Joy's Grill & Burger House became a Friday Night Date Night destination during my birthmonth after…read moreI spotted them on social media. I've driven by Joy's a million times and somehow never noticed it before. It's tucked into a busy strip mall and easy to miss if you're not specifically looking for it. Spoiler alert: you should be looking for it. My quest for the evening included both a burger and a chili dog, because they both looked amazing and I wanted the full Joy's experience. My adventure buddy and I arrived around 5pm and I was honestly surprised to see only one other person inside when we walked in. We grabbed a booth by the front door and looked over the menu again to finalize our plan. Since it was our first visit, we decided to order a few things and split them so we could try more. We ordered the loaded chili dog topped with chili, cheese, onions, and mustard ($5.25) and one of the Big Block Burgers -- specifically the Joy's Burger -- which came with grilled onions and mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, LA sauce, Swiss cheese, and fresh cut fries ($12.99). Naturally we added bacon for an extra $0.99 because that felt like the right decision. We also each grabbed a Diet Pepsi (to maintain some illusion of balance) for $2.50 each. Our total came to $25.69 before tip, which felt like a pretty solid deal for a two-person Friday night dinner adventure. The setup at Joy's has a classic old-school diner feel. The grill sits right behind the seating counter so you can watch your food being made, and they mix milkshakes right out front as well. The place is simple and no-frills -- and in my experience, those "keep it simple and do it well" places are often the real heavy hitters. The chili dog came out first, and the first thing I noticed was that this thing was HEAVY. This wasn't your typical skinny hot dog -- it was a full ¼-pound dog absolutely loaded with chili. The flavor reminded me of a Cincinnati-style chili dog and it was really good. The chili was flavorful instead of just decorative, the mustard and onions were balanced perfectly, and the bun did its job without getting in the way. As someone who takes chili dogs very seriously, I have to give Joy's credit for delivering a straightforward, perfectly executed chili dog. Next came the burger and fresh cut fries, and when I say this burger was big, I mean BIG. Two patties tall with all the toppings stacked high. We sliced it in half and immediately dug in. The bacon was perfectly crisp, the mushrooms and Swiss were generous, and the whole thing just tasted like a real, proper burger. Not a chain burger that started life frozen and tastes like it could have been reheated in my microwave at home. This was the kind of burger you picture when you say you're craving a burger. The fries were exactly what you want from fresh-cut fries -- the smaller ones nice and crispy, and the bigger ones crispy on the outside with that soft, fluffy inside. Splitting the chili dog and burger turned out to be the right call. It would have been easy to eat everything solo, but my stomach probably would not have forgiven me later. Our server was super friendly and attentive throughout the visit. While we were there, a few more people came in to eat, but overall it felt relaxed and easy for a Friday evening. Parking is free since Joy's sits in a strip mall, but it can be a little tight because there are several other popular businesses nearby. We were able to find a spot without trouble, but I could see it getting tricky during busier times. If you're looking for solid burgers, legit chili dogs, and an old-school diner vibe, Joy's Grill & Burger House is absolutely worth seeking out -- especially if you're like me and always on the lookout for your next great burger or chili dog adventure.

Sad, tasteless, had the appearance, texture, and, zero flavored patty. Fries were decent, old…read morefashion without all the flour "crap" additive on them. Not bad fore a cheap meal but not filling for wine who's hungry amend definitely not suitable for a "man size" burger. And on the Really sad side about this place is that they have no shame on charging the customers $1.00 for a pickle. Not saying that you're going to get a big pickle, just some pickle slices for the burger, but for an ext4a $1.00. Never going back, will warn others, and generally stay away from businesses that are CHEAP. I mean if they're so broke they need to charge you $1.00 for a few pickle slices then perhaps the actual proteins are cheap and suss. Just saying....

A few months ago, I saw someone on social media post a hoagie from Momma Pat's A Little Taste of…read morePhilly Grille in Duncannon and immediately saved it to my ever-growing list of places I needed to investigate. On a late August Friday evening, Momma Pat's finally had its turn when I decided it sounded perfect for Friday night date night. I'd read that wait times can sometimes get a little long, so I called around 4:30pm to place my order ahead of time. They told me it would be about 30 to 35 minutes, which was perfect because it would take me nearly that long to get there anyway. PRO TIP: Call ahead! Momma Pat's is only open Thursday through Saturday from 11am to 7pm, and after seeing the size of the place and tasting the food, I completely understand why ordering ahead is a good idea. I pulled in about 35 minutes later and easily found parking. There were a few people enjoying the beautiful evening at picnic tables outside, and then I opened the door to go inside and actually laughed out loud. When I tell you Momma Pat's is tiny, I mean TINY. Literally one little room. But it was charming in this wonderfully laid-back, no-frills, very Perry County kind of way, and I immediately loved it. My order was ready when I walked up to the counter, but then I spotted cannolis on the menu for $3.50. Obviously, I needed one. Friday night date night isn't complete without dessert. My original order was a 12-inch Spicy Italian hoagie, a small order of Old Bay fries and a side of cheese sauce. With the cannoli added, I was still right around $20. In this economy?! I was suspicious. Then they handed me a bag of food that was SIGNIFICANTLY heavier than I expected, and my suspicion quickly turned into excitement. I squirreled my haul into the car and headed home for a picnic in the beautiful weather. First up were the Old Bay fries. The container actually held plain fries with two little cups of sauce. One was clearly the cheese sauce I'd ordered. The other was a mystery. Assuming it had something to do with my Old Bay fries, I opened it, dipped a finger in and tasted it. Oh...HELLO! I have absolutely no idea what was in that sauce beyond some glorious combination of Old Bay, spice and what tasted like hot peppers, but it was FANTASTIC! I decided to dip my fries instead of pouring the sauce over them, and my only regret was running out of sauce long before I ran out of fries. The fries themselves were pretty standard pizza shop fries. That mystery sauce, though? THAT'S the story. Next, I opened the cannoli. When I'd ordered it, they called the order back to the kitchen, which made me wonder if they're filled to order. Whatever they're doing back there, keep doing it! I opened the box to find a big, fat cannoli generously piped with filling, topped with chocolate and covered in powdered sugar. I firmly believe you should eat dessert first just in case something catastrophic happens before you finish dinner, so naturally I started there. Excellent decision! The filling was sweet without being overwhelmingly sweet, the chocolate was just enough to set everything off and the shell was perfectly crisp. For $3.50, I'd happily order another one. And then came the main event. The 12-inch Spicy Italian hoagie. I picked it up and immediately started grinning because THIS THING WAS HEAVY. I carefully unwrapped it and found a seeded roll absolutely stuffed with Italian meats, cheese and everything I'd asked them to put on it, including a pile of spicy peppers across the top. It was one of the best-looking hoagies I've seen in a very long time. Then I took my first bite. GOOD. LORD. The whole thing was incredible! The meats and cheese tasted fresh, the lightly toasted seeded roll was the perfect delivery system for the mountain of goodness stuffed inside and those spicy peppers on top absolutely made it for me. I would like to formally petition for spicy peppers to become their own food group because I apparently need significantly more of them in my diet. The hoagie was enormous. Between that, the fries and the cannoli, there was enough food here to easily feed two people, probably more depending on appetites. I actually checked my receipt again because I couldn't quite believe I'd gotten that much really good food for around $20. The staff were fantastic throughout the entire experience, too. They were friendly when I called to place my order, had everything ready when promised, happily accommodated my last-minute cannoli addition and got me back out the door quickly to enjoy my Friday night. I'm not sure I can recommend Momma Pat's as somewhere you should STOP for dinner. I think Momma Pat's needs to be the DESTINATION. Generous portions. Really great food. Friendly people. Ridiculously reasonable prices. And a tiny little South Philly-style hoagie shop in Duncannon that I somehow managed to live near for all these years without knowing existed. Well, I know now. And from here on out,

I saw a glowing review of this place on Facebook, so I was eager to try it. It said it is less than…read more30 minutes from Harrisburg, so I drove up after work in Harrisburg. When I arrived, I was told it would be one hour for a hot sandwich, or 40 minutes for a cold sandwich. They have 3 or 4 tables placed end to end to make one long table. Someone was seated at the table, so I could hardly get by to go to the restroom. I left without getting anything. There are some picnic tables outside. This place is basically a takeout place for the locals. Recommend getting a sandwich at one of the Harrisburg places. Do not plan to return.

Submitted for your approval... Imagine, if you will, a…read moresudden, inexplicable craving for two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun. Your mind immediately wanders to McDonald's. But then reality intervenes. Do you really want two beef patties with the thickness and structural integrity of wet newspaper? Of course not. And that, dear reader, is when you find yourself crossing an invisible threshold into a place where ordinary appetites encounter extraordinary proportions. A place known simply as The Gettysburger Company. Our story begins in historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, just off the roundabout. The entrance, tucked along the side toward the rear, has the curious discretion of a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Inside awaits an atmosphere somewhere between a classic American diner and a rustic lodge, with seating in the front, back, and an outdoor courtyard. Our traveler read a familiar arrangement of ingredients bearing an uncanny resemblance to that famous burger beneath the Golden Arches. Except this particular specimen exists in another dimension entirely. When he placed the order, the friendly waiter asked not once, but twice, whether he was absolutely certain. "Hell yeah!" He declared, blissfully unaware of the enormity of his decision. And then came the waiting. Minutes passed. Doubt crept in. Had he made a terrible mistake? Had his appetite written a check his stomach couldn't cash? Suddenly, the waiter returned. But something was different. He required BOTH HANDS to lower the meal onto the table. There it stood. A towering monument to bovine magnificence. An architectural impossibility held together by a single wooden skewer, crowned with a pickle like some peculiar monument to mankind's culinary ambition. Our traveler's eyes widened. His mouth watered. Somewhere, the laws of physics quietly resigned. He attempted to pick it up like an ordinary hamburger. A foolish assumption. This was no ordinary hamburger. A knife became necessary to bisect the beast. And then came the first bite. The flavor is a hundredfold better, and the beef patties possess the thickness of regulation hockey pucks. Beautifully grilled to medium, the beef was juicy, deeply flavorful, and unmistakably authentic. Every ingredient played its part in perfect harmony. Nothing overwhelmed. Nothing disappointed. A burger of astonishing proportions that somehow delivered equally astonishing flavor. It was a WOW moment. The fries, meanwhile, were another curious phenomenon. Thick, twisted creations, crispy on the outside, tender within, and seasoned with just enough precision to make one question why ordinary French fries continue to exist. The Gettysburger Company offers an assortment of burgers, from familiar classics to creations that seem to challenge the very boundaries of human appetite. And should you somehow survive the main course with room to spare, the dessert menu promises yet another journey beyond the limits of conventional reality. And so we leave our hungry traveler, forever changed by an encounter with a sandwich of impossible dimensions. A man who entered seeking an ordinary burger and discovered that somewhere between appetite and excess lies culinary perfection. A place where patties are thick, expectations are shattered, and the only thing more extraordinary than the burger is the realization that you actually finished it. You've just crossed over into... the Twilight Zone. You've been warned.

My son treated me to lunch here, after I helped him pick up some furniture he purchased in…read moreGettysburg. It's a small pub that offers excellent burgers, sandwiches and wraps. I had the smokehouse burger. I ordered it medium rare and it was served exactly how I ordered it. It was pink, moist, juicy and not over cooked. The burger was not a frozen or preformed patty. I could see the patty was hand formed. We were sat immediately at a table not far from the kitchen. Each of the dozen or so tables comfortably sits four people each. Our server was friendly, cheerful and attentive. There is a bar in the main dining area serving liquor and beer. In the back of the bar is a pool table and an outdoor patio also with a bar and several tables, offering a great way to eat and relax outside. There are two bathrooms, one inside the restaurant and the other is outside by the patio. The one by the patio is a little cleaner and better maintained. Burger prices are a little on the high side, averaging between $17.00. However, you are getting a superior burger. Street parking can be a bit of a challenge due to the restaurant being located in downtown Gettysburg. Parking is free on Saturdays and Sundays until 1 PM. This is a nice local pub to meet up with friends and family for a casual eating experience I recommend giving this joint a try. The qualitu of the burgers alone make it worth while.

These guys hit it out of the park with their burgers! They usually set up at the farmers market in…read moreSelinsgrove on Saturdays and sell out. They are hard workers and make sure they give you the best of the best! Check them out when in town!

Finally got to swing by the guys here at Back 2 Basics for a burger while enjoying the Bloomsburg…read morefair and I was not let down! 2 delicious patties covered in that ez sauce with the pickles and onions.... Damn, I can't remember the last time I've had a burger that good. Blessed to have be able to get out and try one of these burgers and if you ever get a chance to give them a shot I'd highly recommend it!

I picked this spot simply because this app told me that Burger Yum had the best burgers in the…read morecity. I had planned on coming into town today for an event in Coronet Park. I'm so glad I did! A 15 minute bike ride, and a 40 minute bus ride got me there.. The young guys that were behind the counter complemented me on My tattoos, and made me feel extremely welcome. I knew exactly what I wanted, despite everything on the menu looking amazing. By the way, I will be back for the hot chicken. But I digress... I got a classic, and added cheese and bacon. I also ordered bacon cheese fries. The atmosphere of the place was so inviting and quaint I knew I had chosen the right place even before my food came. I hadn't eaten since breakfast so I was wildly ready for this meal. But nothing prepared me for what I saw when they called my name when my order was ready... I stuck my fork into the fries first, golden brown and smothered in bacon and cheese. The second my fork broke the surface, clouds of steam rose off, as they were piping hot. The burger, nestled in a half rap of chef's paper, screamed at me the dive into, which I did immediately. A few minutes and a few pictures in, I questioned whether I could finish everything but as you can see from the final photograph it was really never in question. However long I have to wait to come back to this establishment it'll be too long. Go there!

Never disappoints, friendly staff and delicious food. Best…read moresmash burgers in the area. Can't go wrong with burger yum!

Hubby had seen a reel and decided we should check it out. We had a 15 min wait on a Sunday…read moreafternoon. Cute place. Fun menu, the Hot honey chicken bites were super tasty. Service was good. The burgers were unique and the homemade buns, delicious. Topped the meal off with a parfait that was way bigger than expected! Would recommend

Step back in time at Harshbargers! Ice cream shop meets home cooking in this retro looking…read morerestaurant! The service was a tad bit slower then you would expect, but that is okay sometimes! Good food takes time and when everything is made to order, that is what is expected! I got the Teriyaki Steak Tips....they were tasty and cooked perfect! My wife got the chicken mashed potato bowl, think of KFC famous bowl, but homemade. Hearty and comforting for sure! We shared fresh cut fries and every meal comes with housemade bread with a side of their onion butter (at least thats what it tasted like). I could've tried about 40 different things off this menu, come hungry, because they feed you and there is dessert after. They make their own ice cream, I got a delicious Chocolate Marshmallow Shake! My wife got a soft serve twist. I want to go back to try their mini personal ice cream cakes! Check it out, right off of 322 towards state college!

Great vibe, food and hershey's ice cream. Burgers made with…read morefresh ingredients. Friendly, attentive service. Potato wedges are huge and tasty. Will be back again when visiting the area.

I've heard great things about Dad's Garage, so I decided to check it out on a solo Friday night…read morewhen I was seriously craving a good burger. I was hoping all the hype was true and maybe I'd even find a new spot to add to my breakfast places to try list -- but, spoiler alert, I won't be doing that. Pulled in around 5pm and found parking (miracle, since there are only about 4 or 5 spots). Inside, I was greeted right away and told to seat myself. The specials board out front caught my eye, so I went with the bacon cheeseburger croissant, upgraded my fries to chili cheese fries, and grabbed a Diet Pepsi. I was the only dine-in customer, but there was a steady flow of pickup orders. Still, a 20-minute wait for my food felt long considering it was just me sitting there listening to FM radio straight out of an 80's prom (hello, Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings"...literally). When my food finally arrived, the staff immediately realized they'd forgotten the chili cheese on the fries and whisked them back to fix it -- good save! The chili itself? Fantastic. Like, "I-need-this-on-a-hot-dog" fantastic. The fries, though...yikes. Grease was literally pooling and dripping through the basket like a leaky oil pan. The burger was fine -- solid flavor, but the proportions were off. Giant tomato and onion slices took over the show, and the croissant was way too big for the small patty. Loved the croissant idea, just needs a smaller bun or a bigger burger. Ended up eating the patty and ditching the salad-sized toppings and half the croissant. The check was the real surprise: $12.99 for the burger, $2.49 for the Diet Pepsi, and another $2.99 for the chili cheese fry upgrade -- plus a mysterious "conveenience Fee (2.99%)" for $0.55. Maybe time to run spell check before charging extra, Dad. All in all with tip, $20+ for a burger that didn't quite live up to the hype. It hit the spot for a burger craving, but not enough to make me a regular. Glad I gave it a try -- it's got potential and a great location (even if parking is a tight squeeze). But honestly, it might be time for Dad to roll up his sleeves, give the menu a tune-up, and maybe double-check that receipt printer while he's at it. Bottom line: Cool concept, great chili, and 80s prom tunes -- but for $20+, I expected a little more horsepower under the hood.

The patty melt was one of the best hamburgers I've ever had in PA. You have to get the beef tallow…read morefries if you're coming cause they're so good. Nice atmosphere with friendly service. Their house lager was solid to wash everything down. Also it was great for my family as the upstairs has a play area for little kids which was a great distraction for my daughter while we were waiting for our food

Cabalar. Best burger in Lancaster…read more Now their specials are always LEGIT. Lancaster Restaurant Week was serving up a Jibarito, corned beef, fried plantains, melted cooper, pickled onions, and mayoketchup. The sandwich was incredible! Such a good touch on a cultural favorite! I myself prefer it without pickled onions, but if you love onions, this is perfect! Cabalar is massively popular and will always require a decent wait for made to order items. I believe we waited about 25 minutes for this sandwich. Love the green and white throughout the restaurant. Awesome shirts for sale. The decor in here is awesome with paintings everywhere. Tons of seating and kids area upstairs!

Big Ray's Burgers & Dogs is a true local gem! You can tell how beloved this place is -- everyone in…read moretown seems to know about their food. It has such a warm, family-oriented vibe, with kids' drawings covering the walls that give it a cozy, homey feel. The staff are friendly and polite, and the whole spot has a great smoky burger-joint smell. The burgers are a really good size -- big, hearty patties cooked just right. I also tried the hot dogs, which were great too. If you're in the mood for quick, no-fuss local burgers, this is the place to go. Highly recommend!

My grandma has been asking me to go to Big Ray's for like two years…read more We had plans to go to the diner, but I had to take her to urgent care. Not to be dramatic, but on the way back, we were passing the Big Ray's--so hey, fate brought us on Big Ray's path, and thus we did proceed. So I gotta say: this is not a corporate burger joint. This is not your Shake Yak. This is not McDonald's. This is not Five Guys. And no disrespect to any of those establishments. They hold their piece of the market. But this is pre-smash-burger goodness. This is au naturel. Fresh-cut fries. No touchpad ordering POS BS. Pictures of personified milkshakes, sodas, and fries with eyes. Old-fashioned sesame-seed buns. This place looks like it's straight out of the '50s, and I understand why my grandmother loves it. She also loves it because she only eats burgers. But this was a 10 out of 10 experience. 10 out of 10 flavor. 10 out of 10 soul. The service was 10 out of 10. Actually, screw it This was 100 out of 10. A 100 out of 10. Go to Big Ray's. And don't wait two years like I did. 100/10 Stars