Foodie Road Trip // Southeastern PA {Guest Post}

Hey A Savory Feast Readers!  I’m Betsy of Heavens to Betsy and I’m so excited to be taking over Jenna’s space for a bit today!  I just got married at the end of August, so I totally know the excitement and fun that Jenna is experiencing as she says “I do” to her best friend and starts forever with him!

I’m here today to take you on a little culinary road trip of my area…Southeastern PA!  My husband, AJ, and I live in Reading, PA, right between Lancaster and Philly, and we love taking little road trips to both areas!  We particularly like to try out new restaurants when we’re going out to eat, and we have some favorites in Reading, Philly, and in Lancaster that I’d love to share with you today.  These are all great date locations, but are pretty family-friendly as well, just in case you have a few little ones in tow with you!

So here you go…some of our favorite spots that you might want to consider next time you’re in the area:

READING // 

Tomcat Cafe // Tomcat is hands-down one of the best breakfast spots in town.  It’s one of those places that I want to take everyone who comes to visit.  You can’t alter anything on their menu, but it’s so extensive that you’re sure to find something that you love, and the portions are huge.  My favorite thing on the menu is the Strawberry Swing French Toast (one of their 15+ french toast options)….vanilla cookie-encrusted french toast stuffed with cheesecake filling and topped with strawberries and a berry drizzle.  AJ and I love going here and splitting an omelet and french toast…it’s like a hearty breakfast followed by dessert!

Hong Thangh // Vietnamese food at it’s best!  This is actually the restaurant where AJ and I had dinner for valentine’s day two years ago, and we love going back.  Their Vietnamese egg rolls are amazing and I love their lo mein…it’s made with really skinny noodles so it’s a nice twist on your typical asian fare.  And the atmosphere is great too…really modern with low lighting…we love going here with a bunch of friends, or just as a date night!

The Speckled Hen // Nestled in the heart of Reading, this restaurant is located in a tiny old house and serves up great english food like pot pie and fish & chips, among other things.  What I really love about the Hen is that every room is tiny, so it feels intimate.  There are only a few tables in each room, which makes it great for a date or small dinner with friends!

LANCASTER // 


Prince Street Cafe // While not a full-on restaurant, we love the atmosphere of the Prince Street cafe for coffee and a light lunch.  They make a really great Rooibos Latte and they have the coolest cups around.  Plus, they’re centrally located in Lancaster City, so it’s easy to grab a cup to take with you as you explore!


Shady Maple // If you’re in Lancaster and down for some real, authentic, Lancaster County comfort food, you can’t pass up Shady Maple.  It’s a huge smorgasbord of everything there is to love about Amish food.  They’re open for breakfast (our favorite), lunch, and dinner, and have huge buffets that include a salad bar and dessert bar, and big grills where you can get meat, fish, and at breakfast, omelets and pancakes.  Come with empty stomachs because you’ll eat a ton.


Roburritos // I couldn’t create a Lancaster list without talking about Rob’s!  Unfortunately, the Lancaster location is closed for renovation right now, but there are a few open in York, which is just about 30 minutes away!  Roburrito’s is definitely a quick-service kind of place, and really laid back, but if you’re a burrito fan, you don’t want to miss it!  AJ and I have gone on tons of little dates to Rob’s, so we highly recommend incorporating it into a laid-back date day filled with wandering around the market, studios, and shops in downtown lancaster!  You can read more about my love for Roburritos here.

PHILLY // 

Fado // You’ll find the best fish & chips of your life at Fado…authentic Irish food in a really cool pub setting!  Definitely get their fries with guinness mayo, and have fun exploring their menu.  We love going to lunch here whenever we’re in Philly, and we love going on double dates here with my aunt and uncle, who introduced us to Fado!

Max Brenner’s // Ok, so not a local eat, because it’s a chain, but Max Brenner’s is just delish!  My favorite thing on their menu is the veggie burger with their waffle fries (dusted in chili and cocoa powder!).  It’s also a fantastic spot if you’re just doing some dessert for date night!  there’s nowhere better to satisfy your chocolate craving!

Pat’s & Geno’s // This is about as laid-back as it gets, but it’s a Philly classic!  The dispute between who serves up the best Philly cheesesteak has been a long-standing one, so settling the debate yourselves is part of the fun!  It’s all outdoor seating, so either plan to grab cheesesteaks and go, or go when its a bit warmer and enjoy the weather.  These two iconic locations are directly across the street from one another on Passayunk Avenue, so pick up one from each establishment and compare to see which is better!

Thanks so much again to Jenna for letting me take over her blog today!  If you want to hear more about what I’m up to, you can find me on my blog, Heavens to Betsy, or follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!