Bridgewater's Pub

Their beer is good. Their ambiance is a train station, can't expect much. But their customer service is so terrible that you should avoid this place at all costs. Went there with the family while waiting out a train delay. They sat us; my 7-year-old started eating a fruit salad while the waiter took our drink and food orders. We had a few sips of beer, and then they threw us out because our boy was eating a fruit salad from somewhere else. I get the ""don't bring in food"" thing, but they charged us for the beer that we couldn't finish - even though they took our orders while watching him eat! So if you go there, be prepared to have them slyly take your order and then throw you out. You've been warned. more

Most Philly residents who rely on the commuter rail can tell you a horror story of long waits at odd hours. It's all the worse on a cold winter night, when all you really want to do is get home and eat something comforting and hot. With Bridgewater's located directly inside 30th Street Station, home feels a whole lot closer. Other dining options run the fast food gamut from Dunkin' Donuts, to Pizza Hut, to a few really frightening buffet counters, but Bridgewater's offers real, home-cooked meals at very fair prices. I can be a bit of a beer snob and their selection of brews is much, much better than anyone has any right to expect out of a train station bar--in fact, the selection on tap and the quality of food invite comparison with any good neighborhood pub in the city. The staff are friendly, too.\r \r Their menu changes monthly, so there's always something new to try, and there are often some quite exotic (and still tasty) selections. Also, I'm a pesco-ovo-lacto vegetarian and there are always plenty of things on the menu that I can eat. My only real complaint is that you can't always get an order of fries alone as a side. To me, fries are obligatory bar food--I don't think any bar should think of itself as being above fries!\r \r As a woman, Bridgewater's is one of very, very few drinking establishments I can go to by myself to relax and not worry too much about having to fend off some gross would-be suitor. I really appreciate that, because to me the whole point of going is being able to stop in and relax during one of those long waits for the next Regional Rail.\r \r I've also had work meetings there and the ambience is definitely chill enough for that. I don't think it would be great for very big groups, though, as the establishment itself is rather cozy.\r \r Definitely give Bridgewater's a try the next time you're hungry at 30th St. Station. Pros: Quality of food, great bars on tap, friendly service, nice ambience. Cons: Fries as a side aren't always on the menu. :( more