One of the aspects of my life that really works well for my YBC writing is the fact that I eat out for lunch just about every single day. I have a favorite spot with a few excellent options in just about every little corner of Beaver County…and I visit them all a lot more often than I probably should.
With that in mind, I thought it might be fun to look back over the past few weeks and highlight some of the best lunches I’ve had during that time. And since a picture is worth 1,000 words, I’ve added a few nice ones!
The Fairport’s Hot Roast Beef Dip
This sandwich from The Fairport in Rochester doesn’t look like much in the picture, but let me tell you that the beef has a flavor to it that I have never seen anywhere outside of those delicious Italian beef sandwiches in Chicago. It’s such a simple concept, but good roast beef on a good bun dipped in good au jus is really surprisingly good.
The Fairport’s Steak Salad
When I find something I like at a particular restaurant, I tend to go back a few times a week to keep trying other things. I’m streaky like that, so a few days after getting the hot roast beef dip, I was back to try the steak salad. If you’re a steak salad fan, the picture tells the whole story, but let me add that their homemade Italian dressing is on a whole other level from that Good Seasons stuff that a lot of places call “homemade dressing.”
Yama’s Sushi Special
Yama is one of those places that I always say I should visit more often. I’ve never had a bad meal there, and I’m pretty much always in the mood for sushi. If you are looking for a great deal around lunchtime, their 2-roll and 3-roll sushi specials really can’t be beat in terms of price and quality. This is the 2-roll special with spicy tuna and spicy salmon rolls.
Piper’s Pit’s Pittsburgh Nachos
Since our buddy Ben Piper opened up his BBQ Shack across the street from Papa Dukes in Center Township a little over a month ago, I have stopped there every single Friday for lunch. All of his food is excellent, but these Pittsburgh nachos he featured as a special one weekend were absolutely mind-blowing. His classic homemade chips topped with homemade cheese sauce and smoked kielbasa. Yum!
Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe’s Chili Cheese Fries
I’ve been trying to watch what I eat for years, but one of my greatest weaknesses is that big red sign in Vanport. When you drive by, it might say, “Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe,” but when I’m cruising past, it simply says, “STOP! CHILI CHEESE FRIES!” I’m weak. This was a particularly good HDS experience where the portions of chili and cheese were in perfect harmony.
Sproutz’s Salmon Salad
After giving in to my Hot Dog Shoppe obsession, I almost always feel guilty and end up eating salads for the rest of the week. And for my money, the best salad in town is the It’s a Catch Salmon Salad at Soup-Herb Sproutz in Beaver. That champagne vinaigrette dressing is something worth writing and entire article about!
Philly Originals’ Philadelphia Cheesesteak
If you are looking for a steak sandwich that will legit blow your mind, this is the one. I’ve never actually been to Philadelphia to experience Pat’s or Geno’s, but I can’t imagine them being any better than these sandwiches we can get right in downtown Beaver. The steak and the bun being delicious is a given, but the secret here is that the onions and peppers are equally spectacular.
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