Sarina, Milana and Pierre — those are the names of Chade Sankari’s children, and the initials he uses for the cheesesteak shop he co-owns alongside his wife Nancy.
To use those initials, he said, means “that everything that leaves my location here is something that we put our name on and our children’s names on. So it’s very important to us what leaves the doors is exactly what people are paying for and what we would want to serve.”
His restaurant, SMP Steaks, held its grand opening Friday at 1050 Schadt Ave. in Whitehall Township. It serves cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogies, wings, burgers and bowls. Other offerings include apparel, candy, snacks and drinks.
A back wall of the restaurant explains the SMP history, including how it began in 2004 as a snack shop at the Whitehall Mall, launched a wholesale business for local convenience stores in 2012 and opened SMP Mini Mart in 2022.
“I was born into basically a retail family,” Sankari said. “My dad … and mom, they owned a couple of dollar stores back in the early ’90s. So I was very young and that was something that I enjoyed doing, being around retail, being around people, being around whatever it may be.”
SMP Mini Mart is just across the street at 1341 Mickley Road. Sankari said they are moving its primary food operation to SMP Steaks, and will serve new items such as additional sandwich types, but SMP Mini Mart will remain open as a catering kitchen and convenience store.
Now in a nearby standalone building, Sankari said, “What we’re trying to do is establish something through our food and through our continued support of our customers, and building relationships with our customers. Trying to build something up here in Whitehall that becomes a staple for Whitehall for an indefinite amount of years, not … trying to come in here like some other places maybe or things that we’ve seen where they come in, pop up for a year or two and get out of there. We’re trying to become something, like I said, established, well-known, bring something to the map to Whitehall that people want to come to and they’re attracted to.”
The SMP Steaks kitchen operates 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
The property used to host Soccer Magic, Sankari said.
Chade and Nancy Sankari, co-owners of SMP Steaks stand Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at their business in Whitehall Township where they will serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
Nancy Sankari, co-owner of SMP Steaks, shows a cheesesteak called “The Didn’t Suck,” Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at the business in Whitehall Township where they will serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
Chade and Nancy Sankari, co-owners of SMP Steaks prepare food Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at their business in Whitehall Township where they will serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. In photo a cheesesteak, Egg rolls, and Vodka parm cutlet with pesto, (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
Chade and Nancy Sankari, co-owners of SMP Steaks stand Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at their business in Whitehall Township where they will serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
The kitchen at SMP Steaks, is photographed Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at the Whitehall Township business that will serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
Chade and Nancy Sankari, co-owners of SMP Steaks stand Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at their business in Whitehall Township where they will serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
The interior of SMP Steaks is photographed Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Whitehall Township. They’ll serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
The interior of SMP Steaks is photographed Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in Whitehall Township. They’ll serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
Chade and Nancy Sankari, co-owners of SMP Steaks stand Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at their business in Whitehall Township where they will serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
The exterior of SMP Steaks is photographed Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. The Whitehall Township business will serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
Chade and Nancy Sankari, co-owners of SMP Steaks stand Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at their business in Whitehall Township where they will serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
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Chade and Nancy Sankari, co-owners of SMP Steaks stand Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at their business in Whitehall Township where they will serve cheesesteaks, breakfast sandwiches, cutlets, gyros, pierogis, wings burgers and bowls. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
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Lehigh Valley retail and restaurant news in brief
SNIPES: New shoe stores from the national chain will open soon in the Lehigh Valley, including later this month at the Plaza West Mall at 1616 Allen St. in Allentown and in October at the Lehigh Shopping Center on Union Boulevard in Bethlehem.
Local Stone: The pizza vendor announced online it will open its own pizza shop in the Lehigh Valley.
“What started as pizzas for family, friends + Pop-ups over the past 6 years is turning into something we can call home,” the announcement said. “We’re bringing ALL of our signature pizzas + details you’ve come to expect and love. Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing sneak peeks, menu drops + opening dates. Thank you for rocking with us pizza fam!”
It has not divulged the location of the store, and said details would be coming soon.
Lucky Brand: The national clothing retailer has opened a new store at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township. The chain previously operated at Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township until it closed last year.
Try in-house rum and brandy
Original Degenerate Distilling Co. will hold a grand opening at 6 p.m. on Sept. 12 at 437 Northampton St. in Easton, founder and CEO Chris Plumaker said, when it will start selling in-house rum and brandy made with custom 150-gallon and 10-gallon pot stills.
Customers can also try and buy the products at the Clam Jam Seafood Street Festival on Aug. 30 at 3rd & Ferry Fish Market.
The distillery, which opened to the public in March, currently offers beer, wine, mixed drinks, outdoor seating, tours and private events.
In other news
The second-annual Lehigh Valley Vegan Chef Challenge will run Sept. 1-30, letting customers try and vote on local vegan dishes. Winners will be announced in October.
Participating restaurants include Hampton Winds, Barley Creek Saucon Taproom and Twisted Olive as of Aug. 5.
Retail Watch is a weekly column covering retail and restaurant news in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question, tip, or want to see something in the area? Contact retail reporter Graysen Golter at retailwatch@mcall.com. Sign up for our weekly Retail Watch newsletter at mcall.com/retailwatchsignup.