Nestled in the picturesque town of Palmerton at the base of Blue Mountain, Joey B’s has been serving drinks to the local crowd since 1988. No longer just a watering hole, Joey’s transitioned into a full-service restaurant in 2010, and now boasts not only a great menu, but also an enticing beer list in addition to sangria, liquor and wine options.
While I was half expecting Joey B’s to just have run-of-the mill bar options, I was pleasantly surprised to find a mixture of classics and new takes.
The B’s “Thai” Phoon Shrimp Salad (with spicy Thai chili sauce), Drunken Po Boy and soup flights aren’t things you’d normally find at the local hole in the wall. There are still Buffalo wings (with a solid selection of sauce options), all sorts of burgers, chicken Parm and cheesesteaks for those looking for something less out of the box.
Setting and decor: Joey B’s is smallish, with three tables and five booths making up the majority of the seating. I sat at the 12-seat bar, fitted with comfy backed stools. Three TVs tuned to ESPN provided the entertainment. The walls were decorated with all sorts of things: funny signs on the virtues of beer, historical photos of Palmerton and the usual beer signs and paraphernalia. Patio seating is popular, and for good reason. A spacious and well designed space, dubbed “The Stinger,” it has tables, fireplace and bar.
Appetizers: I chose a cup of chicken corn chowder ($4) to start, which was a reasonably sized portion of thick soup. Chock full of vegetables, herbs and tender chicken morsels, it wasn’t the most seasonal dish, but a delectable one nonetheless.
I also got a takeout meal for dinner, and decided on Joey B’s wings ($3.75 for five). I chose the “Kickin’ Fruity Tootie,” described as “sweet Melba heat,” which proved to be a very apt portrayal. A light kick of heat, paired with a sugary, tangy and citrusy flavor, made these meaty wings a hit.
Entrees: For my lunch I couldn’t pass up the fiery cheesesteak ($9.50), a combination of ribeye beef, red onions sauteed until translucent, American cheese, and molten bleu cheese with choice of hot sauce. I chose the “smoldering sauce,” a two-out-of-four on the spicy rating. The smoky sauce paired excellently with the lightly charred beef and funky cheese. My only complaint was that the bun was slightly dry, but not enough to ruin things. I’d gladly get another one of these on a return visit and try a different sauce.
For my takeout dinner I got the Hershey pizza ($11), cooked in the house wood-fired brick oven. It was gorgeous, with a lightly charred, thin, bubbly crust supporting a pie spread with homemade plum tomato sauce, Mozzarella, ricotta, generous slices of sweet Italian sausage, thin sliced and charred roasted red peppers and minced garlic and basil for additional flavor. The 12-inch pizza was stellar.
Service: While the back patio was far more crowded than the bar area, service was fast and three waitresses checked on me. My takeout order was ready before I was ready to head out, and the bartenders handled questions with ease.
Bottom line: Joey B’s, while a bit of a drive for most Valley residents, is certainly worth a try. Whether it’s for the great food or the extensive beer bottle menu (and respectable tap list), you should leave satisfied. Lunch for one with a takeout dinner and a drink totaled $37.45.
