Royal Tavern Awards

Royal Tavern Restaurant Review:

Royal Tavern is the kind of "local" anyone would want in his or her neighborhood. The noisy, convivial spot --- which is owned by the same team behind Cantina Los Caballitos and Khyber Pass --- serves one of the city's best burgers, an eight-ounce Angus patty topped with bacon, caramelized onions, smoked Gouda, pickled long hot peppers and chile mayonnaise and served with hand-cut fries. But the Royal, as everyone calls it, is more than just a burger barn. The smartly conceived menu ranges from truffled popcorn, nachos and other snacks, through satisfying entrées, such as the chicken fried chicken with candied bacon, green chili mashed potatoes and apple coleslaw. Vegetarians will also find their place at one of the high-tops, with such items as the tempeh club, vegan sloppy joe and the grilled sweet potato banh mi. Of course, this wouldn't be a modern Philly pub without offering a lengthy list of local and craft-style draft and bottled beers.