Skeeters Pit BBQ - Jeffrey Allen Federowicz Sun-Gazette SHAMOKIN DAM “It’s like dining in a tree house,” is how John Skotedis described his restaurant, Skeeter’s Pit BBQ. Outstanding is how I describe the authentic, slow-roasted, pit-style “ques,” ribs and chicken. What makes Skeeter’s one of the best dining spots in the area is the fact that it excels at every aspect of a great dining experience: atmosphere, price, cleanliness, service and, of course, great food.

Located on a bluff at the intersection of routes 11 and 15, the rustic wood and glass structure offers scenic views of the Susquehanna River and Sunbury. The way the restaurant was designed near the edge of the bluff surrounded by pine trees, it’s like dining in a treehouse. “We wanted to have a restaurant that was different from other places in the area. Not just with the menu, but also the setting,” Skotedis said, whose family also owns the nearby Tedd’s Landing. “We had this piece of property and knew we could have something special here, but we didn’t want a restaurant that would compete with Tedd’s Landing,” he said.

In operation since July 2005, Skeeter’s has become a popular dining spot for folks across the Susquehanna Valley and travelers. “People that stop in here are amazed by the food and how great it is,” said Skotedis’ son Alex, who also is involved with the family business, along with his mother, Denise. “You can’t find another restaurant like this anywhere in the area,” he
said. Upon entering Skeeter’s, visitors will quickly realize Alex’s comments are correct.
  
A windowed entryway and a large menu board greets visitors. This space opens into a large airy dining area that is flooded with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that covers two walls of the area. From here, scenic views of the Susquehanna River can be seen, along with vistas of Sunbury and travelers crossing the Sunbury-Shamokin Dam bridge. Inside, the structure is divided into two sections with a large open kitchen, complete with two large roasting ovens that occupy one part of the space. The dining area is complete with rough hewed wood covering the walls and vaulted ceiling, while a variety of seating options fill the space, including cozy booths, tables and chairs, booths with table lamps and counter seating that overlooks the river below.

Equally impressive are the slow-roasted barbecues and freshly made, hearty sides that Chef Lynden Brumfield prepares. “We start with good quality ingredients and local meat which we then roast for 18 hours,” Brumfield said. “We sell a lot of barbecues and ribs, but we are also more than that. Some people think all we serve is barbecue, but our menu also has many vegetarian items, as well as wraps, salads, chili and shrimp and
chicken finger baskets.” Brumfield brings with him more than 22 years of culinary experience and education. It is his vast knowledge and cooking skills that helps Skeeter’s serve some of the best eats around. For starters, a simple, yet succulent selection of items are offered including hand-breaded chicken fingers ($4.99); Skeeter’s chunky chili ($3.49), made with slow-roasted beef brisket, ($4.99); basket of fries ($2.49); grilled vegetables ($2.90) and the ever-popular Skeeter’s wings (eight for $5.25).
  
You’ll also find an assortment of salads, such as their pulled pork ($6.99), made with fresh greens and fixings topped with tender slices of pork  barbecue. Other unique salads include beef brisket ($7.99) and pulled chicken ($6.99) salads are excellent choices. For the meatier side of the menu, Skeeter’s has three different sandwiches to select from, but be forewarned, these are not your typical sandwiches, especially when it comes to size and taste.
  
Made with 18-hour applewood slow-roasted pulled pork ($5.99), pulled chicken ($5.99) and savory beef brisket ($6.99), sandwiches are served on a homemade soft roll, which is toasted with caramelized butter. On the lighter side, opt for a wrap, such as veggie wrap ($5.99), smokey chicken salad ($5.99) or pulled pork ($5.99). All wraps and sandwiches are served with chips and a dill pickle. For the true Skeeter’s experience, order one of its platter meals, which is a meal pulled right from the South.
  
“Our slow-cooked ribs are outstanding and it’s the type of meal where you walk away full and satisfied,” Alex said. Hand-rubbed with special seasonings and slow-cooked for six hours over an applewood fire, these juicy and tender rib platters (full rack, $17.99; half rack, $10.99) feature barbecued baked beans, homemade cole slaw and corn muffin. The barbecue platter consists of pulled pork or chicken ($8.99), half a barbecued chicken ($8.99) and their popular beef brisket ($9.99), served with cole slaw, beans and corn muffin.
  
Also on the menu is Skeeter’s hand-breaded chicken finger basket ($6.99), served with or their jumbo shrimp basket ($8.99) served with fries and cole slaw. If you can find room, Skeeter’s features a variety of desserts and frozen alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. “We try and have something for all members of the family,” Skotedis said. “You can’t find another setting like this one in the area and with great food and service, what more could you ask for.”