Calloways Restaurant and Bar

Calloways is a bar. 

It has the requisite neon signs, large flat-screen televisions, beer-sponsored St. Patrick’s Day decorations, cute and perky waitresses, and late night specials boldly advertised on little placards on the tables. 

Despite this, the actual bar area was practically empty at 6 p.m. on a Saturday, while the restaurant area was filled with senior citizens and families. By 6:30 p.m., the bar was more crowded.  It was filled with people waiting for a table.

I have been here later in the evening, in my carefree pre-children days, and the crowd changes as the hour gets later.  Calloways eventually becomes more bar and less restaurant, but for now, most patrons were enjoying dinner.

We met my cousin there, a man who, after a long work week, likes his burgers bold and his beers ice cold. Once seated, the guys ordered their drinks, a Guinness ($4.75) for my cousin, and a Bass ($4.75) for my husband, chosen from a substantial list of beer options. 

My cousin ordered the mushroom caps—three large white mushrooms filled with crab and topped with breadcrumbs with a surprisingly lovely hollandaise-like sauce on the side. They were really hot, but after cooling, my cousin reported that they were tasty, with more crab than filler. 

We also ordered some nachos ($8.95). The crispy round chips came fully loaded with diced tomatoes, jalapeños, olives, shredded lettuce, chili, scallions, melted shredded cheddar, guacamole and sour cream.  It was far too big for the three of us to finish, and not for lack of trying, as they were spicy and crunchy, and paired well with the beer. (And my iced tea.) 

My son was disappointed, though. As a purist (read: picky), he won’t eat any of the toppings, and there was no chip left uncovered. 

Luckily, our friendly and attentive waitress brought my son his order of chicken fingers ($5.25) in between serving the appetizers and our dinners, and he eagerly munched them, paying particular attention to the battered fries. 

The guys ordered classic bar fare to accompany their beer, and my cousin’s Cajun burger ($8.50) was juicy and topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and grilled onions on a soft Kaiser roll. The Cajun spices were subtle, but there was a tangy remoulade sauce on the side that was delicious when slathered on the burger. 

The cheesesteak ($7.75) my husband ordered was made just the way he likes it with the cheese melted and mixed into the meat.  It came with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. The peppers gave the sandwich, usually soft and gooey throughout, an appealing fresh crunch. 

Both meals came with chips and a hearty pickle.  The coleslaw on the side was a big hit with the guys, but I thought it could use a little more tang. 

After perusing the menu in search of something lighter, I ordered the Roquefort salad ($8.95) from the long list of salads.  I was pleased with the crisp lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, croutons, almonds and grilled chicken, despite it being unevenly dressed with the blue cheese dressing.

I coveted the typical bar eats the guys ordered, though, and with the blue cheese dressing and bacon, my choice may not have even been the healthier option.

For dessert, we ordered the red velvet cake ($4.50) and the tiramisu ($4.95).  The red velvet cake had delicious cream cheese icing, and was that gorgeous ruby red color one looks for in a velvet cake. 

The tiramisu was unlike any I have seen before.  It was a cake slice, with the ladyfingers along the outer edge, and thick layers of creamy filling making up the majority of the slice.  My cousin wished that it had more booze, but I didn’t miss it and happily helped him finish it.

When we left a little before 8 p.m., the music was a little louder, the crowd a little younger, and the ladies room line a little longer.  Five years ago, I would have stayed for a drink or two, but now, it was time to take the kids home.

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Calloways receives 3 out of 5 Whisks when you stick to typical bar food and take advantage of good specials.

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Second Helping of Information:

Location – 1902 County Line Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006

Hours – Monday through Saturday, 11:30 - 2 a.m.; Sunday, noon - midnight

Phone – 215-322-7300

Website – www.callowaysonline.com

Reservations – Available

On the Kids Menu – Kids menu with typical fare, plus shrimp, and comes with crayons; high chairs are available; changing table in the ladies room.  Kids eat for $1 Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 - 9 p.m.