Nick’s Roast Beef Bar & Grille
16 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
Nick’s Roast Beef Bar & Grille Menu
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Address :
16 S 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA, 19106 - Phone (215) 928-9411
- Website https://www.nicksroastbeefbarandgrille.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
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
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Wed, Fri
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Lisa B.
I tried the cheesesteak here and it was very good although not the best I've ever had. I loved the fries with Old Bay seasoning and the gravy fries. Portions are very big and the service was good. The place is kind of dark and not very inviting but it does have a lot of character and is conveniently located in the historic district. Prices were reasonable and the whole family loved it
(4)Andy S.
A million and one years ago, when I was but a youngin and my dad worked in Center City, he would often tell me how he liked going to Nick's for lunch...they had great food at a good price, and it was "far away" from the usual spots he went to. Well, back then there was no reason whatsoever to be on this block, and while many things have changed over the decades (mostly for the worse), Nick's is still there. Like a lot of the old guard-type joints in Philly (and in any big city, really), Nick's is a place that gets by on reputation more than current execution. Lets be honest...if Nick's opened last year, it would be gone already. But since its..."Nicks" (wave your hands in the air when you say it), it remains. The food ain't bad, certainly nothing special, and the prices are higher than they have any right to be. Service is "there"...again, nothing special. You could probably give half the people who come in on any given day a plate fulla Arby's and I don't think anyone would notice. But, the highlight from the days of my dad remains...the horseradish. Why that was his favorite thing is anyone's guess, and why it is my favorite thing is really best left un-discussed. I found myself stopping by every once in a while when seeing a show at the Khyber...mostly if I got there way too early or the first three bands really sucked. Or, more likely, the pizza joint on 2nd was closed. I can't fathom going out of my way to eat here in this modern age, but I guess its still highly rated in some yellowed guide book somewhere so people keep showing up. It is totally out of place on the block nowadays, but since the vast majority of that neighborhood makes me want to vomit in anger I consider that a plus. Still, I want to like it more than I do, for nostalgia if nothing else...but its resoundingly average. I'll give it an extra star for the horseradish...yea, I'm that easy.
(3)Bryan W.
Gotta love this place. Food is great and can't beat how friendly everyone is.
(5)Cherie C.
Feels kinda like an old-guy Philly hangout. And that's not always bad. They rave about the roast beef, but roast pork with spinach and sharp provolone is great here. Grab a booth in the back, or get it to go and eat at Penn's Landing or in a nearby park when the weather is nice. But be sure to get plenty of napkins. This ain't dainty food! Tender, juicy pork, lots of sauteed spinach with garlic, and really sharp provolone on a nice roll. Yum. It's also pretty inexpensive, especially when you consider the gargantuan portions. One sandwich feeds two!
(4)Brendan O.
The roast beef sandwiches are beyond compare, and the only valid basis upon which to judge the mightiness of Nick's. If you haven't gone yet, what are you waiting for?
(5)Jake P.
This is the kind of bar that my grandfather would love. Good food, lots of "old man beers" and a fish tank / sports TVs to watch. Other old men agree, as this is filled with them. The music however, is not for old men with its Beck, Morrissey, and whatnot. The roast beef sandwich is cheap and delicious. The golden brown french fries are good too. This isn't the place where two people should go to tie one on, but its great for a group of friends to have casual drinks and an array of party/comfort food in a relaxed, spacious setting.
(4)Josh M.
Great food! It always feels comfortable at Nicks. And John and Jack are great guys to hang out with. Thanks for keeping a great place going for over 30 years. Josh McCallen
(5)Jim H.
Not the most exciting place in the city, but it's not trying to be. The trademark pork or roast beef sandwiches are obviously good. Also, this place seems like it would never get as crowded as some of it's neighbors. But one thing is for sure. If you go here on a Saturday night, have a few beers, and do a bit of the karaoke they have there...YOU WILL HAVE A BLAST! Don't worry if you wake up feeling like you've lost all your dignity...it's normal and will soon pass. It's not as embarrassing if your have friends to share the blame with.
(4)tony c.
Tried their roast beef. Taste was rather bland for the hype. Beef was cut way too thick and it was way too dry. French Fries was the run of the mill broad fries from the bag. Bartender was very friendly.
(2)Lene P.
Their roast beef sandwich was good. There really isn't much to write about this place. I've eaten in once and it doesn't seem to be the most inviting atmosphere. I would walk in, see the bar, feel like I didn't belong and stand awkwardly until someone seated us. This place is almost like a step above a diner, not food-wise, but the restaurant itself :)
(3)Chrissy R.
The food was just OK but we got really crappy service and I would probably not go back again if I had any choice in the matter. Plus I feel like the price was just out of range for what you were getting--even in Olde City
(2)John P.
I think I had roast beef here once, and it was pretty decent. It was quite some time ago. As I was I was eating my sandwich I felt like I should of been older for some reason. Maybe to blend in with crowd I suppose. There used to be a really cool venue upstairs where they had shows. Mojo Nixon played here once, but I wasn't old enough. Dag Nabbit! But I did sneak in to see RL Burnside play here before he passed away.
(3)Totally I.
This is actually the worst restaurant I've ever been to in Philly.... and I was born in a restaurant in Philly... Okay, it was a hospital cafeteria, but it counts. The food was terrible, the service was the same.
(1)Yo U.
No great shakes. Just eat your sandwich and get going somewhere more interesting.
(3)Bob B.
For an Old City cheesesteak look no further... Nick's has the biggest size and taste for the buck outweighing perennial favorites Campo's and Sonny's around the corner. Try the bucket of Rolling Rocks (not ponies) for $10 and the wings, which are spot on. Roast beef is standard, big, and good. I get it to go cause the place isn't the most inviting.
(4)Erin G.
A little pub type restaurant on the outskirts of Old City. Very reasonably priced and a wide variety of items on the menu. Portions were huge. Waitstaff was not particularly friendly, but got the job done. The Roast beef itself was kind of dry on a hoagie (a grinder or sub depending on where you're from), but my friend had the pork and loved it.
(4)Kelly G.
if youre coming here for a yum friday dinner & beer in the back booths like we did, you will be happy. this was our 2nd time here & we got the same booth as last time, 2 ppl in a booth is perfect as they are smaller sized booths. trivial pursuit cards tucked into the menu holder may entice you to quiz your seat mate but you may or may not get sticky hands. part of the charm. anyway. i dont eat meat & i couldnt decide what to get, which is always a GOOD sign. so i went with eggplant parm on a long roll, a trusty favorite you dont see everyday. oh my goodness, yum. like others have said, 1 sandwich could feed 2. it arrived hot, open faced & provolone covered just how i like it. the eggplant was so crispy fried & the sauce was heavenly. i bet you dont hear that about eggplant parm much these days. my fiance was jealous even tho he got his fave, some kind of sandwich with bacon. we both ordered our own fries off the "fry gallery menu" (big mistake bc these fries are gigantic). i prefer the straight up plain ones, he got cajun powder, cheese & peppers on his. anyway they have beers too & you will leave super full. ps the sandwiches are like $5. we spent more on three draft sam adams than on both our entrees. of course the fry gallery experience upped the price a bit. rounding out to a nice under $40 dinner of belt busting delish & tipsy/food drunk happiness. i have to give 4/5 bc i dont know that i'd traverse the city for this place, but it is a super awesome Neighborhood-feel place w great food. so if you dont live in the same block like i do, i would recommend it as a great after happy hr dinner location.
(4)Sharang T.
Excellent first meal in Philly. I got a cheesesteak with mushrooms, onions, hot peppers, and bacon and it was excellent. I had an appetizer with marinara sauce, and drizzled some on the sandwich for a DIY pizza steak and I was floored. The marinara was tart, sweet, and had bright basil garlic notes. Great divey lunch spot. I watched the Yanks v Orioles game here, and the bartender was friendly, helping me plan my evening in Philly with advice on kick ass bars, recommending local brews for me to try, and talking about ways to get around via public transit. Great meal, great chat, made me very comfortable recommending this place for a no nonsense, high quality dining experience.
(5)S W.
Ok, I only gave this place 3 stars because, while I love it and I'll go back again and again, I was there last Friday night after my friend had his first ever art gallery opening and reception, and the drinks me and my date had were SO WEAK. My date had a drink that was supposedly made of Tito's vodka, tea, and lemonade..and I kid you not, it tasted like melty ice from a glass that once had a lemon in it. No joke. Not only could you not taste any tea or lemonade, you couldn't taste a DROP of alcohol in it. My drink was called the "Ruthie" (we joked that if you pronounce it wrong, you might end up with Rohypnol in your drink lol). It was Stoli vanilla and birch beer (which is one of my favorite local PA dutch offerings). It wasn't as weak as my date's drink, but it had way too much water in it. Why on earth would you water down your drinks, when this place is so great, otherwise?? I mean, Nick's literally has THE best burger I've ever had in my life. The first time I visited, I told the waiter "I guess I should order the roast beef, because...it's in the NAME of the place. It's gotta be good, right?" He contradicted me. "NO WAY. GET THE BURGER." He then explained that their burger is half bacon, half meat, and is the food of the gods. HE WAS RIGHT. I will never order anything there BUT the burger. And they give you tons of options of what you want on your burger--even fried egg (which I've never seen anywhere outside of Philly and am scared to try). Friday night, my artist friend had fried pickles, which I thought was kind of gross until I tasted it. Then I ordered me and my date our own plate of them--mmmm So, sorry Nick's. I love your congenial atmosphere, the music you play, and your wondrous food, but I had to knock you down a couple points for the sad, watery drinks.
(3)Ray M.
Very clean establishment. Nice Tap selection. Happy hour 4-7pm. Includes $1.75 domestic draughts, $1.00 off "you call its" and $5.00 appetisers. Love to come back for a sandwich.
(4)Rodney W.
I had the best hamburger I had ever eaten my life here. In fact, it was so good, I had two! If you eat anywhere in the quad state area, you would be doing yourself a huge disservice if you didn't come here. My mouth waters even now just thinking of the burgers......... Oh, man!
(5)Nate L.
Had a very pleasant lunch experience here. I work right up the street, and in passing, we decided to stop in for lunch. I ordered the southwest burger (their burgers are highly rated so I had to try one). I was surprised at how great it was. The waiter said it was a mix of 30% bacon meat. Very delicious meat. Come with fried pickles and pepper jack cheese. I would certainly order it again. Also ordered the curly fries. We all had a great meal. The waiter was quite poor, forgot drinks, mixed up our orders - this is the reason I gave only 4 stars. Eat it!
(4)Randi N.
Great food! The roast beef was delicious!!! Bartender was very friendly. Good service.
(4)Marlyn V.
This is simply to review Nick's on their awesome entertainment! This is the kind of place where you come to pregame with friends, or after too many drinks ask them to sing single ladies, and perhaps in the process get a lap dance from a big hairy retired football player? Yes, that happened. They hubby and I constantly hit up Nick's if we are pregaming to go into Cuba Libre next door, mostly because Cuba Libre's drinks suck (watered down) and are quite pricey. So we get the city special for $5, Jim Bean Shot and PBR, jug that down, and one drink, and maybe one more shot....and boom, we get the party started! I also came celebrating my bff's bachelorette where we had a great time butchering Beyonce and embarrassing the bride. Really, this is a no brainer, get here, come thirsty, and grab a mic!
(4)Jeff E.
I thoroughly enjoyed this place. This is a hole-in-the-wall with personality. It's a local joint that welcomes the non-local. I love Smithwicks and the wings were great. Nicole is a very good bartender. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Joe D.
Food is solid, as it is at all Nick's locations, even though they are all independently run now. I have to knock this spot down to a star because the bartender used his finger to clear the foam from my buddy's pint of Guinness. I am pretty forgiving, and I am thinking we should have said something when it happened, but it was just too funny/disgusting to watch my buddy's beer get molested to say anything right then... That said, I wont be back.. There are way too many places in philly to try that again. BTW - the guy was a nice dude, and the things you don't see hurt less. However, a plain-sight a fingering of your beverage in mid-conversation leads me to believe activities behind closed doors may prove even worse, and that's a little uncomforting.
(1)Henry Y.
Pros: -That burger is no joke. Absolutely great! (Apple Bacon Burger) -Great service! Cons: -Limited selection of beers
(4)Liz S.
SO delicious! My boyfriend and I stumbled in here one night when we were out in old city and have been in love with Nick's ever since. Sometimes they don't have a waiter service available in the back, but don't let that stop you from ordering food. Their bar is an older crowd. This review is for the food! My boyfriend and I usually split Mac and cheese bites w aioli sauce and mozzarella sticks with marinara. Both delicious. Aioli above average, and mozzarella sticks above average. We also had the cowboy and the breakfast burgers-- out of this world. I put the extra aioli from my Mac and cheese on my burger, which made it extra tasty. Nick's is hands down the best place for bar food in Philadelphia that we've discovered so far.
(5)Jessica W.
Best curly fries ever! Definitely recommend the apple bacon burger with bbq sauce, the roast beef and the breakfast burger
(5)John M.
We used Yelp to find this place and loved it! Bob, our waiter, was the man! The bacon burgers were amazing and we ordered almost every appetizer during happy hour. Would recommend to anyone who loves bar food!
(5)Sarah A.
After reading Zagat's ranking it the #1 burger in Philadelphia, I knew I needed to try it immediately! (Apparently we were customers number 55 and 56 today alone, so not immediately immediately, but you know what I mean!) By the time we got there (Thursday night), they'd shut down the "restaurant" portion of the Bar & Grille, but we took a seat in the window at a high top and had a lovely chat with owner (and bartender) Joe Schultice, who said he'd been happily surprised by the Zagat rating and the steady stream of new customers--seriously a sweetheart! The southwest-style bacon burger patty with house-made salsa, jack cheese, fried pickle, and jalapeños on brioche was every bit as good as the article promised (fried pickles?! hello!). It was a perfectly cooked burger (medium rare) with an evenly spread 35% bacon/65% beef patty (mixed in house): absolutely loved the jalapeños and (as I parenthesized earlier) the fried pickles! The curly fries we ordered on the side were also perfection (though Joe told us to try their hand-cut white potato fries next time, which are "better than those you get down a'shore"). We'll take his word for it and be back for sure!
(5)Liz P.
My friends and I were burned by another bar being too busy to accommodate us for karaoke, so we'd heard that Nick's had Saturday karaoke. That was absolutely false. HOWEVER, we took over the juke box and turned the place into a singalong paradise. We were joined by a jovial man (Nick himself? We were never quite sure if he was an excited patron as well or if he was an employee.) who sang along with us (he did a great rendition of "I Wanna Dance With Somebody") and invited us to dance. It was a treat. A night that will live on in infamy. ALSO, I got their thanksgiving sandwich once. It was delicious.
(5)Tom H.
My favorite bar/restaurant in the city. Best burgers in town. Roast pork or beef Italiano is amazing also. Always a fun time while sitting at the bar. Best drink prices in old city.
(5)Matt R.
Amazing happy hour special. Domestic drafts $1.75. $5 selected appetizers. Roast pork sandwhich comes on a kaiser roll as opposed to long roll which caught me off guard but had the fixings with it: pickle, hit peppers and horseradish all on the side. No fries with the sandwich though. Chicken fingers app was fairly large. Nachos weren't anything to write home about but the fries excelled. The French fries were boardwalk cut with the skins on them. Came out extra hot and crispy. The kind of cut you want to throw some malt vinegar on.
(4)Kitty L.
My friends and I came for dinner on a sunday night. Didnt leave much of an impression on me. Apple bacon sliders - Delicious! Nick's roast beef - meat was kind of dry but they had a cup of the meat drippings on the plate so make sure you make use of it to add flavor and moisture Cheesesteak with wiz - good but not impressed The waitress wasn't really attentive and took some time before bringing anything to us and the place was not busy at all. So maybe she just didnt want to be there.
(3)Kim H.
This place is great! I came here with the BF on a stormy night. It's definitely got an "old man dive bar" type of vibe, but I kind of admired that, especially in the heart of Old City. Good beer selection on tap, friendly bartender, and the food was awesome! I got the Southwest Burger, as I've heard some rave reviews on it, and it was also highly suggested by the bartender as that is what they won the Zagat award for. It didn't disappoint! We also got the curly fries, which I'm convinced are sprinkled with crack, because I could not stop eating them. Oh and the hot & honey wings were really good too! All in all, great experience, and I will definitely be returning here for some honestly good pub food!
(4)Meg C.
Best cheesesteaks and they even have one for BREAKFAST! I love Nick's! Pretty much everything I've had to eat here is delicious and fresh and the drink specials really can't be beat for Old City! Seriously, check out their happy hour sometime! I recently discovered the Breakfast Cheesesteak and haven't been able to stop recommending it to everyone I meet. Classic cheesesteak topped with crunchy bacon and a fried egg! Best hangover cure, for sure!!!
(5)Lori S.
Chicken cutlet italiano sub is very good, toasted soft hoagie roll and a breaded chicken cutlet. It comes w/cheese & greens (spinach I think), and optional hot peppers & horseradish. Fries are "fresh cut" style, cooked well, crispy & yummy. Joe the bartender was very nice.
(4)PP F.
Great prices and friendly service =) - Hot & honey wings: These were recommended by our waiter and oh so glad we tried them. Just the right amount of sweetness. - Roast beef sandwich: This comes with horseradish, hot peppers, and aus jus sauce on the side. Solid sandwich. - Southwest bacon Burger: My favorite of the night! Loved how the bacon is mixed with the beef, and the fried pickles give it a nice crunch. One of the best burgers I've had in awhile and deserves the Zagat ranking of #1 burger in Philly! - Hand cut old school fries: Perfect side to the bacon burger.
(4)Michael W.
They advertised 1.75 for domestic drafts, but it only applies to a few beers so be careful before you order. This was a turn off for me. However, we ordered a cheesesteak and roast beef and both were very good. The bartender was friendly as well. Overall, not a bad place to stop by for a beer and a quick bite.
(3)Andrea M.
French beef is soo good, it's like have french onion soup and a roast beef sandwich in one bite. The french fries are amazing! The meatball sandwich is really good too
(5)Dina P.
I always find myself extremely excited to head into this neighborhood gem! My boyfriend and I have only been about 3 times now...normally late nights after we get out of work. Each time we were warmly greeted by the Wednesday night bartender, Joe. The last two times we were so impressed that Joe remembered our faces and our drinks. Not to mention he always recommends something off of the menu that hits the spot. Aside from the roast beef, the wings and the burgers are excellent. These reasons are the reasons we decide to go back to places again and again. So far Nick's Roast Beef, you are 3 for 3. I can't wait to be able to call myself a regular.
(5)Sara W.
I live in Old City now, and Nick's is my go-to spot for lunch. Love it! I took my family there for REAL DEAL PHILLY CHEESESTEAKS, The best in the neighborhood! The bartenders there are always super, nice and funny, especially the big one. Definitely a must try for a non-touristy excellent place in Old City
(5)Ryan F.
Food, service (Nicole at the bar), and affordability, make this one of my regular and favorite lunch spots. Better than every order-at-the-counter place in the neighborhood, in every way.
(5)Dan D.
There food is perfect and the beer is good. Great place. Always come here.
(4)Nicole I.
This place was actually disgusting. When I walked in, it smelled like straight up vomit. The service was terrible. We waited 20 minutes for our food. The waitress gave us the worst attitude. The food was not even worth the wait
(1)Leslie S.
Really great environment. Really good food.
(5)Kristen S.
I stopped into Nick's when in Philly on business. Immediately upon walking in I was greeted by Joe the bartender and some guys at the end of the bar bought me a beer. Joe recommended the Southwest burger and the onion rings. It was quite possibly the best burger I've ever had - they mix pork belly in with the beef, resulting in an amazing and flavorful burger. It was topped with jalapeños and pickles with a side of Sriracha mayo. Delicious. The onion rings are beer battered and huge. I would definitely go back to Nick's if in Philadelphia again.
(5)Traci D.
Going to Nick's was the one time that Yelp let me down. I thought the reviews were decent enough for us to get a good lunch here. Boy was I wrong. No one was in the joint, the staff was not even a tiny bit friendly and the food was terrible. Just because you put "famous" in front of a dish, doesn't mean it is going to be good. Like I said, we went for lunch here and it wasn't worth it. It does look like going at night would have been a better idea.
(1)Veronika L.
The staff makes the place. Joe is a kickass bartender and the staff was really accommodating to patrons with gluten allergies.
(5)Denise F.
Very casual, bar atmosphere. I had a delicious veggie burger. The fries were excellent. Others in my party had a chicken sandwich and the classic burger.
(5)Yisong L.
Accidentally enter the bar before the movie, and find a great place to eat and hangout in the Old City, Philadelphia. Meatballs are surprisingly good. Love the tomato sauce. The Roast beef sandwich is fantastic. I can tell all the dishes are carefully prepared and the taste is elegantly balanced. The service is quite comfortable, and the happy hour deal is a bargain. If I will visit the Philadelphia any time soon, I would definitely eat here.
(5)Christine B.
Fun, old Philly bar with a fabulous happy hour! Great place to stop in for a quick drink or two before starting your evening. We just got a few apps that were on special as well. It was typical bar food, but that's all we were looking for.
(4)Lou M.
I don't write reviews if the place is shit, unless is dog food. This is not one of them. Skip the beef and pork, this ain't the real Nicks on 20th & Jackson or Springfield Delco but don't get ready to walk out. The burgers are the best and even Zagat rated the southwestern burger best in philly. While I got beef with their selection of local burger spots I agree these are the best burgers in olde city with spot on sandwiches and standard bar food. Try the thanksgiving sandwich, big moist turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce and drizzled with gravy inside a kaiser. But I digress, cheeburger, cheeburger chump. And some old guy in a 30 yr old kenzo pride shirt, not some hipster who would get the shit kicked outta him by a smoker at K&A
(4)Ashley J.
Terrible, terrible, terrible. We should have known it wasn't going to be great when we walked through the door and we were assaulted with the pungent smell of pee. Further proof should have come when the fried pickles came and they were soggy and the breading was falling off. Maybe we should have realized it when my food came out and my veggies were still frozen. We kept trying, and we kept failing. This place was really awful. My food tasted like cafeteria food, and the service was seriously meh. The server threw one plate down and said "Here!" It was almost funny, but not quite. We came here because we stupidly thought that this was a different Nick's that had been recommended to us by some people from Philly. Too bad we were really, really wrong.
(1)Benjamin M.
Partially hungry on a rainy night, I decided to check out Nick's in Old City. Did I get the roast beef? Of course not. That would've made sense. It's right there in the name. Instead, I ordered a cheese steak, as if there aren't enough of those places around the city and as if I haven't eaten enough of them. Don't get me wrong, it was okay, but I wish I would've ventured outside that box. With a ton of places to go in the neighborhood, this is a decent spot to chill out. I'll have to try it again sometime.
(3)Bill S.
Stopped in last week during after-lunch hour. Dining area not too busy. That was good since I wanted my food quick! Ordered the cheesesteak with grilled onions and an order of onion rings. The cheesesteak was superb!! Just enough meat and cheese. Bun was glorious. The onion rings were lightly battered and a bit 'fluffy' on the outside. They were awesome as well. The dipping sauce was to-die-for. Nick's always provides a great meal experience!!
(4)Amy U.
The food is great the bartender is hands down one of my favorite people. The prices and the location are perfect. It isn't as flashy as it's neighbor bars from the exterior but inside it is awesome. My favorite is the thanksgiving sandwich and a miller light but they have tons of draft choices.
(5)Alli H.
I ordered the veggie burger and was super pumped when our server (who was awesome, by the way) brought it out - It was huge, obviously handmade, and looked awesome. The first few bites were pretty good (not incredibly flavorful, but good), but it was ice cold in the center. The center 50% of it was cold enough to make me nervous about eating it. Luckily, my boyfriend and I had also ordered a basked of onion rings to share. They were delicious with light, crunchy batter around hand-cut onions. They were super greasy, buy we didn't mind- we were craving a little junk food :-) I'd say 4 stars for service, 2.5 stars for food, 2 stars for beer selection, and 0 stars for decor/atmosphere. I'm no math wizard, so I'm just gonna call it 2 stars overall.
(2)Roberto V.
This place was highly recommended. We went in on a Sunday afternoon and the place was nearky deserted. The food was subpar and the service bad. Our waiter talked back when we were just poibting out that a plate was missing.
(2)TJ Z.
Greatest roast beef I've had in a while. And it's comes with peppers and horseradish. The only thing that I didn't like was how the bun got soggy but you have to expect that from a roast beef sandwich. Oh and the server and bartenders were all very pleasant. Definatly recommend
(5)Gigi A.
A little disappointed. We were only ones in there on a Saturday night and are order was mixed up. Hubby order chicken cheesesteak and got a cheesecake. Waiter forgot French fries and when came out they were frozen. My pork came with cheese when I requested plain. I will keep to the original
(2)Jim P.
I'm not really a fan of this place. When I saw the sign for Nick's Roast Beef, I thought it was one of the real Nicks Roast Beef locations. Unfortunately, after ordering i realized it's not. The food was a big disappointment and it doesn't hold a candle compared to the original.
(2)Christine V.
My boyfriend and I finally came here for the first time the other night and we have to say it's the best food/atmosphere in the area! The bartender Joey was really friendly and helped me pick out the breakfast cheesesteak- HIGHLY recommended! My boyfriend ordered the roast beef and it was DELICIOUS. Cannot wait to go back and try their ground bacon burger- yum!!
(5)Dave S.
Moist tender beef on the Philly Cheesesteak. Great flavor. Now THIS is the way it should taste! Nice cool dining in back. Tried Jim's last night, meat dry and too finely chopped for me. My 3 buddies thought it's ok. They agree Nicks is tops.
(5)Steven B.
Excellent roast beef! Also impressed they had a local root beer. Very good. Didn't have one, but they also have Hoogaerden on tap. That alone makes this place a good stop.
(4)Ken A.
We stopped in while on vacation and had the opened faced roast beef with mashed potatoes. It was the best thing we have eaten while in Philly. The beef was tender and the salad was very good as well.
(5)A.Andre F.
Excellent Place! Great Great FOOD! The Bartender last night he was awesome! Great drinks!!!!!! Home Bar in Center City you will forget you are in Center City. A++++++
(5)Steven B.
This is a great place for an inexpensive meal and good service. The roast beef sandwiches are good and go for 5 bucks and change. There is a substantial fry menu with lots of variety and seasonings available. The menu in general is huge. I'd call it bar food+. It should satisfy just about everyone. This is a dark bar/restaurant with seating in the back. As the summer heats up you should know they have excellent AC. Some reviewers have called it a dive bar but I disagree. It's a step up from that classification. If you go you'll have a decent meal, decent service, and walk out with $$ remaining in your pocket.
(3)Jill R.
I'm big on neighborhood bars. I've moved quite a bit in my time here on earth and when I do, I always make it a point to find 'that' bar that will be my spot for good food, decently priced drinks and a great staff and/or customers. Nick's is my Philly neighborhood bar. I live a block away and among a million choices in Old City to claim that sacred place in my heart (and my wallet), Nick's filled that spot. I don't necessarily need the frills. I like the great food - roast beef is delicious, thanksgiving sandwich anytime of the year (in love), homemade mozz sticks and much more - a friendly staff and an owner (Joe) that makes you feel like family from the first time you meet him. Absolutely a recommendation. My only gripe is getting better craft beer selections! :)
(5)Frances S.
Horrible, rude owner. Kicked us out because we were having "too much fun." No other legitimate reason provided. Unless it was discrimination or racism. She probably thought i was drunk, dancing and acting free and crazy, but guess what, i was so sober i could remember every single detail. And i only had ONE beer. I have never encountered an owner so disrespectful, now I understand why the place was literally empty and dead on St. Patty's weekend. I am a manager of a company and guess what, i am going to tell my staff and peers to not step foot on Nick's. Thank you for the business.
(1)Nicolette H.
Love love love this place. Not a bad thing to say. Food wise, I am a vegetarian, but anybody can eat the appetizers. I suggest fried pickles or mozzarella sticks. PERFECT. Veggie burgers are home made and delicious. Fries are always great. Service wise: staff is ALWAYS incredibly friendly. Maybe it's because I come here almost weekly, but they are all awesome people. I've had some great nights here and will definitely still be a regular.
(5)Pete J.
It's a dive bar that has some decent specials and serves decent bar food including wonderful roast beef sandwiches. And takes credit cards - bonus! Question - why do Philadelphians call roast beef a steak, as in Cheese Steak sandwich? Good marketing I guess :)
(4)Miguel S.
Ever crave a couple beers & a casual meal before a show at the Tin Angel (or the Khyber for us old sentimental suckers... or Upstairs at Nick's for those of us with a birds eye view of the geriatric ward)? Well, Nick's is just about all you need. They'll have the game on, they'll serve you cold larger & the roast beer sandwich & chicken fingers (and wings) are really quite good. Oh, and you'll be glad you didn't suffer through the shi shi menu at Serrano... which, unless that's the sort of menu you're seeking, seems like a pretty cruel way to hoodwink folks into preferred seating for shows at Tin Angel.
(4)Kasey C.
I was wandering around Old City and had some time to kill. I ducked into Nicks Roast Beef because there weren't any flashy signs and seemed like a friendly place. Well, my instincts were right. I walked into people laughing and having a great time. I instantly felt comfortable. Apparently the bar is under new management and has been changed. The bar is fantastic, with really cool sports paraphernalia (that you can buy!) hung on the walls. They also have a gigantic fish tank behind the bar. I ordered food from the friendly bartender and my roast beef was TO. DIE. FOR. So glad I came in. Couldn't believe I've never thought to walk in here before.
(5)Nate F.
My weekend trips to NYC, Philadelphia, Chicago, well, any city really, always consist mostly of eating great food, going to "local' bars, and meeting new people. The sites bore me, the trendy places are overpriced, so I seek the bars I think I would go to if I lived there. Nick's is one of those places. My girlfriend and came across Nick's when we were walking to the Old City, and were honestly drawn in by their cheap beer prices. What got us to stay is the friendly bartenders, awesome owner, and the great conversation. We drank beer, ate food, and it was all great. Service was top notch, and the people we met at and behind the bar are the types of people that will continue to bring me to Philadelphia weekend after weekend. Will definitely be returning when I go back.
(5)Brian D.
I to start with the precedence that we went here at 11:30 am. We had pass this place several times at night and its looked busy, but when we went the place was deserted. I'm sure they had just opened for the day. Anyway, the waitress we had was nice. We did hear the wait staff talking about a face stabbing a friend a few nights before in a near by area. Yikes! The food was at best sub par. It was our first eating experience in Philly and I am glad it wasn't our last.
(1)Avery A.
Just checked out the new menu and had both roast pork and of course the famous roast beef. Both delicious! If you're looking for an easy lunch or dinner option with a completely "from scratch" kitchen, Nick's is worth the look! They also have an awesome Happy Hour if you prefer your roast beef with beer.
(5)Sol W.
We were in Philly for two days and ate here twice. Roast beef sandwich wow! Fresh horseradish wow! Hand cut fries wow! This place is a must see in Philly.
(5)Olivia R.
It was lunch time, we were hungry, and Nick's posted menu looked pretty hearty and was reasonably priced, so we walked in and had no trouble getting a booth. The dining room decor was definitely on the casual side, with standard diner tables/chairs and wooden booths, brick walls, and pub art/signs. There was a decent lunch crowd, and service was friendly and fast. We ordered Nick's chili (served with nacho chips), Nick's special cheesesteak, and an open-faced oven roasted turkey. The chili was good...I kept tasting it the rest of the day, so whatever seasoning they put in there was potent. My husband enjoyed his generous cheesesteak. As for my meal, the slaw was crunchy and creamy, the gravy a little peppery/tangy, and the whipped potatoes tasted like the boxed variety, but all mashed together and piled on top of the roasted turkey, it was pretty darn good. The standard white bread underneath soaked up a lot of the gravy and flavors, but my belly was too full for that bomb. For around $20 for the both of us, we ate pretty well.
(4)Brian W.
Wonderfully cheap beer for happy hour ($1.75), friendly owner and bartenders, and a very pleasant clientele. The meatball/marinara sandwich was delicious, the roast beef was top notch. Three meals, three successes. I was very pleased, and it felt like home away from home.
(4)Doug S.
Of course the roast beef is great but the reuben sandwich was amazing as well.
(5)Adrienne R.
AMAZING food at Nicks Old City! The Original Roast Beef sandwich is out of this world BUT so are their wings ( garlic parmesan are my favorite ) and STUFFED LONG HOTS and, yes, fried pickles. The staff is very attentive and friendly. Great place to grab a bite or a cocktail!
(5)Dave H.
Nick's Roast Beef of Old City is a bar, and a slightly dingy-looking one at that. The bartender there that night was funny and didn't waste any time when it came to making drinks. The place was crowded and the crowd was boisterous. People were cheering along a sports game. I had a the best stuffed mushrooms I've had in recent memory, with a spicy, tangy dipping sauce (recommended). Their cheesesteaks are ho-hum but tender and warm. Get the mozzarella cheese sticks, they're sure to satisfy. Worth a visit if you don't mind a crowd. Cheap, tasty food. UPDATE: Came back for dinner in December and sat in the back - got a variety of sandwiches, which weren't half bad (the roast beef club isn't all that, but I'm not a fan of roast beef anyway) fried mushrooms, and an order of "hot" wings. Jessica (our server) brought out everything fast, and I still love their stuffed mushrooms.
(3)Jay C.
Nick's is under new management! Thanks for a delicious lunch guys! The roast beef was excellent. I definitely have got to come try the wings too. Put some single malt islay scotch behind the bar and you got yourself a regular.
(5)James V.
Had the roast beef for lunch today, still a classic! I'm looking forward to trying out some of their new dishes in the newly renovated dining room, although I never minded the old one. Keep up the good work!
(5)Michael K.
Maybe I'm the former smoker who is too harsh on smokers - lett me tell you I LOVED to smoke - rip filters off of Marlboro reds and the like... ...so I aks the bartender if I should get the roast beef or pork sandwich. I know it's called Nicks Roast Beef - buy I've heard the pork sandwich was better...whatever. He says pork. I say cool. It was a good $5 sandwich on a fresh kaiser roll with some au jus, hot peppers and a pickle. I don't drink beer so just water (which was good). The two dude bartenders were great and very attentive to everyone. Would have all been better if the place didn't smell like a frat house - stale beer, cigarettes and what appeared to be decomposing bodies somewhere out of sight. It's an apparently landmardk that I can put in the "been there" list - but I probably wouldn't go back.
(3)Adrienne G.
Good food. Ordered nachos, hot open-faced roast beef sandwich w/mashed potatoes, and french onion soup- for delivery 45 minutes before closing. Food arrived when I was told it would, was hot, and actually had forks, knives & spoons. Soup wasn't incredible, but for delivered french onion, totally acceptable. Nachos (thankfully) had actual melted cheese, not whiz, were loaded with olives & jalapeños, and accompanied by good fresh salsa. I didn't eat the sandwich, but was told it was very good. Will definitely order from here again.
(4)Joe C.
I've lived in Old City for two years and I like to think of this place as an Old City Secret. There's just no where else you can eat food this delicious at such low cost. Go ahead and try their mozz sticks. Hand battered, my friends. They are INCREDIBLE. Delicious burgers and all kinds of other sandwiches that will knock your socks off. You can even order pasta dishes too. Have yourself some ravioli if you get a chance. Superb. Believe me. I know my ravioli. Tasted just like grandma's. The owner and the bartenders are very cool people as well. Plus two TVs always showing the key sporting events.
(5)Maggie M.
Dive my ass. (although they do have a bucket of rolling rock for $10 as an all day special). It was about 10:30 and an event I attended at the Continental was winding down. I knew the Phillies had been losing to the Cubs all night, but I got no signal inside the Diner (arrrgh! no updates!) and it was getting late, so I walked outside only to get a signal just in time for Chase Utley's game-tying 2 run double in the top of the 8th! I admit it-- I panicked-- what to do? where to go? Must see Phils! Now! Desperately casting my eyes about the intersection of 2nd and Market, I started to drift south when what to my immediate relief should appear? A vision of Phillies through the picture-window front of (Saintly) Nick's! I raced across the street and dashed inside, and was greeted with looks of understanding and an ice cold lager, i hardly even had to form the words before it was open and in my hand and the bartender was backing away to leave me to the game. Things I noticed before I left: *a giant and pretty aquarium running the length of the bar. Niiiiiiice. I can sit and drink and stare at fire, oceans, and aquariums all day long. I think they could get more interesting fish, though. *above noted bucket o' rolling rock special, amongst lots of others my otherwise occupied brain can no longer recall. *clean bathrooms with locking doors, toilet paper, soap AND paper towels! *friendly bartenders and patrons, most of whom also seemed to be Phils fans. So, I'm no regular, and as I said, I only made it to Nick's once so far, and for only 2 innings of a Phillies game. But they were a crucial 2 innings and Nick's was there for me when I needed it the most.
(4)Ray H.
Oh no it isn't a dive, it is a bar. With great food. Does it fit in with the rest of old city, hell no and that is one huge reason to go there. No fist bumpers, no snotty "twigs", and real people at the bar, I love it for that alone. Working in old city means I am always looking for new places for lunch, well I found the king of lunch here. Pricing that makes me wonder how they stay open in old city.
(5)Jeannie S.
What a gem in Olde City where you don't have to dress up and bring $100 for a simple night out. The bartenders are extremely friendly and easy going- great people to be around! Definitely try the buffalo chicken FINGERS- the wings are phenonmenal but don't pass us the fingers because they have a different bbq, sweet but hot buffalo type of sauce. Cheese fries are a consistent delicious staple- thick, hot, cripsy on the outside and soft inside. Always have some sort of beer bucket special so be sure to ask. Happy horu can't be beat- 1.75 drafts and free food! Nick's, I will be sure to become a regular!
(5)Jim M.
I went here the other night after buying two CD's I'd put on hold at AKA. I ate at the bar part, which at dinner time on a week night had a bunch of barflys there(They looked like the casting crew for "Barfly"). At 6:30, some people were pretty soused/hammered. There was lots of slurred word conversations down at the end, and some lady talking righteously to the right of me to someone else. At least they had plenty of TV's and some hockey on. I had the roast beef sandwich au jus, with some provolone on it and some cajun fries. The fries were pretty decent and plentiful. The roast beef sandwich was unfortunately not that great. The meat was decent, and didn't have any chewy/stringy fat in it. But it was dry, very dry. Even dipping in the au jus didn't help it. And it didn't have much flavor. Adding some peppers on helped a little. But not a lot. I had a Yuengling with it and it tasted a little funky. Yet another place where they haven't cleaned out the beer lines. Oy ve. Not worth it.
(2)dc h.
Great roast beef sandwiches. Thanks for a great lunch guys!.
(5)Jim N.
Beer, good cheesesteak, awesome roast beef.
(4)Stacey R.
I ate here after a late night show at the Tin Angel. It was right next door and I felt sorta safe going there... kinda worried about walking to my car but luckily some other people I know ate there too. I was glad that it was open late on a Sunday night and they still served food because I was hungry. I was stationed in the Navy, up in Willow Grove PA, so I went back for a visit. I had a cheese steak here and it was with provolone which is how I like it. The water was great! Course the water in CA is crappy. Parking is near but expensive.
(4)Bridget L.
Yes, it's a dive, but the roast beef with provolone is worth a trip from Chicago. Whenever I am in Philadelphia, I always stop at Nick's. The people who work here are great and the sandwiches are buttery, salty, juicy goodness. Tried the roast pork last time and it did not disappoint. Also, I know this is lame for a 30 something to say, but I had a cherry coke last time I was there and it was probably one of the best I've ever had. (I'm an afficianado. Ha!)
(4)