The Willows Bar And Restaurant

Once a year, my friends and I take a fall foliage tour in Elk County. For the past four years, we’ve stopped at The Willows, as it seems to be the only dining option in the area. Unfortunately, The Willows specializes in overpriced, cafeteria-style food, with items like a grilled ham and cheese sandwich, fries, and iced tea costing $11. The waitstaff seem to have attended the honey badger school of hospitality, as they really don’t seem to care about providing good service. This year, we noticed the Sinnemahoning Sportsman’s Club west of town advertising lunch and dinner, so we plan to check it out next year. Do yourself a favor and skip The Willows.

Recently, my parents and I visited to enjoy the autumn leaves and check on the camp, and we stopped at The Willows as usual. I ordered the chili, which was tasty, though it wasn't my favorite due to having too many red beans. My father had a hamburger, which he said was excellent. My mom and I decided to share a BLT, and I jokingly told her that even though I know wheat bread is healthier, we had to get the sandwich made with white bread. To our pleasant surprise, the waitress took the initiative to make my half of the BLT with white bread and my mom's with wheat, which was a thoughtful touch we didn't even request! As for the French fries, they were outstanding—some of the best I've had in a long time. Overall, it was exactly what we wanted, when we wanted it. The service was a bit slow, but given that there were only two other customers in the restaurant, it was very pleasant. We weren't in a rush; I had to remind myself that disconnecting from technology and the hustle of daily life is one of the reasons we love coming to Cameron County. We'll definitely be back and will recommend it to others!