Just went on Friday night. Great food and nice beer / wine selection. Cute decor and atmosphere. Waitress was friendly and attentive. A bit loud, but I think that's part acoustics and part Friday night type crowd. Quieted down when the bigger groups left. I really liked the cheese shop area at the front of the restaurant. Will be going back to try some of the items. Star of the show for me was the earl grey pot de creme dessert. Yum! Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Nick L.
Went here just for a light lunch and wasn't disappointed in the slightest! I ordered the French onion soup and my dear friend ordered the zucchini house special. My soup was fantastic, covered in delicious cheese, and the perfect temperature. We both ordered a ginger beer to go along with and were happy as could be! Lovely restaurant, attentive service and amazing food!
(5)
ima h.
Cheese! Not just cheese, but really good cheese... on/in everything! Brilliant. What I ate: Cheese Plate - 4 stars Great selection, quality cheese, appropriate proportions. However, the accompaniments were only 3 star. Filet Mignon - 4 stars Quality cut of meat, cooked perfectly, and topped with cheese (bonus!) Potato Au Gratin - 6 stars Yes, off the charts. No idea what cheeses were in there, but there were at least 4 different kinds. Each layer was sliced very thin which resulted in the perfect ratio of potato/cheese with every bite. Out of control. The takeaway: High quality ingredients and great flavor combinations. Awesome wine list to boot.
(4)
Pedro P.
A pleasant surprise, and quite the treat after a long drive. Further, the premises/staff are welcoming, and the service is second to none when compared to major metro areas like D.C. and NYC. Moreover, the food was very good and well priced! I will definitely return to Say Cheese! the next time I'm in Reading, PA.
(4)
J. A.
I left smiling Like I was Saying Cheese! This shop and cafe is a good bet in west reading. My date and I enjoyed a flavorful and well served dinner friday night. We did not have reservations, but the lovely young man who was at the host stand asked us to give him five minutes to get a table ready for us. True to his word, just a few minuets later we were seated and perusing our menus. We ordered drinks, a delicious cocktail for me, a beer for him and an appetizer. We tried the "frickles" (Fried Pickles) this dish was the only low spot in our evening. The pickles themselves were ok, but they were dipped in tempura batter that had zero flavor. The table next to us also ordered the frickles and we observed them attempting to salt them within an inch of their little pickled lives. Sadly salt did not help. For dinner we both had pasta - garlic chicken pasta and ricotta gnocchi with speck. Both dishes were delightful, flavorful and tasteful-ly presented. I couldn't finish my chicken and my date was kind enough to help me out- yes it was so good that he finished my plate for me! Dessert was the final nail of delight in our coffin of gluttony. All offerings are made in-house and we enjoyed the triple chocolate cake. This evil genius of a confection sandwiches vanilla and chocolate cheesecake in between layers of devil's food cake and the whole she-bang is covered in dark rich ganache... SIGHHHH!! It was divine! Our server could not have been sweeter and kept us smiling all evening. In fact it was evident by the rate at which all the servers were hustling to and fro- that service is important to them. If you are looking for a nice date night or a place to impress the in-laws Say cheese! fits the bill. I will be back- no one will keep me away from that cake!!
(4)
Anneliese E.
Went on a Saturday at around 230...they closed at 3 and it was a party of four. None of the wait staff made faces nor acted as if they were in a rush. Food was delicious. We got the eggs Benedict... Red velvet pancakes... Grilled chicken with fresh mozzarella... Michah chicken with the four cheese Mac and cheese. Everything was delicious!!! The White sangria was very pleasant, the Riesling was amazing! Ambience is very comforting and relaxing... Indoor and outdoor seating available. Very happy with the food and very kind people. Definitely coming back to "Say Cheese" if I come back to Reading!!!
(4)
Ashley H.
Ok, I never write reviews ever, but I'm so infuriated I need to write a review because our service was handled so badly by our waiter. Today my aunt, my toddler and I went to the West Reading Fall Fest and her and I have never been to Say Cheese! before and hear nothing but awesome reviews by our friends about the food so we decided to get out the heat and sit down to eat because my daughter was getting cranky and ready to eat. We go into the restaurant and it's not that busy, there are open tables so we said great, lets do it! We wait in line behind 3 other couples or whatever waiting to get seated, no problem, the hostess puts us next to our friends that are there already and was very polite. She seats up at the four top right behind the hostess stand. (I'm only saying this because maybe if anyone at the business sees this they can see what waiter we had as I don't know his name.) Anyhow, we sit down he asks if we have ever been here, we say now first timers because we heard how good the food was. We ask if he could get us waters because my aunt needed a minute to look the cocktail/drink menu over. He comes back maybe 5 minutes or so later with the waters then I order a soda and she orders a beer. Another 5-10 mins go by and were looking over our food choices and decide on what we were super happy with. He comes back carrying only my soda and says "Just so you know you can't order lunch now you can just get our cheese plate" I said why is that, he said we stop serving food at 4. It was now 4:03. I said why didn't you tell us that when we sat down that there was only a certain amount of minutes left we could order food, while we are waiting for our drinks. He walked up to the hostess and I thought he was going to do something nice like still take our order but instead he went to see what time we sat down and said, well when you sat down it was 345. I said well til we got our waters and our drinks this is the time you got back to us so that we could order food. As we said we were new to the place, as new comers how were we supposed to know that we had a countdown til we would no longer be served and this is what upset me the most. He said, well you should have looked at our website before you came in. I said it would have be the thing to do when you sat us to say, hey there's only 15 mins left to order food, then we would have ordered food and worried about our beers afterwards. I know it was the fall festival so I didn't care about the wait back and forth from our waters to our drinks but if we are in a time restraint that we are going to get punished and the waiter had 15 mins to tell us that we could order anymore. My aunt even mention it looked like he was stalling bringing our drink order back as he didn't have any other new tables, then only bringing my soda because he probably was waiting to tell us knowing we were going to leave and not having to waste a beer. I even asked about an item on the menu for my daughter cause I was going to order it for an app so she could eat right away as she was very hungry. So all in all, instead of being nice and handling the situation with some customer service skills or even a smile, we got told to look at the website and he made the effort to see the exact time we sat down, which only points out his flaws on bringing drinks to us. Then I got mad because we've just wasted a half hour I thought that was going to end in good food and food in my daughters belly to make her happy and told him we were leaving because this is bull crap that that's how you told us and handled this situation and asked for the check for my soda. He said don't worry about the soda and then just walked away. NOT ONCE was there a sorry, a smile or even any concern about caring about his customer service or us at all. He got very rude, showed he could care less and honestly I fell he stalled on our drinks on purpose so we couldn't order lunch. So we had to leave, leaving our friends there because a cheese plate isn't going to make my daughter happy. We then walked out and settled for fair food and talking about this experience to ourselves as it really infuriated us how it was handled and that's why I'm taking the time to write this review. Look, I get sometimes things take longer to come out, I didn't care about the times until I realized why he stalled. I've been the manager of a shop for over 10 years and I would never let anyone that works for me treat customers the way I was treated today, they would have gotten a talk and written up. I was always told, don't let a customer leave angry because their angry reviews can travel. All I can say was how unhappy I am with the server that was ours and looks like I'm never going to know how good the food is because I'm never going back there with my friends. Who waits to tell you you can't eat there after they bring back HALF of your drink order after we sat there, with a child nonetheless. 30 mins wasted.
(1)
Greg J.
Great place for breakfast, lunch or diner, we are not from the area but I promise if were within 30 miles of this place we'll be back. Great service great food and some of the best cheese I've ever had. Smoked Gouda... Yum!
(5)
greg w.
Excellent find by some co-workers that work in PA and in must say it was one the best lunches I have had in some time. The atmosphere was great and the service was even better. We had a group of 8 of us and I was pleasantly surprised on how inexpensive it was for soup and an entree. I will definitely be back!!!!
(5)
Freddy V.
I've never had a bad meal here! Filet mignon, lamb, burger, cheese - it's all good! I was just there two nights ago and had this wonderful eggplant appetizer - my wife and I both loved it! The decor is superb and you never feel rushed to leave, so feel free to stay and chat away.
(5)
Michael D.
Working in the Reading area, I went onto Yelp to find a good lunch spot. The reviews for the restaurant seemed enticing, and would allow me to satisfy two hobbies of mine: eating cheese and postponing my diet. Win-win. I showed up right when they opened at 11 and they weren't ready for me yet but caught up pretty quickly. They were very friendly and very hipster. I'm always attracted to hipster restaurants, bars, and breweries because I am trying to study the behaviors so I can be hip. What kind of guy in his 20's is passionate about cheese? I have no idea but I met a few and took some notes. Anyway I had they combo. It's $12 and you get half sandwich and soup or salad and a side of fries. I can't recall what the sandwich was now but there was regular cheese, cheese that was spread, and I think bacon. It was the special of the day and it was awesome. I got a 1/2. I then opted for the French Onion Soup because photos on here looked amazing. Eh. Wasn't feeling the broth. Loved the fried onions on top, but broth had sponge water taste. Also, hipster locally brewed sodas in glass bottles. Got the cream. Was good. Prefer draft sodas from coke with refills, but I knew better walking in. There's also a store that sells cheese and hand made pieces of hard bread in bags. Probably won't overpay for what amounts to a bag of Stacy's because it's local. All in all, awesome sandwich. Good fries. Great presentation. And good hip vibes. I would definitely return, would opt for a different soup.
(4)
Lorie G.
A bit late in writing this review for brunch with the Hubby on Mother's Day. We did not have a reservation but they were able to squeeze us in. It was our first visit and we loved the ambiance and look of the place. I got a free mimosa as a holiday bonus which was nice. Looked forward to trying their French Onion soup after seeing the photos and was not disappointed. It was delicious! Also had the chicken and waffles which were ok but nothing special. He had a special of Red Velvet pancakes which looked amazing on first glance, but were all a bit burnt around the edges. He said they still tasted good though. Overall, a bit disappointed in the food due to the glowing reviews and high expectations, but will come back again.
(3)
Chris B.
The food here is very tasty, service was great. The lunch specials are a good value. I had a combo with a half grilled cheese, Caesar salad and fries the first time. The sandwich was very good with a mix of cheeses. Fries were fresh and great tasting. Second time I had the mac and cheese, also very good. Presentation of both dishes was excellent, and food was prepared quickly. Didn't check out the cheese shop part of this place, but it seemed well stocked.
(5)
Robert K.
Say Cheese! is a complete boon to the shops on Penn Avenue. Now that I've stated a fact, let me elaborate on why. My experience is an almost weekly visit, and I've had much of what is offered on their menu as well as more. In addition to their outstanding menu, they often have daily specials. These are usually very creative dishes offered just for that day. They offer clean bathrooms, indoor and outdoor seating, and they have a small shop in addition to the restaurant where you can purchase cooking materials and, of course, cheese. They have a very impressive selection of cheese. The service has been outstanding. They have the usual suspects on staff, with what seems like a low turnover rate which is great. You get to see a lot of familiar faces when you return (which I hope you will!). The food is easily some of the best available in Berks County. Even when I vacation, I aspire to find an establishment that offers food as good as Say Cheese! and often without success. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu, as stuff that has made the menu is time-tested. If I had to list one negative aspect it would be that I did not find their artichoke soup very good. This is likely a personal taste as their chef makes nothing but culinary masterpieces. Please do yourself a favor and give Say Cheese! a chance. Some folk are turned off by the street parking, but there is both plenty of parking around the block as well as an entire parking lot across the street to use. I highly recommend going on a Sunday morning as Penn Avenue runs events in the Spring and Summer which block off some streets and make it more comfortable to walk around. There is a lot to see on Penn Ave these days, and Say Cheese! is definitely one of those places you need to patron.
(5)
Steven E.
We were just passing through and were looking for a place to have a relaxing lunch with a glass of wine. This place fit the bill perfectly. We both opted for the half sandwich, cup of soup offering with fries. I had the cauliflower press sandwich, absolutely fantastic. My wife had the turkey, very nicely done. Both of us had the soup of the day, a mushroom beef stroganoff that was out of this world. We sat outside, and service was very good.
(4)
Mike M.
I had been looking forward to trying this restaurant as I'd heard such good things about it. First, I went for lunch on a Wednesday around 1 p.m. I was seated immediately & it was not crowded. The service was lackluster at best; at worst, it was cold & unwelcoming. I had the lunch combo of soup and half a sandwich. The tomato bisque looked thick and rich with pieces of tomato but was COMPLETELY lacking any flavor. That was a big letdown. The half sandwich I ordered was the grilled cheese & meatloaf. The sandwich was nicely grilled and the cheese was well melted. The meatloaf was very good but VERY scarce. The absolute BEST thing on the plate were the fries. They were double fried to PERFECTION! Without a doubt the best I've had in several years! I may try them again but not really sure after my underwhelming lunch experience.
(2)
Greg L.
We decided to stop in here for dinner before heading to a Royals game. We mainly picked this place because of its close proximity to the arena (about a 5 minute drive away). This is a charming little restaurant and cheese shop. We had reservations for 5pm, but that was certainly not needed as we were about the only ones there. We were quickly seated at the front of the store in a window area that overlooked the main street. My boys thought this was so cool and it was fun people watching while we were eating. We started off with a cheese plate and our waitress was great at helping us select three wonderful cheeses, which was very nicely displayed along with crackers and some fruit jams when brought to our table. My wife had the diver scallops while I went with their mac & cheese special for the evening. My wife is gluten-free and the restaurant had no issues in accommodating her food alergy. My wife really enjoyed her scallops and I loved my mac & cheese. It was just cheesy enough without the noodles drowning in the cheese. Despite it being a very rich dish, I helped my son share a caramel apple cheesecake for dessert. My one son did get a hamburger while the other had a grilled cheese sandwich, and both came with fresh cut french fries. All in all, a great meal with wonderful service and we look forward to coming back some day.
(4)
Food T.
A very nice lunch - will come back. Burrata was good - shouldn't be cut though...you are losing all the yumminess. Crostini very hard. Cheese curd unreal, Apple blue cheese salad very good, Onion Soup thick like I like it, Mac'n Cheese of the day and the Meat Loaf Cheese Sandwich were great. Quite disappointed by the cheese selection in the store....not a PA Crafted Cheese? Really? Whats with that? Sad
(3)
Dustin C.
Great decor and a small market area where you can purchase cheese. I ordered the fried cheese curds, a bacon burger with fries. My g/f ordered a fried green tomato caprese salad with fried prosciutto. Everything was good. However, the kitchen forgot the prosciutto on her salad which was a bummer. I feel like the salad would have really popped with it. I would come back again as their entrees were good.
(4)
Lindsay K.
One of my absolute favorite places to go in West Reading!! Perfect for lunch and for groups. took a group of 10 ladies there for a bridesmaid weekend and had great service and food! The cheese plates, fondue, salmon mac & cheese and the fries with raspberry mayo my favorite. They even make goat cheese ice cream!!
(5)
Nicolle R.
This place is a hidden gem. We are in town from California and the food is delicious! Butternut squash soup and cheddar grilled cheese. So good! Cute place and tastey beers :)
(5)
John Z.
Expectations were high for this restaurant because it's in a prominent space in West Reading. It's the former site of the Hard Bean Cafe which unfortunately went out of business. (I always imagined it could have been converted into a cool coffeehouse with space for bands -- kind of like The Steel City Coffeehouse in Phoenixville.) They did a good job with the space itself. The open kitchen gives it an urban feel. Nice tables, nice atmosphere. But a cool space doesn't make for a cool restaurant. The first thing is Say Cheese is WAY overpriced. We went for lunch and were stunned at the cost of simple things like French Fries and sandwiches. I took a look at the dinner menu and it was even worse. $22 for eggplant! The second thing is that this isn't a diverse menu. Just try to find something without either meat or cheese. Yeah, I know the name of the restaurant has cheese in it. But you can bet if the owners were hip to trends they would provide some vegan options. There is vegan cheese that can be used for grilled cheese sandwiches. And it's not obscure stuff. You can buy it at Giant. There are also more pricey artisan hard cheeses that can be ordered through specialty dealers. There was a lot of confusion from the staff about getting us options without meat or cheese. The only thing they could come up with was a salad without cheese. It was underwhelming to say the least. Could have done much better making something at home! Very sad they don't have creativity or imagination here. The third thing is that this restaurant apparently sells foie gras. Restaurants still do this? It's banned in California and most restaurants with any sense of morality won't sell this nasty stuff that is a liver from a force-fed duck or goose. I guess this goes with what seems to be the mentality here. Which is not keeping up with current trends and overcharging people for simple and unimaginative dishes. Like I've said, they've done a good job with the space here. But what a waste that it's boring, pricey and behind the times. And they sell foie gras -- which they apparently have as a special sometimes. All in all, there are many many reasons to avoid this place.
(1)
Heather W.
Excellent Food and Awesome Service First time here and I'm certain we will be back !
(5)
Mike F.
I'm hardly a cheese connoisseur, but I love trying out the local flavor. There's a lot of thought that goes into the menu, and the chef offers up a unique dish each and every day. Obviously, the owner cares a lot about using fresh ingredients, and I'm sure he buys locally when he can. Honestly, there is nothing negative I can say about the food. HOWEVER, I was expecting a little more from the service side of things. Not knowing anything about cheese, I had some questions regarding the flavors of the cheeses in the dish that I was ordering. The server was clueless! I also felt she didn't know anything about where the cheese came from or how the dish itself was prepared. It just seems a little odd to me that a restaurant so wrapped up in cheese would not train their staff to know more about it.
(3)
Elizabeth S.
Just fantastic! I was part of a party of 6 so I was able to sample a lot of different dishes. Butternut Squash Bisque, Fried Green Tomato Caprese Salad, Fried Cheese Curd, Beef Sliders, Ricotta Gnocchi, Diver Scallop, and Cheese Cake were all out of this world delicious! The meat and cheese plate was very well presented and everything was great, especially the Jamon iberico! The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the French Onion Soup. The broth was overwhelmingly beef-flavored in my opinion. I ate it but it wasn't the best I've had. The atmosphere is great inside. It was not loud, yet we didn't feel that we were being too loud talking and laughing among ourselves. I'm so glad this place is near my house and plan to come back often!
(5)
John H.
One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Great service great atmosphere even better food.
(4)
Mark S.
A lovely dining establishment with great decor and great food, also they have an amazing beer and wine list that pairs well with any of their gourmet cheese. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Dori L.
I read previous reviews, talked with others, and had mixed ideas about Say Cheese before I entered.. I was very pleasantly greeted with delicious samples of cheeses on a well-appointed tasting table and a hospitable owner. I had a few minutes to wait for my dining partner, and it was well spent perusing the shelves for treasure I might just takes home later that evening.. We didn't care for our original table, but there was no problem switching to a window table. One big plus tonight was our server.. She was just perfect.. There when we needed her, not hovering, but knew exactly when we were ready to switch courses or needed a drink refreshment. She had tasted the special of the day and was well-versed in all the cheeses and the menu selections.. I loved being across from the kitchen.. Being a foodie, I like watching the process... It's clean, efficient, well done.. The only comment I had is that my eggplant was just a bit greasy.. I don't believe I would get that again... My dinner partner had the Mac and cheese and it was delicious and everything you would expect.. The appetizer board is something you should not miss.. The server hit a home run (something lacking in our baseball teams right now, so thank goodness someone in Reading is whacking it out of the park..).. Wines were great, ice tea was delicious, we came home with bags of cheese and leftovers.. I will be back, and soon... As I eat all this cheese!
(4)
Madge I.
I ordered today's mac & cheese special with turkey, red onions and a hint of cranberry, what I actually received was a large dish of over-cooked macaroni with bits of what appeared to be sliced turkey from a package, enormous slices of red onion with a load of jam and bits of cheese floating in it. For the price point (around 17 bucks with a soda), I was severely disappointed. It was pouring rain out and I took the dish to go, so I could not make a complaint at the restaurant. The decor is nice and the staff seems pleasant, but my coins will be spent elsewhere.
(1)
Marc K.
We went back again for dinner tonight. My wife and I shared a delicious bowl of French Onion Soup (which they split from a bowl into two individual cups). My wife had the Fall Root Vegetable Risotto and I had the Braised Short Ribs and we tasted eachother's meals. My wife's meal was good but wouldn't have been something I would've chosen. The short ribs were delicious, served over "real" mashed potatoes with bacon & two words I thought I'd never put together: "delicious brussel sprouts". I am NOT a brussel sprouts person and they were quite good -- that's really saying something, in my opinion. We also shared a slice of pumpkin cheesecake with a gingerbread crumb crust. Our bill before tip was $53.xx including a coffee & soda.
(5)
Ryan L.
Salmon Mac and Cheese. Absolutely unreal. Not too fishy, just overly creamy goodness with a combination you wouldn't expect. It's an award winner for a reason. They do have a very nice local selection of soda, which is also unexpected. Definitely a gem in the area.
(5)
Zach L.
Every meal we've had has been delicious. Good variety, fresh choices, quick service. It's a great space with some private tables and a party room. The decor is classic and relaxed. Can get busy so plan accordingly. Well-priced for portion size.
(5)
Shana A.
Chèvre omelet was perfect. Very impressed. My husband loved the breakfast burger. Will be back.
(5)
Todd S.
Food was pretty good. Salmon Mac n cheese, excellent. Frickles were ok. Basically fried pickles with corn dog batter. Reading birch beer always good. Artichoke soup had way too much lemon. The bad. Service brought our soup with dinner. Fail Glass of wine was way short of a glass. Fail Waitress basically bailed on us and the other one took over. The place was less than half full. Fail Tomato soup and grilled cheese $14. WTF? I expect proper service when dining at a place like this. That being said I will go back because cheese is like bacon. You can never have too much
(2)
Kathy N.
I have been to Say Cheese! twice and eaten kind of snacky stuff. 3 stars seems like a bad review but it's not. I would prefer to go somewhere in between "A-OK" and "YAY! I'm a fan!" but Yelp doesn't give me that option. I have not been "wowed" yet so I don't think 4 stars is quite warranted. On my two visits to Say Cheese!, I enjoyed some tasty well-made pancakes and some equally tasty and well-made fried pickles. I also had the French onion soup. I get that the chef puts his own spin on it but I would not order it again. It just wasn't to my liking. I am kind of a purist when it comes to FO soup. I would however, wholeheartedly recommend Say Cheese! and I would happily go back and continue to try more on the menu especially the Dinner menu.
(3)
Emily G.
This was our first time ever to Reading, PA, and honestly I may have to make the over 1 hour drive again just to return to Say Cheese. We had a wonderful experience. We were in town to see a show at the Santander Arena which was only a short drive from the restaurant (less than 10 mins). First, the alcohol selection is small, but the wine selections were fantastic. Also, even though they sell alcohol you also have the option to byob. We were very happy with the two bottles of red wine we selected. Secondly, their cheese should be, and absolutely were delicious! We got one of the mix and match meat and cheese plates and it was devoured by all. We also got the fried green tomato caprese salad which was topped with a wonder, well aged balsamic. Yum! Lastly, our entrees. My husband got the meatloaf, which he is still talking about. He also is determined recreate the mashed sweet potatoes he had. I had the house made pappardelle pasta. As the wife of an Italian who hand makes a majority of our pasta I was very pleased with the thickness and quality of the pasta. However I was slightly disappointed to the blandness of the dish. It did not have much flavor, however I am still happy to give this restaurant 5 stars because everything else was just that good. Oh... One last thing! The service was quite good. We never wanted for anything, at anytime. We never had dirty dishes sit in front of us for more than a few minutes. All in all I would highly recommend Say Cheese to anyone! Except maybe vegans lol but that should be implied by the name.
(5)
Dave D.
Great food and service EVERY TIME I'm here. Deli is amazing.
(5)
Jeoph N.
I have been here for every meal of the day in multiple occasions, and every meal is the same disappointing result. Their food is overpriced and has no dimension of flavors. Either too sweet, too salty, too bland, but never made perfectly which is what you should always expect. If you do end up getting a meal that you like, do not be ready to proclaim this as your favorite restaurant just yet. All you have to do is look into the kitchen and watch your chef/cook u wearing no gloves and eating on the job.
(1)
Shana H.
I've been here twice and the food is pretty good. Friday night I ordered the mint crusted snapper, it was one of the specials. It was ok. Definitely not worth the $28. However, the Oysters Rockefeller was delicious. The basil finch cocktail which I had both times always pleases. The grilled cheese is delicious as well, of course that's kind of expected. I recommend trying this place.
(4)
Jeff G.
Food and service very good! Had the shepherds pie and it rocked. My wife had the pork tenderloin with risotto which she enjoyed. Food was served hot. An added bonus is that you can bring your own wine (for a 1 time, 5 dollar uncorking fee). They also had a reasonable beer selection. Good experience over all. Will try again soon and if it's just as good I'll probably have to bump up rating to 5 stars.
(4)
Ben P.
I came in this past Saturday after having heard multiple people tell me how impressed they were with the place. (Service) I had been seated alone in the window which wasn't bad other than the fact that my waitress basically had been ignoring me, including till the end of the night where I needed to wait 15 minutes after receiving my check to pay the bill. The other off-putting thing was the fact that not once, but twice children from the street wandered in to me at my table asking If i wanted to purchase candy from them while I was eating. What kind of establishment just lets kids randomly walk up to their patrons trying to sell them things, once I could possibly understand, mistakes can be made, TWO TIMES in about an hour's time though? I find that inexcusable. The waitress ignored telling me about the specials for the day, I had to ask what the soup and dessert for the day was after being set with the menus for an extended period. While waiting to pay my check a couple was seated behind me and they were served immediately by a waiter who seemed very knowledgeable, he told them all of the specials in detail and offered suggestions to the couple, I wished that I had gotten the more experienced wait staff assuming I would've had fewer problems in that case. (Food) The food however was a great boon to the place, the French Onion soup was fantastic the rich melted cheese on top accented the almost stew like consistency of the soup and the crostini was lightly accented with garlic and still very crunchy in spite of the soup. My main course was the Say Cheeseburger, the presentation for the burger was great with a fried Jalapeno pinned to the top of the burger. The bun was perfect, lightly toasted on the bottoms and very flavorful. The burger was cooked exactly as I had asked for and the Green Pepper Mustard was a good compliment to the burger. I do think the meat could've used a bit more seasoning as it tasted kind of bland and a bit of Ketchup was needed to balance the salt-less-ness of the meat. My only real issue with the main course however was the fries, nearly half of them were not completely cooked and had a raw potato taste and texture to them which was unappealing, the majority of them were done nicely however. For Dessert I got the Death By Chocolate, as I had been told the dessert of the day had been unfortunately sold out. I was not in the slightest disappointed by the dessert, the presentation was gorgeous and the moist cake and chocolate decadence that ensued was truly magnificent, I wish I had ordered a milk with It because of how rich and moist the cake was, but I don't regret my decision on dessert one bit. (Overall Impression) The service I received was lacking from what I had been expecting from an upscale dining establishment, and after the second time being solicited to at my dinner table by random children from the street I had been genuinely angry. The food overall is very good with some minor improvements that could have been made.
(3)
Haboo Z.
Cute place and relaxing. The food is good, but on the expensive side. I had the combo meal which is a half sandwich, soup, and fries. The tomato bisque soup was very good and I enjoyed the cheddar grilled cheese. The mac and cheese looked good as well. I did not try their wine or beer, but much of their list is from local establishments which is what I like to see. If you want to try something different and new, give this place a try!
(3)
Mona N.
Great place for lunch. My colleague and I stopped here after looking at Yelp reviews and agree spot on with the 4-star rating. Friendly service, food came out relatively quickly during a busy lunch, and everything was pretty much delicious. I had the crab cake sandwich and soup combo that came with fries. The tomato soup was perfect - not too creamy and was topped with cheddar cheese. The fries were hand cut, crisp and hot. The crab cake was just ok - it was a little mushy but the brioche bun it came with was divine. My colleague had a turkey BLT, artichoke soup and a watermelon feta salad. All looked fantastic. They also have cheese and charcuterie plates that look very gourmet. A small grocery store at the front has a wonderful assortment of cheese and sauces. I would highly recommend this boisterous casual lunch joint. The name is a bit, well, cheesy but never mind. The food and service are good. Would go back again.
(4)
Lee C.
We really loved our experience at Say Cheese! The food was incredible! Where our server was a bit slow, the owner was quick to pick up the slack. They just received their liqueur license for wine and beer (craft beers). I think my husband would like to see less sweetie beers, maybe some more port or IPAs. But we loved the food and the feel of this great little place.
(4)
Amanda B.
Went there for lunch with my husband today. Wonderful! We split the chicken asiago grilled cheese sandwich. Definitely enough for two people, it was huge and we got the fresh cut fries with it. Will be back. So glad we found this place.
(5)
Aj D.
Had dinner here last night and everything was excellent! I was further impressed and thoroughly appreciated the fact the owner took the time to come over (not to boast "I'm the owner") but to deliver an appetizer !!??? We will definitely be back! !
(4)
Ashley O.
I went here about month ago with with a few family member. Everything about this place was pretty great. The service was good, the food was delicious and we left feeling pretty happy. I especially enjoyed the premeal bread. It was fresh and very aromatic. The only thing I really have to say against the place is that the prices are a little steep for portion size and the menu was relatively small with out much variety. These are of course just minor complaints. I'm also pleased to hear they don't serve foie gras any more but I still can't help but be annoyed they thought that was okay in the first place. It is what it is.
(4)
Michael B.
We left after waiting 20 mins and nobody took our order!!!!! Why be open on a Sunday if your not going to wait on people!!!! This was my first and last time there!!!!!!
(1)
Kimba Z.
I did not realize they served foie gras here and have downgraded my review. There is a reason this dish is banned in many places. You can make great pate with many things; you don't even need meat. Birds don't all just simultaneously overeat until their livers swell 10 times the size, so don't believe the hype about the lack of force feeding. I don't go to places that serve this. === Someone has finally sunk some major money into this versatile space that was once a department store in West Reading. Taylor Swift used to come here when it was the Hard Bean, oh yes. There were some worries that Subway had purchased it. The corridor here is blissfully chain free. Where before, the back was reserved for a boutique, flowers or pet supplies, the whole length of the floor is now in use. The open kitchen looks out on the main table area, but the best tables are of course in the former department store windows out front, so beckoning. Check out the pulley fans on the ceiling and the fork-and-spoon art -- even the bathrooms are gorgeous. The cheese theme is unique and a good one for this area (unless you are vegan). Why would vegans come here? Well, we love to check out new spots, to support local business, and we go out with plenty of people who aren't vegan, so if there is enough for us, we will bring others. We usually get to pick, when there is a group. Now laugh, but there is such a thing as vegan artisanal cheese. Indeed this used to be a laughing matter; no longer. So I hope they will consider such a choice for people who avoid lactose and dairy. I would add another star or two for several entrees I could order straight off the menu or a regular vegan special. They seem to have an ability to take a comfort food like mac and cheese and make it a bit luxe, a Center City Philly trend that's been successful for years. I asked if the tomato soup had cream in it or meat stock. No to both, so I got it, making sure to ask for nothing on top. It tasted too creamy, and I found out it is cooked with aged cheese. So it was back to the house salad for me, nice lettuce but not a meal. I stole some of my husband's bread to dip in the dressing. Some chickpeas, artichokes, or other savory element could really improve this, but a green salad is not an entree. My spouse got the grilled veggie sandwich and asked to have avocado instead of the cheese, which they did. However, it was still lackluster, and we were charged extra for the avocado, even though we skipped the most expensive thing in the sandwich. Pout. The corn-dusted avocado bites have egg, and the manager wasn't sure if the sweet potato fries had egg in their corn batter. Sadly, there is nothing for me to come back for, as much as I love love love the location and decor. The only place in town for a vegan breakfast or brunch is Good Eatz a block away. But the staff here was very kind and listened, so maybe this will change. My sweet friends at the next table asked for more veg food too. How about some snackie things like an olive selection and nuts? These would go well with a baguette and some fancy olive oil and your bottle of red. It is indeed BYOB but only open for lunch at this time -- they say they are considering evenings. I'd hate to see something so beautiful closed at night. The front grocery area has classy gift choices such as flavored balsamic vinegars and fancy crackers, perfect to take along to a party. I love consumable gifts. There is a deli cheese case which looks to have a good variety.
(1)
Jason B.
This place rocks for couples. My wife and I dined there on a wednesday night 1/28/15 and fell in love. Local reading brewed white birch beer, meat and cheese sampler slate, french onion soup, and diver scallops all exceeded expectation. Our server was on point and very gracious. We loved the atmosphere and eye appeal. Very clean on organized decor. Its our new "hot spot".
(5)
Nicole C.
One of my favorite places to dine in Reading, PA! So yummy
(5)
Brett F.
Very trendy place with a unique menu. The food was good, the atmosphere was neat, but the mix of store so close to seating was a slightly weird. Definitely looking forward to trying to again this fall.
(4)
Zach H.
Stopped in for a quick lunch when I was in the mood for some cheese. My girlfriend and I split the grilled cheese (plus avocado and bacon) and the crab cake sandwich. I think she won out with the better sandwich. Both were pretty tasty, though my avocado didn't taste like it was quite ready for consumption. Both sandwiches were served with homemade potato chips. I love the idea of homemade potato chips. But when done poorly, they can be a disaster on the plate. The chips we got hadn't been fried long enough and so weren't totally cooked through to the center and clearly hadn't been fried to order. Most of the chips were fairly soggy and limp. For that, major point deductions. We stopped up at the cheese counter afterward and talked to the owner a bit, sampled some cheese, and left with a wedge of Cotswold with chives to put on burgers and it was simply delicious! In the future I'll certainly be back for more cheese, but I think I'll give them some time to work out their chip frying timing before I return to the restaurant.
(3)
Pati S.
My first visit to Say Cheese was awesome!!!! I've waited to, wanted them to work out any "bugs or issues" before I formed a everlasting 1st impression. I must say I LOVE IT here! My love for cheese was met with happiness when I walked in. The front of the store is uniquely decorated with all their honey, preserves, oils, vinegars etc. All employees from the gentleman who opened the door for us, the person who sat us and our waitress were courteous, professional and friendly. KUDOS I ordered the cheese tray for my daughter and I, the quality of cheese was superb & delish! My daughter had the Caesar salad with by her request extra cheese then extra on the side :-) Her minor comment was that it could have used more dressing for her taste. I had a Cambozola Grilled Cheese, YUMMY. At the end of lunch after packing up to take home what we couldn't finish, we ordered a piece of their Banana Foster Cheese cake....OH MY LORD, I would have to say my fav cheesecake now in the world!! So at the end of my lunch I realized this place could not possibly be on my diet to often! On other minor comment would be that they were out of tea. they had a few tea bags but not very many at all, most were empty. Oh, and another wonderful surprise was that the west reading market was going on, local homegrown veggies and other goodies right out on the sidewalk. It really was an enjoyable lunch. Thank you!
(4)
Simmerr K.
I had the best time there! Food was delicious! Their red velvet cheesecake was to die for! I'm still craving it! Will definitely go back The service was wonderful too.
(5)
Naomi S.
Wonderful fresh and inventive ingredients. But what gained the 5th star was service. When my son wouldn't eat the cheeseburger with Stilton (I didn't realize how runny it would be either) they cooked him an entire new one with the cheese of his choice. A huge shout of thanks to the manager for service and flexibility.
(5)
Russell R.
Another example of the West Reading Penn Avenue Renaissance. I just came here for brunch by myself, and got a great omelette with goat cheese and other veggies. Interior is airy, bright, and trendy.
(5)
Rochelle M.
I tried Say Cheese! on my own the first time since my fiance is very anti-crowds and I had read a few reviews about how cramped/noisy that people felt the place was. I didn't see it as crowded or noisy, so I brought Dave with me the next time. I absolutely love the grilled cheddar and bacon sandwich. That Burt's Bacon is fabulous! The chips are tasty. Even the Waldorf salad was tasty, but I would suggest that the lettuce bed get cut up a bit more before serving (though it didn't take away from the taste). Dave and I have suggesting this place to all of our friends and have even run into a few others while we were dining. The one day we were trying to figure out the cheeses that were used in a cheesy potatoes side and we asked our server Nathan. He admitted that he was not sure what all was put in (knew the base cheeses, but said the chef added a few others) and would ask him. Instead of returning with an answer, the chef had actually come out to our table and told us what cheeses had been used and even offered some more to Dave. He would have accepted if he wasn't already completely full from the fabulous meal that we had. In one word.... Yummy!
(5)
Sherri F.
If you're a cheese lover you've got to give this place a try! Their seating area is small & decorated in an industrial fashion. Food specials are awesome. Sometimes the lunch specials are better! Wish they had better parking options.
(4)
Nicole E.
I have been here a few times and loved it but we recently dined there and my party had a few problems. It took our server about 20 minutes to come take our drink order. We were excited about the specials by seeing them on Facebook before we went but to our disappointment they were out of two of the specials at 7 pm! They were also out of a beer we wanted to try. Overall we were very disappointed...
(2)
Stephanie C.
Went here today and the food is AMAZING!! EVERYTHING was awesome. Great prices - will go every time I'm near Reading!!
(5)
Katie R.
I must say I was somewhat skeptical about the new restaurant going into the old Salon building, but they beautifully remodeled it with a hip, modern, yet vintage feel. The belt-driven ceiling fans are a nice touch. There is a retail shop in the front, and though I haven't bought anything there yet, there are always plenty of yummy cheese samples out. I've eaten here many times. It's become the go-to place for me and my girlfriends getting together for lunch. I had my birthday dinner here too. We were a large group and they sat us in the back room, which was nice to have to ourselves. The food is excellent. They have basic comfort food at an elevated level. I tend to stick with the grilled cheese and soup for lunch, and it's always yummy and filling. The salmon mac and cheese is one of my favorite things on the menu--creamy and salty and perfect! To be honest, I don't usually have room for dessert, but the few times I've had a bite of someone else's, it's been good too. The service is always friendly and prompt, and the owner/manager is always out on the floor making sure everything is running smoothly. Another great restaurant that makes me happy to be part of the West Reading community.
(5)
Samuel P.
Had an awesome meal here on Valentines Day! It was a set menu with 4 courses. They did a really, really nice job. Great atmosphere AND a friendly staff. I highly recommend checking out Say Cheese if you haven't been there!
(5)
Steve W.
A trendy, cosmopolitan-style bistro featuring cheese-themed dishes. Soups, sandwiches, mac & cheese, and more--many with a flourish or twist that you might not expect. The Monte Cristo sandwich, for example, is rolled and sliced into segments and served with a maple vinaigrette dip. One of the mac & cheese lunch specials includes sun-dried tomatoes and prosciutto. There's a gourmet cheese counter at the front of the venue, as well as selection of honeys, oils, jarred preserves, and more. Highly recommended for a tasty lunch or for buying cheese to take home.
(4)
Josh K.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere!!! Everything is home made, the bread, the fries, the potato chips... It is what a restaurant should be.
(4)
Bill F.
The good; very nicely renovated, old Tim ceiling restored. Very good service. The bad; tomato soup bland, could use some creativity. Grilled cheese was tasteless, very little cheese. Pricey, $21.00 + tip for a soup and sandwich. Place has definite possibilities but needs to spice it up.
(3)
Jesse B.
I agree with Julie M's review of "Say Cheese!". I came here for lunch with a friend and was quickly impressed. The atmosphere and use of space is creative, cozy, and a bit trendy. The little cheese shop off to the side is great. Even the customer service hit the mark. Check, check, and check.... but then when it comes to the food itself?? Eh, somewhat disappointing. It wasn't bad, but my meal (a BLT with fries) wasn't much better than any ol' diner. In fact, the fries were a little soggy and definitely not fresh. It's a real shame because this place nails everything else! Maybe I'll give it another shot one of these days...
(2)
Michael C.
Say Cheese is a much deserved foodie oasis for Berks County cheese lovers. Part artisan cheese shop, but primarily a full service service restaurant, the menu offers a nice range of delicious sandwiches, pastas, soups and salads that everyone can enjoy. Everything about the experience, from the insightful servers who inspired much of the menu's homemade recipes to the modern looking interior adorned with hip photography, was exquisite. This is a perfect spot for lunch or a lite BYOB dinner. I ordered the the Gruyere Melt/French Onion Soup combo, which came with fresh hand-cut potato chips that were masterfully fried and seasoned and the rich and creamy 4 Cheese Mac n Cheese dusted with toasted Panko. While we were stuffed from dinner, passing up on dessert would have been a travesty, as the Chèvre cheese ice cream brownie sundae is out of this world. Desserts like mint infused Chèvre ice cream is why I'll keep coming back. The only detail I found a little peculiar was the absence of salt and pepper shakers on the tables. There were literally three sets throughout the entire restaurant and if you wanted salt, the server granted the request for a flash minute and then hurriedly retrieved it back from the table. But I think this logistical slip is because they just opened rather than any pretentious attitude that their food has enough salt. Either way, this was too minor to dock one star considering how great the food and service was. Looking forward to trying their brunch and bringing out of town friends to experience Say Cheese and it's ever-creative culinary glories.
(4)
Jesse A.
The inside of this place is very nice! Love the way they decorated everything from the belt driven fans to the bathrooms and buying a Mexican Coca-Cola in the bottles on the way out topped it all off! I had a Macaroni/Cheese dish with Sun-Dried Tomatoes which was superb. My Wife had a salad which was also very good. We would stop here again if ever in the area.
(4)
Jan Z.
I wrote the review below right after say cheese opened. Somehow it never hot posted. Since then I've returned several times and have never been disappointed. Yesterday for Thanksgiving I ordered one of their pear streudles to serve at our holiday gathering. It was fabulous. Thanks to Adam and the Say Cheese crew for enhancing our holiday feast. . It is fabulousThis newTurn out the hall light please. restaurant is the perfect place for lunch or Sunday brunch. Sleek modern decor with terrific food makes it a great addition to the West Reading scene. Home made potato chips to die for accompany every sandwich. Sweet potato fries are amazing and the macaroni and cheese is out of this world.
(5)
Jay A.
Wonderful restaurant. Beautiful decor, delicious, high quality food. Top notch friendly service. Only one word describes this restaurant. A+mazing. My new favorite place to eat. Thanks guys, and keep up the good work.
(5)
Erin S.
I read all of the good reviews for Say Cheese on this website, so I decided to give it a try. I brought my family here for Sunday brunch to celebrate my husband's birthday. We were seated right away (4 plus a highchair). Our server was friendly and prompt. We ordered sodas (2 of which were out, a root beer and a coffee soda-insert sad face-), which came out quickly. The server rattled off the lunch specials from memory, and they all sounded delicious. I couldn't decide what to order, so the server advised me that I could choose 2 items (like the U Pick 2 @ Panera), which was a great idea. I went with the greek salad and the bacon/cheddar grilled cheese (had to pick something cheesy as that is what they are known for). Both were yummy. A side of sweet potato fries and delicious raspberry mayo made for a perfect meal. My family ordered the cheesecake stuffed french toast (AMAZING), egg BLT, and the breakfast burger. All the food came out on neat wooden boards and the boards went back to the kitchen licked clean! The restaurant seems like one that would be in Philly and I'm so happy it's right here in our neighborhood. I didn't really care for the shop area being right in the front of the restaurant but other than that, everything was great! We have already made plans to come back :-)
(4)
phoebe c.
we had an nice time! 6 girls. we shared appetizers and each ordered a different plate. we are so excited to have this vibe in our own back yard! I had the basic grilled cheese and tomato soup and enjoyed it! The menu is large enough to tease and small enough to be very satisfied with options. We had vegetarians, gluten free and meat eaters at our table. full review on phoebespurefood.com
(3)
Laura G.
I was never crazy for cheese until I visited Say Cheese. Friendly staff, great selection of cheese, welcoming atmosphere and the food is always made with fresh ingredients. I love this little place and will keep coming back for more.
(5)
Patrick S.
Say Cheese! It is fantastic, what a great place, the food,atmosphere and service is super Can't wait for dinner service to begin
(5)
Tanya A.
We found this place after searching for "vegetarian" restaurants whilst in Reading. A very cute place with a very laid back atmosphere. It's more local than hipster. They have anything cheese related, but if you are looking to pair make sure you BYOB. The staff was friendly and helpful and the food was phenomenal. They were out of many drinks, however, and they warmed the shoofly pie (awful) and that's why I gave it 4/5 stars.
(4)
Natalie P.
So psyched we have another great restaurant in West Reading. The food is excellent as is the service. My mother thought is was too loud at lunchtime but they have seating in the window areas which is more quite. I've eaten here twice and love the trendy atmosphere and delicious meals. This will definitely become a regular spot for us.
(5)
Lindsay G.
Cute location. I've been meaning to make it to Say Cheese on previous visits home, and have just now gotten around to it. Great little spot for lunch. Atmosphere is quaint, food presentation is nice, and the food good. I did expect a little more taste for what I received. Half the special sandwich with ham adobe pepper gouda etc and the tomato soup. I was told the sandwich would have a kick to it, it did not and the cheese was next to nil. Quite sad considering the restaurants name. And the soup tasted somewhat like Campbell's. I'd come again for a lunch with the girls, but would try something else.
(4)
Erik R.
We just had lunch there yesterday. We waited for what seemed like an hour for our table, not their fault. It took at leat 15 minutes for our server to find us. Our children had mac and cheese, liked it. My son had soup and sandwich. He could not eat the soup or sandwich. The soup was called french onion, but it's more like a brown sauce with onions, but the alcohol was not cooked out. They took this off the bill. Wife had a salad, it was fine. I had a veggie sandwich. French breach was not good. Veggies under-seasoned. My son got my avocado. Service was brutal and took forever. There was staff everywhere, but maybe not in the right place. The best part of the meal was that we made the movie on time. If you are going to charge $9 each for a cup of soup and a sandwich, it better be damn good.
(1)
Shane K.
After watching the construction at Say Cheese for some time, I was excited when they opened for business. My wife and I picked up takeout after previewing the menu on the outside menu board. The sandwiches we ordered, according to the menu, were to contain heirloom tomatoes. In the heart of local tomato season, we were excited by the thought of fresh, local heirloom tomatoes. Especially considering the West Reading Farmer's Market was open for business just a few steps away. We were saddened by sandwiches containing unripe plum tomato slices that had all appearances of being trucked in from afar. Sad.
(2)
Erika W.
My fiance and I went for dinner last week and could not have enjoyed ourselves more. The staff were excellent, our server in particular was attentive and knowledgeable. I got the root vegetable risotto and while it was a tad sweet to eat too much the serving size made two additional meals at home the next couple of days which actually was better than at the restaurant (the sweetness subsided a bit). My fiance had the Wild Boar Ragu and he could not say enough about how amazing it was...again enough for two additional meals. We also had a cheese plate and the pairing were really great. The restaurant has a small retail area in the front with a cheese section...so cute and a great find. We can't wait to go back!
(5)
David N.
Great BBQ mac and cheese. So full of flavor. And the bean soup is excellent. Staff was frindly and attentive. Will return to try the wild boar ragu for dinner. And the pumpkin cheesecake is heaven.
(5)
karen z.
Fabulous food and service! I was visiting family in Reading, and they brought me here. More like California cuisine than the usual Reading fare. I had the oh-so-wonderful French Onion soup and a salad with steak - a lot of steak, I might add, and enough blue cheese that I didn't need a dressing. Prices are great, portions generous, and everything is fresh and well-prepared. I can't wait for another visit to go back.! Oh, and the homemade chips are fantastic.
(5)
Lynn B.
Great soup and sandwich for lunch. And really liked the presentation. Nice ambiance and very clean facility.
(5)
Geri M.
Finally, a top notch place to get real cheese and associated foods as well as a blissful brunch/lunch. Felt like I was transported to Philadelphia! The fact that the surroundings are so beautifully done is icing on the cake. Good luck, Say Cheese!
(5)
Thom M.
Food was tasty, wait staff good. BUT, and it was a big but for me...after having been there for an hour and a half admittedly liesurely lunch, and enjoying our first cup of coffee, I was shocked when the owner asked us to leave because "he really needed the table." Literally next to our table in the adjacent room, there were six or more empty tables. From the back it was hard to see if there was a line at all. Even if there was, his request struck me abrupt and the more I thought about it all day, the more it irked me. Up until that point I was enjoying lunch so much, I considered trying a dessert with a second cup of joe. But not after that. I hope his restaurant remains as popular as it is now, because within six months to a year when the newness wears off, most places are eager to keep paying customers in the seats when they eating more.
(2)
Mandy M.
Finally, some decent food in the culinary hell that is Berks county. My fiance and I went here for our anniversary because we love cheese. The cheese plate was good. We also got fondue. Best french onion soup I've had. Ambiance was great. My only complaint is the kitchen being in the middle of the seating area. Hearing pots and pans clanking kind of killed the mood.
(4)
Jeroen H.
Everything was exceptional! My wife had the cheddar grilled cheese with delicious tomatoes, I have a baguette with meats and cheeses that was out of this world. I usually don't like sweet potatoes fries, I now do, you must order them when you're there. Service, quality, ambiance were all 10 out 10!! We will be back many times.
(5)
Rita C.
Food is delicious. Everything served is visually enticing and the taste is even better. Service is great. Very friendly.
(5)
Pam V.
I'm continually disappointed that it is so hard to get any salt in this restaurant. What's up with that? Our waitress had to go and look for the salt for us. Has Mayor Bloomberg been here? What's this crusade on salt? My other comment is that the tables are too small.
(3)
Julie M.
This restaurant is the place that West Reading was dying to get. And they almost got it. I have been here for lunch a couple times. The atmosphere is great. Very trendy. Cozy tables, unique and beautiful food presentation, open kitchen and a market with pretty much everything a foodie's heart could desire from a cheese shop. The service was excellent one time, so-so the time before. The only they are missing is the food. It comes out and you think to yourself, "This is going to be great!" Everything looks well executed. And then you take your first bite and what you thought was going to be excellent pales with your expectations. I had a bland grilled cheese, a bland tomato soup, a bland veggie sandwich, and a bland chicken soup. Nothing about the food made me want to say, "YES! Say Cheese is delicious!" no matter how bad I wanted to. So unfortunately, I must say while they have almost everything coming together, the one thing that just isn't quite there yet is the food.
(2)
Amy W.
Love the atmosphere and everything I ate was great. The service was great, they were constantly checking on us and the food came fast. I hope they open for dinner soon. It would be great to bring a bottle of wine and order a cheese platter.
(4)
Pennswoodsman B.
The ambiance was awesome. The weight staff is great, they sell awesome local condiments with all natural ingredients, fresh baguettes and gourmet french cheeses. The food itself was...eh. It wasn't BAD...but it wasn't great either. Although I will say their french onion soup was really good. SO much cheese...which is the best part. I'm not against trying it again though, cause I really want to like this place.
(3)
Tina K.
What a great addition to West Reading. I stopped in with my kids just to "check it out". We sampled some cheese and decided to have a bite to eat. Best decision. I had the gruyere melt, the kids had a grilled cheese and hot dog. Everything was awesome including the homemade chips. I cannot wait to go back to taste the onion soup!
(5)
Mike M.
I've never writen a review before, but after seeing the only write up on here, I would hate to see people pass this palce by because somebody didn't like their tomatoes. My wife and I stopped in for lunch at Say Cheese on a whim. We were very pleasantly suprised at how wonderful everything was, from the atmosphere, to the service, and most certainly the food. Everything was fresh and delicious, from our asparagus and shaved parm appetizer, to the spinach and feta cheese salad with strawberries my wife loved, to my hot roast beef with gruyere. We finished our meal with a cheesecake cupcake that was to die for. It is woth stopping in just to see the wonderful job they have done remodeling or to browse the shelves they have set up by the front door. In our opinion, certainly worth a trip. We will be back again.
(5)
Robert M.
Staff helpful and friendly. Food is delicious and very reasonably priced. A definite must visit when in the area.
(5)
Jeff S.
We were there last night for dinner. My first time as I had heard great things about the dinners. Atmosphere was lively, decor is very nice, very crowded. Service was good, but a bit fast. We were out in 1 hour, 15 min. We had the valentine's menu. I had the mahi with the lemon chive fettuccini. The fish was pretty good, but the pasta was stuck together and just not that great. My partner had the chicken which still had the skin and was very average. The best part was the cauliflower appetizer. Delicious. So, despite hearing very good reviews, it was just okay. I believe I would give them one more shot at the regular menu. Sometimes it's not in the best interest of the restaurant to offer these special menus unless you can do it very well.
(2)
Vicki C.
Say Cheese ! is an awesome addition to West Reading. It has a concise menu, great ambiance and service. The food is wonderful. My only slightly negative comment is-there is no salt or pepper on the table. I mean, what is up with that? I find the soups undersalted, or not at all. People should be able to salt if they choose. You have to beg for salt and pepper. Put some on the tables !
(4)
Nancy K.
my husband and I have been there just about every week since it opened, we have taken numerous friends there because we found the food, service and the whole experience wonderful. until today. went there for lunch, ordered the gruyere melt which is one of my favorites but without the carmelized onions (as always) because I am intolerant of sugar or anything else that is sweet. well needless to say it came with the onions and I mentioned it to our waitress, who apologized and reordered another one or so I thought. when the new one came I took a bite out of it and to my chagrin it was sweet. on further examination I found one small piece of carmalized onion. I was upset as well as nauseated but did not say anything. when she had brought the "new " sandwich I thought she said for my inconvenience the sandwich was on the house. how lovely. well when the check came it was still listed, I again did not say anything because I always question myself and my husband could not hear what the waitress said because it is so loud there, so I just let it go and got out of there as fast as I could. very disappointed with the fact that they gave me the same sandwich that I sent back minus most of the onions. really will think twice about going there again. very sad for us. the rating I gave it was just for today.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Ashley R.
Just went on Friday night. Great food and nice beer / wine selection. Cute decor and atmosphere. Waitress was friendly and attentive. A bit loud, but I think that's part acoustics and part Friday night type crowd. Quieted down when the bigger groups left. I really liked the cheese shop area at the front of the restaurant. Will be going back to try some of the items. Star of the show for me was the earl grey pot de creme dessert. Yum! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Nick L.
Went here just for a light lunch and wasn't disappointed in the slightest! I ordered the French onion soup and my dear friend ordered the zucchini house special. My soup was fantastic, covered in delicious cheese, and the perfect temperature. We both ordered a ginger beer to go along with and were happy as could be! Lovely restaurant, attentive service and amazing food!
(5)ima h.
Cheese! Not just cheese, but really good cheese... on/in everything! Brilliant. What I ate: Cheese Plate - 4 stars Great selection, quality cheese, appropriate proportions. However, the accompaniments were only 3 star. Filet Mignon - 4 stars Quality cut of meat, cooked perfectly, and topped with cheese (bonus!) Potato Au Gratin - 6 stars Yes, off the charts. No idea what cheeses were in there, but there were at least 4 different kinds. Each layer was sliced very thin which resulted in the perfect ratio of potato/cheese with every bite. Out of control. The takeaway: High quality ingredients and great flavor combinations. Awesome wine list to boot.
(4)Pedro P.
A pleasant surprise, and quite the treat after a long drive. Further, the premises/staff are welcoming, and the service is second to none when compared to major metro areas like D.C. and NYC. Moreover, the food was very good and well priced! I will definitely return to Say Cheese! the next time I'm in Reading, PA.
(4)J. A.
I left smiling Like I was Saying Cheese! This shop and cafe is a good bet in west reading. My date and I enjoyed a flavorful and well served dinner friday night. We did not have reservations, but the lovely young man who was at the host stand asked us to give him five minutes to get a table ready for us. True to his word, just a few minuets later we were seated and perusing our menus. We ordered drinks, a delicious cocktail for me, a beer for him and an appetizer. We tried the "frickles" (Fried Pickles) this dish was the only low spot in our evening. The pickles themselves were ok, but they were dipped in tempura batter that had zero flavor. The table next to us also ordered the frickles and we observed them attempting to salt them within an inch of their little pickled lives. Sadly salt did not help. For dinner we both had pasta - garlic chicken pasta and ricotta gnocchi with speck. Both dishes were delightful, flavorful and tasteful-ly presented. I couldn't finish my chicken and my date was kind enough to help me out- yes it was so good that he finished my plate for me! Dessert was the final nail of delight in our coffin of gluttony. All offerings are made in-house and we enjoyed the triple chocolate cake. This evil genius of a confection sandwiches vanilla and chocolate cheesecake in between layers of devil's food cake and the whole she-bang is covered in dark rich ganache... SIGHHHH!! It was divine! Our server could not have been sweeter and kept us smiling all evening. In fact it was evident by the rate at which all the servers were hustling to and fro- that service is important to them. If you are looking for a nice date night or a place to impress the in-laws Say cheese! fits the bill. I will be back- no one will keep me away from that cake!!
(4)Anneliese E.
Went on a Saturday at around 230...they closed at 3 and it was a party of four. None of the wait staff made faces nor acted as if they were in a rush. Food was delicious. We got the eggs Benedict... Red velvet pancakes... Grilled chicken with fresh mozzarella... Michah chicken with the four cheese Mac and cheese. Everything was delicious!!! The White sangria was very pleasant, the Riesling was amazing! Ambience is very comforting and relaxing... Indoor and outdoor seating available. Very happy with the food and very kind people. Definitely coming back to "Say Cheese" if I come back to Reading!!!
(4)Ashley H.
Ok, I never write reviews ever, but I'm so infuriated I need to write a review because our service was handled so badly by our waiter. Today my aunt, my toddler and I went to the West Reading Fall Fest and her and I have never been to Say Cheese! before and hear nothing but awesome reviews by our friends about the food so we decided to get out the heat and sit down to eat because my daughter was getting cranky and ready to eat. We go into the restaurant and it's not that busy, there are open tables so we said great, lets do it! We wait in line behind 3 other couples or whatever waiting to get seated, no problem, the hostess puts us next to our friends that are there already and was very polite. She seats up at the four top right behind the hostess stand. (I'm only saying this because maybe if anyone at the business sees this they can see what waiter we had as I don't know his name.) Anyhow, we sit down he asks if we have ever been here, we say now first timers because we heard how good the food was. We ask if he could get us waters because my aunt needed a minute to look the cocktail/drink menu over. He comes back maybe 5 minutes or so later with the waters then I order a soda and she orders a beer. Another 5-10 mins go by and were looking over our food choices and decide on what we were super happy with. He comes back carrying only my soda and says "Just so you know you can't order lunch now you can just get our cheese plate" I said why is that, he said we stop serving food at 4. It was now 4:03. I said why didn't you tell us that when we sat down that there was only a certain amount of minutes left we could order food, while we are waiting for our drinks. He walked up to the hostess and I thought he was going to do something nice like still take our order but instead he went to see what time we sat down and said, well when you sat down it was 345. I said well til we got our waters and our drinks this is the time you got back to us so that we could order food. As we said we were new to the place, as new comers how were we supposed to know that we had a countdown til we would no longer be served and this is what upset me the most. He said, well you should have looked at our website before you came in. I said it would have be the thing to do when you sat us to say, hey there's only 15 mins left to order food, then we would have ordered food and worried about our beers afterwards. I know it was the fall festival so I didn't care about the wait back and forth from our waters to our drinks but if we are in a time restraint that we are going to get punished and the waiter had 15 mins to tell us that we could order anymore. My aunt even mention it looked like he was stalling bringing our drink order back as he didn't have any other new tables, then only bringing my soda because he probably was waiting to tell us knowing we were going to leave and not having to waste a beer. I even asked about an item on the menu for my daughter cause I was going to order it for an app so she could eat right away as she was very hungry. So all in all, instead of being nice and handling the situation with some customer service skills or even a smile, we got told to look at the website and he made the effort to see the exact time we sat down, which only points out his flaws on bringing drinks to us. Then I got mad because we've just wasted a half hour I thought that was going to end in good food and food in my daughters belly to make her happy and told him we were leaving because this is bull crap that that's how you told us and handled this situation and asked for the check for my soda. He said don't worry about the soda and then just walked away. NOT ONCE was there a sorry, a smile or even any concern about caring about his customer service or us at all. He got very rude, showed he could care less and honestly I fell he stalled on our drinks on purpose so we couldn't order lunch. So we had to leave, leaving our friends there because a cheese plate isn't going to make my daughter happy. We then walked out and settled for fair food and talking about this experience to ourselves as it really infuriated us how it was handled and that's why I'm taking the time to write this review. Look, I get sometimes things take longer to come out, I didn't care about the times until I realized why he stalled. I've been the manager of a shop for over 10 years and I would never let anyone that works for me treat customers the way I was treated today, they would have gotten a talk and written up. I was always told, don't let a customer leave angry because their angry reviews can travel. All I can say was how unhappy I am with the server that was ours and looks like I'm never going to know how good the food is because I'm never going back there with my friends. Who waits to tell you you can't eat there after they bring back HALF of your drink order after we sat there, with a child nonetheless. 30 mins wasted.
(1)Greg J.
Great place for breakfast, lunch or diner, we are not from the area but I promise if were within 30 miles of this place we'll be back. Great service great food and some of the best cheese I've ever had. Smoked Gouda... Yum!
(5)greg w.
Excellent find by some co-workers that work in PA and in must say it was one the best lunches I have had in some time. The atmosphere was great and the service was even better. We had a group of 8 of us and I was pleasantly surprised on how inexpensive it was for soup and an entree. I will definitely be back!!!!
(5)Freddy V.
I've never had a bad meal here! Filet mignon, lamb, burger, cheese - it's all good! I was just there two nights ago and had this wonderful eggplant appetizer - my wife and I both loved it! The decor is superb and you never feel rushed to leave, so feel free to stay and chat away.
(5)Michael D.
Working in the Reading area, I went onto Yelp to find a good lunch spot. The reviews for the restaurant seemed enticing, and would allow me to satisfy two hobbies of mine: eating cheese and postponing my diet. Win-win. I showed up right when they opened at 11 and they weren't ready for me yet but caught up pretty quickly. They were very friendly and very hipster. I'm always attracted to hipster restaurants, bars, and breweries because I am trying to study the behaviors so I can be hip. What kind of guy in his 20's is passionate about cheese? I have no idea but I met a few and took some notes. Anyway I had they combo. It's $12 and you get half sandwich and soup or salad and a side of fries. I can't recall what the sandwich was now but there was regular cheese, cheese that was spread, and I think bacon. It was the special of the day and it was awesome. I got a 1/2. I then opted for the French Onion Soup because photos on here looked amazing. Eh. Wasn't feeling the broth. Loved the fried onions on top, but broth had sponge water taste. Also, hipster locally brewed sodas in glass bottles. Got the cream. Was good. Prefer draft sodas from coke with refills, but I knew better walking in. There's also a store that sells cheese and hand made pieces of hard bread in bags. Probably won't overpay for what amounts to a bag of Stacy's because it's local. All in all, awesome sandwich. Good fries. Great presentation. And good hip vibes. I would definitely return, would opt for a different soup.
(4)Lorie G.
A bit late in writing this review for brunch with the Hubby on Mother's Day. We did not have a reservation but they were able to squeeze us in. It was our first visit and we loved the ambiance and look of the place. I got a free mimosa as a holiday bonus which was nice. Looked forward to trying their French Onion soup after seeing the photos and was not disappointed. It was delicious! Also had the chicken and waffles which were ok but nothing special. He had a special of Red Velvet pancakes which looked amazing on first glance, but were all a bit burnt around the edges. He said they still tasted good though. Overall, a bit disappointed in the food due to the glowing reviews and high expectations, but will come back again.
(3)Chris B.
The food here is very tasty, service was great. The lunch specials are a good value. I had a combo with a half grilled cheese, Caesar salad and fries the first time. The sandwich was very good with a mix of cheeses. Fries were fresh and great tasting. Second time I had the mac and cheese, also very good. Presentation of both dishes was excellent, and food was prepared quickly. Didn't check out the cheese shop part of this place, but it seemed well stocked.
(5)Robert K.
Say Cheese! is a complete boon to the shops on Penn Avenue. Now that I've stated a fact, let me elaborate on why. My experience is an almost weekly visit, and I've had much of what is offered on their menu as well as more. In addition to their outstanding menu, they often have daily specials. These are usually very creative dishes offered just for that day. They offer clean bathrooms, indoor and outdoor seating, and they have a small shop in addition to the restaurant where you can purchase cooking materials and, of course, cheese. They have a very impressive selection of cheese. The service has been outstanding. They have the usual suspects on staff, with what seems like a low turnover rate which is great. You get to see a lot of familiar faces when you return (which I hope you will!). The food is easily some of the best available in Berks County. Even when I vacation, I aspire to find an establishment that offers food as good as Say Cheese! and often without success. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu, as stuff that has made the menu is time-tested. If I had to list one negative aspect it would be that I did not find their artichoke soup very good. This is likely a personal taste as their chef makes nothing but culinary masterpieces. Please do yourself a favor and give Say Cheese! a chance. Some folk are turned off by the street parking, but there is both plenty of parking around the block as well as an entire parking lot across the street to use. I highly recommend going on a Sunday morning as Penn Avenue runs events in the Spring and Summer which block off some streets and make it more comfortable to walk around. There is a lot to see on Penn Ave these days, and Say Cheese! is definitely one of those places you need to patron.
(5)Steven E.
We were just passing through and were looking for a place to have a relaxing lunch with a glass of wine. This place fit the bill perfectly. We both opted for the half sandwich, cup of soup offering with fries. I had the cauliflower press sandwich, absolutely fantastic. My wife had the turkey, very nicely done. Both of us had the soup of the day, a mushroom beef stroganoff that was out of this world. We sat outside, and service was very good.
(4)Mike M.
I had been looking forward to trying this restaurant as I'd heard such good things about it. First, I went for lunch on a Wednesday around 1 p.m. I was seated immediately & it was not crowded. The service was lackluster at best; at worst, it was cold & unwelcoming. I had the lunch combo of soup and half a sandwich. The tomato bisque looked thick and rich with pieces of tomato but was COMPLETELY lacking any flavor. That was a big letdown. The half sandwich I ordered was the grilled cheese & meatloaf. The sandwich was nicely grilled and the cheese was well melted. The meatloaf was very good but VERY scarce. The absolute BEST thing on the plate were the fries. They were double fried to PERFECTION! Without a doubt the best I've had in several years! I may try them again but not really sure after my underwhelming lunch experience.
(2)Greg L.
We decided to stop in here for dinner before heading to a Royals game. We mainly picked this place because of its close proximity to the arena (about a 5 minute drive away). This is a charming little restaurant and cheese shop. We had reservations for 5pm, but that was certainly not needed as we were about the only ones there. We were quickly seated at the front of the store in a window area that overlooked the main street. My boys thought this was so cool and it was fun people watching while we were eating. We started off with a cheese plate and our waitress was great at helping us select three wonderful cheeses, which was very nicely displayed along with crackers and some fruit jams when brought to our table. My wife had the diver scallops while I went with their mac & cheese special for the evening. My wife is gluten-free and the restaurant had no issues in accommodating her food alergy. My wife really enjoyed her scallops and I loved my mac & cheese. It was just cheesy enough without the noodles drowning in the cheese. Despite it being a very rich dish, I helped my son share a caramel apple cheesecake for dessert. My one son did get a hamburger while the other had a grilled cheese sandwich, and both came with fresh cut french fries. All in all, a great meal with wonderful service and we look forward to coming back some day.
(4)Food T.
A very nice lunch - will come back. Burrata was good - shouldn't be cut though...you are losing all the yumminess. Crostini very hard. Cheese curd unreal, Apple blue cheese salad very good, Onion Soup thick like I like it, Mac'n Cheese of the day and the Meat Loaf Cheese Sandwich were great. Quite disappointed by the cheese selection in the store....not a PA Crafted Cheese? Really? Whats with that? Sad
(3)Dustin C.
Great decor and a small market area where you can purchase cheese. I ordered the fried cheese curds, a bacon burger with fries. My g/f ordered a fried green tomato caprese salad with fried prosciutto. Everything was good. However, the kitchen forgot the prosciutto on her salad which was a bummer. I feel like the salad would have really popped with it. I would come back again as their entrees were good.
(4)Lindsay K.
One of my absolute favorite places to go in West Reading!! Perfect for lunch and for groups. took a group of 10 ladies there for a bridesmaid weekend and had great service and food! The cheese plates, fondue, salmon mac & cheese and the fries with raspberry mayo my favorite. They even make goat cheese ice cream!!
(5)Nicolle R.
This place is a hidden gem. We are in town from California and the food is delicious! Butternut squash soup and cheddar grilled cheese. So good! Cute place and tastey beers :)
(5)John Z.
Expectations were high for this restaurant because it's in a prominent space in West Reading. It's the former site of the Hard Bean Cafe which unfortunately went out of business. (I always imagined it could have been converted into a cool coffeehouse with space for bands -- kind of like The Steel City Coffeehouse in Phoenixville.) They did a good job with the space itself. The open kitchen gives it an urban feel. Nice tables, nice atmosphere. But a cool space doesn't make for a cool restaurant. The first thing is Say Cheese is WAY overpriced. We went for lunch and were stunned at the cost of simple things like French Fries and sandwiches. I took a look at the dinner menu and it was even worse. $22 for eggplant! The second thing is that this isn't a diverse menu. Just try to find something without either meat or cheese. Yeah, I know the name of the restaurant has cheese in it. But you can bet if the owners were hip to trends they would provide some vegan options. There is vegan cheese that can be used for grilled cheese sandwiches. And it's not obscure stuff. You can buy it at Giant. There are also more pricey artisan hard cheeses that can be ordered through specialty dealers. There was a lot of confusion from the staff about getting us options without meat or cheese. The only thing they could come up with was a salad without cheese. It was underwhelming to say the least. Could have done much better making something at home! Very sad they don't have creativity or imagination here. The third thing is that this restaurant apparently sells foie gras. Restaurants still do this? It's banned in California and most restaurants with any sense of morality won't sell this nasty stuff that is a liver from a force-fed duck or goose. I guess this goes with what seems to be the mentality here. Which is not keeping up with current trends and overcharging people for simple and unimaginative dishes. Like I've said, they've done a good job with the space here. But what a waste that it's boring, pricey and behind the times. And they sell foie gras -- which they apparently have as a special sometimes. All in all, there are many many reasons to avoid this place.
(1)Heather W.
Excellent Food and Awesome Service First time here and I'm certain we will be back !
(5)Mike F.
I'm hardly a cheese connoisseur, but I love trying out the local flavor. There's a lot of thought that goes into the menu, and the chef offers up a unique dish each and every day. Obviously, the owner cares a lot about using fresh ingredients, and I'm sure he buys locally when he can. Honestly, there is nothing negative I can say about the food. HOWEVER, I was expecting a little more from the service side of things. Not knowing anything about cheese, I had some questions regarding the flavors of the cheeses in the dish that I was ordering. The server was clueless! I also felt she didn't know anything about where the cheese came from or how the dish itself was prepared. It just seems a little odd to me that a restaurant so wrapped up in cheese would not train their staff to know more about it.
(3)Elizabeth S.
Just fantastic! I was part of a party of 6 so I was able to sample a lot of different dishes. Butternut Squash Bisque, Fried Green Tomato Caprese Salad, Fried Cheese Curd, Beef Sliders, Ricotta Gnocchi, Diver Scallop, and Cheese Cake were all out of this world delicious! The meat and cheese plate was very well presented and everything was great, especially the Jamon iberico! The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the French Onion Soup. The broth was overwhelmingly beef-flavored in my opinion. I ate it but it wasn't the best I've had. The atmosphere is great inside. It was not loud, yet we didn't feel that we were being too loud talking and laughing among ourselves. I'm so glad this place is near my house and plan to come back often!
(5)John H.
One of the best meals I've had in a long time. Great service great atmosphere even better food.
(4)Mark S.
A lovely dining establishment with great decor and great food, also they have an amazing beer and wine list that pairs well with any of their gourmet cheese. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Dori L.
I read previous reviews, talked with others, and had mixed ideas about Say Cheese before I entered.. I was very pleasantly greeted with delicious samples of cheeses on a well-appointed tasting table and a hospitable owner. I had a few minutes to wait for my dining partner, and it was well spent perusing the shelves for treasure I might just takes home later that evening.. We didn't care for our original table, but there was no problem switching to a window table. One big plus tonight was our server.. She was just perfect.. There when we needed her, not hovering, but knew exactly when we were ready to switch courses or needed a drink refreshment. She had tasted the special of the day and was well-versed in all the cheeses and the menu selections.. I loved being across from the kitchen.. Being a foodie, I like watching the process... It's clean, efficient, well done.. The only comment I had is that my eggplant was just a bit greasy.. I don't believe I would get that again... My dinner partner had the Mac and cheese and it was delicious and everything you would expect.. The appetizer board is something you should not miss.. The server hit a home run (something lacking in our baseball teams right now, so thank goodness someone in Reading is whacking it out of the park..).. Wines were great, ice tea was delicious, we came home with bags of cheese and leftovers.. I will be back, and soon... As I eat all this cheese!
(4)Madge I.
I ordered today's mac & cheese special with turkey, red onions and a hint of cranberry, what I actually received was a large dish of over-cooked macaroni with bits of what appeared to be sliced turkey from a package, enormous slices of red onion with a load of jam and bits of cheese floating in it. For the price point (around 17 bucks with a soda), I was severely disappointed. It was pouring rain out and I took the dish to go, so I could not make a complaint at the restaurant. The decor is nice and the staff seems pleasant, but my coins will be spent elsewhere.
(1)Marc K.
We went back again for dinner tonight. My wife and I shared a delicious bowl of French Onion Soup (which they split from a bowl into two individual cups). My wife had the Fall Root Vegetable Risotto and I had the Braised Short Ribs and we tasted eachother's meals. My wife's meal was good but wouldn't have been something I would've chosen. The short ribs were delicious, served over "real" mashed potatoes with bacon & two words I thought I'd never put together: "delicious brussel sprouts". I am NOT a brussel sprouts person and they were quite good -- that's really saying something, in my opinion. We also shared a slice of pumpkin cheesecake with a gingerbread crumb crust. Our bill before tip was $53.xx including a coffee & soda.
(5)Ryan L.
Salmon Mac and Cheese. Absolutely unreal. Not too fishy, just overly creamy goodness with a combination you wouldn't expect. It's an award winner for a reason. They do have a very nice local selection of soda, which is also unexpected. Definitely a gem in the area.
(5)Zach L.
Every meal we've had has been delicious. Good variety, fresh choices, quick service. It's a great space with some private tables and a party room. The decor is classic and relaxed. Can get busy so plan accordingly. Well-priced for portion size.
(5)Shana A.
Chèvre omelet was perfect. Very impressed. My husband loved the breakfast burger. Will be back.
(5)Todd S.
Food was pretty good. Salmon Mac n cheese, excellent. Frickles were ok. Basically fried pickles with corn dog batter. Reading birch beer always good. Artichoke soup had way too much lemon. The bad. Service brought our soup with dinner. Fail Glass of wine was way short of a glass. Fail Waitress basically bailed on us and the other one took over. The place was less than half full. Fail Tomato soup and grilled cheese $14. WTF? I expect proper service when dining at a place like this. That being said I will go back because cheese is like bacon. You can never have too much
(2)Kathy N.
I have been to Say Cheese! twice and eaten kind of snacky stuff. 3 stars seems like a bad review but it's not. I would prefer to go somewhere in between "A-OK" and "YAY! I'm a fan!" but Yelp doesn't give me that option. I have not been "wowed" yet so I don't think 4 stars is quite warranted. On my two visits to Say Cheese!, I enjoyed some tasty well-made pancakes and some equally tasty and well-made fried pickles. I also had the French onion soup. I get that the chef puts his own spin on it but I would not order it again. It just wasn't to my liking. I am kind of a purist when it comes to FO soup. I would however, wholeheartedly recommend Say Cheese! and I would happily go back and continue to try more on the menu especially the Dinner menu.
(3)Emily G.
This was our first time ever to Reading, PA, and honestly I may have to make the over 1 hour drive again just to return to Say Cheese. We had a wonderful experience. We were in town to see a show at the Santander Arena which was only a short drive from the restaurant (less than 10 mins). First, the alcohol selection is small, but the wine selections were fantastic. Also, even though they sell alcohol you also have the option to byob. We were very happy with the two bottles of red wine we selected. Secondly, their cheese should be, and absolutely were delicious! We got one of the mix and match meat and cheese plates and it was devoured by all. We also got the fried green tomato caprese salad which was topped with a wonder, well aged balsamic. Yum! Lastly, our entrees. My husband got the meatloaf, which he is still talking about. He also is determined recreate the mashed sweet potatoes he had. I had the house made pappardelle pasta. As the wife of an Italian who hand makes a majority of our pasta I was very pleased with the thickness and quality of the pasta. However I was slightly disappointed to the blandness of the dish. It did not have much flavor, however I am still happy to give this restaurant 5 stars because everything else was just that good. Oh... One last thing! The service was quite good. We never wanted for anything, at anytime. We never had dirty dishes sit in front of us for more than a few minutes. All in all I would highly recommend Say Cheese to anyone! Except maybe vegans lol but that should be implied by the name.
(5)Dave D.
Great food and service EVERY TIME I'm here. Deli is amazing.
(5)Jeoph N.
I have been here for every meal of the day in multiple occasions, and every meal is the same disappointing result. Their food is overpriced and has no dimension of flavors. Either too sweet, too salty, too bland, but never made perfectly which is what you should always expect. If you do end up getting a meal that you like, do not be ready to proclaim this as your favorite restaurant just yet. All you have to do is look into the kitchen and watch your chef/cook u wearing no gloves and eating on the job.
(1)Shana H.
I've been here twice and the food is pretty good. Friday night I ordered the mint crusted snapper, it was one of the specials. It was ok. Definitely not worth the $28. However, the Oysters Rockefeller was delicious. The basil finch cocktail which I had both times always pleases. The grilled cheese is delicious as well, of course that's kind of expected. I recommend trying this place.
(4)Jeff G.
Food and service very good! Had the shepherds pie and it rocked. My wife had the pork tenderloin with risotto which she enjoyed. Food was served hot. An added bonus is that you can bring your own wine (for a 1 time, 5 dollar uncorking fee). They also had a reasonable beer selection. Good experience over all. Will try again soon and if it's just as good I'll probably have to bump up rating to 5 stars.
(4)Ben P.
I came in this past Saturday after having heard multiple people tell me how impressed they were with the place. (Service) I had been seated alone in the window which wasn't bad other than the fact that my waitress basically had been ignoring me, including till the end of the night where I needed to wait 15 minutes after receiving my check to pay the bill. The other off-putting thing was the fact that not once, but twice children from the street wandered in to me at my table asking If i wanted to purchase candy from them while I was eating. What kind of establishment just lets kids randomly walk up to their patrons trying to sell them things, once I could possibly understand, mistakes can be made, TWO TIMES in about an hour's time though? I find that inexcusable. The waitress ignored telling me about the specials for the day, I had to ask what the soup and dessert for the day was after being set with the menus for an extended period. While waiting to pay my check a couple was seated behind me and they were served immediately by a waiter who seemed very knowledgeable, he told them all of the specials in detail and offered suggestions to the couple, I wished that I had gotten the more experienced wait staff assuming I would've had fewer problems in that case. (Food) The food however was a great boon to the place, the French Onion soup was fantastic the rich melted cheese on top accented the almost stew like consistency of the soup and the crostini was lightly accented with garlic and still very crunchy in spite of the soup. My main course was the Say Cheeseburger, the presentation for the burger was great with a fried Jalapeno pinned to the top of the burger. The bun was perfect, lightly toasted on the bottoms and very flavorful. The burger was cooked exactly as I had asked for and the Green Pepper Mustard was a good compliment to the burger. I do think the meat could've used a bit more seasoning as it tasted kind of bland and a bit of Ketchup was needed to balance the salt-less-ness of the meat. My only real issue with the main course however was the fries, nearly half of them were not completely cooked and had a raw potato taste and texture to them which was unappealing, the majority of them were done nicely however. For Dessert I got the Death By Chocolate, as I had been told the dessert of the day had been unfortunately sold out. I was not in the slightest disappointed by the dessert, the presentation was gorgeous and the moist cake and chocolate decadence that ensued was truly magnificent, I wish I had ordered a milk with It because of how rich and moist the cake was, but I don't regret my decision on dessert one bit. (Overall Impression) The service I received was lacking from what I had been expecting from an upscale dining establishment, and after the second time being solicited to at my dinner table by random children from the street I had been genuinely angry. The food overall is very good with some minor improvements that could have been made.
(3)Haboo Z.
Cute place and relaxing. The food is good, but on the expensive side. I had the combo meal which is a half sandwich, soup, and fries. The tomato bisque soup was very good and I enjoyed the cheddar grilled cheese. The mac and cheese looked good as well. I did not try their wine or beer, but much of their list is from local establishments which is what I like to see. If you want to try something different and new, give this place a try!
(3)Mona N.
Great place for lunch. My colleague and I stopped here after looking at Yelp reviews and agree spot on with the 4-star rating. Friendly service, food came out relatively quickly during a busy lunch, and everything was pretty much delicious. I had the crab cake sandwich and soup combo that came with fries. The tomato soup was perfect - not too creamy and was topped with cheddar cheese. The fries were hand cut, crisp and hot. The crab cake was just ok - it was a little mushy but the brioche bun it came with was divine. My colleague had a turkey BLT, artichoke soup and a watermelon feta salad. All looked fantastic. They also have cheese and charcuterie plates that look very gourmet. A small grocery store at the front has a wonderful assortment of cheese and sauces. I would highly recommend this boisterous casual lunch joint. The name is a bit, well, cheesy but never mind. The food and service are good. Would go back again.
(4)Lee C.
We really loved our experience at Say Cheese! The food was incredible! Where our server was a bit slow, the owner was quick to pick up the slack. They just received their liqueur license for wine and beer (craft beers). I think my husband would like to see less sweetie beers, maybe some more port or IPAs. But we loved the food and the feel of this great little place.
(4)Amanda B.
Went there for lunch with my husband today. Wonderful! We split the chicken asiago grilled cheese sandwich. Definitely enough for two people, it was huge and we got the fresh cut fries with it. Will be back. So glad we found this place.
(5)Aj D.
Had dinner here last night and everything was excellent! I was further impressed and thoroughly appreciated the fact the owner took the time to come over (not to boast "I'm the owner") but to deliver an appetizer !!??? We will definitely be back! !
(4)Ashley O.
I went here about month ago with with a few family member. Everything about this place was pretty great. The service was good, the food was delicious and we left feeling pretty happy. I especially enjoyed the premeal bread. It was fresh and very aromatic. The only thing I really have to say against the place is that the prices are a little steep for portion size and the menu was relatively small with out much variety. These are of course just minor complaints. I'm also pleased to hear they don't serve foie gras any more but I still can't help but be annoyed they thought that was okay in the first place. It is what it is.
(4)Michael B.
We left after waiting 20 mins and nobody took our order!!!!! Why be open on a Sunday if your not going to wait on people!!!! This was my first and last time there!!!!!!
(1)Kimba Z.
I did not realize they served foie gras here and have downgraded my review. There is a reason this dish is banned in many places. You can make great pate with many things; you don't even need meat. Birds don't all just simultaneously overeat until their livers swell 10 times the size, so don't believe the hype about the lack of force feeding. I don't go to places that serve this. === Someone has finally sunk some major money into this versatile space that was once a department store in West Reading. Taylor Swift used to come here when it was the Hard Bean, oh yes. There were some worries that Subway had purchased it. The corridor here is blissfully chain free. Where before, the back was reserved for a boutique, flowers or pet supplies, the whole length of the floor is now in use. The open kitchen looks out on the main table area, but the best tables are of course in the former department store windows out front, so beckoning. Check out the pulley fans on the ceiling and the fork-and-spoon art -- even the bathrooms are gorgeous. The cheese theme is unique and a good one for this area (unless you are vegan). Why would vegans come here? Well, we love to check out new spots, to support local business, and we go out with plenty of people who aren't vegan, so if there is enough for us, we will bring others. We usually get to pick, when there is a group. Now laugh, but there is such a thing as vegan artisanal cheese. Indeed this used to be a laughing matter; no longer. So I hope they will consider such a choice for people who avoid lactose and dairy. I would add another star or two for several entrees I could order straight off the menu or a regular vegan special. They seem to have an ability to take a comfort food like mac and cheese and make it a bit luxe, a Center City Philly trend that's been successful for years. I asked if the tomato soup had cream in it or meat stock. No to both, so I got it, making sure to ask for nothing on top. It tasted too creamy, and I found out it is cooked with aged cheese. So it was back to the house salad for me, nice lettuce but not a meal. I stole some of my husband's bread to dip in the dressing. Some chickpeas, artichokes, or other savory element could really improve this, but a green salad is not an entree. My spouse got the grilled veggie sandwich and asked to have avocado instead of the cheese, which they did. However, it was still lackluster, and we were charged extra for the avocado, even though we skipped the most expensive thing in the sandwich. Pout. The corn-dusted avocado bites have egg, and the manager wasn't sure if the sweet potato fries had egg in their corn batter. Sadly, there is nothing for me to come back for, as much as I love love love the location and decor. The only place in town for a vegan breakfast or brunch is Good Eatz a block away. But the staff here was very kind and listened, so maybe this will change. My sweet friends at the next table asked for more veg food too. How about some snackie things like an olive selection and nuts? These would go well with a baguette and some fancy olive oil and your bottle of red. It is indeed BYOB but only open for lunch at this time -- they say they are considering evenings. I'd hate to see something so beautiful closed at night. The front grocery area has classy gift choices such as flavored balsamic vinegars and fancy crackers, perfect to take along to a party. I love consumable gifts. There is a deli cheese case which looks to have a good variety.
(1)Jason B.
This place rocks for couples. My wife and I dined there on a wednesday night 1/28/15 and fell in love. Local reading brewed white birch beer, meat and cheese sampler slate, french onion soup, and diver scallops all exceeded expectation. Our server was on point and very gracious. We loved the atmosphere and eye appeal. Very clean on organized decor. Its our new "hot spot".
(5)Nicole C.
One of my favorite places to dine in Reading, PA! So yummy
(5)Brett F.
Very trendy place with a unique menu. The food was good, the atmosphere was neat, but the mix of store so close to seating was a slightly weird. Definitely looking forward to trying to again this fall.
(4)Zach H.
Stopped in for a quick lunch when I was in the mood for some cheese. My girlfriend and I split the grilled cheese (plus avocado and bacon) and the crab cake sandwich. I think she won out with the better sandwich. Both were pretty tasty, though my avocado didn't taste like it was quite ready for consumption. Both sandwiches were served with homemade potato chips. I love the idea of homemade potato chips. But when done poorly, they can be a disaster on the plate. The chips we got hadn't been fried long enough and so weren't totally cooked through to the center and clearly hadn't been fried to order. Most of the chips were fairly soggy and limp. For that, major point deductions. We stopped up at the cheese counter afterward and talked to the owner a bit, sampled some cheese, and left with a wedge of Cotswold with chives to put on burgers and it was simply delicious! In the future I'll certainly be back for more cheese, but I think I'll give them some time to work out their chip frying timing before I return to the restaurant.
(3)Pati S.
My first visit to Say Cheese was awesome!!!! I've waited to, wanted them to work out any "bugs or issues" before I formed a everlasting 1st impression. I must say I LOVE IT here! My love for cheese was met with happiness when I walked in. The front of the store is uniquely decorated with all their honey, preserves, oils, vinegars etc. All employees from the gentleman who opened the door for us, the person who sat us and our waitress were courteous, professional and friendly. KUDOS I ordered the cheese tray for my daughter and I, the quality of cheese was superb & delish! My daughter had the Caesar salad with by her request extra cheese then extra on the side :-) Her minor comment was that it could have used more dressing for her taste. I had a Cambozola Grilled Cheese, YUMMY. At the end of lunch after packing up to take home what we couldn't finish, we ordered a piece of their Banana Foster Cheese cake....OH MY LORD, I would have to say my fav cheesecake now in the world!! So at the end of my lunch I realized this place could not possibly be on my diet to often! On other minor comment would be that they were out of tea. they had a few tea bags but not very many at all, most were empty. Oh, and another wonderful surprise was that the west reading market was going on, local homegrown veggies and other goodies right out on the sidewalk. It really was an enjoyable lunch. Thank you!
(4)Simmerr K.
I had the best time there! Food was delicious! Their red velvet cheesecake was to die for! I'm still craving it! Will definitely go back The service was wonderful too.
(5)Naomi S.
Wonderful fresh and inventive ingredients. But what gained the 5th star was service. When my son wouldn't eat the cheeseburger with Stilton (I didn't realize how runny it would be either) they cooked him an entire new one with the cheese of his choice. A huge shout of thanks to the manager for service and flexibility.
(5)Russell R.
Another example of the West Reading Penn Avenue Renaissance. I just came here for brunch by myself, and got a great omelette with goat cheese and other veggies. Interior is airy, bright, and trendy.
(5)Rochelle M.
I tried Say Cheese! on my own the first time since my fiance is very anti-crowds and I had read a few reviews about how cramped/noisy that people felt the place was. I didn't see it as crowded or noisy, so I brought Dave with me the next time. I absolutely love the grilled cheddar and bacon sandwich. That Burt's Bacon is fabulous! The chips are tasty. Even the Waldorf salad was tasty, but I would suggest that the lettuce bed get cut up a bit more before serving (though it didn't take away from the taste). Dave and I have suggesting this place to all of our friends and have even run into a few others while we were dining. The one day we were trying to figure out the cheeses that were used in a cheesy potatoes side and we asked our server Nathan. He admitted that he was not sure what all was put in (knew the base cheeses, but said the chef added a few others) and would ask him. Instead of returning with an answer, the chef had actually come out to our table and told us what cheeses had been used and even offered some more to Dave. He would have accepted if he wasn't already completely full from the fabulous meal that we had. In one word.... Yummy!
(5)Sherri F.
If you're a cheese lover you've got to give this place a try! Their seating area is small & decorated in an industrial fashion. Food specials are awesome. Sometimes the lunch specials are better! Wish they had better parking options.
(4)Nicole E.
I have been here a few times and loved it but we recently dined there and my party had a few problems. It took our server about 20 minutes to come take our drink order. We were excited about the specials by seeing them on Facebook before we went but to our disappointment they were out of two of the specials at 7 pm! They were also out of a beer we wanted to try. Overall we were very disappointed...
(2)Stephanie C.
Went here today and the food is AMAZING!! EVERYTHING was awesome. Great prices - will go every time I'm near Reading!!
(5)Katie R.
I must say I was somewhat skeptical about the new restaurant going into the old Salon building, but they beautifully remodeled it with a hip, modern, yet vintage feel. The belt-driven ceiling fans are a nice touch. There is a retail shop in the front, and though I haven't bought anything there yet, there are always plenty of yummy cheese samples out. I've eaten here many times. It's become the go-to place for me and my girlfriends getting together for lunch. I had my birthday dinner here too. We were a large group and they sat us in the back room, which was nice to have to ourselves. The food is excellent. They have basic comfort food at an elevated level. I tend to stick with the grilled cheese and soup for lunch, and it's always yummy and filling. The salmon mac and cheese is one of my favorite things on the menu--creamy and salty and perfect! To be honest, I don't usually have room for dessert, but the few times I've had a bite of someone else's, it's been good too. The service is always friendly and prompt, and the owner/manager is always out on the floor making sure everything is running smoothly. Another great restaurant that makes me happy to be part of the West Reading community.
(5)Samuel P.
Had an awesome meal here on Valentines Day! It was a set menu with 4 courses. They did a really, really nice job. Great atmosphere AND a friendly staff. I highly recommend checking out Say Cheese if you haven't been there!
(5)Steve W.
A trendy, cosmopolitan-style bistro featuring cheese-themed dishes. Soups, sandwiches, mac & cheese, and more--many with a flourish or twist that you might not expect. The Monte Cristo sandwich, for example, is rolled and sliced into segments and served with a maple vinaigrette dip. One of the mac & cheese lunch specials includes sun-dried tomatoes and prosciutto. There's a gourmet cheese counter at the front of the venue, as well as selection of honeys, oils, jarred preserves, and more. Highly recommended for a tasty lunch or for buying cheese to take home.
(4)Josh K.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere!!! Everything is home made, the bread, the fries, the potato chips... It is what a restaurant should be.
(4)Bill F.
The good; very nicely renovated, old Tim ceiling restored. Very good service. The bad; tomato soup bland, could use some creativity. Grilled cheese was tasteless, very little cheese. Pricey, $21.00 + tip for a soup and sandwich. Place has definite possibilities but needs to spice it up.
(3)Jesse B.
I agree with Julie M's review of "Say Cheese!". I came here for lunch with a friend and was quickly impressed. The atmosphere and use of space is creative, cozy, and a bit trendy. The little cheese shop off to the side is great. Even the customer service hit the mark. Check, check, and check.... but then when it comes to the food itself?? Eh, somewhat disappointing. It wasn't bad, but my meal (a BLT with fries) wasn't much better than any ol' diner. In fact, the fries were a little soggy and definitely not fresh. It's a real shame because this place nails everything else! Maybe I'll give it another shot one of these days...
(2)Michael C.
Say Cheese is a much deserved foodie oasis for Berks County cheese lovers. Part artisan cheese shop, but primarily a full service service restaurant, the menu offers a nice range of delicious sandwiches, pastas, soups and salads that everyone can enjoy. Everything about the experience, from the insightful servers who inspired much of the menu's homemade recipes to the modern looking interior adorned with hip photography, was exquisite. This is a perfect spot for lunch or a lite BYOB dinner. I ordered the the Gruyere Melt/French Onion Soup combo, which came with fresh hand-cut potato chips that were masterfully fried and seasoned and the rich and creamy 4 Cheese Mac n Cheese dusted with toasted Panko. While we were stuffed from dinner, passing up on dessert would have been a travesty, as the Chèvre cheese ice cream brownie sundae is out of this world. Desserts like mint infused Chèvre ice cream is why I'll keep coming back. The only detail I found a little peculiar was the absence of salt and pepper shakers on the tables. There were literally three sets throughout the entire restaurant and if you wanted salt, the server granted the request for a flash minute and then hurriedly retrieved it back from the table. But I think this logistical slip is because they just opened rather than any pretentious attitude that their food has enough salt. Either way, this was too minor to dock one star considering how great the food and service was. Looking forward to trying their brunch and bringing out of town friends to experience Say Cheese and it's ever-creative culinary glories.
(4)Jesse A.
The inside of this place is very nice! Love the way they decorated everything from the belt driven fans to the bathrooms and buying a Mexican Coca-Cola in the bottles on the way out topped it all off! I had a Macaroni/Cheese dish with Sun-Dried Tomatoes which was superb. My Wife had a salad which was also very good. We would stop here again if ever in the area.
(4)Jan Z.
I wrote the review below right after say cheese opened. Somehow it never hot posted. Since then I've returned several times and have never been disappointed. Yesterday for Thanksgiving I ordered one of their pear streudles to serve at our holiday gathering. It was fabulous. Thanks to Adam and the Say Cheese crew for enhancing our holiday feast. . It is fabulousThis newTurn out the hall light please. restaurant is the perfect place for lunch or Sunday brunch. Sleek modern decor with terrific food makes it a great addition to the West Reading scene. Home made potato chips to die for accompany every sandwich. Sweet potato fries are amazing and the macaroni and cheese is out of this world.
(5)Jay A.
Wonderful restaurant. Beautiful decor, delicious, high quality food. Top notch friendly service. Only one word describes this restaurant. A+mazing. My new favorite place to eat. Thanks guys, and keep up the good work.
(5)Erin S.
I read all of the good reviews for Say Cheese on this website, so I decided to give it a try. I brought my family here for Sunday brunch to celebrate my husband's birthday. We were seated right away (4 plus a highchair). Our server was friendly and prompt. We ordered sodas (2 of which were out, a root beer and a coffee soda-insert sad face-), which came out quickly. The server rattled off the lunch specials from memory, and they all sounded delicious. I couldn't decide what to order, so the server advised me that I could choose 2 items (like the U Pick 2 @ Panera), which was a great idea. I went with the greek salad and the bacon/cheddar grilled cheese (had to pick something cheesy as that is what they are known for). Both were yummy. A side of sweet potato fries and delicious raspberry mayo made for a perfect meal. My family ordered the cheesecake stuffed french toast (AMAZING), egg BLT, and the breakfast burger. All the food came out on neat wooden boards and the boards went back to the kitchen licked clean! The restaurant seems like one that would be in Philly and I'm so happy it's right here in our neighborhood. I didn't really care for the shop area being right in the front of the restaurant but other than that, everything was great! We have already made plans to come back :-)
(4)phoebe c.
we had an nice time! 6 girls. we shared appetizers and each ordered a different plate. we are so excited to have this vibe in our own back yard! I had the basic grilled cheese and tomato soup and enjoyed it! The menu is large enough to tease and small enough to be very satisfied with options. We had vegetarians, gluten free and meat eaters at our table. full review on phoebespurefood.com
(3)Laura G.
I was never crazy for cheese until I visited Say Cheese. Friendly staff, great selection of cheese, welcoming atmosphere and the food is always made with fresh ingredients. I love this little place and will keep coming back for more.
(5)Patrick S.
Say Cheese! It is fantastic, what a great place, the food,atmosphere and service is super Can't wait for dinner service to begin
(5)Tanya A.
We found this place after searching for "vegetarian" restaurants whilst in Reading. A very cute place with a very laid back atmosphere. It's more local than hipster. They have anything cheese related, but if you are looking to pair make sure you BYOB. The staff was friendly and helpful and the food was phenomenal. They were out of many drinks, however, and they warmed the shoofly pie (awful) and that's why I gave it 4/5 stars.
(4)Natalie P.
So psyched we have another great restaurant in West Reading. The food is excellent as is the service. My mother thought is was too loud at lunchtime but they have seating in the window areas which is more quite. I've eaten here twice and love the trendy atmosphere and delicious meals. This will definitely become a regular spot for us.
(5)Lindsay G.
Cute location. I've been meaning to make it to Say Cheese on previous visits home, and have just now gotten around to it. Great little spot for lunch. Atmosphere is quaint, food presentation is nice, and the food good. I did expect a little more taste for what I received. Half the special sandwich with ham adobe pepper gouda etc and the tomato soup. I was told the sandwich would have a kick to it, it did not and the cheese was next to nil. Quite sad considering the restaurants name. And the soup tasted somewhat like Campbell's. I'd come again for a lunch with the girls, but would try something else.
(4)Erik R.
We just had lunch there yesterday. We waited for what seemed like an hour for our table, not their fault. It took at leat 15 minutes for our server to find us. Our children had mac and cheese, liked it. My son had soup and sandwich. He could not eat the soup or sandwich. The soup was called french onion, but it's more like a brown sauce with onions, but the alcohol was not cooked out. They took this off the bill. Wife had a salad, it was fine. I had a veggie sandwich. French breach was not good. Veggies under-seasoned. My son got my avocado. Service was brutal and took forever. There was staff everywhere, but maybe not in the right place. The best part of the meal was that we made the movie on time. If you are going to charge $9 each for a cup of soup and a sandwich, it better be damn good.
(1)Shane K.
After watching the construction at Say Cheese for some time, I was excited when they opened for business. My wife and I picked up takeout after previewing the menu on the outside menu board. The sandwiches we ordered, according to the menu, were to contain heirloom tomatoes. In the heart of local tomato season, we were excited by the thought of fresh, local heirloom tomatoes. Especially considering the West Reading Farmer's Market was open for business just a few steps away. We were saddened by sandwiches containing unripe plum tomato slices that had all appearances of being trucked in from afar. Sad.
(2)Erika W.
My fiance and I went for dinner last week and could not have enjoyed ourselves more. The staff were excellent, our server in particular was attentive and knowledgeable. I got the root vegetable risotto and while it was a tad sweet to eat too much the serving size made two additional meals at home the next couple of days which actually was better than at the restaurant (the sweetness subsided a bit). My fiance had the Wild Boar Ragu and he could not say enough about how amazing it was...again enough for two additional meals. We also had a cheese plate and the pairing were really great. The restaurant has a small retail area in the front with a cheese section...so cute and a great find. We can't wait to go back!
(5)David N.
Great BBQ mac and cheese. So full of flavor. And the bean soup is excellent. Staff was frindly and attentive. Will return to try the wild boar ragu for dinner. And the pumpkin cheesecake is heaven.
(5)karen z.
Fabulous food and service! I was visiting family in Reading, and they brought me here. More like California cuisine than the usual Reading fare. I had the oh-so-wonderful French Onion soup and a salad with steak - a lot of steak, I might add, and enough blue cheese that I didn't need a dressing. Prices are great, portions generous, and everything is fresh and well-prepared. I can't wait for another visit to go back.! Oh, and the homemade chips are fantastic.
(5)Lynn B.
Great soup and sandwich for lunch. And really liked the presentation. Nice ambiance and very clean facility.
(5)Geri M.
Finally, a top notch place to get real cheese and associated foods as well as a blissful brunch/lunch. Felt like I was transported to Philadelphia! The fact that the surroundings are so beautifully done is icing on the cake. Good luck, Say Cheese!
(5)Thom M.
Food was tasty, wait staff good. BUT, and it was a big but for me...after having been there for an hour and a half admittedly liesurely lunch, and enjoying our first cup of coffee, I was shocked when the owner asked us to leave because "he really needed the table." Literally next to our table in the adjacent room, there were six or more empty tables. From the back it was hard to see if there was a line at all. Even if there was, his request struck me abrupt and the more I thought about it all day, the more it irked me. Up until that point I was enjoying lunch so much, I considered trying a dessert with a second cup of joe. But not after that. I hope his restaurant remains as popular as it is now, because within six months to a year when the newness wears off, most places are eager to keep paying customers in the seats when they eating more.
(2)Mandy M.
Finally, some decent food in the culinary hell that is Berks county. My fiance and I went here for our anniversary because we love cheese. The cheese plate was good. We also got fondue. Best french onion soup I've had. Ambiance was great. My only complaint is the kitchen being in the middle of the seating area. Hearing pots and pans clanking kind of killed the mood.
(4)Jeroen H.
Everything was exceptional! My wife had the cheddar grilled cheese with delicious tomatoes, I have a baguette with meats and cheeses that was out of this world. I usually don't like sweet potatoes fries, I now do, you must order them when you're there. Service, quality, ambiance were all 10 out 10!! We will be back many times.
(5)Rita C.
Food is delicious. Everything served is visually enticing and the taste is even better. Service is great. Very friendly.
(5)Pam V.
I'm continually disappointed that it is so hard to get any salt in this restaurant. What's up with that? Our waitress had to go and look for the salt for us. Has Mayor Bloomberg been here? What's this crusade on salt? My other comment is that the tables are too small.
(3)Julie M.
This restaurant is the place that West Reading was dying to get. And they almost got it. I have been here for lunch a couple times. The atmosphere is great. Very trendy. Cozy tables, unique and beautiful food presentation, open kitchen and a market with pretty much everything a foodie's heart could desire from a cheese shop. The service was excellent one time, so-so the time before. The only they are missing is the food. It comes out and you think to yourself, "This is going to be great!" Everything looks well executed. And then you take your first bite and what you thought was going to be excellent pales with your expectations. I had a bland grilled cheese, a bland tomato soup, a bland veggie sandwich, and a bland chicken soup. Nothing about the food made me want to say, "YES! Say Cheese is delicious!" no matter how bad I wanted to. So unfortunately, I must say while they have almost everything coming together, the one thing that just isn't quite there yet is the food.
(2)Amy W.
Love the atmosphere and everything I ate was great. The service was great, they were constantly checking on us and the food came fast. I hope they open for dinner soon. It would be great to bring a bottle of wine and order a cheese platter.
(4)Pennswoodsman B.
The ambiance was awesome. The weight staff is great, they sell awesome local condiments with all natural ingredients, fresh baguettes and gourmet french cheeses. The food itself was...eh. It wasn't BAD...but it wasn't great either. Although I will say their french onion soup was really good. SO much cheese...which is the best part. I'm not against trying it again though, cause I really want to like this place.
(3)Tina K.
What a great addition to West Reading. I stopped in with my kids just to "check it out". We sampled some cheese and decided to have a bite to eat. Best decision. I had the gruyere melt, the kids had a grilled cheese and hot dog. Everything was awesome including the homemade chips. I cannot wait to go back to taste the onion soup!
(5)Mike M.
I've never writen a review before, but after seeing the only write up on here, I would hate to see people pass this palce by because somebody didn't like their tomatoes. My wife and I stopped in for lunch at Say Cheese on a whim. We were very pleasantly suprised at how wonderful everything was, from the atmosphere, to the service, and most certainly the food. Everything was fresh and delicious, from our asparagus and shaved parm appetizer, to the spinach and feta cheese salad with strawberries my wife loved, to my hot roast beef with gruyere. We finished our meal with a cheesecake cupcake that was to die for. It is woth stopping in just to see the wonderful job they have done remodeling or to browse the shelves they have set up by the front door. In our opinion, certainly worth a trip. We will be back again.
(5)Robert M.
Staff helpful and friendly. Food is delicious and very reasonably priced. A definite must visit when in the area.
(5)Jeff S.
We were there last night for dinner. My first time as I had heard great things about the dinners. Atmosphere was lively, decor is very nice, very crowded. Service was good, but a bit fast. We were out in 1 hour, 15 min. We had the valentine's menu. I had the mahi with the lemon chive fettuccini. The fish was pretty good, but the pasta was stuck together and just not that great. My partner had the chicken which still had the skin and was very average. The best part was the cauliflower appetizer. Delicious. So, despite hearing very good reviews, it was just okay. I believe I would give them one more shot at the regular menu. Sometimes it's not in the best interest of the restaurant to offer these special menus unless you can do it very well.
(2)Vicki C.
Say Cheese ! is an awesome addition to West Reading. It has a concise menu, great ambiance and service. The food is wonderful. My only slightly negative comment is-there is no salt or pepper on the table. I mean, what is up with that? I find the soups undersalted, or not at all. People should be able to salt if they choose. You have to beg for salt and pepper. Put some on the tables !
(4)Nancy K.
my husband and I have been there just about every week since it opened, we have taken numerous friends there because we found the food, service and the whole experience wonderful. until today. went there for lunch, ordered the gruyere melt which is one of my favorites but without the carmelized onions (as always) because I am intolerant of sugar or anything else that is sweet. well needless to say it came with the onions and I mentioned it to our waitress, who apologized and reordered another one or so I thought. when the new one came I took a bite out of it and to my chagrin it was sweet. on further examination I found one small piece of carmalized onion. I was upset as well as nauseated but did not say anything. when she had brought the "new " sandwich I thought she said for my inconvenience the sandwich was on the house. how lovely. well when the check came it was still listed, I again did not say anything because I always question myself and my husband could not hear what the waitress said because it is so loud there, so I just let it go and got out of there as fast as I could. very disappointed with the fact that they gave me the same sandwich that I sent back minus most of the onions. really will think twice about going there again. very sad for us. the rating I gave it was just for today.
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