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Local eateries prep for Taste of Struthers
By Sarah Lehr
STRUTHERS
Marilyn Watt, owner of Rip’s Cafe on Youngstown-Poland Road, measures the success of a meal by how spotless the plate looks afterward.
If the customer has licked the plate clean to get every last morsel, she knows she’s done well.
Rip’s Cafe will be one of many eateries to feature their best-loved cuisine at the third annual Taste of Struthers.
The event, which will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at St. Nicholas Great Hall, is sold out. All proceeds benefit the Struthers Rotary Community Corps.
Each ticket is $20 and entitles the buyer to sample once from each vendor.
Cat Cercone-Miller, an organizer of the festivities, noted it would take an ambitious eater to dine at all 17 booths, though she’s not discouraging anyone from trying.
“It’s really a celebration of eating,” she said.
Rip’s will offer its renowned macaroni salad along with a Slovak dish involving seasoned ground beef wrapped in cabbage and drenched in tomato sauce, pigs in a blanket.
Like all of Rip’s food, the dishes will be freshly made. Watt is not a believer in frozen food.
“When the health inspector came here, she just about died when she opened our freezer because there was nothing in it except for a few ice cubes,” Watt said with a laugh.
Elm Tree Catering of Walton Avenue also will feature cabbage prominently. The business plans to serve halusky, which is buttered and fried cabbage noodles, and either chicken curry or chicken francaise over a bed of rice.
Dean Beaumier, co-owner of Elm Tree Catering, says Taste of Struthers provides a chance to sample high-quality food for an affordable price.
“You don’t have to go to Boardman for a restaurant or a wedding or a shower,” Beaumier said. “Come here to Struthers.”
Cercone-Miller noted that the event draws not only Struthers residents, but also people from surrounding communities.
“It’s a great way to highlight the little gems that Struthers has,” Miller said.
Other participants are Donavito’s Italian Grille, Lena’s Main Street Deli, Tangier Bar & Pizza, Belleria, Bogey’s Riverside Banquet Center, IGA Bakery, Dunkin’ Donuts, Monica’s Catering, Sami Quick Stop, Brier Hill Pizza & Wings, Selah Restaurant, Maplecrest, Knoll Run, Giannio’s Candy and Crumbles Bakery.
Taste of Struthers also will include a cash bar and a gift- card raffle.
As a restaurateur and a third-generation Struthers resident, Watt said she looks forward to the Taste of Struthers each year.
“You really feel like the other restaurants are your friends, not just your competitors,” she said.
Beaumier said vendors at the event are eager to assist one another. They always will lend an extension cord, a tablecloth or whatever is needed, he said.
“It’s a small town,” Beaumier said. “You gotta help each other out.”