The Lamp Post is a bit of a landmark in Lower Burrell. The establishment has been there 52 years, and has been under the ownership of the Condarcure family since 1976.
The Lunch Bunch recently enjoyed a visit to the restaurant area, and we couldn't help but notice the separate bar area had a more lively atmosphere the afternoon we visited. The Lamp Post seems to be a place where locals hang to share a game of darts or video poker over a brew and some food.
We had a more immediate business to tend to -- feeding our hungry faces. We headed to the restaurant side where a hand-drawn sports-minded mural adorns the wall and red leather booths line the window wall. Tables for four are available in the rest of the small dining room.
Hungry beyond reason, we scanned the menu. Ever have one of those days when you just want to proclaim "bring on the fried food?" Our waitress could see we were in a dilemma over whether to order onion rings, mushrooms or cauliflower (each at $3.50 per order), plus potato skins -- for starters -- so she suggested we do a trio platter ($7.50). We feasted on battered onion rings, breaded florets of cauliflower and freshly dipped mushrooms. We marveled how everything was fried to perfection so there was absolutely no grease. The cauliflower was especially appealing and we licked that platter clean. Ummm hmmm.
The fact they were fresh was a welcome surprise from the usual bar/restaurant frozen appetizers.
We also meant to order the Messy Potato Skin Platter, but forgot to say messy so instead we had the Potato Skin Platter ($5.95) that featured five scooped out potato boats filled with cheese, chopped black olives, bacon bits and sour cream and chives.
What a catch the Fried Cod ($4.95) was. We dare anyone to pick up this hefty sandwich and get it in your mouth without a little nip and tuck work with a knife or fork. Two large pieces of lightly breaded tender fish spilled over the large submarine roll. After indulging in some appetizers we actually couldn't get past the nip and tuck stage of our sandwich. Instead we packed it up for a second feast with the bun still intact.
The size of the sandwich would lend itself to being listed under the "belly buster" section featuring burgers.
The Hot Sausage ($3.95) came with two pieces of sausage on a huge bun. The sausage, which was more a mild-hot sausage, was cooked in a red sauce along with generous portions of onion and green pepper. It was tasty, fresh and of good quality (meaning it contained very little fat). You get more than your money's worth with this sandwich. The hot sausage is also available with cheese for $4.25.
The Lamp Post boasts Lower Burrell's finest turtle soup, and we really wanted to try a cup of Turtle Soup, ($2.50, cup; bowl $3.50), but it was unavailable, so we opted instead for a cup of Stuffed Pepper Soup ($1.50; bowl $1.95). We were not at all disappointed. This hearty soup was overflowing with chunks of beef and green bell pepper with plenty of rice in a splendid tomato base broth. Don't miss it when it's on the menu.
From several years ago, we recalled the wonderful Oyster Sandwich ($4.95) at The Lamp Post and we couldn't resist ordering it again. The oysters were superb, large and crisply breaded and fried. But alas, the sandwich apparently had shrunk. We got just two oysters on one-third of a submarine roll. We had it with lettuce and tomato and it was truly delicious, but severely lacking in size. We are told the sandwich generally is much larger, bearing at least four oysters. Still, the sandwich was to-die-for and you can bet we will try it again.
The Chicken Salad ($6.95), which you can have plain or Cajun-style, brought back to the office as a take-out item was a bit of a disappointment. Although the menu boasted of green peppers, black olives, egg wedges and provolone cheese on this entree, none of these items was included. It did have iceberg lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes, shredded carrots, french fries, an ample portion of grilled chicken and a small amount of melted Cheddar cheese. Additionally, the order was not to have had onions, but the diner got them anyway. The dressing supplied was Heinz French, but it didn't taste like any French dressing she ever had eaten, and that includes the Catalina variety. She ate most of the salad minus the dressing. The chicken was delicious and the fries were good, but she felt $6.95 was a bit pricey.
We applaud the Lamp Post for its social conscience. Twice a month the restaurant sponsors a $3 breakfast buffet to raise money for the Relay for Life American Cancer Society team. The next buffets are March 16 and 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. All proceeds benefit the Relay for Life. Condarcure donates all the food and volunteers help with the breakfast that has raised more than $2,000 so far.
Compiled by Rebecca Killian, Barbara Daugherty, Sis Reola and Carol Pinto-Smith.
Meals are paid for by the Valley News Dispatch and are unrelated to advertising.
| The Lamp Post |
