Yesterday, my wife and I drove up to Allentown, PA (~60 miles one way) for the main reason of having lunch at The Shelby! When we arrived and saw that they were in a shopping mall, we were thinking about looking for somewhere else.... Boy I'm SO GLAD that we didn't! We arrived around 12:30 and they were packed - we were able to get a table outside (bar and inside dining area were too noisy for us)! Our server, Ariana O. was great! My wife enjoyed her Flamingo Fandango drink ($ 14.50) with the Torta Ahogada ($18.95) - both were delicious but the sandwich was very messy - better eaten with a knife and fork - and absolutely delicious as were their French fries that she had! I ordered the Beef "Cubano" sandwich ($ 17.95) with a side of golden beets ($ 2.00 up charge) glazed with the same horseradish sauce that was on the sandwich (Ariana's recommendation). Both were wonderful and we shared tastes of each other's items! It was worth the drive up and the impending drive back!!! We also shared a Dark Chocolate Custard pie that featured an Oreo type of crust with whipped cream and shaved dark chocolate as a topping - it tasted wonderful but I felt a little on the small size for the $ 12.95 price! All things considered, I would make the drive again to go back to experience the other items on the menu but as was suggested, I would definitely make a reservation for lunch and definitely would for dinner! FYI: their menu is seasonal so you want to view it online before you go! read more

The Shelby - Flamingo Fandango in the foreground! - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

On the way to Philly we wanted to stop and have a nice lunch and this place came up as a recommendation. I was initially on the fence about it since its in a shopping mall surrounded by chain restaurants and a wax salon, but I figured if it looked bad inside there was a Smashburger nearby. How wrong I was! The inside is absolutely stunning, what a beautiful space. It took a while to be seated since it was a holiday weekend but when we did we had a beautiful view of an indoor sunroom. We got the potato pierogi to start, which was fantastic, and my dish was the tofu scramble (with fruit as a side). The scramble had a surprising sweetness that was not unpleasant and was quite a large portion. Our server was great but he had a very strong and vibrant personality - which I did not care for when I first sat down and was tired and hangry, but he was great and won me over at the end, haha. Anyway, try this place, its amazing and next time I am in Allentown I will be back for sure. read more

My coworkers and I were in Allentown for some meetings and booked a reservation here for dinner. Everyone was very impressed! We walked in and even though it was busy we were taken to our reserved table immediately. The place is big with nice decor and ambiance, and the tables are spaced out enough that it keeps the area around you quiet enough to be able to hold a conversation comfortably with the people at your table. Our server was with us quickly and took our drink orders. All of the cocktails were delicious and several of us got a second round! We got the bao buns, chicken skewers, and birria poutine to start and they were all extremely delicious. The poutine tasted more like molé though so I personally wouldn't call it birria, and the cheese was a molten cheddar-like kind and not cheese curds. It was delicious though so no one complained! I got the curry and subbed tofu for shrimp. It was a little bland and I honestly wish there would've been a bit more of the curry itself (there was so much rice) and some more salt/seasoning, but it was fine. I'd give it a 7.5/10. My coworkers all enjoyed their own dishes (especially the rigatoni) and they kept raving about them throughout the whole meal. Our server was attentive and kept the table clean and our water bottles topped up. I definitely recommend checking it out! We're keeping it i. our list for next time we're in town :) read more

Food - 4/5 Service - 4/5 Ambiance - 5/5 Short Rib Quesadillas - short rib, chef's cheese blend, and sautéed onions, served with guacamole and sour cream. Fantastic! 8.6/10 Bao Buns - house made chicken sausages, sweet chili aioli, and cilantro. 7.8/10 Shrimp Rice Bowl - teriyaki shrimp, steamed rice, sesame, kimchi, dippy egg, pickled jalapeños, bok choy, oi muchim. 7.5/10 The Shelby Burger - two four ounce local beef patties, American cheese, Shelby sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. Solid. 7.7/10 French Fries - hot and crispy. 8.1/10 Chicken Parm - bucatini, crispy chicken breast, Nonna's sauce, chef's cheese blend. The chicken had crispy edges and the pasta was al dente. 8.2/10 Mac and Cheese - cavatappi pasta, Shelby cheese sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Rich, creamy, and a great table side. 8.4/10 read more

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My friend and I had a wonderful dinner at The Shelby. We started with the bao buns and skewers, and both were packed with flavor. We also enjoyed delicious cocktails that paired perfectly with our meal. For our main course, we shared the paella, which was flavorful, well seasoned, and generously portioned. The atmosphere was welcoming, the service was attentive, and the entire experience felt relaxed and enjoyable. It's the kind of place that's perfect for catching up with friends over great food and drinks, and I'd happily return. read more

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Good food and very nice experience. The place has a very good vibe and I really enjoy the outdoor seating. The servers were pleasant and communicated clearly. We will definitely be back. read more

Super cool place to check out if you're in the area. We stopped in for lunch after visiting some shops in the plaza. Modern atmosphere inside , made it nice and cozy. They offer some outdoor seating but at the time it wasn't too nice outside. We started off with a few drinks - watermelon refresher and an old fashioned. Very friendly staff , missed the name of our waitress but she was very nice. We chose the cheese curds and chicken wings for an appetizer. Both were very tasty. The cheese curds had some jalapeno peach jam with a new level of flavor. Needed more since it was so good! We also had the hot honey wings - very meaty , crispy and plenty of sauce - not overly spicy if you like that sort of thing. We both chose the Shelby burger ! It's a solid choice from the menu , double beef patty with their own house sauce , LTO , pickles and on a brioche roll. I got a side of loaded tots. So good ! Definitely recommend getting the burger. My wife chose the Caesar salad as a side which was also very good. I also found a special drink on the menu - the paper plane to finish off the meal. First time tying it , very good! Been waiting to try this place for a while now and it's worth it. read more

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Yep, it's official: THIS. PLACE. ROCKS!! Everything my coworkers & I ate here was amazing, from the pierogis to the home style chicken to carrot cake trifle...all of it was top notch! The service and atmosphere are fantastic as well. I highly recommend having a meal at The Shelby next time you're hungry; it'll be the best decision you make that day. read more

Oh my God I love the Shelby. The food is always so good and the entertainment is great. It's a little pricey, but well worth it.

I happened to be in the Allentown area and found this place for lunch. We got here a bit before noon and there were plenty of seats but by 12:30 the place was quite full. The menu is all made in house so there were no issues to get adjustments to orders. We all opted for the paella although one of us declined the chorizo. There was plenty of seafood and the chopped olives were a nice briny touch. It was tasty, although not spectacular. I only say that because the bubbly waitress said the chef was Chilean and that this was his "signature dish." Bread "service" is extra ($5 for a square of focaccia). Dessert was a little disappointing. Cheesecake tasted more like a refrigerator, no-bake kind, homemade but gelatinized. Coffee was fresh and delicious. Portions are large and enough to take home for another meal. I would come back here again. Service is good. Decor is pleasing and gives off greenhouse vibes. read more

The Shelby - Bar and entrance from dining area - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

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Food: the food was excellent. I got a protein free salad that had beets and tomatoes. It was a great salad. I also got their bao buns. Not a traditional bun in any way, but it was delicious none the less. The chicken sausage was spicy and complimented the doughy bun. Service: my waitress was fairly attentive but also was mia for half the time (when I needed a refill on water). It wasn't a bad experience but wasn't a good one either. Ambiance: I requested outdoors, and while I was seated on their indoor/outdoor patio, I was not permitted to sit outside. The patio I was on was air conditioned with a decent view and had the elevated eclectic design that carries from the inside of the restaurant. Value: I got a salad (protein free) and an appetizer and my bill was over $30. It was definitely not worth the money. Recommend: Depends. The atmosphere was nice but it really felt overpriced for what you were getting. If you are looking for upscale apps and some cocktails then maybe this is your spot. read more

The Shelby - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

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While enroute to the Poconos we swung into Allentown to tryout maybe the towns most recommended lunch spot. Shelby didn't disappoint and my first impression was the classy layout, hipster vibe and clean appearance. We split some hot honey wings and a beef style Cubano sandwich with tater tot's. My wife's pomegranate martini was delicious and For me a Guinness. I will say I was put off with the stature of my Guinness as it was in a tiny pour at maybe 12oz versus the standard US 16oz. Our food was decent but not spectacular with the wings being a bit fatty and sandwich being a little salty and lacked pickle presence which is typically abundant on a Cubano. Service was great! read more

The Shelby - Beef Cubano - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

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I ordered a side, Caesar salad, pan, seared salmon, vanilla bean cheesecake. I also got a Coke for my drink. The service was really nice as far as when I came in. I was able to place my order and they give out really nice bags for takeout. It is very beautiful in there, loving the light structures and just how they set it up. read more

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I had a really disappointing experience here tonight. I had been before and enjoyed the restaurant, so I recommended it to my friends as the perfect place to have dinner together. Unfortunately we experienced multiple problems. We arrived for our reservation and the hostess told me our party had already been sat, and told us to join the group at the booth in front of the mirror. We did not know anyone in that group! It turned out they had given our reserved table to another party and didn't have another 5-seater available. After waiting a while, they squeezed us into a 4-top with an extra chair crammed onto the end. I ordered a drink from the seasonal menu (all the drinks on this menu were 14.50 or 14.75). It arrived and looked like someone had already drank half of it. Everyone else's drinks were standard pours that filled the entire glass. When I mentioned it to the waitress Emily she said "it's a 4oz pour so it's actually correct, it's all alcohol so it's really strong. Wait for the ice to melt and it'll fill the glass". Well nowhere on the menu did it state it would be a 4oz pour and it was NOT all alcohol, as the waitress stated, it had rum and curaçao with several mixers as most cocktails do except I was give half a drink for the same price as every other full cocktail. Why would I want to wait 20 minutes for ice to melt and then drink a watered down cocktail? The drink tasted exactly like Hawaiian fruit punch, not strong at all. I don't think there was actually any alcohol in it at all. The server was completely uninterested in fixing the issue at all and walked away. Basic costumer service would be to offer to remake the drink or let me order another cocktail instead but this was never offered. I was charged the full price despite not drinking it and making it clear early on that there was a problem. We also were given one bottle of water for 5 of us and it was never refilled. The serving staff didn't check on us throughout the meal for us to ask for another one, but I'm not sure they would have even given it to us based on our prior treatment. This restaurant wants to present itself as a nicer dining experience but doesn't provide even basic customer service. I probably won't return here since there are many restaurants in the area with similar food and much better service. read more

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The food is great, large amount and the appetizers are tasty too. Can't complain the service either. Just I guess it is too popular, very crowded and noisy. If you want a peaceful or conversational date, you have to book somewhere else. read more

not impressed whatsoever. had chicken parm , place is loud , bar crowd , not somewhere for a nice dinner unless you like to shout

This is one of my go to places with our best friends. It's typically number one on the list when you ask, "where do you wanna go"? The food is always top rate and the service is impeccable. The chef there comes up with a number of interesting fish dishes, which I love. I've also been there for Sunday brunch, which is also exceptional. I highly recommend the Shelby. Lastly, I've heard that the same owners of the Shelby will be opening up a new restaurant where TGI Fridays was on Cedar Crest and Hamilton right behind the King George. I can't wait to go there. read more

I dined here for their new menu and was very impressed. The nitro coffee was delicious, the pumpkin old fashioned had a delicate flavor balance and the Mac n cheese with fried chicken was a large portion and delicious. It's a wonderful place to sit and enjoy a meal. If I lived in the area I would come back frequently. read more

The Shelby - Dining room - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

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Really beautiful interior with plants and chandeliers everywhere. The mac and cheese was soft and creamy, I got it with an additional short rib topping that was a bit salty and made the dish overpowering. Service was super friendly and quick. My brother got the hot chicken sandwich rhat was crispy and had good flavor. read more

This is the first time for my family and I, visiting The Shelby. We shared the chicken skewers and pierogies for starters and both were delicious. My husband and I both had the Shelby burger and tater tots, my husband's tater tots were loaded. My son had a chicken sandwich and loaded tater tots. We were there for a late lunch. All of the food was very tasty. Well seasoned and well cooked. Our server was friendly and efficient, she checked on every so often, it was a good experience all around. We will return to try other dishes. read more

My fiancé and I wanted to stop for lunch on a little trip we were taking. Allentown appeared to be the halfway point. I found this place when searching for places to eat in the area. Now I will admit I tend to gravitate to these types of restaurants so the criticism that I include in this review I will admit is half my fault. I will start with the good and honestly that was 90% of this restaurant. The food was delicious, the service was good, and the ambiance of the restaurant was great. Our waitress was friendly and attentive and made sure all of our order was correct. I ordered an Expresso Mocktini and she specified that it was a Mock-Tini when delivering it. I drink so I joked with her that it didn't matter to me either way, but I had a drive ahead of me and didn't want to be irresponsible. I appreciate her thoroughness as there are some people that truly cannot have alcohol. That's a sign of a great waiter/waitress. The food was great. We shared some short rib poutine. It was bursting with flavor. I ordered the Chicken Fajita Pizza. It was also delicious and stuffed with flavor. My only complaint was there was no indication on the menu on how big it was. I swear this pizza was enough for 3 people to share, it was so filling and big. My fiancé's meal portion was also massive. When I got the bill at the end of the meal, my heart did flutter a bit. It was over a $100 after tip. It was definitely one of the more expensive lunches I've had. Though again I will digress and say that I do tend to seek out these "boujee" restaurants as I am a foodie. I also believe we may have done it wrong. We probably should have ordered a pizza or something to share. I wish they would decrease their portion sizes by like 15-20% and then decrease the prices a bit. But that's probably asking way too much in this economy. I can't pretend to know the back end of running a restaurant, I can only imagine it's rough right now. It's just super rough on the customer end to pay over $100 for lunch for an appetizer and two entrees and not even any alcohol or dessert. I liked the ambiance of the restaurant. They recently added a very large half outdoor area that was very nice to sit in especially on a beautiful day temperature wise. The indoor restaurant was very modern and sleek. Unfortunately I don't find myself in Allentown very often. But next time I do, I will probably be back for maybe dinner or a trip to the bar with a shareable. read more

The Shelby - Poutine and Expresso Mocktini - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

We came here on the recommendations of a co worker. We were not disappointed. The food and service were excellent and we will be coming back again. read more

The Shelby - Paella del mar - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

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The service was very attentive and the ambiance was charming. I loved my Cubano short rib sandwich, but it was so big I could only eat half. My partner loved the leftovers! One friend enjoyed her TexMex quinoa salad and my other friend absolutely raved about his BAO Buns and his espresso martini. I'd definitely go back if I'm ever in the area read more

Here's an updated review. The staff are still great as well as the food. I tried the harvest salad with grilled chicken. Great portion and even better taste. The bar options are great as well for those partaking. read more

The Shelby - Harvest Salad with Grilled Chicken, delicious. - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

My Aunt and I came here for dinner and had a great experience with the first appearance of the restaurant's modern, industrial and plant life environment! We laughed and were elated with our waitress, Diala! She was very knowledgeable of the food and very attentive to our table. We had a slight mishap with our salad, which we were pretty happy to continue to indulge; however, the manager, Simon, came over and insisted that he replace our salad with a fresh one with the correct ingredients. He was well mannered, well groomed, and extremely professional in dealing with the situation. I highly suggest anyone visiting or living in the Allentown area to dine at the Shelby. read more

The Shelby - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

My husband and I tried this restaurant on a Saturday morning right when they opened. When we walked it, the restaurant felt very welcoming and the decor was beautiful. Our waitress was on par and our food was delicious, came out hot and fresh. We ordered an appetizer then a meal each. We look forward to going back and trying something different in their menu. They have a full bar. read more

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Always excellent ! Never disappointed starting from management , the servers, bartenders, and off course the food is a 1. We try to go there at least once a week if not a few times a month read more

This was an awesome place to eat! I grabbed lunch here with a couple of friends and it was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday afternoon, but we were seated right away. I ordered the Coconut Tofu Curry and it was delicious! The tofu was cooked wonderfully, the veggies were tasty, and the curry itself was fantastic! It was excellent all mixed in with the white rice that's part of the dish. I also got their seasonal sangria special which was a great drink. The service there was excellent and the atmosphere is really great. I understand why it was so busy on a Tuesday afternoon! I'll definitely comeback the next time I'm in town. read more

The Shelby - Coconut Tofu Curry - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

This place completely surprised me. Stopped here on the whim for lunch and upon entry was blown away how beautiful it was. I had a fried chicken sandwich and my wife got fish and chips. Food came out faster than expected and was absolutely delicious. The staff were very friendly and our server Abbey was absolutely amazing and provided great drink recommendations. Will definitely eat here again. read more

Delicious for take out or dining in. Family friendly and absolutely stunning interior. Food is exceptional and we are enjoy whatever we order. read more

​Rating: 3/5 Stars (or your preferred rating) ​The service remains excellent--definitely 5-star quality--but unfortunately, the rest of the experience didn't live up to expectations. The menu felt quite limited compared to previous visits. I tried the seafood dip special, which was unfortunately very bland, and the main course wasn't particularly memorable. ​The atmosphere has also shifted; the bar area was very loud and felt more like a "pick-up spot" than a high-quality dining establishment. While they still have a great alcohol selection, the overall vibe and food quality are very different from when they first opened. read more

Food is always fresh & delicious. If you like Tofu, I highly recommend it!! The ambience is incredible & fun. Service is good. read more

Nice place here on Krocks Rd The meatball veal, pork beef - top tier meatball served up Can't think of any restaurant where I ordered this app and it was better Best dirty martini I ever had The paella - very good Not the best I ever had In summary - great place An Allentown must read more

The Shelby - Best dirty martini I ever ordered from a restaurant Kettle one - dirty - blue cheese olives - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

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Beautiful place. Service is outstanding. Attentive and super friendly Fantastic cocktails and excellent food. Definitely one of the best spots in the area read more

Food was great, service was great, really good experience overall. I recommend making reservations on the weekend, the place was absolutely packed. They also have a really nice outdoor area that I look forward to trying once the weather is nice. read more

The Shelby - Gyro pizza - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

Katie is the best server at The Shelby! Always so sweet and kind. makes us feel so comfortable with my speech impediment as well! I want her every time I come! haha thank you for the great experience! Morgan And Amber read more

Fun , contemporary atmosphere, food was good , had the broccoli, farro salad with spinach , almonds in lemon tahini dressing with salmon , delicious ! Husband had a special adobo pork atop biscuit with egg and hollandaise... and it was my bday and our incredible waitress Trinity brought out their vanilla cheesecake with a candle .... enjoyed the whole experience very much!!! Our server Trinity was really exceptional! read more

The Shelby - The Shelby dining area - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

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I was here for brunch about a year ago and did not recall if I enjoyed the food here (usually not a good sign). I ordered the Cuban sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. Everyone in our group also enjoyed their meals. Newer, is also their outdoor seating space. Last year, I recall fighting with the umbrellas to help shade the sun, but this year, we walked into the most beautiful, well protected patio. Highly recommended if the temperature is pleasant! Our server was also very wonderful and accommodating and attentive. The food took a little bit to come out, but it was completely understandable given how busy this restaurant is. read more

The Shelby - Beef "Cubano" - New American Near Me - Allentown, Pennsylvania

Got wings to start - delicious. I ordered paella. It was fine. My fav paella ever was at a house party in Florida where some millionaire hired a chef to cook for the party. Now I try paella everywhere I go trying to recreate the experience. This one was 3/5 stars. It was fine. Somewhat tasty. Just not nearly as good as it could be. :( The search continues. The vibe of this place is great tho. So vibe plus chicken kicks my review up to 4 stars overall. read more

Food, meh. It was okay. It sounded way better on the menu. I had the short rib hash and the "dippy" eggs were overcooked, hard on the bottom with that icky crust. My husband was looking forward to the fish sandwich and he was very quiet. On the ride home he told me it wasn't good, it was undercooked. Service was good, and it's very pretty inside, but I think it's overrated. We won't be back. read more