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Basic 4 Vegetarian Snack Bar 
 based on 13 member reviews
51 N 12th St, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
19107
215-440-0991
Type: Vegan-friendly, American, Fast food, Take-out
Info: Vegetarian snack foods and meals. Has vegan Philly cheezesteaks. Cash only. Price: Moderate.
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| "Good veggie place inside a raging market, nice...."
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My Rating |
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14 |
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Posted on: Saturday, October 03, 2009 |
Review: I've only been here once as a tourist. I ate a "bacon burger" it really tasted like one. It was very pricey for what I got, the good was alright. This market is a good idea for the tourist, or visitor, especially with meat eating friends, because you can really get what ever you want in this market. So, if you are in a hurry or just want to enjoy the craziness of the environment, you'll do fine here. There are a lot of vegan options here, though the pause before my questions about what was vegan, did worry me a bit, like they were just going to tell me what ever they thought I wanted to hear. The place is a little funky, but most everyone around me seemed to be enjoying their lunch and enjoying the market experience. I have no real desire to go back, I think personally unless you're in a real hurry, just go a little north to China town, there are lots of good veg*n options there.
Pros: the market is great * lots of vegan options * nice staff
Cons: price for what I got * * |
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| "ALL the reviews were right"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Thursday, July 23, 2009 |
Review: I researched veg restaurants because I live in Arkansas and actual vegetarian food, let alone restaurants are rare. I read reviews and decided on Basic 4. The Philly cheese steak was really good. Not a bit of that weird seitan flavor. I also was very happy with the large selection.
The service was good until they screwed up my order. The lady seemed to not want to telll the order filler I had not gotten what I ordered. I wanted tofu cheesecake but got the potato pie. It was good. Just not what I ordered. I would highly recommend this restaurant. The Market has lots of veg options. So if you are dining with meat eaters this restaurant and all the options would work.
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "philly cheese steak"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 |
Review: so i finally tried their philly cheese steaks and i was impressed.. it was greasy and tasted like the real thing- id def purchase again :]
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "Great Veg Option in a Meaty Town"
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My Rating |
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2 |
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Posted on: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 |
Review: I come to Philly a few times a year for business and it isn't always very easy to find vegan options. I have been trying to go to Basic 4 Veg for 2 years but I could never seem to make it there during their opening hours. Today was my first visit and I wasn't disappointed. The staff were very friendly and made great suggestions. I had the Veg Philly Steak and it was great but I would have it on pita next time (too much bread for me). I got the Veg Chicken on a pita, a mango smoothie and sweet potato pie to go as I was working the night shift later on. Everything kept beautifully - even the smoothie! They packed the sandwich unassembled so it would be fresh - very thoughtful. I will certainly be back.
Pros: Food * Prices * Drinks
Cons: Hours * * |
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• I encourage you to look at the page for Philly. It is a surprisingly veg-friendly town. Lots of places to go. Next time you go, be open-minded, I think you will have a fun time. PM me if you want ideas of where to go.
. response by kindlizard
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| "Philly Cheese Steak"
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My Rating |
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5 |
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Posted on: Monday, May 19, 2008 |
Review: I ordered a Vegan Philly Cheese Steak and got a foot long sandwich with onions, "cheese", and "steak" that was greasy and delicious. I took it to our hotel and ate it while waiting for our airport shuttle...I fit right in, as it appeared to be the real thing. There were only 4 inches left for my husband. This was a great experience for us, as it allowed us to truly experience Philadelphia by immersing us in the Reading Terminal Market, and allowing us to enjoy a traditional menu item!
Pros: Location * Food *
Cons: Long Wait * * |
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| "Convenient"
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My Rating |
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162 |
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Posted on: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 |
Review: I ate the Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and it was good, I wouldn't say I was very impressed, but it was good. Bear in mind that this place is CASH ONLY and they charge you for toppings like Vegenaise, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. - - this is something I was not aware of and she failed to tell me this fact. I also got a Vegan cookie, and it was very delicious.
This is a good and convenient place to go, it's in a deli/farmers market type area. So if you're with a carnivore friend that doesn't want to eat Vegan/Vegetarian, they can go to the next stand over and get their meat [yuck] – my friend did this.
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "OK when you're in a rush."
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My Rating |
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2 |
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Posted on: Thursday, March 20, 2008 |
Review: I only had the opportunity to try Basic 4 once and I had the Veg chicken salad sandwich. It was good. I wouldn't say it was the most exciting sandwich I've ever had, but in a market full of meat it was nice to find a vegan option. The sweet potato fries were delicious but few for the $3.50 I paid for them. As for the service the woman at the counter seemed very nice.
Pros: * *
Cons: * * |
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| "Very Good!"
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My Rating |
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8 |
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Posted on: Monday, February 11, 2008 |
Review: I was a little concerned after reading the poor customer service reviews but decieded to try out this spot anyway - The staff was very friendly! The guy was up beat and lively.
Had the vegan philly cheese steak and it was great! I was still on the search for the perfect cup of veggie chilli and this hit the spot ... very good with just the right amount of spices. Two thumbs up.
Would defiantly return here my next visit to philly.
Pros: Good Veggie Chilli! (Hard to find) :) * Friendly Staff * Decent Selection
Cons: A little slower to take your order. * * |
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| "Great Vegan Cheesesteak!"
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My Rating |
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2 |
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Posted on: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 |
Review: I ate here while in Philadelphia recently. I ordered the vegan Philly cheesesteak. It was a huge sandwich - enough for 2 - for around $7. I spoke to the woman who opened the snack bar. She was very kind and friendly. Definitely recommended!
Pros: good value * friendly staff * great location
Cons: * * |
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| "great food, crappy service"
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My Rating |
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4 |
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Posted on: Sunday, December 16, 2007 |
Review: I have been to Basic 4 on numerous occasions because it's a convenient lunch spot to where I live. The food is fabulous and I've never had anything that was bad. However, the customer service leaves a lot to be desired. Most of the time, they've gotten my order wrong. The owner is often there taking orders and has a bit of an attitude with the customers unless you catch him on a good day (which is rare). They are also incredibly slow. But the food is top notch. I love the veggie burger so much that I rarely get anything else.
Pros: great food * vegan *
Cons: grouchy owner * frequent wrong orders * slo |
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| "Well...they were nice"
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My Rating |
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1 |
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Posted on: Saturday, December 15, 2007 |
Review: I was around the area, so I decided to give this place a try. I had half the "carrot tuna" and "chicken salad" on pita, and a thing of chili to warm up. The soup was mostly cold (it was scooped out of a plastic tub and microwaved) and the sandwiches were not satisfactory. I couldn't finish any of it and it actually give me a stomachache afterwards. With a bottle of water, I think it cost me about $15 bucks.
Pros: They were nice ...sort of * Maybe the other food is better? *
Cons: Expensive or not worth the price * Not satisfying * |
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| "Veggie burger ok, treatment abrupt"
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My Rating |
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8 |
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Posted on: Friday, October 05, 2007 |
Review: Arriving in Philadelphia today, October 4, 2007, we went straight from our hotel to the Basic 4 Vegetarian Snack Bar in the Reading Terminal, a "food court" similar to many commercial malls. The person taking the order said "What do you want?" as if he were doing us a favor. We asked for a veggie burger, and chick'n sandwich the former with everything, the latter without mayo, tomatoes or onions. We asked for tap water, to which he replied, "We sell water, we don't give it away." I took that to imply that we were there simply for him to collect money from us. If the Supreme Court in 1962 was right, "Good will is the tendency of a customer to return where she has been well treated," Basic 4 lost a little bit of good will today.
The veggie burger was thin and barely warm. The bun was cold. Green leaf lettuce was plentiful, tomatoes and onions were stingy.
Pros: vegan island in carnivore land * *
Cons: abrupt attitude * * |
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| "faux chicken for all!"
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My Rating |
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8 |
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Posted on: Thursday, January 25, 2007 |
Review: I don't think life is worth living until you've have their faux chicken salad sandwhich in a pita. Even better with hot peppers. I have introduced countless people to this little stop in the Reading Terminal Market and none have been disappointed. I've tried other things, all decent, but the faux chicken is where it's at. For the record, I have no idea what people are talking about in regards to rude staff. They are really busy!!!
Pros: delicious food * *
Cons: long lines * * |
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| "Good, but not Great"
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My Rating |
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Posted on: Friday, January 19, 2007 |
Review: Oh Philadelphia, 4th fattest city in the country, and proprietor of the gorgeous artery clogging sandwich that is the cheese steak. Dare I say it, when I was an omni I never liked cheese steaks. But after hearing a lot of hype about the vegan ones at Basic Four, I decided to try it. It was beautiful. Dare I say, EPIC. Mind you, the people who work there aren't exactly the friendliest, and keep in mind you must repeat over and over that you want CASEIN FREE cheese you are in for a deliciously sloppy sandwich. If you are looking for a sandwich that tastes identical to that of it's fatter older brother you are going to be disappointed because it really doesn't taste like a true to form cheese steak, but in my opinion that's because they are better and actually taste good. Healthy it is not. Delicious it is.
Pros: Quick Service * Generous Portions *
Cons: Surly/Rude Staff * Greasy * |
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