Dining across the Alleghenies: A classic experience
By Beverly Molnar
Every community has them — those classic, often historic restaurants that locals love and visitors have to experience. If you’re traveling to or through the Alleghenies Region soon, be sure to give one (or more!) of these popular staples a try.
Some have been in the same family for generations; others have gone through one or more reincarnations (and name changes) by entrepreneurial, preservation-minded folks who are committed to keeping their communities’ traditions alive. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, it represents some of the best of the dining that the Alleghenies has to offer.
Angelo’s | Lewistown, Pa.
Mifflin County’s second-oldest restaurant, and the oldest owned by the same family since its inception, Angelo’s was established in 1947 by the Meloni family. Local favorites include salads, breadsticks, homemade pasta sauce and the signature salad dressing, which the restaurant also sells by the bottle.
Bonfatto’s Italian Market & Corner Café | Bellefonte, Pa.
Established in 1919 and currently operated by the fourth generation of the Bonfatto family, Bonfatto’s is famous for subs, deli products and espresso pulled from a hand-levered machine. Bonfatto’s features a combination of locally sourced ingredients and imported items, such as specialty meats and cheeses and fresh-baked pastries. Soups, sandwiches, pasta and catering for parties are also available.
Boxer’s Café | Huntingdon, Pa.
A local favorite since 1990, Boxer’s Café serves sandwiches, subs, burgers and more made from locally sourced ingredients. The menu offers traditional pub fare alongside healthier options, vegetarian selections and freshly baked pies. Known for establishing craft beer culture in Huntingdon, the taps rotate selections regularly and the coolers offer a variety of imports and craft beers.
The Corner Room | State College, Pa.
A Happy Valley tradition going back to the 1855 founding of Penn State University, The Corner Room started as Jack’s Roadhouse and renamed in 1926. It has become a landmark for locals, students and visitors to enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal with friends. It serves diner fare for three meals daily, with a children’s menu and full bar service.
The Dream Restaurant | Hollidaysburg, Pa.
The Dream is a beloved gathering spot where families have come together to share time-honored meals since 1952. The menu features such homestyle American comfort food as oven-roasted turkey and baked meatloaf, as well as burgers, chicken and daily specials. Vegetarian and “light and healthy” options are available. A fireplace enhances the quaint, cozy atmosphere, making guests feel right at home.
Duffy’s Tavern | Boalsburg, Pa.
Duffy’s, a Victorian tavern with a casual bar and upscale dining room, has paired American eats with historic charm since 1819, when it opened as the Boalsburg Tavern. The limestone structure is the centerpiece of the town diamond, where it has served townspeople and travelers alike for 200 years. Special events include beer pairings and happy hours on the patio during warmer months.
Gamble Mill | Bellefonte, Pa.
In the 1970s, this 18th-century mill found new life as a quaint, brick-walled American eatery with an attached microbrewery. In 2019, new owners renovated the mill to showcase the contemporary amenities of a full-service restaurant and bar, hotel suites and local shops. The Creekside Restaurant offers savory dishes with international flair as well as familiar Central Pennsylvania tastes. After dinner, spend an evening sipping handcrafted cocktails at the Republic Bar or host an event in the private Speakeasy lounge.
Green Gables Restaurant | Jennerstown, Pa.
What began as a roadside sandwich stand in 1927 has evolved into a Laurel Highlands landmark: a fine-dining establishment in rustic yet elegant surroundings. Green Gables offers New American cuisine featuring the harvests of local farms, as well as an extensive list of fine wines and craft beers from around the world.
Hublersburg Inn | Hublersburg, Pa.
This local and traveler favorite, a gastropub housed in a 19th-century hotel, serves seasonal American fare, local craft beers, fun cocktails and wine. The inn is known for its cozy atmosphere, friendly service and quality homemade food. Enjoy live music on the garden patio during the summer months, and warm up inside by the stone fireplace in the winter.
Jean Bonnet Tavern | Bedford, Pa.
Less than 5 miles from the Bedford town center on the historic Lincoln Highway, this 1760s tavern offers a full menu, pub-style food and drinks, including microbrews on tap. Originally intended as a haven for early settlers and travelers, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Four simple guest rooms are available for those desiring overnight lodging.
Lena’s Café | Altoona, Pa.
Serving the Altoona area since 1939, Lena’s is a third-generation Italian restaurant with a friendly-casual atmosphere and famous for a special family recipe for homemade red sauce. Other specialties include meatballs, salads, hot sandwiches, Italian dinner entrees, pasta and ricotta.
Oakhurst Grille & Event Center | Somerset, Pa.
Opened in 1933 as the Oakhurst Tea Room, known for serving gentlemen customers a special “tea” — illegal liquor — in teapots, the restaurant evolved from 50-cent all-you-can-eat chicken and waffle dinners to a popular classic smorgasbord. Renovated and re-opened in 2017, the Oakhurst Grille & Event Center now offers an American fare menu with a Sunday brunch buffet and a bar and lounge with a full selection of specialty craft beers. A banquet facility is available for weddings, business meetings and other gatherings.
Our Sons’ Family Restaurant | Johnstown, Pa.
Serving the Johnstown area for more than 50 years, Our Sons’ Family Restaurant is committed to quality in everything it does, from fresh ingredients procured at local farmers markets to preparing everything from scratch. The restaurant is available for weddings, business lunches, cocktail receptions and other private events.
Rizzo’s | Windber, Pa.
Opened in 1937 as the Fairway Café, Rizzo’s has established itself as a regional favorite where tasteful and authentic Italian foods are prepared from Old World recipes. Family specialties include chicken and veal. Private rooms accommodate up to 80 people for banquets, parties and other events.
The Tavern | State College, Pa.
The Tavern opened in 1948 in what was a late 19th-century boardinghouse. The Adam’s Apple bar was added in 1982, and the new owners retained the colonial-style décor, including the original hearth for fireside dining. Sidewalk seating enhances a homey, intimate atmosphere where guests partake of seafood, steak, pasta and other “elevated American comfort food.”
Tom and Joe’s Restaurant | Altoona, Pa.
A family-owned diner with a vintage feel, Tom and Joe’s has been operating since 1933 under three generations of the Batrus family. Homestyle breakfast and luncheon favorites are served in a fun, energetic diner atmosphere.
U.S. Hotel Tavern | Hollidaysburg, Pa.
The historic U.S. Hotel was built in 1835 to provide westward travelers with lodging, food and spirits. A 1905 renovation added a cut block barroom including a bar with a brass foot rail and fresh flow-through spittoon, a pre-Prohibition relic found only in a limited number of bars nationwide. The tavern serves a wide variety of pub fare; additional offerings include Sunday brunch and happy hour specials five days a week.
Bev Molnar is a freelance writer and a public relations specialist at Penn State University Libraries. She can be reached at bgs3@psu.edu.
