This past Wednesday, a pretty large group of us from the Lutheran Center boarded 2 shuttles for the Grant Bar & Lounge in Millvale, Pa.
Here’s me & Dennis at the center, ready for our road trip
The Grant Bar has been locally owned & operated by the same family for 90 years, and has a great reputation for their food and service. They’re also known for their coconut cream pies, and it’s highly recommended you order a piece before you order your meal, because they go fast.
To be honest, I almost didn’t go. I’ve been dealing with a relapse of the long covid symptoms that seem to be worsening these past couple weeks.
But this chronic condition kept me from attending most of the outings in 2024, so I’m determined to get out there as much as I can. And on that happy note….
This menu is straight out of the 1970s… but there was lots of good food at good prices. My own bill, with drink & tax came to $18.23. I also left a $4.00 tip.
Here’s Deb who sat directly across from me, looking positively angelic with that light behind her pretty hair!
Here’s Evvie, looking her usual radiant self—I want to give a big shout-out to Evvie and Mary (who sat on my left), they managed to save me a seat at that very crowded table. They are very dear friends.
Here’s my meal, a Reuben & some of the biggest onion rings I’ve ever eaten. It was DELICIOUS, I wound up bringing half of it home and having a great dinner too. The following day when I spoke to Mary, we agreed we should go back there soon.
Dennis and I must be twins separated at birth! I always order food to take home after the restaurant meal has been eaten. Saves me from having to cook or come up with something good for Terry to have. Although his two-drinks-at-once is probably a good idea, too, I can't drink that much. I would fall asleep at the table or on the way home.
ReplyDeleteThanks dkzody, I'll have to let Dennis know he's not alone. Yes he uses these restaurant outings to plan his next couple meals, he always does it.
DeleteI would LOVE a bit of that coconut cream pie. I'm glad that you went out, even though you had to overcome the health issues. I'm also proud that, like me, you're a overtipper!
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I wish you could've been there for the pie--and thank you for your kind remarks here. (I felt guilty for not leaving $5, so thank you!)
DeleteLooks like a nice time. Are you wearing a phone holster? It looks like both of you are in that first pic. -Tom C.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom C, are you the Tom I think you are? :^) Dennis is wearing a smartphone holster, and I'm wearing a fanny pack. They're making a comeback, y'know :^)
DeleteGlad you were able to get out with your friends. That restaurant food looks terrific; did Dennis really order all of that? Holy smokes!
ReplyDeleteThank you Maebeme, and yes he sure did! I don't know where he even puts it all 🙂
DeleteOh my gosh, that pie is sky high!!! Made for sharing!!! I am so glad you were able to go and found the will to get there. I'm sorry this crappy illness keeps revisiting and hope it stops those shenanigans soon. That restaurant sounds like a really great place to visit and I would want to return too. Sometimes I almost order like Dennis. This is because I like to go out for lunch with friends while my husband would rather I order a second meal for him to eat in the privacy of his own home.
ReplyDeleteThanks Miss Merry, I enjoy your feedback. That pie... It really was a lot, one slice could fill two easily. And I think Mr. Merry is fortunate to have you, Dennis is a bachelor like myself and is always on the hunt for his next cooked meal. 🙂
DeleteThat was a wonderful outing, and the food sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteThank you DJan! 🙂
DeleteOh my gosh, Doug, if you like coconut cream pie you will LOVE this which I got from Mountain Lake PBS, Roadside Recipes!!!
ReplyDeleteBONNIE'S COCONUT CREAM PIE
From the kitchen of:
The Hot Biscuit Diner -- Ticonderoga, NY
2 1/2 cups milk , 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sugar, 2 level tablespoons flour
1/2 cup milk , 2 level tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup shredded coconut, 3 egg yolks
1 baked pie shell
Put 2 1/2 cups of milk in saucepan. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of sugar in the milk and place on burner.
While milk is heating, whisk egg yolks, vanilla and 1/2 cup milk together until blended well. Whisk corn starch and flour into egg yolk mixture.
Bring milk and sugar to a boil (DO NOT STIR). Once it boils to the top of the sauce pan, add cornstarch mixture. Boil until it starts to thicken, whisking constantly. When mixture is slightly thick, remove from heat.
Add 1 cup shredded coconut to pudding mixture. Pour into baked pie shell and top with coconut.
Easy and so-o-o-o-o delicious!!!! ❤️🦉
Florence you sure know the way to a man's heart--namely mine! You do realize I'll be making this in an upcoming post don't you... thank you! ❤️😊
DeleteAt the risk of sounding redundant: yummo!!!!
DeleteYum
DeleteBeth
Ah, that looks good. I’m particularly fond of Reuben and onion rings are good too.
ReplyDeleteAlas, the place that made an excellent Reuben in my suburb closed – another victim of covid. I’ve found another, but they’re not as good (but not bad).
I’d be with Evvie and order a glass of wine (or several) to accompany the Reuben and rings.
I’m not a dessert eater, but I’m partial to coconut, so I might have a spoonful of that pie just to try it out.
Dennis certainly knows how to order.
Thanks Music Man, and I do think you'd enjoy Evvie's company. She is funny and smart, and like you knows a thing or two about wines. I do have to say, that Reuben was just excellent. There's a place up the street from me that sells them but they're not as good as this one.
DeleteDug, I'm so glad you went to the Grant Bar with your friends. Looks like a great outing and great food. Can't believe that Dennis ordered so much... but I guess it's a good idea if you want to enjoy it for a few days. DH and I order one order most of the time and split it... And I can't imagine not trying the pie! Coconut cream is one of DH's favorite's (not my favorite - dark chocolate pie is mine, but I would have wanted to taste the coconut). And saving you a seat was really really nice! You'all should go back.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rian, I've been thinking about you, I hope you're doing okay. Listen, this is the God's honest truth; guess what I just had for dessert around 30 minutes ago? A piece of dark chocolate pie! (With a little Reddi Whip on top.) But I've never made a coconut cream and it is definitely next on my list. PS If we do go back, it's only going to be a few of us... that place was crazy with noise.
DeleteGreat lunch Doug and I have to order the pie if we go back, without all the noise please!
ReplyDeleteMary
Haha I hope we do Mary--and thank you for saving me a seat! 🙂❤️
Deletethat looks delicious - I'm going to get a coconut cream pie from Hartley Inn next time you come to visit. It's amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shawn, I'm looking forward to it.
DeleteI’ve been to grant street! Not this Christmas but last one with my sister and her friend. It’s pretty cool inside.with the walls and the food is good…
ReplyDeleteBeth
Thanks Beth--I was down there (not at that restaurant) only once before, way back in 1990. It looks exactly the same. :^)
DeleteHi Doug, so glad you were able to make the centres latest outing! The food looks incredible and plenty of it. Evvie looks gorgeous as always. What a lovely bunch of friends you have. Definitely do a post if you try Florence’s recipe. Take care Doug!♥️
ReplyDeleteRobin
You're very sweet, thanks Robin--I'm glad to hear from you. :^)
DeleteGigi Hawaii— I would have eaten that pie all by myself. It’s so delicious. All in all, a good outing. I haven’t been to a restaurant in over a year, so I miss it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gigi. That pie was bigger than you think, that slice was heavy. I'm sorry you haven't been out to eat in awhile, I do miss your fun restaurant reviews. I hope you can do them again after David is on his feet.
DeleteBeautiful post
ReplyDeleteThank you Rajani 🙂
DeleteHello Doug, it is wonderful that you went to this outing! I love all your photos and seeing the lovely faces, smiles and good food, what a joy! My favourite dessert is lemon meringue pie. That coconut pie looks delicious! I have never had this but perhaps one time I will try it, thanks to your post and photos. Evvie and Deb both look radiant! This is such a nice post, thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from a 68 year old baby boomer living in Montreal, Canada!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, this was such a warm comment, thank you so much. And I know Evvie enjoys these comments too, you're very kind. Listen, coconut cream is a treat but lemon meringue is the best! Now you have me craving that, haha. Thanks again Linda, great to hear from you. 🙂👍
DeleteThat Coconut Creme Pie looks Sublime!!! Sorry your long COVID symptoms have flared up again. It looked like a good time was had by all, glad you were able to attend.
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind, thanks Bohemian. I'm sorry for always sharing my long covid setbacks on here, people like yourself are so nice and it keeps my spirits up. :-)
DeleteHello Doug! Your kind words on Eye on the Edge reminded me I needed to stop by ApacheDug’s Teepee. 😊 Thank you for those kind words!
ReplyDelete** A Swell Outing in Millvale **
We’re a couple of swells, no doubt in our stride,
Off to the Grant Bar for one tasty ride.
Though long-Covid lingers and tries to dismay,
Your spirit said boldly, “I’m going today!”
With Reubens and rings stacked high on the plate,
And friends all around—it felt simply great.
Dear Dennis, whose order could rival a feast,
Made sure not a craving was left in the least!
The coconut pie, a legendary lore,
Disappeared fast—but you managed one more.
With Evvie and Mary, your seat was secure—
For kindness like that, the heart will endure.
Here's to good outings, where memories are made,
Where laughter and stories and old friends don’t fade.
A gem of a place and a night full of cheer—
Let’s plan the next visit… perhaps later this year!
John
John you sure know how to make someone's day! Gosh I just loved this, thank you so much! I'm honored! I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day and thank you again! 🏵️🙏👍👍😄
Delete