(From left) Sean Banks, Chrissy Banks and Patrick Murphy
Ever try a chopped cheese sandwich on a Jamaican beef patty? Or a smash meatball sandwich? How about chicken Caesar loaded fries?
These are just a few of the hot menu items at Bodega Food Co., a new restaurant in Midtown Harrisburg that’s cooking up out-of-the-box creations for the neighborhood.
The shop opened at the corner of N. 3rd and Herr streets a little over a month ago, beginning without much fanfare and steadily building business through word of mouth.
Already, neighbors have become regulars, some even coming several times a week.
“I live right down the street, so this is kind of my kitchen away from my kitchen,” said resident Demitrius Randolph. “It’s like walking to the fridge.”
That’s exactly what owners Sean and Chrissy Banks and Patrick Murphy were going for—a neighborhood spot with something for everyone.
The idea for Bodega Food Co. actually originated early this year, when husband and wife duo Sean and Chrissy started a food trailer that regularly appeared at the Harrisburg Beach Club on City Island, among other locations.
Excited about their vision, Murphy linked up with the Banks’ and the crew found their perfect location to launch their take on an urban bodega in a brick-and-mortar shop.
Sean, originally from Altoona, said that he was first introduced to a bodega when he and Chrissy lived above one in Jersey City, N.J.
“I always shopped there, but I never ate there,” he said. “Then he [the owner] made me a sandwich and I was like, ‘Oh, this is different.’ Once I tried it, I couldn’t stop.”
His visits to other bodegas and corner stores inspired his menu at the new restaurant, with an added twist.
“We do things just a little bit differently than everyone else does,” he said.
Chopped cheese on Jamaican beef patty
The menu features bodega classics, like the chopped cheese sandwich, a New York City favorite, cheeseburgers and wings. But there are also lots of unique offerings like the loaded fries, Altoona hotel-style pizza and the Italian chopped sandwich. Sean’s mother, “Mummum,” as his kids affectionately call her, bakes homemade desserts like brownies and sweet potato pie for the shop. Combining a dessert and a sandwich, Sean is currently working on a new menu item—a cinnamon bun burger.
So far, Sean said that a lot of New York natives have visited the shop and have walked away impressed, but there have also been plenty of locals who’ve never heard of a chopped cheese.
“There’s not really anyone else that does a chopped cheese in the area, especially on a Jamaican beef patty. Everybody comes in and doesn’t understand what it is and we have to explain it,” Murphy said. “I almost want to make a notecard, because I say it so much.”
Some customers even make special requests, leading Chrissy to add their concoctions to the ordering system. Somewhat of a “secret menu” has developed.
“If enough people ask for it, it’ll be on the menu,” Chrissy said.
Chicken Caesar loaded fries and wings
All three of the owners have years of experience in the restaurant industry, the Banks’ in the corporate world and Murphy at more local businesses. Most recently, Murphy served as the general manager of the Federal Taphouse downtown, before it closed.
Each of them brings their own specialty to the partnership and described their skillsets. Chrissy is on operations, Sean is the creative guy and Murphy is the tinkerer. They all help cook and develop menu items, as well.
After years of working for other people, they all enjoy having their own place, and even have hopes of opening more locations in the future.
“It’s exciting, but it’s all possessing, in a good way,” Chrissy said. “There’s such a sense of pride that we’ve made it here. We’ve all put in our dues; we’ve all put in our time working for other people, and being able to say, ‘this is ours; we did it; it’s happening,’ that I think is the most gratifying part.”
Bodega Food Co. is located at 1100 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website or Facebook page.
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