They say devil is in the details, or perhaps he hangs out at 11th and Ellsworth. Since April 2008 the Devil’s Den opened to bring the best of craft and import beer and pub fare to the South Philly Neighborhood. The restaurant owner Erin Wallace, who also own Manayunk’s Old Eagle Tavern, named the Devil’s Den after the Gettysburg battle site- one of the bloodiest battles. A photo of the battle actually hangs above the fireplace in the restaurant.
The bar itself is a great new destination for craft brews with a side of sports on flat-screen TVs. This gastro-pub is decked out with Brazilian cherrywood floors, exposed brick walls, banquette seating, and a double-sided hearth that fills the bar and dining room with a warm wood scent. The beer selection at Devil’s Den includes 17 rotating drafts and 200 bottles, leading Philadelphia’s craft-beer scene with a cutting-edge list of drafts and bottles that range from accessible to geek-satifying rare finds, from local brews to unusual American micros on draft, and greatest hits from Germany and Belgium.
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Devil’s Den has got a variety of comfort foods, bar favorites, and menu specials. Starting with Mussels, if a great beer selection exists, its a good place to start. We tried the Diablo with wheat beer, garlic chili paste, bacon, and cilantro. Don’t be scared off by the name, these mussels weren’t very hot. Each type is cooked in distinctive and vivid sauces; whether Curry with a coconut Thai curry sauce flickering with ginger and spice, the Traditional with a classic white wine broth complete with garlicky parsley butter, or the Aventinus with rich with dark wheat beer, pancetta, cream and leeks.
Other staple menu items include the Duck Fries are addictive with IPA cheese sauce, gravy, duck confit, on top of house cut french fries. Dig in with a fork because these fries are loaded with topping- if you aren’t a duck fan you can always opt for the classic bacon and cheese combination. The Salmon BLT with herb mayo and black bread is also a classic.
Whether its lunch or dinner, Devil’s Den has got you covered with rotating specials like oysters, chicken, steak, or pasta. Some of the most popular specials have been Watermelon Salad, Wiley Point Oysters, Short Rib Mac N’ Cheese, and Chicken Breast with Risotto.
Chef Paul Trowbridge can prepare various gluten-free and vegan menu options for diners like Hummus, Falafel, and salads. Brunch crowds will also rejoice in fare here. Crowd favorites include Brisket Hash, French Toast with Bourbon Pecan Maple Syrup, Mexican Scramble with chorizo, jalapeño, tomatoes, and queso fresco.
Stop by 11th and Ellsworth to quench your thirst and dig into some comfort food. They’ve even got Boozy Popsicles to enjoy while the weather is still hot. Delivery isn’t available so you’ll have to make the journey to South Philly for all this good stuff. Stop by Monday-Friday 5-7 pm for happy and enjoy 1/2 of all drafts and tapas menu items. Late night Sunday and Monday 10 pm- 2am enjoy 20% off for all Food for Service Industry Employees.
Additional photos via DevilsDenPhilly.com and Instagram.
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