plate with three birria tacos, a cup of consomme and two cups of salsa - one red, one green
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Review: Archie’s Taqueria in West Reading

large picture window at the front entrance of Archie's Taqueria in West Reading, PA

West Reading has been a hub for Berks County’s dining scene for as long as I have been doing Berks County Eats. We’ve reviewed more than 26 restaurants in West Reading since 2014. 

Some of our favorites are still going strong; unfortunately, others didn’t last. 

La Abuela Mexican Restaurant was an early favorite of ours with our first visit coming in 2015. The restaurant had a good 10-year run before closing in late 2025. 

The space has new life with the opening of Archie’s Taqueria in 2026.

light brown wooden table in a restaurant dining room in front of a black wall and white bookcase with succulent plants

Archie’s began a soft opening in late June after several months of renovations. I was invited by the restaurant to come try the new Mexican spot. 

The restaurant has a more modern feel than the last time we ate at La Abuela. White shelves, smartly adored with succulents, pottery and sculpture, pop against a dark brown wall. The tables and chairs are a lighter wood, matching the new floors. 

small wicker basket of tortilla chips with a white cup filled with light red salsa

The restaurant is full-service, though counter-order takeout is available, too. I decided to dine in and quickly brought a basket of chips and salsa. 

Archie’s salsa is thick, but not chunky, with a little more than a mild spice. It’s been run through a food processor so it’s smoother and more consistent. 

tall clear glass of hrochata on a table with a small card with a number 2 and a votive candle

With the heat on the back end, I was glad to have a glass of horchata to wash it down. The horchata was also very good with just the right amount of cinnamon. 

The service was very fast. Less than 10 minutes after I sat down, my meal arrived. 

While the restaurant had a limited menu for the soft opening, they were featuring three items in the “house of birria” section – birria tacos, birria quesadilla and birria pizza. I had opted for the classic birria tacos. 

plate with three birria tacos, a cup of consomme and two cups of salsa - one red, one green

Served three to an order for $15.99, the birria tacos featured the namesake braised beef with cheese, onions and cilantro. The tortillas were grilled crispy and filled to the brim. On the side was a cup of consomme for dipping (along with red and green salsas). 

The tacos were delicious on their own – incredibly hearty and savory. The consomme was loaded with onion and cilantro, slightly salty and very savory. While it didn’t need any additional salsa, I still tried both the red and green salsas. Both had a smooth consistency that was more like a sauce. The green was light, salty and mild with a slight kick at the end while the red was medium to hot. Both were good, and I would definitely enjoy them with other menu items. For the birria, though, the consumme was enough. 

menu for Archie's Taqueria in West Reading, PA

My meal was very good and quite filling, and it arrived incredibly fast. My horchata and tacos would have cost about $20. It’s not the cheapest meal in town, but it’s in line with the price at other local Mexican restaurants.

New additions are always welcome in West Reading and across Berks County. And after my first visit, I would say Archie’s is definitely a welcome addition.

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

Archie’s Taqueria
448 Penn Avenue
West Reading, PA 19611

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Lunch & Dinner Mexican Reviews
white rectangular plate with three yellow-hued slices of quesadilla next to a cup of broth
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Review: Casa Cortes Mexican Restaurant – Mohnton

exterior of Casa Cortes Mexican Grill in Mohnton, PA

In June of 2025, Casa Cortes Mexican Grill expanded to a second location when they opened in the Stabon Plaza shopping center in Mohnton. 

One of the first blogs I ever wrote was at this location, back when it was Maniaci’s Bistro. That restaurant achieved infamy on an episode of Restaurant: Impossible, closing a year later. 

The restaurant space has changed many times since our first visit. After Maniaci’s, it was the second location for Sofrito. More recently, it was home to Briano’s Italiano. Casa Cortes opened in 2025, adding a second location to complement their space on 9th Street in Reading.

restaurant dining room with orange and yellow walls filled with tables with blue and yellow paded chairs and benches

Based on our experience, it feels like Casa Cortes has the chance to stick around.

Guests entering are greeted at the takeout counter, which had a steady stream of customers during our visit. A swinging door separates the entryway from the dining room with its brightly colored walls and booths in shades of yellow, green and orange. 

red basket of tortilla chips next to a blue bowl with red salsa

We had arrived shortly after 5 p.m. and were the only ones in the dining room. (Though we could see a table had recently cleared). Our server brought a basket of chips for us to enjoy while we looked over the menu and ordered drinks. 

The chips were good, and we really enjoyed their salsa. It was thick and mild, and it tasted fresh. 

tall clear cup filled with cream-colored horchata on a table inside Casa Cortes Mexican Grill in Mohnton PA

Julie and I both ordered horchata, and those drinks arrived after a few minutes. Served in tall Pepsi glasses, the horchata was good with a nice creamy texture. It didn’t have as much cinnamon as some versions which made it easy to drink. 

burrito cut in half to show steak, bacon, avocado and cheese inside

The menu is not as large as some places, but I was surprised to see two sections of breakfast specialties. After confirming that they were available all day, I decided to have breakfast for dinner, ordering the “everything-but-the-kitchen sink” burrito. It came filled with steak, bacon, egg, avocado, tater tots and cheese. 

I love a good breakfast burrito, and this one did not disappoint. The burrito was fully stuffed, heavy on the meat with just enough egg and cheese. Everything was good, but it needed a little sauce to bind it together. The mild green sauce was the perfect addition.

white rectangular plate with three yellow-hued slices of quesadilla next to a cup of broth

Julie loved her birria quesadillas – tortillas filled with birria beef, Oaxaca cheese, onions and cilantro, served with a cup of consomme (broth) for dipping. It was a savory delight, hearty with braised beef. The consomme had plenty of onion and cilantro for added flavor.

Birria is always good, but this one was excellent. 

white rectangular plate with a chicken burrito sliced in half next to a handful of tortilla chips

Jakob ordered a burrito with chicken tinga. It also included rice, beans, lettuce and cheese. Normally, he would have ordered ground beef, but it’s not one of the protein options at Casa Cortes. Even so, he really liked his burrito. It was stuffed full (it was a regular entree, not a kids meal) with delicious pulled chicken. It came served with a handful of chips on the side, which was a little weird after having the basket of chips, but it was more than enough food for him anyway. 

For Lukas, the fussy two–year-old, we ordered the chicken fingers and fries (not pictured). The chicken fingers were actually pretty solid, and the fries weren’t bad, but I look forward to the day when he starts to eat other things. 

We brought home half of Jakob’s burrito and about half of Lukas’ meal as well. (Both had filled up on the chips and salsa).

Menu for Casa Cortes Mexican Grill in Mohnton folded open to show lunch and dinner options with pictures of queadillas and tacos

Our total bill was about $65 for the four entrees and two horchatas. The entrees were priced in the $10-$15 range which is about average for the amount of food. 

The food was great. The only thing that could have been improved was the service. Despite only one other table filling while we were there, our server visited infrequently and it seemed to take a while for our four drinks to arrive. 

Still, we would go back. And we would gladly check out the original location in downtown, too, for another taste of Casa Cortes. 

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

Casa Cortes Mexican Restaurant
360 E. Wyomissing Avenue
Mohnton, PA 19540

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Mexican Reviews
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
plate of flautas piled high with lettuce and cheese from Taqueria El Carreton in Reading, PA
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Review: Taqueria El Carreton

brick wall with a wooden sign reading "Taqueria El Carreton"

Downtown Reading does not get enough credit for the excellent dining options it has. Sure, places like Judy’s, the Peanut Bar, and the Ugly Oyster have built reputations for themselves over the years. But downtown Reading is so much more than the lower blocks in and around Penn Street. 

One of the places we have been enjoying recently is Taqueria el Carreton. 

yellowish exterior of Taqueria El Carreton in Reading, PA

The Mexican spot is located along Oley Street in the former Outlet District, taking up a pair of storefronts in a strip mall across the former Reading Outlet Center. (The off-street parking is a big plus). 

Our church, Renewed Spirit, holds services not far from the taqueria. We had their food brought in for events, but earlier this year we decided to take our congregation to them as a group of more than 20 descended upon the restaurant on a Sunday afternoon after worship. 

Brick arched interior with faux pergola at Taqueria El Carreton in Reading, PA

The dining area of the restaurant was more than large enough to accommodate us along with the other couples, families and groups that were dining that day. The decor is reminiscent of a Mexican courtyard with faux stone arches and a clay tiled veranda. 

With a party our size, and everyone ordering off the menu, it wasn’t fast food. It took some time to get everyone’s order down as our server worked her way around our table, doing her best to answer the barrage of questions about the menu items. 

basket of tortilla chips from Taqueria El Carreton in Reading, PA

But there were plenty of chips and salsa to keep us going while we waited. There were two levels of salsa: a mild red that still had some heat on the back end and the hot, but flavorful, green salsa that I enjoyed (albeit in moderation). We also had some guac delivered to the table – fresh and flavorful, it was a nice way to cool down after the infusion of heat. 

stone bowl of guacamole from Taqueria El Carreton in Reading, PA

Everything is made to order so there was going to be a wait no matter what – and the restaurant was doing their best to not hold up the other customers dining in and taking out. So we were more than ready for lunch by the time our meals arrived.

I ordered the chilaquiles. Chilaquiles, from what I have read, is traditionally a breakfast dish. It consists of tortilla chips that are sauteed in enchilada sauce. Those are topped with cheese and choice of meat – chicken for me. 

(The breakfast recipes I’ve seen generally have eggs on top).

chilaquiles from Taqueria El Carreton in Reading, PA

This was my first time having the dish (and the first time I can recall seeing it on a menu). I was thoroughly impressed. The tortilla chips were softened by the cooking process. The whole dish felt smooth to the palate. There was a little heat in the sauce, but not much, and it was countered by the creaminess of the cheese. The chicken was well-spiced and was the right choice for a topping. 

And Taqueria el Carreton doesn’t skimp on portions. I ate about half the plate and happily heated up the rest for lunch the following day. 

plate of flautas piled high with lettuce and cheese from Taqueria El Carreton in Reading, PA

Julie got the flautas – three deep fried chicken enchiladas topped with shredded lettuce, cheese and sour cream. As high as the lettuce was piled, it almost ate like a taco salad. It was just a matter of getting to the flautas underneath to find the savory chicken.

Jakob got a pair of tacos, pork with cilantro on top (he asked for no onions). He squeezed on a little of the lime juice and had the tacos done in short order. 

pork tacos with cilantro from Taqueria El Carreton

We paid as a group, but our meals (along with my Jarritos) would have come out to about $40.

Everything we tried – and from the sounds of it, everything that our group tried – was very good. Not only would we go back, but we ordered catering from them about a month later where we enjoyed DIY tacos and enchiladas. 

But we’re also excited to try even more of what the neighborhood has to offer. Across the street from el Carreton is Taqueria Jimenez. And closer to our church is Ave Maria Taqueria. 

There’s more beyond that, too – Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Colombian, Haitian, and more. And I look forward to continued explorations of all of them. 

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

Taqueria el Carreton
817 Oley Street
Reading, PA 19604

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Mexican
tray with three birria tacos, a cup of dipping sauce and a bag of tortilla chips
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Review: Taco Fest Morgantown

exterior of Taco Fest restaurant in Morgantown PA

One of the best parts of Berks County Eats is that I get to be intentional about exploring parts of Berks County. It gives me an excuse to go to all corners of the county and reminds me how close everything really is. 

A few years ago, when my daily commute included the Turnpike, I spent a lot of time in Morgantown. It feels so far away, but it’s not much more than 20 minutes from my home base in Wyomissing. In the early days of the blog, I discovered a great spot in Morgantown called Billy Burger – it quickly became my go-to spot for burgers. 

Unfortunately, Billy Burger closed several years ago, and the location – an old Dairy Queen in the Wal-Mart shopping center (technically, the address is Elverson) – sat empty. That is until Taco Fest opened in the space in February 2023. 

Selfie wall with two wicker chairs in front of a green backdrop with a neon sign that says "Less Stress, More Taco Fest"

The first thing you notice when you walk into Taco Fest is the photo station – a little corner with two wicker chairs in front of a large green wall with the restaurant’s logo shining bright in the middle. 

All around are bright colors – streamers outside and inside, bright pink walls by the restrooms, and chairs of yellow, green and orange at tables and counters throughout the dining area. 

Ordering is done at the counter where the ingredients are shown off behind the glass, ala Moe’s or Chipotle. 

I ordered the birria tacos with a side of chips and salsa and a glass of horchata. 

Man sitting in a wicker chair in front of a green selfie wall

Of course I had to take a quick sit in the photo area for a selfie with my cup of horchata. 

For those who haven’t tried it, horchata has the consistency and look of milk, but it’s actually rice-infused water with cinnamon and other flavors. Taco Fest’s version was very good – nice and creamy with cinnamon spice. 

It was a few minutes later when they brought my meal to the table. (The birria tacos being one of the few items that weren’t made in front of you). 

tray with three birria tacos, a cup of dipping sauce and a bag of tortilla chips

The tacos come three to an order, more than enough for a meal. Birria tacos feature slow-roasted, marinated beef that are added with cheese (and onions and cilantro) to a taco shell, which has been dipped in broth and fried to a crisp. It comes served with a cup of broth for dipping to make it a cross between a taco and a French dip. 

I love birria tacos, and I really liked those I got at Taco Fest. The meat was tender and flavorful. I squeezed a little lime juice on for a little tart acidity. Overall, they were good, though I could have probably stopped after two instead of eating all three. 

overhead photo of a tray with three birria tacos, a cup of dipping sauce and a bag of tortilla chips

Because I didn’t stop, I didn’t have room for the side of tortilla chips that I ordered. Instead, I ate a handful while I was there and saved the rest for later. The chips were delicious and seemed just a little thicker than other places. The salsa was good – not too spicy – the perfect vessel for the tortillas. 

Overall, I spent about $20 for the meal. It’s more than I would normally pay for a lunch for myself, but I knew I was going to spend a little more because I was splurging for the horchata and the side of chips. At $12.99, the birria tacos are priced right for a hefty lunch or solid dinner. 

I don’t get to Morgantown often, but I would definitely stop in again if I was in the area and in the mood for some solid Mexican food. 

It’s not Billy Burger, but it’s good. 

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

Taco Fest
650 Crossings Blvd
Elverson, PA 19520

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Blue plate on a table with tacos, tortilla chips and salsa
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Review: Tacos, Guac N Bowl

exterior of a small storefront with a sign that reads Tacos Guac and Bowl

Recently, I have been making a concerted effort to try to get out and try some of the newer restaurants in Berks County, places that have been around for months rather than years, and places that I haven’t been to before.

With a more flexible lunch than I’ve had in years past, I’ve been taking that time to explore these places on my own, such was the case with a recent visit to Tacos, Guac N Bowl.

The restaurant is nestled in a small space at the corner of Lancaster and Baker Avenues at the south end of Reading. The space was formerly home to Giannotti’s Pizza & Subs, which closed in November 2020. Tacos, Guac N Bowl opened a year later (almost exactly) and has been serving up Mexican specialties ever since.

Inside is limited seating, but there wasn’t anyone using it when I got there. There were, however, several guests were enjoying the outside patio which had plenty of umbrella-covered tables to shield the summer sun.

I took advantage of the online ordering, and in the time it took me to drive to the restaurant from Wyomissing, my order was ready packed and ready for pickup. Mine was one of several orders that were ready at the takeout counter which is always reassuring to see.  

Blue plate on a table with tacos, tortilla chips and salsa

After a short drive back home and I was ready to dig in to my quesabirrias.

Quesabirrias are a cross between a taco a quesadilla and a taco – quesadilla-sized with cheese, choice of meet and the traditional taco toppings of onions and cilantro. All quesabirrias come with a cup of brothy birria sauce for dipping (if you haven’t had a birria taco and the accompanying sauce, it’s like an au jus but with some added spices and diced onions).

I got two – one with chorizo and one with the namesake birria (braised beef). The chorizo was good – a little spicy but not too bad – but the birria was amazing. The braised beef was so tender and flavorful. Both paired well with the dipping sauce, but it was clearly made to complement the birria and it did so very well.

close-up of a birria taco dipped in sauce

Just because I could, I also added on an order of chips and salsa. The website says the chips are made fresh every day from masa, and I believe it. They have a little different texture – slightly softer than a manufactured chip. I would have liked a little more salt on them, but they were still good and the salsa was very good, too.

My meal only cost about $15 (or it would have if I hadn’t made an impulse buy of a Jarritos when I got there, tacking on another $3). I certainly didn’t feel cheated, and I had tortilla chips with my lunch for a couple days after that, too.

Next time, I’ll have to give the bowls a try – maybe even splurge for the guacamole, too.

And there will definitely be a next time. I was impressed by the food, the service, and the price. I recommend it for anyone looking for a quick, delicious lunch or dinner.

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

Tacos, Guac & Bowl
1040 Lancaster Ave
Reading, PA 19607

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Lunch & Dinner Mexican
A plate with three enchiladas - one each with red, white and green sauce, with refried beans and rice from Norte Sur
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Review: Norte Sur Mexican Restaurant

A view of the exterior of Norte Sur, featuring a brick and stone facade with large picture windows

First impressions for a business are everything. I think they are even more important for a restaurant because when you think about it, your first visit to a restaurant is multiple first impressions.

What does the building look like? What does the dining room look like? How were you greeted when you walked in? How is the service? How long does it take to get your food or your check? And of course, what does that first bite taste like?

Wooden tables and benches beneath colorful strings of banners at Norte Sur

Opening in late 2019, Norte Sur Mexican Restaurant checks a lot of boxes.

Norte Sur opened in a former Turkey Hill Minit Market along Kutztown Road in Muhlenberg Township, right across the street from the former Freymoyer’s Restaurant.

The amount of work that was put in to transform the building shows that Norte Sur is serious about their business. The exterior has been given a touch of class thanks to the addition of a brick and stone facade.

Wooden tables and benches beneath colorful strings of banners at Norte Sur

That same motif carries inside to the dining room where brick arches set it apart from the take-out and kitchen areas. Otherwise, the decor is subdued compared to other Mexican restaurants in the area. Strings of small, colorful banners hang from the ceiling while the walls are decorated with paintings along with a few traditional men’s and women’s outfits. The seating is comprised entirely of booths made of high-backed wooden benches.

We were greeted and seated by a friendly hostess who also served us throughout our visit. We – Julie, Jakob and I – had arrived around 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon and were the only ones dining in at the time. Two other couples were seated before we left at 6 while we heard several phone orders coming through during that same time.

Norte Sur’s menu is pretty simple: tacos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas and a handful of additional entrees and appetizers.

A bowl of green poblano soup drizzled with sour cream and cheese and topped with red, green and yellow tortilla strips from Norte Sur

One appetizer that caught my eye was the crema de poblano, a creamy soup that started with a mix of chicken broth and poblano pepper. It was topped with tortilla strips, cheese and sour cream.

I had poblano soup once before, about a year ago at Alebrije in Wyomissing. I enjoyed this one just as much, though they had very different flavor profiles. Norte Sur’s version wasn’t as creamy, but I found it to be just as flavorful with a little more spicy heat throughout. I enjoyed the addition of the tortilla chips which added some texture. The shredded cheese was also a nice touch, helping to thicken the broth as it melted.

It was definitely something that I would order again. The same can be said for my tacos Norte Sur.

Three soft-shell tacos with steak, pico de gallo, cabbage and pickled red onion from Norte Sur.

The tacos Norte Sur are, as the name implies, a signature item for the restaurant. The three soft-shell tacos are filled with grilled steak, cabbage, pickled red onions, chipotle sauce, pico de gallo and cheese. It was a delicious combination.

The steak was nicely done in small-ish strips with a hint of seasoning, but the flavor of the toppings was outstanding. The pico was bright and fresh. The pickled onions added a vinegary note that paired well with the citrusy tones of lime juice which could be tasted throughout. I was very happy with my decision.

A bowl of refried beans with yellow rice on a plate from Norte Sur

Most entrees at Norte Sur are served with a side of rice and refried beans. Refried beans are not my favorite, but these weren’t bad. The yellow rice was also good. It had peas and a few bits of carrot throughout. I knew I couldn’t finish all of the food that I had ordered so I sacrificed some of my rice and beans in favor of the tacos and soup.

Julie and Jakob both had rice and beans with their meals as well. Julie always gravitates to enchiladas, and in this case, it was the enchiladas Norte Sur.

A plate with three enchiladas - one each with red, white and green sauce, with refried beans and rice from Norte Sur

The meal included three distinct enchiladas: one beef, one chicken, and one cheese, each topped with a different sauce. The beef was topped with a traditional red enchilada sauce that had more of a kick to it than the other two. The chicken enchilada was topped with a creamy white sauce that provided a cooling contrast. And the cheese was topped with green tomatillo sauce that was somewhere in the middle.

All three were very good, but Julie’s favorite was the cheese enchilada (it usually is).

A large soft shell taco on a plate with refried beans and yellow rice from Norte Sur

Jakob’s favorite thing on his plate was the rice. Our two-year-old can sometimes be adventurous with his meals and sometimes not. We knew he would eat the rice – and he did, happily. We had hoped he would eat his beef taco, but after a couple bites he gave up on that.

We had the choice of soft shell or hard shell for his taco, and chose soft. It seemed like he was having difficulty holding it together which may have been why he stuck with the rice.

A basket of tortilla chips with a bowl of red salsa from Norte Sur

I should also mention that we had chips and salsa at our seat before we had even ordered our meal. The chips were served warm – always a nice touch. And the salsa was very good, and like much of our meal, had a kick to it.

The service and price both left good impressions as well. The two servers covering the dining room were attentive throughout, and our meals and my bowl of soup cost about $35.

After we left, Julie and I were both remarking about how good the food was and how impressed we were with what they did to turn a mini market into a real restaurant.

Our first impressions of Norte Sur Mexican Restaurant were very good all around.

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

Norte Sur Mexican Restaurant
2610 Kutztown Rd
Reading, PA 19606

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

Looking at the blue front door of Comalli Taqueria

Editor’s Note: Comalli Taqueria moved to a new location in October 2025. They are now located at 619 Penn Avenue in West Reading.

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

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Review: Aaron’s Tacos

Editor’s Note: Aaron’s Tacos now has a physical location at 242 N. 9th Street in Reading.

We saw the red wagon being towed north on Route 61 that morning. “They must be setting up at the Fiesta,” I said to Julie.

The red wagon is distinct around Berks County. It’s the center of operations for Aaron’s Tacos, a mobile food business that has been making the rounds in Berks County for the last several years.

The Fiesta was the Spring Fiesta, held at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township on June 8. The event is hailed as having Berks County’s Best Tacos (you may remember our recent visit to the Berks County Taco Fest – a completely unrelated event with a couple overlapping vendors). Aaron’s was one of about 15 food vendors schedule to take part in the event.

Aaron's Tacos is probably Berks County's smallest mobile restaurant - the little red wagon is barely big enough for the two employees who were running it.

We were at the festival early. It was shortly before noon and the lunch crowd was still rolling in while we were there. There was no line at Aaron’s when I walked up to the window to order my three tacos – one each of steak, chicken and chorizo.

As I waited, two things were clear to me.

1. Aaron’s needed one more person.

2. One more person couldn’t fit inside the wagon.

The flat-top grill was between myself and the woman taking my order. She was very nice and went through the full list of proteins available. But she was also responsible for cooking them while a colleague stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her while pan-frying pastelillos and Jamaica beef patties.

She was also the one accepting the money, and with so little room, she had to walk outside the wagon to a table with a cash box. Eventually, a third person came and was on the grill, at least some of the time, which helped the process.

And while I appreciated that my meat was being cooked to order, it felt like an eternity as I watched sevreal people come through and get their ready-made fried meat pies while my tacos remained unfinished on the cook-top.

Fifteen minutes later, they were finished and I paid my $10.50 before joining Julie and Jakob at a table nearby.

(Julie and Jakob enjoyed a meal from Tlacuani Mexican Restaurant in Temple, a restaurant we visited in 2015).

All of Aaron's tacos are served on corn tortillas with the traditional onions and cilantro plus sliced radish and lime wedges for garnish.

My tacos looked great and – like all tacos from Aaron’s – were prepared in the traditional Mexican style with onions and cilantros. The only additional embellishments were radish slices and limes. The former added a splash of color; the latter, a little DIY citrus flavor.

I enjoyed all three. The corn tortillas were also grilled on the flat-top and were served hotter than any other tacos that I have been served, but they also stayed together better than any other corn tortillas so maybe that’s the trick.

With all of the toppings the same except the proteins, they became the only differentiator between the three. The chorizo was at the top of my list because the spiced sausage has more built-in flavor. The chicken and the steak were both good, as well. I would gladly eat all three again in the future.

But I don’t know that I would wait for them again, at least at an event like the Spring Fiesta where there were 14 other places to get tacos that are just as good without the wait.

Maybe I caught them at a bad time – and I hope that’s all it is – but it just seems like the little red wagon isn’t quite big to do the job as well as it could.

BCE Rating
Food: Very Good
Service: Fair
Ambiance: N/A
Price: Reasonable

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Alebrije Spinach Enchiladas
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Review: Alebrije – Wyomissing

Five years ago, in January 2014, Berks County Eats as we know it truly began. It’s incredible to look back to see how much has changed, and how much has stayed the same since then.

Amazingly, it’s been five years since we last blogged about Alebrije. That visit was to the Exeter Township location and while it was a very good meal, we never made it back to either of Alebrije’s other two locations in Wyomissing or 5th Street Highway.

On a Sunday afternoon in December, we finally decided to pay another visit – this time to Alebrije’s Wyomissing location.

tin-punched lamp with images of suns above a table at Alebrije in Wyomissing

Even this location has changed since Berks County Eats began. Five years ago, Alebrije’s Wyomissing restaurant was still located in a strip mall near the Berkshire Mall. In 2015, it moved to a stand-alone building, the former Ciabatta restaurant along State Hill Road.

The menu has been updated since our visit and I was glad for this because I got to enjoy the poblano soup – an item that was added when the menu was updated.

square bowl with green poblano soup drizzled with crema

I didn’t know what to expect beyond what the description in the menu said: “smooth, slightly spicy and creamy.” I’ve had peppers in soup but never a cream of pepper soup. But after trying it, I would eat this soup again and again.

The soup was definitely creamy and I always tasted the distinct flavor of poblano pepper throughout. I didn’t find it spicy at all – flavorful, yes, but not spicy – so it was easy to eat and enjoy. And the sour cream was a perfect complement.

I can’t imagine a better start to the meal than this.

three enchiladas topped with a brown sauce and drizzled with crema

For my entree, I decided to try the spinach enchiladas – another item that was listed as “new” on the menu.

The plate was beautiful when it arrived (it’s amazing how a little sour cream can liven up a plate). The primary topping for the spinach-filled corn tortillas was a creamy chipotle sauce. It featured a mild spice, nothing overpowering. It worked well with the spinach though and was enjoyable enough, but I would probably go back to the enchiladas poblanos (and the mole sauce) in the future.

three chorizo tacos on a plate with a cup of refried beans and cups of onion, salsa and cilantro

Julie enjoyed her chorizo and steak tacos. The tacos come topped with Chihuahua cheese with cilantro, onion and spicy tomatillo sauce on the side to build to your own taste.

She skipped the tomatillo sauce – the chorizo was enough spice for her taste – but she took advantage of the cilantro and onion. Both helped to enhance, not mask, the flavor of the meat. And the mix of steak and chorizo ensured that the flavors of both shined through in every bite.

Both Julie and I had sides of refried beans with our meals (mine also came with rice). I’m not a huge fan of refried beans but these were good enough.

Kids eat free on Sundays at Alebrije, which had two advantages for us. One, we could order a kids meal for Jakob and not feel guilty about him not eating the whole thing (we did take his leftovers home) and two, we knew there would be other families, most likely with small children, so Jakob wouldn’t be a distraction.

plate with a quesadilla and five chicken nuggets

For his meal, we ordered a combo that included two of his favorite foods: quesadilla and chicken nuggets.

The plate came with one kid-sized quesadilla and five nuggets. The quesadilla was a little simpler than one that you would order off the menu while the nuggets were pretty generic. I certainly wouldn’t order it for myself, but Jakob seemed to enjoy them so I have no complaints.

metal basket of chips with small metal bowl of red salsa

One other thing to mention: like all good Mexican restaurants we had chips and salsa at the table almost immediately. I’m a fan of Alebrije’s salsa. It’s somehow both thin and chunky with just enough heat to have me going back to my water.

Alebrije has always been reasonably priced, and with the kids eat free deal, it makes it even better. For our three meals, bowl of soup and an iced tea, we spent around $35 (kids meals are normally priced at $5.99). Our meal was certainly a good one and for me, the soup was well worth the additional $6.50.

I still can’t believe it’s been five years since our first visit to Alebrije, but I can say this after our latest meal: we won’t be waiting five years to visit the 5th Street Highway location.

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

Alebrije
2224 State Hill Road
Wyomissing, PA 19610

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