Tony's of West Reading — Restaurant in West Reading

For an extremely simple sandwich, it's surprisingly difficult to find a high-quality cheesesteak, even in the region from which the sandwich originated. I've tried dozens of establishments in Philadelphia / Reading / Allentown area and have found precious few that execute the sandwich to my liking.

Outside of Philadelphia, I have to this point found only one really good, and consistent cheesesteak shop and it was the now-shuttered Steak Shack that operated out of a gas station in Shillington.

I'm old enough to remember the "Yellow Submarine" sandwich shop that once served cheesesteaks from this location, and that whimsical little store was remembered more for its eclectic devotion to a British pop-rock group than its food, which was good, but not anything remarkable.

So strolling past this place months ago I honestly thought it was yet another run-of-the-mill sandwich shop to open for the umpteenth time in this location, and had very few expectations going in.

Ordering the "Passyunk Prime" I was shocked by the quality of the sandwich and the unique take featuring Prime Rib and what seems to be Cooper Sharp cheese sauce. The seeded roll, undoubtedly shipped from a Philly bakery, is the perfect container for the meat, too. This sandwich is excellent and worthy of being referenced in the upper tier of such sandwiches alongside the aforementioned Steak Shack, and iconoclastic, long-running Philly establishments like DelAssandro's and DeNic's, and it's right here in Reading, PA.

I've since tried some of the other sandwiches and while good, the Passyunk Prime is clearly the standout. I wish they offered other cheeses but I get it - the Cooper Sharp is their "signature". so to speak. Additionally, the decision to close the interior to patrons is questionable - essentially, the owner has decided to turn a valuable piece of real estate into an immobile food truck. But overall, I applaud this shop as a valuable addition to the West Reading food offerings that seem to be growing in...

So. I've had a lot of food around here. This place is awesome!! I had a gizmo, which i only got because I have been trying to find a decent one for a few years now. (for some reason in the last few years every gizmo has sucked!!) The one I got from Tonys of West Reading was IT! The ham they use is delicious, the burger wasn't dry and bland, the roll had the perfect bite to it... not over filled with lettuce like some places, tomato coverage was on point, and the amount of mayo was also perfect. Not to much to make the roll a soggy mess, but not to little that you cannot taste it! And it was full. I'm a big guy, and i only ate half of it... My wife got the steak and cheese sub and said it was awesome. Also a very full sandwhich. My five year old had a cheeseburger, which he finished... and anyone who has kids knows thats enough said in itself. My mother in law had ham and cheese sub which was super full, and my wifes grandma also had the same. We had truffle fries and NJ fries, both of which were super tasty. All of that was 🔥. But the best part? We made a second order for a couple pastelillos... They were the best ones I've ever had. I've had some many pastelillos in my life that I didn't think at 41 I'd find something to top some of them, but the ones we got from tonys put them all to shame! Super full of meat and cheese and other ingredients. every bite from corner to corner had some in it. The flavor of the filling was perfect. And it made me want to order 40 more 😅. I'd eat like 10 myself (like I said, I'm a big guy 🤣) and after my family had their fill I'd give the rest away just so other people could get some before they sold out... which happens in minutes! Parking isn't the greatest, but the food and service makes up for it and more! We will definitely be hitting them up way more often! Thanks @tonys of West Reading, yall made my wife's birthday...

Just trying to be honest .. As a chef in the past I’m very analytical of food

The cheese steak was wrapped in paper and had plastic on top of the steak I’m not sure if this is why ? But the roll is very gummy and dough like not hard or crispy like most south Philly places .. the inside of the bread was a fail in my opinion as it just tasted like cheap bread didn’t have that fresh roll wow factor more like eating gym mats .. I’m sorry buddy just trying to help .. even though.. the meat 🥩, cheese , and mushroom 🍄 and onions 🧅 were tasty .. I had a small black hair ( eye lash size ) inside my sandwich but I’ll survive.. I ordered a regular cheese steak and it says fine chopped and mine was definitely not more so medium I guess not like you get fine chopped like Jim’s or certain places .. overall compared to local reading places it was great but compared to Philly or other places like Dellasandros or Angelo’s .. this place isn’t even in that level yet .. I would work on the roll and master the meat and flavor a tiny bit more maybe lose that plastic inside the wrapping .. the pepper spice may have not bee fine enough on your salt and pepper cause I tasted some peppercorn or something inside .. your on the right track keep it up … ohhh also the fries 🍟 mine where barley cooked and tastes like potato 🥔 mush not crispy at all no flavor .. maybe make your own fries ? Or try a different brand or fry them longer ?

will I travel from Jersey this way again .. ehhhh maybe not often but I’ll give it a try in maybe a month or so see if anything changes .. or if I’m stuck in reading for work it definitely beats other pizza places sandwiches.. sorry for the long review just off the top of my head .. definitely need...