Centre County burger & ice cream joint reopens with new owners. What’s new?
A beloved Centre County hamburger and ice cream stand is open again under new ownership.
Twin Kiss Restaurant, located at 2495 N. Eagle Valley Road in Howard, opened this week behind owner Jacob Esh and his sister, Linda. Esh, a contractor and firefighter, lives just a few miles away from the restaurant and chose to take it over after it closed last summer.
“I was thinking, ‘You know, that could be a good opportunity for me,’” Esh told the Centre Daily Times. “A lot of people were missing it, and they were sad it had closed. It all kind of worked out.”
A first-time restaurant owner, Esh had plans in place to take over Twin Kiss since last August. Tylor Yarrison, who owned the restaurant for more than five years, closed the business last May to direct more attention to her meal-prep enterprise, Graze — TJ’s Meal Prep.
Under new ownership, much of Twin Kiss’s offerings should stay the same, he said. The restaurant’s menu still offers many fan-favorite items, including a full lineup of hot dogs, burgers, cheesesteaks, ice cream sundaes and milkshakes. All burgers, hot dogs and BLTs, priced under $10 each, come with a side of chips and a pickle.
Hand-dipped ice cream remains the focus at Twin Kiss, where guests can choose between Hershey’s flavors like Moose Tracks and Peanut Butter Cup. Other ice cream options include soft-serve, banana splits, root beer floats and flurries, which take inspiration from Dairy Queen Blizzards.
Some Facebook commenters quickly noted other specialty items, including Gooney Burgers and pies, are no longer listed on the menu upon the restaurant’s return.
Esh said he hopes to eventually build up to keeping Twin Kiss open six days a week with an off day on Sunday. For now, as the restaurant gets back on its feet, guests are welcome between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Noting plans are still in the works, Esh said he hopes to expand the restaurant’s outdoor seating. He also floated plans for specialty menus, including potentially offering BBQ platters on Saturdays.
Esh said opening Twin Kiss again means a lot for nearby communities in Howard, Milesburg and the rest of the Centre County area.
“It’s the local food and ice cream for vacationers to [Bald Eagle State Park],” Esh said. “There’s not much in Howard and Milesburg for ice cream, so we’re happy to provide it. I feel like everyone’s been missing it for the last year, and we’re glad to have it open again. It feels great to have it back, it really does.”
This story was originally published April 4, 2025 at 1:58 PM.
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