What to Eat in Lackawanna County.

Photo by Joe Loper.

When I visit a new place, the first thing I want to do is sit down for a great meal. There’s nothing quite like diving into a fresh fish taco taco or a juicy burger after stepping off of a long flight or making a much-needed pit stop on an epic road trip. I love trying out new dishes from different regions! So, when I got to Lackawanna County located just west of the Poconos, I just had to talk to the locals first about what they were especially obsessed with. The overwhelming answers? Pizza, seafood and just about anything from the farmer’s market.

If you’re obsessed with food like I am or are simply wondering what to eat in Lackawanna County, you’re definitely in the right place! Here are my recommendations:

a great cut of Pizza.

Sometimes, the best things in life are plain and simple - just like pizza. And I assure you, you haven’t had good pizza until you’ve tried the pizza in Lackawanna County. 

Just outside of the largest city, Scranton, is Old Forge where you can find pizza joints on basically every corner. We’re talking well over 140 mom and pop pizza spots alone! So, it’s not at all surprising that Old Forge is often called The Pizza Capital of the World. What’s their secret, you ask? Well, this old mining town has a big Italian-American community that has been creating some of the most delicious Italian-inspired pizzas made the Old Forge way – baked on rectangular metal pans and served in rectangular shirt boxes. You can choose whether you want a single or double crust, a white or classic red sauce, and quite a few other options in addition to the ingredients. While there’s a vast difference in how pizzerias make their crusts and choose their ingredients, there’s one thing they all have in common - the pizzas are smothered in cheese. And I’m not talking about plain old American. Pizzas in Old Forge have blends of real parmesan, cheddar, and mozzarella. It’s mind-blowing how simple and delicious each cut is (it’s not called a slice in Old Forge).

What makes Old Forge pizzas especially phenomenal is that they’re made with secret ingredients using centuries-old family recipes. Everyone in town has a favorite go-to spot, so there isn’t a definitive list of the top spots, but my personal favorites include Arcaro & Genell's Restaurant and A Little Pizza Heaven.

Seafood any way you like it.

If you’re a seafood lover, Lackawanna County is the place to be. There are plenty of seafood restaurants around the county, some of them offering just quick on-the-go bites while others featuring extensive menus featuring some of the best seafood dishes you’ll ever taste. Whether you’re in the mood for a huge shrimp basket, a platter of oysters or some delicious calamari bites, you won’t regret making the trip to Lackawanna County. Don’t even get me started on the crab dips, crawfish and of course - homemade clam chowder. This California girl was definitely living her best life.

My go-tos in Lackawanna County include Cooper’s Seafood House for deep-fried everything in their ridiculous pirate ship-shaped space and Alter House Restaurant for their 10-day boat scallops and pan-seared greenwalk hatchery rainbow trout fillet.

fresh goods from the Farmer’s Markets.

I’m not much for cooking while traveling because I love to explore the local cuisine as much as I can, but I do love to experiment with cooking, especially when my kitchen is packed with fresh produce. Farmer’s markets are the soul of the city and in Lackawanna County and there are plenty to go around. If you’re ever going this way, make sure to spend some time strolling around the markets and talking with the locals. Some say that the produce in Lackawanna County is some of the freshest, most natural and obviously - most amazing produce in the whole of the U.S. Is it true? Well, I guess you’ll have to find out for yourself! It’s also worth mentioning that farmer’s markets are a great place to find fresh flowers and homemade goodies by the local artists and craftsmen.

So, hungry yet? I know I am! Make sure to head to plan a trip to Lackawanna County soon - you’ll be happy you did!