DiMattia's Food Fight Podcast

In this episode of Food Fight, I sit down with Austin from Abide Coffee, a beloved neighborhood coffee shop in the heart of historic downtown Wilkes-Barre. We dive into what it means to own and grow a locally rooted business without sacrificing its soul—choosing community over franchising, and keeping the experience personal and real.

Austin shares the story of how he and his father ventured into the coffee world, his career path before Abide, and the values that drive the business forward—especially their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. We also get a look into the future as he discusses his exciting plans to open a sit-down restaurant for the first time.

This episode is all about legacy, purpose, and the power of staying true to your roots while growing in new directions.

hank You To My Sponsors!

Genoa Wholesale Foods: Servicing the Pizza & Restaurant Industry Since 1947! https://www.genoafoods.com/

Carley’s Fairy Tail Dog Grooming: 8 N Main St, Pittston, PA 18640. Call 541-410-9582

Tommy Munley Law - 570-346-1300. Ask for Tommy Munley!

I chats with Amie Zurewich to uncover the story behind the iconic coffee cup-shaped building on Spring Street in Wilkes-Barre, and explore why it’s boarded up and has been vacant since 2003. Hear about Amie’s inspiring journey through dreams, setbacks, and new beginnings, all anchored by the unyielding spirit of an entrepreneur determined to make her mark. From the early morning grind to financial setbacks that nearly derailed the dream, we cover it all. The conversation pivots to an exciting new venture: Perfect Harmony, an organic cleaning line aimed at sustainability and health. Amy shares the intricacies of product development, patents, and the importance of healing and self-care. Despite her early challenges, her passion for coffee remains undiminished, hinting at the possibility of reviving her dream someday.

It’s a special milestone on the Food Fight Podcast – Episode 50! And who better to celebrate it with than our very first guest, Jim Mirabelli from NEPA Pizza Review. A lot has happened since that first conversation: Jim has launched his Virtual Pizza Academy, both of our social media platforms have grown steadily, and our influence in the region’s food scene continues to rise.

In this episode, we reflect on the journey of the past year, the evolving pizza culture in NEPA, and what it means to build something authentic from the ground up. Don’t miss this full-circle moment with one of the area’s most passionate pizza voices.

Thank You To My Sponsors!

Genoa Wholesale Foods: Servicing the Pizza & Restaurant Industry Since 1947! https://www.genoafoods.com/

Carley’s Fairy Tail Dog Grooming: 8 N Main St, Pittston, PA 18640. Call 541-410-9582

Tommy Munley Law - 570-346-1300. Ask for Tommy Munley!

In this episode of the Food Fight Podcast, I sit down with Albert Martino, the founder of northeastsnacks.com, a one-stop shop for regional favorites from Pennsylvania. We dive into how he ships Middleswarth potato chips across the country—including to U.S. soldiers overseas—along with other local treasures like Carmella’s tomato sauce, made right in Dunmore, and sweets from his own Pocono Chocolate company. We also talk about growing up in the valley, the deep roots of local food culture, and, of course, Old Forge style pizza. Whether you’re a homesick PA native or just hungry for something different, this episode is packed with flavor.

Thank You To My Sponsors!

Genoa Wholesale Foods: Servicing the Pizza & Restaurant Industry Since 1947! https://www.genoafoods.com/

Carley’s Fairy Tail Dog Grooming: 8 N Main St, Pittston, PA 18640. Call 541-410-9582

Tommy Munley Law - 570-346-1300. Ask for Tommy Munley!

In this episode, I sit down with Frank Sepko—owner of ConversionWorx Media and partner in the Food Fight Podcast—for a no-holds-barred conversation about the state of social media, the rise of the carnivore diet, and the health of our nation. We dig deep into the battles being fought every day at the dinner table, in grocery stores, and online. This one lives up to the name—it’s a true Food Fight.

In this episode of Food Fight comes to you from the ConversionWorx Studio in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It’s Round Two with Old Forge, Pennsylvania’s Council President and owner of Café Rinaldi, Russell Rinaldi.

In our first episode, recorded nearly a year ago, we sat down to talk about the history and joy of growing up in Old Forge—and, of course, the legacy of Old Forge pizza.

We had plans to share our recovery stories then, but pizza took over the conversation—just like it has in our lives, as we’ve fought through addiction and come out the other side.

Join us as we finally tell the rest of the story—our fight for life—on this powerful episode of The Food Fight Podcast.

Thank You To My Sponsors!

Genoa Wholesale Foods: Servicing the Pizza & Restaurant Industry Since 1947! https://www.genoafoods.com/

Carley’s Fairy Tail Dog Grooming: 8 N Main St, Pittston, PA 18640. Call 541-410-9582

Tommy Munley Law - 570-346-1300. Ask for Tommy Munley!

Today, Brian is joined in the Loop Internet studio by Tom McGuire, co-owner of Good Tree MMA. This episode is the intersection of food, martial arts, and the relentless pursuit of personal growth. From shedding pounds and learning self-defense, to coaching techniques and managing stress, we discuss how mixed martial arts has the ability to reshape every aspect of your life.

We also get into the tactical and psychological aspects of martial arts, from overcoming competition anxiety to strategizing weight cuts. Tom, a Masters World Champion, shares his wisdom on managing overtraining and balancing the rigors of training with recovery and diet. We even lighten the mood with our top meal picks, proving there’s more to life than the grind of training!

Welcome to Ep.006 of the Food Fight Podcast in the Loop Internet studio hosted by Brian DiMattia! Today, Brian is joined by Andy France, owner of Brasi’s Pizzeria. Pepperoni, pineapple, and the art of pizza-making — it’s not just about what goes on top but the stories underneath. This conversation takes an affectionate look at the slices of life that pizza represents, from the local ‘Valley Style’ to the controversial ‘bee sting’ pizza, born out of a collaborative innovation. We share laughs and heartwarming stories, discussing the emotional rollercoaster of starting a business and the quirky debates that only true pizza aficionados can appreciate. We also explore local restaurants that bring our dining experiences to life, adding a personal touch in a world dominated by chain restaurants.

Welcome to Ep.005 of the Food Fight Podcast in the Loop Internet studio hosted by Brian DiMattia! Cosmo Salerno, the mastermind behind Cosmo’s Cheesesteaks, joins me today for a flavor-packed episode into the heart of our local food scene and the personal journeys that shape a restaurateur’s life. We start by slicing into Cosmo’s own story — the unforeseen challenges that nearly toppled his business and his unwavering enthusiasm for the perfect meatball, a dish curiously absent from his menu. We also discuss the world of online food criticism, where the spicy opinions of armchair critics mix with the sweet success of a well-favored dish. Cosmo and I swap war stories of menu innovation, the allure of Cheese Whiz, and our path from taking every comment to heart, to serving up humor with a side of satire in response to less-than-stellar reviews — a reminder of the resilience it takes to thrive in the food business.

Genoa Wholesale Foods: Servicing the Pizza & Restaurant Industry Since 1947! https://www.genoafoods.com/

Carley’s Fairy Tail Dog Grooming: 8 N Main St, Pittston, PA 18640. Call 541-410-9582

Welcome to Ep.004 of the Food Fight Podcast in the Loop Internet studio hosted by Brian DiMattia! This week, Brian is joined by Russell Rinaldi, owner of Cafe Rinaldi. In this episode, we talk about the birth and history of Old Forge pizza, speakeasies in the prohibition ear, and culinary tradition. But this episode isn’t just about pizza; we’re talking about the heart and soul of a small town, the pride of our Italian heritage, and the enduring legacy of a town that continues to inspire the food industry beyond our Northeastern Pennsylvania region.