distinct types even in one state, thus I ordered the trio of bbq sliders. The sliders had plenty of meat on each one, and the meat was tender and juicy. The first one was Eastern Carolina style, lots of vinegar, the second was Western Style with the richer normal bbq sauce, and the third was smokey. All 3 were very good, but I prefer the Eastern style the best. The grilled cheese was quite large with plenty of rich gooey cheese. It came with a small side salad and was more than enough for a hearty appetite. Next time I stop for lunch I will make sure I'm hungry enough for the Turducken burger. One went by our table and it was really big, but looked soooooo good. Make sure you have the address, because there is etched glass doors with the name and that's about it. It was even a little hard to find in the daytime.
(4)Q K.
Nice menu and solid micro beer selection. Reasonably priced for city. Bar, menu, seating a little limited, but good spot in Market East area.
(4)Rebecca S.
I work around the corner, I don't like to eat out most of the time anymore. I forgot my lunch one day and the smell was calling my name!! felt so good in there and I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with provolone and roasted peppers.. one word AMAZING.. I had to go the next day and get it again.. I have also gone for dinner/happy hr. good service.resonable.good atmosphere. highly recomend.. oh and great beer selection !
(5)K J.
Went there for lunch this past Friday because it was so nice out. Was expecting a great bbq meal and was kind of disappointed. First off, the sangria was very weak and had very little flavor, which was surprising since I go here for SIPS in the summer and loved their sangria. For our lunch, we got a full rack of ribs and a whole chicken (wanting to have leftovers) and got the sauce on the side. Both dishes were overcooked and dry. Also, the meat was not smoked, which we thought it would be, given the name. The sauce came on the side, however it tasted like catalina french dressing. We took the majority of our meal home, and we re-heated in the oven with our own BBQ sauce and it was much better. On a good note, we loved the broccoli and sweet potato fries. My friend got a burger that was also perfectly cooked, however it was bland and only had 3 mushrooms on it! For close to $80 with tip, I just expected more. I guess I'm spoiled by Khyber Pass Pub, which has amazing smoked bbq at similar prices. I do like the atmosphere though and will probably continue to keep this place in my SIPS rotation, just won't be back for lunch anytime soon.
(2)Sarah S.
I eat at Betty's every couple months and really like the place. Pulled pork sammy = juicy and delicious. The roll is kind of monstrous, so sometimes I eat with a fork and knife. Sweet potato fries are also very tasty. One comment - this weekend was the first time I ordered a salad (red quinoa, spinach, feta, chickpeas) - it was a solid meal, but there was WAY too much dressing. Like half a bottle. Order it on the side.
(4)Linz J.
Smokin' Betty's, please stop making me dream about your ribs. Your fall-off-the-bone meat, decadently drizzed in some fantastic brown sugar BBQ saucey concoction's flawlessness has got me in a choke hold. I want to eat them for every meal for the rest of my life. It is likely that none of that made much sense, but neither is the fact that I think that when I dip the sweet potato fries in the whipped sweet potato it tastes like french toast.
(5)Christy T.
Too tasty for words. The man/woman behind the grill is all that! I loved each and every meal I had there. I was in Philly for a convention and stayed around the corner, so location was great, atmosphere was fantastic and the food was really great. I had a great salmon dinner one night and some great slow cooked pork the next. Keep up the good work, Smokin' Betty's you are all that!
(4)christina j.
This was the scene for dinner last night. I had the 1/2 rack bbq ribs(dry rub) along with the macaroni salad and steamed broccoli. The meat from the ribs fell right off the bone & extremely tender. I also had a smokin' betty blonde which paired well with the ribs. My beer buddy ordered the turducken burger and seemed to enjoy it. It was a huge burger and what a mouthful, with the stuffing and cranberry sauce. I sat amazed that he was able to fit this burger in his mouth. The only remains were his side order of fries. The food was good and the waitress was friendly and attentive. Prices are reasonable. One note to add; the bathroom is unisex.
(3)Endyiia E.
Terrible food and customer service. I ordered a pulled chicken sandwich with fries. I was so excited to receive the sandwich I tried it in front of the waiter. The chicken was overcooked and lacking in flavor. I requested to exchange the chicken sandwich for a turkey sandwich since I hadn't bitten the sandwich just tasted it with my fork. The waiter took the sandwich back to the kitchen and returned with it in hand. He stated that the chef and kitchen staff tasted the chicken and it was fine and that I could order a turkey sandwich but would be paying for two sandwiches. My response was no thank you and that I would rather take it home to the family dog or toss it at home. Since the sandwich taste so "great" to the chef and staff would hate to think I'm paying for them to eat my trash! My friend ordered half a grilled chicken that was undercooked and bleeding once she cut near the bone. The waiter took the chicken back to the kitchen for the chef to place it back on the grill. I'm sure heat kills germs but would hate to think someone's fresh piece of chicken is being cooked next to a piece that has been forked over. Overall would have kept walking if I .knew it would be such a bad experience. Would have had a way better meal from Reading Terminal a few blocks way.
(1)sarah j.
Overall, this place was pretty good. Some of the lighting sucks (I had to change seats as soon as I sat down because some crazy track light thing was shining right in my eyes, but I'm sensitive to such things). The bathroom is cool, especially the trough sink, except that unisex = guys don't put the seat down. Happy hour drink specials are a good deal, though I don't know if I could ever ask for a drink with "kitty" in the name. I had the Smokin' Bettly's Blonde beer and the Betty's Grilled Cheese, which was delicious. My only issue is that I ordered it without prosciutto but still had to pay full price; it would be nice if a veg grilled cheese was on the menu. There were other vegetarian options available, but they were of the mushrooms/roasted vegetables/veggie burger variety that just bores me to death. The hosting staff seemed a bit nervously overattentive (possibly because we didn't look like businessfolk?) and the place seemed slightly too organized for the rather unorganized happy hour I attend. Our server did a great job... he was always there to ask if anyone needed another drink, reminded us when happy hour was over, patiently split our checks, and was overall very accommadating to our group. I'd visit this place again with my boyfriend so he can try the bbq, though I probably wouldn't end up here on my own. I'd give this 3.5 stars, and I'll err on the positive side for now.
(4)Eric V.
Not bad. The service was pretty good... of course I haven't seen this place too busy (maybe I just go at the wrong times). The food is pretty good too.... you can't go wrong with a smoked salmon blt.
(3)lindsay t.
They have multiple sauces for the meats which is nice, but my ultimate test at every barbecue location is the sides. The biscuits looked great but a person I was with wouldn't even finish one. Another person didn't enjoy the whipped sweet potatoes, and the mac & cheese (which I had been craving all day) was way too creamy and not even macaroni. The service was good (the server was very accommodating with the multiple checks), and the happy hour drink specials were decent-- so if you go just keep to the main plates.
(3)Anjali M.
After so much hype after the MOOB event and hearing about a new place opening up in my 'hood, I was really excited to try Smokin' Betty's. Without much signage, the anticipation escalated as I was mystified as to whether the restaurant was open. To my dining partner's and my fortune, the restaurant was indeed open and we were promptly seated upstairs by a window overlooking Sansom Street. I think the place essentially looked more spacious because it was still sunny with warm weather so the windows were open and there was some light through the sky light windows. The service was timely and was not rushed. We had come in time for happy hour which I believe runs every day from 5-7 pm (don't quote me on this) so we decided to get a grilled veggie quesadilla for our appetizer and a Paradise Kitty and a Smokin' Betty's Blonde for our drinks. The Paradise Kitty was much mango, little alcohol kick (I think this one of the reasons why I ended up drinking a lot of wine later this night). Grilled veggie quesadilla was a pretty standard fare for an appetizer in the sense that it whet my appetite (ha ha). I had ordered the lamb burger over the turducken burger because I feared the cranberry (or some other berry) topping on it. I ordered it to be medium well and it came out a tiny bit burnt but no worries. Dude, this piece of lamb was HUGE. I literally stuffed myself in the sense that it was one of those sandwiches that I had to pat down in order for me to bite it and in the sense that at the end of my meal, I was ready to bowl over. So why the three stars you ask? I just wasn't too impressed. I feel that the lamb could have been juicier or some other sauce should be added so it doesn't taste so dry. Or give some option to add sauces because I like my burgers like that (juicy or saucy if dry). But it's in my 'hood so I think I'm bound to return and I am open to any suggestions you all may have regarding a good menu choice :)
(3)Wendy S.
I work right around the corner from Smokin' Betty's and I've been walking past ten times a week since they opened. I finally gave it a try last night and I'm just sorry I didn't do it sooner. I'll start with my only complaint - we were seated in the bar area upstairs and it was barely controlled chaos. We arrived at about 6:30 on a Friday night and the noise level was just shy of intolerable. I'm getting old, I'm way past boring, and I no longer drink so please take that into consideration. It's clearly a hot spot for the young, casual after work crowd, so if that's you, you'll love it. Anyway, after taking a look at the menu, I was most excited about the warm bread pudding, so my boyfriend and I decided to order 2 small plates to share and 2 sides rather than full entrees. Umm...yeah. The servings were *huge*. We split the chicken wings (dry rub - spicy, succulent, and delish with a schmear of spicy mayo and fab pasta salad), bbq sliders trio (all 3 were excellent, but brisket and pork stood out and the vinegar-heavy coleslaw was a winner), grilled vegetables (crazy good), and bucket o' fries (up there with the best I've had and so perfectly seasoned that they didn't need a thing). In fact, my only complaint about the food was that I was so stuffed, we didn't get to try the bread pudding. We enjoy pigging out, but the two small plates and two sides were so generously sized that we took half the wings, fries, and veggies home. I believe our server's name was Emily. She was slammed with tables, but super friendly nonetheless. Our total bill for two was under $40 with tax and tip. I think I might prefer lunch to dinner next time, due to the crazy atmosphere...but I will definitely be back and highly recommend you check it out.
(4)Joseph K.
I went to celebrate a friend's birthday. The dim, breezy atmosphere was a great complement to the bright, hot evening outside. We sat in front of French doors that opened onto 13th Street for some great people watching. Our server (wish I could remember her name) was charming and efficient. I'm still fantasizing about the delightful variety of the barbeque sliders, their various piquant sauces and tender meat. The whipped sweet potatoes brought back memories of holidays that never happened. The birthday cake exceeded my chocolate expectations: moist chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache.
(4)Katie V.
Great Happy Hour specials and friendly staff.
(4)Mike S.
Two words will keep me coming back to this great beer bar - Turducken burger! The perfect pairing of spices and flavors bring together three staples of the meatyverse - turkey, duck, and chicken! It was delicious, and with a solid beer menu to wash it down with, you can't go wrong. I'm looking forward to trying more on the menu!
(4)David B.
3rd or 4th visit here. We have previously enjoyed all other visits. Saturday April 14th - not so much. The food was fine and our server was good. However, our evening (a birthday gathering) was dominated by a private party in the upstairs space beside the stairwell. This space is completely open to the rest of the restaurant and because they were allowed to bring in live music WITH amplification, conversation for our 9-top was uncomfortable and sometimes impossible. We have seen this space used for private groups before - without intruding into anyone elses evening. Since the space is not closed off, they should reconsider the impact of the event on Saturday on the rest of their clients. In addition to this, our seating was enough for 6-7 max. We had reserved well in advance for 10 and ended up being 9. It was incredibly tight. Unfortunately, it was also unseasonably hot. Some windows upstairs were open but many were not. There was no air-conditioning and the temperature became uncomfortable and sticky. Honestly, we we couldn't wait to leave once we settled our $400 bill. More than 1/2 our group had not been before and I don't think they'll be rushing back.
(2)Brian W.
The service is great. Happy hour is always packed and beer selection is unique. The food is good but I think slightly overpriced.
(3)Pong C.
Definitely a great spot for happy hour (great atmosphere upstairs, blah blah, blah). More importantly, great prices on booze ($2 lagers, $3 house wines) and some decent food specials ($5 wings). I had the wings (dry-rubbed) and they were pretty amazing. Very meaty and nicely charred. Order some bbq sauce on the side and you'll thing you're in wing heaven. Our server was pretty awful, he kept forgetting people's order and instead of admitting that he forgot, he would just say "he'll check on it." I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and say he's an outlier.
(4)Kimberly T.
We came to Philadelphia for a weekend of touristy wandering, and just happened upon Smokin' Betty's on one of our outings. It was early on a Friday afternoon, so not quite happy hour time (5-7pm), but we decided to have a drink anyway. My husband and I decided to split a pitcher of Sangria - which while it had potential to have been really good, was not. The bartender took a perfectly good looking mixture out of the fridge and doused it with carbonated water, and then served it. Without mixing. Or stirring; resulting in the first three quarters of the pitcher being oddly watery. The last glass or so at the bottom of untouched goodness was perfectly tasty, so I hope they stick with that for the future!
(3)Elizabeth D.
Finally went back to Smokin' Betty's after a brief visit last Center City Sips. Seemed to be only one or two servers for the whole upstairs, which was a little disconcerting. Our waiter was very apologetic though as he also had a huge party 2 tables down from us. I had their Raspberry Lemonade, which was refreshing. Husband had Arrogant Bastard Ale (WHICH WAS ON TAP!), one of his favorite brews. We split the BBQ Sliders to start. Solid appetizer - very flavorful and pretty authentic BBQ for our southern-school-attending selves. I had the Grilled Cheese (Fig Jam, Mozzarella, Prosciutto), which was wonderful. Definitely hit the spot. Also had a side of coleslaw, which was NC style - nice vinegar base. Husband had the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, which didn't wow him, but his side of Mac 'n Cheese was "amazing." I agree about the bathrooms as most people have noted. They seemed a little half assed. My stall had no toilet paper dispenser, and the seat was totally messed up. Plus, the placement of the soap dispenser is really weird. If there was more than one person washing up, it would be an awkward reach. Overall good spot for dinner. I want to go back and try the Sweet Tea Vodka cocktail & have some of those ribs...
(4)Ramen F.
Every time I go back to this place I am increasingly disappointed. Why would I spend a pretty dollar at this place when there are so many great restaurants in this area? I used to enjoy the atmosphere, but the food really ruins the experience. The burgers used to be awesome, but lately they are overcooked and the toppings are sparse. I love the pulled pork sandwiches at Devil's Alley and thought they would be similar here - huge mistake - the three mini sandwiches with different flavored fillings were not good. Each of them lacked depth of flavor and fundamental seasoning. The grilled cheese was a mess. The bread was super thickly cut and not even toasted or cooked on the grill to bring the sandwich together. The fig jam was spread on so thickly that I couldn't muster more than a few bites. Mozzarella was a poor choice for a grilled cheese because it was only half melted, stuck in clumps and fell out of the sandwich with each bite. Was great at one time. Has seriously fell from grace. An okay place to come if you just plan on drinking. I do not plan on coming back to eat.
(1)Sean G.
Who doesn't love restaurant week? We always pick a restaurant that we wouldn't typically go to and get a delighful sampler of what they have to offer during Restaurant Week. Based on a recommendation of my fiance's co-worker, we headed out to Smokin' Betty's... Food: 3.5 stars The food was pretty good. We took advantage of the menu and each ordered something different. My fiance and I tried: First-- OYSTER PO'BOY SLIDER-- Not bad. The oyster was more fried coating than oyster so it tasted like a batter slider than an oyster slider LAMB MEATBALLS-- Delicious. They were working to harness a very greek taste profile and were successful with the meat and pea puree and raita sauce Second-- CHICKEN & POTATO SOUP-- The bowl was topped with a buttermilk biscuit which was delicious. Sadly the soup was only luke warm... FRIED GREEN TOMATO SALAD-- The tomatoes were delicious but the salad as a whole was under-dressed Entree-- BEEF SHORT RIB-- The short rib was delicious. Portions of the meal were too salty and likely canned instead of made from scratch. You can always taste when something isn't fresh. The polenta was good but the salty Jus overwhelmed everything JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKE-- The roasted beet risotto felt short of the mark. It was a good idea that really didn't pan out. The slaw was ok and the Crab Cake was large but lack luster Dessert-- Go with the APPLE PIE Ã la MODE-- It comes with vanilla bean ice cream and avoid the CHOCOLATE DIPPED BACON & CARAMEL POPCORN (gross!) Service: 3.0 stars They was one waitress working the the evening crowd. She could only do one thing at a time, which is an issue for anyone with this job. Drinks were left empty for long periods of time, food was brought out luke warm, and the general attention to any detail was poor. You can always tell when someone doesn't take pride or really care about what they do. Ambiance: 4.0 stars The restaurant was very well done inside. The vibe reminded me of a more west coast style restaurant and the decor was unique compared to other restaurants. Price: 4.0 stars $35 per person (without drinks) makes Restaurant Week a good deal for the amount of food you get. Location: 4.0 stars 11th and Sansom Overall: 3.0 stars The restaurant was cool and a good, new experience for Restaurant Week. The food had its highs and lows but combined with the service, the overall experience was middle of the road. The only thing that will draw us back to Smokin' Betty's is their extensive Lunch and Dinner menus. There are better options for restaurant week but Smokin' Betty's might be a good option if you're impressed with their regular menu.
(3)Stephanie Y.
I've been here twice for sips and I can't get enough of it. Upstairs is crazy busy and crowded. I'm only 5ft tall and I even had a hard time getting through without spilling some of my precious beer. I got a chance to try the Shandy, which is perfect in the hot and humid weather. It's very refreshing and goes down easy. Also, you need to order the trio sliders and the spice rubbed wings. Sometimes the wings are a little burnt, but overall they go well with the beers and the wings are pretty juicy and tender.
(4)Jim L.
More or less a hipper version of TGI Fridays. First, a couple of positives. The pub like atmosphere is cool and the wait staff is pretty hip and cool. They have a nice, extensive beer list, able to please any taste. The place is kid friendly and this was important to my girl and I as we were entertaining a visitor with two little boys. There is a kids' menu with the usual chicken fingers and grilled cheese kids' fare. The big negative here is the food itself. I ordered a rack of St. Louis ribs with dry rub and a side of barbecue sauce. What I got was a meaty rack of overly cooked, dry ribs with a side of what seemed more like ketchup than barbecue sauce. This is supposed to be a barbecue joint. There was nothing at all succulent about the barbecue I was served. The sides I chose were decent at best, mixed vegetable medley and the potato latkes. The two ladies I was with didn't fare much better. My girlfriend ordered the barbecued chicken and complained that her dish was dry and was served cold. Our friend ordered the fish tacos. She seemed to be fine with the ingredients but had the same complaint that her dish was served cold. Perhaps we adults should have taken the lead of the two children we were with. They seemed quite content with their sides of french fries and baked macaroni and cheese. As for me and my barbecue experience, let's just say I've had a lot better.
(2)Nisa G.
Good place for happy hour. Beer selection is OK, wine not so much. Food, I would not recommend. The barbecue tastes reheated everytime I go. It tastes like they are preparing this food way too far in advance, forcing them to constantly reheat. Nothing fresh about the barbecue. Sauce tastes store bought. Service is ok. Nothing out of the ordinary here. Most people go for the outside seating and atmosphere. Location is convenient also.
(3)Thom K.
I've been there four times now. The first time was just after they opened. I was excited, since Devil's Alley is one of favorite places during the work week. I felt like I was "catching them at a bad time". So, I chalked it up to start-up, growing pains. However the other three return visits, the last being just two weeks ago...proved to be similar experiences. When I go out to eat, I want to feel welcomed and appreciated. I want my meal to be a tasty value. And, I want the atmosphere to be inviting. I've not experienced that yet with Smokin' Betty.
(2)Stacey R.
My husband and I were looking for last minute reservations for Center City restaurant week, and this place was one of the few that had an opening with a decent-looking menu. Luckily we were not disappointed! It was $35 for a generous four course menu which included appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered; out of eight things brought out not one was a miss. I think the highlights were the chicken and waffle sliders, pumpkin soup, pork ribs and sticky toffee pudding. I ordered some fruit thing for dessert because I thought I would be too full for something more decadent. Rookie mistake! If a choice is sticky toffee pudding, then son, go with the pudding. Beer, wine and cocktail selection was also great. We don't find ourselves in this neighborhood very often, but we would happily go back.
(4)Michael P.
I went here with a group of fellow yelpers to try it out. Our focus was on the burgers, but I absolutely need to get back there to try the barbecue options. I have to agree with previous reviews that suggest that Smokin Betty's doesn't look open. The dark glass and lightly used first floor combine with the lack of signage. If the windows are open on the second floor you can tell its there, otherwise its looks closed. Even if you walk in, it initially looks empty, but then the hostess greets you and takes you upstairs. It's a big, airy space, lined with windows that can be opened to the outdoors. There's bar by the top of the stairs, and surrounded by a few semi-divided dining room. Waist high walls are a great way to take a big space and make it feel more intimate and private, even if you can hear every bit of chatter from across the room. The bar has a nice range of micros, and I really like the betty blonde, which was on happy hour special. It also has the Ithaca Apricot Wheat, which takes me back to my college days, and is starting to pop up in more places in Philly. They also have beer cocktails that have been garnering some attention, but I did not try them. We split some appetizers, including a tasty beet salad and the very good sliders, which could almost be an entree. The cheesesteak eggrolls were better than most I've had, most of the time feel like they just slap some steakum in a wonton wrapper, but these actually had a good flavor and texture. They come with spicy ketchup, which i'm guessing is straight out of the heinz bottle, as it was barely spicy. I also tried the onion rings, which were pretty good. I had the Lamb burger, which came out nicely tender and moist, The "yogurt cucumber mint sauce" is kind of an odd way to say "Tzatziki", but its a good pairing here. The burger was substantial, and almost justified the price. If the cheese and sides weren't extra, it might not feel quite as bad, but its always a cardinal sin in my book to charge extra for sides with a sandwich, especially one that costs more than $10. Our waitress was attentive, and but may have confused some similar orders. She was fast to notice extra drinks, and to get food out from the kitchen. She was also well versed on the menu, always a good sign for a relatively new restaurant. Overall, I enjoyed Smokin' Betty's, but found it a bit expensive. I guess that comes with the center city territory. On the other hand, the barbecue menu looks a bit more reasonably priced, so I'll have to get back to try that, and potentially update this review.
(4)Meredith W.
I've gone here a bunch of times with friends and had a good time. Its menu is good (but not exciting) and the specials are great. While it is a decent option in Center City, I did have one not great experience. I took my grandmother to Betty's a few weeks ago, for a pre-show dinner (Walnut Street Theater date!). The food was fine, but the service was pretty short and snarky. She's very spry, but I was a little disappointed when they made us go upstairs, when there were plenty of table down stairs. She could climb the stairs, but it would have been better had she not had to. Also, the waitress was also very impatient and short. She might have been disappointed in our low bar tab, but it seemed geared to my mom-mom. While I realize Betty's might not be seeking the octogenarian crowd, I would hope they would be just as warm and friendly with us as they are when I'm there with younger people.
(3)Matthew A.
Food was good but service slowwwwwww!!!!! 3 beers in 2 hours?!?! Really?????
(2)Rob S.
Should be called not so smokin bettys!! Betty wasn't too hot today! Probably the worst brunch experience I've ever had. I work at one of the local large hotel chains in the area and my concierge sends people here often. I will be sure to tell them about my experience today. We were the first people in the restaurant this morning and I would have thought we would have the freshest food and cleanest table. We sit down and the table was sticky and we literally had to peel the menus off the table. Place had a cool vibe for sure but I definitely had a dirty, not well maintained feeling throughout the entire experience. My wife had some brown gooey stuff on the inside of her coffee cup. If looked and felt like peanut butter - we sent this back right way! I then went to the bathroom and there were nats everywhere! Disgusting!! So back to the food. We ordered the corn bread muffins. Jiffy anyone??? Well that's what they tasted like; just like jiffy muffins!! Dry and crumbled apart when broke open. The jalepeno butter they came with sounded great but it was so cold it was inedible. When you get warm muffins you should get warm butter with them. What a shame! We then ordered the brunch special which were breakfast tacos. We also got the Betty's burger. The tacos were pretty bad. The shell was a pancake that was dry, tasteless and spongy. My wife only had a few bites and didn't eat the rest. The burger I ordered wasn't all that great either. While the actually burger was tasty the runny egg that was supposed to be on it was dry and way over cooked. The pork belly that was on the burger was extremely dry and stringy. I only ate the burger and left everything else on the plate. What a shame is what my wife said because the place looks really cool and I'm sure it's a nice spot to grab drinks, but I don't think I'll be giving the food another try. Sorry Betty!
(1)Feygens S.
Great Atmosphere!! Food was great! I had the dry ribs w/ mac & cheese. Well done like how I like it. Staff was nice and the music was cool. I heard the bus boy made the music selection for the night and was playing nothing but classic Hip Hop. DOPE! I will recommend this spot and will go again when in town. Thumbs UP!
(4)Nicole C.
The food was really really good. I had the BBQ sliders which are a trio of three types of briskets. The ambiance was dark and cozy but upscale. Our waitress was kinda rushing us and seemed interested, but the rest of the staff was very friendly! Must have just had an off night! Would definitely go backl
(4)Kelly P.
strawberry lemonade, mmm! red pepper hummus, mmm! buffalo chicken quesadilla, m---- wait, is that bacon? yuck. loud as hell upstairs. -- what's that you say? i said: IT'S LOOOOUD UPSTAIRS. cute servers.
(4)Amber M.
Strawberry Lemonade was bang-ing, might be my new favorite. Sangria was a little boring and basically I should have ordered another lemonade haha. Overall, I think this place is super cool. Love the layout and there's plenty of space. Cool spot to hang out after work for drinks/appetizers or for something more intimate/cool to get to know each other better (wink). Waitstaff were quick and effective. Smokin!
(5)Jacqueline L.
I came to dinner at Smokin' Betty's on a double date and I was happily surprised. Based on some of the reviews, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy my meal or the place in general but I did! After walking in I was immediately happy with the ambiance and feel of the place. I was expecting a super casual BBQ joint but the decor gave off a bit of a trendy/hip feel to it which I enjoy when I make an effort to get dressed and go out to eat! It is by no means over the top but the lighting was fun and overall I was happy with the appearance of the joint. For dinner, I got the pulled pork sandwich, the boyfriend got the BBQ salmon, and the other couple got the sliders and the Smokin' Betty burger. The pulled pork and other sliders were great (except the chicken was bland) and the burger was gigantic and had an egg on it (anything with an egg on it is A-OK in my book). The only average entree was my boyfriend's salmon, which he said was good, but nothing special, just simple. Sides were all enjoyable (Mashed sweet potatoes tasted like pumpkin pie and the mini corn bread muffins were cooked nicely as well). I've already recommended this place to some of my friends who are into BBQ with a twist!
(4)Sandra W.
I visited for a happy hour and the food was delicious. Delicious corn muffins. Everything I had ( or sampled from friends) was really tasty. There is a second floor with a full bar so probably a great place to try on a weekend night when other places might be too crowded. Can't vouch for that, just a thought. I'd recommend it for sure.
(4)Amy R.
Just delicious!!! A true find. The food was great. Great selection of alcohol. The atmosphere's fun. Can't think of a bad thing to say!! YUMMMMYYYYY!!!!
(4)Melissa J.
This place has a great atmosphere and vibe. I have only experienced happy hour, so I have not had any entrees. The starters are delicious, specifically the sliders and cheesesteak eggrolls Their drinks are also great, I love the pomegranate martini. They sometimes have music too. The only negatives are it is very small and dark, and sometimes the service is a tad slow.
(4)Erin S.
"Love it here! Great atmosphere and love the happy hour specials. Servers are super friendly and prices are reasonable."
(4)Kenneth C.
Smokin' Betty's was a small place that we found after searching for a restaurant to go to after a beerfest. The main criteria being the menu had to be more on the comfort food side, the drink menu had to be extensive and they needed to be able to accept a large group. While I was not overly thrilled with the beer menu (a bit lacking in selection) the food was phenomenal!! I had the beef brisket sandwich and a number of the group had the pulled pork, on top of that we split a few orders of mac and cheese. My sandwich was amazing and those that had the pulled pork raved as well, the mac and cheese went quicker than I have ever seen. All in all we ended with a great dinner and drinks for relatively cheap for center city dining.
(5)john m.
When am I going to learn?!?! A friend once told me not to go to a restaurant to try their Restaurant Week menu because often times the food seems mass produced. Makes sense... and it really seemed that way last night. I went to SB with my wife last night for Restaurant Week. We were both really excited because we checked out the menu beforehand. On paper, it seemed so promising. Upon arriving, I really dug the vibe... modern, but not too pretentious... not too noisy with the right amount of background noise. Here's what I got: 1st course... Oyster Po'boy Sliders... really did nothing for me at all. It felt like I was eating mini Big Macs with a leaner meat. It didn't taste bad at all... just had nothing to really make it stand out. 2nd course... Fried Green Tomato salad... again, did nothing for me at all. The salad and side dressing had no flavor at all. Come to think of it... the fried tomato seemed to not really have any flavor at all. 3rd course... Beef Short Rib with creamy polenta, broccolini with roasted mushroom jus... ok, this was awesome. It was hearty, comforting and delicious. The short rib was as it should be, so tender you could cut it with your fork, Good stuff... 4th course... Chocolate Dipped bacon with Caramel corn... this was probably the biggest disappointment of the night. What we got was definitely not what we thought we were going to get. I thought it would be more refined, but it was literally bacon dipped in chocolate over caramel corn. I thought it would at least be chocolate covered bacon crushed up and sprinkled over caramel corn... nope... just my preference though. As for our waiter... I don't even remember his name. I don't even know if he told it to us. A lot of the time, there would be an empty glass on the table and I'd have to flag him down to ask him for something. He was nice, but didn't seem overly attentive. With all of the hundreds of restaurants in the area, I won't be going back to SB. I didn't have anything that made me want to go back. On the plus side, my wife really enjoyed her meal. Me, not so much!!!
(2)Curt S.
Great sevice! Excellent waiter
(5)Valerie M.
I'll refrain from simply saying that it's smokin' and will expand upon my verbal abilities to dig deeper into why this is likely my favorite underrated bar in the city. First up: sweet potato fries. I love them, and I would marry them if it weren't weird. In fact, I might get over that judgement someday and just go for it. I love pretty much everything on the menu, and find that the specials are always delicious. Brunch is excellent, lunch is great, and happy hours and dinner never disappoint. The strangest thing about this place is that it never seems to be crowded. I have never waited for a table, and have enjoyed a great deal of immediate walk up bar service....which I love. So what's the bottom line? Go there. Eat, Drink, and be Merry.
(5)Steven L.
I took a trip to Philadelphia for a wedding and was extremely excited to stop by Smokin Betty's for their famous Turduken Burger. I took the train into center city and walked the few blocks from the market to the restaurant. Upon my arrival I noticed how nice the interior of the restaurant looked. For a comfort food place it looked rustic but upscale. The wait staff was very polite though my waiter did take a while to come talk to me for the first time. I was also excited by the large craft beer selection and quickly ordered a nice Blonde Ale. A few minutes later I ordered my turduken burger with a side of sweet potato fries. After staring at the burger for a bit once it arrived I cut it in half and dug right in. So for those who do not know, a turduken is a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken filled with stuffing, so a turduken burger has all the meats cooked together and the rest of Thanksgiving as toppings. I will say that I have not eaten many turkey burgers in my day, usually I am beef all the way, but I would imagine that this patty tasted very similar to a normal turkey burger. I would say that the difference would be a richer flavor because of the duck fat but if I hadn't known I would have just thought it was a traditional turkey burger. Did this make a difference? Absolutely not! The burger patty was full of flavor and dripped juices right down my arm. This burger was a Thanksgiving meal on a bun. A fluffy and flavorful bun, just like the rolls you normally get on the big day. Beneath the patty was a layer of stuffing and gravy topped with melted cheese. Generally I find stuffing pretty dry and boring but add gravy and cheese to it and you've got a party! Now I know a new stuffing recipe to try out. On top of the patty was a wonderful cranberry chutney. Adding the tang and sweetness to cut through all the rich flavorings of the dish. Truly a perfect addition to the burger and definitely not what you get from the can. Last but certainly not least, fried sweet potato chips, adding the final delicious crunch to the meal. There is only one word to describe this burger...epic. I kept cutting it down to make it last longer because I didn't want it to end. So many flavors dancing around on my palette and all in harmony. It really was Thanksgiving in each and every bite! The most prominent flavor was the cranberry chutney so if you don't like cranberries you may not like this dish but then again you may love it. All in all a really well designed entree and one that I would go back to again and again over some of my favorite beef burgers. You probably are thinking, what about the fries. Well no need to worry, they were also pretty great. I have never eaten thick cut sweet potato fries but I was not disappointed. These fries were crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside like potato wedges. Not too greasy but with just enough to add the needed flavor. A really great side dish to a Thanksgiving burger. I will say though that every time I get sweet potato fries I am hoping for a dipping sauce. A brown sugar and cinnamon aioli to be specific, but I never seem to get it. I just can't get behind dipping them in ketchup. Next time you are in Philly, check out Smokin Betty's, get the Turduken burger, and plan to be full for a long time. Probably not the best idea right before a wedding but I toughed it out. Overall Review: 8/10 myfoodventures.blogspot.…
(4)nicole e.
Went here last night. The service was fairly terrible. They didn't bring us little appetizer plates and we had to ask 2 times. The quesadilla appetizer was messy and we needed them for sure. The food looked very nice but the deliciousness does NOT reflect the prices. I had the fish tacos for 13$. It was more like a fish taco wrap. It was just okay. i wouldnt say it tasted bad but it wasnt anything special. Also, it just came with a tiny bowl of canned black beans with little pieces of pineapple on top. again, nothing special. someone with me got the turkey sandwich for 11$. NOT worth 11$ although, it was very big. it did not come with a side. just an 11 dollar sandwich. the kitchen closes at 10 and they wouldnt even serve us dessert at 10:07pm. lame. also, there was a really weird karaoke thing happening but nobody cared. the place was pretty empty at 10:15pm when we left. the establishment itself is very nice. just too expensive and not very delicious.
(2)Joan V.
Just ok. Went here after a busy center city shopping day. Had the waldorf sandwich which I enjoyed. My DD had the riblettes which she did not like at all and she is a big ribs fan. She described "too much blubber, no meat". DH had a draft beer recommended by our server as the one on the menu he wanted was unavailable. He said the one she recommended was nothing like the one that was on the menu. He did not enjoy it at all. We were seated downstairs which I thought had no ambience or character at all. Felt rushed out by our server. Won't be in hurry to go back. There are plenty of other center city establishments to enjoy.
(3)Vince C.
Server was fantastic. Food was as ordered and when bacon came out slightly undercooked for someone's taste they happily crisped it. Food was delicious and prepared quickly even though our party was quite large. Well done!
(5)Wei T.
Went here for brunch, today. It was surprisingly good! Went around 12 and there was no wait - that's always a plus when going for brunch. I ordered the smoked salmon with sweet potatoes... delicious. The only thing keeping this from a 4 star review is the service; although I'm stereotypically impatient, this place is painstakingly slow. Overall, great meal! Oh, this time, the waitress was really nice. : )
(3)Janine L.
Came across this restaurant while searching for a venue close to the Forrest Theater; although I did not dine there the evening of my show, I was intrigued by the menu and thrilled with the pricing to give it a try last night. Decorated in warm colors and small eatery gives a cozy and inviting feeling. The bathrooms could use a little work - not the cleanest and only one working sink - but like that I did not have to go into a basement to use them (on the main floor). The menu is simple yet good for foodies with unique items like he Tur-Duk-en Burger and their amazing smoked tomato jam, which I requested on the side for my macaroni and cheese. Was surprised to learn Devil's Alley and Smokin' Betty's was owned by the same person. But once learned it made sense and the menus use the same lay-out, some of the items are similar and the sinks outside of the batroom should have been my dead give away. As Devil's Alley is a favorite for my husband and me, and the food here was pretty good, plus we loved the pricing, we will definately be returning; most likely with my father so the boys can enjoy a flight of the unique beers they keep on tap.
(4)Nik B.
Grilled chicken wings. all.day .long. I like my wings like I like my...nothing makes sense. Forget it. I like my wings grilled, and Betty does it right. These beautiful babies come out looking scrumptious. Charred from the grill? Yes, please. Crispy, perfect wing dimensions. Silly good. The sauce on the side is from above. I don't know what it is, but I'm alright with that. Blind love. The draft brewser list is great. Curveball: They offer a beer flight. Take that, wine. I went for it. The cool thing about the beer flight is that you're in the driver's seat. Pick 4 beers, it's that simple. Once you find a keeper, place the order post-flight and you're dialed in. Laid back ambiance. Borderline hipster upstairs with the mega chalkboard and contemporary furniture. Not sure who was in control of the music...but they were laying it dowwwwn. With my friend, bobbing my head, crushing my wings, enjoying my beer, loving my life.
(4)Anthony W.
I finally got down to Betty's this is a cool spot. It has large bay windows and I think a couple of tables outside. A mix of seating inside ranging from lounge couches to plush booths, small tables, and of course there's the bar (upstairs and downstairs). The atmosphere is a mesh of upscale casual sophistication with many young professionals. Rather than a meal I got a couple of appetizers (cheesesteak springrolls and buffalo chicken meatballs) and split a pitcher of sangria. The sangria was MIGHTHY TART so the bartender was kind enough to add a couple of things to kill the harshness. The service was great. We got a booth despite having a small party because it was during a down time. The springrolls and meatballs were CRIMINAL in how FEW they were. More appeteaser than appetizer. They tasted great though! I could snack on each all day. The sauce really had a punch in it. With each bite it was right in my nose, but at the same time it wasn't too spicy. That means it was done right. Had a great time. I'd love to come back with a larger group and try a full entree. It was about as lively as I'd expect for a Friday evening. Also, it's an excellent addition to Market East.
(4)Daniel Z.
Pros: The Betty Burger was really REALLY good! It will clog your arteries, but sometimes it's worth the risk. Cons: The service was so-so. And the restrooms were dirty.
(3)Teti R.
Went here for dinner on a trip to Philly. Hipster vibe, but classy and grounded. Salads were fantastic. Wait staff was personable. It was pretty crowded when we were there, but the noise level was not bad at all because of their interesting layout - and check out the bathrooms. Ordering from the light side of the menu came to a pretty reasonable total for a lovely experience.
(3)Scott M.
I'm not an easy reviewer, and I really love this place. I'll second some of the other comments - menu is almost too varied, lunch waiter service can be hit or miss on the negative side. On the +, very good beer selection (tap and bottle), though I think their sister bar Devil's Alley is a shade better (Let's add the Lancaster Milk Stout here too, shall we?). It's usually a very laid back crowd. Burger's are pretty good. Yes - there are better burgers in town, but these guys aren't trying to be Rouge. I'm a big believer in the when in Rome eat like a Roman method, so you take your chances with the fish tacos. This ain't Cali or Seattle. They're good for Philly standards of fish tacos. Btw - the bartender upstairs who also works at Devil's is fantastic.
(4)Leeanne M.
I ate really nice Eggs Benedict here. They have nice beer, and breakfast cocktails. Evening meals for vegetarians are not so great but my carnivorous friends keep going back.
(3)Julie K.
We had a great experience at Smokin' Betty's this past weekend. We were a big group (23) with a lot of kids and they not only accommodated us but they put up with a lot- i.e. many milk spills! Our waiter was a saint and everyone was extremely helpful/professional. The food was also delicious! Loved the ribs and the steak and cheese won tons! Fun menu and great atmosphere.
(5)Nadia S.
Umm... I know I shouldn't expect Southern style BBQ here. But even then, BBQ at Smokin Betty's is not so smokin'. I heard about the sliders, 3 different meat types, the beef brisket was not a fav. They had a special with grilled shrimp and cheddar polenta... not what you would expect from the description; Sweet potato fries, were OK. My fav was the cornbread muffins and the regular fries..YUM. Everything else...not feeling it! Sorry Betty.
(2)Matt S.
Went for brunch on Sunday. Nice staff, very accomodating. Had the best Cobb salad ever! Also try the BBQ sliders, amazing!! Can't wait to go back. Same owners as Devil's Alley.
(4)Stephanie S.
I've been there 2 times the food is great but the service sucked both times!
(2)Heesun K.
Happy Hour!!! 5pm-7pm =) Had a drink called Paradise Kitty ($4) - mango puree with mango liquor and citrus something...anyways, I couldn't taste any alcohol but i loved the texture and the flavor. For h.h.appetizer, I had Vegetarian Quesadillas - mushroom,onions,bell peppers with chopped tomatoes, sour cream and shredded cabbage. Unique to any other quesadillas i've ever had. delicious and satisfied my veggie craving since I was overwhelmed with the riblets. For the main entree, I had Smoking' Betty's Riblet. I liked how they were bite-size but the BBQ sauce was too sweet for me. Tasted the smokey-ness at the end of each bite, but knew it wasn't for me. I would definitely go back for another Happy Hour and maybe to try the sliders/burgers.
(4)Katherine C.
The space is beautiful and very hip. I was expecting a lot more though from the food. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and it really was quite flavorless. I had to add extra sauce just to give it a little umphf. My friend ordered the Portabella sandwich and she also was unimpressed. The service started out a little shaky but by the end of the night our server was on point and did a great job. I would go here for drinks but probably not for food.
(2)brad C.
This place was utterly empty when I came on a Friday night. Strange because apparently the food is good. The drink menu was fun and appropriately seasonal. The beers were clearly well chosen which I appreciated. They have some good stuff on tap that I was really surprised to find. The summer cocktail menu will please any girlie-drink aficionado. Brad's rating (out of 5): Drinks: 4 Price: 3 Decor: 4 Service: 4 Wild card: This place will not survive in Philly, mostly because of the location, but also partially because the sign on the door is too freaking hard to read. I was standing in front of the place for 3 minutes looking for it, and it was right there, just no good signage.
(3)Ryan P.
We ate at the bar on Sunday and watched football, drank beer. It was good. The chili was good, the pulled chicken sandwich was also good. The beers were affordable. We ate and drank for about $60 for the three of us. The one thing that will make me return was the bartender Autumn. She was welcoming to everyone in the bar, included everyone in conversation, and you felt like you were a part the culture.
(3)Glenn J.
What a evening I had at this place...it really F*%cking sucked! I have never been upset by a eatery like this one! First off lets start with the waiter Josh that clearly new nothing. Do they even go through training to even work at establishments like this? I can go on and on about the inconsistencies of this place, but I'll try to keep it short. First off paper napkins? In a place such as this in the location that it's in and a place that serves BBQ what the hell do u seriously think I'm going to do with one, thin, cheap ass; napkin? We sat a table 21 as a party of six with water we hope was from the A/C dripped on one of my friends. When we alerted the staff this lady came out that I can only describe as looking like Mrs. Garret from the 80's sitcom 'The Facts Of Life' hollering "Well there's nothing we can do" "It's the humidity". Number one u never tell ur customers there is nothing u can do as water from Lord knows where is dripping on them! Number two never try to cover something up by stating some lame as Sh!t like it's the humidity! Like really? This is not the Smokin' Sweat shop. My friend made adjustments and moved over a bit from the leakage. Let's get on the food. We started with the corn muffins wich were luke warm with hard and jalapenos that came in horrible, cheap, paper cups... like if I wanted to eat this cheaply I could have gone to the diner across the street. and who serves hard butter with jalapeno on top like at least whip it...it's not rocket science the little things count!!! The BBQ was alright, but nothing to write home about for my family is from S.C. and I know BBQ. The dry rub is better then the lackluster sauce. I ordered the Tur-duc-en burger after seeing it featured on FOOD Network and was treated to raw meat in my mouth the burger was under cooked and looked nothing like it was televised. When I alerted the staff after I found out I was eating raw meat..... mind u ground meat which ups ur chances of food born illness....... he asked me whether I wanted a new one or did he want me to fry up the other half.....WHAAAAAAAAAT? Fry up the other half????? Is it not custom to send me a whole new one??? In short with service and food the way it is in that area the only thing that will be smokin' is Betty's car on the way to Bankruptcy!!
(1)Laura W.
Their Saturday brunch is amazing. Since it was slow, we picked a table right near the window and sat back to enjoy our meal. My friend and I split the grilled cheese w/fig jam and the turkey sandwich. I was a little nervous about the grilled cheese but this is a culinary masterpiece! It was a party in my mouth! The hostess/server was extremely friendly and the prices were very reasonable.
(5)R L.
This transcends epicurean evolution; yes, the Turducken Burger is irrefutable proof of intelligent design. It is truly the master work of a culinary deity, a Frankensteinian genius with the audacity to meld three fowl into one. Turkey, chicken, duck pate, stuffing, and cranberry sauce drenched in gravy and barely contained by a bun. An abomination of nature? No, rather a new tome in the bible of flavor.
(5)John C.
The set up is really nice and a great space for groups. The bar looks fun but we sat in the dining area. The beer list was pretty good with a variety of beers from the West Coast and East Coast. The beer list was also priced well with most beers being about $5. The service was good, our server could have been a little more enthusiastic about the food or beer but our waters were continually filled and the food came on time. We had the burger and the chicken cordon blue sandwich. The chicken sandwich was really good, the bread was great. The burger has a lot of potential but we tried to split it, which was a disastrous decision. The burger is topped with a ton of stuff: avocado, tomato, onion, cheese, pork belly and egg. It seems silly to whine about too many toppings on a burger but when you can't actually eat it without losing some toppings and getting stuff all over your hands then there is probably too much stuff on a burger. We didn't have dessert. I would go back for a beer and atmosphere, the food was good but not something I would seek out. Prices were good as well.
(4)Carl C.
Ok, if you get the waitress whose name rhymes with "Crook" she is bound to forget something. I am not sure what kind of green bud she is smokng but I need her connection. Went with 2 friends of mine on cold, dreary, dreadful night. There were 12 people in the whole restaraunt and the service was terrible. I have had experienced this here before (forget the ketchup, forget my water...) but last night spawned me to write this review. She brought out our entrees and forgot the soup...got the drinks mixed up, asked us to repeat our order. These are all classic signs of the aformentioned green bud but c'mon Crook. You are doing Devil s Alley injustice by representing this establishment like this. If it was busy I could understand but there was no one there. On a side note, what is with waitress's/waiters memorizing the order. Please just write it down. It makes the diner feel more comfortable. The food other than the soups which we didn't receive was good. The best part is she said she would take the soup off the bill. Thanks genius, did you smoke a blunt or doing bong hits before you came in tonight? Anyway I am sure i will go back because I dig the atmoshpere and the food but they need to have a training sessions with the wait staff.....not a smoke session.
(2)Dave F.
Best brunch I've ever had. Stumbling upon this place mid heavy rain shower, it turned out to be a very lucky find. The place was cosy, the music was cool, the service was excellent and above all the brunch menu was both innovative and delicious. And for the not so innovative dish; the standard American breakfast; it cost a mere $7.95. Amazing deal for a place as nice as this. Also try the drinks here - had a warm coffee, butter scotch and baileys irish cream drink. Perfect for a rainy day.
(5)Jessica W.
Hello, review #3. I had to tell all you Yelpers about how much I LOVED the bbq sliders I had here the other night. I don't even eat pulled pork, and the pulled pork slider was my favorite. You also get a brisket and a caribbean chicken, but honestly- the pulled pork was phenomenal. I also thought the order wouldn't fill me up, but I left ridiculously full. Smokin' Betty's just keeps me coming back with their amazing food. I can't wait to try more of that bbq.
(5)Kate W.
Came in late one night after work so around 9 pm on a Wednesday night, we were the only people there but didn't feel rushed even though we knew they were closing at 10. The dry rub wings are an absolute must have, they were so delicious. I just ordered those with a Kenzinger and my boyfriend got the brisket sandwich which he was a big fan of. I like this place alot and will definitely be back, even just for the wings alone.
(4)Mike S.
Stopped in for happy hour dranks and nom noms last night. The atmosphere is... hard to understand? It's comfortable and slick but hard to tell who they're really targeting. Beer list was pretty good... but we had wine. Menu had some alright choices, nothing that wowed us. However, happy hour food prices were good for Center City and, more importantly, very tasty! Cheesesteak eggrolls, BBQ wings, and a 6" flank steak w/ shrooms and spinach pizza - all delicious. Wait staff was prompt with everything except our check. All in all, not a bad place.
(3)Wen V.
My review may seem bias since I used to work at the restaurant; on the contrary, I may have some resourceful info to help make your visit to smokin bettys more enjoyable. During dinner, it's really noisy, esp during happy hr so I would avoid coming here for a meeting or with your grandparents. I would also bring a sweater, sometime it can get cold near the windows and doors. Don't get mad at the staff, the staff is pretty much awesome, blame the managers. Since I've been there, the management struggles with keeping a solid staff, people tend to quit after a month. Meaning your server is probably new and inexperienced. I would recommend asking the host to be seated by their "best servers who isn't too busy." If you're going for a pre-show dinner, make sure ur order is made 2 hr before. Don't bother to ask servers about food recommendations, chances are the server hasn't tried everything on the menu since the owner is too cheap to feed their waitstaff. It's a classier bbq joint but with an odd mix of customers, there's no dress code, you'll get doctors in scrubs to old people with walker to loud BBWs. I would recommend eating there but definitely not work there. The best is saved for last: while I was working there didn't ask for verication of the Jefferson Discount, so totally take advantage getting 15% off. If Smokin Betty's doesn't seem for you try Percy Street BBQ, or Sweet Lucy's smokedhouse voted better than Smokin Betty's by Zagat.
(1)Natedogg G.
Smokin' Betty's is conveniently located across the street from Jefferson Hospital. We were thrilled to discover that they would allow us to order carry out while we were in the hospital for 4 days following the birth of our child. We liked our dinner so much the first night that we ordered it again for lunch the next day, then the next night for dinner and so on. We have officially tried most things on the menu at this point! The salads are awesome...especially the beet salad. The brisket sandwich was perfect and the California turkey sandwich has the best homemade bread...it was great that all of the bbq uses different sauces made especially for the dish...a lot of places just put the same sauce on everything. Highly recommended...especially if you find yourself needing some carry out!
(5)liza c.
I'm pretty sure that there was some type of vortex on the second floor of Smokin' Betty's that sucks in the innocent guest and employee as they pass by the bar on their way to a table. This is the only possible scenario I can envision to account for the absence of the bubbly hostess when she travelled upstairs to "set up a table". Fifteen minutes later, still waiting and getting viciously hungry, we took matters into our own hands and headed upstairs. The MOD found and sat us, quite thankfully, though he didn't seem too concerned that there hadn't been a hostess downstairs for an indeterminant amount of time. Plus, he wasn't the friendliest chap ever to run a restaurant. So, we're off to a bad start. This was quickly followed by two separate servers taking a drink order. Unluckily, we didn't get double drinks. What we DID get was a server who seemed to be a little "high on life" in a very overzealous sort of way, if you get my drift. Ok, so the service was bad. End of story. Let's talk about the food: Cut me off at the knees and call me shorty. Best fish tacos I've had since I made them two weeks ago. Even though they were pretty messy and the sauce dripped all over the place, the combination of flavors was incredible - pickled onions, tiniest radish slices ever made, and fish grilled perfectly!!! Yum with a capital why. The cider that I ordered was completely disgusting though. It actually smelled and tasted like an apple jolly rancher. If I wanted something like that, I would have ordered an apple martini. Gross. All things considered, I will definitely go back to sample from the plethora of items on their menu. Honestly, though, I will probably still have the fish tacos.
(3)Amanda S.
We chose to dine at Smokin' Betty's for my husband's birthday dinner because they could easily accommodate a party of 8. I would liken the restaurant to a non-chain version of a TGI Fridays or Ruby Tuesday's. It was a good, casual place to go for comfort food with a relatively large group. The Betty Burger sounded delicious, but overwhelming. Most of our group got other sandwiches and beer. I had an oyster po' boy that was a special and it was pretty good. The mac n' cheese was absolutely delicious, though. I wish I knew how to achieve that level of creaminess when I make my homemade mac. We would probably come back to Betty's with out-of-town guests who would likely be intimidated by some Philly's smaller, trendier restaurants. Oh, and as other reviewers have commented, the bathrooms were pretty gross....something that can probably be attributed to the fact that they are unisex and men's bathrooms typically are pretty gross.
(3)GM F.
Tried this place recently and was not impressed. The food is about on par with a subpar Applebees. I had the BBQ sliders and was left wanting much more. The brisket was the only decent one of the three, helped by regular BBQ sauce. The chicken was dry and flavorless and the pork was more of the same, albeit a tad less dry. The fries were decent. Worst part was the turkey chili. It was the consistency of clay, it could have been used as a spackle by a bricklayer.
(2)D K.
(2.5 stars, really) I've been here twice now, once for a happy hour and today for lunch. Happy hour drink specials were good but the food seemed just so-so. Today's experience was sort of odd: There were three of us and the place was nearly empty...and quite chilly. The host seated us at a four-top, which turned out to be partially un-cleaned. We moved to a clean table and, due to the chill, two of ate with coats on. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food...my burger with blue cheese was tasty and the sweet-potato fries were great. Our serve was good, but the host was ... off, for lack of a better word... and the chef also forgot the 'shrooms on one of our burgers. Not a horrible experience, but definitely more near misses than I'd expect in an empty restaurant. I'd come back if a group wanted to or it was the only nearby place that's open.
(3)Michael R.
I went here for brunch recently and came away with mixed feelings. I had the open faced omelet which was good, but slightly overpriced at $10. My companion had the sliders which were outstanding, and cost less than omelet at $8. The verdict: I would go again, but would skip the brunch items. If you are interested in a traditional brunch (eggs, pancakes, etc) there are other places that do it better.
(3)Angela C.
The BBQ riblets (with the sauce) were really tasty! I ordered them for lunch and the server recommended I order a side dish. I chose the flourless corn cake...ewww. The portion was huge but it was for naught since it was inedible. It was flavorless and the bottom was downright soggy. The server asked if I liked it, and when I told her no, she told me the corn cake was supposed to be soft. Uh, what? Soft, yes, mushy, no. This server and another that we briefly interacted with were a little standoffish.
(3)David L.
My Girlfriend came into town and I wanted to take her to a spot that was different and where people gave good reviews. Well, I'm with Adam on this one. When we got there the place had a cool little vibe until the hostess/waitress showed up and said just pick a seat anywhere. So we sat and brushed it off but we soon got the impression that are waitress probably wanted to go home. Mind you it was only like 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon. She asked us if we wanted to get drinks and we said give us a minute to think it over. To make a long story short she never asked us if we needed drinks again, if we needed anything or anything else to be quite frank. The only times she did speak to us she was quite snappy and irritated. We ordered some of those dry rub wings but they looked like the cook went on break and forgot to take the off the grill. My girlfriend ordered the beef brisket sandwich which was pretty good and I ordered the lamb burger which was pretty bland. The highlight of the whole experience was when another employee came to put up the specials for the evening on the dinning room blackboard. We admired the creativity of the dishes while wishing we came at a different time.
(2)lisa g.
The food was ok, the atmosphere really nice but the service bad! We had to find the waitress-it took forever
(2)marie d.
Last night was my first time at Smokin' Betty's and the first thing that struck me was the fair prices on the menu. As an unemployed grad student, I certainly appreciate a place that doesn't overcharge you. Also, the atmosphere and lay-out of the restaurant was great and lends itself to socializing and a general good time. However, I was compelled to write this review for anyone who may be interested in ordering their Quesadillas. I ordered the chicken quesadillas, which are $6 more than the standard cheese ones; however, there was one tiny piece of chicken in each triangle, and the majority of the quesadillas was nothing but fried onions. They were very disappointing and certainly not worth the $13 I piad for them. Each quesadilla was basically an overwhelming slew of greasy onions sandwiched between tortillas. I'd go back and try this place again, but I am skeptical that their low prices correlate with skimpy dishes.
(2)Alyssa P.
BEST WINGS IN PHILADELPHIA. Hands Down. I feel like it has been a life mission of mine to find them, and they have arrived at Smoking Betty's with dry rub, spicalicious sauce and crispy grilled perfection. For you hot and blue wing eaters, you won't have a hard time finding those or just making them yourself. But for the true flavor loving, chicken bone sucking, tongue smackin', fingerlickin' wingaholics, this is the spot where your dreams meet reality. We went 3 times in one weekend and keep coming back for more. The price is great too. This review is solely for the wings. All other things aside, they earn the stars for the wings. I dare anyone to challenge, review or shed light on a better wing in the city.
(5)Kristen S.
Meh. Great draught beer options--love the Furthermore Knot Stock with BBQ. The food was definitely just ok. Fish tacos were lacking in the flavor and crunch that's so easy to find at just about any restaurant in the Southwest, and was served in a tortilla that hadn't been warmed fully, so it split around its contents. Mac and cheese was good, but not phenomenal. Cornbread muffins were great texture, but tasted a bit like plastic--maybe too much time in a plastic bag? BBQ sliders tasted a lot like liquid smoke, which isn't really acceptable in a place with the word "smokin" in the name, but the slaw that came with them was great--deliciously vinegary and sweet with a little bit of bite. Sweet potato fries were really good, but fries and slaw and beer do not a meal make. Might go back for a beer after work, but definitely not for the food. Servers were nice but food seemed to come out really slowly.
(2)Kara L.
I had my wedding in Philly and chose to have my rehearsal dinner here since it was close to the Loews Hotel. To be honest, I had not tried this place prior to my rehearsal, so it was a bit of a toss-up. The restaurant really worked with me to customize my rehearsal dinner menu. They were extremely helpful in helping me keep within my budget, and gave me insightful suggestions for food options. The overall bill was reasonable and I was completely able to stay within my set amount. We rented the upstairs, which comfortably fit my entire party (about 50 people). The appetizers we chose were amazing. Our guests could not stop raving about the cheese steak egg rolls, mini pizza and fried green tomato bruschetta appetizers. The wait staff was very attentive and helped to cater to our guests' needs. Though I was too nervous to eat much myself, every item that my family/friends ordered was a hit. I got a lot of "A+'s" from the cheddar burger and french fries. I definitely will be hitting this restaurant up again next time I'm in Philly. The only negative (and it's really not a negative because it's out of anyone's control) is that it was really loud from the other tables/bar area which was right next to the private dining area.
(4)Stephanie S.
I was there this past weekend with my fiance. He got the ribs, which came with french fries. I got the Caesar salad with chicken and some potato latkes. Initially, I had asked for a cherry coke, no ice because that's what I always order to drink. They said they had no cherry coke. I'm like, hello? You have a full bar? Don't you have Grenadine... but I decided to drop it, and just drink plain coke. Then the food came out. My salad had several brown leaves of lettuce. The chicken just looked like boiled chicken that had absolutely no flavor whatsoever. I guess if you just wanted protein of some sort, it would've been okay, but if you wanted flavor, you were shit out of luck. There was also hardly any salad dressing on the salad. The potato latkes were burnt and tasteless. My fiance's ribs, he said, were good. The fries, however, were caked in grease. The prices were kind of meh. If the salad would've cost more, I'd be much more pissed. Also, considering this was about 5pm on a Saturday and there were only 2 other tables, kind of raises a red flag. Most likely won't be coming back.
(2)Kate W.
Cool little joint. I came for Yelp cocktail week, sat at the bar around 5pm when it wasn't busy yet, and had the Berry Betty which was good - nothing shockingly awesome about it but it's a solidly good drink. For my super-late lunch/way-too-early dinner, I had a small salad to start - which came covered in dressing... I usually hate that, but it surprisingly didn't bug me this time because it didn't taste like too much even though it looked it. Then I went with the bbq sliders and a side of grilled veggies. The sliders were good, not a ton of food but with the salad & veggies I had more than enough. I was shocked to find the pulled pork to be so. incredibly. boring. - I thought it would be my favorite but instead I almost didn't even bother to finish it! The brisket was great, hearty and meaty. But winner winner chicken dinner without a doubt - the bbq chicken was awesome! And the cole slaw that it comes with was citrus-y/vinegar-y with celery seeds, no mayo at all (the best surprise all night!) and it was delish!!! If I could get a giant side of cole slaw to go, I would.
(4)Lee G.
We went to this place for lunch and have been back several times. The best is the pulled pork sandwich. It is moist and the sauce is evenly distributed. I've tried the french fries and the sweet potato fries and both were delicious. The only dissapointment so far is the pulled chicken. It was dry and not very flavorful.
(4)Justin C.
Not worth a return trip. Got the signature burger here. Was a mess, was way over ( asked for med rare got well done), and was too busy ( couldn't get one bite that had all the ingredients on it). The service, as I read was lackluster. Could not read the specials board as another table had been sat right in front of it. Got sat near drafty windows. Sweet potato fries were okay but not uniformly cooked so some were perfect, some were overdone, and some still raw. I should have listened to the "yelps" an not the Zagat rating on this one!
(2)Derek B.
Had a meal with friends here. Drinks were amazing albeit a little weak for my liver. My chili starter was great, but the corn bread jalapeno butter was more a gimmick than anything real. I had the focaccia grilled cheese and was really disappointed with the mozzarella. Felt like the same tired mozzarella they shred for supermarket bags. Rubbery and bland. Overall nice place and my friends enjoyed their meal.
(3)Todd T.
We visited SB for Restaurant Week. We had a reservation and were quickly seated even though our party was not all present. They had a good beer and drink selection. I had the pork egg roll, cauliflower salad, Dr. Pepper Ribs and pistachio cheesecake. I enjoyed everything although the salad was a bit bland. We all had a great time and I look forward to coming back.
(4)Jamie B.
Food is always delicious, love the house beer and love atmosphere. It's one of my go-to places in the city.
(5)Lenny Z.
What started out for the search of a good burger and sweet potato fries for my wife, made a bit of a turn when we decided to have a Labor Day BBQ the next day. I was not feeling back to back burger meals, but my wife really wanted sweet potato fries and Smokin' Betty's which was on my short list had a lot of options other than burgers. So, it was on. Perhaps, one of the best decisions ever. At the center of my meal was the Buffalo Chicken sandwich. It was pass out faint on the ground and fan me back to conscious good. Hands down, the best buffalo chicken sandwich I have ever allowed to touch my belly. This is serious! The bacon was perfect. The blue cheese was just right. The chicken was battered and fried to perfection. And whatever this other cheese was that they melted on it, pure gold. The buffalo sauce was tasty. And, the bun was everything I want in a bun, whatever that means. Okay, maybe I'm getting carried away on the bun, but the rest was so good that it amounts to this train of thinking. My wife got the Tur-duck-en Burger. Who thought this up? A genius, that's who. It's a turkey/duck/chicken burger. And it's loaded a-la Thanksgiving with stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce & sweet potato ribbons. I mean, oh lord, I might faint, again! Soooo, gooood. The sweet potato fries were the awesome. Nice, sweet, and crispy. The mac n cheese was tasty. Great consistency and some bread crumbs to boot. The potato latkes reminded me of the good ole times at my Jewish grandma's house. The baked beans were different, more of the pinto bean variety, but pretty good none-the-less. The free refill lemonades were also very nice. The service was good and quick. Nice space as well. But honestly, I hardly remember the small details. Since leaving, all I can do is dream about a reunion with the Buffalo Chicken sandwich.
(5)Chris K.
Smokin' Betty's delivers some of the best food in the neighborhood. We stumbled across Betty's on a lazy Sunday afternoon and were blown away by the food. The Betty burger was amazing, 1/2 pound burger stacked on a confit pork belly, topped with avocado, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, a roasted garlic aoli and an egg sunny side up (don't knock it until you've tried it- it's life changing). Not to be outdone, the Tur-Duck-En Burger was also outstanding. If you took thanksgiving dinner and put it into a tasty burger bun and topped it with sweet potato ribbons, you would not be far off. Simply Delicious. Definitely give Smokin Betty's a try. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Kevin J.
One of the bests in center city and priced reasonably, this BBQ hangout is a favorite place to have a leisurely lunch or early dinner. The wide open windows creates a concept of dining outside on somebody's porch. The pulled pork sandwich has both quality and quantity. A good pulled pork sandwich isn't hard to find but this one in particular has a very distinctive quality about it. The servers are top notch and bring everything out in a timely manner.
(4)Shaji K.
First stop on the most recent Philly trip. Tur-ducken Burger? Yes please. Best way to start off the day possible: greasy, filling, and stuffed with various ingredients you're not sure about. But it works. Sweet potato fries were salted and tasty. A tad pricy ($13) but the portions are enormous, and according to my comrades all the other meals were orgasmic. Great rotating craft selection, wish I could order a beer flight though for brunch-time (we tend to start early).
(4)B. B.
Definitely a 3 star joint. The beers on tap are solid and the bartenders are great, but the food is very average. The philly cheese steak egg rolls and the friendly bartenders are the two positives from my experience.
(3)D G.
We came here recently during restaurant week. It was a 4 course special. The place looks nice and the employees are very friendly. The food was really bad for us. It was busy and it could be an anomaly, but here goes: Our table was so sticky we had to peel the place mat to move it. Mahi ceviche - the fish tasted old and the citrus blend used was not fresh. Mini chicken biscuit sliders - microwaved (pretty sure) one end of the plate was super hot and the food on the other end was cold. The chicken was worse than what you'd get at McDonalds. The biscuit was tough to chew through. Roasted Cauliflower salad was really good. Cheddar beer soup - tasted like any canned soup. Braised short rib - inedible. It had absolutely no taste. Dr. Pepper ribs - also microwaved. sent it back because it was cold in the middle. Flavor was ok. But not something I'd recommend. Apple cobbler - was good. Peanut butter Rice krispy - was ok We probably left at least half of each plate. It just wasn't good. I'm not sure if they have the restaurant week menu food pre made and then they just heat it. Whatever they did, it was bad. The burgers there did look good. Shoulda got that. I'm hoping my experience was just unlucky because I've read some good reviews of this place.
(1)Daniel N.
Love this place. Great atmosphere and great food. Not too pricey especially for the portions.
(4)Bernadette M.
I love this place. It's consistent & the staff is friendly. I'm amazed at how quick I can get in & out of there during lunch even when they're packed. Keep up the great work Betty's!
(5)Chamille B.
I'm not from the area, but visited Smokin Betty's for a friends birthday brunch. The atmosphere in there is pretty laid back, while still having a good look and vibe for celebrations and dates. There were so many things that looked amazing on the menu, but Seth (the greatest and most entertaining server I've ever experienced) helped me choose the Smoked Salmon and Sweet Potato Hash. Three of us (two women, one guy) choose this for our meal. We all agreed that the flavor was great and the salmon was cooked almost perfectly. The potatoes were well seasoned, with herbs, onions, and bacon throughout. On top was an egg over easy, which was cooked longer than I like (me likes runny yokes!). The three of us agreed that the portion wasn't quite enough, and I ended up ordering another egg and eating off other people's plates. One person ordered the mac and cheese and claimed it was horrible, but a few of us tried it and felt it was just very bland. I tried a bite of the breakfast burrito, and really like that as well as the cottage fries. We ordered pitchers of the white sangria. I'm more of a red sangria girl (which they don't have), but it was light, fruity and slightly fizzy and enjoyed by the table. I finished brunch with the bread pudding (flavor changes daily) which happened to be a wildberry cheesecake with a caramel sauce. It was very moist, a good thing with this dessert, and had lots of berries and cheesecake bits in it. As a self-proclaimed bread pudding connoisseur, I'm more partial to a more classic bread pudding with a bourbon or liqueur sauce, however the caramel sauce added a nice touch (I'd recommend asking for extra though), and the portion was enough for sharing. I'd be curious to try some of the lunch/dinner options as they had a lot that piqued my interest, but I probably won't be going back, simply because I live a couple hours away.
(3)Sasha P.
Overall an amazing night. Great food. Great service. Great dining room. But the most memorable part of the meal was the biscuit!fluffy and moist, so so delicious. I wish I could order an all biscuit dinner. My Italian friend said "that's a nice biscuit". Eat here!
(5)Eric N.
As a college student it's hard to find affordable meals that satisfy my gourmet craving. Smokin' Betty's is the place I've been searching for. It's amazing menu that has everything making you drool. My first time there I had a Betty burger because I thought, "I might as well try their signature burger". It was phenomenal and superb. If you're ever in Philly and want a nice sit down gourmet meal specializing in comfort food, then I recommend Betty's!
(5)Hannah K.
Heard some decent reviews about this place so I went here for lunch today. I ordered the Betty burger, while my sister got the Tur-Duck-En burger. We opted to get the $4 bucket of fries, & the side of macaroni & cheese (which the waitress suggested). The food came fairly quickly. The Betty burger was huge. a 1/2 pound sirloin burger, confit pork belly, guacamole, cheddar cheese, lettuce, roasted garlic aioli & fried egg. Cooked medium rare, the burger was hard to eat but so worth it. My sister's Tur-Duck-en burger seemed pretty good too. Stuffed with homemade stuffing, southern style gravy, & a side of homemade cranberry sauce. She seemed to really enjoy it. The fries were lack luster, and the macaroni & cheese was standard. The waitress was friendly, but didn't bother to refill our cups with water. The menu seems similar to Devil's Alley but in all a positive first experience.
(3)RB B.
We arrived 15 minutes early for our opentable reservation. It had been a rough week for me and my husband and we were looking forward to a great meal and some good drinks. As we waited for our table I was digging the warm, cozy, mellow vibe of the half empty restaurant. A guy then escorted us up the stairs, past the ridiculously loud, ridiculously packed bar and seated us at a tiny table for two surrounded by tables of 10 and 15 and 20. Our table was clearly an afterthought and I knew we'd be lost amongst the dozen larger parties around us, let alone having to struggle to talk to each other over the volume of the room. This area is clearly utilized for larger parties. Not my idea of a nice, relaxing dinner. So my husband and I walked back downstairs to talk to the hostess. Here's the conversation: Me: "it's pretty loud upstairs. We'd like to sit down here." Hostess: "we reserved you a table upstairs." Me: "we'd like to be down here where it's quite a bit quieter." Hostess: "we can't seat you downstairs." Me: "half the tables are empty." Hostess: "those tables are reserved for reservations." Me: "um, I have a reservation." Hostess: "the table we reserved for you is upstairs." Me: "well, then we're not staying." Hostess: "ok." We went out to the sidewalk and quickly made another reservation at a restaurant where the food was delicious and the service terrific. So Smokin Betty's, here's the lesson....we may not have been one of your big money tables for the night, but I'm a yelper, and I'm on Facebook and Twitter, and I'm a sharer. So everyone I know who follows me on social media now knows how you treated two of your guests. It doesn't matter how large or small the party. You always make your guests feel like they're the most important diners in your restaurant.
(1)Jenny R.
Great for brunch and happy hour
(4)Jess R.
The restaurant is dirty--tables are always sticky. Service is alright. The ambiance is not bad--kind of a hopping place, but they should try to step up their cleanliness game. However, that breakfast sandwich is BANGING (with sausage, egg, avocado, red sauce etc etc). I crave it. I dream about it. It can be shared with two people or eaten by one very hungry brunch-goer. So go here, get that sandwich and be merry.
(4)Heather S.
We've been here many times in the past 2 years and have never had a bad experience. Last Friday (3/7/14) we went with a group of 5 people, no reservation, so we waited at the bar for half an hour for a table (pretty quick for a Friday night at 8:30). Around the table guests got: the buffalo chicken sandwich, the Betty's burger, the ribs entree, fish tacos. The portions never disappoint: everything is either just right or too much that you take home some for later. The buffalo chicken sandwich is seriously one of the best in the city; we've suggested it to many friends and they all agree. We always get the dry rub wings appetizer each time: AMAZING. We went on a Friday night but if you're looking for a good happy hour, Betty's has a good one: Mon-Fri 5-7, with a $3 draft (only one particular draft though), $4 wine, and cheap apps (the apps are smaller but are good to satisfy a craving before a bigger dinner at Betty's or elsewhere). Only downside is it can get pretty crowded at both the downstairs and upstairs bars.
(5)Justine J.
The Berry lemonade with absolute citron was pretty good. The thing I hate about their happy hour is that when we ordered another drink when we were half way done with the first, we were not allowed because it was 'stacking.' We would have been finished by the time it got to us, but I guess they're encouraging binge drinking. The food was OK. The cheesesteak egg roll with smoked tomato jam was meh. There was barely any cheese in it, which left the meat flavorless. It kinda just tasted like beef boiled in water. That smokey tomato jam is not as fancy as it sounds. It just tastes like ketchup with smoked paprika. And serving that in a paper cup you find at the fast food condiments table?! Four bucks for one of those is far from being worth every penny. If you are charging that much for that piece of crap at least get the presentation right. If you want good cheesesteak egg rolls go to Circles and use sriracha. The ribs were ribs and the Mac and cheese was Mac and cheese. I really don't have much to say -it was just average food with pretty average service. All I know is I'm not itching to go back. To put things into perspective, my friend and I tried to go to three other neighboring places but all had a wait time of 30+ minutes and came here because of the 0 wait time,
(3)Jade S.
I want to share my experience at Smokin' Betty's last night...My fiance's father is a patient at Jefferson and last week we decided to try out this place since it is across the street from the Hospital. We all had a wonderful experience and notably LOVED the bread pudding. We brought it back to the hospital where my fiance's father found it to be spectacular. As a result, he requested we go back last night just so he could get another taste of this lavish dessert again. When we arrived at the restaurant, it was 6:30 on a Friday night and we had no reservation. After we were told that it would be a 30 min wait, we decided to just order the Bread Pudding and eat somewhere else back home in Jersey. We briefly explained the situation of my fiance's terminally ill father (we had to give some sort of reason why we were ordering dessert to go and then hightailing it out of there) and the hostess told us that it would be "a couple minutes" for a table. We were very surprised by the hospitality. For an appetizer we shared a plate of Veggie Quesadillas which were fabulous. For dinner, I ordered the Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos while my fiance and his mother ordered the short rib tacos and Brisket sandwich. My fish tacos were okay (needed a bit more flavor); however, the short rib tacos and brisket sandwich were AMAZING. My future mother-in-law exclaimed how it was the best brisket she's ever had (She's Jewish and once owned a BBQ joint so her opinion is gold) while my fiance thoroughly enjoyed his tacos. We also ordered a Bread pudding for the 3 of us to share as a dessert. SO, SO, SO good. It is nice and warm with homemade whipped cream and drizzled caramel syrup. At the end of the meal the hostess came up to us and wished us the best with my fiance's father. Overall: Service is EXCELLENT. The wait staff was very friendly and hospitable. The food is above exceptional (I wouldn't order the fish tacos--it's bland in comparison to other dinner choices), and if you don't order the Bread Pudding, you're definitely missing out. For the price, this place is on my "Favorite" list for Top Philly Restaurants.
(4)Lawrence M.
I don't care how good your bread pudding is(sometimes), I will never again walk into this establishment! My girlfriend and I have been to this restaurant on a number of occasion. While the food is good, the bread pudding is orgasmic, depending on the flavor they are offering. We more than enjoyed their Oreo cheese cake and apple bread pudding on our first 2 visits, but was disgusted when trying their banana peanut butter during our last visit. I know you may be thinking to yourself, "so what? you had one bad dish, get over it" Under normal circumstances I would agree with you, however, when I'm told that there is another bread pudding available besides the one I was offered, but I cant have it until the current one if sold out and then I'm given a hard time when I asked to take this disgusting piece of poo poo off of my bill, my response to that if GTFOH! Therefore, you will not catch me in this establishment again, I swear! I just called them and they said they had the Oreo cheesecake bread pudding in today and like the other day my response was GTFOH!!!
(2)Vincent B.
Awesome place. At convention and just stumbled upon it. Gotta try the Betty Burger It was best burger i have ever had! Avocado, white cheddar cheese 1/3 lb beef, pork confit, garlic aioli, on fresh bun Coleslaw was slightly tangy but has sweet finish...creamy. Great price and good service. Other tablemates had bettys grilled cheese and bbq pork sandwich which were delicious. Lunch for 3 under $40. Great value
(5)Ann A.
Great spot. I met up with friends and our 9 year olds for lunch. For and service were great. Amazing spin on grilled cheese: fresh mozzarella tomato on focaccia Full bar too!!! Perfect for pre or post theater meals
(5)Rebekah T.
On a mission to try all the best of the brews in Philly, we stopped by Smokin' Betty's for a sampler of beer each. That way we could double our taste buds up on good beer. Our bartender was very knowledgable about beer, so we made a fun game out of trying and comparing notes on each beer. We went with mostly local, higher APV, interesting named and tasting beers: He had the yelp.com/biz_photos/V0SH… *Smoking Betty's Blonde, 5.9 APV% *Flying Fish Grand, 9.5 APV% *Furthermore Make Weight, 8.5 APV% *Avery New World Porter, 6.7 APV% I ordered the yelp.com/biz_photos/V0SH… *Dogfish 60 IPA, 6.0 APV% *Smuttynose Finest Kind, 6.9 APV% *Roy Pitz Laydown Staydown, 9.0 APV% *Longtrail Triple Bag Ale 9.2 APV% After a fun round of guess who ordered the best beer, I think we were pretty much even and I had a cool little buzz on. Smokin' Betty really knows her beer.
(5)Noheli T.
I went to Smokin' Betty's last night and it was just loud! My friend and I were seated upstairs and and it was as if a cheerleading squad was there because you had to yell to talk to the person across from you. The party seated next to us was all over the place and kept getting up and moving around in an already crammed space, which became very annoying. My friend and I just ordered some beers and split a quesadilla, which was good but greasy. Overall the place was pretty good but I'll have to try it again when the noise level is a little bit more bearable
(3)Michael Y.
This was my fourth or fifth time at Smokin' Betty's in 2014, and I have to say, the buzz and hype have finally worn off. I don't have any specific negative comments -- food, service, atmosphere were all adequate -- but I don't have any high marks to share either. I ordered a simple bowl of chili, and it was, well, a simple bowl of chili. One of the primary reasons I've returned so often (aside from its convenient location) is to see what all the hooplah is about; I still can't figure it out. It's all so "meh" to me. I've had their tacos (both fish and rib), their burgers, and the salmon on different visits. And while the meal is always fine and satisfying, I'm just never dazzled. I don't understand the fuss people make over this place. There is much better bbq in Philly: Sweet Lucy's in the northeast, Percy Street downtown, and even Famous Dave's. Again, there was nothing wrong with my meals on any of my visits. I just always leave there thinking, "So what?" A comment re: staff and atmosphere (which I maintain were not bad, just "adequate"): I was admittedly turned off by the saturation of hipster customers, possibly spilling over from MilkDud (or whatever that place next store is called). But in 2014 Philadelphia, they are becoming inevitable. They've infested the staff too. They make for lousy waiters/bartenders/food runners/bussers/hosts, and Smokin' Betty's staff is no exception. Though nothing went wrong, I'm really unimpressed when the median age for front-of-the-house staff is 22. So I'll cop to my bias, but it would have been refreshing to see a grown-up manager observe the staff once in a while.
(2)Kate M.
I've been here twice, no problems the first time. The second time the waitress was horrible. She never came back to see if we needed anything, a refill and some butter or jam would have been nice but we were never asked. We sat waiting after we finished our meal for a bit until she finally came over to ask if we were ready for the check. Terrible service.
(2)AJ A.
Service is a little slow for groups. Wings are great though! Get the dry rub! Buffalo chicken was great as well!
(3)Sean M.
Went out to catch up with a good friend i hadn't seen in a while. The atmosphere and decor is great although it was a bit noising during happy our as the evening progressed things died down a bit. Phenomenal music selection throughout the whole meal which isn't something I always notice but it stuck out. The BBQ Slider appetizer was decent but the grilled cheese sandwich was awesome with delicious sweet potato fries! Great spot for a fun night out with friends or a date!
(4)Aleks K.
Ate brunch here before the holidays right after they opened one day. I had a delicious Cobb salad, my best friend had Eggs Benedict - as always. My salad was definitely worth having again and the eggs got a good review. Our significant others did not fair so well - a botched order for one and some halfway decent sliders for the other. Our waiter was not very helpful and didn't know the specials. We asked about the waffle of the day and were told it's "probably banana pecan". Probably? Ok. We ordered a stuffed French toast as a shared dessert and it was meh. Coffee tasted burnt. Overall, I wouldn't eat here again.
(3)John K.
Someone in the kitchen is very creative and had some really amazing dishes. However, I assume because it was restaurant week, execution was a little off. Green Eggs & Ham = inspired! Especially pickled honeydew melon(?) gave just enough acidity to cut the unctuous pork belly ('ham'). Bison sliders had a nice smokiness, Calamari 'noodles' quite good as well. Mango chipotle chicken, pretty good (not great) idea - chicken breast was a bit dry, and (canned?) jalapeños (not chipotles) didn't match well. Bad news: the cheese whiz potato gratin was burnt on top, to the point I could smell it (with a cold!). Waiter brought back a slightly less burnt one, but the bottom was dry, and he left before checking to make sure it was okay. Really, it looked 10% better than the first attempt. Not worth sending back twice - it was probably cooked in a big pan, and end of the night probably didn't have another handy. He should have explained, in any case. Didn't finish it but I would go back. Still, why do places turn off quality control during restaurant week when they should be showing new customers why we should come back? Hoping to upgrade to 4*s next time I go (not during Restaurant Week, thank you very much). Oh, forgot to mention, cool cocktails! Pretty happening bar. That block is fast food chains + local pizzerias/sandwiches, but you feel like you're at 13th & Sansom instead of 11th! Worth the walk from the residential part of CC. Also, price/quantity/quality ratio was there (I checked out the normal menu).
(3)Jana S.
I was here on a Thursday afternoon back in April with my dad and brother who were visiting from out of town. The hostess seated us, brought us menus (though not drinks menus, which confused me. I would've liked one), brought out our food, and promptly disappeared. Well into the meal, we had to flag down another waiter to refill our water glasses and bring us our check. Annoying, but he was a much better waiter than the missing hostess, so props to him for being great. The food was pretty darn good. My family members seemed to very much enjoy their meat-based dishes, while my Red Quinoa Chickpea Salad was really all spinach and couldn't have contained more than a tablespoon or two of quinoa. A little disappointing. I love quinoa. Overall, while the food was pretty yummy, the service was lacking (even though the restaurant was nearly deserted), and I'm not itching to return. I've gotten better service at Midtown II across the street, which is probably where I'll go next time I'm in the neighborhood and hungry.
(3)Wendy P.
Came here for brunch today. Food and drink were both great. I highly recommend the wings.
(4)Karin R.
The food is so-so, the service is challenged and it is very noisy, even when it is half empty.
(2)Mike O.
Great food, great drinks, excellent service. Any time I'm in Philly, I'll convince my buddies to head to Betty's. As a staunch carnivore, I am a huge fan of the pulled-pork sandwich here. In fact, that's about the only thing I order. Some great appetizers include the buffalo wings and fried onion rings. All in all, Smokin' Betty's is absolutely worth a try.
(4)Alex C.
Eh just ok. I'm a huge fan if the devil's alley having worked there for over 2 years previously, and loving their food to this day, but this place was way below expectations when it came to food/drink. The Betty burger which should be there mainstay wasn't that great compared to the devil compared to the devil burger. It was bland in flavor and even though it had some nice hints and style it wasn't on par at all. The drinks were ok but the beers on tap appeared to be picked at random and while the Brown Aled Girl is delcious it wasn't worth the $5.5 price tag. If you're looking for an original spin on some American classics than you might be in luck, if you've never tried the Devil's Alley. I recommend the spicy dry rub wings (anything on the menu, with a side of BBQ sauce). Also, the Chipotle ranch dressing (only at the Devil's Alley) is incredible.
(3)Mikonora R.
Number one maximum sliders! Good deal at 8 dollars for three! Very tasty and variety!
(5)Ilana R.
went here after reading so many rave reviews, cannot say i was impressed with it. Staff was friendly, enjoyed the location. quite noisy/loud in dining area and all around, but beautiful restaurant. have had much better bbq elsewhere in the city, but fun experience to get out
(3)Elizabeth B.
Convenient location , good service but a bit pricey ....
(3)Alix H.
I really must tell you about the "new" betty burger. I ate this burger, and then I died of a fat induced heart attack, but then I went to burger heaven. Oh Holy Geez. This burger beats the crap out of a lot of the fancy big name trendy burgers in town, most of which I have tried, because I love cheeseburgers. It is an absolute treat. The staff here are always VERY nice, attentive, and the bartenders are chatty. I love this place. And I am still very much in love with the big beautiful upstairs windows. Sigh. Let's go tomorrow, shall we?
(5)Jeremy D.
I went here over the weekend for an early-ish dinner with my family. We rolled in around 6:30, and it was fairly empty. While the other patrons may have been lacking, the food definitely was not. We had 5 very good meals, and the total for 5 was around $80. Our waitress was more attentive than I've come to expect, which may have been influenced by the lack of other diners. All things considered, definitely a solid bet. I'll be going back.
(4)Yellmstng ..
This review is based on my overall experience. Waitress was nice n friendly. Food was served quick n was yummy. The fish tacos were very flavorful. A neutral comment: it's very loud in here. There are definitely no quiet sections. Just something to keep in mind. My only complaint were the bathrooms. They were really dirty and reeked of urine and they're coed. Nothing against the gents, but if they had separate bathrooms the smell of urine would probably improve.
(3)Rachel C.
My friend and I were in the mood for bbq and mac & cheese. We've never been here before and wanted to try it. After experiencing it here, I am confident that we will never be returning. Here goes the rundown . . . we sit at the table and immediately our arms and hands are sticking to the table. We expressed our concern to the server but apparently it was due to the finish of the tables. If that is the case I would recommend a table cloth, just b/c the stickiness is kind of turn off for cleanliness standards. Then we started to order and unfortunately this BBQ place was out of brisket and short ribs, which was a huge let down! However, we got the bbq sliders that were actually really good. The meat here is cooked really well, however everything else was pretty terrible. The mac & cheese was like having a bowl of cereal with milk. The cornbread muffins were either stale or just really dry. If they did the corn bread as tray and cut squares as it was ordered it would stay fresh longer. The baked beans were pretty terrible as well. Also, after we received our food, we were waiting for plates. After two attempts at giving us dirty plates, we finally got clean ones. Since we were so disappointed with a lot of the food and the service here we tried to talk with our waitress and the manager about it, and gave them several opportunities to practice some good customer service. We were continuously looked at with a blank stare of what do you want us to do?!?! They at least took off 1 beer, thanks for saving us the $5, but they should of offered something more than that. The service was really horrible, and the upper management seemed just as clueless. I would recommend Percy Street or Kyber Pass Pub for some reliable BBQ.
(1)Jennifer T.
I just tried Smokin Betty's for the first time for restaurant week, and I was surprised at how much I loved this place! Not going to lie, restaurant week has been a bit disappointing these past couple of years and I usually opt out. My friends convinced me to go try this place, though, since they had such a tempting menu, and I am ever so grateful that I went! Their BBQ is seriously so good. I don't like a ton of sauce on my BBQ meats because I like to taste the meat. I'm also particular about the fat content and the amount of smoke flavor/bark on my meat. It can't be overly fatty but still fatty enough to be moist and flavorful. The smoke flavor should also be present enough so that it doesn't taste like it's just been boiled. Smokin Betty's totally delivered on all aspects for me. I ordered the cola short ribs off the RW menu and my husband who opted out of the RW menu ordered the ribs off their normal menu. Both were absolutely delicious! I also ordered the sliders with crab and a cheese stuffed fried green tomato/frisée salad for the first 2 courses and the Apple cobbler for dessert. Everything was really good and service was great. My only 2 complaints with the whole evening, which my friends also agreed with me, were with the presentations of their food and the quality of their drinks. The food was great but the presentation was definitely lacking. Our two small sliders were served on a huge blank plate, as was our BBQ main course. It looked like I had taken a plate from a buffet and just plopped the food on it. It didn't take away from the taste, but I was a bit disappointed in this minor thing. As for their drinks, the sangria was not that flavorful and my friend who tried 3 different cocktails from their suggested list, also wasn't impressed with any of the drinks. Overall, I was impressed with their BBQ and would definitely go back again.
(4)Hoang T.
Went here a few times since it was easy to find parking. The restaurant is divided with a bar and dining area. The dining room was a bit dark the times I've dined there. They had a policy of not seating a party unless everyone was present. I understand the rules... But I think those rules are meant for very busy restaurants. The 2-3 times I came were Saturday nights and place was almost empty except for the bar side. Awkward.... The food is decent BBQ joint. I guess it's a fancier famous Dave's but slightly smaller portions. Service was prompt considering we were the only large party [4, and 6 the second time]. Others tables were on dates. Tried the BBQ combo, short ribs taco and the traditional sides. Food was good as I recall. Overall, it wasn't the best, but not the worse. I think I'd prob eat here before fette sau, but prob goto fette sau for the up tempo environment depending on my mood. I guess it boils down to what type of night/meal you're into! 1 star knocked down BC I remember it being a bit dirty and tables not cleaned off throughout the meal. And the awkward waiting for party to be all present with a near empty dining room.
(3)Sabrina W.
I cannot say enough good things about Smokin Bettty's! THANK YOU to the amazing manager and our awesome server (I am horrible with names) who managed to accommodate our huge group of 25 on a Friday night at 5:30pm with only 15 minutes notice. (Another restaurant cancelled on me at 5:00pm, so I was scrambling for any restaurant to host a birthday surprise!) Upon arrival, we were greeted and led upstairs where everything was all set up for us - including ice waters and menus. Our server was quick, friendly and engaging. If you ever need a place for a large group event, this is the place - quick service and excellent management. Prices were very reasonable, especially with their happy hour drinks/snacks. Food/Drinks: - Berry Lemonade ($5 HH) A little on the sweeter side (which I didn't mind), but keep watch of how many of these little suckers you down - BBQ Wings ($4 HH) Flavorful BBQ sauce that is perfectly grilled. Definitely a good bang for your buck if you're stopping by just for a nibble - BBQ Combo ($16) Includes 3-4 ribs, grilled chicken & 2 sides; I was a little disappointed in how few ribs there were, but I guess that's a result of ordering the combo and not just the ribs. However, the ribs & chicken were both AMAZING. Tender, fall off the bone meat that is just oozing with flavor. This was a great option for me and a friend to share with the addition of an appetizer. - Grilled Vegetable Risotto ($13) I didn't order this one myself, but a friend did and I have to admit I probably ate at least a third of it. Probably one of my favorite (if not my favorite) risottos I've ever had. Atmosphere: - Large space; downstairs & upstairs seating and is not too cramped - Great service; quick and efficient communication - Excellent happy hours specials (M-F)
(5)Kelsey S.
Smokin Betty's is always a solid choice for brunch, lunch, or just drinks. As a Jefferson student, I have come here a bunch of times in between or after classes. The service and food are MUCH better than some of the neighboring places (milkboy). I recommend getting the chili because I love how it is served with cornbread on the side. As for brunch, the whole wheat pancakes were top notch, and even better paired with a mimosa.
(4)Tisha S.
Seth was our waiter. It took a minute for him to get to us, but he was working the whole floor. Let me back up. Sit upstairs when you come. it is great to sit and people watch, have the breeze come in on you and just say AAAAHHHH...We came after my youngest sister graduation and walked all the way from south broad....we were hungry and thirsty. Ok, back to Seth. Whoever hired him needs a pat on the back and needs to give him a raise. He was a riot and then some. Very professional with just enough silly to keep us going. He dealt with our requests with smiles and laughter and such flair. He described the items so well we had images of the food in our heads.. once he got going he was quick, kept checking on us and having fun. Now the food. man. heaven. the mac and cheese...the cornbread and jalapeno butter...portions were great, food was tender.. some appetizers were a bit cool vs hot, but the flavor was great. We enjoyed it all. I can't say what was the best though as we loved it all. My mom is a Baker and she loved the cake. She doesn't like many places cake since she knows what it should be like, but she loved yours! the fresh ice cream was awesome. it even had that ice cream machine taste.. if you ever had fresh ice cream you know what i mean!! i could go on and on. but this is a must stop if your in philly...
(5)Nicole V.
We came at 5:30 with a group of 6 people for a 22nd birthday. We were seated upstairs in a large booth. The only reason why this restaurant isn't getting 5 stars is the bathroom. I don't mind unisex bathrooms. It's a nifty idea. However, I am not ok with 3 of the 6 bathrooms being out of order, and the rest of them not having toilet paper. You have one bathroom. In my opinion there is no excuse why a very large, fairly nice restaurant can't keep the one bathroom they have clean. Regardless of the toilet paper shortage, we had a great experience at this restaurant. Our waiter was pleasant, informative, and attentive. We had a round of draft beers and sangrias. The sangrias were an interesting twist on the concept of sangrias, and they were really great. The features draft was 3 bucks, and yuengling for 2 dollars. That's an awesome deal! They also had everything gluten free marked on the menu, which is wonderful for me because I don't need to play 20 questions to eat! The only screwed up a little in that department though. I told them I was gluten free and ordered my food. I ended up with pasta salad on my plate. I don't really care because I just didn't eat it. But, I feel some people probably would care. I would go back again in a heart beat. I thought the sangria was great, the dry rub wings were perfectly cooked, and the grilled vegetables were flavorful and plentiful.
(4)Rachel B.
Good food. They seem to get overwhelmed with large crowds....They were definitely understaffed during Sunday afternoon brunch. Drinks are strong.
(4)Herbie H.
I ended up dining at Smokin Bettys twice within one weekend (once with my mom while she was in town for a conference, and then with my whole family a few days later while they were visiting.) The fact that I was here twice over 72 hours speaks to Smokin Betty's appeal. It's comfort food with some great options for both the more adventurous and reserved eaters. Visit 1: Friday, happy hour Mom & I had a great visit. We enjoyed $4 wine, a cheesesteak eggroll as an appetizer, and then split two entrees: Braised Short Rib Tacos & the Marinated Grilled Vegetable Risotto. We enjoyed everything we ordered. The cheesesteak eggroll is what you would expect, but enjoyable nonetheless. The tacos were great. Tons of flavor and the short rib was tender. I was surprised by the Risotto. I wasn't expecting to be blown away by perfect and creamy risotto, but they did a better-than-expected job. The vegetables had a lot of flavor and the balsamic reduction & basil puree added some nice bright spots. Not your average vegetarian dish! Visit 2: Sunday, dinner My mom enjoyed her short rib tacos so much that she ordered them again, just 2 days later. I chose to try a sandwich and went with the Grilled Chicken & Broccoli Rabe sandwich. The sandwich was really delicious and had a lot of flavor. The chicken was tender and had a nice grilled taste. I chose sweet potato fries as my side, and they were great. Salty and crispy. My dad went for a burger, which he liked a lot. My sister ordered the pulled pork sandwich, and liked hers a lot, too. Service both times was friendly and quick. Our servers both times were easygoing and knowledgeable of the menu.
(4)Kareem M.
Great brunch and good beer list. Loved the egg sandwich with avacado. Bread was very soft and tasty. Eggs were perfect. Great soul music too. Relaxed atmosphere. Try the sweet potatoe hash browns and beermosa.
(4)Nazee Z.
Came here for happy hr with a friend and found myself feeling kinda eh about the food we got. we tried pulled pork sliders, mac and cheese, and cheesesteak egg rolls. Maybe it was just me, but everything had this strange gritty feel to it, as if it was kept frozen and then heated up--especially the cheesesteak eggrolls. The mac and cheese was creamy, but I felt that the sauce had no flavor, and again had this weirdddd gritty feeling to it! cheesesteak eggrolls were also ok, had no flavor! I think this is the kind of place where you should just get a damn burger. The best thing we had was the pulled pork sliders, so that kinda makes me feel like I should lean towards the meat here (heh, heh, hehhhh....)
(3)Nancy N.
Boyfriend took me here for Restaurant Week but of course, we ended up not ordering from the Prefix Menu. We got cheesesteak egg rolls as an app. Delish! But you don't get that many. I got the Betty Burger with fries. So flavorful and made perfectly. I also got a side of cornbread with some delicious homemade butter they have, YUM-MY!!! The boyfriend got ribs/chicken platter. So good! And so much food! Very happy with this place! I came back another time for Center City Sips... it was crowded so we went upstairs. It was so hot,uncomfortable, and the service sucked. My girlfriends were disappointed since I talked this place up so much.
(4)Kim L.
My friend brought me here after looking up for suggestions of good food after our own tour or Philly in the area. We came on a week night and in time for Happy Hour. We started off the night with a Happy Hour quesadilla, a cute small dish to whet our appetites before moving onto our Betty Burger and BBQ dishes. What an undertaking. I have to say, portions are nice and flavor was totally there. We loved every bite of our dishes and still managed to order a pumpkin and chocolate bread pudding to finish up the night and carry ourselves out of the restaurant. I read a review about poor service but the guy who helped us out was really great; checked up on us at the right times and gave good suggestions along the way. Overall great experience and food. Definitely will come back when I'm in the area!
(4)Fawn M.
We went on a Friday night for dinner, we had 7:30 reservations - we were seated within 5 minutes. For an appetizer we had the wings, delicious!!!! For our entrée he had the roast pork and I had the bbq sampler, both were ok - the best part of the meal were the wings. We were originally supposed to be upstairs but asked if we could still downstairs after noticing how noisy it was upstairs. Our service was good, not over the moon great, but good. This would not be on my list of top places to visit again for dinner - I have been here before for lunch and enjoyed the experience much better during that visit.
(3)Rose F.
Serve brunch until three? Don't mind if I do. The sweet potato hash browns are amazing! I would suggest ordering anything that happens to also come with the hash browns. The cottage fries are also good but expect circular fries.
(4)Casey S.
Had a corporate event here and the top floor was rented out the top floor for us. It was a neat place upstairs and I liked how the bar and tables were set up. It was a nice spring day so all of the windows were open which made it feel like we were outside. The bartenders were attentive and friendly occasionally joking with the customers. The happy hour prices were good and k enjoyed the sangria. The berry lemonade on the other hand was pretty much flavorless. Now to the food. Four appetizers were ordered for us. All in all I must say the food is terrible. We had plantain chips which were mostly soggy and soaking in grease with black bean mango salsa which had no distinguishable flavor. Limp looking cheese quesadilla. Tried to spice them up with salsa but that was watery and flavorless. Next the buffalo chicken meatballs which had the worst texture i had ever eaten and tasted like nothing except sauce. It was orange and called buffalo but again tasted like nothing. Finally, the only good thing on the table, jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon. The pepper was well cooked and charter and the bacon was tasty and crispy. Certainly would never eat here again. Would maybe consider it for a drink but that's about it.
(2)Faina D.
We came in after an appointment at Jefferson being that it's right across the street. It was clearly that lull before dinner time or just a rainy afternoon (5PM). Ordered light with fish tacos, mash potatoes (had a craving) and sweet potato fries. All of it was good esp. the tacos, sweet potato fries were a little too oily. My complaint is that it was clearly not a busy time and the food took a long time and I felt like we out waitress gave us very little attention. Overall I would probably not come back because I wasn't blown away and there's simply too many places to try in philly! I am sure the ambiance and hopefully service is better during more normal hours but can't help imagine it would only be worse when it's busy (rationale, right?).
(3)Kristen M.
Smokin' Betty's has been on my radar for quite some time; I am a big fan of comfort food. I came here with a group of 9 for brunch Sunday morning. We had a reservation for 10:15, but we didn't need it because when we entered we were the only party there. I had the country biscuit and sausage gravy with sweet potatoes, it was underwhelming and the biscuit was really dry. Several others at the table got the breakfast burrito and the standard Betty's breakfast with two eggs, fries and breakfast meats. The food took quite a while to come considering it was breakfast and we were the only group in the restaurant. It was nice to be able to seat such a large group for brunch without a wait, but there are definitely better brunch spots in Philly.
(2)Joycelin W.
3.5 stars! I wasn't super hungry but I didn't want a salad and couldn't decide between the sandwiches, so I got the BBQ sliders -- beef brisket, pulled pork and pulled chicken. All three were tasty, but the brisket was my favorite by far. Texture was perfect and I wish I had more! The coleslaw that came with it was good, nothing too special. The presentation though...el oh el. Let's just say that it left a lot to be desired. The restaurant itself is really nice, bright and spacious, so this plate of sloppily presented sliders and coleslaw just looked out of place, almost like it had escaped a middle school cafeteria. But other than that, food and service were both pretty good. My friend got the Betty burger which looked pretty amazing, I'll probably get that (or the tur-duck-en burger which people talk about) if I come back.
(3)Allison G.
I've been here a few times for sips and happy hour, and tried it for dinner for the first time last week. I knew it was pretty big, and was hoping we'd be able to sit down right away, which (yay) we did. We got our drinks and food quickly, and our server was friendly. I had Betty's grilled cheese- grilled tomato and mozzarella on a ciabatta. It was delicious, but more of a panini than a grilled cheese? No biggie- it was melty and yummy. Overall, it was pretty much what I expected. The only downside was it was pretty warm in there.
(3)Kimberly C.
I went with a few friends after work for Center City Sips. (Side note: if you want to try different restaurants for a great price restaurant week is the best time to do this but Center City Sips is a close 2nd. You get $3, $4 & $5 drink specials plus 1/2 priced appetizers. A great way to get out for those of us on a budget!) Anyway, back to this place. DRINKS: I wouldn't recommend it. If you do, be sure to say no ice. The drinks were really weak. I'm not a drinker but I had two cocktails and it was like drinking that once coveted ice cold glass of Pepsi after the ice has melted and the fizz is all gone. FOOD: This is where the money is. Since we went for Sips, we all stuck with the appetizers. We ordered the dry rub riblets, cheesesteak quesadilla, grilled bbq wings and these pulled pork sliders. Everything was really good! The only exception was that the riblets were a little bland but smoky and really tender. Sauce made a huge difference. My interest is peaked I would definitely go back. ATMOSPHERE: I'm not sure yet. It seemed like the people that were dining in had pretty good service. The setting upstairs was shear chaos. It may have just been the set up for sips but you had to order your drink and your appetizer at the bar. If you weren't actually sitting at the bar you had to stand behind those who were and flag down a bartender to take your order. I will definitely give this place another try. I'll just stay clear of the bar.
(3)Emily K.
Food is extremely average. The best thing I had was bread pudding and I wish it came with ice cream instead of being charged 2.00 for one scoop that was small enough for a toddler. I had the pulled pork and my boyfriend had the chicken and ribs. Both were something that uou can easily get at a Boston market. Just priced higher. Service was good and ambience was good too.
(2)Eunni C.
Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.
(3)Lauren C.
I came here during lunch one day to meet a girlfriend. Contrary to its usual crazy-bar-ness, it was pretty quiet which kind of felt weird, but I liked it. We sat upstairs and enjoyed a really great meal. I ordered the Mahi tacos which were cooked really well, and all around tasty. Given the pricepoint, I was kind of expecting them to be bigger though? Either that or they need a side or something. They looked sad on the plate all by themselves (2 tacos). My friend got the Cobb salad and sweet potato fries which she really enjoyed, and i poached some of her fries to liven up my tacos a bit. The fries were un-freaking-real; SO tasty and definitely made in-house. All in all, this place has me intrigued. I'd go back for sure! Just have to play around with the menu a bit.
(4)Amanda M.
On a bitter cold Saturday night, Smokin' Bettys was emitting a warm glow that seemed to promise belly-warming soul food, so stopping in was an easy decision. I'd walked by this place many times and figured it was as good a night as any to finally go inside. The decor downstairs was beautiful, and I was surprised to find the place almost completely empty. Despite the lack of a crowd, we were seated upstairs, right next to a large family and under chilly, draft-prone windows. I was disappointed in the seating, but unfortunately the disappointment didn't stop there. With a name like Smokin' Bettys, I expected smokin' flavor. However, my mahi-mahi tacos were totally lame, served with a bland concoction of fillers on old tortillas that attempted to hide tiny pieces of fish. My boyfriend ordered the beef brisket and loved it, and I enjoyed his sweet potato fries on the side, but even the other sides we ordered - mac and cheese and corn muffins - left quite a bit to be desired. The bill was reasonable, and we left full - I think I'll just have to be more selective if I return!
(2)Helena B.
I had the turducken and Alex had the angus burger, medium. We also tried the philly cheese steak egg rolls. The server was awesome--very awkward, but totally on point and very kind. He brought our beers and was patient was we waited for happy hour to kick in. Happy hour is reasonable for food, but the $2 Yuengling was what caught my eye. The Philly egg rolls I'd pass on next time. They're EXACTLY what they sound like, but once they hit your tongue, they don't taste that good... The turducken was...interesting. I obviously didn't order this to be "healthy" but this fucking thing is a guaranteed coronary. I had a quarter of it and got the rest to go. The fries were fantastic. The angus burger was cooked perfectly medium. It was juicy and delicious. The sweet potato fries were very good, and crunchy! I'd come here again for the food. -1 star for the helicopters and the emergency cars going to Jefferson...noisy!
(4)Liz F.
Just went to Smokin' Betty's for lunch and was extremely pleased! I had the red quinoa and chickpea salad with grilled chicken. It was delicious. The spinach was extremely fresh and each part of the salad was prepared with precision. I also ate most of my boyfriend's sweet potato fries. As a self admitting sweet potato fries addict, these were some of the best I've had in Philly. They were thick cut and cooked to the ideal crisp. We also had a cup of the veggie chili. It was thick yet not too over the top and filling that it kept us from eating out meals. I loved that it came in a mug, perfect for a snowy afternoon. The staff was also extremely attentive and helpful in deciding what to order and what specials were offered. I think it's pretty safe to say I'll be back soon!
(5)Stacey G.
Excellent goat cheese and fried green tomato bruschetta!!! You must get this when you come here, even if you're just grabbing a drink. Veggie burger sliders were okay. Excellent staff!!
(4)Victoria S.
This place was a diamond in the rough after running around town all morning. We were leaving to head back to Baltimore, and I wanted a fun cute place for brunch. We came across this place and everything was great as soon as we walked in the door. First of all, the smell was out of this world. Pumpkin, cozy, I just wanted to wrap up in a blanket and stay there all day. The hostess was friendly, and said it would only be a 5 minute wait. We sat in a half booth/table over towards the kitchen. The place was packed with lots of large groups. The cocktails looked awesome. I opted for a bloody mary, which was great! Just the right mix of spicy and kick. For breakfast, we ordered eggs benedict, and the sweet potato hash and salmon, which I LOVED. It was smoked salmon but heated up just the way I like it. Their usual sweet potato hash was tossed with carmelized onions and bacon pieces. It came with a sunny side egg on top which just tied the whole thing together. Everything we saw brought out looked great. The lunch menu looks more comfort food and I wish that was available also because I was not sure if I wanted breakfast when I walked in but I sure was glad I did. Loved the atmosphere.
(4)Dan D.
The service was better then the pulled pork but maybe that is where I went wrong. After talking to some friends after the fact, I think I need to give this food another shot.
(3)Sue U.
I didn't know what I was expecting but was definitely pleased with order selection, quality of our drinks and food.
(4)Jessica W.
We went to Smokin' Betty's to celebrate a friend's birthday. She loves the restaurant and wanted us to try it. We had great service and delicious food. We had an early dinner reservation on a Friday, and it was pretty quiet at that time.
(3)Melody M.
Just ok. Came in for the famous burger with egg and pork belly. None of the flavors melded. The bread was sort of cheap. Fries were EXCELLENT. Beer selection is great. I wouldn't go out of my way for the burger.
(3)Flora W.
Smokin Bettys is one of the best burgers in Philly. Their Betty Burger is awesome!! I really like the pork patty inside. And the fries is good as well. The price is really fair cause the giant burger comes with the fries. I know another great burger place Village Whiskey, but their burger is pretty expensive and you should pay for the fries. Must try Betty Burger!!!
(5)Nina S.
Great spot for brunch. I went recently with a big group of friends and we all had a great time. Their cocktail list is fantastic! I suggest 'The French' The french fries are so worth the extra calories. I got them as a side to my California Turkey Sandwich. The sandwich was large and very filling. I also tried a bit of my friend's Tur-Duck-En Burger and that is delicous too! It's also very reasonably priced compared to other spots in the neighborhood.
(4)Kim L.
Came here for brunch on Sunday with a fairly large party. I was the first to arrive so I was directed to the bar where I ordered a way overpriced mimosa ($8 for a teeny champagne class filled mostly with OJ? Probably should've gone with a Bloody Mary). My complaints end there though. Our party was seated upstairs as soon as we were all accounted for. Our server was prompt with taking drink and food orders, and was able to help me with my always-agonizing decision of what to have for brunch. Pork belly benedict vs. breakfast burrito?! How do you even choose?! The food offerings here are pretty standard brunch fare, although some dishes do have a creative twist. One of my dining partners had breakfast "tacos", which were basically pancakes serving as the taco shells, filled with savory breakfast goodness such as eggs and cheese. I ended up going with the breakfast burrito and was very pleased with my decision, especially since it involved sriracha (although I wish there were more)! Overall, a great place to brunch as a group because it takes reservations, which I feel is a rarity for brunch in CC, and the upstairs is very spacious so you don't feel like you're going to elbow someone sitting at the table next to you. A solid four stars!
(4)Kimberly Y.
Their menu is deceivingly delicious, but don't get your hopes up! The food doesn't live up to it. I had the sliders, of which I only liked one. I did appreciate the different sauces though. I remember my friend got the broccoli rabe because she's vegetarian... It was literally a small tree of barely-steamed broccoli with absolutely nothing on it for FOUR DOLLARS! We probably could've made that at home for $0.40. The inside is pretty loud and dark for some reason... was not expecting that from a BBQ place. At least the server was extremely nice for coming outside and taking pictures of us for my friend (Betty)'s birthday! All of us really liked the font for the "smokin' betty's" sign outside, haha!
(2)Rachel R.
Went here for a dinner with 11 people on a Saturday night with 7 pm reservations. We were seating upstairs promptly by 7:05. The beer selection had a wide range of selections and was unique and fun. I liked how they had Sweaty Betty from Boulder Beer which was like the name of the restaurant. Also because I like the beer. The food was delicious. All of it. We passed around the egg roll cheese steaks and rib bites for apps. I had the tur-duck-en burger after much internal debate. It was heaven! Get this burger. Portions were huge. Prices were moderate. My crazy burger was $13 but they had more normal ones for less. The service was great. Several people helped with our large party. It was a nice day and the windows on the second floor were opened wide which gave a nice breeze. The atmosphere was lively. A new favorite in Philly. I just wish I had room for dessert. They also looked delicious but huge - I'll have to share one.
(5)Wellington J.
The family and I were up for some bbq. This was closeby and had good reviews from Yelp. I had the turkey dinner, and it was enormous. There was so much turkey!! I barely finished half of the dinner, and it was really tasty. The family enjoyed their dinners too, and service was good
(4)Kathleen D.
I finally made it out to Smokin' Betty's a couple weekends ago with a party of three. Two of us arrived first and were informed of their strict full-party-before-seating rule. As such, we shuffled over to the bar and ordered a couple cocktails while we waited. The bartender wasn't overly friendly or apparently enthused about his occupation (actually not sure that he even muttered a single word to us?) but he delivered on the drinks. I had the Pink Bogart -- a girly gin-based conconction served in a martini glass that didn't taste much like gin. It might just be the highlight of my visit. My friend also enjoyed her drink, of which I cannot recall the name. Later, once seated (downstairs), we all generally enjoyed our food. I ordered the barbecue sliders trio and a side of mac and cheese. I wouldn't say that any of the dishes were exceptionally exciting in an "I must go back ASAP and eat ________ again right now because it was the best ever!" type of way. But, it was a perfunctory meal. I'd make a return trip if in CC and at a loss for another option.
(3)Philip R.
Excellent Sunday brunch before theatre! Sunday cocktails, specials and BREAKFAST BURRITO! YUM!
(5)Gina C.
Smokin' Betty's is a very unique and gorgeous restaurant. I love the large windows that bring in a lot of fresh air and natural light. My husband and I decided to try out their lunch menu and we were not disappointed. We were seated immediately, there seems to be enough space for the lunch rush because they opened up the second floor. Service: very professional and well-informed. He provided us with great recommendations. He was also very attentative without being overwhelming. Food: #1. BBQ sliders: plate arrived with one chicken, one pulled pork and one brisket. I would ask if we could skip the chicken next time (tasted like a canned tomato sauce). The coleslaw was delicious. #2. Mac and cheese "side": we got a large and it was delicious! #3. Tur-duck-en burger: It's slightly misleading because the burger patty is just ground turkey + ground chicken + duck mousse. When you get a taste of the duck mousse, it's incredible but the rest of the patty was pretty dry. However, if you like turkey burgers, you'll love this sandwich. The stuffing is great and the shaved sweet potatoes was a nice touch. I would recommend getting the cranberry sauce on the side because it became a little too overwhelming. Overall experience: Would definitely return. We may even look into their private events since it's such a nice restaurant.
(4)Jamaica Y.
I'll never go back. My last trip to Smokin' Betty's turned me off for good. We are such fans of the bread pudding that we took an impromptu visit. I asked the type of bread pudding and was told that there was a peanut butter banana bread pudding, but that they were finishing it up and would be on the next batch soon. I happen to dislike peanut butter, and asked if I could have a slice of the next batch. The ridiculous response was that there were four slices of peanut butter banana left, and I could not have a slice of the next one until they were done. Excuse me? Wtf? I broke down and accepted the peanut butter banana, hoping I might like it. It was God awful, and I returned it to the kitchen. I then had to wait for a manager in order to have the uneaten/returned bread pudding removed from my bill. ...and I still couldn't get another slice of bread pudding! Ridiculous. I'm so disappointed to have lost a great dessert spot, but I can't be mistreated at restaurants! Never again.
(1)Cinthia K.
Decided to come here with some friends during our last night in Philly. The menu was pretty big and it looked like they had quite a number of beers on draft, along with several wines. Despite my being a vegetarian, I was still able to find items to order (a portobello sandwich and some sides shared with my friends). The portions were large and flavorful, the service was attentive. I'd say that this place is a safe bet to go to if you have a large group and you all have big appetites at that particular moment in time.
(4)Larissa A.
I have been to Smokin' Betty's twice now, both times the food was delicious, the staff super friendly and the drinks tasty. This last time I made a reservation because on a weekend night there is a little bit of a wait but it's worth it. Strongly suggest the BBQ Combo plate, a ton of food for a good price, with one of their local beers. (I think I had the Betty's Blonde, that was really nice with the BBQ) We will be back Betty, see you next time we're in Philly!!!!
(4)John K.
My favorite - yes my actual favorite - burger in the city lies at Smokin' Betty's - a casual, yet sleek restaurant that totally has the ability to transform itself into a relaxed lounge or an upscale, but unpretentious bar. Better yet, Smokin' Betty's has a wide variety of BBQ-driven options available on their menu, along with affordable prices. Roasted Turkey Platter [$14] Carved turkey breast, southern style gravy, classic stuffing, whipped sweet potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce But before we get to my favorite burger in Philly, let's start with something apropos for this time of year. The GF went with the turkey platter, in anticipation of what was to come in a few weeks. The carved turkey was moist and juicy with a light smattering of gravy atop. The stuffing was rich, hefty, and nicely contrasted with the tart whole cranberries. The whipped sweet potatoes were creamy, light, and actually emanated a sweet potato / pumpkin pie with the additional spice - nice. Betty Burger [$12.95] 1/2 pound sirloin, confit pork belly, avocado, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, roasted garlic aioli, runny sunny side up egg But let's move on to the masterpiece - the piece de resistance if you will. I stumbled upon this Betty Burger within a few months after moving to Philly and I haven't looked back since. I've had this delicious burger close to a dozen times now and I can't recall a time when I didn't enjoy it. And that price! For what's on it - it certainly can't be beat. Requested medium rare- that's exactly how it came. The light brioche bun housed a rich, well-seasoned burger with a nice outer crust. The pork belly confit is fabulous - it should totally be shredded and put on top of fries to make a nice pork belly poutine. The mayo, airy guac, and the fried egg act to create a perfect melange of umami flavors that put this burger over the top. The fries that accompany this gut bomb are crisp and well-seasoned. Heaven. So be sure to head a few blocks off of Restaurant Row and order the namesake burger at Smokin' Betty's. It doesn't hurt to get a few of the sides as well - many of which are less than $5! When the food is great and the drinks are flowing, you're pretty much guaranteed to have a great time.
(5)Lea T.
Like other Yelpers I was less than blown away by Smokin' Betty's. I had a drink at the downstairs bar where the bartender seemed unenthusiastic and took my menu to give to another patron after I had ordered a drink and wasn't even done looking at it! Is there a shortage of menus behind the bar? Upstairs I joined a group of 10 women who all had to get up and get their own drinks from the bar because apparently we couldn't get the attention from a server on a Wednesday night at 6 pm? The happy hour appetizers all seemed lackluster. My $4 Cheesesteak Eggroll was bland (the side of "smoked tomato jam" just tasted like BBQ sauce), the $6 Grilled Pizza looked depressing, and even the Vegetable Quesadilla was unappetizing ($3 is SO cheap, but I'd rather pay $5-6 for better food). Fortunately the space is comfortable and classy, but I wouldn't return based on the poor service and poor food. Smokin' Betty's could have some real potential if they got it together and offered some comforting soul-food but for now it just falls short of being memorable.
(2)Majlinda K.
Smoking Bettys you have been so good to me every trip, it's a shame it took me so long to write a review! This place is really neat and shockingly not very crowded so you can always find a table here. We came here on a Sunday night and they were showing the eagles game in one of the rooms. They have your standard comfort food and healthy salad options that won't break your bank. Last time I was here I got the mahi-mahi tacos and they were absolutely delicious. They were very flavorful and came with a side of rice and beans. We got a pitcher of pomegranate sangria to go with our food and it went quite well with the tacos. They have some awesome happy hour specials here too so definitely come check it out!
(4)Grace R.
Love Smokin Betty's! Always comes through with great menu that tastes great! I have been here twice with really large groups and they were not only very accommodating but everyone was happy with their meal-- which is almost impossible I think. Definitely would recommend!
(5)Felicia C.
I've had Restaurant Week dinner at Smokin' Betty's, and it was ok. They're food is very...specific. With artsy, sometimes strange, preparations. But the fried green tomato appetizer was fantastic. Whenever I order out from Smokin' Betty's for lunch, I always order the fish tacos. They are better than fish tacos anywhere else. So fresh and plentiful (3 tacos for about $14), with sweet mango slaw and crema. No cheese or anything else that does not belong on a fish taco.
(4)Jo C.
Was intrigued by the tur-duck-en burger on the menu. It was a huge burger with ground turkey, duck & chicken layered with stuffing, gravy & cranberries. It was delicious but too much to eat. Nice selection of local & popular beers. Service was quick & efficient. My spouse ordered the chicken & ribs covered with bbq sauce and he said that was good. Didn't have room to try desserts.
(4)Abigail M.
Thoroughly mediocre, in need of acoustic remediation. We went to Smoking Betty's without a reservation. The hostess was great and the wait was short. We started with cocktails (I had a Pink Bogart) and crab cake sliders (the special). My cocktail was not quite cold enough, lacked flavor, and thoroughly disappointing (especially for $11). No pretty garnish or sugared rim (which would have helped). The crab cakes looked pretty (nice plating), but were flavorless (they were described as having a spicy remoulade- not sure what their definition of spicy was, but I couldn't tats anything- not onion, capers or hot sauce). I had the pulled pork sandwich. Nice smoky smell and tender meat, but again, little flavor (not vinegary not sweet). The fries and coke were the best part of the meal. The service was completely mediocre, and the restaurant was EXTREMELY loud (needs acoustic remediation/ panels). Food was reasonably priced.
(3)Hali R.
Turduckhen burger was amazing. I paired it with a beermosa. Omg this place is so good. I came for dinner one night and brought my boyfriend back for brunch the same weekend. I love this place! I'll definitely be back!
(4)Jennifer R.
This place has a ton of charm. I want to come back and try some of the fancy burgers they got going on. I however got a pulled pork sandwich and honestly, it wasn't the best. I figured that was the way to go being at a BBQ place but it was pretty dry and not too fresh in flavor. We came for lunch on a Tuesday for work though, so I wouldn't expect that to be the best time. They had some innovative drinks, menu items and decor though so they're definitely doing a lot of things right...just not pulled pork on a tuesday afternoon.
(4)Alex H.
Delicious food! Had the bbq combo, dry rub rib and bbq chicken. Cooked to perfection. Katie, the server, was a sweetheart. Bulleitproof cocktail was nicceeee...banana peanut butter bread pudding with a hazelnut cocoa ice cream had my arteries working overtime. Luckily, TJU hospital is across the street :-) plenty of healthy choices, it was my cheat day, indulge my friends!
(5)Amy S.
First of all Seth was an excellent waiter. He made great recommendations and didn't steer us wrong. The mac and cheese was delicious, the buffalo chicken pizza was spicy and cheesy and the riblets with the dry rub AND dipped in the BBQ sauce gave me new life. I want to eat the meal I had here every day for the rest of my life or if I am on death row I will choose this as my final meal (bold statement, I know). We also split a pitcher of the white peach sangria and the bread pudding to top it all off. Everything was excellent. I want to try everything on the menu.
(5)Jerica D.
After my husband finished planning every detail to our trip to the Philadelphia area, this resturant was located conveniently between the two tourist destinations we visited. Going down the street it's located on, you wouldn't think you would find a nice restaurant but Smoking Betty's is hidden nicely down this rough street. Upon entering during brunch time, we were immediately greeted and seated. There is indoor seating, out door seating, an upstairs and downstairs. Our waiter immediately came over and was so nice. I ordered the BBQ sliders and my daughter ordered one of the smaller burgers. The breakfast food that came out for other tables looked delicious! I also saw that they served mimosas and inquired. I ordered the houses special Fuzzy Mimosa! It was delicious and the best Mimosa I have had!!! My BBQ sliders were ok, but being from the south I've has better BBQ and pulled meat sandwiches. My daughters burger didn't taste that great to me either. Besides the food being just ok, the Mimosa and atmosphere was excellent. This is a really nice restaurant located in the downtown Philly area.
(3)Luba P.
It's the perfect casual happy hour place to catch up! It has two levels, with exposed brick and a variety of tables. Their food is really delicious, especially the veggie burgers and sweet potato fries. They also do specials for large parties, so it's great for a work happy hour. Yum!
(4)Center Stage Party Planning ..
HAPPY HOUR MENU WAS SO GOOD... Sangria was a little watered down but the food was AMAZING. I will definitely be visiting again soon!
(5)Liz O.
This is a solid option if you want to go to brunch. We had a big group of people, and they were able to accommodate us with a reservation. There were actually a lot of open tables; I was surprised it wasn't more crowded. The food was delicious. Everyone at my table loved what they ordered. They didn't have enough coffee brewed, so we had to wait a while for it to be made. And then they didn't have skim or soy milk to put in it. I was a little surprised and disappointed but the coffee was fine black. I would definite come back here to try more of the items on the menu.
(3)Anne K.
We booked a party of 30 for the private room. The air conditioning broke (on a 95 degree day) and they informed us just a couple hours before the party. We arrived at the restaurant and it was just as warm inside as it was outside. We paid for a party in the upstairs area so we could have our own space and got seated in the main dining area. Our waiter, Mike, was excellent. When we asked for a round of complimentary drinks, the manager approached us and was unkind and defensive. She reluctantly agreed. When they brought out a round of shots they were watered down. The food was good but unfortunately the service was horrible. I will not return and will definitely make sure that I let others know of this horrible experience.
(1)Shadab S.
Waiter was awesome!! However we had over a party of over 20+ people and the air conditioning was broken. So throughout the whole dinner we didn't complain once up until the end where we asked for a complimented round of shots. Manager reluctantly agreed to it however once we got the shots we got watered down fireballs.... Never again will I return nor will the 20+ co workers of mine.
(1)Lina S.
They have a decent beer selection and I like the setup for HH. But the food is just Ok and the service is pathetic. I came here for lunch with some coworkers and got the turkey sandwich. I asked for mayo instead of mustard and you would think I was asking to substitute pancakes for the bread. When my sandwich came It had bare bread with a cup of mayo in the side. Really? I understand that people go overboard with substitutions but the kitchen couldn't smear mayo on my bread instead of mustard? Lame. My friend asked if she could get the short rib sandwich on a wrap instead of bread (they have wraps) and the guy almost killed her on the spot. It's called basic customer service.
(2)Shane J.
A friend took me here for Happy Hour...Let me tell you - I fell in LOVE with this place. I really liked the specials offered during happy hour - $5 drinks and menu items were $4 & $5 respectively. The cheesesteak egg rolls & BBQ chicken were delicious!! The beer list was respectable, and the speciality drinks were tasty. I have been thinking about this place since my visit, I will definitely be back and bring friends so they can see what all the FUSS is about.
(4)Michael R.
Really, really mediocre food here, folks. Tried a bunch of different things while here with my lady. BBQ Sliders -- sauces were way too sweet. No heat, no vinegar, just tasted like Kraft BBQ sauce. Served on crappy dinner rolls. Chicken and Waffles Sliders -- this was a special. They must have meant especially bad because it was inedible. My waffles were soggy and undercooked, the chicken was dry, tough and mostly dark meat. Very unappetizing in a slider. It came with cranberry sauce which was off to the side -- thankfully -- because you could tell it was from a can. We also had the macaroni and cheese, which tasted more like macaroni and milk. French fries were hand cut but had no flavor or seasoning! Completely forgettable food. I can't speak to the cocktails, but the beer selection was weird and ours tasted flat. Overall, I wanted to like this place as it is really cute, but the food was so bad. Either we hit it on an off night or other reviewers just love bad food.
(1)Dana S.
Great place for Happy Hour, good variety of options both for drink and apps. I've eaten here twice and the food was great both times. I didn't run into the "full party before you get seated" option but I was also there on a week night. Service was prompt and friendly.
(4)Lisa G.
Found them on a whim. Great food, atmosphere, kind staff. Grateful to find well made comfort food so close to my mom's hospital. Would highly recommend. Seth, my waiter, was exceptional.
(5)Lauren S.
I have brought several people here during my visits to Philly and they have all been very satisfied! The food is top notch and the staff is very pleasant. I would definitely recommend making a reservation, especially at busy times and with large parties.
(5)Megan L.
Skip the cocktails. The food was really good. What I loved is that their vegetarian courses were not an afterthought. They had the largest selection of any bbq place I've seen. Best veggie quesadilla and I enjoyed the risotto.
(4)Sybille P.
So I decided to knock off another restaurant off of my "Bookmark List" and went to Smokin' Betty's for a late lunch. First of all, finding street parking in that area of town is a bear, so save yourself some time and an ulcer and park in a lot. We had a reservation and was seated by the big windows facing the street. Anyone who's been alive for the past few weeks knows that Philly has been super cold for a while now and today was no different. Why sit us by those windows when, I'm sure you know there's a draft? And there were hardly anyone in the restaurant at the time, but whatevs. When ordering we bypassed the drinks and went straight for the food. For starters we had the cheesesteak egg rolls and the slider trio sans pulled pork, which were good; not outstanding, but good. For the entrees we decided to go with the grilled mahi mahi tacos and the tur-duck-en burger. I specially asked for my fries to be fried hard because of previous Yelp pics. Unfortunately I hated the burger. There was nothing about it that was delicious to me. I didn't even think about asking for something else, so I just swallowed as much as I could. I couldn't even eat the whole meat patty, so I ate the bun and the stuffing. I didn't even bother trying the fish tacos. It was one small piece of grilled fish on a healing bed of cabbage or whatever it was, no thanks. Even after all that we ordered dessert. We ordered a dish of plain vanilla ice cream and the Nutella roll. The ice cream was pretty basic so I have no gripes. The Nutella roll, however... I was deceived. It was a spring roll filled with some chocolate thing with a scoop of chocolate coffee ice cream, though I was told it was hazelnut ice cream. Not what I was expecting at all. I don't know; I thought my experience would have been better. The service was great. Out waitress was super nice, but the food didn't so it for me. Oh well, on to the next.
(2)Sang D.
Completely bland and mediocre. Dont really understand the positive reviews. The menu was not exciting nor was the food flavorful. For me, just fell flat. Vegetable quesadilla was alright. Burger was bad compared to what you can get for the price at good burger joints. Buffalo chicken sandwich? Trashy. Glad i didnt splurge for BBQ ribs (i bet theyre between poor and average). Also it was too loud. We asked to be moved and it was still too effing loud. Tell your drunk patrons to shut the hell up, theyre ruining everyones dinner.
(2)Tiffany L.
My bf and I were really in the mood for BBQ, and a friend had previously suggested this place, so we were eager to check it out! I ordered the BBQ ribs and he got the BBQ combo ( which is chicken, your choice of light or dark meat, and 3 ribs). They were SO GOOOOOD! The meat fell off the bone, and I really liked the BBQ sauce. It wasn't too sweet, which I highly dislike, and it had some heat/spice to it as well. Really good. There is outdoor/sidewalk seating for those who want to enjoy their food outdoors, and then there is a small bar and indoor seating as well. The decor is really cute and cozy. I'll definitely be back in the future to try other items! (fyi: Their burgers and salads all looked amazing and HUGE!)
(4)Ann V.
Loved the BBQ Sandwich Sliders. Loved the Mac N' Cheese. Loved the chalkboard wall displays. Loved the atmosphere Liked the french fries. Liked the wait staff. Disliked the wait to be seated. Good enough for me! I'd go back. Maybe next time i'll try the turducken burger - sounds like it could be quite appetizing.
(4)Olivia R.
My husband and I can't seem to resist barbecue whenever it pops up as "nearby" on our Yelp app. Hence, we made a beeline for Smokin' Betty's. It's situated on the northwest corner of 11th and Sansom, so there's a lot of nice sunlight coming in during lunch. The seating is open and airy. My long-sleeved shirt kept sticking to the edge of the table, so either the table was not completely wiped clean or the veneer got soft in the sunlight. Our waiter was friendly and kept our drinks full, but wasn't super descriptive when we had a question about the food: "What is a corn souffle?" "It's a souffle made out of corn, and no flour." Okay. I eventually got enough information out of him to decide I'd skip it. I ordered the BBQ sliders as my meal, and my husband ordered the daily special: pulled beef brisket wrap with a with a side of hand-cut fries. The pulled chicken slider tasted a lot like a sloppy joe...that was my first and enduring thought. The pulled beef slider was my favorite because it was tender and had good BBQ sauce on it, but I had to pick out some thick slices of fat before I dug in. The pork was moist, but kinda flavorless and needed more sauce. The buns were potato buns, I think...very soft, a little sweet, and slightly yellow in color. The small side of Carolina slaw (not the creamy variety) was okay...not super flavorful, but added a nice crunch to the sliders. As for my husband's meal, he liked his fries, but didn't seem thrilled with the wrap. Oh well. There was no distinct BBQ style at Smokin' Betty's. They seemed to take a little bit from everywhere, and the flavors we tasted today didn't wow us. Plus, I got the distinct impression that my sliders were made haphazardly...I know sliders aren't intricate gourmet fare, but unequal amounts of meat and sauce kinda tell me that it was a slop job. The food was okay and the service was nice, but we probably won't go back.
(2)Jim K.
Great BBQ in a great location. I've eaten business lunches here a few times and it's always good. The pulled pork is almost as good as my own - delicious. The interior is rather eclectic and the servers are more so but quite friendly and efficient. This has to be the most "hip" BBQ joint for many miles. I've also had their turkey Reuben. I wish it were a "real" Reuben vs. turkey but for what it is, it was delicious. Excellent sauces and manageable portion sizes. The building is on a corner. In the summer they have huge windows that open up to give you the feeling of sitting on the sidewalk while not having to watch your cellphone or wallet too closely since you're already a couple of feet higher than the sidewalk plus they have open metal screens that come up to table height for the unobstructed view you want while keeping creepy fingers out. Hey, this is Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love. One of my engineers requires vegan choices and has always found something that she likes. If you're in or near center city and have a BBQ craving you won't be disappointed.
(4)Chirag P.
Did our company party here while we were in Philadelphia. Had a nice private room and a great menu to choose from... try the wings or the cheesesteak spring roll apps. I got the Dry Rub St. Louis ribs as my entree and realized, i'm a fan of actual BBQ sauce, not the dry rub deal, but they were cooked perfectly and did taste great... but even better after I got a side of sauce. Also had the homemade bread pudding for dessert, and it was damn good. I have to give kudos to our server, as we had 45 people in our party and the server at our table (18 of us) was on top of his game... we all had separate credit cards for the drinks and he "magically" kept everyone's CC's perfectly separated and in order... mad props. Overall just a fun place. We hung out there after the majority went home and just had more drinks. They have a crap-load of micro-brews, so give them a try. Overall a good joint for some Philly BBQ.
(4)Julie M.
I found this place on yelp and decided to give it a try on a Friday night with my friends. I made a reservation, which was a smart decision because the place was crowded and I think there was a waiting time when we got there. Service was very good and food was delicious. Thumbs up for the cheeseteak egrolls! We tried different meats and everything had a very nice and authentic bbq flavor to it. I was surprised because I am used to bbq places being less formal and this place is nice and the food is still amazing. I loved the sangria as well. Will definitely go back!
(4)David A.
Food was SO bland. I desperately sought out seasoning and nothing helped. Half of the beers on the draft list were no longer available. Bad food + overpriced beer = won't go back.
(1)CrystalRae S.
Love this place. I first went with a co worker and had a great time at happy hour. The drinks and service were great and the staff was very friendly. I returned with my boyfriend for date night and we both had a blast. Food was great again as was the service. One of my favorite spots.
(5)Eugene D.
One-issue voter. Sweet potato fries. Best anywhere.
(5)Monica S.
They've been open for a month or so and already, this place is awesome. I tried them out for lunch today and left completely full and satisfied. I went with the BBQ half chicken and Jill A is totally right, that sauce is finger licking good. So good I even licked my friend's fingers. Then I poured it all over him and- The beef brisket is awesome. Tender, meaty, topped off with what I think is just the jus. Each of these big platters comes with 2 sides and they offer a great selection of standard classics to chose from (mac&cheese, potatoes made sideways and every other way, veggies). The only thing I'd say I wasn't overly impressed with was the cocktail menu. What's missing? Two obviously southern-style drinks come to mind: a Mint Julep and a Sweet Tea cocktail (those are so popular now). Looks like they have a pretty awesome beer selection though. Finished off the lunch gorgefest with a warm blueberry bread pudding. Sweet baby jesus, that thing was awe inspiring and left me wishing I had enough room in my stomach to finish it. With so much to choose from on the menu, you'll need to make a quick return visit to sample the rest of their goods.
(4)Kemi A.
I had to return here so I can give a proper review. My first time here months ago, I just had drinks and the french fries...this after eating and chatting at Chifa's. So I didn't want to review it then because I didn't really have enough of an experience (tho what I had was good) to write a review. I returned here for drinks with the gf because I already scooped out the happy hour menu during my first visit. We sat by the bar downstairs. the funny thing abut this place is that it always has that "empty look", like no one is there but don't be deceived...because inside it's actually a nice place to meet with a group of people without having to worry about yelling your conversations to each other. Our waitress by the bar was very nice and non-imposing at all. I had the mango drink which was delicious as I love sweet things. I then had the rum punch (which was the special cocktail of the day) that was very good also. We also ordered the dry wings (had the sauce on the side) and the cheesesteak spring rolls...we ordered 2sets actually. Then someone else across the bar ordered the bread budding and was gracious enough to let us taste it....it was delicious ofcourse we ordered our own. Down side was that they didn't have ice cream and I wanted ice cream. Instead we settled for whipped cream. It was really nice and i can def see myself coming back just to chill, have drinks or have a quick dinner bite(try other items on the menu). I def am a fan of the wings, not the best wings in the world but def better than a lot of places.
(4)Aneesh B.
Pleasantly surprised with the BBQ here. Went for dinner with friends on a Tuesday night so pretty much had the place to ourselves. If you expect piles of paper napkins on the table and gingham-oilcloth tablecloths, you are in for a surprise. Much more of a bbq-boutique-style place, with tasteful decor that is a far cry from picnic-table-grub. Not that there's anything wrong with that; you just won't find it here. I had the brisket platter with green beans and latkes, which were all done well. Friends had the pork spareribs (choose sauce or dry-rub, though my friend chose dry -rub with a side of sauce, which the server indulged), hot dog plate (don't laugh, it was pretty good), grilled pizza, quinoa salad, and veggies. Large portions and tasty food. Big menu with lots to choose; excellent drinks with a good selection of beers/cocktails/wine. Try the French Flower and the Sobieski cocktails. 5 people, $150 plus tip, which I thought was a good deal. I'll go back again when I am in town.
(4)Adam S.
Betty Burger is unreal. Pork belly, a huge beef patty, a fried egg, lettuce, tomato and avocado... Had to eat with a fork and knife because it was so huge. Delicious. Fries were great as well. There was an issue with our reservation being for 4 instead of 5 but they quickly and without any fuss made a table for 5 for us. Definitely will be back for another colossal burger.
(4)Roberta M.
We ate here last night before going to the theatre. I made a reservation using Open Table - and guess what, the restaurant gave us a10% discount because I mentioned this was pre-theatre. Who know and how nice. We had burgers which were amazing- and cooked to our specifications. The toppings were generous and we loved every mouthful. We shared a wedge salad first - it was 1/2 head of letteuse- enough for the 4 of us. The service was courteous and prompt and all the other main courses being served around us looked fabulous. We would definitely come here again. Very moderately priced too.
(4)Noheli T.
I went to Smokin' Betty's last night and it was just loud! My friend and I were seated upstairs and and it was as if a cheerleading squad was there because you had to yell to talk to the person across from you. The party seated next to us was all over the place and kept getting up and moving around in an already crammed space, which became very annoying. My friend and I just ordered some beers and split a quesadilla, which was good but greasy. Overall the place was pretty good but I'll have to try it again when the noise level is a little bit more bearable
(3)Sean M.
Went out to catch up with a good friend i hadn't seen in a while. The atmosphere and decor is great although it was a bit noising during happy our as the evening progressed things died down a bit. Phenomenal music selection throughout the whole meal which isn't something I always notice but it stuck out. The BBQ Slider appetizer was decent but the grilled cheese sandwich was awesome with delicious sweet potato fries! Great spot for a fun night out with friends or a date!
(4)Aleks K.
Ate brunch here before the holidays right after they opened one day. I had a delicious Cobb salad, my best friend had Eggs Benedict - as always. My salad was definitely worth having again and the eggs got a good review. Our significant others did not fair so well - a botched order for one and some halfway decent sliders for the other. Our waiter was not very helpful and didn't know the specials. We asked about the waffle of the day and were told it's "probably banana pecan". Probably? Ok. We ordered a stuffed French toast as a shared dessert and it was meh. Coffee tasted burnt. Overall, I wouldn't eat here again.
(3)Kimberly T.
We came to Philadelphia for a weekend of touristy wandering, and just happened upon Smokin' Betty's on one of our outings. It was early on a Friday afternoon, so not quite happy hour time (5-7pm), but we decided to have a drink anyway. My husband and I decided to split a pitcher of Sangria - which while it had potential to have been really good, was not. The bartender took a perfectly good looking mixture out of the fridge and doused it with carbonated water, and then served it. Without mixing. Or stirring; resulting in the first three quarters of the pitcher being oddly watery. The last glass or so at the bottom of untouched goodness was perfectly tasty, so I hope they stick with that for the future!
(3)Nicole W.
Picture it: a stormy rainy night.. sheets of water pouring down on you and your friends.. thunder and lightening in yo face. Everyone is from out of town, and we can barely see the street signs to find our restaurant. Yeah, that was the story of the Brave 9 that eventually made it to Smokin Betty's. Enough about us- this place is AWESOME! Once we arrived the staff was immediately helpful-- giving us towels to dry off with (yes, we looked like we'd just exited the swimming pool). The service continued to be EXCELLENT, and the wait staff deserves the recognition. The food lived up to the reviews- and I wanted to order almost everything off the menu. What I settled with was PULLED BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICH w sweet potato fries. Ordered some crispy onion rings for the table.. and finished it off with the bread pudding. As a critic of all things bread pudding- let me tell you-- this was delicious! Moist, sweet, and full of berries (different, but I liked it!). PLEASE VISIT, AND ENJOY! :)
(4)Colleen M.
Came here because of Yelp Cocktail Week. Loved my Berry Betty. There was also a pretty decent beer list and the fries were good too. The prices seemed about average for Center City,or perhaps a little on the high end because we decided to leave and hit up LVL once Happy Hour was over. The place is cute, it needs a more visible sign outside however. I didn't know what I was looking for and passed it once. Maybe it's my poor eyesight, even with glasses on, but I wasn't immediately sure I had found it because the etching on the door is not visible enough from the opposite side of the street. Have to mention that the service good too. I'd give this one another shot -- maybe next time I'll get dinner. :)
(3)Kristin W.
We stopped by for an early girls' night out and got in right before happy hour ended at 7pm when an assortment of drinks and appetizers are available for ~$4. We tried the Sangria (reasonably strong), the tasty Veggie Quesadillas (tasty combination of cheese and onions), and Hand Cut Fries (nice balance of crisp and soft) Also, a shout out for awesome service - the bartender took care of us superbly even though we weren't right by the bar and checked in frequently to make sure that we didn't need anything without being over-bearing.
(4)Troy S.
The pulled pork was fantastic. Nicely sauced and with a bit of crisp without dryness. Well made cocktail, too. Delicious place.
(5)Feygens S.
Great Atmosphere!! Food was great! I had the dry ribs w/ mac & cheese. Well done like how I like it. Staff was nice and the music was cool. I heard the bus boy made the music selection for the night and was playing nothing but classic Hip Hop. DOPE! I will recommend this spot and will go again when in town. Thumbs UP!
(4)Nicole C.
The food was really really good. I had the BBQ sliders which are a trio of three types of briskets. The ambiance was dark and cozy but upscale. Our waitress was kinda rushing us and seemed interested, but the rest of the staff was very friendly! Must have just had an off night! Would definitely go backl
(4)Jacqueline L.
I came to dinner at Smokin' Betty's on a double date and I was happily surprised. Based on some of the reviews, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy my meal or the place in general but I did! After walking in I was immediately happy with the ambiance and feel of the place. I was expecting a super casual BBQ joint but the decor gave off a bit of a trendy/hip feel to it which I enjoy when I make an effort to get dressed and go out to eat! It is by no means over the top but the lighting was fun and overall I was happy with the appearance of the joint. For dinner, I got the pulled pork sandwich, the boyfriend got the BBQ salmon, and the other couple got the sliders and the Smokin' Betty burger. The pulled pork and other sliders were great (except the chicken was bland) and the burger was gigantic and had an egg on it (anything with an egg on it is A-OK in my book). The only average entree was my boyfriend's salmon, which he said was good, but nothing special, just simple. Sides were all enjoyable (Mashed sweet potatoes tasted like pumpkin pie and the mini corn bread muffins were cooked nicely as well). I've already recommended this place to some of my friends who are into BBQ with a twist!
(4)Sandra W.
I visited for a happy hour and the food was delicious. Delicious corn muffins. Everything I had ( or sampled from friends) was really tasty. There is a second floor with a full bar so probably a great place to try on a weekend night when other places might be too crowded. Can't vouch for that, just a thought. I'd recommend it for sure.
(4)Amy R.
Just delicious!!! A true find. The food was great. Great selection of alcohol. The atmosphere's fun. Can't think of a bad thing to say!! YUMMMMYYYYY!!!!
(4)john m.
When am I going to learn?!?! A friend once told me not to go to a restaurant to try their Restaurant Week menu because often times the food seems mass produced. Makes sense... and it really seemed that way last night. I went to SB with my wife last night for Restaurant Week. We were both really excited because we checked out the menu beforehand. On paper, it seemed so promising. Upon arriving, I really dug the vibe... modern, but not too pretentious... not too noisy with the right amount of background noise. Here's what I got: 1st course... Oyster Po'boy Sliders... really did nothing for me at all. It felt like I was eating mini Big Macs with a leaner meat. It didn't taste bad at all... just had nothing to really make it stand out. 2nd course... Fried Green Tomato salad... again, did nothing for me at all. The salad and side dressing had no flavor at all. Come to think of it... the fried tomato seemed to not really have any flavor at all. 3rd course... Beef Short Rib with creamy polenta, broccolini with roasted mushroom jus... ok, this was awesome. It was hearty, comforting and delicious. The short rib was as it should be, so tender you could cut it with your fork, Good stuff... 4th course... Chocolate Dipped bacon with Caramel corn... this was probably the biggest disappointment of the night. What we got was definitely not what we thought we were going to get. I thought it would be more refined, but it was literally bacon dipped in chocolate over caramel corn. I thought it would at least be chocolate covered bacon crushed up and sprinkled over caramel corn... nope... just my preference though. As for our waiter... I don't even remember his name. I don't even know if he told it to us. A lot of the time, there would be an empty glass on the table and I'd have to flag him down to ask him for something. He was nice, but didn't seem overly attentive. With all of the hundreds of restaurants in the area, I won't be going back to SB. I didn't have anything that made me want to go back. On the plus side, my wife really enjoyed her meal. Me, not so much!!!
(2)Curt S.
Great sevice! Excellent waiter
(5)Valerie M.
I'll refrain from simply saying that it's smokin' and will expand upon my verbal abilities to dig deeper into why this is likely my favorite underrated bar in the city. First up: sweet potato fries. I love them, and I would marry them if it weren't weird. In fact, I might get over that judgement someday and just go for it. I love pretty much everything on the menu, and find that the specials are always delicious. Brunch is excellent, lunch is great, and happy hours and dinner never disappoint. The strangest thing about this place is that it never seems to be crowded. I have never waited for a table, and have enjoyed a great deal of immediate walk up bar service....which I love. So what's the bottom line? Go there. Eat, Drink, and be Merry.
(5)Steven L.
I took a trip to Philadelphia for a wedding and was extremely excited to stop by Smokin Betty's for their famous Turduken Burger. I took the train into center city and walked the few blocks from the market to the restaurant. Upon my arrival I noticed how nice the interior of the restaurant looked. For a comfort food place it looked rustic but upscale. The wait staff was very polite though my waiter did take a while to come talk to me for the first time. I was also excited by the large craft beer selection and quickly ordered a nice Blonde Ale. A few minutes later I ordered my turduken burger with a side of sweet potato fries. After staring at the burger for a bit once it arrived I cut it in half and dug right in. So for those who do not know, a turduken is a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken filled with stuffing, so a turduken burger has all the meats cooked together and the rest of Thanksgiving as toppings. I will say that I have not eaten many turkey burgers in my day, usually I am beef all the way, but I would imagine that this patty tasted very similar to a normal turkey burger. I would say that the difference would be a richer flavor because of the duck fat but if I hadn't known I would have just thought it was a traditional turkey burger. Did this make a difference? Absolutely not! The burger patty was full of flavor and dripped juices right down my arm. This burger was a Thanksgiving meal on a bun. A fluffy and flavorful bun, just like the rolls you normally get on the big day. Beneath the patty was a layer of stuffing and gravy topped with melted cheese. Generally I find stuffing pretty dry and boring but add gravy and cheese to it and you've got a party! Now I know a new stuffing recipe to try out. On top of the patty was a wonderful cranberry chutney. Adding the tang and sweetness to cut through all the rich flavorings of the dish. Truly a perfect addition to the burger and definitely not what you get from the can. Last but certainly not least, fried sweet potato chips, adding the final delicious crunch to the meal. There is only one word to describe this burger...epic. I kept cutting it down to make it last longer because I didn't want it to end. So many flavors dancing around on my palette and all in harmony. It really was Thanksgiving in each and every bite! The most prominent flavor was the cranberry chutney so if you don't like cranberries you may not like this dish but then again you may love it. All in all a really well designed entree and one that I would go back to again and again over some of my favorite beef burgers. You probably are thinking, what about the fries. Well no need to worry, they were also pretty great. I have never eaten thick cut sweet potato fries but I was not disappointed. These fries were crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside like potato wedges. Not too greasy but with just enough to add the needed flavor. A really great side dish to a Thanksgiving burger. I will say though that every time I get sweet potato fries I am hoping for a dipping sauce. A brown sugar and cinnamon aioli to be specific, but I never seem to get it. I just can't get behind dipping them in ketchup. Next time you are in Philly, check out Smokin Betty's, get the Turduken burger, and plan to be full for a long time. Probably not the best idea right before a wedding but I toughed it out. Overall Review: 8/10 myfoodventures.blogspot.…
(4)nicole e.
Went here last night. The service was fairly terrible. They didn't bring us little appetizer plates and we had to ask 2 times. The quesadilla appetizer was messy and we needed them for sure. The food looked very nice but the deliciousness does NOT reflect the prices. I had the fish tacos for 13$. It was more like a fish taco wrap. It was just okay. i wouldnt say it tasted bad but it wasnt anything special. Also, it just came with a tiny bowl of canned black beans with little pieces of pineapple on top. again, nothing special. someone with me got the turkey sandwich for 11$. NOT worth 11$ although, it was very big. it did not come with a side. just an 11 dollar sandwich. the kitchen closes at 10 and they wouldnt even serve us dessert at 10:07pm. lame. also, there was a really weird karaoke thing happening but nobody cared. the place was pretty empty at 10:15pm when we left. the establishment itself is very nice. just too expensive and not very delicious.
(2)Joan V.
Just ok. Went here after a busy center city shopping day. Had the waldorf sandwich which I enjoyed. My DD had the riblettes which she did not like at all and she is a big ribs fan. She described "too much blubber, no meat". DH had a draft beer recommended by our server as the one on the menu he wanted was unavailable. He said the one she recommended was nothing like the one that was on the menu. He did not enjoy it at all. We were seated downstairs which I thought had no ambience or character at all. Felt rushed out by our server. Won't be in hurry to go back. There are plenty of other center city establishments to enjoy.
(3)Vince C.
Server was fantastic. Food was as ordered and when bacon came out slightly undercooked for someone's taste they happily crisped it. Food was delicious and prepared quickly even though our party was quite large. Well done!
(5)Wei T.
Went here for brunch, today. It was surprisingly good! Went around 12 and there was no wait - that's always a plus when going for brunch. I ordered the smoked salmon with sweet potatoes... delicious. The only thing keeping this from a 4 star review is the service; although I'm stereotypically impatient, this place is painstakingly slow. Overall, great meal! Oh, this time, the waitress was really nice. : )
(3)Janine L.
Came across this restaurant while searching for a venue close to the Forrest Theater; although I did not dine there the evening of my show, I was intrigued by the menu and thrilled with the pricing to give it a try last night. Decorated in warm colors and small eatery gives a cozy and inviting feeling. The bathrooms could use a little work - not the cleanest and only one working sink - but like that I did not have to go into a basement to use them (on the main floor). The menu is simple yet good for foodies with unique items like he Tur-Duk-en Burger and their amazing smoked tomato jam, which I requested on the side for my macaroni and cheese. Was surprised to learn Devil's Alley and Smokin' Betty's was owned by the same person. But once learned it made sense and the menus use the same lay-out, some of the items are similar and the sinks outside of the batroom should have been my dead give away. As Devil's Alley is a favorite for my husband and me, and the food here was pretty good, plus we loved the pricing, we will definately be returning; most likely with my father so the boys can enjoy a flight of the unique beers they keep on tap.
(4)Nik B.
Grilled chicken wings. all.day .long. I like my wings like I like my...nothing makes sense. Forget it. I like my wings grilled, and Betty does it right. These beautiful babies come out looking scrumptious. Charred from the grill? Yes, please. Crispy, perfect wing dimensions. Silly good. The sauce on the side is from above. I don't know what it is, but I'm alright with that. Blind love. The draft brewser list is great. Curveball: They offer a beer flight. Take that, wine. I went for it. The cool thing about the beer flight is that you're in the driver's seat. Pick 4 beers, it's that simple. Once you find a keeper, place the order post-flight and you're dialed in. Laid back ambiance. Borderline hipster upstairs with the mega chalkboard and contemporary furniture. Not sure who was in control of the music...but they were laying it dowwwwn. With my friend, bobbing my head, crushing my wings, enjoying my beer, loving my life.
(4)Anthony W.
I finally got down to Betty's this is a cool spot. It has large bay windows and I think a couple of tables outside. A mix of seating inside ranging from lounge couches to plush booths, small tables, and of course there's the bar (upstairs and downstairs). The atmosphere is a mesh of upscale casual sophistication with many young professionals. Rather than a meal I got a couple of appetizers (cheesesteak springrolls and buffalo chicken meatballs) and split a pitcher of sangria. The sangria was MIGHTHY TART so the bartender was kind enough to add a couple of things to kill the harshness. The service was great. We got a booth despite having a small party because it was during a down time. The springrolls and meatballs were CRIMINAL in how FEW they were. More appeteaser than appetizer. They tasted great though! I could snack on each all day. The sauce really had a punch in it. With each bite it was right in my nose, but at the same time it wasn't too spicy. That means it was done right. Had a great time. I'd love to come back with a larger group and try a full entree. It was about as lively as I'd expect for a Friday evening. Also, it's an excellent addition to Market East.
(4)Daniel Z.
Pros: The Betty Burger was really REALLY good! It will clog your arteries, but sometimes it's worth the risk. Cons: The service was so-so. And the restrooms were dirty.
(3)Kara L.
I had my wedding in Philly and chose to have my rehearsal dinner here since it was close to the Loews Hotel. To be honest, I had not tried this place prior to my rehearsal, so it was a bit of a toss-up. The restaurant really worked with me to customize my rehearsal dinner menu. They were extremely helpful in helping me keep within my budget, and gave me insightful suggestions for food options. The overall bill was reasonable and I was completely able to stay within my set amount. We rented the upstairs, which comfortably fit my entire party (about 50 people). The appetizers we chose were amazing. Our guests could not stop raving about the cheese steak egg rolls, mini pizza and fried green tomato bruschetta appetizers. The wait staff was very attentive and helped to cater to our guests' needs. Though I was too nervous to eat much myself, every item that my family/friends ordered was a hit. I got a lot of "A+'s" from the cheddar burger and french fries. I definitely will be hitting this restaurant up again next time I'm in Philly. The only negative (and it's really not a negative because it's out of anyone's control) is that it was really loud from the other tables/bar area which was right next to the private dining area.
(4)Kelly P.
strawberry lemonade, mmm! red pepper hummus, mmm! buffalo chicken quesadilla, m---- wait, is that bacon? yuck. loud as hell upstairs. -- what's that you say? i said: IT'S LOOOOUD UPSTAIRS. cute servers.
(4)Stephanie S.
I was there this past weekend with my fiance. He got the ribs, which came with french fries. I got the Caesar salad with chicken and some potato latkes. Initially, I had asked for a cherry coke, no ice because that's what I always order to drink. They said they had no cherry coke. I'm like, hello? You have a full bar? Don't you have Grenadine... but I decided to drop it, and just drink plain coke. Then the food came out. My salad had several brown leaves of lettuce. The chicken just looked like boiled chicken that had absolutely no flavor whatsoever. I guess if you just wanted protein of some sort, it would've been okay, but if you wanted flavor, you were shit out of luck. There was also hardly any salad dressing on the salad. The potato latkes were burnt and tasteless. My fiance's ribs, he said, were good. The fries, however, were caked in grease. The prices were kind of meh. If the salad would've cost more, I'd be much more pissed. Also, considering this was about 5pm on a Saturday and there were only 2 other tables, kind of raises a red flag. Most likely won't be coming back.
(2)Kate W.
Cool little joint. I came for Yelp cocktail week, sat at the bar around 5pm when it wasn't busy yet, and had the Berry Betty which was good - nothing shockingly awesome about it but it's a solidly good drink. For my super-late lunch/way-too-early dinner, I had a small salad to start - which came covered in dressing... I usually hate that, but it surprisingly didn't bug me this time because it didn't taste like too much even though it looked it. Then I went with the bbq sliders and a side of grilled veggies. The sliders were good, not a ton of food but with the salad & veggies I had more than enough. I was shocked to find the pulled pork to be so. incredibly. boring. - I thought it would be my favorite but instead I almost didn't even bother to finish it! The brisket was great, hearty and meaty. But winner winner chicken dinner without a doubt - the bbq chicken was awesome! And the cole slaw that it comes with was citrus-y/vinegar-y with celery seeds, no mayo at all (the best surprise all night!) and it was delish!!! If I could get a giant side of cole slaw to go, I would.
(4)Lee G.
We went to this place for lunch and have been back several times. The best is the pulled pork sandwich. It is moist and the sauce is evenly distributed. I've tried the french fries and the sweet potato fries and both were delicious. The only dissapointment so far is the pulled chicken. It was dry and not very flavorful.
(4)Justin C.
Not worth a return trip. Got the signature burger here. Was a mess, was way over ( asked for med rare got well done), and was too busy ( couldn't get one bite that had all the ingredients on it). The service, as I read was lackluster. Could not read the specials board as another table had been sat right in front of it. Got sat near drafty windows. Sweet potato fries were okay but not uniformly cooked so some were perfect, some were overdone, and some still raw. I should have listened to the "yelps" an not the Zagat rating on this one!
(2)Amber M.
Strawberry Lemonade was bang-ing, might be my new favorite. Sangria was a little boring and basically I should have ordered another lemonade haha. Overall, I think this place is super cool. Love the layout and there's plenty of space. Cool spot to hang out after work for drinks/appetizers or for something more intimate/cool to get to know each other better (wink). Waitstaff were quick and effective. Smokin!
(5)Melissa J.
This place has a great atmosphere and vibe. I have only experienced happy hour, so I have not had any entrees. The starters are delicious, specifically the sliders and cheesesteak eggrolls Their drinks are also great, I love the pomegranate martini. They sometimes have music too. The only negatives are it is very small and dark, and sometimes the service is a tad slow.
(4)Erin S.
"Love it here! Great atmosphere and love the happy hour specials. Servers are super friendly and prices are reasonable."
(4)Kenneth C.
Smokin' Betty's was a small place that we found after searching for a restaurant to go to after a beerfest. The main criteria being the menu had to be more on the comfort food side, the drink menu had to be extensive and they needed to be able to accept a large group. While I was not overly thrilled with the beer menu (a bit lacking in selection) the food was phenomenal!! I had the beef brisket sandwich and a number of the group had the pulled pork, on top of that we split a few orders of mac and cheese. My sandwich was amazing and those that had the pulled pork raved as well, the mac and cheese went quicker than I have ever seen. All in all we ended with a great dinner and drinks for relatively cheap for center city dining.
(5)Thom K.
I've been there four times now. The first time was just after they opened. I was excited, since Devil's Alley is one of favorite places during the work week. I felt like I was "catching them at a bad time". So, I chalked it up to start-up, growing pains. However the other three return visits, the last being just two weeks ago...proved to be similar experiences. When I go out to eat, I want to feel welcomed and appreciated. I want my meal to be a tasty value. And, I want the atmosphere to be inviting. I've not experienced that yet with Smokin' Betty.
(2)Stacey R.
My husband and I were looking for last minute reservations for Center City restaurant week, and this place was one of the few that had an opening with a decent-looking menu. Luckily we were not disappointed! It was $35 for a generous four course menu which included appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered; out of eight things brought out not one was a miss. I think the highlights were the chicken and waffle sliders, pumpkin soup, pork ribs and sticky toffee pudding. I ordered some fruit thing for dessert because I thought I would be too full for something more decadent. Rookie mistake! If a choice is sticky toffee pudding, then son, go with the pudding. Beer, wine and cocktail selection was also great. We don't find ourselves in this neighborhood very often, but we would happily go back.
(4)Kevin S.
I had a lot of fun at Smokin' Betty's! Its got a great atmosphere, the service was fantastic. They had a great selection of beers, always a plus in my book. I loved the huge chalkboard menus! The bathrooms were clean and inviting. I didn't eat here, just a few drinks one evening. However, I am left with nothing negative to say! I'm looking forward to having some lunch here one afternoon!
(4)Jan T.
We stopped into Smokin' Betty's on a business trip the other day and were pleasantly surprised. While the restaurant bills itself as barbeque, the decor is more hip and urban, with blackboards, warm colors, booths, and a surprising amount of metal on the walls. Not your usual bbq joint, but then this is the North and a fancy city. The beer menu here is extensive, offering microbrews from parts foreign and domestic, including several local Philly beers. Good selection overall. The menu is kind of interesting. There are only a very few barbeque dishes on there, albeit many dishes can have bbq sauce added. A colleague of mine and I both went with the Betty Burger, a huge but delicious concoction of 1/2 lb of beef, a piece of pork belly, avocado, cheese, and veggies, accompanied by either regular or sweet potato fries. Delicious but big, it serves to fill one up for a busy night ahead. Service was very good, with the only issue being that the restaurant was very warm (it being a 100+ degree day), so a bit more air con could have helped. Also, the fact that the specials board was half blocking the steps on the way down after dinner could be construed as a hazard or some form of sobriety test. Would visit again.
(4)Hiu Ting C.
I've been here many times and the food never disappoints. I'm a fan of the fish taco entree, it comes with black beans and rice but I don't care for either. The rice and beans seems to be undercooked and it's been consistent so I guess they do it on purpose. I also like their waldorf chicken salad sandwich...it is sooooo good. Their sweet potato fries and cheesesteak springrolls are amazing too. Drinks specials during happy hour is pretty decent. Go there.
(4)E. A.
Service was great. Prices are decent, especially considering the portion sizes. Location and decor are cool as well. What's lacking is a focus on food. It seems like the greasy basics like ribs and loaded burgers are the tastiest things here, but everything else is pretty middling. It's not hard to make fat taste good, so I can't really get on board with this place. Saturday night dinner and the place was mostly empty. Three of us ordered a few beers, the Betty burger, the po' boy special, a cobb salad, and a large mac & cheese. Mac & cheese was nothing to write home about. It's creamy with crunchy breadcrumbs on top. The dominant flavor was onion+black pepper, rather than cheese, or, say, macaroni. The cobb salad also lacked flavor. None of the individual ingredients were particularly tasty, and the dressing didn't have enough pep to bring it all together. The greens obviously came from a bagged salad mix, the avocado was underripe... meh. I love me a good cobb salad..this wasn't one. Betty burger looked crazy good...but then anything with pork belly and a fried egg on it looks good. Beware (or rejoice) the absolutely enormous portions. The large mac & cheese was enough for three adults to each have a helping or two. Oyster po' boy was the size of three or four normal sandwiches. So maybe share an entree, or go in with a healthy appetite, or just be prepared to carry home some leftovers.
(3)Eric N.
As a college student it's hard to find affordable meals that satisfy my gourmet craving. Smokin' Betty's is the place I've been searching for. It's amazing menu that has everything making you drool. My first time there I had a Betty burger because I thought, "I might as well try their signature burger". It was phenomenal and superb. If you're ever in Philly and want a nice sit down gourmet meal specializing in comfort food, then I recommend Betty's!
(5)Hannah K.
Heard some decent reviews about this place so I went here for lunch today. I ordered the Betty burger, while my sister got the Tur-Duck-En burger. We opted to get the $4 bucket of fries, & the side of macaroni & cheese (which the waitress suggested). The food came fairly quickly. The Betty burger was huge. a 1/2 pound sirloin burger, confit pork belly, guacamole, cheddar cheese, lettuce, roasted garlic aioli & fried egg. Cooked medium rare, the burger was hard to eat but so worth it. My sister's Tur-Duck-en burger seemed pretty good too. Stuffed with homemade stuffing, southern style gravy, & a side of homemade cranberry sauce. She seemed to really enjoy it. The fries were lack luster, and the macaroni & cheese was standard. The waitress was friendly, but didn't bother to refill our cups with water. The menu seems similar to Devil's Alley but in all a positive first experience.
(3)Grace F.
Always really delicious BBQ and the Mac N Cheese is A-mazing! The prices are great...I leave satisfied everytime. I would take off half a star b/c I have had better BBQ--but overall, just a delicious meal and a great place!
(5)Pira T.
I came here to try Turducken sandwich because I saw it on foodnetwork. It was very disappointing. Didn't taste good. and other food is just average for the price I paid for.
(2)Rick A.
I was pleasantly surprised when I ate at Smokin Betty's. The BBQ was great and so was the sauce. I am not sure if they make it themselves but it was a thin and sweet sauce which goes well on everything. It is the complete opposite of the bottled sauce you get in a store which is thicker than Ketchup. They also a a great selection of beers from all over the country so if you are a fan of meat and beer check this place out.
(5)Steph D.
I went here for restaurant week, and I was extremely impressed. During restaurant week, I usually expect really great food, just in tiny portions. The first course was one crabcake slider, which was ok, but what I was expecting. The second course was a butternut squash bisque with candied pumpkin seeds...Awesome! It was so good. For the main entree, I was really surprised. I ordered the beef short ribs, expecting a little turd of meat on the plate, and it came out with 2 huge steaks of it, plus delicious cheesy potatoes, and steamed broccoli. The dinner was enough for my next day's lunch and dinner. For dessert I had the maple peach cobbler and it was awesome.. Again, served me for two meals. Overall I was very pleased! Awesome hostess, waitress, bartender, and manager. The beer selection was great (though their 60-minute IPA only comes in 10oz, which I don't understand). Food was awesome and I definitely want to go back and try their regular menu.
(4)Zoe P.
When one of your close friends is a Texan, finding great or even good bbq north of the Mason Dixon Line becomes nigh impossible. She and her bf had a recent disappointing bbq experience and were eager to find a good place in CC. We went to Smokin' Betty's on a Saturday evening, arriving at 7pm and discovering a mostly vacant restaurant. The interior is quite nice, we got a glimpse of the ground floor before being seated upstairs where a few other parties were already dining. Lots of dark stained wood, a sort of chic, modern take on a barbeque shack (just nowhere near what a 'shack' looks like). On the suggestion of a number of Yelpers, we shared the grilled chicken wings with Sam's Famous Bbq Sauce. The wings were super juicy while still bearing grill marks, and the sauce was a nice sweet but tangy recipe. The pasta salad it comes with was peppery and fresh by comparison. My bf and I decided to share things and to maximize the menu we ordered the trio of bbq sliders, which comes with a crisp vinegar based coleslaw, and a half rack of St. Louis style ribs with their spicy dry rub and sides of broccoli rabe (can't F that up) and flourless corn pudding (yummy! and on the sweet side). They are not kidding about that dry rub, it's SPICY! But very enjoyably so. The sliders were also tasty, although the bottom buns were half soaked with juices by the time the dish arrived. The pulled meats were tender and the bbq sauces flavorful - the pork was my favorite, the brisket was my bf's, and the chicken was really great but just not as good. Our friends had the pulled pork sandwich (entree sized of what we had) with a side of the mac and cheese, and the Betty's Burger with sweet potato fries, and I swear the entire contents of that plate disappeared waaay before I was halfway through my food - in other foods, finger-f-ing-lickin' good! Our friends love mac and cheese (and have been trying to find their favorite in Philly), but I don't think this version lived up to their expectations - although they did consume the entire small portion :D There was so much food, it was a true feat that we finished. Afterwards, we didn't want to see meat in any amount or form for awhile. Seriously, it's the next day and I don't want to eat meat, the thought makes me nauseous. But this was good bbq, so it was totally worth it - and the price was very reasonable too! We plan on continuing to try more bbq places in Philly, but we can add Smokin Betty's to the list of tried and true places for a good, reasonable meal - with a lot of meat!
(4)Mary S.
Loved it! I went for the first night of Center City Sips last night and we had a blast! When we arrived there weren't a ton of people in the restaurant so we were offered whatever seats we wanted. We chose a table by the huge open windows that face the overpass bridge from Jefferson- such a great decision because as we drank, we realized that if you watch the bridge between buildings, there's definitely a possibility for a drinking game, or bingo via the variety of people walking along. Doctor! Nurse! patient in a gurney! you get the idea. As far as SB's itself, we only ate and drank from the Sips menu, but it was all awesome. The cheesesteak spring roll and the wings were especially of note. Our waitress had a ton of tables, and at first I think she was a bit out of it, but eventually she got her game face on and handled everyone quite well. I will definitely return here for Sips or just a meal in the future, as the decor, food, and bev. are all great. the bathrooms upstairs are coed (private doors) with a shared sink, which is confusing as your BAL goes up- so just know that much going in.
(5)Jess M.
Stopped in yesterday afternoon for brunch with friends. Much of the menu sounds delicious, but needing more than just cards for breakfast (pancakes, specialty waffles & French toast), I went with the Country Gravy & Biscuits with sweet potato hash. What a good decision that was, especially considering I normally choose the breakfast burrito wherever I'm at. The gravy was creamy and flavorful and the sweet potato hash was outstanding mixed with veggies and perfectly seasoned. I ordered a Build Me Up Buttercup to accompany my delicious breakfast - it was an iced coffee loaded with vanilla vodka and butterscotch and coffee liquor. Yum! Without tasting too boozy. Fairly priced and great service in a relaxed atmosphere. Would love to try again for lunch or dinner. Would certainly recommend for brunch.
(4)Samantha R.
Servers were all extremely friendly and informative. It was lunch time so she was hungry and rattling off alllll her favs! Definitely try the riblets for a lunch appetite with the veggie chili including guacamole and sour cream! delish :-)
(4)Kimberly F.
I had a ball here. I went with a girlfriend and everything was grand. Our server was named Brooks (I totally recommend requesting her, she's such a kitten!) We had a plethora of the cocktails. I believe it was every one of their specialty cocktails (each refreshing!) We split a spinach & goat cheese salad, the chicken salad sammy (I love when things like raisins or dried cranberries are in chicken salad) and the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake (I'll reiterate.. it's Crème Brûlée AND Cheesecake... BOTH!... AT THE SAME TIME! = lady wood!) I had to let the MOD know how great everything was (most people only want to speak to one when something bad happens and that sucks.) I'll totally recommend this place to all. We'll be back Betty!
(4)Jenny L.
Came here yesterday with the boy and his friend. The place was pretty inviting. Easy to find despite the small sign on their door (maybe I didn't look hard enough for a bigger sign). Upon entering, we got seated right away. Service was alright, the waitress only stopped by our table about 3 times. There were about 4-5 servers on the bottom floor, don't know how many others were upstairs, but only ONE server was actually taking orders from all the tables. I felt like they definitely needed more servers to take orders. We started off with a couple of drinks from the happy hour menu and bbq wings. The wings were grilled and the bbq sauce was pretty good. It's not the tangy bbq sauce, but the sweet kind. Just the way I like it. For my main course, I got the BBQ Atlantic Salmon with sides of grilled veggies and mac n' cheese. I didn't like my grilled veggies but the mac n' cheese was good. My bf got the BBQ combo with sides of green beans and whipped sweet potatoes (not too sweet, just right) and his friend got the Flamed Grilled chicken. I actually would come back to Smokin' Betty's because there's a couple of choices on the menu that I'd like to try, like the Betty Burger. There will most likely be a next time since my bf lives so close! Hopefully next time, I can give 4 stars. update 1/15/11: i got the Betty Burger today. It was huge but I don't know if i totally enjoyed it because if its messy-ness. I saw some guy eating it with a knife and fork.. which I started using toward the end of my burger. It actually tasted better that way. The burger's alright, took the pork confit belly out because it was just a blob of fat :\ next time, i want to try the betty cristo haha or fish tacos.
(3)Katelyn I.
One of our favorite places to visit when my family comes into town, since they have "limited" palates, haha. It's a two story restaurant and there are bars on both floors. The staff is great and the food is good. Great barbeque and an excellent beer selection! Definitely worth checking out!
(4)Patrick B.
Executive Summary: Fun, sophisticated place with excellent beer selection. I was in town for a conference and looking for a place for something easy. Smokin' Betty's was right around the corner from my hotel. Very cool place. Minimalist but very chic interior and very comfortable. I always like to sample the local beers when I travel so I was pleased to see SB had eight or ten on tap. The bartender was helpful and made some excellent suggestions. Food was also very good. The cheesesteak eggrolls were terrific-not greasy at all and more flavor than the overrated cheesesteak hoagie I had elsewhere for lunch. I had the BBQ sliders for my entree; the meat was tender and the sauces were excellent. I will be back!
(5)Deneen W.
I finally stopped into Smokin' Betty's (after walking by a multitude of times) last night to grab a quick bite and a beer to watch the Flyers. I sat at the bar and found the service to be quite good. The bartender was very personable and kept my glass full. I had the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich and fries...some of the best bbq I've had. The only critique I have is that the bun was very buttery...overly buttery. The flavor of the pork, the fries and the cole slaw, however, more than compensated for the bun. I can't wait to go back and try one of the specials!
(4)Alexander M.
Went to Center City Sips last night, knowing next to nothing about the food or the atmosphere. Happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. We were able to sample a few of the bar appetizers on special, and I enjoyed all of them. The quesadilla and spring rolls were good, but the bbq wings were excellent- like they had come fresh off the grill. I was also happy with the $2 Yuengling and Kensinger specials. About the bathrooms- I had no problem with them. The girl behind me, on the other hand, look positively baffled. Definitely worth checking out. I can't give it the full 5 stars until I go again, but it's guaranteed now that I'll come back.
(4)Daniel H.
Went here for brunch over the weekend. Nice space, cool decor (I took note of the steps, but I doubt you'll find them as exciting as I did). Waitress was funny, and that was a bonus... but she left a bit to be desired in the competency category, which is arguably more important than her disposition. Anyway, the meal was decent. My meal was everyone's favorite (I think). Got the breakfast burrito, which you might think is the same everywhere, but it's not. Smokin' Betty's did a nice job and the sweet potato hash on the side was really good! Don't get the grilled cheese unless you want to be disappointed. Too much bread, not enough cheese, and generally mediocre, if that. The menu has a few other items I'd like to try, and I hear they're good for dinner and drinks. Would definitely check this out again, but hopefully the service will be better.
(3)Liz O.
This is a solid option if you want to go to brunch. We had a big group of people, and they were able to accommodate us with a reservation. There were actually a lot of open tables; I was surprised it wasn't more crowded. The food was delicious. Everyone at my table loved what they ordered. They didn't have enough coffee brewed, so we had to wait a while for it to be made. And then they didn't have skim or soy milk to put in it. I was a little surprised and disappointed but the coffee was fine black. I would definite come back here to try more of the items on the menu.
(3)Anne K.
We booked a party of 30 for the private room. The air conditioning broke (on a 95 degree day) and they informed us just a couple hours before the party. We arrived at the restaurant and it was just as warm inside as it was outside. We paid for a party in the upstairs area so we could have our own space and got seated in the main dining area. Our waiter, Mike, was excellent. When we asked for a round of complimentary drinks, the manager approached us and was unkind and defensive. She reluctantly agreed. When they brought out a round of shots they were watered down. The food was good but unfortunately the service was horrible. I will not return and will definitely make sure that I let others know of this horrible experience.
(1)Shadab S.
Waiter was awesome!! However we had over a party of over 20+ people and the air conditioning was broken. So throughout the whole dinner we didn't complain once up until the end where we asked for a complimented round of shots. Manager reluctantly agreed to it however once we got the shots we got watered down fireballs.... Never again will I return nor will the 20+ co workers of mine.
(1)Lina S.
They have a decent beer selection and I like the setup for HH. But the food is just Ok and the service is pathetic. I came here for lunch with some coworkers and got the turkey sandwich. I asked for mayo instead of mustard and you would think I was asking to substitute pancakes for the bread. When my sandwich came It had bare bread with a cup of mayo in the side. Really? I understand that people go overboard with substitutions but the kitchen couldn't smear mayo on my bread instead of mustard? Lame. My friend asked if she could get the short rib sandwich on a wrap instead of bread (they have wraps) and the guy almost killed her on the spot. It's called basic customer service.
(2)Shane J.
A friend took me here for Happy Hour...Let me tell you - I fell in LOVE with this place. I really liked the specials offered during happy hour - $5 drinks and menu items were $4 & $5 respectively. The cheesesteak egg rolls & BBQ chicken were delicious!! The beer list was respectable, and the speciality drinks were tasty. I have been thinking about this place since my visit, I will definitely be back and bring friends so they can see what all the FUSS is about.
(4)Michael R.
Really, really mediocre food here, folks. Tried a bunch of different things while here with my lady. BBQ Sliders -- sauces were way too sweet. No heat, no vinegar, just tasted like Kraft BBQ sauce. Served on crappy dinner rolls. Chicken and Waffles Sliders -- this was a special. They must have meant especially bad because it was inedible. My waffles were soggy and undercooked, the chicken was dry, tough and mostly dark meat. Very unappetizing in a slider. It came with cranberry sauce which was off to the side -- thankfully -- because you could tell it was from a can. We also had the macaroni and cheese, which tasted more like macaroni and milk. French fries were hand cut but had no flavor or seasoning! Completely forgettable food. I can't speak to the cocktails, but the beer selection was weird and ours tasted flat. Overall, I wanted to like this place as it is really cute, but the food was so bad. Either we hit it on an off night or other reviewers just love bad food.
(1)Dana S.
Great place for Happy Hour, good variety of options both for drink and apps. I've eaten here twice and the food was great both times. I didn't run into the "full party before you get seated" option but I was also there on a week night. Service was prompt and friendly.
(4)Lisa G.
Found them on a whim. Great food, atmosphere, kind staff. Grateful to find well made comfort food so close to my mom's hospital. Would highly recommend. Seth, my waiter, was exceptional.
(5)Lauren S.
I have brought several people here during my visits to Philly and they have all been very satisfied! The food is top notch and the staff is very pleasant. I would definitely recommend making a reservation, especially at busy times and with large parties.
(5)Megan L.
Skip the cocktails. The food was really good. What I loved is that their vegetarian courses were not an afterthought. They had the largest selection of any bbq place I've seen. Best veggie quesadilla and I enjoyed the risotto.
(4)Sybille P.
So I decided to knock off another restaurant off of my "Bookmark List" and went to Smokin' Betty's for a late lunch. First of all, finding street parking in that area of town is a bear, so save yourself some time and an ulcer and park in a lot. We had a reservation and was seated by the big windows facing the street. Anyone who's been alive for the past few weeks knows that Philly has been super cold for a while now and today was no different. Why sit us by those windows when, I'm sure you know there's a draft? And there were hardly anyone in the restaurant at the time, but whatevs. When ordering we bypassed the drinks and went straight for the food. For starters we had the cheesesteak egg rolls and the slider trio sans pulled pork, which were good; not outstanding, but good. For the entrees we decided to go with the grilled mahi mahi tacos and the tur-duck-en burger. I specially asked for my fries to be fried hard because of previous Yelp pics. Unfortunately I hated the burger. There was nothing about it that was delicious to me. I didn't even think about asking for something else, so I just swallowed as much as I could. I couldn't even eat the whole meat patty, so I ate the bun and the stuffing. I didn't even bother trying the fish tacos. It was one small piece of grilled fish on a healing bed of cabbage or whatever it was, no thanks. Even after all that we ordered dessert. We ordered a dish of plain vanilla ice cream and the Nutella roll. The ice cream was pretty basic so I have no gripes. The Nutella roll, however... I was deceived. It was a spring roll filled with some chocolate thing with a scoop of chocolate coffee ice cream, though I was told it was hazelnut ice cream. Not what I was expecting at all. I don't know; I thought my experience would have been better. The service was great. Out waitress was super nice, but the food didn't so it for me. Oh well, on to the next.
(2)Sang D.
Completely bland and mediocre. Dont really understand the positive reviews. The menu was not exciting nor was the food flavorful. For me, just fell flat. Vegetable quesadilla was alright. Burger was bad compared to what you can get for the price at good burger joints. Buffalo chicken sandwich? Trashy. Glad i didnt splurge for BBQ ribs (i bet theyre between poor and average). Also it was too loud. We asked to be moved and it was still too effing loud. Tell your drunk patrons to shut the hell up, theyre ruining everyones dinner.
(2)Tiffany L.
My bf and I were really in the mood for BBQ, and a friend had previously suggested this place, so we were eager to check it out! I ordered the BBQ ribs and he got the BBQ combo ( which is chicken, your choice of light or dark meat, and 3 ribs). They were SO GOOOOOD! The meat fell off the bone, and I really liked the BBQ sauce. It wasn't too sweet, which I highly dislike, and it had some heat/spice to it as well. Really good. There is outdoor/sidewalk seating for those who want to enjoy their food outdoors, and then there is a small bar and indoor seating as well. The decor is really cute and cozy. I'll definitely be back in the future to try other items! (fyi: Their burgers and salads all looked amazing and HUGE!)
(4)Kenny C.
One of the few places big enough to accommodate a huge group (~11) on very short notice. Loved the Betty Burger, which had basically everything I love in a burger (especially a fan of the confit pork belly, egg and avocado!). I ordered it medium and it came exactly as I wanted. The burgers also come with a knife stabbed through the middle, which is now going to be my gold standard for burger presentation. My friend ordered the Turducken burger and we swapped half burgers. The Betty was definitely better. The Turducken was too Thanksgiving-y. Not a fan of cranberry sauce in a burger. The fries were delicious as well. Service was excellent. The decor was great (especially a fan of how much attention to detail went into the menu chalkboard on the second floor). There are also a ton of private bathrooms. And last but certainly not least, they make a yummy Bloody Mary.
(5)Whitney M.
Had a wonderful meal here while on a business trip. It was a group of ten of us, and they were accommodating and efficient. I ordered a beet salad with goat cheese and chicken and it tasted fresh and yummy. They had a great beer selection, and my colleagues all enjoyed their food which ranged from barbeque sandwiches to chicken and waffles. I wouldn't hesitate to go back if I was in Philly.
(5)Vincent I.
This place has one of the top 5 burgers I have ever had. It's a non traditional burger, so keep your mind open. It's not even beef. Can you say Turducken? It was amazing. I have gone back so many times. I have also done brunch here quite often. It is must. Try the french toast and they also have a cool spin on a mimosa that is delicious. It's also just a great place to grab drinks with friends. They have a good variety of local beers that seem to rotate.
(5)Smrithi D.
Went here as a 2nd SIPS stop and boy was it packed. We ordered drinks while we waited for a table to clear and the bartender was pretty quick. They have a great beer selected and the chipotle pierogis was a new, refreshing alternative to typical bar food.
(3)Philly D.
Philly Din Club hit up Smokin' Betty's in August for our monthly gathering. We went on a Tuesday night so the place wasn't very crowded and they had plenty of room for the 10 of us (we always make reservations just in case). The food was amazing! The Turkey Dinner Platter was delicious and came with the best whipped sweet potatoes I've ever had. A few of us had the Tur-duck-en Burger and to quote our crew, Tur-duck-en Burger = non red meat heaven. If you're looking for a hearty meal that reminds you of being home for the holidays, these are your two options. Other than the Thanksgiving themed meals, we also recommend the Fish Tacos (crispiest breading in town), the wings, and the chili. My only complaint is that they were out of cornbread for the chili, which was the only reason I ordered it. They did tell me they were out before they served it, but they proceeded to bring it out with a side of saltine crackers. Really? Saltine crackers? At least throw me a roll or something. Apart from that little disappointment, the experience here was superb and we would recommend Smokin' Betty's to anyone looking for a great menu with lots of variety.
(4)Sarah K.
Went here for lunch with a large group. Seems that this place is meant for small groups but we were able to get seated since the place was not as busy. Our server (girl who works at the bar) was friendly, therefore the service was awesome. I ordered the betty burger and the taste was amazing. The burger was cooked just how I like it and all of the toppings make the price worth it. My only problem was that the bun were small and the bottom was soaked in juice. So it was very very messy to eat. Also one thing to note was that even though our server was friendly, I wish she came around to check on us at least to make sure our drinks were filled. I would recommend this place as the food (the fries, OMG the fries) was tasty and the prices are reasonable.
(4)Derek B.
Had a meal with friends here. Drinks were amazing albeit a little weak for my liver. My chili starter was great, but the corn bread jalapeno butter was more a gimmick than anything real. I had the focaccia grilled cheese and was really disappointed with the mozzarella. Felt like the same tired mozzarella they shred for supermarket bags. Rubbery and bland. Overall nice place and my friends enjoyed their meal.
(3)Todd T.
We visited SB for Restaurant Week. We had a reservation and were quickly seated even though our party was not all present. They had a good beer and drink selection. I had the pork egg roll, cauliflower salad, Dr. Pepper Ribs and pistachio cheesecake. I enjoyed everything although the salad was a bit bland. We all had a great time and I look forward to coming back.
(4)Jamie B.
Food is always delicious, love the house beer and love atmosphere. It's one of my go-to places in the city.
(5)B. B.
Definitely a 3 star joint. The beers on tap are solid and the bartenders are great, but the food is very average. The philly cheese steak egg rolls and the friendly bartenders are the two positives from my experience.
(3)D G.
We came here recently during restaurant week. It was a 4 course special. The place looks nice and the employees are very friendly. The food was really bad for us. It was busy and it could be an anomaly, but here goes: Our table was so sticky we had to peel the place mat to move it. Mahi ceviche - the fish tasted old and the citrus blend used was not fresh. Mini chicken biscuit sliders - microwaved (pretty sure) one end of the plate was super hot and the food on the other end was cold. The chicken was worse than what you'd get at McDonalds. The biscuit was tough to chew through. Roasted Cauliflower salad was really good. Cheddar beer soup - tasted like any canned soup. Braised short rib - inedible. It had absolutely no taste. Dr. Pepper ribs - also microwaved. sent it back because it was cold in the middle. Flavor was ok. But not something I'd recommend. Apple cobbler - was good. Peanut butter Rice krispy - was ok We probably left at least half of each plate. It just wasn't good. I'm not sure if they have the restaurant week menu food pre made and then they just heat it. Whatever they did, it was bad. The burgers there did look good. Shoulda got that. I'm hoping my experience was just unlucky because I've read some good reviews of this place.
(1)Lenny Z.
What started out for the search of a good burger and sweet potato fries for my wife, made a bit of a turn when we decided to have a Labor Day BBQ the next day. I was not feeling back to back burger meals, but my wife really wanted sweet potato fries and Smokin' Betty's which was on my short list had a lot of options other than burgers. So, it was on. Perhaps, one of the best decisions ever. At the center of my meal was the Buffalo Chicken sandwich. It was pass out faint on the ground and fan me back to conscious good. Hands down, the best buffalo chicken sandwich I have ever allowed to touch my belly. This is serious! The bacon was perfect. The blue cheese was just right. The chicken was battered and fried to perfection. And whatever this other cheese was that they melted on it, pure gold. The buffalo sauce was tasty. And, the bun was everything I want in a bun, whatever that means. Okay, maybe I'm getting carried away on the bun, but the rest was so good that it amounts to this train of thinking. My wife got the Tur-duck-en Burger. Who thought this up? A genius, that's who. It's a turkey/duck/chicken burger. And it's loaded a-la Thanksgiving with stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce & sweet potato ribbons. I mean, oh lord, I might faint, again! Soooo, gooood. The sweet potato fries were the awesome. Nice, sweet, and crispy. The mac n cheese was tasty. Great consistency and some bread crumbs to boot. The potato latkes reminded me of the good ole times at my Jewish grandma's house. The baked beans were different, more of the pinto bean variety, but pretty good none-the-less. The free refill lemonades were also very nice. The service was good and quick. Nice space as well. But honestly, I hardly remember the small details. Since leaving, all I can do is dream about a reunion with the Buffalo Chicken sandwich.
(5)Chris K.
Smokin' Betty's delivers some of the best food in the neighborhood. We stumbled across Betty's on a lazy Sunday afternoon and were blown away by the food. The Betty burger was amazing, 1/2 pound burger stacked on a confit pork belly, topped with avocado, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, a roasted garlic aoli and an egg sunny side up (don't knock it until you've tried it- it's life changing). Not to be outdone, the Tur-Duck-En Burger was also outstanding. If you took thanksgiving dinner and put it into a tasty burger bun and topped it with sweet potato ribbons, you would not be far off. Simply Delicious. Definitely give Smokin Betty's a try. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Kevin J.
One of the bests in center city and priced reasonably, this BBQ hangout is a favorite place to have a leisurely lunch or early dinner. The wide open windows creates a concept of dining outside on somebody's porch. The pulled pork sandwich has both quality and quantity. A good pulled pork sandwich isn't hard to find but this one in particular has a very distinctive quality about it. The servers are top notch and bring everything out in a timely manner.
(4)Shaji K.
First stop on the most recent Philly trip. Tur-ducken Burger? Yes please. Best way to start off the day possible: greasy, filling, and stuffed with various ingredients you're not sure about. But it works. Sweet potato fries were salted and tasty. A tad pricy ($13) but the portions are enormous, and according to my comrades all the other meals were orgasmic. Great rotating craft selection, wish I could order a beer flight though for brunch-time (we tend to start early).
(4)Daniel N.
Love this place. Great atmosphere and great food. Not too pricey especially for the portions.
(4)Bernadette M.
I love this place. It's consistent & the staff is friendly. I'm amazed at how quick I can get in & out of there during lunch even when they're packed. Keep up the great work Betty's!
(5)Chamille B.
I'm not from the area, but visited Smokin Betty's for a friends birthday brunch. The atmosphere in there is pretty laid back, while still having a good look and vibe for celebrations and dates. There were so many things that looked amazing on the menu, but Seth (the greatest and most entertaining server I've ever experienced) helped me choose the Smoked Salmon and Sweet Potato Hash. Three of us (two women, one guy) choose this for our meal. We all agreed that the flavor was great and the salmon was cooked almost perfectly. The potatoes were well seasoned, with herbs, onions, and bacon throughout. On top was an egg over easy, which was cooked longer than I like (me likes runny yokes!). The three of us agreed that the portion wasn't quite enough, and I ended up ordering another egg and eating off other people's plates. One person ordered the mac and cheese and claimed it was horrible, but a few of us tried it and felt it was just very bland. I tried a bite of the breakfast burrito, and really like that as well as the cottage fries. We ordered pitchers of the white sangria. I'm more of a red sangria girl (which they don't have), but it was light, fruity and slightly fizzy and enjoyed by the table. I finished brunch with the bread pudding (flavor changes daily) which happened to be a wildberry cheesecake with a caramel sauce. It was very moist, a good thing with this dessert, and had lots of berries and cheesecake bits in it. As a self-proclaimed bread pudding connoisseur, I'm more partial to a more classic bread pudding with a bourbon or liqueur sauce, however the caramel sauce added a nice touch (I'd recommend asking for extra though), and the portion was enough for sharing. I'd be curious to try some of the lunch/dinner options as they had a lot that piqued my interest, but I probably won't be going back, simply because I live a couple hours away.
(3)Sasha P.
Overall an amazing night. Great food. Great service. Great dining room. But the most memorable part of the meal was the biscuit!fluffy and moist, so so delicious. I wish I could order an all biscuit dinner. My Italian friend said "that's a nice biscuit". Eat here!
(5)Anna H.
We were out looking for a place to grab a quick bite during Happy Hour. We happily found Smokin' Betty's. Great Happy Hour food selection, and good drink selection as well. Christopher our bartender was very busy, but also very helpful. He even took the time to write down a website for our to find things to do while we were in town. The food was good. I enjoyed the grilled, flatbread, buffalo wing pizza, and the veggie quesadilla. They had a great selection of craft beers, and made an excellent martini.
(4)Jeanette S.
I come here from time to time for happy hour. I had positive service from the waitstaff and bartenders, both upstairs and down. Great specials, great beer, great sangria, and above all else for me- GREAT WINGS.
(4)RB B.
We arrived 15 minutes early for our opentable reservation. It had been a rough week for me and my husband and we were looking forward to a great meal and some good drinks. As we waited for our table I was digging the warm, cozy, mellow vibe of the half empty restaurant. A guy then escorted us up the stairs, past the ridiculously loud, ridiculously packed bar and seated us at a tiny table for two surrounded by tables of 10 and 15 and 20. Our table was clearly an afterthought and I knew we'd be lost amongst the dozen larger parties around us, let alone having to struggle to talk to each other over the volume of the room. This area is clearly utilized for larger parties. Not my idea of a nice, relaxing dinner. So my husband and I walked back downstairs to talk to the hostess. Here's the conversation: Me: "it's pretty loud upstairs. We'd like to sit down here." Hostess: "we reserved you a table upstairs." Me: "we'd like to be down here where it's quite a bit quieter." Hostess: "we can't seat you downstairs." Me: "half the tables are empty." Hostess: "those tables are reserved for reservations." Me: "um, I have a reservation." Hostess: "the table we reserved for you is upstairs." Me: "well, then we're not staying." Hostess: "ok." We went out to the sidewalk and quickly made another reservation at a restaurant where the food was delicious and the service terrific. So Smokin Betty's, here's the lesson....we may not have been one of your big money tables for the night, but I'm a yelper, and I'm on Facebook and Twitter, and I'm a sharer. So everyone I know who follows me on social media now knows how you treated two of your guests. It doesn't matter how large or small the party. You always make your guests feel like they're the most important diners in your restaurant.
(1)Nina S.
Great spot for brunch. I went recently with a big group of friends and we all had a great time. Their cocktail list is fantastic! I suggest 'The French' The french fries are so worth the extra calories. I got them as a side to my California Turkey Sandwich. The sandwich was large and very filling. I also tried a bit of my friend's Tur-Duck-En Burger and that is delicous too! It's also very reasonably priced compared to other spots in the neighborhood.
(4)Kathleen D.
I finally made it out to Smokin' Betty's a couple weekends ago with a party of three. Two of us arrived first and were informed of their strict full-party-before-seating rule. As such, we shuffled over to the bar and ordered a couple cocktails while we waited. The bartender wasn't overly friendly or apparently enthused about his occupation (actually not sure that he even muttered a single word to us?) but he delivered on the drinks. I had the Pink Bogart -- a girly gin-based conconction served in a martini glass that didn't taste much like gin. It might just be the highlight of my visit. My friend also enjoyed her drink, of which I cannot recall the name. Later, once seated (downstairs), we all generally enjoyed our food. I ordered the barbecue sliders trio and a side of mac and cheese. I wouldn't say that any of the dishes were exceptionally exciting in an "I must go back ASAP and eat ________ again right now because it was the best ever!" type of way. But, it was a perfunctory meal. I'd make a return trip if in CC and at a loss for another option.
(3)Philip R.
Excellent Sunday brunch before theatre! Sunday cocktails, specials and BREAKFAST BURRITO! YUM!
(5)Gina C.
Smokin' Betty's is a very unique and gorgeous restaurant. I love the large windows that bring in a lot of fresh air and natural light. My husband and I decided to try out their lunch menu and we were not disappointed. We were seated immediately, there seems to be enough space for the lunch rush because they opened up the second floor. Service: very professional and well-informed. He provided us with great recommendations. He was also very attentative without being overwhelming. Food: #1. BBQ sliders: plate arrived with one chicken, one pulled pork and one brisket. I would ask if we could skip the chicken next time (tasted like a canned tomato sauce). The coleslaw was delicious. #2. Mac and cheese "side": we got a large and it was delicious! #3. Tur-duck-en burger: It's slightly misleading because the burger patty is just ground turkey + ground chicken + duck mousse. When you get a taste of the duck mousse, it's incredible but the rest of the patty was pretty dry. However, if you like turkey burgers, you'll love this sandwich. The stuffing is great and the shaved sweet potatoes was a nice touch. I would recommend getting the cranberry sauce on the side because it became a little too overwhelming. Overall experience: Would definitely return. We may even look into their private events since it's such a nice restaurant.
(4)Kate M.
I've been here twice, no problems the first time. The second time the waitress was horrible. She never came back to see if we needed anything, a refill and some butter or jam would have been nice but we were never asked. We sat waiting after we finished our meal for a bit until she finally came over to ask if we were ready for the check. Terrible service.
(2)AJ A.
Service is a little slow for groups. Wings are great though! Get the dry rub! Buffalo chicken was great as well!
(3)Dan M.
This place rocks. Great bar upstairs. The food is awesome and the service is excellent. Definitely worth a visit anytime you're in Philly.
(4)Nora B.
Had dinner there last night before heading to the theater. Ordered the BBQ sliders. The pork slider was moist and delicious, the others slightly dryer but very good as well. The cole slaw was outstanding! It seemed like they added a little caraway. Haven't had better. The only issue was with the white peach sangria. The sangria has a nice crisp taste but it was served in a small rocks glass, so it was like two shots of a drink. Sadly, not worth it.
(4)Joanna H.
I was contemplating b/w 2 or 3 stars, but I'm giving 2 because it takes forever to get a waitress or anyone who works there to come over. After we ordered and got our first dish-cheesesteak eggrolls for the appetizer-and we realized we still didntt have our silverware sets and plates. We waited 5minutes to get someone's attention. We got the Betty's burger and BBQ sandwich w/ pulled pork. The pulled pork was very tender, but both entrees didn't wow me at all. They were just plain burgers that you can get anywhere else. The atmosphere is adequate to come w/ a big party or even just a friend or family. It's great to chill w/ a glass of beer and munch on your dish but don't get ready to be amazed by anything particular cuz there's nothing particularly special here.
(2)Michelle P.
My friend was in town and staying near the convention center so we planned to meet up for dinner/happy hour. I wanted to select a place that was both close to the convention center and had an all around good happy hour with both food and drink specials. I had been to Smokin' Betty's before for Sips so they came to mind as a good choice. As with normal Sips fashion, it had been packed the last time I was there. Yesterday it had a nice crowd but nothing too overwhelming. We arrived a little before 6:00 and were told we can sit at a table and still get the happy hour specials. Score! It is nice sometimes not having to cram around the bar. I already had some idea that I wanted to try the pizza of the day. When I found out it was buffalo chicken, the deal was sealed. Both my husband and I had the craft beer of the day to drink. I honestly forget what i was, but it was $3 and pleasant. My friend had the grilled chicken salad and the cheesesteak egg rolls and my husband had the slider combo. We all enjoyed our meals. Nothing really to rave about, but it totally hit the spot at the time. In hind site, I probably should have ordered 2 appetizers because I was hungry later in the evening, but it was still a decent sized happy hour pizza. The service was so-so. Attentive and friendly enough. We did ask our server for two separate checks but he forgot about it. My only real complaint was the little flies circling the dining room. I believe they were just fruit flies- the typical, unavoidable summer type. I didn't see any in the food and nothing bit me but they did fly by every so often. I think that just happens on hot days when the doors are open. Smokin' Betty's fit the bill for a happy hour spot with good food and drink specials.
(3)Moe W.
Honestly, the atmosphere of the place was great. The service was great. The food was ok. The salmon was swimming in barbecue sauce. The broccoli rab was over garlicky. The cole slaw was soupy...
(2)Nicole L.
Came here during for a coworker's going-away drinks sendoff earlier this week. Two levels of bars and comfy couch seating, combined with an absurdly cheap happy hour menu for food and drinks? Win. The experience was slightly marred by the fact that my seasonal sangria tasted fairly watered down, and there were flies flitting around our table the entire time. Granted, our waiter was hugely attentive to our large party and dealt with the eccentrics very well, and my grilled pizza was deliciously filling. Overall it was a decent experience, and hopefully I'll make it back to Smokin' Betty's for another round in the future.
(3)Evelyn G.
Good sliders
(3)Maria D.
Went here for dinner and ordered the angus burger medium rare. Burger was cooked as requested, but was pretty standard. It could have used some mayo or aioli. The fries were delicious. BF ordered the flame grilled chicken and LOVED it. The bbq sauce was pretty darn good.
(4)Courtney J.
I went here for happy hour with a few co-workers. We actually arrived about 20 minutes before five, so I ordered my first drink off the regular menu. I choose The Root of all Evil ($9) because it contained root liquor which I'd been wanting to try for a long time. It arrived in a martini glass, and the taste reminded me of this orange monster brand Frankenstein candy I used to get on Halloween as a kid. That was a positive thing, so I enjoyed the cocktail. Then things started to take a downturn. We started ordering off the happy hour menu. I had sangria, which had no fruit in it what-so-ever other than a slice of apple for garnish. This was a big disappointment. It didn't taste fruity at all. My friend ordered wings with barbeque sauce. I tasted the sauce, and it was so sweet and almost candy-like and ketchupy which is not how I like my barbeque sauce at all. At that point I knew I'd better stay away from the barbeque even though this was supposedly a barbeque joint. I then made the mistake of ordering another drink off the happy hour menu, the berry lemonade cocktail. It was overly sweet and cloying. It tasted like minute maid lemonade with strawberry flavored syrup. Usually drinks taste better the more you drink because you start to feel the effects of the alcohol. That was not the case here, as I became more and more disappointed with each drink. Dinner was the biggest disappointment of the night. There were mussels with a Thai curry sauce on special. I didn't want anything sweet, so I thought spicy might be the way to go. Big mistake... The mussels were tough, dry, and had pieces of shell and grit in them. The sauce tasted like packaged red Thai curry paste with maybe a teaspoon of coconut milk and then a lot of water. Ick! It came with four huge pieces of toast that were a little burnt on the edges. One of my co-workers ordered the risotto. It was so bland that she just pushed it aside and started eating her husband's meal instead (fish and chips). I feel like this place has an identity crisis. They are supposed to be a barbeque joint, but what I tasted of that wasn't so good, or was anything else other than my first cocktail. Smokin' Betty's menu has a large range of items on it, too large in fact. I would much rather them do one thing, and do it right. I lived in Memphis for five years, so to be honest it's pretty hard to impress me with barbeque. However, none of Smokin' Betty's offerings were anything I'd come back for. The service was also a mess. Four times we were brought other tables' food. Four times! I understand mistakes happen, but this is just ridiculous. I left agitated, hungry, and with a lot less money in my wallet.
(1)Caitlin O.
We LOVE Smokin' Betty's!!!! Last night we threw a 20-person surprise dinner party for my boyfriend Dave's 30th birthday. Emily & the SB staff did everything for us from letting people bring noisemakers & rip shots to setting up a fake reservation so the surprise wasn't ruined when Dave & I got there. They were ridiculously helpful, professional & patient with my million questions. Incredible food with a wide variety of menu options for small parties & an even better staff. HIGHLY recommended for big dinners in Philly! Thanks for making his 30th so great!
(5)Bruce B.
I never knew it was so hard to have a decent lunch on Saturdays in Center City these days. I was in town with a fellow Colonel, and everywhere we went, was closed for lunch. After trying about a half dozen places, we came upon an open Smokin' Betty's. First of all I would like to say that it is the most un-barbeque looking Joint I've ever been to, But that's not important to me- the food is. We were seated in a dining room full of hungry hipsters. The server came over and gave us menus and asked if we would like a drink. It was brunch time so we both ordered a mimosa. I ordered a cup of chili and the barbecue slider sampler, which was three types of barbecue on a small bun. The chili came out first and it was ice cold. Then there was something wrong with my friends drink. Plus he forgot the bread and butter. But to their credit everything was replaced,not reheated and so on. My new bowl of chili was absolutely delicious! Full of Chunks of meat and lots of vegetables and a nice spicy flavor. the barbecue sliders consisted of pulled barbecue chicken, pulled pork and beef brisket. The brisket was the best, very flavorful and tender, the pulled barbecue pork was delicious with a mustard based barbecue sauce. the pulled barbecue chicken was dead last and not worth mentioning. They all were served on a miniature hamburger bun that reminded me of Wonder Bread. A toasted Brioche bun would make this dish really pop. the dish also came with homemade coleslaw and corn bread, both were very very tasty. I felt lucky because my friend didn't like anything she ordered. Considering that with the service snafus, brought it down to three stars for me. Shame, A couple of changes here there and Betty's could really be smokin' hot!
(3)Hesham A.
Just moved to Philly, and a buddy and I needed to take a break. We walked a couple blocks from my apt and ran into this place. It was a Wed evening and had a ton of people there. We only had to wait about 15 min for a table. I had fish taco's and some sweet potato fries, my friend had some ribs and some drinks. It was all pretty delicious. Great location, atmosphere, and very friendly staff. Will be back.
(4)Ashley S.
I was really excited to come here for happy hour a few Fridays ago because I've heard such great things, and Smokin Bettys did not disappoint. My group of friends and I came hungry, so we made sure to order food off the happy hour menu. My boyfriend and I had veggie quesadillas, which were flavorful but a little greasy; unfortunately, they also didn't quite fill me up. My friends got the wings and cheesesteak eggroll and thought both were great, but again they received smaller portions than they were hoping for. Our main draw was the drinks, though. Each of us had a cocktail then moved on to beer. I started with the Berry Lemonade, which tasted great. I think it was strong, but I couldn't tell because the sweetness masked the alcohol. I tried my friend's sangria, and I felt like it tasted a little too much like juice for my liking, but it was definitely drinkable. The best part was the cheap beer! They had an awesome IPA as their $3 special for the night, and Yeunglings were only $2. This is definitely a great place to start off a night with cheap drinks and some tasty snacks.
(4)Margaret Z.
My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while wandering Center City, and were encouraged to stop in due to the nice atmosphere and good variety on the menu. It was a beautiful day outside, and the cafe had opened up its doors to provide for an enclosed/half-open dining experience... the breeze was lovely, but I appreciated being out of the midday sun. The menu boasts offerings from sandwiches to fish tacos to salads to burgers, with extremely reasonable prices in the $10 to $15 range. The sandwiches and burgers come with a side of fries. I opted for the mahi mahi fish tacos while the boy went for a chicken rabe (basically chicken breast + roasted veggies and melted cheese on a french baguette). The portions here are BIG, but not overwhelming. My fish tacos tasted extremely fresh and the fish, though not heavily seasoned, was complemented perfectly by the sauce and mango/corn/black bean salsa on the side. The guac was also a great addition. I got 3 overflowing tacos for ~$14. The boy's sandwich was also tasty -- the roasted peppers were done perfectly, and none of the flavors were too overpowering, yet still delicious enough to clean off the plate. You definitely leave feeling full, but not the gross kind of full you get from stuffing your face with fast food. It's obvious that the ingredients used here are top notch... and the service is great too! Extremely friendly and very prompt/attentive. I'm really glad we found this place by chance, and I would definitely come by again if in the area.
(4)Katrina C.
I've been here many times, but here are my thoughts: 1. Good drinks and beer selections. Great happy hour specials! ($2 lager, a $3 featured beer - it was a Sly Fox last night, $4 wine, $5 cocktails - last night was a lemonade and sangria. Plus, there's some app specials). 2. They take reservations and seem pretty flexible, willing to work with groups. 3. 2 floors, small bar downstairs with dining room; bigger bar with a bigger dining room upstairs 4. Food here is solid. I love love love the grilled chicken sandwich - sharp provolone, broccoli rabe, pesto mayo, roasted red peppers. Their grilled cheese is awesome too. So is the turkey reuben (pro tip - get it with cole slaw instead of sauerkraut). Fries or salad is $1 extra - but the sandwiches are like $8 or $9, so add the dollar. They come with an awesome pickle too. (love pickles). They have BBQ, but I've never had it.
(4)Elva L.
We stopped in yesterday for a margarita fix. The margarita was just okay. I was really craving a blended one, but they only serve it on the rocks. We stumbled on a delightful discovery with the sangria pitcher. It was fantastic. The sangria was almost deceptively fizzy, fruity and light. It had a high alcohol content (with Chablis, vodka AND peach brandy) but you wouldn't know it from how airy and sweet it was. I can definitely see myself sipping on this throughout the oncoming summer. It looks like they have an inexpensive happy hour too with 2 and 3 dollar drafts as well as game specials. I'm excited to go back and try their food. It wasn't the right time when we did happen in, but studying the menu certainly seeded a barbecue craving. I saw someone's sandwich go by, and though I've my heart set on trying the roasted beet and goat cheese salad as well as their barbecue, it did look quite good. * Service was a little slow but I wouldn't hold that against them on a big drinking holiday. There's also outdoor seating and I'm thinking the pup might want to come along for the barbecue.
(4)Evan F.
I was treated to Smokin' Betty's on Thursday (during Center City Sips) and was all-around pleased with the experience. We arrived at 5:00 to the barely-filled restaurant and were seated promptly by a really nice hostess. Within a minute or two, our server stopped by with some water and explained the restaurant's "Sips" promotions (where various drinks / appetizers / meals are severely discounted). Their decent selection of unique mixed drinks ranged from $3 to $8 dollars, and the appetizers were discounted as well. I highly recommend trying the Hummus- it's a creamy dish served with delicious pita chips but beware that the serving size could be eaten by one person alone. Little time passed after ordering each drink / appetizer and our server was courteous and checked in numerous times (but wasn't pesky). One of the food runners, however, basically threw our appetizer at our table and walked away without acknowlegding us or saying a word. Awkward on his part. While we sampled the Berry Lemonade and Hummus, I would like to return to try some of the delicious meals that I'm sure this place serves up. Oh, and Sips can be annoying because of all of the 20/30 year olds that crowd into the joint, but this annoyance is easily disregarded by the great discounts on the offerings. I'll be back :)
(5)Victoria L.
Went here during restaurant week and was sorely disappointed, especially since I've heard such amazing things about them. I ordered their pumpkin tiramisu, and I think they made it with something spoiled because it was sour.
(2)Lauren G.
I really like this place. As a veggie burger connoisseur, I have to say theirs is one of the best in Philly. I honestly have never gotten anything else off the menu, and I've probably been here five or six times. During SIPS they had good drinks, and the atmosphere is nice. There's a lot maybe a block away on Sansom if you can't find street parking.
(4)Kwazi H.
It was ok. I had the ribs with a "spicy dry rub" . The ribs were cooked well, falling of the bone, but the weren't seasoned. I ended up dumping bbq sauce on them so they tasted Like something. My sides were broccoli rabe which also had no seasoning and wasn't cooked enough for bbq, coleslaw that was so fine it might as well be porridge and baked beans that stood on their own as the best item on the plate. Service was extremely slow. Not out serve but the food coming out.
(2)Alie A.
I finally made it here for Sunday brunch. The place was far less crowded than I would have imagined, so it's definitely a good place to take a group. The upstairs area would be ideal to rent out for an event. I had the breakfast sandwich with scrambled eggs, avocado, sriracha and sausage piled on top of cheddar focaccia. Large servings for a reasonable price. They need help in the Bloody Mary department, but I am kind of a snob when it comes to that. The service seemed slow and sporadic, which was surprising since they weren't crowded. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would. A solid brunch spot overall.
(3)Chloe T.
I'm a little surprised by the mixed reviews here! Went here with a group of 7 or so for my friend's bachelorette weekend in Philly, and we were extremely satisfied with the food, drinks and service. I got the biscuits and gravy, which were amazingly hearty - enough so that I only ate about half my portion. Of course, that might be because we started with the nutella french toast for the table. That was a dish worth every single calorie and a perfect start to our brunch. My friend next to me got the cobb salad, which I scoffed at, and then took a bite of. Holy crap, that was a delicious cobb salad. Jampacked with all sorts of good stuff. Our waitress was friendly and more than happy to take a few brunch group photos while we posed with our mimosas. And the price could not be beat!
(4)Margo v.
A very nice ambiance. Here for dinner prior to going to the Walnut to see Elf. Service good. Very interesting menu, but results were under-whelming. I had the special, Pork oso bucco with a basalmic reduction over polenta. The polenta delicious, the gravy delicious but sparse. The pork dry and not too much flavor. Companion had Turducken Hamburger. Meh. Another had macaroni and cheese. Flavor good, noodles mushy. Desert delicious. Bread pudding, yum. All in all, the food was a disappointment. Prices are very reasonable, but I'd rather have better food.
(2)Clint W.
So, here's the skinny. I think Smokin' Betty's is a victim of some mixed advertising. Some of the reviews below, by self-titled foodies and snobs, sound as if they were expecting a gourmet experience in Center City. I realize that this place markets itself as a barbecue place, but as a former North Carolina resident and all-around bbq lover, I try not to judge a place based on its barbecue (especially north of the Mason-Dixon). No offense intended, Yanks. However, give this place a shot. Smokin' Betty's gave me the single best buffalo chicken sandwich I have ever eaten. Real strips of fried chicken doused in buffalo sauce then with ranch pouring out between toasted buns. Not for the faint of heart, my friends. They can customize spice-level and are very flexible with most menu items. The drinks are decent, but nothing to write home about. I had a hot cider with caramel vodka, which was fine, but probably not worth the price. The service is great, the vibe is fun but nothing too original unfortunately. It's a competitive business, designing a restaurant. The Vetri's and the Vez's will always take the awards, but Smokin' Betty's is nice enough. Just let the food do the talking, and apparently, the bbq isn't the highlight. I'll try it next time and give an update - for all my invested readers (joke). The customers of Betty's is something strange, a balance betwen suits on their lunch break and sleeve-tattooed bike delivery agents, all stopping in for a quick sandwich. The music reflects the amalgamation, alternating in a bi-polar fashion between soft rock and mellow house music. All around, the aesthetic isn't what draws a crowd. It's the niche foodstuffs: the buffalo chicken and other lunch-menu favorites. It's not an entree place, in my opinion, so go grab a casual, good meal. Might be a nice, casual date place as well.
(4)Alicia O.
I tried to schedule my birthday dinner this year at another restaurant, but I was told by the other restaurant that parties over eight people must order their family style dinner which was $32/person. I didn't want my friends spending $32 for my birthday dinner, so I ended up cancelling at the other restaurant and made reservations at Smokin' Betty's instead. It ended up being a good decision! This place is great for large groups. I think we were one of the three birthday parties going on that night. My friends all loved the bbq and burgers and we all left pretty happy and full. I was also happy with their house beer--Smokin' Betty Blonde. It reminded me of a lighter version of Blue Moon. I ended up having a couple of those. Really loved it.
(4)gavin s.
Went with a group of seven to Betty's last night for a pre-partying meal. Had high hopes for this place, I had driven by many times and thought the building looked very cool. Inside it was pretty neat, exposed brick and a lot of wood. We sat upstairs where it seams to be the main restaurant area, the downstairs had the kitchen about 10 tables and a small event space that seemed to be rented out. It was cold upstairs and the girls didn't want to take their jackets off. Our waitress was nice and fairly attentive. We ordered drinks and a $38 bottle of sav blanc that was not good. I had my typical belvedere dirty martini, it was too dirty and tasted watered down. The others in our group had similar comments about their drinks. We ordered our food, most of us ordering burgers, which some wanted to omit the egg on theirs, which the waitress replied "we don't make changes to our Betty". We got the apps, cheese steak egg rolls, which were pretty good. The burgers came, and looked pretty good. I found my burger cooked to right temperature, but it was under seasoned, and I kept getting chunks of hard cartilage which was gross. The fries were lame, old and soggy. We couldn't wait to get out of there at this point. While it wasn't the worst experience I've ever had, there's many other restaurants right in the vicinity that are much better. I won't be returning.
(2)Robert B.
Simply awesome BBQ, best I have had in the city hands down. On top of that, it is affordable. You can't beat it. $16 for chix and ribs combo. Great sauce and cooked perfect. Waitress could have been more friendly, but the food more than made up for that. Will be back
(5)Tom C.
We were there Saturday early evening on 1/18/2014 and I thought it was very good and I would definitely go back. Pros: - parking is very easy/accessible - got the burger with fried egg and it was very filling, loved the fried egg, sweet potato fries were good - beer selection and prices were good, about $18 PP total for dinner - LOCATION/AREA seems very safe - cheesesteak egg roll appetizer were very good Cons: - bathrooms were unique, but clean and they worked so no real complaints
(4)Rita C.
I was really excited to check out Smokin' Betty's after sampling their wings and ribs at the Summer Ale Fest at the zoo in back in July. The restaurant has a pretty cool set up and seems really chill and laid back - my kind of place. They had several good beers on tap, including one called Dragon's Milk, which I just couldn't resist. (What a cool name for a beer!) Apparently, there's a really good happy hour at Smokin' Betty's but I went on a Wednesday and there was no sign of happy hour anywhere (the board actually said Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri.). I'm not sure what that's about, but I'd go back to check it out sometime. For an appetizer, we ordered the mac & cheese. To me, it just tasted like buttered noodles - not enough cheese = not enough love. Very sad. For entrees, I got the spicy dry rub ribs (with corn bread and coleslaw) and the BF got the buffalo chicken sandwich. The ribs were fall off the bone and cooked beautifully, but the dry rub didn't have any flavor whatsoever. Where's the spicy? I was hoping this would taste something like what I had at the zoo, but it just wasn't there. On the flip side, the cornbread muffins (with jalapeno butter) and coleslaw were both really good. I'd probably go back again to try the ribs with the BBQ sauce. The buffalo chicken sandwich was unlike one I've never seen - it was huge! The sauce was good, it wasn't over bleu-cheesed. It was really good. I'd recommend that to all my chicken lovers out there. All-in-all, Smokin' Betty's seems like a cool place, but my food experience wasn't exactly the best. I must admit that I liked the decor inside, the beer list, and the service enough to give it another chance. Hopefully, I'm not disappointed!
(3)Elle W.
I went to smokin Betty's this past Sunday for brunch. The server highly recommended the crab cake Benedict so that is what I went with. It was supposed to come with Siracha hollandaise sauce but when my food arrived the server said sorry it's just regular hollandaise. No explanation. The crab cakes were terrible!! I could not eat them bc the salt was so intense my tongue was tingling. I pushed them to the side and ate the eggs and biscuits. A couple bites in I found two large egg shells in my food which I also pushed to the side. After the meal I told my server about the shells. She apologized and told me she would let them know. Great thanks lady. She never asked me if there was anything wrong with my crab cakes. Nor did she address that I could have gotten salmonella poisoning from the egg shells bc that is where it breeds!! Come on. She never took any money off my bill and just let me know with the return of my credit card that she was thankful for my complaints. In sum, this place is kinda crummy and has really nothing to offer. Not to mention there were only like 5 people in the whole restaurant for brunch on a Sunday!
(1)Emily G.
This place is awesome! The atmosphere is great, staff is great, and food was amazing! We ordered the Black Angus Beef Cheesesteak Eggrolls came out piping hot and tasted amazing! The California Turkey sandwich was dripping with avocado (I absolutely love avocado) and was a great blend of flavors. And the 1/2 Pound Sirloin Angus Burger (with caramelized onions for a little more) was fantastic! (I didn't have a bite of this, but I did eat half of the amazing fries that came out with the burger). Our waitress was friendly, and approachable! All in all a great experience!
(4)Rizwan A.
This place has a lot of potential, I really liked the vibe here, the decor and design of the whole place are pretty cool and although you don't know what to expect when you're walking into a place called "smokin betty's," once you're inside, you feel like they really nailed it. It's a mix between a diner and an old school saloon, so I was excited to eat here. Sadly, the food just doesn't deliver. They had a couple of cool options on the menu like fish tacos and sliders (automatic win in my book) but they didn't really have a lot of ingredients and they just didn't taste all that impressive either. The food wasn't bland all together, but they just seemed to be using the bare minimum ingredients. Even the preparation was a little tired looking and just could have been way better. Service was still decent and I'm sure they're doing much better on the bar end than the restaurant end. They're usually pretty empty during lunch and really only seem to get any business during happy hour. I want to like this place, so I'll probably give them another chance in the future.
(3)Olivia J.
Avocadoes and fried eggs on a burger?!? I knew Smokin' Betty's was known for their Tur-Duk-en Burger, i.e. a Thanksgiving meal packed into a burger, but as an egg/avocado foodie, I HAD to try their Betty Burger. To be honest, it wasn't amazing - it was just OK. First of all, it was too big so I couldn't fit it into my mouth at once, so I didn't get to taste the flavor of everything at one time. Second, the sirloin and pork belly together tasted too salty. Third, the saltiness cancelled out the tastes of egg/avocado. I don't know, I guess their selection of burgers is creative, but the taste is aiight.
(3)Brett A.
Good beer selection and reasonably priced, considering the location. Ordered the Smokin' Betty burger and it was a sloppy, delicious mess. Very enjoyable food and great overall exeprience.
(5)Uzoma N.
This is a cool place to chill. They have great beers on tap but not a wide selection of beers. The food was ok I got the signature Betty burger and it was very dry and didn't have much flavor. Not a lot of desert options so didn't get any.
(2)Dana B.
While I can't yet vouch for the quality of the food, I attended a Purim event (kind of like the Jewish version of Halloween) hosted by Philly Spectrum in Smokin' Betty's upstairs lounge area that included drag, burlesque, and bellydancing, with easy access to the bar. The bartending staff was friendly, the drinks were well-crafted, and the environment was fun, lively, and upbeat. There were just enough seats in the performance area for everyone to enjoy the show, which was then cleared out for the dance party that followed. I definitely hope to return and try some of the items on their food menu!
(4)Michael G.
Came here last night with a large group of coworkers. The place was packed when we got there and because an even bigger party upstairs was not out yet for our reserved time, we were asked to go to the bar. The bar was not meant for a group our size (12) when it was already packed. However, we made it work, and finally went upstairs. It seemed even more packed when we were seated, and the biggest problem of the night was service. However, it was not because of the servers being idiots. There were only two working upstairs, and one bartender. Bad planning on the Manager's job scheduling! Bonnie, our main server, did her very best to keep everything moving along nicely, but you could tell she was a bit frazzled. The drink of the nght was the Mrs. Daly - citrus vodka, sweet tea vodka, iced tea and lemonade. The food ranged from sliders (2 of 3 were really good - brisket and pork. Chicken not that good), to burgers - no complaints, to grilled cheese (we had no kids - what's up with that order "manly" coworkers?), riblets which were tasty, and everyone had a good time. The bill came to about $280 for everything, and I appreciated that although they say the tip would be automatic on it of 18%, it was not added on the bill. This is good, because Bonnie got a better tip that way. She was really trying hard to do us well!
(3)Greg L.
The family and I took the train down to Market East and made the easy 10 minute walk to Smokin' Betty's one Friday evening. This is a 2-story restaurant and at 6:30 PM, the place was fairly packed. We were seated upstairs, where there is also a bar area, which had a number of people around it. It was a beautiful night, so they had all the windows open, which provided for a nice breeze throughout the restaurant. Food was good, but it wasn't my favorite BBQ by any means. I had the chicken, which was very juicy and the meat just fell off the bone. My wife had the brisket, but she said it didn't have the smoky flavor that she prefers. There is a kids meal, and my boys had the chicken fingers, but it was a bit too crunch for their liking. The homemade ice cream and the Nutella roll we had for desert were absolutely delicious! Service was just OK. We had to remind our waitress to bring us straws and extra napkins and I felt she could have been a little quicker to respond to things and she should have checked back a bit more often to see how we were doing. The real problem was the noise level. It was so noisy, that it was very difficult to carry on a conversation during dinner. All in all, the dinner was OK, but it's probably not a place I would crave to go back to.
(3)Shereen C.
Was here last year for happy hour and the bar food was so-so but not great. A lot of it sounds like it'd be tasty in theory, but the execution was off. Wings are not that great - could be juicier, tastier. I wouldn't recommend the cheesesteak egg rolls. Bad combo, with skimpy overcooked filling. Worse than any cheesesteak I've had, and worse than any eggroll I've had. The space is attractive and comfortable. Service is fine.
(2)Beth B.
Smokin' Betty's is smokin' hot!!!!! Go here for AMAZING comfort food, creative cocktails, and an awesome draft beer list. Dave and I shared the BBQ style Riblets to enjoy as appetizer with our beers. I am pretty sure these babies must have been the inspiration for the description "fall off the bone"... The meat was unbelievable. So juicy and flavorful. You don't even have to bite into them and get it all stuck between your teeth. Just perfect. For our dinner, Dave and I split the Chopped Cobb Salad & the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. The salad was not my favorite- at first when it arrived at our table in a GIANT glass bowl I was super excited. Lots of yummy ingredients too. The issue was the dressing- we chose the Balsamic which had no flavor whatsoever. While it was a great awesome big salad, it was lacking in flavor. The sandwich was AWESOME. I rarely allow myself to get chicken sandwiches when they're "crispy" or fried but I'm glad I agreed to split this one! The chicken was so good, crispy and juicy and flavorful. The sauce wasn't as spicy as I'd prefer but it was still very tasty. Blue cheese is ALWAYS my cherry ontop and in this case it was perfect. Can't wait to go back and try more!
(4)Donna D.
OMG what an awesome place.The Betty burger was divine and the bread pudding well that was right outta heaven!! We even went back to get more to take back to our room to eat later! Once again Yelp got this plce right!!
(5)Nicole H.
I went for Center City Sips. The crowd was kind of on the young side and I felt a little out of place (and I'm only in my early 30s). People were a little dressed up, having come from work. The Sips specials were pretty good, but the wait at the bar was long. I couldn't even get near the bar upstairs, so stuck to the one downstairs. For my first round, I was helped fairly quickly. For my second round, the bar was more crowded and I literally had to flag the bartender down after I'd waited for about 10 minutes. I got 2 drinks at once and left after that.
(3)Paul G.
Went there tonight prior to a show. Had a 5:30 reservation. Was seated in the dining room to the left of the entry in front of glass doors. Now granted it was bitterly cold outside tonight so didn't expect the restaurant to be overly warm. However, definite chill by the doors. When asked to be seated at another table, of which there were at least 10, were given the option of sitting by the side entry door off of Samson which was even colder. Okay, got past the bad seating and surly attitude of host staff, had an attentive waiter, but was quite disappointed by the meal. Mac & cheese was terrible, basically cheese sauce poured over elbow noodles with toasted bread crumbs. Did not appear to be baked at all. Barely a step up from the blue box. Wine at $10 a glass were definitely smaller than average size, bbq sliders, while good, had way too much sauce. Will definitely not go back and would not recommend at all. Strangelove's in the same area is a much better option.
(2)Carol C.
Came here for a late night bite. We entered around 10pm on a Saturday and it was pretty empty. We ordered some appetizers, mini meals, dessert, and drinks. Their quesadilla and Mac and cheese were pretty bland, but their sweet potato fries were pretty good. Got fried Nutella with marshmallow and it came with a school of chocolate hazelnut ice cream, which was a bomb combo. Don't think I would come for a regular meal, but their nibbles are pretty good for some snacking and drinking.
(4)Rowena M.
I took a group of colleagues here for brunch right before we left Philly for a conference that we attended. Brunch had a small but impressive menu. It doesn't try to overwhelm you with so many choices but diverse enough to appeal to everyone's taste. The most amazing thing was the mascarpone banana french toast - we ordered one for the table to share and it disappeared in 2 seconds so we quickly ordered a second enough. Service was courteous but noncommittal. I also wonder about the level of commitment on the waiter's part when tip is a given due to the large group. The bathroom, as creative as it wants to be by being co-ed, is just gross. There's a reason why men should have a different washroom than women.
(3)Ray L.
Turducken burger? Yes please! I've been here for brunch twice and this place has great variety on the menu, including the aforementioned turducken burger! A handsome serving of turducken patty with stuffing and cranberry sauce. It was a ridiculous size and quite delicious to boot. I've also been here for happy hour after work on a few occasions and I really like this place a lot. Great service and on top of that it's not super crowded (I'm not a big fan of screaming across the table). Overall a pretty good option for either happy hour or Sunday brunch/lunch.
(4)Jenny R.
Great for brunch and happy hour
(4)Jess R.
The restaurant is dirty--tables are always sticky. Service is alright. The ambiance is not bad--kind of a hopping place, but they should try to step up their cleanliness game. However, that breakfast sandwich is BANGING (with sausage, egg, avocado, red sauce etc etc). I crave it. I dream about it. It can be shared with two people or eaten by one very hungry brunch-goer. So go here, get that sandwich and be merry.
(4)Heather S.
We've been here many times in the past 2 years and have never had a bad experience. Last Friday (3/7/14) we went with a group of 5 people, no reservation, so we waited at the bar for half an hour for a table (pretty quick for a Friday night at 8:30). Around the table guests got: the buffalo chicken sandwich, the Betty's burger, the ribs entree, fish tacos. The portions never disappoint: everything is either just right or too much that you take home some for later. The buffalo chicken sandwich is seriously one of the best in the city; we've suggested it to many friends and they all agree. We always get the dry rub wings appetizer each time: AMAZING. We went on a Friday night but if you're looking for a good happy hour, Betty's has a good one: Mon-Fri 5-7, with a $3 draft (only one particular draft though), $4 wine, and cheap apps (the apps are smaller but are good to satisfy a craving before a bigger dinner at Betty's or elsewhere). Only downside is it can get pretty crowded at both the downstairs and upstairs bars.
(5)Justine J.
The Berry lemonade with absolute citron was pretty good. The thing I hate about their happy hour is that when we ordered another drink when we were half way done with the first, we were not allowed because it was 'stacking.' We would have been finished by the time it got to us, but I guess they're encouraging binge drinking. The food was OK. The cheesesteak egg roll with smoked tomato jam was meh. There was barely any cheese in it, which left the meat flavorless. It kinda just tasted like beef boiled in water. That smokey tomato jam is not as fancy as it sounds. It just tastes like ketchup with smoked paprika. And serving that in a paper cup you find at the fast food condiments table?! Four bucks for one of those is far from being worth every penny. If you are charging that much for that piece of crap at least get the presentation right. If you want good cheesesteak egg rolls go to Circles and use sriracha. The ribs were ribs and the Mac and cheese was Mac and cheese. I really don't have much to say -it was just average food with pretty average service. All I know is I'm not itching to go back. To put things into perspective, my friend and I tried to go to three other neighboring places but all had a wait time of 30+ minutes and came here because of the 0 wait time,
(3)Jade S.
I want to share my experience at Smokin' Betty's last night...My fiance's father is a patient at Jefferson and last week we decided to try out this place since it is across the street from the Hospital. We all had a wonderful experience and notably LOVED the bread pudding. We brought it back to the hospital where my fiance's father found it to be spectacular. As a result, he requested we go back last night just so he could get another taste of this lavish dessert again. When we arrived at the restaurant, it was 6:30 on a Friday night and we had no reservation. After we were told that it would be a 30 min wait, we decided to just order the Bread Pudding and eat somewhere else back home in Jersey. We briefly explained the situation of my fiance's terminally ill father (we had to give some sort of reason why we were ordering dessert to go and then hightailing it out of there) and the hostess told us that it would be "a couple minutes" for a table. We were very surprised by the hospitality. For an appetizer we shared a plate of Veggie Quesadillas which were fabulous. For dinner, I ordered the Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos while my fiance and his mother ordered the short rib tacos and Brisket sandwich. My fish tacos were okay (needed a bit more flavor); however, the short rib tacos and brisket sandwich were AMAZING. My future mother-in-law exclaimed how it was the best brisket she's ever had (She's Jewish and once owned a BBQ joint so her opinion is gold) while my fiance thoroughly enjoyed his tacos. We also ordered a Bread pudding for the 3 of us to share as a dessert. SO, SO, SO good. It is nice and warm with homemade whipped cream and drizzled caramel syrup. At the end of the meal the hostess came up to us and wished us the best with my fiance's father. Overall: Service is EXCELLENT. The wait staff was very friendly and hospitable. The food is above exceptional (I wouldn't order the fish tacos--it's bland in comparison to other dinner choices), and if you don't order the Bread Pudding, you're definitely missing out. For the price, this place is on my "Favorite" list for Top Philly Restaurants.
(4)Lawrence M.
I don't care how good your bread pudding is(sometimes), I will never again walk into this establishment! My girlfriend and I have been to this restaurant on a number of occasion. While the food is good, the bread pudding is orgasmic, depending on the flavor they are offering. We more than enjoyed their Oreo cheese cake and apple bread pudding on our first 2 visits, but was disgusted when trying their banana peanut butter during our last visit. I know you may be thinking to yourself, "so what? you had one bad dish, get over it" Under normal circumstances I would agree with you, however, when I'm told that there is another bread pudding available besides the one I was offered, but I cant have it until the current one if sold out and then I'm given a hard time when I asked to take this disgusting piece of poo poo off of my bill, my response to that if GTFOH! Therefore, you will not catch me in this establishment again, I swear! I just called them and they said they had the Oreo cheesecake bread pudding in today and like the other day my response was GTFOH!!!
(2)Vincent B.
Awesome place. At convention and just stumbled upon it. Gotta try the Betty Burger It was best burger i have ever had! Avocado, white cheddar cheese 1/3 lb beef, pork confit, garlic aioli, on fresh bun Coleslaw was slightly tangy but has sweet finish...creamy. Great price and good service. Other tablemates had bettys grilled cheese and bbq pork sandwich which were delicious. Lunch for 3 under $40. Great value
(5)Ann A.
Great spot. I met up with friends and our 9 year olds for lunch. For and service were great. Amazing spin on grilled cheese: fresh mozzarella tomato on focaccia Full bar too!!! Perfect for pre or post theater meals
(5)Rebekah T.
On a mission to try all the best of the brews in Philly, we stopped by Smokin' Betty's for a sampler of beer each. That way we could double our taste buds up on good beer. Our bartender was very knowledgable about beer, so we made a fun game out of trying and comparing notes on each beer. We went with mostly local, higher APV, interesting named and tasting beers: He had the yelp.com/biz_photos/V0SH… *Smoking Betty's Blonde, 5.9 APV% *Flying Fish Grand, 9.5 APV% *Furthermore Make Weight, 8.5 APV% *Avery New World Porter, 6.7 APV% I ordered the yelp.com/biz_photos/V0SH… *Dogfish 60 IPA, 6.0 APV% *Smuttynose Finest Kind, 6.9 APV% *Roy Pitz Laydown Staydown, 9.0 APV% *Longtrail Triple Bag Ale 9.2 APV% After a fun round of guess who ordered the best beer, I think we were pretty much even and I had a cool little buzz on. Smokin' Betty really knows her beer.
(5)Arthur V.
Smokin' Betty's is a versatile restaurant that plays to its strengths. Great beer list, excellent sandwiches, and a variety of seating options. Works equally well as a place for a big group dinner or a bar to watch a game. Really nice in the summer when the big second floor windows are open.
(4)Michael Y.
This was my fourth or fifth time at Smokin' Betty's in 2014, and I have to say, the buzz and hype have finally worn off. I don't have any specific negative comments -- food, service, atmosphere were all adequate -- but I don't have any high marks to share either. I ordered a simple bowl of chili, and it was, well, a simple bowl of chili. One of the primary reasons I've returned so often (aside from its convenient location) is to see what all the hooplah is about; I still can't figure it out. It's all so "meh" to me. I've had their tacos (both fish and rib), their burgers, and the salmon on different visits. And while the meal is always fine and satisfying, I'm just never dazzled. I don't understand the fuss people make over this place. There is much better bbq in Philly: Sweet Lucy's in the northeast, Percy Street downtown, and even Famous Dave's. Again, there was nothing wrong with my meals on any of my visits. I just always leave there thinking, "So what?" A comment re: staff and atmosphere (which I maintain were not bad, just "adequate"): I was admittedly turned off by the saturation of hipster customers, possibly spilling over from MilkDud (or whatever that place next store is called). But in 2014 Philadelphia, they are becoming inevitable. They've infested the staff too. They make for lousy waiters/bartenders/food runners/bussers/hosts, and Smokin' Betty's staff is no exception. Though nothing went wrong, I'm really unimpressed when the median age for front-of-the-house staff is 22. So I'll cop to my bias, but it would have been refreshing to see a grown-up manager observe the staff once in a while.
(2)Larry W.
1. We planned arriving in Philly around 6:00PM so were looking for something close to convention center and being BBQ, and Beer lovers the description was appealing the beer list was long and there were plenty of BBQ type dishes on menu. so we were happy to see Smokin Betty's close to hotel and booked for 7:30 PM on a Friday night. Arrived 15 minutes early, 7:15 PM and were told to cool heels at bar and come back at our reservation time and then they would "start looking" for seats. There are 2 bars there both were packed so we waited by the door, witnessed 3 or 4 parties seated ahead of us on walk in basis and no there were no big tips passed. At 7:30 after standing in front of podium presenting ourselves were actually seated promptly. 2. Ordered St Louis Ribs and Chicken with Rabe sandwich. Presentation was good, flavor bland I have had better ribs out of frozen food box??? Chicken sandwich not on type of bread that was advertised. For a place with Smokin in name food was well presented but lacking any hint of smoke. 3. After being insulted during seating process service was ok but not great, had to ask for flatware. 4. Be careful with beer selection, as well, portions are different for many selections but the sizes are noted in the smallest font I have ever seen on a menu. I ordered a pale ale and was brought a very small portion I genuinely felt ripped off. My wife ordered a stoudt that came in standard full size beer glass the type you would expect in a craft beer type bar. 5. The crowd was young and very loud even though there was no music, conversation impossible.
(2)Sarab S.
Smokin Betty's was a place I stopped off for a quick lunch with the sig. other. We ordered a pitcher of margaritas (which was light on the booze), had a couple of appetizers- the riblets which were pretty bland, had a burger which was okay and a fish tacho which was and paid about $70 for the whole deal. Definitely not worth the money for the underpowered drinks and the blah food.
(2)Michael K.
Here is the run down of my trip to Smokin Bettys.... Cool atmosphere and nice staff. GREAT beer selection and no complaints there. When you get down to the food the BBQ is the way to go. Lets break down the ordering... Apps- We ordered bbq wings and riblets for appetizer and they were awesome. Great tang to the sauce and meat that falls off the bone. I highly recommend either of these two apps...I also Strongly suggest you order BBQ as your main meal because if your thinking burger please continue to read this review.... Main Course - I made the mistake of reading a ton of reviews about this so called "amazing" burger that bettys offers. They even name it after the restaurant itself, so how could you go wrong!?!? Well its a mistake to order it! Honestly, is it a ton of stuff on a burger with the potential of being tastey and artery clogging? Yes! BUT i ordered mine medium rare and it came out well done. Restaurants that serve a well done burger might as well save themselves the time and money and just serve car tires instead of actually wasting quality hamburger meat. The burger itself was SOOOO sloppy that i couldnt eat it. My hands were covered in egg and avacado and the burger just fell apart in my hands. I felt like a ravenous homeless person who hasnt had food in over a month. There was no good way to eat this car tire covered in everything in the kitchen. And to be honest i wanted to dip it in ketchup, which that alone should explain its disappointment. If a burger comes with avacado, egg, and Pork Belly it better not need ketchup...But i used the ketchup to help the tough tire make it down my throat. - So i am tough on the burger. A friend of mine who got the same burger at the entire thing, but lets be honest most men are gonna eat their burger no matter what! Just certainly not worth the hype and crazy reviews. If it were cooked right this might be a different review of the burger itself My wife got fish tacos and loved them...not complaints we didnt do desert, just beers! I gave them 3 stars because honestly i think its got potential if you order well... Stick to the BBQ everyone....dont listen to the burger people, they dont know what they are talking about, you will be way way WAY happier with BBQ. Staff - friendly and quick with the service... pretty much what you are looking for at a restaurant. Side note: the bathrooms are co-ed just fyi...they dont tell ya that or have a sign.. i at first thought i had walked into the ladies room and thought this nice lady was gonna crack me in the head... she laughed and said she did the same thing... so eat BBQ and pee with women!
(3)Truth B Told R.
My new go to place. Went twice last week, once for brunch and once for happy hour. The menu is great, food is plentiful and delicious and the staff is friendly. The prices are very fair.
(5)Susan H.
I was disappointed. The place is cute, the waitress was fine, and the menu looked delicious. My pork barbecue sandwich was dry until I asked for more sauce, but the meet was gamey tasting and not a standout at all. My husband had a delicious burger. The kids had mac and cheese - totally tasteless, like a cream sauce with no cheese - chicken fingers (fine but ordinary) and a hot dog declared to be "delicious." We waited fifteen minutes for our bill after the waitress said she would bring it right back. Prices are reasonable.
(2)Nico L.
This place fills you up! They have everything needed to be a 5 star joint. However, it's like a mule with a wheelbarrow. You don't know how he got it and doubt he knows how to use it. A wide variety of ingredients, I went on a Saturday night, but the cook (not chef) does not use them correctly. The servers also guess who ordered what. I asked if the burger handed to me was medium rare, they openly said "I don't know". Nice. I got the betty burger ordered medium rare. Definitely came rare. The bread was good. The avocado and egg definitely seem thrown on. The flavors did not mix. I got the side of sweet potato fries. Stay away! You will be disappointed. Overcooked and no flavor on the good fries. The garlic aioli sauce was essentially mayo with a dash of garlic. It was on the burger and I ordered a side. The drinks are varied enough and cheap enough to warrant a visit. If you have no other options and feel adventurous, go there. If you want a solid meal that won't disappoint nor wow, come here. My gf got the Waldorf chicken salad sandwich. It was good. Also, it was large and filling. However, the baguette it came on was too big and crunchy to eat so she had to remove the meat from the roll.
(3)Joseph V.
Stopped in by chance to try this little joint and was pleasantly surprised. Food was very good, staff was courteous. Food was priced reasonably for being in center city Philadelphia. Ribs and chicken combo very good as well as the turkey burger . The hand cut fries are great !
(4)Liza K.
I came here for SIPs with my friend. I was actually expecting not to like it because a foodie friend of mine said that it was terrible. But I liked it better than I expected. It was a fun place - but without being too crowded or noisy. I really liked the Pink Bogart cocktail even though it wasn't on the SIPs menu. It was really girly but not too sweet. My friend had a mojito from the SIPs menu and it was very refreshing but nothing special. Foodwise, between the two of us, we had the quesadilla, taquitos, shrimp and veggie skewers. The chicken quesadilla was really good - it was very flavorful without being too spicy. The taquitos came with this delicious pineapple salsa that complimented the pork very well. The veggie skewers were just ok - but they went well with all of the meat we had ordered. The only thing I did not like was how hot it was inside. They had a lot of windows and the front door wide open. So it was just muggy inside. We wanted to escape from the heat by sitting inside, but apparently it did not make a difference. It would have been nice if they had cooled the place down a bit more. Also, their menu online looks like it's outdated. Some of the food and drinks we had are not on there.
(3)Dana H.
Went wednesday, early evening for Center City Sips with a small group. We had drinks and appetizers (sliders, egg rolls, etc.) The food tasted very good for appetizers. The atmosphere...LOUD. This is a happening place on Wednesdays. I will definitely return and try the rest of the menu.
(3)Nancy P.
We came back for happy hour and boy, was it chaotic. Super noisy at the downstairs bar area (there was a Phillies game on). We got orders of the wings (both the BBQ ones and the dry rub ones). The dry rub ones were tasty! And went great with the macaroni salad. The BBQ sauce ones were just okay. The bartender was taking orders for the tables in the bar area so service was a bit slow. For dinner, we had the BBQ sliders. The brisket was the best one..the pork was dry and the chicken paled in comparison to the beef. I also had the 'bitty Betty' cheeseburger with mac and cheese. A perfect portion when you're almost stuffed. The mac and cheese was disappointing..it was wet and runny. Definitely would come back for those dry rub wings!
(4)Juliana K.
Not a memorable dinner. We had a half rack of ribs (dry rub) and a half chicken (BBQ sauce). The half rack of ribs was tender and fell off the bone; however, the dry rub was bland. There was really no flavor to the dry rub, I had to dip each bite into BBQ sauce for flavor. The chicken was okay. It was moist, but needed more sauce. It was by no means amazing, but it was good. As for sides... Mashed potatoes were decent, but I wasn't wowed. Honestly, I could make better mashed potatoes at home. Baked beans were just okay. I expected better from a "bbq" place. Corn bread was dry and unflavorful. Mac and cheese was bland and dry. Overall the mean was okay. it was not memorable and i am not likely to go back again for the food. This is not really a BBQ place, so much as it's american good with some bbq dishes. The decor and space is nice though. It's dim and the wood decor plays in very nicely. Service is okay, friendly, but nothing special. The music is quite loud so this is not a place to have any real conversation without having to raise your voice. I heard the happy hours here are decent, but I can only judge off my dinner experience.
(3)Scott P.
This is my favorite happy hour spot in the city! $2 yeunglings from 5 to 7 and a stellar appetizer list for happy hour (cheesteak eggroll!!) The upstairs bar always has room and great service with rotating craft beers and the windows are open if its a nice day. There's plenty of seating for any time of day, almost never a wait. The dinner menu is nothing to talk about but is tasty and reasonably priced. The sandwiches are generously portioned with fries and ask for any sauce and chances are they have it. All in all a solid experience for the frugal center city happy hour enthusiast but check out some of the other neighboring options before you decide on dinner. Theres a reason this place is cleared out by 8pm or 9pm.
(4)Maurice S.
If you are in the mood for a burger, this is a good option. The Betty Burger is large and in charge. Good stuff. The fries could have been crispier but I guess you can't have everything. A good beer lineup. The service was good too. The people I was dining with had a couple of different types of sliders and said they were good.
(4)Maureen M.
This review is for takeout only. My mom picked up a pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries, cole slaw, and a pickle. The serving was pretty generous so we split everything. Pulled pork was soft and sweet with just the right amount of sauce. Sweet potato fries were amazing! Perfectly salted, sweet, cooked just right. And the coleslaw was delicious. We were so hungry we practically inhaled our food and didn't speak til we were done eating. We also picked up some bread pudding. I don't know if there was a miscommunication but we got a huge pan of it, like enough to feed 6 people. But it didn't matter once we tasted it. I knew that dessert had no chance of lasting more than 24 hours. Sweet, sticky goodness loaded with berries and cream. My oh my was my belly happy. We'll have to eat in sometime and see how the service is. If it's anything like the food though it's gotta be great!
(5)Dave K.
2 stars for the food, 4 stars for the service. For a Friday evening, it was surprisingly not crowded and there were empty seats on either side of our table. For an app, the cheesesteak egg rolls were just so-so and the dipping sauce needed more of a kick. I had been eagerly anticipating the turducken burger for some time now, but was disappointed with its lack of depth. The turkey-duck-meat patty concoction needed more seasoning and less time on the grill. It was too dry for my liking. The one saving grace for the sandwich was the herbacious disc of flavorful stuffing tucked beneath the patty. For the entree, the short ribs were fork tender as they should be, but the star of the plate was the green bean as it consumed two-thirds of the plate. More meat, less greens please.
(3)Kerri B.
I have always wanted to come here since I moved to Philly almost two years ago. Finally went last weekend when my parents came to visit. It was a pretty cool place. They had a lot of beer, let me taste some before deciding, and pretty much everything on the menu appealed to me. Our waiter was really nice and attentive. It was a little loud, which is fine, I jut prefer a little quieter of an atmosphere for dinner because I have a hard time hearing when there is a lot of background noise. I got the ribs which were very delicious. Everyone was very happy with their food (turkey platter, chili, and fish tacos). I would definitely check it out again, even if just for a drink.
(4)Kristie W.
One of the best BBQ restaurants I've been too. The riblets are my favorite and the service is great!
(5)Brian C.
I was pretty happy with Smokin' Betty's. I was a bit hesitant on coming here, but yes I saw the Food Network filming here a while ago (a long while ago), and the opportunity popped up last weekend so I decided to give the brunch a try. Not bad. - Turducken burger - I just had to get it since it was on the menu. It didn't disappoint. There was a patty entirely made of stuffing (I love stuffing!), and then the turducken patty which was good too. It really was like Thanksgiving in a burger. It's topped with gravy and cranberry sauce just to push it over the edge a little. - Betty's Breakfast Sandwich - The housemade sausage in it is seasoned well and paired with the crispy bread, this was quite good as well. It definitely satisfied the little glutton living inside of me.
(4)Jess D.
HAPPY HOUR: This is a great go-to spot for Happy Hour. $2 Yuenglings and great draft beers. I'm a cocktail drinker and enjoy their specialty cocktails and unique seasonal sangrias. Their apps for Happy Hour range from $3- $5 and are well worth it. The portions are big and the quality is decent. I like their Veggie Quesadillas although the chef could cut down a bit on the onions. I also really enjoy their Cheesesteak Spring Rolls and fun ketchupy sauce they are served with. The BBQ chicken pizza was OK but again too many onions (I think the cook loves onions. All in all a great deal for happy hour. We spent $20 + tip for 2 beer, 1 cocktail, and 3 apps... we were full and didn't even need dinner! RESTAURANT WEEK: I also came here for restaurant week before and have to say is was the best bargain for your money and the food quality was excellent! I had the short ribs and had plenty leftover for lunch and dinner the next day. LUNCH: I've been here for lunch twice and really enjoyed myself. The service was great and the sandwiches I got were delicious! Great atmosphere too! CC SIPS: I've been here once for CC Sips and you can't beat the apps! The drinks are great too as they do a great job of offering summery drinks that are delicious and refreshing. The bartenders aren't bad looking either... I'm just saying.... All in all a good consistent neighborhood spot. Not a 5 but definitely a 4 :-)
(4)Rob W.
My new favorite happy hour spot. My girlfriend and I popped in for happy hour on a snowy Friday night. I wasn't necessarily craving anything but when I saw the grilled wings I was immediately intrigued. I was really there for happy hour / dinner so our order consisted of grilled wings, a pull pork sandwich, half rack of ribs, beers and sangria. The grilled wings were killer! Perfectly cooked with a little char flavor and a delicious sweet and spicy BBQ sauce. I only got a bite of the pulled pork sandwich but it was great as well. So tender with the same BBQ sauce lightly drizzled on top. My ribs were awesome! Mac and cheese, onion rings and a glorious pile of hot off the grill pork ribs. I got them dry with sauce on the side but couldn't help just pouring it on. They aren't fall off the bone but that's what I like about them. You bite in and get something that tastes like meat. ALL of this for only $57!!! Game over.
(5)Jaime H.
I've been here several times over the years and always had a great experience. The bartenders both upstairs and downstairs are quite accommodating and are incredibly personable. Some menu items that I and my dining partners have had and would recommend: The turducken burger - a friend LOVED it The cheese steak spring rolls- multiple orders every visit The buffalo wings - my boyfriend and I dream of these wings Brisket sliders - Yum. I think the menu offers you three options for sliders and they're all good, but the brisket is my fave. They also have a bangin' happy hour!
(4)Sarah F.
My boyfriends parents took us here for dinner on Friday night. It was horrible. Firstly, they were out of every beer we tried to order. The server should have told us right away instead of waiting until we ordered them. We finally decided on drinks. They were out of the fried tomato special, so we settled on two orders of wings and and order of the spare ribs. Although juicy, the wings were relatively flavorless, and the bbq sauce on the side tasted like ketchup. None of us ate the accompanying macaroni salad. For entrees, two of us ordered the crabcake special, and two ordered the fried chicken special. Guess what? They were out of white meat. Fine. Guess what again? They only had enough chicken left for one meal. He switched the chicken order to a burger. The avocado crabcakes could be described as mushy. Brussels sprouts, mushy. Spaetzel, good but a bit mushy. The burger was described to us as "the worst burger ever", but my boyfriend ate it anyway. I'm not sure how the chicken was. The server didn't check back on us at all, and it took at least 20 minutes after eating to get our check. Had I been the one paying for this meal, I most definitely would have complained to a manager. I'd still go here for a drink, but not to eat.
(2)Sara V.
Great atmosphere, decent service, tasty food, and great happy hour prices. The Betty Burger is DELISH. The service was a bit slow, but the food is great. Homemade sweet tater fries, crisp fresh salads, flavorful house wine. Their lamb sliders are UNREAL and I don't eat lamb. I would've had them as a whole burger. Seriously. Definitely be sure to stop on by!
(4)kristy k.
We had an excellent meal here with friends! Service was great! Food was fantastic! Atmosphere was so cool! I'm so happy smokin' Betty's is around the corner from work!! I'll be back...often!!
(5)Sean H.
I liked the ambience of Smokin' Betty's more than anything else. The place just feels good. As for the food, I had a cup of the housemade chili and a Betty burger. Despite the hype of each, I have to say that while both were good, neither was worth a return trip. The chili, while good, was a bit too lukewarm for my tastes. And the burger sounded like it would be heaven on a bun, but it wasn't exactly mind-blowing. Not to mention that with all the stuff on it, it was extremely difficult to eat. If I do return, I think I'll try some of the actual BBQ in the chicken/rib combo plate I was eyeing. That might do the trick.
(3)Liz S.
Mediocre food. HORRENDOUS service from all the employees we encountered. We will not be returning.
(1)Sarah H.
We decided to sample a bunch of sides this time around. DEFINITELY TRY THE POTATO LATKES. The accompanying cinnamon apple sauce is bangin'. I also recommend the mac & cheese - sumptuously creamy with just the right amount of bread crumbs for that perfect crunch. Betty's still totally smokin'.
(4)Kerry R.
Went here for a friend's birthday. First impressions were definitely good as the staff was friendly. The atmosphere was fun and energetic. I requested that they put on the Flyers vs. Devils game and they had no issues with that. We killed time at the bar while we waited for the rest of the group to come. Choice of beers and spirits wasn't extensive but good nonetheless. Literally everything was fine until the food came out. I never had such bland unappetizing fish tacos before. It sounded great on paper but sucked in execution. Two of us at the table got them and we both barely wanted to finish our plates. My fiance got the turkey burger and she said that was also underseasoned and lacked any kind of flavor. This place isn't crazy expensive by foody standards but it aint McDonald's either. Maybe it was an off night? If it was, I still wouldn't recommend going here since you don't know what you'll be getting. On the plus side, Mayer Nutter walked in and said hi to me. That was interesting to see him out on a Friday night like a normal person.
(2)Michael S.
Good spot to get food. Came here after classes for a quick bite to eat with some friends. I order the Buffalo Sandwich that was pretty good. It was a generous portion but not very spicy. My friend ordered a sliders sampler. He thought all the sliders were great. My last friend ordered the ribs. They weren't that great. Overall, the food was pretty good. Unfortunately, the service wasn't the best in the upstairs area. It wasn't a very busy day, so I think that the server just forgot about it for most of the time.
(3)Z B.
Grilled chicken wings, BBQ sliders and grilled pizza appetizers were all good. The turducken burger was a bit disappointing because the meat really did not have a distinct flavor. The service was mediocre. At times we felt rushed in to ordering
(3)Pauline S.
From the restaurant week menu: KFC Waffles: 2 Korean fried chicken waffle sandwiches, (they were ball sized and the waffles were a quarter of a belgian waffle each, making one single whole belgian waffle if pieced together), and a couple of asian veggies and ketchup or red sauce. It was decent. Turkey & bacon chowder: came in a cup with a mini biscuit. It was very good and had mixed veggies like corn, peas, carrots, and green beans. Pork ribs w/ cheesy potatoes and sour veggies: It was okay, I did not like the sour veggies and generally don't care for potatoes, much less CHEESY potatoes. The ribs were soft and fell off the bone. At first I thought it was good but then it became bland. I would have chosen a different entree if I could do it over. Apple pie w/ vanilla ice cream: I only wanted this one cause of the ice cream. I don't generally like pie cause I don't like sweet or gooey stuff. I only like the crust. My bf got a special burger that was actually very good. Next time I would get that and a different kind of ribs.
(3)lenny A.
I travel for a living. A hobby of mine is to find a local BBQ joint and have dinner. Very few times have I been disappointed. Smoking Betty's is one of those times. I was seated right away because I had made a reservation. A nicely located table by a window upstairs. Table is set with menu and paper place mat. The table was very very sticky. I watched the set a table next to me an all they did was wipe it a dirty towel. I spent the next 15 mins waiting for a waiter to take my order. Once he arrived I ordered the ribletts as an app and chicken breast with grilled veggies am steamed broccoli for my dinner. Both prepared with dry rub Ribletts arrived in a few mins with a side of something i can only assume was coleslaw. The ribs themselves were a little dry and the rub was flavorless. I had to request a side of the BBQ sauce to give them some flavor. The coleslaw was a very odd texture and flavorless. It sorta reminded me of the shredded cardboard fiber they use in home insulation with a little crunch. Not good at all The main course was hot upon arrival but coated in the same tasteless dry rub. A little dry as well. The grilled veggies were cold and drowned in oil. Not as healthy as I had hopped for. The broccoli was good and I was given a full head. The BBQ sauce was sweet and spicy but a bit one dimensional Over all not a great meal. Barely passable Definitely disappointing. .
(2)N Y.
Plus: Great burgers, cool location, good food all together Minus: Staff is so so, last time the waiter barely came to our table, stood and starred at us and didn't take our order until I just started ordering. He also lied and said we were not allowed to have half sweet potato/half normal fries when I have gotten it several other times.
(3)Christina M.
In town traveling. So glad the husband and I agreed on BBQ. The setting is great as was our server Katie, very welcoming. The ribs were some of the best I have ever had, the BBQ sauce made it!!!! If we come back to Philly, definitely coming back!
(5)Lisa R.
So convenient for Lantern Theater (at St Stephen Church on 10th & Chancellor); great for pre or after theater dining. Great bar. Open large windows in warm weather for indoor/outdoor feel. (This can get too hot on humid summer nights.) Love the gourmet Southern comfort menu -- from riblet appetizers (messy and tasty chunks of well-made rib slathered in great barbeque sauce), to slider sampler, to fish to great salads and sides. Check out chalk board specials -- servers almost never mention them, possibly because the chalkboards are 10 feet high and hard to miss. We have rarely saved room for dessert here, but when we did share one it was very tasty. Great drinks, good wine selection, reasonable prices all around.
(4)Diana K.
Love this place. I go here all of the time. Two things: 1. Great happy hour specials for both drinks AND food! 2. GET THE BETTY BURGER. Just do it.
(4)P P.
Don't order the grilled cheese. Not tasty. I gave it 5 stars because I think it's a great place for a drink.
(5)Patrick H.
Smokin' Betty's is a pretty decent place. The environment and decor give a very welcoming and comfortable feeling. There were many tables, an outdoor seating area, two bar areas, and an upstairs seating area as well. It was happy hour along with Philly Sips happening when I came, so there was a wait to be seated and it was pretty crowded. We had a bunch of items from their appetizer/Philly Sips menu: wings (both their BBQ and dry rub), buffalo chicken quesadilla, and pepperoni pizza. My friends also got the pork belly sliders. The dry rub wings were really good, one of the best wings I ever had, but there were no dipping sauces to it, which was fine. The BBQ wings were actually very sweet, not really BBQ-y. The quesadillas were good; there were melted bleu cheese in them that gave it that extra boost, definitely try those. Pizza was very cheesy, but other than that, it was a typical small pizza. Everything was prepared very aesthetically pleasing, so props to the modern classiness! Food was really good, and there selection of alcohol was just as good. They have a really good selection, and the prices were cheap. The sizes and taste of their mixed drinks, on the other had, were just average. I would definitely come here for a drink or two after work! Service was OK, our host and server were really friendly. Seating was confusing since we put our name down on the waiting list, but they just told us to hang out at the bar until a table was ready for us; we had no idea how they were going to find us or know who we were. I ended up just waiting up front while my friends went to the bar. Our server did have trouble getting to us since it was pretty busy, but I'd just give them the benefit of the doubt that they are usually better.
(4)Annie W.
3.75 Ordered the beef brisket sandwhich with sweet potato fries The bun is divinnnee and the brisket is super tender & well seasoned The sweet potato fries r sweet, salty &b crispy. A side of syrup to dip em in would take them to a whole notha motha fuggin level. Ordered @ the bar food came out n 3 mins. Literally
(4)Ashley L.
Smokin' Betty's is a solid spot for drinks and food. It's a large space with 2 floors and modern decor. It's right next to Thomas Jefferson, which can mean that it can be hit or miss as far as whether it's packed or pretty quiet. I prefer to come during happy hour. The $2 lagers & $4 cheesesteak eggrolls are a great deal. They also have a delicious burger. I wasn't adventurous enough to try the Betty Burger, but it is next on my list! Yummy comfort food and reasonably priced drinks are what keeps me coming back.
(4)Jennifer W.
This place during lunch wasn't as busy as some other restaurants. The specials are located on the blackboard in the back of the room. They did look delicious. I wish I could have ordered more food. Haha...Torn between getting the special pizza: arugula, mozarella, and proscuitto pizza or a salad. They both looked good on the menu. Decided to go for the cobb salad instead. It was absolutely huge and filling, AND healthy!
(4)Bethany S.
We we popped in during a rain storm for the Beer Week menu. I know it's bad form to judge a place by a special menu, but I think our experience merits some commentary. I think our meal was exemplary simply for how polarized it was. My dining partner and I chose completely different dishes off the prix fix menu. My dinner was delicious and well-executed, his was pretty sub-par. I had: the empanadas, the mahi and the cheesecake He had: mussels, filet tips and the brownie. I'm not sure what it says about a BBQ place that overlooks beef, but his filet tips were so tough he could barely make it though them -- almost as if they had been sitting u der a lamp for a while ... The other courses for him weren't nearly as indelible, just disappointing. The broth in the muss,es and the bread they were served with were delicious, but the mussels themselves were chewy (more than usual) and rather bland -- as if they hadn't been cooked in the broth. The brownie was dry and the s pop of ice cream it came with was already mostly melted by the time it got to us. My meal on the other had was awesome. The empanadas were well-flavored and and a great meat to dough ratio (heavy on the meat). The BBQ sauce accompanying them was a little sweet, a little spicy -- delicious. My mahi was cooked perfectly as was the tangy sweet risotto it was laying on. And the cheesecake was perfectly fluffy and creamy at the same time. Night and day Our service was very peasant. It's a loud restaurant, but not overwhelmingly so. My one complaint was that there was a leak in the ceiling (it was torrentially raining for or whole meal) and were seated next to the little silver bucket meant to catch the water. Like, I had to awkwardly step over the bucket to get into my chair. Not a huge deduction, but it was sort of tacky. Overall the rating comes from the completely polarized experience we had with this special menu. I plan to go back to give their regular menu a try, but I go anxiously.
(3)Alli H.
They've got some decent happy hour snacks and drinks! Mon-Fri 5-7pm. I've been to Smokin' Betty's for beers, for dinner, and for a 90's-themed party they had back in October. Every time I've been, I've had a good time. Service is friendly and attentive, and the food and beer is good. Yay :-)
(4)Christopher D.
I'm only giving this one star because the menu looked absolutely delicious. We sat down and weren't greeted by anyone for 10 minutes. We ended up walking out. I can't begin to explain how annoying this is. We obviously left without eating. Really disappointing.
(1)Sue S.
Glad we found this place. Decor is very cute and has a vintage southern feel to it. Service was good. Food brought to us quickly and was quite tasty. Would definitely go there again.
(4)Steve W.
The BBQ chicken came to the table, not just undercooked but bloody still on the inside. Since the outside had such a well done grilled look to it makes you wonder if its just painted on. Had it replaced with the dry rubbed ribs which were not under cooked and good. The interior is clean and modern looking. It was a nice evening, so they had the windows open to the street which was ok as long as the wind didn't blow the occasional city stench into the restaurant. Would have a much better experience on a different street. Even without the raw chicken experience it would be hard to give this place more than 3 stars.
(2)Michelle C.
When Smokin' Betty's was suggested as the locale for a Friday happy hour between friends, I was pretty stoked; especially because I missed Sam's MOOB UYE earlier that week. Our rain soaked crew arrived around 5:30 to a completely empty restaurant. It wasn't until a hostess appeared that we found out they were seating everyone on the second floor. We went upstairs and were surprised to find a fairly crowded bar and a few occupied tables. How we didn't hear the peeps and music from the first floor, I have no idea. We were seated at a booth that fit all six of us, and my side faced a wall that featured a gigantic chalkboard filled with beers, cocktails, the day's specials and happy hour info. Smokin' Betty's Blonde, the house beer, was only three bucks during happy hour so most of us started with that. I thought it was similar in taste to Magic Hat #9 and I enjoyed it a lot. When a friend wrinkled her nose after tasting the Curious Georgia (a bellini-like concoction of white beer, peach schnapps and a ginger syrup-marinated peach slice), I gladly took it off her hands as I adore bellinis in their natural state and I enjoyed this interesting spin-off as well. (So yes, for those of you doing the math, technically I was double fisting for a short period of time but I'm half Irish and this is widely accepted in our culture.) Our group was going to order off the menu but when we saw the cheap eats offered as part of happy hour, we changed our minds. I had the spicy dry rub wings which were awesome, but what made them even better was the barbecue sauce I requested on the side for dipping. Sweet but with a definite zip, it was one saucy sauce! The onion rings and corn bread we ordered for sides were pretty standard. A friend ordered the bbq sliders and I had major food envy. I will definitely hit those up on my next visit, with an extra side of that sauce, of course! A five star rating might be viewed as a bit generous by some, but there wasn't a single thing I disliked about my experience at Betty's. The food, drinks and service were all on point and I will gladly return.
(5)Jonny D.
We came here for drinks last night and my diabetic wife's blood sugar got low, which can cause her to pass out. I ran to the waiter and asked for some emergency OJ to get her blood sugar back up. He quickly ran to get some, which I really appreciate. Once it arrived, two waiters took turns checking up on her every couple of minutes to make sure she'd be OK, and refilled the juice. When we left they hadn't even charged us for the OJ. They were so concerned about her well being that I guess they just didn't ring it up. I'm not an emotional guy, but that kind of compassion is hard to come by and really left a mark. They really honestly cared about a stranger's well-being. That means a lot to me. I tipped the hell out of them and I hope they know that they made my week. That's real, honest, true kindness. Plus the happy hour here is a really cheap too. :)
(5)Kiana S.
Great place! The food is great and the Resturant is super cozy. The brunch drink specials are great. We had the breakfast sandwich and the turkey club. Everything was great and reasonably priced. We ordered the sweet potato fries as well, the portions are big. The server was so friendly and staff was super attentive! I will definitely be coming back!
(4)Dooly M.
I would love to give it 5 stars, but I have tried better. Sorry. However, I will definitely vistit this restaurant in my next trip to Philadelphia over and over again. Why? 1- our servent, Seth, was amaaaaaaazing. He has such a wonderful personality and spirit. I was happy all the time and pleased with his service and helpful recommendations. Food is not everything, the service is as important as the food to me. With all the tress in life, you want to have a nice place with good food and service. Did I was lucky this time? Or all the servant are nice? I am really not sure. 2- I ordered Smokin' Betty's Burger, and it was excellent. I usually get medium well because I usually get it with little pink from where I came from, but with Seth recommendation I ordered medium and it was perfect. He notified us with how medium and medium well is cooked in their restaurant or Philadelphia. However, I did not like their hand cut fries. It was too thin for my taste and not crispy. I would order a green salad next time. 3- my sister ordered mahi mahi tacos. It was good but it needed more flavors or sauce. It was light dish and healthy though. 4- finally, we ordered a layered chocolate cake for TO GO. OMG. I WAS IN HEAVEN. every bite was a whole new experience. I tried many chocolate cakes but nothing beat Cheesecake Factory. This one is my second favorite now, it is moist, dark enough as I like, and very heavy and rich with a cranberry sauce! It was perfect perfect perfect. I will never forget the taste. UHH. Overall, it was a very good experience for us. I really recommend it to you.
(4)Michael M.
So I like this place, and I'll be going back. Four of us hit it this past Friday night at 7pm. Hits - Cheesesteak spring rolls, Yum, now with spicier sauce. Beef Brisket, delicious. Various mixed drinks, top notch. Wet chicken wings were the best true BBQ item, with real chargrilled flavor lacking in some other items. OK stuff. Riblets - yum, need more chargrilled flavor (see wings above). Stuffing and gravy, also yum but strangely sweet. Pork slider, needs more spice. Roast chicken, needs more BBQ flavor. Ribs themselves were tender bit lacked that on the grill bite the winds had. Misses - mahi mahi tacos. Bland and the wrap they were in disintegrated into mush by the time they were served. It they weren't in wax paper they wouldn't have made it to the table. Green bean and potato balsamic salad - tasted like bad aids. Would have been perfect if ingredients included band aids but did not. Bleah. Service was slow but the place was new and it was a jumping Friday night. Free onion rings (due to a server mix up) were nice. So we'll be going back, sitting downstairs where its quieter, and ordering that brisket and yummy wings again!
(4)Christine B.
Ended up here after a long day of celebrating beer week with a couple other yelpers. The boys went with a rack of ribs with bbq sauce, and I got the pulled pork sandwich. I think the ribs were better than the pulled pork. The meat fell right off the bone, and the sauce was really tasty. The pulled pork had a nice spiciness to it, and the roll it was served one was perfectly toasted. I met up with some other friends at the bar upstairs for one more beer. All the windows were open which created a really nice atmosphere. The service was really good too.
(4)Zanna H.
I want to give this place a higher rating but find myself hesitant to, it is solid 3.5 at least. The decor is minimal and sleek. The place is pretty well lit with dark woods and accents in the upstairs making it feel warm and inviting. The service was awesome, I wish I remembered her name because she served our rather large group with no problem and then split up the bill by individual like a pro. Now what makes me downgrade you ask, well the food is good but I just don't feel it is a value for the price. Their beet and arugula salad was nice, the dressing was light and tangy which helped off-set the sweetness of the beets. The should have opted to throw a little goat cheese in the mix instead of putting onion crispy springs on top. The cheese steak egg roll was nothing exciting or new, I was told by others in the group that it had a spicy kick to it but I was not getting it. Maybe I am too desensitized to spicy things since I brush my teeth with Sriracha sauce. I also got the Betty burger which was very large in size and had some nice flavor to it. My problem was that I asked for it to be cooked well done and it was very pink and cold in the center. So I left 3/4 of it on my plate. The onion rings were standard and the fries were even less impressive. Anyhoo the drinks were mediocre and once again were highly over priced - $4 was a little much for a champagne flute of light ale mixed with peach schnapps with a slice of peach floating in it (thus taking up about 1/3 of the glass so I am paying for even less drink by volume)... and it was on special for 1/2 off. So for price versus value on the meal it left me lacking... mostly in the wallet area.
(3)Vinny P.
Ok Betty's it seems like what I've been hearing is true. Recently I was afforded the chance to have some ribs, cornbread and mac and cheese at this establishment. I was rather impressed with both the service and the food. The party I was with was able to get a table relatively quickly and begin our BBQ adventure. I ended up splitting a rack of ribs with one of my friends and we both agreed that they were cooked perfectly. There was smoky flavor and the sauce complimented it very well. Also, the texture of the ribs indicated that they were perfectly cooked. If you held a rib bone and just shook it once, the meat would fall off onto the plate (or possibly fly at someone nearby depending on how hard you shook it) The mac and cheese was a little too creamy for me. I did like the small cornbread muffins that came with scallion butter. I should also mention that I am normally more of a fan of dry rub but the sauced ribs did not disappoint. I will be returning for the dry rub ribs along with other menu selections.
(4)Margo K.
I have to update. I went here for brunch with my brother on our birthday. It was a Saturday birthday brunch! I was sold on my first visit earlier in the week, and my brother loves this kind of eatin'. I ordered the smoked salmon hash which features smoked salmon (obvs), sweet potatoes, bacon, and a fried egg on top. I wanted to try some of my favorite foods in a different format and certainly enjoyed it. I have to note that some people might not find this serving size to be enough, although I did. My brother got BBQ sliders which came with one hickory smoked beef brisket, one carolina pulled pork, and one carribean pulled chicken. He was a fan. We also split some cornbread muffins (because how could you not) for $2 which is a great price for something as comforting as cornbread muffins are! Service was slightly slow, but it didn't really bother us. I usually don't drink this early, so I still have not tried their dranks! Happy hour, soon soon soon!
(4)Walter K.
Smokin' Betty's has been open for just over one week. I've been anticipating this place for two reasons: my good friend Brooks is working here. Secondly, I'm always looking for a good BBQ sandwich. My friend Jess and I headed out to check out this new establishment. Usually I like to talk about food and drink first, but I have to talk about atmosphere. The inside of this place looks excellent. It's just a cool looking spot. It has two levels of seating, with a bar on both floors, and really has the capacity to be a hopping place, in terms of coolness and the sheer numbers I'm sure it will be packing in shortly (after my review is read). I recommend grabbing a seat upstairs, especially a window seat if available. The service is excellent. I'm not just saying this because Brooks was my server; all of the servers tag-team the tables to make sure that everything is taken care of quickly and efficiently. The menu is impressive. It's much larger than ones I've seen at "real" restaurants in quite some time. There are different sections, with appetizers, small plates, entrees, soups, and salads represented. Lots of choices. There was even a small kids menu with a few choice under $5! Really, it's a great idea and basically unheard of outside of chains. There's an small plate of three sliders featuring three different types of BBQ: great for the indecisive. I decided to just go for the beef brisquet BBQ. It was a really good sandwich, but not the best I've had. Plus there's enough other great things on the menu that I'd try first before I had this again. One downside was the tiny side of macaroni salad, especially because it was pretty good. I also had a side of onion rings which were standard, but good. Smokin' Betties boasts sixteen taps which are arranged in order on the bar from dark to light in terms of the color it pours. While this order is a bit arbitrary and has no effect on actual taste, style, or ABV; I like it. It's better than nothing at all. All the beers are American craft brews. While most of the beers are "safe bets" and not very adventurous, there is good diversity and a lot of solid choices. I went with the Yellowtale Pale Ale from Ballast Point, which was good. An easy drinking, light pale ale. Bottom Line: This place was very slow when I went in, but I suspect it will only be another week or two before it gets busy. It's a cool spot in a good location. The menu is massive and packed with good choices. The prices are decent and there's a few good beers to chose from. It's not perfect, but it's definitely worth a try. I'll check it out again in the future.
(4)Kara M.
This review is for the 'Puppy Love' event hosted by Smokin' Betty's and Devil's Alley. The event was amazing! I can't even decide where to begin! The food- delectable, The drinks- delicious, the decor- delightful! The tapas seemed to be never ending- my personal favorite was a bite sized sweet potato topped with (perfectly prepared) filet crowned with onion straws- loved it! This was by far the best event i've been to in a long time- an excellent evening with proceeds benefitting a wonderful cause! I can't wait to venture to Smokin' Betty's and try more of their menu.
(5)Sylvia M.
Dear Ms. Betty, You are SMOKIN!!! Wow, not a single thing went wrong at this place... ok maybe 1. We stood at the host stand for an awkward amount of time. You know that feeling, when you don't know if it's seat yourself or you just assume the host is being a terrible employee and not standing at his post to great you warmly. He finally arrived, asked upstairs or downstairs. We didn't care so he took us upstairs. We sat near that chalkboard wall with all the specials! Good thing too! I ordered the house red wine for happy hour and my bf for their featured beer which the server described as lemonade, it was really good. We also had the cheesesteak spring rolls that came with a chipotle-ketchup-y dip. we only had 1 cut in half for $4. But they were so good! My bf got the turducken burger, idk if thats spelled right. I had the special 3 bean chili and the buffalo chicken quesadillas. Yea, lots of food but i was really hungry! I didnt like the burger because im not a fan of cranberry sauce, but he loved it!!! I loved my chili, it came in a coffee mug! with 2 corn muffins and some butter with jalapenos chopped in it, so good! The quesadillas were amazing. If you have ever had 'al pastor' tacos, thats what it tasted like. Staff: She was so helpful! She gave us a happy hour ending warning! i still had most of my wine and she let me order another. she brought us water without asking, which is always a plus. she checked in on us more than enough times but she was so nice and pleasant that it wasnt annoying! She recommended that next time we get the buffalo sandwich, mac n cheese and some other stuff... basically, its all good. We are def. going to be regulars! The atmosphere is cool and relaxed with a bit of hype during HH. It was loud but not obnoxious. Some standing room which was cool and they put candles on a cake for a party on the other side of the room. Overall, great time! ps the music was great. i never find that place that just plays music i like.. its either terrible or things i never heard of. it was a great blend like alicia keys, beach boys, etc.
(5)Michael C.
Cool bar/restaurant next to Jefferson, lots of cool beers on tap, great wait staff and bartenders. No surprise that this place is often frequented by Jeff doctors/nurses/staff after work. Didn't really taste much of the food, but did enjoy the Philly cheesesteak spring rolls and the mac and cheese.
(3)Jessica S.
We had an early dinner at 4:15pm on New Year's Eve so that we could catch the 6pm fireworks at Penn's Landing. The menu was great! Our party of 7 tried everything from burgers to mahi mahi tacos to brisket sandwiches. Everyone was happy with the food and service. We will definitely be returning!!!
(4)Alex G.
When on my way to this Southern BBQ joint, I was excited to start the night off with some fine Southern spirit, either bourbon or whiskey. However, the cocktail menu was short and didn't include anything remotely Southern spirit-like. Its totally cool to have pomegranate martinis on your menu but if you are modeling yourself after the South you have to have at least a few authentic Southern specialty cocktails to offer. For appetizers, we ordered the BBQ sliders which were ok. The amount of sauce poured on them overwhelmed the actual taste of the meat. It was as if I took a BBQ sauce bottle and just poured it in my mouth. My entree was the pulled chicken sandwich. Part of the chicken was cold, the other part bland. No reason to come back here.
(2)Jamie D.
There was a Small But Mighty Knight Arts Challenge event going on at this place, so I decided to stop by and support! I'm not sure if these are an all the time thing, but they were serving Cream Soda cocktails with Art in the Age Snap, vanilla simple syrup, and ginger ale....they were amazing! We split an order of the slider appetizer and they were really good! Tender meats on perfect little buns with a side of some bangin' cole slaw. I will definitely need to come back to this place and explore more of their menu and things!
(4)Devon M.
This was an excellent beer and grub experience. The Betty Blonde is a fantasticly smooth beer, and their signature burger was incredibly large and reasonable for CC prices! Highly recommended for a girl's dinner, happy hour before a show, or to just get some really yummy beer and eats.
(5)Peter D.
Pleasantly surprised here. A friend suggested eating at Smokin' Betty's when I have two nickels and a ball of lint in my pocket. I ended up having a great time and ordered the house chili, a very delicious and fairly affordable meal. With tip I paid about $7 for great service and a good, good chili. I'd like to come back to try their sliders but I don't know if I will seek Smokin' Betty's in the future, but at least I can give it props when I walk by.
(4)FT M.
I was in Philly for business travel and wanted to try Smokin Bettys. The service was excellent. Seth knew how to juggle a lot of tables. I got the BBQ combo. Had 1/4 chicken and ribs. The dry rub was delicious. Meat nice and tender. Fries were good. The green beans need to be cooked more for my taste. Will definitely be back.
(4)Chloe G.
I'm so glad this was my first stop during my trip to Philly. We came in during brunch hour, and I ordered the breakfast burrito with a chocolate pumpkin beer. It was possibly one of the most satisfying meals I have ever had. The only part was that it was on the pricier side, but other than that amazing. I seriously left the restaurant with a smile on my face, that's how good it was.
(4)K. A. N. A. K.
I swear that somebody in the kitchen is referencing my homesickness for Hawaii eats in the dry-rub chicken wings; they have that perfect hibachi char, and they come with a "mac salad"-treatment on tri-color spiral pasta. We consistently order this, and it's always good. Our recent discovery was the "grilled cheese." It is just delightful, with abundant melty mozzarella, warm pesto and grilled tomato, and fluffy-yet-crispy cheddar focaccia.
(4)Katie O.
The food is great, but as I type this we've been eating for over 20 minutes for a table even though we called ahead. Why? Because one member of our party uses a wheelchair, and apparently estimating the time it might take to get a table on the first floor (despite having been warned of all of this when we called) is asking too much.
(2)Mike L.
I had the Betty Burger. I will be back to try the Tur-Duck-En burger sometime next month. The bar is kind of small, so show up early!!
(5)Schuyler L.
Smokin' Betty's, you've lost a customer. This is not because your bathrooms are filthy stink holes, but they are. Urine on the floor, faucets don't work, and hair balls in the sink. I was ready to document this nastiness with photos, but was advised against it by my dining partner. Wet naps don't cut it, sticky fingers. Continuing on to the real issues... I'm not sure if it's customary to be ignored by the hostess as she walks past within slapping distance, but that's what I wanted to do to her. I request a table upstairs, she says downstairs by the window, "it's too busy upstairs." We were guided to a crappy table, not really near the window. We decide this isn't really what we wanted and go back to the hostess to request a table upstairs by the window. Ignored. This was happening around mid afternoon on Sunday, May 13th, a beautiful spring afternoon. After having to repeat ourselves to her she barked that she was looking for a table, a considerate person would know that lack of eye contact could cause confusion. When we got upstairs, not only were all the two person tables free, but she sat us at the only two top without a window!! (No reservations came in while we were eating either) To add to the drama, it wasn't busy. Evidence: The servers actually had time to not only chit chat with us but high five friends at another table and join them briefly at the table. Thankfully that was the last I had to deal with her. Never again, Smokin' Betty's. So to recap, the hostess was very rude, passive aggressive, and lied straight to our faces. Lied. To our faces. Portions were very very small. I think they were running out of food!!! Honestly, the only good thing to come out of our out visit was our down to earth, attentive, and energetic server, David D. He was cheerful and it was evident that he truly cared about his customers. He deserves better than the trash Smokin' Betty's was trying to pull and David, if you're reading this, feel free to contact me to use as a reference in the future.
(1)Terri B.
I've been to Smokin' Betty's three times. For Center City Sips, work lunch and happy hour. I'm never disappointed. I've had the Betty Burger (yum), the pork belly BLT sliders (delish), pulled pork taquitos (double delish), and the honey bbq wings. All great choices. Their drinks are really awesome as well. The Strawberry Lemonade (alcoholic) is my all-time fave! For you beer snobs out there, their selection is very extensive. I try to get here as often as I can. It's definitely a good go-to choice when you're in the city and want to impress someone ;)
(5)Jason N.
Stopped in for a private party. The back room was spacious and while open and still part of the main bar areas it was separate enough for a small party. The atmosphere was relaxed and laid back. Bar staff was fast and courteous. I like the area and would return. Got to try just a little taste of the food, but not much due to the party size and time spent talking and mingling. The bbq chicken quesadilla was good. The bbq sauce was rich, thick, and had a mild smokey flavor. I would return to eat and hang out here again.
(3)Aaliyah P.
Bopped in for cocktails and some sweet potatoes fries. Yelp cocktails week has made me a drinkin fool! Sissy and I each did the berry Betty. Rich in the voodah-kah(said in an Russian accent ) topped with champange:) made to perfection . Fries were bombness !!! Very yum I'm intrigued to go back . Bartender super nice :)
(4)Shavon B.
Went to Smokin' Betty's because the wait at El Vez was too long... Definitely a mistake. I got the special, salmon burger sliders, which although the menu said all burgers come with fries, don't, but whatever I ordered some side sweet potato fries for an extra $5. My friend ordered a vegetable quesadilla and my sis a turkey burger. The one star is for my drink and my friends which was delicious and the other star is for my sisters burger because she said it was good. Now for everything else. Waitress... Mediocre in terms of attentiveness. Salmon burgers are unseasoned pieces of fish on top of dollar store potato bread with two pieces of arugula and tomatoes slivers per slider and a ton of dill tarter sauce... Freaking gross and not worth the $15. Vegetable quesadilla was lots of vegetables soaked in oil that runs down ur hand when u eat it and again not seasoned. I was disappointed to say the least and the guy next to us screaming and laughing like a hyena because he was drunk didn't help. This is my second disappointed experience here. Needless to say I won't be back.
(2)Andrew W.
Good for the happy hour: good apps, drink specials,and never too crowded... not sure I'd call it a legit BBQ place but the food has always been good and it is very reasonably priced. I like to sit upstairs when they have the windows open, it is a nice alternative when the other outdoor seating options in the area are taken up.
(4)Moo Young K.
When moving from the west coast to the right coast, I never thought I'd transform into a burger girl. Smokin' Betty's gave me an all around great experience. What really helped me out with this gigantic burger was the knife that is stabbed in the middle of it to hold the thing together. I don't know if this was intentional, but it's just too much burger and it helps an eater like myself cut the burger in half to pack it for lunch the next day. As soon as I took my first bite, my server came up to me to ask how I liked my burger. He seemed excited and I guess his enthusiasm was infectious because I soon became giddy over this burger. For the rest of my burger, I was PUMPED! But my best reaction came at lunch the next day. The burger was still good! Wowza! I was so afraid that the burger would just not hold up to my initial experience, but it did! Shockingly, the sweet potato fries were good in their own ways. The fries weren't stale like how McDonald's fries become 30 minutes after it's been sitting around (not like it normally would), but it was kind of like a sweet, mashy fry that was still delicious. I say give the Betty Burger a try! It's a go! :)
(4)Louis R.
Ok...I loooove bbq....and I love cool, hip, chill restos. This place is fresh when it comes to decor and a clutch(ugh) date spot...but...the bbq, itself, is just okay. * The pulled pork sliders were fuckin awesome * The dry-rubbed wings were deelish and the macaroni salad was the star of this plate * The mac n cheese was sick...soooo good * The dry-rubbed st louis style ribs were okay...just okay...and the bbq sauce I asked for on the side was waaaaaaay too sweet, yikes Like I said...dope decor...just okay for the bbq.
(3)Mandy H.
My sister and I came to Smokin' Betty's last night before a concert we were going to nearby at the Trocadero. My sister is a picky eater so the burger on the menu was perfect for her. It was huge, i think it was a 1/2 lb burger. It didn't come with cheese or anything on it, which is just how she likes it so she was happy. We got a bucket of fries on the side that reminded me of Five Guys fries. Yum! I had the BBQ sliders, which came with the Carolina pulled chicken and coleslaw, brisket, and pulled pork mini sandwiches. I usually tend to favor the pulled pork, but the brisket was the best out of all the sliders. It had a sweet BBQ sauce on it and the bun was nice and crispy. However, each little sandwich is overflowing with meat so after just eating the one brisket sandwich and what was overflowing out of the other two, I was stuffed. We also each had the raspberry tea drink which tasted just like a raspberry iced tea, but I'm not sure that it had any alcohol in it. That's the only reason I'm knocking off a star on this review. For $8 ea in a small whiskey glass, I thought they could have been a little more liberal with the vodka. Other than that, the food is delish! One last comment is that they had weird bathrooms in the upstairs dining area. It has a communal sink and each stall has it's own individual room with a door. I was a little surprised to come out of my bathroom at the same time as a man and both head to the same communal sink. It's kind of like El Vez's bathroom. Weird but interesting.
(4)Gene B.
Food was very good and it was extra good with the Bloody Mario to kickstart the day! Service is good and the staff is very friendly. A great brunch destination, too!
(4)pracheta t.
Came here for my girl's bachelorette pre-party dinner and we had sucha good time! I called a few days ahead to make a reservation for 16 and the hostess stated that they were more than willing to accommodate us and will cooperate with any surprise we have planned (we didn't, but it was nice they offered). I got there first so I sat at the bar upstairs and enjoyed a Blonde Betty and a Dirty Bastard...i think those were the names. Anyway, it was good. When the girls got there, we were promptly seated, drinks were brought out and food didn't take long. It wasn't too expensive, we had the entire upstairs area behind the bar to ourselves and our waitress was so friendly and fun. We had a great time!
(4)Dee G.
Brunched here with friends last weekend. Relaxed atmosphere with plenty of room for a big group and also kid-friendly. Food was also very good. I enjoyed my salmon dish very much and also tried out the French Toast which was absolutely yum - it had just the right amount of caramel goodness.
(4)Meghan C.
The food was boring. The service was clearly bored with us. Expensive for very mediocre sandwiches.
(2)Niyant S.
Oh man, what a hidden gem Smokin' Betty's is! The restaurant is in an area that is not really known for having too many nice restaurants, a la Rittenhouse Square or 13th Street, but it stacks up right next to any one of the restaurants in those areas. Located right next to Jefferson Hospital, Smokin' Betty's is a nice little bar/restaurant that specializes in bbq fare...coincidentally bbq is some of my all time favorite food! The fiancé and I decided to stop by for brunch after checking out their menu right here on Yelp, and we were both very pleased with our experience! I went with a plate of their bbq sliders, which comes with a pork, brisket, and chicken slider, and a side of coleslaw, along with a glass of their Blond beer. The beer was very good, a little on the wheat side, but my lunch was awesome! All three of those burgers were delicious and quite filling, and the side of coleslaw was also surprisingly good (so much so that I finished every bite of it along with the rest of my meal). The best part about all this? It only costed $8! Meanwhile, my fiancé decided to go with their breakfast burrito, minus the bacon. I'm of the opinion that I make one pretty good breakfast burrito myself, however I have to admit that this one of the best breakfast burritos that I've ever tasted, and a definite must have if your coming here for some eggs! Finally, we shared a side dish of their hash browns, and surprise surprise, they were also delicious! Good job Smokin' Betty's, keep it up and I will definitely be back for more!
(5)Brad P.
I've been here for happy hour a few times and I am never let down. The BBQ sliders are the best bang and variety for your buck - 8 dollars will get you three sliders with pulled pork, brisket, and chicken with different sauces. I've never found the service slow or curt and the drinks are satisfactory. I'm really, really, really trying hard to come up with something I don't like about Smokin' Betty's so that this review seems a little more fair and balanced. Oh yeah, I got the fish tacos once just to be the one jerk at the table getting something different. My expectations were modest and they were met. The fish tacos are OK but if you are smart then you should stick with the BBQ options. The chicken wings are a little fatty. Take that, Smokin' Betty's. On the action-movie-parallel-satisfaction-scale, this establishment is Doomsday.
(4)Matt M.
Our favorite happy hour spot - good drink and food deals. Usually try their daily pizza ap and are not disappointed. Great beer selection that changes up a bit. We dont ever sit at the downstairs bar unless its at lunch time - the downstairs is very small and not as nice as the upstairs bar which is fantastic. They also have a great room that could be rented out for a party too, havent used it but have it in mind just in case!
(4)Regina F.
There are sweet potato fries. That's about it. There's also wine. It's odd that when you order sliders, there's no BBQ sauce served with them. It's also odd that you have to request BBQ sauce at a BBQ joint. Odd. Very. Peculiar.
(3)Connie S.
Came back for drinks and late night bites with friends... and man, I love this place. You must try the Tur-duck-en Burger here. It's essentially Thanksgiving dinner in one neat package: patty of duck rillette surrounded by chicken and turkey, slathered with stuffing, gravy, cranberry-orange relish, and fried sweet potato ribbons for extra crunch, all between some soft, fresh buns. So much to be thankful for.
(5)Ciara S.
Smokin Betty's was a cool place to eat... I consider this to be a hidden gem because nothing about the exterior catches your attention. If I wasn't come to a birthday party this place would have passed me by. I must say their food was delicious and they had a wide variety of food.. Def will be back!
(4)Matthew L.
Several good experiences, one awful one. In general, this restaurant has been good to me. The beer selection is reasonable, with options ranging from light to porters. I tend to enjoy the Betty Burger, which is laden with bacon, fried egg, and avocado. This location is absolutely packed on Fridays and Saturdays so I'd suggest reservations. You can always attempt to get a seat at the bar with varying levels of success. Upstairs is a second bar and additional seating and several flatscreen TVs playing the most popular sport channel at the time. I've never found the service (hostesses) to be particularly welcoming or really make the attempt to help seat people but they aren't generally rude. On to the awful experience. Random Wednesday night, sitting in the downstairs bar area, I and a friend order the Betty Burger medium rare (as with every previous visit). The burger comes out looking fabulous, yet when we bite into the burger, the center is virtually uncooked - think of what ground beef looks like before you even put it on the grill. I understand medium rare to be warm, slightly cooked, and still pink. This seemed to have been the same understanding from the kitchen until this last visit. Needless, we asked that it be cooked a little more and met little resistance. We were informed they'd have to completely remake the burger because of all of the toppings, etc. We thanked them and waited for the burgers to come out - exactly the same. At this point, I was disappointed but rather hungry and figured I'd risk it. My friend was still perturbed with this 'medium rare' and reasonably requested that it be cooked longer. At this point, our waiter began to debate 'medium rare' and informed us, 'this is how our chef does medium rare.' Given all of our previous experiences, this seemed unreasonable but we simply said that the center was still entirely uncooked and thus not medium rare. The waiter took the plate back and they remade it again. We noticed several of the kitchen staff poking their heads out to stare at us, which just seemed unprofessional. On the third attempt, the burger at least seemed somewhat cooked in the center and was consumed. When the bill arrived, we were charged for both burgers with no apology and perhaps a little sass. While I recognize it's a business of making money and it's not a requirement to comp food for mistakes, we spent an extra 45 minutes in this restaurant waiting for the kitchen to make a burger correctly. Along with the disappointing service, this experience has soured my otherwise pleasant feelings. Prices aren't cheap enough here to be this disappointed at any point. Despite the convenience, I'm not sure I should come back. Cheers.
(2)Nathan S.
So uh... I'm not coming back. I had high hopes for this place after grabbing a Turkey Reuben and a few drinks here months ago, and finally had the chance to swing by again. I dined here on 1/21 for a late dinner with my significant other. She had the grilled veggies sandwich, and I had the BBQ Pulled Pork and a Smokin Betty's lager. About six hours later I began an all-night extravaganza keeling over in the bathoom rejecting the meal, followed by an all day visit to Pennsylvania Hospital for food poisoning. Now I'm not one to throw around the food poisoning card willy-nilly, but this was the only meal in the past 48 hours we did not have in common. Also, to note something in hindsight about the BBQ sauce... it was very sweet, more so than smokey. It is a somewhat-known restaurant trick to artificially extend the life of sauces and things to throw a handful of sugar on top to counter-act the spoilage and acidity-- which incidentally only covers the spoiled taste but does not eliminate bacteria. Luckily, you do have the option to cut across the street to Jefferson Hospital if the five blocks to Pennsylvania Hospital are a bit too much for you. Plan it out in any case-- otherwise, you might be the next guy writing this with stomach crams and a mandatory diet of Gatorade and Chicken Ramen.
(1)Jerry T.
I really like this place . . . I was unsure at first, as my first visit was just okay . . . but, after 6 or 7 more visits I can say that it has become one of my favorite stops. Excellent food (with great specials each day) - the soups and chili are excellent (the mushroom soup on a recent visit was absolutely amazing). The burgers are really some of the best in the city - and always cooked exactly as ordered. While I'm not a fan of sweet potato fries, my friends who are LOVE the one's at Betty's! Excellent beer selection with good descriptions - the staff not only knows their stuff, but they are friendly and welcoming. Service is perfect - there when you need them, not when you don't. The pulled pork sandwich is awesome, too!! Give this one a try!
(4)Wally W.
Came here for breakfast on a Saturday morning. They have really good hash browns. They're like potato strings fried and then mashed together to form a fried potato amalgam. The eggs benedict I ordered was a bit over done. The yolks weren't runny and were rather solid. The sauce was good, though. The prices were really fair and the waitresses are quick.
(4)Marie C.
Food was great and nice beer selection!
(4)Omar K.
The front of house was pleasant, but the waiter was terrible. I asked for a glass of wine, took him 15 minutes to get it over. Then, soup arrives, clearly over-microwaved and burned my mouth. Then, food arrives, half-chicken with veggies and mac and cheese. Mac and cheese: dry. Chicken: bland. Overall not a great experience hence the two stars. I wanted to give one but that would be too harsh, the place has got a decent vibe.
(2)Mario N.
I had the combo chicken and ribs and my wife had the fish tacos. Its was good. Its not the best BBQ your find but I would definitely go back. They have a great beer list and atmosphere is awesome. We sat by the big open window on the second floor. Its helps that the weather was perfect. We just kind of chilled out after dinner and even with the extra drinks it was still a cheap night out.
(3)Kinnari A.
My friends and i go here to hang out all the time. Drinks and burgers. and amazing sweet potato fries. I love their veggie burger, I get it almost every time I go there, so I highly recommend it. They also have a lot of space which means that its good for big groups.
(4)Jayna B.
This place is ideal for an easy, quick bite and has food to satisfy everyone's needs. I have taken my nephews, my friends and my boyfriend here. The food is not super fantastic but it is yummy and I find myself using this as my old standard for out of town guests on weekends. There is never a line or a wait, which might not be a good thing for them, but it is for the customers. Brunch is good for me here too because I don't eat meat and they have lots of options. They will also be creative with your meal if you ask for add ins/ subs. In fact, I went here today and enjoyed delicious and actually fresh fresh fruit. The corn muffins were probably Jif but Jif is the best so who cares? My friend ate the veggie burger and loved it, as I have during past visits. You can't beat the location but you can beat the service. Although the host people are always very smiley and nice, sometimes they aren't there when you walk in. And the totally hipster staff make it seem like they are never pleased to serve you. I can look past this because I can easily call someone over if they aren't bringing me my water fast enough but some people might not like this aspect. All in all, I will continue to eat here and enjoy it and I hope to see you there too :)
(4)Patty M.
Went for Sipz, the drinks were mehhh. THey tasted like lemonade w/out any alcohol, considering it's beer week i was disapointed with their beer selection. The pork taquitos were good though.
(2)Kayla A.
Hands down the best bbq pulled pork sandwich I have ever had. They also have really great specialty drinks that were a lot of fun trying. My boyfriend and I love coming here whenever we are looking for a place to eat in the city. I would highly recommend it to anyone!
(5)Pat A.
Big fan of Betty's. Went here last Friday night for my birthday dinner and were seated upstairs in a big booth. It was spacious and the crowd was lively at the bar. A Friday @ 6 pm in the city when the weather is nice makes for an awesome dinner / happy hour. Apps: Both the cheesesteak egg rolls and the grilled wings (with dry-rub seasoning) were very good. Drinks: nice beer selction. Domestic drafts were $2 during HH, and special kraft beers were $3. Dinner: I ordered the Angus burger medium with caramelized onions and it was very good. Took half of it home with me, as it's a good size. Going back to Betty's again this Friday for more of the same, definitely recommended.
(4)John C.
Came in here for a few drinks one night. Only sat in the bar section, which was small and intimate. The drink choice among all for the night was Original Sin Apple Cider, served in a cool drinking glass. Had a solid selection of beers on tap and cocktails. The smell of the food sailed into the room every now and then, and appetizers looked good. Hope to return soon.
(4)Francesco R.
Went for Philly Beer Week 3 course for $35. Sticky tables; like arms stick to them kind of sticky. Waiter cleaned it using a sloppy rag pulled from a pitcher. I had mussels - some never opened, others were rubber bands; the shrimp tacos - two enormous overcooked shrimp in dry crumbly tortillas; and then the brownie dessert - which was like a wafer thin piece of brown Velcro covered in the smallest spoon (not scoop) of ice cream ever. Wife had empanadas - smallest ever, then the smoked chicken - i have seen bigger finches in my life, and the same brownie since the cheesecake was sold out. Oh,,,and three really small glasses of good beer. Got ripped off for bad food. The only thing they did well was serve someone else's beer. Won't return.
(2)DeBora F.
The WORST place ever! I'm going to sum this up real quick. Not busy, no service, only water provided within the first 10-15 minutes of being seated. Unfortunately they lost a great customer and awesome tips. On to the next one.
(1)Emma N.
It's a solid 3 in my book. This place is good for Friday night dinner. The one that's doesn't make you look cheap and doesn't break the bank dinner. It has good ambiance for a group of girlfriends get together or like a good first date place if your date like Burgers. You probably can get away with less than $20 (tax and tip included) per person if you don't drink. We had the Turducken Burger, the BBQ combo, and the Fish Taco. All good solid flavors but no cigars. The Onion rings was the highlight of the BBQ combo meal. I can just eat a basket of onion rings alone and paired with a glass of their cider. Next time I'm probably going to do that for dinner and forgo the rest.
(3)Bill M.
Stopped here on a rainy Saturday Night. The place is very esthetically pleasing. There are 2 bars - 1 upstairs and 1 Down. We sat upstairs and ordered a few appetizers - Dry rubbed St. Louis Riblets and a grilled Tomato and goat cheese pizza. Both were good but the Riblets were exceptional. Table ordered a mixed bag for dinner - guys had the Angus Burgers with fries and they were very good. Also sampled was the Flame broiled Chicken Entree and it was also very good. The salad with chicken was average. The wait staff was attentive and very friendly. The place is very lively but not loud. This is a great spot for starting a night out in Philly. We will be back.
(4)Phil M.
Went there last Saturday with friends. Everyone enjoyed their food. I went old school and ordered the Turkey Platter dinner. Service was fine, drinks decent and we liked the atmosphere. Prices were reasonable too. The one negative comment I have is that our table was really sticky! The waiter wiped it clean but it stayed sticky. Guess that's what happens after years of BBQ sauce.
(3)Anandi B.
Went here when we had a hankering for bbq, and boy did it deliver! i got the half ribs with the dry rub (a gluten free option at any bbq place is rare) and the brocolini side dish was amazing. the ribs were perfect, fall off the bone tender. My friends said the pumpkin beer was an other worldly experience, and i got a mixed drink that was so smooth i forgot it had alcohol. headed back here again soon. wonderful spot!
(5)Susanne J.
Visited Smokin' Betty's last night for Restaurant Week. The meal was excellent, but I'm holding off on extra stars because there was no history of my reservation when I called to confirm. I had made it two weeks earlier. Luckily, there was no problem securing a spot for 4 at 7pm. Still, I was disappointed that my original call was all for naught. We didn't end up eating off of the RW menu. They offer 4 courses for $35 and all of us felt we wouldn't be able to eat that much food. I was also disappointed that there wasn't a burger or BBQ sandwich on the RW menu. I started with the Root of All Evil cocktail, which was a delicious mix of Root liquor, black tea, agave nectar, and fresh orange. They have a good selection of beer on tap and in bottles and there is sure to be something to suite everyone's palate, whether you're a PBR fan or like something more sophisticated. My BBQ brisket sandwich was wonderful. Tender, saucy meat on a buttered and toasted brioche bun. I loved the mix of flavor and texture. The boyfriend and I shared an order of handcut fries which were crisp and thick and seasoned well so as to not require ketchup. I didn't love the Carolina 'slaw, but I'm picky about my coleslaw having been spoiled by two decades of eating my mom's version. We finished the meal the with peanut butter and banana bread pudding. This was really, really rich and a little hard to stomach after such a hearty meal. It was very good with an almost-creamy texture. I think ice cream would have been better than whipped cream, though. I thought the dessert choices could have been a bit more varied. Chocolate mousse, triple chocolate cake, and cheesecake are all kind of similar in a sense. A simple ice cream sundae might have been a nice way to end a meal of comfort food. The atmosphere is nice, especially with the large windows open to the fall breeze. The music was a little loud for my taste, especially with all the people at the bar on a Friday night. I can't deal with loud music and obnoxious women laughing at ear-drum-splitting level. They appear to have good happy hour deals, though. The menu prices were very reasonable for the portions and the food. I'll certainly be back to tackle other menu options.
(3)Erica H.
I just left this place. We sat for 10 minutes and no one asked us if we wanted water or anything. Service was terrible and there wasn't much diversity among staff or customers. Felt uncomfortable!! Waiter watched us and never even came over to ask if we wanted water or anything. Will never ever go back!!!
(1)Christian S.
Drove past this place a million times. Stopped in Friday afternoon for lunch with a few coworkers. I ordered the combo platter with the dry rub ribs with sauce on the side. The sauce was a mild & sweet bbq sauce. The sides of Mac & Cheese and Whipped Sweet Potatoes were also good. Not my favorite BBQ establishment, but I will become a regular at this place. Besides I need to get back and sample the beers.
(4)Jackie B.
I have been to Smokin' Betty's on a few occasions, and have always left super stuffed and happy. All of the burgers I've had are amazing. What solidifies this as 5-star entry for me is the service I had there on my last visit. We chose Smokin' Betty's as the venue for a surprise party I was throwing for a friend. Because of the nature of the event, we had a lot of weird requests for our group, and the hostess handled them all with a smile. When it came time for the actual meal, our server didn't rush us at all. We sat for at least a half hour just chatting and drinking before anyone ordered. It took a little while for the food to come out, but that's to be expected with a group of 15. Everything came out perfectly, another feat for a large group order. After the meal, our server brought out the cake I had made for the evening and provided a knife and plates and just let us hang out at the table for a while longer, even though the restaurant was full. I can't thank the staff enough for a wonderful evening. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Steve S.
I had been here many times to drink, but never ate. Finally went for a business lunch and was pleasantly surprised. I had chicken noodle soup and a pulled chicken sandwich. Both were excellent. I would highly recommend it for lunch.
(4)Amanda F.
I stumbled into this restaurant on a very stormy day while visiting Philadelphia from San Francisco. First of all, as a California girl, I've never been in a storm like you guys have on the east coast, so bravo for dealing with those. Anyway, my boyfriend and I decided to have brunch and spend the afternoon there and wait it out. The restaurant is very well styled with great ambiance. There are cute vintage couches, christmas lights, dark walls and exposed brick. It has a very cozy feeling, plus the 40's music in the background made it very dreamy. The food we ordered was excellent - peaches and cream stuffed french toast, and breakfast flatbread pizza with scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese. I thought they were innovative twists on traditional brunch fare, and executed beautifully. The french toast in particular was sumptuous: creamy and fruity and cinnamon-y. The brunch drinks also had a different twist to them - instead of the traditional bloody mary's and mimosas, they had Mommy's Orange Juice (which is amaretto plus orange - which I wasn't sure would go well together, but amazingly it worked). There were also several other delicious innovative brunch drinks - of which I had many. We finished our afternoon with a slice of cheesecake before braving the conditions outside again. I will definitely go back to Smokin' Betty's the next time I'm in Philadelphia. And I will definitely check the weather the next time as well.
(5)Jose A.
Been here a few times. The design of the space is really the nicest thing about it. Downstairs can open up when it gets nice out, and the upstairs area is big, good for events, and has nice windows overlooking the street. The draft list is ok, have some decent beers on it, can't really say much more than that. The cocktails look interesting but I'm never that compelled to try them. The happy hour specials don't seem that great to me. The food is pretty good also, had the chicken and broccoli rabe sandwich last time I went which is a lot of food for a low/moderate price. It's a place though I never can get excited about.
(3)Erin W.
Came here over the weekend with a group of about 8 as it was the only place in the area that could accommodate a reservation for a group our size on a busy Saturday night. This should have been the first indication that we weren't in for a stellar time. First of all, I feel like this place is suffering from a major identity crisis. Are you a barbecue joint? Or an industrial-themed burgers and beer place? Why do you offer mussels as well as racks of ribs? Never one to shy away from a plate of mussels if available, boyfriend and I took the leap and ordered them. And they honestly weren't bad, but their place on the menu just seemed weird. There were more salads and burgers than barbecue options. I was confused from the moment we sat down, but I had plenty of time to mull things over; it took over an hour for our appetizers to arrive at the table, and another 30 minutes for our entrees. Now, I understand that on a Saturday night with a party our size, things can be slow. But the place was not packed to the gills, and several times during the wait, different servers came over with food that wasn't intended for us but for another table in what I can only guess was some sort of plan to torture us. "Who had this delicious looking plate of hot food...JUST KIDDING, NOT FOR YOU!" Everyone else's food was coming out in a timely matter, just not ours. Nor were our drinks. Luckily, my company for the evening were a lot of people who live out of town, so it provided us AMPLE time to catch up. The second offense came when a few of us tried to order a side of cornbread with our entrees, only to find out they were out cornbread, corn pie, and any other corn related corn products. This leads me to believe that even Smokin' Betty's doesn't know what it is, because no respectable barbecue place ever runs out of cornbread at 9pm on a Saturday night. It's in the constitution, look it up. The third offense is pretty ridiculous but I'm going to throw it out there anyway: the bathrooms are annoying. The toilets are in their own rooms and the sinks are in a communal spot outside of them, which would be fine except that out of the 2, one was broken and the other one had the spigot so low on the counter your hands actually touch the bottom of the sink when you're washing them off. Not hygienic in the slightest. All in all, the meal wasn't memorable, and no one at the table was raving about their food, even though we were all ravenous by the time it got to us. I'm bummed to have to be so negative about this place, because I had such high hopes. I'm guessing we caught this place on an off-night, but it was enough to turn me off. Plus, it's on the opposite side of the city. I can't say I'll make the trip back just for this place.
(2)Chris W.
This is a great place to hold private events. There are multiple areas upstairs they have dedicated for different functions I have attended on weekdays post work hours. From what I understand, they will work closely to help set up drink specials for an extended period of time while bringing out delicious appetizers whenever requested. My only complaint if the food in general runs on the heavy side but I guess that should be expected for this kind of joint. I have done happy hour here also and enjoyed the open feel that surrounds the upstairs bar. As for the food, both the BBQ wings and dry rub wings are can't miss for wings fans. They come with macaroni salad which is an afterthought of this meat. BBQ chicken pizza is nothing special (too cheesy IMO). The quesadillas are nicely balanced and have some kick to them. I've had the brisket sandwich at lunch also which is finger licking good BBQ, make sure to add on fries for a buck. A true staple of the Market East section of Philly, give it a shot.
(4)Zoe S.
What has happened to "customer service"?! I had lunch at SB today and it was fairly crowded. I am usually happy to see independent places thriving so I'm forgiving when it comes to small mishaps. However, the turkey burger I ordered today not only took a millennium to arrive (because they were busy) but it was also raw in the middle. I would have been willing to move past this if the waiter or manager or chef/cook were to sincerely apologize and take it off the check. Done. INSTEAD, the waiter gave me a look of disbelief when I complained about my raw burger as if I might be angling for a free meal . . . then scooted off to the kitchen without uttering a word of apology. She was gone forever only to come back and tell me they had put my burger back on the grill. Ew. Someone from the kitchen then delivered the burger back to the table - clearly feeling pleased that she'd fixed the situation. I didn't want a half-eaten, recooked burger. I wanted someone to acknowledge that the meat was in fact raw, apologize and tell me that, of course, I would not have to pay for undercooked food. The woman from the kitchen started making excuses that it was busy, they cooked the food too fast and didn't realize it wasn't fully cooked, could she bring me something else. YES - bring me an apology and stop making me feel like it's my fault for complaining! It's really not that difficult.
(2)Christine L.
Came to Smokin' Betty's tonight with some good friends. Overall good time. There was some holiday party in the other room, so it was really loud. Hard to talk / hear my friends over all the noise. Also, the number of people and lack of available seating meant that the hostess kept coming to ask for the extra chair at our table. I felt like the staff was a bit disoriented by the sheer number of people they had to handle. Maybe this isn't a normal occurrence, so that's okay. We had heard great things about the tur-duck-en burger. Pretty interesting! Came out tall and stacked with the cranberry relish, sweet potato ribbons, turkey patty, stuffing, gravy, all in a soft brioche(?) bun. It was a little too big to put in my mouth, and while each part separately was really good, I thought it was too ... salty overall, and a little too much for me to handle all at once. I'm going to assume all the tur-duck-en components were there, too. I couldn't discern them, so I'll go in full faith that they were there. I'm no chef, but my suggestions - 1) A little more cranberry sauce would have helped. Next time I'll ask for extra. Or another pickle. 2) Or... less stuffing/gravy? That part made the burger feel really heavy. Another friend had the Betty Burger, said similar things too. Our burgers were all good. Just a little too big and pretty messy, which detracts from the enjoyability factor. Sweet potato fries were nice. They came out a little darker than I was expecting, but were really soft, which is how I like them. Just a preference. Would have been 3.5 stars if not for the service of one of the receptionists? there. Ran after us about a block to hand us the to-go-box I'd left behind. That kind of service is rare. Props to you. If I get through my list of places to eat, I'd probably see you again, Smokin' Betty's. It'll be better to go on a less busy night. And it'd be helpful in the meantime if I can figure out how to unhinge my jaw like a snake for your burgers.
(4)Elizabeth D.
Finally went back to Smokin' Betty's after a brief visit last Center City Sips. Seemed to be only one or two servers for the whole upstairs, which was a little disconcerting. Our waiter was very apologetic though as he also had a huge party 2 tables down from us. I had their Raspberry Lemonade, which was refreshing. Husband had Arrogant Bastard Ale (WHICH WAS ON TAP!), one of his favorite brews. We split the BBQ Sliders to start. Solid appetizer - very flavorful and pretty authentic BBQ for our southern-school-attending selves. I had the Grilled Cheese (Fig Jam, Mozzarella, Prosciutto), which was wonderful. Definitely hit the spot. Also had a side of coleslaw, which was NC style - nice vinegar base. Husband had the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, which didn't wow him, but his side of Mac 'n Cheese was "amazing." I agree about the bathrooms as most people have noted. They seemed a little half assed. My stall had no toilet paper dispenser, and the seat was totally messed up. Plus, the placement of the soap dispenser is really weird. If there was more than one person washing up, it would be an awkward reach. Overall good spot for dinner. I want to go back and try the Sweet Tea Vodka cocktail & have some of those ribs...
(4)Ramen F.
Every time I go back to this place I am increasingly disappointed. Why would I spend a pretty dollar at this place when there are so many great restaurants in this area? I used to enjoy the atmosphere, but the food really ruins the experience. The burgers used to be awesome, but lately they are overcooked and the toppings are sparse. I love the pulled pork sandwiches at Devil's Alley and thought they would be similar here - huge mistake - the three mini sandwiches with different flavored fillings were not good. Each of them lacked depth of flavor and fundamental seasoning. The grilled cheese was a mess. The bread was super thickly cut and not even toasted or cooked on the grill to bring the sandwich together. The fig jam was spread on so thickly that I couldn't muster more than a few bites. Mozzarella was a poor choice for a grilled cheese because it was only half melted, stuck in clumps and fell out of the sandwich with each bite. Was great at one time. Has seriously fell from grace. An okay place to come if you just plan on drinking. I do not plan on coming back to eat.
(1)Sarah C.
The search for fish tacos continues... The fish tacos at Smokin Bettys change every day based on what kind of fish is fresh. When I went it was swordfish. They were flavorful, messy, and delicious. I will return. But I know better fish tacos exist in NYC, so I will continue the search in Philly
(4)Jessica L.
For a BBQ place their atmosphere is more on the Frat boy side. I ate here with a group that had a special menu, so my options were limited. The dry rub wings were excellent as well as the non chocolate desserts. The chocolate ones just tastes like Hersey's baking coco. The service was nice, although they confused themselves constantly with our large group.
(3)Sean G.
Who doesn't love restaurant week? We always pick a restaurant that we wouldn't typically go to and get a delighful sampler of what they have to offer during Restaurant Week. Based on a recommendation of my fiance's co-worker, we headed out to Smokin' Betty's... Food: 3.5 stars The food was pretty good. We took advantage of the menu and each ordered something different. My fiance and I tried: First-- OYSTER PO'BOY SLIDER-- Not bad. The oyster was more fried coating than oyster so it tasted like a batter slider than an oyster slider LAMB MEATBALLS-- Delicious. They were working to harness a very greek taste profile and were successful with the meat and pea puree and raita sauce Second-- CHICKEN & POTATO SOUP-- The bowl was topped with a buttermilk biscuit which was delicious. Sadly the soup was only luke warm... FRIED GREEN TOMATO SALAD-- The tomatoes were delicious but the salad as a whole was under-dressed Entree-- BEEF SHORT RIB-- The short rib was delicious. Portions of the meal were too salty and likely canned instead of made from scratch. You can always taste when something isn't fresh. The polenta was good but the salty Jus overwhelmed everything JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKE-- The roasted beet risotto felt short of the mark. It was a good idea that really didn't pan out. The slaw was ok and the Crab Cake was large but lack luster Dessert-- Go with the APPLE PIE Ã la MODE-- It comes with vanilla bean ice cream and avoid the CHOCOLATE DIPPED BACON & CARAMEL POPCORN (gross!) Service: 3.0 stars They was one waitress working the the evening crowd. She could only do one thing at a time, which is an issue for anyone with this job. Drinks were left empty for long periods of time, food was brought out luke warm, and the general attention to any detail was poor. You can always tell when someone doesn't take pride or really care about what they do. Ambiance: 4.0 stars The restaurant was very well done inside. The vibe reminded me of a more west coast style restaurant and the decor was unique compared to other restaurants. Price: 4.0 stars $35 per person (without drinks) makes Restaurant Week a good deal for the amount of food you get. Location: 4.0 stars 11th and Sansom Overall: 3.0 stars The restaurant was cool and a good, new experience for Restaurant Week. The food had its highs and lows but combined with the service, the overall experience was middle of the road. The only thing that will draw us back to Smokin' Betty's is their extensive Lunch and Dinner menus. There are better options for restaurant week but Smokin' Betty's might be a good option if you're impressed with their regular menu.
(3)Stephanie Y.
I've been here twice for sips and I can't get enough of it. Upstairs is crazy busy and crowded. I'm only 5ft tall and I even had a hard time getting through without spilling some of my precious beer. I got a chance to try the Shandy, which is perfect in the hot and humid weather. It's very refreshing and goes down easy. Also, you need to order the trio sliders and the spice rubbed wings. Sometimes the wings are a little burnt, but overall they go well with the beers and the wings are pretty juicy and tender.
(4)Jim L.
More or less a hipper version of TGI Fridays. First, a couple of positives. The pub like atmosphere is cool and the wait staff is pretty hip and cool. They have a nice, extensive beer list, able to please any taste. The place is kid friendly and this was important to my girl and I as we were entertaining a visitor with two little boys. There is a kids' menu with the usual chicken fingers and grilled cheese kids' fare. The big negative here is the food itself. I ordered a rack of St. Louis ribs with dry rub and a side of barbecue sauce. What I got was a meaty rack of overly cooked, dry ribs with a side of what seemed more like ketchup than barbecue sauce. This is supposed to be a barbecue joint. There was nothing at all succulent about the barbecue I was served. The sides I chose were decent at best, mixed vegetable medley and the potato latkes. The two ladies I was with didn't fare much better. My girlfriend ordered the barbecued chicken and complained that her dish was dry and was served cold. Our friend ordered the fish tacos. She seemed to be fine with the ingredients but had the same complaint that her dish was served cold. Perhaps we adults should have taken the lead of the two children we were with. They seemed quite content with their sides of french fries and baked macaroni and cheese. As for me and my barbecue experience, let's just say I've had a lot better.
(2)Nisa G.
Good place for happy hour. Beer selection is OK, wine not so much. Food, I would not recommend. The barbecue tastes reheated everytime I go. It tastes like they are preparing this food way too far in advance, forcing them to constantly reheat. Nothing fresh about the barbecue. Sauce tastes store bought. Service is ok. Nothing out of the ordinary here. Most people go for the outside seating and atmosphere. Location is convenient also.
(3)Matt S.
Went for brunch on Sunday. Nice staff, very accomodating. Had the best Cobb salad ever! Also try the BBQ sliders, amazing!! Can't wait to go back. Same owners as Devil's Alley.
(4)Stephanie S.
I've been there 2 times the food is great but the service sucked both times!
(2)Heesun K.
Happy Hour!!! 5pm-7pm =) Had a drink called Paradise Kitty ($4) - mango puree with mango liquor and citrus something...anyways, I couldn't taste any alcohol but i loved the texture and the flavor. For h.h.appetizer, I had Vegetarian Quesadillas - mushroom,onions,bell peppers with chopped tomatoes, sour cream and shredded cabbage. Unique to any other quesadillas i've ever had. delicious and satisfied my veggie craving since I was overwhelmed with the riblets. For the main entree, I had Smoking' Betty's Riblet. I liked how they were bite-size but the BBQ sauce was too sweet for me. Tasted the smokey-ness at the end of each bite, but knew it wasn't for me. I would definitely go back for another Happy Hour and maybe to try the sliders/burgers.
(4)Katherine C.
The space is beautiful and very hip. I was expecting a lot more though from the food. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and it really was quite flavorless. I had to add extra sauce just to give it a little umphf. My friend ordered the Portabella sandwich and she also was unimpressed. The service started out a little shaky but by the end of the night our server was on point and did a great job. I would go here for drinks but probably not for food.
(2)Michael P.
I went here with a group of fellow yelpers to try it out. Our focus was on the burgers, but I absolutely need to get back there to try the barbecue options. I have to agree with previous reviews that suggest that Smokin Betty's doesn't look open. The dark glass and lightly used first floor combine with the lack of signage. If the windows are open on the second floor you can tell its there, otherwise its looks closed. Even if you walk in, it initially looks empty, but then the hostess greets you and takes you upstairs. It's a big, airy space, lined with windows that can be opened to the outdoors. There's bar by the top of the stairs, and surrounded by a few semi-divided dining room. Waist high walls are a great way to take a big space and make it feel more intimate and private, even if you can hear every bit of chatter from across the room. The bar has a nice range of micros, and I really like the betty blonde, which was on happy hour special. It also has the Ithaca Apricot Wheat, which takes me back to my college days, and is starting to pop up in more places in Philly. They also have beer cocktails that have been garnering some attention, but I did not try them. We split some appetizers, including a tasty beet salad and the very good sliders, which could almost be an entree. The cheesesteak eggrolls were better than most I've had, most of the time feel like they just slap some steakum in a wonton wrapper, but these actually had a good flavor and texture. They come with spicy ketchup, which i'm guessing is straight out of the heinz bottle, as it was barely spicy. I also tried the onion rings, which were pretty good. I had the Lamb burger, which came out nicely tender and moist, The "yogurt cucumber mint sauce" is kind of an odd way to say "Tzatziki", but its a good pairing here. The burger was substantial, and almost justified the price. If the cheese and sides weren't extra, it might not feel quite as bad, but its always a cardinal sin in my book to charge extra for sides with a sandwich, especially one that costs more than $10. Our waitress was attentive, and but may have confused some similar orders. She was fast to notice extra drinks, and to get food out from the kitchen. She was also well versed on the menu, always a good sign for a relatively new restaurant. Overall, I enjoyed Smokin' Betty's, but found it a bit expensive. I guess that comes with the center city territory. On the other hand, the barbecue menu looks a bit more reasonably priced, so I'll have to get back to try that, and potentially update this review.
(4)Meredith W.
I've gone here a bunch of times with friends and had a good time. Its menu is good (but not exciting) and the specials are great. While it is a decent option in Center City, I did have one not great experience. I took my grandmother to Betty's a few weeks ago, for a pre-show dinner (Walnut Street Theater date!). The food was fine, but the service was pretty short and snarky. She's very spry, but I was a little disappointed when they made us go upstairs, when there were plenty of table down stairs. She could climb the stairs, but it would have been better had she not had to. Also, the waitress was also very impatient and short. She might have been disappointed in our low bar tab, but it seemed geared to my mom-mom. While I realize Betty's might not be seeking the octogenarian crowd, I would hope they would be just as warm and friendly with us as they are when I'm there with younger people.
(3)Matthew A.
Food was good but service slowwwwwww!!!!! 3 beers in 2 hours?!?! Really?????
(2)Rob S.
Should be called not so smokin bettys!! Betty wasn't too hot today! Probably the worst brunch experience I've ever had. I work at one of the local large hotel chains in the area and my concierge sends people here often. I will be sure to tell them about my experience today. We were the first people in the restaurant this morning and I would have thought we would have the freshest food and cleanest table. We sit down and the table was sticky and we literally had to peel the menus off the table. Place had a cool vibe for sure but I definitely had a dirty, not well maintained feeling throughout the entire experience. My wife had some brown gooey stuff on the inside of her coffee cup. If looked and felt like peanut butter - we sent this back right way! I then went to the bathroom and there were nats everywhere! Disgusting!! So back to the food. We ordered the corn bread muffins. Jiffy anyone??? Well that's what they tasted like; just like jiffy muffins!! Dry and crumbled apart when broke open. The jalepeno butter they came with sounded great but it was so cold it was inedible. When you get warm muffins you should get warm butter with them. What a shame! We then ordered the brunch special which were breakfast tacos. We also got the Betty's burger. The tacos were pretty bad. The shell was a pancake that was dry, tasteless and spongy. My wife only had a few bites and didn't eat the rest. The burger I ordered wasn't all that great either. While the actually burger was tasty the runny egg that was supposed to be on it was dry and way over cooked. The pork belly that was on the burger was extremely dry and stringy. I only ate the burger and left everything else on the plate. What a shame is what my wife said because the place looks really cool and I'm sure it's a nice spot to grab drinks, but I don't think I'll be giving the food another try. Sorry Betty!
(1)Kerry B.
I've been to smokin betty's a few times. Always enjoyed what i've eaten! The hotess was a bit rude, and it was FREEZING in the front room when the doors opened (and then wouldn't shut). Ask to sit somewhere else!
(4)erin o.
First visit was lunch with a woman whose opinion I really value. I noticed this place while it was being renovated, because they sure did put in a LOT of windows! Little did I know I only knew the half of it... A first glance at the menu online peaked my curiosity enough to suggest this for a Friday lunch date with said cool lady. Lunch happened at high noon on an extremely cold winter day, but even so, I expected more of a crowd. " Hopefully it's the economy and not the quality of the food/service," I thought to myself. We were greeted and seated quickly at an unsteady table upstairs. It was no match for 6 sugar packets and the napkin that was already doing duty under the table leg. Service staff was also attentive and pleasant. The food was less than I expected because I was very impressed by the skylight and the decor, which I considered to be minimalist but cool. I ordered the pulled porked BBQ sandwich, which admittedly has tough competition from what my brother in law makes at home, but it was a little dry and didn't have as robust a flavor as I might have hoped. Cool lady friend ordered the cobb salad, which looked decent. I was trying to be good and got a side salad, which wasn't remotely fresh or interesting. I'd go there again to try some of their other food and for happy hour. It is a nice open space and ADA accessible, so it possesses qualities I like in a happy hour bar.
(3)Zippy G.
Was visiting Philly with my daughter to check out colleges and needed a casual, vegetarian-friendly place within walking distance of our hotel, which had given us a list of nearby restaurants including Smokin' Betty's. I previewed the menu online and it seemed to be a good choice so we headed over. BOY am I glad we did -- great beer selection and a knowledgeable helpful bartender, Nick, who also happened to be our server. He was generous with recommendations but not at all pushy, and candidly said when something wasn't his favorite. When I asked about something that WAS his favorite, he was so generous with his praise that I had to order it, and I'm glad I did -- the buffalo chicken sandwich was the perfect combo of spicy, tangy, crunchy; every bit as delicious as Nick said it was! Daughter wasn't super-hungry and the kids' serving of mac 'n cheese was generous and hit the spot, but mine was so good I felt the need to spread the word! My only regret is that I was too full for dessert -- everything sounded fresh, creative and delicious and I'm sure I'll regret passing it up in an hour or so! I will definitely visit again, so you Philadelphians need to support this restaurant so it's still around the next time I come to town!
(5)Rachel S.
What a pleasant surprise! My friends and I went a few weeks ago for the first time to celebrate one of the gang's birthday and had such a great experience. The decor certainly wasn't what I expected from a BBQ joint, but it the upscale, chic appeal definitely added to our experience. The prices are very reasonable for the size and quality of the food (and drinks!). By the end of the night, our table was littered with sauce-soaked napkins as we all dug in and shared our delicious meal together. We sat on the 2nd floor which had lovely views of the city. Our server was very accommodating and managed a busy night very well. The one downside: awkward bathrooms. We tried so much on the menu and not one thing was disappointing. Yum!
(4)Sophia S.
I've been here for drinks and much enjoyed it. However, I was less impressed by a recent brunch visit. It felt like I was in a bar trying to do brunch--they didn't quite have it down. Things like continually running out of coffee (it happened 3 times and they were not packed, big faux pas), having a very small brunch menu, and underwhelming home fries tell me they're kinda half-assing brunch.
(3)Cat N.
Good atmosphere, decent food, but nothing to write home about. Party for ten on NCAA Saturday night. The bar had the game on (yay) and we were seated upstairs at a long table with a booth on one side, but it was comfortable. We waited a while for some rounds of drinks to come out, but the place was pretty busy so perhaps to be expected. Good beer selection and some fun mixed drinks. The portions were pretty enormous... half-chicken came with a ton of other food; the bowl of chili was enormous (topped with delicious and fresh guac and sour cream); side of flourless corn souffle was tiny but aweeeesome; the burger-eaters said they were decent, and the fish taco-eaters were very happy.
(2)Meg B.
Went to Smokin Bettys this afternoon for lunch with some co-workers. As I entered, I was pleased by the set up and decor- i'm always a fan of modern, hardwood, exposed wood- etc. We were seated upstairs. They had a nice bar set up and some flat screens- I wasn't really feeling the view I had from the side of the booth I was sititng- it looked to a warn down pink building on the other side of Samson- made me feel like I was looking out to somewhere in Mexico or something. Since I'm trying to stick with my new years resolution- I only ordered the house salad with grilled chicken- It was good- nothing out of the norm for a house salad. Friends of mine had the pork sliders- they looked good and they both enjoyed them. Some other selections were the Turkey and apple chilli and baby ribs- Everything was enjoyed by the table. They had a nice variety of drinks on their menu- unique beer choices and fun fruity drink concoctions. I was boring and just went with some wine. Overall, I'd go back- they had a nice atmosphere and crowd there and the food choices could satisfy anyone.
(3)Chris W.
Smokin' Betty's doesn't disappoint. I tried Betty's during the summer for CC sips and I was impressed. I wanted to wait to write a review until I tried the turducken burger. The atmosphere is clean and gives off a warm vibe. The layout, decor, and lighting are very inviting. The high ceilings gives a relaxing and open feeling. The bathrooms like most of the newer establishments I've been to are unisex. I don't mind unisex bathrooms, I actually think they're better because it reduces or completely eliminates a wait. The drinks are great! The beer on draft is always good. The cocktails are clever and delicious. The food is usually great. Unfortunately I finally was able to try the turducken burger and I wasn't impressed. It seemed too dry and the cranberry sauce was a little bland. So.. I'll be sticking to the BBQ, because it is very good and I recommend it. Smokin' Betty's is a great place for a bite to eat and drinks with friends. Its a good atmosphere for a laid back conversation.
(4)Fernanda K.
I didn't eat here, but they said the food was great. Nice happy hour specials. On the casual dressy place, seems like an after-work hangout for business people. With a name like that, you'd think it could be a little edgier, but alas, it is not.
(3)KJ S.
I had heard great things about this place, but I wasn't blown away. The food was good, not amazing. The sweet potato fries were very salty! The BBQ pulled pork sandwich was average. The grilled cheese was only average too. The atmosphere was very loud and we had to shout across the table to hear each other, but it was a Saturday night. Surprisingly, the prices were pretty good for a center city restaurant.
(3)Omar K.
I've only been here for dinner and drinks, and instantly became a fan due to the food. Drink selection is typical, nothing really special about the bar, but the overall restaurant has a cool atmosphere. I recommend on checking out the place. I would have given the place a 5 star rating, but I felt the service was slower than usual. Maybe I just have my standard set too high.
(4)Jennifer T.
I just tried Smokin Betty's for the first time for restaurant week, and I was surprised at how much I loved this place! Not going to lie, restaurant week has been a bit disappointing these past couple of years and I usually opt out. My friends convinced me to go try this place, though, since they had such a tempting menu, and I am ever so grateful that I went! Their BBQ is seriously so good. I don't like a ton of sauce on my BBQ meats because I like to taste the meat. I'm also particular about the fat content and the amount of smoke flavor/bark on my meat. It can't be overly fatty but still fatty enough to be moist and flavorful. The smoke flavor should also be present enough so that it doesn't taste like it's just been boiled. Smokin Betty's totally delivered on all aspects for me. I ordered the cola short ribs off the RW menu and my husband who opted out of the RW menu ordered the ribs off their normal menu. Both were absolutely delicious! I also ordered the sliders with crab and a cheese stuffed fried green tomato/frisée salad for the first 2 courses and the Apple cobbler for dessert. Everything was really good and service was great. My only 2 complaints with the whole evening, which my friends also agreed with me, were with the presentations of their food and the quality of their drinks. The food was great but the presentation was definitely lacking. Our two small sliders were served on a huge blank plate, as was our BBQ main course. It looked like I had taken a plate from a buffet and just plopped the food on it. It didn't take away from the taste, but I was a bit disappointed in this minor thing. As for their drinks, the sangria was not that flavorful and my friend who tried 3 different cocktails from their suggested list, also wasn't impressed with any of the drinks. Overall, I was impressed with their BBQ and would definitely go back again.
(4)Hoang T.
Went here a few times since it was easy to find parking. The restaurant is divided with a bar and dining area. The dining room was a bit dark the times I've dined there. They had a policy of not seating a party unless everyone was present. I understand the rules... But I think those rules are meant for very busy restaurants. The 2-3 times I came were Saturday nights and place was almost empty except for the bar side. Awkward.... The food is decent BBQ joint. I guess it's a fancier famous Dave's but slightly smaller portions. Service was prompt considering we were the only large party [4, and 6 the second time]. Others tables were on dates. Tried the BBQ combo, short ribs taco and the traditional sides. Food was good as I recall. Overall, it wasn't the best, but not the worse. I think I'd prob eat here before fette sau, but prob goto fette sau for the up tempo environment depending on my mood. I guess it boils down to what type of night/meal you're into! 1 star knocked down BC I remember it being a bit dirty and tables not cleaned off throughout the meal. And the awkward waiting for party to be all present with a near empty dining room.
(3)Sabrina W.
I cannot say enough good things about Smokin Bettty's! THANK YOU to the amazing manager and our awesome server (I am horrible with names) who managed to accommodate our huge group of 25 on a Friday night at 5:30pm with only 15 minutes notice. (Another restaurant cancelled on me at 5:00pm, so I was scrambling for any restaurant to host a birthday surprise!) Upon arrival, we were greeted and led upstairs where everything was all set up for us - including ice waters and menus. Our server was quick, friendly and engaging. If you ever need a place for a large group event, this is the place - quick service and excellent management. Prices were very reasonable, especially with their happy hour drinks/snacks. Food/Drinks: - Berry Lemonade ($5 HH) A little on the sweeter side (which I didn't mind), but keep watch of how many of these little suckers you down - BBQ Wings ($4 HH) Flavorful BBQ sauce that is perfectly grilled. Definitely a good bang for your buck if you're stopping by just for a nibble - BBQ Combo ($16) Includes 3-4 ribs, grilled chicken & 2 sides; I was a little disappointed in how few ribs there were, but I guess that's a result of ordering the combo and not just the ribs. However, the ribs & chicken were both AMAZING. Tender, fall off the bone meat that is just oozing with flavor. This was a great option for me and a friend to share with the addition of an appetizer. - Grilled Vegetable Risotto ($13) I didn't order this one myself, but a friend did and I have to admit I probably ate at least a third of it. Probably one of my favorite (if not my favorite) risottos I've ever had. Atmosphere: - Large space; downstairs & upstairs seating and is not too cramped - Great service; quick and efficient communication - Excellent happy hours specials (M-F)
(5)Tisha S.
Seth was our waiter. It took a minute for him to get to us, but he was working the whole floor. Let me back up. Sit upstairs when you come. it is great to sit and people watch, have the breeze come in on you and just say AAAAHHHH...We came after my youngest sister graduation and walked all the way from south broad....we were hungry and thirsty. Ok, back to Seth. Whoever hired him needs a pat on the back and needs to give him a raise. He was a riot and then some. Very professional with just enough silly to keep us going. He dealt with our requests with smiles and laughter and such flair. He described the items so well we had images of the food in our heads.. once he got going he was quick, kept checking on us and having fun. Now the food. man. heaven. the mac and cheese...the cornbread and jalapeno butter...portions were great, food was tender.. some appetizers were a bit cool vs hot, but the flavor was great. We enjoyed it all. I can't say what was the best though as we loved it all. My mom is a Baker and she loved the cake. She doesn't like many places cake since she knows what it should be like, but she loved yours! the fresh ice cream was awesome. it even had that ice cream machine taste.. if you ever had fresh ice cream you know what i mean!! i could go on and on. but this is a must stop if your in philly...
(5)Nicole V.
We came at 5:30 with a group of 6 people for a 22nd birthday. We were seated upstairs in a large booth. The only reason why this restaurant isn't getting 5 stars is the bathroom. I don't mind unisex bathrooms. It's a nifty idea. However, I am not ok with 3 of the 6 bathrooms being out of order, and the rest of them not having toilet paper. You have one bathroom. In my opinion there is no excuse why a very large, fairly nice restaurant can't keep the one bathroom they have clean. Regardless of the toilet paper shortage, we had a great experience at this restaurant. Our waiter was pleasant, informative, and attentive. We had a round of draft beers and sangrias. The sangrias were an interesting twist on the concept of sangrias, and they were really great. The features draft was 3 bucks, and yuengling for 2 dollars. That's an awesome deal! They also had everything gluten free marked on the menu, which is wonderful for me because I don't need to play 20 questions to eat! The only screwed up a little in that department though. I told them I was gluten free and ordered my food. I ended up with pasta salad on my plate. I don't really care because I just didn't eat it. But, I feel some people probably would care. I would go back again in a heart beat. I thought the sangria was great, the dry rub wings were perfectly cooked, and the grilled vegetables were flavorful and plentiful.
(4)Rachel B.
Good food. They seem to get overwhelmed with large crowds....They were definitely understaffed during Sunday afternoon brunch. Drinks are strong.
(4)Herbie H.
I ended up dining at Smokin Bettys twice within one weekend (once with my mom while she was in town for a conference, and then with my whole family a few days later while they were visiting.) The fact that I was here twice over 72 hours speaks to Smokin Betty's appeal. It's comfort food with some great options for both the more adventurous and reserved eaters. Visit 1: Friday, happy hour Mom & I had a great visit. We enjoyed $4 wine, a cheesesteak eggroll as an appetizer, and then split two entrees: Braised Short Rib Tacos & the Marinated Grilled Vegetable Risotto. We enjoyed everything we ordered. The cheesesteak eggroll is what you would expect, but enjoyable nonetheless. The tacos were great. Tons of flavor and the short rib was tender. I was surprised by the Risotto. I wasn't expecting to be blown away by perfect and creamy risotto, but they did a better-than-expected job. The vegetables had a lot of flavor and the balsamic reduction & basil puree added some nice bright spots. Not your average vegetarian dish! Visit 2: Sunday, dinner My mom enjoyed her short rib tacos so much that she ordered them again, just 2 days later. I chose to try a sandwich and went with the Grilled Chicken & Broccoli Rabe sandwich. The sandwich was really delicious and had a lot of flavor. The chicken was tender and had a nice grilled taste. I chose sweet potato fries as my side, and they were great. Salty and crispy. My dad went for a burger, which he liked a lot. My sister ordered the pulled pork sandwich, and liked hers a lot, too. Service both times was friendly and quick. Our servers both times were easygoing and knowledgeable of the menu.
(4)Kareem M.
Great brunch and good beer list. Loved the egg sandwich with avacado. Bread was very soft and tasty. Eggs were perfect. Great soul music too. Relaxed atmosphere. Try the sweet potatoe hash browns and beermosa.
(4)Nazee Z.
Came here for happy hr with a friend and found myself feeling kinda eh about the food we got. we tried pulled pork sliders, mac and cheese, and cheesesteak egg rolls. Maybe it was just me, but everything had this strange gritty feel to it, as if it was kept frozen and then heated up--especially the cheesesteak eggrolls. The mac and cheese was creamy, but I felt that the sauce had no flavor, and again had this weirdddd gritty feeling to it! cheesesteak eggrolls were also ok, had no flavor! I think this is the kind of place where you should just get a damn burger. The best thing we had was the pulled pork sliders, so that kinda makes me feel like I should lean towards the meat here (heh, heh, hehhhh....)
(3)Nancy N.
Boyfriend took me here for Restaurant Week but of course, we ended up not ordering from the Prefix Menu. We got cheesesteak egg rolls as an app. Delish! But you don't get that many. I got the Betty Burger with fries. So flavorful and made perfectly. I also got a side of cornbread with some delicious homemade butter they have, YUM-MY!!! The boyfriend got ribs/chicken platter. So good! And so much food! Very happy with this place! I came back another time for Center City Sips... it was crowded so we went upstairs. It was so hot,uncomfortable, and the service sucked. My girlfriends were disappointed since I talked this place up so much.
(4)Kim L.
My friend brought me here after looking up for suggestions of good food after our own tour or Philly in the area. We came on a week night and in time for Happy Hour. We started off the night with a Happy Hour quesadilla, a cute small dish to whet our appetites before moving onto our Betty Burger and BBQ dishes. What an undertaking. I have to say, portions are nice and flavor was totally there. We loved every bite of our dishes and still managed to order a pumpkin and chocolate bread pudding to finish up the night and carry ourselves out of the restaurant. I read a review about poor service but the guy who helped us out was really great; checked up on us at the right times and gave good suggestions along the way. Overall great experience and food. Definitely will come back when I'm in the area!
(4)Fawn M.
We went on a Friday night for dinner, we had 7:30 reservations - we were seated within 5 minutes. For an appetizer we had the wings, delicious!!!! For our entrée he had the roast pork and I had the bbq sampler, both were ok - the best part of the meal were the wings. We were originally supposed to be upstairs but asked if we could still downstairs after noticing how noisy it was upstairs. Our service was good, not over the moon great, but good. This would not be on my list of top places to visit again for dinner - I have been here before for lunch and enjoyed the experience much better during that visit.
(3)Rose F.
Serve brunch until three? Don't mind if I do. The sweet potato hash browns are amazing! I would suggest ordering anything that happens to also come with the hash browns. The cottage fries are also good but expect circular fries.
(4)Casey S.
Had a corporate event here and the top floor was rented out the top floor for us. It was a neat place upstairs and I liked how the bar and tables were set up. It was a nice spring day so all of the windows were open which made it feel like we were outside. The bartenders were attentive and friendly occasionally joking with the customers. The happy hour prices were good and k enjoyed the sangria. The berry lemonade on the other hand was pretty much flavorless. Now to the food. Four appetizers were ordered for us. All in all I must say the food is terrible. We had plantain chips which were mostly soggy and soaking in grease with black bean mango salsa which had no distinguishable flavor. Limp looking cheese quesadilla. Tried to spice them up with salsa but that was watery and flavorless. Next the buffalo chicken meatballs which had the worst texture i had ever eaten and tasted like nothing except sauce. It was orange and called buffalo but again tasted like nothing. Finally, the only good thing on the table, jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon. The pepper was well cooked and charter and the bacon was tasty and crispy. Certainly would never eat here again. Would maybe consider it for a drink but that's about it.
(2)Faina D.
We came in after an appointment at Jefferson being that it's right across the street. It was clearly that lull before dinner time or just a rainy afternoon (5PM). Ordered light with fish tacos, mash potatoes (had a craving) and sweet potato fries. All of it was good esp. the tacos, sweet potato fries were a little too oily. My complaint is that it was clearly not a busy time and the food took a long time and I felt like we out waitress gave us very little attention. Overall I would probably not come back because I wasn't blown away and there's simply too many places to try in philly! I am sure the ambiance and hopefully service is better during more normal hours but can't help imagine it would only be worse when it's busy (rationale, right?).
(3)Kristen M.
Smokin' Betty's has been on my radar for quite some time; I am a big fan of comfort food. I came here with a group of 9 for brunch Sunday morning. We had a reservation for 10:15, but we didn't need it because when we entered we were the only party there. I had the country biscuit and sausage gravy with sweet potatoes, it was underwhelming and the biscuit was really dry. Several others at the table got the breakfast burrito and the standard Betty's breakfast with two eggs, fries and breakfast meats. The food took quite a while to come considering it was breakfast and we were the only group in the restaurant. It was nice to be able to seat such a large group for brunch without a wait, but there are definitely better brunch spots in Philly.
(2)Eunni C.
Wanted to get some brunch as newbie in Philly, we googled this place and went on Sunday. Place was really crowded, but it was big so we waited just little. I got egg while omelette and he got the burger. My omelette was ok but I probably could make that one. He liked the burger and enjoyed fries too but we never went back there for their burger. Maybe Philly has too many burger places.
(3)Joycelin W.
3.5 stars! I wasn't super hungry but I didn't want a salad and couldn't decide between the sandwiches, so I got the BBQ sliders -- beef brisket, pulled pork and pulled chicken. All three were tasty, but the brisket was my favorite by far. Texture was perfect and I wish I had more! The coleslaw that came with it was good, nothing too special. The presentation though...el oh el. Let's just say that it left a lot to be desired. The restaurant itself is really nice, bright and spacious, so this plate of sloppily presented sliders and coleslaw just looked out of place, almost like it had escaped a middle school cafeteria. But other than that, food and service were both pretty good. My friend got the Betty burger which looked pretty amazing, I'll probably get that (or the tur-duck-en burger which people talk about) if I come back.
(3)Allison G.
I've been here a few times for sips and happy hour, and tried it for dinner for the first time last week. I knew it was pretty big, and was hoping we'd be able to sit down right away, which (yay) we did. We got our drinks and food quickly, and our server was friendly. I had Betty's grilled cheese- grilled tomato and mozzarella on a ciabatta. It was delicious, but more of a panini than a grilled cheese? No biggie- it was melty and yummy. Overall, it was pretty much what I expected. The only downside was it was pretty warm in there.
(3)Kimberly C.
I went with a few friends after work for Center City Sips. (Side note: if you want to try different restaurants for a great price restaurant week is the best time to do this but Center City Sips is a close 2nd. You get $3, $4 & $5 drink specials plus 1/2 priced appetizers. A great way to get out for those of us on a budget!) Anyway, back to this place. DRINKS: I wouldn't recommend it. If you do, be sure to say no ice. The drinks were really weak. I'm not a drinker but I had two cocktails and it was like drinking that once coveted ice cold glass of Pepsi after the ice has melted and the fizz is all gone. FOOD: This is where the money is. Since we went for Sips, we all stuck with the appetizers. We ordered the dry rub riblets, cheesesteak quesadilla, grilled bbq wings and these pulled pork sliders. Everything was really good! The only exception was that the riblets were a little bland but smoky and really tender. Sauce made a huge difference. My interest is peaked I would definitely go back. ATMOSPHERE: I'm not sure yet. It seemed like the people that were dining in had pretty good service. The setting upstairs was shear chaos. It may have just been the set up for sips but you had to order your drink and your appetizer at the bar. If you weren't actually sitting at the bar you had to stand behind those who were and flag down a bartender to take your order. I will definitely give this place another try. I'll just stay clear of the bar.
(3)Emily K.
Food is extremely average. The best thing I had was bread pudding and I wish it came with ice cream instead of being charged 2.00 for one scoop that was small enough for a toddler. I had the pulled pork and my boyfriend had the chicken and ribs. Both were something that uou can easily get at a Boston market. Just priced higher. Service was good and ambience was good too.
(2)Lauren C.
I came here during lunch one day to meet a girlfriend. Contrary to its usual crazy-bar-ness, it was pretty quiet which kind of felt weird, but I liked it. We sat upstairs and enjoyed a really great meal. I ordered the Mahi tacos which were cooked really well, and all around tasty. Given the pricepoint, I was kind of expecting them to be bigger though? Either that or they need a side or something. They looked sad on the plate all by themselves (2 tacos). My friend got the Cobb salad and sweet potato fries which she really enjoyed, and i poached some of her fries to liven up my tacos a bit. The fries were un-freaking-real; SO tasty and definitely made in-house. All in all, this place has me intrigued. I'd go back for sure! Just have to play around with the menu a bit.
(4)Kelsey S.
Smokin Betty's is always a solid choice for brunch, lunch, or just drinks. As a Jefferson student, I have come here a bunch of times in between or after classes. The service and food are MUCH better than some of the neighboring places (milkboy). I recommend getting the chili because I love how it is served with cornbread on the side. As for brunch, the whole wheat pancakes were top notch, and even better paired with a mimosa.
(4)Amanda M.
On a bitter cold Saturday night, Smokin' Bettys was emitting a warm glow that seemed to promise belly-warming soul food, so stopping in was an easy decision. I'd walked by this place many times and figured it was as good a night as any to finally go inside. The decor downstairs was beautiful, and I was surprised to find the place almost completely empty. Despite the lack of a crowd, we were seated upstairs, right next to a large family and under chilly, draft-prone windows. I was disappointed in the seating, but unfortunately the disappointment didn't stop there. With a name like Smokin' Bettys, I expected smokin' flavor. However, my mahi-mahi tacos were totally lame, served with a bland concoction of fillers on old tortillas that attempted to hide tiny pieces of fish. My boyfriend ordered the beef brisket and loved it, and I enjoyed his sweet potato fries on the side, but even the other sides we ordered - mac and cheese and corn muffins - left quite a bit to be desired. The bill was reasonable, and we left full - I think I'll just have to be more selective if I return!
(2)Helena B.
I had the turducken and Alex had the angus burger, medium. We also tried the philly cheese steak egg rolls. The server was awesome--very awkward, but totally on point and very kind. He brought our beers and was patient was we waited for happy hour to kick in. Happy hour is reasonable for food, but the $2 Yuengling was what caught my eye. The Philly egg rolls I'd pass on next time. They're EXACTLY what they sound like, but once they hit your tongue, they don't taste that good... The turducken was...interesting. I obviously didn't order this to be "healthy" but this fucking thing is a guaranteed coronary. I had a quarter of it and got the rest to go. The fries were fantastic. The angus burger was cooked perfectly medium. It was juicy and delicious. The sweet potato fries were very good, and crunchy! I'd come here again for the food. -1 star for the helicopters and the emergency cars going to Jefferson...noisy!
(4)Liz F.
Just went to Smokin' Betty's for lunch and was extremely pleased! I had the red quinoa and chickpea salad with grilled chicken. It was delicious. The spinach was extremely fresh and each part of the salad was prepared with precision. I also ate most of my boyfriend's sweet potato fries. As a self admitting sweet potato fries addict, these were some of the best I've had in Philly. They were thick cut and cooked to the ideal crisp. We also had a cup of the veggie chili. It was thick yet not too over the top and filling that it kept us from eating out meals. I loved that it came in a mug, perfect for a snowy afternoon. The staff was also extremely attentive and helpful in deciding what to order and what specials were offered. I think it's pretty safe to say I'll be back soon!
(5)Stacey G.
Excellent goat cheese and fried green tomato bruschetta!!! You must get this when you come here, even if you're just grabbing a drink. Veggie burger sliders were okay. Excellent staff!!
(4)Victoria S.
This place was a diamond in the rough after running around town all morning. We were leaving to head back to Baltimore, and I wanted a fun cute place for brunch. We came across this place and everything was great as soon as we walked in the door. First of all, the smell was out of this world. Pumpkin, cozy, I just wanted to wrap up in a blanket and stay there all day. The hostess was friendly, and said it would only be a 5 minute wait. We sat in a half booth/table over towards the kitchen. The place was packed with lots of large groups. The cocktails looked awesome. I opted for a bloody mary, which was great! Just the right mix of spicy and kick. For breakfast, we ordered eggs benedict, and the sweet potato hash and salmon, which I LOVED. It was smoked salmon but heated up just the way I like it. Their usual sweet potato hash was tossed with carmelized onions and bacon pieces. It came with a sunny side egg on top which just tied the whole thing together. Everything we saw brought out looked great. The lunch menu looks more comfort food and I wish that was available also because I was not sure if I wanted breakfast when I walked in but I sure was glad I did. Loved the atmosphere.
(4)Dan D.
The service was better then the pulled pork but maybe that is where I went wrong. After talking to some friends after the fact, I think I need to give this food another shot.
(3)Sue U.
I didn't know what I was expecting but was definitely pleased with order selection, quality of our drinks and food.
(4)Jessica W.
We went to Smokin' Betty's to celebrate a friend's birthday. She loves the restaurant and wanted us to try it. We had great service and delicious food. We had an early dinner reservation on a Friday, and it was pretty quiet at that time.
(3)Melody M.
Just ok. Came in for the famous burger with egg and pork belly. None of the flavors melded. The bread was sort of cheap. Fries were EXCELLENT. Beer selection is great. I wouldn't go out of my way for the burger.
(3)Flora W.
Smokin Bettys is one of the best burgers in Philly. Their Betty Burger is awesome!! I really like the pork patty inside. And the fries is good as well. The price is really fair cause the giant burger comes with the fries. I know another great burger place Village Whiskey, but their burger is pretty expensive and you should pay for the fries. Must try Betty Burger!!!
(5)Laura J.
This review is for a private event at Smokin' Bettys: I was in charge of booking an affordable dinner for about 20 board members who were staying at the Loews Hotel for an annual conference. Our budget was a bit low considering the dinner should include food and alcohol and a private space. I found Smokin' Bettys on Google and totally took a chance. I actually didn't even attend the dinner, but I had rave reviews from our board members. The executive director said the Chef came out to say hello, and the waiters forewarned her when someone another member ordered her a "welcome to the team" tequila shot! Everyone went above and beyond to make it a fun night. Special thanks to Rachel who didn't mind that I called with 30 minutes to spare to confirm a guest count. Everyone was extremely accommodating and helped to work with our budget. I will definitely recommend this venue for other clients!
(5)Desi M.
Beautiful restaurant with a just as beautiful staff to match. I sat at the bar on the top floor, bartenders were very friendly and awesome to chat with. I had the mahi mahi tacos and sweet potato fries which were both quite delectable. The taco's focus seemed more about the fillers and all things beside the mahi mahi, but they were tasty. This place won me over when I saw my fave whiskey behind the bar, Makers 46. Any place with Makers 46 has to be awesome. Nice after work spot to chill or pregame spot before a night out on the town.
(5)Kim L.
Came here for brunch on Sunday with a fairly large party. I was the first to arrive so I was directed to the bar where I ordered a way overpriced mimosa ($8 for a teeny champagne class filled mostly with OJ? Probably should've gone with a Bloody Mary). My complaints end there though. Our party was seated upstairs as soon as we were all accounted for. Our server was prompt with taking drink and food orders, and was able to help me with my always-agonizing decision of what to have for brunch. Pork belly benedict vs. breakfast burrito?! How do you even choose?! The food offerings here are pretty standard brunch fare, although some dishes do have a creative twist. One of my dining partners had breakfast "tacos", which were basically pancakes serving as the taco shells, filled with savory breakfast goodness such as eggs and cheese. I ended up going with the breakfast burrito and was very pleased with my decision, especially since it involved sriracha (although I wish there were more)! Overall, a great place to brunch as a group because it takes reservations, which I feel is a rarity for brunch in CC, and the upstairs is very spacious so you don't feel like you're going to elbow someone sitting at the table next to you. A solid four stars!
(4)Kimberly Y.
Their menu is deceivingly delicious, but don't get your hopes up! The food doesn't live up to it. I had the sliders, of which I only liked one. I did appreciate the different sauces though. I remember my friend got the broccoli rabe because she's vegetarian... It was literally a small tree of barely-steamed broccoli with absolutely nothing on it for FOUR DOLLARS! We probably could've made that at home for $0.40. The inside is pretty loud and dark for some reason... was not expecting that from a BBQ place. At least the server was extremely nice for coming outside and taking pictures of us for my friend (Betty)'s birthday! All of us really liked the font for the "smokin' betty's" sign outside, haha!
(2)Rachel R.
Went here for a dinner with 11 people on a Saturday night with 7 pm reservations. We were seating upstairs promptly by 7:05. The beer selection had a wide range of selections and was unique and fun. I liked how they had Sweaty Betty from Boulder Beer which was like the name of the restaurant. Also because I like the beer. The food was delicious. All of it. We passed around the egg roll cheese steaks and rib bites for apps. I had the tur-duck-en burger after much internal debate. It was heaven! Get this burger. Portions were huge. Prices were moderate. My crazy burger was $13 but they had more normal ones for less. The service was great. Several people helped with our large party. It was a nice day and the windows on the second floor were opened wide which gave a nice breeze. The atmosphere was lively. A new favorite in Philly. I just wish I had room for dessert. They also looked delicious but huge - I'll have to share one.
(5)Wellington J.
The family and I were up for some bbq. This was closeby and had good reviews from Yelp. I had the turkey dinner, and it was enormous. There was so much turkey!! I barely finished half of the dinner, and it was really tasty. The family enjoyed their dinners too, and service was good
(4)Yellmstng ..
This review is based on my overall experience. Waitress was nice n friendly. Food was served quick n was yummy. The fish tacos were very flavorful. A neutral comment: it's very loud in here. There are definitely no quiet sections. Just something to keep in mind. My only complaint were the bathrooms. They were really dirty and reeked of urine and they're coed. Nothing against the gents, but if they had separate bathrooms the smell of urine would probably improve.
(3)Jamaica Y.
I'll never go back. My last trip to Smokin' Betty's turned me off for good. We are such fans of the bread pudding that we took an impromptu visit. I asked the type of bread pudding and was told that there was a peanut butter banana bread pudding, but that they were finishing it up and would be on the next batch soon. I happen to dislike peanut butter, and asked if I could have a slice of the next batch. The ridiculous response was that there were four slices of peanut butter banana left, and I could not have a slice of the next one until they were done. Excuse me? Wtf? I broke down and accepted the peanut butter banana, hoping I might like it. It was God awful, and I returned it to the kitchen. I then had to wait for a manager in order to have the uneaten/returned bread pudding removed from my bill. ...and I still couldn't get another slice of bread pudding! Ridiculous. I'm so disappointed to have lost a great dessert spot, but I can't be mistreated at restaurants! Never again.
(1)Cinthia K.
Decided to come here with some friends during our last night in Philly. The menu was pretty big and it looked like they had quite a number of beers on draft, along with several wines. Despite my being a vegetarian, I was still able to find items to order (a portobello sandwich and some sides shared with my friends). The portions were large and flavorful, the service was attentive. I'd say that this place is a safe bet to go to if you have a large group and you all have big appetites at that particular moment in time.
(4)Larissa A.
I have been to Smokin' Betty's twice now, both times the food was delicious, the staff super friendly and the drinks tasty. This last time I made a reservation because on a weekend night there is a little bit of a wait but it's worth it. Strongly suggest the BBQ Combo plate, a ton of food for a good price, with one of their local beers. (I think I had the Betty's Blonde, that was really nice with the BBQ) We will be back Betty, see you next time we're in Philly!!!!
(4)John K.
My favorite - yes my actual favorite - burger in the city lies at Smokin' Betty's - a casual, yet sleek restaurant that totally has the ability to transform itself into a relaxed lounge or an upscale, but unpretentious bar. Better yet, Smokin' Betty's has a wide variety of BBQ-driven options available on their menu, along with affordable prices. Roasted Turkey Platter [$14] Carved turkey breast, southern style gravy, classic stuffing, whipped sweet potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce But before we get to my favorite burger in Philly, let's start with something apropos for this time of year. The GF went with the turkey platter, in anticipation of what was to come in a few weeks. The carved turkey was moist and juicy with a light smattering of gravy atop. The stuffing was rich, hefty, and nicely contrasted with the tart whole cranberries. The whipped sweet potatoes were creamy, light, and actually emanated a sweet potato / pumpkin pie with the additional spice - nice. Betty Burger [$12.95] 1/2 pound sirloin, confit pork belly, avocado, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, roasted garlic aioli, runny sunny side up egg But let's move on to the masterpiece - the piece de resistance if you will. I stumbled upon this Betty Burger within a few months after moving to Philly and I haven't looked back since. I've had this delicious burger close to a dozen times now and I can't recall a time when I didn't enjoy it. And that price! For what's on it - it certainly can't be beat. Requested medium rare- that's exactly how it came. The light brioche bun housed a rich, well-seasoned burger with a nice outer crust. The pork belly confit is fabulous - it should totally be shredded and put on top of fries to make a nice pork belly poutine. The mayo, airy guac, and the fried egg act to create a perfect melange of umami flavors that put this burger over the top. The fries that accompany this gut bomb are crisp and well-seasoned. Heaven. So be sure to head a few blocks off of Restaurant Row and order the namesake burger at Smokin' Betty's. It doesn't hurt to get a few of the sides as well - many of which are less than $5! When the food is great and the drinks are flowing, you're pretty much guaranteed to have a great time.
(5)Lea T.
Like other Yelpers I was less than blown away by Smokin' Betty's. I had a drink at the downstairs bar where the bartender seemed unenthusiastic and took my menu to give to another patron after I had ordered a drink and wasn't even done looking at it! Is there a shortage of menus behind the bar? Upstairs I joined a group of 10 women who all had to get up and get their own drinks from the bar because apparently we couldn't get the attention from a server on a Wednesday night at 6 pm? The happy hour appetizers all seemed lackluster. My $4 Cheesesteak Eggroll was bland (the side of "smoked tomato jam" just tasted like BBQ sauce), the $6 Grilled Pizza looked depressing, and even the Vegetable Quesadilla was unappetizing ($3 is SO cheap, but I'd rather pay $5-6 for better food). Fortunately the space is comfortable and classy, but I wouldn't return based on the poor service and poor food. Smokin' Betty's could have some real potential if they got it together and offered some comforting soul-food but for now it just falls short of being memorable.
(2)Majlinda K.
Smoking Bettys you have been so good to me every trip, it's a shame it took me so long to write a review! This place is really neat and shockingly not very crowded so you can always find a table here. We came here on a Sunday night and they were showing the eagles game in one of the rooms. They have your standard comfort food and healthy salad options that won't break your bank. Last time I was here I got the mahi-mahi tacos and they were absolutely delicious. They were very flavorful and came with a side of rice and beans. We got a pitcher of pomegranate sangria to go with our food and it went quite well with the tacos. They have some awesome happy hour specials here too so definitely come check it out!
(4)Grace R.
Love Smokin Betty's! Always comes through with great menu that tastes great! I have been here twice with really large groups and they were not only very accommodating but everyone was happy with their meal-- which is almost impossible I think. Definitely would recommend!
(5)Felicia C.
I've had Restaurant Week dinner at Smokin' Betty's, and it was ok. They're food is very...specific. With artsy, sometimes strange, preparations. But the fried green tomato appetizer was fantastic. Whenever I order out from Smokin' Betty's for lunch, I always order the fish tacos. They are better than fish tacos anywhere else. So fresh and plentiful (3 tacos for about $14), with sweet mango slaw and crema. No cheese or anything else that does not belong on a fish taco.
(4)Jo C.
Was intrigued by the tur-duck-en burger on the menu. It was a huge burger with ground turkey, duck & chicken layered with stuffing, gravy & cranberries. It was delicious but too much to eat. Nice selection of local & popular beers. Service was quick & efficient. My spouse ordered the chicken & ribs covered with bbq sauce and he said that was good. Didn't have room to try desserts.
(4)Abigail M.
Thoroughly mediocre, in need of acoustic remediation. We went to Smoking Betty's without a reservation. The hostess was great and the wait was short. We started with cocktails (I had a Pink Bogart) and crab cake sliders (the special). My cocktail was not quite cold enough, lacked flavor, and thoroughly disappointing (especially for $11). No pretty garnish or sugared rim (which would have helped). The crab cakes looked pretty (nice plating), but were flavorless (they were described as having a spicy remoulade- not sure what their definition of spicy was, but I couldn't tats anything- not onion, capers or hot sauce). I had the pulled pork sandwich. Nice smoky smell and tender meat, but again, little flavor (not vinegary not sweet). The fries and coke were the best part of the meal. The service was completely mediocre, and the restaurant was EXTREMELY loud (needs acoustic remediation/ panels). Food was reasonably priced.
(3)Hali R.
Turduckhen burger was amazing. I paired it with a beermosa. Omg this place is so good. I came for dinner one night and brought my boyfriend back for brunch the same weekend. I love this place! I'll definitely be back!
(4)Jennifer R.
This place has a ton of charm. I want to come back and try some of the fancy burgers they got going on. I however got a pulled pork sandwich and honestly, it wasn't the best. I figured that was the way to go being at a BBQ place but it was pretty dry and not too fresh in flavor. We came for lunch on a Tuesday for work though, so I wouldn't expect that to be the best time. They had some innovative drinks, menu items and decor though so they're definitely doing a lot of things right...just not pulled pork on a tuesday afternoon.
(4)Alex H.
Delicious food! Had the bbq combo, dry rub rib and bbq chicken. Cooked to perfection. Katie, the server, was a sweetheart. Bulleitproof cocktail was nicceeee...banana peanut butter bread pudding with a hazelnut cocoa ice cream had my arteries working overtime. Luckily, TJU hospital is across the street :-) plenty of healthy choices, it was my cheat day, indulge my friends!
(5)Amy S.
First of all Seth was an excellent waiter. He made great recommendations and didn't steer us wrong. The mac and cheese was delicious, the buffalo chicken pizza was spicy and cheesy and the riblets with the dry rub AND dipped in the BBQ sauce gave me new life. I want to eat the meal I had here every day for the rest of my life or if I am on death row I will choose this as my final meal (bold statement, I know). We also split a pitcher of the white peach sangria and the bread pudding to top it all off. Everything was excellent. I want to try everything on the menu.
(5)Jerica D.
After my husband finished planning every detail to our trip to the Philadelphia area, this resturant was located conveniently between the two tourist destinations we visited. Going down the street it's located on, you wouldn't think you would find a nice restaurant but Smoking Betty's is hidden nicely down this rough street. Upon entering during brunch time, we were immediately greeted and seated. There is indoor seating, out door seating, an upstairs and downstairs. Our waiter immediately came over and was so nice. I ordered the BBQ sliders and my daughter ordered one of the smaller burgers. The breakfast food that came out for other tables looked delicious! I also saw that they served mimosas and inquired. I ordered the houses special Fuzzy Mimosa! It was delicious and the best Mimosa I have had!!! My BBQ sliders were ok, but being from the south I've has better BBQ and pulled meat sandwiches. My daughters burger didn't taste that great to me either. Besides the food being just ok, the Mimosa and atmosphere was excellent. This is a really nice restaurant located in the downtown Philly area.
(3)Luba P.
It's the perfect casual happy hour place to catch up! It has two levels, with exposed brick and a variety of tables. Their food is really delicious, especially the veggie burgers and sweet potato fries. They also do specials for large parties, so it's great for a work happy hour. Yum!
(4)Center Stage Party Planning ..
HAPPY HOUR MENU WAS SO GOOD... Sangria was a little watered down but the food was AMAZING. I will definitely be visiting again soon!
(5)Cara S.
My BF and I planned to go here for lunch one day, but there was no one in the restaurant. So we retreated. Then we decided to go back on a Friday night, and it was packed, so we stayed! The place is a lot bigger inside than it looks from the outside, and the interior is nice and modern. We had great service, so I guess it depends who you get as a waitress (unfortunately can't remember our waitress's name). I ordered the brisket and my BF had the salmon. He said his was great. Mine was good too; the meat was tender and the sauce was good with a little bar-b-q kick, but it was pretty salty. They also have a good drink selection, though drinks are expensive. I did have a little confusion with the menu - my brisket didn't say it came with applesauce, and I wanted applesauce, so I ordered it as a side. Then when my meal came, it had applesauce! No wonder the waitress looked at me funny when I asked for it as a side. Not my fault - your menu's fault! Also there was a little drama going on at the tables near us. This one girl wanted her window open even though it was a chilly, rainy night. A guy at a different table complained to the waitress that it was cold, so the waitress handled it well and went and told the girl to shut her window. I realize that has nothing to do with the restaurant, except to say that the waitress did a good job. I do have to say that girl was a snob. Subjecting the rest of the restaurant to a cold chill because you're having hot flashes? Seriously. If you want it your way, eat at BK! I'd definitely recommend Smokin' Betty's to everyone for a unique food experience, just be aware that the brisket comes with its own applesauce!
(3)Justin F.
Had a chance to have a later dinner here last Friday night, the scene was definitely a lot different from what I expected. It was a very 'trendy' place with modern furniture and decorations. Some decent music i.e. Beck, The Gorillaz as well. As for the food, it was pretty solid. For an appitizers we had their Chicken and Waffle Sliders which were very good and very filling. We also had some of their Asian Beef Wraps which were way over-marinated. They had so much sauce on them the lettuce wraps could not hold all of the meat. For dinner I had their fried chicken, which was very good. It was heavily salted but was very crispy and the chicken was good as well. For dessert we had the fried oreos with cookies and cream ice cream which was freaking awesome. Definitely worth getting if you are there.
(3)Nicohya M.
I work near here so I just order take out. I have never ate inside. The times I have been inside it seemed quiet. I had got my food downstairs, but I had to get my change upstairs. (weird). I either get the dry rub chicken wings or the chicken quesadilla. I love the wings, but whenever I order something is missing from my order.
(3)Nehemiah J.
Place was great. I solo ate on a sunday afternoon and had the steak and the blonde beer. overall it was delicious and great while sitting next to the bar.
(5)Debbie D.
Everything I have had is amazing, especially the roasted beet and goat cheese salad! I crave it!!! The wings, the grilled veggie sandwich, the BBQ, worth the trip!
(5)Sylvie C.
Underwhelming. Had Sunday brunch there, an experience saved only by the company I had with me. Positives: the space was open and airy, with tons of room between tables and an interesting layout. And a very solid bloody Mary. Faux pas #1: waitress, I hadn't seen these people in months. Give us a second to catch up without giving us the 'tude! Número dos: a hard omelette. "tough" is the only word in had to describe it, which should never be an adjective used on eggs. This "omelette" came with prosciutto, equally hard and flavorless, and mozzarella, also terribly chewy. Problem #3: biscuits and gravy. Maybe we're just idiots to try biscuits and gravy outside the confines of the south, but for me, this was just a total miss. The biscuit was too soft and the gravy had no definable flavor. All in all, not a memorable brunch, and I've heard equally underwhelming comments about lunch and dinner.
(2)Angela P.
One of my favorite places to eat in Philly! The food is delish, the atmosphere is pretty cool as well. Also, the staff is very customer service oriented and are really knowledgeable of the menu as well. I love this place!!
(5)Anna Marie C.
remember how the movie clueless gave us all these new words? one of my favorites was 'monet'--meaning somebody hot from far away, and when you get in closer, that person's just a total mess. well, smokin betty's is a total monet. it's beautiful, sleek, and new. it's big and shiny. i happen to like devil's alley. and barbecue. so i'm thinking, this is going to be great. the menu sounded great. what wasn't so great: the server seating us at the awkward couch spots. seriously? there's three of us. it's kind of awkward. then, i think things are getting better, as i got the allagash white/peach schnapps cocktail. tasty. things just get... sad. alright, i admit. it's a barbecue place, and perhaps matzoh ball soup and mac and cheese and potato latkes are weird things to order. but i give it a go. my matzoh ball soup comes with still frozen balls. and when they bring a replacement, somehow all the veggies have disappeared from the broth. mac and cheese was meh. and the potato latkes were dismissable. my friend called her salad 'wimpy'...and the hot dog platter was not devoured. alas. my barbecue dreams were not to be fulfilled tonight. goodbye, monet.
(1)Ben M.
Server was LAME. We had to wait 30 mins on more champagne, we had to buss our own table because the server never picked up the plates when we were done, waters weren't brought to EVERYONE at the table, too much vermouth in the dirty martini, the burger was undercooked, the sausage gravy tasted like a Christmas tree and we won't be back.
(1)Amanda S.
i had an AMAZING meal for a rehearsal dinner here. granted, the menu chosen was out.of.this.world and it was free. but for what it's worth, i will definitely be back as a paying customer! i know it's a bbq joint, but i didn't actually have anything bbq at the place. so i can't rate anything as far as that goes. however, i can rate a few other items: -cheesesteak spring rolls: a+ -fried green tomato bruschetta: a+ -turkey bacon wraps: a -pizza bites: a -cheddar sirloin burger: a+ -fries: a+ on top of a delicious dinner, they had a great beer selection that made me very happy. and the waitstaff was super friendly and very fast.
(5)Vlad K.
This seemed like a perfect place for dinner on a rainy cold Saturday night. We called in ahead, made reservations and quickly fund the place (though some of the previous reviews were right - a sign would be helpful). Smokin' Betty's has an open modern yet tasteful decor and presents itself as a friendly comfy place. The service was incredibly friendly though at more than one occasions we wondered if everyone there was a bit high.... Between the atmosphere and a cool menu there was a lot of promise. Sadly, Smokin' Betty's falls far short of that promise. The Homemade chili tasted really good, though once you add sour cream and guacamole it was a bit on a colder side... Drinks are interesting and Paradise Kitty was a smashing success. But that's where the good part ends... Riblets with dry spicy rub were just OK. BBQ Plater seemed very promising. However, the chicken was dry and though wet ribs weren't necessarily bad, there was really nothing special about them... Mashed potatoes looked great and had soft, nice consistency but they tasted sour.. Baked beans tasted awful - too much sauce and it seemed as if they cooked the beans and sauce separately... Potato Latkes were good... well okay they were good for non=Polish/Jewish/Russian place.... Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment...
(2)Christopher R.
Have you ever thought to yourself, "Gee, wouldn't it be great if Devil's Alley had a slightly expanded menu & beer list but wasn't in as good of a location?" If you have, Smokin' Betty's is the place for you. On my first trip I ordered the Tur-Duck-En Burger (with orange-cranberry relish) which I had been eagerly anticipating for some time. It wasn't mind-blowing, it was merely reminiscent of a very high quality turkey burger; you are likely to notice more of difference in color and texture than of flavor. John Madden is rolling in his grave.* The french fries tasted as if they were frozen. The grilled vegetables--fennel, onion, zucchini if I recall correctly--were also kind of lackluster. Sadly, this meal was a disappointment and it led me to hold off with my review until a follow-up visit so as not to let it sour my overall impression. Today's visit turned out slightly better, though there were some minor complications. Like the Tur-duck-en Burger, I have also put serious thought into ordering the Lamb Burger. I made an attempt but they were all out at lunch, so I had to go with the Betty Burger (with pickled jalapeno, grilled corn, smoked mozzarella and "mojo sauce") as my back-up. This was actually quite good, possibly better than the Devil Burger. The baked beans, though, appeared just to be beans in barbecue sauce, and they did not even begin to approach the beans at Devil's Alley. The onion rings, like the fries, are almost certainly frozen. I've been here twice now and I'm generally indifferent towards this versus Devil's Alley. Its nice to have a few more solid beers to choose from--the Blond Betty reminds me of Flying Fish Exit 4, the two or three others I've had we likewise pretty good--and additional menu options but from what I've tried the food falls just short. Overall, I'd probably stick to the more established location for the time being. * Not actually dead. Yet.
(3)Jill A.
I'm in love with the BBQ sliders (brisket, pork and chicken). They're moist and juicy and I just want to stuff my face with them every day, for every meal. The dry-rub wings are tasty, too. They're $5 bucks at happy hour, and though you only get about five or six wings, they're not too skimpy. Plus, they taste the way I always want my chicken on the grill to taste--crispy, almost a little burnt, with a nice charred flavor and tender on the inside. While I fail at cooking (er, grilling), Betty's does not. The sauce (Sam's Famous BBQ) used on the BBQ combo platter (1/4 chicken and 1/4 ribs) is sweet and tangy and so wonderfully finger-lickin' good. I'm definitely a fan of having to lick my fingers a million times after each bite of messy BBQ. Wet wipes are available, of course, but who wants to waste any last drop of sauce, even if it means lick-lick-licking away? The macaroni salad is decent and the mac and cheese is oozy with a little bit of breadcrumb crunch on top. Both are worthy of thumbs up. The stuffing with gravy is just okay ... there was a flavor in there I couldn't quite pick out and I probably wouldn't order it again. And the buttermilk biscuit was quite dry. It tasted like someone went overboard with the flour and forgot about the butter. But! The rest of the menu looks promising (lots of interesting sandwiches and plenty of other sides). Must try more! I wasn't drinking yesterday (huh?!) but the beer/wine/cocktail menu was similar to that of Devil's Alley--plentiful enough for drinkers across the board. The Smokin' Betty's Blonde and house wines were being offered for $3 during happy hour. I'm sure I'll be hittin' that up next time. Oh, and I loved dining upstairs by the windows. Actually, the whole space is quite swank but in a non-glitzy way. Dark wood and lots of light. I could see it being a great spot for an event. Plus, the service (both hostess and servers) was friendly and attentive. Let's see if that sticks. Yay and more yay! I hope this place does well because I'm looking forward to getting my BBQ on a lot more often this summer. Dammit, I want a slider right now.
(4)Jennie H.
If you like Devil's Alley, you'll probably like Smokin' Betty's considering their menus are VERY similar. I went there for a friend's birthday in April, and the place were undergoing some renovations in the bathrooms. I had to breathe in some heavy fumes of paint that made me feel a little light-headed. Food was good. Service was slow.
(4)Rickina C.
I decided to go to lunch with a friend and a little one when we decided on this place. When entering the place no one seemed to be around. Then when I talked to the waiter he acted like I was nuts for telling him how many people we had and just pointed to seats. After that he seemed a bit nicer but that was just off putting. Aside from that, everything was great. The food was delicious and the serving size a decent amount.
(4)Thuy F.
the food here is very good, and service is as good as it gets. if only parking wasnt so difficult id come here more often
(5)Kate B.
Ever since the Smoked Joint closed a few years back, I've been on the lookout for a good BBQ place. Smokin' Betty's might just have filled that void. Housed in a large brick building on 11th and Sansom, the joint is, miraculously, both roomie AND cozy, with dark paint and high wooden stools and tables downstairs, and a smattering of couches and candlelit tables upstairs. Tons of space means it takes a while to fill up -- although I expect it will fill up very quickly once more people find out about this place! The bbq was, quite simply, bangin' -- I ordered the Beef Brisket sandwich and it was mouth-watering-ly incredible; the bf went with the pulled pork and had a similar experience. The menu is rather extensive and contains non-bbq staples as well (tacos, quesadillas, gourmet sandwiches) -- will have to try these next time. The beer list was small, but excellent -- I was pleased to find both Arrogant Bastard and Hennepin (two of my faves!). As we were finishing our beers, the owner wandered over to see how we liked our meal and ask for feedback -- a nice touch for sure. I can't wait to return!
(4)Patrick H.
This place was a nice surprise. Its a bi-level BBQ place that offers some very interesting dishes. I had the BBQ Salmon with a bucket of fries and it was Delicious. The have a Betty's burger too, that look good but I was not to eating that much. Mainly because I was saving room for the triple chocolate mousse dessert. There are no shortage of drink specials here either. I recommend the hard cider or the Yuenling buth the have a huge selection of beers so why not just work through the list. The staff was very friendly and the prices fair. One not to business travelers, they give you an itemized receipt. ;)
(4)Courtney H.
I really love this place and have been recommending it to everyone I know who likes bbq. I think I've been there 3 times in the last 6 weeks.They did an amazing job with the renovations- great idea with the windows that fold open! When they are open it feels like you're outside without the sunburn. As for food- I say, if it's your first time you should get the sliders with one of each of the bbq'ed meats- one with the Caribbean chicken, one with the traditional pulled pork and one brisket. This also comes with macaroni salad- or if you are me, I like to change it up and get the cold slaw instead because I like to add it to my pulled pork slider- but anyways....I have also had the turkey burger- which was a real turkey burger that someone in the kitchen prepared by hand- instead of gross frozen burgers which is what I usually get as a turkey burger. The Mac & cheese is just ok- I would skip it in favor of the cold slaw or the macaroni salad. We have also had really good service each time we have gone. I am planning on trying a Friday night happy hour soon...I'm looking forward to sipping some of their specialty drinks!
(5)Chris F.
I stopped in last night for a Thursday evening drink and a small bite to eat. I called up my friend who lives nearby and asked if he wanted to try something new. I had planned to go on the west side of Broad but some construction made it more trouble than it was worth. He met me outside his apartment and fired up the Yelp app on his iPhone. I don't know what filter he had applied but it didn't show any of the same places I now pull up using the website with the nearest intersection to his apartment (strange?). Regardless he suggested Smokin' Betty's, not more than a few blocks walk. Stepping inside the 11th street entrance (they also have a side entrance with a ramp) the doorway opens up to a nicely decorated interior but more importantly STAIRS. I don't know about you, but when I get the chance to eat above common folk, I take it one step at a time :) In all reality they had two bars, but the downstairs was vacant so we sat upstairs at the bar. They had a decent selection on the tap reasonably priced. I had myself the B.B.Q Sliders consisting hickory smoked beef brisket, carolina pulled pork & caribbean pulled chicken served with carolina slaw with a side 'bucket' of sweet potato fries. I'm all about any kind of meat trifecta. The sliders were great, as were the sweet potato fries, but I was slightly disappointed by the lack of anything aside from ketchup to eat the sweet potato fries with; a notion which I find slightly repulsive. When in doubt, chipotle mayo! Goes great on everything, even air. My only other gripe lies in the design of the back of the bar. It's simply Plexiglas with chain link fence mesh inside. You could see everybody on the other side eating and there were definitely a few that felt like they were being watched. Not trendy, unless your idea of trendy means not knowing how to lock the door at Paradigm. If all I can complain about is a lack of one condiment and a piece of glass, that sounds like a pretty solid business and one that I'd definitely visit again.
(3)Sara C.
Smokin' indeed. I've never imagined BBQ in a place as sleek as this, but it works! Let's start first with the drinks, as most my time here was spent.....drinking. The selection? AWESOME. I was intrigued by their beer cocktails (which seem to be all the rage at the moment) - I went for the Curious Georgia, which was Allagash White with peach schnapps and a peach at the bottom of the glass. Seriously the most delicious thing ever. The beer list was impressive - and filled with my summer favorites from their Smokin' Betty Blonde to an Ithaca Apricot Wheat. At happy hour, they have amazing specials. As for the food - I sampled the cheese steak egg roll, served with REALLY spicy ketchup which I want to bottle up and take home with me. I also tried the BBQ chicken (WHOA to that sauce, you're right Monica and Jill). The decor seems to be lacking some originality or focus - but like I mentioned before, it's sleek. And like Apothecary, they have a unisex bathroom that's quite fancy. I'll absolutely be back for more.
(4)Catherine C.
I've been to Smokin' Betty's a few times and can safely say that I'm a fan of this place. They have a great list of beers, and flights (any four 5oz beers you choose) are only $8! That is a total bargain, and a great way to try some new brews. All the food I've had here has been very good. They usually have some great stuff on their specials list, so check it out. The waitstaff is generally friendly and helpful, but not 100% reliable. They lose a star for an incident on my first visit. My friend had her birthday party here (called ahead, arranged for a large group, etc). However, Betty's decided to call it quits at 1am despite typical closing time being 2am. I guess our party wasn't enough for them to justify keeping the otherwise lightly patroned bar open. Still, we felt a little jilted when the "get out" lights went on an hour ahead of schedule. Oh also, it's never packed. I've never had to wait for a table (and I've shown up with a party of 7 on a Saturday night without reservations).
(4)Chris M.
Hit this up again. I can't stress enough how chill this place is. We had a great time upstairs, next to the windows. It's really tough to beat. Got there for HH.. they had deals on their Smokin Betty's Blonde Beer (a Weisse, very good), and also their wings..again, tre bien. Also gobbled on their Grilled Salmon Fish Tacos. Nice. Good Sauce. Had Fish tacos many times in SoCal.. these are the closest we'll get in Philly.. Go here now!
(4)Doug P.
Went for happy hour. Clearly a post-work office hangout. It was surprisingly loud (and nice inside given the corner). My friend liked the 'paradise kitty' (at $4 during happy hour), and the pizza was a flatbread pizza. At $6 it was appropriately priced, but I'm not sure about $8. It was fine. Bottom line: $2 lagers, what's not to like?
(3)Katie L.
Although I've been a bit put-out by the union guys handing out fliers at the door during the day, I decided to give Smokin Bettys a try. The decor is amazing, very warm and homey, though I'm not sure it quite matches the menu. It doesn't have a down-home BBQ southern fried food feeling, which the menu seems to. Food: Sliders were pretty good, wasn't a huge fan of the chicken. Pork and beef were great. Cornbread is amazing. Duck salad is beyond amazing! All the appetizers could definitely have been a full meal for me, portions were huge. Mixed drinks were too expensive and pretty weak. They were changing out all the kegs and the wine list, which means they were out of pretty much everything else. I understand the need to change things, but many, many restaurants can make that change without a hitch. They can do better. Service was alright, albeit a bit slow. The server made a mistake with my salad order, but promptly corrected it. I might go back, but I'm not in a rush to do so.
(3)Brian C.
Great food, Perfect Saturday afternoon lunch, Solid 4 stars, could be 5... we'll see! This is my first impression review, so we'll see what happens as I come back. I just came here today (it's Saturday) for a late lunch, and it was delicious. The place was practically empty, so we had a great table upstairs next to the window. I was really impressed by the size of the restaurant... They could easily handle several large parties here, although I'm sure during weekend nights, that's easier said than done. The decor was nice, exposed brick and beams, a big skylight viewable from the second floor, funky modern furniture, and lots of windows that open when the weather is nice. The first floor was similar, except with the addition of the view of the kitchen. There is a bar on both floors with a decent number of bar stools. If only they had outdoor space too... oh well, you can't win em all. The BBQ sliders were amazing (I favored the brisket... sooo good). Also served was a waldorf chicken salad sandwich on french bread which was pretty good as well. The macaroni salad & cole slaw were as good as it gets. All the food tasted really fresh. We enjoyed a few beers with our lunch - Betty's Blonde, which was a nice lighter ale and the Pear Cider (a delicious pairing with the sliders... no pun intended). The service was excellent, but again... it was not a busy time. I'll definitely be back, especially to try the ribs. BTW, this place beats the crap out of Q in old city...
(4)Sarah S.
I really wanted to like this place. I swear I did! Maybe this is all my fault for looking at the menu ahead of time and getting really stoked on my upcoming dinner. I eyed up the menu thoroughly and decided to get the BBQ sliders so I could try a variety of the goods. Pulled Pork, Brisket & Pulled Chicken. I also ordered a side of mac & cheese for the full comfort food effect. I tried a little of each slider and ended up giving two of them away to other friends at the table. The pulled pork was surely the best. The sauce was tasty, but I am pretty sure I've had better at family BBQs. The side of mac & cheese was REALLY disappointing. For $4 I was expecting a small bowl of mac & cheese.. instead I got something about the size of a condiment dish full of weird NON-BAKED mac & cheese. Gooey and strange... and lacking macaroni. Spirals? It was mostly cheesey goo. The noodles were few and far between. As for the rest of my dining experience: The waiter was very nice. He was on top of everything... getting fresh beers and being nice in general. The atmosphere was a bit strange. I expected something more RUSTIC, but it kind of just looks like a dimly lit panera bread. The acoustics in there are also TERRIBLE. We were screaming across the table just to have a conversation. I will say this... I will probably give this place another try sometime since my boyfriend is from North Carolina and wants to try the "carolina" bbq, but I will deff just stick to the pulled pork and i will NOT order that mac & cheese since we make it way better at home. Hopefully I like it better next time!
(2)Jessica G.
We ordered Smokin' Betty's('s) signature surfeit of fowl, the Tur-Duck-En Burger, with a side of hunting knife in case any of the three species between the buns began squirming anew. Someone ordered a marinated grilled vegetable sandwich--at a barbeque joint!--but he was forgiven this gaffe on account of his vegetarianism and lactose intolerance. Someone else ordered fish tacos--at a barbeque joint!--and, to be honest, nobody really got over that. But both dishes were satisfactory, even given their status as outliers on a BBQ menu.
(3)Claire R.
Good for a low-wait brunch and happy hour; solid food with a little kick every now and then. I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars. This place deserves 4 stars for brunch and happy hour. There's a decent amount of seating and a clean, laid-back, modern feel with a little bit of retro around the edges. They have some decent appetizers and the drinks are reasonably priced. And while it's probably not where you want to end your night, it's spacious and quiet enough to lend a comfortable environment to catch up with friends after work and carry on a conversation in a normal tone. The menu has a lot of standard selections a step above your typical American style restaurant bar but definitely a step below a gastro-pub. Nothing on the menu is particularly innovative or amazing but the menu has a few strengths (salad with chickpeas and quinoa, corn cakes (that were made gluten-free the last time I was there)). While the ease of getting a table here is always good, It's particularly appreciated during brunch time. Generally without waiting, you can enjoy the surprisingly solid brunch menu (that executes a few twists well--albeit safe and common ones) in a relaxed environment.
(3)Iz A.
Only had a snack and a cocktail here but loved, loved, loved it! We ordered three different drinks off of their cocktail list and were impressed by the high quality ingredients, unique concoctions and variety. I ordered the "Root of all Evil," which called for fresh orange juice. I was floored when I saw the bartender grab an orange, juice it and pour my drink. Let me tell you something, I drink A LOT and I never see anything THAT fresh going into my cocktails. The root liquor, which makes the drink taste like root beer, is an uncommon poison to stock on bar shelves but I liked it! We also ordered the brisket sliders, which were FANTASTIC! I'd like to go back and order a full appetizer for myself. We shared the three sliders and we were three ladies, which means I did not get enough! Based on the quality of the sliders and the yumminess of the BBQ sauce, they probably have an awesome menu. The bartender, whose name escapes me, was awesome too. She listed out some local spots for us (we're from DC) and was friendly yet super professional. I'd definitely go back. When I think back, Smokin' Betty's stands out from the many establishments we visited throughout the weekend. And, let me tell you something, we visited A LOT of watering holes!
(4)Kim A.
Had my birthday brunch there last Sunday and enjoyed the drinks and food. Accommodated our larger group after another restaurant canceled on us. We sat up stairs and it was very private. Tried all the drinks on the brunch menu, loved them all. Had the eggs benedict and it was pretty good. Their hollindaise was interesting. Fluffy and very buttery. Not what I am used to but still good. Sweet potato hash was greasy and the potatoes where mushy. Great service and would recommend.
(4)Ally G.
A Restaurant Week Review: *Note: online RW menu isn't reliable* I so badly wanted to give Smokin' Betty's 5 stars! But I couldn't... As phenomenal as their BBQ was, two things kinda bugged me: 1) We were seated fairly close to the bar on the 2nd floor. It was pretty full, and quite loud. If you have the chance, ask your waitress for a table further from the bar. 2) The womens bathroom on the 2nd floor... absolutely disgusting. Not only were 1/3 of the stalls "Out of Order", the working ones were really dirty and one lacked toilet paper. Hopefully they'll clean it up soon! On the more yummy sides of things, Smokin' Betty's offered us the best Restaurant Week experience we've had yet. And possibly some of the BEST BBQ in the Center City area... Service - Our waiter was so sweet and attentive. The best service I've had in a loooong time. Thanks guys! Drinks - Good, yet selective beer selection. - Fun, refreshing cocktails (try the Raspberry Lemonade Cocktail). First Course - Cheesesteak Springroll: I was skeptical at first, but WOW. The spicy ketchup that they offer for dipping is realllly good too. Any cheesesteak buff has to try these. And the best part... they're 1/2 off during their happy hour! - BBQ Sliders: YUM. The carolina pulled pork had an amazing mesquite zest; just the best kind of "spicy." My favorite, hickory smoked beef brisket, had a sweet and tangy BBQ flavor. Then the caribbean pulled chicken, though tasty, lacked the kind of awesome flavor the other two had. But all of them were cooked to yummy, tender perfection... Second Course - Soup of the Day, Portobello Mushroom & Sage: When we walked up to Smokin' Betty's I noticed this special on their board outside. I absolutely love mushroom soup, I got so excited! Rich, creamy, loads of mushrooms :)This was, hands down, the best mushroom soup I've EVER had. For a soup of the day at a BBQ joint, I was very impressed... - Mixed Green Salad: Tasty, crisp salad. But the balsamic vinaigrette it was served with was WAY over-powering on the bitter factor! Some people like their vinaigrette that way, but definitely not me. Third Course - Hickory Smoked St. Louis Ribs: I don't even know what to say or where to begin... These BBQ ribs were jaw dropping-ly, UHmazing. Again, I got my favorite of the BBQ sauces (sweet and tangy, hickory smoked BBQ goodness). But the even better part... the juicy, tender meat pulled right off the bone *insert Homer's drool here.* I'm just gonna leave it at that. The ribs were served with two sides, like most of the entree items, we got asparagus (perfectly cooked with a nice crunch) and... MAC & CHEESE*!! Fourth Course - Triple Chocolate Layer Cake Typical chocolate mousse and ganache cake. Nothing special. If you really want a treat, go with the... - Chocolate Mousse served w/ mixed berries I prefer my mousse to be light and fluffy. But Betty's thick mousse was still insanely YUMMY. The strawberries, raspberries, and black berries were key :) Overall Smokin' Betty's Restaurant Week menu, offered an extremely tasty selection with hearty portions, for that price we all love... $35. I'm super excited to come back and try some more of their menu items!! *Mac & Cheese: But before we get too excited, I have to admit... I was kind of disappointed. So here's the scoop... I learned that Smokin' Betty's is owned by the same guy who owns Devil's Alley (I knew their mac & cheese tasted familiar... I'm not a fan of Devil's Alley's mac & cheese either). The noodles are always over cooked to me (I prefer the more al dente kind) and the cheese sauce, though nice and thick, has a kind of gritty texture. Then instead of a tomato jam on-top, there were bread crumbs with a hint of garlic flavor to them (which was the best part of this mac & cheese). Though it has potential, I wasn't a fan...
(4)Mitch S.
I've been to this place a few times before, and I always had a pretty positive experience. I typically get the slider trio, which comes with one pulled pork, one BBQ chicken and one BBQ beef sandwich. The meat is delicious and the buns are soft and bunny. They also have really really great chicken wings for an appetizer, which are char-grillicious. If it weren't for today's experience, this place would definitely get four stars. But today, they really screwed up! Instead of serving the meat on nice, soft, toasty buns, they accidentally served it on sponges that had been soaked in pork grease for about 10 minutes or so! I squeezed some of the grease out of the bun-sponge that was holding the pork and it literally covered the bottom of my plate with a pool of greasy goo. Even the bbq chicken sandwich "bun" was soaked through with grease. I had to eat quickly in order to finish because my stomach was rapidly taking a beating. On top of the grease sponge buns, my BBQ beef sandwich was actually half beef, HALF LARD! One half of the sandwich filling was simply an approximately 2x2in cuboid of fat, which they cleverly disguised with BBQ sauce. I am really not a picky eater, and I'm not normally grossed out at all by things that are too greasy or otherwise unhealthy. But this was beyond greasy. I felt like John Travolta's hair was in my mouth. I'm probably going to need to have a carotid endarterectomy in a few days simply because I finished this meal. And even beyond actually somewhat caring about my cardiovascular system, it's kind of hard to enjoy the meal because literally 3 bites in my stomach started feeling like someone was filling it with lead pellet. So, anyway, Smokin' Betty's overall is not a bad place. However, I will never ever go back because my body is actually traumatized from the experience I had there today. If you do go, please please please, for your own sake and that of your family, do not order the grease sandwiches.
(3)Debbie G.
Only worth trying if you want a decent burger in my opinion. Which of course I didn't get. Instead, I had the mahi-mahi tacos which were subpar. My husband and his friend however did partake in the meaty goodness and they both looked sufficiently satisfied in trying the Betty Burger. The beer list is unique which is also a draw to try this place. I enjoyed my Allegash Belgian White very much - good for if you're into the wheat variety.
(3)Mindy Y.
Riblets? Riblets? Riblets! Had to wait forever to get them, but once they arrived they were hot, tender and delicious. The slow service wasn't our waitress's fault - she was definitely in the weeds with 5+ tables, two of which were larger parties. The Grace Lightening (Midori sour) was ok, nothing to write home about. The roast turkey platter? Very good comfort food, but be prepared for a heaping pile of turkey and stuffing smothered in gravy. The homemade cranberry sauce was very good. I'm not sure how I feel about the whipped sweet potatoes - they had some good points but there was just something about them that was a little strange to me. The upstairs bar/seating area was loud and packed, but there was (literally) one guy sitting downstairs. As long as the upstairs is crowded I guess they do a good business, but I imagine being empty on the street level will hurt them in the long run. I'll be back to try the lamb burger, sliders, and the betty cristo... and the riblets, of course.
(4)Jonathan O.
All-in-all a pretty solid showing by Smokin' Betty's. Nothing fantastic though. First off, it should be noted that I've only ever been here to meet up with friends for Happy Hour during Center City Sips. I'll update my review when I come for dinner...and now on with the show: The place is always really busy for Sips, so it's loud (in a fun way, I guess, but it would be hard to enjoy a dinner at this time if you weren't there for happy hour) and the staff get pretty bogged down, but they handle the crowd decently well. Our server was great, but I frequently didn't see her often enough so had to go up to the bar to take care of the order myself. The happy hour bites were good; try their cheesesteak springrolls--their legit...although a small portion (it's just one springroll cut in half). My friends weren't sure, but they thought the white wine might be Franzia poured into a wine bottle. I could neither confirm nor disconfirm that, since I'm a beer drinker. Speaking of, awesome value for a pint of Philly Brewing Company's Fleur de Lehigh for 2 bucks.
(3)Michael L.
I wanted to try this place out since I have yet to have incredible BBQ in center city. I still have yet to have incredible BBQ in center city. The ambiance was nice; I liked the atmosphere the place exuded--funky but not trying too hard. The waitress was nice, attentive and knowledgeable, and their list of cocktails was interesting. I started off with the sliders sampler to get a taste of the barbeque, and was very disappointed. I had a hard time discerning the difference between the chicken and the pork, besides the fact that one was too watery and bland, whereas the other one was way too sweet. The brisket was good, but nothing spectacular. i got the salad with quinoa, which was very pleasant. If I had to go back, I would probably order it again--nicely sized and tasty. Looked like a nice place out for drinks and ambiance, but overall the food was less than extraordinary.
(3)Brian A.
Awesome food, good beer selection, good cocktails. Try the Betty Burger - it's little more than I'd usually spend for a burger and fries ($13) but it was well worth it; hands-down the best burger I've had yet in Philly. Add in a nice stout or porter and you've got yourself a delicious, stick-to-your ribs dinner. Service was fair and the atmosphere was pretty cozy, if fairly noisy. Would come back again.
(5)Kelly T.
Great barbeque. Service was efficient and friendly.
(4)Hill F.
Greeat spot for dinner. Ice cold Yuengling on draft, and the BBQ was excellent. We had the St. Louis ribs and a pulled-pork sandwich. The service was excellent and professional.
(4)Nadia S.
Umm... I know I shouldn't expect Southern style BBQ here. But even then, BBQ at Smokin Betty's is not so smokin'. I heard about the sliders, 3 different meat types, the beef brisket was not a fav. They had a special with grilled shrimp and cheddar polenta... not what you would expect from the description; Sweet potato fries, were OK. My fav was the cornbread muffins and the regular fries..YUM. Everything else...not feeling it! Sorry Betty.
(2)Bill G.
My girlfriend and I don't usually let other women into our relationship, but for Betty's we make an exception. With giant chalk board menus on exposed brick and a more than adequate beer list, Smokin B's is our steady go to gal. The portions are generous enough that I leave every time with a feeling of gluttonous accomplishment. I recommend their brisket platter, a heaping helping of Hebraic delight complete with latkas and apple sauce. If your feeling especially randy, try your luck on the mountain of beef, cheese, pork belly, avocado and egg that is the Betty burger. You won't regret it (immediately). Try to get seated upstairs by one of the huge windows that border the relatively open space behind the bar. On these perfect fall nights it is the best way to escape the sometimes overly loud music (my only complaint). Which by the way is always in good taste. I love Motown for brunch.
(4)Jake V.
After the Brownhaus Shittz, I was a little leary of going to a restaurant so soon after they opened. Luckily, not all places can have a catastrophic opening month... That being said, I was pleasantly surprised with this place. The girlfriend and I ordered a bbq sampler platter and got a roasted quarter chicken and a couple ribs. We also split a salad and all and all the whole thing was pretty good for a reasonable price. The bbq wasn't blow-the-doors off in either direction (spicy or sweet) but generally neutral which is nice. The beer selection wasn't bad either with a wide range which was also reasonable. Overall, it's a pretty good start for a place that has potential.
(4)Jon D.
NOTE: This review is for Center City Sips only. Went here a few weeks ago to meet a friend for Sips. I liked the setup of the place as a corner location - lots of good light & window seats. We had a table and service for was terrible, it took 15-20 minutes for drinks. My girlfriend went recently for Sips and said service was terrible then too. On the positive side, they had a blonde ale (and Lager) on tap for the special, which was pretty good. I also tried the pizza which was just ok. Altogether, not a bad place for Sips. Just stock up when you order.
(3)Mike S.
When 13 of us can sit down for dinner at 7:45 on a Friday, its a good thing. When the waitress can rattle off some dishes, but forget a few of the sides, and be able to say it in a manner that makes us laugh, that's a good thing. Beer selection was good. Had one of the specials, haddock with cous cous. The haddock was a bit under cooked. The red bell pepper puree accented the fish well. The citrus cous cous was good. The best part of the meal was the salted greens sprinkled over the dish. It really made the dinner. Pricing was fair. I would go back, its a good place for a decent meal that's not too loud w/ more of a laid back atmosphere.
(3)Perri W.
This is my favorite place to eat downtown. The service has always been great and everyone has been really friendly each time I've eaten here. I love the atmosphere and it seems like they play music straight from my iTunes library. I always order the grilled salmon, but switch up the sides. The salmon always has really great flavor and barely any skin to worry about. I've had the mashed potatoes, grilled veggies, and sweet potato fries as sides - all really great (mashed potatoes were my favorite). We came during restaurant week and my boyfriend ordered from the prix fixe menu and everything was phenomenal. He started with Korean fried chicken & waffles, then had a turkey/bacon chowder, teriyaki salmon over rice, and ended with apple pie. I nibbled on everything and it was all delicious. Everything had great flavor and was cooked perfectly. Drinks are good- last time I had a local beer (forgetting the name) and my boyfriend liked it so much he ordered one too. All in all, we love this place. The only reason I'm giving 4 stars is because when I went to use the restroom I looked all over for a lightswitch only to realize the light WAS on. It was really dark and a little annoying, but nothing worth ruining my experiences here.
(4)Charles R.
Every once in a while I have a taste for BBQ. Having lived in NC for a few years I learned there are distinct types even in one state, thus I ordered the trio of bbq sliders. The sliders had plenty of meat on each one, and the meat was tender and juicy. The first one was Eastern Carolina style, lots of vinegar, the second was Western Style with the richer normal bbq sauce, and the third was smokey. All 3 were very good, but I prefer the Eastern style the best. The grilled cheese was quite large with plenty of rich gooey cheese. It came with a small side salad and was more than enough for a hearty appetite. Next time I stop for lunch I will make sure I'm hungry enough for the Turducken burger. One went by our table and it was really big, but looked soooooo good. Make sure you have the address, because there is etched glass doors with the name and that's about it. It was even a little hard to find in the daytime.
(4)Q K.
Nice menu and solid micro beer selection. Reasonably priced for city. Bar, menu, seating a little limited, but good spot in Market East area.
(4)Rebecca S.
I work around the corner, I don't like to eat out most of the time anymore. I forgot my lunch one day and the smell was calling my name!! felt so good in there and I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with provolone and roasted peppers.. one word AMAZING.. I had to go the next day and get it again.. I have also gone for dinner/happy hr. good service.resonable.good atmosphere. highly recomend.. oh and great beer selection !
(5)K J.
Went there for lunch this past Friday because it was so nice out. Was expecting a great bbq meal and was kind of disappointed. First off, the sangria was very weak and had very little flavor, which was surprising since I go here for SIPS in the summer and loved their sangria. For our lunch, we got a full rack of ribs and a whole chicken (wanting to have leftovers) and got the sauce on the side. Both dishes were overcooked and dry. Also, the meat was not smoked, which we thought it would be, given the name. The sauce came on the side, however it tasted like catalina french dressing. We took the majority of our meal home, and we re-heated in the oven with our own BBQ sauce and it was much better. On a good note, we loved the broccoli and sweet potato fries. My friend got a burger that was also perfectly cooked, however it was bland and only had 3 mushrooms on it! For close to $80 with tip, I just expected more. I guess I'm spoiled by Khyber Pass Pub, which has amazing smoked bbq at similar prices. I do like the atmosphere though and will probably continue to keep this place in my SIPS rotation, just won't be back for lunch anytime soon.
(2)Sarah S.
I eat at Betty's every couple months and really like the place. Pulled pork sammy = juicy and delicious. The roll is kind of monstrous, so sometimes I eat with a fork and knife. Sweet potato fries are also very tasty. One comment - this weekend was the first time I ordered a salad (red quinoa, spinach, feta, chickpeas) - it was a solid meal, but there was WAY too much dressing. Like half a bottle. Order it on the side.
(4)Teti R.
Went here for dinner on a trip to Philly. Hipster vibe, but classy and grounded. Salads were fantastic. Wait staff was personable. It was pretty crowded when we were there, but the noise level was not bad at all because of their interesting layout - and check out the bathrooms. Ordering from the light side of the menu came to a pretty reasonable total for a lovely experience.
(3)Scott M.
I'm not an easy reviewer, and I really love this place. I'll second some of the other comments - menu is almost too varied, lunch waiter service can be hit or miss on the negative side. On the +, very good beer selection (tap and bottle), though I think their sister bar Devil's Alley is a shade better (Let's add the Lancaster Milk Stout here too, shall we?). It's usually a very laid back crowd. Burger's are pretty good. Yes - there are better burgers in town, but these guys aren't trying to be Rouge. I'm a big believer in the when in Rome eat like a Roman method, so you take your chances with the fish tacos. This ain't Cali or Seattle. They're good for Philly standards of fish tacos. Btw - the bartender upstairs who also works at Devil's is fantastic.
(4)Leeanne M.
I ate really nice Eggs Benedict here. They have nice beer, and breakfast cocktails. Evening meals for vegetarians are not so great but my carnivorous friends keep going back.
(3)Julie K.
We had a great experience at Smokin' Betty's this past weekend. We were a big group (23) with a lot of kids and they not only accommodated us but they put up with a lot- i.e. many milk spills! Our waiter was a saint and everyone was extremely helpful/professional. The food was also delicious! Loved the ribs and the steak and cheese won tons! Fun menu and great atmosphere.
(5)brad C.
This place was utterly empty when I came on a Friday night. Strange because apparently the food is good. The drink menu was fun and appropriately seasonal. The beers were clearly well chosen which I appreciated. They have some good stuff on tap that I was really surprised to find. The summer cocktail menu will please any girlie-drink aficionado. Brad's rating (out of 5): Drinks: 4 Price: 3 Decor: 4 Service: 4 Wild card: This place will not survive in Philly, mostly because of the location, but also partially because the sign on the door is too freaking hard to read. I was standing in front of the place for 3 minutes looking for it, and it was right there, just no good signage.
(3)Ryan P.
We ate at the bar on Sunday and watched football, drank beer. It was good. The chili was good, the pulled chicken sandwich was also good. The beers were affordable. We ate and drank for about $60 for the three of us. The one thing that will make me return was the bartender Autumn. She was welcoming to everyone in the bar, included everyone in conversation, and you felt like you were a part the culture.
(3)John K.
Someone in the kitchen is very creative and had some really amazing dishes. However, I assume because it was restaurant week, execution was a little off. Green Eggs & Ham = inspired! Especially pickled honeydew melon(?) gave just enough acidity to cut the unctuous pork belly ('ham'). Bison sliders had a nice smokiness, Calamari 'noodles' quite good as well. Mango chipotle chicken, pretty good (not great) idea - chicken breast was a bit dry, and (canned?) jalapeños (not chipotles) didn't match well. Bad news: the cheese whiz potato gratin was burnt on top, to the point I could smell it (with a cold!). Waiter brought back a slightly less burnt one, but the bottom was dry, and he left before checking to make sure it was okay. Really, it looked 10% better than the first attempt. Not worth sending back twice - it was probably cooked in a big pan, and end of the night probably didn't have another handy. He should have explained, in any case. Didn't finish it but I would go back. Still, why do places turn off quality control during restaurant week when they should be showing new customers why we should come back? Hoping to upgrade to 4*s next time I go (not during Restaurant Week, thank you very much). Oh, forgot to mention, cool cocktails! Pretty happening bar. That block is fast food chains + local pizzerias/sandwiches, but you feel like you're at 13th & Sansom instead of 11th! Worth the walk from the residential part of CC. Also, price/quantity/quality ratio was there (I checked out the normal menu).
(3)Alix H.
I really must tell you about the "new" betty burger. I ate this burger, and then I died of a fat induced heart attack, but then I went to burger heaven. Oh Holy Geez. This burger beats the crap out of a lot of the fancy big name trendy burgers in town, most of which I have tried, because I love cheeseburgers. It is an absolute treat. The staff here are always VERY nice, attentive, and the bartenders are chatty. I love this place. And I am still very much in love with the big beautiful upstairs windows. Sigh. Let's go tomorrow, shall we?
(5)Jana S.
I was here on a Thursday afternoon back in April with my dad and brother who were visiting from out of town. The hostess seated us, brought us menus (though not drinks menus, which confused me. I would've liked one), brought out our food, and promptly disappeared. Well into the meal, we had to flag down another waiter to refill our water glasses and bring us our check. Annoying, but he was a much better waiter than the missing hostess, so props to him for being great. The food was pretty darn good. My family members seemed to very much enjoy their meat-based dishes, while my Red Quinoa Chickpea Salad was really all spinach and couldn't have contained more than a tablespoon or two of quinoa. A little disappointing. I love quinoa. Overall, while the food was pretty yummy, the service was lacking (even though the restaurant was nearly deserted), and I'm not itching to return. I've gotten better service at Midtown II across the street, which is probably where I'll go next time I'm in the neighborhood and hungry.
(3)Wendy P.
Came here for brunch today. Food and drink were both great. I highly recommend the wings.
(4)Karin R.
The food is so-so, the service is challenged and it is very noisy, even when it is half empty.
(2)Mike O.
Great food, great drinks, excellent service. Any time I'm in Philly, I'll convince my buddies to head to Betty's. As a staunch carnivore, I am a huge fan of the pulled-pork sandwich here. In fact, that's about the only thing I order. Some great appetizers include the buffalo wings and fried onion rings. All in all, Smokin' Betty's is absolutely worth a try.
(4)Alex C.
Eh just ok. I'm a huge fan if the devil's alley having worked there for over 2 years previously, and loving their food to this day, but this place was way below expectations when it came to food/drink. The Betty burger which should be there mainstay wasn't that great compared to the devil compared to the devil burger. It was bland in flavor and even though it had some nice hints and style it wasn't on par at all. The drinks were ok but the beers on tap appeared to be picked at random and while the Brown Aled Girl is delcious it wasn't worth the $5.5 price tag. If you're looking for an original spin on some American classics than you might be in luck, if you've never tried the Devil's Alley. I recommend the spicy dry rub wings (anything on the menu, with a side of BBQ sauce). Also, the Chipotle ranch dressing (only at the Devil's Alley) is incredible.
(3)Mikonora R.
Number one maximum sliders! Good deal at 8 dollars for three! Very tasty and variety!
(5)Ilana R.
went here after reading so many rave reviews, cannot say i was impressed with it. Staff was friendly, enjoyed the location. quite noisy/loud in dining area and all around, but beautiful restaurant. have had much better bbq elsewhere in the city, but fun experience to get out
(3)Elizabeth B.
Convenient location , good service but a bit pricey ....
(3)Jeremy D.
I went here over the weekend for an early-ish dinner with my family. We rolled in around 6:30, and it was fairly empty. While the other patrons may have been lacking, the food definitely was not. We had 5 very good meals, and the total for 5 was around $80. Our waitress was more attentive than I've come to expect, which may have been influenced by the lack of other diners. All things considered, definitely a solid bet. I'll be going back.
(4)Rachel C.
My friend and I were in the mood for bbq and mac & cheese. We've never been here before and wanted to try it. After experiencing it here, I am confident that we will never be returning. Here goes the rundown . . . we sit at the table and immediately our arms and hands are sticking to the table. We expressed our concern to the server but apparently it was due to the finish of the tables. If that is the case I would recommend a table cloth, just b/c the stickiness is kind of turn off for cleanliness standards. Then we started to order and unfortunately this BBQ place was out of brisket and short ribs, which was a huge let down! However, we got the bbq sliders that were actually really good. The meat here is cooked really well, however everything else was pretty terrible. The mac & cheese was like having a bowl of cereal with milk. The cornbread muffins were either stale or just really dry. If they did the corn bread as tray and cut squares as it was ordered it would stay fresh longer. The baked beans were pretty terrible as well. Also, after we received our food, we were waiting for plates. After two attempts at giving us dirty plates, we finally got clean ones. Since we were so disappointed with a lot of the food and the service here we tried to talk with our waitress and the manager about it, and gave them several opportunities to practice some good customer service. We were continuously looked at with a blank stare of what do you want us to do?!?! They at least took off 1 beer, thanks for saving us the $5, but they should of offered something more than that. The service was really horrible, and the upper management seemed just as clueless. I would recommend Percy Street or Kyber Pass Pub for some reliable BBQ.
(1)Dalla A.
This place gets 3 stars because the ribs were surprisingly excellent, the beer list is decent and our server was sweet and perky. Rest of the food (fish tacos, corn souffle, fries, beans) was bland at best.
(3)John S.
Great little non-traditional bbq spot in Philly. Nice beer list and GREAT Happy Hour specials.
(4)dragon r.
I had the sliders appetizer with a beer. Not the best, but good service, atmosphere, beer and food. I would go back.
(4)J B.
The Sangria was good. However, the waitress was so bad we could not even stay for food. We stopped by on a Wednesday for a quick bite and a drink. Our waitress greeted us with a "it's been a rough night" really it was only 7:30? And not to mention not our fault. When we asked what the specials were she said "there aren't any" when I asked about the tilapia on the board (as she stared at the diner across the street) she said " O I thought you meant drinks" even though we had already been served Sangria. When we asked for a few minutes she disappeared for 10, and we decided it best to move on. Her attitude was beyond rude. It is not our fault you had a bad day.
(2)Michelle S.
Absolutely delicious. I loved every minute of it. The betty burger and sweet potato fries were unbelievably delicious. I practically licked my plate. My sister and mother got the BBQ sliders, they enjoyed them very much. It was fun getting a taste of all. Our waiter was attentive and helpful and it was a great place to get dinner!
(5)Sara L.
I feel a bit schizo for updating this review so many times, but I had a brunch experience so bad that it has to lose a star! On Mother's Day, our brunch started with being shuttled into the bar because we didn't have a reservation, though the restaurant was empty when we got there and empty when we left. Christmas music played through the first half of our meal (because "that's what was playing on the jazz station") in spite of repeated requests to have it changed. The food for each of our four diners arrived at different times. The pancakes arrived without either the "fresh honey butter" or "special syrup", and upon request the pancake eater was presented with a single pat of Land O Lakes, and a paper cup of Aunt Jemima. Two grilled cheese sandwiches with fontina, prosciutto and fig jam arrived in similarly soggy and overgreased states. However, one of them somehow merited and extra $2 charge on our bill. It was just not good. I will not go back here for brunch, and you should not either.
(3)Linz J.
Smokin' Betty's, please stop making me dream about your ribs. Your fall-off-the-bone meat, decadently drizzed in some fantastic brown sugar BBQ saucey concoction's flawlessness has got me in a choke hold. I want to eat them for every meal for the rest of my life. It is likely that none of that made much sense, but neither is the fact that I think that when I dip the sweet potato fries in the whipped sweet potato it tastes like french toast.
(5)Christy T.
Too tasty for words. The man/woman behind the grill is all that! I loved each and every meal I had there. I was in Philly for a convention and stayed around the corner, so location was great, atmosphere was fantastic and the food was really great. I had a great salmon dinner one night and some great slow cooked pork the next. Keep up the good work, Smokin' Betty's you are all that!
(4)christina j.
This was the scene for dinner last night. I had the 1/2 rack bbq ribs(dry rub) along with the macaroni salad and steamed broccoli. The meat from the ribs fell right off the bone & extremely tender. I also had a smokin' betty blonde which paired well with the ribs. My beer buddy ordered the turducken burger and seemed to enjoy it. It was a huge burger and what a mouthful, with the stuffing and cranberry sauce. I sat amazed that he was able to fit this burger in his mouth. The only remains were his side order of fries. The food was good and the waitress was friendly and attentive. Prices are reasonable. One note to add; the bathroom is unisex.
(3)Endyiia E.
Terrible food and customer service. I ordered a pulled chicken sandwich with fries. I was so excited to receive the sandwich I tried it in front of the waiter. The chicken was overcooked and lacking in flavor. I requested to exchange the chicken sandwich for a turkey sandwich since I hadn't bitten the sandwich just tasted it with my fork. The waiter took the sandwich back to the kitchen and returned with it in hand. He stated that the chef and kitchen staff tasted the chicken and it was fine and that I could order a turkey sandwich but would be paying for two sandwiches. My response was no thank you and that I would rather take it home to the family dog or toss it at home. Since the sandwich taste so "great" to the chef and staff would hate to think I'm paying for them to eat my trash! My friend ordered half a grilled chicken that was undercooked and bleeding once she cut near the bone. The waiter took the chicken back to the kitchen for the chef to place it back on the grill. I'm sure heat kills germs but would hate to think someone's fresh piece of chicken is being cooked next to a piece that has been forked over. Overall would have kept walking if I .knew it would be such a bad experience. Would have had a way better meal from Reading Terminal a few blocks way.
(1)sarah j.
Overall, this place was pretty good. Some of the lighting sucks (I had to change seats as soon as I sat down because some crazy track light thing was shining right in my eyes, but I'm sensitive to such things). The bathroom is cool, especially the trough sink, except that unisex = guys don't put the seat down. Happy hour drink specials are a good deal, though I don't know if I could ever ask for a drink with "kitty" in the name. I had the Smokin' Bettly's Blonde beer and the Betty's Grilled Cheese, which was delicious. My only issue is that I ordered it without prosciutto but still had to pay full price; it would be nice if a veg grilled cheese was on the menu. There were other vegetarian options available, but they were of the mushrooms/roasted vegetables/veggie burger variety that just bores me to death. The hosting staff seemed a bit nervously overattentive (possibly because we didn't look like businessfolk?) and the place seemed slightly too organized for the rather unorganized happy hour I attend. Our server did a great job... he was always there to ask if anyone needed another drink, reminded us when happy hour was over, patiently split our checks, and was overall very accommadating to our group. I'd visit this place again with my boyfriend so he can try the bbq, though I probably wouldn't end up here on my own. I'd give this 3.5 stars, and I'll err on the positive side for now.
(4)Adam C.
First off I noticed many people are giving this place 4 or 5 stars. Sorry to be the one to burst the bubble but I didn't feel so welcomed here. Maybe if I crawled in with a bunch of my frat buddies (which I don't have) or fellow nurse pals like in SCRUBS (which I don't have) or a group of cool trust fund kid hipsters who just got back from a Prague trip for inspiration for their next art exhibit (which I am not and don't have, ok maybe a few). To get to the point, it seems this place is meant for groups of six or more to wander in here and the space is accomodating for that. The problem is that the ceilings are quite high, and the speakers for music which the place provides is also quite high, and what happens exactly because of that? Well being someone aware of sound, it gets LOUD! So loud that the costumers as you'll find out when you come here on a friday or saturday, when this place is really hopping, are given no choice but to shout... "HOW DID YOUR WEEK GO AT THE OFFICE!?!?" "WHAT?!?!" "I SAID HOW DID!!!!" This isn't an exaggeration, I actually could hear many people's conversations and noise echoing throughout the space that tries to create a calm atmosphere with it's cream colored walls, paintings of modern taste, some plant-life of feng shui sorts, and candles as the night pressed on as our small four (not six to twenty) group ordered. Mind you, we asked to be seated downstairs, which for some reason was completely empty and not as loud, plus the ceiling downstairs was not as high as the upstairs which as we know could help make it less noisy. The hostess was hesitant to give us that option as she discussed it with her co-worker and later approached us saying "You can sit down here but you might not get a waiter. He's busy upstairs with customers" Ok... does that make any sense? Now before we came inside you could hear the noise from upstairs but you see no activity downstairs where people are passing by outside, looking for a place to eat. Now I don't know about you but don't you want to come to a place where you see people chatting, eatting, and having a good time in plain sight? Not walking by a deserted, creepy, empty downstairs. It's like... Why even have this floor? There's still a bar down here like upstairs and plenty of seating. I mean what?! It boggles the mind. The twilight zone of restaurants! I'm not sure if they ever get enough people in the building and I assume only weekends to start bringing people downstairs. Are they still doing construction? Is there some rule or strange superstition these people practice that keeps people from seating on the first floor, which is what it's supposed to be, but I guess since the second floor is their first floor, this as I been calling it is the downstairs. It sounds like a script for a movie starring Seth Rogen and IDK we'll say Beyounce. They go on a date here and maybe Seth argues why he has to be seated upstairs and not here? Maybe he even gets so obsesssed that he breaks into the place with some stupid side-kick, let's say Jack Black, and they find out that the people here do strange rituals that later opens a portal to Zuul from Ghostbusters. Wow! That sounds like a blockbuster to me! Ok I should stay on subject and stop complaining about WTF the first floor remains vacant with two smiling idiots greeting you. I guess that's what Smokin' Betty is aiming for. And who is Betty? And why call it "Smokin'"? You can't smoke in any public building. Thanks to that douche bag they make fun of on an episode of Pen and Teller's BULLSHIT (which everyone needs to see and maybe they should film an episode about this place). The food wasn't bad but wasn't "smokin'" either. I got fish tacos, never had them before but mine were made with swordfish as the waiter softly whispered, I will get to our waiter next, that they were out of flounder or whatever the fish they usually use for the fish tacos so mine was with swordfish. Ok, whatever, fish is fish. So our waiter! A cute, skinny, hipster, perfect to blend into a screamo band concert, complete with a messy mop of hair. Now as a waiter or any server at some establishment you want to have some social speaking skills of some sort. Like be able to allow the whole table to hear you as you tell them the specials of the day, or what is on and off the menu. Something important to those matters. This boy is good at talking at library levels, which is fine if this place wasn't so.... EEEEFFFING LOUD!!!!! With blasting contemporary bands and electro music, jocks and ladies giggling at the bar and surrounding tables, and noise, noise, noise from all angles. And we get a waiter who is too shy to scream unless he's at band practice where he gets to yell "I HATE YOU SARAH!!!" Seems I don't have much left to say since I wrote too long on noise issues. Last thing, their menus were scrambled with this and last months, so that also spiced things up! TATA!
(2)Eric V.
Not bad. The service was pretty good... of course I haven't seen this place too busy (maybe I just go at the wrong times). The food is pretty good too.... you can't go wrong with a smoked salmon blt.
(3)Anjali M.
After so much hype after the MOOB event and hearing about a new place opening up in my 'hood, I was really excited to try Smokin' Betty's. Without much signage, the anticipation escalated as I was mystified as to whether the restaurant was open. To my dining partner's and my fortune, the restaurant was indeed open and we were promptly seated upstairs by a window overlooking Sansom Street. I think the place essentially looked more spacious because it was still sunny with warm weather so the windows were open and there was some light through the sky light windows. The service was timely and was not rushed. We had come in time for happy hour which I believe runs every day from 5-7 pm (don't quote me on this) so we decided to get a grilled veggie quesadilla for our appetizer and a Paradise Kitty and a Smokin' Betty's Blonde for our drinks. The Paradise Kitty was much mango, little alcohol kick (I think this one of the reasons why I ended up drinking a lot of wine later this night). Grilled veggie quesadilla was a pretty standard fare for an appetizer in the sense that it whet my appetite (ha ha). I had ordered the lamb burger over the turducken burger because I feared the cranberry (or some other berry) topping on it. I ordered it to be medium well and it came out a tiny bit burnt but no worries. Dude, this piece of lamb was HUGE. I literally stuffed myself in the sense that it was one of those sandwiches that I had to pat down in order for me to bite it and in the sense that at the end of my meal, I was ready to bowl over. So why the three stars you ask? I just wasn't too impressed. I feel that the lamb could have been juicier or some other sauce should be added so it doesn't taste so dry. Or give some option to add sauces because I like my burgers like that (juicy or saucy if dry). But it's in my 'hood so I think I'm bound to return and I am open to any suggestions you all may have regarding a good menu choice :)
(3)Wendy S.
I work right around the corner from Smokin' Betty's and I've been walking past ten times a week since they opened. I finally gave it a try last night and I'm just sorry I didn't do it sooner. I'll start with my only complaint - we were seated in the bar area upstairs and it was barely controlled chaos. We arrived at about 6:30 on a Friday night and the noise level was just shy of intolerable. I'm getting old, I'm way past boring, and I no longer drink so please take that into consideration. It's clearly a hot spot for the young, casual after work crowd, so if that's you, you'll love it. Anyway, after taking a look at the menu, I was most excited about the warm bread pudding, so my boyfriend and I decided to order 2 small plates to share and 2 sides rather than full entrees. Umm...yeah. The servings were *huge*. We split the chicken wings (dry rub - spicy, succulent, and delish with a schmear of spicy mayo and fab pasta salad), bbq sliders trio (all 3 were excellent, but brisket and pork stood out and the vinegar-heavy coleslaw was a winner), grilled vegetables (crazy good), and bucket o' fries (up there with the best I've had and so perfectly seasoned that they didn't need a thing). In fact, my only complaint about the food was that I was so stuffed, we didn't get to try the bread pudding. We enjoy pigging out, but the two small plates and two sides were so generously sized that we took half the wings, fries, and veggies home. I believe our server's name was Emily. She was slammed with tables, but super friendly nonetheless. Our total bill for two was under $40 with tax and tip. I think I might prefer lunch to dinner next time, due to the crazy atmosphere...but I will definitely be back and highly recommend you check it out.
(4)lindsay t.
They have multiple sauces for the meats which is nice, but my ultimate test at every barbecue location is the sides. The biscuits looked great but a person I was with wouldn't even finish one. Another person didn't enjoy the whipped sweet potatoes, and the mac & cheese (which I had been craving all day) was way too creamy and not even macaroni. The service was good (the server was very accommodating with the multiple checks), and the happy hour drink specials were decent-- so if you go just keep to the main plates.
(3)Joseph K.
I went to celebrate a friend's birthday. The dim, breezy atmosphere was a great complement to the bright, hot evening outside. We sat in front of French doors that opened onto 13th Street for some great people watching. Our server (wish I could remember her name) was charming and efficient. I'm still fantasizing about the delightful variety of the barbeque sliders, their various piquant sauces and tender meat. The whipped sweet potatoes brought back memories of holidays that never happened. The birthday cake exceeded my chocolate expectations: moist chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache.
(4)Katie V.
Great Happy Hour specials and friendly staff.
(4)Mike S.
Two words will keep me coming back to this great beer bar - Turducken burger! The perfect pairing of spices and flavors bring together three staples of the meatyverse - turkey, duck, and chicken! It was delicious, and with a solid beer menu to wash it down with, you can't go wrong. I'm looking forward to trying more on the menu!
(4)David B.
3rd or 4th visit here. We have previously enjoyed all other visits. Saturday April 14th - not so much. The food was fine and our server was good. However, our evening (a birthday gathering) was dominated by a private party in the upstairs space beside the stairwell. This space is completely open to the rest of the restaurant and because they were allowed to bring in live music WITH amplification, conversation for our 9-top was uncomfortable and sometimes impossible. We have seen this space used for private groups before - without intruding into anyone elses evening. Since the space is not closed off, they should reconsider the impact of the event on Saturday on the rest of their clients. In addition to this, our seating was enough for 6-7 max. We had reserved well in advance for 10 and ended up being 9. It was incredibly tight. Unfortunately, it was also unseasonably hot. Some windows upstairs were open but many were not. There was no air-conditioning and the temperature became uncomfortable and sticky. Honestly, we we couldn't wait to leave once we settled our $400 bill. More than 1/2 our group had not been before and I don't think they'll be rushing back.
(2)Glenn J.
What a evening I had at this place...it really F*%cking sucked! I have never been upset by a eatery like this one! First off lets start with the waiter Josh that clearly new nothing. Do they even go through training to even work at establishments like this? I can go on and on about the inconsistencies of this place, but I'll try to keep it short. First off paper napkins? In a place such as this in the location that it's in and a place that serves BBQ what the hell do u seriously think I'm going to do with one, thin, cheap ass; napkin? We sat a table 21 as a party of six with water we hope was from the A/C dripped on one of my friends. When we alerted the staff this lady came out that I can only describe as looking like Mrs. Garret from the 80's sitcom 'The Facts Of Life' hollering "Well there's nothing we can do" "It's the humidity". Number one u never tell ur customers there is nothing u can do as water from Lord knows where is dripping on them! Number two never try to cover something up by stating some lame as Sh!t like it's the humidity! Like really? This is not the Smokin' Sweat shop. My friend made adjustments and moved over a bit from the leakage. Let's get on the food. We started with the corn muffins wich were luke warm with hard and jalapenos that came in horrible, cheap, paper cups... like if I wanted to eat this cheaply I could have gone to the diner across the street. and who serves hard butter with jalapeno on top like at least whip it...it's not rocket science the little things count!!! The BBQ was alright, but nothing to write home about for my family is from S.C. and I know BBQ. The dry rub is better then the lackluster sauce. I ordered the Tur-duc-en burger after seeing it featured on FOOD Network and was treated to raw meat in my mouth the burger was under cooked and looked nothing like it was televised. When I alerted the staff after I found out I was eating raw meat..... mind u ground meat which ups ur chances of food born illness....... he asked me whether I wanted a new one or did he want me to fry up the other half.....WHAAAAAAAAAT? Fry up the other half????? Is it not custom to send me a whole new one??? In short with service and food the way it is in that area the only thing that will be smokin' is Betty's car on the way to Bankruptcy!!
(1)Laura W.
Their Saturday brunch is amazing. Since it was slow, we picked a table right near the window and sat back to enjoy our meal. My friend and I split the grilled cheese w/fig jam and the turkey sandwich. I was a little nervous about the grilled cheese but this is a culinary masterpiece! It was a party in my mouth! The hostess/server was extremely friendly and the prices were very reasonable.
(5)R L.
This transcends epicurean evolution; yes, the Turducken Burger is irrefutable proof of intelligent design. It is truly the master work of a culinary deity, a Frankensteinian genius with the audacity to meld three fowl into one. Turkey, chicken, duck pate, stuffing, and cranberry sauce drenched in gravy and barely contained by a bun. An abomination of nature? No, rather a new tome in the bible of flavor.
(5)John C.
The set up is really nice and a great space for groups. The bar looks fun but we sat in the dining area. The beer list was pretty good with a variety of beers from the West Coast and East Coast. The beer list was also priced well with most beers being about $5. The service was good, our server could have been a little more enthusiastic about the food or beer but our waters were continually filled and the food came on time. We had the burger and the chicken cordon blue sandwich. The chicken sandwich was really good, the bread was great. The burger has a lot of potential but we tried to split it, which was a disastrous decision. The burger is topped with a ton of stuff: avocado, tomato, onion, cheese, pork belly and egg. It seems silly to whine about too many toppings on a burger but when you can't actually eat it without losing some toppings and getting stuff all over your hands then there is probably too much stuff on a burger. We didn't have dessert. I would go back for a beer and atmosphere, the food was good but not something I would seek out. Prices were good as well.
(4)Carl C.
Ok, if you get the waitress whose name rhymes with "Crook" she is bound to forget something. I am not sure what kind of green bud she is smokng but I need her connection. Went with 2 friends of mine on cold, dreary, dreadful night. There were 12 people in the whole restaraunt and the service was terrible. I have had experienced this here before (forget the ketchup, forget my water...) but last night spawned me to write this review. She brought out our entrees and forgot the soup...got the drinks mixed up, asked us to repeat our order. These are all classic signs of the aformentioned green bud but c'mon Crook. You are doing Devil s Alley injustice by representing this establishment like this. If it was busy I could understand but there was no one there. On a side note, what is with waitress's/waiters memorizing the order. Please just write it down. It makes the diner feel more comfortable. The food other than the soups which we didn't receive was good. The best part is she said she would take the soup off the bill. Thanks genius, did you smoke a blunt or doing bong hits before you came in tonight? Anyway I am sure i will go back because I dig the atmoshpere and the food but they need to have a training sessions with the wait staff.....not a smoke session.
(2)Dave F.
Best brunch I've ever had. Stumbling upon this place mid heavy rain shower, it turned out to be a very lucky find. The place was cosy, the music was cool, the service was excellent and above all the brunch menu was both innovative and delicious. And for the not so innovative dish; the standard American breakfast; it cost a mere $7.95. Amazing deal for a place as nice as this. Also try the drinks here - had a warm coffee, butter scotch and baileys irish cream drink. Perfect for a rainy day.
(5)Jessica W.
Hello, review #3. I had to tell all you Yelpers about how much I LOVED the bbq sliders I had here the other night. I don't even eat pulled pork, and the pulled pork slider was my favorite. You also get a brisket and a caribbean chicken, but honestly- the pulled pork was phenomenal. I also thought the order wouldn't fill me up, but I left ridiculously full. Smokin' Betty's just keeps me coming back with their amazing food. I can't wait to try more of that bbq.
(5)Brian W.
The service is great. Happy hour is always packed and beer selection is unique. The food is good but I think slightly overpriced.
(3)Pong C.
Definitely a great spot for happy hour (great atmosphere upstairs, blah blah, blah). More importantly, great prices on booze ($2 lagers, $3 house wines) and some decent food specials ($5 wings). I had the wings (dry-rubbed) and they were pretty amazing. Very meaty and nicely charred. Order some bbq sauce on the side and you'll thing you're in wing heaven. Our server was pretty awful, he kept forgetting people's order and instead of admitting that he forgot, he would just say "he'll check on it." I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and say he's an outlier.
(4)Kate W.
Came in late one night after work so around 9 pm on a Wednesday night, we were the only people there but didn't feel rushed even though we knew they were closing at 10. The dry rub wings are an absolute must have, they were so delicious. I just ordered those with a Kenzinger and my boyfriend got the brisket sandwich which he was a big fan of. I like this place alot and will definitely be back, even just for the wings alone.
(4)Mike S.
Stopped in for happy hour dranks and nom noms last night. The atmosphere is... hard to understand? It's comfortable and slick but hard to tell who they're really targeting. Beer list was pretty good... but we had wine. Menu had some alright choices, nothing that wowed us. However, happy hour food prices were good for Center City and, more importantly, very tasty! Cheesesteak eggrolls, BBQ wings, and a 6" flank steak w/ shrooms and spinach pizza - all delicious. Wait staff was prompt with everything except our check. All in all, not a bad place.
(3)Wen V.
My review may seem bias since I used to work at the restaurant; on the contrary, I may have some resourceful info to help make your visit to smokin bettys more enjoyable. During dinner, it's really noisy, esp during happy hr so I would avoid coming here for a meeting or with your grandparents. I would also bring a sweater, sometime it can get cold near the windows and doors. Don't get mad at the staff, the staff is pretty much awesome, blame the managers. Since I've been there, the management struggles with keeping a solid staff, people tend to quit after a month. Meaning your server is probably new and inexperienced. I would recommend asking the host to be seated by their "best servers who isn't too busy." If you're going for a pre-show dinner, make sure ur order is made 2 hr before. Don't bother to ask servers about food recommendations, chances are the server hasn't tried everything on the menu since the owner is too cheap to feed their waitstaff. It's a classier bbq joint but with an odd mix of customers, there's no dress code, you'll get doctors in scrubs to old people with walker to loud BBWs. I would recommend eating there but definitely not work there. The best is saved for last: while I was working there didn't ask for verication of the Jefferson Discount, so totally take advantage getting 15% off. If Smokin Betty's doesn't seem for you try Percy Street BBQ, or Sweet Lucy's smokedhouse voted better than Smokin Betty's by Zagat.
(1)Natedogg G.
Smokin' Betty's is conveniently located across the street from Jefferson Hospital. We were thrilled to discover that they would allow us to order carry out while we were in the hospital for 4 days following the birth of our child. We liked our dinner so much the first night that we ordered it again for lunch the next day, then the next night for dinner and so on. We have officially tried most things on the menu at this point! The salads are awesome...especially the beet salad. The brisket sandwich was perfect and the California turkey sandwich has the best homemade bread...it was great that all of the bbq uses different sauces made especially for the dish...a lot of places just put the same sauce on everything. Highly recommended...especially if you find yourself needing some carry out!
(5)liza c.
I'm pretty sure that there was some type of vortex on the second floor of Smokin' Betty's that sucks in the innocent guest and employee as they pass by the bar on their way to a table. This is the only possible scenario I can envision to account for the absence of the bubbly hostess when she travelled upstairs to "set up a table". Fifteen minutes later, still waiting and getting viciously hungry, we took matters into our own hands and headed upstairs. The MOD found and sat us, quite thankfully, though he didn't seem too concerned that there hadn't been a hostess downstairs for an indeterminant amount of time. Plus, he wasn't the friendliest chap ever to run a restaurant. So, we're off to a bad start. This was quickly followed by two separate servers taking a drink order. Unluckily, we didn't get double drinks. What we DID get was a server who seemed to be a little "high on life" in a very overzealous sort of way, if you get my drift. Ok, so the service was bad. End of story. Let's talk about the food: Cut me off at the knees and call me shorty. Best fish tacos I've had since I made them two weeks ago. Even though they were pretty messy and the sauce dripped all over the place, the combination of flavors was incredible - pickled onions, tiniest radish slices ever made, and fish grilled perfectly!!! Yum with a capital why. The cider that I ordered was completely disgusting though. It actually smelled and tasted like an apple jolly rancher. If I wanted something like that, I would have ordered an apple martini. Gross. All things considered, I will definitely go back to sample from the plethora of items on their menu. Honestly, though, I will probably still have the fish tacos.
(3)Amanda S.
We chose to dine at Smokin' Betty's for my husband's birthday dinner because they could easily accommodate a party of 8. I would liken the restaurant to a non-chain version of a TGI Fridays or Ruby Tuesday's. It was a good, casual place to go for comfort food with a relatively large group. The Betty Burger sounded delicious, but overwhelming. Most of our group got other sandwiches and beer. I had an oyster po' boy that was a special and it was pretty good. The mac n' cheese was absolutely delicious, though. I wish I knew how to achieve that level of creaminess when I make my homemade mac. We would probably come back to Betty's with out-of-town guests who would likely be intimidated by some Philly's smaller, trendier restaurants. Oh, and as other reviewers have commented, the bathrooms were pretty gross....something that can probably be attributed to the fact that they are unisex and men's bathrooms typically are pretty gross.
(3)GM F.
Tried this place recently and was not impressed. The food is about on par with a subpar Applebees. I had the BBQ sliders and was left wanting much more. The brisket was the only decent one of the three, helped by regular BBQ sauce. The chicken was dry and flavorless and the pork was more of the same, albeit a tad less dry. The fries were decent. Worst part was the turkey chili. It was the consistency of clay, it could have been used as a spackle by a bricklayer.
(2)Clifton S.
I have to say that if you were to judge a book by the cover, then this is the place to be. It has a great atmosphere. I love the windows and the second level (it allows for an open breeze experience). Overall, I will say that the service is the pits. Maybe they are still getting the hang of things; however, my friend and I waited about 30 minutes for the waiter to bring our drink from the bar. That was just crazy. The wait staff is "too quick" to provide you with a good experience. I may thy this place again; however, I will certainly wait until it has been open for a few months and their service improves.
(2)Bill C.
Last week went to Bettys and the beer was the best thing about my Betty experience. I have been back several times since my initial review and have found the food to be at times inconsistent but usually still pretty good. My last experience however is something that I cannot ignore (partly because of terrible indegestion). I ordered a very tasty draft beer but it was served in a daiquiri glass. Good beer but I felt kind of wierd drinking it in its funny glass. Ordered a burger (no surprise, since i am a burger head). Asked for it medium with bacon and chedder and waited anxiously for it to arrive. When it came it did not appear medium, it appeared burnt. I was hungry at this point that I decided just to eat it. Well done burger can sometimes still be juicy but this was not, it was very difficult to eat and now i regret having consumed it. Next time (if there is a next time) I will remember to ask for rare hoping to get medium. An undercooked burger can sometimes be saved and if its quality meat it should still be safe to eat but an overcooked burger of the sort I had should only be used as an extra puck for a game of street hockey.
(2)Tom G.
Reserved my review of this place after several meals both lunch and dinner. The atmosphere coupled with the good (although somewhat limited) menu and reasonable prices has made this one of my favorite go to places. The service needs some work but that's not uncommon for a new restaurant. The Second floor has a great feel when the weather is nice as all the oversized windows fold open. At times it can get noisy being directly across from the hospital but in my experience not annoyingly so.
(4)KayGee G.
I was able to schedule a impromptu meetup last week thanks to Smokin' Betty's. Everyone on staff was so wonderful and helpful. Everyone had a great time and the food and drinks were great. I especially liked the philly cheesesteak spring rolls and the blood orange mojito that I had. Will definitely return to the place.
(4)Terry C.
I like the way this place is laid out - downstairs is a lounge with nice sofas, small tables, floor to ceiling windows that open; upstairs is a groovy bar, tables, exposed brick, dark wood, floor to ceiling blackboard inscribed with the specials and drink selections, and great lighting! Prior to going I thought this restaurant was an exploration of BBQ / Southern themed cooking. But was delighted to find that it is much more than just BBQ, cornbread, and stick to your ribs potatoes! They have interesting quesadillas (I highly recommend the Vegetarian), fish tacos (type of fish changes daily), and an amazing Chocolate Cake! The brisket, latke, and sauteed green beans is also very good - although the latke was a bit too salty for my taste. There's wine (no melbec), a multitude of beers (apricot and pear), and some really awesome cocktails (Grace Lightening, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Miss Behavior to name a few). The service was kind of slow, but overall it was a good time! I definitely plan on going back - I need to try the Turkey platter with Mashed Sweet Potatoes!
(4)Erik s.
Smokin Betty's is like Devil's Alley on human growth hormone. The space is much larger and open with a bit more light. The menu is more expansive and executed a lot better then it's counterpart. For the most part I would stick to the comfort foods part of the menu: the beef burgers, mac and cheese , biscuits and BBQ sliders are all good. The ribs are some of the better ones I have had in Philly ( I had them dry rubbed and dipped em in their sweet and tangy St Louis style BBQ sauce). What chaps my ass on city BBQ is when you order a full rack at some spots and they give you what appears to be ribs from an anemic miniature Cambodian pot belly pig. Not so at Betty's a full rack is a red blood American style portion proving why American will always suffer from heart disease- no problem Jefferson is down the street. I would stay away from their riskier dishes: salmon BLT and Turducken burger, both were a bit dry and disappointing, but they have a good happy hour. Either way a welcome addition to what is fast beginning to be my favorite part of the city.
(4)John M.
Goal for 2011: review more on Yelp. OK, so Smokin Betty's was a few blocks from my hotel and got decent reviews. Plus, I am a sucker for BBQ. I assumed with "smokin" in the name, that I'd have some real BBQ, but no. First off, it took 10 minuets before the girl that seated me decided I was worth waiting on. I got the brisket from the standard menu, though I was tempted to go for the restaurant week fare. The food was OK, though I am fairly certain it was not smoked. I saw no smoke rings, and it was drenched in a mushroom sauce (which was actually good, just not what I expected for a BBQ place). I did have a cup of chilli also, and it was excellent. Also has a decent beer list. I'd go back, but wouldn't be excited.
(3)D K.
(2.5 stars, really) I've been here twice now, once for a happy hour and today for lunch. Happy hour drink specials were good but the food seemed just so-so. Today's experience was sort of odd: There were three of us and the place was nearly empty...and quite chilly. The host seated us at a four-top, which turned out to be partially un-cleaned. We moved to a clean table and, due to the chill, two of ate with coats on. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food...my burger with blue cheese was tasty and the sweet-potato fries were great. Our serve was good, but the host was ... off, for lack of a better word... and the chef also forgot the 'shrooms on one of our burgers. Not a horrible experience, but definitely more near misses than I'd expect in an empty restaurant. I'd come back if a group wanted to or it was the only nearby place that's open.
(3)Michael R.
I went here for brunch recently and came away with mixed feelings. I had the open faced omelet which was good, but slightly overpriced at $10. My companion had the sliders which were outstanding, and cost less than omelet at $8. The verdict: I would go again, but would skip the brunch items. If you are interested in a traditional brunch (eggs, pancakes, etc) there are other places that do it better.
(3)Angela C.
The BBQ riblets (with the sauce) were really tasty! I ordered them for lunch and the server recommended I order a side dish. I chose the flourless corn cake...ewww. The portion was huge but it was for naught since it was inedible. It was flavorless and the bottom was downright soggy. The server asked if I liked it, and when I told her no, she told me the corn cake was supposed to be soft. Uh, what? Soft, yes, mushy, no. This server and another that we briefly interacted with were a little standoffish.
(3)David L.
My Girlfriend came into town and I wanted to take her to a spot that was different and where people gave good reviews. Well, I'm with Adam on this one. When we got there the place had a cool little vibe until the hostess/waitress showed up and said just pick a seat anywhere. So we sat and brushed it off but we soon got the impression that are waitress probably wanted to go home. Mind you it was only like 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon. She asked us if we wanted to get drinks and we said give us a minute to think it over. To make a long story short she never asked us if we needed drinks again, if we needed anything or anything else to be quite frank. The only times she did speak to us she was quite snappy and irritated. We ordered some of those dry rub wings but they looked like the cook went on break and forgot to take the off the grill. My girlfriend ordered the beef brisket sandwich which was pretty good and I ordered the lamb burger which was pretty bland. The highlight of the whole experience was when another employee came to put up the specials for the evening on the dinning room blackboard. We admired the creativity of the dishes while wishing we came at a different time.
(2)lisa g.
The food was ok, the atmosphere really nice but the service bad! We had to find the waitress-it took forever
(2)marie d.
Last night was my first time at Smokin' Betty's and the first thing that struck me was the fair prices on the menu. As an unemployed grad student, I certainly appreciate a place that doesn't overcharge you. Also, the atmosphere and lay-out of the restaurant was great and lends itself to socializing and a general good time. However, I was compelled to write this review for anyone who may be interested in ordering their Quesadillas. I ordered the chicken quesadillas, which are $6 more than the standard cheese ones; however, there was one tiny piece of chicken in each triangle, and the majority of the quesadillas was nothing but fried onions. They were very disappointing and certainly not worth the $13 I piad for them. Each quesadilla was basically an overwhelming slew of greasy onions sandwiched between tortillas. I'd go back and try this place again, but I am skeptical that their low prices correlate with skimpy dishes.
(2)Alyssa P.
BEST WINGS IN PHILADELPHIA. Hands Down. I feel like it has been a life mission of mine to find them, and they have arrived at Smoking Betty's with dry rub, spicalicious sauce and crispy grilled perfection. For you hot and blue wing eaters, you won't have a hard time finding those or just making them yourself. But for the true flavor loving, chicken bone sucking, tongue smackin', fingerlickin' wingaholics, this is the spot where your dreams meet reality. We went 3 times in one weekend and keep coming back for more. The price is great too. This review is solely for the wings. All other things aside, they earn the stars for the wings. I dare anyone to challenge, review or shed light on a better wing in the city.
(5)Kristen S.
Meh. Great draught beer options--love the Furthermore Knot Stock with BBQ. The food was definitely just ok. Fish tacos were lacking in the flavor and crunch that's so easy to find at just about any restaurant in the Southwest, and was served in a tortilla that hadn't been warmed fully, so it split around its contents. Mac and cheese was good, but not phenomenal. Cornbread muffins were great texture, but tasted a bit like plastic--maybe too much time in a plastic bag? BBQ sliders tasted a lot like liquid smoke, which isn't really acceptable in a place with the word "smokin" in the name, but the slaw that came with them was great--deliciously vinegary and sweet with a little bit of bite. Sweet potato fries were really good, but fries and slaw and beer do not a meal make. Might go back for a beer after work, but definitely not for the food. Servers were nice but food seemed to come out really slowly.
(2)Rachel E.
I went there for happy hour with some coworkers. I was incredibly excited to try the food and drinks offered at a great rate. The food and drinks were mediocre. The environment is cute and has a great neighborhood vibe. However the manager ruined my experience and is the reason I will not return. After all my coworkers had left, I stayed a bit longer. The bill had been paid about half an hour earlier and the manager approached me. She told me that I had tipped poorly. I was very confused as another person had signed the bill. I was so caught off guard and told her I didn't know what she was talking about. She proceeded to come back to the table with the receipt to prove me wrong. Admittedly my friend accidentally tipped on only half of the bill since we used a credit card for only half. However I do not think approaching me in a such a manner was appropriate or professional. I was embarrassed. I had never been approached by a manager who basically called me out for a bad tip. It was incredibly rude. I felt bad for the mistake but it was not handled well by management at all. The food was not worth returning to this place as I would prefer not to be accosted by a manager at the conclusion of my meal.
(1)Will T.
Definitely the place to go if you want good BBQ. I've twice, once ordered the BBQ sliders and the second time ordered the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich. There really wasn't much else on the menu that caught my eye except for the short ribs which I plan on getting next time I go. The beer list is impressive (I'd go with the Hennepin or Righteous ale). The dessert menu is pretty lacking but hopefully that will improve over time.
(4)Aaron B.
Food is ok. Space is nice. Service is good. Beer list is respectable and changes frequently. Value is fantastic. In this neighborhood where overpriced bars abound, there aren't many other non-dives around to get a beer for less than $5. 4 stars!
(4)Pete S.
Came here for Med school event. Decent crowd. Good drinks. Nothing that would really merit a 4 star review. Just, good. Definitely will go back to try the rest of the menu...
(3)