You'd better come hungry to Tarentum's newest eatery.
Yinz Kitchen, a black-and-gold-themed diner, will feature Pittsburgh-style American cuisine, with pierogi and gyros on the menu, as well as breakfast platters, fried chicken sandwiches and “great wings,” according to owners Dante Allen Pope of Brackenridge and Derek Hassim Jr. of Pittsburgh.
“I know we need a place like this here,” said Pope, 34, a Penn Hills High School graduate. “I want to offer good food at reasonable prices and really be part of the community.”
The opening day is scheduled for Friday, with opening hours from 7am to 9pm, suitable for morning strollers, families heading out for dinner or those wanting a late-night snack.
Popular menu items include chili dogs and fries, and specialties range from curried chicken to fish sandwiches to build-your-own breakfasts.
Located on First Avenue directly across from Drescher Stadium, the restaurant has a walk-up window and outdoor seating and will offer delivery service through DoorDash and Uber Eats to customers in Arnold, East Deer, New Kensington and Lower Burell.
“This is the perfect place,” said Hashim, 34, a Valley High School graduate. “Cars are driving up and down the road, families are coming home from the park, hot and tired.”
“We hope this will be the end point.”
The location, formerly a Cindy's Soft Serve store, was familiar to Pope because his children are active with Drescher's Rams youth football organization.
“I know my son is going to be hungry when he comes home from practice,” Pope said. “I think families will be happy to have a place across the street where they can get a home-cooked meal.”
“There are a lot of chain restaurant options, but we want to offer something different.”
Hashim added: “It's delicious. You won't find soggy macaroni and cheese here.”
Hashim, a real estate agent, was scouting possible locations for the restaurant when he heard about it from his father, Derek Sr., who lives in Natrona.
“We believe this is the perfect place,” Hashim Sr., 62, said.
He noted construction of the borough's Three Rivers Heritage Trail section in the coming years.
“This is assuming heavy traffic.”
Their father, Hashim, has come out of retirement to help the young entrepreneurs with their business, and all three will be in the kitchen whipping up waffles, burgers and more.
Hashim, originally from South Africa, specialises in Caribbean cuisine and is hoping to add his own expertise to the Friday specials.
Hashim Jr. says the specially seasoned Yinz Wings are “too good to die for” and promises prices will be cheaper than any competitor.
The trio joked that after spending the better part of a year modernizing the place with stainless steel appliances and custom counters, the restaurant will simply be known as “Two Cousins and Their Dad.”
“We wanted to do everything right,” said Hashim Sr. “We have to work in this kitchen, and we want it to be clean and look good.”
Beyond the food, they say the restaurant's mission is to foster community spirit: They'll sponsor a local wrestling team and host a special “neighbors helping neighbors” fundraiser, donating proceeds to those in need.
“We would love to have an annual kickball tournament on the field where the emergency responders play,” Pope said. “We've been here for the community for a long time.”
Tawnya Panizzi is a reporter for TribLive. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
