Gerald S.
Yelp
Hamilton Restaurant just off the center of Carlisle on High Street is an old time Pennsylvania city diner with full counter service to go along with booths and tables around the rest of the joint. It has been in one family for several generations serving up large plates of heavy Pennsylvania Dutch (German) cuisine. It isn't the healthiest diet, but it fills the stomach like few others do. So, if your travelling through as we were, it's a decent place to relax a while and stock up on gravy based calories. They are also noted for their house special, Hootchie Dogs, which are a hot dog collector's must try.
Son & I went with the Hootchie Dog Special (grilled dog with chilli, cheese and chopped onions, side of fries and small bowl of chicken gravy for fry dipping). We also jumped on their chicken & waffle platter. Not what you'd expect if you like that combo dish offered elsewhere in the lower 48, this one does have a big waffle at the bottom of the plate, but the rest is strictly PA Dutch - sliced white meat chicken piled high on top of the waffle, a megaton of mashed potatoes above that, all drowned in a tidal wave of that bland yellow chicken gravy.
The Hootchies were okay, but could have been much more. Unnamed sausage, unmelted cheese, low budget roll, and weak chili. Left the sandwich falling apart halfway through. Fries were fine, but very glad I left the gravy on the side. It had little flavor. The chick/waffle was decent, but way too much to consume in one sitting and reminded of something we'd be served in the high school cafeteria. Carb city.
I'm not likely to return, especially after watching the hot dog chef working without gloves or net, and handling money at the same time. That's a definite health code violation.