After a quiet pre-holiday season opening, Mountaineer Grille is making a popular comeback in Bridgeport. Closed during the 2020 Covid pandemic, the restaurant features many of its traditional offerings and a refreshed atmosphere for which it was known.

“It’s pretty much as it was, all brand new and squeaky clean and when you walk in, it’s the same old spot that has been here since 2009,” said Tyler Piniti.

Pinti is the son of Joe and Pam (Hitt) Pinti who built the Barnett Run Road building in 2006 to house the family business, Benny’s Boot Hill. He manages the entire building, which includes Benny’s Boot Hill, Mountaineer Grille and Mountaineer World retail store.

He said key people to the restaurant reopening are restaurant manager Barb Knicely and Chef Kevin Pinti.

“Kevin is an unbelievable chef who went to the New York Culinary Institute. Not only can he create an amazing dish, but he can also teach the staff to create it, too,” Pinti said. “Barb is great at ordering for the (restaurant) and bringing in the staff and getting everyone trained to live up to expectations.”

Since officially reopening its doors on Nov. 18, Mountaineer Grille has been busy serving the community and has received positive feedback.

“They are really glad to have staples back that we were known for before – like the Allstar Buffalo Chicken Wrap and the Zucchini Straws. People are raving about those things,” Pinti said. “Also, within the last four years, a lot of new people have moved into the community who didn’t know about us before and they have come out to try new things.”

New offerings include the Cheese Stick appetizer that has quickly become a hit, Pinti said.

“Other than that, the new stuff comes in the form of daily specials. We see what does well and in six months or so, we’ll reevaluate the menu and add some new items,” he said. “We (recently) did a meatloaf special, and it was very popular and we also do a lot of seafood dishes which Kevin is really known for. He worked on the Bay for 15 years and made a lot of crab cakes here over the past couple of weeks and is trying to manage seafood with the ability to offer it at a good price point.”

Pinti said the restaurant is in the process of getting a liquor license which is expected to further increase customer traffic. And, as always, the TVs are tuned into sports, especially WVU athletics.

Mountaineer Grille is open 11-8 Monday through Friday and 11-9 Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday. Stay tuned to the Mountaineer Grille Facebook page for daily specials. Reservations are not accepted, but patrons are welcome to phone 20 minutes in advance to ensure availability.

The restaurant is located at 166 Barnetts Run Rd, Suite 4, in Bridgeport. Call 304-848-7500 for more information or visit mountaineergrille.com.