What's Cooking: Ambridge gets new sports bar; Philly Pretzel Co. to open in Rochester
(What's Cooking is a twice-a-month look at what's new in the Beaver Valley dining & drinks scene).
Just in time for the start of pro hockey and the heart of the football season, Ambridge gets a new sports bar.
Game Time Sports Bar and Grill has opened at the corner of 11th and Merchant streets, with TVs everywhere showing the big games, as patrons dine on items ranging from smash burgers to flatbreads and shrimp n' grits to sammiches such as the Brisket Grilled Cheese ($14), Chipped Ham BBQ ($9) and Pulled Pork with fried onion sticks and pickle ($11.)
Proprietor Dawn Phillips named the Fat Eddies Famous Hot Sausage ($10) after her father, who for 30 years operated an Ambridge bar known for its sausage sandwiches.
Along with saloon staples, Phillips aims for more unique menu items, too, such as the General Tso Cauliflower and Mexican Pizza.
She's not planning regular pizza with the beloved Pizza House (aka Police Station Pizza) only a block away.
"We're trying to make it a full-running sports bar and grill and restaurant. More of an eating place where people can bring their kids and watch Sunday football, or Penguins season," Phillips said. "A nice place where people can come and enjoy some good food with their families."
The Lil Bridgers kids menu offers hot dogs, burgers, chicken fingers, grilled cheese, Mexican pizza and a mac n' cheese bowl.
For adults, "I'm sure wings will always be a big hit. We're doing both breaded wings and plain wing dings," Phillips said. "I think a big seller is going to be the Brisket and Mac N' Cheese Wrap.
The Kiante's Big Dill smash burger is named for Beaver County-bred pro boxer Kiante Irving.
The Game Time Sports Bar beer list will focus on IPA craft beers, hazy brews and straight-up domestic brands.
Under new ownership, Game Time Sports is a smoke-free establishment, unlike the building's best-known former business, the Tick Tock Cafe.
The decor is total sports, including Buccos bobbleheads, Steelers posters and license plates, and other black-and-gold team memorabilia.
A dozen or so TVs broadcast sports.
"For anyone who comes in to watch the game, wherever you look you won't miss a play," Phillips said.
In warmer weather, a garage door opening to the dining room will bring in the air and street sounds of 11th Street, a few blocks from the Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge.
Hosting its soft opening in early October, with more of a grand opening scheduled for this past weekend, Game Time Sports' initial hours are 11 a.m. to midnight daily.
Philly Pretzel chooses Rochester
Philly Pretzel Factory fans can look forward to the national chain opening a Rochester store.
"Coming soon" proclaims a Philly Pretzel Factory sign above the doorway at an Adams Street building catty-corner to the Sheetz.
The Rochester Borough office confirmed Philly Pretzel Factory plans to open on that site, formerly a Huntington bank, though the Philadelphia-founded company still would need to get permit approvals, which could take months.
Philly Pretzel Factory hand twists its pretzels, using proprietary equipment "and an ingredients list that’s short and sweet," touts its website. "Flour, water, yeast, and a pinch of salt are all you knead for a fresh, no mess snack."
Customers can dunk their pretzels into various dips, including six types of mustards, two cheeses, and dips like cinnamon, butter creme, cream cheese, marinara and brownie batter.
Philly Pretzel Factory also sells bite-size pretzel rivets sold by the bucket, paper box or cup; all-beef mini dogs wrapped in pretzel, mini cheesesteaks wrapped in pretzel and a pepperoni melt.
Philly Pretzel Factory operates 145 stores, including Bridgeville, Cranberry Township, Monroeville and Ross Township locations.
Bruster's plots new Bridgewater location
Hoping to add a drive-thru window, Bruster's Real Ice Cream is looking to move its Bridgewater store's location.
Bruster's filed for a variance permit to relocate to the vacant batting cages site along Riverside Drive, across from Kelly's Riverside Saloon.
The Bruster's proposal will be discussed at a Nov. 16 public hearing with the Bridgewater Zoning Hearing Board, Bridgewater borough secretary Vickie Adams said.
If approved and if plans commenced, Bruster's essentially would be leapfrogging to the other side of its current neighbor, Jerry's Curbside Service.
Bruster's officials refused to comment on the permit application.
The way the cookies Crumbl
Crumbl Cookies opened Oct. 6 in Center Township.
The national cookie chain's first Beaver County store included opening weekend treats like Peanut Butter Munch, Double Chocolate Chunk, Chocolate Mint and Carmel Apple.
Last week's options included Red Velvet Cupcake, Peaches & Cream, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip, Double Fudge Brownie, Milk Chocolate Chip and Frosted Strawberry featuring Pop-Tarts
Crumbl's rotating menu of 275 cookie flavors, made fresh in an open-concept kitchen, is announced each week via the company's website and social media.
There are cashiers and self-checkout monitors to take orders.
The store is at 90 Wagner Road, next to Vesuvio's restaurant.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 8 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.
Thai pops up in The Falls
The owner of the former Song Thai restaurant in Beaver Falls has been doing Tuesday pop-up sales of Thai cuisine at the Beaver Falls Turners.
Open to the public, she usually cooks from about 4 to 8:30 or 9 p.m. Takeout and sit-down orders are available.
The Beaver Falls Turners is at 615 Eighth St.
Burger King closes
Burger King has officially closed its location at 2624 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.
The fast-food eatery cited an inability to find enough employees. For-sale signs are now up on the property.
Scott Tady is food & drinks editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: What's Cooking: Game Time Sports Bar opens in Ambridge; Philly Pretzel eyes Rochester
