Sofrito Gastro Pub

It was post leg day. Jina and I wanted food, but of course I don't like sticking to her love of chain restaurants.. that meant no On the Border, but we were still left craving a similar type of cuisine (okay, yes, I know this place is technically Latin fusion or whatever. Deal.)

So when we arrived, there was no music, and a few semi rambunctious locals at the bar almost had us turning right around. But we stayed. And then we waited. The waitress was friendly, but considering no one but the bar dwellers were around, I don't think 40 minutes is an acceptable wait time for a salad and an entree. Luckily the portions were fair and tasty. My sister picked the jerk chicken salad and I went with the pollo al limon, aka chicken, beans, and rice. The black beans were delicious, and the chicken was moist and seasoned very well. Although the red hot appearance was a bit endearing. They also have an amazing craft list on draft. (Still recovering from New Years so none for this visit). Overall I wouldn't rush back here, but it wouldn't be a quick pass either. Take that as you will.

Went to Sofrito last night (Saturday), heard it had really good food.

We made a reservation as we had also heard the place was small and we were a group of 6...good call there. I'd guess the place seats 30 or so plus a small bar area and an outdoor seating area in the backyard that is pretty cute (the restaurant is in a converted home in a Reading neighborhood).

The decorations/ambiance was pretty cool, lots of local artwork and the restaurant and bar were busy and lively. There was a local acoustic duet called 'Cover 2 Acoustic' playing contemporary and classic rock that added a lot to the vibe (bring those guys back, they were good!).

Our waitress, Dani (not sure if I spelled that right) was really good, helpful and kept up very well with our drink needs (even water which is a plus) despite the place being crowded and she obviously had many tasks to perform (including helping at the bar and making our margaritas). Strong marks for the service!

Food and drinks: When I hear the word 'gastropub' in the name of an eating establishment I automatically have my expectations raised on the food quality (as at least one other reviewer here has said as well). Also, I'm a transplant from the west coast and we take our mexican food very seriously (this place serves a combination of mexican, puerto rican and cuban inspired dishes).

A couple of reviews I read mentioned a meat smoker...they have no such thing. However, Dani did mention that they had no freezer, made everything fresh daily and used a number of locally sourced items (tortillas are mentioned as locally sources on the menu).

I'm afraid I would give the food a 3 star at best. I'm doubtful of the claim that the food is all made fresh, no freezer. If that is true, the cook/chef needs to be upgraded because he is doing the prep crew no favors.

We had (and i'll miss a few items):

Cuban spring rolls: Spent too long in the fryer. Too much wrap/dough and what filling there was was mostly dry chicken. Served with some clearly from a bottle sauce that wasn't very good.

Empanadas: Way over-cooked in the fryer...came out dark brown and tasteless, also chicken. I've seldom seen 'freshly prepared' empanadas fried...they are generally baked. This had the look and taste of a frozen item dropped in the fryer for too long

Tacos (pictured above): I ordered one each of all of the tacos (3 of us had tacos for our entree), chicken, pork and breaded tilapia. They are all served on a locally sourced tortilla. The tortilla was pretty good and fresh but the fillings were all bland and dry. One of my friends suggested that they really all needed a sauce and I wholeheartedly agree. The only 'sauce' on the table was some hot sauce, no salsa or cholula or anything served specifically with the tacos.

Quesadilla: This was the best dish of the evening that i tried. The chicken filling was flavorful and moist.

Others had a salad, which I heard was also good (didn't try it) and some sort of cuban cheesesteak with fries, which I also heard was good.

The cocktails were adequate (not spectacular) and the variety of beers was pretty good.

I'll say this, the price was right. 6 of us with apps and drinks got out of there for $200 with tip, so that was nice.

If the food was better, the service, band and cost could easily have made this a 4 star place.

I first heard of Sofrito Gastro Pub through the Greater Reading Young Professionals (GRYP) after they hosted a few events. They were always very generous with their food and drink at these events, and I must say, GRYP as a whole is very appreciative.

Gastropubs were traditionally bars/restaurants that served a combination of high-end beer and food. So, does it live up to its billing? In the food department, definitely. As for the drinks? Well, it's getting there.

The cuisine is Latin-American inspired. Most dishes are infused with traditional ingredients such as cilantro, sweet peppers, onion, and garlic. Mixed with meats such as beef and pork... well, you have the foundation for some amazing tacos.

In addition to the succinct yet delicious food menu is the "pub" part of "gastro pub". Yes, I'm talking about beer. You'll find your standard domestic drafts, but also Yards Tavern Porter, Sole Clink, Great Lakes Sharp Shooter, Dark Horse Amber Ale, Clown Shoes Brown Angel, Racer 5, among others,

As with any prosperous pub, beer selections are rotated on a regular basis.

Sofrito manages to keep everything fresh, while at the same time offering up old-time comfort food classics cooked to perfection and made with love.

My family and I went here for dinner and we were excited to try a new restaurant. We were told it would be an hour wait but ended up being only about 25 minutes which was great.

The food was delicious and the flavors were fantastic! They roast their meat in an on site smoker and the others in my party loved it. I love the plantains! I ordered the black bean soup and a few tacos. Both were delicious and so affordable. I would definitely go back to try some dishes on the menu!

What a little hidden gem! First time here and was definitely impressed by the simplicity of the delicious tacos! The pork was tender and not fatty at all. The pico was fresh. The chimmichurri on top was so flavorful I wish there was more. I also got the empinadas and they were cooked perfectly! My only gripe were those little fruit flies flying around but hey, the food, the beers, and the service was awesome!

Authentic classic Latin cuisine in a casual but lively pub. The owner offers a well rounded craft beer selection fragrantly minted mojitos jazz music and an open aire deck that will transport you to a Euro/Latino Alfresco.

We tried this place for the first time tonight.

The Caesar salad was fresh and tasted like the croutons wee homemade

The pork taco was delicious- the meat was full of flavor and the tortilla was fresh.

The mofongo was awesome and I got a ton of food! I normally don't eat the rice and beans but they were so good! The pork was amazing and the mofongo itself was very flavorful.

My dinner companion got the Cuban sandwich and said it was really good. I tried the pork from it and it was tender and delicious. Even the fries were hand cut and excellent!

Everything was well seasoned, hot and fresh. Plus the prices are very reasonable.

Our server was appropriately attentive.

We will definitely be going back!

We had a pretty bad experience at Sofrito. Where we're from, a gastropub is primarily a restaurant with fancy food. We went to Sofrito's expecting the same.

The waitress was great, the food was mehhhh, but most importantly: this place is NOT kid friendly. I'm certainly not a prude, but the music was blaring and we counted 25 F words and 20 N words in just one song. This was the theme on all music, so I we asked that it be changed and were met with "this is a bar". Obviously, we wouldn't have gone had we known, so I want to make sure everyone else has a warning.

Because we obviously misunderstood, I will base my # of stars just on the food. I ordered pulled pork nachos and my husband ordered a Cuban sandwich with fried plantains. It was just okay. I wouldn't go back - even if it were just the two of us.

On our last minute trip to PA we stopped in this little GEM for a restaurant. If you follow my account you know I love my Hispanic food and this spot was on point! The inside of the restaurants has a feeling of a PUB it's clean and full of artifacts from Reading PA throughout the years.

First off the bartender was very good! She attended us right away, very friendly. We ordered our food, once arrived the food was perfectly seasoned. We had the Viandas plate, the chicken empanadas, soft tacos and the Mofongo (we were hungry). Well let me tell ya everything was delicious!! I just wish NC had places like this.

Overall I will recommend this place and come again on our next PA trip.

Came here because I was in town for training. We were going to eat but, decided to just have drinks! Only in this town do they always ask "is that a double?" It doesn't happen in CA. The server was attentive, personable, and nice. I don't remember her name. It was a Wednesday so it wasn't crazy in there. We got our 2 drinks and left. It was super cheap. Parking was a bit tough even for me. The streets are one way and tiny!