Last night, my family and I decided to go to Cal’s Creamery, located at 122 Main Street in Reading. We’ve been there multiple times before, but this trip was specifically for the Reading Memorial High School Choir fundraiser. While we don’t have any kids in the choir, lots of our friends do and it’s always nice to give back to another cause as well as helping a fellow small business owner in our community.
I didn’t plan on writing a review let alone taking pictures of food, as that’s typically reserved for people more qualified than myself, then I saw their Fall Season Specials. I typically get my usual, a white pistachio sundae with strawberry sauce. When it comes to food, I’m the kind of person who lives by the motto “Don’t go chasing waterfalls, please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to”. Yes, I grew up in the 90’s and yes, I just quoted the lyrics to a TLC song that couldn’t be further away from the true meaning of it. What applies though, is that if you ask me what I want on yadda yadda yadda, the answer will always be nothing. I rarely deviate from the same old same old, I stick to what I like. I figured this time, why not.
Fall Season Specials
- – Apple Cider Donut Sundae
- – Apple Cider Donut Float
- – Pumpkin Cannoli Ice Cream
Immediately, when I saw what was being passed to me through the window, I’m glad this time around I deviated from the norm. What happened next, was learning about Cal’s Apple Cider Donut Sundae as well as how Cal’s got their name. Surprisingly, all those items are intertwined together.
Cal’s apple cider donut sundae consists of vanilla and apple crisp ice cream, topped with cinnamon sugar, caramel sauce, homemade whipped cream, and apple cider donuts. I spoke to the owner, Jared Palladino, who also owns Cal’s Brick Oven Pizza and asked him where he got his apple cider donut’s from because I know a place with incredible ones. As it turns out, my idea wasn’t very original after all. He was already getting them from his neighbor at Calareso’s Farm Stand.
I continued speaking with Jared and learned more about his business, mentioned the potential for a polystyrene ban, the ups and downs he’s experiencing (which isn’t unique to his business) and how Cal’s got their name. As it turns out, he purchased the property from the Calareso’s. Hence the name, Cal’s for short. It was so simple, yet I didn’t even think it had to do with his neighbor. Perhaps the fact that both buildings looked similar, should have given me a hint, but I digress.
Before my sundae decided to melt away, I figured it was best to finish eating it. I’m not a food critic, nor will I ever be, but this sundae was as good as it looks as it was to eat. It was absolutely delicious. The fact that the whipped cream was home made coupled with Calareso’s apple cider donuts, was the icing on the cake. Ironically, I preferred the apple crisp side of the sundae as opposed to the plain old vanilla half. A bit pricey at $11 but it can easily feed two adults.
In terms of scoring, I’m not the Phantom Gourmet but I am a professional at slipping in 90’s references into everything I say and write. In case you missed it, there was a Seinfeld one above but pointing that out makes it less humorous. So, I’ll leave you with another. I recommend that you try out Cal’s Creamery, not just because they support Reading fundraisers, not just because they purchase some of their ingredients from other Reading small businesses or that they live in Reading, but because they put out an incredibly tasty product. But you don’t have to take my word for it.
