Photos by Heidi Reuter
the westy bar and grill
Affectionately called “Westy’s” by many, The Westy Bar & Grill in Hamburg is aptly located. A staple in Berks, the place boasts a mouth-watering array of well-constructed hamburgers, ample to the point where a takeout box is nearly always needed.
Fans argue passionately over which burger is best. There’s Tony, who says the Bacon Bleu is tops, with its crumbled Bleu cheese melting into deliciously charred beef. His son, Zachary, loves The King burger with the fried egg and bacon on top. “It IS extraordinary, like three meals in one,” Tony concedes. Meanwhile, Ben — who likes to drop into The Westy with family members after a long bike ride — goes straight for The Pittsburger, loaded up with cheese, crunchy coleslaw, and French fries mingling to create that popular, altogether decadent, totally satisfying, beef-and-potatoes experience.
Nearly everyone who lands here seems to quickly locate a dish that brings them back for more. You know — the kind of dish that prevents you from trying anything new because you love it so much. For many, the French Onion Soup is a draw. So are the many types of steak and cheesesteak sandwiches. The deli-style Reuben Delight, served with chips and a half-sour, is fat and sassy, tart and tasty, as the corned beef and sauerkraut spill out over the edges of savory grilled rye bread smothered with piquant Russian dressing. You’ll need lots of napkins for this wonderful sandwich.
Deep Menu
But there’s much more on the menu of this longtime favorite restaurant, well known and well patronized by the local population. If you don’t live in this corner of the county, definitely make it a point to head here when you’re shopping at one of Hamburg’s many unique stores, or after hiking Hawk Mountain, or simply just driving on Routes 61 and 78. As a dinner destination, The Westy handily accommodates couples, a group of good friends, whole families, and large parties (with advance notice). A huge range of carefully crafted food choices ensures that everyone will find something appealing to enjoy.
Naturally, the beer selection has pretty much everything a fine contemporary bar should offer, from what’s on tap to craft and specialty beers out the wazoo. Lots of good choices there. Wines, cocktails, and a special set of martinis hold their own. Diners will send a special shout-out to whoever makes their luscious Chocolate Martini. That drink can make any birthday (or ordinary day, for that matter) instantly happier.
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Photos by Heidi Reuter
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Photos by Heidi Reuter
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Photos by Heidi Reuter
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Photos by Heidi Reuter
Appetizers Worth Checking Out
Think appetizers. Nachos? Check. Fresh-cut French fries? Check. Pierogies? Check. Fiesta Poppers (jalapenos)? Check. Onion rings? Duh, of course. They’re beer-battered, too, as are the pickle spears, and mushrooms. DynaBites present battered broccoli and American cheese. More choices include clams by the dozen, shrimp, Bavarian pretzels and Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls, a crazy-good blend of Monterey-Jack cheese plus chicken in Chinese form. Also Asian-inspired are the Japanese-tasting, teriyaki-marinated chicken potstickers, gently fried so as to retain the soft meaty interior texture.
The Westy wings deserve all-around praise, not only for size and juiciness, but for the fact that you can get them boneless for the same price as bone-in. If chicken wings are your thing, simply add a small, green side salad — Dinner or Caesar — and call it a meal. No guilt. The only challenge here is choosing between 23 wing flavors, and how many to order (you can get from 6 to 50!).
Westy’s Fry Supreme is best described as a holy mess, in the very nicest sense of the phrase. Fun to eat; totally yummy. Fresh-cut spuds are topped with Cheddar, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack cheeses, plus bacon.
Italian Cuisine
A strong Italian influence — notably evidenced in numerous entrees and The Westy’s pizza, stromboli, and calzone menus — appears in such starters as homemade Baked Mozzarella served as flatbread cheese sticks, and perfectly Toasted Cheese Ravioli — both served with aromatic, warm marinara. Sumptuous. To be truly Italian-minded, why not jump straight to the “Specialty Pizza” section of the menu and order White Pizza for the whole table to try? Then again, you could mix up nationalities and have a Pierogie Pizza. Yes, it’s true: this pie features mashed potatoes and butter, mozzarella cheese, raw onions, seasonings.
As for entrées in the Italian Cuisine category: Try hearty Baked Ziti — and expect to take some home. Portion sizes are generous. Do try Westy’s traditional, full-flavored Eggplant, Veal, or Chicken Parmesan (two, 6-ounce breasts). They’re accompanied by a heaping pile of al dente spaghetti, tossed salad, and crusty garlicky bread for dipping into the sauce and all that lovely browned cheese.
Homemade Triple Layer Lasagna stuns both mouth and stomach in a major way. This winning, super-cheesy, Italian-herbed recipe combines pasta, meat sauce, cottage cheese, Parmesan, Romano, and fresh mozzarella baked gooey within and then encrusted on top, along with marinara. Ultimate comfort food for lasagna lovers.
The Westy Bar & Grill
279 West State St., Hamburg
610.562.3777
Hours:
Kitchen:
Sun-Th: 11am-9pm
Fri & Sat: 11am-10pm
Bar:
Sun-Wed: 11-12am
Th-Sat: 11-2am
