Take a Look: Man-Versus-Food Challenge at East Coast Sandwiches

Leetsdale resident takes a shot at eating a 3-foot sub in 45 minutes or less. Did he do it? Find out.

Patrick Shirkey came equipped to East Coast Sandwiches on Sunday with one simple strategy: Hunger. "I haven't eaten any breakfast this morning," he said. Shirkey, 41, of Leetsdale, was the first person to take on the "East Coast Sandwiches Meatball Sub Challenge," an eating contest that involved ingesting a 3-foot sandwich in 45 minutes or less. Pull it off and the $40 sandwich is free. It took both the restaurant owner, Matt Cuomo, and a helpful employee to carry the large sandwich to Shirkey's equally large table.  Prior to the challenge, Shirkey admitted that as a younger man, he might have been able to finish off the sub. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 224 pounds today, he couldn't be sure.  "I'm going to do my very best," he said. His wife…

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East Coast Sandwiches Issues Meatball Sub Challenge

If you can finish the oversized sandwich in under 45 minutes, your meal is free.

If you’re feeling hungry, East Coast Sandwiches has a challenge to put your appetite to the test. The Italian sandwich shop at 400 Beaver St. will launch the “East Coast Sandwich Meatball Sub Challenge” Sunday, when one daring customer plans to try the special meal that pits a single person against a single sub sandwich. The catch? This isn’t your typical sub. “It’s about three pounds of food,” said Matt Cuomo, owner of East Coast Sandwiches. In the style of the Travel Channel's Man versus Food, the all-you-can-eat challenge involves gorging on an oversized three-foot long submarine sandwich filled with 18 homemade meatballs, sauce, and topped with mozzarella cheese.  Cuomo estimates the bread weighs around 1 ½ pounds and the meatballs …

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East Coast Sandwiches Plans Open Mic Night with Frank Piscopo

The Frank Piscopo Band will host open mic night from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Sewickley sandwich shop.

East Coast Sandwiches continues to add new offerings, from its breakfast menu to made-from-scratch doughnuts and desserts. Now, the sandwich shop is adding live music to its repertoire. On Thursday, Nov. 15, East Coast Sandwiches, 400 Beaver St. will host its first ever Open Mic Night, featuring the Frank Piscopo Band. The music starts at 7 p.m. and runs to 9 p.m. Cuomo said he's always thought about having an open mic night at the shop, which marked its one year anniversary in September. A customer approached with the idea and it took off from there. “This will be the first one,” said Matt Cuomo, restaurant owner. “We’re just going to see how it goes.” Cuomo said the hope is to continue open mic night with Frank Piscopo on the third …

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Last Minute Mother's Day Ideas

Mother's Day is Sunday. Not ready yet? Patch's Readers' Choice winners have got you covered.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 13, the day we honor Mom for all the amazing things she does, from the world’s greatest PB&J to always keeping you stocked with fresh, clean undies.  Do you have a plan to really “wow” the mom in your life? Don’t panic. Patch looked to our Readers' Choice winners to find some of the best Mom-pleasing ideas that you can totally handle in two days.   Give mom a break and bring her to Cafe des Amis for Mother's Day brunch. Seating times are 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Sunday. The menu includes: Herb Roasted Free Range Chicken, Seafood Newburg with Rice, Pork and Sauerkraut, Fresh Roasted Vegetable Medley, Smashed Red Skin Potato, Tri-Color Tomato Salad, Field Green Salad, Fresh Fruit Salad, Bread and Butter, and …

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Readers’ Choice Poll: East Coast Sandwiches Named Best Place to Grab a Kid’s Meal

The small business serving up the freshest fare beat out Eat 'n Park and Subway franchises.

Parents who eat at East Coast Sandwiches at 400 Beaver St. in Sewickley know that there is a special child-friendly section that keeps kids occupied and parents satisfied.  And with affordable menu items like chicken fingers, hot dogs, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and French fries, it’s easy to understand why parents also are welcoming East Coast Sandwiches' made-fresh-to-order fare into their kids’ stomachs. The authentic Italian eatery serving up the freshest and finest ingredients was named the winner of this week’s poll asking readers to tell us which restaurant in the Sewickley area serves up the best child-friendly fare. "East Coast Sandwiches thanks the readers of Sewickley Patch for voting us 'Most Kid-Friendly' place. It is…

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Here's How to Vote in Sewickley Patch's Favorite Burger Survey!

Want to tout your favorite burger? Write a review on Patch Places and tell us about the best place to grab a burger in the Sewickley Valley.

Every now and then everyone gets a craving for a big juicy burger (Apologies to the vegetarian/vegans out there). So what Sewickley Patch wants to know is ... where's your favorite go-to burger spot in the Sewickley Valley? Patch's inaugural "My Favorite" is kicking off by asking you where to grab the best hamburger (or cheese, please) in town. So here's how it works: We'll list the nominations we receive below. Click on the link (which takes you to our Patch Places directory) and write a review of your favorite burger. If your best burger isn't listed, shoot Local Editor Larissa Dudkiewicz an email to nominate it. Here are some of the nominees for best burger in the Sewickley Valley: Make sure to vote by writing a review by 9 a.m. Friday…

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Inside Voice

Join Esthethics Salon and Support Hair Peace

The salon is hosting a fundraiser for Hair Peace Charities from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. today, Nov. 12.

If you want to make a difference today, head down to Esthetics Salon and Spa, 402 Beaver St. The salon is hosting a fundraiser for Hair Peace Charities from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. A number of regular services at Esthetics will be done for donation only. All the money collected from these services will go to Hair Peace Charities and the many women they support in their fight against cancer. Esthetics’ new downstairs neighbor, East Coast Sandwiches, will be providing a free lunch to those generous souls who donate to Hair Peace. There will also be live music by Blue Sky & Sunshine and Chinese auction items on display throughout the establishment. Hair Peace Charities aids women fighting cancer in the Pittsburgh area and was founded by Bonny …

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Sewickley Business Neighbors Team up for Cancer Charity

This Saturday you can get your nails done, have a sandwich and help a cancer charity at the same time. Esthetics Salon and East Coast Sandwiches are upstairs/downstairs neighbors doing good.

Ann Kukucka spends her days making women feel better, but she’s no doctor. As owner of Esthetics Salon on Beaver Street, Ann knows for women: The hair means everything. That’s why Ann is teaming with her business neighbor to raise money for a charity that has the same goal: to help women feel better about themselves. On Saturday, Esthetics will donate all proceeds from special spa services to Hairpeace Charities, a nonprofit that helps cancer patients and survivors who have hair loss as a result of chemotherapy, by helping to pay for wigs. Breast cancer survivor Bonny Diver started Hairpeace. Four out of five insurance companies in Pennsylvania do not cover the cost of wigs for cancer patients, she said. Ann Kukucka knows this firsthand, …

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Annual Fall Music Festival Brings Out a Crowd

Fern Hollow Nature Center's 10th annual event fills Saturday with entertainment, activities, food and more.

Fern Hollow Nature Center was abuzz with activity Saturday as young and old, alike, enjoyed good music, games, and company at the 10th Annual Fall Music Festival. The festival offered a variety of musical groups and free children’s activities, including a climbing wall. East Coast Sandwiches and Sewickley Confectionary were on hand to offer food items, as well. Susie Moffett, program coordinator of the event, said all proceeds from the festival go toward environmental education programs at Fern Hollow. “We bring thousands of kids through Fern Hollow every year and it’s all because of the support of people like you,” Moffett told the crowd that turned out Saturday.

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Business Notebook

Not Just Sandwiches at this New Village Eatery

East Coast Sandwiches is off to a running start after officially opening for business Saturday in Sewickley.

When asked what people want to see more of in the Village, the overwhelming response concerned eateries. It would seem almost everyone is looking for dining options close to home. Happily, East Coast Sandwiches, which opened for business Saturday, fits the bill to grab a bite in town or get something to take home to the family. The space at 400 Beaver St. has been transformed from a former boutique into a dark, warm and cozy restaurant that is inviting and easy. The business is open until 7 p.m. so customers have a chance to get take-out or dine after work. Although it's already open, the official ribbon cutting ceremonywith Mayor Brian Jeffe will be this weekend. Customers place their orders at a counter from a chalkboard menu filled with…

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