Ye Olde Ale House: Good Beer, Good Food in Lafayette Hill

Get ye olde self – or ye young self – over to Ye Olde Ale House for a jolly good time. It’s a favorite neighborhood spot to chill out with a brew and watch the big game. It’s also a great spot to grab a bite to eat, whether you’re in the mood for a nosh, sandwich, or a full meal. Appetizers include a Basket of Steamed Littleneck Clams, Buffalo Wings, Fried Mushrooms, Mozzarella Stix, and Shrimp in a Basket. The Hot Roast Beef on a Kaiser roll is a favorite sammy that puts the squeeze on a giant appetite. Other options include a Hot Turkey Sandwich, Fried Chicken, Hot Baked Ham, Fried Flounder and Knockwurst with Kraut. Open every day.

Ye Olde Ale House
405 Germantown Pike
Lafayette Hill, PA 19444
(610) 825-2469
www.facebook.com/pages/Ye-Olde-Ale-House/110636235626326
www.yelp.com/biz/ye-olde-ale-house-lafayette-hill-2

Mango Tree Bistro: Eagleville Thai Cuisine

Traditional Thai cuisine is what this family-owned business is all about. Go there to treat your taste buds to the fragrantly spiced flavors of the region in a relaxing setting. The cuisine is known for its yummy soups, so don’t hesitate to order a big, soothing bowl of Tom Yum with lemongrass, lime leaf, mushrooms and your choice of chicken or shrimp. Mango Tree's entrees include Pad Thai with flat noodles, peanuts, bean sprouts, egg & your choice of beef, chicken or tofu. Drunken Noodles is another great choice, with stir fried jumbo noodles, fresh basil, green beans & spices. Traditional Green Curry, Mango Curry, and Massaman Curry are also on the menu. Stop in at lunchtime for great specials that include an entree, soup and appetizer.

Mango Tree Bistro
3120 Ridge Pike
Eagleville, PA 19403
(610) 631-0969
www.mangotreebistropa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mango-tree-bistro-eagleville

See What Fresh Really Tastes Like at Legal Sea Foods

George Berkowitz was following in the footsteps of his father when he opened the first Legal Sea Foods in 1950—kind of. His father wasn't a restaurateur, but he was a small business owner of sorts. He ran the Legal Cash Market just next door for Berkowitz's Legal Sea Food. Its moniker actually inspired the name of George's seafood market. That market thrived for nearly 20 years until, in 1968, the Berkowitz clan took yet another chance on a new business: a seafood restaurant. It wasn't anything fancy, just broiled or fried seafood dished out on paper plates and eaten at picnic tables. But the seafood was so fresh that it wasn't long before a steady stream of regulars flowed in and out of the eatery.

Now more than six decades since the very first Legal Sea Foods debuted, George and son Roger have expanded the business to include locations up and down the East Coast. One resides at the King of Prussia Mall. It's a popular spot for a slightly upscale meal of fresh fish. Yelp reviewers particularly love the Maryland cream of crab soup, but you can also dig into Legal's signature crab cakes for dinner. The nutty Faroe Island salmon, Louisiana catfish, and seafood casserole are also good, hearty options. If you're ravenous, though, try one of the surf-and-turf options, such as baked stuffed shrimp with filet mignon.

Legal Sea Foods
680 W. Dekalb Pike
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-5566
www.legalseafoods.com/restaurants/king-of-prussia-king-of-prussia-mall
www.yelp.com/biz/legal-sea-foods-king-of-prussia-king-of-prussia

Try Some Tex-Mex at Uncle Julio’s Fine Mexican Food

It was November of 1986 when the first Uncle Julio's debuted far away from Plymouth Meeting in the bustling city of Dallas. Poised right near the Mexican border, this flagship eatery blended Texan and Mexican culinary traditions, jumping aboard the Tex-Mex trend that was gaining popularity. Today, Uncle Julio's boasts 21 restaurants scattered across the country, including one in Plymouth Meeting.

Like its sister eateries, Plymouth Meeting's Uncle Juilo's dishes out the same fresh Tex-Mex that made the first location such a success. Locals highly recommend kicking off your meal with the tableside guacamole, which servers whip up right before your eyes. Make sure you save room for some fajitas, though, because chefs also have a reputation for crafting those with great care. Of course, the menu contains a slew of classic Mexican and Tex-Mex eats, so your options are many.

Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Food
500 W. Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
(570) 719-2400
www.unclejulios.com
www.yelp.com/biz/uncle-julios-fine-mexican-food-plymouth-meeting-2

Zoe’s Kitchen: Healthy Mediterranean Fare Without the Wait

The term "fast food" typically evokes images of greasy burgers and salt-laden fries, but Zoe's Kitchen is in the process of changing all that. The nationwide chain does fast food a little bit differently. Instead of offering up cheap ingredients in a hurry, its kitchen recreates classic Mediterranean dishes using top-notch components and healthy options—but its counter service is still efficient enough to suit your quick lunch break.

Kick off your meal with a big dollop of hummus, the epitome of healthy Mediterranean cuisine. It features olive oil, which contains a type of fat that's actually good for your heart, and protein-packed chickpeas. Served with fresh, soft pita, Zoe's hummus has earned a lot of praise among local diners. When it comes to the main course, they highly recommend the chicken kabobs. However, you also have plenty of sandwiches, salads, and other entrees to pick from at Zoe's Kitchen in Plymouth Meeting.

Zoe's Kitchen
520 Germantown Pike
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
(610) 832-9444
zoeskitchen.com/locations/list-view.aspx?address=19462
www.yelp.com/biz/zo%C3%ABs-kitchen-plymouth-meeting

Fresco Pizza and Grill: Pizza in KOP

When nothing will put the squeeze on your hunger but a big, sizzling Italian pie, make Fresco Pizza and Grill your go-to place. Sidle up to one of their pizza combo specials, like the Mediterranean with grilled eggplant, roasted peppers, olives, mushrooms, red onions, fresh mozzarella & feta cheese, or the Fresco Special with pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, green peppers, broccoli, mushrooms & onions. Sandwiches in a variety of styles are also on the menu. Choose from gyros, burgers, hoagies, grinders and deli-style sandwiches. Stromboli, fresh salads and pasta entrees like Spaghetti with Sausage and Ravioli are also an option. Eat in or call for carry out or delivery. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner.

Fresco Pizza and Grill,
599 Summit Street
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 292-9700

www.frescopizzakop.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fresco-pizza-and-grill-king-of-prussia

Crack Open Six Different Types of Crab at Joe’s Crab Shack

Of the 50 states, more than 60 percent of them play host to a Joe's Crab Shack. Lucky for the residents of Pennsylvania, their home state is on that list four times over. One of those eateries sits right along Mall Boulevard in King of Prussia. Like its many sister restaurants, the Joe's Crab Shack near Philly is always shelling out fresh seafood and happy hour treats.

Swing by after work with a few friends to grab a Patron Rita for $5 (or another libation for $3) and a few appetizers to share. Though happy hour is only held at the bar, you'll still be able to sample some of the fresh seafood that makes Joe's such a popular spot. Come for a dinner if you want the full experience, though. Regulars recommend calling ahead—the host will text you when your table is ready.

Dig into one of the eatery's signature "buckets of crab," which are exactly what they sound like. Snow crab, queen crab, and king crab are just a few of your options, and they all come with your choice of potato and either corn on the cob or hush puppies. Order them with one of Joe's six house seasoning blends, like garlic herb or spicy boil. Customers also praise the steampots, which showcase massive medleys of fresh seafood.

Joe's Crab Shack
244 Mall Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-2237
www.joescrabshack.com
www.yelp.com/biz/joes-crab-shack-king-of-prussia

Enjoy Aged Steaks at The Capital Grille in King of Prussia

The dry-aged steak served at King of Prussia's The Capital Grille takes roughly three weeks to prepare—but don't worry, chefs get a headstart on the process long before you order. At chain locations all over the country, including the King of Prussia eatery, steak sits in a special temperature- and humidity-controlled dry aging room for about 21 days. During that time, it takes on a tenderness and flavor that can only be obtained via the lengthy dry-aging process. When the meat reaches peak texture and taste, The Capital Grille's kitchen staff cuts it and tenderizes it further before a chef sticks each cut into an infrared broiler. These perfectly-calibrated ovens sear the outside to a crispy shell while leaving the inside moist and juicy. And voila—The Capital Grille's lauded steak au poivre is born!

But steak is just one of the many high-end offerings at this chic restaurant, designed like the other locations to evoke a classic American steakhouse in every inch of careful architecture. You can also order seafood such as citrus-glazed salmon or lobster mac and cheese, and finish off your dinner with some crème brûlée. Sip on one of the signature cocktails as you enjoy your meal.

The Capital Grille
236 Mall Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 265-1415
www.thecapitalgrille.com/pages/locations/?id=8043
www.yelp.com/biz/the-capital-grille-king-of-prussia

Maggiano’s Little Italy: Authentic Italian Fare in King of Prussia

A cut above other Italian chain restaurants, according to customers, Maggiano's Little Italy is a top contender for its atmosphere as much as its cuisine and cocktails. Despite having four locations sprinkled throughout the Philadelphia area, each Maggiano's feels like a distinctive restaurant thanks to the crisp white table linens and lively ambience (perhaps, at times, a bit too noisy, say some customers).

The chicken and spinach manicotti garners the highest praise from KoP customers, according to reviews, but the menu is extensive. Try a classic or specialty pasta dish, such as the signature Rigatoni "D" with herb-roasted chicken and caramelized onions and mushrooms in a Marsala cream sauce. Or order a more substantial entree such as veal parmesan or center-cut filet mignon. The seafood options are also extensive, encompassing everything from linguine and clams to balsamic-glazed salmon, as is the list of wines and other drinks.

Maggiano's Little Italy
205 Mall Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 992-3333
www.maggianos.com/en/Pages/home.aspx
www.yelp.com/biz/maggianos-little-italy-king-of-prussia-2

Affamato’s: Piece of the Pie

Pennsylvania has plenty of Italian restaurants, but few win as much praise from locals as Affamato’s in Norristown. This is a totally unpretentious neighborhood joint that doesn’t do anything fancy, but executes every meal with attention to detail and recipes grabbed straight from an Italian grandmother’s cookbook. The food at Affamato’s is comforting and hearty, and the portion sizes are truly large. The pasta dishes win raves from regulars, with the spaghetti in vodka sauce a favorite. The hand-made meatballs are also spectacular, perfectly moist and savory. Pizza is good as well, with sizable pies topped with a flavorful sauce and a variety of toppings. Some combinations that win raves are the chicken Florentine and the cheesesteak pizza. Speaking of that, sandwich fans also have a lot to love here, with some patrons claiming the best cheesesteaks outside of Philly can be had here. Prices are fair and service is fast and friendly.

Affamato's
431 S. Trooper Road
Norristown, PA 19403
(610) 666-6800

www.affamatospizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/affamatos-norristown

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