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

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
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

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

Caribbean & Latin American Reviews