Mom Chaffe’s Cellarette
148 Tulpehocken Ave, Reading, PA, 19611
Mom Chaffe’s Cellarette Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Reading for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Reading for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Reading for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
148 Tulpehocken Ave
Reading, PA, 19611 - Phone (610) 374-5733
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Nancy T.
Went here for my birthday. Wonderful food, wine, and romantic atmosphere. Just perfect.
(5)Mitchell K.
For those who haven't been to Mama Chaffe's, you are missing a classic Italian treat. I arrived late and was greeted with a drink order immediately. The restaurant is in a cellar so if you don't like boisterous and noisy, you probably will complain about this. I enjoy it. I ordered Linguini with Clam sauce. The sauce was comprised of whole diced clams in garlic oil and was to say the least, decadent. Apart from the oil though I could have used some herbs to add a little more flavor. Our server was as boisterous as the crowd and very lively. She was a hoot. The overall visit was great and the service was there, . . . I must say that I wish the dessert was a little more fresh. The cake tasted slightly freezer burnt. But honestly, these things happen. A restaurant owner cannot taste all of his cakes everyday to check for freshness. Always a pleasure to go to this terrific eatery.
(4)Connie F.
My parents had their most romantic evenings together in this restaurant in 1948! I eat here whenever I'm in town. Never disappointed. Relax, go with the flow, enjoy!
(5)Namir S.
Good food. Service was intentionally slow but very friendly (I think they were waiting for everyone to finish their food before bringing everything) Their wine was not good, though.
(4)CritiQue Y.
We always have a nice time at Mom Chaffees. Like a previous review stated, pay attention to the specials.. they are really good. There is an appetizer my husband particularly enjoyed that happened to be a special that night. He mentioned to the waiter how much he liked it and he was told that, on our next visit, to call ahead and request it and they would make it for him, even if not on the menu that night! The only thing my husband doesnt like about the place is it gives him the "bull in a china closet' syndrome. Being 6'4", he feels a bit cramped and awkward trying to maneuver through the closely placed tables.
(4)Noel W.
Seafood lasagna last night! It's the best of many great entrees I've had here.
(5)Jessie M.
Best Italian food around! Generous portions and cozy atmosphere. Lots of non-Italian choices on the menu, too. The seafood lasagna is terrific.
(5)Frederick K.
1/12/12 - Dinner Outstanding! One of my best meals. Great local place, you'll love it. Quaint place, great homemade Italian dishes. For my meal: Appetizer: Italian hot peppers with mozzerella, tomatoes on field greens. Excellent Main Course: rack of lamb prepared medium served with a raspberry reduction sauce. - Excellent. Martini and wine were good additions. Service: attentive - jus the right amount. Ambience: old fashion - loved it Price: in line for qualify - good value Restaurant located in a quaint neighborhood. Delightful.
(5)Phyllis M.
Unbelievable meal. Smoked salmon on an appetizer was the best I've ever had. Scallop soup to die for. Brucetta superb and the entrees were out of this world ( Fillet, Lobster ravioli and eggplant Parmesan. Don't miss, Open on Mondays! Have a reservation.
(5)Mike F.
Everything about this place screams "romance"! Well, except for the drunk businessmen screaming. Other than that, a meal at this dimly lit restaurant, located smack dab in a small West Reading neighborhood, has all the makings for the ultimate date night. Even though I've lived in the area for nearly my whole life, I didn't even know this place EXISTED until a few years ago. And I didn't have my first meal there until last year. I've never seen an advertisement for this place. And they don't have a website. They market the old fashioned way - by word of mouth. So yeah, it took me awhile to finally hear about it, but I'm glad I did! Ok, enough backstory - you want to hear about the food. The menu is concise. A lot of Italian restaurants have massive menus with something like fifteen types of ravioli. Is that, um, really necessary? Having choices is great, but I feel it sometimes dilutes the product. I'd rather have a place focus on a few dishes and absolutely nail them. That's where Mom Chaffe's excels. On my most recent trip, my date had eggplant Parmesan, and I opted for veal. The pasta is no doubt cooked fresh everyday. My veal was a bit overdone (read: tough) but still bursting with flavor. The mushroom sauce really salvaged the dish. If you are absolutely STARVING, I wouldn't recommend this place. That is, the portions aren't huge. If you want large quantities of Italian food, stick with Buca di Beppo. But I definitely won't knock Mama Chaffe's for that. It's not the kind of place where you'd want to be seen stuffing your face "trough" style, like pigs on a farm. Make a reservation, bring your significant other or anyone you're dying to impress (i.e. first date). and enjoy! Just don't be that 54-year-old business man with his four buddies getting sloshed at 6:30 pm on a Tuesday and ruin the experience for everyone else.
(4)Neal F.
Went here on a first date. The environment is very cozy and intimate due to the low lighting and a low ceiling. The decor is old school Italian. The food was pretty good. The garlic bread was tasty, the salad was ok. The calamari was f-ing divine. I have had calamari all over the place, and this was probably the best I've ever had. Very full, meaty, rings with great breading. Superb. For the entree I ordered Veal medallions with Prosciutto. It was pretty good. WOuld have been better if I had gotten it without Prosciutto, but this is not the restaurant's fault, its mine since I'm not a huge fan of Prosciutto, but ordered it anyway. The place was great for ambiance and flavor, but the menu is kind of limited, hence the three star rating. If not for that I would have given it 4 stars. Definitely worth going though.
(3)Brad B.
If you like the old school Italian atmosphere, you will love this place. From the outside, this place looks old and worn. The inside is dark and reminds you of an authentic Italian pub that you will find in Europe. Really cool. However, it's a staple of Reading for years and is just a neat place. I think Mama (sweet older lady) was sitting at the bar when we entered and when we left. This was also cool. I hear she is a pistol. :) Love Mama. The serving staff is nice and I would say acceptable. They will take care of you with a friendly smile. I have eaten at a lot of nice italian restaurants. I would rate the food at Mama's a 6.5 out of 10 (this is good), price 7 out of 10, staff a solid 8 out of 10 and Atmosphere 10 out of 10 (makes the place). Overall, this place is a solid 8 out of 10. It's a must try if you like old school Italian cooking. Ask if the table behind the bar is available. Call ahead. Lobster ravioli is a must try. Also, request both regular and garlic bread. Listen to the specials. Dress is casual. You can wear anything. Jeans and nice shirt...to dressy. Hope this helps. Pilot Brad
(4)Robert K.
I want to preface this review with a warning; If you are of monstrous stature please do not consider eating here. If you are wary of being in a cellar to eat a meal, do not eat here. It may seriously impact your view of this place, and since this is marketed as a cellarette, it would not be fair to judge them harshly knowing what you're getting into. That said, Mom Chaffe's is easily one of the best dining establishments in Berks County. I have lived here all my life, and I have dined from the coal county down to Lancaster, out to Pittsburgh and back to Philly. They remain my go to for intimate celebrations like anniversary and birthdays. The establishment is dimly lit. Very quaint, very personal. Despite it being in a cellar, they leave enough room for you and whoever you're with to have your own conversation and not be included with everyone else. Here's a hint; if you are able to hear me, I can hear you. This should go for any dining establishment and is often an issue with people being oblivious to social contracts, or just having complete disregard for others experiences. The food is absolutely amazing. I have had numerous menu offerings and each one has been a home run. The beer selection could use some work, and may be the weakest part of their meal offering. Do yourself a favor and give Mom Chaffees a chance. It can be spendy, so if you want a full course meal for two for a special occasion, be prepared to hit the $100 mark. It's worth it though!
(5)Rick G.
Just finished a solo meal at Mama Chaffe's. Per the other yelp'ers, I went with the lobster and crab ravioli. I was not disappointed. The cream sauce was perfect - not too buttery, nor too thin. I had some bourbon as well, and the pour was among the most generous I've had in a long time. Unfortunately, the dessert left something to be desired. I rarely get dessert, and given the wonderful meal I had, I figured the chocolate and peanut butter cake would be worth the splurge. I was wrong. The presentation was excellent, with a chocolate dusted plate. However the cake itself was rather dry, and the whip cream was straight out of a can. I'd expect that from a chain restaraunt, but had higher expectations here. Dessert was a mistake, but the entree, and spirits, were great. I'll be back, but will save the calories on the end next time.
(4)Mark C.
Came to Reading from RI for the MAAM WW2 weekend and stayed at the Abraham Lincoln just around the corner from this place. Italian food with real non extensive menu. First - the exterior is in NO WAY a reflection of the interior (in a good way) Second - the service (Nick and Jake I think) was outstanding. They knew the history of the building and made excellent recommendations on food and drink. My wife is a fairly picky eater and was quickly entering this place in her phone as "come back here" Her chicken parm, she said, was "friggin' delicious. The salad, bread and dipping oil were all great. I got the pasta (linguini) with hot sausage. I would get it again and again I know full well it would not be finished. Lastly - It's a very 40's - 50's style setting. The owner was sitting near the bar area and she's in her 90's. Very alert and friendly. The bill of fare was very reasonable. We will be back.
(5)Stephanie D.
Wow...that is ALL I have to say about Mom Chaffe's. What a romantic, delicious restaurant this is. I've been there several times on dates and once with my entire family, and they were very accommodating. I had 2 small children in my group, and it wasn't a problem for the staff. In fact, they made sure the kids were comfortable. The food is always amazing and the waiters are courteous and patient.
(5)Erica J.
I have a hypothesis that restaurants with interesting signs out front often yield interesting dining experiences within and Mom Chaffe's holds true. Outside it has a 1950's, when-you-could-still-get-to-Reading-on-a-freakin'-railroad feeling to it. Inside is close and warm and inviting and intimate and pre-we-need-to-have-tvs-or-music-or-something-grabbing-your-attention-all-the-freakin' time. We'll definitely be back with family on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday to try the lasagna.
(5)Tony C.
I'm not one to nitpick about ambience as I have found that the most hole in the wall places tend to have the best food, so my reviews are all based on food quality. With that out of the way... The seafood lasagna will change your life. I'm half Italian and have Italian food more often than most so I consider myself an authority on good Italian food. It pains me to say this, but the food here blows my own grandmother's homemade Italian food out of the water. I'm sorry grandma, but it is what it is. If you are looking to have the best (Italian) meal of your life and have a chance to dine at the Cellarette, don't delay.
(5)Haboo Z.
The food was good. I had the lasagna and it was authentic. I liked the sauce a lot, but my husband did not care for it. We were there on a weekend night, so it was busy and very loud. It is a cute place but very small. I was annoyed by the volume and it seemed like everyone was shouting. I would try it again, but on a less busy day/night.
(3)Ray T.
A bottle of white, a bottle of red Perhaps a bottle of rose instead We'll get a table near the street In our old familiar place You and I-face to face A bottle of red, a bottle of white It all depends on your appetite I'll meet you any time you want In our Italian Restaurant. Billy Joel must have nailed this song after visiting Mom Chaffee's in Reading. Mom Chaffee's is the kind of place Buca de Beppo wants to be; it's intimate, oddly homey, and purely authentic. It's the kind of secret you want to guard, or else the lines from the chain resturaunts will form on Tulpehocken Avenue. It's the kind of place, I told my wife during dinner, I want everyone to go for lunch the day they plant me in the ground...in the meantime, I'll bring the woman I love and married here so that I can look deep into her eyes, and see the reflection of her lobster and crab ravioli! Now that's what I'm talking about! Walk in- after making a reservation, please- and you will be seated at a table that will be in close enough proximity to smell your neighbor's appetizers, and closer enough yet to borrow his fork when he isn't looking. And this is acceptable; that's the kind of atmosphere your are going to get, and it is good. The menu- purely Italian- isn't enough to overwhelm you, and it keeps the selection process simple enough that you can focus on the conversation without being dragged into a culinary vortex of chaos and confusion. We went with the garlic bread and mozzarella over tomato ($8) appetizers...bread was excellent, but a basket of 4 slices didn't last, so for $3 we had a second basket with dinner. House cabaret was decent. For dinner, we went by the Yelp recommendations of Crab and Lobster Ravioli ($25), and the lasagna ($15). The lasagna really good, but the nod goes to the ravioli...outstanding. Lobster inside, crab on top. My wife and I generally do the swap halfway through, and neither of us was let down...but ho mama, the ravioli rocked our socks. Yes. Dessert consisted of peanut butter and chocolate cake, with coffee. Great way to polish off a great meal. I think the last time I was at Chaffee's was around 1995, and although the interior seems different, it's the same. Excellent authentic Italian food, intimate atmosphere, fine service. What makes this place special is the intangible quality that you are eating somewhere really unique, memorable. It can't be recreated with a 10-page Olive Garden menu or Applebee's "neighborhood" faux decorations; this is the real deal, purely authentic. It's the place oft imitated, but never recreated. It's hidden on a side street in a cellar, and it's one of the best-kept secrets of Reading. Don't tell anyone.
(5)Grassman D.
When you first arrive at this place you'll notice the authentic exterior immediately. Upon walking inside you are greeted with a quaint cozy interior with candle lit tables, quite romantic if you ever need a place. The service and food was top notch, great specials and standards with excellent portion, quality, and size.
(5)C D.
Ate there Wednesday April 11th for dinner. Crab soup was great, but veal parm was lousy... slathered with a quite bitter red sauce, enough for 3 portions or more. Veal had a mushy breading which was not crisp, much of it fell off. Waitress seemed unsurprised. For $25 for veal parm, it should be far better. Spaghetti was overcooked and had same red sauce as the veal parm.
(1)Andrea F.
Superb salmon appetizer...smoked salmon was so fresh-served on toasty garlic bread with a delicious light pink cream sauce, filet with mushrooms and sherry is the best I've had in this area-cooked to perfection (I like mine medium rare) and melts in your mouth, daily seafood specials are always impeccably fresh, dessert-creme brûlée is to die for. Fresh salad, awesome bruschetta appetizer. Love it all! I particularly love the atmosphere-dark, romantic...great for a special occasion or an intimate dinner. In the front room, you are definitely close to other diners, so if you are claustrophobic you may not like it, but I've always enjoyed it. We had a group of seven and really enjoyed sitting in the "back room." Seven of us ordered the filet and we all devoured it!
(5)Bob K.
Always good...a stop during travel....they have a bar if traveling for work alone....good food and good banter.....no need for more words
(4)Kendra G.
This place is hands down my favorite restaurant in Reading. My family & I always go here to celebrate, whether it's graduations or birthdays. Incredible food! I'm hoping to have my intimate wedding rehearsal dinner here!
(5)Todd L.
I guess for Reading, PA it's what can be expected but it's basically extremely Americanized mediocre (at best ) Italian food. Basically a family owned version of the Olive Garden. They don't even use romain lettuce, iceberg all the way lol.
(1)Nick F.
Based on the reviews on Yelp, we (party of five) stopped at Mom Chaffe's. We were absolutely thrilled. The service from Rose was outstanding and the food was incredible. The Snapper special was amazing. The sauce was just superb. The chicken parm and the lobster ravioli were also terrific. I never order dessert. But, I have a weakness for coconut cake. It did not disappoint. I have a knack for finding great local restaurants on the road. My colleagues agreed that this was one of my best finds. This is now at the top of our list of Reading restaurants.
(5)Michael G.
I really enjoyed my meal at Mom Chaffe's - to me the best part was the atmosphere. A short ceiling with tables close to one another, but really nicely decorated and unique from anywhere else I've been. The food itself was absolutely delicious, starting with the garlic bread, moving to the ravioli, and ending with the pecan pie. My server was a older woman who was in no hurry to do anything - she made me think of "Mom Chaffe". An excellent experience and a place I would definitely visit again.
(4)Food S.
Wow. Reading really is fortunate to have such a beautifully authentic Italian restaurant. You can't go wrong at Mom Chaffe's. The atmosphere is quaint and the food kills. Mark it, Donnie! Oh and don't skip desert.
(5)Tom K.
I've been going to Mom Chaffee's for over thirty years. We've had anniversary's , birthdays, celebrations there and I've never had even a mediocre meal. The setting is intimate, the food terrific and the prices extremely fair. There are very few if any Italian restaurants in the area that are on the same level as Mom Chaffe's.
(5)John E.
Ok, in my opinion, hands down the best place to eat in Berks County. They don't try to be cool or trendy, the decor on the walls is filled with picture frames that look like they were grabbed from my grandmother's walls and garage sales, but it as quaint and romantic place to have dinner in the area. When you walk in, you'll probably see the mother of the owner sitting behind the bar answering the phone. The restaurant has been in her family forever or since 1919, whichever is longer. She's an old sweetheart and you'll most likely talk to her when you make your reservation, which you should do especially if dining on a weekend. Also, if when you do make a reservation, ask to sit in the front. The atmosphere is a little nicer in the front and there's less foot traffic, due to the kitchen being located in the back. Also, just as an interesting note, Mom Chaffe's may have the smallest bathroom in the County. It's absolutely tiny. I'm not sure how this affects your dining experience unless you need cathedral-like restrooms, but I will say it is shockingly tiny. The food is delicious. Always, believe me, ALWAYS, wait to listen to the specials from the wait staff. You won't be disappointed and I almost always get something on special. My favorite item off the regular menu is the lobster ravioli and the veal parmesan is also delicious. For an appetizer, the calamari is the best I've had anywhere and the fresh bread they serve with garlic oil is perfect as well. The only thing I would say negatively is the garden salad that they serve with the meal is pretty basic/almost boring and isn't anything to write home about. The wait staff is great and friendly and quick with your food and drinks. The place is almost always full on weekends and I hardly ever remember waiting long for anything. I'm not Italian, but I love Italian food and the total experience you get at Mom Chaffe's is wonderful. From the low ceilings in the cellarette (my head almost touches the ceiling at 6'3") to the romantic ambiance at a private table for two, this is the place to go for Italian fine dining in Berks. Overall, I give this restaurant an A+
(5)Gaurav R.
Amazing decor. The servers are really friendly. Ordered a garlic bread. It just melts in your mouth. Their pasta is really fresh. A little more olive oil than i would expect, but good pasta nonetheless. The deserts were amazing. I rarely have deserts, but these guys get a whole tray of desserts when u ask for the menu.... So much for free will ;). All in all a great experience. It is a lil higher on the price, but i guess u already know that
(4)Krystle B.
I barely remember the food because we had a rude waitress (a woman in her 50's I'm guessing?) - the owner actually came out to apologize for this waitresses behavior...
(1)Orocovis P.
Best Italian food in town!! Lobster Ravioli and the Crab Cakes are amazing! My wife and I enjoy this restaurant for our special date nights. Cozy, great food and dessert! You can't go wrong; it truly is the best in town!! Make reservations!!
(5)Greg P.
Tucked on a West Reading backstreet, Mom Chaffe's is one of those places you'd never find by accident. The décor is definitely old-school, but in a good way. Not hip or trendy, but classy and well maintained. If West Reading had a Godfather, I could imagine him sitting at the table in the corner. "Hey, come over here, kid, learn something. You never know, you might have to cook for 20 guys someday. You see, you start out with a little bit of oil. Then you fry some garlic..." The food is good, seriously good. The menu contains classics, but make sure you listen to the specials. The filet mignon with mushrooms was one of the best I've had. An appetizer of fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers was just perfect too. Mom Chaffe's is easily 1000 times better than Olive Garden. Reservations are a good idea on the weekend. Get directions before you go, but go.
(5)Christian F.
It's been a while since I've been here though I can remember enough that I can proffer that it was a pleasant experience. Very romantic place to bring a date. Food was on the expensive side, though well worth it in food quality and atmosphere. Nice wine list. The place is a bit on the small side so expect crowds, especially given the good reputation this establishment has obtained over the years. I wouldn't bring a child here - breaks the ambiance for others.
(4)Holly L.
There was so much hype about this place before I even walked through the door! In Reading, PA you can be a big fish in a pretty boring sea. We had only an "ok" experience. Boring salad, I could have made better. Eggplant Parm was crispy and pretty flavorful- although their sauce tasted canned.
(2)Edward I.
So good! Real traditional Italian. And the place feels so old-school and perfect. GREAT date place. Probably not first date, but if you're "going in for the kill" it's perfect! Also good for a non-romantic but intimate celebration dinner. Like, if you're high school kid just made the honor society I could imagine this would be appropriate. Unfortunately I can't come here often as our meals involve a one year old and I just don't think this place is appropriate for small kids. But maybe if I can find a baby-sitter next v-day, this would be solid call.
(4)Anne H.
I'm a local and this is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Always a fantastic meal. Very small and intimate with fantastic food. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Kristin C.
Agreed- Old School Gem, my grandfather took my mother here when she was a little girl and she took me. Homemade from grandma's kitchen with quirky old school atmosphere. I understand that Berk's county prices are not on par with the rest of the world, I'm not sure how the bill turned out but it was worth it, so just do it! Definitely good for a romantic evening or a graduation dinner. Everyone is packed in just the same. I hope Mom Chaffe has a successor!
(4)Dan H.
This is a great little spot with an awesome atmosphere. Wonderful place for a special occasion or a treat. I had also been here before for business dinners. The pasta is outstanding, but don't even look at the menu until you hear the specials. It is a little pricey, but well worth it.
(4)Sheri L.
Great small, cozy Italian restaurant. We always go for Valentines day and the occasional date night. I always request my favorite dish when I make reservations because it is not on the menu (but is sometimes a special). It is Andouille sausage in a spicy Cajun okra and pepper marinara over lobster ravioli! If you love spicy this is the dish. The staff is friendly and gracious. Definitely worth the trip!
(5)Tom M.
This is a very nice place that I have been to at least 3-4 times in the last 2 years. Ok here is my deal with this place: First the food. The food is above average. For the Reading PA area I would even say it is great. If you are from New York area then I would say above average. The menu and the specials are very good. {not excellent}. I would get a special. The price is no cheaper but the quality is great. You will not be disappointed with the quality food as it is very tasty. The portions are not that big so get an appetizer especially if you are very hungry. The place is very small but quaint, cute and likable. Has that 1940's feel to it. The desserts are outstanding and large yumming. You must get a dessert. Here is where I have a problem. The owner is obnoxiously loud. You can hear him complaining that someone was late, you here him complaining that people are taking forever to pay there bill, you hear him!! He should keep his voice down. If he would just calm down please!!! If you sit anywhere near the bar, you will hear him. And it is not a pleasing sound. So if that does not bother you, then go there.
(3)Avid S.
Mom Chaffe's is wonderful. My husband and I found this restaurant when he was a student at Penn State Berks. We still make an annual pilgrimage back - usually for some special event. The restaurant is located on the street level of a house in West Reading. You do need to park on the street. However, it is usually easy to find a spot. Our most recent reservations were during the winter storm of 2010. We called the restaurant to find out if 1. they were open and 2. if we would even be able to park. They assured us that the street was plowed and we would be able to park. They were right! I love the fact that it is dark and cozy inside. The ceiling is low, which creates and air of intimacy. The food is always good and reasonably priced. The portion sizes seem to vary a little. Sometimes we leave with "doggie bags". Some dishes it seems could be a little larger. Very nice restaurant in the Reading area.
(4)Elyse Z.
We had dinner at Mom Chaffe's Friday for our Anniversary. The tomato soup and garlic bread were scrumptious. I ordered lamb chops cooked to perfection. My husband had chix parm with plenty of delicious sauce. The chicken was very tender and melted in your mouth. Service was good, we'll be back.
(5)Katie R.
Mom Chaffe's is an old-school gem. I had never been there before last night, even though it's been there since the thirties. The restaurant is in the lower-level of a home in a residential section of West Reading. It would be easy to miss if not for the charming retro lit-up sign attached to the building. Once inside, we were warmly greeted by the bartender and an older lady (perhaps the owner?) who seated us in the mostly-full dining room. The decor is far from hip or trendy--think oil paintings with gold frames, pink tablecloths, brassy chandeliers. I found it quite charming and romantic. The bathroom was notable because of its teeny size. I'd guess the place hasn't changed much for decades. The service was fantastic. Our waitress was attentive without being over-bearing. The food was good. The highlight was the special appetizer we ordered, garlic toast topped with smoked salmon and a currant cream sauce. Totally delicious! The salad with house vinegarette was simple and nice--not overdressed. For entrees, we ordered simple pasta dishes. I had the linguine with pesto, my husband had cheese ravioli with marinara and Italian sausage. The dishes were well done, though had a bit too much sauce in both cases. The bill was not cheap, but included cocktails and a bottle of wine. I suppose I'm spoiled by the many BYOBs around. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a romantic evening out or a special occasion dinner. Or a charming trip back in time.
(4)Robin A.
Solid old school Italian food. Decor probably hasn't changed since the 70's but the food and service are great. Homemade desserts too + full bar. I had rigatoni with basil pesto - yum! Location is on a residential street - kind of off the beaten path.
(4)Peter K.
I was just there this past Friday to take my girlfriend out for our one-year anniversary together. She loves Italian food so I thought what better place to go than a place I've heard such good things about. I also chose this place based on the mostly good reviews on here. I was looking forward to having a romantic evening with great home made food. The night definitely didn't live up to my ideals. First off, I made reservations for 8:00pm but was not seated until 8:30pm. No big deal. I can wait for good food. The food. Based on other users reviews suggesting to opt for the daily specials, that is what we did. The Italian bread served before our meal was cold. An inauspicious start. For an appetizer I ordered hot marinated peppers with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes. It was presented well enough but it tasted extremely mediocre. The first thing to blow my mind was that the tomatoes were cold! Anybody who knows anything about tomatoes knows that you don't refrigerate a tomato because it breaks down the fruits natural sugars resulting in a tasteless tomato. You would think an Italian restaurant specializing in tomato based dishes would know that. The fresh mozzarella had absolutely no taste whatsoever. Very very disappointing. The peppers were blah. On to the entrees. The specials that day were crab cakes and veal marsala over ravioli. I had crab cakes, my GF had the veal. The crab cakes were okay. There were two of them, slightly bigger than golf balls placed on a dish surrounded by some kind of cream sauce. They were buttery with not much crab and not much crab flavor. The cream sauce didn't add much flavor. Blah. The crab cakes also came with a side of spaghetti with their red sauce. I can only assume the spaghetti came from a box and the sauce from some sort of powder mix. TOTALLY AND UTTERLY DISAPPOINTING. My GF's veal marsala was not much better. The veal itself was decent. The sauce and the ravioli could have been bought at Wal-Mart for all I know based on how they tasted. I think it was a mushroom ravioli but whatever it was it was undercooked, chewy and tasteless. It tasted like it was frozen at one point and the filling was a mystery. The sauce could have come from any jar of marsala bought at a store. The only positives from the evening were that its a cool little place with nice decor and the service and staff were friendly and attentive. When I go out to eat my first priority is good home made food. Secondly, I find value to be important. This place fails miserably for both food and value. Both specials cost 28 dollars apiece. That means I paid nearly sixty dollars for food that may have come from their freezer. I could have made an unforgettable meal at home for one third the price of the entire tab. Completely unacceptable on my terms. I will not recommend Mom Chaffe's nor will I go back there again
(1)Liz W.
Awesome, especially for the Reading area. My lobster ravioli is always perfect. Their seafood cakes are amazing. The only drawbacks are the small wine list, sometimes they overdress the salads, so always order dressing on the side, and the desserts are hit or miss. I had chocolate cake there once that tasted old and stale. But you aren't going there for dessert. You're going there for dinner. It's a total gem. Love it.
(4)