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By Karen Fetter
As you are driving along
Route 30 and searching for
that perfect place for
dinner or drinks, think
about the Touchdown Club II
in Latrobe, across from
Wildcat Commons and the
Walmart shopping plaza.
Under the new ownership of
Michael Molina and Jonathan
Miller, this familiar
restaurant now has a new
look and presence in the
community. And most
importantly, this once
exclusive facility is now
open to the public.
“We know how we would like
to be treated while we are
out and that is what we try
to deliver here,” said
Michael. “Customer
satisfaction is our first
priority.”
That is one of the reasons
why the co-owners decided to
have the re-opened
restaurant open to the
public. They want everyone
to feel welcome and to have
an enjoyable, quiet place
for a memorable night out.
Touchdown II opens everyday
at 4 p.m. and walk-ins are
welcome. Menu items include
fresh cut steaks, a wide
array of seafood such as
crab cakes, salmon, and
lobster tail. Other entrees
include a variety of pasta,
grilled chicken, chicken
marsala, veal cutlets,
sandwiches, and lamb chops,
just to name a few. One
popular item requested by
many is the Touchdown Club’s
famous homemade onion rings.
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Touchdown Club II features
an early bird special
weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6
p.m. Also, the chef has
nightly specials that
display the cooking talents
of the restaurant. And how
could you forget the full
service bar and happy hour
specials?
In addition to the bar and
restaurant there is a
banquet room available for
parties, showers, and
receptions.
If you haven’t visited the
Touchdown Club in recent
years, then your next visit
will be surprising. Michael
and Jonathan have
redecorated and refurnished
the inside of the entire
restaurant and bar including
new flooring, tables and
chairs, as well as walls.
Michael and Jonathan want
the fresh, revitalized look
to give the restaurant a new
beginning, one that takes
local residents back to what
the restaurant was like many
years ago.
The Touchdown Club was
originally opened in 1947 at
the old Mission Inn. The
club was organized to help
increase public interest in
sports and athletic games
and to assist in
scholarships for students.
Then the club was located at
Murphy’s Mansion, which is
now a Carmelite Monastery.
The year was 1954 and the
club was managed by Skeets
Jioio and Frank Hauser. Then
in 1960 it moved to its
present location. In the 60s
the restaurant was owned by
the late Edward “Buster”
Shearer and continued to be
owned by his family for the
next 40 years.
Now the restaurant is
entering a new life. New
owners Michael and Jonathan
are no strangers to the
restaurant business. Both
have worked for several
restaurants and bars
throughout their high school
and college years. Michael
dedicates all of his time to
making the restaurant the
best establishment it can
be. Not only does he work
behind the bar, but he acts
as a chef, greeter, and
server.
“Anything a customer wants
we try to give it to them,”
said Michael. “Our goal is
to have a satisfied
customer.”
Jonathan likewise has had
many years of restaurant
experience to contribute to
the new partnership and
business. Jonathan graduated
from Duquesne University
with a degree in Finance and
Investment Management. He
works as a Financial Analyst
by day and as Club owner by
night and weekends.
“This has been a dream of
ours and we want this place
to remind the public of what
it once was,” said Jonathan.
One way Michael and Jonathan
want to keep the nostalgia
alive in the restaurant is
by the environment
surrounding the customers.
At the bar there are framed
photographs of the
first-ever football team
from Latrobe along with
other memorabilia from
historic Latrobe landmarks.
Touchdown Club II is a proud
member of the Latrobe
Chamber of Commerce and
provides many donations to
Latrobe and Derry activities
and sports.
Experience a fine dining
experience and take
advantage of the chef’s
nightly dinner special.
Visit the Touchdown Club II
today – it’s open to the
public! Call 724-539-3310
for reservations. |
