PLAINFIELD TWP., Pa. – A one-time hot spot for burgers, cheesesteaks and ice cream is finding new life in Northampton County.
Diesel Dale’s Pitstop, a fast-casual eatery offering a wide array of freshly prepared eats and ice cream, is expected to open within the next few weeks at 5879 Sullivan Trail in Plainfield Township, kitchen manager Hope Hernandez told 69 News.
The site was previously home to Petey’s Eatey’s, a similar counter-service concept, which closed last May after more than 15 years of business.
Diesel Dale’s Pitstop is coming soon to 5879 Sullivan Trail in Plainfield Township.
Ryan Kneller
“We’re set to open in early April, and we’re super excited,” Hernandez said.
“Over the past few months, we’ve heard from community members, who are also very excited. Everything will be fresh, made-to-order.”
In closing Petey’s Eatey’s, owner Dennis Einfalt and his family were originally planning to expand retail operations of the adjacent Fuel Cell gas station and convenience store, but they instead decided to debut another food-service establishment.
Einfalt opened the former Petey’s Eatey’s in 2009 at the intersection of Belfast Road and Sullivan Trail.
Diesel Dale’s Pitstop is coming soon to 5879 Sullivan Trail in Plainfield Township.
Ryan Kneller
He named the business after his late American bulldog, Petey, who passed away suddenly during the eatery’s conception. The story behind Diesel Dale’s is a similar one.
“I had another dog, Diesel, that died later,” Einfalt said.
“I also knew a guy named Dale, who died a while back, and he was really into diesel engines. So, everyone called him Diesel Dale. I was originally going to name the place after him, but Petey had just died. So, now I’m going to back to that original plan.”
Diesel Dale’s, featuring newly installed kitchen equipment and other updates, will have a menu similar to the one that Petey’s Eatey’s offered, with popular items like burgers and hot dogs set to return alongside some new additions like house-made empanadas and chili, Hernandez said.
Other menu highlights will include Philly cheesesteaks; chicken sandwiches (fried and grilled); and sides such as fresh-cut fries, tater tots and onion rings.
Customers also will be able to enjoy around a dozen varieties of hard ice cream, with staple flavors such as chocolate and vanilla being featured alongside rotating seasonal varieties, as well as other chilled treats such as milkshakes, sundaes and banana splits, Hernandez said.
Certain menu items will be featured seasonally, including hearty soups and pasta dishes during the colder months, Hernandez said.
“We’ll also have weekly specials with different sandwiches and entrees being available on different days,” Hernandez said. “We want to keep the menu fresh and keep people wondering what’s coming next.”
Customers will be able to place orders at a walk-up window as a well as an indoor ordering kiosk, Hernandez said.
Outdoor benches and picnic tables will be available along with a few indoor dining tables.
Diesel Dale’s Pitstop will operate next to the Fuel Cell convenience store.
Ryan Kneller
To start, Diesel Dale’s Pitstop will operate 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, Hernandez said.
Hours will likely expand to 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday in the summer, she added.
Social media pages for Diesel Dale’s Pitstop, where people can monitor the business’ latest updates, are coming soon.