Philadelphia's Best Family-Friendly Dining 2008

A neon-lit trip back to the Eisenhower era comes with burgers, shakes and fries.

Reviews:

• “good but small…”

Johnny Rockets

Super-sized party multiplex for casual diners and serious drinkers who like a joystick with their drumsticks and swizzle sticks.

Reviews:

• “UNCOOKED MEAT !!!”
• “avoid at all costs”
• “Great first date place!”
• “Great Date Spot”
• “Surprised”

Tips: Dave & Buster’s is primarily geared toward adults. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, with each adult assuming responsibility for no more than four minors.

Dave & Buster’s

From humble beginnings on Penn’s campus, this baked goods empire now supplies fine restaurants and farmer’s markets.

Reviews:

• “Brown Rice Nut Salad.”
• “Brunch was horrible”
• “Change of ownership in 2003”
• “Bread, bread bread!!!!”

Tips: During weekend brunches, homemade jams come along with the baskets of bread.

LeBus Manayunk

Day or night, strangers share tables to munch comfort food at this South Philly favorite.

Reviews:

• “What is going on there NOW? NOBODY’S MINDING THE STORE?”
• “has gone in the toilet”
• “Always prompt service, not sure what all the complaining is about”
• “I x’ed Melrose off my list after going there my whole life”
• “Once A Titan, Not So Much Anymore”

Tips: Have a seat at either counter, where you’ll get fast service—and might even get to know your neighbor.

Melrose Diner

Family-friendly restaurant serves up enormous portions of southern Italian favorites in a nostalgic setting.

Reviews:

• “Fun place to dine for groups”
• “Oh My Goodness! It was so nice we had to go back…”
• “Why Bother?”
• “Wonderful experience – didn’t know this is a ‘chain restaurant!’”
• “I Recommend you go. Not for the romance, but the Family Feeling. Loud. Brightly lighted. "

Tips: Half-portions are a good bet; they’re still generous and considerably less expensive.

Maggiano’s Little Italy

Fare on the Square with a fakey Euro flair.

Reviews:

• “MUCH LOVE FOR THIS PLACE! "
• “large menu, solid service, excellent ambience compared to other marathons”
• “You Take the Good, You Take the Bad…”
• “Life support for Center City.”
• “Posh Marathon, less than desireable”

Tips: It’s best to leave the chokes at home. While smoking’s allowed at the bar, there’s only enough room for just you and Camel Joe.

Marathon on the Square

Pillar of the Italian Market fills bellies with elemental South Philly fare.

Reviews:

• “The best veal parmigiana in Philly – business traveller from San Francisco”
• “Classic Italian”
• “Been there, done it, won’t go back”
• “My favorite restaurant in the world.”
• “Avoid this restaurant if you are an Asian Male w/Italian Female”

Tips: You could peruse the big book of Italian wines, but make it easy (and cheap), and order up a whole or half carafe of Chianti or Lambrusco.

Ralph’s Italian Restaurant

A low-key, under-decorated bar and restaurant—an anti-star Starr enterprise.

Reviews:

• “Amazing food, great service!!!!”
• “Thursday Night Marvel”
• “A true Starr”
• “average”
• “Super Salty Meatloaf!”

Tips: Usually hard to come by. Use the valet at Starr’s other hot spot, Morimoto, across the street.

Jones

Matzoh ball soup and homemade green bean casserole grace the Southern-Jewish menu of this hiply homey breakfast-and-lunch-all-day spot.

Reviews:

• “Honey’s sit and eat”
• “Great brunch spot”
• “favorite breakfast spot”
• “Worth the Wait for Brunch”
• “Friendly staff…not so friendly food…”

Tips: Quiet weekdays, when there’s never a wait for a table, are the perfect time to play hooky from work over a pile of pancakes.

Honey’s Sit ’n Eat

Reviews:

• “Great place in Rittenhouse for pizza/italian food”
• “Pietros”
• “Worth going put of your way”
• “Good pizza…skip the apps!”
• “Great for Groups”

Pietro’s Coal Oven Pizzeria

A seemingly ho-hum eatery does deli right and satisfies hungry patrons with stepped-up basic fare.

Reviews:

• “Corned Beef, Fat & Good”

Tips: Have your deli delivered with a minimum $10 purchase.

Zeke’s Fifth Street Deli Bkry

Southern cookin’ in a uniquely Philly setting

Reviews:

• “Best Place to have breakfast in Philadelphia!”
• “That many people can’t be wrong”
• “Worst Breakfast Ever”
• “Great Breakfast!!”
• “Bad costumer service / Bad food”

Tips: Shop for fresh veggies, meats, fish and ethnic foods at Reading Terminal Market while you are there.

Down Home Diner

Classic South Philly Italian keeps families coming back.

Reviews:

• “Nothing Special”
• “Liquid cra_k”
• “Major dissapointment!”
• “Half carafe of jug wine $18.00 REDICULOUS”
• “Cash only ARE YOU KIDDING?- and shady area”

Tips: Reservations are accepted every night except Saturday nights—the busiest night of the week.

Villa di Roma

This local mini-chain of Irish pubs offers consistent good vibes and daily specials in an accessible and laid-back environment.

Tips: Happy hour specials make for cost-effective imbibing and look for the discounted Bloody Marys at brunch.

Kildare’s

You’ll find cold beer and a warm welcome—not to mention a very strange sandwich—at this unpretentious neighborhood pub.

Reviews:

• “great sandwiches”

Tips: Thankfully there’s one distinctly un-British feature: No smoking allowed.

H & J McNally’s Tavern

Powered by Citysearch