Village Whiskey

Went to village whiskey this afternoon. I was very disappointed in the waffles and fried chicken. I expected the Belgian waffle to be high and crispy, but, it was more like a regular waffle. The fried chicken seemed to be a boneless filleted thigh, that was not crispy as well. I expected a nice crispy drumstick or beast on the bone. My husbands burger was medium rare when he asked for medium. If you are know for burgers, I think you would get it right. But the short rib fries were outstanding! The seating is uncomfortable and cramped! The staff were lovely! So to sum things up… the 3 stars are for the service and fries. It is very claustrophobic and would more than likely not go again.

This place will forever hold the spot in my heart for best burger in the world. Honestly order their cheapest burger and just get it medium rare with goat cheese. You will literally die with the burst of flavors and the juiciness of the meat. I was very lucky to be taken here by Phili friends, and as I said before it is the best burger you will ever have. Please please go give this place a shot. Just know, it is very small and you can’t make a reservation. We put down our name and then went to a bar. This was at 6:30 and we waited an hour to get a call from the restaurant. By 8pm there were multiple open tables, so maybe on a week night try a later time to avoid waits. But please go here and get yourself a taste of heaven!

Best burger I’ve had. Fries aren’t as great as I hope, but my expectations were really high. Wide selection of drinks available too.

Partner and I grabbed dinner here on New Year’s Day and had some of the best burgers we’ve had in a long while. We were a bit concerned about wait time, as the place doesn’t take reservations, but were ushered in and seated immediately. Our waiter was gracious and attentive, despite our eschewing the extensive whiskey and drink menu.
We split deviled eggs and duck fat fries (the former really good, the latter solid but forgettable). We have complete opposite burger preferences and both got the Village Burger, I medium rare and he, well done (ew!). I opted for blue cheese and caramelized onions, and he for goat cheese, caramelized onions, and a fried egg. The burger came on a toasted brioche bun smeared in thousand island dressing with bibb lettuce, tomato, and a dill pickle spear on the side. Mine was perfectly cooked, pink in the middle and super juicy. The blue cheese was no joke, none of that pansy stuff but pungent and sharp, just how I like it. The caramelized onions may have been the star, sweet and buttery, nestled beneath the patty. Despite the messiness, the bun held its integrity, a slightly sweet, light complement to the heavy decadence of the rest of it.
Would definitely eat again, though be prepared to be laid up afterwards for an hour or two feeling like a little ball of grease. You can probably get as good a burger elsewhere for fewer dollars, but at $ 13+ (toppings are extra…), this is a pretty knock-​out option.

I was only in town for 6 days, but ended up at this place 2 nights in a row, so naturally I am giving 2 thumbs up to Village Whiskey. The décor was well thought out and reminded me of classy speakeasies in NYC.
I had a serious whiskey drinker in tow, so we ended up trying many of the well known whiskey spots here in Philly. But, we especially liked this location for many reasons.
The first night we came in here, it was around 9pm. All the tables were filled up, but we were able to find two seats near the back of the restaurant. This place caters to a mature, relaxed crowd. You will not find loud music or diners here, so that means you can actually have a good conversation going while sipping on excellent drinks.
We weren’t extremely hungry, so we decided on drinks first. My companion tried the Elijah Craig 12-​year and also the Jefferson small batch whiskey. Nothing but rave reviews from the experienced whiskey drinker.
I stuck to cocktails and the first one I tried was Close of the Day, this cocktail was just OK for me and I don’t remember much of it. However, the second cocktail I had was The Poor Richard, and it was a very well made drink. The rum and rye blended so nicely, it was just beautiful to drink this cocktail (I ended up coming back here a second night and ordered the same drink).
And since we were drinking responsibly, we didn’t want to get too sloppy so we ended up ordering a few appetizers, including the fried pickles and crawfish hush puppies. The hush puppies were excellent, and the crawfish reinvented this classic side dish. I highly recommend this appetizer to pair with drinking.
This is a great date spot and you will be happy to have taken that special someone here. Noise volume is good in here, and you won’t find drunk people dancing on the bar. This place is classy and sexy. Just right up my alley, ahem.

You know, this was actually the best-​tasting burger I’ve had in a long while.
Tried Sketch recently and was not overly impressed, and other than that I haven’t ventured far into the upper-​tier burger list around the city. Decided to go for it b/​c my partner had a gift card we could use.
Got the $ 13 burger, medium well, +chevre, +fried egg, +caramelized onions. As well as the deviled eggs ($ 3 and really good!) and the duck fat fries ($ 5, meh — fine, but nothing special).
My dining partner had the $ 13 burger, medium rare, +bleu, +caramelized onions… so basically the crazy expensive foie gras burger minus the foie gras. She was pleased with it as well.
Beer list looks good not great, and whiskeys are something I have no inkling about (and did not sample), but their list is long, which I bet is a good sign.
Ambience — it’s really small — maybe 8 tabletops and a 10 – 15 person bar. Cozy, intimate, good date experience. Right across the street from Shake Shack and Capagiro if you’re feeling seconds/​dessert.

There are so many good burger options in Philadelphia. Rex1516, Blue Duck, The Dandelion, just to name a few. (And that’s not including the quicker spots, like Shake Shack). But for some reason, no matter how much I enjoy the burgers elsewhere, something always brings me back to Village Whiskey.
First things first, this spot is tiny, and they don’t take reservations. If you want to go on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night, be prepared for a wait. The tables are small, the bar is cozy, but it’s all part of the charm.
There are two burgers on the menu– the Village Burger (sesame roll, tomato, lettuce, and house made thousand island), or the Whiskey King (maple bourbon glazed cipollini, rogue bleu cheese, bacon, and foie gras). Both are delicious and worth trying. (And don’t worry– for those non meat eaters, there is a veggie burger option). They also offer a chicken sandwich, a bbq pork sandwich, a turkey sandwich, and a clam bake. So there’s really something for everyone.
I can’t quite explain why this burger is my favorite– the burger is large, the meat is juicy, the flavor just bursts in your mouth. I personally am a fan of dipping it in the cheese sauce from the duck fat fries– it adds extra flavor that just compliments it perfectly.
There’s always a burger of the month, so be sure to check it out on special before heading over! I also happen to be a huge fan of their fried pickles. They’re so salty and juicy, but super crunchy, and just… everything.
And finally, the fuck fat fries with short rib and cheddar sauce. The thing I love about these fries is that they are think. They hold the cheese and short rib, and don’t break under their weight. (You can also get the fries plain, or with just a side of cheese sauce).
Things to Keep in Mind: you will most likely have to wait, so be prepared. The burgers are also a little on the expensive side, but trust me, they are so worth it.

Update — Sadly I will not be returning to Village Whiskey. From the Philadelphia Inquirer:
«[Jose Garces’ Village Whiskey] had more risk factors for foodborne illness than 99 percent of establishments inspected in 2014. […] Seven inspections in a row at [Village Whiskey] found multiple serious violations, such as a food-​prep employee’s working with a cut finger, raw meat stored over produce, and egg salad held at temperatures hospitable to microbes.»
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I’ve always believed that if you’re going to do a hamburger, you do it right.
Village Whiskey does it right.
VW’s ambience is lively with an upscale vibe. But the space is cozy to say the least, so expect a wait if you just walk in. The menu itself is very short, so if you don’t like hamburgers, fries, and whiskey, you should probably dine elsewhere. Or better yet return to whatever sad, burger-​hating voodoo cult you hail from.
Soon, you’ll find yourself sitting in front of a giant bun piled so high with hot beef and fixin’s that you won’t be able to pick it up neatly. You’ll wonder to yourself, «How did I get myself into this jam?» before realizing that you’re in ‘Murica and that’s the way we do it here.
The one to get is, of course, the namesake Whiskey Burger. The word «no» doesn’t exist when a luscious colossus of magical maple-​bourbon glazed cipollini, applewood smoked bacon, rogue bleu cheese, and foie gras-​topped beef is staring you right in the face. Yeah, you’re throwing down an obscene amount of money for a hamburger. And yeah, it’s damn good. Village Whiskey’s signature Duck Fat Fries are thick, dark, and full of dense potato-​y goodness. They are also heavily seasoned, so you might want to have a taste before you ask for a salt shaker. Mmm! As far as beverage pairings go, I happen to like whiskey but next time I’ll wash everything down with a beer instead.
If you’re looking for something a little lighter on the palate, you might want to try just taking a nap. BUT if you’re in the mood for something decadently sweet, then may I recommend the French Toast? Deep-​fried mouthfuls of nut-​crème-​filled brioche toast, tart berry jam, and toasted pecans topped with fresh berries and whipped ricotta cream. Sweet tooth: 1, stomach room leftover: 0.
I’ll take that nap now, thank you very much.

We’ll start with the ambiance — small and über trendy, right on track with the urban industrial chic movement. Next, the service — nice bartending, nothing exceptional though. And the food — a pretty interesting beer list (both draught and bottled) and a nice little cocktail menu.
The veggie burger (yes, because of Food Network) was pretty good, though I wasn’t super blown away. The brisket fries (which we heard is soon to be on a Food Network show) were pretty damn good. We’ll be back for the meat burgers and more trials of the draughts and cocktails.

+Pro:
I love the «Village Whiskey Burger» here: the meat is well seasoned, savory, and connected. I don’t add any toppings to mine in order to avoid distracting the taste of a fresh beef patty. I find simple burgers enjoyable and a true test if they are worthy or not.
+Cons:
Only 3 burgers to choose from? This was the most disappointing part. A Village Whiskey Burger is ($ 13), a veggie burger ($ 10), and their Whiskey King ($ 28). They are all very plain and if you want toppings (+$ 3 – 6), it can surmount to quite the expensive burger.
+Fries: up to you!
The duck fat fries were overrated in my opinion, but the short rib fries are worth a try. The meat was very tender and melted at the mouth. The cheese was very strong though, perhaps a little too salty for my preference but it is very filling (for two people).

Man like burger.
Man like whiskey and cocktails.
Man like good service.
Man no like hard to get a seat… Too popular…
This is Jose Garces concept of a rustic fancy pants burgers saloon. Yes, I said fancy pants!
Been here a few times and I have not been disappointed in any of there burgers. Nothing bad to say except it’s small and a seat is hard to get but that is what happens when you have it all on point. Hats off.
Talk to the bartenders, always something to learn about the booze. New combinations of burgers are always on the special menu as well.
Cheers.

Excellent burgers if you can afford the steep price for adding toppings and sides.
After having some of the best burgers living in the south, I’m always on the lookout for excellent burgers north of the Mason-​Dixon line. Village Whiskey has an excellent burger reputation, so my girlfriend and I decided to try our luck on a Saturday night. As stated in the other reviews, the space is really small (or «exclusive»), and the wait was over an hour. Fortunately, the outdoor seating was still open, so we were seated almost immediately.
But enough about that — let’s talk burgers. I was expecting a longer list instead of the the three type of burgers — Veggie, the house Village Burger, and the foie gras laden Whiskey King (additionally there is burger of the month). However, Village Whiskey offers a large amount of customization in its toppings you can add to the top of the burger, all for an additional cost. I ordered the $ 13 Village Burger, then with my toppings (bacon, cheese, one or two other things) on top of the tomato, Boston bibb (re: lettuce), and house-​made Thousand Island dressing, the price swelled to nearly $ 20 just for the burger. Add in a side of Duck Fat fries ($ 5) and if you order from the copious whiskey menu ($ 10 – 20), you could easily drop over $ 30 – 35 just for yourself. So yeah, expect to drop some cash here.
The burger itself was really good — 8 oz of thick juicy beef on a sesame roll, even if they did give me a well-​done patty as compared to the medium I ordered. So kudos for still delivering a great burger. The duck fat fries are comparable to boardwalk fries but far less greasy. They were good but not mind blowing, and an order is really only for one person. We also ordered the Deviled Eggs appetizer ($ 3 for three eggs), which were stupendous.
Overall, Village Whiskey upper echelon of burgers and a whiskey list that is sure to impress. I just wish there were more varieties of burgers available in addition to the pick-​your-​own-​toppings, which become prohibitively expensive after 2 – 3 selections. They still make a fine burger (time will tell if it’s truly the best in town), just be prepared to pay for it.

I was in Philadelphia for work so of course I Unilocaled the best places to visit near the area I was staying. Village Whiskey had a lot of reviews and was within walking distance of my hotel. I tried coming here the first night I was in town (it was a Sunday), but the place was packed. I came back the following night and found a seat at the bar.
Staff — The two male bartenders were both very friendly. One went to fill my glass with the remaining beer from the bottle of Dark Roast Boffo Brown Ale that I purchased and accidentally made it spill. He gave me a new bottle on the house. The new bottle was completely unnecessary as he spilled just a small amount.
Food — I wasn’t very hungry so I decided to try something lite from their menu. I got the duck fat fries with sly fox cheddar cheese sauce. My fellow Unilocalers let me down because I was not impressed. I am not sure if it was an off night for their cooks, but unfortunately I will not be ordering those again. Even if they weren’t slightly burnt, I didn’t think there was anything special about them.

*One word: Overrated
This place is so overpriced for what it is– a mediocre burger. The meat wasn’t even adequately seasoned. Felt like I was chewing on a mass of medium rare bland ground beef. The bun was barely toasted.
The only redeeming components were the lobster Mac and cheese, and the fries. But not appealing enough for me to come again.

Annnnnnd Garces does it again.
I like that this place has a wide selection of food. It’s a more upscale take on the typical bar fare, and I’m glad this is a place where I can satisfy my craving for a burger and get some oysters on the half shell while I’m at it. (Totally guilty of doing, by the way). I recognized the duck fat fries from the Garces Trading Company menu, and they are just as amazing of an indulgence as you might think.
Burger was solid – one of the better ones I’ve had in Philly. I’m a red meat lover, and this was succulent, flavorful, and not too pricey ($ 13!).
Drinks are great too, and curiously strong! I had the Pimm’s cup, which packed some refreshing flavor without being too gingery.
Pro tip: Don’t think about the calories… just don’t. Ignorance is bliss, right!!!

So have to say I am not a red meat eater, so I am sure I am not experiencing this place to the fullest… but I proceed. I got the veggie burger, and it was pretty good, very chunky black bean burger. I have definitely had better, but it was good. The bun was absolutely delicious though. Soft and flavorful. Everyone else got the standard burger and said it was great, however, perhaps not $ 20 worth per burger. The place is cute, and has a nice old upscale diner vibe, so any hard core burger lovers I’m sure would enjoy this place.

Jose Garces, you continue to impress me!
I live for burgers and am always on the hunt for a burger that can leave me speechless and at a loss for words. Village Whiskey did a great job delivering a quality burger! I wasn’t really in the mood for foie gras so I ordered just their basic village burger with a fried egg. The burger came out looking pretty aggressive and monstrous. I had no idea how I was going to tackle it so I just cut it in half and let the egg yolk run down the sides of the burger. Every bite left me wanting more…*drools. We also ordered their short rib fries and a side of fried pickles. The fried pickles are a great compliment to their burger. The short rib fries were so good, and though I am not a big fan of cheese, their melted cheddar tied the entire dish together.
Come hungry, order a burger and a drink, and truly treat yourself at Village Whiskey.

Tons of whiskey… not for me
Tried the bacon flight and the duck fat fries with short rib
Bacon flight — eh I had better, all the different flavors were not distinguishable except for one. Disappointed
The fries — the very first bite was good but it went downhill and fassttt after that. Too much going on and I felt like the flavors from the short ribs and the fries and the cheese didn’t blend or melt together well for me to enjoy
No thanks

I was looking for a restaurant to have lunch in the Rittenhouse Square area, and came across Village Whiskey and decided to give it a try. The place was a little crowded, but I was able to get seated pretty promptly.
I ordered the Village Burger and a side of Duck Fat Fries. The burger was thick and juicy, and tasted very good, but I was a bigger fan of the fries.
Overall, the food and atmosphere for this restaurant was good, and I recommend it if you’re in the mood for a burger.

This place keeps getting better. I love when there isn’t so much on a menu that you’re completely overwhelmed, this place keeps it simple, amazing burgers, amazing fries with the best cheese sauce ever, and a few other great choices. This is definitely a must try in Philly, as well as a staple for when you are really craving a good burger.
The food: The burgers seem to have gotten larger since I was here last, I could barely finish mine. I love that you can customize the burger with so many options, fried egg? yes please! The burger of the month this month was Mexican inspired and I can’t remember everything that was on it but it had a great kick, and chorizo on the bottom that so perfectly finished it off — was it kind of a meat overload, yes, is that always a bad thing, definitely not in this case, it was one of the best burgers I have ever had. As always the fried were perfect, and the fried pickles were probably the best I’ve ever had.
The booze: Oh the important stuff… I love whiskey, and if you do too you have to try this place. They have whiskey flights in 3 options all with a generous pour, and a huge list of other whiskey to choose from, the largest list I’ve seen in the city. They also have great whiskey cocktails if you don’t feel like drinking it straight, I would recommend the commador. There are many other drinks, wine and beers if whiskey isn’t your thing.
The services: as always just wonderful. Everyone is friendly and helpful here. The hostesses were great. We were on a waiting list and they simply take down you number and txt you when your table is ready so you can go have a drink somewhere else if they are too crowded.
It was also really nice to sit outside this time of year. There is plenty of seating around the restaurant outside, and they seem to be able to accommodate large groups out there.

French comment: Nourriture excellente et large choix de whisky. Un peu à l’étroit mais sympa pour un repas.