Of course Plyler’s main feature used to be the pizza and it still is a good bargain for the size and taste. Today the big draw seems to be the salad bar which you can order as-is, food and dessert bar only or the whole kit and kaboodle. The  variety is good, the food is fresh and there always seems to be a line.

As you come in to the spacious restaurant you’ll encounter the register and an ample counter of mouthwatering pies and a gift shop for the tourists. One of our party didn’t fancy the 4″ meringue on their lemon pie but for the most part no-one turns the pie down (the chocolate pie got a thumbs up from someone else at the table).

Service is pretty simple- we went in at 8pm on a Friday night and didn’t wait at all for a booth. Our waitress must have been having a bad night as her enthusiasm wasn’t exactly bubbling over but still she was quick and on the ball. The decor is low-lit and friendly and after a few hours’ drive it was good to stretch out and relax.

There’s something for everyone at Plyler’s and it’s nestled very close to a major truck stop on Route 36 so you really can’t miss it.  Fare includes italian, fish dishes, pizza, comfort food and of course the ubiquitous food bar. Before you leave make sure you grab a take-along menu- you can always call in  and pre-order; there’s a pickup window on the side.  My thumbs down would be that there isn’t an official online site with times and menu.

Plyler’s Pizza and Family Restaurant
Brookville Exit 78 I-80
Brookville, Pa 15825
814.849.7357

Otto’s has a bar area with several TVs, outside seating and two main dining areas. They also brew their own beer, with selections changing seasonally. Parking can be a problem on weekends and Tuesday trivia nights, but Otto’s has agreements with several neighboring businesses for additional free parking.

Otto’s is frequented by the Penn State students, but it is also a very family-friendly establishment. My Dad joined me on a recent visit and the menu was so extensive that we had difficulty deciding what to order. I went with the Drunken Chicken while my Dad opted for a Grilled Ribeye. The entree serving sizes were generous, however the soup sizes run small. My Dad ordered a bowl of the soup of the day and it was served in a very small cup. We were assured that was in fact the “bowl” size. While the food and the beer were excellent, the service was sub-par. I suspect that was due to our particular server, and not the whole establishment.

Otto’s is a place that I will visit again, I just hope I’m not met with the same inattentive and slow service as I was on my first visit. Many locals that I talked to spoke very highly of the place. Decent beer is difficult to find in Central PA (Budweiser doesn’t count!) and Otto’s brewers really know what they’re doing.

The kitchen is open on Sunday-Wednesday: 11AM – 10PM, Thursday-Saturday: 11AM-11PM, the bar closes at different times depending on business, so call 814-867-6886 for current information.