I was in in Allentown PA recently. It was dinner-time and I was hungry, so I drove up and down Schoenersville Road a few times but nothing looked interesting until I passed Gregory’s, which had a big sign in front about “Voted Best <something>” in a local paper.
The waitress gave me a table next to the door (that’s always a good start) and gave me a regular menu as well as a letter-sized sheet of “specials.” The specials had no prices listed (at least I didn’t see any) but since it looked like bar food and the restaurant had a distinct “sports bar” feel to it, I figured “How much could it be?” Let me just say that’s the last time I’ll make that mistake.
I ordered a Blue Moon, Crab Bisque and Chicken Parmigiana.
The beer was great! It was fresh and cold and served in a nicely chilled glass.
The bisque was nicely seasoned but didn’t seem to contain any actual crab (the “crab” had a very smooth non-crab texture). I’m guessing it was surimi, not crab. In any case it was nice and thick and hot and well seasoned, and had a nice taste even if it wasn’t really crab.
Unfortunately the salad, the garlic bread and the chicken didn’t fare as well and each thing was worse than the last.
The salad was just some bagged chopped salad mix with some canned sliced black olives. The crumby blue cheese I ordered added a little taste (and an unexpected $2) but still couldn’t save it from being boring and mostly tasteless.
The garlic bread was a long roll sliced in two and completely soaked in butter. I’m guessing there was at least half of a stick of butter on it. It was much too heavy and greasy and was completely revolting. Considering that I like butter, that’s saying something.
Saving the worst for last, the Chicken Parmigiana was astonishingly tough. Beef Jerky tough. And undercooked. Beef that’s pink (or even red) in the middle is tasty. Chicken that’s pink in the middle is nasty (and dangerous).
Finally, I just gave up, asked the waitress for my check and left.
However I saved the best for last.
I’m thinking maybe $20 for the whole meal. Nope. Not a chance. Including tax and tip (can’t punish the waitress for the cooking) it was $35. For $35 I could get the same dinner at Rico’s or Dominics. But for two, not one. And everything would be great.
Just to give you an idea of the food, you’ll probably drive by Burger King on the way to Gregory’s. If you’re smart you’ll stop at BK.
The place is called “Gregory’s Steakhouse.” Maybe the steaks are better than the chicken.
If you’ve eaten at Gregory’s Steakhouse in Allentown PA, feel free to post a comment.