plate of meatloaf over mashed potatoes
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Review: State Hill Craft Cocktails & Kitchen

exterior of State Hill Craft Cocktails and Kitchen in Wyomissing, PA

While we’ve found a lot of great restaurants around Berks County, Julie and I are always on the 

lookout for date night options – places to go when we can leave the kids with their grandparents or a sitter for a couple hours. 

One of the places that has moved near the top of our list is State Hill Craft Cocktails & Kitchen in Wyomissing.

Yellow string lights hang over a patio at State Hill Craft Cocktails and Kitchen in Wyomissing.

State Hill Craft opened in 2023 in the former Tino’s/Santino’s along State Hill Road. It’s always been an awkward location with limited parking. That was partially solved when the restaurant purchased the adjoining property and expanded with a new patio and larger parking lot. Even so, we still found a full parking lot when we arrived for dinner on a Friday night in December. 

We had reservations, so we weren’t worried, but it turned out the crowd was for a private party on the patio and there were plenty of tables for us in the main dining room. 

Restaurant dining room with a Christmas tree lit with yellow lights next to a table for four with a black tabletop and blue leather chairs.

We were seated at a table for two at one end of a large oval-shaped banquette. Julie sat on the blue leather booth side while I took the chair. Behind me were two tables against a wall with two mirrors. More black tables with blue chairs lined the front wall. 

Our first trip to State Hill came in November 2023. I wasn’t writing reviews at the time, but we were incredibly impressed with our meals that night. 

brown colored mushroom pasta topped with bean sprouts

I had the umami bomb pasta – a mushroom-infused pasta dish with miso cashew cream while Julie had the coho salmon. It was absolutely excellent, and while the gray-tint of the pasta didn’t make it the most appealing visually, the earthiness of the mushrooms combined with the nutty sweetness of the miso cashew was so good. 

But by the time I got back to writing reviews, they had already swapped out their seasonal menu and the pasta was gone. 

The menu has morphed many times since our visit, and the latest iteration came out in November. It’s a mix of large and small plates with a few sandwiches and burger options. There’s nothing quite as adventurous as the umami bomb, but even familiar items had a little bit of a unique twist to them. 

a burger with cheddar cheese and a brioche bun next to a pile of fries topped with garlic and parmesan.

For example, my billionaire smash. The traditional smashburger got an upscale makeover with wagyu beef, truffle aioli, bacon onion jam, smoked cheddar, lettuce, and tomato. 

As much as I love a good aioli, it was the bacon jam that made this a great burger. The salty-sweet combination is just a great addition. I had just a few bites where I didn’t get enough of the jam, but others where it really shone through. 

The fries were also delicious. It didn’t list it on the menu, but I’m guessing it was garlic, parmesan and herbs. They were addictive, and I just had to finish them, even after I was full. 

Julie ended up taking some of her meal home. She had the wagyu meatloaf which came with an applejack demi glace, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus and crispy shallots. 

Like my burger, the wagyu beef had a deeper flavor than regular ground beef to start. But the applejack demi-glace, with its sweetness and little bit of bite to it, was excellent. It made it feel like something more than meatloaf. 

three bao buns filled with beef next to a cup of sauce for dipping.

Part of the reason that she took half of it home was that we started with an order of birria bao buns. 

The fluffy buns were filled with birria-style short rib, red onion, cilantro, and mozzarella. On the side was birria consomme. We found the consomme to be more like a spicy chili rather than a traditional broth, but I really enjoyed it. The bao soaked it up well and we each finished off one-and-a-half of them before our entrees arrived. 

Overall, it was a great meal for a great date night. 

Two glasses - one with a red drink, the other with iced tea, on a table with a lit Christmas tree in the background.

In addition to the food, Julie had a strawberry “no-jito” mocktail that she really liked, and I had my unsweetened iced tea.  We spent $65 after using a $10 off coupon. Even at full price, it felt reasonable for the quality of the food. 

State Hill Craft impressed on our first visit and our latest visit, and we are looking forward to more impressive meals to come. 

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

State Hill Craft Cocktails & Kitchen
1 Wellington Blvd
Wyomissing, PA 19610

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old-fashioned diner counter with stainless steel stools in dark red motif
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Review: Mark’s Sandwich Shop – Kutztown

beat up wooden sign that reads "Mark's Steaks Subs Fries"

Earlier this year, I visited Esterly’s Sandwich Shop in Bowers. My post about the little hole-in-the-wall sandwich joint received more engagement than any other Facebook post I had done in more than 10 years of Berks County Eats. 

While almost all of the posts were locals attesting to their love of Esterly’s, there were a few who suggested that maybe Esterly’s wasn’t the best in the area. 

Those commenters pointed me to Mark’s Sandwich Shop in Kutztown. 

order counter with a sign above it that reads "Mark's" in red script

Mark’s has never really been on my radar. Even back when I was in college, I was loyal to Spuds. But with so many recommendations, I decided to check it out. 

The shop is one of the many eateries along Kutztown’s Main Street. On the outside, it’s an unassuming, rather dull looking building – pale yellow with dark red trim.

old-fashioned diner counter with stainless steel stools in dark red motif

Inside, I was surprised to find a little bit of a diner vibe with counter stainless steel counter seats to go along with a much larger dine-in section than I expected from the outside. It does have the same colors as the outside so I wouldn’t say it’s the most appealing dining area in the county.

I had ordered my food ahead of time and it was ready for pickup right on time. 

Of course, for comparison’s sake I had to order the same steak sandwich that I ordered at Esterly’s – that meant a steak sandwich with sauce and onions. 

white plate with a cheesesteak with sauce and potato chips

I have to say that I liked it, but it wasn’t my favorite. Specifically, the sauce was a little too tangy for my taste. But the steak meat was good and done well. I would just prefer to go a little lighter on the sauce next time. 

(Even the admin for Mark’s Facebook account agreed, saying they order it with light sauce).

The best part about Mark’s, though, is the fact that they have Dutch fries as a side option. There’s only a couple places that serve Dutch fries outside of the Kutztown Fair, and Mark’s is one of them. 

While Dutch fries look like potato chips, they are fried, not boiled, and they are served hot. Some of the fries get crispy, others stick together and come out softer. Both are absolutely delicious. 

piece of alumninum foil unfolded to show a chicken parm sandwich, cut in half, and a bag of chip-shaped fries.

Again taking my queue from Facebook comments, I headed back to Mark’s, this time for a chicken parm sandwich. I have to say, it fell a little flat for me. It wasn’t anything special, and I didn’t think the roll held up very well. But at least I had a nice big bag of Dutch fries with it. 

My total was about $15 each time, just a couple dollars more than Esterly’s. I would still say Mark’s is very reasonably priced, though. It’s kind of the perfect price point for a grab-and-go meal in a college town. 

And the food is good enough with excellent service that I’m not surprised they have the following that they do. 

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

Mark’s Sandwich Shop
123 West Main Street
Kutztown, PA 19530

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black clamshell container with small cubes of lamb over yellow rice topped with white sauce with fries and a side salad
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Review: Sizzling Bites in Reading, PA

exterior of a strip mall stand with cream-colored facade with red and white logo over the door that reads "Sizzling Bites Gyros & Platters"

I never would have thought that Berks County would become a hotbed for halal food, but it’s starting to feel that way. 

In a little over a year, at least four new halal spots have opened in the county: Sajal Hot Chicken & Gyro in Kutztown, NYC Deli in Reading, Zaytoon in Wyomissing, and the newest addition, Sizzling Bites in Muhlenberg Township. 

Sizzling Bites Halal Grill got its start in Bethlehem in 2024. Their Berks County location is the third for the chain, which opened in Easton earlier in 2025. (Scranton has already been announced as the site of their fourth location, coming in 2026). 

View of the order counter at Sizzling BItes in Reading, PA with a video menu board above a work station with warmers

The Muhlenberg location is along the 5th Street Highway in the Plaza 222 shopping center (the same strip mall that was home to Alebrije until it closed in 2025). 

And the new Sizzling Bites already has a strong following, as evident by the stream of people coming and going during the lunch rush on my visit. One person was ordering from the kiosk, another was studying the menu, three people were waiting for their orders, and a handful of tables were filled with those who already had their food. 

interior of a restaurant with white tables and red chairs with a white wall on the left and red wall on the right

I walked up the counter to order, which ended up costing me $6 more because I grabbed a pack of baklava out of the fridge next to me. I took the dessert and my bottle of iced tea to a table to wait for my lamb platter. 

Only about five minutes later, they were calling my name. I decided to stay and eat at the counter near one of the front windows. 

black clamshell container with small cubes of lamb over yellow rice topped with white sauce with fries and a side salad

The menu at Sizzling Bites is very similar to Zaytoon, the Wyomissing restaurant that has quickly become one of our favorite lunch spots. The lamb platter is my go-to at Zaytoon so I had to see how Sizzling Bites’ compares. 

Sizzling Bites uses diced lamb meat on their platter, which is different from the shaved lamb that Zaytoon serves. I was a little nervous about how the consistency would be, but the meat was incredibly tender. The bed of yellow rice underneath was very similar, and so was the delicious white sauce on top. 

The biggest difference in their platters isn’t the meat, it’s the sides. While Zaytoon’s meat and rice platters are served with a side salad and pita, Sizzling Bites’ is served with a side salad and French fries. 

I liked the fries, but it was more food than I needed, especially at lunchtime. I still ate it all, though – it was just too good to stop. 

clear plastic takeout container with two roll-shaped pieces of baklava topped with pistachio crumble

The baklava went home with me so Julie and I could share it that night. The two long rolls were each cut in half and topped with crushed pistachio. The pistachio added a unique flavor to them, but the real star was the honey, which was used in abundance giving them an addictively sweet flavor. 

My actual lamb platter was about $15, but with my drink and the baklava it ended up being close to $25. The fact that it was a dinner portion – and the fact that everything was delicious – made it well worth the money. 

Halal has found a home in Reading, and I’m here for it. 

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

Sizzling Bites Halal Grill
3225 N. 5th Street Highway
Reading, PA 19605

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Curved rectangular black serving tray with a white bowl filled with potatoes and cheese topped with aioli and a small glass dish with strawberries and blueberries from White Magnolia Coffee Co in Frystown, PA
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Review: The White Magnolia Coffee Co.

Side view of a white building with a front awning and a black sign with white letters hanging over it reading White Magnolia Coffee Co in

Frystown feels about as far away as any location in Berks County. The village, located in the western tip of the county, is one of the smallest in the county with only about 400 residents. 

It doesn’t feel like the kind of place that needs a coffee shop, but that’s where I found The White Magnolia Coffee Co. 

bakery case filled with cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, and scones at White Magnolia Coffee Co in Frystown, PA

White Magnolia started as a mobile coffee trailer based in Myerstown, Lebanon County. In June of this year, the business took over the former Baked Sweet coffee shop and bakery on Frystown Road. 

The coffee shop was certainly doing great business while I was there. It was the day before Thanksgiving, a day off for many, which likely added to the crowd. With no spaces on the main lot, I followed the signs for additional parking to a secondary lot behind the building. The dining room wasn’t filled to the brim, but there weren’t many open tables. And I had two groups ahead of me in line to order breakfast. 

Dining room of White Magnolia Coffee Co in Frystown, PA with a table for four on a wooden floor in front of a tall white wall

The dining room felt spacious for a coffee shop with between 8-10 tables plus two counters with tall stool seats. I didn’t notice until I was ready to leave that there’s a second dining room in the back with more low tables and one high table with a live-edge wooden top. 

At the front of the room, large windows on either side of the door let in the natural sunlight. Next to one window, guests could sit on a pair of wicker chairs with a small table in between. At the other window, a brown couch with tan cushions sat next to a toy kitchen where kids could play. 

Triptych black-and-white floral design on a white wall behind two tables for four at White Magnolia Coffee Co in Frystown, PA

Throughout the room, the white-on-white motif brightens the space, even on an overcast day. Behind the order counter, a white menu board is affixed to the white wall. On a side wall, a triptych of white canvas with black floral print offers words of wisdom: “The whole world is a series of miracles, but we are so used to them that we call them ordinary things.” 

Not wanting to take seating away from the larger parties, I grabbed a chair at the counter next to the barista stand where I watched a constant flow of drinks being mixed, steamed, and poured as I waited. 

large black coffee mug filled with a chai latte sitting on a marble countertop in front of a a small sign with the number 16 on it

That included my own cinnabun chai. It was one of the featured specials for November, and I just couldn’t resist. It was sweet with cinnamon and sugar, definitely a bit of an indulgence. Because of how busy it was, it took about 20 minutes from the time I arrived until my drink was at the table, but it was absolutely worth the wait. 

I had barely taken my first sip when my food arrived. I had ordered the farmhouse breakfast, a bowl featuring home fries, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, cheddar cheese, sauteed peppers, and sauteed onions topped with garlic aioli and chives. 

Curved rectangular black serving tray with a white bowl filled with potatoes and cheese topped with aioli and a small glass dish with strawberries and blueberries from White Magnolia Coffee Co in Frystown, PA

The presentation was gorgeous as the white bowl came out on a small black tray with a little side cup of fruit (strawberries, grapes, and blueberries). It looked delicious, and the first bite did not disappoint. It was a hearty dish with flavorful elements – the potatoes were seasoned and the sausage and bacon added savory notes. But the aioli was what really made the dish. I love garlic, and you probably have to if you’re going to love this dish as much as me because the aioli was definitely garlicky. But I thought it turned a very good dish into an excellent one. 

spinning black rack filled with greeting cards next to a black wire rack of books at White Magnolia Coffee Co in Frystown, PA

And even though it was busy, I didn’t feel rushed as there were always seats available. So I lingered for a while, working from my perch at the bar while I savored my meal. 

It was a little pricey at $25 for the drink and the bowl, but I didn’t feel cheated. The bowl was $16 and the drink was $8 (it was $2 more than a regular chai) plus tax. I would gladly pay that again for a quality meal like I had. 

Frystown may be a bit of a hike, but I would gladly make that drive again for another farmhouse breakfast.

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

White Magnolia Coffee Co.
429 Frystown Road
Myerstown, PA 17067

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round white plate with noodles stir-fried with onions, carrots, and shredded chicken from San's in Wyomissing
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Review: San’s Sushi, Poke, Ramen

small building with a triangular roof and gray siding and a sign above w window reading "San's Sushi Poke Ramen"

Seemingly every day since it opened in late 2024, Julie and I have driven past San’s Sushi, Poke, Ramen along State Hill Road in Wyomissing without stopping. Sometimes we would comment, “we need to go there.” Other days, we’d just go right past without a second glance.

For more than a decade, the small corner spot was home to Bella’s, a pizza and sub shop. Even then, the space was seemingly in a blindspot. I can’t tell you how many times we passed by in favor of neighboring Mama’s Pizza. Part of it is the parking which is limited compared to the neighboring strip mall. And part of it is that the building is just easy to overlook. 

But on a November afternoon while both of us were home, Julie and I decided a lunch date was in order. And San’s was the right spot. 

seats lined up along a wooden counter in front of a window at San's Sushi Poke Ramen in Wyomissing

We walked in a little before 1 p.m. for a late lunch. There were two people sitting at a table when we arrived and another woman filling out a build-your-own poke bowl order slip. That gave us time to look over the menu and look around. 

The restaurant has always been a tight fit, but San’s squeezes three tables and a counter by the large front window into the dining area. There is also a nice sized deck with seating for the warmer months. 

Wood-front order counter with a large print above it showcasing a poke bowl on a black background

The order counter is accented in a light-colored wood. More wood paneling serves as the backdrop of a dark five-canvas print of a poke bowl. Another image of a poke bowl hangs on an otherwise bare white wall. 

Julie decided that the poke bowl sounded good so she built her own. Each bowl comes with a choice of rice base (sushi or white), protein, up to five mix-ins, sauce and garnish.

clear glass bowl on a wood grain table. Inside the dish is a poke bowl of sushi rice topped with tempura shrimp, mango, edamame, scallion, avocado, and crispy onions.

For her bowl, Julie started with sushi rice and tempura shrimp. Sesame dressing was the sauce choice. Mix-ins included edamame, mango, avocado, corn, and scallion. She topped it with crispy onions. 

It was a very good dish. It was light and fresh, sweetened by the mango and the sesame dressing. At the same time, it was filling – a combination of the sticky rice and the protein from the shrimp and avocado. 

As good as it was, Julie could only finish half of it with the remainder going home with us so she could finish it at dinner. 

round white plate with noodles stir-fried with onions, carrots, and shredded chicken from San's in Wyomissing

Wanting to do something different, I opted for the yaki soba (lo mein) with chicken. The egg noodles were thinner than a lot of lo mein that I have had in other places.They were stir-fried with onions, carrots, and shredded chicken in a soy sauce. 

It wasn’t a daring dish, but it was very well done. There was plenty of chicken, and because it was shredded, it didn’t feel processed like at fast food-style Chinese restaurants. It felt like it was high-quality, and it tasted high-quality. 

Both of us would happily order our meals again. We paid cash, saving 15% and bringing our total check down to $27 for our two meals and two bottles of water. Not only is the food good, but it’s a great value. 

And we were in and out in less than an hour, perfect for a workday weekday. 

Lunch or dinner, San’s is a great choice. Don’t overlook it. 

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

San’s Sushi, Poke, Ramen
1912 State Hill Road
Wyomissing, PA 19610

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White plate with enchiladas topped with red sauce, refried beans with a sprinkle of cheese, and yellow rice.
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Review: Castaneda’s Mexican Restaurant

large inflatable skeleton with smiling skull standing in front of an order counter at Castaneda's Mexican Restaurant.

There are times when I go back through my old blog posts and marvel at just how much things have changed since I started this blog 11 years ago. Yes, there have been industry-wide changes, but I’m talking about changes at individual restaurants. 

Castaneda’s Mexican Restaurant in Robesonia is a great example. 

The first Castaneda’s opened in August of 2017 and our first blog came a few months later. Castaneda’s has grown exponentially since. They opened a second location in Denver, Lancaster County, in January 2019 before moving that location to a larger space two years later. 

a hand holding a takeout dish of tacos in front of a food truck

The restaurant operates a fleet of food trucks, including the newly introduced La Botanera Mexican snack truck that debuted in 2025. 

And the original Robesonia location? That also outgrew its original space. In mid-2021, the restaurant moved to the opposite end of Robesonia to the corner of Penn Avenue and N. Linden Street.

(Another Mexican restaurant, Paraiso Rosel, now occupies the original location at 141 W. Penn Avenue). 

Parking is available on the street and in a private lot across Linden Street, a not-so-busy road that’s safe to cross (as long as you look both ways). 

small flags, each a different color of the ranbow, hang from a black ceiling in a room with green walls.

Inside, the restaurant spreads out, with floor-to-ceiling windows on two walls to let in the last of the evening sun. Above our booth, a collection of 20 fanciful hats hang on the wall as if waiting to be claimed by a mariachi performer. 

white menu with black text laminated with a heading that reads "Castaneda's" with an image of a Mexican sugar skull

The menu at Castaneda’s offers few surprises. It’s a collection of Mexican staples like burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas. But Castaneda’s does all of them really well. 

white plate with shredded pork, yellow rice, refried beans and a cup of pico de gallo.

One of the best items on the menu is the carnitas dinner. The slow-roasted pork was melt-in-your-mouth good, perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection.

The dinner comes with rice, beans, pico de gallo, and tortillas. I got two corn tortillas with mine and built a couple amazing tacos with everything on the plate. Then I finished off the refried beans and took a little bit of the pork and rice home to have tacos the next day. 

White plate with enchiladas topped with red sauce, refried beans with a sprinkle of cheese, and yellow rice.

Julie ordered the enchiladas rojas (red sauce) with shredded chicken. It also came served with rice and beans. She enjoyed it – the sauce was good and not too spicy – but I think she was a little jealous after she tasted the carnitas. 

white plate with a taco topped with lettuce and cheese next to a helping of yellow rice and refried beans.

Jakob loved his kids taco. He ordered it with beef topped with lettuce and cheese, his standard order. The taco was gone in no time – so was the rice – but he’s not yet a fan of refried beans so he didn’t finish his plate. 

(He probably ate half a basket of tortilla chips on his own, as well). 

white plate with four chicken nuggets, rice, and refried beans topped with a sprinkling of cheese

And even though we knew he probably wouldn’t eat it, we still ordered Lukas a kids meal. We played it safe with chicken nuggets with rice (Lukas actually really loves rice). The nuggets are nothing special, but anything we can get a two-year-old to eat is good in our book. 

white plate with a quesadilla cut in half and a small salad

We had my mom along for the trip. If you didn’t know, she is Lori of Lori’s Candy Station, another Robesonia institution. She joined us after closing up for the evening and really liked her quesadilla. 

For the five of us, our total came to around $70 which was very reasonable for the portions and quality. 

I’m glad to see that Castaneda’s is continuing to grow, but I’m also glad that the growth included Robesonia. 

And I can’t wait to see what they do next. 

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

Castaneda’s Mexican Restaurant
225 E. Penn Avenue
Robesonia, PA 19551

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Original Review: January 2018

exterior of Castandea's Mexican Restaurant in Robesonia, PA

Editor’s Note: Castaneda’s Mexcian Restaurant has moved. A new, larger location opened in mid-2021 on the other side of town at 225 West Penn Avenue. The original location is now home to Paraiso Rosel Mexican Restaurant.

My childhood home of Robesonia has undergone a lot of changes over the years, oftentimes in ways that I would have never expected.

For example, 25 years ago, I would have never imagined a Mexican restaurant would open in town. But that’s exactly what happened in August 2017 when Castaneda’s Mexican Restaurant debuted.

The location doesn’t have a great track record – restaurants have come and gone over the years. Most notably, Muddy’s Smokehouse BBQ occupied the space for about two years. Castaneda’s is trying to turn that around.

mariachi outfits and a large vinyl decal of mariachi singers hang on a wall at Castaneda's

Visitors may recognize owner James Castaneda as one of the business partners who began La Abuela Mexican Restaurant in West Reading.

Castaneda’s menu is smaller with a greater emphasis on lighter fare – tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos and salads.

the menu at Castaneda's Mexican Restaurant

We visited on a Saturday evening in December, and the dining room was about half-full. Castaneda’s has a handful of tables for four in the small storefront. There was also a steady stream of customers picking up take-out orders while we – Julie, Jakob, my parents, and myself – sat at a table by the front window.

With a relatively small menu, it didn’t take long to decide on our meals. Before our meals were delivered, we were served our complementary chips and salsa.

basket of tortilla chips with a cup of salsa from Castaneda's

The salsa is pureed, not chunky, making for easier dipping and more consistent flavor in every bite. It was good, though I don’t think I could ever complain about free chips and salsa.

Our meals arrived a short time later. Looking for more of a meal than a snack, I ordered the enchiladas Verde – three hefty beef enchiladas in homemade green sauce and queso fresco.

enchiladas with green salsa with yellow rice and refried beans from Castaneda's Mexican Restaurant

Verde isn’t normally my go-to, but I wanted to switch it up from my usual order of enchiladas with mole sauce.

The sauce gets its distinct green color from the tomatillos. It had a very mild spice, but was full of flavor. The ground beef was also well-seasoned, and the two worked very well together. And the cool creaminess of the queso fresco added a nice finish.

Enchiladas at Castaneda’s are served with yellow rice and refried beans. I have always preferred black beans to refried – the texture of refried beans leaves a lot to be desired – but these were fine. I found myself scraping for as much of the salsa Verde as I could get to mix with the rice and beans to give them some of the great flavor that the enchiladas had.

enchiladas with creamy white sauce from Castaneda's

Julie also ordered enchiladas, but for her it was enchiladas Suizas, one of several daily specials advertised on the menu board.

Enchiladas Suizas literally means “Swiss enchiladas.” The name comes from the dairy used to make the creamy white sauce (thank you, Google).

Choosing chicken as the protein, Julie really enjoyed the dish. It was a heavier sauce (Julie had to bring one of the three enchiladas home with her because they were so filling).

Suizas sauce was also out of her comfort zone (ranchero sauce is her favorite), but this dish got her approval, and she said she would definitely order it again.

quesadillas with a small side salad from Castaneda's

My parents each enjoyed their meals as well – my mom had a quesadilla with a side salad while my dad had the chile rellano – a stuffed pepper also served with rice and beans.

But despite all of us being full, we couldn’t leave without trying the fried ice cream. By that, I mean Julie couldn’t leave without trying it. We just had to help her eat it.

fried ice cream with crispy tortilla chips topped with whipped cream, sprinkles and chocolate chips from Castaneda's

The vanilla ice cream was coated in a corn cereal, and deep-fried. It was served with cinnamon tortilla chips and whipped cream, and topped with chocolate syrup and sprinkles.

It’s probably the highest calorie menu item in western Berks County, an indulgence that is great once every five years or so. But it’s so good. The contrast in texture and temperature between the hot, crunchy shell and cold, smooth ice cream never gets old. Everything else is unnecessary (but delicious) window dressing.

It’s also a lot of food, especially after a full meal. We all left feeling way too full. But while we certainly packed on pounds, our wallets didn’t lighten much. Castaneda’s is reasonably priced. The four of us were able to eat for less than $50, even with the dessert and some sodas.

It’s still crazy to think that there is a Mexican restaurant within walking distance of my parents’ house, but Castaneda’s is here. And based on what I saw – and tasted – it might just be hanging around for a while.

BCE Rating:

Food: Very Good
Service: Very Good
Ambiance: Fair
Price: Very Reasonable

Castaneda’s Mexican Restaurant
141 W. Penn Ave
Robesonia, PA 19551

Lunch & Dinner Mexican Reviews
overhead view of a square plate with two halves of a sausage, egg and cheese panini with one half on top of the other
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Review: Rooted & Grounded Cafe

White building with a front door at a corner and the words "Rooted & Grounded Cafe" in black on wall

While I have a great setup for my work-from-home, sometimes it’s good to get out of the home office. Not only does a change of scenery help, it’s a great excuse to grab a table at a local coffee shop. 

And when it comes to places to work away from home, Rooted & Grounded Cafe has moved near the top of my list.  

The cafe is situated at the corner of Lancaster and McArthur Avenues. While the rest of the block have homes set up on a small hill with stairs leading down to the sidewalk, Rooted & Grounded is at street level, cut out from the embankment.

hanging plant in the foreground with dark red charis and an antique dresser in the background inside a cafe

Out front, a church pew serves as a bench seat. Inside, Ephesians 3:17 is scrawled across the wall above the fireplace (the Bible verse also serves as the Wi-Fi password). The passage is where the cafe takes its name. 

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God.

wooden tables in front of a brick wall with hanging plants on either side of the dining room

The cafe is also one of the coziest in the area. Greens in hanging planters come down from the ceiling, and there are two large leather chairs by the fireplace for relaxing. But there’s also plenty of seating for me and my laptop on those days when work-from-home means work-from-anywhere. 

I have visited the cafe for both breakfast and lunch, and it is a popular place, especially for families with young children. What was a small closet in the corner is filled with wooden toys to keep toddlers occupied before and after their meals. 

to-go coffee cup sits on a table - the cardboard sleeve has a circular logo and the words "Rooted & Grounded"

The wait for food and drink doesn’t take long though. Drinks, like my chai latte, come out quickly. 

I really enjoy the chai at Rooted & Grounded. I wouldn’t call it “authentic,” but it’s spiced and not as sweet. 

overhead view of a square plate with two halves of a sausage, egg and cheese panini with one half on top of the other

It pairs well with a breakfast panini, which I tried on my first visit. I ordered a sausage, egg, and cheese which was made up of a sausage patty, scrambled egg patties, and plenty of melted cheddar. It made for a good sandwich, nothing extraordinary, but a good, filling breakfast. (Other options include pancakes, scrambled eggs, and yogurt parfaits). 

When I came back for lunch, it was a different story. 

plate with a panini topped with apple slices, bacon and cheddar next to a pile of chips, a pickle spear, and a cup of maple syrup

I ordered the special apple maple bacon panini which featured apple slices, apple butter, cheddar cheese, and bacon with maple syrup for dipping. This was an excellent combination, a sweet and savory mash-up that went from very good to great after I dipped it in the maple syrup. 

It’s the perfect sandwich for fall. (And it pairs pretty well with a chai, too). It also has me excited to try more lunch paninis in future visits.

The breakfast panini was $9 while the lunch special was $12 – it came with a side of chips. With the chai, my meals cost about $13 and $16, respectively. That feels like a fair price to pay, especially with the friendly counter service and quick arrival of my orders. 

I’m going to keep coming back – adding punches to my frequent visitor card – and enjoying more chai, more breakfast, and more lunches at Rooted & Grounded Cafe. 

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

Rooted & Grounded Cafe
1400 Lancaster Avenue
Reading, PA 19607

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cheesesteak topped with yellow cheese on a plate with a pile of fries.
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Review: Henry P. Robeson House

view from the sidewalk looking at a log cabin building with a white fenced porch

In more than a decade of Berks County Eats, I’ve seen a lot of restaurants come and go, and there is almost always a new restaurant ready to take its place. 

I’ve also seen many that have been an improvement over what was there before. 

And the Henry P. Robeson House would be near the top of the list. 

view looking from a parking lot to a white building with a barn-like second floor and a sign that reads "Henry P Robeson House

Located along Penn Avenue in Robesonia, the Henry P. Robeson House is named for the town’s namesake and former ironmaster of the Robesonia Furnace. Two years ago, the restaurant took over the space that has always been known as the Robesonia House (or Roby House), regardless of what the official bar name was.

interior of a building with log cabin walls and a bar on the left where two men are sitting

Years ago, when it was owned by Johnny and Hon’s, I played poker there. Back then, there wasn’t much as far as food, nor was there much of a kitchen from what I remember. But the Henry P. Robeson promised to be something much more. 

The new restaurant was first announced in the spring of 2022. It finally opened in November 2023, a full year after the original planned opening date. With a 200-year-old building, delays were bound to happen. 

interior of a dining room with log cabin walls and in the corner is a TV showing a football game.

The building’s core is a log cabin which was exposed during the renovation process. The walls alternate between dark brown slats and thick rows of plaster. Other than a single framed picture by the front door, the original walls remain bare to give the restaurant a classic feel. 

football jerseys hang on a light blue wall next to a white double-door

In the rear of the dining room, which was a later addition, blue walls are covered with Conrad Weiser football memorabilia including helmets, jerseys, jackets, and a banner commemorating the Scouts’ 12 league championships.

In its logo, the Henry P. Robeson House touts “Beef & Ale” as the two focal points. The ale is evident from the large U-shaped bar in the center of the dining room. The beef in question is pit beef, the true star of the menu and one of the reasons why the Henry P. earned “Best BBQ” in the 2025 Reading Eagle Reader’s Choice Awards. 

Both Julie and I decided to give the pit beef a try on our visit – me on a cheesesteak and Julie on a salad. 

cheesesteak topped with yellow cheese on a plate with a pile of fries.

The pit beef cheesesteak came topped with onions, peppers, and Chetty Ale sauce, the restaurant’s signature beer cheese. I know some would call it blasphemous, but I think beer cheese is the ultimate cheesesteak topping. It melts into the meat and has rich, deep undertones that pair perfectly with the meat. 

And the pit beef at Henry P. Robeson is a top-notch meat choice. On its own, it’s a savory delight. Mixed with the onions, peppers, and cheese, it made for one delicious sandwich. 

The fries were almost an afterthought, but they were good, too. Dusted with salt and pepper, they were an excellent side that I finished off despite being full long before my last bite. 

plate with French fries, cut tomatoes, chese curds and sliced pit beef

Julie’s “salad,” and I use the term loosely, started with a base of greens. But it was hardly noticeable beneath the piles of pit beef, cheese curds, fries, and tomatoes. 

It came with their house-dressing which was kind of like a honey mustard but not as thick and with a little tang to it. Everything seemed to work, except maybe the cheese curds which Julie would have preferred warmed. Otherwise, the salad had a lot of good things on one plate. 

empty wooden tables next to a long winodw

We had great service throughout the meal, and at just over $40 for our meals, I felt like we definitely got plenty of food for the money. And after being there, and seeing the kids menu, we’ll probably be back with the whole family at some point. (Another thing I would have never imagined a decade ago). 

The Henry P. Robeson House— especially that pit beef—is definitely an upgrade. 

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

Henry P. Robeson House
124 E. Penn Avenue
Robesonia, PA 19551

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black round takeout container filled with chicken in brown sauce with sesame seeds sprinkled on top.
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Review: Fortune Cafe in Wyomissing

strip mall storefront with the words "fortune cafe" in red letters above the entrance.

Over the summer, I posted a picture on social media from a recent visit to Fortune Cafe in Wyomissing. It’s my neighborhood spot for Chinese takeout: General Tso’s chicken, lo mein, and all the classics. I asked followers, what’s your favorite place for Chinese food in Berks? 

While there were a lot of good suggestions, I was surprised by how many others, like me, are big fans of Fortune Cafe. 

tables and booths against a red wall inside Fortune Cafe in Wyomissing, PA

The restaurant is located in the Berkshire Square Shopping Center, in the same strip as Redner’s along State Hill Road. It’s just a short drive from my home base in Wyomissing Hills, which is good because every order I place is ready within 15 minutes. 

Typically, Fortune Cafe is a lunch spot for me. I can get in-and-out quickly with one of their lunch specials. And I tend to eat on the early side, before noon, when there’s virtually no wait time. I walk past the booths that line the walls, and the fish tank full of bright orange swimmers on the left, and usually go right to the counter. 

lighted menu board with photos above a plexiglass-covered counter at Fortune Cafe in Wyomissing, PA.

On my latest trip, I arrived a little later, showing up around 12:30 in the middle of their peak time. While my food was still done before I got there, only a couple booths were open, and I was third in line behind one person picking up and one person ordering in. Clearly it’s not just me who enjoys the lunch specials. 

I keep my order pretty simple usually, either General Tso’s chicken or sesame chicken. 

black round takeout container filled with chicken in brown sauce with sesame seeds sprinkled on top.

Sesame chicken is probably my favorite of the two. It has a sweeter sauce, or at least it tastes sweeter because it doesn’t have the heat of general’s chicken. And they don’t skimp on the sesame seed garnish. 

white rectangular takeout container with General's chicken in sauce, broccoli, and fried rice.

The general’s chicken is a close second for me though. It’s got some heat, nothing outrageously spicy, but it’s more noticeable than some versions of the dish that I’ve tried. It’s also a little tangy which I like. 

All lunch specials come served with fried rice and your choice of an egg roll or a can of soda. I usually opt for the eggroll, but I often don’t have room for it by the time I finish my entree. (I’m just not a soda drinker). It’s a filling meal for around $10 with tax. 

round black takeout container with chicken over rice in a white sauce and two pieces of broccoli

Just because I have my favorites, it doesn’t mean I haven’t tried other things. I recently tried the coconut chicken. Unlike the more chunky pieces used in the general’s and sesame chicken, the coconut chicken had more of a sliced texture. I liked the chicken, but the sauce wasn’t my favorite. I think I was expecting it to be a little sweeter than it was. 

More reason to stick to my go-tos. 

round black takeout container, only about half visible, with lo mein noodles stir fried with vegetables.

Fortune Cafe has also helped us convert Jakob into a fan of Chinese food. His favorite dish is lo-mein, and Fortune Cafe’s stir-fried noodle dish is pretty solid. 

I’m sure the family and I will enjoy many more meals at the Fortune Cafe, as well. 

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

Fortune Cafe
1177 Berkshire Boulevard
Wyomissing, PA 19610

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close-up of a pepperoni pizza on a gray-tinted faux wood table
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Review: Carmelo’s Pizza & Italian Ice

exterior photo of a restaurant with green awning and red trip around the bottom and a sign that reads "Carmelo's.

Boyertown is one of my favorite places in Berks County. I love the many attractions in town, like the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, the Colebrookdale Railroad, and the new General Spaatz Museum. There are also some really cool stores like the Brickworks and their fill-a-bag with LEGOs area. 

I could go on about all of the fun things to do in and around Boyertown. And I could also go on and on about all the great places to eat in town. 

One of those spots is Carmelo’s. 

order counter at a pizza shop with faux brick front and the word "Benvenuto" in cursive lettering

Located along Philadelphia Avenue, just a short walk from the Colebrookdale’s train station, Carmelo’s is your typical neighborhood pizza shop. 

We visited in late May and found out that it was recently under new ownership. Walking in, the unassuming little shop made a strong first impression. The front order counter has a faux stone facade with the word “benvenuto” in script letters across the front. 

There’s a small dining area, which wraps around to the side of the building. The space is illuminated by the light shining in through the large, uncurtained windows. Tables for two and four line the narrow space. 

dining area at Carmelo's Pizza in Boyertown with faux wood tables and black chairs

We grabbed a high chair and pulled it to our seat near the order counter beneath a television so Jakob could have something to watch. They were kind enough to find a kids’ movie to put on and so we watched the first 30 minutes or so of Babe during our meal. 

To make life easier, we had decided on a pepperoni pizza to share. It was about a 20 minute wait before our pizza arrived on the table.

close-up of a pepperoni pizza on a gray-tinted faux wood table

The first thing I noticed was the crust which was thicker than many others that we’ve tried. It was doughy, in a good way. It was cooked perfectly, not chewy, and had a nice crisp on the bottom without being burnt. 

The cheese was bubbly and yellow, and there were plenty of pepperoni on top. It wasn’t anything special, but it was very enjoyable. 

With our drinks, our total was around $25, a very reasonable price to feed our family. 

We also found the staff to be incredibly accommodating throughout our visit – another reason why we love eating local. 

And it’s why Carmelo’s will be a part of future visits to Boyertown, too. 

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

Carmelo’s Pizza & Italian Ice
116 E. Philadelphia Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512

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