My wife and I stopped for dinner at the Mount Penn Family Restaurant on Perkiomen Avenue in Exeter Township. If you're looking for a bright and airy place to grab a bite, this spot really delivers on the atmosphere. The dining area is clean and filled with natural light thanks to the windows on two sides, which makes for a very welcoming environment. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout our visit, contributing to a pleasant service experience. One of the absolute highlights was the salad bar--it was fresh, well-presented, and offered an excellent selection, including classics like macaroni and potato salads, pickled red beet eggs, and even stuffed grape leaves. It's clear they take pride in that part of the menu! (A +) While we did encounter a few hiccups with the hot entrees--my wife's hot turkey sandwich and mashed potatoes arrived cold, and my broiled salmon was unfortunately quite overdone--I get the sense that this kitchen has a lot more to offer. The menu is quite extensive, and I suspect they really shine when it comes to their more traditional diner fare. (C) It's worth noting that the pricing is very competitive, feeling even more affordable than many other local diner-style establishments we've visited lately. While the decor feels a bit dated and the atmosphere skews toward a more mature crowd, the restaurant has a great foundation. (B + to A) I'd definitely encourage folks to give them a try. They have a solid operation here, and with more focus and care in the kitchen, I think they'll continue to be a staple in the area for a long time to come. I plan to head back eventually to see if the kitchen improves and how the other menu items hold up! read more

My wife and I stopped at Mount Penn Family Restaurant on a Thursday morning to have a late breakfast with family during the holiday travel season. We had a party of six people in our group. When we arrived, three of our group were already seated and had their coffee. Our server came to the table quickly to get our orders and there was a Carafe of coffee already on the table. Our server was friendly in an East Coast manner. It was not Southern Hospitality as we are accustomed to, but she was efficient. Our orders arrived quickly and were accurate. I had a three-cheese Omelet with Potatoes and toast, and they were cooked well and very well. They have a full menu with a large variety and selection. I found many items on the menu I would like to try out if we are back in the area again. read more

Mount Penn Family Restaurant - Lunch Counter - American Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

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The usual breakfast haunt(EFAM) was too busy so gave this a shot. The server was pleasant but the service was poor. I ordered a side of cream chip beef which arrived after I finished my breakfast. I never got a coffee refill and the potatoes were warm at best. My wife's toast also arrived towards the end of the meal. On the plus side the coffee was good, second cup would have been sweet! The scrapple was also very good. It was crowded but not noisy which was nice. We're going to give it another try and hope for a better experience. Updated: we went back and the server, this time, was awesome. This made for a much better experience overall. Change rating from 3 to 4 stars. read more

My wife and I stopped in for breakfast this past week and the potatoes were so hard, we could not eat them. Also, I just experienced that this restaurant charges a surcharge if you pay with a Credit/Debit Card. It is illegal. I wonder if they are just keeping it as profit. I would like to know who I can report it too! read more

Went for breakfast on Christmas day...food was excellent..our server, Henry was the best.....going for dinner very soon

For the first time in Covid and post covid years I have received an a meal that was unrecognizable and inedible meal This was a delivery order but I did not expect this read more

I was eating here today. There was a senior couple a few tables over. Husband was a veteran. The husband had a complaint about the food so the server told the owner. The owner came over and was arguing with the customer, wouldn't let him told. Owner was extremely unprofessional and told the customer he hopes he never comes back. I couldn't believe what I heard. I can't believe a customer, let alone a veteran who fought for our country was treated like this. I know I won't be coming back. read more

I enjoy going to diners with my husband but unfortunately this was not a good visit and I will not visit again. The place had maybe 3 other sets of diners, but the service was slow and my side salad tasted like (what I would imagine) a dirty ashtray. Horrible first and only experience. read more

The food is excellent! I ordered the fried fish sandwich with tartar and fries, my wife, the buffalo chicken strips. Our server went out of her way to be extra hospitable-a trait that is becoming rarer in wait staff. This place is quite a little gem tucked away in Mt. Penn. Though we don't live too close, we're definitely coming back soon! read more

Mount Penn Family Restaurant - Took this so the restaurant has a better picture than that close-up of Chicken Noodle Soup - American Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

Always a pleasure to eat here. Staff is always so friendly and quick to accommodate seating. Breakfast comes out efficiently and spot on everytime. #1 breakfast spot in Berks county in my opinion. read more

Absolutely horrendous. We liked ths food there until tonight. Our steaks were absolutely inedible. I will be calling in the morning and expecting a refund for the 50$ i spent on food we didnt eat two bites of. On the bright side the waitresses are dolls! read more

Mount Penn Family Restaurant - Fatty steak oscar. - American Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

Just what you want and hope for in an American diner. Great breakfast, fast service and cheap prices. Food was not salty at all. Nice options. Friendly and welcoming staff. Great spot for families too. read more

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Just there for dinner. The salad bar needs help. Looks like it hasn't been freshened up since lunch and the salad plates were all wet with like a tablespoon of water on them like the dishwasher didn't dry them. Limited selection. Soup not bad. Ordered the Chicken Oscar with carrots. Carrots were not cooked long enough, hard. Chicken was OK but the alleged crab meat on top was tasteless. Asparagus was over cooked. Could have been better. read more

Friendly service, experienced wait staff. Great food. I love the salad bar and breakfast is fabulous no long lines and plenty of free parking. read more

Stopped in for a quick morning breakfast with my boyfriend and his mother who lives in the area. The coffee tasted yummy. I ordered a Philly omelette. It was nothing to rave about as there was not much to it. The home fries were pretty bland. I'm going to give this place extra credit for such a nice and clean interior. I liked the pictures on the wall and the wooden fixtures throughout. Our waitress was super polite and attentive. I see a lot of negative reviews regarding awful waitresses so I needed to point that out. I would go back and give them another try. The prices are low and the food is pretty standard diner food. read more

This restaurant is under new ownership since the end of November 2021. The food is yummy and the staff and owners are delightful! Definitely give it a try! read more

We have been going to this diner for years. We love this place. The food is always good, and the service is great! I like extra crispy bacon with my home fries extra crispy also for breakfast, and they are spot on with everything I want. The staff is very accommodating. The owners are great and very friendly! Keep it up Mt. Penn Family Restaurant, We love you! read more

My daughter and I came in for lunch and it was one of the best family restaurants we've ever been to. Our waitress was Kristal and she was absolutely amazing. The meal we shared was wonderful, along with the soups they had at the salad bar. Would definitely recommend for a nice, quiet bite to eat. Will definitely return soon. read more

I was driving by on Monday and stopped in for lunch as I wanted both a sandwich and the salad bar. I had the turkey and bacon Panini with the soup and salad bar. I really enjoyed the watermelon on the salad bar. The tomato soup was tasty. My sandwich was adequate. I was still hungry so I asked about the ice cream and my server talked me into getting a dish of strawberry shortcake ice cream. It was a real treat!!! I also enjoyed many dinners here. read more

My 14-year-old daughter and I have been going here about once a month for six or seven years now, granted we get the same thing most of the time, but one thing is for certain.....it is always good and the servers are always wonderful and nice. The owner is a ray of sunshine and always in a good mood. read more

.... this place is, ok. Food isn't very good. My fiancées family came up from NJ and we mistakenly took them here. They enjoyed it but we do not. Cooks don't know how to cook eggs besides scrambled, apparently. Everything tastes fake. I would not recommend read more

I took my son here last week for lunch. We typically go to a different diner but I want to change it up and found it kinda of a mistake. To start shortly after we made our order a couple of the waitress began to argue. They were arguing about a consumer wanting an order to go and that the one was super busy etc. This is a big issue for one staff should not be arguing on the floor in front of consumers and two they should not be talking about a consumer like they are an inconvenience. They were not even that busy FYI. I also was disappointed in my food. We both order breakfast items I was not impressed especially about the potatoes that seem like they were pre sliced frozen potatoes. I give it the two stars because it was clean and well maintained. I probably will not be going back. read more

I really wanted to like this place. I really did. The exterior is cute, and the interior is cuter, and the staff was nice enough, if not a little awkward. But the food...oh my god the food is horrid! The salad bar was meh. The cream of tomato rice was so overcooked the rice had disintegrated. For my entree, I had the chicken santorini...it was completely inedible. Chicken santorini is supposed to be chicken breasts stuffed with feta and sundried tomato with a white wine sauce. At least that's how the Greek guy I worked for in NJ made it. The "grilled" chicken tenders were boiled (I can tell the difference; I've worked in restaurants most of my adult life) and obviously not stuffed, the spaghetti was cooked about 30 minutes too long, the feta, which had zero flavor and may as well been tofu, was just thrown on top, the tomato chunks were mealy and most certainly not sundried, and the sauce was absolutely the most disgusting thing I've ever eaten in my life. How do you make a simple white wine and butter sauce taste like melted crayons? I am literally in physical distress after eating that; not food poisoning, but my body is definitely trying to tell me something, I will definitely not return to Mt. Penn Family Restaurant ever again. *** EDIT: Just as a side note: Filio K. is very closely associated with Mt. Penn Family Restaurant, either as a manager or as an owner. She/he has contacted me, berating and harassing me for my review of this place, and then backed off when I outed her/him as a biased reviewer. She/he has attacked other reviewers on other sites as well. Take those reviews with a grain of salt. read more

Mount Penn Family Restaurant - My "delicious" meal. Notice the grit on the knife. Gritty sauce. Mmm. Yummy. And the overcooked pasta. YUM! My favorite. - American Near Me - Reading, Pennsylvania

Awesome breakfast specials!!! Whenever I'm in this area I make sure to stop in. The same waitresses have been here for years and are very attentive and fast. The kitchen gets the food out really fast and it's always consistently good. read more

Go there for breakfast often. Always enjoyed everything. Friendly staff and owners. They made the omelet with my specific changes and it was perfect. read more

have taken my whole family here and always had a great time, no fuss, all the trimmings, great staff nd nice food. I would go there again!

Fast friendly service!!! Sunday is our favorite time to come after church with the family. Food is always delicious.

Great diner food and solid salad bar! Our favorite in the area! Great breakfast and lunch specials. Appear to have a lot of homemade desserts! read more

Went here for breakfast, portions and flavor were great. The eggs Benedict are best in the area. Restaurant is bright and decor is newly updated. Service was timely and courteous and waitress even accommodated special requests. Will definitely be coming here again read more

Love this place! We have a big family with 5 kids and they are always so friendly and wonderful! The food is very good! Never had a problem! read more

My daughter and I were traveling, and decided to stop somewhere for lunch. We were passing by Mt. Penn Diner and decided to stop in. I ordered French onion soup and the salad bar, and my daughter ordered Chicken Oscar, which came with soup and salad bar. I couldn't believe the salad bar. Iceburg lettuce soaking in water and very few veggies. Not at all worth $7.95!!! It was loaded with things like potato salad, macaroni salad, carrot and raisin salad, etc. It was the most flavorless salad I've ever eaten. Even with salad dressing. I couldn't eat it. I thought, at least I still have the French onion soup. Wrong. The soup was literally water with onions in it. It was disgusting. My daughters meal looked as if it had been sitting out for a while. The Hollandaise sauce had congealed. She ate about half of it. The waitress did take the salad and soup off the bill, but at that point, we still had a while to travel and I hadn't eaten and really didn't have time to stop somewhere else. Thank goodness I had a bag in the car, because my daughter got sick on the way home. read more

Seriously best food in town and the atmosphere is great!! The servers are so friendly and the owners make you feel right at home! Breakfast is amazing! Definitely best cup of coffee in town too for that early morning cup before a long day at work! Love it there!!!! read more

My husband and myself have always loved going to this Diner. The owners are super nice and they normally have a great staff! The food is always enjoyable and we enjoy there salad bar very much! The restaurant is always clean along with the restrooms. We have been going there since our first date 13 years ago and continue to go to this day! read more

Friendly, fast service. Had breakfast. Scrapple good. Eggs slightly runny but still good. Fried potatoes better than most. I would return. read more

Very disappointed in this restaurant. They are prejudice against gays and disabled and are unfair to their workers. Ice is always dirty. They reuse uneaten food. Judgmental group of owners and workers. I will not be visiting this junky restaurant. They overcharge on bills and overcharge on tips without authorization. Food is picked up from giant. Quality of food is two thumbs down. Found hair in food last time I was there. It's close by to us but we no longer enjoy being regulars because of their lack of good customer service. Food has no flavor, desserts are old and dried out. They lose waitresses left and right because they are mean employers. Don't waste your time going here. You'd be better off going to boscov greenery or breakfast hut a little down the road on 422 east. Greek restaurant with blah taste. read more

If you want very bland and mediocre food with a very large side order of attitude, this is your place. I've been here quite a few times, but will not return. Let's begin... Coffee is very important to me, but the coffee here is served far too hot. I enjoy Lucas Roasting's coffee at other diners, but here it is ruined and tasteless because it is so overcooked. It is so bad I wonder if it really is Lucas, or if they are just using pots with the Lucas logo. Probably the latter. I noticed regulars spooning ice into this ultra-hot coffee and began to do the same, which further harms the taste by dilution. As to food, my 'go to' breakfast dish is creamed chipped beef on toast. The chipped beef is an almost non-existent ingredient here; I guess they figure it is too expensive compared to the flour and milk. When I first saw their chipped beef I was reminded of that old phrase, "Where's the beef?" My other 'go to' is a Western omelet. Same as the chipped beef dish, don't expect to get much ham. Amazingly, you don't even get much in the way of the peppers and onions either. The best way to describe the food here is chintzy. This makes me kind of bitter because I know that translates to excessive profit margins for the owners. Now, about that thing you do get for free here: ATTITUDE, and lots of it. There is this older woman waitress who handles the people at the counter and many of the tables. You know the type...she been in the job so long that she could not care less about providing friendly service. And God help you if you take up her time asking questions about the menu, or if you ask her to come back because you have not yet decided! The last time I was there she openly mocked me in front of other customers for not being ready to order. (Actually, I was waiting for a friend to arrive so we could order together.) This was a last straw for me here. I spoke to a young lady at the cash register named Felicia (daughter of the owners?) asking to speak to the owner. She told me he was not available. I have the feeling they have heard it all before and choose not to address the issues with this waitress. Perhaps she is a family member who they just tolerate. That's a pity because she is costing the owners money. This same waitress actually mouthed me off again when she saw me leaving and talking to Felicia about her. Concerning the owners of this restaurant, I assume it is the man and woman who normally handle the checks at the cash register. NEVER ONCE, did either of them thank me for my business and payment. I also saw on an earlier Yelp review that the owner here blasts people for their fair commentary. I'm saying that in advance of him trying to say my review is not 100% accurate. Bottom line: skimpy and bland food served with a bitchy attitude...don't bother with this place. read more