plate with a round filet topped with a demi-glace sauce with asparagus and mashed potatoes
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Review: Jack’s on the Green at Reading Country Club

flowing fountain on the right foreground with a flagpole and a large-castle like builidng behind it

There are a handful of places in Berks County that can be considered true landmarks. Obviously the Pagoda would be at the top of the list. I would also add another site on Mount Penn to the list, Stokesay Castle. 

Stokesay, specifically the Knight’s Pub, has been one of our favorites for many years now. We’ve always liked the slightly upscale, yet still approachable vibe. Now, Stokesay has a sister property in the former of the Reading Country Club, a landmark of its own, that was purchased by the Gulati Family (owners of Stokesay) in late 2024. 

The Township had owned the property for nearly 20 years after acquiring the property in 2005 to prevent development. During that time, the property went through multiple management groups for golf and dining. Notable among those were Chef Alan, ViVA, and Reading Hospitality Management (DoubleTree by Hilton Reading). 

Our last visit to the property was in 2017 when the ViVA Castle Pub operated in the main dining room. A few months later, ViVA had a very public split with the Country Club and the restaurant closed.

When I received an invitation for a meal and a tour of the updates at the Reading Country Club, of course I couldn’t say no. 

Dinner at Jack’s on the Green

green wall with the words "Welcome to Jack's on the Green" next to a photo of a man in traditional plaid green golf attire

Part of the promise of the new owners was a new restaurant, Jack’s on the Green, which opened in late March, taking over the main dining room at the front of the building. The restaurant, like the Country Club, is open to the public and offers lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday with brunch on Sundays.

Our visit came on a Wednesday evening in late June. Julie and I were joined by our friends Jerry and Lisa and our party was seated at a table by the front window overlooking the golf course, driving range and the fountain that marks the end of the long driveway leading to the clubhouse. 

The dining room is bright and open, marked on three sides by the large glass doors. The tables are preset with the white plates and napkins sitting atop the green table linens. Each table has a little brass lamp to provide a dim glow as the sun sets. The grays of the floor and black ceiling give it a modern vibe – it feels elevated but not formal. 

We decided to start with a couple appetizers. There are more than 10 shareables on the menu, but we were able to narrow it down to the shrimp cocktail and the baked brie (both $18 options). 

square white plate with eight pieces of shrimp surrounding a cup of cocktail sauce on a bed of greens with pieces of cilantro sprinkled on top
white square plate with a small wheel of brie topped with pecans and sauce next to an assortment of crackers

The former came with eight pieces of shrimp over a bed of spring mix, garnished with fresh cilantro. It was a good start, but the baked brie was the standout. The disc of cheese was topped with raspberry, pecan and rosemary and was served with a variety of crackers. Every bite was creamy, nutty, crunchy and sweet – an excellent combination of flavors and textures and one I would certainly recommend. 

small round plate with a pad of butter drizzed in honey and topped with herbs next to a basket of bread atop a green tablecloth

Before our apps arrived, we also received a bread basket with a pad of butter that was drizzled with honey and sprinkled with salt and herbs. Like the brie, it was a sweet and creamy start to the meal that was very enjoyable. 

round plate with a strip steak topped with green chimichuri sauce atop a bed of green beans and roasted potatoes

Dinner was soon served with each of us trying a little something different. I opted for the New York strip steak, a 12 oz. cut served with a choice of sauce – chimichurri, for me. I thought the chimichurri was excellent, earthy and fresh, it added bright notes to the well-cooked steak. I found myself using the sauce as a vessel for the potatoes and green beans that were served on the side. 

plate with four pieces of fried chicken, green beans and a dollop of whipped potatoes

Julie opted for the fried buttermilk marinated chicken. She was expecting a chicken breast patty or similar, as most restaurants would do, but she was pleasantly surprised to receive four pieces of dark meat – two thighs, a wing, and a drumstick. She was able to finish half of the meat before boxing the other half to come home. She did, however, finish the mashed potatoes and green beans. (Looking back, the menu actually called for roasted potatoes, like I received with my steak, as the side and not mashed potatoes). 

plate with a round filet topped with a demi-glace sauce with asparagus and mashed potatoes
Photo Credit: Jerry Ashway

Across the table, Jerry’s eight-ounce filet mignon also came with a side of the mashed potatoes as well as asparagus. The steak was good, if slightly more medium than the medium-rare he ordered. His steak came topped with a red wine mushroom demi-glace (which was also an option for my steak). 

square plate with a cobb salad topped with a crab cake
Photo Credit: Lisa Domeshek

Lisa ordered a small Cobb salad for her entree, adding on a crab cake. The salad wasn’t overdressed in the “green goddess” dressing and the eggs were done perfectly. The thick-cut bacon was excellent – so much so that she offered it for us to try around the table. And the crab cake was a very good addition that helped make even the small salad (a larger portion was also available) a filling meal. 

white square plate with a chocolate dessert on a bed of cranberries and shaved chocolate pieces

Of course, we had to try some dessert, as well. The dessert menu is much more limited with only three seasonal options along with six dessert drinks. Julie and I decided to share the chocolate crunch while Jerry and Lisa had the warm sticky toffee pudding. 

white square plate with a bundt cake-shaped dessert and a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Photo credit: Jerry Ashway

Both were excellent. Our chocolate crunch was made of chocolate mousse with a praline wafer crust, served with cranberries and chocolate shavings. The tart cranberries were a little intense, but when mixing the mousse and berries, it had a chocolate-covered cherry feel to it. Across the table, our friends enjoyed their sweet treat which came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that started melting together with the caramel drizzle. 

Combined, our meals would total around $200 before tax, or $50 per person. That’s on the higher side for Berks County, certainly, but not unreasonable for a three-course meal and a menu that leans heavily toward finer dining. 

There are more moderately priced items on the menu, including five unique burgers, each served with fries, for between $16-$18. Three varieties of tacos are also available (with chips and salsa) for $18. And at lunch time, the restaurant offers more sandwich and lighter fare options for less than $20 each. 

More Drinks & Dining at Reading Country Club

brown liquor in a glass with a toothpick with two pieces of fruit
Photo Credit: Jerry Ashway

Jack’s on the Green is the main dining area, but it is not the only place to enjoy a drink or a meal at the Reading Country Club. Both the bar and the Fairway Lounge offer a place to enjoy food and drink from Jack’s on the Green. The large U-shaped bar has plenty of seating with plenty of TV’s around. 

green-walled room with a pool table, foosball table and bar

The Fairway Lounge is one of the coolest spots. We were told that the space used to be township offices, but it has been turned into a cool hangout spot with two golf simulators, a pool table, foosball, and extra comfy seats. 

outdoor covered patio area with black tables and chairs at Reading Country Club

For the golfers, there’s also Mulligan’s Cafe. At the halfway point in your round, you can grab breakfast sandwiches (for the AM tee times), lunch, snacks or drinks. The menu is simpler with a chicken salad sandwich or hot dogs to choose from at lunch, along with an array of snack foods, beers, canned cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. 

Reading Country Club Event Space

In addition to dinner, we had the opportunity to tour the clubhouse to see the incredible event spaces offered at the Reading Country Club. 

large ballroom with wooden floor, high ceiling and a stage on the right

The largest of these is the second floor ballroom. Original to the 102-year-old clubhouse, the ballroom features a stage and dance floor – expect live entertainment to return to the stage in the not-too-distant future. 

metal table on a patio with wooden pergola in the background

The second floor opens into patio spaces at both the front and the rear of the building. Both offer picturesque views overlooking the course. 

round room with three windows a bar on the right side

Inside one of the castle turrets is the upstairs bar. A large chandelier hangs over the bar and the hardwood floor. In all the rooms, the building shows its age but in a good way – it looks like a century-old building but one that has been well cared for. 

bridal suite with two oversized white couches lit by a window

We even got a peek into the bridal suite, complete with oversized couches for relaxing and selfie rings for those all-important wedding photos. 

(The Fairway Lounge is also available for wedding parties, too). 

facade of the Reading Country club from the side. A sign next to a turret reads "Jack's on the Green"

It really is an incredible venue, but I’m most excited about having it as a dining destination again. Maybe I’ll have to dust off my clubs and play a round soon. As bad as my golf game is at this point, at least I know the food and atmosphere will be on-par when I’m done. 

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

Jack’s on the Green at Reading Country Club
5311 Perkiomen Avenue
Reading, PA 19606

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unrwapped foil paper with white lining holding a turkey panini next to a bag of chips and a glass of Cheerwine
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Review: Kirbyville Farm Market

windchime hanging down in front of a sliding door at the entrance to Kirbyville Farm Market

Berks County has long been known for its picturesque farmland. With it, comes some of the best farm stands and markets around. Some remain as roadside stands where passersby can pick up produce and flowers. Others have grown to become much more. 

One of those places is the Kirbyville Farm Market. 

Located along Route 222 just south of Kutztown, the Kirbyville Farm Market opened in the summer of 2019. Stepping through the front doors, the market opens up with produce, baked goods, and bulk foods spread out on wooden tables. To the left is both the cashier and the ice cream freezer where they are dipping hard ice cream. 

ice cream freezer with large sign showing cones and milkshakes at Kirbyville Farm Market

Toward the back and to the right is the deli and sandwich stand. Beyond that, a row of fridge and freezer doors leads to a coffee bar. Here you’ll also find a bakery case filled with fresh donuts and pastries. 

On my most recent visit, I was there specifically for a sandwich because it was my lucky day. Literally. Each week, the market posts on Facebook a name for each day to receive a free sandwich, and my name popped up on a recent Tuesday. 

deli counter at Kirbyville Farm Market

Kirbyville offers a range of options on the sandwich menu, including subs, wraps, toasted cheese, and paninis.

I opted for a build-your-own panini of turkey on wheat bread with Provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and ranch dressing. 

unrwapped foil paper with white lining holding a turkey panini next to a bag of chips and a glass of Cheerwine

It was an excellent sandwich, exactly what I was hoping for with plenty of meat and just the right amount of ranch to get that flavor throughout. It wasn’t huge, but it was large enough, especially with the bag of chips I grabbed. 

I rounded it out with a bottle of Cheerwine (the soda that Cherry Coke has always aspired to be). The meal would have cost just a little over $10, but with my free sandwich, I paid $3.50. 

top shelf of a bakery case with rows of donuts

As I mentioned, the market is more than their deli sandwiches. I have stopped a few times for donuts over the years. It’s a more limited selection than places like Becca’s or Dutch Maid that focus on donuts, but there is still some variety including Boston cream, peanut butter, cream filled, and glazed. They also offer sticky buns and other baked goods. Personally, I enjoy the simple sweet glazed donuts. 

small seating area with wooden wall on left and tables and chairs on both sides of an open aisle

Kirbyville offers limited indoor seating – it’s tucked along a narrow hallway behind the cashier counter with window seats overlooking the farm. But if it’s a nice day, consider taking your meal outside, especially if you have kids. 

large playground equipment with two slides in the middle and a set of three swings on the right side at Kirbyville Farm Market

The outdoor pavilion has plenty of covered seating and there is a large play area for the kids to enjoy before and after their meals. 

goat stares at the camera through a fence at the Kirbyville Farm Market

The seating and play area is also right next to the goat pen so it’s easy to make new animal friends during your visit. 

You won’t find a large menu or table service, but you will find some good food and good prices with a little of that roadside farm stand experience thrown in. All those things combined make the Kirbyville Farm Market a great place to grab a quick meal. 

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

Kirbyville Farm Market
14030 Kutztown Road
Fleetwood, PA 19522

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plate with a larger chicken parm sub next to a steak knife
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Review: Port Clinton Hotel

large two-story stone building with pitched roof and a sign in front that reads "Port Clinton Hotel"

Recently, we made a little day trip to Hamburg. We walked around the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum to see their new exhibits. Then we headed to Lazy Dog Vintage for some shopping. Eventually, we made our way to Cabela’s. 

Normally, when we make a trip like this, we’d find our way to one of the many restaurants in Hamburg’s downtown, like Backwood Brothers, Copperz or 1787 Brewing. But on this trip, we decided to venture a few minutes north to an old favorite of us, the Port Clinton Hotel. 

The Port Clinton Hotel is one of those “almost” Berks County restaurants. Located just a stone’s throw from the county line, Port Clinton is the first town you find in Schuylkill County when heading north on Route 61. 

Locally, it’s best known for the Hotel and the neighboring Port Clinton Peanut Shop, a place to get fresh roasted peanuts, novelty candy, and chocolates. 

It’s also home to the Reading and Northern Railroad, and before the railroad opened its station in Muhlenberg Township, it was the place to catch the weekend train to Jim Thorpe. 

two wooden tables with black chairs against a white wall with gray chair rail in the dining room of Port Clinton Hotel

But the Hotel is the true anchor of the town – the gathering place for food and drinks. It remained so even after the front of the building was struck by a car in late 2022. The result was a new sign and a new front porch, but the interior remains unchanged, looking very much the same as it did when we first reviewed it in 2014. The bar area is still rustic with its wooden U-shaped bar that leaves little room for walking. The dining room is plain, decorated with signs and photos of Yuengling Brewery. 

The menu is also very much the same as it was with large dinners, oversized sandwiches, and their famous baskets of French fries. 

plate with a cheesesteak wrap, cut in half, and a bag of potato chips

It’s so much the same that without thinking, Julie ordered the same thing – a cheesesteak wrap – that she did 11 years ago. 

Looking at the photos of each, there was little difference between this and the last – both were stuffed to overflowing with steak meat and cheese. (Credit though for upgrading the fries from Lay’s to Good’s). A delicious and extremely hearty meal that was always going to see half of it go home as leftovers. 

plate with a larger chicken parm sub next to a steak knife

My chicken parm sandwich was just as large. Served on a whole 12-inch roll, it was stuffed with breaded chicken with slices of cheese and plenty of sauce. The sauce is on the sweeter side, which I remember from previous meals there. I ate half of it as a sandwich before skipping the roll for the second half. Not that the roll wasn’t good (we saw the boxes for ATV bakery stacked in the entryway), but there was just no way to finish the whole thing. 

plate of spaghetti with two large meatballs topped with red sauce

Jakob had a heaping helping of spaghetti from the kids’ menu. It was enough for an adult meal with two large meatballs on top. It had the same sweet sauce as the chicken parm, which Jakob got to enjoy more than once because more than half of it went home as leftovers. 

large basket of fries from the Port Clinton Hotel

We also couldn’t finish our French fry basket which had more than enough for our table. At $6 for the basket, it’s one of the best deals around. 

In fact, our entire dinner was very reasonably priced at around $55 for all of our food and soft drinks. More accurately, our dinner and lunch the next day was reasonably priced because we didn’t have to think about what we would be having with the leftovers that came home with us. 

While we don’t make the trip north too often, the Port Clinton Hotel remains a go-to spot for us when we do. And I look forward to more delicious meals. 

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

Port Clinton Hotel
231 Centre Street
Port Clinton, PA 19549

Original Review: November 2014

IMG_5393

Long before our region was defined by the railroad, our cities and towns were carved by canals.

The small hamlet of Port Clinton, located just a few miles north of Hamburg and just across the line into Schuylkill County (quite literally, the border of Port Clinton is the border for the county), was a canal town.

Businesses in the town grew around the waterway. Businesses like the Port Clinton Hotel, which served meals and rented rooms to the canal boat crews who passed through on their way to or from Reading.

Today, the Hotel still serves a unique clientele. In addition to the residents of neighboring communities and those just visiting on their way to Cabela’s, the Port Clinton Hotel is a go-to for hikers along the Appalachian Trail.

On the opposite side of the Schuylkill River, the trail descends from the mountains, hanging a right through Port Clinton before crossing over Route 61 and leaving civilization again on its ascent to Maine.

The proximity to the trail means the Port Clinton Hotel is a sort of right-of-passage for hikers. Perhaps this is why the Port Clinton Hotel is serving portions fit for someone who hasn’t eaten in days.

While I can appreciate those who dare to trek the trail, I favor the short drive over the long walk, so the only hiking I had to do was from the parking space to the back door.

Like many establishments that still have “hotel,” “tavern,” or “inn” in their names, the restaurant crams more seats into the dining room than would seem possible. Our party of six was placed in a side room, two four-person tables pushed together with just inches between our chairs and the wall.

The daily specials are found on a hand-written piece of paper in the center of the table, while drink specials are found on a dry erase board on the wall. The menu itself is extensive with pastas, dinner entrees, salads, and lots of fried foods and sandwiches.

half a loaf of Italian bread cut in slices with four pads of butter on a plate

As small as the dining area may feel, the portions seem just as gargantuan. On a previous trip, I had made the “mistake” of ordering an actual dinner: a chicken pot pie special served with a homemade roll. And because I was hungry, I started with a cup of chili. As it turns out, the “roll” was half a loaf of white bread, the pot pie could have probably filled four soup bowls, and I would have been satisfied with just the chili.

This time, I was more prepared, opting for a simple hot roast beef sandwich.

roast beef sandwich smothered in gravy from Port Clinton Hotel

My sandwich was served floating in a reservoir of gravy with shreds of meat taking an evening swim. The top slice of bread bulged in the center as the pile of beef tried to force its way out the top.

The beef pulls apart, not like the slabs or slices you find at some diners. I managed to find a piece that wasn’t fully submerged and found it to be tender and moist. Even without the gravy, it would make a delicious sandwich.

cheeseteak wrap cut in two with a bag of Lays chips and a cup of marinara sauce

Next to me, Julie was attacking a monster meal of her own. Her cheesesteak sandwich wrap was sliced in two, with each half being about the size of your average sandwich.

The wrap was simple—steak and cheese with a little bit of onion—but it was balanced perfectly. Like most of the sandwiches on the menu, the wrap came with side of potato chips, a bag of Lay’s placed right on the plate. With so much food already on the plate, there’s a good chance you’ll take the chips home anyway so it’s better to leave them in the bag.

Another reason to leave them in the bag is the Port Clinton Hotel’s famous French fries. The fresh cut fries are not available as a side order (except as part of a select few dinner combinations) so if you want them, be prepared to share.

basket of fries from Port Clinton Hotel

With the large portions on the entrees, a small basket of fries is easily enough to satisfy a table of four (a large basket should probably be reserved for a small family reunion).

But when it comes to the Port Clinton Hotel, it’s not just quantity. It’s quality. Many restaurants offer their foods in big portions, but the food at Port Clinton is so good that you can’t help but try to finish it.

Four our two sandwiches and fries, our total bill came to around $30, a steal for such good food—and for so much of it.

The canal is gone, but the hotel remains, still serving great food to everyone who passes through the town, no matter how they arrive.

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Black food truck with yellow letters reading "Beansie's" with a yellow coffee cup with white smoke for a logo
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Review: Beansie’s Cafe Food Truck

Black food truck with yellow letters reading "Beansie's" with a yellow coffee cup with white smoke for a logo

What if I told you one of the best breakfasts in Berks County doesn’t come from a restaurant, but a food truck? 

Beansie’s Cafe is a mobile breakfast and lunch spot. In addition to corporate catering and serving at local events, Beansie’s does pop-up breakfasts in the parking lot of Wilshire Pool in Spring Township. 

That’s where I first tasted Beansie’s in 2023. And since that first visit, it has become one of my favorite breakfast spots. 

In the Wilshire parking lot, the black truck sets up parallel to Van Reed Road. The yellow Beansie’s logo is clearly visible to all those driving past. 

wooden cornhole board with face painted black with a brown coffee cup and white letters that read "Beansie's"

Lines queue up early for their 8 a.m. opening. On my last visit, I arrived a little after 8 only to find a line of about three ahead of me. Ordering is a process. Rather than take all of the orders, everything is done one at a time. An order is taken and prepared – or at least started – before the next order is taken. This can make the line feel slow, but the prep time is fairly quick so it doesn’t take long to receive your order once it’s placed. 

And if you do have to wait, Beansie’s often sets out a cornhole set on nice days to help you pass the time. 

black Styrofoam container with a flatbread sandwich next to a small takeout breakfast bowl and a coffee cup with "Beansie's" printed on the sleeve

I’ve tried many different items on the menu and have yet to have a bad one. On my last visit, I tried the bacon, egg and cheese flatbread with country gravy dipper. It was my first time ordering it, but it certainly won’t be the last time. The flatbread was a savory delight – stuffed full with plenty of bacon to go along with egg base. Beansie’s uses a four-cheese blend that gives more depth than just American or cheddar. 

And that country gravy is perfect. I only wish I would have had just a little bit more because I used up the entire cup. 

takeout container with a bowl with scrambled eggs, peppers and onions in front of a to-go coffee cup

The cheese blend is also a star of Beansie’s breakfast bowl. This has become a go-to favorite on my trips. The bowl also includes scrambled egg, breakfast sausage, peppers, and hash browns. The sausage has just a little bit of heat to it which I absolutely love. No condiment needed for this dish as it shines on its own. 

five mini pancakes with a black cup of syrup for dipping

Jakob’s favorite is the mini pancake dippers. They come served with a choice of regular or berry syrup. These are the perfect size for kids, but there are plenty in the order for adults, too. I would splurge for the berry sauce, but that’s just me. 

two Styrofoam containers with grilled filled banana bread from Beansie's Cafe

While Jakob may favor the pancakes, if I want to splurge, I’m going to get an order of their grilled, filled banana bread. It’s basically two layers of banana bread with a cream cheese filling (peanut butter is also available) and a delicious sweet topping. It’s definitely an indulgence, but totally worth it. 

Of course when I get breakfast, I like my favorite breakfast drink: a chai latte. Beansie’s has a real good one – not too sweet, not too spiced – but they also have all the coffee drinks you could ask for, including their signature wakey shake, a vanilla espresso milkshake with dark chocolate covered coffee beans. 

One of the best things about Beansie’s is that everything on the menu is more than reasonably priced – I can easily get breakfast for the whole family for between $20-30. 

Next time you see Beansie’s is open on a Sunday morning in Sinking Spring, make the trip and give them a try. You know I’ll be there. 

Beansie’s Cafe
Food: Excellent
Service: Good
Ambiance: N/A
Price: $

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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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Review: Smoothie Social

two pink couches in front of a large floral mural at Smoothie Social in Kutztown

Every review I do includes at least a paragraph about the ambiance of the restaurant or eatery that I’m visiting. It’s part of the story, but it’s never the whole story. 

The most important thing is always the food, but the location is what makes the first impression. They say we eat with our eyes first, and that first sight isn’t the food, it’s the restaurant. That first step gives you the vibe. 

And Smoothie Social in Kutztown definitely has its own vibe. 

wicker chairs by the window with pink chairs and tables in the background at Smoothie Social in Kutztown

Stepping through the front door is like stepping into the Barbie universe. The aesthetic is pink on pink on pink – pink chairs, pink cushions, a pink wall with pink butterfly mural.

After a minute, you become acclimated to the surroundings and it just feels like another cozy cafe. 

menu board at Smoothie Social in Kutztown

The menu is focused but still has variety to it. There are acai bowls, crepes, smoothies and boba tea. But the acai bowls have 30 ingredients to choose from, and there are more than 15 crepe options across breakfast, savory and sweet options. 

I first visited during their grand opening celebration. That day, I tried the spinach and cheese crepe with a mango smoothie. 

plate with a savory crepe next to a mango smoothie at Smoothie Social in Kutztown

Smoothie Social is owned by the same family that has Casa de Empanadas in town, and I absolutely love their spinach and cheese empanada. The crepe from Smoothie Social uses the same filling and is just as good as its Latin counterpart. 

The base is spinach with ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cream cheese. It’s rich and creamy and very filling. It works just as well in the crepe as it does in the empanada, definitely a winning combination in my book. 

I paired it with a mango smoothie. Their smoothies are made with almond milk so it’s a little lighter but still sweet and satisfying. 

oval-shaped pink plate with a crepe drizzled in ranch dressing

My most recent visit came in May. I was again surrounded by pink but it eventually faded into the background as I sat at the table enjoying my chicken bacon ranch crepe with boba tea. 

The crepe was stuffed with shredded chicken and had just the right amount of bacon. It also featured mozzarella cheese, which I think is the perfect choice to fill a crepe. The ranch was drizzled over the top. It looked pretty, but for me, I would have traded the presentation for a little more ranch dressing. It was still good, but a little more ranch would have gone a long way. 

purple colored boba tea on a table next to a pink chair

I really enjoyed my boba tea. I had the taro which is one of my favorite flavors. I’ve also had the same thing from Casa de Empanada and enjoyed it there as well. 

My first visit was during their soft opening when they were offering special pricing on all menu items. But my second visit was less than $15 for the crepe and large boba which felt like a good deal to me. (A crepe, by itself, is less than $10). 

The pink decor may not be my favorite – I prefer the faux street scene at Casa de Empanada – but I appreciate the uniqueness of it. And the food is good, which is more important than what color the seat cushions are. So don’t be surprised if you see me enjoying a crepe at Smoothie Social in the future. Because I’ll definitely keep coming back. 

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

Smoothie Social
314 W. Main Street
Kutztown, PA 19530

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Breakfast & Brunch Smoothies & Bowls
two unwrapped aluminum foil wrappers on a counter - one has a steak sandwich topped with sauce, the other a pile of fries
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Review: Esterly’s Sandwich Shop

single-floor home that has been transformed into a restaurant with a sign over the house that reads "Esterly's"

It feels passe to describe a restaurant as “unique” or a “hole-in-the-wall.” Every restaurant is unique in its own way. And in an age where you can look up any restaurant online, are there really any hole-in-the-wall spots left? 

If there is a unique, hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Berks County, it has to be Esterly’s Sandwich Shop. 

Esterly’s is located in the village of Bowers, three miles from Kutztown on Fleetwood Road between the Deka plant in Lyons and the borough of Topton. But more than the geographic location, it’s the physical location – what appears from the road to be a house with an open sign in the window. A small sign hangs along the road and another spans the facade above the front entrance, otherwise there would be nothing to distinguish Esterly’s from the nearby homes. 

small area in front of an order counter with a fridge in the left corner and a rack of potato chips

There is no parking lot, just five spaces or so along the street. But there’s no need for a lot of parking because there is no dining area except for the three mismatched picnic tables in the front yard.

I arrived for lunch and stepped through the front door into a small, wood-paneled room. 

In one corner was a fridge to grab your drinks. Next to it, a small rack of Martin’s potato chips. Opposite the order counter were small bench seats. After placing my order, I took a seat on one and looked around. 

Beneath the order counter were a pair of maps – one of the United States, one of the world – showing not only where customers were from, but where the cheesesteaks had traveled to. A poster next to the counter highlighted the most exotic locale – Mount Kilamanjaro. 

an order counter with two maps underneath and to the right, a poster showing Kilamanjaro

Apparently in 2013, a suitcase full of cheesesteaks made their way to Africa (with a layover in Amsterdam). Seven sandwiches were eaten on an African safari and another three were enjoyed as a reward for hikers who made the six-day trek to the top of Africa’s tallest mountain. 

My steak sandwich wouldn’t travel that far – only back to Kutztown to the Ktown Hall coworking space where I was working that day. 

The sandwich still looked pretty good after the 10-minute drive. In true Berks County style, I had ordered it topped with sauce (and onions). 

two unwrapped aluminum foil wrappers on a counter - one has a steak sandwich topped with sauce, the other a pile of fries

Esterly’s advertises it as the home of the “no-greasy cheesesteak” and that was true. There was plenty of meat on the sandwich but no grease to make the roll soggy. I might have liked a little more of the slightly sweet sauce, but it was a very good and very filling sandwich, nonetheless. 

The fries were solid too. The menu called them “grade A” and while I wouldn’t call them the best around, I still ate the whole order. (I did what I could to dip them in the sauce that was hiding out on the foil from the sandwich). 

What really separates Esterly’s, beyond the uniqueness of the location, is the price. The sandwich and fries only cost $12.50, less than you’d pay for just a cheesesteak at some places. And while I wouldn’t call it the best that I’ve had, I definitely got my money’s worth. 

If you want to get your money’s worth, bring cash because Esterly’s is cash-only. 

And I’m sure I’ll be back again, with a few dollars to spend on some good food from this unique hole-in-the-wall in eastern Berks County. 

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

Esterly’s Sandwich Shop
479 Fleetwood Road
Mertztown, PA 19539

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Classics Reviews Sandwich Shops
Red and white checkered tablecloths adorn tables in front of an exposed log cabin wall
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Review: P&J Pizza

Light brown building with dark brown shutters around white windows and a sign that reads "P&J Tavern"

I have a lot of childhood memories of P&J Pizza in Womelsdorf. Playing baseball for teams in town, we often had post-game pizza. And my church was less than a block away so P&J was an easy stop to feed us for youth group nights and other activities. 

But P&J was just a takeout place then. Sure, there were a couple booths, but the majority of the customers came in, got their orders, and left. 

It’s a little bit different now. Sure, customers still stream through the storefront to pick up pies and sandwiches to-go, but since P&J opened their Tavern in 2023, there are a lot more dine-in meals. 

Red and white checkered tablecloths adorn tables on hardwood with a dark yellow wall in the background and an exposed wood wall on the right

The Tavern is located in the adjacent building. Unassuming from the outside, a step through the front door reveals the historic log cabin frame that was hidden long ago by vinyl siding. A brick side wall separates the Tavern from the neighboring property, but the remaining walls are wood and mortar. The wood floor is new, but fits with the rustic style. The walls are painted a yellow-brown to complement the exposed slats of the original log building. Only the red and white tablecloths provide a pop of color, a reminder that this is still a family restaurant. 

Red and white checkered tablecloths adorn tables in front of an exposed log cabin wall

On the left side of the room is the bar. In addition to the six-packs that were always available for carryout, guests can now sit down and enjoy a draft beer or cocktail while they catch a game on the TVs. (We watched the Phillies lose a heartbreaker in extra innings as only the Phillies can do). 

The Tavern has the same food menu as the takeout side but with full table service. On our most recent visit, our server doubled as hostess, seating us by the window where menus were already sitting at each seat.  

meatball sandwich in a small roll that looks like a hollowed-out loaf of Italian bread from P&J in Womelsdorf, PA

We ordered and in short order, our food had arrived. For me, that meant a meatball sandwich and a side order of fries. 

I have always loved P&J’s rolls. They are like small loaves of Italian bread cut into pockets, rather than the standard hard or soft rolls. They also use a sweet sauce on their meatball subs – a perfect combination with those delicious rolls. 

close-up photo of a basket of fries with red and white checkered lining from P&J Tavern

The fries were good, too – a large portion of crinkle fries. I threw a little salt and a little garlic powder on them for a perfectly snackable side. 

basket with red and white checkered paper with an Italian wrap cut in half and a side of fries

Julie got herself an Italian wrap (and a side of fries, as well). There is nothing spectacular about the wrap, but it was a solid and filling meal with plenty of meat and cheese inside. 

white paper plate with a slice of pepperoni pizza from P&J in Womelsdorf, PA

Next to her, Jakob quickly downed his large slice of pepperoni pizza. Their pizza is always on-point. It was cooked well and loaded with pepperoni. 

white bowl filled with red sauce with cut-up meatballs from P&J in Womelsdorf, PA

We also ordered a kid’s order of meatballs for Lukas, who at 22 months old has decided that meatballs are his favorite food. We couldn’t cut it fast enough for him, but the first one (there were three in the order) filled him up. 

Our total was just over $40 for the four of us – that included a lemonade for Jakob and an unsweet tea for me. Anytime we can get out of a restaurant for about $10 per person, especially when the food is as good as it is at P&J, I consider it a win. 

This was our second time dining in at the Tavern, and it is quickly becoming one of our favorite places to enjoy a meal – quick service, good food, and great prices are a hard combination to beat. 

BCE Rating

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

P&J Pizza
133 W. High Street
Womelsdorf, PA 19567

Original Review: October 11, 2015

A bike leans against a white building with an awning and a sign that says "P&J Pizza Hot & Cold Subs"

October is National Pizza Month, and Berks County Eats is celebrating by visiting some of our area’s best pizzerias all month long.

Most weeks on Berks County Eats, I take you — my readers — with me as a visit a new place and try something different.

Discovering new places and foods is one of my favorite parts about doing this blog.

But I would be doing a disservice to everyone if I didn’t also throw in some old favorites, places that I have enjoyed since childhood. Places that I frequented before the blog began. Places like P&J’s Pizza.

Opening on High St. in Womelsdorf in 1989, Pete and John (the P and J in P&J’s) have been serving western Berks County for more than 25 years.

Growing up in nearby Robesonia in the 90s, I can’t remember a time without P&J’s. They were always there in the store, and their pizza was at every party and every post-game meal throughout my childhood.

A menu in a stand atop a pizza serving tray at P&J Pizza in Womelsdorf

Through the years, the restaurant has remained much the same. The seven booths are surrounded by wood paneled walls. If not for the brand new TV in the corner, you would never know it wasn’t still 1989.

I have had more meals than I can count at P&J’s, trying much of the menu. Their subs are incredible, served in rolls that are more like hollowed-out loaves of Italian bread. The strombolis are also very good.

But what I love more than anything else on the menu is the Sicilian pizza.

Box of square Sicilian pizza topped with cheese and pepperoni

Sicilian pizza, for those who have never tried it, is a little bit different from your traditional pie. The most obvious difference is that it’s square. Sicilians fit much more snugly into the carry-out boxes.

It’s also a thicker crust, more like a Chicago-style pizza that rises in the oven instead of remaining flat.

P&J’s does Sicilians as well as anyone. It’s baked until the edges are crispy and the cheese is perfectly melted. The sauce is sweet and the pepperoni is just a little spicier than other restaurants.

close-up of the edge of a Sicilian slice of pizza from P&J Pizza in Womelsdorf

The slices are hearty, but I still managed to put down three of them before my stomach threw up the white flag.

In addition, Sicilian pies are a great value if you have a lot of mouths to feed. The large pie, which measures 16-inches square, is sliced in 12 pieces for $12.50 (toppings are $2.25 each so ours was $15.00).

Julie and I shared our pie with my parents, and between the four of us we still had three slices left at the end of the meal. If you do the math, it comes to about $3 per meal, a value no matter how you look at it.

Every small town has a place like P&J’s — a little pizza shop that locals come back to over and over again.

For me, as much as I love new and different, I will always keep going back to P&J’s as long as they keep putting out the same great pizzas I remember from my childhood.

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

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Lunch & Dinner Pizzerias Reviews
Chef Dale Reitenauer drizzles sauce on a ravioli plate during the Riedenau House Pop-Up Dinner
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Review: Riedenau House Pop-Up Dinner

Round table with dark blue tablecloth with empty wine glasses, a menu and a folded black polo shirt

There are lots of places to get a good meal. There are fewer places that offer great meals. But, what exactly is it that takes a meal from good to great? 

Of course there are the flavors – it has to taste exceptional, and likely beyond what the patron could make themselves. 

It helps when the ingredients are fresh – there’s a clear difference between something made-from-scratch that day versus something pre-made and frozen.

Presentation is important, too. We eat with our eyes first. So the food has to have an appeal before it ever hits our tastebuds. 

What all of these things add up to is a great story as told by the author, in this case the chef. Great stories, like great meals, make you feel something. They make you experience something. Maybe it’s something new or something familiar. Maybe it’s both. 

Chef Dale Reitenauer prepping plates in the kitchen at the Reidenau House Pop-Up Dinner

Chef Dale Reitenauer has been writing the story of the Riedenau House for three years. Originally he had planned to open a restaurant in the former Oley Valley Inn, now the Inn on Main. When those plans fell through, he persevered, working and learning in kitchens across Berks County.  

This spring, he wrote the latest chapter in his story, an eight-course fine dining pop-up dinner to be held at Friedens UCC, just a few doors down from the Inn he never got to cook in.   

I was very surprised to see Berks County Eats tagged in a Facebook comment personally inviting me to the event. Of course I accepted – an eight-course tasting menu is something Julie and I couldn’t miss. 

Riedenau House Pop-up meal printed menu

When the menu was revealed four days later, I was even more excited. The meal was going to showcase two proteins throughout: pork and rabbit. 

The first time I had rabbit was at Ralph’s of South Philly, an Italian restaurant that once was inside the Sheraton Valley Forge. That night, it was rabbit Bolognese with the rabbit featured in a traditional meat sauce over rigatoni. 

Chef Dale pointed out that rabbit is still used often in Mediterranean cuisine, but that his dishes were more French-inspired. 

“Inspired” was a good word because every dish felt inspired, each one building on the previous to tell a story. 

wood square plate with a cracker topped with duck and shredded carrots and green onions

It started with a delightful amuse-bouche, just a little taste of what was to come. It featured a buckwheat cracker topped with bacon jam, rabbit and shaved vegetables that was a nice sweet-and-savory snack. 

blue plate with round cut of meat made to look like a pinwheel with two-colored sauce

The official first course was pork primal terrine, a medley of ground pork shoulder, pork loin and pork tenderloin, bound together with spring onion ash and served with apple butter and mushroom reduction. I didn’t know that mushroom and apple would work together, but they did. The best bites were the ones that had both sauces.

black bowl with broth, dehydrated mushrooms, greens and bacon cubes

As good as the first course was, the second course was the first to blow me away. This was the rabbit consomme, a bone broth served with dehydrated mushrooms, fried carrot, spring onion nest, fondant potatoes and bacon lardon. Julie commented that the bowl looked like the forest floor, and it certainly felt like a forager’s feast. But it was the bacon lardon – chunks of bacon with beautiful smokiness – and the potatoes that shone. I would love to see a plate of those potatoes accompanying an entree someday. 

clear glass square with two chips - one topped with pork pate and an apple cube and one topped with rabbit pate and carrot dust

Of all the things we tried, the pork and rabbit pate – course three – were the most out of our comfort zone. Surprisingly, the rabbit pate was my favorite of the two. It was served on a crispy potato chip with carrot powder. Perhaps it was the salty chip that played better than the sweet apple chip did with the pork pate. 

square mirror used as a plate wtih a rabbit croquette drizzled with orange and green sauces

The rabbit croquette was our fourth course. It had a buckwheat crust and was served atop carrot puree and charred spring onion emulsion. Again, two sauces that played perfectly together. The croquette was soft, not hard-crusted like a deep-fried chicken croquette I’m used to. Like the rest of the menu, it had a pleasant earthy flavor to it. 

clear round plate with a large, dark-colored ravioli topped with dark pieces of puffed buckwheat and green onions

Following the croquette was the pork ravioli, Julie’s favorite item of the night. The mushroom pasta dough was filled with braised pork cheek and topped with puffed buckwheat, and a rabbit au jus. The pork cheek was so tender, and the little bits of buckwheat were like crunchy popcorn. It was a big hit. 

white bowl with soup of pork and rabbit and sliced potato

So, too, was the pork and rabbit hotpot. It was a hearty bowl of pulled pork and rabbit with mushrooms, carrots, buckwheat, and scallop potato topping. It was a mini feast in a bowl, meatier than the consomme but still very much rooted in the local produce.

round blue plate with a potato and spring onion waffle topped with a rabbit thigh and sprinkled with bacon dust

My favorite course came next: rabbit and waffles. This non-traditional take on a traditional comfort food favorite really shone. The waffle was a potato and spring onion waffle which was more like a delicious hash brown. The rabbit thigh, which was glazed in honey, was perfect. Yet again, Chef Dale had played with sweet and savory and toyed with the traditional, and once again it was a success. 

buckwheat apple tart topped with bacon ice cream

Dessert was also a huge success. Bacon ice cream atop an apple tart with buckwheat crust. Prior to the course, Chef Dale told us more about his journey, which saw him start with baking and desserts before gaining the skills of a well-rounded chef. That background was fully evident in this unique closing dish. It harkened back to the amuse-bouche with the buckwheat and bacon. The addition of the apples and change from bacon jam to bacon ice cream (which did have pieces of candied bacon inside) took it from good appetizer to great dessert. 

But it still held to the throughline of the meal, nine cohesive courses, each one building upon the next in creativity and flavor. 

The meal really told two stories: first, the story of Pennsylvania and our food producers. PA Preferred ingredients were used throughout, from the meats to the vegetables to the dairy, even down to the drinks which included a selection of Reading Draft sodas and other locally produced non-alcoholic drinks. Some of the producers were even in attendance, and even they were trying their products in new ways. 

Chef Dale Reitenauer drizzles sauce on a ravioli plate during the Riedenau House Pop-Up Dinner

But it was also the story of Chef Dale and the Riedenau House. It was his food, his concept, and his continued commitment to bringing a completely different experience to Berks County. 

At the end of the night, we learned of the ongoing plans for the Riedenau House, which includes more pop-up dinners (look for a surf and turf meal coming in June), a food truck that will have more familiar items, and a meal prep service. 

Ultimately, the goal is a restaurant. But there are more chapters in these stories to be written. And I look forward to watching them unfold. 

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

The Riedenau House will continue to hold scheduled pop-up meals throughout the year. They have also debuted a new food truck, We Are PA Proud, that can be found in and around Berks County. Check their Facebook page for the latest information.

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Finer Dining Reviews
order counter and blue tables at Rollie's Place in Reading, PA
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Review: Rollie’s Place

logo graphic with a to-go coffee cup and the words "Rollie's Place" over it

There are many considerations we make when choosing a place to eat. As a parent, I’m always on the look-out for kid-friendly atmospheres. And on those rare occasions when Julie and I get a date night, we seek out places of an upscale elegance. 

I’ll admit, accessibility has never been high on my list of things to look at when checking out restaurants. But Rollie’s Place – the new cafe from Abilities in Motion – has made it part of the restaurant’s mission. 

order counter and blue tables at Rollie's Place in Reading, PA

The team invited me to experience the cafe recently, and it was clear that this place was different in the best possible way. 

The organization’s Vision Statement sums up AIM well: 

Creating communities where people of any ability have equal access. AIM will facilitate
disability inclusivity through community engagement, civic participation, and education

private booth for two with a table at Rollie's Place in Reading, PA

I met Chef James Kraemer who serves as the General Manager of Rollie’s Place. He explained how the cafe is an extension of AIM’s mission. Some accessibility accommodations are obvious: a wide-open floorplan with plenty of room for visitors using mobility devices, the blue oversized privacy chairs that help alleviate overstimulation from the surroundings, and the large accessible bathroom to name a few. 

But others are more subtle, such as the door handles on the fridge to make it easier to open, noise-cancelling bottoms on the tables and chairs, and the large-print and braille versions of the menu available at the order counter. 

Rollie's Place coil-bound menu with words that read "Large Print and Braille Menu"

With all these added features, the cafe retains a cool vibe. The multi-colored chairs feel modern. And the room is flooded in light from the large front windows. 

Chef James has curated a breakfast and lunch menu – breakfast bowls, parfaits and ciabattas to start the day; soups, salads, and sandwiches at lunch; and fresh baked goods in the case all day. And of course you can get your favorite cafe drinks, as well. 

white plate on a blue table with French dip sandwich, spiral fries, cup of au jus and cup of ketchup next to a to-go coffee cup

I tried the French dip sandwich (from the specials menu) and a cup of hot chocolate during my visit. It’s clear that despite the impressive setup, the food is not an afterthought. 

The French dip was awesome – one of the best variations of the sandwich that I have tried. The sandwich was tufted with thin-sliced beef, Gruyere cheese and horseradish cream. I had almost forgotten about the horseradish until I bit in, but it really enhanced the flavor of the meat. I really enjoyed the homemade au jus for dipping, loaded with herbs and spices. This definitely felt like a high-end French dip. 

The sandwich was served with a side of seasoned swirl fries. Instead of a traditional cut, the fries were more like a thick spiral, dotting the plate with curls of potatoes. I dipped them in the au jus, too, for a delicious side. 

to-go coffee cup next to a laptop sitting on a coffee table

My hot chocolate was delicious, as well. It was very creamy and rich, tasting more like dessert than a morning pick-me-up. 

The sandwich combo and hot chocolate would have cost around $16. Most breakfast and lunch offerings are in the $9-13 range with the French dip being a little higher as a special. The drinks, including the hot chocolate also feel very reasonably priced. 

esports arena at Abilities in Motion

In addition to the cafe, Abilities in Motion is opening more spaces to the public. Before my meal, I got a chance to check out the new AIM Gaming Center with around a dozen esports gaming stations where people of all abilities can take part in competitions for Fortnite and other popular titles. If I was about 10 years younger, I would be a regular. 

I still will likely be a regular to Rollie’s Place, though. The food, the atmosphere, the connectivity – it’s the perfect place to spend a morning or a lunch hour, and I look forward to my next visit. 

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

Rollie’s Place
755 Hiesters Lane
Reading, PA 19605

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Cafes & Coffeeshops Reviews