Dat's Gooood Eatin'! *

Word in "the Skook" says that these food and beverage places are worth a visit.

The rural location of Clover's Cottage can make finding a quick bite to eat a little more difficult than a simple Google search. The hidden gems of Schuylkill County and northeastern Dauphin County are hardly ever chain restaurants and bars. They often are valued for the people you can meet there as much as the food they serve. So what are our favorites? Where have our guests enjoyed going? Below is our current list of "Dat's Gooooood Eatin'"*!

NEARBY:

Jack's Spot at the Purple Pump - 1071 Vista Rd. Pitman - (570) 644-2120 - Located on the corner of Ridge Road and Vista Road in Pitman, PA, Jack's Spot is home to a large array of great food, friendly faces, and a large selection of spirits...and yes, there is also a famous local landmark - a purple pump. This is one of those local bar/restaurants where you might get the true essence of this rural region of PA, and get a good local meal at the same time.

Kountry Essa - 543 E Market St, Gratz, PA 17030 - 717-365-5622 - Nearby, but we've never eaten here. Truth be told, I have a pet peeve with businesses that purposely misspell words in their name, and "essa" means food in Pennsylvania Dutch. But it is one of the closest restaurants to the Cottage and we would love to hear about your experience if you check it out.

Penns Tavern Restaurant - 113 River Rd, PA-147, Sunbury, PA 17801 - 570-286-2007 - pennstavern.com - Less than 30 minutes from the cottage, this is a waterfront restaurant (Susquehanna River) with a ton of history, set in a beautiful building (and some outdoor waterfront dining as well).

Swing Restaurant at Lykens Valley Golf Resort - 1724 Route 25 Millersburg 717-692-3632 Enjoy the warm modern interior and views of the beautiful Lykens Valley Golf Course from Swing Restaurant. Sample one of their signature cocktails or try one of their ever-changing craft beers on tap. Enjoy lunch or dinner on the patio, live music from local and out-of-town musicians, and much more.

Crossroads Market (and auction! - PA-25 in Gratz - (717) 365-3055 - Only on Fridays, but a great place for great local food, culture, and farmer's market-style eating! There is something for everyone here and you can shop for your entire stay at Clover's Cottage.

WORTH THE DRIVE:

Roma Pizzeria and Restaurant - 116 West Market Street Pottsville - 570-628-5551 - Eat where the locals eat. Italian menu. Restaurant and bar. Tina's tip - Italian Salad with House Dressing is a must-have if you want a fresh, consistently crisp and delicious veggie fix.

Tamaqua Train Station Restaurant - 18 N Railroad St, Tamaqua, PA - 570-668-3800 - https://www.facebook.com/tamaquastationrestaurant/ - This restaurant is what happens when an old town saves their train station and part of it becomes a restaurant. This place may be worth a visit just for the beauty of an historic building!

The Wheel - 25 E Broad St, Tamaqua, PA 18252 - 570-810-2424 - https://www.wheelrestaurants.com/ - With build-your-own grilled cheese, what's not to love?!

The Park Tavern - 315 N Centre St, Pottsville, PA 17901 - 570-516-9122 - parktavernandgrille.com - If you enjoy a meal in a beautiful historic and restored old hotel, this is the place to seek out when in Pottsville. There is a bar and restaurant and a higher-end menu that won't disappoint.

Tres - 201 West Market Street Pottsville - 570-622-2700

Pressed Coffee and Books - 123 Mahantongo Street Pottsville -(570) 365-8400 - The name says it all - great coffee, food, and even a used book store all in downtown historic Pottsville! Also teas, baked goods, crepes and more.

WE SHOULD MENTION:

Buddy's Log Cabin Restaurant - 97 Tremont Rd, Pine Grove, PA 17963 - 570-345-8253 - buddyslogcabin.com - This restaurant is a long-time staple for the area, but we've never been there. If you find yourself near Pine Grove, this may be a good stopping point for a meal.

Fortune Ocean - 1804 W Main St, Valley View, PA 17983 - (570) 682-6888 - If you MUST have Chinese food, then Fortune Ocean is your only option, but quite honestly, we cannot recommend it for the quality of the food. The good news is that it seems to always be open, and it is never crowded. In fact, it is eerily NOT busy. But my 20-something kids tend to grab a bite there each time they visit "the valley" out of tradition and because of the sheer fact that having a Chinese restaurant in such a rural location is quite unique! Let us know what you think!

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE:

Keep your eyes peeled. You can find great food and drink all over this old "coal country". Skip the chains and seek out the real, local, and lovely local culture and foods. If you experienced a place near Clover's Cottage where the food was great, the service was special or the visit was memorable, let us know. We love to add our guest's suggestions and photos!

Safe travels and eat well along the way!

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If you're ready for your next getaway, visit Clover's Cottage of Hegins, PA or Dreams Come True Cottage of Cape May Beach, NJ. Always book direct with property owners to avoid booking fees and enjoy the lowest prices.

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* IMO Dad, AKA Roland Holmstrom, our beloved old Swedish troll