New owner for Hilltop Drive-In in Pottstown
A new owner for Pottstown’s Hilltop Drive-In
LOWER POTTSGROVE » For more than 30 years, Deborah Piergrossi dreamed of owning her own restaurant. Her dream has come true. Piergrossi, of West Pottsgrove, took ownership March 1 of the Hilltop Drive-In restaurant, a Pottstown-area icon since 1952.
“I just wanted a little family oriented restaurant and someplace you wanted to come, feel welcome, would want to meet friends there, maybe hold meetings there. Just a happy place to want to be,” she said.
The location at 2910 E. High St. had been for sale for some time, and when Piergrossi decided the time was right to follow her dream — it was one of the places she took a look at. While her dream was 30 years in the making — once the decision was made, it actually came together pretty quickly.
Piergrossi began working with a realtor about three-months prior to the purchase.
“I had heard this property was on the market. After looking around and talking to a couple of people, I decided I would give it a try,” she said.
Piergrossi has experience in the restaurant industry, and has always enjoyed cooking for family.
“I would make stuff for the kids and their friends. I would try things on them and see how it went,” she added.
Piergrossi said she would frequently talk with friends and family about owning her own place.
“I had a friend who said ‘go for your dream. If you don’t, you’ll never know.’ So I did,” she said, adding that she reached a point where she was ready to be her own boss.
Desiree McCarty is Piergrossi’s niece and manager of the Hilltop.
“She’s one of my best friends. We’re very close. She has always had a passion for cooking and making people happy,” McCarty said, adding that Piergrossi was always “vibrant and happy” when she was doing what she loved.
“I had a friend who said ‘go for your dream. If you don’t, you’ll never know.’ So I did.”
– Deborah Piergrossi
“She has stood by and listened to me about my dream ever since she was born,” Piergrossi said of McCarty. “As soon as she could understand me, I used to tell her what I wanted to do.”
There have been a few changes since Piergrossi took over the restaurant, as she works to build her business. However, she is quick to stress that some of the things the Hilltop is known for will remain — like chicken, burgers and ice cream.
“At the same time I want to put my touch on the restaurant, bring in my special touches, and that is what I have started to do,” she said.
One of the first additions to the menu was Piergrossi’s “signature dish” — her Hot Pork Sandwich, with fried hot and sweet peppers to go with it.
“It’s baked and thin sliced, and served in its own juice on a football roll with a choice of cheese,” Piergrossi said. “Little by little I will add to the menu, but that will take time.”
Something else that will remain, according to Piergrossi, are the classic car shows. In fact, Hilltop will host the first Cruise In of the season — Hilltop/Rubright Racing/Pottstown Classics MidWeek Cruise In — on Wednesday, April 18 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Additional Cruise In events are scheduled for May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 19, and Oct. 17 at Hilltop Drive-In, according to a post on Pottstown Classics’ Facebook page.
Piergrossi added that she would also like to do a motorcycle show, would like to have area animal rescues come to the Hilltop and she wants to get involved with the schools and area groups.
“We want to bring the community together. I want you to say — ‘let’s meet at the Hilltop.’ Or if you want to go someplace to read a book and eat something, I want you to feel like you can do that here,” she added.
Piergrossi plans to do some painting of the property.
“We’re also going to build up the ice cream area for the kids, add more, do kids meals and eventually I will open for breakfast and have delivery,” she added.
Hilltop Drive-In is open six days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., closed on Tuesday. For more information about Hilltop Drive-In, visit www.facebook.com/Hilltop-DriveIn-153918834693969/