46 Best American Restaurants in Allentown

“Probably THE.BEST.BREAKFAST I have had in a very long time. The saltiness of the halloumi with the creamy, perfect poached egg and freshness of the pesto was a match made in heaven. And honestly, that is saying a lot for me, because I am not a huge breakfast fan, but I would hands down order this again, and again and again. I don't have much else to say. Out waitress was great. We didn't have a reservation (which I don't recommend on the weekend... this place is POP.U.LAR) but the hostess gave us a table if we could be done in 75 minutes, in time for an 11:45 AM seating. Despite that, they did not rush us. The place does appear to be a neighborhood haunt, just about everyone who came through the door seemed to know, what I presume is the owner or manager, as well as the staff. So there was definitely a nice, casual vibe to the place. I honestly need to come back for dinner, if breakfast, a meal I generally don't care about was this good, what other surprises await?!?“

“Our sever Raven provided excellent service for lunch and a takeout order on 4/15/24. An appetizer of cheesesteak eggs rolls and loaded house nachos and some firehouse chili. All excellent!! A takeout burger with fries also proved to be very good also. Recommended!“

“I had the pleasure of dining at Shelby's Restaurant today with my family for brunch, and it was a delightful experience. The food was absolutely fantastic, with a wide range of delicious options that satisfied every palate at our table. I personally had the chicken and waffles, which were simply amazing. While enjoying our meal, I encountered an unexpected hiccup when I found a small piece of plastic in my dish, which turned out to be from a part of a plastic lid. However, I must commend the swift and professional response from the restaurant's manager, Tony. He immediately sprang into action, addressing the issue with grace and efficiency. Tony's dedication to ensuring our satisfaction truly made the difference in our dining experience. Thanks to Tony's exceptional service, we left Shelby's Restaurant with big smiles on our faces, despite the minor mishap. It's evident that the restaurant values its customers and their well-being, and this level of commitment deserves recognition. We'll definitely be returning to Shelby's Restaurant in the future, confident in the exceptional service and delicious food they offer. Kudos to Tony and the entire team for turning a potential problem into a memorable and positive experience!“

“The best food I’ve found in downtown Allentown. I’ve tried multiple different items including breakfast and haven’t been disappointed. Their hummus is delicious and the shawarma is delightful. The staff is very friendly too. 10/10 recommend“

“We chose Morgan’s for our son’s rehearsal dinner. I worked with Patty for the planning over the past few months and everything was perfect and as promised. We were able to come in a bit early to decorate the tables to go with the wedding theme. Service was superb, everything at a good pace, did not feel rushed. We had a group of 26 and staff was absolutely amazing. At several times during the evening, our guests thanked us for the beautiful evening. I am so glad our son and future daughter-in-law had a night to remember. If I had to redo the evening, I would not change a thing.“

“We were in town for the weekend to see Stevie Nicks perform nearby and we decided on a whim to eat here, simce we were staying upstairs. Initially we ubered to our pre-chosen restaurant nearby which turned out to be a 4x4 and happened to be the popping spot in the neighborhood. We didn't have a reservation and decided to leave since there was a line of people waiting to be seated. In the interest of time we decided to go back to the hotel restaurant which looked good, and wasn't very packed on this Saturday evening. We were excited to be seated quickly. We started with some drinks, both of us ordering martinis. I had the high octane espresso martini and my friend had the pumpkin martini. They both were extremely delicious and strong. I was all giggily by the time the food came lol. For our main course we ordered the tomahawk, with potatoes and broccoli for sides. The sides were delicious even though simple very complimentary to the star of the show. The steak was FANTASTIC!!!! The price for this tomahawk was extremely reasonable it was a 10 out of 10. Because we got a tomahawk we were given an $11 deal for a bottle of wine for later. It was the most prelude to an amazing evening. I can't wait to go back to Westside Grill.Parking: There is an entire lot full of free parking.“

“It was my first time there,the vibes were nice , you could smoke inside if you like. There was a nice crowd of people and karaoke going on , drinks price are decent price and the bartender, we're fast in making drinks. I would visit again.“

“Very good food and good portions. Parking is ample and service is fast even on a busy Saturday morning with no wait at 10 am...Pricing is also standard diner level with a responsive and customer service oriented staff.Also remember that here you can order one pancake of each flavor! That's just a helpful tip that they don't mention on the menu folks?“

“The Cooperhead is great! If you live in the LV then you have more than likely been to one of their two locations. It is like Applebees or Fridays, but way better. My wife and I have been here a dozen times and we are never disappointed! My personal favorite is the mozzarella sticks as they are house-made and huge! I also love their tap list as they have many beer varieties and you can always find something good (sometimes local). Their burgers are good, sandwiches are good, salads are good, etc. They have healthy options as well if you are looking for something light. Portion sizes are good as well and the prices are very reasonable. Highly recommended!“

“Very nice place to enjoy the golf simulator. You may bring your own clubs. Our service was excellent and attended to our group in the golf suite. I asked for the hottest wings they had. They were some of the largest wings I have ever seen! Full of meat. The sauce had excellent flavor but fell short on the heat for my taste. The wings were cooked through but flaccid. The skin was not crips and was just on the other side of boiled. I mentioned this to the server and she explained the cook wasn't in today and the owner was cooking. I very politely suggest they need more time in the fryer to get crispy. If these wings had crisp on them they would be excellent! I cannot complain too much because they had a half price special today and were only $6. The bleu cheese served with the wings was very tasty and I enjoyed it. I thought this was a tremendous value. Overall the experience was great, just need to cook the wings longer!“

“Even though we have lived here for 20 years we somehow never heard of Pines. My wife and I, along with our son and his girlfriend, went out to celebreate our Anniversary! From the excellent food, to the extremely attentive staff to the wonderful actors, we had quite an enjoyable night.“

“Clean, big menu, fast service, not hurried, large seating capacity, jukebox box at the booths, nice staff, good food , great variety, and good value. Large parking lot(not for rigs)Welcome to the gateway to the Lucious Lehigh Valley this is like home cooking before you explore the amazing varieties ofParking: Large and easy access.“

“We stopped in for lunch the other day after years of wanting to try the place- the service was fantastic, the octopus appetizer was exceptional, and I appreciated there were smaller versions of dinner entrees for lunch. The drinks were great and the atmosphere was upscale but not over the top. Food was delicious. Not a single complaint- we will be back again soon. Accommodating to the little one as well.“

“Kid-friendliness: Kid menus are appropriate, but they need to add a fruit cup for kids to their menu.The waitstaff is very friendly towards little kids, often joking and talking on "their level" with them. I feel very comfortable taking my 3 yr. old grandson there with me, anytime!Wheelchair accessibility: All one level floor having tables or booths wheelchair accessible, even the women's toilet is wheelchair accessible (I do not know about the men's).“

“Visit this warm and cozy place and be welcomed as a member of the family! Cat was our fun, energetic server who quickly got us everything we needed and kept up the lively banter with us and Phil, one of the 2nd generation co-owners. The burgers were AMAZING and you must try the onion rings and the spinach balls with a side of cheese! I will return whenever I'm in the area. Thank you Cat and Phil for making our Friday dinner delicious and memorable!!! ❤️❤️❤️“

“We visited last Sunday, my first time back in over 20 years. It was just how I remembered it - good portions, cozy environment, fantastic dessert. Service was quick and friendly. Overall, this is a great little hometown place! It won’t be another 20+ years until I’m back - the cherry vanilla ice cream is calling my name!“

“The young lady that took our order was really sweet generous an very outgoing she took our order with such polite kindness an patience the gentleman that made our food did amazing 5-5 I would come again I even stated that this new remodel of the restaurant reminds me when I was young it’s a great turn back in the right Direction this restaurant needed I love it !!“

“Your typical dinner with all the good food and reasonable prices you would expect. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, you’ll find something for everyone. Been there several times and all my meals have been good. If you’re hungry and in the area, you can’t go wrong with the Hamilton Family Restaurant!“

“Good, solid, local spot for beers and cocktails. Sometimes you can't get exactly what you want due to a lack of ingredients (they don't have everything needed for an Old Fashioned). It's clean inside and the staff are very friendly and attentive. However, it's not super "nice" inside. It's not bad, but it's not wow. Definitely a good spot and I definitely recommend others stop in!“

“Initially I was going to give 4 stars. But it was really a 5 star experience. First of all the service was fast and friendly. Second the place is super clean. I also appreciated the precautions they are taking at this time. There was a partition and you pass your money but placing into a tray and they give your change back through the tray. It also seems they take cards. Now I to the food. I had the 2 dog lunch special. I had both with chili, mustard and onions. While I got the standard valley dog shop toppings there are a lot of other toppings to choose from. I definitely want to try some other combinations. The dogs were quite good. However I felt the chili was a little lacking. Not a lot of flavor to me. But not worth taking off a star. I had my lunch special with a bag of chips and a can of soda. The bags of chips are really big for a lunch special. You can also get potato or macaroni salad. That's for my next visit. My dad had the sausage sandwich with peppers, onions and marinara sauce. He enjoyed it. It seems as though the sausage was stewed in the sauce with the peppers and onions. He said the sausage was very tender. He also had a bag of chips and an iced tea. All in all a really good experience and I will most definitely come again.“

“After a fun time at the Allentown Farmers Market we had 4:30 reservations at the Fairgrounds Hotel. Absolutely delicious! The hostess was so friendly and sat us right away. Leann was our waitress and she was so attentive! We had the best food and so reasonable! Started with steamed clams, hot bread and wine and beers. We had the seafood platter and steak and shrimp. So delicious! We will definitely go back! Drinks, appetizers, and entrees were $100 for two. Lovely place, old posters and lots of cat pictures.“

“5/5 ⭐️ this was our first visit and everything from the time we sat down until we left was perfect!! Our cocktails, fondue appetizer and both of our meals were delectable! Our server, Faith, took her time with us, explained all the menu items knowing it was our first time and never stopped smiling. Faith alone made us want to come back, but then the food sealed the deal! Thank you, Notch!!! We’ll see you soon!“

“Great place to eat, but the customer service is even better my server Sirrenadi was so great at making sure we was good the entire time we was there she didn’t miss a beat will be coming back just because of her. Sirrenadi if your seeing this thank you again“

“The sandwich was delicious and well made. The owner & employees are very welcoming. Definitely going back when I go back to Allentown. You must try it, it’s worth it.Vegetarian options: I like that they have pescetarian options in their menu.“

“Happy we decided to come out for dinner! Keith was awesome, and attentive. Prime rib egg rolls were tasty to start our night off. We then decided to split the Crab cakes. Broiled and seasoned perfectly. Risotto was wonderfully creamy. Veggies seasoned right. We will be back sooner than later!“

“Stahley's,a staple! Haven't been in a number of years, but the place hasn't changed! Food is good quality and quantity. The service was great! More than just your designated waitress seemed to care about your experience!!It was interesting how much the clientele changed from seniors (couples) to families as the dinner hour wore on. Tells you how much the place appeals to a huge variety of people! ?“

“I love this PJ’s because it’s one of the originals where it doesn’t have the corporate atmosphere. It is a hub in the community and you always run into friends! They have a friendly staff and always a great time after a ball game.Parking: Easy parking.Kid-friendliness: Dining section is great for families!“

“Usually a good experience. Someone was putting out fake flowers and I got smacked a few times with no apology and the fake flowers were getting dust in the air while we were eating. The. We are waiting to pay and the same person squeezes by with more fake flowers and doesn't even acknowledge or say excuse me. Just be mindful to your customers. They are the ones that keep the small business going. Not sure if I will be back for awhile and I have been going here since I was a kid.“

“The male cook making the pizzas was not only great at his job but very interactive with my kids who were watching the process of their food being made. First time eating here as I'm not from the local area but highly recommended place. Food tasted great as well!“

“Our waitress Hope G. was so kind. Not only was she respectful and caring, but also she messed up a slice of my lemon meringue pie and gave another for free. She later came up and told me and my family that we all needed to have a slice of dessert on the house. My sister then got a carrot cake. Beautiful way to end the day. Best chicken tenders I had in a while. Chicken was nicely fried and the french fries were the perfect size and nicely fried as well. Way better and cheaper than Dorney Park's chicken and fries. I saw a few reviews about workers and I just want to say they have upgraded. The manager was nice and so were the other waitresses. 10/10 I will be coming back soon. We gave Hope. G a $20 tip!“

“I'm driving on the turnpike back to New York. It's lunch time and I'm hungry. I'm thinking, if I make it to Queens with no traffic, I can have a slice of pizza around 4:00. That's if there's no traffic! I don't want a fast food burger for lunch but that's the way it's looking. I pass a sign: Yocco's "The Hot Dog King" Now hold up. I'm from New York and I see signs all the time, WORLDS BEST COFFEE or NEW YORKS BEST PIZZA. There are lots of claims out there, I never saw someone claim to be the "KING" of Hot Dogs. I mean, Hot Dogs are from New York so you can't claim the crown from Nathan Handwerker. He was selling Hot Dogs on the Coney Island Boardwalk around 1916. Now I have to investigate so I follow the signs to Yocco's Hot Dog King. Walking inside, it has a Hot Dog old School vibe. I walk up to the counter and I ask for a works dogs (Which has ketchup, mustard, their homemade thin chili and chopped onions) as well as a medium Coke. I'm asked any fries or pierogis with your order today? Pierogis?? That's something I don't here too often, I passed on it but as I type this review I know I should have tried the pierogis. I took my first bite of a Yocco's Hot Dog. It was really good! It had a nice snap and flavor. The presentation, I was looking for the chili on top, it's thin chili and Yocco's puts it on the bottom of the bun. Once I came home I went to Yocco's website. 1922, a young Italian immigrant named Theodore Iacocca started making hot dogs to impress a young woman. The Hot Dog took off and the Dutch Settlers couldn't pronounce Iacocca, it came out as Ya-co-ca. After reading the history and tasting the food, I am really impressed and proud about this Italian American success story.“

“Was so excited to see the Caramel Apple pie was on the menu tonight as it’s my absolute favorite. So I ordered it on Grubhub this evening. Not only did it come fast but it came pre warmed like it just came right out of the oven!!!! I couldn’t believe it. Excellent job!!!!! And delicious!!!! Definitely will keep ordering. Great Job Perkins!“

“The nostalgia of the Chicken Lounge still stands, along with their famous nachos. Those haven't changed taste in years! The wings are still tasty, just not as meaty. The service was so-so, but we enjoyed our time to chat and hangout.Vegetarian options: Nachos can be ordered with or without meat“

“We had a great night. The food was delicious. The restaurant is welcoming and upbeat.Just like our server.I do want to take a moment to compliment the service we received from Katelin G this evening. The restaurant was super busy.I appreciate a server who does a great job, and she handled our table with a perfect display of relaxed competence. Well done!“

“Was highly recommended so we stopped. Employees were very animated and engaged. Customers told us how much they love all the food offerings.Had to have the famous hot dog with fixings. Enjoyed our meal and the cost was very reasonable.Busy shop even at 2 pm. No long wait though“

“Went to watch the Michigan and Washington football game. Our server was great and checked on us often (we were sitting down in their lower dining room). Our food was great. GO BLUE!Vegetarian options: There are several options for vegetarians, and they can make changes to other item's so they work with your food needs.“

“this is the best part of my retirement and thanks God for the corner pocket and the food is offthe Hook ????✌️????????My favorite thing is the atmosphere and the other one is pool tables for the time you want to go to a serious place and get a challenge..“

“Wonderful ambiance. Our server Natalie was so attentive and sweet. Our food was off the charts. And to top it all off the host Haley was so kind and caring and we had a wonderful conversation, give that girl a raise:)!! 10/10 would recommend“

“I like going to nice sit down restaurants and enjoying a fancy crafted cocktail and overpriced appetizers.... but every once and a while it's great to go to a cheap locals bar with basic mix drinks like a jack and coke and some mozzarella sticks! The social bartender and tacky decor really topped it off“

“We had a company dinner in the private room and everyone was amazing!!! Delicious food, great service!!! We gave out some awards at the dinner and needed an emergency award printed and they generously printed it for us immediately. That manager saved the day!!! Thank you so much for such a great night!!!!!“

“Grumpiest ribs in town :)Great atmosphere, tons of music and other local events. Super affordable and delicious food. The cornbread is so soft and moist, best cb you'll eat that isn't home made fresh.Try the pulled pork sandwich and throw the baked beans on top ;)“

“Got take-out tonight and loved it. got the crab legs with Mac n cheese, Ceasar salad and an order of the Thai chili wings. I asked for extra sauce and they gave me double (maybe even more) than any other place (which in my opinion is never enough). even with the crab legs not being hot (they lose heat very fast to begin with and it's 20 minutes from my house), they were still perfect. wings were generously breaded and Mac n cheese was awesome. Not my first time ordering, won't be the last!“

“The food has gotten better since my last review 3 years ago, hats off to the cooks. Started going back this year, staff is great except still lacking in enough staffing diring busy times. Only thing upset about, I love there smoothies, when you order them to go, you get about half of what you get while dining in! won't be ordering drinks to go anymore!!!“

“My wife and I are here for lunch today as we were exploring the area as a potential area to move to. The atmosphere was very laid back, casual, and fun. Food was pretty good. I have the chicken Alfredo which was great and my wife got the rib eye which was so-so, not as good as you would expect a $32 steak to be, but still tasty nonetheless. Service was good as well.“

“Every time I dine in, I have the same experience. Absolutely phenomenal. So far, Kenzie has been my server every time I’ve dined in and I absolutely ADORE her! She’s so sweet and attentive with kindness that just radiates. I especially had a good experience with her a few months ago while I was at Blended for a City Center event and she was nothing but kind to me while I was anxious being out alone.“