Everybody needs a butler. We'd be honored to have a space in your pantry.

In October of 1987, brothers Christopher and Jacob Bausher first opened The Butler Pantry doors as a café style restaurant at 348 Penn Street. It quickly became the preferred lunch spot for many downtown professionals, from bankers and lawyers to Reading Eagle reporters, with a unique selection of freshly made salads, soups, sandwiches and pastries.

Catering soon became an important part of the recipe, serving businesses and hospitals throughout Berks County, as well as private weddings, formal dinners, and cocktail parties. From the most elaborate culinary presentations to creative box lunch solutions, The Butler’s Pantry has been quietly serving up the finest in locally inspired cuisine for decades. 

Today, a short distance from our original space on Penn Street, The Butler’s Pantry continues to honor past traditions while keeping an eye to the future. Now located at the center of The Shillington Farmer’s Market, you will find many of the same recipes we started with in 1987 still on the menu – savory tomato dill soup, Pennwalker sandwiches & quiche - as well as some new favorites to add to your list. We have also leveraged our catering expertise and expanded into a weekly selection of prepared meals, salads, soups, quiches and more - designed to refrigerate, reheat (or not), and eat during the week. So, you get all the benefits of enjoying a home cooked meal, at home, no work required.

Evolving our original Penn Street selection of international packaged gourmet foods, we now embrace the extraordinary diversity we have in our own backyard. Our commitment to support local growers and creators within 50 miles of Reading has culminated in a unique and growing selection of hand grown and hand made items to grace our Pantry shelves. From pure honey to real pickles to seasonal salts and lots more, we’ve not only got meal times covered, we've stocked up your cupboard too.

We invite you to enjoy the flavors, creativity and convenience that is The Butler’s Pantry legacy. Ordering is easy, and, subtle hint, you are already here. View and preorder from our weekly menu which posts on Tuesday evenings to ensure you get your favorites, and discover for yourself how easy and delicious meals at home can be.