The food here is so good and the service is phenomenal! Highly recommend you get here early but if you have to wait, it's worth it
(5)
Crystal B.
Food is delish!!!!! However be prepared to wait for seat!!! BUT very worth it!!!! Over 50 types of pancakes. You get A lot of food!!!!
(5)
Deirdre L.
A really fabulous breakfast! Sweet potato, blk bean, corn fritters covered in cheddar scrambled eggs, chive/cilantro sour cream and creole sauce...so so so good
(5)
Rachel W.
Beat out every other "best breakfast ever!" Our family shared The Blackbird, Make it Zero Smokey, and Banana with Triple Berry Pancakes. Oh our gosh! Can't recommend this place more! We will be regulars.
(5)
Mike F.
Breakfast with that small-town charm. If I were going out for breakfast in the 70's or 80's, this is the kind of place where I'd see myself eating. Close-quarters tables, friendly service, pop icons on the walls, big-ol' coffee mugs, fresh-squeezed OJ, hearty portions - there's a strong sense of nostalgia here. And it all comes together perfectly. The seating is limited. The wait is long - I've never had to wait less than 30 minutes. You'll be up close and personal with fellow diners you've never met before. But it's hard to hold it against this place. It's a small building to begin with. In a previous life, this restaurant was a house. So you're essentially eating in the hollowed out living room of the old residence. So as with all places, you have to take the good with the bad. But let's talk about the food (and this is where the Tomcat absolutely separates itself from the competition). Please, take a moment and pan through the pictures from Yelpers past. Those aren't stock, canned photos. That's actually how the food comes out. I would say look at my own pictures for reference, but admittedly, I didn't order the most photogenic dishes. Taste-wise, though? Out of sight. Come for your classic breakfast experience. Seriously. Just roll out of bed and come in whatever you're wearing. Sweatpants? Onesies? Yoga pants? The little black dress from last night because you got drunk and slept over at some weird dude's house? We won't judge. We know you're here for the food. And that's A-OK.
(5)
Jon B.
Best breakfast in Berks. Period. Expansive menu - have never had anything I didn't like. How this place has not been on Food Network I'll never know. It is the best.
(5)
John D.
In town visiting a friend, he overwhelmingly recommended this place for breakfast. They are well-known for their pancake and French toast but all of their offerings looked great. I was a bit taken aback with the sheer number of options on the menu. The bigger problem was so many things looked so good!! I opted for Cat Scratch Fever as it sounded really unique. I was not disappointed, excellent choice w the braised beef ribs, spinach, eggs, toast and asiago. I also got to try the regular pancake (awesome), and the Roxanne burrito. All great, highly recommend!
(5)
Erin H.
Woke up from a night of drinking and the group just wanted a good breakfast. Pulled up to this place and I could just tell this was going to be amazing. The menu is a lot to take in on for first time. We ended up getting the pancakes, two omelette, sweet crepes, a bread bowl, and some sides. My bf and I split the pancakes and his sister and her friend split the crepes. Put it this way we definitely were struggling to eat any more. The pancakes were so fluffy and you didn't even need syrup. To bad we don't have a place like this is Jersey.
(5)
Jane E.
Came here for the first time based on Yelp reviews on a Sunday at 12. The place was full and still our wait was 20 minutes.. Not bad especially since all the reviews stated the wait was the worse part. The menu is in fact huge but after having Hanks Cajun Girl, I will glady try anything on their menu. My food was a 5+ for flavor and taste. Huge portion I did take half home. Which I find to be a plus not a negative. Server was great and honestly can not say one bad thing.
(5)
Nate S.
So amazing. Anything you want they have. I can't wait to go after my bodybuilding season
(5)
Daniel L.
Came here with one of my friends this weekend based off all the good yelp reviews, and it most certainly love up to all the hype. We got there around 9:30 and there was a few larger parties waiting outside (the place was packed). Luckily we were able to get 2 seats at the counter looking out the window. The menu was packed from front to back with so many unique options that sounded good but also sounded weird based on the different combinations. It took us about 10-15 minutes to finally decide what we wanted. I got a sausage egg and cheese sad which on blueberry pancakes and it was delicious. My friend got a bacon, ham, egg, tomato and cheese sandwich on French toast. Both were amazing and huge. My friend said it might have been the best breakfast sandwich he had ever had. Overall the food took a little while to come out but it was well worth the small wait. I will be goin back again and again to try more of their unique and delicious dishes. Best breakfast spot I have been to in Berks so far. Defiantly recomend
(5)
Jeffrey B.
It doesnt get any better then this. Long wait, no place to wait and its totally worth it. Top notch in every aspect. Come hungry with time to spare, leave happy.
(5)
Chad F.
This place is great. I live right down the road and frequent as much as I can. I would give 5 stars but the wait for the food and sometimes the wait for a table is a bit much. Other then that it's to die for. Everything is so unique and the menu is just amazing. Can't find anything else like it around here. It has that city flare that I love.
(4)
Daniel C.
We got to the restaurant as a party of two at around 11:20AM and had to wait 30 minutes to be seated.. Then we had our order taken and didn't see our food until 40 minutes later. The server was friendly and refilled my coffee promptly but I would agree with other reviewers here, the wait times are atrocious. Not a place to go if you're looking for a "quick bite". The meal included plenty of food and was hot and flavorful. I couldn't see myself returning, however, with the long wait times.
(3)
Chris N.
Best breakfast in Berks, hands down. Get there early to get a table because the line forms all day!! Worth the wait.
(5)
Jaime P.
I have only ever had phenomenal food at the Tomcat. Also calling service when table is ready is a great service additive at this business. I recommend any of the specials blackbird is my favorite!
(5)
Robert K.
The Tom Cat Cafe is an over-hyped food establishment. Very plainly stated, but I'll make sure to elaborate further below. When I go out to eat at a place that is as highly-touted as the Tom Cat by my friends, I expect something memorable. Memorable is what I got. I will preface this by stating that I did order from their X-Files menu. Upon retrospect, that was probably a poor decision but since it's a menu offering nonetheless, I will not let that impact my rating. This is quite possibly the first time I've ever been physically ill from my food. I had ordered some spicy french toast and, while the taste was forgettable, the after effects were not. I was visibly ill, confirmed by my wife who wasn't sure what was wrong. I looked around for potential spots to throw my meal up, but there actually wasn't any good spot because.... The Tom Cat Cafe is also a fire hazard. They packed as many people as humanly possible into a very small space which causes many emotions to form in your head. You can hear every conversation in the room, which must give you a glimpse into what Professor X would feel when using Cerebro. That said, I'd pass eating here again. Why, when you have so many options in the area, would you ever return? The answer; hype. People hype it up to be this great thing, and instead of sucking it up to admit... hey, this really isn't that great, they just put their fake smile on and continue to recommend it. I won't. If you're here, then you're willing to take time out of your day to actually find a better place to eat. If you've read this, then heed the warning and check out other options.
(1)
Lisa D.
This place not only has the best breakfast in Berks, but in my (humble) opinion the best breakfast all over the world! My husband and I were regulars, going just about every weekend until we moved out of state. We are still searching for a breakfast spot like this... sadly, i don't think it exists. The food and service are both exceptional. The menu offers endless options of both savory and sweet dishes. And, it's a great value for the amount of food you get - I often left with a doggy bag. When we make a trip home to PA, we will definitely be stopping in!
(5)
Marc K.
We still love visiting the Tomcat Cafe... It still is a great value when you consider that the majority of entrees will provide two more breakfasts via what you end up taking home with you.
(5)
Benny L.
Pretty good breakfast spot and all of their food is great. It's a small place and has always been crowded every time I've gone. No parking lot and they close early on the weekends.
(4)
Rayah A.
Still can't believe how amazing this place was. I wish they'd open one in Scranton. It's just cool. I'm updating because I had some (emphasis on some) leftovers this morning for breakfast. Still delicious. I chose to heat up HALF of one of my Bacon, Caramelized Onions, and Sweet Corn pancakes in a medium frying pan. It took up the entire pan...only half of it! It crisped right back up and was soooo delicious it felt dirty. Anyways...please eat here.
(5)
Yvette F.
Incredible experience and cheap too. Very quaint,little place in the middle of nowhere but so worth the trek.
(5)
Jesse B.
Go here... just go! Look at those Yelp ratings... you think everyone's lying??! This place is hands down the best breakfast anywhere close to the Reading area. The food is not only suberb but it's also totally unique, with music-inspired names like "Electric Ladyland" (Jimi Hendrix), "Go Ask Alice" (Jefferson Airplane), and "Mama Said Knock You Out" (LL Cool J). The flavors are just as unique and diverse as the names. They have 56 (count 'em) styles of pancakes. Their french toast slices are stuffed with all manner of wild ingredients like cheesecake, creme brulee, fruity pebbles, funnel cake. And there are plenty of savory dishes to fill you up as well. Prices range from $9-11 for an omelet plate with home fries and toast, $8 for a huge stack for specielty pancakes, and $9 for their flavored/stuffed/encrusted french toast creations. WARNING: the place is extremely busy on weekends. Expect to wait about an hour for a table. I'd shoot for a weekday morning when it's still bustling but not quite as crazy as Saturday and Sunday. But his place is busy for a good reason... go and taste it for yourself!
(5)
John C.
The breakfast is the best I ever had in the Reading area and I lived in Reading for almost 40 years.
(5)
Melissa I.
I was torn in between 4 and 5 stars for this particular place... I love the food. Everything there is delicious and cooked to order. There are just the right amount of menu selections in a clever rock and roll theme. The pricing is reasonable for what you are getting. The reason for the 4 stars? Tom Cat Cafe is small. You need to wait a long time to eat because of their hours and limited seating, and overall, the inside is darker than I like. The food is truly outstanding, though. Everything is fresh, and there are so many delicious things you never thought to try. Definitely one of the best places to go in the area. Make a reservation and get there!
(4)
Nicole B.
We are so lucky to have this restaurant only blocks from our home. The menu is biblical in proportion. Seems like 100s of choices. Every dish is carefully prepared, so much that the chef does not allow modifications or substitutions. And with good reason. Usually a bit of a wait, but it's worth it. The food is unreal.
(4)
Steve I.
Loved the breakfast here with my wife and grandchildren. The place was packed and we were initially told we would have a half an hour wait but it only was 10 minutes. Great fast service. Kids ordered French toast from the children's menu. I tasted their toast and it was the best I ever had. All the portions are enormous. I had the blitzkrieg which was pastrami eggs Swiss cheese and the wife had stuffed pancakes with eggs and sausage. The menu is like reading War and Peace six pages of breakfast selections. Can not wait to go back.
(5)
Joseph S.
Everyone raved about this place. The wait was long.... the service was slow.... The food was mediocre at best... Coffee was not great. Food portion were decent size. Kind of disappointed considering the hype. I always give places two chances to redeem themselves just incase we get a bad server or cook wasn't on his game. In all fairness two stars is all they get today.
(2)
Vivian D.
The absolute best breakfast in PA. If you are even remotely close it is a must stop. Have used yelp and been to dozens of places across the united states and afar and have never gone to a better place ! No words to describe/ you must go !
(5)
Julie M.
Just to give you an idea of portion sizes. We ate here on a Saturday. I ate leftovers Sunday and Monday.... I had a breakfast bowl and it was delicious (all three days I ate it). The bowl was nice and soft, the gravy was a great consistency and excellently flavored. Everything that came in it tasted fresh and mixed well to make a great dish. The service was good. We had to wait to get a table, but no longer than necessary. The menu is overwhelming. If you can't find something on this massive menu, something is wrong with you. The restaurant is small and crowded, but not in an uncomfortable kind of way. I wish they served more than breakfast!
(5)
Gerry K.
Probably the most imaginative and interesting breakfast place in the Reading area. The portions are enormous, which to me seems like a waste of food considering they could pack the place just on the decent food quality and the promise of the great menu. I finished my French toast but my partner could only eat one of his pancakes and even then he had to share it around the table to accomplish that. I was served pancakes that large at the Country Pancake House in Ridgewood NJ and everyone at the tables around me laughed at how huge they were. Here it seems like no one bats an eye at large portions. My sister in law had to take almost half of her 4 egg omelet home. I had something called Suspicious Minds which is bacon encrusted French toast, filled with bananas and peanut butter mousse. I couldn't really taste the peanut butter and there were a few fatty bits in the bacon. The side of bacon we got for the table confirmed that the bacon was just okay. My partner couldn't find the cheesecake that was allegedly in his blueberry pancakes, they were tasty nonetheless. We went on Wednesday morning and got the only open table, I can imagine that it's packed on weekends. however, being from NJ, we're used to hour long waits at the best breakfast places. if you don't like waiting, stay away on the weekends. There is a parking lot next door but its for church use only on Sundays. This place is definitely a winner, I think they need to reduce the portion sizes and raise the quality of the ingredients (just a bit). The menu is also ridiculously large, they could chop it in half and still please everyone who walks in the door. Plus the time it takes to read the menu probably contributes to the long waits for a table. Like others have said, they allow no substitutions or changes to the menu items--maybe they're trying to keep things easy for the cooks or reduce waitress error? The whacky names of the menu items are also silly and unnecessary and have nothing to do with the actual food. Nevertheless, I can't wait to go back and try the strawberry French toast with basil and goat cheese. just don't ask me what it's called.
(4)
Mara H.
The food was fantastic. The portions very ample.Although I have to be honest. The service was sub par. The waitress was not attentive. She acted like she had better things to be doing. One does not need to be a brain surgeon to realize you make better tips if you are nice.Just fake it if you need to!
(4)
Brian S.
best place for breakfast within a 2 hour drive, the wait time is absolutely worth it!
(5)
Andrea F.
This place is somewhat of a hole in the wall, small, crowded with tables, reminding me of popular restaurants for students in a college town; extremely casual atmosphere. Menu is huge...it's ridiculously huge given that the kitchen is so tiny and only one person was cooking. The food takes a while to come out for that reason, but there are card games like UNO at your table to keep you distracted. Coffee was "eh"... I had a breakfast sandwich consisting of french toast, lunchmeat ham, smoked gouda, bacon, fried egg, and tomato. It was served with home fries. It was good, but ultimately too much...the amount of food is obscene and I ended up taking half home and still felt like I was rolling out the door, about to pop my zipper. My hubby had a build your own omelet...four egg omelets are massive and he ended up taking home half as well. I was so excited to come to this place, but left not really wanting to come back, just being grossed out by all the obnoxious food combinations, thinking about all the people who are starving while we bask in glutony...the pancakes are plate sized. Just make sure you are hungry when you go. I left thinking less is more, can't wait to go back to The Breakfast Hut in Exeter! Weekends are crowded at Tom Cat and there is a line, so go early. I think this place is over-rated.
(2)
Jessica C.
Best breakfast in Berks Co... if you're not in a rush. There's always a wait and the service is slow, but the food is worth it! My fav is the crossroads -- think crab cake Benedict
(5)
Krystle B.
Great options! Had an egg wrap type meal with crab, mango and cilantro and it was very tasty!
(4)
Scott B.
This spot is def in my top ten breakfast spots that I've been to. My french toast w/ fruity pebbles, bananas & strawberries was incredible! It walked a great line between being breakfast & dessert in one, w/o being too sweet. My only gripe is that the menu is absurd & probably one of the most annoying menus that I've ever had to read. Please simplify it or lay it out in a way that is easy to read. Trying to figure out what I wanted was painful. Mind you, that frustration was more then made up by the badass french toast
(5)
Seam H.
Best Breakfast in Berks. Owner and staff are outstanding. Well worth the wait on weekends. Weekdays usually have instant seating.
(5)
Tony K.
Best place to eat in PA. Amazing ingredients and huge portions. The owner and staff are super friendly and always say hi to my daughter. The building is small, so expect a wait. Rest assured, its well worth it.
(5)
Eric G.
Glad this place seems to be doing well. I have come to the place 3 times in the past two months. For some reason they seat two people at tables that are for four or more people. So when my family comes, we cant not seat because four top tables are needed so people can have their cell phones and purses on their own seat. What a shame...
(1)
Nicky P.
The food is amazing! My husband and I asked the waitress for a few recommendations is the menu is very lengthy. She was spot on with what she recommended. My husband and I shared, we opted to get on sweet dish and one savory. We ordered the Muskrat Love French toast. It is captain crunch crusted French toast stuffed with chocolate mousse and peanut butter and drizzled w chocolate and whit chocolate. It was amazing!!! Sweet but not over the top, although, I did not taste the peanut butter. We would order it again. Now for the savory- we ordered The Cat Scratch. It was scrambled eggs w mushrooms, shredded beef, spinach, parm cheese, and a blue cheese gravy. The shredded beef was great an all the flavored together were out of this world! When we go back we will probably try something new- we are adventurous. The portions are huge so come hungry but the restaurant is small and crowded so be prepared to wait! Easily best breakfast around.
(5)
Cynthia L.
I ate here and it was delicious. I had the dazed & confused. So many options to pick from menu, so much to indulge on. Service was great, waitresses are helpful and friendly. Loved this place. Pancakes are gigantic, must go for pancake lovers also
(5)
Eric P.
Best breakfast ever! I've been here about 30-40 times and have never once been disappointed by anything I have ever gotten here. The staff is all amazing and the owner is super friendly and comes from table to table to check on everyone's meal. Sometimes the wait can be a but much but IT IS WORTH IT!!!
(5)
Ryan L.
Best breakfast I've ever had. Bacon Cheese Fries Omelette and Pumpkin Funnel Cake French Toast? Oh. My. God. Such a creative menu. Yeah, it's a tight squeeze, but you forget entirely about the time you spenting waiting once your fork hits the plate.
(5)
Pati S.
I can't say anything bad about the food. It is different, and tasty....most unusual for Berks County. Oh yeah forgot to add, DO NOT GO HERE ON A DIET!!! Now....What I do have neg to say is, the waiting policy. It is an extremely small quaint restaurant. Usually more then a 20-30 min wait on the weekends. No place inside to wait, and they say you can't block the door, must wait outside. ok well winter's here are pretty cold. They will direct you to Dunkin Donuts to get a cup of coffee while you wait, isn't that nice of them. I have gone here a few times that it has been closed during posted open times. I understand from their Facebook page they close often for family vacations, sick days etc. I can't hold that against them to bad, apparently the patrons don't mind they keep going back. I just don't find them very friendly over all...more of a oh well, we don't need your business kinda attitude. it's been open a few years now so I guess it's working for them, just not for me.
(2)
Dave H.
They are plain KILLIN' it here! Think about the best breakfast you ever ate, then go to the Tomcat Cafe and think again!
(5)
Isaiah T.
Exceptional Breakfast, Great Staff! Not only do I go here at least once a week, but I recommend it to all of my friends, coworkers, and out of towners. Sometimes you get menus that are so big that nothing is very good, but every item is a homerun. I have had the Electric Ladyland (Oreo Cheesecake Funnel Cake French Toast), Little Martha (Crab Omelette), Flowers on the Wall (Creme Brulee Stuffed French Toast w/strawberries and cookie crust), all amazing. Today I tried Two Oat Sodas, Gary , which is one of their bread bowls stuffed with eggs, bacon, ham, peppers, onions, and covered in a beer cheese fondue sauce--absolutely amazing. I also highly recommend paying the $1 up-charge for their specialty homefries--the Pesto Parmesan homefries are irresistible. To conclude...GO HERE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
John B.
Over 50 different types of pancakes and a handful of amazing omelets, you can't go wrong with Tom Cat. My favorite is the banana and peanut butter chip pancakes. Two pancakes of the biggest I have ever seen overlapping a large plate. My friend seemed to really enjoy his french toast with oreos in it as well. Sundays are super busy, the earlier the better. Serving time can be a bit slower in the later hours. Suggest getting there earliest as possible. Tables are real tight, felt like I was in the conversation next to us.
(5)
Kevin B.
Outstanding! The wife and I were in town visiting family this was our first time eating here. The portions were way more than one gets at normal restaurants. The food was well prepared and presented. The service was fantastic. It has a small dining area so we had a long wait but it was well worth it.
(5)
Rachel N.
I love this place! Amazing food and great prices for how much food you get. If you are in town for the weekend, you must try Tom Cat!
(5)
Caroline P.
Way over the top menu is exciting, but overelaborate and super hard to read! The food was plentiful and good but it was more like brunch on acid than a gourmet breakfast. Nonetheless, the kitchen is snooty and inflexible: there are warnings on the menu not to ask for substitutions and apparently this also covers asking for calorie-laden sauce on the side. It adds up to the impression you're there to serve them and not the other way around. Fortunately for Tom Cat, food in the surrounding area is terrible.
(3)
Alison H.
Suspicious agent I think is what it was called, Bacon encrusted French toast with sliced banana and peanut butter mousse $8.50. Side of home fries $2 and coffee around $2. Huge portion of 2 slices of bread and large side of homefries. It was very tasty! I enjoyed their fun and innovative menu options... So many things to choose from that I could barely decide. Omelets, pancakes, crepes, breakfast sandwiches and you can get a twist on all of them! Lunch wed-fri until 2p Breakfast wed-sun Wed-fri until 2pm Sat and sun until 1p
(4)
David C.
Exceptional Muskrat Loovvvve. Service is slow so bring a book. The food is worth the wait!
(4)
Nicky W.
The variety of unique options seem limitless and the ingredients are top notch. Have never had a bad meal here. The atmosphere is very casual and laid back. Service has always been friendly and prompt. There is a often a wait but it is totally worth it. Stop for a cup of coffee before you go, give them your name for the wait list and sit in the car getting your java buzz while you wait. While you're waiting, check out the menu and decide ahead of time because making a choice is tough with so many fantastic and one of a kind options. Portions are huge...you will likely have leftovers. Prices are fair and the flavors are out of this world. My personal favorite for now is the Crossroad: crab cake, fried egg, home fries, and garlic cream sauce. Amazing.
(5)
Kimba Z.
We tried to visit this morning at 9, but everything was closed, despite the sign saying they were open at 8am. Is this restaurant closed for good?
(1)
Nate D.
Me, my wife and kids stopped in at the Tom Cat for the first time on my wife's birthday. We had heard good things about the cafe, but because we don't get down to Sinking Springs that often we hadn't had a chance to stop in. So on a cold snowy Saturday around 12 noon we ventured in. Even on a day with crummy weather there was a 20 min wait, but the proprietor had us wait in a hallway where it was warm, and provided us with menus to browse through. Which was a good thing because their menu is extensive, dishes named after movies and music made it a pleasure to read through, and a great way to remember them bye. I had the Roxanne, my wife the Paul Simon. For the 4 of us it came to $35 that was 4 meals and 4 drinks. The food was great, the Roxanne had Chipolti Chicken, avocado, roasted peppers, mushrooms, and scrambled eggs in a wrap, accompanied with home fries. I'm sure to visit again, next time with more friends who have yet to had the pleasure of stopping in at the Tom Cat
(5)
Emily M.
The concept of this restaurant is great. Menu items are named after songs (and the menu is extensive!). My boyfriend and I went in on a Sunday, they were pretty busy but we must have gotten there at the right time because we were seated quickly at the counter and got to hear the wait times grow longer and longer (over an hour at one point). Our waitress was great, always on top of keeping the coffee cup full. She gave us ample time to read the menu and was quick to take our order. Here is where the problem started. Not sure what the hold up was but it took over 45 minutes to get our food. We went from a happy, lighthearted discussion over the ambience of the restaurant to discussing the problems with the execution of the restaurant and how to improve their turn around. (Finally!) My boyfriend got 'the landslide' with parmesan pesto homefries which he enjoyed and I got the french toast special of the day (can't remember the song title) which looked amazing. Upon eating it though, the toast was lukewarm and the fruit on top was still frozen in the center. I am a HUGE breakfast lover and just couldn't get past the temperature differences even though the rest of the flavoring was good. First impressions mean a great deal and unfortunately I don't think we will be back to try the other fun combinations.
(3)
Sophia L.
This is the best place for brunch I've been to yet. Perfect for right before a long roadtrip; I'm so full by the time I'm done cleaning my plate that I won't need to eat for several hours after. They have creative menu items with a variety of ingredients used in their dishes. Omelettes, French toasts, bread bowls, crepes are never boring here. I tried the weekend specials of veal medallions with poached eggs on ciabatta and parmesian truffle homefries (DELICIOUS; also named as "How to Marry A Millionaire) and the mango creme brulee stuffed French toast with fruit (named Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), and the First Edition bacon and scrambled eggs stuffed crepe. yummy!! oh it was quite busy and packed when we visited on a Sunday noon. waited almost an hour for food, though that was partially because they had to move in the outdoor seaters when it looked like it was going to rain.
(5)
Jeroen H.
A++ absolutely amazing. It makes sense there was a wait on a Wednesday at 9am. Bravo, well done!!! My wife and I had a great time playing UNO while we waited.
(5)
Bill P.
I go here whenever possible. They only serve breakfastand are always busy but there's a reason. It's wonderful food. I have tried many different items and have yet to be disappointed. Don't come if you are in a rush, it usually takes about an hour from sit down to leave. I recommend the Paradise City dandwich highly. The service becomes super friendly after a few visits and the staff remembers what you like. Its a small place but bring the whole family!
(5)
Barb G.
11/16/2013 Without a doubt the best breakfast I have ever had! I have 2 kids who live in NYC, one kid in L.A. and one kid in WASH DC...So I have been around many restaurants while visiting them ... This place is creative, fun, friendly but most important a treat for your palate! If there is a wait don't be deterred it goes fast...plan to savor the atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, take your time with the menu...enjoy the coffee choices...but mostly be ready for a taste sensation! The combination of ingredients are unending....DO IT!!
(5)
Tia T.
Went here on the weekend twice, they only serve breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. They have a very creative menu...lots of decadent pancakes and crepes. Great omelet options. A great place in berks, high quality ingredients and a pleasant atmosphere. I just wish they had lunch and dinner on the weekend!! Sometimes there's a long wait, but the quality is worth the wait!
(4)
Sahndra Y.
This place is not only cool looking and has a great atmosphere, but the food is knock you out good. It was recommended to us by a friend so when we went to visit them we checked it out. (It's an hour away from us) Not only are the portions huge but the food itself tastes like it was made by a gourmet chef. The selection is vast as well, and while you wait they give you a game to play. We had a stack of uno cards at our table. I have been many places and in many states and The Tom Cat is by far the best! We will no doubt take the drive again.
(5)
Ricky B.
Breakfast only!!! Excellent!!! Huge portions!!! A++++++ huge menu. Forty something different pancakes and a ton of omelets.
(5)
Matthew W.
We had a great brunch here. We had banana crepes and the banana pancakes. Excellent. Even more fun was just reading the menu. We actually had a hard time deciding what to order because it ALL sounded good. And if you "like" them on Facebook, they are happy to let you know the weekend specials including "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" and "It Really Tied the Room Together" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart". Wonderful. It is a small shop, but patience will be rewarded. The portions are generous and freshly made. The chef is fond of whipped cream.
(5)
Shane K.
Awesome food. Awesome chef owners. Awesome staff. What more needs to be said?
(5)
Brad W.
4.5 Stars I've dined here a few times, but my most recent visit with friends had prompted me to put The Tom Cat Cafe on the to-yelp list. And it's now time to-yelp. I really don't have much to add to the other reviews. Just that I highly recommend going for breakfast. Though the sheer amount of choices is a little overwhelming, I finally settled on the "Green Day" crepe. The filling was tasty and very savory. One of the ingredients is goat cheese, and I just love me some goat cheese. However, the savory flavor over powered the fact that it was in a crepe, and I didn't feel like I was eating breakfast. Next time I'll order a sweet crepe. But then I also had the Baked Oatmeal, which was way, way amazing! It was so delish. Get it! My wife had the Caprese Omelet. I tried a bite of that and liked it. And there was some French Toast at the table, I believe? But did I mention the Baked Oatmeal? Aside from the food which everyone liked, the service is top notch! You may have to wait by the sometimes very crowded door, but you also have the option of sitting on a bench outside if you get a little claustrophobic. Well worth the wait!
(5)
Phillip M.
Don't miss the Tomcat Cafe if you are in the Sinking Spring/Reading area. Extensive menu full of creative breakfast food. Despite being jam-packed, the service was good and the food came in a reasonable amount of time. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Penn C.
We had two of our children celebrating birthdays today, and we wanted something memorable for them. Well, the Tom Cat Cafe exceeded all expectations! While there was some waiting, it was because every dish is individually prepared and beautifully presented. Our last daughter is deployed in S. Korea and when she returns in January we will be making plans to celebrate her return,
(5)
Brinda G.
Great find! We had the bread bowl and sweet potato fritters. Portions were plenty and the taste was even better! Definitely our new breakfast place!
(5)
Jaime B.
This place is amazing! It is truly unique to Berks County. They have a ridiculously varied and creative menu. You will absolutely love this place. They have the most creative pancakes and french toast recipes. My husband got cheesecake-stuffed french toast and it was literally to die for. If you are looking for eggs, they have a huge variety there too! Or you can create your own omelet. Food is not expensive but it is amazing! Sarah was our server and she was excellent. Loved her! Check out the Tom Cat Cafe!
(5)
Pat D.
My son lives in Sinking Spring & has been raving about this place for quite a while. We finally had a chance to go on Saturday for breakfast. I was blown away! We were a party of 7, which included a 5 year old, a 4 year old and a baby. This posed absolutely no problem for our servers, and we were treated fabulously. The omelet selection is extensive and quite creative. My son had one with eggplant that was very good. Hubby had something called Delta Blues, which was very good but had him wishing he had ordered something with a little more kick. DIL had steak & eggs -- excellent. Kids had pancakes, and I had Bananas Foster waffles. I almost never order something sweet like that for breakfast, but it called to me from the menu & I relented. I was not sorry. It was to die for. The serving sizes were quite generous, and I thought the prices were very good. Disclaimer: I'm from Philly, so my idea of a good price is skewed. It's not a huge place, and my son says that there can be quite a line at times. The general theme is New Orleans Jazzy Blues, but it is not overdone. Service is exceptional. If I lived in the area, I'd be there every week at least, and I'd work my way from one end of the extensive menu to the other. They are also open for lunch and dinner.
(5)
Tracy D.
I know i'm in the minority here. I just am not that impressed with Tom Cat. I hear people talk all the time about how it's the best this and that but I just don't feel that way. I believe part of it may be that Berks County does not have a single good place to get breakfast so Tom Cat looks mighty good. The food is decent. I feel like the omelettes are generally overcooked. I find it annoying that one cannot order off the lunch menu on Sunday's. Sometimes you don't know if you are in a lunch mood or a breakfast mood until you're there. I think the biggest drawback for me though is the layout. There is no appropriate place to wait for a table, which you'll pretty much always have to do on a weekend.
(2)
Denis A.
Drove all the way to the restaurant for 1 hour and found out they were closed for a week. Never knew restaurants could just close. I guess I should have called but didn't think to. Maybe it was for the best because the neighborhood was a little sketchy there. Furthermore, I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt which apparently is not acceptable at this breakfast place as it requires business casual attire. Really, business casual for breakfast?
(2)
Mk S.
Eclectic. Yuppie pricing.
(3)
Scott M.
Good food but a long wait. We went on a Sunday morning for our first visit. We arrived to be told an approximately 1 hour wait. The wait ended up being an hour and 15 minutes. Once seated, the staff was very friendly and helpful. Food took about 15 minutes after we ordered. Two people had different types of funnel cake french toast and I had one of the bowls (Mark is Zero, Smokey bowl). The food was delivered hot and it was delicious. Our waitress was courteous and attentive making sure to refill our drinks as needed and checking in to see if we needed anything. Next time I will call ahead to put our name on the list so we're not sitting around so long. Definitely worth a return visit.
(4)
Lee C.
That was the most incredible breakfast ever! The menu is different, very quirky. It took a while to decide. I had The Gambler Omelet (bacon, caramelized onion and goat cheese). Then of course my daughter and I had to have some crepes (Dancing Berries). The pancake selection is very cool. Both of my sons had pancakes (blueberry and chocolate chip cookie dough). They were HUGE! They loved them. The wait staff were wonderful. Attentive, cool, not overwhelming. The atmosphere was neat, quaint, coordinated perfectly with the menu. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Stef F.
Lovely variety...with a fun, musical atmosphere. Their omelette's are interesting and delicious. Their pancakes, home-made and quite yummy.
(4)
Roxy G.
By far the BEST breakfast I have ever had in my entire life! OMG words can NOT describe the amazing-ness this place exudes! I Strawberry cheesecake pancakes are amaze-balls!! The menu at this place is so awesome it is near impossible to decide on just one thing. It is super crowded so call ahead, most times you will wait outside for a good 20 min but it is worth ever single minute of the wait. Try this place you will not be disappointed!
(5)
Al W.
Went for Sunday brunch. Cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. Place was crowded, so had to wait 20mins for a table-no surprise. Large menu and huge portions. Good prices, but food was average to subpar. Pancakes were powdery, and bland. Omelet was decent. An okay option for brunch in reading area.
(3)
Tom M.
The menu will take 15 minutes to read. So many outstanding choices. The place should be on the Food Network Diners Drive ins and Dives {if you seen the show you will get it}. Very friendly and attractive staff. The food was awesome. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because we had to wait 1 hour 15 minutes to just get a table. Then it took close to 30-35 minutes to get the food. I get that it is trendy and popular but when you are hungry do you want to wait close to 2 hours?? I will have to try the place during the week as I went there 9 am Sunday morning and did not leave until around 11:30. It is not a good place to go if you need to be somewhere in an hour or so. All the other reviews hit the mark. Odd combinations of foods that are outstanding. You taste buds will be working OT. The chef or chefs are awesome. If you a lot of time, then you will love it. FYI dont go here with more then 4-5 people.
(4)
Smiling Bob H.
Maybe it is what I choose or they were having a bad day.... 20 minutes at the door watching a bunch of people sitting there looking around for their food.... another 20 at the table doing the exact same thing..... had an omlet that was supposed to have Churizo sausage, cheddar cheese, peppers and onions - needed a micoscope to find any of the above - eggs were cooked WELL done (I call it burnt with hard edges), toast was think cut bread and there wasnt a toast on either piece -and they use what tastes like Margarine on it (REALLY GROSS!!!!) - potatoes were plain boring and COLD. Coffee was "Green Mountain" - pot must have need a cleaing or somthing.... 3 of us came to over $35.00 without tip.... Made McDonalds up the steet look appealing - shame it was closed or I would have walked out.
(1)
Natalya D.
I love the Tomcat, and am honestly in disbelief at what appear to be blatant lies in some of these negative reviews. The Tomcat Cafe and their staff are some of the most hardworking and dedicated individuals I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Every dish is handcrafted to ensure the quality never changes and the servers are some of the nicest around. I've had the owner come out to make sure I was enjoying my meal and I've seen him replace meals for those who were not satisfied. I've never seen a staff member yell at a customer even if the customer was not friendly. Is it the best place for breakfast? Absolutely. And do they need your business? Probably not. I regularly see a line wrapped around the building. However, I believe that they probably want your business. Because it's obviously their goal to make sure that every customer enjoys their visit. Unfortunately some people are incapable of enjoying anything and feel it's their job to make it difficult for other people to enjoy the greatest breakfast of their life. May they find happiness and may everyone else get their Tomcat on. Seriously.. This place rocks.
(5)
Keith H.
Best breakfast in Berks!! The Tom Cat Cafe is a great little restaurant off of Penn Ave that serves possibly the best breakfast you will ever have! It is a small restaurant with maybe 10 tables so expect to wait a little bit. (Trust me it is worth it) My wife and I went on a Saturday at 8:30 (they open at 8:00) and we had to wait about 10 min for a table. Another group that came before us ended up waiting over a half an hour due to a group of six. I would not recommend bringing a large group, there really is no comfortable way to fit a large group. The decor is nice with a retro rock/blues feel. Now onto the important stuff, THE FOOD!! The menu is huge. Most of the menu are variations of pancakes, french toast, and omelets. They also have a variety of specials listed to choose from. With the pancakes alone their are 50 varieties to choose from. They range from normal versions like blueberry to odd ones like churizo and jalapeno. I had the #49 blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, and cheesecake pancakes. Yes they are as good as they sound. The pancakes are HUGE. You get two with the order and no sides, but honestly you will not miss them. I had the pancakes with their homemade blueberry syrup. They were unbelievable! The pancakes were nice, fluffy, and sweet. I could not finish them so they made a nice Sunday breakfast as well! My wife had their Tuscan Omelet which came with toast and homefries. She was in heaven! The eggs with the veggies and cheese was perfectly cooked and balanced. The homefries were crispy and delicious. (I got yelled at for stealing to many!) I would give the food a 6 out of 5! The service was also top notch. The waitress was friendly and the owner/chef came out to talk with the guests and thank those who were waiting for a seat. Very impressive demeanor and was entertaining to the crowd. I cannot stress enough how good the experience was. If you live anywhere in Berks, visiting the area, or do not mind a drive you have to check out Tom Cat Cafe! The food is exceptional!
(5)
Eli G.
The other reviews say it all, so I'll be brief and say just this: we've been there many times, have ordered from almost every category, and have yet to be disappointed. It's that simple.
(5)
Catherine M.
Almost perfect. The food is EXCELLENT but there is usually a wait and the waiting area is minimal.
(4)
William B.
I brought my handicapped father here when visiting him from Chicago. The facility does not have a wheelchair ramp, but does have outside seating that worked out well. My dad loves breakfast, but most of the places I take him to in Reading are pretty mediocre - canned mushrooms in the omelets, boring menus, etc. The Tomcat rivals anything we have in Chicago - creative menu, fresh ingredients, everything made to order. Our breakfasts were delicious! While they were busy, the waitress was very friendly and never rushed us. This place is a gem!
(5)
CritiQue Y.
Don't know how this one got past us! But now that we found it, its our go-to weekend breakfast place. Food and service are both excellent. Not the same run of the mill breakfast you can get anywhere. I recommend you try this place!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Barbara R.
The food here is so good and the service is phenomenal! Highly recommend you get here early but if you have to wait, it's worth it
(5)Crystal B.
Food is delish!!!!! However be prepared to wait for seat!!! BUT very worth it!!!! Over 50 types of pancakes. You get A lot of food!!!!
(5)Deirdre L.
A really fabulous breakfast! Sweet potato, blk bean, corn fritters covered in cheddar scrambled eggs, chive/cilantro sour cream and creole sauce...so so so good
(5)Rachel W.
Beat out every other "best breakfast ever!" Our family shared The Blackbird, Make it Zero Smokey, and Banana with Triple Berry Pancakes. Oh our gosh! Can't recommend this place more! We will be regulars.
(5)Mike F.
Breakfast with that small-town charm. If I were going out for breakfast in the 70's or 80's, this is the kind of place where I'd see myself eating. Close-quarters tables, friendly service, pop icons on the walls, big-ol' coffee mugs, fresh-squeezed OJ, hearty portions - there's a strong sense of nostalgia here. And it all comes together perfectly. The seating is limited. The wait is long - I've never had to wait less than 30 minutes. You'll be up close and personal with fellow diners you've never met before. But it's hard to hold it against this place. It's a small building to begin with. In a previous life, this restaurant was a house. So you're essentially eating in the hollowed out living room of the old residence. So as with all places, you have to take the good with the bad. But let's talk about the food (and this is where the Tomcat absolutely separates itself from the competition). Please, take a moment and pan through the pictures from Yelpers past. Those aren't stock, canned photos. That's actually how the food comes out. I would say look at my own pictures for reference, but admittedly, I didn't order the most photogenic dishes. Taste-wise, though? Out of sight. Come for your classic breakfast experience. Seriously. Just roll out of bed and come in whatever you're wearing. Sweatpants? Onesies? Yoga pants? The little black dress from last night because you got drunk and slept over at some weird dude's house? We won't judge. We know you're here for the food. And that's A-OK.
(5)Jon B.
Best breakfast in Berks. Period. Expansive menu - have never had anything I didn't like. How this place has not been on Food Network I'll never know. It is the best.
(5)John D.
In town visiting a friend, he overwhelmingly recommended this place for breakfast. They are well-known for their pancake and French toast but all of their offerings looked great. I was a bit taken aback with the sheer number of options on the menu. The bigger problem was so many things looked so good!! I opted for Cat Scratch Fever as it sounded really unique. I was not disappointed, excellent choice w the braised beef ribs, spinach, eggs, toast and asiago. I also got to try the regular pancake (awesome), and the Roxanne burrito. All great, highly recommend!
(5)Erin H.
Woke up from a night of drinking and the group just wanted a good breakfast. Pulled up to this place and I could just tell this was going to be amazing. The menu is a lot to take in on for first time. We ended up getting the pancakes, two omelette, sweet crepes, a bread bowl, and some sides. My bf and I split the pancakes and his sister and her friend split the crepes. Put it this way we definitely were struggling to eat any more. The pancakes were so fluffy and you didn't even need syrup. To bad we don't have a place like this is Jersey.
(5)Jane E.
Came here for the first time based on Yelp reviews on a Sunday at 12. The place was full and still our wait was 20 minutes.. Not bad especially since all the reviews stated the wait was the worse part. The menu is in fact huge but after having Hanks Cajun Girl, I will glady try anything on their menu. My food was a 5+ for flavor and taste. Huge portion I did take half home. Which I find to be a plus not a negative. Server was great and honestly can not say one bad thing.
(5)Nate S.
So amazing. Anything you want they have. I can't wait to go after my bodybuilding season
(5)Daniel L.
Came here with one of my friends this weekend based off all the good yelp reviews, and it most certainly love up to all the hype. We got there around 9:30 and there was a few larger parties waiting outside (the place was packed). Luckily we were able to get 2 seats at the counter looking out the window. The menu was packed from front to back with so many unique options that sounded good but also sounded weird based on the different combinations. It took us about 10-15 minutes to finally decide what we wanted. I got a sausage egg and cheese sad which on blueberry pancakes and it was delicious. My friend got a bacon, ham, egg, tomato and cheese sandwich on French toast. Both were amazing and huge. My friend said it might have been the best breakfast sandwich he had ever had. Overall the food took a little while to come out but it was well worth the small wait. I will be goin back again and again to try more of their unique and delicious dishes. Best breakfast spot I have been to in Berks so far. Defiantly recomend
(5)Jeffrey B.
It doesnt get any better then this. Long wait, no place to wait and its totally worth it. Top notch in every aspect. Come hungry with time to spare, leave happy.
(5)Chad F.
This place is great. I live right down the road and frequent as much as I can. I would give 5 stars but the wait for the food and sometimes the wait for a table is a bit much. Other then that it's to die for. Everything is so unique and the menu is just amazing. Can't find anything else like it around here. It has that city flare that I love.
(4)Daniel C.
We got to the restaurant as a party of two at around 11:20AM and had to wait 30 minutes to be seated.. Then we had our order taken and didn't see our food until 40 minutes later. The server was friendly and refilled my coffee promptly but I would agree with other reviewers here, the wait times are atrocious. Not a place to go if you're looking for a "quick bite". The meal included plenty of food and was hot and flavorful. I couldn't see myself returning, however, with the long wait times.
(3)Chris N.
Best breakfast in Berks, hands down. Get there early to get a table because the line forms all day!! Worth the wait.
(5)Jaime P.
I have only ever had phenomenal food at the Tomcat. Also calling service when table is ready is a great service additive at this business. I recommend any of the specials blackbird is my favorite!
(5)Robert K.
The Tom Cat Cafe is an over-hyped food establishment. Very plainly stated, but I'll make sure to elaborate further below. When I go out to eat at a place that is as highly-touted as the Tom Cat by my friends, I expect something memorable. Memorable is what I got. I will preface this by stating that I did order from their X-Files menu. Upon retrospect, that was probably a poor decision but since it's a menu offering nonetheless, I will not let that impact my rating. This is quite possibly the first time I've ever been physically ill from my food. I had ordered some spicy french toast and, while the taste was forgettable, the after effects were not. I was visibly ill, confirmed by my wife who wasn't sure what was wrong. I looked around for potential spots to throw my meal up, but there actually wasn't any good spot because.... The Tom Cat Cafe is also a fire hazard. They packed as many people as humanly possible into a very small space which causes many emotions to form in your head. You can hear every conversation in the room, which must give you a glimpse into what Professor X would feel when using Cerebro. That said, I'd pass eating here again. Why, when you have so many options in the area, would you ever return? The answer; hype. People hype it up to be this great thing, and instead of sucking it up to admit... hey, this really isn't that great, they just put their fake smile on and continue to recommend it. I won't. If you're here, then you're willing to take time out of your day to actually find a better place to eat. If you've read this, then heed the warning and check out other options.
(1)Lisa D.
This place not only has the best breakfast in Berks, but in my (humble) opinion the best breakfast all over the world! My husband and I were regulars, going just about every weekend until we moved out of state. We are still searching for a breakfast spot like this... sadly, i don't think it exists. The food and service are both exceptional. The menu offers endless options of both savory and sweet dishes. And, it's a great value for the amount of food you get - I often left with a doggy bag. When we make a trip home to PA, we will definitely be stopping in!
(5)Marc K.
We still love visiting the Tomcat Cafe... It still is a great value when you consider that the majority of entrees will provide two more breakfasts via what you end up taking home with you.
(5)Benny L.
Pretty good breakfast spot and all of their food is great. It's a small place and has always been crowded every time I've gone. No parking lot and they close early on the weekends.
(4)Rayah A.
Still can't believe how amazing this place was. I wish they'd open one in Scranton. It's just cool. I'm updating because I had some (emphasis on some) leftovers this morning for breakfast. Still delicious. I chose to heat up HALF of one of my Bacon, Caramelized Onions, and Sweet Corn pancakes in a medium frying pan. It took up the entire pan...only half of it! It crisped right back up and was soooo delicious it felt dirty. Anyways...please eat here.
(5)Yvette F.
Incredible experience and cheap too. Very quaint,little place in the middle of nowhere but so worth the trek.
(5)Jesse B.
Go here... just go! Look at those Yelp ratings... you think everyone's lying??! This place is hands down the best breakfast anywhere close to the Reading area. The food is not only suberb but it's also totally unique, with music-inspired names like "Electric Ladyland" (Jimi Hendrix), "Go Ask Alice" (Jefferson Airplane), and "Mama Said Knock You Out" (LL Cool J). The flavors are just as unique and diverse as the names. They have 56 (count 'em) styles of pancakes. Their french toast slices are stuffed with all manner of wild ingredients like cheesecake, creme brulee, fruity pebbles, funnel cake. And there are plenty of savory dishes to fill you up as well. Prices range from $9-11 for an omelet plate with home fries and toast, $8 for a huge stack for specielty pancakes, and $9 for their flavored/stuffed/encrusted french toast creations. WARNING: the place is extremely busy on weekends. Expect to wait about an hour for a table. I'd shoot for a weekday morning when it's still bustling but not quite as crazy as Saturday and Sunday. But his place is busy for a good reason... go and taste it for yourself!
(5)John C.
The breakfast is the best I ever had in the Reading area and I lived in Reading for almost 40 years.
(5)Melissa I.
I was torn in between 4 and 5 stars for this particular place... I love the food. Everything there is delicious and cooked to order. There are just the right amount of menu selections in a clever rock and roll theme. The pricing is reasonable for what you are getting. The reason for the 4 stars? Tom Cat Cafe is small. You need to wait a long time to eat because of their hours and limited seating, and overall, the inside is darker than I like. The food is truly outstanding, though. Everything is fresh, and there are so many delicious things you never thought to try. Definitely one of the best places to go in the area. Make a reservation and get there!
(4)Nicole B.
We are so lucky to have this restaurant only blocks from our home. The menu is biblical in proportion. Seems like 100s of choices. Every dish is carefully prepared, so much that the chef does not allow modifications or substitutions. And with good reason. Usually a bit of a wait, but it's worth it. The food is unreal.
(4)Steve I.
Loved the breakfast here with my wife and grandchildren. The place was packed and we were initially told we would have a half an hour wait but it only was 10 minutes. Great fast service. Kids ordered French toast from the children's menu. I tasted their toast and it was the best I ever had. All the portions are enormous. I had the blitzkrieg which was pastrami eggs Swiss cheese and the wife had stuffed pancakes with eggs and sausage. The menu is like reading War and Peace six pages of breakfast selections. Can not wait to go back.
(5)Joseph S.
Everyone raved about this place. The wait was long.... the service was slow.... The food was mediocre at best... Coffee was not great. Food portion were decent size. Kind of disappointed considering the hype. I always give places two chances to redeem themselves just incase we get a bad server or cook wasn't on his game. In all fairness two stars is all they get today.
(2)Vivian D.
The absolute best breakfast in PA. If you are even remotely close it is a must stop. Have used yelp and been to dozens of places across the united states and afar and have never gone to a better place ! No words to describe/ you must go !
(5)Julie M.
Just to give you an idea of portion sizes. We ate here on a Saturday. I ate leftovers Sunday and Monday.... I had a breakfast bowl and it was delicious (all three days I ate it). The bowl was nice and soft, the gravy was a great consistency and excellently flavored. Everything that came in it tasted fresh and mixed well to make a great dish. The service was good. We had to wait to get a table, but no longer than necessary. The menu is overwhelming. If you can't find something on this massive menu, something is wrong with you. The restaurant is small and crowded, but not in an uncomfortable kind of way. I wish they served more than breakfast!
(5)Gerry K.
Probably the most imaginative and interesting breakfast place in the Reading area. The portions are enormous, which to me seems like a waste of food considering they could pack the place just on the decent food quality and the promise of the great menu. I finished my French toast but my partner could only eat one of his pancakes and even then he had to share it around the table to accomplish that. I was served pancakes that large at the Country Pancake House in Ridgewood NJ and everyone at the tables around me laughed at how huge they were. Here it seems like no one bats an eye at large portions. My sister in law had to take almost half of her 4 egg omelet home. I had something called Suspicious Minds which is bacon encrusted French toast, filled with bananas and peanut butter mousse. I couldn't really taste the peanut butter and there were a few fatty bits in the bacon. The side of bacon we got for the table confirmed that the bacon was just okay. My partner couldn't find the cheesecake that was allegedly in his blueberry pancakes, they were tasty nonetheless. We went on Wednesday morning and got the only open table, I can imagine that it's packed on weekends. however, being from NJ, we're used to hour long waits at the best breakfast places. if you don't like waiting, stay away on the weekends. There is a parking lot next door but its for church use only on Sundays. This place is definitely a winner, I think they need to reduce the portion sizes and raise the quality of the ingredients (just a bit). The menu is also ridiculously large, they could chop it in half and still please everyone who walks in the door. Plus the time it takes to read the menu probably contributes to the long waits for a table. Like others have said, they allow no substitutions or changes to the menu items--maybe they're trying to keep things easy for the cooks or reduce waitress error? The whacky names of the menu items are also silly and unnecessary and have nothing to do with the actual food. Nevertheless, I can't wait to go back and try the strawberry French toast with basil and goat cheese. just don't ask me what it's called.
(4)Mara H.
The food was fantastic. The portions very ample.Although I have to be honest. The service was sub par. The waitress was not attentive. She acted like she had better things to be doing. One does not need to be a brain surgeon to realize you make better tips if you are nice.Just fake it if you need to!
(4)Brian S.
best place for breakfast within a 2 hour drive, the wait time is absolutely worth it!
(5)Andrea F.
This place is somewhat of a hole in the wall, small, crowded with tables, reminding me of popular restaurants for students in a college town; extremely casual atmosphere. Menu is huge...it's ridiculously huge given that the kitchen is so tiny and only one person was cooking. The food takes a while to come out for that reason, but there are card games like UNO at your table to keep you distracted. Coffee was "eh"... I had a breakfast sandwich consisting of french toast, lunchmeat ham, smoked gouda, bacon, fried egg, and tomato. It was served with home fries. It was good, but ultimately too much...the amount of food is obscene and I ended up taking half home and still felt like I was rolling out the door, about to pop my zipper. My hubby had a build your own omelet...four egg omelets are massive and he ended up taking home half as well. I was so excited to come to this place, but left not really wanting to come back, just being grossed out by all the obnoxious food combinations, thinking about all the people who are starving while we bask in glutony...the pancakes are plate sized. Just make sure you are hungry when you go. I left thinking less is more, can't wait to go back to The Breakfast Hut in Exeter! Weekends are crowded at Tom Cat and there is a line, so go early. I think this place is over-rated.
(2)Jessica C.
Best breakfast in Berks Co... if you're not in a rush. There's always a wait and the service is slow, but the food is worth it! My fav is the crossroads -- think crab cake Benedict
(5)Krystle B.
Great options! Had an egg wrap type meal with crab, mango and cilantro and it was very tasty!
(4)Scott B.
This spot is def in my top ten breakfast spots that I've been to. My french toast w/ fruity pebbles, bananas & strawberries was incredible! It walked a great line between being breakfast & dessert in one, w/o being too sweet. My only gripe is that the menu is absurd & probably one of the most annoying menus that I've ever had to read. Please simplify it or lay it out in a way that is easy to read. Trying to figure out what I wanted was painful. Mind you, that frustration was more then made up by the badass french toast
(5)Seam H.
Best Breakfast in Berks. Owner and staff are outstanding. Well worth the wait on weekends. Weekdays usually have instant seating.
(5)Tony K.
Best place to eat in PA. Amazing ingredients and huge portions. The owner and staff are super friendly and always say hi to my daughter. The building is small, so expect a wait. Rest assured, its well worth it.
(5)Eric G.
Glad this place seems to be doing well. I have come to the place 3 times in the past two months. For some reason they seat two people at tables that are for four or more people. So when my family comes, we cant not seat because four top tables are needed so people can have their cell phones and purses on their own seat. What a shame...
(1)Nicky P.
The food is amazing! My husband and I asked the waitress for a few recommendations is the menu is very lengthy. She was spot on with what she recommended. My husband and I shared, we opted to get on sweet dish and one savory. We ordered the Muskrat Love French toast. It is captain crunch crusted French toast stuffed with chocolate mousse and peanut butter and drizzled w chocolate and whit chocolate. It was amazing!!! Sweet but not over the top, although, I did not taste the peanut butter. We would order it again. Now for the savory- we ordered The Cat Scratch. It was scrambled eggs w mushrooms, shredded beef, spinach, parm cheese, and a blue cheese gravy. The shredded beef was great an all the flavored together were out of this world! When we go back we will probably try something new- we are adventurous. The portions are huge so come hungry but the restaurant is small and crowded so be prepared to wait! Easily best breakfast around.
(5)Cynthia L.
I ate here and it was delicious. I had the dazed & confused. So many options to pick from menu, so much to indulge on. Service was great, waitresses are helpful and friendly. Loved this place. Pancakes are gigantic, must go for pancake lovers also
(5)Eric P.
Best breakfast ever! I've been here about 30-40 times and have never once been disappointed by anything I have ever gotten here. The staff is all amazing and the owner is super friendly and comes from table to table to check on everyone's meal. Sometimes the wait can be a but much but IT IS WORTH IT!!!
(5)Ryan L.
Best breakfast I've ever had. Bacon Cheese Fries Omelette and Pumpkin Funnel Cake French Toast? Oh. My. God. Such a creative menu. Yeah, it's a tight squeeze, but you forget entirely about the time you spenting waiting once your fork hits the plate.
(5)Pati S.
I can't say anything bad about the food. It is different, and tasty....most unusual for Berks County. Oh yeah forgot to add, DO NOT GO HERE ON A DIET!!! Now....What I do have neg to say is, the waiting policy. It is an extremely small quaint restaurant. Usually more then a 20-30 min wait on the weekends. No place inside to wait, and they say you can't block the door, must wait outside. ok well winter's here are pretty cold. They will direct you to Dunkin Donuts to get a cup of coffee while you wait, isn't that nice of them. I have gone here a few times that it has been closed during posted open times. I understand from their Facebook page they close often for family vacations, sick days etc. I can't hold that against them to bad, apparently the patrons don't mind they keep going back. I just don't find them very friendly over all...more of a oh well, we don't need your business kinda attitude. it's been open a few years now so I guess it's working for them, just not for me.
(2)Dave H.
They are plain KILLIN' it here! Think about the best breakfast you ever ate, then go to the Tomcat Cafe and think again!
(5)Isaiah T.
Exceptional Breakfast, Great Staff! Not only do I go here at least once a week, but I recommend it to all of my friends, coworkers, and out of towners. Sometimes you get menus that are so big that nothing is very good, but every item is a homerun. I have had the Electric Ladyland (Oreo Cheesecake Funnel Cake French Toast), Little Martha (Crab Omelette), Flowers on the Wall (Creme Brulee Stuffed French Toast w/strawberries and cookie crust), all amazing. Today I tried Two Oat Sodas, Gary , which is one of their bread bowls stuffed with eggs, bacon, ham, peppers, onions, and covered in a beer cheese fondue sauce--absolutely amazing. I also highly recommend paying the $1 up-charge for their specialty homefries--the Pesto Parmesan homefries are irresistible. To conclude...GO HERE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)John B.
Over 50 different types of pancakes and a handful of amazing omelets, you can't go wrong with Tom Cat. My favorite is the banana and peanut butter chip pancakes. Two pancakes of the biggest I have ever seen overlapping a large plate. My friend seemed to really enjoy his french toast with oreos in it as well. Sundays are super busy, the earlier the better. Serving time can be a bit slower in the later hours. Suggest getting there earliest as possible. Tables are real tight, felt like I was in the conversation next to us.
(5)Kevin B.
Outstanding! The wife and I were in town visiting family this was our first time eating here. The portions were way more than one gets at normal restaurants. The food was well prepared and presented. The service was fantastic. It has a small dining area so we had a long wait but it was well worth it.
(5)Rachel N.
I love this place! Amazing food and great prices for how much food you get. If you are in town for the weekend, you must try Tom Cat!
(5)Caroline P.
Way over the top menu is exciting, but overelaborate and super hard to read! The food was plentiful and good but it was more like brunch on acid than a gourmet breakfast. Nonetheless, the kitchen is snooty and inflexible: there are warnings on the menu not to ask for substitutions and apparently this also covers asking for calorie-laden sauce on the side. It adds up to the impression you're there to serve them and not the other way around. Fortunately for Tom Cat, food in the surrounding area is terrible.
(3)Alison H.
Suspicious agent I think is what it was called, Bacon encrusted French toast with sliced banana and peanut butter mousse $8.50. Side of home fries $2 and coffee around $2. Huge portion of 2 slices of bread and large side of homefries. It was very tasty! I enjoyed their fun and innovative menu options... So many things to choose from that I could barely decide. Omelets, pancakes, crepes, breakfast sandwiches and you can get a twist on all of them! Lunch wed-fri until 2p Breakfast wed-sun Wed-fri until 2pm Sat and sun until 1p
(4)David C.
Exceptional Muskrat Loovvvve. Service is slow so bring a book. The food is worth the wait!
(4)Nicky W.
The variety of unique options seem limitless and the ingredients are top notch. Have never had a bad meal here. The atmosphere is very casual and laid back. Service has always been friendly and prompt. There is a often a wait but it is totally worth it. Stop for a cup of coffee before you go, give them your name for the wait list and sit in the car getting your java buzz while you wait. While you're waiting, check out the menu and decide ahead of time because making a choice is tough with so many fantastic and one of a kind options. Portions are huge...you will likely have leftovers. Prices are fair and the flavors are out of this world. My personal favorite for now is the Crossroad: crab cake, fried egg, home fries, and garlic cream sauce. Amazing.
(5)Kimba Z.
We tried to visit this morning at 9, but everything was closed, despite the sign saying they were open at 8am. Is this restaurant closed for good?
(1)Nate D.
Me, my wife and kids stopped in at the Tom Cat for the first time on my wife's birthday. We had heard good things about the cafe, but because we don't get down to Sinking Springs that often we hadn't had a chance to stop in. So on a cold snowy Saturday around 12 noon we ventured in. Even on a day with crummy weather there was a 20 min wait, but the proprietor had us wait in a hallway where it was warm, and provided us with menus to browse through. Which was a good thing because their menu is extensive, dishes named after movies and music made it a pleasure to read through, and a great way to remember them bye. I had the Roxanne, my wife the Paul Simon. For the 4 of us it came to $35 that was 4 meals and 4 drinks. The food was great, the Roxanne had Chipolti Chicken, avocado, roasted peppers, mushrooms, and scrambled eggs in a wrap, accompanied with home fries. I'm sure to visit again, next time with more friends who have yet to had the pleasure of stopping in at the Tom Cat
(5)Emily M.
The concept of this restaurant is great. Menu items are named after songs (and the menu is extensive!). My boyfriend and I went in on a Sunday, they were pretty busy but we must have gotten there at the right time because we were seated quickly at the counter and got to hear the wait times grow longer and longer (over an hour at one point). Our waitress was great, always on top of keeping the coffee cup full. She gave us ample time to read the menu and was quick to take our order. Here is where the problem started. Not sure what the hold up was but it took over 45 minutes to get our food. We went from a happy, lighthearted discussion over the ambience of the restaurant to discussing the problems with the execution of the restaurant and how to improve their turn around. (Finally!) My boyfriend got 'the landslide' with parmesan pesto homefries which he enjoyed and I got the french toast special of the day (can't remember the song title) which looked amazing. Upon eating it though, the toast was lukewarm and the fruit on top was still frozen in the center. I am a HUGE breakfast lover and just couldn't get past the temperature differences even though the rest of the flavoring was good. First impressions mean a great deal and unfortunately I don't think we will be back to try the other fun combinations.
(3)Sophia L.
This is the best place for brunch I've been to yet. Perfect for right before a long roadtrip; I'm so full by the time I'm done cleaning my plate that I won't need to eat for several hours after. They have creative menu items with a variety of ingredients used in their dishes. Omelettes, French toasts, bread bowls, crepes are never boring here. I tried the weekend specials of veal medallions with poached eggs on ciabatta and parmesian truffle homefries (DELICIOUS; also named as "How to Marry A Millionaire) and the mango creme brulee stuffed French toast with fruit (named Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), and the First Edition bacon and scrambled eggs stuffed crepe. yummy!! oh it was quite busy and packed when we visited on a Sunday noon. waited almost an hour for food, though that was partially because they had to move in the outdoor seaters when it looked like it was going to rain.
(5)Jeroen H.
A++ absolutely amazing. It makes sense there was a wait on a Wednesday at 9am. Bravo, well done!!! My wife and I had a great time playing UNO while we waited.
(5)Bill P.
I go here whenever possible. They only serve breakfastand are always busy but there's a reason. It's wonderful food. I have tried many different items and have yet to be disappointed. Don't come if you are in a rush, it usually takes about an hour from sit down to leave. I recommend the Paradise City dandwich highly. The service becomes super friendly after a few visits and the staff remembers what you like. Its a small place but bring the whole family!
(5)Barb G.
11/16/2013 Without a doubt the best breakfast I have ever had! I have 2 kids who live in NYC, one kid in L.A. and one kid in WASH DC...So I have been around many restaurants while visiting them ... This place is creative, fun, friendly but most important a treat for your palate! If there is a wait don't be deterred it goes fast...plan to savor the atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, take your time with the menu...enjoy the coffee choices...but mostly be ready for a taste sensation! The combination of ingredients are unending....DO IT!!
(5)Tia T.
Went here on the weekend twice, they only serve breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. They have a very creative menu...lots of decadent pancakes and crepes. Great omelet options. A great place in berks, high quality ingredients and a pleasant atmosphere. I just wish they had lunch and dinner on the weekend!! Sometimes there's a long wait, but the quality is worth the wait!
(4)Sahndra Y.
This place is not only cool looking and has a great atmosphere, but the food is knock you out good. It was recommended to us by a friend so when we went to visit them we checked it out. (It's an hour away from us) Not only are the portions huge but the food itself tastes like it was made by a gourmet chef. The selection is vast as well, and while you wait they give you a game to play. We had a stack of uno cards at our table. I have been many places and in many states and The Tom Cat is by far the best! We will no doubt take the drive again.
(5)Ricky B.
Breakfast only!!! Excellent!!! Huge portions!!! A++++++ huge menu. Forty something different pancakes and a ton of omelets.
(5)Matthew W.
We had a great brunch here. We had banana crepes and the banana pancakes. Excellent. Even more fun was just reading the menu. We actually had a hard time deciding what to order because it ALL sounded good. And if you "like" them on Facebook, they are happy to let you know the weekend specials including "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" and "It Really Tied the Room Together" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart". Wonderful. It is a small shop, but patience will be rewarded. The portions are generous and freshly made. The chef is fond of whipped cream.
(5)Shane K.
Awesome food. Awesome chef owners. Awesome staff. What more needs to be said?
(5)Brad W.
4.5 Stars I've dined here a few times, but my most recent visit with friends had prompted me to put The Tom Cat Cafe on the to-yelp list. And it's now time to-yelp. I really don't have much to add to the other reviews. Just that I highly recommend going for breakfast. Though the sheer amount of choices is a little overwhelming, I finally settled on the "Green Day" crepe. The filling was tasty and very savory. One of the ingredients is goat cheese, and I just love me some goat cheese. However, the savory flavor over powered the fact that it was in a crepe, and I didn't feel like I was eating breakfast. Next time I'll order a sweet crepe. But then I also had the Baked Oatmeal, which was way, way amazing! It was so delish. Get it! My wife had the Caprese Omelet. I tried a bite of that and liked it. And there was some French Toast at the table, I believe? But did I mention the Baked Oatmeal? Aside from the food which everyone liked, the service is top notch! You may have to wait by the sometimes very crowded door, but you also have the option of sitting on a bench outside if you get a little claustrophobic. Well worth the wait!
(5)Phillip M.
Don't miss the Tomcat Cafe if you are in the Sinking Spring/Reading area. Extensive menu full of creative breakfast food. Despite being jam-packed, the service was good and the food came in a reasonable amount of time. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Penn C.
We had two of our children celebrating birthdays today, and we wanted something memorable for them. Well, the Tom Cat Cafe exceeded all expectations! While there was some waiting, it was because every dish is individually prepared and beautifully presented. Our last daughter is deployed in S. Korea and when she returns in January we will be making plans to celebrate her return,
(5)Brinda G.
Great find! We had the bread bowl and sweet potato fritters. Portions were plenty and the taste was even better! Definitely our new breakfast place!
(5)Jaime B.
This place is amazing! It is truly unique to Berks County. They have a ridiculously varied and creative menu. You will absolutely love this place. They have the most creative pancakes and french toast recipes. My husband got cheesecake-stuffed french toast and it was literally to die for. If you are looking for eggs, they have a huge variety there too! Or you can create your own omelet. Food is not expensive but it is amazing! Sarah was our server and she was excellent. Loved her! Check out the Tom Cat Cafe!
(5)Pat D.
My son lives in Sinking Spring & has been raving about this place for quite a while. We finally had a chance to go on Saturday for breakfast. I was blown away! We were a party of 7, which included a 5 year old, a 4 year old and a baby. This posed absolutely no problem for our servers, and we were treated fabulously. The omelet selection is extensive and quite creative. My son had one with eggplant that was very good. Hubby had something called Delta Blues, which was very good but had him wishing he had ordered something with a little more kick. DIL had steak & eggs -- excellent. Kids had pancakes, and I had Bananas Foster waffles. I almost never order something sweet like that for breakfast, but it called to me from the menu & I relented. I was not sorry. It was to die for. The serving sizes were quite generous, and I thought the prices were very good. Disclaimer: I'm from Philly, so my idea of a good price is skewed. It's not a huge place, and my son says that there can be quite a line at times. The general theme is New Orleans Jazzy Blues, but it is not overdone. Service is exceptional. If I lived in the area, I'd be there every week at least, and I'd work my way from one end of the extensive menu to the other. They are also open for lunch and dinner.
(5)Tracy D.
I know i'm in the minority here. I just am not that impressed with Tom Cat. I hear people talk all the time about how it's the best this and that but I just don't feel that way. I believe part of it may be that Berks County does not have a single good place to get breakfast so Tom Cat looks mighty good. The food is decent. I feel like the omelettes are generally overcooked. I find it annoying that one cannot order off the lunch menu on Sunday's. Sometimes you don't know if you are in a lunch mood or a breakfast mood until you're there. I think the biggest drawback for me though is the layout. There is no appropriate place to wait for a table, which you'll pretty much always have to do on a weekend.
(2)Denis A.
Drove all the way to the restaurant for 1 hour and found out they were closed for a week. Never knew restaurants could just close. I guess I should have called but didn't think to. Maybe it was for the best because the neighborhood was a little sketchy there. Furthermore, I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt which apparently is not acceptable at this breakfast place as it requires business casual attire. Really, business casual for breakfast?
(2)Mk S.
Eclectic. Yuppie pricing.
(3)Scott M.
Good food but a long wait. We went on a Sunday morning for our first visit. We arrived to be told an approximately 1 hour wait. The wait ended up being an hour and 15 minutes. Once seated, the staff was very friendly and helpful. Food took about 15 minutes after we ordered. Two people had different types of funnel cake french toast and I had one of the bowls (Mark is Zero, Smokey bowl). The food was delivered hot and it was delicious. Our waitress was courteous and attentive making sure to refill our drinks as needed and checking in to see if we needed anything. Next time I will call ahead to put our name on the list so we're not sitting around so long. Definitely worth a return visit.
(4)Lee C.
That was the most incredible breakfast ever! The menu is different, very quirky. It took a while to decide. I had The Gambler Omelet (bacon, caramelized onion and goat cheese). Then of course my daughter and I had to have some crepes (Dancing Berries). The pancake selection is very cool. Both of my sons had pancakes (blueberry and chocolate chip cookie dough). They were HUGE! They loved them. The wait staff were wonderful. Attentive, cool, not overwhelming. The atmosphere was neat, quaint, coordinated perfectly with the menu. I highly recommend it.
(5)Stef F.
Lovely variety...with a fun, musical atmosphere. Their omelette's are interesting and delicious. Their pancakes, home-made and quite yummy.
(4)Roxy G.
By far the BEST breakfast I have ever had in my entire life! OMG words can NOT describe the amazing-ness this place exudes! I Strawberry cheesecake pancakes are amaze-balls!! The menu at this place is so awesome it is near impossible to decide on just one thing. It is super crowded so call ahead, most times you will wait outside for a good 20 min but it is worth ever single minute of the wait. Try this place you will not be disappointed!
(5)Al W.
Went for Sunday brunch. Cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. Place was crowded, so had to wait 20mins for a table-no surprise. Large menu and huge portions. Good prices, but food was average to subpar. Pancakes were powdery, and bland. Omelet was decent. An okay option for brunch in reading area.
(3)Tom M.
The menu will take 15 minutes to read. So many outstanding choices. The place should be on the Food Network Diners Drive ins and Dives {if you seen the show you will get it}. Very friendly and attractive staff. The food was awesome. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because we had to wait 1 hour 15 minutes to just get a table. Then it took close to 30-35 minutes to get the food. I get that it is trendy and popular but when you are hungry do you want to wait close to 2 hours?? I will have to try the place during the week as I went there 9 am Sunday morning and did not leave until around 11:30. It is not a good place to go if you need to be somewhere in an hour or so. All the other reviews hit the mark. Odd combinations of foods that are outstanding. You taste buds will be working OT. The chef or chefs are awesome. If you a lot of time, then you will love it. FYI dont go here with more then 4-5 people.
(4)Smiling Bob H.
Maybe it is what I choose or they were having a bad day.... 20 minutes at the door watching a bunch of people sitting there looking around for their food.... another 20 at the table doing the exact same thing..... had an omlet that was supposed to have Churizo sausage, cheddar cheese, peppers and onions - needed a micoscope to find any of the above - eggs were cooked WELL done (I call it burnt with hard edges), toast was think cut bread and there wasnt a toast on either piece -and they use what tastes like Margarine on it (REALLY GROSS!!!!) - potatoes were plain boring and COLD. Coffee was "Green Mountain" - pot must have need a cleaing or somthing.... 3 of us came to over $35.00 without tip.... Made McDonalds up the steet look appealing - shame it was closed or I would have walked out.
(1)Natalya D.
I love the Tomcat, and am honestly in disbelief at what appear to be blatant lies in some of these negative reviews. The Tomcat Cafe and their staff are some of the most hardworking and dedicated individuals I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Every dish is handcrafted to ensure the quality never changes and the servers are some of the nicest around. I've had the owner come out to make sure I was enjoying my meal and I've seen him replace meals for those who were not satisfied. I've never seen a staff member yell at a customer even if the customer was not friendly. Is it the best place for breakfast? Absolutely. And do they need your business? Probably not. I regularly see a line wrapped around the building. However, I believe that they probably want your business. Because it's obviously their goal to make sure that every customer enjoys their visit. Unfortunately some people are incapable of enjoying anything and feel it's their job to make it difficult for other people to enjoy the greatest breakfast of their life. May they find happiness and may everyone else get their Tomcat on. Seriously.. This place rocks.
(5)Keith H.
Best breakfast in Berks!! The Tom Cat Cafe is a great little restaurant off of Penn Ave that serves possibly the best breakfast you will ever have! It is a small restaurant with maybe 10 tables so expect to wait a little bit. (Trust me it is worth it) My wife and I went on a Saturday at 8:30 (they open at 8:00) and we had to wait about 10 min for a table. Another group that came before us ended up waiting over a half an hour due to a group of six. I would not recommend bringing a large group, there really is no comfortable way to fit a large group. The decor is nice with a retro rock/blues feel. Now onto the important stuff, THE FOOD!! The menu is huge. Most of the menu are variations of pancakes, french toast, and omelets. They also have a variety of specials listed to choose from. With the pancakes alone their are 50 varieties to choose from. They range from normal versions like blueberry to odd ones like churizo and jalapeno. I had the #49 blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, and cheesecake pancakes. Yes they are as good as they sound. The pancakes are HUGE. You get two with the order and no sides, but honestly you will not miss them. I had the pancakes with their homemade blueberry syrup. They were unbelievable! The pancakes were nice, fluffy, and sweet. I could not finish them so they made a nice Sunday breakfast as well! My wife had their Tuscan Omelet which came with toast and homefries. She was in heaven! The eggs with the veggies and cheese was perfectly cooked and balanced. The homefries were crispy and delicious. (I got yelled at for stealing to many!) I would give the food a 6 out of 5! The service was also top notch. The waitress was friendly and the owner/chef came out to talk with the guests and thank those who were waiting for a seat. Very impressive demeanor and was entertaining to the crowd. I cannot stress enough how good the experience was. If you live anywhere in Berks, visiting the area, or do not mind a drive you have to check out Tom Cat Cafe! The food is exceptional!
(5)Eli G.
The other reviews say it all, so I'll be brief and say just this: we've been there many times, have ordered from almost every category, and have yet to be disappointed. It's that simple.
(5)Catherine M.
Almost perfect. The food is EXCELLENT but there is usually a wait and the waiting area is minimal.
(4)William B.
I brought my handicapped father here when visiting him from Chicago. The facility does not have a wheelchair ramp, but does have outside seating that worked out well. My dad loves breakfast, but most of the places I take him to in Reading are pretty mediocre - canned mushrooms in the omelets, boring menus, etc. The Tomcat rivals anything we have in Chicago - creative menu, fresh ingredients, everything made to order. Our breakfasts were delicious! While they were busy, the waitress was very friendly and never rushed us. This place is a gem!
(5)CritiQue Y.
Don't know how this one got past us! But now that we found it, its our go-to weekend breakfast place. Food and service are both excellent. Not the same run of the mill breakfast you can get anywhere. I recommend you try this place!
(5)