Places To Eat at raystown.org

Breakfast is one of those meals I tend to forgo at home, but when I’m out exploring, it’s probably my favorite and I can’t pass it up. At what other meal can you show up with bed head, and be addressed as “sweetie” no matter your age? Huntingdonians seem to dig breakfast as much as I do, because there is no shortage of great spots for dishes like bacon, eggs, pancakes, and the other “usual suspects.”Fancier offerings can be found as well, like sweet potato pancakes, but give me the basics and a good cup of joe, and I’m a happy boy. I also love a good latte or cappuccino in the afternoon, and luckily there are a couple sweet little cafés here that offer those and much more.

At lunch time, it seems like we’re either too busy or needing to get somewhere to stop for a proper meal. However, for those with “real jobs” having a nice place for a getaway lunch is important. For you folks, and even us adventure eaters, Huntingdon County has plenty of places to go, stop, and take some time to enjoy lunch. With great soups, sandwiches and even pizza, your midday meal will not only be a good break from the grind, but keep you going through the day and on all your adventures, no matter your mode of travel (even if it’s a desk chair).

Dinner in Huntingdon County is a tough call, my friends, because there are so many good spots and such a variety. As I so boldly state in public, I’m somewhat of a foodie and most definitely a beer snob. Not that I look down on things like onion rings (which, by the way, there’s a place in here that has the world’s best – no lie), because in my book I consider a good hamburger as coveted as a good steak. But beer? Don’t get me started. Let’s just say that with as much amazingly great beers made right here in PA, why in the world would you have to travel to the Rockies or Budville? In one Huntingdon pub, they not only support PA beers, but offer ones from around the world. I’ve asked to live there, but they refuse. 

The dining scene here is as casual or as fine as you like, and the environs vary as well – a sandwich on the street or ribs by the lake. And whether you go for simple or sophisticated, you can wash it all down with a hand-crafted beer or fine wine. One place even has a sweet martini bar on the premises! But no matter your choice, you will always find a welcoming and easy-going atmosphere. No taste bud is discriminated against here

However, in all good conscience, I can’t end here because with so many great eats, you’ll need some exercise too. The Huntingdon area offers so many cool ways of working off all that yummy food. I personally love the Thousand Steps near Mount Union. Here, years ago, insanely hard-working men built a series of stone steps straight up a mountainside to just get to work! They were mining a very rare type of silicate rock that was used in the making of firebrick in huge blast furnaces, and needed a way to get to it. The steps take you up to an outstanding overlook and from there you can hear train whistles echo across the mountaintops. Then, if you’re a mountain biker or hiker, the Allegrippis Trail system at Raystown Lake is what I would call awesome! The trails skirt the lake, go up to beautiful vistas, through tall forests and, if you pick the right path, will kick your food-loving butt for sure.

Great food, great drinks, lots of variety, and now places to keep you fit in spite of it all. Like I wrote, this place just keeps getting better and better.

Enjoy!