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Chickie's & Pete's Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Seafood Nightlife Bars Sports Bars Seafood, Sports Bars [Edit]
11000 Roosevelt BlvdPhiladelphia, PA 19116
Neighborhood: Somerton
(215) 856-9890
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 2 am
Fri-Sun 11 am - 3 am
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
48 reviews for Chickie's & Pete's Cafe
Review Highlights
"Their crab fries are always a fave."
(in 36 reviews)
"Great mussels, either red or white."
(in 14 reviews)
"I whole-heartedly reccomend the hot shrimp and the mussels."
(in 4 reviews)
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48 reviews in English
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Review from Thao N.
10/9/2011 4 Check-ins Here
Everytime I'm here, no matter how packed this place is, service is always quick and efficient. The longest I've had to wait for a table was about 15 minutes, but that was with a party of six.
I don't know about you, but I definitely love their snow crab legs. Succulent, steaming fresh out the kitchen, and tasty! I find the garlic sauce to be a bit overwhelming in taste and quite messy... so next time I will order my legs without the sauce (if I remember to!).
Their crab fries are always a fave.
The wings? I find them to be on the salty side. I'll pass..
The cherry clams were definitely over-cooked... and extremely tiny!
For the most part, I like this place and definitely look forward to their crabs every time. Plus, it's always fun to drink from a beer tower :) -
Review from Michael G.
Philadelphia, PA
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here on a Saturday early afternoon and ended up staying 6+ hours with a good group of friends. Split the bill and came to about $45 for a great 1/2 day of food, drink, and good conversation.
I had mussels red sauce which was really good, and we all split the crab fries (nothing special for me) and chicken wings (which were quite tasty with some zing.) Our waitress was very good and friendly. -
Review from bobbyjack s.
Philadelphia, PA
11/24/2011
I really don't "get" this place. I do have some sort of connection to it other than living in the NE. Both my niece and nephew have worked here (and the one at Parx). When they expanded the upstairs at the original, my father and I were hired by Pete to do the hardwood floors. Hell, we did the floors @ Pete's house and his brother's, too. I, unlike a lot of people, don't have a beef with Pete. I envy and look up for him for turning a ho-hum corner bar into a extremely $uccessful regional chain of ho-hum bars. He's the quintessential self-promoter.
This location is always too busy. Too crowded. Wait times on the weekends are 60 to 90 minutes, easy. Not worth the wait.
The crab fries are nothing more than frozen crinkled fries sprinkled with Old Bay. *yawn* The cajun fries at the Grey Lodge Pub are so much better... fresh cut, too, not frozen Or-Ida crap.
The crabs, well, they do ship them in relatively fresh, but I'm all about driving to Maryland for crabs caught the same day, not airlifted from the Gulf.
The mussels are HUGE. If you know anything about mussels, you know that bigger is NOT better. And, mussels in marinara is boring as hell. How about a beer based broth, Pete?
Their beer selection sucks. The usual macro-swill and I believe their best sellers are Miller Lite and Yuengling Lager in bottles. Blah.
Chicken parm sandwich is always dry. The cheesesteak is choked down with melted American. Barely edible. The rest of the menu is a slight notch above anything you'd find at chains like Applebee's.
Just proof that my fellow NE Philadelphians have low expectations, no taste buds and are quite happy and simple about that. -
Review from Timothy M.
Philadelphia, PA
10/16/2011
Chickies is like that kid from childhood who became famous and forgets who you are because they think they are too cool.
I have have been going to chickies for the past 12 years. Once upon a time you could go there and get nice, hot, fresh, quality food. But not anymore. This place has been on a downward slide since they became famous and starting opening places on every corner like Wawa. The menu is just obnoxious anymore. There is no focus and it just seems like they just want to put crab fries on something and see if it will be popular. Honestly who wants crab fries on their salad. I know its a sports bar and your going to get sports bar food but ive seen better quality food from immigrants operating a broken down van from 1965.
So this place is suppose to be the best sports bar in Philadelphia. I think it might be the most expensive place to get a miller lite in the city of Philadelphia. That is all this place really even serves is crappy light beer and your generic American crap. The best beer they have is Sam Adams. Now i am not asking for them to get the most expensive beer in the world but Philadelphia is starting to put itself on the map in the beer scene, especially with plenty of quality brewery's in the immediate area. It would be nice if Philadelphia's best sports bar maybe serve a couple of them to support the little guy and not the foreign a-holes brewing Bud in Europe.
Well i made a huge mistake and decided to go back yet another time a couple days ago after watching a rugby game. It was my mom and I on a nice afternoon so i was hoping for a nice time. The best part of the whole meal was the server. She was very busy but i always had a full glass of beer and my mom always had a full soda. That is all servers really do in this place though. Servers take orders and drop off drinks. The food runners do the rest of the work. We decided to split an order of crab fries for our app. It might have been the worst order i ever had. I could tell that the fries have been cooked at least 2 or 3 times because they were broken apart to mini pieces, extremely fragile, and dry. This would not have been that huge of a problem if they fries had some size to them and i could dip them in the cold cheese sauce without covering my whole hand in American cheese. So far not so good.
For the second course of the meal my mom got the Italian chicken sandwich and i got a buffalo chicken sandwich and the mussels red. The Italian chicken sandwich is nothing but two or three cold chicken fingers on a stale roll topped with melted provolone and a pound of canned roasted red peppers. The buffalo chicken sandwich is quite similar. Cold chicken tossed in bland buffalo sauce on a stale roll. Enough said. For the mussels i was really disappointed. They use to be my favorite thing on the menu especially with the red sauce but something has happened to the recipe because now it only tastes like canned crushed tomatoes with a bunch of garlic and bay leaves. I was not real happy with this dish because the sauce was terrible and the mussels were chewy.
Now this is not an isolated review. I am not out to bash this place but I have had similar experiences plenty of times and now i am just fed up with this place. Pete if you decide to read this review please go back to the old concept your mother had which if you forgot was just serving good bar food to people you actually care about. Stop treating people like they are numbers and not customers. We all know its a business but you sold out and all you care about is money and not making people happy. Instead of spending all your time on TV and the radio maybe you should visit your restaurants and do some quality control. It was not that long ago that you only had two locations with a smaller version of your current menu and the food was good for bar food. You don't need anything gourmet here, just simple good and hot bar food.
Hopefully one day i can re-review and give you 5 stars like i would have about 6 years ago. Until then i will most likely never be back. -
Review from Bang T.
8/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
After my usual long drives to NYC i like to take the exit to bensalem and head towards Chickie's & Pete's for a nice cold beer and some crabs.
I usually never have to wait for a seat, and the host/hostess are very friendly. The service is excellent as well, i barely ever have to wait and look around for my server.
The beers are cold and theirs sports playing on the TV's what more can a man ask for?! The crabs are delicious, but the special sauce may be a little too much. next time ill try the regular crabs without the sauce and tell you guys how it is.
Overall this place is excellent i love it and ill definitely be coming back whenever i can! -
Review from Chris V.
Limerick, PA
5/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
OK, why exactly did I even consider dining here? Well, here's the setup. A friend and I were enjoying some cigars at Holts in the Northeast. He was getting hungry and I have no idea where or what to eat in the area, and truthfully, I don't care to. It was suggested we go to Chickie's and Pete's and we just HAD to have the crab fries. I've heard of these before and figured OK, let's give it a go. What a monumental err in judgement on my part.
So we arrive around 4ish. There is maybe a dozen or so people there. Where does the hostess decide to attempt to sit us? In a little 2 top table, in the corner, next to a man and his daughter who was toiling away on her iPad oblivious to her surroundings. Not that we mind being next to people, but there was litterally no room for us to sit there anyway. You have a virtually EMPTY restaurant. Why the shit would you even consider sitting us there? So, strike one.
The waitress was quick to come over and get our drinks. She, honestly, was the best part of the experience. Very prompt, courteous, and pleasant which was appreciated. She asked for our order and I got the crab fries and, in one of my lesser moments in decision making, a "lobster" topped cheesesteak. Yeah, you heard me. What the fuckity fuck was I seriously fucking thinking.
So, the fries come out quick. And surprisingly they were fresh, which took me by surprise since I figured they just had mounds of them sitting under heatlamps. Maybe we got lucky and a batch just came out. Now, about these things. Honestly, what is the big deal? They're those Ore Ida style wavy fries, completely doused in what can only be described as an Old Bay ripoff, with a side of some sort of melted white cheese. No clue what kind, tasted like american, but who knows. Anyway, they were OK, but after awhile they just get old. And the salt. Holy shit. My blood pressure is still through the roof a day later.
And, no more than 10 minutes after the fries arrived, the "lobster" topped cheesesteak came out. Right away I realized that I should have just taken the $13 dollars this abomination cost, and given it to a hobo who could use it to buy some high quality crack cocaine. Saying this sandwich was awful is being kind. I don't know what I was hoping for. Maybe a fresh roll, meat that hasn't been sitting in a pile for hours until all the juice and flavor are completely gone, and some actual pieces of "lobster" on top as I asked for. My first bite was a painful, scowl inducing test of human fortitude. Subsequent bites were equally as rough. I feel I should be given a fucking reward for finishing more than half of this shitstorm of a meal.
Seriously people. What the fuck are you thinking saying that this place is so great? The McCheesesteak from McDonalds was more of a culinary delight. Gotta hand it two the owners. They know what the lemmings want . Now, I'm off to figure out what I can put Old Bay on to make myself millions....I wonder how it will take to rhubarb? -
Review from Hieu P.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 5/6/2011
Ugh. My run-ins with terrible service at CnP is really starting to get to me. At the location in S. Philly, my GF and I received almost no service while the table next to us were tended to like celebrities on a slow Sunday. Hardly anyone was there, but we felt as if we were left out of the party. Fuck you S Philly Chickie's, suck a nut.
And now at the NE place, a few friends had checked in on a busy Friday night waiting to be seated. We witnessed our buddy walk up to the counter and asked for a table. We proceeded to wait for the table to be called for 45 minutes. Forty-fucking-five minutes. All the while, people were being seated that we knew were not there nearly as long as we were. So, we ask. 'Oh, you never told us everyone was here.'
FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUU
I was ready to grab a bottle of piss [insert any light beer] and throw it at the bitch. We did confirm, in actuality, we did it twice. All for what? Some yummy bar food and beer? No. No more Chickie's for me. Ignore me while being served? Fine, I'll take my food slightly cooled, and leave a shit tip for lack of service. Switch out your blue-cheese dressing to something that tastes like mayo with itty-bitty chunks of mold? Whatevs, I'll bring my own. Completely remove me from the equation and leave me standing in that crowded, festering entrance like an asshole who's really, really hungry for almost an hour? Last straw, I'll traverse to Tony Lukes for my fatty greasy grub.
edit: I wrote this review weeks after the event. I guess I was more pissed than anticipated, because goddamn was that a rant.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/25/2010
Crab fries. Seriously, you don't need anything else when you go there. I'm giving them four stars… Read more »
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Review from Catlin C.
Philadelphia, PA
12/12/2011
Disappointing - no quality anymore. It's like they treat customers like a number with no emphasis on good food. Just awful as NOTHING is fresh! Ordered wings, they were given to us within 30 seconds. Because they had been sitting out! Greasy, oily with no seasoning!! Their "special" crab fries that they sue every beach restaurant in a 500 mile radius for their trademarked name (who does that!) are awful! Frozen crinkle fries with Old Bay seasoning!! Seriously?? Don't bother!!
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Review from bob a.
Flushing, MI
4/5/2011
It was the end of a really long Saturday. One that I actually had to work through, so I was tired, hungry and ready to just head back to my hotel for the night. One of my colleagues suggested Chickie's and Peat's. Being from out of town I never say no to a local suggestion. We got there around 10 on a Saturday and had to wait just long enough to finish half a drink at the bar. Good way to wrap up this kind of a day. We ordered a bunch of smaller appetizer kind of food - the Crab Fries, Buffalo Wings, Calamari, a Phili Cheese steak, and the Riverboat Clams. Everything came out quickly and it was all good. I'd say the Fries are something I would go back for alone, but it seemed like everything we ordered was worth getting again and their menu had so many other things on it that looked great as well.
Our server was prompt, but always seemed in a hurry to leave our table - I know it was busy and all, but you could tell he really wanted to run. With that said, he was still very attentive, and once things slowed down he took some time to chat with us.
Prices seemed very reasonable for the food. Good portion sizes and great quality. If I didn't live so far away I'd be back often. -
Review from Melmoth K.
Ewing, NJ
8/14/2011
I've had late night dinners here twice--once recently and once last summer. People tend to hang around the door, smoking and talking. It is really loud inside, so I've left hoarse both times. The crab fries and the mussels in white broth are fantastic. The fried calamari are really wrong, though. The ratio of breading to meat is very high, and when I peeled away the breading, the squid rings were a funky gray. The tentacles were dark, gummy clumps. Pretty nasty dish! The beer glasses come out of some kind of deep freeze, so the beer is really cold, and they have nightly beer specials. Our server was good. I do like this place and I'll continue to go here, but I'll stick to fries and mussels.
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Review from Jakki C.
Saint Louis, MO
1/7/2011
It's a euphoric experience to walk into Chickie's and Pete's order almost the entire menu and indulge!
Yes indeed the Crab Fries are noteworthy, crinkle cut with this amazing cheese sauce and although the average joe might say "ahh, they are just aye-okay" these fries are what make those foodie lovers return. But it's not just the fries, the real deal includes: their HOMEMADE seafood chowder, and of course the crabs you pick 'em any kind and just eat away. Snow crab, King Crab, Dungeness and Hardshell. Served up hot and family style in a lovely buttery blanket, thoroughly spiced and ready for chowing down! please don't skip on the Chickie's Hot Style Shrimp. The Riverboat Clams are just perfect, tender little morsels in a light broth and who can pass up the mussels it's most certainly my favorite item.
I have never had a bad experience and totally wish I could be in Philly more often for a taste of this place! -
Review from Gandhus M.
Philadelphia, PA
1/4/2011
Chickie's....I've visited the Roosevelt Blvd location the most by far, so I post my review here.
First thing you notice from the time you enter the parking lot is that it is jammed. I mean 'can't find a spot' jammed and their parking lot is huge. You could easily wind up parking all the way down by the former Bennigans.
Upon entry, the second thing you notice is the team of hostesses manning their perch atop the podium. There is usually a crowd of those waiting to be seated gathered around. As crowded as it gets, I've never waited unusually long for a table. I've been here at all different times of day and night and it usually goes down the same each time.
If you opt to sit at the bar as opposed to wait for a table, you have a smaller room to your left as you enter with a bar and of course the main dining area off to the right with a large bar. The place is big, there are lots of tables and linear feet of bar. TVs everywhere. Tall glass shelves behind the bar loaded with their cache of liquor. They have a tented, outdoor section I've never been in.
The food is your standard bar pickies/finger food with a slant toward seafood. The staples here are crab fries and mussels, but they also have fried calamari (spicy), mini lobster tails, shrimp and sandwiches. Beers are the typical macro swill.
The crab fries are heavily salted (so you drink more beer, of course - I don't object) topped with old bay and served in a basket with some cheese sauce on the side. I would never eat this cheese sauce under different conditions or in a different setting, I don't think it's very good on its own, but dip just one crab fry and it somehow becomes habit forming.
The mussels are great, red or white (I lean toward white). You get an ample portion served in a large bowl with a hunk of bread. Be ready to ask for more bread though as the sauce is plentiful and tasty.
I always order the crab fries, mussels and many beers. Sure, I've had poor service a couple of times, but the servers are young, the place gets jammed and I'm just stuffing my face with fries and beer - hardly worth making a fuss over service.
They have several locations. The one in S. Philly dwarfs this one. Radio stations do all sorts of remotes from here for sporting events and such. It draws a bigger crowd than the Northeast location with about a fifth of the parking. P.I.T.A.
I reiterate, it's a bar with bar food. If you don't do fried foods or high sodium then this isn't the place for you. I sense that many criticisms of food in general come from those with unreasonable or misguided expectations. C&Ps is not a "seafood restaurant" or a gastropub. It's a chain of three-star sports bars all the way....
...and that's totally fine because they have their place too.Listed in: Northeast Philly
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Review from eddy b.
Bensalem, PA
4/8/2011
I've been here many times before however I have noticed a decline in the quality and service.
The server was nice but kind of clueless. USUALLY when you order an appetizer and meal, the appetizer comes out first (unless specified otherwise). Nothing came out in the right sequence.
As for the food, the sweet potatoe fries and breaded calamari were good (the dip for the fries was too sweet...I asked for a container of their cheese dip). The "steamed" clams were cold and dry.
Also, the wine tasted like koolaid. I realize that this is a Sports Bar and hence most people order beer, but I expected something a little better. -
Review from Sammy S.
Elmhurst, IL
2/18/2011
As you enter the front doors your introduced to what looks like the best place to watch any game and eat all the seafood you can take. Although its not a buffet, it is a place to over indulge on some pretty awesome stuff!
We had the World Famous Crab Fries w/ side of cheese sauce nice and hot. Followed with a Chikies hot shrimp with the sauce on the side. I wanted to get some crabs while I was there but we got in too late so the last batch was already in.
The place was loud thats for sure, so if your looking to have a quiet conversation..... not gonna happen. We were here when the Philly's won the World Series and let me just say the crowd just went wild!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was amazing.
I would return and taste the crab's.... from the looks of the bushels they looked awesome with their special powder ( oldbay ) -
Review from Tom D.
12/27/2010
Everybody keeps raving to me how good Chickie & Pete's is. I've tried it several times now and have found it to be just an oversized sportsbar with average food.
They have one above average item on the menu, the crab fries which are good, but not rave about good.
The burgers and sandwiches are all just average. I also tried the crab legs which were again just average.
On the downside the wings pretty much suck. The size was on the small side but ok, but the flavor and heat just weren't there. For a sports bar to have wings that poor it's costing them a star.
The prices are also a little higher than you'll find else where, you're paying more for the name, not the quality. Perhaps it's how much it's built up by others but Chickie & Pete's just doesn't do it for me. 2 stars. -
Review from Ciara S.
Philadelphia, PA
12/22/2010
I loved my experience here at Chickie & Pete's. They have your typical finger food but filled with Awesome-ness!!... Their crab fries are delicious.
If you come here come here especially for their seafood inspired dishes.
They can be a little pricey but come ready to have a good time :) -
Review from Christine H.
Philadelphia, PA
11/7/2010
I've had their crab fries at Phillies' games, and despite being not amazingly impressed, I've always wanted to try Chickies and Pete's. Let me also mention that I am a HUGE seafood fan. I think my head computed the fact that they have crab fries and a seafood heavy menu to mean that I would enjoy this place. Well...wrong.
I came here for a snack, and I ordered the crab fries and the calamari. The crab fries were overly seasoned. They're crinkle cut fries, and they aren't awfully meaty. Therefore, when you slather on a lot of seasoning, it stubbornly adheres to the fry which has more surface area than your typical fry due to the ridges created by the crinkles. Now take into consideration that there isn't a whole lot of potato in each fry, and you are basically hit with an absurdly salty and seasoned taste in your mouth with each bite.
Unfortunately, the calamari was even worse. Calamari is supposed to have a certain chewiness and resistance with each bite. This calamari, however, was mushy and fishy. It definitely did not taste very fresh. The dish came out far too fast, which suggests that it may have been sitting around for a while after it was cooked. I noticed that other people were complaining about their food being cold right after it was brought out, so I don't doubt that they cooked their food too far ahead of time.
Fast forward a few hours. I was eating the leftover food as I was driving. If I thought the food was bad before, well the food was now a cold limp mess. If the calamari did not have that extremely fishy taste, it was have been impossible to differentiate the limp overly seasoned fries from the mushy calamari. -
Review from Jen R.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 11/16/2008
This place is the perfect sports environment. The crab fries are the best thing on the menu. You just haven't tried crab fries unless you've tried them from here.
It gets crowded fast, mostly because of the many small tables. It feels like you are eating with the people at the table next to you.
The crab legs are pricey for the amount you get. The clams are good. Dont go here expecting a full meal. I thought of it more as small things to nibble on. I'm sure its best for drinks during games.
They have players for the Eagles there alot. They sometimes host a radio show so the players come to be on the show.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/18/2008
This place is the perfect sports environment. The crab fries are the best thing on the menu. You… Read more »
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Review from Jeanne M.
Philadelphia, PA
2/10/2009
After a 45-minute wait, my boyfriend and I were seated, even though they said it would be 30 minutes. I won't complain about that, because it was a crowded sports bar on a Saturday night.
Once seated, we were able to quickly place our order for crab fries & calamari. I also ordered the aptly named Key Lime Pie martini, which, while it doesn't really go with seafood, tasted delicious just the same.
The crab fries are delicious and come with cheese sauce. This is what C & P is known for. For my entree, I ordered the mussels in garlic and butter. My boyfriend couldn't believe that growing up in California, I'd never had mussels before coming to Chickie's & Pete's. The mussels were so tasty. Our waitress was attentive, and the Miller Lite girls roaming the room were friendly.
Overall, my second experience at Chickie's & Pete's led me to realize that a sports bar is the perfect place for me to dine. I enjoy the raucous crowd, and the music had me singing along as I sipped my martini. Way better than a regular club, which just always seem to try too hard, or a hoity-toity restaurant, which is just too pretentious for a laid-back girl like me. -
Review from Sharlenne S.
Plano, TX
5/18/2011
Great place for a casual night. I went with 10 other people, and although they were packed, they seated us within 10 minutes (however, your entire party needs to be there in order to be seated). Service was good and prompt. We ordered drinks and fries (that were described to me as almost magical), and indeed, they were completely magical. I don't think I've ever eaten so many fries in my life. For dinner I had a chicken parm sandwich. I know, boring selection considering that people love their crab and clams, but that's what I was in the mood for. Sandwich was perfect and held up nicely for next day leftover. I will be returning to try more of their stuff!
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Review from Kim A.
Philadelphia, PA
8/21/2007
The crab fries alone get 10 stars.
I didnt care for the roast beef sandwich, but the pizza, wings and buffalo shrimp where all good. Service is a-ok, prices are awesome.
And the crab fries. I crave the crab fries. -
Review from Lidia B.
Philadelphia, PA
4/7/2007
The bar in this place is not a bad place to be on a WEEKNIGHT. On the weekends it's a NIGHTMARE. So crowded you can't breath. On summer nights they have a bar outside under a tent. On cool nights it's great, but on hotter and more humid nights head inside.
They used to have Karaoke night. Not sure if that's still going on, but it was great! Not that I was there to sing, but it was great watching everyone else do it. There was this one white guy that would rap the same song ( don't ask what song I don't remember, but it was old school) every week. It was hilarious! On game nights this is a great place to be too
Come here for yes yes the infamous crab fries. The fries aren't that special. Shoe string with old bay, it's the cheese sauce that's good! The mussels/clams in garlic sauce is really good too. -
Review from Teri M.
5/23/2010
I have TWO reviews from two different visits, one for just the bar and the other for dinner.
[TWO MONTHS AGO]
To be fair, this review is based solely on my experience at the bar since we were only there for drinks. All I ordered was the Caramel Appletini, the first drink on the specialty drinks menu. It clearly stated it was made with Absolute vodka but I noticed the bartender pick up a bottle of well vodka and pour it into the shaker. I am thinking "I am not paying $7.25 for a headache-inducing Bankers Club drink" and so of course I pointed out where it says Absolut as the ingredient for this drink right there on the menu. Whether or not he knew this, it doesn't look good. Either you don't know your menu or you're trying to rip me off.
I got my correct drink and it and the next one were very tasty. The atmosphere is lively as usual, but what a shame that little blunder made me feel awkward for having to be the "picky customer".
I'll give it another try for a meal another time. Crab Fries really are delicious :)
[TWO WEEKS AGO]
I tried this place again because I wanted to try the crabs and seafood AND I really needed to get away from my little kids for dinner and wouldn't you know, I forgot/misplaced my ID so I couldn't even get a drink. Boooooo. Of course this was the one time I got carded and of course I didn't get any drinks.
Service was fine, tables a bit crowded together though. My husband could barely squeeze through his chair and the occupied chair from the table behind him to sit down. Other than that, the food was absolutely delicious. I whole-heartedly reccomend the hot shrimp and the mussels. Both were bathing in amazing sauces full of herbs and spices and I was not dissapointed. The crabs were delicious as well. Now if only I could have had my ID, I would have had a much better time!!! Unfortunately we couldn't go see the band playing either, which would have been the perfect end to our quick getaway from the kids, but you have to have your ID to get back there too. Sigh.
It was a weeknight so it wasn't a chaotic mess of NorthEasties...we didn't even have to wait for a table.
Maybe I'll get it right eventually. And oh, I found my wallet in the bottom of the diaper bag later. -
Review from Stephanie G.
Philadelphia, PA
12/16/2008
Chickie & Pete's is where all the Northeast Philladelphians of all ages go when attempting to be "fancy." The bartenders think they are all the shit for working there and are a-holes. The food is good, especially the crab fries. Drinks are *expensive* for NE Philly.
I just really don't dig the atmosphere at all. It's all the same types of people just trying way too hard. People don't really intermingle there either, it's usually a lot of big groups. I'd rather drive the 15 minutes to the city and have a lot more options....especially if I'm going to pay $6 for a drink anyway.
Only go there if you're with a group, want crab fries, and plan on killing one of those beer towers they have. -
Review from Christian H.
Philadelphia, PA
6/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
With each additional visit to Chickie's and Pete's (regardless of location, I've been to the Robbins Ave. and Packer Ave locations as well), I find myself less and less satisfied with them.
I am still a fan of their crab fries simply because it's hard for me to enjoy a Phillies game without them. There is something incredibly soothing to me about sitting at Citizens Bank Park sweating my butt off on a humid night eating crab fries. However, outside of the crab fries, their menu is very limited, expensive, and frankly not very good.
For starters, their mussels are no different from mussels you can get anywhere else. Andy Reid was at the restaurant that night, so maybe seeing him over my friend's shoulder might have made me lose my appetite a little bit. Regardless, Chickie's and Pete's really prides themselves on their pizza and wings as well. The wings are no better or worse than wings I have had in other restaurants, and their pizza is unique, but very overpriced.
When it comes to watching a sports game, Chickie's and Pete's has developed a reputation as the premiere location to do this. I feel as though success has gone to their heads to the point where they convince you the food is good in addition to the atmosphere, when really it's just the atmosphere. When you're knocking back drinks and amped up about a sporting event, anything will taste good as I have discovered.
As an aside, the lobster cheesesteak I got during one visit was very interesting. I give C&P credit for putting something like this on their menu, but they really did not have to douse it in their disgusting cheese sauce. I would have liked to have had an option.
Chickie's and Pete's isn't really my cup of tea any more as I prefer to watch sporting events either in the privacy of my own home or at an establishment not as loud, busy, or expensive. They are overrated in my opinion, but I'm happy to see them doing well as it is in fact an institution in the city of Philadelphia and its proud sports tradition. -
Review from Dave H.
11/12/2007 3 photos
I came here to pre-game before a wedding reception.
It was quite packed for midday Saturday, and there were many hilariously tall beer tower dispensers in use. The crowd was boisterous, many thanks to their fully stocked bar, no doubt.
Our bartender (Tara) was business-like and didn't seem nice at all. Friendly or not, I ordered four Irish car bombs to celebrate. I yelled thanks to Tara on the way out, and (surprisingly, or not) she gave us a sunny smile as we parted - if was more personable earlier, she would have gotten a more generous tip! -
Review from Enjella L.
Los Angeles, CA
5/31/2008
You gotta love it - This place screams upscale Northeast Philly.
This place has certainly evolved since it first opened. I remember when it first opened, they were still working out the kinks and their menu selection was very limited. Since then, the restaurant has thrown up everything sports.
They also expanded the place, and there is another bar in the back which is catered for the "night scene". It is an outside patio that is covered and smoking is allowed. It gets crazy smoky in here because everyone in Philly smokes. You will find a young Northeast crowd here.
The drinks are good, the food is ehh. Standard sports bar fare - oily and good size portions. -
Review from Patrick G.
Philadelphia, PA
7/17/2010
PROS: The crab legs, hot shrimp and crabfries are the anchors of this place. No one beats them in these areas. Also like the calamari. Good sports atmosphere. Sandwiches are ok, but nothing spectacular.
CONS: Overpriced drinks for the NE, but not as bad as Center City. Wings are atrocious. Hint: Copy off BW-3 (Buffalo Wild Wings) or PJ Whelihan's.. -
Review from Kristen M.
Jersey City, NJ
10/19/2009
Wow...one thing Philly has that NY doesn't...CRAB FRIES!
I was really impressed with C&P, the place was huge, the food was great...the waitstaff was exceptionally friendly and the food came out super fast.
I had the Buffalo chicken sandwich which was great and my friend had the lobster cheese steak (I will be getting that next time for sure)
Can't wait to go back...wonder if the staff will be as friendly if I'm wearing my Yankee shirt :) -
Review from Jeannie S.
Philadelphia, PA
8/4/2009
Chickie's is definitely a place you will need to stop to experience a bit of Philadelphia.
The crab fries are their specialty are just to die for. I really enjoy the chicken fingers and honesy mustard as well as the buffalo tenders. The sandwiches are very good as well.
There are four locations and this and the south philly are the largest. The original is in Mayfair. Great to watch a sports game as is the other locations. Always make it a point to stop here if I am home or in the airport location to get some fries to bring back to Cali. -
Review from Kaki C.
Philadelphia, PA
7/1/2010
Work lunch last month, and no crabs. Really? Then went back for dinner. And guess what? No crabs. Come on. No, I do not want crab fries or frozen crab legs. I wanted crabs. Blue Crabs. Ok, they are seasonal. I get that. I went back. I ordered crabs, dirty with old bay. The waitress looked at me like I was from Mars. That's not how we serve them, says she. Can you ask if they will, says I. Sniff and disappear, does she. Walks by twice, then I ask again. Okay. Then they come out cleaned, garlic. I send them back. The crabs come back RINSED OFF. Same crabs, I'm guessing. Three strikes, you're out.
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Review from Scott B.
Atlanta, GA
11/27/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Great mussels, either red or white. Best that I have found in Philly so far, calamari was a hit also.
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Review from Jason Z.
Philadelphia, PA
11/25/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Love the crab fries!
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Review from Tim E.
Philadelphia, PA
7/26/2011
meh.
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Review from Kelly S.
Anchorage, AK
8/7/2007 1 photo
So I'm guilty. I'm from the Northeast and have never been to the original Chickie's & Pete's. Even though I hang out at the Grey Lodge around the corner all the time. Don't know why. But I do go to the C's&P's on the Boulevard on a regular basis, mainly with friends who drive down from Levittown (might explain why we don't go to the one in Mayfair). Anyway, I love this place. It's huge, noisy, filled with fun people and huge TV's, and the food is yummy. I like getting a bowl of garlicky blue points or dungeness crabs or their mussels in red sauce. And, of course, their crab fries (which, yes, don't actually have crab in them) are fantastic. Old Bay, cheese, and potatoes - genius! And where else can you get a tower of beer with a spigot on it for maximum beer consumption by a group? This place rocks.
I like that they have an outdoor deck for when the weather is nice, and their strategically placed sinks mean you can wash off the seafood gook from your hands without missing a moment of the sporting events on television.
In addition to the original location and the one on Packer Ave., they also have a stand inside Citizen's Bank Park, which only sells crab fries and beer. Now, the fries are awesome, but they are $5.50 plus $1.50 for the cheese at the stadium (and who gets them without the cheese?). So at $7 a pop, they are raking in the dough. If you decide you want crab fries during a Phillies game, stand in line during the first inning b/c you'll be in line for a while. I once stood in line for 2 whole innings before I got up to the front to get my fries. This place is popular. Actually, instead of tailgating, get inside the park early so you can get in line. That way, you might actually get to watch some of the game after you get your fries. And get more than one order if you're with a group or if you're sharing with someone because you'll eat the one order before you make it back to your seat. Mm, crab fries. I wish I had some now...Listed in: Top Restaurants, The Places I Go Out
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Review from Kathy F.
Philadelphia, PA
11/30/2010
Crab fries w/cheese, hot shrimp, and mussles red...with lotsa bread!
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Review from Stephen H.
Philadelphia, PA
5/28/2009
I really don't get the appeal of this place. I work close by and have had lunch here a bunch of times. I always thought it was so so. the sandwiches are pedestrian at best. Everyone raves about the crab fries, They are fine tasty enough but nothing to go on about. I don't think melting American cheese is some life changing experience. Recently, i was with a group of friends for a birthday party, we were close by so decided to go over for drinks /appetisers, the birthday girl's sister was with us, and she is only seventeen, everyone else was over thirty. The waiters and host would not let us in,even though we explained she would just be eating, and we were going to the restaurant section, after a litany of probably not's we asked to speak to the manager, explained that we have seen kids with their parents in the restaurant all the time, while parents order beers. just watch that Monday night live show. the manager said little kids, but not a teen ager. Then he asked the poignant question, are all of you(15) ordering food. Umm...yes. Bingo then i guess its OK, Jeesh, are they making up the rules as they go along.
So we all sat down and ordered our share of overrated fries with old bay, and a horrible thing called cheese steak nachos, and decided we needed to plan better for next gathering. -
Review from Yorkie L.
Philadelphia, PA
7/28/2010 1 photo
I was taken here 7-28 to have these famous crabfries. I got these to go and when opening up the cheese sauce lid inside was a roach (baby) floating dead inside the container. My theory is it was crawling in the black cup but iregarsless this was filthy and nasty. Please be aware if u do go eat look thru your food. I called the corporate and spoke to the manager *Lewis and he refunded my $$. He offered for me to get another order but I declined....Gross!
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Review from Alicia O.
Wayne, PA
2/20/2008
While I'm not big on the whole sports bar scene, I'm willing to come here for the crab fries. I love 'em. I've been to other bars that claim to have crab fries, but they are not the same as Chickie and Pete's. I need those crinkle fries with the American cheese. It's just not the same otherwise.
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Review from Rafael G.
4/11/2009
We were supposed to meet friends here for dinner and drinks on a Friday night at 7:00. I used uncharacteristically good judgment and suggested to my wife that we get dinner somewhere else beforehand. Good move... when we arrived at Chickie and Pete's at 8:30 our friends were still waiting for a table. Some guests were waiting outside in drizzling rain. The place was ridiculously packed. No thanks. We visited our friends for a few minutes and moved on.
