Good places to eat between Jersey City and Bristol, TN?
December 23, 2014 7:01 AM Subscribe
We'll be making a long car trip sometime later this winter from Jersey City to Bristol, TN. We'll pack a cooler, but any suggestions for good restaurants to eat at on 78 West to Harrisburg and then 81 South to Tennessee?
We hate to be hostage to fast food, and would like to plan out some healthy eating in advance if we can. Bonus points for kid-friendly places for tots to stretch their legs...
We hate to be hostage to fast food, and would like to plan out some healthy eating in advance if we can. Bonus points for kid-friendly places for tots to stretch their legs...
I can't comment on the goodness of the food, but you could do worse than to stop at Cabela's in Hamburg, Pa. Cabela's is a hunting/fishing/outdoors specialty store, and you may not have any interest in its wares. However, it is close (like a half-mile?) to 78, with easy on/off access; it has a restaurant inside (menu here); and there are enormous displays of taxidermied wildlife, which gives kids a chance to ooh and ah as they stretch their legs. I mean, there is an ELEPHANT in there -- that's how large these displays are.
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:21 AM on December 23, 2014
posted by MonkeyToes at 7:21 AM on December 23, 2014
I drive 78 to 81 to Blacksburg, Va about 4 or 5 times a year. I have found it to be pretty interstate highway-ish with mostly fast food as the option. Blacksburg, Va is a great little town and probably a good spot to spend the night. It is the home to Virginia Tech. Some great little restaurants near the University.
As for Cabela's, I second MonkeyToes recommendation. I have gone there with younger kids just to look at the cool animals, the large tractors, the boats, the cool gear and have eaten at their restaurant. It is not much more than fast food, but it was reasonable. I think the kids will like it.
Just my opinion, but 78 is a crappy road. Not well maintained, not well designed and some thin lanes at times. 81 is a decent interstate. 70 mph in many places. There is often traffic on 81 in Virginia particularly between 64 and Blacksburg. I have no idea why, but it happens to me often especially going back north.
posted by 724A at 7:27 AM on December 23, 2014
As for Cabela's, I second MonkeyToes recommendation. I have gone there with younger kids just to look at the cool animals, the large tractors, the boats, the cool gear and have eaten at their restaurant. It is not much more than fast food, but it was reasonable. I think the kids will like it.
Just my opinion, but 78 is a crappy road. Not well maintained, not well designed and some thin lanes at times. 81 is a decent interstate. 70 mph in many places. There is often traffic on 81 in Virginia particularly between 64 and Blacksburg. I have no idea why, but it happens to me often especially going back north.
posted by 724A at 7:27 AM on December 23, 2014
It may be too close to your departure point, but you could do far worse than the Oldwick General Store, a haunt of my high school years and a place I will still travel hours out of my way to hit when I'm anywhere near NJ. I usually get an amazing sandwich from the deli section, but the grill is renowned as well. As a bonus it's right off of 78W.
posted by jalexei at 7:35 AM on December 23, 2014
posted by jalexei at 7:35 AM on December 23, 2014
If you like Indian food, Passage to India in Harrisburg is very good, and its right next to the river.
posted by underthehat at 7:40 AM on December 23, 2014
posted by underthehat at 7:40 AM on December 23, 2014
Staunton VA is about two-thirds of the way there and has been called
one of the best small towns in America and a "foodie-paradise." There are plenty of places to eat for kids, including good pizza, and it's a great town to walk around for a bit afterwards.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:03 AM on December 23, 2014
one of the best small towns in America and a "foodie-paradise." There are plenty of places to eat for kids, including good pizza, and it's a great town to walk around for a bit afterwards.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 8:03 AM on December 23, 2014
I stopped for German food at Edelweiss in Staunton, Virginia while heading in the other direction. It was nice. I don't know about "healthy", per se, but they do have a nice selection of beers and desserts.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:03 AM on December 23, 2014
posted by Huffy Puffy at 8:03 AM on December 23, 2014
Carlisle PA is very close to Route 81. It's a pretty town, especially Dickinson College, and has some great places to eat. Our favorite is Issei Noodle, always packed but the service is fast. We've tried about half the menu by now and everything has been very good to great. Service is not continuous (it closes between 2:15 and 5:00) and Issei is closed Sunday and Monday. It's a good idea to call first.
http://www.isseinoodle.com/menu/
A few doors away is Helena's Chocolate Cafe and Creperie. They have regular flour crepes as well as buckwheat crepes. Good desserts too.
http://www.helenascafe.com/
We also like Bruges Cafe, but it's not such a great choice if you're driving since Belgian beers and ales are their specialty. The food is good too, if you can pass up the beverages.
For a really good sandwich and excellent ice cream they make right there, go to Trickling Springs Creamery on Route 11, just a few miles off Route 81. Take the Wayne Avenue exit at Chambersburg. Your ice cream will be scooped and your sandwiches made by cheerful teenage Mennonite girls.
http://www.tricklingspringscreamery.com/creamery-store/
All these places are casual.
.
posted by sevenstars at 8:14 AM on December 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
http://www.isseinoodle.com/menu/
A few doors away is Helena's Chocolate Cafe and Creperie. They have regular flour crepes as well as buckwheat crepes. Good desserts too.
http://www.helenascafe.com/
We also like Bruges Cafe, but it's not such a great choice if you're driving since Belgian beers and ales are their specialty. The food is good too, if you can pass up the beverages.
For a really good sandwich and excellent ice cream they make right there, go to Trickling Springs Creamery on Route 11, just a few miles off Route 81. Take the Wayne Avenue exit at Chambersburg. Your ice cream will be scooped and your sandwiches made by cheerful teenage Mennonite girls.
http://www.tricklingspringscreamery.com/creamery-store/
All these places are casual.
.
posted by sevenstars at 8:14 AM on December 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
Seconding Staunton, and Harrisonburg as well, just north of it. Harrisonburg is home of James Madison University and there are a ton of amazing food options around the campus. Once you get into town just Yelp it.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:07 AM on December 23, 2014
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 9:07 AM on December 23, 2014
Once you're in Bristol, think about a side trip to Scratch's Pizza in Johnson City. It's worth the drive.
posted by workerant at 9:43 AM on December 23, 2014
posted by workerant at 9:43 AM on December 23, 2014
The boys and I usually stop at the Pink Cadillac Cafe and keep meaning to visit nearby Foamhenge. It is the South. Don't fight it.
posted by coevals at 10:15 AM on December 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by coevals at 10:15 AM on December 23, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you stop in Harrisburg, go to the Pennsylvania National Fire Museum.
posted by naturalog at 1:52 PM on December 23, 2014
posted by naturalog at 1:52 PM on December 23, 2014
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posted by Leatherstocking at 7:11 AM on December 23, 2014