White Dog Cafe - University City

4.6

4587 reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Top tags:

White Dog Cafe, an iconic restaurant in University City for over 30 years, is a leader in using environmentally sustainable, organic and local foods from farms within 50 miles. Known for warm hospitality, inspiring and award winning food, the White Dog's historic three brownstones were recently completely renovated offering charming and whimsical dog décor and artwork in its many unique dining spaces and outdoor patio.

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No. of diners

2 people

DateTime

16 Aug 2022

19:00

Booked 78 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeaway

(215) 386-9224

Other options

Order online

Private dining

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Farm-to-table, American
Hours of Operation
Daily 3:00 pm–4:00 pm Brunch Daily 9:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm Happy Hour Mon–Fri 4:00 pm–6:00 pm
Phone number
(215) 386-9224
Website
https://whitedog.com/universitycity/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Albert Alvarado
Private party facilities
We welcome you to explore our Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion.
Private party contact
Private Dining Coordinator: (855) 398-9144

Location
3420 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Area
University City
Cross Street
On Sansom Street between 34th and 36th Street
Parking Details
Metered Street Parking is available surrounding the restaurant. Penn garage is available on 34th Street and Ludlow.
Additional
Gluten-free Options

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Popular dishes

Local Artisan CheeseUS$19.00
Seasonal Jams & Accoutrements
House Made Soft Pretzel BreadUS$11.00
Stout Grain Mustard, PA Noble Cheddar
Goat Cheese Whipped RicottaUS$17.00
Balsamic Macerated Strawberries, Hazelnut, Basil, Toasted Sourdough
Roasted Garlic HummusUS$14.00
Epic Pickles Giardiniera, Grilled Pita, Lavash Chips
Crab DipUS$24.00
Oven Roasted Tomatoes, Local Herbs, Toasted Baguette

First Course

Kennett Square Mushroom SoupUS$13.00
Truffle Crème Fraiche, Snipped Chives
Yellow Tomato GazpachoUS$12.00
Compressed Watermelon & Cucumber Salad, Chili Oil
Sandy Ridge Farm Deviled EggsUS$11.00
Half Dozen Cage-Free Eggs, Chef's Assortment of Seasonal Fillings
Yellowfin Tuna TartareUS$18.00
Avocado, Sriracha, Sesame Soy Emulsion, True Leaf Micro Cilantro
Jumbo Shrimp CocktailUS$24.00
Fresh Horseradish, Guindilla Peppers
Oysters on the Half
Cocktail, Shallot Mignonette, Lemon
- MP
Pork Belly Bao BunsUS$16.00
Pickled Vegetables, Sriracha Mayo
Heirloom TomatoesUS$15.00
Blackberries, Arugula. Basil, Saba, Olive Oil, Torn Bread

Salads

Beet & ArugulaUS$14.00
Shellbark Hollow Goat Cheese, Herb Crème Fraîche, Crispy Polenta 'Croutons'
Greek SaladUS$14.00
Gem Lettuce, Olives, Feta Cheese, Roasted Peppers, Artichoke Barigoule, Marinated Red Onion
Caesar SaladUS$13.00
Romaine, Red Endive, Sourdough Crouton, Parmesan Tuile, Lemon Anchovy Dressing
Add Protein to Salad
- Pacific ShrimpUS$12.00
- Organic TofuUS$6.00
- Verlasso SalmonUS$13.00
- Lancaster ChickenUS$9.00
- Grilled SirloinUS$15.00

Entrees

Verlasso SalmonUS$31.00
Eggplant Caponata, Zucchini Fritter, Basil, Creme Fraiche
Grilled Shrimp Salad
Local Young Lettuces, Heirloom Tomato, Avocado, Smoked Bacon, Chipotle Ranch
- AppUS$28.00
Idaho Rainbow TroutUS$30.00
Green Beans, Caramelized Shallots, Kennett Square Mushrooms, Hazelnut Brown Butter, Grilled Lemon
Pan Seared ScallopsUS$48.00
Jersey Corn & White Bean Succotash, Romesco Sauce, Crispy Pork Belly
Steak FritesUS$58.00
14 oz NY Strip Center Cut, Truffle Parmesan French Fries, Watercress Salad, Pickled Shallot Butter
Chipotle Glaze MeatloafUS$29.00
PA Noble Cheddar & Broccoli Loaded Potato Skins
Spicy Lamb BologneseUS$16.00
Severino Rigatoni, Jersey Crushed Tomatoes, Wilted Spinach, Basil Ricotta
Corn & Crab RaviolisUS$29.00
Roasted Poblano, Blistered Corn, Red Onion Mojo, Farmers Cheese, Jersey Corn Butter Broth
Double Cut Pork ChopUS$49.00
Summer Vegetable Peperonata, Herb Oil, Honey Balsamic Glaze
Spicy Thai Steak SaladUS$29.00
Chilled Tenderloin Tips, Udon Noodles, Shiitake Mushrooms, Peanuts, Baby Greens, Julienne Vegetables, Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
Vegan Cheese BurgerUS$24.00
Plant Based Burger, Cheddar, Pickles, Onion, 1000 Island Sauce, Sesame Seed Bun, Fries
"Chicken & Fries"US$32.00
1/2 Roasted Freebird Chicken, Smoked Jalapeno Honey, Summer Vegetable "Fries", Scallion Buttermilk
Eggplant MilaneseUS$24.00
Jimmy Nardello Pepper Relish, Smoked Raisins, Frisee & Olive Salad
Green Meadow Farm Double Cheddar BurgerUS$22.00
Smoked Bacon Mayo, Bibb Lettuce, Grilled Red Onions, Brioche, Truffle Parmesan Fries

Market Sides

Glazed CucumbersUS$9.00
Sweet & Sour Glaze, Peanuts, Mixed Herbs
Charred ZucchiniUS$12.00
Red Chermoula, Lemon Yogurt, Honey, Cashew Nuts
Roasted MushroomsUS$9.00
Bread crumbs, Sherry Aioli
Truffle Parmesan FriesUS$9.00
Spicy Mayo
Fried PicklesUS$7.00
Heirloom TomatoesUS$9.00
Olive Oil, Sea Salt Basil

What 4,587 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.5Food
4.4Service
4.6Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Philadelphia
Brunch
Philadelphia
Contemporary American
Philadelphia
Most Booked

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Filters

BW
BonnieW
Philadelphia
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Waitress simply amazing. The food no words…. Just delicious. Fav. Beet salad
MF
MarkF
Philadelphia
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Delicious food and Jessica was a very nice server
M
Macman
Philadelphia
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
overall4food4service5ambience5
Excellent service, good cocktails and wine. Hummus was a bit dry but overall would come back again.
C
Carol
Philadelphia
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service -- delicious appetizers, main course, and dessert.
G
Gate
Palm Springs
11 reviews
vip
2.0
11 reviews
Dined on 7 August 2022
overall2food2service1ambience2
Outside of my Açaí bowl which was great, everything else we ordered was mediocre at best. Way too much salt in the. Biscuits and gravy. How can you order toast, it doesn’t come toasted and when you send it back and ask for it to be toasted more, it comes back even worse? Ridiculous. And for the first time during our trip here, our server was awful. Not responsive, unfriendly, and just plain bad. We won’t be back.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Miami
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 6 August 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food amazing service beautiful restaurant
e
ekreads
Philadelphia
18 reviews
4.0
18 reviews
Dined on 4 August 2022
overall4food3service4ambience5
Steak salad is great. Ask for dressing on the side - we used only half the given dressing and it was sufficient. The burger was quite greasy, don't recommend it unless you are prepared for a greasy burger, the type that soaks and disintegrates the bottom bun. Love the decor and ambiance.
LB
LuliB
Philadelphia
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on 4 August 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Very pleased that The White Dog is operating with a full menu and great staffing.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 3 August 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
So great!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Minneapolis
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 2 August 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful place to dine to learn professional information in friendly, classic Philly environment.
DR
DREK
Richmond
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on 31 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always my favorite place for brunch, amazing service and amazing food. Oysters are fresh, and I mean FRESH! All food was amazing and if you get Gabe as your server he is AMAZING
d
danimacpa
Philadelphia
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on 31 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Brunch was great - nice food and drink menu. Real variety of typical brunch selections with local touches. Definitely follow your main course with the warm donuts
AH
AlwaysHungry
Philadelphia
38 reviews
vip
5.0
38 reviews
Dined on 31 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Party of 9 gathered to celebrate! Everything we had from the brunch menu was terrific, Nashville Hot Chicken and French Toast, Churro Waffles, Pork Belly Benedict, Kennett Square Omelet, Farmers Plate and Breakfast Pot Pie. Have been before and will be there again.
Y
Youv
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 31 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely recommend Jazmin - an excellent server.
LL
LucasL
Philadelphia
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 31 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great outdoor brunch spot. The churro waffles are truly decadent!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlantic City
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 30 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A wonderful delicious lunch was had by all . The service was top notch! Thank you !
JC
JeanClare
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 30 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We really enjoyed our brunch. Service was attentive and the food was excellent
BG
BarbaraG
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 29 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great meal with an old friend. Very attentive service. Good prices.
J
Jules
Salt Lake City
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 28 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Had the breakfast pot pie. Wow - this is good stuff. It won’t help your diet (which I hope you’re not on anyway!), but it will sure make you happy. Yummmm.
B
Bananas1513
Philadelphia
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 24 July 2022
overall3food1service5ambience5
It was a very lovely restaurant in its self, the service was great. The food was a tad over priced for my liking, for a salad you have to do 99% of the work (cutting up half a head of lettuce, removing the tails from my shrimp. I was just over all disappointed. Came here years ago and loved it.
RW
RobertW
Atlantic City
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on 24 July 2022
overall4food4service3ambience4
Food came very quickly which was good as we had a train to catch. Omelets were delicious. Pulled pork sandwich good but very messy,
SC
SusanC
Philadelphia
10 reviews
vip
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on 24 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was fabulous. Good vegan options for brunch
E
Emmy
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 24 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
No matter which location I go to the food and service is always outstanding!!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 23 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was so amazing. Location is soooo cute. Had the strawberry French toast which was a hit!
TL
TraceyL
Philadelphia
11 reviews
vip
3.0
11 reviews
Dined on 21 July 2022
overall3food3service3ambience3
Waiter wasn’t as helpful as he could’ve been and my guest didn’t get what she wanted.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
3 reviews
vip
2.0
3 reviews
Dined on 21 July 2022
overall2food4service4ambience1
Ants, ants, ants. So many of them we loved our table only to find more at the next not a pleasant experience.
MB
MaryBee
Atlantic City
24 reviews
vip
5.0
24 reviews
Dined on 20 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great server and excellent food Bonus for being walkable and offering resos through OpenTable. We have visit this location and another WDC and have been very satisfied each time. That said, it’s time to make repairs to the restrooms.
L
Lioness
Philadelphia
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 19 July 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Overall great experience! Outdoor seating was accommodating. Seats not very comfortable. Great service. Good, tasty food, however slightly overpriced. Limited midday menu was very disappointing.
JD
JohnD
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 19 July 2022
overall5food4service5ambience4
Our server Jessica F could not be more pleasant and attentive to us. She was very helpful in our selections for lunch and checked on us frequently. Food was very good and portions perfect fir lunch. Highly recommend!!
t
tm1949
Philadelphia
78 reviews
vip
5.0
78 reviews
Dined on 19 July 2022
overall5food5service4ambience5
This review is for the weekday brunch. It was an absolute treat. The food is exceptional, the quiet environment at 10 AM on Tuesday morning is soothing and the restaurant is cozy. The Bloody Mary followed by churro waffles and sinful bacon was a perfect combination of flavors, topped by very good coffee. My tablemate's Belini and French Toast were just as good. A bit on the high side, price wise, but then this would not be an every day affair. Was worth it.
MH
MouseHater
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 18 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Was the perfect venue to celebrate staff member’s promotion.
L
Lizzy
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 17 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this place! The atmosphere is amazing and so is the food. Our waitress went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 17 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I went here with my boyfriend. I love the the ambiance of this place. The decor in the tea rooms are colorful and gives the place a modern playful sophisticated atmosphere. The food offerings are great and my meal was delicious. I ordered the churro waffles with lemon curd with apple chicken sausage and my boyfriend ordered the stove top pot pie. Both were delicious and the perfect portion. I will be back!!
J
Joti
Philadelphia
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 16 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely loved the strawberry french toast - fresh, savory, but also not too sweet. The restaurant interior was beautiful, and service was outstanding. Also love that it's a brunch spot that takes reservations!
N
Neane
Philadelphia
11 reviews
vip
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on 15 July 2022
overall4food2service5ambience5
We are big fans, wanted to love the food but this time..the chicken was over-cooked and although we rarely do this, we sent it back. It was immediately replaced with another plate of cooked to the point of dryness dry chicken. This must have just been an off night, as the food is always so fantastic!! And the service couldn't have been better. We will go back. But for a dinner that came to $100 with tip, we were disappointed
K
Kkitchen
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 15 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Beautiful server answered questions sweetly. Nice atmosphere to catch up with a friend and enjoy a flavorful brunch.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 14 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent service, food, decor and location
AB
ABB21
Phoenix
36 reviews
vip
5.0
36 reviews
Dined on 13 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Nice outdoor space for a happy hour snack.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Philadelphia
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 12 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I always love White Dog. The food is delicious, the service is excellent, and the price is fair.
C
Chrissy
New York Area
28 reviews
vip
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on 11 July 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
The place is amazing. Great decor. All rooms come with unique style. Makes you want to keep coming back to experience it all. Food fresh and clean. A must in University city! Staff was very welcoming. Thank you Maura

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitising
- Surfaces sanitised between seatings
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitiser or wipes provided for customers

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from White Dog Cafe - University City using the Order Online button. White Dog Cafe - University City also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (215) 386-9224.

White Dog Cafe - University City is rated 4.6 stars by 4587 OpenTable diners.

White Dog Cafe - University City does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.