Dock Street Brewery & Restaurant

Soonami

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +9.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

I come to Dock Street regularly because of their very good food and good beer. In fact when I left my last job, we had a going away party here because we all like it there so much. Everything I have tried here has been great, from the wood-oven pizzas to the sandwiches and appetizers. To emphasize the point that they have wood ovens, they leave a big stack of wood outside of the hallway to the restroom.

The beer here is sometimes just good or at times fantastic. I have had almost everything they regularly brew and my favorites are the Rye IPA, Hop Garden DIPA, and single variety hop PA's. I tend not to like their novelty beers as much: Chamomeleon, Sudan Grass, and the Kolsch.

Some have complained about the service, but I haven't experienced these kinds of problems. I think that maybe some just aren't used to what busy restaurants are like in the city, as long as you aren't afraid to be assertive to your server, you'll have no problem

All in all, it's not too pricey, the beers are good and it's a nice neighborhood place to hang out with friends or take out your family.

08-09-2009 16:06:50 | More by Soonami

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev -3.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

Visited at opening time (noon) on Saturday. Having never visited the place but made aware of the styles produced had me curious. The place is decently sized. Room for about a dozen or so across the bar and tables fill the void with plenty of seating. A large chalk board displays the tap list as well as a couple paper menus floating around.

A large wood fired oven drew my attention which made the choice of ordering pizza a no brainer. The pizza was banging, I would return again just for that. There was 6 drafts on. Rye IPA, another IPA, a barleywine, RIS, belgian strong and a porter. Bottles for take out sat on a ledge behind the bar sadly in direct fire of the sunlight coming in from the windows. The brewhouse is visible in that same area.

The presence of the brewhouse and possibly open windows allowed for there to be an unacceptable amount of large fruit flies attacking my food and beer. Unfortunately, that was not the biggest gripe of the experience. At one point I had to walk outside for fresh air because they had a propane leak that made the entire place stink. The wait staff stood around and didnt acknowledge something was wrong until I said something. The resolution was "oh is that what that smell is?"

The wait staff was attentive but they had to be since we were the only patrons and were seated at the bar right infront of them. When it came time for the check, I was agitated that they were seemingly playing me for a tip. The reason for my trip was to secure bottles for my friends. The website clearly states there is a discount when buying by the case. Heres a tip, dont play me for a fool and pretend like you are doing me a special favor by giving me a couple dollar discount. Despite the negative aspects of this trip, id still go back for the pizza if they had a really intriguing bottle release.

12-05-2012 21:24:08 | More by stakem

bonkers

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | $$

The last time I was at dock street they were in a center city location about 10 years ago.

I drove up to see if they had any bottles left from a recent release, fortunately they did. Rhw neighborhood is good where the bar is, but driving up I did get a bit concerned. The building is an old firehouse, it looks pretty cool from the outside. The inside did not really do it for me. The bar is big and nondiscript, nothing real catchy on the walls. Behind the bar they have a brick pizza oven, which is actually pretty cool.
I got there about 3:30 on a Wed and the place was dead. They have 6 beers on tap, so I ordered the sampler. I enjoyed all of them. I did order a pint of the kolch afterward with some fries. The beer was reasonably priced, the bartender was friendly and the menu looked pretty good. I will have to hit up Dock Street again in the future.

11-24-2011 09:35:09 | More by bonkers

Nutleybeer

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -9.7%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $$

Went in on a Friday afternoon. Inside was empty, but the 6 or so seats outside were filled. Interior was hot, wood burning pizza oven gave off a decent amount of heat. black tables and seats. Nothing fancy, cement floors, some fans overhead.

Seemed like pizza was their specialty, so we ordered the Mexican and BBQ chicken. For a small crowd, the food took a long time to come. Worth the wait. Both were really good. Lots of flavor. Tasty crust.

In terms of beer, did the sampler. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Kolsch, Pale Ale, Porter, Coffee infused stout and a few others. All were good, fresh. I liked the stout the best, but went with a pint of the kolsch.

No parking lot, you have to park on the street. Overall, good beers, but the pizzas were actually my favorite part of the trip.

10-17-2011 20:45:44 | More by Nutleybeer

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

An old firehouse with a seated area to the right and the bar along the middle of the building. The wood fired oven is behind the left side of the bar and the brewing operations are behind the right side of the bar, behind some glass.

The walls are old ceramic tiles, not the best look, and with the two story ceiling, the place kind of has a hollow feel. Some local artwork along the walls add a little flavor. On warmer days, there are tables set up outside.

I have been here twice now and have had pizza both times. Each time they have impressed. The wood fired oven in a nice touch.

They have about 6 beers on tap at any given time. On this visit, I had the Rye IPA and the Satellite Espresso Stout, the former of which I grabbed a growler of. Both were very tasty. I also sampled The Great Pumpkin, and it too was well done.

The service was on point and attentive both times I have been here. This is definitely a place to try out for a pizza and some fresh beer.

09-19-2011 13:50:44 | More by ColForbinBC

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +3.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

It only took me ten years to come here, Dock Street has been on my radar and there are some cool events and bottle releases that occur throughout the year, but the Flemish Sour on-Tap is what did it.

Located in the University City/West Philly area, Dock Street is pretty easy to get to. Truth be told, in 30 years of living in SEPA, I've only been in West Philly a handful of times. I went to a D'Angelo (Voodoo tour) at that joint on 69th st. years ago. Went to City Tap House for an Deschutes event during beer week and Local 44 at a couple events as well. Dock Street is a brewery within a old Firehouse as noted from the outside look and the two main doors on the front where the trucks go vroom vroom. A nice outside seating area near the main street which was packed on a monday night.

Inside, I was not to drawn to the decor of this place. Im aware of the old building's habitants, but this seemed to me like more of a neighborhood hangout for adolescents back in the 80's, like an arcade of sorts. Summer camp mess hall style. Anywho, some tables off to the right and a oddly shaped bar that was pointy, not str8, ala Ressurection Ale House. I really could not pinpoint the feel of this place in a word, it's different though.

Im here for the beer though so here goes. I came for the Flemish Sour that was aged in a CAB barrel for 2.5 years on tap. It was delicious and oh so lively off the tap, I might have to scoop a bottle or two of this in the future. DS has about six tap offerings and wine for the ladies. Did not see any liquor for sale. I ordered a Rye IPA which I have enjoyed in the past at many locations in SEPA. This particular Rye IPA was awesome and fresh and full of flavor, it went with the pizza so well.

Speaking of the pizza, it was really killer. I was very impressed by it. It took some time to get it after the order was placed but the wait was worth it. Mahragerete was exquisite and the other one I got which I cant remember was banging to. I would come here just for the pizza, and they do it to go as well unlike another brewpub in the area with some great 'flatbread'.

The bartender was cool enough, he was swamped but got to me and ogl in due enough time. Not much time to chit chat. The bar area was really loud and not very inviting for a conversation. The whole place was loud which is a good thing and it usually does not bother me, but in this case I was a bit ticked. My only gripe was that my Rye IPA was served in a 13oz glass instead of a pint which is how I get it all around the city, but thats a minor quabble all of 3oz.

I like this place and will be back, but it's not the type of place I would take a date or anything like that, the atmosphere was a bit drab.

08-28-2011 14:09:17 | More by onix1agr

TheDeuce

New York

3.65/5  rDev -4.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 5 | $$

Dock Street Brewing Company…….Philadelphia

Dock Street is in an interesting location on 50th St, the road it’s on is very nice and jam packed. As you drive around to find parking you will stumble on areas that are…..not nearly as nice. All within minutes of each other, gotta love cities.

In a refurbished firehouse, love the old industrial look. Exposed brick, tough floor. Small tables out in front and in the main part as you walk in. A long horizontal bar houses about 15 stools, the taps and the infamous brick fired pizza.

My wife and I were devastated to find out they had just tapped their keg of Sudan Grass, the gluten free beer that got so many good reviews and was one of our reasons for coming. Rats rats rats.

As she sipped her wine in sorrow I began to try some of their offerings. I had the Summer Session, the Bohemian Pils, and the OMG Pale Ale. All were good, if not quite spectacular.

What was spectacular was the pizza. My god. I had a simple cheese one and it was amazing, the wife ordered a burger and sweet potato fries that were also amazing. Great to see the open kitchen and the food being made right in front of you.
We sat the bar, our bartenders were attentive and helpful. Place filled up quickly.

Overall, cool place to come. Ok beer, dynamite pizza, great vibe. Make it a stop.

08-09-2011 02:48:42 | More by TheDeuce

lstokes

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

This place has amazing brick oven pizza with killer crust. I've visited a few times, as it's one of the places you go when you're visiting friends who live in West Philadelphia, and always remembered enjoying my food. On my last visit a friend and I split the sweet potato fries and a small portobello pie and both were delicious. I've also liked the Pflammenkuchen in the past.

The beer also gets high marks--they had maybe 6 taps of home-brewed beer? Last night I had the rye IPA, the OMG Pale Ale, and the double IPA, and all were delicious. The sip I had of the porter and the wheat were nice too, so high marks for variety within a small list. The atmosphere also leaves something to be desired--it's a nice space, but they were playing Simpsons episodes on a large screen against the wall while we were there, and that was annoying, and also it has some funky acoustics.

But the pizza and beer are both great, so I imagine I'll be back. Thanks for sprucing up the neighborhood, Dock Street!

12-23-2010 04:57:32 | More by lstokes

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +4.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

Located in an old firehouse, Dock Street is very roomy and spacious. The long bar, extending nearly the length of the room.
The pizza is pretty nice here. As a regular foodie, pizza lover, and website host of a local food and beer, I took to this place. The pizza is rustic, and authentic, as it's cooked in a wood fired oven. This style of cooking gives the pizza a crispy, crackly charred underside. Delicious.
The beer was tasty and fresh. The service at the bar was attentive and friendly. Really nice stuff.

05-26-2010 00:48:48 | More by weeare138

Metalmonk

North Carolina

3.93/5  rDev +2.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

When I go to a place like this that serves such an amazing pizza, it makes me want to start pizzaadvocate.com to tell the world where to go for the best in pizza pie. This place's pie is killer, dripping with cheese and sauce, premium/quality ingredients obviously used, and while the dripping mess makes the uber-thin crust soggy, working towards the outer crust you get incredible wood-fired stone oven char flavor, crisp and earthy and man...just a wonderful slice o' heaven. Back in the hall by the bathroom, they've got a huge stack of wood for the brick oven. Fantastic!

Oh, what about the beer? We had the cream ale first, and it was just the right beer for the beginning of the night, and paired great with the food. Solid and serviceable and obviously very fresh...maybe not mindblowing, but worth putting some time into (I'm told the doppelbock is quite excellent). The service was quick and attentive, and the atmosphere is comfortable, unpretentious, even kind of spare but not cold. Just a cool, casual neighborhood-style vibe, with plenty of outside seating too.

I know they're trying to establish themselves with their beers, and those are good, but guest taps would be nice. But overall, a cool, cozy place that is absolutely worth the trip, if not for the beer, then for the amazing pizza.

04-04-2010 16:21:40 | More by Metalmonk