Shakedown BBQ (Grantville, PA)

I can honestly say that, without a doubt, Shakedown BBQ has to be one of my favorite places to eat. I always make it a point to stop in whenever I'm home from school. I remember when it opened by a few years back, and the placed was swarmed with business. I don't think this steady business has decreased either. For being such a small location, tucked away on the outskirts of Grantville, PA, it's always packed when I walk in there.

The place itself just has a great feel too it. The walls are decorated with rock-and-roll  and sports memorabilia, as well as some local businesses/causes they support. Every now and then, they hang up a "Wall of Fame" for the food-eating challenges they've had. Personally, I tried the first challenge they had a few years ago, which consisted of me attempting to eat a pulled pork sandwich cover in "ghost-chili" sauce...needless to say, it didn't end too well. The staff that work there are always friendly, which adds to the experience. Just as an added bonus, you can regularly find free live music being performed behind Shakedown during the summer months...BYOB.

Now for the important stuff, the food! I can say I've ever had a bad meal from here. They serve an assortment of meats, sandwiches, and sides. It always tough to choose from the different options because none of them disappoint. The ribs fall off the bone, the brisket is tender, and the pulled pork is just awesome,  not to mention the portions are great, too! The prices on the sandwiches change from time-to-time, but the price is always worth it.

My favorite sides would have to be fries, as well as the baked beans...but everyone has their preferences.  The baked beans almost have a chili taste to them, but I'm not 100% sure what's in it. Whatever it is, it works! (They recently changed their fries, and I think they're better...more potato, less grease)

I also have to admire how Shakedown is always innovating. The menu almost always has something new on the menu when I come in, which constantly makes my decision on what to eat harder every time!

My favorite menu item has to be Shakedown's classic Pig Pen sandwich. It's an enormous pulled pork sandwich, topped with slaw and Shakedown's barbecue sauce. The buns are good, but the pulled pork is just out of this world. I was craving one of these sandwiches so bad that I almost got half-way done with my sandwich before I remembered I had to take a picture of it (which explains the picture below).

Anyway, it's pretty clear how passionate I am about this place. You can find Shakedown BBQ at 668 Firehouse Road, Grantville, PA 17028.

The Waffle Shop (State College, PA)

Located in the heart of State College, The Waffle Shop is a clear favorite of the locals in Happy Valley, as well as the die-hard fans of the Nittany Lions. Being a Penn State student, it was only fitting that I ate here before I headed out for the holiday break.

Ironically, I did not order a waffle as one might infer from the name of the restaurant. Instead, I had the "House Specialty - Country Sunrise Omelette." The description had everything I wanted that morning...egg, ham, onion, peppers, and some red skin potatoes. The coffee that I had was decent, but it got the job done. I went with my roommate, who ordered the Banana Nut Waffle, who practically inhaled the plate. I can't say that I wasn't a little bit jealous.

The Waffle Shop is very tiny restaurant, but it has the downtown-college feel you want. On game-day Saturday mornings, you can find a line stretching down College Ave. People are crazy for this place!

While it wasn't the best omelette I've ever had, I thought that I got my moneys worth. I think that I'll have to try the one of the waffles next time I stop by!

You can find The Waffle Shop at 364 East College Avenue, State College, PA 16801.

About the "Local Eats" Blog

In the following posts, I will be talking about, and reviewing, some of the "Local Eats" as I travel and come across town-favorite restaurants. I know that whenever I travel somewhere, I like to find the best places in town to get a taste of what the locals eat. I can't stand the thought of traveling anywhere and dining at chain restaurants. Hopefully this blog can help any of it's viewers that are traveling and want the local-eats experience too!