Elk Creek Inn — Restaurant in McKean Township

Visited on an international road trip with my kid because -I am not making this up- they had grilled cheese on the menu. Seriously, sometimes when you're nine and far away from home, all you want in this world is a nice grilled cheese, and the chain places don't do 'em right, so we came here, and we were so pleasantly surprised! The beer-battered cod was a revelation, simply the finest this side of the good church's fish fry during Lent (Southerners will know what I mean,) their prime rib sub was fresh in every way, from the bun to the au jus to the onions, just perfectly how I like, and the fries? Golden and perfect, like I imagine McDonald's used to be back in the late Eighties. It was like taking my husband and kid to my childhood memories of the Pennsylvania barn bar where my uncle used to work back during the Clinton administration for supper, except with such magnificent food. Even the grilled cheese we'd come in hopes of was, to quote the Little One, "perfect!"

And the owner looked after us like a dad who had stray nieces and nephews turning up for a big family holiday. I caught myself trying to place him and the regulars in the big, Irish-buncha-other-stuff-Steelers-fans tangle I call a family tree as he took care of them, too. It was just the Platonic idea of a pub -a public house, where the owner is everybody's landlord for a while, the bar and the booths can be everyone's living room for a little bit, and no matter how far away home may be, for the space of dinner or drinks you're there.

They even had a cozy wood stove and a fireplace for when winter comes. And pool tables, plus one of those nice jukeboxes that go online and do any song you want. For atmosphere, this is THE place. Any trip between Waldameer and Cedar Point, stop here. You'll be half convinced you dreamed the experience. If I didn't have half a prime rib sub left over (really, the portions are generous as an auntie at Thanksgiving,) I wouldn't believe the Elk Creek Inn was real.

Dang. Why can't we have stuff like this...

We stopped at the Sterrettania Rd. exit from I-90 west of Erie, PA and stayed at the Comfort Inn, however, their restaurant was not open.   We went to the Elk Creek Tavern & Restaurant, just a short hop down Sterrettania Rd. from the expressway.  Boy, am I glad we did!  We had the Pepperoni Balls for an appetizer.  They are pepperoni rolled up into a ball of dough and deep fried...  Yummm!

I had the Pepperoni Hoagie and it was awesome!  Their French Fries are extremely good and a consistent golden brown.  My Wife had the Elk Creek Burger, which was also excellent!  My Daughter had the Carolina Burger and my Grandson had the Philly Cheese Steak, another pair of home runs!

My Daughter and Grandson both ordered the "Greek Sauce" for their French Fries, thinking it on the order of catsup.  Turns out it is a Greek inspired meat sauce that they loved!

We stopped by on a rather quiet rainy Sunday evening and were one of a handful of patrons.  Ron and Janice, the owners, were the crew for the evening and were very welcoming and great to talk with!

The Elk Creek Tavern & Restaurant may be about 1.3 miles to the south off I-90 at exit 18, but it is well...

Let me start by saying this is a dive bar, period. Don’t expect a hostess stand and a cocktail menu! Thank God! The owners are the only employees and they are fantastic!! What a wonderful little place! We happened to stop in for a bite and a beer and the food was absolutely delicious!! The battered zucchini was huge, lightly battered and very good! The perogies were in a garlic butter sauce with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese chef kiss fantastic and the crown jewel, the pizza!!! Thick puffy crust, with the right amount of crisp and the sauce was perfectly balanced. Ron and Jane. The owners, had some spare time to talk, I’m so happy they did. What a down to earth couple! This was our first visit and we will definitely be back when we travel through again! These folks are...