The Erie restaurant scene exploded in 2021. If you've been away, here's what you missed

Jennie Geisler, Erie Times-News
·6 min read

Despite the pandemic, it was a head-spinning year for restaurant openings in Erie County. If you're back for a visit this holiday season, you're going to find yourself with some decisions to make. Not only did nine restaurants open in one spot — the Flagship City Food Hall — in the center of town, locally-owned options for barbecue and Southeast Asian cuisine exploded in your absence.

Meanwhile, the old Maennerchor Club now houses an upscale Mexican place, there's a modern Japanese restaurant in West Erie Plaza and an oyster bar on the bayfront. And so much more.

We put together a bunch of must-sees, but this is by no means an exhaustive list. Also, the community is now home to a few new branches of franchise family trees, such as Chick-fil-A, Dunkin', Rita's Italian Ice, Pita Pit, Donatos, Panera Bread, and this is not to mention more food trucks than you can chase down in an entire summer.

So, welcome back to town and happy holidays! We hope you packed your appetite.

Opened in 2021

Ashika Tamang, left, Soita Magar, center, and Kalpana Rai, right, all of Erie, eat at Annapurna Kitchen, 1315 Parade St.
Ashika Tamang, left, Soita Magar, center, and Kalpana Rai, right, all of Erie, eat at Annapurna Kitchen, 1315 Parade St.
A popular dish at Annapurna Kitchen is the chicken thali, served on a platter with rice, cucumber slices, cauliflower and a dessert called "gulab jamun."
A popular dish at Annapurna Kitchen is the chicken thali, served on a platter with rice, cucumber slices, cauliflower and a dessert called "gulab jamun."

Annapurna Kitchen, 1315 Parade St., licensed in March. It offers authentic tastes from Nepal and Bhutan. It moved into the former Latinos when owner Julio Reyes purchased the Maennerchor and turned it into Julius, an upscale Mexican restaurant.

Is it open: Many Erie restaurants are open on Christmas Eve, but closed on December 25. Here's a list

Bar Ronin, an upscale Japanese restaurant, was a highlight of the fine dining openings in Erie County this year.
Bar Ronin, an upscale Japanese restaurant, was a highlight of the fine dining openings in Erie County this year.

Bar Ronin, 948 West Erie Plaza Drive, licensed in October by several partners, including Dan Kern, former chef at 1201 Kitchen at 1201 State St., which is now Local Eat and Pour, owned by J.B. Innes.

Ronin Ronin Ronin: Dan Kern's new restaurant concept defined; BBQ places coming on strong in Erie

The bar area of the Bay House Oyster Bar & Restaurant, 6 Sassafras Pier on Erie's bayfront, was hopping on opening night Dec. 10.
The bar area of the Bay House Oyster Bar & Restaurant, 6 Sassafras Pier on Erie's bayfront, was hopping on opening night Dec. 10.
Executive chef Peter Clark, at left, and sous chef John Basio, at right, man the kitchen area of the Bay House Oyster Bar & Restaurant, 6 Sassafras Pier on Erie's bayfront, on the opening night for the restaurant.
Executive chef Peter Clark, at left, and sous chef John Basio, at right, man the kitchen area of the Bay House Oyster Bar & Restaurant, 6 Sassafras Pier on Erie's bayfront, on the opening night for the restaurant.

Bay House Oyster Bar & Restaurant, 6 Sassafras Pier, which opened Dec. 10, occupying the bottom two levels of the same building as Pier 6, a rooftop bar and grille, also owned by John Melody and Russell Stachewicz. The restaurants stand at the corner of a parking garage and the Courtyard by Marriott Erie Bayfront Motel.

Your oyster: Bay House Oyster Bar & Restaurant opens on Erie's bayfront

A serving of butter chicken and rice is served at Fine Restaurant and Bar located in the former Nunzi's at 2330 E. 38th St.
A serving of butter chicken and rice is served at Fine Restaurant and Bar located in the former Nunzi's at 2330 E. 38th St.
Gunakhar Pandey is the chef at Fine Restaurant and Bar located in the former Nunzi's at 2330 E. 38th St. in Erie.
Gunakhar Pandey is the chef at Fine Restaurant and Bar located in the former Nunzi's at 2330 E. 38th St. in Erie.

Fine Restaurant and Bar, 2330 E. 38th St., a Southeast Asian Indian-Nepalese restaurant opened in February in the former landmark Nunzi's which closed in November after 67 years. New owner Chandra Khadka is a former grocer who once owned Oriental Mini Mart on East 38th St., as well as K.C. International Food on Buffalo Road.

This is a composite image of vendors from the Flagship City Food Hall on North Park Row, which features nine restaurants and opened Nov. 21.
This is a composite image of vendors from the Flagship City Food Hall on North Park Row, which features nine restaurants and opened Nov. 21.

Flagship City Food Hall, eight parcels along North Park Row, State Street and West Fifth Street. Opened in November with nine vastly different vendors, including:

  • A Taste of Love: Catering business provides soulful Southern cuisine to Erie's Flagship City Food Hall

  • Blue Willow Bakery & Café: The restaurant focuses on making, breaking bread at the food hall

  • Dina’s Authentic Dominican: Restaurant leans on culture for food hall fare

  • Lucky Louie's: Well-known joint serves up its unique take on hot dogs, burgers at the food hall

  • NoodleLove: Asian American comfort food at the food hall

  • Perry's Tavern: Pizza parlor, bar sets up shop inside food hall

  • Shawarma Station: Tasty Middle Eastern food truck items and more

  • Straw Hat Ice Cream: Shop shakes things up with dairy sweets

  • Taste & See Fruit and Veggie Bar: Business promotes healthy choices at Erie's Flagship City Food Hall

Hall vendors: After 3 years and millions of dollars, here are the vendors in Erie's food hall

From left, Rip Paris, Kyle Bohrer and Martin Firestone just opened adjacent businesses at 4823 Peach St., so customers could experience food in a new way: buying it fresh in Bohrer's Gordon's Butcher and Market, eating it fresh at Firestone's Gastropub, and pairing it with the perfect wine or beer from Paris's Cap & Cork.
From left, Rip Paris, Kyle Bohrer and Martin Firestone just opened adjacent businesses at 4823 Peach St., so customers could experience food in a new way: buying it fresh in Bohrer's Gordon's Butcher and Market, eating it fresh at Firestone's Gastropub, and pairing it with the perfect wine or beer from Paris's Cap & Cork.

Gordon's goods: Gordon's Butcher & Market reboot includes open-concept restaurant, beer and wine store

Gordon's Butcher/Firestone/Paris' Cap & Cork, opened in early May at 4823 Peach St., with Gordon's, a high-end butcher shop and market; Firestone's restaurant where food is fired by two enormous Green Egg grills and a brick oven; and a wine and beer store with unique selections of both you can get to-go or drink with your lunch or dinner in Firestone's.

More: Gordon's Butcher & Market reboot includes open-concept restaurant, beer and wine store

Julio Reyes opened Julius, an upscale Mexican restaurant in the ground floor dining room of the former Maennerchor Club. He also opened two lounges in a cleaned-up version of their former glory.
Julio Reyes opened Julius, an upscale Mexican restaurant in the ground floor dining room of the former Maennerchor Club. He also opened two lounges in a cleaned-up version of their former glory.
Assorted hors d'oeuvres were served at the opening of Julius inside the former Maennerchor building in Erie.
Assorted hors d'oeuvres were served at the opening of Julius inside the former Maennerchor building in Erie.

Julius opens: Former Maennerchor building to reopen as lounge, event rooms and restaurant called Julius

Julius, 1607 State St., which is currently housed in a renovated downstairs dining room and two lounges of the former Erie Maennerchor Club, which owner Julio Reyes purchased in 2018. The upstairs ballroom and other rooms are available for party rentals. The restaurant serves upscale Mexican takes on Erie favorites.

Localized: A new version of a downtown Erie restaurant, and a relocated BBQ joint set to open Wednesday

Local Eat and Pour, 1201 State St., a restaurant that uses as many locally produced ingredients as possible, is owned by J.B. Innes, former co-owner of 1201 Kitchen. It opened in August.

Outlaw Barbecue Revolution, 3802 Elmwood Ave., opened by the former pitmaster at Underdog BBQ, Michael Loveranes. He competed in the 2021 Erie's Wild Rib Cookoff & Music Festival in June before opening his restaurant.

Pier 6 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, 6 Sassafras Pier, is the top floor of the building that also houses Bay House Oyster Bar & Restaurant. Half its square footage is outside and it offers incredible views of the bay and peninsula. It's also owned by the U Pick 6 squad led by John Melody and Russell Stachewicz. It's closed for the season, but owners say they'll open it back up as soon as they have the staff to spare.

U Pier 6: Pier 6 the newest addition to Erie bayfront's growing restaurant scene

Visitors to Pier 6 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant have views of the Bayfront Convention Center and Bicentennial Tower, background left. In addition to indoor seating, there are outdoor areas on either side, with views of Presque Isle Bay.
Visitors to Pier 6 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant have views of the Bayfront Convention Center and Bicentennial Tower, background left. In addition to indoor seating, there are outdoor areas on either side, with views of Presque Isle Bay.
Pier 6 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant server Malyna Zboyovski, 20, delivers food to the dining room, which offers views of Presque Isle Bay.
Pier 6 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant server Malyna Zboyovski, 20, delivers food to the dining room, which offers views of Presque Isle Bay.

Skinny Nate's, 10212 John Williams Ave., Albion, is a take-out only barbecue joint in West County was a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Owner Nate Mitchell, along with most of his family, worked hard to get this place open and hopping at the end of the summer.

The Skinny: Skinny Nate's BBQ getting warm welcome to Albion

Skinny Nate's BBQ owner Nate Mitchell, 41, prepares an order of baby-back ribs and street sweet corn during a soft opening of the new restaurant in Albion.
Skinny Nate's BBQ owner Nate Mitchell, 41, prepares an order of baby-back ribs and street sweet corn during a soft opening of the new restaurant in Albion.
An order of baby-back ribs was going out the door quickly at Skinny Nate's BBQ in September during a soft opening in Albion.
An order of baby-back ribs was going out the door quickly at Skinny Nate's BBQ in September during a soft opening in Albion.

Twisted Elk Brewery, officially opened in December of 2020 at 10139 West Lake Road in Lake City, but we thought it could sneak its way onto the list anyway. It's found its groove on the west side and is frequently full of happy diners and sippers. We're fond of the flat-bread pizza and Elk Creek IPA, but there's so much more to love.

Twisted story: Jason Lavery: Twisted Elk Brewery overcomes pandemic delays, finds rhythm in Lake City

Brad & Michelle Nuce, co-owners of the Twisted Elk Brewery at 10139 West Lake Road in Lake City, opened in winter 2021.
Brad & Michelle Nuce, co-owners of the Twisted Elk Brewery at 10139 West Lake Road in Lake City, opened in winter 2021.
Twisted Elk Brewery in Lake City serves several types of its beer as well as a full menu of food from Thursdays through Sundays.
Twisted Elk Brewery in Lake City serves several types of its beer as well as a full menu of food from Thursdays through Sundays.

Zoo's Barbecue, after hopping around a bit, has settled at 3826 W. 26th St. in Millcreek Township in August. They were the third of three barbecue places to open in the county this summer for a total of six, not counting chain franchises. Owner Jim Wasielewski is ready to stay in one place and smoke some meat, letting the woodchips fall where they may.

Zoo's BBQ: Is there such a thing as too much BBQ? Erie saucy meat scene is smokin' hot

Zoo's BBQ owner Jim Wasielewski, 45, is smoking a brisket in August at his restaurant, 3826 W. 26th St., in Millcreek Township. The restaurant offers ribs, brisket, sausage, pulled pork and chicken.
Zoo's BBQ owner Jim Wasielewski, 45, is smoking a brisket in August at his restaurant, 3826 W. 26th St., in Millcreek Township. The restaurant offers ribs, brisket, sausage, pulled pork and chicken.
Sauce is drizzled on ribs at Zoo's BBQ in Millcreek Township, which opened in August.
Sauce is drizzled on ribs at Zoo's BBQ in Millcreek Township, which opened in August.

Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @ETNGeisler.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Despite COVID, the Erie restaurant scene exploded in 2021