Browns Hill Tavern - Mill Hall

Honestly, I don’t want to share this place with you. I want to keep it a secret so it doesn’t become so popular that I can’t get a seat. It’s genuinely the coolest spot in town—a hidden gem for locals. The tavern food is delicious! I had the ribeye (I think it's called Delmonico), and as someone who has worked at Ruth’s Chris, I consider myself a bit of a steak snob. The chef cooked that ribeye to perfection; the marbling just melted in my mouth! The drink prices are fantastic too! I also had some appetizers earlier in the day, and they were excellent. It’s a wonderful place to meet and mingle with locals, and the staff makes you feel like you’re part of the community. Overall, it’s an incredible place that I’ll always visit when I’m in town. So, please don’t go—this way, I’ll always have a seat! Oh, and they have an amazing collection of canned beers lining the wall—some are so ancient, I didn't even know they existed. It’s really cool!

If you find yourself in Lamar, PA, or if you're on a long drive along I-80 and in need of a meal, I highly recommend Browns Hill Tavern! Conveniently located just off the Lamar exit, it’s easy to get to without navigating too many backroads. The drinks are strong and reasonably priced, and the food looked absolutely delicious! Unfortunately, we arrived just after they stopped serving food at 8 PM, so we missed out on trying it. I was a bit disappointed, but the bartender was incredibly friendly and kindly suggested a few nearby places where we could grab a bite instead. The atmosphere is definitely that of a local dive bar. While I’m sure travelers like us stop in, there were quite a few locals there as well. We personally enjoy that casual vibe, but if you prefer a more upscale environment, this might not be the best choice for you.

This is a review of a motel. I don’t usually write reviews, but I felt my experience here was disappointing enough to share. At $80 a night, the price is reasonable for the State College area. However, I encountered several issues: the front door was difficult to open with the key, the room had a lingering smell of stale smoke, and the bedside lamps didn’t work. Outside, the bright lights of the motel remained on all night, and the curtains in the room didn’t block out the light, making for a very poor night’s sleep. Additionally, the heating unit turned on every 15 minutes, which was quite bothersome. The towels had some small stains as well. On a positive note, the staff at the front desk were friendly during check-in, and the shower provided warm water. Overall, if you're on a budget and looking for accommodation near State College, I would suggest exploring other options for better value.

My husband and I stopped a cross-country drive in PA, and chose this tavern for dinner. It would be a 5-star review except that the ambiance felt like sitting in a convenience store or 1980s bingo hall. But the food! It was stellar! 5 stars for sure. My husband got fish chips and I got the steak cheddar sandwich, and we both left happy full. The food tasted delightful and was served in large portions. And our server was pleasant, bubbly, and a pleasure to talk to.

Friendly service, fair prices, cold beer. Lacking in atmosphere, good food. Good location for gas and lodging