Last Updated on June 27, 2022 by Jeremy
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Ladybird’s Luncheonette in Beaver, PA, is one of those restaurants that is instantly welcoming from the moment you step through the door.
First, it is because the staff is exceptionally friendly. The second is because the decor feels a bit like you’re going to a family member’s house for lunch and not a restaurant. Finally, the case of gorgeous baked goods screams hello just as fast as the employees do.
Suffice it to say, the last part is the most important because even if you weren’t intending to pick up some sweets at Ladybird’s Luncheonette, well, you’re going to want to after seeing these.
This all came together for a truly memorable meal for what amounted to a very quick stop during a busy day out.
Handpies, Cookies, and More at Ladybird’s Luncheonette
As the menu at Ladybird’s Luncheonette is heavily local, it is also quite seasonal. As such, you may not know what is available get until you arrive.
During my visit, the restaurant featured an array of handpies, rolls, soups, salads, and toasts plus an array of cookies for those with a sweet tooth. Naturally, I had to have a bit of everything.
I opted for a jalapeno popper handpie for a twist from the conventional flavors, and was impressed with the balance of the cheese and heat from the pepper on the inside and how it was cut perfectly with the house raspberry jam for dipping (there were serious sweet and savory vibes going on here). Even better was that the handpie was exceptionally flaky, almost croissant-like in nature and is the kind of pastry you’ll want to eat as soon as it comes out of the oven and not a minute later- the leftovers simply didn’t hold the texture as well despite having all the flavor.
My entree for the visit was aptly named The Lunchbox from the daily menu. While this one sounds like it should be a sandwich, it is, in fact, more like a packed lunch (hence the name). The ingredients are served picnic-style with the toasted bread in a separate bag and a small container loaded up with multiple kinds of cheese, fruit, soppressata, whole-grain mustard, crackers, and more.
This resulted in a choose-your-own-adventure style eating scenario with all the flavor combinations. A little mustard, cheese, and bread? Delicious. Soppressata with a little jam? Go for it. All the combinations worked here, although admittedly had I known what I was getting myself into I would’ve saved this for my hike at Brady’s Run Park nearby because this one was made to enjoy on the go just as much as it is for dine-in.
The star of the visit, without a doubt, was the ginger-lime cookie. This one clocked in at a healthy $6 price point but was bigger than my head and was roughly the size of five or six conventionally sized cookies. Its molasses base made for a soft, slightly chewy cookie that was packed with intense ginger flavor that was offset with a light tanginess from the lime in the icing. I had to behave to take some home for Angie, because I knew if she found out I ate an entire one without her she would be disgusted and jealous that she couldn’t do the same (in that order).
I truly held back buying the stock because now all I want to do is try all of the cookies available here.
Even more impressive was the $12 ginger molasses sandwich cookie sitting right next two it which featured not one but two of these cookies with a sandwich filling of more miso-caramel buttercream than we care to admit. Would this have served four? Six? Eight? Your guess is as good as ours, but one thing is certain, it was huge (and I wanted it).
A Quick Note About Location
Finally, we should share a bit more about how to find Ladybird’s Luncheonette to begin with as the entrance is somewhat confusing if you don’t know where you’re going.
The restaurant is located on the second floor of their building in the heart of Beaver’s business district. It is right above the Waffles INCaffeinated on the main street and, to be honest, has very minimal signage overall. While this sounds easy enough to find, what is odd is that the entrance to the building is around the back via an exterior staircase that looks more like an employee entrance rather than a public one.
When I visited, my GPS directed me to the parking lot behind the building where the entrance is, but I, unfortunately, missed the two parking spots dedicated to the restaurant immediately behind the building and parked out on the street. I couldn’t find an entrance on that side, and only in returning to the back parking lot did I figure it out. So whether your park in this lot at the dedicated spots or on the street, just remember you’ll enter from behind the building properly.
Overall, Ladybird’s Luncheonette was a surprising find in Beaver. The baked treats here are simply delightful and the welcoming ambiance is something we could use more of in the region. But no matter what you get, you’ll do well if you add on a handpie and a jumbo cookie (or three). They really were the stars of my visit.
Ladybird’s Luncheonette is located at 459 Third Street, Second Floor, in Beaver, PA.
