Jack's Firehouse Reviews

We found this place while being tourists and touring the Eastern States Penitentiary (it's a museum now, we weren't sentenced there or anything) which is across the street. TA reviews were pretty good so we (family of 5) had lunch. Restaurant is located inside and old firehouse and has tables outside in front and side as well as room for 60+ inside and at a large bar. We didn't have drinks but there were several beer choices and a small and standard wine list. Food was fantastic and we're pretty picky. Baskets for the table included delicious sourdough biscuits and mini corn muffins. Kids enjoyed split pea soup and loved their burgers (cheese and bacon topped) while adults loved the cheesesteak and crab cake sandwiches. French fries were great too. Service was quick and very friendly (thanks Angela!). We're not from Philly but would definitely recommend this place to others. Lunch for 5 without drinks or dessert but with soup and salad apps was $96 plus tip.

I loved the building itself but as for the overall experience, it wasn't my favorite. The menu selection is pretty limited and kind of pricey for what the options are. Also seemed like it took a really long time for the food to come out.

Like many other reviewers, we ran across the street to recharge our batteries after a tour of the Eastern State Penitentiary on a very hot Saturday. Our server, Alicia, was attentive and helpful; we didn't expect bread and jam, but it was so delicious, we couldn't resist. The firehouse's interior is quaint and interesting, which made our lunch break even more enjoyable. Sitting inside (very close to the opening to the outdoor tables) gave us a breeze and great view, but we did not enjoy the birds brazenly walking/flying all around us, even settling ON the tables in the open area. I love wildlife, but . . . .

I went to Jack's firehouse last night, looking for a place to get a drink after a great Eagles prep rally. I visited the establishment with the intention of enjoying a drink with friends, but I was met with an unexpected and unwarranted refusal of service by the owner. While I admit, I was told that I was standing in the "service area"...which was the corner of the bar, I thought that would be a good spot to stand as I saw the bartenders take several orders from that same "service area". To my surprise, the owner of Jack's Fire House, MICK HOUSTON, was present and refused to serve me a drink without providing any valid explanation or reason for this refusal. Although I was standing in the "service area", when I asked him where was an appropriate spot to put in an order, Mick told me "NOT HERE" and refused to serve me at a different spot in the bar. His response felt so condescending, and quite frankly I felt embarrassed in front of my peers, and others having drinks at the bar. By the way, they were even serving drinks to people standing right next to me in same "service area". I was taken aback by this abrupt denial of service, as I had not displayed any inappropriate behavior, and I am of legal drinking age. It is essential for any establishment to provide equal and respectful service to all customers, and I felt discriminated against during this incident. I would like to bring this matter to your attention through this complaint, as I believe it is crucial for businesses like Jack's Fire House to uphold the principles of fair and courteous customer service. My intention is not to harm the reputation of the establishment but to ensure that such incidents do not recur and that all patrons are treated with respect and fairness. I kindly request that you investigate this matter and take appropriate action to address this issue with the owner, so that future patrons do not have to encounter a similar unpleasant experience. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to a resolution that ensures a more welcoming and inclusive environment at Jack's Fire House.

Stopped by with a suggestion from a local. Everything was good, but the free corn muffins with the sour cherry toppings were the best I've had. The pullet pork with chips appetizer was great. The kids didn't like the spiced brussel sprouts, but I thought they were pretty good, if a bit spicy. The Philly Cheesesteak was a bit different, but very good. The hamburgers were very good. The pond cake was a nice change of pace, and amazing.

Jack's Firehouse remains the same after many years - its combination of a old firehouse setting with classic southern dishes - done with a nouveau flair - is the same as it's been for all its years and it remains a winning combination. The menu offers the same dishes done with the same flair served by warm and friendly servers. Biscuits, collard greens, mashed potatoes, ribs - and when you ask for the check they bring cookies along with it. Fish, chicken and salads certainly too. Our family has one committed vegetarian, one I only eat fish, one carnivore, one Virginian and a 9 month old. Jack's Firehouse has long worked for all the older members on the family but Saturday night it won the 9 month old over as well - not the least reason being they welcomed her and on a Saturday night. It's large with high ceilings - it's a firehouse- and always lively. A baby's babbling would not be heard over the voices of many diners, it's both an upscale but casual restaurant, it can achieve the perfect setting for a small table for two, a happy family celebration, a group of singles eating out or a large group of business people. Dress up, dress down - it all works here and you can't go wrong eating here.

Apple cider wow!!!!!!! service excellent. They put a beautiful mix of bourbon, spicy rum and cinnamon brandy which made it alcoholic. It wasn't sweet, just perfect and I plan to come back to enjoy the apple cider again and try the food.

My husband & I discovered this great place back in June when visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary across the street. We sat at the bar, the staff is attentive & really nice. We had burgers which was one of the best I ever had. The biscuits & cherries was a wonderful surprise. We visited again tonight before heading over to the Halloween Event at the Penitentiary. As before the bar staff was AWESOME & we will continue to visit when we are in town.

Sat in the pretty little courtyard area. Fun decor and good choice in menu and beverages. Good attentive service.

The duck salad was extraordinary. The pulled pork, a speciality of the house, lives up to its reputation. Fried green tomatoes were a tad too breaded. Soups were delicious. On a nice weather day, the open air dining is a treat. On two recent visits, we experienced contrasting service. One time it was first rate and the second time, second rate.

Great meal. The pumpkin soup is delicious! Pork chops were good. Desserts: Chocolate cake & Butter Cake were delectable!!

Very conveniently located across the street from Eastern State Penitentiary we tourists ambled in because we were starving and not in the mood to research a better place...well this place knocked our socks off! A smallish menu but the dishes they do are very thoughtfully well done. Crab Cake sandwich, Perch sandwich were memorable BUT the plate of homemade biscuits and cornbread...now THAT was some good eats. Followed by complimentary homemade cookies at the end. Although we enjoyed a couple adult beverages with our lunch...this place had a happening bar scene that I wanted to go back and check out in the evening. And no review of Jack's would be complete without a compliment to the staff - so extremely friendly and the decor - so lovingly restored!

Our server was very nice, but really that was the only highlight. Food and drink service were slow but thankfully we weren't in a rush. Food was fine but nothing exciting. Drinks were pretty decent. There was an automatic 20% gratuity (no we were not a large group). If you want to ensure your staff gets paid what they deserve, raise your prices by 20%. Don't try to trick your patrons into double tipping.

It was a slow rainy day and we were famished after a long self guided tour of the prison digs. It was either this or the dive looking bar a block or so up the street. We were so glad we picked this place. He had the pulled pork nachos and I had the lentil soup. We were both very pleased with our selections and enjoyed the fire house ambiance complete with the open air garage doors.

This restaurant is in a lovingly renovated firehouse - pole and all. It is across the road from the Eastern State Penitentiary (Which I highly recommend visiting.) so, it is a great place to stop for a meal or drink before or after your prison tour. After we ordered, we were surprised by a plate of warm corn muffins and biscuits with butter and a chunky and delicious cherry sauce. They were both great, and I don't even like biscuits! My husband had a cheese stake, which was huge. My son had a caesadea (spelling) which was also huge, and I had a pulled pork sandwich. The homemade fries were great. They also had a bottomless coffee cup. Waiters were attentive and very friendly. We were surprised again when we got our bill with fresh and warm chocolate chip cookies! Wow! The bill was about $60 for the three of us with a bloody mary and beer. There is great outdoor seating. A very cool bar and they open the huge fire house doors in good weather - like we had.

This restaurant was just okay. The waitress was nice and attentive but the food took over 45 minutes to get to the table. The biscuits and cornbread were very good and luckily they held us over until out food arrived. The burger was bland, the chicken salad was good, the brisket a bit chewy and tough. The prices were good for what we got. The waitress delivered us chocolate chip pecan cookies with the check, which were the best part of the meal.

It couldn't be more fun! Fabulous food, pumpkin soup to DIE for, ribs, chicken, it's just so tasty- then, across the street for a great Halloween show at the Eastern State Penitentiary, which only gets better and better. GREAT time!

Hadn’t Been to Jack’s for awhile; it is back on my list. The menu for brunch was varied and could meet the needs of diverse appetites. Lots of breakfast and lunch selections. Mimosas and bloody Mary’s were yummy. Also there are options to sit inside or outdide. If you are in the area, try it! You wil not be disappointed.

When hanging out in the Fairmount section of the City,by the Art Museum ,or the Eastern State Penitentiary, a great hangout for upscale pub food and old fashioned pub ambiance can be found at Jack's Firehouse. The lobster mac&cheese or bacon mac&cheese are amazing as are the burgers and sweet potato fries (CRISPY). They have beefy cheese steaks and assorted fish and chicken dishes all done with a flair beyond traditional cooking. During the Summer the front and side areas open up to the street for a great people-watching experience while eating. And don't pass up the amazing display of beers and fine liquors ($$$ if you want to go high end they have it). Bring a group of friends and enjoy the ambiance, the food and the great servers, all whom have terrific personalities to add to the experience.

We stopped here after visiting Eastern State Penitituary. They brought out buttermilk biscuits and cornbread with a bowl of cherries. Yummy delight. The food was well prepared and atmosphere very nice. The smoked chicken added to my salad was very good and flaverful.

One of the worst meals we have had in a while at a supposedly "nice" restaurant. I had the Catfish. Overdone, thin, no substance. My wife had the rib entree. She is a rib fan and these were no good. Service was not good either. We were early when few were there. It took a very long time to get a glass of wine before we ordered. The calamari appetizer was very good though.

This converted firehouse is within walking distance of Philadelphia Art Museum, Rodin Museum, and across the street from Eastern Penitentiary. The large bar is lively and the adjacent open front brings the outside tables and sidewalk into the overall restaurant atmosphere. Food was terrific, good variety, nothing too precious. The ribs were outstanding. This is a really good casual date night spot or friends' outing meeting place. Also good for families at lunch.

My wife and I had a couple of drinks and an appetizer before visiting Terror Behind the Walls. We each had a couple of bar drinks and shared an appetizer. We sat at the bar and the bar tenders were very friendly and fast. This location seemed to draw a mixed crowd, for example we were in jeans and hoodies sitting beside a group in cocktail dresses and tuxes. I have no complaints for the quality for the drinks or the food but this place is expensive. Two average scotches and two red bull and vodkas and one shrimp cocktail was $75.00

This was right across from the entrance of the Penitentiary. The block has several places to eat. This one has lovely outdoor seating. The service is a 5. Although we arrived five minutes before opening, we were seated with no problem. Free mini muffins open and free cookies close the meal. A 20 % gratuity is automatically added. My husband enjoyed his cheesesteak omelet, only in Philadelphia. He could not finish it. My salad used tired bagged lettuce which made the food a 3 or 4 for me.

I could eat just the biscuits.... but it's a great spot with an interesting view of the Eastern State Pen. Service was good, good was good- not a cheap eat though!

As we were leaving Eastern State Penitentiary, I noticed a sign that said Jack's across. This is our son's name so we were drawn to check it out. So happy we did!!! This is a charming old firehouse with great food and cocktails. The bartender was very friendly and made great conversation with us. The catfish sandwich was my favorite thing I ate the entire time I was in Philadelphia. If you have a chance~definitely stop in for a cocktail at least

That's what we did last Sunday, and it was great. After having taken the morning touring ESP we were hungry and wanted to get some brunch. A quick search informed me Jack's Firehouse has high ratings on TripAdvisor and is Zaget rated, so we decided to check it out. We were not disappointed. Parking: Don't park in the lot across the street, it's a waste of money. You can easily find free parking in the neighborhoods. Reservations: I saw they mentioned reservations on their website quite a bit so I was cautious we would need them. And perhaps you do depending on what time you go there. But, we got there at 1:30 PM on a Sunday and were seated right away. Food: The food was very tasty. You get a couple of biscuts and cornbread with butter and cherry sauce on the house which was nice. We also went for the pulled pork over tortilla chips. The pulled pork is the vinegar based Carolina style which I love, but would have been better served with something other than tortilla chips as they were thin, didn't have much flavor, and kind of fell apart from being soggy with the pulled pork juice. My date got the Philly Cheesesteak omelet which I wish I would have taken a picture of. I'm not sure it was because the kitchen was trying to wrap up brunch or what, but it was the largest omelet I've ever seen. They must have used a whole carton of eggs for it. I got the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich (see picture) and that was really good although it could have been spicier. It had steak in a thick cheese sauce with onions and green peppers. Green peppers are pretty boring, so throwing some jalapenos or some other kind of pepper would have been better, I thought. But that's more personal preference I suppose. Service: Our waitress had a lot of tables and did a great job. We never ran out of drinks or felt it was slow. When we first ordered our drinks and appetizer she returned 5 minutes later to double-check she remembered the right appetizer. That's a good thing though. I've been to places where the servers forget and guess and then you get the wrong thing which is annoying. No harm in asking for clarification. Value: The food is great and you get a lot of it. I'd go back again in a heartbeat.

Good food, varied menu, cheerful staff both at the bar and in the dining area. And right across from Eastern State Penetentary!

Located across the street from Eastern State Penitentiary, with a surface parking lot on the next block, this was a perfect place for our lunch. We had calamari for an appetizer-likely the best I've had, served with "hot lava" a tartar type sauce with a little kick. We had crab cake sandwiches, a pulled pork sandwich, a portobello sandwich and NE clam chowder. All of us enjoyed our meal. They serve biscuits to start and end with scrumptious home baked cookies. We ate on the patio and enjoyed the beautiful weather. The wait staff were friendly and helpful. I would definitely go back!

Great ambiance, menu, food, and service! We stopped here for an early dinner after our trip to Eastern State Penitentiary. The menu had so many great options it was hard to decide. Both our meals- the calamari with jalapeño chips and the Philly cheeses steak were great, as were our drinks. Service couldn’t have been better. The only drawback was also a plus: the open air (which meant that we had a little gnat visiting us as we dined). If I could give half stars, I would give 4.5/5 for that reason. Definitely a great place overall!

This restaurant is located directly across from the Eastern State penitentiary, making it a great stop for lunch after visiting the penitentiary. The restaurant is located in an old fire station and has a nice outside seating area in the front and a dining area in the back. Our server was very friendly and Attentive. Our lunch was quite average. I had the grilled portobello mushroom and it barely filled half of the bun. We were served biscuits prior to lunch and two small complementary cookies after lunch. My daughter ordered a soda which was not unlimited refills.

We visited Jack's Firehouse after touring Eastern State Penitentiary, right across the street. It was a pleasant day, so we sat outside to eat. I ordered the black-eyed pea and smoked ham soup. It sounded delicious on the menu, but I was disappointed to find it had no chunks of ham in it. I told our server that I had been searching and searching, but could find no ham. She said they were short-handed and someone new was serving the soup and probably didn't stir the pot. So, she offered to get me a new bowl, which she did. Unfortunately, it wasn't any better. The soup also didn't have much flavor. I also had their Who Ya Gunna Call cocktail, which came with a ghost Peep floating in it. When our server noticed that I ate the Peep, she came back with two more on a small plate. My daughter and husband had the hamburgers and both liked them. I'm giving this place a rating of 3 because of the okay food, but the service was excellent!

The large, open firehouse doors are very inviting on a warm Summer evening! We sat at the bar for a nice meal and some drinks and thoroughly enjoyed the ambience and decor of the old firehouse setting. Menu has a lot of great comfort food, many items in a southern style. We enjoyed the fried chicken and portabello mushroom sandwich. We very much appreciated the complimentary cornbread mini muffins with sour cherries! Decent drink selection as well as several local PA draft beers including those from Yards, Victory, and Sly Fox. Great service by our bartender! Overall, an enjoyable place for comfort food and a drink!

I usually don’t bother writing a poor review and figure it was just an off day but this one needs to be written. Had lunch there with the family in January. Service was very slow and the food was barely okay. The muffins were under-cooked and gooey inside. The fries were over cooked. The crab cake was served on a roll that was still wet from defrosting. I could have “thrown together” a better meal in my own kitchen. This is not the first (or second) meal that has been underwhelming but we kept thinking it was just that particular day. Sadly, we won’t be back.

finding the side entrance & Walking in, you think you are walking into a normal bar, But you get seated at a clean table with white linens. All of our food was very tasty. The service was spot on. And the Manager looks like Joon from Benny & joon, in my opinion.

Stopped for lunch after touring Eastern State Penitentiary (right across the street). It's a genuine, old fire house complete with much of the original decor. Comfortable, casual environment. It was not at all crowded, which was surprising for what a nice place it is and how much we enjoyed the food. Their signature New England Clam Chowder was excellent, as was the Southern Style Pulled Pork Sandwich. The cost was well within expectations for Philly. Our meal was highlighted by delicious, complimentary cornbread with a couple different types of jam and complimentary desert muffins. The bathrooms are not fully handicap accessible - need to climb a single stair to reach the restroom area - but they are clean, bright and well appointed. There's easy parking in a city lot catty corner from Jack's (next to Eastern State). We'd definitely recommend Jack's Firehouse to friends and family.

We arrived at 5:00 on a Monday just to grab a cocktail/beer on a hot day. While waiting for a hostess the gentleman behind the bar addressed me and I told him we just wanted to grab a beer and sit outside, he said OK. While sitting at our table with nobody else around our waiter arrived, we told him we just wanted a beer. We were then informed to sit outside we had to order food, he recommended us going somewhere else so we went one bar over. We highly recommend the Urban Saloon.

Loved being back in Philly and hitting up the old favorites like Jack’s. Ownership has changed, but the quality remains the same. Excellent bread, great martinis, delicious Calamari, Catfish Entree, and Chicken Apple Salad. Jack’s is a great spot in the Art Museum community. Highly recommend this restaurant.

We discovered this quirky restaurant which is the old fire station whilst staying with our son who has just emigrated to USA. We had an excellent meal with cocktails beforehand, all served quickly and cheerily by our lovely waitress.

Located right across the street for the Easter State Penitentiary, it was a nice place to have lunch first. Food was good, and not too expensive. The serve rolls before the meal and cookies after. Very nice touch. Service was good.

This restaurant has a nice ambience from being in a restored firehouse, someone loved this place and it is evident. I consider this a hidden gem although it is not far from the museums, only a few blocks. Our food was tasty and moderately priced, with in house made dessert. I definitely would return. There is parking on the street, just be mindful of the signage as cities will enforce towing if need be.

Stopped here before going to Eastern State Prison Haunted Tour. Second time here. Food is always good. Drinks are well poured. Staff is friendly and attentive. Parking is always an issue here this time of the year. Always good to make a reservation. The owner is very accommodating and friendly. Would definitely return and recommend.

Came with my daughter. Ordered lemonade, ginger ale, clam chowder, and crab cakes to split. 1: Lemonade tasted skunky 2: Ginger ale was flat and watered down beyond recognition 3: I picked a piece of plastic something -or-other out of my clam chowder. The clam chowder was struck from the total. 4: There was some concern about how fully cooked the crab cakes were. The young lady taking care of us was sweet and apologetic. I know a couple 2 tables down from us also requested to speak with the manager because their food never came out. I'm not sure how long they had been waiting. I won't be coming back. The atmosphere was nice and the bathrooms were clean.

We went to Jack's early in the evening on a Wednesday and walked the avenue a couple blocks before our reservation time. No one in the place at this time of day and week, which was a concern at first. Late September and the front huge doors were open which made for terrific view from near the rear of the restaurant. The calamari was by far the best I have ever eaten. Tender and flavorful like none other. The smokiness of the black eyed pea soup was another wonderful flavor. The flat iron steak was done to perfection as was the mignon. Our server and chef were great as well. I live an hour away but will return soon for the calamari. Wow!

Back in Philly for a few days and went to a private party at Jack's. Great venue. Plenty of hor d'oeuvres walking around during the cocktail hour, very tasty. The meal was buffet style with plenty of choices. Mick the owner was a great host and was on top of everything to make sure it all went smooth. Staff was overly attentive and friendly. never had to ask to have my water or drink filled. Definitely worth a visit if you have not been here in a while.

We finished our tour of Eastern State Penitentiary and stopped in for a beer. We sat at the bar. The two young bartenders were so kind. Great conversation and service. We even had two free delicious cookies.

I visited Jack's after visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary tour, it was a very warm day and a cold beer was needed. What a great place! A really nicely put together pub, lovely staff and great service. Well worth a visit and the food looked good too.

Have enjoyed this restaurant for a decade plus. Not the same Shrimp app, great Caesar salad, blah Pulled pork sandwiches, terrible, couldn’t eat them Server never asked, okay ?

My husband and I had visited the art museum and were looking for some lunch afterwards. Our trusty Trip Advisor app led us to Jack's Firehouse, about a 10 to 15 minute walk from the museum. While it was late in the lunch hour when we arrived, the restaurant was still busy. We were lucky to get a table - they have indoor and outdoor seating available. The service was a little slow - it seemed our waitress was covering a lot of tables. But we were not in a hurry and she was very apologetic and kind. My husband and I shared a spinach salad and a cheese steak. I loved the salad. It was one of those simple dishes where the freshness and quality of the ingredients really shined through. The cheese steak was also good - real pieces of beef in cream sauce on a roll along with grilled onions and peppers. Not a classic Philly cheese steak with Whiz, a little more upscale and perhaps better depending on your opinions of such things. My husband also enjoyed a local draft pale ale too. A nice final touch were the homemade mini chocolate chip cookies with our check - still warm! It was a great find and a great lunch for us!

The food was excellent. The staff was courteous, friendly and quick. The old fire house location is great! And they're right across the street from Eastern State Penetentiary. We were there for Sunday lunch. Good selection. My wife enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich. I had a very good Philly cheese steak. The bloody Mary was awesome.

We had their weekend brunch menu today. Connor served our table efficiently with friendly advice on selections. They offered breakfast fare selected by my 20 year old daughter, sandwiches, and salads (my wife and I). We all enjoyed our dishes. The old firehouse provides a very interesting setting and decor such as a crewing canoe makes this a unique experience.

Second time at Jack's, but it has been a long time between visits. Our meals were overload. The apps the soup, yes soup on a hot July night. The seafood is great. They are know for BBQ, you gotta see these plates of heaven being served. We will be back for a BBQ plate for 2. And be fighting over the last bite.

They were packed Chelsea the manager was hostessing and serving Still great service The sietan salad and black eyed pea soup were great The ribs were undercooked unfortunately I would go back

My husband and I stopped in here for dinner after visiting a nearby museum. I ordered the steak and it was absolutely delicious! I asked for medium rare and it came out perfectly, so good! My husband's meal was also excellent, pork loin and sweet potatoes smash. We were seated outside, which is across from the Eastern State Pennitentiary, which is another favorite place of mine but I won't go into detail on that. The waitress was very. The only downside is the wait is a little long, but for the amazing food it's worth the wait. Highly recommend!

We visited here as part of a package with Eastern State Penitentiary Terror Behind the Walls. This restaurant was great. It was a set menu but all food e very fresh didn't tsste like it was just sitting under a heat lamp. The wings for an appetizer were some of the best we had. Definitely just came out of the dryer as they were piping hot. Two of us had the ribs and two the beef. Easy too much food to eat. Dessert was great as well. Staff was very attentive and nice. They even held our leftovers while we visited the Penitentiary. If go back again for sure. Make reservations as is a small place.

After a lovely visit to the Philly museum of art we walked 10 min to brunch at the restaurant. There is a parking lot near by to the restaurant but we had validated parking at the museum so we left the car there. This restaurant is directly across the penitentiary. There is seating outside which is lovely, I would suggest sitting in some shade we got really warm. Our server Carla was very friendly. She told us that an automatic 18% gratuity is charged. We did not have much of a wait. The restrooms are clean. We ordered bellini, draft beer and shirley temple. All great drinks. We got brussel sprouts with horseradish, this was the best dish of the meal and must try. We ordered the ribs and French toast as well as a burger. The food was average but the sauces were very tasty. We got a Dutch toffee pound cake to end the meal which was delicious. Overall a lovely visit.

Came for lunch. Restaurant was not crowded. We ordered promptly. Wait person was very nice. It took over a half hour to get a salad and a sandwich. They were good, but definitely not worth the wait. We ate here 20 years and didn’t return because it took an inordinate amount of time first to get seated then to get served. I won’t be back since things have not obviously improved.

We really enjoyed our lunch at Jack's. The food was very good and the staff was outstanding. It is right across from the Eastern State Penitentiary.

My fiance and I stopped at Jack's Firehouse for a quick bite to eat before we went over to Terror Behind the Walls. It was a great choice and we were not disappointed. It is literally right across the street from Eastern State so it could not have been more convenient. We were a little pressed for time so we sat at the bar. there were 3 bartenders and were received our drink orders were quickly. I had a Yards pale ale, which was excellent, and my fiance had a South African white blend. She said her wine was excellent as well. We were not too incredibly hungry, which was our loss since the menu looked fantastic, so we just ordered the mussels. Before the mussels came out they brought us some house baked bread, which included cheddar biscuits and mini cornbread rolls. It also included house made butter and jam. The cheddar biscuits and butter were delicious. I feel like the corn bread may have been lacking a little bit but it was still decent. After the bread out came our mussels, and it was an enormous portion. Along with the mussels it had sausage and two huge pieces of garlic bread. We were only able to just finish the mussels. They were very good and the broth was delicious. I wish we were hungrier as we would have loved to have tried and eaten more of the menu. I thought the prices were decent as well. They weren't trying to gouge you. The real highlight of our visit was a regular we sat next to named Jimmy, at least I'm pretty sure that was his name. He was great company and knew the owner and staff very well. He told us where he was from and what he did for his job. He was just overall fun and interesting. He was able to provide us with some fun facts about the restaurant and the great places they source their food from. I just wish we could have stayed longer and eaten more. If we are in Philly & near Eastern State, we will definitely be stopping by again!

Arrived at 618 for a 615 reservation. Seated immediately. Sat for ten minutes before we had drink orders taken. Told server we had tickets for an 8pm show. He said they were backed up, but we’d have time. Another 15 minutes go by and we told him to put the apps in with the entrees and bring it all at same time , if necessary. Nothing happens. We inquire as time is starting to get tight and we have no food. Again told it would be just.a few more minutes. Apps arrive (Brussels and mussels - both great) - no entrees. You see the pattern here. We then tell them to bring us the bill so we can pay it now instead of waiting at the end of the meal. Big mistake. Now another 20 minutes go by and it is 750. We tell them to make it to go. That takes another 15 minutes. We ran to the car, threw the boxes in and made it to show (missed most of opening act). We ate in the parking lot after the show - cold, of course after 2 hours in the car. $250 with a tip that they clearly didn’t deserve. Never offered anything accept a lame apology. They should’ve comped the whole thing, but we didn’t have time to pursue it. Food is good. The kitchen and management are awful. Felt a little bad for our server because he had to cover and apologize for this debacle. He told us they got two large parties at the same time. Last I looked, that shouldn’t be my problem. They should really reach out to us and make it right. C’mon, jacks firehouse, surprise me (in a good way this time) because you should have just told us from the beginning that you were in the weeds instead of telling us “it’ll just be a few more minutes”. As noted, the food, even cold, was good - portions weren’t that big for $26 an entree.

Been going to Jack’s on regular basis whenever in Philly; never disappoints; terrific bar offerings and always good staples and seasonal specials. Great place to visit after an art museum visit. Highly recommend.

I have been to Jack's numerous times over the past twelve years. This past visit I was not impressed at all. I feel they have really lost their quality and taste. They used to have great tasting dishes. My friends and I all agreed it was not the same quality it used to be in the past. Our dishes were bland and lacking the pizazz that always kept me / us coming back. They need to regroup and figure out what made them so tasty as before!

We won a certificate from a CASA charity event. This was a first time visit for my husband and I. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather while enjoying an awesome meal! Our waitress, Danielle, was kind and very attentive! Mick, one of the owners, made us feel so welcome and special. The desserts are off the hook! It was so worth the ride! If this item is at the CASA auction again this year, we will be bidding on it again!!! Thank you Mick for a very enjoyable evening!!

We were greeted for lunch by friendly staff and served complementary biscuits and corn muffin bites, but the experience went downhill after that. My wife ordered a salad with smoked chicken on it. Chicken was burned and like shoe leather. At her request they brought some other chicken that wasn't burnt. I ordered blackeyed pea and ham soup and the BBQ Taster. Both very disappointing. There are much better restaurants up and down the street. I highly recommend you avoid this one.

I had high hopes for this place. For starters, it’s great looking. And my soup of the day, a cream of portobello mushroom, was wonderful. But it went downhill from there. My BBQ plate (rib, brisket and pulled pork) was dry and over cooked. My husband’s burger was well done when he had ordered medium. So can’t recommend other than its well located directly across from the Eastern State Penitentiary.

Stumbled upon Jack’s when visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary across the street. An old fired house converted into a restaurant makes a great ambience to this place. Everything is intact there still, even the old fireman’s pole. The menu was varied with plenty of choice and the portions were just enough. The kids enjoyed their food immensely and we had a good wine selection on the menu also. I would definitely come back to Jacks on my next visit to Philly.

Don't assume just because there are other diners you've picked a good place. People were forgotten. Like us. 60 minutes no food... if we hadn't finally pulled over a server we had died at the table. They serve soda in small bottles...overcharging. no refill. 15 salad was 90 percent mixed greens. Had only 3 blue cheese pieces. Really disappointing.

Jack's has a fantastic location- right outside Eastern State Penitentiary. When we arrived earlier than planned, it was the perfect location for lunch. The food was just ok- nothing special. Cost was more a recognition of its prime location than its food quality.

Stopped in to Jack's for a late lunch. The food and the service were excellent. I had the shrimp bisque which was served piping hot and the catfish sandwich. Both were superb. The atmosphere itself is also great. It really is an old firehouse. Love it!

Great BBQ restaurant with a casual setting, set within the restored confines of an old Philadelphia Fire House. Great menu, superb beer selection, and fun staff make it a nice stop for lunch or dinner!

I love this space and would love to return if it not for the high-school-kids-on-summer-break vibe of the service. Our family was openly mocked by our server and I believe they also over charged us on the service fee that was added without any warning. If you are a family with children or a senior, avoid this place. Overall a disappointing experience at a place that has the potential to be great.

I just spent almost $200 on a terrible meal that went mostly into the garbage. We’re here on vacation and visited Eastern State. Was looking for something close to eat for a late lunch. Party of 6. They looked at us like we were insane for not having reservations in a mostly empty restaurant. Service was subpar at best. We wouldn’t have spent more on drinks if the waitress would have been around or asked. The food was not good. Six plates barely touched and no to go boxes. Not a question if there was a problem, just kind of ignored us. For all of the competition in the area, they really need to step up their game.

After 3 hours in the prison we needed something to eat. We saw Jack's Firehouse across the street so we stopped in. Seated quickly at a table in the back. Our waiter was courteous, pleasant and fast. 2 chicken cheese steaks, 1 pulled pork, 1 Apple salad, and 2 monster size hamburgers were soon on the table. Plenty of French fries, muffins with jam and cinnamon butter, cookies. In and out in 35 minutes. Did not feel hassled. 4 adults and 2 children ages 14 and 8. They had a good selection of beers and wine. We would stop in again.

We were there for lunch and the food was excellent. I am a connoisseur of fries, and theirs are wonderful! Service was attentive and even though we weren't in a hurry, we could have easily eaten here on a limited lunch break.

First time at this restaurant. Originally an old firehouse, the setting has high ceilings and lovely old wood. Service was good. We both had the catfish sandwich which was huge and came with fries. Very good. Prices were reasonable. Street parking a challenge.

I was in a group with 40 people and I understand that can be a challenge for servers. Since we were a large group we had 4 meal choices. Everyone at my table gave the server their order and when he was delivering the food he had a chicken sandwich that no one claimed. He rudely said - "ok - someone changed their mind." That did not happen. No one changed their mind - HE made a mistake. When I received my hamburger I took one bite and saw that it was raw. I do not like raw hamburgers. I showed my table mates and they all agreed that it was raw. When I asked the server if I could get it cooked more - he kind of huffed and said as he was leaving that it was NOT raw. None of us at the table could believe him. Another person at our table waited a very long time for her pulled pork sandwich and when it finally arrived it also was not fully cooked and the bun was red from the meat juice. Of the six people at our table, only one person had warm French fries - all the others had cold fries. The table was not cleared before serving the dessert which was included in our meal. All in all the food was mediocre but the service was one of the worst I've experienced.

Me & a couple of co-workers did the tour at the Eastern State Penitentiary after we were done we were starving seen Jack's Firehouse across the street decided do grab some lunch. I ordered there Fire House Bloody Mary & they were so delicious I ordered 4 more & felt great when I left. I ordered the crab cake sandwich with hot lava & we also got complimentary biscuits & corn bread. The crab cake sandwich was good with some nice amount of heat & the biscuits & corn bread were fantastic.

After visiting the penitentiary, we stopped in for lunch before continuing our tour. We were able to sit outside with a great view of the prison. We split the philly cheese steak. Although the bread was alittle stale, the taste sandwich was still good. We had a great waitress who was very attentive to all her tables. Prices were reasonable. The biscuits and jam were a bonus.

Perfect place to sit and people watch. Our server was the best! Food was great and all the staff were very friendly. I highly recommend the BBQ platter, it was a lot of food. And not to mention, it's right across the street from Eastern state penitentiary.

Took a chance and tried Jack's last night. We were pleasantly surprised at the lively pub atmosphere. The food was excellent, including a few dishes that were somewhat different such as venison and salmon incrusted in potato. We tried the black eyed pea and ham soup and loved it. The service could not have been better.

Yes, a real firehouse. It was a pleasant day and we decided to sit outside in front of the open firehouse doors to enjoy our lunch and people watch. The service was good and the food was delicious? It was just a nice day out.

My group went to jacks the other night. We had a good time and enjoyed the food and beverages. Would certainly recommend eating here. Outside seating made our ability to stay in a large group simple. The downside to a large group is that they do not split checks. So at the end, 15 people are all trying to do the math that should have been simple if the check was pre split. I do understand the idea of not splitting a check because in large parties places like this include a default tip percentage, but use software to tack that on rather than having your guests try and figure it out as they are trying to leave. Overall, I'd be back, just not with a group unless only one person was paying.

We went to Jack's Firehouse last night for the combo dinner and Eastern State Penitentiary Terror tour. Jack's is right across the street from the penitentiary. Their special menu for this event was varied and Halloween/fall themed. Their pumpkin soup was outstanding. One of us had the salmon, two had the braised beef and I had the pumpkin risotto. Each was outstanding and the accompanying vegetables fresh and cooked perfectly. Our waitress was very attentive and personable. The restaurant was quite busy but the four of us could converse and hear each other! I can't wait to come back to Jack's Firehouse.

Have never been disappointed when visiting this Philadelphia institution. Service is always accommodating and the food quality and offerings are excellent. Been here dozens of times and never a bad time. Recommend to anyone visiting Philly.

Pros: - Convenient location across the street from the penitentiary. - Beautiful building inside and out with vintage charm and pleasant ambiance. - Complimentary buttermilk biscuits and mini-cornbread muffins with butter and cherry compote. Cons: - ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING ELSE. We dined in the early afternoon on a Saturday. Brunch was the only menu offered. In our party of six, everyone left disappointed and shocked/slightly angry at how bad our experience was. Our server was kind of annoying, seemed a bit off his game, and was less than attentive. We had to ask for our second round of water. Thank goodness for those complimentary biscuits and muffins because it took about 45 minutes to get our food. My mom and I had ordered the spinach salad with anjou pear, feta, and champagne vinaigrette topped with roasted chicken (which was an additional $4). My husband and sister each ordered the firehouse cheeseburger, and my two brothers had the blueberry pancakes and french toast. We also had a half-dozen of oysters on the half-shell, which were good. The salads were, by far, the worst item we received. A meager portion of baby spinach was scattered over a regular-size dinner plate; on the side were four small strips of chicken so hard we could barely bite them. A few strings of tasteless shredded pear sat on top. I think we each spotted two or three crumbles of feta, and as far as we could tell, this “champagne vinaigrette” was a skimpy drizzle of olive oil. Luckily, my husband got some honey mustard with his burger so we poured some over our salads to at least give them some flavor. I doubt I’ve ever been so ripped off on a meal. The burgers were decently sized but charred (ordered medium well), and both the pancakes and French toast were so dry even extra syrup couldn’t redeem them. When it came time to pay, the server couldn’t split the check based on parties and items ordered, instead offering to divide the check evenly three ways. So my sister, who had ordered only a $15 burger, had to pay $35 for her meal while everyone else got out much cheaper than we should have. We couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Not only were we out $100+, we lost about an hour-and-a-half of valuable sightseeing time. This was definitely one of my worst dining experiences ever.

Stopped into Jack's Firehouse after visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary with my boyfriend. It was during lunch and not busy at all. We opted to sit at the bar since we were grabbing a quick bite. The bartender was super friendly and answered our questions, giving us recommendations since we were stuck between two options. We ordered the cajun buttered basted grilled shrimp and the fried calamari with hot pepper chips, carrots & hot lava. We shared both appetizers and they were a good portion. They were both tasty and full of flavor. The shrimp were jumbo and came with a cocktail sauce. The calamari was crunchy and came with their hot lava sauce, which kind of tasted like a spicy mayo. Overall, it was a good experience and if I were in the area I would stop in here to grab a bite and try something else on their menu and I would recommend Jack's to others.

Interesting bar and restaurant, in an old fire station. It’s full of locals and despite it’s open floor plan offers a cozy ambience. We had firehouse cider to drink, a magnificent blend for which we all want to make another day trip to Philly. Their Seitan salad and Philly cheesesteak were very tasty, too. Service was extremely friendly and fast. They also let us sit and relax well after we were done with our food and drinks. Decent prices and not that far from the Museum of Art.

We thought the service was good, the portions were big but not everyone was happy with their food. The buttermilk biscuits with cherries were good as was the cheesesteak. The brisket was tough and the pork sandwich roll was very wet from the sauce. Nice place.

We sat outside. It was a bit buggy, table was dirty. Placemats would have been nice. Atmosphere was ok, but table next to us was very loud. Some background music might help. Food was Only ok. Steak ordered medium well was more well done, and dry.

Jack's Firehouse is located in an old firehouse, adding to its charm. It's across the street from the Eastern State Penitentiary. We happen to be in Philly during Restaurant Week, but by 9 PM we found a seat easily. My husband and I split the pulled pork on nachos appitizer, good portion. I ordered the crab cakes with chow chow, it was very good.

We went after hitting the awesome Eastern State terror behind the walls - some of the monsters recommended it highly. It was very crowded and took a while to get served once we ordered, but it was really, really good! I had a chicken breast over Mac n Cheese with bacon and a mushroom sauce - it was neither overly large nor overly rich - the parts blended perfectly! She had a salad with apple straws pecans and cheese (goat or blue - don't remember) - loved it as well! We finished off the meal with a butter, toffee nut cake - I might not have the name quite right, but damn it was sooo good!! Supposedly the owners mother in laws recipe - again not too big, but outstanding!!

We were here due to the Eastern State Terror event. the place was never to crowded so we were able to enjoy the food and not feel rushed. The server was very good and perfect balance of checking with us and timing the dishes. You will most likely come in through the huge front door but if it's closed, the main entry is to the right of the building. Fun place to sit, eat and look around.

We were stuck with little option after a visit to Eastern State Penetentary and a thunderstorm so went for closest option. Firstly we found it odd to be seated in far corner when everyone else was at the Bar eating. Not sure if we were meant to express a wish to sit at bar but was odd to be seated in furtherest corner. Secondly food was pretty poor for price. I had vegetable rissotto which was definitely made with frozen vegetables and not much flavour aside from vegetable stock. Appreciate at a "firehouse" not much choice for vegetarians but bfs steak sandwich as also not up to standard. Would not recommend unless stuck with little choice.

We stopped by for brunch/lunch after visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary. We ordered the BBQ Platter for our family of 4 and it was MORE than enough food! It included ribs, friend chicken, pulled pork (more smoked than sweet) on tortilla chips and spicy French fries. The food was delicious and we had enough for dinner later that evening. The fries were very spicy, but we couldn't stop eating them the flavor was so good. I also enjoyed a delicious bloody mary! Overall a great experience.

We found this gem of a place after exiting the Penn Prison on a raining day. The food was great and they accomadated our gluten free situation

I imagine that the penitentiary food across the street was not as good but there was something definitely missing at Jack's. The meal was one of the worst we had in a long time. They had only chicken in their Philly Cheese STEAK! How disappointing. Service was slow and full of misunderstandings. The big firehouse front door was left open on one of the hottest days ever, effectively neutralizing the air conditioning. It was the sweatiest meal ever. We won't be back.

This place is awesome. Just enjoyed a wonderful Salmon dish here. Friends enjoyed the Strip Steaks. Bartender made fantastic sangria. Our waiter could not have been any more pleasant or accommodating. The appetizer shrimp were superb. Great meal and great atmosphere.

Wonderful location. Close to Eastern State penitentiary and the Art museum. Food is delicious and not toooooo expensive. I always believe pricing can be so relative so do not comment on it a lot but it is more expensive then your run of the mill sports bar or causual dining. Good beverages as well!

I am a southern and did not expect to find good Southern food in Philadelphia, but did here. The pulled pork sandwich was good as was the complimentary biscuit and cherries.

Great experience. Server couldn’t have been nicer. Food was excellent with very generous portions. I had a shrimp appetizer, followed by a filet entree. Amazing food. Indoor and outdoor dining options. And you have a great view of Eastern State Penitentiary. Full bar. Street parking.

I loved this charming bar and restaurant. It is casual and I wore my ripped jeans with a semi dressy shirt. I had the BLT Caesar salad which was the best Caesar salad that I ever had. The wait staff was super friendly. It is located right across the street from the Eastern State Penitentiary (which I also wrote a review for). The prices were somewhat high however you did get a lot for your money. I will eat here again when I am in Philadelphia.

We went and had drinks here after visiting the penitentiary. The place has a very cool interior design. A great selection of beer and drinks. The appetizers we had were also very good.

We came here after visiting the old fashioned CLOSED jail. We ordered a cheeseburger, chicken fingers, and 2 salads. The salads were tasty. The chicken fingers were your average chicken fingers. And, the cheeseburger was the best cheeseburger I have ever eaten in Philly. But that was my first cheeseburger ever in philly. Nice atmosphere with some music. Price was good.

Did really well with a large seated party. The place was rather quiet at lunch which was perfect. We made up for additional noise and we bothered no one. Service was attentive. Lot's of good appetizers. Everyone enjoyed their food. I had the BBQ and it was really good. Haven't been here in 20 years or more but now it will be on my list when I am in the area again.

Stopped here for lunch after visiting eastern state penn. Ordered the portabella mushroom sandwich. The food took a while to get to us and when it did the buns were very hard. I simply took mine off the bun and the mushroom was delicious. When we told the waitress about the bun. She informed the manager. He apologized and had the kitchen staff make us a large dessert player on the house. Great customer service and friendly manager.

Stopped in after visiting the Penitentiary across the street. Food was pricey but good. Service was excellent and Stewart was a great waiter! I highly recommend this place!

This has been a good place for awhile but has gotten even better with a new chef. Delicious complimentary biscuits with cherry preserves and little corn muffins. Yummy draft beers, burgers and crab cake sandwiches. Very good service too. We’ll be back!

Good food. Great service. Awesome atmosphere. Sat outside on a beautiful fall day and enjoyed a nice meal and a few cocktails. Glad I stopped by.

Unfortunately I have to give this place a star just because it is not expected to give zero. Of the place except only the environment and polite staff but regarding the kitchen the experience was bad. Starting with the ferrous-tasting water, continuing with the almost raw hamburger and hard bread that looked like two days ago tomato and lettuce that should go inside the sandwich, they stood out on the plate as if they were a side dish. What was that? A decomposed hamburger?without sauces among other things. Very dry.Burned chips and mushrooms just as much, pesto of which they speak not even the shadow. Tip already included in the price at 22% , they do not deserve it but you can not do without it. High prices compared to the quality of the food. I strongly discourage

We stumbled into Jack’s after an excellent tour of the eastern state penitentiary. We received a very warm welcome and after expecting only to have a drink ended up sharing the pear salad with smoked chicken which was excellent. We stumbled across this place but it is worth looking out in its own right. Also worth noting is the wonderful converted fire station that it is situated in.

This restaurant’s owner was physically greeting customers and was so hospitable. It is located right across the Eastern Stare Penitentiary where my friends and I visited the historical place to learn more about its background. It’s almost Halloween so the restaurant also had a Fright & Bite deal which is $80 for a 3 course meal plus the ticket to get into the Terror Behind the Walls that started at 7pm. The owner literally escorted us to the front of the line as vIP guests. The restaurant had great food (I had the pulled pork appetizer, ribs as entree and chocolate cake for dessert). Everything was honestly amazing from the ambience to the customer service to the food! This is a must to visit if you are in Philly. Thank you!

Zack must be the owner's son, in no fear of re-training due to his arrogant attitude. He was wearing a nice blanket/serape however. The food was horrible. Sent it back and the next batch was just awful. Nice atmosphere, however there isn't much FD memorabilia just a few photos. The rest room needs a good cleaning. We should have went to Pat's or Gino's.

The food was good , I made a dad choice in adding the roasted chicken to my salad it was a little dry. My waiter Floyd offer to exchange it for the shrimp I should have had but I thought that was not fair. The salad it self was great Granny Smith apple , Spring Greens , Pecans with a vinaigrette. A biscuit, small cornbread muffins and cherries came complimentary with the meal.

We came here for dinner, and I guess I was expecting more "bar type" food, but was rather impressed with dinner! It was all good, but my favorite part was the turnip greens they brought out... and Im from Arkansas and so eat a lot of turnip greens! But the chicken was really good, and the cherries they serve with the bread were also a pleasant surprise!

Perfect place to have lunch before we took the Penitentiary Tour. We had a couple of beers, which they have many to choose from. For lunch we had the split pea soup which was excellent! My husband had the pan fried steak and I had the salmon dinner all which were delicious. For dessert you must try the homemade burnt butter pound cake! Delicious!

The food was good. We had the southern pulled pork sandwich and the beef brisket sandwich and both were excellent. The view out the big firehouse doors to the street and ESP were nice. Service was great.

For the most part, we had a very good dining experience at Jack's Firehouse before attending the Eastern Penitentiary Halloween Nights event directly across the street. We made reservations for 5 pm on a Sunday, which was probably not needed, as when we arrived, there was plenty of seating and the hostess was eager to seat us before learning we had a reservation. I should mention at this point that everyone was extremely friendly. All the bartenders greeted us as we walked inside and our hostess and server were exceptionally friendly. I ordered the NY Strip and my girlfriend ordered the fried chicken with Mac & Cheese. We shared our meal, and I found both selections to be average, short of outstanding. The meal was good and satisfying, but nothing about it would make me want to come back here again rather than try another restaurant instead. I agree with the nitpick about a 20% gratuity automatically being added to the bill. It's something we would have paid regardless, but for a restaurant to do it is tacky. That puts out a message that no matter how good or bad we are going to treat you tonight, you are going to pay the maximum tip. That's not a good policy to enforce upon your customers.

After enjoying the Museum of Art, we descended the Rocky Stairs and took a stroll down Fairmount Avenue. There is a nice selection of small restaurants along the way. Jack’s offers an outdoor, historical, local and fun vibe. The staff was friendly and helpful. The food was well prepared and nicely portioned. Great night.

This is right across the street from the Eastern State Penitentiary so its a must stop before or after a tour. Their chicken Caesar salads are delicious, and they had a Salmon Club sandwich to die for.

The catfish Po'boy was fantastic and the Philly Cheese Steak looked good as well. Great building, lovely attentive staff and a good atmosphere. Enjoy the 'on the house' dishes!

After a Saturday visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we walked to the 1871 Jack's Firehouse for lunch. It was a brisk 20 minute walk to the restaurant which is directly across from the Eastern State Penitentiary. The restaurant is housed in a brick and stone former firehouse. Outdoor seating is available in the front and one side of Jack's. The interior has a bar up front with seating towards the back. Above the bar is a wooden skull racing shell replete with oars. Jack's Firehouse menu has a wide variety of choices not just southern bbq including lobster mac n' cheese to risotto to NY strip. We placed our order with our waitstaff. My son ordered a Coke and was brought the smallest glass bottle for $3.50. On the menu is the statement that a 20% service charge is added to all dining checks for the waitstaff. Our orders of a Philly cheesesteak and a firehouse salad came after a longish wait. With it the server brought some small corn muffins. All the food was good. We had to wait a while and eventually go find our server to request our bill. With the bill, came 2 chocolate chip cookies. This restaurant is probably great as an after work place for a drink & dinner. I was disappointed in the waitstaff but the food was ok and location good for after the art museum visit on a Saturday.

Looking for a spot of lunch after visiting East State Penn on a cold winters day and found this place right across the road. Old firehouse re-tasked, looked good so gave it a go. So glad we did. The food was great and the service was super friendly and efficient. Between us we had burgers, soups and a Pulled Pork Poutine all with biscuits and cornbread. Washed down with some beer and a cocktail. Excellent spot and I would gladly revisit if I am ever back in Phily.

I scheduled a group lunch for family and friends to celebrate my college graduation. The owner, Mick, was very paitent with all of my questions and offered a customizable menu at great price points. The food and service was great! The atmosphere was casual and friendly. My guests had a great time. And their Sunday brunch is really good too!

The meals are big and well done. We shared a salad and a sandwich and both were very good. The bonus - free cookies and good drop biscuits even when you order a sandwich!

My husband and I went to Jack's after our Eastern State Penitentiary tour, as Jack's Firehouse was across the street. We were not disappointed. The restaurant/pub is actually an old firehouse. We sat out on the patio, had a big umbrella to protect us from the sun. The inside of Jack's has a cozy atmosphere and the bar area is very nice, also. Our waiter was friendly and the service was good. My husband had the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich with peppers and onions and I had the Crab Cake sandwich. Both dishes were very tasty. They brought buttermilk biscuits to start and they were fantastic! After we were done, our waiter brought us homemade cookies for dessert, for free! I recommend Jack's Firehouse as one of the restaurants you should definitely go to and have a meal or drinks and appetizers.

Had dinner at Jack's tonight. Passed by here many times, but finally got the chance to come here. Definitely worth the visit. Connor, our waiter was on top of things the entire time. Would definitely come back.

Touring area. Stopped in for beverage and appetizer. Bartender, Peyton, was great, very personable and friendly. We really enjoyed talking with her. Great local restaurant. We had Black eyed pea and smoked ham soup and bbq pork nachos, very good! They also served mini cornbread muffins with sweet cherries on side, different, and also yummy. Had a spiced hit cider that was brewing and smelled so festive. Highly recommend. They have outdoor seating as well, open doors when westher permits.

We were there during brunch but wandered off that menu a bit I had the mussels and sausage - delicious sausage and crusty bread for dunking in the average broth. My husband had the pork poutine - he said it wasn't really poutine as there were no cheese curds or "gravy." But he still liked it - basically pulled pork over fries. Mimosas aren't on special at brunch - for $8 you get a small champagne glass with 1/2 OJ, 1/2 champagne - not a great value. Our service was good but we could tell she wasn't loving her job, just going through the motions. Would I go again? Nah, too many other places to check out.

Overall a pretty good food experience, But sometimes it is very good, others less so. it is interesting place to eat.

This place is across the street from Eastern State Penitentiary. We ate a late lunch there and just about had the place to ourselves. There is indoor and outdoor seating. The 3 of us shared fried brussel sprouts (a first for all of us), our first philly cheesesteak, and were talked into by the waiter - butter toffee cake which the grandmother of the owner makes from scratch! The meal was filling and very good -- I wish I had a picture of the dessert - never had anything like it and it was the BEST dessert we had during our Philadelphia visit. (think southern chess pie/cream cake/butter brownie) - very rich and worth sharing with the table. Please try this place out, even if just for this dessert!

Went to this place twice, the first time I went was ok, service was not great though. The second time I just walked out, didn't even receive a menu after I asked for one and was told I will be brought one. Felt like I was just forgotten about. Massively under staffed.

We went here for lunch after a morning tour of the Eastern State Penn. The service was friendly and we were able to sit outside on a very pleasant day. Mom had the spinach salad with grilled shrimp and enjoyed it. I had my first cheese steak and liked it just fine. DH had a smoked chicken salad sandwich that he enjoyed. The drawback was the fries. They were REALLY overdone. They were kind of hollow inside. The beer was good and the muffins served were really good. I would go back.

Philly Cheesesteak served on a pretzel bun was great! Service was excellent. There's a firepole in the restaurant, but you can climb it.

5 of us went on a sunday, early evening. I had heard of this place for years and always wanted to try it. It wasn't very crowed. It's a cool building. The service was ok but I was surprised that the waitress did not thank me for a very generous tip that I left. After she took the credit card receipt we never saw her again. Here's the problem. 3 of us ended up getting sick after this meal. Highly unlikely that it was a coincidence. There was obviously something wrong here. Very disappointing especially since we were celebrating a birthday. I wouldn't go again. There seem to be many other options in this neighborhood.

Our waiter Stewart was great and made a bad visit a little more enjoyable. The bad service started from the start, it took 15 or 20 minutes before we got service. Then we ordered drinks and that was another 15 minutes. In total over two hours before we were done, between taking time to order, a return visit because they didn't have some items on the menu. Starters took 20 minutes or more and entrees 35 minutes or so. The food again was okay but the time it took to get the orders was just crazy.

Cool building with really good food and great service located directly across from the East State Penitentiary makes it a perfect stop after your tour.

Cool place to eat and drink across the street from. E.S.P. local menu very well done with large portions. Friendly staff as well. The biggest concern here is no AC. Which is fine on mild days but when it gets into the 90s it can be an issue as ceiling fans don't cut it

Actually built in an old firehouse, they've kept a lot of the original details; the original doors, the brass slide pole and the beer tap is made from old fire extinguishers! Basic lunch fair, salads and sandwiches all were very good, and the staff was pleasant and efficient.

We went to Jack's for a beer and snacks while waiting to get into the penitentiary across the street. The place was great. It's in an old fire house, and they still have the pole, which we were told you are free to climb and slide down if you are so inclined. We elected not to. Instead, we had a couple of generous drinks and some appetizers. The appetizers were fantastic, and looking around at folks who ordered full meals, it looks like everything was excellent. Check it out!

On our walk between the art museum and where we parked, we were looking for a place to get some dinner. Saw this cool place, in an old firehouse. Nice outside eating area in a courtyard of sorts. Had a wonderful meal, Conner did a great job taking care of us. Among the three of us we had the smoked brisket appetizer with onion slaw, NY strip steak (the gorgonzola butter is fantastic), port loin with sweet potato mash, apple salad with spiced pecans, and the spinach salad with Anjou pears. All of them were well done and tasty. All three of us eat gluten free and they did a very good job helping us be safe and navigate the menu. Hit the art museum and take a short walk, it was worth it!

Was vacationing in PA from Massachusetts and we found this place after visiting Eastern State Penitentiary and I'm so glad we did!! The food was amazing and so wasn't the service!!!

Cool place, decor-wise. Good service. But food was a major disappointment, even though we didn't expect gourmet food. Love the setting, in a cool neighborhood in Fairmount. We got seated quickly at a nice table. Attentive service. We placed our orders, and drinks were delivered quickly. Bloody Mary was spicy and tasty. Then all downhill from there. We ordered a salad of pears, spinach, and feta with an addition of house-smoked chicken. Got a mound of spinach, a shredded few strands of pear (not enough to taste the pear), a few pieces of feta. And that additional smoked chicken we paid $4 for? A few end-of-a-small-chicken breast very dried out pieces. Yes, the smokiness was good. No, the texture was not. Another disappointment was the breakfast quesadilla. Eggs and flavorless cheeses inside a tortilla. No bacon, as listed. Very bland. Salsa tasted as if bought in a bottle from a discount grocery store, only tomatoes and onions. What does this place have against vegetables? How about adding some peppers and onions, perhaps garlic, to give your dishes some flavor? We gave it a chance and won't be back.

Stopped in for a couple of beers and a quick bite to eat after doing the Eastern State Penitentiary. Had a really great bartender and she recommended the fries with their special sauce. Fries and sauce were great. Will definitely stop again next time we are in town.

This is no reflection on the wait staff at all. The 2 women who served our table were very professional and nice to deal with. There was nothing “wrong” with the food but it was just ok. The plain Mac and cheese and bacon Mac and cheese were kind of bland tasting. I felt the meal was WAY over priced. My son only had French fries - they were $7. $7 for fried potatoes? Seriously? 4 of us had ginger ale. It was served in the small green Canada Dry bottles.....they were $3 each so that was $12 for ginger ale alone. Are you kidding me? Absolutely ridiculous pricing for average food and soda. Only reason we were there was because we toured Eastern State Penitentiary so any tour goers beware!

We did their package deal with the Terror Behind the Walls. The staff were wonderful, the food was great, and the atmosphere couldn't be better. Mick the owner came to check on us. The bacon mac and cheese is very good. The toffee dessert was amazing. And the drinks were delicious. We always make sure to eat dinner here when we're in Philly. If you do Terror Behind the Walls, make sure to get the package with Jack's. They take all of the hassle out of it for you. They get the tickets with a timed entry and even get you cut the line passes so you don't have to wait in the long lines outside.

Very disappointing meal. Mediocre at best. Haven’t been here in several years when the food was really good. Things have dropped quite a bit. We could have enjoyed the meal if it wasn’t for the waitress serving us. Totally clueless. The worst service we have ever had.

Great place to stop to get lunch after visiting eastern state penitentiary. Just walk across street and its right there. We went on a beautiful warm day the large firehouse doors were open and it was a very nice atmosphere.

Cozy spot with a relaxing atmosphere to grab a bite. You can sit inside or out on their patio. The menu is small but offers interesting and original options. The Lobster Max and Cheese as well as the Calamari are great options. Wonderful stop for lunch after a tour of Eastern State Penitentiary.

Beautiful day outside so we were seated just inside the open door. Had the pecan crusted catfish sandwich with fresh cut fries and my husband had the duck salad with grilled peaches. Both dishes were great! Server was very nice and attentive. All in all no issues. Chairs could use an upgrade. Nice atmosphere-relaxed and uniquely decorated. Outdoor and indoor seating available.

We had lunch at Jack’s just before our tour at the Eastern State Penitentiary. The atmosphere was very warm is this old building. My wife had the Pear Salad and added a crab cake and I had the Crab Cake sandwich with Lava Sauce. While waiting for our meals the waiter brought two mini cornbreads and two biscuits. Both fresh and good. Although not explained on the menu my sandwich came with fries and a small bit of greens. As requested the Lava Sauce came on the side but was not too spicy at all. This is some sort of doctored tartar sauce. The fries were good. Both our crab cakes were very good, not too heavily fried or too much breading. That being said my roll was ok but was a lot for the crab cake and I enjoyed the crab cake without the role after a few bites. My wife’s pear salad was pretty simple but good and adding the crab cake to the salad cost the full price of a crab cake appetizer. A bit pricy we thought (crab cake was not one of the salad additions listed on the menu but was a special request) We passed on dessert but our waiter brought pecan chocolate chip cookies with the bill which hit the sweet spot just right. When in Philadelphia I would come back here again.

We were there on a Sunday for lunch, but waited (with three kids) for more than an hour for our food. Our meals were great, but pub food should come out more quickly for lunch.

Salad was very fresh and tasty with a complementary biscuit. Service was good and beer selection great. Would definitely go back.

A nice, welcoming atmosphere, the food is good, but just good. I had black-eyed pea soup with ham and then crab cakes. I like to drink, but I was going to the gym later, so I only had a draft pale ale, which was fine, but I'm not a good judge. The soup was hearty and the crab cakes were very good with their slightly spicy aioli sauce. Collard greens were OK, but I much prefer spinach, and the mashed potatoes seemed to be from a powder. Chow-Chow was a side dish too, pickled carrots and cauliflower not subtle enough to be really enjoyable.

What a fun place to go to. Little waterfall in their courtyard, good food (not much for vegetarians) drinks were delicious, although a little light on the alcohol and a little on the expensive side. But if you’re looking for a fun place in Fairmount, with really nice waitstaff, try it out for yourself!

Good people, beautiful historical place and decent American food. At the end an excellent dessert and a 15 bourbon. Everything was perfect.

My husband and I stopped in for lunch after visiting Eastern State Penitentiary (it's right across the street) and the food was excellent! So a first glance at the menu and it seemed to be a little pricey, but considering the quality and "extras" it was truly worth it. After ordering we were brought buttermilk biscuits, cornbread muffins and cherries. I had the cheese steak with fries and salad and my husband had the baked chicken with mac and cheese and greens. The food was AMAZING. Chocolate almond cookies were provided (complimentary) with the check. We would definitely dine here again.

I have to echo another recent review. The service was incredibly slow, not worthy of the mandatory 20% tip and the food was subpar. My ribs and fries were burnt, another's salad was dressed when dressing was to be on side. We waited 15 minutes for iced tea to be told it was brewing, then another 15 minutes to be told they weren't making any more. The women's room was a mess, water on the floor, a clogged toilet, and broken latches on the stalls.

Stopped after a tour of the penitentiary. Food took quite awhile to get and table that came in after us received their food first. Tried my first ever Philly Cheesesteak. Bland and not much meat. The brisket sandwich was tough and light on meat. Neither worth the $16 price. Burger was ordered medium and came over dead and not nearly enough to fill the bun. Too many other great choices in Philly to ever go back here.

This was our third time and the food was great, though not necessarily inexpensive. I did the price fix and had a pulled pork appetizer, a pork chop for the main and the incredible butter toffee cake for dessert - that stuff is unreal! Next time we’re in Philly - well definitely be back

Nice place for pub food. Very fresh. We also had GREAT service. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. The building is very cool too.

We visited this restaurant after our tour of the Eastern Penitentiary. Our waiter was fabulous. The warm busicuits and mini corn muffins were tasty. I ordered the crab cake sandwich. It was delicious! The reason for not giving 5 stars is I thought the fries with the sandwich were okay. Some fries were burnt and hard. Also, I expected a larger beer selection. I loved the free cookies at the end - chocolate chip and pecan. Yummy!

Had not been here in years. Love the atmosphere and history of this place. Sat at the bar and got great service. Loved the poutine and the chowder. Very busy and loud, but the service was great. Found parking close by. Great view of the prison across the street. A Philly land mark. Seek it out.

Jack's was an easy choice for my family after visiting the penitentiary. (It's right across the street.) It was interesting for us to eat in the restored firehouse. The service was inconsistent. We had great service at the beginning, but it gradually declined throughout our visit. The food was average. The brussel sprout and calamari appetizers were good, but a little greasy. The catfish sandwich was tasty and nicely cooked, but the roll was stale and too small. The pulled pork was bland, but again on a stale roll. The favorite of the meals was the lobster mac and cheese. There are too many other restaurant options available, all within easy walking distance, to make this choice again.

Food is delicious! Setting is neat and the staff is great! We had a large family group that was quickly taken care of so we could spend the rest of the afternoon at the Eastern Penitentiary across the street. Excellent FOOD!!

Enjoyed a delicious dinner with the hubby while the kids toured the haunted penitentiary at night! Best parent taxi gig ever!! Catfish was amazing...crisp outside, moist and juicy inside. Chicken with bacon mac and cheese was superb! Filling but not heavy. Mussels appetizer was beautifully presented and plenty to share. And don't even get me started on the ROCK STAR collards. Nice list of local brews and signature cocktails, too!