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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A daiquiri colored orange with an orange peel

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

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

Three puff pastries topped with short ribs and shaved parmesan

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

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

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

A rack of lamb sitting atop a bed of mint chimichurri

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

exterior of Cafe Folino in Wyomissing, PA

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

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

order counter at Cafe Folino in Wyomissing, PA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

order counter at Salt & Light Cafe in Reading, PA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’ll definitely be back. 

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

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

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

gray building with sandwich board sign out front

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

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

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

mirrored bar with dark bartop at Fresh in West Reading

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

round plate with breakfast skillet topped with two poached eggs

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

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

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

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

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

And Fresh definitely offers quality. 

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

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

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wall painted to look like the doorways of three houses on a street in San Juan - one orange, one green and one painted in the Puerto Rican flag
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Review: Casa De Empanadas

brick facade with full glass windows and banner flag reading "empanadas"

Some restaurants are very traditional with their offerings. They stick to their grandparents’ recipes. They make familiar food the familiar way. 

But then there are those that dare to take chances – to take the traditional and turn it on its head.

Casa de Empanadas opened in early 2024 along East Main Street in Kutztown. Before branching out on their own, their empanadas could be found at another Kutztown spot, Hazel’s Cafe. 

wall painted to look like the doorways of three houses on a street in San Juan - one orange, one green and one painted in the Puerto Rican flag

Walking through the doors, your eye is drawn to the back wall which has been painted to look like a row of brightly colored houses reminiscent of San Juan. 

But the empanadas on the menu are likely not going to be found in Puerto Rico. Traditional empanadas are usually filled with beef and cheese or chicken and cheese. And while there is a beef and cheese on the menu, there’s nothing traditional about empanadas fillings like chicken bacon ranch, pizza, or shrimp and crab. 

There’s also nothing traditional about an empanada place serving boba tea, but I wasn’t mad at it. The taro boba was deliciously sweet, and the purple color seemed at home among the decor. 

purple boba tea on a table at Casa de Empanadas

My boba came first, and about 10 minutes later I got my empanadas – one spinach and one meatball parm – served on a bed of rice and peas. 

The spinach empanada was an absolute home run. Filled with a mixture of garlic sauce, cream cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, spinach, and cream, it was indulgently creamy. But it was never too much, thanks in part to the deliciously crispy pastry shell. 

styrofoam container with two empanadas on a bed of fried rice

While still good, the meatball parm came up a little short of the spinach. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the marinara sauce. A little change and I probably would have loved it like my other empanada. 

I got the two empanadas as part of a meal so they came served over a bed of rice and peas. This was the most traditional item on the menu, and it was very good. The rice was well seasoned and nicely done. I didn’t really need it on top of the empanadas though. Next time, I would probably just get the empanadas and not do the meal deal. 

brick wall with a banner reading "empanadas" behind a table and charis

I look forward to my next visit when I promise to get one of their dessert empanadas – caramel apple or chocolate chip brownie. Both sound amazing. 

And the price is right, too. The two-empanada meal was $13 (empanadas are $5 each otherwise). The boba was a splurge that added $7 to the meal. Still, I felt like it was a very reasonable price to pay for everything. 

Overall, it was a very good first impression. The food was good – and unique – and I look forward to more empanadas in the near future. 

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

Casa de Empanadas
9 E. Main Street
Kutztown PA 19530

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pulled pork sandwich from K'Town Pub
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Review: K’Town Pub

neon lights in a window next to a wooden door with the words K'Town Pub

It’s been more than a decade since I graduated from Kutztown University. While I was there, I visited quite a few of the restaurants along Main Street – many are gone but many are still there, some exactly as they were and others under new management. 

If you’ve followed my blog, you know I’m not a drinker so one place I didn’t spend a lot of time during college was at the bar. So I never had a reason to check out the Kutztown Pub – or just “The Pub” to students. 

Things are different now – not with me (I still don’t drink) but with the pub. It’s not just a dive bar anymore, it’s also a place to get some really good barbecue. 

tables and chairs on a hardwood floor at K'Town Pub

The Pub rebranded in 2014 – renamed K’Town Pub Taphouse & BBQ to better reflect the new focus on both beer and food. A year later the space got a necessary makeover and is still looking pretty good to this day. 

My first visit came in late 2023. I was by myself, stopping in at the Pub after a day working from the Ktown Hall coworking space. I went in by myself around 5 p.m. It was a light crowd, still early, and I grabbed a table for myself along the wall opposite the bar. 

The menu is small as there isn’t much of a kitchen to speak of. Beyond barbecue, there are burgers, tacos, nachos and mac and cheese. But I was there for ‘cue so I ordered my go-to: pulled pork. 

cardboard food boat filled with a pulled pork sandwich topped with pickled red onion with a side of potato chips

K’town Pub’s pulled pork comes topped with apple slaw, pickled red onion and your choice of sauce. 

The sandwich was very enjoyable. Savory meat mixed with the sweet sauce – I chose the apple butter bbq sauce – and the slight sour notes of the pickled onions made for a great sandwich. 

As mentioned earlier, the menu is limited. There’s no fryer so fries aren’t an option. Instead, every sandwich is served with a basic handful of chips and a pickle, not bad, but nothing exciting. 

My meal was good enough that a few months later, I returned, this time with Julie. Like me, Julie had never visited the Pub during her time in Kutztown, not that it was anything like back then anyway. 

beef brisket sandwich topped with pickeld red onions with chips and a cup of bbq sauce

Julie ordered the beef brisket, which like my pulled pork sandwich came topped with the same slaw and onions, and she liked it just as much. Normally, I’m a pulled pork guy but I think I liked the brisket just a little bit more than the pork. 

I also really liked the smoked meatloaf sandwich that I ordered on this visit. 

meatlaof sandwich drizzled with bbq sauce next to a side of chips

This was not your typical meatloaf. Instead, the patty was ground beef mixed with pulled pork, bacon, caramelized onions and peppers. (When I ordered it, I actually thought a few of these would be toppings instead of mix-ins). 

It was very good, but also very rich. The pulled pork gave a very different texture. I really liked the caramelized onions which were strewn throughout for a nice little subtle sweet hit. 

I skipped the American cheese and ate it with just barbecue sauce on top, but it was delicious like that. The only issue is that it fell apart easily – likely a result of the inclusion of the pulled pork. 

All in all, we both enjoyed our meals – Julie’s first and my second at the Pub. 

And likely we’ll enjoy a meal there again. 

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

K’Town Pub
257 W Main Street
Kutztown, PA 19530

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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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pizza topped with sauce and grated Parmensan
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Review: Antonio’s Trattoria

building with gray siding along a street

For someone who lives in Wyomissing, I make a lot of trips to Boyertown. I’m a member at the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, Jakob is obsessed with the Brickworks (a LEGO store in downtown), and there are some great restaurants.

But I also drive past a lot of restaurants on my way to and from Boyertown. On a recent visit, I finally stopped at one of them – Antonio’s Trattoria. 

white twigs in a flower box in the foreground with a stone fireplace in the back

Antonio’s operates in the former Woods Pub building along Route 73. I had driven past the building many times in recent years – and every time the electronic sign attached to the Woods Pub sign had the same message – closed. 

It was pretty apparent that the temporary closure was permanent. And eventually, after a lengthy renovation process, Antonio’s opened in August 2023. 

black round table with black chairs in front of a wooden counter with mirrors

My first visit came a few months later in November. With baby carrier in tow, I stepped into the dining room for the first time and was extremely impressed by the work inside. 

Outside, the building doesn’t look like much (though it looks a lot better in the shades of white and gray than it did when it was painted green). But inside, the work that was done was evident. 

There were new floors throughout – some hardwood, some tile. In one corner was a quaint fireplace. And the bar had a cool factor thanks to the sheet metal base and wooden top. 

black round tables with black chairs in a narrow room with a stone wall on the left and windows on the right

I was seated near the window looking out on Route 73. It was a small annex that originally would have been a porch that was enclosed years ago. 

The waitress was very friendly and I had my food a short time after I placed my order – a Brooklyn cob pizza with a side of hand-cut fries.I ordered more food than I could eat, knowing that I would be taking some home for leftovers. 

pizza topped with sauce and sprinkled Parmesan instead of mozzarella

The Brooklyn cob pizza was a special offering – sharp provolone under marinara sauce, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. 

With the light cheese on top combined with the sweet sauce, it had the feel of a freshly made tomato pie. But with a crust that was nice and crisp. It was a great offering, and one that I hope comes back some day because I would definitely order it again. 

basket of french fries with a cup of iced tea in a Coca Cola glass

It was a great first impression with delicious food and friendly staff that will definitely have me coming back. 

Next time, I’ll bring the family so I don’t have to eat it all alone. 

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

Antonio’s Trattoria
1636 W. Philadelphia Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512

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plate of French toast topped with cinnamon swirl with a smaller plate of red skin potato homefries
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Review: Annamarie’s on Main

strip mall storefront with a sign that reads "Annamarie's" with tables and chairs out front

When I was working in King of Prussia, I had heard a lot about Annamarie’s Place in Royersford. By that point, the restaurant was 20 years old, cash-only, and had long since been known for its incredible breakfasts. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to make it to Royersford for a taste.

Thankfully, Berks County has its own Annamarie’s now. Annamarie’s on Main opened in Birdsboro in early 2023, taking over the location that most recently housed Susie Q’s Breakfast & Lunch Cafe. Other restaurants that have come and gone from the space include Dino’s Wings & Things and the Maple Springs Café.

dining room full of tables for four with a large mural of a tree on the far wall

Julie and I visited the café for breakfast in May, making the short drive to Birdsboro after dropping Jakob off at daycare. We were the first customers to arrive and were seated toward the rear of the dining room.

I’m not sure how much work was done by Annamarie’s or how much was done previously, but the dining room was extremely inviting with wooden tables and chairs and brick accents on the interior walls. An oversized black and white photo of a tree loomed large on the opposite wall.

The breakfast menu for Annamarie's on Main

Our server was providing training to a new staff member so we had double the attention during our meal. They were at the table quickly, but with a large menu, we had to tell them to come back for our food order.

There are a seemingly endless number of omelets, French toast, pancakes, waffles and breakfast sandwiches to choose from, along with a laundry list of sides. Ultimately, I decided on the cinnamon swirl pecan stuffed French toast with a side of homefries.

plate of French toast topped with cinnamon swirl with a smaller plate of red skin potato homefries

The French toast came out stacked with one atop the other, but slightly askew (there was an option to get three slices, but I stuck with two).  Where the two came together was a swirl of cinnamon-sugar sticky bun filling that was drizzled on top with pecans and powdered sugar.

One look at it and I knew there was no need for the bottle of syrup that was on the table. It was sweet enough without it, though not overly sweet. The cinnamon-sugar filling had a deeper flavor than I was expecting, but one that I enjoyed, especially when mixed with the nuts.

Did I need the homefries? No. But I couldn’t resist giving them a try and was glad that I did. The homefries were made with red skin potatoes which, in my mind, make any potato dish better. They were cooked to the perfect soft inside with just a little texture on the outside. Next time, I would look for a smaller main dish and definitely order the potatoes again.

blueberry pancakes with poppyseeds from Annamarie's on Main

Because I went French toast, Julie ordered pancakes – lemon ricotta blueberry poppy pancakes. For me, these were the best that we got between us. I especially love the pairing of the tart lemon with the slightly sweet ricotta. Adding the fresh blueberries on top made it even better. Julie gave me a taste, and I stole a few more bites at the end, too, because it was so good.

Overall, Annamarie’s provides a good value. Both my French toast and her pancakes were more specialty items, but even with the homefries we spent less than $25 between us. And you could easily spend less. A plain pancake (which the menu warns is the size of three pancakes in other places) is less than $6 for a single. The highest priced item on the breakfast menu is a Cajun shrimp benedict that comes in at $16.99.

I may not have made it to the original Annamarie’s yet, but I’ve now been to Annamarie’s on Main. And I can say that for me, it lived up to my expectations.

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

Annamarie’s on Main
339 W Main St
Birdsboro, PA 19508

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