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- Hours:
Mon-Wed 11 am - 12 am
Thu-Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat 10 am - 2 am
Sun 10 am - 12 am
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
205 reviews for Smokin' Betty's
Review Highlights
"The BBQ sliders were amazing (I favored the brisket."
(in 21 reviews)
"At happy hour, they have amazing specials."
(in 36 reviews)
"The mac n' cheese was absolutely delicious, though."
(in 23 reviews)
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205 reviews in English
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Review from Jess D.
Philadelphia, PA
2/2/2012
HAPPY HOUR: This is a great go-to spot for Happy Hour. $2 Yuenglings and great draft beers. I'm a cocktail drinker and enjoy their specialty cocktails and unique seasonal sangrias. Their apps for Happy Hour range from $3- $5 and are well worth it. The portions are big and the quality is decent. I like their Veggie Quesadillas although the chef could cut down a bit on the onions. I also really enjoy their Cheesesteak Spring Rolls and fun ketchupy sauce they are served with. The BBQ chicken pizza was OK but again too many onions (I think the cook loves onions. All in all a great deal for happy hour. We spent $20 + tip for 2 beer, 1 cocktail, and 3 apps... we were full and didn't even need dinner!
RESTAURANT WEEK: I also came here for restaurant week before and have to say is was the best bargain for your money and the food quality was excellent! I had the short ribs and had plenty leftover for lunch and dinner the next day.
LUNCH: I've been here for lunch twice and really enjoyed myself. The service was great and the sandwiches I got were delicious! Great atmosphere too!
CC SIPS: I've been here once for CC Sips and you can't beat the apps! The drinks are great too as they do a great job of offering summery drinks that are delicious and refreshing. The bartenders aren't bad looking either... I'm just saying....
All in all a good consistent neighborhood spot. Not a 5 but definitely a 4 :-) -
Review from john m.
Cherry Hill, NJ
2/4/2012
When am I going to learn?!?!
A friend once told me not to go to a restaurant to try their Restaurant Week menu because often times the food seems mass produced. Makes sense... and it really seemed that way last night.
I went to SB with my wife last night for Restaurant Week. We were both really excited because we checked out the menu beforehand. On paper, it seemed so promising. Upon arriving, I really dug the vibe... modern, but not too pretentious... not too noisy with the right amount of background noise.
Here's what I got:
1st course... Oyster Po'boy Sliders... really did nothing for me at all. It felt like I was eating mini Big Macs with a leaner meat. It didn't taste bad at all... just had nothing to really make it stand out.
2nd course... Fried Green Tomato salad... again, did nothing for me at all. The salad and side dressing had no flavor at all. Come to think of it... the fried tomato seemed to not really have any flavor at all.
3rd course... Beef Short Rib with creamy polenta, broccolini with roasted mushroom jus... ok, this was awesome. It was hearty, comforting and delicious. The short rib was as it should be, so tender you could cut it with your fork, Good stuff...
4th course... Chocolate Dipped bacon with Caramel corn... this was probably the biggest disappointment of the night. What we got was definitely not what we thought we were going to get. I thought it would be more refined, but it was literally bacon dipped in chocolate over caramel corn. I thought it would at least be chocolate covered bacon crushed up and sprinkled over caramel corn... nope... just my preference though.
As for our waiter... I don't even remember his name. I don't even know if he told it to us. A lot of the time, there would be an empty glass on the table and I'd have to flag him down to ask him for something. He was nice, but didn't seem overly attentive.
With all of the hundreds of restaurants in the area, I won't be going back to SB. I didn't have anything that made me want to go back. On the plus side, my wife really enjoyed her meal. Me, not so much!!! -
Review from Ettya F.
1/29/2012
There are sweet potato fries.
That's about it.
There's also wine.
It's odd that when you order sliders, there's no BBQ sauce served with them. It's also odd that you have to request BBQ sauce at a BBQ joint. Odd. Very. Peculiar. -
Review from Sean G.
Philadelphia, PA
1/29/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Who doesn't love restaurant week? We always pick a restaurant that we wouldn't typically go to and get a delighful sampler of what they have to offer during Restaurant Week. Based on a recommendation of my fiance's co-worker, we headed out to Smokin' Betty's...
Food: 3.5 stars
The food was pretty good. We took advantage of the menu and each ordered something different. My fiance and I tried:
First--
OYSTER PO'BOY SLIDER-- Not bad. The oyster was more fried coating than oyster so it tasted like a batter slider than an oyster slider
LAMB MEATBALLS-- Delicious. They were working to harness a very greek taste profile and were successful with the meat and pea puree and raita sauce
Second--
CHICKEN & POTATO SOUP-- The bowl was topped with a buttermilk biscuit which was delicious. Sadly the soup was only luke warm...
FRIED GREEN TOMATO SALAD-- The tomatoes were delicious but the salad as a whole was under-dressed
Entree--
BEEF SHORT RIB-- The short rib was delicious. Portions of the meal were too salty and likely canned instead of made from scratch. You can always taste when something isn't fresh. The polenta was good but the salty Jus overwhelmed everything
JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKE-- The roasted beet risotto felt short of the mark. It was a good idea that really didn't pan out. The slaw was ok and the Crab Cake was large but lack luster
Dessert--
Go with the APPLE PIE à la MODE-- It comes with vanilla bean ice cream and avoid the CHOCOLATE DIPPED BACON & CARAMEL POPCORN (gross!)
Service: 3.0 stars
They was one waitress working the the evening crowd. She could only do one thing at a time, which is an issue for anyone with this job. Drinks were left empty for long periods of time, food was brought out luke warm, and the general attention to any detail was poor. You can always tell when someone doesn't take pride or really care about what they do.
Ambiance: 4.0 stars
The restaurant was very well done inside. The vibe reminded me of a more west coast style restaurant and the decor was unique compared to other restaurants.
Price: 4.0 stars
$35 per person (without drinks) makes Restaurant Week a good deal for the amount of food you get.
Location: 4.0 stars
11th and Sansom
Overall: 3.0 stars
The restaurant was cool and a good, new experience for Restaurant Week. The food had its highs and lows but combined with the service, the overall experience was middle of the road. The only thing that will draw us back to Smokin' Betty's is their extensive Lunch and Dinner menus. There are better options for restaurant week but Smokin' Betty's might be a good option if you're impressed with their regular menu. -
Review from Nathan S.
Philadelphia, PA
1/23/2012
So uh... I'm not coming back.
I had high hopes for this place after grabbing a Turkey Reuben and a few drinks here months ago, and finally had the chance to swing by again.
I dined here on 1/21 for a late dinner with my significant other. She had the grilled veggies sandwich, and I had the BBQ Pulled Pork and a Smokin Betty's lager. About six hours later I began an all-night extravaganza keeling over in the bathoom rejecting the meal, followed by an all day visit to Pennsylvania Hospital for food poisoning. Now I'm not one to throw around the food poisoning card willy-nilly, but this was the only meal in the past 48 hours we did not have in common.
Also, to note something in hindsight about the BBQ sauce... it was very sweet, more so than smokey. It is a somewhat-known restaurant trick to artificially extend the life of sauces and things to throw a handful of sugar on top to counter-act the spoilage and acidity-- which incidentally only covers the spoiled taste but does not eliminate bacteria.
Luckily, you do have the option to cut across the street to Jefferson Hospital if the five blocks to Pennsylvania Hospital are a bit too much for you. Plan it out in any case-- otherwise, you might be the next guy writing this with stomach crams and a mandatory diet of Gatorade and Chicken Ramen. -
Review from Jackie S.
Philadelphia, PA
1/19/2012
I have been to Smokin' Betty's on a few occasions, and have always left super stuffed and happy. All of the burgers I've had are amazing.
What solidifies this as 5-star entry for me is the service I had there on my last visit. We chose Smokin' Betty's as the venue for a surprise party I was throwing for a friend. Because of the nature of the event, we had a lot of weird requests for our group, and the hostess handled them all with a smile.
When it came time for the actual meal, our server didn't rush us at all. We sat for at least a half hour just chatting and drinking before anyone ordered. It took a little while for the food to come out, but that's to be expected with a group of 15. Everything came out perfectly, another feat for a large group order. After the meal, our server brought out the cake I had made for the evening and provided a knife and plates and just let us hang out at the table for a while longer, even though the restaurant was full.
I can't thank the staff enough for a wonderful evening. I'll definitely be back. -
Review from Jeanne M.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 1/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Still happy with the service and food at Smokin' Betty's. Just wanted to update that as of Friday, they were still serving their delicious strawberry lemonades (I was worried they were a seasonal drink), and their dry rubbed wings are very moist and flavorful. The sweet potato fries were not as good as I remembered and could have used some kind of dipping sauce.
Also, Pete C., our waiter on Friday was very accommodating of our party and made sure that our drinks (water and lemonade) were always filled.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/24/2011
Stopped by with an awesome friend after work a few weeks ago for Center City Sips.
We had an awesome… Read more »
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Review from Janine L.
Downingtown, PA
1/16/2012
Came across this restaurant while searching for a venue close to the Forrest Theater; although I did not dine there the evening of my show, I was intrigued by the menu and thrilled with the pricing to give it a try last night.
Decorated in warm colors and small eatery gives a cozy and inviting feeling. The bathrooms could use a little work - not the cleanest and only one working sink - but like that I did not have to go into a basement to use them (on the main floor).
The menu is simple yet good for foodies with unique items like he Tur-Duk-en Burger and their amazing smoked tomato jam, which I requested on the side for my macaroni and cheese.
Was surprised to learn Devil's Alley and Smokin' Betty's was owned by the same person. But once learned it made sense and the menus use the same lay-out, some of the items are similar and the sinks outside of the batroom should have been my dead give away.
As Devil's Alley is a favorite for my husband and me, and the food here was pretty good, plus we loved the pricing, we will definately be returning; most likely with my father so the boys can enjoy a flight of the unique beers they keep on tap. -
Review from Brian A.
Philadelphia, PA
1/29/2012
Awesome food, good beer selection, good cocktails. Try the Betty Burger - it's little more than I'd usually spend for a burger and fries ($13) but it was well worth it; hands-down the best burger I've had yet in Philly. Add in a nice stout or porter and you've got yourself a delicious, stick-to-your ribs dinner. Service was fair and the atmosphere was pretty cozy, if fairly noisy. Would come back again.
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Review from Emma N.
Dover, DE
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's a solid 3 in my book. This place is good for Friday night dinner. The one that's doesn't make you look cheap and doesn't break the bank dinner. It has good ambiance for a group of girlfriends get together or like a good first date place if your date like Burgers. You probably can get away with less than $20 (tax and tip included) per person if you don't drink.
We had the Turducken Burger, the BBQ combo, and the Fish Taco. All good solid flavors but no cigars. The Onion rings was the highlight of the BBQ combo meal. I can just eat a basket of onion rings alone and paired with a glass of their cider. Next time I'm probably going to do that for dinner and forgo the rest. -
Review from Christine L.
Market East, Philadelphia, PA
12/15/2011
Came to Smokin' Betty's tonight with some good friends. Overall good time.
There was some holiday party in the other room, so it was really loud. Hard to talk / hear my friends over all the noise. Also, the number of people and lack of available seating meant that the hostess kept coming to ask for the extra chair at our table. I felt like the staff was a bit disoriented by the sheer number of people they had to handle. Maybe this isn't a normal occurrence, so that's okay.
We had heard great things about the tur-duck-en burger. Pretty interesting! Came out tall and stacked with the cranberry relish, sweet potato ribbons, turkey patty, stuffing, gravy, all in a soft brioche(?) bun. It was a little too big to put in my mouth, and while each part separately was really good, I thought it was too ... salty overall, and a little too much for me to handle all at once. I'm going to assume all the tur-duck-en components were there, too. I couldn't discern them, so I'll go in full faith that they were there.
I'm no chef, but my suggestions - 1) A little more cranberry sauce would have helped. Next time I'll ask for extra. Or another pickle. 2) Or... less stuffing/gravy? That part made the burger feel really heavy.
Another friend had the Betty Burger, said similar things too. Our burgers were all good. Just a little too big and pretty messy, which detracts from the enjoyability factor. Sweet potato fries were nice. They came out a little darker than I was expecting, but were really soft, which is how I like them. Just a preference.
Would have been 3.5 stars if not for the service of one of the receptionists? there. Ran after us about a block to hand us the to-go-box I'd left behind. That kind of service is rare. Props to you.
If I get through my list of places to eat, I'd probably see you again, Smokin' Betty's. It'll be better to go on a less busy night. And it'd be helpful in the meantime if I can figure out how to unhinge my jaw like a snake for your burgers. -
Review from Sandra W.
Lower Merion, PA
12/20/2011
I visited for a happy hour and the food was delicious. Delicious corn muffins. Everything I had ( or sampled from friends) was really tasty.
There is a second floor with a full bar so probably a great place to try on a weekend night when other places might be too crowded. Can't vouch for that, just a thought.
I'd recommend it for sure. -
Review from Olivia J.
Philadelphia, PA
12/21/2011 1 photo
Avocadoes and fried eggs on a burger?!? I knew Smokin' Betty's was known for their Tur-Duk-en Burger, i.e. a Thanksgiving meal packed into a burger, but as an egg/avocado foodie, I HAD to try their Betty Burger.
To be honest, it wasn't amazing - it was just OK.
First of all, it was too big so I couldn't fit it into my mouth at once, so I didn't get to taste the flavor of everything at one time.
Second, the sirloin and pork belly together tasted too salty.
Third, the saltiness cancelled out the tastes of egg/avocado.
I don't know, I guess their selection of burgers is creative, but the taste is aiight. -
Review from Margo K.
Updated - 12/4/2011
I have to update. I went here for brunch with my brother on our birthday. It was a Saturday birthday brunch! I was sold on my first visit earlier in the week, and my brother loves this kind of eatin'.
I ordered the smoked salmon hash which features smoked salmon (obvs), sweet potatoes, bacon, and a fried egg on top. I wanted to try some of my favorite foods in a different format and certainly enjoyed it. I have to note that some people might not find this serving size to be enough, although I did. My brother got BBQ sliders which came with one hickory smoked beef brisket, one carolina pulled pork, and one carribean pulled chicken. He was a fan. We also split some cornbread muffins (because how could you not) for $2 which is a great price for something as comforting as cornbread muffins are!
Service was slightly slow, but it didn't really bother us. I usually don't drink this early, so I still have not tried their dranks! Happy hour, soon soon soon!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/15/2011
Went here for lunch on a Monday, around 1pm. I was with a large group of about fifteen, and the… Read more »
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Review from Nicole C.
Philadelphia, PA
12/6/2011
The food was really really good. I had the BBQ sliders which are a trio of three types of briskets.
The ambiance was dark and cozy but upscale.
Our waitress was kinda rushing us and seemed interested, but the rest of the staff was very friendly! Must have just had an off night!
Would definitely go backl -
Review from Erin W.
11/17/2011
Came here over the weekend with a group of about 8 as it was the only place in the area that could accommodate a reservation for a group our size on a busy Saturday night. This should have been the first indication that we weren't in for a stellar time.
First of all, I feel like this place is suffering from a major identity crisis. Are you a barbecue joint? Or an industrial-themed burgers and beer place? Why do you offer mussels as well as racks of ribs? Never one to shy away from a plate of mussels if available, boyfriend and I took the leap and ordered them. And they honestly weren't bad, but their place on the menu just seemed weird. There were more salads and burgers than barbecue options.
I was confused from the moment we sat down, but I had plenty of time to mull things over; it took over an hour for our appetizers to arrive at the table, and another 30 minutes for our entrees. Now, I understand that on a Saturday night with a party our size, things can be slow. But the place was not packed to the gills, and several times during the wait, different servers came over with food that wasn't intended for us but for another table in what I can only guess was some sort of plan to torture us. "Who had this delicious looking plate of hot food...JUST KIDDING, NOT FOR YOU!" Everyone else's food was coming out in a timely matter, just not ours. Nor were our drinks. Luckily, my company for the evening were a lot of people who live out of town, so it provided us AMPLE time to catch up.
The second offense came when a few of us tried to order a side of cornbread with our entrees, only to find out they were out cornbread, corn pie, and any other corn related corn products. This leads me to believe that even Smokin' Betty's doesn't know what it is, because no respectable barbecue place ever runs out of cornbread at 9pm on a Saturday night. It's in the constitution, look it up.
The third offense is pretty ridiculous but I'm going to throw it out there anyway: the bathrooms are annoying. The toilets are in their own rooms and the sinks are in a communal spot outside of them, which would be fine except that out of the 2, one was broken and the other one had the spigot so low on the counter your hands actually touch the bottom of the sink when you're washing them off. Not hygienic in the slightest.
All in all, the meal wasn't memorable, and no one at the table was raving about their food, even though we were all ravenous by the time it got to us. I'm bummed to have to be so negative about this place, because I had such high hopes. I'm guessing we caught this place on an off-night, but it was enough to turn me off. Plus, it's on the opposite side of the city. I can't say I'll make the trip back just for this place. -
Review from Michael C.
New York, NY
11/18/2011
Cool bar/restaurant next to Jefferson, lots of cool beers on tap, great wait staff and bartenders. No surprise that this place is often frequented by Jeff doctors/nurses/staff after work.
Didn't really taste much of the food, but did enjoy the Philly cheesesteak spring rolls and the mac and cheese. -
Review from Annie W.
Philadelphia, PA
3.75
Ordered the beef brisket sandwhich with sweet potato fries
The bun is divinnnee and the brisket is super tender & well seasoned
The sweet potato fries r sweet, salty &b crispy. A side of syrup to dip em in would take them to a whole notha motha fuggin level.
Ordered @ the bar food came out n 3 mins. Literally -
Review from Stephanie S.
Cheltenham, PA
12/2/2011
I was there this past weekend with my fiance. He got the ribs, which came with french fries. I got the Caesar salad with chicken and some potato latkes.
Initially, I had asked for a cherry coke, no ice because that's what I always order to drink. They said they had no cherry coke. I'm like, hello? You have a full bar? Don't you have Grenadine... but I decided to drop it, and just drink plain coke.
Then the food came out. My salad had several brown leaves of lettuce. The chicken just looked like boiled chicken that had absolutely no flavor whatsoever. I guess if you just wanted protein of some sort, it would've been okay, but if you wanted flavor, you were shit out of luck. There was also hardly any salad dressing on the salad. The potato latkes were burnt and tasteless.
My fiance's ribs, he said, were good. The fries, however, were caked in grease.
The prices were kind of meh. If the salad would've cost more, I'd be much more pissed.
Also, considering this was about 5pm on a Saturday and there were only 2 other tables, kind of raises a red flag.
Most likely won't be coming back. -
Review from Amy S.
Langhorne, PA
11/15/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Just delicious!!! A true find. The food was great. Great selection of alcohol. The atmosphere's fun.
Can't think of a bad thing to say!!
YUMMMMYYYYY!!!! -
Review from Steven L.
Riverside, CA
11/20/2011
I took a trip to Philadelphia for a wedding and was extremely excited to stop by Smokin Betty's for their famous Turduken Burger. I took the train into center city and walked the few blocks from the market to the restaurant. Upon my arrival I noticed how nice the interior of the restaurant looked. For a comfort food place it looked rustic but upscale. The wait staff was very polite though my waiter did take a while to come talk to me for the first time. I was also excited by the large craft beer selection and quickly ordered a nice Blonde Ale. A few minutes later I ordered my turduken burger with a side of sweet potato fries.
After staring at the burger for a bit once it arrived I cut it in half and dug right in. So for those who do not know, a turduken is a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken filled with stuffing, so a turduken burger has all the meats cooked together and the rest of Thanksgiving as toppings. I will say that I have not eaten many turkey burgers in my day, usually I am beef all the way, but I would imagine that this patty tasted very similar to a normal turkey burger. I would say that the difference would be a richer flavor because of the duck fat but if I hadn't known I would have just thought it was a traditional turkey burger. Did this make a difference? Absolutely not! The burger patty was full of flavor and dripped juices right down my arm.
This burger was a Thanksgiving meal on a bun. A fluffy and flavorful bun, just like the rolls you normally get on the big day. Beneath the patty was a layer of stuffing and gravy topped with melted cheese. Generally I find stuffing pretty dry and boring but add gravy and cheese to it and you've got a party! Now I know a new stuffing recipe to try out. On top of the patty was a wonderful cranberry chutney. Adding the tang and sweetness to cut through all the rich flavorings of the dish. Truly a perfect addition to the burger and definitely not what you get from the can. Last but certainly not least, fried sweet potato chips, adding the final delicious crunch to the meal.
There is only one word to describe this burger...epic. I kept cutting it down to make it last longer because I didn't want it to end. So many flavors dancing around on my palette and all in harmony. It really was Thanksgiving in each and every bite! The most prominent flavor was the cranberry chutney so if you don't like cranberries you may not like this dish but then again you may love it. All in all a really well designed entree and one that I would go back to again and again over some of my favorite beef burgers.
You probably are thinking, what about the fries. Well no need to worry, they were also pretty great. I have never eaten thick cut sweet potato fries but I was not disappointed. These fries were crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside like potato wedges. Not too greasy but with just enough to add the needed flavor. A really great side dish to a Thanksgiving burger. I will say though that every time I get sweet potato fries I am hoping for a dipping sauce. A brown sugar and cinnamon aioli to be specific, but I never seem to get it. I just can't get behind dipping them in ketchup.
Next time you are in Philly, check out Smokin Betty's, get the Turduken burger, and plan to be full for a long time. Probably not the best idea right before a wedding but I toughed it out.
Overall Review: 8/10
http://myfoodventures..../ -
Review from Peter D.
Philadelphia, PA
11/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pleasantly surprised here. A friend suggested eating at Smokin' Betty's when I have two nickels and a ball of lint in my pocket. I ended up having a great time and ordered the house chili, a very delicious and fairly affordable meal. With tip I paid about $7 for great service and a good, good chili.
I'd like to come back to try their sliders but I don't know if I will seek Smokin' Betty's in the future, but at least I can give it props when I walk by. -
Review from Aleks K.
Lawrence Township, NJ
1/4/2012
Ate brunch here before the holidays right after they opened one day. I had a delicious Cobb salad, my best friend had Eggs Benedict - as always. My salad was definitely worth having again and the eggs got a good review. Our significant others did not fair so well - a botched order for one and some halfway decent sliders for the other. Our waiter was not very helpful and didn't know the specials. We asked about the waffle of the day and were told it's "probably banana pecan". Probably? Ok. We ordered a stuffed French toast as a shared dessert and it was meh. Coffee tasted burnt. Overall, I wouldn't eat here again.
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Review from Daniel Z.
Houston, TX
10/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pros: The Betty Burger was really REALLY good! It will clog your arteries, but sometimes it's worth the risk.
Cons: The service was so-so. And the restrooms were dirty. -
Review from Jacqueline L.
Newtown, PA
12/23/2011
I came to dinner at Smokin' Betty's on a double date and I was happily surprised. Based on some of the reviews, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy my meal or the place in general but I did! After walking in I was immediately happy with the ambiance and feel of the place. I was expecting a super casual BBQ joint but the decor gave off a bit of a trendy/hip feel to it which I enjoy when I make an effort to get dressed and go out to eat! It is by no means over the top but the lighting was fun and overall I was happy with the appearance of the joint.
For dinner, I got the pulled pork sandwich, the boyfriend got the BBQ salmon, and the other couple got the sliders and the Smokin' Betty burger. The pulled pork and other sliders were great (except the chicken was bland) and the burger was gigantic and had an egg on it (anything with an egg on it is A-OK in my book). The only average entree was my boyfriend's salmon, which he said was good, but nothing special, just simple.
Sides were all enjoyable (Mashed sweet potatoes tasted like pumpkin pie and the mini corn bread muffins were cooked nicely as well).
I've already recommended this place to some of my friends who are into BBQ with a twist! -
Review from Jason N.
9/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Stopped in for a private party. The back room was spacious and while open and still part of the main bar areas it was separate enough for a small party. The atmosphere was relaxed and laid back. Bar staff was fast and courteous.
I like the area and would return. Got to try just a little taste of the food, but not much due to the party size and time spent talking and mingling. The bbq chicken quesadilla was good. The bbq sauce was rich, thick, and had a mild smokey flavor.
I would return to eat and hang out here again. -
Review from Samantha R.
Chicago, IL
10/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Servers were all extremely friendly and informative. It was lunch time so she was hungry and rattling off alllll her favs!
Definitely try the riblets for a lunch appetite with the veggie chili including guacamole and sour cream!
delish :-) -
Review from Mike O.
Staten Island, NY
12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great food, great drinks, excellent service. Any time I'm in Philly, I'll convince my buddies to head to Betty's. As a staunch carnivore, I am a huge fan of the pulled-pork sandwich here. In fact, that's about the only thing I order. Some great appetizers include the buffalo wings and fried onion rings. All in all, Smokin' Betty's is absolutely worth a try.
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Review from Ramen F.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 9/19/2011
Every time I go back to this place I am increasingly disappointed. Why would I spend a pretty dollar at this place when there are so many great restaurants in this area?
I used to enjoy the atmosphere, but the food really ruins the experience. The burgers used to be awesome, but lately they are overcooked and the toppings are sparse. I love the pulled pork sandwiches at Devil's Alley and thought they would be similar here - huge mistake - the three mini sandwiches with different flavored fillings were not good. Each of them lacked depth of flavor and fundamental seasoning. The grilled cheese was a mess. The bread was super thickly cut and not even toasted or cooked on the grill to bring the sandwich together. The fig jam was spread on so thickly that I couldn't muster more than a few bites. Mozzarella was a poor choice for a grilled cheese because it was only half melted, stuck in clumps and fell out of the sandwich with each bite.
Was great at one time. Has seriously fell from grace.
An okay place to come if you just plan on drinking. I do not plan on coming back to eat.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/4/2010
UPDATE ON MENU: Smokin Betty's used to be an absolute favorite. I loved the Smokin Bettys burger… Read more »
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Review from Niyant S.
Oh man, what a hidden gem Smokin' Betty's is! The restaurant is in an area that is not really known for having too many nice restaurants, a la Rittenhouse Square or 13th Street, but it stacks up right next to any one of the restaurants in those areas.
Located right next to Jefferson Hospital, Smokin' Betty's is a nice little bar/restaurant that specializes in bbq fare...coincidentally bbq is some of my all time favorite food! The fiancé and I decided to stop by for brunch after checking out their menu right here on Yelp, and we were both very pleased with our experience!
I went with a plate of their bbq sliders, which comes with a pork, brisket, and chicken slider, and a side of coleslaw, along with a glass of their Blond beer. The beer was very good, a little on the wheat side, but my lunch was awesome! All three of those burgers were delicious and quite filling, and the side of coleslaw was also surprisingly good (so much so that I finished every bite of it along with the rest of my meal). The best part about all this? It only costed $8!
Meanwhile, my fiancé decided to go with their breakfast burrito, minus the bacon. I'm of the opinion that I make one pretty good breakfast burrito myself, however I have to admit that this one of the best breakfast burritos that I've ever tasted, and a definite must have if your coming here for some eggs! Finally, we shared a side dish of their hash browns, and surprise surprise, they were also delicious! Good job Smokin' Betty's, keep it up and I will definitely be back for more! -
Review from Sylvie C.
11/13/2011
Underwhelming. Had Sunday brunch there, an experience saved only by the company I had with me. Positives: the space was open and airy, with tons of room between tables and an interesting layout. And a very solid bloody Mary. Faux pas #1: waitress, I hadn't seen these people in months. Give us a second to catch up without giving us the 'tude! Número dos: a hard omelette. "tough" is the only word in had to describe it, which should never be an adjective used on eggs. This "omelette" came with prosciutto, equally hard and flavorless, and mozzarella, also terribly chewy. Problem #3: biscuits and gravy. Maybe we're just idiots to try biscuits and gravy outside the confines of the south, but for me, this was just a total miss. The biscuit was too soft and the gravy had no definable flavor. All in all, not a memorable brunch, and I've heard equally underwhelming comments about lunch and dinner.
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Review from Sarah H.
Updated - 8/22/2011
We decided to sample a bunch of sides this time around.
DEFINITELY TRY THE POTATO LATKES. The accompanying cinnamon apple sauce is bangin'.
I also recommend the mac & cheese - sumptuously creamy with just the right amount of bread crumbs for that perfect crunch.
Betty's still totally smokin'.Listed in: lunch break - eat, drink,…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/7/2011
delicious cocktails + friendly service + sweet potato fries + dry-rubbed grilled chicken wings =… Read more »
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Review from Feygens S.
Elmont, NY
Great Atmosphere!! Food was great! I had the dry ribs w/ mac & cheese. Well done like how I like it. Staff was nice and the music was cool. I heard the bus boy made the music selection for the night and was playing nothing but classic Hip Hop. DOPE! I will recommend this spot and will go again when in town. Thumbs UP!
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Review from Nikki G.
Philadelphia, PA
12/5/2011
I've been to Smokin Betty's a few times and while I love the atmosephere the food is less impressive. I've had the veggie burger and hated it. The quesadilla was probably the best thing I've had there. I've also had the veggie sandwhich and the pizza of the day which were both alright.
The one awesome thing though is they have amazing happy hour deals on both food and drinks. Me and a friend went there for dinner and drinks and our bill less than $25. -
Review from Vinny P.
6/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ok Betty's it seems like what I've been hearing is true.
Recently I was afforded the chance to have some ribs, cornbread and mac and cheese at this establishment. I was rather impressed with both the service and the food. The party I was with was able to get a table relatively quickly and begin our BBQ adventure. I ended up splitting a rack of ribs with one of my friends and we both agreed that they were cooked perfectly. There was smoky flavor and the sauce complimented it very well. Also, the texture of the ribs indicated that they were perfectly cooked. If you held a rib bone and just shook it once, the meat would fall off onto the plate (or possibly fly at someone nearby depending on how hard you shook it)
The mac and cheese was a little too creamy for me. I did like the small cornbread muffins that came with scallion butter. I should also mention that I am normally more of a fan of dry rub but the sauced ribs did not disappoint. I will be returning for the dry rub ribs along with other menu selections. -
Review from Christine B.
Philadelphia, PA
6/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ended up here after a long day of celebrating beer week with a couple other yelpers. The boys went with a rack of ribs with bbq sauce, and I got the pulled pork sandwich. I think the ribs were better than the pulled pork. The meat fell right off the bone, and the sauce was really tasty. The pulled pork had a nice spiciness to it, and the roll it was served one was perfectly toasted.
I met up with some other friends at the bar upstairs for one more beer. All the windows were open which created a really nice atmosphere. The service was really good too. -
Review from nicole e.
Vineland, NJ
7/13/2011
Went here last night. The service was fairly terrible. They didn't bring us little appetizer plates and we had to ask 2 times. The quesadilla appetizer was messy and we needed them for sure. The food looked very nice but the deliciousness does NOT reflect the prices.
I had the fish tacos for 13$. It was more like a fish taco wrap. It was just okay. i wouldnt say it tasted bad but it wasnt anything special. Also, it just came with a tiny bowl of canned black beans with little pieces of pineapple on top. again, nothing special.
someone with me got the turkey sandwich for 11$. NOT worth 11$ although, it was very big. it did not come with a side. just an 11 dollar sandwich.
the kitchen closes at 10 and they wouldnt even serve us dessert at 10:07pm. lame.
also, there was a really weird karaoke thing happening but nobody cared. the place was pretty empty at 10:15pm when we left.
the establishment itself is very nice. just too expensive and not very delicious. -
Review from Rachel T.
5/27/2011
I love Smokin' Betty's! The BBQ sliders are a must-try. They are just enough food to feel happy but not stuffed, and the three types of meat keep it interesting. The bread is super buttery, so plan an 'active' day around eating it if you don't want to feel sluggish.
The design of the place is clean, simple and elegant without being too fancy or stuffy. If it's a nice day out they open up all of the windows and it feels like you are outside, so don't write this one off if you're an outside diner. There's a good selection for happy hour as well.. lots of good beers.
The staff has been both friendly and aloof, but usually pretty friendly.Listed in: Lunch Market East - Washington…
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Review from Sylvia M.
Philadelphia, PA
6/4/2011 2 photos
Dear Ms. Betty,
You are SMOKIN!!! Wow, not a single thing went wrong at this place... ok maybe 1. We stood at the host stand for an awkward amount of time. You know that feeling, when you don't know if it's seat yourself or you just assume the host is being a terrible employee and not standing at his post to great you warmly. He finally arrived, asked upstairs or downstairs. We didn't care so he took us upstairs.
We sat near that chalkboard wall with all the specials! Good thing too!
I ordered the house red wine for happy hour and my bf for their featured beer which the server described as lemonade, it was really good. We also had the cheesesteak spring rolls that came with a chipotle-ketchup-y dip. we only had 1 cut in half for $4. But they were so good!
My bf got the turducken burger, idk if thats spelled right. I had the special 3 bean chili and the buffalo chicken quesadillas. Yea, lots of food but i was really hungry!
I didnt like the burger because im not a fan of cranberry sauce, but he loved it!!! I loved my chili, it came in a coffee mug! with 2 corn muffins and some butter with jalapenos chopped in it, so good! The quesadillas were amazing. If you have ever had 'al pastor' tacos, thats what it tasted like.
Staff: She was so helpful! She gave us a happy hour ending warning! i still had most of my wine and she let me order another. she brought us water without asking, which is always a plus. she checked in on us more than enough times but she was so nice and pleasant that it wasnt annoying! She recommended that next time we get the buffalo sandwich, mac n cheese and some other stuff... basically, its all good.
We are def. going to be regulars! The atmosphere is cool and relaxed with a bit of hype during HH. It was loud but not obnoxious. Some standing room which was cool and they put candles on a cake for a party on the other side of the room. Overall, great time!
ps the music was great. i never find that place that just plays music i like.. its either terrible or things i never heard of. it was a great blend like alicia keys, beach boys, etc. -
Review from Moo Young K.
Philadelphia, PA
7/8/2011 1 photo
When moving from the west coast to the right coast, I never thought I'd transform into a burger girl. Smokin' Betty's gave me an all around great experience. What really helped me out with this gigantic burger was the knife that is stabbed in the middle of it to hold the thing together. I don't know if this was intentional, but it's just too much burger and it helps an eater like myself cut the burger in half to pack it for lunch the next day.
As soon as I took my first bite, my server came up to me to ask how I liked my burger. He seemed excited and I guess his enthusiasm was infectious because I soon became giddy over this burger. For the rest of my burger, I was PUMPED!
But my best reaction came at lunch the next day. The burger was still good! Wowza! I was so afraid that the burger would just not hold up to my initial experience, but it did! Shockingly, the sweet potato fries were good in their own ways. The fries weren't stale like how McDonald's fries become 30 minutes after it's been sitting around (not like it normally would), but it was kind of like a sweet, mashy fry that was still delicious.
I say give the Betty Burger a try! It's a go! :)
