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Selecting the Eight Wonders of the World is a subjective process. Perhaps there is a United Nations Wonders of the World subcommittee comprised of archaeologists, architects, engineers, historians and travel guides to decide these things over cocktails and cheeseballs.
The supposed Big Eight cooler than cool spots are the Taj Mahal in India; the Roman Colosseum; the Great Wall of China; the archaeological city of Petra in Jordan; Machu Picchu with its breathtaking mountain backdrop and fabulous Inca ruins in Peru; Chichén Itzá, an archaeological marvel of a city built by the ancient Mayans in the heart of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico; Christ the Redeemer, the towering iconic 125-foot tall statue of Jesus Christ perched on Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil; and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
But the U.N. subcommittee has to meet again and replace one of those tourist traps with the Marvel Ranch in downtown Reading.
I kid you not. The Marvel truly is a marvel. It’s the destination of destinations. The big pin on the dining map.
You weren’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth? No problem. You don’t need a big bank account to eat at the Marvel, only a big appetite.
So, I say scratch the Colosseum from the list of wonders and replace it with the Marvel Ranch. I’ve been to the Colosseum and the place, with nary a gladiator or emperor, was a crumbling relic. I’m reminded of that whenever I gaze into the mirror and see a reflection of what age can do to you.
Meanwhile, I ate countless times at the Marvel during all the decades I toiled at the Reading Eagle next door. Granted, the Marvel hardly looked upscale, but no upscale restaurant could come within a forkful or spoonful of the Marvel’s culinary delights.
The Marvel Ranch is perfect for those who love wonderful food that sticks to your ribs. The Israelites in the desert had manna from heaven. Marvel Ranch disciples, and their number is legion, have Marvel Deluxe hamburgers and the iconic breakfast Mini Mess of ham, onions, green peppers, eggs, home fries and cheese all mixed together.
Marvel Ranch devotees have their salivary glands shift into fifth gear as they enter the cozy, feel-at-home restaurant at Fourth and Penn streets and leave with sumptuous delights nestling in their bellies and beaming smiles on their faces.
It isn’t just the great comfort food that turns frowns upside down into smiles. Owners Roger Bermel and later his daughter Cheryl Burton always welcome their regulars and newcomers like family. It’s an adhesive bond.
When I read a Page One story in the Reading Eagle on March 20 that the Marvel Ranch has undergone a physical transformation with warm shades of red and gold throughout and new ceiling fans with sparkling mini chandeliers amidst reports of a British celebrity chef/television personality Gordon Ramsay-led makeover, it rekindled Marvelous memories in my mind’s attic.
One of my earliest memories was decidedly mixed. As a young sportswriter in the 1970s, I was enjoying my cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake for lunch. Until I got to the bottom of my shake and discovered a rusty screw and nut, apparently shaken loose from the blender.
After a what-the-hell shrug, I figured an iron supplement was good for me.
That was my only negative experience. Years of omelets, salads, fries, onion rings, cheeseburgers and fellow customer conversations ensued.
Perhaps the highlight occurred in 2008 when future president Barack Obama stopped by for a quick visit on the campaign trail.
I was president of BCTV at the time and hosted several programs, including Talk to the Mayor with then-Mayor Tom McMahon. I also was chairman of the Downtown Improvement District board and while others were cordoned off a few yards away from the Marvel, the mayor and I stood just outside the door.
When Obama emerged, I asked him how he liked the food.
He said he unfortunately didn’t have time to eat but did have a few fries and loved them.
At that time I also quarterbacked the Eagle’s insanely popular “Can You Beat Zeke?” football contest that featured trips to Hawaii and I tongue-in-cheek wrote a blog on the Eagle’s website the next morning entitled: “Obama gets to meet Zeke!”
NBC had filmed Obama’s Marvel stop and the next day to my surprise I was part of its footage of his visit on Today, the morning television show. Granted, if you blinked you missed me. But however fleeting, it was my premiere on national television. Still waiting on the encore.
A marvelous personal moment, courtesy of the Marvel Ranch — truly deserving of a Wonder of the World designation. But don’t take my word for it. Pay the place a visit and trust your gut that I’m not feasting on hyperbole.
Mike Zielinski, a resident of Berks County, is a columnist, novelist, playwright and screenwriter.
