The Hands-Down Best Prime Rib In Pennsylvania Is Hiding At This Inn

When dining out in the Keystone State, you might instinctively go for a nice Philly cheesesteak. But don't overlook an opportunity for quality prime rib. It's one of those foods we associate with special occasions or treating yourself to a really good meal. That's why if you order it, you want to make sure you choose someplace that does it exceedingly well. The restaurant with the best prime rib in the state of Pennsylvania is the Iron Bridge Inn, which has been serving happy customers for decades.

Located in the town of Mercer, the eatery is known for this beef cut. Locals love it, and others travel to get it. The meat is slow roasted, which promotes even cooking throughout and helps make it tender and juicy. The outside of the cut is covered with the Iron Bridge Inn's own special seasoning blend, which creates a flavorful crust. The prime rib is also served with jus and horseradish sauce on the side.

One person reviewing the dish on Tripadvisor said, "It was delicious, probably the best I ever had. Cooked to perfection and melted in my mouth." Another wrote that it was "tender and had great flavor." Some customers on the restaurant's Facebook page were diehard fans of it. As one person declared, "I won't order Prime Rib anywhere else."

The Iron Bridge Inn was founded in 1979, when business partners John McKinley and William Kingery revitalized an old bar, gave it a rustic look, and named it after a nearby historic bridge over the Neshannock Creek. (It's since been replaced due to structural issues.) As patrons started coming and made it a success, word began to spread about the prime rib.

The 12-ounce prime rib costs $39 as of this writing and is noted on the menu as having limited availability. (As a Tripadvisor review observed, the offering can sell out.) It comes with a side. Some options include baked regular or sweet potatoes, red bean andouille rice, and Bridge Chips (homemade potato chips with dill and onion dip). Multiple items could make good starters before the prime rib, such as marinated Hungarian peppers with toasted flatbread. Folks looking for surf and turf could try deep-fried jumbo shrimp stuffed with jalapeño cream cheese and served with sweet & sour sauce. There are daily specials as well, and the self-described Foodmerchants and Brewmasters feature beers on tap.

The Iron Bridge Inn was the inaugural member of the Springfield Restaurant Group. It now has four other brands: Log Cabin Inn, Hickory Bar and Grille, Rachel's Roadhouse, and Springfield Grille. The latter two each have a couple of locations, giving the group seven eateries in total. All are in Pennsylvania, except for one Springfield Grille located in neighboring Ohio.