Benton’s Grill

Let’s say you’re staying at the Holiday Inn and the Apocalypse has finally come. Earthquakes are splitting the streets. Tornados are toppling buildings. Philadelphians are rioting. In this case eating here is better than leaving the hotel and dying. Otherwise never ever visit.
I’ve been holding meetings in this hotel for months and other than Benton’s Grill they do a very nice job. The facilities and people are great. It’s like they decided to ignore the restaurant. The service is terrible. The food is way overpriced and just not good. You can count on something always being wrong. You can expect overdone, underdone, dry, old, cold, or greasy.
You can walk out the front door and in less than five minutes be eating at least 25 better Old City eateries for less money.

I really wanted to like this place since it is conveniently located within the Holiday Inn hotel. I stayed at the hotel for a conference and breakfast was on me. I figured that this would be an ideal place since it was a few steps away. I was completely disappointed.
1) The food was ok. but so expensive and not worth it.
2) The service was unsatisfactory. As my husband and I gave our order, the waiter literally walked away to help someone else. (He could have at least said «excuse me» or acknowledge that he was going to step away) When he returned, he obviously forgot and had to retake our order. He seemed rushed and did not quite fit the «waiter» role. He was sweating profusely and seemed to be all over the place. I could understand if it were busy, but there were literally four tables occupied. It was a bizarre experience and I regret spending my money here.
My advice is to go to Mrs. K Koffee Shop… a few blocks away…

Ok, this is the «restaurant» in the Holiday Inn, Historic District, so if one does not care to go out, he or she is stuck with this place. In a word, it is TERRIBLE. Actually, terrible doesn’t begin to describe the place. It’s not dirty or anything but the food that’s served, well, I could do infinitely better with a microwave (which is probably how food is preprepared here). The prices reflect cuisine in an establishment that takes a whole lot more pride in the preparation of whatever it serves. For instance, my wife and I ordered the «original» Philly cheesesteak sandwich appropriately priced at $ 11.95 (well, that does include a pickle slice, a few waffle style sweet potato fries, a half slice of some kind of cheese tossed in to give some validity to the sandwich’s name). The only good thing about it was the advice the waiter gave us: «it’s big enough for two.» Sure glad we didn’t buy two, we couldn’t even eat what was served, it was disgusting.
We also ate breakfast in this place only because of time constraints. At $ 14.95 per person, the «buffet» was a treasure trove of leathery sausage links, greasy bacon, massacred scrambled eggs and more. But wait, that low price for such wonderfully prepared vittles included complementary two ounce glass of freshly squeezed, Florida orange juice out of a can. Coffee was drinkable, but if you don’t order the buffet, they soak you an additional $ 2.95. I would recommend the guy up the street tending a vendor cart rather than using these facilities for ANY meal. Stay away! This place is not suitable for adults or children and really is not recommended for ANY mean, but especially not for any meal served after the «breakfast hour.
If I was to say anything positive it would simply be that I guess it’s safe to order drinks from the bar. But I would stick with name brand booze and other beverages. I’m sure the house wine is poisonous.

Brunch Buffet is advertised on the sign… And it’s only a block away from where I live. Being a long-​time aficionado of brunch, I expected at least some lunch and breakfast items. It should have been called continental breakfast buffet. There were no lunch items. And if you don’t eat pork — which I don’t — you pretty much are limited to egg beaters, dry muffins, french toast, or make your own waffle. The wait staff left a lot to be desired, and were not friendly. The only bonus is we got a free kids meal for one member in our group of five. It was filling, but not what I had in mind.