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  • 0

    I went here for dinner last night and have to say the food was so delicious. I had the pork cheek pappardelle and it was incredible. The pork is slow cooked in white wine and they use that same sauce on the pasta. The beer was also great and I can't wait to come back.
    Finally have a favorite restaurant at/near state college.

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  • 0

    Visiting State College and out for a scenic ride, it was getting to be lunch time and my wife checked the Garmin GPS and found the Elk Creek Cafe and Alehouse. As a homebrewer I am always interested in on-premises craft brew pubs. The Elk Creek Cafe was not crowded on a Friday at noon. We were greeted cheerfully and invited to try a nine variety (5 oz each) sampler of their brews. We liked them all, some more than others but all good. We had burgers of the local beef, and the real potato fries were great. We're from Massachusetts, but if you are in the State College area and want to escape the chain restaurants, this is near and fantastic.

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  • 0

    Very good lunch. Worth the drive. I had fried walleye sandwich special with chips. Wife had ham and cheese with apple chutney on cranberry bread. Well done. Food came quickly for a busy place and service was decent.

    Will do beer sampler on next visit.

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  • 0

    Came here once for lunch. The prices are pretty high for what you get, but the steak is delicious. The menu is limited at best, and this isn't a good place for picky eaters that don't like burgers. I doubt I'll return in the near future, but it's definitely a cool place to visit at least once if you're in the area.

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  • 0

    Came here for Sunday lunch with my husband and his extended family.  Was surprised how loud and crowded it was (like hard to hear the person next to you loud).  Also, we came well past noon but were given a very abbreviated one side of one page brunch menu.  This was disappointing.  Service was slow, but I'll chalk that up to being with a party of 9.  Our server mixed up our orders (and forgot drinks for two in our party), but again you'll have that.  What really surprised me was the dryness of my burger after reading and hearing so much hype about how fabulous the burgers are.  The fries were solid though.  Ultimately, while I'd probably avoid this place in the future for Sunday brunch, I'd come back with my husband some evening to explore the awesome draft selection.

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  • 0

    This is the best place I've been to in Pennsylvania.

    The drive from State College is short but very pleasant and street parking is pretty easy in picturesque Millheim.

    We started off with the soft pretzel served with pub mustard and an order of their Belgian-style fries with Elk Creek aioli and Tabasco catsup. The pretzel was warm, soft, and incredibly fresh and the pub mustard was ridiculously spicy. The fries also came out hot and crisp and it was a constant back-and-forth whether the aioli or the catsup was our favorite sauce (my girlfriend insisted we keep all three for our main courses). These fries are the second-best fries I've ever had (shout out to Hyde Park Cafe in Austin, Tx!)

    I had their Imperial Black Ale. It was pitch black but very light with some really nice pumpernickel notes. My girlfriend, who is not a beer drinker, had their Winkleblink Ale, and really loved it. I tried it and it was light but had a nice malty flavor.

    For the main course, I had their Elk Creek burger which completely floored me. It was rich, juicy, but not too heavy. I was told that all of their food is locally sourced (which doesn't mean anything to me except that they didn't have tomatoes). It was served on a ridiculously good, slightly buttery bun from Gemelli Bakers here in State College. Oh yeah, and more fries!

    The whole meal was incredible but what really sealed the deal was the made-in-house cheesecake with real pieces of brownies in it. I can't even describe this properly.

    My girlfriend said she has never seen me so happy at the end of a meal in Pennsylvania and, God help me, it's true. I cannot recommend this place enough. Simple food, fresh ingredients, nice atmosphere. I can't for the life of me figure why nobody has figured this out in State College proper but hey, it's a great excuse for a little trek out of town.

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  • 0

    Really tasty burgers, great beer. In the middle of nowhere, this place is like an oasis!

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  • 0

    This was the highlight of my whole trip to State College (Penn State U), PA. We drove a bit out of the countryside to get to this one-horse town, and came across Elk Creek Cafe, which was all lit up and spilling the crowd outside, in stark contrast from the rest of the sleepy place. Immediately when we arrived, we were greeted personally by the owner, who knew our reservation by heart.

    The place is surprisingly spacious, and if you need a break from the live music there's a large back room. They had a tiny one-stall bathroom, which was more than once suffering a huge queue.

    Speaking of, there's no reason you shouldn't get smoshed here. The beer sampler is $8 for (at the time) a series of 4oz glasses of 9 different beers!! Just one sampler for our party of three got us halfway there, and we each ordered a pint of something else to finish off the good humor. Pitchers are also great value.

    We were greeted with an enormous plate of crispy, tasty fries that we were still picking at at the end of the night. The mushroom wrap was forgettable (eh, I would also ditch kettle chips as a side, it seems chintzy for the kind of $$ venue this is), but the vegan chili was RIDICULOUS. A large portion of steaming hot, hearty chili, while it was lightly snowing outside, was the centerpiece and envy of the table. Delicious.

    We were treated to a night of bluegrass music and a whirlwind of dancing. The older crowd here is not afraid to show you a good time, and there were smiles and good spirits all around. Cannot wait to come back.

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  • 0

    I've been going on a yearly trip about three miles from Elk Creek Cafe, so every year a giant group of people take over a large table at Elk Creek and every year we're met with open arms. The beer is good, I like the stout because I don't really drink ales or IPAs but I'm told the other beers are quite delicious too.

    I love the fact that there's always something veggie available on the menu, though I will say the options have dwindled just a tad over the years. On my last visit I had a grilled cheese (I added avocado and roasted tomato) with a side of fries. I also split the vegan chili with my husband. Both were good, but not absolutely amazing. The chili needed a bit more flavor to it. It did have some nice chunks of tempeh in it, so I'll give it that. The housemade potato chips are where it's at, dare I say better than the french fries. I know, right? In past years I've ordered the cheese plate, soups and salads, and all were delicious.  I was really bummed out to see that they'd removed the beer cheese toast from the menu, because it was phenomenal. Service is usually pretty stellar, and anyone who can handle a table of15+ people and not mess up a single thing is clearly amazing.

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  • 0

    My husband and I absolutely love this place.  Great food, good service, and amazing live music; what more can you ask for?  I would definitely recommend making the trek out to Elk Creek from State College at least once--you won't regret it.

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  • 0

    What does this small town brew pub have to offer a vegetarian? Plenty! It's exciting to say they have always had a nice vegetarian sandwich or two and a vegan hummus plate. More recently have been dedicated to all of that plus a vegan entrée and vegetarian soup choice every evening meal.

    Sitting at a high top table or on one of the elevated stages with good food and a local drink makes anybody, loner or huge family, feel like they belong at the Elk Creek Cafe. They feature Tait Farm Shrubs and local wines as well as their own established list of beers.

    The food menu, self dubbed Nouveau Dutchie Cuisineâ„¢, is dedicated to fresh, local foods and we have enjoyed many a wonderful soup and "vegan bowl" with a house crafted micro brew.

    Awarded the Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks, "Pennsyltucky Veggie 2011 Best Specials," this place is one of our favorites.

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  • 0

    The evening began with a wonderful table choice by Jenny, followed by Katie making excellent food suggestions and ended with all 7 of us enjoying a delicious evening.  The cold nettle & watercress soup was so incredible - I did something I have never done before....enjoyed a bowl as my appetizer and another bowl as my entree! Really it was that good.  My compliments to the chef.

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  • 0

    Love the Amish buggies going by! Great food, beer, music & ambiance!

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  • 0

    Love this place! Every time we visit our friends in the State College area we ask to go here,

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  • 0

    Elk Creek Cafe's 2012 Valentines Day meal was top notch as usual. I had the seared salmon that was nicely spiced and not dry at all,The salmon was lane on top of a taste bud stimulating coleslaw containing apple apple shavings, red onion, thinly sliced cabbage, dressed with a light and creamy sauce that brought all the flavors together in a very tasteful way. Perhaps the last food on this plate I'm describing was saved best for last because It was a semi ingenious  use of red fennel by compounding it into a somewhat type of potato pancake called a latkie, and I haven't been able to find a recipe that tells me how to make the red fennel latkies that the menu described as a side to the salmon.  AMAZING FOOD AND ALWAYS PLEASED AFTER EATING THERE!

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  • 0

    We've been going to Elk Creek since they opened, and we'll always go back! The food is locally sourced, well thought out, and delicious. Menus are always changing, though they have some standards that stay on the menu always. Our opinions are not only asked for, they have helped shape some of the menu. Got to love a restaurant that wants to make us happy! Surprisingly, their grilled cheese absolutely rocks the casbah. Who would have known?

    The beer here is excellent--well crafted and delicious. We also enjoy the frequent entertainment and the art. ECC really supports local artists and farmers! There is a back room that's available if you need a bit quieter space on a band night, too.

    And of course, the owner, Tim, is fabulous. The first time we came in, our first daughter was only about 4 months old, and though he'd only been open a few days, he was absolutely mortified that he didn't have a changing table yet. One was installed by the next time we came, and he apologized profusely that it was only able to be done in the ladies' room due to space constraints, but it's done in a way that men can go in there and use it.

    Tim always stops by to talk to us, and appears to do that with nearly everyone. He remembers customers and they become friends. We've even sent him videos of our kids (trying to steal our beers--he got a kick out of that.) The staff is wonderful, and many of them have been there since the beginning, which is testament to the fact that it's a great place to work.

    We love Elk Creek! Worth the drive!

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  • 0

    Mushroom soup is awesome as are the hand-cut fries with the excellent aioli.  They have some good vegan options, but not as many as you would expect from a place that prides itself on the local and the healthy. They have very good beer, which is one of the draws, but it is also important to support this local business in Millheim.

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  • 0

    I was just in the Elk Creek Cafe today, (Nov. 25, 2011) and it was great, Attentive staff, nice atmosphere and exceptional beer. This is a different place then when I grew up here in the 1980's. Gentrification has come to Penns Valley! It used to be a bit rough here-it's a welcome change.

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  • 0

    What has happened in millheim since I left?  Great food, service & beer on par with anything you will find in a similarly positioned establishment in any city.  A welcome addition to Penns Valley.

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  • 0

    Your review helps others learn about great local businesses.

    Elk Creek Cafe + Ale Works is not 5 star in the "snootie-white--tablecloth" sense. It is 5 star because it is a star in so many ways that matter.

    This brewpub <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elkcreekcafe.net%2Findex.php%2FBeers%2F&s=29d12997fdb10f89ea9bd904cfe594b55c7e8cb5861be7884a0f9a85d6c713c7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.elkcreekcafe.…</a>  sits at the corner of the only crossroads with the only stoplight in Millheim, an industrial city / agricultural hub whose early and mid- 19th century buildings along the east-west street have seen much better days. The north-south street ambles along Elk Creek, through one of the prettiest valleys around. You have to drive carefully in this area and be patient, because you are likely to have to negotiate around or behind Amish carriages.

    It is no exaggeration to say that the Elk Creek Cafe is somehow the spiritual center of this town and the region. Its main room has high ceilings, a generous bar, and huge windows that make it feel roomy and airy, even when it is jam packed.

    It features locally grown food. Its walls are a revolving gallery of local artists' work, especially those of the Farmland Preservation Artists of Central Pennsylvania - <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmlandpreservationartists.org%2F&s=be2225f8f78b7b15c4a0bcb05a261933440a781897457f8e66566aeb9df8b40c" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.farmlandprese…</a>  And it regularly brings in musicians, both local and those on tour.

    But what about the food? Get to the point! you say.

    The menu is not huge. But somehow it can satisfy a wide range of tastes. Amidst the grass fed locally raised meat dishes, you can always find a vegan special of the day and vegetarian items. My carnivorous friend tells me that the Elk Creek Cafe hamburger (from local cows) is the best hamburger he has had anywhere. The dinner portions fill me up., so I often don't have room for dessert or share it. They are also very good.

    Let me add that the people who work there are unfailingly helpful and responsive. Last week, when we arrived there about ten minutes before opening for lunch, they opened the door and invited us in.

    And about that spiritual center idea. I don't know the details, but not long ago the Green Drake Gallery and  Arts Center opened up across the street. It was founded by a family of artists - and features art and classes and more. All this during the Great Recession. There is a spirit moving in Millheim, well worth your stopping by and sharing it.business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees.

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  • 0

    So glad to have this wonderful cafe around the corner from me!  The reviews are accurate.  The food is excellent! ....and so is their beer!

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  • 0

    We chose this place for diner during the State college art fair, knowing all the restaurants in State College will be jam packed. It's about 20 minutes away on a beautiful scenic road.

    Elk Creek cafe is a huge place, very lively and somewhat loud space which is probably not great for a romantic dinner, but perfect for our party of 5. While we were there they had a cool art show of large very colorful paintings.

    The service was super friendly and quick, we ordered wine and beers. The beers are extra special since the restaurant have their own micro brewery and were great.

    Menu is mostly salads, burgers and sandwiches, but there are some entrees. The food was really good. As we finished eating the music started, and we enjoyed that a lot! It was a great Blue Grass band, we stayed for the whole show and had a blast.

    I'm planning on coming back next time I'm in State College

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  • 0

    Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks is amazing! After seeing reviews from some fellow yelpers we decided to check it out. We were camping nearby and decided to make the short trip to charming downtown Milheim. We arrived on mother's day and the place was packed. There is limited on street parking nearby. We got the breaded haddock (with side salad and fries) for 15 dollars. The staff was friendly, but there was a little bit of a wait though. Beautiful building, fair prices, I would highly recommend!

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  • 0

    Local ingredients, including seriously good beef in the burgers, and Tait Farm chutney on the ham sandwich, really make this place stand out.  All the beers sampled by our party got rave reviews as well.  Elk Creek is well worth the drive from State College, or someplace more distant, in my opinion.

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  • 0

    My wife and I are visiting my grandmother and found the cafe via a Google search and noted the live music on Thursday's and decided to check it out. The food was very good and the ale was even better. There is something to say for a venue such as this in a small town with Amish buggies rolling by, good food, ale brewed on site, and good live music!

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  • 0

    Love this place!  The vibe, the food, the beer, the music., the Amish buggy's driving by, everything!

    It would be cool if we could combine the Elk Creek Food, with Gamble MIll Beer, and Otto's location!  That would be heaven for me!

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  • 0

    A great little spot if trying to escape State College.

    My one complaint: the crowd on the weekends.

    We arrived at 8pm on Saturday and waited over an hour for seating. We had driven out of our way to try this place, so we were committed to waiting it out. There is very limited dining-only seating because half the restaurant is devoted to a live concert. However, the benefit of waiting for a seat was the free concert! They really do get some unique and gifted artists to come. But, next time I am coming on a weekday evening.

    Awesome burgers and fries. Even better, the vegetarian lentil soup with kale and rutabaga.

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  • 0

    Warning to those thinking about purchasing tickets to one of their evening performances, without arriving early and purchasing a meal if you expect  a table.  When there is a headliner, this place essentially becomes a supper club pretending to be a brewpub.  There is no table seating unless you purchase dinner on top of the ticket price for the performer, and a beer or two.  I was careful to purchase tickets on-line early to be sure to avoid the SRO level.  My wife and I arrived in plenty of time for the show, and I was told there was no table seating remaining, though I had called two hours before and was assured by someone else that there would be.  If you're going to run a club comparable to one in the city, when tickets run to $20 or more, then make sure there's a place to sit down.  Others may appreciate the informality but some expect a basic level of service.

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  • 0

    I love this place, and as some of the other reviews suggest, it's well worth the drive. MY drive is only 10 minutes, but I'd drive more than that for the good food (locally sourced in a big way), awesome beer and jammin' tunes on the weekends. Thursdays are Pub Hangs - music + no cover charge. If you haven't yet, GO! If you have, I don't need to tell you to go again because you probably already did :)

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  • 0

    Like everyone else, I had heard great things and then "just had to check it out".

    When I first walked in, I felt like I had been transported back to Skidmore -- the clientele, beer selection and general ambiance made me think that this little place had been scooped up from the streets of Saratoga Springs (or maybe Ithaca) and plopped down in the middle of Millheim, PA. Sweet.

    The food did not disappoint -- the humus was garlicky and complimented the stewed veggies really well; my husband's steak was tender and cooked perfectly (seems to be the only place in town that you can order a steak medium rare and actually GET it medium rare), and my vegan plate was excellent. The staff is incredibly accommodating to those with dietary needs (they even hooked me up with an order of the vegan pesto toast since I couldn't have the chips!) and service was pleasant and timely.

    Elk Creek Cafe is an excellent choice for something different than the standard State College fare. There is most definitely something for everyone -- the heartiest of meat eaters to the pickiest of vegans.  Even if you're not a self-proclaimed Localvore, give this place a try. It certainly is fresh local food at it's best.

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  • 0

    Great Beer.....Good food.

    Been here a few times and both were good. The place is charming, out in the middle of nowhere on 45 in Milheim. I really like what they did with the place as well as the vision. "Fresh, Local Sustainable" is stressed with veggies, cheese, meats, and bread from the area. I also enjoy that there is a vegan meal on the menu every day in case one is in the mood.

    The beer menu is great. It is all brewed by them. My personal fav is the copper ale. I took a jug home with me.

    The menu was promising but the food was good, not great. I expected to love it and didn't.  We started with Wings with the Tait Farm sauce. They were pretty good. Not crispy like most wings though. Kinda wish they were. For entrée's we had the sockeye sandwich and the black bean hummus burrito. Both were nothing special. However my daughter had the Steak Frites and it was excellent!

    Overall I like it and will stop in if I am out there. 45 mins from home so I have only been a few times.

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  • 0

    I really enjoyed this place because it is totally the kind of establishment that State College lacks. They use mostly all local and organic ingredients, including locally-raised meat.  The bangers & mash feature (homemade sausage - yeah!) was amazing; we also ordered a stewed beef that came over mashed black beans and green beans. Unfortunately the combo for the latter plate just didn't work; the beef was great but the mashed black beans - eh, not so much. Pretty bland and kind of a strange addition to the beef which would've been better served with mashed potatoes, like our other dish.

    Hummus app was tasty but maybe a little overpriced for what you got (but this might also be b/c I think I make the best hummus, ha).  We also had an ice cream brownie dessert which was nothing special, really. The brownie wasn't spectacular, and neither was the vanilla ice cream. I'd recommend skipping dessert and buying another beer, instead.

    However, the best thing they had was the venison chili. oh. my. god. SO amazing. It actually had cream added to it and was seriously came out as the most distinct and savory chili i've ever eaten. It was rich, and a pretty good-sized portion. You could probably eat it as a meal if you wanted to (my husband and I split it).

    A live local bluegrass band played while we were there and added a nice vibe to what is already a really clean, hip atmosphere that you can't find anywhere around here. Its context in the middle of a country-road main street also makes the place even more unique, kind of like a bunch of hippies looking to get out of the city decided to open a stoners cafe that took off with all the town's closet liberals.

    Love this place and hope to go back soon. If you've never been, I highly recommend the trip out and explore the surrounding neighborhood while you're there. There's some really cool houses / architecture within walking distance.

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  • 0

    We liked:
    - great atmosphere and service
    - belgian styles fries + sauces (where else in the area can you find that?)
    - local focus
    - great beers, especially the IPAs.
    - the scenic/country drive from state college

    We didn't like:
    - the beer sampler was a little expensive (a comparable one at otto's is $5)
    - the food we tried, taste wise, was nothing special.

    Similar to: Otto's.

    Tip: Make sure to have reservations on busy nights (which I'd assume to be Fridays and Saturdays). that would be especially worth it to have a reservation for that big table by the window.

    Details:
    We got in pretty early, and were waiting for a couple more people so we ordered their $8 beer sampler and some delicious belgian-style fries with sauces ($4-$5 I think). Not a bad deal at all.

    Atmosphere was great. Only used day light until dawn, at which point this put up candles for dinner. We were sitting at the huge table right by the entrance. It was overlooking the street, and was definitely the best spot in the whole place.

    The waitress/owners were great. We had two toddlers with us, and they were very accomodating.

    The food was really promising, with pretty much everything locally grown/harvested. Meal menus on the chalkboard have fancy names, and you'd expect the chef to know what he's doing especially for the price. Entrees are in the $17-$35 range, expect for the sandwiches/burgers.

    I ordered my burger medium-rare, but it was very rare and quite thick. My girlfriend ordered a lentil stew which was rather uninspired and blend but very filling. Both of us also got salads, which were nothing impressive in presentation, variety or dressing.

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  • 0

    I was nothing short of shocked by this little restaurant in the middle of nowhere. My friend begged me to go for lunch because she had heard good things, and I was, to say the least, skeptical. Definitely proved wrong, and I've been back a few times since.

    On my first visit I got the ham sandwich. I really don't like ham sandwiches, but for some reason I had a hunch it would be good. Oh yeah, it was. Thick slices of ham with mustard and a sweet tomato chutney, this isn't your average ham sandwich. The second time around I got a burger. I'm often skeptical of burgers, but since this place had already changed everything I knew about ham sandwiches, I figured why not. YES, I made the right choice. The burger was simple but fantastic and ridiculously juicy, and the Belgian-style fries are awesome. Since then I've tried all the salads (all good) and a couple of the daily dishes and have not been disappointed once. I think my only small complaint is that they only have tomatoes for your burger when tomatoes are in season. Tomatoes are pretty much a burger necesssity for me, and while I appreciate their focus on seasonality...come on, I can't live without year-round tomatoes. I know this is bad, I blame my Italian genes.

    Though I haven't ordered any of them, there are lots of vegan options which is awesomely unexpected for a pub-type restaurant in Central Pennsylvania. The whole eat local philosophy makes you feel like you are contributing to something positive too. Yes, the 40-minute drive from State College is a long one...but it's totally worth it. Especially since there's not one good burger to be had in town.  If only the chef could open up a second, less remote venture...hint hint...

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  • 0

    Four of us headed out of "the city"/State College (a la Tina Fey, stay tuned for the over-the-top eyeroll) to eat here. I'd been hearing about this place for some time via fellow students, and not only did Elk Creek not disappoint, it blew me away. This place is nestled between farms and farms in Millheim, a one-stoplight town on rt. 45, and it's clear that their adage of all-local, fresh food is easily sourced. I ordered what were without question the best steak frites I've ever eaten, cooked a beautiful rare, and a huge slab of oatmeal cake (thankfully shared). Other standout dishes of the evening: pulled pork shoulder with clams and fingerling potatoes, and homemade kielbasa with a garlic mash. We also ordered their seven-beer sampler, which was immediately followed by their Copper Ale and (my favorite) the Double Rainbow IPA. In the midst of all this face-stuffing and raving, we were given incredible service, including a visit and chat with the restaurant's owner and a very attentive bartender who gave my friend a round for free because her glass was empty for more than a few minutes. That was a first for me. Another plus: even with four entrees, two desserts, and I have no idea how many beers, our check came to barely $100. For four. I would have easily spent double on steak frites at a comparable city restaurant...I probably have.

    I'm already trying to figure out when I can go back again!

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  • 0

    We love Elk Creek!  The food is great, and the beer is excellent.  We're so spoiled by this place that it is almost the only place we will go to when dining out, and it is not close to home.

    Tim is a warm and friendly host - it is clear that he appreciates every customer.

    The Oatmeal Stout is THE BEST beer we've ever had.  We can't wait for it to return, as we just caught the tail end of the last batch.

    As an earlier reviewer said, the grass-fed beef burger is wonderful!  The bruschetta is amazing.  Everything is at least very good, if not great.  Most importantly, this is the best place around our area to eat fresh and local.

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  • 0

    I love this place!  They use local ingredients to make their yummy food and brew very good beer on the premises.  My husband make the 30 minute trip out here at least twice a month.  It's an easy drive from State College and well worth the trip.  

    Though I've never had a disappointing dining experience here, my favorite stand-by is their grass-fed burger.  The fried potatoes they serve with the burger on Sundays are out-of-this-world good.

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  • 0

    An excerpt from my book going LOCAL!

    Dreams inspire, they give rise to far off thoughts and great idea's. For some their dreams last only the night but others, the true dreamers, the dreaming never ends. These are men and women with passion and a zest for the life and they take their dreams, by commitment, hard work and faith and make them come alive. Tim Bowser of Elk Creek Café & Aleworks is one such dreamer.

    A number of years ago he helped to open a little place called the Equinox Cafe in Millheim. Situated along Rt. 45, this is a one stop light town and not really a place one would invest money and time in to create an eclectic coffee shop, but it seems the folks in Penns Valley had been dreaming about the same thing. When Tim and associates opened the doors of the Equinox, it was like the whole consciousness of the valley opened and folks poured in.

    Next, Tim reached out to his beloved community for help and presented them with the next chapter in his already awesome dream - a full blown brew pub and restaurant. They responded with resounding support and financial backing and the seeds of Elk Creek Café & Aleworks were planted (And if you know anything about Penns Valley, you know it's a fertile land and anything planted here grows strong and hearty).

    Going local is something Tim is very passionate about. Elk Creek uses nearly 100 % local organic meat and dairy. Produce is an "in season" thing and the beer is brewed in the back room. They're also smoke free! The official cuisine at Elk Creek is called Nuevo Dutchie - a combination of Gastro Pub and what rural Pennsylvania is known for - Dutch style cooking. According to Tim, "Dutch cuisine is a cookery of the land, you used what was available and you used everything except the oink." And this place is as Tim put it so well, "An omnivore's delight." Meat lovers as well as vegans can enjoy a wonderful meal prepared fresh and at a fair price.

    Tim told me his "community" is not just Millheim and Penns Valley (that's his home), but like a true dreamer, his reach goes well beyond his grasp and he considers any like minded folks no matter where they're from, a part of his community. He's a true indie spirit whose dream has been made reality and it's waiting for you in Penns Valley at the Elk Creek Café and Ale Works.

    Enjoy!

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    Have heard great things about this place, but have not managed to get here until now. It lived up to its reputation. They brew their own beer and have a standard set of 6, plus a couple seasonals. I had the sampler (2 oz. of all 8 for $8). They were all good. The Elk Creek Copper was a little too hoppy for winter, but would be great on a warm summer day. The porter was perfect. My wife was partial to the Brookie Brown.  There is a great bar and two rooms, the front room has the music and the back room is for dining only. You can get food in both parts. There is lots of local art on the walls and the place is bright and comfortable. It feels like a real locals place.

    The food was also good, and very homey. I had milk-braised pork with biscuits served with kale and collards. The greens were sweet, the biscuits crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside and the pork melted. Great winter meal.

    My wife had a portabello mushroom sandwich with a side salad. The sandwich was crisp outside and creamy and yummy on the inside. The greens were fine. One thing we like is they make an effort to get as much as possible locally and organically.

    Dessert we split a moist carrot cake with a wonderful maple frosting. I love carrot cake and this one was really quite excellent.

    All of out dining was accompanied by the Jive Bombers, a local duo that played guitar and harmonica - blues and old time rock for the most part. Very nice. They have live music many nights. Some nights with cover, others with tickets. The music is old school rock, blues, bluegrass and folk depending on the night.

    Really please with this place and will be back again as soon as I can make it.

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    Visited this new place twice on a recent trip back to central Pennsylvania, and was impressed both times. Great ambiance -- warm wood abounds, in the floor, locally made tables and seats.

    The porter was fantastic (I had it both times), and the food was superb. It's a bistro, so the menu changes and they sell dishes until they run out. I had a black bean/hummus sandwich -- super garlicky, open-faced on a crusty bread. The thing stood, like, a foot high.

    Service was top-notch -- the staff knew the dishes inside and out. Recommended.

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