Macaluso's Restaurant
Craving great Italian food? Head to Macaluso's Restaurant near Jim Thorpe in the Poconos!
From the moment you arrive at Macaluso’s Restaurant, you are made to feel right at home.
“We fell in love with the place, the Macaluso family did a great job,” said new owner Brian Cianchetti. “We weren't going to reinvent what they did over the last 50 years, so we were just trying to embrace what was here and put our own spin on it and bring it to next level.”
Stephanie Blahoski and Brian Cianchetti took over from the longtime owners in 2022 and kept the name as well as many of the aspects that made Macaluso’s a fan favorite in the Jim Thorpe area.
“They're glad we didn't change, we kept everything the same, same staff, menu, food and atmosphere,” said Blahoski.
The head chef has been at Macaluso’s for more than four decades, putting the new touches on age-old recipes that keep diners coming back for more.
“They just grab me and say that's the best steak, best filet I ever had,” said Cianchetti of patrons.
It’s easy to see how much the new owners take pride in carrying on the Macaluso’s tradition from the bar to the kitchen. The secret to this popular Italian restaurant’s success is in the care everyone takes to make it a worthwhile experience and at times that includes live music.
“I think it adds a lot value to your meal. not everyone can spend $30-$40 on a dinner but when you add that entertainment piece on it adds to experience for customers,” said Cianchetti.
The food, the drink and all that goes into making Macaluso’s a staple is really what makes it so important to support locally-owned restaurants all year and especially during the industry’s slow time of the year - March through April.
“You need to keep your local folks employed, most of our people have another job, this helps them get those things they need and want for their family,” he added.
It’s a way to experience the best of the Poconos foodie scene while supporting mom and pop type restaurants that keep traditions alive.