Slices and Sips: Exploring Franklin County PA’s Pizza and Pour Trails

If you’re looking for a fun weekend of pizza and drinks, Franklin County, PA, has you covered with two must-try food trails: the Pizza Trail and the Pour Trail. I recently spent a weekend hopping between three standout pizzerias and two pour spots while exploring all the spooky places to visit in Franklin County, PA, and I had so much fun!

From classic slices to craft sips, here’s a breakdown of my trail stops and what makes them worth a visit.

Falafel Shack

Pizza at a Mediterranean spot? I wasn’t sure what to expect until I saw they make their pizza on pita bread. And honestly, it’s amazing. But the real game-changer is the super fresh, seasonal ingredients. You can taste them in every bite, making the whole experience next-level good.

TASTING HIGHLIGHTS

• Pakora (Chickpea flour fritters with seasonal veggies, served with green herb sauce): You have to get these! Even though we came for pizza, the pakora really stood out. There is so much flavor packed into every bite—seriously, yum!
• Grilled Eggplant Pizza (Pita topped with seasoned tomato sauce, grilled eggplant, a three-cheese blend, tahini sauce, cilantro, and fried onions): I don’t usually go for eggplant, but wow, this one surprised me! The flavors were spot on, and I might just be an eggplant fan now.
• Bosnian Beef and Brussels (Pita topped with garlic sauce, three-cheese blend, smoked Bosnian beef, shaved Brussels sprouts, za’atar, and pomegranate molasses): The Bosnian beef added a smoky, savory flavor, and the sweet pop of pomegranate was surprisingly perfect. And honestly, I’m not usually a meat-on-pizza person, but this one won me over.
• Chicken Shawarma (Pita topped with chicken shawarma, special garlic sauce, three-cheese blend, green herb sauce, cilantro, and crispy fried onions): The crispy fried onions absolutely made this one for me. They added that perfect crunch to every bite!

Giacomo’s Pizza

Giacomo’s is the spot to hit if you’re in the mood for authentic Italian food. This cozy little restaurant has a laid-back, no-frills vibe that really lets the tasty dishes take center stage. The menu has a great mix of options, from classic Italian favorites to sandwiches, salads, pizza, and calzones.

TASTING HIGHLIGHTS

We went for the White Pizza, topped with ricotta, mozzarella, garlic, tomatoes, and—wait for it—broccoli. I was a bit skeptical (broccoli on pizza?), but wow, this one was a revelation. The broccoli and tomatoes added a fresh, flavorful bite that perfectly complemented all that gooey cheese. Ridiculously indulgent with a perfectly soft, golden crust, it tasted like pure heaven. Hands down, it was my favorite pizza of the entire trail… so far!

INSIDER TIP: Giacomo’s hosts multi-course dinner specials about once a month, and they sell out quickly! Each dinner is themed, offering a fresh experience every time you visit. Plus, you can bring your own wine to enjoy with your meal, making it even more special. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for announcements.

B-Sides Pints and Pies

B-Sides Pizza and Pints is the spot if you’re craving wood-fired artisanal pizza. It’s an extension of the nearby B-Street Restaurant and Pub, set inside the old State Theatre, where the movie-themed decor pays homage to its history in a cool, modern way.

TASTING HIGHLIGHTS

B-Sides is a two-for-one stop as it’s on both the Pizza and Pour Trails, so you can grab a great slice and a local brew. I was there strictly for the pizza, though, and went straight for their Jalapeño, Bacon, and Hot Honey Pizza. The crust was fantastic, but honestly, this one didn’t hit as hard as some of the other stops. We cleaned the plate, but it felt a bit light on toppings, and the hot honey flavor didn’t really come through. Would I go back? For sure. But next time, I’ll probably ask for extra cheese and toppings to kick it up a notch.

Gear House Brewing

The owners’ love for beer and biking kicked off GearHouse, and the name is a fun nod to their cycling passion. The refurbished 1884 railroad warehouse has lots of indoor space for visitors and a large beer garden outside. They also host live music events on the weekends.

TASTING HIGHLIGHTS

If you’re into hops, go for their popular Mad Machinist DIPA or the Kölsch. For a lighter sip, try the Record City Lager or Hefe Weight. They also have a fantastic seasonal Saison de Rhubarb. And if you’re hungry, the Bacon Blueberry Burger I spotted looked incredible!

Screaming Bambino Vino

Screaming Bambino Vino is a cozy tasting room in downtown Chambersburg where you can sample various wines and hard ciders. If you’re wondering about the unusual name, it was inspired by an old baby photo of the family patriarch and his twin brother crying. The bawling babies are even on the bottle labels.

Their Screaming Bambino Cellars and Jan Zell wine lineup has something for everyone, from sweet to dry reds and whites. And if you’re into hard cider, they offer several varieties from fresh, locally sourced apples.

TASTING HIGHLIGHTS

As a fan of dry wines, I chose a tasting flight that included Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, and an off-dry Traminette. My top picks were the Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir, and I couldn’t resist taking a bottle of Pinot Noir home with me!

Final Thoughts

If you’re up for a fun weekend of local flavors, Franklin County, PA, has you covered with the Pizza Trail and the Pour Trail. I had a blast checking out some great spots for Mediterranean, wood-fired, and authentic Italian pizza, plus some fantastic local wine and craft beer. And, I found out there’s a Burger Trail and Sweets Trail in Franklin County too. Next time, right? For all the food trail locations, check out the Franklin County Visitors Bureau website.

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