What are your favorite bars for a lonely lunch?

Submitted by iCantTweet t3_zlw7c8 in philadelphia

I enjoy nothing more than having a few beers and lunch alone on a weekday but I’m looking for new places. The three I go to most are Kelliann’s, Black Sheep, and Triangle Tavern. I’m partial to neighborhood bars but would like to try different places, where should I go?

Edit: Went to Happy Rooster and while I’m vehemently against bar burgers it was pretty good, just wish I didn’t have to unhinge my jaw to take a bite. I think Caribou or Bishop’s Collar will be my next lonely lunch.

57

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

7thAndGreenhill t1_j07l2i3 wrote

When I worked in Center City I loved having lunch at Oscars on Sansom St. Their cheese steak was ginormous.

42

iCantTweet OP t1_j07nvvo wrote

As many times as I’ve been to Oscars I don’t think I’ve once looked at their food menu, now I have an excuse to go back.

14

7thAndGreenhill t1_j07rk49 wrote

I used to bring prospective employees there for lunch. Something about that place disarms everyone and allows honest conversation

13

BroadStreetRandy t1_j07pox5 wrote

Seconding Oscars. Also, I've had many solo stops in for a quick drink over the years and have met so many new friends/"interesting characters" doing so.

8

CathedralEngine t1_j0a7yka wrote

I was in Oscar’s today, and the people next to me ordered cheesesteaks. They are now normal sized.

4

elentiyaa t1_j07ic9i wrote

good dog bar and the happy rooster in cc!

25

iCantTweet OP t1_j07izh3 wrote

Love Good Dog and have Happy Rooster on my “to do” bar list. What would be your suggestion for food there? Looks like they make some solid sandwiches.

2

oliver_babish t1_j07m4hh wrote

The Good Dog burger, but, really, I trust their whole menu.

8

elentiyaa t1_j07pt4n wrote

i love the short rib grilled cheese but honestly everything is so good

6

ShartistKutti t1_j08go0r wrote

Happy rooster is neighborhood bar-- Happy to be considered a regular. The food is great, and I love the crowd there.

2

ElstonGunn1992 t1_j0cjl9t wrote

I’m going to go against the grain and say avoid happy rooster. Family member got sent to the hospital from food poisoning there

2

PassyunkHoagie t1_j084tt6 wrote

Love this question

  • Bishop's Collar
  • Cherry Street Tavern
  • Cedar Point
  • Fishtown Tavern
  • New Wave
  • Village Whiskey
  • Bourbon & Branch

Lotta other great options beyond these.

25

iCantTweet OP t1_j08a266 wrote

Fishtown is another regular for me, New Wave is a weekend go to especially when the Phillies are playing. Might have to try Bishop’s Collar on Friday.

6

eleboil t1_j099ock wrote

New Wave, great brunch on Sundays and great Bloody Mary's.

5

PhillyEyeofSauron t1_j07r6x0 wrote

I like Caribou - it's like a more mom and pop version of Parc and has a real cozy atmosphere

17

iCantTweet OP t1_j08aare wrote

This might be the most interesting answer, never heard of it but I love Parc although I’ve never had the balls to go alone.

8

PhillyEyeofSauron t1_j08dzj5 wrote

Their seafood crepe is decadent and I was told by my server one time that the chocolate mousse is the chef's mom's recipe. Highly recommend haha.

4

nnp1989 t1_j07r4u3 wrote

12 Steps Down has surprisingly great food for a dive bar.

Monk's is always a good choice.

Khyber Pass also has great food.

16

ringringmytacobell t1_j093f22 wrote

12 steps isn't open lunchtime until Friday, just so OP and others are aware. I'm also not 100% if they have food at open then

1

PhillyPanda t1_j07l58u wrote

Locust rendezvous, Giovanni’s, good dog on a Wednesday (1/2 priced cans), drinkers on Thursday/Fridays, cavanaughs, sidecar, bonners, locust bar, cherry street, nicks

14

iCantTweet OP t1_j07obgj wrote

I can see we go to the same bars haha, I haven’t heard of Bonners or Giovanni’s but they both look great. Thank you!

4

courageous_liquid t1_j07qusb wrote

Bonners is one of Philly's remaining S-tier dives. Stick to fried food, though.

6

PhillyPanda t1_j07rogr wrote

Gio’s is great - nice back bar. Slices aren’t anything out of this world but it’s nice to be able to just grab a slice and a drink. Also they have pretty decent Mediterranean food so you can healthy it up which can be a rarity in a divier bar

1

WarmGooeyCookies t1_j0824pe wrote

Seconding the Vous as their daily lunch specials are solid and everyone in there is always super nice. This is my number one go to solo lunch spot

4

Naquanrice t1_j07wu8y wrote

i hope i’m not the only one who can’t stand the new Cavs location. just so different than the little hole in the wall it used to be

2

mikewarnock t1_j083cn4 wrote

The new location sucks. It’s like they barely even finished the empty space and just stuck in the bar. No character at all, feels like it could be in a strip mall.

3

Naquanrice t1_j08rmsp wrote

exactly, it reminds me of a lot of breweries and restaurants in denver or something

2

PhillyPanda t1_j088wp3 wrote

New location definitely sucks but I still go there anyway. It’s good for a working lunch bc of the number of outlets plus Wi-Fi

2

TheAdamist t1_j07nfbh wrote

Monks is open for lunch and always has tasty eats!

Or you could hit up human robot & poes joint

10

Ktroilo5 t1_j07zd1t wrote

New wave is my go to

8

nsweeney11 t1_j08nu4d wrote

SPTR. They should pay me for marketing at this point lol. Love their grilled cheese for lunch

8

imayimplode t1_j09ofrw wrote

Grilled cheese. Tomato soup. Amazing fries. This is the way.

2

GreatWhiteRapper t1_j07td37 wrote

I (use) to go to Kellians so much back when I was fully work from home. I still go a lot but then I started getting fat and also going back to the office.

The Lucky Well is nice. Either location in spring garden or UC. It’s not really a bar but tends to be quiet during the day.

I’ve heard great things about Cherry St Tavern but haven’t been myself.

5

thatkoets t1_j08ewbq wrote

Neighborhood East Passyunk…… The Pope , the triangle… fountain porter… ( not lunch but happy hour everyday) Watkins drinkery

3

beeps-n-boops t1_j08x2si wrote

I highly recommend South Philly Taproom. Not sure how many folks go there for weekday lunch, but I would think it would suit you well.

Good Dog (among the very best burgers in the city) is another solid choice, although I suspect they get more crowded at lunch time given their location.

Human Robot (IMO the best brewery in the city) has a great sandwich shop inside of it (Poe's).

Memphis Taproom and/or Local 44 should be on your list as well.

 

> just wish I didn’t have to unhinge my jaw to take a bite

100% this. If I need a knife and fork to eat a burger, it's a poorly-constructed burger.

3

cray0508 t1_j0bzp7l wrote

u/iCantTweet how do you like Black Sheep? I've never seen it before but it looks fantastic! I wonder how good their fish and chips are. I can't wait to check it out.

Also, I really enjoy Con Murphy's. Their food is a bit pricy but it's really good and I love their bar area.

3

iCantTweet OP t1_j0emtdk wrote

Love the atmosphere at Black Sheep, one of my favorite bartenders during the day and never overly crowded during the day. Going to sound weird for an Irish pub but they have my favorite Cuban in the city, although I’ve admittedly not had many. Never had the fish and chips but might have to next time to change it up.

2

cray0508 t1_j0eo9v1 wrote

Oh I can't wait to go next week now!!

1

pasnow t1_j07wb9a wrote

Turfburger & fries at Billy Murphys in East Falls

2

Cobey1 t1_j093klx wrote

Jose pistolas, Bar-ly, Caribou was great when I went there for dinner, I’m sure lunch is great too. Del friscos grille is nice too. Bar bombon is really nice and everything is vegan which is nice to eat something completely different than what a non-vegan is used to.

2

kittylover3210 t1_j09p0lm wrote

I used to get mac and cheese and a glass of red wine at khyber pass when I was working weirdly timed shifts in old city. kind of miss it 🥹

2

Live_for_flipflops t1_j09uio0 wrote

I was going to say Kellianns before I opened the post, but you already know about it! I miss my lunches at that place!

2

Capable_Stranger9885 t1_j0dqits wrote

I made a lunch of fried chicken, clementines and a Victory Sour Monkey at the Acme at 10th and South last week. I texted my wife that this unlocked two noteworthy elements of the drinking culture in Seoul from our trip there years ago: the "chicken and beer" "Hof" restaurant concept, and doing your drinking in front of a food store at food store prices. Seriously, it was a $10 lunch including a craft beer. The world cup was even on the TV.

The tables at this Acme have plates, plasticware napkins and condiments. It's not as consistent at other beery Acmes.

2

crispydukes t1_j0bzikh wrote

Strangeloves

Nodding Head (RIP)

1

regcrusher t1_j0ct7j4 wrote

New Wave Cafe

Good Dog

Moriarty's

1

Angsty_Potatos t1_j0ea9us wrote

Fountain porter

Lucky 13

2nd district

The Vous

1

z10kwas3 t1_j0iyeir wrote

Cavanaugh’s rittenhouse.

1

camcat97 t1_j08f47a wrote

If you’re into craft beer, try Victory on the Parkway. They get a decent lunch crowd from the office buildings nearby so you might not be the only solo luncher. They have the classic Victory brands plus some innovation brews you can only get on site!

−1