This place has the potential to be another gem among the great restaurants that reside on Sansom. 1518 was looking like a sure-fire 4 star establishment or better until...the attack of the fruit flies commenced! Positive Observations: - A cool and intimate bar/restaurant in a pristine location. Ninety percent of the decorations have a Philadelphia theme. The walls are covered in oil paintings of the Philly skyline. - The service was good. Our waitress was very pleasant and didn't rush us on making drink or meal selections. She also offered up her personal favorites in regards to the dinner menu. - The crab cake appetizer was outstanding. Filled with lump crab and contained minimal fillers. - The short rib sandwich was excellent. A juicy sandwich complimented by a very mild horseradish sauce. I also enjoyed the side salad that accompanied the sandwich. - The menu offered some great options and very reasonably priced for a city restaurant. Areas of Opportunities: - The chairs that are pitted with the high tops are a tad too short for the tables. - The beer list was decent however the list on the table didn't include some of the seasonals on tap. - Pest control (see below) Back to the fruit flies, they were unbearable! We saw one annoying fly as we enjoyed a pre-dinner beverage, but once the food arrived it was game-on! We actually notified our server and moved to the bar counter. While seated at the bar, the patrons next to us informed us that we weren't safe there either. Right on cue a fly landed on my wife's pint glass. 1518 has some great potential and I will cheer them on. With some minor but very important tweaks and care 1518 could thrive!
(3)
Andrea M.
Always great service and good food at 1518. Our waiter was very nice and fast. I got the apple walnut salad but opt out of the option for additional protein. It was delicious!!! Perfect amount of dressing and a lot of toppings. The drinks are averagely priced for center city location. It is a good place to eat and drink or just have some fun on the dance floor. I go to 1518 a lot and will continue going back.
(5)
Michelle L.
I visited this restaurant last night during happy hour with some coworkers. I have dairy and gluten sensitivities, which are usually challenging to deal with when eating out. The server was very attentive with checking the content of various items - I ended up going with the mushroom risotto without the cheese (only had traces of gluten from the chicken broth). Service was prompt and everyone else enjoyed their food. Nice, fun ambience as well.
(5)
Luba P.
So surprisingly no one has really been to this spot for lunch, so we figured it would be good to try something new. My crabcake with a side salad was really really good! I wasn't a fan of the calamari or fried shrimp because there was too much breading on it, but each did come with two good sauces. There was no one there at 11:30 but by 12:30 the place was filled. I think this is a good lunch option because they have so many varieties of sandwiches, and even a few vegetarian ones. Reminds me of Marathon Grill and Nodding Head, casual American food with an upscale twist. PS. I LOVED all of the art work of Philly skyline on the walls. Recommend trying it for lunch if you've already went everywhere else in the city with your co workers!
(4)
Dana S.
This is a bit of a hidden gem. Smallish bar with a few TVs and some great art along the wall showcasing the city of Philadelphia. The menu was a step above your typical bar food without being to fancy. It was delicious and came in healthy portions. Staff was attentive and offered to split checks for our large group before we even thought about the bill. I was there for lunch but it looks like a great place to grab a drink and I definitely plan on returning.
(4)
Mads E.
It's a funny thing: I visited 1518 Bar & Grill and cannot for the life of me recall what I had to eat there. It might have been a burger, it might have been a sandwich, but whatever it was, my memories already trick me. So why give a review of this bar/restaurant if I can't remember what I had to eat? Well, I do remember that whatever I ate, I loved it. What I loved even more, was the service and atmosphere at the place. Our waitress was extremely good witted, joked around with us and even commented in good humor about me dragging the lady friend out to watch the Thursday night NFL with me when we only had four days in town. She even gave me really good advice on which beers to try and convinced my girlfriend to try the Blue Moon beer, similar to the Belgian Hoehgarden. It was a great night and I wish we could have stayed all the way through the game, but while we were there, we were thrilled that we had gone to a place full of locals and not that many tourists. I didn't even search for this place on Yelp, we just went in because it looked like a nice place. I would come again for sure.
(4)
Nick H.
Amazing service with excellent food to match. Small and cozy, it was the perfect spot to grab some delicious pub grub. The burger was perfect with some bacon added to it! Chicken corn chowder was spectacular and enormous!!!! The apple walnut salad was huge, fresh and scrumptious. Beer selection was great! Menu was cheap and affordable... This is a must try
(5)
Michael A.
Smaller than I expected, but it's a cute little sport with a sold draft list and friendly waitstaff.
(3)
Aria S.
Okay...most ridiculous random night ever. Came here with my friend Friday night around midnight for my birthday. We were planning on going to Ladder but the line stretching the length of Sansom, nah. The bouncer offered us a drink on the house when we were walking on Sansom, so we thought, hey why not? He promptly handed us a "second drink on the house" card. Which, by the way, is only valid for well drinks/beers or equal value to your first purchase. Thought I could snag some top shelf drink :/ But the music was top 40 stuff, the DJ was HILARIOUS. The craziest DJ ever! What drugs was he on! He was jumping around the street, inside the bar, screaming, anything and everything. But I enjoyed it! He was happily willing to play any song someone requested. Interactive DJ is an understatement. I wouldn't come here if you were just trying to chill though. The bartenders were very nice and available as well. $6 well drinks/soco lime shots. Not bad. I also met the owner, Willie, at the end of the night and he was very nice also! The crowd was a mix... groups of 3-4 friends. Plenty of space at the bar. People in their 20's mostly. Decent amount of dancing space. Seriously, you guys should just come here one night for shits and giggles! You will surprisingly have way more fun than you would have imagined!
(5)
David V.
Great sandwiches. I've tried the TED, the pulled pork and the short rib. All are good. The rib was probably the best. Beer selection could include more local brews, but it's not bad for a place that is primarily a sandwich joint (or so it would appear).
(4)
Michelle M.
Great atmosphere and great food. I had the mussels in white wine sauce. Only $9 and you get a lot! The two people I was with both got the Ted sandwich and said it was great. I will be going back.
(5)
Monica S.
I've been here quite a few times. Yesterday was no exception - attentive, friendly service, and a nice round of drinks on the house from the owner. The food is good with nice size portions. I enjoy coming to this bar when I'm in the city.
(4)
Sara R.
3.5 stars. This place is underrated and we were happy to get a seat at the bar. Food came out quickly (chicken and steak sandwich) and local Philadelphia skyline art work on the wall that you can buy was a great touch. Clean, modern - could never understand why this place was not packed (especially since its way less douchy than ladder 15 next door).
(3)
luke B.
I am in Philadelphia on business and was staying nearby so I swung by 1518 on my way home from work on a whim. It isn't particularly large but typical size for something in the downtown area of a major city. I happened to show up during happy hour which was not a show-stopper but was decent with a few beers at $3 and others $1 off. I ordered the calamari as an appetizer and it was fairly good - though the serving size was huge... easily too much for me as a single diner. The real reason why I gave this place 5 stars was my entree of the grilled rib eye ($24). It was absolutely fantastic, and could have masqueraded as a much more expensive steak at a traditional steakhouse. Definitely a pleasant surprise from what is essentially a pub. I would definitely go back here again.
(5)
Andrew B.
Brunch! I love going to bars for brunch, because they usually are reasonably priced for good quality, if basic, breakfast food. Perhaps even more importantly, they're less likely to have a crowd, or a wait for a table. This place is my go-to for brunch most Sunday mornings. The prices are great (you can get eggs, potatoes, and toast for under $5, or about $8 for a massive two-plate combination of french toast, eggs, potatoes, and toast). The food is always good, though preparation can vary a bit from week to week (sometimes there is whipped cream on the french toast, other times powdered sugar, and more recently cinnamon). The lunch food is a bit more expensive, but still reasonable, and very good (that's what my wife always gets). We're usually here around 11:00 or 11:30, and never have to wait. While I like the prices and the food, I keep coming back for the service. Mike is amazing, and we feel like we're seeing a friend every time we see him. He's always on top of the order, coffee, water, etc. He splits checks without being asked, by couple, if you come in with a group (which is great because we love to bring friends here, and we never need to have awkward conversations about splitting it - we can always just grab both if we're treating). One thing to keep in mind is that it can be tough for larger groups - the biggest table seats six, which is probably fine for most people having brunch, but we occasionally come in with a larger group, and need to split between two rows of tables. It still works, because it's harder to have a single conversation with more than that anyway, but it's worth noting. I initially gave it 4 stars, because I sometimes like the really fancy french toast or pancakes you can get at some of the "cooler" places in town. But this place is 5 stars for what it is. And they do sometimes have the fancy stuff as specials - right now they have cranberry pancakes with raspberry maple syrup, and apple-walnut french toast. Note: another review noted that the potatoes could be crispier, and the toast could be toastier. The potatoes have gotten crispier lately, and I like the toast how it usually comes (medium toasty). If we're making suggestions though, the butter could come a little softer - sometimes it feels like it's kept in a fridge, which makes it hard to spread.
(5)
Brandon L.
No beers really stand out here and the food is ok. Can get really packed in here sometimes for such a small place which sucks.
(2)
Jennifer M.
The staff is SUPER friendly... GREAT music... The food? HUGE portions and AMAZING tasting food!!! The price is unreal here!!! What a hidden gem!!! I'm a FAN
(5)
Kumar S.
I really like this place, its small, staff is friendly and the food is great. A nice spot to hang out and watch the game or spend time with friends as a pre-party venue. They have a DJ on weekends that plays music. The only negative aspect of this place. The owner and his friends tend to sit right outside and smoke Cigars which smell really bad and since the windows are open you smell it inside. this has happened once in a while but otherwise I really recommend this place.
(4)
Dan S.
I'm a big fan of the 1518 Bar & Grill, the owner Willie and what he's done with this place. I come to Philly infrequently on business and when I'm here I stay for a week or more. The second time I visited this establishment the waitperson headed towards me and said "Yuengling Draft, right?" I knew I'd be back whenever I'm in town. I thoroughly enjoy this place - when I'm over a thousand miles from home and I come staggering in to the 1518 after a 14 hour work day I know what I'm gonna get: Reasonable prices Cold, fresh beer served quickly Excellent food prepared quickly and accurately with consistency Might get a visit from Willie thanking you for your business Every menu item I've ever had has been at least a B+ to an A Last night I had the mussels in white wine, garlic & lemon - quite possibly the BEST I've ever had - after slobbering down the meaty protein I went after the "soup" with never-ending garlic crostini (sp ?) provided by my lovely server - paid the tab and said my goodbyes and staggered back to my hotel in beer & "mussels garlic soup" induced heaven - I _tried_ to do some work on my laptop but decided I should just put my head down . . . . . . . mussells + 2 beers + tip = $20 / how can you go wrong ? Take the reviews for what they are . . . . . nobody likes everywhere.
(5)
Grace C.
This place is a great bar - neighborhood feel in the middle of Center City. The wine pours are generous and the food is delicious. They also have a great happy hour.
(5)
Dana J.
Good happy hour specials-$5 mussels and $5 wine glasses. However, the staff was not very friendly. It's easy to see why the surrounding bars were super packed and this place was dead.
(3)
Mamta P.
We went there because the restaurant we had in mind was closed and we were running out of time, so we thought of giving it a shot. I would say it is at a good location and good food considerably good !! They have decent selection of salads and sandwiches for vegetarians. Their Portobello Reuben is really good though I didn't find Caprese either tastt or worth the money.
(3)
Ayesha M.
I was happy they were able to reserve seats for us.... The food was amazing and the price was great.... The staff was also accommodating... I don't have any complaints nor do my friends... Nice atmosphere...
(5)
Phil C.
This is a great bar and restaurant to either start your night at with a few drinks or finish your night here because on the weekends they have a DJ and dancing, it's a cool place and I must recommend if you're going to eat something have the portobello mushroom Reuben sandwich,it's so damn good.....
(5)
Jossie C.
A very lively bar with a friendly atmosphere, this is a great place for hangouts. It also happens to be an ideal place to grab a bite in this area. With a wide range of food options, it's perfect for an indecisive group of people. My mother was craving a burger, my brother is a vegetarian, and I am a vegan. Needless to say, my mother had the hefty 1518 burger, my brother had the Heaven's Garden Sandwich, and I had the Vegetarian Stack (goat cheese on the side). We were all satisfied by our entrees, as the taste was amazing and the portions were generous. Our server was a sweetheart and very attentive to us. Overall, one of the best place in the area. And so affordable!!
(5)
Alick W.
I stopped in here to get a quick bite to eat because I liked what I saw on their menu. It looked like a very nice place for happy hour and had a very neat and polished decor. I tried the Thanksgiving everyday sandwich which is turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce and it was excellent. It's about $10 for a sandwich here with a side and all the other options sounded good as well. I also walked by at night before and it seemed like a nice chill spot to hang out at in the evenings that I will try out eventually.
(4)
Rachel F.
A review in 3 words: Short. Rib.Sandwich.
(5)
Edward H.
This is probably one of my favorite bar/restaurants in the area, the food is excellent (Cobb salad is amazing...) prices are great (I frequently get old fashioneds for $5 during their happy hour and they have $3 Yuengling all day every day) and the service is very friendly,including the owner. Because of this I find myself coming at least once, sometimes two or three times a week haha. Highly recommended!
(5)
Laura T.
So I have been to this place about 6 times, service is amazing the girls know what I am having before I order, love that! The food is pretty good an very inexpensive.. I was in 3 times alone I guess my looks hadn't caught the creepy owners eye but when I brought a few pretty people in suddenly we are best friends??? and my drinks are on the house! heyy I'll take a free one no complaints here, but It hurts your head trying to have a conversation with the man he barely speaks English he has to be brand new to the country. Originally I thought he was an angry statue until I saw him get excited over beautiful women. Also I was in on a Saturday (this was a first) having a great time with my girls, the bartenders made me look especially cool by greeting me like buds. but suddenly our time was ruined by a loud dj standing on chairs and doing a shit job at his job.. Pretty sure he thought and believed I was a unicorn... Yeah that messed up. So I had to cut the stars back because I think the owner pays the dj to seek out sexy women so he can lock them in his creepy dungeon. Other than that try the short rib sandwich this is a great place to hang out if you don't like the prissiness of center city, always fast and friendly service!
(3)
g c.
Totally stumbled upon this place and we couldn't have been happier !!! Great service , awesome wings cooked extra crispy just how I like them . We couldn't agree on one sauce so she suggested having them naked with the sauces on the side which I thought was an awesome idea. The spring rolls were fresh as could be , the pork inside was so tender it melts in your mouth . For dinner we ordered the salmon dish and the rib bye steak and boy were we delighted !!! The portions are definitely generous , so much so that we had leftovers the next day . We spent half the amount of money had we gone around the corner to ocean prime or del friscos and I'm almost positive it was just as good if not better !!! I will definitely go back!!!!
(5)
Edward W.
Quick review on their breakfast: Probably one of the best breakfasts in town for under $6. Two poached eggs done medium, rye toast, 2 decently-sized sausage links, and a healthy serving of rosemary potato chunks. Although the potatoes could be crispier and the toast more toasted, it's a generous breakfast at a price you can't beat.
(4)
Maria F.
Great food and wonderful friendly waiter - pulled pork , burger, mussles red - all very good!
(5)
Aye C.
I give this place a 2 for the following reasons: 1. I felt embarrassed that I chose this place over Oyster house next door, 2. The food isn't as good as I thought it would be. The menu seems so good but the actual food is definitely below par. I got a calamari for appetizer, apple walnut salad for salad and mushroom risotto for my main course. My bf got short rib sandwich, which I think wasn't that bad. It was very tasty. However the salads didn't seem fresh and the calamari was very chewy. As for service, the staff is pretty good. I would say that if you're looking for a real good food, you wouldn't find it here. Everything here taste like hangover food but pricey.
(2)
Erica C.
We stumbled across this place because it was one of the bars participating in the Philly Bar Crawl. I was very impressed and this had to be one of my favorite bars on the bar crawl. The staff was very friendly and knowledgable about the food. They were also doing a good job of handling the huge St Patricks day crowd. We enjoyed our Cajun wings. They were some of the best Cajun wings that I've ever tasted in my life. The restaurant is very narrow, which made it a little hard to walk through but that wasn't a problem. The ladies' room was kept very neat and clean. This was shocking to me because bathrooms are usually disgusting when there's a lot of drunk people.
(5)
Kimberly T.
Great staff. Good food and drinks. Easy location centrally located on Simion street Our server Eddie was great Friendly, humorous and had good recommendations. We arrived at the end of happy hour but were able to get our drinks and an appetizer in before it was over at 6pm. Calamari was very good. Review of Dinner was mixed. the scallopps, asparagus and risotto was perfect. The swordfish was drowned in an overpowering spices sauce. Mostly those there for drinks and appetizers but there were a few locals and business men at the bar watching the game,
(4)
Jenny H.
Went here for lunch with co-workers. Been meaning to try this place for awhile. Thought it was similar to a marathon, but more a bar Nodding Head feel. Came here at 12 noon, not to crowded and we were out within the hour. Ordered: Apple walnut salad with shrimp. Co-workers also ordered salads, which are large and fresh. The white balsamic vinaigrette and candied walnuts made the salad. We were pleasantly surprised that the salads were good for a bar restaurant. There were a few additional items that I would go back and try. Service: The server was friendly and very truthfully about the menu options. Overall: Your typical bar feel, with decent menu options. I will come here again for lunch.
(3)
Angela K.
The owner of this place rips off their part time employees... Fired for asking for a paycheck? Merry Christmas! The service and food here is great though. The owner has no business running a Resturant- disrespects women and is racist.
(1)
Lisa D.
The short rib sandwich is spectacular! The owner Willy is kind, caring and takes great care of customers. great crowd for lunch too! The bartender Dot is adorable and friendly. hit this spot!
(5)
Martha P.
My boyfriend and I were planning to see a band around 10 and thought we should just grab dinner somewhere nearby. We couldn't think of a specific place so we decided to just walk around and see what pops out to us. We walked past 1518 and the chalkboard sign advertising $3 yuengling drafts stopped me! So in we went. For 8:30 on a Saturday this place was on the empty side, which was surprising. It looks so unbelievably nice on the inside! We sat at the bar and were greeted immediately. Got our drinks quickly and the bartender took our food orders right away. I got the crab cake sandwich and it was amazing!! So big and meaty, and it tasted like they had just put the cake together. The toasted bun it was on was so soft and yummy. The fries were okay, just not my personal favorite style of fry. I still ate them all though! My boyfriend got the short rib sandwich which was also great!! It comes with horseradish mayo, cheese and caramelized onions. Really tender and flavorful, and it was huge too, he couldn't finish it (so of course I did). This sandwich and fries were $8. Are you serious?! Such a good value. He also mentioned it seemed like his roll was fresh baked. The service was great, food was awesome. I'll be going back (most likely tonight to try the happy hour specials, they looked decent!).
(4)
Lora C.
Great dinner. No lines . Good service . Had a wonderful special of scallops and shrimp with spinach. My partner had wonderful crab cakes. Yum! Relaxed. Laid back. Enjoyable. We will be back.
(5)
Kevin E.
Karaoke night on Monday night is awesome! A lot of talented regulars that welcome new singers and drinkers!
(4)
Fknd A.
This place is good for one thing and that's a drink...the food sucks! I ordered eggs Benedict and received a gelatinous Sauce that resembled something you would throw up. The waitress's and the bartender gabbed about how bad the food was and how could anyone eat the food there while serving inedible concoctions. Stay away, unless you want a drink....
(1)
Whitney A.
We came here because we didn't feel like waiting in lines for brunch elsewhere. There were bloody mary and mimosa specials. Neither of us cared for the bloody mary - spiciness was perfect (a bit of a kick), but I think it might have been too horseradishy and not tomatoey enough. I got a chicken pesto sandwich that was very good. There was a lot of chicken in it. My husband got a short rib sandwich and he really liked it. I had a bite and it was really good- nothing you couldn't easily make in the crock pot, but still tasty. The fries were good enough. The service was slow, but we didn't really care since we weren't in any rush. I guess I'd go back, but I'm not going to rush.
(3)
Kathryn L.
My husband and I agreed that these were the best mussels we've ever had. I'm not sure what's in that sauce - definitely butter, garlic and love - but it's fantastic. The sandwiches we ordered were good, too. Service was really friendly, beer was cold, even the side salads were yummy. But it's the mussels we will dream about until we return!
(4)
Tony C.
Happy hour is great. Specials on drinks and food u cant beat being in the city. Small but who cares.
(4)
Theresa A.
We ended up with free tickets to the Flower Show and after giving it a look-see decided to make a "date" out of it by trying somewhere new for dinner. With only our noses to guide us we headed south towards Sansom and decided to walk west until we found "the one". Neither of us had ever heard of 1518 Bar & Gill although we've both walked right past it about a thousand times. I am SO glad we decided to venture inside because the entire experience was 5 stars and absolutely worth raving about. Upon entering we were greeted by the bartender who offered a sweet "hello" and let us know a server would be with us shortly. As we settled in, another staff member on her way to deliver an entree welcomed us and offered the same reassurance. Talk about service! A gentleman arrived shortly thereafter and offered another friendly salutation as well as information on the nights' specials, soups, and beer selections. We were quick to decide on a draft beer and Thanksgiving Sandwich (turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce on a kaiser roll) for him, and a white wine and a Burger (with caramelized onions and a side salad) for me. Although the food was delicious (no, really!) and the prices were reasonable (I think the total bill including a we-really-liked-you tip was less than $50)--the real reason for us returning to 1518 is the staff and the atmosphere. The space is small and intimate and it was the perfect hidden center city gem. We will definitely be back!!
(5)
Yu Ting Y.
average
(3)
Catherine L.
Yawn. Generic city. Generic, small space with a generic bar and generic art on the walls. Yawn. I'm even bored writing this review, this place is that unimpressive and unmemorable. Menu options: boring. Food: even more boring, and frankly not very good at all (and expensive!). Super friendly, peppy service, clean bathrooms, big bar with big t.v.s though (so it might warrant an affordable happy hour stop in case Oyster House is slammed - since 1518 is right next door). And yes, even the name, the name! is boring - 1518 Grill, your address, wow, folks didn't see that one coming... yawnnnnnnn.
(2)
Edward M.
Stopped here for lunch with some colleagues. Got a tuna melt sandwich. It was fine. I was told the burger and pulled pork sandwiches were tasty and they looked good. The tuna melt would have been better with somewhat less of a more interesting cheese (no, it wasn't smothered in Valveeta or Cheez Whiz, but it did have too much of a bland cheese that didn't do anything interesting with the tuna or bread). I did like the salad it came with. Next time (yes, there might be one) I'll try one of the other sandwiches. The sandwich price was reasonable. The decor is fine. I did not get to try the beers, but I'm sure they would have been lovely. The servers, sadly, were a bit annoying. One cleared my plate just as I was putting the last bite in my mouth -- come on, bro, let me revel for a couple of seconds in postprandial peace (I don't need to cuddle with my plate when I'm done, but at least let me finish masticating). The other provided change which could not be broken up for the nice tip we intended to give her -- the options she gave us was a tip too fat or a tip too skinny. Guess which one she got.
(3)
Sara V.
Loved 1518! My husband and I came here last week and we were surprised it wasn't more crowded. This place is AWESOME. Superb service, tasty food, excellent pours on the drinks. We started with the mussels and they were simply divine and succulent. The brother was perfect - not too salty. All you wanted to do was go to town on it with some fresh bread... which we did. My husband had the crab cake sandwich. WOW! It was loaded with fresh crab meat - barely any breading - right up our alley. I had the veggie stack. Thick slices of zucchini, squash, etc. served with goat cheese and a tomato aioli. Yum. I can still taste it. We got to talk to the owner for a bit too. What a pleasure! Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Julie H.
Friends and I dropped by here for Center City Sips because Ladder 15 was too crowded and hot. Although I can't vouch for anything beyond their CC Sips specials, I have to say the chicken fingers were pretty damn tasty and the portions were fairly sizeable for an appetizer. The hummus had a nice tangy flavor to it, and I appreciated the fact that the pita chips were warm. The place is small, but it has a nice, classy ambiance to it. My only complaint for the night would be about the music. So. Loud. And as a result, everyone had to full out shout to one another, and who has that kind of energy after work?
(3)
Jimmy P.
Came here during the happy hour / early bird dinner hour with the wife. Service was friendly and enjoyable. The food here was fantastic. We had the mussels in white sauce, which was delicious and refreshing. I ordered the crab cake sammy which was amazing. Way more crab than bread crumbs, and the crab was fresh! The sirrachi aoili that it was served with was spicy but not overwhelming. My wife had the grilled veggie stack which was the largest I've ever seen. Best part was meeting the owner Willie, who was super friendly and good conversation. Glad we walked into 1518. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Jess T.
I have been to 1518 a number of times and I am always satisfied when I leave. The food there is surprisingly delicious, but there's just something about the place that makes it not very memorable. I can't put my finger on the cause, but there always seems to be several weeks in between my visits there because I just plain forget about the place. Anyway, let's talk about the food. Order a dish that comes with fries. Any dish. As long as you get your paws on their crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, perfectly salted fries. Yesterday I ate the burger for lunch. It was perfectly cooked to my order, and the toppings were fresh and flavorful. I didn't realize previously how much I enjoy mayo on my burgers. In the past I have had BBQ wings (great, but i don't consider myself a wing expert) and the portabella reuben (surprisingly ok, more like an appetizer). Service was excellent even when the whole restaurant filled up for the lunch rush.
(4)
Alex G.
Cool unassuming burger joint sandwiched in between some better known restaurants. Loved the 1518 burger which came with caramelized onion and horseradish aioli.
(4)
Oliver R.
I went here the other night with some friends. The bar is clean and nice. The staff is helpful and courteous. The club sandwich was good. Overall, I'd come back here again.
(3)
Matt H.
1518 is an underrated center-city bar. They have a great happy hour! The food is affordable and excellent. The staff are all very friendly. Not a huge beer selection but they have a full bar and always something decent on tap. I'm not quite sure what their late night identity is and they still be trying to find it, but for a meal or happy hour or to watch a game at a casual low-key bar this is a good spot. Great food, Great staff, Great happy hour! Check it out.
(4)
YelpHatesMe Y.
I think 3 stars should do. We had the pulled pork sandwich and the GF had the grilled chicken sandwich. The chicken on her sandwich was extremely dry. My pork sandwich was tasty but when compared to other places in Philly's small pork "boom" market, it was pretty average. Went at 12:00. It was pretty open and we were seated and served pretty quickly so its good for a work lunch. While it was a decent lunch, there's nothing there that would warrant a phrase like "lets go back to 1518 for lunch".
(3)
Andrew W.
A few friends and I stopped here for a later-than-normal happy hour and I was thoroughly unimpressed. The bar itself is pretty nondescript- it felt like you were on the set of a lifetime movie bar. There wasn't outdoor seating when we were there, but that might improve the experience... although Sansom is not a prime location to be on the street. I have no complaints about the wait staff... they were doing their best to keep us happy... but the drinks were surprisingly expensive. Unless you are looking for a happy hour purgatory, I'd recommend you go elsewhere.
(2)
Erica B.
While I would go back again! I must say this place is only A-OK. My significant other and I stopped here after shopping last Sunday on Walnut Street. We're from the DC area and spent the weekend In Philly for my birthday. The manager in the Guess store recommended going to the Oyster House but failed to mention they're closed on Sundays. So we tried 1518! The seats at the bar were soooooo uncomfortable, they were missing the leg bar thingy at the bottom. The calamari was the best we had in a while. Kudos to that! For lunch I had the Pan Seared Salmon, Roasted Potatoes and Creamed Spinach. My man ordered a special Seafood Pasta. We've both had better! I can make better actually but the we were still on cloud 9 from the Calamari that the lunch didn't bother us much. Now the drinks..... The bartender didn't know what a French Connection was. She didn't have a clue! We told her the ingredients... finished up our meals and ask for the check... She came back with it and I nearly fell out of my chair.. $30 bucks for a French Connection (Hennessy and Grand Mariner) $30 BUCKS! After dinner I read reviews on this place and found out the burgers and crab cakes are a big hit. I'd go back if I were shopping in Philly on a Sunday
(3)
Travis L.
Great location on Sansom next to some other wonderful bars/restaurants. We came for dinner, and we were taken by the ambiance that felt casual and comfortable. Not overly crowded and definitely good for a sit-down meal or drinks/bar snacks. The food: 1. Crab cake appetizer- Meaty lump crab with minimal breading makes it really worth the money, but the real treat is the avocado puree beneath it, which cuts the greasiness and the heaviness typical of crab cakes. So fresh. 2. Salmon + Ratatouille - perfectly cooked salmon on top of a bed of ratatouille. Stewed veggies done with an authentic French provençal flavor. Good portion size. 3. Short ribs - on top of butternut squash risotto, this is braised perfectly. Tender meat that is not too heavy against the risotto. 4. Mushroom risotto - I had with chicken, which was surprisingly overcooked. The worst part of the meal that evening, but the risotto was well-done and not too mealy. Mushroom flavor really infused, but the chicken felt thrown on and over-seasoned with parmesan. Really took away from it all. Overall, though, the food was well-done and worth coming back for.
(4)
Katrina F.
Cool bar to hang out with friends and have a drink. Really good happy hour and lunch specials. I usually go here for lunch and the food is pretty good. Not expensive at all considering that it is in Center city. The staff is always friendly and it is never too crowded. I also like it for its mix and diversity of patrons. The crab cake sandwich is one of my faves here.
(4)
Bill W.
Have been here twice so far. We had a great time. Food was good, or it can just be a nice place to have a few drinks before or after a long night.
(4)
Kevin M.
Fantastic mussels and the Portabello rueben is to die for!! Excellent service, nice atmosphere i will be back!
(5)
Lauren R.
I was here for Philly2night's VIP beer tasting in late April and the place had just opened. I was impressed by how great it looked inside. I can't believe it was the old cigar shop! I was also impressed with their craft beer list, which is being modified to include some additional great brews! I sat outside and enjoyed a beer along with some calamari. I also noshed on a few additional sample items, all of which were pretty good. I think they are off to a great start. I'm excited to go there again when they get their local artist installation. The addition of 1518 Bar & Grille is pretty exciting to me, in general. Having worked over three years on Sansom Street, I've really had the opportunity to see it evolve. I watched Ladder 15,, Shanks and Five Guys all open, just on the 1500 block alone. It's exciting that even with the recession, there are still some improvements and strides being made. I'll definitely be back to 1518 Bar & Grille, if anything, for the staff! The bartenders are friendly and welcoming.... Okay, I'm a little biased since I work with one of them!
(4)
Elisa F.
i can't stop thinking about the turkey club! I never knew I'd become a turkey-club critic but here I am extolling the virtues of their perfectly delicious and huge turkey club. I'd the crab cakes once, DELICIOUS! They're made with panko but the crab meat is back fin and taste like the real deal Maryland style crab cakes, really good crab meat and perfectly seasoned! The owner is nice and the staff loves the food as much as the customers! Prices are great and the wine was divine!!! Please support this independent business in the heart of Sansom Street!
(5)
Bill B.
A bunch of us stopped in later at night just for drinks. I liked the atmosphere and the selections. Will definitely go back.
(3)
Jaci P.
We are going to come back and try it again, in that the food was okay (nothing amazing, but not bad) but the service was crazy. Instead of being under-attentive, they we basically aggressive! They were so excited to take away our plates that they did not even let us finish our food. I felt rushed. It was a Saturday night, there were multiple tables open and yet it seemed like they could not wait to clear our table and hand us the check. Very strange. We like to support small places, so maybe it was just an off night?!
(3)
Eric R.
Atmosphere is great, drinks are reasonably price.. There was no cover.. The two girls behind the bar were very sweet they chatted with us a bunch. Such a small and cozy place definitely a place worth going back to. Not the best place to spend the whole night but for a pregame spot it's probably one of the best in the city.
(4)
Christopher M.
Great Value for the area. Upbeat staffers. Good portions.
(4)
Danielle M.
1 star based strictly on customer service. My second time coming to the bar and the customer service was horrible!! We were there for happy hour and I was told by our waitress that absolut vodka was part of the well drinks happy hour special. We had to switch tables because the first table we were at was too small. Once we moved to a different table, our waitress never came back to check on us. Another waiter finally came to our table after 30 minutes passed by and told us our first waitress left. We then ordered more drinks and I asked for the same drink I ordered with the first waitress which was cranberry and absolut vodka. The waiter then tells me I will be charge $9 vs. $5 happy hour special. I then explained to him our first waitress told me absolut was part of the happy hour special......Here is where things start to get crazy.....He then tells me with a smart attitude "she's new and I've been working here for over a year, and she had no idea what she was talking about." There was a lot of back and forth and he was literally arguing with me. I was so disgusted with his attitude that I decided not to order anything but my two other friends still ordered food and drinks. He brings the food and drinks back, but never came back to "check on us". We had to go to the bar to get our own ranch to the wings and had to track down our waiter for our check. When he finally brings the check to us, he charged me for the $9 drink anyway. When I asked to speak with a manager, they told me a manager wasn't there. Now why wasn't a manager on site?! Then another waiter came to our table and asked what was wrong? I then explained to him our whole situation about the drinks. At this point I was very upset because he wasn't trying to accommodate me either and there was no manager! We paid the bill but did not leave a tip! I told the waiter why I didn't leave a tip and he put his finger in my face and said I was the one with the attitude and his customer service was great and then walked off before I could get a word in. I then tried calling the manger the next day twice and he was never there! I've never heard of a manager or person in charge not to be there. The food was good but the service was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!! If you want to have good service then definitely DO NOT GO HERE!!! I never write reviews but I was never treated so horribly at an restaurant / bar where I expect good service.
(1)
Pat Z.
A so-so restaurant. The only real positive was the quick and friendly service. The food was OK, but atmosphere bland. My order was misunderstood, and my friend's Manhattan was undrinkable. When he asked for a replacement, they kindly replaced it, but with a barely drinkable Manhattan. Prices were reasonable at $8/sandwich, $15/entree, but I don't think it's worth it.
(2)
Elizabeth A.
Great brunch, great mimosas, owner is awesome.
(5)
Melinda L.
I have been here 3 times since they openend. The food is good and affordable. The booze is a bit expensive so I would recommend eating lunch at this place for $10 a person. The lentil soup is outstanding. The greek salad is nice and light. I can't wait until they figure out their atmosphere. The space is missing that inviting feel which is probably why it's empty all the time. The staff is very friendly too.
(3)
Lindsay K.
Very disappointing. After a previous plan fell through, my party if 6 was left scrambling for dinner on a friday evening 1518 had several empty tables (a bad sign that should have cued us in) Several in my party ordered the risotto and it was bland, sticky, and basically tasteless (3 different risottos). It was significantly below average in taste, texture, and presentation. When this was politely brought to the attention of the owner when he was met on a trip to the bathroom, he responded rudely. He stated that he was 35 years in the restaurant business and had never heard this. He was most definitely not open to any feedback. After 5 of 6 hated their meals, I will definitely not be returning. Their poor service was just the final straw.
(1)
Zachary D.
Went in for lunch with very low expectations. Ended up with a surprisingly great sandwich and really friendly service. I'll be back.
(4)
Justin C.
Took a date here Tuesday. Had a great experience! Food was very great and affordable and our waiter was incredibly attentive and helpful. A bonus at the end when the waiter came over and told us the owner wanted to buy us a round! That's the kind of thing that sticks in your head for future visits. I will be back!
(4)
FPGina M.
I can't understand the less than friendly reviews here. I was visiting from NYC and after dining at some very crowded and noisy places, I was lured in by the description of the mussels on the menu. They were so tasty, I decided to have the salmon -- which was equally fantastic. I then came back and had the portobello mushroom sandwich. This sandwich makes a great argument for becoming a vegetarian. I also had the braised rib sandwich. The happiness you feel when you hold the warm soft bread in your hands is completely reinforced when you bite into it! I don't understand why this place isn't packed night after night. Went there 4 times while I was in Philly with my husband and plan to go back to Philly and stop here again. Their sandwiches are like full meals and are about $8.50. How in the world can anyone see this as anything but reasonable? Wish they were in NY!
(5)
Laura R.
Love, love, love this place! The first time I walked into 1518, the atmosphere was very welcoming and inviting. My friend and I had worked very late that night and very STARVING. Every other place we stopped at was the same story-'kitchen's closed!' The owner of 1518 had already closed up the kitchen but decided to make us what we wanted anyways. We both got a Greek Salad and the Hummus. Number one, he didn't have to do that and number two, it was AMAZING. I think it's something crazy like $8 for each dish and the portions are huge. I was shocked. I pay more to park my car in the city. It was so delicious. Best Greek food I've found in Philly. The owner is 100% Greek so that may explain why it's so good. His homemade hummus is addicting. The olives? What?!! Don't even get me started. SO GOOD! Plus, from going there so much, I ended up making friends with the bartender, Christina, who is great for a good conversation. All the girls there are very sweet and welcoming. The owner makes sure each guest is more than satisfied and if your not, he'll make it right! Sometimes he will just send out hummus plates without me even ordering it. Really nice place and one of my favorite stops. Great for lunch, too!
(5)
Bess D.
Low key and not crowded on a Saturday night (perhaps a bad thing?). Service was attentive. I had a tasty grilled chicken sandwich with pesto and red peppers...a sizable portion with good fries. My friend had a huge cobb salad. The prices and the portions will bring us back!
(4)
John B.
I wouldn't even give it 1 star but seems that theres No choice. Food sucks, service is horrible, and the owner is very rude, also racist and you can't understand him since he's greek his english isn't clear! while there he made a black couple leave since they complained that it was cold in there. He said "if you don't like it go somewhere else". It was pretty chilly in there at the time too. I will never go back. The Tuna Melt was dry the bread was hard as a rock and my drink wasn't even made right and my soda was mainly water. horrible horrible!!! Our Waitress I forget her name a red head girl was rude too! The only thing good was the DJ! which Apparently he had a BROKEN ARM!?! Since it was in a sling! Every time I go to Sansom street that place is always dead, but since every other place was packed i tried it out which was a mistake! Now I know who the owner is too. I always see him standing out side trying to talk to young Women. Everything about this place is a NO! Skip it!
(1)
Melissa B.
I ate here for a quick business lunch and the food was delicious. I was really impressed with the wide menu selection. The staff was also attentive and friendly.
(5)
Kyle S.
This place is cool. It is right next to Oscar's Tavern and Ladder 15 on Sansom St. You could easily walk right by it as Rumor Nightclub and 500 degrees are there as well. But I'd suggest stopping in. Me and my friends have come here after 12 on 2 occasions and it's a fun vibe! The DJ gets really into it and it's never as crowded. If looking for a more personal experience but still talk to girls, this is the place to be. The bartending staff has been respectful and the bouncer is actually polite and fun to talk to.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
David B.
This place has the potential to be another gem among the great restaurants that reside on Sansom. 1518 was looking like a sure-fire 4 star establishment or better until...the attack of the fruit flies commenced! Positive Observations: - A cool and intimate bar/restaurant in a pristine location. Ninety percent of the decorations have a Philadelphia theme. The walls are covered in oil paintings of the Philly skyline. - The service was good. Our waitress was very pleasant and didn't rush us on making drink or meal selections. She also offered up her personal favorites in regards to the dinner menu. - The crab cake appetizer was outstanding. Filled with lump crab and contained minimal fillers. - The short rib sandwich was excellent. A juicy sandwich complimented by a very mild horseradish sauce. I also enjoyed the side salad that accompanied the sandwich. - The menu offered some great options and very reasonably priced for a city restaurant. Areas of Opportunities: - The chairs that are pitted with the high tops are a tad too short for the tables. - The beer list was decent however the list on the table didn't include some of the seasonals on tap. - Pest control (see below) Back to the fruit flies, they were unbearable! We saw one annoying fly as we enjoyed a pre-dinner beverage, but once the food arrived it was game-on! We actually notified our server and moved to the bar counter. While seated at the bar, the patrons next to us informed us that we weren't safe there either. Right on cue a fly landed on my wife's pint glass. 1518 has some great potential and I will cheer them on. With some minor but very important tweaks and care 1518 could thrive!
(3)Andrea M.
Always great service and good food at 1518. Our waiter was very nice and fast. I got the apple walnut salad but opt out of the option for additional protein. It was delicious!!! Perfect amount of dressing and a lot of toppings. The drinks are averagely priced for center city location. It is a good place to eat and drink or just have some fun on the dance floor. I go to 1518 a lot and will continue going back.
(5)Michelle L.
I visited this restaurant last night during happy hour with some coworkers. I have dairy and gluten sensitivities, which are usually challenging to deal with when eating out. The server was very attentive with checking the content of various items - I ended up going with the mushroom risotto without the cheese (only had traces of gluten from the chicken broth). Service was prompt and everyone else enjoyed their food. Nice, fun ambience as well.
(5)Luba P.
So surprisingly no one has really been to this spot for lunch, so we figured it would be good to try something new. My crabcake with a side salad was really really good! I wasn't a fan of the calamari or fried shrimp because there was too much breading on it, but each did come with two good sauces. There was no one there at 11:30 but by 12:30 the place was filled. I think this is a good lunch option because they have so many varieties of sandwiches, and even a few vegetarian ones. Reminds me of Marathon Grill and Nodding Head, casual American food with an upscale twist. PS. I LOVED all of the art work of Philly skyline on the walls. Recommend trying it for lunch if you've already went everywhere else in the city with your co workers!
(4)Dana S.
This is a bit of a hidden gem. Smallish bar with a few TVs and some great art along the wall showcasing the city of Philadelphia. The menu was a step above your typical bar food without being to fancy. It was delicious and came in healthy portions. Staff was attentive and offered to split checks for our large group before we even thought about the bill. I was there for lunch but it looks like a great place to grab a drink and I definitely plan on returning.
(4)Mads E.
It's a funny thing: I visited 1518 Bar & Grill and cannot for the life of me recall what I had to eat there. It might have been a burger, it might have been a sandwich, but whatever it was, my memories already trick me. So why give a review of this bar/restaurant if I can't remember what I had to eat? Well, I do remember that whatever I ate, I loved it. What I loved even more, was the service and atmosphere at the place. Our waitress was extremely good witted, joked around with us and even commented in good humor about me dragging the lady friend out to watch the Thursday night NFL with me when we only had four days in town. She even gave me really good advice on which beers to try and convinced my girlfriend to try the Blue Moon beer, similar to the Belgian Hoehgarden. It was a great night and I wish we could have stayed all the way through the game, but while we were there, we were thrilled that we had gone to a place full of locals and not that many tourists. I didn't even search for this place on Yelp, we just went in because it looked like a nice place. I would come again for sure.
(4)Nick H.
Amazing service with excellent food to match. Small and cozy, it was the perfect spot to grab some delicious pub grub. The burger was perfect with some bacon added to it! Chicken corn chowder was spectacular and enormous!!!! The apple walnut salad was huge, fresh and scrumptious. Beer selection was great! Menu was cheap and affordable... This is a must try
(5)Michael A.
Smaller than I expected, but it's a cute little sport with a sold draft list and friendly waitstaff.
(3)Aria S.
Okay...most ridiculous random night ever. Came here with my friend Friday night around midnight for my birthday. We were planning on going to Ladder but the line stretching the length of Sansom, nah. The bouncer offered us a drink on the house when we were walking on Sansom, so we thought, hey why not? He promptly handed us a "second drink on the house" card. Which, by the way, is only valid for well drinks/beers or equal value to your first purchase. Thought I could snag some top shelf drink :/ But the music was top 40 stuff, the DJ was HILARIOUS. The craziest DJ ever! What drugs was he on! He was jumping around the street, inside the bar, screaming, anything and everything. But I enjoyed it! He was happily willing to play any song someone requested. Interactive DJ is an understatement. I wouldn't come here if you were just trying to chill though. The bartenders were very nice and available as well. $6 well drinks/soco lime shots. Not bad. I also met the owner, Willie, at the end of the night and he was very nice also! The crowd was a mix... groups of 3-4 friends. Plenty of space at the bar. People in their 20's mostly. Decent amount of dancing space. Seriously, you guys should just come here one night for shits and giggles! You will surprisingly have way more fun than you would have imagined!
(5)David V.
Great sandwiches. I've tried the TED, the pulled pork and the short rib. All are good. The rib was probably the best. Beer selection could include more local brews, but it's not bad for a place that is primarily a sandwich joint (or so it would appear).
(4)Michelle M.
Great atmosphere and great food. I had the mussels in white wine sauce. Only $9 and you get a lot! The two people I was with both got the Ted sandwich and said it was great. I will be going back.
(5)Monica S.
I've been here quite a few times. Yesterday was no exception - attentive, friendly service, and a nice round of drinks on the house from the owner. The food is good with nice size portions. I enjoy coming to this bar when I'm in the city.
(4)Sara R.
3.5 stars. This place is underrated and we were happy to get a seat at the bar. Food came out quickly (chicken and steak sandwich) and local Philadelphia skyline art work on the wall that you can buy was a great touch. Clean, modern - could never understand why this place was not packed (especially since its way less douchy than ladder 15 next door).
(3)luke B.
I am in Philadelphia on business and was staying nearby so I swung by 1518 on my way home from work on a whim. It isn't particularly large but typical size for something in the downtown area of a major city. I happened to show up during happy hour which was not a show-stopper but was decent with a few beers at $3 and others $1 off. I ordered the calamari as an appetizer and it was fairly good - though the serving size was huge... easily too much for me as a single diner. The real reason why I gave this place 5 stars was my entree of the grilled rib eye ($24). It was absolutely fantastic, and could have masqueraded as a much more expensive steak at a traditional steakhouse. Definitely a pleasant surprise from what is essentially a pub. I would definitely go back here again.
(5)Andrew B.
Brunch! I love going to bars for brunch, because they usually are reasonably priced for good quality, if basic, breakfast food. Perhaps even more importantly, they're less likely to have a crowd, or a wait for a table. This place is my go-to for brunch most Sunday mornings. The prices are great (you can get eggs, potatoes, and toast for under $5, or about $8 for a massive two-plate combination of french toast, eggs, potatoes, and toast). The food is always good, though preparation can vary a bit from week to week (sometimes there is whipped cream on the french toast, other times powdered sugar, and more recently cinnamon). The lunch food is a bit more expensive, but still reasonable, and very good (that's what my wife always gets). We're usually here around 11:00 or 11:30, and never have to wait. While I like the prices and the food, I keep coming back for the service. Mike is amazing, and we feel like we're seeing a friend every time we see him. He's always on top of the order, coffee, water, etc. He splits checks without being asked, by couple, if you come in with a group (which is great because we love to bring friends here, and we never need to have awkward conversations about splitting it - we can always just grab both if we're treating). One thing to keep in mind is that it can be tough for larger groups - the biggest table seats six, which is probably fine for most people having brunch, but we occasionally come in with a larger group, and need to split between two rows of tables. It still works, because it's harder to have a single conversation with more than that anyway, but it's worth noting. I initially gave it 4 stars, because I sometimes like the really fancy french toast or pancakes you can get at some of the "cooler" places in town. But this place is 5 stars for what it is. And they do sometimes have the fancy stuff as specials - right now they have cranberry pancakes with raspberry maple syrup, and apple-walnut french toast. Note: another review noted that the potatoes could be crispier, and the toast could be toastier. The potatoes have gotten crispier lately, and I like the toast how it usually comes (medium toasty). If we're making suggestions though, the butter could come a little softer - sometimes it feels like it's kept in a fridge, which makes it hard to spread.
(5)Brandon L.
No beers really stand out here and the food is ok. Can get really packed in here sometimes for such a small place which sucks.
(2)Jennifer M.
The staff is SUPER friendly... GREAT music... The food? HUGE portions and AMAZING tasting food!!! The price is unreal here!!! What a hidden gem!!! I'm a FAN
(5)Kumar S.
I really like this place, its small, staff is friendly and the food is great. A nice spot to hang out and watch the game or spend time with friends as a pre-party venue. They have a DJ on weekends that plays music. The only negative aspect of this place. The owner and his friends tend to sit right outside and smoke Cigars which smell really bad and since the windows are open you smell it inside. this has happened once in a while but otherwise I really recommend this place.
(4)Dan S.
I'm a big fan of the 1518 Bar & Grill, the owner Willie and what he's done with this place. I come to Philly infrequently on business and when I'm here I stay for a week or more. The second time I visited this establishment the waitperson headed towards me and said "Yuengling Draft, right?" I knew I'd be back whenever I'm in town. I thoroughly enjoy this place - when I'm over a thousand miles from home and I come staggering in to the 1518 after a 14 hour work day I know what I'm gonna get: Reasonable prices Cold, fresh beer served quickly Excellent food prepared quickly and accurately with consistency Might get a visit from Willie thanking you for your business Every menu item I've ever had has been at least a B+ to an A Last night I had the mussels in white wine, garlic & lemon - quite possibly the BEST I've ever had - after slobbering down the meaty protein I went after the "soup" with never-ending garlic crostini (sp ?) provided by my lovely server - paid the tab and said my goodbyes and staggered back to my hotel in beer & "mussels garlic soup" induced heaven - I _tried_ to do some work on my laptop but decided I should just put my head down . . . . . . . mussells + 2 beers + tip = $20 / how can you go wrong ? Take the reviews for what they are . . . . . nobody likes everywhere.
(5)Grace C.
This place is a great bar - neighborhood feel in the middle of Center City. The wine pours are generous and the food is delicious. They also have a great happy hour.
(5)Dana J.
Good happy hour specials-$5 mussels and $5 wine glasses. However, the staff was not very friendly. It's easy to see why the surrounding bars were super packed and this place was dead.
(3)Mamta P.
We went there because the restaurant we had in mind was closed and we were running out of time, so we thought of giving it a shot. I would say it is at a good location and good food considerably good !! They have decent selection of salads and sandwiches for vegetarians. Their Portobello Reuben is really good though I didn't find Caprese either tastt or worth the money.
(3)Ayesha M.
I was happy they were able to reserve seats for us.... The food was amazing and the price was great.... The staff was also accommodating... I don't have any complaints nor do my friends... Nice atmosphere...
(5)Phil C.
This is a great bar and restaurant to either start your night at with a few drinks or finish your night here because on the weekends they have a DJ and dancing, it's a cool place and I must recommend if you're going to eat something have the portobello mushroom Reuben sandwich,it's so damn good.....
(5)Jossie C.
A very lively bar with a friendly atmosphere, this is a great place for hangouts. It also happens to be an ideal place to grab a bite in this area. With a wide range of food options, it's perfect for an indecisive group of people. My mother was craving a burger, my brother is a vegetarian, and I am a vegan. Needless to say, my mother had the hefty 1518 burger, my brother had the Heaven's Garden Sandwich, and I had the Vegetarian Stack (goat cheese on the side). We were all satisfied by our entrees, as the taste was amazing and the portions were generous. Our server was a sweetheart and very attentive to us. Overall, one of the best place in the area. And so affordable!!
(5)Alick W.
I stopped in here to get a quick bite to eat because I liked what I saw on their menu. It looked like a very nice place for happy hour and had a very neat and polished decor. I tried the Thanksgiving everyday sandwich which is turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce and it was excellent. It's about $10 for a sandwich here with a side and all the other options sounded good as well. I also walked by at night before and it seemed like a nice chill spot to hang out at in the evenings that I will try out eventually.
(4)Rachel F.
A review in 3 words: Short. Rib.Sandwich.
(5)Edward H.
This is probably one of my favorite bar/restaurants in the area, the food is excellent (Cobb salad is amazing...) prices are great (I frequently get old fashioneds for $5 during their happy hour and they have $3 Yuengling all day every day) and the service is very friendly,including the owner. Because of this I find myself coming at least once, sometimes two or three times a week haha. Highly recommended!
(5)Laura T.
So I have been to this place about 6 times, service is amazing the girls know what I am having before I order, love that! The food is pretty good an very inexpensive.. I was in 3 times alone I guess my looks hadn't caught the creepy owners eye but when I brought a few pretty people in suddenly we are best friends??? and my drinks are on the house! heyy I'll take a free one no complaints here, but It hurts your head trying to have a conversation with the man he barely speaks English he has to be brand new to the country. Originally I thought he was an angry statue until I saw him get excited over beautiful women. Also I was in on a Saturday (this was a first) having a great time with my girls, the bartenders made me look especially cool by greeting me like buds. but suddenly our time was ruined by a loud dj standing on chairs and doing a shit job at his job.. Pretty sure he thought and believed I was a unicorn... Yeah that messed up. So I had to cut the stars back because I think the owner pays the dj to seek out sexy women so he can lock them in his creepy dungeon. Other than that try the short rib sandwich this is a great place to hang out if you don't like the prissiness of center city, always fast and friendly service!
(3)g c.
Totally stumbled upon this place and we couldn't have been happier !!! Great service , awesome wings cooked extra crispy just how I like them . We couldn't agree on one sauce so she suggested having them naked with the sauces on the side which I thought was an awesome idea. The spring rolls were fresh as could be , the pork inside was so tender it melts in your mouth . For dinner we ordered the salmon dish and the rib bye steak and boy were we delighted !!! The portions are definitely generous , so much so that we had leftovers the next day . We spent half the amount of money had we gone around the corner to ocean prime or del friscos and I'm almost positive it was just as good if not better !!! I will definitely go back!!!!
(5)Edward W.
Quick review on their breakfast: Probably one of the best breakfasts in town for under $6. Two poached eggs done medium, rye toast, 2 decently-sized sausage links, and a healthy serving of rosemary potato chunks. Although the potatoes could be crispier and the toast more toasted, it's a generous breakfast at a price you can't beat.
(4)Maria F.
Great food and wonderful friendly waiter - pulled pork , burger, mussles red - all very good!
(5)Aye C.
I give this place a 2 for the following reasons: 1. I felt embarrassed that I chose this place over Oyster house next door, 2. The food isn't as good as I thought it would be. The menu seems so good but the actual food is definitely below par. I got a calamari for appetizer, apple walnut salad for salad and mushroom risotto for my main course. My bf got short rib sandwich, which I think wasn't that bad. It was very tasty. However the salads didn't seem fresh and the calamari was very chewy. As for service, the staff is pretty good. I would say that if you're looking for a real good food, you wouldn't find it here. Everything here taste like hangover food but pricey.
(2)Erica C.
We stumbled across this place because it was one of the bars participating in the Philly Bar Crawl. I was very impressed and this had to be one of my favorite bars on the bar crawl. The staff was very friendly and knowledgable about the food. They were also doing a good job of handling the huge St Patricks day crowd. We enjoyed our Cajun wings. They were some of the best Cajun wings that I've ever tasted in my life. The restaurant is very narrow, which made it a little hard to walk through but that wasn't a problem. The ladies' room was kept very neat and clean. This was shocking to me because bathrooms are usually disgusting when there's a lot of drunk people.
(5)Kimberly T.
Great staff. Good food and drinks. Easy location centrally located on Simion street Our server Eddie was great Friendly, humorous and had good recommendations. We arrived at the end of happy hour but were able to get our drinks and an appetizer in before it was over at 6pm. Calamari was very good. Review of Dinner was mixed. the scallopps, asparagus and risotto was perfect. The swordfish was drowned in an overpowering spices sauce. Mostly those there for drinks and appetizers but there were a few locals and business men at the bar watching the game,
(4)Jenny H.
Went here for lunch with co-workers. Been meaning to try this place for awhile. Thought it was similar to a marathon, but more a bar Nodding Head feel. Came here at 12 noon, not to crowded and we were out within the hour. Ordered: Apple walnut salad with shrimp. Co-workers also ordered salads, which are large and fresh. The white balsamic vinaigrette and candied walnuts made the salad. We were pleasantly surprised that the salads were good for a bar restaurant. There were a few additional items that I would go back and try. Service: The server was friendly and very truthfully about the menu options. Overall: Your typical bar feel, with decent menu options. I will come here again for lunch.
(3)Angela K.
The owner of this place rips off their part time employees... Fired for asking for a paycheck? Merry Christmas! The service and food here is great though. The owner has no business running a Resturant- disrespects women and is racist.
(1)Lisa D.
The short rib sandwich is spectacular! The owner Willy is kind, caring and takes great care of customers. great crowd for lunch too! The bartender Dot is adorable and friendly. hit this spot!
(5)Martha P.
My boyfriend and I were planning to see a band around 10 and thought we should just grab dinner somewhere nearby. We couldn't think of a specific place so we decided to just walk around and see what pops out to us. We walked past 1518 and the chalkboard sign advertising $3 yuengling drafts stopped me! So in we went. For 8:30 on a Saturday this place was on the empty side, which was surprising. It looks so unbelievably nice on the inside! We sat at the bar and were greeted immediately. Got our drinks quickly and the bartender took our food orders right away. I got the crab cake sandwich and it was amazing!! So big and meaty, and it tasted like they had just put the cake together. The toasted bun it was on was so soft and yummy. The fries were okay, just not my personal favorite style of fry. I still ate them all though! My boyfriend got the short rib sandwich which was also great!! It comes with horseradish mayo, cheese and caramelized onions. Really tender and flavorful, and it was huge too, he couldn't finish it (so of course I did). This sandwich and fries were $8. Are you serious?! Such a good value. He also mentioned it seemed like his roll was fresh baked. The service was great, food was awesome. I'll be going back (most likely tonight to try the happy hour specials, they looked decent!).
(4)Lora C.
Great dinner. No lines . Good service . Had a wonderful special of scallops and shrimp with spinach. My partner had wonderful crab cakes. Yum! Relaxed. Laid back. Enjoyable. We will be back.
(5)Kevin E.
Karaoke night on Monday night is awesome! A lot of talented regulars that welcome new singers and drinkers!
(4)Fknd A.
This place is good for one thing and that's a drink...the food sucks! I ordered eggs Benedict and received a gelatinous Sauce that resembled something you would throw up. The waitress's and the bartender gabbed about how bad the food was and how could anyone eat the food there while serving inedible concoctions. Stay away, unless you want a drink....
(1)Whitney A.
We came here because we didn't feel like waiting in lines for brunch elsewhere. There were bloody mary and mimosa specials. Neither of us cared for the bloody mary - spiciness was perfect (a bit of a kick), but I think it might have been too horseradishy and not tomatoey enough. I got a chicken pesto sandwich that was very good. There was a lot of chicken in it. My husband got a short rib sandwich and he really liked it. I had a bite and it was really good- nothing you couldn't easily make in the crock pot, but still tasty. The fries were good enough. The service was slow, but we didn't really care since we weren't in any rush. I guess I'd go back, but I'm not going to rush.
(3)Kathryn L.
My husband and I agreed that these were the best mussels we've ever had. I'm not sure what's in that sauce - definitely butter, garlic and love - but it's fantastic. The sandwiches we ordered were good, too. Service was really friendly, beer was cold, even the side salads were yummy. But it's the mussels we will dream about until we return!
(4)Tony C.
Happy hour is great. Specials on drinks and food u cant beat being in the city. Small but who cares.
(4)Theresa A.
We ended up with free tickets to the Flower Show and after giving it a look-see decided to make a "date" out of it by trying somewhere new for dinner. With only our noses to guide us we headed south towards Sansom and decided to walk west until we found "the one". Neither of us had ever heard of 1518 Bar & Gill although we've both walked right past it about a thousand times. I am SO glad we decided to venture inside because the entire experience was 5 stars and absolutely worth raving about. Upon entering we were greeted by the bartender who offered a sweet "hello" and let us know a server would be with us shortly. As we settled in, another staff member on her way to deliver an entree welcomed us and offered the same reassurance. Talk about service! A gentleman arrived shortly thereafter and offered another friendly salutation as well as information on the nights' specials, soups, and beer selections. We were quick to decide on a draft beer and Thanksgiving Sandwich (turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce on a kaiser roll) for him, and a white wine and a Burger (with caramelized onions and a side salad) for me. Although the food was delicious (no, really!) and the prices were reasonable (I think the total bill including a we-really-liked-you tip was less than $50)--the real reason for us returning to 1518 is the staff and the atmosphere. The space is small and intimate and it was the perfect hidden center city gem. We will definitely be back!!
(5)Yu Ting Y.
average
(3)Catherine L.
Yawn. Generic city. Generic, small space with a generic bar and generic art on the walls. Yawn. I'm even bored writing this review, this place is that unimpressive and unmemorable. Menu options: boring. Food: even more boring, and frankly not very good at all (and expensive!). Super friendly, peppy service, clean bathrooms, big bar with big t.v.s though (so it might warrant an affordable happy hour stop in case Oyster House is slammed - since 1518 is right next door). And yes, even the name, the name! is boring - 1518 Grill, your address, wow, folks didn't see that one coming... yawnnnnnnn.
(2)Edward M.
Stopped here for lunch with some colleagues. Got a tuna melt sandwich. It was fine. I was told the burger and pulled pork sandwiches were tasty and they looked good. The tuna melt would have been better with somewhat less of a more interesting cheese (no, it wasn't smothered in Valveeta or Cheez Whiz, but it did have too much of a bland cheese that didn't do anything interesting with the tuna or bread). I did like the salad it came with. Next time (yes, there might be one) I'll try one of the other sandwiches. The sandwich price was reasonable. The decor is fine. I did not get to try the beers, but I'm sure they would have been lovely. The servers, sadly, were a bit annoying. One cleared my plate just as I was putting the last bite in my mouth -- come on, bro, let me revel for a couple of seconds in postprandial peace (I don't need to cuddle with my plate when I'm done, but at least let me finish masticating). The other provided change which could not be broken up for the nice tip we intended to give her -- the options she gave us was a tip too fat or a tip too skinny. Guess which one she got.
(3)Sara V.
Loved 1518! My husband and I came here last week and we were surprised it wasn't more crowded. This place is AWESOME. Superb service, tasty food, excellent pours on the drinks. We started with the mussels and they were simply divine and succulent. The brother was perfect - not too salty. All you wanted to do was go to town on it with some fresh bread... which we did. My husband had the crab cake sandwich. WOW! It was loaded with fresh crab meat - barely any breading - right up our alley. I had the veggie stack. Thick slices of zucchini, squash, etc. served with goat cheese and a tomato aioli. Yum. I can still taste it. We got to talk to the owner for a bit too. What a pleasure! Can't wait to go back.
(4)Julie H.
Friends and I dropped by here for Center City Sips because Ladder 15 was too crowded and hot. Although I can't vouch for anything beyond their CC Sips specials, I have to say the chicken fingers were pretty damn tasty and the portions were fairly sizeable for an appetizer. The hummus had a nice tangy flavor to it, and I appreciated the fact that the pita chips were warm. The place is small, but it has a nice, classy ambiance to it. My only complaint for the night would be about the music. So. Loud. And as a result, everyone had to full out shout to one another, and who has that kind of energy after work?
(3)Jimmy P.
Came here during the happy hour / early bird dinner hour with the wife. Service was friendly and enjoyable. The food here was fantastic. We had the mussels in white sauce, which was delicious and refreshing. I ordered the crab cake sammy which was amazing. Way more crab than bread crumbs, and the crab was fresh! The sirrachi aoili that it was served with was spicy but not overwhelming. My wife had the grilled veggie stack which was the largest I've ever seen. Best part was meeting the owner Willie, who was super friendly and good conversation. Glad we walked into 1518. We will definitely be back!
(5)Jess T.
I have been to 1518 a number of times and I am always satisfied when I leave. The food there is surprisingly delicious, but there's just something about the place that makes it not very memorable. I can't put my finger on the cause, but there always seems to be several weeks in between my visits there because I just plain forget about the place. Anyway, let's talk about the food. Order a dish that comes with fries. Any dish. As long as you get your paws on their crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, perfectly salted fries. Yesterday I ate the burger for lunch. It was perfectly cooked to my order, and the toppings were fresh and flavorful. I didn't realize previously how much I enjoy mayo on my burgers. In the past I have had BBQ wings (great, but i don't consider myself a wing expert) and the portabella reuben (surprisingly ok, more like an appetizer). Service was excellent even when the whole restaurant filled up for the lunch rush.
(4)Alex G.
Cool unassuming burger joint sandwiched in between some better known restaurants. Loved the 1518 burger which came with caramelized onion and horseradish aioli.
(4)Oliver R.
I went here the other night with some friends. The bar is clean and nice. The staff is helpful and courteous. The club sandwich was good. Overall, I'd come back here again.
(3)Matt H.
1518 is an underrated center-city bar. They have a great happy hour! The food is affordable and excellent. The staff are all very friendly. Not a huge beer selection but they have a full bar and always something decent on tap. I'm not quite sure what their late night identity is and they still be trying to find it, but for a meal or happy hour or to watch a game at a casual low-key bar this is a good spot. Great food, Great staff, Great happy hour! Check it out.
(4)YelpHatesMe Y.
I think 3 stars should do. We had the pulled pork sandwich and the GF had the grilled chicken sandwich. The chicken on her sandwich was extremely dry. My pork sandwich was tasty but when compared to other places in Philly's small pork "boom" market, it was pretty average. Went at 12:00. It was pretty open and we were seated and served pretty quickly so its good for a work lunch. While it was a decent lunch, there's nothing there that would warrant a phrase like "lets go back to 1518 for lunch".
(3)Andrew W.
A few friends and I stopped here for a later-than-normal happy hour and I was thoroughly unimpressed. The bar itself is pretty nondescript- it felt like you were on the set of a lifetime movie bar. There wasn't outdoor seating when we were there, but that might improve the experience... although Sansom is not a prime location to be on the street. I have no complaints about the wait staff... they were doing their best to keep us happy... but the drinks were surprisingly expensive. Unless you are looking for a happy hour purgatory, I'd recommend you go elsewhere.
(2)Erica B.
While I would go back again! I must say this place is only A-OK. My significant other and I stopped here after shopping last Sunday on Walnut Street. We're from the DC area and spent the weekend In Philly for my birthday. The manager in the Guess store recommended going to the Oyster House but failed to mention they're closed on Sundays. So we tried 1518! The seats at the bar were soooooo uncomfortable, they were missing the leg bar thingy at the bottom. The calamari was the best we had in a while. Kudos to that! For lunch I had the Pan Seared Salmon, Roasted Potatoes and Creamed Spinach. My man ordered a special Seafood Pasta. We've both had better! I can make better actually but the we were still on cloud 9 from the Calamari that the lunch didn't bother us much. Now the drinks..... The bartender didn't know what a French Connection was. She didn't have a clue! We told her the ingredients... finished up our meals and ask for the check... She came back with it and I nearly fell out of my chair.. $30 bucks for a French Connection (Hennessy and Grand Mariner) $30 BUCKS! After dinner I read reviews on this place and found out the burgers and crab cakes are a big hit. I'd go back if I were shopping in Philly on a Sunday
(3)Travis L.
Great location on Sansom next to some other wonderful bars/restaurants. We came for dinner, and we were taken by the ambiance that felt casual and comfortable. Not overly crowded and definitely good for a sit-down meal or drinks/bar snacks. The food: 1. Crab cake appetizer- Meaty lump crab with minimal breading makes it really worth the money, but the real treat is the avocado puree beneath it, which cuts the greasiness and the heaviness typical of crab cakes. So fresh. 2. Salmon + Ratatouille - perfectly cooked salmon on top of a bed of ratatouille. Stewed veggies done with an authentic French provençal flavor. Good portion size. 3. Short ribs - on top of butternut squash risotto, this is braised perfectly. Tender meat that is not too heavy against the risotto. 4. Mushroom risotto - I had with chicken, which was surprisingly overcooked. The worst part of the meal that evening, but the risotto was well-done and not too mealy. Mushroom flavor really infused, but the chicken felt thrown on and over-seasoned with parmesan. Really took away from it all. Overall, though, the food was well-done and worth coming back for.
(4)Katrina F.
Cool bar to hang out with friends and have a drink. Really good happy hour and lunch specials. I usually go here for lunch and the food is pretty good. Not expensive at all considering that it is in Center city. The staff is always friendly and it is never too crowded. I also like it for its mix and diversity of patrons. The crab cake sandwich is one of my faves here.
(4)Bill W.
Have been here twice so far. We had a great time. Food was good, or it can just be a nice place to have a few drinks before or after a long night.
(4)Kevin M.
Fantastic mussels and the Portabello rueben is to die for!! Excellent service, nice atmosphere i will be back!
(5)Lauren R.
I was here for Philly2night's VIP beer tasting in late April and the place had just opened. I was impressed by how great it looked inside. I can't believe it was the old cigar shop! I was also impressed with their craft beer list, which is being modified to include some additional great brews! I sat outside and enjoyed a beer along with some calamari. I also noshed on a few additional sample items, all of which were pretty good. I think they are off to a great start. I'm excited to go there again when they get their local artist installation. The addition of 1518 Bar & Grille is pretty exciting to me, in general. Having worked over three years on Sansom Street, I've really had the opportunity to see it evolve. I watched Ladder 15,, Shanks and Five Guys all open, just on the 1500 block alone. It's exciting that even with the recession, there are still some improvements and strides being made. I'll definitely be back to 1518 Bar & Grille, if anything, for the staff! The bartenders are friendly and welcoming.... Okay, I'm a little biased since I work with one of them!
(4)Elisa F.
i can't stop thinking about the turkey club! I never knew I'd become a turkey-club critic but here I am extolling the virtues of their perfectly delicious and huge turkey club. I'd the crab cakes once, DELICIOUS! They're made with panko but the crab meat is back fin and taste like the real deal Maryland style crab cakes, really good crab meat and perfectly seasoned! The owner is nice and the staff loves the food as much as the customers! Prices are great and the wine was divine!!! Please support this independent business in the heart of Sansom Street!
(5)Bill B.
A bunch of us stopped in later at night just for drinks. I liked the atmosphere and the selections. Will definitely go back.
(3)Jaci P.
We are going to come back and try it again, in that the food was okay (nothing amazing, but not bad) but the service was crazy. Instead of being under-attentive, they we basically aggressive! They were so excited to take away our plates that they did not even let us finish our food. I felt rushed. It was a Saturday night, there were multiple tables open and yet it seemed like they could not wait to clear our table and hand us the check. Very strange. We like to support small places, so maybe it was just an off night?!
(3)Eric R.
Atmosphere is great, drinks are reasonably price.. There was no cover.. The two girls behind the bar were very sweet they chatted with us a bunch. Such a small and cozy place definitely a place worth going back to. Not the best place to spend the whole night but for a pregame spot it's probably one of the best in the city.
(4)Christopher M.
Great Value for the area. Upbeat staffers. Good portions.
(4)Danielle M.
1 star based strictly on customer service. My second time coming to the bar and the customer service was horrible!! We were there for happy hour and I was told by our waitress that absolut vodka was part of the well drinks happy hour special. We had to switch tables because the first table we were at was too small. Once we moved to a different table, our waitress never came back to check on us. Another waiter finally came to our table after 30 minutes passed by and told us our first waitress left. We then ordered more drinks and I asked for the same drink I ordered with the first waitress which was cranberry and absolut vodka. The waiter then tells me I will be charge $9 vs. $5 happy hour special. I then explained to him our first waitress told me absolut was part of the happy hour special......Here is where things start to get crazy.....He then tells me with a smart attitude "she's new and I've been working here for over a year, and she had no idea what she was talking about." There was a lot of back and forth and he was literally arguing with me. I was so disgusted with his attitude that I decided not to order anything but my two other friends still ordered food and drinks. He brings the food and drinks back, but never came back to "check on us". We had to go to the bar to get our own ranch to the wings and had to track down our waiter for our check. When he finally brings the check to us, he charged me for the $9 drink anyway. When I asked to speak with a manager, they told me a manager wasn't there. Now why wasn't a manager on site?! Then another waiter came to our table and asked what was wrong? I then explained to him our whole situation about the drinks. At this point I was very upset because he wasn't trying to accommodate me either and there was no manager! We paid the bill but did not leave a tip! I told the waiter why I didn't leave a tip and he put his finger in my face and said I was the one with the attitude and his customer service was great and then walked off before I could get a word in. I then tried calling the manger the next day twice and he was never there! I've never heard of a manager or person in charge not to be there. The food was good but the service was HORRIBLE!!!!!!!! If you want to have good service then definitely DO NOT GO HERE!!! I never write reviews but I was never treated so horribly at an restaurant / bar where I expect good service.
(1)Pat Z.
A so-so restaurant. The only real positive was the quick and friendly service. The food was OK, but atmosphere bland. My order was misunderstood, and my friend's Manhattan was undrinkable. When he asked for a replacement, they kindly replaced it, but with a barely drinkable Manhattan. Prices were reasonable at $8/sandwich, $15/entree, but I don't think it's worth it.
(2)Elizabeth A.
Great brunch, great mimosas, owner is awesome.
(5)Melinda L.
I have been here 3 times since they openend. The food is good and affordable. The booze is a bit expensive so I would recommend eating lunch at this place for $10 a person. The lentil soup is outstanding. The greek salad is nice and light. I can't wait until they figure out their atmosphere. The space is missing that inviting feel which is probably why it's empty all the time. The staff is very friendly too.
(3)Lindsay K.
Very disappointing. After a previous plan fell through, my party if 6 was left scrambling for dinner on a friday evening 1518 had several empty tables (a bad sign that should have cued us in) Several in my party ordered the risotto and it was bland, sticky, and basically tasteless (3 different risottos). It was significantly below average in taste, texture, and presentation. When this was politely brought to the attention of the owner when he was met on a trip to the bathroom, he responded rudely. He stated that he was 35 years in the restaurant business and had never heard this. He was most definitely not open to any feedback. After 5 of 6 hated their meals, I will definitely not be returning. Their poor service was just the final straw.
(1)Zachary D.
Went in for lunch with very low expectations. Ended up with a surprisingly great sandwich and really friendly service. I'll be back.
(4)Justin C.
Took a date here Tuesday. Had a great experience! Food was very great and affordable and our waiter was incredibly attentive and helpful. A bonus at the end when the waiter came over and told us the owner wanted to buy us a round! That's the kind of thing that sticks in your head for future visits. I will be back!
(4)FPGina M.
I can't understand the less than friendly reviews here. I was visiting from NYC and after dining at some very crowded and noisy places, I was lured in by the description of the mussels on the menu. They were so tasty, I decided to have the salmon -- which was equally fantastic. I then came back and had the portobello mushroom sandwich. This sandwich makes a great argument for becoming a vegetarian. I also had the braised rib sandwich. The happiness you feel when you hold the warm soft bread in your hands is completely reinforced when you bite into it! I don't understand why this place isn't packed night after night. Went there 4 times while I was in Philly with my husband and plan to go back to Philly and stop here again. Their sandwiches are like full meals and are about $8.50. How in the world can anyone see this as anything but reasonable? Wish they were in NY!
(5)Laura R.
Love, love, love this place! The first time I walked into 1518, the atmosphere was very welcoming and inviting. My friend and I had worked very late that night and very STARVING. Every other place we stopped at was the same story-'kitchen's closed!' The owner of 1518 had already closed up the kitchen but decided to make us what we wanted anyways. We both got a Greek Salad and the Hummus. Number one, he didn't have to do that and number two, it was AMAZING. I think it's something crazy like $8 for each dish and the portions are huge. I was shocked. I pay more to park my car in the city. It was so delicious. Best Greek food I've found in Philly. The owner is 100% Greek so that may explain why it's so good. His homemade hummus is addicting. The olives? What?!! Don't even get me started. SO GOOD! Plus, from going there so much, I ended up making friends with the bartender, Christina, who is great for a good conversation. All the girls there are very sweet and welcoming. The owner makes sure each guest is more than satisfied and if your not, he'll make it right! Sometimes he will just send out hummus plates without me even ordering it. Really nice place and one of my favorite stops. Great for lunch, too!
(5)Bess D.
Low key and not crowded on a Saturday night (perhaps a bad thing?). Service was attentive. I had a tasty grilled chicken sandwich with pesto and red peppers...a sizable portion with good fries. My friend had a huge cobb salad. The prices and the portions will bring us back!
(4)John B.
I wouldn't even give it 1 star but seems that theres No choice. Food sucks, service is horrible, and the owner is very rude, also racist and you can't understand him since he's greek his english isn't clear! while there he made a black couple leave since they complained that it was cold in there. He said "if you don't like it go somewhere else". It was pretty chilly in there at the time too. I will never go back. The Tuna Melt was dry the bread was hard as a rock and my drink wasn't even made right and my soda was mainly water. horrible horrible!!! Our Waitress I forget her name a red head girl was rude too! The only thing good was the DJ! which Apparently he had a BROKEN ARM!?! Since it was in a sling! Every time I go to Sansom street that place is always dead, but since every other place was packed i tried it out which was a mistake! Now I know who the owner is too. I always see him standing out side trying to talk to young Women. Everything about this place is a NO! Skip it!
(1)Melissa B.
I ate here for a quick business lunch and the food was delicious. I was really impressed with the wide menu selection. The staff was also attentive and friendly.
(5)Kyle S.
This place is cool. It is right next to Oscar's Tavern and Ladder 15 on Sansom St. You could easily walk right by it as Rumor Nightclub and 500 degrees are there as well. But I'd suggest stopping in. Me and my friends have come here after 12 on 2 occasions and it's a fun vibe! The DJ gets really into it and it's never as crowded. If looking for a more personal experience but still talk to girls, this is the place to be. The bartending staff has been respectful and the bouncer is actually polite and fun to talk to.
(5)