Never felt more at home! Their chai latte - spectacular. Their egg sandwich - so fluffy. Go there and experience the happy
(5)
Sara Y.
An ok place if you're driving through town. We both got breakfast sandwiches. They use egg beaters and precooked sausage...nothing to go crazy over, that's for sure. They have a lot of local regulars it seems . All of the staff are very pleasant. Just won't be returning personally.
(2)
Michael C.
We just sat down and already I'm giving them 5 stars. Eclectic seating with a homey down south feel, even though we only just crossed the mason Dixon line.
(5)
Patty M.
The chai is spectacular--as another reviewer commented--and the owner, Alan, was a delight to talk to. A definite place to stop for coffee, tea, and other small cafe items!
(5)
Sharon P.
This little cafe has comfortable ambience. In the back, you can sit and read books from the bookshelf, while sipping flavored coffee or snack on the soup and sandwiches offered. We live close by and enjoy the inexpesive, but very tasty food served with smiles and friendly people.
(5)
Megan L.
This place is an oasis for cyclists! We stopped here for breakfast after camping on the C&O in the middle of a five day ride to DC. They had the best selection of vegetarian options that we'd seen in days. Very friendly people and a comfortable spot to kick back for a little while. Bike racks outside, floor pump inside, tubes for sale, and cold water refills encouraged.
(5)
Oinkzalot S.
So, looks like I'm going to be the only person on here who is dissatisfied. I have to give Rose, the owner, a thumbs up on expanding to a larger location and thriving as an independent shop in Williamsport. She seems to be a very nice person, and I always enjoy seeing her. I remember the coffee being very good at the old location, however, at the new location I find it to be extraordinarily overpriced! I was shocked to see the person filling my order brew my coffee and allow it to sit while she heated the milk and added Hershey's chocolate syrup instead of Monin sauce to my coffee (They have loads of Monin flavors displayed--I assumed they were using a higher-quality chocolate flavoring than Hershey's and remember that being the case in the past). This resulted in bitter coffee (from sitting unmixed) that tasted like Hershey's chocolate syrup. On top of that, it would appear that they've changed the brand of takeaway cup that they offer their clients. The lid fell off of mine twice in my car and once on the way to my car. I also found that the thin material did not protect my hands from potential burns. And it's winter... I paid close to four dollars for this whole experience. I am sorry to say that other than the soups, I've never found Rose's cooking to be worthwhile. The cookies used to be from The store, and are not up to my standards for an expensive coffee shop "delight". I've tried some of the "real" food and found the hummus is prepackaged, the meat is overcooked and all of it is tasteless. The staff are always friendly, and the space is incredibly inviting. For that I will give two stars. If you want overpriced yuppie food, this is the place for you.
(2)
Mike S.
Definitely stop here if you are riding the C&O trail. Good food, nice atmosphere, bike racks right outside, and they really understand and cater to bikers.
(5)
Barbara P.
A charming place. Healthy food w/lots of choices--don't look for potato or macaroni salad tho. They even have 4 flavors of no-sugar-added ice-cream. The black raspberry flavor is great! Friendly. Just perfect for a lunch w/friends.
(5)
Robbie P.
This is easily my favorite spot for lunch in the Williamsport area. The staff are extremely friendly, and the sandwiches are delicious. If you are in the area, I would highly recommend a visit to this great little cafe!
(5)
Chris P.
Bicyclers Delight sandwich was fresh, tasty, and big! If you like a good turkey sandwich, make the trip here! Management and staff are friendly locals who care about your visit!
(5)
Andrew V.
Great service, interested in serving cyclists off the trail. Good comfort food for all types of eaters (meat, vegetarian, other). Water bottle refills and a bike rack were a blessing, as was the PB&J!
(5)
Thuy V.
Our favorite place to eat while on our GAP/C&O bike trip. Is a little hike up the hill but worth it for welcoming warm place to eat. Bike racks on the side, will refill your bottle. Has ibuprofen for you needs along with a few Clif bars too. I enjoyed my chicken salad sandwich and bf liked his BBQ sandwich. Not gourmet but perfectly enjoyable and fairly priced. Our sandwiches plus small bag of chips and a hot tea was about 10 dollars before tip. Some places we entered gave us these weird looks and it was so great to be almost expected to be here. Don't worry normal people were there too and they all seemed to know the owners.
(5)
Nancy K.
locally owned and operated, small cafe in town that is very accessible to the canal and the bike baths. We came in on a Sunday morning with 4 energetic kids and 3 adults. The owner and staff were very nice and understanding. The menu is simple and basic. You won't find any culinary masterpieces here but if you are looking for a locally owned, non-chain, comfortable and relaxing option, this is your place. The hummus was delicious - cannot wait to go back for more. I think of this place a bit like a coffee shop but one were you can relax and have a conversation, study, have lunch with friends, or just people watch. I've heard the owners also own the coffee place across the street too. Enjoy!
(5)
Rob G.
I have 2 theories why the reviews for this restaurant are so high: 1. People biking the C and O are really hungry, so anything seems good. 2. Some method of image management. I took a group of family here because it was the highest rated restaurant around. There were 7 of us. I was very disappointed. Our food came out at all different times and the waitress could not keep our orders straight or which orders were ours or other tables. She was also very snippy and rude even though we were trying to be understanding since they were busy. I had the BBQ. It was clearly made elsewhere and warmed up then allowed to get cold, since it arrived cold. Also it wasn't very good. The rest of the food was also outsourced and assembled. The prices were reasonable. I saw nothing to deserve more than one star.
(1)
J W.
Fresh, tasty food; great atmosphere; friendly staff... This is a great stop for bikers or hikers along the C&O canal, definitely worth the short uphill climb to get here!
(5)
Chuck R.
Definitely my go to place during my Canal adventures! They have a pick 2 combo for lunch. The turkey avocado bacon ranch wrap with red beans and rice was very good! Have healthy options for sides! Yogurt and little veggie bags with carrots, broccoli, and celery with ranch dressing. Cute location with their own ice cream store right across the road. Will have to check that out on my next trip!
(5)
Dee B.
Desert Rose Cafe is a great place to stop in after visiting the C&O Canal in Williamsport. The cafe attracts many people who are biking the trail, and the employees are very friendly - they offer to fill up water bottles, and even tell you to bring in your Camelbak to fill that up as well. I tried the chicken tuscan bean soup, and it was delicious. We also enjoyed some ice cream, which was good and, this being a small town, very reasonably priced.
(4)
Elmer H.
Great little place in Williamsport, MD. The staff are fun, enjoyable, and talkative. The food is good at great prices. The atmosphere is welcoming and the decor is cute. The Desert Rose is a great place for lunch.
(5)
John B.
A college town eatery. Great black bean burger. Fantastic coffee. Welcomes bicyclists from nearby C&O Canal. Uber friendly staff. Best thing going in Williamsport.
(5)
Kenny M.
Great inexpensive food! Staff are helpful and pleasant!
(5)
Peter N.
Incredibly friendly service and chill atmosphere. And the food ain't bad either....
(5)
Bill H.
Fun and happy place. Good food made to order. Free wifi. Good prices and friendly service. Definitely a pleasant respite we'll do again. Good place to bring the grandkids - they love sitting at counter stools.
(5)
Jim H.
What can I say except one of the best places to get good food very close to the C & O. The new location is wonderful. I will be back oveqr and over
Definitely worth the trek up the hill into town. The cafe has a great menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and breakfast items. For a small town, everything was fresh, original, and actually healthy! I had the turkey bacon salad, which was topped with tons of different veggies and a great serving size of the proteins. The staff is playful and funny. The owner also owns a sweet shop across the street, with about a dozen ice cream flavors, old fashioned candy and other sweets. If this place was where I lived rather than a stop along a trail on vacation, it would definitely be a new favorite that I would frequent often.
(5)
Rebecca D.
Like many of the other reviews, I could not agree more about the friendliness of the people running the place. They were friendly and courteous, and seemed very genuine. The atmosphere was quaint and welcoming. That is all that I agree with. My husband and I stopped in here based on the reviews, such as "...the food is real...", and the like. My idea of real food is not a BLT made with precooked bacon. No joke. My husband ordered the Deluxe BLT, which boasts a bountiful 8 pieces of bacon - that was grabbed out of a bag, popped into the microwave, then plopped onto the roll that was to be his sandwich. We were sitting at the counter watching our to-go order being made. When we both saw the 'chef' grab a huge Kirkland bag of precooked bacon out of the refrigerator, our jaws about hit the floor. A couple of young ladies seated at a table behind us ordered the 'creamy tomato soup'. I could not believe my eyes when the woman behind the counter began to scoop Campbell's Tomato Soup FROM A CAN into a bowl. She blended the canned soup with a little milk, popped that into the ol' microwave, and viola! - 'creamy tomato soup'. If the other folks think this is good, real food - then they need to get out more. I'm sorry, but for the $18 we shelled out for two sandwiches and two drinks, I want my real food to be a heck of a lot more real.
(2)
Kai F.
I don't normally like people. Especially friendly people. But Ms. Rose is a friendly person and I totally liked her, and her food is amazing. Also they have free books. And veggie bags. And they care about the environment. Worth the trip from DC!
(5)
Becky G.
My girlfirend and I stopped by after riding our bike along the CO Canal. Their sandwiches and soup (I had the shrimp chowder) were really good. The staff was friendly and nice and the inside seemed clean. I'd go back!
(4)
Glenn C.
Bicycle friendly! At first, we were a bit embarrassed to go into Desert Rose, since we were completely covered with mud from riding on the C&O Canal trail. But, after parking our bikes in the bike rack outside (a good sign!) and as we stood in the door looking in, the owners shouted at us to come in and told us there were lots of riders who were muddier than we were (I doubt that's true...). The menu is simple but the food was delicious. There were a number of local people, including a mom with two little kids and a local photographer whose work was exhibited on the wall. Afterwards, they asked if they could fill out water bottles. Our water bottles were even muddier than we were, so I hesitated to bring them into the kitchen, but they happily washed them up and filled them with ice water. The owners were such a happy young couple that it was a delight to eat there.
(5)
Tyler S.
Great little cafe! I was looking for something small and quaint in Hagerstown to take a girl out on a little lunch date. It seems to be a small family restaurant, but here's the great thing...the food is REAL! It's not frozen. It's great, and the customer service is great. I got the deluxe BLT.
(4)
Patrick A.
Great place. We had some salads and sandwichs and iced tea. Organic greens and friendly people.
(5)
Nathan B.
Found this place looking for a non-chain option for lunch on the way home from vacation. Rose is delightful, prices are great, wonderful ambience. Food is home-cooked style, nothing amazing but all pretty good and definitely a good value. Recommended.
(4)
Scott G.
We were driving through the area en route to Washington, DC and Yelp helped us find this gem for lunch. The service was fantastic, the food was delicious, and it was HEALTHY! The kids loved sitting at the outdoor tables, enjoying a small town street corner. Reco: Pulled pork, hummus sandwich, salads, soup. It was all good!
(5)
Joss M.
The Desert Rose cafe is an oasis on the C&O Canal Towpath. There is just NO reason not to stop. The food is a welcome and healthy change from most of the towpath fare. And, the staff of people are simply wonderful. We loved stopping, eating lunch and lounging a bit at the DRC before setting off for Harpers Ferry. The ascent to get to the cafe looks daunting, of course. But the climb, and the effort will be so fantastically rewarded!
(5)
Robb M.
This is a must stop for any C&O canal rider. This is a wonderful little sandwich shop. Rose is so nice and friendly. She has all the extra covered. This is a slice of Americana that touring the C&O is all about.
(4)
V H.
In addition to what everyone else has said about the great food and attentive service provided by the cafe's owners, I'll add that the cafe is a space that invites lingering. The room in the back includes games, books and comfy reading chairs.
(5)
Matt and Rita C.
It was a cold and rainy day when we rolled into Williamsport, on a bike trip on the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Trails from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. Boy were we glad to find the Desert Rose Cafe, owned and operated by (Desert) Rose Harris. There were a bunch of other wet cyclists already huddled inside, along with an ever-changing cast of local characters. Rose welcomed us like long-lost friends, and the food on her menu (sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, etc.) was all interesting, healthy and delicious. The menu had several tempting vegetarian and vegan options, which was music to our stomachs. Rose really loves her little business -- or at least she puts on a good show of it! The cafe is small enough that Rose can talk with all of the patrons in the cafe at once while she works, so there is a non-stop communal banter going on, which made for a wonderfully friendly atmosphere for the weary travelers that we were. We liked the Desert Rose Cafe so much that we decided to cut our day of bicycling in the rain short and stay overnight in Williamsport, so that we could come back for an early dinner at the cafe (Rose closes at 6 PM, more or less). I agree with the first reviewer that the Desert Rose Cafe is not to be missed if you are passing through Williamsport!
(5)
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Address :42 N Conococheague St
Williamsport, MD, 21795
Beth S.
Never felt more at home! Their chai latte - spectacular. Their egg sandwich - so fluffy. Go there and experience the happy
(5)Sara Y.
An ok place if you're driving through town. We both got breakfast sandwiches. They use egg beaters and precooked sausage...nothing to go crazy over, that's for sure. They have a lot of local regulars it seems . All of the staff are very pleasant. Just won't be returning personally.
(2)Michael C.
We just sat down and already I'm giving them 5 stars. Eclectic seating with a homey down south feel, even though we only just crossed the mason Dixon line.
(5)Patty M.
The chai is spectacular--as another reviewer commented--and the owner, Alan, was a delight to talk to. A definite place to stop for coffee, tea, and other small cafe items!
(5)Sharon P.
This little cafe has comfortable ambience. In the back, you can sit and read books from the bookshelf, while sipping flavored coffee or snack on the soup and sandwiches offered. We live close by and enjoy the inexpesive, but very tasty food served with smiles and friendly people.
(5)Megan L.
This place is an oasis for cyclists! We stopped here for breakfast after camping on the C&O in the middle of a five day ride to DC. They had the best selection of vegetarian options that we'd seen in days. Very friendly people and a comfortable spot to kick back for a little while. Bike racks outside, floor pump inside, tubes for sale, and cold water refills encouraged.
(5)Oinkzalot S.
So, looks like I'm going to be the only person on here who is dissatisfied. I have to give Rose, the owner, a thumbs up on expanding to a larger location and thriving as an independent shop in Williamsport. She seems to be a very nice person, and I always enjoy seeing her. I remember the coffee being very good at the old location, however, at the new location I find it to be extraordinarily overpriced! I was shocked to see the person filling my order brew my coffee and allow it to sit while she heated the milk and added Hershey's chocolate syrup instead of Monin sauce to my coffee (They have loads of Monin flavors displayed--I assumed they were using a higher-quality chocolate flavoring than Hershey's and remember that being the case in the past). This resulted in bitter coffee (from sitting unmixed) that tasted like Hershey's chocolate syrup. On top of that, it would appear that they've changed the brand of takeaway cup that they offer their clients. The lid fell off of mine twice in my car and once on the way to my car. I also found that the thin material did not protect my hands from potential burns. And it's winter... I paid close to four dollars for this whole experience. I am sorry to say that other than the soups, I've never found Rose's cooking to be worthwhile. The cookies used to be from The store, and are not up to my standards for an expensive coffee shop "delight". I've tried some of the "real" food and found the hummus is prepackaged, the meat is overcooked and all of it is tasteless. The staff are always friendly, and the space is incredibly inviting. For that I will give two stars. If you want overpriced yuppie food, this is the place for you.
(2)Mike S.
Definitely stop here if you are riding the C&O trail. Good food, nice atmosphere, bike racks right outside, and they really understand and cater to bikers.
(5)Barbara P.
A charming place. Healthy food w/lots of choices--don't look for potato or macaroni salad tho. They even have 4 flavors of no-sugar-added ice-cream. The black raspberry flavor is great! Friendly. Just perfect for a lunch w/friends.
(5)Robbie P.
This is easily my favorite spot for lunch in the Williamsport area. The staff are extremely friendly, and the sandwiches are delicious. If you are in the area, I would highly recommend a visit to this great little cafe!
(5)Chris P.
Bicyclers Delight sandwich was fresh, tasty, and big! If you like a good turkey sandwich, make the trip here! Management and staff are friendly locals who care about your visit!
(5)Andrew V.
Great service, interested in serving cyclists off the trail. Good comfort food for all types of eaters (meat, vegetarian, other). Water bottle refills and a bike rack were a blessing, as was the PB&J!
(5)Thuy V.
Our favorite place to eat while on our GAP/C&O bike trip. Is a little hike up the hill but worth it for welcoming warm place to eat. Bike racks on the side, will refill your bottle. Has ibuprofen for you needs along with a few Clif bars too. I enjoyed my chicken salad sandwich and bf liked his BBQ sandwich. Not gourmet but perfectly enjoyable and fairly priced. Our sandwiches plus small bag of chips and a hot tea was about 10 dollars before tip. Some places we entered gave us these weird looks and it was so great to be almost expected to be here. Don't worry normal people were there too and they all seemed to know the owners.
(5)Nancy K.
locally owned and operated, small cafe in town that is very accessible to the canal and the bike baths. We came in on a Sunday morning with 4 energetic kids and 3 adults. The owner and staff were very nice and understanding. The menu is simple and basic. You won't find any culinary masterpieces here but if you are looking for a locally owned, non-chain, comfortable and relaxing option, this is your place. The hummus was delicious - cannot wait to go back for more. I think of this place a bit like a coffee shop but one were you can relax and have a conversation, study, have lunch with friends, or just people watch. I've heard the owners also own the coffee place across the street too. Enjoy!
(5)Rob G.
I have 2 theories why the reviews for this restaurant are so high: 1. People biking the C and O are really hungry, so anything seems good. 2. Some method of image management. I took a group of family here because it was the highest rated restaurant around. There were 7 of us. I was very disappointed. Our food came out at all different times and the waitress could not keep our orders straight or which orders were ours or other tables. She was also very snippy and rude even though we were trying to be understanding since they were busy. I had the BBQ. It was clearly made elsewhere and warmed up then allowed to get cold, since it arrived cold. Also it wasn't very good. The rest of the food was also outsourced and assembled. The prices were reasonable. I saw nothing to deserve more than one star.
(1)J W.
Fresh, tasty food; great atmosphere; friendly staff... This is a great stop for bikers or hikers along the C&O canal, definitely worth the short uphill climb to get here!
(5)Chuck R.
Definitely my go to place during my Canal adventures! They have a pick 2 combo for lunch. The turkey avocado bacon ranch wrap with red beans and rice was very good! Have healthy options for sides! Yogurt and little veggie bags with carrots, broccoli, and celery with ranch dressing. Cute location with their own ice cream store right across the road. Will have to check that out on my next trip!
(5)Dee B.
Desert Rose Cafe is a great place to stop in after visiting the C&O Canal in Williamsport. The cafe attracts many people who are biking the trail, and the employees are very friendly - they offer to fill up water bottles, and even tell you to bring in your Camelbak to fill that up as well. I tried the chicken tuscan bean soup, and it was delicious. We also enjoyed some ice cream, which was good and, this being a small town, very reasonably priced.
(4)Elmer H.
Great little place in Williamsport, MD. The staff are fun, enjoyable, and talkative. The food is good at great prices. The atmosphere is welcoming and the decor is cute. The Desert Rose is a great place for lunch.
(5)John B.
A college town eatery. Great black bean burger. Fantastic coffee. Welcomes bicyclists from nearby C&O Canal. Uber friendly staff. Best thing going in Williamsport.
(5)Kenny M.
Great inexpensive food! Staff are helpful and pleasant!
(5)Peter N.
Incredibly friendly service and chill atmosphere. And the food ain't bad either....
(5)Bill H.
Fun and happy place. Good food made to order. Free wifi. Good prices and friendly service. Definitely a pleasant respite we'll do again. Good place to bring the grandkids - they love sitting at counter stools.
(5)Jim H.
What can I say except one of the best places to get good food very close to the C & O. The new location is wonderful. I will be back oveqr and over
(5)Darin C.
I've been To the desert rose many times Rosie is always wearing a smile and is ready to serve you Her employees are very customer oriented and they run a top notch café She has your basic sandwiches for breakfast and lunch.
(4)Carly S.
Definitely worth the trek up the hill into town. The cafe has a great menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and breakfast items. For a small town, everything was fresh, original, and actually healthy! I had the turkey bacon salad, which was topped with tons of different veggies and a great serving size of the proteins. The staff is playful and funny. The owner also owns a sweet shop across the street, with about a dozen ice cream flavors, old fashioned candy and other sweets. If this place was where I lived rather than a stop along a trail on vacation, it would definitely be a new favorite that I would frequent often.
(5)Rebecca D.
Like many of the other reviews, I could not agree more about the friendliness of the people running the place. They were friendly and courteous, and seemed very genuine. The atmosphere was quaint and welcoming. That is all that I agree with. My husband and I stopped in here based on the reviews, such as "...the food is real...", and the like. My idea of real food is not a BLT made with precooked bacon. No joke. My husband ordered the Deluxe BLT, which boasts a bountiful 8 pieces of bacon - that was grabbed out of a bag, popped into the microwave, then plopped onto the roll that was to be his sandwich. We were sitting at the counter watching our to-go order being made. When we both saw the 'chef' grab a huge Kirkland bag of precooked bacon out of the refrigerator, our jaws about hit the floor. A couple of young ladies seated at a table behind us ordered the 'creamy tomato soup'. I could not believe my eyes when the woman behind the counter began to scoop Campbell's Tomato Soup FROM A CAN into a bowl. She blended the canned soup with a little milk, popped that into the ol' microwave, and viola! - 'creamy tomato soup'. If the other folks think this is good, real food - then they need to get out more. I'm sorry, but for the $18 we shelled out for two sandwiches and two drinks, I want my real food to be a heck of a lot more real.
(2)Kai F.
I don't normally like people. Especially friendly people. But Ms. Rose is a friendly person and I totally liked her, and her food is amazing. Also they have free books. And veggie bags. And they care about the environment. Worth the trip from DC!
(5)Becky G.
My girlfirend and I stopped by after riding our bike along the CO Canal. Their sandwiches and soup (I had the shrimp chowder) were really good. The staff was friendly and nice and the inside seemed clean. I'd go back!
(4)Glenn C.
Bicycle friendly! At first, we were a bit embarrassed to go into Desert Rose, since we were completely covered with mud from riding on the C&O Canal trail. But, after parking our bikes in the bike rack outside (a good sign!) and as we stood in the door looking in, the owners shouted at us to come in and told us there were lots of riders who were muddier than we were (I doubt that's true...). The menu is simple but the food was delicious. There were a number of local people, including a mom with two little kids and a local photographer whose work was exhibited on the wall. Afterwards, they asked if they could fill out water bottles. Our water bottles were even muddier than we were, so I hesitated to bring them into the kitchen, but they happily washed them up and filled them with ice water. The owners were such a happy young couple that it was a delight to eat there.
(5)Tyler S.
Great little cafe! I was looking for something small and quaint in Hagerstown to take a girl out on a little lunch date. It seems to be a small family restaurant, but here's the great thing...the food is REAL! It's not frozen. It's great, and the customer service is great. I got the deluxe BLT.
(4)Patrick A.
Great place. We had some salads and sandwichs and iced tea. Organic greens and friendly people.
(5)Nathan B.
Found this place looking for a non-chain option for lunch on the way home from vacation. Rose is delightful, prices are great, wonderful ambience. Food is home-cooked style, nothing amazing but all pretty good and definitely a good value. Recommended.
(4)Scott G.
We were driving through the area en route to Washington, DC and Yelp helped us find this gem for lunch. The service was fantastic, the food was delicious, and it was HEALTHY! The kids loved sitting at the outdoor tables, enjoying a small town street corner. Reco: Pulled pork, hummus sandwich, salads, soup. It was all good!
(5)Joss M.
The Desert Rose cafe is an oasis on the C&O Canal Towpath. There is just NO reason not to stop. The food is a welcome and healthy change from most of the towpath fare. And, the staff of people are simply wonderful. We loved stopping, eating lunch and lounging a bit at the DRC before setting off for Harpers Ferry. The ascent to get to the cafe looks daunting, of course. But the climb, and the effort will be so fantastically rewarded!
(5)Robb M.
This is a must stop for any C&O canal rider. This is a wonderful little sandwich shop. Rose is so nice and friendly. She has all the extra covered. This is a slice of Americana that touring the C&O is all about.
(4)V H.
In addition to what everyone else has said about the great food and attentive service provided by the cafe's owners, I'll add that the cafe is a space that invites lingering. The room in the back includes games, books and comfy reading chairs.
(5)Matt and Rita C.
It was a cold and rainy day when we rolled into Williamsport, on a bike trip on the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Trails from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. Boy were we glad to find the Desert Rose Cafe, owned and operated by (Desert) Rose Harris. There were a bunch of other wet cyclists already huddled inside, along with an ever-changing cast of local characters. Rose welcomed us like long-lost friends, and the food on her menu (sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, etc.) was all interesting, healthy and delicious. The menu had several tempting vegetarian and vegan options, which was music to our stomachs. Rose really loves her little business -- or at least she puts on a good show of it! The cafe is small enough that Rose can talk with all of the patrons in the cafe at once while she works, so there is a non-stop communal banter going on, which made for a wonderfully friendly atmosphere for the weary travelers that we were. We liked the Desert Rose Cafe so much that we decided to cut our day of bicycling in the rain short and stay overnight in Williamsport, so that we could come back for an early dinner at the cafe (Rose closes at 6 PM, more or less). I agree with the first reviewer that the Desert Rose Cafe is not to be missed if you are passing through Williamsport!
(5)