The Back Porch Restaurant
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Enjoy the warmth, charm, and fine cuisine that has made The Back Porch one of the area’s favorites! Henry Speers Jr.
Enjoy the warmth, charm, and fine cuisine that has made The Back Porch one of the area’s favorite restaurants. Since 1975 The Back Porch restaurant, on the western bank of the Monongahela River in Lower Speers PA, has occupied one of the oldest buildings in western Pennsylvania. originally purchased the land called the “Speers Intent” around 1785. Here, in the year 1806, he built his home next to a young Sycamore tree near the river. The house was constructed using local stone and river sand to make bricks formed by hand and baked on the property. The brickwork is still visible today in the dining rooms. Diligence and hard work brought prosperity to Speers, who operated ferry routes across the Monongahela, where cattle, driven from the western territories, crossed the river on the long journey east to Pittsburgh. Henry Speers died in 1840, and the home was handed down through several generations of his descendants before finally being sold and then abandoned for years. During the Civil War years, the old Speers’s home is said to have been used as a stop on the Underground Railroad that carried runaway slaves north to freedom. Rumors carry on to this day of a secret tunnel from the basement of the home to the riverbank, used by slaves for quick escape from bounty hunters. In 1972, Joseph Pappalardo acquired the home and began a three-year restoration that ended on Valentines Day 1975 when The Back Porch Restaurant opened its doors to the public. Today, the young sycamore that Henry Speers built his estate next to stands tall as a reminder of the proud history of the Speers Intent, carried on by the Pappalardo family. The Back Porch Restaurant preserves the beauty and history of the Speers Intent while providing a relaxing atmosphere and delectable fine foods. Additional Information:
Parking: On premise
Credit cards: VISA, Master Card, American Express, and Discover
Bar: Full bar with an excellent international and domestic wine selection
Corkage: $15.00 per 750 ml. We will gladly waive one corkage fee for every bottle purchased from our list. Gift Certificates: Available by phone or on our website. A perfect gift for any occasion in the amount of your choice.
09/30/2026
Fall flavors never tasted so good! 🍂🤎
Our Butternut Squash Gnocchi is cooked in rich brown butter and tossed in a sweet and savory butternut squash sauce. Finished with toasted pumpkin seeds, creamy goat cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. 🍁✨
The perfect fall comfort dish! 🍽️
There’s a reason we were nominated for the Observer-Reporter’s Best of the Best 2026 in the Best Steakhouse category! 🥩🔥
From perfectly cooked steaks 🤤 to unforgettable dinners ✨ we’re proud to be among this year’s finalists! 🏆❤️
Love our steaks? 👀 Cast your vote and help us bring home Best Steakhouse! 🗳️🥩
Vote for us now 🔗: https://o-rbest.com/contest #/gallery?group=550218
09/28/2026
⏰ Voting ends soon! 🗳️
We’re honored to be a finalist in TWO categories for the 2026 Observer-Reporter Best of the Best! 🏆
🥩 Best Steakhouse
🍰 Best Dessert
Voting ends Wednesday, September 30, so there’s still time to cast your vote for The Back Porch Restaurant! ❤️
Vote here: https://o-rbest.com/contest #/gallery?group=550218
Thank you for your continued support! ✨
Sunday night calls for something sweet. 🍫☕🔥
Meet our S’mores Espresso Martini: Vanilla Smirnoff, Crème de Cacao, Baileys, Kahlúa, toasted marshmallow syrup, and fresh espresso, finished with a chocolate swirl and toasted marshmallow.
Basically, your favorite fireside treat with a little kick. 😉🍸
09/19/2026
Comfort food, elevated. 🍝✨
Our Veal Ragu features housemade veal sausage tossed with spaghetti in a rich vegetable tomato sauce, finished with hand-whisked basil pesto and creamy stracciatella cheese.
Rich, savory, and made from scratch, this is one you’ll want to try on our new fall menu. 🍂
Some nights, the weather has other plans for you, and those plans turn out to be even better ✨
I’ve been to The Back Porch Restaurant in Speers several times and usually sit outside on the beautiful veranda. But this time the skies opened up, so they moved us downstairs to the Side Door Speakeasy. I had no idea this space existed, and it turned what could have been a disappointing evening into the most unexpected, vibey girls’ night.
The Back Porch is already a special place. The historic home was built by Henry Speers Jr., in 1806, and the enormous sycamore tree he built it beside still stands today. The restaurant opened in 1975 and has been a family-owned Washington County favorite ever since.
Now let’s talk about the food. They are known for steaks, ribs and mussels, but we did more than fine with veg-friendly options:
✨ Stracciatella and edible-flower flatbread
✨ Caesar salad
✨ Parisian carrots
✨ Truffle fries
✨ General Tso’s cauliflower
✨ Gnocchi alla vodka
The mocktails were also well done. We had a fig and sage spritz and a maple cinnamon mule, both made with creative house syrups.
We were way too full for dessert, but they have a sampler with bite-size versions of their pecan ball, crème brûlée and cannoli, so I’m going to try hard to save room next time.
Between the food, drinks, history and cozy vibes, this night turned out beautifully because of a little unexpected change of plans. If you haven’t been to The Back Porch, consider this your sign!
| Gifted experience from Visit Washington County PA, organized by Relay | UGC Creators 💜 |
09/18/2026
🍂 Fall has officially arrived at The Back Porch and so has our new dinner menu!
Beginning today, we’re serving up a fresh lineup for the season, featuring the return of a few favorites you’ve been waiting for alongside brand-new dishes we think you’re going to love.
Come hungry, find a new favorite, and get your first taste of fall at The Back Porch. 🍽️🍁
Fall is officially on the menu. 🍂🍸
Our new fall cocktails have arrived, featuring all the flavors of the season — fig & sage, pumpkin spice, maple cinnamon, caramel apple, chai and spiced cranberry. ✨
Which one are you trying first? 👀
09/08/2026
🍂🥃 Fall is officially on the menu. 🍎✨
Our new Fall Signature Cocktails have arrived, bringing all the flavors of the season to The Back Porch. From fig and sage to pumpkin spice, maple cinnamon, caramel apple, chai, and spiced cranberry, there’s a new favorite waiting for you. 🍁
🍸 Fig & Sage Gimlet
🎃 Pumpkin Spice Martini
🥃 Maple Cinnamon Old Fashioned
🍎 Caramel Apple Mule
✨ Chai Spice
🍹 Sparkling Spiced Cranberry Margarita
Come sip your way into the season. 🍂🥂
A little sneak peek of what’s coming… 🍂🍸
Our new fall cocktails are launching Wednesday, September 9, and we can’t wait for you to try them. The menu will be announced on Tuesday, September 8, so keep your eyes out for it! 🍁👀
Consider this your first taste of fall at The Back Porch. ✨
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Contact the business
Telephone
Address
114 Speers Street
Belle Vernon, PA
15012
Opening Hours
| Wednesday | 4pm - 9pm |
| Thursday | 4pm - 9pm |
| Friday | 4pm - 9pm |
| Saturday | 4pm - 9pm |
| Sunday | 4pm - 8pm |
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