Allentown PA: Broadway Social (October 2015)


My spouse and I most recently dined at Broadway Social for dinner on a Saturday evening in mid-October 2015 with extended family; however, we have dined at the restaurant as a pair several other times in the two years since it opened in October of 2013. (This restaurant was previously called The Firehouse.) Currently, Broadway Social is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesdays through Sundays (closed Mondays); however, the owner plans to open an upscale diner next door sometime in 2016, at which time he plans to scale back the hours for Broadway Social. The restaurant accepts reservations via telephone and the Open Table system. This property does not offer a parking lot; however, metered street parking and surface parking lots are available nearby, and the restaurant offers valet parking on evening weekends. Also on weekend evenings, a DJ entertains patrons, dancing occurs, and the restaurant takes on more of a lounge/club vibe.

Broadway Social is located in a former firehouse, so the restaurant space is long but narrow. The front of the restaurant features a huge garage door the restaurant can open in nice weather; additionally, a side patio offers true al fresco dining. The front of the restaurant space contains high-top tables that staff can roll into different positions and configurations. A long bar that seats 25 people follows, with booth seating off to one side. The restaurant offers a selection of 20+ craft beers on tap, as well as interesting cocktails. The back of the restaurant features low-top tables for dining. The restaurant décor features low lighting, high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and wood floors.

We shared several plates among our group, including the chicken coconut tostados, the ricotta/fontina/arugula/spec (similar to proscuitto) flatbread, the crabcake fritters, the beef tenderloin quesadillas, and the fried rice (which was the best fried rice that anyone in our group has ever eaten, with loads of veggies, shrimp, and egg!). The restaurant served complimentary jalapeno banana bread as an appetizer on our most recent visit; it was good and tasted of banana but surprisingly (and pleasantly!) did not taste of jalapeno. On past visits, we have eaten the ramen burger, fish and chips, calamari (served Rhode Island style so it is topped with banana peppers, pickled peppers, etc). The restaurant has changed its menu several times since it opened, which shows that they strive for originality and try to making their customers happy.

We enjoy the food and atmosphere at Broadway Social – and we will return.