US 15, Frederick to Painted Post

[saf]

Up and down Route 15 - the only way from my Petworth house to my parents' place a bit west of Rochester. I have driven this route SO many times over the years, most recently 2 weeks ago.

I actually can't say much about eating along the way. I will confess to a terrible weakness for Dairy Queen, and so will often stop there for road food. (I love onion rings. I love ice cream, even soft serve.)

This last time, I stopped at a place I have looked at for years but never gone in. (and looking at their hours, I remember why. They are closed on Sundays. I usually return on Sunday. This time, it was Friday. Will have to stop on the way up next time.)

Purity Candy: http://www.puritycandy.com/index.html

I mean, I just couldn't resist the sign on the little board outside telling people to come in to see the 70 pound chocolate Easter Bunny!

Cool as that was, I did NOT get such a thing. But I got some chocolate. And it is good. And best of all, they make wintergreen patties! I love wintergreen patties. (OK, I love pretty much everything wintergreen.) Just like peppermint patties - a creamy filling covered in chocolate. York stopped making them years ago. My grandfather used to get them (along with regular Hershey bars and peppermint patties) for picnics. He would freeze them, then split them with a sharp knife, and we would use them on s'mores (which we called smashes). I haven't seen these in so long.

I didn't buy enough. I see a mail order coming soon. Also, I told my mother about them, and she wants some too. And this place is now a required stop on any trip that passes through Allenwood (factory store, right on Route 15) or Lewisburg (also right on Route 15, but I think you have to turn a corner to get to the store. Yes, looking at the map, you do. Although, it's pretty closer to Roller Mills, a nice antique mall.

[ol_ironstomach]

That is, of course, about 90% of the direct route between DC and Watkins Glen. I have to confess that most of the times I've driven it over the years, the food stops ended up being generic chains, usually in the vicinity of Shamokin Dam, which was also home to the nearest Aldi I had run across before they expanded to this area. Ditto the Wegman's in Williamsport.

Never did find much food along that stretch that caught my eye, apart from Chubby's BBQ barely a dozen minutes north of Frederick. I reckon that they're just really attached to stereotypical homestyle cooking in central PA.

[porcupine]

Last summer some friends told me about a barbecue stand set up on Rt 147, which parallels Rt 15 for a ways on the east side of the river. From their description I belive it's somewhere between Shamokin Dam and Northumberland. I'm heading that way in a few weeks and plan on looking for it.

btw, Rt 147 becomes I-180 a little north of Lewisburg and makes a nice change of pace from 15, which you can pick up again in Williamsport, where there's a Wegman's. It's faster than staying on 15 and a less hilly drive, too - good to know if you're towing a trailer.

[saf]

That is, of course, about 90% of the direct route between DC and Watkins Glen. I have to confess that most of the times I've driven it over the years, the food stops ended up being generic chains, usually in the vicinity of Shamokin Dam,

I used to like Chef's in Watkin's Glen. (My parents are from Elmira originally. Many family picnics were held at the glen.) Anyhow, Chef's used to make a pizza burger - a sausage patty with mozzeralla cheese inside and pizza sauce on top. Haven't been there in years though.

And the Dairy Queen I usually end up at is at about Shamokin Dam.

[saf]

I'm heading that way in a few weeks and plan on looking for it.

If you find it, please post details. I drive this route a couple times a year. I would LOVE a new place to try!

[porcupine]

^another member did some sleuthing, found that the name is Billy Bob's, in Sunbury, and that they closed. bummer.

There's a thread on Finger Lakes region dining around here somewhere; lots of entries about places around Seneca Lake.

[ktmoomau]

Any recs for Carlisle, PA or the surrounds?

[saf]

Hey y'all, I'm off to Rochester soon. Have to make a stop in Ithaca too.

As ever, I am looking for places to eat, drink, and shop for good food and drink along the way. I need to do some Christmas shopping!

I should start a Rochester thread too. Last time I was up there, we hit the Genesee Brew House. It was very good. We'll be going back.