Devil's Den

[five apples]

Everyone has always said that thing holding Devil's Den back from being a go to place is the food. Well they are getting in a big time cook.

Chef shakeup: Devil's Den lands R2L's Urena | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/18/2010

Very exciting.

On the eve of the opening of R2L in Two Liberty Place comes word that Alex Urena is out as chef de cuisine.

He landed today at Devil’s Den, a gastropub at 11th and Ellsworth Streets, and he's figuring out a new menu.

[five apples]

I wonder if we are even talking about the same place. Its at 11th and Ellsworth.

[luchobucho]

you're right about the food, but the place really suffers from lack of atmosphere.I found it dark, dreary and unfriendly.

it has a rich interior...lots of wood and saturated colors....is that what you mean by dark?

And they have a fire from october thru april, so it usually rather cozy.

[Brooke]

Yeah, the interior is nice. Very pub-like.

[TonyDanza]

Love this place. If the food improves, I'll be very happy.

[CapnMarko]

Best beer happy hour in the city as far as I can tell ... it's still half price draughts right? Great deal.

Would be lovely if the food was consistently good doesn't even need to be cheffy or anything, just some good solid pub grub with maybe some interesting small plates.

How about a decent fish and chips??? Haven't found a place who has a really good version on their menu ...

[Thayer]

I wonder if we are even talking about the same place. Its at 11th and Ellsworth.

Ditto! I like how they showcase brewerys and I think their food is above par. The BLT is pretty inventive, reminds me of and exceeds the highly regarded BBQ pork buns from momofuku in nyc.

[squishimichi]

anyone know when this switch is happening? my sister is in town this weekend and we were going to go saturday night

[OutOfContext]

anyone know when this switch is happening? my sister is in town this weekend and we were going to go saturday night

I believe it's already happens but his full menu won't be immediately available. They are going to start off with a Tapas menu first I think.

[PhillyCuse]

I went here when it first opened but don't remember...is it a sports bar? If not what is nearby?

[TonyDanza]

Went for dinner Friday night and the entrees were already all new. Had a fantastic rabbit gnocchi

[phillycat]

That guy is an excellent chef.

[ceb]

I've always been rather disappointed with the service there - beer is great, usually there is SOMETHING on the menu to try (although now it sounds like that will be better), but for me to make this a regular spot, the service needs to get better.

[squishimichi]

went on saturday with my husband and sister, we had a great time. our server was super nice. the beer selection blew my sis away and the food was very good. the only problem we had was that the fireplace was going - we were sitting across the room, but our clothes and hair stunk when we left - not sure it that's typical with a fireplace.

[Ihatepickles]

I haven't been there in a very long time. I went a few times in one month and the waitress we had was mean each time. They ran out of a beer and she seemed annoyed that I didn't have a back up already picked out. She tried to walk away to give me time but it had taken 20 minutes to get her attention so I wouldn't let her leave without my drink order.

[PhillyCuse]

Happy hour last night. Superb beer selection, good service, decent burger. Menu could be better.

[BeardScraper]

The BLT is pretty inventive, reminds me of and exceeds the highly regarded BBQ pork buns from momofuku in nyc.

BLT at devils den is pretty unique. i thought it was great, but about 1-2 hours later i was overcome w/ nausea. too much pork fat maybe?

[five apples]

I do have to agree with the bad service thing, I find the bartenders to be great and willing to offer suggestions, but the servers themselves all seem to have attitude problems. There is an asian one in particular that bothers me. I will say though I have also gotten very good service there from some waiters, but more often then not it is bad.

[Mr Morley]

I went here when it first opened but don't remember...is it a sports bar? If not what is nearby?

Sports bar was the owner's original concept, but I think they're getting over that.

the only problem we had was that the fireplace was going - we were sitting across the room, but our clothes and hair stunk when we left - not sure it that's typical with a fireplace.

Yup. Wood fires tend to smells of wood smoke (the fireplace at Jones is gas). Personally, I love the smell of wood smoke; it reminds me of my childhood.

[abracadubra]

I do have to agree with the bad service thing, I find the bartenders to be great and willing to offer suggestions, but the servers themselves all seem to have attitude problems. There is an asian one in particular that bothers me. I will say though I have also gotten very good service there from some waiters, but more often then not it is bad.

So funny you mention her, because we just had her last night and she was pretty awful to us. I wrote them a nice little email. I don't understand why she still has a job there, as I've heard multiple complaints among my friends....