American Restaurants

City Tavern may offer one of the most unique dining experiences possible: one that replicates the customs and foods of 18th-century Colonial America. Located on an historic site, paying homage to the original City Tavern built in 1773, and serving a menu of 18th-century fare, this is one restaurant that will truly transport you in time.

Located just south of the hustle of South Street in Queen's Village, the Famous 4th Street Deli is a quaint Jewish-American restaurant featuring hospitable service and enormous sandwiches. Named after the streets in New York City, some of the sandwiches stand over six inches tall and come with a choice of sides like potato pancakes and fresh fruit. Traditional Jewish American delicacies, including monsterous bowls of matzah ball soup, can be ordered as appetizers. The attached bakery freshly bakes a motley of pastries available for desert or take out daily.

Rivaling neighboring Pat’s, Genos is Philly’s other notorious 24-hour cheesesteak stop. As has been the case since Joe Vento opened in 1966, sandwiches come heaping with thinly sliced steak and a choice of American, Provolone, or cheese wiz melted across the top. The menu is simple, the ordering straightforward, and the meal a decadent version of the best sandwich Philadelphia has to offer. If the glowing storefront doesn’t lure you in, the unmistakable scent of grilled steak certainly will.

Located in Manayunk, Philadelphia’s funky, high-energy, artsy neighborhood, Jake’s Restaurant is a lively, sexy spot to meet friends for drinks and stay for dinner. Be warned, though; this is a place you may not want to leave. Chef/owner Bruce Cooper’s chic regulars make a habit of staying all night, savoring his unique brand of stylish, regional American food. While fine dining can be pretentious or stuffy, at Jake’s it is neither. The kitchen is in sync with its customers’ desire for both fun and flavor in their food. For instance, on a recent visit, the prix fixe menu was titled …

There are plenty of bars to choose from in Manayunk, but for true beer aficionados there's really only one choice: Manayunk Brewery, which has at least eight craft-brewed beers on tap at all times (brewed in their beer cellar), not to mention an extensive wine list (bottles are priced only $10 above cost) and a full bar. Patrons also keep coming back to Manayunk Brewery for the food, which ranges from their famous burger and a rotisserie chicken marinated in beer to ahi tuna and filet mignon.

This Spruce Hill Victorian townhouse has seen several incarnations of Marigold restaurants, starting in 1934 as the Marigold Tea Room. With rave reviews for the exciting American cuisine, the menu changes almost daily thanks to the ingredients used from local farms in the Philadelphia area, driving the freshness of the cuisine. As a BYOB establishment, patrons are invited to bring their favorite beverages to accompany the eclectic menu, and for those looking for the finest of dining experiences, the chef’s tasting menu is available upon request with reservations made 24 hours in advance. Fresh ingredients and an ever-changing menu make …

Matyson is a casual, yet contemporary, bring-your-own establishment, located just a few blocks from Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square. Matyson, whose name is derived from the blending of the names of its two co-founders, Matt and Sonjia Spector, offers a sampling of moderately priced bistro fare, which includes new takes on old stand-bys such as seafood, chicken, steak and pork. Diners may also select from a variety of items on Matyson’s tasting menu, which varies from week to week. Reservations are recommended, however there is no need to hit the ATM on your way, as Matyson accepts credit cards.

Tucked away on a not-so-traveled North Broad Street block lies Osteria, a glowing creation by the renowned Philadelphia Chef Marc Vetri. Service fit for kings and an ambience that spares not an ounce of luxury only begin to describe this experience. Dishes are rooted in the rolling hills of Tuscany, and guests may select from a non-traditional array of homemade Italian items, from crispy pizzas and pastas to meat and poultry dishes. An open kitchen greets patrons as they arrive while a full bar lined with a collection of wine corks beckons in the rear. Portions are small, but bursting …

Thomas' is full of pleasant surprises, from the American menu that fuses both creative and comfort foods to the wide selection from the bar that pleases both beer and wine lovers. This Philadelphia favorite was opened in 1982, and the interior boasts spacious rooms with a relaxed atmosphere. The menu features favorites such as Shrimp Bruschetta and Braised Pork, created by Executive Chef Kevin Smith. Enjoy a weekend brunch which features a selection of innovative salads and breakfast entrees. With special events every night of the week, such as karaoke, Wine Wednesdays and live music, Thomas’ Restaurant and Bar is …

Cheesesteaks are so ingrained in Philly tradition that visitors don’t dare depart the city without sampling the city's namesake sandwich. At Pat’s, diners come for the original—founder Pat Oliveri created the sandwich in 1930—and are willing to suffer long lines and follow strict instructions for “How to Order a Steak.” Make sure you come with cash and a decisive palate—if you stumble over your order you may be sent to the back of the line. But stay steadfast and the reward is yours: thin slices of juicy ribeye, smothered with melted cheese and grilled onions, and stuffed into a crisp …

Located inside the Wiltman Plaza, Empire Buffet is a Chinese, Japanese, and American all-you-can-eat palace with a large range of foods to choose from. With a large dining area, you might be surprised by the even bigger buffet tables that feature hot, steaming selections of everything from seafood and steak to cheeseburgers and sushi. Dedicated to keeping each menu item consistently fresh and appetizing, Empire Buffet is a well-priced option for all the cuisine that you're craving.

Showcasing the bounty of locally grown produce and organic ingredients, celebrity chef Eric Ripert has dished up yet another success with 10 Art. His mission is simple: to offer the best of contemporary American cuisine. His menu is exemplary: Ripert’s elegantly fine-tuned technique balances the complexity and heartiness of many of his most notable dishes. The Steamed Mussels are served in a chorizo and white wine broth, while the Pork and Beans highlights braised pork belly in a summer bean ragout. Understated and masterful, the Bouillabaisse has market fish and shellfish in a saffron and tomato broth.

Can’t decide between eating seafood, sushi, steak, or Peking duck? Royal Buffet and Grill has a wide variety of all-you-can-eat options to choose from, including Chinese, American and Japanese cuisine. Their interior is equipped especially for the most serious buffet fans, with specific dining sections such as an Open Kitchen, Open Grill, Open Hibachi, Long Sushi Bar, Chef’s Special Bar, Hot Food Bar, Dessert Bar, Salad Bar, and Fruit Bar. Serving over 200 items daily, Royal Buffet and Grill was voted Best Buffet Restaurant by Main Line Times and named one of the Top 10 Buffet Restaurants in the USA …

With hundreds of locations all over the East Coast – including seven in Philadelphia– Crown Fried Chicken has become a great alternative to Popeye’s and KFC. Not only does Crown serve delicious, crispy fried chicken, they also serve up burgers, seafood, and even ice cream; let’s see the Colonel do that! They also provide some solid side dishes to go along with whatever you choose, creating a balanced meal. Bring cash when you visit Crown Fried Chicken though, because they’re so low key that they don’t take plastic.

GiGi caters to the palates of the world by offering a menu that highlights specialties from Italy, Thailand, and Spain--to name a few. European sidewalk café-style seating and a private outdoor terrace encourage a social experience that carries over into the main dining room, as well. Boasting unique tapas selections to be shared among friends and an impressive array of signature cocktails, GiGi welcomes visitors to stay and mingle. Pass dishes like the Rare Seared Tuna Tequitos and the Jerk Chicken Skewers around the table and marvel at how fast they go.

The tale of the Texas Weiner began in 1923, when a Greek immigrant named Stephanos Mandrohalos came to America with a dream; a dream, and a secret sauce. This spicy sauce was compared to chili sauce and added to the hotdogs he made in his small shop, thus the Texas Weiner. For 80 years, this sauce has been kept a secret, safeguarded from large corporations and conglomerates to maintain its integrity and to keep it a part of this special, family-run eatery. Since then, the sauce has been added to the burgers and sausages served at the restaurant to bring …

Family owned and operated, Pietro’s Prime prides itself on knowing their guests and on welcoming new ones. The impression of family is prevalent through every inch of this upscale steakhouse. Owners Marissa and Sean Powell and their family are notable residents of West Chester and have been for over 80 years. The family’s commitment to the community reveals itself through their dedication to quality. The fact that Pietro’s uses only hand-carved Pureland Premium Black Angus, richly marbled and aged on premises, makes Pietro’s Prime one of the few true steakhouses in West Chester. Not only does Pietro’s Prime offer remarkable …

Located on Conshohocken’s main drag, Black Fish couples a simple, unpretentious dining experience with confident cooking. Owned and operated by Chef Charles “Chip” Roman, a Vetri and Perrier trained chef; Black Fish is a gem in this Philadelphia suburb. Packed to the gills every night, this BYOB storefront restaurant highlights seasonal ingredients and fresh seafood. Progressive American cuisine with French influences, fine sensibility and simple elegance make Black Fish a favorite among locals, as well as diners searching for fine-dining in a relaxed intimate atmosphere.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse creates a world apart from the rest of Philadelphia’s big name steakhouses by infusing the dining experience with Old-World elegance and glamour. From the cloth-draped columns to sky-high ceilings, one step inside the restaurant showcases how majestic a meal can be-- given the right chef and a commitment to fine dining. Serving up premium steaks and seafood is always done with the utmost quality. Leaving no corner of steakhouse cuisine untouched, Del Frisco’s explores classic American fare with a passion for excess and delivers an unforgettable evening in the comfort of its plush surroundings.

Brandywine Prime infuses tradition and history with a refreshing dose of modernity. The 200-year old Chadds Ford Inn, which houses Brandywine Prime, has been stripped of its outdated and worn down stuffiness and given a chic new personality with sleekly minimalist accents. The menu is anything but antiquated, featuring such dishes as Pan Seared Diver Scallops with Creamy Chorizo Orzo and Coconut Rum Shrimp Tempura to enliven the senses. For palate purists, a hearty selection of prime cuts of beef offer succulently tender indulgences.