Two months ago, The Lodge by Two Robbers opened its doors in the Bella Vista neighborhood.
Though the location is new, the reputation of Two Robbers isn’t. Since 2019, Two Robbers Spirits Co. has been serving the Philadelphia community with its iconic hard seltzers featuring unique flavors like Cara Cara Orange and Sweet Gold Pineapple. In 2022, the company opened its first restaurant location in Fishtown, a classic cocktail–and–burger joint, and has seen great success. Now, it has a new mission: Bring its food—and a new home—to a wider Philadelphia crowd.
Upon entering, the dark wooden interior and warm lighting are immediately noticeable, simulating the feeling of being in an actual lodge in the countryside. For a moment, one can escape the stress that comes with living in the city. Instead, patrons are immersed in the welcoming aroma of different seasonings, the joyful but indistinct conversations, and the faint melodies of ’80s rock music. If you arrive at a particularly auspicious hour as I did, you may even be greeted with “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” by Talking Heads—a clear signifier that The Lodge is the place to be.
While The Lodge expands on the legacy of Two Robbers by introducing different staples of American dishes (and one Canadian dish!), its driving attraction has always been the drinks. The beverage catalog ranges from classics like the espresso martini to canned vodka sodas, beer on tap, and specialty cocktails and mocktails. Lovers of sweets may gravitate toward the ube–and–coconut cocktail: a mixed drink of lemongrass, coconut water, ube, and premium in–house vodka made from French winter wheat. Or, if you’re like me, you may be partial to the ginger highball, which packs a heavy punch on the first sip, then soothes with the lingering taste of lime. The best thing about the drink? It only gets better as the ice melts. The worst thing? You’ll finish it too quickly and are left wanting more.
From the appetizers, I’d recommend ordering the fried pickles. Perfectly crispy and sweet, the fried pickles are the best snack to stimulate our palates without filling us up too much. The Caesar salad, while good on its own accord, has no distinctive feel or taste from any other Caesar salad. So, if you like sticking with what you know, it’s the appetizer for you.
From the main dishes, the smash burger is my personal favorite. The burger melds salty and savory flavors, and every bite is tender. I am less of a fan of the smash burger’s just–as–famous counterpart, the pub burger. As opposed to the smash burger’s thin and crispy patty complemented by American cheese, the pub burger features a rich, thick cut of beef and a slice of gruyère. While the pub burger is tender and juicy, I find it too salty, especially where the grease concentrates at the bottom. For Canada enthusiasts, the menu offers poutine as well. I find it to be a little salty, though not overwhelmingly so. The gravy is nicely distributed across the fries, and the cheese pull is extremely satisfying.
The most interesting thing about The Lodge, though, is the people that make up its community. I have the pleasure of speaking with the general manager, Lexi Stahl, who has been with Two Robbers since 2022, working as a bartender at its Fishtown location before being promoted. She expresses excitement about what’s to come for The Lodge, particularly because of its distinct vibe from other bars in Philadelphia and its growing community involvement. During my visit to The Lodge, the bar has been hosting a group of high school students from the nearby Palumbo High School for an after–game dinner. The restaurant plans on hosting more events for community groups as well. Lexi also expresses that, overall, she values good service. “I’ll always give a place another chance if my service was really great,” she says. “But I won’t go back to a place if the food was five stars when my service was horrible.”
Her doctrine is accurately reflected in the workers of The Lodge, who express great care for what they do during our conversations. Dan Keefer, for example, is a 36–year–old bartender from Bucks County, Pa. and has been in the service industry for nearly two decades. At work, Keefer explains that he has to read people’s energy and analyze social interactions to be able to do his job effectively. It’s not a job everyone can do and requires a lot of emotional labor, and sometimes leaves him feeling like a performer. To deal, Keefer says he treats every drink “like a meditation,” being intentional about every beverage he makes.
Executive chef Scott Moore reveals to me his adoration for cooking after growing up in a large family with cooks. Scott finds importance in taking what he has learned and giving back to others. The Lodge has allowed him to do just that—finding joy in cooking for patrons and experimenting with their upcoming expansion of the menu. When he gets stressed, Scott puts into practice “mise en place,” a culinary term that means “everything in place,” and involves getting all the ingredients and utensils together before cooking. He says that he finds himself growing—even possibly retiring with—The Lodge and looks forward to learning from his mistakes and improving his craft.
Last, I spoke to Chanel Bond, a server at The Lodge, who has been in the service industry for 15 years and owns a catering business. Being a people person, she knows how to read a room. Naturally, she’s bubbly and talkative, but if she notices a customer wants to be left alone, she has no problem doing so. She describes The Lodge as a “hidden gem,” but acknowledges the lack of people of color who visit the restaurant, which she attributes to its location. With more marketing and adding more items to the menu, Chanel believes The Lodge could attract a more diverse crowd in the future.
If you’re looking for a new, homey dining spot in Philadelphia, The Lodge may be the place for you. Enjoy the classic comfort food, the low hum of music, the creative drinks, and the guaranteed good service. Strike a conversation with your server, learn about their culinary background, and maybe find a new way to manage your stress. Whatever you come for, just know you’ll leave far more fulfilled than when you arrived.
TL;DR: Two Robbers has expanded to Bella Vista with this comfortably classic bar.
Location: 738 S. 11th St.
Price: $$
Hours: 4–10 p.m. Tuesday–Wednesday, 4 p.m.–12 a.m. Thursday–Friday, 12 p.m.–12 a.m. Saturday, 12–8 p.m. Sunday
