Progress Grill: A Taste of History

The moniker of Harrisburg’s Progress Grill is a little ironic—in a town that has seen a great deal of gentrification in the last decade, this local institution has stayed firmly stuck in the past. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, mind you, as there’s still plenty of room in this world for old-school quality. The retro formal Progress Grill has been welcoming locals for decades, serving up American classics with skill. Service is some of the best in town—with a tradition of excellence like this place has, that shouldn’t be too surprising. Known for their steak and seafood, regulars rave that the prime rib is some of the best to be had anywhere, the crabcakes are spectacular, and the rack of lamb is a winner as well. One complaint about Progress Grill is that the prices are a touch too high, but you’re paying for history here.

Progress Grill
3526 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 652-7348
www.progressgrill.com

Breads n’ Spreads: Cut A Slice

Sometimes the best foods are the simplest. In the case of Harrisburg’s Breads n’ Spreads, that adage holds true. This excellent luncheonette has been drawing raves from locals since opening in Midtown, with great homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches. The roast beef with curry spread on their house-baked grilled bread is spectacular, as is the excellent egg salad with bacon and tomato. Breads n' Spreads's sweets are also incredible, with toffee brownies winning raves from dessert customers. They also serve a popular Sunday brunch that lets the cooks try their hands at some well-received breakfast staples. The baked oatmeal with peaches is absolutely spectacular, as is the French toast. Their coffee is some of the best in the city, brewed fresh by espresso artisans. On nice days, sit outside in their charming courtyard and enjoy the sun. If you’re looking to get some work done, Breads n’ Spreads also offers free wireless Internet for customers.

Breads n’ Spreads
1419 North 3rd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 695-7713
www.breadsnspreadsmidtown.com

McGrath’s Pub: A Neighborhood Institution

There’s something about the atmosphere of an old-school Irish pub that’s impossible to duplicate: dark wood, friendly bartenders, and a crowd of regulars that never seem to change. Since opening in Harrisburg in 2002, McGrath's Pub has been providing the authentic pub experience to hordes of thirsty people, offering excellent food at great prices. McGrath's is certainly not anything fancy – it’s bar grub through and through, but it’s all executed well. The Celtic wings (a re-interpretation of the classic Buffalo wing with a choice of sauces) are cooked to perfection, and the pulled venison BBQ sandwich is a unique treat. McGrath's fish and chips are made with salmon instead of the traditional cod, which seems strange until you try it. A local favorite is Irish nachos, made from fried potato skins with melted cheese, scallions, bacon and banana peppers. The tap beer selection is great and the bar can make just about any drink you desire.

McGrath’s Pub
202 Locust Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 232-9914
www.mcgrathspub.net

Brick City Bar & Grille

We all need a neighborhood spot to get away, where the bartenders know our name and nobody’s going to hassle us. Harrisburg's Brick City Bar & Grille is your place. Just minutes from downtown, locals claim that it’s the best sports bar in the zip code, with a number of flat-screen TVs showing sports from all over the world.  While you’re there, Brick City offers plenty to quench your thirst and fill your stomach. The fish and chips are spectacular – perfectly breaded and fried, served with amazing shoestring fries and tart cole slaw. The fried calamari is also really good, and the herby aioli for dipping compliments the flavors nicely. Garlic waffle fries are also excellent. The beer and wine selection is above average, and service is attentive and helpful. And even with everything else going on in the space, the volume level's still not too high to carry on a conversation with your pals!

Brick City Bar & Grille
1313 North 2nd Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 232-2522
www.brickcitybarandgrille.com

Miso Sushi and Grill: Japanese Delights

If you’re looking for awesome sushi in the Harrisburg area, you’ll find it at Miso Sushi and Grill. This institution has been pleasing diners with a great combination of expertly-prepared nigiri and rolls as well as hot dishes from the kitchen. Miso's teriyaki dinners are also very, very good. The meat's cooked to tender perfection and the sweet sauce is mouth-wateringly tasty. The tempura dishes are also excellent, with a wonderfully light, crisp batter surrounding shrimp and vegetables. If you crave sushi, Miso does it right. The nigiri's fresh and beautifully presented, and the rolls cover all the bases from traditional to modern. The room is small, but Miso manages to seat a fair number of customers without the space seeming overcrowded. Service is very good as well, with attentive staff there when you need them. Regulars also enjoy some benefits, as the chefs like to send out free rolls to frequent eaters!

Miso Sushi and Grill
4620 Jonestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 526-4088
www.misosushibar.com

Lancaster Brewing Company: Tip A Glass

Pennsylvania has a number of high-quality microbreweries advancing the art of craft beer. The Lancaster Brewing Company is no exception. Established in 1840, it’s one of the oldest breweries in Pennslyvania. As the years have gone by, it’s become a very popular local watering hole with its combination of excellent beers and top-quality food. An outpost of the brewery recently opened in Harrisburg and locals have been giving it rave reviews. If you want an overview of what they brew, the beer sampler lets you get a taste of four beers for a mere ten bucks. The food is competent but unexceptional, with a crabcake sandwich and the mussels appetizer winning special mention. While you’re waiting for your food, take a few minutes to explore the incredibly detailed “History of Beer” mural – you’re bound to learn something.

Lancaster Brewing Company
469 Eisenhower Boulevard
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 564-4448
www.lbcharrisburg.com

Neato Burrito: A Harrisburg Must For Mexican

This Harrisburg favorite has been serving up excellent Mexican food to appreciative eaters for years, holding true to a very simple formula: great quality, great service, fair prices. The formula is simple—walk down the counter and select your tortilla, your beans and rice, your meats and cheeses, et cetera. But this is no paint-by-numbers Mexican; the guys at Neato Burrito have gone the extra mile to make their grub stand out. From the unique choices, including BBQ rice, to the homemade salsas (try the spectacular jalapeno feta), these burritos are the best in town. Regulars rave about the enormous portions—a burrito here is virtually impossible to devour in one serving. Vegetarians have a lot to love here, with their house-made black bean hummus an unusual but very savory choice. Get it grilled for even better flavor. The décor is also charming, with a fun and funky 50s theme going on.

Neato Burrito
3370 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 564-7875 ‎
www.neatoburrito.com

The Cellar Could Become a Habit

Cellar BYOB is known for delicious and gorgeous food, served well in a lovely place.  Orchestrated under the spoon of executive chef Matthew Hickey and brought to patrons by the Dunphys and Gaudellis, even the basics sing opera at the Cellar. Heirloom tomato soup and the lump crab and lobster mac and cheese bring down the house. Crab cakes, duck and sesame Ahi tuna are performed expertly. The Cellar executes with equal magnificence its amazing salads and veggies, sandwiches, beef, and lamb. It may take lofty aspirations to fully appreciate the storage lockers rented to patrons for storing their favorite alcohol selections, but this amenity speaks to The Cellar’s desire to attract, please, and bring back its distinguished clientele. Visit for lunch, Monday through Friday, and return for dinner Monday through Saturday. Scrumptious, artful cuisine never gets boring.

The Cellar BYOB
433 North 21st Street
Camp Hill, PA  17011
(717) 724-2803
www.thecellarbyob.com

Dine at Award-Winning Bricco!

When you’re delighting in superlative food, it’s super-delightful to know you’re also enjoying locally sourced ingredients.  At Bricco, you’re dining in the hands of award-winning masters—and their students—while supporting nearby farms and entrepreneurs. Bricco’s chefs Finch and Viscount received the 2010 Governor's Award for Excellence in the Culinary Arts. Bricco represents a collaboration between the Olewine School of Culinary Arts at Harrisburg Area Community College and Harrisburg Hotel Corporation, managing general partner of The Hilton Harrisburg.

Your menu selections pay glorious homage to the finest of Mediterranean cuisine. Seafood “towers” and “raw” offerings compete to steal the show from the beef and, yes, pizzas. And then how can you select from among additional entrees like roasted duck, short ribs and quail, or tapas options? Don’t miss some of the fabulous bottles from Pennsylvania vineyards or the diet-sabotaging desserts.  Guiltlessly indulge for lunch Monday through Friday and for dinner, seven days a week.  You’ll become a fan of Olewine’s and Ciao! Bakery, as well.

Bricco
31 South Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 724-0222
www.briccopa.com

Fire House Restaurant: A Local Eatery with a Big Personality

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