My Favorite Lancaster County Restaurants for a Business Meeting

Do you have any favorite Lancaster County restaurants for business meetings?

As a former political party chair and now a small businessman, bringing in donations or clients, respectively, has been a necessity.  Since I find a meal is an effective way to build relationships, I often suggest a breakfast or lunch meeting. In setting up a meeting to discuss business, it is important to make the most efficient use of time we spend together—right down to the meeting location.    Picking the right eatery is crucial.  Lancaster County has many really fine restaurants; some I like better than others.   What do I look for when setting up a business lunch/breakfast?

• • “Location, location, location” is not just for real estate. I like restaurants near major highways—especially interstates or arterial routes, such as US 30 or Route 283. Easy off/easy on is important. My customers want to be on the way to their next appointment or to head back to the office. Either way, the more quickly they can get back on the road, the more appreciative they are—with me. (BTW, many of them are located near us, so Donna and I frequent them for non-business meals as well).
  • Service. Most of the places I like to meet have prompt service at the table. From taking my order to serving the food, 10 minutes should be the norm—15 minutes, if the place is really busy!
  • Food quality. Frankly, this is a subjective measure. I am not a picky eater (my wife knows this), but I have ordered similar dishes at different restaurants and some just taste better than others. Maybe it’s the seasoning, or perhaps it’s the ingredients. If I’ve had a disappointing meal, chances are good I won’t go back or, at least, I won’t order that meal again. The restaurants in my list have never let me down.
  • Background noise. Some restaurants may be very popular, but the volume of traffic can make it difficult to hold a business conversation. Rather than go to places that no one likes (who does that??), I like places with an ample amount of booths with physical barriers between tables. Also, music is nice, but loud blaring music makes conversing difficult. A facility with proper volume of “white noise” can actually enhance the prospects of business. I think those on my list fit the bill.
  • Cost. Restaurants should make their prices competitive to attract and retain business. Again, location is a factor. With many rival restaurants, the abundance of restaurant choices helps to keep prices down, with the exception of city eateries where the cost of business downtown is pricier. Expect to pay a bit more.

So, with the caveat that others will disagree with me and use other metrics to make recommendations, here are several restaurants I would recommend to do business meals (in no particular order):

Lyndon City Line Diner, 1370 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, 17601.  What a great people place! Located near the confluence of US Rte. 30 and State Rte. 283.  Open 24/7, and you can get breakfast anytime.  Staff and management is very stable with waiters and waitresses there for years, so they know the menu and their customers.  Plenty of parking, but it gets tight during peak meal hours (7-9 AM 11:30-1:00, 4:30- 6PM), so get there about 15 minutes early. Modestly priced with a broad range of items.  Early rock-n-roll music background, with muted TV showing.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, 925 Plaza Blvd., Lancaster, 17601.   Part of a chain of restaurants.  Very popular and attracts an eclectic clientele.  Rte. 30 E/W ramps are about ¼ mile away.  Voluminous menu, but meat/fish entrees are their specialty, along with salads.  Sports bar atmosphere with plenty of spacious booths and high-top tables.  Many brews on tap to please one’s taste; I like their house brand hefeweizen.  Wait staff uses “smart pads” for orders, so prep and presentation are fairly quick.  Numerous muted TVs with sport shows.  Parking lot is spacious.  Turnover in wait staff is predictable, since many are part-time students and recent grads; all are well-trained.  Located next to Park City mall, so if your schedule is not pressing, the possibility of browsing exists.  Breakfast is not served.

Mick’s All-American Pub, 2201 Strickler Road, Mount Joy, 17552.  One of several locally-owned in the Lancaster area (Lititz and Willow Street locations).  Specialties are meat entrees, sandwiches and burgers, living up to its name—All-American favorites.  Portions are generous, so bring an appetite! High-top tables and booths make for comfortable seating.  Good staff and welcoming atmosphere once you step in the door.  Travel on the Harrisburg-Lancaster corridor of 283 makes this a nice on/off stop for business (or leisure).  Parking is adequate, but the parking lot is shared with several businesses and get can packed around peak mealtimes.  For a popular eatery with many younger clientele, the noise level is surprisingly low.  Prices are average for the area (a light business lunch for two can get you out of there for $30-$40, TIP included).  Breakfast is not served.

Annie Bailey’s Irish Public House, 28-30 East King Street, Lancaster, 17602.  Situated one-half block east of Penn Square in the heart of Lancaster.   Since business occasionally takes me into Lancaster City, I thought having a downtown favorites is appropriate.  (Annie Bailey’s is within easy walking distance of the Convention Center, the Courthouse, Fulton Bank, Lancaster Newspaper offices, numerous law offices and several parking garages.)  Cuisine has British Isles specialties (and not just fish-and-chips).  The layout of the facility makes holding large-group meetings possible.  Staff is quite experienced and cordial.  Food is tasty, and the price is reasonable for doing business downtown.  Reservations may be needed on weekdays during peak mealtimes.  Menus are for lunch and dinner.  This place is worth visiting whether it’s for business or not!

Lancaster County is noted for its fine array of dining facilities.  Come spend some time here… and maybe do a little business.