a black bowl filled with greens topped with chroizo, scrambled egg, pico de gallo, and crumbled cheese from Taqueria Comalli
— 1 Comment

Review: Taqueria Comalli

front windows of a business - the near window on the right has a picture of a skull and the word "Comalli"

We’ve spent a lot of time reviewing restaurants in West Reading. The Penn Avenue corridor has long been a dining destination. And while there are some long-standing spots, the Avenue has seen a lot of restaurants come and go, and in a few cases, it’s seen restaurants grow. 

That’s true of Taqueria Comalli. 

It is hard to believe that it has already been seven years since our review of Comalli. Our first visit in the fall of 2019 came just a short time after they opened their original brick-and-mortar restaurant on Court Street in West Reading. It was a cozy space with limited seating. We didn’t dine-in much in the years that followed, but we picked up plenty of tacos and horchata in the years since. 

empty bar stools with backrests at a bar with a bike hanging from the ceiling above at Taqueria Comalli

Fast-forward to today and Comalli has settled into their new space on Penn Avenue, the former Beer Wall on Penn adjacent to Baldwin Brass that they took over in 2025. 

Julie and I visited on an unseasonably warm Friday afternoon in October. It was the middle of the lunch rush, but there were still plenty of seats available as we were shown to our table. 

menu page in black with white text from Taqueria Comalli in West Reading

The interior is a study in contracts. One wall is painted a dark shade of gray with fanciful, but equally dark paintings of astronauts with skulls inside the visor. The opposite side of the room creates a literal night-and-day contrast with brightly painted skateboard decks hanging on a pale yellow wall. 

And all throughout are the whimsical touches Comalli is known for – a bike hanging sideways over the bar, potted cacti flanking the bathrooms and strands of paper skulls and butterflies and poofs of paper in orange and purple and blue. 

The menu remains eclectic as well with topping combinations that go far beyond any other Berks County taqueria. 

I have two favorite tacos at Comalli: the el gallo (chorizo and egg with pico) and el brulee (pulled chicken with brulee bananas). I thought about ordering one of each, but opted instead to recreate the el gallo in bowl form. 

a black bowl filled with greens topped with chroizo, scrambled egg, pico de gallo, and crumbled cheese from Taqueria Comalli

Using a mixed greens and Mexican rice as a base, I ordered it topped with chorizo and egg, pico de gallo and queso fresco. Other than the blue corn tortilla, the only thing missing from the taco was avocado, but there was already plenty of protein so I didn’t miss it. 

I always gravitate toward chorizo when I go out for breakfast because I love how the egg balances out the spicy sausage. Comalli’s has a milder flavor, but still very good. And it worked well with everything else in the bowl. It was a hearty and filling meal, probably the equivalent of three tacos without the shells. 

black bowl filled with greens topped wtih steak, beans, avocado and shredded cheese from Taqueria Comalli

Julie had a bowl with a salad green base topped with steak, black beans, avocado, pico and cheese. (Julie opted for the extra add-on). The steak was very good – tender, well-seasoned and cut into small bite-size strips. 

She loves avocado and it worked well with the flavors in the bowl. It also adds some creaminess, sort of taking the place of salad dressing. 

mason jar filled with horchata topped with cinnamon and a whole cinnamon stick from Taqueria Comalli

Normally, I stick to iced tea for my mealtime drink, but we both splurged and ordered horchata with our lunch. It came served in a glass jar, dusted with cinnamon and topped with a whole cinnamon stick. The rice drink was naturally creamy and the cinnamon provided a little spice to the otherwise sweet mixture. 

We spent about $45 for our bowls and drink, not the cheapest meal in the county but not an outrageous price for the amount of food. I finished the bowl, but I could have stopped sooner and been satisfied. (Had I ordered rice as the base to my bowl instead of spring mix, I probably would have split it into two meals). 

Overall, Comalli still feels like Comalli. Table service is a step up, and the flavor remains top-tier. We’ll be making more visits for tacos and bowls soon, I’m sure. 

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

More Tacos in Berks County

More Restaurants in West Reading, PA

Original Review: November 11, 2019

Looking at the blue front door of Comalli Taqueria

The transition from food truck to brick-and-mortar restaurant is something we’ve seen before in Berks County. Two notables come to mind: Gourmand and Sweet Ride. Gourmand now operates a Wyomissing cafe in addition to the food truck, while Sweet Ride has it’s ice cream parlor in West Reading (where they are now making their own ice cream) to go along with a truck and the original ice cream cart.

With its recent opening in West Reading, you can now add Comalli Taqueria to that list.

The spacious interior of Comalli Taqueria

It was last fall that Comalli Taqueria debuted its food truck, crisscrossing the county and the region serving artisan tacos. We first gave them a try early this summer at the inaugural Berks County Taco Fest.

We enjoyed everything that we tried so when it was announced that Comalli would be opening a small restaurant in West Reading, it got us excited.

A skull and other sculptures sit on the counter at Comalli Taqueria

The restaurant celebrated a grand opening on November 2, and one week later, we were stopping by to get take-out for the first time.

Comalli offers online ordering so I took advantage of that, placing an order for pick-up “ASAP.” Originally, I was given an estimate of 35 minutes. I got a text message that it was ready less than 20 minutes later (thankfully, I was actually pulling into a parking space in front of the building at the time, taking a chance that it would be ready a little early).

A Coke cooler in an otherwise empty part of the dining area of Comalli Taqueria

While we weren’t dining inside, there was a couple sitting at one of the four tables in the dining room. It’s a nice space, if not a little understated. A few decorations hang on the walls and from the ceilings, but along with blue accent walls, they provide the only real bursts of color in an otherwise monotone space. I think it’s more pronounced because there was actually a large empty space in the room that could hold a few more tables and chairs.

My food was being packed up when I arrived, and a minute or so later I was back out the door and headed home with six tacos – one of each variety offered – and a quesadilla for our toddler. (Comalli also offers a limited selection of sides, including chips with guacamole, rice and beans).

Julie and I each chose three tacos.  For me, it was the al pastor, el Nopal, and el Brulee.

el nopal taco with grilled cactus, avocado and pico de gallo from Comalli Taqueria

The el Nopal was the first one that I had tried at the Taco Fest. It features grilled cactus with pico de gallo and avocado. The cactus has a little bit of a kick to it, which I remembered from before. I like the flavor, but I have to admit, I still haven’t quite gotten used to the texture of the plant. It’s a little gummy, but once you get past that, it’s very good.

Al Pastor Taco topped with pork pineapple, cilantro and onion from Comalli Taqueria

Julie had the al pastor at the festival so I gave it a try this time. The corn tortillas (all of the tacos were served on grilled corn tortillas) were filled with marinated pork and pineapple with cilantro and onion. I really enjoyed the tender meat, and I am always a fan of pairing pork and pineapple. The simple onion and cilantro were understated additions to the sweet and savory tacos.

el brulee taco topped with chicken, rice, queso fresco, mole poblano sauce and bananas from Comalli Taqueria

I do love the combination of sweet and savory, and that’s why I was really excited to try the el brulee. The el brulee is topped with pulled chicken, rice, mole poblano, double cream queso fresco and – here’s the kicker – brulle bananas.

After eating it, I may have a new favorite taco. All of the ingredients were loaded with flavor. The mole poblano (my favorite sauce) had a nice sweet heat which contrasted beautifully with the cool, creamy queso fresco. The pulled chicken and rice both were well-seasoned. And then there were those bananas. They added so much flavor and there were enough that I found some in every bite. It was a great taco.

As I was savoring my three tacos, Julie was tasting the other half of Comalli’s menu.

el jefe taco with steak, onion and chorizo from Comalli Taqueria

The el jefe featured steak with onion and cilantro. It’s the simplest taco on the menu, but when you’re dealing with quality steak meat, you don’t want to hide that flavor. And this was quality, the base of a very good taco.

Chicken tinga taco (topped with chicken, cilantro and onion) from Comalli Taqueria

Her chicken tinga taco was another that we had tried at the food truck. The tinga features chicken that has been slow-cooked in a chipotle, onion and tomato sauce topped with onion and cilantro. The marinade for the chicken is, as I described it before, perfect.

For both of these, Julie added a little bit of the mild avocado salsa (not to be confused with guacamole – the salsa was much more sauce-like) that Comalli offers. It was a little spicier than she expected, but very good and a nice change of pace from the standard tomato salsa.

el gallo taco topped with chorizo, avocado, queso fresco and pico de gallo from Comalli Taqueria

But Julie’s favorite was the el gallo. It had a lot of flavors with chorizo sausage in whipped eggs with pico de gallo, queso fresco and avocado. The creamy cheese and the avocado paired well with the mildly spicy chorizo. It was delicious.

A plain quesadill and a taco at Comalli Taqueria

For Jakob, we had ordered a plain quesadilla. The cheese came packed in between two of Comalli’s signature corn tortillas. Julie and I really enjoyed them. Jakob, however, didn’t care for them, but he opened up the quesadilla and ate all of the cheese. That’s a two-year-old for you.

At least Julie and I really enjoyed our meal. And not only was it convenient, but it was reasonably priced, too. For six tacos and a quesadilla, it cost us $25. Most of the tacos (and the quesadilla) were $3 apiece. The more “premium” tacos like the el gallo and el brulee were $4. That’s not a bad price to pay for quality.

With the food truck, we probably would have visited again if the line wasn’t too long. With the restaurant, we will definitely be back again soon.

Comalli Taqueria is just that good.

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

Comalli Taqueria
701 Court St
West Reading, PA 19611

Mexican Reviews
round white plate with four pieces of a toast topped with tuna salad and tomatoes, drizzled with balsamic, with a pile of pretzel nuggets in the middle
— 1 Comment

Review: Gourmand Cafe – Wyomissing

exterior of a single floor brick building with an olive green awning, windows painted with pumpkins and fall leaves, and a sign that reads "Gourmand Cafe"

A good lunch spot is more than good food. It has to be fast and close to home (or work) and have good food. 

Living in Wyomissing, we have a lot of great lunch spots around us. One of those is Gourmand Cafe. 

For a few years, the cafe felt like it was open sporadically. Gourmand was running two food trucks and a catering business. At different times, they also had a stand at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market and a short-lived cafe in West Reading. All of this took time away from the cafe on Berkshire Boulevard.

menu board at Gourmand Cafe obscured by a potted fern on the order counter

Hours are more regular now with Gourmand serving breakfast and lunch every day but Monday. Julie and I stopped in on a September Friday just before noon. A catering order was heading out the door as we walked in. There was one couple ahead of us at the order counter where an employee took their order then delivered their drinks before taking our order. We were pre-warned that our food might take 20-25 minutes because she was also on grill duty. 

We were fine with the wait and took a seat by the front window. (A couple came in behind us, received the same news, and left). 

two tables for two pushed together next to a window, above which is a sign that reads "Stay Awhile"

A terrace of wicker baskets and ribbons hung above the dining room. Generic food-related primitive signs hung on the walls with simple phrases like “stay awhile” and “eat.” They stood in stark contrast to the menu board behind the counter which was hand-drawn with little flourishes on the ends of the letters. 

Thankfully for us, our meals arrived quicker than advertised, about 15 minutes after we placed the order. And in true Gourmand fashion, the portions were huge and the presentation was top-notch. 

burger topped with cheese, bacon and onion straws on a plate with a pile of French fries

I ordered the sub-bourbon burger which featured a patty soaked in maple-bourbon glaze topped with bacon, onion straws and Cooper sharp. On the side, an intimidating mound of French fries. 

The burger was huge, a half-pound patty that was thick but cooked perfectly. It had a mild sweetness from the glaze, but it wasn’t overpowering. The Cooper sharp was the right cheese choice, beautifully melted to hold everything together. It was delicious and satisfying. 

It was almost too satisfying because I barely touched the mound of French fries. They were good, simple shoestring fries, but most of them went home in a takeout box. 

round white plate with four pieces of a toast topped with tuna salad and tomatoes, drizzled with balsamic, with a pile of pretzel nuggets in the middle

Julie went with one of her favorite sandwiches – a tuna melt. Gourmand’s version is nothing like any other tuna melt in Berks. It’s served open-faced with melted Swiss, not uncommon in itself, but then Gourmand adds bruschetta and balsamic drizzle. The side of seasoned pretzels – cinnamon sugar for Julie – were placed in the middle of the four slices of rye. 

The result was a plate with barely a speck of whitespace and a dish that goes from a traditional hand-held sandwich to a meal that requires at least a fork for cleanup work. The tuna itself was delicious. It tasted freshly made. The bruschetta, balsamic drizzle and tuna made an unexpected combo, but they worked really well together. 

The seasoned pretzels are a classic Gourmand side, lighter than fries but still substantial. Like me, Julie couldn’t finish her meal, taking more than a quarter of it home with her. 

brightly lit restaurant dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows

Both our meals were $12 so our final total was around $26 with tax, a great price for the amount of food. (We skipped drinks and stuck with the free water). And despite warnings to the contrary, our food arrived quickly and was exactly what we were hoping for. 

I’m glad Gourmand is back to its consistent hours. Maybe we will be back more consistently. 

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

Gourmand Cafe
945 Berkshire Boulevard
Wyomissing, PA 19610

More Cafes in Berks County

More Restaurants in Wyomissing

Cafes & Coffeeshops Lunch & Dinner Reviews
hands holding a gyro on a pita with beef and lamb gyro meat
— Leave a Comment

Review: Mediterranean Medley at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market

market stand inside the Reading Fairgrounds Farmers Market with two rotating spits of meat beneath a sign that reads "Mediterranean Medley"

One of the best things about the Fairgrounds Farmers Market is the incredible variety. It’s the only place in Berks County where you can get a bowl of Vietnamese pho, a flight of French toast, a Cajun po’ boy and a Haitian feast under one roof. 

And, as we found out, you can also get some good Lebanese food at Mediterranean Medley. 

prepared foods case at Mediterranean Medley at the Reading Fairgrounds Farmers Market

We arrived at the market shortly after 11:30 on a Friday. Julie and I walked the aisles as we waited for one of the stands to “call” to us. As we approached Mediterranean Medley, Julie saw the beef and lamb gyros on the menu board, and our decision was made. 

There was no line at the time so they went to work on the order, shaving the meat off the rotating spits behind the counter. In just a few minutes, we had our meal and headed to the quieter side of the market and the seating along the west wall near Clover Hill Winery. 

hands holding a gyro on a pita with beef and lamb gyro meat

Julie ordered the gyro that caught her eye from the start. The meat was a lamb and beef blend that was shaved thin and served on a pita with lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatziki sauce. 

The meat was very well seasoned – a good mix of both meats for that unique savory flavor that only comes from shawarma. The pita was packed full with meat and toppings, and was flavorful on its own with just a little hint of sweetness. 

pita filled with chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion and white tzatziki sauce

I also got a gyro, but I opted for the chicken souvlaki for mine. Instead of shaved meat, it was tender chunks of marinated white meat chicken. The meat had a very nice flavor to it, but because of the chunky nature, I didn’t get chicken in every bite. (Unlike Julie’s where the shaved meat was a more consistent presence). 

The tzatziki sauce was very good, though it lost its thickness over time until it was dripping out the bottom of the pita by my last bite. 

Though both of our gyros were good, I would definitely opt for the lamb and beef next time. 

triangular cut piece of baklava from Mediterranean Medley at the Reading Fairgrounds Farmers Market

Julie and I also picked up a little treat for later. Mediterranean Medley’s baklava looked too good to resist – and it tasted even better. 

The container had a square of baklava – three to four inches on each side – cut into two triangles. The flaky phyllo was layered on top a decadent mix of honey and nuts. It was exactly what we were hoping for. 

Our total was $27.50 for the gyros and baklava. It’s a little on the high side for the market, but the gyros were filling and satisfying. 

loaf of sourdough bread on a wooden cutting board

In addition to hot foods, Mediterranean Medley offers a range of prepared foods and baked goods. On a previous visit, I picked up a loaf of sourdough from Laissa’s Baked Goods. The loaves run between $12-$15, depending on the style. We used them for breakfast sandwiches and as sides for our soups throughout the week. 

I also picked up a small container of Mediterranean Medley’s baba ganouj. The eggplant-based spread had a great smokey flavor to it, perfect for my wraps that I enjoy for lunch during the week. 

The hot food at Mediterranean Medley was good, but I was a bigger fan of the baba ganouj. That’s enough to keep me coming back for more. 

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

Mediterranean Medley
Fairgrounds Farmers Market
2934 N. 5th Street Highway
Reading, PA 19605

More Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Food

More Farmers Market Meals

Lunch & Dinner Mediterranean Reviews
Indoor market stand with miniature flags of Central and South American countries hanging above the order counter
— 1 Comment

Review: Sizzling Island at Fairgrounds Farmers Market

Indoor market stand with miniature flags of Central and South American countries hanging above the order counter

There are times when I wish I knew more about cooking, especially seasoning. Even with more than a decade of food blogs under my belt, there are times where I don’t have the words to do justice to the flavors that I’m tasting. 

That’s the case with the beef legume from Sizzling Island Creole Caribbean Cuisine, one of my favorite stands at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market. 

I first tried Sizzling Island in the fall of 2024 while they were operating a second location inside the Reading Downtown Food Court.

takeout container with rice, cabbage and beef stew from Sizzling Island

This wasn’t just my introduction to Sizzling Island, but it was my introduction to beef legume, the delicious Haitian stew that I instantly loved. In my Instagram post at the time, I described it as “bursting with flavor,” the most detailed description I could give. 

The downtown location closed in late 2024, but the Fairgrounds location is still going strong. I visited the market stand during the summer of 2026. When I arrived, there was a short line ahead of me – a group of four college students who just barely beat me to the stand. 

warming trays with oxtail and rice at Sizzling Island's stand at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market

Sizzling Island is at the north end of the market near the Bellevue Avenue entrance. The stand looks a bit chaotic. Flags of countries in Central and South America hang above the order counter. There’s a faux-roof on the stand, green metal sheeting that matches the artificial turf that covers a small wall at the end of the stand. Along the base of the order counter were woven potholders and a pair of potted plants. 

I placed my order – beef legume with a side of plantains – and waited. Most of the food at Sizzling Island can be found on the steamer table. A variety of stews, soups and sides sizzle in the pans. However, there were no plantains ready so all I could do was wait. 

I normally eat an early lunch so with the clock passing 12:30, I was extra hungry. It was only 15 minutes from the time I ordered until I had my food, but if you had told me a half-hour had passed, I would have believed you. 

three-compartment takeout container with black rice, beef stew and fried plantains

The beef legume was everything that I remembered it being. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender with bursts of flavor – garlic, peppers and other mild spices – in every bite. 

The “legume” part is a mostly mashed vegetable medley that the beef is stewed in. It’s not the prettiest dish to look at as it takes on a green-yellow hue from the spinach with little pops of orange from the larger pieces of carrots that haven’t been mashed up. 

I don’t really care what it looks like, it tastes amazing. 

On the side, I had black rice (duri djon djon), another Haitian specialty. Sizzling Island’s version uses long-grain rice with green peas that have been cooked with even more seasonings and spices to give it a unique flavor of its own.  

The plantains, unfortunately, were not as sweet as I had hoped for. They were OK, but I wished I had ordered something that was already on the warming table instead of waiting for the plantains. 

The beef legume meal cost $19. It’s on the higher side for the market, but the portion was enough for two meals so I felt like I got more than my money’s worth. 

I may not be able to tell you every flavor or every spice I tasted at Sizzling Island, but I can tell you the food is worth trying for yourself. 

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

Sizzling Island at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market
2934 N. 5th Street Highway
Reading, PA 19605

More Farmers Market Foods

More Caribbean & Latin American Food in Berks County

Caribbean & Latin American Farmers Market Meals Reviews
styrofoam container with three slices of French toast - one topped with bananas, one topped with a cream cheese drizzle and one topped with fresh blueberries and cream cheese
— Leave a Comment

Review: Brenda’s Fresh Start Cafe at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market

Brenda's Fresh Start Cafe stand inside the Reading Fairgrounds Farmers Market

One of the best parts of shopping at the Fairgrounds Farmers Market is grabbing a meal while you’re there. Most of my visits are at lunch because it’s the easiest time for me to get there. But after a recent breakfast at Brenda’s Fresh Start Cafe, I now have a reason to shop early. 

Brenda’s opened in early June, taking over the space that the Hot Spot most recently occupied at the north end of the building. 

three-page menu folded out on the counter of Brenda's Fresh Start Cafe

The stand is part diner, part sandwich shop with a menu that includes both breakfast and lunch/dinner items. Both parts of the menu are robust. On the breakfast side, it’s French toast, pancakes, omelettes and egg platters. For lunch, it’s burgers, quesadillas, sandwiches and wraps. 

But while the menu headings all look familiar, Brenda’s offers some unique twists. Especially at breakfast. And especially with French toast. 

black dry-erase board with the word "specials" at the top and a list of breakfast items

French toast doesn’t just come with white bread or brioche. Instead, there are varied options that include raisin bread and banana cake, plus weekly specials. And during my visit, they were offering French toast flights. Each flight came with three slices of your choice from among six styles: banana peanut butter, pumpkin cream cheese swirl, banana cake, blueberry cream cheese swirl, strawberry cheesecake and chocolate cream cheese. 

I opted for the pumpkin, banana and blueberry. 

The cafe has limited seating – a single row of four or five stools adjacent to the order counter – so meals are packed to go. After a short 10-minute wait, I grabbed my bag and took a seat at a nearby table in the market’s communal dining area.

Aside from the styrofoam container, the presentation was beautiful. Each one was uniquely topped (though everything was dusted with powdered sugar). 

styrofoam container with three slices of French toast - one topped with bananas, one topped with a cream cheese drizzle and one topped with fresh blueberries and cream cheese

I dug into the banana cake first. It was topped with fresh bananas and a sprinkle of cinnamon. The bread, itself, was delicious but a little dry before I added syrup. It had a strong banana flavor even without the fresh bananas on top. 

The pumpkin bread was probably my favorite. It had a blend of spices that reminded me of a spiced cookie you eat at the holidays. With the addition of the cream cheese on top, it was more like a pumpkin roll. I could have eaten several slices of it. 

The blueberry swirl was the last on the plate. Not only was it topped with fresh blueberries, there was fruit baked into the bread. The cream cheese made it extra sweet and decadent, the perfect ending to a breakfast that felt more like dessert. 

At least during my visit, the French toast flight was a weekly special for $11. On the regular menu, French toast ranges from $7 for a plain short stack to $13.50 for a full stack of one of their specialty breads. 

Everything coming out of Brenda’s kitchen looked good, and with decent prices across the menu, I’ll definitely come back to try more of their menu. 

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

More Breakfast in Berks County

More Farmers Market Finds

Breakfast & Brunch Farmers Market Meals Reviews
loaves of sourdough bread on a wooden shelf unit
— Leave a Comment

Review: Laissa’s Baked Goods

loaves of sourdough bread on a wooden shelf unit

In addition to great restaurants and food trucks, Berks County has some amazing bakeries. One of those that I recently discovered is Laissa’s Baked Goods. 

I first saw her stand at the pop-up farm market at the Berks County Heritage Center in September. A few weeks later, I was invited by Laissa to try some of the most popular items.

display of cinnamon rolls and individually wrapped rice krispie treats

Laissa’s began two years ago. Since then, sourdough breads and other products have been sold at Mediterranean Medley inside the Fairgrounds Farmers Market. This year, the business has expanded to include pop-up events with a full schedule through the early fall. 

We caught up with Laissa’s at one of those pop-up events, the one-year anniversary celebration for HoneyPop, the West Lawn-based dirty soda trailer. 

Laissa’s table was filled with breads and sweet treats, and we were treated to four favorites: a loaf of sourdough, a brown butter honey Rice Krispie treat, a vanilla chai cinnamon roll and a dirty chai cookie. 

individually wrapped rice krispie treat from Laissa's Baked Goods

We had to try the Rice Krispie treat before we left the event. With brown butter and honey, this treat was anything but traditional. It was very rich and had almost a caramel-like quality to it. In addition to the marshmallow that held the whole thing together, there were large, melty chunks of marshmallow throughout. Our youngest was obsessed over it so we relented and let him have most of it. 

cinnamon roll on a red plate sitting on a granite countertop

Julie and I saved the cinnamon roll for ourselves. It was billed as a vanilla chai cinnamon roll. Both flavors came through in the icing – it was extra sweet with hints of spice from the masala chai that also gave it a darker hue. Coffee mixed with the cinnamon filling reminded me of tiramisu where the coffee is more of a background flavor. 

cooke with white chocolate chunks on a round red plate

There was a slightly stronger coffee flavor from the espresso in the dirty chai cookie. The cookie was about the size of a hockey puck but incredibly soft on the inside with the consistency and flavor reminiscent of a molasses cookie. The chunks of white chocolate made it a more indulgent sweet treat. 

Laissa’s is not all about the sweets. A big part of the product line is sourdough loaves which come in a range of flavors including everything bagel, cheddar jalapeno and garlic rosemary. 

loaf of sourdough bread on a wooden cutting board

We only tried the plain sourdough, but it was very good. It was crusty on the outside and soft in the center with the familiar flavor of a sourdough loaf. It served us well on egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches for several days after. 

Laissa’s Baked Goods is popping up at events in Berks County and beyond, but you can also find sourdough loaves and select treats at Mediterranean Medley and Cafe 372 at the Reading Fairgrounds Farmers Market while supplies last. 

More Farmers Market Finds

Bakeries Farmers Market Meals Reviews
place setting at the Inn at Twin Linden featuring a folded napkin holding a menu in front of pnik flowers
— Leave a Comment

Review: The Inn at Twin Linden Farm-to-Table Dinner

exterior of the Inn at Twin Linden, a large white historic inn with green shutters and trim

Having done Berks County Eats for more than a dozen years, there aren’t many places to eat in Berks County that I don’t know about at this point. But head outside of Berks – even just a mile or two – and there are still a lot of surprises. 

One of those surprises was the Inn at Twin Linden. The Inn is located along Route 23, less than five miles from the Berks County border in Narvon, Lancaster County. Throughout the year, the Inn at Twin Linden is a bed-and-breakfast and special event venue. But on select Saturday nights in late summer and early fall, the Inn hosts a farm-to-table dinner.

firepit surrounded by Adirondack chairs in front of fields of farmland

I hadn’t heard of the Inn, nor had I heard of the dinners, until their event manager reached out and invited Julie and I to experience it for ourselves. 

On a late September evening, we made the 30-minute drive south from Wyomissing to just outside Morgantown. Because of the limited parking on-site, we parked at a church across the street. 

a stone bench sits among flower pots in a square-shaped garden

The forecast was calling for heavy rains, but there was just a light mist in the air when we arrived, giving us a chance to explore the grounds before dinner. A large firepit encircled with a dozen Adirondack chairs overlooked rolling hills of Lancaster County farmland. Behind it, a vegetable and herb garden. In front of it, bright red, yellow and purple flowers brightened an otherwise gloomy evening.

Typically, the spacious backyard would play host to the dinner, but the forecast forced us inside the renovated barn toward the rear of the property. 

exterior of a renovated barn with an added front porch and standard door

While the barn has received some modern upgrades – some new inside walls for insulation, new windows and improved lighting – much of the charm comes from the original features. The dark-hued wood floorboards are uneven with age. One original, wide barn door still maintains its white paint, chipping with age. In one corner, a horseshoe hangs above a mystery door with its original iron hinges. 

place setting at the Inn at Twin Linden featuring a folded napkin holding a menu in front of pnik flowers

Dinner was scheduled to start around 6 p.m., and as the time came, we all settled in to our assigned seats. Five tables of 10 were set around the barn. Ironically, we were seated next to another couple from Wyomissing along with a husband and wife from Blue Bell, Montgomery County, who were staying in one of the suites on the property. 

small blue and white plate with a green napkin embossed with the logo for the Inn at Twin Linden holding a small puff pastry

On a nicer evening, the first course would be enjoyed cocktail hour-style as we wandered the grounds. Instead, the small plates with a teaser of a pastry were delivered to our tables inside the bar. Aptly named, the “first bite” was a small brie and apple phyllo crisp. It was merely a taste of what was to come, but it was a great first impression. The flaky crust on the inside with the creamy brie on the inside was a perfect match. It was sprinkled with parsley to give it a little earthiness to match the sweetness of the apple. It was a shame that it was gone in just a couple bites. 

The first course was our first chance to experience the parade of young servers. The team consisted of mostly girls, elementary through high school, in their long black dresses and hair braided indicating they were Amish or Mennonite. (There were a few exceptions, including some older teens in black shirts and pants and at least one boy who wore a black cowboy hat). We found out at the end of the meal that these were neighbors of the Inn and its owners, recruited to learn the basics of the hospitality industry as they alternated between clearing dishes and setting each course. 

white rectangular plate with three bite-size appetizers including a tart, half an eggroll and a stuffed mushroom

Our second course for the night was a trio of appetizers: a roasted pear tart, a short rib spring roll and a crab-stuffed crimini mushroom. 

The roasted pear tart was my favorite of the three. It wasn’t too far removed from the first bite, but it had its own unique flavor thanks to the strength of the Gorgonzola and the slightly sweet caramelized onions. The pastry was also a little thicker, though it still flaked with each bite. 

Julie’s favorite was the short rib spring roll, which I also enjoyed. It was a very light outer shell stuffed full of tender short rib. It came on a bed of melted, smoked Gouda that was very strong. 

I’m not a big fan of any seafood, but I found the crab-stuffed mushroom to be less about the crab and more about the filling and the thick-walled, earthy mushroom it was served in. 

All three were very different but very good in their own way. And with small bites of everything, we were able to experience a diversity of flavors over the course of the two-hour meal. 

round plate with a salad topped with thinly sliced apple, pomegrantaes, and diced butternut squash

Following the appetizers was the salad course. Everyone at the table agreed that this was one of the best salads we had ever tried. It featured organic mixed greens with roasted butternut squash, sliced apples, pomegranate, shaved fennel, toasted pecans, sharp cheddar and cider vinaigrette. The squash, cooked until soft, was a salad ingredient that I didn’t know I was missing before. Because the squash was roasted, it added a bit of a smokey flavor that was countered nicely by the sweetness of the pomegranate and the thin-sliced apples. 

By this point, I would have been satisfied if we had skipped right to dessert. Instead, we still had steak and seafood to come. 

white plate with steak and potatoes topped with a brown demi glace with specs of yellow hollandaise sauce

Our first entree was NY strip steak served with potato gratin, root vegetable hash, red wine demi glace and fresh sage Hollandaise. The steak was cooked perfectly with the right amount of pink in the middle. The demi glace was sweet, but there was also a teriyaki-like aftertaste that was surprising. The potatoes were very well prepared, thin slices that were slightly crisp on the outside layered with creamy cheese on the inside. And the hash was very good, as well, featuring some of the same squash from the salad plus carrots and parsnips, the latter being an unexpected addition. 

As the meal went on, every course seemed to be better than the last so despite having had more than enough to eat, we were excited for our next taste. 

plate with a white fish over risotto with crispy brussels sprouts

The penultimate course featured fish, a maple and Dijon-glazed pompano with autumn squash risotto, roasted Brussels sprouts and a white wine herb beurre blanc. Again, I’m not a fan of fish, but I thought the glaze was very flavorful. You could see the mustard seeds across the top of the white fish, and I really liked the combination of the sweet maple with the sharp Dijon. It wasn’t a heavy mustard consistency, but a lighter, more subtle flavor. 

The risotto was amazing. It was thick and cheesy, the rice reduced to the perfect consistency. And the squash gave little pops of flavor throughout. I am going to try to recreate it at home (and will likely fail). If I had one criticism of the meal, it would be that the Brussels sprouts were a little overcooked. Honestly, I wouldn’t have missed them even if they had been cooked perfectly. 

white rectangular plate with a circular cheesecake topped with apples and caramel drizzle

Of course, the chef saved the best for last. Dessert was a caramel apple Devonshire cheesecake. It was so decadent with thick caramel and bright fresh apples sitting atop a delicious cheesecake base. The whole thing was topped with tiny fall-colored sugar sprinkles that gave little extra pops of sweetness. We may not have had any room left after the previous five courses, but we were not about to leave a speck of that delicious dessert on the plate. 

The apples were locally grown by Zimmerman’s Orchard, and many of the ingredients came from local purveyors – the steak, the cheese and the vegetables all were from local farms and markets. Some ingredients – like the butternut squash, eggs and potatoes – were even more local, grown in the backyard garden at the inn. 

The cost per person is $125 which includes a true farm-to-table six-course meal. Though it is BYO, there was also a complementary cocktail – the fireside fizz with Fireball, Prosecco and cider. While the price may scare many away, it is worth it. It was an amazing meal and an amazing night. From the first bite to the last, the meal was exceptional. It was a true dining experience with a familiar, yet elevated menu. Experiences like this are few and far between in our area.

view over the shoulder of an Adirondack chair looking out a pergola and the fields beyond it

As beautiful as the barn was, I still wish the weather would have cooperated to enjoy the meal under the stars in the backyard. I can only imagine how that would have added to the ambiance of the evening. 

But as it was, I would not have traded this meal for anything. 

The last dinner of 2026 will be held on October 24. Look for the 2027 schedule in the new year.

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

The Inn at Twin Linden
2092 Main Street
Narvon, PA 17555

More Fine Dining in Berks County

More Restaurants Near Morgantown, PA

Country Inns Finer Dining Lunch & Dinner Reviews
overhead view of sweet cream pancakes topped with a pad of butter and dusted with powdered sugar from Cafe Folino in Temple, PA
— Leave a Comment

Review: Cafe Folino – Temple

exterior front steps of Cafe Folino in Temple, PA

After Cafe Folino opened in Wyomissing two years ago, it quickly became one of my favorite breakfast spots in Berks County. 

Apparently others agreed because the Italian-style cafe has done well enough to expand to a second location in Temple, which opened in early 2026. 

dining room of Cafe Folino in Temple, PA featuring a yellow wall with a mural of a bistro table next to Italianate houses and the Colosseum.

The new Cafe Folino is located in the former Oliver’s Place along Mount Laurel Road. The space received an interior makeover with dark tables set against bright yellow walls. On one wall, a floor-to-ceiling mural depicts a cobblestone street in Rome. A coffee cup set on a bistro table with white tablecloth in the shadow of the Colosseum. An adjacent wall features a large image of a coffee cup with “affogato,” “latte,” and “mocha” scrawled in calligraphy. 

dining room with a yellow wall painted with a mural depicting a coffee cup with calligraphy

Like its Wyomissing counterpart, it’s not a large dining room, but it feels like plenty of space – mostly tables for four with a few two-seaters like the one I sat down at along the short wall separating me from the employees’ area. 

It was a short wait, less than 10 minutes from ordering before my food was placed in front of me. 

plates of sweet cream pancakes and hash browns from Cafe Folino in Temple, PA

There are a lot of opportunities to indulge with Cafe Folino’s menu – with decadent versions like Bananas foster and cannoli stuffed, most of the pancake and French toast options could double as dessert. I went for the simple sweet cream pancakes. 

The pancakes come in a stack of two, round enough to fill the large white plate and incredibly thick. A pad of butter and dusting of powdered sugar top the breakfast treats that came with a small cup of syrup on the side. 

overhead view of sweet cream pancakes topped with a pad of butter and dusted with powdered sugar from Cafe Folino in Temple, PA

Despite the fact that there were no “fancy” toppings, these pancakes were still incredibly sweet. There was something like a light sugary crust around them that reminded me a little of a creme brulee. 

All of the butter and syrup were quickly absorbed by the top pancake so I found myself reaching for a bottle of sugar free syrup by the free water at the back of the dining area, but I had no complaints as I savored each bite. 

plate of hash browns from Cafe Folino in Temple, PA

I know Cafe Folino’s portions so I knew I didn’t need anything on the side, but I ordered hash browns anyway just so that I would have a little change of pace as I ate. The shredded potatoes were done well, and I had a generous portion of them. 

For the pancakes and hash browns, my total bill was around $15, not a bad price to pay for a lunch that filled me for the rest of the afternoon. 

I finished my meal and hung out for another hour or so as I got some work done. It was a quiet day with only a few other customers coming and going in the time that I was there. 

With the Wyomissing location so close, I probably won’t be making too many more trips to Temple, but I was glad to see the same quality, service and portions can be found at the new location, too. 

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

Cafe Folino
1007 Mount Laurel Rd
Temple, PA 19560

More Coffee Shops in Berks County

More Restaurants Near Temple, PA

Breakfast & Brunch Cafes & Coffeeshops Reviews
blackened chicken over vegetables and salad greens from the Kutztown Tavern.
— Leave a Comment

Review: Kutztown Tavern

exterior of the Kutztown Tavern in Kutztown, PA

I’ve made many visits to Kutztown in recent years, but I spent a lot of that time trying the new and new-to-me restaurants in town that I haven’t made many return blogs. Recently, though, I got an invite to revisit the Kutztown Tavern, and I couldn’t say no. 

logo for the Golden Avalanche Brewing Company on a brick wall inside the Kutztown Tavern

It had been more than a decade since my last visit to the Kutztown Tavern. Things have changed since then. Last year, a new ownership group took charge of the restaurant and brewery that originally opened in 1999. That team includes Chef Aaron Hoppes, Bart Fenstermacher and Darren Calaman. 

Bart’s wife Erin was the one who extended the invitation for a special tasting of their menu. 

Booths along a yellow-orange wall inside the Kutztown Tavern

After we arrived, Erin showed me around the restaurant. It’s much larger than I had remembered with a spacious main dining room and multiple additional seating areas. 

rectangular bar with metal base and wooden countertop against a brick wall at the Kutztown Tavern

To the left is the tasting room. When I was attending Kutztown, this was the takeout area. Later, it was converted into a tasting room with a separate menu and tasting experiences. The full menu is now available to those dining in the space, though there is a unique drink menu. 

tables for four set up against a brick wall with wooden chair rail at the Kutztown Tavern

On the other side of the waiting area is the Club Room, a private space that can accommodate up to 36. 

Another private event space, the upstairs dining room, can seat up to 100. (This is actually where I sat the last time I visited the Tavern). 

Kutztown Tavern beer menu in front of brewing vats

When you arrive at the Kutztown Tavern, it’s impossible not to notice the large vats where their signature Golden Avalanche brand beer has been brewed since the Tavern opened. Today, they have six flagship beers and a rotating list of seasonal brews, all made in a traditional German style using German equipment. 

Custom tap for Blonde Ale with the image of a woman in a blue German dress at the Kutztown Tavern

A long, wooden bar sits to the right of the vats. While there are a couple TVs, the Kutztown Tavern is not a sports bar and you won’t see TVs strewed about in the dining area. Instead of play-by-play of the day’s games, we heard acoustic renditions of pop songs coming through the speakers throughout the restaurant. 

Two brown round plants on a ledge in front of the dining room of the Kutztown Tavern

After my tour of the restaurant, including a quick trip downstairs to see Shorty’s Bar, we were ushered back to a booth near the rear of the spacious dining room. Sunlight poured in through a nearby window, giving us more light than the bulb that hung above our table. 

Appetizers

The kitchen started us off with a trio of appetizers: cheesesteak eggrolls, hummus and chili. 

bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese from the Kutztown Tavern

I thought the eggrolls and hummus were both good, but the chili was excellent. Whenever I return to the Tavern again, I will be ordering a bowl of chili as part of my meal. It was hearty with plenty of beef and beans. But instead of heat coming in the first bite, there was a hint of sweetness that I loved. Julie and Jakob agreed, too, as we fought over who got to keep eating it. 

six cheesesteak eggrolls arranged in a circle around a center cup of marinara sauce

The cheesesteak eggrolls were solid. They’re made in house with a thick, crispy outer shell stuffed full. They needed the marinara sauce to bring it all together. While I liked them, Jakob thought they were the best thing we tried. 

bowl of hummus with large basil leaf in the center surrounded by 10 small naan rounds from the Kutztown Tavern

We really enjoyed the hummus – it tasted fresh and homemade. The addition of some fresh basil on top and throughout was a nice touch. At the restaurant, I just wish it came with pita chips instead of the little naan pieces that didn’t have much flavor to them. And even with 10 pieces of naan, there was so much hummus that we still took half of it home. (I used some of the leftovers in a wrap the next day).

Sandwiches & Salad

The second wave of dishes included a burger, a sandwich and a salad. All three were very good, and I could see myself ordering them in the future. 

cheeseburger topped with mushrooms and a side of fries with a steak knife on the plate from the Kutztown Tavern

The Tavern offers seven burger varieties on the menu. We had the Avalanche burger which came topped with Swiss cheese, sauteed onions and mushrooms. The burger patty, itself, was excellent. It was cooked perfectly with a little caramelization on the outside to hold in the juices. And it had a nice salty taste to it. It’s a great base for a burger, and the toppings worked well to give it a steakhouse-like feel. 

blackened chicken over vegetables and salad greens from the Kutztown Tavern.

Our Mediterranean salad was also very good. The blackened chicken on top was perfect – well-seasoned on the outside and perfectly cooked inside. It came atop a bed of baby spinach and assorted vegetables with bleu cheese, walnuts and a cup of creamy poppyseed dressing, which was also good and had a nice little tang to it. 

open-faced steak sandwich topped wtih Swiss cheese sitting on a plate a with a steak knife and a side of chips

I was pleasantly surprised by the French onion steak. While it comes topped with cheese, this is not a cheesesteak. It featured a black diamond filet topped with sauteed onions and a horseradish sauce, all smothered in melted Swiss atop a slice of toasted panini bread. The steak was nicely done and flavorful on its own. I was worried about the horseradish being too pungent, but it was actually flavorful without being overpowering. It added enough to make it feel like I wasn’t just eating a deconstructed French onion soup. 

Thankfully, Erin was kind enough to provide us with plenty of to-go boxes so we could taste everything without having to finish it. Despite that, we were definitely starting to feel full by this point, but there were still two entrees left to come. 

Entrees

braised pork shank atop a bed of Yukon gold mashed potatoes and gravy from Kutztown Tavern

First, we had the braised pork shank which came served on a bed of Yukon gold mashed potatoes. The pork pulled right off the bone and had good flavor, especially with the herbs that stuck to the outer skin. The potatoes were excellent. Yukon golds have such a distinct flavor that I was instantly transported back to the early days of the blog and meals at Muddy’s. I think I’ll need to order the shepherd’s pie, a dish where potatoes really shine, the next time I go. 

stir-fry with chicken, rice noodles and broccoli in a bowl with brown sauce artfully drizzled on the edges of the plate

The stir-fry was good, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the rest of the meal. All the ingredients were there – chicken, rice noodles, onions, peppers and broccoli in a sweet and tangy sauce – but it didn’t feel like a “tavern-style” dish to me. That said, I did use it for lunch a couple days later. 

small white bowl holding a cob of bi-color sweet corn from the Kutztown Tavern

On the day of our visit, the Tavern was featuring corn-on-the-cob from Heritage Farm and Market in Fleetwood. It doesn’t get much better than local sweet corn, and Lukas agreed as I got just one bite before he claimed it for his own. 

Dessert

Because this wasn’t enough food, we also had to try two of the tavern’s signature desserts: chocolate peanut butter pie and coconut cream pie. 

Chef Aaron’s background includes a stint at the former Arner’s (now Crossroads Family Restaurant) on Route 61. That influence shows in the homemade pies.

overhead view of a plate with a slice of coconut cream pie drizzled with cream and topped with coconut flakes from the Kutztown Tavern

The coconut cream pie was a mountainous slice piled high with coconut cream filling and topped with a mound of whipped cream. The coconut flavor was more of an undertone to the light and airy cream, but it was absolutely delicious. 

overhead view of a square plate with a slice of peanut butter pie drizzled with chocolate and a dollop of whipped cream from the Kutztown Tavern

And the chocolate peanut butter pie was just as good. The Oreo cookie crust was topped with the peanut butter and cream cheese pie filling, which was then topped with chopped peanuts and chocolate drizzle. It’s decadent, but worth the extra calories. 

Needless to say, neither of the desserts lasted long enough to go in a take-home box. 

menu from the Kutztown Tavern

But we did take a lot of food home, and we did our best to get through all of the leftovers. In the end, we got to sample $135 worth of meals from the Tavern. I’ve included the prices (as of September 2026) below:

Cheesesteak Egg Rolls – $13.95
Hummus with Naan – $9.95
Chili – $5.25-$6.25 + 75 cents for “the works” toppings
Mediterranean Salad – $13.95
Avalanche Burger – $13.95 + $3.95 for fries
French Onion Steak – $16.95
Braised Pork Shank – $25.95
Stir-Fry – $17.95
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie – $7.95
Coconut Cream Pie – $7.95

Realistically, we would likely spend around $50, maybe up to $70 if we were splurging, for four meals if we were ordering off the menu.

After a delicious meal (and many more with our leftovers), the Tavern is definitely back on my radar for future visits to Kutztown. 

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

Kutztown Tavern
272 W. Main St
Kutztown, PA 19530

More Bar Food in Berks County

More Restaurants in Kutztown, PA

Original Review: March 2015

sign over a large picture window that says "Kutztown Tavern"

Kutztown’s Main Street is one of the busiest in Berks County. An array of storefronts: shopping, services and restaurants (with a few residences thrown in) line the blocks from the edge of Kutztown University’s campus to the railroad tracks that bisect the town.

The more than a dozen eateries along Main Street cover just about every type of cuisine you could want: Chinese, Italian, sushi, barbecue, sandwiches, salads: you name it, and you’re likely to find it.

One of the most popular restaurants downtown, the Kutztown Tavern offers one of the most diverse menus in town.

Known simply as “The Tavern” to residents and students, alike, the Kutztown Tavern is housed in one of the largest buildings on Main Street. With a seemingly endless bar, a nice sized dining room and large upstairs event space, the restaurant is expansive. In addition, the building (which is actually two connected buildings) includes Shorty’s Bar, the Tavern Take-Out counter service and the Golden Avalanche Brewing Company.

Brewery equipment becomes part of the decor in the bar area as the system of vats and pipes that create the signature brew are in plain view just inside the front door.

bottle of Kutztown Red Cream Soda

Not being a fan of beer, myself, I was pleased to see Kutztown Red Cream Soda—a personal favorite of mine—on the beverage list.

A deep menu provides a wide range of appetizers, sandwiches and entrees. Everything from soft pretzels and 10 flavors of wings to Black Diamond steaks and seafood scampi. For me, a 9-ounce burger topped with Avalanche chili sounded like a winning combination.

close-up photo of curly fries and a burger topped with chili

The burger arrived on a toasted sesame seed bun. Chili poured over the edges and onto the plate below. All tavern burgers are served with lettuce, tomato and onion on the side, and I was more than happy to pile them on.

The burger was cooked perfectly with a nice little char around the outside. The mild chili added more flavor without being overwhelming (messy, yes; overpowering, no). And I certainly did not regret the curly fries, perfectly crisped, zesty additions to an already full plate.

Among the multitude of menu options are the “house smoked” offerings, three barbecue selections that are smoked in-house at the tavern. One of those—the brisket, cheddar and onion—caught Julie’s eye immediately.

brisket sandwich and fries from Kutztown Tavern

Meat and cheese more than filled the toasted ciabatta roll. The brisket was flavorful, with a fair amount of fat left on for extra flavor. The sharp cheddar worked well with the sweet barbecue sauce and grilled onions to create a delicious sandwich.

The only part of our meal that I thought could have been better was the price. The $2.89 charge for fries (instead of the standard potato chips) brought our total bill up to $35.00 for the two of us. I guess that is the cost of quality, however, as we were treated to excellent food and surprisingly speedy service.

For the past 15 years, the Tavern has been a popular go-to spot along Main Street. After our visit, it was easy to see why. When food, location, ambiance and service come together all come together, it makes for a great restaurant.

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

Bars & Pubs Breweries & Wineries Lunch & Dinner Reviews
yellow food truck with the words "tacos el gordo" in red and a mural wrap around the bottom depicting cacti and desert dunes
— Leave a Comment

Review: Tacos El Gordo – Shillington

yellow tube man with the word "tacos" waving in front of a yellow food truck

I love almost everything about food trucks: the convenience, the speed, the price. But I always struggle to keep up with knowing where to find them, if they are even out on a given day. 

But Berks County’s newest food truck is easy to find: Tacos El Gordo has a permanent location at the corner of Lancaster Avenue and Museum Road in Shillington. 

Tacos El Gordo officially opened on September 1. It’s the fourth location for the Lancaster County-based Mexican restaurant fleet. In addition to a brick-and-mortar location in Ephrata, there are two other food trucks with permanent locations in Lancaster and Lebanon. 

yellow food truck with the words "tacos el gordo" in red and a mural wrap around the bottom depicting cacti and desert dunes

I stopped by on a Wednesday afternoon, a week after opening day. 

It was around 11:30 a.m. when I pulled in. An inflatable tube man emblazoned with the words “tacos” flailed in the breeze to beckon in customers. 

The truck is located in the parking lot of Jade Garden. The restaurant, with its low-slung awning and dark windows, stood in stark contrast to the bright yellow truck with the mural of cacti and dessert dunes wrapping around the bottom. 

the menu for Tacos El Gordo in Shillington, PA

When I stepped up to order, I was told about the Wednesday special: $12 for a burrito and soda. According to the menu, burritos are regularly $15-$16 so it was a great deal that I couldn’t pass up.

(I was also told about the Taco Tuesday special: four tacos for $8, which I will certainly take advantage of in the future). 

After placing my order, I grabbed a drink from one of the two coolers sitting in front of the truck and just a couple minutes later, I had my food. Outdoor seating was limited to a single picnic table under a canopy along Lancaster Avenue. Rather than hang out, I took my food back home to Wyomissing. 

blue plate with a burrito, a cup of yellow rice and a cup of guacamole

I unwrapped the burrito which was still hot inside the foil wrapping. All burritos are filled with beans, lettuce, tomato and your choice of protein – chorizo for me. 

The burrito wasn’t huge, but it was stuffed full. The chorizo was finely ground and not very spicy and it felt like a good ratio of ingredients inside. 

blue blate with a burrito cut in half, a pile of yellow rice and a cup of guacamole

Unlike most places that I’ve visited, the yellow rice was served on the side instead of wrapped in the burrito. It also came with a small cup of guacamole on the side. I put a scoop of guac onto every bite until the green stuff was gone and took a forkful of rice after every bite. The guac was definitely a welcome addition, helping to bring everything together while adding the distinct creaminess of the avocado and herbiness of the cilantro to it. 

Overall, I was happy with my choice and would go back again, especially for the $12 deal. 

Tacos El Gordo provides all the advantages of a food truck – fast service and lower prices (thanks to the lower overhead) – with the predictability of a set location. And you’d be hard-pressed to find a more high-trafficked location for a food truck in Berks County. 

Hopefully, those ingredients all come together for a long-lasting business. 

BCE Review
Food: Good
Ambiance: Fair
Service: Excellent
Price: $$

Tacos El Gordo
450 W. Lancaster Ave
Shillington, PA 19607

More Mexican Restaurants in Berks County

More Berks County Food Trucks

Food Trucks Mexican Reviews