RRRoCC'ed Cheesburger in Paradise in Exton!!

“We will RRRoCC you!!”

 

116 N. Pottstown Pike
Exton, PA 19341

484-875-4502

www.cheeseburgerinparadise.com

CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE ON FB!

Hours:

Monday: 11:30am - 11:00pm
Tuesday: 11:30am - 11:00pm
Wednesday: 11:30am - 11:00pm
Thursday: 11:30am - 11:00pm
Friday: 11:30am - 12:00am
Saturday: 11:30am - 12:00am
Sunday: 11:30am - 10:00pm

Happy Hour

Monday-Friday 5:00pm-7:00pm
$2.00 American Drafts
$3.00 Sangria
$3.50 Classic Margaritas
$3.50 Mojitos

Restaurant Synopsis:

Cheeseburger in Paradise is a good time restaurant, located across the country in 16 different states.  Paying homage to Jimmy Buffet’s famous tune, this Exton establishment is the only PA location - we are so lucky!  The décor is beachy, so you can slip away for a little vacation time without leaving the county.  You can find Cheeseburger in Paradise on all forms of social media, and earn rewards and coupons for following all the exciting happenings.  Cheeseburger in Paradise offers so much to so many, from a daily happy hour, a rewards program (Become a Board Member), entertainment (including Karaoke), and sports events, it is so much more than just a place to go for a great meal!  Speaking of great meals…  

 

What we sampled:

Spiced Berry Sangria $3.00

Frickles $5.69

Bonfire Shrimp $8.99

Loaded Chips $8.99

Coastal Tacos with Grilled Fish and Rice $10.99

Cuban Burger with Sweet Potato Chips $8.99

Sweet Fire Chicken Sandwich with Teriyaki Broccoli $8.79

Which Way Combo with Tomato Basil Soup and Jerk Wings $7.99

Chocolate Nachos $6.99

 Official Reviews:

Melanie says:

            “Cheeseburger in Paradise is an oasis of tropical paradise in landlocked Exton.  Surrounded by palm trees and surfboards it’s impossible not to get in the spirit of the islands.

            I started my evening off with the Loaded Chips.  Fresh cut Idaho potato chips cooked on site, topped with cheddar and jack cheeses, bacon, tomatoes, green onions and sour cream drizzles, these chips were a work of art!  The thick cut potato chips gave a great crunch to their loaded baked potato flavor.

            Next, I sampled the Which Way Combo of Tomato Basil Soup and Jerk Wings.  The creamy tomato soup was garnished with shredded cheese and tasted exactly like fresh baked pizza without a crust.  (I was probably the only person in Cheeseburger in Paradise who ordered soup in 95-degree weather, but I loved it!)  The Jerk Wings, recommended by our very helpful “islander” (server) Jaime, were a combination of sweet and spicy.  They were very crunchy and meaty and had quite a kick.

            Since I was in Cheeseburger in Paradise I knew I had to have a burger, and menu guru Jaime recommended the Cuban Burger.  Ham, salami, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, a (in my case medium rare) beef patty on sourdough bread, pressed to toasty perfection.  A meat lovers dream, this sandwich was heaven!  Rich and meaty with the mustard giving a slight tang, this pressed burger definitely was a “cheeseburger in paradise”.  I chose the homemade sweet potato chips as my side.  Thin and crispy with salt and pepper they were deliciously addictive!

            To top off my already full belly, I sampled the Chocolate Nachos.  The in-house handmade chocolate and flour tortillas are fried, sweetened and covered with Cheeseburger in Paradise’s homemade chocolate sauce, diced strawberries, rainbow sprinkles and served with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream for dipping.  The chocolate nachos had a taste that was reminiscent of hot chocolate, the flour tortillas were light and crunchy and dipped in the ice cream they were fantastic!  A two-napkin dessert, these were unlike anything I have ever had, and I will be back to have them again!

            A big thank you to our charming and knowledgeable “islander” Jaime, and managers Chrissy and Sara who made us feel at home, and the very talented kitchen staff who kept the hits coming one great dish after the next.  What a fun night at Cheeseburger in Paradise!”

            

Kelly Says:

We arrived for our review at the tail end of the daily 5p – 7p happy hour, so I took advantage of one of their great drink specials and enjoyed a spiceberry sangria for only $3.  The sangria is served in a small pitcher, which filled my glass a few times.  This refreshing spirit was slightly sweet, and spiced with a dash of cinnamon floated on an orange slice.  This is a drink that is sure to please through the summer and into the fall! 

I started off my culinary tour with the Bonfire Shrimp – small shrimp flash fried and tossed in CIP’s famous Dragon Fire sauce, which is slightly spicy and sweet.  The combination of flavor and crunch was a real treat.  The shrimp came nestled in a bed of lettuce, which provided some cool contrasts to the flavor fiesta of the Bonfire Shrimp.  I also sampled the Frickles, which came very highly recommended by Jamie, our incredibly capable server.  Frickles are thinly sliced dill pickles, lightly breaded and fried (think dill pickle flavored potato chips with more substance and flavor).  Accompanied by a horseradish dipping sauce, I was surprised and delighted at how much I enjoyed this dish.  The pickle slices were the perfect size, with just the right amount of breading, and offered a well balanced treat.

For dinner, I was fortunate to sample both the Coastal Tacos with Grilled Fish and the Sweet Fire Chicken Sandwich.   I am a huge fan of fish tacos, and the CIP fish tacos did not disappoint!  Chunks of grilled and seasoned white fish were topped with a mound of crunchy cabbage, a generous scoop of pineapple cilantro salsa, and a drizzle of fresh avocado cream, wrapped in a soft tortilla.  The contrasting, yet complimentary textures and flavors were divine, and the generous three taco portion provided me with lunch the next day.  For my side choice, Jamie recommended the rice pilaf, which was a soft, flavorful rice served with carrots and cilantro.  I enjoyed every bite!  The Sweet Fire Chicken Sandwich, according to Jamie, was messy, but worth it.  He really only stretched the truth on the messy part (either that or I ate it so fast, there was no time for a mess!).   A blackened chicken breast is coated with Dragon Fire sauce (the same slightly spicy and sweet sauce that made my shrimp appetizer such a treat) and topped with pepper jack cheese, lettuce, onions, and banana peppers and served on a soft onion roll.  The banana peppers were the star of this sandwich, in my humble opinion – really kicking the flavor and heat up a notch.  This is not your standard chicken sandwich, and if you like chicken and some flavorful heat, don’t pass up your next chance to give this sandwich a try!  For my side with this sandwich, I opted for the Teriyaki Broccoli – steamed broccoli dressed up with garlic and teriyaki sauce.  Mmm Mmm Good!

Many, many thanks to Jamie and Sarah and the rest of the team at Cheeseburger in Paradise for their excellent recommendations and attention – it was a great meal and a great evening!"

 

           

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty"

 

RRRoCC'ed Judy's Healthy Kitchen in West Chester...prepare for LUNCH!!

"We Will RRRoCC You!"

211 East Market Street

West Chester, PA

610-696-4814

Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-2pm

Eat In/Delivery

Click here to check out Judy's Website! 

Join Judy's on Facebook! 

 

Restaurant Synopsis:

Judy’s Healthy Kitchen in downtown West Chester is a new kid on the block, but with a daily lineup of fresh and tasty offerings, they promise to be around for a long time.  Located just two and a half blocks east of High St on Market, Judy’s is convenient to anyone in West Chester looking to have a healthy and delicious lunch.  They also deliver, but you don’t want to miss a visit to this warm and welcoming eatery that is reminiscent of a visit to Grandma’s house.  With magazines to entertain the adults, coloring books and crayons for the younger customers, and a theater-style popcorn machine full of fresh popcorn for kids of all ages, a visit to Judy’s Healthy Kitchen can be about so much more than lunch!  In fact, Judy’s is about so much more than lunch - with 24-48 hours notice, Judy and her gang can prepare entire meals for busy people who crave a home cooked dinner and just don’t have the time.  Customers can opt for the regular version of a meal or the healthy version, which involves less fat and calories and vegetables included in the recipe in some surprising (and sneaky) places.  Judy’s Healthy Kitchen also offers catering, including sandwich trays using their homemade rolls.  And their space is available during the off hours to anyone that may be looking for a gathering place.  Game nights, meetings, parties and other events work nicely in the bright and open café.  There is no charge for renting the space, just a requirement of a food order.  Whether it is dinner, snacks, breakfast, or something else, Judy and her team will provide you with the space and the sustenance your next gathering needs and you don’t have to clean up!    Whatever you are looking for, you can find it at Judy’s Healthy Kitchen.  Judy’s is open from 10am – 2pm Monday thru Friday, at 211 East Market St.  You can all Judy at 610-696-4814 and visit them on the web at www.judyshealthykitchen.com

What we sampled:

Complimentary Relish and Chips

Decadent Dills (included in all box lunches)

Deviled Eggs $2.00

Potato Salad $2.00

Noodle Salad $2.00

Chicken Noodle Soup $4.00 bowl/$2.50 cup

Vegetable Soup $4.00 bowl/$2.50 cup

New England Clam Chowder $4.00 bowl/$2.50 cup

Hot Roast Pork with Ham, Potato & Cabbage Soup (hot lunch special)

Egg Salad Sandwich $4.75

Chicken Salad Sandwich $4.75

Grilled Cuban Sandwich $4.75

Smore (included in all box lunches)

Pound Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Raspberries

(Box Lunch: 1 sandwich or 1 soup or ½ sandwich ½ soup plus 1 side $5.95)

 RRROCC OFFICIAL REVIEWS:

Melanie says: 

Judy’s Healthy Kitchen is located in the heart of West Chester on bustling Market Street.  Upon entering, I was engulfed in the mouth-watering smells emanating from Judy’s country style kitchen.  Judy and her friendly staff make everything from soups to breads from scratch daily on site.  After being seated in her charming dining room, Judy proceeded to pamper us and make us feel like family.

            I was excited to sample Judy’s Deviled Eggs.  Made from scratch, they were “just like Mom makes”; creamy with a smooth blend of mayonnaise and mustard with paprika on top to make them pretty: delicious. 

            Next was Noodle Salad.  A twist on traditional pasta salad, the Noodle Salad featured angel hair pasta with feta cheese and black olives.  Creamy and loaded with feta, I enjoyed this summery dish while successfully avoiding the olives.

            Judy’s Chicken Noodle Soup was the next dish out of the kitchen.  Made fresh daily, the Chicken Noodle Soup was very meaty with a rich and flavorful broth (not salty like canned soups).  She pairs her soups with her fresh baked rolls which are crumbly on the outside and soft on the inside and served warm with butter on the side.

            The first sandwich I tried was Egg Salad.  Served on freshly baked, dense, grainy bread the Egg Salad with green olives was creamy and delicious, (I removed the lettuce and tomato that came with it), a perfect summer sandwich.

            The next sandwich I tried was the Chicken Salad.  Served on the same delicious bread as the Egg Salad, Judy’s Chicken Salad was hearty.  Made from scratch with all fresh ingredients (they have a restaurant garden out back) with just the right amount of mayonnaise to enhance and not overwhelm (plus no celery, yay!) this sandwich was fantastic!

            Honestly, at this point I could have used a nap; but Judy had other plans for me.  She includes one of her Smores in all of her box lunches, because Judy says everyone should have a little something sweet at the end of a meal.  A low fat graham cracker with a marshmallow and dark chocolate drizzles, Judy’s Smore was a tasty, sweet treat.

            I was so comfortable and at home at Judy’s Healthy Kitchen I never wanted to leave!  Thank you so much to Judy and her wonderful staff for an unforgettable and delicious lunch!

Kelly says:  

 

Sometimes, healthy can be synonymous with bland, but not at Judy’s.  With a menu line-up that includes homemade everything, your taste buds are in for a treat that won’t leave you regretting your choices.  Our dining adventure started with a complimentary dish of tortilla chips and house made relish.  The relish consists of their homemade pickles, sweet onion and black beans.  This sweet and zesty relish is a wonderful complement to the crunchy chips, and is the perfect starter.  The pickles, referred to as “Decadent Dills” are served with every meal, and are unique and delicious.  Created by Judy’s daughter, the pickles are made with cloves of garlic, cinnamon sticks, and their secret ingredient, which is ordered by the case from Alabama and found in just about everything on the menu at Judy’s Healthy Kitchen.  The menu appears simple, offering basic sandwiches and sides, but appearances can be deceiving.  The Grilled Cuban, a new addition to the sandwich lineup, contains thick slices of roasted (in house, of course!) turkey and ham, swiss cheese, mustard, Italian mayo (Judy’s husband’s secret recipe), and the decadent dills between slices of homemade bread, grilled until warm and crispy on a Panini grill.  The bread is hearty and flavorful, and the combination of flavors in the Cuban is a delight.  The café also features a Hot Lunch Special, which was a Roast Pork Sandwich the day of the review.  The open faced sandwich consisted of thick slices of oven roasted pork served on a slightly sweet homemade white bread that had just come out of the oven.  The sandwich was topped with a parsley garnish straight from the herb garden in the backyard, and gravy that was more au jus than gravy, keeping the pork moist and enhancing the flavor without soaking the bread.  It was amazing!  Of the side options (think summer picnic), the potato salad was my favorite.  It’s Judy’s Mom’s recipe, and is simple and delicious.  The potatoes are not overpowered by the other ingredients in the dish, and every bite is light and tasty. 

Judy also offers a trio of homemade soups – Chicken Noodle and Vegetable are on the menu consistently, and the third soup changes daily.  The Vegetable soup is hearty, and contains carrots, celery, peas, corn, tomatoes, and squares of cabbage.  With a hint of salt, the flavors of the vegetables really shine through.  When we visited, the soup of the day was New England Clam Chowder, which was chock full of clams and chunks of potato in a well seasoned and light, creamy broth.  Soups are always best the day after they are made, and I was treated to a sampling of the soup for the next day as well.  It was hard to imagine the pork, potato and cabbage soup getting better, though I knew it would.  With thick pieces of pork that had been roasted in the oven, and bites of cabbage that were small enough to be tender, and large enough to have texture and flavor, this soup was a winner from the start.  The potatoes were fresh and substantial and the broth was delicious all on its own.  Each cup of soup comes with a homemade roll and butter, and I’m still not sure which was better – the soup of the bread.  What a welcome dilemma!

Saving room for dessert was a challenge, and I couldn’t wait to see what kind of wonderful options there were to finish off the meal.  I was delighted with the homemade pound cake, which was thick and moist with a hint of citrus.  It was served grilled with scoops of vanilla ice cream, fresh raspberries and a sprinkling of cinnamon... perfect!  Judy’s Healthy Kitchen is a real family affair, with recipes that span the generations of Judy’s family, and chef appearances by Judy’s husband and daughter.  As Judy says, “I want guests to feel at home here, like they are having lunch at their Grandmother’s house”.  Well, Judy – mission accomplished!  Thanks so much for a wonderful meal and a delightful visit.  I look forward to the next time!

 

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty

RRRoCC'ed La Bella Stalina---Fresh Pasta & A True Hidden Gem in Dtown!

"We Will RRRoCC You!"

Hours:

Closed Monday

Tuesday thru Thursday 5:00-8:30

Friday and Saturday 5:00-9:00

Sunday 5:00-8:00

La Bella Stalina's Website!

Restaurant Synopsis:

La Bella Stalina means “The Beautiful Little Star”, which is an appropriate name for this star of a restaurant tucked away in St. Anthony’s Lodge, an Italian Social Club located on Church St. in Downingtown, PA.  Kathleen and Louie DelPiano took over as owners of La Bella Stalina earlier this year, realizing their dream of owning and operating their own restaurant after over 20 years in business.  A “local’s secret”, La Bella Stalina is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday nights from 5pm – 9pm, serving up the very best in Italian fare in their intimate dining room.  The last Thursday of every month is Ladies Night, with a full meal from a special menu of options for $20.  Every Tuesday is Create your Own Pasta night, with a choice of three pastas, three sauces and six toppings for $10.  The pasta is made fresh at La Bella Stalina, and the quality is unparalleled.  I am fortunate enough to live around the corner and was tipped off about this gem shortly after moving to Downingtown.  It quickly became one of my favorite restaurants, and I am delighted for the opportunity to give them an official RRRoCC review!    

 

What we sampled:

Calamari Fritti $8.00

Bruschetta $9.00

Beet Salad $6.95

Aglio e Olio with Pappardelle $11.00

Ricotta Gnocchi Marinara $12.00

Spaghetti and Meatballs with Sunday Gravy $15.00

Linguini Alfredo $13.00

Parmigiana di Melanzane $15.00

Pollo Ripieno di Asparagi $17.00

Vitello con Gamberetti $20.00

 

 RRROCC OFFICIAL REVIEWS:

Kelly says:  

"We started our meal with samples of the Bruschetta and the Calamari Fritti.  The Bruschetta is a blend of fresh Roma tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, fresh basil and a splash of fresh lemon juice piled high on thick slices of rustic Italian bread.  Fresh is the operative word in this description, and the flavors meld perfectly with every bite.  This dish is a great way to wake up your taste buds for the culinary delights that await you during your meal.  The Calamari Fritti is one of my personal favorites… crispy and flash fried, each piece is crunchy goodness.  Well paired with a side dish of homemade marinara sauce, one order of Calamari Fritti is generous enough to satisfy 3 – 4 people.  I especially like my Calamari sprinkled with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.  The Beet Salad started as a summer special one evening, and has been so popular, it has been on the nightly specials list for weeks now.  And rightly so – this dish is beautiful and delicious!  A bed of Spring Mix holds thick slices of roasted beets and tomato, chunks of tangy cheese (sometimes goat cheese and sometimes gorgonzola cheese, which are both equally good on this salad) dressed with fresh herbs, olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

The list of sauce and pasta options offered at La Bella Stalina provide for endless combinations of homemade delicacies.  At the top of my list is the Aglio e Olio with Pappardelle pasta.  A simple sauce of olive oil, with crispy chunks of garlic, pecorino cheese, pepperoncino and fresh parsley, this is my absolute favorite.  The Pappardelle pasta is thick and wide and an ideal carrier for the layers of flavor in the Aglio e Olio.  I was also delighted to finally try the Alfredo sauce, which I paired with the Linguine.  The Alfredo is made with fresh Pecorino Cream and cracked black pepper.  It was creamy and thick, and coated each piece of Linguine with gentle flavor. 

In addition to the pasta and sauce options, La Bella Stalina offers Italian Chicken, Veal and Seafood dishes, including their Chef’s Signature Dish – Pollo Ripieno di Asparagi.  This consists of chicken breast stuffed with layers of prosciutto and provolone cheese rolled around spears of asparagus and finished in a white wine and chicken broth reduction.  There is a reason this is the Chef’s signature dish.  The medley of flavors surrounding the asparagus is music to your mouth, with each flavor pairing perfectly with the others.  The Italian dishes come with your choice of potatoes and a vegetable or a side dish of pasta, any way you like it.  My chicken came with brightly steamed broccoli and roasted red potatoes that were crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside, with a light seasoning that was perfect. 

One of my favorite aspects of dining at La Bella Stalina (and there are many) is the availability of wines and spirits at club prices.  A generous 6oz pour of the house Chianti, which is my regular order, is less than $4 a glass – unbelievable!!  Many, many thanks to Kathleen and Louie for providing us with a first class meal that offered a sampling of so many of the wonderful dishes on the menu; to Sue for taking such good care of us during our visit; and to Roberto, the head chef, for slaving over a hot stove to make our mouths water and out stomachs sing.  You don’t want to miss out on this beautiful little star of a restaurant for one more day – make sure to stop by soon!"

Melanie says:  

            "La Bella Stalina is a neighborhood restaurant known to Downingtown locals tucked into St. Anthony’s Lodge on Church Street in Johnsontown.  With Frank Sinatra music playing in the dining room, and tantalizing smells coming from the kitchen, I could hardly wait to dig in!

            My first dish was Ricotta Gnocchi with Marinara.  Obviously homemade, these cheesy gnocchi were the size of marshmallows!  The smooth, sweet marinara was a lovely compliment to these homemade masterpieces!

            My next dish was Spaghetti and Meatballs with Sunday Gravy.  I went old school Italian on this one and was not disappointed!  The massive meatballs were homemade, stuffed with cheese and garlic and absolutely perfect!  The Sunday gravy was a nice, thick traditional homemade sauce that smothered the homemade spaghetti and was absolutely delicious!

            I was already stuffed on the generous “sample” sizes the kitchen sent out, but I still had more to go!  I was presented with the lovely Vitello con Gamberetti next.  Veal with Grand Marnier cream; this cream sauce almost did me in!  Rich with a hint of smoky sweetness the Grand Marnier cream took my veal dish to a whole new level; a beautiful accompaniment to the tender beef, it was unbelievable!

            I had barely recovered from the veal when the Parmigiana di Melanzane arrived.  Cheesy, heavy and dense this dish was eggplant Parmesan heaven!  The many layers of eggplant, sauce and cheese made for warm, gooey nirvana!

            To top off this Italian feast, I had to have Cannoli.  Sweet, fluffy generously filled, the cannoli was the perfect ending to an extravaganza of eating! 

Thank you so much to our wonderful server Sue and the outstanding kitchen staff at La Bella Stalina for a fantastic (and filling) night!

~Melanie & Kelly

MelanieRRRoCC@aol.com

KellyRRRoCC@aol.com

www.facebook.com/RealReviewsChesterCounty