Breezewood, PA

I drove through Breezewood twice last weekend (roundtrip). Just curious, anyone else go through there regularly? If so, where do you like to stop? And has anyone ever counted precisely how many fast food places there are on the main drag?

Considering I live in Pittsburgh and I have a lot of relatives in Baltimore, I go through there fairly regularly. And because of its central location, we recently had my grandmother's 90th birthday party at one of the hotels.

As for where to eat, I have never found a place I have liked. What I usually do, is stop and one of the gas stations and buy a bag of UTZ Rippled BBQ chips (we can't get these at home) and just keep going.

In the more recent Roadfood books, there is a restaurant in Hancock, MD, which is just south of Breezewood off I-70. It is called Park-N-Dine and is famous for their homemade roast turkey dinners. I stopped in one time and the food wasn't very good. I do plan on trying them again sometime, but haven't yet.

Breezewood, PA: Eyesore of the east coast (and the only place I know of on the Interstate system where there is a traffic light).

I try to get through that place as quickly as possible and eat off the PA turnpike near Bedford, PA (if going north), or Hancock, MD (if going south). Hancock has a nice family-run place called Weaver's. Good home cooked food.

every now and then on my way to State College from DC I go through Breezewood. I usually grab a sandwich at Blimpie's.
the nice thing is that the short stint from Breezewood to I-99 (US220) on the turnpike, is free!

I've stayed in Breezewood a few times- Quality Inn, reasonably priced, large spotless rooms- and didn't find anything worthwhile to eat. Went to the Gateway next door and sat for ten minutes without any acknowledgement of my existence, at the counter no less. Left and found some barely edible sandwich at Sheetz. At least I could eat by the pool, lulled by the low rumble of a thousand idling trucks. That is the song of the open road.

I have been through Breezewood more times than I would like to count. The Gateway had a good diner but I have not been there in a few years. Take the extra time and go to Hancock, but not the Park and Dine. Go to Weavers just down the street. You will have a better meal and wonderful fresh baked pies and pastries.

BB

quote:

Originally posted by RC51Mike
At least I could eat by the pool, lulled by the low rumble of a thousand idling trucks.

Inspiring all that wonderful microparticulate carboniferous matter into thy lungs. Such is the bane of the open road.

quote:

Originally posted by frogger67

Breezewood, PA: Eyesore of the east coast (and the only place I know of on the Interstate system where there is a traffic light).

I try to get through that place as quickly as possible and eat off the PA turnpike near Bedford, PA (if going north), or Hancock, MD (if going south). Hancock has a nice family-run place called Weaver's. Good home cooked food.

I think the NJ Turnpike Eastern Extension into the Holland Tunnel is considered an interstate, right after the ramp that leads into Jersey City are 2 traffic lights. The signage is maintained as interstate though. I wonder if this counts as well as Breezewood.

Sheetz and their MTO hoagies often work for me. Or perhaps 2 chili cheese dogs. LOVE Sheetz. Stopped at Blimpie once but the roll was stale and it was much harder to eat while driving than a Sheetz MTO. Very safe indeed .

WAY back when, there was a Kentucky Beef and Ham in Breezewood. I never stopped but wish I had.

I've heard that the Dutch (something) restaurant (between Breezewood and Hancock) is good, but never stopped.

Kevin

Not too far from Breezewood (Between Bedford and Breezewood) is the Jean Bonnet Tavern which we've stopped at before. The Tavern can be seen from the Interstate. Here is some information on the Tavern From Wikipedia:

"The Jean Bonnet Tavern is an historic inn and restaurant located just outside Bedford, Pennsylvania on U.S. Highway 30, at the junction with Pennsylvania route 31.

The building was erected by Robert Callender, a trader with the Native American tribes of Pennsylvania. Callender acquired the land in 1762. The land and the building were purchased by Jean Bonnet in 1779 and opened as an inn, which was used as a gathering place by protesting local farmers during the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion, suppressed months later by forces under President George Washington.

An interesting example of local Pennsylvania stone construction, the inn remains open today, offering popular lunch and dinner menus to locals and passing travellers, and also accommodations for the night.

Although the building has changed hands many times through the years, the Bonnett Family of West Virginia are the direct descendants of Jean Bonnet and trace their family history back nearly 400 years."

http://www.jeanbonnettavern.com/

Interesting suggestions! We went through Breezewood twice last weekend but on Friday we were in a hurry so just got Subway and on Sunday it wasn't meal time. Next round trip will be in August so I'll check this thread again.

Another place I do like to stop in near Breezewood is Hepburn Orchards in Hancock, MD. Besides all the fresh fruit, they also have some fine homemade pies and other baked goodies.

quote:

Originally posted by Yankeesfan

Interesting suggestions! We went through Breezewood twice last weekend but on Friday we were in a hurry so just got Subway and on Sunday it wasn't meal time. Next round trip will be in August so I'll check this thread again.

I've been to that Subway---next door is a souvenier shop that sells (get this)...BREEZEWOOD souveniers!

Yes, how absurd is that?

last time I wne through there, my wife made me stop at Sheetz. Which was ok by me. She loves the tuna salad on sesame bagel.

I used to work a day or two each month in Breezewood, PA about a year ago. If my memory serves me correctly, there is a Quiznos, Sheetz, Bob Evans, Perkins, Subway, McDonalds, KFC, and a Taco Bell. I believe there were a few other restaurants who's names I can't quite think of.

Found this quote on Wikipedia: Business Week stated in 1991, Breezewood is "perhaps the purest example yet devised of the great American tourist trap...the Las Vegas of roadside strips, a blaze of neon in the middle of nowhere, a polyp on the nation's interstate highway system."

Last time I went through Breezewood was in 1994. First stop was the Atlantic, as the T-Bird would have been running on fumes. I ate at either the Gateway, Bonanza or what was then the 76 truck stop (probably now TA).

As far as the turnpike, I would stop at a service plaza on occasion. This was mainly for smokes or facilities. This was when the last of the plazas were switching from Gulf to Sunoco (The Exxon plazas had already been switched).

In my younger days, when my father was still living, we would go to NC to see his relatives. Once we passed the Somerset service plaza, he was immediately hungry. The Dutch Pantry was usually the destination. After eating, fuel at what was then the ARCO (the same station I mentioned earlier), then south. At the time, we did a stayover somewhere in Maryland. The next day, we went through NC. The same ritual was done on the return trip.

Breezewood's town motto is "Town of Motels"

FYI, it is much better and cheaper to avoid the Breezewood and the PA Turnpike. If you are going to Pittsburgh from Baltimore or Washington, take I 68 from Hancock - where Hepburns Orchard is - to Morgantown WV. From Morgantown take I 79 North to Pittsburgh.
The distance is the same as using the turnpike.


I 68 has a lot of great places to stop, like Cumberland Maryland, and best of all there are no tolls and no Breezewood traffic lights on the interstate.

I live about an hour from Breezewood, try to avoid it as much as possible.

quote:

Originally posted by signman

Breezewood's town motto is "Town of Motels"

This is all I need to know to avoid Breezewood like a persistent venereal disease.

quote:

Originally posted by Robearjr

FYI, it is much better and cheaper to avoid the Breezewood and the PA Turnpike. If you are going to Pittsburgh from Baltimore or Washington, take I 68 from Hancock - where Hepburns Orchard is - to Morgantown WV. From Morgantown take I 79 North to Pittsburgh.
The distance is the same as using the turnpike.


I 68 has a lot of great places to stop, like Cumberland Maryland, and best of all there are no tolls and no Breezewood traffic lights on the interstate.

This is the way that I go, also.......much nicer!

Robearjr-
I think next time I drive down to Baltimore to visit relatives, I will take the route you suggest. We know the food options must be much better!

Thanks, Robearjr, I always see the signs for that route but have never known anyone who actually took who could verify that it's worthwhile.

The Gateway Restaurant used to be a good "roadfood" joint, but it expanded into a mall-like food court. They still have good sit-down eatin': turn left at the food court,follow the truckers, avoid the buffet, and order from the menu.

If your Pittsburgh destination is north of the city, the I-68 to I-79 alternative is 40 miles or so longer. That said, you avoid the PA Turnpike - America's first "super-highway. Its 1930's engineering makes it downright dangerous today. Avoid it if you can.

quote:

Originally posted by juv33

I used to work a day or two each month in Breezewood, PA about a year ago. If my memory serves me correctly, there is a Quiznos, Sheetz, Bob Evans, Perkins, Subway, McDonalds, KFC, and a Taco Bell. I believe there were a few other restaurants who's names I can't quite think of.

Found this quote on Wikipedia: Business Week stated in 1991, Breezewood is "perhaps the purest example yet devised of the great American tourist trap...the Las Vegas of roadside strips, a blaze of neon in the middle of nowhere, a polyp on the nation's interstate highway system."

I guess the folks at Wikipedia have never been to South of the Border (off I-95 on the NC/SC Border, for those unfamiliar).

quote:

Originally posted by Robearjr

FYI, it is much better and cheaper to avoid the Breezewood and the PA Turnpike. If you are going to Pittsburgh from Baltimore or Washington, take I 68 from Hancock - where Hepburns Orchard is - to Morgantown WV. From Morgantown take I 79 North to Pittsburgh.
The distance is the same as using the turnpike.


I 68 has a lot of great places to stop, like Cumberland Maryland, and best of all there are no tolls and no Breezewood traffic lights on the interstate.

I 68 is great. Very scenic too, and less construction and truck traffic than the PA Turnpike. I usually stay at the Comfort Inn in Morgantown, which sits on top of a hill--great view from up there.

quote:

Originally posted by frogger67

quote:

Originally posted by juv33

I used to work a day or two each month in Breezewood, PA about a year ago. If my memory serves me correctly, there is a Quiznos, Sheetz, Bob Evans, Perkins, Subway, McDonalds, KFC, and a Taco Bell. I believe there were a few other restaurants who's names I can't quite think of.

Found this quote on Wikipedia: Business Week stated in 1991, Breezewood is "perhaps the purest example yet devised of the great American tourist trap...the Las Vegas of roadside strips, a blaze of neon in the middle of nowhere, a polyp on the nation's interstate highway system."

I guess the folks at Wikipedia have never been to South of the Border (off I-95 on the NC/SC Border, for those unfamiliar).

I love the signage as you approach South of the Border.
Pedro saiz....
Some of the older signs, which were great, have been replaced with newer, not as charming signs, but it's still fun to see the signs.

The only main difference between the two, is that you have no choice on I-70, but to go through Breezewood, where you can actually stay on I-95 as you pass by the big sombrero. And although South of the Border is unique as well, Beezewood is definately is it's own unique anomoly. ( that's redunant, I know, but it was worth repeating again. )

quote:

Originally posted by Scorereader

quote:

Originally posted by frogger67

quote:

Originally posted by juv33

I used to work a day or two each month in Breezewood, PA about a year ago. If my memory serves me correctly, there is a Quiznos, Sheetz, Bob Evans, Perkins, Subway, McDonalds, KFC, and a Taco Bell. I believe there were a few other restaurants who's names I can't quite think of.

Found this quote on Wikipedia: Business Week stated in 1991, Breezewood is "perhaps the purest example yet devised of the great American tourist trap...the Las Vegas of roadside strips, a blaze of neon in the middle of nowhere, a polyp on the nation's interstate highway system."

I guess the folks at Wikipedia have never been to South of the Border (off I-95 on the NC/SC Border, for those unfamiliar).

I love the signage as you approach South of the Border.
Pedro saiz....
Some of the older signs, which were great, have been replaced with newer, not as charming signs, but it's still fun to see the signs.

The only main difference between the two, is that you have no choice on I-70, but to go through Breezewood, where you can actually stay on I-95 as you pass by the big sombrero. And although South of the Border is unique as well, Beezewood is definately is it's own unique anomoly. ( that's redunant, I know, but it was worth repeating again. )

"Pedro Feeex it Later, OK?" (an upside down South of the Border sign). I have a feeling the PC police had something to do with those signs being replaced--but I used to love to see them as a kid. It meant we were getting closer to Florida! And that Sombrero Hat observation tower--the place was pure kitsch. Great as a kid, not as great as an adult

Yes, I will never understand how the Federal Government allows that traffic light on an interstate. Imagine if every two-bit town decided they would lure tourists by putting up traffic lights at interstate intersections.