Chumps opens its doors

If you live in the Norvelt area and are in the mood for a good pizza, sandwich, pasta or salad, visit Chumps.

The restaurant recently opened at its Greensburg/Mt. Pleasant Road, Norvelt, location.

Owner is Michelle Kobistek of Weltytown.

Kobistek has years of experience working in the food industry.

"This is my first undertaking, but I've been working in restaurants since I was 17," said Kobistek.

Kobistek chose the name Chumps for her restaurant while remembering her childhood days.

"My dad used to come home from work at night and call us all 'chumps' for being up. When I got older, it was a name that we all affectionately called each other."

Kobistek was encouraged to open her business and helped by several members of her family.

The newly remodeled dining area seats 30. The old-fashioned counter area seats another half dozen.

The kitchen has also been remodeled and additions have been made to the cooking and storage areas.

"We remodeled the kitchen and moved things around. We built shelves, got an ice machine and a milk shake machine."

Kobistek added she hopes to add desserts to the menu. These could include fried ice cream, milk shakes and a "chump stir," which is a thick milk shake with flavors added.

Her menu currently includes several different pizza types, including white, pierogie, taco and steak. Also offered are four types of stromboli.

She makes her own dough and admits she spent a lot of time and energy perfecting it.

"I messed with it for a while. I just kept tinkering with the dough recipe."

She finally found one that she liked and the customers seem to enjoy it.

Several pasta dinners are included on the menu. There are more than a dozen different sub choices to try.

Wings are also available. There are also various salads, more than a dozen different sides orders, a full kids menu and sandwiches.

"Our burgers are Angus burgers," Kobistek stated.

"Service is very important to me. There will always be waitresses in the dining room and I have two delivery drivers so people don't have to wait."

Presently, Chumps employs about a dozen people, including wait staff, kitchen help, and delivery drivers.

The entire menu is available for take-out or delivery. Delivery is available within a five-mile radius.

There are also daily specials. Hours of operation are 3 to 11 p.m. seven days a week. For information call 724-424-2787.