My wife and I stopped in for lunch during work hours when it was not crowded at all. The food was excellent. I had the lunch special of Italian Sausage sandwich and she had the flatbread pizza. Both meals were fantastic. The ambiance of the wood, low lighting and the fact you can munch on peanuts and throw the shells on the floor brings a nice laid back atmosphere to your meal. I am only taking a star away for the wait time for refills and our meal. read more

I love this place. As a kid I thought it was so cool that they had peanut shells all over the floor and we could throw ours on the floor too. Now my kids love going there too. The wings are the best although there was a period of time about 1-2 years that I took a friend for wings and told her how amazing they are, well they must have had a bad night in the kitchen or there was a chef there for awhile that wasn't good. Been there since and noticed other people's wings as we were being seated. I was so happy to see them looking like the good wings I was used to. It's a little dark, dingy and outdated inside but the atmosphere is fun and the food is good. read more

We haven't been to the Peanut bar for a while. Always like the atmosphere and the fact that it has parking. Food over the past few times we've been there hasn't been that good. Last night were going out for a bite to eat and forgot about the concert. We eventually wound up at the Peanut bar because, well, I'm really not sure. Anyway, I ordered a franciskaner wheat beer. I know my spelling isn't right. It came out in a chilled liter glass with a slice of lemon, fantastic. I was so good it tasted like another one!!!! We had the wings for an appetizer. They are a peanut bar classic. Compared to how they used to serve them in a bowl dripping in sauce, they are much better now. They serve them in a nice divided dish with celery and blue cheese dressing. This way you can pretend that you aren't trying to sop up every drop of the buttery hot sauce. I had the broiled seafood platter (trying to watch my calories after the wings) and my wife had the scallops. I am very fussy about how my seafood is cooked and this was spot on. Just cooked perfectly, nice and moist. Previously, I've had this and the seafood was dry and rubbery, but congratulations it was perfect. My wife's scallops were also cooked exactly correct. The tendency is to make them dry (I'm glad they resisted the dutchy taste preference which is cooked to death). Almost forgot, the fish was extremely fresh. No spoiled fish taste of ammonia and chlorox anywhere. Just good flavor. After having saved some calories on the broiled seafood platter, we ordered dessert. The warm apple crisp was delicious with salted caramel ice cream. Nice and fresh and piping hot. It seemed as if if just came out of the oven. Perfect ending. The service was great throughout the meal. All I want to say is congratulations to the peanut bar for a great meal. I'm excited to put it back on my list of go to places in Berks. It is truly a a great atmosphere and extremely cozy. Previously that atmosphere was all it was, but with food like that it is a fantastic experience. I have no idea why anyone would go to some disgusting chain restaurant where high school kids warm up prepackaged processed food and serve it as if it were hand crafted, when places like the Peanut Bar are around. read more

Great day with the pretizel pie!!! The server Clarissa was very nice and personal. Price is Right for the delicious food.

Great wings - maybe some of the best I've ever had. They have hot wings and garlic herb - both were delicious. We started with the breaded cheeseball appetizer and they were very good as well, nothing like the mini mozzarella sticks we had expected. Their famous "pretzel ice cream pie" was not great unfortunately - but the rest of the food was certainly good enough to warrant a return visit (or two or three!) read more

I have been here several times over about 35 years. It's had its ups and downs. This last time was definitely an up. Saturday lunch must be a rare event in Reading, thankfully the Peanut Bar was open and serving. They've always been reliable that way. I wasn't too thrilled due to my last experience, but sometimes you're just hungry. If you've never been there, it's dark just like a bar should be, even in the middle of the day. The floors are covered my peanut shells. It has an old-timey German feel with an assortment of "characters". The menu is the standard American. They have evolved though with a good assortment of craft brews and several gluten free specials. I had the seared grouper with corn salsa, broccoli and mashed. It was artfully plated and really delicious, especially loved the salsa. It came with a salad and for $11.95 quite the bargain. My partner had the french dip, a long roll filled with thinly sliced, tender fat free beef and the usual fixings. He barely said a word while inhaling it. Yes, it was delicious. We had dessert because I had to try the award winning pretzel ice cream pie. It was pretty good, we did eat it all, but once was enough for me. He also had the creme brulee, liked it, but it was in a smaller, deeper ramekin than we usually see. I'll be looking forward to my next visit. read more

Absolutely fantastic! A diamond in the heart of Reading. The food is great. We had the cheeseballs, yes they're wonderful and unique. Then the Chesapeake burger topped with crabmeat and the flat iron steak sandwich on garlic bread. The deserts and beer list is excellent as well. The owner came over and chatted us up. He gave us a very warm feeling. read more

We were to sit at bar for cocktials and saw a "bug" run across bar to the underneath area, we moved down but should have left These bugs are not what any restaurant should have let especially when they are open!!!!! Nothing great about the food either dont know why they are busy read more

The peanut bar has a friendly and relaxing atmosphere, appetizers were good but the main course lacked a little. My crab cakes were dry and the sauce didn't have anything to it somewhat bland. Overall experience was good and would like to come and try something different read more

Love this place! The atmosphere is classic. Hot lager shrimp are always fresh. The best wings around...small but perfectly crisp and excellent flavor. Seafood dishes are excellent...try the crab cakes or the flounder. Wiener schnitzel is also very good. Desserts are great but I never have room. Drinks are also yummy! read more

Went there for my birthday dinner and enjoyed the lobster risotto. My son won their weekly coloring contest as well and received a coupon for a free kids meal. The service was excellent and she went above and beyond to make sure we were satisfied. It was a very laid back environment, just a tad bit dark for my liking. read more

We walked in from the windy cold of Reading PA to find a warm and welcoming atmosphere inside the Peanut Bar. The first thing you'll notice is that you're walking on peanut shells that are tossed on the floor. When your seated at your table you are given a bowl of salted peanuts in the shell and they let you know that you can just toss them on the floor. So if you've always wanted to make a mess of your dining room this may be the place for you. The food was good but not outstanding. The chicken wings seemed to be the best thing that we ordered, but our waitress let us know that we were missing out because the crab cakes are supposed to be the best in the state. Maybe next time. Have Fun. read more

Okay, I was warned by the previous reviews, but I went anyway. This place would be a complete ng except everyone is sooo nice. Customers, waiters, bartenders, everyone. The food isn't bad, exactly, just not overly good. Peanut shells on the floor should say it all. Like em? Go. Otherwise... read more

Great little restaurant. It's in the older town of Reading so the outside was a little worrisome, but step inside and it was very cute. And bigger than you would think. I really liked the ceiling decor. My sister nd mother werent fans of the peanut shells on the floor (as they told me while putting shells off the table) but it's part of the tradition of the place. The cheese balls were great! Different than regular Fried mozz, they had herbs mixed in them. The pretzel ice cream pie was good too, but the lava cake with Belgian chocolate was better!! read more

Ideal dining experience. Had the talapia with a light breading. The waiter was very attentive and the bartender was charming. I would return for dinner or just drinks ANYTIME. read more

It's hard for me to imagine anyone not giving Peanut Bar five stars, but, then again, the reality is... in Berks County... people love huge, cheap, all-you-can-eat buffets full of nasty, oily food. So... if a restaurant gets a mediocre or low rating, you might actually wonder if it's good. The Peanut Bar has been passed lovingly from generation to generation, and the food has remained excellent. It seems like every night that I go there, Michael is still on premises. Why? Because the restaurant is his baby, and he cares about his customers, who have been incredibly loyal down the years. A BIG TIP: Don't order off of the laminated menu. The dishes are mostly boring. Order the specials. They're always amazing. I HIGHLY recommend that you order fish dishes. PB does fish better than any other restaurant in Berks County (including Go Fish, which has the word "fish" in the name!) Don't be fooled by the time-worn interior, the plastic tablecloths, the jukebox, and the peanut shells. Peanut Bar is the REAL DEAL... one of the few areas restaurants that holds up well against any big city equivalent. read more

This was the first time that I eaten here in several years. Probably the worst T-Bone steak that I ever ate. It was so tough (medium/medium rare) that I could hardly cut the meat. The only reason that I didn't complain was that the dinner was complimentary as part of a seminar that we attended. I should have ordered the wings which are generally pretty good. Looks like I won't be planning to back in a long time. There are too many other choices. read more

Walked in to a packed restaurant due to many events going on in the City of Reading. It was refreshing to see Reading "hopping". Food was very good, but service no so good. Our waitress was scatter-brained. One or two errors (since it was extremely busy) can be overlooked, but five or six are not acceptable. Wrong drink brought to table, took 10 minutes to correct the wrong drink error; forgot to order onion soup - never received it. Asked for dressing on the side but salad was saturated in dressing... the check included an extra ice tea that we did not order. Then... I saw two servers and the owner throw peanuts back into the peanut barrel that were left over from tables. Granted the peanuts are in shells, but you have no clue if the peanuts were touched, coughed on, sneezed on, etc. It is a sanitary issue. Kudos to the chef. Too bad the service was not good and the peanuts are reused. read more

The score is really 3.5. There are some really solid dishes and others are just ok. I recommend the frozen pretzel pie for dessert. Delicious! read more

There is a reason this place shows up on the Best Wings in America year after year. Simply put, they are AMAZING!!!!! I wish I could tell you about the other food but I have never ordered anything besides them here. The service is really good and the drinks are made well too. While the place has the feel of a dive bar it is anything but that. One thing though, they throw peanut shells on the floor so if you have a peanut allergy avoid at all cost! read more

We were getting ready to go to a show and the staff made it a point to get us out on time. The food was great. The menu diverse and cost within reason. read more

Fair food, great waiting staff, only one other table at 9:00 on a Friday night. Ordered apps and they were spot on. Salads were what you would expect. Ordered filet and lobster as main meal, broccoli was cold as well as corn sauce around lobster was ice cold. Not sure why? Waiting staff apologized. read more

We were there on Christmas Eve day. Great music, packed, nice atmosphere. But for a place that's usually pretty full, service was nice but slow and beer stocking needs some work. Food very good though. read more

Great old school atmosphere, love throwing the peanut shells on the floor. Seafood is outstanding and desserts are awesome. Due to decay in reading the location. Leaves something to be desired but the have 2 private parking lots with a monitor. It's a nice place to meet a friend for a quiet dinner. read more

Were at The Peanut Bar yesterday (7/10/15), I tried the Handmade cheese balls and all the reviews I read about them were right!!! As soon as you bite them the cheese just melt in your mouth, really good, try them! We also try an order of wings (buffalo) and they were also really good!! We couldn't leave without the Creamy crab dip. I had 3 mox drinks: Hurricane-lil strong for my taste, The Cherry Press-liked it, the word say it it taste like cherries, and I tried the Malibu D and it was kinda different than then first time i had it but i guess its because it was a different bartender, it was still good. I will add a picture of the cheese balls, so far hadn't have something that im disappointed with. read more

Peanut Bar Restaurant - Handmade cheese balls (at The Peanut Bar) Reaaaallllyyyy GOOD!!!!! - American Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

Great food and very accommodating staff. I have been there twice and both times we had great service. Atmosphere is good.

Low key friendly pub. Ordered flounder and it arrived looking very appetizing. Not so! It was very fishy and tasted of iodine. Back to the kitchen it went. Decided to try their steamed clams. They were muddy and sandy. What I can say is that I've had delish burgers here and the beers are great. Stay away from the seafood though! read more

Not sure of the food because I did not have any but a first class crew of servers and the peanuts are really really good

I used to enjoy the Peanut Bar..but over the last few years my experience there has gotten to be less enjoyable. This past time ....it took a long long time for the food to be served . Items were missing from the plate. The bread that usually came with the mussles no longer being served..just a small piece with little dipping sauce... it simply was not so good... the Peanut Bar is not longer a dining out destination for me. ( it was not busy sooooooo no excuses) read more

The food is vastly overpriced, they make you feel uncomfortable for not making a reservation (even though the place was empty our entire meal), the decor is outdated, and they charge for every refill of your soda without informing you that you will be charged a whopping 2.50 per drink. For that price I would have gotten beer. Its 2014 for goodness sake. It comes off as cheap when you charge for every (ice to the brim) refill. read more

Always a favorite! We bring family, friends, out-of-town visitors. Michael and staff always make us feel welcome. Food is delicious. Love the wings! Half and half is my go-to brew!! read more

Fish and chips are delish there!!!! Was there for lunch during week and was able to get in right away.

Had Dinner at the Peanut Bar last Saturday before attending the John Prine concert. I'll get right to the point, Poor slow service with a negative attitude from the manager. The Burger was real good as were the fresh cut fries. Our young waitress was very nice and apologetic, however should it take 20 minutes for the first round??? read more

They have a dedicated fryer. That means safe french fries, wings and many other tasty gluten free options for Celiacs!!!! Ask for Michael, the owner. He will fix you up. They understand the implications of cross contamination as well. Great experience. read more

I love this restaurant! The food is awesome and the staff is amazing. When you go you must say hi to Michael and Pete... you have to try this place if you have not already. PS best wings ever. read more

If you are looking for wings this is the place to go. Make sure you get them buffalo style. Don't fill up on the peanuts that they give you, you can throw your shells on the floor. The rest of the food is good, I don't think there is anything that had that "wow" factor. I would go back for the wings. read more

I'm born and raised in the area, but I just don't get what everyone raves about. It is a local landmark, that much is true...but the food is just average at best. Go there once and throw some peanut shells on the floor, get it out of your system and move on. Given the good selection of beers and the fact that our server was great..I'll go 2 stars on this one. read more

Good atmosphere with peanuts on the floor and an old style bar. They used to have more vegetarian options, but the choices now are not nearly as good as before. Even the hummus on the Mediterranean plate was below expectations. read more

Used to frequent weekly, however the area just keeps getting worse and worse and I don't always feel safe. Good food, although a bit pricey. Cozy atmosphere, could be cleaner, adequate staff. read more

Delicious food, great atmosphere, friendly staff! This place has it all. Would highly recommend to anyone in the area. I am new to Reading and I went there with a friend a few months ago. The bartender was so much fun. He was very friendly and engaging, and I ended up having a blast! I ate the wings, which were amazing! Will be going there again in the very near future!! read more