Three New Restaurants Coming to Downtown State College

State College is about to get three new restaurants, including a grilled cheese shop, a salad and juice bar, and a Mexican joint. The eateries are replacing Pita Pit and Bell’s Greek Pizza, both of which have closed their adjacent Calder Way locations.

And yes, you’ll finally be able to get a late night burrito in State College.

The new restaurants will appear in phases, with the grilled cheese shop set to open first next Monday. The Melt Shack will set up shop at 218 E. Calder Way in place of Pita Pit.

Hitham Hiyajneh, owner of Underground Burger & Crepe and Pita Cabana Grill, is behind the influx, and five of his siblings are in process of immigrating to State College to help with the restaurants. He wanted to switch it up and bring a variety of food options to downtown State College. 

“The grilled cheese is more Americana. Our family doesn’t want to do the same thing, we want to do different things so we aren’t bored with food. You gotta mix it up,” he said. “That’s why we’re successful.”

Tazzah, the salad and juice bar, will feature healthy options Hiyajneh noticed were lacking in State College. It will be right next to The Melt Shack, and Hiyajneh expects it to open in about two weeks. It features salad with a Middle Eastern twist and tons of unlimited toppings, and a fresh juice bar with all kinds of fruit.

El Tacorrito, the much needed lunch and late-night authentic Mexican food joint, will also be open in about two weeks. It will be above The Melt Shack and will feature a simple menu comprised of tacos and burritos. “We’re going to open for lunch and the drunk crowd technically, late night,” Hiyajneh said.

He might have a lot on his plate right now, but he’s already thinking about the future. Eventually, he wants to open a Chinese food restaurant where the chefs cook in front of you. For the immediate future, you can look forward to a slew of both healthy and indulgent food.