Philly’s $4.01K Dividend: Happy Hour Menu at The Khyber

Wait, you’re telling me that The Khyber has real food? Yes. Real, good food? Indeed.

My friend Salty Lady and I recently discovered that in addition to the kick-ass happy hour beer specials—$2 pints of Kenzinger, $1 Domestic bottles and $2 off craft beers by the likes of Sly Fox, Lagunitas and Young’s—the food is quite good if a bit greasy.

Let me explain that, ever since renouncing my vegetarianism of fifteen years, I have been on the prowl for a great burger—that is, a great burger that doesn’t cost $9. C’mon, it’s a hamburger! I ordered The Royal Burger ($4) and, let me tell you, it was love at first bite. It’s the same one served over at Royal Tavern, of (partial) same ownership, but costs half as much. You could get the General Burger ($3) topped with the usual suspects (lettuce, tomato and onion), but then you’re just being boring. For a dollar more, the Royal is perfected with thick-cut bacon, a rich, smoky gouda and a roasted, pickled long-hot pepper. The bun was crusty yet soft on the inside, and had a slight sourdough taste to it. The Angus beef patty was juicy, loose-packed and, surprisingly, not too thick. What’s up with the thicker than thou burgers in this town anyway? I don’t know who started this rumor, but all of restaurants in town that offer specialty burgers—from Monks to Good Dog—seem to be under the assumption that Philadelphians, like snakes, can unhinge their jaws. I don’t dig the trend and I’ve got a big mouth.

Salty Lady ordered the Khyber Dog, which is wrapped in bacon and topped with American cheese and something called Khyber Sauce. I thought it sounded pretty gross myself, but my friend claimed it was tasty. And it’s clearly kosher.

The mirror next to the bar serves as a white board for specials. It’s unclear how often these specials change but the offerings are diverse enough to keep even regulars happy. They run the gamut from chicken and sausage jambalaya ($5) to mac n’ cheese with stewed tomatoes ($4). We ordered the Get-Out-of-Towner, which included everything but the kitchen sink. A cheesesteak of sorts, the Towner is decked out with American and cheddar cheeses, bacon, home fries, a fried egg and the seemingly ubiquitous (and delicious!) pickled long-hots. It was too much—and just enough.

Next time I’m going to try to buffalo chicken pierogies ($5) off the regular menu and that mac n’ cheese.

The Khyber
56 S 2nd Street
Happy Hour Menu 4-7pm