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Trax Restaurant & Cafe Reviews List
Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Chef/Owner Steven Waxman opened Trax in the restored Ambler train station in 1989, after many years in his family wine business. Chef Waxman’s early career in the wine industry took him across the globe from Napa Valley and Burgundy – sampling fine wines & eating outstanding regional cuisine. Those early culinary experiences coupled with apprenticeships in restaurants along the East Coast motivated him to open his own restaurant, where people could enjoy food as extraordinary as the wines in their private collections. His goal was to prepare a menu that would satisfy the most discriminating palate – his own.
Whenever possible, Chef Waxman gets ingredients from small, local purveyors and farms that he knows he can trust. Some of the herbs and vegetables are even grown in the restaurant’s award-winning garden, which won a “Community Greening Award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
See more Trax Restaurant & Cafe details
Whenever possible, Chef Waxman gets ingredients from small, local purveyors and farms that he knows he can trust. Some of the herbs and vegetables are even grown in the restaurant’s award-winning garden, which won a “Community Greening Award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
93 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 93 reviews
5 stars
(34)
4 stars
(45)
3 stars
(9)
2 stars
(4)
1 star
(1)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(53)
- fit for foodies(50)
- special occasion(32)
- great for outdoor dining(22)
- romantic(22)
- good for groups(10)
Trax Restaurant & Cafe Reviews List
Review 1 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Bad service
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food is delicious but the service was sooooo slow. How long does it take for a waiter to take your order, fill your water glass, bring lemons and cut a piece of key lime pie??? I wanted to call there and complain and even complain when I was there but I didn't."
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent Food & Service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We have been consistent patrons of Trax and enjoy the excellent food. The service is always good and the wait-staff is pleasant.. We particularly enjoy celebrating New Years Eve dinners with family at Trax over the past 12 years. The owner, Steve Waxman, greets us in the dining room to ensure we are enjoying our meal."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 3 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Amazing food!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had learned about Trax from a show on 6ABC. Well, we couldn't be happier! Food was sooooo good. Perfectly balanced flavors, nice serving sizes, so fresh, my salmon practically melted in my mouth. Absolutely can 't wait to go back! You can not go wrong here!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 4 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Nice BYOB but pricey.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This was my second visit to Trax. We were able to eat outside however I would recommend eating on upper level since the train passes frequently and is very noisy. Usually food very good but disappointed with a veal dish that was chewy and fatty."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 5 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great food and service
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"It was our first visit but not our last. Kate was great and we loved the swordfish special. The place is charming but small, so do make reservations. It wasn't crowded when we were there, but I imagine it gts quite noisy on a busy night."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 6 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Disappointed
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I was so looking forward to eating at Trax I heard it was a great BYOB. We have eaten at many fine dining restaurants and I was disappointed with the portion size and the pricing. They were out of 2 of the specials by 7:15. When we did receive our food it was very tasty at best luke warm and very small portions. I'm sorry to say that I would not recommend this restaurant and will not be going back."
Dined on 5/04/2013
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Review 7 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food never disappoints - dining
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food never disappoints - dining room can be very very noisy, to the point it should evaluate additional measures to deaden sound in the main dining room."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, scenic view
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Review 8 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Always a lovely dining experience.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Always a lovely dining experience."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 9 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was delicious. Price
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was delicious. Price fix before 6 Pm a great deal. Service pleasant. Only downside: Hard to have a quiet conversation. Music too loud. Place very noisy when it filled up with patrons."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 10 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The food was uninspiring and
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was uninspiring and overpriced. In addition, we were charged a sharing fee which I wouldn't have minded if they had told us about in advance."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2009
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Review 11 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Small restaurant with big
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Small restaurant with big flavor!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic
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Review 12 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I have loved Trax for years...
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I have loved Trax for years... wonderful food and service. My only wish is that they do something about the acoustics. Due to the wood floors, the noise level makes this fantastic restaurant a 3-star vs. a 5-star experience. Perhaps some area rugs? Overall, however, the food is always top notch."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 13 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
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Review 14 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We sat at table with heat vent under the table, it was very uncomfortable --too hot. Told the waiter who put a menu over the vent didn't work ---there were other tables availabe but never offered to move. Food was Ok but heat ruined the meal."
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Review 15 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Loved our first visit to Trax.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This was our first experience at Trax. It is very small and tightly seated but, if you are looking for romance there are a few tables that call to the heart. If you are headed to Trax for a date night, tell them you would like a table in the alcove by the window. There were four of us for dinner and each of us had something different. Everything was very tasty. The butternut squash soup and the special asparagas wrapped in prociutto with goat cheese appetizers were excellent. Scallops, duck, pork loin and salmon were all cooked just right. Not inexpensive. For the four of us with a tip dinner came to $180. Nice thing about Trax beyond the great food is it's a BYOB. We'll be back!"
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 16 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Outstanding food. Fresh,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Outstanding food. Fresh, effort towards organic and local. Very good service. Tight quarters but tables well situated and noise level surprisingly low. Meals not inexpensive but with BYOB the overall value was excellent."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2012
Special Features: romantic
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Review 17 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We celebrated a special birthday
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We celebrated a special birthday at one of our favorite BYOBs - TRAX. The food was excellent and all five of us cleaned our plates; the lamb and tenderloin were particularly delicious."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2010
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 18 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Slow to seat and eat but food great
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food excellent as usual - despite making reservation through OpenTable for 8:15 we still had to wait 15 minutes extra for our table. Service was slow but nothing to complain about. Ate here New Year's Eve - did not experience the wait time for table or food. Will definitely go again - hopefully no wait."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, hot spot
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Review 19 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
small, quaint spot for excellent
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"small, quaint spot for excellent dining. so few BYOBs around, so Trax is extra special
set in the old Ambler train station makes it a wonderful location"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 20 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Yay Trax!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"If you are going as a date, call for a reservation and ask for the bay window table! My fiancé and I sat there on Valentine's Day and we loved it! Super romantic with the dim lights and candles! Food is excellent! I had a beet salad to start and a rack of lamb with rosemary for dinner. He had the Caesar salad and the T-bone veal dish. We topped it off with the key line pie and the pear desserts. Filled to the brim and loved every minute of it! Trax is BYO, so that helps keep the cost down a bit! I highly recommend!
As a side bar, my brother had his rehearsal dinner hear during the summer and it was beautiful! The restaurant opens out to a beautiful deck that is covered in grape vines (?!). In any case, we had a blast!"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 21 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Still wonderful after all
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Still wonderful after all these years! Never, ever anything but a delicious meal coupled with friendly staff."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 22 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
BEST MEAL WE'VE HAD AT THIS
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"BEST MEAL WE'VE HAD AT THIS RESTAURANT."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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Review 23 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I was not thrilled with my
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I was not thrilled with my experience. We were seated next to a window and the restaurant, in general, was cold, therefore it was even colder by the window. We couldn't take our coats off, it was so cold. Our appetizers were wonderful-I had the brussel sprouts and my Mom had the French Onion Soup. Both were very good. Our entrees on the other hand were very disappointing. My Mom had the pork chop which was dry and salty. I had the BBQ Brisket which was more like pot roast with a quick swipe of BBQ Sauce. Although it tasted OK, it was not really BBQ Brisket as I was expecting, so I felt it was inappropriately named."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2009
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Review 24 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
A little crowded but the food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"A little crowded but the food was great."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 25 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise level too high. Food
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Noise level too high. Food was overpriced for the quality."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2009
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Review 26 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Give your review a title (optional)
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"great entrees and special dishes prepared by the chef, but the service could use a little fine tuning. The staff was very nice but slow. took 15 min. before we were noticed. Would return for the food. I think during the week would be better."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 27 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
The food doesn't matter when ...
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The dining room is small and intimate in this BYOB spot. We had a reservation for 6 pm on a Thursday evening. When we arrived there was already a large table of 10-12 VERY LOUD patrons who were literally shouting so loud that my head started to ache and I asked to be moved across the room. These folks had not yet ordered so were with us for the entire unpleasant meal. Others were also obviously annoyed by the noise, but the staff did nothing and the problem did not abate. I might expect such a group at 9 or 10 pm in a table in a bar, but at 6 pm in a BYOB on a weeknight, I expect to be able to hear my dining partner."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2012
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Review 28 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Desserts were phenomenal.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Desserts were phenomenal. Everything was great but the desserts were ridiculous."
Dined on 01/25/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 29 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent food and service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent food and service was on point."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 30 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Small BYOB, every table full
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Small BYOB, every table full on a Saturday evening. A little noisy,but very good food and attentive staff."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2005
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Review 31 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Very noisy, but the food was
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Very noisy, but the food was delicious ."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2012
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Review 32 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
BYOB, very tasty dishes. We
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"BYOB, very tasty dishes. We came for Ambler Restaurant Week, and I would definitely go back. Small venue, good sized parking lot."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 33 for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food and service were
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food and service were very good. The restaurant is rather small and can be quite loud, but I did not find that to be a bad thing, it made for a sort of charming ambiance that fit the style of the place."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Trax Restaurant & Cafe
Based on the average of (60) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
4 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic