In this edition of Pottstown Foodie, The Beekeeper’s Café on North Charlotte Street in Pottstown is hosting a free give-and-take event. Also, new menu items are introduced at Taco Bell, Applebee’s, and Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard locations nearby.
More Than Just Coffees and Teas
POTTSTOWN PA – The Beekeeper’s Café, 206 N. Charlotte St., Pottstown, continues to be more than just a place for coffees, teas, and edibles.
Recently over just 10 days (Feb. 12-22, 2026), its Facebook page shows, Beekeeper’s has held musical performances, a bible study session, and a story and song time for kids; and scheduled a workshop by Anno Artem co-owner Anthony Nowack on developing camera film using coffee.
Its next project may involve even more public participation.
The “Beekeeper’s Give And Take” is described as a “lightly used” clothing event. Area residents are invited Saturday (Feb. 28), between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., to come in and give suitable clothing items to be worn by others. They can be dropped off at the café.
During the same period, those who are in need of wearable clothing also are invited to come in and take items they can use. The event is free, and hosted by Hagstone Shop. Last October it conducted a similar and successful activity, also at Beekeeper’s.
Graphic provided by The Beekeeper’s Café
Taco Bell Introduces New Street Chalupa Variety
GILBERTSVILLE PA – Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas and Chicken Bacon Ranch Nacho Fries arrived Thursday (Feb. 19, 2026), and will be available for a limited time, at Taco Bell restaurants.
The chalupas, which come in pairs, consist of two toasted cheddar street chalupa shells filled with slow-roasted chicken, crispy bacon, freshly prepared daily pico de gallo, shredded cheddar cheese, and Taco Bell’s creamy avocado ranch sauce.
The fries? They’re golden and crispy, topped with slow-roasted chicken, bacon, warm nacho cheese sauce, avocado ranch sauce, and pico de gallo.
Together, Taco Bell says, they represent “comfort food nostalgia, with a bold, modern twist.” The launch marks the third-flavor iteration of the company’s Street Chalupas and its street-style format. Taco Bell operates at locations in Gilbertsville, Douglassville, Phoenixville, Harleysville, Audubon, King of Prussia, and Reading.
Photo provided by Taco Bell
At Applebee’s, Big Easy Menu and New Beverages
POTTSTOWN PA – Applebee’s Restaurants – found in Pottstown, Royersford, Audubon, Reading and West Chester – are introducing flavors of New Orleans with the limited-time return of its Big Easy Menu.
On the Big Easy menu are two new Cajun-inspired dishes, a new Big Easy Burger and new Bayou Shrimp Bowl. Returning is Bourbon Street Chicken & Andouille Sausage Penne. Here’s the run-down:
- Bayou Shrimp Bowl: blackened shrimp, smoky Andouille sausage, Spanish rice, garlicky green beans and sautéed bell peppers and onions, with a side of creamy Cajun sauce;
- Big Easy Burger: a juicy all-beef burger stacked with Pepper Jack cheese, grilled Andouille sausage, zesty citrus slaw, and spicy honey mustard on a Brioche bun, served with classic fries; and
- Bourbon Street Chicken & Andouille Sausage Penne: juicy Bourbon Street chicken with seared slices of Andouille sausage, seasoned bell peppers and onion, in a creamy Cajun Alfredo sauce over penne.
Also available on the menu are Applebee’s Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp Skillet, Bourbon Street Steak, and the Bourbon Street Mushroom Swiss Burger.
Photo provided by Applebee’s Restaurants
Rita’s Blends Matcha, Vanilla Ice in New Drink
POTTSTOWN PA – Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is launching a new frozen drink that blends matcha with Rita’s Vanilla Italian Ice. The result is “a smooth, craveable twist on the popular green tea beverage,” the company says.
Frozen Matcha is available in three flavor options: original, strawberry, and caramel. The drink joins its core menu offerings, and is available now at all Rita’s locations. Locally it operates in Pottstown (2), Boyertown, Royersford, Zieglerville, Pughtown, Collegeville, Pennsburg, Birdsboro, Phoenixville, Harleysville, and Trooper.
“We’re always looking for new ways to expand our menu with flavors and formats that feel both relevant and uniquely Rita’s. Frozen Matcha is a direct result of that focus,” says company Senior Vice President Carmela Hughley. It brings a popular beverage flavor “into our signature frozen experience,” she adds.
Photo provided by Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
Our reporting on local dining covers activities and events of restaurants, and food or beverage suppliers, within Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more articles here. Also, see or follow “Pottstown Foodie” on Facebook.
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