Jimmie G’s Railroad House: A Good-Time, Feel-Good Restaurant

Long known as a friendly, casual neighborhood sports bar, Jimmie G’s Railroad House sits right next to the tracks in Sinking Spring, where trains actively go by, calling up memories of what Reading and Berks are most famous for. With outdoor and indoor seating, and a congenial, fun atmosphere, this restaurant is music-happy, featuring live performances every Saturday night starting at 9:30pm.

Owners April and Jim Giuffrida have a faithful following, thanks to a clear understanding of what their customers love. Ask anyone working there “what’s popular here?” and you’ll get the same smiling answer: “Everything. Really!”

Chill Out with Shareable Appetizers

Head over for a night out with a date or with friends and family, and do make a reservation if you can. The kitchen is devoted to working its magic with a wide variety of noshes to accompany a cold brew or tall iced tea. Pretzel Bites with Queso Blanco — a hot, thick, mild cheese dip — are a warm, familiar treat for sharing with the whole table, as are Railroad House Wings. (Check the chalkboard for wing flavors du jour.) For a citrus-y delight, consider ordering Tequila Lime Chicken Nachos: lime-flavored tortilla chips covered with queso blanco, pico de gallo, cool avocado and tequila lime chicken.

Delicious anytime is Chili — a menu standard — by the cup or bowl, ideal for diners who prefer their chili to have just a little bit of zip (nothing to burn your ears with), loaded with meat, tomatoes, beans and such a satisfying, sweet edge. It’s so filling, it could become your whole meal.

Don’t skip the Soup of the Day, though. On a recent evening, the restaurant offered up an utterly cheesy Broccoli and Cheddar Soup, lusciously made so that the broccoli flavor disperses throughout the broth in tiny, mostly floret tops — so delicious.

Jimmy G’s Steak: A Berks County Classic

Some of us — okay, most of us — walk into a restaurant seeking a menu that embodies all of our favorite casual fare. Here, “Cheesesteaks and Chicken Cheesesteaks” is an actual category all its own. This is where you’ll find the iconic Jimmy G’s Steak Sandwich right on top. “The Jimmy’s G’s started on Day One,” says April. “It’s still our biggest seller.” A cheesesteak to challenge other cheesesteaks in flavor, texture and sheer mouth-pleasure, this version is awesomely addictive, melting in your mouth with its combination of ingredients. And it’s not that the ingredients are radical or uniquely different — quality rib-eye steak meat, sauteed onions, minced garlic, marinara sauce, American cheese and shredded tangy Cheddar… Rather, it’s the proportions, the exact “how” this cheesesteak is created in the kitchen. The lovely roll holding the sandwich together is perfectly toasted and buttery-tasting, easy to bite into. Lift a cold glass of ale to honor this longstanding favorite! Chips and a deli pickle accompany the plate, but adding classic tater tots can amplify the experience.

Once you’ve tried the Jimmy G’s Steak, it will be hard to order anything else, but definitely return to taste the others: Philadelphia-Style Cheesesteak, the 7-Pepper Supreme Cheesesteak, Ranch Chicken Cheesesteak, or maybe the Pizza Cheesesteak with green peppers, pepperoni, mozzarella and marinara sauce.

Also “ever popular,” says Giuffrida, is Railroad House’s succulent Hot Roast Beef Sandwich with a choice of French fries or traditional mashed potatoes. Ditto for the Hot Turkey Sandwich. As one would expect in a lively sports bar, the choices for cold sandwiches, paninis and burgers (including a vegetarian Beyond Burger) are extensive and enticing.

8-Piece Coconut Shrimp Basket

For seafood fans, fish and chips are a clear draw: the Corona Battered Fish ’n Chips never disappoints. Basket entrees are generously portioned. Scrumptious in flavor and crispy in texture is the 8-Piece Coconut Shrimp with sweet red chili sauce. It’s really coconutty. Large shrimp pieces are spread flat, then crispy fried in a batter that reminds you of a toasted coconut pie. The dipping sauce lends bite and heat to counter the sweetness. A cup of coleslaw comes chunky style, with fresh-chopped cabbage in a mild white slaw sauce — not overly tart or vinegary. If you can stand to indulge in more sweetness, select the real Sweet Potato Fries over the usual French fries. You’ll find these vitamin A-rich goodies have plenty of heft and flavor.

The Summer Salad Approach

Fresh, tempting salads are perfect full summer meals, and — again — fans of the Railroad House declare their preferred combinations very clearly. Picture yourself on the outside patio, diving into a proteinaceous Apple Walnut Salad adorned with grilled chicken breast, walnuts, healthy field greens, diced Granny Smith apples, Craisins and bleu cheese. Vinaigrette dressing made with white Zinfandel completes this fruity, tart-sweet entrée. A cool Turkey Cobb and Southwest Chicken Salad (made with blackened chicken) both hit the spot on warm evenings, too.