The Checkerboard Inn Bar Restaurant

Server was very nice. I have some great nachos and a delicious cheese steak with some points. Bar is great with a lot of beer on Hahn. The deck outside is also very beautiful, especially in autumn

Great bar/restaurant. The staff is very friendly. Nice selection for everyone. The outdoor bar and terrace is ideal for outdoor dining.

Are you trying to get a nice lunch on the terrace? stood there for 10 minutes while several servers came by and did not want to sit down. Went and sat on our own and was then ignored by the two servers that the terrace for another 5 minutes. Rude workers kill your business!!! Decided to go to TC Reilly instead of where we actually welcome and sit. Checkerboard obviously does not want our money with its rude and lack or service. Will never go back.

Only one head up: Outside deck bar and kitchen do not open until 4 pm on Wed, Thur, and Friday even say three hours. Then you can get drinks inside! Both kitchen and outdoor are open at 12 o'clock on Sat Sun.

The Checkerboard Inn Bar and Grill had a large crowd when we arrived on a Friday night around 6:30 p.m. Fortunately, a party had just left, and we were seated in one of about ten booths that lined the two walls of the dining room. The bar was in another room, and I overheard there was no seating remaining. Each booth had a hanging ceiling lamp representing an NFL team (and one that displayed Penn State). Pictures of classic pinball scoreboards were posted above a personal TV set so people can watch cable television while they eat, if they choose to do so. A friendly server took our drink order (water and a Yards Brawler Dark Ale) as we looked over the menu, finally deciding on a soft pretzel as an appetizer, a French dip sandwich, and a chicken cheesesteak sub. The giant soft pretzel was served promptly. It was piping hot on a wire hanger with two ramekins, one holding white melted Cooper cheese and the other containing a stone ground, IPA mustard. The appetizer was wonderful, and dipping a pretzel piece in each ramekin before tossing it into your mouth is highly recommended. The French dip sandwich was adequate. Although the sirloin was dry, the bun was fresh and the au jous was flavorful. The shaved chicken cheesesteak was tender and tasty. Each dish came with fresh french fries that didn 't become soft and greasy the longer it sat. The establishment was comfortable enough, but despite the dining room adornments, the dining room lacked a vibrancy, and was more like a diner serving bar food than a restaurant. The menu didn 't feature anything original or something that stood out. In the entranceway sat a piano, which was otherwise unnoticeable, and may as well have been hidden if not for a 2-year old banging on the keys while an adult played Mary had a Little Lamb. Fortunately, we had already paid for our meal and having an after dinner conversation before leaving. Our departure was hastened by the clamor, however. Although I rated this 3 stars, it 's a high 3. This isn 't a date night restaurant, but if you want something more substantial than fast food but not a full-blown, expensive entree, then one may want to try The Checkerboard Inn Bar and Restaurant.