I grew up in the footprint of the West Jefferson Hills School District - West Elizabeth, Jefferson Hills (Boro), and Pleasant Hills. The legendary Blue Flame Restaurant is literally the center of the community.
The George Family opened the restaurant in 1956 when there was very little here. The area has certainly grown and expanded since then (and since I grew up). Greg, Jen, and Al George are keeping the family business and area-institution alive and well with the help of a tremendous core staff. One staffer who has witnessed it all is Bev.
She has been serving this community breakfast, lunch, and dinner since 1968. Bev has helped raise and serve generations of customers.
The Blue Flame has grown and expanded over the decades. The ice cream shop is the latest edition. It is phenomenal. However, it is the food and friends that help make this spot some place special. Great food at a very family friendly price.
As they told us: We are from the community. We know how hard people work for their money and how tough things can be. Larry ordered the traditional breakfast. I had a hankering for Belgian waffles. Producer RonMan seemed to order everything else. Waitress Lisa asked ‘You want to make it pretty?’ Absolutely. Give those waffles to me with whipped creme and strawberries, please!
Tradition and family help make this region great. Athletic traditions are as strong as ever thanks to the likes of AD/Coach Bill Cherpak and hockey assistant coach Deron Stock - both of whom stopped by.
TJ Football is a dynasty - one of its all-time great players, Keith Miller, brought his son in for breakfast before school while we were there. Hockey is playing for another state championship tomorrow. And, for the first time in over 60 years of tradition - TJ has its very first state champion wrestler in Brian Finnerty. Mr.
Howard Crawford, who started the program, is looking down with pride.
Sports has really put the district on the map but it was chosen as a place to raise families because of the tremendous education the teachers and professionals provide. It was chosen by many because of its safe, neighborly charm that so many in law enforcement help maintain.
And, at the start of it all - before it blossomed with a few wealthy enclaves - when it was very rural and Clairton was the big city, Mr. Les George and his brother Al thought it would be a perfect location for a much needed family restaurant. Boy, were they right.
The Blue Flame has been a beacon for those seeking a good meal at a more-than-fair price ever since. It is the meeting place for the Rotary Club (thanks to Darlene Kruth and Stephen Slater for joining us today), members of the 82nd Airborne (thanks to Bob Dvorchak for joining us) and other military heroes, as well as, countless groups of friends who regularly use the dining area to catch up.
Larry and I had a great conversation with State Senator Devlin Robinson who stopped by, too. As did political analyst Doug Saltzman, who calls the area home. The Blue Flame seems to be everyone’s dining room table. In fact, I was reminded that my father even helped repair the floor years ago.
This is the community where I learned my first lessons and, thankfully, was given second chances. In good times and bad times, for nearly 52 years, you have been tremendous neighbors to me and my family. Thank you.