ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The Brass Rail restaurant will take root in another familiar part of Allentown more than two years after its Lehigh Street location closed.
Construction began at the restaurant's new Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market location around four months ago, owner Mark Sorrentino said.
It's just a few more months away until it's ready for customers.
"Things are coming along rather smoothly, knock on wood. But things just take time — Good things take time."Brass Rail owner Mark Sorrentino
After more than 90 years of business, the family-owned restaurant shut its doors in June 2022 and later announced it would open a newer — and smaller — restaurant inside the farmers market this past May.
Sorrentino said that while the Brass Rail family hoped to open "sometime in July," it now has a "target date" of Sept. 12.
"Things are coming along rather smoothly, knock on wood," Sorrentino said with a chuckle. "But things just take time — Good things take time."
As a result, however, the Brass Rail will not operate a tent at Allentown Fair this year.
Sorrentino said active construction puts a few constraints on him, such as equipment and food storage, but gives employees a guaranteed vacation.
'A good fit'
Still, the permanent indoor restaurant "definitely has a lot of positives," Sorrentino said.
He mentioned two stand-out factors: the location's familiarity to customers and the three-day work week that comes with it.
He said the new Brass Rail location will feature two counters on each side with about six seats each and "probably" three two-top tables.
"As far as our customer base, I think that pretty much proved that it was gonna be a good fit for us."Brass Rail owner Mark Sorrentino
"My wife and I, we would run into at least four to six regular customers that we used to have on Lehigh Street," Sorrentino said.
"So, I mean, as far as our customer base, I think that pretty much proved that it was gonna be a good fit for us."
The menu will feature some Brass Rail classics — a variety of cheesesteaks, specialty hot dogs, French fries and pierogi — as well as some breakfast fare in the mix, because the market will open earlier than the restaurant's former hours.
"We're gonna be open at either 9 or 8 a.m." Sorrentino said. "I don't think a whole lot of people are eating cheesesteaks at that time."
Breakfast will only be available until 10:30 a.m.
Pre-emptive positivity
The last time The Brass Rail reposted reopening plans on its Facebook page, many eager customers asked about other staples, such as onion chips.
For now, the new location's menu will be "as simple as possible" to "just kind of knock it out of the park." But Sorrentino said it's "certainly open" to running specials that could feature past popular dishes.
"We're just very excited to get going and we thank everybody for being receptive and being excited."Brass Rail owner Mark Sorrentino
And to add to the atmosphere, some familiar faces will make a return to the new Brass Rail location.
Sorrentino said a group of employees keep in touch and get together every second Sunday of the month for the past two years.
"There's a few that are definitely interested in working," he said. "And we'll be excited to have that family back and work with them."
Customers appear just as excited, with several pre-emptively leaving five-star reviews on Google for the new locations.
"I loved the hotdogs the cheese steaks and they had the best onion chips they were excellent! I'm excited that they'll be in the fair grounds in Allentown Pennsylvania! I hope that they have the pot roast sandwich and I loved the chilli! Can't wait to get food there!" one review said.
Sorrentino said all the excitement and positivity makes him "feel wonderful."
"We're just very excited to get going and we thank everybody for being receptive and being excited," he said.
