( putting some healthier chomps first at good eatz green café )

by jennifer hetrick

rick allebach wakes up every day with the intention of bringing fantastic flavors to those who stop into his eatery, catering kindly to those who prefer or need a gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian or vegan chomp-fest. he and his employees kick-start their days in west reading at good eatz green café on penn avenue.
    
recognizing that life isn’t just about meat and potatoes, but happy to give attention to a great angus burger on the menu, allebach knew years ago that the berks county landscape could use the type of restaurant he envisioned. saturday lunch hours, busily bustling with footfalls and happy bellies, show the success of what he glimpsed in his mind. allebach delivers, too.
    
with many people not even realizing they have sensitivities and allergies to certain ingredients in food, not seeing that sluggishness and intestinal discomfort after eating is unnatural and can be avoided with healthier meal-time options, the variety of breakfast, lunch, and din-din options at good eatz green café is something beyond treat-status, especially considering the boastful way the food tastes so impeccable. it certainly helps that allebach and his staff work with as fresh of food as possible each bright new day, and of course, even on rainy ones.

( ahi tuna sashimi plate, italian caprese panini, black angus burger, carrot cake & orange-affection ) 

    
allebach looks at his food-swept endeavor as a dive into a social responsibility of sorts, bringing people the healthiest possible food choices for a better quality of living, no guilt needed, with the bonus of it all being delectable and something to look forward to via fork, spoon, and knife labors.
   
“when you’re cooking for somebody, they’re trusting you with their lives,” allebach says. “that really sticks with me.”
    
his staff is thoroughly trained in preventing cross-contamination, too, to be sure that those with certain food allergies are never in jeopardy while they eat, which is something those with sensitivity to gluten often worry about when they go out to eat, because of the severe and painful reactions caused by ingesting the protein found in most grains. sometimes, the reactions are so extreme that it causes those with the allergy problem to avoid going out to dine at all. but that is exactly why those who visit good eatz eatz green café are so enthusiastic to enjoy some table-time in the haven created by allebach.
    
a bit of care for our sweet old earth also plays a part in the café’s operation. the napkins are made of recyclable material, and the to-go containers are compostable. green beckons well in small but serious ways, so that less makes friends with landfills, in the end.
    
café hours are monday, tuesday, wednesday, and friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., thursday and saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. visit www.goodeatzgreencafe.com to easily eye-peruse the menu and learn more.