Bull Durham's
As you know, this blog is about locally owned restaurants. Bull Durham's prominently displays that they are not a franchise, so we wanted to check it out. They are located at the Dilworthtown shopping center on 202. From the outside, it looks like a franchise, and is in a newish shopping center that has the same look & feel as any other in the country. But they're locally owned, so go inside.
There are only a handful of local places to get BBQ. I've never been to Texas, or had much authentic BBQ to compare. I do smoke my own meets, so I'm aware of the time & effort that is needed, and also what the results should be.
We started with fried pickles. If you're wondering what that tastes like, I can't elaborate much, they taste like pickles smothered in batter and fried. They were great, served with a ranch style Jalapeno dressing. Good combination of textures and flavor. For her entree, Mrs. Where Should We Eat ordered mesquite smoked tenderloin with a mushroom demi glace. Meat was smoked perfectly and the demi glace was a wonderful accompaniment. I ordered the Sampler, with brisket, ribs, and pulled pork. All served with the same BBQ sauce, which had a nice simple flavor that didn't overpower the smoke. Every meat selection was smoked perfectly. Our sides selections included onion rings and hush puppies and sweet potatoes. The onion rings were fried in the same batter as the pickles (which is delicious on it's own) but were HUGE. Several rings of onion stayed together to form a single ring, so some rings looked like donuts. This is how it should be. The hush puppies were the same batter as the others, not too exciting. Mrs. really enjoyed her sweet potatoes served "Thanksgiving style" with candied walnuts, nutmeg, cinnamon & brown sugar. They were "friggen awesome" according to the Mrs.
Overall great food and service. We'll go back to try some other selections. They have weekly happy hour and early bird specials. Also have live music, so check they're schedule on the website. They advertise a $4.95 lunch special which looks like a great value.
Showing posts with label Bars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bars. Show all posts
Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar
Harvest Seasonal Grill and Wine Bar
Delicious. Dave Magrogan knows how to run a restaurant. I know this is an understatement, but I'm officially a fan of all of his creations. His service model is clearly consistant with all restaurants in his group. Staff is friendly, energetic, and intelligent about their service and food selection.
As was explained to us by our server, the premise of the restaurant is the seasonal menu, changing 3 or so times per year. All food is sourced from local farms (local being within a 290 mile radius). This is an idea that fits into the "Buy Fresh Buy Local" theme in Chester County. Also, this blog is about supporting locally owned businesses; so supporting a local business goes beyond it's location. Who supplies the food is equally important. As you know, I'm opposed to spending hard earned money at national chain, foreign owned, 'big-box' style restaurants.
Reservations were made online a few hours before arriving. We were 15 minutes late but the table was not ready. "Have a seat at the bar...." But within a minute or two we were called to our table. Good. On to the food. So we looked at the menu on their website before arriving, thinking we knew what we wanted to order. That changed when we sat down and looked again and heard the specials. We ordered martinis (of course) and started with asiago flatbrad. Very nicely done, crisp with just enough cheese. The menu selection is nice, there's something to please every taste, but it's not overwhelming. One of the specials was bison meatloaf, served with garlic mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts. I am a fan of bison, so I couldn't resist. The Misses ordered the "award winning" Alaskan Halibut served in an Asian ginger broth. The menu includes meats & poultry, fish & seafood, vegetarian selections, sandwiches, etc. There's something for everyone. Oh, and most entrees are under 500 calories.
Desert is served in what looks like large shot glasses. I had apple crisp, Misses had s'mores. The other choices looked equally delicious. We're looking forward to going back when the menu changes next season. My only complaint is the noise...it's not a large space, but the noise control was lacking. It was a packed house, but the noise level seemed higher than it should for the amount of people.
Delicious. Dave Magrogan knows how to run a restaurant. I know this is an understatement, but I'm officially a fan of all of his creations. His service model is clearly consistant with all restaurants in his group. Staff is friendly, energetic, and intelligent about their service and food selection.
As was explained to us by our server, the premise of the restaurant is the seasonal menu, changing 3 or so times per year. All food is sourced from local farms (local being within a 290 mile radius). This is an idea that fits into the "Buy Fresh Buy Local" theme in Chester County. Also, this blog is about supporting locally owned businesses; so supporting a local business goes beyond it's location. Who supplies the food is equally important. As you know, I'm opposed to spending hard earned money at national chain, foreign owned, 'big-box' style restaurants.
Reservations were made online a few hours before arriving. We were 15 minutes late but the table was not ready. "Have a seat at the bar...." But within a minute or two we were called to our table. Good. On to the food. So we looked at the menu on their website before arriving, thinking we knew what we wanted to order. That changed when we sat down and looked again and heard the specials. We ordered martinis (of course) and started with asiago flatbrad. Very nicely done, crisp with just enough cheese. The menu selection is nice, there's something to please every taste, but it's not overwhelming. One of the specials was bison meatloaf, served with garlic mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts. I am a fan of bison, so I couldn't resist. The Misses ordered the "award winning" Alaskan Halibut served in an Asian ginger broth. The menu includes meats & poultry, fish & seafood, vegetarian selections, sandwiches, etc. There's something for everyone. Oh, and most entrees are under 500 calories.
Desert is served in what looks like large shot glasses. I had apple crisp, Misses had s'mores. The other choices looked equally delicious. We're looking forward to going back when the menu changes next season. My only complaint is the noise...it's not a large space, but the noise control was lacking. It was a packed house, but the noise level seemed higher than it should for the amount of people.
Kildare's Irish Pub
Kildare's
It's hard to classify this place in one category; it's a bar, it has good food, and more importantly it has good burger. I've been here for drinks. I've been here for food, which is pretty good, not a huge menu selection, but you're better off without too many options (which tends to dilute the food quality). The best part is $5 burgers on Tuesday. There's a few to pick from, comes with fries, and it's a nice size with quality meat & toppings. You can't beat a 5 buck burger.
I've only been the the West Chester location. So I have to assume the menu is the same at the other locations. Service is good, but not the best you'll find. Go there anyway, it's a good value.
It's hard to classify this place in one category; it's a bar, it has good food, and more importantly it has good burger. I've been here for drinks. I've been here for food, which is pretty good, not a huge menu selection, but you're better off without too many options (which tends to dilute the food quality). The best part is $5 burgers on Tuesday. There's a few to pick from, comes with fries, and it's a nice size with quality meat & toppings. You can't beat a 5 buck burger.
I've only been the the West Chester location. So I have to assume the menu is the same at the other locations. Service is good, but not the best you'll find. Go there anyway, it's a good value.
Chickie's & Pete's Crab House and Sports Bar
Chickie's & Pete's Crab House and Sports Bar
It's big, it's loud, it's crowded. These are all good things. Chickie's and Pete's is a Philly sports fans' mecca; all things Philly and all things Philly sports are wrapped up into one.
I put this in the "Entertainment" category not just because you'll be entertained by the patrons, but because they have live music, radio personalities, and other various events scheduled depending on the sports season.
But it is a bar & restaurant, and this is a food blog, so let's get down to business. The food menu and beer menu are not very extensive. But they are simple and straightforward, you don't need huge variety when a pared down menu is executed well. You have to get the "world famous crab fries". Just like it sounds, they're fries with crab flavoring served with cheese sauce. Get ready because these things are incredibly addictive, the fries are light and crispy, and the crab flavoring and cheese sauce complement each other nicely.
If you like crabs, this is the place for you. The Dungeness crab is 2 pounds of fury, it's as big as your head. Crab legs are on the menu, served in a not-so-stingy serving size. Clams and mussels are on the menu, get them with the house sauce. And, yeah, there are other non-ocean originated options for the landlubbers, like sandwiches, salads, and pizza, so there's something for everyone.
It's big, it's loud, it's crowded. These are all good things. Chickie's and Pete's is a Philly sports fans' mecca; all things Philly and all things Philly sports are wrapped up into one.
I put this in the "Entertainment" category not just because you'll be entertained by the patrons, but because they have live music, radio personalities, and other various events scheduled depending on the sports season.
But it is a bar & restaurant, and this is a food blog, so let's get down to business. The food menu and beer menu are not very extensive. But they are simple and straightforward, you don't need huge variety when a pared down menu is executed well. You have to get the "world famous crab fries". Just like it sounds, they're fries with crab flavoring served with cheese sauce. Get ready because these things are incredibly addictive, the fries are light and crispy, and the crab flavoring and cheese sauce complement each other nicely.
If you like crabs, this is the place for you. The Dungeness crab is 2 pounds of fury, it's as big as your head. Crab legs are on the menu, served in a not-so-stingy serving size. Clams and mussels are on the menu, get them with the house sauce. And, yeah, there are other non-ocean originated options for the landlubbers, like sandwiches, salads, and pizza, so there's something for everyone.
McGillin's Olde Ale House
Right around the corner from Ludwig's. I won't tell you where it is because you have to know Philly to find it. Tourists won't, but you will if you bleed green.
We go here on our annual bar tour. There should be another blog just for this (Bill & Andrew...hello??). It's the oldest bar in Philly, even made it through prohibition. You can still see the speakeasy door at the back.
Has a cool vibe, it's a must.
We go here on our annual bar tour. There should be another blog just for this (Bill & Andrew...hello??). It's the oldest bar in Philly, even made it through prohibition. You can still see the speakeasy door at the back.
Has a cool vibe, it's a must.
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