Effie's Restaurant

If there's anywhere you should go to eat with a big group - it's this place. Amazing Greek food, BYOB, a short walk to the bars, what more could you want?A lot of reviews talk about service. Effie's has been around for over 20 years and I can understand why. I felt like we were walking into a home and the food they were cooking is what they put their heart into. And it certainly does infact feel like a home - from the narrow staircase, to the wooden dining tables with mismatched chairs and the collection of different glasses we drank out of since they ran out of wine glasses. Did I mention it's great for groups on a night out? It was Thursday and I needed to a group reservation for 6 on Saturday night. The first places I had considered were booked and I found Effie's on opentable! I was at first iffy because of the reviews but I decided to just book it. We brought 3 extra large bottles of yellowtail for BYOB. For food, the 6 of us girls ordered a Large Greek salad, spanakopita, 3 entrees (Effie's Chicken, Keftedes with Orzo, and a Lamb Soulvaki plate) and then rice pudding for dessert. We did SO much drinking and chatting and laughing, it was a great time. Our reservation was at 8, stayed until close and then walked to tattooed mom to keep drinking.

This lively local eatery with a friendly vibe is offering a special 3 course $25 meal early in the week. Chef-Effie (a stripped down Lainie Kazan) works the room, shmoozing with diners. The chicken lemon soup was just the ticket for the weather, with hot pita and dipping oil, and the two chicken entrees (shish kebab or Effie's special) were tasty and filling. Dessert choices included orange cake (a riff on cheese cake), rice pudding or baklava. It's BYOB and more convenient than a flight to Athens.

Effie's is fine. It's not changing the culinary landscape of Philadelphia. The menu is okay - we were notified of 4/5 things unavailable upon ordering. It's slightly dingy in a run down historic house (which does make for cute vibes). we were seated in the structure out back with a space heater / were cold the entire dinner in the dead of winter. It's byob which is nice . The price is very affordable. There's one chef and one waiter which gives a homey vibe, but you'll end up waiting to be served. My moussaka and apps were okay - nothing I'll remember but not bad. I've had better Greek food and better service at both kostas and kanella, so I'll probably avoid returning to this establishment unfortunately!

If you like cold, bland food, cramped quarters and poor service then you'll love everything about this down in the mouth Greek joint. There was no discernible lemon in our Avgolemono soup. The moussaka was ice cold. My lamp chops were not cooked to order and the sad looking pile of spinach on my plate was ice cold. This was our first and last visit to Effie's.

Wow- TERRIBLE.1) waited 15mins to be even served/ approached2) ordered lamb souvlaki only to be told another 30mins later that they didn't have it (after serving us the saganaki)3) added both gyro and lamb onto bill4) MICE WERE SEEN IN THE GARDENPoint made, nuff said.

I had the pleasure of having take out three days in a row while staying at a neighborhood hotel. The Gyro sandwich was delicious and packed with meat and came with some of the best steak type fries ever. Next I ordered Spanakopita for my meal. I truly never knew this could be prepared with so much flavor and filling. Night 3... delicious creamy Greek lemon rice chicken soup. I don't send review often but this Greek food is terrific and traditional. The restaurant is in an Old Philadelphia neighborhood with a rustic atmosphere. The wait staff super friendly and attentive.

Dined here on a beautiful September Saturday night. Effie's was doing a brisk business and had outdoor tables both in their courtyard and on the sidewalk on Quince street. Tables were a good distance apart. There was hand sanitizer on each table. Servers wore masks and used gloves.I ordered the Chicken Souvlaki Plate with Tzatziki, rice and vegetable of the day. It was very good and the chicken was grilled nicely. My dining partners had the Octopus and the Grilled Lamb Chops. I had some of the lamb and it was quite good, with very tasty seasoning.Service was friendly and attentive all night.

A little slice of paradise! I've been on the search for authentic Greek food for some time. Was recommend Effie's and it simply knocked my socks off. The grilled pita is EVERYTHING and the rice is cooked to perfection with whatever entree you get. We sat in the courtyard and it was simply picturesque. Our waiter could not have been nicer and made sure we were taken care of. He even brought out a water dish for our pup who joined us for dinner. I am absolutely bringing family and friends back here asap!

Restaurant cancelled our online order with no explanation, right when it was supposed to be delivered. We were really looking forward to the meal.

I wish i could give a higher rating as you want to support a local independent restaurant, but it's just not that good. The food is ok and hits the spot for Greek food but it's average food. Our moussaka was hot on the outside and lukewarm on the inside -- was it microwaved? -- and the two greek meatballs were average (seemed meager for a $20 dish).Service is friendly but very slow. One would think the restaurant was new given all the issues that came up. The restaurants near the kimmel center are much better for a similar price point. I hope Effie's can up their game.