Welcome to Dad’s Garage Grill & Burger House
Dad’s Garage Grill & Burger House, located at 245 E Main St in Mechanicsburg, PA, is a charming eatery that brings comfort food to a cozy, nostalgic setting filled with car memorabilia. This delightful spot offers a mouthwatering array of American classics, including their standout fried chicken and flavorful burgers, famously praised for their rich taste and generous portions. Patrons rave about the friendly service and the inviting atmosphere that feels like home. Dine in or take out, you'll find quick, attentive service and reasonable prices. Dad’s Garage is undoubtedly a hidden gem, perfect for those in search of hearty, satisfying meals and warm hospitality.
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245 E Main St, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, United States Hotline: +1 717-562-2996
Welcome to Dad’s Garage Grill & Burger House, a charming establishment nestled in the heart of Mechanicsburg, PA. Located at 245 E Main St, this cozy diner invites you with its nostalgic décor, adorned with car and garage paraphernalia—a delightful reflection of its namesake. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, perfect for those who crave comfort food over fine dining elegance.
One of the standout features of Dad's Garage is their exquisite menu, which boasts a variety of American classics. Enthusiastic diners rave about the fried chicken, praised for its juiciness and tenderness, fried fresh to order. However, don’t let the delightfully crispy chicken steal all the spotlight; the burgers here are nothing short of legendary. The bacon cheeseburger, in particular, has garnered acclaim, with many claiming it rivals notable local competitors. The portions are generous, ensuring that you leave satisfied.
The service at Dad's Garage has been consistently described as friendly and efficient. Diners have noted how the staff, including the owner who is said to balance teaching with flipping burgers, contribute to a warm, familial atmosphere—making you feel like part of the community. Reviewers have highlighted the attentive waitstaff, who remember your name and favorite order, adding a personal touch that enhances the dining experience.
While some customers point out minor inconveniences, such as parking and occasional wait times, the overwhelming majority agree that the quality of food and the homely vibe far outweigh any drawbacks. In fact, many have expressed their intent to return, eager to sample the full breadth of offerings, which also includes loaded chili dogs and milkshakes to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Dad’s Garage Grill & Burger House isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a community hub where friends and families gather to enjoy soul-satisfying dishes in a laid-back setting. If you're looking for hearty American fare amidst a backdrop of charming nostalgia, this spot is undoubtedly worth the visit. Whether it’s a casual lunch, a family dinner, or a stop during your travels, Dad’s Garage is poised to become your new favorite culinary pit stop.
This place is incredible. We all had the fried chicken and it was delicious. So tender and juicy. The service was very polite and fast. The chicken is fried to order so it takes about 20 minutes but they tell you that up front. The prices are very reasonable, and they probably don't charge enough for what you get. The ONLY drawback is that it's not close to where we live, but rest assured, when we're close, we'll be back.
My son responded “Good is an understatement.” To his bacon cheese burger. We shared a chili cheese fry and it was delicious. Highly recommend this place. Parking was a little wonky so I can see if it is busy that could be a problem.
Friendly service, large variety of sandwiches. A ton of food and delicious too. Go hungry.
I've heard good things about Dad's Garage over the years. Couldn't believe it took me this long to finally try it. The place was what I had imagined based on its name. Very cozy, mom & pop type of place with car & garage paraphernalia hanging all over the wall. This is not a place you bring your date for nice ambiance. You're here to munch on some great American classic. I heard they have excellent fried chicken as well, but I only had one stomach so I had to get their burger out of the way first. The Bacon Burger can rival Jackson House in downtown Harrisburg - great taste and texture, so satisfying on each chew. Service was superb. You can't ask for a better waitress than Mary Ellen. She's genuinely friendly and made a big difference for our dining experience. The owner, who is a teacher by day and burger flipper by night, seemed very earnest and modest from my brief exchange with him. Great people - that alone earned my 5 stars.
Restaurant is a little small, needs a good deep clean, but overall I was satisfied! Husband and I are on a mission to find the best hot dog around. We got 2 Loaded Chili Dogs (mustard, onion, chili, cheese & for .99 added sauerkraut) & fries.. grand total 20.75 Food came quick & hot..buut, WAY too much mustard lol & it needs far more chili. Not the best, but we will be back to try the burgers and update!
The decor and atmosphere is a fabulous flashback to times gone by. And the service was too - in all the best ways! The waitstaff was fast, friendly, well trained and attentive. For how busy they were, our food came quickly, and was made according to our request, and was delicious to boot. And we even were greeted by “Dad” himself while we were there. Will definitely be coming back!
At Dad’s Garage, staff is wonderful, food is delicious and the set up is cozy. Our party of three have our favorite spot we never manage to miss. It’s busy enough for good business for them and parking never seems to be a problem for us. I get my favorite, mushroom, Swiss with onion rings. And I’m always satisfied. They have Hersheys ice cream and shakes to satisfy your sweet tooth as well. I love when Tifa stops by to see how my family and I are doing and how’s our experience, makes it extra special. The waitress is also personal, we know each other by first name and speaks to us with interest and remembers our order, but respectfully asks just in case. There isn’t JUST burgers, we’ve had their delicious fried chicken once upon a time with sides for a party and that was amazing. Just order ahead. All in all, I’ll always have a great things to say about this place, my son wishes he’d live here so he can have this great of food all the time.
While visiting Pennsylvania for work, I came across a TikTok video about this place. A coworker and I were staying just a couple of miles away, so we decided to check it out--and I'm so glad we did. First Impressions: When we pulled up, we realized it was more of a diner than a large restaurant. But don't let the size fool you--this turned out to be one of the best spots I've eaten at during my trip. Atmosphere & Service: It's a seat-yourself setup with plenty of booths. Our server was amazing--super friendly and attentive. Impressively, she was the only one waiting tables, with just one cook in the kitchen, yet they managed to serve everyone quickly and efficiently. You could tell it's a local favorite, and that always speaks volumes about the quality. Food: I ordered the 3-piece chicken with potato wedges, topped with chili and cheese. The chicken was incredibly well-seasoned--easily some of the best I've had in Pennsylvania. The potato wedges gave me serious KFC vibes (if you know, you know), and the chili and cheese were absolutely perfect. Overall: This spot is a true hidden gem. Next time I'm in town, it'll be my first stop--no question.