Restaurants come and go, and right now several are in the pipeline.
This summer, several newcomers arrived, including Mick’s All-American Pub in Susquehanna Township, Poached in Mechanicsburg and Bella Sicilia Bakery & Deli in East Pennsboro Township, among others.
We also saw the sudden closure of the Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant chain, including its Derry Township location.
As fall arrives, here are a handful of new restaurants set to debut in the coming weeks and months.
The national chicken chain is opening its second Harrisburg-area restaurant this fall at the Beltway Towne Center in Hampden Township.
It’s scheduled to open around Nov. 11.
Raising Cane’s was founded in 1996 by Todd Graves in Baton Rouge and specializes in fresh fried chicken, crinkle-cut fries, cole slaw and Texas toast, as well as a tangy, yet spicy secret dipping sauce.
One opened earlier this year at 5050 Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township.
The Beltway Towne Center is anchored by BJ’s and is under construction on 17 acres near Route 581, across from the Gateway Square shopping center.
Raising Cane’s joins other restaurants including CAVA Mediterranean, Shake Shack, Panda Express and honeygrow opening at the center.
Yianni’s Gyros is opening a restaurant in Susquehanna Township. File photo by Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.comSean Simmers
A central Pennsylvania Greek restaurant chain is expanding.
Yianni’s Gyros is opening a fifth outpost later this year at a former Subway at the Blue Mountain Commons off Linglestown Road in Susquehanna Township.
The restaurants specialize in authentic homemade foods such as stuffed grape leaves, Greek salads, spinach pies and souvlaki.
Yianni’s co-owner John Politsopoulos said his family had been eyeing potential locations along Linglestown Road for a restaurant for a long time.
“When the Subway came up, we couldn’t pass,” he said, noting the shopping center is anchored by a Giant grocery store.
Politsopoulos said they need to retrofit and upgrade the former Subway with kitchen equipment before they can open.
It won’t be long until Chick-fil-A opens at 2007 Dotson Court in Susquehanna Township.
An opening date has not been announced but it is hiring 120 full-time and part-time employees for the new location.
Chick-fil-A, founded in 1967 by Truett Cathy, draws long lines for its chicken sandwiches and other foods such as waffle-cut fries, chicken nuggets and milkshakes.
A Panera is opening this fall at Poplar Square, a center under development in East Pennsboro Township.
Cinco Guys in Cumberland County signed a long-term lease with Panera to build and develop the restaurant. The company is developing the center at Erford Road and Poplar Church Road.
The 3.5 acre site is near Camp Hill Commons, a commercial center that was built on the site of the former Senate Plaza that includes Sheetz, First Watch, Starbucks, Olive Oil Grill, Hawaii Poke and Tonino’s Pizza as well as an apartment complex.
Simpson Family Restaurant
Simpson Family Restaurant is coming to the former Santuccci’s Original Square Pizza at 5235 Simpson Ferry Road in Hampden Township.
Co-owner Saad Saad, who worked at the Starlight Diner in Hanover, said the restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“I have enough experience to build the business. I like to work,” Saad said.
Menu items will range from pancakes and omelets to homemade soups and burgers and entrees such as meatloaf and chicken pot pie.
Buffalo Wild Wings Go will open at 4023 Union Deposit Road at the Point Shopping Center in Lower Paxton Township, according to Bennett Williams Commercial Realty.
The 1,508-square-foot restaurant is moving into the former SuperCuts between Staples and Giant. An opening date has not been announced.
The sports bar chain launched the smaller, quick-service GO concept in 2020 to streamline guest orders for dine-in and takeout.
The chain used to have a presence in Dauphin County but closed its restaurant at the Colonial Park Mall in 2022.
The French-Asian bakery with international locations and a menu featuring 300-plus items is on the way to Cumberland County.
An opening date has not been announced but the franchise is expected to open at 5510 Carlisle Pike in Hampden Township, according to Thomas J. Mallios of Commercial Realty Group, Inc. of Lemoyne.
The 2,800-square-foot space will be renovated for the French-Asian cafe, which will offer gourmet cakes, artisan pastries and freshly baked bread.
It is the first central Pennsylvania location for Tous Les Jours Bakery, which combines the artistry of a traditional French pâtisserie with Korean flavors.
The concept, which dates back to 1994 in South Korea, takes its name from the French phrase “tous les jours,” meaning “every day.”
A first-of-its-kind dining experience in the Harrisburg region is coming to Lower Paxton Township.
Shinjuku Station is bringing an automated revolving sushi bar to 4263 Union Deposit Road at the Point Shopping Center next to Panera.
“Shinjuku was born from a passion to redefine sushi dining, crafting a space where people can enjoy the freshest sushi in a lively, fun environment,” according to the website.
Shinjuku’s website lists the restaurant as “coming soon,” but an opening date has not been announced.
Earlier this year, Shinjuku opened its first location in High Point, North Carolina. Two other locations in development are in South Plainfield, New Jersey, and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Shinjuku, named after a Tokyo rail station, uses robots and miniature bullet trains with a constantly rotating conveyor belt to deliver sushi to diners.
Shinjuku’s menu includes all-you-can-eat sushi bars for lunch and dinner and a la carte hibachi and teriyaki options, kid’s dishes, appetizers and drinks.
A familiar restaurant property in Mechanicsburg is transforming again.
Angelina’s Bar & Grill is on track to open soon at the former Hops & Barleys Pub & Grill at 398 N. York St.
Rebecca Yearick of the Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership confirmed earlier this year that Sal and Sal, Jr. Passalacqua, owners of Sal’s Pizza, purchased the establishment.
The owners of Luna Italian Cuisine in Mechanicsburg are planning a second restaurant in Susquehanna Township. File photo by Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com
Owners of Luna Italian Cuisine in Mechanicsburg are expanding to Dauphin County.
Giovanni Scotto and his family will open a Luna at Susquehanna Union Green, a mixed-use development in Susquehanna Township.
They opened the authentic Italian restaurant in 2023 at Legacy Park, a mixed-use development.
Giovanni Scotto’s daughter and co-owner, Rossella Scotto, said the family was approached about bringing the restaurant to the community, which was developed by The Vartan Group.
Vartan Group CEO Ralph Vartan said the buildout is underway for the restaurant, which will be located next to Playa Bowls.
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Dining and Cooking