Ben Franklin's Taproom and Grille

We came here with my dad as this is his favorite place, and when he's at camp, he has dinner here W-S. I had the pulled pork Mac and Cheese, which was mouthwatering delicious. The flavor and juices from the pork paired well with the Mac and Cheese. I also had the New York style cheese cake with chocolate and strawberry drizzle, which was also very tasteful and flavorful. Our waitress was amazing, she took her time and explained everything, even when I asked her to repat the desert menu as they all sounded amazing. The service and atmosphere here are great. The only thing I didn't care for was the music. (Sorry, I'm a metal head. 🤘) I did not let that interrupt the evening with my dad and my girlfriend. If you're ever passing by this place and are hungry, give this place a try! 9/10!

I drive by this place every day on my way home from New Castle, and finally stopped in. Friendly place! Got wings and they were excellent. Crispy on the outside, and the meat fell off the bone. Awesome. My wife got the lamb salad and it looked good. Got a six pack to go from the coolers with a mix of my favorite beers. I guess they are putting a patio in! Will be back.

We have been eating here for 4 years. Very close to bike trails, so we stop to eat after. The employees are the same fantastic people each time which says something about management. Plus the food is fantastic! Nothing left from the best ribs on the planet!

Ben Franklin Taproom and Grille. Do you like Prime Rib? Thick juicy delicious medium rare Prime Rib? You can almost taste it when you look at the picture. With au jus, and a baked potato with melty butter? Ben Franklin Taproom has them, really really good thick ones. And I can get rare. You know how hard it is to find rare Prime Rib anywhere? The salad was nice. But check the onion soup, I’m calling it a “crock” of onion soup, because “crock” sounds good. And that onion soup was good, really good. I rarely get onion soup because if it comes out just warm, and the cheese isn’t fully melted slightly browned and dripping down the side of the “crock” (!), I just get irked. This place, serves the onion soup just short of boiling hot. And look at that cheese stretch. Did I mention I love onion soup, when it’s done right? Sit at the bar if you’re alone, or with someone. It’s a friendly bunch. And you haven’t seen a bar this nice in many places at all. Wide and wooden and really sharp looking. Like 20+ beers on tap, and not a PBR in the bunch. That Pabst fad is pretty much over with by now. Oh and a great patio, a BIG patio, in back. Just a pleasant little drive to get there, and just a great spot to be on a warm day on the patio with your favorite libation. Cheers!

Really good food and great service. This place has gotten a lot better with time. The steaks were really good, the homade mashed with bacon gravy were outstanding. My wife had the filet and jambalaya and really liked it. Even the coleslaw was delicious. I would recommend stopping here and you won't go away hungry!

The crab dip and pecan pie were tasty, and the meatloaf was CRAZY-GOOD and enormous. The cocktails were equally tasty (Manhattan and an Old-Fashioned). Fast and friendly bartender service was appreciated, too. I was mainly there talking business with a partner, forgot to grab the check receipt (for a write-off), and paid in cash, tip and all. Wrote them a detailed email at 10:45 this morning, in the hopes that they could locate a nameless check (cash), and within maybe 15 minutes, I had an email back with said check. My hat's off to Daniel and the rest of the staff for running a restaurant right. Cheers!

Very, very good food. So many good choices. The fries are perfect, and the whole restaurant is gorgeous. Very nice inside.

Ben Franklin's Taproom has quickly become our favorite place to eat. Everything we've had is excellent. They also have Gluten free buns and a gluten free peanut butter pie with oatmeal crust ( a must have or take it home, you'll thank me later) We love to sit out back and especially now that the seasons are changing and they enclosed the back patio and installed heaters! (Thank you!) You can also sit inside but we love the atmosphere in the back. The carmel apple sangria is delicious and the Paul Revere is a great cocktail. The beers are equally as good. The burgers are amazing among many other menu options that we've had. The service has been friendly every time!

My wife and I stopped in town for the Bantam Jeep Festival at Cooper's Lake Campground. We were looking for a local place to enjoy lunch at, and Ben Franklin's looked to fit our style. Our waitress was, I believe, Jenna who said she was new. She did a wonderful job, checked in at the right times, and even double checked our orders to make sure it was correct. We ordered the Hubcaps for an appetizer (panko fried smashed red skin potatoes, topped with bbq sauce, cheddar, and pulled pork). Superb!! I had the fish tacos with an I Love Lamp beer, and my wife had the pulled pork mac with blackberry tea; which both came in very large portions. The beer selection is immense! Highly suggest making a stop here 👌

Always one of our places to stop when we're in the area! Food is amazing, no one in my family has ever been disappointed! Beautiful place and great energy all around! Nothing but friendly service! I would give 10 Stars if I could!

I've gotta say, Ben Franklin's Taproom and Grille really gets it right. It's just a great spot all around, perfect for pretty much any night out. The atmosphere inside is fantastic. It has that perfect taproom vibe – lively and buzzing, but you can still have a conversation without shouting. It felt really comfortable and laid-back, like a classic neighborhood spot that's been nicely updated. It's the kind of place you could easily settle in for a few hours for dinner or just some drinks at the bar. But the food is the real reason to go. It’s way better than standard grille fare. My wife gets the BBQ wings every time we go, and they are always amazing – perfectly cooked with a great sauce. I tried their burger this time, and they cooked it exactly how I asked (a perfect medium-rare). It was delicious and super juicy. We've never been disappointed with the food here. Service was on point—friendly, quick, and they didn't rush us at all. It's just a solid place with a great vibe and seriously good food. It's definitely going into our regular rotation. You should check it out.

This place is amazing! We are from Pittsburgh and went here after a hike, and it is seriously the best food I’ve had from a restaurant in a while. We had the Philly egg rolls and fish dinner with fries and homemade Mac and cheese. The fries being cooked in tallow made the biggest difference and were so flavorful and crisp and not greasy. The batter they use for fish was delicious! Everything was so fresh and quality ingredients and good portions! Will definitely be coming back here to try more! Server was very nice and attentive despite being busier.

Great place to hold a work event or family celebration. Atmosphere is wonderful, don't have to shout to have a conversation. There is over 3 acres for parking so if you're coming off the lake with your boat, no problem. Kid-friendly, family business. Oh and there is an abundance of food and drink options for every taste bud. Love going here and the staff is wonderful!!

Let me just say I really love eating here! The food is always really unique and fresh! I just have one thing to request to management that I have passed on to a couple of different servers already! Please, please please please please update your specials on your website! I feel so awkward having to call and ask one of your servers to text me a picture of the specials! I would come in a lot more often if the website were updated frequently!!

My family and I are here after visiting Living Treasures and had a great meal! The hot honey fries were amazing and I was happy to hear they cook their food in beef tallow. Our waitress was also fantastic and the place was very clean. I wish we lived closer because it would be a great spot to meet up with friends for food and drinks. They had a nice selection of beer as well. We can't wait to go back!

I've worked in New Castle for 14 years and the food here is impeccable ! The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is clean and pleasant. I cannot say enough good things about this place.... Also... I see that someone gave this place a bad review for simply allowing people who support America to hold an event there....So I gave them a 5 star review for not allowing political ideology to keep them from servicing everyone who respectfully requests their services. Stay strong Ben Franklin's ....Good Americans will not allow this injustice to occur.

We were at Ben's for a late lunch today. It was hard to choose which item to try because it was still lunch time menu but the dinner time menu looked awesome too! We ended up trying an app from the lunch menu and waiting till 4 to get some main meals off of the dinner list. We enjoyed a few of their cold beers from their endless variety. The bartenders and wait staff could not have been any friendlier and all seemed to enjoy their jobs there. They treated us like we were old friends and we wil definitely be back!!!

My first experience on 09/13/25 was nothing short of amazing! From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by how friendly and welcoming the staff were. The venue itself was absolutely beautiful — clean, elegant, and perfectly set up. The service was top-notch — staff were quick to clear dishes without being intrusive, keeping everything moving smoothly. Now, the food… WOW. From the juicy chicken and rice paired with a mouthwatering homemade garlic and pepper sauce, to the rich, creamy mac and cheese — every bite was unforgettable. And the mashed potatoes? Just wow. Creamy, flavorful, and definitely made with love. A solid 10/10 experience. I can’t wait to come back!

Stopped in on our way to Pittsburgh. Fish tacos were very good and so was the mushroom swiss burger. Food wasn't too greasy like I've seen other places. Waitress was great and the decor is nice. Plenty of parking.

The blackened chicken Alfredo was delicious!! My mom loved the pulled pork over Mac n cheese!! Excellent food with a relaxing atmosphere!!

We always have a great experience here but the best was the accommodations made for a large party after an event. They went out of their way on a Sunday to make it happen for us and were so gracious. Of course we all had a delicious meal and service was incredible. We will always recommend!

Absolutely 💯 delicious! All about the pig sandwich is delicious 😋 the brioche daddy chicken sandwich was also incredible. We appreciated the warm atmosphere , service and the food! We will be back

My husband met there last night with a group of friends. I was not able to go, but I did request him to bring me a meal home. I ordered lamb on the rod and ask for a few extra things, like the sauces and extra Syrian bread etc.. I must say that that was the most delicious meal I’ve had in ages, it was perfect! But the thing I wanna write most about is my husband server her name was Marissa!!!! As I said, I wasn’t there, but he said her service was superb,, Which I don’t doubt because as I said, I ordered takeout… Every time I order takeout from somewhere, it’s never correct. Marissa made sure that I had everything I needed and then some and took great care to make sure my meal was perfect when it arrived at my house.!!!! I appreciate this because I get take out a lot and every single time something is wrong or missing! So you go Marissa keep up the good work and we will be back. I assure you.!!

We have been to Ben Franklins on multiple occasions. We have NEVER been disappointed with our service, our food or the atmosphere. Every server we have had has been excellent and their recommendations or personal favorites have become part of ours as well! Keep doing amazing things, treating everyone like family! Can’t wait to be there Monday!

Stopped a few weeks ago on my way to Erie. Food was a unique style of pus and steakhouse. The environment was very unique and relaxing. Great beer choices on tap as well. I will absolutely stop next time im through that area.

Ben Franklin Tap Room is a great place to eat! We have eaten there several times and the food has been very good each time. Steak Sandwiches and fries are amazing and are comparable to the establishments located along route 19 between Zelienople and Mercer. Good pricing and portions for the price as well. We will definitely continue to visit Ben Franklin tap room when we are in that area.

5+ It had been a while since we've been there. Made our way back a few weeks ago and tonight was our 3rd visit in about a month. Food is fantastic and atmosphere is great. Definitely will be there more frequently!

Excellent service, drink and food ❤️ definitely will go back next time I’m in the area. Mac and cheese are a must!!! The best I’ve ever had. The only thing we didn’t like where the Bruschetta’s they had to much vinaigrette.

Food was very good. Unfortunately our server Rebekkah was slow in getting drinks refilled. Had to ask her twice and never cleared our dirty plates off the table even before we paid the bill. Probably not going back !

The description really hyped up the ribs here but they unfortunately did not deliver..just tasted off..Mac and cheese was not impressive either...service was unremarkable. Unfortunately not the best experience despite the higher ratings for the area.

Friday afternoon and the restaurant wasn't too busy. Got a parking spot right up front. Was sat immediately and order was taken as we knew what we wanted. The bacon blue burger was ordered medium and came out very dry and extremely salty, very few blue cheese crumbles and had a very dry overtoasted bun in which I had to take a sip of liquid every time I took a bite. The other burger was done as ordered. We were never offered mayo or mustard. Fries were so disappointing. I believe we got the bottom of the bag as all pieces were a 1/2" or less. Had to ask for napkins and silverware since this is the only way to eat our fries. Ketchup bottle was empty. Waitress addressed most of the issues immediately. I know it's hard to find great staff and maybe the kitchen was having issues that day? This wasn't our first time and since we live an hour away, it's a treat for us to dine here. Hopefully, our next time will be an improvement. (the 1st photo is mine and the 2nd was from the restaurant's page)

I stopped in here on my way home from Butler to check it out. Very nice restaurant and friendly staff. All kinds of drinks. We had the BBQ burgers. They were ok. I had high hopes on the food but it was nothing special. The bacon was harder then rocks. The burger with a little side of fries was just under 10 bucks.

The service is pretty average whether the restaurant is busy or not. The food does taste good but the portions are pretty small. I ordered 2 beers Fish Tacos (which comes with 2 and fries) and desert. It was almost $35ish and I was still hungry. For how small the tacos were I could have eaten 8 of them and I am not a big guy.

We tried this restaurant 3 years ago and loved it! Now a couple things: The food is not consistent. 3 Out of maybe 25 times my Chicken sandwich was cooked right. Most of the time the Chicken is way too dark, the bacon burnt and the croissant usually not crispy or flaky. But the other 3 .... yes I'm not kidding 3 times to perfection! My husband likes the ribs and we do get either the cheese log or pretzels which are both good. The Coconut cream pie is very good oat crust very different and good . Peanut butter pie also is very good. This place has a nice vibe and is always spotless!

We did not have a good experience. Fries were ice cold, yet my daughter's sandwich was burnt. Our server did not ask how I wanted my steak cooked and it was very well done. Strangest thing was our first server told us she was being pulled off the floor and we would have another server; then she continued to serve other tables.

Place has really went downhill since the last time we were there, bad enough that I doubt I'll be back. Ordered prime rib and the piece I was served wasn't even 1/2" thick. Baked potatoes was still hard in the center and the beer was warm. We had 2 different bottled beers at the table, neither were cold so I switched to draft and it wasn't much better. Asked for a frosted mug for the next one and came in a regular glass, not frosted. With the tip I was into 125 bucks for dinner for 2 people. I'll stay home and grill steaks and drink cold beer out of my refrigerator from now on. Shame, this used to be one of our favorite places.

We loved the Lincoln log! My husband had the rib steak sandwich there was hardly any meat on the sandwich it was all bread. I had ribs and Mac snd chess. The ribs were very good. The Mac and cheese was very very dry. Their specialty drink was terrible ( it was the apple moonshine and cranberry juice) service could have been better . I asked for water 3 times and she was to busy talking to the table behind us. Our bill was 81.00 and it just wasn't worth it.

I ordered a medium burger. They served me a completely raw burger. I didn't even have to point it out. It was so disgustingly raw, when the waitress walked over they insisted on taking it back. They then returned with the driest burnt burger I've ever had. Somehow this place managed to serve me the two worst burgers of my life all in the same day. I was still charged full price for it. I'm usually pretty forgiving of restaurants. Mistakes happen. But this is absolutely disgusting and dangerous. They should be absolutely ashamed. I will never be back. If they were even willing to serve me that food, just imagine the other health violations that are going on. This place is a serious risk to your health.

arrived 3/14/25 @ 3:40 didnt take our order until 4:00 ordered our food . Waitress brought our sides out , before the main meal. @ 5:11 STILL NO FOOD. Ask to see the manger they never come to talk to us. It was our 60th anniversary, Our Son & Daughter-in-law are the ones who took us for dinner. My son ordered the Lamb on the rod with extra lamb.MY husband , myself & our daughter-in- law ordered the Ribeye, What a mess. HAD TO GO ELSEWHERE. THE FOOD &WAITRESS WERE GREAT.

First time at Ben Franklin this evening. Server was very nice. It was not busy but took a very long time to get our food. When the food arrived mine and others was cold. Some ate theirs, I sent mine back and asked them to remove from my bill. At no point did a manager come out to apologize. They left it up to the server. Definitely would not recommend.