Chatty Monks Brewing Co
610 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA, 19611
Chatty Monks Brewing Co Menu
-
Tasty Bites
-
Pub Fare
-
Sandwiches
Healthy Meal suggestions for Chatty Monks Brewing Co
-
Tasty Bites
-
Pub Fare
-
Sandwiches
Visit below restaurant in West Reading for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in West Reading for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
610 Penn Ave
West Reading, PA, 19611 - Phone (484) 818-0176
- Website https://www.chattymonks.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
- Mon :Closed
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Brunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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.
Mike S.
Moved my son into his college house and lucky me I found Chatty Monk right down the street. They made a great IPA accompanied by really good food. I highly recommend this place to try and bookmark so you come back many times. Here is my call out to the owners, you need to offer fried pickles Ll the time, not just late night. Anyway, do not let that stop you from trying this wonder little micro pub.
(5)George H W.
Brand new in town. The wife and I went here for our date night. The entire atmosphere was amazing. The family and small place feel is awesome. The fact that we got to talk with one of the monks was a bonus. We LOVED the beer and the price was VERY reasonable. The food was awesome, there is def a difference between having a chef and having cooks and you can tell at Chatty. The wife and I were planning our 2nd trip back before we finished the first. Awesome place!
(5)Krystal D.
I'm not a huge review writer.. But since other yelper reviews led us to this place, we needed to chime in as well. The food was DELICIOUS --- his quote last night about our Jalepeno Popper Bacon Dip --"this is the best dip I ever had", which I've never heard before. The Monkey Wings were perfect! Sweet, hot, moist with a perfected crispness to the outside! My smoked Prime Rib Sandwich was Soo flavorful!!!! & huge!!!! I'm not big with taking home leftovers - but something about that smoked moist meat and caramelized opinions with the au jus on the side, needed to come home with me! Our Bartender Chris - yes, we sat at the bar - was VERY attentive through out the whole night (and the place was packed by 6:30!), & his patience with our "choosing" was very admirable for a busy bar with one tender. The all around experience here will have us back again when we are in the area :)
(5)Ryan L.
This place is definitely one of my favorites on the avenue. A solid addition, with solid service and solid food and drink. I LOVE the Endoplasmic Reticulum IPA. It's hands down my favorite India Pale Ale I've ever had. Oh, and Hoppy Fries. Fresh cut fries dusted with hops and served with an aioli. They will explode your taste buds with bitter from the fries and calm them with the aioli. I've stopped in on the go, just to grab fries for the road. Service has always been a major plus. Always friendly, always quick with a refill.
(5)Alicia H.
My boyfriend and I have been here two times with his grandparents. Both times we went there was something going on in west reading so it was packed but I'm sure even if it there wasn't something going on that place would be packed because the food is good. We always get the hop fries which are a must try. So good!! My favorite thing on the menu is the salmon panini. If you like that kind of thing you will enjoy this. We've tried a lot of their beers but my favorite is the Belgian Rye Saison. My boyfriend and I both tried the Apridisiac Farmhouse Ale and weeny big fans. It smelled like a strong perfume and the taste didn't appeal to us. I understand though it just might not be our thing but maybe others would enjoy it. My boyfriend and his grandfather enjoy the white IPA. The service is always friendly and it's worth the wait.
(4)Tina K.
I can't believe i haven't written a review before this but here we go....beer is fantastic! R some better than others? Of Course! The endoplasmic is fantastic whether u like single or xx IPA's....bartenders are attentive w/o being kiss!#/^&&*. Haven't cared for any of the soups but the nachos are HUMONGOUS get ready for sharing. Specials are the hot ticket. Always go for the mussels!
(4)Lynn T.
Fantastic lunch and outstanding service!! We were just passing thru on vacation looking for a place to eat lunch and found this on Yelp. I had "A Habit" a herb and black pepper mozzarella, basil and tomatoes grilled on a panini and my husband had the cheddar bratwurst soup and fries. Great craft beer brewed on site. My husband enjoyed a Belgian Dubbel and Pog Mo Thoin which was an interpretation of an Iris Red Ale. Stop and enjoy!! Loved it!
(5)Sandra G.
An unbelievably good brewer and restaurant! Wow so lucky to have found this! Their IPA called Endoplasmic reticulum is so deliciously hoppy. Tasty good white IPA and it was fun to try the Janis Hoplin brew made with experimental hops from Oregon. You can tell they put a lot of finesse and style into brewing. We shared the fries which were crispy and yummy dusted with hops and the really really tasty smoked shrimp tacos which was a special for the night. Happy friendly staff and very attentive. It was a real treat coming here. We lived in Philadelphia center city for the past 2 years and find this on par with the best brewpubs there!
(5)Kimba Z.
Beautiful renovation of a shoe store and a welcome addition to the nicest corridor in Berks. At midday on a Saturday, it was full like a Saturday night. Excellent service from the owner at the bar, and I liked that you could get a half portion (cute small glasses). He was also very nice about giving tastes.They make all the beer there, would love to peek in the back. Lovely dry champagne-style cider. Thanks for the bag hooks under the bar -- nice sign of welcome for women. Some local beer bars are NOT welcoming to women, but this one is. Oh, and I love their coasters. Another nice thing is that the servers walking by, even though we were at the bar, smiled at us and seemed really sweet. It's a small thing, but these bits of friendliness stick with you. My friend loved her salmon panini. I'd be there a lot more (and totally up the stars here), but about half of my friends are vegan, and there isn't any vegan on the menu. If they had non-dairy cheese (like Daiya, as Judy's offers), they could easily make a few entrees all plant-based. I will keep hoping. Center City Philly does a great job with vegan pub food (besides hummus and pasta!), and I bet this place could too. There is so little of this in Reading, so I often eat at Chen or Chipotle before heading to a pub, but I wish I did not have to.
(3)Katie R.
Great beer, good food, nice atmosphere. Nice addition to Penn Ave.
(5)Kirsten H.
My husband and I have stopped in a few times since Chatty Monks opened June 2014. It has been great to see them find their stride with both the beer offerings and the food. Last Friday, we had dinner and enjoyed the smoked salmon panini and the pulled pork sandwich. Both dishes were excellent! Understand, the pulled pork is smoked, not smothered in gobs of sweet BBQ sauce so you really get the full pork flavor. We also had the smoked salmon spread with pita for an appetizer; again, obvious this dish was NOT a store bought spread but fresh and flavorful. The beer, well, we keep going back for it so it speaks for itself. A great addition to an increasingly active and diverse food/drink scene in West Reading.
(4)Will W.
This place is great. I was in town for business and Google searched "food". This was the first place that came up, due to the amount of reviews they have received but also because everyone rated it very highly. I decided to check it out. It was jam-packed on the Friday that I went. I was able to find a seat at the bar thankfully. Their beer selection was awesome, as they had about 10 different beers to choose from. I went with the Endoplasmic IPA, and it was a great choice. I also got these chicken tacos they had on special, and they were the BOMB. I would absolutely recommend this place when you're in the mood for some great food and great draft beer. Staff was very friendly too.
(5)Mike B.
As promised to the bartender I am leaving a review, have never left one before! I sampled each of the beers all of which were incredible and unique, most of all the Summer Ale with lime. Buffalo chicken panini was amazing and the fries were awesome. My friend got the pulled pork and raved about it. Thanks for the recommendation Christina E!
(5)Thomas K.
Had a fantastic time. The food and beer was amazing. The bartender was so knowledgable. I will definitely return! Even though we waited around 10 minutes before we waived down a passing employee to get some menus. He quickly realized we had been waiting and brought us water with our menus and apologized. Our waitress was very apologetic and very nice and fast. I ordered two of the specials and my girlfriend ordered a soup off the menu and the pulled pork dinner with baked beans. I had the mussels with sausage as an appetizer and the salmon cake po boys. The mussels were so tender and the po boy was excellent. My gf's pork was so moist with smoked ends. It was done just right. Get there early because it filled up very quickly.
(4)Ann H.
My boyfriend and I stopped in today for lunch after finding it on Yelp. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. I had the indulgence White IPA which was good and not too hoppy. I'm not usually an IPA drinker but I enjoyed it. My boyfriend had 3 samplers of 3 beers so he could try everything on tap. His favorites were the Belgian Dubbel and the Belgian Rye Saison. The buffalo chicken panini and pulled pork sandwich were good. We added the hoppy fries instead of chips and they were amazing! It was a nice spot to relax and enjoy good food and beer. We'll definitely be back!
(4)Aaron M.
This place is totally the 4.5 stars that the last 44 reviews said it was. But Jen out server makes it a full 5 stars. So I mean let's talk about the beer. ITS GOOD! Some of it is Great. Try the revelation ale for sure and the white ipa. Though I of course tried them all. The food was great. Wings, nachos, both specials Jamaican my crazy ;-) Did I mention Jen though? She was great kudos to the monks for food beer and staff. The building is cool too and the music rocks! All around it was worth the hour ride from whitehall to check it out. You should def add it to the craft brew masters tour (I made that up but you belong). Can't wait to come back to try another seasons seasonal :-) Thanks chatty monks
(5)Janine H.
Great food, great beer, great service. Love it.
(4)John D.
The beers were overall pretty good. Nothing stood out as exceptional but all were very drinkable sans the Belgian rye saison attempt, it was embarrassingly bad. Liked the thelonius milk stout and norms summer the best. For food we tried the nachos (half n half) and they were excellent. Then we split the bratwurst, unbelievable brat nirvana! Would definitely recommend if your travels bring you to West Reading!
(4)jim l.
Fun, festive place with really good pub fare. Staff very friendly and the atmosphere is great. Live music on a Thursday evening was a nice surprise.
(5)Dustin C.
My g/f and I stopped in here for a brew. The decor inside looks great. The beer, even better! This is hands down the best beer I have ever had. I am actually saddened due to the fact that I do not live in this part of the state. At a glance, the food looked great. The portions were huge. Next time I swing through this area I will give it a try amongst their awesome tasting beer!
(5)Teresa N.
I rarely review on Yelp but we found this place with Yelp reviews so I thought I would add mine. This place was awesome. Food was fresh and delicious. The place is decorated really nice and different. Even the bathroom was cool. We visit Reading often and will definitely go here again.
(4)Chad F.
This place has such an urban feel. I didn't know where to take my out of town friends and I looked on yelp for some help. I'm so glad I did. They loved it. Makes me feel like I'm in an actual city. I love it here. The food was great and the beers were even better. I can't say enough good things about this place. My quests felt at home and welcomed.
(5)Amy O.
Food was fantastic! My husband had the 5 way chili and the Q platter. I had the French Dip. It was to die for. Left with a to-go growler. Our server, Beth, was delightful! Can't wait to get back and enjoy again!
(5)Sandy P.
Stopped in for a drink and appetizer. The beers were foamy. We couldn't even get a drink. Bartender seemed overwhelmed! The owner came out tapped himself a beer went back into the kitchen so we left.
(1)Allison G.
Penn Ave needed a place like this! On a summer Saturday night with the door open, this was a welcoming sight. Upon walking in, we were greeted with a big smile and an offer of assistance. It was a great vibe right from the start. The service was great. The waiter was attentive and full of information and questions. He spoke about how the beer brewed beneath and that they are a nano brewery. That's cool! He explained the flavor profiles and types of beers on tap. After ordering drinks, the waiter came back to ask if we could taste the flavors and at what point in the sip the flavor stood out most. Water comes in a mason jar with a straw and a slice of cucumber. It is refreshing and adds an incredible flair. Food was decent, not too large a range of menu. But it is definitely unique for the setting. I had the Q platter. The pulled pork was delicious. The wall to wall wood is a great feature of design and it seems anachronistic. I'll be getting back there.
(5)Thom R.
I am not one to post reviews, but felt the need to after visiting Chatty Monks yesterday. First for the purpose of validating [and thanking] the Yelpers who left their positive feedback and guided me to this gem. I was with the family, visiting Albright College to take care of some admissions business for my step-son. When it came time to leave and get some lunch I pulled out my phone, opened Yelp and perused some reviews - deciding on Chatty Monks. The Milk Stout was excellent. If it wasn't for the fact that I had a two-hour drive ahead of me, I could have sat there and drank them all day. The Mrs. ordered an unsweetened iced tea, but upon tasting her Dad's Blonde, quickly amended her order to include a beer for herself. The table shared a Smoked Bacon Jalapeño Popper dip which had the perfect balance of heat and flavor. I had the Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich and my father-in-law got the platter. The reviews are correct - the pulled pork was absolutely delicious! The staff was friendly, attentive, and very helpful. I can't wait for "move-in day" at Albright when I'll be in the area again so I can go back to Chatty Monk's and have some more of that delicious Milk Stout.
(5)Beth G.
You have to try the fries,,,OMGoodness,,they are so good.
(5)Jeff S.
I was visiting friends and family in the Reading area and stopped in here which happened to be their grand opening weekend. The space is rather small. As you enter, there are tables on either side. Old curved church pews provide the seating against the wall. In the back there are a few pub tables and a small bar. I sat at one of the pub tables first but then a spot opened at the bar and I moved there. I found the service to be lacking here. The bartender seemed to be happy chatting to the person next to me but didn't seem to care about the new people sitting down. A little later, someone else took my order. And that was it. They didn't really "Chat" with me about their beer like I am used to at breweries in my area. The gentleman sitting next to me was more "chatty". They serve food here that looked great but I did not try it. As for the beer, I am not normally a Belgian fan and the only beer that stood out to me was the Endoplasmic Reticulum. Decent beer but if you only have one beer I like, chances are I probably will not return. Anyway, it's great to see a brewery in Reading. It is about time too. I am sure this will help improve the area's craft beer scene.
(3)Performance T.
Performance Toyota Scion was fortunate enough to help one of the owners here of Chatty Monks (Rob) with purchasing a new vehicle. Several of our staff talk highly of this brewery after being there many times during the weekend. While Rob was here, he shared his passion of the industry with our staff Ryan and Juan. It was apparent this Brewery delivers the highest quality experience with the food and drink beverages they serve to the public. We highly recommend checking this place out, you won't be disappointed! :)
(5)Mary M.
A great place to stop in, enjoy the beer, cider and atmosphere and eat a yummy meal. Service was very good. We have been there several times. Each time more enjoyable than the next
(5)Mina M.
My husband and I were standing outside debating to try and two groups (1 going in and 1 going out) raved about it and told us to give it a try. We primarily were looking for a place for dinner and I don't think this place fits the bill. Great for a few drinks and bar appetizers! Atmosphere and decor is nice, new, and refreshing. Food was good. We had sandwiches and nachos. Giving it three stars because service was terrible. Staff is very friendly, but extremely slow. Our waitress seemed to forget about us and was constantly socializing with friends or regulars near the bar. Overall, will try again for drinks and appetizers.
(3)Paulo C.
Great home feel atmosphere. ROB was a great bartender and by the end of the night I was buying a glass from this small micro brewery. The salmon panini was filling but not huge. Amazing taste and well put together (not sloppy). Salmon smoked in house. Beer brewed in house. About a 8 beer selection but very rounded. Try the number 2!!!!
(4)Scott G.
Good beers and the food is just as good. Place is a little small but a must stop if in west reading.
(5)Vinny P.
Now this is a place that you want to have a drink (or seven) at. This small storefront in West Reading is housing some wonderfully tasty beer and playful food. I happened to be here for a wedding and while my wife was tied up in bridesmaid activities, I took it upon myself to sample some of the local flavor. I don't always make great decisions, but this was one of them. The place only has about 7-10 tables and a bar showing off their homemade beer. At the time I was there, they had 4 different varieties on draft so I naturally went with a flight. My favorite of the bunch was the Endoplasmic Reticulum which started off with a burst of hops and didn't let up even into the finish. I found the Citra-Ass down pale ale to be a light drinkable summer beer and the Thelonius Milk Stout rang through with notes of coffee, chocolate and had a great velvet-like mouth feel. A real brunch beer IMHO. For food, I went with their pork platter which was pulled pork and some coleslaw. This went perfectly with the beer and the hoppy fries (yes they dust their fries with fresh hops) are just something that you have to eat to believe. I like this place and while I don't get to Reading much, I will have fond memories as a result of Chatty Monks.
(4)Dale M.
Been here a bunch of times and am a huge fan. They are a brewpub, so the beer is supposedly the main event. All the beer is decent, but the food is great, too. The pulled pork sandwich is the best, though I've strayed a few times and everything else I had was excellent. The menu is small, but they do a great job on everything on it, so why complain? Combine all of this with the laid back and cool vibe, it's a great spot.
(5)Jeff M.
Great people, atmosphere, food and drink found here! As someone who eats out a lot this a hard combination for a place to bring together but this place has it in spades! Stopped by for lunch on a beautiful day and sat outside and really enjoyed everything. Looking forward to my next visit!
(5)Brent L.
My wife and I have been to the Chatty Monk several times. Despite an unusual incident with a growler recently, we have always enjoyed the food and their beers are very good. We love the fact that it is locally owned and operated. If you are in the area and are looking for good food, good beer, and a cool atmosphere, I do not think you will be disappointed.
(4)Steven H.
Great beer and food! Casual atmosphere and friendly staff. I've been to Chatty Monks a dozen times and never had a bad experience. Great place for meeting up with friends or bringing your family. I have three kids and very comfortable place to bring children. Thumbs up!
(5)Lindsay G.
I was super excited when I heard about this place. It's about time West Reading gets a craft microbrewery. Great location and ambiance. We only stopped in to try the brews, but it seemed most people were also there for dinner. The food options are not your typical bar food, which is a nice to see. Another patron was raving about the hoppy fries. I had the Endoplasmic Reticulum IPA, awesome, hoppy yet smooth, I highly recommend it! We also tried the bitter, tasty but not my style. I truly hope this place gets great success, terrific addition to Penn Ave. Next time I'll be sure to try some of the food & get a growler to take home!
(4)Arlin S.
Great spot on Penn Ave delicious small menu, we went and tried just about every appetizer my favorites remain the hoppy French friars(dip served with it is AMAZING), chipotle wings, and the soup. Grape smoothie was delicious. Great beer selection, love supporting these amazing local businesses.
(5)Peter S.
The jambalaya is fantastic. The Famhouse Rye is one of my favorite. I will come here every time I am in Reading PA. love It!!!!
(5)Michael D.
Respectable brewpub in eclectic West Reading. Beer was mixed -- the IPA was well done, the milk stout very good, but the rye was a bit watery and missing that rye bite. Food was decent -- nachos were big but a bit on the dry side. They could have benefited from a saucier salsa or some guac. (It didn't stop us from eating the entire platter, though!) Cheddar/brat soup was a bit overdone on the cheese. Service was prompt and friendly. Decor very pleasant. Worth a return visit.
(3)Jill P.
Loved Chatty Monks - started with the Epiphany because it "has the power to set your life back on track" and it lived up to its promise. Chris the bartender was great - he made wonderful recommendations not only for our experience there but for other local venues we may enjoy as well. Will definitely be back.
(5)Lindsay C.
So, several months have passed since my second review in July. It's only fair that I post my newest review of Chatty Monks. This time around (i've been back twice this month), the beer tasted MUCH better. I'm not sure if it was an issue with quality control when they first opened, but everything just tasted so much yummier. The pumpkin (crash test #2, I think) was delicious... And I'm kinda picky with my pumpkin beer. I also got to try the nachos. A friend ordered them with chili... Delicious! Overall, the place is a wonderful addition to the area, and the bartenders are very friendly. We will certainly visit more again.:) I've given this place a second try. I really really want to love it, but I just don't. The Zythos IPA had a strong alcohol taste, but my dining partner described it as his "glass tastes dirty". It wasn't very good. Farmhouse Ale was tasty...the others were just ok. I came for nachos, which are listed on their online menu. I tried calling ahead of time to see that they had them (last time they did not). No one answers the phone. We walked there to find the nachos were not on the menu again. Furthermore, and perhaps the most disappointing- the bartender mentioned to another patron that the reason you cannot purchase a full glass of the Belgian Trippel is because it is "so close to 10%" and so it doesn't "hit you" so hard. Uh, it's 8.6% abv. Are you KIDDING me? I'm not a child. I can handle 8.6%. Disappointed!
(4)Chris N.
we found them on Yelp and were intrigued with the 'hoppy fries'. We were coming from the Lancaster area on the way back to Jersey and very hungry. Every thing was great from the music, ambiance, flights of beer, great menu and service from Christine and Aiden. The hoppy fries did not disappoint.
(4)Malay S.
Good beer selection. People were very nice. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that sometimes it's hard to get the attention of the bar tenders because of the number of people in there.
(4)Stephanie D.
This has become my favorite block in West Reading and Chatty Monks greatly contributed to that! My first experience there was awesome. It was busy, but we quickly got a table. I'm not a huge beer drinker so I had some of the local wine they serve (Pinot Grigio is my favorite), and it was delicious! The other members of my group thought their beer was amazing and rivaled some of the best they've ever had. I had an order of the Chipotle BBQ wings which were bangin'...just the right amount of spicy and sweet...but the order was huge so unfortunately I couldn't finish them all in one sitting. The girl at the table next to ours was eating the 5-way chili which comes over spaghetti. I was so intrigued and it looked sooo good. I'm definitely trying that the next time I go back! I will absolutely be there again soon, and I have recommended Chatty Monks to all of my friends and family. Go there! You won't be disappointed!! Great beer, local wine, tasty food, killer decor and quick service!
(5)Paul G.
Let me start by saying I usually don't give reviews however, this is one place that deserves to be talked about. I stopped by the day before Thanksgiving and had lunch. The menue offered any great selections and although I was working and could not enjoy a beer the iced tea was great. I would highly recommend stopping by. In addition the staff was also very gracious and worked hard to see that all customers needs were met.
(5)John A.
CHAT IT UP.....Chatty Monks Brewing Company is here to stay, and with good reason. The craft beers were as tasteful as the stylish yet simple decor. I just had to try a beer sampler while I sat in one of the curved original church pews, peering out the window on Penn Ave, to see which specialty brewed beer appealed to my taste. After tasting a few selections, I chose the FARMHOUSE ALE as my go to beer. Being a wing and french fry fan I had to try some wings and hoppy fries. The portions were generous and they arrived at the table piping hot. They were delicious and the service just as good. I will be back. Can't wait to see what the brewmaster has up his sleeve as autumn and football games are just around the corner. I'm staying thirsty for my next visit to CMBC!
(5)N L.
Good beer, bartenders, and atmosphere here! They could use later hours on the weekends so they don't have to make last call while the bar is full.
(4)Lisa W.
Beers were excellent. Milk stout and English toffee. Pumpkin had kicked the day before. The chicken corn chowder and smoked salmon spread with pitas were a tasty compliment. Would definitely visit again!
(5)Tim L.
Went here for the first time last evening. Was very confused when I entered as to whether we were supposed to seat ourselves or put our name in with someone. After a moment the person I assume was the hostess did greet us and take our name. In the meantime, we ordered two #5 beers (can't remember the beer nane) and began our experience. We had barely even started our beer and our table was ready. One thing I really liked was they transferred our bar tab to the table. I can't tell you how many places I've been where they will not do this and make you close out your bar tab just to start another bill at your table. Thumbs up. Anyhow, to make a long story short - 4 hours, 12 beers ( between two of us) and two wonderful meals later, we retired for the evening. I cannot begin to explain how pleased we were. Food was great - beer was great - and service was great. Never once did we feel rushed to leave - they truly wanted us to enjoy our experience. My check said the server was "Beth B". I don't know who you are Beth B., but I wish you worked everywhere I went to eat. You really went above and beyond to make our experience an enjoyable one. We will return, and only hope you can be our server again. Check this place out people, you will be glad you did.
(5)Michelle F.
I went here with a group of friends on Sunday evening. The place was pretty busy and I liked the atmosphere. Some of our group arrived a little earlier and received their food. The rest of us ordered 2 cups of chili and 2 bowls of cheddar bratwurst soup. The chili came out in about 10 mins. We waited another 10 mins at least for the soup. Some of our party had to leave and there were five of us left that were finishing up our food. The bus person came and took our empty bowls away and then came back and took our glasses. We asked her about our check. She said she would tell our server. We waited. She hadn't checked on us once since we got our food. We ended up waiting over 30 mins to get our check after repeatedly asking bus person and bartender about it. My brother finally found our server and asked her to which she replied "I'm working on it". We waited some more. I have never had service as bad as this anywhere. We ended up being there for 2 1/2 hrs for for what should have taken an hour. I've been a server before and usually give them a lot of slack cause I know how difficult it can be at times, but this was dreadful. The beer was good and the soup was alright, but not sure I will come back due to the service.
(1)Erin S.
My husband and I stopped in here a few weeks ago and we will be returning. It was very busy; which is a good thing! Customers obviously love coming here. Service was quick and friendly. I enjoyed the belgian blonde (I can't remember what my husband had; he was too busy eyeing the sandwich the man next to him was eating!) Looking forward to another visit.
(4)Jeffrey S.
Great food and craft beer from a great family. Chili is amazing. Milk Stout is delicious. Wings are crispy with nice heat. The nachos were delicious. The entire group, 12 of us left full and satisfied.
(5)Shaun S.
Had a great time here for brunch. Great food, phenomenal beers, and awesome live music made for a superb meal!
(5)Jaime P.
I love Chatty Monks. They don't have a huge selection but the beer they have is great quality. You must get yourself one of the growlers they are great souvenirs! They have some food items but it's more bar room munchies don't know if I'd venture in for a date or a good meal. Worth a stop after dinner for a great beer!
(4)Liz F.
Was just in for the first time on Friday. We had been wanting to go since they opened but waited until the crowds thinned a bit. It was a great experience. Everyone was very friendly and chatty. All the beers I had were excellent. They will give you as many tastes of their different brews so you can be sure you like what you choose. I had their pumpkin beer which was amazing but only sold in 5 oz glasses so far. Their hard cider and their IPA, which usually I don't care for but this one was hoppy without too much bitterness. The menu is limited but very well done. I had their smoked Alaskan panini and an order of their fries and it was wonderful. Our bartender was attentive and happy to talk about the beers and what the upcoming selections will be. We will being making this one of our regular places. Truly a wonderful gem for West Reading. If you enjoy craft brews this place is a must visit.
(5)Robert K.
Chatty Monks Brewing Co is A-OK! I'd now like to elaborate. I've visited this brewery a few times since it was opened up. Initially you will feel overwhelmed by it. Breweries are taking off like a rocketship. 2014 exports to foreign countries has gone up over 300% and nothing seems to stop it. With the boom of popularity in American microbreweries, you cannot short-sell yourself or underestimate your growth potential. That is exactly what has happened here. Before anything else, my family and friends noticed the lack of space. You picked a place to start that was already too small for your needs! You practically need reservations some days. The location is on Penn Ave but you now suffer from the problem all of those shops (failing shops included) suffer from! Parking is unacceptable. There are people who will go out of their way to AVOID YOUR BUSINESS because of the parking situation. That's not acceptable for a place with this kind of growth potential. Thankfully, it's not permanent. You can expand or relocate, and I get the feeling that's what you'll have to do. Now that I've gotten my biggest gripe out; some praise. They have *the* best pulled pork sandwich I've ever had;. Seriously mouthwatering. The beer selection they have has grown some since inception and they've put out a few winners in my book. I don't know if they're quite as good as something that Troegs, Victory or even Stoudts puts out but it's palatable and pairs well with their food offerings. When you're in the area, try and make time to stop by. Space is the biggest issue here. If you can find a space to park your car and your butt, then you should be able to enjoy the rest of what Chatty Monks has to offer. *edit* 12/11/2014 I've gone and improved my rating of this place from 3-Stars to 4-stars. The owner contacted me about my concerns, and combined with the good news that they're already expanding to double their seating capacity I feel it warrants an improvement in my ratings. Over the summer I had a guest stay with me from Australia. Of all the places I planned to take him two, Chatty Monks was on my list. We showed up early one day, and decided to just sit outside and talk until the doors opened. The meal was fantastic! He was very happy with his meal, and I think that says something about not just local taste but taste of those abroad. Keep it up guys.
(4)Benny L.
A neat little place in West Reading. Went for the first time on opening day (mad house) and again just last month. Very crowded inside, but I hear they're expanding into the upstairs which will be great. Food menu is limited, but the selection of beer from their brewery is pretty good.
(3)Mark S.
I came to chattys expecting great craft beer and "artisan" food and i was severely dissatisfied with both. I ordered a bowl of chlli, and after the first bite I was met with an unpleasant and overpowering taste of cinnamon, yuck! The beer i had was the summer ale and when it arrived at my table it was so cloudy and full of yeast that i thought they gave me a different beer entirely. I'm not sure how often they change the kegs but apparently they like to make sure you get every last yeasty drop and still charge you top dollar for it. Pretty much an overpriced and overrated restaurant. I will not be returning and my advice to anyone else looking for good food and good beer in west reading would be to go anywhere else on penn ave except this place!!!!
(1)Meghan F.
I am staying in the area for business on a quiet Sunday here in Reading. I was told to walk on Penn Ave and came upon this new establishment for dinner. This placed reminds me of a favorite of mine in Westchester County - Growlers. Chatty Monks brews their own beers - which is different than Growlers in that Growlers has several beers from different breweries. The service was superb. My waiter was very attentive and friendly. I would have to say the pulled pork sandwich could have more spice to it. My one beer was fine - they were out of several (I assume as they just opened they have been quite busy). More selection would be great. They need a larger selection of food. Like my local pub - the kitchen is probably very small but they are ways to make it work. Also - more salad options would be nice. Like Growlers when it opened - I hope they check their reviews and alter as requests come in. Growlers is now top notch 5 stars - and I am sure this place will become a local gem. The decor is very nice - TVs for sporting events might be a good idea to compete with the place next door. I look forward to coming back to the area and stopping in to see how things are going. A definite must go as I see this being a huge success!
(4)Brian H.
Another great meal for lunch today. Wife had Cuban sandwich, daughter had fish and chips and I had 5 way Chili and shared some Flying Monkey Wings. And of course there's the beer!
(5)David L.
Chatty Monk something finally fresh and different from Reading PA. Recommend everything especially Thelonious Milk Stout and Crash Test Pumpkin! Great food Great Beer. Chew Chant Chill with Chatty Monk!
(5)Bob M.
I've been here several times, I think it is great that there is a new brewpub in the area. The food is good with some unique pub style offerings, not your typical bar food. Beer is good, but is hit or miss when they run out of a style you like. It would be good to see them put on some other area craft beers as a backup when this happens. Service is often good with some hiccups here and there. Staff should work in a team system like other successful area restaurants instead of assigned tables. It's frustrating sitting next to 3 waitresses chatting with themselves while you are waiting to order or have an empty glass. I'm rooting for them to be successful as it is clear that they have a passion for craft beer.
(4)Buk D.
Caution....they charge $2 to taste their craft beer!! Why? The food was good. Good BBQ pork
(4)JudyNY C.
AWESOME - A DINERS, DRIVE-INS, and DIVES kind of place: If I had to describe Chatty Monks in 1 word - it would be AWESOME. The server BETH B was so much fun, pleasant and professional. The beers were AMAZING. The food was ridiculously DELISH. We had the wings, the fries, the veggie panini and the pulled pork brioche. IT IS A MUST TRY. If I lived in Reading I would be there once a week easy.
(5)Keith H.
Welcome to the neighborhood! Went to Chatty Monks on opening day and was very impressed. The atmosphere is great, food, and beer are all very good! The place was packed but the staff was very friendly and working through the normal pitfalls of opening day very well. Pros: Atmosphere/staff Food - Chipoltle Wings - Spicy and sweet, medium size wings, very tasty. Food - Veggie Panini - Perfect for vegetarians. Mixed veggies in the sandwich, good texture and taste. Beer - Belgian brew - Refreshing, smooth aftertaste. Cons/recommendations for the Chatty Monks -Get a 2nd POS! The wait staff and bar staff had to share one. This caused a delay in ordering. The food came out really quick but as a customer it is not good to see your waitress standing in line for 5 min just to put an order in. -Rethink the tasting policy. $2 for a taster is steep. Either do a smaller shot size taster for free or create a flight option to taste 4-5 beers for one price ($8-$10 is average for a brewery) Remember most people go to breweries to taste unique beers. Charging $2 per taste will cause some customers to not come back. Flights are a much better option.
(5)Lynn A.
The brews at Chatty Monks rivaled any I have had anywhere else. Even better than my favorite Blue Mountain Brewery in VA. VA needs to come to Reading to learn a few things. The Thelonious Milk Stout is smooth and deep. The Forbidden Nachos can be ordered with Chatty Monk's own Pulled Pork smoked and pulled in-house. The Cheddar Bratwurst Soup is made with my fav milk stout. The sauerkraut is made with the CitraAss Down Pale Ale, to die for! Co-owner Rob is happy to share the story of Chatty Monks and local lore of Reading. This brewhouse is worth a trip to West Reading!!
(5)Michael S.
Had a great time. Food was good. Tasted 5 beers between my wife and I enjoyed them all. Can't wait to see if they make any holiday brews.
(4)J C.
The beer and the food are good. The drawback is the service. I've been there two times and the service was slow both times. Getting the initial beer took several minutes. I will go back, but I hope things improve.
(3)My T.
Have been wanting to try this establishment for months. The food was delicious. Sampled 2 different beers both enjoyable. Was truly as good as we'd heard it was. We'll be back !
(5)