Need restaurant advice in Philly

[princesspiglet]

My family is heading down to Philly on Friday for a short weekend. We are hitting the Franklin Institute on Friday and are looking for some place for dinner that night. It will be myself, DH and DD10. Looking for family-friendly and budget-friendly sit-down places that are also great tasting. We do not like sea food, soul food or "foodie" food! We like steaks, chicken, italian, chinese.

thanks for any assistance!!

 

[eliza61]

If you are going to be by FI, if you walk down a few blocks, along the Benjamin Franklin parkway you will hit a TGI Fridays.
If you are looking for Italian, I like Bistro Romano on Lombard street. Now budget friendly can be wide open. You say you like steaks. There are great steakhouses in Center city but I would not call them budget friendly.


Maggianos is a chain restaurant that serves Italian "family style". meaning you order one or two plates and they are huge platters meant to share.

You're also not too far from South Philly which has a ton of Italian spots through out. I like Ralphs on 9th street.

Bang a left onto race street and you're in the heart of China town. Once again chinese places left and right. I haven't eaten in china town in ages so can't help you with a specific one.

All this is an easy 5-7 dollar cab ride from the franklin institute.

http://www.ralphsrestaurant.com/


If you want a ton of choices, head over to reading terminal. warning. It is always crowded in there especially on the weekends but it's extremely budget friendly.

 

[wdwmom2]

If you are going to be by FI, if you walk down a few blocks, along the Benjamin Franklin parkway you will hit a TGI Fridays.
If you are looking for Italian, I like Bistro Romano on Lombard street. Now budget friendly can be wide open. You say you like steaks. There are great steakhouses in Center city but I would not call them budget friendly.


Maggianos is a chain restaurant that serves Italian "family style". meaning you order one or two plates and they are huge platters meant to share.

You're also not too far from South Philly which has a ton of Italian spots through out. I like Ralphs on 9th street.

Bang a left onto race street and you're in the heart of China town. Once again chinese places left and right. I haven't eaten in china town in ages so can't help you with a specific one.

All this is an easy 5-7 dollar cab ride from the franklin institute.

http://www.ralphsrestaurant.com/


If you want a ton of choices, head over to reading terminal. warning. It is always crowded in there especially on the weekends but it's extremely budget friendly.

DH and I ate at Maggiano's at King of Prussia last summer when we visited Philly. It was a very nice meal, and the restaurant decor itself was very nice!!!

I would love to go back!

 

[NYEmomma]

There's a Maggiano's right near the City Hall.

 

[mjkacmom]

If you are going to be by FI, if you walk down a few blocks, along the Benjamin Franklin parkway you will hit a TGI Fridays.
If you are looking for Italian, I like Bistro Romano on Lombard street. Now budget friendly can be wide open. You say you like steaks. There are great steakhouses in Center city but I would not call them budget friendly.


Maggianos is a chain restaurant that serves Italian "family style". meaning you order one or two plates and they are huge platters meant to share.

You're also not too far from South Philly which has a ton of Italian spots through out. I like Ralphs on 9th street.

Bang a left onto race street and you're in the heart of China town. Once again chinese places left and right. I haven't eaten in china town in ages so can't help you with a specific one.

All this is an easy 5-7 dollar cab ride from the franklin institute.

http://www.ralphsrestaurant.com/


If you want a ton of choices, head over to reading terminal. warning. It is always crowded in there especially on the weekends but it's extremely budget friendly.

I'm not a fan of chains, but like Maggiano's (and we have tons of great Italian places here). The Reading Market closes around 5 pm or so - but we love it!

 

[TinkerBelled]

If you like Vietnamese food, the restaurant Vietnam in Chinatown is really excellent and inexpensive. There are plenty of things that are quite popular: noodle soups and grilled pork on broken rice...and the spring rolls are on my list of top ten foods I'd like to eat in heaven.

 

[momoftwins]

Went here for first time this past weekend. It is Italian and the waitstaff sings operatic songs while you are eating. I HATE opera music, but these are single songs - say every 15 minutes. The staff has wonderful voices and I had a blast. Again, I AM NOT AN OPERA FAN.

The food was yummo! The place is small and you need reservations. They start serving around 5:00.

http://www.victorcafe.com/

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I'm a huge fan of Guy's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. I know Philadelphia is featured many times in the program. If it was me, I'd have to make a stop at one of Guy's recommended places.

Here's your ticket to Flavortown!

http://www.flavortownusa.com/states/pennsylvania

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Spasso in Olde City http://www.spassoitaliangrill.com/

Jack's Firehouse http://www.jacksfirehouse.com/

I haven't been but have friends that like Rose Tattoo http://www.rosetattoocafe.com/homepage.html

Any Steven Starr restaurant - but check menus, some have very reasonable prices & some are $$$$ - check out Frankford Hall, Pizzaria Stella, Jones, The Continental (original & Midtown), Il Pittore http://www.starr-restaurant.com/

 

[Tiggeroo]

Sabrina's Cafe. Not a chain but three locations. http://sabrinascafe.com/ We always go to the one near the art museum.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Well, I know you said dinner, but Travel Channel rated DeNic's roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe as the BEST sandwich in the whole COUNTRY.

To. Die. For.

In the Reading Terminal Market.

 

[princesspiglet]

Wow! We have a lot to choose from! Thanks everyone for the suggestions. DH and DD10 want to do Maggiano's since it is right beside our hotel. We are going to hit Reading Terminal Market on satruday morning and plan on staying for breakfast and lunch, so I am sure we will have lots of choices in there to explore! I am more concerned with getting a Philly Cheesteak!