Random Thoughts from a Random Memory

By Edward Master

I remember when going to Clarion and eating in the County Seat was sort of a really big deal, namely heading to Johnny Garneau’s smorgasboard. At the time (probably early to mid 1960s). There was a smorgasboard eatery on the southside in Oil City, Kay’s, but that one didn’t have a counterpart branch in Pittsburgh.

Johnny Garneau’s was a top shelf draw in Clarion and in the Burg. I remember doing the Clarion one with my folks when I was a youngster, probably with brother Jack. I am almost certain I took my wife there before she became my wife, and so that meant pre 1976.

I don’t recall at all what I ate. Actually, I don’t recall anything anyone ate or what specials were on the menu. Let’s face it, at the time the idea that there was a branch restaurant in Pittsburgh was a big deal. It was like eating royalty. I don’t recall when Garneaus closed in the Burg or in Clarion. I’m almost certain it was gone by the time I graduated from Clarion University in 1972 (now West Penn U).

By ’72, it would be fair to say Garneaus had been replaced by the Captain Loomis, another eatery (now unknown) on the way to I-80 (was there a wagon wheel involved?), and several in-town and nearby local eateries. The same holds true today with one being Sweet Basils.

In town, when I was a youngster my mother had her favorites. Off sixth avenue, below the street where Crook’s clothing was located, was the Clarion Restaurant. From street level, a few steps downward took you to the dining area. There was a big fish tank awaiting. I loved looking at the fish tank. Mom always finished lunch with pie.

The Clarion Restaurant was often a final stop before a pilgrimage to the A&P for groceries. If we didn’t eat in town, we would stop at the River View (?) Inn at the west end of the Clarion River bridge on route 322. Limited parking, but I think mom liked the view of the river. That place has been nonexistant for years. Again, mom’s finisher was pie, often lemon merengue.

Emerson’s dairyland not evolved yet, which in turn involved groceries at Riverside. Emerson’s was in a way another replacement for Garneaus, only this time you could probably say it was a forerunner of fast food. Remember the Astronaut? A double-decker with special sauce. one of my faves as a side were onion rings.

Before Emerson’s however, a mom stop was Don’s Dairy and the 19-cent burger. That building isn’t even there anymore as it lost in a battle with fire. Oh such memories!

Oddly enough, I never really became the diner-of-the-day at the Loomis until after I was married. It became my go-to place around ALF times as a “fancy” place to dine.

I remember taking my folks there for an anniversary or something special for a special occasion. I believe it was a family affair.

I know there is more than a bountiful selection of eateries in the Clarion area. I just don’t know names anymore because I’m done driving. Bon apitete.