Breakfast near Ben Franklin Bridge

I will be meeting a friend in Philadelphia on Sat 8 AM and we would like to have breakfast ( a diner?) Neither of us is from the area.

We will be coming from the Ben Franklin Bridge and I was looking to meet and eat in areas of Franklin Sq or Washington Sq. Or any other areas near the BF Bridge?

Can you recommend a diner/restaurant with good food, opens by 8 AM Sat, and where we could sit for awhile - we haven%26#39;t seen each other in long time and only have 2 hours.

THANK YOU

Breakfast near Ben Franklin Bridge

South Street Diner, on South St between Front and 2nd or Zeke%26#39;s on 5th St between Spruce and Pine.

Breakfast near Ben Franklin Bridge

I like the South Street Diner for what it is - really reasonable, casual place, clean with good breakfast fare...

However - and I will caution this - it can get busy on the weekends (or so has been my experience) and sometimes I have felt a bit rushed to finish and get up because others are waiting for tables (for me, not a big deal, because often I have 3 kids with me and the ability to linger is a non-option.)

Another suggestion: it is more expensive, but I would check out Keating%26#39;s in the Hyatt Regency at Penn%26#39;s Landing. I%26#39;ve had both the breakfast buffet there as well as room service for breakfast (which is serviced by Keating%26#39;s) when staying at the hotel and it was very good in both instances. Nice atmosphere, not stuffy. I doubt they would rush you and you could enjoy the time with your friend. Perhaps give the hotel/restaurant a call and see how much they charge for the buffet or just breakfast entrees in general - it may be worth it.

Hope that helps!

Suzanne

I hesitated to mention the South Street Diner for the very reason that Suzanne notes. What swayed me, however, was the fact it is generally less true in the summer when so many people are away and they are much less busy, particularly early (and 8 am is considered early on South Street.) The wait people do like to turn tables though because of tips, so it%26#39;s a fair warning. On the other hand,the price difference will be substantial, and you could alwaysmove across the way to Cosi for another cup of coffee if you feel pressured to leave.

Speaking of Cosi, you could do the Cosi at 4th %26amp; Chestnut - it%26#39;s made for lingering.

All very good suggestions. My first choice would have alsobeen South St Diner. But if you need to sit and chat for a while, then Cosi would be perfect and inexpensive.

Keating%26#39;s River Grill does a decent buffet spread-- nice variety. Tt costs maybe $17-19 per person, but it%26#39;s all-you-can-eat.