Erie Restaurants

After doing some research on this place the reviews were less than flattering on service and food. I'm telling you they may be ultra picky or were of their face before the first beer. My service was excellent, food was delicious and the beer OK. The atmosphere is old train station motif.

Great family style entrees, such as goulash, baked turkey with the trimmings, chicken, meatloaf, chops, spaghetti, shrimp, etc. All of your old family favorites from when you were growing up.

Favorite Dish: I like the goulash and the tuna noodle casserole, when they are on the daily special menu.

We visited Molly Brannigans based on the advice of a local Erie resident we came across. As the name suggests, Molly Brannigans is an Irish Pub, with an attractive exterior and a very warm, inviting interior. There was a warm fire burning in the fireplace that separates the bar from the main dining room.

The menu is fairly extensive, with normal bar and pub food, plus traditional Irish fare. I had fish and chips, which were very good. My wife had perhaps the best Reuben sandwich I've ever tasted, with very high-quality corn beef. One of our sons had Buffalo wings, which were absolutely top-notch, some of the best wings I've had anywhere. My other son had a chicken sandwich, which I didn't try, but he said was delicious.

The service was good, although our waitress was a bit ditzy.

We didn't want to eat at one of the chain restaurants near our hotel, such as Applebees, Damons, etc., so we ventured off looking for something more unique. We found it, and enjoyed our late lunch at Molly Brannigans very much. It turns out that Molly Brannigans actually IS a chain restaurant, though the chain has very few links, with locations in Erie, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Mesa (AZ) and Las Vegas (NV).

We would definitely eat at Molly Brannigans again, and plan to do so when we visit Erie or Harrisburg again.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the Guinness on tap. Not cheap at $5 a pint, but delicious. They also have Blue Moon on tap, as well as lots of other beers.

Favorite Dish: My wife's Reuben sandwich was incredible, as were my son's Buffalo wings.

If you are visiting from out of town why go to a chain? They have the same exact food and decor as the one in your hometown.

Erie has dozens of great local restaurants don't be afraid to ask the locals. If they suggest something in Summit township - stop talking to them immediately. If their first words are Applebee's, Outback, Friday's or Olive Garden - you have my permission to slap them. If you prefer not to slap someone, let them know that you're from out of town and that you can eat that crap in your hometown.

Where are the restaurants? State Street between the waterfront and 14th Street has a number of options. Paper Moon & Porter's are tops. Matthew's Trattoria at 14th and French is right there with them. Not cheap, but great dining isn't.

Marketplace Grill, Bertrand's, Cafe 38, Pufferbelly (on nearby French Street), Smuggler's on the water, have very different menus, but all very good.

If Pubs and pub grub are your style there's Plymouth Tavern - my favorite - , Calamari's, Fat Boys, and Molly Branigan's.

Did somebody say McDonald's?? SMACK!

Favorite Dish: In Erie, try some Lake Erie Perch or Walleye.

Local beers from the Erie Brewing Company are Railbender Ale (malty and potent), Mad Anthony Ale (balanced and smooth), and Presque Isle Pilsener (100 times better than Bud/Coors/Miller).

Most bars should have one or all of these brews.
You can drink a corporate beer ANYWHERE.
Think globally, drink locally my friends.

An unassuming storefront in a 1960's era plaza near the lake, but what wonders inside! Bring your appetite, the sandwiches are easily satistifying for two. When homemade pickles are in stock, they come complimentary to snack on before your meal. They are to-die-for.

Just because it's a deli, doesn't mean you should ignore the baked goods, which are also very good.

Favorite Dish: The Ox-Roast is excellent, although choosing a favorite is very difficult. More adventurous types can go for the "Tongue-Fu" which is beef tongue, or the "Dogzilla" which is a 1/4 hot dog served with everything imaginable, including relish, mustard, kraut, ketchup, onions, and more! I nearly sprained my jaw attempting to fit it in my mouth.

Maximilian's (at the Bel-Aire Hotel)
Very classy with a warm feel . . . Menu is five star . . . Escargot . . . Seafood . . . Steaks . . . Lamb . . . Veal . . . Prices are extremely reasonable . . . Great wine selection

Favorite Dish: Bruschetta . . . Coconut Shrimp . . . Chilean Sea Bass

There is a favorite family pub that my family gathers at when the 'out of towners' show up. The pub is called 'Edwardos'.
Very friendly atmosphere.

Favorite Dish: Hot Buffalo Wings or at least that is the favorite of most of the patrons.

Easily the Stonehouse Inn near the Airport. GREAT food, charming ambience, and gracious staff. Otherwise, I hit TGIFridays, Marketplace Grill, or Pufferbellies (downtown).

Favorite Dish: The Pufferbellies Chicken Ceasar Salad is the best I've had. Better than any in Manhattan!
Martplace Grill has GREAT French Onion Soup.

Waldameer Park & Water World
This is not exactly a restaurant. It is a fun place to go if you want to entertain family or friends. There is typical park food here: hot dogs, candy apples and cotton candy. Etc
Waldameer Park & Water World

Favorite Dish: cotton candy

Well I only ate at fastfood restauraunts along the way so realy I am not sure of the best restauraunt most fastfood places taste the same but if I must pick one I would say BurgerKing

Favorite Dish: BurgerKing-Chickem Tenders, French Fries, OinonRings, and a Coke-A-Colla