This Remote Pennsylvania Restaurant Makes the Long Drive Worth It This June
A long drive feels a lot less long when a serious sandwich is waiting at the end.
This remote Pennsylvania restaurant gives June travelers a reason to leave the usual routes behind, with steaks, hoagies, fresh rolls, big fillings, and the kind of roadside appetite that makes the journey feel earned.
There is something satisfying about food that comes with a little mileage attached.
The scenery becomes part of the meal, the destination feels more rewarding, and that first bite carries the quiet victory of having made the effort.
A place like this does not need big-city noise when the sandwiches can do all the convincing.
I would happily follow a winding Pennsylvania road for a hoagie with a reputation, especially if the reward is the kind of lunch that makes the drive home feel like bragging time.
The Cheesesteak That Started The Whole Conversation
Few sandwiches carry a reputation that survives a 200-mile round trip, but this one does.
The cheesesteak at Big Mike’s Steaks and Hoagies is the kind of thing people from Philadelphia talk about in hushed, almost reverent tones.
Thinly sliced steak, seasoned just right, layered with a generous amount of melted cheese on a soft, warm hoagie roll, it hits every note.
The meat-to-bread ratio is genuinely thoughtful, not an afterthought. Grilled onions are optional, the roll matters, and the whole thing holds together long enough for you to actually enjoy it.
One popular variation is the Dean Martin, which leans into garlic and earns serious points for flavor.
People drive hours across Pennsylvania specifically for this sandwich. That says everything you need to know about how seriously this place takes its craft.
22 Bridge Street Is Easier To Find Than You Think
Forksville is not exactly a metropolis, but finding Big Mike’s Steaks and Hoagies at 22 Bridge Street, Forksville, PA 18616 is surprisingly straightforward once you know where you are headed.
Plug in the address and let the drive do the rest, because the scenery along the way is genuinely worth the trip on its own.
Sullivan County sits in a quiet corner of Pennsylvania that most people blow past on their way somewhere else. That is their loss.
The restaurant sits right beside the Forksville Covered Bridge, one of those charming historic landmarks that makes you want to slow down and actually look around.
Knowing the hours ahead of time helps, since the schedule runs Wednesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 7 PM.
Open Wednesday Through Sunday, So Plan Accordingly
Getting your timing right matters at a spot like this. Big Mike’s is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so showing up on a random weeknight will leave you staring at a locked door and a serious craving.
Wednesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 7 PM is the window, and it is worth building your schedule around.
June weekends tend to bring a solid crowd, especially when hikers from nearby World’s End State Park start wrapping up their trails and realize they are hungry.
The line can stretch, but the kitchen moves fast. One visitor mentioned a 50-person takeout line that cleared out quickly, which is impressive for a small operation.
I always check hours before a road trip because there is nothing worse than driving two hours for a sandwich and finding a closed sign. Save yourself the heartbreak and plan ahead on this one.
A Covered Bridge As Your Dining View
Not many sandwich shops can claim a covered bridge as part of the dining experience, but this one can.
The Forksville Covered Bridge sits right next to the restaurant, and it adds a level of charm that no interior decorator could replicate.
Grab a seat outside and you have got a postcard in front of you while you eat. The outdoor seating area runs along the water, with views of the creek and the surrounding mountains of Pennsylvania.
On a clear June afternoon, the light hits the bridge and the water in a way that makes the whole scene feel almost unreal. It is the kind of place you take a photo of without even trying.
Picnic benches are scattered around the property, and the prime spots near the bridge fill up fast on busy days. Arriving a little early on a Saturday is never a bad call.
The Menu Goes Beyond Just Cheesesteaks
Cheesesteaks get all the headlines, but the full menu at Big Mike’s Steaks and Hoagies has plenty more going on.
The Italian hoagie is a serious contender, loaded with flavor and built on the same quality roll that makes the cheesesteaks so good. Cold hoagies, hot hoagies, and a rotating cast of specials round things out nicely.
Crabby fries show up in more than a few conversations about this place, and for good reason.
They are crispy, seasoned well, and just different enough to feel like a treat rather than a side dish.
The cheese fries take a layered approach, meaning the fries on the bottom actually get cheese too, which is a small but meaningful detail.
Vegetarian and vegan options are on the menu as well, which means nobody in the group has to compromise. That kind of inclusivity from a small-town spot in Pennsylvania is genuinely refreshing.
The Kids Menu And Puppy Bowl Are Real Crowd-Pleasers
Traveling with kids or a dog used to mean scoping out restaurants in advance to avoid the awkward “we don’t have anything for them” conversation.
Big Mike’s removes that stress entirely. A dedicated kids menu keeps the younger crowd happy, and the puppy bowl for dogs is one of those small touches that regulars genuinely love.
The dog-friendly setup fits perfectly with the outdoor setting along the creek. Families hiking World’s End State Park with their pets can roll straight into the seating area without any logistical drama.
The puppy bowl is reportedly generous, which is a detail that dog owners appreciate more than they let on.
For a spot this small, the range of options is surprisingly thoughtful. It feels like the kind of place that actually wants everyone to have a good time, not just the adults ordering the OG cheesesteak.
Vintage Sodas And Candy Make It A Full Experience
There is a fun general store energy running through Big Mike’s that goes beyond the food.
Vintage sodas and candy are available alongside the regular menu, turning what could be a quick lunch stop into something a little more memorable.
It is the kind of detail that makes kids and adults equally excited.
The store has always had a mixed personality, part restaurant, part gift shop, part general store, and that combination gives it a personality that a standard fast-casual spot simply cannot replicate.
Picking up a glass-bottle soda to sip while watching the covered bridge from a picnic bench is a genuinely enjoyable way to spend a June afternoon in Pennsylvania.
Retro candy selections vary, but the presence of them at all adds a nostalgic layer that pairs well with the rustic surroundings. It is a small quirk that regulars mention fondly and first-timers appreciate immediately.
Fast Service That Does Not Cut Corners
Speed and quality rarely live in the same zip code, but Big Mike’s Steaks and Hoagies manages both without breaking a sweat.
Orders routinely arrive within five minutes, which is remarkable given how much care goes into each sandwich.
The kitchen runs efficiently even during peak hours, which is saying something when the line stretches out the door on a summer Saturday.
The order window setup keeps things moving, and the staff handles the pace with a friendliness that does not feel forced.
Quick service in a beautiful setting is a combination that keeps people coming back year after year.
One visitor noted returning for three straight years and finding the quality completely consistent, which is a real achievement for any food operation.
That kind of reliability builds loyalty faster than any marketing campaign. When you know exactly what you are going to get, and it is this good, making the drive becomes an easy decision.
A Family Legacy That Keeps The Standard High
Big Mike’s Steaks and Hoagies carries a family story that gives the food an extra layer of meaning.
The original owner, Big Mike himself, built a reputation for quality and warmth that became the foundation of everything the restaurant stands for.
His family remains closely tied to the business, helping continue that legacy with obvious care and commitment.
That kind of generational involvement is not always smooth in the restaurant world, but here it has worked beautifully.
The quality has stayed consistent, the personality of the place has remained intact, and the standards have not slipped.
Regulars who have been coming for years still rave about it the same way they did at the beginning.
Running a beloved small-town spot in Pennsylvania is no small feat, especially when the original owner set such a high bar. The fact that this place keeps delivering says a lot about the people behind the counter.
World’s End State Park Makes This The Perfect Day Trip Combo
Pairing a hike with a great meal is one of the better ideas June has to offer, and this corner of Pennsylvania sets that up perfectly.
World’s End State Park sits just minutes from Big Mike’s Steaks and Hoagies, and the Double Run trail is a favorite warm-up before the main event at 22 Bridge Street.
Ricketts Glen State Park is also within reasonable driving distance for those planning a longer adventure.
Coming off a trail with an appetite and heading straight to a cheesesteak is a deeply satisfying experience. The outdoor seating along the creek feels even better after a few hours in the woods.
June weather in Sullivan County tends to be warm without being brutal, which makes the whole setup almost ideal.
The combination of natural beauty, a historic covered bridge, and genuinely excellent food gives this trip a completeness that is hard to find anywhere else in Pennsylvania this time of year.