A real diamond in the rough! To get better food, or at least plates under one thousand calories in the Ligonier area, you would have to dine at the Kitchen on Main, which is very pricy. The service at the Road Toad is great and the owner is very attentive. Most importantly, the fare is affordable and surprisingly good and of a large variety. Honestly the stuffed banana peppers are just as good as any you could get in Pittsburgh.
(5)
Mark A.
My family and I love the Toad. The food is of highest quality, service is always friendly and helpful. We stop here at least a few times per year and always leave happy and satisfied. The Nutty Professor is a tasty salad and the chicken parmesan is well prepared. Ron, the proprietor, is an excellent host and we often see him during the growing months at the local farmer's markets selecting the best local veggies. Our daughter has dietary restrictions and they are always more than helpful. Give this place a try if you are from the area or just passing through.
(4)
David S.
A real hidden gem! I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going in, however my expectations were met above and beyond. During this visit my girlfriend and I sat at the bar and ordered a few drinks and an appetizer. The bar has all local beers on draft and the bartender tells you where each one is brewed. My girlfriend enjoyed a perfectly mixed captain and coke. The bar also offered a decently wide selection of wine in addition to beer (bottled and draft) and mixed drinks. We shared the appetizer, RT sampler, and it was delicious! Crab stuffed mushrooms, buffalo chicken tenders, and pot stickers were all served hot and packed with flavor. The dining area and bar were both extremely clean and delightfully decorated. You could tell that the employees took pride in their work and loved the business. After eating we checked out the pretty view. We both agreed that we will definitely make this a regular stop when headed out this way, but I would also say it's worth the drive.
(5)
Paul L.
Actually, I give it 3.5 stars. My family went to Road Toad for dinner. I had the fried shrimp, which was good for what it was. Fries are top-notch. My wife and youngest daughter both had a kid's pizza. The adult version was called a personal pizza. Both were about six inches in diameter. My wife ordered the pierogi pizza and my daughter the pepperoni pizza. Both were tasty, although the crust reminded me of a simple store bought pita. I doubt that the crust was homemade. Maybe the full-sized pizzas are on homemade crust. My oldest daughter got the spaghetti. Sauce was just OK. Meatballs were straight out of Walmart. The strange part was the cost of the meals. My shrimp, of which they gave me 8 good-sized ones cost me a reasonable $16. My wife's 6 inch mini pizza was a whopping $10. The kids pizza was $9. And the spaghetti and meatballs was a very expensive $14. None of it made much sense. In summary, the food generally wasn't bad. There are so many things on the menu, it stands to reason that everything can't be great. (Suggestion - pare back the menu!) The ambiance is nice. Service was friendly. I think I'll give this place another try. After all, any place with a cool name like Road Toad deserves a second chance. Next time, I'll pay more attention to the prices.
(3)
Amy G.
The food was just ok-service was good, but took a long time to get food & it was not busy-
(3)
Terry M.
awful service. took forever to get our food. waitress was not attentive. the food was pretty bland and everyone around us was screaming and carrying on. the staff needs to tell tables to calm down when they get too loud
(2)
Matt C.
A little gem btw Latrobe & Ligonier. Great place for dates with nice views of the creek. The service was great & attentive. The seafood was amazing. If you like something with a little heat in it, I would strongly recommend the "Stuffed hot peppers with crab meat". Price is reasonable, but the view is priceless.
(5)
Sarah F.
Great pit stop for the road weary traveler, who opted for the scenic route. This find of local watering hole is ths reason whit you don't take the toll road home. The decor us quirky, not only is there the world supply of toad related nik-naks, but ypu can certainly tell the owners are Parrot Heads as well. Literally beside the road with easy parking, clean bath rooms, delightful staff and a smattering of locals who make you feel right at home we thought it was fab. But wait, I haven't mentioned the amazing view yet.... Lovely, delightful, worth stopping for, especially when you've been driving for a few hours and you have several more to go, honestly this will give you s chance to get a breath and remember why you aren't on the toll road-and it wasn't just so you could save a few bucks.
(4)
Tim S.
Went here for the first time yesterday. Had an excellent meal. The crab cake was possibly the best I've ever eaten. Tenderloin done to perfection. Fresh cut fries were great. The staff was friendly and made us feel at home. I will definitely return.
(5)
Nikki H.
My fiance and I have been to the Road Toad three times now, all for special occasions, and we have had nothing but great experiences. We've never had the same meal twice, and there is so much on the menu, it would take a while to order the same meal. The prices are reasonable, all the food tastes fresh, and the wait staff is always really pleasant. All three times we've been there, the owner has come over and greeted us. Always seems interested in our experience and is genuine in making his customers feel welcomed. This is one of our favorite places. We'll definitely return for our next special event.
(5)
Terry D.
We were taking the scenic tour on the olde Lincoln Highway when we stopped mid-afternoon at the Road Toad. Had small problem finding which of several doors to enter but this was the only problem. We were waited on promptly and quickly received our beverages. My wife had the salmon which although previously frozen was very tasty with it's dill sauce. Her potato was actually baked not microwaved. I had a great Cesar salad with anchovies presented nicely followed by the beef liver with onions and bacon and red skinned potatoes with butter and parsley. The liver was served medium as requested and the serving was large and very tasty. The Road Toad had listed an extensive desert menu but were were too full to have one at that time. If were were not on the road we would have certainly taken one along. Our host Ron and our waitress were very helpful. Ron is a "parrothead" and the dining room clock shows it always 5:00 at the Road Toad. Because everything on the menu is priced ala-carte we found our experience a little pricy but well worth the cost.
(5)
Matt K.
This is a great out of the way place for dinner. I've eaten here several times and the food is always excellent. My wife always orders one of their salads which are huge so come with a good appetite. Try the Italian Sausage Bake. It is outstanding.
(4)
Michelle M.
What a disappointment. We've been here about 3 or 4 times now, and it's gone steadily downhill every time. The best part of the place is the scenery. But the prices are out of line and the food is getting the same way. We stopped because the sign advertised "comfort food." The meatball parm was four bite-sized, frozen meatballs. In fact, all four fit onto one piece of thin italian bread. Clearly frozen - more like school cafeteria meatballs. The lagasna had to be frozen or boxed - there were two different color sauces - one on the inside of the "too uniform to be homemade" piece and another on top. Tasted like Stouffer's lasagne, actually. The ravioli with grilled chicken and sausage: more uniform look - more frozen suspicion. I could've done that meal with a quick stop to the grocery store. Don't go there looking for anything more than a nice view of the creek.
(1)
Russ G.
We decided to try the Road Toad after passing the restaurant several times on the way to and from seeing my father in Johnstown, PA. When we arrived, we were the only people there arriving for dinner on an early Sunday evening on the last day of Thunder in the Valley in Johnstown. The decor is nice, and there is a big bar with seating for 15-some people. There is a nice view of the Loyalhanna Creek on the back of the property, with some outside seating and a smaller outside bar. The waitress we had was very friendly. Unfortunately, this is where the good things about the restaurant cease. Looking at the menu, the cheapest thing on the menu is eight bucks for a hamburger. The appetizers are almost 10 dollars and up. I ordered the coconut shrimp, and my wife ordered the chicken parmesan pasta. For $18.95 for the shrimp an $14.95 for the pasta, we were expecting outstanding food. Instead, my dinner was acceptable, but not worth the price. I got eight one-bite-sized coconut shrimp with good chutney sauce, great mashed potatoes, and good corn. The dinner came with two fixed sides, meaning that I had no other sides to choose from. I had the chicken chili soup that came with the dinner, and it was excellent, if on the small side. Oddly, for a restaurant with a big bar, soft drinks were NOT available on tap from a fountain, but in a can. And there were no free refills either! My wife got the chicken parmesan pasta, and it was not very good. It was simply a grilled chicken with tomato sauce and parmesan, and next to it is the fettuccine pasta. She got iced tea that was mediocre, and strangely enough, got free refills. We shared the carrot cake, and that was delicious, but still not worth the five or so dollars. Overall, I was going to give the restaurant three stars, but had to knock it down to one because it appears that the dinner she ate did not agree with her 12 hours later, forcing her to take several trips to the bathroom. Between the overpriced menu (who charges that much for a casual restaurant/bar and also not give free soft drink refills?) and the mediocre food that does not match our expectations (she wound up "refunding" the food the next day), we won't be going there again.
(1)
jimmy w.
great for lunch and a beer, anything else i would avoid the place... had a nice chick parm sando with a bud light, i didnt have high expectations of the place so i was satisfied
(3)
Jeff K.
Thought it would be a nice place to stop at after driving by many times. We should have kept driving by. We ordered a flat bread Mediterranean pizza for 8.95. The flat bread (tortilla shell) was so dry it crumbled when you tried to pick it up. The toppings were sparse at best. Don't waste your time or money.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Matthew L.
A real diamond in the rough! To get better food, or at least plates under one thousand calories in the Ligonier area, you would have to dine at the Kitchen on Main, which is very pricy. The service at the Road Toad is great and the owner is very attentive. Most importantly, the fare is affordable and surprisingly good and of a large variety. Honestly the stuffed banana peppers are just as good as any you could get in Pittsburgh.
(5)Mark A.
My family and I love the Toad. The food is of highest quality, service is always friendly and helpful. We stop here at least a few times per year and always leave happy and satisfied. The Nutty Professor is a tasty salad and the chicken parmesan is well prepared. Ron, the proprietor, is an excellent host and we often see him during the growing months at the local farmer's markets selecting the best local veggies. Our daughter has dietary restrictions and they are always more than helpful. Give this place a try if you are from the area or just passing through.
(4)David S.
A real hidden gem! I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going in, however my expectations were met above and beyond. During this visit my girlfriend and I sat at the bar and ordered a few drinks and an appetizer. The bar has all local beers on draft and the bartender tells you where each one is brewed. My girlfriend enjoyed a perfectly mixed captain and coke. The bar also offered a decently wide selection of wine in addition to beer (bottled and draft) and mixed drinks. We shared the appetizer, RT sampler, and it was delicious! Crab stuffed mushrooms, buffalo chicken tenders, and pot stickers were all served hot and packed with flavor. The dining area and bar were both extremely clean and delightfully decorated. You could tell that the employees took pride in their work and loved the business. After eating we checked out the pretty view. We both agreed that we will definitely make this a regular stop when headed out this way, but I would also say it's worth the drive.
(5)Paul L.
Actually, I give it 3.5 stars. My family went to Road Toad for dinner. I had the fried shrimp, which was good for what it was. Fries are top-notch. My wife and youngest daughter both had a kid's pizza. The adult version was called a personal pizza. Both were about six inches in diameter. My wife ordered the pierogi pizza and my daughter the pepperoni pizza. Both were tasty, although the crust reminded me of a simple store bought pita. I doubt that the crust was homemade. Maybe the full-sized pizzas are on homemade crust. My oldest daughter got the spaghetti. Sauce was just OK. Meatballs were straight out of Walmart. The strange part was the cost of the meals. My shrimp, of which they gave me 8 good-sized ones cost me a reasonable $16. My wife's 6 inch mini pizza was a whopping $10. The kids pizza was $9. And the spaghetti and meatballs was a very expensive $14. None of it made much sense. In summary, the food generally wasn't bad. There are so many things on the menu, it stands to reason that everything can't be great. (Suggestion - pare back the menu!) The ambiance is nice. Service was friendly. I think I'll give this place another try. After all, any place with a cool name like Road Toad deserves a second chance. Next time, I'll pay more attention to the prices.
(3)Amy G.
The food was just ok-service was good, but took a long time to get food & it was not busy-
(3)Terry M.
awful service. took forever to get our food. waitress was not attentive. the food was pretty bland and everyone around us was screaming and carrying on. the staff needs to tell tables to calm down when they get too loud
(2)Matt C.
A little gem btw Latrobe & Ligonier. Great place for dates with nice views of the creek. The service was great & attentive. The seafood was amazing. If you like something with a little heat in it, I would strongly recommend the "Stuffed hot peppers with crab meat". Price is reasonable, but the view is priceless.
(5)Sarah F.
Great pit stop for the road weary traveler, who opted for the scenic route. This find of local watering hole is ths reason whit you don't take the toll road home. The decor us quirky, not only is there the world supply of toad related nik-naks, but ypu can certainly tell the owners are Parrot Heads as well. Literally beside the road with easy parking, clean bath rooms, delightful staff and a smattering of locals who make you feel right at home we thought it was fab. But wait, I haven't mentioned the amazing view yet.... Lovely, delightful, worth stopping for, especially when you've been driving for a few hours and you have several more to go, honestly this will give you s chance to get a breath and remember why you aren't on the toll road-and it wasn't just so you could save a few bucks.
(4)Tim S.
Went here for the first time yesterday. Had an excellent meal. The crab cake was possibly the best I've ever eaten. Tenderloin done to perfection. Fresh cut fries were great. The staff was friendly and made us feel at home. I will definitely return.
(5)Nikki H.
My fiance and I have been to the Road Toad three times now, all for special occasions, and we have had nothing but great experiences. We've never had the same meal twice, and there is so much on the menu, it would take a while to order the same meal. The prices are reasonable, all the food tastes fresh, and the wait staff is always really pleasant. All three times we've been there, the owner has come over and greeted us. Always seems interested in our experience and is genuine in making his customers feel welcomed. This is one of our favorite places. We'll definitely return for our next special event.
(5)Terry D.
We were taking the scenic tour on the olde Lincoln Highway when we stopped mid-afternoon at the Road Toad. Had small problem finding which of several doors to enter but this was the only problem. We were waited on promptly and quickly received our beverages. My wife had the salmon which although previously frozen was very tasty with it's dill sauce. Her potato was actually baked not microwaved. I had a great Cesar salad with anchovies presented nicely followed by the beef liver with onions and bacon and red skinned potatoes with butter and parsley. The liver was served medium as requested and the serving was large and very tasty. The Road Toad had listed an extensive desert menu but were were too full to have one at that time. If were were not on the road we would have certainly taken one along. Our host Ron and our waitress were very helpful. Ron is a "parrothead" and the dining room clock shows it always 5:00 at the Road Toad. Because everything on the menu is priced ala-carte we found our experience a little pricy but well worth the cost.
(5)Matt K.
This is a great out of the way place for dinner. I've eaten here several times and the food is always excellent. My wife always orders one of their salads which are huge so come with a good appetite. Try the Italian Sausage Bake. It is outstanding.
(4)Michelle M.
What a disappointment. We've been here about 3 or 4 times now, and it's gone steadily downhill every time. The best part of the place is the scenery. But the prices are out of line and the food is getting the same way. We stopped because the sign advertised "comfort food." The meatball parm was four bite-sized, frozen meatballs. In fact, all four fit onto one piece of thin italian bread. Clearly frozen - more like school cafeteria meatballs. The lagasna had to be frozen or boxed - there were two different color sauces - one on the inside of the "too uniform to be homemade" piece and another on top. Tasted like Stouffer's lasagne, actually. The ravioli with grilled chicken and sausage: more uniform look - more frozen suspicion. I could've done that meal with a quick stop to the grocery store. Don't go there looking for anything more than a nice view of the creek.
(1)Russ G.
We decided to try the Road Toad after passing the restaurant several times on the way to and from seeing my father in Johnstown, PA. When we arrived, we were the only people there arriving for dinner on an early Sunday evening on the last day of Thunder in the Valley in Johnstown. The decor is nice, and there is a big bar with seating for 15-some people. There is a nice view of the Loyalhanna Creek on the back of the property, with some outside seating and a smaller outside bar. The waitress we had was very friendly. Unfortunately, this is where the good things about the restaurant cease. Looking at the menu, the cheapest thing on the menu is eight bucks for a hamburger. The appetizers are almost 10 dollars and up. I ordered the coconut shrimp, and my wife ordered the chicken parmesan pasta. For $18.95 for the shrimp an $14.95 for the pasta, we were expecting outstanding food. Instead, my dinner was acceptable, but not worth the price. I got eight one-bite-sized coconut shrimp with good chutney sauce, great mashed potatoes, and good corn. The dinner came with two fixed sides, meaning that I had no other sides to choose from. I had the chicken chili soup that came with the dinner, and it was excellent, if on the small side. Oddly, for a restaurant with a big bar, soft drinks were NOT available on tap from a fountain, but in a can. And there were no free refills either! My wife got the chicken parmesan pasta, and it was not very good. It was simply a grilled chicken with tomato sauce and parmesan, and next to it is the fettuccine pasta. She got iced tea that was mediocre, and strangely enough, got free refills. We shared the carrot cake, and that was delicious, but still not worth the five or so dollars. Overall, I was going to give the restaurant three stars, but had to knock it down to one because it appears that the dinner she ate did not agree with her 12 hours later, forcing her to take several trips to the bathroom. Between the overpriced menu (who charges that much for a casual restaurant/bar and also not give free soft drink refills?) and the mediocre food that does not match our expectations (she wound up "refunding" the food the next day), we won't be going there again.
(1)jimmy w.
great for lunch and a beer, anything else i would avoid the place... had a nice chick parm sando with a bud light, i didnt have high expectations of the place so i was satisfied
(3)Jeff K.
Thought it would be a nice place to stop at after driving by many times. We should have kept driving by. We ordered a flat bread Mediterranean pizza for 8.95. The flat bread (tortilla shell) was so dry it crumbled when you tried to pick it up. The toppings were sparse at best. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)