The Hill, Ephrata - Bar # 120

"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, That's as good as they're going to feel all day."  Frank Sinatra

Every now and then you find yourself enjoying a Really Special moment.  You can't put your finger on a single event that causes it because there are so many things going on that are just right.  That was the experience today of the Retired Guys when we visited The Hill (aka The Hill Top Inn) in Ephrata.  

It started when we were joyously greeted by Christina, our bartender, as we walked through the entrance door.  As we sat and ordered our beer someone walked up to the other Retired Guy and asked if he was "Terry".  Turns out there were a couple of retirees from New Holland who frequent the local bar on Tuesdays and the conversations about the "Glory Days" began.

We interrupted the lively discussion so we could order an appetizer and that was when Christina proved to us she was a step or two above normal as a bartender/restaurant representative.  She agreed with our selection of homemade Vietnamese Spring Rolls then highly recommended that we try the also homemade Spanakopita (Greek spinach rolls).  Both appetizers were so good, I would recommend you visit The Hill just to sample them!  Thanks Christina!

The Hill has 12 beers on tap of which only two are of the light variety.  Both Retired Guys were able to satisfy their discerning tastes with the selection at hand and would suggest that any beer drinker would be able to find something they like.  Also, there was a wall of very special bottles of Tequila available for the more snooty crowd!

To return or not return?  Very easily answered --- RETURN!

:

To see all the places we have been to or just to view our website click on one of the selections below:

In sequence, most recent to earliest

In order alphabetically 

In a map

Website

Helen's Corner Bar & Restaurant, Leola - Bar # 119

Beer doesn't make you fat. It makes you lean.....against bars, tables, chairs, walls.

Four and ½ months after Helen’s Corner Bar & Restaurant in Leola closed this past February without explanation it reopened under new management represented by Joseph Margolis and Chean Wu, also current owners of an Asian restaurant in Ephrata.  Helen’s is open daily from 8:00AM until 2:00AM so you can grab a beer really early or really late and anytime in between!

Today the retired guys were well taken care of by our bartender Michelle who advised us that Helen’s has been reopened for a little over a month and in its resurrection is now a non-smoking bar.  For a non-smoker like myself there is a detectable aroma still lingering from over 30 years of smoke exposure; however, it is clearly extremely light and definitely not repulsive so for non smokers this should not be an issue.  

Helen’s has 8 beers on tap with 2 being of the light variety.  The full bodied beers represented a nice geographical as well as taste mix so even a discriminating beer drinker should be able to find something to satisfy their taste.  If not, there is also a generous mix of bottles/cans in the "TO-GO" refrigerator from which to choose.

For eats we sampled a couple of appetizers and thoroughly enjoyed the spring roll and egg roll made available to us.  These items are clearly influenced by the new owners who added them to the menu as they have done in their Ephrata restaurant.  If the appetizers are indicative of the rest of the menu it is easy to plan a return for a full meal to accompany a couple of glasses of beer the next time around which should come in the near future.

By the way, as this is a five Tuesday month, we get to do this one more time in August - Woohoo!

Until next time....bottoms up!

To see all the places we have been to or just to view our website click on one of the selections below:

In sequence, most recent to earliest

In order alphabetically 

In a map

Website

Primanti Brothers, Lancaster - Bar # 118

There is a new sheriff in town when it comes to sports bars and it is Primanti Brothers.  From the moment you walk in, the TVs and memorabilia on the walls say this is where you want to watch a big game.  There is even a mural with images of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and other local sports heroes.  It would have been understandable to stay with a theme from their Pittsburgh roots, but they also tastefully included some of the local favorites in the décor with Philly area, Penn State and Baltimore.

Seeing a sampling of the food tempted us to order one of everything on the menu.  The pizza looked like it was from a typical mom and pop pizzeria and the sandwiches were, as you would expect, Primanti Brothers signature product.  Garry and I tried the fried pickles and they were great!

With 24 taps there is a very good selection of styles of beer that are served in 16 and 22 oz. chilled glasses.  Eric, our bartender, was very personable and seemed to enjoy his job.  He is a great guy to converse with and is a proud father of a Manheim Township baseball player.  Really, the entire staff seemed energetic and happy to be working for an established and successful Pittsburgh icon.

Primanti Brothers may be the new guy, but they are by no means new at being successful.  In spite of just recently opening, things appeared to run smoothly with many happy patrons.  Treat yourself and go have a taste of the Burgh right here in Lancaster.

Until next time, CHEERS!

 To see all the places we have been to or just to view our website click on one of the selections below:

In sequence, most recent to earliest

In order alphabetically 

In a map

Website