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

In the category of sit-down fast food I must mention Falce’s restaurant in Munhall. Located right on Main street, this is the local watering hole in a place that really doesn’t have any other sit-down places to frequent (unless you count the continual stream of chinese and pizza places opening and closing). The portions are right and so are the prices. Daily specials are posted in the window and you’ll always find a steady crowd of older gentlemen at the bar with their morning joe.

While this restaurant isn’t particularly gluten-free friendly, it is a nice down-home alternative for the area. Service is fast and friendly and the breakfast menu stands out next to the pies as Falce’s best feature. On the breakfast menu I recommend the Yakatz to hungry customers. A Falce’s specialty, the Yakatz is an omelet on sterioids with chunks of potato, veg and cheese cooked to ooey gooey perfection. Like the rest of the menu, the Yakatz is an example of the plain honest offerings you’ll find here.

The downside of Falce’s is its hours which must have been set to cater to the locals (then again, I live like 5 doors down and can never get back from work through traffic to catch them still open), so be forewarned. But its a nice little breakfast or lunch spot.

Falce’s Restaurant
3716 Main St
Munhall, PA 15120
(412) 461-7345?
Mon-Fri 6:30-7
Sat/Sun 7:30-2

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