Lucinda Restaurants

Sportsman's Paradise is one of those restaurants that has been around for decades and it is frequented as much by tourists as by the locals. This is a local bar and a northern Clarion County destination for receptions and big group dinners such as school dinners. I have been here for afew different meals; the decor is pretty plain, but functional. The service was always average, depending on which local teenager is delivering the food. The prices are low, as is required for a place that would have much local business.

For our dollar, though, Vince's was always much better, back before it was sold.

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A few years ago, the Wayside Inn in Huefner (pronounced Heef-Ner) was famous throughout the region. As a child, I remember KDKA news from Pittsburgh having a story about The Wayside Inn on the 6 o'clock news... However, the Days of Helen Aul's homemade pies are sadly long gone. After she passed away, the restaurant stood empty for years until recently. Unfortunately the new owners could not replicate the former charm and glory, and The Wayside Inn is now not much more than a local dive bar. Improvements are underway, however, starting with a much expanded menu offering a great selection of meats and seafood, pasta, and even homemade pies!

The Wayside Inn occupies a building constructed in 1873, and through the years it has been used as stage coach stop, US post office, hotel, speak-easy, and ultimately a restaurant. Helen Aul ran the Wayside Inn from 1930 until her passing in 1996.

The Sawmill Restaurant is Leeper's local hangout and a good little place for ice cream. They also have burgers and more.

10 or 15 years ago, the local hoodlums loved sitting in their cars in the Sawmill's dirt parking lot. They were affectionately known as the Leeper Creepers.

The Carriage Inn in the center of Knox is not the greatest restaurant around, but it does open very early, so it attracts its share of hunters and local insomniac geriatrics. I usually fall into the hunter category when I stop in, but someday I may be coming here early for the other reason.

The food is pretty good and the coffee bottomless. I almost always get omelets anywhere I go for an early breakfast, and theirs are respectable and reasonably priced.

They are open seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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Sweet Basil is the best restaurant in the Lucinda vicinity. The location is actually about 5 miles south of town on Rt 66 in the old Pizza Hut. They have a great lunch buffet for about $7 which includes fresh pizza, salads, hot sandwiches, pasta and deserts. Sweet Basil also has a bar in the front of the restaurant.