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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Shady McGrady's

Shady McGrady's Pub, Harrisburg Pennsylvania © Susqueats.com 2009

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.

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.

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 7:00 AM

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Jackson's Junction

Jackson's Junction Restaurant, New Cumberland Pennsylvania © Susqueats.com 2009

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.

Jackson's Junction Restaurant, New Cumberland Pennsylvania © Susqueats.com 2009

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".