The results are in! Here’s Susquehanna Style’s list of the best of everything in Harrisburg as voted by our readers. And, as always, we’ve included a few Style Girl favorites.
Reader Favorites
Best Cheesesteak: Shugar’s Philly Deli
Brett Shugar was born and raised in Philadelphia, so it’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about cheesesteaks. But when his sales job brought him through the Capital region, the cheesesteaks that the mid-state served up weren’t even close to the ones from his hometown. “I’d stop here and eat what they called a cheesesteak or a hoagie, and it drove me crazy,” Shugar says. So once he moved to the Harrisburg area, he found his calling: to introduce the original Philly-style sandwich.
Previously Shugar’s Philly Deli, which Brett co-owns with his wife Stacy, was located in the West Shore Farmers’ Market, and it was here that their cheesesteaks and hoagies started gaining a following. In fact, they even caught the attention of a few Susquehanna Valley celebrities, including former Philadelphia Eagle Jon Richie.
Richie would frequent the market stand, challenging Shugar to build a cheesesteak to his taste. It took a few tries, but eventually “The Richie” was born, and it can still be found on the menu at their current New Cumberland location. The star sandwich starts with Delmonico (boneless ribeye) shavings piled on a toasted garlic roll, drizzled with creamy steak sauce, and topped with American cheese and onion rings.
But really, any cheesesteak you order at Shugar’s is destined to be a “Rocky”-like hit. From the fresh rolls delivered daily from Philadelphia to your choice of cheese (including the hard-to-find liquid American), the quality ingredients and commitment to the true Philly recipe guarantee one great sandwich.
Shugar’s Philly Deli / 316 Bridge St., New Cumberland / www.facebook.com/shugarsphillydeli / 717-884-5900
Best Local Band/Musician: The Luv Gods
Shea Quinn has traveled the world as a musician. He’s had “one-hit-wonders.” He’s seen his music videos on MTV. Yet, this talented performer always comes back to the place he calls home: Central Pennsylvania.
A Camp Hill native, Quinn found early success in the ‘80s with a band called The Sharks. Their hit “Only Time Will Tell” helped secure their place on stages across the country with other popular artists like The Go-Go’s, A Flock of Seagulls, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Though The Sharks disbanded in 1992, Quinn and bandmate Mark Showers formed a new group, the Luv Gods, ten years ago. “I found a bunch of guys that can really play anything,” he says when describing the skill sets of the other band members. With Quinn on guitar and lead vocals and Showers on keyboard, currently the band includes Todd Owens on bass and vocals, Sal Saunders on lead guitar, and Steve Swisher on drums.
Together, this group has a powerful repertoire of musical styles, pleasing fans “from twenty-one to eighty” with their covers of rock and pop hits. “If we need to do Frank Sinatra, we can, but we can also play 'Uptown Funk,'” Quinn says. And of course, the group still plays “Only Time Will Tell” and other Sharks tunes when they’re touring around the region.
The Luv Gods / www.theluvgods.com
Best Audio/Video Expert, Heating and Cooling Specialist, Home Remodeler, Kitchen and Bath Designer, and Plumber: Haller Enterprises, Inc.
As you might have gathered from their wins in numerous categories, at Haller Enterprises, “one call” really “handles it all.” With expertise in various residential and commercial services—ranging from heating, cooling, and plumbing to electrical, water conditioning, audio/video and home automation—there’s no shortage of skills in their team of capable technicians.
Since Rick Haller founded the company in 1981, Haller Enterprises has been committed to fast, reliable service. What’s their secret? Multiple branches located throughout the Susquehanna Valley and well-dispersed specialists are key for the company to cover their large service area in a timely manner. Additionally, live phone operators are available around the clock for all of your emergency needs. If you’ve ever had a pipe burst on a weekend morning, or experienced a problem with your air conditioning on the hottest day of summer, you know how valuable prompt service is.
But perhaps the most remarkable feature of Haller Enterprises is the quality of their technicians—those whom customers see in and out of their homes and businesses. The company believes so strongly in these employees that they offer a 100 percent workmanship guarantee on their work. And because of their knowledge, experience, and training, you can be sure that you will experience a job well done, on time, and within budget.
Haller Enterprises, Inc. / Locations in Lancaster, Lebanon, Harrisburg, York, and Berks and Chester Counties / www.hallerent.com / 717-417-9238
Best Women’s Clothing Boutique: Maggie Adams
LouAnn Rohrer has a passion for fashion but also a huge heart for our Harrisburg community. “I’ve always been interested in fashion, all my life,” she says. Born and raised on the West Shore, Rohrer began her working life in the field of education as a teacher for the West Shore School District. Over time, her interest in the fashion industry grew—so much, in fact, that she started her “second career” in 1986 by joining her sister in business at Maggie Adams, the Camp Hill women’s clothing boutique.
You can expect to find clothing, accessories, and shoes at Maggie Adams. “We dress our customer from head to toe,” Rohrer explains. Offering big name brands like Eileen Fisher, Vince, Aquatalia, Chan Luu, Alexis Bittar, and many others, the store provides everything from casual wear to black-tie gowns—all with personalized service. “We can wardrobe you for the season or just one event,” she says.
Nearly thirty years after her career switch, Rohrer still cherishes the ability to give local youths an educational experience. She has mentored numerous high school students, giving them a real-world glimpse of the fashion industry before they head off to college. Thanks to Rohrer, the Susquehanna Valley will have another generation of fashion professionals who “make looking good easy.”
Maggie Adams / 3605 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill / www.maggieadams.com / 717-730-2000
Best Brunch: The Hershey Pantry
Every Saturday and Sunday between morning and mid-day, there’s a line out the door at The Hershey Pantry. In other words, it should be no surprise that this Hershey favorite won the title of “Best Brunch” in the Harrisburg region.
This community eatery celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary in September, making it a restaurant with some serious staying power. Owner Cindy Hess has led the Hershey Pantry team since their opening on Chocolate Avenue in 1990, and she attributes much of their success to her employees and their quality service.
Of course, the fact that their menu contains some downright delicious eats certainly helps. The enormous homemade cinnamon roll, which is slathered in cream cheese frosting, is a staple, as are the grilled sticky buns. Stuffed French toast flavors rotate by the week. And of course, The Hershey Pantry’s signature baked oatmeal, with regular and special “fruit-and-cream” varieties, can’t be missed. For a savory option, go for the crab Florentine eggs: poached eggs, crab and spinach on an English muffin topped with Hollandaise.
With covered patio seating in the summer months, the tables double in number and lines reduce, but even if you’re stuck for a few minutes with your name on the list, The Hershey Pantry is worth the wait.
The Hershey Pantry / 801 E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey / www.hersheypantry.com 717-533-7505
Staff Picks: Our Favorite Things
City Island & Metro Bank Park
How many cities can you think of where you can take in a baseball game on an island? Better yet, how many islands can you think of that are devoted purely to entertainment? Between the banks of the East and West Shores lies Harrisburg’s City Island, a family fun destination that offers a slew of activities to “get away,” if only for the evening.
Perhaps the most popular attraction on the island is Metro Bank Park, home of the Harrisburg Senators, a minor-league affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The Senators’ season runs from April through September and boasts a summer of exciting events and activities. Weekly, the park has fireworks every Friday, giveaways every Saturday, and a pregame session of catch in the field for families most every Sunday. Special events also occur throughout the season. For example, the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo, with its sheepdog-riding primates, is a Style staff favorite and comes to Metro Bank Park on June 18 and July 23.
For those looking for even more fun, this small spot of land in the Susquehanna River also hosts Harrisburg’s professional soccer club, the City Islanders, as well as a mini-golf course, batting cages, an arcade, and more. Whether you access the park by car, by foot across the Walnut Street walking bridge, or even by boat, make sure to put a visit to City Island on your summer to-do list.
City Island & Metro Bank Park / Harrisburg / www.senatorsbaseball.com / 717-231-4444
Anthony’s Micro Pub & Pizza
Harrisburg’s beer lovers know where they can find one of the best craft brew selections in town: Anthony’s Micro Pub & Pizza. Walking into the narrow, hole-in-the-wall bar on Restaurant Row, you’d never expect to find the variety of draught beers that are offered here. In fact, Anthony’s boasts a jaw-dropping 100 beers and two cask ales on tap at any given time, and twenty to thirty of these change on a weekly basis.
“Anything I see that I haven’t tried before, I’ll put it on,” explains Alisha Moncrief, who is largely responsible for scouting the new craft brews. Right now, she’s excited to offer “a lot more Lagunitas specialties” than were previously served. Other names you might notice on the tap handles include DuClaw’s Sweet Baby Jesus, a peanut butter porter, or Stone’s Go To IPA.
And unlike some restaurants or bars that offer a big selection without much know-how, the bartenders at Anthony’s are friendly, laid back, and above all knowledgeable. It’s a Cheers-like atmosphere, with regulars coming back day after day.
Anthony’s serves traditional pub fare and Italian eats (Moncrief raves about the strombolis), but the real draw of Anthony’s is a happy hour deal that simply can’t be beat. Every Friday and Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m., the restaurant offers half off draught beers and free pizza. Yes, free. Just order a new brew, meander back to the pizza oven to grab a slice, and kick off the weekend at your new go-to hangout.
Anthony’s Micro Pub & Pizza / 225 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg / 717-238-2009
El Sol Express
Craving delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine but don’t have time to linger over margaritas and enchiladas all night? The Style staff recommends an abbreviated version of one of your favorite downtown date nights: El Sol. El Sol’s two express restaurants—the original in Camp Hill and the newer location on Lindle Road in Harrisburg—offer all of your favorites in a quick, casual atmosphere.
The setup is simple: walk in, order, pay, grab a booth, and get ready to salivate as you see delicious Mexican eats coming your way. And manager Pedro Garcia says you can expect only the best, as El Sol express serves his own family’s recipes that hail from their hometown outside of Guadalajara, Mexico.
We recommend any of the tacos, but for a Style Girl favorite, try a platter of the chorizo, carne asada, and shrimp varieties, served along with refried beans and salad. If tacos aren’t your thing, the menu is dense with other delicious Mexican eats you’ll recognize from El Sol’s popular downtown location: ceviche, fajitas, burritos, and much more. And if you want to spice it up, El Sol Express offers an array of house-made hot sauces ranging from chile de arbol to habanero. Just remember to bring along your favorite alcoholic beverage to beat the heat.
El Sol Express / 3401 Hartzdale Dr., Camp Hill / 717-737-2545 / 4701 Lindle Rd., Harrisburg / 717-939-2100 / www.elsolmexicanrestaurant.com
The Butterfly House at Hershey Gardens
Did you know the North American Monarch butterfly makes a migration of up to 3,000 miles to California and Mexico each year? Or that the Painted Lady butterfly can be found on every continent except South America? You can see these and many other North American varieties in Hershey Gardens’ Butterfly House, a local destination that features nearly 400 of the beautiful creatures.
Located in The Children’s Garden, the Butterfly House allows visitors to observe the entire life cycle of the butterfly, from egg to adult. With a horticultural design that includes nectar plants for food and host plants for egg-laying, children and children-at-heart can see nature’s delicate balance of flora and fauna. Style Girl tip: Don’t miss the popular chrysalis box, which holds more than 100 emerging butterflies.
New this year at the Butterfly House is the Crimson Patch, or Janis Patch, butterfly, which is common in northern Colombia, Central America, Mexico and southern Texas. See if you can spot it during your visit: look for a small butterfly with a prominent red patch found on each of its lower wings.
If your family has never been to this Hershey treasure, why not make this the year? And during the month of July, Hershey Gardens is offering extended hours through 6:45 p.m. with their “Wind Down Wednesday” events, complete with musical entertainment.
The Butterfly House at Hershey Gardens / 170 Hotel Rd., Hershey / www.hersheygardens.org / 717-534-3492
The Oakes Museum of Natural History
Attention nature lovers! We’ll let you in on a secret: The Oakes Museum of Natural History at Messiah College is one of the Susquehanna Valley’s hidden gems. In this 10,000-square-foot museum, you’ll find a collection of Smithsonian-quality African and North American mammals, birds' eggs, fish, shellfish, minerals, insects, and fossils. In fact, The Oakes Museum’s African mammal collection is the largest of its kind in Pennsylvania, with over 200 specimens, seventy-five of which are fully mounted. Elephant, hippopotamus, zebra, giraffe—you name it; you’ll see it here in life size.
In its two floors, the museum also contains more than 100 North American mammals (Kodiak Island bear, great elk, Alaskan moose, and mountain lion, just to name a few), 200 birds' nests and 17,000 birds' eggs. Many of these appear in six hand-painted dioramas that have been created by professional wildlife artists.
If you’re nearby Messiah College and you have little natural history lovers at home, consider enrolling them in the Curator Club, for grades three through five, or CC2, for grades six through eight. These Saturday programs provide science education for local children in a fun, hands-on learning environment and include topics like Animal Super Senses on June 20 and Wildlife Art on July 25.
The Oakes Museum of Natural History / Messiah College / One College Avenue, Mechanicsburg / www.messiah.edu/oakes / 717-691-6082
Best of Harrisburg Winners
Food and Drink
Best Asian Restaurant: Bangkok Wok Best Barbecue: Smoked Bar & Grill Best Bar Food: Arooga’s Best Brewery: TrÖegs Brewing Company Best Brunch: The Hershey Pantry Best Burger: The Jackson House Best Burrito: Neato Burrito Best Business Lunch Spot: Café Fresco Best Candy Shop: Zimmerman's Nuts and Candies Best Casual Date Spot: Arooga’s Best Caterer: The JDK Group Best Cheesesteak: Shugar’s Philly Deli Best Cocktails: Arooga’s Best Coffee Shop: Cornerstone Coffeehouse Best Craft Beer Spot: TrÖegs Brewing Company Best Cupcake Shop: The Couture Cakery Best Diner: Capitol Diner Best Doughnuts: Maple Donuts Best Farmers’ Market: West Shore Farmers' Market Best Fine Dining Restaurant: Char's Tracy Mansion Best Food Truck: MAD Sandwiches Best Grocery Store: Wegmans Best Happy Hour Spot: Arooga's Best Ice Cream Shop: 3B Ice Cream Best Indian Restaurant: Passage to India Best Italian Restaurant: Gabriella Italian Restaurant Best Mexican Restaurant: El Sol Mexican Restaurant Best Neighborhood Bar: Arooga’s Best Outdoor Bar: Dukes Riverside Bar & Grille Best Outdoor Dining spot: Dukes Riverside Bar & Grille Best Pizza: The Pizza Grille Best Sandwich Shop: Sandwich Man Best Specialty Cake Bakery: The Pennsylvania Bakery Best Sushi: Sapporo East Sushi Best Winery: The Vineyard at Hershey Best Wings: Arooga's Family Health Best Bicycle Shop: Holmes Cycling and Fitness Best Cancer Treatment Center: Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Best Cosmetic Enhancement Center: Farrell Laser and Cosmetic Medicine Center Best Dental Practice: Locust Lane Dental Group Best Hospital: PinnacleHealth Harrisburg Hospital Best Maternity Hospital: PinnacleHealth Harrisburg Hospital Best Pediatric Practice: JDC Pediatrics Best Veterinary Clinic: Good Hope Animal Hospital Best Yoga Studio: Just Plain Yoga Home and Garden Best Appliance Dealer: L.H. Brubaker Appliances Best Audio/Video Expert: Haller Enterprises, Inc. Best Carpeting and Flooring Expert: Martin's Flooring Best Furniture Store: Interiors Furniture & Design Best Furniture Consignment store: Red Door Consignment Best Garden Center: Stauffers of Kissel Hill Best Heating and Cooling Specialist: Haller Enterprises, inc. Best Home Remodeler: Haller Enterprises, inc. Best Interior Designer: Tim Weishaar, Interiors Furniture & Design Best Kitchen and Bath Designer: Haller Enterprises, inc. Best Landscape Designer: Black Landscape Best Lighting Store: Yale Lighting Concepts & Design Best Mattress Store: Interiors Furniture & Design Best New Home Builder: Farinelli Construction Inc. Best Outdoor Furniture Store: Stauffers of Kissel Hill Best Painting and Wallpaper Professionals: Aumen's Paint & Wallpaper Best Plumber: Haller Enterprises, inc. Best Pool and Spa Experts: Crystal Pools, Inc. Best Retirement Community: Bethany Village Professional Services Best Banking Institution: Metro Bank Best Car Dealership: Bobby Rahal Automotive group Best Credit Union: Members 1st Federal Credit Union Best Law Firm: McNees Wallace & Nurick Best Motorcycle Dealership: Susquehanna Valley Harley-Davidson Best Wealth Management Firm: Econ Wealth Management Entertainment Best Art Gallery: Gallery at Second Best Charity Event: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): Out of Darkness Walk Best DJ: Mixed-Up Productions Best Event Décor Company: The JDK Group Best Fair or Festival: Kipona Festival Best Golf Course: Armitage Golf Club Local Band/Musician: The Luv Gods Best Local TV Station: WHTM abc27 Best Local TV Personality: Al Gnoza Best Mini Golf Course: Bumble Bee Hollow Best Party Planner: The JDK Group Best Party Venue: Peter Allen House Best Performing Arts Center: Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts Best Radio Station: WNNK-FM, Wink 104 Fashion Best Bridal Boutique: Taylored For You Best Children’s Clothing Boutique: Snazzy Giraffe Best Consignment Store: Hello Gorgeous Consignment Boutique Best Men’s Clothing Boutique: Top Shelf Menswear Best Shoe Store: Plum Bottom Best Women’s Clothing Boutique: Maggie Adams Little Luxuries Best B&B or Inn: City House Bed & Breakfast Best Barbershop: Franklyn Men, Master Barbers Best Florist: Royer’s Flowers & Gifts Best Gift Shop: Rhoads Pharmacy Best Hotel: Hilton Harrisburg Best Jeweler: Mountz Jewelers Best Makeup Artist: Carmina Cristina Best Photographer: Thomas Beaman Photography Best Salon: Posh Salon and Spa Best Spa: The Spa at The Hotel Hershey
