Penrose Diner Reviews

Went to the Penrose Diner for dinner with 11 co-workers. We were seated quickly by the friendly staff. Food came quickly, however, one order was wrong but that was quickly fixed. They did forget to bring toast for someone who had a breakfast platter. Food was good and there was just enough so you didn't leave hungry.

Food is good in general. But, tried for the first time a plant based burger called The Impossible Burger. IMO... It was delicious! Actually tasted like a burger.

Went for breakfast with friends. Asked for 3 eggs, 1 scrambled, 2 over medium. Waitress refused saying they won't do that, and management told them not to take orders like this. Huh? Said she would check with the cook. Came back said he won't do it because it's too busy!! I always go with 6-8 friends, and two weeks ago they made this order. What gives, all of a sudden an extra egg is to much to make for a customer??? Couldn't believe an extra egg was REFUSED, even though I'm paying for it. Will go to elsewhere from now on.

They offer counter and booth seating. Busy all day long and especially if there is sports event later that day. The mark of a good wait staff is how they take care of their guests. Whether you are a regular or one time guest, you are given the same finesse. Don't forget to pick up some pie before you leave!

A large diner but very friendly welcoming. I sat at the counter - very pleasant server - attentive, without being in one's face. I had pork chops - excellently cooked. The salad was fresh and the dressing (on the side) tasted home made, even if it wasn't! The bread basket served with the meal was great - three different breads and real butter to go with them. The quantity was more than generous - make sure you go there hungry if you intend making it to desert. The only problem is that it is in Philadelphia and I live in Michigan!

We were not impressed. The food was ok. I got the chicken cheesesteak and it had very little blue cheese or hot sauce on it. The service was not nearly as good. Didn't seem to want us there. It was busy but not crazy crowded. I will give it one more chance, because I like diner food. If it is more of the same, I won't be coming back.

We were in town for the Tom Petty concert. Ate here because of the reviews. The reviews are true; great, large breakfast. Plenty of options to choose from. Friendly, welcoming staff.

Food was great and wait staff was very friendly. They suggested trying the Caesar salad wrap because the dressing was made in house. The wrap was very good and came with fries. Very reasonable prices.

Me and the wife have been coming here forever, let me tell you I always seem to be surprised, long hot day working, home hit the shower, wanted to go somewhere relaxing to eat, naturally Penrose, had the Steak and Crabcake special, cooked to perfection, the greens were great!!! the soup was fabulous!!! and last but not least the service was impeccable, I forget the young ladies name, but it was the most relaxing meal!! Rami stopped over to say hello, we are known here, just like most of the customers who go here, all repeat business!!

Service is very good, food is typical diner fare, always a good choice for breakfast and lunch. Prices are average.

This place is a hidden gem. The food is outstanding, the staff is amazing, and the customer service was superb. I had a coworker take his dinner back to the hotel, because he didn't finish it, and brought it back the next day and asked if they could heat it up. The chef refused because he wanted to make him a new one fresh. (Mind blowing) I've never in all my restaurant trips experienced anything like that. That shows a restaurant that takes pride in what they prepare. I know, it's a diner, but this place is incredible. Despite the adversity we were faced with work wise, we always looked forward to going to eat here. A smile and a friendly hi goes a long way and this place offered it. Again, the food was really good and you need to stop here if you're in Philly.

This home style cooking restaurant was anything but a pop and mom. The food menu was huge and truly diverse with so many delicious choices. The crab cakes were huge, delicious and tasty. Highly recommend this this wonderful restaurant.

Amazing food. So many options, it was difficult to decide. Everything was as a true diner should be, right down to the very affordable prices, large portions, and incredibly tempting dessert case as you leave the restaurant. The staff were all incredibly pleasant and attentive. Food came to us quickly, water was refilled often. It is on a major road and very easy to find. Parking can be tricky, but it's Philly, so it comes with the territory and I can't deduct from the rating for that. Highly recommended!

First time in Philadelphia and did not expect to find this amazing restaurant so close to our hotel. The food was amazing, the service fast... and the price, well you can't beat the price. We ate and took some for the road!

Old school. Good food. Excellent staff. We went here after a Phillies game seeking some real food and vegetables. My son and I both enjoyed our food. The prices were fair, a bit high, but nice serving size of food. I would go again Go enjoy

This place has great food with great service in a great atmosphere I would definitely come back to try more items on the menu

Drinks cold, coffee hot, food plentiful and awesome. Great service. Great family spot! Not far from Sports Complex.

Good comfort food. Nice atmosphere and good service. They have specials which are a good value. Food was very good. Worth a try.

I was dropping of a couple of friends at the airport and we wanted to get something to eat prior to their trip. By chance we found the diner. It looks like just another diner from the outside. The inside was nice and clean. We were very pleased with the quality of the food, the price and the excellent service. Our server was Tara. She did an excellent job. If you are in the area and need a bite to eat I would recommend giving this place a try.

My family and I were recommended to eat here and boy was I happy that we listened. Their soup was delicious and hearty. All of their food was hot and flavorful.

We were looking for a clean, casual place before and close to the Phillies game. This diner is beautiful. Inside appears new and very large . It's very nice, neat, and clean. Staff was upbeat and all smiling. Our server Joan was awesome. We got breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, French toast, eggs, and sausage were great. Even though the place was busy, our food was out quick. Thank you for a great meal! We will be back.

After a long car journey, we did not want to go to far for dinner. Booked into the pen rose hotel and opposite is the Penrose Diner. So we walked across the road and went in for dinner. The food portions are ginormous, so if you have a small appetite choose with care. I went for Caesar salad and added the chicken - way too much for me, but was all very tasty. My husband had the special chicken pot pie, he didn't leave any!!! Nice Diner and very friendly.

Went cause it was close to grab a quick bite and was surprised with good service aND some amazing crab cakes...plus a very good cheesecake and substantial portions.

When you find yourself in south Philly @ 6am and your really HUNGRY. You STOP at the PENROSE DINER...and you are met by sue (your server) you sit down in a booth with the daily paper and a cup of joe (slang for coffee) and unwind. You cannot beat the service or the quality of the food and I assure you, you wont go away hungry.. So the next time you find yourself at 2016 Penrose ave, ,in philly, STOP and relax and look over the extensive menu....Happy Days>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Nice mid range family restaurant. Classic American food. Interesting variety af desserts, but we did not try them... I will go back, if I am in the area.

The food at this diner was really good. The special came with wine and desert and was a great deal. They have a huge selection deserts that were excellent.

Great family breakfast place. Very crowded on a Sunday morning, but plenty of parking & staff seats quickly. They also had baked goods for sale - huge muffins & sticky buns. Friendly waitresses. Delicious food & generous portions.

Big portions, and very good menu selections. The staff was very friendly. They have a little bit of everything on the menu.

First time in Philadelphia recently and someone recommended Penrose Diner for breakfast on my way to the office. Had eggs, bacon, home fries with orange juice and it was all good. The server was very friendly. Had a South Philly vibe but that's coming from someone who had been in Philadelphia for all of two hours when eating here, haha!

Every time my family and I come to Penrose Diner we have a great experience! Today is Sunday and we just left church so we came straight here and surprisingly we didn't have to wait! Good food, good prices and good service!

We go to Penrose occoasinally, and we rally can't resist how good it really is, rather you're stopping by for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even just dessert! The prices are also reasonably affordable. Kinda big for a South Philly restaurant even as it is a diner, but a very nice place to eat on weekends and holidays, birthdays, and basically any given occasion for a matter of fact.

We stopped in here prior to The Who concert at Citizen Bank Park. What can I say? Well, the cheesesteaks were amazing, as were the disco fries. The food came out in record time. The waitress was friendly and attentive. I just wish I saved room for dessert because the bakery display also looked amazing, This spot is less than two miles from all the major sports venues, so if you need a place to eat beforehand, this is it. I didn’t get around to the other hundred or so items on the menu, but that’s for next time.

I’m there at least once a week. The food is consistently delicious and the service is terrific. Great value for the buck.

WOW! We have a great diner in Brooklyn and now he have one in Philadelphia. Our foursome ordered three different entrees which were excellent. The portions are exceedingly generous yet the prices are most reasonable. Our server, Natalie, should be cloned-cannot say enough good things about her. Stopped at the take-home pastry counter which I had eyeballed upon entering and bought something that tasted even better than it looked AND was most reasonably priced,

This was a nice, attractive, clean restaurant with good service. There was a line waiting to get in on the weekend. The food was good but nothing special. I would give it 3 1/2 stars. Good place for families.

The food was delicious, the staff was very nice & friendly, the diner seemed neat & clean but the hotel across the street was disgusting.

Restaurants that don't offer free wifi to customers are insensitive to professional and personal needs of guests. The server indicated there have been repeated requests for free wifi but the owners have not prevailed. I ordered the crab cakes which at $17 were overpriced and the quality was not great. The fried onion rings were excellent

My cousin suggested going here for Sunday breakfast: close and available parking. It was busy but we were seated in less than 5 minutes. We asked the waitress for recommendations but she did not offer much. She did ask about onions on our homefries, which we both prefer. Breakfast, in general, was not too good and the homefries were a big disappointment. Everything was like warm, including the rye toast. The homefries were mushy potatoes with some fried onions dumped on top. Our waitress never asked about dessert, she just left the check. We did finally get a slice of carrot cake, which was old and dry, and an excelkent, light and creamy, lemon coconut cake. Next time we'll go to the Oregon Diner.

Great breakfast. Great service. Very reasonable prices. Overall a very good experience. One caveat, bathroom is very small ( only one person at a time).

This is a clean, inviting diner near the sports stadiums with big portions, reasonable prices and free parking. I ate dinner on a weeknight. Many regulars and families. Wait staff upbeat and nice. French onion soup was outstanding. Plentiful size- homemade crouton - soup savory snd not too salty. I’d get that again and shin. Ordered Philly Omelet- with peppers and sausage. Very good. Huge. Took half home. The toast and hash browns are fine - fresh - not memorable. They have two house wines. I had the red which was average and I didn’t finish. But this is a diner.... Desserts are up front and looked amazing. I tried a huge chocolate chip cookie and a banana cream pudding. Both disappointed unfortunately. The cookie must use shortening. Very crisp- crumbly - only chips on the top layer - not throughout. The banana cream was not really pudding and the texture indicated it likely uses shortening. Banana and cookie slices on the bottom. Very rich in a crisco kind of way. Sad. Everyone else seemed thrilled with their desserts (many cakes) and they have cannolis.

This Diner was outstanding, the have so many different options and all of what I tasted was on point. I personally had "The French Dip"...it's safe to say that's officially the best French Dip sandwich I've ever consumed. The decor was very beautiful and the cakes, pies, and pastries looked so delicious...too full for dessert, but I'll get them next time gadget...next time. Stop in you won't be disappointed. Also great for big parties and kids. (We had a party of 30)

Everything about this restaurant-food, service, atmosphere is phenomenal. We had breakfast and dinner here and our whole group raved about the food and service. Huge portions. Highly recommend this place.

Traveling all across the country I experience restaurants in every state. My colleague and I found the Penrose Diner on the internet as a close location to our project site. I've been going there ever since. The Greek salad is huge and excellent! The broiled salmon with mixed vegetables is excellent! The shrimp and grits is excellent! The French toast is excellent! The servers are friendly and just the right amount of attentive! Not too much and not too little! Everyone there is very friendly. People speak to you and will have a conversation with you! Frequently occupied with family, couples, friends, and coworkers simply having a good time together! Located in a nice neighborhood! Philadelphia is rebuilding everywhere! Businesses, roads, and highways are under construction all over the place. The Penrose Diner is a must visit location and is located right at the round about on 20th street. Headed there next week for breakfast! Excellent!

Close to Philly but with parking. We came over from our hotel in the Navy Yard. Huge menu, quick service, lots of food. Chicken croquettes, chicken cheese steaks are good.

The inside of the restaurant was way cuter than I expected for a diner. The man who sat us was rude, but our waiter was great. The desserts were all homemade and many to choose from.

A group of us went to the Penrose Diner after spending time on a Saturday morning in the Navy Yard. The reviews looked good, and the experience was exactly what you get in a Philly diner -- pretty great food, great service and that Philly feeling. Parking is tough and there was a line. But, parking can be found and the line moves fast. The pumpkin pancakes were great. Knowing about serving sizes in diners, I ordered a short stack. That was huge. A very good and reasonably priced choice for breakfast. If going to the Navy Yard, I'll be back at this diner again!

Visiting Philly after Coldplay concert. Woke up Hungry and found Penrose Diner on Tripadvisor. The reviews were spot on! Maryann was our server was fast & funny. Food was excellent. We all left full!

My family could not decided what to eat so I searched on tripadvisor for good food at cheap price.....Penrose Diner came up. Everyone in family enjoyed what we order. I got the stuffed chicken and let's just say, I finished all of it. Had a share of the mushroom soup and it was perfect. The pre dinner breads......yummy!!!

My wife and I had a wonderful visit to this true landmark of South Philly. If you're looking for some great food in large portions you should make visit if you're ever in town. We both loved our meals of chicken steak sandwich and porkroll, egg and cheese. Like I said the portions are a plenty and absolutely delicious! We both couldn't help but amazed at the size of the salad a patron at a nearby table had ordered. Service was quick and very friendly. We also appreciated the Flyers Stadium Series was playing on TVs throughout the dining area. Best part of course was our final bill was very reasonably priced for a lot of great food. Will definitely be stopping by on our next visit and highly recommend it to others.

Our waitress was fantastic, especially to the little ones. This is a great place for family dining!!

Service was an A+. Meatloaf was mediocre. Portions were large. Grilled corned beef average. Black & white cookie okay. Bread pudding was fine---it was served cold, which was a first. Chicken noodle soup was good. Bread basket was good.

I guess the locals give it this hgh rating because it's local but there's absolutely nothing excellent about this place. I'd put it compare it to a truck stop. Look elsewhere folks, nothing to see here.

I don’t remember the waiters name but she explained everything and the food came out very fast about 5 minutes definitely suggest this to a family when they are on the go

I've driven by Penrose Diner several times, but decided to dine here for the first time after a late night concert wrapped up nearby. We opted for the buffalo chicken wrap, chicken salad club, and cherry cheesecake. It's your typical diner fare. But I love a spot that makes all their desserts from scratch daily - pretty much any pie, cake, cheesecake, ice cream you could want. Would definitely stop by here again for late night grub, especially because they are 24hrs on the weekend!

This place was packed when we went for breakfast this morning and we soon found out why. The good was good and reasonably priced and the waitresses were very friendly and efficient

Went here for breakfast as it was on the way to the airport. Arrived at the entrance and cashier said that the waiter who was standing next to be (on her phone) would be seating me. I waited for a few second and then said good morning. No response. Said good morning again and unless to have a hearing problem you would hear me. Another waiter came across the diner and seated me. Later I had to chase a waiter to get a refill of coffee. Had the steak and eggs. All cooked as ordered and the quality was good.

This is one of three of south Philly’s classic diners. It’s big, has parking, and has all the classic diner touches. Great casual and friendly service, classic diner menu. Everything I tried is good, portions are very big and prices are right.

Amazing local dining! Perfect brunch after a late night! Highly recommend the benedict. Service is impeccable. From a SC restaurant owner this is a Must try when in Philly!! Quick service.

American food style diner with easy access. Right next door to Popi’s Italian. Was expecting dinner at Popi’s only to discover I made reservations for the wrong date.... so a quick adjustment led us here, not sure what to expect. Food was great. Prices reasonable. Service was quick and staff was very friendly. Nice sized portions and no waiting. Great atmosphere and was quiet enough to have a good dinner conversation. I will definitely be back here!

Four colleagues and I visited the Penrose Diner this week while on business at the Navy Yard. The Penrose is about a five minute ride from the Navy Yard. Before choosing Penrose, we asked a number coworkers and transplants what they thought of Penrose and they said, "It's a diner." No it's not! Quality and service were exceptional from start to finish. We had a New Jersey transplant in our group and who knows diners better than someone from New Jersey? We shared three appetizers with the group. Way too many. Disco fries could have served a family of eight! BBQ chicken wings were good and crisp. Mozzarella sticks were average. I tried the veal parmigiana for my entrée. Above average. Another coworker tried the chicken parmigiana and loved it. One enjoyed a turkey club while another devoured the open face turkey sandwich. The fifth enjoyed the stuffed manicotti with the giant meatball. Everyone was pleased. For dessert, we shared the triple chocolate cake, carrot cake, and red velvet cheesecake! All were excellent with good coffee. Penrose could easily cut the portions in half and still be popular! Will definitely recommend and return.

25 years is how long I have been retired. It was a favorite place requested by clients when I was working; not working so no reason to go. My grand daughter is a student in Philadelphia and I decided that a visit would give her some local flavor and it is a landmark. The building itself is no different than countless diners in the region. The only change to the building was flat panel TVs; the waitress were also a lot younger. Two of us had omelets and the other waffles and bacon. All were well prepared and tasteful. Service efficient and pleasant. Only a few free parking spots in their small lot so you have to park on the street. Have quarters for the meter as they are in operation 7 days a week. While not related to the diner, one of the changes in south Philadelphia is the enforcement of parking regulations.

Portions are huge. Will be eating Disco fries for a few more days. Our server was the best, wish I could remember her name. Stopped in for a quick bite after the Phillies game. Very busy, but food was served very quickly. Good parking and reasonable prices. A Philly landmark.

Just how I imagined an American breakfast diner. Warm, cosy, tasty breakfast and excellent service. So good we returned the next day for seconds.

The food and the service was fantastic. The crab soup was especially good. The quality of the food and the cheerfulness of the staff was top notch.

Staff is friendly and smiling a lot, great choice of meals, big portion of food. Place and furniture is cozy.

My wife and I have visited the Penrose Diner a few times. We have never had a bad experience. It is easy to find on Penrose Avenue near I-76 down by the Navy Yard. It has a large, free parking lot. The diner itself has lots of seating (so we've never needed to wait even when it wa busy). The waitresses are authentic, friendly Philly diner people ("what'll yous have hun?"). The interior is clean, bright and in good shape, but it looks like a diner from the past (maybe 1980s style?). This is either good or not so good depending on what you want. Don't forget, it's open 24/7. Now for the food. We've had different things but the Eggs Benedict are great and a good size portion. The All Meat Omelet is great, large with bacon, ham and sausage. The chocolate layer cake is great, and is the homemade rice pudding. If you find yourself driving though South Philly and are feeling peckish, try it and you'll find something you like.

This is one of the three classic South Philly diners. All locals eating. If you aren't from Philly you need to come here to try some scrapple and eggs, or their italian suasage breakfast sandwich. Big portions - classic diner feel - cheap prices - south philly brusque but loving service...

Growing up in Jersey, I've been to countless diners. Seeing how high this diner made it on the Philly list gave me pretty high expectations. When I arrived on a Sunday around 12 noon I could not even walk in the door because of the line, but was able to pass the line and receive counter service. The menu is large and plentiful, as one can expect from a diner. Every single meal I saw pop out from the kitchen was hearty and extravagant, including my own of fried calamari and a chicken caesar salad. The Penrose Diner did not disappoint and was well worth my trip from North Philly.

I ate here for dinner and had a cheesesteak. It was delicious. The site was clean and the staff was friendly. The menu has a wide selection of items available and the price was reasonable for dinner. You are looking at about $15 for a cheesesteak and a soda. Bakery items are available as well and looked fresh.

Prior to this visit, I haven't been here for 5 years. I was quite pleased with the quality and value.

Large Sunday crowd, got seated really quick, service was serious about his job, making sure I had everything I needed. Food was amazing, tons of it to eat, especially the bread basket. Deserts looked great, wish I could've stayed for desert. Classic American diner, highly efficient, doing the real deal thing! They know what they're talking about!

Everything about this place was amazing. The food, the service. I got an omelette and my boyfriend got a classic breakfast. It was so delicious!!! And the baked goods in the case by the doors look absolutely incredible. We didn’t get any to go and I’m so sad about it.

I’ve been coming to penrose diner for years and they have been like family!! Dottie is my favorite waitress she is so loving to me and my family and friends whenever we are there !! The food is excellent never had a bad dining experience there. And the portions are heavy!! I always leave with a box!! South phillys best diner and excellent service!! Dottie is the best !!!!

I have been eating at the Penrose Diner since the 1970s, and always enjoyed their deli, their salads, their dinners, and their desserts. But in the last 3 or 4 months I have noticed a decline in the quality of the food and the size of the portions. Then today I ate lunch at the Penrose with my daughter. We both ordered salad entrees with chicken strips, she a Cobb salad, I a Four Seasons salad. In both the chicken was undercooked and the vegetables were mediocre and tasteless. This evening she called me to say that she stared to feel queasy soon after she got home. I'm afraid I will no longer be eating at the Penrose Diner, glory days gone.

The best diner experience I can remember! The service was top notch, the portions are huge, great prices! The pastries when you walk in the door will blow your mind and you must take something for the road! We took cupcakes but wanted one of everything!! Love the cash register with all the American flags!!

We picked this place as it was close to our hotel. The place was packed for a Sunday night with large groups enjoying time together but we didn't have any wait time for our party of 4. Our server was very friendly and we had great service. The portions were huge and the pasta dishes could serve 2 people easily. All of us thought our meals were delicious.

The comment section don’t have enough space for this!! Thank you for taking a group of 20 ppl at the last minute. You guys were so kind and gracious. You didn’t know that we just attended a funeral the day before but your staff lifted our spirits on Sunday December 3, 2017. Especially our waiter. I don’t want to butcher her name, but she knows who she is. She was AMAZING!! Gave great jokes, laughed with us and made us feel welcomed. Also.... THE FOOD WAS AMAZING! You guys really left an impression on my large family from NY!!! Thank you so much!!! We will be back!

Dropped in for a quick breakfast and the place was busy. We were quickly seated and then greeted by a very nice waitress who was super polite. All the food was great and tasted farm fresh. Service was outstanding. My only critique would be better coffee. It's was hot and fresh but not the best.

At Penrose Diner, I had the steak sandwich for dinner take out and it was very good. The place has good parking.

We ordered off the breakfast menu and we greatly enjoyed the meal. The pricing was very reasonable, the staff was friendly and the breakfast was more than filling. We are glad we picked this restaurant and we will be back. (The desserts looked delicious. Can't wait to try one!)

Had the cream chip beef. Asked what kind of bread I wanted,told her rye. Got plain rye not toast. Very little beef, but lots of cream. Coffee cup had lips from a woman's lipstick. Two long hairs also on the plate. Two 🌟 tops.

In area for weekend attending concert lay Lincoln financial field. Needed a place close by to meet the diverse food needs of party of 4 (an organic vegan, a breakfast lover and hater and an anything goes eater)...found with ease thanks to Waze (has its own parking versus on the street). Found something for everyone from breakfast, salads, sandwiches. Service was efficient and all were satisfied. Great find to meet our needs.

Haven’t been here in years, and was looking forward to having breakfast. Immediately greeted at door - very friendly. Our waitress was excellent as well. Breakfast was so-so. On plus side, eggs were cooked perfectly, and the decaf coffee was pretty tasty. On the not so good side was the home fries - they were mushy. The corned beef hash was extremely salty. English muffin on eggs Benedict was not toasted enough, and the lox was only so-so. Overall, disappointed.

I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. Everything is home made. Their soups are out of this world. My favorite is their Ruben and pot pies. Their dessert are our of this world too. You take one look at them and can’t say no to having something. If you like Italian pastry they have it.

I don't have many diners where I live and was hoping to get to eat at one before I went back home. This place did not disappoint. Service was quick and polite and friendly. Food was hot and cooked perfectly - I highly suggest getting the onion rings by the way. Just wish I had gotten some dessert because they looked amazing.

Penrose is a rare gem! Husband and I found Penrose Diner on Trip advisor. We wanted a spot for Sunday breakfast that included parking. The place was mobbed with people, regulars and folks going to the Eagles game. We got immediate seating at the counter with efficient, friendly beautiful Lori. I ordered steak and eggs and hubby got the South Philly breakfast sandwich. The massive portions came out piping hot. The food is over the top delicious! The sirloin was moist, juicy, flavorful, and lean. My scrambled eggs were soft and fluffy and served with a huge helping of homemade potatoes. Also included was a soft yummy English muffin and glass of juice. The prices are reasonable for all that is included. The fun part was chatting with the local regulars and staff whole at the counter. TV monitors were playing pregame shows. Penrose has an in house baker who was wheeling out homemade pies, cakes, cookies and more offered for take home or eat there. We loved this place and wished we lived in the area in order to come back and try more of Penrose's delicious offerings.

I have been going to Penrose FOREVER! We normally go in the lunchtime ... The cashier, waitresses, etc ... exemplary! Today, we went in for dinnertime ... OMG ... IT WAS LIKE A DARK CLOUD. The server (who I found out later would be ours) was giving side glares & petty whispering to the counterserver. I have RA which is hereditary from Grandfather & other immune issues So, my family member moved a chair and they both went into dismissive mode. My family member was swarmed by them. Now, if they weren't being petty making comments about us they could've just did their job. They began to talk back, become combative, & extremely unprofessional! Another man came over said he can reseat us at another location. We refused and just said we're leaving. The original server chuckled with a smirk & then walked away. As someone that's worked hard since I was 15 including Healthcare code assistant in a hospital at 17. This was unacceptable & I wasn't gonna be at a place I'm gonna be concerned that they would taint our food after this interaction. I & my family will no longer go to Penrose & after I contact the proper authorities about the treatment to someone with disabilities this will be unfortunate for them.

A must go to place if in the area. cheap eats for breakfast. Waitress still have that tough Philadelphia draw attitude that make E A G L E S fans famous.

Great scrapple. Nice and crispy as requested. Huge portions! Scrambled eggs and home fries so good! Wanted to eat all. The creamed chip beef was very tasty. This will be a must every time in the area.

First time; lunch visit. The French onion soup was delicious!!!! We also had the Brooklyn burger and the crispy chicken wrap. All was delicious!! Fast, attentive service and very clean!! Would go back (and may as it’s across the street from the hotel)!!!

This is an old-school diner with a very cool sign outside. The people working here are very nice and attentive. This is exactly what you expect from a diner. The food comes out quick fresh and hot. Nothing spectacular. Just an old-school diner.

Stopped in there after our return flight to PHL. Service was good, food was very good, actually they give you too much. Will make it a regular stop when flying from Philadelphia.

After a college lacrosse game at Drexel University we gathered at the Penrose Diner to celebrate the Towson University win. All six of us ordered cheesesteak hoagies and loved every bite. The hoagies were stuffed with meat and cheese, some people ordered then with fried onions and mushrooms. One order of Cheesesteak fries could serve 10 people! Huge servings and several had a box of leftovers to take home. Fries were also tasty. We would come back! Pastries looked incredible!

I try to stop by the Penrose when ever I travel through South Philly. The food is always well prepared, with fast friendly service. The all day breakfast menu is a hit and I really like there burger specials. They have a very extensive bakery goods display. It looks good, just haven't tried anything

Super attentive, friendly, convenient, and super fast. Everything arrived felt like almost as soon as we decided what we wanted and ordered. Coffee inoffensive but lack luster, big mugs kept full. Food itself very average diner fare, plenty of it. Nothing I’d make a special trip for personally but served the need and did so well.

I had the french toast with strawberries and it was wonderful. The desserts looked great as well, but I was too full. Would love to try more of their food.

This is one of the best diners I've ever ate at. The food was delicious. I ordered a dinner special that included 2 huge portabello mushrooms topped with crab cakes, freshly baked bread, soup, 2 veggies, and a glass of wine for $16.99! It was more than enough food for 2 people and was sooooo yummy. The Penrose Diner is one of the cleanest diners I've ever been too. The server was super friendly too!

Stopped in for breakfast after leaving a local hotel. Both the food and the service were fantastic. Will definitely go agin next time we are in the area

This is an amazing diner; really nice and friendly servers; extremely satisfied with the service! A ton of vegetarian and other dietary options; the food is great.

Egg omelets not hot enough, large quantity of food, diner portion sizes. Doesn't feel like quality though. More like quantity.

Check out the specials inserted in the menus. I had the chicken marsala and it was delicious. Service, well, they try their best.

A diner in South Philly popular with the local residents and not too far from I-95 and where I-76 meets with I-95. It is 6 miles and a 10 minute drive northeast of the Philadelphia airport. If you are coming from the Logan Square area of downtown Philadelphia it is about 6 miles and 15 minutes via I-76 and some surface streets. If you are driving through Philadelphia and are hungry for all day breakfast, or diner fare--especially if you are outside the breakfast/brunch and lunch rush consider stopping here. On a Saturday morning at 11 am parking was at a premium. This is a popular place for weekend brunch. On a summer Friday afternoon around 3:30 pm there were several parking spots to choose from. Motor homes or large trucks will need to get creative with street parking in the surrounding neighborhood. We have been here twice: July and August 2019 on two separate trips to Philadelphia. Both times we had spent time in the downtown Philadelphia area and wanted a solid meal before driving home, without the hassle and expense of eating downtown. The Penrose Diner is popular with local patrons, but is open and inviting for those passing through that need a break from travel. A recent reviewer gave Penrose Diner 1 star and said there is nothing special here. I am not a local, but one of the things I like about this place is that there is nothing special here -- they do have daily specials, but let me mince words. There are many places in Philadelphia that will try to knock your socks off by wowing you with some unique combination of farm-to-table this with artisanal something or other specially prepared by the chef. Philadelphia also has an abundance of excellent food (Reading Terminal Market immediately comes to mind). What if I want a small green salad with a tuna sandwich on toast? Or liver and onions? Or meatloaf? Or something solid that isn't trendy or dressed to impress? Many times when I travel I reach a point where all I want to eat is something that isn't special. Penrose Diner fare is ... ordinary diner fare with a touch of Philadelphia flavor to satisfy the regular patrons. Service has been great. If anything is special here it is you, the customer. The food falls somewhere between mom's cooking, aunt's cooking, grandma's cooking category. You won't leave hungry, portion sizes are generous. And the next time you come you won't have to use much imagination to determine how your meal will turn out. Consistent. Friendly. Comfortable. Inviting.

Yummy! Always is a sure thing for a quick bite on a busy day/night! Had the soup of the day & turkey club! Highly recommend pre - game too!

This place has typical diner fare and is especially popular for breakfast. I love their pancakes! The service is always friendly and fast too!

We had lunch for three ($36 with tip). The Penrose has excellent waitstaff. The kitchen understands quick lunchtime service and how to consistently make quality food. We have been going here since I was a kid, and it is good to see that the owners care enough to modernize and still not lose their neighborhood feel. The only con I have is that their take-out cannoli tasted like the inside of a freezer case. Not sure if they were pre-frozen or just in the case for too long. Not good at all. Next time we will stick with the cookies! We still recommend the Penrose though!

This is a real old-time diner but completly up-dated and renovated.Open long hours with great food and wonderful serviceThebest breakfast and homefies in the city and also delicious lunch and dinner if you're not sure what you want:they have everything and anything!

We went last night. First thing I noticed, the glass entrance door was dirty, covered in hand prints. Not jammed- that's new. My husband's crab benedict was lukewarm at best. Kind of a drag. 90$ for four before tip- three breakfasts and a sandwich, no booze. I'm so sorry.

I set up a breakfast meeting with a colleague this morning at the Diner as it was a mid-point between our locations. The menu for breakfast was not extensive but had enough choices for anyone. I had a Spinach and Feta Omelet that was both tasty and large. The potatoes were also tasty and a large portion. The coffee was good and the only negative was the server needed a little coaxing about refills. Would come back for another visit for a morning meeting.

pre game luncheon, before walking over to the Phillies game a DAY GAME! choice!....did a little research on this site, and dined at the Penrose. Very large portions of good diner fare, had some of the turkey club sandwich leftover to enjoy during the seventh inning stretch. My partner had the signature crab cakes over huge caesar salad.... yes I was offered a taste....twas a good not great version...crab cakes underdone, caesar dressing lacked punch, croutons bog standard outta a store bought bag methinks, so not a diner we'd rush BACK to....having said that, twas enroute the ballpark...and we ON FOOT & public transport, so it served it's purpose. Super friendly service and helpful...hospo plus...clean and tidy all good , recommended

I've been to this diner a few times now and it never disappoints, great food, atmosphere & staff. The food never disappoints, it's a great place to eat breakfast & get your day started the right way.

The Penrose is an old favorite and I had not been there in years when I went in January. The food and service have not changed. Expansive menu with bottomless coffee and warm, friendly service. A big breakfast for $10 - what a deal!

Recently went to this diner and had a wonderful experience. John, our waiter, was by far the best- he was quick, timely with coffee, bill and our order. Portions were large- pancakes, eggs and potatoes as well as corned beef hash were delicious. You cant go wrong with this diner. The diner was full and i suspect all the other meals to include- lunch and dinner would also be excellent. No problem parking. This place is a well run establishment.

We stumbled upon this diner on the way to Center City from an airport hotel. The parking lot was full, but we parked in an adjacent parking lot for some other businesses. It was Sunday so those businesses were closed. The line was very long, and we thought we'd be waiting forever. Don't be discouraged by long lines. It moves fast! I recommend the Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict. It was delicious and absolutely hit the spot. If you ever stay at one of the many airport hotels, and are looking for a good breakfast spot nearby, give the Penrose Diner a try!

The menu is amazing and there are lots of great choices to choose from ... think of a made from scratch - homemade flavor IHOP - I'd definitely recommend this place. Breakfast is available all day. 10/10 would recommend.

Staying in the hotel opposite for 1 night & fancied a bite to eat after site seeing this afternoon! Penrose Diner was directly opposite so we thought we’d give it a go after checking the menu online, service was excellent & food delicious, have to say it was the best steak I’d had since coming to the USA 🇺🇸 Steak came with soup or salad & choice of potato sides! There was also a basket of breads which were more like cake but really nice! Wine glasses are small tho, more like blinking sherry glasses 🤭

I went here to get a real piece of Philly and was not let down. This is great place filled with locals and great food. The staff was amazing. Food is great diner food. I had scrapple for the first time and it was good. I would recommend it and the French toast. I didn’t try any of the bakery items but they looked amazing in the case.

I've never had, or heard of, scrapple. I come from the south, where home fries are little cubes of potatoes. But I wanted to experience Philly right, so I had the w eggs breakfast with scrapple was not disappointed. Fast and friendly service, delicious meal, reasonably priced, and the type of atmosphere you only get in a diner.

We were on our way to the airport after visiting the battleship New Jersey and didn’t know where to go. We turned off on Penrose and saw the diner sign. Good choice for my husband and I and 2 young grandsons. One got the kids breakfast and the pancakes were huge. We both got the omelette and the were very good. Waitress very friendly and service quick. Glad we stopped here instead of some fast food place

I visit here on a regular basis. Breakfast is my favorite, but all the meals are great. I usually always ask for Berton he is a great server, keeps your drinks filled and always makes sure you have what you need.

I got a chance to try Penrose Diner on a working trip to Philly recently. We dropped in for breakfast and the first thing I noticed was the number of local Law Enforcement that had stopped in -- always a good endorsement for a diner! Everything hit the table fresh & hot, and the servings were more than sufficient. Prices were very good and the service was quick, so I have to rate this place 5 Star. Its a must if you're down near the Navy Yard.

Food was very good, server very nice, and pleasant. Older hostess major attitude. Was like she couldn't be bothered. No smile, she walked us to a table, was here and walked away. Really annoyed me , from having been a restaurant manager over 10 years.

Scrapple done exactly the way it should be. Crisp!! Parking very full. Busy Saturday morning but large enough that we didn’t have to wait.

The folks at the airport said that this was the best within reasonable driving distance, so we gave it a try. The "hot and spicy" shrimp starters were good (but not great) as you could tell that they came out of a box. The cheese-steak sandwich was so good that I ordered extra and took them home to Arizona! Also took a cheese-cake and it was excellent as well!

We enjoyed a real breakfast- no microwave or heat lamps here. Fluffy pancakes, real eggs and more. Ample portions for a reasonable price. Could not have asked for any more.

We visited on a Sunday evening after a Phillies game after seeing great reviews on here. It was minutes from the stadium, great parking, seated immediately, excellent & friendly service, great menu with wonderful prices, food came out very quickly, portion size was very generous, and everything was delicious! I had a special of stuffed rigatoni with spectacular homemade sauce and meatball. It came with bread (basket had a variety of italian, spice, and corn-all yummy!), soup or salad, complimentary red or white wine, and choice of dessert-all for $14.99. Great price for delicious food. My husbands fries were extra crispy goodness. If you are visiting the Philly stadiums or just in the area, this is a fantastic choice. We will definitely be back next time we are in Philly!

Diners help define south philly and this is a great classic one. So come here to try your scrapple, your sausage sandwich etc.

Have been here for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Even late night snacks! Everything is great but one of my favorites for dinner is the broiled crab cake. Delicious and huge portions! Anything you order will be good, not a bad choice in the place. Service is quick and friendly.

Awesome food! Quick and friendly service.i got a club sammich, it was fantastic! Got 2 meals out of it.

I’ve been coming to the Penrose Diner for over 20 years, and, must say that I intend to continue visiting this establishment for another 20 years. The food is good, The portions are huge. The staff is quite entertaining. I’ve come to look forward to seeing many of the servers, over the years. I will definitely return for breakfast again, in the near future.

I loved going to this diner for meals. Everytime we went in, the staff made us feel like we were coming home to a family meal. The food was very good, the desserts were awesome and make sure you order the corn muffins.

We were returning from a concert late at night and were pleasantly surprised to find this diner open through the night (it was a Friday night). The Philly Cheese Steak was good.

This Diner has the largest and best menu ever! The soup is hot and fresh. The fries are always crispy and plentiful. All the meals are plentiful! The staff as nice as can be. I recommend it if your a big breakfast eater too. The omelets are huge! Pancakes fluffy. Just GO GO GO! 😊

We came here to for dinner from Penrose Hotel across the street. It has an ample of parking spot, and is wheelchair accessible. Their food is great and plenty. Our server was great in explaining about food and quantity. I love their dessert- rice pudding with cream on it.

Following the Phillies 5k run, we stopped by the Penrose for a hearty breakfast. Despite a line to be seated, the hostess efficiently seated everyone. Our booth was cosey and overlooked the parking lot and the 76 expressway. However we were not there forte views, we were there to eat! I had the meat omelette (ham, bacon and sausage) with cheese and onions (both extras!!). My daughter wanted lunch and had the portbello sub - very good. We also split a side of hot cakes - average. While I am admittedly not a fan of diners, this one was charming and very South Philly - in a good way. The crowd was a mix of locals and runners from the Phillies 5k and the Hot Chocolate Run. Parking was free, but tight and over-flowed to the near-by strip mall.

I went to the Linc for an Eagles game on Sunday and walked here to meet my friend for a ride home. As he was running late and being that I was in the mood for a hot cup of coffee & some hearty food, I popped inside. The lady who greeted me was so friendly and offered me a table or a seat up at the counter. I sat up by the counter, the waitress came over straight away with a menu and offered me a drink. I went for a Tuscan omelette and a cup of coffee which was always topped up by the lovely & attentive waitress. The omelette was terrific and such a generous portion of food with 2 rashes of bacon and home fries. No doubt about it, when I return to Philly again to watch those Birds play, I'll come back here.

Excellent food. Huge diner, looks like it's famous around here. Worth the waiting time. Would go back

We have been in Penrose Diner today, out waitress was Victoria- she was amazing!! We have chosen to eat Chicken BBQ ( with soup/dessert) 13.99$ and Atehenian Chicken (also with soup/dessert) 15.99$. The portions were so big that we could eat them all ( there is an option to pack it in the box). We recomend this restaurant- for us, the best place to eat ever!

I’ve eaten here multiple times over the past 15+ years, and every time I’ve had a good meal with good service. However, my most recent was exceptional! Great food- I had the steakhouse salad which was out of this world. Food was nice quality, unbelievably fresh, and big portions. Service was phenomenal- fast, friendly, and very accommodating, as we made multiple substitutions which were not a problem. I was very impressed with the food and service on my last visit. Days later I had a similar meal (the steakhouse salad) at Outback Steakhouse, and the salad at the Penrose was far better than Outback, including the quality of the steak! Service was much better, too.

Food was OK, nothing to write home about. Probably won't return when in the area again. Service was exceptionally slow.

We had the steak and turkey dinner and everything was very good and fresh and hot. The desserts are made in house and we’re very good also we had the bread pudding chocolate pudding and carrot cake and a lady behind us said they have the best cheesecake she has ever tasted. We ate here both days we were in the area and would again if we come back.

We were made very welcome, there was a good variety of choices on the menu and at realistic prices. The portions are large so be prepared.

The food was good and came out really fast! Staff were very friendly and attentive. Corn beef has was seasoned which I appreciated. I rather home fries than the shredded potatoes. Overall we enjoyed the food and service. Be sure to check out the baked goods section.

Went here based on reviews. We were disappointed. The food lacked flavor unless you salted it and peppered it yourself. Service was extremely slow though we were one of the only 5-6 tables in the place. Staff was not overly friendly either. Almost like you were putting them out by just walking through the door. Prices weren't that great either. Was $55 for family of 4 for eggs, toast, and potatoes. 2 of those were kids meals also.

My husband , brother and I had a great breakfast! Terrific coffee, eggs, decent hash browns. Egg white western omelette was much enjoyed. Philadelphia scrapple was perfectly cooked. My brother’s steak & eggs were devoured. The service was excellent and prices were good. Good value! This is an old favorite.

Needed to get some grub before a Flyers hockey game. My buddy suggested Penrose Diner. I hadn't been there in over 20 years so thought it a good idea. The place is nice, clean and with big windows it seems airy and not dank. Service was prompt and professional even though the waiter told us it was his first day on the job. My buddy and I both ordered the Salisbury Steak. I got mashed potatoes with gravy and cabbage with rice as sides. The steak had a hearty mushroom gravy, the potatoes were real and not from a powder and the cabbage with rice was a nice surprise. We both left feeling satisfied and not gross from eating a greasy hamburger or other overpriced fast food at the game. If you haven't been to Penrose do go. Good diner food with plenty of choices. The price was right, too. Oh yeah, the flyer's won that night!!

Best breakfast I have ever had from restaurant. Great service. Place was full and still was able to be seated and served quickly. Loved the atmosphere throughout.

Often you hear a place mention how long they been at it servicing the community, where are the people who can state the facts as true. I'm one that can attest to the Penrose Diner as being the one. With the profits from my first paper route thru till today this place has been serving & servicing this area greatly. I no longer live in this area but I make it a point that when I'm in the city, one meal that I'm going to have will be stopping past this diner. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or just take a break from traveling about, this restaurant offers much more. It has been this way for all of my 50 years of coming here. Among the wide selections they offer there is that showcase of all the on premise baked goodies to tempt you into busting that diet. Yes Philly has a long list of good places to dine, but when they say they've been at for over 50 years its a good reason behind it.

All the food and desserts are Excellent. I had a REAL Philly Cheesesteak ( I am from Georgia which DOES NOT have anything close to a real philly cheesesteak. ) The french fries was the very best and goldlen and crispsy and tasteful. We really enjoyed our choice. I also had a breakfast there in August 2023 which was magnificent !!! The prices are a value too when you consider the flavors and the size portions. This is 10 minutes from the Airport.

The food at the Penrose diner is great, with large portions. The wait staff is friendly, and can offer suggestions.

My first time at Penrose Diner. I ordered the boneless pork chops with salsa and rice. Surprisingly tasty and the three pork chops were filling. I also had the side salad in lieu of the soup and it was nicely portioned. Our server was polite and attentive. She checked on us regularly and took great care of us. If you are near the airport, try the Penrose Diner.