Kuhn's Crossroads Inn brings delicious deals to Leechburg
BACKGROUND
If your dinner guests include a man who has dined all over the world; his wife, who cooks dishes from all over the world; and an engaged couple who are planning to get married at Disney World, what chance does a down-to-Earth, Alle-Kiski restaurant have to please them?
If it is Kuhn's Crossroads Inn in Allegheny Township, it is a guarantee.
Located near Leechburg and Vandergrift at Weinel's Crossroads, this landmark restaurant was originally a stagecoach stop in the 1800s. It evolved into a popular dance hall and tavern in the 1930s and continued as such for the next 40 years. The current owners, Diane and Ralph Kuhn, purchased the eatery in 1986, having moved back to the Alle-Kiski Valley after owning a restaurant in Tionesta.
“We wanted to run a family-oriented restaurant in an area that had growth, and Allegheny Township was the perfect place,” Diane Kuhn says. More than 25 years later, the business is still growing and changing.
“Some of our customers met their mates at the dance hall and still frequent the place. I love the children to come in, and often, our customers' children choose to have their birthday parties here,” she says.
With laws changing constantly in the bar business, the Kuhns have concentrated on the restaurant side for growth and stability. “Every night, we have a homemade special. Everything in that dinner is fresh,” Ralph Kuhn says.
ATMOSPHERE
The restaurant is divided into a dining section, seating 60, and a separate bar area, seating 40. Decorated for Christmas when we visited, it had the feel of eating at Grandma's house. The dining area is clean, from the carpets to the tables. There is enough table separation that dinner conversations are not interrupted. On a recent visit, there was a holiday party of 20 in the room, and there was still a pleasant ambience for a private dinner.
MENU
We started our visit with The Plate ($6.75), which included fried provolone sticks, onion rings, mushrooms, potato wedges, cheese balls and mac-and-cheese bites. This huge offering was a great value, and the fried food had no greasy taste. It was simply a super way to start any meal.
We tried the chili ($ 2.65 a cup), and were thrilled by this homemade side. All soups are made from scratch, and it shows. More on the sweet side rather than spicy, the chili was loaded with beans, chunks of tomato, ground meat and celery. A cup might not be enough for true chili lovers.
The Crossroads Inn is known for its Chicken Wings ($16.75 per dozen), and one bite told us why. These whole, fresh wings were perfectly cooked, not greasy and properly seasoned. It was easy to see why they are one of the most-popular wings in the Kiski Valley.
Our world-traveler enjoyed the Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti ($ 8.95), and found the sweet tomato sauce with a basil base to his liking. The chicken was real chicken, not a processed patty. The breading was crisp, not soggy or greasy, and the pasta was cooked al dente. Served with a mixed green salad, he particularly liked the sun-ripened tomato vinaigrette dressing.
Our world-class cook had the turkey club platter with fresh-cut fries and cole slaw ($8.05). The more-than-3-inch mound of turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato and cheese on toasted white bread really hit the spot. The fresh-cut fries were excellent. No matter in which dish they are included, these golden-brown bites of amazing taste are worth the trip. The house-made cole slaw features angel-hair-shredded cabbage in a vinegar-base sauce that hinted of a sweet tinge. The slaw is a perfect complement to any meal.
One of the Disney dreamers chose the Buffalo Pizza ($10.25 for a 12-inch 8-cut), and was not disappointed. Topped with a huge mound of french fries, seasoned breaded chicken and melted provolone and cheddar cheeses, this was a definite hit. The crust was akin to Syrian bread, crispy and flaky, and the buffalo flavoring was mild, not harsh.
The Disney groom went for the Hot Roast Beef Sandwich with fries ($ 6.30). The sandwich was stacked with roast beef that was a tad overcooked for his taste, but still not dry. Smothered in a smooth, flavorful gravy, this staple would satisfy any hearty appetite.
Our final selection was the grilled chicken salad ($6.95). This was a smaller portion of mixed greens with fresh grilled, moist chicken. Served with thick slabs of bacon, which is unusual (but very welcome), and hard-boiled eggs and tomatoes, our diner did not leave stuffed, but very satisfied.
The servers at the Crossroads are excellent. With a party of 20 and most of the other tables filled, they handled the dinner service like a well-choreographed ballet. The pressed kitchen staff delivered the food in an extremely timely manner.
One member of the crew says he will return. “I've paid twice as much for food half as good — yes, I'll come back.”
Eric Felack is a photographer for the Valley News Dispatch.
