Great food, good atmosphere and solid service. Would recommend!…read more Thanks for a great burger!

Ringers is an inviting restaurant on Liberty Street across from the Allentown Fairgrounds. Plenty…read moreof seating choices with indoor bar and dining room and outdoor (covered) porch and a patio. Incredibly friendly, awesome staff. I parked on street but they also have off street. Nice tap menu and a large food menu I had an ahi bowl. Fantastic. Ahi, pickled onions, sprouts, tomato.

Absolutely fabulous!!! The menu has such a wonderful assortment, including creative and unexpected…read moremashups, and plenty of vegetarian options. Quality was on point and the prices were really reasonable. Staff was working hard, but still really friendly and efficient. Definitely a must try! Check out the cheese curds with honey, tarragon, and macadamia nuts for a crunchy and unique dish. They paired beautifully with the house made pickles.

We sat outside in what they call the "garden room." The ambience and lighting were cozy and…read morepleasant, and it was comfortably warm despite the 30°F temperature. Unfortunately, there was a strong cold draft at floor level, leaving our feet uncomfortably cold throughout the meal. The hostess was sweet and greeted us with a smile. The food service was unremarkable. Our waiter was not particularly friendly nor personable. The drinks were a weak start. The red sangria was poor. The bourbon cocktail was an odd mix of bourbon, apple cider, and other elements--an awkward, Frankenstein-style whiskey sour that simply didn't work. Worst of all, both drinks were served in thin plastic cups, which immediately cheapened the entire experience. I ordered the falafel sandwich and specifically requested a toasted bun. It arrived not just room temperature, but cold. I sent it back, and it returned burning hot... the bottom soggy... literally too hot to pick up... with no browning or color change, clearly microwaved. Microwaving is not toasting. At that point, the sandwich was inedible. I removed the bun entirely and ate just the falafel, which was dry and largely tasteless. At this point I knew coming back to this restaurant was a mistake. Food timing was another issue. The dishes took roughly 45 minutes to arrive after the drinks, possibly longer. We were all getting annoyed and what started out well when we first walked in turned negative. I wasn't impressed on my first visit years ago... and this second visit confirmed it. Between the poor drinks, cheap plastic cups, ridiculously long wait (with no explanation nor apology), and careless food execution, there's no reason to return.

Yep, it's official: THIS. PLACE. ROCKS!!…read more Everything my coworkers & I ate here was amazing, from the pierogis to the home style chicken to carrot cake trifle...all of it was top notch! The service and atmosphere are fantastic as well. I highly recommend having a meal at The Shelby next time you're hungry; it'll be the best decision you make that day.

Food - 4/5 Service - 4/5 Ambiance - 5/5…read more Short Rib Quesadillas - short rib, chef's cheese blend, and sautéed onions, served with guacamole and sour cream. Fantastic! 8.6/10 Bao Buns - house made chicken sausages, sweet chili aioli, and cilantro. 7.8/10 Shrimp Rice Bowl - teriyaki shrimp, steamed rice, sesame, kimchi, dippy egg, pickled jalapeños, bok choy, oi muchim. 7.5/10 The Shelby Burger - two four ounce local beef patties, American cheese, Shelby sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. Solid. 7.7/10 French Fries - hot and crispy. 8.1/10 Chicken Parm - bucatini, crispy chicken breast, Nonna's sauce, chef's cheese blend. The chicken had crispy edges and the pasta was al dente. 8.2/10 Mac and Cheese - cavatappi pasta, Shelby cheese sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Rich, creamy, and a great table side. 8.4/10

Wait, Marta, I'm not done completing my review!…read more So, it's Sunday, and we're due to attend the college wrestling match up the street at PPL Center. We Are. We haven't been to downtown Allentown since shopping at Hess Brothers back in the day. The area was clean, updated, transformed, modern, full of folks mulling through the streets. If I had not googled restaurants near the venue, I wouldn't be aware of such a nice variety. We decided to dine at Max & Butters down the boulevard, tucked sideways on the lower level of the building. We entered, staff greeted us and since prior reservations took up all the tables, we sat at the bar which allowed us to engage with staff and so, we met the hostess Lara, rockstar servers Raul and Paige and ultimately chief cook and kitchen magician, MARTA. What a delight to view the entire cooking area where the flames were a 1/2 foot high over the commercial stove, frying bacon, eggs and all the breakfast goodies, the smells wafting throughout. Ok, a plate of rib eye steak and eggs accompanied by fresh broasted potatoes. $20 10/10 Then my egg plate, bacon x 5 and potatoes, side of toast. 10/10 $13.95 And that cup of coffee, rich & robust, almost tasted like Turkish coffee, extremely good. $2 It's the feeling of gratitude and joy when you visit a place after decades away, not knowing the restaurant choices and encounter a truly amazing place in downtown Allentown.

It was a nice Saturday in mid-May and my girlfriend and I wanted to try someplace new. We landed at…read moreMax and Butters. We had hoped to sit outside but a family had their kids running wild so we ducked inside. The establishment is one long, eclectic rectangle with a hodgepodge of art and decoration without any noticeable theme or cohesion. They served me a wonderful Reyka martini and we had breakfast for dinner because the dinner offerings didn't leave an impression. My girlfriend had three over-easy eggs with smoked bacon and I had a grilled chicken omelet with gruyere and spinach with a side of potatoes. The omelet was excellent. The potatoes could have been a crispier by they were fresh. My girlfriend enjoyed her dish as well. For a Saturday, it was strange that they had only one server and one cook in the kitchen. Even so, our server was wonderful and kind. We hope to return soon and actually have breakfast for breakfast!

Service was great. And food was amazing as always.. they never disappoint.. always a great…read moreenvironment

I was here for a business dinner. It's definitely a more upscale place - it certainly looked nice…read more I did try the following: - Butternut Squash Soup: Ok. I find just about all butternut squash soups taste about the same. It was fine, but not special. - Duck a l'Orange: OK. The duck itself was pretty good, the skin was crisp and the meat was tender. Everything else seemed an after thought - the parsnips, blood orange, confit and chilis - they tasted ok but felt more like random ingredients than one cohesive dish. Service was also fine. They did what would be expected, nothing more and nothing less. Overall it was a somewhat average meal. The ambiance certainly felt more upscale, and the food had the same inspiration but didn't really come through on the execution.

3 times and 3 hits entirely out of the park…read more On our recent visit we were seated at some what of a community table which initially we weren't thrilled about but how they have it set up it truly feels like you're alone at the table, it helped that the other couple was a delight. We ordered the Caesar salad (phenomenal) The steak tartare, just divine perfection The waitress heard me talking about the sweat breads from the chicken dish (that I wasn't ordering, I'll explain shortly) and said the chef could do them as a side dish, DELICIOUS!!! My husband got the world's largest most delicious pork chop. Now, my meal. I ordered the halibut and recognized that perhaps it wasn't for me, but I ordered it it was my choice I wasn't going to send it back. Our waitress took note that I wasn't eating and told me that simply would not do and hustled to the kitchen to come out with the chicken dish, I was so appreciative of her noticing and accommodating this, truly, amazing service and that chicken was succulent beyond words! We also got 3 of the desserts, the seasonal eggnog bread pudding, the cinnamon raisin bread pudding which was insanely delicious as I personally am not a huge bread pudding fan but if every bread pudding was this? That would be my go to! And of course the butterscotch pudding which better never leave the menu because it is lick your plate delicious!!! I also enjoyed a hot cocktail which on a cold night was heavenly. Bolete is such an incredible culinary journey that we specifically go there from our home state because we know it will always be inviting, delicious and warm with heart and soul from the chef and staff.

One of my favorite things about traveling for work is experiencing the local dining scene. I…read morescoured online looking for something special and unique in the Allentown and Bolete was an immediate 'yes'. Their farm-to-table approach means a rotating menu and selection of curated ingredients that make up stunning dishes. From appetizer to dessert (which sadly we didnt have room for) the menu is thoughtful and intentional. Starting with cocktails - the famous Sleigh Bells Ring (featured on the cover of Edible Magazine) was perfection. Not too sweet, warming and tart with the mescal and boozy cranberry sauce- and incredible concoction. The Dark Love Story was equally seductive with a vodka base and aperitif blend with red wine reduction. The thought they put into their menu doesnt just stop at food! We were torn between starters but the Tartare was our pick and an excellent one. The egg was golden, the capers crisp, and the truffle aoili was never overpowering. The housemade crisp chips were a welcome change from the often offered toast bites while still being an elevated dish. The potato crsted cod was served beautifully with a lobster broth poured table-aide and was accompanied by fresh clams, shrimp, and mussels- honestly not a critique to be found. The grilled Chipotle flank steak was cooked to perfection and the hen of the woods mushroom was a showstopper. All in all I struggled to not make a reservation for every night I was in town because it is a must to go back. The decor and staff arw welcoming and as thoughtful as the meals served with mushrooms present all throughout complimenting the Bolete name. 10/10 all around.

I went into this blind. Did not check the menu before hand so I was not sure what to expect. The…read morerestaurant was very modern and had a sophisticated flare to it while still staying family friendly. I started with the lobster roll bao buns. Creamy lobster on top of nori inside of a light and fluffy bun. It was a fun twist on a classic bite. For the main I ordered the wagyu burger. I ordered it rare and it was not the right call. The burger was so thick that it didn't get a great sear on the outside and was falling apart. I did hear a waitress recommend medium well due to the size and I would definitely suggest that to anyone who tries it. It had a great flavor so I would still recommend you try it. I also ordered the notch fried rice bowl. Chinese sausage, pork belly, peas, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, garlic, broccoli, egg, bean sprouts, togarashi spice, and topped with a dippy egg. This dish was savory, Asian fusion cuisine mixed with something that felt like comfort food. If you go here, this is what I would recommend you try, but their whole menu looked incredible. This is a spot you need to add to your list of places to check out.

Food is great Drinks are Even better Madison , Faith , and Andrea are the go to bartenders…read moredefinitely have one of them make you a Dealers choice drink !

Phil's cheesesteaks were fantastic! Brought back memories of hitting the Brass Rail when living…read morehere years ago. Meat had flavor and was abundant. Steak roll was soft but good texture to hold up to sandwich. Service was fast and friendly. Only downside was the pierogis. Not much flavor. Location in Fairgrounds allowed us to cruise by other vendors for fresh fruit, vegetables and desserts. So glad we stopped.

It seems like forever I've been told The Brass Rail", has the best cheesesteak in the Lehigh…read moreValley! I never had the chance to try it before the place closed down permanently. :( Not too far back I heard a rumor the previous owners were thinking of re-opening the cheesesteak part of the business at the Allentown Fairgrounds. And lo and behold - it eventually appeared there. Take out or sit down there to enjoy your cheesesteak! It's really very good, nice sized as well and for ten bucks I had no complaints, There's just one tiny problem. It's called Sewards Steak Shop! Sewards is the only steak shop serving steaks with ZERO filler/chemical ingredients besides steak on the ingredient list. And you can easily taste the difference. I'll always go to Sewards when I'm craving a cheesesteak! Oops - another tiny issue: Sewards is for sale. The original owner's son, (Dave), who's been running the place forever is retiring. It's been a family-owned business since the 50"s I heard. Until the day comes, I can no longer get a Sewards cheesesteak - I'd surely go back to, The Brass Rail. Both are close to home!

4/19/2026 Well. . . I just had to come back to this beautiful place even though it's almost an…read morehour away from where I live. My brother and sister in law have raved about this brunch and it IS rave worthy!! So yesterday was my day! We were seated at a table that was wobbling like nobody's business. That's one thing I can't stand! We brought it to our server, Bella's, attention and she promptly assisted us and stabilized the table. During the course of our brunch the manager (I presume) also checked in to make sure our table was cooperating (which it was). Bella provided great service to us. I really enjoyed the offerings at this wonderful brunch! My sister in law made a reservation and I'm glad she did. Not long after we were seated the place started to get busy. I thought the food quality and presentation was top notch! Some of the offerings were prime rib, roasted turkey, omelette made to order, oysters Rockefeller- giant shrimp cocktail, salads, pasta, chicken divan, lox, bagels and a dessert emporium that will rock your world! That's only some of the offerings. So many choices you will find a lot to enjoy here for even the most picky palate! I enjoyed the prime rib especially. The young man slicing it was very pleasant (so sorry did not get his name) and it was tender and so freaking delicious. I enjoyed that immensely! The icing on the cake though was that delicious creamy horseradish sauce! WOW! Also I loved the tortellini with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in a cream sauce- so rich and decadent. Another item I had to try was the eggs Benedict. The hollandaise sauce was probably the best I've ever had. It is rich but had a nice lemony finish. I tried several other tasty items including the fresh and flavorful shrimp cocktail. I was truly happy with the entire experience. For 45$ you are getting the world. That's rare today! Included in the price is coffee, tea and soft drinks- that's another big plus for me! I hate when restaurants try to nickel and dime for soft drinks etc. Not here! They also offer 5$ mimosas and Bloody Mary's. My husband enjoyed his Bloody Mary. I would definitely come back in a heart beat! Sonia was very pleasant too, she was restocking the side room with offerings. We had a pleasant conversation. *** oh*** one other thing I failed to mention- when I was there, the buffet was in pristine condition throughout the experience. I've been to other places where the buffet looks great in the beginning but then, as time passes it starts to look sloppy with food splatter, looks picked over, and food items nearly empty. Not here!!! Great experience. You won't regret it!!! It's well worth the price!

This place was the spot. I ordered the 32oz tomahawk steak for 2. It came with asparagus and mashed…read morepotatoes. As an add-on, I also asked for the red wine demi glaze. The asparagus was thicker than I prefer but it was seasoned and cooked to perfection. Sometimes thicker stalks become stringy. Not these. The mashed potatoes on their own were good, but I took it to the next level adding in some of the demi glaze and they were absolute perfection. Creamy, buttery, and rich. Of course the main event - the tomahawk steak. As you should, I order this steak rare. The outside had a perfect char. Where the fat rendered tasted like a crispy bacon. The whole steak was tender, juicy, and full of flavor. It didn't NEED a sauce, but the glaze complimented the flavors perfectly. My only critique here is how loud the place was. It was a bustling night and if you are going for a quiet intimate spot, this may not be for you. However, the atmosphere was buzzing, the restaurant is beautiful, and the service is on point. It's a must try!

This was a great dining experience. I was with a group of 7 and our waitress did an excellent job…read moretaking care of our table. We started off with so many appetizers, I missed getting photos of them all. Oysters on the half shell, fresh and delicious! Jumbo lump crab cocktail, chilled with a brown butter. Good sized chunks, and the cool crab went well with the warm butter. Jumbo shrimp cocktail served with a fresh cocktail sauce. It was ok, the shrimp were a little overdone in my opinion but not terrible. Ahi tuna tips. Sesame seed crusted and served with a creamy wasabi cucumber dip. Incredible. Then finally the seasonal roasted strawberry bruschetta. Served on a crispy piece of bread with a ricotta spread. Sweet and savory all at once. Another delicious app that I would recommend you try. The waitress brought us a big basket of complimentary rolls that were warm and tasted like they just came out of the oven. For my main I got the seasonal pecan crusted mahi mahi and topped with a dill and lemon butter. The fish was perfectly cooked, moist and flaky. The pecans were fresh and had a great crunch and the lemon dill sauce paired so well, I soaked up every drop with my fish. The meal came with mashed potatoes and green beans. They were good. Nothing fancy, they let the fish be the star of the show. This was such a good experience and I can't recommend Randall's enough!

Nice local spot, was pretty busy. Grabbed a seat at the bar. Friendly service. Good drink and the…read moresurf and turf was good. Would 100% come here again.