Volume 31 No. 7
July 2015
A new King is crowned during Northside Sandwich Week Site of former St.
Nick’s Church remembered
By Justin Criado
Rain fell on the site of the former St. Nicholas R.C. Croatian Church along Route 28 in Troy Hill during the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Dedication June 20 as if the Heavens too mourned the loss of America’s first Croatian Catholic congregation.
Photo by Justin Criado
Chris Biondo of Troy Hill’s Scratch Food & Beverage accepts his crown and trophy as the new Sandwich King during the fourth annual Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC) Northside Sandwich Week Sampler June 18 at the Priory’s Grand Hall in Historic Deutschtown. By Justin Criado It’s no secret Northsiders like to eat. The numerous sandwich shops and restaurants sprinkled throughout the neighborhoods are a tribute to that sentiment. But which one has the best food? That’s just what was decided during the fourth annual Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC) Northside Sandwich Week Sampler June 18 at the Priory’s Grand Hall in Historic Deutschtown. The sold out event welcomed over 400 people to sample all of the 11 entries in this year’s contest, before voting for their favorite by night’s end.
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The Modern Café in Allegheny West was the two-time defending champ, and entered this year’s sampler with a Greek Cheesesteak, which is a family recipe, according to owner, and former Sandwich Queen, Irene Zotis. The other competitors brought Reuben sandwiches, veggie wraps and sliders to the table, amongst others, all succulent in their own unique way. But there could be only one to wear the crown. NSLC executive director Mark Fatla served as the master of ceremonies, announcing the overall winner. “Like the Stanley Cup, each champion gets their names in-
-NSLC Awards, Page 5 -Manchester garden, Page 11 -Education, Page 26
scribed on the trophy and displays it for one year,” Fatla said. In an unprecedented upset, newcomer Scratch Food & Beverage, set to officially open in Troy Hill during the next couple months, claimed the crown. “We really just wanted to get out here to let people know where we were going to be and that we existed,” Chef Chris Biondo said. The Scratch Reuben was one of three Reuben sandwiches presented to the masses, but Biondo used a special ingredient other than the smoked beef tongue on rye with beet and cabbage kraut. See King, Page 9
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See St. Nick’s, Page 10
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