Location

1516 Sansom St.,
Philadelphia , PA 19102 UNITED STATES

Reviews

Based on 6 reviews

Citysearch User

Moderately expensive, but excellent seafood

Excellent seafood resteraunt with an amazing white clam sauce. Wide variety on menu and great service. Very casual, yet comfortable atmosphere where two can share a great meal and enjoy great conversation. Nestled in a quaint nook on Sansom between 15th and 16th. Highly recommended.,

posted at 06/03/05

pheos

WRONG ADDRESS!!!!!

The actual address of this GREAT new restaurant (Oyster House) is: 1516 Sansom St Philadelphia

website is: oysterhousephilly

posted at 06/06/09

GerriD

Disappointing

So disappointing. Server was rude and food was mediocre at best. No substitutions allowed on the menu selections. Salads were bitter & wilted and drowning in a "sherry vinegarette" dressing. Also charged for soft drink refills that weren't ordered. Waitress just brought them to the table without asking or advising of charges. Would never go back there again and would never recommend it to others.

posted at 07/09/09

aggiemay

Disappointing

OK, I really wanted to enjoy the new Oyster House but it fell short because of the following 3 things:
1) The place is really noisy... really noisy. I was with my boyfriend and we sat at a table for 2 against the wall. Halfway through the meal, I had to tell him that I'd just talk to him after dinner- I felt like I was shouting at him and there were people seated closely on either side of us, so it was uncomfortable.
2) Our oysters were not cleanly shucked. If your restaurant is known for oysters (which this is)- you should take the time and care to cleanly shuck your oysters. When eating oysters on the half shell, you should be able to swallow them in one bite. Unfortunately, most of mine went down rough, or I ended up biting on shell pieces afterwards. Also ordered the crab gazpacho which I thoroughly enjoyed until about halfway through and a piece of the crab had shell on it. I guess this is a hazard of eating fresh seafood, so maybe I should adjust my expectations.
3) If you order drinks, stick to their specialty cocktails or beer. They do offer a full bar but a vodka martini straight up with olives came to me 3/4 full and without olives.

posted at 09/01/09

MikeB806

Fabulous

My wife and I went to Oyster House before attending a concert at the nearby Kimmel Center. We each had a dozen oysters (2-each of various types) and a fish entree. The oysters were beautiful: cleanly shucked, pure in color, smooth in texture, and delicious! Not even a drop of lemon needed to offset any fishiness. These were some of the best oysters we've ever had. They provided us with a list of the oysters in order of appearance around the plate so that we knew where each oyster came from.

Both fish pieces in our entrees were perfectly cooked, not overdone, largely portioned, and served hot to us quickly after cooking. The bluefish, usually a fishy-fish, was not fishy at all; the cod was flavorful. Each was served over an unusual and interesting choice of vegetable for fish: the bluefish with brussel sprouts; the cod with squash. We skipped dessert (too stuffed), but the coffee was excellent.

Our server was friendly and helpful. She moved us through quickly, though not rushed, in plenty of time for our concert.

Casual, but not gritty, atmosphere. Conveniently located to the theater. And parking validation for the lot across the street. What a treat.

posted at 11/10/10

msfrenchfry

Love it!!

Another favorite happy hour spot! I have been coming here for as least 7 years, when it was the 'Samson Street Oyster House'. The place has gotten a brand new face lift, but the same fresh seafood remains. Cool white marble counter tops run throughout the restaurant space, the raw bar area is now open and highlights the hard working shuckers, who buy the way are still here from the old SSOH. David Mink, grandson of the original owner, Sam Mink, kept some of the original decor, the antique oyster plates are still on the wall and they have hung great black and white prints of David as a boy with his grandfather at the Samson Street. It was very evident that they love this family business.
They have a some great happy hour special a-'Buck-a-Shuck' The oyster of the day varies and are a hit or miss, but it is a great deal. The $3.00 oyster shooters are always a favorite among my friends, and quite dangerous! The Chihuahua and New Englander are a personal preference.
I highly recommend the Choptank Sweets, they are the absolute best!! The cherrystone clams are bountiful and large!
The lobster bisque has a new recipe and has the perfect amount of sherry, dig to the bottom of the bowl and you will find some meaty portions of claw meat! The calamari never disappoints, I've had better crab cakes elsewhere, but I've heard that the soft shell crabs are done well. The oyster scrample is a bit bland and missed the mark, but isan innovative idea.

If you are an avid seafood lover- the Oyster House is a definate stop!

posted at 04/21/11

Review This Business

Nearby

Worldwide > United States > Philadelphia, PA > American Restaurants

Sansom Street Oyster House

Contact us

Location

Reviews

Citysearch User

pheos

GerriD

aggiemay

MikeB806

msfrenchfry

Detail information

Nearby

Friendly's Restaurant

Friendly's

Friendly Ice Cream

Denny's Restaurant

Cuttalossa Inn

Cedars Kitchen

Carversville Inn

Carriage House Restaurant

Sansom Street Oyster House