Bennigan's Retaurant in Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Bennigan's restaurant in Wilkes-Barre, PA is located near the Wachovia Arena and the Hilton Garden Inn. With several restaurants on Highland Park Boulevard, the competition is fierce, but Bennigan's has made itself stand out. I have been here several times and would never hesitate to go back again.

When you first enter Bennigan's, there is always someone at the door to greet you, whether it's a manager or a hostess. Whenever I go there, I have always been seated immediately. On your way to your table, you will notice that the restaurant has been voted best restaurant chain in Northeastern PA. That is a sure sign you are going to have a memorable dining experience.

On a recent Monday afternoon, the restaurant was slightly crowded due to the lunch rush and the 4^th of July holiday to bring people into town. However our server was quick to take our drink order while giving us sufficient time to look at the menu.

The three of us all chose a selection from the burgers section of the menu. My brother selected the new burger bites, which are four mini sized hamburgers with American cheese and Bennigan's barbecue sauce. My mother and I both settled on the Guinness Glazed Bacon Cheeseburger, which comes with a special Guinness Stout Glaze on the side. Fried onion pieces, cheddar cheese, lettuce tomatoes, and pickles are the toppings for this juicy selection.

Our food arrived in a reasonable amount of time and let me tell you, these portions are huge. In the times I have ordered a burger here, I have always had to cut it in half to be able to eat it without making a mess. All the burgers are served with fresh French fries, which are always delicious and cooked to a golden brown. The Guinness Stout Glaze sauce tastes like the Guinness beer, but also has a barbecue sauce flavor to it. It is even good for dipping your fries.

Even after our filling lunches, we still wanted to have a dessert. Our top choice has always been the Brownie Bottom Pie. It is made with a warm fudge brownie and topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. This dessert is sufficient in portion size, so much that you can always share with someone else at your table. Our table ordered two: one for me and my mom to share, and one for my brother to have to himself.

The service is second to none. Each time I have been there, the server has always been friendly and willing to make just the right amount of small talk. On my most recent visit, our waitress shared that the Brownie Bottom Pie was her favorite dessert. With even the staff making recommendations, how could you go wrong?

At the end of your visit, there is always someone there to hold the door open for you as you leave and wish you a good day.

Between a friendly staff, well prepared food, and a clean restaurant, it is easy to say why I keep going back to Bennigan's. Although the prices can be high, you are definitely getting your money's worth. Whether you're looking for a burger or a mix and match appetizer selection, there is no shortage on variety or welcoming atmosphere.