Now open: KC's in Corry opens lunch wagon; Royal Chopstix reopening soon
Restaurants and bars of all sizes and flavors have opened in the Erie region in the past several months, despite rough economic conditions. Here is a sampling. We'll add to it as we can. Feel free to share any we've missed with Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com.
KC's Hot Dawg House
KC's Hot Dawg House, 153 N. Center St., Corry, recently passed inspection, and Sunday, they posted on Facebook that they are officially open. Even if the brick-and-mortar shop (KC's Ice Cream) is closed, they have a trailer that is open for lunches, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. seven days a week. The KC's Ice Cream extension sells fresh ground beef patties, Smith's hot dogs, fresh-cut fries, chicken strips, onion rings, wood-fired pizzas and more. Hours for KC's Ice Cream are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 to 8 p.m.; closed Mondays. For more information, visit kcsicecream.com, www.facebook.com/kcsicecream or call 814-651-5971.
Royal Chopstix
Royal Chopstix, 3444 West Lake Road, has passed inspection. According to its Facebook page, Chopstix doesn't have an opening date set, but it's coming soon. The restaurant closed after a fire in June 2021.
Erie Donut Factory
For all those doughnut lovers suffering in the wake of Jack Frost's closure and Mighty Fine's hiatus, a new store, Erie Donut Factory is about to open in Summit Plaza at 5001 Peach St. that might provide some relief. The planned date for opening is June 24, according to baker Dave Coury.
But this is no traditional doughnut shop.
"We'll be making mini donuts with 40 toppings customers can choose from," he said, comparing it to Little Shop of Donuts in North East, where customized doughnuts are made to order. Erie Donut Factory will also have prepared fresh, full-sized donuts and other baked items including cakes and cookies, all made from scratch at the store.
"Everything is going to be made up front, so people can watch the whole process," Coury said. "They'll be rolled out and made so they can see exactly what's going on."
He said the new website, www.eriedonutshop.com, would be active soon, as will a Facebook page. They don't even know their phone number yet, but that should all be remedied soon.
"In a week or two, we should be able to have online ordering," he said.
"We're from Erie," Coury said, adding that the shop is not a franchise but a local business owned by a silent partner. Coury said he and his assistants have five years of baking experience from trade shows and county fairs.
Hours will be Mondays through Saturdays, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"We're excited about the location" he said, adding that a previous sign in the window announced a June 18 opening, but they're still waiting on one piece of equipment, and he said the June 24 opening is firm.
Taco Distro
Taco Distro, an Erie food truck, was photographed "Scoping out our new spot for the summer in the parking lot of @beachzero at the entrance of the peninsula" last week. Beachgoers won't go hungry. The food truck hit the road this spring. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3mrZ1cA.
Ironstone Meadery
Ironstone Meadery, 9333 Tate Road, is celebrating its fourth birthday this month, which means 5 percent off of bottles, glasses, glassware, flight boards and shirts, according to a Facebook post. For more information, visit bit.ly/3xzILgc,
Flagship City Food Hall update
Two vendors are leaving the Flagship City Food Hall, 34 N. Park Row. Blue Willow, a bakery cafe, closed about two weeks ago, according to Erie Downtown Development Corp. CEO John Persinger, and Lucky Louie's, a gourmet hot dog restaurant, which has a main store at 8238 Perry Highway, closed sometime in May.
"The food hall wasn't a good fit for us," said Lucky Louie's owner Cathleen M. Schmid.
Blue Willow owners could not be reached for comment.
Mark Inscho, EDDC food and beverage manager, and Persinger said to listen for replacement vendors "any day now."
"I think the people of Erie are going to be pretty excited about who's coming," Persinger said.
Food truck Fridays at Shades Beach
Shades Beach, 7000 East Lake Road, will be hosting food trucks on Fridays all summer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The trucks will set up in the Shades Beach parking lot up the hill from the boat launch. The first truck, Lil Wagon, will be there Friday. Three B's Saloon is scheduled June 10 and Charter School of Excellence will be there June 17. A complete schedule is available at bit.ly/shadesbeachfood.
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Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com or 814-870-1885.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: KC's Dawg House opens in Corry; Millcreek's Chopstix to reopen soon
