CHAMBERSBURG – One thing that always stands out about any city or town is their local cuisine. No matter how big or small, the places we visit always seem to leave us with lasting memories of the meals we ate there. Franklin County has its own share of memorable eateries.
This three-part series of the history of restaurants of Franklin County begins with the great borough of Chambersburg.
One of the city’s most remembered eateries was the famed Rainbow Restaurant which used to sit at 58 N. Main St right next to the old Montgomery Ward store. A popular diner with the local downtown crowd where there was bar seating and you could watch the line cook prepare your food. Opened in the early 1900’s, the Rainbow was a great place to get a burger and fries and a nice cold beer. Sadly, the Rainbow was one of sacrifices for the changing times in the borough and closed in 1973.
In 1949, Kenny Hoover had a vision. To bring frozen custard to the travelers passing by off Interstate 81. To achieve this, he remodeled an old gas station and converted it into a food stand where he could make his vision a reality. The stand was a big success and the Hoover Restaurant would evolve in a new location on Lincoln Way East.
The Hoover would become a popular roadside diner where visitors could get traditional American style cuisine such as burgers and fries and, of course, the famous Hoover frozen custard. In 1989, Hoover Restaurant was purchased by Don Moats who renamed it Dodie’s Restaurant. The spot remained an attraction for travelers and community members for another thirty years before closing their doors in 2019.
When driving down Route 316 to or from Chambersburg and you smell fresh-baked dinner rolls then you know you are close to the home of the most famous potato rolls in the world— Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc. What some of you may not know is that the large factory that supplies breads, cookies and other pastries, was once a popular restaurant in the borough. It’s true.
In 1955, Lloyd Martin wanted to open his own bakery. He had spent several years working for his in-laws at Wenger’s Bakery, and it was time for him to break out on his own. That was how the world’s most famous potato rolls got started. Then in 1967, with success on the rise, Lloyd and his wife, Lois, opened the Martin’s Family Restaurant and Bakery. In 10 years the bakery business had grown so much that a larger facility was needed. The bakery moved to it’s current location on Potato Lane Rd.
According to the bakery website, the restaurant-bakery was a key element in the success of the company. With more traffic coming through Chambersburg due to Interstate 81, the business grew and more companies picked up accounts with Martin’s, including the large grocery chains like Giant Foods and A&P. While Martin’s Famous Pastries, Inc is still one of the largest producers of pastries around the world, the demands of running the restaurant became too much. In 1987, the famous restaurant closed its doors and another chapter in the history of Chambersburg dining came to a close.
While the Rainbow, Dodie’s, and Martin’s Family Restaurants have closed their doors, the mantle of extraordinary dining continues in Chambersburg as new establishments have taken their place — eateries like the Copper Kettle Restaurant on Lincoln Way West, Sunrise Diner on Lincoln Way East, the Cottage Pub & Restaurant on Wayne Ave., Hickory Ridge Restaurant, located on Philadelphia Avenue or Stoner’s Family Restaurant, also on Wayne Avenue.
These are but a few of the great places you will find around Chambersburg to enjoy a great meal. But while you’re there, don’t forget about the legacy upon which they have been built. Spare a moment of thought for the great men and women who helped build the culinary legacy of Franklin County.
