Cheese Steaks, Clams and Sports Chief Attractions at New P’ville Eatery
Cheese steaks are usually associated with Philadelphia but a new operation is bringing the chief food staple from the City of Brotherly Love to Pleasantville. Mayor Peter Scherer and Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce representatives celebrated the recent opening of Louie & Johnnies Cheese Steaks & Clam Bar with a July 31 ribbon cutting at the storefront at 501 Marble Ave. Having a business with a different flavor occupy the spot that has seen several food establishments come and go in recent years gives officials hope that it could be a longtime fixture on the village’s culinary scene.
“We’re delighted to have them here,” Scherer said. “A couple of businesses that had been here in the past were up against too much competition in the niche they chose. Louie & Johnnies, if you look over the menu, is bringing something to Pleasantville that we’ve not had before.”
While the restaurant’s name suggests two things, the menu is complete with about 20 different types of burgers, sandwiches, salads, ribs and appetizers.
Co-owner John Greco said it’s important to note that the restaurant, which opened around June 1, is not calling one of its main attractions Philly cheese steaks. Even so, he thought that there would be a market for it in Westchester. So far, he’s been correct.
“We wanted something different,” said Greco who opened the first Louie & Johnnies in his home community of Eastchester about a year ago and owns a third restaurant with Italian fare in Yonkers. “We’ve always had a lot of Italian food and pizzerias and the concept of the cheese steaks and the clam bar we thought was unique.”
Aside from cheese steaks and fish and the remainder of the robust menu, Greco is banking on his association with Steiner Sports Memorabilia to lure sports-minded customers to the restaurant. The store has a distinct sports theme and will also periodically lure current and former pro athletes to participate in signings. Last week former Major League slugger Cecil Fielder was scheduled to arrive for a signing session following the ribbon cutting ceremony.
However, Greco said the restaurant, which will have waiter and take-out service, won’t be a sports bar but will be a place that any member of the family will feel comfortable going to.
“We specialize in a unique, family-friendly, casual environment,” he said. “We cater to children. We have the sports memorabilia for sale. We do sports signings. We sponsor all the children’s Little Leagues. Just a very casual family environment.”
With its affiliation with Steiner Sports, Louie & Johnnies will also carry Last Licks ice cream.
Scherer said that the village’s rezoning of Marble Avenue about five years ago to try and establish a satellite retail zone that allowed the strip mall’s developer, Frank Madonna, to create a building with various types of businesses, he said.
“Hopefully, Louie & Johnnies will be a keeper for the long haul,” Scherer said.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
