Family-Owned Buck Hotel Offers Something for Everyone

The Buck Hotel has been a community landmark since 1735, though it actually hasn't been a hotel in about 30 years. Since 2001, has been open under the ownership of the Ruhling family, who has made sure the restaurant has something to offer a wide variety of clientele.

From a restaurant, tavern, banquet hall and take out market, the Buck Hotel can be a place for everybody, according to 25-year-old General Manager Brian Ruhling, Jr.

"It's so vast what we offer," Ruhling said. "We always have something to offer everyone. Every person, every age, every time of the week. Essentially we are four businesses under one roof."

Patrons can stop by the Market and order soup, sides, fried platters, sandwich trays and sushi—which is made fresh to order in house—all for takeout. The main dining hall is open for lunch and dinner throughout the week and brunch on Sunday's. Business people and senior citizens usually make up the lunch crowd, while the nightlife clientele "ranges from a 21-year-old coming out to party to an older couple meeting for drinks at the bar," according to Ruhling. And then there's Sunday brunch, which brings out families and a huge crowd, he said.

If every room was full to capacity, more than 1000 people could probably fit, Ruhling said. Though, the Buck Hotel's most popular functions are weddings in the Presidential Ballroom, which can accommodate 300 people.

But the Buck Hotel's events aren't limited to just weddings. There are several rooms of different sizes, which can be used for showers, birthday parties, rehearsal dinners, bar and bat mitzvahs, luncheons and more.

When the Ruhling family purchased the Buck Hotel, they kept the outdoor shell of the building exactly the same as it was, Ruhling explained. All of the historical aspects of the facade have been preserved, but he said the family did a "serious overhaul and modernization" in the inside.

"The bar and tavern area doubled in size," Ruhling explained. "The tavern has more of a sports bar feel than it had in the past."

The tavern's menu features a variety of appetizers, sandwich plates, pizzas and raw bar options. Monday through Friday sushi and all drinks are half price during . Then Friday through Sunday, bands and DJ's set up shop for live entertainment.

This Valentine's Day, the Buck Hotel will offer a prix fixe menu with some of Ruhling's favorites like the surf and turf—a 5-ounce Filet Mignon and 4-ounce lobster tail—and "special little desserts for two like chocolate covered strawberries and gelato."

"It's a nice little quaint spot for a couple to come," he added.

However, if you can't venture out for a romantic evening on February 14, you can always pop by and try one of the Buck Hotel's specialties: the pan seared crab cakes.

"They're made in house and they're just really good," Ruhling said. "They're excellent, just excellent."

His enthusiasm for the crab cakes isn't even comparable to the enthusiasm he shows for the Buck. Ruhling graduated from La Salle University and worked as an accountant for a year before realizing it wasn't for him and he joined the family business.

"It's my calling," he said." "My dad started a restaurant in North East Philly before I was born, and he's been in the restaurant business since he was a teenager. We're family of restaurateurs." Ruhling's father opened Ruhling's Seafood on Rising Sun Avenue, which is no longer in business.

"Me and my dad—Brian Sr.—work hand in hand every day. This is a family run business 24 hours a day seven days a week."