Percy Street Barbecue
900 South St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
I've dined at Percy Street on two separate occasions and have been so
excited to sit down and write a review ever since. While I consider
myself a pretty tough, but very fair critic, I have to say that Percy
Street ranks among one of my top dining experiences in Philadelphia.
Ambiance: 5 out of 5
Situated
on Philadelphia's historic South Street, Percy Street has a relaxed,
neighborhood vibe. Patrons are typically mid-20-30 somethings who are
dressed fashionably and casually, and the din of convivial conversation
is pleasant and constant as Percy Street usually has a full house. The
dining room is an intersection of hip, modern, and upscale barbecue
meets down home comfort in an unpretentious setting. The roll of paper
towels at each table epitomizes the experience: casual, messy at times,
but overall delicious to the point where you will want to dig in with
your hands and napkins alone would be insufficient.
Barbecue Chicken: 5 out of 5
Wow
and wow. This tremendously-conceived chicken is perfectly cooked; it
was warm, moist, seasoned and teeming with flavor. The skin on the
outside was crispy and flavorful and the meat on the inside fell off the
bone in all of the right places. One of the things that I appreciated
about chef Erin's O'Shea's execution is that the chicken was not
dripping in sauce. What you get is a piece of cooked and seasoned meat
wrapped in parchment paper. O'Shea clearly appreciates meat cooked
correctly. Sauce, while extremely important, is secondary. When you
order your meat of choice, your server will bring three types of sauce
that you can try and use to your taste. This allows you to sauce your
dish as much, or as little, as you would like. Genius! The sauces are:
Sweet Thang (sweeter barbecue sauce), Old Faithful (standard barbecue
sauce), and Hot Mess (hot sauce).
Ribs: No rating
While I did not try these, my friend said, "I would like to die eating these [ribs]," which attests to his delectation.
Cole Slaw: 4 out of 5
PS's
cole slaw is a winner; it was crisp, creamy, slightly sweet, and
refreshing. I gave it a 4 out of 5 because it was classic done right
without any element of outstanding.
Macaroni and Cheese: 4 out of 5
The
macaroni and cheese arrived piping hot in a small terrine. A toasted
shell of breadcrumbs sat atop the creamy macaroni magma. The white
cheese tasted like a slightly sharp, salty, yet very creamy cheddar. It
was delicious by itself and also with a little barbecue sauce.
Sweet Potato Casserole: 5 out of 5
For
those looking for the ultimate comfort food, your search ends here. The
sweet potato casserole is Percy Street's magnum opus. Whipped creamy
sweet potatoes are baked inside a terrine with toasted marshmallows on
top. The dish is creamy, sweet, rich like dessert, and sends a shot of
seratonin through your brain when it hits your taste buds.
Alcoholic Beverages: No rating
There are many offerings for beer and whiskey.
Overall: 5 out of 5
I
cannot wait to go back. Head over for some of the best Texas-style
barbecue in a refined setting. Percy Street is a great place for a
casual dinner or for a date. It is also suitable for large groups and
parties (they appear to have a room off of the main dining room
specifically for private events).
