Laskaris has diners saying ‘Hot Dog!’

BY GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel reporter gwilliams@lewistownsentinel.com

LEWISTOWN – Helen Laskaris enjoyed cooking for and spending time with her friends and family.

For more than 50 years, she got to do both as she owned and operated Laskaris Restaurant on Monument Square in downtown Lewistown. The restaurant was established in 1921 by Helen’s father-in-law, James. She decided to sell it more than 20 years ago to focus on taking care of her son, Jim.

Laskaris died in 2017 at the age of 93, but the landmark restaurant remains and carries on as a bucket list visit when in Mifflin County. Hot dogs with onions, mustard (patrons suggest ordering extra sauce), hand-cut fries and rice pudding are the go-to at Laskaris.

The food is considered old-school-diner with an ambiance to match. Many visitors must go to Laskaris at least once during their stay.

Others come with stories, “I used to come here with my grandmother,” one posted online. “A few years back while home for a visit, my mom and I stopped in. Today, I came by myself and it’s the same as ever! It’s just a basic diner/lunch counter with plenty of dark wood booths. They are known for hot dogs and rice pudding, and I used to love their pulled pork sand- wich, too.”

Another raved about the hot dogs, “which comes with mustard, onions and special sauce (don’t ask, just do it); a pulled-pork platter, which includes fries and a rice pudding. All that and a soda for less than $10. Awesome.”

And don’t forget those fries, a third added, “The hot dog and pulled pork are as good as ever. I love their fries too – real, honest-to-goodness hand-cut French fries with the skins still on. These things were super-hot from a fresh frying and tasted 95 percent like potato and five percent like fresh vegetable oil. Darn good.”

Lastly, there’s the rice pudding, which is just as one diner remembered. “It’s a bit runnier than most, but the quality is superb. Somehow, they got big puffed-up grains of rice; it’s not like the hard little bits you end up when you make rice pudding at home with Uncle Ben’s.”

After ordering Laskaris’ onion rings, a patron called the restaurant, “a must-eat place.” Prices are found democratic here. It’s a pleasant place with the homey atmosphere.

So have a good-time here, and share your tasty eats with your friends. Plus, some good coffee is among its drink offerings.

This place is famous for its great service and friendly staff, that is always ready to help you. When you’ve finished your meal, loyal patrons encourage you to tip the servers well. “They work hard,” one patron said.