03/19/08

Ludwigs Closed

by eldondre

As it turns out, the kitchen went downhill because this place was for sale for three years. It finally sold to the owners of the nearby Vintage Wine Bar and will reopen by April 2008 as Time. Supposedly it will retain the current set up (bar on left, dining on right) with a lounge upstairs.

07/27/07

A faded star

by julian117

I used to be thrilled that Philly finally overcame its prejudice and accepted German cuisine and that Ludiwg's heralded the way. In the beginning, I recommended everyone I knew to visit Ludwig's, but that was a long time ago when this Austrian/German restaurant did decent things to attract clientele like offer free pretzel sticks with Emmenthaler cheese dip and offer service with a smile. And what happened to make that shining star fade? I think the owners let a little success go to their heads. After visiting Ludwig's a couple of times after an absence, I experienced things I never thought possible and which are responsible for my "below average" rating. The German ambiance is great (despite the fact that they removed the largely German music that I loved before and replaced it with American radio station music), but what's the point in having cool German weapons and paintings when your booth light doesn't work and you can't even see the ambiance! Ludwig's has raised it's prices, not only of the food (average price of dish is around $20--with smaller portions than before) but also of the beer (average price of beer is around $6-7.) And watch out for their beer "menu." Most of the time, they don't have half of the beers on the menu. Last time I went, they did not offer any Happy Hour beer prices. I've been to many Philly restaurants/bars like Ludwig's (as I'm sure have you), and that's just plain weird. The waitresses change abnormally frequently (not a good sign), and are so run off their feet that they usually don't have a lot of time for you. So, if you'd like to experience a taste of the good 'ol Old Country, go up to the Northeast. Oh, and if you were thinking of expressing your concern to the management, don't. The last time I tried, I got a very rude e-mail response. Ah, how the mighty have fallen!!!

• Pros: German bier (when you can get it), German atmosphere
• Cons: Overpriced, bathrooms disgusting, waitresses curt and slow

12/19/05

Come for the beer, skip the service and food

by grkchow

I don't know why I do it, but I always come here for the fantastic beers, then end up getting something to eat...which invariably brings disappointment. Years ago I would have said 'great beer, great food', but the quality has really decreased, while prices have risen. Eat somewhere else first, then come in and have a couple really good German beers. Oh, and don't expect the best service in the dining room either, sit at the bar.

• Pros: Beer, Beer, Beer
• Cons: Food, Food service, Food prices