Bike riding hound in Lewisburg, PA

[Professor Salt]

This July, I'm riding my bicycle along with about 35 other people as part of an endurance tour that starts in Atlanta and ends two weeks later in Portland, Maine. Each day, we'll ride an average of 100+ miles, and we'l be real hungry for local flavor by dinnertime. That's 16 towns, 16 opportunties to find some great local food. Even if it means the best option in town is a Dairy Queen chili dog, any intel is better than no intel.

I'm going to start a separate thread for each city we're staying in. I don't have hotel infomation yet, so I can't say specifically where in town we'll be, which I realize is challenging in the bigger cities we're visiting. We will not have cars to drive around, just our bikes, so please recommend places inside town limits (unless something's *spectacular* within, say, 10 miles)

* Dinner recommendations only (lunch is provided every day & we can't stray much from the route anyway)
* Any cuisine is fine, but ideally, something that you're real proud of as a local.
* Any price range is fine: roach coach to fine dining.
* This happens in mid-July, if you can think of seasonal tips so much the better.

I'll post a separate thread for each city we're staying in overnight.

[eastfallsfoodie]

I went to college in Lewisburg, so your post made me think of my faves as a college student. My tastes weren't quite as refined then, but here are a few places you might want to check out (note: I graduated 7 years ago - I think these places are still open but would recommend that you double check before going):

1. The Lewisburg Freez (I think that's how it's spelled) - it's an ice cream place along Route 15 right near Perkins and the Days Inn. They have great soft-serve ice cream in a variety of flavors, one of my favorites was the soft-serve peanut butter.

2. The Country Cupboard is about a five minute ride/drive from the Bucknell campus. It's homestyle cooking, I think they usually have a buffet, too. The food itself is decent, but it's worth a trip just to see this huge place and buy some homemade PA Dutch treats. They have a huge shopping area where you can buy homemade baked goods along with other gifts. Definitely worth a look around.

3. Good Will's - I'm not sure which way your bike ride will take you. Good Will's is a longer ride from Lewisburg, probably 15-20 minutes. This is a hole in the wall kind of place where the food is cheap, but tasty, and the portions are large. We used to go here for weekend breakfasts that would cost $4-$5 for a plate of eggs, home fries, toast, and bacon or sausage. Not a bad deal!

4. I know that a few nice dining establishments opened on Market Street in downtown Lewisburg, but that happened after I graduated so I don't know the names and can't speak to the quality.

Good luck - and can you do a return post after your trip? I would like to take my husband to Lewisburg so he can see Bucknell and the area, and would be interested to hear where your group ate and if you liked the places. Happy eating!

[Philly girl stuck in Lancaster]

I too am a Bucknellian....

Good Will's is scary...BUT SOOOO TASTY!

Abrana Maria's (sp.?) is nearby too, and very good Mexican. BYOB.

[david gardner]

FYI: AbraMaria's (sp?) in Northumberland relocated to Williamsport. The new restaurant is located on Campbell St below 3rd St.

There are a few decent restaurants on Market St that haven't been mentioned.

Elizabeth's: upscale, expensive, and very good.

Blue Plate Cafe (?): near Elizabeth's very good food, decently priced, the only BYOB in Lewisburg.

Lewisburg Hotel (?): okay food, decent bar food. Nicely furnished bar.

The Highlands Pub: possibly the best beer selection in Lewisburg, sometimes slow service, good to decent food.

For a real treat and the best micro-brewry in the area head on down to Selinsgrove and enjoy the ambience of the Selinsgrove Brewery.

[Professor Salt]

Wow! That's allota good info, and I will confirm these places are still in business.

Thanks for taking time to post all that, and I'll post my food experiences after I've returned from this thing in July.

[brookquarry]

Let me add my qualified endorsement to Country Cupboard. Although the food is merely good rather than spectacular, it may be your best chance given your route to sample Pennsylvania Dutch specialties (although the Restaurant menu goes well beyond Pennsylvania dutch - Its basically a upscale diner type menu).
The baked goods in the bake shop are excellant, assuming you can carry them with you on your bike.

[brookquarry]

For a good description go to Roadfood.com. Click on the restaurant search feature, click on Pennsylvania and go to the review of Salernos in Old Forge. By the way, while I understand American is one of the cheeses used, I have never noticed a pronounced American Chesse taste.