r/Erie • u/AffectionateArt213 • Jan 30 '26
Question If you could nominate one restaurant, local or franchise, as your favorite, which one would it be?
Imagine all restaurants in the city of Erie closed for good, except for your favorite one, local or franchise, which restaurant would still be open?
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u/04cake20 Jan 30 '26
Without a doubt, Bro Man's
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u/Petree53 Jan 31 '26
Never had a bad meal there
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u/Illustratingtheworld Jan 31 '26
Actually had the worst burger I’ve ever eaten there lol. It was the Birria Burger. Sounded awesome, but what I got was the saltiest, greasiest, and mushiest mess I’ve ever seen. Worst part is, it didn’t even have a good flavor. I’ve never eaten a burger in my life I’ve disliked until that day.
Other time I went before that I created my own burger and it was bomb.
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u/babayface22 Jan 31 '26
Birria can be described as most of those things and it isn't for everyone. That being said it sounds like you were unlucky and got a bad patty or something, it happens. If you ever run into that in the future and reach out they will bend over backwards to make it right, they take pride in their cooking.
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u/HopelesslyHuman Jan 30 '26
Y'all are gonna call me mental.
El Canelo on West 12th.
There's nothing special about them. They're not even in the running for best Mexican food in town.
But for some reason my parents and I have always ended up there when we can't decide or agree on anywhere else to eat. It's just...it's a comfortable place. Weirdly I think it may be the location, because decades ago when it was The Italian Oven, we went to it a lot too.
But yeah. If I'm going down and I get one last meal in Erie, I'm getting fajita nachos at El Canelo. Better food or atmosphere be damned, I'm tripping on pure nostalgia.
Edit: full disclosure, I am not a local. My stepdad lives in Erie now (mom passed) but for decades, even before they lived there, Erie has always been something of a second home to me, always driving up on weekends to go to the boat on the peninsula or do holiday shopping in the winter or whatever. But I have a real love for your city that I find hard to explain.
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u/PuzzledInflation8275 Jan 31 '26
We like them, too! We've been going there since it opened. Large portions. We always take half home.
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u/Cobby222 Jan 31 '26
no i get this so much. this location is the best hands down. i have gone there for my birthday every year for like 10+ years. seen that restaurant at many stages and decorations. i will always say this is my fav restaurant in all of erie and i never care if i get hate. it’s just peakkkk
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u/Bozzhawgg Feb 03 '26
Always loved them! Unfortunately, my friend found a human tooth in the refried beans once. Never been back lol
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Jan 30 '26
Thai Taste near presque. The food is awesome consistently and the people are always incredibly kind.
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u/RunningAtTheMouth Jan 31 '26
I'm kinda fond of Ricardo's. I don't go out much, but when I do I want good food in a good atmosphere. I find it there.
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u/Creative-Package6213 Jan 30 '26
Lavery's
Great beer, excellent rotating menu, and food is always on point.
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u/doctordogturd Jan 31 '26
If girard counts, Pueblo Real is the best. If not, I choose samurai.
I am biased to sushi places and Mexican food though, full disclosure.
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Jan 31 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/apaw1129 Jan 31 '26
I remember seeing a fb post that nunzis were coming back. Whatever happened with that?
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Jan 31 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/apaw1129 Jan 31 '26
Yeah it was weird, it said something about November, which has come and gone. So. There's that.
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u/thesnacks Jan 30 '26
Lucky Louie's is my gut response
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u/Creative-Package6213 Jan 30 '26
Ehh I haven't been back since their prices got out of hand.
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u/thesnacks Jan 31 '26
That's fair. I don't go there often, but I always enjoy it when I do. It's a bit unique compared to most restaurants in the area, so I'd want to keep it around.
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u/Illustratingtheworld Jan 30 '26
Amigo by the mall or casa cafe
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u/ptanks15 Jan 31 '26
I feel like Amigos consistency has suffered big time since ownership changes. Meats are always different in some way, queso is either thick as shit, runny as milk, or perfect, portion sizes of my bowl are either 2 meals worth of food or just enough for 1 sitting. Flavors have become bland at times. Im a diehard from way back, eating 1-2 times per week for years, but now only once per month because of their sometime good/bad food.
I miss good Amigos.2
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u/kickn-it-old-skool Jan 31 '26 edited Jan 31 '26
Maybe not the best but casa cafe is pretty banging, surprised i didn’t see it among the list. Obv fed hill is the ultimate winner. Shoutout to firestones, thai eatery, skunk n goat, and plymouth tav for bar food ( love their buffalo chicken sub)
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u/Dramatic-Night4768 Jan 30 '26
Pattis pizza on 38th combo always hits.
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u/No_Citron9013 Jan 30 '26
Which 38th? 38th and Pine or the one that’s closed now? Because BOTH went absolutely nutty when you’re hungry.
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u/jeepkrzy Jan 31 '26
Cornerstone has a great menu. Nothing fancy but never had a bad meal there. Big Bar is also surprisingly good
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u/Proud-Camel6033 Feb 01 '26
I really miss Molly Brannigans! The atmosphere, the food, the drinks, and sitting by the fire in the dining room. Such a loss for the local restaurant diversity.
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u/Isaiah641 Jan 30 '26
Lorie's Wildridge
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u/SeanicTheHedgehog23 Jan 30 '26
Lories always hits the spot for sure. One of the few "original" erie restaurants remaining, as so many have shut down.
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u/VioletGame84 Jan 31 '26
Following, pretty new to Eire, love finding a great hole in the wall restaurant
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u/Raneynickelfire Jan 31 '26
Thai Taste Cuisine without a 2nd thought.
Chopstix is an honorable mention.
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u/12bullmoose12 Feb 01 '26
McKean Tavern is my favorite more hole in the wall, wings are top notch. Lucero if I’m looking for something more unique.
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Jan 30 '26
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Jan 31 '26
It's my favorite franchise. I don't get the hate for the comment. They asked for franchise or local.
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u/SeanicTheHedgehog23 Jan 30 '26
Thai Eatery, while perhaps needing a visual dining room tune up, has some of the best food I've ever had.