Seriously, could there be a more appropriate background for the banner above than the iconic Primanti sandwich? No.
OM NOM NOM. Most people that travel with me will tell you that I'm obsessed with finding the best places to eat everywhere I go. I love region's signature foods and I love hole in the wall hangouts with great food. There's no better supplement to a good adventure than a good meal.
This was one of the oldest features on my website, long long ago and I've been asked 21836812638236 times to bring it back. So here you go. This page will highlight my favorite places to snag a bite to eat when I'm on the road. They're scattered everywhere in both location and content, and there is no rhyme or reason to what I select. Some aren't even still in business. Don't even care if you agree with my picks.
Primanti Bros.
Location: All around the Pittsburgh area.
Hey, this is a Pittsburgh based website. Can't
not have Primanti's on here, and it's gotta be first. The sandwiches are as epic as food comes. Meat, slaw, and fries bundled between two huge slabs of fresh bread. Total win for your tummy.
Glisan's
Location: Laurel Highlands: Farmington, Pa.
This is total adventure tradition. Gunz, Sparky, Ternous and all the other long-time sidekicks know the glory of this little road-side restaurant. It's location on the National Road has made it convenient for so many trips, and the great homestyle food brings us back along with many locals, kayakers, rafters, and hikers. Lots of nostalgia for us when it comes to Glisan's, from savoring the trully massive rolls, fiending for some home made pie, or rockin' the jukebox with 'Desperado'. As their slogan goes, at Glisan's "you're only a stranger once."
Red Caboose
Location: Rostraver, Pa
Long ago pretty much every member of Team Crash lived in bumhole Elizabeth and used Rt 51 to travel to most adventures. The Caboose was the perfect place for a pregame meal. Its a legend where we grew up for its simple, cheap menu. Chili cheese dogs, grilled cheeseburgers, and french fries smothered in gravy round out the tastiness, and travelers will literally line out the door on most Saturday afternoons for these quick meals served in styrofoam trays.
County Seat
Location: Pa Wilds; Clarion, Pa
A little play on words for being right next to the Clarion County Courthouse. You're only options at this time limited eatery on Main Street is breakfast and lunch, but you can't go wrong with either. I lived in walking distance to this place during my undergrad years, so it was a favorite for a pre-adventure meal or a hangover reliever. And its the only restaurant I've been to that serves braunswagger (no clue how to spell that) sandwiches. That in itself is fantastic.
Wild Side
Location: Laurel Highlands; Farmington, Pa
When I moved into my TV-less cabin temporarily while guiding around Ohiopyle, I needed a place to watch hockey and such. Nemacolin, where I ended up working, answered with a huge sports bar they dubbed the Wild Side. This place gets away from the stuffy classiness of the rest of the 5 star accommodations and gives me a place to drink vodka, eat BBQ, and yell at the TV when the Penguins don't do well. It's kind of a Dave and Busters type setting with tons to do like arcade games, bowling, and even a climbing wall. So its always a fun place to stop in at whether I was with co-workers after a hard day at work, friends stopping up to go rafting, my family relaxing at the cabin for a weekend, or just all by myself to just watch some damn TV.
Falls City Pub
Location: Laurel Highlands; Ohiopyle, Pa
If you're a guide around Ohiopyle, you drink here. This awesome hang out is owned by Wilderness Voyageurs, one of the rafting outfitters located right in Ohiopyle, so it attracts tons of rafters, kayakers, and tourists alike. Live bands, a few rounds of pool, a great selection in a juke box, some TVs tuned to Pittsburgh sports: all these our nice touches. But dammit the best feature of this place is getting a great, hot meal after a day of getting thrashed about in rapids.
Bud Murphy's
Location: Laurel Highlands; Connellsville, Pa
Years ago Gunz and I asked around the town of Connellsville for a good place to eat since we passed through so often. EVERYONE responded with Bud Murphy's. And for good reason! This local sports bar and restaurant has good food and good prices and you can always catch the Steelers and Pens on TV. And no one ever seems to mind when I wander in still covered in mud from nearby Opperman's Cave.
Sister's Cafe
Location: Laurel Highlands; Confluence, Pa
There's just something about a small quiet town like Confluence that begs for a cozy cafe full of regulars drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. Great market research by Sister's Cafe for providing exactly that. Never had a bad breakfast here when about to start a paddle or hike nearby and service is always super friendly. And it's close to Tractor Square Dancing during the Pumpkin Festival. WIN.
Bob's Subs
Location: Pa Wilds; Clarion, Pa
Soco calls them mayo sandwiches. But to be correct, it's a housemade blend of mayo and Italian dressing. There's also meat and cheese in there somewhere. Might be a heart attack waiting to happen but these things taste incredible. Ate here consistently during my undergrad years at Clarion, and still make a point to drop by Main Street to stuff one of these delicious monsters in my backpack when I return for an adventure.
Tom Reid's
Location: St. Paul, Mn.
Hockey bar in a hockey city. How could I NOT stop in during my time in the Twin Cities? This is the quintessential pregame drink stop for hockey games at the Xcel Energy Center down the block and it's also a great place to hang out and watch pretty much every hockey game going down that night. Crowded party right before Wild home games, but it tapers off into a great spot to get a meal and watch some shinny, no matter who you call your home team. And as with any place in Minnesota, tons of friendly people, doncha know?
Harry's
Location: Washington, D.C.
One time the ESPN Zone in Washington totally ruined a meal when me, Bilo, Monty, and Scooter were in town. We were in for a lame, hunger-filled night until a sign offering dinner till 2 a.m. at the nearby Harry's Bar gleamed like a beacon in the gloomy dark. We were treated to great food, good, booze, and a playlist of music that seemed like we picked it ourselves. Seriously, "You're the Best Around" from Karate Kid AND Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" in one night? Unbelievable. Thank you, Harry's, for making that road trip great. And getting me drunk.
Jimmy Mac's
Location: Rochester, NY
Sadly, this place is long gone. Bummer. But it's memory lives on with me, Gunz, and Sparky. Awesome sandwiches and even better french fries. Great sports tavern right in front of the impressive waterfall right in downtown Rochachacha. No clue how this place flopped, but when me and Sparky tried to drop by the next time we were passing through upstate NY it had dispersed. But its legend still lives on as one of the best places Team Crash ever had a meal.
Sheetz
Location: Freaking Everywhere
Wawa eat your heart out. Gas, snacks, and made to order food. Seriously, its the perfect pit stop on any road trip, adventure or not. It's convenient beyond belief. When I see those big red and yellow signs on the side of the road, I'm just drawn right in. Can't get enough of those jalapeno cheese poppers.
Burger Hut
Location: Central Valleys; Altoona, Pa
Lavaricky and Erica always talked about this place like it was the greatest cuisine available. Truth be told it's just your average ice cream shack with fried food offerings. But I couldn't help mocking their enthusiasm by being overly enthusiastic of the place last time I was up on old Wopsonock Mountain. That said, the food really ain't bad and the prices are cheap. And ice cream is ALWAYS a good idea.
Restaurant
Location: SHAMOKIN
You don't even know.
Port Clinton Hotel
Location: Central Valleys; Port Clinton, Pa
If you've ever been to a 'Trail Town' along the Appalachian Trail, then you can imagine this place. If not, I'll give it a go. As the AT winds down between Hawk Mountain and Pulpit Rock, it brings hikers to the tiny valley town of Port Clinton, and its namesake tavern has adapted to the clientele that the famous trail brings in. Enter into the restaurant and you're greeted with designated places to leave your muddy boots and oversized backpacks before getting to the tables. Another sign also offers the long term hikers a hot shower for a few bucks upstairs. Once you're finally situated comfortably inside, it's time to order a signature Philly cheesesteak to blow out your gut that's been surviving on freeze-dried powder and soup. It is eastern Pa, afterall. These sandwiches are BEASTLY and I still insist that they're the best cheesesteaks available, even beating out Pat's and Geno's in Philly. Make sure to order some fries too!
Geno's Cheesesteaks / Pat's Cheesesteaks
Location: Scumhole Region; Philadelphia, Pa
I hate Philly. I really do. Like a lot. But I do have to give them props on one thing: cheesesteaks. What an incredible invention! And even though the recipe is simple enough, they just seem to do it better there somehow. Pat's and Geno's are the quintessential eateries when it comes to this legendary sandwich, and the competitors sit right across the street from each other. So do what I do: buy one of each while you're there to compare and wash it down with some birch beer. Then get out of Philly before you get shot.
Arubas
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl
I have a theory that if you want to know a good place to eat in a town or city you're unfamiliar with, ask a cop. Do it all the time with great results. When I tried it Ft. Lauderdale a kindly cop writing parking tickets directed me, Bilo, Mary, and Ashley up to a place right on the beach called Arubas for some fresh seafood and views of the ocean right out the window. Perfect aquatic fare and location for a trip to the Sunshine State.
Winking Lizard
Location: Cleveland, Oh
It's tough to find anything in the giant concrete graveyard that is Cleveland that would be even slightly likable. But a place that has the ability to put on any Pittsburgh sports broadcast is a good one. This place has million TV's with like every sports feed ever available. Tell your waitress you wanna watch some Penguins hockey and after they struggle to figure the controls out while you put down your first few beers from their huge selection you will eventually be treated to your sporting event of choice with some good tavern food too. Win, even if you are still stuck in Cleveland.
Kathleen's
Location: Beaufort, SC
Shrimp Burgers!!! You may think this was just a vague joke in Bubba's rambling in Forrest Gump, but the Shrimp Burger is actually a big time specialty around coastal South Carolina. The concoction seems to emanate from the harbor town of Beaufort which is oozing with antebellum spirit. When I was camping off the coast of here on Hunting Island, I made damn sure to stop into town to track down this legendary sandwich. This great cafe serves some of the best, according to all the locals I asked, and has a great setting right on the waterfront harbor. I was hesitant despite my love of seafood, but the shrimp burger is certainly something you need to try and Kathleen's is a great place to get it... and the music selection there is damn good too!
Lumberjack Steakhouse
Location: Ridgway, Pa
The name just beckoned me in the first time I made it that far up the Clarion River in my canoe. The steaks here are great and the atmosphere is awesomely rustic as a throwback to when this river town in the Pa Wilds was a huge center for the burgeoning lumber industry. There's a few TV's to catch a game on after you spend a day tramping through that northern Pa snow, if you can manage to not be distracted by the freaking toy train that goes around the room long enough!
Nick Tahou
Location: Rochester NY
There is only one thing you need to know about this place: they invented Garbage Plates. It's the local specialty, and you know how I am about eating local specialties. Or maybe you don't, since most readers of the blog don't actually know me in person. Anyway, you take your meat, your fries, your sides, your bread, your whatever and just throw it all together on the plate with no real plan or structure. Then smother the whole deal in your choice of condiments. Lots of imitators, but this place in downtown Rochachcha is the original and still do it best... well, apparently since it's the only place I've gone to for Garbage Plates.
Pechins Cafeteria
Location: Laurel Highlands; the Greater Dunbar Area
Dilapidated shanties, dented groceries, and a parking lot of leftover blacktop and gravel filled with station wagons, pick-em-up trucks flying rebel flags, and ATV's parked like they were cars with groceries loaded on the gun racks: that was the amazing sight at Pechins. If you went to this place before it closed shop, you know that I can't put it into words. Anecdotal attempt: I once told a girl I would treat her to lunch, took her to the shack that was Pechins where she ordered a hamburger, fries, and small pop. Cost me exactly 1 dollar. Ridiculous. Adventures have never been the same since the demise of Dunbar's only true landmark.
Mickey's Diner
Location: St. Paul, MinneSOta
Look familiar? IT WAS IN THE MIGHTY DUCKS. Otherwise, this is your stereotypical roadside diner... sandwiched between the skyscrapers of downtown St. Paul. And it's like dinner and a show: the friendliest people living in the state of the friendliest people seem to be the only employees, and some of them are beyond hilarious. Snag a seat on a stool at the bar in the old dining car and get entertainment from the griddle cooks as they whip some great burgers, shakes, and pancakes. Just beware that showing up in another team's hockey jersey will likely get ya harassed a little.
Story time! The most common question I get from fans of the site, fellow adventurers, and customers while I'm guiding is hands down "how do you find all these obscure but awesome places?" Well, it usually takes a lot of work: many hours of pouring over research, old books, maps, satellite images, and word-of-mouth accounts. And that's just the leg work before packing gear and finding the real logistics to getting there. That said, sometimes I stumble across some of the best destinations for an adventure purely by accident.
After that, I was given basically full freedom to explore his huge tract of private land along the Lower Clarion River and his notes on the coolest features including the cliff so long as I agreed not to camp. When I compared it to my own research something seemed.... off. Aside from the fact he was calling the cliffs Indian Rock instead, everything was just too far apart to be; it had to be different places. I traced everything backwards to realize that my friend had screwed up plotting Alum Rock on the tax maps and his error found a point about a mile further down the river. Yet the landowner gave me directions to a cliff on his property. Confused, I did a quick ultralight trek. Sure enough, there it was: another large cliff overlooking the Clarion River. My friend not only screwed up, but his miscalculation just happened to plot exactly onto another cliff. What a gift!
