There is no where to get a good breakfast around manayunk, so my husband and I decided to try here. First, the coffee is from La Colombe so it is delicious and bottomless!! Second, the server could not have been kinder to us and our daughter. She even made sure she had crayons and paper. Lastly, food was very good. Try the Nutella French toast.
(4)
Rhian T.
Friendly service, fresh food. I came here thinking it would be a small dive cafe that I could grab a snack from but was pleasantly surprised that it was a modern, fresh, full menu cafe. We enjoyed breakfast and lunch items including smoothies, waffles and kids meals. It came fast, we ate it all up and it was affordable. Atmosphere is nice and outdoor seating is a plus. They are very friendly and accommodating as well.
(4)
Rin Z.
Trolley Car Haiku let me thank you for it was such a lovely brunch
(4)
Sue S.
Best to sit in the garden during the warm months. The inside can get a bit noisy. Friendly and good service and food.
(4)
Adam F.
Awesome awesome place: 1) BYOB 2) Dog friendly 3) Vitamin water 4) Killer brunch 5) Frittatas 6) Fish tacos 7) Chorizo breakfast burrito 8) Challah french toast w/ nutella Definitely check it out.
(4)
Eamon T.
Wow what an overpriced "diner". I stopped by looking forward to eating a tasty meal and after ordering my bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel I was told the total was $6.91! I scoffed at the price, and reluctantly pulled out my wallet. Its East Falls so it should not be Rittenhouse prices, I have also gotten cheaper breakfast sandwiches in Rittenhouse! While the bagel was yummy, it is near impossible to make a breakfast sandwich taste bad. Get your prices fixed Trolley Car, you won't see me again.
(1)
Giada J.
seated outside and forgotten; moved in outside and finally got drinks; watched ppl in after us receive their food before us; left after not receiving our food, refills, or even a friendly check-in from the staff for an hour; some of the staff were being served food prior to the guests; use to enjoy for a quick breakfast but it's food that can be made at home for way cheaper and without the frustration of feeling like your business doesn't matter.
(1)
Stacey W.
I went for the first time yesterday for breakfast. I arrived a bit after 8 am, and there was no one else in the cafe when I was there. I ordered pancakes, and then proceeded to wait. And wait. And wait. After fifteen minutes, I asked what was happening. I was told they cook their pancakes in a skillet in the oven (what???) so it takes a big longer. Finally, after twenty minutes, I left. How can it possibly take more than twenty minutes for pancakes when there is no one else is the restaurant??? I won't be back.
(1)
Rita M.
Cute little no-frills diner. A friend and I came here on a sunny day, so we enjoyed lunch on the little patio outside. I got a burger, which was pretty unmemorable. Service was decent, not terribly slow (though the place was empty). Our server was friendly and I really don't have any complaints. I would probably give Trolley Car another shot in the future.
(3)
Heather H.
This place is a great addition to the area! We have been there for snacks, brunch and dinner. The outdoor eating area is the best part! A great and cozy little place to eat with your dog too! You can also see where they get a lot of their fresh herbs and vegetables since their garden is right there! They love dogs there too! Expect your pup to be treated like royalty! Large bowl of ice water, sunshine and a homemade peanut butter cookie when they arrive. There is also a doggie menu which makes me kinda want to order from it! Turkey meatballs on arugula.... WOOF!! The only reason that I didn't give another star is for the service. It can be kinda slow sometimes. This is sort of a relaxed, slow place anyways though!
(4)
Howard S.
I have finally found Peace in my search for serious breakfast food. The trolley car cafe is a Delightful spot to eat. The breakfast is delicious. Try the challah french toast . The service is very pleasant and the ambiance is warm and friendly.
(4)
Jeffrey F.
Great alternative diner. Big inside Good food and menu and serves alcohol great milkshakes Perfect for kids
(4)
Kevin M.
We've been here a few times- each time was for breakfast/lunch and it was very good. Recommend the fritatta, cream chip beef (excellent), cheese grits, crab cake slider and strawberry smoothie. Our local brunch preferences have been the Urban Cafe (Sundays only) and Trolley Car Cafe the rest of the week.
(4)
Gwendolyn P.
I love this place for so many reasons although there are a few things that prevent me from giving it five stars. Let's start with the positive. 1) Free parking (did you read that?) free parking in Philly! 2) Tasty food 3) Solid menu 4) Courteous helpful staff. 5) Outdoor seating next to a lovely garden 6) Great location right next to Kelly Drive Negatives - 1)Although this place claims that it has wi-fi it has NEVER once worked when I have been there. It would save me the aggravation if they just told me they didn't have it. 2) The bathroom - I have been in airplane bathrooms larger than this bathroom.
(4)
Natalie D.
Woke up Sunday morning to try based on reviews. Food not at all cracked up to be. Food was served to us cold. Looks are very deceiving. We could have cooked the same food better at home. Service was ok though. The only good thing about the place is the "fresh squeezed orange juice" and food presentation. Overall not a place to take time out of your day to go to.
(3)
Andrea S.
Went here for lunch today at it was delicious. I got take out and everyone was so helpful and nice when I went to pick up my food I couldn't help but tell them! I got the Caprese salad and added the grilled Cajun shrimp to it. It was soooooo good! everything was so fresh and I love that they don't put a heavy vinaigrette on it they let everything stand on its own.. The shrimp and just the right amount of kick to it and the salad was the perfect size. It looked very clean and welcoming inside I cant wait to go in and try some of there breakfast items they look just as good.
(5)
DanaJoy88 ..
Living in south philly I love an early morning drive or bike along Kelly Dr and this is how we discovered Trolley Car Cafe. We have returned again since because the value, quality,and creativity of their menu are things to be valued. I recommend getting there early because around 9:30-10 is the time people really start rolling in on the weekends. Also make sure to enroll in their rewards program because nothing makes a great meal better then a discount!
(4)
Robyn H.
Just left Trolley Car and had the BLATO.... turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado and onion on a croissant with cole slaw and pickles. Pretty good. I will return......
(3)
Gerrae S.
Great New Spot in East Falls. Food is fresh and tasty. I've been here twice now and my only complaint is that they stop serving breakfast at 12 on Sunday. :(
(4)
Michelle C.
My dad has always talked about the Trolley Car Cafe as one of his favorite spots for lunch. Today, I met him there, and we both left in agreement that our experience was terrible. There is outdoor seating in the back but we chose to sit inside since it was a hot day. Unfortunately, the amount of flies that were buzzing around the restaurant was probably more than we would have encountered outside. It was disgusting. They absolutely should put one of those double door hutch thingies leading to the patio to help prevent this. Service was bad. There's no other way to put it. Our server was nice enough, but she didn't attempt to relay our orders with any sort of accuracy to the guys in the kitchen who did more talking than cooking. My dad asked for a blackened salmon Caesar salad and I asked for the buffalo chicken wrap to be made into a salad (so basically, same ingredients, on a plate, minus the wrap). My dad's salmon was not blackened (he says he's had it that way on other visits without a problem). My salad wasn't remotely close to a buffalo chicken salad. There was grilled chicken (I was expecting breaded but wasn't bothered by grilled, even though it still seemed rather greasy), asparagus (what?), barbecue sauce (what?) and ranch served on the side instead of blue cheese dressing. The rest of the salad was pretty sad - just some romaine and a few dices of pale tomatoes. I'd rather not have any tomatoes than be served non-local tomatoes in the middle of August in an area surrounded by farms. It took longer than it should have to get the check and get out of there. I absolutely will not be going back, and I've already tipped off my dad to another nearby restaurant that I think he'll enjoy far more next time.
My girlfriend and I decided to try Trolley Car Cafe for brunch and let me tell you this place is to die for!!!!!! From the greeting when we walked in, to the excellent service proved by Holly to the delicious food from Isaac. I ordered the chicken and waffles with a side of potatoes and a piece of catfish. My girlfriend ordered cinnamon raisin French toast with a side of potatoes and bacon. All I have to say is that everything was DELICIOUS!!!!!!! I especially loved the catfish-thank you so much Isaac :-) the breading on the catfish-omg... Perfectly seasoned and just scrumptious. My girlfriend has no complaints either. If you are looking for great service with warm and friendly staff as well as delicious food. Please visit the Trolley car cafe. Trust me you will not be disappointed
(4)
Sharia W.
The Trolley cafe was pretty cool. Went there on a Saturday late afternoon. The service was pretty deceit, one server however had a little attitude, but she was pretty nice to everyone else. Liked the fact that they had an outside patio for eating. Pretty good choices of food, but not a huge selection. It wasn't crowded so we didn't have to wait, which was pretty cool on a Labor Day weekend. The food was pretty tasty, but it could have used a little more seasoning. Also, my breakfast sandwiches had cheese on it and it wasn't even melted. So, in gin a slice of cheese just sittin on top of eggs? Ewww....however, I would definitely go back and try something else. Yes, there's a parking lot, but it gets pretty crowded fast. There's street parking available and a $1.50 an hour lot, right across the street.
(3)
Steve Q.
Just moved to the area and was looking for a good place to get brunch. I got a simple with bacon egg and cheese and cheese grits. It was excellent. Kyle, the waiter did a great job. Was impressed that he repeated the order to make sure he got it right.The atmosphere is fun and casual... Will definitely be back
(4)
Tyneisha M.
I must say my experience this time around was much better and I'd certainly come back. The "friend" from my last visit is now my current boyfriend and we met at Trolley Car a year ago this past Sunday for our first date so it was fitting that we came back of course lol. We came around 1pm for brunch and it was crowded as expected but we did not have to wait. I also researched a bit before we came back here and saw that they allow dogs on the patio and even have a dog menu!! I can't wait to bring my Bella (pom/chi mix) when it's warm out. The Food My bf and I each ordered a special. He ordered the jerk chicken tacos and I ordered the mini breakfast sandwiches with roasted potatoes. The food was tasty but mine was a bit cold, I'm assuming because it was sitting out waiting for his to finish but overall it was good. Try this place!
(4)
Dan M.
Really nice spot. Great location, excellent outdoor seating and their breakfast sandwiches are pretty ballin'
(5)
Joey M.
Cute lil brunch spot that I've passed a thousand times before but never noticed! They are only open till 3 so make sure you get there early if you have a hankering for brunch. It is a oblong type restaurant with tiny table and chairs and historical type decor. Ordered: Eggs Benedict with hollandaise on the side and ham (alternatively could have had spinach): this was 'ok' at best. The egg and ham underwhelmed the English muffin and the hollandaise tasted more like a soft butter than hollandaise. This was served with roasted potatoes that were just a tad well done for my liking. My friend really enjoyed her pesto grilled cheese though and it was served with a small side salad. In the spring/summer the outdoor deck is open for dining. I think I would try another brunch spot before returning here.
(3)
Emily Y.
First impression was great. Great location, decor and friendly welcome. Unfortunately was disappointed from there. Silverwear, glasses, mugs, were spotty/dirty. Sunny day. Not enough umbrellas to cover 3 of the tables outside. People getting up and moving constantly. Staff was super flustered/visibly overwhelmed. Food took extremely long to come out. Was okay. Appearance was sloppy. Bread barely toasted. Stale. Jelly/Salsa came out in plastic to-go containers. Check took quite long to receive. Had all the makings of a great spot, but too much stacked against it.
(2)
Suzanne M.
The food is good, but my goodness... $9.00+ for a breakfast sandwich??? I ordered a spinach, egg, cheese, onion and bacon wrap that cost over $9.00. Well, let's just say I will never do that again. While I look for fresh, preservative free food, spending $9.00 for a wrap is ridiculous.
(2)
DanaJoy88 ..
Living in south philly I love an early morning drive or bike along Kelly Dr and this is how we discovered Trolley Car Cafe. We have returned again since because the value, quality,and creativity of their menu are things to be valued. I recommend getting there early because around 9:30-10 is the time people really start rolling in on the weekends. Also make sure to enroll in their rewards program because nothing makes a great meal better then a discount!
(4)
Noah F.
I was very pleased with this incarnation of The Trolley Car restaurants! Trolley Car Cafe, East Falls, diverges largely from its siblings. Trolley has rain proof outdoor seating, a cozy and warm indoor environment, perfectly sized portions, and a creative menu. As far as the menu Trolley can whip up the usual along with unique selections like cream chipped beef, breakfast nachos, and Belgium waffles (ice cream and fruit if you want)! One thing that really stands out are the rectangular plates, it just makes the food more organized and it's more fun to eat that way. Because Trolley is dog friendly, clean, and modern you can't beat it! Also our waitress Sarah was wonderful as she was quick, nice, and thoughtful. Great service. Never been disappointed.
(4)
Carly T.
The first time I went here the service was slow. I didn't have a lot of time so I chalked it up to my own impatience. Fast forward to the first sunny/warm day of the spring seaon. I definitely wanted to sit outside, so this was my place of choice. When we asked to be seated out on the patio we were told it had been set up but wasn't open until tomorrow. I didn't get it b/c it WAS set up. We got a table right inside the patio door. The waitress then came over to open the window next to me and explained that I shouldn't get cold b/c it's a nice day out... yes I know, I wanted to sit outside, remember? So we order our food and wait for it to arrive. In the mean time 3 other parties arrive and want to sit outside. One left, one took a table inside and the others WENT TO SIT OUTSIDE! Now I'm completely annoyed. My salad is taking forever and I'm watching people out on the patio. Food arrives and I know immediately that my SALAD has been under the heat lamp. The plate is almost hot. I touch the lettuce and it is wilted and warm... disgusting! I send it back and let the server know that I am completely annoyed that we were told that we couldn't sit outside. She said "they got take out, we're not serving them out there" WIERD, because I've watched you take out silverware, menus, water and coffee. No food, because again the service was so SLOW! I get a new salad and we finish eating. I overhear the server telling 3 other tables that their plate was hot and to be careful. Food does NOT make a plate hot. Leaving it too long under a heat lamp does! She clears our plates and ...then... we... wait... After 10 minutes of waiting for a check, my friend gets up to and walks to the register. Three employees walk past her -some multiple times before she is acknowleged. Our waitress finally offers to help and asks my friend "where were you sitting, oh yeah, what did you get?" There are max 10 tables in the entire place... and oh 1 on the patio! Unreal!! Two strikes and your out in my book!
(1)
Donea S.
Decent. A little pricy for my tastes, I got a chili dog (huge, chili was odd but I'm used to living in a Latino neighborhood, overall-good) boyfriend got a turkey club ( massive, like couldn't finish it huge- but overall what one would look for in a turkey club). Probably won't stop back in soon, it wasn't bad but nothing wow worthy.
(3)
Lexi S.
Love it here. 2nd time here and it's gets better every time. Fish & grits are so gooooodddd!! My server Holly was so pleasant. She even remembered my order from the last time I was there. Very attentive & food came out hot(which is always a plus)!!! Definitely will be a regular here!!!
(4)
Leigh W.
Went here for brunch this past Sunday. I got the huevos Rancheros which was AMAZING. House made chili was so good, the only thing that was a bit of a let down was the eggs were not runny, they were cooked all the way through. Would've been A++ otherwise, but still really good. The only weird thing is that we arrive at 1:30 and were notified that they closed at 3pm (which was fine) but breakfast menu would only be served until 2pm, and then from 2pm-3pm it was only the lunch menu? Just seemed a bit odd. Fresh squeezed OJ was great too. I also liked that you could bring your dog to sit with you on the patio. Will definitely visit this place again.
(4)
Rahsaan T.
I guess I picked the wrong Sunday to finally try this place after bookmarking it last year. After waiting ten minutes to be greeted by our server, we found out they were short a cook that day. So that pretty much slowed up the entire process. But I can say the waitress did work hard to meet all our needs in a timely manner. The restaurant itself was slightly warm. Not sure if they had AC or not. There definitely were no ceiling fans in sight. What I do like about the seating is that you have the option to sit indoors or outdoors. The outside eating area is larger than indoors. Due to the limited seating outside and time restraints, we chose to eat indoors to reduce the wait time. We ordered breakfast meals. Cheese grits with scrambled eggs and bacon. And challah French toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. Aside from us waiting 30 minutes for our order, the food wasn't bad. The grits could have been cooked a little longer and the French toast could have been softer. However, I have no real complaints. I definitely would go back. Oh, the iced coffee was good too. I did not appreciate them telling me they were out of strawberries for the toast and when I paid my check another customer had strawberries on theirs. My actual rating for Trolley Car is 3.5. I did not want to put four since my wait time was so long and I did not get strawberries. But I will definitely go back.
(3)
Jeff C.
I live near the place, so I am here often but probably be there a lot more if there was dinner. Also I like they have dog treats, but I have a cat so if they decide to make cat treats, I am willing to buy some for my cat. There isn't much on the menu I get (and it's not that big to begin with) , but I like what I enjoy. First, an Uber driver really recommended the coffee for me and he was right, it's great bottomless coffee. Also, I have ordered two lunch items were tasty which is the BLT with turkey bacon and avocado, and the great chili. Some have complain about the servers. While I admit some servers may not possess a "life of the party" spirit around them, I haven't found any of them rude or give me poor service. Its a basic diner that is near where I live and will do when I went just my morning coffee or light lunch.
(4)
Danita R.
Since I work in East Falls I hit up this spot pretty often, and it routinely hits the spot for breakfast and/or lunch. It's also a nice "light at the end of the tunnel" anytime you're working on your fitness on Kelly Drive. I haven't been disappointed yet. The food is consistently fresh, delicious and well-priced. Pick a panini, any panini. Bite down, do a li'l happy Cliff Huxtable chair dance and enjoy yourself. Or, get the Challah French toast. It won't make you holla ('cause that would be too punny lame-o), but you will be happily fed. It's especially divine with a fresh, piping hot cup of La Colombe! Or, just get some oatmeal. This ain't your sad, shake-me-down packet of powdery oats--there's a MEAL happenin' chirren! You're welcome, dearie. You're welcome. Oh, and in the spring and summer, the outdoor patio dining area really makes for a fun place to meet up with friends or co-workers. See you around...
(4)
Jemi J.
Food was great. I had a waffle with berries. I also had fresh fruit smoothie. My husband got a club. I enjoyed the actual fresh fruit. Service was friendly. And the location on the drive makes for a great saunter afterwards. Perfect brunch.
(4)
Marissa R.
It's really rare that I write a 1-star review, but this visit to the Trolley Car deserved it. First off, let me say that I was very excited and heard so many great things from friends over the years. The cute fascade and doggy-treats, and BYO-friendly signs made me smile so I was very eager to see what all the fuss was about! After waiting about five minutes to be seated, we were brought to the outdoor patio which was about half full. The girl sprayed down the table with Windex and a paper towel (is that actually a disinfectant?). I felt bad for the tables near us who were trying to eat while inhaling Windex with their food! Another five minutes later a waitress asked "has anyone helped you?"... Ummm... no. How about an introduction? What's your name? Welcome to the Trolley Car? OKAY - so we ordered two coffees and two waters. This nameless waitress brought them back about 5 minutes later - with the creamer dish inside the top of one mug of coffee. We took the dish out, and it was soaked with coffee. I'm sure we took in our fair amount of germs with our morning beverages. The experience here basically got worse and worse. No coffee refills. No managers to come around and apologize for the slow and unfriendly service. Basically - there were no redeeming qualities of this visit except that the food was pretty tasty. Sidenote: One of my Yelp friends (who shall remain nameless) WAS planning to use this Cafe to cater their wedding!!! After months of planning, the Owner decided to unexpectedly raise the prices on the deal -- and my friends backed out. I'm pretty sure the poor management decisions here are the reason why the restaurant is quickly sliding downhill. Will not return.
(1)
Zach Q.
I am a fan of both the Trolley Car Diner and the Cafe. They gave the cafe a facelift and expanded the indoor seating which is good. I usually come here for brunch and enjoy a good cup of coffee but this time I came for a late lunch. I got an awesome sandwich with pork belly and turkey. My wife got the fish tacos and they were really good. They have a great little outside seating/garden area which is good when the weather is right. There is a bike rental place attached which is cool if you wanna ride to Manayunk or along Kelly Drive to the Art Museum. My only complaint is that my server was sitting at an adjacent table eating lunch in between visits to my table. I understand everyone has to eat, but it's awkward to feel like you're interrupting her lunch if you need something. Not to mention, there is the issue of washing hands which surely wasn't happening during the split time between her lunch and my service.
(4)
Steven M.
I didn't know I could get a good weekend brunch in the neighborhood. Eggs Benedict Florentine + a bottomless cup of coffee = a necessary part of the urban ritual.
(4)
M G.
Trolley car.. We want to like you. Really. But it just isn't happening. Every time we come the service is just so terrible. The last time we came for breakfast, we waited 40 minutes for our orange juice to come. Your $13 Caesar salad was not a Caesar salad but a piece of salmon on some lettuce with thousand island dressing on the side. And an hour and a half after we arrived, when we finally got our check, it was for the wrong table. No apologies from our server, as if this is all normal. We won't be coming back, and why would we with In Riva across the street with way better service, better food, and the same price. Sorry!
(2)
Jamaica Y.
I have officially been coming here for years! I am here now, and will address some of the negative reviews I've read: 1. One reviewer gave Trolley Car a bad review because they asked for "no mayo" and got mayo. Honestly, I hate mayo and would probably do the same if I had that experience. My orders have always been accurate. 2. A couple of reviewers complained about the service, and in the past I would have agreed. I recall one waitress who was just down right b**chy. Trolley Car seems very responsive though, because I have not seen her in a while and the server that I have today could not be more sweet and attentive is she tried. I had her the last time I came as well. 3. For better or for worse, the menu has changed entirely since 2011, so be sure to read more recent reviews if you are looking for opinions on the food. Today I ordered the nova platter, and it was impressive! I actually said "wow" when it came out--toasted bagel, arugula salad with capers, tomato, cucumbers, nova (lox) and cream cheese. The presentation was lovely and I devoured it. The guy at the table next to me said "wow" when his order came also. Not sure what he ordered, but two "wows" in one morning is pretty great. I think a good restaurant should be willing to listen, make changes, improve, and update the menu. Trolley Car is a winner for me.
(5)
Juliana P.
I have been to this place for brunch 3 times and have enjoyed the food, however the service was so bad most recently that we have been turned off. I don't know how they expect to run a competitive business if they are losing ticket orders. We watched everyone else get their meals and finish before our food was even brought out. After we caught on and realized that we were the only ones not eating, the waiter came over and asks if he can verify our order.... Because tickets were missing. We had to place our order again. This was a solid 55 minutes after placing our order originally. At least an additional 15-20 minutes later and our food finally arrived. Except for the side of roasted potatoes we ordered. Had to ask for those again. We were waiting so long, the bus boy came over to clean off our table before we even got our food. When it was time for the check... we had to wait an additional 15 minutes after the waiter acknowledged that he would bring our check over. There was no apology or acknowledgement that they really dropped the ball in losing our order. Food is good. But management really needs to get it together!
(2)
Aaron S.
Went here with some out-of-town visitors for breakfast. Basically, picked it because of it's location near the river and thought it would a good outdoor spot. 2 of of us ordered fritatas which were very good. Someone else ordered the Turkey Reuben with the dressing on the side. Only problem is that with such terrible service, we didn't receive that dressing for 10- 15 mins later. After being ignored by our waitress, I eventually had to go to the kitchen to pick it up myself! Our waitress didn't check on us ONCE in the 1 hour we were there. So if you order the "bottomless" coffee, don't expect even a single refill. We were never offered that. Service is terrible. Food is pretty tasty. Good luck!
(2)
Carla V.
I really, really love the food here. Unfortunately I think I'm going to lean towards ToGo more often because I've always experienced pretty lackluster service. It seems like most of the people who work there have an attitude, sort of like you're lucky to be eating here. It's kind of a bummer because the outdoor area is so nice and the food is really outstanding. Also, the last time I was there on 7/9, I was eating on the back patio I saw one of their cooks come out (in uniform) and do about 10 push ups on the ground and then go back into the restaurant. Someone should tell him that diners can see right through the fence, and also that this is not really an appropriate time to get your workout in.
(4)
Kelly C.
I've eaten both breakfast and lunch here. They open for breakfast bright and early at 7am (which is when I happened to go have some breakfast with myself) It was quiet and relaxing to sit and enjoy. They kept my coffee filled and the eggs Benedict was delicious ! Similar great experience when I was there for lunch as well ! Looking forward to warm weather and sitting outside !
(5)
Abby M.
I had the Belgian waffles with bananas this morning, can you say delicious?! The waffles were cooked to perfection very soft in the middle yet crisp on the outskirts of the waffle (just how I love it!) however, the waitress lacked personality. She didn't seemed too excited to be there and she really made me feel uncomfortable, nor did she check to see how I was doing which to me is important. Aside from the personality of the waitress the food was delicious! Definitely would recommend this place to others!
(4)
Stephen K.
This place is great! The food is delicious, the staff is considerate and extremely friendly and the atmosphere is quaint and has a very comforting feel to it. I have tried several different items on the menu, being a semi-regular. The food is great. From breakfast to lunch, an array of choices in all categories. My girlfriend and I have been there more times than we can count and have never been dissatisfied with the service or food. I'll be a customer for a very long time.
(5)
Nathan V.
I can't rate the Trolley Car Cafe as great, but is pretty good. The food is really good, it's a bit pricey, but it's a step above most diner food, which is nice. Friendly service and good food. Perfect for easy Sunday morning brunch.
(3)
Natalee F.
This is a really cute cafe. I went there for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. It's perfect for a stop off on a bike ride along Kelly Drive or in Wissahickon park. There are several bike racks outside to facilitate locking up your bike. They even advertise bike rentals and repair, although I didn't use either of those services. We both got bagel sandwiches and orange juice. The eggs were fresh and delicious and nicely cooked and the orange juice was fresh squeezed. There was ample outdoor seating on the back patio. I would return again for brunch.
(5)
Marissa B.
The best breakfast in East Falls. Quite simply, they have clean food at a reasonable price with good in-house prep. No cartons of egg mix, no canned peppers, no cheating when it comes to home-made breakfast lunch and brunch and there is no deep fryer to ruin your waste-line (though the tasty tasty ice cream may!). I have worked in diners, bars and cafes and the Trolley Car Cafe is just lovely and does casual dining very well. Nothing beats sitting out on the patio on a beautiful day after taking a bike-ride up Kelly Drive and checking out their fantastic garden. The weekends can be quite busy, so my favorite times tend to be during the week. Afraid you'll miss brunch if you go on a Tuesday?? Never fear, they do breakfast all week long till 2pm.
(5)
Martin M.
Good coffee, cool little cafe.
(4)
Cat M.
It's diner fare, so don't expect fine dining. But, it's really good for diner fare. I was expecting typical diner food, and it definitely exceeded expectations. I don't feel that it's a must visit sort of restaurant, but it's not likely to disappoint either. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars. I ultimately decided on 3, because the waitstaff was inattentive. Not excessively so, but enough that I can recall it a couple weeks later. Good food. Decent service. Worth eating at if you're in the neighborhood.
(3)
Taylor A.
My favorite spot for brunch - BYO and puppy friendly :) I've only gone for brunch and the food is always amazing. They have all the basics that you would expect and then some. Also love the fact that they get lots of the food from their own garden. Great spot to bike to on the weekend - right off the river path. The staff, while slightly distracted have always been helpful with suggestions and answering menu questions. I understand everyone's complaints but if you get there a little earlier, the place is almost empty and the wait staff is very accommodating - it does get very packed very quickly so you do need to try to keep on top of the wait staff but I have never had a problem getting food/drinks/refills/the check.
(5)
Margo K.
The Trolley Car is super cute! They've got ice cream...and Challah French Toast...and it's definitely a good spot for brunch or lunch! The menu, made up of favorites, is a good size. Prices are about average for the area. I've been here about three times now, but I still haven't had the chance to dine outside! The service is satisfactory, not over the top, pretty efficient though. I have to add that the last time I was here I ordered the Caprese panini because I love mozzarella and basil. It was drenched in balsamic dressing, but it still tasted okay. Next time I'll see if I can get it on the side, or maybe it was just a mistake! Overall, I will keep coming here, it tends to hit the spot!
(4)
Jennifer M.
Wanted to try a different place for brunch, and my friend heard rave reviews about this place. When you walk in, there aren't many tables. If you have a big group, this place might not be the best choice. The highlight of the cafe is really the outside dining, so I'll have to come back when it's warmer! Hopefully, there is more seating! The menu had all your morning favorites, and since we were waiting for two more people. We ordered the hummus and veggies to start. The hummus was garlicky, which is the way we like it! Kudos! Our table ordered the yogurt parfait, crab cake salad, fish tacos, and a breakfast burrito (on special). There was a bit of a wait to get all of our meals, but the la columbe coffee kept us warm while we caught up on fun conversation. The food was above average except the crab cake salad. The crab cakes had a lot of filler, so that was disappointing! My yogurt parfait was divine, and it was presented in a milkshake glass. Our friends cleaned their plates, so their choices was an easy win. There is a parking lot across the cafe, and it's only 50 cents an hour! Unfortunately, the pay machine wasn't working, so we had to keep a close eye on our cars in case we got ticketed.
(3)
P S.
This place is OK and actually recommended if you're nearby but.... Trolley Car has never done something the majority of brunches I've had in the Philadelphia-area have been able to: wow me. Brunch is one of those things you just expect to be good in the city, particularly if you're paying $15 or so for just the food portion of it. Both times I have been there the food was good, but not particularly memorable. Service could barely be described as attentive (and, no, they were not that busy) and time-to-table was disappointing. They have so much potential. I'd give them another shot.
(3)
James B.
Walked in on a Sunday morning with 3 other people at around 11 and found it to be pretty packed. I also never realized how small it actually is on the inside. There may have been room for 20-30 people to actually sit and eat. It was pretty awkward because after we walked in we were standing over top of other peoples' tables and we realized there were no available seats. There appeared to be a cash register in the back left corner, but the employee was busy looking down at something else and did not look up. The waitress passed a few times, but didn't say anything or look up. After a minute or so of standing in the entryway over top of other peoples tables while staring at their food (I was hungry) I got the vibe that maybe this place was for locals only or it was ran by miserable introverts. We quietly exited and went to find food elsewhere. The food I saw on peoples plates looked good so I'll give it a two. Probably won't ever return because the employees seemed like douche bags.
(2)
Joe S.
I live in east falls and go here for breakfast just about every Sunday. This place is decent. Good food, good coffee, friendly staff. The food will not blow you away but it's always solid. One of the better breakfast spots in this area.
(3)
Lee N.
Well, I decided to give Trolly Car another shot. I called my order in from work, emphasizing "NO MAYONNAISE". I get to Trolly Car, they give me my order and luckily I checked it. Wanna no why? Because it had mayo on it, again. Everyone at Trolly Car needs a hearing aide.
(2)
Aliyia P.
The outside seating next to their little garden was nice...my waffles were great! The food was good but the service is HORRIBLE! Took forever for someone to take our order... and the waitress was rather short with us...
(2)
Gabriela G.
I really enjoy coming to this place. Sometimes I go there weekly for Sunday brunch. Service is not always the best, but they do get swamped time to time. Oh, one thing I will never understand is the cinnamon "raisin" french toast. Where are the raisins!? lol
(4)
Adam C.
The parking lot has some scary signs. They basically discourage diners from parking there for fear of being towed. I guess, in the summer time, Kelly drive visitors abuse the parking. There is a pay lot across the street but why should I pay to park in this area. The other oddity is the fact that this place that specializes in breakfast does not offer pancakes. Apparently it has to do with griddle space. Each time I go I peruse the menu and feel as if the selection leaves something to be desired but I always find something interesting and I usually enjoy it. When it's warmer there is a nice patio for outdoor dining. In the winter the single room diner is quite cozy.
(3)
Daniel P.
I just stopped here for end-of-summer ice cream and decided to update my previous review. The ice cream was delicious as it is imported from a local ice cream maker or something...real good stuff and super cheap! A large group was enjoying the back patio and I saw their meals go out and all looked to be cooked to perfection. The kitchen is in the FRONT of this place so there is no funny business there either. I dare you to check out Philly's most beloved brunch spot kitchens... I feel like East Falls could become the brunch capitol of Philadelphia. Easy to bike to, easy to drive to, new faces in the neighborhood every week, and ZERO pretension! There are some great local places and it seems like a new one is opening every season. Trolley Car , I feel ,might get over looked but I think its the best go-to spot. Their interior is as charming as anything I have ever seen. The building was renovated in conjunction with a Philadelphia parks program to reclaim abandoned historic structures. The real gem is the backdoor patio and BYOB! Their food prices are spot on for diner style and you just can't beat the BYOB. There is a beer distro around the corner in addition to a liqueur store. The food isn't some food network star hipster chef creation. It is classic diner food with a wide variety of salads, grilled foods, and desserts. They rotate some dishes seasonally, but you can always get a burger or salad here. Parking across the street is plentiful and cheap. This place also rents bikes so if you are from the suburbs park here, get some food, rent-a-bike, and cruise down the river and back. Come check out what East Falls has to offer!
(5)
K. L.
I have dined at the Trolley Car Diner several times before and it has always been great. Today was my first experience at the Cafe and I felt compelled to write this review based upon my experience. We arrived on this nice spring day for lunch outdoors in the patio area. Our party of 5 was seated back near the garden. The waitress was pleasant, prompt, and while the food was nothing special, it was good. No complaints there. Unfortunately I take issue with the fact that this establishment is dog friendly and I'll explain why. The entire time we were there, a dog was wandering around unleashed, crawling under patron tables and chairs. Because the dog was unleashed and no one seemed surprised that it was walking around from table to table, we assumed that the dog must belong to the owner. (Weird, but it wasn't annoying enough to say something). What was annoying enough to say something is when the dog walked right up to the garden next to our table, lifted its leg and urinated all over the chives that the cafe is growing there. He then proceeded to climb right into the herb garden. Gross. We called a staffer over and asked her if the dog belonged to the owner and explained what had happened. She then explained that someone must have left their dog there, and disappeared to go deal with the dog. First, I'm not sure what kind of person leaves their DOG at a restaurant, and second, why was the dog allowed to roam freely unleashed throughout the restaurant? Anyway, after that waitress walked away to try to locate the dog's owner, another staffer came out with a watering can and started pouring water over the chives (presumably in an effort to rinse the dog urine). This place is not a bad place, the food was good, and the waitstaff pleasant enough. However, they might want to rethink the whole pet friendly thing. I don't want someone's dog climbing under my table when I'm dining out and I certainly don't want to watch someone's dog urinate all over the herbs next to my table. If we remove the whole dog scene from the scenario, it would have been a decent experience. But I can't scrub the image of the dog relieving himself in the garden from my mind, and for that reason I wouldn't be in a rush to return. Please reconsider your pet policy and make Fido stay home. :/
(2)
Alice M.
I stopped by a few times and had breakfast and dinner here. But I will review based on recently having my day after wedding brunch at Trolley Car. The food was great. The service was prompt for the amount of people we had. Best of all its BYOB!!! The downside was we called ahead to let them know we would have about 15 people coming and asked if they could seat us outside. When we should up, they did not have an area ready and then they made arrangements in the blazing sun in the middle of a heat wave. We ended up kindly asking people who they just sat if the could move so that we could make a table for us which worked out but it was a nuasance for us and the other guests that we had to go through that. Other than that I have no complants!!
(4)
Nicole L.
Trolley Car Cafe has its quirks, for sure -- it's located on a hard-to-find corner in East Falls (Kelly Dr and Ferry Rd) where life becomes very difficult if you miss the initial turn into the parking lot (which is easily done). Tip: use the 50-cent/hour parking lot located in the center of the intersection. The dining space is really cramped on the inside, and the acoustics are awkwardly echoey and loud. Food is decently palatable and the menu is a step better than average diner fare, if a little overpriced. If I hadn't had friends with me who knew how the place operated, I wouldn't have known that it was self-seating, or that food was ordered from the counter -- no guiding signs or helpful counter staff to show you the ropes. And while I don't have a problem with ordering at the counter like you would at food-serving coffeehouses and the like, it just didn't make sense to do that when our waitress served us our menus, our utensils and our food at the table. Overall, not my kind of place -- though I can see the quaint, relaxed charm appealing to others less fussy than I am.
(2)
Samantha L.
We stumbled upon this very cool spot on a recent walk down Kelly Drive. It is in a very cool building with a fabulous back outdoor patio. The service was good, the food was good at decent prices, and the atmosphere was casual and perfect for the location. I had the bbq ranch wrap which, though having an odd asparagus trio thrown in it, was a perfect lunch sandwich. My boyfriend had the buffalo chicken wrap which he found "pretty decent, but needed a bit more oomph." We will definitely return. It's also BYOB, so I think it might be a fun spot for a dinner sometime.
(4)
K. A. N. A. K.
Sometimes we stop here for breakfast since it's so close by, and sometimes the frittata is fluffy and the Belgian waffle is crisp. The pluses: 1. Curiously, service here is a lot nicer and faster than at the diner, even though the a lot of the servers are the same. 2. They have Dutch Farms ice cream.
(3)
Erica M.
Stopped in for brunch today around 11:15am. I ordered an egg-white sandwich and the bf got a frittata. Overall, the food was very good. The ingredients were fresh and the portions were generous. One of my pet peeves is when a restaurant charges more for egg whites but doesn't notify customers. I guess I should know now that almost every restaurant charges more, but it never ceases to annoy me. After we finished our meals, there was a time when our waitress and all the cooks were no where to be found. There was one employee sitting at a table texting and not paying the slightest bit of attention to the customers. After about 10 minutes, my bf went up to him and asked him for a check. Our waitress came in a few minutes later after an obvious smoke break. Not particularly great service, but the food is decent.
(3)
Keli M.
Such a cute place. The staff is really friendly, and I love sitting outside. The Belgian Waffle is really good. I will say that the prices are a little high, but worth it for a pleasant experience. The parking is a little confusing. Parked in the "Pick Up" up lot, but then saw a lot across the street when I left.
(4)
Sarah D.
I just don't know what all the hype is about. My husband and I stopped by at 10 am for a Sunday morning breakfast, and immediately noticed: 1. the confusing and cramped seating situation. no hostess, no helpful counter staff, no sign to seat yourself. 2. the general dirtiness/dinginess of everything. we went to sit at one table, and were forced to sit at a different one altogether because there were rolls of toilet paper sitting on the chairs. wth? there were ginormous dust bunnies hanging out on the floor, and the walls look like there'd recently been a food fight. 3. the brusque, inattentive wait staff. 4. the limited brunch menu- it really seems like more of a grab-n-go situation, with a couple of options for egg sammies, a customizable frittata, eggs benny, and french toast. nothing really too fancy. which is fine, but see #5: 5. every menu item is at least $2-3 overpriced. especially for the fact that the place has little ambiance, an apathetic waitstaff, and is order-at-the-counter. and, like I said, it's not like they serve up anything special. for my money, I'd rather grab a sammie at Ryebread in Art Museum or just make pancakes at home. overall, I'm pretty meh on the scenario. I'm not saying it's the worst place to eat- and their lunch menu definitely looked more appetizing+extensive. but we won't be back.
(2)
Lauren G.
My roommates and I wanted to enjoy a nice late Sunday morning breakfast and were really disappointed with the service. The service put a damper on the delicious taste of our food. I gave it two stars simply because the food was good. We began by waiting for a table for a few minutes even though no one else was waiting to be seated. We then sat down and waited approximately 15 minutes to be acknowledged by anyone. The waitress (still not sure who our waitress was) came over to our table and didn't greet us. She only asked if someone had taken our order yet, then reluctantly jotted down our order. The drinks took a while to come over to us and the food wait felt like forever. Throughout our entire meal, we were not acknowledged by the same waitress or any other staff for that matter. I had to get up twice to ask for napkins and water refills. When paying, we were not even thanked for our business. Needless to say, the food was delicious but I don't know if I'll ever return or recommend this place to my friends or family. Not a good brunch experience.
(2)
Kalamazoo K.
I decided to stop by the Trolley Car cafe after moving to East Falls. I sat out back on their porch and I loved the way it was set up. They have a large vegetable garden, big canopy, and great decor. It has a wonderful atmosphere that I enjoyed. The service was a little slow for an afternoon meal. The food was just average. The meal did not seem to pop at all. I ordered a panini and the bread overwhelmed the sandwich. The lack of sauce really took away from the meal. I also ordered home fries that were under cooked and lacked seasoning. This would be a good place to stop by for a coffee, but just be weary of the food menu.
(3)
Perri W.
This is my favorite place to get brunch locally. Living in Dobson Mills means it takes just a few minutes to walk here- which is awesome. I try to order something different each time I'm here. They have great breakfast & lunch menus with a nice variety of options for such a small place. Last time I ate here I had the salmon & sweet potato sliders and fell in love. It's really hard for me to order anything else now because I love them so much! The scrambled eggs are fluffy and perfect and I always end up eating some of my boyfriend's instead of just ordering my own. The serving sizes are more than enough for what you pay, as well. Everything is really affordable, which is nice since we like to eat here 2-3 days in a row. The service is always extremely friendly and inviting. Our favorite waitress is the woman with red hair, although I'm not sure of her name. She's always super nice and makes sure we have everything we need to enjoy our meal. It's a small space, so make sure to get here early enough to snag a table during lunch rush. All of the tables are 2-4 people are pretty close in proximity to each other, however I don't mind. It makes for a very cozy experience. The only reason I'm giving 4/5stars is because there aren't pancakes on the menu. Otherwise, I highly recommend!
(4)
Matt B.
From the outside, it says they're open but looks quiet... but once inside, I gotta admit there's alot to like. We stopped in for dinner on a Monday, the specials (roasted beet salad, kobe burger) were fresh and good. Caprese panini was great. Lemonade was outstanding. They have a backyard with a nice little garden. You'll see the cook come outside for a sprig of basil. Order at a counter, they give you a buzzer when your stuff is ready. There's honeybees in the flowers. You can rent a bicycle here and easy access to the river paths. It's surprisingly nice. Crazy good hours (7am to 10pm, 7 days a week) Good addition to the neighborhood.
(4)
Beth H.
Had a very poor breakfast. Eggs Benedict. Eggs totally overcooked. Hollandaise sauce was tastless. Potatoes burnt. Drinks selection poor. Blueberry waffle was OK. Staff nice. Will not return.
(2)
Thea M.
We went for brunch, not realizing that this was a dog park disguised as a restaurant. It was a gorgeous day, so I convinced my husband, who hates eating outside, to sit on the patio. We were the only people without a dog. To make matters worse, there is apparently no requirement to have a well-behaved dog at this restaurant, either. And before you dismiss me as someone who hates dogs, I don't. I love them. I had 5 growing up...so there. :) As far as the food, it was good. Not amazing, but really good. The fresh OJ was a nice surprise, and I wish I knew it was BYO before I got there. The service left a lot to be desired. I really wish they were more attentive. We sat for a while after being finished before our plates were cleared, then we waited again for the server to bring the check. He apparently did not know that when he cleared our plates, that was a sign we were done. It's a decent local place to get breakfast, IF you have a dog. If not, sit inside.
(3)
E A.
Wanted to like TC Cafe so much...We frequent the TC Diner in Mt Airy and thought this would be a nice addition to East Falls. I gave it 2 stars because the outdoor deck is very nice and they allow dogs. However, the wait was very long to get our food (which you order up front and take on a tray to the deck). We asked for wine glasses and got wet and steamy recently washed but not dried glasses. My catfish was dry and my rice was cold. My wife's chicken was OK, but her rice was cold as well. She took it back and received a bowl of crunchy rice back. Clearly it had been thrown in the oven for a few minutes. Really? Can't we just get fresh rice? Our friends ordered cobb salads which were missing 4 ingredients and had to go back and have them added on. Prices are $2-3 too expensive for the type of food you get. I wish they would improve and we could go back.
(2)
Ange B.
Tried Trolley Car Cafe after a long long walk along the river with our dog. The food was very good. Nice outdoor seating and dog friendly. They even have a doggie menu, which our dog thinks is fabulous. She gobbled all her meatballs, washed it down with ice cold water and contentedly sat in the sun while we enjoyed our dinner.
(4)
Shonta c.
I'm completely disappointed in this place!! They took advantage of our group. I paid for 3 appetizers for up to 15 people and did not receive the $360 worth of food and service as expected. I wondered why they require payment in advance prior to eating the meal. It makes sure review the money but leaves the customer less empowered to argue with the quantity because they control the amount. I feel that if I pay for 15 people then give me the food don't decide for me on how much is to be given at any point. I recover a total of 4 trays of both bruchetta and caprese salad in total and 1 tray of hummus side of veggies! Then they actually charge 18% gratuity for a person who simply placed the trays on table along with water/plates. NO SERVICE!! I've gone to restaurants and paid for actual food not just appetizers and paid this amount for food along with good attentive wait staff. I contacted the catering manager and she declined to refund part of my money. I think they are way overpriced for the portion size, the food is ok defiantly not great and they have really poor customer service skills and customer recovery. I felt like they made excuses and did not hold themselves accountable. Big big big dissapointment. There are too many great places in philadelphia and they won't be around long with this attitude! I will tell everyone I know never to patron this establishment ever! I do not have anything positive to say expect "buyer beware" they take advantage and don't deliver on the goods!
(1)
Ashley G.
Great! Super cute restaurant, good food. Tables are close together and it's relatively small inside, but great outdoor seating. Highly recommend!
(4)
Andrew S.
My biggest complaint about Trolley Stop is that it was way overpriced for what it is. That being said the food was pretty good. I had the turkey club panini, i had ordered it with cheddar but i guess they forgot that. turns out it didnt really need the cheddar (though it would have been nice) and the sandwich was still really good. My girlfriend had the chop salad which was also really good except that it was not chopped as the name would suggest and the bowl was too small and over packed with ingredients to chop it yourself at the table. also they forgot the turkey bacon that was supposed to come on it. the inside was small but nice and there was a big outside patio in the back that looked great. so all and all it was pretty good but again definitely over priced.
(3)
Gregory S.
Stopped there for breakfast early this past Saturday. My wife had a Belgian buckwheat waffle and I had a frittata. Both meals were very good, and the coffee was hot and fresh. The price was perhaps a couple dollars on the expensive side, but overall it was good, and the cafe is a great addition to the area. We will certainly return.
(4)
Ym A.
Had a good chicken salad sand.there.
(5)
Steve J.
Too expensive for what you get, but decent food. Since I am new to the area, I was looking for a casual spot for dinner and came across this place, via Yelp. When you first walk inside, it is kinda small, but once you go outside there is a ton of seating. This will suck once it gets cold. The lady taking orders and the guy cooking were sooo friendly. I ordered the chorizo and shrimp ($13), while my girlfriend got the Philly Phillet sandwhich ($10) and we split Sweet Potato fries ($3). I expected a lot more fries that 10 nicely stacked fries on plate. They were good, though. The sandwich was excellent but for the price you need give the guest a little side salad or something. The Chorizo and Shrimp was ok, kind of basic for $13. I would love to go back here for breakfast. It's a decent joint to check out if your riding your bike through here or live in the area. I hope for great things for the place.
(3)
Brittany S.
Another welcome addition to the area. I like the cafe/coffee-shop setup. They have a pretty simple menu with quality ingredients. I look forward to going back.
(4)
Emily Y.
First impression was great. Great location, decor and friendly welcome. Unfortunately was disappointed from there. Silverwear, glasses, mugs, were spotty/dirty. Sunny day. Not enough umbrellas to cover 3 of the tables outside. People getting up and moving constantly. Staff was super flustered/visibly overwhelmed. Food took extremely long to come out. Was okay. Appearance was sloppy. Bread barely toasted. Stale. Jelly/Salsa came out in plastic to-go containers. Check took quite long to receive. Had all the makings of a great spot, but too much stacked against it.
(2)
Michael S.
This is our go to restaurant after we bike the Schuylkill Trail. While most folks plan bike rides based on mileage and ride difficulty, we plan our brunch with friends (co riders, actually) as often as we can and the ride is somewhat incidental. We are big fans of the special La Colombe coffee (an ice coffee after a ride plus a frittata with sausage, bacon and spinach made my Sunday today). Wifey likes the Challah French toast. While it was in the mid 90s today as part of an area wide heat alert, we found ourselves very comfortable inside with the AC. Service is sometimes hit and miss (our fellow diners were offered jam that took the whole meal to arrive along with a missing smoothie that finally made it's way to the table) but the joint was crowded as everyone was looking for some relief and great chow, so we didn't make a fuss. Once the Kale berry smoothie arrived, the ladies announced it a success. The jam was practically empty and did not look so appetizing. But I am nit picking. Food and quality are great. Excellent choice for breakfast or lunch.
(4)
Kimmie M.
This place is what it is...I really don't know why i frequent this place as much as I do. Mostly because it is convenient and there are very few places in east falls that have good food. With that being said, yes, the food is good, if they don't mess up your order, which has happened about 50% of the time that I have gone there (more often when I order takeout). Which is extremely annoying when you're paying for add-ons and they don't make it in the box. One time I ordered the nova platter, and there was no salmon in it, seriously? That's the main component of the dish guys. When dining there, the service is absolutely horrendous. Usually, you walk up, no one ever greets you, just tells you to sit wherever after you have already been standing there for a minute or two. Usually get drinks, have to wave someone down for refills, food takes a long time, and it can be really hard to get anyone's attention. For example, on one occasion, went for breakfast, ordered an egg sandwich with sausage, got bacon, sent it back, took probably around 8-10 minutes (it's precooked sausage, throw it in the microwave, I just want to eat with the rest of my party). When the food was cleared the waitress never brought our check. My boyfriend put his card down and waited...and waited...and waited. I got so fed up I just threw what I thought would cover the bill and walked out. But hey, when they get it right, it's good... Good luck if you decide to take the gamble.
(2)
Katie I.
I really enjoy trolley car every time I go there. The food is fresh...you can even take a look at their garden out back which is pretty cool to see what you might be eating. The outside dining area is perfect too! They always have great specials added to the menu. The frittatas and build your own wraps are really yummy. I've also had a few salads that were really fresh and made my belly happy :) This is a great place to come and relax and enjoy a nice meal.
(4)
Michelle C.
My dad has always talked about the Trolley Car Cafe as one of his favorite spots for lunch. Today, I met him there, and we both left in agreement that our experience was terrible. There is outdoor seating in the back but we chose to sit inside since it was a hot day. Unfortunately, the amount of flies that were buzzing around the restaurant was probably more than we would have encountered outside. It was disgusting. They absolutely should put one of those double door hutch thingies leading to the patio to help prevent this. Service was bad. There's no other way to put it. Our server was nice enough, but she didn't attempt to relay our orders with any sort of accuracy to the guys in the kitchen who did more talking than cooking. My dad asked for a blackened salmon Caesar salad and I asked for the buffalo chicken wrap to be made into a salad (so basically, same ingredients, on a plate, minus the wrap). My dad's salmon was not blackened (he says he's had it that way on other visits without a problem). My salad wasn't remotely close to a buffalo chicken salad. There was grilled chicken (I was expecting breaded but wasn't bothered by grilled, even though it still seemed rather greasy), asparagus (what?), barbecue sauce (what?) and ranch served on the side instead of blue cheese dressing. The rest of the salad was pretty sad - just some romaine and a few dices of pale tomatoes. I'd rather not have any tomatoes than be served non-local tomatoes in the middle of August in an area surrounded by farms. It took longer than it should have to get the check and get out of there. I absolutely will not be going back, and I've already tipped off my dad to another nearby restaurant that I think he'll enjoy far more next time.
The Trolley cafe was pretty cool. Went there on a Saturday late afternoon. The service was pretty deceit, one server however had a little attitude, but she was pretty nice to everyone else. Liked the fact that they had an outside patio for eating. Pretty good choices of food, but not a huge selection. It wasn't crowded so we didn't have to wait, which was pretty cool on a Labor Day weekend. The food was pretty tasty, but it could have used a little more seasoning. Also, my breakfast sandwiches had cheese on it and it wasn't even melted. So, in gin a slice of cheese just sittin on top of eggs? Ewww....however, I would definitely go back and try something else. Yes, there's a parking lot, but it gets pretty crowded fast. There's street parking available and a $1.50 an hour lot, right across the street.
(3)
Tiffany Y.
My girlfriend and I decided to try Trolley Car Cafe for brunch and let me tell you this place is to die for!!!!!! From the greeting when we walked in, to the excellent service proved by Holly to the delicious food from Isaac. I ordered the chicken and waffles with a side of potatoes and a piece of catfish. My girlfriend ordered cinnamon raisin French toast with a side of potatoes and bacon. All I have to say is that everything was DELICIOUS!!!!!!! I especially loved the catfish-thank you so much Isaac :-) the breading on the catfish-omg... Perfectly seasoned and just scrumptious. My girlfriend has no complaints either. If you are looking for great service with warm and friendly staff as well as delicious food. Please visit the Trolley car cafe. Trust me you will not be disappointed
(4)
Steve Q.
Just moved to the area and was looking for a good place to get brunch. I got a simple with bacon egg and cheese and cheese grits. It was excellent. Kyle, the waiter did a great job. Was impressed that he repeated the order to make sure he got it right.The atmosphere is fun and casual... Will definitely be back
(4)
Dan M.
Really nice spot. Great location, excellent outdoor seating and their breakfast sandwiches are pretty ballin'
(5)
Tyneisha M.
I must say my experience this time around was much better and I'd certainly come back. The "friend" from my last visit is now my current boyfriend and we met at Trolley Car a year ago this past Sunday for our first date so it was fitting that we came back of course lol. We came around 1pm for brunch and it was crowded as expected but we did not have to wait. I also researched a bit before we came back here and saw that they allow dogs on the patio and even have a dog menu!! I can't wait to bring my Bella (pom/chi mix) when it's warm out. The Food My bf and I each ordered a special. He ordered the jerk chicken tacos and I ordered the mini breakfast sandwiches with roasted potatoes. The food was tasty but mine was a bit cold, I'm assuming because it was sitting out waiting for his to finish but overall it was good. Try this place!
(4)
Joey M.
Cute lil brunch spot that I've passed a thousand times before but never noticed! They are only open till 3 so make sure you get there early if you have a hankering for brunch. It is a oblong type restaurant with tiny table and chairs and historical type decor. Ordered: Eggs Benedict with hollandaise on the side and ham (alternatively could have had spinach): this was 'ok' at best. The egg and ham underwhelmed the English muffin and the hollandaise tasted more like a soft butter than hollandaise. This was served with roasted potatoes that were just a tad well done for my liking. My friend really enjoyed her pesto grilled cheese though and it was served with a small side salad. In the spring/summer the outdoor deck is open for dining. I think I would try another brunch spot before returning here.
(3)
Suzanne M.
The food is good, but my goodness... $9.00+ for a breakfast sandwich??? I ordered a spinach, egg, cheese, onion and bacon wrap that cost over $9.00. Well, let's just say I will never do that again. While I look for fresh, preservative free food, spending $9.00 for a wrap is ridiculous.
(2)
Donea S.
Decent. A little pricy for my tastes, I got a chili dog (huge, chili was odd but I'm used to living in a Latino neighborhood, overall-good) boyfriend got a turkey club ( massive, like couldn't finish it huge- but overall what one would look for in a turkey club). Probably won't stop back in soon, it wasn't bad but nothing wow worthy.
(3)
Lexi S.
Love it here. 2nd time here and it's gets better every time. Fish & grits are so gooooodddd!! My server Holly was so pleasant. She even remembered my order from the last time I was there. Very attentive & food came out hot(which is always a plus)!!! Definitely will be a regular here!!!
(4)
Katrina D.
A great neighborhood option for brunch. The menu is unique and the food itself straddles between 3 and 4 stars. Service is excellent and I like the neighborhood feel and patio out back. The wait has never been bad and I imagine it's due to it's obscure location. Don't let the random location put you off though, you can either bike or walk up from your excursion along Kelly Drive or use the parking lot.
(4)
Jasmine D.
Cute and friendly place.. we went here for a small work lunch. They are only open till 3 on weekdays.. Their mint cookie crunch milkshake was out of this world. *Drool* Pork Panini was also decent.
The first time I went here the service was slow. I didn't have a lot of time so I chalked it up to my own impatience. Fast forward to the first sunny/warm day of the spring seaon. I definitely wanted to sit outside, so this was my place of choice. When we asked to be seated out on the patio we were told it had been set up but wasn't open until tomorrow. I didn't get it b/c it WAS set up. We got a table right inside the patio door. The waitress then came over to open the window next to me and explained that I shouldn't get cold b/c it's a nice day out... yes I know, I wanted to sit outside, remember? So we order our food and wait for it to arrive. In the mean time 3 other parties arrive and want to sit outside. One left, one took a table inside and the others WENT TO SIT OUTSIDE! Now I'm completely annoyed. My salad is taking forever and I'm watching people out on the patio. Food arrives and I know immediately that my SALAD has been under the heat lamp. The plate is almost hot. I touch the lettuce and it is wilted and warm... disgusting! I send it back and let the server know that I am completely annoyed that we were told that we couldn't sit outside. She said "they got take out, we're not serving them out there" WIERD, because I've watched you take out silverware, menus, water and coffee. No food, because again the service was so SLOW! I get a new salad and we finish eating. I overhear the server telling 3 other tables that their plate was hot and to be careful. Food does NOT make a plate hot. Leaving it too long under a heat lamp does! She clears our plates and ...then... we... wait... After 10 minutes of waiting for a check, my friend gets up to and walks to the register. Three employees walk past her -some multiple times before she is acknowleged. Our waitress finally offers to help and asks my friend "where were you sitting, oh yeah, what did you get?" There are max 10 tables in the entire place... and oh 1 on the patio! Unreal!! Two strikes and your out in my book!
(1)
Rahsaan T.
I guess I picked the wrong Sunday to finally try this place after bookmarking it last year. After waiting ten minutes to be greeted by our server, we found out they were short a cook that day. So that pretty much slowed up the entire process. But I can say the waitress did work hard to meet all our needs in a timely manner. The restaurant itself was slightly warm. Not sure if they had AC or not. There definitely were no ceiling fans in sight. What I do like about the seating is that you have the option to sit indoors or outdoors. The outside eating area is larger than indoors. Due to the limited seating outside and time restraints, we chose to eat indoors to reduce the wait time. We ordered breakfast meals. Cheese grits with scrambled eggs and bacon. And challah French toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. Aside from us waiting 30 minutes for our order, the food wasn't bad. The grits could have been cooked a little longer and the French toast could have been softer. However, I have no real complaints. I definitely would go back. Oh, the iced coffee was good too. I did not appreciate them telling me they were out of strawberries for the toast and when I paid my check another customer had strawberries on theirs. My actual rating for Trolley Car is 3.5. I did not want to put four since my wait time was so long and I did not get strawberries. But I will definitely go back.
(3)
Jeff C.
I live near the place, so I am here often but probably be there a lot more if there was dinner. Also I like they have dog treats, but I have a cat so if they decide to make cat treats, I am willing to buy some for my cat. There isn't much on the menu I get (and it's not that big to begin with) , but I like what I enjoy. First, an Uber driver really recommended the coffee for me and he was right, it's great bottomless coffee. Also, I have ordered two lunch items were tasty which is the BLT with turkey bacon and avocado, and the great chili. Some have complain about the servers. While I admit some servers may not possess a "life of the party" spirit around them, I haven't found any of them rude or give me poor service. Its a basic diner that is near where I live and will do when I went just my morning coffee or light lunch.
(4)
Danita R.
Since I work in East Falls I hit up this spot pretty often, and it routinely hits the spot for breakfast and/or lunch. It's also a nice "light at the end of the tunnel" anytime you're working on your fitness on Kelly Drive. I haven't been disappointed yet. The food is consistently fresh, delicious and well-priced. Pick a panini, any panini. Bite down, do a li'l happy Cliff Huxtable chair dance and enjoy yourself. Or, get the Challah French toast. It won't make you holla ('cause that would be too punny lame-o), but you will be happily fed. It's especially divine with a fresh, piping hot cup of La Colombe! Or, just get some oatmeal. This ain't your sad, shake-me-down packet of powdery oats--there's a MEAL happenin' chirren! You're welcome, dearie. You're welcome. Oh, and in the spring and summer, the outdoor patio dining area really makes for a fun place to meet up with friends or co-workers. See you around...
(4)
Leigh W.
Went here for brunch this past Sunday. I got the huevos Rancheros which was AMAZING. House made chili was so good, the only thing that was a bit of a let down was the eggs were not runny, they were cooked all the way through. Would've been A++ otherwise, but still really good. The only weird thing is that we arrive at 1:30 and were notified that they closed at 3pm (which was fine) but breakfast menu would only be served until 2pm, and then from 2pm-3pm it was only the lunch menu? Just seemed a bit odd. Fresh squeezed OJ was great too. I also liked that you could bring your dog to sit with you on the patio. Will definitely visit this place again.
(4)
Jemi J.
Food was great. I had a waffle with berries. I also had fresh fruit smoothie. My husband got a club. I enjoyed the actual fresh fruit. Service was friendly. And the location on the drive makes for a great saunter afterwards. Perfect brunch.
(4)
Crystal P.
So after spending $5 on a bagel, you can't even spread the cream cheese?? Pathetic and a waste of my money. Overpriced for what??
(1)
Noah F.
I was very pleased with this incarnation of The Trolley Car restaurants! Trolley Car Cafe, East Falls, diverges largely from its siblings. Trolley has rain proof outdoor seating, a cozy and warm indoor environment, perfectly sized portions, and a creative menu. As far as the menu Trolley can whip up the usual along with unique selections like cream chipped beef, breakfast nachos, and Belgium waffles (ice cream and fruit if you want)! One thing that really stands out are the rectangular plates, it just makes the food more organized and it's more fun to eat that way. Because Trolley is dog friendly, clean, and modern you can't beat it! Also our waitress Sarah was wonderful as she was quick, nice, and thoughtful. Great service. Never been disappointed.
(4)
P S.
This place is OK and actually recommended if you're nearby but.... Trolley Car has never done something the majority of brunches I've had in the Philadelphia-area have been able to: wow me. Brunch is one of those things you just expect to be good in the city, particularly if you're paying $15 or so for just the food portion of it. Both times I have been there the food was good, but not particularly memorable. Service could barely be described as attentive (and, no, they were not that busy) and time-to-table was disappointing. They have so much potential. I'd give them another shot.
(3)
Marissa R.
It's really rare that I write a 1-star review, but this visit to the Trolley Car deserved it. First off, let me say that I was very excited and heard so many great things from friends over the years. The cute fascade and doggy-treats, and BYO-friendly signs made me smile so I was very eager to see what all the fuss was about! After waiting about five minutes to be seated, we were brought to the outdoor patio which was about half full. The girl sprayed down the table with Windex and a paper towel (is that actually a disinfectant?). I felt bad for the tables near us who were trying to eat while inhaling Windex with their food! Another five minutes later a waitress asked "has anyone helped you?"... Ummm... no. How about an introduction? What's your name? Welcome to the Trolley Car? OKAY - so we ordered two coffees and two waters. This nameless waitress brought them back about 5 minutes later - with the creamer dish inside the top of one mug of coffee. We took the dish out, and it was soaked with coffee. I'm sure we took in our fair amount of germs with our morning beverages. The experience here basically got worse and worse. No coffee refills. No managers to come around and apologize for the slow and unfriendly service. Basically - there were no redeeming qualities of this visit except that the food was pretty tasty. Sidenote: One of my Yelp friends (who shall remain nameless) WAS planning to use this Cafe to cater their wedding!!! After months of planning, the Owner decided to unexpectedly raise the prices on the deal -- and my friends backed out. I'm pretty sure the poor management decisions here are the reason why the restaurant is quickly sliding downhill. Will not return.
(1)
Zach Q.
I am a fan of both the Trolley Car Diner and the Cafe. They gave the cafe a facelift and expanded the indoor seating which is good. I usually come here for brunch and enjoy a good cup of coffee but this time I came for a late lunch. I got an awesome sandwich with pork belly and turkey. My wife got the fish tacos and they were really good. They have a great little outside seating/garden area which is good when the weather is right. There is a bike rental place attached which is cool if you wanna ride to Manayunk or along Kelly Drive to the Art Museum. My only complaint is that my server was sitting at an adjacent table eating lunch in between visits to my table. I understand everyone has to eat, but it's awkward to feel like you're interrupting her lunch if you need something. Not to mention, there is the issue of washing hands which surely wasn't happening during the split time between her lunch and my service.
(4)
Steven M.
I didn't know I could get a good weekend brunch in the neighborhood. Eggs Benedict Florentine + a bottomless cup of coffee = a necessary part of the urban ritual.
(4)
Jamaica Y.
I have officially been coming here for years! I am here now, and will address some of the negative reviews I've read: 1. One reviewer gave Trolley Car a bad review because they asked for "no mayo" and got mayo. Honestly, I hate mayo and would probably do the same if I had that experience. My orders have always been accurate. 2. A couple of reviewers complained about the service, and in the past I would have agreed. I recall one waitress who was just down right b**chy. Trolley Car seems very responsive though, because I have not seen her in a while and the server that I have today could not be more sweet and attentive is she tried. I had her the last time I came as well. 3. For better or for worse, the menu has changed entirely since 2011, so be sure to read more recent reviews if you are looking for opinions on the food. Today I ordered the nova platter, and it was impressive! I actually said "wow" when it came out--toasted bagel, arugula salad with capers, tomato, cucumbers, nova (lox) and cream cheese. The presentation was lovely and I devoured it. The guy at the table next to me said "wow" when his order came also. Not sure what he ordered, but two "wows" in one morning is pretty great. I think a good restaurant should be willing to listen, make changes, improve, and update the menu. Trolley Car is a winner for me.
(5)
Colleen M.
I think this place takes advantage of the fact that they're the only breakfast place in the area. The food is ok but the prices are a little high, especially for this area of young professionals and students. $24 for three bagel sandwiches and a drink? Come on. Plus side: they have a menu for your pup who can join you on the patio when it's nice out! The pup enjoyed his meatballs and endless water supply last summer.
(3)
Fayez A.
Great place for breakfast but the only thing I didn't like that it's a bit expensive.
(4)
Juliana P.
I have been to this place for brunch 3 times and have enjoyed the food, however the service was so bad most recently that we have been turned off. I don't know how they expect to run a competitive business if they are losing ticket orders. We watched everyone else get their meals and finish before our food was even brought out. After we caught on and realized that we were the only ones not eating, the waiter came over and asks if he can verify our order.... Because tickets were missing. We had to place our order again. This was a solid 55 minutes after placing our order originally. At least an additional 15-20 minutes later and our food finally arrived. Except for the side of roasted potatoes we ordered. Had to ask for those again. We were waiting so long, the bus boy came over to clean off our table before we even got our food. When it was time for the check... we had to wait an additional 15 minutes after the waiter acknowledged that he would bring our check over. There was no apology or acknowledgement that they really dropped the ball in losing our order. Food is good. But management really needs to get it together!
(2)
Aaron S.
Went here with some out-of-town visitors for breakfast. Basically, picked it because of it's location near the river and thought it would a good outdoor spot. 2 of of us ordered fritatas which were very good. Someone else ordered the Turkey Reuben with the dressing on the side. Only problem is that with such terrible service, we didn't receive that dressing for 10- 15 mins later. After being ignored by our waitress, I eventually had to go to the kitchen to pick it up myself! Our waitress didn't check on us ONCE in the 1 hour we were there. So if you order the "bottomless" coffee, don't expect even a single refill. We were never offered that. Service is terrible. Food is pretty tasty. Good luck!
(2)
M G.
Trolley car.. We want to like you. Really. But it just isn't happening. Every time we come the service is just so terrible. The last time we came for breakfast, we waited 40 minutes for our orange juice to come. Your $13 Caesar salad was not a Caesar salad but a piece of salmon on some lettuce with thousand island dressing on the side. And an hour and a half after we arrived, when we finally got our check, it was for the wrong table. No apologies from our server, as if this is all normal. We won't be coming back, and why would we with In Riva across the street with way better service, better food, and the same price. Sorry!
(2)
The Eyebrow Artist N.
i absolutely love this place. i never dine in, i always order take out. my order is always correct and they have it the specific time they promised. the staff is very sweet.
(5)
John G.
Pretty decent food but expensive. Built a egg, cheddar, sausage, lettuce, tomato and onion breakfast sandwich that was pretty good. Lox and cream cheese is on par. Have to give them props for the garden and fresh ingredients. Wish you could give half stars.
(3)
Carla V.
I really, really love the food here. Unfortunately I think I'm going to lean towards ToGo more often because I've always experienced pretty lackluster service. It seems like most of the people who work there have an attitude, sort of like you're lucky to be eating here. It's kind of a bummer because the outdoor area is so nice and the food is really outstanding. Also, the last time I was there on 7/9, I was eating on the back patio I saw one of their cooks come out (in uniform) and do about 10 push ups on the ground and then go back into the restaurant. Someone should tell him that diners can see right through the fence, and also that this is not really an appropriate time to get your workout in.
(4)
Daniel M.
Trolley Car was extremely disappointing! After waiting about ten minutes, the waitress came over to our table and started with "what do you guys want?" No introduction or greeting of any kind while chewing gum and avoiding eye contact. One star lost for friendliness and professionalism. After ordering some coffee, the waitress brought the coffee out with the bowl that holds the cream partially submerged in the coffee cup. I should also note that the table was extremely wobbly, and they cleaned it with Windex. One more star lost for poor sanitation. They were very understaffed. Only two waitresses were in charge of the entire back patio, which was constantly packed. Since our waitress never told us her name, we had to flag down the other waitress when we needed a refill on the coffee. Our original waitress (whose name we finally found out on the bill) kept taking more tables while neglecting provide service to the ones she already had. One more star lost for poor management. All in all, the food was pretty good, and I loved the fact that they harvested many of the vegetables from their own garden. I had the Buffalo chicken wrap, and a delicious berry salad. If I would have ordered takeout, they would be an easy 4 stars, but it seems that Trolley Car is a bit overrated when it comes to the entire experience. They truly take advantage of their location along the Schuylkill trail.
(2)
Androo J.
trolley car cafe tastelessly places its sandwich board advertising sign on city property on kelly drive every morning. they should be ashamed of themselves and the city should fine them daily. this insults me as a taxpayer and park user and sets a precedence where other parties feel they can do the same.
(1)
Sara E.
Good food but service for outside seating isn't always quick or attentive. It's worth taking the chance on the service to have the food though!
(4)
Dan O.
This was a nice place for brunch. Food was good, but took a while to be served. Milkshakes were outstanding. Byob option is a plus too.
(3)
E W.
Decent little breakfast spot. I can't speak on lunch or dinner but every time I've eaten breakfast here the food was above average and so was the service. Plus they have a spot out back for dogs. So four stars all day.
(4)
Abby M.
I had the Belgian waffles with bananas this morning, can you say delicious?! The waffles were cooked to perfection very soft in the middle yet crisp on the outskirts of the waffle (just how I love it!) however, the waitress lacked personality. She didn't seemed too excited to be there and she really made me feel uncomfortable, nor did she check to see how I was doing which to me is important. Aside from the personality of the waitress the food was delicious! Definitely would recommend this place to others!
(4)
Myrtle W.
A great addition to the neighborhood! The back garden is lovely, and the whole place has an easy calm atmosphere. The food is very fresh, and their coffee is delicious and reasonably priced. Parking is easy, and I didn't even realize they were open 'til 10pm. My only request is for more grab-and-go food. Close to exam time, I'm looking for sandwiches to fuel my studies, and I would love to be able to duck in to Trolley Car to stock up on weekend vittles.
(4)
Karen T.
Went here for lunch after going to the zoo. Ate on the patio. Nice garden setting if a little noisy b/c of the train and traffic. They allow dogs on the patio and even have a menu for poochie picks (peanut butter biscuits, etc.). Nice building, airy, solar-heated hot water, clean restrooms. The bike rental place next door seems like a good fit. Service was slow. Food was good, but nothing amazing. Had the breakfast bagel with bacon and the yogurt/fruit/granola parfait. With iced coffee and a soda, $15.
(4)
Matt And Dene M.
I have very mixed reviews about this place. They have great salads and sandwiches. The portions are nice and they make a salad dressing called "hot bacon" it is sooo good. The menu changes quite a bit and I have called several times for take out to hear, "we don't have that, that, or that anymore." I They have an awesome sweet potato cheesecake. I have had breakfast with very undercooked poatatos which I no longer order, sliders that were like hockey pucks, and a very salty beef dinner. So I would says that this place can be a hit or a miss. Which is a shame for us because we live so close.
(2)
The Eyebrow Artist N.
i absolutely love this place. i never dine in, i always order take out. my order is always correct and they have it the specific time they promised. the staff is very sweet.
(5)
John G.
Pretty decent food but expensive. Built a egg, cheddar, sausage, lettuce, tomato and onion breakfast sandwich that was pretty good. Lox and cream cheese is on par. Have to give them props for the garden and fresh ingredients. Wish you could give half stars.
(3)
Kelly C.
I've eaten both breakfast and lunch here. They open for breakfast bright and early at 7am (which is when I happened to go have some breakfast with myself) It was quiet and relaxing to sit and enjoy. They kept my coffee filled and the eggs Benedict was delicious ! Similar great experience when I was there for lunch as well ! Looking forward to warm weather and sitting outside !
(5)
Adam C.
The parking lot has some scary signs. They basically discourage diners from parking there for fear of being towed. I guess, in the summer time, Kelly drive visitors abuse the parking. There is a pay lot across the street but why should I pay to park in this area. The other oddity is the fact that this place that specializes in breakfast does not offer pancakes. Apparently it has to do with griddle space. Each time I go I peruse the menu and feel as if the selection leaves something to be desired but I always find something interesting and I usually enjoy it. When it's warmer there is a nice patio for outdoor dining. In the winter the single room diner is quite cozy.
(3)
Rita M.
Cute little no-frills diner. A friend and I came here on a sunny day, so we enjoyed lunch on the little patio outside. I got a burger, which was pretty unmemorable. Service was decent, not terribly slow (though the place was empty). Our server was friendly and I really don't have any complaints. I would probably give Trolley Car another shot in the future.
I went for the first time yesterday for breakfast. I arrived a bit after 8 am, and there was no one else in the cafe when I was there. I ordered pancakes, and then proceeded to wait. And wait. And wait. After fifteen minutes, I asked what was happening. I was told they cook their pancakes in a skillet in the oven (what???) so it takes a big longer. Finally, after twenty minutes, I left. How can it possibly take more than twenty minutes for pancakes when there is no one else is the restaurant??? I won't be back.
(1)
Natalie D.
Woke up Sunday morning to try based on reviews. Food not at all cracked up to be. Food was served to us cold. Looks are very deceiving. We could have cooked the same food better at home. Service was ok though. The only good thing about the place is the "fresh squeezed orange juice" and food presentation. Overall not a place to take time out of your day to go to.
(3)
Katie I.
I really enjoy trolley car every time I go there. The food is fresh...you can even take a look at their garden out back which is pretty cool to see what you might be eating. The outside dining area is perfect too! They always have great specials added to the menu. The frittatas and build your own wraps are really yummy. I've also had a few salads that were really fresh and made my belly happy :) This is a great place to come and relax and enjoy a nice meal.
(4)
Michael S.
This is our go to restaurant after we bike the Schuylkill Trail. While most folks plan bike rides based on mileage and ride difficulty, we plan our brunch with friends (co riders, actually) as often as we can and the ride is somewhat incidental. We are big fans of the special La Colombe coffee (an ice coffee after a ride plus a frittata with sausage, bacon and spinach made my Sunday today). Wifey likes the Challah French toast. While it was in the mid 90s today as part of an area wide heat alert, we found ourselves very comfortable inside with the AC. Service is sometimes hit and miss (our fellow diners were offered jam that took the whole meal to arrive along with a missing smoothie that finally made it's way to the table) but the joint was crowded as everyone was looking for some relief and great chow, so we didn't make a fuss. Once the Kale berry smoothie arrived, the ladies announced it a success. The jam was practically empty and did not look so appetizing. But I am nit picking. Food and quality are great. Excellent choice for breakfast or lunch.
(4)
Kimmie M.
This place is what it is...I really don't know why i frequent this place as much as I do. Mostly because it is convenient and there are very few places in east falls that have good food. With that being said, yes, the food is good, if they don't mess up your order, which has happened about 50% of the time that I have gone there (more often when I order takeout). Which is extremely annoying when you're paying for add-ons and they don't make it in the box. One time I ordered the nova platter, and there was no salmon in it, seriously? That's the main component of the dish guys. When dining there, the service is absolutely horrendous. Usually, you walk up, no one ever greets you, just tells you to sit wherever after you have already been standing there for a minute or two. Usually get drinks, have to wave someone down for refills, food takes a long time, and it can be really hard to get anyone's attention. For example, on one occasion, went for breakfast, ordered an egg sandwich with sausage, got bacon, sent it back, took probably around 8-10 minutes (it's precooked sausage, throw it in the microwave, I just want to eat with the rest of my party). When the food was cleared the waitress never brought our check. My boyfriend put his card down and waited...and waited...and waited. I got so fed up I just threw what I thought would cover the bill and walked out. But hey, when they get it right, it's good... Good luck if you decide to take the gamble.
(2)
K. A. N. A. K.
Sometimes we stop here for breakfast since it's so close by, and sometimes the frittata is fluffy and the Belgian waffle is crisp. The pluses: 1. Curiously, service here is a lot nicer and faster than at the diner, even though the a lot of the servers are the same. 2. They have Dutch Farms ice cream.
(3)
Myrtle W.
A great addition to the neighborhood! The back garden is lovely, and the whole place has an easy calm atmosphere. The food is very fresh, and their coffee is delicious and reasonably priced. Parking is easy, and I didn't even realize they were open 'til 10pm. My only request is for more grab-and-go food. Close to exam time, I'm looking for sandwiches to fuel my studies, and I would love to be able to duck in to Trolley Car to stock up on weekend vittles.
(4)
Sue S.
Best to sit in the garden during the warm months. The inside can get a bit noisy. Friendly and good service and food.
(4)
Daniel M.
Trolley Car was extremely disappointing! After waiting about ten minutes, the waitress came over to our table and started with "what do you guys want?" No introduction or greeting of any kind while chewing gum and avoiding eye contact. One star lost for friendliness and professionalism. After ordering some coffee, the waitress brought the coffee out with the bowl that holds the cream partially submerged in the coffee cup. I should also note that the table was extremely wobbly, and they cleaned it with Windex. One more star lost for poor sanitation. They were very understaffed. Only two waitresses were in charge of the entire back patio, which was constantly packed. Since our waitress never told us her name, we had to flag down the other waitress when we needed a refill on the coffee. Our original waitress (whose name we finally found out on the bill) kept taking more tables while neglecting provide service to the ones she already had. One more star lost for poor management. All in all, the food was pretty good, and I loved the fact that they harvested many of the vegetables from their own garden. I had the Buffalo chicken wrap, and a delicious berry salad. If I would have ordered takeout, they would be an easy 4 stars, but it seems that Trolley Car is a bit overrated when it comes to the entire experience. They truly take advantage of their location along the Schuylkill trail.
(2)
Androo J.
trolley car cafe tastelessly places its sandwich board advertising sign on city property on kelly drive every morning. they should be ashamed of themselves and the city should fine them daily. this insults me as a taxpayer and park user and sets a precedence where other parties feel they can do the same.
(1)
Sara E.
Good food but service for outside seating isn't always quick or attentive. It's worth taking the chance on the service to have the food though!
(4)
Dan O.
This was a nice place for brunch. Food was good, but took a while to be served. Milkshakes were outstanding. Byob option is a plus too.
(3)
E W.
Decent little breakfast spot. I can't speak on lunch or dinner but every time I've eaten breakfast here the food was above average and so was the service. Plus they have a spot out back for dogs. So four stars all day.
(4)
Colleen M.
I think this place takes advantage of the fact that they're the only breakfast place in the area. The food is ok but the prices are a little high, especially for this area of young professionals and students. $24 for three bagel sandwiches and a drink? Come on. Plus side: they have a menu for your pup who can join you on the patio when it's nice out! The pup enjoyed his meatballs and endless water supply last summer.
(3)
Fayez A.
Great place for breakfast but the only thing I didn't like that it's a bit expensive.
(4)
Heather H.
This place is a great addition to the area! We have been there for snacks, brunch and dinner. The outdoor eating area is the best part! A great and cozy little place to eat with your dog too! You can also see where they get a lot of their fresh herbs and vegetables since their garden is right there! They love dogs there too! Expect your pup to be treated like royalty! Large bowl of ice water, sunshine and a homemade peanut butter cookie when they arrive. There is also a doggie menu which makes me kinda want to order from it! Turkey meatballs on arugula.... WOOF!! The only reason that I didn't give another star is for the service. It can be kinda slow sometimes. This is sort of a relaxed, slow place anyways though!
(4)
Stephen K.
This place is great! The food is delicious, the staff is considerate and extremely friendly and the atmosphere is quaint and has a very comforting feel to it. I have tried several different items on the menu, being a semi-regular. The food is great. From breakfast to lunch, an array of choices in all categories. My girlfriend and I have been there more times than we can count and have never been dissatisfied with the service or food. I'll be a customer for a very long time.
(5)
Carrie P.
There is no where to get a good breakfast around manayunk, so my husband and I decided to try here. First, the coffee is from La Colombe so it is delicious and bottomless!! Second, the server could not have been kinder to us and our daughter. She even made sure she had crayons and paper. Lastly, food was very good. Try the Nutella French toast.
(4)
Rhian T.
Friendly service, fresh food. I came here thinking it would be a small dive cafe that I could grab a snack from but was pleasantly surprised that it was a modern, fresh, full menu cafe. We enjoyed breakfast and lunch items including smoothies, waffles and kids meals. It came fast, we ate it all up and it was affordable. Atmosphere is nice and outdoor seating is a plus. They are very friendly and accommodating as well.
(4)
Rin Z.
Trolley Car Haiku let me thank you for it was such a lovely brunch
(4)
Jasmine D.
Cute and friendly place.. we went here for a small work lunch. They are only open till 3 on weekdays.. Their mint cookie crunch milkshake was out of this world. *Drool* Pork Panini was also decent.
(5)
Katrina D.
A great neighborhood option for brunch. The menu is unique and the food itself straddles between 3 and 4 stars. Service is excellent and I like the neighborhood feel and patio out back. The wait has never been bad and I imagine it's due to it's obscure location. Don't let the random location put you off though, you can either bike or walk up from your excursion along Kelly Drive or use the parking lot.
(4)
Marissa B.
The best breakfast in East Falls. Quite simply, they have clean food at a reasonable price with good in-house prep. No cartons of egg mix, no canned peppers, no cheating when it comes to home-made breakfast lunch and brunch and there is no deep fryer to ruin your waste-line (though the tasty tasty ice cream may!). I have worked in diners, bars and cafes and the Trolley Car Cafe is just lovely and does casual dining very well. Nothing beats sitting out on the patio on a beautiful day after taking a bike-ride up Kelly Drive and checking out their fantastic garden. The weekends can be quite busy, so my favorite times tend to be during the week. Afraid you'll miss brunch if you go on a Tuesday?? Never fear, they do breakfast all week long till 2pm.
(5)
Martin M.
Good coffee, cool little cafe.
(4)
Cat M.
It's diner fare, so don't expect fine dining. But, it's really good for diner fare. I was expecting typical diner food, and it definitely exceeded expectations. I don't feel that it's a must visit sort of restaurant, but it's not likely to disappoint either. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars. I ultimately decided on 3, because the waitstaff was inattentive. Not excessively so, but enough that I can recall it a couple weeks later. Good food. Decent service. Worth eating at if you're in the neighborhood.
(3)
Taylor A.
My favorite spot for brunch - BYO and puppy friendly :) I've only gone for brunch and the food is always amazing. They have all the basics that you would expect and then some. Also love the fact that they get lots of the food from their own garden. Great spot to bike to on the weekend - right off the river path. The staff, while slightly distracted have always been helpful with suggestions and answering menu questions. I understand everyone's complaints but if you get there a little earlier, the place is almost empty and the wait staff is very accommodating - it does get very packed very quickly so you do need to try to keep on top of the wait staff but I have never had a problem getting food/drinks/refills/the check.
(5)
Margo K.
The Trolley Car is super cute! They've got ice cream...and Challah French Toast...and it's definitely a good spot for brunch or lunch! The menu, made up of favorites, is a good size. Prices are about average for the area. I've been here about three times now, but I still haven't had the chance to dine outside! The service is satisfactory, not over the top, pretty efficient though. I have to add that the last time I was here I ordered the Caprese panini because I love mozzarella and basil. It was drenched in balsamic dressing, but it still tasted okay. Next time I'll see if I can get it on the side, or maybe it was just a mistake! Overall, I will keep coming here, it tends to hit the spot!
(4)
Jennifer M.
Wanted to try a different place for brunch, and my friend heard rave reviews about this place. When you walk in, there aren't many tables. If you have a big group, this place might not be the best choice. The highlight of the cafe is really the outside dining, so I'll have to come back when it's warmer! Hopefully, there is more seating! The menu had all your morning favorites, and since we were waiting for two more people. We ordered the hummus and veggies to start. The hummus was garlicky, which is the way we like it! Kudos! Our table ordered the yogurt parfait, crab cake salad, fish tacos, and a breakfast burrito (on special). There was a bit of a wait to get all of our meals, but the la columbe coffee kept us warm while we caught up on fun conversation. The food was above average except the crab cake salad. The crab cakes had a lot of filler, so that was disappointing! My yogurt parfait was divine, and it was presented in a milkshake glass. Our friends cleaned their plates, so their choices was an easy win. There is a parking lot across the cafe, and it's only 50 cents an hour! Unfortunately, the pay machine wasn't working, so we had to keep a close eye on our cars in case we got ticketed.
(3)
James B.
Walked in on a Sunday morning with 3 other people at around 11 and found it to be pretty packed. I also never realized how small it actually is on the inside. There may have been room for 20-30 people to actually sit and eat. It was pretty awkward because after we walked in we were standing over top of other peoples' tables and we realized there were no available seats. There appeared to be a cash register in the back left corner, but the employee was busy looking down at something else and did not look up. The waitress passed a few times, but didn't say anything or look up. After a minute or so of standing in the entryway over top of other peoples tables while staring at their food (I was hungry) I got the vibe that maybe this place was for locals only or it was ran by miserable introverts. We quietly exited and went to find food elsewhere. The food I saw on peoples plates looked good so I'll give it a two. Probably won't ever return because the employees seemed like douche bags.
(2)
Joe S.
I live in east falls and go here for breakfast just about every Sunday. This place is decent. Good food, good coffee, friendly staff. The food will not blow you away but it's always solid. One of the better breakfast spots in this area.
(3)
Lee N.
Well, I decided to give Trolly Car another shot. I called my order in from work, emphasizing "NO MAYONNAISE". I get to Trolly Car, they give me my order and luckily I checked it. Wanna no why? Because it had mayo on it, again. Everyone at Trolly Car needs a hearing aide.
(2)
Aliyia P.
The outside seating next to their little garden was nice...my waffles were great! The food was good but the service is HORRIBLE! Took forever for someone to take our order... and the waitress was rather short with us...
(2)
Gabriela G.
I really enjoy coming to this place. Sometimes I go there weekly for Sunday brunch. Service is not always the best, but they do get swamped time to time. Oh, one thing I will never understand is the cinnamon "raisin" french toast. Where are the raisins!? lol
(4)
Daniel P.
I just stopped here for end-of-summer ice cream and decided to update my previous review. The ice cream was delicious as it is imported from a local ice cream maker or something...real good stuff and super cheap! A large group was enjoying the back patio and I saw their meals go out and all looked to be cooked to perfection. The kitchen is in the FRONT of this place so there is no funny business there either. I dare you to check out Philly's most beloved brunch spot kitchens... I feel like East Falls could become the brunch capitol of Philadelphia. Easy to bike to, easy to drive to, new faces in the neighborhood every week, and ZERO pretension! There are some great local places and it seems like a new one is opening every season. Trolley Car , I feel ,might get over looked but I think its the best go-to spot. Their interior is as charming as anything I have ever seen. The building was renovated in conjunction with a Philadelphia parks program to reclaim abandoned historic structures. The real gem is the backdoor patio and BYOB! Their food prices are spot on for diner style and you just can't beat the BYOB. There is a beer distro around the corner in addition to a liqueur store. The food isn't some food network star hipster chef creation. It is classic diner food with a wide variety of salads, grilled foods, and desserts. They rotate some dishes seasonally, but you can always get a burger or salad here. Parking across the street is plentiful and cheap. This place also rents bikes so if you are from the suburbs park here, get some food, rent-a-bike, and cruise down the river and back. Come check out what East Falls has to offer!
(5)
Nicole L.
Trolley Car Cafe has its quirks, for sure -- it's located on a hard-to-find corner in East Falls (Kelly Dr and Ferry Rd) where life becomes very difficult if you miss the initial turn into the parking lot (which is easily done). Tip: use the 50-cent/hour parking lot located in the center of the intersection. The dining space is really cramped on the inside, and the acoustics are awkwardly echoey and loud. Food is decently palatable and the menu is a step better than average diner fare, if a little overpriced. If I hadn't had friends with me who knew how the place operated, I wouldn't have known that it was self-seating, or that food was ordered from the counter -- no guiding signs or helpful counter staff to show you the ropes. And while I don't have a problem with ordering at the counter like you would at food-serving coffeehouses and the like, it just didn't make sense to do that when our waitress served us our menus, our utensils and our food at the table. Overall, not my kind of place -- though I can see the quaint, relaxed charm appealing to others less fussy than I am.
(2)
Samantha L.
We stumbled upon this very cool spot on a recent walk down Kelly Drive. It is in a very cool building with a fabulous back outdoor patio. The service was good, the food was good at decent prices, and the atmosphere was casual and perfect for the location. I had the bbq ranch wrap which, though having an odd asparagus trio thrown in it, was a perfect lunch sandwich. My boyfriend had the buffalo chicken wrap which he found "pretty decent, but needed a bit more oomph." We will definitely return. It's also BYOB, so I think it might be a fun spot for a dinner sometime.
(4)
K. L.
I have dined at the Trolley Car Diner several times before and it has always been great. Today was my first experience at the Cafe and I felt compelled to write this review based upon my experience. We arrived on this nice spring day for lunch outdoors in the patio area. Our party of 5 was seated back near the garden. The waitress was pleasant, prompt, and while the food was nothing special, it was good. No complaints there. Unfortunately I take issue with the fact that this establishment is dog friendly and I'll explain why. The entire time we were there, a dog was wandering around unleashed, crawling under patron tables and chairs. Because the dog was unleashed and no one seemed surprised that it was walking around from table to table, we assumed that the dog must belong to the owner. (Weird, but it wasn't annoying enough to say something). What was annoying enough to say something is when the dog walked right up to the garden next to our table, lifted its leg and urinated all over the chives that the cafe is growing there. He then proceeded to climb right into the herb garden. Gross. We called a staffer over and asked her if the dog belonged to the owner and explained what had happened. She then explained that someone must have left their dog there, and disappeared to go deal with the dog. First, I'm not sure what kind of person leaves their DOG at a restaurant, and second, why was the dog allowed to roam freely unleashed throughout the restaurant? Anyway, after that waitress walked away to try to locate the dog's owner, another staffer came out with a watering can and started pouring water over the chives (presumably in an effort to rinse the dog urine). This place is not a bad place, the food was good, and the waitstaff pleasant enough. However, they might want to rethink the whole pet friendly thing. I don't want someone's dog climbing under my table when I'm dining out and I certainly don't want to watch someone's dog urinate all over the herbs next to my table. If we remove the whole dog scene from the scenario, it would have been a decent experience. But I can't scrub the image of the dog relieving himself in the garden from my mind, and for that reason I wouldn't be in a rush to return. Please reconsider your pet policy and make Fido stay home. :/
(2)
Alice M.
I stopped by a few times and had breakfast and dinner here. But I will review based on recently having my day after wedding brunch at Trolley Car. The food was great. The service was prompt for the amount of people we had. Best of all its BYOB!!! The downside was we called ahead to let them know we would have about 15 people coming and asked if they could seat us outside. When we should up, they did not have an area ready and then they made arrangements in the blazing sun in the middle of a heat wave. We ended up kindly asking people who they just sat if the could move so that we could make a table for us which worked out but it was a nuasance for us and the other guests that we had to go through that. Other than that I have no complants!!
(4)
Crystal P.
So after spending $5 on a bagel, you can't even spread the cream cheese?? Pathetic and a waste of my money. Overpriced for what??
(1)
Gwendolyn P.
I love this place for so many reasons although there are a few things that prevent me from giving it five stars. Let's start with the positive. 1) Free parking (did you read that?) free parking in Philly! 2) Tasty food 3) Solid menu 4) Courteous helpful staff. 5) Outdoor seating next to a lovely garden 6) Great location right next to Kelly Drive Negatives - 1)Although this place claims that it has wi-fi it has NEVER once worked when I have been there. It would save me the aggravation if they just told me they didn't have it. 2) The bathroom - I have been in airplane bathrooms larger than this bathroom.
(4)
Erica M.
Stopped in for brunch today around 11:15am. I ordered an egg-white sandwich and the bf got a frittata. Overall, the food was very good. The ingredients were fresh and the portions were generous. One of my pet peeves is when a restaurant charges more for egg whites but doesn't notify customers. I guess I should know now that almost every restaurant charges more, but it never ceases to annoy me. After we finished our meals, there was a time when our waitress and all the cooks were no where to be found. There was one employee sitting at a table texting and not paying the slightest bit of attention to the customers. After about 10 minutes, my bf went up to him and asked him for a check. Our waitress came in a few minutes later after an obvious smoke break. Not particularly great service, but the food is decent.
(3)
Keli M.
Such a cute place. The staff is really friendly, and I love sitting outside. The Belgian Waffle is really good. I will say that the prices are a little high, but worth it for a pleasant experience. The parking is a little confusing. Parked in the "Pick Up" up lot, but then saw a lot across the street when I left.
(4)
Sarah D.
I just don't know what all the hype is about. My husband and I stopped by at 10 am for a Sunday morning breakfast, and immediately noticed: 1. the confusing and cramped seating situation. no hostess, no helpful counter staff, no sign to seat yourself. 2. the general dirtiness/dinginess of everything. we went to sit at one table, and were forced to sit at a different one altogether because there were rolls of toilet paper sitting on the chairs. wth? there were ginormous dust bunnies hanging out on the floor, and the walls look like there'd recently been a food fight. 3. the brusque, inattentive wait staff. 4. the limited brunch menu- it really seems like more of a grab-n-go situation, with a couple of options for egg sammies, a customizable frittata, eggs benny, and french toast. nothing really too fancy. which is fine, but see #5: 5. every menu item is at least $2-3 overpriced. especially for the fact that the place has little ambiance, an apathetic waitstaff, and is order-at-the-counter. and, like I said, it's not like they serve up anything special. for my money, I'd rather grab a sammie at Ryebread in Art Museum or just make pancakes at home. overall, I'm pretty meh on the scenario. I'm not saying it's the worst place to eat- and their lunch menu definitely looked more appetizing+extensive. but we won't be back.
(2)
Natalee F.
This is a really cute cafe. I went there for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. It's perfect for a stop off on a bike ride along Kelly Drive or in Wissahickon park. There are several bike racks outside to facilitate locking up your bike. They even advertise bike rentals and repair, although I didn't use either of those services. We both got bagel sandwiches and orange juice. The eggs were fresh and delicious and nicely cooked and the orange juice was fresh squeezed. There was ample outdoor seating on the back patio. I would return again for brunch.
(5)
Lauren G.
My roommates and I wanted to enjoy a nice late Sunday morning breakfast and were really disappointed with the service. The service put a damper on the delicious taste of our food. I gave it two stars simply because the food was good. We began by waiting for a table for a few minutes even though no one else was waiting to be seated. We then sat down and waited approximately 15 minutes to be acknowledged by anyone. The waitress (still not sure who our waitress was) came over to our table and didn't greet us. She only asked if someone had taken our order yet, then reluctantly jotted down our order. The drinks took a while to come over to us and the food wait felt like forever. Throughout our entire meal, we were not acknowledged by the same waitress or any other staff for that matter. I had to get up twice to ask for napkins and water refills. When paying, we were not even thanked for our business. Needless to say, the food was delicious but I don't know if I'll ever return or recommend this place to my friends or family. Not a good brunch experience.
(2)
Kalamazoo K.
I decided to stop by the Trolley Car cafe after moving to East Falls. I sat out back on their porch and I loved the way it was set up. They have a large vegetable garden, big canopy, and great decor. It has a wonderful atmosphere that I enjoyed. The service was a little slow for an afternoon meal. The food was just average. The meal did not seem to pop at all. I ordered a panini and the bread overwhelmed the sandwich. The lack of sauce really took away from the meal. I also ordered home fries that were under cooked and lacked seasoning. This would be a good place to stop by for a coffee, but just be weary of the food menu.
(3)
Matt And Dene M.
I have very mixed reviews about this place. They have great salads and sandwiches. The portions are nice and they make a salad dressing called "hot bacon" it is sooo good. The menu changes quite a bit and I have called several times for take out to hear, "we don't have that, that, or that anymore." I They have an awesome sweet potato cheesecake. I have had breakfast with very undercooked poatatos which I no longer order, sliders that were like hockey pucks, and a very salty beef dinner. So I would says that this place can be a hit or a miss. Which is a shame for us because we live so close.
(2)
Karen T.
Went here for lunch after going to the zoo. Ate on the patio. Nice garden setting if a little noisy b/c of the train and traffic. They allow dogs on the patio and even have a menu for poochie picks (peanut butter biscuits, etc.). Nice building, airy, solar-heated hot water, clean restrooms. The bike rental place next door seems like a good fit. Service was slow. Food was good, but nothing amazing. Had the breakfast bagel with bacon and the yogurt/fruit/granola parfait. With iced coffee and a soda, $15.
(4)
Nathan V.
I can't rate the Trolley Car Cafe as great, but is pretty good. The food is really good, it's a bit pricey, but it's a step above most diner food, which is nice. Friendly service and good food. Perfect for easy Sunday morning brunch.
(3)
Adam F.
Awesome awesome place: 1) BYOB 2) Dog friendly 3) Vitamin water 4) Killer brunch 5) Frittatas 6) Fish tacos 7) Chorizo breakfast burrito 8) Challah french toast w/ nutella Definitely check it out.
(4)
Perri W.
This is my favorite place to get brunch locally. Living in Dobson Mills means it takes just a few minutes to walk here- which is awesome. I try to order something different each time I'm here. They have great breakfast & lunch menus with a nice variety of options for such a small place. Last time I ate here I had the salmon & sweet potato sliders and fell in love. It's really hard for me to order anything else now because I love them so much! The scrambled eggs are fluffy and perfect and I always end up eating some of my boyfriend's instead of just ordering my own. The serving sizes are more than enough for what you pay, as well. Everything is really affordable, which is nice since we like to eat here 2-3 days in a row. The service is always extremely friendly and inviting. Our favorite waitress is the woman with red hair, although I'm not sure of her name. She's always super nice and makes sure we have everything we need to enjoy our meal. It's a small space, so make sure to get here early enough to snag a table during lunch rush. All of the tables are 2-4 people are pretty close in proximity to each other, however I don't mind. It makes for a very cozy experience. The only reason I'm giving 4/5stars is because there aren't pancakes on the menu. Otherwise, I highly recommend!
(4)
Matt B.
From the outside, it says they're open but looks quiet... but once inside, I gotta admit there's alot to like. We stopped in for dinner on a Monday, the specials (roasted beet salad, kobe burger) were fresh and good. Caprese panini was great. Lemonade was outstanding. They have a backyard with a nice little garden. You'll see the cook come outside for a sprig of basil. Order at a counter, they give you a buzzer when your stuff is ready. There's honeybees in the flowers. You can rent a bicycle here and easy access to the river paths. It's surprisingly nice. Crazy good hours (7am to 10pm, 7 days a week) Good addition to the neighborhood.
(4)
Beth H.
Had a very poor breakfast. Eggs Benedict. Eggs totally overcooked. Hollandaise sauce was tastless. Potatoes burnt. Drinks selection poor. Blueberry waffle was OK. Staff nice. Will not return.
(2)
Thea M.
We went for brunch, not realizing that this was a dog park disguised as a restaurant. It was a gorgeous day, so I convinced my husband, who hates eating outside, to sit on the patio. We were the only people without a dog. To make matters worse, there is apparently no requirement to have a well-behaved dog at this restaurant, either. And before you dismiss me as someone who hates dogs, I don't. I love them. I had 5 growing up...so there. :) As far as the food, it was good. Not amazing, but really good. The fresh OJ was a nice surprise, and I wish I knew it was BYO before I got there. The service left a lot to be desired. I really wish they were more attentive. We sat for a while after being finished before our plates were cleared, then we waited again for the server to bring the check. He apparently did not know that when he cleared our plates, that was a sign we were done. It's a decent local place to get breakfast, IF you have a dog. If not, sit inside.
(3)
Eamon T.
Wow what an overpriced "diner". I stopped by looking forward to eating a tasty meal and after ordering my bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel I was told the total was $6.91! I scoffed at the price, and reluctantly pulled out my wallet. Its East Falls so it should not be Rittenhouse prices, I have also gotten cheaper breakfast sandwiches in Rittenhouse! While the bagel was yummy, it is near impossible to make a breakfast sandwich taste bad. Get your prices fixed Trolley Car, you won't see me again.
(1)
Giada J.
seated outside and forgotten; moved in outside and finally got drinks; watched ppl in after us receive their food before us; left after not receiving our food, refills, or even a friendly check-in from the staff for an hour; some of the staff were being served food prior to the guests; use to enjoy for a quick breakfast but it's food that can be made at home for way cheaper and without the frustration of feeling like your business doesn't matter.
I have finally found Peace in my search for serious breakfast food. The trolley car cafe is a Delightful spot to eat. The breakfast is delicious. Try the challah french toast . The service is very pleasant and the ambiance is warm and friendly.
(4)
Jeffrey F.
Great alternative diner. Big inside Good food and menu and serves alcohol great milkshakes Perfect for kids
(4)
Andrea S.
Went here for lunch today at it was delicious. I got take out and everyone was so helpful and nice when I went to pick up my food I couldn't help but tell them! I got the Caprese salad and added the grilled Cajun shrimp to it. It was soooooo good! everything was so fresh and I love that they don't put a heavy vinaigrette on it they let everything stand on its own.. The shrimp and just the right amount of kick to it and the salad was the perfect size. It looked very clean and welcoming inside I cant wait to go in and try some of there breakfast items they look just as good.
(5)
Kevin M.
We've been here a few times- each time was for breakfast/lunch and it was very good. Recommend the fritatta, cream chip beef (excellent), cheese grits, crab cake slider and strawberry smoothie. Our local brunch preferences have been the Urban Cafe (Sundays only) and Trolley Car Cafe the rest of the week.
(4)
Robyn H.
Just left Trolley Car and had the BLATO.... turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado and onion on a croissant with cole slaw and pickles. Pretty good. I will return......
(3)
Gerrae S.
Great New Spot in East Falls. Food is fresh and tasty. I've been here twice now and my only complaint is that they stop serving breakfast at 12 on Sunday. :(
(4)
E A.
Wanted to like TC Cafe so much...We frequent the TC Diner in Mt Airy and thought this would be a nice addition to East Falls. I gave it 2 stars because the outdoor deck is very nice and they allow dogs. However, the wait was very long to get our food (which you order up front and take on a tray to the deck). We asked for wine glasses and got wet and steamy recently washed but not dried glasses. My catfish was dry and my rice was cold. My wife's chicken was OK, but her rice was cold as well. She took it back and received a bowl of crunchy rice back. Clearly it had been thrown in the oven for a few minutes. Really? Can't we just get fresh rice? Our friends ordered cobb salads which were missing 4 ingredients and had to go back and have them added on. Prices are $2-3 too expensive for the type of food you get. I wish they would improve and we could go back.
(2)
Ange B.
Tried Trolley Car Cafe after a long long walk along the river with our dog. The food was very good. Nice outdoor seating and dog friendly. They even have a doggie menu, which our dog thinks is fabulous. She gobbled all her meatballs, washed it down with ice cold water and contentedly sat in the sun while we enjoyed our dinner.
(4)
Shonta c.
I'm completely disappointed in this place!! They took advantage of our group. I paid for 3 appetizers for up to 15 people and did not receive the $360 worth of food and service as expected. I wondered why they require payment in advance prior to eating the meal. It makes sure review the money but leaves the customer less empowered to argue with the quantity because they control the amount. I feel that if I pay for 15 people then give me the food don't decide for me on how much is to be given at any point. I recover a total of 4 trays of both bruchetta and caprese salad in total and 1 tray of hummus side of veggies! Then they actually charge 18% gratuity for a person who simply placed the trays on table along with water/plates. NO SERVICE!! I've gone to restaurants and paid for actual food not just appetizers and paid this amount for food along with good attentive wait staff. I contacted the catering manager and she declined to refund part of my money. I think they are way overpriced for the portion size, the food is ok defiantly not great and they have really poor customer service skills and customer recovery. I felt like they made excuses and did not hold themselves accountable. Big big big dissapointment. There are too many great places in philadelphia and they won't be around long with this attitude! I will tell everyone I know never to patron this establishment ever! I do not have anything positive to say expect "buyer beware" they take advantage and don't deliver on the goods!
(1)
Ashley G.
Great! Super cute restaurant, good food. Tables are close together and it's relatively small inside, but great outdoor seating. Highly recommend!
(4)
Andrew S.
My biggest complaint about Trolley Stop is that it was way overpriced for what it is. That being said the food was pretty good. I had the turkey club panini, i had ordered it with cheddar but i guess they forgot that. turns out it didnt really need the cheddar (though it would have been nice) and the sandwich was still really good. My girlfriend had the chop salad which was also really good except that it was not chopped as the name would suggest and the bowl was too small and over packed with ingredients to chop it yourself at the table. also they forgot the turkey bacon that was supposed to come on it. the inside was small but nice and there was a big outside patio in the back that looked great. so all and all it was pretty good but again definitely over priced.
(3)
Gregory S.
Stopped there for breakfast early this past Saturday. My wife had a Belgian buckwheat waffle and I had a frittata. Both meals were very good, and the coffee was hot and fresh. The price was perhaps a couple dollars on the expensive side, but overall it was good, and the cafe is a great addition to the area. We will certainly return.
(4)
Ym A.
Had a good chicken salad sand.there.
(5)
Steve J.
Too expensive for what you get, but decent food. Since I am new to the area, I was looking for a casual spot for dinner and came across this place, via Yelp. When you first walk inside, it is kinda small, but once you go outside there is a ton of seating. This will suck once it gets cold. The lady taking orders and the guy cooking were sooo friendly. I ordered the chorizo and shrimp ($13), while my girlfriend got the Philly Phillet sandwhich ($10) and we split Sweet Potato fries ($3). I expected a lot more fries that 10 nicely stacked fries on plate. They were good, though. The sandwich was excellent but for the price you need give the guest a little side salad or something. The Chorizo and Shrimp was ok, kind of basic for $13. I would love to go back here for breakfast. It's a decent joint to check out if your riding your bike through here or live in the area. I hope for great things for the place.
(3)
Brittany S.
Another welcome addition to the area. I like the cafe/coffee-shop setup. They have a pretty simple menu with quality ingredients. I look forward to going back.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Carrie P.
There is no where to get a good breakfast around manayunk, so my husband and I decided to try here. First, the coffee is from La Colombe so it is delicious and bottomless!! Second, the server could not have been kinder to us and our daughter. She even made sure she had crayons and paper. Lastly, food was very good. Try the Nutella French toast.
(4)Rhian T.
Friendly service, fresh food. I came here thinking it would be a small dive cafe that I could grab a snack from but was pleasantly surprised that it was a modern, fresh, full menu cafe. We enjoyed breakfast and lunch items including smoothies, waffles and kids meals. It came fast, we ate it all up and it was affordable. Atmosphere is nice and outdoor seating is a plus. They are very friendly and accommodating as well.
(4)Rin Z.
Trolley Car Haiku let me thank you for it was such a lovely brunch
(4)Sue S.
Best to sit in the garden during the warm months. The inside can get a bit noisy. Friendly and good service and food.
(4)Adam F.
Awesome awesome place: 1) BYOB 2) Dog friendly 3) Vitamin water 4) Killer brunch 5) Frittatas 6) Fish tacos 7) Chorizo breakfast burrito 8) Challah french toast w/ nutella Definitely check it out.
(4)Eamon T.
Wow what an overpriced "diner". I stopped by looking forward to eating a tasty meal and after ordering my bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel I was told the total was $6.91! I scoffed at the price, and reluctantly pulled out my wallet. Its East Falls so it should not be Rittenhouse prices, I have also gotten cheaper breakfast sandwiches in Rittenhouse! While the bagel was yummy, it is near impossible to make a breakfast sandwich taste bad. Get your prices fixed Trolley Car, you won't see me again.
(1)Giada J.
seated outside and forgotten; moved in outside and finally got drinks; watched ppl in after us receive their food before us; left after not receiving our food, refills, or even a friendly check-in from the staff for an hour; some of the staff were being served food prior to the guests; use to enjoy for a quick breakfast but it's food that can be made at home for way cheaper and without the frustration of feeling like your business doesn't matter.
(1)Stacey W.
I went for the first time yesterday for breakfast. I arrived a bit after 8 am, and there was no one else in the cafe when I was there. I ordered pancakes, and then proceeded to wait. And wait. And wait. After fifteen minutes, I asked what was happening. I was told they cook their pancakes in a skillet in the oven (what???) so it takes a big longer. Finally, after twenty minutes, I left. How can it possibly take more than twenty minutes for pancakes when there is no one else is the restaurant??? I won't be back.
(1)Rita M.
Cute little no-frills diner. A friend and I came here on a sunny day, so we enjoyed lunch on the little patio outside. I got a burger, which was pretty unmemorable. Service was decent, not terribly slow (though the place was empty). Our server was friendly and I really don't have any complaints. I would probably give Trolley Car another shot in the future.
(3)Heather H.
This place is a great addition to the area! We have been there for snacks, brunch and dinner. The outdoor eating area is the best part! A great and cozy little place to eat with your dog too! You can also see where they get a lot of their fresh herbs and vegetables since their garden is right there! They love dogs there too! Expect your pup to be treated like royalty! Large bowl of ice water, sunshine and a homemade peanut butter cookie when they arrive. There is also a doggie menu which makes me kinda want to order from it! Turkey meatballs on arugula.... WOOF!! The only reason that I didn't give another star is for the service. It can be kinda slow sometimes. This is sort of a relaxed, slow place anyways though!
(4)Howard S.
I have finally found Peace in my search for serious breakfast food. The trolley car cafe is a Delightful spot to eat. The breakfast is delicious. Try the challah french toast . The service is very pleasant and the ambiance is warm and friendly.
(4)Jeffrey F.
Great alternative diner. Big inside Good food and menu and serves alcohol great milkshakes Perfect for kids
(4)Kevin M.
We've been here a few times- each time was for breakfast/lunch and it was very good. Recommend the fritatta, cream chip beef (excellent), cheese grits, crab cake slider and strawberry smoothie. Our local brunch preferences have been the Urban Cafe (Sundays only) and Trolley Car Cafe the rest of the week.
(4)Gwendolyn P.
I love this place for so many reasons although there are a few things that prevent me from giving it five stars. Let's start with the positive. 1) Free parking (did you read that?) free parking in Philly! 2) Tasty food 3) Solid menu 4) Courteous helpful staff. 5) Outdoor seating next to a lovely garden 6) Great location right next to Kelly Drive Negatives - 1)Although this place claims that it has wi-fi it has NEVER once worked when I have been there. It would save me the aggravation if they just told me they didn't have it. 2) The bathroom - I have been in airplane bathrooms larger than this bathroom.
(4)Natalie D.
Woke up Sunday morning to try based on reviews. Food not at all cracked up to be. Food was served to us cold. Looks are very deceiving. We could have cooked the same food better at home. Service was ok though. The only good thing about the place is the "fresh squeezed orange juice" and food presentation. Overall not a place to take time out of your day to go to.
(3)Andrea S.
Went here for lunch today at it was delicious. I got take out and everyone was so helpful and nice when I went to pick up my food I couldn't help but tell them! I got the Caprese salad and added the grilled Cajun shrimp to it. It was soooooo good! everything was so fresh and I love that they don't put a heavy vinaigrette on it they let everything stand on its own.. The shrimp and just the right amount of kick to it and the salad was the perfect size. It looked very clean and welcoming inside I cant wait to go in and try some of there breakfast items they look just as good.
(5)DanaJoy88 ..
Living in south philly I love an early morning drive or bike along Kelly Dr and this is how we discovered Trolley Car Cafe. We have returned again since because the value, quality,and creativity of their menu are things to be valued. I recommend getting there early because around 9:30-10 is the time people really start rolling in on the weekends. Also make sure to enroll in their rewards program because nothing makes a great meal better then a discount!
(4)Robyn H.
Just left Trolley Car and had the BLATO.... turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado and onion on a croissant with cole slaw and pickles. Pretty good. I will return......
(3)Gerrae S.
Great New Spot in East Falls. Food is fresh and tasty. I've been here twice now and my only complaint is that they stop serving breakfast at 12 on Sunday. :(
(4)Michelle C.
My dad has always talked about the Trolley Car Cafe as one of his favorite spots for lunch. Today, I met him there, and we both left in agreement that our experience was terrible. There is outdoor seating in the back but we chose to sit inside since it was a hot day. Unfortunately, the amount of flies that were buzzing around the restaurant was probably more than we would have encountered outside. It was disgusting. They absolutely should put one of those double door hutch thingies leading to the patio to help prevent this. Service was bad. There's no other way to put it. Our server was nice enough, but she didn't attempt to relay our orders with any sort of accuracy to the guys in the kitchen who did more talking than cooking. My dad asked for a blackened salmon Caesar salad and I asked for the buffalo chicken wrap to be made into a salad (so basically, same ingredients, on a plate, minus the wrap). My dad's salmon was not blackened (he says he's had it that way on other visits without a problem). My salad wasn't remotely close to a buffalo chicken salad. There was grilled chicken (I was expecting breaded but wasn't bothered by grilled, even though it still seemed rather greasy), asparagus (what?), barbecue sauce (what?) and ranch served on the side instead of blue cheese dressing. The rest of the salad was pretty sad - just some romaine and a few dices of pale tomatoes. I'd rather not have any tomatoes than be served non-local tomatoes in the middle of August in an area surrounded by farms. It took longer than it should have to get the check and get out of there. I absolutely will not be going back, and I've already tipped off my dad to another nearby restaurant that I think he'll enjoy far more next time.
(1)Meghan G.
This place is the worst! My fiancé and I often comment on their ridiculous hours (7am-3pm daily- who are their customers on weekdays?!), but it looks so cute we decided to try it. Don't waste your time. Our first attempt was on a Sunday late morning for brunch. The hostess made a huge deal of having to seat us in the sun, which was fine with us on one of the first spring days. She put us out there at a dirty, not-yet-bussed table and never looked back! Someone came to wipe our table but did not engage us. We cooked in the sun without water, and watched others grow agitated waiting for checks or food. No one was eating! After more than ten minutes of silence and beating sun, we left. I told the hostess as we walked past that we had not been acknowledged and she didn't even offer an apology. We went back on a weekday morning, a rare day off for both of us. It was a cold and rainy day, so all seating was indoors. The place was completely filled with smoke. My eyes were burning and we asked the waiter to open a window or the doors. He said the smoke is a daily issue, and that others would complain about open doors with the cold weather, but he did prop the door. It didn't help. We just froze with burning eyes. When my pesto grilled cheese arrived there was nothing grilled about it. Blocks of cold cheese sat beneath what was essentially a salad on a roll (even more ridiculous because it comes with a side salad- made of the same greens). An award on the wall read best BYOB in 2010. Looks like the glory days for the Trolley Car have long since passed.
(1)Tiffany Y.
My girlfriend and I decided to try Trolley Car Cafe for brunch and let me tell you this place is to die for!!!!!! From the greeting when we walked in, to the excellent service proved by Holly to the delicious food from Isaac. I ordered the chicken and waffles with a side of potatoes and a piece of catfish. My girlfriend ordered cinnamon raisin French toast with a side of potatoes and bacon. All I have to say is that everything was DELICIOUS!!!!!!! I especially loved the catfish-thank you so much Isaac :-) the breading on the catfish-omg... Perfectly seasoned and just scrumptious. My girlfriend has no complaints either. If you are looking for great service with warm and friendly staff as well as delicious food. Please visit the Trolley car cafe. Trust me you will not be disappointed
(4)Sharia W.
The Trolley cafe was pretty cool. Went there on a Saturday late afternoon. The service was pretty deceit, one server however had a little attitude, but she was pretty nice to everyone else. Liked the fact that they had an outside patio for eating. Pretty good choices of food, but not a huge selection. It wasn't crowded so we didn't have to wait, which was pretty cool on a Labor Day weekend. The food was pretty tasty, but it could have used a little more seasoning. Also, my breakfast sandwiches had cheese on it and it wasn't even melted. So, in gin a slice of cheese just sittin on top of eggs? Ewww....however, I would definitely go back and try something else. Yes, there's a parking lot, but it gets pretty crowded fast. There's street parking available and a $1.50 an hour lot, right across the street.
(3)Steve Q.
Just moved to the area and was looking for a good place to get brunch. I got a simple with bacon egg and cheese and cheese grits. It was excellent. Kyle, the waiter did a great job. Was impressed that he repeated the order to make sure he got it right.The atmosphere is fun and casual... Will definitely be back
(4)Tyneisha M.
I must say my experience this time around was much better and I'd certainly come back. The "friend" from my last visit is now my current boyfriend and we met at Trolley Car a year ago this past Sunday for our first date so it was fitting that we came back of course lol. We came around 1pm for brunch and it was crowded as expected but we did not have to wait. I also researched a bit before we came back here and saw that they allow dogs on the patio and even have a dog menu!! I can't wait to bring my Bella (pom/chi mix) when it's warm out. The Food My bf and I each ordered a special. He ordered the jerk chicken tacos and I ordered the mini breakfast sandwiches with roasted potatoes. The food was tasty but mine was a bit cold, I'm assuming because it was sitting out waiting for his to finish but overall it was good. Try this place!
(4)Dan M.
Really nice spot. Great location, excellent outdoor seating and their breakfast sandwiches are pretty ballin'
(5)Joey M.
Cute lil brunch spot that I've passed a thousand times before but never noticed! They are only open till 3 so make sure you get there early if you have a hankering for brunch. It is a oblong type restaurant with tiny table and chairs and historical type decor. Ordered: Eggs Benedict with hollandaise on the side and ham (alternatively could have had spinach): this was 'ok' at best. The egg and ham underwhelmed the English muffin and the hollandaise tasted more like a soft butter than hollandaise. This was served with roasted potatoes that were just a tad well done for my liking. My friend really enjoyed her pesto grilled cheese though and it was served with a small side salad. In the spring/summer the outdoor deck is open for dining. I think I would try another brunch spot before returning here.
(3)Emily Y.
First impression was great. Great location, decor and friendly welcome. Unfortunately was disappointed from there. Silverwear, glasses, mugs, were spotty/dirty. Sunny day. Not enough umbrellas to cover 3 of the tables outside. People getting up and moving constantly. Staff was super flustered/visibly overwhelmed. Food took extremely long to come out. Was okay. Appearance was sloppy. Bread barely toasted. Stale. Jelly/Salsa came out in plastic to-go containers. Check took quite long to receive. Had all the makings of a great spot, but too much stacked against it.
(2)Suzanne M.
The food is good, but my goodness... $9.00+ for a breakfast sandwich??? I ordered a spinach, egg, cheese, onion and bacon wrap that cost over $9.00. Well, let's just say I will never do that again. While I look for fresh, preservative free food, spending $9.00 for a wrap is ridiculous.
(2)DanaJoy88 ..
Living in south philly I love an early morning drive or bike along Kelly Dr and this is how we discovered Trolley Car Cafe. We have returned again since because the value, quality,and creativity of their menu are things to be valued. I recommend getting there early because around 9:30-10 is the time people really start rolling in on the weekends. Also make sure to enroll in their rewards program because nothing makes a great meal better then a discount!
(4)Noah F.
I was very pleased with this incarnation of The Trolley Car restaurants! Trolley Car Cafe, East Falls, diverges largely from its siblings. Trolley has rain proof outdoor seating, a cozy and warm indoor environment, perfectly sized portions, and a creative menu. As far as the menu Trolley can whip up the usual along with unique selections like cream chipped beef, breakfast nachos, and Belgium waffles (ice cream and fruit if you want)! One thing that really stands out are the rectangular plates, it just makes the food more organized and it's more fun to eat that way. Because Trolley is dog friendly, clean, and modern you can't beat it! Also our waitress Sarah was wonderful as she was quick, nice, and thoughtful. Great service. Never been disappointed.
(4)Carly T.
The first time I went here the service was slow. I didn't have a lot of time so I chalked it up to my own impatience. Fast forward to the first sunny/warm day of the spring seaon. I definitely wanted to sit outside, so this was my place of choice. When we asked to be seated out on the patio we were told it had been set up but wasn't open until tomorrow. I didn't get it b/c it WAS set up. We got a table right inside the patio door. The waitress then came over to open the window next to me and explained that I shouldn't get cold b/c it's a nice day out... yes I know, I wanted to sit outside, remember? So we order our food and wait for it to arrive. In the mean time 3 other parties arrive and want to sit outside. One left, one took a table inside and the others WENT TO SIT OUTSIDE! Now I'm completely annoyed. My salad is taking forever and I'm watching people out on the patio. Food arrives and I know immediately that my SALAD has been under the heat lamp. The plate is almost hot. I touch the lettuce and it is wilted and warm... disgusting! I send it back and let the server know that I am completely annoyed that we were told that we couldn't sit outside. She said "they got take out, we're not serving them out there" WIERD, because I've watched you take out silverware, menus, water and coffee. No food, because again the service was so SLOW! I get a new salad and we finish eating. I overhear the server telling 3 other tables that their plate was hot and to be careful. Food does NOT make a plate hot. Leaving it too long under a heat lamp does! She clears our plates and ...then... we... wait... After 10 minutes of waiting for a check, my friend gets up to and walks to the register. Three employees walk past her -some multiple times before she is acknowleged. Our waitress finally offers to help and asks my friend "where were you sitting, oh yeah, what did you get?" There are max 10 tables in the entire place... and oh 1 on the patio! Unreal!! Two strikes and your out in my book!
(1)Donea S.
Decent. A little pricy for my tastes, I got a chili dog (huge, chili was odd but I'm used to living in a Latino neighborhood, overall-good) boyfriend got a turkey club ( massive, like couldn't finish it huge- but overall what one would look for in a turkey club). Probably won't stop back in soon, it wasn't bad but nothing wow worthy.
(3)Lexi S.
Love it here. 2nd time here and it's gets better every time. Fish & grits are so gooooodddd!! My server Holly was so pleasant. She even remembered my order from the last time I was there. Very attentive & food came out hot(which is always a plus)!!! Definitely will be a regular here!!!
(4)Leigh W.
Went here for brunch this past Sunday. I got the huevos Rancheros which was AMAZING. House made chili was so good, the only thing that was a bit of a let down was the eggs were not runny, they were cooked all the way through. Would've been A++ otherwise, but still really good. The only weird thing is that we arrive at 1:30 and were notified that they closed at 3pm (which was fine) but breakfast menu would only be served until 2pm, and then from 2pm-3pm it was only the lunch menu? Just seemed a bit odd. Fresh squeezed OJ was great too. I also liked that you could bring your dog to sit with you on the patio. Will definitely visit this place again.
(4)Rahsaan T.
I guess I picked the wrong Sunday to finally try this place after bookmarking it last year. After waiting ten minutes to be greeted by our server, we found out they were short a cook that day. So that pretty much slowed up the entire process. But I can say the waitress did work hard to meet all our needs in a timely manner. The restaurant itself was slightly warm. Not sure if they had AC or not. There definitely were no ceiling fans in sight. What I do like about the seating is that you have the option to sit indoors or outdoors. The outside eating area is larger than indoors. Due to the limited seating outside and time restraints, we chose to eat indoors to reduce the wait time. We ordered breakfast meals. Cheese grits with scrambled eggs and bacon. And challah French toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. Aside from us waiting 30 minutes for our order, the food wasn't bad. The grits could have been cooked a little longer and the French toast could have been softer. However, I have no real complaints. I definitely would go back. Oh, the iced coffee was good too. I did not appreciate them telling me they were out of strawberries for the toast and when I paid my check another customer had strawberries on theirs. My actual rating for Trolley Car is 3.5. I did not want to put four since my wait time was so long and I did not get strawberries. But I will definitely go back.
(3)Jeff C.
I live near the place, so I am here often but probably be there a lot more if there was dinner. Also I like they have dog treats, but I have a cat so if they decide to make cat treats, I am willing to buy some for my cat. There isn't much on the menu I get (and it's not that big to begin with) , but I like what I enjoy. First, an Uber driver really recommended the coffee for me and he was right, it's great bottomless coffee. Also, I have ordered two lunch items were tasty which is the BLT with turkey bacon and avocado, and the great chili. Some have complain about the servers. While I admit some servers may not possess a "life of the party" spirit around them, I haven't found any of them rude or give me poor service. Its a basic diner that is near where I live and will do when I went just my morning coffee or light lunch.
(4)Danita R.
Since I work in East Falls I hit up this spot pretty often, and it routinely hits the spot for breakfast and/or lunch. It's also a nice "light at the end of the tunnel" anytime you're working on your fitness on Kelly Drive. I haven't been disappointed yet. The food is consistently fresh, delicious and well-priced. Pick a panini, any panini. Bite down, do a li'l happy Cliff Huxtable chair dance and enjoy yourself. Or, get the Challah French toast. It won't make you holla ('cause that would be too punny lame-o), but you will be happily fed. It's especially divine with a fresh, piping hot cup of La Colombe! Or, just get some oatmeal. This ain't your sad, shake-me-down packet of powdery oats--there's a MEAL happenin' chirren! You're welcome, dearie. You're welcome. Oh, and in the spring and summer, the outdoor patio dining area really makes for a fun place to meet up with friends or co-workers. See you around...
(4)Jemi J.
Food was great. I had a waffle with berries. I also had fresh fruit smoothie. My husband got a club. I enjoyed the actual fresh fruit. Service was friendly. And the location on the drive makes for a great saunter afterwards. Perfect brunch.
(4)Marissa R.
It's really rare that I write a 1-star review, but this visit to the Trolley Car deserved it. First off, let me say that I was very excited and heard so many great things from friends over the years. The cute fascade and doggy-treats, and BYO-friendly signs made me smile so I was very eager to see what all the fuss was about! After waiting about five minutes to be seated, we were brought to the outdoor patio which was about half full. The girl sprayed down the table with Windex and a paper towel (is that actually a disinfectant?). I felt bad for the tables near us who were trying to eat while inhaling Windex with their food! Another five minutes later a waitress asked "has anyone helped you?"... Ummm... no. How about an introduction? What's your name? Welcome to the Trolley Car? OKAY - so we ordered two coffees and two waters. This nameless waitress brought them back about 5 minutes later - with the creamer dish inside the top of one mug of coffee. We took the dish out, and it was soaked with coffee. I'm sure we took in our fair amount of germs with our morning beverages. The experience here basically got worse and worse. No coffee refills. No managers to come around and apologize for the slow and unfriendly service. Basically - there were no redeeming qualities of this visit except that the food was pretty tasty. Sidenote: One of my Yelp friends (who shall remain nameless) WAS planning to use this Cafe to cater their wedding!!! After months of planning, the Owner decided to unexpectedly raise the prices on the deal -- and my friends backed out. I'm pretty sure the poor management decisions here are the reason why the restaurant is quickly sliding downhill. Will not return.
(1)Zach Q.
I am a fan of both the Trolley Car Diner and the Cafe. They gave the cafe a facelift and expanded the indoor seating which is good. I usually come here for brunch and enjoy a good cup of coffee but this time I came for a late lunch. I got an awesome sandwich with pork belly and turkey. My wife got the fish tacos and they were really good. They have a great little outside seating/garden area which is good when the weather is right. There is a bike rental place attached which is cool if you wanna ride to Manayunk or along Kelly Drive to the Art Museum. My only complaint is that my server was sitting at an adjacent table eating lunch in between visits to my table. I understand everyone has to eat, but it's awkward to feel like you're interrupting her lunch if you need something. Not to mention, there is the issue of washing hands which surely wasn't happening during the split time between her lunch and my service.
(4)Steven M.
I didn't know I could get a good weekend brunch in the neighborhood. Eggs Benedict Florentine + a bottomless cup of coffee = a necessary part of the urban ritual.
(4)M G.
Trolley car.. We want to like you. Really. But it just isn't happening. Every time we come the service is just so terrible. The last time we came for breakfast, we waited 40 minutes for our orange juice to come. Your $13 Caesar salad was not a Caesar salad but a piece of salmon on some lettuce with thousand island dressing on the side. And an hour and a half after we arrived, when we finally got our check, it was for the wrong table. No apologies from our server, as if this is all normal. We won't be coming back, and why would we with In Riva across the street with way better service, better food, and the same price. Sorry!
(2)Jamaica Y.
I have officially been coming here for years! I am here now, and will address some of the negative reviews I've read: 1. One reviewer gave Trolley Car a bad review because they asked for "no mayo" and got mayo. Honestly, I hate mayo and would probably do the same if I had that experience. My orders have always been accurate. 2. A couple of reviewers complained about the service, and in the past I would have agreed. I recall one waitress who was just down right b**chy. Trolley Car seems very responsive though, because I have not seen her in a while and the server that I have today could not be more sweet and attentive is she tried. I had her the last time I came as well. 3. For better or for worse, the menu has changed entirely since 2011, so be sure to read more recent reviews if you are looking for opinions on the food. Today I ordered the nova platter, and it was impressive! I actually said "wow" when it came out--toasted bagel, arugula salad with capers, tomato, cucumbers, nova (lox) and cream cheese. The presentation was lovely and I devoured it. The guy at the table next to me said "wow" when his order came also. Not sure what he ordered, but two "wows" in one morning is pretty great. I think a good restaurant should be willing to listen, make changes, improve, and update the menu. Trolley Car is a winner for me.
(5)Juliana P.
I have been to this place for brunch 3 times and have enjoyed the food, however the service was so bad most recently that we have been turned off. I don't know how they expect to run a competitive business if they are losing ticket orders. We watched everyone else get their meals and finish before our food was even brought out. After we caught on and realized that we were the only ones not eating, the waiter came over and asks if he can verify our order.... Because tickets were missing. We had to place our order again. This was a solid 55 minutes after placing our order originally. At least an additional 15-20 minutes later and our food finally arrived. Except for the side of roasted potatoes we ordered. Had to ask for those again. We were waiting so long, the bus boy came over to clean off our table before we even got our food. When it was time for the check... we had to wait an additional 15 minutes after the waiter acknowledged that he would bring our check over. There was no apology or acknowledgement that they really dropped the ball in losing our order. Food is good. But management really needs to get it together!
(2)Aaron S.
Went here with some out-of-town visitors for breakfast. Basically, picked it because of it's location near the river and thought it would a good outdoor spot. 2 of of us ordered fritatas which were very good. Someone else ordered the Turkey Reuben with the dressing on the side. Only problem is that with such terrible service, we didn't receive that dressing for 10- 15 mins later. After being ignored by our waitress, I eventually had to go to the kitchen to pick it up myself! Our waitress didn't check on us ONCE in the 1 hour we were there. So if you order the "bottomless" coffee, don't expect even a single refill. We were never offered that. Service is terrible. Food is pretty tasty. Good luck!
(2)Carla V.
I really, really love the food here. Unfortunately I think I'm going to lean towards ToGo more often because I've always experienced pretty lackluster service. It seems like most of the people who work there have an attitude, sort of like you're lucky to be eating here. It's kind of a bummer because the outdoor area is so nice and the food is really outstanding. Also, the last time I was there on 7/9, I was eating on the back patio I saw one of their cooks come out (in uniform) and do about 10 push ups on the ground and then go back into the restaurant. Someone should tell him that diners can see right through the fence, and also that this is not really an appropriate time to get your workout in.
(4)Kelly C.
I've eaten both breakfast and lunch here. They open for breakfast bright and early at 7am (which is when I happened to go have some breakfast with myself) It was quiet and relaxing to sit and enjoy. They kept my coffee filled and the eggs Benedict was delicious ! Similar great experience when I was there for lunch as well ! Looking forward to warm weather and sitting outside !
(5)Abby M.
I had the Belgian waffles with bananas this morning, can you say delicious?! The waffles were cooked to perfection very soft in the middle yet crisp on the outskirts of the waffle (just how I love it!) however, the waitress lacked personality. She didn't seemed too excited to be there and she really made me feel uncomfortable, nor did she check to see how I was doing which to me is important. Aside from the personality of the waitress the food was delicious! Definitely would recommend this place to others!
(4)Stephen K.
This place is great! The food is delicious, the staff is considerate and extremely friendly and the atmosphere is quaint and has a very comforting feel to it. I have tried several different items on the menu, being a semi-regular. The food is great. From breakfast to lunch, an array of choices in all categories. My girlfriend and I have been there more times than we can count and have never been dissatisfied with the service or food. I'll be a customer for a very long time.
(5)Nathan V.
I can't rate the Trolley Car Cafe as great, but is pretty good. The food is really good, it's a bit pricey, but it's a step above most diner food, which is nice. Friendly service and good food. Perfect for easy Sunday morning brunch.
(3)Natalee F.
This is a really cute cafe. I went there for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. It's perfect for a stop off on a bike ride along Kelly Drive or in Wissahickon park. There are several bike racks outside to facilitate locking up your bike. They even advertise bike rentals and repair, although I didn't use either of those services. We both got bagel sandwiches and orange juice. The eggs were fresh and delicious and nicely cooked and the orange juice was fresh squeezed. There was ample outdoor seating on the back patio. I would return again for brunch.
(5)Marissa B.
The best breakfast in East Falls. Quite simply, they have clean food at a reasonable price with good in-house prep. No cartons of egg mix, no canned peppers, no cheating when it comes to home-made breakfast lunch and brunch and there is no deep fryer to ruin your waste-line (though the tasty tasty ice cream may!). I have worked in diners, bars and cafes and the Trolley Car Cafe is just lovely and does casual dining very well. Nothing beats sitting out on the patio on a beautiful day after taking a bike-ride up Kelly Drive and checking out their fantastic garden. The weekends can be quite busy, so my favorite times tend to be during the week. Afraid you'll miss brunch if you go on a Tuesday?? Never fear, they do breakfast all week long till 2pm.
(5)Martin M.
Good coffee, cool little cafe.
(4)Cat M.
It's diner fare, so don't expect fine dining. But, it's really good for diner fare. I was expecting typical diner food, and it definitely exceeded expectations. I don't feel that it's a must visit sort of restaurant, but it's not likely to disappoint either. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars. I ultimately decided on 3, because the waitstaff was inattentive. Not excessively so, but enough that I can recall it a couple weeks later. Good food. Decent service. Worth eating at if you're in the neighborhood.
(3)Taylor A.
My favorite spot for brunch - BYO and puppy friendly :) I've only gone for brunch and the food is always amazing. They have all the basics that you would expect and then some. Also love the fact that they get lots of the food from their own garden. Great spot to bike to on the weekend - right off the river path. The staff, while slightly distracted have always been helpful with suggestions and answering menu questions. I understand everyone's complaints but if you get there a little earlier, the place is almost empty and the wait staff is very accommodating - it does get very packed very quickly so you do need to try to keep on top of the wait staff but I have never had a problem getting food/drinks/refills/the check.
(5)Margo K.
The Trolley Car is super cute! They've got ice cream...and Challah French Toast...and it's definitely a good spot for brunch or lunch! The menu, made up of favorites, is a good size. Prices are about average for the area. I've been here about three times now, but I still haven't had the chance to dine outside! The service is satisfactory, not over the top, pretty efficient though. I have to add that the last time I was here I ordered the Caprese panini because I love mozzarella and basil. It was drenched in balsamic dressing, but it still tasted okay. Next time I'll see if I can get it on the side, or maybe it was just a mistake! Overall, I will keep coming here, it tends to hit the spot!
(4)Jennifer M.
Wanted to try a different place for brunch, and my friend heard rave reviews about this place. When you walk in, there aren't many tables. If you have a big group, this place might not be the best choice. The highlight of the cafe is really the outside dining, so I'll have to come back when it's warmer! Hopefully, there is more seating! The menu had all your morning favorites, and since we were waiting for two more people. We ordered the hummus and veggies to start. The hummus was garlicky, which is the way we like it! Kudos! Our table ordered the yogurt parfait, crab cake salad, fish tacos, and a breakfast burrito (on special). There was a bit of a wait to get all of our meals, but the la columbe coffee kept us warm while we caught up on fun conversation. The food was above average except the crab cake salad. The crab cakes had a lot of filler, so that was disappointing! My yogurt parfait was divine, and it was presented in a milkshake glass. Our friends cleaned their plates, so their choices was an easy win. There is a parking lot across the cafe, and it's only 50 cents an hour! Unfortunately, the pay machine wasn't working, so we had to keep a close eye on our cars in case we got ticketed.
(3)P S.
This place is OK and actually recommended if you're nearby but.... Trolley Car has never done something the majority of brunches I've had in the Philadelphia-area have been able to: wow me. Brunch is one of those things you just expect to be good in the city, particularly if you're paying $15 or so for just the food portion of it. Both times I have been there the food was good, but not particularly memorable. Service could barely be described as attentive (and, no, they were not that busy) and time-to-table was disappointing. They have so much potential. I'd give them another shot.
(3)James B.
Walked in on a Sunday morning with 3 other people at around 11 and found it to be pretty packed. I also never realized how small it actually is on the inside. There may have been room for 20-30 people to actually sit and eat. It was pretty awkward because after we walked in we were standing over top of other peoples' tables and we realized there were no available seats. There appeared to be a cash register in the back left corner, but the employee was busy looking down at something else and did not look up. The waitress passed a few times, but didn't say anything or look up. After a minute or so of standing in the entryway over top of other peoples tables while staring at their food (I was hungry) I got the vibe that maybe this place was for locals only or it was ran by miserable introverts. We quietly exited and went to find food elsewhere. The food I saw on peoples plates looked good so I'll give it a two. Probably won't ever return because the employees seemed like douche bags.
(2)Joe S.
I live in east falls and go here for breakfast just about every Sunday. This place is decent. Good food, good coffee, friendly staff. The food will not blow you away but it's always solid. One of the better breakfast spots in this area.
(3)Lee N.
Well, I decided to give Trolly Car another shot. I called my order in from work, emphasizing "NO MAYONNAISE". I get to Trolly Car, they give me my order and luckily I checked it. Wanna no why? Because it had mayo on it, again. Everyone at Trolly Car needs a hearing aide.
(2)Aliyia P.
The outside seating next to their little garden was nice...my waffles were great! The food was good but the service is HORRIBLE! Took forever for someone to take our order... and the waitress was rather short with us...
(2)Gabriela G.
I really enjoy coming to this place. Sometimes I go there weekly for Sunday brunch. Service is not always the best, but they do get swamped time to time. Oh, one thing I will never understand is the cinnamon "raisin" french toast. Where are the raisins!? lol
(4)Adam C.
The parking lot has some scary signs. They basically discourage diners from parking there for fear of being towed. I guess, in the summer time, Kelly drive visitors abuse the parking. There is a pay lot across the street but why should I pay to park in this area. The other oddity is the fact that this place that specializes in breakfast does not offer pancakes. Apparently it has to do with griddle space. Each time I go I peruse the menu and feel as if the selection leaves something to be desired but I always find something interesting and I usually enjoy it. When it's warmer there is a nice patio for outdoor dining. In the winter the single room diner is quite cozy.
(3)Daniel P.
I just stopped here for end-of-summer ice cream and decided to update my previous review. The ice cream was delicious as it is imported from a local ice cream maker or something...real good stuff and super cheap! A large group was enjoying the back patio and I saw their meals go out and all looked to be cooked to perfection. The kitchen is in the FRONT of this place so there is no funny business there either. I dare you to check out Philly's most beloved brunch spot kitchens... I feel like East Falls could become the brunch capitol of Philadelphia. Easy to bike to, easy to drive to, new faces in the neighborhood every week, and ZERO pretension! There are some great local places and it seems like a new one is opening every season. Trolley Car , I feel ,might get over looked but I think its the best go-to spot. Their interior is as charming as anything I have ever seen. The building was renovated in conjunction with a Philadelphia parks program to reclaim abandoned historic structures. The real gem is the backdoor patio and BYOB! Their food prices are spot on for diner style and you just can't beat the BYOB. There is a beer distro around the corner in addition to a liqueur store. The food isn't some food network star hipster chef creation. It is classic diner food with a wide variety of salads, grilled foods, and desserts. They rotate some dishes seasonally, but you can always get a burger or salad here. Parking across the street is plentiful and cheap. This place also rents bikes so if you are from the suburbs park here, get some food, rent-a-bike, and cruise down the river and back. Come check out what East Falls has to offer!
(5)K. L.
I have dined at the Trolley Car Diner several times before and it has always been great. Today was my first experience at the Cafe and I felt compelled to write this review based upon my experience. We arrived on this nice spring day for lunch outdoors in the patio area. Our party of 5 was seated back near the garden. The waitress was pleasant, prompt, and while the food was nothing special, it was good. No complaints there. Unfortunately I take issue with the fact that this establishment is dog friendly and I'll explain why. The entire time we were there, a dog was wandering around unleashed, crawling under patron tables and chairs. Because the dog was unleashed and no one seemed surprised that it was walking around from table to table, we assumed that the dog must belong to the owner. (Weird, but it wasn't annoying enough to say something). What was annoying enough to say something is when the dog walked right up to the garden next to our table, lifted its leg and urinated all over the chives that the cafe is growing there. He then proceeded to climb right into the herb garden. Gross. We called a staffer over and asked her if the dog belonged to the owner and explained what had happened. She then explained that someone must have left their dog there, and disappeared to go deal with the dog. First, I'm not sure what kind of person leaves their DOG at a restaurant, and second, why was the dog allowed to roam freely unleashed throughout the restaurant? Anyway, after that waitress walked away to try to locate the dog's owner, another staffer came out with a watering can and started pouring water over the chives (presumably in an effort to rinse the dog urine). This place is not a bad place, the food was good, and the waitstaff pleasant enough. However, they might want to rethink the whole pet friendly thing. I don't want someone's dog climbing under my table when I'm dining out and I certainly don't want to watch someone's dog urinate all over the herbs next to my table. If we remove the whole dog scene from the scenario, it would have been a decent experience. But I can't scrub the image of the dog relieving himself in the garden from my mind, and for that reason I wouldn't be in a rush to return. Please reconsider your pet policy and make Fido stay home. :/
(2)Alice M.
I stopped by a few times and had breakfast and dinner here. But I will review based on recently having my day after wedding brunch at Trolley Car. The food was great. The service was prompt for the amount of people we had. Best of all its BYOB!!! The downside was we called ahead to let them know we would have about 15 people coming and asked if they could seat us outside. When we should up, they did not have an area ready and then they made arrangements in the blazing sun in the middle of a heat wave. We ended up kindly asking people who they just sat if the could move so that we could make a table for us which worked out but it was a nuasance for us and the other guests that we had to go through that. Other than that I have no complants!!
(4)Nicole L.
Trolley Car Cafe has its quirks, for sure -- it's located on a hard-to-find corner in East Falls (Kelly Dr and Ferry Rd) where life becomes very difficult if you miss the initial turn into the parking lot (which is easily done). Tip: use the 50-cent/hour parking lot located in the center of the intersection. The dining space is really cramped on the inside, and the acoustics are awkwardly echoey and loud. Food is decently palatable and the menu is a step better than average diner fare, if a little overpriced. If I hadn't had friends with me who knew how the place operated, I wouldn't have known that it was self-seating, or that food was ordered from the counter -- no guiding signs or helpful counter staff to show you the ropes. And while I don't have a problem with ordering at the counter like you would at food-serving coffeehouses and the like, it just didn't make sense to do that when our waitress served us our menus, our utensils and our food at the table. Overall, not my kind of place -- though I can see the quaint, relaxed charm appealing to others less fussy than I am.
(2)Samantha L.
We stumbled upon this very cool spot on a recent walk down Kelly Drive. It is in a very cool building with a fabulous back outdoor patio. The service was good, the food was good at decent prices, and the atmosphere was casual and perfect for the location. I had the bbq ranch wrap which, though having an odd asparagus trio thrown in it, was a perfect lunch sandwich. My boyfriend had the buffalo chicken wrap which he found "pretty decent, but needed a bit more oomph." We will definitely return. It's also BYOB, so I think it might be a fun spot for a dinner sometime.
(4)K. A. N. A. K.
Sometimes we stop here for breakfast since it's so close by, and sometimes the frittata is fluffy and the Belgian waffle is crisp. The pluses: 1. Curiously, service here is a lot nicer and faster than at the diner, even though the a lot of the servers are the same. 2. They have Dutch Farms ice cream.
(3)Erica M.
Stopped in for brunch today around 11:15am. I ordered an egg-white sandwich and the bf got a frittata. Overall, the food was very good. The ingredients were fresh and the portions were generous. One of my pet peeves is when a restaurant charges more for egg whites but doesn't notify customers. I guess I should know now that almost every restaurant charges more, but it never ceases to annoy me. After we finished our meals, there was a time when our waitress and all the cooks were no where to be found. There was one employee sitting at a table texting and not paying the slightest bit of attention to the customers. After about 10 minutes, my bf went up to him and asked him for a check. Our waitress came in a few minutes later after an obvious smoke break. Not particularly great service, but the food is decent.
(3)Keli M.
Such a cute place. The staff is really friendly, and I love sitting outside. The Belgian Waffle is really good. I will say that the prices are a little high, but worth it for a pleasant experience. The parking is a little confusing. Parked in the "Pick Up" up lot, but then saw a lot across the street when I left.
(4)Sarah D.
I just don't know what all the hype is about. My husband and I stopped by at 10 am for a Sunday morning breakfast, and immediately noticed: 1. the confusing and cramped seating situation. no hostess, no helpful counter staff, no sign to seat yourself. 2. the general dirtiness/dinginess of everything. we went to sit at one table, and were forced to sit at a different one altogether because there were rolls of toilet paper sitting on the chairs. wth? there were ginormous dust bunnies hanging out on the floor, and the walls look like there'd recently been a food fight. 3. the brusque, inattentive wait staff. 4. the limited brunch menu- it really seems like more of a grab-n-go situation, with a couple of options for egg sammies, a customizable frittata, eggs benny, and french toast. nothing really too fancy. which is fine, but see #5: 5. every menu item is at least $2-3 overpriced. especially for the fact that the place has little ambiance, an apathetic waitstaff, and is order-at-the-counter. and, like I said, it's not like they serve up anything special. for my money, I'd rather grab a sammie at Ryebread in Art Museum or just make pancakes at home. overall, I'm pretty meh on the scenario. I'm not saying it's the worst place to eat- and their lunch menu definitely looked more appetizing+extensive. but we won't be back.
(2)Lauren G.
My roommates and I wanted to enjoy a nice late Sunday morning breakfast and were really disappointed with the service. The service put a damper on the delicious taste of our food. I gave it two stars simply because the food was good. We began by waiting for a table for a few minutes even though no one else was waiting to be seated. We then sat down and waited approximately 15 minutes to be acknowledged by anyone. The waitress (still not sure who our waitress was) came over to our table and didn't greet us. She only asked if someone had taken our order yet, then reluctantly jotted down our order. The drinks took a while to come over to us and the food wait felt like forever. Throughout our entire meal, we were not acknowledged by the same waitress or any other staff for that matter. I had to get up twice to ask for napkins and water refills. When paying, we were not even thanked for our business. Needless to say, the food was delicious but I don't know if I'll ever return or recommend this place to my friends or family. Not a good brunch experience.
(2)Kalamazoo K.
I decided to stop by the Trolley Car cafe after moving to East Falls. I sat out back on their porch and I loved the way it was set up. They have a large vegetable garden, big canopy, and great decor. It has a wonderful atmosphere that I enjoyed. The service was a little slow for an afternoon meal. The food was just average. The meal did not seem to pop at all. I ordered a panini and the bread overwhelmed the sandwich. The lack of sauce really took away from the meal. I also ordered home fries that were under cooked and lacked seasoning. This would be a good place to stop by for a coffee, but just be weary of the food menu.
(3)Perri W.
This is my favorite place to get brunch locally. Living in Dobson Mills means it takes just a few minutes to walk here- which is awesome. I try to order something different each time I'm here. They have great breakfast & lunch menus with a nice variety of options for such a small place. Last time I ate here I had the salmon & sweet potato sliders and fell in love. It's really hard for me to order anything else now because I love them so much! The scrambled eggs are fluffy and perfect and I always end up eating some of my boyfriend's instead of just ordering my own. The serving sizes are more than enough for what you pay, as well. Everything is really affordable, which is nice since we like to eat here 2-3 days in a row. The service is always extremely friendly and inviting. Our favorite waitress is the woman with red hair, although I'm not sure of her name. She's always super nice and makes sure we have everything we need to enjoy our meal. It's a small space, so make sure to get here early enough to snag a table during lunch rush. All of the tables are 2-4 people are pretty close in proximity to each other, however I don't mind. It makes for a very cozy experience. The only reason I'm giving 4/5stars is because there aren't pancakes on the menu. Otherwise, I highly recommend!
(4)Matt B.
From the outside, it says they're open but looks quiet... but once inside, I gotta admit there's alot to like. We stopped in for dinner on a Monday, the specials (roasted beet salad, kobe burger) were fresh and good. Caprese panini was great. Lemonade was outstanding. They have a backyard with a nice little garden. You'll see the cook come outside for a sprig of basil. Order at a counter, they give you a buzzer when your stuff is ready. There's honeybees in the flowers. You can rent a bicycle here and easy access to the river paths. It's surprisingly nice. Crazy good hours (7am to 10pm, 7 days a week) Good addition to the neighborhood.
(4)Beth H.
Had a very poor breakfast. Eggs Benedict. Eggs totally overcooked. Hollandaise sauce was tastless. Potatoes burnt. Drinks selection poor. Blueberry waffle was OK. Staff nice. Will not return.
(2)Thea M.
We went for brunch, not realizing that this was a dog park disguised as a restaurant. It was a gorgeous day, so I convinced my husband, who hates eating outside, to sit on the patio. We were the only people without a dog. To make matters worse, there is apparently no requirement to have a well-behaved dog at this restaurant, either. And before you dismiss me as someone who hates dogs, I don't. I love them. I had 5 growing up...so there. :) As far as the food, it was good. Not amazing, but really good. The fresh OJ was a nice surprise, and I wish I knew it was BYO before I got there. The service left a lot to be desired. I really wish they were more attentive. We sat for a while after being finished before our plates were cleared, then we waited again for the server to bring the check. He apparently did not know that when he cleared our plates, that was a sign we were done. It's a decent local place to get breakfast, IF you have a dog. If not, sit inside.
(3)E A.
Wanted to like TC Cafe so much...We frequent the TC Diner in Mt Airy and thought this would be a nice addition to East Falls. I gave it 2 stars because the outdoor deck is very nice and they allow dogs. However, the wait was very long to get our food (which you order up front and take on a tray to the deck). We asked for wine glasses and got wet and steamy recently washed but not dried glasses. My catfish was dry and my rice was cold. My wife's chicken was OK, but her rice was cold as well. She took it back and received a bowl of crunchy rice back. Clearly it had been thrown in the oven for a few minutes. Really? Can't we just get fresh rice? Our friends ordered cobb salads which were missing 4 ingredients and had to go back and have them added on. Prices are $2-3 too expensive for the type of food you get. I wish they would improve and we could go back.
(2)Ange B.
Tried Trolley Car Cafe after a long long walk along the river with our dog. The food was very good. Nice outdoor seating and dog friendly. They even have a doggie menu, which our dog thinks is fabulous. She gobbled all her meatballs, washed it down with ice cold water and contentedly sat in the sun while we enjoyed our dinner.
(4)Shonta c.
I'm completely disappointed in this place!! They took advantage of our group. I paid for 3 appetizers for up to 15 people and did not receive the $360 worth of food and service as expected. I wondered why they require payment in advance prior to eating the meal. It makes sure review the money but leaves the customer less empowered to argue with the quantity because they control the amount. I feel that if I pay for 15 people then give me the food don't decide for me on how much is to be given at any point. I recover a total of 4 trays of both bruchetta and caprese salad in total and 1 tray of hummus side of veggies! Then they actually charge 18% gratuity for a person who simply placed the trays on table along with water/plates. NO SERVICE!! I've gone to restaurants and paid for actual food not just appetizers and paid this amount for food along with good attentive wait staff. I contacted the catering manager and she declined to refund part of my money. I think they are way overpriced for the portion size, the food is ok defiantly not great and they have really poor customer service skills and customer recovery. I felt like they made excuses and did not hold themselves accountable. Big big big dissapointment. There are too many great places in philadelphia and they won't be around long with this attitude! I will tell everyone I know never to patron this establishment ever! I do not have anything positive to say expect "buyer beware" they take advantage and don't deliver on the goods!
(1)Ashley G.
Great! Super cute restaurant, good food. Tables are close together and it's relatively small inside, but great outdoor seating. Highly recommend!
(4)Andrew S.
My biggest complaint about Trolley Stop is that it was way overpriced for what it is. That being said the food was pretty good. I had the turkey club panini, i had ordered it with cheddar but i guess they forgot that. turns out it didnt really need the cheddar (though it would have been nice) and the sandwich was still really good. My girlfriend had the chop salad which was also really good except that it was not chopped as the name would suggest and the bowl was too small and over packed with ingredients to chop it yourself at the table. also they forgot the turkey bacon that was supposed to come on it. the inside was small but nice and there was a big outside patio in the back that looked great. so all and all it was pretty good but again definitely over priced.
(3)Gregory S.
Stopped there for breakfast early this past Saturday. My wife had a Belgian buckwheat waffle and I had a frittata. Both meals were very good, and the coffee was hot and fresh. The price was perhaps a couple dollars on the expensive side, but overall it was good, and the cafe is a great addition to the area. We will certainly return.
(4)Ym A.
Had a good chicken salad sand.there.
(5)Steve J.
Too expensive for what you get, but decent food. Since I am new to the area, I was looking for a casual spot for dinner and came across this place, via Yelp. When you first walk inside, it is kinda small, but once you go outside there is a ton of seating. This will suck once it gets cold. The lady taking orders and the guy cooking were sooo friendly. I ordered the chorizo and shrimp ($13), while my girlfriend got the Philly Phillet sandwhich ($10) and we split Sweet Potato fries ($3). I expected a lot more fries that 10 nicely stacked fries on plate. They were good, though. The sandwich was excellent but for the price you need give the guest a little side salad or something. The Chorizo and Shrimp was ok, kind of basic for $13. I would love to go back here for breakfast. It's a decent joint to check out if your riding your bike through here or live in the area. I hope for great things for the place.
(3)Brittany S.
Another welcome addition to the area. I like the cafe/coffee-shop setup. They have a pretty simple menu with quality ingredients. I look forward to going back.
(4)Emily Y.
First impression was great. Great location, decor and friendly welcome. Unfortunately was disappointed from there. Silverwear, glasses, mugs, were spotty/dirty. Sunny day. Not enough umbrellas to cover 3 of the tables outside. People getting up and moving constantly. Staff was super flustered/visibly overwhelmed. Food took extremely long to come out. Was okay. Appearance was sloppy. Bread barely toasted. Stale. Jelly/Salsa came out in plastic to-go containers. Check took quite long to receive. Had all the makings of a great spot, but too much stacked against it.
(2)Michael S.
This is our go to restaurant after we bike the Schuylkill Trail. While most folks plan bike rides based on mileage and ride difficulty, we plan our brunch with friends (co riders, actually) as often as we can and the ride is somewhat incidental. We are big fans of the special La Colombe coffee (an ice coffee after a ride plus a frittata with sausage, bacon and spinach made my Sunday today). Wifey likes the Challah French toast. While it was in the mid 90s today as part of an area wide heat alert, we found ourselves very comfortable inside with the AC. Service is sometimes hit and miss (our fellow diners were offered jam that took the whole meal to arrive along with a missing smoothie that finally made it's way to the table) but the joint was crowded as everyone was looking for some relief and great chow, so we didn't make a fuss. Once the Kale berry smoothie arrived, the ladies announced it a success. The jam was practically empty and did not look so appetizing. But I am nit picking. Food and quality are great. Excellent choice for breakfast or lunch.
(4)Kimmie M.
This place is what it is...I really don't know why i frequent this place as much as I do. Mostly because it is convenient and there are very few places in east falls that have good food. With that being said, yes, the food is good, if they don't mess up your order, which has happened about 50% of the time that I have gone there (more often when I order takeout). Which is extremely annoying when you're paying for add-ons and they don't make it in the box. One time I ordered the nova platter, and there was no salmon in it, seriously? That's the main component of the dish guys. When dining there, the service is absolutely horrendous. Usually, you walk up, no one ever greets you, just tells you to sit wherever after you have already been standing there for a minute or two. Usually get drinks, have to wave someone down for refills, food takes a long time, and it can be really hard to get anyone's attention. For example, on one occasion, went for breakfast, ordered an egg sandwich with sausage, got bacon, sent it back, took probably around 8-10 minutes (it's precooked sausage, throw it in the microwave, I just want to eat with the rest of my party). When the food was cleared the waitress never brought our check. My boyfriend put his card down and waited...and waited...and waited. I got so fed up I just threw what I thought would cover the bill and walked out. But hey, when they get it right, it's good... Good luck if you decide to take the gamble.
(2)Katie I.
I really enjoy trolley car every time I go there. The food is fresh...you can even take a look at their garden out back which is pretty cool to see what you might be eating. The outside dining area is perfect too! They always have great specials added to the menu. The frittatas and build your own wraps are really yummy. I've also had a few salads that were really fresh and made my belly happy :) This is a great place to come and relax and enjoy a nice meal.
(4)Michelle C.
My dad has always talked about the Trolley Car Cafe as one of his favorite spots for lunch. Today, I met him there, and we both left in agreement that our experience was terrible. There is outdoor seating in the back but we chose to sit inside since it was a hot day. Unfortunately, the amount of flies that were buzzing around the restaurant was probably more than we would have encountered outside. It was disgusting. They absolutely should put one of those double door hutch thingies leading to the patio to help prevent this. Service was bad. There's no other way to put it. Our server was nice enough, but she didn't attempt to relay our orders with any sort of accuracy to the guys in the kitchen who did more talking than cooking. My dad asked for a blackened salmon Caesar salad and I asked for the buffalo chicken wrap to be made into a salad (so basically, same ingredients, on a plate, minus the wrap). My dad's salmon was not blackened (he says he's had it that way on other visits without a problem). My salad wasn't remotely close to a buffalo chicken salad. There was grilled chicken (I was expecting breaded but wasn't bothered by grilled, even though it still seemed rather greasy), asparagus (what?), barbecue sauce (what?) and ranch served on the side instead of blue cheese dressing. The rest of the salad was pretty sad - just some romaine and a few dices of pale tomatoes. I'd rather not have any tomatoes than be served non-local tomatoes in the middle of August in an area surrounded by farms. It took longer than it should have to get the check and get out of there. I absolutely will not be going back, and I've already tipped off my dad to another nearby restaurant that I think he'll enjoy far more next time.
(1)Meghan G.
This place is the worst! My fiancé and I often comment on their ridiculous hours (7am-3pm daily- who are their customers on weekdays?!), but it looks so cute we decided to try it. Don't waste your time. Our first attempt was on a Sunday late morning for brunch. The hostess made a huge deal of having to seat us in the sun, which was fine with us on one of the first spring days. She put us out there at a dirty, not-yet-bussed table and never looked back! Someone came to wipe our table but did not engage us. We cooked in the sun without water, and watched others grow agitated waiting for checks or food. No one was eating! After more than ten minutes of silence and beating sun, we left. I told the hostess as we walked past that we had not been acknowledged and she didn't even offer an apology. We went back on a weekday morning, a rare day off for both of us. It was a cold and rainy day, so all seating was indoors. The place was completely filled with smoke. My eyes were burning and we asked the waiter to open a window or the doors. He said the smoke is a daily issue, and that others would complain about open doors with the cold weather, but he did prop the door. It didn't help. We just froze with burning eyes. When my pesto grilled cheese arrived there was nothing grilled about it. Blocks of cold cheese sat beneath what was essentially a salad on a roll (even more ridiculous because it comes with a side salad- made of the same greens). An award on the wall read best BYOB in 2010. Looks like the glory days for the Trolley Car have long since passed.
(1)Sharia W.
The Trolley cafe was pretty cool. Went there on a Saturday late afternoon. The service was pretty deceit, one server however had a little attitude, but she was pretty nice to everyone else. Liked the fact that they had an outside patio for eating. Pretty good choices of food, but not a huge selection. It wasn't crowded so we didn't have to wait, which was pretty cool on a Labor Day weekend. The food was pretty tasty, but it could have used a little more seasoning. Also, my breakfast sandwiches had cheese on it and it wasn't even melted. So, in gin a slice of cheese just sittin on top of eggs? Ewww....however, I would definitely go back and try something else. Yes, there's a parking lot, but it gets pretty crowded fast. There's street parking available and a $1.50 an hour lot, right across the street.
(3)Tiffany Y.
My girlfriend and I decided to try Trolley Car Cafe for brunch and let me tell you this place is to die for!!!!!! From the greeting when we walked in, to the excellent service proved by Holly to the delicious food from Isaac. I ordered the chicken and waffles with a side of potatoes and a piece of catfish. My girlfriend ordered cinnamon raisin French toast with a side of potatoes and bacon. All I have to say is that everything was DELICIOUS!!!!!!! I especially loved the catfish-thank you so much Isaac :-) the breading on the catfish-omg... Perfectly seasoned and just scrumptious. My girlfriend has no complaints either. If you are looking for great service with warm and friendly staff as well as delicious food. Please visit the Trolley car cafe. Trust me you will not be disappointed
(4)Steve Q.
Just moved to the area and was looking for a good place to get brunch. I got a simple with bacon egg and cheese and cheese grits. It was excellent. Kyle, the waiter did a great job. Was impressed that he repeated the order to make sure he got it right.The atmosphere is fun and casual... Will definitely be back
(4)Dan M.
Really nice spot. Great location, excellent outdoor seating and their breakfast sandwiches are pretty ballin'
(5)Tyneisha M.
I must say my experience this time around was much better and I'd certainly come back. The "friend" from my last visit is now my current boyfriend and we met at Trolley Car a year ago this past Sunday for our first date so it was fitting that we came back of course lol. We came around 1pm for brunch and it was crowded as expected but we did not have to wait. I also researched a bit before we came back here and saw that they allow dogs on the patio and even have a dog menu!! I can't wait to bring my Bella (pom/chi mix) when it's warm out. The Food My bf and I each ordered a special. He ordered the jerk chicken tacos and I ordered the mini breakfast sandwiches with roasted potatoes. The food was tasty but mine was a bit cold, I'm assuming because it was sitting out waiting for his to finish but overall it was good. Try this place!
(4)Joey M.
Cute lil brunch spot that I've passed a thousand times before but never noticed! They are only open till 3 so make sure you get there early if you have a hankering for brunch. It is a oblong type restaurant with tiny table and chairs and historical type decor. Ordered: Eggs Benedict with hollandaise on the side and ham (alternatively could have had spinach): this was 'ok' at best. The egg and ham underwhelmed the English muffin and the hollandaise tasted more like a soft butter than hollandaise. This was served with roasted potatoes that were just a tad well done for my liking. My friend really enjoyed her pesto grilled cheese though and it was served with a small side salad. In the spring/summer the outdoor deck is open for dining. I think I would try another brunch spot before returning here.
(3)Suzanne M.
The food is good, but my goodness... $9.00+ for a breakfast sandwich??? I ordered a spinach, egg, cheese, onion and bacon wrap that cost over $9.00. Well, let's just say I will never do that again. While I look for fresh, preservative free food, spending $9.00 for a wrap is ridiculous.
(2)Donea S.
Decent. A little pricy for my tastes, I got a chili dog (huge, chili was odd but I'm used to living in a Latino neighborhood, overall-good) boyfriend got a turkey club ( massive, like couldn't finish it huge- but overall what one would look for in a turkey club). Probably won't stop back in soon, it wasn't bad but nothing wow worthy.
(3)Lexi S.
Love it here. 2nd time here and it's gets better every time. Fish & grits are so gooooodddd!! My server Holly was so pleasant. She even remembered my order from the last time I was there. Very attentive & food came out hot(which is always a plus)!!! Definitely will be a regular here!!!
(4)Katrina D.
A great neighborhood option for brunch. The menu is unique and the food itself straddles between 3 and 4 stars. Service is excellent and I like the neighborhood feel and patio out back. The wait has never been bad and I imagine it's due to it's obscure location. Don't let the random location put you off though, you can either bike or walk up from your excursion along Kelly Drive or use the parking lot.
(4)Jasmine D.
Cute and friendly place.. we went here for a small work lunch. They are only open till 3 on weekdays.. Their mint cookie crunch milkshake was out of this world. *Drool* Pork Panini was also decent.
(5)Nina S.
This place is so cool! It is an old bath house turned into a cute café with lots of outdoor seating. Their breakfast menu is really good with a nice variety of healthy options. The frittatas are my favorite and I have had them a few times. The last time I was there I ordered the Garden Frittata made with egg whites and it came with a side of toast. It was delicious! I can't wait to go back to try their milkshakes next. They look yummy.
(4)Carly T.
The first time I went here the service was slow. I didn't have a lot of time so I chalked it up to my own impatience. Fast forward to the first sunny/warm day of the spring seaon. I definitely wanted to sit outside, so this was my place of choice. When we asked to be seated out on the patio we were told it had been set up but wasn't open until tomorrow. I didn't get it b/c it WAS set up. We got a table right inside the patio door. The waitress then came over to open the window next to me and explained that I shouldn't get cold b/c it's a nice day out... yes I know, I wanted to sit outside, remember? So we order our food and wait for it to arrive. In the mean time 3 other parties arrive and want to sit outside. One left, one took a table inside and the others WENT TO SIT OUTSIDE! Now I'm completely annoyed. My salad is taking forever and I'm watching people out on the patio. Food arrives and I know immediately that my SALAD has been under the heat lamp. The plate is almost hot. I touch the lettuce and it is wilted and warm... disgusting! I send it back and let the server know that I am completely annoyed that we were told that we couldn't sit outside. She said "they got take out, we're not serving them out there" WIERD, because I've watched you take out silverware, menus, water and coffee. No food, because again the service was so SLOW! I get a new salad and we finish eating. I overhear the server telling 3 other tables that their plate was hot and to be careful. Food does NOT make a plate hot. Leaving it too long under a heat lamp does! She clears our plates and ...then... we... wait... After 10 minutes of waiting for a check, my friend gets up to and walks to the register. Three employees walk past her -some multiple times before she is acknowleged. Our waitress finally offers to help and asks my friend "where were you sitting, oh yeah, what did you get?" There are max 10 tables in the entire place... and oh 1 on the patio! Unreal!! Two strikes and your out in my book!
(1)Rahsaan T.
I guess I picked the wrong Sunday to finally try this place after bookmarking it last year. After waiting ten minutes to be greeted by our server, we found out they were short a cook that day. So that pretty much slowed up the entire process. But I can say the waitress did work hard to meet all our needs in a timely manner. The restaurant itself was slightly warm. Not sure if they had AC or not. There definitely were no ceiling fans in sight. What I do like about the seating is that you have the option to sit indoors or outdoors. The outside eating area is larger than indoors. Due to the limited seating outside and time restraints, we chose to eat indoors to reduce the wait time. We ordered breakfast meals. Cheese grits with scrambled eggs and bacon. And challah French toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. Aside from us waiting 30 minutes for our order, the food wasn't bad. The grits could have been cooked a little longer and the French toast could have been softer. However, I have no real complaints. I definitely would go back. Oh, the iced coffee was good too. I did not appreciate them telling me they were out of strawberries for the toast and when I paid my check another customer had strawberries on theirs. My actual rating for Trolley Car is 3.5. I did not want to put four since my wait time was so long and I did not get strawberries. But I will definitely go back.
(3)Jeff C.
I live near the place, so I am here often but probably be there a lot more if there was dinner. Also I like they have dog treats, but I have a cat so if they decide to make cat treats, I am willing to buy some for my cat. There isn't much on the menu I get (and it's not that big to begin with) , but I like what I enjoy. First, an Uber driver really recommended the coffee for me and he was right, it's great bottomless coffee. Also, I have ordered two lunch items were tasty which is the BLT with turkey bacon and avocado, and the great chili. Some have complain about the servers. While I admit some servers may not possess a "life of the party" spirit around them, I haven't found any of them rude or give me poor service. Its a basic diner that is near where I live and will do when I went just my morning coffee or light lunch.
(4)Danita R.
Since I work in East Falls I hit up this spot pretty often, and it routinely hits the spot for breakfast and/or lunch. It's also a nice "light at the end of the tunnel" anytime you're working on your fitness on Kelly Drive. I haven't been disappointed yet. The food is consistently fresh, delicious and well-priced. Pick a panini, any panini. Bite down, do a li'l happy Cliff Huxtable chair dance and enjoy yourself. Or, get the Challah French toast. It won't make you holla ('cause that would be too punny lame-o), but you will be happily fed. It's especially divine with a fresh, piping hot cup of La Colombe! Or, just get some oatmeal. This ain't your sad, shake-me-down packet of powdery oats--there's a MEAL happenin' chirren! You're welcome, dearie. You're welcome. Oh, and in the spring and summer, the outdoor patio dining area really makes for a fun place to meet up with friends or co-workers. See you around...
(4)Leigh W.
Went here for brunch this past Sunday. I got the huevos Rancheros which was AMAZING. House made chili was so good, the only thing that was a bit of a let down was the eggs were not runny, they were cooked all the way through. Would've been A++ otherwise, but still really good. The only weird thing is that we arrive at 1:30 and were notified that they closed at 3pm (which was fine) but breakfast menu would only be served until 2pm, and then from 2pm-3pm it was only the lunch menu? Just seemed a bit odd. Fresh squeezed OJ was great too. I also liked that you could bring your dog to sit with you on the patio. Will definitely visit this place again.
(4)Jemi J.
Food was great. I had a waffle with berries. I also had fresh fruit smoothie. My husband got a club. I enjoyed the actual fresh fruit. Service was friendly. And the location on the drive makes for a great saunter afterwards. Perfect brunch.
(4)Crystal P.
So after spending $5 on a bagel, you can't even spread the cream cheese?? Pathetic and a waste of my money. Overpriced for what??
(1)Noah F.
I was very pleased with this incarnation of The Trolley Car restaurants! Trolley Car Cafe, East Falls, diverges largely from its siblings. Trolley has rain proof outdoor seating, a cozy and warm indoor environment, perfectly sized portions, and a creative menu. As far as the menu Trolley can whip up the usual along with unique selections like cream chipped beef, breakfast nachos, and Belgium waffles (ice cream and fruit if you want)! One thing that really stands out are the rectangular plates, it just makes the food more organized and it's more fun to eat that way. Because Trolley is dog friendly, clean, and modern you can't beat it! Also our waitress Sarah was wonderful as she was quick, nice, and thoughtful. Great service. Never been disappointed.
(4)P S.
This place is OK and actually recommended if you're nearby but.... Trolley Car has never done something the majority of brunches I've had in the Philadelphia-area have been able to: wow me. Brunch is one of those things you just expect to be good in the city, particularly if you're paying $15 or so for just the food portion of it. Both times I have been there the food was good, but not particularly memorable. Service could barely be described as attentive (and, no, they were not that busy) and time-to-table was disappointing. They have so much potential. I'd give them another shot.
(3)Marissa R.
It's really rare that I write a 1-star review, but this visit to the Trolley Car deserved it. First off, let me say that I was very excited and heard so many great things from friends over the years. The cute fascade and doggy-treats, and BYO-friendly signs made me smile so I was very eager to see what all the fuss was about! After waiting about five minutes to be seated, we were brought to the outdoor patio which was about half full. The girl sprayed down the table with Windex and a paper towel (is that actually a disinfectant?). I felt bad for the tables near us who were trying to eat while inhaling Windex with their food! Another five minutes later a waitress asked "has anyone helped you?"... Ummm... no. How about an introduction? What's your name? Welcome to the Trolley Car? OKAY - so we ordered two coffees and two waters. This nameless waitress brought them back about 5 minutes later - with the creamer dish inside the top of one mug of coffee. We took the dish out, and it was soaked with coffee. I'm sure we took in our fair amount of germs with our morning beverages. The experience here basically got worse and worse. No coffee refills. No managers to come around and apologize for the slow and unfriendly service. Basically - there were no redeeming qualities of this visit except that the food was pretty tasty. Sidenote: One of my Yelp friends (who shall remain nameless) WAS planning to use this Cafe to cater their wedding!!! After months of planning, the Owner decided to unexpectedly raise the prices on the deal -- and my friends backed out. I'm pretty sure the poor management decisions here are the reason why the restaurant is quickly sliding downhill. Will not return.
(1)Zach Q.
I am a fan of both the Trolley Car Diner and the Cafe. They gave the cafe a facelift and expanded the indoor seating which is good. I usually come here for brunch and enjoy a good cup of coffee but this time I came for a late lunch. I got an awesome sandwich with pork belly and turkey. My wife got the fish tacos and they were really good. They have a great little outside seating/garden area which is good when the weather is right. There is a bike rental place attached which is cool if you wanna ride to Manayunk or along Kelly Drive to the Art Museum. My only complaint is that my server was sitting at an adjacent table eating lunch in between visits to my table. I understand everyone has to eat, but it's awkward to feel like you're interrupting her lunch if you need something. Not to mention, there is the issue of washing hands which surely wasn't happening during the split time between her lunch and my service.
(4)Steven M.
I didn't know I could get a good weekend brunch in the neighborhood. Eggs Benedict Florentine + a bottomless cup of coffee = a necessary part of the urban ritual.
(4)Jamaica Y.
I have officially been coming here for years! I am here now, and will address some of the negative reviews I've read: 1. One reviewer gave Trolley Car a bad review because they asked for "no mayo" and got mayo. Honestly, I hate mayo and would probably do the same if I had that experience. My orders have always been accurate. 2. A couple of reviewers complained about the service, and in the past I would have agreed. I recall one waitress who was just down right b**chy. Trolley Car seems very responsive though, because I have not seen her in a while and the server that I have today could not be more sweet and attentive is she tried. I had her the last time I came as well. 3. For better or for worse, the menu has changed entirely since 2011, so be sure to read more recent reviews if you are looking for opinions on the food. Today I ordered the nova platter, and it was impressive! I actually said "wow" when it came out--toasted bagel, arugula salad with capers, tomato, cucumbers, nova (lox) and cream cheese. The presentation was lovely and I devoured it. The guy at the table next to me said "wow" when his order came also. Not sure what he ordered, but two "wows" in one morning is pretty great. I think a good restaurant should be willing to listen, make changes, improve, and update the menu. Trolley Car is a winner for me.
(5)Colleen M.
I think this place takes advantage of the fact that they're the only breakfast place in the area. The food is ok but the prices are a little high, especially for this area of young professionals and students. $24 for three bagel sandwiches and a drink? Come on. Plus side: they have a menu for your pup who can join you on the patio when it's nice out! The pup enjoyed his meatballs and endless water supply last summer.
(3)Fayez A.
Great place for breakfast but the only thing I didn't like that it's a bit expensive.
(4)Juliana P.
I have been to this place for brunch 3 times and have enjoyed the food, however the service was so bad most recently that we have been turned off. I don't know how they expect to run a competitive business if they are losing ticket orders. We watched everyone else get their meals and finish before our food was even brought out. After we caught on and realized that we were the only ones not eating, the waiter came over and asks if he can verify our order.... Because tickets were missing. We had to place our order again. This was a solid 55 minutes after placing our order originally. At least an additional 15-20 minutes later and our food finally arrived. Except for the side of roasted potatoes we ordered. Had to ask for those again. We were waiting so long, the bus boy came over to clean off our table before we even got our food. When it was time for the check... we had to wait an additional 15 minutes after the waiter acknowledged that he would bring our check over. There was no apology or acknowledgement that they really dropped the ball in losing our order. Food is good. But management really needs to get it together!
(2)Aaron S.
Went here with some out-of-town visitors for breakfast. Basically, picked it because of it's location near the river and thought it would a good outdoor spot. 2 of of us ordered fritatas which were very good. Someone else ordered the Turkey Reuben with the dressing on the side. Only problem is that with such terrible service, we didn't receive that dressing for 10- 15 mins later. After being ignored by our waitress, I eventually had to go to the kitchen to pick it up myself! Our waitress didn't check on us ONCE in the 1 hour we were there. So if you order the "bottomless" coffee, don't expect even a single refill. We were never offered that. Service is terrible. Food is pretty tasty. Good luck!
(2)M G.
Trolley car.. We want to like you. Really. But it just isn't happening. Every time we come the service is just so terrible. The last time we came for breakfast, we waited 40 minutes for our orange juice to come. Your $13 Caesar salad was not a Caesar salad but a piece of salmon on some lettuce with thousand island dressing on the side. And an hour and a half after we arrived, when we finally got our check, it was for the wrong table. No apologies from our server, as if this is all normal. We won't be coming back, and why would we with In Riva across the street with way better service, better food, and the same price. Sorry!
(2)The Eyebrow Artist N.
i absolutely love this place. i never dine in, i always order take out. my order is always correct and they have it the specific time they promised. the staff is very sweet.
(5)John G.
Pretty decent food but expensive. Built a egg, cheddar, sausage, lettuce, tomato and onion breakfast sandwich that was pretty good. Lox and cream cheese is on par. Have to give them props for the garden and fresh ingredients. Wish you could give half stars.
(3)Carla V.
I really, really love the food here. Unfortunately I think I'm going to lean towards ToGo more often because I've always experienced pretty lackluster service. It seems like most of the people who work there have an attitude, sort of like you're lucky to be eating here. It's kind of a bummer because the outdoor area is so nice and the food is really outstanding. Also, the last time I was there on 7/9, I was eating on the back patio I saw one of their cooks come out (in uniform) and do about 10 push ups on the ground and then go back into the restaurant. Someone should tell him that diners can see right through the fence, and also that this is not really an appropriate time to get your workout in.
(4)Daniel M.
Trolley Car was extremely disappointing! After waiting about ten minutes, the waitress came over to our table and started with "what do you guys want?" No introduction or greeting of any kind while chewing gum and avoiding eye contact. One star lost for friendliness and professionalism. After ordering some coffee, the waitress brought the coffee out with the bowl that holds the cream partially submerged in the coffee cup. I should also note that the table was extremely wobbly, and they cleaned it with Windex. One more star lost for poor sanitation. They were very understaffed. Only two waitresses were in charge of the entire back patio, which was constantly packed. Since our waitress never told us her name, we had to flag down the other waitress when we needed a refill on the coffee. Our original waitress (whose name we finally found out on the bill) kept taking more tables while neglecting provide service to the ones she already had. One more star lost for poor management. All in all, the food was pretty good, and I loved the fact that they harvested many of the vegetables from their own garden. I had the Buffalo chicken wrap, and a delicious berry salad. If I would have ordered takeout, they would be an easy 4 stars, but it seems that Trolley Car is a bit overrated when it comes to the entire experience. They truly take advantage of their location along the Schuylkill trail.
(2)Androo J.
trolley car cafe tastelessly places its sandwich board advertising sign on city property on kelly drive every morning. they should be ashamed of themselves and the city should fine them daily. this insults me as a taxpayer and park user and sets a precedence where other parties feel they can do the same.
(1)Sara E.
Good food but service for outside seating isn't always quick or attentive. It's worth taking the chance on the service to have the food though!
(4)Dan O.
This was a nice place for brunch. Food was good, but took a while to be served. Milkshakes were outstanding. Byob option is a plus too.
(3)E W.
Decent little breakfast spot. I can't speak on lunch or dinner but every time I've eaten breakfast here the food was above average and so was the service. Plus they have a spot out back for dogs. So four stars all day.
(4)Abby M.
I had the Belgian waffles with bananas this morning, can you say delicious?! The waffles were cooked to perfection very soft in the middle yet crisp on the outskirts of the waffle (just how I love it!) however, the waitress lacked personality. She didn't seemed too excited to be there and she really made me feel uncomfortable, nor did she check to see how I was doing which to me is important. Aside from the personality of the waitress the food was delicious! Definitely would recommend this place to others!
(4)Myrtle W.
A great addition to the neighborhood! The back garden is lovely, and the whole place has an easy calm atmosphere. The food is very fresh, and their coffee is delicious and reasonably priced. Parking is easy, and I didn't even realize they were open 'til 10pm. My only request is for more grab-and-go food. Close to exam time, I'm looking for sandwiches to fuel my studies, and I would love to be able to duck in to Trolley Car to stock up on weekend vittles.
(4)Karen T.
Went here for lunch after going to the zoo. Ate on the patio. Nice garden setting if a little noisy b/c of the train and traffic. They allow dogs on the patio and even have a menu for poochie picks (peanut butter biscuits, etc.). Nice building, airy, solar-heated hot water, clean restrooms. The bike rental place next door seems like a good fit. Service was slow. Food was good, but nothing amazing. Had the breakfast bagel with bacon and the yogurt/fruit/granola parfait. With iced coffee and a soda, $15.
(4)Matt And Dene M.
I have very mixed reviews about this place. They have great salads and sandwiches. The portions are nice and they make a salad dressing called "hot bacon" it is sooo good. The menu changes quite a bit and I have called several times for take out to hear, "we don't have that, that, or that anymore." I They have an awesome sweet potato cheesecake. I have had breakfast with very undercooked poatatos which I no longer order, sliders that were like hockey pucks, and a very salty beef dinner. So I would says that this place can be a hit or a miss. Which is a shame for us because we live so close.
(2)The Eyebrow Artist N.
i absolutely love this place. i never dine in, i always order take out. my order is always correct and they have it the specific time they promised. the staff is very sweet.
(5)John G.
Pretty decent food but expensive. Built a egg, cheddar, sausage, lettuce, tomato and onion breakfast sandwich that was pretty good. Lox and cream cheese is on par. Have to give them props for the garden and fresh ingredients. Wish you could give half stars.
(3)Kelly C.
I've eaten both breakfast and lunch here. They open for breakfast bright and early at 7am (which is when I happened to go have some breakfast with myself) It was quiet and relaxing to sit and enjoy. They kept my coffee filled and the eggs Benedict was delicious ! Similar great experience when I was there for lunch as well ! Looking forward to warm weather and sitting outside !
(5)Adam C.
The parking lot has some scary signs. They basically discourage diners from parking there for fear of being towed. I guess, in the summer time, Kelly drive visitors abuse the parking. There is a pay lot across the street but why should I pay to park in this area. The other oddity is the fact that this place that specializes in breakfast does not offer pancakes. Apparently it has to do with griddle space. Each time I go I peruse the menu and feel as if the selection leaves something to be desired but I always find something interesting and I usually enjoy it. When it's warmer there is a nice patio for outdoor dining. In the winter the single room diner is quite cozy.
(3)Rita M.
Cute little no-frills diner. A friend and I came here on a sunny day, so we enjoyed lunch on the little patio outside. I got a burger, which was pretty unmemorable. Service was decent, not terribly slow (though the place was empty). Our server was friendly and I really don't have any complaints. I would probably give Trolley Car another shot in the future.
(3)Nina S.
This place is so cool! It is an old bath house turned into a cute café with lots of outdoor seating. Their breakfast menu is really good with a nice variety of healthy options. The frittatas are my favorite and I have had them a few times. The last time I was there I ordered the Garden Frittata made with egg whites and it came with a side of toast. It was delicious! I can't wait to go back to try their milkshakes next. They look yummy.
(4)Stacey W.
I went for the first time yesterday for breakfast. I arrived a bit after 8 am, and there was no one else in the cafe when I was there. I ordered pancakes, and then proceeded to wait. And wait. And wait. After fifteen minutes, I asked what was happening. I was told they cook their pancakes in a skillet in the oven (what???) so it takes a big longer. Finally, after twenty minutes, I left. How can it possibly take more than twenty minutes for pancakes when there is no one else is the restaurant??? I won't be back.
(1)Natalie D.
Woke up Sunday morning to try based on reviews. Food not at all cracked up to be. Food was served to us cold. Looks are very deceiving. We could have cooked the same food better at home. Service was ok though. The only good thing about the place is the "fresh squeezed orange juice" and food presentation. Overall not a place to take time out of your day to go to.
(3)Katie I.
I really enjoy trolley car every time I go there. The food is fresh...you can even take a look at their garden out back which is pretty cool to see what you might be eating. The outside dining area is perfect too! They always have great specials added to the menu. The frittatas and build your own wraps are really yummy. I've also had a few salads that were really fresh and made my belly happy :) This is a great place to come and relax and enjoy a nice meal.
(4)Michael S.
This is our go to restaurant after we bike the Schuylkill Trail. While most folks plan bike rides based on mileage and ride difficulty, we plan our brunch with friends (co riders, actually) as often as we can and the ride is somewhat incidental. We are big fans of the special La Colombe coffee (an ice coffee after a ride plus a frittata with sausage, bacon and spinach made my Sunday today). Wifey likes the Challah French toast. While it was in the mid 90s today as part of an area wide heat alert, we found ourselves very comfortable inside with the AC. Service is sometimes hit and miss (our fellow diners were offered jam that took the whole meal to arrive along with a missing smoothie that finally made it's way to the table) but the joint was crowded as everyone was looking for some relief and great chow, so we didn't make a fuss. Once the Kale berry smoothie arrived, the ladies announced it a success. The jam was practically empty and did not look so appetizing. But I am nit picking. Food and quality are great. Excellent choice for breakfast or lunch.
(4)Kimmie M.
This place is what it is...I really don't know why i frequent this place as much as I do. Mostly because it is convenient and there are very few places in east falls that have good food. With that being said, yes, the food is good, if they don't mess up your order, which has happened about 50% of the time that I have gone there (more often when I order takeout). Which is extremely annoying when you're paying for add-ons and they don't make it in the box. One time I ordered the nova platter, and there was no salmon in it, seriously? That's the main component of the dish guys. When dining there, the service is absolutely horrendous. Usually, you walk up, no one ever greets you, just tells you to sit wherever after you have already been standing there for a minute or two. Usually get drinks, have to wave someone down for refills, food takes a long time, and it can be really hard to get anyone's attention. For example, on one occasion, went for breakfast, ordered an egg sandwich with sausage, got bacon, sent it back, took probably around 8-10 minutes (it's precooked sausage, throw it in the microwave, I just want to eat with the rest of my party). When the food was cleared the waitress never brought our check. My boyfriend put his card down and waited...and waited...and waited. I got so fed up I just threw what I thought would cover the bill and walked out. But hey, when they get it right, it's good... Good luck if you decide to take the gamble.
(2)K. A. N. A. K.
Sometimes we stop here for breakfast since it's so close by, and sometimes the frittata is fluffy and the Belgian waffle is crisp. The pluses: 1. Curiously, service here is a lot nicer and faster than at the diner, even though the a lot of the servers are the same. 2. They have Dutch Farms ice cream.
(3)Myrtle W.
A great addition to the neighborhood! The back garden is lovely, and the whole place has an easy calm atmosphere. The food is very fresh, and their coffee is delicious and reasonably priced. Parking is easy, and I didn't even realize they were open 'til 10pm. My only request is for more grab-and-go food. Close to exam time, I'm looking for sandwiches to fuel my studies, and I would love to be able to duck in to Trolley Car to stock up on weekend vittles.
(4)Sue S.
Best to sit in the garden during the warm months. The inside can get a bit noisy. Friendly and good service and food.
(4)Daniel M.
Trolley Car was extremely disappointing! After waiting about ten minutes, the waitress came over to our table and started with "what do you guys want?" No introduction or greeting of any kind while chewing gum and avoiding eye contact. One star lost for friendliness and professionalism. After ordering some coffee, the waitress brought the coffee out with the bowl that holds the cream partially submerged in the coffee cup. I should also note that the table was extremely wobbly, and they cleaned it with Windex. One more star lost for poor sanitation. They were very understaffed. Only two waitresses were in charge of the entire back patio, which was constantly packed. Since our waitress never told us her name, we had to flag down the other waitress when we needed a refill on the coffee. Our original waitress (whose name we finally found out on the bill) kept taking more tables while neglecting provide service to the ones she already had. One more star lost for poor management. All in all, the food was pretty good, and I loved the fact that they harvested many of the vegetables from their own garden. I had the Buffalo chicken wrap, and a delicious berry salad. If I would have ordered takeout, they would be an easy 4 stars, but it seems that Trolley Car is a bit overrated when it comes to the entire experience. They truly take advantage of their location along the Schuylkill trail.
(2)Androo J.
trolley car cafe tastelessly places its sandwich board advertising sign on city property on kelly drive every morning. they should be ashamed of themselves and the city should fine them daily. this insults me as a taxpayer and park user and sets a precedence where other parties feel they can do the same.
(1)Sara E.
Good food but service for outside seating isn't always quick or attentive. It's worth taking the chance on the service to have the food though!
(4)Dan O.
This was a nice place for brunch. Food was good, but took a while to be served. Milkshakes were outstanding. Byob option is a plus too.
(3)E W.
Decent little breakfast spot. I can't speak on lunch or dinner but every time I've eaten breakfast here the food was above average and so was the service. Plus they have a spot out back for dogs. So four stars all day.
(4)Colleen M.
I think this place takes advantage of the fact that they're the only breakfast place in the area. The food is ok but the prices are a little high, especially for this area of young professionals and students. $24 for three bagel sandwiches and a drink? Come on. Plus side: they have a menu for your pup who can join you on the patio when it's nice out! The pup enjoyed his meatballs and endless water supply last summer.
(3)Fayez A.
Great place for breakfast but the only thing I didn't like that it's a bit expensive.
(4)Heather H.
This place is a great addition to the area! We have been there for snacks, brunch and dinner. The outdoor eating area is the best part! A great and cozy little place to eat with your dog too! You can also see where they get a lot of their fresh herbs and vegetables since their garden is right there! They love dogs there too! Expect your pup to be treated like royalty! Large bowl of ice water, sunshine and a homemade peanut butter cookie when they arrive. There is also a doggie menu which makes me kinda want to order from it! Turkey meatballs on arugula.... WOOF!! The only reason that I didn't give another star is for the service. It can be kinda slow sometimes. This is sort of a relaxed, slow place anyways though!
(4)Stephen K.
This place is great! The food is delicious, the staff is considerate and extremely friendly and the atmosphere is quaint and has a very comforting feel to it. I have tried several different items on the menu, being a semi-regular. The food is great. From breakfast to lunch, an array of choices in all categories. My girlfriend and I have been there more times than we can count and have never been dissatisfied with the service or food. I'll be a customer for a very long time.
(5)Carrie P.
There is no where to get a good breakfast around manayunk, so my husband and I decided to try here. First, the coffee is from La Colombe so it is delicious and bottomless!! Second, the server could not have been kinder to us and our daughter. She even made sure she had crayons and paper. Lastly, food was very good. Try the Nutella French toast.
(4)Rhian T.
Friendly service, fresh food. I came here thinking it would be a small dive cafe that I could grab a snack from but was pleasantly surprised that it was a modern, fresh, full menu cafe. We enjoyed breakfast and lunch items including smoothies, waffles and kids meals. It came fast, we ate it all up and it was affordable. Atmosphere is nice and outdoor seating is a plus. They are very friendly and accommodating as well.
(4)Rin Z.
Trolley Car Haiku let me thank you for it was such a lovely brunch
(4)Jasmine D.
Cute and friendly place.. we went here for a small work lunch. They are only open till 3 on weekdays.. Their mint cookie crunch milkshake was out of this world. *Drool* Pork Panini was also decent.
(5)Katrina D.
A great neighborhood option for brunch. The menu is unique and the food itself straddles between 3 and 4 stars. Service is excellent and I like the neighborhood feel and patio out back. The wait has never been bad and I imagine it's due to it's obscure location. Don't let the random location put you off though, you can either bike or walk up from your excursion along Kelly Drive or use the parking lot.
(4)Marissa B.
The best breakfast in East Falls. Quite simply, they have clean food at a reasonable price with good in-house prep. No cartons of egg mix, no canned peppers, no cheating when it comes to home-made breakfast lunch and brunch and there is no deep fryer to ruin your waste-line (though the tasty tasty ice cream may!). I have worked in diners, bars and cafes and the Trolley Car Cafe is just lovely and does casual dining very well. Nothing beats sitting out on the patio on a beautiful day after taking a bike-ride up Kelly Drive and checking out their fantastic garden. The weekends can be quite busy, so my favorite times tend to be during the week. Afraid you'll miss brunch if you go on a Tuesday?? Never fear, they do breakfast all week long till 2pm.
(5)Martin M.
Good coffee, cool little cafe.
(4)Cat M.
It's diner fare, so don't expect fine dining. But, it's really good for diner fare. I was expecting typical diner food, and it definitely exceeded expectations. I don't feel that it's a must visit sort of restaurant, but it's not likely to disappoint either. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars. I ultimately decided on 3, because the waitstaff was inattentive. Not excessively so, but enough that I can recall it a couple weeks later. Good food. Decent service. Worth eating at if you're in the neighborhood.
(3)Taylor A.
My favorite spot for brunch - BYO and puppy friendly :) I've only gone for brunch and the food is always amazing. They have all the basics that you would expect and then some. Also love the fact that they get lots of the food from their own garden. Great spot to bike to on the weekend - right off the river path. The staff, while slightly distracted have always been helpful with suggestions and answering menu questions. I understand everyone's complaints but if you get there a little earlier, the place is almost empty and the wait staff is very accommodating - it does get very packed very quickly so you do need to try to keep on top of the wait staff but I have never had a problem getting food/drinks/refills/the check.
(5)Margo K.
The Trolley Car is super cute! They've got ice cream...and Challah French Toast...and it's definitely a good spot for brunch or lunch! The menu, made up of favorites, is a good size. Prices are about average for the area. I've been here about three times now, but I still haven't had the chance to dine outside! The service is satisfactory, not over the top, pretty efficient though. I have to add that the last time I was here I ordered the Caprese panini because I love mozzarella and basil. It was drenched in balsamic dressing, but it still tasted okay. Next time I'll see if I can get it on the side, or maybe it was just a mistake! Overall, I will keep coming here, it tends to hit the spot!
(4)Jennifer M.
Wanted to try a different place for brunch, and my friend heard rave reviews about this place. When you walk in, there aren't many tables. If you have a big group, this place might not be the best choice. The highlight of the cafe is really the outside dining, so I'll have to come back when it's warmer! Hopefully, there is more seating! The menu had all your morning favorites, and since we were waiting for two more people. We ordered the hummus and veggies to start. The hummus was garlicky, which is the way we like it! Kudos! Our table ordered the yogurt parfait, crab cake salad, fish tacos, and a breakfast burrito (on special). There was a bit of a wait to get all of our meals, but the la columbe coffee kept us warm while we caught up on fun conversation. The food was above average except the crab cake salad. The crab cakes had a lot of filler, so that was disappointing! My yogurt parfait was divine, and it was presented in a milkshake glass. Our friends cleaned their plates, so their choices was an easy win. There is a parking lot across the cafe, and it's only 50 cents an hour! Unfortunately, the pay machine wasn't working, so we had to keep a close eye on our cars in case we got ticketed.
(3)James B.
Walked in on a Sunday morning with 3 other people at around 11 and found it to be pretty packed. I also never realized how small it actually is on the inside. There may have been room for 20-30 people to actually sit and eat. It was pretty awkward because after we walked in we were standing over top of other peoples' tables and we realized there were no available seats. There appeared to be a cash register in the back left corner, but the employee was busy looking down at something else and did not look up. The waitress passed a few times, but didn't say anything or look up. After a minute or so of standing in the entryway over top of other peoples tables while staring at their food (I was hungry) I got the vibe that maybe this place was for locals only or it was ran by miserable introverts. We quietly exited and went to find food elsewhere. The food I saw on peoples plates looked good so I'll give it a two. Probably won't ever return because the employees seemed like douche bags.
(2)Joe S.
I live in east falls and go here for breakfast just about every Sunday. This place is decent. Good food, good coffee, friendly staff. The food will not blow you away but it's always solid. One of the better breakfast spots in this area.
(3)Lee N.
Well, I decided to give Trolly Car another shot. I called my order in from work, emphasizing "NO MAYONNAISE". I get to Trolly Car, they give me my order and luckily I checked it. Wanna no why? Because it had mayo on it, again. Everyone at Trolly Car needs a hearing aide.
(2)Aliyia P.
The outside seating next to their little garden was nice...my waffles were great! The food was good but the service is HORRIBLE! Took forever for someone to take our order... and the waitress was rather short with us...
(2)Gabriela G.
I really enjoy coming to this place. Sometimes I go there weekly for Sunday brunch. Service is not always the best, but they do get swamped time to time. Oh, one thing I will never understand is the cinnamon "raisin" french toast. Where are the raisins!? lol
(4)Daniel P.
I just stopped here for end-of-summer ice cream and decided to update my previous review. The ice cream was delicious as it is imported from a local ice cream maker or something...real good stuff and super cheap! A large group was enjoying the back patio and I saw their meals go out and all looked to be cooked to perfection. The kitchen is in the FRONT of this place so there is no funny business there either. I dare you to check out Philly's most beloved brunch spot kitchens... I feel like East Falls could become the brunch capitol of Philadelphia. Easy to bike to, easy to drive to, new faces in the neighborhood every week, and ZERO pretension! There are some great local places and it seems like a new one is opening every season. Trolley Car , I feel ,might get over looked but I think its the best go-to spot. Their interior is as charming as anything I have ever seen. The building was renovated in conjunction with a Philadelphia parks program to reclaim abandoned historic structures. The real gem is the backdoor patio and BYOB! Their food prices are spot on for diner style and you just can't beat the BYOB. There is a beer distro around the corner in addition to a liqueur store. The food isn't some food network star hipster chef creation. It is classic diner food with a wide variety of salads, grilled foods, and desserts. They rotate some dishes seasonally, but you can always get a burger or salad here. Parking across the street is plentiful and cheap. This place also rents bikes so if you are from the suburbs park here, get some food, rent-a-bike, and cruise down the river and back. Come check out what East Falls has to offer!
(5)Nicole L.
Trolley Car Cafe has its quirks, for sure -- it's located on a hard-to-find corner in East Falls (Kelly Dr and Ferry Rd) where life becomes very difficult if you miss the initial turn into the parking lot (which is easily done). Tip: use the 50-cent/hour parking lot located in the center of the intersection. The dining space is really cramped on the inside, and the acoustics are awkwardly echoey and loud. Food is decently palatable and the menu is a step better than average diner fare, if a little overpriced. If I hadn't had friends with me who knew how the place operated, I wouldn't have known that it was self-seating, or that food was ordered from the counter -- no guiding signs or helpful counter staff to show you the ropes. And while I don't have a problem with ordering at the counter like you would at food-serving coffeehouses and the like, it just didn't make sense to do that when our waitress served us our menus, our utensils and our food at the table. Overall, not my kind of place -- though I can see the quaint, relaxed charm appealing to others less fussy than I am.
(2)Samantha L.
We stumbled upon this very cool spot on a recent walk down Kelly Drive. It is in a very cool building with a fabulous back outdoor patio. The service was good, the food was good at decent prices, and the atmosphere was casual and perfect for the location. I had the bbq ranch wrap which, though having an odd asparagus trio thrown in it, was a perfect lunch sandwich. My boyfriend had the buffalo chicken wrap which he found "pretty decent, but needed a bit more oomph." We will definitely return. It's also BYOB, so I think it might be a fun spot for a dinner sometime.
(4)K. L.
I have dined at the Trolley Car Diner several times before and it has always been great. Today was my first experience at the Cafe and I felt compelled to write this review based upon my experience. We arrived on this nice spring day for lunch outdoors in the patio area. Our party of 5 was seated back near the garden. The waitress was pleasant, prompt, and while the food was nothing special, it was good. No complaints there. Unfortunately I take issue with the fact that this establishment is dog friendly and I'll explain why. The entire time we were there, a dog was wandering around unleashed, crawling under patron tables and chairs. Because the dog was unleashed and no one seemed surprised that it was walking around from table to table, we assumed that the dog must belong to the owner. (Weird, but it wasn't annoying enough to say something). What was annoying enough to say something is when the dog walked right up to the garden next to our table, lifted its leg and urinated all over the chives that the cafe is growing there. He then proceeded to climb right into the herb garden. Gross. We called a staffer over and asked her if the dog belonged to the owner and explained what had happened. She then explained that someone must have left their dog there, and disappeared to go deal with the dog. First, I'm not sure what kind of person leaves their DOG at a restaurant, and second, why was the dog allowed to roam freely unleashed throughout the restaurant? Anyway, after that waitress walked away to try to locate the dog's owner, another staffer came out with a watering can and started pouring water over the chives (presumably in an effort to rinse the dog urine). This place is not a bad place, the food was good, and the waitstaff pleasant enough. However, they might want to rethink the whole pet friendly thing. I don't want someone's dog climbing under my table when I'm dining out and I certainly don't want to watch someone's dog urinate all over the herbs next to my table. If we remove the whole dog scene from the scenario, it would have been a decent experience. But I can't scrub the image of the dog relieving himself in the garden from my mind, and for that reason I wouldn't be in a rush to return. Please reconsider your pet policy and make Fido stay home. :/
(2)Alice M.
I stopped by a few times and had breakfast and dinner here. But I will review based on recently having my day after wedding brunch at Trolley Car. The food was great. The service was prompt for the amount of people we had. Best of all its BYOB!!! The downside was we called ahead to let them know we would have about 15 people coming and asked if they could seat us outside. When we should up, they did not have an area ready and then they made arrangements in the blazing sun in the middle of a heat wave. We ended up kindly asking people who they just sat if the could move so that we could make a table for us which worked out but it was a nuasance for us and the other guests that we had to go through that. Other than that I have no complants!!
(4)Crystal P.
So after spending $5 on a bagel, you can't even spread the cream cheese?? Pathetic and a waste of my money. Overpriced for what??
(1)Gwendolyn P.
I love this place for so many reasons although there are a few things that prevent me from giving it five stars. Let's start with the positive. 1) Free parking (did you read that?) free parking in Philly! 2) Tasty food 3) Solid menu 4) Courteous helpful staff. 5) Outdoor seating next to a lovely garden 6) Great location right next to Kelly Drive Negatives - 1)Although this place claims that it has wi-fi it has NEVER once worked when I have been there. It would save me the aggravation if they just told me they didn't have it. 2) The bathroom - I have been in airplane bathrooms larger than this bathroom.
(4)Erica M.
Stopped in for brunch today around 11:15am. I ordered an egg-white sandwich and the bf got a frittata. Overall, the food was very good. The ingredients were fresh and the portions were generous. One of my pet peeves is when a restaurant charges more for egg whites but doesn't notify customers. I guess I should know now that almost every restaurant charges more, but it never ceases to annoy me. After we finished our meals, there was a time when our waitress and all the cooks were no where to be found. There was one employee sitting at a table texting and not paying the slightest bit of attention to the customers. After about 10 minutes, my bf went up to him and asked him for a check. Our waitress came in a few minutes later after an obvious smoke break. Not particularly great service, but the food is decent.
(3)Keli M.
Such a cute place. The staff is really friendly, and I love sitting outside. The Belgian Waffle is really good. I will say that the prices are a little high, but worth it for a pleasant experience. The parking is a little confusing. Parked in the "Pick Up" up lot, but then saw a lot across the street when I left.
(4)Sarah D.
I just don't know what all the hype is about. My husband and I stopped by at 10 am for a Sunday morning breakfast, and immediately noticed: 1. the confusing and cramped seating situation. no hostess, no helpful counter staff, no sign to seat yourself. 2. the general dirtiness/dinginess of everything. we went to sit at one table, and were forced to sit at a different one altogether because there were rolls of toilet paper sitting on the chairs. wth? there were ginormous dust bunnies hanging out on the floor, and the walls look like there'd recently been a food fight. 3. the brusque, inattentive wait staff. 4. the limited brunch menu- it really seems like more of a grab-n-go situation, with a couple of options for egg sammies, a customizable frittata, eggs benny, and french toast. nothing really too fancy. which is fine, but see #5: 5. every menu item is at least $2-3 overpriced. especially for the fact that the place has little ambiance, an apathetic waitstaff, and is order-at-the-counter. and, like I said, it's not like they serve up anything special. for my money, I'd rather grab a sammie at Ryebread in Art Museum or just make pancakes at home. overall, I'm pretty meh on the scenario. I'm not saying it's the worst place to eat- and their lunch menu definitely looked more appetizing+extensive. but we won't be back.
(2)Natalee F.
This is a really cute cafe. I went there for brunch and was pleasantly surprised. It's perfect for a stop off on a bike ride along Kelly Drive or in Wissahickon park. There are several bike racks outside to facilitate locking up your bike. They even advertise bike rentals and repair, although I didn't use either of those services. We both got bagel sandwiches and orange juice. The eggs were fresh and delicious and nicely cooked and the orange juice was fresh squeezed. There was ample outdoor seating on the back patio. I would return again for brunch.
(5)Lauren G.
My roommates and I wanted to enjoy a nice late Sunday morning breakfast and were really disappointed with the service. The service put a damper on the delicious taste of our food. I gave it two stars simply because the food was good. We began by waiting for a table for a few minutes even though no one else was waiting to be seated. We then sat down and waited approximately 15 minutes to be acknowledged by anyone. The waitress (still not sure who our waitress was) came over to our table and didn't greet us. She only asked if someone had taken our order yet, then reluctantly jotted down our order. The drinks took a while to come over to us and the food wait felt like forever. Throughout our entire meal, we were not acknowledged by the same waitress or any other staff for that matter. I had to get up twice to ask for napkins and water refills. When paying, we were not even thanked for our business. Needless to say, the food was delicious but I don't know if I'll ever return or recommend this place to my friends or family. Not a good brunch experience.
(2)Kalamazoo K.
I decided to stop by the Trolley Car cafe after moving to East Falls. I sat out back on their porch and I loved the way it was set up. They have a large vegetable garden, big canopy, and great decor. It has a wonderful atmosphere that I enjoyed. The service was a little slow for an afternoon meal. The food was just average. The meal did not seem to pop at all. I ordered a panini and the bread overwhelmed the sandwich. The lack of sauce really took away from the meal. I also ordered home fries that were under cooked and lacked seasoning. This would be a good place to stop by for a coffee, but just be weary of the food menu.
(3)Matt And Dene M.
I have very mixed reviews about this place. They have great salads and sandwiches. The portions are nice and they make a salad dressing called "hot bacon" it is sooo good. The menu changes quite a bit and I have called several times for take out to hear, "we don't have that, that, or that anymore." I They have an awesome sweet potato cheesecake. I have had breakfast with very undercooked poatatos which I no longer order, sliders that were like hockey pucks, and a very salty beef dinner. So I would says that this place can be a hit or a miss. Which is a shame for us because we live so close.
(2)Karen T.
Went here for lunch after going to the zoo. Ate on the patio. Nice garden setting if a little noisy b/c of the train and traffic. They allow dogs on the patio and even have a menu for poochie picks (peanut butter biscuits, etc.). Nice building, airy, solar-heated hot water, clean restrooms. The bike rental place next door seems like a good fit. Service was slow. Food was good, but nothing amazing. Had the breakfast bagel with bacon and the yogurt/fruit/granola parfait. With iced coffee and a soda, $15.
(4)Nathan V.
I can't rate the Trolley Car Cafe as great, but is pretty good. The food is really good, it's a bit pricey, but it's a step above most diner food, which is nice. Friendly service and good food. Perfect for easy Sunday morning brunch.
(3)Adam F.
Awesome awesome place: 1) BYOB 2) Dog friendly 3) Vitamin water 4) Killer brunch 5) Frittatas 6) Fish tacos 7) Chorizo breakfast burrito 8) Challah french toast w/ nutella Definitely check it out.
(4)Perri W.
This is my favorite place to get brunch locally. Living in Dobson Mills means it takes just a few minutes to walk here- which is awesome. I try to order something different each time I'm here. They have great breakfast & lunch menus with a nice variety of options for such a small place. Last time I ate here I had the salmon & sweet potato sliders and fell in love. It's really hard for me to order anything else now because I love them so much! The scrambled eggs are fluffy and perfect and I always end up eating some of my boyfriend's instead of just ordering my own. The serving sizes are more than enough for what you pay, as well. Everything is really affordable, which is nice since we like to eat here 2-3 days in a row. The service is always extremely friendly and inviting. Our favorite waitress is the woman with red hair, although I'm not sure of her name. She's always super nice and makes sure we have everything we need to enjoy our meal. It's a small space, so make sure to get here early enough to snag a table during lunch rush. All of the tables are 2-4 people are pretty close in proximity to each other, however I don't mind. It makes for a very cozy experience. The only reason I'm giving 4/5stars is because there aren't pancakes on the menu. Otherwise, I highly recommend!
(4)Matt B.
From the outside, it says they're open but looks quiet... but once inside, I gotta admit there's alot to like. We stopped in for dinner on a Monday, the specials (roasted beet salad, kobe burger) were fresh and good. Caprese panini was great. Lemonade was outstanding. They have a backyard with a nice little garden. You'll see the cook come outside for a sprig of basil. Order at a counter, they give you a buzzer when your stuff is ready. There's honeybees in the flowers. You can rent a bicycle here and easy access to the river paths. It's surprisingly nice. Crazy good hours (7am to 10pm, 7 days a week) Good addition to the neighborhood.
(4)Beth H.
Had a very poor breakfast. Eggs Benedict. Eggs totally overcooked. Hollandaise sauce was tastless. Potatoes burnt. Drinks selection poor. Blueberry waffle was OK. Staff nice. Will not return.
(2)Thea M.
We went for brunch, not realizing that this was a dog park disguised as a restaurant. It was a gorgeous day, so I convinced my husband, who hates eating outside, to sit on the patio. We were the only people without a dog. To make matters worse, there is apparently no requirement to have a well-behaved dog at this restaurant, either. And before you dismiss me as someone who hates dogs, I don't. I love them. I had 5 growing up...so there. :) As far as the food, it was good. Not amazing, but really good. The fresh OJ was a nice surprise, and I wish I knew it was BYO before I got there. The service left a lot to be desired. I really wish they were more attentive. We sat for a while after being finished before our plates were cleared, then we waited again for the server to bring the check. He apparently did not know that when he cleared our plates, that was a sign we were done. It's a decent local place to get breakfast, IF you have a dog. If not, sit inside.
(3)Eamon T.
Wow what an overpriced "diner". I stopped by looking forward to eating a tasty meal and after ordering my bacon, egg, and cheese on a bagel I was told the total was $6.91! I scoffed at the price, and reluctantly pulled out my wallet. Its East Falls so it should not be Rittenhouse prices, I have also gotten cheaper breakfast sandwiches in Rittenhouse! While the bagel was yummy, it is near impossible to make a breakfast sandwich taste bad. Get your prices fixed Trolley Car, you won't see me again.
(1)Giada J.
seated outside and forgotten; moved in outside and finally got drinks; watched ppl in after us receive their food before us; left after not receiving our food, refills, or even a friendly check-in from the staff for an hour; some of the staff were being served food prior to the guests; use to enjoy for a quick breakfast but it's food that can be made at home for way cheaper and without the frustration of feeling like your business doesn't matter.
(1)Bridget K.
Drove by Trolley Car Café one sunny day on Kelly Drive, and was beyond thrilled that there was a cute café - BYOB, to boot - that we had not yet tried for brunch. That moment, when I was still blissfully ignorant of the awfulness of this place, is the only positive experience that I can attribute to the Trolley Car Café. Not sure where to even start with this place, so let's just take it from the top. 1. This place is incredibly hard to get to. I have lived in the area for almost 5 years, and it basically takes a treasure map to get from Ridge Avenue to the parking lot. You can see it ... but you just can't get there. Complicated is an understatement. 2. After parking in the tiny lot, with no outlined parking spaces, we walked in and had no idea what to do. You literally enter the restaurant and are immediately standing in the middle of a small, oddly shaped space. And, maybe this is just our experience, but we felt invisible. There is no hostess to direct you, no "seat yourself" sign - no direction whatsoever - and you are literally standing on top of people who are trying to eat. After standing there like fools for 3 minutes or so, we finally had to catch the attention of a staff member that breezed by without even looking up at us. Not a great start. 3. We were quickly handed a menu and told to order at the counter. First off, this place is overpriced across the board. They want $8 or $9 for a sandwich (more than $10 if you want a side) and they provide almost no service. I was willing to overlook this (before I tasted the food) because they are BYOB. Had we thought ahead to bring champagne for mimosas, I would have happily paid the extra couple dollars. In fact, we had a view of a then-snow-covered patio, which is dog-friendly in the summer, and I was already envisioning coming back in the warmer months for a lazy brunch complete with champagne/mimosas. But then... 4. The food came. And it was bad. Just bad. We both started with soup. The French onion soup was virtually tasteless and the potatoes in my potato leek soup were practically raw. And it was bland. Then came the sandwiches. My portobello wrap was lukewarm. Not hot enough to make you think they actually heated it up ... not cold enough to know if they were serving it cold on purpose. My boyfriend ordered the chicken pesto sandwich and actually didn't have too many complaints, until .... wait for it ... 5. After taking a couple bites of his sandwich, he looked down, and pulled out a 4-inch black hair. He was totally disgusted, as any normal person would be, but let's be honest - that can happen anywhere. He wasn't sure what to do, since we didn't have a server, no one was at the cash register, etc., so while he tried to figure out how to handle it, I took another bite of my wrap. And, now, here's the kicker. I felt something funny in my mouth and, sure enough, pulled out an identical black hair. That's right, I had actual hair in my mouth. Yeah - totally disgusting. 6. So what could be worse than that, you ask? The staff and manager's completely unprofessional handling of this issue. Until I saw how they tried to deal with this situation, I honestly thought that the only reaction any respectable restaurant would have would be to comp the meal, be mortified, and do whatever it takes to make it right. Instead, the cashier/waitress offered for the cook (whose bangs were ... you guessed it ... 4 inches long and black) to make us two more sandwiches and, when we said no, she assured us it wouldn't take long and we should just get new sandwiches. We absolutely refused, and then had to ask them to take the charges off of our bill. They did charge us for the soups and the drinks ($9). The absurdity of the situation didn't hit us until we left the place, and we were so furious that we called the restaurant back to ask to speak to a manager. The manager was unprofessional, unreasonable, and refused to see our point of view. And, when my boyfriend conversationally let the "s-word" slip (God forbid!), she accused him of "cursing at her and being offensive." When he tried to end the conversation, she actually had the nerve to call him back and continue this behavior. It was clear from the get-go that this place was reeking of pretension, but how anyone could be less than mortified as the restaurant manager in a situation like that is completely beyond me. 7. Flash forward to a week later, when we have had a dozen good meals to erase the terrifying memories of Trolley Car Café. My boyfriend looks at his bank statement, and they actually have the gall to charge gratuity on the agreed-upon $9. When he called to dispute this, the man he spoke to was surprisingly nice and took care of it. BOTTOM LINE: Terrible food, even worse experience. Will never, EVER return.
(1)George B.
Fast and frendley works for me Oh and good to
(4)Howard S.
I have finally found Peace in my search for serious breakfast food. The trolley car cafe is a Delightful spot to eat. The breakfast is delicious. Try the challah french toast . The service is very pleasant and the ambiance is warm and friendly.
(4)Jeffrey F.
Great alternative diner. Big inside Good food and menu and serves alcohol great milkshakes Perfect for kids
(4)Andrea S.
Went here for lunch today at it was delicious. I got take out and everyone was so helpful and nice when I went to pick up my food I couldn't help but tell them! I got the Caprese salad and added the grilled Cajun shrimp to it. It was soooooo good! everything was so fresh and I love that they don't put a heavy vinaigrette on it they let everything stand on its own.. The shrimp and just the right amount of kick to it and the salad was the perfect size. It looked very clean and welcoming inside I cant wait to go in and try some of there breakfast items they look just as good.
(5)Kevin M.
We've been here a few times- each time was for breakfast/lunch and it was very good. Recommend the fritatta, cream chip beef (excellent), cheese grits, crab cake slider and strawberry smoothie. Our local brunch preferences have been the Urban Cafe (Sundays only) and Trolley Car Cafe the rest of the week.
(4)Robyn H.
Just left Trolley Car and had the BLATO.... turkey bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado and onion on a croissant with cole slaw and pickles. Pretty good. I will return......
(3)Gerrae S.
Great New Spot in East Falls. Food is fresh and tasty. I've been here twice now and my only complaint is that they stop serving breakfast at 12 on Sunday. :(
(4)E A.
Wanted to like TC Cafe so much...We frequent the TC Diner in Mt Airy and thought this would be a nice addition to East Falls. I gave it 2 stars because the outdoor deck is very nice and they allow dogs. However, the wait was very long to get our food (which you order up front and take on a tray to the deck). We asked for wine glasses and got wet and steamy recently washed but not dried glasses. My catfish was dry and my rice was cold. My wife's chicken was OK, but her rice was cold as well. She took it back and received a bowl of crunchy rice back. Clearly it had been thrown in the oven for a few minutes. Really? Can't we just get fresh rice? Our friends ordered cobb salads which were missing 4 ingredients and had to go back and have them added on. Prices are $2-3 too expensive for the type of food you get. I wish they would improve and we could go back.
(2)Ange B.
Tried Trolley Car Cafe after a long long walk along the river with our dog. The food was very good. Nice outdoor seating and dog friendly. They even have a doggie menu, which our dog thinks is fabulous. She gobbled all her meatballs, washed it down with ice cold water and contentedly sat in the sun while we enjoyed our dinner.
(4)Shonta c.
I'm completely disappointed in this place!! They took advantage of our group. I paid for 3 appetizers for up to 15 people and did not receive the $360 worth of food and service as expected. I wondered why they require payment in advance prior to eating the meal. It makes sure review the money but leaves the customer less empowered to argue with the quantity because they control the amount. I feel that if I pay for 15 people then give me the food don't decide for me on how much is to be given at any point. I recover a total of 4 trays of both bruchetta and caprese salad in total and 1 tray of hummus side of veggies! Then they actually charge 18% gratuity for a person who simply placed the trays on table along with water/plates. NO SERVICE!! I've gone to restaurants and paid for actual food not just appetizers and paid this amount for food along with good attentive wait staff. I contacted the catering manager and she declined to refund part of my money. I think they are way overpriced for the portion size, the food is ok defiantly not great and they have really poor customer service skills and customer recovery. I felt like they made excuses and did not hold themselves accountable. Big big big dissapointment. There are too many great places in philadelphia and they won't be around long with this attitude! I will tell everyone I know never to patron this establishment ever! I do not have anything positive to say expect "buyer beware" they take advantage and don't deliver on the goods!
(1)Ashley G.
Great! Super cute restaurant, good food. Tables are close together and it's relatively small inside, but great outdoor seating. Highly recommend!
(4)Andrew S.
My biggest complaint about Trolley Stop is that it was way overpriced for what it is. That being said the food was pretty good. I had the turkey club panini, i had ordered it with cheddar but i guess they forgot that. turns out it didnt really need the cheddar (though it would have been nice) and the sandwich was still really good. My girlfriend had the chop salad which was also really good except that it was not chopped as the name would suggest and the bowl was too small and over packed with ingredients to chop it yourself at the table. also they forgot the turkey bacon that was supposed to come on it. the inside was small but nice and there was a big outside patio in the back that looked great. so all and all it was pretty good but again definitely over priced.
(3)Gregory S.
Stopped there for breakfast early this past Saturday. My wife had a Belgian buckwheat waffle and I had a frittata. Both meals were very good, and the coffee was hot and fresh. The price was perhaps a couple dollars on the expensive side, but overall it was good, and the cafe is a great addition to the area. We will certainly return.
(4)Ym A.
Had a good chicken salad sand.there.
(5)Steve J.
Too expensive for what you get, but decent food. Since I am new to the area, I was looking for a casual spot for dinner and came across this place, via Yelp. When you first walk inside, it is kinda small, but once you go outside there is a ton of seating. This will suck once it gets cold. The lady taking orders and the guy cooking were sooo friendly. I ordered the chorizo and shrimp ($13), while my girlfriend got the Philly Phillet sandwhich ($10) and we split Sweet Potato fries ($3). I expected a lot more fries that 10 nicely stacked fries on plate. They were good, though. The sandwich was excellent but for the price you need give the guest a little side salad or something. The Chorizo and Shrimp was ok, kind of basic for $13. I would love to go back here for breakfast. It's a decent joint to check out if your riding your bike through here or live in the area. I hope for great things for the place.
(3)Brittany S.
Another welcome addition to the area. I like the cafe/coffee-shop setup. They have a pretty simple menu with quality ingredients. I look forward to going back.
(4)