Cleavers Philadelphia — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Food is amazing! We ordered “The Block’,” vegan “Porta Fresca,” sweet potato fries & carrot cake. We ordered online for pick up.

When we arrived there were about four people in front of us we waited. When it came our turn, three other people (two groups) walked up to the left, the young lady cashier who should have taken us next, took the pick up orders on the left (no signage on that side to state pick up only). If she would have looked at us to acknowledge us or say please give me a moment, I would have told her we preordered just like them, but she didn’t, just ignored us and went to serve them. I had my phone up in my hand, just like they did and she saw we had waited in line. Secondly, we walked from our hotel about eight blocks, they gave us a flat taped bag., but we needed to carry it, young man advised me it’s a dollar & charged me for my carry out online order bag. That’s fine, but if I order carry out, please put my order in a carry out bag. I saw other orders in carry out bags, not sure how they judge that, but they should put all carry out orders in carry out bags (makes sense).

We got a few blocks away & I thought I better double check order because our bag seemed too flat for what we ordered. Sure enough, they forgot the dessert. So we walked back, let them know and the young lady apologized and got the cake from the fridge.

When you order take out, suggest ordering your meat and especially vegan options be boxed and bread separate. Otherwise you have soggy bread. The actual taste of the food was awesome! We were a little disappointed in the temperature for take out, but that was due to the wait and then having to return. Restaurant was clean, I’d say the young man was super friendly and enjoyed his work, but needs to work on accuracy of reading order, the receipt had the carrot cake in a darker color, I’m guessing to give them a heads up it needed to come from fridge, it was in a brown paper bag in fridge with my name on it. The young lady super efficient, but needs to actually deal with customers in front of her or at least acknowledge and let a customer respond, before serving someone else. They would have received 5 stars for food and 2-3 for service, accuracy...

The first thing I noticed about this restaurant was how packed it was, but despite the crowd, the line moved quickly. They had their system down to a science when it came to taking orders. There’s outdoor seating available, as well as a small seating area upstairs. While there aren’t many tables upstairs, it’s enough for a few groups, and the atmosphere was surprisingly quiet and cozy, even with the limited space.

The staff was friendly and helpful, offering recommendations when I asked. I ordered the classic cheesesteak, loaded fries, and a drink, but I noticed they also had waffle fries on the menu. They let me try them, and honestly, I wish I had ordered them too—they were perfectly cooked and seasoned just right.

I opted to dine in since most people were ordering their food to go, and I figured I’d have no trouble finding a spot. I was right. The food itself was great and made me want to come back to try even more dishes. The cheesesteak was piled high with meat and had a good amount of cheese sauce on a toasted bun. It could’ve used a touch more seasoning, but I understand the cook might have been cautious about going too heavy-handed.

The cheese-loaded fries were tasty as well, but next time, I’ll definitely go for the waffle fries. Overall, the experience wasn’t perfect, but it came very close. If you’re in the area, I’d definitely recommend giving this place a try—especially if you’re craving a good...

Cleavers Cheesesteaks: A Modern Take on a Philadelphia Classic

Nestled in the heart of Philadelphia, Cleavers offers a delightful culinary experience that pays homage to the iconic cheesesteak. During a midweek lunch visit, I found the atmosphere refreshingly clean and modern, a stark contrast to the bustling streets outside. With only a handful of patrons present, the ambiance was relaxed, allowing us to fully savor our meal.

The service was prompt and friendly; after placing our orders at the register, we received our cheesesteaks neatly packaged in a bag. We opted to dine in, and I must say, the addition of roasted peppers in my cheesesteak was a standout. As someone who enjoys a bit of heat, the flavor profile was just right—though I couldn't help but envy my companion’s choice, which was significantly spicier and seemed to pack an even bigger punch.

However, I must address the pricing, which I found to be a bit steep. At $15.99 for a cheesesteak sans fries or a drink, and my companion’s at $19.99, our total bill climbed close to $50 after adding beverages. For a casual lunch, that felt a touch extravagant.

Despite the price, I appreciate the opportunity to explore new flavors, especially when traveling for photo assignments. Cleavers captures the spirit of Philly with its grit and charm, offering a cheesesteak experience that’s worth trying, even if it stretches the...