It's been 12 years since I last went to the Jackson House, and finally getting back there felt like…read morestepping into a completely different life. New me, new experience. like not a single cell from back then made the trip with me. We pull up, deal with Harrisburg parking (a whole separate scam I won't get into today), and walk into this little hole-in-the-wall lunch spot that closes at 2. That alone explains why it's been over a decade. But the second you step inside, it hits you this place has an aura. Straight New York-Philly energy. Metro signs everywhere, burger memorabilia, cheesesteak philosophy on the walls, Italian pride, city pride, just buku love, buku vibes. You order in a separate little room that feels like a classic bodega. Glass cooler with lunch meats, tiny soda setup, 50-cent refills, vanilla and cherry add-ons if you're feeling fancy. Cash only. No exceptions. We actually had to leave and hit an ATM because my roommate forgot. That's the kind of place this is. Feels like there's no internet in there. Like they might still be running a ham radio in the back. The guys working there? Straight 1970s New York swagger. You can tell this place has not changed since the day it opened, and that's exactly the point. And the wait,yeah, you're waiting. 20 minutes easy. But that's part of it. That's Staves of all the instant gratification and doom scrolling. It sets you back to a forgotten time. Then the burger comes out. This ain't no smash burger. This ain't no little quarter-pound situation. This is a big, meaty, juicy, chewy, greasy, gooey pound of flesh. And yeah, keep all of that. I'm staring at it for 30 seconds, salivating, practically full just looking at it. I finally put the bun on and go at it jerking my head around like a dog playing tug of war (making the most carnivorous, bestial sounds) I got the Jackson burger, lettuce, tomato, J-sauce. I need my J-sauce. And it hits and for a brief moment there is no worry in the world. This isn't a place you go every week unless you're trying to test your mortality. But when you go, you go all the way: 22-ounce Coca-Cola, burger, fries. No half measures. And the crowd? Office guys in suits on their lunch break. Capitol crowd. That's the vibe. I'm never in that world, so stepping into it felt like being dropped into a different city entirely--honestly felt like a Manhattan Lunch Break. The burger itself? Timeless. Not chasing trends, not trying to be Shake Shack, not Five Guys. This is some old-school, 1950s, Back to the Future-type energy. I half expected Marty McFly and Doc to walk in, get em one. Only surprise? No shakes. Feels like they should have shakes. They don't do fries with that shake. Now the one knock: the fries. Flavor? Perfection, hand cut boardwalk style fries. But I got a lot of little end pieces, now that's straight up disrespectful to me, how you gonna treat me like that?. I don't want to dig through little nubs to find actual fries. That's where I gotta be honest, dock a point. Overall though? Food: elite Experience: unmatched Vibe: 5/5 Conclusion - 4/5 (fix those bum-ass fries.)

We needed a quick lunch spot in Harrisburg and a local highly recommended the Jackson House. It was…read moredefinitely not what we expected. This is a small restaurant near midtown that one might just pass by without a second thought. Don't do that. While small, we were able to find a table. But plan ahead because there was a long line tha ended up out the front door. Burgers and fries were very good. No pre-pattied burgers here. Get lots of napkins too because the burgers are juicy.

High Dive is an interesting mashup. From the name and the first impression inside, it reads as a…read moredark, slightly dingy dive bar, and it fully delivers that vibe. Then you open the menu and realize there is a surprisingly large Hawaiian themed food selection. It is not really a restaurant, though. It feels like a bar first, with a better than expected food program, not the other way around. The bar service was excellent. I ordered a Sazerac, and they served it with the absinthe on the side so you can add it to taste. That is a small detail, but it shows care and attention, and it made for a great drink. Service overall was friendly and prompt. Even though it is clearly a bar, it is also calm enough during certain hours that you could do some work or have a low key meeting. I would not try that during peak drinking hours. I am not sure of the exact hours, but it seems like more of a late day or evening spot than a lunch stop. If you are in the area and want a solid cocktail and a snack, High Dive is an easy pick.

It's always special visiting your hometown, and on my latest trip I stumbled across a bar that was…read morenew to me and what a find it was. The moment I realized there was nowhere to park in Harrisburg's awesome Midtown area, I knew I was in for a good time. That kind of energy usually means a place is worth the stop. From the old‑school neon sign outside to the throwback décor inside, the whole place felt like a blast from the past, almost like a little slice of Brooklyn tucked into Harrisburg. The crowd was lively but not overwhelming, with plenty of seating and someone ready to greet you right away. I was told that during the week there's usually no wait at all, which is a huge bonus. I asked the bartender to surprise me with a drink, and he delivered a gorgeous gin Frenchie with perfectly balanced foam and flavor. It was honestly one of the highlights of my visit. This spot is a true hidden gem and now holds a special place in my heart. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for great drinks, great vibes, and a throw back atmosphere.

Scott was amazing and really helpful. He has a great personality! The restaurant looks very nice…read moreand the food was delicious! 10/10 would recommend!

from the service to the food all around one of my favorite places to spend hard earned money…read more in the 4-5 years Ive been back in the area not once have i had a bad dish. great place!

I needed my car navigation to find Big Rays, but it was definitely worth finding…read more I've been looking for local restaurants that specialize in all-beef hot dogs. I believe I found it at Big Ray's. My two dogs were just as yummy as I expected, but I could only eat one hot dog because I had to get the fresh-cut, homemade French fries. Very homey feel with friendly service. Al fresco dining is available when the weather is nice. The staff was very friendly, and I can attest that the food is great.

Big Ray's Burgers & Dogs has been sitting on my "must-try" list since summer, so when a Friday…read moreNight Date Night rolled around--and I was craving a proper chili dog--the decision was easy. The only real question: Would Big Ray's chili dog treat me kindly? (Important considerations were made.) We arrived around 5:30pm on a chilly January Friday and quickly realized we were not alone in this brilliant decision. The dining room was already about ¾ full, which I take as an excellent sign when evaluating burger-and-dog establishments. After a quick menu scan, I locked in my order: a ¼-lb beef hot dog with chili, mustard, and onions ($4.99) plus a Diet Pepsi (because balance). Adventure Buddy went all in with the Honey Butter Chicken Club ($8.59) and an order of fried pickles ($4.99), washed down with an orange Fanta. Total damage? Under $27. Date night win already. The food came out fast and piping hot, which is exactly what you want when you're this hungry. My chili dog immediately delivered--solid flavor, generous chili, and most importantly, the hot dog was grilled, giving it that slight snap that separates the pros from the amateurs. No soggy sadness here. Adventure Buddy's chicken sandwich was also a standout. This was a legit chunk of chicken breast, not a sad, thin patty pretending to be something it's not. Crispy, juicy, and the honey butter added just the right touch of sweetness without crossing into dessert territory. The fried pickles were thick-cut, crunchy, and exactly what fried pickles should be--dangerously snackable. All around, Big Ray's absolutely delivered. Solid food, quick service, great value, and the kind of place you immediately add to your "easy yes" rotation for burgers, dogs, and sandwiches. I'll definitely be back--especially once the weather warms up and that front patio becomes fair game.

We started with Southwestern Chicken Rolls that have a very delicious Horseradish Ranch dipping…read moresauce. I ordered the Lemon Artichoke Chicken Sautéed sundried tomatoes and asparagus over sweet pea risotto. Topped with grilled chicken and lemon artichoke pesto. Served with a side of your choice. I had a side salad with Lite Italian dressing. The better half ordered the Center Street Meatloaf Homemade meatloaf served with loaded smashed potatoes, brussels sprouts with bacon, and finished with a Guinness gravy. Dinner came out hot and delicious. Shout out to Cynthia A our server for her over the top service and hospitality. Center St. Grille is still one of the best relaxing restaurants in the area with a very unique menu.

We were looking for a quick bite in an unfamiliar area and ended up at Center Street Grille. From…read morethe outside it looked a bit sketchy, and we almost didn't go in. After seeing a few people head inside, we decided to give it a try--and found a hidden gem. The dining room had a lovely ambiance, and our waitstaff was friendly and efficient. The menu had so many tempting options that I asked our server for guidance. She recommended the veal, and it was excellent. I chose the pasta salad as my side, which was a great addition. Biggest takeaway - don't judge a book by its cover. I'd happily eat here again.

I was recently back at the Grateful Goat while I was out of town for work. Unfortunately this place…read morefell off a bit since the last time I visited. Some of the food didn't look or taste fresh (I.e. the beer cheese) and the homemade tots that I ordered did not taste like tater tots at all. A coworker had to send her spaghetti and meatballs back because the meatballs were burnt to a crisp. I am surprised they even served them in the first place. The service was just okay as well. I saw that they recently closed so maybe they were just going through the motions at that point.

Attended a work happy hour event here with about 50 people in the back room. It was brightly lit…read moreand spacious, with TVs all around the room on sports channels. Thank goodness! I was SUPER IMPRESSED by the staff that managed to keep up with drinks in this horde of people, all moving around the space and socializing. I wish I'd caught our server's name because he was awesome and I'd like to give him props. They served some BBQ wings, which were big, juicy and delicious, excellent fried Brussels sprouts, and these loaded tots things that were yummy too. He's definitely go back to sample more of their menu.

Jb lovedrafts is a place you can grab some really yummy food, a crisp local beer, and catch some…read morelive music all at the same time! They get in all different kind of people, performers, bands, etc which allows you to feel very comfortable in the space most of the time. Very inclusive which we absolutely love to see. The service is pretty on brand for a punky hole in the wall, you get what you get and you get it well lol.

I came here for a fairly early dinner one night so the place was super quiet. The bartender was…read morevery nice, quick to grab a drink and my order. I had a Whiskey BBQ burger which was tasty, with a side of fries. I also got an order of the homemade cheese sauce on the side to dip my fries in which didn't have as much flavor as I anticipated, but it was still pretty good (I mean... it's cheese. Come on.). What made the evening more interesting was a guy who sat at the bar having a full conversation with himself... we thought he maybe had headphones in but nope. The staff definitely was keeping an eye on him and doing the best they could with the situation. All in all, I'd come back when I'm next in town to hang again.

My friend and I ate there last night. Excellent. He had the 2 meat platter with 2 side dishes and…read moresaid they were excellent. I had the double Patty smash burger with bacon and it was one of the best burgers I have had. There was also some homemade pickle Chips that were delicious. We split a PB pie. I hope they do coconut pie at some point. My only critique is the burger (all sandwiches) should come with potato chips. Or fries but I am thinking they don't have a fryer there. I didn't mind the price of the burger but the sides were too expensive for me to add. I just wanted something more with that burger. If that burger had Chips would be 5 stars. Highly recommend this place. I look forward to eating there again.

This place started showing up in my social media feeds constantly. All day. Every day. Smoked meat?…read moreI'm listening. Smoked meat and homemade peanut butter pie? In the same building?! Immediate must-try status. I hatched a plan to visit on a chilly January Friday night, knowing they'd recently been selling out of items before their posted 7pm closing time. The target: 5:30pm. Risky enough to feel exciting, early enough to still secure smoked meat. A calculated move. Get Smok'd is located in a strip mall, and when I arrived, most of the front parking spots were full. Brief "oh no" moment...then I snagged a spot from someone pulling out and hustled inside. The dining room was much more spacious than it looked from outside, though many tables were already filled. I stepped up to the counter fully prepared--having studied both the menu and their social media all week in belly-growling anticipation. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with street corn and a fountain soda. Adventure Buddy went with the Lamb Gyro special, coleslaw, and a soda. Total for dinner came in around $40, which felt very reasonable for the amount of food. We timed it perfectly. About 10 minutes after we arrived, a large party of ~20 people walked in and filled a reserved table. More folks followed right behind them and suddenly the place was packed, buzzing, and running low on seats. Lamb Gyro: Fantastic. The smoke really came through on the lamb, and the tzatziki was super cucumber-forward, which Adventure Buddy loved. It was also a generous portion for the price--always appreciated. Street Corn: First off, the presentation was on point. The husk flared out like a little sunburst--very eye-catching. The cook on the corn was perfect, seasoning was just right, and the ear itself was a great size. Goldilocks corn. Coleslaw: This one missed the mark for us. The cabbage itself was fine, but the dressing was very bland and there was a lot of it--bordering on cold coleslaw soup territory. Not our thing, though it might work for some. Pulled Pork Sandwich: The pulled pork? Fabulous. Moist, juicy, perfectly smoky. I paired it with the Lawd That's Good traditional sweet sauce and ate every last bite of the meat. The roll, however, didn't live up to the pork--it felt like an odd mismatch. I skipped the bread and focused on the star of the show. Peanut Butter Pie: I...was not prepared. I did not expect a smoked meat joint to casually deliver one of the best peanut butter desserts I've had in a long time. This isn't a slice--this is a personal peanut butter pie. I'd guess 5-6 inches wide, about 1.5 inches thick, served in its own tin and piled high with whipped cream. This wasn't dessert--this was an entire second meal. At $10, it was worth every single penny, and I seriously debated ordering another. I will absolutely be back just for this pie. Overall, Get Smok'd BBQ earns a solid 5 stars from both me and Adventure Buddy. Friendly staff who checked in, meat smoked to perfection, and a peanut butter pie that completely stole the show. Good lawd! PRO TIP: If you're planning to visit later in the day, check Get Smok'd on social media first. They sell out. Early. Often. Don't waste a trip just to find locked doors and shattered BBQ dreams. This place is hot right now--and very much worth the visit if there's still smoked meat left to be had!