Pennsylvania restaurants losing out on business during holidays as restrictions remain in place

PITTSBURGH — Right now, restaurants and bars are missing out on a lot of business because state restrictions ban indoor dining until Jan. 4.

Owners are now stocking alcohol and food, and staff are preparing to reopen next week.

But Channel 11 asked the owner of Thorn Hill Tap House in Wexford if he fears the shutdown will be extended.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said Monday that as of right now, the state has no plans for an extension, but will closely monitor any post-holiday surge.

However, several restaurants and bars have been defying state orders and continuing dine-in services.

Late Tuesday afternoon , the state’s department of agriculture released a new list of restaurants violating the rules and refusing to comply. (See the full list below)

Statewide, inspectors closed 33 more restaurants last week -- including two restaurants in Washington county and one in Westmoreland county.

Here’s what Levine had to say Monday to restaurant owners defying the state’s restrictions.

“What I would say and patrons, I worry for their health. I think they are exposing themselves their families loved ones, staff at facilities to continue to stay open and go against the orders and putting community at risk,” Levine said.

Some owners hope this doesn’t hurt their chances of the state reopening bar service next month so they can capitalize with food and beer specials during Pittsburgh Steelers playoff games.

“With the bars being closed however people haven’t been coming in for Steelers games because you can’t sit around a bar with your friends and have a beer and watch the game,” said Art Barbus, owner of House of 100 Beers.

Now bar and restaurant owners tell me they are crossing their fingers they can and will reopen indoor dining on Monday morning.

These are the Pennsylvania restaurants that have been ordered to close by inspectors in the last two weeks:

Allegheny County

• Al’s Cafe in Bethel Park
• David’s Diner in Springdale
• Gianna Via’s in Whitehall
• Il Pizzaiolo in Mt. Lebanon

Armstrong County

• Yak Diner in Apollo

Bedford County

• Rt. 220 Diner
• Deluxe Restaurant
• Westy Bar & Grill
• Mike’s Place
• Frank’s Pizza
• Mandy Jo’s Country Corral
• Juke Box Café
• Seasons Café
• Mad Dogs Kutztown
• Marteen’s Family Restaurant
• Quality Shoppe
• Cloud 9 Café
• Letterman’s Diner
• Oley Turnpike Dairy Diner

Blair County

• Nicoletta’s Italian Restaurant
• Bella Italia Restaurant

Centre County

• Fun Central

Clearfield County

• Hot Dog House

Columbia County

• RC’s Bar & Grill
• The White Horse

Crawford County

• Gianna’s Traditional Pizza
• Dutch Oven

Cumberland County

• Gianna’s Traditional Pizza
• CC’S Kitchen
• Dutch Oven
• Dad’s garage Grill & Burger

Dauphin County

• 230 Café
• Denny’s Lennies
• Villa Schiano
• Tony’s Pizzeria & Restaurant

Franklin County

• Keystone Family Restaurant
• Mountain Shadows Rest

Forest County

• Thee Seldom Inn

Indiana County

• Crouse’s Restaurant in Indiana in Shelocta

Juniata County

• Thompsontown Corner Deli

Lancaster County

• Big Dog Craft Brewing
• Brickerville House
• C.R. Lapp’s Family Restaurant
• Country Table
• Hometown Kitchen
• Knight & Day Diner
• Mill 72 Bake Shop & Cafe
• Olde Hickory Grill
• NEW HOLLAND COFFEE COMPANY 2
• Park City Diner
• Quarryville Family Restaurant
• Yogurt Works

Lebanon County

• Country Fare Restaurant
• Miller’s Restaurant
• Royal D Chocolate

Lehigh County

• Commix Hotel
• Mad Dogs Hot Dog Macungie
• Riley’s Restaurant & Pub

Lycoming County

• Waltz Creamery and Farm House Cafe

Mercer County

• Greenville Junction in Greenville
• County Line Café in Hadley

Mifflin County

• Bing’s Diner

Monroe County

• Muller’s Family Restaurant
• Hickory Valley Farm Restaurant

Northhampton County

• American Lobster

Somerset County

• Fat Boys Summit Diner

Snyder County

• Middleburg Auction Salebarn Restaurant

Venango County

• The Blue Collar Tavern

Washington County

• Angelo’s Family Restaurant in Washington
• Harrington’s in McDonald
• Ye Olde Kopper Kettle in Washington

Wayne County

• Paupack Diner

Westmoreland County

• SHARKY’S CAFÉ in Latrobe
• Tin Lizzy’s in Youngstown

York County

• Mamma’s Pizza R&A

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