Pizza & Family: How friendship helped open Hooversville eatery Down Home Kitchen

Carlos Mendez didn’t get to know Steven Corden for very long, but the two businessmen quickly became friends – and Mendez is grateful for both the business and the friendship.

Mendez bought the former Corden’s Tavern in Hooversville from Steven Corden in October of 2021. The two men met and had the sale arranged within minutes, Mendez said.

Honor and duty:Hooversville dedicates bridge to fallen Marine from Korean War

“I think the deal only took about 5 minutes,” he said. “We stood in the middle of the kitchen, we talked, and it was like old friends talking.

“For the (next) hour and a half, he was talking about his adventures in the world, and me talking about my adventures in the world. A week later, we were in front of the attorneys, signing the (sale) papers.”

Corden also helped introduce Mendez and Down Home Kitchen, or DHK, to the Hooversville community. Sadly, Corden died about two weeks before the remodeled restaurant and bar reopened on May 17.

“We owe the success of us, and especially to me (as the owner), to Steve and his family,” Mendez said. “He put up such a great word for me. Hooversville knew me before I knew them.

“I am honored to have met a man like Steve. He trusted me … he believed in me. I feel like I’ve just gained another angel.”

Celebrating life:How to join in the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Quecreek Mine Rescue

Mendez has lived in the Ligonier area for about 18 years and for seven years, he's owned Gino’s Pizza of Ligonier, located along U.S. Route 30. He’s a trained chef who, before buying Gino's, used to work for a large company that operates many high-end restaurants. He said he got tired of living out of a suitcase for most of the year and missing time spent with his three young daughters, who live in Ligonier as well.

While running Gino’s, Mendez and his girlfriend, Lindsay Harman, decided to look online for other restaurant opportunities in the area. Harman saw that Corden’s property was available and told Mendez, who contacted Corden.

Mendez said his own family inspired the name and menu for Down Home Kitchen, or DHK. The food is meant to inspire memories of good, home-cooked meals at Grandma’s house.

“It’s comfort food with emphasis on Italian (cuisine),” he said. “The name came from my youngest daughter. My mom lives in Maryland, and she makes food that they (his daughters) love. Once in a while, we go to visit mom — and the girls always say, ‘When can we go ‘down home’ to eat at Abuela’s (the Spanish word for grandmother)?’ They were born in Maryland, so they always call it ‘down home.’”

Mendez’s brother Evert, who is also a chef, came from Maryland to help his brother get DHK up and running.

“You know, that’s what family is,” Mendez said. “We’ve been in this business together a very long time.”

Art for all ages:Where can kids and adults go to have fun and be creative? The Makery on 601

And just like Grandma, Mendez is committed to making from scratch almost everything DHK serves, including the spaghetti and pappardelle pasta. He says 90% of what they serve is made in house. The pizza dough is made at Gino’s daily and brought to DHK, and they work with local farmers and vendors to buy the freshest product available, Mendez said.

The menu is posted at the DHK Facebook page, and current options include appetizers, wings, pizza, salads, handhelds (sandwiches), entrees and desserts. The short ribs and half chicken options have since been taken off the menu, but other specials are regularly posted online, Mendez said.

There is also a separate kid’s menu, with options that include pasta, pizza, chicken tenders and hamburgers.

Trying to judge what customers want to order each day is “the roller coaster of this business,” he said, so he hopes customers understand that when they sell out of a menu item, it’s actually a good thing.

“I love to go into a restaurant and they say, ‘We don’t have that item today.’ If the restaurant never runs out of items, it means there’s always stock in there so that they never run out.

“To me, (selling out is) a good problem. We are trying to have our customers realize that it’s OK. If we run out of something today, the next time they visit us, they will have fresh product. They won’t have something in the cooler that’s been sitting for so long.”

Mendez said the plan is to refresh the menu every three months, so there should soon be some new options for fall that should include soups, chili and other cooler weather items to keep customers interested in trying new things.

“We’re even taking requests (for menu items),” he said. “We will take those comments and suggestions, they’re absolutely welcome.”

The restaurant is open from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Takeout meals can be ordered after 2 p.m.

DHK also offers a selection of beers and other adult beverages to drink at the bar area or to accompany the home-cooked meals in the dining room, but Mendez said he wants their priority to be the family atmosphere of the restaurant.

“We want to create a family relationship with the guests, as family dining (rather) than a bar,” Mendez said. “We don’t want it to be known as a late-night bar, we want to be known as a dining restaurant (where) you can bring the family.”

DHK can host special events as well, such as rehearsal dinners, showers and social group meetings, Mendez said.

The restaurant is at 201 Shade Street in Hooversville and the telephone number is 814-798-6143. On state Route 403 in Hooversville, turn onto the road nearest to (and on the same side of the street as) the Somerset Trust Company office. Harman said they hope to add a DHK sign soon at the intersection of Shade Street and Route 403 as well.

Mendez said he is thankful for the staff at DHK, who also work hard to make the restaurant a success.

“We have a very beautiful crew," he said. "They take ownership of what they do. It’s amazing. Here in Hooversville, we have been blessed … we rely on them, and not every business can say that. They have made us easy to work with in general. I am beyond thankful and I brag about them.”

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: New restaurant Down Home Kitchen opens in Hooversville