Coal Oil Johnny’s Eatery (Facebook)
117 E. State St. (map it!)
Pleasantville, PA 16341
(814) 589-5500
Open Mon-Thurs, 6a-7p; Fri & Sat, 6a-8p; Sun, 6a-3p
Accepts cash & debit/credit
Visited: Saturday, November 28, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
Traveling over Thanksgiving to visit family, we ventured out to western Pennsylvania to ride the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad, and of course started the day with some breakfast.
In nearby Pleasantville we found a little diner called Coal Oil Johnny’s, named after one of the first oil millionaires. The earliest oil wells were sunk in the Oil Creek/Titusville area, and the old homes and railroads reflect that history.
The menu is all simple but likable.
There was a lot of fun and kitschy details, like mis-matched coffee mugs.
If you know me, you know I’m a sucker for eggs benedict. This one was good but basic. Pretty heavy hollandaise – more like a gravy – and I prefer my hash browns a little crispier – but still very filling.
Good French toast, too. Again, pretty basic but easy to like.
Who knows what a steak salad is? Sure, it’s not technically breakfast. It’s a salad with steak on it, and steak fries. I never really knew it growing up, but my wife was familiar with it from living in Pennsylvania. It’s a way to have your salad and have your steak, too. And your fries.
The restaurant has extra seating next door in an attached bulk foods store. Good for perusing before or after your meal.
Bonus donuts! Before we hit up Coal Oil Johnny’s for breakfast, we peeked into Clark’s Donuts Plus, where we visited last Thanksgiving. The place hasn’t changed much, and the donuts are still excellent. See for yourself:
