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    The Shelby

    4.2 (622 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

    The Shelby Photos

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    THE SHELBY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Classy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - The Shelby

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    Bread & Butter
    Josh H.

    Food - 4/5 Service - 4/5 Ambiance - 5/5 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

    Bar and entrance from dining area
    P E.

    I happened to be in the Allentown area and found this place for lunch. We got here a bit before noon and there were plenty of seats but by 12:30 the place was quite full. The menu is all made in house so there were no issues to get adjustments to orders. We all opted for the paella although one of us declined the chorizo. There was plenty of seafood and the chopped olives were a nice briny touch. It was tasty, although not spectacular. I only say that because the bubbly waitress said the chef was Chilean and that this was his "signature dish." Bread "service" is extra ($5 for a square of focaccia). Dessert was a little disappointing. Cheesecake tasted more like a refrigerator, no-bake kind, homemade but gelatinized. Coffee was fresh and delicious. Portions are large and enough to take home for another meal. I would come back here again. Service is good. Decor is pleasing and gives off greenhouse vibes.

    My Aunt and I came here for dinner and had a great experience with the first appearance of the restaurant's modern, industrial and plant life environment! We laughed and were elated with our waitress, Diala! She was very knowledgeable of the food and very attentive to our table. We had a slight mishap with our salad, which we were pretty happy to continue to indulge; however, the manager, Simon, came over and insisted that he replace our salad with a fresh one with the correct ingredients. He was well mannered, well groomed, and extremely professional in dealing with the situation. I highly suggest anyone visiting or living in the Allentown area to dine at the Shelby.

    Grace L.

    Food: the food was excellent. I got a protein free salad that had beets and tomatoes. It was a great salad. I also got their bao buns. Not a traditional bun in any way, but it was delicious none the less. The chicken sausage was spicy and complimented the doughy bun. Service: my waitress was fairly attentive but also was mia for half the time (when I needed a refill on water). It wasn't a bad experience but wasn't a good one either. Ambiance: I requested outdoors, and while I was seated on their indoor/outdoor patio, I was not permitted to sit outside. The patio I was on was air conditioned with a decent view and had the elevated eclectic design that carries from the inside of the restaurant. Value: I got a salad (protein free) and an appetizer and my bill was over $30. It was definitely not worth the money. Recommend: Depends. The atmosphere was nice but it really felt overpriced for what you were getting. If you are looking for upscale apps and some cocktails then maybe this is your spot.

    Beef Cubano
    Thomas G.

    While enroute to the Poconos we swung into Allentown to tryout maybe the towns most recommended lunch spot. Shelby didn't disappoint and my first impression was the classy layout, hipster vibe and clean appearance. We split some hot honey wings and a beef style Cubano sandwich with tater tot's. My wife's pomegranate martini was delicious and For me a Guinness. I will say I was put off with the stature of my Guinness as it was in a tiny pour at maybe 12oz versus the standard US 16oz. Our food was decent but not spectacular with the wings being a bit fatty and sandwich being a little salty and lacked pickle presence which is typically abundant on a Cubano. Service was great!

    dessert menu
    Audreanna B.

    I ordered a side, Caesar salad, pan, seared salmon, vanilla bean cheesecake. I also got a Coke for my drink. The service was really nice as far as when I came in. I was able to place my order and they give out really nice bags for takeout. It is very beautiful in there, loving the light structures and just how they set it up.

    Paella del mar
    Christopher C.

    We came here on the recommendations of a co worker. We were not disappointed. The food and service were excellent and we will be coming back again.

    Dining room
    Zachary W.

    I dined here for their new menu and was very impressed. The nitro coffee was delicious, the pumpkin old fashioned had a delicate flavor balance and the Mac n cheese with fried chicken was a large portion and delicious. It's a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a meal. If I lived in the area I would come back frequently.

    Poutine and Expresso Mocktini
    Joe R.

    My fiancé and I wanted to stop for lunch on a little trip we were taking. Allentown appeared to be the halfway point. I found this place when searching for places to eat in the area. Now I will admit I tend to gravitate to these types of restaurants so the criticism that I include in this review I will admit is half my fault. I will start with the good and honestly that was 90% of this restaurant. The food was delicious, the service was good, and the ambiance of the restaurant was great. Our waitress was friendly and attentive and made sure all of our order was correct. I ordered an Expresso Mocktini and she specified that it was a Mock-Tini when delivering it. I drink so I joked with her that it didn't matter to me either way, but I had a drive ahead of me and didn't want to be irresponsible. I appreciate her thoroughness as there are some people that truly cannot have alcohol. That's a sign of a great waiter/waitress. The food was great. We shared some short rib poutine. It was bursting with flavor. I ordered the Chicken Fajita Pizza. It was also delicious and stuffed with flavor. My only complaint was there was no indication on the menu on how big it was. I swear this pizza was enough for 3 people to share, it was so filling and big. My fiancé's meal portion was also massive. When I got the bill at the end of the meal, my heart did flutter a bit. It was over a $100 after tip. It was definitely one of the more expensive lunches I've had. Though again I will digress and say that I do tend to seek out these "boujee" restaurants as I am a foodie. I also believe we may have done it wrong. We probably should have ordered a pizza or something to share. I wish they would decrease their portion sizes by like 15-20% and then decrease the prices a bit. But that's probably asking way too much in this economy. I can't pretend to know the back end of running a restaurant, I can only imagine it's rough right now. It's just super rough on the customer end to pay over $100 for lunch for an appetizer and two entrees and not even any alcohol or dessert. I liked the ambiance of the restaurant. They recently added a very large half outdoor area that was very nice to sit in especially on a beautiful day temperature wise. The indoor restaurant was very modern and sleek. Unfortunately I don't find myself in Allentown very often. But next time I do, I will probably be back for maybe dinner or a trip to the bar with a shareable.

    Harvest Salad with Grilled Chicken, delicious.

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    Great vibe! Packed on a Tuesday night. Food was amazing. Got the beet salad with grilled salmon and it was delicious.

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    Ask the Community - The Shelby

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    Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy

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    I attended Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Part II in DC, and overall it was a really enjoyable…read moreexperience--especially for fans of Poe--but with a few logistical quirks worth noting. First, "speakeasy" is definitely used loosely here. The event took place in a ballroom at the Kellogg Conference Hotel, with a stage set up at the front and several round 8-top tables arranged throughout the room. It felt more like a small theatrical performance with table seating than an intimate, hidden speakeasy-style venue. One thing to flag: the event FAQ mentioned that some venues may have a pre-show bar but no food. That wasn't the case here--the hotel actually had food available for purchase before the show. So if that matters to you, it's worth checking directly with the venue rather than relying solely on the event website. The performers truly carry the entire experience. They handle everything--checking tickets, seating guests, serving cocktails, and performing--which is impressive but also leads to some occasional disorganization. When we arrived, there wasn't great communication between the ticket checker and the usher, so some guests seated themselves and had to be moved later. It didn't ruin anything, but smoother coordination would make the start of the evening feel more polished. As for the cocktails: you get four, one paired with each story. Unfortunately, this was probably the most underwhelming part. The drinks weren't very strong--you could barely taste the alcohol--and despite the website showing nice glassware, they were actually served in plastic cups. It didn't quite live up to the "cocktail experience" expectation. That said, the performance itself was fantastic. The cast was engaging, energetic, and clearly passionate about Poe's work. They performed The Pit and the Pendulum, The Cask of Amontillado, Annabel Lee, and The Fall of the House of Usher, and each was brought to life in a compelling way. There were even a few ad-libbed moments that added humor and kept the show feeling fresh. The actors also did a great job interacting with the audience at each table while serving drinks, which added a personal touch. Overall, despite a few hiccups with logistics and the cocktails, the strength of the performances makes this a worthwhile experience--especially if you're a Poe fan.

    The performance was fantastic and the cocktails were fabulous! The facility was nice but if I…read morecould change one thing it would be the chairs.

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    Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
    Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
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    Ringers Roost

    Ringers Roost

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    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.

    Ringers Roost is a bar & grill located on Liberty St. in Allentown. They are open Mon - Sat 11AM -…read more2AM and Sun 11AM - 12AM. The kitchen closes at 10:30. I came here for the first time with my buddy on Thursday for lunch. The service was good and the food was delicious. Bonus points for decorating for Halloween. I ordered French onion soup, sautéed pierogies, and Parmesan peppercorn wings. The FOS was piping hot and packed with flavor. The pierogies had an excessive amount of butter/oil, but tasted great. The wings were slightly overcooked and under sauced, but good quality and the sauce was delicious. Our server was welcoming and friendly, but made a few mistakes with our order. My buddy had tomatoes on his panini when he asked for no tomatoes, and I received blue cheese instead of ranch with my wings. No big deal, but when you're confident enough to take an order without writing anything down you should be accurate. I love the vibe of this place and have some other menu items I want to try, so I'll definitely be back. Indoor and outdoor seating are both available. There is no delivery, but they do offer takeout. French Onion Soup - 8.5 Sautéed Homemade Pierogies - 7.9 Parmesan Peppercorn Wings - 7.9 Food - 8.1 Service - 7.9 Value - 7.9 Restaurant score - 80

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    Dining Room
    Dining Room
    Steak avocado wrap
    Steak avocado wrap
    Front entrance

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    Front entrance
    Union and Finch

    Union and Finch

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    We had an early reservation prior to an in-town concert. The restaurant was packed. We sat by the…read morebar (I never saw the main room). Our light bites food was delicious and the service attentive. Salad was tasty, fries were hot and fish tacos delicious. We didn't have the burgers but they were huge.

    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.

    Photos
    Seating area by door.
    Seating area by door.
    Hawaij seasoned mushrooms on seasoned yogurt
    Hawaij seasoned mushrooms on seasoned yogurt
    Moroccan Eggs ($13)

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    Moroccan Eggs ($13)
    Archer Music Hall

    Archer Music Hall

    4.6
    (5 reviews)
    5.1 mi

    Archer Music Hall has quickly become one of my favorite small-to-mid-size concert venues in…read morePennsylvania. It's about an hour and fifteen from me, totally doable for a weeknight show, and honestly the combination of ticket prices, artist variety, and solid acoustics keeps pulling me back. Venue Atmosphere & Layout If you're into a club-style concert vibe, this place nails it. It's basically a big black rectangle of a room in the best waywith a wide open floor that gives you a clear line of sight from almost anywhere. There's also a slightly elevated second-tier area behind the main floor with its own bar and standing space. Great if you want a little more breathing room without sacrificing the view. Bars run almost the full length of the building on both sides, which makes grabbing a drink pretty convenient (I didn't grab any this time, so can't speak to pricing). Security & Entry Here's the one thing you must plan for: entry takes time. Both times I've been here, I missed the first song of the opening band even though I arrived around 6:20 for a 7 PM show. Security is thorough but slow-moving, so if you want to see the opener or get a good spot, show up earlier than you think. Sound Quality & Experience The sound inside Archer is surprisingly good for a venue of this size. I've seen: * Magnolia Park * From Ashes to New * Set It Off * Autumn Kings * Vana * Fame On Fire And every show felt tight, loud, and balanced not the usual muddy wall of noise you get at some club venues. Lighting and production are also way better than expected. Ticket Prices & Value Another huge win: tickets are cheap. Most shows I've gone to were around $50 with fees, which is practically a miracle these days. For the level of talent they bring in, the value is incredible. Extras * Coat check available * Bathrooms clean-ish (for a concert venue, that's basically a compliment) * General admission only -- which I personally love Overall Archer Music Hall is a fantastic GA concert venue with great acoustics, solid sightlines, friendly staff, and ticket prices that don't make your wallet cry. The only downside is the entry line, but that's fixable by showing up a little earlier. I'll absolutely keep coming back. Perfect for fans of rock, alt, metalcore, pop punk, and high-energy live shows who want an intimate venue without sacrificing production quality.

    Very excited to check out this new venue in Allentown. Appears they opened around March 2025…read more Great venue, great sound, great lighting. The show I went to had an attendance of about 800...mostly general admission and some people paid more than double to get a seat upstairs in the balcony. While it would've been nice to be able to sit, I found it nicer to be downstairs on the main floor to see the band. The floor is concrete and there is literally no where to sit. There's an area behind general admission where you can also pay a premium to have a seat and a small table. Cost varies but to put things into perspective, i paid $40 for my general admission ticket and it would have been an add'l $60 to upgrade. Bars and food: Anyone who was over 21 and planned to drink was ID'ed prior to entry and given a special wristband. There are bars on both the left side and the right side of the general admission area. Full bar. I had a Stateside seltzer for $8 and my friend had a refillable soda for $7. Note there's a combo of bottomless popcorn and bottomless soda for $12. Many people bought some sort of cocktail in a reusable cup and it had a flashing light in it ($22). As for the food/snacks, it was all prepared ahead of time and available in a warming drawer for the bartenders to give to those who order. They also had snack sized bags of chips. Note when you pay (cashless), the system defaults to a 20% tip...you can adjust. Security: everyone must pass thru metal detectors and security made each person with a hat take it off. While my bag wasn't searched, I heard most people's were. Note there is a bag policy. Parking: we easily parked on the street and used the parkmobile app to pay. Cost was about $2/hr and 2 hr limit on that main street that the music hall is on. Only had to pay until 9pm. While I was told by many that we'd be able to renew the parking after 2 hrs, the app wouldn't allow us. We got around that by using a different phone's parkmobile app. Some people paid $18 via ticketmaster and purchased parking ahead of time. That lot was somewhere behind the building. Wi Fi / service: my cell service was terrible in the venue. I was able to connect to the venue's wi fi and that worked well. Bathrooms: There's only one ladies room and one mens room for general admission and it's in the lobby. Plenty of stalls. The bathrooms were not kept up throughout the night. By later in the evening, some stalls were out of toilet paper, only some dispensers had paper towels and only some soap dispensers had soap. Restaurants in the area: there's a great quick Mexican restaurant directly across the street called Amigos. I got a steak bowl for $13. They have indoor seating (extremely casual) and outdoor seating. They are starting to sell alcoholic drinks and making their own tequila and vodka.

    Photos
    Inside - bars along the right side and the left side
    Inside - bars along the right side and the left side
    The bar never miss!!
    The bar never miss!!
    Archer Music Hall

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    The Shelby - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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