small red outbuilding with sign on side that says "Potts' Top Dog" and a drive-through order window
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Review: Potts’ Top Dog

small red outbuilding with sign on side that says "Potts' Top Dog" and a drive-through order window

In the Lehigh Valley, there is a hot dog war: Potts’ vs. Yocco’s. There are 14 locations between the two rival companies. And while Yocco’s has yet to find a home in our area, Potts is back in Berks County thanks to Potts’ Top Dog in Topton. 

Potts’ has been here before with Potts’ U operating in Kutztown from 2014 to 2016. That was a counter-service restaurant. The new Potts’ is very different. 

Located in a parking lot along Weis Street, Potts’ Top Dog is a small red shack facing the street. The location serves drive-through only from two lanes, one coming and one going. 

Close-up view of a sign reading "Potts' Top Dog" with cartoon hot dog

The menu is limited but there is some variety. In addition to hot dogs, the drive-through serves pulled pork, soup, pierogies and macaroni and potato salad. 

Of course the stars are the hot dogs, and you can customize yours with nine different toppings. I ordered two dogs with chili sauce and onions and a side of pierogi and took them back to Ktown Hall, the coworking space in Kutztown I was working out of that day. 

white plate with two hot dogs covered in chili sauce and three pierogies with sauteed onions

The hot dogs had been wrapped up and weren’t as photogenic by the time I got them out, but they were still good. I enjoyed the sauce, which added flavor and only a little heat. 

I thought the pierogies were really good. They came three to an order, sauteed with onions. I love pierogies so they were gone in no time. 

The price was right, too. The whole meal was $8.75 making it one of the most reasonable lunches around. 

With good food at the right price, I hope Potts’ is here to stay this time. 

BCE Rating
Food: Good
Service: Excellent
Ambiance: N/A
Price: $

Potts’ Top Dog
330 W. Weis Street
Topton, PA 19562

small wooden shack with order window and the words "Comb Coffee" over the window

Comb Coffee Co.

If you make the trip, consider stopping at the adjacent Comb Coffee Co. They offer coffee and tea as well as breakfast items like hash browns and pastries. (I grabbed a really good chai from them before getting my hot dogs). Comb also has a small outdoor seating area to enjoy your meal if it’s a nice day. 

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Lunch & Dinner Reviews Takeout
stuffed chicken breast topped with red sauce over a bed of pesto spaghetti
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Review: The Inn on Main in Oley, PA

front porch of the historic inn now known as the Inn on Main in Oley, PA

While I love exploring “new” and modern restaurants, I will never tire of the dining experience at a historic country inn. There is something about the ambiance that just makes it feel like a special experience. 

And that was certainly the case on our visit to the Inn on Main in Oley. 

map mural of the state of Pennsylvania with county outlines with three hex signs and a wine bottle pouring wine toward Berks County

Julie and I had a rare date night in early November and decided to make the trip from our home base in Wyomissing to the village of Oley. Driving up Friedensburg Road from Route 73, the Inn appears directly in front of you, a historic welcome sign of sorts. 

Formerly known as the Oley Valley Inn, the historic property dates to the late 1800s and it maintains many of the charms of yesterday. The floor, though stained a dark color, appears to be original. As do the wooden walls. An interior window near the entrance features a stained glass image of the US Constitution.

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

But there are modern touches, as well. The retro Edison bulbs overhead light a dining room filled with dark wooden tables with black accents. And a large mural covers a dark painted brick wall near the entrance. On it, the state of Pennsylvania with hex sign designs and a bottle pouring a drink that is spilling toward Oley. 

The menu is a mix of old and new – American comfort food but with a few more modern additions. There are steaks and chops and chicken dishes. But there are also truffle fries, surf and turf chili, and garlic Parmesan shrimp. 

stuffed chicken breast topped with red sauce over a bed of pesto spaghetti

I ordered the Italian stuffed chicken breast from among the four chicken dishes on the menu. The Italian stuffing consisted of prosciutto, Italian cheeses, and sundried tomatoes. It was topped with red sauce, but served over a bed of pesto pasta. 

It was a unique take on chicken Parmesan that I really enjoyed. The breaded chicken was delicious on its own, but the saltiness of the prosciutto and the creaminess of the cheese added more depth to the dish. And I love how sundried tomatoes provide such an intense flavor in small bites. 

The combination of red sauce and pesto in the same dish was different, but it was a nice contrast. And I would definitely order it again. 

black plate with a Caesar salad

Pasta dishes come with the choice of a house or Caesar salad. For mine, I chose the Caesar. I was a little disappointed in that it took longer to come out than I would have hoped. (I was still eating it when the main course arrived), but it was a good salad. 

black plate with three slices of bread and a cup of butter

We did get a plate of bread with herbed butter before our meals, though.

steak topped with meleted butter with a baked potato, broccoli and a cup of chimichurri sauce

For her entree, Julie decided to splurge on a steak. It did not disappoint. The 8 oz. filet was cooked to a perfect medium. It came topped with butter that quickly melted over the cut of steak. And while Julie ordered – and enjoyed – a side of chimichurri sauce, the steak ultimately didn’t need any more flavor. It was perfect as it was. 

The sides for the evening were a baked potato and broccoli. Both were good, but easily outshined by the steak. 

Unfortunately our meals left us with no room for dessert. (Julie brought a little bit of her steak home to have with a salad at lunch later in the week). 

All told, our meal was about $75 which felt in line for the elevated meals that we were served. 

It was a nice night out at the historic inn. At 140 years old, I’d say the Inn on Main is about as good as ever. 

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

The Inn on Main
401 Main Street
Oley, PA 19547

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acai bowl with strawberry and banana from Cup of Joy
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Review: Cup of Joy

porch with blue siding and a sign that reads "Cup of Joy"

Growing up, dining out meant getting meat and sides. That was the mentality we had in our family during our frequent visits to Risser’s Diner. 

It wasn’t long into creating this blog that I realized that there was so much more to discover than the “classics.” 

One of my favorite meals now is an acai bowl. 

Acai bowls are pretty much of the antithesis of meat and sides – a bowl of fruit and grains that melds together into a delicious dish. 

I love both Oola Bowls and City Girl Juice for acai, but the newest place in Berks County to get my acai fix is Cup of Joy in Kutztown. 

Cup of Joy opened in November 2024 at the west end of Main Street. It’s the second location for Cup of Joy which debuted in Pottstown and has more locations planned in the greater Philadelphia region. 

two wooden tables for two against a tan wall at Cup of Joy in Kutztown, PA

The storefront isn’t much to speak of, a half of a townhouse with a few simple tables and chairs. The order counter is at the back of the shop with a video menu board on the wall. 

Cup of Joy has a fairly large selection of premade acai and smoothie bowls – nearly 20 in all – with a create-your-own option that has nearly limitless possibilities. 

I ordered one of their signature bowls, the Choco Joy. 

acai bowl with strawberry and banana from Cup of Joy

The Choco Joy had a smoothie base of almond butter, almond milk, banana, cherry and dark raw cacoa powder. Though not acai, it had a similar consistency. Though somewhat subtle, the cacao was there in every bite. 

The bowl was topped with almond slices, banana slices, strawberries, granola and a drizzle of almond butter. Everything was fresh and the flavors were vibrant. And it all started to meld together even more as the smoothie base continued to melt. 

It wasn’t as decadent as a chocolate covered strawberry, but it hit all the right notes. 

The bowl cost $12 (I ordered the large 20 oz) and served as my lunch for the day so not a bad price for a full meal. 

It’s also cool to have a smoothie/acai option in the northern part of the county. If you like acai or smoothie bowls, you’ll enjoy Cup of Joy, too. 

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

Cup of Joy
474 W. Main Street
Kutztown, PA 19530

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red tray with two baskets lined with checkered paper - one has a hot dog topped with bbq sauce, the other is filled with fries
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Review: UpDog Hot Dogs

stripmall storefront with a sign over the door that reads "Updog Hot Dogs"

Starting a business is a milestone for entrepreneurs. And hopefully for them, there are many more milestones along the way. 

UpDog Hot Dogs started out as a mobile hot dog cart in 2020. Four years later, the business celebrated a milestone with the opening of a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Blandon. 

three paintings of hot dogs on a wall above a pair of booths

The location in the Maidencreek Towne Center along Fleetwood-Blandon Road was most recently Mad J’s BBQ. That restaurant closed in early 2023, leaving the space vacant. 

After some work inside including a fresh coat of paint (although the Fleetwood Tigers logo on the wall remains), UpDogs celebrated its grand opening in August 2024. 

large vinyl decal of a tiger's face on the wall of Updog Hot Dogs

I visited for a quick lunch in mid-September, a few weeks after the restaurant opened. 

The menu is focused – just hot dogs, fries and mini donuts – but there are eight specialty dogs to choose from plus a dozen toppings to customize. You can also order a regular sized hot dog or a quarter-pound “Big Dog.” 

I went with a Big Memphis BBQ dog and a side of fries. 

red tray with two baskets lined with checkered paper - one has a hot dog topped with bbq sauce, the other is filled with fries

The dog was topped with shredded cheddar cheese, bacon crumbles, BBQ sauce and green onions. First, a quarter-pound dog doesn’t sound like much, but it’s huge. And it was delicious. The hot dog was perfect and the bacon and BBQ sauce added a little sweet and salty flavor. The bacon and onions also added a delightful crunch. 

The fries were really good, too – perfectly crispy fast-food style fries with a little bit of seasoning beyond the standard salt and pepper. 

And it was a quick meal – perfect in-and-out for a no-fuss lunch on a workday – at a reasonable price for around $10 for the hot dog and fries. 

Overall, I was really impressed. I didn’t know northeastern Berks County needed two hot dog joints (the other being Potts’ Top Dog in Topton just 15 minutes up the road), but I’m glad UpDog is here. 

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

UpDog Hot Dogs
850 Golden Drive
Blandon, PA 19510

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noodle salad with chicken from Toss of the Town in Boyertown, PA
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Review: Toss of the Town

window storefront with green trim, a red umbrella out front and a logo on the window reading "Toss of the Town"

I’m sure I’ve said this before on Berks County Eats, but I will say it again – Boyertown has a great restaurant scene.

It’s home to some of my favorite restaurants – Brakeman’s Café comes to mind (also, we miss Firefly Cafe and CD’s Place) – and we can count Toss of the Town among those now.

Toss of the Town is the newest addition to Boyertown’s restaurant scene, opening in February in spot along Philadelphia Avenue.

whjite wall with large painted logo that reads "Toss of the Town"

Its location lot bigger than it looks from the outside. The building stretches back, past the long counter where the salads are made to a small seating area with one large table for eight and several smaller tables around. There’s also additional seating near the front window.

long salad bar at Toss of the Town in Boyertown, PA

The “Toss” in Toss of the Town is for the salads that are the heart of the menu. There are ten signature salads plus a build-your-option with more than 45 topping choices, and more than a dozen dressings. In addition, the restaurant offers paninis and soups to round out the menu.

But I had to go with a salad and chose one of their signatures, the chicken Caesar.

chicken Caesar salad from Toss of the Town in Boyertown, PA

It was your classic chicken Caesar salad with grilled chicken, romaine, croutons, shaved Parmesan and creamy Caesar dressing. It was very good – I thought the chicken had good flavor as did the dressing. And there was plenty of shaved Parmesan.

I’m not normally one to order a salad for my entrée, but this was extremely hearty and filling. There was no shortage of chicken, which certainly helped to fill me up. I ended up taking half of the salad home with me for lunch for the next day.

noodle salad with chicken from Toss of the Town in Boyertown, PA

While my salad was good, I thought Julie’s crispy Asian salad was excellent. It featured spring mix with crispy chicken, mandarin oranges, matchstick carrots, red cabbage, chow mein noodles and an Asian sesame dressing. 

What set the dish apart was a combination of the texture from the noodles and the tangy sweet of the sauce. Julie really enjoyed it, and I think we would both get it again the next time.

tray with five compartments - the four around the outside, clockwise from top left, have red grapes, green apple cubes, a dinner roll with pad of butter, and meatballs. The round center is empty

For kids, the menu is a little different. Toss of the Town takes the salad ingredients and offers them up individually as kid can choose a protein, grain, fruit and veggie (or second fruit).

Jakob ordered meatballs (which are also available on the meatball Parm panini) with a dinner roll, green apples and grapes. It came in a plastic container with four compartments so the individual items never touched.

And he ate the whole thing. That’s the sign of a good kids meal.

In total, we spent around $40 with drinks, not bad for three lunches (four if you count my leftovers).

More than the money, or even the food, the service we received would have us coming back. They were patient as we tried to navigate the menu and just seemed genuinely happy to be serving us on this day.

I can say with confidence that Toss of the Town will be serving us again soon.

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

Toss of the Town
110 East Philadelphia Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512

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

One hundred years ago, in the time of prohibition, speakeasies were everywhere. These were discrete places to get an adult beverage during the brief moment in history when it was illegal.

Today, you can look at any destination and find a “speakeasy.” But in a time when alcohol is perfectly legal, it begs the question: “what is a speakeasy in 2024?”

Outside stairway leading to a landing with a light over a doorway

A Light in the Attic bills itself as “a modern speakeasy.” Located above the Barley Mow in West Reading, it operates as a separate restaurant with its own menu, staff and entrance.

The speakeasy theme begins with the entrance, which can be found along the side of the building at a stairway with a small light hanging over the door.

(There is also an elevator for those who need one to climb to the third floor).

Bookcases with arched tops at the entrance to A Light in the Attic

Just as an old-time speakeasy would have disguised itself, so to does A Light in the Attic. Inside the door is what looks like a library. It is only after you’re greeted by the hostess that she takes you through the curtain and into the not-so-secret dining room.

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

The dining area is quite a unique area with hardwood floors, exposed brick wall, and white lanterns among the rafters. Each table has a small lamp that can be adjusted to various warmth levels.

We had an early dinner reservation – 4:45 – and there were a few other tables seated when we arrived (all of the tables for two would fill up before we left). Our server was attentive and quickly delivered our menus and was back for our drink orders.

A daiquiri colored orange with an orange peel

Julie had a pineapple coconut daiquiri that she said was excellent. Not being a drinker, myself, I tried one of Reading Soda’s botanical series offerings. It’s basically Reading Draft’s version of flavored sparkling water. My peach basil was good, and certainly better than most sparkling waters I’ve tried, but I’m not going to rush out and buy more.

I would, however, happily take many more orders of the rosemary bomboloni, our appetizer for the evening.

Three puff pastries topped with short ribs and shaved parmesan

A bomboloni is a type of Italian doughnut, usually sweet, but this was savory with short rib, onion and black truffle pecorino on top. And it was phenomenal. I love a good sweet and savory mashup and the puff pastries had just enough sweetness to complement the juicy short rib. There was also a green sauce (perhaps a chimichurri) that gave a little tang as well. It was a perfect warmup to our entrees, which arrived a short time later.

pulled boar meat topped with greens and a side of two asparagus spears

I ordered the forager’s wild boar. It was boar pulled pork style boar meat with calvados (fruit brandy) atop a bed of pasta with a side of asparagus. The boar meat was juicy and tender. It wasn’t gamy at all. And the light sauce that it had been cooking in was just perfect.

A rack of lamb sitting atop a bed of mint chimichurri

Across the table, Julie ordered the Tunisian lamb rack. The waitress warned us that it was the spiciest dish on the menu, but Julie asked for the harissa that would have normally been on the lamb to be served on the side, and it went from spicy to a perfect little kick.

The lamb was cooked perfectly. It came with a mint chimichurri and Greek yogurt, which made for excellent complements. On the side, or more accurately underneath, were delicious roasted yams.

Both of our entrees were ones that we will be talking about for a long time.

individual cheesecake colored purple topped with blackberry syrup and a light cookie

As much as we enjoyed our meals, and as full as we were, it didn’t stop us from being tempted with dessert. And for that, we ordered the ube cheesecake.

Ube is a purple yam that gave the dish its very distinct color. It came topped with blackberry sauce and a light cookie (it had the consistency of a fortune cookie) with a dusting of sugar and two slices of peaches for garnish.

The cheesecake was decadent and sweet. The cookie added a nice little crunch. Did we need it, no? But it was absolutely worth the indulgence.

And A Light in the Attic is certainly an indulgence. The total was $140 for the two of us, putting it among the highest priced meals in Berks County.

But it was among the best meals we’ve found, too.

So, what is a modern speakeasy? If it’s a playful location with top-notch food and drinks – like A Light in the Attic – I’d say it’s exactly the kind of place we want to experience.

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

A Light in the Attic
719 Penn Avenue
West Reading, PA 19611

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plate sitting atop a red and white tablecloth. On the plate is a chicken wrap cut in half with a side of crinkle fries
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Cottage Bakery & Cafe

exterior photo of Cottage Bakery & Cafe in Kutztown with two round tables with red and white checkered tablecloths

Kutztown’s Main Street continues to grow. There are so many more options than there were in 2005 when I took my first class at KU. 

And I would argue the options are better today than ever. One of the newer arrivals that I’ve come to enjoy is the Cottage Bakery & Cafe. 

The Cottage opened in the fall of 2023, taking over a corner spot at Main Street across from Letterman’s Diner. 

bakery case filled with cookies and cupcakes at the Cottage Bakery in Kutztown, PA

On my first visit to the Cottage, I found it to be a quaint place. The restaurant offers counter service with limited seating – mostly tables for two, in the narrow storefront. The tables were covered in the red and white checkered tablecloths with matching tabletops on the outside bistro seats. 

The menu is large and varied. At breakfast, they offer pancakes, French toast, omelets, sandwiches, and more. At lunch – which is when I visited – it’s salads, wraps, and sandwiches, but seemingly in endless numbers. This includes regular sandwiches and double-decker stacked sandwiches. 

plate sitting atop a red and white tablecloth. On the plate is a chicken wrap cut in half with a side of crinkle fries

I opted for a chicken Caprese wrap, which was one of the weekly specials. The wrap started with shredded chicken and included mozzarella, salad greens, and a cup of balsamic for drizzling. 

First, I appreciated that the balsamic was served on the side. I enjoy the flavor of balsamic in small doses, and I was able to pour out exactly how much I wanted. 

Second, I love the addition of chicken to Caprese. I don’t order Caprese salads often because I feel it’s too much like just eating mozzarella. With the chicken, it felt more balanced. And the addition of the savory notes really helped pull everything together. It was definitely something I would order again if I saw it on the menu. 

On the side were crinkle fries. They were golden and crispy, exactly how you want crinkle fries to be served. With a little salt, they were perfect. I didn’t need to eat all of them, but I did anyway because they were so good. 

white plate with a chicken sandwich on brioche roll with top off and a side of fries

My meal was impressive enough that found myself back at the Cottage the following week. This time, I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich on brioche. It was an excellent sandwich with Gouda cheese. Gouda is one of my favorites because of its mix of smokiness and creaminess, and it just played perfectly with the seasoned chicken breast. Another item I would absolutely order again. 

Prior to the Cottage, the location had been home to a donut shop for years, most recently Donut Lovers Boom, and before that, the Frying Dutchman. 

small round dark blue plate with three cupcakes on top with various forsting colors

While the Cottage doesn’t have donuts, they do have delicious baked goods like cakes and cupcakes. On my first visit, I bought three cupcakes to take home to the family: German chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, and chocolate vanilla. All were very good. The German chocolate was mine. Topped with a nutty-sweet topping, it was decadent and delicious. 

The building, itself, was showing its age a little during my second visit. There was no air conditioning, just a fan in the corner to help ease the summer heat. 

Other than that, my meals were enjoyable, especially when it came to the food and the price. The sandwich specials were around the $10 mark, perfect for lunch, especially given the quick service. 

At some point, I’ll get to Kutztown early so I can give the Cottage a try at breakfast, but until then, I will definitely enjoy their lunches when I can. 

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

The Cottage Bakery & Cafe
236 W. Main Street
Kutztown, PA 19530

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white plate with a flatbread topped with chicken, tomato and arugula
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Review: Cafe Folino

exterior of Cafe Folino in Wyomissing, PA

Going against my usual rule-of-thumb, we paid a visit to Cafe Folino on its opening day in August 2024. Whenever you visit a recently opened restaurant, you have to expect that the service will be slower and there may be some hiccups along the way. 

We waited patiently as the girl behind the counter took our order with her manager looking over her shoulder to assist. 

order counter at Cafe Folino in Wyomissing, PA

As tends to happen when we go out for breakfast, I ordered sweet while Julie ordered savory. 

My sweet this time – bananas Foster French toast. Six slices came swimming in sweet syrup (infused with orange brandy) with sliced bananas and whipped cream. 

plate of six slices of French toast topped with bananas and whipped cream from Cafe Folino

It was an indulgence, for sure. One that I definitely did not regret. Everything about it was perfectly done – reminiscent of the dessert that inspired the dish. I would definitely order this again (and again and again). 

Julie’s meal was not as much of an indulgence, but certainly no less appealing. She got a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich on a croissant. 

plate with a croissant egg and bacon breakfast sandwich from Cafe Folino

Not enough places offer the croissant as an option for an egg sandwich. It helped elevate the dish at Cafe Folino to another level. 

Between us, we shared an order of hash browns. I enjoyed it as a nice change of pace from the sweetness of the French toast.

Despite some service hiccups, it was still a great first impression. 

Fast forward and we were back again March, this time for lunch. The cafe was busy – an extra row of tables had been added in the middle of the room, and there were barely any seats to be had. 

It was an early lunch, just after 11 a.m. and a steady stream of customers kept the place full throughout our meal. 

The service was much quicker this time, both taking our order and having it arrive on the table. 

white plate with a flatbread topped with chicken, tomato and arugula

I had ordered one of their flatbreads – the chicken pesto. It came topped with pesto, chicken breast, mozzarella, diced tomatoes, a heaping helping of arugula, and a balsamic drizzle. 

The flatbread itself was crispy and held up well with the weight of the mozzarella. The balsamic drizzle added a nice zingy sweetness. The herby pesto brought everything together nicely for an outstanding dish. 

At first, it didn’t look like it would be enough for a meal, but it was plenty. The flatbreads don’t come with a side, but I didn’t need it. 

chicken bacon ranch wrap sliced in half on a plate with ruffle chips

For her meal, Julie opted for the chicken bacon ranch wrap (which came with a side of fries). The wrap was very good was grilled chicken breast, bacon, tomato, and ranch. Though a common site on menus, this was a very well done version that packed plenty of flavor in every bite. 

It was another really good meal – though $40 was a little more than we would generally be looking to spend at lunch time. Still, we left very satisfied once again. 

And meals like this will keep us coming back for more. 

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

Cafe Folino
951 Hill Avenue, Suite 3
Wyomissing, PA 19610

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white square plate with a crepe and a dollop of whipped cream topped with cinnamon sugar
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Review: Salt & Light Cafe

two black chairs against a white wall with a wall hanging that reads "salt of the earth light of the world"

Downtown Reading has nearly everything you can ask for in its restaurants. There’s incredible fine dining and greasy spoon diners, authentic cuisine from Puerto Rico and amazing Asian fusion. 

And in Salt & Light Cafe, it has a unique coffee shop on Fifth Street in the heart of the city. 

Salt & Light opened in April 2023, sharing a building with the Hope of Nations Christian Center. A large painting along the wall inside reads “Salt of the Earth. Light of the World” with a black and white outline of the city’s skyline. 

order counter at Salt & Light Cafe in Reading, PA

The seating is cozy with a few comfy chairs, a couple tables along the opposite wall, a line of seats along a counter by the window, and outdoor seating for the warmer months. 

Salt & Light’s menu is limited – plenty of hot drink options but the food is limited to assorted baked goods and crepes. 

to-go coffee cup wrapped in a black cardboard koozie with a picture of a salt shaker and a light bulb

As always, I had to start with a cup of chai with oat milk. It came in a to-go container (which was convenient because I was still nursing it when I finished my meal). It was a nice spiced chai (I always get mine with oat mlk) and I appreciated that they went the extra mile with the logo on the cup. 

The star of the show, though, was the crepe. I opted for one of the sweet choices – the cinnamon roll crepe. 

white square plate with a crepe and a dollop of whipped cream topped with cinnamon sugar

It was stuffed with cinnamon, brown sugar and cream cheese – and it really did taste just like an actual cinnamon roll only lighter. The crepe was done perfectly and the whole thing just melted in my mouth with every bite. 

The crepe felt like it took a little while to come out, but it was worth it in the end for a freshly prepared – and delicious – brunch. 

And the prices at Salt & Light are very reasonable, too. My crepe and chai cost less than $15 combined. 

Overall, I was very impressed, and I’m glad to see another community hub pop up in downtown Reading. 

I’ll definitely be back. 

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

Salt & Light Cafe
134 N. Fifth Street
Reading, PA 19601

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round plate with a tortilla topped with short rib, corn, queso and and fried egg
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Review: FRESH Breakfast & Lunch

gray building with sandwich board sign out front

What happens when you take classic diner dishes and elevate them in a fine dining setting? 

The answer can be found at FRESH Breakfast and Lunch in West Reading. 

FRESH opened in mid-2022, taking over the former home of Mazi Greek, and before that, Bistro 614.

mirrored bar with dark bartop at Fresh in West Reading

The building still maintains much of the upscale charm of Mazi – the Edison lighting, the white chairs against the dark wooden tables, and the beautiful mirrored bar. 

But while its predecessor restaurants were serving up fine dining experiences at dinner, Fresh is elevating breakfast and lunch with dishes both sweet and savory. 

tables and chairs in front of a large picture window at Fresh in West Reading

When Julie and I visited for a Friday brunch, neither of us even bothered with the lunch menu. Instead we focused entirely on the mouthwatering breakfasts. 

Several dishes caught my eye, but in the end I ordered the short rib tostada. The beautiful plate that was set in front of me featured two corn tostadas with short rib, roasted corn, pico and two eggs drizzled with queso. 

round plate with a tortilla topped with short rib, corn, queso and and fried egg

Normally I go sweet when I order breakfast, but the savory short rib did not disappoint. The meat was perfectly prepared, melt-in-your mouth good while the tostada provided a much-needed crunch compared to the softness of the eggs. And the pico provided a pop of color and a bright flavor. 

Everything worked together perfectly for what was one of the best breakfast items that I have tried. 

round plate with breakfast skillet topped with two poached eggs

Julie felt similarly about her choice – the sunrise skillet. The plate consisted of roasted butternut squash, poached eggs, spinach and mushrooms atop a bed of potatoes. 

Unlike my dish which had the queso serving as a “sauce” to bring it together, Julie’s skillet was filled with items that each stood on their own. Of course once she dug into her egg, it oozed out across the whole dish. But that was secondary to the well seasoned potatoes and squash that were the real highlight. 

plate with two pieces of toast sliced diagonal with a small jar of jam

And not that either of us needed any more food, but Julie’s meal came served with a side of toast. What was cool about it was that rather than the typical packet of Smucker’s, it came with a small jar of preserves. 

Overall, we were both very impressed by our meals. Of course they were on the higher priced side at $17 each, but I’m always willing to pay for quality. 

And Fresh definitely offers quality. 

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

Fresh Breakfast and Lunch
614 Penn Avenue
West Reading, PA 19611

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