railroad crossing sign on a green lawn in front of a renovated train station
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Review: BeBe’s Kitchen

building on a green lawn with a sign out front that reads "BeBe's Kitchen"

It takes more than great food to make a great restaurant. We always rate restaurants on food, service, ambiance and price. But those four categories can’t always encapsulate everything. Sometimes there are intangibles, little touches that take a restaurant from good to great. 

That’s what we found on our visit to BeBe’s Kitchen in Birdsboro. 

tall windows with curtains that are tied to hold them open

BeBe’s is located at the corner of Furnace and First in what was once a railroad station. The building’s former life is not as obvious as Saucony Creek’s Franklin Street Station, but there are hints. Out front, a railroad crossing sign stands alone in the grass. Inside, the tall front windows were clearly not meant for a residence. And a pair of bench seats can be found inside the entrance, now a convenient spot to wait for a table to open up. 

We didn’t have to wait for a table when we stopped for an early Saturday lunch. (There was a brief wait for our server to take our order, but not too long). 

Before we were seated, we were asked if we wanted breakfast or lunch. Unable to decide, we got both menus and ended up splitting our decisions. 

scrambled egg with ham and peppers topped with cream chipped beef on a plate with two half slices of toast

I ended up deciding on breakfast in the form of the Landfill (appropriately named given the Mascaro-owned landfill just about a mile north). It was their country scramble – ham, onions, green peppers, hash browns and scrambled eggs – topped with cream chipped beef and served with a side of toast. 

At $12, it was the most expensive item on the breakfast menu, probably the most filling as well. It was also absolutely delicious. 

What really did it for me was the cream chipped beef. This is also a hit-or-miss item but BeBe’s was a hit. It was the perfect consistency, not overly salty, and in the absence of any cheese, it really helped bring everything on the plate together. 

plate with three silver dollar pancakes, two sausage links and a cup of Mott's applesauce

Jakob also ordered breakfast, but his came from the kid’s menu where you get to choose from pancakes, French toast or eggs as a main, sausage or bacon on the side, and a cup of applesauce, mandarin oranges, or peaches. 

The fruits are prepackaged cups, like the ones you get from the grocery store, but that’s actually helpful if your child can’t finish their meal. (That’s how we ended up taking home an applesauce). The mains were definitely prepared fresh with Jakob’s order of three silver dollar pancakes coming out perfectly. 

bowl of macaroni and cheese with light yellow cheese sauce

We got Lukas a kids’ meal from the lunch menu. These include a main and two sides. For him, that meant macaroni and cheese with fries and a cup of applesauce. (We had originally asked for mandarin oranges for both, but they were out of orange cups). 

I was pleasantly surprised that the mac and cheese wasn’t just a box of Kraft, which we’ve found at many local restaurants. Instead of the bright yellow-orange, the cheese was soft white and creamy, the pasta cooked perfectly for the two-year-old to slurp down. 

jar filled with red sand with small toys poking out of the sand

Overall, BeBe’s is exceptionally kid-friendly. In addition to reasonably-priced kids menu items, they also have a little “I spy” type game on every table. A small jar is loaded with colored sand about 20 little trinkets and kids are encouraged to shake around the sand to find all of the items on the laminated card that sits in the middle of the table. 

club sandwich with turkey and bacon cut in two with a blue bag of potato chips

There’s also plenty for the adults to enjoy. Julie really liked her turkey bacon club. It came piled high with meat, cheese, and veggies to the point that she had to stop eating the bread so she could enjoy the good stuff inside. The sandwich came with a bag of Dieffenbach’s chips which we took home after sharing some of Lukas’ fries. 

With a total price tag of around $40, BeBe’s was also friendly on the wallet, as all of us had more than enough food for less than $10 a person (that included drinks with both boys getting milk with their meals while I had an iced tea). 

whitei wall with red brick fireplace and a mantle filled with knickknacks

But what really sold us on BeBe’s was the community feel. There were clearly a number of regulars who came through during our visit. And at one point, an employee’s dad stopped in to eat lunch with his son. And when their meal was over, the staff brought out a slice of chocolate cake with a candle in it and led the dining room in singing happy birthday. 

Sure, you can get a slice of cake for your birthday at many area restaurants, but this was authentic. 

Good food, good prices, community connections: it’s everything you could hope for in a neighborhood gathering place. 

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

BeBe’s Kitchen
101 W. First Street
Birdsboro, PA 19508

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the breakfast Bernville Special, potoates topped with egg and cheese sauce
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Review: Plum Creek Farm Market & Creamery

Order counter at a restaurant with a sign above that reads "the Creamery at Plum Creek"

If you’re a long-time follower of our blog, you’ve seen our family grow over the years. After Jakob was born in 2017, we started spending a lot more time at family-friendly restaurants. WIth the arrival of Lukas in 2023, we definitely try to make sure to find places that are great for kids. 

And it’s more than just seeking out the best kids menus. It’s visiting places where the food is good, the wait times aren’t bad, and we don’t have to feel guilty about having our kids heard and seen. 

One place that ranks near the top of our list these days is Plum Creek Market & Creamery in Bernville. 

We first visited Plum Creek in 2018 around the time it opened along Route 183 as a small market with a takeout window for hot food and ice cream. (See the original post below).

Inside seating area at Plum Creek Farm with leather chairs and a large fireplace

The market has only grown since then. In 2020, they opened a brand new space, half of it devoted to a true market with fresh produce, bulk foods, baked goods and prepared items, and half devoted to indoor seating for the creamery. 

child playing with sand toys in an outdoor playground at Plum Creek Farm.

Outside, Plum Creek now boasts a large play area with swings, slides and a sandbox full of shovels and trucks for digging. 

With the expansion came an expanded menu – more options for lunch, dinner and dessert. Then in 2024, Plum Creek added breakfast to its offerings. 

At first, it was only on Saturday mornings though they have now added daily breakfast. But it was on one of those early Saturdays when we made our first visit for breakfast. That’s when I had my first taste of their breakfast burrito that has kept me coming back. 

breakfast burrito cut in half and stacked one on top of the other to show the eggs inside

The burrito comes filled with your choice of meat (sausage for me), egg, cheese, and homefries. It’s delicious on its own – the inclusion of the crispy pieces of potato is excellent – but what makes it one of my favorites is the chipotle sauce. It has just the right amount of heat, and it really brings the whole dish together. 

It’s also the closest I can find to my all-time favorite from the former Squawk Cafe in Wyomissing. 

the breakfast Bernville Special, potoates topped with egg and cheese sauce

One of Julie’s favorite dinner items is the Bernville Special – pit beef over fries with barbecue sauce, cheese, scallions and sour cream. So of course she had to try the Breakfast Bernville Special. 

The breakfast version features a bed of potatoes topped with cheese, eggs, bacon and Hollandaise sauce (with scallions and sour cream). It’s a great skillet-type meal for those with a big appetite at breakfast – very hearty and full of flavor. 

plate with a large pancake next to a cup of syrup.

No breakfast menu would be complete without classics like pancakes, and that’s exactly what Jakob ordered. The thick pancakes are as wide as the plate and served with two per order – more than enough for adults, let alone a kid. But they are very good, nice and fluffy, and a worthy meal. 

Two milkshakes and a glass bottle of orange soda on a table at Plum Creek Farm

Of course, Plum Creek has stayed true to its roots, and we still enjoy stopping in for dinners, especially when we save room for dessert. Their Creamery treats, like their Twisters (their version of a Flurry or Blizzard), are always delicious. The regular menu has great options like Oreo and Peanut Butter, but watch for their monthly specials featuring their soft serve of the month. 

And for Jakob and Lukas, Plum Creek’s play area is the perfect place to get out some of that energy before dinner or after dessert. 

Food, fun, and family time: three things that all make Plum Creek one of our favorite spots. 

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

Plum Creek Farm & Market
5035 Bernville Road
Bernville, PA 19506

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Original Post: July 2, 2018

people lineup in front of two windows at a wooden building with the words "The Creamery" on digital menu boards

Last summer, my brother clued me in to a new ice cream place called Plum Creek Farm.

The small place had recently opened, and they were serving homemade soft serve ice cream. We checked it out and quickly fell in love with both the ice cream and the small farm market store.

Plum Creek operates seasonally so we got our last taste of it in the fall and awaited its reopening in April. This year brought an expanded menu of hot food items, new hard ice cream (not homemade but locally made) and more treats.

The hot food menu was definitely something we wanted to try. Last year, it was an evolving menu but it finally seems to be set, with sandwiches that include pulled pork, smoked sausage, pit beef and hot dogs; fresh-cut fries; homemade soups; and soft pretzels. (There are also salads if you want to save Calories for dessert).

Three digital menu boards above two order windows with a logo that reads "The Creamery" behind the menu items

We stopped by on a weeknight in early June and the line to order showed that the word is definitely out about Plum Creek.

It was a long wait for our dinners. That wasn’t the case for ice cream cones as an efficient ordering system had cones delivered before the customers even had paid. But for hot food, and for specialty desserts, it took time.

I stood and watched as cone after cone was handed off. Then a cup of soup. Occasionally, a sandwich. Finally, after what seemed like hours (it was probably 20 minutes), my name was called and our sandwiches were ready.

We dined at one of many picnic tables that make up the “dining area.” There are also Adirondack chairs, benches, all outside.

pulled pork sandwich topped with barbecue sauce

Maybe I was just really hungry, but from the first bite, I really enjoyed my pulled pork sandwich.

Now, I fully recognize that this pulled pork will never win a barbecue competition. But it was still very good. The sauce was sweeter than most, almost a little too sweet, but I think what really made the sandwich was Plum Creek’s seasoning. It was sprinkled on as the sandwich was constructed. The basic salt and pepper were there with additional spices. It wasn’t spicy, but it added little hits of flavor to every bite.

pit beef sandwich topped with cheese sauce and barbecue sauce

The seasoning was even better, in my opinion, on Julie’s pit beef sandwich. She thought it was a little salty, but I thought it worked.

Her sandwich was served with cheese (that’s the standard at Plum Creek; I opted for mine without). It’s not the norm for barbecue, but Julie enjoyed this change of pace.

Both sandwiches were served on Kaiser rolls that served their purpose, holding in all of the meat and sauce without crumbling.

clamshell package with fries

We both really enjoyed the side of fries that we shared. They most closely resembled the shoestring fries that you’ll find locally at Austin’s and Coastal Grille. The fries were cut very thin and short, making it easy to pick up a handful at once. And they came out piping hot – I can only assume this was what delayed our order.

Of course we couldn’t come to Plum Creek without getting ice cream. And even though we were comfortably full after dinner, we couldn’t resist trying some of their signature desserts.

clear plastic plate with a slice of shoofly pie topped with whipped cream next to a helping of vanilla soft serve

My sweet of choice was the pie a la mode. I chose the shoo-fly pie (strawberry is also available) and have to admit that I was a little disappointed in the pie. It drier than it looked with a rather plain crust. But the homemade vanilla soft serve was excellent. It’s a heavy ice cream that is better and more flavorful than your typical soft serve mix.

I probably would have been happier – and certainly more comfortable – had I just settled for a cone of vanilla.

cup with strawberry shortcake and ice cream topped with whipped cream

Julie was not disappointed with her strawberry shortcake, though she would also admit that she didn’t need that much food.

The shortcake was topped with strawberries (you can buy Plum Creek’s fresh-picked strawberries from their store), strawberry sauce, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. Everything about this was excellent, but there’s just nothing better than fresh strawberries and a homemade strawberry sauce on a shortcake.

smiling baby wearing a monkey bib holding a stuffed fox

One downside of the way we did things was that we had to go through the line a second time. While Julie stood in line for dessert, I gave Jakob a bottle so it worked out. But we spent a long evening – and around $35 – at Plum Creek.

Last year, I could have argued that Plum Creek Farm was a hidden gem. But with long lines on an ordinary weeknight, I’d say the word is already out.

But those crowds won’t scare us away this summer, and they shouldn’t scare you away either.

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

Plum Creek Farm
5035 Bernville Rd
Bernville, PA 19506

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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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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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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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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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A brick wall with three shelves lined with old time railroad gear and coffee mugs
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Review: Brakeman’s Cafe

A brick building with a sign that says Brakeman's Cafe

Berks County’s main streets are lined with incredible restaurants. Penn Avenue in West Reading and Main Street in Kutztown come to mind. Boyertown has both Philadelphia and Reading Avenues with stores and restaurants along both. But delicious dining can be found off Boyertown’s main streets, too, as we discovered on our visit to Brakeman’s Café.

The café is located along Washington Street, across the street from the Colebrookdale Railroad’s passenger station (a brakeman being an old-time railroad worker). We visited on a cool November day – too cool to take advantage of the ample outdoor seating – and were lucky to find a table during the Saturday lunch rush.

A brick wall with three shelves lined with old time railroad gear and coffee mugs

Brakeman’s is the quintessential coffee shop. First, it has a cool vibe. Entering through the front door, you’re surrounded by historic railroad equipment in the brick-walled room. Yes, the décor is unique, but it feels like a coffee shop.

A large brick fireplace with an old-fashioned saddle hanging above

So, too, does the dining room, with its mix of tables all within proximity of the large fireplace. The dining room’s décor is less focused on the railroad and more focused on Boyertown history with old photos of downtown lining the walls.

Two glasses of iced tea on a table

While my typical coffee shop order includes a chai tea latte, Julie and I decided to give a try to their specialty lemonades – one Arnold Palmer and one guava lemonade. I really enjoyed my Arnold Palmer (half tea, half lemonade). It was just the right amount of sweet to be refreshing and still complement the meal.

A pork sandwich on a kaiser roll with melted cheese

Our lunch arrived shortly afterward. For me, it was the Italian pulled pork sandwich.

Instead of BBQ sauce, the sandwich was topped with pesto aioli and Provolone cheese. It was a delicious combination. The pesto aioli permeated throughout the sandwich and every bite had a nice bit of sharp cheese, all of it pairing perfectly with the melt-in-your-mouth pork.

Passing over the chips, I opted for the broccoli salad on the side. I always enjoy broccoli salad, especially one that was as creamy as this. It’s a nice change-of-pace from chips and other “snack food” sides.

Turkey Apple Wrap from Brakeman's Cafe

Julie was also a big fan of the turkey and apple wrap. It was filled with sliced turkey, cheddar cheese, sliced apples, mixed greens and a cranberry aioli.

Not quite a “Gobbler”, it still had the turkey and cranberry flavors that blend so well together. The sliced apples provided additional sweetness (adding to the sour-sweet cranberry) a much-needed crunch. And the cheddar was the right choice of cheese to bring it all together.

Two halves of a PB&J sandwich stacked on top of each other

While there’s not a “kids’ menu” so to speak, the PB&J serves as such, and Jakob was more than happy with his. It was a basic sandwich, but the multi-grain bread was a nice touch, and they didn’t skimp on the filling. Our finicky four-year-old was happy, and that’s all that mattered to us.

It was a winning meal all around. With tip, it cost us about $45, not a bad total for three meals considering we splurged on the lemonades.

Yes, Boyertown’s main streets are filled with great restaurants. But on this day, we were glad that we veered right and found our way to Brakeman’s Café.

BCE Rating

Food: Very Good
Ambiance: Very Good
Service: Very Good

Brakeman’s Café
56 S. Washington St
Boyertown, PA 19512

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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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Close-up of red cabbage and sauerbraten from Barrel & Ale
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Review: Barrel & Ale

Barrel & Ale logo on exterior wall

Editor’s Note: Barrel & Ale has undergone a slight rebrand since our visit with a menu now focused on steaks and barbecue.

When you look at the best downtown dining in Berks County, there is no doubt that Boyertown is an up-and-coming destination. Between Philadelphia and Reading Avenues, you’ll find diners, a brewery, sandwich shops, bars and even a vegan cafe. New restaurants have opened and more are on the way.  

And that momentum has continued outside the downtown, as well. The new Barrel & Ale is a great example. On a recent Saturday afternoon, I met my friend and former colleague Joe for lunch and lots of catching up.

Looking at the front of Barrel & Ale restaurant from Reading Road

Barrel & Ale opened in August, taking over the former Pit Stop Tavern, a mainstay since the 1950s just east of town. Now the restaurant is owned by the same group behind  Iezzi’s on Third (a mainstay in downtown for even longer). Much like they did with Iezzi’s, the ownership group completely renovated the tavern – which had just been converted earlier this year from the racing-themed Pit Stop to the short-lived, prohibition-themed Decades Speakeasy.

Black chairs with wooden tabletops on the hardwood floor in the dining room.

Now the building has a rustic chic feel to it from the clapboard exterior to the hardwood floor in the dining room. Black chairs and accents add a modern touch (along with the flat screen TVs, of course).

Barrel-shaped lights hang from the ceiling in the barroom at Barrel & Ale

I also appreciated the barrel-shaped lights hanging in the bar room and the extra-tall menu that features a barrel on the front and back covers.

Beyond the design, one of the things that appealed most to me about the menu was the array of German entrees. Pork schnitzel, wurst and sauerbraten shared the page with steaks, seafood and pasta. And the sauerbraten sounded too good to pass up.

Sauerbraten topped with gravy; spaetzle; and red cabbage from Barrel & Ale

Sauerbraten is a traditional German roast beef that has been heavily marinated in herbs and spices, giving it a slightly soured, pickled taste. It’s a unique flavor combination and Barrel & Ale captured it well in their version of the dish. The light gravy on top enhanced, rather than hid, the flavors of the dish.

Close-up of red cabbage and sauerbraten from Barrel & Ale

The dish was served with a pair of colorful sides: spaetzle (small German noodles) and braised red cabbage. The spaetzle was bright yellow and looked like corn at first glance. The red cabbage had a much deeper, almost wine color to it.

Of the two, the cabbage was my favorite – and probably my favorite thing on the plate. It had bits of beef throughout that added unexpected, but welcomed, savory notes that broke up the vinegary flavor of the braised cabbage. The spaetzle was fine but didn’t have much flavor on its own, but paired well with the sauerbraten.

Grilled chicken sandwich with chips and pickle from Barrel & Ale

Across the table, Joe ordered from the sandwich side of the menu, opting for the grilled chicken. The grilled chicken breast was topped with roasted peppers, mozzarella and pesto aioli. Joe found it to be a really good sandwich that was highlighted by the aioli, the primary source of flavor.

The sandwich was served with housemade chips and a pickle. The chips were good, though some of them were a little soft, a little under-done. But they were well-seasoned and had good flavor.

Grilled chicken sandwich with chips and pickle from Barrel & Ale

The pickle, Joe said, was obviously not store-bought. (A Facebook post from when Barrel & Ale first opened showed craft pickles from Tennessee). It was an added touch that didn’t go unnoticed.

At the end of the meal, our total bill was around $35, my meal making up more than half it. (Really, the sauerbraten is a dinner entree, not a lunch, and it’s priced accordingly at $17.95).

We weren’t the only ones in the restaurant, but it wasn’t full by any means. Lunch doesn’t seem to have taken off yet at the Barrel & Ale, though their Facebook page has been promoting that an expanded lunch menu is coming soon so that could change.

And I would go back to try something new, for sure. It was a good first impression and between the flavorful foods and enjoyable ambiance, Barrel & Ale has the makings of a new long-lasting restaurant.

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

Barrel & Ale
961 N. Reading Ave
Boyertown, PA 19512

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The Ranch House is known for it's a-frame roof and orange neon sign
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Circle S Ranch House – CLOSED

The Ranch House is known for it's a-frame roof and orange neon sign

Editor’s Note: The Circle S Ranch House is now closed. The restaurant closed on April 8, 2022 after 49 years in business. The owners cited a desire to spend more time with family in the closing announcement. A new restaurant, Lilli’s Ranch House, has opened in its place but is unaffiliated with the original.

Anyone who has driven along Penn Avenue in West Lawn has undoubtedly noticed the Ranch House.

At night, the neon sign beams in bright orange. During the day, the sign and the building itself, with faux fence posts on the roof and a giant wagon wheel on the wall, catch the eye of passersby.

Inside, the decor is wood-on-wood, like this wooden Ranch House sign with wooden adornments mounted on a wood-paneled wall.

I remember visiting the Ranch House as a kid with my parents and grandparents. Thirty years later, it still feels the same with an interior that is almost exclusively made of wood – wood-paneled walls, wooden booths, exposed wood beams and wooden ceilings. It’s a similar look to the Ranch House’s sister restaurant, Schell’s, the Muhlenberg Township drive-in.

Wooden booths with green cushions at the Ranch House in West Lawn

Green cushions and cream curtains are an interesting – and tired looking – accent. The dining room could probably use an update, but change isn’t really welcomed by the more mature crowd that frequents the Ranch House.

And it’s really not a surprise that their primary clientele skews older – the menu is simple and cheap. The most expensive item on the menu is an eight-ounce steak, served with two sides for less than $15. The cheapest is a two-ounce burger for $2.55.

burger with top bun removed and fries

My Wagon Wheel hamburger and fries was middle-of-the-road when it came to price at $5.59. For that price, the burger is Plain Jane – even more so than I realized. The only option for the Wagon Wheel is cheese or no cheese. For lettuce, tomato and onion, you need to order the Ranchburger, which also is served with their special ranch sauce. (Both burgers are also on the menu at Schell’s).

I probably should have remembered that , but I didn’t so I ended up with a plain hamburger. I have to say, though, their hamburger patties are pretty good. It reminds me of a Burger King patty, a similar flavor only thicker and served on a sesame seed bun. It was pretty good for what it was, but I do wish I had the LTO and understood the difference when I ordered it.

The fries were simple but good. They’re not fresh-cut or anything fancy, just thicker cut French fries that needed salt and pepper. But there was plenty of them for the money.

pretzel sandwich and fries

Julie also had a plateful of fries on the side with her grilled pretzel bun sandwich. The sandwiches are prepared with a choice of turkey, ham or roast beef, with or without cheese. She opted for the turkey with cheese (at almost $9 with the 75-cent upcharge for cheese, it was the highest priced sandwich on the menu).

Pretzel buns are always good. This was no exception. Otherwise, it was your typical turkey melt. Enjoyable, but unremarkable.

One of the positive things about the Ranch House for Julie and I – other than the price – is that it’s really kid-friendly.  They have a decent kids menu with 10 entrees and two kid-themed desserts – all with western-themed names – so we have no problem bringing our son Jakob, now 18 months old.

Whenever we can, we placed his order before our own so it arrives early and we can begin feeding him before our meals are served. It allows us to give him our full attention and get him busy eating before he gets impatient in his high chair.

We took this picture of Jakob's hot dog and baked beans halfway through his meal.
Jakbo’s half-eaten dinner.

On our recent visit, we ordered him “The Lone Ranger,” a hot dog served atop a plate of baked beans. It’s two things that Jakob loves and two things that heat up fairly well which is important because he can’t finish an entire meal yet.

Before we arrived, we had already decided that we were going to finish our meal with ice cream. After debating back-and-forth for a few minutes, we decided on one of the Ranch House’s signature ice cream treats – the Bull Dog.

sundae topped with a pretzel and a cherry

Named for the Wilson School District’s mascot, the Bull Dog is a beast of a sundae: four scoops of ice cream (vanilla and chocolate) with crushed peanuts, strawberries, peaches, pineapple and whipped cream – and a cherry on top, of course.

When it arrived at the table, our jaws dropped at the size of it. But it was actually much more manageable for the two of us than we original thought, working out to a two-scoop sundae each.

(Full disclosure: we thought Jakob would share some but he filled up on his hot dog and beans and actually refused ice cream).

There was no question that this was the best thing we ate during our meal. I especially loved the mix of chocolate ice cream with the fresh strawberries. But the pineapple topping  and the peaches were also very good with both the vanilla and chocolate.

It was a very satisfying end to our meal.

Even with the addition of the sundae, our total bill was only $28. You can’t argue with that price for a full-service restaurant.

The Ranch House may not be “cool.” At more than 40 years old, it’s not new either. But for a young family like ours, it’s not a bad choice.

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

Circle S Ranch House
2738 Penn Ave
West Lawn, PA 19609

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