Eat up: Here are the winners from our Hungry in Happy Valley reader restaurant polls

Matt Hymowitz
·2 min read

CDT staffers have been sharing their favorite restaurants as part of our Hungry in Happy Valley series during the past two months, and readers have voted for their favorites as well.

We asked CDT readers to choose the best hidden gem, Bellefonte restaurant, brunch, milkshake, burger, barbecue, breakfast sandwich and international restaurant in Centre County. All the online polls were unscientific and just for fun. Below is a look at the results.

Hidden gem

The Frosty Hook was voted best hidden gem in a landslide. The Spring Mills restaurant/bar received close to 50% of the vote, while second-place finisher Pine Grove Hall had 8%. Readers also nominated Breakfast on Boal and Streamside Family Restaurant.

Bellefonte

Hofbrau was voted as the best place to eat in Bellefonte with 18% of the vote, finishing ahead of Jim’s Italian Cuisine by just a handful of votes.

A pepperoni pizza and wings with Tim’s sauce at the Hofrbau in Bellefonte.
A pepperoni pizza and wings with Tim’s sauce at the Hofrbau in Bellefonte.

Brunch

Breakfast on Boal was voted as the best brunch spot, easily winning with 46% of the vote. The Original Waffle Shop on West College Avenue finished second with 12% of the vote. Readers also nominated The Corner Room and Webster’s Bookstore Cafe.

The avacado toast, sourdough toast topped with avocado, sliced tomato and arugula drizzled with a balsamic glaze and a side of pickled red onions, at Breakfast on Boal on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
The avacado toast, sourdough toast topped with avocado, sliced tomato and arugula drizzled with a balsamic glaze and a side of pickled red onions, at Breakfast on Boal on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

Milkshake

Big D’s Cones and Shakes in Milesburg was voted as the best place to get a milkshake with 60% of the vote. This poll drew the most interest in the series, receiving a total of 1,119 votes. Second-place finisher Twin Kiss finished with 12% of the vote.

Burger

The Field Burger & Tap was voted as the best burger place with 31% of the vote. State Burger Co. finished in second with 17% of the vote. Readers also nominated Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks, Hublersburg Inn and Ville Billy’s.

Provolone cheese melts over rib eye and caramelized onions and peppers to go on the Dambach-ery burger, a cheesesteak burger at The Field Burger & Tap on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Provolone cheese melts over rib eye and caramelized onions and peppers to go on the Dambach-ery burger, a cheesesteak burger at The Field Burger & Tap on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Barbecue

Prospector’s Mount Nittany Rib Co. was voted as the best barbecue restaurant in a runaway with 64% of the vote. BBQ by Clem finished second with 9% of the vote.

A pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and a cornbread muffin is pictured at Prospector’s on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
A pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and a cornbread muffin is pictured at Prospector’s on Thursday, June 1, 2023.

Breakfast sandwich

Pump Station Cafe was voted as the best place to get a breakfast sandwich, with 17% of the vote. Bonfatto’s finished second, three votes behind. Readers also nominated Breakfast on Boal and The Naked Egg Cafe.

International

Little Szechuan was voted as the best international restaurant with 17% of the vote. Second place went to Cozy Thai Bistro, which finished with four fewer votes. Readers also nominated Kamrai.