“Every game on every TV at all times.” That’s the promise — and fun — of PJ Whelihan’s, a lively, spacious pub in the heart of Berks County (just off Van Reed Road near State Hill Road, in West Lawn). “We’ve got a TV chart for our 58 screens,” says Event Coordinator Hillary Button, “with a first-come, first-served policy. In other words, you can guarantee the game you want closest to your table by getting here first.”
During March Madness, or any time of the year, PJ’s is clearly a top sports-watching destination. You can literally feel the heat and the excitement rising the closer it gets to tip-off time, as tables and the bar start filling up. But with its high ceilings, open feeling, and warm atmosphere, PJ’s helps patrons enjoy intimacy within their own parties and never worry about jostling and shoving.
Even better, PJ Whelihan’s isn’t just a great sports TV scene with amazing craft beer options. It’s a dining destination worth checking out, especially if you’re in the mood for “fun-comfort” food like burgers, soups, salads and wings. You’ll find the likes of families, friends and couples out on a date here.
Wings and Things
When it comes to Buffalo chicken wings, the kitchen has no problem earning points. In addition to constantly testing out new wing specials — seems they’re always trying out some new taste, even ginger! — the tried-and-true wings on the regular menu provide enough variety for every taste preference. They’re particularly good-sized and juicy. Inferno-style wings sizzle hot orange against a cold amber beer (absolutely do try the PJ Lager made by Victory Brewing), while Honey BBQ-style wings with their crunchy skins deliver a sweet taste trip reminiscent of Carolina fiddle fests. Button points out that the blue cheese dip is always homemade and, indeed, it’s refreshingly perfect with lumpy cheese and cool white sauce.
An all-American chicken fingers appetizer comes in a basket with a choice of Original French fries served with sweet-savory honey mustard sauce or PJ’s Famous Fries dusted with Old Bay seasoning and served with a rousing American cheese dip. There’s ample chicken in each fat finger, without batter overload.
Sweet potato fries in horseradish dipping sauce score high with the whole table, while baked pretzel nuggets are buttery, warm and just the right shape for dipping in decadent beer-cheese sauce.
Huge Cobb Salad
Among numerous salad options is a geometrically stunning Cobb Salad, made with all the traditional ingredients, freshly laid out, and dazzled by a Balsamic vinaigrette. (You can always ask for your dressing on the side, though, if you prefer. The staff aims to please and deals well with personal preferences.) Think about ordering this to share with someone, unless it’s your entire meal. It is huge. The best part about Cobb has always been its terrific combination of colors, flavors and textures, with salty bacon meeting up with crunchy greens and juicy tomatoes, soft but hearty hard-boiled egg bits, avocado and luscious gorgonzola cheese. If you’re there to enjoy watching basketball with friends and family, this salad’s a great choice because it lasts and lasts. Watch a little game, eat, talk, eat, take a sip of your favorite beverage, munch… You get the idea.
Also enticing are the Tuna Nicoise, the Cha Cha Chicken Salad with its mango vinaigrette and roasted corn, and the California Crunch flavored with toasted almonds and goat cheese.
Burgers, Burgers
From scrumptious bison burgers to turkey burgers, veggie burgers, and short-rib burgers, PJ’s covers the court. Their certified Angus beef burgers are probably their best sellers, and include a signature PJs Burger topped with Vermont cheddar and crisp bacon. Outstanding is the super-juicy French Onion Burger laden with Havarti and fried onion strings, sweetened by an onion brioche bun.
For seafood lovers, the platter of three fish tacos is a light but filling slam-dunk. The white fish is made Southwest-savory in a colorful medley of corn, peppers and diced tomatoes. The breading is thin and just a tad crispy, allowing the fish flavor to shine forth.
Fire-grilled Salmon, seared Ahi Tuna Steak, Twin Crab Cakes and Alaskan Amber Fish ’n Chips are full-fledged entrees complete with fixins.
PJs Pub Steak (sirloin) is made with meat-lovers in mind, at a heavy half-pound. Of course, mashed potatoes and veggies in season are natural teammates.
American-Style Sweets
Granted, we’re talking about a lot of food already. But just ask for a doggy bag and hang in there for a shared dessert. Really — this is no time for a cliffhanger game to distract your party from PJ’s well-planned dessert menu. Make it simple and get a hot, fudgy chocolate brownie with melting vanilla-flecked ice cream, as Ghirardelli chunks are richly ensconced within the cake. Ummm. Several forks, please.
By Marian Frances Wolbers | Photos by Heidi Reuter
