My fiance and I stopped in here the other day on the way down to Philly for some lunch, and we were both pleased.
Probably the first noticeable thing about Continental Tavern is the very traditional, classical style to the dining area. This place has clearly been around for a long time, and they definitely want you to know it (either that or they just decorated to make it seem that way lol).
We were seated promptly, and in no time had our order in, so thumbs up for service. I ordered the Continental burger cooked medium, while my fiance got the veggie burger. Both burgers were definitely on point. Mine was thick, juicy, and cooked right. The mushrooms, onions, and swiss cheese topped it off perfectly. But the best part of the whole thing had to be the brioche bun! This thing was sweet and fluffy, while still being sturdy enough that it never fell apart like so many other buns tend to do. Accompanied with some sweet potato fries, and its hard to complain about a lunch like this! Oh, and my fiance really enjoyed her burger as well, though her favorite item was definitely the ConTav fries served with Old Bay seasoning and cheese dip!
My only complaint that keeps this from getting 5 stars is in the middle of sitting there, the fire alarm started blaring, and for 1 second my heart stopped beating lol. Apparently there was some kind of testing going on and that had been happening all day. Hard to blame them for this, but at lease a warning before being seated that this may happen would have been nice...
Moving to Yardley in a month and decided to explore the restaurants a bit. Absolutely loved the food here. I didn't get anything special, just a burger with sweet potato fries but the burger was cooked to my medium rare perfection and the fries were great. Everything is very reasonably priced too. Will be back for sure.
Review Source:I am torn on this place and am going to have to give it another shot. Â We went here after my sister graduated from nursing school and have a bunch of people with us. Â They gave us the upstairs room which was great, but the server was just slow. Â I mean....It could have been his first day, but still....slow.
I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Wrap which was great, but my wife had the Southwestern Wrap which we both could have done without. Â The fries where amazing especially the ConTav fries.....Two stars off for service and the wrap....hear the burgers are awesome so I will have to give it a shot.
I went to the Continental Tavern to meet up with some girlfriends while I was visiting the Bucks County area this past weekend. Â I had never been here before and was excited to try something new. Â We were seated right away and the hostess was sweet and attentive. Â We were asked our drink orders (waters all around) and given time to look over the menu. Â The menu consists of mostly bar fare, so I opted for the Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella sandwich, served on the ciabatta bun. Â My friends ordered the Fried Shrimp, the Brushetta Chicken, and a Veggie Burger. Â We also had the Zucchini Fries to start. Â
The food all came out in a timely manner. Â The Zucchini Fries were abundant and heavily fried, not great at all, but it was just a starter that we didn't expect much out of. Â Our entrees came out soon after. Â My sandwich was basically a melted hunk of mozzarella on a ciabatta bun. Â The basil on the sandwich was dried, not fresh, and my sweet potato fries that came along side the sandwich were cold and some were even a little mushy. Â
My friend's fried shrimp was overly fried, they tasted burned. Â They were inedible and she reluctantly (because she felt bad) sent them back. Â She ordered a french onion soup instead and said that it tasted good. Â The waitress came back to my friend and offered her complimentary dessert to make up for the shrimp, which was nice. Â
My other two friends reported that the Brushetta Chicken and the Veggie Burger were OK. Â
The last thing that explains my 2 star rating is the lack of attentiveness to refilling our drinks. Â I was the only one who received a refill. Â By the end of the meal everyone's glasses were empty and we were all thirsty. Â Flagging down our waitress proved to be unsuccessful, so we just paid our bill and went on our way. Â
Overall, I was disappointed with the food especially. Â The service was mediocre at best, and only gets a few points for offering complimentary dessert for my friend's inedible meal. Â Needless to say, I will not be back here to dine in the future.
Visited on 1/27/13. Got in shortly after 2:00. Most of lunch crowd was finishing up. We all had Burgers -which were pretty good - with the exception of one order that received cold sweet potato fries. Biggest issue was service. Waited almost 10 minutes between being seated and seeing a Server. Long wait for drink refills as well.
Review Source:Reading through the more recent reviews of the Continental Tavern I had the impression that while most people liked the atmospherics, they were less enthused with the cuisine. While the two of us only had their "Best of Bucks" burgers, fries and soft drinks, we departed thinking we have had better elsewhere.
Review Source:The Con Tav situation is just sad. We started off just LOVING this place, but the food quality varies so widely that it's just not worth going there anymore. The wait staff, while friendly, have never been what could be called good, or competent or helpful, but they are kind- most of the time.
I have had some amazing food there, interspersed with several bad meals, but we always felt that the good might even out. But, the last three times we went (including two times when we brought guests) there were problems. On one occasion, we had a clearly burnt chicken breast on a salad (in that case, the twelve year old cook actually came out to tell us that was how he cooks it- we offered to let him try it- since it was coated with nuts, it wasn't just a well done chicken breast, it had this terrible, acrid taste). On another occasion, we had a steak ordered rare come out well done, and on the last occasion, both guests that we brought had food that was too salty to be edible. We even once, while sitting having our drinks at a table, where we had been waited on and had ordered our meals, had someone bring all our food to us, in a to go bag, dropping it on the table before we could speak- they did take it back and dump it on plates for us, but when you pay $22 an entree, you expect a little better.
I think their biggest problem is simply that there seems to be no designated grown-up managing the place. No one ever appears to be in charge. As a result, service and food quality vary widely- it's a shame, as we were regulars and now we don't plan to return.
i've been here three times. each time, the experience got worse and worse. the last time (and i do mean LAST TIME) we were here, the service was absolutely terrible and the food was not much better than mediocre. my husband didn't receive the right order, things (side dishes, add-ons) were forgotten, and food was cold. what's worse is that the waitress never came to check and see if everything came out okay. horribly disappointing.
Review Source:This was my third visit here, I have always sat in the bar area. The menu is what you would expect from a bar-based restaurant. Just a side note, Patriots Crossing Restaurant/bar is only 10 minutes across the Washington Crossing Bridge and has a great menu, chef and atmosphere that you will never get here unless the Continental Tavern actually gives a shit and starts stepping up their game.
The menu is meat-heavy, old school- you know fried onions etc. and even the salads are basically iceberg lettuce. The service, if you are lucky, just wants your drink order, they know you are a captive audience and you'll be back because their aren't many other choices. The service is so bad and so sad and I just can't justify spending another dime here until they either 1.) start offering food that is fresh, veg options and safe for those of us with food allergies 2.) hire servers who care about service, tips and repeat service - including management. They aren't the only bar in town any longer.
Solid beer list, but the food and service is underwhelming. I had a burger that I am 99% sure was actually a Bubba Burger which is sad. Additionally the service was mediocre at best as we waited for over 15 minutes for our beers and then had to seek out the manager when our credit card sat on the table with the bill for 20 minutes with no waitress to be found.
Review Source:Decided to give the ConTav a try. Â Went on Father's Day with my family and in-laws. Â The menu was pretty average but well rounded for a pub. Â We all decided on the "Best of Bucks" burgers. Â Not sure who the actually rating came from but they designated it on the menu. Â The burgers were fine, nothing amazing. Â The fries were average at best - I would suggest that they switch the fries - hand cut or something else, we all left plenty on the plate. Â I also ordered the wings - seemed like buffet wings. Â Soft, almost soggy from sitting. Â Wings should be almost crisp. Â Sauce was mediocre at best. Â Beer selection was better then average. Â Wait staff was very friendly.
Review Source:Three strikes and they're out. Â I have given the ConTav, as the locals refer to it three opportunities to impress. Â Â Â
  I figured that the first time was too close to the re-opening and that I would cut them some slack over the limited menu, mediocre food and poor wait staff.
  The second time was with a large group and the service was poor, prices bit high for the quality if the food.  I ordered a turkey burger and it was extremely dry and flavorless.
  The third, and I have to think final visit I ordered the 8oz sirloin medium rare.  You know what's coming don't you. Yep somewhere between medium well and well done.  It looked like liver, ugh and tasted worse.  I'm not sure if that was because it was so overdone or because it wasn't beef.  I'll go with overdone...but i'm not certain.  Using a good sized dose of steak sauce, which I never use I sis manage to choke down about one third of the steak.  It came with approximately 6-7 slices of fingerling potatoes and asparagus.  The slices of fingerlings could be eaten two or three at a time as they were quite 'petite'.  The asparagus was good, not fabulous, not perfectly cooked but good.  All of this succulent goodness for $21.  I would recommend you try a $12.99 diner steak instead...I am sure they will know the difference between medium rare and well done.  Although we did sit upstairs this time and we could hear our conversation  as the was not the loud noise of downstairs.
Very average fare, nothing exceptional or exciting being served here. That being said, it is a nice space (but tell those decorators to exnay on the plaid, ugly!) a huge improvement on what was there before. The owners have spent a fortune to reinvent the building according to the restrictive Yardley Borough standards and requirements, and it is an option for a quick bite for locals like me-I live down the street! Decent food, nice place, not bad.
Review Source:We keep trying with this place, but it's just not happening. Â The menu is just okay. The food is just okay. Â The prices are a little much for what you're getting. Â I ordered a turkey burger and the bun was a little stale. Â Nothing spectatular with our overpriced meal. Â 2 drinks each, 2 entrees and a child's entree--$90. Â Yowzers.
Review Source:For an establishment that was, before the current ownership, little more than a local greasy spoon and cheap bar, The Continental Tavern is amazing. While the lunch menu could use a little expanding, the place is a treat. The atmosphere has been improving constantly and the addition of the second floor dining room and the porch addition (after three years of fighting with local politicians) create a great place for small special events and summer evenings. And its "haunted."
Review Source:The Continental Tavern is an interesting take on gastropub food, with a "Main Street" feel. A nice and cozy place for dining out with your significant other.
Atmosphere - Greeted by dark colors and outstanding woodworking craftsmanship interior. Bar area as you walk in, with the restaurant off to the left. My group was lucky enough to snag a table in the back as we went in. TV's were too small in the main dining area, and they should probably take them out of the main area completely, takes away from dinner conversation.
Waitstaff - Our waitress was pleasant and friendly, with a little bit of an Eastern European dialect. Brought food out in a reasonable amount of time, but apps came out staggered and with no plates for sharing. Did a nice job recommending some of the beers on the beer list.
Food - Having a Rogue Dead Guy Ale is always a good way to start a meal. Split an order of wings with my buddy, they fit the bill, but really were nothing special. Could use a tavern style sauce and thicker wings, these were ok though. I also had the 'ConTav' fries, which is a take off of the crab fry popularity. Fries were thick and hot, but gave such a small cheese cup, still had 3/4 left after I finished. Went with the Tavern Burger, which came on an artisan roll with angus beef. Really, really good, best part of my meal. Wife had complained about the turkey burger, saying it was dry, and another of our guests went with the Pulled Pork. Again, it was good, but nothing special.
Intangibles - Parking lot is great, especially after coming from a long way to try it out. Interesting mix of starters and meal options, would go back to try a couple things our party didn't have. Good for a game, there are TV's everywhere, but they're too small to see a score. Seemed like a very local crowd there, but those in the Northeast should make the trip.
Overall - Continental Tavern is a nice local pub. Good food and good get togethers are the staple here. The food is decent, and there's lots to do in Yardley if you're making a day of. While not the best place I've ever eaten, definitely a nice niche restaurant in the heart of Yardley.
One word: horrible! I ordered take-out (live less than 2 miles away but have 2 young children) so YMMV. But- my nachos- wilted in a yellow milk-like cream which I infer was the cheese. French Onion soup- one spoonful and it was in the garbage; seriously cooler than lukewarm and no, NO onion taste at all. French fries- cold potato fried hours ago and left on top of the oven. Philly pork sandwich- another item from the cooler with the taste from the same. The one star was awarded for the attractive hostess who took my order and made the transaction easy in a rather loud bar. It's the kitchen staff that lack anything resembling cooks nevermind the term chef. Will never return for a second try!
Review Source:The two times I ate here the food was decent but there is nothing I would recommend as a must sample. Â With that being said I know a lot of people who frequent this place, and they have half off burger Mondays. Â
If i could rate it as a restaurant alone it would be a 3 star review but i feel it is a 2 star bar.
For as small as the bar is; it tends to take a while to get drinks which can occasionally be watered down. Â They do have a couple of TV's and even one in the bathroom.
The bar tends to draw an older crowd and closes very early. Â Sometimes well before 1.
My rating is based solely on two things: the burger and our "dedicated" partner in the dining experience. Been going here for a couple of years with some friends and always order a burger. The burgers are awesome - always the correct burger to bun ratio, quality meat, and good cheese.
Our dedicated partner in dining - Dana Lynn - knows our orders better than we do and puts it in the moment we get there.
The bar is lively and always has a local crowd. The dining room is family friendly.
Two nights in a row I was lured out of the sweet confines of the city to have dinner in the Burbs. This time it was the newly revamped Continental.
Old place had a back entrance. New place opens in the front. Bar is smack dab right there, with a large number of tables available. Since snow was on the ground outside, the restaurant decided that flattened cardboard boxes would help traction. Strange.
Was seated right away....in an overly crowded dining area. It was tight, and there was a 100% chance that the person sitting behind you would slide their chair back and collide with your chair.
Beer selection is ok, but you need to ask the server to see the beer list. Food was pretty good. It is the food that saved this place from getting 1 star. Pricing is decent as well. For three people, including drinks, the bill was around $100, including tip.
Certainly would go to this place for a pre-dinner drink, but would have to have my arm twisted to go back for dinner.
Yardley isn't known for their bar scene, so this is pretty much the only choice for drinks in the area. They have a standard number of beer on tap. And their food is pretty good; my friends ordered a goat cheese salad and cheese fries (!). Only complaints: for being the main bar in Yardley, it's tiiiiny. And when the band starts playing, prety much give up all hope of conversing with the person next to you; it's ridiculously loud. But not a bad place to stop in for a drink or two.
Review Source:Positives - Good food, friendly staff and decent beer selection.
Negatives - Bar area is small and WAY TOO BRIGHT. Feels like you're being interrogated while throwing a few back. Other friends have made similar comments. Turn down the lights in the bar area after dinner and the rating immediately bumps up to 4 stars.
My husband and I decided to check out this place based on the other reviews on Yelp and trying to break from the routine of always going to the same places. The Continental Tavern was easy to find, literally minutes off of 95 right inside the PA border. Ample parking in the adorable town of Yardley.
Even though we arrived at about 8:30 on a Saturday evening we lucked out with plenty of room at the bar. I am chalking this up to summertime and people are probably out of the area on vacation. Saddled up to the bar and were warmly greeted by one of two bartenders, Mary Lou. My martini was made just the way I like it and they have about 6 beers on tap and many more microbrews by the bottle. There was still plenty of time to order dinner (they serve until about midnight) so we both ordered appetizers and entrees.
I started off with the Shrimp Cocktail. Beautiful shrimp with a nicely spiced cocktail sauce and some slices of cucumber to dip as well. My husband ordered buffalo wings since that is standard bar fare and a good way to measure the quality of basic bar food. Wings were just okay, not very crispy, and the blue cheese dressing was kind of watery with no chunks of blue cheese in it. For dinner I had the Honey Chicken Caesar Salad. It had cut up chunks of breaded chicken that were still crispy, sliced almonds, salad stuff and dressing. The dressing was a bit much, but overall a good dish. My husband had a burger ordered medium rare but came out medium. He enjoyed his meal regardless.
The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere was great. They have live music on Fridays and Saturdays starting around 9 or so for about 3 hours. The music was great however the bar is not large so be prepared to not carry on conversations without some yelling.
We will definitely go back and recommend others to check it out!
Ok...So I have mixed reviews. The first time I had gone (since the renovations) I would have given it a 5. The food was great, the staff was fast and friendly and the atmosphere was great too! The prices were reasonable and as a vegetarian I found it very easy to find something yummy to eat! The portions are huge ...My 3 year old had the kids chicken tenders and must have gotten 5 huge pieces of chicken. Their sweet potato fries are INSANELY delicious! Â Ok...here is where the mixed review part comes in...The last time I went I ordered the Veggie Burger with mushrooms and swiss... VERY good! Even my meat eating husband and mother in law loved it...BUT half way through my burger I found a big piece of plastic. YUCK! Being a person who has worked in restaurants in the past I understand accidents happen...Which is why I still gave it 4 stars! I definitely will go back again...
Review Source:The Continental Tavern has finally been overhauled! When was the last time that grungy little place made any changes? 1776? Seriously, the tavern is in prime location and I'm so happy to see it has morphed into a place that locals can actually enjoy going to.
I stopped in the first week the place reopened and they had obvious issues accommodating the large crowds of people curious to get a look at the new renovations. They've done a great job opening the place up a bit on the inside, but it is still relatively small, not much to it really. They had a very small selection of beer on tap and the food was quite average. Okay prices, but loud atmosphere. Parking can also be difficult as the CVS next door is rather hostile to sharing their parking lot.
I'll give the place another try for sure next time I'm in the Yard.
I stopped by the recently reopened Continental Tavern last night with a friend for a drink and some appetizers. Â
To start we had the cheesesteak egg rolls. Â I'm not sure how I always get talked into ordering these as I'm not really a fan, and Continental Tavern's eggrolls did not help my opinion. Â They were quite large and stuffed with what appeared to be minute steak and American cheese and deep fried. Â Unfortunately they were very greasy. Â We also had the spinach and artichoke dip which was tasty, but could have used some more cheese. Â The dip was served with very yummy toasted pita triangles but again, the pita was a little on the greasy side. Â And then with a weak attempt at being healthy, we had the house garden salad. Â A rather large salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions served with a delish lemon thai vinaigrette that had a nice, subtle taste of ginger.
The menu is quite basic, standard tavern fare, with other offerings such as burgers and sandwiches, and basic chicken and steak entrees. Â They also serve sweet potato fries with maple syrup, that alone warrants a trip back!
The prices, for both food and drink are very reasonable, the entire tavern and restaurant is non-smoking (yea!) and the staff is very friendly and attentive. Â For a Tuesday night, both the restaurant and tavern were surprisingly busy. Â The Continental Tavern seems to be filling a much needed hole in the Yardley "bar scene."
Something interesting to note, during the recent renovations, what could possibly be a part of the Underground Railroad was discovered in the basement. Â Historians are currently researching the find to determine if that's the case.