Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Beacon Hotel - Shrimp and Crawfish Boil



DB~'s parents invited all the kids, including DB~'s sister in town from North Carolina, to dinner on Tuesday night at the Beacon Hotel in Penn Township, Butler County.  I'm not sure of the exact address of this place, but I'm pretty sure if you address a letter to "Middle of Nowhere" it will get there.

We were all going to try the "1st Tuesday of every month" Shrimp and Crawfish Boil special at the Beacon.  Set up outside are huge stockpots with crawfish, shrimp, potatoes, and corn boiling away with appropriate seasonings all through the water.

The menu on this night is rather simple.  It's "do you want shrimp and crawfish or just shrimp with your boil.  And how many people do you want to get it for -- one or two?"  I think you could get crab legs with it, but nearly everyone is there for the boil.  The server brings out a tray filled with the aforementioned goodies (my one brother-in-law and I split a shrimp/crawfish boil for 2) and dumps it on the craft paper strewn on the table.  Some clarified butter is provided to everyone along with a roll of paper towels.  No plates, just like it should be.

It's a rather simple meal, but it was very tasty.  The shrimp were deveined, peel and eat shrimp to keep them moist.  The interior of the restaurant hasn't been touched since the late 1970's, so don't expect much in decor.  There are original arcade games like Ms. Pac-Man and they're not there as ironic statements -- they're there because they never moved them out.

DB~'s favorite touch was the little old man named Cooney who was playing dixie tunes at an old, old upright piano in the corner.  She wanted to give him some of her shrimp, I think.  It took quite a while to get out and back from our house, but it was a good experience.

No comments:

Post a Comment