Crave The Food

My first time there w/​party of 4. One person had been there before, said the rack of lamb was good, and suggested we go there. We got 4 different dishes, Salmon, Crab-​cake sliders, Seafood medley, Bacon-​wrapped Meatloaf and we did BYOB. We all liked our food. I lived in Baltimore so am picky about crab-​cakes up here in PA, but my sliders were definitely acceptable to my taste. Waitress was friendly and checked on us often. I’ve read some mixed reviews, but I have to say I liked it and would give it another try. Lots of choices on the menu and I’d like to try some other dishes. I’d recommend giving it a try.

Went back this past Saturday and had the bruschetta because it is that good. This and the server being fantastic was the high point of the evening. We ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf and the fried seafood platter. When our dinners arrived the plates were full of food (no going hungry with the portions). This being said, the food was just not good like last time. The bacon in the meatloaf was so gummy I didn’t even think it was cooked. Which maybe bacon was there to keep the meatloaf moist, it just was not edible. The meatloaf also tasted like hamburger with some french onion soup packets. It was not what I was expecting. The fried seafood platter was also kind of gummy. The fish had barely any taste to it. For 45.00 (not including tip), I just think we should have had a better experience.
We will bet back (as i don’t think one bad experience is worth never going back again). The place was packed, so that could have had something to do with it. We had a great experience the last time we were there.

As a former food business owner, I tend to have higher standards than most when my husband and I eat out. Let me just say the décor is gorgeous, just lovely! The food was to our standard of taste. The chicken corn was exquisite. Our server Cortney was as my husband referred to her, a breath of fresh air. She was very nice and kind and kept a smile throughout our hounding of questionnaire of the menu.(Our grandchildren call him pappi grumpy for a reason!) When we eat out he tends to get annoyed easily with service. Partly being stuck in his old ways of running a food business, but to his dismay he was very pleased with the server and the soup and our entrees. We were also kindly greeted by staff when we walked in the door and when we left.
We will indeed be back for the delicious food and excellent service that we received.
Perhaps even become Sunday regulars.
Thank you for this great experience.

The food was decent. BUT the service was horrible. The waitress brought our food at different times. She forgot my aunt’s order than gave her something thing similar BUT it wasn’t what she ordered. When it was brought to her attention she stated «well I guess it’s good your not allergic to chocolate.» Excuse me Miss. Sassy pants Waitress your lucky she isn’t allergic to nuts it’s was hazelnut spread. She never apologized till she brought us the bill. Which she had bill us for the banana Carmel french toast not the Nutella french toast. TERRIBLE WAY TO TREAT CUSTOMERS. I will never be back.

They are trying, other food that went by looked good.
The food was so/​so microwaved soup, wedge salad with hardly any dressing. My buddies chicken sandwich was rubbery the bean soup had extra fiber with mystery twigs.
The angry server topped the experience.
The host was kind and polite!

Great atmosphere, eclectic menu and friendly staff. BYOB. The owner is very welcoming and personable. You can tell just by talking with him how passionate he is about his restaurants and that he genuinely wants every guest to have a great experience.
My friends and I went once for breakfast and once for dinner. For as packed as the place was both times, we all commented on how clean it was (especially the bathrooms) and how convenient it is that every table has its own USB outlet incase you need an emergency charge; such a great idea.
As for the food…
Breakfast: All I can say is the Nutella stuffed French Toast is absolutely brilliant. SO. GOOD. I wouldn’t share a single bite with anyone.
Dinner: The Bruschetta is out of this world! Seriously, it’s incredible. We ended up sharing Short Ribs, a Filet and the Crab Cakes. The food presentation was picture worthy (almost too pretty to eat) and every bite was savory and delicious! Wish we would have saved room for dessert; they all looked and sounded so good! Next time for sure.
This place is a gem! We will definitely be back! ;)

Great food great service. A new favorite! A BYOB restaurant with a great atmosphere is such a treat. Live music on Friday nights make it a great date night destination! A don’t miss for anyone list

Great décor and atmosphere. Food is more on the family style and not really the fancy side like you would think. I recommend the meatloaf which I thought was great. My fiancé got some kind of pasta and wasn’t as satisfied. Also you would think for a nicer restaurant they would have actual napkins and not just the type of napkins that you throw away once you’re done but just my thoughts

This would be a 4 star rating, but the service was terrible. I counted six mistakes on our order (Party of 4). Food was good, regardless of the service problems, though. Will probably give it one more try…

Great atmosphere, always love a BYOB addition to the Harrisburg area. Def recommend checking it out!

Food was good, OJ was very pulpy, & service was extremely slow. Took me asking twice t get a second plate.

Crave The Food is a jazzed up diner. I was drawn to try it mainly because it replaced Friendly’s (a chain I greatly dislike). It has a spiffy atmosphere and a blended menu of diner favorites and ethnically altered entrees. To date, I have been here twice and my opinion is split down the middle: directly and equally.
Not just with diners, but with any eatery, I tend to go for house specials. Whatever is unique to your restaurant is what I am ordering. So, on my first visit, I tried the Middle Eastern Liver. Without any exaggeration, it was the best plate of liver I have ever been served in a restaurant –diner or otherwise. It was so good in fact, that I broke my rule of no recent-​repeats in order to take my friend so he could try it. He liked it too.
Now, while I may have broken my rule and returned this place much sooner than I normally would have, I didn’t violate the sister-​law of no repeat dishes (which is only voidable at buffets or during promotional offers). And so on my second visit I tried the second entrée to catch my eye after the liver: Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf. Same as with the liver –and by that I mean no exaggeration– that plate was awful. I don’t waste food, but I threw that dish out.
Try at your own risk, but at least try the liver.

Bought a gift certificate online to try this new restaurant only to get there and find out they had closed an hour early.
Manager said they changed their hours but none of their sites have been updated and there are no new hours posted on the door.
Extremely disappointed!
Wasted my money on this gift certificate and embarrassed in front of guests to have taken them to a restaurant that wasn’t open!

I am disappointed to say this is not food I will be «craving.» The signature smoothie was tasty but I question whether the fruit was originally fresh or not, since there were no strawberry seeds in this smoothie at all. The waitress did say the ingredients were kept frozen but I am wondering if it was from a mix.
I requested that my hash browns be done extra crispy but they arrived somewhat lukewarm and were pretty clearly frozen bagged hash browns. My husband described his scrapple as having a «soapy» taste, but it was nice crispy on the outside and was the only food item that truly arrived hot. (I do not eat scrapple so I cannot comment on this item.) More than half of my steak from my steak and eggs breakfast was gristle and fat.
My waitress noticed that I took pictures of the food and she asked if I was a mystery shopper. I laughed and informed her that if I was, I certainly wouldn’t tell her anyway. Despite this conversation and me clearly showing her that half of the steak was gristle, no management staff approached us and no further comments were made nor was any discount given.
For a first experience and a first impression, I am disappointed, as this restaurant visually looks interesting and has nice décor, but the food does not match up to the general look and feel of the new renovation. It comes across as mediocre diner food.
Including a tip, our relatively simple breakfast meal cost over $ 30. Based on the quality of food provided, I believe the price was definitely too high.
We will try again for a lunch or dinner meal to give Crave a fair shot, but so far Sunday breakfast was unimpressive.

We’ve been here at least 5 times for lunch/​dinner since Crave the Food opened. We were first there the day after they opened six weeks ago. My husband said his Chicken Corn Chowder he ordered as a starter was «it was the best I’ve ever had at any restaurant.» And DH knows his Chicken Corn Soup. I ordered the spinach dip which was very good. Had their burger as my entrée and it was perfect.
Service great and quick, staff was friendly and Management was superb. I’m a people watcher. I’ve always been. Growing up in NYC, it’s practically a sport. I tend to watch how people act/​react while they think people aren’t watching. The staff is always professional, clean, neat, and courteous to customers.
Our top menu picks:
–Buffalo Chicken wontons
–Loaded baked potato bites
–Spinach & Artichoke dip
–Signature Chicken Corn Chowder
–Burger & Fries
–Gyro
–Rosemary Chicken
–Steak
–Tilapia (specials)
–Any breakfast with eggs, toast, tater tots & meat
–FRENCH TOAST!
In Summary, Clean, inviting, modern environment, friendly staff and management, Quick seating and service. Food expertly prepared, presented, and served. BYOB.
P. S. Yes, we have had issues with our food (over cooked meat, etc…). They’ve always made it right without any hassle and apologized profusely. Very professional. It’s a new place, cut them some slack.
P. P. S. Consider reservations for crazy busy times i.e. Sunday mornings, holiday weekends, etc. (I made my reservations today 10÷10÷15 for the Saturday after Thanksgiving with my visiting family.)

Went here with my dad for lunch during my visit to PA. I remember when it was Friendly’s, their food wasn’t that great and it was so drab inside. Crave has very modern decorating and seating arrangements, it looks very chic from the outside which is kind of weird for that location as most of the buildings tend to blend together.
Any who, we were seated quickly, our server was very kind and accomodating. I opted for the waffles with fruit and a side of bacon for my meal. It definitely did not disappoint. The waffles were crunchy and the raspberries, blueberries and strawberries were juicy and flavorful. The side of bacon they sent out was huge. Major brownie points for that. My dad opted for soup and some French fries, he said he really enjoyed his meal.
It took a little while to get our check but this place is definitely worth going back to. I was pleasantly surprised with how they renovated this building into something wonderful.

Terrible experience here, got fish & chips — the fish was still raw and the breading was soggy, there was a tiny cup of coleslaw that was served with it & that had a sour flavor to it– menu was very disappointing and lacking the upscale food and experience one might expect –NOT recommended one bit. Wait staff is okay, but slow and seemed concerned with gossip.
We will NOT be back! Do yourself a favor and find some other place to dine.

Very impressed. It’s new, so I lowered my expectations a bit. I came on Labor Day, and it wasn’t very busy. I ordered the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. The meatloaf is very good. Bacon is wrapped in the outside of the two slices. The potatoes and asparagus were also very good. I was brought two rolls to eat while I waited for my meal. They were warm and tasted very fresh. It took about 15 minutes to get my meal. I went with chocolate cake for dessert. The piece I got was pretty big, but so good, I managed to finish it. The portion sizes were great. Given the modern feel, I thought it would be fancier than it is. It has a very relaxed environment. Pop music is played loud enough to hear, but not loud enough to be annoying. I’ll definitely be coming back. I’ll probably try a flatbread pizza next time.
For an idea about prices, my meatloaf was $ 11, and the cake was $ 6.

This new restaurant in Colonial Park has a lot of potential but, as with any new restaurant, they are still getting up to speed (having been open for only one week at the time I’m writing this review). The staff is friendly and welcoming, the décor is very relaxed and the proprietor was genuinely concerned that everything was to our liking. Although our meal wasn’t necessarily delicious the chicken was freshly grilled and the presentation was appealing, and we will give the place another try in a month or so to see how they’re progressing.
With a plethora of new restaurants in our area that specialize in serving fresh, locally-​sourced items, Crave (the Food) definitely has some stiff competition to contend with. I do hope that they are able to find something unique that sets them apart from other eateries and carve out a niche that they can claim as their own in this highly competitive environment.

Opening day went here for lunch. The menu is a more upscale version of diner offerings. I can’t speak to the crowd yet as the only people who have found it seem to be in their mid-70’s. Appetizers are served on rectangular plates. The signature chicken corn chowder is pretty good. I had the prime rib it was flavorful yet not overpowering. My wife had a bacon cheeseburger it was prepared well. Definitely worth trying.