Erie the latest stop on the ‘dirty soda’s trek from Utah across U.S.
“Dirty sodas” are said to have originated in Utah, where Mormons are discouraged from drinking alcohol or caffeine. For fun, they add stuff to pop.
August came in like a hungry lion and went out the same way for the region’s restaurant scene.
There was plenty of red meat in the news, including the announcement of a new 10,000-square-foot downtown location for Odis 12, the opening of a third location for Cheeserie, closing of popular Mi Scuzi, the Erie arrival of the “dirty soda” trend, and so much more.
Peruse these bite-sized stories and follow the links to the complete articles if you missed them the first time. You might as well just ask for a box to take home right now.
Odis 12 announces second location
Odis 12 Bar & Grille, 3702 W. 12th St., is building out a second location in the heart of downtown as part of a development project by the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority.
“I’m a little nervous,” said Michael Miodis, owner of Odis 12, at the idea that he’s getting 10,000 square feet downtown. “It’s a big jump. I wasn’t really looking, actively looking (for a new place).”
Millcreek Mall welcomes new Cheeserie location
The third location of Cheeserie opened in the Millcreek Mall Aug. 20.
It has been under renovation for months, but the burger and barbecue restaurant owners were finally able to hold their grand opening. The burger and barbecue restaurant will be open with the hours of the Millcreek Mall, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
The other two brick-and-mortar locations include the original at the Flagship City Food Hall, 22 N. Park Row; and the second location at 861 E. 38th St., which opened last winter.
Mi Scuzi abruptly closes
Mi Scuzi Ristorante Italiano, 700 Millcreek Mall, closed Aug. 20 without much fanfare.
Customers with upcoming reservations found out from messages from the restaurant’s reservation service that it was “closed, effective immediately.”
Owner Michael Farsace couldn’t be reached for comment.
‘Dirty soda’ trend comes to Erie
Did you ever figure out if you liked boba tea? Don’t worry about it. It’s not going anywhere. Instead, it’s time to go out and find the newest, sweetest trend on the beverage scene in summer 2025, provocatively dubbed “dirty soda.”
At its simplest, dirty soda is about two-thirds carbonated pop, mixed with flavored syrup and, in most cases, cream.
Katey McGill, who owns Little Bird Soda with her husband, Andrew McGill, serves up dirty sodas including Shark Attack, made with Sprite and blueberry and strawberry syrup. “It’s super-good,” said Nolan Folga, 8, after he tried a Shark Attack from Little Bird Soda trailer Aug. 15.
Bay & Berry opens in former Bob’s Steakhouse location
Most people at age 23 couldn’t handle running a restaurant, but Alexa Friend is not most people. She’s already been doing it for years.
“We had the bakery in our house (in Springfield), I was 9 and I could run the cash register,” said Friend, whose family now owns the Main Street Cakery Cafe, 7403 West Ridge Road, in Fairview. “When we opened the restaurant in Albion, they had to get me a milk crate to stand on so I could reach it.”
When they opened the Cakery, she was 11 and waiting tables. “I’ve always really enjoyed it,” she said. “I always thought I’d be running the Cakery.”
Twisted Toppings owner wants to keep things simple and delicious
George McDannel, owner of the new Twisted Toppings, knows what you’re going to say.
“I know everyone’s like ‘Great, another pizza shop,'” he said with a chuckle. But he’s got a twist or two to show you if you like flatbread out of a brick oven.
At Twisted Toppings, 3723 W. 12th St., you can pick from one of four homemade sauces (marinara, butter and garlic, pesto and ranch) and a couple dozen topping choices. That list includes four cheeses, sausage he makes himself, steak, capicola, all your standard vegetables (and pineapple), even dill pickle chips, which he says are more popular than you might think.
Castle Ice Cream, Mini Golf in Fairview are up for sale
Minitature golf fans, grab your ice cream-loving friends, gather your clams, and see if you have enough to play and eat as much as you want, indefinitely. Castle Mini Golf, 7354 West Lake Road, and Castle Ice Cream, 7334 West Lake Road, both in Fairview, are for sale, together or separately.
Owners Lloyd and Janice Fohner, both 75, who started the businesses with the ice cream stand in 2004 — adding the mini golf course in 2006 — are ready to “do some other things,” Lloyd Fohner said, adding that it would be easy for anyone to take over.
Meat & Moss Co. opens in Edinboro
She’ll be the first one to tell you she’s not a butcher, but, she does know her way around a good cut of meat. Nicole Platz, 43, grew up watching her father and brother, both hunters, prepare meat and her brother owned a restaurant in Tennessee.
“There’s such a need for quality food here,” she said about the Edinboro community, where Meat & Moss Co. — her meat shop and small grocery store — is located. “I wanted to carry good quality meat because I love it and there’s a void and a need.”
Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. Find her weekly newsletter at https://profile.goerie.com/newsletters/erielicious/.
Dining and Cooking