French Dip Roast Beef sandwich / Photo: Ron Knerr
Will's + Bill's Brewery and Restaurant
This spot was nothing like I expected after having preconceived notions from reading the website description. Expecting a small pub in an old building, Will and Bill’s Brewery’s on Route 202 in Berwyn is a modern open space that reminded me of a corporate chain restaurant. A subsequent read of their history explained the backstory with this location.
The Mangan family has operated numerous restaurants over the last forty years, with the originator Bill Mangan Sr leading the operation of The Drexel Ale House in Upper Darby, La Grande in Chadds Ford, Café La Grande in Malvern, and three MacKenzie Brew Houses (Malvern, Chadd’s Ford, and Berwyn). As experienced restauranteurs trained by dad, his son Will and grandson Bill have taken over operations since Bill Sr.’s recent passing.
Read the rest of Ron's column below...
Click here to read previous 'Ron Dishes On' columns!
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August Moon reopens its doors!
August Moon in Norristown FINALLY reopened its doors Wednesday, June 15th, after a long bout with hiccups and lengthy renovations required stemming from the flood back in September 2021... The reopening comes with a new menu, new prices, and new hours of operation: Monday thru Friday, Lunch 11:30-2:00, Dinner 4:30-9:00 (open til 9:30pm on Fridays), and Saturdays 3:00-9:30pm. Be sure to pay them a visit when you are in town, and keep an eye on their Instagram page here @augustmoonpa!
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KOP Beerfest - Early Bird tickets ON SALE NOW!
Mark your calendars and buy your early bird tickets for this falls KOP Beerfest! The "King's Plate" takes place on October 6th from 5:30-9:00pm, and the "Main Event" on October 8th from 4:30-8:30pm... For more info, and to purchase advanced tickets visit the event website at kopbeerfest.com. This one is definitely on our "to-do" list, so we hope to see you there!
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KOP Beerfest / Photo: kopbeerfest.com
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Philly chef wins James Beard award
A huge congratulations goes out to our regions very own Cristina Martinez, of South Philly Barbacoa (1140 S 9th St.), for winning the James Beard award for "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)"! Read more in the article by CNN Travel here! We've now got this spot added to our list, but if you are in the big city and make it to South Philly Barbacoa before us, be sure to drop us a line and let us know what you think!
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We’ll be scouring Montgomery as well as neighboring counties for a wide variety of potent potables, highlighting everything from local craft brews to intriguing cocktail recipes that we come across along our travels!
Got a favorite? Hit us up so we can check it out for ourselves!
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"Super Mash Brothers" / Photo: Stable 12 Brewing Company
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Stable 12 Brewing Company is a cool little spot in Phoenixville (368 Bridge Street), with an even cooler history and back story... and they've got some pretty awesome brews to boot! One of our very favorites, Super Mash Brothers, is highlighted as this weeks 'Quick Sip'...
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"Super Mash Brothers"
IPA - New England / Hazy
6.4% ABV / 55 IBU
A crowd favorite hazy IPA brewed with Citra, Idaho 7, and Mandarina Bavaria hops. Citrus and tropical fruit flavors lead the way, which are supported by a full, juicy body. Stop by Stable 12 next time you are in Phoenixville - you surely will not be disappointed!
Let us know what you're sipping on, and share your favorite cocktail recipes by sending us an email to amoveablefeastmontco@gmail.com!
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Your guide to the areas summer concerts!
What better way to welcome summer than with live music?! From Exton to Ardmore, Willistown, and Phoenixville, Main Line Today's got you covered as far as where to head and what to hear this summer! Check out their article here.
Breweries in PA's "Montgomery County Craft Beer Scavenger Hunt"
This sounds like a blast (whether you're a beer lover or not)! The scavenger hunt begins 7/1 and runs through 7/31, and is only $10 to enter! For more information, rules, regulations, and to purchase your entry, visit breweriesinpa.com here!
5 events in June that you won’t want to miss
Check out this write up from mainlinetoday.com highlighting some great events happening in the area throughout the month of June! From art exhibitions to outdoor festivals, these June events are the perfect way to ring in those longed-for summertime vibes...
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center's summer calendar
If you happen to live or be passing through the Oaks, PA area at any point this summer, they have an awesome line-up of events and expos that will be sure to please! Here's the current calendar of events... Go check them out!
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52 Summer Dinner Ideas
Stumped for summer dinner ideas? Look no further than these 52 summer meals from CountryLiving.com! From chicken quesadillas, to a plethora of summer kababs, you'll be sure to find AT LEAST a few that will get the family begging for more!
Share your favorite recipes, hacks, tips, and tricks with us by sending an email to amoveablefeastmontco@gmail.com!
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Grilled Sea Scallops with Parsley-Shallot-Honey Sauce / Photo: countryliving.com
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"Family Four-Pack" of Elmwood Park Zoo tickets
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Summer is so much FUN, and it's event more fun at the ZOO!
Sign up to be a member of the A Moveable Feast Members Club, post a foodie photo on Instagram with #amfeastagram, or just send an email to the A Moveable Feast Guy and you'll be entered to win a "Family Four-Pack" of passes to the Elmwood Park Zoo!
Join our Members Club below and you're automatically entered to win every month. Remember, 10 percent of your 99 cent membership each month goes to the Montco Anti-Hunger Network!
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Congrats to our May monthly giveaway winner (a pair of passes to the Elmwood Park Zoo)
Benjamin C. from Lansdale, PA
As a member of the A Moveable Feast family, a portion of Ben's .99 cent monthly membership goes directly to the Montco Anti-Hunger Network. Please consider becoming a member today by simply clicking on the membership link at the bottom of this email.
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A Moveable Feast swag offer!
Share the link to this newsletter with10 of your friends, and if they sign on to receive our free newsletter, or even if they don't, you'll receive this A Moveable Feast coffee mug! All you have to do is email us at amoveablefeastmontco to let us know you did indeed send the link to10 friends and we'll send you a mug! Oh, and just to make it as easy as possible, here's the link!
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...the rest of Ron's column
The younger Mangan’s were experiencing a decline in business at the Berwyn Mackenzie’s location due to the “work from home” environment brought on by COVID. To appeal to a slightly different clientele, they rebranded the Berwyn’s Makenzie’s with a revamping of the interior as well as the menu. Photos of famous “Will and Bills” adorn the wall, including an homage to the family patriarch William Sr. Several separate dining areas in the two hundred seat establishment mitigate the perspective of dining in a large open hall. Live piano entertainment accompanies meals at popular service hours.
As a pub, the bar offers a dozen house brewed selections and wine, cocktails, and soft drinks. The menu offers interesting choices not found in the average brew pub, ranging from starters, salads, handhelds, and entrees.
Starter choices include Beer + Cheese Fondue, Nachos, Polpette + Ricotta, Buffalo Wings, Pork + Broccoli Rabe Egg Rolls, Old English Crab Dip, and Parmesan Truffle Fries. Salad varieties of Cobb, Wedge, Caesar, Strawberry Fields, and Greek Chopped Salad can be converted into main plates with the addition of Grilled Chicken, Blackened Salmon, Spicy Shrimp or Roasted Butternut Squash.
Bowls are also offered including Salmon Harvest Bowl, Spaghetti + Meatballs, Thai Risotto With Butternut Squash, and Buddha Bowl ( Egg Noodles, Seasonal Veggies, Hard Boiled Egg in Umami Broth) with optional additions like the salads.
A special “Seafood Bar” menu boasts fresh Clams or Oysters on the half shell, Chilled Cocktail Shrimp, Salmon Tartare, Steamed Clams, Fried Calamari, a pot of Mussels, or Clams Casino.
Handheld choices include WB's Steakburger, Bill’s Roast Beef Dip, Grilled Fish Sandwich (Cajun Spiced Cod Fillet), and a Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich.
Entrée choices include Cedar Plank Glazed Salmon, Shakespeare’s Pie (Short Rib and Lamb, Mushroom), Crab Cake, Cavatelli With Braised Pork, Lobster Ravioli & Sea Scallops, and a Bone-In Rib Eye Steak. A special weekly offering (after 4 PM) is the Red Sauce Sunday dish with choice of Chicken Parmesan With Pasta or Spaghetti & Meatballs served with a Side Caesar Salad, Gelato, and a Glass Of Chianti.
We started with two of the house brews – I chose the Berwyn 1877 Lager and DW Sherri chose the WB’s Signature Light brew which were both very good. We shared a plate of Tortilla Chips with Salsa and Guacamole as a starter. The chips were sturdy, and the dips were good, though the guacamole could have used a bit more salt and lime. I was surprised to see Snapper Soup on the menu and had to choose that as a starter since it has become a rare find (See previous reviews – Springhouse Tavern, General Warren Inn). The sherry served on the side was a nice touch, but I thought the soup was quite a bit astray from the classic preparations I’ve had in the past. The soup was not as thick as expected and the underlying flavor was akin to Campbell’s Manhattan Clam Chowder broth which I sense was an under seasoning of fragrant herbs (allspice, oregano, bay leaf, and/or nutmeg) and Worcestershire Sauce components and a slight overdose of tomato. It was good but did not have the traditional flavor profile.
For entrées, DW Sherri chose the Fried Chicken Sandwich, and I chose the French Dip Roast Beef sandwich. The Chicken sandwich was served with lettuce, tomato and onion on a Brioche roll and was accompanied with Cole Slaw. The Roast Beef sandwich had an ample portion of thin sliced beef and was served with Melted Sharp Cheddar Sauce on a fresh baguette along with Au Jus Dip and Creamy Horseradish Sauce. French Fries accompanied both sandwiches and we judged both worthy of reorder.
Service was pleasant and dishes were served expeditiously by runners rather than our waitress. Unfortunately, our meals were delivered to the table by runners before we were close to finishing our starters (one of our pet peeves), which imparted a feeling of disconnection with our server. I suspect the high volume of business of this two hundred seater makes timing and personal service somewhat of a challenge.
The proximity to Route 202 and the King of Prussia Mall makes Will and Bill’s a good spot to stop for a pre or post shopping dining experience at moderate cost. Space out your starter and entrée orders appropriately and I’d expect diners to be satisfied with their visit.
Reservations available on OpenTable.
Rating 3.5 / 5
Will's + Bill's Brewery and Restaurant
Valley Fair Shopping Center
324 Swedesford Rd
Berwyn, PA 19312
https://wills-bills.com/
https://www.facebook.com/willsandbillsbrewery
HOURS:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 4pm-midnight
Friday & Saturday: 4pm-1am
Sunday: 4pm-11pm
Happy Hour from 4-6pm \ Daily
Live Music from 7-9pm \ Thursdays
Live Piano from 6-9pm \ Fridays & Saturdays
Ron Knerr is a 30+ year cooking hobbyist who has been a “foodie” before the term was popular. His home arsenal includes a smoker, a sous vide immersion heater, a sausage stuffer, and several crockpots.
Send comments and suggestions to: RonKnerrFeast@gmail.com
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