A Pennsylvania tavern has a taxidermy skunk on display, an old bank vault used for private dining, and an appetizer called Goat Balls.
The Skunk and Goat Tavern sits on Main Street in North East, a small Erie County town near Lake Erie. Its unusual name is only part of the story.
The former bank building has exposed brick, original wood floors, and a patio overlooking the downtown park.
The menu brings a few more surprises. Goat Balls are made with potatoes, bacon, and cheddar cheese, while Firecracker Shrimp and a full breakfast menu give visitors plenty of other options.
And that old vault? It’s still part of the restaurant, but these days, it’s used for dining rather than storing money.
A Funny Name on a Main Street Corner
Signs on Main Street usually say something plain, like Diner or Grill. Here, the sign reads The Skunk and Goat Tavern, and that name alone makes drivers slow down.
You’ll find it at 17 W Main St, North East, PA 16428, in the far northwest corner of Pennsylvania.
North East is a small borough in Erie County, close to the shores of Lake Erie. The town is surrounded by grape country, so the drive in often passes rows of vineyards.
It’s the kind of place where a downtown restaurant becomes part of daily life.
The tavern serves New American food in a rustic room full of brick and wood. It opens early, so breakfast and brunch are part of the routine, not just dinner.
That makes it a handy stop for travelers moving along the lake region.
I find the name a clever trick. It’s silly enough to remember and odd enough to spark a conversation before you even sit down.
Kids usually giggle at it, and adults tend to ask the obvious question about the skunk.
Inside, that question gets a real answer, mounted right on display.
Yes, There Really Is a Skunk Inside
Good news for anyone worried about the smell. The skunk at this tavern is a taxidermy piece, and it sits quietly as part of the decor.
A stuffed turkey joins it, adding a second animal guest to the room.
Those quirky touches fit the rustic style of the whole space. Exposed brick and plenty of wood cover the dining area, giving it a cabin-meets-old-downtown look.
The design feels lived in rather than polished.
A wall of mirrors breaks up all that brick and wood. It also makes the room feel brighter and a bit bigger than it really is.
Cozy corner tables give smaller groups a quieter place to settle in.
Seasonal decorations show up too. Around Halloween, the tavern has been known to dress up for the holiday, and even a bowl of tomato bisque once came decorated with a pesto BOO on top.
I’d suggest taking a slow look around before you open the menu. Little details are tucked into the shelves and walls, and spotting them is half the fun.
Point the skunk out to the kids and watch their reaction.
The biggest surprise in the building, though, has a heavy steel door.
Dinner Inside an Old Bank Vault
Money used to sit behind these thick walls. Today, the old bank vault at The Skunk and Goat Tavern works as a private dining room that groups can reserve.
That detail tells you something about the building’s past. The structure once handled banking for this part of town, and the vault stayed behind when the restaurant moved in.
Rather than tearing it out, the owners turned it into one of the most memorable seats in the house.
The vault room makes sense for celebrations. Families, coworkers, and wedding parties can gather in a space with its own walls and a little privacy.
One rehearsal dinner here reportedly included around 35 guests, so the tavern handles larger events too.
If you want the vault, plan ahead. It’s a reserved space, so calling the restaurant early is the smart move, especially for weekends or holidays.
I like the idea of sitting where cash once piled up and ordering appetizers instead. It turns a piece of small-town history into something you can actually experience.
The banking theme even sneaks onto the menu, which brings us to the food.
The Truth About Goat Balls
Relax, no goats were involved. The goat balls at this tavern are fried bites that diners compare to Italian arancini, and they’re made with potato.
The name is a playful nod to the restaurant itself. It’s also a great test of who at the table is brave enough to order first.
Once the plate arrives, the mystery usually clears up fast.
These little appetizers have become one of the tavern’s best-known items. Families share them, travelers ask about them, and at least one visitor from Ontario said they’d make the drive again just for another plate.
That’s a strong showing for a starter.
Ordering them is simple. Grab a plate for the table while you look over the rest of the menu, since they make an easy shared bite.
If you’re with picky eaters, potato is a friendly ingredient most people already enjoy.
I’d put goat balls at the top of any first-visit order. They match the funny spirit of the name, and they give you a story to tell later.
Ask anyone back home to guess what was inside.
Right next to them on many tables, you’ll see a plate with a bit more heat.
Firecracker Shrimp and Other Bold Starters
Spice fans, this section is for you. Firecracker Shrimp ranks among the most mentioned dishes at the tavern, and the name gives you a fair warning about the kick.
The kitchen has also turned the shrimp into a stir fry, so the same bold idea can become a full meal. That’s handy if one appetizer plate just isn’t enough.
Other starters keep the table busy. Pulled pork egg rolls mix barbecue with a crunchy wrapper, a combination that sounds fun on paper.
A crab and lobster dip has appeared on the menu, along with pretzel bites and toasted baguette.
House-made pickles are another small detail worth asking about. Homemade touches like that show a kitchen that cares about more than the main plates.
Here’s my practical tip. Order two or three appetizers for the group and pass them around, since many starters here work well for sharing.
It’s an easy way to taste more of the menu without overfilling on one dish.
Of course, some visitors walk in looking for a sandwich with deep regional roots, and the tavern has one ready.
Beef on Weck Brings a Taste of Western New York
Ever heard of beef on weck? It’s a classic from the Buffalo area, and North East sits close enough to the New York line to give it a proper home.
The sandwich stacks thin slices of roast beef on a kummelweck roll. That roll gets its name from a topping of coarse salt and caraway seeds.
Horseradish is the traditional partner on the side.
Beef on weck draws more mentions than almost anything else at the tavern. Travelers from farther away often get excited just seeing it listed, since it can be hard to find outside the region.
A bowl of French onion soup makes a natural sidekick. It’s another popular pick here, and on a chilly Lake Erie day, soup and a roast beef sandwich feel like a sensible plan.
I’d order this combo if I wanted a meal that says something about where I am. The sandwich connects this corner of Pennsylvania to its neighbors just across the state line.
Food can be a quick history lesson that way.
Hungrier guests usually skip straight to the burgers and barbecue, and those plates come with some fun names.
Burgers With a Banker in the Name
Remember that old bank vault? The menu hasn’t forgotten it either.
A Bankers Burger has shown up here, a cheeky wink to the building’s money-handling past.
The Cowboy Burger is another headliner, built with smoky bacon. A mushroom Swiss burger rounds out the lineup for folks who like a classic.
Many plates arrive with tater tots, which appear often in diner conversations about this place.
Barbecue fans have plenty to choose from too. Pulled pork sandwiches are a frequent order.
Burnt ends paired with pork belly have come with corn and mac and cheese, and BBQ ribs have appeared on the menu as well.
Chicken lovers aren’t left out. Nashville hot chicken, a grilled chicken sandwich, and a crab cake BLT give the sandwich side of the menu plenty of range.
Portions here are known for being generous. That’s worth knowing before you order three appetizers and a burger for yourself.
Takeout is available if leftovers pile up.
I like that the menu keeps a sense of humor without getting gimmicky. Bigger dinner plates, though, show a more polished side of the kitchen.
A Menu That Changes With the Seasons
Expect surprises if you return a few months later. The tavern rotates its menu with the seasons, so new dishes come and go throughout the year.
That approach gives the kitchen room to stretch. Past dinner plates have included pan-seared halibut with butternut squash risotto and sauteed spinach.
A fried chicken cutlet with lemon cream sauce, red skin potatoes, and green beans has appeared too.
Comfort food gets attention as well. Pork schnitzel served with sweet and sour cabbage has won over at least one diner who claimed to dislike cooked cabbage.
A sausage and shrimp pasta and a Durango strip steak have also shown up.
Prime rib is another name that keeps popping up. Salads like a grilled peach version with peach balsamic dressing bring a lighter option to the table.
Because things change, I’d check the current menu before getting attached to one dish. What you saw last fall might be replaced by something new this spring.
Save a little room, too. Desserts like peanut butter pie have made appearances.
Breakfast, however, tells a whole different story about this place.
Early Mornings, Brunch, and Busy Nights
Most taverns sleep in. This one opens its doors in the morning, which makes it a real option for breakfast and brunch on the road.
The Mushroom Swiss Omelet is a morning favorite, and a dish called The Gibson has also earned praise from brunch guests. Starting a road trip with a solid breakfast here is an easy win.
Evenings are a different scene. Friday nights can get packed, and the room tends to be lively and a bit loud.
If you’re traveling with a group, calling ahead is a good idea, since the staff has said it helps on busy nights.
Live music adds to the energy on some evenings. Happy hour is part of the schedule too, and the kitchen also handles takeout for folks who’d rather eat back at the hotel.
Quiet afternoons are the sweet spot for some visitors. Arrive mid-afternoon and you may find a calm room and an open corner table.
Small comforts stand out here. Cloth napkins come with the meal, and the restrooms have a reputation for being spotless.
After eating, the view outside invites a short walk.
Outdoor Tables and a Fountain Across the Street
Sunny weather changes everything on Main Street. The tavern offers outdoor seating, and it’s one of the most mentioned features among diners.
Eating outside puts you right in the middle of downtown North East. Traffic, storefronts, and neighbors passing by give the meal a true small-town feel.
In warm months, those seats can fill up fast.
Right across the street sits a small park with a fountain. It’s an easy place for a stroll after lunch or brunch.
Kids who have been patient through a meal can stretch their legs, and adults can enjoy a few calm minutes.
I’d plan a trip around that combination. A plate of goat balls on the patio, followed by a walk past the fountain, sounds like a relaxed way to spend an afternoon.
It also gives you a better look at the historic downtown.
North East makes a good base for exploring the Lake Erie shoreline and the surrounding vineyard country. The tavern fits neatly into that kind of slow road trip.
So the odd name gets you in the door. The town, the food, and that quiet park are what make you want another round of goat balls.
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