Tavern on the hill vs. McNally's

**Reberson** · 01-25-2012, 08:04 AM

Food not a consideration, which spot is better to enjoy a few beers?

**JasonMcElroy** · 01-25-2012, 10:22 AM

My wife and I prefer McNally's. The service is better and they're always friendly (employees and patrons).

I can't speak to the food at Tavern on the Hill as both times we've been there we were ignored completely and left after 10 minutes. We have ****ty luck that sometimes. Food at McNally's is GREAT.

Jason

**MeanJean** · 01-25-2012, 10:33 AM

McNally's

**NickFromGtown** · 01-25-2012, 11:29 AM

I need to try Tavern on the Hill. I feel like it gets totally overshadowed and forgotten because of the fact that it is right next to McNally's.

**Jim Black** · 01-25-2012, 11:37 AM

McNally's is the traditional favorite; a CH icon. Top of the Hill is a newer operation.

I frequent them both and both have a good beer selection. You cannot go wrong with either. Food is a bit more upscale at the TOH. McNallys has great sandwiches & bar food. Service is good at both.

I recommend that you pick the one where you can get a good seat at the bar.

**Gremps14** · 01-25-2012, 11:56 AM

Take a walk down the street and go to Campbell's, Chippy..Good beer selection and nice seating..

**stonefly** · 01-25-2012, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by Gremps14

Take a walk down the street and go to Campbell's, Chippy..Good beer selection and nice seating..

Good food at Campbells too.

**Tocchet** · 01-25-2012, 02:11 PM

I prefer Tavern on the Hill. McNally's is a classic, but it's really lacking in atmosphere (to say nothing of the strange basement bathroom setup). Food is basic but good. The drawback to Tavern on the Hill is the creepy old guy acting as maitre d' as if the place was a 5* restaurant, but the food's been good, and I've always found the service there to be really good. The beer selection at both are really good.

Campbell's is too tightly laid out and cramped for my liking; when sitting at a booth and the bar area is packed, it feels as if you have someone's rear end on your table. Plus their burger is lacking. (Best burger on the Hill, IMO, is at the Chestnut Grille at the Hotel.)

**NWPhillyRealtor** · 01-25-2012, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Tocchet

I prefer Tavern on the Hill. McNally's is a classic, but it's really lacking in atmosphere (to say nothing of the strange basement bathroom setup). Food is basic but good. The drawback to Tavern on the Hill is the creepy old guy acting as maitre d' as if the place was a 5* restaurant, but the food's been good, and I've always found the service there to be really good. The beer selection at both are really good.

Campbell's is too tightly laid out and cramped for my liking; when sitting at a booth and the bar area is packed, it feels as if you have someone's rear end on your table. Plus their burger is lacking. (Best burger on the Hill, IMO, is at the Chestnut Grille at the Hotel.)

I like the food at Tavern on the Hill. Atmosphere is a little more laid back. The creepy old guy you are referring to is one of the owners. He's likeable in a quirky sort of way, but you kind of wish he found something else to do with his time as he seems the always be there. McNally's is enjoyable, but when I open the door and there are the backs of ten people waiting for a seat staring me in the face, I keep going. Too claustrophobic for me.

The head chef (Rob) and part owner of Campbells is also the road chef for U-2. When they go on tour he is feeding hundreds of people and traveling with them. If Bono picked him, he must be good, right? I enjoy the food, service and atmosphere a lot at Campbells. Their mussels with leeks, bacon and blue cheese is something I can't stop ordering if I go there/

**bungee** · 01-25-2012, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by NWPhillyRealtor

I like the food at Tavern on the Hill. Atmosphere is a little more laid back. The creepy old guy you are referring to is one of the owners. He's likeable in a quirky sort of way, but you kind of wish he found something else to do with his time as he seems the always be there. McNally's is enjoyable, but when I open the door and there are the backs of ten people waiting for a seat staring me in the face, I keep going. Too claustrophobic for me.

The head chef (Rob) and part owner of Campbells is also the road chef for U-2. When they go on tour he is feeding hundreds of people and traveling with them. If Bono picked him, he must be good, right? I enjoy the food, service and atmosphere a lot at Campbells. Their mussels with leeks, bacon and blue cheese is something I can't stop ordering if I go there/

I like both spots - go to McNally's either Sunday or Saturday every weekend. But if its jammed at the door I won't stand in line to spend money. Not when the food is as good as TOH's is. Given the quality of the food I am always surprised they haven't established a stronger weekend lunch crowd if only from McNally's run-off?? TOH has the BEST cheese steak I have ever tasted. Recommeded it to many and everyone agrees. Its something special. Don't know how their beer selection stands up but I assume it stands up well.

**Worm** · 01-26-2012, 06:36 PM

They're all good, try them all.

**Reberson** · 01-30-2012, 11:17 AM

Well, oddly enough we didn't go to McNally's or TOH. We ended up at Campbell's for dinner and planned on staying for a few drinks at the bar but it was really crowded. A few friends were at CH7 so we ended up there for a few drinks and actually liked it alot (very open not a huge change in floor plan from Solaris).The food looked good and I hope to head back there to eat very soon.

For dinner at Campbells I had the meatloaf, which was excellent. My wife had the grilled chicken with sharp provolone and liked it (by no means blown away though).

**Mt. Airy Brewer** · 01-30-2012, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by NWPhillyRealtor

I like the food at Tavern on the Hill. Atmosphere is a little more laid back. The creepy old guy you are referring to is one of the owners. He's likeable in a quirky sort of way, but you kind of wish he found something else to do with his time as he seems the always be there. McNally's is enjoyable, but when I open the door and there are the backs of ten people waiting for a seat staring me in the face, I keep going. Too claustrophobic for me.

The head chef (Rob) and part owner of Campbells is also the road chef for U-2. When they go on tour he is feeding hundreds of people and traveling with them. If Bono picked him, he must be good, right? I enjoy the food, service and atmosphere a lot at Campbells. Their mussels with leeks, bacon and blue cheese is something I can't stop ordering if I go there/

I'm going to have to disagree with you on Campbell's. Their food is pedestrian at best and everything there is overpriced. $6 for a Kenzinger? Take a hike.

McNally's was better when people couldn't find the place. Ever since they put that flag above the door, I can never get a seat in there.

**Tocchet** · 01-30-2012, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Mt. Airy Brewer

I'm going to have to disagree with you on Campbell's. Their food is pedestrian at best and everything there is overpriced. $6 for a Kenzinger? Take a hike.

McNally's was better when people couldn't find the place. Ever since they put that flag above the door, I can never get a seat in there.

Agreed, Brewer. And I think the owner/chef is one of MANY chefs that U2 has used on the road, but he certainly is marketing the hell out of that gig.

**Tocchet** · 01-30-2012, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by Reberson

A few friends were at CH7 so we ended up there for a few drinks and actually liked it alot (very open not a huge change in floor plan from Solaris).

Not a huge change in floor plan? Huh? Had you ever been to Solaris?!? They kind of took out an entire wall to create that huge open space. And the bar is now twice the size and a complete 360.

**NWPhillyRealtor** · 01-30-2012, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Mt. Airy Brewer

I'm going to have to disagree with you on Campbell's. Their food is pedestrian at best and everything there is overpriced. $6 for a Kenzinger? Take a hike.

McNally's was better when people couldn't find the place. Ever since they put that flag above the door, I can never get a seat in there.

You want overpriced? Tried Iron Hill for the first time last night across the street. Their $12.50 cheeseburger was nothing to get excited about.

**Mt. Airy Brewer** · 01-31-2012, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by NWPhillyRealtor

You want overpriced? Tried Iron Hill for the first time last night across the street. Their $12.50 cheeseburger was nothing to get excited about.

I didn't say Iron Hill wasn't overpriced. They have to pay for that brewery somehow. Did you enjoy your 6 fries with that burger?

**NWPhillyRealtor** · 02-02-2012, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by Mt. Airy Brewer

I didn't say Iron Hill wasn't overpriced. They have to pay for that brewery somehow. Did you enjoy your 6 fries with that burger?

They have something like six different types of cheeseburgers. I chose the Kennet Square which had mushrooms and smoked gouda cheese. Two others ate our table ordered different burgers.

What I enjoyed most was when the food runner came out with two dinners and announced "Cheeseburger?". We all looked at eachother wondering why we had to figure out which burger she was offering us. Maybe it was her first night.

**Geno** · 02-04-2012, 10:05 AM

I tried to go to Iron Hill last night with my son. It was SLAMMED and it was only 6pm. We walked across the street to Campbell's instead. Much nicer atmosphere anyway IMO. I have to agree with Rich, the mussels w blue cheese, leeks and bacon kick ass and there is usually a decent beer selection. My son had a cheese steak. He liked it and it looked great.