DISH: MAGROGAN’S ONE-DAY OPENING

by Nikki M. Mascali
Weekender Editor

MAGROGAN’S ONE-DAY OPENING

Dave Magrogan told Dish Monday that his space at the former Molly Brannigans (101 Adams Ave., Scranton) will be open for the city’s St. Patrick’s Parade Day Saturday, March 13 to serve beer. Magrogan said he will close the space again on Sunday so renovations can begin for his upcoming Mexicali Blue bar/restaurant.

Magrogan also owns Kildare’s on Lackawanna Avenue and the future Doc Magrogan’s Fish Market, which will be in Kildare’s former location at the Shoppes at Montage in Moosic. The fish market is expected to open in April.

NO ERIN GO BOTTLENECKS THIS WEEKEND

Despite original hopes of being open in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Jason Misto, owner of Bottleneck’s Saloon & Eatery, said the new downtown Wilkes-Barre establishment will not be open for this weekend’s parade.

“We decided to expand the deadline,” Misto said of the offshoot of his popular West Hazleton establishment which will be in the former Wendy’s location on Public Square.

Misto said there is no estimated opening date.

TACO AT DA PARADE

Da Taco Truck, owned by Jeff Diaz, will be stationed outside the former Molly Brannigans on Parade Day beginning at 9 a.m. He’ll offer $2 tacos, $5 gyros and $1 beverages.

SUNDRY ITEMS

Midtown Sundries will soon open by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport in the former Damon’s at 28 Concorde Drive in Dupont. The space has been vacant since 2007.

The North Carolina-based restaurant chain is hiring staff, and General Manager Julia Auten said that she hopes to have a date for the restaurant’s soft opening within “the next week or two.”

Naturally, I stalked the company’s menu on its Web site ( www.midtownsundries.com) and saw that it offers all sorts of goodies like burgers, wings, fish dishes, specialty sandwiches, salad, fajitas and more, but what really got me was Midtown Sundries’ galley entrees, which feature fish, shrimp, clams and more, because they come with hush puppies. I look forward to this opening with baited breath (pun intended!).

GOT A BIG APPETITE?

Then you might want to take Johnny D’s South Philly Steaks’ (701 S. Walnut St., Nanticoke) Nanticoke Tony Challenge. If you can eat a 20-inch Nanticoke Tony — a steak sandwich with fried onions, lettuce, tomato, crab fries (with Old Bay seasoning), Johnny D’s homemade garlic sauce and your choice of American, Cheese Whiz, or provolone cheese — plus the surrounding four different kinds of fries in 30 minutes, you get a free T-shirt.

“Me, I’d never be able to eat it,” Heather Dinstel, who owns Johnny D’s with her husband Jonathan, revealed, “but someone actually did finish it recently!”

If you’re not up for the challenge, don’t fret. Johnny D’s has many other delicious-sounding menu items. There are a ton of steak and chicken sandwiches, salads, burgers and an endless array of my downfall: fries. Among the 17 varieties of wings (with homemade sauces), the salt and vinegar really piqued my interest.

Check out the menu at www.johnnydsonline.com or call 570.735.6666. Johnny D’s is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday-Friday from 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday from noon-9 p.m. The menu is available for eat-in, takeout and delivery.

SPRING IS OFFICIAL

My favorite sign of spring? Seeing Dairy Queen (473 Wyoming Ave., Kingston) open for business! I squealed with delight when I saw the “We’re open” on the marquee as I drove by last week. March’s Blizzard of the Month is the Mint Oreo Blizzard. How do I know that? Because I am a member of the Blizzard Fan Club, of course! Join at www.blizzardfanclub.com.

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