The Shelby — Restaurant in Lower Macungie Township

I've been meaning to leave this review since Father's Day, which is the day I came to dine in with my family. It was an unexpected brunch made possible by some last-minute adjustments to our schedules that Sunday afternoon, so I quickly searched online to find a spot offering a nice brunch. The Shelby popped up, and I was immediately impressed by their menu—especially as someone who grew up in the Lehigh Valley and has worked in Manhattan's restaurant industry for the last 10 years. I thought, "This is exactly the kind of place the Lehigh Valley needed."

We rushed to get there, knowing that a party of seven might be difficult to accommodate on what was likely a busy day. I was fully prepared to be told they were fully booked and to be welcomed back another time. After all, I understand that sometimes there’s simply no room.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the issue.

I approached the host stand almost apologetically to see if they could accommodate us. I was greeted by someone I later learned was one of the managers—possibly named Tony, though I’m not entirely sure. He looked visibly annoyed by my request. As someone in the restaurant industry, I found this unprofessional. Hospitality, at its core, is about making people feel welcome and comfortable.

After some time, he told us the best he could do was seat us in the enclosed, climate-controlled patio—which was completely acceptable and, in fact, very nice. We sat down, knowing we had to get our brunch order in quickly.

However, I was given the regular menu, even though it was 2:45 PM and brunch was listed as ending at 3 PM. I quickly let our server, Adrien, know. He was very hospitable and immediately went to grab the brunch menus, only to return a bit disappointed, saying brunch had ended and we were no longer able to order from it.

The only time I’ve ever said the words, "Let me speak with the manager," was that Father’s Day—because I knew this decision hadn’t come from Adrien, but from the same manager who had greeted us at the door.

When the manager came to the table, I introduced myself by name and extended my hand to shake his. Again, he seemed almost disgusted to do so and gave me one of the weakest handshakes I’ve ever received. In my head I thought, "Wow, okay—how are you a manager of a restaurant if you don’t like meeting new people?"

He explained that the kitchen had already transitioned to dinner service 15 minutes before brunch was scheduled to end. I stayed cordial and explained our situation, telling him I could have the order ready within two minutes. As an AGM at a restaurant that offers brunch, I know that we’ll still serve brunch at 2:59 if a table orders it—and that it usually isn’t much of a hassle to switch over the station afterward especially if its done as a team.

He said he would see what he could do, and ultimately, he acquiesced.

Adrien quickly brought back the menu, and I placed the order within 30 seconds—choosing family favorites, including the omelet of the day (which I didn’t even know the ingredients of, but trusted would be good). Adrien can confirm I placed the order quickly to avoid delaying the kitchen.

The food came out fast and was delicious. Adrien was on top of every aspect of service and made my family want to return. Highlights were definitely the eggs Benedict, the stuffed French toast, and the omelet of the day. I also tried the "Let’s Call It a Truce" cocktail, which was perfect—kudos to the bartender. I was pleasantly surprised to see Licor 43 in their inventory and decided to order four Carajillos for the adults at the table.

I always try to be a pleasant guest, make my server or bartender’s day, and connect with other restaurant managers. So it was disappointing to see a place that gets so many things right completely miss the mark on something so basic—especially from someone who should be a role model of hospitality for the front of house. It wasn't about the fact that he allowed it happen, it was his demeanor that made...

This was our first time at The Shelby, and let me just say, it was hands down the best food and dining experience I’ve had in a while.

✨ This place has an inviting atmosphere and radiates brightness and tranquility, creating a peaceful vibe.

👩‍🍳 Our server, Elizabeth, was absolutely wonderful. Attentive, warm, and knowledgeable, her service elevated the entire experience. She made us feel welcome and well cared for throughout our visit.

🍽️ Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: the food. Every dish was made from scratch using the freshest ingredients, and you could taste the craftsmanship in every bite.

The Beef Birria Poutine Starter created a literal party of flavors. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the birria broth was rich, flavorful, and perfectly spiced and bold without being overpowering.

The House-Cured Wings with BBQ Sauce were crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and paired with scratch-made blue cheese and ranch sauces that were simply delightful.

My mother had the turkey burger, and I had a taste...wow. Even something so simple was a standout in its own right.

I had the Southwest Cobb Salad with Grilled Chicken. From the bean and corn salsa to the pickled red onions, fresh guacamole, and creamy blue cheese, every component was vibrant and delicious.

We finished our meal with a slice of vanilla bean cheesecake, which was served with a berry purée, honey whipped cream, and graham cracker crumbles. As a self-proclaimed cheesecake snob, I can confidently say it lived up to my high standards.

🍹 Their drink menu is extensive and impressive, featuring handcrafted cocktails, and a delightful selection of mocktails for someone like me who doesn't drink alcohol. I opted for the Tropical Delight Mocktail, and it was refreshing, and absolutely delicious.

🎉 MyFinal Thoughts: Every bite was a celebration of flavor, layered, balanced, and masterfully composed. None of the flavors competed, but everything complemented each other. Also, the presentation of each item was beautiful and enticing, and the portions are very generous and worth the money. The Shelby has officially earned a top spot on my list of favorite restaurants, and I can't wait for my next visit.

If you’re looking for a place that combines exceptional food, stellar service, and an enjoyable atmosphere, The Shelby is it.

(I was so eager to dig into the food that I only remembered to take pictures after we already dug into the beef barria poutine...

UPDATE 2023-The Shelby has become our go to restaurant because they never disappoint! Food is always superb (anything with short rib is going to be amazing) Flavors are incredible and we have tried more than 3/4 of their fall menu. I cannot wait to try the new spring menu. Service is always top notch and they go above and beyond to make sure the experience is wonderful. Michael R is a wonderful manager(got promoted shortly after my initial review). Every server has just been so wonderful but Jessa is now in our top 3.

Finally got to eat here after it being recommended by so many. Food is absolutely amazing. Started off with the peach iced tea which was quite refreshing but not overly sweet. Next was the short rib quesadilla which would be great as an entree given how much short rib they pack into it. I had the Cubano sandwich which also had short rib and steak. Flavors mixed well with the crusty bread, horseradish mayo, pickles and meat. This came with a choice of fries, tots, Caesar or side salad. I got the side salad which was super fresh and had a nice sweet vinaigrette. I would have preferred cherry or grape tomatoes versus the Roma but still delicious. Husband got the special which was a grilled cheese with short rib which was grilled to perfection and stuffed with short rib. Our server Michael R made the whole experience even better! He was attentive to details (they gave husband a side salad when he ordered Caesar and Michael caught it immediately-he was just going to eat it since it wasnt a big deal). He was also super easy to talk to and he gave great recommendations on food and drinks. He definitely made us feel welcomed and made it a great lunch. Overall a great experience for lunch. Would come again however would recommend reservations because they...