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
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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
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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
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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
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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. :(
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