America’s Best Restaurants to Return to Clearfield

By Julie Rae Rickard

CLEARFIELD – Did you know that Clearfield, has not one but two of America’s Best Restaurants?

In May, America’s Best Restaurants visited Spanky’s Courthouse Café on Third Street in Downtown Clearfield to tape a special episode that will be posted soon on the ABR’s website and social media. They are coming back to the area on July 23 to do a segment on Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub.

Denny’s Beer Barrel Pub in Clearfield is no stranger to publicity as its Guinness Book of World Records worthy burgers have been featured on a number of programs on the Travel Channel and Food Network.

America’s Best Restaurants is a national media and restaurant marketing company focusing on the best local and independent restaurants.

“With over 1,500 episodes filmed, America’s Best Restaurants is the premier marketing agency for restaurant owners and operators to have their story broadcast coast-to-coast,” according to a press release.

“Popular menu items that may be featured on the (Denny’s) episode include the house-smoked fish tacos, Coach’s Wings, sauced with a special blend of barbecue and spices (one of 32 sauce varieties served), the Old School Stuffed Pepper Burger, which features a sausage stuffed pepper on top of a burger, and the McAfee ‘412’ burger, named after Pat McAfee, an ESPN sports analyst. It is a blend of ground beef and pastrami, topped with red slaw, fries and cheese,” the release states.

But Denny’s reputation was built on their burger challenges.

When Denny and Jean Liegey started their business in 1977 in a small 600 square foot area, they could not have foreseen where it would go.

They moved to a bigger building and eventually needed to add on to that structure at 1452 Woodland Road in Clearfield, its current location.

Inspiration hit in the early 90’s because a customer was eating ground pounders as fast as Liegey could make them. So he decided to put two of them together.

“That’s basically how it all began.” He said in a 2014 interview.

“The Ye Olde 96er” debuted in 1998. This burger patty weighs six pounds and with the buns and toppings, is nearly 13 pounds. There is a three hour time limit for anyone trying to finish this monster.

If you want a simpler challenge, “The Pub Challenger” is two pounds which you have to eat in one hour. “The Pub Super Challenger” is three pounds with a 90 minute limit, and the “Beer Barrel Belly Buster” which is 15 pounds, can involve a buddy in this two men challenge.

People have come from all over the world to accept these challenges, and have a good time.

“We have created a fun place for people to meet and relax and enjoy unique food specials and drinks,” notes Liegey in the release. “We are most proud of being part of our community and providing good jobs to our employees.”

The restaurant now operated by Dennis Leigey III, Leigey’s son, “offers sponsorships and does fundraising for numerous charities and organizations in the community, including local schools, Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army, veterans and first responders and the Clearfield County Fair.”

Restaurants are chosen to be featured on the ABR Roadshow based on their customer reviews, menu items, social media presence and level of involvement with their community.

When the group filmed at Spanky’s Courthouse Café, they taste tested the Pittsburgh Slammer, French toast, ham and turkey club, and the Heart Attack Omelet (steak, ham, sausage, bacon and cheese), all of which are made with Spanky’s delicious homemade bread.

Comments on the Facebook Live post while the group was there prove residents love the food at Spanky’s including their extensive breakfast menu with giant pancakes, French toast and variety of omelets, hot turkey and roast beef sandwiches on that homemade bread, and Friday fish specials. They also mentioned a number of delicious desserts.

Interviews were done with the owners, Rob and Heather Inguagiato, employees, and a group of regulars who eat at Spanky’s every morning.

This restaurant was started by Mona and Thomas “Spanky” Rauch, Rob’s parents. Heather and Rob took over around eight years ago and the business has just grown more popular. They expanded into a neighboring building in October 2022, increasing their seating capacity to better serve their clientele.

For more info on Spanky’s or Denny’s, you should check out their Facebook pages where updates on the airing of their programs will be posted.

If you have a restaurant you would like to nominate for ABR, go to www.americasbestrestaurants.com.