Having been blogging now for more than a decade, I can say with certainty that Berks County has grown tremendously in the diversity of its food offerings. It’s almost night and day to compare today to when I started in 2014.
Not every new addition has been a hit, and restaurants continue to come and go. But one restaurant we hope sticks around is Zaytoon Kebab and Grill.
Zaytoon opened in spring 2025 in the former Zoup!, in the strip mall known as the Shoppes at Wyomissing. It’s a halal grill, one of the few halal spots in the area (Aladdin in West Reading and Sajal in Kutztown being two other notable ones).
The restaurant is cozy with green-tinted booth seats lining one of the walls – half of them built for four, and the other half built for two – with tables dotting the open space surrounding the order counter. A soccer match can usually be found on the lone TV in the corner.
Zaytoon’s menu is highly focused and rooted in Middle Eastern cooking. That means beef, chicken, lamb and falafel as the stars of the dishes. On my first visit, shortly after they opened in the spring, I decided to try their lamb platter.
It came served in a compartmentalized takeout container with the lamb meat over a bed of rice, topped with white sauce. A small salad and two pieces of pita filled the other two spaces.
The lamb was absolutely one of the best things that I have had. It was so tender and juicy, almost melt-in-your-mouth. And the white sauce was perfect. It’s tzatziki-like in consistency, but I feel it has a more subtle flavor than most similar sauces. It really was there to enhance rather than overpower.
About a week after my own visit, Julie stopped in with one of her coworkers. She ordered the exact same meal as I did. She also gave it a rave review.
It was so good that on my second visit, I once again got lamb. But this time, I got it in a gyro.
The gyro was over-stuffed with meat and veggies (tomato, cucumber, shredded lettuce, and onion). Like the platter, everything was smothered in that white sauce.
And again, the flavors were excellent. Even the few bites where I didn’t have the sauce – just meat and pita – were very good and highlighted just how flavorful the lamb is.
My only regret with the trip was that I had ordered a side of fries that I quickly realized I didn’t need. The fries were fine, nothing special, but I didn’t need them anyway because the gyro was so filling on its own.
Back on my first visit, I also tried their pink chai. As a lover of chai, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try this unique variation.
It was strong, definitely real tea and not made from a powder or syrup that some coffee shops use. It had spice to it, not as easy to sip as the more Americanized lattes that are more sugar than spice, but I enjoyed it and would get it again if I needed a pick-me-up with my lunch or dinner.
In addition to serving delicious food, Zaytoon has good prices. Meals are priced under $15, and with it being a quick counter-service spot, it’s a great place for a quick lunch or a no-fuss dinner.
The lamb will definitely keep me coming back. Maybe I’ll eventually try something else on the menu. But even if I just get the same thing every time, I’m glad to have it here in Berks.
BCE Rating Food: Very Good Service: Very Good Ambiance: Very Good Price: $$
Zaytoon Kabob & Grill 760 Woodland Road Wyomissing, PA 19610
When I was in college at Kutztown University – which feels like a lifetime ago – my favorite restaurant, hands down, was Spuds.
My roommates and I absolutely loved their oversized, creative burgers and the delicious shoestring fries. And when I started Berks County Eats, it was one of my earliest reviews.
Sadly, Spuds no longer has their downtown outpost. (That’s a joy that today’s KU students won’t get to experience). A fire in 2019 shuttered the restaurant, but those burgers and fries that I loved so much back then can still be found around Berks County. You just have to look for the Spuds food truck.
(You can read our original review of the restaurant below).
We’ve found them at various stops throughout the region, including events like the Taste of Hamburg-er Festival and Art on the Avenue in West Reading.
But Spuds also has some semi-regular locations in and around Kutztown, including pop-ups at the Kutztown Fire Company.
That’s where I found them on a late spring afternoon.
The truck is rather plain – painted white with the Spuds logo, a cartoon potato in a cowboy hat holding a burger in one hand and fries in the other, gracing the space at the back next to the order window.
While the truck may be bland, the food is anything but. In addition to the “plain” cheeseburger there were three specialty burgers on the menu for the event: the California cheeseburger, the wild mushroom burger, and the chipotle slaw burger. In addition, they were offering a chicken sandwich, pierogies, and fries – regular, loaded, garlic herb, and truffle.
I opted for the chipotle slaw burger and a side of regular fries.
The chipotle burger comes topped with a homemade spicy slaw and arugula (I skipped the cheese). The slaw had a good kick to it, a pleasant burn to complement the creaminess. The slightly bitter arugula was there to provide some subtle flavor notes.
But even a plain burger from Spuds is a great offering because the thick patties, probably around half-pound each, are grilled to perfection and are solid on their own. With the addition of the slaw, it’s one of the best burgers around for my money.
And then there are the fries. With the size of the burger, they are a completely unnecessary indulgence. But I will always indulge because they are that good. They’re fresh-cut style and fried to a perfect crisp. I can – and have – eaten them long after I was already full.
I mentioned before about Spuds’ appearances at local events, and we’ve had the the opportunity to check them at out several around Berks County. At a recent Taste of Hamburg-er Festival, we had the wild mushroom burger, which comes topped with mushrooms, melted brie, arugula, and balsamic drizzle.
At home, we often make blended burgers with both chopped mushrooms and ground beef. They don’t come close to this burger which hits the right notes at every turn. The balsamic drizzle has the right balance of sweet and sour, mixing perfectly with the earthy flavors of the brie and mushrooms. All around, an excellent offering.
So too are the fried cheese curds. We had those during Art on the Avenue last year.
Cheese curds are one of our favorite apps, and Spuds’ did not disappoint. The curds were a beautiful golden hue, served with a delicious pepper sauce for dipping.
While I may not be able to walk into a downtown storefront to get my Spuds fix, I’m very glad that they are still around and still serving those same great burgers, fries, and more.
And we’ll keep enjoying them wherever we find them.
BCE Rating Food: Very Good Service: Very Good Price: $$
Editor’s Note: Spuds is now closed. The restaurant suffered a fire in the summer of 2019. Instead of reopening a brick-and-mortar store, Spuds now runs a food truck serving burgers and fries around Berks County.
Berks County is a land of extremes when it comes to food.
On one hand, you have the finest dining establishments, places with white table linens, strict dress codes and suits and ties.
On the other, you have the celebrated greasy spoons, locally renowned holes-in-the-wall serving great food without any of the frills.
There may be no better, or greasier, greasy spoon in Berks County than Spuds in Kutztown.
Spuds doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. There are no fancy decorations on the walls, only the photos of those brave souls who have conquered “The Beast,” the restaurant’s three-pound burger challenge (the current record holder finished it in a very impressive 13 minutes).
The menu, a single piece of paper printed front and back, is headed by the “Assembly Line,” where you build your own burger, hot dog, steak or chicken sandwich from a list of toppings and “over the top-pings” which include corned beef, ham, mozzarella sticks and onion rings.
A handful of salads appeal to those who want to trick themselves into thinking they are eating healthy, though I doubt the cheeseburger salad (which includes, you guessed it, a freshly grilled cheeseburger) or The Mob (topped with ham and pepperoni) have much redeeming nutritional value.
And then there are the famous fries from which Spuds takes its name. The original fries and curly fries are great, but why settle when there are 30 topping options, including Sweet Heat (Cajun seasoning, sweet chili sauce and mozzarella), San Antonio (ground beef, fried onions, cayenne ranch, mozzarella and bacon) and Lonely Hearts (mushrooms, peppers, onions, parmesan pepper sauce and mozzarella).
I decided to splurge on the burger, topping it with barbecue sauce, onions and pulled pork. The quarter-pound burger on its toasted bun would have been plenty filling, but not nearly as much fun. The pulled pork was tender and moist, and it would have made an excellent sandwich on its own. Together, it was a deliciously messy dish that no bun could contain.
Of course no meal at Spuds is complete without fries. The Chesapeake fries, which are tossed in Old Bay and olive oil, are one of the simpler creations available, but sometimes less is more. The thin-cut fries were dripping of oil and doused in seasoning. The cook could have probably held off on the extra salt, but the fries were as good as any that you are going to find.
Taking the opposite approach, my wife went with a simple cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise while loading up on the spuds, literally, with an order of loaded fries. The “gall bladder goodness,” as my wife calls it, is like eating a fried baked potato, with cheddar, ranch, bacon and chives.
A fork is a must as the cheese hardens atop the potatoes, but it is worth the extra effort it takes to eat the extra special fries.
Though reasonably priced (with drinks, our meals came in at under $25.00), don’t confuse Spuds with fast food. All of the burgers and fries are made to order, which can mean long waits during the dinner rush, especially when class is in session a Kutztown University. Of course, you can always call in your order (and probably should if you need more than two or three meals).
Spuds is a favorite of students, especially those looking for a late-night meal. But the food is too good to dismiss it as a college town dive.
So if you’re in the mood for a burger and fries, and if you have a few thousand calories to spare, skip the fast food and gorge on some greasy gourmet instead.
BCE Rating Food: Good Service: Good Ambiance: Fair Price: Reasonable
I get asked all the time, “What’s the best restaurant in Berks County?” The truth is, it’s impossible to choose “the best” restaurant – how do you compare great barbecue to fine dining? But with more than 10 years and 400 reviews under my belt, I definitely have my favorites. Here are 10 that are on the top of my list in alphabetical order:
Aladdin Restaurant West Reading
Aladdin was great before. I think it’s even better under the new owners. There are so many delicious options to choose from but I always start with baba ghanouj. The shawarma is really good, and so is the moujadara (pictured) – a meatless dish with rice and lentils.
Breakfast or lunch, Andy Pepper’s crushes it every time. Everything is fresh and loaded with flavor. At breakfast, we love the French toast or specialty pancakes. For lunch, the Hot Mozz (pictured) comes with mozzarella, spinach, tomatoes and pesto, but I add bacon for my go-to version. Julie loves the Mother Clucker (chicken salad, tomatoes, bacon and provolone). Be sure to grab some zucchini corn bread, too.
It’s not fine dining, but it’s more than a bar. It’s a place to go for a date or kids-eat-free nights. And the food travels well for takeout. Oh, and the food is consistently good, including delicious pasta and my favorite ribs in Berks County. Austin’s Restaurant and Bar really has everything we could ask for out of a restaurant, and it’s why we keep coming back.
I love to visit the Shillington Farmers Market, especially for Eve’s Thai Kitchen. It’s one of the few places where I have a “usual” order – pineapple fried rice with chicken and a Thai tea. But they have other great dishes too including the pad see ew and a rotating menu of curries and noodle dishes.
Our favorite restaurant in Lancaster County is Gracie’s on Main in Leola. When the owners announced they were opening Louie’s Kitchen & Bar in Flying Hills, we were ecstatic. And the restaurant hasn’t disappointed. The burgers are excellent (I recommend the Flaming Whiskey Bacon Burger with black pepper whiskey bacon, pickled jalapenos, pepper jack and whiskey sauce), and if you go for the weekend breakfast, you have to get an order of caramelized bacon.
Classic Italian at its finest. That’s what you’ll find at Mom Chaffe’s. Even the “basic” spaghetti and meatballs is a feast at Mom Chaffe’s. It’s also the perfect ambiance for date night which is why it’s been a top choice for us since our first visit a decade ago.
Our favorite pizza place in Berks County, Nonno Alby’s does their pies brick oven style with a crispy crust and unique toppings. The namesake Nonno Alby’s pizza (pictured) is my favorite: imported San Marzano tomato, buffalo mozzarella, fresh Italian sausage, sautéed rapini, garlic and hot pepper flakes. Nonno Alby’s also has delicious burgers and wings.
Plum Creek has grown tremendously since it started as a roadside stand in 2015. We first visited in 2018, and in 2020 they expanded the building again. Since our first visit, they’ve had excellent barbecue (get the pit beef, either on a sandwich or over fries on the Bernville Special) and homemade soft serve ice cream. In 2024, they added breakfast and it’s some of the best around, too.
One of the newest restaurants on the list, State Hill Craft Cocktails and Kitchen has quickly become a favorite for Julie and I since we had our first date night there in late 2023. The seasonal dinner menu always features unique and delicious creations like the black truffle ravioli or salmon with riced cauliflower, sesame aioli and chili crunch.
Taqueria Comalli West Reading
Best tacos in Berks. I first tried Taqueria Comalli at the Berks Taco Fest, before they had a place of their own in West Reading. They were great then, and they are great now. It’s hard to choose a favorite from their unique selection, but the el gallo (pictured) – with chorizo, egg, pico, queso fresco and avocado on a blue corn tortilla – and the el brulee – pulled chicken, mole poblano, double creme queso fresco and bruleed banana – are probably at the top of my list.
If you’re a long-time follower of our blog, you’ve seen our family grow over the years. After Jakob was born in 2017, we started spending a lot more time at family-friendly restaurants. WIth the arrival of Lukas in 2023, we definitely try to make sure to find places that are great for kids.
And it’s more than just seeking out the best kids menus. It’s visiting places where the food is good, the wait times aren’t bad, and we don’t have to feel guilty about having our kids heard and seen.
We first visited Plum Creek in 2018 around the time it opened along Route 183 as a small market with a takeout window for hot food and ice cream. (See the original post below).
The market has only grown since then. In 2020, they opened a brand new space, half of it devoted to a true market with fresh produce, bulk foods, baked goods and prepared items, and half devoted to indoor seating for the creamery.
Outside, Plum Creek now boasts a large play area with swings, slides and a sandbox full of shovels and trucks for digging.
With the expansion came an expanded menu – more options for lunch, dinner and dessert. Then in 2024, Plum Creek added breakfast to its offerings.
At first, it was only on Saturday mornings though they have now added daily breakfast. But it was on one of those early Saturdays when we made our first visit for breakfast. That’s when I had my first taste of their breakfast burrito that has kept me coming back.
The burrito comes filled with your choice of meat (sausage for me), egg, cheese, and homefries. It’s delicious on its own – the inclusion of the crispy pieces of potato is excellent – but what makes it one of my favorites is the chipotle sauce. It has just the right amount of heat, and it really brings the whole dish together.
It’s also the closest I can find to my all-time favorite from the former Squawk Cafe in Wyomissing.
One of Julie’s favorite dinner items is the Bernville Special – pit beef over fries with barbecue sauce, cheese, scallions and sour cream. So of course she had to try the Breakfast Bernville Special.
The breakfast version features a bed of potatoes topped with cheese, eggs, bacon and Hollandaise sauce (with scallions and sour cream). It’s a great skillet-type meal for those with a big appetite at breakfast – very hearty and full of flavor.
No breakfast menu would be complete without classics like pancakes, and that’s exactly what Jakob ordered. The thick pancakes are as wide as the plate and served with two per order – more than enough for adults, let alone a kid. But they are very good, nice and fluffy, and a worthy meal.
Of course, Plum Creek has stayed true to its roots, and we still enjoy stopping in for dinners, especially when we save room for dessert. Their Creamery treats, like their Twisters (their version of a Flurry or Blizzard), are always delicious. The regular menu has great options like Oreo and Peanut Butter, but watch for their monthly specials featuring their soft serve of the month.
And for Jakob and Lukas, Plum Creek’s play area is the perfect place to get out some of that energy before dinner or after dessert.
Food, fun, and family time: three things that all make Plum Creek one of our favorite spots.
BCE Rating Food: Very Good Service: Very Good Ambiance: Very Good Price: $$
Plum Creek Farm & Market 5035 Bernville Road Bernville, PA 19506
Last summer, my brother clued me in to a new ice cream place called Plum Creek Farm.
The small place had recently opened, and they were serving homemade soft serve ice cream. We checked it out and quickly fell in love with both the ice cream and the small farm market store.
Plum Creek operates seasonally so we got our last taste of it in the fall and awaited its reopening in April. This year brought an expanded menu of hot food items, new hard ice cream (not homemade but locally made) and more treats.
The hot food menu was definitely something we wanted to try. Last year, it was an evolving menu but it finally seems to be set, with sandwiches that include pulled pork, smoked sausage, pit beef and hot dogs; fresh-cut fries; homemade soups; and soft pretzels. (There are also salads if you want to save Calories for dessert).
We stopped by on a weeknight in early June and the line to order showed that the word is definitely out about Plum Creek.
It was a long wait for our dinners. That wasn’t the case for ice cream cones as an efficient ordering system had cones delivered before the customers even had paid. But for hot food, and for specialty desserts, it took time.
I stood and watched as cone after cone was handed off. Then a cup of soup. Occasionally, a sandwich. Finally, after what seemed like hours (it was probably 20 minutes), my name was called and our sandwiches were ready.
We dined at one of many picnic tables that make up the “dining area.” There are also Adirondack chairs, benches, all outside.
Maybe I was just really hungry, but from the first bite, I really enjoyed my pulled pork sandwich.
Now, I fully recognize that this pulled pork will never win a barbecue competition. But it was still very good. The sauce was sweeter than most, almost a little too sweet, but I think what really made the sandwich was Plum Creek’s seasoning. It was sprinkled on as the sandwich was constructed. The basic salt and pepper were there with additional spices. It wasn’t spicy, but it added little hits of flavor to every bite.
The seasoning was even better, in my opinion, on Julie’s pit beef sandwich. She thought it was a little salty, but I thought it worked.
Her sandwich was served with cheese (that’s the standard at Plum Creek; I opted for mine without). It’s not the norm for barbecue, but Julie enjoyed this change of pace.
Both sandwiches were served on Kaiser rolls that served their purpose, holding in all of the meat and sauce without crumbling.
We both really enjoyed the side of fries that we shared. They most closely resembled the shoestring fries that you’ll find locally at Austin’s and Coastal Grille. The fries were cut very thin and short, making it easy to pick up a handful at once. And they came out piping hot – I can only assume this was what delayed our order.
Of course we couldn’t come to Plum Creek without getting ice cream. And even though we were comfortably full after dinner, we couldn’t resist trying some of their signature desserts.
My sweet of choice was the pie a la mode. I chose the shoo-fly pie (strawberry is also available) and have to admit that I was a little disappointed in the pie. It drier than it looked with a rather plain crust. But the homemade vanilla soft serve was excellent. It’s a heavy ice cream that is better and more flavorful than your typical soft serve mix.
I probably would have been happier – and certainly more comfortable – had I just settled for a cone of vanilla.
Julie was not disappointed with her strawberry shortcake, though she would also admit that she didn’t need that much food.
The shortcake was topped with strawberries (you can buy Plum Creek’s fresh-picked strawberries from their store), strawberry sauce, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. Everything about this was excellent, but there’s just nothing better than fresh strawberries and a homemade strawberry sauce on a shortcake.
One downside of the way we did things was that we had to go through the line a second time. While Julie stood in line for dessert, I gave Jakob a bottle so it worked out. But we spent a long evening – and around $35 – at Plum Creek.
Last year, I could have argued that Plum Creek Farm was a hidden gem. But with long lines on an ordinary weeknight, I’d say the word is already out.
But those crowds won’t scare us away this summer, and they shouldn’t scare you away either.
BCE Rating Food: Good to Very Good Service: Very Good Ambiance: Very Good Price: Very Reasonable
Plum Creek Farm 5035 Bernville Rd Bernville, PA 19506
It has felt weird for the last year to walk through West Reading and not see Say Cheese on the corner of Sixth and Penn Avenues. Before its closure last June, the restaurant had been a West Reading staple for 13 years.
But thankfully, the space is alive again with the arrival of Midtown Sip, Savor, Social; an upscale dining spot from the team behind another West Reading staple, Nonno Alby’s.
We made our first visit about a month after the restaurant opened. So much of the space feels new, and it’s not just that it recently opened. There was clearly an intentional redesign. You first feel the difference outside where the removal of the awning over the front entrance has revealed beautiful green, red and blue plate glass that stands out against the brick facade.
Inside, the dining room is elegant but cool. One of the most notable elements is the large crystal ball that hangs in the back room, but small touches include the white and gray tabletops with bronze lamps.
Our server, Joe, was extremely attentive, first arriving quickly after we were seating and checking in on us often throughout the meal.
The first thing to be delivered to the table was Julie’s drink, a blueberry lavendar lemonade that she really enjoyed.
That was followed by a loaf of Italian bread which came with a small plate of garlic butter. The infused butter was strong on the garlic, but I love garlic so I really enjoyed it. Julie liked it, too. We ended up finishing most of the loaf, leaving just a couple slices at the end.
Both of our entrees came with salads. Julie opted for a standard house salad while I went with the small upgrade to a Caesar. Both were good with plenty of fresh lettuce and toppings. I liked that the dressing on mine was lighter and not as dense as some Caesar dressings.
For our entrees, we both went toward the lighter side of the menu. I had contemplated the Midtown burger – the combination of Cooper sharp, crispy onion, lettuce, mushrooms, caramelized shallots, and truffle aioli on a pretzel bun almost sounded too good to pass up, but ultimately I didn’t think I’d be able to finish it.
Instead, I went with something more unique: the risotto trio. I’ve had risotto plenty of times before. Sometimes it’s done well, sometimes not so much. At Midtown, though, it’s not just one bowl of risotto, it’s a plate with three distinct flavors.
First, there was the black truffle and Parmigiano Reggiano. This was probably the closest in flavor to the risotto dishes I’ve had in the past. Though it wasn’t as creamy as the others, it had a really nice flavor with earthy undertones.
On the other end of the spectrum was the red endive and Gorgonzola. The flavor of the cheese was unmistakable, but it paired very well with the slightly bitter tones of the red endives to create something completely unique.
My favorite, though, was the saffron and Crescenza. It’s a naturally soft cheese which I think helped make it the creamiest and thickest of the three risotto. The saffron just added a nice herbal punch to it.
All three were very good, and I definitely didn’t have any regrets about my choice.
Julie also had several items that she was considering, including the picanha steak and lobster mac and cheese, but she ultimately decided on the branzino (Mediterranean sea bass).
The fish was halved and served with tail on and garnished with orange and lemon wedges, with sides of rosemary potatoes and medallions of yellow squash and zucchini. She enjoyed everything on her plate. The fish was cooked to perfection, and the potatoes were crispy and delicious.
Despite the somewhat lighter meals, we left without room for dessert and closed out our night with a bill of around $75 for our two meals plus drinks (mine was an unsweet tea). That felt fair for the amount of food that we had, but there are some higher priced entrees and appetizers that could easily put the bill over $100.
It was, in my opinion, a great meal and a great experience. The team has done a great job with both the restaurant space and the menu, and I’m sure they will continue to grow and build upon these early successes to become a staple on the Avenue for years to come.
BCE Rating Food: Very Good Ambiance: Excellent Service: Excellent Price: $$$
Midtown Sip, Savor, Social 600 Penn Avenue West Reading, PA 19611
During my school years at Kutztown, I didn’t appreciate all the dining options that it had. Our adventures off-campus were mostly limited to Spuds, the Airport Diner, and poker nights at TC’s (now Ozgood’s).
As such, I was never a regular at the Uptown Espresso Bar, the small cafe that was located near the top end of Main Street near the University. In more recent years, I stopped in from time to time for a chai. The best way to describe it would be “eclectic.”
There were the random photographs and signs haphazardly hung throughout the crowded space, practically hiding the chalkboard menu from view. There were the mismatched tables and chairs – black metal chairs with orange-brown padding by the windows and wooden chairs and benches of various colors by the order counter. And then there was the mural where the likes of Shrek and Donkey, Bart Simpson, and Harry Potter looked out on the customers.
It was unique, to say the least, but it had been there as long as I could remember. When it closed a little more than a year ago, it was the end of an era. But it was followed by something new, different and exciting.
I first tasted Heart and Hearth at the stand at Renninger’s in February 2023. I had their pork sandwich with apple cabbage slaw and spicy vinegar dressing. It was a delicious introduction with perfectly slow-cooked pulled pork with a nice little sweet and spicy kick.
Later that year, I sought them out again, this time at the Kutztown Fair. This time I had the pepper peach pork with jalapeno peach sauce and a splash of peppered vinegar. Again, it was that mix of sweet and spicy that pulled me in. More than that, though, it’s unique. Plenty of places offer pulled pork, but no one else is doing jalapeno peach sauce.
Fast-forward to early 2024 and Heart and Hearth now has a brick-and-mortar in Kutztown, the former Uptown Espresso.
I did takeout from them soon after they opened, but it wasn’t until this spring that I dined in for the first time.
The space is much more open and less crowded. Two chalkboards behind the counter display the full men of both BBQ and deli selections. The left wall is home to a mini farmers market with baskets of produce and shelves filled with oil, vinegar and honey. As was the case at their deli stand, the focus is on local and organic ingredients, both in the foods they sell and those that they make.
On a recent visit in March, I discovered the back dining room – a space I didn’t even know existed because it’s down a small hallway, past the order counter, and around a corner.
The dining room may be the most impressive part of the building. It has a rustic charm with what appear to be original wood floors and homey wood tables and chairs. There’s a record player in the corner where you’re welcome to put on a vinyl of your choice from their library. Artwork from locals and students lines the walls, providing pops of color and modernity to an otherwise earth-toned space.
Unable to make up my mind on this visit, I got some help from the owner who recommended the Heatloaf, a blend of beef, pork and smoked jalapenos.
This was not something I would typically order, but I was glad I did. There was some heat, but it was mild and flavorful, not burn-your-tongue heat. And the little side of thin-sliced cucumber, apple and melon helped tone it down even more.
Next time, I would probably go back to pork or brisket, but the Heatloaf was a solid sandwich that’s worth a try.
I bought a bag of Route 11 potato chips and a bottle of iced tea to go along with it. It was more than enough for a meal (probably would skip the chips next time) and felt reasonably priced at $20.
And the unexpected coziness of the back dining room was a nice touch. I’ll definitely be doing more dine-in in the future.
BCE Rating Food: Good Ambiance: Very Good Service: Excellent Price: $$
How do you keep something the same while also making it new again?
That’s the challenge of long-running restaurants, ones that have been serving not only for years, but for decades. Restaurants like Kauffman’s Bar-B-Que.
I’ve been visiting Kauffman’s since I was child, and when Berks County Eats was still just an occasional hobby, it was one of my first reviews.
We still visit at least once a year, usually more, for a meal and mini golf.
The restaurant got a much-needed facelift a few winters ago. The dining room was completely made over to give it a more modern feel. The walls are now a blue hue but for a stone accent wall. A farm scene in blues and grays serves as the border. And the new chairs have a blue-purple hue to them.
Despite the updated interior, it still feels like Kauffman’s. There’s a farmhouse vintage vibe and it still maintains the unique core attributes that have made it what it is: ordering done cafeteria-style with their famous BBQ chicken anchoring the menu.
The BBQ chicken is still Julie’s go-to whenever we visit. And there is no question that it’s very good. It’s always juicy underneath the flavorful skin. It still tastes like it did 40 years ago, slightly sweet and a little salty.
As good as the chicken is, it’s just one item on the menu. Julie still makes fun of me because I never order the BBQ chicken. That doesn’t mean I won’t order chicken, however, as the hot chicken sandwich is one of my favorites.
It’s a classic diner dish, but it just tastes better at Kauffman’s. The two large pieces of white bread and overstuffed with pulled chicken, then doused in Kauffman’s homemade chicken gravy. The chicken may not have the bold flavors of the BBQ, but it’s always just as juicy.
And their gravy is just perfect. I always have it on the sandwich and a side of potato filling. Kauffman’s is one of several places in Berks that offers the traditional PA Dutch side dish, and I think theirs is among the best with just the right amount of onions and spices.
Another favorite of mine is roast beef. Whether on a sandwich or as an entree, the plate comes loaded with tender slices of beef. It’s a hearty and delicious entree. For this, I’ll give up the chicken gravy for the beef gravy on my potato filling.
Each of the dinners still comes with the complementary salad bar. It’s easy to fill the bowl with assorted greens and vegetables. There are also multiple types of bread available and six different dressings.
One that has changed for us is that we’re now going to Kauffman’s as a family of four. That means kids meals, which admittedly are hit or miss. The three regular kids’ menu options are chicken nuggets, fried mac and cheese bites, and a hot dog.
While fried foods are never our first choice for a kids meal, they are usually a hit with the littles.
Kauffman’s is one of our favorite places for a family-friendly meal, both because of the prices (no entree priced above $15) and the 18-hole mini golf course that waits for us outside. If you have room, Kauffman’s also has the ice cream bar next to their takeout window. (Though it can be hard to pass up the homemade desserts when you’re in line.
As our family has grown, our visits to Kauffman’s look a little different than they used to. And while Kauffman’s looks a little different, too, we’re glad it still has the same great food and great prices.
BCE Rating Food: Very Good Ambiance: Very Good Service: Good Price: $
Kauffman’s BBQ Restaurant 254 Gravel Pit Road Bethel, PA 19507
Original Post: April 15, 2013
If you live anywhere near Berks County, you’re familiar with Kauffman’s BBQ chicken. The wagons are everywhere during the summer, selling the famous chickens and baked potatoes at fundraisers throughout Berks and its neighboring counties.
But the aluminum foil-wrapped dinners are just a tease – a taste if you will. To get the true Kauffman’s experience, you have to make the trip to the ranch, Kauffman’s BBQ Restaurant in Bethel.
Kauffman’s is found as close to the middle-of-nowhere as you can find in Berks County, just south of Interstate 78 and the Lebanon County line on a winding country lane, appropriately called Gravel Pit Road.
An 18-hole miniature golf course spreads across the lawn with an old-fashion plow, a wishing well and a wagon wheel guarding the holes. The ranch’s pet peacocks roam free through the parking lot. A giant rooster stands guard at the entrance.
If you aren’t hungry when you arrive, you will be. Inside, a picture window reveals the magical process, allowing diners to watch the chickens as they rotate in the rotisserie ovens, flavor dripping onto the birds below and marinating the potatoes that bake on the bottom rack.
Meals are served cafeteria-style, and the line for the dining room winds through the take-out area, and sometimes out the door. A pair of menu boards announce the platter options, including baked ham, Salisbury steak and clam strips. But for most diners, the only real option is whether to get a ¼ chicken or ½, and white meat or dark.
Customers file down to a narrow lane where you pick up your tray and pick out your desserts from a refrigerated case (sneakily located at the front of the line) before placing your order. Meals are served on disposable paper plates and cups.
All platters include a trip to the salad bar, which has all the staples, including a flavorful macaroni salad that can be used instead of dressing.
Naturally, the best part of every meal is the chicken. Cooked to a golden brown, the skin is full of flavor — a little sweet with a hint of spiciness, especially in the blackened edges of the wings and thighs. There is no extra sauce because it doesn’t need it.
Every platter comes with a choice of potato: baked potato, french fries or potato filling, a delicious mix of mashed potatoes, bread crumbs, celery and herbs, loaded with brown gravy.
And of course there’s the dessert options, a variety of fresh baked cakes and pies, including a classic apple crumb pie with a thin, flaky crust and apples that melt in your mouth. Or if you prefer something a little colder, Kauffman’s has a full ice cream stand in the take-out area with soft serve and a freezer full of Hershey’s hard ice cream. Grab a cone and enjoy it on their enclosed porch, furnished with retro yellow fiberglass picnic tables.
All of the platters at Kauffman’s are priced under $10, and the miniature golf is just $4 a person, the perfect prices for an afternoon outing with the whole family. Make sure you plan your trip for later in the week because the restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. If you can’t make it to the bar-b-que ranch, you can get the same quality chicken at fundraisers all summer.
BCE Rating Food: Very Good Service: Good Ambiance: Good Price: Very Reasonable
Kauffman’s BBQ Restaurant 33 Gravel Pit Rd Bethel, PA 19507
Berks County is steeped in history so it’s no wonder that our region is home to so many classic diners. Our roadside is lined with stainless steel dining cars, and if you venture beyond that, you’ll find more great diners in strip malls, shopping centers and in downtowns. Here is our list of diners in Reading, PA and beyond.
Stainless Steel Diners
When you think of diners, you likely think of the stainless steel structures filled with booths and a counter for quick service. You’ll find some excellent examples of these stainless steel diners in Berks County.
5th Street Diner Temple
Not only does the 5th Street Diner glisten in the daylight with its stainless steel exterior, the red and blue neon lights shimmer at night. Though it’s no longer open 24 hours, the diner is still open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, with late-night hours on Friday and Saturday.
The American Diner in West Reading stands out among the many restaurants that line Penn Avenue, thanks to its steel facade with blue accents (and off-street parking). The diner is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.
Americana Diner Bechtelsville
The front entrance of the Americana Diner in Bechtelsville is reminiscent of a colorful jukebox. With a menu filled with diner favorites at reasonable prices, you’ll feel like you’re in the golden age of jukeboxes as well.
Consistently voted among the best diners and family restaurants in Berks County, Exeter Family Restaurant is also the only 24-hour diner in Berks County. We love them for breakfast, but you can get a great meal any time of day (or night).
The Leesport Diner is the newest on the list. The diner opened in 2016 with a retro look, though it was a new build. Like many classic diners, Leesport offers an all-you-can-eat soup and salad bar in addition to its breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees.
The Red Plate Diner gleams along Route 422 in Wernersville. The restaurant has been open for breakfast and lunch but recently expanded to offer dinner service as well.
Route 61 Diner Muhlenberg
As the name suggests, the Route 61 DinerRoute 61 Diner is located along PA Route 61 north of the city of Reading in Muhlenberg Township. The diner is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
More Diners & Family Restaurants
The outside doesn’t have to be stainless steel for a diner to shine. Step inside and try the food at these diners and family restaurants where the food speaks for itself.
Airport Diner Kutztown
Underneath the updated facade of the Airport Diner is an original 1960 Silk City Diner car. The restaurant has been expanded to include an additional dining room. Great breakfast and good burgers are among the diner’s hallmarks.
The Bally Family Diner opened in 2024, taking over the space most recently known as the Pied Piper. The castle-like structure calls in patrons driving along Route 100 north of Boyertown.
Blue Mountain Family Restaurant Shartlesville
The Blue Mountain Family Restaurant is located just off the Shartlesville exit of Interstate-78. The family-friendly eatery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to locals and all those passing through.
Brooks Cafe Douglassville
Tucked away in a strip mall along Route 422, Brooks Cafe is is everything a diner should be. Great food. Fast service. Good prices. It’s one of our favorite breakfast spots thanks to dishes like the country fried steak and Hawaiian bread French toast.
There aren’t many diners within the City of Reading, but Brooklyn Place fits the bill. Pancakes, French toast and omelettes anchor the breakfast menu with sandwiches and burgers at lunch. Plus the restaurant has Mexican favorites likes tacos, quesadillas and fajitas.
Chatty’s Fleetwood
Chatty’s is one of the best-kept secrets in Berks. The restaurant is located along Route 12 near Fleetwood, but if you don’t know about it, it’s hard to find. There’s no website, no social media, just word-of-mouth about the pancakes, omelettes and other dishes that keep hungry guests streaming through the doors.
Breakfast available all day, reasonable prices for all menu items, and a stacked dessert case: Crossroads Family Restaurant has everything you could want in a diner. They also have a liquor license which also sets them apart.
The Deluxe Diner stands along Lancaster Pike, offering a family-friendly atmosphere complete with free gifts for kids. The diner is open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Heidelberg Family Restaurant Robesonia
The Heidelberg Family Restaurant is one of the go-to restaurants in western Berks County. The restaurant has been a decades-long staple along Route 422 serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a full dessert case every day.
JAK’s Downtown Diner Topton
Don’t let the location fool you. JAK’s Downtown Diner may look like a house on the outside, but the homecoming inside is 100% diner. JAK’s is open for breakfast and brunch seven days a week.
Janelle’s Diner Bowers
Opening before 6 a.m. six days a week, Janelle’s Diner is a great spot for an early bird breakfast. Located just outside the village of Bowers, Janelle’s offers everything you could want from a diner: omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, burgers, and more.
Jukebox Cafe Boyertown
It’s all about good food and good tunes at the Jukebox Cafe in Boyertown. The unassuming little restaurant along Reading Avenue is decked out in the finest 50s decor, including records on the wall.
Beneath the exterior of Letterman’s Diner sits one of the oldest dining cars in Berks County, a wood-frame car that is nearly 100 years old. It’s also one of the smallest, but the portions and prices make it worth the wait if the few tables are already full.
The Mount Penn Family Restaurant is your classic diner serving everything from steaks and seafood to sandwiches and salads. They have a robust breakfast menu, too, with pancakes, French toast, and egg dishes.
New Hamburg Diner Hamburg
The New Hamburg Diner opened in 2024, several years after the original closed. The current iteration of the diner along State Street serves breakfast and lunch and still has the retro vibe with checkered floors, red booths and counter seating.
Penn Grille West Lawn
The Penn Grille is a small diner attached to the Redner’s Quick Stop in West Lawn. Open for breakfast and lunch, the restaurant serves all the breakfast staples plus burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads at lunch.
Perry Restaurant Shoemakersville
Tucked away on Bellevue Avenue, a few blocks from Route 61, Perry Restaurant has all the hallmarks of a diner menu from big breakfasts to lunch and dinner entrees.
Sunset Family Restaurant Birdsboro
Located along Route 422 near Birdsboro, the Sunset Family Restaurant bills itself as “homestyle cooking,” offering all-day breakfast, senior discounts, and a range of lunch and dinner options.
Temple Family Restaurant Temple
Open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, the Temple Family Restaurant is one of several diners in the Muhlenberg area. The restaurant boasts a large menu for all three meals, including breakfast sandwiches, egg dishes, pastas and more.
“Midway” between Harrisburg and Allentown, Trainer’s Midway Diner is one of the few roadside diners left along Interstate 78. Welcoming truckers and families alike, the Midway is open for breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday.
Wyomissing Restaurant & Bakery Wyomissing
The only diner on the list that also has a full hot buffet daily, the Wyomissing Restaurant and Bakery is known for their all-day brunch with made-to-order omelets, French toast, waffles and crepes.
There are a handful of places in Berks County that can be considered true landmarks. Obviously the Pagoda would be at the top of the list. I would also add another site on Mount Penn to the list, Stokesay Castle.
Stokesay, specifically the Knight’s Pub, has been one of our favorites for many years now. We’ve always liked the slightly upscale, yet still approachable vibe. Now, Stokesay has a sister property in the former of the Reading Country Club, a landmark of its own, that was purchased by the Gulati Family (owners of Stokesay) in late 2024.
The Township had owned the property for nearly 20 years after acquiring the property in 2005 to prevent development. During that time, the property went through multiple management groups for golf and dining. Notable among those were Chef Alan, ViVA, and Reading Hospitality Management (DoubleTree by Hilton Reading).
Our last visit to the property was in 2017 when the ViVA Castle Pub operated in the main dining room. A few months later, ViVA had a very public split with the Country Club and the restaurant closed.
When I received an invitation for a meal and a tour of the updates at the Reading Country Club, of course I couldn’t say no.
Dinner at Jack’s on the Green
Part of the promise of the new owners was a new restaurant, Jack’s on the Green, which opened in late March, taking over the main dining room at the front of the building. The restaurant, like the Country Club, is open to the public and offers lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday with brunch on Sundays.
Our visit came on a Wednesday evening in late June. Julie and I were joined by our friends Jerry and Lisa and our party was seated at a table by the front window overlooking the golf course, driving range and the fountain that marks the end of the long driveway leading to the clubhouse.
The dining room is bright and open, marked on three sides by the large glass doors. The tables are preset with the white plates and napkins sitting atop the green table linens. Each table has a little brass lamp to provide a dim glow as the sun sets. The grays of the floor and black ceiling give it a modern vibe – it feels elevated but not formal.
We decided to start with a couple appetizers. There are more than 10 shareables on the menu, but we were able to narrow it down to the shrimp cocktail and the baked brie (both $18 options).
The former came with eight pieces of shrimp over a bed of spring mix, garnished with fresh cilantro. It was a good start, but the baked brie was the standout. The disc of cheese was topped with raspberry, pecan and rosemary and was served with a variety of crackers. Every bite was creamy, nutty, crunchy and sweet – an excellent combination of flavors and textures and one I would certainly recommend.
Before our apps arrived, we also received a bread basket with a pad of butter that was drizzled with honey and sprinkled with salt and herbs. Like the brie, it was a sweet and creamy start to the meal that was very enjoyable.
Dinner was soon served with each of us trying a little something different. I opted for the New York strip steak, a 12 oz. cut served with a choice of sauce – chimichurri, for me. I thought the chimichurri was excellent, earthy and fresh, it added bright notes to the well-cooked steak. I found myself using the sauce as a vessel for the potatoes and green beans that were served on the side.
Julie opted for the fried buttermilk marinated chicken. She was expecting a chicken breast patty or similar, as most restaurants would do, but she was pleasantly surprised to receive four pieces of dark meat – two thighs, a wing, and a drumstick. She was able to finish half of the meat before boxing the other half to come home. She did, however, finish the mashed potatoes and green beans. (Looking back, the menu actually called for roasted potatoes, like I received with my steak, as the side and not mashed potatoes).
Photo Credit: Jerry Ashway
Across the table, Jerry’s eight-ounce filet mignon also came with a side of the mashed potatoes as well as asparagus. The steak was good, if slightly more medium than the medium-rare he ordered. His steak came topped with a red wine mushroom demi-glace (which was also an option for my steak).
Photo Credit: Lisa Domeshek
Lisa ordered a small Cobb salad for her entree, adding on a crab cake. The salad wasn’t overdressed in the “green goddess” dressing and the eggs were done perfectly. The thick-cut bacon was excellent – so much so that she offered it for us to try around the table. And the crab cake was a very good addition that helped make even the small salad (a larger portion was also available) a filling meal.
Of course, we had to try some dessert, as well. The dessert menu is much more limited with only three seasonal options along with six dessert drinks. Julie and I decided to share the chocolate crunch while Jerry and Lisa had the warm sticky toffee pudding.
Photo credit: Jerry Ashway
Both were excellent. Our chocolate crunch was made of chocolate mousse with a praline wafer crust, served with cranberries and chocolate shavings. The tart cranberries were a little intense, but when mixing the mousse and berries, it had a chocolate-covered cherry feel to it. Across the table, our friends enjoyed their sweet treat which came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that started melting together with the caramel drizzle.
Combined, our meals would total around $200 before tax, or $50 per person. That’s on the higher side for Berks County, certainly, but not unreasonable for a three-course meal and a menu that leans heavily toward finer dining.
There are more moderately priced items on the menu, including five unique burgers, each served with fries, for between $16-$18. Three varieties of tacos are also available (with chips and salsa) for $18. And at lunch time, the restaurant offers more sandwich and lighter fare options for less than $20 each.
More Drinks & Dining at Reading Country Club
Photo Credit: Jerry Ashway
Jack’s on the Green is the main dining area, but it is not the only place to enjoy a drink or a meal at the Reading Country Club. Both the bar and the Fairway Lounge offer a place to enjoy food and drink from Jack’s on the Green. The large U-shaped bar has plenty of seating with plenty of TV’s around.
The Fairway Lounge is one of the coolest spots. We were told that the space used to be township offices, but it has been turned into a cool hangout spot with two golf simulators, a pool table, foosball, and extra comfy seats.
For the golfers, there’s also Mulligan’s Cafe. At the halfway point in your round, you can grab breakfast sandwiches (for the AM tee times), lunch, snacks or drinks. The menu is simpler with a chicken salad sandwich or hot dogs to choose from at lunch, along with an array of snack foods, beers, canned cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.
Reading Country Club Event Space
In addition to dinner, we had the opportunity to tour the clubhouse to see the incredible event spaces offered at the Reading Country Club.
The largest of these is the second floor ballroom. Original to the 102-year-old clubhouse, the ballroom features a stage and dance floor – expect live entertainment to return to the stage in the not-too-distant future.
The second floor opens into patio spaces at both the front and the rear of the building. Both offer picturesque views overlooking the course.
Inside one of the castle turrets is the upstairs bar. A large chandelier hangs over the bar and the hardwood floor. In all the rooms, the building shows its age but in a good way – it looks like a century-old building but one that has been well cared for.
We even got a peek into the bridal suite, complete with oversized couches for relaxing and selfie rings for those all-important wedding photos.
(The Fairway Lounge is also available for wedding parties, too).
It really is an incredible venue, but I’m most excited about having it as a dining destination again. Maybe I’ll have to dust off my clubs and play a round soon. As bad as my golf game is at this point, at least I know the food and atmosphere will be on-par when I’m done.
BCE Rating Food: Very Good Service: Very Good Ambiance: Very Good Price: $$$
Jack’s on the Green at Reading Country Club 5311 Perkiomen Avenue Reading, PA 19606
Berks County has long been known for its picturesque farmland. With it, comes some of the best farm stands and markets around. Some remain as roadside stands where passersby can pick up produce and flowers. Others have grown to become much more.
Located along Route 222 just south of Kutztown, the Kirbyville Farm Market opened in the summer of 2019. Stepping through the front doors, the market opens up with produce, baked goods, and bulk foods spread out on wooden tables. To the left is both the cashier and the ice cream freezer where they are dipping hard ice cream.
Toward the back and to the right is the deli and sandwich stand. Beyond that, a row of fridge and freezer doors leads to a coffee bar. Here you’ll also find a bakery case filled with fresh donuts and pastries.
On my most recent visit, I was there specifically for a sandwich because it was my lucky day. Literally. Each week, the market posts on Facebook a name for each day to receive a free sandwich, and my name popped up on a recent Tuesday.
Kirbyville offers a range of options on the sandwich menu, including subs, wraps, toasted cheese, and paninis.
I opted for a build-your-own panini of turkey on wheat bread with Provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and ranch dressing.
It was an excellent sandwich, exactly what I was hoping for with plenty of meat and just the right amount of ranch to get that flavor throughout. It wasn’t huge, but it was large enough, especially with the bag of chips I grabbed.
I rounded it out with a bottle of Cheerwine (the soda that Cherry Coke has always aspired to be). The meal would have cost just a little over $10, but with my free sandwich, I paid $3.50.
As I mentioned, the market is more than their deli sandwiches. I have stopped a few times for donuts over the years. It’s a more limited selection than places like Becca’s or Dutch Maid that focus on donuts, but there is still some variety including Boston cream, peanut butter, cream filled, and glazed. They also offer sticky buns and other baked goods. Personally, I enjoy the simple sweet glazed donuts.
Kirbyville offers limited indoor seating – it’s tucked along a narrow hallway behind the cashier counter with window seats overlooking the farm. But if it’s a nice day, consider taking your meal outside, especially if you have kids.
The outdoor pavilion has plenty of covered seating and there is a large play area for the kids to enjoy before and after their meals.
The seating and play area is also right next to the goat pen so it’s easy to make new animal friends during your visit.
You won’t find a large menu or table service, but you will find some good food and good prices with a little of that roadside farm stand experience thrown in. All those things combined make the Kirbyville Farm Market a great place to grab a quick meal.
BCE Rating Food: Good Service: Very Good Ambiance: Very Good Price: $
Kirbyville Farm Market 14030 Kutztown Road Fleetwood, PA 19522
