Diner on I-81

[MiFi]

I'll be driving up I-81 tomorrow - up to Canada in fact - and looking for a solid feed on a long drive close off the interstate. Any suggestions? I know about Dutch Kitchen (as reported on roadfood.com), but is there another not-to-be-missed? Breakfast is likely to be the meal.

[Meanderer]

I-81 covers a lot of ground and you don't say which part of it you will be on for your breakfast stop but, in general, you will be entering a land where quantity counts for considerably more than quality or originality. If you happen to be passing through the Carlisle area in the a.m., I would recommend either Fay's on S. Hanover or the Carlisle Downtown Cafe on N. Hanover(both conveniently located a couple of minutes off the, you guessed it, Hanover Street exit. I usually go to the latter because it is less crowded but both have better than average breakfasts. The buckwheat cakes and smoked sausage are a good combination.

[Rich Pawlak]

The pancakes at Chick's Diner on Moosic St in Scranton (Meadow Ave. exit, a quick left, then a quick right, the a quick left onto Moosic St and Chick's) are top notch, thin and expertly made.

Any of the pizza places in Old Forge, PA (Davis St exit, follow Davis St into Old Forge and turn left), serve a unique style of pie, rectangular slices, that resemble Sicilian, but are far lighter and much more addictive. Choose from Maxie's on Keyser Ave., to Giggarelli's, Arcaro & Gennel's, Club 17 (all along Main St.), but almost any of them are terrific depoartures from round pizza, and the other Italina food at these places can also be quite good.

Killer Texas Weiners can be found at the classic original Coney Island Lunch (Central Scranton Expressway exit, then the Cedar Ave off ramp, then bear right onto Cedar Ave, and look for the place on the left under the railroad trestle!); it's like stepping back into the 20's with old hand stamped tile, wooden booths and very good dogs and root beer.

Edited May 23, 2008 by Rich Pawlak (log)

[john b]

Too late to help the OP, but my favorite diner up that way is Tom's Kitchen, in Conyngham.