Home → Dining

Welcome to Whiskers – Casual Dining at Penn State

With the closure of the Inn to support Student Housing during the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Dining Room and Whiskers will remain closed to public dining.

You’ll feel at home at Whiskers, our casual pub-style restaurant. Recently awarded the 2019 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, Whiskers features a full bar and is open daily for lunch, dinner, and late-night dining. Delicious food in an inviting atmosphere makes Whiskers a favorite of our guests and locals alike. Join us on Wednesdays for Winesday to enjoy great wines at great prices!

On the Menu

Savor delectable large salads, sandwiches, and Inn specialties in our welcoming, pub-style atmosphere or dine al fresco on the garden patio, weather permitting. You’ll love our sandwich choices, which include Thai pulled pork, California turkey ciabatta, and our famous NLI burger with sauteed Kennett Square mushrooms. You can also choose from several vegan and vegetarian options for lunch and dinner. Please note menus are subject to change.

Building Relationships that Last

Our chefs believe that local food is a necessity. Using the local food system helps build an infrastructure that can sustain our community while creating an equitable living for our neighbors growing our food. Because we are participating in this grand experiment in local food, we try to use mostly products that are made in-house or produced by our neighbors.

Allergen Notations

The menus listed below have notations for allergens: DF (dairy-free); GF (gluten-free); NF (nut-free). Allergen-free menus are available in The Dining Room and Whiskers. Please let your server know of any allergens, and our Chefs will prepare your meal tailored to your needs.

Our mashed potatoes contain dairy, but can be substituted with a dairy-free option. Ask your server about our daily-selected vegetable and possible allergens. Our fried foods are cooked in a fryer that may contain gluten. All rolls can be substituted with a gluten-free option.

Call us at 814-865-8580 for more information.

Lunch Menu

Appetizers and Soups

Chickpea and Kale Stew

Hearty dish thickened with cashews, filled with fresh vegetables and chickpeas. Contains cashews. DF, GF

Nittany Lion Inn Lobster Bisque

Cup 7 / Bowl 14

A Nittany Lion Inn tradition. Our house-made creamy lobster bisque is a must have. Contains dairy, gluten, shellfish. NF

Soup du Jour

Cup 5 / Bowl 9

Ask your server about the house-made soup of the day. Ask your server about possible allergens.

Fried Whiskers

A heaping bowl of our fresh-cut fries. Fries are made in-house in a fryer that may contain gluten. Sauces and seasonings are DF, NF. French fries served with your choice of seasoning: Cajun, Old Bay, or salt & pepper.

Pretzels and Dips

Fresh Gemelli pretzels served with house cheese sauce and wholegrain mustard. Contains dairy and gluten. NF

Quesadilla

Flour tortilla, shredded cheddar and pepper jack blend cheese, Creamery sour cream, seasonal salsa, and your choice of: Chicken, Beef, or Vegetables. Contains dairy and gluten; NF

Sweet Potato Wedges

Served with Sriracha honey barbecue. DF, GF, NF

Vegan Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup

Cup 5 / Bowl 9

Broccoli, cauliflower, onion, carrot, tomato, chipotle. DF, GF, NF

Salads

Add Chicken (6), Spice-Rubbed Sirloin (7), Shrimp (8), or Grilled Salmon (8) to Any Salad

House Salad

Local salad greens with tomato, cucumbers, and julienned carrots. Depending on dressing: DF, GF, NF

Traditional Caesar

Half 7 / Whole 12

Crisp romaine, house-made Caesar dressing, crouton Contains dairy, eggs, and fish. NF

Warm Spinach Salad

Half 7 / Whole 12

Baby spinach, Cambozola cheese, spicy pecan, bacon, seared apple and Kennett Square mushroom, warm sherry garlic vinaigrette. GF

Traditional Cobb Salad

Crisp romaine, chopped bacon, avocado, blue cheese, diced tomato, green onion, boiled egg, black olive, ranch. NF

Vegan Thai Salad

Baby spinach, spring mix, red and green cabbage, julienned carrot, red bell pepper, green onion, cucumber, almond, orange, edamame, crunchy wonton, ginger Thai dressing. DF, GF. Contains Nuts.

Asparagus and Walnut Salad

Crisp spring asparagus, toasted walnut, feta cheese, shaved fennel, mixed greens, tarragon & mint vinaigrette. GF

Vegan Spring Grain Salad

Bulgur wheat, farro, red quinoa, brown rice, freekeh, steel-cut oat, arugula, kale, dried cherry, Dijon mustard vinaigrette. DF, NF

Sandwiches

All Sandwiches Served with a Pickle and Your Choice of Fresh-Cut Fries or a Side Salad. Substitute Sweet Potato Wedges for Additional $2.

Thai Pulled Pork

Slow-roasted pulled pork, Thai flavors, heap of cilantro slaw. DF, NF

Crab Cake Sandwich

A hearty crab cake served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and Cajun Rémoulade. Contains dairy, eggs, gluten, shellfish. NF

Deli-Style Chicken Salad

Chicken salad with egg, house pickle, mayo, onion, celery, lettuce, red onion, and tomato. DF, NF

The Classic NLI

Your choice of 8oz chicken breast or 8oz beef burger, topped with cheddar and sautéed Kennett Square mushrooms. Contains dairy. GF, NF

Bacon Cheese Burger

Your choice of 8oz chicken breast or 8oz beef burger, topped with cheddar cheese and crisp bacon. Contains dairy. GF, NF

California Turkey Ciabatta

Boar's Head turkey, bacon, pepperjack cheese, avocado, oven-roasted tomato, red pepper ailo, ciabatta. NF.

Vegan Mediterranean Wrap

Roasted red pepper hummus, marinated artichoke heart, kalamata olive, vegan feta, tomato, cucumber, spring greens, spinach flour tortilla. DF, NF

Dinner Menu

Appetizers

Pretzels and Dips

Fresh Gemelli pretzels served with house cheese sauce and wholegrain mustard. Contains dairy and gluten. NF

Fried Whiskers

Wings

Jumbo wings fried crisp and tossed in your choice of sauce: Buffalo, Black Garlic BBQ, or Sriracha honey BBQ; served with blue cheese and celery. Fried in-house in a fryer that may contain gluten. Blue Cheese contains dairy. NF

Quesadilla

Flour tortilla, shredded cheddar and pepper jack blend cheese, Creamery sour cream, seasonal salsa, and your choice of: Chicken, Beef, or Vegetables. Contains dairy and gluten; NF

Charcuterie and Local Cheese Board

PSU summer sausage, Parma of Pittsburgh's hot sopresatta and prosciutto de parma, Port Salut cheese, cherry mostarda, wholegrain mustard, house-made sweet and zesty pickle, toasted torpedo. NF

Sweet Potato Wedges

Served with Sriracha honey barbecue. DF, GF, NF

Three Cheese Board

Port Salut, Cambozola, Manchego, quince paste, cherry mostarda, wholegrain mustard, house-made sweet and zesty pickle, toasted torpedo. NF

Chips & Queso

10 / Add Jalapeno 1.50

Fresh corn chips, house-made queso. Contains Dairy. GF, NF.

Wacky Mac

12 / Make it "Buff" 4

Fun-shaped pasta, house cheese sauce. BUFF: add Buffalo chicken, bacon, green onion, and bleu cheese. Contains dairy and gluten. NF.

Chicken Tenders

Fried chicken tenders, fresh-cut fries, sweet BBQ. Contains dairy and gluten. NF.

Crispy Pork Belly

Korean-style fried pork belly, cilantro, quick-pickled vegetable. DF, NF

Soups and Salads

Add Chicken (6), Spice-Rubbed Sirloin (7), Shrimp (8), or Grilled Salmon (8) to Any Salad

House Salad

Local salad greens with tomato, cucumbers, and julienned carrots. Depending on dressing: DF, GF, NF

Traditional Caesar

Half 7 / Whole 12

Crisp romaine, house-made Caesar dressing, crouton Contains dairy, eggs, and fish. NF

Warm Spinach Salad

Half 7 / Whole 12

Baby spinach, Cambozola cheese, spicy pecan, bacon, seared apple and Kennett Square mushroom, warm sherry garlic vinaigrette. GF

Nittany Lion Inn Lobster Bisque

Cup 7 / Bowl 14

A Nittany Lion Inn tradition. Our house-made creamy lobster bisque is a must have. Contains dairy, gluten, shellfish. NF

Soup du Jour

Cup 5 / Bowl 9

Ask your server about the house-made soup of the day. Ask your server about possible allergens.

Traditional Cobb Salad

Crisp romaine, chopped bacon, avocado, blue cheese, diced tomato, green onion, boiled egg, black olive, ranch. NF

Vegan Thai Salad

Baby spinach, spring mix, red and green cabbage, julienned carrot, red bell pepper, green onion, cucumber, almond, orange, edamame, crunchy wonton, ginger Thai dressing. DF, GF. Contains Nuts.

Asparagus and Walnut Salad

Crisp spring asparagus, toasted walnut, feta cheese, shaved fennel, mixed greens, tarragon & mint vinaigrette. GF

Vegan Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup

Cup 5 / Bowl 9

Broccoli, cauliflower, onion, carrot, tomato, chipotle. DF, GF, NF

Vegan Spring Grain Salad

Bulgur wheat, farro, red quinoa, brown rice, freekeh, steel-cut oat, arugula, kale, dried cherry, Dijon mustard vinaigrette. DF, NF

Sandwiches

All Sandwiches Served with a Pickle and Your Choice of Fresh-Cut Fries or a Side Salad. Substitute Sweet Potato Wedges for Additional $2.

Thai Pulled Pork

Slow-roasted pulled pork, Thai flavors, heap of cilantro slaw. DF, NF

Crab Cake Sandwich

A hearty crab cake served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and Cajun Rémoulade. Contains dairy, eggs, gluten, shellfish. NF

Deli-Style Chicken Salad

Chicken salad with egg, house pickle, mayo, onion, celery, lettuce, red onion, and tomato. DF, NF

California Turkey Ciabatta

Boar's Head turkey, bacon, pepperjack cheese, avocado, oven-roasted tomato, red pepper ailo, ciabatta. NF.

Vegan Mediterranean Wrap

Roasted red pepper hummus, marinated artichoke heart, kalamata olive, vegan feta, tomato, cucumber, spring greens, spinach flour tortilla. DF, NF

Burgers

All Burgers with Your Choice of 8oz Blended Burger (Chuck, Ribeye, Brisket) or an 8oz Marinated and Grilled Chicken Breast. Served with a Pickle and Fresh-Cut Fries or Side Salad. Substitute Sweet Potato Wedges for Additional $2.

The Classic NLI

Your choice of 8oz chicken breast or 8oz beef burger, topped with cheddar and sautéed Kennett Square mushrooms. Contains dairy. GF, NF

Bacon Cheese Burger

Your choice of 8oz chicken breast or 8oz beef burger, topped with cheddar cheese and crisp bacon. Contains dairy. GF, NF

“Local 8”

Your choice of 8oz chicken breast or 8oz beef burger, topped with caramelized onion, bacon, cheddar and fried egg. Contains dairy. GF, NF

BBQ Stack

Your choice of 8oz chicken breast or 8oz beef burger, topped with Cooper sharp American, cheddar, sweet BBQ, and crispy shallots. Contains dairy and gluten. NF

Blue and White

Your choice of 8oz chicken breast or 8oz beef burger, topped with BleuJack, tangy white BBQ slaw, caramelized onion. Contains dairy. GF, NF

Entrées

Each Entree Served with NLI Signature Mashed Potatoes and Local Vegetables, Unless Vegan or Otherwise Noted.

Chickpea and Kale Stew

Hearty dish thickened with cashews, filled with fresh vegetables and chickpeas. Contains cashews. DF, GF

Our Signature Lump Crab Cakes

Our signature lump crab cakes pan seared, served with Cajun Rémoulade, mashed potatoes, and local vegetables. Contains dairy, eggs, gluten, shellfish. NF

Boneless Beef Short Rib

Boneless beef short ribs slowly braised until fork tender, served with mashed potatoes and local vegetables. Short Rib is DF, GF, NF

Meatloaf

Locally-sourced ground beef meatloaf, wrapped in house-cured bacon, served with smoky barbecue sauce, buttermilk mashed potatoes, and local vegetables. Contains eggs and gluten. DF, NF

Pork Shank Osso Bucco

Berkshire pork shank braised with garlic, clove, star anise, & cinnamon, pan gravy, mashed potatoes, local vegetables. DF, GF, NF.

8oz Filet Mignon

Served with shallot red wine demi-glace, mashed potatoes, and local vegetables. Filet is DF, GF, NF.

14oz Ribeye

Served with shallot red wine demi-glace, mashed potatoes, and local vegetables. Ribeye is DF, GF, NF.

Harissa-Roasted Chicken Breast

European-style chicken breast, harissa, roasted tomato couscous, charred baby carrot, maple butter. NF

Tagliatelle & Taleggio

Fasta & Ravioli Co. tagliatelle, taleggio cream sauce, sweet spring pea, shallot, garlic, grilled chicken, house-cured egg yolk. NF

Vegan Roasted Vegetable and Orecchiette Mac & "Cheese"

Baby carrot, cauliflower, broccoli, green and yellow squash, creamy vegan cheese sauce, orecchiette. DF, Contains Nuts

Ginger Soy Lime-Glazed Salmon

Bay of Fundy salmon, ginger soy lime glaze, sauteed vegetable, glass noodle. DF, GF, NF