When my job first moved me to Pennsylvania from Vermont, my kids and I immediately got out and explored the area. One of the first places we wanted to check out was that little town to the north of Cranberry Township; the town with the name we couldn’t pronounce – Zelienople. We rolled over the hill and dropped down Route 19 onto Main Street and I was immediately smitten! It was like driving into the small Vermont towns our family had become so familiar with. It was this day that we stumbled onto what would quickly become our favorite breakfast spot.
Like so many places in Pennsylvania, Zelienople is filled with history. The Kountry Kitchen restaurant has transformed over the years from a tin shop to a bakery to an iconic Isaly’s from 1041 to 1979. Pittsburghers know Isaly’s for their famous chipped chopped ham. In 1985, not long after Isaly’s closed the Zelie location, Ronald Adams opened what we now know as Kountry Kitchen. Ron owned the restaurant for almost 10 years before selling it to the current owner – his son Kevin Adams.
Kevin and his wife Charlene (Char) have owned this traditional cash-only local favorite for nearly 30 years and they continue to serve some of the BEST homemade, reasonably priced, breakfasts and lunches around. Kevin and his son (also Kevin) can be seen every day at the grill. Char and her sister Karen serve tables, along with Kevin and Char’s daughter, Megan. Charlene says, “Currently, five family members work there, but there have been at least 10 more that have worked periodically for us in the past to fill in.” It is truly a family business that has employed siblings, a brother-in-law, and nieces and nephews over the years.
I remember the first time my daughter and I were at Kountry Kitchen. We bellied up to the lunch counter where we met Karen, our waitress. When she found out it was our first visit, she brought us a Mickey Mouse shaped pancake with our order. The pancakes, biscuits & gravy…EVERYTHING…is fantastic and the true definition of comfort food! Hint: If you order hot chocolate ask for whipped cream. Karen doesn’t skimp!
Char and Karen seem to know everyone who walks through the door and, if they don’t, they’ll treat every new customer like an old friend. Locals agree that Kountry Kitchen is a staple in the community and it shows. On any given Saturday or Sunday morning every booth and counter seat will be taken and folks will be waiting at the door for a seat.
I asked Charlene if the growth of Zelie and the plethora of new restaurants that have moved into the immediate area has affected the restaurant either positively or negatively. Charlene says, “The town growth has had a huge positive impact on the business! We are busier than ever since the town has been growing and becoming more popular.”
The regular customers are fiercely dedicated and consider the Kountry Kitchen crew to be extended family. When Shawn and I come in, Karen or Charlene will take a seat with us and catch up on our life – How is the house renovation going? How is Bea? How is your daughter? And we’ll pass around picture for them to see. The Adams and their family truly care about their customers and the community and it shows.
Next time you’re up in the area, I encourage you to stop by, say hi, and have a bite. Tell them Shawn & Pam sent you!
Kountry Kitchen – 111 S. Main St., Zelienople, PA 16063 https://www.facebook.com/kountrykitchen111/
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