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Covered in cheese, gravy, ketchup or vinegar, they’re just plain good

By Jill Andes jill.andes@timesleader.com
Account Executive

Last week, staffers at The Times Leader, The Abington Journal and The Weekender chose their favorite places to eat hot dogs and hamburgers in Northeast Pennsylvania. We believe that there is no better way to complement these foods than with a delicious side of golden-brown french fries. And boy, oh boy, we love good fries. Such a simple invention: deep-fried potato wedges. But, oh, such an important part of the sandwich plate. From hot dogs to hoagies, from fish to burgers, fries-as-a-side are a NEPA staple.

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Byorek's Knotty Pine Restaurant General Manager Tony Tallarico holds a plate of cheese fries with gravy.

Pete G. Wilcox / The Times Leader

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A customer favorite at Byorek's Knotty Pine Restaurant in Hazleton, a plate of cheese fries with gravy.

Pete G. Wilcox / The Times Leader

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We searched the area to find the tastiest this area has to offer. So, whether you like your fries with cheese, bbq sauce, gravy, ketchup, jalapenos, salt, vinegar, buffalo sauce, chili or you prefer old-fashioned plain french fries, the following eateries have something for everyone. Below are the restaurants that serve our panel’s favorite fries.

1. Byorek’s Knotty Pine Restaurant

26 N. Church St., Hazleton

Since 1937, Susan and Bernard Byorek have been serving up a local favorite in Hazleton, cheese and gravy fries, also known as The Knotty Pine Fries (we’ve also heard them called ‘disco fries,’ ‘Elvis fries’ or even ‘poutine’ if you’re from up north) These french fries come smothered in Hazleton’s scamutz cheese and homemade gravy. According to manager Tony Tallarico, the owners kept the same look to this classic restaurant for the past 72 years. “You can enjoy these fries and other great foods in the same environment that my grandparents did, with all the original wooden booths, tables and chairs,” he said. “But, seriously, try the cheese and gravy fries. You won’t be disappointed.”

Small Knotty Pine Fries $3.95

Large Knotty Pine Fries $4.95

2. Arena Bar and Grill

380 Coal St., Wilkes-Barre

Six years ago, owners Nicole and Mike “Teddy” Theodore opened Arena Bar and Grill with the hopes of bringing something different to the area, and that is exactly what they did. They traveled throughout the country sampling foods and brought their favorites back to the area. Their sweet potato fries are to-die-for. These fries are deep fried, lightly salted and come served with a side of their homemade cinnamon mayo dipping sauce. Teddy said “ketchup is boring” and these fries with their sweet glaze sauce adds a very nice twist. The owners are so sure that you will be pleased that they are offering a free order of the sweet potato fries. If you’re not a sweet potato lover, you can still come to Arena Bar and Grill and get an order of plain fries, cheese fries, or volcano fries, which include cheese and wing sauce. See their full menu online at www.Arenabarandgrill.com

Sweet potato fries $6.00

Plain fries $3.50

Cheese Fries $4.50

Volcano Fries $5.50

3. Deer Oak Lounge

Shickshinny Benton Hwy., Cambra

Nestled in Cambra is this small bar and lounge that serves french fries with big flavor. Jane Baron opened this eatery more than 20 years ago and the food has been a hit ever since. These classic, crispy fries are fresh cut, fried in peanut oil and come served with vinegar. If you’re not coming to eat the fries, then you might be stopping by just for the atmosphere. The Deer Oak Lounge is known for having a wall of photos hung by all the local hunters and fishermen.

Plain Fries $2.75. Cheese Fries $ 3.50

4. Chaplin’s Honky Tonk

763 E. Drinker St., Dunmore

Deciding on what fries you’re in the mood for may take awhile when you’re eating at this country and western style bar and restaurant. Owners Debbie and Anthony Lupia know that variety is important and that is why they offer a wide variety of french fries – up to 15 different choices! Their many flavors of french fries include Mexican, Cajun, curly, pizza, sour cream and onion and so much more. Prices range from $1.95 to $3.25. Visit their Web site for the full menu. www.honkytonkpa.com

5. J. J. Banko’s Seafood

Corner of Rt. 29 and 11, West Nanticoke

Jeff Bankovich opened this restaurant in 1999 for seafood lovers. But we weren’t coming in for the famous $1 lobster or to play the $2 catch-a-lobster crane machine game, we were coming in for the fries. These fries are freshly cut and cooked in peanut oil. Before these potatoes are fried, they are soaked in vinegar or lemon juice, giving them their distinct taste. All seafood dinners are served with these delicious fries or you can order a side for only $1.95, cheese fries for $2.95.