Union Station Grill — Restaurant in Columbia

I had the pleasure of stopping by The Union Station Grill Restaraunt in Columbia, PA during my motorcycle travels, and I must say, it was an unforgettable experience! As a seasoned rider with 74 years of adventures under my belt, I've sampled countless pulled pork barbecues across the country, but none compare to what I experienced here.

From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the inviting aroma of smoky goodness, and the warm ambiance instantly made me feel at home. However, what truly made this visit exceptional was our waitress, Vivian. Her energy and attentiveness were truly remarkable. She welcomed me with a bright smile and genuine enthusiasm, setting the tone for a delightful dining experience.

Vivian's passion for the food they serve was evident as she shared her recommendations and made sure I had everything I needed. She was quick on her feet, ensuring that no customer was kept waiting for long. Her dedication to her work and the genuine care she showed towards the customers were commendable.

Now, let's talk about the pulled pork barbecue - it was out of this world! The tenderness of the meat and the balance of smoky flavors were beyond compare. The barbecue sauce was the perfect complement, adding just the right amount of tanginess to the dish. Each bite was a burst of mouthwatering delight that left me wanting more.

Overall, The Union STation Grill has truly mastered the art of serving top-notch pulled pork barbecue with a side of exceptional service. If you find yourself passing through Columbia, PA, don't miss the chance to indulge in their culinary delights and experience Vivian's warm and attentive hospitality. I can't wait to visit again during my next...

Came in 8 pm friday night. 8 of 12 -15 bar stools were occupied. Upper dining room was empty. Lower dining room/ bar room had half its 6 or so tables occupied. Place was clean. Staff was friendly, attentive, and professional while being personable, good natured, and humorous. There is an outdoor bar/dining area in did not visit. I ordered a menu and a pint of lager which was served cold and immediately In a sturdy glass. I opted for the smoked meat dinner and watched an inning of baseball while waiting for food. Food came out hot and presentation was perfect. Dinner consisted of soked brisket, smoked pork, cole slaw, and a garlic Mac cheese made with penne and white cheeses. Pasta was done perfectly and sauce was good to excellent. The 9 out of 10 mac cheese showed no signs of oven browning usually found in home made Mac cheese. The coleslaw was the smallest portion of the meal and received the least attention to detail in its planning and execution. Slaw here is Coarse gratings of cabbage and carrots with zero hint of creaminess usually found in mayo or sour cream based. There was literally no moisture to it and only a vague hint of something akin to vinegar in it. It desperately cried for salt and pepper to bring out the flavor in the veggies. The pork portion was about 6 ounces and was falling apart exquisite! It was mildly seasoned so that the meat and smoke were the stars on your palate. The brisket simply melted under a fork and in your mouth. For $17.25 this is probably the best food and flavor value I have found in the lancaster pa area. I highly recommend Union Station for a...

We were looking for a quick meal, called and found out they were not busy on a Sat evening. The street parking is ok, but it's busy. When we walked in there was a definite musty smell, which seemed in part from the age of the building, but mostly from cigarette smoke. While it appeared to be non-smoking inside, we opted to sit on the patio. Unfortunately, that is a smoking area. We stayed since there was only one person smoking when we arrived and they stood away from the tables. The smoke still hung around the patio, and there were three smokers by the time we left.

Seating was adequate, tables were park tables and had the typical wobble - our server provided napkins to stabilize the table. The music was loud, and made conversation difficult.

We ordered burgers, cheesecake egg rolls, wraps, fish, and salads. Overall, the food was good. The cole slaw tasted 'fishy' like it was in the fridge near the fish. The proteins were well cooked, and the flavors decent. For the price the food was good. The cheesecake egg rolls were the highlight for being unique and tasty.

Staff was friendly and attentive. A decent meal at a good price, if you are OK with an old bar atmosphere that allows smoking.

(This didn't impact our review, just an added note...5 police cars went up the street while we were there, and stopped at the end of the block. Three more and an ambulance came by as we left. We saw the police arresting an individual as we drove away. We have friends who live in the area who told us later that it can be a rough...