The 99 Cent Chef: September 2025

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Under the Pier - Seafood Restaurant for Cheap$kates

When I accompany my wife to her childhood home in Levittown, Pennsylvania (26 miles from Philadelphia), I like to patronize local eateries. Under the Pier is a local restaurant landmark, opened in 1971 and still serving tasty seafood.

In these days of $50 (2 drinks and 2 appetizers) Happy Hours, it's nice to just sit down at a local old school restaurant and find cheap drinks and seafood...any time of day.

Check out my tastful photo story below for a deliciously edible dinner tour of Under the Pier. And, continue reading to get all the details with yummy photo illustrations.

We started with a large platter of Steamed Mussels with a small container of melted butter. They were just enough for two. The Mussels were tender, plump, and briny. I find them milder and easier to eat than Fried Oysters and Steamed Clams. However, I do love raw Oysters and chewy Fried Clams.

We both ordered a platter of broiled and baked seafood. Being on the East Coast, I got a cool Long Island Iced Tea. Both servings were loaded with seafood, served simply with tartar and cocktail sauces. Nothing fancy here.

My wife's Broiled Flounder with Coleslaw and Fried Potatoes (Sea Chips) cost $13.95, while my Broiled Combo of Flounder, Cod, Scallops, Shrimp, Stuffed Shrimp, and Green Beans was an incredible $26.95. Plus, a Long Island Iced Tea for only $8.95 --- good value for tasty seafood and drinks.

Broiled Flounder

Broiled Seafood Combo

I especially liked the Scallops, which were large and tender. Same with the fillets of Cod and Flounder. Cod is firmer than Flounder. Shrimp two ways, broiled and stuffed, were done well.

The Green Beans were firm, of the frozen type, which means not mushy from the can.

I vowed to return for another meal. A week later, I had an appetizer of raw Littleneck Clams, followed by an Olde English Fish 'N Chips for $14.95.

The Littleneck Clams have little chewy nubs, unlike softer raw oysters. I'm not used to raw clams, but I'm learning to like them.

Made with Cod, the 3 crunchy batter fish fillets were flaky and moist. The fried potato rounds, or Sea Chips, were fine, crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

My meal was served with a side of Coleslaw that is light on the mayonnaise. I got a $2 mug of Yuengling draft beer to wash it down with. (Try finding a mug of beer anywhere else at this price, especially a local Pennsylvania beer like Yuengling, made by America's oldest brewery.)

Under the Pier has received "Best of" accolades from local publications and websites for its cuisine.

The decor has nautical tchotchkes and cute placemat art decorations on the walls. The service is fast and friendly.

They have an extensive menu - can't guarantee they will have everything listed, but you will find plenty to your liking. It is cash only, so leave your credit cards behind.

Daily Lunch Specials are very cheap, and draft beer is $2 a mug! I don't know how long these prices will hold, but I'll be back for more! It's like an all-day Happy Hour.

99 thanks to my wife, Linda, for turning me on to Under the Pier. If you are in the area, I highly recommend a visit -- tell them a cheap$kate called The 99 Cent Chef sent you.