Schwalm's Cleona Restaurant — Restaurant in Cleona

Well, it was good while it lasted. I never had a problem at this establishment, but this last time I came in, I didn't have someone over the age of 70 at the table. We have come here for decades between my family and my significant others. We were treated poorly. This was just from the owner herself. It gets worse, but we're not there yet.

The waitress was kind and didn't have much to say, but she kept up with our sodas and waters. This is the only time I will mention her because she wasn't the issue. The owner was. How sad.

The food... well. Let's just say the price speaks for itself. (Cheap and unseasoned because they cater to the elderly people of Lebanon County) Their menu is also loaded with PA Dutch classics, which is perfect for us, but they will never bring in regular business with a menu like that. Not everyone is over the moon for liver and onions or pork and saurkraut. There really isn't an option for normal food that wasn't seafood based. It's not a downside if you're solely looking for PA Dutch. Normally, it's home-cooked and delish. Not anymore. 99% of products were frozen, and im not insanely smart, but those cooks have no idea what they're doing other than the older gentleman.

I asked the owner at the time of presenting us menus, what she would recommend. She spoke to me as if I were stupid and recommended "hamburger steak". She didn't give my child a menu, then looked at me and said "you can take care of your son," with the nastiest tone. He's 8, he can read from a menu and order. ???

In conclusion, we won't be back. We tried to keep the tradition alive by taking our child, and it was just awful. The owner, the staring, the patron kicking my son out of the bathroom while washing his hands.. incredible acts of entitlement.

Side note: When you get up to the cash register to pay, it is an ancient system. After we tipped our waitress, the owner just stared at us. No "have a good day" nothing. We were just expected to leave promptly without knowing anything about our payment process.

Let's just say, YOUR generation is the one that needs to change.

Good luck with your future endeavors. I hope you all find peace and patience, or rather, that it finds you. 🙏

TLDR: Do not recommend. Go anywhere else if you're under 70....

Went for breakfast there to catch up with a friend after 10 years. Ordered juice and tea and talked while looking at the menu. The waitress came by at least 3 times in 5 minutes to see if we were ready to order. My friend stated that she felt like they were trying to rush us through. We said we'd flag her down when we were ready. She came back a few minutes later stating that her manager was concerned, and if there was a problem as to why we hadn't ordered yet. We shouldn't have needed to purchase any more than a coffee. Then the sausage was so over cooked it was almost leather. The waitress continued to interrupt us every few minutes along if we were ready for the check. There were plenty of seats, so we weren't in anyones way. The prices were good and the pancakes were delicious. We had breakfast here when i came through 10 years ago and it was a very good experience which is why I picked it this time again. Probably won't be the spot for the next...

I will give them a 4 only because I came here as a regular many years ago. It's a locals joint. Everyone knows everyone and that makes for a good place to feel welcomed. They are the same old place they always have been perhaps they will remain this way. It reminds me of how after you leave home and you go back your still welcomed and all have a good time. Nothing really changes much sometimes.its ok. If they like being a local hangout and hey they have people then it's fine with me. Its clean with wear. Dishes old too but clean. People could not be more pleasant and they make a stranger feel at one with the others. Tuna sandwiches, soups, fries, burgers,lots of diner choices. It's really...