The Union Grill
| The Union Grill | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1967[1] |
| Owner(s) | Michael Flynn[1] |
| Food type | Italian-American cuisine |
| Street address | 13 1/2 East Wheeling Street (corner of Wheeling and Main Streets) |
| City | Washington |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40°10′9.7176″N 80°14′41.572″W / 40.169366000°N 80.24488111°W |
| Seating capacity | 150 seats[1] |
| Website | theuniongrill |
The Union Grill is a restaurant in Washington, Pennsylvania, serving Italian-American cuisine. It is a popular location for the Washington County legal community. The location at the corner of Wheeling and Main Streets has been home to taverns/restaurants dating back to 1791, the beginning of the Whiskey Rebellion. It bears no relation to the similarly named restaurant in nearby Pittsburgh.[2]
Food and ambiance
The ambiance boasts a "frills-free Italian vibe."[2] It seats 150.[1]
The Union Grill is located in the bottom floor of the building, and because of its location at the top of a hill, part of the floor is below ground.[3] The main entrance leads down a short flight of stairs from Wheeling Street.[3] This rathskeller style entrance is the source of the restaurant's local nickname, "The Down and Under," or "D and U."[2] The bar room is filled with wooden booths, brick walls, and antique furnishings.[3] Other dining rooms split off from the main dining room, and feature Victorian oak furnishings.[3]
Importance in Washington
It is a local landmark in Washington, particularly attracting the legal crowd from the nearby courthouse that it is "almost a clubhouse for lawyers, judges and journalists."[3] It has been described as Washington's "Place To Be Seen."[2] The "back room" serves as a "gathering point for local bigwigs."[2] For example, During the 1992 Presidential primary election in Pennsylvania, then-longshot Bill Clinton visited The Union Grill.[4][5]
With its proximity to David Bradford House and Washington & Jefferson College, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that "[l]unch or dinner at the historic Union Grill would be an appropriate way to start or end an interesting day in Washington, Pa."[3]
History
The Union's Grill's location in Washington was the home of the White Goose inn and tavern, dating to 1791.[1] In 1806, it was sold to John Rettig who renamed it the "Golden Swan," also called "the Sign of the Swan."[1] On August 15, 1808, printers William Sample and William B. Brown opened The Reporter (now Observer–Reporter) newspaper in the basement. The first edition featured an advertisement for the Golden Swan.[1]
The original building was demolished in 1846 and replaced with a 3-story brick building called the Valentine House, which was itself destroyed by a grease fire in 1899.[1] The Siegel brothers rebuilt the building and renamed it the Siegel Hotel; it was renamed the William Henry Hotel.[1]
The current iteration, The Union Grill, was opened in 1967 by Michael Flynn, whose family still owns the restaurant.[1] It was named in honor of the stonemasons and union workers who frequented the tavern.[1]
In 2003, Michael "Mickey" Flynn Jr., his business partner, and 8 others were charged by Pennsylvania Attorney General Mike Fisher with running an illegal gambling ring out of the restaurant.[6][7] Flynn was convicted and was granted bond in 2006.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "History". The Union Grill. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "Munch goes to the Union Grill". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 19, 2006. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Downer, Elizabeth (April 11, 2007). "Union Grill a favorite spot for legal crowd in Washington, Pa". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
- ^ Roddy, Dennis; Janet Williams (April 27, 1992). "Clinton promises "fight for future" here (continued on page A4)". The Pittsburgh Press. p. A4. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
- ^ "A City of Presidents. A Self-Guided Walking Tour" (Issuu). Washington & Jefferson College. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Smydo, Joe (August 8, 2003). "Union Grill owner, 9 others charged with bookmaking". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
- ^ Warco, Katherine O. (August 8, 2003). "Washington restaurateur, nine others linked to alleged sports betting ring". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
- ^ Cato, Jason (Feb 15, 2006). "Convicted bookmaker granted bond". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved November 23, 2013.