Grace Tavern Burger
“You need to try this burger.” My friend tells me one day. I squint one eye and glare at him in disbelief. See, Grace Tavern is approximately a billion blocks from my house and I am very much a burger judgement.
“Need?” I retort.
“Shut up. You need this.”
It’s a dark bar, which usually is a big turn off, but I could describe it as intimate since the dining area is small, but quiet. The chairs are comfortable and the bar is out enough of the way there isn’t a lot of annoying tourist foot traffic. There is a selection of four different burgers, but they’re willing to play with topping choice.
In about fifteen to twenty minutes, our burgers arrived with a very distinct look and smell— Grilled beef proved by char marks. Don’t question my ladyness when I say I drooled— like, duck behind my hand because a big splotch of spit dripped from my lips onto my leg drooled. I ordered mine medium (but the cook seems to be a little grill-happy, so I would recommend medium rare), and the perfectly charred bits melded perfectly with the bourbon sauce.
The blackened green beans are nice, and the fries are pretty tasty, but really I can’t imagine not eating the burger every time I go there. I paired mine with a blonde ale this time since it’s summer time. They usually have some fantastic beers (like Shark Attack!) on tap.
I’ve been here four times over the last year and never had a problem with the service or an empty glass, but I tend to eat at off-peak times to avoid crowds, because I might be a hermit. I do kind of believe the crappy service rumors though based on the absolutely horrendous service at Monk’s Cafe (owned by the same people.)
Grace Tavern is 22nd and Gray’s Ferry (walk West on South St, and Gray’s Street goes diagonally between 22 and 23) and is open from 10pm-2am. At the time of publishing this review, prices for all burgers were $8.00.
Grace Burger
(lettuce, tomato, red onion & swiss)
South Street Burger
(sauteed onions & bleu cheese)
Kennett Square Burger
(sauteed mushrooms & sharp cheddar)
Kellys Burger
(bacon and sharp cheddar)
