The easiest reviews to write are for the one's who do it right. Stahley's is one of those places. Incredible food for great prices. It's as simple as that. Atmosphere may not be for everyone, but I love the blue-collar feel of the place with its large wrap around bar right next to tables and booths in one big open room (for the most part). It's not high class by any stretch of the imagination- this place keeps it real. We bring all of our guests here, be they from North Carolina or family/visitors from abroad (Ireland/UK) as it's such a slice of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania life and food. Bartenders and servers are experienced and friendly, often calling you "Hon" or "Buddy", etc . . . Very family-friendly place, so bring the children if you want. Good selection of beers on draft or served in pitchers for the adults. If you visit on Monday-Thursday you have to order their tacos. Out of this world. Best, by far, in the Lehigh Valley. When I lived in the Midwest for a period of my life, I would stop at Stahleys when I came home to visit and order 2 cheesesteaks. Again, the best in the Lehigh Valley, in my opinion. Keep up the proud tradition, Stahleys!
(4)
Elizabeth B.
Food is great, cheap, and quick! I've been going with my family since I was a kid and still love it. Plenty of things on the menu and very cheap beer. Atmosphere hasn't changed in years but if your looking for bar food it's the spot to go.
(4)
Raymond F.
Great people, we enjoy this place. We have not ever had a bad experience and really enjoy dining here. Wed clam night is great, a tradition we enjoy every week. Steak Sand are excellent. Wait-staff are usually excellent and friendly. Cudos to Stahleys
(5)
Ricardo S.
Stahley's is my favorite bar, and has been since I was a little kid. Now it's my kid's favorite, too. Please don't call CPS. The menu at Stahley's is extensive, and everything is good. Nothing is phenomenal, but you get lots of choices, and it's hard to be too disappointed. My regulars are anchovy pizza, veal cutlet, and cheeseburger. The clams are always a good starter. The prices are low, and $2 lager means I always feel like it's a good time for a beer with my dinner. It's super kid-friendly. They have a small kids menu and the waitstaff always ask, when seating us, whether we want to get my daughter's order in immediately so she isn't bored for too long. They also know to ask the question of the kid's meal's free ice cream in a way that doesn't let the kid in on the deal.
(5)
Matt S.
If I could give Stahley's a split vote I'd give the Joint ***** for the Steamed Clams alone. By and far the best in the Valley. Cooked just right, no forever chewing no sandy grit. But on a Tuesday for dinner at 4:00 PM the joint was slow and even though the sign says seat yourself we were told to change tables, if you are gonna be like that when it's slow then seat me. My wife and I shared the clams and they were fabulous. Jess got a Stahley's Hamburger that came with nothing not even a stale bag of chips and a wilted pickle like some other dives we ate at. Well she did get two little sandwich pickles. Eh, she said it tasted like a frozen pattie for which it probably was and I had the rib eye steak sandwich onions & mushrooms which was cooked perfect at medium and did taste good but I could've done without the more fat than meat end of things. The coleslaw was also quite good, I've tried many a slaw and they nailed it and gave a good size portion. So unless we get an invite out with some other peeps we won't be back.
(2)
Rich S.
Cheap bar food, cheap drinks. Good provided you are looking for deep fried quick bar food. Nothing is fresh (powdered potatoes, cole slaw from a big food service container, freezer heated fries, instant gravy, etc..) Atmosphere is cool. Dimly lit inside with plenty of neon lights. Cozy but a little loud. They have nightly specials (wings, tacos, clams) which are a good price.
(3)
John F.
Good solid food are reasonable prices. Everyone is super friendly and the food is quite good. I have been coming here for the honey stung fried chicken for years! Now when I come home from CA with my family I take them.
(5)
Charly J.
Ah, Stahley's. A good bar w/ good food @ good prices. Plain & simple. My hubby & I are dive-enthusiasts, & we reside rather close to Stahley's, so we can't help but be fans of the place. It's, as mentioned in another review, a sports bar, family restaurant, and pool hall, all rolled into one. There are TVs everywhere, dark red booths that line the edge of the dining area, plenty of tables & chairs assembled w/ chaotic organization, a smattering of video games, a few ripped up pool tables, a jukebox, and a long two-sided wood bar. I so love this place! Standard draft beer offerings (Bud, Coors, etc.) plus Guinness (any bar w/ G. on tap gets a gold star in my book. Those that offer the Pub Cans only get a half star), the local fave Yuengling (you would have to live in the area to understand. The darker Ys are my faves, but usually one can only find their Lager on tap locally. In fact, if you order a "lager" in any local bar that's NOT a brewery, then Yuengling is what you will be served), Sam Adams, & wheat beer. Standard bar food but MORE. Plenty of appetizers (poppers, fries, rings, chix fingers, fried-veggie basket, skins, nachos) lots-o-hot & cold sandwiches/hoagies/burgers, good chili (did someone say Four-Way w/ spag noodles, onions & sr crm?), dinner entrees, & even some damn good salads (Jerk Chicken is my fave). What makes Stahley's so likable are their specials. The best specials are Tuesday Steak night (16oz Delmonico/T-bone/Ribeye for $12 w/ all the fixins), Weds Clam & Spag night ($3 clams & all-u-can eat spag for $6), & Thursday Wing night ($0.35). If you're up for it, Stahley's offers a limited bfast menu from 7-10:30am. You simply cannot beat their bfast special. Two eggs, four slices of bacon, homefries & toast for $2.50! Wash their special down w/ a Guinness & you're ready to seize the day! Oh yeah!
(4)
freddie d.
Sports Bar, family restaurant, and pool hall all rolled into one, Stahley's has quite a local following in the Allentown and Bethlehem area's. Diner style menu and well priced beer make this an OK place to go to. The pool tables are quite old , and in bad shape, a shot across the pool table may night wind up where you want it to go. The Char-Broiled chicken in Italian marinade is quite exquisite, the Hamburger menu is quite good too. A huge downfall is that the layout of this place makes the non-smoking guests have to inhale the smoke coming from the smoking section. Their is no clear boundary between the smoking and non-smoking section so your exposed no matter what. If you can survive the smoking and the really bad pool tables, this hangout is a pretty decent meal at an affordable price.
(3)
Kwong H.
Ignore the previous criticisms about the smoke. Stahely's is now a non-smoking establishment. Cheap drinks and cheap food. Love their tacos and french onion soup.
(4)
diana f.
I don't drink but this is a decent location to stop and get a cheap lunch. A little too smoky for my taste but if you go on an off-time there won't be too many people there. Every time I drive by in the evening the parking lot is packed.
Visited Saturday evening 7pm, seated right away. BIG place, Lively atmosphere, two pool tables. Should be something for everyone on the menu. Reasonable prices. Bar fare. Lots of parking.
(3)
KP R.
moved away from the Lehigh valley and I sorely miss this place. great food huge menu and all cheaply priced. been going there 20 years.
(5)
Benni A.
I don't come here for drinks, so I can't comment on their bar. Their steamers (clams) are to die for. I haven't been too impressed by their entrees, which are perfectly fine, but it's not at all cheap for the relative quality of food. No complaints regarding atmosphere and service.
(3)
Brett C.
Love this place! It's warm and friendly. A true family owned bar experience to be had. Tons of regulars and lots of new friends to make. Everyone is very friendly, staff and patrons alike. The beer is always cold and cheap and the food is consistant and affordable. There's a reason why Stahley's is a Lehigh Valley staple.
(5)
Charly J.
Ah, Stahley's. A good bar w/ good food @ good prices. Plain & simple. My hubby & I are dive-enthusiasts, & we reside rather close to Stahley's, so we can't help but be fans of the place. It's, as mentioned in another review, a sports bar, family restaurant, and pool hall, all rolled into one. There are TVs everywhere, dark red booths that line the edge of the dining area, plenty of tables & chairs assembled w/ chaotic organization, a smattering of video games, a few ripped up pool tables, a jukebox, and a long two-sided wood bar. I so love this place! Standard draft beer offerings (Bud, Coors, etc.) plus Guinness (any bar w/ G. on tap gets a gold star in my book. Those that offer the Pub Cans only get a half star), the local fave Yuengling (you would have to live in the area to understand. The darker Ys are my faves, but usually one can only find their Lager on tap locally. In fact, if you order a "lager" in any local bar that's NOT a brewery, then Yuengling is what you will be served), Sam Adams, & wheat beer. Standard bar food but MORE. Plenty of appetizers (poppers, fries, rings, chix fingers, fried-veggie basket, skins, nachos) lots-o-hot & cold sandwiches/hoagies/burgers, good chili (did someone say Four-Way w/ spag noodles, onions & sr crm?), dinner entrees, & even some damn good salads (Jerk Chicken is my fave). What makes Stahley's so likable are their specials. The best specials are Tuesday Steak night (16oz Delmonico/T-bone/Ribeye for $12 w/ all the fixins), Weds Clam & Spag night ($3 clams & all-u-can eat spag for $6), & Thursday Wing night ($0.35). If you're up for it, Stahley's offers a limited bfast menu from 7-10:30am. You simply cannot beat their bfast special. Two eggs, four slices of bacon, homefries & toast for $2.50! Wash their special down w/ a Guinness & you're ready to seize the day! Oh yeah!
(4)
freddie d.
Sports Bar, family restaurant, and pool hall all rolled into one, Stahley's has quite a local following in the Allentown and Bethlehem area's. Diner style menu and well priced beer make this an OK place to go to. The pool tables are quite old , and in bad shape, a shot across the pool table may night wind up where you want it to go. The Char-Broiled chicken in Italian marinade is quite exquisite, the Hamburger menu is quite good too. A huge downfall is that the layout of this place makes the non-smoking guests have to inhale the smoke coming from the smoking section. Their is no clear boundary between the smoking and non-smoking section so your exposed no matter what. If you can survive the smoking and the really bad pool tables, this hangout is a pretty decent meal at an affordable price.
(3)
Kwong H.
Ignore the previous criticisms about the smoke. Stahely's is now a non-smoking establishment. Cheap drinks and cheap food. Love their tacos and french onion soup.
(4)
diana f.
I don't drink but this is a decent location to stop and get a cheap lunch. A little too smoky for my taste but if you go on an off-time there won't be too many people there. Every time I drive by in the evening the parking lot is packed.
(3)
Michelle H.
They have been open since 1968. By the looks of the inside they kept the same decor. That's not a bad thing. The perfect place to go if you love homemade food at a very good price. It reminds me of a comfy bar/restaurant with pool tables too btw from my hometown. Great place to go if you want to pound down some booze and not be criticized. Not saying that would be my plan. But that kind of place is rare for the older generation. Monday's special is an 8 oz lobster tail for 17 bucks. Not bad! Go to red lobster and see how much they would charge for that! Ha Soups, tacos, steaks, wings, you name it. They have it.
(5)
Luke B.
Great bar. Good food! Chili dogs tacos and Manhattan clam chowder. Delicious. Clam and wing specials weekly
(4)
Tammy K.
Want some bar food and a drink? Want it reasonably priced? This is your place. Try anything, never had anything bad there.
(4)
Penny L.
First time here. This place was amazing from start to finish. Great atmosphere, large dining room for the family and large bar for the adult crowd. ( Not too noisy, no loud music and no smoking) The food was great. You cannot beat their clam night! Be sure to ask for Matt B if you are sitting at the bar. He was by far one of the best bartenders I've had, you won't wait long for a drink and you'll get it with a great smile and personality :)
(5)
Brittany B.
So far I've only been here a few times for clam night, but it's been great. Happy hour till 7 and cheap menu. Bartenders aren't always around when you need them, but hey it's a long bar.
(4)
Kevin G.
I really like the place. Been going there for years, but they keep raising the prices. It's getting a little too expensive for me.
(3)
K B.
Stanley's Cellarette has the best wings in all the lands. And when I say "in all the land" I mean 1826 Hanover Ave, Allentown PA.
(5)
Matt R.
No wonder I have a thing for divy bars. I grew up in them. Rowhouse basements in Schuylkill County with questionable liquor licenses got me going at a very young age (but they had play areas and Coke machines in the back!), and then neighborhood bar-restaurants kept me going until I evacuated the old Eastside 'hood. Stahley's, the Eastside institution, was everything you wanted for cheap food, cold beer, mesh bags of steamed clams, video games, pool, and maybe a glimpse at the pantheon of aging high school sports heros bellied up to the bar. Great bar pizza with a thin white flour crust and lots of garlic powder, crunchy and greasy fried seafood, and gooey Italian-style cheesesteaks. The menu updated, slowly, over the years, but never betrayed its roots. Our family probably grabbed a meal here once a month through most of the late 70s and early 80s, and I still have a perfect recall of the layout of the place, the dim lighting, the smell, and the taste of that diner/bar food (which, really, seems to be one thing Pennsylvania has that nobody else can quite match). I also remember one of my last visits, on Christmas Eve '93 or '94, when they still poured pitchers at 11:45 so an old friend and I could catch up while I was in town for the holidays (although they made sure we got out of there not too long after midnight). You haven't been to East Allentown unless you've had a pitcher at Stahley's. Get on it.
(3)
Michelle H.
They have been open since 1968. By the looks of the inside they kept the same decor. That's not a bad thing. The perfect place to go if you love homemade food at a very good price. It reminds me of a comfy bar/restaurant with pool tables too btw from my hometown. Great place to go if you want to pound down some booze and not be criticized. Not saying that would be my plan. But that kind of place is rare for the older generation. Monday's special is an 8 oz lobster tail for 17 bucks. Not bad! Go to red lobster and see how much they would charge for that! Ha Soups, tacos, steaks, wings, you name it. They have it.
(5)
Luke B.
Great bar. Good food! Chili dogs tacos and Manhattan clam chowder. Delicious. Clam and wing specials weekly
(4)
Tammy K.
Want some bar food and a drink? Want it reasonably priced? This is your place. Try anything, never had anything bad there.
(4)
Penny L.
First time here. This place was amazing from start to finish. Great atmosphere, large dining room for the family and large bar for the adult crowd. ( Not too noisy, no loud music and no smoking) The food was great. You cannot beat their clam night! Be sure to ask for Matt B if you are sitting at the bar. He was by far one of the best bartenders I've had, you won't wait long for a drink and you'll get it with a great smile and personality :)
(5)
Brittany B.
So far I've only been here a few times for clam night, but it's been great. Happy hour till 7 and cheap menu. Bartenders aren't always around when you need them, but hey it's a long bar.
(4)
Kevin G.
I really like the place. Been going there for years, but they keep raising the prices. It's getting a little too expensive for me.
(3)
K B.
Stanley's Cellarette has the best wings in all the lands. And when I say "in all the land" I mean 1826 Hanover Ave, Allentown PA.
(5)
Lisa M.
Was with my sister who is familar with stahley's. It did not disappoint. The crap dip was delicious. The clams apparently what they are known for. My sis had those and inhaled them in a blink of an eye. Keep in mind this is a sports bar and not a dinner. I must say the food was decent! Ill be bsck when I'm in town again. Looks like it's a great place to watch an Eagles game!
(5)
Walter K.
This place is by no means worth going out of your way for, but if you are nearby, it's certainly worth a stop. Stahley's is cheap. Really cheap. Sandwiches start at $4 and a pint of Yuengling was $1.75. In addition to the beers, they have birch beer on tap, which was really enjoyable. The service was great; it was like my grandmother became much more sassy and was serving me lunch. I ordered the namesake sandwich, the Stahley's Cellarette. It was an odd sandwich; ham and cheese on a roll topped with pickles, peppers, and tomato sauce. I don't think the flavors complimented each other in any way, but at $4, I was happy with it. I ordered sweet potato fries on the side and they were pretty good. I was out with my two friends Liz and Emily. Emily ordered a tuna melt that was piled high with enough tuna on it for two sandwiches. Liz went for the buffalo chicken sandwich which was also pretty big. Their sandwiches were also just average. The atmosphere is pretty fun. Lots of locals, people who have probably been coming here for years upon years, kids running around, neon signs for all of the worst beers: it all combines into an oddly charming environment. Most of the bar patrons were closely following the state little league game. The whole place was quaint and simultaneously divey. Bottom Line: The food is pretty average, but this is still a fun joint and you will definitely get your money's worth.
(4)
N. M.
I've been coming here with my family for years. It's a beer and a shot type of joint, a no frills bar with great and sometimes unbelievable prices. Every time I go, I always order the steamed clams and cheesesteak. After all these years, I really haven't deviated to the other items on the menu, so I can't speak for anything else on there, but will say that what I do order hits the spot, especially with a cheap pitcher of beer.
(4)
IL T.
The easiest reviews to write are for the one's who do it right. Stahley's is one of those places. Incredible food for great prices. It's as simple as that. Atmosphere may not be for everyone, but I love the blue-collar feel of the place with its large wrap around bar right next to tables and booths in one big open room (for the most part). It's not high class by any stretch of the imagination- this place keeps it real. We bring all of our guests here, be they from North Carolina or family/visitors from abroad (Ireland/UK) as it's such a slice of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania life and food. Bartenders and servers are experienced and friendly, often calling you "Hon" or "Buddy", etc . . . Very family-friendly place, so bring the children if you want. Good selection of beers on draft or served in pitchers for the adults. If you visit on Monday-Thursday you have to order their tacos. Out of this world. Best, by far, in the Lehigh Valley. When I lived in the Midwest for a period of my life, I would stop at Stahleys when I came home to visit and order 2 cheesesteaks. Again, the best in the Lehigh Valley, in my opinion. Keep up the proud tradition, Stahleys!
(4)
Elizabeth B.
Food is great, cheap, and quick! I've been going with my family since I was a kid and still love it. Plenty of things on the menu and very cheap beer. Atmosphere hasn't changed in years but if your looking for bar food it's the spot to go.
(4)
Raymond F.
Great people, we enjoy this place. We have not ever had a bad experience and really enjoy dining here. Wed clam night is great, a tradition we enjoy every week. Steak Sand are excellent. Wait-staff are usually excellent and friendly. Cudos to Stahleys
(5)
Ricardo S.
Stahley's is my favorite bar, and has been since I was a little kid. Now it's my kid's favorite, too. Please don't call CPS. The menu at Stahley's is extensive, and everything is good. Nothing is phenomenal, but you get lots of choices, and it's hard to be too disappointed. My regulars are anchovy pizza, veal cutlet, and cheeseburger. The clams are always a good starter. The prices are low, and $2 lager means I always feel like it's a good time for a beer with my dinner. It's super kid-friendly. They have a small kids menu and the waitstaff always ask, when seating us, whether we want to get my daughter's order in immediately so she isn't bored for too long. They also know to ask the question of the kid's meal's free ice cream in a way that doesn't let the kid in on the deal.
(5)
Matt S.
If I could give Stahley's a split vote I'd give the Joint ***** for the Steamed Clams alone. By and far the best in the Valley. Cooked just right, no forever chewing no sandy grit. But on a Tuesday for dinner at 4:00 PM the joint was slow and even though the sign says seat yourself we were told to change tables, if you are gonna be like that when it's slow then seat me. My wife and I shared the clams and they were fabulous. Jess got a Stahley's Hamburger that came with nothing not even a stale bag of chips and a wilted pickle like some other dives we ate at. Well she did get two little sandwich pickles. Eh, she said it tasted like a frozen pattie for which it probably was and I had the rib eye steak sandwich onions & mushrooms which was cooked perfect at medium and did taste good but I could've done without the more fat than meat end of things. The coleslaw was also quite good, I've tried many a slaw and they nailed it and gave a good size portion. So unless we get an invite out with some other peeps we won't be back.
(2)
Rich S.
Cheap bar food, cheap drinks. Good provided you are looking for deep fried quick bar food. Nothing is fresh (powdered potatoes, cole slaw from a big food service container, freezer heated fries, instant gravy, etc..) Atmosphere is cool. Dimly lit inside with plenty of neon lights. Cozy but a little loud. They have nightly specials (wings, tacos, clams) which are a good price.
(3)
John F.
Good solid food are reasonable prices. Everyone is super friendly and the food is quite good. I have been coming here for the honey stung fried chicken for years! Now when I come home from CA with my family I take them.
Visited Saturday evening 7pm, seated right away. BIG place, Lively atmosphere, two pool tables. Should be something for everyone on the menu. Reasonable prices. Bar fare. Lots of parking.
(3)
KP R.
moved away from the Lehigh valley and I sorely miss this place. great food huge menu and all cheaply priced. been going there 20 years.
(5)
Benni A.
I don't come here for drinks, so I can't comment on their bar. Their steamers (clams) are to die for. I haven't been too impressed by their entrees, which are perfectly fine, but it's not at all cheap for the relative quality of food. No complaints regarding atmosphere and service.
(3)
Brett C.
Love this place! It's warm and friendly. A true family owned bar experience to be had. Tons of regulars and lots of new friends to make. Everyone is very friendly, staff and patrons alike. The beer is always cold and cheap and the food is consistant and affordable. There's a reason why Stahley's is a Lehigh Valley staple.
(5)
Lisa M.
Was with my sister who is familar with stahley's. It did not disappoint. The crap dip was delicious. The clams apparently what they are known for. My sis had those and inhaled them in a blink of an eye. Keep in mind this is a sports bar and not a dinner. I must say the food was decent! Ill be bsck when I'm in town again. Looks like it's a great place to watch an Eagles game!
(5)
Matt R.
No wonder I have a thing for divy bars. I grew up in them. Rowhouse basements in Schuylkill County with questionable liquor licenses got me going at a very young age (but they had play areas and Coke machines in the back!), and then neighborhood bar-restaurants kept me going until I evacuated the old Eastside 'hood. Stahley's, the Eastside institution, was everything you wanted for cheap food, cold beer, mesh bags of steamed clams, video games, pool, and maybe a glimpse at the pantheon of aging high school sports heros bellied up to the bar. Great bar pizza with a thin white flour crust and lots of garlic powder, crunchy and greasy fried seafood, and gooey Italian-style cheesesteaks. The menu updated, slowly, over the years, but never betrayed its roots. Our family probably grabbed a meal here once a month through most of the late 70s and early 80s, and I still have a perfect recall of the layout of the place, the dim lighting, the smell, and the taste of that diner/bar food (which, really, seems to be one thing Pennsylvania has that nobody else can quite match). I also remember one of my last visits, on Christmas Eve '93 or '94, when they still poured pitchers at 11:45 so an old friend and I could catch up while I was in town for the holidays (although they made sure we got out of there not too long after midnight). You haven't been to East Allentown unless you've had a pitcher at Stahley's. Get on it.
(3)
Walter K.
This place is by no means worth going out of your way for, but if you are nearby, it's certainly worth a stop. Stahley's is cheap. Really cheap. Sandwiches start at $4 and a pint of Yuengling was $1.75. In addition to the beers, they have birch beer on tap, which was really enjoyable. The service was great; it was like my grandmother became much more sassy and was serving me lunch. I ordered the namesake sandwich, the Stahley's Cellarette. It was an odd sandwich; ham and cheese on a roll topped with pickles, peppers, and tomato sauce. I don't think the flavors complimented each other in any way, but at $4, I was happy with it. I ordered sweet potato fries on the side and they were pretty good. I was out with my two friends Liz and Emily. Emily ordered a tuna melt that was piled high with enough tuna on it for two sandwiches. Liz went for the buffalo chicken sandwich which was also pretty big. Their sandwiches were also just average. The atmosphere is pretty fun. Lots of locals, people who have probably been coming here for years upon years, kids running around, neon signs for all of the worst beers: it all combines into an oddly charming environment. Most of the bar patrons were closely following the state little league game. The whole place was quaint and simultaneously divey. Bottom Line: The food is pretty average, but this is still a fun joint and you will definitely get your money's worth.
(4)
N. M.
I've been coming here with my family for years. It's a beer and a shot type of joint, a no frills bar with great and sometimes unbelievable prices. Every time I go, I always order the steamed clams and cheesesteak. After all these years, I really haven't deviated to the other items on the menu, so I can't speak for anything else on there, but will say that what I do order hits the spot, especially with a cheap pitcher of beer.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
IL T.
The easiest reviews to write are for the one's who do it right. Stahley's is one of those places. Incredible food for great prices. It's as simple as that. Atmosphere may not be for everyone, but I love the blue-collar feel of the place with its large wrap around bar right next to tables and booths in one big open room (for the most part). It's not high class by any stretch of the imagination- this place keeps it real. We bring all of our guests here, be they from North Carolina or family/visitors from abroad (Ireland/UK) as it's such a slice of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania life and food. Bartenders and servers are experienced and friendly, often calling you "Hon" or "Buddy", etc . . . Very family-friendly place, so bring the children if you want. Good selection of beers on draft or served in pitchers for the adults. If you visit on Monday-Thursday you have to order their tacos. Out of this world. Best, by far, in the Lehigh Valley. When I lived in the Midwest for a period of my life, I would stop at Stahleys when I came home to visit and order 2 cheesesteaks. Again, the best in the Lehigh Valley, in my opinion. Keep up the proud tradition, Stahleys!
(4)Elizabeth B.
Food is great, cheap, and quick! I've been going with my family since I was a kid and still love it. Plenty of things on the menu and very cheap beer. Atmosphere hasn't changed in years but if your looking for bar food it's the spot to go.
(4)Raymond F.
Great people, we enjoy this place. We have not ever had a bad experience and really enjoy dining here. Wed clam night is great, a tradition we enjoy every week. Steak Sand are excellent. Wait-staff are usually excellent and friendly. Cudos to Stahleys
(5)Ricardo S.
Stahley's is my favorite bar, and has been since I was a little kid. Now it's my kid's favorite, too. Please don't call CPS. The menu at Stahley's is extensive, and everything is good. Nothing is phenomenal, but you get lots of choices, and it's hard to be too disappointed. My regulars are anchovy pizza, veal cutlet, and cheeseburger. The clams are always a good starter. The prices are low, and $2 lager means I always feel like it's a good time for a beer with my dinner. It's super kid-friendly. They have a small kids menu and the waitstaff always ask, when seating us, whether we want to get my daughter's order in immediately so she isn't bored for too long. They also know to ask the question of the kid's meal's free ice cream in a way that doesn't let the kid in on the deal.
(5)Matt S.
If I could give Stahley's a split vote I'd give the Joint ***** for the Steamed Clams alone. By and far the best in the Valley. Cooked just right, no forever chewing no sandy grit. But on a Tuesday for dinner at 4:00 PM the joint was slow and even though the sign says seat yourself we were told to change tables, if you are gonna be like that when it's slow then seat me. My wife and I shared the clams and they were fabulous. Jess got a Stahley's Hamburger that came with nothing not even a stale bag of chips and a wilted pickle like some other dives we ate at. Well she did get two little sandwich pickles. Eh, she said it tasted like a frozen pattie for which it probably was and I had the rib eye steak sandwich onions & mushrooms which was cooked perfect at medium and did taste good but I could've done without the more fat than meat end of things. The coleslaw was also quite good, I've tried many a slaw and they nailed it and gave a good size portion. So unless we get an invite out with some other peeps we won't be back.
(2)Rich S.
Cheap bar food, cheap drinks. Good provided you are looking for deep fried quick bar food. Nothing is fresh (powdered potatoes, cole slaw from a big food service container, freezer heated fries, instant gravy, etc..) Atmosphere is cool. Dimly lit inside with plenty of neon lights. Cozy but a little loud. They have nightly specials (wings, tacos, clams) which are a good price.
(3)John F.
Good solid food are reasonable prices. Everyone is super friendly and the food is quite good. I have been coming here for the honey stung fried chicken for years! Now when I come home from CA with my family I take them.
(5)Charly J.
Ah, Stahley's. A good bar w/ good food @ good prices. Plain & simple. My hubby & I are dive-enthusiasts, & we reside rather close to Stahley's, so we can't help but be fans of the place. It's, as mentioned in another review, a sports bar, family restaurant, and pool hall, all rolled into one. There are TVs everywhere, dark red booths that line the edge of the dining area, plenty of tables & chairs assembled w/ chaotic organization, a smattering of video games, a few ripped up pool tables, a jukebox, and a long two-sided wood bar. I so love this place! Standard draft beer offerings (Bud, Coors, etc.) plus Guinness (any bar w/ G. on tap gets a gold star in my book. Those that offer the Pub Cans only get a half star), the local fave Yuengling (you would have to live in the area to understand. The darker Ys are my faves, but usually one can only find their Lager on tap locally. In fact, if you order a "lager" in any local bar that's NOT a brewery, then Yuengling is what you will be served), Sam Adams, & wheat beer. Standard bar food but MORE. Plenty of appetizers (poppers, fries, rings, chix fingers, fried-veggie basket, skins, nachos) lots-o-hot & cold sandwiches/hoagies/burgers, good chili (did someone say Four-Way w/ spag noodles, onions & sr crm?), dinner entrees, & even some damn good salads (Jerk Chicken is my fave). What makes Stahley's so likable are their specials. The best specials are Tuesday Steak night (16oz Delmonico/T-bone/Ribeye for $12 w/ all the fixins), Weds Clam & Spag night ($3 clams & all-u-can eat spag for $6), & Thursday Wing night ($0.35). If you're up for it, Stahley's offers a limited bfast menu from 7-10:30am. You simply cannot beat their bfast special. Two eggs, four slices of bacon, homefries & toast for $2.50! Wash their special down w/ a Guinness & you're ready to seize the day! Oh yeah!
(4)freddie d.
Sports Bar, family restaurant, and pool hall all rolled into one, Stahley's has quite a local following in the Allentown and Bethlehem area's. Diner style menu and well priced beer make this an OK place to go to. The pool tables are quite old , and in bad shape, a shot across the pool table may night wind up where you want it to go. The Char-Broiled chicken in Italian marinade is quite exquisite, the Hamburger menu is quite good too. A huge downfall is that the layout of this place makes the non-smoking guests have to inhale the smoke coming from the smoking section. Their is no clear boundary between the smoking and non-smoking section so your exposed no matter what. If you can survive the smoking and the really bad pool tables, this hangout is a pretty decent meal at an affordable price.
(3)Kwong H.
Ignore the previous criticisms about the smoke. Stahely's is now a non-smoking establishment. Cheap drinks and cheap food. Love their tacos and french onion soup.
(4)diana f.
I don't drink but this is a decent location to stop and get a cheap lunch. A little too smoky for my taste but if you go on an off-time there won't be too many people there. Every time I drive by in the evening the parking lot is packed.
(3)Jim D.
Stahley's is an East Allentown landmark that's been around for as long as I can remember. Some may call it a sports bar, but to the enlightened, it's a neighborhood gathering spot. A quick glance to the right and you will probably see generations of families* sitting together at large tables feasting on some of the most unhealthy looking yet completely inviting foods while partaking in general merriment. Another glance to the left and you will see a hodgepodge of clientele ranging from the single older gentleman nursing a glass of bad whiskey to the married couple who were high school sweethearts and on the verge of yet another fight. It certainly sounds like a mess, but at Stahley's, it all somehow works. The draw of Stahley's is not the food or drinks. Do not come here to have your taste buds wowed or to be awed by their culinary artistry. The food is good Pennsylvania bar eats. I'm talking about cheese steaks, burgers, tacos, pizza, wings, fries, onion rings with a splash of pasta, pulled pork and perhaps a sausage or two. You get the idea. Some of it can be dreadful, but most of their menu is pretty good. My personal favorite is their sautéed pierogies swimming in a pool of melted butter and cooked onions with a side of sour cream. Yes, you're begging for a heart attack when you eat this but man, you will die with a smile. During the week, there are specials every day so be sure to check that out. The big draw of Stahley's is their absurd low prices. Where in the Valley can you get a glass of lager for $1.75? Guinness for $2? Granted their food prices have gone up a bit, but it will hardly hurt your wallet. $4.50 for a fat buffalo chicken cheese steak? Can I order two?! Yes, that was my inner fat girl interjecting. But seriously, this place is cheap eats. But perhaps the best and most important thing about Stahley's is that they are now nonsmoking. This place used to be a disgusting cesspool. Back in the day, you could barely see the other side of the bar and you would never be able to leave this place without thinking you just made out with someone's exhaust pipe. Not anymore, folks. Now you can clearly see the degenerates on the other side. Hot! *When I say families, I mean grown adults. This is NOT the place for impressionable kids. Leave 'em at home.
(3)Delma S.
Visited Saturday evening 7pm, seated right away. BIG place, Lively atmosphere, two pool tables. Should be something for everyone on the menu. Reasonable prices. Bar fare. Lots of parking.
(3)KP R.
moved away from the Lehigh valley and I sorely miss this place. great food huge menu and all cheaply priced. been going there 20 years.
(5)Benni A.
I don't come here for drinks, so I can't comment on their bar. Their steamers (clams) are to die for. I haven't been too impressed by their entrees, which are perfectly fine, but it's not at all cheap for the relative quality of food. No complaints regarding atmosphere and service.
(3)Brett C.
Love this place! It's warm and friendly. A true family owned bar experience to be had. Tons of regulars and lots of new friends to make. Everyone is very friendly, staff and patrons alike. The beer is always cold and cheap and the food is consistant and affordable. There's a reason why Stahley's is a Lehigh Valley staple.
(5)Charly J.
Ah, Stahley's. A good bar w/ good food @ good prices. Plain & simple. My hubby & I are dive-enthusiasts, & we reside rather close to Stahley's, so we can't help but be fans of the place. It's, as mentioned in another review, a sports bar, family restaurant, and pool hall, all rolled into one. There are TVs everywhere, dark red booths that line the edge of the dining area, plenty of tables & chairs assembled w/ chaotic organization, a smattering of video games, a few ripped up pool tables, a jukebox, and a long two-sided wood bar. I so love this place! Standard draft beer offerings (Bud, Coors, etc.) plus Guinness (any bar w/ G. on tap gets a gold star in my book. Those that offer the Pub Cans only get a half star), the local fave Yuengling (you would have to live in the area to understand. The darker Ys are my faves, but usually one can only find their Lager on tap locally. In fact, if you order a "lager" in any local bar that's NOT a brewery, then Yuengling is what you will be served), Sam Adams, & wheat beer. Standard bar food but MORE. Plenty of appetizers (poppers, fries, rings, chix fingers, fried-veggie basket, skins, nachos) lots-o-hot & cold sandwiches/hoagies/burgers, good chili (did someone say Four-Way w/ spag noodles, onions & sr crm?), dinner entrees, & even some damn good salads (Jerk Chicken is my fave). What makes Stahley's so likable are their specials. The best specials are Tuesday Steak night (16oz Delmonico/T-bone/Ribeye for $12 w/ all the fixins), Weds Clam & Spag night ($3 clams & all-u-can eat spag for $6), & Thursday Wing night ($0.35). If you're up for it, Stahley's offers a limited bfast menu from 7-10:30am. You simply cannot beat their bfast special. Two eggs, four slices of bacon, homefries & toast for $2.50! Wash their special down w/ a Guinness & you're ready to seize the day! Oh yeah!
(4)freddie d.
Sports Bar, family restaurant, and pool hall all rolled into one, Stahley's has quite a local following in the Allentown and Bethlehem area's. Diner style menu and well priced beer make this an OK place to go to. The pool tables are quite old , and in bad shape, a shot across the pool table may night wind up where you want it to go. The Char-Broiled chicken in Italian marinade is quite exquisite, the Hamburger menu is quite good too. A huge downfall is that the layout of this place makes the non-smoking guests have to inhale the smoke coming from the smoking section. Their is no clear boundary between the smoking and non-smoking section so your exposed no matter what. If you can survive the smoking and the really bad pool tables, this hangout is a pretty decent meal at an affordable price.
(3)Kwong H.
Ignore the previous criticisms about the smoke. Stahely's is now a non-smoking establishment. Cheap drinks and cheap food. Love their tacos and french onion soup.
(4)diana f.
I don't drink but this is a decent location to stop and get a cheap lunch. A little too smoky for my taste but if you go on an off-time there won't be too many people there. Every time I drive by in the evening the parking lot is packed.
(3)Michelle H.
They have been open since 1968. By the looks of the inside they kept the same decor. That's not a bad thing. The perfect place to go if you love homemade food at a very good price. It reminds me of a comfy bar/restaurant with pool tables too btw from my hometown. Great place to go if you want to pound down some booze and not be criticized. Not saying that would be my plan. But that kind of place is rare for the older generation. Monday's special is an 8 oz lobster tail for 17 bucks. Not bad! Go to red lobster and see how much they would charge for that! Ha Soups, tacos, steaks, wings, you name it. They have it.
(5)Luke B.
Great bar. Good food! Chili dogs tacos and Manhattan clam chowder. Delicious. Clam and wing specials weekly
(4)Tammy K.
Want some bar food and a drink? Want it reasonably priced? This is your place. Try anything, never had anything bad there.
(4)Penny L.
First time here. This place was amazing from start to finish. Great atmosphere, large dining room for the family and large bar for the adult crowd. ( Not too noisy, no loud music and no smoking) The food was great. You cannot beat their clam night! Be sure to ask for Matt B if you are sitting at the bar. He was by far one of the best bartenders I've had, you won't wait long for a drink and you'll get it with a great smile and personality :)
(5)Brittany B.
So far I've only been here a few times for clam night, but it's been great. Happy hour till 7 and cheap menu. Bartenders aren't always around when you need them, but hey it's a long bar.
(4)Kevin G.
I really like the place. Been going there for years, but they keep raising the prices. It's getting a little too expensive for me.
(3)K B.
Stanley's Cellarette has the best wings in all the lands. And when I say "in all the land" I mean 1826 Hanover Ave, Allentown PA.
(5)Matt R.
No wonder I have a thing for divy bars. I grew up in them. Rowhouse basements in Schuylkill County with questionable liquor licenses got me going at a very young age (but they had play areas and Coke machines in the back!), and then neighborhood bar-restaurants kept me going until I evacuated the old Eastside 'hood. Stahley's, the Eastside institution, was everything you wanted for cheap food, cold beer, mesh bags of steamed clams, video games, pool, and maybe a glimpse at the pantheon of aging high school sports heros bellied up to the bar. Great bar pizza with a thin white flour crust and lots of garlic powder, crunchy and greasy fried seafood, and gooey Italian-style cheesesteaks. The menu updated, slowly, over the years, but never betrayed its roots. Our family probably grabbed a meal here once a month through most of the late 70s and early 80s, and I still have a perfect recall of the layout of the place, the dim lighting, the smell, and the taste of that diner/bar food (which, really, seems to be one thing Pennsylvania has that nobody else can quite match). I also remember one of my last visits, on Christmas Eve '93 or '94, when they still poured pitchers at 11:45 so an old friend and I could catch up while I was in town for the holidays (although they made sure we got out of there not too long after midnight). You haven't been to East Allentown unless you've had a pitcher at Stahley's. Get on it.
(3)Michelle H.
They have been open since 1968. By the looks of the inside they kept the same decor. That's not a bad thing. The perfect place to go if you love homemade food at a very good price. It reminds me of a comfy bar/restaurant with pool tables too btw from my hometown. Great place to go if you want to pound down some booze and not be criticized. Not saying that would be my plan. But that kind of place is rare for the older generation. Monday's special is an 8 oz lobster tail for 17 bucks. Not bad! Go to red lobster and see how much they would charge for that! Ha Soups, tacos, steaks, wings, you name it. They have it.
(5)Luke B.
Great bar. Good food! Chili dogs tacos and Manhattan clam chowder. Delicious. Clam and wing specials weekly
(4)Tammy K.
Want some bar food and a drink? Want it reasonably priced? This is your place. Try anything, never had anything bad there.
(4)Penny L.
First time here. This place was amazing from start to finish. Great atmosphere, large dining room for the family and large bar for the adult crowd. ( Not too noisy, no loud music and no smoking) The food was great. You cannot beat their clam night! Be sure to ask for Matt B if you are sitting at the bar. He was by far one of the best bartenders I've had, you won't wait long for a drink and you'll get it with a great smile and personality :)
(5)Brittany B.
So far I've only been here a few times for clam night, but it's been great. Happy hour till 7 and cheap menu. Bartenders aren't always around when you need them, but hey it's a long bar.
(4)Kevin G.
I really like the place. Been going there for years, but they keep raising the prices. It's getting a little too expensive for me.
(3)K B.
Stanley's Cellarette has the best wings in all the lands. And when I say "in all the land" I mean 1826 Hanover Ave, Allentown PA.
(5)Lisa M.
Was with my sister who is familar with stahley's. It did not disappoint. The crap dip was delicious. The clams apparently what they are known for. My sis had those and inhaled them in a blink of an eye. Keep in mind this is a sports bar and not a dinner. I must say the food was decent! Ill be bsck when I'm in town again. Looks like it's a great place to watch an Eagles game!
(5)Walter K.
This place is by no means worth going out of your way for, but if you are nearby, it's certainly worth a stop. Stahley's is cheap. Really cheap. Sandwiches start at $4 and a pint of Yuengling was $1.75. In addition to the beers, they have birch beer on tap, which was really enjoyable. The service was great; it was like my grandmother became much more sassy and was serving me lunch. I ordered the namesake sandwich, the Stahley's Cellarette. It was an odd sandwich; ham and cheese on a roll topped with pickles, peppers, and tomato sauce. I don't think the flavors complimented each other in any way, but at $4, I was happy with it. I ordered sweet potato fries on the side and they were pretty good. I was out with my two friends Liz and Emily. Emily ordered a tuna melt that was piled high with enough tuna on it for two sandwiches. Liz went for the buffalo chicken sandwich which was also pretty big. Their sandwiches were also just average. The atmosphere is pretty fun. Lots of locals, people who have probably been coming here for years upon years, kids running around, neon signs for all of the worst beers: it all combines into an oddly charming environment. Most of the bar patrons were closely following the state little league game. The whole place was quaint and simultaneously divey. Bottom Line: The food is pretty average, but this is still a fun joint and you will definitely get your money's worth.
(4)N. M.
I've been coming here with my family for years. It's a beer and a shot type of joint, a no frills bar with great and sometimes unbelievable prices. Every time I go, I always order the steamed clams and cheesesteak. After all these years, I really haven't deviated to the other items on the menu, so I can't speak for anything else on there, but will say that what I do order hits the spot, especially with a cheap pitcher of beer.
(4)IL T.
The easiest reviews to write are for the one's who do it right. Stahley's is one of those places. Incredible food for great prices. It's as simple as that. Atmosphere may not be for everyone, but I love the blue-collar feel of the place with its large wrap around bar right next to tables and booths in one big open room (for the most part). It's not high class by any stretch of the imagination- this place keeps it real. We bring all of our guests here, be they from North Carolina or family/visitors from abroad (Ireland/UK) as it's such a slice of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania life and food. Bartenders and servers are experienced and friendly, often calling you "Hon" or "Buddy", etc . . . Very family-friendly place, so bring the children if you want. Good selection of beers on draft or served in pitchers for the adults. If you visit on Monday-Thursday you have to order their tacos. Out of this world. Best, by far, in the Lehigh Valley. When I lived in the Midwest for a period of my life, I would stop at Stahleys when I came home to visit and order 2 cheesesteaks. Again, the best in the Lehigh Valley, in my opinion. Keep up the proud tradition, Stahleys!
(4)Elizabeth B.
Food is great, cheap, and quick! I've been going with my family since I was a kid and still love it. Plenty of things on the menu and very cheap beer. Atmosphere hasn't changed in years but if your looking for bar food it's the spot to go.
(4)Raymond F.
Great people, we enjoy this place. We have not ever had a bad experience and really enjoy dining here. Wed clam night is great, a tradition we enjoy every week. Steak Sand are excellent. Wait-staff are usually excellent and friendly. Cudos to Stahleys
(5)Ricardo S.
Stahley's is my favorite bar, and has been since I was a little kid. Now it's my kid's favorite, too. Please don't call CPS. The menu at Stahley's is extensive, and everything is good. Nothing is phenomenal, but you get lots of choices, and it's hard to be too disappointed. My regulars are anchovy pizza, veal cutlet, and cheeseburger. The clams are always a good starter. The prices are low, and $2 lager means I always feel like it's a good time for a beer with my dinner. It's super kid-friendly. They have a small kids menu and the waitstaff always ask, when seating us, whether we want to get my daughter's order in immediately so she isn't bored for too long. They also know to ask the question of the kid's meal's free ice cream in a way that doesn't let the kid in on the deal.
(5)Matt S.
If I could give Stahley's a split vote I'd give the Joint ***** for the Steamed Clams alone. By and far the best in the Valley. Cooked just right, no forever chewing no sandy grit. But on a Tuesday for dinner at 4:00 PM the joint was slow and even though the sign says seat yourself we were told to change tables, if you are gonna be like that when it's slow then seat me. My wife and I shared the clams and they were fabulous. Jess got a Stahley's Hamburger that came with nothing not even a stale bag of chips and a wilted pickle like some other dives we ate at. Well she did get two little sandwich pickles. Eh, she said it tasted like a frozen pattie for which it probably was and I had the rib eye steak sandwich onions & mushrooms which was cooked perfect at medium and did taste good but I could've done without the more fat than meat end of things. The coleslaw was also quite good, I've tried many a slaw and they nailed it and gave a good size portion. So unless we get an invite out with some other peeps we won't be back.
(2)Rich S.
Cheap bar food, cheap drinks. Good provided you are looking for deep fried quick bar food. Nothing is fresh (powdered potatoes, cole slaw from a big food service container, freezer heated fries, instant gravy, etc..) Atmosphere is cool. Dimly lit inside with plenty of neon lights. Cozy but a little loud. They have nightly specials (wings, tacos, clams) which are a good price.
(3)John F.
Good solid food are reasonable prices. Everyone is super friendly and the food is quite good. I have been coming here for the honey stung fried chicken for years! Now when I come home from CA with my family I take them.
(5)Jim D.
Stahley's is an East Allentown landmark that's been around for as long as I can remember. Some may call it a sports bar, but to the enlightened, it's a neighborhood gathering spot. A quick glance to the right and you will probably see generations of families* sitting together at large tables feasting on some of the most unhealthy looking yet completely inviting foods while partaking in general merriment. Another glance to the left and you will see a hodgepodge of clientele ranging from the single older gentleman nursing a glass of bad whiskey to the married couple who were high school sweethearts and on the verge of yet another fight. It certainly sounds like a mess, but at Stahley's, it all somehow works. The draw of Stahley's is not the food or drinks. Do not come here to have your taste buds wowed or to be awed by their culinary artistry. The food is good Pennsylvania bar eats. I'm talking about cheese steaks, burgers, tacos, pizza, wings, fries, onion rings with a splash of pasta, pulled pork and perhaps a sausage or two. You get the idea. Some of it can be dreadful, but most of their menu is pretty good. My personal favorite is their sautéed pierogies swimming in a pool of melted butter and cooked onions with a side of sour cream. Yes, you're begging for a heart attack when you eat this but man, you will die with a smile. During the week, there are specials every day so be sure to check that out. The big draw of Stahley's is their absurd low prices. Where in the Valley can you get a glass of lager for $1.75? Guinness for $2? Granted their food prices have gone up a bit, but it will hardly hurt your wallet. $4.50 for a fat buffalo chicken cheese steak? Can I order two?! Yes, that was my inner fat girl interjecting. But seriously, this place is cheap eats. But perhaps the best and most important thing about Stahley's is that they are now nonsmoking. This place used to be a disgusting cesspool. Back in the day, you could barely see the other side of the bar and you would never be able to leave this place without thinking you just made out with someone's exhaust pipe. Not anymore, folks. Now you can clearly see the degenerates on the other side. Hot! *When I say families, I mean grown adults. This is NOT the place for impressionable kids. Leave 'em at home.
(3)Delma S.
Visited Saturday evening 7pm, seated right away. BIG place, Lively atmosphere, two pool tables. Should be something for everyone on the menu. Reasonable prices. Bar fare. Lots of parking.
(3)KP R.
moved away from the Lehigh valley and I sorely miss this place. great food huge menu and all cheaply priced. been going there 20 years.
(5)Benni A.
I don't come here for drinks, so I can't comment on their bar. Their steamers (clams) are to die for. I haven't been too impressed by their entrees, which are perfectly fine, but it's not at all cheap for the relative quality of food. No complaints regarding atmosphere and service.
(3)Brett C.
Love this place! It's warm and friendly. A true family owned bar experience to be had. Tons of regulars and lots of new friends to make. Everyone is very friendly, staff and patrons alike. The beer is always cold and cheap and the food is consistant and affordable. There's a reason why Stahley's is a Lehigh Valley staple.
(5)Lisa M.
Was with my sister who is familar with stahley's. It did not disappoint. The crap dip was delicious. The clams apparently what they are known for. My sis had those and inhaled them in a blink of an eye. Keep in mind this is a sports bar and not a dinner. I must say the food was decent! Ill be bsck when I'm in town again. Looks like it's a great place to watch an Eagles game!
(5)Matt R.
No wonder I have a thing for divy bars. I grew up in them. Rowhouse basements in Schuylkill County with questionable liquor licenses got me going at a very young age (but they had play areas and Coke machines in the back!), and then neighborhood bar-restaurants kept me going until I evacuated the old Eastside 'hood. Stahley's, the Eastside institution, was everything you wanted for cheap food, cold beer, mesh bags of steamed clams, video games, pool, and maybe a glimpse at the pantheon of aging high school sports heros bellied up to the bar. Great bar pizza with a thin white flour crust and lots of garlic powder, crunchy and greasy fried seafood, and gooey Italian-style cheesesteaks. The menu updated, slowly, over the years, but never betrayed its roots. Our family probably grabbed a meal here once a month through most of the late 70s and early 80s, and I still have a perfect recall of the layout of the place, the dim lighting, the smell, and the taste of that diner/bar food (which, really, seems to be one thing Pennsylvania has that nobody else can quite match). I also remember one of my last visits, on Christmas Eve '93 or '94, when they still poured pitchers at 11:45 so an old friend and I could catch up while I was in town for the holidays (although they made sure we got out of there not too long after midnight). You haven't been to East Allentown unless you've had a pitcher at Stahley's. Get on it.
(3)Walter K.
This place is by no means worth going out of your way for, but if you are nearby, it's certainly worth a stop. Stahley's is cheap. Really cheap. Sandwiches start at $4 and a pint of Yuengling was $1.75. In addition to the beers, they have birch beer on tap, which was really enjoyable. The service was great; it was like my grandmother became much more sassy and was serving me lunch. I ordered the namesake sandwich, the Stahley's Cellarette. It was an odd sandwich; ham and cheese on a roll topped with pickles, peppers, and tomato sauce. I don't think the flavors complimented each other in any way, but at $4, I was happy with it. I ordered sweet potato fries on the side and they were pretty good. I was out with my two friends Liz and Emily. Emily ordered a tuna melt that was piled high with enough tuna on it for two sandwiches. Liz went for the buffalo chicken sandwich which was also pretty big. Their sandwiches were also just average. The atmosphere is pretty fun. Lots of locals, people who have probably been coming here for years upon years, kids running around, neon signs for all of the worst beers: it all combines into an oddly charming environment. Most of the bar patrons were closely following the state little league game. The whole place was quaint and simultaneously divey. Bottom Line: The food is pretty average, but this is still a fun joint and you will definitely get your money's worth.
(4)N. M.
I've been coming here with my family for years. It's a beer and a shot type of joint, a no frills bar with great and sometimes unbelievable prices. Every time I go, I always order the steamed clams and cheesesteak. After all these years, I really haven't deviated to the other items on the menu, so I can't speak for anything else on there, but will say that what I do order hits the spot, especially with a cheap pitcher of beer.
(4)