Big news in Upper Burrell: A woodpecker has felled the mighty oak.
Well, Woodpecker's Pub and Grub has replaced The Oaks, a decades-old bar and grill next to the Penn State New Kensington campus. And this bird is pecking in major changes to the site.
New owners Mike Williams, who ran Mike's Place in Arnold for 10 years, his wife, Darla, and Jeff Frazer have remodeled the inside and are working on the outside, adding a huge deck and siding and doubling the size of the parking lot.
And for those who don't want to enter the bar to order food, there will be a separate takeout area.
Is the food worth taking out⢠You betcha, according to a recent visit by a Lunch Bunch crew.
We started with the house specialty, Sweet Potato Fries ($3.25), a great start to any meal. Seasoned with a hint of cinnamon, these crispy strips are served with dipping honey and were described by one guest as addictive.
The Munchie Platter ($6.95) features an assortment of fried fare -- Texas Toothpicks (mild battered jalapeno strips), breaded mushrooms, thick provolone cheese sticks and the star of the basket: potato spudsters. These flavorful balls of mashed potatoes were served with ranch dressing and tasty marinara sauce. The platter proved a satisfying assortment to share among four people.
The Steak Salad ($6.95) is a super-huge serving of grilled steak with mixed greens, cheese, hard-cooked eggs, french fries and tomatoes. The steak is so tender that it "melts in your mouth," and so huge it was shared by two diners.
The Woodpecker Sandwich ($5.95) features corned beef, Swiss cheese, french fries and coleslaw on an Italian toasted bun. One would expect the signature sandwich of any restaurant to be stacked with meat, and something special. This sandwich is not, and lacks a flavorful punch. This was the only disappointment of the meal.
The Steak Pizza ($8.50 for a large) is outstanding. The hand-rolled flatbread crust is crispy, topped with mounds of tender steak and a blend of cheeses, over a ranch dressing-based sauce. This is worth going back for, in the opinion of our crew.
The Chicken Wings ($8.75 per dozen) are huge, jumbo wings that come in five flavors. We tried the plain wings, sprinkled with paprika and served piping hot. These meaty delights please the palate and the stomach.
The Homemade Pierogies ($5.75 for six) feature a pleasing dough that's not too heavy, and have a nicely filled pocket of either potato cheese or sauerkraut, served with sauteed onions. Move over, Mrs. T's. This is a nice addendum to bar food.
Woodpecker's is a work in progress, as remodeling continues to upgrade the large facility. The casual atmosphere is complimented by a pleasant and patient wait staff that is very accommodating for special orders. There is a separate dining room with a fireplace, and high tables in the bar area for eating.
Compiled by Eric Felack and guests. Meals are paid for by the Valley News Dispatch and are unrelated to advertising.
Additional Information:
Woodpecker's Pub and Grub
Address: 3500 Seventh Street Road, Upper Burrell
Phone: 724-339-9287
Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 11 a.m.-midnight Fri.-Sat.; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.
Credit cards: All major cards accepted
Smoking: Yes
Handicapped accessible: Yes
Prices: Appetizers, $2.95-$6.95; salads, $2.25-$6.95; sandwiches, $2.25-$6.95; pizza, $4-$8.50
