moving to Harrisburg PA

[bigcat]

Hi all you Harrisburgers....I've read posts here about Camp Hill's Farmers Market, the best and worst of Lancaster Co., and the much-celebrated Passage to India, but was wondering if anyone knew of any other restaurants/markets/butchers/bakers/candlestick makers and/or general fun stuff to do (country fairs maybe??) and places to see in the area. We're moving in September and would love to get out and about before winter and our second baby arrives! TIA.

[Andrew Fenton]

Hey bigcat,

I've been holding off replying to this topic, because I got nothin' in the way of recommendations for you. But I'm in a similar position to you: this fall, I'll be living in the greater Harrisburg area (Carlisle), have found only those same threads to which you allude, and am thinking that, boy, I'd like to do some interesting eating.

So let me encourage you to explore, and when you do, post away! We gots to build that eG database for central PA!

[cdh]

Is York a commutable distance to the greater Harrisburg area? I've got family in York who rave about a couple of restaurants out there... Will ask them for details if it is close enough to be of use to you.

[OrmIrian]

Welcome to central PA, bigcat and Andrew! I live in Carlisle, btw.

Big fall festivals here include Kipona (Labor Day weekend) and the Adams County Apple Harvest Festival (first two weekends in October). There are many many other festivals in the area. To find out more about area restaurants, your best bet is probably The Central PA Dining Guide.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Mr. Blister]

For all you current and future residents of Carlisle, on the cheap eats front, can't beat Faye's Country Kitchen for breakfast or The 'Milt (the Hamilton). At the 'Milt, order the Hachi burger or dog. I spent more time there than the Library when I was in college. Have the GPA to prove it.

[Andrew Fenton]

Sweet. Thanks for the recommendations: the Central PA guide, in particular, will be very useful. I'm heading to Carlisle tomorrow, and will probably try Faye's for breakfast Friday. Hmm... maybe I'll start a Carlisle thread, just for my own amusement.

Chris, Mapquest says that York is about an hour from Carlisle; probably a little less from Harrisburg. Might as well post any suggestions, just in case I make a pilgrimage to the home of the Rock.

Edited August 18, 2004 by Andrew Fenton (log)

[lancastermike]

I have lots of Lancaster area stuff that I have posted before. I will try to pull it together and add it here. Lancaster is 30 miles from Harrisburg and 20 from York. Carlise is a little further away.

[cdh]

OK... I'll quiz the relatives about their favorites. I've never gone out eating in York, so this will be second hand... but I trust the palates of these folks.

[Furious Flav-or]

The 'Burg itself is really known for one thing and one thing only: the cheeseburger sub.

A cheeseburger is split and loaded into a long "Italian" roll and then decorated in "California" fashion, with lettuce, tomato, and heart-stopping gobs of mayonnaise. French fries are typically piled up next to it.

Back in the pre-Clinton days the 'Burg was a swingin' town, with insanely good dangerous dining both on the Hill (great Puerto Rican joints) and up North 6th Street for ribs, broasted chicken, and a Halal joint for chicken wings. Unfortunately, it's all gone now.

Three links which might prove helpful:

http://www.modeweekly.com/1998/0798/CheapLunch0798.htm

http://www.northsecondstreet.com/spotmenu.html

http://www.visithhc.com/mem-dine.shtml

Don't laugh at the link to "The Spot." It's been ten years plus since I worked in the 'Burg but the cheeseburger subs and Spot-dogs are still etched in my mind.

[OrmIrian]

Actually Harrisburg is still swinging. Just visit Second Street any night of the week.

Mr. Blister, are you a fellow Dickinson grad? I graduated from there in 1992. There's a lot of good places to eat in town, as I'm sure Andrew will discover.

[Mr. Blister]

OrmIrian, class of '91 checking in. How about Rillo's or the Deer Lodge?

[porkpa]

For not cheap, but very good dining in a beautiful room try Parev's in downtown Harrisburg. They also have an excellent wine list which is fairly priced. They are a private club for all the movers and shakers at lunchtime. They transform into an excellent restaurant open to the public in the evening.

Just across the river, Tavern on the Hill never disappoints. Excellent beef, lamb, fish and shellfish done in a New York steakhouse manner. Atmosphere is okay, but not comparable to Parev's. The food and service are excellent. They also have an excellent winelist which in my opinion is somewhat overpriced. The sommelier can be entertaining. He also can be a pretentious oaf.

Porkpa

[Furious Flav-or]

http://www.harrisburg.com/restaurant_reviews.php?key=2

(The paper indicates that it's in Duncannon, but I thought that it was in Clark's Ferry)

Red Rabbit Drive-In

Route 322

Duncannon , PA 17020

717-834-4696

Two words: Bunny Burger. While you're at it, throw in a side of fries and a thick chocolate milkshake.

The Red Rabbit has been a Perry County institution that rolls campy drive-in atmosphere, memorable fast food and great people watching all into one trip.

Open only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, you might want to anticipate a bit of a wait. Red Rabbit offers a take-out and call ahead service so you can drive up and drive off, but I highly recommend parking and eating. Your order comes to you in the typical drive-in fashion: on a tray that attaches to your window and piled high with goodness.

Non-food idea:

Rickett's Glen

[elephantstone]

My favorite restaurant in downtown Harrisburg in Mangia Qui, a good 'regional Italian' place on North St. across from the capitol. The menu and the wine list change frequently, and there's always something interesting to have. They also do tapas and Spanish wines on Wednesday nights, which is fun.

If you're looking for something more casual, the Vietnamese joint on 3rd and Reilly is great and cheap, or check out the taco stand on 15th and Market.

I would definitely also familiarize myself with some of the local orchards, Mowery's in northern York county is my favorite.

[elephantstone]

I almost forgot the area's worst-kept secret, Herby's Mexican in Bressler, just above Steelton. Make sure to check Mapquest before you go out, though, it's not easy to find. Great Mexican, not expensive, very comfortable atmosphere.

[bigcat]

Thanks to all who replied. I'm looking forward to my first cheeseburger sub! Andrew, good luck in Carlisle. We almost moved there ourselves.

[Pan]

You might check to see if the Indian restaurant at the Quality Inn near the hospital and park on the river is still excellent, as it was a few years ago. Here's a link to my Jan 16 2002 rave review of Passage to India.

[OrmIrian]

bigcat and Andrew, how are you two settling in to central PA? What places have you discovered?

[Andrew Fenton]

Thanks for asking, OrmIrian. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've basically not eaten out at all in Carlisle: combination of being out there by myself and only during the week, and being too busy to eat much besides reheated leftovers from the weekend... Once I can get my wife out there with me, I'll probably eat out more. And I've gotta go to the Camp Hill farmers market before it's too late in the year.

Had a burger at the Hamilton, which was okay. But it looks as if I ordered the wrong thing: the dogs are clearly the way to go, especially (as Mr. Blister recommended) the Hotchee (sp?)- pimped up with chili, onions, cheese, etc. I've also eaten a lot of the frozen custard at Massey's, which was pretty damn good.

I'm breaking the dry spell tomorrow night with dinner at Empire, which I've heard is quite good. Will report afterwards...

[Mr. Blister]

Andrew,

Glad you found the 'Milt and the joys of all things Hotchie.

P.S. I don't think that there is a wrong way to spell it considering it's never existed in print, just the lexicon of those in the know.

[Andrew Fenton]

All rightie, now. I finally got to spend a weekend sampling some of the many and varied culinary delights of Carlisle.

First, Empire. This is a really good restaurant: not as in, "really good for Carlisle", but really good, period. Lovely sophisticated decor, interesting food, good service. They also have a very talented bartender and a solid wine list, and I was in the mood to celebrate, and wasn't paying... so I had a fine ol' time, you betcha. Highlights included the gazpacho, with cumin-scented shrimp and a wee little scoop of tomato sorbet (brightened up with orange juice) and the rack of lamb with artichoke-preserved lemon slaw. Nice cheese selection, too. It's also a pretty expensive restaurant (around $25 for entrees), so get somebody else to take you to dinner.

Lunch at Salamandro. Little pizzas (too much cheese for my taste) and okay salads.

Brunch at Fay's Country Kitchen, which is everything you could ask for, breakfast-wise, including a really superb pumpkin pancake. And scrapple!

[cdh]

My mother (a Dickinson alumna) sings the praises of Rillo's in Carlisle... and I'd trust her taste.

And I realize that I flaked on my familial York favorite that I promised months ago... which is the Blue Moon Cafe.

No more data than that, as I've never gone food hunting out thataway.

Best

cdh