CChaz's Profile
The Yellow House Hotel
We are moving to Douglassville. Any other suggestions in the nearby area?
Hacienda la Michoacana - Phoenixville
Went there last weekend. Very disappointing. The chips and salsa were good and my wife liked the (overpriced) sangria but the main courses were tasteless. I had a steak entree that was 1/2 chicken (not described as such on the menu). Both the steak and chicken were overcooked and dry.
Pizza in the Reading Area
I'm afraid you won't really find acceptable pizza in Berks County.
Philly Burb Recommendation
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll forward them all on.
He did have one more requirement: A good wine list. (Sheesh, he's a very demanding guy and we all are not getting paid for this!)
Philly Burb Recommendation
They are from near Boyertown. My instructions were to find a place between there and Philly but not in Philly.
Philly Burb Recommendation
Can anyone recommend a formal (i.e., jacket and tie required) restaurant in the NE Philly suburbs (e.g., Montgomery or Chester County). A friend is looking for a place to take his wife in May for her birthday and asked me as the resident food snob. I am afraid I can't think of any truly formal places.
Royersford or Collegeville Restaurant Suggestion
I haven't eaten ribs in Kansas City or the Carolinas but Phamous Phil's in Collegeville is REALLY good.
Fort Scott Kansas
Any recommendations for dinner? Price/type of food not an isse. Thanks.
Juno's in Collegeville
Does anyone know if and when Juno's Sports Bar in Collegeville closed?
Harrisburg & Reading
If you are in downtown Reading and want to get a flavor of the place, you might want to try the Marvel Ranch, which is right on Penn Street. It's definitely not fancy and they don't take credit cards but you will definitely get your money's worth. Their soups and chili in particular would fit in at a much fancier place.
See my separate post on the Marvel Ranch.
My Theory [moved from General Chowhounding Topics]
Well, I'm revisiting this post after a year. I got more responses than I thought. Let me tell you, I dashed off this post in a second and didn't really think people would take it 100% literally. OF COURSE, many times a salad course can be poor and the rest of the meal will be fine. And it was just a theory.
I still hate iceberg lettuce (except at a steakhouse) and I still propose that all too often there is too much vinegar in salad dressings.
Re cut vs. torn: I've often heard the axiom that salad should be torn (which is how I should have phrased it in the OP) not cut, but can anyone give me a reason WHY? I suppose it has something to do with the reaction of the greens with the metal on the knife but what is the point of tearing if the salad is being eaten within a few minutes. I have to admit I "cut" my salad when making it at home and it tastes fine. Anyone have any thoughts or care to admit that they do the same thing?
Regards.
Reading, Scranton, must eat, help!
It's not the prices by themselves that are high, it's what you get for your money. I usually end up with a soggy salad or inevitably overcooked fish at Judy's. The food is just not that good. I'd rather pay $5 more per entree and go to West Chester or Phoenixville.
Reading, Scranton, must eat, help!
I agree that Alebrije is pretty bad. The place I like is in downtown Reading, right near the Sovereign Performing Arts Center. It's called Mezcal's. The guacamole is great and I have never had a bad meal there.
Reading, Scranton, must eat, help!
I think Judy's on Cherry is highly overrated. Way overpriced (for Reading). I like Hong Thanh and there is also a good Mexican Restaurant down Sixth Street (can't recall the name).
Phoenixville
Well, we went to the Creperie again. Someone HAS to tell them that their service is WAY too slow. The crepes are quite good actually, but we became aggravated by the wait. No WONDER there are always tables available on the weekends when their competition always has a line to get in.
Manhattan Special Soda -- Alexandria/DC?
Did the company ever get back to you? I am awaiting their reply myself. . . .
Great Reading, PA Breakfast/Lunch Place
If you are ever in downtown Reading, stop by the Marvel Ranch for breakfast or lunch. Although it's not much to look at, he prices are UNBELIEVABLY inexpensive and the food (especially the homemade soups, which rival and often best soups at other places) is fantastic.
Judy's on Cherry in Reading
Aaron, I have to agree with you about Judy's. The space is definitely nice, especially for Reading but the food is mediocre at best. I work in downtown Reading and generally go there for business lunches (unfortunately, we have to go there by default as there really isn't anything else downtown that is suitable for business meetings). The best part of the meal is the toasted bread they serve with olive oil for dipping. The squash soup is also good (as has been said) but about half the time it comes out not hot enough. The salads have way too much vinegar in the dressing (a pet peeve of mine) and most of the entrees are dry and over cooked.
Ethiopian Food
By any chance are there any Ethiopian restaurants in the Philly suburbs? Even within 50 miles?
Phoenixville
I definitely looked forward to going to the Creperie, but have to say I was disappointed. The food was acceptable but it was WAY overpriced for what was served. It's basically just a pancake and some sauteed meats and vegetables for crying out loud. The beverage selection was slim and also overpriced.
With respect to the parking situation. I love Phoenixville because, unlike, for example, Manayunk and West Chester, there is generally parking right near the target destination. This is going to change shortly, however, I imagine . . . .
My Theory [moved from General Chowhounding Topics]
I think you can tell how good a restaurant is going to be by the salad course. May not work all the time but here are four things that indicate that the rest of your meal is not going to be good:
1-Iceberg lettuce
2-Too much vinegar in the dressing.
3-Dressing on the side.
4-Salad not cut into bite size pieces.
That is all.
LADIES TEA IN BURBS FOR A BD CELEBRATION
Might be a bit far but you could try try the Lederach Tea Room. Just north of Skippack on Rte 113.
Old Speckled Hen
It's not really in the Philly 'burbs but there is a pub in Reading, PA CALLED the "Speckled Hen" and, at least the last time I was there, served Old Speckled Hen.
Foods I Miss From NYC
Thanks for all the suggestions (even the one in Cherry Hill!). It's a little frustrating to have to travel all over for what I think are the essentials of life, but I suppose an ex-Philadelphian feels the same way looking for cheesesteaks and scrapple in NYC.
Best sushi outside of center city?
I second (or third) the recommendations of Bonjung. Can Speak for their other food, but the sushi is remarkably good. Just as good as most places in Philly.
Foods I Miss From NYC
I am a fairly recent transferee from NYC. Does anyone know where in Montgomery/Chester Counties I can find GOOD (i) bagels, (ii) deli, (iii) half-sour pickles, and (iv) Manhattan Special Expresso Coffee Soda? Thanks.
