What's Cooking: Beaver getting new eatery; Baden Sheetz reopens; 2 pizza shops open

(What's Cooking is a twice-a-month look at what's new in the Beaver Valley dining & drinks scene).

The crowds at Beaver's Light Up Festival on Nov. 24 noticed the "coming soon" sign outside a new downtown eatery.

Hash & Smash, located at 464 Third St., promises "Breakfast, Burgers, & Shakes... The Essentials" on its Facebook page.

The menu remains a work-in-progress, though future patrons can count on smash burgers, fries and shakes for lunch, with standard deli breakfast items, like egg and sausage sandwiches, served throughout business hours, as well as the hash that gives the restaurant half its name.

"We're going to start with your regular breakfast fare," chef Rich Montini, owner of the former Heirloom restaurant in Beaver, said, "plus also some hashes, like corn beef hash and different proteins. The potatoes we're going to use − I don't want to give it away too early − but we're going to do a little twist on your normal hash. Same thing with the smash burgers, just different proteins, and different seasonal milkshakes and things like that. Keep it easy and simple, but obviously use the best products we can."

The decor will look vintage diner with some whimsical touches, said Nathan Kopsack, part of the "Smash Crew" management team, who brings an impressive track record running Valley Vintage Motorworks vintage moped store in Monaca, along with his brother Mark, and serving as a leader of the PUSH Beaver County civic group that coordinates the Beaver County Maple Syrup Festival and the Beaver County Boom!

Hash & Smash will offer a relaxed, non-pretentious vibe.

"No valet parking, or maître d," Kopsack joked. "Our crew wants a more laid-back, old-timey feel. Like a diner experience. There's plenty of competition, but I think there's a niche for what we've got going on.

"We've talked about delivering on a moped," Kopsack said. "We're going to get creative. We'll try to accommodate to-go and those kind of orders. We're trying to make it as affordable as we can. We're not going to serve Steak Diane. Just something where people can come in for a burger and a shake and enjoy that with their kids. That's what we're after."

The interior will include seating for about 45 customers.

Initial plans call for seven days a week operation, though adjustments could be made based on demand.

Hash & Smash takes over a vacant storefront that formerly housed Fox's Pizza Den.

An early 2024 opening is targeted.

"For folks looking to see when we're opening I would say just get on our Facebook and Instagram page and just stay tuned," Kopsack said. "We'll do soft openings and things like that."

2 pizza places open

Mall Pizza BVM and Al's Pizza both opened last month.

Mall Pizza BVM at the Beaver Valley Mall food court, opened Nov. 29. People lined up as far as the AT&T store and even to JCPenney the first week, eager to welcome back the pizza provider, formerly known as Antony's Pizzeria, that closed in September 2021, citing a dispute over rent charges from mall management. Both sides reached a new lease agreement, and several former employees have returned, including general manager Jimmy Hiltz. The new name reflects what customers always called it anyway: Mall Pizza.

"Our recognizable New York style pizza is made with the freshest ingredients," the Mall Pizza website says. "From classic cheese to unforgettable, delicious specialty pizzas, we have something for everyone. We also offer a variety of rolls, subs, and calzones that are perfect for a quick and satisfying meal."

Meanwhile, Al's Pizza is now open at 400 Ninth St., Suite D, New Brighton, next to Fischer's Beverage, across from Bullseye Brewing. Hours are 4-9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Established initially as a mobile pizza business, Al's menu includes Sicilian Squares for $1.25 each plus 35 cents per topping, (also sold unbaked for home ovens); Round Hand Tossed Thin pizzas (small $8, large $13), Deep Dish Round pizza ($13) and a Gluten Free Cauliflower Crust ($10).

Specialty pizzas include Buffalo Chicken, Sweet Chili Chicken, Barbecue Chicken, Philly Steak. Meat Lovers, Angry Gyro (with banana peppers), White and Pickle.

Calzones, stromboli, pepperoni rolls and bread sticks also are on the menu.

Monaca bar does Xmas pop-up

P-Dub's Sports Bar & Grille in Monaca has brought back its Candy Lane Pop Up Bar for the holiday season.

P-Dub's normal outdoor patio is now sealed off with plastic walls for warmth, with large outdoor heaters providing extra comfort for patrons enjoying seasonally themed cocktails like the Cranberry Mojito, Raspberry Cheesecake and the Holly Jolly (both with Ketel One vodka), the Winter Solstice pairing Johnny Walker Black Label Scotch with ginger beer, and a Winter Margarita with a mint spiced rim around the glass.

The large-screen TV, next to a Clark Griswold cutout, will show Christmas movies. Decorations of reindeer, candy canes, wrapped presents and Frosty the Snowman add holiday ambience.

Candy Cane Lane Pop Up Bar is open from 5 p.m. till closing time, Thursdays through Saturdays. There's half off all liquor and beer from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

P-Dub's is at 899 Pennsylvania Ave., at the intersection of Ninth Street, coming off the Monaca-Rochester Bridge.

Baden Sheetz reopens

The Sheetz in Baden reopened Dec. 8.

The completely rebuilt location now offers drive-through service.

Closed for the construction of a new building this past June, the new Sheetz, off Route 65, features a new design, "which will include a restaurant-style experience with self-service kiosks and additional seating both inside and outside the store," a press release from the Altoona-based company said.

Darlington bakery closes

On Dec. 16, the Butcher & The Baker will close permanently its Darlington shop.

Bakery items already are gone. Fresh meats, lunch meats and cheeses will remain on sale until inventory ceases.

"It has been a pleasure to serve you the past 8.5 years," the shop's Facebook page said.

The Butcher & The Baker has been a favored spot for people hiking the North Country Trail through Darlington.

More: What's Cooking: Beaver Falls gets new coffee shop & restaurant; Ambridge coffeeshop grows

Scott Tady is entertainment and dining columnist at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: What's Cooking: Beaver gets new eatery; Xmas pops up at Monaca bar; 2 pizza shops open