Fishtown Crossing — Local services in Philadelphia

Let's just say .... Brunchaholics, NOT worth the trip. It's okay for a local "grab and go". Reserved seating for 4. Arrived and got an earful of disgruntled wait staff standing off to the side of the entrance complaining about someone who for all purposes should steer clear. I walk inside and see what used to be a pizza shop turned into a sit and dine. Not knocking anyone's vision. The execution however ... It was pretty full with diners. About 4 tables "booths" for 6 along the far side to the right, maybe 3-4 tables for 2 and 2 tables for 4. Very tight. Should really reconsider the placement of the tables for 4. Large parties should not be placed by the bathroom. Too many bodies around the table and area. Everyone was behind the counter. There was a random folding table off the left side with a tip jar. A staffer approached me, I told her I had a reservation for 4 and she showed me the only other table (next to the bathroom). I had to step outside to make a call letting my party know I arrived and how to find the place. Between Rita's and TMobile. Signage should have also been thought through. A brown sign on a neutral colored building. Difficult to find. I came back inside and sat at our table and was told there was a 75-minute timer on all tables. Huh? Not asking if I wanted to place and drink order while I waited for my party. So I asked if it would be better for me to not sit and she said Yes. I never ever had anyone say this to me. I was really put off. If I didn't have people joining me I'd have left. While waiting outside in the wind another diner came outside. We talked and she said it took 20 minutes to get a to go drink from the barmaid. The barmaid is stationed at the little folding table. Finally my party arrived. Rose introduced herself and told us drinks and food are separate. She took our order. I had the Short Rib Hash, which was really good. Cooked well and not overly seasoned. Rose was kind enough to ask me how I wanted my egg since it came fried. I was with 3 others. Two had the SGG; Shrimp, Gravy over Grits which they enjoyed and it smelled delicious. Now my other diner had the chicken and waffles. Someone must've complained before because the chicken was cooked a little too hard she said and her waffles were "chewy". We placed our drink orders before our food came out. The barmaid was dressed as if she was coming in off the street, running errands or something. Attire not appropriate. The waits staff wore black, including matching shirts. Our food comes out just after our drinks. It took some time.... About 15 minutes. Mason jars filled with mostly OJ. I had the Brandywine, OJ, Passion fruit and a shot of Brandy with too much ice and a blackberry/blueberry garnish. There was something else called Call Me Peaches. I have a question. Where does the barmaid disappear to for 15 minutes to make 4 little Mason sized drinks? Seriously? The whole time we're eating there's people coming in and out picking up their orders and bumping into our table. The bathroom door open more than closed. We placed to go orders, Lunchaholics; fried fish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken and fries. The hush puppies and chicken HAD to be fried together.... Very dark and hard.

Overall if I could I'd give it 2 1/2 Stars. There's way too much going on. There should be cooks focused on frying. Cooks for waffles, pancakes and french toast. LOWER the temperature. Cooking way to high and burning more before cooking. Chewy waffles??? You can't rush. Thin out the batter, or allow them to cook completely. Who manages the kitchen? I couldn't tell who the front/kitchen managers were. When we said the waffles were chewy, no one came out to offer a replacement or apologize. Just not a good experience for the 30...

YO! Do ya know what's nuts? I mean, Crazy Nuts? Are ya sitting down? This shopping plaza has a Dollar General AND a Dollar Tree!! Yeah, I know, right? And it's not like one is on this side of the plaza and the other is way over at the other end. Nope, the two stores are about a football field apart. And they practically face each other. Uh huh. The Dollar Tree employees could be standing inside the front door, or at their register, and be saying "that isn't a REAL dollar store. They just put the 'dollar' in their name to trick people!" Then imagine the "Dollar General" store associates standing Well Within Their Own Store and looking across the parking lot saying "how many things could you buy for 2 bucks or less? Pencils? We have pencils! 'Dollar Tree' doesn't have the selection we have!" Yep, one day there is gonna be a throw-down in that parking lot. But for now everything is smooth. But Daddy always said "still waters run deep". I don't know if that saying applies, but I like it...

Stopped in at the restaurant.Honey grow got a great vegan bowl. I opted out of the shrimp but still received them. No big deal. I just took them out, bagged them up and freeze them for a friend so the rest of the bowl consisted of Cold sesame noodles, edamame, white, cabbage, jalapeño peppers, mixed greens, pineapple, tofu, crispy, onions, scallions, and I believe there was cilantro sliced carrots, and finished off with a sesame, ginger dressing, ample portion enough for two meals at first I was struck by the $18 and some change for the bowl but it’s worthy of two meals. The staff was very nice. They do have touchscreen ordering not sure what I did wrong but like I said, even though I opted out of the shrimp. I still received them chalk it up...