The Lucky Well - Incubator

Great place for bbq. They always have new and interesting chefs with fun menus. This place is often overlooked because it is towards the end of this strip of spring garden but it never disappoints!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mac & Cheese, Ribs Mac N Cheese Burnt Ends, Pulled Pork

Our server was really nice and that’s the only good thing I can say about my group’s experience here for dinner earlier tonight —don’t go here. About five or six different times when we tried to order something on the drinks menu, we were told it wasn’t available anymore, and then the food took forever to come, and they literally forgot to put in one of our orders — and we told them we were there before going to a show down the block at Union transfer, so one of us had to go without dinner for a whole show. The food and atmosphere was passable, but nothing special or unique enough to justify that one of us literally didn’t get served and so many menu items just weren’t available. Also, the prices are way too high for the very mid quality of the food. This place is going to fail with prices this high for food this average and portion sizes this modest — inoffensive taste, but very one-note and uninteresting — and I wouldn’t be upset if it does. I want our money back on my whole group‘s behalf. Don’t go here.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 2

Before you go, make sure to check “The Lucky Well Incubator” on Toasttab to see what is in and out of stock. Almost all of the non-BBQ options we hoped to order were unavailable when we went. This was not clear on the paper menu. The staff needed to try to recall which items from each menu were in stock, which must have been very difficult, and so we had to adjust our order a few times when our backup choices were also unavailable. Checking that website beforehand definitely would have helped. Lovely people either way.

Really used to love it when it was a bbq joint. Was my favorite restaurant. This remodeling kinda ruined it for me. A lot of the better items were removed from the menu. Food isn’t as good. I miss the old lucky well

Wanted to love this place based on the concept but they were out of two dishes I wanted to order on a Friday night. Pulled pork was cold, beans were way too sweet and cornbread was dry. Not excited about going back to perhaps try another restaurant of the four that are currently there.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Cornbread, Pulled Pork

ordered a pulled pork sandwich and corn bread. everything was dry and seemed like it had been sitting out for a while. the pulled pork wasn’t even pulled per say and it didn’t come with slaw or even much bbq sauce. i hope it was just a bad night or something bc it seems like a cool place!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 3

I went to this place when it was just a barbecue spot maybe a year ago, and it was fantastic. Returning towards the end of April I have to say that I was thoroughly disappointed. While we did knock in our table till late about 7:30 I don't think it excuses the fact that almost all of the dishes we ordered were very dry and seem to have been cooked earlier and left out. This place underwent a significant step down when it started serving additional menus. While our waitress was polite she took forever to get our order so that we probably didn't even have an order going back to the kitchen to closer till 8:00.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 2

Papa Dan’s pizza ($32) was one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had. It was perfectly cooked (well done) with this tasty sauce that had a lot of garlic (the perfect amount)!The cheese board ($19) was good but mustard, cheese and pickles didn’t seem like a good combination. The Brie cheese and jam were amazing together.We also got waffle fries ($3 happy hour price!) which were so delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Waffle Fries

Food was okay, it was cold. The service was not good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 2

Really liked the food and atmosphere here. I went here with some friends. I ordered the fried cod and we got the cheese board and spicy potatoes to share. I really loved the spicy potatoes. We also got the cheesecake which was amazing. The music wasn't too loud like some of the other places we have been to.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cheesecake

I miss the old Lucky Well. Being a regular before the makeover, I wasn't impressed with incubator. I guess it's a good concept for those who are unsure of what they want to eat. The old menu had totchos and those were to-die-for. I was also a little bummed to see the old staff gone too.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

INCREDIBLE FOOD! You’re able to try 4 different cuisines. Def get a slice or two from Papa Dans - tastes like fancy Pizza Hut. Next, get some bbq and don’t sleep on the burger (waffle fries are wild!). Finally, finish with a basque cheesecake. Leave very full!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cheesecake, Pulled Pork, Waffle Fries

My friends and I had heard good things about this place, so we thought we'd check out. Went about a week ago and loved it. It's an interesting setup where they have Memphis style BBQ as their main menu, while they have 2-3 other kitchens rotate in and out every "season" (like, every 3-4 months). We stuck to the BBQ and just got a few items to share. The brisket & BBQ chicken were fire, best I've had in Philly! For sides, we devoured the cornbread, waffle fries and mac & cheese, which were also super tasty. Our server, I think his name was Jack, was the best. First off, just gotta say that the dude kinda looks like a rockstar, lol! Great hair! Anyway, his suggestions were spot on, and he even gave us some good recommendations for other bars to check out. Overall, we had a great time and will definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: BBQ Chicken, Cornbread, Mac & Cheese, Waffle Fries

The Lucky Well Incubator is a unique concept restaurant that has changed the neighborhood for the better. The idea is that there will be a rotation of chefs from the area trying new things.They're operating on a kind of "season" model where the first season had South American, Italian, and Vietnamese style chefs making their own dishes to choose from all in the same restaurant and kitchen. It gives these chefs an opportunity to try new things in an accommodating environment. This of course is combined with the Lucky Well house chef making some pretty great BBQ in their own right.The genius of it is, they are all so different that you can come back 4 times over the span of a season and eat a completely different style of food. It's also a great excuse to mix and match across the different chefs and styles. Maybe you want some pasta as a meal but you've been craving fries? Get both, nobody will stop you. In fact you are encouraged to do so.As of this review the first season is coming to a close and they are taking on applications for the next crew of chefs to bring their cuisine to the restaurant. I know I'm looking forward to seeing what's coming next. Even though I'll definitely miss Chef Jacob Trinh and his amazing Vietnamese food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My friend and I stopped in here for dinner before going to Union Transfer for a concert. They changed their services since our last visit. You now order at the register where they keep menus then you are given a number and you choose your own table. My friend got a sausage sandwich and I had their pulled pork sandwich both came with waffle fries. My sandwich was delicious with the barbecue sauce and cole slaw. My friend enjoyed his sausage sandwich too. He had water and I had a Stoudt. One thing about this service it cuts down on the tip.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pulled Pork, Smoked Sausage