Lunchtime and I rarely cross paths. Chalk that up to a normal part of being a night owl. But one hot day not too long ago, my daughter and I were leaving Slippery Rock University after a morning event when we decided to grab lunch. Running through the drive-thru or stopping at a brand-name restaurant would have been easy, but I like those hidden gems that are all about small-town friendliness and delicious comfort food. We found that at Brown’s Country Kitchen, one of the best family-owned restaurants in Pennsylvania.

Tucked in the quaint town of Portersville, Brown’s Country Kitchen sits off the main road. But the main road seems just as quiet as Portersville Road, where you’ll see a large sign announcing you’ve arrived at this adorable family restaurant. The parking lot has ample space, and we pulled into one shaded by a row of trees.

The family-owned restaurant looks large from the outside, but the dining room itself is quite cozy with tables and a few booths against one wall of windows that let the sun filter in. Take some time to take it all in – a painting of George Washington in the corner and inspirational signs and a menu of the day’s specials on the wall. Read the ads, a throwback feature, on the tables, too.

One of the things I love so much about small-town restaurants is the homey ambiance, and Brown’s Country Kitchen certainly delivered. Our server was friendly and attentive, and, even though it was pretty busy and people were chatting, it wasn’t really loud.

No matter where I go, I order a cherry Coke or Pepsi, and this one came with a delightful surprise – cherries. The menu’s jam-packed with breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes, so you have a lot of choices, from sirloin steak salad and burgers to home-style meatloaf and pot roast. A neighboring table had spaghetti and meatballs. Even though the grilled cheese and fresh fries I ordered were delicious, I still regret not getting the spaghetti. It smelled so good. My daughter stuck with her trusty chicken tenders and fries and gave both two thumbs up. Go hungry, or be prepared to take leftovers home (we had a lot left). The portions are huge.

Brown’s Country Kitchen has a menu for the kiddos with favorites like chicken tenders, hot dogs, burgers, and grilled cheese. Take a peek at the dessert offerings, too. Fresh pie and ice cream sundaes are among your choices.

Find days, hours, and a menu on the official Facebook page of Brown’s Country Kitchen.

If you’ve been looking for where to eat near Pittsburgh, do yourself a favor and take the trip to Brown’s Country Kitchen. It's a bit of a drive but the entire experience is more than worth it. Have you been to Brown’s Country Kitchen near Pittsburgh, one of the best family-owned restaurants in Pennsylvania? What did you order? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! After a hearty meal, you might be up for an adventure. Brown’s Country Kitchen is less than three miles from McConnells Mill State Park, home to a glorious emerald waterfall in Portersville, Pennsylvania.