Hungry in Happy Valley: Welcome to the Centre Daily Times’ new food series
It’s Penn State graduation weekend, and Centre County residents know that certain things change when students clear the area. Parking gets plentiful in downtown State College, the wait at Starbucks gets cut in half and even the dog park empties.
And — my favorite side effect of students leaving for the summer — tables at local restaurants free up. It’s the perfect time to try a new place or go back to some of your favorites. Let’s take advantage of it and support local businesses.
What’s on your list? The Field Burger & Tap is at the top of mine. My family drove there at least three times during weekends this semester only to be met with a wait not conducive to a 2-year-old (so anything over 10 minutes, basically). I’m eager for some Parmesan truffle fries spread out in front of me as I try to make a milkshake last through the whole meal.
For the next eight weeks, the Centre Daily Times staff wants to take our readers through a culinary adventure in a series we call “Hungry in Happy Valley.” Each week we’ll come to you from a Centre County restaurant that’s either one of our favorites or an off-the-beaten path place we’ve always wanted to try. Our staff will write about the experience and what you can expect when you go there yourself.
We also want to take you behind the scenes at the restaurants with photos and videos to prepare you for your next stop there.
When it comes to our favorites, you may not agree with our picks, and that’s OK! We want to hear yours, too. Each week we’ll also run a poll that relates to that week’s restaurant. Does Duffy’s Tavern really have the best wings? We’ll put it to a vote.
We need your help with hidden gems, too. What’s an off-the-beaten path place that we should try? What should more people know about? Email us at cdtnewstips@centredaily.com. Better yet, cast a vote in this week’s poll on that topic. We’ll publish the winner along with other submissions for best hidden gem.
We’re excited (and hungry) to have some fun with this series and hope you’ll check back and share your thoughts. And because eating alone is no fun, we may even take a reader out with us for one of our stops. Happy eating!
Jessica McAllister is the executive editor of the Centre Daily Times.
