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Checkerboard Inn We are currently in the process of updating our menu and it will temporarily be unavailable online. Welcome to The Checkerboard Inn, a local landmark known for our great food and friendly service! We're more than just another restaurant, more than just the local bar down the road. The Checkerboard Inn serves Fine Food and Drink, and sports an extensive Take-Out Menu. We specialize in catering, both on and off site, and offer a private dining room and a unique reception area, "The Grove", for larger parties and receptions.
Services
Whether you're looking to watch the big game, celebrate, catch up with some friends, or just relax, Our bar area has the perfect atmosphere for you! We offer our full dinner menu at the bar and bar dining area. Thirsty? We offer a wide variety of craft beers, draught beers, wines, cocktails, and more at our bar.
The Grove is the most versatile building on the premises. The seating pavilion is conveniently connected to its own kitchen and serving area. With its relaxed outdoor setting, casual parties may enjoy the volleyball court, horseshoe pits, pool tables, and many other extras. The Grove complex can also be elaborately decorated for formal parties and receptions (see picture below).
From casual dining, to special occasions alike, our full dinner menu is offered in our cozy dining room. Let our experience waitstaff make your night a delight while you dine on a variety of food from our award winning menu.
Our banquet room is a versatile, big room great for any type of party or event you may need. Banquet parties can be either sit-down dinners or buffets. There are many menu combinations from which to choose. Our Private Banquet/Dining room is perfect for family reunions and parties, to more intimate wedding receptions.
Reviews (28)
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Traildawg
Jun 13, 2022
Just a heads up: Outside Deck Bar and Kitchen do not open until 4pm on Wed, Thur, and Friday even tho hours say 3pm. You can still get drinks inside til then! Both Kitchen and Outside are open promptly at 12 noon on Sat & Sun.
Frank C.
Jun 09, 2022
Tried to go have a nice lunch on the patio.stood there for 10 minutes while multiple servers walked by and didn't want to seat us. Went and sat down on our own and was then ignored by the two servers working the patio for additional 5 minutes. Rude workers killing your business! Decided to walk up to TC Reilly's instead where we actually were greeted and seated. Checkerboard apparently doesn't want our money with their rude and lack or service. Will never go back.
Taylor King
May 27, 2022
We had our rehersal dinner at checkerboard and it was great. Stephanie who helped set up was great and communicated well. Our waitress was so nice! The food was delicious. They have RC which I love. And we had some leftovers to take home as well. Would definitely do an event there in the future as the pricing was very reasonable.
Darren Stritzinger
May 09, 2022
The Checkerboard Inn Bar and Grill had a large crowd when we arrived on a Friday night around 6:30 p.m. Fortunately, a party had just left, and we were seated in one of about ten booths that lined the two walls of the dining room. The bar was in another room, and I overheard there was no seating remaining. Each booth had a hanging ceiling lamp representing an NFL team (and one that displayed Penn State). Pictures of classic pinball scoreboards were posted above a personal TV set so people can watch cable television while they eat, if they choose to do so.

A friendly server took our drink order (water and a Yards Brawler Dark Ale) as we looked over the menu, finally deciding on a soft pretzel as an appetizer, a French dip sandwich, and a chicken cheesesteak sub. The giant soft pretzel was served promptly. It was piping hot on a wire hanger with two ramekins, one holding white melted Cooper cheese and the other containing a stone ground, IPA mustard.

The appetizer was wonderful, and dipping a pretzel piece in each ramekin before tossing it into your mouth is highly recommended. The French dip sandwich was adequate. Although the sirloin was dry, the bun was fresh and the au jous was flavorful. The shaved chicken cheesesteak was tender and tasty. Each dish came with fresh french fries that didn't become soft and greasy the longer it sat.

The establishment was comfortable enough, but despite the dining room adornments, the dining room lacked a vibrancy, and was more like a diner serving bar food than a restaurant. The menu didn't feature anything original or something that stood out. In the entranceway sat a piano, which was otherwise unnoticeable, and may as well have been hidden if not for a 2-year old banging on the keys while an adult played Mary had a Little Lamb. Fortunately, we had already paid for our meal and having an after dinner conversation before leaving.

Our departure was hastened by the clamor, however. Although I rated this 3 stars, it's a "high 3." This isn't a "date night" restaurant, but if you want something more substantial than fast food but not a full-blown, expensive entree, then one may want to try The Checkerboard Inn Bar and Restaurant.
Martha Marcy
May 04, 2022
Grandson and Granddaughter took my daughter and I out for a belated Mother's day along with my son-in- law and Greatgrand daughter. Everything we ordered was delicious.
Britney Y.
Mar 21, 2022
The teenage boy working the counter should be a bus boy for treating his job like an absolute joke. I felt so bad for the restaurant owners while watching this kid treat their customers terribly. The food is great though, as long as you want to be treated like garbage before you get it.
Stickshift Martin
Feb 22, 2022
Great place to relax with family or friends. Enjoy a cold beverage with the best food in town. Try the pizza and wings, Awesome.! Friendly Staff with one goal. Make sure your completley satisfied. The Checkerboard Inn. CHECK IT OUT.!
Ray K.
Sep 03, 2021
Passed by several times in our travels and finally decided to stop in for dinner. The good: Had a very nice beer selection and food menu. Beer selection included craft brews form local and state. Had soft pretzel with cooper cheese sauce and IPA mustard and chicken wing stromboli. Highly recommend both! Large deck for enjoying a meal and drink outside.

Also had a very nice inside area. Staff was very nice and took time to talk to us about selections (food and beer). Wait time wasn't bad either. The bad: We had a nice seat outside with others enjoying a nice night. A couple came in and was seated at a table next to use. They then proceeded to light up and continued to chain smoke. If you want to smoke fine but I'm not a fan of second hand smoke.

We asked the server what the deal was with smoking and they stated that it is allowed on the deck but not inside. That was enough for us and we checked out. There was maybe 30 people or so at tables eating on the deck but only one couple smoking. If we had known smoking was allowed on the dining deck then we would have never sat down to eat. Will not go back if planning to eat outside. I hate to write negative things but as there is no posting or signs stating smoking is allowed I thought I would make others aware before going.
Phil Cummings
Sep 03, 2021
Great being outdoors in the pavilion for lunch with friends and family. Highly recommend clam chowder, sausage and peppers.
Ron Blight
Aug 31, 2021
Good food, Especially the pizza, very good. Nice atmosphere, Also big deck with an outside bar. Plenty of TVs for any game you wanna see. Overall a very good place to go.
Jay Earl
Aug 27, 2021
Cool place, great wings, pizza not great but good. Only had 2 waitresses working but still had good service. Really neat place
Mark H.
Jul 24, 2021
Horrible. Took an hour and a half to get our food. Party of four. Much larger groups were coming and going and we sat there and waited and waited. And waited. No apologies, no nothing. The waitress, rather than checking on out order (1 thin crust pizza, Stromboli and a crab cake sandwich), sat down at our table and complained about her customers, used very foul language and complained about her job.

She came over twice to a table and just went on and on complaining about customers. After an hour and a half of waiting we finally got fed up and decided to leave. No apologies or anything. Then the food suddenly appeared as we were getting up to leave. They could have at least offer to reduce the bill or maybe sent over an appetizer for waiting so long but nothing absolutely nothing. Obviously they forgot to put in the order but refused to acknowledge that. I would not recommend this place in the slightest.
The Pizza Snob Of Nepa & Snj
Jul 21, 2021
Had a family reunion there. Catering menu is aweful: hot dog hamburger fries.nasty brown coleslaw, butterless corn on cob. Sausage and peppers. Manhattan clan chowder ok. Ate there a decade ago inside off regular menu. Would have to try it again. Great outside bar and outside covered seating at bar. Pavillion available for large group events. Staff is accommodating. Better food exists. Try if you like.
Katie Semanek
Jul 19, 2021
The food was delicious. We had a party here and there were so many menu options. The gentleman behind the grill was courteous. Very clean and highly recommend.
Amy Sadvary
Jul 03, 2021
We sat out on their deck. It was lovely. Really great menu - lots of selections. Good service, generous portions, we all enjoyed our meals. We will definitely eat there again!
Moon S.
May 20, 2021
Clueless waitress. Big portions. Taste before you salty. Soda was flat and the clueless waitress said it was Coke but I'm willing to guess it was RC!
Debbie W.
Mar 25, 2021
DINE IN NOW ALLOWED! My waitress was great.i wear two hand braces and a sling, she had my personal pizza cut into smaller pieces for me so I could pick them up. How great is that? Service excellent, food delicious and being able to come in BONUS!
Michelle Patterson
Feb 22, 2021
We had the thin crust pizza and wing bites. Both were very tasty and our order came out quickly. The waitress was super friendly. We'll definitely be going back!
Christopher M.
Aug 21, 2020
Used to be phenomenal. Pizza and wings were the best in the area and their dinner entrees, especially the crab stuffed haddock, were always incredible and great value. Unfortunately the last 3 times I ordered tho the wings were soggy and the pizza was either burnt on the bottom or under cooked. Not sure if they changed management or have a new cook but I've been very disappointed.

Several friends have had similar experiences lately too. Not usually one to complain but called after the last order and asked for the manager and was told they would call me back, but no one did. Too bad since they're close to me. I'll give my business to TC Riley's or Hogan's from here on out.
Sue W.
Mar 03, 2020
My friend and I had delicious New York strip steaks that are on the special menu on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for 2/$22. Our steaks were done exactly the way we wanted them and they came out with a compound butter of garlic and parsley melted on top. We had a delicious meal and our whiskey sours were the way we remembered them from long ago. We will go back here when we're hungry for steak again!
Charles M.
Aug 13, 2019
Local eatery in the back mountain. This place has good food and a unique seating style where there is a tv at every table. They also have an outside deck that is fun in the summer.
Ali B.
Jun 02, 2019
Well, it's a nice bar. I had the wings and they were delicious. My wife tried ordering 5 different items, all of which we were told they were out of or stopped making a long time ago and never took them off the menu. Wife settles on potato pancakes just to put something in her stomach. Waitress brought out flat hash browns and said were out of sour cream!

Out of sour cream?!? What the heck are we going to do with potato pucks and no sour cream?!? Never told us before we ordered, never questioned if we still wanted them, no apology. There was only one bathroom for men and women to share which made for long lines and "wet" toilet seats. Next time we will eat before we leave and go for the bar. Also it was about $90 after we were done, did not feel worth it at all.
Alex H.
Apr 08, 2019
A few beers on tap and a handful in bottles. This place has some really big TVs to watch sports which is pretty great. There is a pool table too (if you're into that kind of thing). I ordered the French Dip and my friend ordered the Steak & Cheese. Next time I am ordering the Steak & Cheese sandwich. That was phenomenal.way better than the French Dip. The fries are pretty average, but they're good. Overall, pretty average place but the cheesesteak was a winner!
Chuck Yarrish
Nov 06, 2018
Checkerboard has a great deck in the Summer to enjoy dinner and or drinks. Tonight we had their 2 for $22. We enjoyed the Fish and Chips in the picture the Broiled Hadock. We would definitely order bith again.
Mac McCormick U.
Apr 12, 2016
Love this place. I read the other reviews and kinda had to write this in case someone just relied on those for a decision. Free pool and juke box on Mondays and their bar pie is awesome. I usually get the honey dipt chicken when I'm in the area (I live in Philly) If you want friendly staff and service and some great wings, bar pie, brews and mixed drinks then hit it up. Ps they just built a deck so when I come in the warmer months I'm assuming it'll be an even cooler spot to hang.
Becca L.
Jun 03, 2015
Their food tastes prepackaged. I strongly recommend you don't eat here. We had the eggplant parmesan sub, a salad and a side of potato skins with broccoli. The first order of potato skins came out loaded (more expensive) and my friend is vegetarian, so the waitress began to take the order back. I stopped her and asked if they were just going to throw it away.

She said yes so I made her leave it but she still had to charge us for it! Then she said she would give me a glass of wine on her, but she brought out red instead of white! The food left alot to be desired. Every other place I have reviewed has five stars, I'm not picky. Definitely not worth the price!
John O.
Jan 24, 2015
Went here tonight with the kids for a late dinner. I ordered the steak special and my wife had the fish special. The kids split a large pizza. The fish was good but the portion size wasn't worth the price. The steak came with a "demi glace" which was basically mushrooms and gravy on the side. The pizza was reasonably priced and was a nice size for a large, however the sauce had a very strong oregano taste and not much else.

There are TVs at each table that you can control which is a cool idea, however you can't really hear them because of all of the noise around you. The service staff was friendly and courteous. I'm interested in their 2 for $20 specials and will probably go back to check that out. But I wouldn't run out of my way for any of the dinner specials here.
Amy G.
Jan 12, 2015
Great food. Specials are usually a great price. Staff is really nice. Drink specials all the time. Plenty of TVs for sports and shows that may be on. Really busy on the weekends and can get pretty crowded. Pool and darts too!