Schlesinger's — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I discovered this place purely by accident -- I'd intended to dine at one of the pubs in the area, forgetting how crowded and noisy they'd be on a Saturday evening -- and I was delighted. The ambience is old-fashioned, like a 1960s diner, with fluorescent lighting and wide, roomy booths. The hot open turkey platter, while arranged a little oddly -- the two slices of bread overlapped, leaving some of the turkey by itself -- was fine, with a good gravy; and they accommodated me when I asked for whole-wheat instead of white. It came with a salad and a side order (I chose the kasha varnishkas, which was first-rate). There's also a "pickle bar" with which to start the meal! And the prices are quite reasonable.

Addendum, 2/26/2018: Schlesinger's for breakfast is much like Schlesinger's the rest of the time: not great, not bad, just fine.

I ordered one of their "specials": two scrambled eggs with turkey sausage, homefries and toast, only slightly annoyed that the printed menu price was higher than that on the sign outside the deli ($7.25 instead of $5.95, or something like that -- they need to change the outside signs).

Everything was good: multigrain toast was available, and the homefries were firm and tasty, not the sort of undercooked mush we frequently get in New York. The turkey sausages were savory, but there were only two -- and they're the skinny "Breakfast-sausage" type, not the fat sausages you can sometimes get. (There really should have been three of them.) The eggs were good; that may seem like a given, but I've in fact had mediocre scrambled eggs elsewhere!

I didn't like the coffee at first, but it grew on me. Perhaps I was just getting used to it, or perhaps my second cup came from a freshly brewed pot (and the first didn't).

I've never had a bad meal at Schlesinger's -- it's one of my "go-to"s when I'm attending events on South Broad (and when my hotel is elsewhere) -- but neither have I ever had a...

For a restaurant with a tagline of "God, Country, Corned Beef," and in a city with as strong a deli culture as Philly no less, their corned beef is absolute junk. I’ve gotten their corned beef special ("Mr. Schlessinger’s Special") twice now and a month apart from one another as I had hoped that they were just having a bad day when I first ordered it, but nope, it’s truly the worst corned beef I’ve ever had, not just in this city but nationwide.

As for the sandwich, both times I got it, the corned beef itself was tough, dry, full of cartilage and untrimmed fat, and mostly flavorless. It was unevenly tossed onto the bread so I had to deconstruct my sandwich and move the meat around before eating in order to ensure that I got a balanced bite. Then, the Russian dressing is thin and watery, so it destroys the bread. Finally, they give you the most apologetic morsel of cole slaw on the top, and it tasted a few days old.

As for the included sides, they pride themselves on giving you a full pickle with your order. The under-pickled gherkin that I received was hardly larger than my thumb. The included chips are the single-serving Utz junk they gave you in middle school, even when you dine in. For what ultimately comes out to be a nearly $19 meal before tip, particularly within just a few blocks of numerous other delis that really do a nice job, this is an absolute disgrace.

My coworkers and I go here because it’s closest to where we work, but I guess we’ll prioritize getting our steps in and walking a bit farther when we have a hankering...

This is my response to the review given by reviewer Leslie T , concerning her bad customer service experience during the times of the Eagles celebrations downtown. You are more than unfair, in your expectations of the situation. Whenever, large crowds, and events happen, it always taxes the restaurants nearby. You are foolish to expect anything else. Most people unless they are celebrating , would have avoided eating in the immediate area . How can you expect normalcy on a day like that ? Wah ! Wah ! You lost your place in line. Terrible, what shall we do ? Wonder if you read the local news, or have a internet connection or something ? I want you to know the Philadelphia police, have trouble maintaining any order on a day like that. However, in all your selfishness, you expect a business, with limited staff , to maintain the usual every day control, and routine, you have grown accustomed to ? I don't agree at all that you should have been yelled at. I can see why though, and that place is fortunate you have vowed never to cross their doorstep again. I have never been there ; but they get 5 stars from me, just having to deal with your unreasonable , demanding, dramatic self. How hoity toity can you get ? You really need to get a life, or learn how real life works in trying situations like this. Next big event , exercise more common sense. Pack a lunch. Eat at your desk. Spare everyone around you the the self embarrassing public meltdown, and your review that was nothing more than a...