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 As the second move in what appears to be a quickly expanding sports bar chain, Arooga's complimented their East Shore location with one on the West Shore located on the Camp Hill bypass.
For a full feature on their food, please visit the Arooga's Grille House and Sports Bar - Route 22 posting as this article will mostly be a short highlight the new location. |
 So of course a sports bar should have a lot of TVs, well this Aroogas has pretty much nailed that, boasting the most HD TVs in the state of Pennsylvania. Like the 22 location, the Camp Hill Aroogas also features a Blizzard Beer System. This system pours beer at a frosty 29.1°, as opposed to the approximate 34° standard. Finally this location is also certified "green" by the Green Restaurant Association. So whether it's the food or the other amenities, Camp Hill's Aroogas offers what you've come to expect from their original location. |
 Arooga's Grille House and Sports Bar - Camp Hill
1300 Camp Hill Bypass
Camp Hill, PA 17011
717-730-9464
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Labels: Aroogas, billiards, Camp Hill Restaurant, sports bar
photography © Tom Wenger Photography, LLC posted by Tom Wenger at
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 On Verbeke Street, just up from the Broad Street Market, is a neighborhood bar that finds itself being visited by patrons from far beyond the surrounding streets.
Beerheads from far and wide search out Shady McGrady's strictly for their over-the-top selection of beers. Owner Scott Thomas believes that his pub has one of the best selections of top quality beers in the State, and a stroll down the taps would make it hard to argue with him. I was only there five minutes before I heard someone who had just walked in say "My God... they have that on tap!!!" and I think that such exclamations occur frequently in front of Shady's modest u-shaped bar.
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 Shady McGrady's has a full 24 taps. With that much real estate you expect a fair share of macro-brews. Not here. Only one macro, and a Guinness, and the rest are all top-end micros or hard to find brews.
What about the food? Shady McGrady's offers a bar menu consisting of many of your usual subjects like wings, pizzas and your other fried favorites. But you get the sense that it is served more as a convenience to their patrons who want to get on to trying their next beer.
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 In addition to the draft beers, Shady McGrady's offers an ever expanding selection of bottled beer. In keeping with their craft brewed philosophy, many of these are hard to find specialty beers from around the country and the globe. They even feature one beer that is literally from all around the globe. Dogfish Head's Pangea is brewed with ingredients from each of the world's continents.
If you subscribe to the "beer is food" or "liquid bread" philosophies, Shady McGrady's is the place for you.
Shady McGrady's is only open evenings and it is a smoking bar, so plan accordingly. |
 Shady McGrady's
204 Verbeke Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
717-234-4070
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Labels: billiards, Harrisburg restaurant, Shady McGrady's, smoking
photography © Tom Wenger Photography, LLC posted by Tom Wenger at
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 In 1996 when the news was getting around town that an abandoned warehouse on North Cameron Street was being renovated into a brewery, it created quite a buzz. After all, it had been 45 years since Harrisburg could claim a brewery of its own. Due to neglect, substantial renovations were required. Upon opening in 1997 though, the 50,000 building that now housed Appalachian Brewing Company became one of the largest microbrewery/brewpubs in the country, and remains so today. |
 The lower level sports a large dining area as well as a large bar area. The North wall is entirely made of glass offering a full view into the brewing area. The bar features a seasonal selection of ABC's beers. Where ABC differs from many brewpubs is that they do not limit their patrons to their beers only. They allow their patrons the choices offered by a full bar as well as bottles of their competitor's beers. The bar also houses the "Mug Club" collection that offers club members special perks and discounts. |
 Not to be outdone by the brewers, the chefs turn out some quality grub. Here an order of Black and Bleu Pork Medallions is paired with a Trail Blaze Brown Ale. Trail Blaze is Pennsylvania's first and only Certified Organic beer.
Trail Blaze is one of eight flagship beers offered by the brewery year-round. These are accompanied by another dozen specialty beers that are released monthly and based on their seasonality.
Additionally Appalachian turns out their own Root Beer and Ginger Beer for those who want the fresh brewed flavor without the alcohol. |
 ABC (as the brewery is often referred to) offers a number of burgers and other sandwich options, pizzas, and a selection of hearty entrees. This Rockville Ribeye is juicy ribeye steak between two pieces of Texas garlic toast smothered with caramelized onion, mozzarella, provolone and creamy horseradish sauce. Behind it is their version of a liquid air conditioner. The perfect thirst quencher on a hot day - a pint of Water Gap Wheat. |
 The Sautéed Scallops offer a healthy portion of scallops on a bed of linguine that has been tossed with smoked salmon, artichoke hearts and asparagus and a garlic Parmesan tomato cream sauce.
With it is a pint of Jolly Scot Scottish Ale which lends its name from a beer made by R.H. Graupners Brewery, the last brewery in Harrisburg that had been located a block away from ABC's current location. |
 Like the brewery, the kitchen serves seasonal selections. This Smoked Salmon Plate is part of a special Irish Fest menu that turns St. Patrick's Day into a month long celebration. With it a Susquehanna Stoutt is ABC's own take of this Guinness-like style of beer. |
 In addition to the main floor, the ABC features a second level known as the Abbey Bar. The Abbey features over 50 Belgian beers in bottles and on draft in addition to their own fresh selection. The Abbey regularly features local and regional acts with no cover charge, a deck for enjoying the outdoors and pool tables. Off the Abbey is a banquet room for private functions. |
Appalachian Brewing Company
50 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-221-1080
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Labels: Appalacian Brewing Company, banquets, beer selection, billiards, brewery, full bar, Harrisburg restaurant
photography © Tom Wenger Photography, LLC posted by Tom Wenger at
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 It's always good to know where a couple country bars are. They represent a place you can let your hair down a little more and have a good time. They also often offer good food at good prices. Jackson's Junction is one of these country bars. Located on 114 in Fairview Township at the end of Fishing Creek Road.
|  Jackson's Junction is a smoking bar, so it is limited to those 18 years and older. This is the kind of place that you want to go grab a beer with a buddy, or stop on your way back from a day of skiing to warm up by the fire or just stop in after work for some good food and friendly conversation, so you don't really miss the kids not being there.
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The bar is well stocked and there is a fair selection of beers on tap including some of Yuengling's darker varieties. A lower level sports pool and Foosball tables for those who like a little activity with their brew. This is definitely a drinker's bar, but they also have a full kitchen that goes a little beyond your standard bar fare.
Among their specialties is the pulled pork barbecue sandwich. It is piled high smothered in a homemade barbecue sauce and definitely won't leave you hungry. |  Don't worry though, they do have your standards like chicken wings with a variety of sauces served with the chunkiest blue cheese dressing I've come across.
|  For something really unique try some of their more unusual appetizers like the batter dipped deep fried pickles pictured here, or the sausage and honey.
In addition to the bar itself, Jackson's Junction has a large enclosed area with pavilions, bars, a volleyball net, softball diamond, horeshoes and even a swimming pool that is available for catered functions. This area is great for family reunions, pig roasts, weddings, fund raisers, corporate outings or just about anything you can imagine. It's like having a big back yard for a party with plenty of parking and no one spending the night at your house. It's easy to see why their motto is "Have you function at the Junction".
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844 Fishing Creek Road New Cumberland, PA 17070 717-275-1100
smoking
| Labels: billiards, full bar, Jackson's Junction, New Cumberland Restaurant, smoking
photography © Tom Wenger Photography, LLC posted by Tom Wenger at
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