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Category: Restaurants
Neighborhoods: Fairmount, Art Museum DistrictGet updates on specials and new draught beers .Follow…
Announced 4 months ago
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When my wife and I moved to Fairmount we were looking forward to trying out all the restaurants in the new neighborhood. We started with Brigid's because it was the closest, and then we didn't bother to go anywhere else for about six months, because the food is great and the prices were good.
"Hey, should we try that place on 23rd Street?" "Nah, let's just go to Brigid's." "Okay!"
They also have an excellent beer selection. Even my wife found something to drink there, and she hates beer.
People thought this was:
Best bar to meet random people, gravity pull, notable beer selection, good food.
Brigid's U shaped bar is what keeps me coming back. If you sit down at it, you'll be automatically be included into everyone's conversations... whether you like it or not. It's a very small place, but if you happen to not enjoy the conversation you could run over to a seated table in the next room or upstairs. The beer selection is always interesting, and the bartenders usually promote free samples... as long as you plan to stay for a bit. I don't really come for the food, but I've had some damn good shepherd's pie here. Overall, a very friendly place.
They have a great beer selection... they don't make great gin & tonics, but I suppose I shouldn't really order other kinds of drinks at a place like Bridgid's. The food is great, especially their fries with the roasted shallot aioli, and I took my parents and brother here for dinner once and everyone (even my incredibly picky brother and father) loved their dishes. The servers and bartenders are all very friendly and prompt.
Only three stars because they often don't have drinks that are listed on the menu, if the liquor isn't one that people order often. My dad went through three Scotches before he found one they had, and a friend the other day ordered a whiskey that they had run out of. The server apologetically explained the list hadn't been updated in a while... well, update! Also, I really do not like the U shaped bar. It is kind of awkward, if you are with a group, it is much easier to just try and get a table. Last thing I didn't like was the creme brulee... so disappointing. It was burnt, and of the smaller circumference, deeper custard variety.
However, the peanut butter bomb...whatever is in it...is truly a thing of beauty.
People thought this was:
Back again for dinner - love that there are always new beers on tap, even if I have just been in a few days ago. This time I went for the wedge salad and the pierogies and both were excellent.
People thought this was:
I returned to Brigid's last week after forgetting about it for 2 years. Just in time for fall, I… Read more »
Brigid's has to be one of my favorite spots in the city. When you first walk in you're overwhelmed by a u-shaped bar that takes up much of the room. Grab a spot here and join in on some great conversation, or go to the seated area in back in you're looking for something quieter. The food has always been great, and I love that you can grab something small for cheap or go all out with entrees. The beers on tap constantly rotate, and if they're not enough, there's another 50 bottles calling your name. Great place to bring a date or friends visiting from out of town. If parking was easier, I'd be there all the time.
People thought this was:
I heart Bridgids, and not only because I live a scant half a block away. I debate, however, because I wish it was bigger (and hence, not so crowded when there are more than 4 people at the bar) but if it was bigger, then there would be more people there.
I've only eaten here once - we ordered the farmhouse mussels (with bacon!) and the tilapia fish tacos. The mussels were solid - not the best I've ever had but still pretty good.The tacos come with a little ramekin of gazpacho and the combo was v. yummy. They were light but satisfying and the spice had enough of a kick without making your mouth numb.
Clearly, an impressive beer selection considering the size of the place. No question I'll be back many times over.
I went to Bridgid's for the second time tonight, and I had a really enjoyable experience. I'm not sure it quite makes five stars in reality, but since I can't give it four-and-a-half, I'll give it five because I'm still full and satisfied from my 7:30 dinner. Although I felt that their beer selection was better last time (three words: Founder's Breakfast Stout), they DID have the Dogfish Head Palto Santo Marron, which I rarely see on tap anywhere, so that was a pleasant surprise. The other minor bother was that there was a terrible draft in the dining room, and it was a chilly night. They did compensate for this by lighting a nice, toasty fire, though, which made me happy. Now that the negatives are out of the way, I will move on to the good.
Our server, Chris (the same server I had last time), was very pleasant and attentive. He promptly approached us after we were seated to take our drink and appetizer order. We ordered the Mozzarella and Roasted Red Pepper Salad and my roommate ordered the Brisket Chili, which came with cornbread. She loved it, and I thought the salad embodied perfection. There was a lot of fresh mozzarella, REAL greens (i.e., NOT iceberg), delicious roasted red peppers, and a mouthwatering balsamic vinaigrette. Their dressing was perfect in every sense of the word. I don't usually like creamier vinaigrettes, but this one was delicious.
I've been trying to eat healthier lately, but tonight I decided to forget about that and order the Honey Fried Chicken. I am pretty glad I did. It was very tasty, without being too salty like some fried chicken, and not too greasy. The honey was a nice touch, but I think it could have used a tad bit less. They gave you a wing, a leg, and a breast, so it was a big portion, along with mashed potatoes (delicious, and presented beautifully!), a side salad (again, real greens!), and mixed green beans and carrots (not canned! Hallelujah!). I don't think I've ever touched a side of green beans at a restaurant, since they're usually canned, but these were garlicky and delicious.
Since I'd already completely ruined myself with the fried chicken, I decided, why not get dessert too? Then you can roll yourself all the way home! I asked Chris what dessert he recommended, and he said to go with the Chocolate Mousse Pie. I'm usually not a pie person, but you can't really go wrong with chocolate mousse. So I got it, and definitely was not disappointed. It was creamy, rich, and had substance, unlike lots of these impostor mousses you see around. I finished with a cup of coffee and a Young's Chocolate Stout. Dessert doesn't get much better than that. What was even better than dessert, though, was the 15% off coupon we got in the weekly Money Mailer... the first time I've actually gotten use of that usual waste of paper! Overall, a great experience.
People thought this was:
I've only been to Bridgid's once, but I really liked it. It's cozy inside and their beer selection… Read more »
I don't live in the art museum area, which means I don't go there very often. And for some reason, to people from other neighborhoods it seems like a no man's land. That is, until you come to a place like this. This is my kind of place. I liken it to Memphis Tap Room or Bishop's Collar. Good beer, nice atmosphere, pretty good food.
If for some reason your in the neighborhood, go here. I found it very relaxing.
Bridgid's is a wonderful place whether you are looking for a hearty dinner spot or just a place to enjoy a drink. I went on a week night and was pleased by a terrific meal with prompt excellent service.
Bridgid's is located on a small neighborhood street fairly close to the art museum. This makes it quite difficult to find parking. Be prepared to hoof it long distances or let SEPTA be your driver when visiting.
The bar, as mentioned, is U Shaped and really quite cool. When I was there I spent only a couple of minutes in the bar section but the time I spent there was nice. Great bartender with a very friendly eclectic clientele who were all enjoying the Phillies game.
The dining room is intimate; it's probably not the place to discuss your latest outbreak and what ointment you applied. It's a small dining room that is jam packed with charm. The tables have interesting post cards and, while small, the chairs are very comfortable. As small as the place is I never felt cramped at all.
I can't possibly say enough good things about the food. I had the fried chicken and my dining partner had the upside down pot pie. It would do the meal a disservice if I were to try to describe the fried chicken. While it was good with deliciously spiced potatoes and fresh vegetables compared to the pot pie it was cafeteria food. The pot pie combined gravy, vegetables, chicken and sausage into a heavenly dish that makes my mouth water just typing about it.
When I was there Mayor Nutter came in with his entourage for dinner. This made an already fun night even more interesting; eating with the city leaders. Now, I can't guarantee such prestigious people when you are there, but I can say that the service our table received never faltered after the addition of luminaries.
I'd go back again. And, if anyone asked I would send them over to Bridgid's without question.
We had some friends come in from out of town and decided to take them to dinner at Bridgid's. I generally put a fair amount of research into a restaurant (Yelp, Menu Pages, restaurant's website, etc.) before visiting for the first time, as I am generally somewhat cheap and want to make sure that I make a good pick with regard to where to spend my money. So, I after performing my due diligence, I decided that Bridgid's would be good place to go.
I have to say (through no fault of the restaurant's) that I found their web site to be a little misleading. From the web site, I was picturing Birdgid's to be, first and foremost a restaurant. When we entered, it felt more bar than restaurant - probably because you have to walk through a fairly crowded bar area to get to the dining area.
I was very impressed with the beer selection - this is certainly a beer drinker's kinda place. I got the Saison Dupont and it was very reasonably priced. The other thing that struck me about Bridgid's was how friendly the wait staff was. I thought that everyone working there - from the bartender (who was running food to the table) through the busboy - was very pleasant.
The menu was also pretty nice. I started with the beef brisket chili (nice, tender chunks of brisket) and had the Macadamia-crusted Mahi Mahi in a lobster cream sauce for my entree. Overall, I would say the food was good.
I would certainly come back to Bridgid's on the right occasion, now that I know what to expect. This is a very casual, laid-back, low-key-night sort of place.
People thought this was:
A bit expensive. Tiny bar. But great beer available and when I went the food was really good.
People thought this was:
Firstly, the bar at Bridgid's is a bar person's bar. The bar itself is horseshoe shaped and I cannot speak highly enough about horseshoe shaped bars other than to say there are not enough horseshoe shaped bars in the world. The bar area is small and intimate and the beer selection is slightly below top notch if not only because they are confined by space. The only problem is that the bar seems to be either totally empty or totally overcrowded and never in between and I am a person that likes my bars in between. Also, on especially cold evenings the wind whips through the place making it cold as hell. However, if you're looking for good beer and a good bar then this is a good place to start.
The food is unique for the Fairmount area (in that its not bar food or Italian) and focuses on what I would call a homestyle European styling. the shepherd's pie and meatloaf are quite good as is the honey chicken thing. The only complaint with the food is that the menu does not change frequently enough and some of the selections are a bit overpriced.
Bridgid's will always hold a special place in my heart. I lived in the Art Museum area for a short time and came to love this place - not so much for the food, which is mostly passable, but for the drink selection and the company. (Note on the food - if you're an omnivore, the "tough steak" is a good choice; the steak is actually very tender and it comes with a great veggie medley) All the bartenders are friendly - Fergus is my favorite, though last I heard he only worked one night a week (not THE Fergus of Fergie's fame but the Fergus of Ida Mae's). The layout of the bar encourages conversations.
One crazy night, we had the whole bar going, everyone was learning each other's names, making jokes, and having one big conversation. It was the best and strangest bar experience I've ever had with 15 strangers. Of course I can't remember any of their names now, but I guess that could serve as a testament to the beer selection. Something like this could only happen at very special bars, and Bridgid's is one of them.
People thought this was:
went here with friends for brunch this morning. the four of us shared this amazing homemade macaroni and cheese with angus hot dog. there was almost a fork duel for the last bite. i ordered the eggs benedict with chorizo. my eggs were a little under poached, and it definitely could have used more hollandaise sauce (but then again, there's no such thing as enough hollandaise sauce). the bloody mary was quite tasty. there were a couple other items on the menu that i was torn between, including a philly cheesesteak eggs benedict and gourmet grilled cheese.
i would love to go back to this place to try a lunch or dinner. the menu on the dry-erase board looked really good. (i was sad they didn't have the shepherd's pie with braised lamb at brunch.) also, since it was brunch we weren't too into drinking, but the wine and beer lists look really good.
People thought this was:
Went here for lunch and had a perfectly adequate but not, in any way, exceptional lunch meal.
Because it was a working lunch no booze was consumed so I'll not say anything about that.
People thought this was:
What a good find this place is. It embodies all the desireable elements that a low-key Philadelphia haunt should have. For starters, it is in one of my favorite areas in the city. The fact that I live in Fairmount/Art Museum holds no bearing in my opinion that it is one of the most pleasant places in the city to jog/walk/eat/drink/be merry/etc. I like that Bridgid's is a little unassuming house up the block from Bishop's Collar and Luigi's Pizza Fresca. Unfortunately, parking in this part of town is a bitch. If you are going there for the first time, save yourself a massive stress headache and probable irate argument with the passengers of your car by just walking/subway/biking.
That being said, once you get inside, everything comes up roses. The music is generally a rotating Ipod playlist from the bartender or server. Since most of the staff that I have met are musicians or involved in the music scene in some way, the taste in tunes is always right up my alley. The bar is often hard to get a seat at since it has such a good vibe. It is a bit crowded in the front of the house, and pushing through the drinking crowd can be slightly annoying (especially on the awful bunny hop bar crawl day), but when you get to the dining room, you are in good hands. I've only ever had one server, and he is a friend of mine so I can't effectively rate the service there. It is a very small dining room, but cozy as hell. The beer selection is possibly my favorite in the city. I have never had the same beer twice. Their rotating list is perfect for asking Chris (or whoever your server is) what the new good stuff is and letting him pick your rounds. I have probably had at least twenty beers that I had never evern heard of before going there. I do believe that they are the only bar in Philadelphia that utilizes a gravity tap. If you don't know what that is, ask when you go. It's kind of a cool thing.
Although Im mostly there for conversation over kick ass beers in front of the fireplace, I have tried out a few things from the menu and all has been a-okay. Everything has a very homestyle appeal to it and usually I walk out of there fat and happy whatever I order, whether it is the chili, the nachos or whatver else.
Overall, Bridgid's is a perfect place for a date (I've had a few successes there), a good place for chill beers with co-workers or classmates, a local gem that you might want to take your parents to for dinner when they are in town, or just a place to decompress without all the douchebaggery that can accompany some other "beer drinkers' havens that Philly boasts. It is a great place to go. Good food, good beer, off the radar, close to a cool area. All they need is a parking lot close by and I would be there three times as much.
Bridgid's is not an Irish pub but rather it's a Belgian eatery and beer haven.
The food is unique and very good. It can get crowded at times and the service is touch and go. This is a wonderful Irish pub with a short menu of good food. Definitely take a look at the beer menu which is the size of a short novel.
The food is very inexpensive considering the quality. Try the tough steak, which really isn't tough at all. The place is really small and can get a bit uncomfortably crowded at busy times.
People thought this was:
Love the shabby, hap-hazzard ambiance, the great beer selection, and fantastic food. Have been loving this place for more than 15 years.
I once accidentally set fire to a menu in this place. They were really nice about it. If you can set fire in a restaurant and people are still nice to you, that's usually a good sign.
One of my best friends lives pretty close to here and it's one of my favorite places to eat when I go to visit her. It's nice and homey, incredibly reasonably priced, and the service is always fantastic. The food is tasty, even if the wine list is a bit small.
I was here on New Years day - nothing like a martini, a hearty steak, and a bottle of wine to shake out the cobwebs from over-indulgence. And once again a wonderful experience. And our waiter was HOT - he looked like one of the guys from B.R.M.C. - and nice. And flirting with me. If my 'special friend' weren't there with me, I most certainly would've taken him home. Because my New Years resolution is to be more of a slut.
People thought this was:
My FAVORITE restaurant in Philly, easily. Some may call it small, I call it cozy. Most importantly, this place is incredibly reasonably priced for the quality of food. I highy highly recommend the filet roquefort. They've had it on their too cute chalkboard menu for at least 10 years, and for good reason. The steak is a decent quality for the price (I think about 17 bucks last time I was there), and the sauce is beyond indulgent. I've tried, to no avail, to duplicate it in home actually.
Oh, and if you go in the fall they usually have a yummy complimentary cider in the back.
My only complaint is that they've done away with one of the best merlot's I've had, La Playa. But, with all the Belgian brews on tap, who needs the wine anyway?
Do yourself a favor and check this place out. Parking's a bitch though.
People thought this was:
What can I say that has not already been said about this place?! I have been there now for dinner and brunch and on both occasions the food was fantastic especially brunch my eggs Benedict was perfect as well as my spicy bloody Mary. They have a fantastic beer and the whole place and staff is just very chill and relaxed. Love this place and cant wait to go back again!
Good Food, Just not built for fat people, or ethnic People. I sense a little racist things, because we are black we didn't order an appetizer because we are cheap, when really, we just didn't WANT one because the food is enough...and We didn't want desert because I am diabetic and my friends were full....It's not like that every time, just when I go with my Friends, when I go with my parents they don't roll their eyes and stuff. My one girl is OVERWEIGHT and they put us in a tight corner, that restaurant is nothing but tight corners
Ive often complained about not going anywhere interesting enough to review. Im a homebody, and im thrifty, so the idea of going anywhere is sometimes a drag. Add to that a fear of going into big cities and youve got yourself some sweet, sweet disfunction.
i was invited by a friend to check out some of his local pubs in the city. In the past, I would have found an excuse not to go. Maybe its even Yelp that made me want to break out of my shell and go. Seeing everyones cool reviews of cool places, and then thinking of my review of....Wendys. I guess it pushed me over the edge.
i walked the streets of the Fairmount neighborhood, on my way to Bridgids, and I felt like I was in the best part of the city. Such a pretty and peaceful area. I actually saw a dad, sitting on a stoop with his child, reading Curious George. I made it to the doors of Bridgids and pulled them open. the Bar took up almost the whole front room. It had a cozy feel to it. It was a Friday night, still early, and it wasnt busy yet. I sidled up to the bar and met my friends. I liked the place immediately. The female bartender wasnt busy yet it took her over 5 min to acknowledge me. Fortunately, that was the only bad thing i could say. Once she did see me things were fine . She was friendly, knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor.
One of the things people mention in their reviews of this place is how the crowd is so cool and I would wholeheartedly agree. I dont know if its the bar setup or the nature of the people of this area but it really worked for me. I only had to say 2 words to get my fellow bar patrons going....Mr ....Belding. The opening ceremony of the olympics was on and everyone marvelled at the spectacle. It was fun to watch it here with these people. If i lived in the area, this would definitely be my bar.
I didnt eat, but the food i saw being consumed looked good and interesting. I tried the Belgian beer, it was a little sweet for me but I enjoyed it.
A great place! and noone laughed at my flame colored hawaiian shirt, at least, not to my face. Very Niiice!
People thought this was:
Great beer selection.
The restaurant is so cute and cozy, great for a date or to take family for a nice dinner. My favorite dish is a small cut of beef with a creamy mushroom sauce. It is really delicious. The honey fried chicken is not very good. Pork with mango chutney is really good, and different from what you get in most neighborhood places.
Some of the seats in the back by the stairs can get pretty chilly.
Now that the novelty of smoke-free bars in Philly is consigned to history books (Bridgid's was one of the first), I still hold an enduring attachment to this Fairmount brewpub. For its relatively modest size, they carry an impressive list of Belgian, local and international brews, and it's amusing to watch the barstaff disappear down the basement hatch below the bar to dig up some obscure libation from the abyss. Food is unassumingly of the comfort variety with some upscale diversions: decent and consistent, esp. for the price, with most entrees btw $9 to $15. I don't understand why that previous reviewer harped about the prices-- this is one of the best places to get a deal on a meal in town. The intimacy of the U-shaped bar, which takes up most of the front room, pretty much ensures that you'll rub elbows and strike up patter with the fellow sitting next to you...which is what a neighborhood bar's supposed to be, right?
Stick with the cheaper standards-- crab wontons, duck confit, beer-batter brotola, cajun tilapia, pork chop--and you can't go wrong. Tasty desserts, too. Good, rotating selection of seasonal and Belgian beers on chalkboards.
People thought this was:
Yet another cozy restaurant/bar with a great Belgian beer selection!
I went here with a group of 5 people on a Friday evening after hearing jazz at the Art Museum--and was very greatful to find NO WAIT!! This might have been an anomaly because I've only been here once. Hopefully that will change soon. The food was great--everyone loved their entrees.
food is WAY too overpriced.. and so are the drinks... i used to go here alot, but now i realise i shouldn't go at all.
the gnocci is WAY over priced, awful salad that comes on the side.
two of us paid over 40 bucks (without tip) for two gnocci's and three drinks. and i feel as though i could have gotten alot more for that price anywhere else. really disappointed :/
People thought this was:
The beer selection is what draws me to Bridgid's. There's a little board (on your right when you walk in) that will let you know what's on tap. There's a lot of Belgian beer and usually some seasonal selections. If something catches your eye, ask for a sample. I found the Brooklyn Lager Chocolate Stout on tap there last week, which was great.
It's not usually too crowded and staff is very friendly. There's a nice atmosphere at the bar, and a fire place in the back dining room. It's a pretty quiet, low key place.
I'd say the food at Bridgid's is just OK. I've never really had a bad meal here, but not too much has impressed me. It's a little pricey, entrees can run up to $20 and it usually ends up tasting like bar food.
Bottom line: Bridgid's is a great place to grab a pint (especially on a date, because the bar is quiet and you could actually have a conversation). The selection is varied and it isn't usually crowded. However, if you're looking for food, you can do better for the price.
People thought this was:
This is my friend Erin's favorite place. She brought me here, and we met Will, another of my friends. The food was pretty good. I really like the atmosphere. I can't say much else, as I've only been here that one time, but if it's Erin's favorite place, it must be good.
Quite the beer selection!
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