"Historicon Restaurants" Topic

Now that Historicon has been in downtown Lancaster for a few years, what restaurants can people recommend?

Farmers market across the street from the hotel/con is great!

I didn't try the market last time (2019) so it's on my list of places to eat for this trip.

There is an Irish pub, Annie Bailey, with great food right around the corner on E King Street.

There is also a very good French bistro and bakery right next to the Irish pub called Bistro Barbaret.

Just FYI the Farmers market is only open on certain days.

The market is open Friday and Saturday, Tuesday too, but don't think that matters

The Central Market is great, NW from the LCC. Open Friday and Saturday 6-3.
link

There is also the Southern Market, SW of the LCC at 100 S. Queen St. It is more of a food hall with various vendors and seating. Open Wed-Sat 11:30 to 8 or 9.
link

There is an interesting Himalayan place around the block. But honestly I have to say the selection of nearby restaurants isn't as good as at the Host (or whatever it's called now). You won't starve.

I'm not sure what HMGS has worked out with LCCC for on-site eats. There is a restaurant just off the main lobby by the elevators. Each con so far they've had a grab and go stand with chips and wraps. The 1st year it was in the tourney hall. Last year it was in the main lobby just west of the main entrance.

The first year we were there, there were foodie offerings on each floor's main concourse. I didn't see any of that last year.

There is a restaurant in the Holiday Inn Express 2/3 blocks north called The Imperial. It's standard light menu fare, with an artsy upscale vibe. It was pretty good, but it's been a couple years.

Mirosav, thanks for mentioning the Southern Market – I wasn't aware of it, and since it is open later it gives my son and I more options. :)

We ate at Himalayan Curry and Grill when we stayed at the Host-- now it's a block walk.

Without implying anything about any other place to eat, some of us who had to come in early ate at Annie Bailey's and it was fantastic.

Nobody wants to drive and give up their parking spot, but uber will be in overdrive during the weekend, so it might work to uber about and back in the time that's available to eat.

Food at the Convention Center was expensive and not very good. That's when they were actually available.

Restaurant closed at 1030. I mean seriously! If you wanted a drink of anything, you had to hunt for it.

Blazin' J's chicken sandwiches were good. Yorgos Pub had a good Saturday breakfast.

Food at the Convention Center was expensive and not very good.

Can't believe they wanted $4 USD for a 12 oz soda can.

Yup. And ridiculously limited hours even to get a bottle of water didn't help.

So the food situation turned into a fiasco for my son and I. Myself, I have so many food allergies due to Lyme Disease, that I have to bring like 90% of what I'm going to eat. Buuuuuut, the room didn't have an microwave so I couldn't cook some of what I had brought. Lack of meat protein at the con is a perennial problem for me. Carbs are easy, protein not so much. One can only eat so many almond butter/sunflower butter and jelly sandwiches before getting really sick of it and wanting some meat.

Off to the booth in the Freedom room, we got some food to supplement what I brought for us. The hotel's restaurants, not what we would consider quick and inexpensive eating, with inconvienent hours, so forget those. Booth is pricey with limited selection, and the hours stink, but at least its something. Late night buffet food, I couldn't eat any of it, nor would the boy be willing to try it (and at $20 USD for "dinner" its no bargain).

Ate at Blazin'Js which was tasty as usual, though not very quick due to a snafu. But I can't subsist on greasy spiced chicken for 4 days. Got some breakfast sandwiches for the boy at the Farmers market when it was open; wanted to stash a couple more for later use but the lack of a microwave kiboshed that idea – I didn't expect he'd eat a cold breakfast sandwich. Donuts would have been nice, but the line was 20+ deep and I didn't have the time to wait.

Sunday, 9am when we are hungry, like nothing is open so we have to wander the area, being pestered by the beggars. Found a little bagel bakery up Queen St, quite pricey being vegan/hipster, but it was tasty. Brought the wife home some fancy bagels since all she usually gets are the cheapo bagels. I'd try that bakery again. Again, hotel restaurants not open til 11, no-go even if they had food we'd eat and were willing to pay those high prices.

We both actually lost a pound, being on effectively an enforced diet. :(

I did check out the southern market, really its a bar with high priced weird ethnic food stands around it, with high prices. Yech.

All of Pennsylvania seems to be a "No Coke, Just Pepsi" state. I couldn't find a Diet Coke anywhere but at McDonalds.

I liked the Irish Pub/Restaurant down the street and the French bakery next door had some of the best pastries that I have ever seen. The food at the Plough restaurant inside the Marriott had good food. I didn't eat any of the food inside the convention hall because it was either available only during my games or it was out of food by the time that I got there.

I parked my car in the garage and didn't move it all week, so I had to go to nearby restaurants.

It seems like the downtown Lancaster area near the hotel was cleaned up and some of the seedier elements were removed; also noticed some new stores in the area.

TSD, where were they charging $4 USD for a can of soda? I caught towards the end of the show that they were overcharging for the pizza. I'm preparing for the post con with them and that's something I can add to the list.

TSD, where were they charging $4 USD USD for a can of soda?

The serving area on the second floor, by the games desk and escalator. My friend and I actually laughed and said
"what do you think they're charging for a soda, $3.50 USD?" already thinking that was too high. I was shocked when I saw $4 USD and had to shake my head.

Brought my own to the hotel so we didn't have to buy, but I feel bad for anyone who needed something to drink.

Hey Joby and TSD101

It was posted as $4 USD on the menu at the Stand on 2nd floor right before the elevators. when I asked for a Pepsi- the guy said $3 USD which I thought was high for a small can of Soda.

I had a great time at the show so thank you to all who were evolved in running it.

What I found funny was the spot in the tournament area had it for $3.50 USD but the spot by the game registration area was $4 USD

I have said it before…all we want is decent food at decent prices…and the place can make a good chunk of money.
It doesn't have to be real good and it doesn't have to be cheap.

Oh and someone walking around selling beer out of a cooler also works.

larry

Also

TSD, 114th, corzin Thanks for the info.

There is a microwave oven in the lobby. I used it to reheat my dinner. You just need to ask the hotel staff and they will point you in the right direction. All the Marriots that I have been to operate this way.

"There is a microwave oven in the lobby. I used it to reheat my dinner. You just need to ask the hotel staff and they will point you in the right direction. All the Marriots that I have been to operate this way."

Wow, I wish I had known about that microwave being there. I may have walked by it and not noticed it. :(

With the return of Historicon next weekend, this topic might be of interest to gamers attending the convention.

My own additions to the list are as follows. When you go out the front doors of the Convention Center hotel and cross the street, you will find the following places in order. (I looked up the names online.) They should be there on the right hand side of the street:

--the Chinese food place (88 Chinese Express): it ended up being my go to place for take out dinner, especially "late" night (late for Lancaster is 9pm);

--the Japanese food place (Sakura): if you want sushi for lunch, either take out or dine in, try this place. It's not Nobu in NYC, but it's fine for PA.

--the Fancy Muffin place (Edd's & Flo's Artisan Bakery Cafe) : when you want something for breakfast beyond what Starbucks has to offer.

--the Starbucks between the LCCC and the Holiday Inn hotel: best suggestion for breakfast in the morning and iced coffee all day.

There's also a Rite Aide that sells chips and soda on the corner before you get to Starbucks.

Hope that helps. Enjoy.

Hope to see you there.

In addition to the above locations, I can also recommend "House of Pizza" for pizza and sandwiches. It's on the same street as the Holiday Inn (West Chestnut St.).

As was mentioned above, Annie Bailey's Irish Public House is also a popular location.

There's also a McDonald's on West King St. that's open until 11pm (drive through open until Midnight) which is "late" for Lancaster.

Enjoy.