Phone: (215) 922-2583

Spruce up the overall appearance.  The place seems just a tad run-down, although that may just be part of the Texas theme (the ‘daddy doesn’t get out west too often).

Abilene bills itself as Philly’s only southwest restaurant and roadhouse.  Now I know there are other southwest restaurants in the city (The Arroyo Grille in Manayunk, for example), so then I guess they must have a corner on the roadhouse market.  I’m not sure if I fully know what that means since it’s located on a very busy street not a dusty road somewhere in the middle of Texas, but I digress.

The establishment is split up into a full size upstairs and downstairs with each floor having it’s own bar and dining area.  At the rear of the first floor, however, is where the stage is located for the live acts.  This provides good viewing from either the dining area or the bar that runs along the side wall.  On tap you have your standard Bud’s and Coor’s with a Bass and Guinness thrown in for the uppity crowd (do you picture that in a roadhouse?).  There is a large steer head/horns located directly behind the bar that sets the mood for the whole place, along with the posters of B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

The music is in the Texas Blues tradition of Stevie Ray Vaughn and others.  They take great pride in this, and the only thing I can say is the night that I was there they had two excellent blues guitarists wailing away to the under populated yet enthusiastic crowd.  It was early and I’m sure the crowd builds later as I’ve noticed on other occasions when they charge a small cover to get in.  The upstairs is split between a cozy bar and another dining area.  I believe they pipe video feed of the live act to the upper level.  

The menu, obviously, contains southern favorites.  We ordered Nachos and they were as big as my head.  I also had the Jumbalaya, which was very good (on a thick bed of rice, not that watered down crap they serve at some places).   One other thing I have to point out (this is Phillytown isn’t it?) is the tall, blonde, corn-fed waitresses both upstairs and downstairs.  I don’t think this is a coincidence, though the lack of accent rules out them actually being Texas transplants.  So maybe, it’s more like cheesesteak-fed, but close enough for our purposes.

- The preceding review was written by the one the ladies call: Swankdaddy. He hails from New Jersey; but don't hold it against him.

His other P-Town review is of PJ Whelihans.

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