Penrose Diner — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Diners are typically a dime a dozen, and in order for one to truly stand out, it needs exceptional service, a great atmosphere, and solid food options that come out better than expected. Penrose Diner hit the nail on the head with our recent visit.

After running a 5k to fight childhood cancer, my colleagues and I were feeling quite hungry and Penrose Diner was just a stone's throw away.

When we arrived, I was a little concerned with the small parking lot, but I was glad we didn't have to park on the street in such a busy park of South Philly. As we entered, we were immediately greeted by a hostess and taking to our seats. This place has a great number of dine-in setting which completely eliminated the need for a wait. As we walked to our seats, I was very pleased with how clean and spacious the diner was.

Our waitress came by almost immediately to take our drink orders and provide us with some time to review the brunch and breakfast menus. It was refreshing to see that the menu wasn't overwhelming with choices but also had great selections for us to choose from.

Two of the orders came from the brunch menu, 1. biscuits and gravy and 2. Breakfast skillet, and the other two orders were from the breakfast menu, eggs Benedict. Highly recommend all options, especially the breakfast skillet.

The portion sizes were amazing and the food was cooked to our liking. The waitress was very accommodating with the substitutions we had requested and ensured that all our orders came at the same time.

The staff were very attentive and checked in on us periodically. When we finished our meals, we decided to stay a little longer to chat. Our waitress was not bothered by this and allowed us to stay for an hour after our meals were done.

I really appreciate how wonderful the staff was and how delicious the food was as well. Will definitely be going...

A Decent Diner Detour—but Nothing to Write Home About

Tucked along a fairly accessible stretch of town, this classic diner is easy enough to find, with its glowing signage and welcoming exterior. While the parking lot offers ample spots, maneuvering into them requires a bit of patience—tight spaces make it a snug fit during busy hours.

Upon entry, we were seated right away, which was a pleasant start. The atmosphere was typical of your neighborhood diner: cozy booths, bustling kitchen sounds, and the familiar hum of casual conversation. Service, however, was lukewarm at best. Our server, though polite, seemed to be going through the motions. It took a noticeable while for her to reach our table, and when she did, her demeanor was indifferent—not rude, but not exactly warm either.

I opted for the veggie omelet, which came with a trio of eggs cooked to your liking, sautéed onions, spinach, bell peppers, and a side of hash browns. The presentation was clean and the portion generous, but the flavors were muted. It was the kind of breakfast that fills you up but doesn’t leave a lasting impression—functional, not flavorful.

Hoping to end on a sweeter note, I ordered the Snickers cheesecake—a dessert that promised decadence but delivered mediocrity. The texture leaned more toward dense than creamy, and the flavor profile lacked the rich, nutty punch one would expect from a dessert inspired by such a bold candy bar. For the price, it felt more like a missed opportunity than a satisfying finale.

In sum, this diner offers a convenient pit stop with standard fare and service that won’t offend—but also won’t dazzle. If you’re nearby and need a quick bite, it does the job. Just don’t expect to be swept...

This Philly spot has been my go-to since the mid-90s—especially after a concert or event in Philly. It’s got that classic, true South Philly vibe that makes it feel like home.

On my most recent visit, I had just picked up my daughter-in-love from an early flight into PHL. We were both starving, and since my grandson is a huge French toast fan, this place was the perfect choice.

Pros: The pancakes were piping hot, fluffy, and full of flavor, with those perfectly crispy edges I love. The thick, golden-brown French toast was cooked to perfection and got an enthusiastic thumbs-up from my three-year-old “grandPrince.”

●Cons: I ordered my eggs scrambled hard with provolone cheese mixed in and fully melted. Instead, they arrived with the cheese only partially melted on top. I sent them back—twice—and the final time they were taken to the staff area and microwaved rather than fixed in the kitchen. Odd choice, but maybe that’s just how they do it.

Our server, a seasoned woman with an unique accent, hair pulled back in some sort of a bun w a reddish brown colored hair w glasses on, also seemed visibly annoyed from the start, as if we were inconveniencing her just by being there. I felt rushed through the meal, which took away from the usual relaxed diner experience.

Overall: Aside from a slow acknowledgment at the front and the less-than-warm service, the visit was still enjoyable. It wasn’t the typical hustle-and-bustle vibe you’d expect on a busy Saturday morning or Friday night, but I’ll definitely be back—especially for those sweet breakfast delights and those yummy desserts at...