Name of new Harrison restaurant at former Anchor Inn is nod to township's history

A new Harrison restaurant will pay homage to the township’s past.

Owners Corey Pistininzi and Sean Watson on Thursday revealed the name of the eatery — Salt and Steel – a nod to industrial giants Penn Salt and Allegheny Ludlum (now ATI). Both manufacturers were pivotal in the township’s growth, employing thousands of residents and helping to put Harrison on the map.

“It was important to us, coming here, to respect the past,” said Pistininzi, of New Kensington.

“We landed on the area’s first two industries — a salt mine and a steel plant.”

The restaurant will open in the former Anchor Inn, a township favorite that served American fare since 1953 before closing in May.

The building at 2202 Freeport Road is undergoing extensive renovations.

“It will absolutely look different inside,” said Watson, of Lower Burrell.

“We feel that we have an eye for the experience of a restaurant, and we’re changing the feel to match the product we put out.”

The menu is still a secret, mostly because it’s not finalized yet. Pistininzi promised it will focus on fresh food with a twist.

When complete, the restaurant will seat up to 135 people on the main level and about 50 in the lower-level party room.

About 30 jobs are expected to be created.

Pistininzi and Watson are well-known in the local restaurant industry, owning two hotspots in the Alle-Kiski Valley. They opened BotL on Freeport Road in New Kensington about five years ago and National Public House on Market Street in Leechburg about three years ago.

An opening date for Salt and Steel is not set.

“We don’t want to force it,” said Watson, adding that they are working to hone the menu with a chef familiar to their other restaurants.

“We’ll rely on his creativity. We’ve been trying other restaurants in the immediate area and we want a menu that’s not competing, but complementary.”

As for décor, Pistininzi said history will play a key role. Accents will pay homage to the different neighborhoods, like Birdville for example, that dot Harrison, Brackenridge and Tarentum.

There also will be a display with old photos from the Anchor.

After revealing the name, Watson said he felt it was destined.

He recently learned from a history buff uncle that his father’s great-great-grandfather worked in the salt mines in the 1830s.

“And, my grandfather, who I never met, worked at Allegheny Ludlum for 42 years,” he said. “I have ties to all of this and I love it. The stars kind of aligned.”