N. WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – The family behind a much-loved Lehigh Valley restaurant that closed in 2024 is cooking up another tasty chapter at a new location.
Katie’s Family Restaurant, a family-run eatery known for its breakfast dishes, steaks, seafood platters and soup and salad bar, in July 2024 held its last day of business at 6397 Route 309 in Heidelberg Township amid a landlord-tenant dispute.
Now, the operators are planning to serve up the business’ popular eats and drinks – along with some new menu items – at a new spot.
Katie’s Country Kitchen
The restaurant’s new iteration, Katie’s Country Kitchen featuring Katie’s Kones, is expected to open by the new year at 4804 Route 309 in the Schnecksville section of North Whitehall Township, owner Katie Macalush told 69 News on Friday.
An exact opening date has not yet been determined, but Macalush is hoping to open the restaurant sometime in December following minor cosmetic updates and successful inspections.
Since late 2024, Macalush had been planning to open Katie’s Country Kitchen on Cetronia Road in South Whitehall Township, but that project turned out to be more costly than originally anticipated, leading her to walk away from that lease.
“We were renovating the new space on Cetronia Road, and when we first got it, it was a vanilla box,” Macalush explained.
“So, there was nothing in it. There was no floor or anything. So, we had to do the architectural plans for the underground plumbing, electrical, everything. We did all of that, poured the concrete and did some framing, but it just got to be way too expensive that we couldn’t move forward.”
The new Katie’s restaurant will occupy the site of the former Villa Rosa & Mariachi Mexican Grill, which closed in late summer as owners Michael and Maria Garcia plan to open their new restaurant – Mariachi Mexican Grill & John’s Pizza – later this fall at 8016 Route 873 in Washington Township, Lehigh County.
Macalush dialed in on the Schnecksville site after her mother, Denise Macalush, who helps manage Katie’s, saw a sign indicating that the building was available for rent.
Katie’s Country Kitchen owner Katie MacAlush poses with her two children, Hannah and Hudson.
Courtesy Katie MacAlush
“My mom was over in Neffs, and we weren’t even looking [for a new Katie’s site],” Katie said.
“We kind of felt defeated and thought, ‘Maybe it’s not meant to be at this time, and let’s maybe take a break and see what happens.’ But my mom was driving in that area, and she saw the sign that the building was for rent. She came home and said, ‘Oh my gosh, I found our new place!’”
The Schnecksville location of Katie’s will operate about six miles east of Katie’s original location in New Tripoli.
The previously planned restaurant on Cetronia Road would’ve operated about 13 miles from Katie’s original location.
“It’s a lot closer to our old stomping grounds, where we used to be,” Macalush said.
“… Our goal was always to get back up in that area. I just didn’t think it would be this fast. And it’s actually a small world because my parents and I used to go to [Villa Rosa in Schnecksville] when I was a little kid to eat. So, we know the owner, Joe, very well. When I called him, he was very excited to have us there.”
Katie’s Family Restaurant previously operated at Route 309 and Northwest Road in Heidelberg Township.
Ryan Kneller
Macalush’s late father, Jim Macalush, established the original Katie’s in 2012 at the site of the former Hamm’s Drive-In and former Northwestern Grill at Route 309 and Northwest Road, adjacent to Northwestern Lehigh High School, Katie said.
The full-service restaurant became a “cornerstone of the community,” where individuals and families gathered for friendly conversation and fresh eats, with popular dishes including omelets, burgers, sandwiches, steaks, chicken entrees and seafood selections, Katie said.
At the new dining establishment, guests will be able to enjoy Katie’s staples along with some new options.
Familiar favorites such as homemade creamed chipped beef and a soup and salad bar will return, along with specials such as an all-you-can-eat fish fry on Fridays.
Additionally, many front- and back-of-house staff members from the original location of Katie’s will be working at the new Schnecksville restaurant.
“We also hired a new chef, who will be introducing some new Italian dishes such as bruschetta, eggplant parmigiana and pasta dishes,” Katie said.
The new Katie’s location will operate as a BYOB establishment and feature two distinct areas – a full-service dining room and a fast-casual section for ice cream and to-go food orders.
Katie’s Kones
A wide variety of Hershey’s Ice Cream flavors will be available in cups or cones, and customers also will be able to enjoy milkshakes, sundaes and other chilled treats.
Katie’s Country Kitchen is tentatively set to operate 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesdays), Katie said.
“I figured there are a lot of places that aren’t open on a Monday in that area,” Katie added.
On Friday, Katie thanked supporters and shared plans for the restaurant’s new location on the business’ Facebook page.
“I can honestly say we weren’t looking, BUT this location crossed our path from our [angel] above & it was meant to be!” she wrote.
“Thank you Dad! Thank you for the support along the way and all the people that continued to believe in us. We are very blessed for this opportunity to be closer to our old stomping grounds!”
For the latest Katie’s updates, including progress announcement regarding the new location, follow the business’ Facebook page.