Food Review of Havertown Grille
2409 Darby Rd
Havertown, PA

The little hole in the wall known as the Havertown Grille is full of surprising discoveries! Traveling there for a breakfast excursion, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The service could be slow, the food could be sub standard, or the prices could be astronomical. However, I was pleasantly met with a quiet little shop that was longer than it was wide, with the kitchen in full view at the back. The oven was manned by one or two chefs, a waiter was folding napkins and putting together utensils, and another was ready as our server. The quaint atmosphere was wonderful and was just right for early morning.

The service was quick and to the point- no sooner than the doorbell rang above our heads as we entered, than we were greeted and seated, given menus and asked about drinks. It was efficient, polite, and in no time I was sipping on a cup of hot coffee. Sadly, I found this to be disappointing, but the rest of the meal seemed to make up for it.

Within five or ten minutes of ordering an omelette with hash browns and a side of toast, the food was coming out, steaming and incredibly hot. I burned my mouth, but refused to put my fork down, in spite of my seared tongue. The omelette was delicious and bursting with flavor, and packed with peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and a bunch of other things i couldn’t name. Suffice to say it was amazing.

The toast was what you would expect; two slabs of thick whole wheat, not quite toasted enough for my taste but still crunchy and filling. Jams and jellies were provided with decent variety, among them grape and berry jam.

The hash browns came next- really just a big piece of potato that had been smashed and cooked, and it took a tiny bit of effort to slice into and get a peice small enough to fit inside my mouth. Eating it with ketchup is highly recommended- it complements and really completes the classic diner food.

Sadly, as I have mentioned before, the coffee was lacking- it tasted bitter, and was even unpleasant to drink. Whether it was bad coffee beans or if it had been burned while being brewed, it required some sugar and creamer to make it go down. I would be willing to try it again, but cautiously, and prepared for the worst.

When it came time to pay, prices were reasonable for the most part- slightly more expensive than the Manoa Diner on West Chester Pike, for example, but slightly less than the Black Kettle on Brookline Boulevard.

I highly recommend the Havertown Grille- it’s a fun experience to go with friends, family, or just by yourself. The staff is warm and welcoming, and you are promised an amazing meal.