Capone's Restaurant

cracker

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev -2.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I've been to Capone's around a dozen times and finally have some time go give it its deserved review. This is one hell of a beer destination, for not only those in the Philly area but anywhere really.

From the outside the place is a little unassuming, a bit dark inside and can get smokey at the bar (that will likely change with PA's new law). But that's about all the negatives I can muster. And really they are minor.

On tap there are around 12 drafts (apart from Coors light and Yuengling), all of them very solid. Most of it is american craft beer but every now and then there is a Belgian or German beer too. On top of that all pours are extremely fresh and served by his fantastic waiting staff. Growlers are filled too.

Food is above average for the most part. Things I've enjoyed are the chicken wings, seared tuna, meatball sandwich, crab cakes, and all you can eat crab legs (tuesday nights). My only gripe was my only order of nachos which were not so good (tasted like a jar of Pace salsa was poured on top of tortilla chips and the salsa was cold!).

Now for the real strength. I would say it all starts with Matt. There are very, very few people like him in the business. He is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and is always more than happy to offer his assistance. I'm amazed how he knows most of his customers by name even if they come infrequently (like myself). On top of that, Matt brings in some very hard to find beers into the bottle shop and at very affordable prices. I don't know where he finds some of the stuff. Be prepared to spend more than you think as you will feel like you are in a candy store!!!

If I lived closer, I would be here at least once a week. Maybe it's a good thing I don't!!!

Cheers to Matt

07-30-2008 17:20:08 | More by cracker

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.39/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$

A/Q - Cool pub vibe with a U shape bar in the front center with seating around the perimeter and more tables in the back. I've never had any real issues with service as it's always been good and friendly. A couple times its been slow when I've sat at tables, but it was also fairly busy during those times, so its understood. They do a nice job of handling large crowds during events, too. Excellent selection. Many taps (24 or more?) with a wide variety of styles and brewers. Local, international, west coast, midwest... if they distribute it to PA, Capone's will get it. Bottle shop has excellent election as well, getting in all the limited releases. You may an extra dollar or two compared to other places for bottles, but I like the friendliness of the employees and owner, and supporting a local business. I've never been impressed with the food. Above average pub grub at best.

05-17-2013 13:16:01 | More by garuda

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -7.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 3 | $$$

This is a very unique place and the review should be broken down by each factor individually. Also, this review is mainly for the bottle shop, the restaurant is discussed in the Food section.

Atmosphere: (3/5) The bottle shop is located in the back of the restaurant in a small room. Beers are arranged on just about every inch of shelf space available and there are a few coolers that hold mostly six-packs with some bombers/750's throughout. Occasionally cases of beer are sprawled about on the limited floor space. A tight hallway can be seen from the bottle section that is FILLED with bottles. I believe these are reserved for customers or bottles that are set aside for aging (to be further discussed in Selection). Overall, the space is a small and feels cramped if there are more than 3 customers shopping at once.

Service: (4.75/5) One of my favorite things about this shop is Matt, the owner/beer czar. He sends out weekly emails with draft lists and new bottle additions. He will reserve bottles via email and has looked out for me a few times after realizing I am a returning customer.

Selection: (4.75/5) This is where this store excels, the selection is definitely one of the best in the Philadelphia area and has been recognized as such in Philly beer polls. Usually has a good selection of RR, Lost Abbey, FW & the occasional hard-to-finds from Deschutes and FiftyFifty (at least on the east coast). The east coast brewery selection is even better with plenty from Pretty Things, Maine, Weyerbacher, Victory, East End, Ommegang, Allagash, Hoppin Frog, I know I am missing plenty of others here. Imports include De Struisse and HaandBryggeriet as well as others. Usually some sours on the shelves anytime you go in. ALSO, they usually will hold back a few bottles of brews that age well and will release previous vintages when the most recent is also available. Priced up accordingly.

Food: (3/5) I have ate here a few times and have never been blown away by anything. Mostly average, occasionally good food would be the best way to describe it. They do have a good wing deal on Friday's though, which I thought were pretty tasty.

Quality/Value: ($$$) Overall this place knows what they have and where they are located. Therefore, you definitely have to pay a couple bucks more to get the goods. I usually use this shop for really hard to find brews that don't make it to the shelves before they get claimed or for brews that are hard to find in my area. Because of this I am able to justify spending a few more dollars.

Overall, I highly recommend visiting this shop if in and around the area. I drive about 30 minutes each way to go to this shop roughly once a month (it will be more often as soon as I fall into heaps of money). One of the best in the area.

05-15-2013 14:01:52 | More by Jimmys

Casey3236

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

One of the best bottle shops anywhere. Matt is awesome. Sends out an email every Tuesday with what's new. Huge selection of rare beers and a decent number of aged rarities. Food is good, standard bar food except on special occasions such as beer and food pairings with guests from breweries around the country.

05-01-2013 04:51:18 | More by Casey3236

Sillycyberfunguy

Pennsylvania

4.49/5  rDev -0.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

It is hard to believe but I am 5 traffic lights from this grog castle.
From the photograph on here, you may scratch your head and and say "Castle?.... really bro? ..more like converted diner".

Well take a walk through the bottle shop and into the bar and see the double sided draught list and yes...you are in a castle.

I just wish I had wings to fly home from this place.

04-22-2013 21:23:34 | More by Sillycyberfunguy

belgianfan25

4.95/5  rDev +9.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Prices On "standard" beers are average, though I tend to avoid those. The draft list tends to be somewhat expensive ($6-8 typically), but the rarity, wide selection, and strength of the beers more than makes up for it. Their menu has reasonably priced bar food, as well as a more expensive dinner menu that has higher-end items like mussels and chicken piccata. They also make the best buffalo chicken cheesesteak I have ever had.

As far as beer variety goes, the double-sided draft menu change constantly; I go there weekly and rarely see the same beer twice. One staple they do udually have is the chocolate pumpkin - Rogue Chocolate Stout mixed with Weyerbacher Pumpkin. Their attached beer store is pricey but has a wide variety of hard-to-find beer.

03-03-2013 19:03:53 | More by belgianfan25

jophish17

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev -11%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | $$

Visited on a cool November afternoon.

I first entered through the bottle shop in the back, but made my way through the restaurant to the bar. All three areas - bar, restaurant, and store - had different styles, which was a bit odd. Restaurant seemed more "formal" than I would expect from most beer bars, especially one in this part of the world. Makes me disappointed that I didn't stay for dinner. The bar area itself felt like just another neighborhood bar - long bar, taps, and tvs.

The beer selection is where I think this place earns its glory. Solid from top to bottom, with both locals, major crafts and some funky stuff. Despite one of my favorite beers being on tap (Founders Harvest), I opted to sample some Free Will Brewing Co beers, as they were having an event for them and I had never heard of the place. Beers were served properly and the service was attentive - it seemed like there were a lot of "regular" locals.

Capone's is one hell of a neighborhood bar - the selection and quality are solid, and it felt like a real friendly place for locals to grab a beer after work. Maybe not the most ground-shattering beer bar on the planet, but simple and awesome.

02-04-2013 16:51:37 | More by jophish17

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev -9.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$

The restaurant is a friendly engaging place with many tables, many servers. Lots of good taps, including some rare ones, and reasonably priced The best part for me is the bottle shop. A bit pricey, like 25% over the best places I have shopped, but the quality and selection were incredible. Lots of special editions and oaked versons.Maine Beers I have missed. Matt was terrific, bringing up some bottles I have missed last year. A regular e-mail with all the latest deliveries. 18 bottles for $331, yet I even regret not getting more.

12-09-2012 06:27:43 | More by northyorksammy

nogophers

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev -13.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5 | $$

I was in Plymouth Meeting for work, just 4 miles away from Capone's. The reviews here were awesome and I respect my fellow BA members.

That being said, I was somewhat disapointed. The selection was good and they just came off of harvest week so some fresh hop beers were still available. Love how they continuously rotate the taps. The problem was with the servers. What distinguishes a good beer place and a great beer place often lies with the knowledge and depth of the servers. The ones working the night I was there had no idea what they were serving and could offer no opinions.

Food was decent.

The attached bottle shop had an impressive collection, which is supposed to be hard to do in PA with their antiquated beer laws. A bit expensive, but I get that. It can't be cheap getting the beer they get. Ended up picking up something for the hotel room.

Would I go back? Absolutely. I will, however, be more prepared and study the tap list with tasting notes first.

11-21-2012 17:25:52 | More by nogophers

danman0125

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

Have been here about 5 times now... most recently 8/20/12...

All 5 times I have driven from Harrisburg area to Norristown (90 miles) and Capone's is solely what I have driven for.
So I will start by saying that Capone's is the beer mecca of southeastern PA (possible the whole state... I never really spent much time in western PA) and that they truly deserve all the A+ reviews they receive on BeerAdvocate and anywhere else.

Atmosphere is interesting. When you walk in, you might think you're in wrong place until you see the tap list. Looks like a diner in an odd sort of way in front. small dining room in back. Cozy and relaxing when it isn't very busy. (I've never been to Capone's for one of their draft events or beer dinners so I can imagine the place isn't as enjoyable as it would be packed to the brim).

Quality is exceptional. Food menu is very reasonably priced for the huge portions you get. Just about everything seems to be home-made. Service at the bar and at the tables has always been great. Bartenders/wait staff are very friendly. Matt, the owner, casually walks around and talks to people. Very down to earth and knowledgeable about the varieties of brews he provides. Beer taps are always fresh and the quality of the beers is always exceptional (any given day you go, you can count on not being able to find probably 75% of whats on his draft list anywhere else).

As mentioned above, service is friendly, timely, and quite good.

Selection of beer is best I've ever seen in Pennsylvania (and that's just the taps). The bottle shop in the back of Capone's (called "Beers from around the World") deserves its own seperate review. It is spectacular and since tax is included in the bottle prices, it's quite reasonable for what you can find in there.

Food menu is traditional American it seems (with some Italian influence mixed in). Most lunch items are under $10 and portions are huge. Food has tasted amazing and has been incredibly fresh each and every time. I recommend the pulled pork BBQ sandwich if its on special. The blackened chicken caesar salad is good. The italian pork sandwich with long green hot peppers is my favorite.

Despite it being my favorite place to get specialty micro and import beer (bottled and draft) + one of my favorite places to eat that I would drive 90 miles for, I do have a few small gripes...

(1) If you have a few people with you and you want seperate tabs, you must sit at bar. They DO NOT do seperate tabs at the tables (even if you and your friends are the only people in the joint.... like myself and my two buddies once were). Minor inconvenience but certainly not a deterrent for coming.
(2) Prices for the draft beers are not listed on the draft menu (but they do have nice descriptions of them). I hate to risk sounding cheap by asking what certain beers cost, but at the same time if something really rare is on the menu it's worth asking because I would just like to know before I pay $10 for a little snifter of something (the prices aren't terrible for what they serve but any craft beer drinker knows sometimes it can get a little ridiculous no matter where you go).
(3) The bottle shop only accepts cash (but only if you are just going to the bottle shop). You can have them add-on your bottle shop total to your bar/restaurant tab though if you have to pay by card.

Place is amazing though guys... truly truly truly. Great for special occasions. Bring $100 with you, have lunch and a few drafts and pick-up a few bottles to enjoy on a special day.

08-20-2012 16:17:39 | More by danman0125