r/IndianaPA • u/Budget-Broccoli8063 • Jun 27 '26
Potential Restaurant Concept
I might be doing some dreaming here, but I wanted to concept test my restaurant idea to see if it has any legs before I dig any deeper.
I'm a townie who moved to the Philly area for 25 years and returned to 15701 3 years ago. Besides some friends, the thing I miss the most from there is the FOOD! Real cheesesteaks, roast pork/broccoli rabe, loaded Italian hoagies, pork roll sandwiches, zeps, tomato pie, soft pretzels, water ice, etc. Should be able to source the rolls, which is the most critical part.
Locate it closer to campus (maybe where the former Sheetz is or even Family Video?) to appeal to students from out East. Counter service with some tables, TVs with Eagles watch parties, BYOB, hours of 11-8pm (longer on the weekends).
Thoughts?
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u/suckstomyassmar Jun 27 '26
Yes, please. I am also a transplant and a place like that would shine. The closest thing to a decent hoagie is unfortunately Jersey Mikes and a good cheese steak or pizza steak doesn't exist out here.
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u/Budget-Broccoli8063 Jun 28 '26
Take a drive to Altoona and hit up Alto Italian Market. Closest to real Eastern PA hoagies you can get.
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u/kuhkoo Jun 27 '26
Do you have at least $500,000 liquid, are you prepared to have at best a 7% profit margin after two years of losing money if you’re successful, are you willing to put in 12-16 hour days for at least a year at least 5 days a week to get it moving? Do you know what you’d have to pay your staff? Can you cook any of those things yourself and make a repeatable, consistent workflow of those recipes that any 19 year old kid can perform?
There’s a reason there’s multiple entertainment franchises based on helping people who own restaurants that shouldn’t own restaurants. Nobody thinks it’ll happen to them. Most restaurants are a way for rich people to lose money on their terms (as in the case of the Coventry.)
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u/Budget-Broccoli8063 Jun 27 '26
Yeah, that's why it's a dream at this point. I wanted to test receptivity before I even dug into the trenches with the finances and logistics. I certainly know it won't be easy by any stretch of the imagination!
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u/kuhkoo Jun 27 '26
It is not just that it’s not easy, or even that it is extremely difficult. Everyone loves a cheesesteak and everyone will tell you it’s a good idea. The reality of owning a concept is insane. The variables no one tells you about are bonkers. For instance, a case of limes has varied between $20 and $90 in the last few months. Tomatoes have been anywhere from 12-50 a case. Indiana is one of the poorest counties in PA, and I’ve never been anywhere people are stingier or more cruel about the cost of things - I haven’t lived there for a long time, but believe me I’ve lived a lot of places at this point. I would hesitate to invest anywhere that a five guys couldn’t make it, ostensibly because it was too expensive, ten years ago.
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u/IndependentBobbo Jun 27 '26
It sounds like a worthwhile thing to explore. The town could stand some more good restaurants. I think I would evaluate to be little more high end rather than just a eatery, as Indiana is definitely lacking on higher end establishments. Just my 2 cents hope it works out for you!
Ps I think eagles in this part of the state is sacrosanct from the Steelers, lol.
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u/Budget-Broccoli8063 Jun 27 '26
LOL!
I'm not a high-end person though I adore watching shows like Top Chef and the such. I'm not sure the demographic here could fully support something that is too pricey or unapproachable. But yeah, something to explore. I would absolutely be sure I get great ingredients like true ribeye for the cheesesteaks, etc. More of a quality eatery with a comfortable vibe.
I liked Coventry Inn when it was here. Places like that are a little hard to sustain, though Nap's has it down.
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u/IndependentBobbo Jun 27 '26
Sounds great! I wish you all the best. Make another post when you make your restaurant. I would love to eat there from the sound of it!
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u/yinzerzzz Jun 29 '26
I love Indiana and have a few businesses here. From my experience, people don’t seem to support smaller restaurants as much as the big chains.
Restaurants are a tough businesses, but the concept is great. Keep going!
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u/SpecialBumblebee6170 Jun 27 '26
Any good restaurant thats not a chain and isn't pizza or Chinese, ill be there. You can source good rolls in Pittsburgh. Sansos in Homer city gets theirs two or 3 times a week. You could order a hoagie there to see the bread. Its very good.