State College eatery featuring ‘universally loved dish’ gears up for grand opening
A downtown State College restaurant is gearing up for its grand opening, and Penn State alum and owner Andy Lee hopes that his quality-first approach to a limited menu and takeout-only dining will woo customers.
After some time on the West Coast, Lee recently returned to the area to open the restaurant, dubbed Tasty K, which is set to have its grand opening on Oct. 13.
“Our menu currently features one item — fried chicken,” Lee said. “I believe it’s a universally loved dish that will resonate with everyone.”
However, Lee’s not serving just your average, American fried chicken. Instead, this is, more specifically, Korean fried chicken. So, what’s the difference?
“While I can’t reveal all the secrets, Korean fried chicken tends to be crispier (and) lighter and boasts a unique blend of sweet and spicy flavors that sets it apart from traditional American fried chicken,” Lee said.
While excited about the restaurant’s prospects, Lee didn’t necessarily intend to end up in the food business, or even back in State College. After graduating from Penn State, the business marketing major moved to the West Coast, where he worked in project management. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, Lee knew it was time to return to the Happy Valley community he loved and to start up a business that would bring that community together.
“I’ve harbored the ambition of starting my own franchise business since my freshman year at Penn State,” he said. “Food, music and sports have a unique power to unite people, and while I may not possess the talent for singing or sports, I chose the food industry because I believe it has the potential to bring people together in a meaningful way.”
The pandemic and its impact on the food industry likewise influenced Lee’s business model, as well as his timeline. Originally, he planned to return to the area in 2025, but the rise of to-go dining during the pandemic made it an ideal time to relocate.
While Lee said he chose to return to State College specifically because of his familiarity with the area and its market, and his Penn State alumni status, he thinks the Tasty K model could work anywhere, thanks to the business’s exceptional recipes and commitment to quality, which shows partially in the limited quantity of product the restaurant will offer each day.
Looking to the future, Lee has his eye on expanding the area’s international cuisine options further, noting that he began with the Korean fried chicken concept due to its broad appeal and his own personal tastes. Beyond just international cuisine, though, he said he wanted to, eventually, help create a more “complete cultural experience” in downtown State College.
“We plan to organize events in collaboration with Penn State international clubs, host mural contests with artists like Michael Pilato and facilitate various cultural movement events,” he said. “I’m currently in discussions with building owners and local business owners to expedite the realization of this vision.”
Tasty K is located at 325 East Calder Way in downtown State College. While a website for the restaurant is still underway, the best place to stay up to date on the business’s developments is Instagram, at @tastyk_pennstate.
Holly Riddle is a freelance food, travel and lifestyle writer. She can be reached at holly.ridd@gmail.com.
