Top Spots To Eat Before The Game In Philadelphia

For many Philly sports fans, attending a ballgame is an all-day (or at least all-evening) event. Getting together with friends for some drinks and grub and possibly watching some pre-game TV is all part of the experience. If you're in search of a quick bite, a substantial meal, craft brews or the largest projection screen in the city, these are your best bets for game-friendly eats before you head to Citizens Bank Park. 

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House
1426 Chestnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 246-0533
www.delfriscos.com

While Del Frisco's is a bit more upscale than you'd typically think of for ballgame food, this premium steakhouse offers a few specials that are great before you head to the game. The Prime Pair menu, available only during the summer months, includes two courses for $49. Guests choose a salad from three options (signature Del Frisco's, classic Caesar or blue cheese wedge), and the second course consists of Del Frisco's famous eight-ounce broiled filet with a choice of seafood. Options include the signature crab cake with spicy lobster sauce, barbecue shrimp with NOLA sauce or lemon-garlic seared scallops with capers. Sides such as spinach or potatoes complete the meal. Let the hostess know you're attending the Phillies game, and you are guaranteed to finish your meal in under an hour. To make things even easier, Del Frisco's will even present you with two SEPTA tokens if you want to take the subway to the stadium.

Field House
1150 Filbert St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 629-1520
www.fieldhousephilly.com

With 40 taps filled with local beers, Field House is a popular Center City spot to do a little pregame drinking. Upscale versions of a few of your stadium favorites guarantee you won't arrive at the game hungry. The cheesesteak dumplings with shaved ribeye ($10), bacon popcorn with candied peanuts and sea salt ($8) and Bavarian soft pretzel with Spice 60 Minute mustard ($7) are just about the same prices as what you'd get at the game and a lot more interesting. With the largest projection screen (14' x 8') in Center City plus 35 additional viewing screens and an indoor bocce court, you'll have to remind yourself why you're even leaving the bar for the game.

City Tap House
The Radian Balcony
3925 Walnut St.
Philadephia, PA 19104
(215) 662-0105
www.citytaphouse.com

Located just steps away from Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania, City Tap House is a popular hangout for the college crowd. Baseball weather is the perfect time to take advantage of the extensive outdoor seating, complete with fire pits overlooking Walnut Street. With 60 taps featuring many rare craft brews, City Tap House offers one of the city's largest draft beer lists. New American pub fare and plenty of TVs for pregame viewing complete the experience. If you're attending a weekend afternoon game, stop by for brunch between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Dishes such as biscuits and gravy, brick-oven pizza and brioche French toast will help you start your day right. Wash it down with one of City Tap House's unique brunch cocktails, including the beermosa ($8) made with champagne and St. Germaine.

REX 1516
1516 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19146
(267) 319-1366
www.rex1516.com

Just a short walk from the subway, REX 1516 is a great place to stop in for happy hour before a night game. Unlike most other restaurants, REX 1516's brand new happy hour menu features specials every day of the week. Stop in between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for daily cocktail deals including Mardi Gras Monday with $6 hurricanes, Sweet Loui's Julep Wednesday ($6) and three eight-ounce beers for $10 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Friday through Sunday, enjoy select wines or a pint of Newbold with a shot of whiskey for $5. When paired with REX 1516's $5 bar bite menu (think barbecue chicken sliders, pimento grilled cheese and more), these happy hour specials are the perfect way to prep for the game.

Related: Top Cheesy Dishes in Philadelphia

Shake Shack
2000 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 809-1742
www.shakeshack.com

Shake Shack opened its Rittenhouse location in the summer of 2012 to a lot of excitement from Philadelphians. With fresh-ground burgers, crispy split and griddled hot dogs and crinkle fries, you can get your ballgame favorites at a fraction of the price and with a lot more care. Add in Philly-centric desserts like the signature concretes (frozen custard blended with mix-ins) made with Termini Bros. cannoli shells or soft pretzels, and this hip spot is a family-friendly must-go on your way to Citizens Bank Park.

Related: Best Burger Joints in Philadelphia

Michelle Hein is a copy editor for a women's fashion company in Bucks County by day and a self-proclaimed food and drink fanatic by night and weekend. She enjoys attending wine classes, trying new recipes in the kitchen and going to old favorites and new restaurants alike in the Bucks County and Philadelphia area. If the writing gig doesn't pan out, she constantly dreams of owning her own bakery...perhaps connected to the restaurant/bar that her lawyer boyfriend would love to open. Examiner.com.