10 Pennsylvania Restaurants To Steer Clear Of & 10 Better Picks To Visit
Every state has its dining hits and misses, and Pennsylvania is no exception. Some restaurants just don’t live up to the hype or leave your taste buds underwhelmed.
But fear not, the Keystone State also serves up plenty of spots that truly shine with flavor and atmosphere.
Whether you’re avoiding a disappointing meal or craving something worth every bite, knowing where to go can make all the difference on your next food adventure.
1. TGI Fridays (Philadelphia)
Located at 4000 City Ave in Philadelphia, this TGI Fridays location falls short of even modest expectations.
The sticky tables and worn-out booths immediately set the tone for a lackluster dining experience. Wait times often stretch beyond reason, even during off-peak hours.
Menu items frequently arrive lukewarm, with the signature appetizers lacking the flavor profiles they once boasted.
The overpriced cocktails come watered down, while the burger patties taste suspiciously like they’ve been frozen for months.
2. Osteria (Philadelphia)
Once considered a culinary gem, Osteria has sadly fallen from grace.
The restaurant’s reputation no longer matches reality, with diners frequently reporting bland pasta dishes that lack the authentic Italian flavors promised on the menu.
Service issues compound the experience, with many guests noting long waits even with reservations and inattentive staff who seem more interested in turning tables than ensuring customer satisfaction.
The restaurant’s dimly lit interior might create ambiance, but it also conveniently hides mediocre food presentation.
3. The Old Toll Gate Inn (Johnstown)
Despite its charming historical façade, The Old Toll Gate Inn serves up mediocrity disguised as tradition. The outdated interior might seem quaint at first glance, but quickly feels neglected rather than nostalgic.
Menu prices don’t align with the quality you’ll receive – lukewarm food arrives after lengthy waits, often missing the mark on flavor.
Customer service ranges from indifferent to downright unfriendly. Save yourself the frustration and toll on your wallet!
4. What The Fork (Philadelphia)
Exactly what you’ll be asking yourself after dining at this misguided attempt at fusion cuisine.
The menu reads like a culinary identity crisis – Korean tacos meet Italian pasta meet Thai curry in dishes that should never have met at all.
Fork over your cash elsewhere, because this spot’s confused flavor combinations left my taste buds feeling betrayed.
Even their signature cocktails suffer from the same muddled approach, with ingredients that wage war rather than harmony on your palate.
5. Mamajuana (Philadelphia)
Mama mia, what a letdown! Despite its promising Caribbean-inspired name, this spot serves watered-down cocktails and bland approximations of Dominican cuisine that would make any abuela weep.
The signature mamajuana drink lacked both punch and personality – just like the lackluster service.
My plantains arrived harder than calculus homework, while the mofongo could have doubled as building material.
Save your dollars for somewhere that actually respects the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean.
6. Wolf Street Pizza (Philadelphia)
Hungry like the wolf? You’ll still be ravenous after visiting this den of disappointment. The pizza here is so thin and flavorless it’s practically a rumor – you’ll need forensic equipment to find the toppings they claim to include.
Wolves are known for their keen senses, but you won’t need any to detect the overwhelming scent of grease that permeates everything.
The only thing authentic about their “Italian recipe” is that it might make you want to gesticulate wildly in frustration.
7. Long John Silver’s (Harrisburg)
Abandon ship at this chain restaurant where seafood goes to die a second death. The fish arrives in uniform rectangles that nature never intended, coated in batter so thick it could waterproof your basement.
Pirates buried treasure for good reason – and this place should do the same with their recipe book.
The hush puppies have all the moisture and flavor of sawdust, while the tartar sauce mysteriously tastes like sweetened mayonnaise with pickle afterthoughts.
8. Lin Hibachi Buffet & Grill (Harrisburg)
Mystery meat theater plays daily at this buffet where food sits under heat lamps long enough to earn citizenship.
The sushi rolls contain more rice than fish, while the hibachi grill produces meat with the texture of recycled rubber.
Sneeze guards here work overtime protecting food that nobody should eat anyway. Even the ice cream machine seemed depressed, dispensing sad swirls of freezer-burned dairy product.
The only unlimited thing here is regret – which comes free with your meal.
9. Men in the Kitchen (Harrisburg)
Gender-based marketing can’t save this culinary crime scene where the only thing well-executed is your wallet.
Despite the confident name, these men should quickly exit the kitchen and make room for people who understand seasoning.
Their signature “man-sized” portions compensate for flavor with sheer volume – as if quantity could distract from the bland, overcooked offerings.
The décor screams “bachelor pad meets failed sports bar,” complete with dusty memorabilia and sticky menus that tell tales of cleaning schedules long abandoned.
10. Main Street Pizzeria (Johnstown)
Generic name, generic pizza, genuinely terrible experience. This pizza joint gives new meaning to “cracker crust” – except crackers typically have more flavor and structural integrity.
Located on what is technically a Main Street (points for literal naming), this place serves cheese that refuses to melt properly and sauce that tastes like it’s afraid of tomatoes.
The pepperoni curls into tiny cups of oil that could fuel a small vehicle. Save yourself the heartburn and drive to literally any other pizzeria.
11. Kalaya (Philadelphia)
Flavor fireworks explode with each bite at this Thai masterpiece in Philly’s Italian Market. Chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon dishes out southern Thai recipes that would make her grandmother beam with pride.
The massaman curry arrives with a depth that tells stories of careful simmering and generations of expertise.
No watered-down American versions here – expect authentic heat levels that command respect.
The blue crab curry might just be the best thing you’ll eat this year, with sweet lumps of crab dancing in aromatic coconut broth.
12. Apricot Stone (Philadelphia)
Hidden gem alert! This family-run Armenian treasure serves Middle Eastern cuisine with heart and history in every bite.
The stone fruit namesake appears throughout the menu, including the house-special apricot kebabs that perfectly balance sweet and savory.
Grandma’s recipes shine in the manti – tiny boat-shaped dumplings swimming in garlic yogurt sauce and sumac-spiced butter.
First-timers should not miss the mezze platter, featuring the silkiest hummus in the city alongside smoky baba ganoush that could convert eggplant skeptics.
13. Angelo’s (Philadelphia)
Pizza pilgrims, rejoice! This South Philly institution commands hours-long waits for good reason.
The dough ferments for three days before meeting a scorching oven that creates the perfect equilibrium of char and chew.
Owner Danny DiGiampietro treats cheese selection with the seriousness of a diamond dealer, resulting in pies that stretch dramatically when sliced.
Call ahead orders only – and plan accordingly, as the phone line is busier than the Pope’s during confession. Pro tip: their hoagies deserve equal worship, especially the Italian packed with sharp provolone.
14. Corio (Philadelphia)
Mama Corio’s spirit infuses this Italian-American gem where red sauce flows like wine and portion sizes suggest they’re feeding your extended family.
The meatballs – hand-rolled daily using a blend of three meats – arrive swimming in Sunday gravy that simmered since dawn. Skip the fancy Center City spots and head here for pasta that actually fills you up.
The chicken parm extends beyond plate boundaries, while the ricotta cheesecake offers a cloud-like finale to your carb journey. Come hungry, leave with tomorrow’s lunch boxed up.
15. Fond (Philadelphia)
French technique meets Philadelphia soul at this East Passyunk cornerstone where Chef Lee Styer works culinary magic without the stuffy attitude.
The intimate 36-seat space feels like dining in a sophisticated friend’s living room – if that friend happened to be an exceptional chef.
Their escargot empanadas brilliantly marry French classics with global influence. The duck breast – always perfectly medium-rare with crackling skin – might convert poultry skeptics for life.
Desserts receive equal attention, particularly the seasonal soufflés that rise with reliable perfection.
16. Amá (Philadelphia)
Grandma-approved Mexican cooking without a sombrero or mariachi band in sight.
This Fishtown haven celebrates regional Mexican cuisine beyond the typical Tex-Mex suspects, with particular focus on Puebla’s rich culinary heritage.
The mole poblano develops flavor from 32 ingredients, including four varieties of chilies and Mexican chocolate.
Fresh masa becomes extraordinary hand-pressed tortillas that make store-bought versions seem like sad paper discs.
Don’t miss their weekend-only barbacoa, slow-roasted overnight and served with consommé that could cure anything from hangovers to heartbreak.
17. River Twice (Philadelphia)
Chef Randy Rucker’s seasonal temple celebrates mid-Atlantic bounty with Texas swagger and Japanese precision. The ever-changing menu reads like a love letter to local farmers, foragers, and fishermen.
Vegetables receive star treatment here – not as supporting actors but leading roles with complex preparation.
Their sourdough ranks among the city’s best, served with cultured butter sprinkled with house-made vinegar powder.
Seafood shines particularly bright, with raw preparations that highlight pristine quality rather than masking it.
18. Plough (Lancaster)
Farm-to-table isn’t just marketing jargon at this Lancaster standout – it’s geography. Located minutes from the farms supplying its kitchen, Plough delivers hyperlocal cuisine without pretension.
The dining room’s massive windows frame picturesque farmland where your dinner likely originated hours earlier.
Their house charcuterie board features Pennsylvania-raised meats cured in-house, while the sourdough comes from wheat grown and milled within the county.
Even cocktails showcase local distilleries and seasonal fruit from neighboring orchards.
19. Horse Inn (Lancaster)
Time travel awaits at this 1920s speakeasy-turned-gastropub, originally an actual horse stable where the hayloft became a secret drinking spot during Prohibition.
The historic character remains intact, from original stable doors to vintage racing memorabilia. The burger – a house-ground blend of chuck, brisket and short rib – deserves its legendary status among Lancaster locals.
Their cocktail program honors the building’s bootlegging history with period-appropriate classics and modern riffs using Pennsylvania spirits.
Come for dinner, stay for stories about the building’s colorful past from longtime bartenders.
20. My Loup (Philadelphia)
Tucked away in Philadelphia’s vibrant restaurant scene, My Loup delivers authentic French cuisine with a modern twist.
Chef Jean-Michel’s passion for seasonal ingredients shines through in every carefully crafted dish. The intimate setting creates the perfect atmosphere for both special occasions and casual weeknight dinners.
Their signature coq au vin transforms an ordinary chicken into a masterpiece of flavor, simmered slowly with red wine, mushrooms, and pearl onions. The fresh-baked bread alone justifies the visit!