Building the Valley: Frankie's on 2nd finds niche in Leechburg, expands hours, days

Frankie Failla of Springdale Township is retired, but he goes to work every day.

Failla owns Frankie’s on 2nd in downtown Leechburg, a classic American diner serving up hearty, homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner specialties.

Some of the specialties are from the Italian-influenced Failla, who grew up learning the food and beverage ropes from his late father, owner and operator of the former Don Nicolas pizza shops in Pittsburgh’s Overbrook neighborhood, Dormont and Baldwin Township.

Frankie’s celebrated its first anniversary in December and has expanded operating hours to every day, a goal Failla set when he first opened with limited hours.

Failla most often is found cooking homemade entrees such as lasagna for his customers.

“The people are the best part of my job,” said Failla, who commutes daily from the Harwick section of Springdale Township to Leechburg.

The expanded hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays opened up more dining options for customers, and Frankie’s recently expanded its business hours to seven days a week.

“I never tire of cooking, but I do get tired,” said Failla on a recent Friday after working a busy breakfast and lunch shift. “I cook 80% of the time because I do have great help.”

Failla started cooking when he was 14 and has been involved in the food and beverage industry his whole life.

“It’s his life,” said Sue McMillen, the restaurant’s general manager and Failla’s fiancee. “He just loves what he does.”

Housed in the former Pappy’s restaurant and, before that, Bonello’s, the breakfast, lunch and dinner casual spot carved out its place in Leechburg’s downtown dining scene among multiple restaurants.

Servers Missi Barone and Diane Rigatti describe the work atmosphere as a family environment.

“I sell tons of breakfast and people like the atmosphere,” Barone said. “Customers like the daily features, and I sell a lot of Cherry Jubilee Waffles, and it’s something you can’t get everywhere.”

“Our customers are great. We have our regulars and that makes it fun for us,” Rigatti said. “Frankie is picky. He’s very specific, and it has to be perfect before the food goes out or he’ll remake it.”

Wedding, she-crab and French onion soups are Failla’s homemade soups.

“The people in this area (of) Leechburg (have) welcomed us,” McMillen said.

Customers drive from Butler, Vandergrift, Apollo and other surrounding areas for the hearty breakfasts and, now, its expanded hours.

Weekend hours include breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Customers are invited to bring their own bottle.

Failla’s signature lasagna features two meats, three cheeses within three thick layers.

“The portions are very generous, and on Thursdays it’s lasagna night,” McMillen said.

Trays of to-go lasagna can be ordered 24 hours in advance.

“Some of the people maybe were from Leechburg, and they come back to visit,” McMillen said.

Frankie’s on 2nd is at 81-83 Second St. in downtown Leechburg.