News

When Erie residents need a break from the fast-paced world, they turn to certain comfort foods that evoke tradition, warmth, and community where each plate tells a story and every bite is a flavorful journey. These five must-try dishes are some of the local favorites, craved for their authentic flavors and nostalgic vibes.

1. Take Me to the Greek
   Erie Greek sauce, a regional favorite, can be found at several local restaurants, each giving it its own twist. According to the owner of iconic eatery Panos Restaurant Evan Legace, Erie Greek sauce originated from Greek immigrants, including Legace’s great-grandfather. “My great-grandfather started selling street meat in New York City, developed a Greek sauce, and moved to Erie to open a restaurant. He invited friends from the street food scene to join him, which sparked friendly Greek sauce competitions.” So what exactly is Erie Greek sauce? It’s a distinct blend of meat and spices similar to chili but with a finer texture and no beans. Legace noted, “We use 100% beef with no fillers, natural fat, and spices that are slow-cooked for six hours.” At Panos, Greek sauce covers hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, and even omelets; a messy but napkin-worthy indulgence. A Greet dog with Greek fries is a frequent choice for lifelong Erie resident Paula Bruno-Umlah, a regular customer for decades. “Panos flavors their Greek sauce perfectly; plenty of spice but not too spicy, with just the right consistency,” she said.

2. A Slice of Heaven
   Dawn Van Scoter isn’t just the owner of The Lawrence Park Dinor, the only diner in Pennsylvania listed on the National Register of Historic Places, she’s also the mastermind baker behind its scratch-made pies and cheesecakes. Every slice is a taste of tradition with her own personal twist to beloved family recipes. “I use many of my mother’s recipes from her collection that goes as far back as the 1960s, with some modification,” Van Scoter says. Pie flavors vary by season, but apple, coconut cream, and the customer-favorite peanut butter pie are available most days. Some of her more imaginative creations include margarita cheesecake, chocolate caramel coconut cookie cheesecake, and trash can pie; a salty-sweet indulgence of pretzels, peanuts, caramel bits, chocolate chips, and coconut. Whole pies, cheesecakes, and custom orders are available with advance request.

3. Cue the Q
   Erie is best known for its stunning lakeside views and beaches, but it’s also home to the national, award-winning barbecue at Federal Hill Smokehouse. In just eight years, this no-frills eatery near East 26th and Peach Streets has become an Erie institution for mouth-watering ribs, brisket, smoked sausage, and turkey. Food & Wine magazine even named it Pennsylvania’s “Best Barbecue in Every State” for the last four years. Owner and pitmaster Ryan Atzert smokes more than two thousand pounds of meat each week, serving it up with classic barbecue sides: coleslaw, pinto beans, potato salad, and mac and cheese. “For me, it started as a fun hobby 16 years ago, making barbecue for friends,” said Atzert. “I decided to roll the dice, open my own place, and it took off in a big way.” His secret to success? “There’s no big secret really; just salt, pepper, and time, lots of time,” he explained. If you’re new to Federal Hill, arrive early—they sell out fast.

4. It’s a Wing Thing
   Chicken wings are a finger-licking staple of Erie’s casual cuisine scene: fried or baked, bone-in or boneless, wet or dry, sweet or hot. At 6 Pack House of Beer, you’ll find it’s the perfect spot to satisfy your wing cravings and pair them with an ice-cold beer. Here you can choose from 12 drafts on tap and a 17-bay beer cooler, which features options from the Lake Erie Ale Trail. Co-owner Alice DeGeorge, a true wing enthusiast, shares, “We serve over 60 pounds of wings weekly, offering more than 24 flavors. Our house-made sauces include Hot Heads, Ghost Face, and our signature 6 Pack House Sauce, a sticky-sweet hot barbecue. That’s our best seller.” Each month 6 Pack House of Beer creates a bold inventive flavor. This November, the “Thanksgiv-wing” celebrates the start of the holiday season. The wings are tossed in dry stuffing mix and rosemary, fried, and finished with a house-made cranberry sauce that’s infused with Great Lakes Cran-Orange wheat beer. For the best deal, don’t miss Wing-It Wednesdays, with $2 off traditional or boneless wings by the pound (dine-in only).

5. Layers of Flavor
   Since opening in May 2024, Roma’s Italian Kitchen has earned high praise for its authentic Italian dishes, particularly its lasagna, dubbed “Erie’s Best Lasagna.” It’s a bold claim, but after tasting this classic comfort food, many agree. “The idea behind ‘Erie’s Best Lasagna’ came during an early tasting meeting,” said Executive Chef Scott Croyle. “One manager took a bite and exclaimed, ‘This has to be the best-tasting lasagna in Erie!’” Nick Scott Jr., vice president of Scott Enterprises, the local family-owned company behind Roma’s, added, “The name lived up to the promise. From the start, customers kept saying the same thing. We knew we had a winner.” Made fresh daily, Roma’s lasagna is a generous portion layered with sweet sausage, creamy ricotta, imported cheeses, and Roma’s signature house-made red sauce. This sauce has a hint of sweetness, naturally enhanced with sofrito; a blend of carrots, onions, and whole garlic sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil, crafted with premium plum tomatoes, fresh Italian parsley, and basil. The result? You be the judge. Erie’s Best Lasagna is available for lunch and dinner daily.

Bundle up with your boots, scarves, and gloves because it’s time to explore Presque Isle State Park in the wintertime! Although Presque Isle is mainly known for its sandy beaches, there are many ways to enjoy and explore the park’s natural beauty any time of year. Here are 10 things to do at Presque Isle that will lift your winter spirits and banish those seasonal blues. For a map of Presque Isle State Park and its trails, click here.

1.  Snowshoe on Long Pond Trail

This one-mile trail follows the shoreline of Long Pond, one of the ponds within the park’s lagoon, near the entrance to the east pier. The trail is ideal for snowshoe exploration and has great opportunities to see some of the park’s wildlife population, including some very active beavers that typically cut a noticeable path through the trail near the eastern trailhead. Other snowshoe trails at the park include Pine Tree Trail and Ridge Trail.

2. Educate and Explore at TREC

Although not physically attached to Presque Isle, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (affectionately referred to as “TREC”) is considered the gateway to Presque Isle and an introduction to how the peninsula formed more than a thousand years ago from glaciers and ice melt. This fascinating (and free) attraction features hands-on, educational exhibits, a glass-enclosed observation tower, and Presque Isle Gallery and Gifts.

3. Spot a Snowy Owl at Gull Point

The snowy owl is the largest of the North American owls and is mainly white with black and brown markings. Some snowy owls are known to migrate from their summer nests near the Arctic Circle to parts of southern Canada and the northern rim of the United States, including Presque Isle. The best place to catch a glimpse of a snowy owl is Gull Point, where they perch on land and short posts waiting for prey. To protect the ecologically fragile area, visitors must use the designated observation platform and trail.

4. Cross-Country Ski on Fox Trail

The half-mile Fox Trail is across from the Presque Isle Lighthouse, winding through wooded swamps and oak-maple trees, providing a picturesque, forested byway between the Sidewalk Trail and a portion of the Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail. Other trails that are maintained for cross-country skiing include the Sidewalk Trail and Dead Pond Trail.

5. Catch a Winter Sunset

Presque Isle is known for its world-class sunsets, but in winter it’s a special sight to behold. When the sun sets on the horizon between the snow-dusted sand and the frozen lake, it’s simply breathtaking. Whether you bundle yourselves up on the beach or enjoy the coziness of your car, it is a gorgeous sight to behold. The best spot to catch this amazing show is at Sunset Point, also known as Kite Beach.

6. Take a Brisk Hike

The Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail sets the perfect stage to enjoy a tranquil stroll along Presque Isle Bay, breathing in the fresh, crisp air among scenic surroundings. In winter, the trail is regularly cleared of snow from the park’s main entrance to the public safety building, so visitors can negotiate the path with ease.

7. Drive Through Beauty with a Scenic Drive

Experience the winter wonders of Presque Isle from the cozy comfort of your vehicle as you meander through the park’s 13-mile paved loop. To maintain the park’s natural condition and protect its natural inhabitants, the main road is cleared of snow but it is not treated with salt or chemicals.

8. Wildlife Watching

Presque Isle’s location on the Atlantic Flyway makes it a favorite spot for birds to stop to feed and rest on their migration across Lake Erie. More than 330 species of birds have been identified on the peninsula during the winter including geese, swans, and a wide variety of owls. There is a variety of winter wildlife found throughout the park including white-tailed deer, foxes, beavers, rabbits, and raccoons.

9. Admire Frozen Ice Dunes

Ice dunes form as a result of cold Lake Erie waters, icy temperatures, and strong winds coming together. Found on the lakeside of Presque Isle, ice dunes help to preserve the beaches and protect them from sand erosion. Ice dunes are lovely to look at, but admire them from a distance, as their extreme instability makes close encounters hazardous. Capture their splendor through a photograph so the memories last long after the dunes melt away.

10. Ice Fishing

The sheltered, frozen waters of Presque Isle Bay, Misery Bay, Horseshoe Pond, and Presque Isle Marina are great locations for ice fishing. Common catches are yellow perch, panfish, northern pike, walleye, and the occasional steelhead. Whether you’re a newcomer to the sport or seeking to upgrade your gear, Fish USA is a one-stop shop with experienced staff and an extensive selection of merchandise.

Know Before You Go:

Presque Isle State Park Winter Hours of Operation
Open daily from 5 a.m. to sunset. Day-use areas such as trails, beaches, restrooms, and the marina close at dusk. After dusk, driving is allowed up to 9 p.m.

Dog-Friendly! Presque Isle is a great place to bring your leashed furry friend along with you for a hike. Remember to do your part to help keep the park clean and pick up after them.

Presque Isle State Park Main Office, inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center

November 1 – March 31: Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday.

814-833-7424

Tom Ridge Environmental Center Hours of Operation
November 1 – March 31: Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday.

Presque Isle State Park Restrooms

Most restrooms are closed during the off-season. Restrooms at Rotary Pavilion, Public Safety Building/Ranger Station, Perry Monument, North Pier, Niagara Boat Launch, and the Lighthouse Beach restrooms are open year-round.

Presque Isle State Park Ranger Station/Public Safety Building

Offering first aid, telephones, restrooms, and maps of the park.

Hours vary depending on staffing.

814-833-7424
Presque Isle State Park Ice Fishing Regulations

The Delaware Tourism Office announced today its new passport, “Delaware’s Hidden Holiday Gems,” highlighting nine unique attractions in the state celebrating the holidays this season. The passport will run from Nov. 22 to Jan. 6.

“Delaware’s Hidden Holiday Gems is our office’s first short-term passport to be released,” said Jessica Welch, Director of the Delaware Tourism Office. “In light of the holiday season, we hope to attract tourists to each of Delaware’s three counties and experience what they have to offer during this special time of year.”

The mobile passport, also known as a trail, will bring Delaware’s holiday magic to life as it takes travelers throughout the state with three specific destinations to stop at in each of the state’s three regions. From intricately decorated museums to festive light displays, the passport provides an itinerary for holiday travelers to find off-the-beaten-path attractions.

In northern Delaware, the passport will highlight Holidays at Hagley at Hagley Museum and Library, Noël at Nemours Estate, and Holiday Magic at Riverbright Wilmington. Zoo Lights and Christmas Nights at 3 Palms Zoo, Gift of Lights at Dover Motor Speedway, and Ice Skating at Tre Sorelle Dolce will be featured in central Delaware. In southern Delaware, Santa’s House on Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, Schellville’s Enchanted Winter Celebration, and Lewes Lights will also have stops along the trail.

Once participants using the passport check in at three locations within a region, they will receive one of three randomly selected prizes. The prizes will encourage users to visit all of the locations throughout Delaware to win the three prizes available.

Participants can sign up at VisitDelaware.com and gain access to the digital passport. Using location-based technology, users can “check-in” at and track locations they have visited using their phones.

Delaware’s Hidden Holiday Gems passport is one of three trails currently offered by the Delaware Tourism Office. The Delaware On Tap trail takes users throughout the state to visit over 30 craft beverage locations in Delaware. Similarly, the Delaware History Trail takes users to each of Delaware’s counties with stops at historically significant locations in Delaware.

“The goal of these trails is to not only promote local businesses but encourage travel to new places in Delaware that may be overlooked at first glance,” said Welch. “On the way to these attractions, tourists will see all that Delaware has to offer and explore someplace new.”

The Delaware Tourism Office, a division of the Delaware Division of Small Business, promotes tourism and economic growth in Delaware. For more information, visit the official Delaware Tourism website at www.visitdelaware.com or call toll-free at 866-284-7483.