U. MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. \u2013 A new tasty chapter \u2013 filled with American and European specialties \u2013 will soon begin for a prominent restaurant site in Lehigh County.<\/p>\n
U-MAC Tavern, offering a fusion of American and European dishes and drinks, is expected to open in mid-May at 6751 Ruppsville Road in Upper Macungie Township, owner Emmanuel Teloniatis told 69 News.<\/p>\n
The freestanding building was previously home to Sunset Grille, a full-service establishment that closed in 2024 after more than 30 years.<\/p>\n
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The former Sunset Grille property, pictured here in January, is located at Ruppsville and Schantz roads in Upper Macungie Township.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Teloniatis recently signed a lease for the Upper Macugie property and is planning to implement some upgrades to the space prior to the restaurant\u2019s opening.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are remodeling the kitchen, dining room and whole bar area,\u201d Teloniatis said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re super excited to bring the property back to life and write history again like the Sunset Grille wrote history. We\u2019re going to be creating a must-go place for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Teloniatis, a resident of Whitehall Township, has more than 35 years of experience in the restaurant industry.<\/p>\n
His foray into the restaurant world began as a child, when he worked at restaurants that his parents previously operated in Reading, Berks County.<\/p>\n
For the past five years, he\u2019s owned The New Country View Diner on Route 873 in Washington Township, Lehigh County, which he plans to continue operating through April or May.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy lease is coming up to its end, and my wife and I were looking to do something different to showcase our European culture at a new restaurant,\u201d Teloniatis said.<\/p>\n
Teloniatis, 46, has a Greek background, and he is excited to showcase some Greek specialties along with dishes originating in Italy, Spain and other European countries at U-MAC Tavern.<\/p>\n
Guests can anticipate items such as hand-crafted paninis, gyro platters and sweet and savory crepes including varieties with fresh fruit, ham and cheese.<\/p>\n
The menu is still being finalized, and Teloniatis plans to announce more details on the business\u2019 Facebook page<\/a> as the restaurant nears opening.<\/p>\n U-MAC Tavern<\/p>\n \u201cI was born in the United States, but my parents were immigrants from Greece,\u201d Teloniatis said.<\/p>\n \u201cI moved to Greece when I was 12 years old, and I came back to the U.S. in 2015. So, I was raised in restaurants, and I\u2019ve done everything \u2013 from busboy to chef.\u201d<\/p>\n The American side of the menu will include hand-crafted hamburgers, wraps and chicken wings, among other items.<\/p>\n Individuals also will be able to enjoy freshly prepared soups, chicken entrees, broiled seafood platters and steaks such as porterhouse and tomahawk.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re also going to have a huge variety of salads with fresh fruits, walnuts, sunflower seeds and so on,\u201d Teloniatis said.<\/p>\n Lunch and dinner service will be offered Monday through Friday, and a breakfast buffet along with lunch and dinner service will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays.<\/p>\n Tentative operating hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Teloniatis said.<\/p>\n The weekend breakfast buffet will include items such as scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, French toast, pancakes and waffles.<\/p>\n For on-the-go individuals, the restaurant also will feature a grab-and-go section offering pre-made sandwiches, salads and more.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have the grab-and-go area for anyone who\u2019s in a hurry and wants to get in and out quickly,\u201d Teloniatis said.<\/p>\n U-MAC Tavern will offer dining room seating for around 180 guests, and a separate banquet room \u2013 set to open later \u2013 will accommodate an additional roughly 150 guests, Teloniatis said.<\/p>\n The restaurant also will feature a full bar, offering a variety of classic and signature cocktails, along with a unique selection of coffee beverages that include specialty, European-style espresso drinks.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could enjoy coffee or soft ice cream on the patio during the summer,\u201d Teloniatis said.<\/p>\n U-MAC Tavern will bring freshly prepared eats and drinks back to a prominent restaurant site at the northwest corner of Ruppsville and Schantz roads in Upper Macungie.<\/p>\n Sunset Grille, which was owned by longtime restaurateurs Ron and Clairissa Pickering, closed in 2024<\/a> after more than 30 years of business.<\/p>\n The business served up Mexican and American cuisine such as burritos, burgers, cheesesteaks, enchiladas, tacos and wings.<\/p>\n “After 34 years of operation as the Sunset Grille, we have entered into a purchase agreement for the restaurant,” a September 2024 announcement on Sunset Grille\u2019s Facebook page read.<\/p>\n The property was purchased by husband and wife Ed and Shahnaz Hanna<\/a> of Whitehall Township in late 2024.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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