close-up of a pepperoni pizza on a gray-tinted faux wood table
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Review: Carmelo’s Pizza & Italian Ice

exterior photo of a restaurant with green awning and red trip around the bottom and a sign that reads "Carmelo's.

Boyertown is one of my favorite places in Berks County. I love the many attractions in town, like the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, the Colebrookdale Railroad, and the new General Spaatz Museum. There are also some really cool stores like the Brickworks and their fill-a-bag with LEGOs area. 

I could go on about all of the fun things to do in and around Boyertown. And I could also go on and on about all the great places to eat in town. 

One of those spots is Carmelo’s. 

order counter at a pizza shop with faux brick front and the word "Benvenuto" in cursive lettering

Located along Philadelphia Avenue, just a short walk from the Colebrookdale’s train station, Carmelo’s is your typical neighborhood pizza shop. 

We visited in late May and found out that it was recently under new ownership. Walking in, the unassuming little shop made a strong first impression. The front order counter has a faux stone facade with the word “benvenuto” in script letters across the front. 

There’s a small dining area, which wraps around to the side of the building. The space is illuminated by the light shining in through the large, uncurtained windows. Tables for two and four line the narrow space. 

dining area at Carmelo's Pizza in Boyertown with faux wood tables and black chairs

We grabbed a high chair and pulled it to our seat near the order counter beneath a television so Jakob could have something to watch. They were kind enough to find a kids’ movie to put on and so we watched the first 30 minutes or so of Babe during our meal. 

To make life easier, we had decided on a pepperoni pizza to share. It was about a 20 minute wait before our pizza arrived on the table.

close-up of a pepperoni pizza on a gray-tinted faux wood table

The first thing I noticed was the crust which was thicker than many others that we’ve tried. It was doughy, in a good way. It was cooked perfectly, not chewy, and had a nice crisp on the bottom without being burnt. 

The cheese was bubbly and yellow, and there were plenty of pepperoni on top. It wasn’t anything special, but it was very enjoyable. 

With our drinks, our total was around $25, a very reasonable price to feed our family. 

We also found the staff to be incredibly accommodating throughout our visit – another reason why we love eating local. 

And it’s why Carmelo’s will be a part of future visits to Boyertown, too. 

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

Carmelo’s Pizza & Italian Ice
116 E. Philadelphia Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512

Lunch & Dinner Pizzerias
Sal's Pizza Style Stromboli Pizza
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8 Great Places to Get Pizza in Berks

In more than a decade of Berks County Eats, we have tried some of the best pizza in Reading and Berks. While there are still plenty more to go, here are eight of our favorite places to get pizza in Berks.

two takeout pizza boxes with lids open - one has a pepperoni pizza, the other a plain cheese

10 West
Wernersville

10 West had big shoes to fill taking over the former A&M Pizza in Wernersville. Other restaurants had tried and failed, but 10 West became one of our favorites after our first visit in 2023. The crusts are crisp and they have a great variety. The grandma pie is excellent, but even their plain and pepperoni stand out.

Review: 10 West Pizzeria
pizza topped with sauce and grated Parmensan

Antonio’s Trattoria
Boyertown

When I visited Antonio’s Trattoria in 2023, they were running a special on a Brooklyn Cob pizza and it was one of the best pizzas I’ve had. It’s not a regular menu item, but they do a great job on all their pies.

Review: Antonio’s Trattoria
Best Pizza: Nonno Alby's

Nonno Alby’s
West Reading

Probably our favorite specialty pies, Nonno Alby’s uses their wood-fired oven to make crisp crusts. And they have some of the best toppings around. The namesake Nonno Alby’s pizza is my go-to. It features San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, Italian sausage, sauteed broccolini (broccoli rabe), and a kick from garlic and red pepper flakes.

Review: Nonno Alby’s
stuffed pizza topped with sausage and peppers from Mama's Pizza in Wyomissing

Original Mama’s
Wyomissing & Sinking Spring

Mama’s Wyomissing location is the closest pizza place to our house and the place where we get more meals that anywhere else. Jakob loves it, and we really enjoy it, too. The honey ricotta has just the right amount of sweetness, and I love their Boardwalk pie with sweet sauce swirled on. And nothing is more filling than one of their stuffed slices.

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

P&J Pizza
Womelsdorf

A childhood favorite of mine, P&J Pizza has only gotten better. In 2023 they expanded into the neighboring building to expand their dining room and add a bar. The pizza is great, and it’s hard to beat the atmosphere of a log cabin restaurant.

Review: P&J Pizza
Russo Market Pizza

Russo’s Food Market
Wyomissing

Another nearby pizza destination, Russo’s Food Market in Wyomissing does square pies with thick crusts. I actually really enjoy the crust, and the rectangular slices are more than enough to satisfy at lunch time.

Review: Russo’s Food Market
Sal's Pizza Style Stromboli Pizza

Sal’s Pizza Style
Birdsboro

Sal’s Pizza Style is home to one of the most unique offerings in Berks County, the delicious Stromboli pizza. It’s a traditional Stromboli topped with pepperoni pizza. It’s creative, it’s meaty, and it’s really good.

Review: Sal’s Pizza Style
A slice of Frank white pizza, topped with ricotta, tomato and spinach

Tommyboy’s
Kutztown

The largest slices in Berks County are also some of the best. Tommyboy’s slices are “bigger than your head” and require two plates for just one slice. I usually get two slices, knowing that one is enough and I’ll have a second for lunch the next day.

Review: Tommyboy’s Pizza

Have a favorite pizza place in Berks County we need to try? Let us know by emailing berkscountyeats@gmail.com.

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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
two takeout pizza boxes with lids open - one has a pepperoni pizza, the other a plain cheese
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Review: 10 West Pizzeria

rectangular building with a door in the center and windows on either side and an awning that reads "10 West"

Great pizza comes in many shapes and styles, but it’s also a matter of taste. One person may prefer the crisp crust of a wood-fired oven while others see it and call it “burnt.” One person may enjoy a classic round pie while another likes the thick square crust of a Sicilian. 

Great pizza places are similar. Some are great because they do one thing really well. Others are great because of the variety that they offer. 

booths next to a window at 10 West Pizzeria

10 West Pizzeria in Wernersville is a little of both. 

The restaurant is located inside the town’s old freight station. Over the years, it’s been home to many restaurants, almost exclusively pizza places. The longest-tenured restaurant in the space was the Lebanon-based A&M Pizza which was there throughout the 90s and made a short-lived return before 10 West arrived on the scene in 2022. 

display with bags of potato chips in front of a wall with a pizza kitchen in the background

Our first taste came a year later when we stopped in for slices. The counter was filled with both traditional round pies and square grandma pies to choose from.  

Jakob, being the picky eater of the bunch, had the standard cheese which he really enjoyed. Julie and I, however, opted for grandma slices. 

square slice of pizza with tomato sauce and fresh basil on a paper plate

I had the grandma margherita with a sweet red sauce, drops of mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves. It was a great pizza, and I especially love the sweet red sauce. There’s something about a pizza with a little sweetness that just does it for me. 

Julie also enjoyed her grandma pie, but it was closer to a standard cheese pizza. The only differences were the square shape and the sweet sauce, both of which resulted in a delicious slice. 

We enjoyed the pizza so much that when it came time to cater Jakob’s birthday at the nearby Sinking Spring YMCA, we knew that 10 West was the only choice. 

two takeout pizza boxes with lids open - one has a pepperoni pizza, the other a plain cheese

For a party of six- and seven-year-olds, we went with the more traditional round pies. Both pepperoni and plain cheese were offered, and both were delicious. 

What I really liked were the crusts. They were crisp without being burnt and were dusted with something on the bottom – not exactly sure what – but it definitely added a little something to every bite. 

slice of cheese pizza on a paper plate

And 10 West, like all pizza places, is a great place to feed a lot of people without spending a lot of money. Their 18-inch New York style pie cost $16.50 (about $2.00 per slice) while the pepperoni cost $19.75 ($2.50 per slice). 

Whether it’s the grandma pies or the New York-style round pies, 10 West does them well. And it’s that variety that makes them one of our favorites. 

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

10 West Pizzeria
10 W. Penn Avenue
Wernersville, PA 19656

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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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Italian Lunch & Dinner Reviews
A photo of a calzone and French fries on a dark blue plate.
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Review: Piero Pizzeria

Photo of the exterior of Piero's Pizzeria in Reading, PA

Sometimes it feels like there is an Italian restaurant on just about every corner.

While that is an exaggeration, there is no question that you can find good Italian food wherever you go in Berks County.

Like at Piero Pizzeria.

Piero is wedged in on the corner of Route 183 and Upper Van Reed Road in Leinbachs, just a short drive north of the Reading Airport and Route 222.

Photo of an order counter in an Italian restaurant. Photos of food are on the wall above the counter while pizza is on display on the counter.

The location has limited parking in the front and on the side of the building, more than enough especially if you’re just stopping in to grab takeout (though Piero does have a decent size dining area for those who would prefer to dine-in.)

Our order was prepared quick and was ready to go by the time we made our way from Wyomissing to pick it up.

Piero’s, like many Italian family restaurants, offers a little bit of everything on their menu, including pizza, subs, salads, fried appetizers, burgers and Italian dinners.

I was in the mood for pizza but didn’t want a whole pie so I opted instead for a calzone.

A photo of a calzone and French fries on a dark blue plate.

All of Piero calzones are stuffed with ricotta and mozzarella and served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. I decided to add meatballs to mine, creating something between a pizza and a meatball sandwich.

I was not disappointed. It was really the ricotta that sets the calzone apart. The lighter and creamier cheese adds a different element than just mozzarella (as would have been in a Stromboli).

The calzone was also the perfect size for one, though I couldn’t help but order a side of fries. They were the battered kind, fried to a golden crisp and perfect for eating one after another without thinking about it.

A photo of a tuna sandwich, cut in half, with the cut side facing the camera.

Julie, meanwhile, had a tuna melt – her favorite sandwich order. The sandwich was stuffed with tuna and overflowing with lettuce and tomato. The roll was toasted perfectly. It was a very good sandwich, and Julie gave it her stamp of approval.

A close-up picture of a slice of pepperoni pizza.

And our toddler approved of his slice of pizza. Jakob enjoyed his pepperoni pizza. The thin crust pie was a solid offering, and Jakob even ate the pepperoni slices. (He has been known, in the past, to not eat his pepperoni because it is “too spicy”).

Photo of Piero's Pizzeria's ham puffs - rolled dough with ham and cheese.

We also couldn’t help but order a half dozen of Piero’s ham puffs. Ham puffs are basically pepperoni rolls – rolls of dough filled with cheese and meat – but with slices of ham instead of pepperoni inside. Piero’s uses a very good dough for all of their items and it was just as good in the ham puffs.

Our meal was enjoyable across the board. It wasn’t anything earth-shattering, but Piero delivered on everything that we tried.

For everything we got, it was right around $30, not a bad price at all for so much food.

And good food, at that.

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

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Lunch & Dinner Pizzerias Reviews Sandwich Shops Takeout
An order of chicken Paremsan, featuring an extra large chicken breast topped with red sauce on a bed of spaghetti, from Temple Family Restaurant.
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Review: Temple Family Restaurant

A view of the entrance to Temple Family Restaurant.

I have always enjoyed a good diner, but I’ve found that I appreciate them even more since becoming a father because I know they are a safe bet for a night out with my son.

Diners always have plenty of seating (including high chairs), the service is quick and there are always kids options on the menu.

So when we were struggling to decide on a place to go for a family dinner on a Sunday in December, my mind went to diners. And that’s how we ended up at the Temple Family Restaurant.

A view of Temple Family Restaurant's large dining room, featuring tables, booths and blue accent lighting at the ceiling.

It had been years since Julie and I last visited Temple Family Restaurant – at least five because we hadn’t been back since Berks County Eats became a thing. We had always enjoyed it, but with so many places to visit, it had fallen off our radar.

Julie, Jakob and I arrived around 5 p.m. and found the restaurant to be busy, but not crowded. The dining area is very large with booths lining every wall and free-standing tables in the middle.

Our waitress was very attentive, arriving at our table within moments of being seated. She was happy to help as we worked to keep Jakob occupied – providing us with an extra menu for him to entertain himself with and also ensuring that his applesauce arrived with our salads.

Mixed greens topped with croutons, cheese and red onions, served with a side of Ranch dressing at Temple Family Restaurant

The menu is large and varied, but all of the “American Classics,” “Pasta Specialties,” and “Steaks and Chops” are served with a choice of soup or salad.

The salads were simple, mostly greens and croutons topped with shredded cheese, onions, green pepper slices and cherry tomatoes. It also came with more than enough salad dressing – at least twice as much in the cup than we usually see with diners.

A pair of dinner rolls in a basket with 10 packets of butter

Our meals were also served with fresh rolls and butter. The rolls were served warm and were very good. They also came with a pile of butter packets (I think I used half of a packet for mine).

For my entree, I chose the chicken croquettes. I have always enjoyed the fried chicken dish, but it’s not something I order very often. I was, however, very glad that I ordered it here.

Two chicken croquettes and a side of potato filling, smothered in gravy, from Temple Family Restaurant

The croquettes were delicious. The breading was nicely seasoned and the chicken had a great flavor to it. And as simple as it was, the bed of mashed potatoes the croquettes were served on were a perfect complement. And the croquettes were huge. I decided to save one for later rather than overdoing it at the restaurant.

Was it a steak dinner at a five-star restaurant? Absolutely not. Was it delicious comfort food? Absolutely.

Not taking the time to study the menu as much as I should have, I ordered potato filling as a side – even though the meal already came with mashed potatoes. (Full disclosure: when I was a teenager, I would do this on purpose when we went to diners. That was not the case here). The filling was fine, but nothing special. I actually enjoyed the mashed potatoes a little bit better.

An order of chicken Paremsan, featuring an extra large chicken breast topped with red sauce on a bed of spaghetti, from Temple Family Restaurant.

Julie had ordered the chicken Parmesan (both of our meals were listed as “homemade” in the menu and had pictures to further sway us on our decisions). It, too, was very good. The chicken breast had a crisp breading on the outside. The sauce was a little sweet and a little thicker than some places. But I thought it all came together very well.

And it was also huge. The chicken breast covered nearly the full length of the oblong plate. Julie didn’t even attempt to finish the whole thing, bringing home half for a later meal.

Her meal also came with a slice of garlic toast. It was not as good as the dinner roll. I thought it tasted more like Texas toast. Either way, it was completely unnecessary given the size of the chicken breast and the fact that we already had bread at the table.

The kids personal pan pizza at Temple Family Restaurant

The kids menu isn’t huge, but there are enough choices to keep most children happy. Jakob was pleased with his personal pan pizza. It didn’t look like anything I would eat, but Jakob finished every bite so I guess it served its purpose well.

He did not want his applesauce, though, so I ended up giving him my buttered corn, which he happily ate for me.

A small cup of rice pudding topped with whipped cream and dusted with cinnamon from Temple Family Restaurant

At the end of the meal, having saved a little bit of room, Julie decided to splurge for some rice pudding for her and Jakob. It came topped with whipped cream and was dusted with cinnamon. Rice pudding is not my favorite – it’s a texture thing for me, mostly – but Julie loves it, especially at diners. Jakob didn’t have much interest in anything other than the whipped cream so I ended up eating most of his share.

We certainly got a lot for our money during our meal as our two entrees, kids meal and rice pudding cost us $31.

It was an enjoyable meal, and kid-friendly at that. Mommy, daddy and Jakob all enjoyed our food and were happy with our decision.

Diners are once again moving to the forefront for me. And Temple Family Restaurant has earned a place near the top of our list.

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

Temple Family Restaurant
4949 N. 5th Street Hwy
Temple, PA 19560

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A slice of Frank white pizza, topped with ricotta, tomato and spinach
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Review: TommyBoy’s Pizza and Cafe

Main Street Kutztown featuring TommyBoy's Pizza and Cafe

Every October, Berks County Eats marks National Pizza Month by visiting pizza places across Berks County. October also is when Julie and my alma mater, Kutztown University, hosts homecoming weekend.

So what better way to celebrate both than with a visit to one of the college town’s pizza places?

TommyBoy’s Pizza & Cafe opened in the fall of 2014, taking over a space that I remembered from my time in Kutztown as the Main Street Cafe.

A Coca-Cola case behind the counter at TommyBoy's

It’s not much to look at inside. TommyBoy’s is your basic take-out place with a few tables in the front of the counter (there are two counters, actually, one that holds the pizzas for slices and one for placing orders.

We arrived around 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon and found a group of students sitting at a table for four. By the time we left a little after 1, it was full with more people calling in and picking up orders. If I remember correctly, 1 p.m. on a Sunday is breakfast for most KU students, especially on homecoming weekend.

Display pizzas behind glass at TommyBoy's

TommyBoy’s distinguishes itself from other Kutztown pizza places – and all others in the county, for that matter – with its slices. Like everyone else, slices are cut from the display pies and reheated in the oven.

Unlike everywhere else, those display pies are 30 inches around.

I may not have been a math major at Kutztown, but that means every slice is 15 inches. The slices are so large that it takes two plates to serve them.

A slice of Frank white pizza, topped with ricotta, tomato and spinach

We decided to order three slices: one for me, one for Julie, and one for us to share with Jakob. It may seem like he has an insatiable appetite sometimes, but there was no way our toddler was going to be able to finish a slice by himself.

For my slice, I ordered the Frank White, a white pizza topped with ricotta, tomatoes, spinach and garlic. It’s one of my favorite styles of pizza because I love ricotta. This was a really good version of it, if a little heavy on the garlic powder. The crust was done well – not burnt, but plenty crispy that I could actually pick up the slice and eat it like normal.

A slice of chicken bacon ranch pizza atop two plates

Julie could not say the same for her chicken bacon ranch slice, which she had to cut into smaller pieces to manage (maybe it was the extra weight of the toppings?).

It was a typical chicken bacon ranch pizza, just a lot more of it, with ranch in every bite. “Hearty,” is the word Julie used to describe it.

Of course the day that we order him a giant slice of pizza is the day that Jakob decided he wasn’t going to eat for us. Julie and I ended up eating about half of his slice of margherita pizza (they were out of plain cheese at the time we ordered and this was the next best thing).

A slice of margherita pizza cut into smaller pieces

From what I tasted, it was very good. The basil was very fragrant and was the dominant flavor, followed closely by the lightly sweet tomato sauce. I liked my own slice a little more, but that’s mostly personal preference as both were done right.

Because the slices are bigger than other pizza places, the prices are a little higher. Prices ranged from about $4 to $6 per slice. With a bottle of water and an iced tea, that brought our total to about $18. That’s still a good price for a lunch anywhere, and we certainly didn’t leave hungry.

If you’re wondering, TommyBoy’s does make normal size pizzas (14- and 16-inch round pies, 16-inch Sicilians and personal-sized gluten free pies). They also offer Stromboli, wraps, sandwiches, wings and one-third pound burgers.

TommyBoy’s wasn’t a part of our college days, but the mega slices are certainly going to be a big part – pun intended – for today’s students and the whole Kutztown community. And we were glad to get a taste.

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

TommyBoy’s Pizza & Cafe
313 W. Main St
Kutztown, PA 19530

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Oliverio's house special pizza topped with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onion and peppers
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Review: Oliviero’s Pizzeria & Restaurant

A view of the brick facade at Oliverio's Pizzeria in Douglassville

In the first five years of Berks County Eats, we’ve seen a number of restaurants come and go, and more than once we’ve revisited old locations that now have new restaurants.

That was the case on our recent visit to Oliviero’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Amity Township.

Oliviero’s is located in a strip mall along Route 422 just west of Douglassville. The location is a challenge for two reasons. One, it’s located along a part of 422 that is a divided highway. Two, the strip sits perpendicular to the highway with the restaurant at the far end.

Pizzas, pepperoni bites, and sweets behind the counter at Oliviero's in Douglassville

The last time I was at the location, it was Kathryn’s Grille, a short-lived BYOB that we visited in late 2017. Kathryn’s closed in early 2018. Oliviero’s debuted a few months later in July with a menu that features pizza shop standards with a few additions including a selection of Chicago deep dish pies and artisan pan pizzas. They also offer a selection of pastas, including weekly specials.

In the summer, Oliviero’s satisfies everyone’s sweet tooth with an outdoor ice cream shack and year-round with tiramisu, cannoli, cheesecake, and other sweets available in the restaurant.

Booths and tables in Oliviero's dining room

The dining area has been updated to add color. Yellow booths with wood-grain seats have replaced the dark wooden tables and vibrant posters pop against the gray walls. The space feels brighter and more inviting than it felt before.

But on this visit, I didn’t get to enjoy a sit-down meal. Instead, I was grabbing our dinner and taking it back home to Wyomissing.

It’s about a 20 minute drive (because when you have pizza in the car, you trigger every red light on 422), but the food traveled well. As hungry as Julie and I were until I got home, neither of us was as excited as our toddler who could barely contain his excitement at the sight of the pizza box.

Oliverio's house special pizza topped with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onion and peppers

We ordered a medium house special pizza. It comes topped with pepperoni, sausage, onion, mushrooms and peppers. All three of us really enjoyed it.

The sauce was on the sweet side, and the use of red onions added to the overall sweetness of the dish while the pepperoni and sausage provided the savory side. I appreciated the use of thin-sliced sausage which I prefer to the ground topping at other places. The cheese was pretty standard as was the crust, but overall it was enjoyable.

A box loaded with Oliverio's French fries

We really didn’t need the fries – we had two slices of pizza left after dinner – but we couldn’t help ourselves. They were pretty good, more of the battered style fries than the fresh-cut style, and made a nice complement to the pizza.

As is the case with most pizza places, the price was right. The pizza and fries came in just under $20. It was also ready for me less than 20 minutes of calling in the order, but we had ordered a little after 4 p.m. so not their busiest time. I imagine if I had waited an hour or two, the wait would have been longer.

Oliviero’s made a very good first impression on us, and it has passed the one-year mark at this point, a milestone always worth celebrating for a restaurant.

Here’s hoping that it will anchor the strip mall for many years to come.

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

Oliviero’s Pizzeria & Restaurant
101 Park Ln
Douglassville, PA 19518

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A personal, 10-inch pepperoni lovers pizza from Pizza Como in Hamburg
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Review: Pizza Como Hamburg

Looking at the outside Pizza Como from 5th Street in Hamburg

One of the things that I love about pizza places is that, more than any other type of restaurant, they are neighborhood places. Every town has a pizza place (or two, or three).

Hamburg has a couple places of its own, and one of those is Pizza Como.

Pizza Como can be found a block away from the downtown business district at the corner of State and 5th Streets. It’s a part of town Julie and I may have never discovered if not for a visit to the Weis Markets across the street a year ago.

(Also, don’t confuse this Pizza Como with Pizza Como on 5th Street Highway in Muhlenberg).

Booths line the sunroom at Pizza Como in Hamburg

The restaurant has a cool vintage look with a sun room dining area facing 5th Street. The wine-colored booths and hexagon floor tiles are definitely from another era (and the tiles are getting a little worn in places). There’s a small, but nice bar that was full with five customers. There were more tables and booths in between.

While there were a decent number of families dining in during our visit, there were a lot more coming and going to pick up their take-out orders. From our spot we watched a constant stream of customers entering through the front door.

A view of the dining room at Pizza Como in Hamburg

Unfortunately the restaurant seemed a little understaffed for the amount of customers. Our server was handling most (maybe all) of the tables as well as tending the bar. I also saw her answer the phone at least once. She was as attentive as she could be under the circumstances, but it took a few minutes before she stopped by to greet us and ask for our drinks.

The good thing about a pizza shop is that it doesn’t take very long to get your food, no matter what you order. We had ordered barbecue wings for an appetizer and they were out a short time later.

A plate of six barbecue wings from Pizza Como in Hamburg

The wings were cooked well but had much less sauce than most wings. It allowed the flavor of the meat to come out more (and I wasn’t quite as sticky as usual), but I did find myself wanting a little more ‘cue. Also, we weren’t offered any ranch or bleu cheese. It didn’t really bother me, and we didn’t need it, either. I just can’t remember the last time we had wings where it wasn’t offered.

We had polished off the wings fairly quickly, but we didn’t have to wait much longer for our pizzas to arrive.

Pizza Como offers individual 10-inch pizzas which was perfect because we could try two very different pies and have enough to share with our toddler as well.

A personal, 10-inch pepperoni lovers pizza from Pizza Como in Hamburg

I had ordered the pepperoni lovers pizza. Surprise, it was loaded with pepperoni so there was at least once piece in every bite. The crust was cooked perfectly – crispy, but not burnt – so that it never sagged when you picked up a piece. And despite having nearly 30 pieces of pepperoni crammed on to the pie, it didn’t feel greasy.

Overall, it was a very good, and very enjoyable pizza.

A personal, 10-inch pesto pizza from Pizza Como in Hamburg

As I mentioned, Julie and I ordered two very different pizzas. She chose the pesto pizza, which had a familiar green tint from the basil. And like a good pesto sauce, it had nice hints of garlic throughout. Like mine, the crust was done very well, exactly how it should be. Even Jakob, our almost two-year-old, approved.

We didn’t need to eat all of it, but we did. It was too good that we didn’t want to let any of it go to waste – or our fridge.

After we were finished, we had another wait, this time to get our check. I peeked around the corner and saw our server taking orders from the four guys who had just sat down at the bar. A few minutes later, she was still there, this time jotting down a phone order. Thankfully, once we had the check, I just had to pay at the counter because when a toddler is done eating, he is really done and ready to go, and I don’t know how long it would have taken to get change.

All things considered, she did an excellent job (and was great with our son), she was just stuck juggling too many tasks, which I can’t blame her for.

Our total bill, by the way, was just $21 for two pizzas and a half-dozen wings. That’s a bargain compared to a lot of places that we’ve visited.

Aside from the waiting, we had a very good experience – and some very good pizza. If we lived closer, I could see us getting take-out from Pizza Como often. And even with a little slower service, we would still dine in again if we’re in the area.

Judging by the foot traffic, a lot of locals keep coming back for more.

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

Pizza Como
501 State St
Hamburg, PA 19526

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