table with various curries and a large bowl of white rice from Simran Indian Cuisine

Review: Simran Indian Cuisine – Kutztown

exterior of Simran Indian Cuisine in Kutztown

Kutztown has an abundance of restaurants to its credit. But as a college town, most of them are either pizza places, sandwich shops or bars. 

There aren’t many true sit-down options in town, but there are a few, including Simran Indian Cuisine.

table with a #1 in the center and two place settings with napkins folded into the shape of crowns

Simran opened in spring 2024, taking over a spot on Main Street that had been vacant since Spuds closed in 2019. 

Earlier this year – February 2026 – I was spending the day with my coworking colleagues at Ktown Hall when we decided to venture out for lunch at Simran. 

mural inside Simran Indian Cuisine featuring a woman in a red sari tending to a cooking pot

The restaurant features maroon and tan banquets with wooden tables and reddish high-backed chairs. Napkins on the tables were folded up into crowns. Lanterns hung from overhead, and murals of women wearing saris as they cooked and spun thread graced the walls on either side of the room. 

It’s not upscale to the point of fine dining, but it’s a tasteful and inviting dining room. 

table with various curries and a large bowl of white rice from Simran Indian Cuisine

Our server was by quickly, but with a group of eight, we knew we would have a little wait for the food. Still, we had our drinks in short order and all of our food was on the table less than 30 minutes after we sat down. 

bowl with a lentil and tomato stew

I ordered the dal makhani from the vegetarian menu. It featured lentils cooked in a sauce with butter, onions, garlic, ginger and tomatoes – the latter giving the sauce its distinct red hue. 

plate with a lentil stew over rice next to a cut piece of naan bread

The lentils were tender, and the sauce was flavorful, bringing in the earthy notes of the spices. It was not short on onions, which I love. It wasn’t quite a tikka masala sauce, but it was rich and delicious – a dish that even non-vegetarians would enjoy. 

I didn’t need the naan that I ordered, but I was happy to eat it. The naan was thin and bubbly. I enjoyed it on its own and used it to scoop up the remaining sauce and rice from my plate. 

square white bowl half filled with rice pudding

At the end of our meal, we shared a few orders of rice pudding. It was sweet and satisfying. I wish I would have had a full order, but I’ll save that for next time.

I had ordered takeout from Siman previously, most recently a year ago when I picked up an order of malaik kofta. 

plate of rice topped with vegetable balls in a cream sauce

This was something that I had not seen on menus at other Indian restaurants. Among the vegetarian options, it featured falafel-like vegetable balls in a nutty cream sauce. I found it to be very good – the sauce was creamy and the vegetable balls were a hearty substitute for meat. It was another unique item that I couldn’t remember seeing on other local menus. 

Most entrees are priced between $15-$20 with portions large enough to spread over two meals, especially if you’re adding on a side of naan or an appetizer.

Simran is a great addition to the diversity of Kutztown restaurants. Not only are they serving a cuisine that couldn’t be found in the area before, but it’s a full-service, sit-down restaurant in a town that could use one or two more. 

Oh, and the food is totally worth it. 

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Ambiance: Very Good
Service: Very Good
Price: $$

Simran Indian Cuisine
163 W. Main Street
Kutztown, PA 19530

Indian Reviews
plate with half a grilled cheese panini and a cup of tomato soup

Review: Crave Cafe – Sinking Spring

exterior of a strip mall retaurant with a small yellow oval sign above the awning reading "Crave Cafe"

A good lunch spot has to have four things: good food, quick service, reasonable prices, and a cool vibe. 

Crave Cafe in Sinking Spring continues to check all the boxes. 

Though the cafe got a new owner in late 2024, the cafe is still delivering in all the areas that have made it a favorite over the last decade. 

order counter at Crave Cafe in Sinking Spring, PA

We first visited Crave in 2015, and with Julie working just five minutes away, we have visited many times since. 

Our most recent visit came in January 2026. We arrived for an early lunch – around 11 a.m. before the rush was in full force and still found only a couple open tables (they were a lot more scarce by noon). The fireplace is still the focal point of the main dining room, but a second dining area provides more seating in the room behind it. 

coffee urns on a table in front of a large stone fireplace at Crave Cafe in Sinking Spring, PA

We got in line and were quickly called over to a second station to place our order before taking our number back to a table for two along the wall. 

The temperature in the room tends to run a little cold, and I was quickly reminded of it as we sat waiting, but it didn’t take long for our food to arrive and I was no longer thinking about anything except lunch. 

chicken panini on a plate with chips

I always have a hard time choosing between their paninis and flatbreads, but on this visit I opted for a panini – The Dunk. The sandwich comes with chicken breast, tomatoes, mozzarella, pesto aioli and balsamic glaze. 

At it’s core, it’s a Caprese salad with the balsamic, mozzarella and tomato all working together to create a familiar flavor profile. But the pesto aioli adds nuttiness and earthiness to the dish while the chicken makes it heartier and more filling. It’s relatively simple but very satisfying. 

plate with half a grilled cheese panini and a cup of tomato soup

For her meal, Julie did a soup and sandwich combo with a hearty tomato soup and a grilled cheese with the addition of bacon. Julie loves bacon and it gives the grilled cheese an added crunch and savory notes. 

two coffee mugs - one with a US Air Force emblem and one with blue and white print - on a wooden table

Both meals are between $12-15, but Julie got a matcha and I got a hot chai. Both came served in mugs from the cafe’s eclectic collection – mine a stubby US Air Force mug, hers a tall blue and white. The chai is a typical sweet style tea latte that has little resemblance to a true chai but is no less enjoyable. The matcha had the distinct green color and sweet-yet-earthy flavor to it that was a perfect go-with. 

Lunch for two typically costs around $30, but we were around $35 for this one with our drinks. Sure, you can find places where we can eat for closer to $20, but it’s more than just the price – it’s the combination of everything. The price is fair, the food is good, the service is on-point, and Crave continues to be one of the coolest lunch spots around. 

And we’ll keep coming back. 

BCE Rating
Food: Good
Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Very Good
Price: $$

Crave Cafe
4600 Penn Avenue
Sinking Spring, PA 19608

More Cafes & Coffee Shops in Berks County

Original Review: November 8, 2015

crave-cafe-counter

There is always a buzz around a new restaurant when it opens. The trick, however, is keeping the buzz going weeks and months after the opening.

We have seen a lot of new restaurants open in Berks County in the past few years, but none have been able to sustain the buzz quite like Sinking Spring’s Crave Cafe.

Crave Cafe opened at Green Valley Nursery in November 2024, in the strip of stores off Route 422 behind the Charlotte Shoppe. It’s nearly invisible from the road, but that doesn’t stop the dining room from filling up every day at lunch.

The ambiance is truly unique. In fact, every table is unique. Each one has its own set of chairs, different styles, different colors and different sizes.

crave-cafe-fireplace

A pair of parlor chairs sit in front of a large stone fireplace. Highly sought-after, they are, at the same time, the most appropriate and most out-of-place chairs in the cafe.

Orders are placed at the counter where the cashier is set up with an iPad that’s connected to a cash drawer and credit card machine. We took our number and retreated to our little table for two (we made sure to save one before ordering, just in case).

It wasn’t long before our drinks arrived. Normally I don’t spend the money (or the calories) for a drink, but being at a cafe, I felt obligated.

crave-cafe-frozen-hot-chocolate-and-mango-smoothie

But instead of coffee or tea, Julie and I both went for frozen: a mango smoothie for me and a frozen hot chocolate for her.

Mine was good, but I was a little disappointed to see the syrup flavor going in when I was hoping for fresh fruit. Julie’s frozen hot chocolate did not disappoint, however. She happily slurped it down and was nearly finished by the time that our food arrived.

Both of us opted for the soup and sandwich combo. For me, it was a bowl of chili and an Italian chicken panini.

crave-cafe-chili

The chili thickened as the shredded cheese on top started melting. It had a good balance of flavors: not too spicy, a little sweet and plenty meaty. A bowl of it with some bread would probably make a nice meal on its own.

crave-cafe-italian-chicken-pannini

My sandwich was excellent. The Italian chicken came with grilled chicken breast, spinach, sun-dried tomato, mozzarella and basil pesto aioli.

Chicken and spinach poked out the sides of the sandwich along with the mozzarella that melted mozzarella that was oozing onto the plate.

The meat wasn’t the most flavorful I have had, but it didn’t need to be with the strong flavors it was paired with. I love pesto anything, especially when paired with sun-dried tomatoes. The mozzarella did well to keep everything together and hold most of the sandwich inside the grilled pita.

crave-cafe-soup-and-sandwich

Julie’s chicken and basil soup was the soup of the day for our visit. With little pastas and chunks of tomato, it looked like a pasta e fagioli, but there were no beans. Instead, the brothy soup was lighter with the basil providing light notes to go with the chunky ingredients.

For her sandwich, Julie went with the turkey bacon avocado. Turkey doesn’t have a lot of flavor to start which allowed the bacon, tomatoes and chipotle aioli to shine through. Likewise, the avocado took a back seat to the stronger flavors it was paired with. Overall, everything blended well together for a hearty and filling sandwich.

The soup and half-sandwich combos are very reasonably priced, but with the addition of our frozen drinks, our total came out much higher than it normally would for lunch at about $25.

Crave Cafe continues to generate buzz more than a year after it first opened. The relaxed atmosphere helps set it apart from other go-to lunch spots in the Sinking Spring area.

But it’s the food that keeps filling the tables at lunchtime.

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Service: Good
Ambiance: Excellent
Price: Reasonable

Crave Cafe
4600 Penn Ave
Sinking Spring, PA 19608

Cafes & Coffeeshops Lunch & Dinner Reviews
a rice bowl topped with marinated beef and pickled ginger

Review: West Brew Izakaya – West Reading

exterior of a building with picture windows on either side of the front door - one of the windows is painted with anime characters

When you visit West Reading, most don’t venture far from the avenue. In 2022, Takkii Ramen bucked the trend, opening in a space a block away on Reading Avenue. Despite being away from the crowds, Takkii stuck around and ultimately expanded. 

In 2025, the restaurant made the move to the Avenue, opening in the former Broken Chair Brewery. Not only did they take over the location, they also took over brewing. With the expanded concept came a name change to West Brew Izakaya. West for West Reading, Brew for the brewery and Izakaya for a style of Japanese pub.

restaurant interior with brick walls and a tv playing Pokemon anime

The new West Brew opened in September 2025. Julie and I made a lunch date to get our first visit a few months later in February 2026. 

Not being a drinker, I never made it into Broken Chair before they closed in 2024. My only reference points are photos of the previous business. The core components of Broken Chair are still visible: exposed brick walls and a bar fronted with corrugated steel. 

rectangular bar with lights above - one row is yellow globes the other is red, blue and green boxes in the style of paper lanterns

But West Brew has added some unique flairs. Lights in the form of paper lanterns – yellow globes beneath a row of box lights in red, blue and green – hang above the bar. On the walls, the flatscreen TVs play anime favorites Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z. 

Much of Takkii’s menu has been brought over to the new spot. Ramen and rice dishes make up most of the menu. While I like ramen, I gravitate to the rice bowls, and on this trip I ordered the sukiyaki beef don. 

a rice bowl topped with marinated beef and pickled ginger

The bowl came with white rice, marinated beef, scallions and pickled ginger. The marinated beef had a very good flavor on its own, deeper than a standard soy or teriyaki sauce – but the tanginess of the pickled ginger is what sets it apart in my book. It made for a delicious lunch, though I would have been satisfied with a smaller portion. 

Triangle-shaped dumplings on a bed of greens with a small bit of teriyaki sauce with scallions for dipping

At lunchtime, West Brew runs a special combo of an entree, appetizer and drink so we decided to share an appetizer of chicken gyoza – Japanese-style dumplings with soy dipping sauce. They were a very good start to the meal with the soy sauce giving a bright pop to each bite. 

two tall cups filled with milk tea and boba pearls

In addition to the beers, West Brew is also serving boba drinks from their other business, Winnie Tea Bar. I ordered my favorite – brown sugar milk tea – to accompany my lunch.  

Julie got a taro milk tea, which is her favorite boba drink. Taro is a purple cousin of the potato with a slightly sweet profile. I don’t know how much of the real vegetable is involved in creating the boba, but it makes for a good drink. 

bowl filled with broth, noodles, corn, beansprouts, bamboo shoots, scallions and a marinated grilled chicken breast

For her entree, Julie ordered the teriyaki chicken ramen. The bowl was filled with a pork-based broth with noodles, bamboo shoots, beansprouts, corn, and scallions. On top with a grilled chicken breast marinated in a teriyaki glaze. 

It was a delicious meal. As she ate it, Julie decided she liked the heartiness of the broth more than the lighter pho we had a few weeks before at Saigon Banh Mi (though that meal was still very good). The chicken was nice and flavorful with sweet and salty notes from the glaze. But it was too much to finish, especially at lunch. 

brick wall with a mountain design in wood and a long high-top bar for eating

Overall, it was a great meal. Service was a little slow on the day as the restaurant was full at the lunchtime rush, but our server was attentive (and had great recommendations for the flavor of bubbles to match our tea). But we were still done in a little more than an hour.

Our total bill came in between $50-$60 which was expensive for lunch, but we were also enjoying dinner-sized portions and splurging on boba. 

And we really did enjoy our meal and our time at West Brew, and we will be sure to be back. 

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Service: Good
Ambiance: Very Good
Price: $$

West Brew Izakaya
424 Penn Avenue
West Reading, PA 19611

Asian & Pacific Islands Lunch & Dinner Reviews
wicker chairs set up around round tables with teal tops

Review: Sweetie’s Back Porch Cafe – Oley

wall graphic for Sweetie's Back Porch Cafe with a graphic of a teal-colored VW bus

There have always been plenty of places to eat along Route 73 between Fleetwood and Boyertown. But the one thing that’s been lacking is a good coffee shop. 

That changed with the opening of Sweetie’s Back Porch Cafe in the fall of 2025.

White door against a building with green vertical siding and a small sandwich board next to the entrance

Sweetie’s Back Porch Cafe lives up to its name, with a location “out back” behind Bella Italia Pizza, Hometown Dental, and Clear Flow Water Solutions. The cafe has an unassuming entrance – a simple white door against the green warehouse-like facade. 

wicker chairs set up around round tables with teal tops

But walking inside, everything changes. The narrow stairway opens into a more spacious dining room with wicker-back chairs at round tables. Tall-backed wicker seats with tan cushions are along the wall. 

two leather coaches in a corner of a room with one peach wall, one white wall, and two kidney-shaped coffee tables in the center

A second room offers more casual seating with a pair of couches and two kidney-shaped coffee tables. 

a look at the order counter at Sweetie's Back Porch Cafe in Oley, PA

On my first trip, I grabbed a corner spot along the wall and set up with my laptop. I arrived around 8 a.m. The restaurant wasn’t empty, but there was still plenty of seating available. 

I ordered a breakfast croissant and a hot chai latte. 

brown mug filled with chai dusted with cinnamon

It didn’t take long for my chai to arrive. Served in a large brown mug, it was sprinkled with cinnamon. It had a pleasant spice to it, warming on a cool winter’s day, though I would gladly drink it anytime. 

brown plate with a croissant stuffed with cheese and sausage

The croissant arrived five minutes later. It was halved with sausage inside and cheese melting out of it. I’m usually not one to order a breakfast sandwich, but Sweetie’s has a fairly limited menu, especially for breakfast. The breakfast sandwich – with choice of meat and either a croissant or bagel – is the only real option outside of toasts. 

But I found the breakfast sandwich to be enjoyable, especially the buttery, slightly sweet croissant. And the sausage was the right choice for the meat. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was good food done right. 

bowl filled with brown rice topped with sliced beets and sweet potato, feta cheese, and mango

When I came back in late February, it was for lunch and their namesake Back Porch Bowl. The dish starts with a base of rice that’s topped with sliced beets and sweet potatoes, mango and feta cheese. 

Beets are not high on my list of favorite foods, but the combination of the slightly bitter vegetable with the sweet mango was very good. Add on the creamy, tangy feta and it was a surprisingly complex, but delicious dish, one that I would gladly order again. 

takeout coffee cup with a cardboard sleeve imprinted with the logo for Sweetie's Back Porch Cafe

Instead of a chai, I ordered a blueberry matcha, one of three blueberry drinks Sweetie’s was offering to support one of the local school clubs. The blueberry syrup was made in-house and was excellent. And with sweet cold foam on top, it was a great indulgence. 

My first visit totaled around $12 while my second was closer to $20, but I felt like it was still a good value for my money. 

And others must agree because the cafe was much busier this time with people eating in and orders coming over the phone consistently while I was there. 

It’s great to see it, too, especially in a part of the county that needed a place like Sweetie’s. 

BCE Rating
Food: Good
Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Very Good
Price: $$

Sweetie’s Back Porch Cafe
1064 Memorial Highway
Oley, PA 19547

More Cafes & Coffee Shops in Berks County

More Restaurants Near Oley, PA

Breakfast & Brunch Cafes & Coffeeshops Reviews
order counter at Carlo's Italian Restaurant in Wyomissing, PA

Review: Carlo’s Italian Restaurant – Wyomissing

awning over a building with the word "carlo's" in an oval in the center and the words "Italian" on the left and "restaurant" on the right

You would think after living in Wyomissing for 15 years that Julie and I would have tried everything our hometown has to offer. But there are a few spots that, for whatever reason, we haven’t visited. 

We can now cross Carlo’s Italian Restaurant off that list. 

The restaurant opened a decade ago, taking over the space at 1147 Penn Avenue. Before that, the location was home to Fausto’s, one of our favorite sandwich shops at the time. 

diner-style tables and chairs on a brown checkered floorboard in a dining room with skills games lining the wall on the right

Carlo’s has one of the more awkward storefronts in the region. There is off-street parking in front of the building, but it’s extremely limited – four spaces, at best, on the driveway that goes in front of the restaurant and the adjacent hair salon. And you have to park nose-to-tail so there’s a chance you’ll have to back out onto Penn Avenue if you’re the tail-end car. 

But we were fortunate to pull to the front when we picked up our takeout order. There was one table where a person sat enjoying their dinner while the remaining tables were open. 

order counter at Carlo's Italian Restaurant in Wyomissing, PA

The dining room is small – takeout and delivery obviously being the main business for the small pizza and sub shop. 

Everything was ready to go when we got there so we were in and out in no time, pulling out of the driveway as someone else pulled in to take our space at the front. 

meatball sandwich with cheese on a hard roll cut in half to show the meatballs inside

For my meal, I ordered a meatball Parmesan sandwich. The meatballs were on the smaller side so they fit well into the hard roll. The sauce was a little on the sweet side, otherwise it was good but nothing remarkable.

white paper bag filled with French fries with skins on the tips

I had a handful of fries with mine as we split an order among the four of us. The fries were skin-on, fresh-cut style when I was expecting more of a fast food fry. I thought they were very good and with the size of the sandwich, I didn’t need many of them to fill me up. 

Italian sandwich on a wrap, cut in half, in a clamshell package with a handful of chips

Julie decided for something simple – a hoagie wrap – which came with a side of chips. (Fries were available for a $1 upcharge). She enjoyed it, getting the essence of the Italian sandwich with the lighter wrap instead of a roll. And she set her chips aside for later so she could enjoy some fries with us. 

Originally, I was going to order slices for the boys, but it was more cost-effective to buy a medium pizza and keep the leftovers. 

round pizza with half cheese and half pepperoni from Carlo's in Wyomissing

We got it with half cheese (for Lukas) and half pepperoni (for Jakob). The pizza was good, though there wasn’t anything special about it. The crust wasn’t too thick or thin, and neither the sauce nor cheese really stood out. But the boys were happy, and that was the most important thing. 

We spent about $45 for our meal – about $10 each for Julie’s wrap and my sandwich, just under $15 for the pizza, and then $5 for the fries. (Plus tax). Slices would have been close to $4 each so a six-slice medium pizza was the right call. 

And while Mama’s will probably remain our go-to, I would order from Carlo’s again, whether for pizza or sandwiches. It may not have been fancy, but it was solid and exactly what we were looking for. 

BCE Rating
Food: Good
Ambiance: Fair
Service: Very Good
Price: $

Carlo’s Italian Restaurant
1147 Penn Avenue
Wyomissing, PA 19610

Pizzerias Reviews Sandwich Shops Takeout
white oval plate loaded with a breakfast hash topped with creamed chipped beef and an over easy egg

Review: Selena’s Diner – Kutztown

small building with tan siding and a maroon awning

They say that when one door closes, another door opens. Late in 2025, it was announced that Letterman’s Diner in Kutztown would be closing after a nearly 30-year run. 

Letterman’s closed in January 2026, but the doors didn’t remain closed for long as a former employee reopened the space as Selena’s Diner in early February. I decided to make my first visit just a week later.

cramped diner with a row of two-seat tables by windows on the left and a narrow gap to a row of 10 people sitting on stools at a counter

It was a familiar feeling walking into the diner, the smallest full-service restaurant in Berks County with a cozy 23 seats – more than half of them stools at the 100-year-old counter. The rest are tables for two that have been shoe-horned in along the opposite wall, leaving just a narrow walkway for servers and customers to navigate. 

faint floral stencil on an antique wood ceiling

Though the original exterior is covered in drab vinyl siding, some of the century-old charm is revealed inside. It’s most notable in the narrow wooden slats that make up the ceiling and the faded floral design that’s painted or stenciled at the seams.

The counter was nearly full when I arrived around 8:30 for a late breakfast. Instead, I grabbed a seat at the first table inside the door. 

tri-fold menu with the outside thirds in white and the middle third in tan with breakfast items and prices

Menus were on the table already so I took a look as I waited for my server to make her way around the counter to the table. Many of the items are carryovers from Letterman’s menu – I recognized names like the “He-Man” and the “scattered and smothered.” 

I ordered the “trainwreck mix,” a heaping pile of breakfast meats (bacon, sausage and ham), cheese and potatoes topped with cream chipped beef and an over-easy egg.

white oval plate loaded with a breakfast hash topped with creamed chipped beef and an over easy egg

Sure, it may have looked like a bit of trainwreck, but it certainly didn’t taste like one. With so many ingredients, it was impossible to get everything in one bite so every taste was a little bit different. One bite might have had egg and potato, another had bacon, chipped beef and ham. 

My favorite bites were the ones with ham. The thick-cut ham steak was deeper in flavor than the other meats and enhanced the dish without overpowering it. The creamed chipped beef was also good, exactly the right consistency and flavor I look for at a diner. 

It wasn’t fancy, but it was good. And like Letterman’s before, the portions are incredible. I did my best, but had to leave a little behind. (Unfortunately, a meal like this isn’t one that’s going to heat up well).

small round white plate with two slices of toast cut in half down the middle

And, not that I needed it, but the meal also came with two slices of toast which actually made for a good palate cleanser. 

I was in and out in about 40 minutes. It’s not fast food, but they work fast and even if all 23 seats are filled, one will open up quickly. 

counter seating at a diner with black stools and a blue tile backdrop on the counter

Also, I came prepared with cash but was pleasantly surprised to find that Selena’s accepts credit cards. Cash is still preferred with a lower price for cash than credit. My $15 would have been another dollar higher had I used a card. 

Cash or credit, Selena’s Diner delivers the great value that you expect from a classic diner with quick service, oversized portions and good comfort food. 

BCE Rating
Food: Good
Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Good
Price: $

Selena’s Diner
242 W. Main Street
Kutztown, PA 19530

Breakfast & Brunch Diners Reviews
bowl filled with broth, pieces of meat, bamboo shoots, and a spring of basil from Saigon Banh Mi

Review: Saigon Banh Mi – Exeter Township

strip mall restaurant space with a white overhang with red letters reading "Saigon Banh Mi"

Berks County may not have an abundance of Vietnamese restaurants, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. We’ve enjoyed delicious meals at Lang Restaurant in Reading and Vietnamese Delights at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market. 

And we can now add Saigon Banh Mi to that list. 

wall covered in oversized black and white photos for Vietnam

Saigon Banh Mi opened in late fall of 2025 in the Shelbourne Square Shopping Center in Exeter Township. Giovanna’s Pizza is two doors down while Best China Chef sits at the opposite end of the strip. 

Julie and I made our first visit in early February 2026, arriving around 5 for an early dinner on a Saturday. We had our choice of table from the surprisingly spacious dining room. 

man wearing a winter hat and a heavy blue coat standing next to a large lighted standup in the shape of a drink cup with boba on top

The strip mall space has been given plenty of decorative touches. On one side of the front door, small red decorations hang from a pink tree. On the opposite side, a human-sized cup of boba tea is the perfect selfie stand. 

The long wall lined with booths features black and white images of Vietnam while the back wall features the Saigon Banh Mi logo surrounded by three LED streaming lights on either side. 

restaurant dining room full of tables, each one with a red balloon

While we dined in, others came in and out for takeout and DoorDash deliveries at the counter in front of the partially-open kitchen. 

The menu features banh mi, Vietnamese hoagies, along with a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes like broken rice, pho and vermicelli. 

bowl filled with broth, pieces of meat, bamboo shoots, and a spring of basil from Saigon Banh Mi

On a frigid evening, Julie decided to warm herself from the inside with the filet mignon pho. 

The bowl came filled with broth, rice noodles and beef – also scallions, cilantro and onion – with a side plate of bean sprouts, basil and jalapeno. (Julie skipped the jalapeno).

It was a hearty dish with plenty of noodles and beef. Julie alternated between chopsticks and a spoon as she worked through the dish, enjoying both the meat and the veggies. The broth, itself, had a nice flavor. Everything hit the spot. 

plate with grilled chicken brushed in honey with whtie rice and pickled carrots and daikon

I was in the mood for a rice dinner so I ordered a broken rice platter with grilled honey chicken. 

The chicken was simple, but good. It had the right amount of sweetness to it without being drenched in a sauce. The broken rice – with its tiny, broken pieces – helped to soak up the flavor. The scallions were a cute touch but didn’t add much in terms of flavor. 

I wasn’t expecting much from the pickled carrots and daikon on the plate. But while the cucumber and tomato were basically just garnish, there was actually a nice sweet and sour play happening with the pickled veggies that I enjoyed. 

purple drink in a plastic cup with a sticker showing a woman with black hair and the words "Saigon Banh Mi"

Along with my meal, I couldn’t help myself from indulging in milk tea. I got the taro which has the distinct purple color of the root sweet root vegetable. I love my boba, and this did not disappoint. 

Not only was the food good, but it was fast. We were done with our meals 30 minutes after we sat down. Because they weren’t in a rush to turn our table around, we hung out a little longer before paying our $41 bill and heading back out into the cold, warm, full and satisfied after a very good meal at Saigon Banh Mi. 

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Ambiance: Very Good
Service: Good
Price: $$

Saigon Banh Mi
5464 Perkiomen Avenue
Reading, PA 19606

Asian & Pacific Islands Reviews
burger topped with slices of roast beef next to a cup of French fries and a small container of au jus for dipping

Review: That Burger Place at Shillington Farmers Market

hamburger-shpaed logo for That Burger Place next to a blackboard menu for loaded fries

Over the years, the Shillington Farmers Market has been home to some of our favorite spots. Brocmar Smokehouse and Matt’s Chicken were favorites before they closed while Eve’s Thai Kitchen remains one of our go-tos. 

And now, I can add That Burger Place to the list of great offerings at the market. 

That Burger Place opened in late 2023 as Shillington Burgers and More in the former Matt’s Chicken stand. It became That Burger Place in early 2024, and last year, the business moved to a larger stand at the north end of the market.

five blackboards stacked three over two with menu items written for That Burger Place at the Shillington Farmers Market

I visited for the first time in early January. The stand was hopping at lunchtime with a line of people waiting for their food and another two people in line in front of me waiting to order. 

The menu is written out on blackboards on the front of the stand. It starts with cheeseburger combos – quarter-pound burgers with fries and a drink for $8. Other options include grilled chicken, pulled pork and chopped cheese. 

Normally, I would have started with the basics but not knowing when I’d make it back, I couldn’t pass on the January burger of the month: the French dip burger. 

burger topped with slices of roast beef next to a cup of French fries and a small container of au jus for dipping

Roast beef and Cooper sharp cheese topped the burger which came with a side cup of au jus for dipping. After about a 15-minute wait (all burgers are made to order), I got my food and headed to the upstairs seating area. 

To say I was impressed would be an understatement. The burger, itself, was delicious: perfectly cooked and flavorful on its own. The roast beef on top was also flavorful and the Cooper sharp was a great choice for the cheese – melty, but not overpowering in flavor. That Burger Place couldn’t have made a better first impression. 

The fries were also good. Though they weren’t anything particularly special, they were hot, golden yellow, and perfectly satisfying while allowing the burger to be the rightful star. 

food wrapper opened with a burger topped with lettuce, tomato and onion next to a pile of golden yellow fries.

I enjoyed the meal so much that I had to go back for another taste. This time, it was a simpler burger. 

The standard toppings are cheese, mustard, ketchup and pickles. I prefer the classic lettuce, tomato and onion so I passed on those toppings and spent the extra dollar for the veggies while also adding some BBQ sauce. It was about a 10-minute wait while they made everything fresh, then I made the short drive home rather than eating at the market. 

Everything traveled very well. The burger was excellent again with the patty showing a nice caramelization as it hung out the sides of the bun. It was good from the first bite to the last. The fries also held up well on the trip home and remained crispy. 

The prices are excellent, too. The French dip special was $13 for the combo while my custom burger combo was still less than $10. Two meals for less than $25 is a great bargain, but the best part is that That Burger Place doesn’t sacrifice quality for those prices. These are some of the best burgers in Berks at half the price of a sit-down restaurant. 

I know I’ll be paying more attention to their monthly burger specials, looking for an excuse to return. Not that I need one, the burgers at That Burger Place are just that good. 

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Service: Excellent
Ambiance: Good
Price: $

That Burger Place
Shillington Farmers Market
10 S. Summit Avenue
Shillington, PA 19607

More Restaurants in Shillington, PA

Farmers Market Meals Lunch & Dinner Reviews
Dark wooden tables with gray chairs inside Doc & Bubba's in Mohnton, PA

Restaurants Open Easter in Berks County 2026

If you are looking to skip the cooking this Easter Sunday, there are plenty of Berks County restaurants open on Easter this year. Check out our list below (we will continue to update it as plans are announced). 

Note: we are not tracking whether restaurants have reservations remaining. Be sure to check with the restaurant for availability and make reservations early. 

dining room full of tables for four with a large mural of a tree on the far wall

Annamarie’s on Main
Birdsboro

Easter brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Annamarie’s on Main. Ham, roast turkey, strip steak, French toast, pancakes and omelettes are among the highlights on the buffet. The cost is $39.99 for adults, $14.99 for kids 14 and under.

castle-like building lit by three lights at the top in a nighttime scene

Folino Estate Winery
Kutztown

Folino Estate will host an Easter Sunday brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The buffet includes a carving station with roast pork loin and roast beef, addition entrees like ham and salmon, wood-fired pizza and pasta. The cost is $65 for adults and $25 for children ages 3-12.

A white brick wall painted with a yellow fork and the words "Fork & Ale"

Fork & Ale
Douglassville

A four-course brunch is on the Easter menu at Fork & Ale. The cost is $38 per person and includes one item in each course. Entree options include pan-seared salmon and lemon ricotta pancakes. All meals start with bread for the table and include an appetizer and dessert. The restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The exterior of Grind Restaurant, Boyertown, at twilight

Grind
Boyertown

The Easter brunch buffet at Grind runs from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu features glazed ham, chicken piccata, crispy skin salmon, a made-to-order omelette station and more. The cost is $39 for adults, $18 for children ages 7-12, and $8 for children ages 2-6.

A table for two is set up in a corner room with large picture window and greenery at the Inn at Centre Park

Inn at Centre Park
Reading

The Inn at Centre Park will be hosting an Easter Sunday buffet on April 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The menu and pricing are still to be announced.

Ozgood’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar
Robesonia

Enjoy a set-plate meal at Ozgood’s in Robesonia for your Easter holiday. The restaurant will be seating from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $29 for adults and $17 for kids 10 and under. The menu includes turkey with gravy, honey-glazed ham, a variety of sides, a served salad, and dessert.

flowing fountain on the right foreground with a flagpole and a large-castle like builidng behind it

Reading Country Club
Exeter Township

The Reading Country Club is hosting an Easter buffet with seatings at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. In addition, the Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos and there will be an egg hunt for kids 12 and under at 12:30. Tickets must be purchased in advance. The cost is $69 for adults and $35 for children ages 5-12.

Two tables for four in a resaturant dining room - the tables have black tops with two blue chairs each and a long blue bench shared by the tables.

State Hill Craft Cocktails & Kitchen
Wyomissing

State Hill Craft Cocktails & Kitchen will host an Easter brunch buffet from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 5. For $50 for adults and $30 for children, guests can enjoy a carving station with ham and prime rib plus salmon, penne ala vodka, waffles, omelets, French toast casserole and more.

Photo of a large wooden statue of a knight outside of Stokesay Castle in Reading, PA

Stokesay Castle
Reading

The Stokesay Castle will open the ballroom for Easter Brunch again this year. Reservations are available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The buffet includes a brunch station, pasta station and carving station, along with additional hot entree options like Moroccan chicken and slow-roasted beef brisket. The cost is $52 for adults, $25 for children ages 5-12, and free for children four and younger. 

nighttime view of the Stouch Tavern in Womelsdorf

Stouch Tavern
Womelsdorf

Womelsdorf landmark, the Stouch Tavern, will be open from 12 noon until 4:30 p.m. with an Easter buffet on April 5. The cost is $38.95 for adults and $16.95 for children 10 and under. Buffet options include pineapple glazed ham, turkey in gravy, broiled haddock, assorted sides, and dessert.

exterior shot of a restaurant with a sign out front that reads "Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery"

Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery
Wyomissing

The brunch buffet at Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery gets some holiday additions on Easter Sunday. New York strip steak, salmon, pineapple ham, and pot roast are among the featured items. The buffet is $26.99 for adults and $14.99 for kids ages 4-10. Familes can also do a takeout family-size meal for $33.99 that includes 1.5 pounds of ham (or salmon or pot roast) with a pint each of mashd potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn and sweet potatoes, and a half loaf of bread.

Blackjax American Pub & Grille
Birdsboro

Blackjax is offering an Easter buffet from 12 noon until 5 p.m. in the banquet room and 12 noon to 8 p.m. in the tavern. Honey-glazed ham, crab-stuffed flounder, roasted turkey and smoked mac and cheese are the mains. The cost is $26.95 per person, $13.95 for kids 6-12, and free for children under 6.

Deitsch Eck
Lenhartsville

SOLD OUT The Deitsch Eck will be hosting an all-you-can-eat Easter buffet on Sunday, April 5. Entree options include a mix of traditional American and Pennsylvania Dutch dishes like baked ham, chicken pot pie, and breaded crab cakes. Seatings are available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost for adults is $22.95 while meals are $12.95 for ages 6-10.

The Grille at Bear Creek
Macungie

Bear Creek Mountain Resort will be offering Easter brunch at the Grille from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. New York strip steak, roasted ham and leg of lamb are all on the carving station, and there will be options for both breakfast (frittatas, eggs Benedict and more) and lunch (pork loin, grilled salmon and more. Reservations are required. The cost is $60 for adults, $15 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids ages 5 and under.

Heidelberg Family Restaurant
Robesonia

The Heidelberg will be open and offering an all-you-can-eat family style dinner on Easter. Enjoy ham, turkey, corn, filling and peas – plus a drink, rolls and dessert – for $21.99. (Kids are just $10.99). Full breakfast will also be available all day. Easter dinner is served from 10:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Kempton Hotel
Kempton

The Kempton Hotel will offer a family-style meal on Easter Sunday. The meal includes roast turkey, ham, chicken pot pie, and more. The cost is $25.95 for adults and $16.95 for children age 6-12. (Kids 5 and under are free). Reservations and takeout are available between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Red Plate Diner
Wernersville

Red Plate Diner will be open regular hours on Easter with specials for breakfast as well as lunch and dinner. The diner will also host two egg hunts on the day – ages eight and under at 12 noon and ages nine and up at 1 p.m. Reservations are strongly encouraged, especially for egg hunt participants.

Washington Grille & Pub
Bechtelsville

The Washington Grille & Pub is hosting an Easter buffet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 5. The last seating is at 3 p.m. Prime rib, sliced ham, beef brisket, pulled pork and sausage with peppers and onions are among the entree options. The cost is $34.95 for adults, $14.95 for children, and free for kids 5 and under.

More Restaurants Open on Easter 2026

More Berks County Dining Guides

Dining Guides Holiday Dining Guides
blue leather benches and chairs against black tables and a black wall with yellow herringbone pattern at State Hill Craft Cocktails and Kitchen

Where to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Berks County 2026

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to treat that special someone in your life to a romantic dinner. Berks County’s restaurants are providing the perfect setting for the perfect meal. See our list of Valentine’s Day dinner specials and romantic spots to celebrate this Valentine’s Day:

Valentine’s Dinners

Photo of outdoor sidewalk seating at a restaurant with a sign on the wall that reads "3rd and Spruce Drafthaus"

3rd & Spruce Drafthaus
West Reading

West Reading’s 3rd & Spruce Drafthaus will be offering a three-course, prix fixe Valentine’s menu for $50 per person. Each meal includes one complimentary beer, wine or cocktail.

dining room full of tables for four with a large mural of a tree on the far wall

Annamarie’s on Main
Birdsboro

This year, Annamarie’s on Main is offering a four-course prix fixe menu for $130 per couple. Entree options include surf and turf, seafood risotto and house-made gnocchi.

Antonio’s Trattoria
Boyertown

Antonio’s Trattoria has a four-course meal for $49.99 per person on February 14. Each meal includes an appetizer, salad, entree and dessert. Entree options include salmon risotto, ribeye, fettuccine alfredo, and linguine pescatore. Antonio’s is BYOB.

B2 Bistro
West Reading

For $100 per couple, B2 Bistro is offering a four-course dinner with a complimentary drink. The first course is crab-stuffed shrimp followed by a red beet ravioli salad. For the main course, choose from mint- and honey-grilled lamb, burrata-stuffed ravioli, or a surf and turf with filet and scallops. Finish off the meal with a “butter me up bread pudding creme brulee custard” or Oreo cheesecake

castle-like building lit by three lights at the top in a nighttime scene

Folino Estate Winery
Kutztown

Enjoy award-winning wine in the castle-like winery at Folino Estate. The winery’s Valentine’s Day Dinner for two includes a four-course prix fixe menu with an “opening glass” of wine,” live music, and a mini bouquet for each couple. The cost is $200 and there are three menu options to choose from.

A white brick wall painted with a yellow fork and the words "Fork & Ale"

Fork & Ale
Douglassville

Fork & Ale is offering a four-course tasting dinner on Februarry 14. For $110 per person, guests can choose from starters like smoked duck breast, entrees that include lobster taglioni, and desserts like raspberry fleur de sel brownies. Each meal also includes a cheese and charcuterie board. 

dining room in the Inn on Main featuring dark, modern wooden tables and chairs and a wall hanging of six barrel tops

Inn on Main
Oley

The Inn on Main has a prix fixe Valentine’s Day menu for $85 per person. The four-course meal starts with spinach balls with honey ground mustard followed by soup or salad, entrees that include surf and turf or prime rib, and dessert that includes black forest cake or white chocolate raspberry swirl mousse. The restaurant is taking reservations from 4 to 8 p.m.

sign on a brick building that reads "Jimmie Kramer's Peanut Bar" with an image of an anamorphic peanut

Jimmie Kramer’s Peanut Bar
Reading

The Peanut Bar will be offering a special menu on Valentine’s Day with dinner reservations available between 4 and 8 p.m. Dave Cullen will be performing.

facade of the Reading Country club from the side. A sign next to a turret reads "Jack's on the Green"

Reading Country Club
Exeter Township

The Reading Country Club will offer a special Valentine’s Day menu featuring a prix fixe dinner for two. Meals include a shared appetizer, salads, entrees, and a shared dessert with the price based on the entree choice.

Photo of a large wooden statue of a knight outside of Stokesay Castle in Reading, PA

Stokesay Castle
Reading

Stokesay Castle will open the Lord’s Dining Room for a five-course prix fixe dinner on Valentine’s Day. Seatings are at 5, 6, and 7 p.m. The price is $85 per person.

place setting at the West Reading Motor Club

West Reading Motor Club
West Reading

Enjoy a three-course prix fixe meal at the West Reading Motor Club. Menu options include fried brie and oysters Rockefeller for starters, pan-seared halibut and mussels linguine for entrees, and chocolate-covered strawberry mousse or pistachio cheesecake for dessert. The cost is $50 per person. There is also a surf and turf dinner for two available for $140 per couple.

Uncorkd
West Reading

Uncorkd, West Reading’s wine bar, is offering a $100 Valentine’s Day dinner for two. Entree options for the three-course prix fixe meal including 12-ounce ribeye, seared scallops, or butternut squash risotto. Wine pairings can be added for $15 for one, $30 for two.

Craft 2700 at Freymoyer’s
Muhlenberg Township

Craft 2700 is offering a four-course Valentine’s Dinner for two on Saturday, February 14. Seatings are at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and include coursed wine pairings, rose bouquets, live music, and a photo booth. The cost is $195 per couple.

Trooper Thorn’s
Reading

Guests can enjoy “an evening of romance and delight” at Trooper Thorn’s this Valentine’s Day weekend. The restaurant is offering a three-course meal for $85 per couple. Braised short ribs, pan-seared scallops and a bone-in ribeye for two are the entree options. The special menu is available both February 13 and 14.

Fine Dining Atmosphere

White globe lights fill the ceiling with exposed beams at A Light in the Attic

A Light in the Attic
West Reading

The speakeasy-themed A Light in the Attic offers craft cocktails and food in a truly unique location.

high-back booths in a dining room with high ceilings and modern slim lights hanging above the tables

Cheer’s Bistro at the DoubleTree Reading
Reading

Cheer’s Bistro at the DoubleTree will be offering Valentine’s Day specials on February 13 and 14. On Valentine’s Day, there will be live music in the bar from 5:30 to 7:30 or come out late for the Valentine’s after-party starting at 11 p.m.

The historic dining room of the Green Hills Inn, now Dans at Green Hills

Dans at Green Hills
Flying Hills

Dans is a classic fine dining restaurant: a historic setting complete with a crackling fireplace, traditional American upscale cuisine, and attentive service.

The dining room of Go Fish with exposed brick walls, hardwood floors and Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling.

Go Fish! Seafood Market & Sushi Bar
Sinking Spring

Go Fish will be adding specials to their menu for Valentine’s Day, including shrimp pad Thai, crab cakes, and north Atlantic lobster dip. Or enjoy their signatures sushi and seafood options.

A view of the open kitchen, surrounded by a bar with stools at Judy's on Cherry

Judy’s on Cherry
Reading

Judy’s on Cherry is one of the county’s premier fine dining restaurants. With a combination of historic charm and modern flair, Judy’s provides an unforgettable dining experience.

plate of radiator pasta with sausage and vodka sauce

Mom Chaffe’s Cellarette
West Reading

Incredible Italian is on offer at Mom Chaffe’s Cellarette in West Reading. The restaurant will open an extra day – Sunday, February 15 – to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend.

Saucony Creek Franklin Station Brewpub Interior

Saucony Creek Franklin Station Brewpub
Reading

The historic Franklin Street Station makes a magical backdrop for a romantic dinner. Enjoy elevated dinners like steak frites and Brazilian lobster tails. The restaurant will be reservations-only from 4 to 10 p.m. on Valentine’s Day.

A photo of a room with a stone wall one on side and a long dining table with wooden chairs

Savory Grille
Macungie

A country inn serving modern fine dining cuisine, the Savory Grille has a Macungie address but is on the Berks County side of the county line. It’s worth the drive for those looking for an elevated meal.

blue leather benches and chairs against black tables and a black wall with yellow herringbone pattern at State Hill Craft Cocktails and Kitchen

State Hill Craft Cocktails & Kitchen
Wyomissing

Reservations are open for Valentine’s Day at State Hill Craft Cocktails & Kitchen. The Wyomissing restaurant offers an elevated dining experience in the dining room along with a more relaxing setting on the enclosed patio.

high top tables by a window at Telia Greek in Wyomissing, PA

Telia. Perfect Greek
Wyomissing

For Greek food with a fine dining twist, head to Telia in Wyomissing. The restaurant is open for dinner only from 4:30 to 9 p.m.

The remodeled dining room at Willoughby's on Park

Willoughby’s on Park
Wyomissing

Willoughby’s on Park offers some of the finest steaks in the area, and the warm fireplace and modern interior creates an atmosphere as elegant as the food.

Casual Dining Specials

order counter at Cafe Folino in Wyomissing, PA

Cafe Folino
Wyomissing

Wyomissing’s Cafe Folino has a “Love You Latte” gift set. The $45 gift set includes a latte (hot or iced), flower arrangement, and a scented candle. Preorders are required with the order form open until February 10. Pickups can be scheduled between February 9-14.

Interior of a restaurant with barrels on display over a door at Ganly's Pub

Ganly’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Sinking Spring

Ganly’s will be lowering the lights for candlelit dinners on Valentine’s Day weekend, February 13-15. The full menu will be available along with specials like surf and turf, pan-seared scallops, and lemon caper chicken picatta.

Kempton Hotel
Kempton

The Kempton Hotel has added six special dishes for Valentine’s Day dinner, including a tuna steak; shrimp or chicken alfredo; and crab-stuffed tilapia. Add on a slice of cheesecake or a chocolate lava cake for dessert.

La Familia Mexican Restaurant & Bar
Birdsboro

For a relaxing meal with Mexican flair, La Familia in Birdsboro is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Make a reservation and you’ll receive a free margarita or beer with your meal.

Let’s Taco Bout It
West Reading

Let’s Taco Bout It is offering a Valentine’s takeout special that includes six tacos and a long-stem rose for $30. Preorder by February 12.

Schaylor Brewing Company
Shillington

Schaylor has a special Valentine’s Day menu starting at 4 p.m. on February 14. Oysters, shrimp, steak and lobster tail are among the entree offerings. There will also be live music from 7 to 10 p.m.

Stopper’s Seafood & Steaks
Birdsboro

Stopper’s is taking reservations for February 13 and 14 for parties of all sizes. They are also offering their 28-ounce Big Bob lobster tail – the largest in Berks – for pre-order only.

West Reading Tavern
West Reading

The West Reading Tavern has three menu additions for Valentine’s Day: veal marsala, shrimp alfredo and ginger soy Scottish salmon.

Holiday Dining Guides