For the second time, the Starlite Lounge in Blawnox will be on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

“It’s pretty cool,” said Starlite owner Ron Esser. “We really appreciate this. The show is popular. So many people I know watch it.” Esser, whose nickname is “Moondog,” also owns Moondog’s Pub, located a few doors down on Freeport Road.

The show with the local segment is scheduled to air May 14. Taping was done in August.

Esser said host chef Guy Fieri didn’t travel to Starlite for the filming, but had been in town when the establishment was featured in 2008.

The program will feature Starlite’s shrimp covered with roasted red pepper bisque, spinach, feta and curly pasta, and the meatloaf, which is a recipe from Esser’s father.

“Everyone loves the meatloaf,” Esser said. “People come in and order two and three, so they have some to take home.”

Other Pittsburgh destinations featured on the show include Kelly O’s Diner with locations in the Strip District and Ross, which was on the show in January, as noted on its Facebook page. Fieri has also featured Big Jim’s in the Run in Greenfield, Nadine’s on the South Side and the Dor-Stop Restaurant in Dormont.

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Fieri recently opened Guy Fieri’s American Kitchen + Bar at Live! Casino Pittsburgh in Hempfield.

The publicity from being on the show is definitely a positive for a business that has been suffering for more than a year because of the pandemic, Esser said.

The most recent challenge has been a problem with the U.S. Small Business Administration website, where small venues and theaters can apply for financial assistance. It has been down for more than a week.

The Save Our Stages Act was passed as part of a covid-19 relief bill in December to help with funding for local venues. The act led to Shuttered Venue Operators Grants, which were to be available to apply for on April 8.

Tribune-Review Ron “Moondog” Esser, owner of Moondog’s Pub and Starlite Lounge in Blawnox.  

Esser, who lives in Frazer, said that because he owns both buildings, he expects to be OK in the long run.

The Starlite is open for indoor dining and takeout. He plans to open Moondog’s in October.

He said there is a plan to host live music Thursday evenings beginning June 3 at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center’s outdoor pavilion in Harmar for 20 weeks.

He said he is trying everything he can to bring back music to the stage. Moondog’s was the recipient of an event called “Save Moondog’s” in March. More than $55,000 was raised.

That will definitely help, as will the exposure on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

The last time Fieri was at Starlite, he tried the pierogi and stuffed pepper soup. He also had the chicken diablo. He said that Esser’s homegrown peppers were ”dynamite.”

“I think when all of this is over that we will all appreciate each other that much more,” said Esser, who plans to host a watch party when the show airs on “Diner’s, Drive-Ins and Dives,” if it safe to do so. “And we won’t take anything for granted.”

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