To start her meal, Ruth sampled the jumbo lump crab and avocado cocktail.
Courtesy of Ruth Corcoran
Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Ruth also tried the rack of lamb entrée at Macaluso’s.
Courtesy of Ruth Corcoran
One entrée features asparagus, ham, and cheese stuffed into chicken.
Courtesy of Ruth Corcoran
The entrance to Macaluso’s Restaurant in Nesquehoning. Officially known as Macaluso’s Lantern Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, the family-owned restaurant and lodge is celebrating its 50th year in business this month.
Courtesy of Ruth Corcoran
The patio at Macaluso’s, seen here, is one of Ruth’s favorite things about the resturant. ‘The patio has a pavilion-style cover, plenty of table seating, and also a large bar with seating. You can find live entertainment on the patio every Thursday night throughout the summer,’ she says.
Courtesy of Ruth Corcoran
I spent the first seven years of my life in Nesquehoning, a small town just west of Jim Thorpe. I go back several times throughout the year to visit my mom’s grave and see a few relatives who still live in town. One stop I always make when I’m in the area is a restaurant called Macaluso’s. In fact, I plan my visits when I know they are open. It’s one of my favorite restaurants and a real diamond in the rough in the midst of the coal region. Officially known as Macaluso’s Lantern Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, the family-owned restaurant and lodge is celebrating its 50th year in business this month.
Owner Tonimarie Macaluso’s parents purchased the existing site in 1971. It was operating as a nightclub and bar which also served food. Tonimarie grew up living above and working in the restaurant and said she could remember the sound of the live music at night. She has been working full-time in the business for the past 34 years. While she and her sister ran the business together for several years, she now operates it on her own. Tonimarie put herself through culinary school and also business school, and in addition to managing the business, she is one of the chefs. She told me she is thankful for the wonderful staff she’s had through the years.
Macaluso’s is quite a surprise in this quiet town. The menu is innovative, with a selection of traditional and upscale Italian fare, interesting small plates, and delicious entrées. The homemade sauce is the closest I’ve tasted to my mom’s recipe, and I love it. Tonimarie’s mom grew up in the New Columbus section of Nesquehoning just like my mom. This was considered the Italian section of town and surely where the sauce recipe originated.
There is something for everyone on the menu at Macaluso’s from an Angus beef burger or smoked brisket sandwich for a quick bite to smoked trout, ahi tuna, and crab stuffed artichoke appetizers. The entrée selections are extensive and include wild mushroom ravioli, veal Bolognese pappardelle, chicken saltimbocca, and prime reserve pork filet to mention just a few.
Nowhere outside of the Nesquehoning/Hazleton area have I seen a meatball and scamutz casserole on a menu, but I remember eating meatball and scamutz sandwiches when I was a kid. From what I’ve learned, the cheese is actually known as scamorza, but in the Hazleton area and in Nesquehoning, the Italian-style cheese is called scamutz. It is a light soft cheese similar to mozzarella that can be described as a cross between mozzarella and provolone. If you haven’t tried it, drive to Macaluso’s and order a scamutz casserole. It comes with grilled Italian bread and is delicious.
My favorite entrées at Macaluso’s are the angel hair tossed with jumbo lump crab, spinach, artichoke, and sun-dried tomatoes in lemon basil cream sauce and the chicken Macaluso. My husband is a big fan of the pork filet and said it’s one of the best he’s had. In addition to their regular menu, they always offer daily features and scrumptious desserts. If you visit and they have the crab and avocado cocktail as special appetizer, order it. You won’t be disappointed. Tonimarie said the features are where they get to explore their creativity each week. She told me they source local ingredients whenever possible, including purchasing produce from local farms. According to the menu, they also purchase their cheeses from Di Bruno Bros. in Philadelphia and bread from Padora’s Italian Bakery in Tamaqua.
Perhaps my favorite thing about Macaluso’s is the outdoor patio. A big fan of outdoor dining, I look forward to the opening of the patio in the spring. The patio has a pavilion-style cover, plenty of table seating, and also a large bar with seating. You can find live entertainment on the patio every Thursday night throughout the summer.
Tonimarie said the restaurant struggled to get through the pandemic and is now dealing with the staffing shortages and food price increases many other restaurants are dealing with. She said throughout the pandemic and still today she lives by her father’s motto that failure is not an option. She told me “growing up, this restaurant was our house, our home, and our livelihood. We couldn’t fail. If we did, we would lose everything.” Remembering her father’s words was what got her through the pandemic. “You go back to your roots where you started, pull your bootstraps up, and you go to work,” Tonimarie said.
The patio helped get Macaluso’s through the pandemic as well. Having outside seating already set and ready to go was a Godsend. She is hopeful that things will pick up for the industry and that staffing issues will improve. In the meantime, Tonimarie keeps her chin up and keeps going. She said she will continue to roll with the punches, keep her eyes open, and keep trying to succeed.
I like so many others in our community will continue to support our small, local businesses. I encourage you to take a drive and give this restaurant a try. Macaluso’s is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Mondays. You can see their full menu at macalusosrestaurant.com.
***
Ruth Corcoran is a professional marketer, former restaurant owner, and community advocate. She resides in Bear Creek. Readers can reach Ruth by emailing [email protected].