These truffle fries are causing full-blown cravings across western Pennsylvania.
At Blackout Burger Bar in Mercer, the burgers may grab your attention first — but it’s the fries that steal the show. Crisp, golden, and tossed in that rich, earthy truffle aroma, they hit the table like a warning: you will not want to share.
The scent alone turns heads.
The first bite seals the deal.
They’re salty, savory, and just indulgent enough to feel slightly rebellious. Paired with a stacked burger and a cold drink, they transform a simple night out into something people talk about on the drive home.
Tables flip fast here.
Regulars come back with friends.
And those fries?
They’re the reason no seat stays empty for long.
Why Truffle Fries Keep Tables Full
You catch the aroma before the basket lands. Those thin, golden fries wear a glossy sheen of truffle oil that feels indulgent without getting greasy, then a snowfall of parmesan and herbs seals the deal.
One bite delivers crunch, salt, and earthy perfume that lingers just long enough to make you reach back for more. Pair them with blackout sauce or bacon aioli, and the dipping becomes sport.
They are gluten friendly thanks to a separate fryer, which means more of your table can join the fun. The portions lean generous, so sharing is smart, though protecting your corner is understandable.
Reviewers rave about the seasoned finish as much as the texture, calling them top three fries anywhere. Order early, because they disappear fast once the burgers land.
You can build a meal around them or use them to test the kitchen’s touch. Either way, they confirm why this room stays lively at lunch and packed at dinner.
If you love ranking fries, you will likely add a new benchmark. Bring napkins, bring curiosity, and keep an eye on your basket.
Pro tip: ask for an extra ramekin of sauce for the table. When the check arrives, you will remember the fries first.
That is the point.
The Signature Burgers That Back Up the Hype
Great fries set expectations, but the burgers keep you planning your return. Patties arrive juicy, not greasy, with that steakhouse bite you want from a proper grind.
The classic Blackout Burger nails balance with melty cheese and house sauce, while the giant stack crowned by a massive onion ring doubles as a spectacle. Buns taste fresh and hold together, which matters when toppings get ambitious.
Reviewers call out the 50/50 burger for its chorizo heat meeting beef richness. Others swear by bison for a leaner, clean flavor, though tastes vary, so beef is a safe fallback.
Build-your-own ordering through a tablet feels empowering and precise, minimizing lost-in-translation moments. From pretzel buns to blackout sauce, the custom path is half the fun.
Cook temps land where requested, from pink to well done, and seasoning is assertive without masking the meat. Bacon jam, fried rings, pico, guac, and aioli show up as flavor accelerators instead of chaos.
Sides like chili and tomato bisque complete the plate on cooler days. You leave feeling listened to and well fed.
If you love a signature, start there, then return to experiment. The burgers justify the line and anchor the truffle-fry legend.
Wear your appetite.
Gluten Friendly Confidence: Separate Fryer, Smart Options
Dining out with gluten concerns feels easier when the kitchen builds in safeguards. Here, a separate fryer means you can actually enjoy those celebrated fries without second guessing.
Staff knowledge stands out in reviews, with servers answering questions clearly and checking with the line when needed. That peace of mind turns a quick lunch into a repeatable habit.
Gluten-free buns, like Udi’s, hold up under a proper patty, staying soft yet structured. You can order a classic burger or go custom without sacrificing texture.
Sauces and toppings are well labeled, and the team steers you toward safe pairings. People report leaving satisfied and symptom free, which is the highest compliment.
Beyond burgers, salads with grilled chicken offer a fresh route when you want something lighter. Soups rotate, and the bacon tomato bisque gets frequent shout-outs for comfort.
Even takeout holds up, thanks to crisp packaging and straightforward builds. You do not feel like a compromise customer.
Call ahead if you have deeper allergies, but expect receptive ears when you arrive. It is a small room, so timing matters during peak hours.
With systems in place, you can finally focus on flavor, not risk.
What To Order First Time: A Playbook
Start with truffle fries for the table, no debate. If you love soup, split the bacon tomato bisque into two cups like the kitchen often does for sharers.
For the main, the 50/50 burger brings beef depth and chorizo sparkle that stands up to rich fries. Ask for blackout sauce on the side and decide how much swagger you want.
Prefer leaner? Order the bison burger medium with simple toppings to let the meat speak.
Classic beef still wins most palates, especially with a pretzel bun for chew. Add a side salad for freshness and crunch.
If onion rings tempt you, know they arrive gigantic with a sweet-savory dip.
Drinks lean approachable: draft beers rotate, and milkshakes sometimes surprise with flavors like pretzel. If you like heat, explore bacon aioli or a buffalo kick.
Families appreciate kids meals with hearty portions, meaning you might steal a tender or two. Pace yourself because portions are generous and lingering is easy.
Finish with a final fry dunk and a mental note for next time. Maybe wraps, a southwest salad, or smoked wings when you return.
The playbook evolves, but the fries remain chapter one.
Service, Space, and Timing
Part of the charm here is how smoothly a small space runs. Reviews shout out servers by name, praising attention, accurate orders, and thoughtful touches like splitting soup.
When the room fills, patience helps, yet drinks land quickly and refills keep pace. If a check lingers, it is usually a busy moment rather than indifference.
Because seating is tight, large groups face a challenge. Consider off-peak visits for parties or plan to split tables.
The vibe stays clean and upbeat, with natural light by day and a gentle buzz at night. You feel tucked into a neighborhood place that respects your time.
Peak hours start around lunch and climb through dinner, especially Friday and Saturday. The kitchen balances custom builds with speed, but high volume can stretch ticket times.
Call ahead to confirm current hours, though the 11 AM opening is consistent. Curb cravings by scanning the menu online first.
Staff know the menu and handle gluten questions with care, which eases decision fatigue. If service ever feels slow, the food tends to redeem the wait.
Leave room for fries at the end, because someone at your table will want another round.
Menu Highlights Beyond Burgers
When you want variety, the kitchen obliges. Smoked wings get love for falling off the bone with a smoky bite and just enough spice.
Onion rings are comically large, with a dip fans beg to bottle. The buffalo chicken wrap adds a lighter handheld that still brings flavor, a nice change-up from a heavy stack.
Salads, especially the southwest, carry texture and heat without skimping on protein. House-made chips dressed as Not-chos scratch a crunchy, cheesy itch, even if not everyone would reorder.
Kids meals run generous, which doubles as built-in leftovers. If you rank sides, fries usually win, but rings finish a close second.
Soups rotate seasonally, with the bacon tomato bisque drawing steady praise. Chili arrives well spiced and photogenic, ideal on cold western Pennsylvania days.
Milkshakes occasionally surprise with pretzel riffs that balance salty and sweet. Draft beers cover approachable styles for casual pairings.
Order a spread for sharing so you can graze between bites. You will learn what to double down on next visit.
The menu feels confident without trying too hard, and that restraint keeps flavors focused. Whatever path you take, leave space for another fry dip.
Plan Your Visit: Hours, Prices, and Location
Set your GPS to 225 Westside Square Dr, Mercer, PA 16137, a quick hop from the outlets. Doors open at 11 AM daily, with closing around 8 PM most weekdays and 9 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Prices sit in the midrange, and portions feel worth it. A phone call can confirm the day’s hours and wait times.
The space is intimate, so small parties move fastest. If you are shopping nearby, time lunch just before the rush or early dinner after it.
Online menus help you pregame your build so ordering is quicker. Parking is easy, and takeout stays crisp when boxed smartly.
Expect a friendly welcome and clear guidance on gluten-friendly picks, including that crucial separate fryer. Truffle fries headline, but burgers, wings, and rings round out the plan.
A local draft or milkshake seals the deal. Keep your order simple or go wild with add-ons.
Reviews hover around 4.4 stars across nearly two thousand visits, signaling consistent satisfaction. Service earns frequent praise by name, which tells you training matters.
Whether you are a traveler or neighbor, you will leave with a new fry standard. Bring friends, bring appetite, and bring curiosity.
Local Sourcing You Can Taste
You can taste when ingredients did not travel far. The lettuce keeps its snap, tomatoes bring real summer, and buns from a nearby bakery hold up without getting heavy.
Fries start with firm, fresh potatoes that fry clean and stay crisp under truffle and parmesan. That local edge shows up in small ways you notice after a few bites.
Ask a server where the beef comes from, and you will get a straight answer delivered with pride. There is comfort in knowing the kitchen trusts its partners.
It also means menus can flex with the seasons.
When corn is sweet, it appears in specials, and when mushrooms are thriving, you will see them. That rhythm keeps repeat visits interesting and grounded.
Prices stay sensible because transport costs are lower and waste gets smarter. You get value that tastes like care, not shortcuts.
Local sourcing here is not a billboard phrase. It is the reason plates look vibrant and flavors land clean.
Drinks That Meet The Moment
The drink list reads like a friendly map for your meal. Start with a crisp local lager to cut through the truffle oil perfume and parmesan salt.
If burgers are on deck, an amber ale brings toasty balance without stepping on the toppings. Prefer zero proof?
A tart house lemonade resets your palate between salty bites.
Cocktails keep things classic and unfussy. An old fashioned with clear ice feels sturdy next to a bacon cheddar stack.
A bright gin highball lifts rich patties and herb fries.
For comfort, there is a thick shake that makes fries even more dangerous. Yes, dip them.
Seasonal taps rotate, so ask what just kicked. Staff will nudge you toward something that fits your order, not just the trend.
That honesty keeps refills coming and regrets low. Drinks here do not chase attention.
They simply meet the moment and make the food taste better.