Nestled in a small plaza off of Simpson Street in Mechanicsburg is a quaint little restaurant called Peter’s Place, an establishment formerly located in the West Shore Farmer’s Market. I heard about this little wonder from a young lad who raved ecstatically about their Firecracker chicken. So, last week — doubtful about taking recommendations, as I often am — I gathered a few friends and braved the noon hour conglomeration of Trindle Road traffic to give Peter’s a taste. And, whoo-hoo was it worth it! I think my mouth is still watering!

Bright white beams and columns intermixed with green dangling philodendrons give the place a simple, homey feel as we stepped inside. Prints of Van Goh, Renoir, and Picasso hung on the walls. I inhaled the scent of mixed spices wafting through the air and beelined my steps directly to the display case by the counter. My mouth began salivating when I saw what is inside. There sat huge bowls filled with Cajun rice and beans, stuffed potatoes, a potato salad called Slap Yo Mama, breaded crab cakes, and scallops just waiting to be fried. A small white board on top of the case listed the weekly specials for the entire month — quite impressive, because if there is one thing Betty likes more than a good meal it’s a good price!

To order, you place your requests with a friendly mustached man behind the counter who I can only assume is Peter. Standing in front of menu boards that boast a variety of sandwiches from tuna and steak as well as entrées, daily soups, and salads, Peter was an unassuming gent who, when asked if the soup was homemade, quickly and patiently assured that "everything here is made from scratch." And, as we would soon discover, he was speaking the truth.

While waiting for our food, we seated ourselves at a cushioned booth decorated in a fall foliage motif, complete with pumpkin candle-lanterns on the table. After just a short time, Peter returned with our steaming lunches. Not a big fan of spice or seafood, my female counterpart was thinking traditional American when she ordered her lunch and went with her typical stand-by, a steak sandwich ($5.95). And what a wonder it was when it arrived! Served on a giant white roll, the streak was fresh and real, with large, chunked slices that proved to be a breath of fresh air when compared to the skinny minute kind that is often slapped in a pan and heated at most restaurants. To top it off, the steak was lathered with melted cheese and peppers that were so hot they made her reach for her drink. And the French fries ($2.25) beside it were fresh cut and fried crispy brown — complete with the skins.

My male lunch date, on the other hand, went hog-wild at Peter’s. The aforementioned fan of the Firecracker chicken ($4.90), he requested his usual spicy order — a good sized meal with tender pieces of white chicken, slightly battered and fried, coated with a red spicy sauce and accompanied with Cajun rice. Efficient reviewer that I am, I was sure to sample a bit of it before he added more hot sauce — a good thing because not only did I find the meal to be amazing (and hot!) on its own, but because that tiny addition of hot sauce made him suffer terribly. At Peter’s, several bottles of hot and spicy sauces are offered for use in various flavors with interesting names like "Scorned Woman" and "No Mercy" — and they’re hot! Trust Betty on this one, if you’re a beginner, a drop or two is sufficient! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

A fan of the sea, I opted for a hefty bowl of cream of crab soup ($3.25) that was rich with small bits of tender crab. And, impressively enough, I only found one shell in all my hungry slurps. The soup, although slightly salty for my delicate taste buds (but then again — in my wisened age — I rarely cook with salt), was so delicious I wanted to swipe the bowl clean with my fingers. I opted for licking the spoon. Next, I devoured a stuffed potato ($1.90) — so huge it I would have had to cup it in both hands to lift it — that was filled with a smooth, flavorful mixture of potato and cheese, topped with paprika. I ate every bite of it, except for the skin. Tasty to be sure, and on a chilly fall day it was just what was needed to keep Betty’s belly warm!

Priced right for the amount and the offering, Peter’s Place in Mechanicsburg is truly a find. I left with my stomach packed and my brow perspiring.