The menu is broad and eclectic. You can find something for nearly every taste and they are equally good for lunch or dinner. They have a nice assortment of children’s selections on their menu as well. There is pizza with amusing river themed names as well as sandwiches, vegetarian selections and full dinners. So, whatever your preference, you will likely find something to suit you.

The prices on appetizers during Happy Hour can’t be beat! Our last visit in late July turned out  making it out from the city and arriving while it was still Happy Hour with 1/2 price appetizers. You can easily make a meal out of 2 or 3 of their generous appetizer portions and it won’t kill your budget.

Bucket of Shrimp

We’ve enjoyed appetizers (vegetarian ones as well), wraps, burgers, and buckets — yes, they are literally buckets  — of shrimp and fries, wings and fries, fish and chips. Great finger food, well prepared. The salads are huge as are most of the sandwiches. Come prepared with a hearty appetite.

The atmosphere is that of a well-worn local haunt, which only adds to the charm. There are flat screens around the dining area for those who what to keep up with the sports scene but it isn’t overwhelming. There are also pool tables and a full bar if you want to gather a group of friends for an evening out for good beer, conversation and a game of pool.

It does get a bit packed at times during Penguins or Steelers games. There’s a nice enclosed outdoor deck that allows you to escape the crowds when the weather is nice. They have specials and events throughout the year. It’s best to check their web site for that information to be up-to-date.

Prices range from $4.95 appetizers to $19.95 for a bucket with a whole pound of steamed crab legs. Appetizers  at 1/2 price during Happy Hour (subject to change without notice).

You should consider checking out their other locations as well — one might be more convenient for you. We’ve enjoyed very good beer at the Pour House, in Monroeville, PA,  where they have 14-18 styles of beer on tap. We haven’t tried the Rivertowne Inn in Verona, PA but with the same menu on offer I’m certain you will find something to enjoy there as well.

Hours: 11 am – 2 am (kitchen closes at 1:30 am)

Rivertowne Pub & Grille
14860 Route 30
North Huntingdon, PA 15642
412-823-2239

The restaurant and craft shop are in the last log hospitality house still providing meals for travelers on the National Pike. It sits between a gristmill dating to 1797 and the historic Casselman stone arch bridge, which was the longest single span of stone in America when it was built in 1813.

Penn Alps

There are six dining rooms, three of which were once part of the log stagecoach stop, Little Crossings Inn. The original log tavern is at the core of the current restaurant, which has been expanded six times over the years.

The evening we stopped the buffet was a full on Thanksgiving feast with sliced turkey, stuffing and wonderful creamy mashed potatoes. The homemade soups, for which they are well known, are very good.

There is an ample salad bar and they also have Hershey’s hand-dipped ice cream as one of the desserts. My mother’s favorite is the blackberry cobbler, which is a standard dessert in the buffet. I can see why she likes it, as it is indeed a wonderful, classic cobbler.

There is a full served menu as well and my husband enjoyed a special on our recent visit, a tasty salmon fillet. The menu (pdf) offers a broad selection with a definite overtone reflecting the German history of the Amish and Mennonite founders of the non-profit organization that runs the restaurant.

There are plenty of options to suit children, making this a great affordable family choice that is not a cookie cutter “family restaurant” and a nice alternative to fast food while traveling.

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner but be prepared, they close earlier than you might expect for a restaurant serving dinner — 8 PM.

In addition to the well prepared food there is a gift shop with an extensive selection of fine hand crafted items, primarily by artists local to the region. The craft shop is open 10 am – 8 pm daily. During the day there are artisans on site in a little “village” that is just across the parking lot from the main building housing the restaurant and gift shop. The village is open May through October from 10 am – 5 pm, Monday through Saturday.

We arrived there too late in the evening to see the artists but it is a lovely location with a weaver, bird carver and metal sculptor among other fine crafts. Take time to check out the one room school house and a couple of buildings that date to the Revolutionary War period! Just beyond the village is the small river and stone bridge that was part of the original National Pike.

Prices range from $3.59 for one egg with bacon, sausage or ham to $18.99 for a Delmonico Steak dinner. The all you can eat buffet is priced at $12.99 for adults, $7.70 for children under 12 and free for children under 5 years of age (all prices subject to change).

Hours:
7 am – 8 pm daily
Country Buffet Friday’s from 4-8 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 11 am – 8 pm.

Penn Alps is approximately 85 miles from Pittsburgh.

125 Casselman Road
Grantsville, MD 21536
301-895-5985

I went in for a late lunch and was seated right away. There is an area out front for outdoor dining, but as thunderstorms were looming, I opted to eat inside. The decor is naturally in chocolate-ish colors: a lot of browns and dark orange. Very reminiscent of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

Much of the menu is made on-site and I started my lunch with a cup of chicken noodle soup. The broth was a bit salty for my liking, but overall it was good. My lunch consisted of “Jess’s Favorite Salad in the Whole World”. I don’t know who Jess is, but that salad was pretty tasty! The salad had fresh mixed greens, strawberries and chopped almonds. It was supposed to be topped with coconut crusted chicken, but I opted for regular grilled chicken instead. Even better than the salad was the homemade poppy seed dressing. It was absolutely fantastic. Thinking about it now makes my mouth water and I wish I would have purchased a bottle to bring home with me.

Looking for a complete dining experience, I did order dessert. I opted for a homemade pecan pie, but it was much too sweet for me. I ate one bite and I just couldn’t handle anymore sweetness. There is a variety of desserts and the chef even rotates several specialties daily.

The service was incredibly friendly and attentive. I am in Hershey regularly and I will definitely go back to the Chocolate Avenue Grill. Perhaps I will experience the dinner menu next time.

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