Memorable | One of the Best
Clem’s Wood-Fired BBQ
Review by: Roadfood Team
** THIS RESTAURANT IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED **
Clem’s Wood-Fired BBQ may lack four walls, but this Central Pennsylvania establishment certainly compensates for its architectural shortcomings by serving up excellent barbeque. Located by the side of Route 322, seven miles northwest of State College, the trailer, carport, and collection of tents that comprise Clem’s define Roadfood. Several wooden barrels provide a fine countertop to those who prefer dining outside over takeout. Around dinner-time, the line outside the trailer and around the barrels can swell with a variety of hungry patrons, in which case the hood of a car can serve as a table.
While Clem’s Wood-Fired BBQ offers boneless country ribs (also known as pork steaks), whole barbequed chicken, and pulled pork, it is their succulent baby back ribs for which they are most well-known, proving that good barbeque can be found north of the Mason-Dixon Line. These ribs are served wet, with a delicious homemade barbeque sauce. Dinner rolls are provided to soak up the pool of leftover sauce that lines the inside of the tray. A brief selection of side orders is available in both small and large containers, at additional cost. The baked beans are unique: a mixture of chickpeas, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Clem’s coleslaw is flavorful and refreshing, the perfect complement to the tangy ribs. Red-skinned potato salad and garlic smashed potatoes are also offered.
Directions & Hours
Information
| Price | $ |
| Seasons | All |
| Meals Served | Lunch, Dinner |
| Credit Cards Accepted | Yes |
| Alcohol Served | No |
| Outdoor Seating | Yes |
What To Eat
Clem’s Wood-Fired BBQ Recipes
Discuss
What do you think of Clem’s Wood-Fired BBQ?
2 Responses to “Clem’s Wood-Fired BBQ”
Sherry Connor
July 18th, 2009
Clem’s has moved from their Port Matilda location. They are now about 18 miles away from the old location. The best phone number to use is still 814-360-1140. I cannot find a published address (even on their menu printout) but here are the new directions: look for Exit 45 on I-99 towards Tipton/Grazierville and at the T-intersection with North Pleasant Valley Boulevard, take a right. Look for Clem’s Wood-Fired BBQ on the left (about 0.3 miles).
While we waited just a few minutes for our carryout order of baby back ribs and coleslaw, we asked for their new business card, and we told them their website still says they are in Port Matilda. The friendly staff advised us they didn’t have a business card but offered their menu printout instead. We were told they did not update their website information yet because they just moved to the new location a month ago and are not ready for advertising the new information.
The new Clem’s location is a restaurant with lots of heavy wood tables, a bar, and a takeout counter. Outside, there is a covered wood-fired grilling area visible as you enter the ample parking lot.
We took our takeout order of ribs another hour-and-a-half down the road on our journey to visit relatives and the ribs were still hot in the foil container upon arrival. The coleslaw was just the way we like it (a light creamy dressing).
A few days later on our return trip home, we stopped back at Clem’s and this time ordered the chicken leg quarters, chicken breast, baked beans, and coleslaw. It will be hard when we go back to decide between the chicken and the baby back ribs, as both are equally delicious! I quess we will have to get some of each. Both are extremely tender, fall-off-the-bone, and moist. The baked beans were superb!
The half-rack of baby back ribs is now $9.50. The chicken half is $6.50. The sides of red skin potato salad, garlic mashed potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, mac ‘n’ cheese, fresh-cut fries, or curly fries are $1.50 for individual servings, $2.00 for a small order, and $3.50 for large orders.
Clem’s offers BBQ party packs, dinners, and combos. They also serve an assortment of appetizers (wings, onion rings, quesadillas, etc.), salads with or without meat, several BBQ sandwiches, and a brownie sundae or ice cream sundae. For kids, they also offer chicken fingers ‘n’ fries, hot dog ‘n’ fries, or mac ‘n’ cheese with a roll.
Jack Barry
February 11th, 2008
Clem’s Barbeque may lack four walls, but this Central Pennsylvania establishment certainly compensates for its architectural shortcomings by serving up excellent barbeque. Located by the side of Route 322, seven miles northwest of State College, the trailer, carport, and collection of tents that comprise Clem’s define Roadfood. Several wooden barrels provide a fine countertop to those who prefer dining outside over takeout. Around dinner-time, the line outside the trailer and around the barrels can swell with a variety of hungry patrons, in which case the hood of a car can serve as a table.
While Clem’s offers boneless country ribs (also known as pork steaks), whole barbequed chicken, and pulled pork, it is their succulent baby back ribs for which they are most well-known, proving that good barbeque can be found north of the Mason-Dixon Line. These ribs are served wet, with a delicious homemade barbeque sauce. Dinner rolls are provided to soak up the pool of leftover sauce that lines the inside of the tray. A brief selection of side orders is available in both small and large containers, at additional cost. The baked beans are unique: a mixture of chickpeas, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Clem’s coleslaw is flavorful and refreshing, the perfect complement to the tangy ribs. Red-skinned potato salad and garlic smashed potatoes are also offered.