Reading’s comfort food is rooted in Pennsylvania Dutch and diner traditions, with soulful Latin and Italian influences rounding out the table.
Expect pot roast, pierogi, hearty sandwiches, and warm bakery cases.
Judy’s on Cherry
A longtime downtown favorite, Judy’s offers refined comfort in a brick-walled dining room.
Seasonal menus feature rich braises, roasted chicken with pan jus, and wood-fired flatbreads.
The tomato bisque is silky and soothing, and pastas arrive toothsome with generous sauces. It’s the kind of place where a cold night turns better the moment a warm plate hits the table.
The Pike Cafe
A local institution, The Pike blends sports-bar energy with stick-to-your-ribs classics.
Think burgers with a proper sear, chicken parm sandwiches overflowing with sauce and mozzarella, and wings that are crisp outside and juicy inside.
Shepherd’s pie and open-faced roast beef sandwiches with gravy and mashed potatoes bring pure diner comfort. It’s buzzy, friendly, and reliably filling.
Mi Casa Su Casa Cafe
For Latin comfort, Mi Casa Su Casa is a gem.
Pernil (slow-roasted pork) is tender and deeply seasoned, arroz con gandules is fragrant, and empanadas have that perfect crispy shell.
Mofongo—garlicky, buttery, and topped with your protein of choice—eats like a celebration, and the sancocho (hearty stew) is weekend soul food. Pair with a café con leche for a warm finish.
Franklin’s Breakfast, Burgers & Shakes
Franklin’s channels classic American diner nostalgia.
Omelets are fluffy, biscuits and gravy are peppery and rich, and the burgers are smash-style with melty cheese and crisp edges.
Thick shakes—vanilla, chocolate, strawberry—are old-school perfection, and loaded fries add extra comfort. It’s the easy, dependable spot for families and casual meetups.
Pagoda Noodle Café
Cozy and casual, Pagoda Noodle Café delivers slurpable comfort.
Pho comes with aromatic broth, tender slices of beef, and a pile of herbs; chicken noodle bowls are soothing and simple; and crispy spring rolls make a great starter.
On chilly days, a steaming bowl of broth and noodles is exactly the kind of uncomplicated comfort that hits the spot.
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