Fourth and Cross

What do the Boy Scouts say? «Be Prepared!» When you dine at 4^th & Cross, be prepared for a warm reception, delightful and inventive dishes thoughtfully prepared like you are at a gifted culinary friend’s house whose dishes are beautifully plated with loving care. Then, after you finish the deserts and the French Press coffee served in a warmed cup, you think, «I’m missing something…» & you realize that your Gastro brain has clicked you onto the ebay section of «Hammocks.» Ahhhhhh…
Jersey people — be bold! Make the trip to South Philly’s 4^th & Cross — you’ll be glad Yiz did!

I had an amazing meal last week. From appetizers to entrée it was all great. The artic char was perfection. I can’t wait to come back, this place is a real gem in the neighborhood.

Okay so I originally gave this a good review, but I’ve become more inclined to update reviews since places in the city can change at the drop of a hat without explanation– this being one of them.
For one, regardless of how much you like any food item here, it’s never going to be worth the price and they seem to value quantity over quality (the sheer enormity of my first plate was probably why I gave it a higher review before). I’ve paid the bill here and spent the same amount as I would have at the Industry (and at the Industry I would’ve gotten a professional ambience and booze with my meal). Everything here is just too hit or miss to be worth it and the laissez-​faire approach leaves little to be desired.
Last time we visited, we luckily went with cash. Even though the option of paying with a card has now been added, the machine is always conveniently broken.
We ordered off the new Fall menu and opted for the fish and chips and the chicken pot pie. My fish and chips, though once again insanely large in quantity (seriously, the whole fish must have been cooked and thrown on the mountain of fries), was bland and the batter was wayyyyy too thick and mealy. It felt like I was eating a non-​sweet funnel cake wrapped around a flavorless fish. Plus, no tartar sauce or aioli for dipping– just vinegar. I wasn’t even offered the tartar sauce, like some other people mentioned in their reviews. Plus, this time my mountain of too many fries was overcooked and unenjoyable. I boxed ¾ of my fish cause it was so big and I didn’t even touch the leftovers. I think I boxed it out of politeness.
The chicken pot pie we were told would take up to 25 – 30 minutes since it’s scratch-​made. We weren’t in a hurry so we didn’t mind, but the finished product was not even worth the price nor the 30 minute wait when it was all said and done. It wasn’t even an actual chicken pot pie by definition since there was no bottom or sides to complete the full pie crust– just chicken and veggies with a thin crispy layer of crust on top. Sure, it was homemade, but it was lacking in flavor and spice and that gooey/​bready wonderfulness that usually comes with eating a chicken pot pie. Completely underwhelming.
The place was full of flies in the summer which I expected. We just went this past week when it was mild fall weather and the place was STILL full of gnats and files. I know they come from the outside and they don’t have screens for the open windows for whatever reason but it’s still an abnormal amount and they all flock to the lights above our food. It was so bad even the waitress apologized. Maybe put in some screens, I don’t know.
They do try and make you feel like you’re an old friend here with the over-​casual attitude. I get it, you want the customers to feel welcomed and keep coming back. But it becomes kind of awkward and unprofessional when you cross the line from staff to old chum who jokes around and has to comment on everything and completely loses any sort of professional demeanor. I know this isn’t fine dining… and it doesn’t need to be a stuffy atmosphere… but the laidback/​too cool for school act gets old fast. I just want to get in, eat, and get out.
After 3 times here, we’ve decided we’re probably not coming back. If it was super cheap with neighborhood diner prices, maybe it would be worth the trip. But it’s not. Stick to the many other bar/​restaurants nearby.

If you’re willing to wait a while for your food a long hangry while, it is good here. Receiving your food is a long wait to the point where there’s a note on the menu explaining that they do things (insert bad excuse here), and therefore slowly. The food is not complicated enough to justify that long of a wait. That being drilled in, I had a fantastic skillet. Everything was cooked as it should be and was delicious. I was disappointed that they were out of buttermilk wheat biscuits, and especially disappointed when the people that arrived 30 minutes after us got the biscuits. It seems like the staff is attentive, but something must be wrong with kitchen time management. If this place is in your neighborhood, and your’e not going to be hungry for another hour, go.

I was so excited when this place opened in the neighborhood. We went right after they opened and thought the food was very good but nothing crazy. My wife did say her breakfast sandwich was the best one she ever had. That’s ok, that’s a good place to have, good food around the corner and good coffee.
It took quite a while to get the food but I figured they were figuring out a system having just opened.
Five visits later I get what’s going on.
The owner of this place is a total narcissist. He spends most of his time walking around butting into conversations and interrupting his own staff to let you know this is his business. This would be fine except he is also the cook and should be behind the counter cooking your food so it comes out at a reasonable time.
We sat at an outside table once and ordered food and an hour later we had nothing… All while we saw the owner come out and smoke 2 cigarettes and talk to people walking by.
The staff is very good at their jobs and they seem embarrassed by the owner. Our waitress apologized when she explained the iced coffee isn’t free refills when the hot coffee is… And it’s the same coffee.
And if you have any food allergy don’t bother asking about them accommodating as the owner has said «it is impossible to not have cross contamination In a restaurant and some people just shouldn’t go out to eat»
High hopes, falling way short.

We went here for the first time over the weekend knowing nothing about it. I had the fish and chips which was… Unremarkable. The fish was tasteless and a little dry, the batter was thin and tasted like Panko, and the chips were over-​seasoned. Another of our companions also had fish and chips and said «yes» to the tartar sauce, which the waitress only offered *after* bringing out the food. The timing is important there because the tartar sauce is made from scratch (so why wouldn’t you ask while taking the order?) and seemed to take forever to make. The SO had the steak – a term I use loosely because it more closely resembled the «steak» we used to get for school dinners: alarmingly thin and rubbery. The food was beautifully presented for Instagram pictures but very poorly arranged for eating.
None of this would have been a big deal if reasonably priced, but EACH meal was $ 16 and not at all worth it. A cup of tea was $ 2.50 which was simply outrageous because it came as a Twining’s tea bag floating on top of a mug of hot water with no saucer, milk, sugar, honey, or even lemon offered. And with the credit card machine not working, all around, a very poor (and starkly decorated) experience.

I’ve visited Fourth & Cross about a half dozen times since opening, almost exclusively for brunch. I live in the neighborhood, so its a great convenient amenity for us Dickinson Square West/​Pennsport folk.
Today was the first time I was truly disappointed with my experience. It is Monday, mid-​day, not overly crowded, STILL my grilled cheese was burnt not once, but twice. I usually don’t send food back, but the first one was almost inedible, being so burnt on the one side. The waiter graciously comped my beverage ($ 2.50 can of soda) for the inconvenience of the first grilled cheese. I wasn’t even going to complain about the second one also being burnt, I didn’t have all day to wait for the chef to get it right. I ate half of it and filled up on fries and onion rings, which were quite tasty. Food aside, the counter, where we would have chosen to sit and have sat before, was completely filled with paperwork. It just looked & felt apologetically unorganized today.
The last time I was there for brunch, they were completely out of black tea as well (imagine being out of coffee!!!) One of the highlights of Fourth & Cross, when I first dined, was their selection of loose leaf teas, served in a french press! But then the next time it was served in a tea bag, and then lastly wasn’t even loose tea anymore, just a stale boring tea bag. And if I’m not mistaken, the price remained the same.
Also, the credit card machine which was newly installed has been down almost as long as they had it working — either accept cards or don’t.
I’m really glad this wasn’t my first experience at Fourth & Cross. I will be back, mostly because its in the neighborhood, but I think I will stick to weekend brunch.

Fourth and Cross provided me a lovely breakfast on a breezy, Pope filled Saturday morning. The atmosphere was pleasant, the staff extremely helpful and the food was tasty and appropriately priced.
I like breakfast staples, especially when visiting a new place. I opted for two eggs scrambled, potatoes, pumpernickel toast (nice option there) and some 1732 garlic insanity bacon. I grabbed a cup of ReAnimator coffee on the side and my meal was in front of me in just a few minutes. The dish was exactly as it should be. The eggs were cooked over medium, and the bacon was very very tasty. Special shout out to the potatoes which were crispy and had red peppers and scallions in them. That was a very nice touch.
I will be stopping back here because it’s a relaxed spot with some damn fine food.

Great little spot in South Philly, very cute seating and open kitchen bar seating. It’s a great place to meet with friends and have a casual date. Great for dinner or breakfast. I’ve ordered the Po’Boy twice and it was delicious! Went there with 5 others and everyone was fairly pleased. Careful with the chicken sandwich tho, one came out a bit under cooked, I hope they have fixed that. They also serve great coffee. Service was great too. They are cash only, which is fine if you are prepared but it would be nice if they weren’t, there is an ATM across the street. I would think it’s great for groups if you reserve seating.

I was so sorry to hear this place opened in June and I only stumbled across it in late August. Having had a few breakfasts there i can only imagine how tasty and creative the other meals must be. Everything is consistently well prepared and the flavors of the dishes are carefully thought out. Combining atypical ingredients for the area without over-​reaching makes each meal a real delight! The service matches the food –well done! Jen is a sweet and charming girl who listens and looks at you when you order. A nice change from some of the other local eateries. The proprietor, Andrew, is a smart, funny guy with a strong urge to make great food. The food does take a little while to get to the table but it is well worth the wait. If you want food that hits the table in 5 minutes consider McDonalds.
I cannot wait to have my first dinner there, I am sure I will be rounding my rating up to 5 stars after that! I wish this guy luck and much success because he deserves it and we in the neighborhood deserve his chow!

I have to heap more praise on top of Fourth and Cross because the fall menu just arrived and you need to get there immediately.
The burger topping choices have expanded to include more types of cheeses and some vegetable options. It comes standard with mayo and a ginger BBQ sauce, which makes it a (delicious, oh so delicious) mess to eat. I have no idea what they do to their pickles, but they are unique and a bit odd but take the burger to a whole new level.
The fall menu also includes comfort food staples such fish & chips, mac & cheese, and pot pie. The mac & cheese is quite possibly the best anywhere. It tastes like I always hope mac & cheese will taste. Absolutely perfect and served searing hot in a cast iron skillet.
The fish & chips are a solid upgrade from what you would find at a bar. The fish is fresh, flaky, and the batter is seasoned and crunchy. And of course those fries. Damn, those fries.
Of course, Fourth and Cross comes out with regular specials in addition to the static menu, which makes visiting there super frustrating because it means you’re either going to miss out on one of the outstanding staple items or miss out on a special that may never be offered again. This is the most first world problem imaginable, but hashtag the struggle is real.
The restaurant staff raves and raves about the food. The owner loves hearing what an awesome job he’s doing and keeps the creativity flowing in his kitchen. Great addition to the neighborhood and the Philly restaurant scene in general.

I tried brunch here one Saturday morning in late August with Jared J and thought it was as cute as a button. Old church pews line the walls, which are painted bright white and have a variety of artwork hung on them.
The menu is short, but it has some solid options – I went with the the biscuits and gravy. The gravy had bits of sausage and a little hot pepper in it, which was a welcome kick. The biscuit was flaky and gathered up the extra gravy well. I was impressed with the potato hash – chunks of potato and slices of pepper and onion were piled in a large mound on the plate. They were neither overly crispy nor soggy and tasted great overall. I would have liked to see another biscuit and a few less potatoes for $ 14, but the taste of the dish in general really hit the mark.
I like what Fourth and Cross is doing and I’m hoping to experience it again!

We stopped here cause it was a ‘Hot and New’ spot in the area of our daughters new house. They have a nice outdoor seating area so, we took advantage of that because of the perfect weather we had that day. Our server came right out and took our drink order. When she came back, I was stuck between two selections and asked her opinion on each dish. One was a hanger steak and eggs dish that was immediately ruled out since they didn’t do orders from the breakfast menu all day on Saturdays. Kind of thought that was weird because you can order any breakfast item all day on Sunday’s, but it made my choice easier. I went with the chicken breast sandwich. We also ordered the special appetizer which was a date spread on a crostini with Gorgonzola cheese and grilled scallions on top. It also had a few fresh blueberries on the plate. That was a great choice. The crostini was toasted just enough that it had texture but still had a slight bit of chew to it to make it yummy instead of too hard. The date with cheese on top really complimented each other and brought out some great flavors. My chicken sandwich came out served with shoestring French fries and some homemade pickle and carrot mixture as a garnish. I liked the fries and the pickle mixture. Unfortunately, they did not make mention verbally or printed on the menu that the grilled chicken was dark meat chicken. I took one look at it when it came out and had to tell the server that I couldn’t eat it. I hate dark meat chicken so that was a total bummer. She felt bad and I felt horrible for having to send it back, but if I had known, I wouldn’t have ordered it. I’ve never heard of a dark meat grilled chicken sandwich. Sorry guys. My app was delicious though :) I’d still go back cause the service was great and there were plenty of other yummy stuff on their menu that I can try :)

Cute little kitchenette in Dickinson Narrows offers some fine talent in the kitchen and accommodating servers. Flavors are bold here. The chef can cook a steak quite well, accompanied by those eggs, some kick ass breakfast potatoes, and wheat brioche… Yum!
The inside is decorated finely. Its plain appearance is far from distracting as you chow down on your brunch, maybe while on a church pew. The open style restaurant allows you to get a gander as to what is going on in the kitchen, kinda cool to most foodies. The portions are adequate, however their prices, a bit verbose for what is offered, is Fourth and Crosses Achilles Heel.

I can’t even begin to describe how much everyone here made us feel at home despite it being our first time there. Side note: very disappointed in ourselves that it took us this long to check it out.
The food was excellent. I had one of the specials and it was perfect. They use Reanimator coffee so there was no going wrong there either.
So happy to have made new friends in the neighborhood and can’t wait to see this place thrive!

I’ve been wanting to try this place since noticing it was under construction a few months ago. It’s always exciting to have a new restaurant in the neighborhood. I’m especially excited after trying it today and realizing how delicious their food was. My roommate had an omelette and I had a burger and both were very good. The burger was the best I’ve had in a long time and the garlic mayo they give you to dip your fries in was something I couldn’t stop talking about, it was so good.
The highlight of my dining experience, besides the food obviously, was seeing the owner pitch in a help his staff. I heard our waitress say another server had a medical emergency so they were a little short staffed and it was nice to see a boss who didn’t just stand back and watch because other positions were below him. He sat us promptly when we arrived. Next I saw him bussing tables, running food, and taking orders for our waitress. I heard him treat her respectably and ask her if she needed help with anything else. Nothing is better then seeing a boss that appreciates their employees and treats them well!

Went back for breakfast this morning and couldn’t have had a better experience.
Our server was wonderful and I got the daily special which was super delicious.
I really enjoy my time here, it’s a friendly place. The staff has always been super welcoming and friendly, which is one on the main reasons I like coming here.
And the food, the omelette I had today has to be one of the best omelettes I’ve ever had.

We came here for dinner, ordering the skirt steak, oyster po’boy, and their burger. All were excellent. Simple and fresh are the themes here. The only thing we could not decide is who had the best dish. My little guy loved the fresh oj and the fries especially but really, everything was hit; we barely heard a peep from him the whole meal!
The atmosphere is very relaxed; the sunlight just pours in through these huge windows and the interior is cozy without being cramped. Being just a block away from the park is an added bonus.

Wonderful!
Everything was delicious.
The staff was super friendly and the service was great.
The smaller seating area makes for a cosy dining experience. A great place for a nice date.
A wonderful addition to south philly.
The food is made with super fresh farm ingredients and you can certainly taste the freshness.

I have no hold up in giving this restaurant all 5 stars!!! The food was delicious! They are very accommodating to. We have 3 kids with us, and they happily made grilled cheese for them that was not on the menu. The burger I had was out of this world. I love things with lots of different spices, and this burger was spot on with the spices they used. It was cooked to the specifications I gave and is served with fresh, locally sourced greens or fries.
In door and outdoor seating available. Super cute and fun atmosphere in the restaurant. I cannot wait to return again!