The Valley Grille in Weedville, Pennsylvania

When we arrived at our cabin in Parker Dam State Park in Northwestern Pennsylvania in late afternoon, we were exhausted from driving all day, starving, and all our food was frozen. The woman who sold us wood recommended we try the Valley Grille in Weedville, about 20 minutes away. We had passed this place often during past camping trips (it was on the way to the Elk Range), but it had been shut down when the owners pursued other interests. It was open again, and we are so glad we tried it out.

On a Wednesday night, the place was only about half full, mostly with older couples, but a couple of younger groups did wander in. On the outside, the Valley Grille is rather unprepossessing, a long, plain roadhouse structure. But, on the inside, the first thing you notice is the furniture. Rustic, hand-hewn wooden chairs and tables reflected the variety of trees in the area, and gave the place a homey, country feel. Lacquered branches made up the chair backs and armrests, the tabletops and seats were bordered with bark, and the legs were actual tree trunks. The walls were covered with framed photos and paintings of local wildlife (a lot of elk), and a wall border with a pastoral scene of elk by a creek ran through the dining room.

Our waitress joined us promptly, took our drink orders and handed us our menus. Our sodas were served in mason jars, which I though was rather quaint. The Valley Grille has no liquor license, but patrons are welcome to BYOB. I ordered the Parmesan Crusted Orange Roughy with mashed potatoes and cole slaw, and my husband Ron ordered the Sirloin Steak, well done, with a salad and mashed potatoes. The fish was absolutely delectable, flaky with a tasty crispy topping, and an ample portion that I gladly shared with hubby. His steak was done to perfection, amazingly tender, and the salad was crisp and fresh. I eschewed desert, but hubby took back a piece of blueberry pie, a thing of beauty almost three inches high, and which he scarfed down, mumbling his approval, while he listened to the Phillies on the radio later that evening.

The next week, we met my cousin Judy and her husband Tom of St. Mary's at TheValley Grille on Thursday afternoon. Impressed by his sampling the week before, Ron got the Parmesan Crusted Orange Roughy, I got Seafood Alfredo over penne, Judy got spaghetti and meatballs and Tom got a Philly chicken cheesesteak. Thursday is homemade pasta day at TheValley Grille and Judy pronounced her spaghetti al dente and tasty. I ordered half the amount of the tender penne and it was still a healthy portion. The Alfredo sauce was just the right consistency, not too thick, not too thin, and the large scallops and shrimp were perfectly grilled. The cheesesteak was served on Panini bread, and took up Tom's entire plate. Now, to a Philly native, a cheesesteak on Panini bread is an abomination, but Tom pronounced it delicious. I'm sure it was.

Our waitress was courteous and on the spot, coffee being served while we waited for our check. As Ron and Tom grabbed for it, she dropped it on the table, backed up and said, "I'm not getting in the middle of this!" Before we left, she kindly took a picture of the of the long-distance cousins who only see each other once a year.

The Valley Grille, serving lunch and dinner, is mid-priced, with dinner entrees ranging between $7 and $14. Dinner entrees include Grilled Chicken Breast, Tenderloin Tips, Pork Chops, and the house special, "The Valley Grille," a black diamond-style oak-marinated steak. Seafood entrees include a Fish Fry or Baked Fish on Fridays, Shrimp Scampi and Scallops. See this site for their daily specials, which include crab-stuffed roughy, chicken and biscuits, lasagna and stuffed peppers. Their homemade soups include Potato, Pasta Fagioli, Stuffed Pepper, Hot Sausage, Cheesey Broccoli Potato, Italian Wedding, Baked French Onion and Seafood Chowder on Friday. They also offer wing specials, a wide-range of sandwich options, and Taco, Chicken or Grilled Steak salads.

The Valley Grille is the perfect place for lunch, or an early supper on your way to view the elk up the road. I give the Valley Grille of Weedville, Pennsylvania, 5 out of 5 stars and we certainly intend to return there on future vacations.

The Valley Grille, 18452 Bennetts Valley Hwy (Route 255), Weedville, PA, 15868
Phone: 814-787-4161; Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Valley Grille Facebook Page; Menu; Source: Personal Experience