Best Dining In Chambersburg, Part three

I can count on one hand the bad experiences I've had at restaurants. I've worked in the food service industry, and I know that customers suck - so I'm never a jerk. I'm friendly to the server, I ask what they like, I make eye contact while they read off the specials. I also never, ever, modify my order - I don't really believe in special orders, partially because I'm not a picky eater, but also because the meal is constructed on the menu in the specific way it's meant to be enjoyed. As a server, I found this to be among the most irritating.

Now if a persona has food allergies or special dietary restrictions, restaurants will bend over backward to accommodate - they understand that. But deconstructing a meal to fit your obscure taste isn't what going out to eat is about. I think one omission or substitution is acceptable, and if you don't think you'll like a sauce or dressing, get it on the side. At least try it.

I also almost never send food back, although that may partially be dumb luck - and it's almost always a steak that has been over-cooked. I can't justify spending $25 on a piece of meat that is cooked medium-well.

Anyway, not being an annoying customer has made my dining out experiences 99% enjoyable. You know what else I do? I tip well - between 15-20% every single time. The service would have to be atrocious for me to dip down to 10%, but I can tell the difference between a lousy waitress and an incompetent kitchen.

So I feel justified when I speak negatively about some local restaurants because I truly don't consider myself nasty restaurant patron, looking for a fight. And I'm trying to be more positive here too. I've been there - serving people their food sucks, and the ones with the worst attitude and the most special orders who send their food back twice are usually the worst tippers. It can make you bitter.

So be nice to your waiter/waitress. Try the food as it's represented on the menu. Be a good tipper.

As for Greencastle, I don't go there much for leisure either. It's too bad I don't live closer, because the Allison beer club appeals to me and I think it's great that John Flannery has brought much-needed beer variety to that area. Although my initial experience was not good, subsequent trips have been much better and I've spoken on this subject at length in the various food threads. I consider the issue closed.

anyone tried Tapachula restaurant and bakery yet? A nice girl came into my store and handed me a business card to promote. Its on 40 w. washington apparently.

Special wrote:

anyone tried Tapachula restaurant and bakery yet? A nice girl came into my store and handed me a business card to promote. Its on 40 w. washington apparently.

No thanks! Not interested in downtown. Not the safest place. I live out of town and this is what my Chambersburg friends tell me.

out of towner wrote:

<quoted text>No thanks! Not interested in downtown. Not the safest place. I live out of town and this is what my Chambersburg friends tell me.

Yawn.

I smell troll bait.

Anyone care to join me in ignoring this post?

Thanks y'all.

(To the previous poster, do you have any idea what type of food is served at the new restaurant?)

Qwerty wrote:

<quoted text>
Yawn.
I smell troll bait.
Anyone care to join me in ignoring this post?
Thanks y'all.
(To the previous poster, do you have any idea what type of food is served at the new restaurant?)

Smell what you want if it helps you deny that there are real problems in downtown chambersburg. If you want to say it's troll bait...so be it, it's your choice.

All I know is my friends said that downtown chambersburg isn't the safest place, especially around Black Ave.

Isn't it funny how when someone mentions the truth about downtown they are called names? Odd, I guess it's that backward Chambersburg mentality.

Qwerty wrote:

<quoted text>
Yawn.
I smell troll bait.
Anyone care to join me in ignoring this post?
Thanks y'all.

Agreed--

Qwerty wrote:

<quoted text>
Yawn.
I smell troll bait.
Anyone care to join me in ignoring this post?
Thanks y'all.
(To the previous poster, do you have any idea what type of food is served at the new restaurant?)

Ignoring means not to respond. Can't even take your own advice.

Qwerty wrote:

<quoted text>
Yawn.
I smell troll bait.
Anyone care to join me in ignoring this post?
Thanks y'all.
(To the previous poster, do you have any idea what type of food is served at the new restaurant?)

Seriously? I can't tell which is worse anymore, the racist rednecks or the self-important douchebags. I think the south had the right idea when they burnt this idiot-fest to the ground. Maybe I should move back down there, the food is better and the people are nicer. They're also less racist than the people here, who are the most racist I've seen almost anywhere, you just hide it with classism. I'm done with this place, you can't even keep a dining thread going without it turning into a dick measuring contest. To everyone on this forum, whatever your persuasion, continue exploring the food of your choice, I sincerely hope you choke on it. Happy eating.

Let's go gang, more restaurant reviews and recommendations!

I highly recommend Ping's Restaurant in downtown Chambersburg across from the Capitol Theater. I've dined in twice and had take out once and have not been disappointed. Having spent 7 years in the DC area with many asian options, I'm thrilled to have another option here besides Aki (haven't tried Kenzo yet.) My husband prefers the sushi here and my 3 year old is happy as a bed bug with edamame and rice. The pad thai, gang chicken, szechuan shrimp, general tso's chicken, spicy thai basil beef, spring rolls and veggie egg rolls were all great. Add a cup of tea and the traditional atmosphere and it makes for enjoyable evening out. I hope this place sticks around for the long haul!

Dahlia wrote:

I highly recommend Ping's Restaurant in downtown Chambersburg across from the Capitol Theater. I've dined in twice and had take out once and have not been disappointed. Having spent 7 years in the DC area with many asian options, I'm thrilled to have another option here besides Aki (haven't tried Kenzo yet.) My husband prefers the sushi here and my 3 year old is happy as a bed bug with edamame and rice. The pad thai, gang chicken, szechuan shrimp, general tso's chicken, spicy thai basil beef, spring rolls and veggie egg rolls were all great. Add a cup of tea and the traditional atmosphere and it makes for enjoyable evening out. I hope this place sticks around for the long haul!

Dahlia, I have not been to Ping's restaurant. Maybe you can answer this for me, or anyone that has been there.

I love a particular Thai salad made with squid(or cuddlefish?) It's on the spicy side. Most Thai restaurants I've been to don't have it. It is available at Amy's in Carlisle, but who wanys to drive there?

I can't remember the correct Thai name for the salad..sorry

Would appreciate if anyone knows where I can get that wonderful salad.

Thanks :-)

Cindy wrote:

<quoted text>Dahlia, I have not been to Ping's restaurant. Maybe you can answer this for me, or anyone that has been there.
I love a particular Thai salad made with squid(or cuddlefish?) It's on the spicy side. Most Thai restaurants I've been to don't have it. It is available at Amy's in Carlisle, but who wanys to drive there?
I can't remember the correct Thai name for the salad..sorry
Would appreciate if anyone knows where I can get that wonderful salad.
Thanks :-)

I think you're looking for Yum Pra Muik (or some variation of that spelling). Since Amy's is the closest truly Thai restaurant, then they're really your only option - but if you ever find yourself in the Mechanicsburg area, I highly recommend Bangkok Wok.

I am obsessed with Kenzo and highly, highly recommend it if you have not been there yet. They do not have Chinese food, although their Grandfather Chicken is a superior version of General Tso's in my opinion. The Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mao are addictive. Their sushi is fantastic. And the staff is great - I really can't say enough good things about Kenzo.

Effington wrote:

<quoted text>
I think you're looking for Yum Pra Muik (or some variation of that spelling). Since Amy's is the closest truly Thai restaurant, then they're really your only option - but if you ever find yourself in the Mechanicsburg area, I highly recommend Bangkok Wok.
I am obsessed with Kenzo and highly, highly recommend it if you have not been there yet. They do not have Chinese food, although their Grandfather Chicken is a superior version of General Tso's in my opinion. The Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mao are addictive. Their sushi is fantastic. And the staff is great - I really can't say enough good things about Kenzo.

I have been to Bangkok Wok, they did not have the salad. However their food is very good. Yes you are correct in the name of the salad, or similar.

I am vegetarian, therefore my selection is limited. Bangkok Wok has a Pad Thai vegetarian.

There is also a little store by Bangkok Wok that specializes in Asian goodies. I bought a couple bags of loose Thai tea and a container of Kim Chee. Unfortunately the kim chee was on the sweet side and I was disappointed for that reason.

I am not from this area, all though I have lived here for almost 30 years, I find that people around here seem to have a thing for everything being on the sweet side. I thought, well maybe that's why the kim chee is sweet, they want to satisfy the locals.

Sounds like I need to go to Amy's in Carlisle if I want that great Thai salad.

Thanks for the info.:-)

I second Effington's praise of Kenzo. I'm anxious to try that Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mao. I made my second visit there for lunch last week. I decided to take the opportunity to try more sushi. I did the lunch special - 3 sushi rolls for $10.50. I had the spicy shrimp roll, yellow tail roll, and tuna/avocado roll. I'm still new to eating sushi, but I enjoyed my meal. I also very much enjoyed the clear soup that was served with it. On a cold winter day that stuff hits the spot.

@Cindy - I have also found that local tastes tend toward the sweet. I don't think that's unusual given the local PA Dutch influence of baked goods and desserts.

My son and I went to Kenzo this evening. I had a TNT Roll and the Chicken Pad Thai made extra spicy. We went early and had a coupon from the Franklin Shopper for 15% off our bill. Excellent service, phenomenal food and the Pad Thai was only $10. Having not eaten all day I finished mine off. My son ate half of his and has lunch for school tomorrow......provided I don't get hungry between now and bedtime. I mean I did pay for it, right?

What's the final verdict on MIM's HOAGIES? Thoughts, opinions, rants...

Cult wrote:

What's the final verdict on MIM's HOAGIES? Thoughts, opinions, rants...

Just another hoagie shop - nothing special. Probably worth a takeout if you live nearby, but I've been there once and don't see myself ever driving out there again. Would not recommend "dining" in. Maybe a notch better than Hat's.

Cult wrote:

What's the final verdict on MIM's HOAGIES? Thoughts, opinions, rants...

2 forks down for me. It is a trailer dive with stains on the ceiling, gloves aren't worn and I could keep going on about the filth, maybe I wouldn't have noticed all the unsanitary issues if I didn't have to wait over 40 minutes for my hoagie ?? I walked out and never bought my order so I can't vouch for the food. Just my one time bad experience. I will never go back.

Has anyone been to the place that opened up where Dodie's used to be? I'm not even sure what it's called.