Three Monkeys Cafe — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Response to restaurant: I’m sorry, let me explain the situation a little further. A member of our group went to retrieve his bag from another member who was leavings car, and we were in the midst of paying for our check. Our friend came back in with his bag, that had a few containers from the eagles tailgate we were at earlier. The bouncer originally told him he couldn’t come in, but he expressed he was just coming back in to meet his friends (us) to pay for the check and leave. The bouncer then allowed him to come in. As we were waiting for our server to come get the check and card, that is when the bouncer stormed over and started yelling at us. Keep it mind, our friend only had his bag because we were leaving and he had to get it out of a friends car who was leaving right before us, and the bouncer knew this and was aware of the bag and allowed him to come in. While the bouncer was yelling at us, I said “We are literally leaving, this is the second time in this establishment that you’ve approached me and my group this aggressively” (the other time being a year ago that I will explain after this) and that’s when he screamed profanities in my face as described in my original review. He also told me “Go to Maggie’s if you don’t like me”. So not only is your employee scaring customers away but sending them to competitive restaurant in the area. That’s awesome. Does this sound like a reasonable response from your employee? If so, I feel sorry for you. Truly.

The first experience I had was about a year ago with two of my friends. We were coming to the restaurant to eat lunch when the bouncer demanded our ID’s. We were entering through the restaurant, not the outside bar and expressed repeatedly to him that we simply just wanted to sit at a table and eat. For some reason, he did not understand and got aggressive with us and started yelling at us for our ID’s. It just didn’t make sense. Thankfully, an employee overheard and was able to seat us Looking back, I wish I would have just walked out. I also wish I had left a review about this interaction sooner.

Original review:

I had a deeply disappointing and scary experience at this establishment, and I feel compelled to share my concerns, particularly regarding the treatment of me and my group. During my visit, I encountered a bouncer named Jason who exhibited aggressive behavior towards me on two separate occasions (once about a year ago and then again today). When I approached him to address this issue, he responded in a very hostile manner, which was both extremely alarming and unprofessional. He screamed in my face “Eff You” (I cannot curse on here or my review will be taken down). I was appalled by his extremely short temper and aggression towards me.

Unfortunately, my attempts to communicate my concerns to the management did not yield a supportive response at all. I spoke with two managers, one of whom was Dotty, and both were dismissive of my experience. I had hoped for a more empathetic reaction from Dotty, given that we are both women and especially given the severity of the situation. The lack of concern from management was troubling and shows me this is normal for them.

It is disheartening to witness such behavior being defended in any establishment. I feel I was verbally assaulted by this boy (I refuse to call him a man). I strongly encourage anyone considering visiting to take this feedback into account. I believe this venue needs to reevaluate its approach to customer safety and staff conduct. Please consider my review...

I have to say, I just ate the best pasta of my life, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. From the very first bite, I knew this was going to be a meal to remember. The pasta was perfectly cooked, with a texture that was just the right balance between tender and firm. The sauce—oh, the sauce—was a masterpiece in itself. Rich, velvety, and bursting with flavor, it clung to the pasta with just the right consistency, enhancing rather than overpowering its delicate taste.

But it wasn’t just the food that made this experience unforgettable; the restaurant itself was incredible. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warmth and hospitality that immediately made me feel at home. The atmosphere was the perfect mix of elegant and cozy, with soft lighting, beautifully set tables, and a vibe that was both refined and inviting. The attention to detail was impeccable, from the carefully curated music to the beautifully presented dishes.

The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, eager to make sure every aspect of the meal was flawless. They didn’t just serve the food; they told a story about each dish, adding to the whole experience. It’s clear that this restaurant is a place where passion and pride for culinary excellence come together.

Honestly, this wasn’t just a meal; it was an experience. Every bite of that pasta, every sip of my perfectly soda, every moment spent in that beautiful restaurant made me fall in love with food all over again. I can’t recommend this place enough—it’s a must-visit for anyone who truly appreciates amazing food and impeccable service. If you ever get the chance to eat here, don’t hesitate. It’s worth every second, every penny, and every calorie.

And to finish, since I got to Philly my stomach was in a whole of depression, but this restaurant gave hope, joy and purpose to my digestive system and inspired me to peruse my dream again in life.

And one more time, thank you Mr.Houl...

I recently visited Three Monkey Cafe for the first time and unfortunately, it was a terrible experience from start to finish.

The place was staffed entirely by very young girls who seemed more interested in their phones than the customers. My boyfriend ordered the buffalo shrimp, which was $12 for what was supposed to be five shrimp — but what we actually got was four and a half small, grilled shrimp drowned in hot sauce. We also tried the “monkey bites,” which turned out to be tiny frozen chicken nuggets, again completely soaked in hot sauce, and honestly not worth the price at all.

I ordered the chicken parm, which actually tasted good, but the side of bread they served with it was completely burnt.

The server barely paid attention to us all night. She refilled our drinks only twice (and the cups are very small), never came over to ask how our food was, and didn’t even come to the table to take our payment because she was too busy on her phone up front. When we asked for to-go trays, she absentmindedly tossed them on the table, knocked them over, and my boyfriend had to catch them before they hit the floor.

We didn’t complain in person — I’m generally not one to make a scene — but I decided not to leave a tip due to the awful service. As we left, the server actually followed us outside, yelling at us about how we were supposed to tip her. Completely unprofessional and embarrassing.

When I called the manager afterward, all she said was that she would “talk to her” and that next time I should “comment on the shrimp,” which felt like she just brushed off the issue entirely.

This was my first time coming here, and I definitely won’t be returning. Between the overpriced, low-quality food, inattentive staff, and unprofessional behavior, I couldn’t recommend this...