New eatery, Frankie's on 2nd, to open Saturday in Leechburg

A new eatery is opening in an old dining spot familiar to many Leechburg residents.

Frankie’s on 2nd will have a soft opening starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, serving breakfast in what was formerly Pappy’s restaurant and, before that, Bonello’s. It is located at 81-83 Second St.

New owner Frank Failla, 62, of Springdale Township and his sister, Tina Rafalowski, will share the cooking duties.

“I’m most excited about this new adventure for my brother,” Rafalowski said. “He’s the one who taught me to cook.”

Rafalowski of Bethel Park will make the trek to Leechburg on weekends to work in the kitchen.

“I would drive two hours for my brother,” she said.

The siblings grew up surrounded by the restaurant biz. She first learned how to make pizza from her older brother.

Their late father owned and operated the former Don Nicolas pizza shops, with locations in Baldwin Township, Dormont and Pittsburgh’s Overbrook neighborhood.

“That was during the 1980s, and I took over after my dad died,” said Failla, who also works full time in travel management.

Failla is channeling his Italian heritage into his menu.

Customers can expect traditional Italian fare, with one exception — no pizza.

“I don’t use a microwave, don’t have one,” Failla said. “Everything is made in-house with almost nothing frozen.”

To start, the restaurant will serve only breakfast, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Saturday is opening day.

Plans include expanding operating hours to include lunch and dinner in the coming months.

Sundays will continue to be breakfast-only.

When business hours expand to lunch and dinner, the signature sandwich will include a Turkey Devonshire, with only Failla privy to the recipe he has kept under wraps for decades.

The Banana Foster Waffle and Eggs Benedict Royale, made with salmon, are two featured breakfast selections.

He said customers can expect a relaxing, unhurried experience.

“This isn’t a place where we’re going to slam a check on the table while you’re still chewing your food,” Failla said. “It’s not about making the dollar. When people come in here, they’re going to have an enjoyable meal and not be pushed out.”

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

The interior of Frankie’s on 2nd in downtown Leechburg features a fireplace, original Bonello’s booths and seating for about 65 customers.

Failla was raised in Baldwin; he was unfamiliar with Leechburg until he visited the Marconi Club. There, he made some local connections and noticed the former Pappy’s building was on the market.

He bought the building, built in 1949, for $37,000 in 2021.

Renovations to the interior include a large gas fireplace, blue color scheme and industrial light fixtures.

Customers are encouraged to bring their own bottle.

“I’ve been working here two years, and I already feel like a Leechburger,” Failla said. “The history of Leechburg is interesting. It was at one time called Friendship. They still have that here.

”It’s a very close community. I love it.”