Pocono News Section

Creating a Hunger at "The City Dump"

Creating a Hunger at "The City Dump" - Friday, March 26, 2010 at 04:02AM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Friday March 26 2010
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - Paul O'Donnell has worked in restaurants for about 30-years. So when he had the chance to name the one he came out of retirement to manage, he called it "The City Dump". It's a name inspired by the way he found the condition of the restaurant space last year before eventually serving food in January. "The first thought that came to my mind is that boy, this place is a dump," said O'Donnell. It took a lot of refurbishing, painting and all new furniture. "And then we tied the menu ideas in with it and it just kept getting funnier and funnier as we went along." Menu items like the Sloppy Garbage Platter -- a black angus burger smothered in baked beans, home fries, chili sauce, relish, tomatoes and onions. "And then we have our landfill weIners. We have our roadkill which is our subs which is the steak and cheese or chicken steak." There's even something dump-inspired for the salad crowd called "Waist Management".

First time customer Pat Tucker of Clarks Summit sees the humor it in it. "The menu is funny. You could read the entire thing and you laugh," she said after ordering one of the restaurant's "Top of the Heap" sandwiches -- a Monte Cristo. Her friend, Mary Ann Banks of Taylor, suggested they stop for a bite. "I said well let's try The City Dump" and she (Pat) said "The City Dump?." Ms. Banks laughed while telling the story. She ordered a daily special -- the tuna melt -- and gave her first impressions. "Very nice, very nice. Fun, the menu's great."

Naming the restaurant "The City Dump" created a curiosity factor. That led to more foot traffic among customers and also some suggestions from them on what to put on the menu. O'Donnell said, "Somebody wanted me to have a 'Trash Can Cocktail'. Somebody said you should have a 'Trash Bucket Full of Beer'", as he hopes to create a hunger with good food and a good sense of humor. O'Donnellalso hopes affordable pricing will draw big crowds. The most expensive item on the menu is just $6.95. "The City Dump" is open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Wednesday through Saturday. It's located at the Ritz Building, 222 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton.