SILVER SHORES: WALK, DRIVE, OR BOAT OVER TO THIS NEARLY 100-YEAR-OLD RESTAURANT ON CONNEAUT LAKE
The Cost -$25 per person
The Atmosphere – Right on the waterfront of the southern tip of Conneaut Lake stands one of the oldest restaurants in Crawford County, Pennsylvania: Silver Shores. With its blue anchor carpet, wooden ceiling and trim, and large glass pane windows overlooking the lake, you really feel like you are in a local fisherman’s hangout. Feel free to drive your boat right up to the restaurant’s dock and park there during your meal but be careful driving home at night, especially if you’ve had one of Silver Shore’s famous Zombie cocktails (see below for more). Dress is casual and reservations are not taken.
For nearly 100 years, Silver Shores has been serving Pennsylvania’s Conneaut Lake community – whether visitors from Pittsburgh or Cleveland or locals who live around the largest natural lake in the state year-round. Opened in 1930, the restaurant’s menu features a variety of seafood options but also contains American classics like burgers, nachos, and ribs.
The Order – The Zombie, Mozzarella Sticks, Steamed Mussels, and a Half Rack of BBQ Baby Back Ribs.
The Great – The Zombie, Silver Shore’s signature cocktail, was my favorite item ordered. A mix of fruit juices with apricot brandy and dark rum, this tiki-like cocktail was easy and fun to drink. It makes for a great way to start the meal while looking out on the lake, if you are able to get one of the window tables. Be careful though, the Zombie is one of those drinks that is sneakily heavy on the alcohol and can leave you quite tipsy after just one.
The Good – The Mozzarella Sticks were one of the two appetizers that we ordered, and they were solid. Served in a basket on a piece of newspaper, there were five nicely fried traditional mozzarella sticks with a marinara dipping sauce. There wasn’t anything creative about this dish aside from the newspaper but there is no need for creativity here - these mozzarella sticks are exactly what you want out of the classic appetizer. This shareable dish was also a great value at $6.
The BBQ Baby Back Ribs were also prepared in a no-frills, traditional way. I ordered the half rack of ribs which was still a nice-sized portion. The ribs came with a smoky BBQ sauce and my choice of sides for which I chose sauteed mushrooms and french fries. The sauce, the mushrooms, and the fries were all good and while the dish didn’t blow me away, it was satisfying.
The Okay – The Steamed Mussels, a full pound of mussels served in a garlic white wine sauce, is an appetizer that could be considered the size of a main course. The white wine garlic sauce was good, but the quality of the mussels was not. This dish is not one that I would order again.
The Verdict – Silver Shores is a great place to enjoy a meal overlooking Conneaut Lake. Stick to the more classic dishes and you should have a meal that meets your expectations. And if you’re in the mood for a cocktail, make sure to try their signature Zombie drink, a favorite among locals and tourists alike.