My wife and I have been staying this week in Shawnee on Delaware PA. We
found a tiny Italian place on PA209 Exit 309 off 80 about 2 miles. Small place nothing fancy good Italian food and Pizza. The "garlic knots" are delicious and so is the pizza. Don’t expect much in the way
of decorations etc. There’s sheets of uncut baseball cards on the wall
that look like they’ve been there at least fifteen years. But Luigi is
great to talk to, we were new but the locals strolled in and he knew most by name. The type of place I’m looking for when I’m away from home . Not you Applebee’s, Olive Gardens etc.

Originally posted by AmeriKenArtist

I highly recommend the Danville Sub Shop. That is, if you like great cheesesteak submarine sandwiches! Now that PA has reconfigured the exit numbers, I can only say that it used to be exit 33. Danville’s exit is between Lewisburg and Bloomsburg on I-80.

And for regular subs I recommend Berrigans, in downtown Bloomsburg,(take the Bloomsburg exit) on Main St. near East St. (across from the Bloomsburg Diner). Not as good as the White House in Atlantic City (mentioned elsewhere on this site), but definitely a notch above everything else I’ve had in the area.

Alta Pizzeria in Hazelton PA, is my favorite pizza in the world, after Frank Pepe’s white clam pie. It’s kind of difficult to find off of I-81, but well worth the search. If you enjoy buffalo wings, might I suggest the Windsor Inn, in Dickson City PA, just north of Scranton. Their specialty: extra hot in garlic. Definitely my favorite wings, other than the Anchor Bar. They have won consistently the PA best wings contest. As for burgers, I have to second (or third) the motion on the White Manna in Hackensack. There is also a Mana in Jersey City, different proprietor, but same quality burger, infinitely better than White Castle.

The Bullfrog in Williamsport (a bit off 80) is a terrific brewpub. Try the terriyaki chicken wings…they are sweet and hot—the best I’ve ever had!

Tom’s Kitchen is a breakfast stop on the way to Penn State games…and don’t forget the Family Diner in White Haven—wonderful pancakes!

I highly recommend the Danville Sub Shop. That is, if you like great cheesesteak submarine sandwiches! Now that PA has reconfigured the exit numbers, I can only say that it used to be exit 33. Danville’s exit is between Lewisburg and Bloomsburg on I-80. Tony Randello started the sub shop in 1969. He came to this small town from NYC and brought the family recipe. Sadly, Tony died a few months ago, but the business still thrives. The shop is on Mill St., Danville’s main street. [8D]

I second the White Manna. I spend a lot of time there. Just remember not to schedule a big meeting or anything afterwards because your clothing will be infused with the deep smell of grilled onions.

Tom’s Kitchen, which I believe is off of exit 256 in Conyngham PA had decent breakfasts and home cooked meals with a Penn Dutch bent. They even have scrapple on the menu!

A great Roadfood choice near 80 in New Jersey is a Texas weiner, a deep-fried dog with mustard, onions and a clove/cinnamon-scented chili. Two good places to get them are the Hot Grill in Clifton (which is reviewed–twice!–on this website) and Libby’s Lunch in Paterson, which was reviewed in the second edition of RF. I’ve had and enjoyed both, but too far apart in time to compare them. Libby’s is easier to find with MapQuest directions. Several more places can be found on US 46 which runs next to 80 through much of Jersey and also has diners and other eating establishments.

One other idea is White Manna in Hackensack, NJ (358 River Street; (201) 342-0914), which serves one of the finest sliders I’ve ever eaten. The cook stands in the middle of a horseshoe-shaped counter/kitchen, and makes yours to order, grilling them with onions under a soft potato bun, and adding pickle chips to the plate if you want them. The place is less than two miles from the Hudson Street exit (#66).

I followed the Road Food book to Rutt’s Hut in Clifton, NJ. It’s right before NYC, so you may be too hungry to wait if you’re traveling the length of I 80. They have the deep fried hotdogs, which were pretty neat. And kind of delicious (though not the best quality dog you’ve ever had). One important thing: it’s a super high-traffic area, and Rutt’s Hut is NOT right off I80. I suggest you do a yahoo map lookup and find the quickest route (i think route 21 is a divided highway that goes off of 80 and past Rutt’s Hut). As for PA, i just drove I80 through there a few weeks ago. It’s pretty baren and i’d sure like to know where to eat there myself!