The restaurant known for its all-scratch kitchen, Not Your Average Joe’s, is quickly becoming more well known as it looks forward to more store openings.
Not Your Average Joe’s currently has over 20 stores, mostly throughout the New England area, but two reside in Pennsylvania. The Glen Mills location opened in June 2014, and the Ardmore location opened in Feb. 2015. They’re planning on opening another store in Silver Springs, MD by next year as well as others.
Not Your Average Joe’s is an all-scratch kitchen, so all allergies and dietary needs can be catered to.
The restaurant offers a whole gluten-free menu as well and has delicious complementary gluten-free bread. They will make sure that the dish they prepare is safe to eat, and also have a certified trainer, manager, or chef deliver the food to the customer with an allergy.
Sous chef Louis Henderson said, “We can always accommodate to whatever the guests need. I want to make sure the guests always leave happy.”
All of the Not Your Average Joe’s staff are trained to make the guests know that they can accommodate for anything, and if there’s something about a dish that the guests want changed for their meal, then the staff will get it done.
Kelly Barksdale, a bartender who has worked at the Glen Mills location since it opened, said, “It’s great to work for a company that’s excited to cater to guests with allergies and dietary restrictions.”
Stephen Silverstein, founder and CEO of Not Your Average Joe’s, came up with the name because he wanted to make a not average restaurant experience with great food and reasonable prices. He also wanted to make a restaurant that made people of all dress feel comfortable dining at, for one can often come in the restaurant and see someone in business attire sitting next to someone in jeans and a t-shirt.
It’s known to have creative casual cuisine with dishes that range anywhere from traditional American styled food to dishes that are internationally inspired.
Alex Azer, a server at the Glen Mills restaurant, said, “It’s got a big menu with lots of variety.”
Not Your Average Joe’s has a wide selection of dishes, from burgers and sandwiches to seafood plates like Rhode Island style calamari and Vietnamese salmon, to chicken and beef options, as well as an array of salads and pizzas to choose from. There is also a wide selection of drinks, with about 20 beers on draft, others offered as bottles, and an even bigger selection of wine.
Not Your Average Joe’s is active in community service and often offers ways to donate to local charities, schools, and hospitals.
Ask the staff about what’s going on, or call for more information or reservations.
Dana Perkiss is a fourth-year student majoring in English writing with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at DP785965@wcupa.edu.