Literature

Food enthusiast, author heads to David’s Diner in Springdale Township

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26 minutes ago

Eric Fontana wants to be the next Guy Fieri.

The food enthusiast recently published his first book: “The Hidden Restaurant Gems of Pittsburgh: An Insider’s Guide” and is already working on its sequel.

One of the restaurant’s that will be featured in the upcoming book is David’s Diner of Springdale Township.

“I love old school places with character,” said Fontana, 37, of Marshall.

Fontana visited the diner, owned by David and Lisa Speer, on Saturday, Nov. 21. He liked the ambience and the fact Lisa Speer chatted with everybody. Plus, the food was delicious. He ordered the “Meat Lover’s Omelet.”

“You get that hometown feel as soon as you (walk) in,” Fontana said. “It’s clean, but you can tell it’s got character to it.”

A passion for food and love of writing inspired Fontana to write an insider’s guide showcasing Pittsburgh-area restaurants he thinks people should be visiting if they want to eat a good meal without emptying their wallet.

His first book came out in October. It includes about 50 reviews of restaurants in Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Fontana anticipates the second book will be out in nine months. He tries to visit at least one restaurant a week.

“In order to have a season two and do about 50 or 52 reviews, it will probably take me probably close to a year,” he said.

Fontana chooses restaurants through recommendations and his own research. He started his Facebook page, “Meat & Potatoes of The Steel City” at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic as a way to give back and help promote businesses that are struggling.

He said his wife encouraged him to write his book, which he was able to complete in two months.

He has a full time job with the insurance company Cigna, and does his reviews in his free time. He would someday like to turn his passion into a career.

“She pushes me. She’s helped me along the way,” Fontana said of his wife, Christina Fontana. “I’d like to be an entrepreneur, which is what my wife is, eventually.”

Fontana believes David’s Diner is the first the Alle-Kiski Valley restaurant he’s reviewed. He found it via Google Maps while looking for new places to try.

After doing some research, he discovered that Vice President Mike Pence had dined there in June.

“I don’t really know that area much,” Fontana said. “I’m not ever really up there, the Kiski Valley, so I’m trying to extend into there.”

Fontana’s reviews are based on four categories: taste and flavor; portion size; affordability; and ambience.

He gave David’s Diner a 5/5 for taste and flavor; 4/5 for portion size; 4/5 for affordability; and 3/5 for ambience.

“I did give it a 5/5, which I don’t do often, but it was very good. It had just the right amount of salt … and it also comes with toast and hash browns,” Fontana said. “It’s $13 so … I gave it a 4/5 (for affordability). It’s not pricey, but it’s not the cheapest ever.”

The full review can be found on Fontana’s Facebook page.

Lisa Speer said Fontana reached out to her via Facebook to let her know who he was and what he planned on doing. She was honored to have him review the restaurant. The diner shared Fontana’s review on its Facebook page.

“To be honest it was short and sweet. I didn’t chat with him much,” Speer said of his visit. “He actually took a picture of himself with the food because I’m back here cooking.”

“It was very, very cool that he was here,” Speer added. “I just felt bad that I really didn’t get to talk to him that much or to visit that much at all.”

Speer said one thing she’s curious to know is what she can do to increase the diner’s “ambience” rating. She wants to know what she can do to get a 5/5.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get to ask him that. I’m a person that (wants) the 5/5,” Speer said.

Madasyn Lee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Madasyn at 724-226-4702, [email protected] or via Twitter .

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Local | North Journal | Valley News Dispatch

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