Joy's Grill & Burger House became a Friday Night Date Night destination during my birthmonth after…read moreI spotted them on social media. I've driven by Joy's a million times and somehow never noticed it before. It's tucked into a busy strip mall and easy to miss if you're not specifically looking for it. Spoiler alert: you should be looking for it. My quest for the evening included both a burger and a chili dog, because they both looked amazing and I wanted the full Joy's experience. My adventure buddy and I arrived around 5pm and I was honestly surprised to see only one other person inside when we walked in. We grabbed a booth by the front door and looked over the menu again to finalize our plan. Since it was our first visit, we decided to order a few things and split them so we could try more. We ordered the loaded chili dog topped with chili, cheese, onions, and mustard ($5.25) and one of the Big Block Burgers -- specifically the Joy's Burger -- which came with grilled onions and mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, LA sauce, Swiss cheese, and fresh cut fries ($12.99). Naturally we added bacon for an extra $0.99 because that felt like the right decision. We also each grabbed a Diet Pepsi (to maintain some illusion of balance) for $2.50 each. Our total came to $25.69 before tip, which felt like a pretty solid deal for a two-person Friday night dinner adventure. The setup at Joy's has a classic old-school diner feel. The grill sits right behind the seating counter so you can watch your food being made, and they mix milkshakes right out front as well. The place is simple and no-frills -- and in my experience, those "keep it simple and do it well" places are often the real heavy hitters. The chili dog came out first, and the first thing I noticed was that this thing was HEAVY. This wasn't your typical skinny hot dog -- it was a full ¼-pound dog absolutely loaded with chili. The flavor reminded me of a Cincinnati-style chili dog and it was really good. The chili was flavorful instead of just decorative, the mustard and onions were balanced perfectly, and the bun did its job without getting in the way. As someone who takes chili dogs very seriously, I have to give Joy's credit for delivering a straightforward, perfectly executed chili dog. Next came the burger and fresh cut fries, and when I say this burger was big, I mean BIG. Two patties tall with all the toppings stacked high. We sliced it in half and immediately dug in. The bacon was perfectly crisp, the mushrooms and Swiss were generous, and the whole thing just tasted like a real, proper burger. Not a chain burger that started life frozen and tastes like it could have been reheated in my microwave at home. This was the kind of burger you picture when you say you're craving a burger. The fries were exactly what you want from fresh-cut fries -- the smaller ones nice and crispy, and the bigger ones crispy on the outside with that soft, fluffy inside. Splitting the chili dog and burger turned out to be the right call. It would have been easy to eat everything solo, but my stomach probably would not have forgiven me later. Our server was super friendly and attentive throughout the visit. While we were there, a few more people came in to eat, but overall it felt relaxed and easy for a Friday evening. Parking is free since Joy's sits in a strip mall, but it can be a little tight because there are several other popular businesses nearby. We were able to find a spot without trouble, but I could see it getting tricky during busier times. If you're looking for solid burgers, legit chili dogs, and an old-school diner vibe, Joy's Grill & Burger House is absolutely worth seeking out -- especially if you're like me and always on the lookout for your next great burger or chili dog adventure.

First Impressions! Nice little Burger Joint with a pretty good sandwich menu that includes baskets…read more. Comfortable booths line the windows or a couple of small tables & counter seating is available. My wife ordered the Meltdowns 10 oz. Fresh patty melt topped with grilled onions and swiss cheese on grilled rye bread. I ordered the Road House 10 oz. Fresh burger topped with bacon, fried egg, lettuce, tomato, onions, American cheese, and LA sauce. Melissa was terrific warm and welcoming very efficient and attentive. Loved her old school waitress charm! Joy's Grill & Burger house is the just the place that Camp Hill needed to add to their extensive dining experiences!

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.

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.

Quality and tasty hamburger. I'm not a fan of wings but my husband and son love the wings…read more Excellent service.

From the owner: The first and only 100% Grass Fed Halal Burgers in town and the crispiest chicken wings with some…read moreunique flavors.

Great burgers and reasonable prices made this a great little stop before our daughter's basketball…read moregame!

I've heard great things about Dad's Garage, so I decided to check it out on a solo Friday night…read morewhen I was seriously craving a good burger. I was hoping all the hype was true and maybe I'd even find a new spot to add to my breakfast places to try list -- but, spoiler alert, I won't be doing that. Pulled in around 5pm and found parking (miracle, since there are only about 4 or 5 spots). Inside, I was greeted right away and told to seat myself. The specials board out front caught my eye, so I went with the bacon cheeseburger croissant, upgraded my fries to chili cheese fries, and grabbed a Diet Pepsi. I was the only dine-in customer, but there was a steady flow of pickup orders. Still, a 20-minute wait for my food felt long considering it was just me sitting there listening to FM radio straight out of an 80's prom (hello, Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings"...literally). When my food finally arrived, the staff immediately realized they'd forgotten the chili cheese on the fries and whisked them back to fix it -- good save! The chili itself? Fantastic. Like, "I-need-this-on-a-hot-dog" fantastic. The fries, though...yikes. Grease was literally pooling and dripping through the basket like a leaky oil pan. The burger was fine -- solid flavor, but the proportions were off. Giant tomato and onion slices took over the show, and the croissant was way too big for the small patty. Loved the croissant idea, just needs a smaller bun or a bigger burger. Ended up eating the patty and ditching the salad-sized toppings and half the croissant. The check was the real surprise: $12.99 for the burger, $2.49 for the Diet Pepsi, and another $2.99 for the chili cheese fry upgrade -- plus a mysterious "conveenience Fee (2.99%)" for $0.55. Maybe time to run spell check before charging extra, Dad. All in all with tip, $20+ for a burger that didn't quite live up to the hype. It hit the spot for a burger craving, but not enough to make me a regular. Glad I gave it a try -- it's got potential and a great location (even if parking is a tight squeeze). But honestly, it might be time for Dad to roll up his sleeves, give the menu a tune-up, and maybe double-check that receipt printer while he's at it. Bottom line: Cool concept, great chili, and 80s prom tunes -- but for $20+, I expected a little more horsepower under the hood.

For the second time ever, I visited a brewery after already knowing about its beers. (The first…read morebeing Flying Fish, R.I.P.) But this place is much more than beer, and I can't recommend it enough. First, there is a bar completely separate from the eating area, so you can choose what experience you want. Second, I've known that all their beers are top notch, which is why I wanted to come here. I'm not an IPA guy, but the black IPA is some top notch stuff that anyone can appreciate. Not super hoppy, really well balanced. Blonde stout is another superb creation, Lancaster gets some depth into it that many other breweries can't manage. Third, if you want food, they learned from the Food Network and limited their menu to just a few choices, all excellently prepared. I ordered the Angry Mac with gator meat. It had excellent flavor, they made it spicier like I asked, and unlike most places they provided plenty of meat. Great quantity and great taste that I wasn't expecting. I tasted my friend's polenta and it was perfectly balanced with some cheese, not too salty. I could eat that for days. Finally, Eva, our waitress? Wonderful. My friend and I were weighing dessert, we wanted a brownie but not the whole hot fudge brownie sundae. Eva made it work and even split it between heated and cold. What a great server. Props to Eva! To get this quality of food, this quality of beer, this quality of service, and this quality of ambiance all in one? No wonder my friend was willing to go two days in a row. I need a Lancaster Brewing in my town.

Great brewery & restaurant! Went twice while visiting Hershey, PA. Bartenders were great on "Wing…read moreWednesday" (as were the wings & beers)! Had our family of 12 (six (6) kids) together on Thursday...Arley was our server. Arley handled our table wonderfully, reloading their great craft beers, beverages & food. Staff went out of their way to help celebrate our two (2) year old & five (5) year old grandchildren celebrate their birthdays!

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.