Good food, great drinks and even better company made my night at Darling Jack’s Tavern a total win. Nestled on South 13th Street in Philadelphia, my best friend and I headed to dinner with the highest expectations in mind, as this had been on our list to visit for quite some time.

Kicking the night off with cocktails, we indulged in our favorite: Aperol spritzes. Refreshing and delicious, we sipped the night away while watching the cooks prepare everyone’s meal. With a front row seat to all the magic happening in the kitchen, we worked up quite the appetite.

Starting strong with appetizers, we enjoyed the creamiest whipped feta topped with sherry-roasted beets and a hint of dill. Accompanied with sourdough bread on the side, this made for the perfect mix of sweet and savory. Absolutely delicious!

The next dish we had is a must-try at Darling Jack’s (if you know you know): the French onion soup. As a native of Philadelphia, I have heard many rumors this is the best in the city, so I had to see for myself. Man, did this exceed my expectations! Just the presentation alone sold me. The mix of the crunchy onion mountain with the warm broth was like heaven in my mouth. Made with a blend of funky cheeses and sourdough bread, this soup came alive with every bite and was the perfect dish for a cold night in January.

Now onto entrées: Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs at this point, but everything sounded too good not to order! We continued the night sharing Jack’s smash burger and the potato and rosemary pizza. Full of flavor and crunch, both dishes blew us away in the best way possible. The Tavern sauce on the smash burger helped bring the flavors together for a very unique taste. I absolutely loved it!

Between the food, drinks and nonstop laughter, our evening at Darling Jack’s Tavern was one for the books. If you’re looking for great food and a cozy atmosphere, plan your next date night or girls’ night out here.

— Emily Gladu, administrative coordinator