Published May 14. 2021 10:18AM
By LOU WHEELAND
Special to The Press
Ritz Barbecue at the Allentown Fairgrounds was the scene of a ribbon cutting-ceremony on April 16 to mark its return to business.
The restaurant closed when the former owners decided they could no longer operate the restaurant, a Lehigh Valley icon since 1927.
Dan and Laurie Wuchter purchased the Ritz and returned it to its former glory as a meeting place for many Lehigh Valley residents.
After a year’s worth of renovations, the Wuchters held a soft opening March 3.
The familiar menu is being managed by long time Chef Barry Fenstermaker.
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND The Rev. Msgr. Victor Finelli of St. Francis of Assisi blessed the reopening of the Ritz Barbecue April 16 at the Allentown Fairgrounds.
Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong expresses his delight at the reopening of the Ritz Barbecue at the Allentown Fairgrounds.
City of Allentown Mayor Ray O'Connell, was on hand April 16 for the Ritz Barbecue reopening.
Marta Gabriel, representing U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, Pa., speaks on behalf of the senator at the Ritz Barbecue reopening.
Bev Gruber, president of the Allentown Fair Association, adds her thanks for the Ritz Barbecue's reopening at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Joining Tony Iannelli, president of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, in thanking the Wuchters for reopening Ritz Barbecue was WAEB 790 radio morning commentator Bobby Gunther Walsh.
The ribbon cutting for the reopening the Ritz Barbecue included Frank Facchiano, COO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce; Jean Creedon, representative for state Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd, Ellen Millard-Kern, representative for state Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th; Laurie and Dan Wuchter; Allentown Mayor Ray O'Connell; Marta Gabriel, representative for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong; Tony Iannelli, president of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce; and Bev Gruber, president of the Allentown Fair Association.
Dan and Laurie Wuchter, Ritz Barbecue owners, with a background of vintage street rods and façade of the Ritz at the ribbon cutting ceremony on April 16.
