Lunch with Betty: Rascal's

Lunch with Betty
One Woman's Relentless Search For Great Lunches

Rascal’s
1150 Lowther Road, Camp Hill, 737-9973
4956 Carlisle Pike, Mecanicsburg, 975-3330
Hours: M-S, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

I’m no spring chicken. But I love spring and I love chicken. So when a friend of mine suggested we dine at Rascal’s on a recent warm day, I was intrigued. And when I spotted a variety of chicken dishes on their hearty menu, I was delighted.

Rascal’s — with two locations, on Lowther Road in Camp Hill and on Carlisle Pike in Mechanicsburg — is known for an assortment of specialties, from their outrageously economical pizza offers to their prized soups, like their Greek lemon, and they have a menu that would make any cook — and any lunch lover, like yours truly — proud. Rascal’s offers burgers. They offer salads — from house to Greek. They offer desserts. They offer appetizers — from fried ravioli to French fries. They offer pizzas — even the personal kind and with unique varieties, like Hawaiian! And they offer pasta! Rascal’s menu boasts pretty much any item you’d ever hunger for, including subs (warm and cold), sandwiches, and other to-die-for options, like lobster bisque. And who could forget the tasty barbeque chicken wings that seem to be a perennial crowd pleaser! It’s all at Rascal’s — and, as a first-timer, Betty was blown away … how could I have been in the dark for so long? Tsk, tsk, fellow lunch fans for keeping the secret of Rascal’s to yourselves!

As my dining partner and I settled in to a booth on our visit, we were surrounded by an ample crowd, even at our later, mid-afternoon time. And shortly after placing our orders, we were eating. I ordered a chicken sandwich topped with cheddar cheese and bacon. Prepared on a fresh roll and with a side of potato chips and a pickle, the sandwich was filling after the first bite. The chicken was juicy and the cheese and bacon appropriately added to the flavor. It was a great choice and it tackled my craving for chicken!

After tossing around a few ideas, my companion selected the gyro. Served in its classic style, the fillings — which included beef, onions, tomatoes, and dressing — were piled so high they seemed to be spilling over. And, instead of potato chips, he opted for French fries, a good idea — Betty loves to share French fries!

A modern and comfortable restaurant, the interior of Rascal’s is decorated in fun green and purple hues — but not to worry, the points earned by the hip-ness of the décor don’t take away from the quality of the food. This joint is top notch across the board. The wait staff was pleasant, prompt, and attentive, and the food was delicious. With a wide assortment of daily specials and with prices totaling under $5 for most items, my dining partner and I ate our meals and, along with our drinks, paid for a bill that was under $13. Amazing. There are few places today where lunch is not only as affordable an experience as it is at Rascal’s, but as tasty and as plentiful — that menu is so big, I’m making plans for my next trip!