It’s been nearly a decade since Latrobe resident Richie Matsko first wrote down his ideas for a restaurant menu inspired by his favorite band, The Grateful Dead.
Matsko brought his vision to life Feb. 7, opening a bar and restaurant in Latrobe dubbed Terrapin Bistro. It was inspired by the rock band’s ninth studio album, “Terrapin Station.”
The “Fast Eddie” smash burger, “Let it Grow” zucchini planks and “Dark Star” salmon salad are among the menu items paying tribute to Matsko’s music idols.
Pieces by local artists decorate the restaurant’s walls — including several by Greensburg-area resident Mark Serlo, who has done artwork for The Grateful Dead.
Matsko, 38, grew up cooking meals with his grandparents, assisting them in the kitchen since he was 10 years old.
“I always had the dream of owning my own restaurant,” he said.
He worked a couple of years as a cook at Leo’s Pub and Grille in Mt. Pleasant until the covid-19 pandemic forced the restaurant to shutter. Matsko said the restaurant owners helped shape his love for making food.
“For them to let me put my ideas out and let people try my food — if it wasn’t for them, I don’t know if I would be in this situation right now,” he said.
Matsko went on to work various odd jobs, including as a house painter and in a machine shop.
“Nothing gave me the gratitude that cooking does,” he said. “I’m the kind of person that whenever I cook my food, I touch tables.
“I want to talk to people. I want to see how their visit went. I want to see how their experience was. … I want people to feel welcome.”
Most recently, Matsko worked four months as a cook at Tin Lizzy Restaurant and Taproom in Youngstown Borough.
Taking to social media in search of a new kitchen job, Matsko received a response from Darlene Schmucker — owner of the B&D Creekside Activity Center in Latrobe.
Schmucker sought a new tenant for a vacant restaurant space attached to the dog training facility, located along Avenue B.
Matsko visited the center the next day, and Schmucker gave him the keys.
The restaurant will serve a mix of casual bar food — including chicken sandwiches and wings — and dinnertime classics such as chicken parmesan, meatloaf and stuffed peppers.
Matsko said the bar will open by next month.
