Places to Eat

* Bensalem Restaurants *
* Food Courts *
* Fun Places To Eat *
* Philly Cheese steaks *
* Upscale Restaurants *


Bensalem Restaurants (All )

On Street Road
 

 Next to Neshaminy Mall
on Rock Hill Drive
American Classic Pub & Diner
Applebee's
+Carraba's Italian Grill
Club House Diner
Friendly's		 +Hooters
+Nifty Fifty's
+Outback Steakhouse
TGI Friday's
various fast food		 Longhorn Steakhouse
On the Border
+Ruby Tuesdays

 


Food Courts
Franklin Mills Mall (one at each end of the mall)
Ross's Note- Franklin Mills is right on the Bensalem/Philadelphia border, less than 10 minutes from where Ross and Kathy live and the Sleep Inn Hotel.
Neshaminy Mall -- Bensalem (in the center of the mall)
Ross's Note- Neshaminy Mall is less than 5 minutes from where Ross and Kathy live and the Sleep Inn Hotel
The Italian Market
 There’s a piece of Italy hiding in Philadelphia. It’s the Italian Market, an outdoor and storefront culinary delight . Discover meats, cheeses, spices and produce the way they were meant to be enjoyed: fresh, local, lovingly purveyed. Small, family-run restaurants, and cafés surround the main corridor, which stretches along 9th Street between Christian Streets to Wharton Streets. It’s just across the southern border of center city. So put on your walking shoes and prepare for an adventure!
Reading Terminal Market
 The Reading Terminal Market, at 12th and Arch Streets, was established in 1893 and is the nation’s oldest continuously operating farmers’ market. Visitors enjoy eating virtually every type of cuisine, from soul food to Asian and Middle Eastern dishes to traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare — all available from largely family-run stands. Cooks come to the market for the very freshest in meats, poultry, fish and specialty ingredients. Cooking demonstrations and cookbook signings are frequent events. The northwestern corner of the market is primarily devoted to Lancaster County Amish merchants who bring their farm-fresh products and distinctive prepared dishes. Sit-down eateries are scattered throughout the market. Cookware, plants and flowers, books and many other items are also available.


Fun Places to Eat
Dave and Busters
Ross’s Note- D&B is like Chucky Chesses for adults, but kids are allowed when accompanied by adults.
No matter how you define fun, you'll find it at Dave & Buster's. Whether it's the action of our exclusive interactive games and simulators, enjoying great food served in a casual, yet elegant, setting, our fun and spirited bars or playing classic favorites like world class pocket billiards and shuffleboard we've created a unique experience that has something for everyone.

+Jillians – Franklin Mills Mall (Bensalem/Philadelphia border)
Ross Note- Jillians is pretty much the same as Dave and Busters, but bigger, better, more things to do, and closer.
Jillian's is an incredible entertainment and dining concept featuring all kinds of things to do. Three great restaurants (including one with American cuisine and 15 giant TVs for watching sporting and media events, and a Hibachi Grill where talented cooks grill a six course meal right at your table), a 20 lane bowling alley, 10 pool tables, cigar bar, an arcade (with all of those fancy-schmancy virtual reality games), ping pong tables, 3 huge bars and, The Groove Shack (a dance bar). Once in Jillian's you have free roam of the place. Go nuts, grab a drink and a cigar and wander from room to room like you own the place. Live music on the weekends, and the best sports and media viewing anywhere.  During the day, some people bring their kids to take part in the fun, but after 9pm it's the over-21 crowd only.
+Hooters – Bensalem on Street Road
”Delightfully tacky, yet unrefined!” is their slogan.  Their world famous chicken wings are one-of-a-kind, and you won’t find friendlier waitresses than their world famous Hooters Girls.  Huge and numerous TVs are all over so you can watch any sporting event that might be on.  Right across the road from the Sleep Inn.
+Nifty Fifty's (Three locations in Philadelphia, One in Bensalem on Street Road)
Ross’s Note- The one in Bensalem has a fun center/arcade inside and a mini-golf course outside.
Those of you fortunate enough to have been kicking around in the 50's probably remember the unbeatable taste of fresh cut homemade french fries, hand dipped milkshakes (over 100 types of soda, more than 15 exotic milkshakes and over 20 kinds of malts and floats), and 100% beef burgers -freshly ground and hand-pattied - all by people whose pride in their product made them a neighborhood legend. If you were there and now miss it, they will awaken some fond memories of fun times. If you never had the opportunity to try this sort of place, you will understand why they are not just another restaurant, but a way of life. A seven-time winner of “Best of Philly”.


Philly Cheese Steak Places
Ross’s Notes- The cheese steak sandwich is a Philadelphia tradition.  There is nothing else like it.  But for the un-initiated, there are two very different schools of cheese steak (neither of which are imitated well outside of the Philly area).  There is the Jim’s style, which is chopped steak with melted provolone or American cheese on a fresh baked Italian roll (and the optional fried onions and peppers).  And then there is the Pat’s/Geno’s style, which is basically thin slices of slightly fatty brisket with melted cheese wiz on a fresh baked Italian roll (and the optional fried onions and peppers).   Of course you can get a Pat’s steak with provolone instead of wiz (you have to ask or they’ll assume wiz), but they’ll look at you weird.  Both versions have their followers that swear by it.  Myself, I love the chopped version with real cheese and could easily pass on the other type of cheese steak.  All walks of famous celebrities have ate at these places, as you’ll see by looking at all the autographed photos on the walls.  That being said, here are the best and most famous cheese steak places in the Philly area.
+Dalessandro’s – Roxborough
Ross’s Note- This is Ross’s favorite cheese steak place.  The meat is so soft it just melts in your mouth!  Both Ross and Kathy’s fathers loved their steaks too.  The cheese steak hoagie is Ross’s favorite here.
Celebrating 35 years of excellence! Try the famous Philly steaks, cheese steaks, hoagies or indulge yourself with a cheese steak hoagie. Cold beer too! Phone ahead for large orders and fast pickup.  There may be lines out the door at this Roxborough eatery, but the steaks are insanely delicious.  Seating only available at the countertops.  “Best of Philly” 1999.  601 Wendover St. and Henry Ave. Philadelphia PA (closed on Sundays).
+Jim’s Steaks
Ross’s Note- This is Ross’s second favorite cheese steak place.  Change it up and try a pizza-chicken-cheese-steak!
A wide and varied menu of steak sandwiches and hoagies with exquisitely sweet fried onions offered in a distinctive art deco decor.  Watch the cooks chop and cook your meat and onions while you wait in line.  Jim’s is in the heart of South Street, so take a stroll afterward to work off your meal!  Decent sized seating area upstairs.  “Best of Philly” 1997.  400 South St. Philadelphia PA
Pat’s King of Steaks (and Geno's Steaks)
Ross’s Note- At both Pat’s and Geno’s, be prepared and know how to order, because the service is fast and the line keeps moving. For example, on a cheese steak with onions specify which kind of cheese you'd like (Provolone, American or Cheese Whiz). By the time you have given your order, your money will be taken and your sandwich will be out the window nice and hot! At the next window you can pick up your soda, fries and coffee.
Pat’s is where it all began, or so they claim. Thin slices of beef are smothered in melted cheese (onions and sauce optional), encased in a crusty, Italian roll. Locals have been known to ship them to friends and relatives across the country who miss that Philly taste. From presidents to movie stars, visitors flock to try this quintessential Philadelphia eating experience. Pat’s is located at 1237 East Passyunk Avenue, a short cab ride from Center City.  No matter when you get a hankering for a Philadelphia original, Pat’s is open around the clock. Small outside seating areas on the sidewalk, or stand at the outside counter.  “Best of Philly Readers Choice” 2001 and 2002.  Their rival, Geno’s, is diagonally across the street, offering the same type of cheese steaks.


Upscale Restaurants
Buddakan
A towering gilded statue of the Buddha generates elegant calm in this 175-seat, Pan Asian restaurant with sleek, modern decor. This immensely popular addition to Old City features two full bars as well as a 20-person community table for sharing food and conversation. Buddakan is located at 325 Chestnut Street, east of Independence National Historical Park.  “Best of Philly” Nightlife, Cool Drinks 1999; Desserts, Food, Salad 2001.
Moshulu
The Moshulu, a 394-foot sailing vessel launched in 1904, is now permanently docked at Pier 34 on the Delaware River waterfront and offers formal and casual dining as well as a cocktail lounge. The boat is considered the world’s oldest and largest four-masted ship. It was opulently restored in the Art Nouveau style to evoke the great cruise ships of the turn of the century. The masts were re-rigged and are shown here, lighted against the night sky.
Ralph's Italian Restaurant
The oldest family-owned Italian restaurant in the country and a favorite spot for families. Large second-floor dining room available for special-occasion parties, corporate and rehearsal dinners. Reservations suggested for parties of three or more. No credit cards.  “Best of Philly” Food, Spaghetti and Calamari 1996; Italian Restaurant 2001.  760 S. 9th St. Philadelphia PA
White Dog Cafe – University City
The White Dog Cafe, an upscale and eclectic restaurant near the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, is known for offering fresh, locally grown products and featuring speakers on a wide variety of political and social issues.
Zanzibar Blue
The Pat Tandy Quartet is one of many hot acts that perform at Zanzibar Blue, a restaurant, bar and jazz club. Patrons enjoy the sweet sounds of jazz seven nights a week in an upscale environment with sophisticated cuisine. Local talent fills the bill on week nights, with national headliners on weekends. Zanzibar Blue is located at 200 South Broad Street on the Avenue of the Arts.  “Best of Philly” Food, Crab cakes 1999; Nightlife, Jazz Club 1999.