Jack's Firehouse

For the most part, we had a very good dining experience at Jack&apos;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&apos;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&apos;s not a good policy to enforce upon your customers.

Decent Eatery across from State Penitentiary

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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.

Except for tired, bagged lettuce……

I visited Jack&apos;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.

A lovely place for a cold pint

Jack&apos;s was an easy choice for my family after visiting the penitentiary. (It&apos;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.

An average lunch

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&apos;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&apos;t making any more. The women&apos;s room was a mess, water on the floor, a clogged toilet, and broken latches on the stalls.

Jack's Firehouse

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