BROOKE COUNTY, West Virginia — A new mom-and-pop restaurant has found its way to Hooverson Heights in Follansbee. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Jusino’s Family Restaurant – named after owner Robert Jusino – will be a place where people can enjoy a home-cooked meal without having to drive all the way to Weirton or Steubenville.
“The community really needed this because here in Follensbee, all we really have is fast food or pizza,” said customer Rene Hutchinson. “So now this is the only place in town where we can get home-cooked diner food without having to drive to Weirton or Wellsburg.”
Jusino said this is his first restaurant, although he has more than 25 years of experience in the culinary field. He began his career as a dishwasher and worked his way up as an assistant cook and assistant chef before eventually becoming executive chef at several Pittsburgh restaurants.
“I’m also thinking about whether, once everything is established, I can help the youth and bring some kids here, teach them how to cook and maybe give them a career in the culinary arts,” Jusino said.
The closure of the Market Street Bridge has impacted several businesses in Follansbee, but some see the Wellsburg Bridge as a new opportunity to bring customers from Brilliant and other Ohio communities to Follansbee.
“A nice little family restaurant brings that down-to-earth atmosphere to the area,” said Eric Fithyan, president of the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce. “It’s nice to see again. People come to Follansbee, they can share and break bread together and talk over lunch and breakfast. It’s just something totally different for our area that we haven’t seen in this area for quite some time.”
Jusino hopes to expand their menu to include BBQ dishes in the future. He said they will also sell chicken wings during football season.
The restaurant offers takeout and delivery to Weirton and Wellsburg.
“I think it’s a very, very nice neighborhood,” Jusino said. “I think the people are really nice, it’s really quiet. It’s a place that feels like home. I hope people accept me the way I want to accept them.”
