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burger and fries
After all that trampoline-jumping, arcades, climbing tubes and slides, foam-ball blasting, and “Slick” Willy’s go-karting, who wouldn’t be hungry? How nice that the family-friendly restaurant created by The Works in Wyomissing is mere steps away for lunch or dinnertime with family and friends, without having to move the car. But The Works Restaurant is much more than convenient: its yummy fare makes it a destination even without the arcades. Moreover, its casual but very cool atmosphere, with its historical high ceilings, enormous stone hearth, and industrial-themed lighting and high-backed booths turns dinner into a grand adventure. Notably, the owners designed entrances and walkways to be fully accessible, with ramps, open areas for tables, and handicap-accessible bathrooms.
Four Types of Mac and Cheese
The menu ranges from straight-up fun to elegant, from a Sloppy Joe Mac — one of four choices of Mac and Cheese! — made with white Cheddar plus sweet beef and pork ragu, to Grilled Salmon accompanied by roasted broccoli, crispy red potatoes, and luscious lump crab, with lemon caper and dill aioli. From pizza to steak, there’s plenty for all palates.
Well worth chasing down any day, even with co-workers for a great lunch, are the Works’ gorgeous, fresh entrée salads, loaded with healthy ingredients and protein options. Particularly enticing: Pecan and Grape Chicken Salad, the Cobb, and The Works Salad (large basic salad is just $9 while a medium is $4.50) — containing mixed greens, carrots, red onions, cranberries and more, to which you may add (at nominal cost, $3 to $5) a choice of tuna salad, chicken tenders, grilled chicken, turkey breast, shrimp or salmon.
The Works Burger Classic
The Works Burger is a classic fan favorite. Perfectly cooked to doneness, this hand-crafted beef patty is not only sized well — not too big, not too small — but it delivers an outdoor-grill flavor with its charred, crispy edges. When you chomp down, the sweetness of a toasted potato roll combines with leafy greens, tomato, fresh-cut onion, and tangy Thousand Island-style sauce for the full effect of a thoroughly flavorful, juicy hamburger.
The meal comes with a crunchy dill spear and homemade fries, or — if you like — you can substitute with a side, such as The Works’ absolutely lovely, carotene-rich, sweet potato fries made on site. Unlike some restaurants, which either over-fry or undercook their sweet potato fries, these are smartly prepared, with culinary care, retaining full flavor (no need for a syrupy dip). Other sides include: Bacon Baked Beans, Shaved Broccoli Salad, German-Style Potato Salad, Coleslaw, salads.
Saturday nights are probably the most crowded. However, every night of the week, starting at 4pm, The Works offers affordable, high-quality specials geared to family togetherness. Friday is Family Barbecue Night, $35 for the whole family. Sunday is Family Pasta Night, at $10 per person; kids eat free. Tacos are $2 on Tuesdays; Wednesday-Thursday is The Works Favorite Burger Night. Excellent fun, excellent food, all around.
The Works @ Wyomissing - 1109 Bern Rd., Wyomissing
