The Couch Tomato Café, Manayunk

Reviews 4

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TheRithianyawgmoth

Where to Start? Hi, I am Dustin and I am a awesome-restaurant junkie! So I just moved to the area of East-Falls, and me and my girlfriend have been scouting out new places, (mostly ones with beer) Also we are on a health food kick as well so we were skimming the area through a site called Grubhub and found this place called the Couch Tomato. At first we ordered online through grubhub but decided to go pick it up (stretch the old legs) And when we arrived, I actually giggled a bit because out front it said "Free Valet Parking" and honestly thought it was a joke or maybe just a "DONT PARK HERE" Anyways, The front of the place was very clear about the entrances to the bistro and the cafe. I went in and the staff said hello (honestly pretty rare these days) And I gave the my name and they gave me my food. I noticed then (THEY FREAKIN HAD DRAFT CRAFT BEER!!!!! :D ) then relayed that to my girlfriend and also that they had a super reasonable happy hour. We get the food home and holy F*** was it good???!!!! Seriously the flavors duke the FLAVORS!!!!! My girlfriend go a salad and I got a sandwich. First thing I noticed is they do bread a very unique way. It wasnt your run of the mill thin poo it was some hearty thick TASTY bread. And they even gave my girlfriend a healthy slice with her salad. Needless to say we were both super impressed. The second visit we sat in and got some drafts. She got another awesome salad and I ended up getting one of their salads in WRAP form and Holy F*** again!!! Plus they had some great IPAs (Union Jack!!!!) And then I talked her mom into going after a 5K race we had. And I felt like I found freakin NARNIA! So ....apparently there is like a secret (not really a secret since there is signage everywhere, but I was just WOWed about it) place upstairs they call a bistro! AND JESUS they even have beer and wine FLIGHTS and even more options!! We all got flatbreads (I blame the sign RIGHT at our tables that basically said eat our pizza, it worked) and Again 3 for 3 amazed. The staff was amazing and we even have points on their points program (got me a 10 dollar credit!!!) This is going to be a great manayunk favorite for us. And on our way out I found out the Free Valet Parking IS REAL!!! (Totally using it next time on principle!!!) 10/10, for real. They F***ing earned it!!!! Love Dustin, PS see you soon!!!!

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Mark and Heather A

This is a review of both the Couch Tomato Cafe and its upstairs sister, the Tomato Bistro. The Couch Tomato Cafe, located on the first floor, is just what its name implies: a cafe. You have a selection of salads, pizza by the pie or the slice, calzones, etc. Seating is at a counter looking out the window or some comfy chairs. When we went, the service was fast and friendly, and the food was outstanding. We each ordered 2 slices of pizza. Mine had arugula and goat cheese. My husbands was chicken and cheese. The crust is thin, but not cracker-like. Its amazing that a thin pizza can be soft and chewy. The goat cheese is melt-in-your mouth creamy goodness. My husbands chicken pizza was chock full of white meat chicken slices and some spicy sauce (bbq?) This was a nice snack to have prior to a busy night bar-hopping down Main Street. I know there is seating outside during the daytime. I love the Tomato Bistros lunch buffet. Even without the groupon or yelp deal its a good deal for the $$. This is no "Super Buffet" with endless aisles of warming trays. There are usually or 3 salads, some sauteed veggies, a pasta dish, a meat dish, several hand-thrown pizzas, and, if youre lucky, these awesome little egg and sausage burrito things. Man, I really love those things. They have home-made potato chips sometimes, and a soup I think. Because its a smaller layout of food, everything is fresh. The servers are constantly putting things out and replenishing. Everything is very delicious. Especially those egg and sausage things. Last time we went, it was a Saturday and they had french toast and syrup and pulled pork sliders. Egg and sausage things were nowhere to be found...until we were stuffed to the gills and we see them bring out a platter of them Man, I wished I could have fit just one more bite in, but I would have popped! The pizzas are hand-thrown and they have veggie, pizza, and meat-based. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. Highly recommended if you want a buffet-style lunch but more than steam tables full of salty packaged pre-made stuff!

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Lauren Rodino

I went to the Tomato Bistro last night for the first time because I had heard that they were a vegan-friendly place and I was really excited that they offered vegan cheese on their pizza. However, because no one else I was out with wanted a pizza with vegan cheese, I figured Id get the quinoa salad and the portabella sliders instead. I told the server I was vegan so Id be asking for a few modifications and it didnt seem to be a problem. I ordered the sliders with vegan cheese instead of the mozzarella and the quinoa salad without the feta cheese. 10-15 min later the server comes back to tell me that the sliders have heavy cream on them (which is not on the menu) so she will go back to the kitchen to give them a heads up not to make them for me. I order the regular frites and I tell them just to give me ketchup because I assume their sauces will NOT be vegan. Everyone at my table gets their food and 10 minutes later I am presented with the portabella sliders, heavy cream and all. I send them back and wait another 15 minutes for my frites while my table is already on to their entrees. My frites come and not only do they have non-vegan sauces, but they are also topped with cheese. Im getting really frustrated at this point but just eat the ones from the bottom--although it kindof defeats the purpose of being a vegan if Im not even reducing my impact. Finally my salad arrives and (as far as I can tell) it is vegan and it is very delicious. Im glad that I have that to say about them at least. All in all Im really happy that they offer vegan cheese for their pizzas and its a good step forward, but Im disappointed to say I cant report having a good experience there. TLDR: They advertise as vegan-friendly but the kitchen struggles to make this happen. If you want to go here and eat vegan, I seriously recommend going when theyre not busy AND calling ahead.

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Christopher Clay

The Couch Tomato is an absolutely fresh and friendly venue for delicious salads and sandwiches along Main Street (at Rector) in Manayunk. I discovered it because they mailed a menu to my home (and I live up the hill in Roxborough), which is but 1 mile from the Café. Seeking fresh salads with a twist, one spring day in April I took the hike down to Manayunk and checked out the casual spot. I have been back many times since, trying different salads and sandwiches, and always completely satisfied. You can choose one from the menu options, or create your own salad or sandwich combination. If you’re looking to support a local, small and independent business that offers FRESH ingredients, organic options and gluten free choices, be sure to check out the Couch Tomato. Their other specialty is pizza, but I haven’t tried it yet. Based on my experience with their salads and sandwiches, I’m pretty confident the pizza would be amazing too. In the true spirit of sourcing locally and supporting other small businesses, they also feature a fresh take offering all natural New Hope Fountain Soda. They have tables for dining inside and outside curbside so you can enjoy the sun or fresh air while people watching. They also feature the Couch Tomato Bistro, a full service restaurant that I will be sure to try one day as well. For comparison sake, if you like Panera, you’ll love the Couch Tomato, and you’ll truly be supporting local business which is supporting local food sourcing, something even the best chains are not doing yet. I’ve pretty much made the switch 100% plus I can walk here from home. Like all businesses on Main Street in Manayunk, parking can be a challenge during busy periods.