New drive-thru concept coming to North Park Lounge
A drive-thru is becoming the lane to be in.
North Park Lounge is joining restaurant chains such as McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Starbucks and Dunkin in creating more easily accessible food and drink options.
Chillin’ drive-thru is slated to open early next month.
“I’ve been noticing more and more of these drive-thrus,” said Mark Baranowski, owner of North Park Lounge, Shooters Golf and Barry’s Pub, all in McCandless. “It has taken more than a year because it is different than anything we’ve done before.”
Baranowski said the process involved designing a mobile app and creating a unique menu, which is what makes this type of drive-thru different, he said — it is not a typical one where guests drive up, order food and drink through a speaker that’s available at the North Park Lounge and pull around to grab their order.
There will be three drive-thru lanes, two for regular orders and one for mobile pay. Guests who use the mobile pay app will have items brought out to their car.
Chillin’ will feature on-the-go bites and an array of handcrafted beverages such as specialty coffees, energy drinks, refreshers — fresh beverages made with lemons, strawberries or other fruits — iced tea, Italian cream sodas, milkshakes and Lotus Energy plant-based offerings.
Breakfast sandwiches will be available all day. There will be burritos, wraps and salads, yogurt parfaits and Nutella and avocado toast. Gluten-free and vegan options will be available.
Coffee prices start at $2.25. Specialty coffees range from $3.75 to $5 depending on size.
Food ranges from $2.95 to $6. Milkshakes, energy drinks, lemonades, and teas are $3 to $5.
For comparison, a grande Pike Place roast coffee is $2.95 at Starbucks and a breakfast sandwich is around $5.
Drive-thrus continue to evolve. Taco Bell opened a spot in Minnesota similar to a bank where, instead of money, food and drink items come down a shoot in a container. The newest concept by McDonald’s is called CosMc — a drive-thru-only space serving iced teas, lemonades, slushes, lattes, sandwiches, baked goods and coffee.
Baranowski said that since the 2020 pandemic, people want more convenience. They don’t dine in restaurants as much as they used to, which is why he has invested in this option. It’s about serving good, quality products, Baranowski said.
Chillin’s coffee drinks will be created with Pittsburgh-based La Prima products.
Jim Pettler, director of sales for La Prima, said via email that North Park Lounge staff members came for a tour and tasting at the North Side facility. Pettler said he commends North Park Lounge for investing in the local community through this partnership.
“We’ve noticed an increasing number of businesses offering high-quality coffee with the convenience of drive-thru normalized during the pandemic,” Pettler said. “In the past, it seemed drive-thru coffee was available mostly from large multi-state corporations, offering mid-to-low-grade coffee, and ultimately beholden to shareholders rather than customers. Now, we see local small businesses realizing this is a fertile market and a willingness to satisfy drive-thru coffee market demand.”
Baranowski has realized this is the direction many are going. He said he is open to expanding to other locations and investing in helping his employees venture into their own businesses. He said the employees are excited about this opportunity.
There will be a complimentary “Puppy Cup” for dogs.
“We think customers will love this,” Baranowski said. “They don’t have to get out of their cars. I truly believe this is where the future is going and you have to be willing to adapt.”
Chilln’ is located at 8701 Babcock Blvd. in McCandless. Hours will be 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
North Park Lounge will remain open with its full menu. Hours are from 11 a.m. to midnight Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday (kitchen closes earlier)
Details: northparklounge.com
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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