The Middle-Of-Nowhere Pennsylvania Restaurant That Is Packed Every Weekend

The bread for these cheesesteaks comes straight from Philadelphia, then travels deep into the Pennsylvania woods.

That alone made me stop scrolling. Who hauls South Philly rolls to a tiny mountain town?

A South Philly native did, back in 1999. He moved his family north and turned a historic general store into a cheesesteak destination.

USA Today later named it one of the Top 10 Cheesesteaks in America.

I like how the setting refuses to match the food. You get shaved ribeye and house-made cheese sauce beside a rushing creek.

A covered bridge from 1850 sits right next door. Even dogs get their own steak bowls.

I believe that combination explains the weekend crowds. Good food is one thing.

Good food beside a creek, three hours from the city, is a road trip waiting to happen. So what’s actually on that menu?

South Philly Flavor Landed Somewhere Nobody Expected

Big Mike’s Steaks & Hoagies started with one big move.

A South Philly native named Mike brought his family to Forksville and bought the property in 1999.

That choice planted real Philadelphia cheesesteaks in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania. The business has now been rolling for more than 25 years.

Authenticity is the whole point here. The restaurant uses Philadelphia-style rolls, including Amoroso rolls brought in from the Philadelphia area.

That’s a long trip for a roll, but it shows how seriously the kitchen takes its roots.

The recognition backs it up, too. In 2016, Big Mike’s placed third in a USA Today reader poll ranking the best cheesesteaks in Pennsylvania.

That put the small-town shop ahead of several well-known Philadelphia cheesesteak destinations.

The Philadelphia Inquirer also featured Big Mike’s in a 2017 article about bringing South Philly flavor up north. Getting a nod from the hometown paper is no small thing.

Philly folks guard their cheesesteaks like family recipes.

So what does that mean for you? It means the drive isn’t a gamble.

You’re heading toward a place with a clear mission and decades of practice. A cheesesteak with that kind of backstory feels worth chasing down a winding mountain road.

The Godfather Makes A Pretty Convincing Offer

Half a pound of chopped steak. That’s what The Godfather brings to the table, along with fried onions, peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni, sauce, and provolone cheese.

It’s a sandwich with a serious name and a menu presence to match. Fans of the classic style can also go with the OG Philly.

Both lean on tender shaved ribeye as their foundation.

The cheese options deserve their own moment. The OG Philly comes with a choice of whiz, American, provolone, or sharp provolone cheese.

Here, cheese is part of the identity, and it ties every cheesesteak back to that South Philly standard.

Choosing between options is the hard part. The menu at Big Mike’s Steaks & Hoagies offers several cheesesteak styles, so indecisive eaters should plan ahead.

A good strategy is bringing a friend and splitting two different sandwiches. Hungry hikers will appreciate the heft.

A half-pound of steak is a solid refuel after a morning on the trails.

Lighter appetites might want to share or save half for later. One tip makes a difference.

Glance over the menu before you reach the counter.

Weekend lines move better when everyone knows their order, and you’ll look like a pro.

Hoagie Lovers Get Their Own Spotlight Here

Cheesesteaks grab the headlines, but hoagies share top billing in the name.

That’s a hint worth taking seriously. The classics are all here.

You’ll find an Italian, a turkey and cheese, and a ham and cheese. These are the sandwiches Philly families pack for beach trips and ballgames.

Then comes The Paisan. It arrives loaded with prosciutto, spicy capicola, sharp provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and roasted red peppers in garlic and olive oil.

For something different, the Deli Club Hoagie combines ham, turkey breast, American cheese, slab bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo.

Hoagies make a smart pick for groups with mixed tastes. Not everyone wants steak and melted cheese on a warm afternoon.

A cold Italian can feel just right after a long hike nearby.

The shared bread matters here too. Since the rolls come from Philadelphia, the hoagies get the same authentic base as the cheesesteaks.

That’s a big deal for anyone who knows a soft, sturdy roll makes or breaks a sandwich. My advice is simple.

Order one cheesesteak and one hoagie for the table.

You’ll taste both sides of the Big Mike’s story without picking favorites too early.

Your Fries Deserve A Little Drama

Garlic sauce, whiz cheese, BBQ sauce, and slab bacon all land on one pile of battered fries.

Meet the Famous Dirty Jersey Fries, and good luck ignoring them.

That lineup sounds like a dare. Still, each topping has a job.

The garlic brings punch, the cheese adds creaminess, and the bacon handles the crunch.

Sweet tooths have an option too. Funnel cake fries bring boardwalk vibes to the mountains.

They work as a dessert or a sneaky side, depending on your mood.

The starters list keeps going. Fried pickle chips and mozzarella sticks join the menu.

There’s also the FRX Firecracker Fries, topped with spicy buffalo sauce, signature garlic butter, blue cheese, and slab bacon for anyone craving something with extra heat.

Here’s a practical idea for families. Grab one big order of loaded fries for the whole table.

Toppings that heavy are made for sharing, and everyone gets a taste without overdoing it.

Kids aren’t left out either. The kids’ menu includes chicken tenders with fries, ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, tuna and cheese sandwiches, and a hot dog.

That makes Big Mike’s Steaks & Hoagies an easy stop for parents with picky eaters in the back seat.

Grab A Picnic Table Before The Creek Crowd Does

Few sandwich shops can offer a creek view with a side of history.

Outdoor picnic seating here sits along the Loyalsock Creek, right by the Forksville Covered Bridge.

That bridge isn’t a decoration. It was built in 1850 by Sadler Rogers and still carries traffic today.

It uses a Burr Truss design, a classic style for old covered bridges.

Sadler Rogers built the general store building too, just one year later. So your lunch spot and the bridge share the same builder.

That’s a fun fact to drop at the table.

Outdoor seating fills a big role on nice days. The creek setting is a major part of why people make the drive.

Eating a cheesesteak while the water rolls past feels a lot better than eating in a car.

Timing helps on busy weekends. Arriving closer to the 11 AM opening gives you a better shot at a good table.

Late lunches during peak season may mean a short wait.

Bring sunscreen on bright days. A light jacket helps in spring and late fall.

Mountain weather in Pennsylvania can change its mind quickly.

Old Barn Boards And Philly Photos Set The Mood Inside

Walls can tell stories, and these ones come from an 1850s barn.

The indoor dining room features reclaimed barn board from a local barn of that era.

Old Philadelphia photos hang throughout the space. They connect the room to Big Mike’s South Philly roots.

It’s a neat mix of country wood and city memories.

The building itself has lived many lives. It began as the Forksville General Store in 1851.

Over the years it housed an upholstery store, a barber shop, a bakery, and an ice house.

The list doesn’t stop there. It also served as a car garage and a gas station before the cheesesteaks moved in.

Few buildings can claim a resume that long.

Indoor seating is a smart backup plan. Rainy afternoons or chilly December days make the dining room the better choice.

You still get the atmosphere without the weather.

Take a minute to look around before you eat. The photos and wood details reward a closer look.

They turn a quick lunch into a small history lesson about Pennsylvania small-town life and Philly pride, all under one roof.

Candy Jars And S’mores Supplies Come With Lunch

Lunch might not be the only thing you leave with.

The restaurant sits inside the historic Forksville General Store, and the store side is still open for business.

Old-fashioned candies line the shelves. They make an easy treat for kids or a nostalgic one for grown-ups.

Picking a few favorites feels like a trip back in time.

S’mores supplies are another handy find. Campers heading to the nearby state park can stock up right here.

That saves a separate stop when the campfire is calling.

Souvenirs round out the shopping. A shirt or keepsake is a fun way to remember a cheesesteak that came all this way from Philly.

It also gives you proof for friends who doubt your road-trip story.

My suggestion is to browse while you wait for your order. Busy weekends can mean a short pause before your food arrives.

The shelves give you something fun to do in the meantime.

Drinks deserve a look too. The shop serves A-Treat sodas, a brand from Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Pairing a classic regional soda with a South Philly sandwich just feels right.

Four-Legged Road Trippers Get Their Own Bowl

Dogs rarely get a menu of their own. At Big Mike’s Steaks & Hoagies, they get Puppy Bowls.

Each bowl holds plain shaved steak or chicken. No sauces, no fuss, just simple meat for your furry friend.

It’s a thoughtful touch for travelers who never leave the dog at home.

The outdoor seating is dog-friendly, which makes the creekside picnic tables perfect for pet owners.

Your pup can relax in the fresh air while you work through a cheesesteak. Everyone wins.

A little planning keeps the visit smooth. Bring a leash and a water bowl for warm days.

Busy weekends mean more people around the tables, so a calm, leashed dog makes things easier for all.

Hikers love this setup. Many folks pair a meal here with a trail day nearby.

A tired dog with a bowl of steak is about as happy as a dog can get.

Remember that the dog-friendly area is outside. Plan to eat at the picnic tables when your pup tags along.

On a sunny day by the Loyalsock Creek, that’s hardly a sacrifice.

Plan Around The Hours And Make A Whole Day Of It

Worlds End State Park sits just two miles away.

That makes Big Mike’s Steaks & Hoagies an easy pairing with hiking trails, waterfalls, overlooks, and a natural swimming hole in Loyalsock Creek.

Set your GPS for 22 Bridge Street, Forksville, PA 18616. The town is in Sullivan County, surrounded by the hardwood forests of the Endless Mountains.

It’s about three hours from Philadelphia, so plan your gas stops.

Hours matter here. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 7 PM.

It’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so double-check before heading out.

The season matters too. Big Mike’s typically runs from spring until mid-December.

Winter road trippers should plan around that break.

Takeout is available, and you can call ahead. Expect busy phone lines during peak hours and holidays.

Calling a bit before the lunch rush can help.

A smart day might look like this. Hike in the morning, swim if it’s warm, then grab lunch by the bridge.

That kind of easy Pennsylvania day explains why this little spot stays packed when the weekend rolls around.