MONT CLARE — If you’ve got a jones for the area’s best homemade roast pork sandwich, fly yourself on over to the Eagle's Nest Deli.

Sandwiched between Phoenixville and Collegeville, this cozy little deli and luncheonette has become a popular spot amongst locals over the past 16 years, particularly for their homemade roast pork and beef.

In addition to the Nest’s homemade specialties, all sandwiches are made with Dietz & Watson quality meats and the zeps and hot sandwiches are served on fresh Conshohocken rolls.

The kitchen also features a number of specials each week.

For breakfast, the Eagle’s Nest offers a variety of sandwiches and specials from 6 to 11 a.m.

In addition to the sandwich menu, Eagles Nest also offers soups, chips, Doritos, crackers and other snacks, as well as assorted drinks from Rosenberger’s Dairies, juices, sodas, coffee and cappuccino.

The Eagles Nest is open for dine in or take out. The dining area includes table seating or counter space and is clean and inviting. But if you are in a rush, call ahead with your order for take out.
The Eagles Nest is located at 500 Bridge Street in Mont Clare.

Hours are 6 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturday; closed Sunday.
Call 610-935-8773 to place a take out order or for more details.

The Muncher Recommends:

• Homemade Hot Pork Sandwich
  $6.75 (large) or $5.25 (small)
• Homemade Beef Zep
  $6.95 (large) or $5.25 (small)
• Cajun Pork Sandwich
  $6.75 (large) or $5.25 (small)

It’s no closely-guarded secret that Boyertown has its share of community treasures. But one of its best kept secrets is a real sweet spot.

Tucked into a cozy corner on the main drag, Sweet Beginnings may be little, but it’s one of the best eateries in the tri-county area to pop into for a bite to eat.

Part of what makes the spot so sweet is its inviting, homey atmosphere. The dining area is well-maintained, and decorated like a family room where guests can relax, enjoy a meal, read the paper and chat around the table. It actually feels like home.

But the best part about Sweet Beginnings is the food.

Open for breakfast and lunch, owner Jim Kochu says everything is made fresh and in house.

The breakfast menu features an assortment of classic fare, including egg sandwiches, egg platters, French toast, pancakes, grilled cinnamon buns, breakfast burritos and more. They also make their own assortment of pastries and muffins, which guest Joan Christman described as “the best.”

The lunch menu covers even more ground offering a savory variety of wraps, clubs, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, cheese steaks, wings, salads and items from the fryer like pierogies, mozzarella stickes, onion rings, fries, fish & chips and French-fried broccoli.

Sweet Beginnings also features a constantly changing menu of weekly specials that some regular guests sometimes help mastermind, such as “Taylor’s Wrap,” which is being served this week. These guest-made specials can be voted on to make the restaurant’s popular “Wall of Fame” located by the cash register.

Sweet Beginnings also provides full service catering with a very flexible menu.

“People can tell me what they want, and I’ll give it to them,” said Kochu.

Such little things are what makes this little place such a big part of the Boyertown community.

“Really, we’re just here to serve you,” said Kochu.

Sweet Beginnings is located at 43 E. Philadelphia Avenue in Boyertown. Hours are 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Call 610-369-0649 for more information.

The Muncher Recommends

Grilled Cinnamon Bun, $3

Lebanon Bologna Wrap, $6

Chicken Louisiana Cheese Steak, $6.50

Any fresh assorted pastries!

POTTSTOWN – It’s rare to find a family-run Italian restaurant like Giovanni’s with food this satisfying, servings this filling, service this friendly and an atmosphere this welcoming.

“Here, you really do get what you pay for,” says head server Donna Saunders. “It’s quality and quantity.”

She’s not bluffing. You might even say you get more than what you pay for at Giovanni’s. Their dinners are served with a heaping pound of pasta, sandwiches are prepared on fresh, toasty 12” rolls and the sauce is better than ma’ used to make. Even the kids make out alright—especially on Mondays & Tuesdays when all Kids Meals are only $1.95.

The menu includes plenty to satisfy just about any taste. Appetizers include wings, fried calamari, jalapeño poppers, coconut shrimp, many varieties of French fries, salads and more. They offer dozens of tasty sandwiches, including clubs, burgers (try the pizza burger!), cheese steaks, hoagies, cold cuts and grinders. Dinners include a variety of classic Italian pasta dishes, (ravioli, manicotti, lasagna, stuffed shells, ziti, gnocchi, fettuccini, tortellini, etc.), some sea-food (shrimp, crab cake, flounder) and chicken, veal & eggplant dishes. The Kids Menu includes nuggets, grilled cheese, spaghetti, pizza and chicken fingers.

And because they use only the freshest ingredients, Giovanni’s makes some darn good pizza. They are especially proud of their Sicilian, which Saunders calls “the thickest and best.” But their gourmet pizzas are not to be missed either.

With food like that coming out of their kitchen, it hasn’t taken long for Giovanni’s to become one of Pottstown’s most treasured new restaurants either. They opened in March at what used to be the Kenilworth Deli, and now there isn’t a Friday or Saturday night when there isn’t a line out the door.

Saunders attributes much of the restaurant’s immediate success to young restaurant owner Joe Picone, who has brought a devoted family tradition and local following with him. His grandparents run the Giovanni’s in Royersford and his parents run Palermo Pizza in Pottstown. Of course, remarkably delicious food and polite, friendly service has helped too.

The dining area is small, but extremely cozy, inviting and well-kept. Picone decorated the restaurant himself, and you’ll notice pictures of his family and childhood at some of the tables. Outdoor seating is also available, perfect for the warmer evenings ahead.

Giovanni’s is open for dining in and take out, Monday thru Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (till 10:30 p.m. on Fridays & Saturdays). The restaurant is located at 1492 East Schuylkill Road (Route 724), Pottstown. Call 610-705-9800 to order take out.

The Muncher Recommends

Cheese Sicilian

$2.10/slice or $14/large

Veal Parmigiana Sandwich

$6.50

Pepperoni Cheese Steak

$6.50

Eggplant Parmigiana Dinner

$12.95

POTTSTOWN – The corner of Hanover Street and Rt. 724 has always been one of Pottstown’s treasured little joints for a pizza. But now under new ownership, the former “Ramble Inn” has a new name (Sal’s Pizza II), a new attitude and a new menu. Even the dining room has been given a zesty, Italian-themed makeover.

But it’s the food at Sal’s Pizza II that has the town buzzing. The extensive menu has it all—dozens of hoagies, cheese steaks and clubs, stromboli, calzones, Italian entrees, wings, sides, salads and weekly specials. All of which is made fresh with quality ingredients. And can’t forget about the pizza! With dozens of varieties, crusts, and toppings to choose from, it’s a pizza-lover’s Heaven.

“I think we do the best Sicilian around,” says owner Sal Mannino.

He ain’t kidding! The Mercury Muncher hasn’t scarfed down a better slice of Sicilian anywhere. And if it tastes familiar, it’s because Sal has been making the same great food in the area since 1979, with former restaurants in Phoenixville and Lionville.

To scope out the restaurant’s full menu and printable coupon specials, go to www.dineindie.com and search “Sal’s Pizza II.” Or just stop in for a take out menu that includes clip-out coupons.

They also feature regular menu specials which change every week or two.

Sal’s is open seven days a week for eat in, take out and delivery. Hours are: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays. They deliver just about anywhere in the greater Pottstown area.

Call 610-327-4100 to learn more or order out.

Sal’s is located at 715 S. Hanover Street in Pottstown.

The Muncher Recommends

Try these:

Sal’s Cheese Sicilian

Italian Hoagie

Pizza Steak

Or if you’re feeling daring, try the 6-Foot Hoagie!