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4th & Penn St Restaurant

4.2(1121 reviews)

What people love here...

Passionfruit Drink

Multiple guests single out this refreshing beverage as their favorite accompaniment, indicating it’s a memorable specialty.

“I looooovvvvveeee their Passionfruit drink… it’s the BEST!!!”
“The salmon, rice and lemon ade is very good.”

Key Themes from Reviews

Food QualityMixed

While many praise the authentic, flavorful dishes and generous portions, others criticize occasional blandness, dryness, or uneven cooking.

"“Great food, reasonable prices and large portions!”"
"“Rice hard and tasted like the bottom burnt piece of the pot…bland the pernil was dry as well as bland”"

About 4th & Penn St Restaurant

4th & Penn St Restaurant: Authentic Dominican & Caribbean Flavors in Reading, PA

Nestled in the heart of Reading, Pennsylvania, 4th & Penn St Restaurant brings the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean to Main Street. As a beloved Dominican, Puerto Rican, and breakfast destination, this local gem serves up generous portions of home-style favorites, refreshing tropical drinks, and share-worthy desserts—all at wallet-friendly prices. Whether you crave a classic Cuban sandwich on your lunch break or an indulgent tres leches cake after dinner, 4th & Penn St offers a taste of island life in every bite.


A Flavorful Menu That Celebrates Caribbean Heritage

At the core of 4th & Penn St’s appeal is its commitment to authentic flavors. Signature dishes showcase the restaurant’s Dominican and Puerto Rican roots, from perfectly seasoned roasted pork to soul-warming stews and rice plates loaded with flavor.

  • Roasted Pork: Widely hailed as “the best roasted pork in town,” this dish pairs tender, juicy pork with fluffy, fragrant rice. Generous portions mean you’ll have plenty for today’s meal—and tomorrow’s leftovers.
  • Cuban Sandwich: “The cheapest and possibly one of the best” you’ll find anywhere, this pressed sandwich layers ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard between crusty Cuban bread. One bite and you’ll understand why some customers almost “cried” with joy.
  • Breakfast & Brunch Favorites: Early risers flock here for hearty Dominican-style breakfasts, including mangu (mashed plantains) served with eggs, salami, and cheese—a perfect energy boost to start the day.
  • Tropical Beverages: The Passionfruit Drink is a crowd-pleaser, described as “the BEST!!!” Crisp, tangy, and impossibly refreshing, it’s the ideal complement to spicy or savory dishes.
  • Dessert Spotlight – Tres Leches Cake: A customer favorite and often called “the best tres leches I ever had in my life,” this moist, milky delight rounds out meals on a sweet, memorable note.

Value & Portion Sizes That Keep You Coming Back

Value seekers rejoice at 4th & Penn St’s reputation for sizable servings at wallet-friendly prices. Generous helpings of rice, beans, proteins, and sides ensure every dollar stretches further—whether you’re dining in or grabbing a to-go order.

  • “Great food, reasonable prices and large portions!”
  • “For the price…the quantity of food…and its quality…excellent.”

These testimonials underscore the restaurant’s commitment to providing an unbeatable combination of taste, volume, and affordability. Many guests return week after week, knowing they’ll leave satisfied and well-fed.


A Lively, Authentic Atmosphere

Step inside and you’ll be greeted by the vibrant energy of Caribbean culture. Bright wall art, upbeat Latin music, and the scent of freshly prepared dishes create an inviting, no-frills dining room that feels like a casual family gathering.

  • Positives: “Incredible atmosphere…keep it 100,” say regulars who love the restaurant’s genuine island vibe.
  • Considerations: Some find the decor cafeteria-style informal rather than upscale—a trade-off for the authenticity and community feel that many patrons cherish.

Peak meal times can get busy, with lines forming as diners look forward to their favorite plates. While this speaks to the restaurant’s popularity, it can mean a wait during lunch or dinner rush. Many agree, however, that the payoff—flavorful fare at great value—is well worth it.


Service & Hospitality: Warmth Meets Opportunity

4th & Penn St strives to deliver friendly, attentive service that matches its hospitality traditions. Numerous guests praise staff for warm greetings and prompt assistance:

  • “Always amazing food and always amazing service.”

At the same time, the restaurant recognizes areas for growth. A handful of visitors have experienced inconsistent service or language-barrier challenges when English communication falls short:

  • “They go past English-speaking customers to serve Spanish speakers first.”

Management welcomes all feedback as a path to improvement, aiming to ensure every guest—bilingual or not—feels equally valued and understood.


Cleanliness & Continuous Improvement

Cleanliness is a top priority at 4th & Penn St, and the team takes every report seriously. Recent reviews citing issues like restroom maintenance or pest sightings have prompted swift action:

  • Deep-cleaning initiatives across kitchen and dining areas
  • Upgrades to restroom fixtures and regular hygiene audits
  • Staff training on best practices for sanitation and guest comfort

These enhancements reinforce the restaurant’s ongoing commitment to a safe, welcoming environment.


Planning Your Visit

Whether you’re craving a Caribbean-style breakfast, a hearty Dominican lunch, or a casual dinner with friends, 4th & Penn St Restaurant invites you to experience Reading’s authentic taste of the islands:

  • Hours: [Insert hours here if available]
  • Location: 4th & Penn St, Reading, PA
  • Parking: Street parking and nearby public lots
  • Takeout & Catering: Generous to-go portions make it easy to share island flavors at home or office gatherings.

Join the many satisfied customers who have discovered why 4th & Penn St is Reading’s go-to spot for Dominican, Caribbean, and Puerto Rican cuisine. Come for the value and portions—stay for the passionfruit drink, tres leches cake, and the unforgettable roasted pork. Your culinary journey to the Caribbean starts right here in Reading!

Categories

About This Business

Crowd

  • Groups
  • Tourists
  • College students

Parking

  • Parking
  • Paid street parking

Children

  • Kids' menu
  • High chairs
  • Good for kids

Payments

  • Debit cards
  • Credit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Planning

  • Accepts reservations

Amenities

  • Restroom

Offerings

  • Coffee
  • Quick bite
  • Comfort food
  • Small plates
  • Healthy options
  • Late-night food

Atmosphere

  • Cozy
  • Casual
  • Trendy

Highlights

  • Great coffee

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • Solo dining

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Dining options

  • Lunch
  • Brunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Breakfast

Service options

  • Dine-in
  • Takeout
  • Delivery

Contact Information

400 Penn St
Reading, PA 19602
United States of America

Website: Visit Website

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Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars

Based on 1121 reviews

Review data

5 star reviews

58%

4 star reviews

20%

3 star reviews

11%

2 star reviews

3%

1 star reviews

8%

Working Hours

Monday:
7AM-12AM
Tuesday:
7AM-12AM
Wednesday:
7AM-12AM
Thursday:
7AM-12AM
Friday:
7AM-12AM
Saturday:
7AM-12AM
Sunday:
9AM-8PM

Location Map