Peanut Bar Restaurant

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  I like the Peanut Bar. I'm glad that a few places like this still exist. It's my belief that the corporate weenies who created the sterile TG McFunster restaurants based their original concept around places like this. Casual dining in a fun atmosphere with decent food. If you've never been to the Peanut Bar I say you have to check it out. It's worth seeing at least once and deciding for yourself if you like it.
  
  TV foodie fans, note that the chef is Andrea Heinly of Hell's Kitchen fame.

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  Posted on 07.21.13 Greg P.

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  Great wings - maybe some of the best I've ever had. They have hot wings and garlic herb - both were delicious. We started with the breaded cheeseball appetizer and they were very good as well, nothing like the mini mozzarella sticks we had expected. Their famous "pretzel ice cream pie" was not great unfortunately - but the rest of the food was certainly good enough to warrant a return visit (or two or three!)

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  Posted on 01.23.13 J P.

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  Sometimes people who visit Reading only remember the Pagoda and the Peanut Bar.  With a storied history dating back to  Prohibition, the dark vintage space has long been a local institution.  Five Guys has free peanuts, but this place has been doing it for ages.
  
  Now it is time for some vintage cocktails, a trend Reading has not experienced.  It could be done very well here, because the bartenders are skilled, and it is the perfect authentic atmosphere for it. (See menu from the Bookstore Speakeasy in Bethlehem.)  Peter is particularly good with the Manhattans.  
  
  Their new logo wine glasses are certainly nice and only $4 if you want to buy one.  Not sure if there is a happy hour.  I expected the wines by the glass to be better.  They do a good job with the beer selection.
  
  I used to be able to get great veg entrees here such as meatloaf and a really good homemade veggie burger (has cheese in it though).  There is a new chef from a cooking show competition, so I am hoping she will consider alternative diets and add a few savory vegan dishes -- or at least some soups made with veggie broth instead of chicken.  
  
  There is still Taste of the Middle East, an all vegan appetizer.  I used to love their desserts too and would sob with gratitude to see a vegan choice or two, since no one else really does this in town but Good Eatz.  I will definitely change my rating if I can find more to eat.  They do a good job at marking gluten-free entrees.
  
  If the Sovereign Center is having an event, you won't be able to find a seat.  They often have free acts during JazzFest, but it gets packed.  
  
  Be sure to join the Birthday Club, for a free drink, picture, gift, coupons, and your name on the board.  I cannot believe they still do this, so cool.  
  
  There are tvs, but they have the great sense to fill them with a fascinating slide show of old Reading and Peanut Bar history.  
  
  If you are coming from out of town, there is a parking lot in back with a guard, so don't fear.  And don't be put off by the nasty billboards someone with a lot of disposable income has anonymously placed around our city, touting the rich and ridiculing the poor, very bad taste to see this in the country's poorest city.  The quotes were initially mistakenly attributed to Abraham Lincoln and had to have his name blacked out after the error was made!

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  Posted on 09.13.12 Kimberlin Z.

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  If you are in Reading, you must try this dining landmark!
  
  Even better than the food is the history of this place, coupled with the fact that you are encouraged to be messy!  Throw the shells of your complimentary peanuts on the floor as you read the story behind this institution.
  
  The menu seems to be progressing, yet one can still enjoy a good 'ol fashion grilled cheese.

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  Posted on 02.22.12 Bree K.

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  Things to love about the Peanut Bar include;
  1. all the shells of the peanuts that you eat are thrown on the floor.
  2. great selection of imported beers on tap.
  3. nostalgic decor.
  4. the delicious chicken wings.
  4.free parking.
  5.Conshohocken bread is used for the sandwiches.
  
  I did have a Tappas special once, and I was not a fan of it. I would just order off of the regular menu.
  
  The Peanut bar is a great place to go to after you see a flick at the nearby theater.

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  Posted on 11.29.11 Adam D.

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  Service was very nice. Kitchen was slow and inaccurate. I felt bad for the apologetic server. He was doing his best trying to compensate for the kitchen. Food didn't come out in order. Soup was not hot, my company's burger was overcooked and dry. I had a Stuffed flounder entree, the fish was also overdone, dry and wasn't warm. The vegetables it was plated with were cold. Sadder, we were one of only three tables that night. One of which came in after us and had all of their food served before ours, (granted they had sandwiches and burgers around), major fail. I'd been here before though, never thrilled, figured I'd give it another chance. Do yourself a favor and go to the Ugly Oyster or West Reading Tavern instead.

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  Posted on 11.22.11 Mark F.

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  Ideal dining experience. Had the talapia with a light breading. The waiter was very attentive and the bartender was charming. I would return for dinner or just drinks ANYTIME.

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  Posted on 10.25.11 Andrea W.

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  I can't believe they only have 3 stars. I've been here alot but this is the first time in a while since I moved away. Prices are good. Food is great.  Staff is friendly. Everytime I've been there Jimmy Kramer was there.
  My favorites are their "famous" wings, crab cakes, and the frozen chocolate pretzel pie. There's always something creative and different on their menu.
  The ambience is perfect. Its casual yet romantic. The bar area can be fun too!
  Make sure to throw your peanut shells on the floor!

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  Posted on 09.30.11 April D.

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  When I dined here, I couldn't help but think of what Anthony Bourdain once said about family-owned restaurants like Jimmie Kramer's Peanut Bar.  No, Anthony Bourdain wasn't in Reading although The Peanut Bar has made an appearance on the Travel Channel (where Bourdain's show is featured) before.
  
  For starters, the red checkered tablecloths, burgers and fries, a fully stocked bar and peanut shells on the floor says it all...this is a working class place owned by a working class family located along the vein that descends into the heart of a true working class city.
  
  Going back to my Bourdain reference: Bourdain filmed one episode on his show where he shared his pride in re-visiting some favorite family-owned restaurants in his home city of Manhattan. He called it "Disappearing Manhattan" because many of his favorite restaurants are folding or being replaced.  But for the the ones that were still hanging on? There was something special about them - maybe it isn't always in he food - but they should be visited by you at least for the experience of what it's like to dine in someone who takes the true passion and pleasure in cooking for you.
  
  That's exactly how I felt when I dined at the Peanut Bar. It's classic run-of-the-mill pub food which I'm not big on unless I'm dining with friends and family - although seeing creme brûlée was a nice surprise on the menu and just as yummy.  It was a nice experience and it's good to see some longtime establishments still located in the heart of what used to be a business district of a once bustling city. It's still nice to experience old city gems like these for the experience of what it's like to allow another family to cook for you. It's people like this who put true passion and pleasure into their cooking.

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  Posted on 08.19.11 Vanessa L.

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  This was a place my parents used to visit when they made trips to Pennsylvania and my dad took me here to relive some memories. The Peanut Bar is essentially par and that's only because the service was friendly and the food wasn't anything special. Everyone gets free peanuts but unlike Five Guys, the shells are all over the floor. Recommended for the fish and beer selection. Otherwise, it's average.

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  Posted on 08.08.11 Kevin J.

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  The score is really 3.5. There are some really solid dishes and others are just ok. I recommend the frozen pretzel pie for dessert.  Delicious!

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  Posted on 05.30.11 Mara O.

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  Okay, I was warned by the previous reviews, but I went anyway.  This place would be a complete ng except everyone is sooo nice. Customers, waiters, bartenders, everyone. The food isn't bad, exactly, just not overly good.  Peanut shells on the floor should say it all.  Like em? Go.  Otherwise...

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  Posted on 05.28.11 Steve P.

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  Always know someone who is in the peanut bar. Nice atmosphere.

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  Posted on 03.26.11 Ed G.

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  This place is so local, almost to the point of being depressing. The bartender has likely been there as long as the peanuts on the floor. While the peanuts are a nice novelty they do not give this place nearly enough charm to make it tolerable. The place is first and foremost a bar and the drinks are certainly priced well for where I come from however by Reading standards they are nothing to write come about and while they do have good beer (I had a Franziskhaner) it was not exactly cheap (~4/pint), though the bartender does pour a nice pint. The Peanut also serves food; I ordered the roast beef sandwich, which the bartenders compared favorably to Katz's in New York. While having high aspirations is admirable false advertisements are not. The roast beef sandwich was mediocre at best. In fact, I could make a better sandwich with store bought cold cuts. While The Peanut has the charm of being over 100 years old overall it just a depressing reminder of the realities of this area of the  country.

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  Posted on 03.03.11 Devin S.

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  They have peanuts. You can throw the shells on the floor.  Yep, they were featured on some TV show about unique restaurants.  
  
  The food is simply average, at best.  I had the crabocado salad.  The crab cake was obviously filled with some lesser fish and had a fishy smell to it.  There were maybe four, very thin slices of avocado which were not fresh and inedible.  
  
  Decent atmosphere and good beer selection.
  
  Maybe the burgers are good?  I won't be back.

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  Posted on 10.30.10 Mike T.

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  I had the Buffalo Chicken Cheese-steak and was pleasantly surprised.  The sandwich was big enough, the fries were crispy and not greasy.  
  
  Seating was a little bit tight, but it's to be expected considering the size of the place.
  
  Attended parking behind the establishment was a nice perk as well.

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  Posted on 12.30.09 Greg F.

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  This place is old school-- from the dim interior to the peanut shells all over the floor.  It's nice to be in a place like this and  be able to breathe easily-- I imagine before the smoking ban there wasn't really a no-smoking section because it's a really open floor plan of a bunch of rambing rooms.  
  
  The menu here is pretty standard with good, fresh seafood.  I've had the AYCE shrimp special, going back between the 4 choices of preparation style with the steaming in Yuengling Lager and Old Bay the best by far.
  
  The one area I think they could improve upon, and I'm guessing they don't really care about it, is the presentation.  The dipping sauces come out in plastic shot glasses and they use what is probably the cheapest cutlery available at the restaurant supply.  The food is excellent but it looks kinda slapped on the plate half-@ssedly.   It's a thing with me.  
  
  Still, it's a cool place to spend an evening.  The prices are reasonable.

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  Posted on 12.18.09 Juli K.

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  It's the Peanut Bar... there are peanut shells on the floor. If you're grossed out or bothered by that kind of thing it's not the best place to go. Personally I feel kinda weird throwing shells on the floor but I don't find it detracts from the experience. I wouldn't wear anything open-toed.
  
  Good selection of beers, decent burgers, and the last time I had the calamari they were nicely fried though the dipping sauce was too salty.
  
  Nothing really amazing but it's a safe bet, reasonably priced, and for the parallel parking impaired they have a private lot behind the restaurant. Service can sometimes be slow but this seems to be a bigger problem when it's dead rather than when it's busy.

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  Posted on 06.03.08 Jeff H.

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  I rolled into Reading about 4 PM yesterday and was at the Peanut Bar by five.  Reading is an interesting dichotomy with a very affluent section and the other parts about as bad as an inner city can get.  The Peanut Bar sits somewhere in between.  It's a third generation establishment run by a nice enough guy, Michael.  His grandfather opened the spot about 80+ years ago.   I was stopping by to visit my college buddy Todd who has lived here for the past 18 mos. and managed this place since he arrived.  Props' must be paid to the bartender who has been here for 20+ years, Pete Johnson.  He is absolutely Dan Ackroyd reincarnated and has awesome stories like most great bartenders should.  He's also an interesting cat with hosting his own local book show.  He is certainly in the top class of bartenders.  I met up with Shooky and Ray and Todd and myself all sat down at a table.  Okay,,,, the peanuts.  I really don't care for all the peanut shells that are on the floor.  I mean I guess I can see why people like to throw them on the ground, but to me it just seems unsanitary.  Especially, when I believe they only clean them up once a week.  This place is a good family joint as was evidenced by the brisk business being done on a Friday night.  I chose not to get too adventorous with my order and stuck with the house burger.  It was served with gouda cheese and bacon.  Overall a very fine burger.  I ordered it medium and while it was a bit overcooked it still was delicious.  I'd guess they don't chop the meat on site, but it still did not taste like it was frozen prior.  The chicken wings were really good.   They came swimming a bowl of sauce and were very plump and delicious.   It was a nice touch to have the rolls lightly buttered and salted and served warm.  Todd got the softshell crabs, which I considered ordering, but having had them just a day or two ago chose not too.  I did sample them and they were quite good.  My fries were a little burnt, but that's the way I like them.  I will definitely visit this place again on my next visit.  I just wish they would clean up those damm peanut shells, but then I'd gus they'd need to change the name.

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  Posted on 05.17.08 A M.

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  We walked in from the windy cold of Reading PA to find a warm and welcoming atmosphere inside the Peanut Bar.  The first thing you'll notice is that you're walking on peanut shells that are tossed on the floor.  When your seated at your table you are given a bowl of salted peanuts in the shell and they let you know that you can just toss them on the floor.  So if you've always wanted to make a mess of your dining room this may be the place for you.  The food was good but not outstanding.  The chicken wings seemed to be the best thing that we ordered, but our waitress let us know that we were missing out because the crab cakes are supposed to be the best in the state.  Maybe next time.  Have Fun.

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  Posted on 05.07.07 Marcos O.

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  Sadly, used to be way better.  Then the owner cheated on his wife (who was also a co-owner and the chef).  She took everything worthwhile across the street to Judy's.
  
  But ah, we used to go there every week when I was growing up.  I still miss the wings.

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  Posted on 11.25.06 Nils J.

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  A fun family-friendly place, this is a Reading area institution.
  
  The official home of the Reading Phillies, you can actually eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor. (That's the real reason to eat here.)
  
  Standard American food, which is average.

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  Posted on 08.04.06 Vanessa W.

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