Sweet Lucy's Smokehouse — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I used to go here quite frequent until my husband and I came one day for lunch and my husband commented that the kielbasa was horrible. I thought he was exaggerating, but sure enough, I tasted his platter and it was the weirdest flavor ever, and completely different from their usual stuff. He inquired with the kitchen and sure enough, they stated that yes they did switch suppliers, and he was not the first one to complain. After this experience, we haven’t been back much...just here and there. Fast forward to last weekend, when I took my daughter for lunch. She was excited to go since she hasn’t had it in a long time. The only thing she ordered was a giant container of the macaroni and cheese, because she loves it. I ordered a platter with brisket, and sides of macaroni and cheese spicy, collard greens, and chili. My food was very good, and overall I was pleased. However, even though my daughter found the macaroni and cheese delicious, I did not. I used to love it, but now it has a completely different taste. It was a little on the runny side. I know before it used to have French fried onions mixed in with it. I didn’t see any of that but it did have a weird oniony aftertaste that was not pleasant. The collard greens were great, the chili wasn’t bad...and the brisket was good.

Two other things of note are this: one, while the food was hot when I opened up the container, it didn’t stay hot for a very long which I thought was weird. It was almost like it immediately cooled off. My chili was in a little container with a lid and I took off the lid and steam came out and literally my second or third spoonful it was closer to a cool than hot. Please don’t tell me that there already prepared in little containers and then microwaved! That would make me really sad. Especially because of point number two: shame on me for not noticing that I didn’t get a receipt or even questioning the amount that the girl told me, but for brisket platter, a container of macaroni and cheese, and two sodas, it cost me over $29! I just wanted to have a nice special lunch with my daughter and it made her so happy so I didn’t wanna ruin the atmosphere by asking questions regarding the bill.

You may be wondering why I gave Sweet Lucy is four stars. I am sure that running a business is not easy. I have been with them from the beginning when they were just a little food truck. I want to see them succeed. I think they were doing a great job and now I’m afraid that they’re trying to do too much. Sometimes when places do that it sacrifices quality. I hope they take a step back and stay true to their roots. I’d rather see a mom-and-pop place like this succeed over a chain restaurant, So I’m definitely going to give them...

This is my second time ordering from here. The first time was during the pandemic and remember it fondly. I didn’t realize how close it was to the house so I wanted to go there and eat. We arrived during a really busy time.

The parking lot was very full, they were hosting a group/party in the back seating area. We parked towards the end, got lucky as it was the only spot open at the time.

It was loud inside due to the music from the party but it’s a celebration you have to have music. I had no idea what to do for ordering and being able to sit down. I asked one of the cooks who was kind with informing me that you order first, if you want to dine in you check in where you order by getting a table number and they’ll bring the food out to you. The person who took my order, the owners mom, was so patient and I thank the people behind me as I had no idea what to get and neither did my kids. She was giving great suggestions and helped with ordering while taking phone call orders.

We got brisket and it was good, the fatty pieces were delicious but the prices that didn’t have any were drier but it’s brisket it’s bound to happen. I got the au jus on the side and I enjoyed it more than the bbq sauce.

They offer condiments while dining in and they were good. I grabbed some bbq sauce, bread and butter pickles they weren’t too sweet which was great, and pickled onions those were good. Had them with my brisket. I wouldn’t have had those if I had ordered take away so I’m happy to have dined in.

The Philly beef brisket was really good, in the words of my son. He doesn’t eat a lot normally but he demolished it. When he likes something he eats very well.

The Mac and cheese was very good, it’s not a dry baked Mac cheese, it’s creamy and so yum. I got the coleslaw and that was good, not too sour and not too sweet with that good crunch. The kids ordered brownies as their second side so it was a good treat. I stole a bite from my daughters and it was a nice ending...

We were up in the northeast around lunch time and I knew He was getting hangry so when we drove by Sweet Lucy's and I smelled the smoke, I suggested we get lunch there. And I'm so glad we did! Brisket is my go to in any BBQ joint and this one did not disappoint. A nice smoke ring and flavor, and so tender it melted in my mouth. The platters come with 3 sides so I went classic with the baked beans, Cole slaw and collard greens. The collards were listed as spicy but it was really mild. They'd been cooked for a long time (please no crisp-tender bs for my collards!) so they were tender and had deep deep flavor. The coleslaw was listed as Dixie coleslaw which in my mind (from growing up in the south) should be creamy, with a touch of celery seed, shredded not chopped and not too sweet. Once again, Sweet Lucy's did not disappoint! The beans were delicious too. You could tell they were made from scratch (ie dried beans, not cooked) with little bits of brisket and their house BBQ sauce.

Speaking of, it's a great balance of sweet/tang with the right thickness and just a touch of smoke.

I have to be honest though and say the cornbread was my favorite. I know they use creamed corn in theirs, which is what my granny taught me to do and the result is something more akin to a cake and NOT like those little dry corn pucks that pass for muster in other places. Seriously, if I could marry this cornbread I would. Maybe I could make a wedding cake out of it??

A bonus is the portion size- I'm bringing home half of me for dinner tonight (after I put a trash on it that says liver & onions so the bums in my house stay out of it 😉).

Besides the great food, there's plenty of parking, and it's a fun place that's now offering dine in (thank God bc who wants to eat BBQ in their car?!) With an industrial BBQ joint vibe, clean with plenty of space and even the bathroom has fresh flowers in it. I'm already planning on bringing the family here and...