Signature Dishes: Pulled pork nachos at Allusion Brewing in Vandergrift
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This is part of an ongoing series highlighting Signature Dishes at locally-owned restaurants in the region. See Trib Total Media’s new online directory of restaurants, Dine Local, at dinelocal.triblive.com.
A pint-sized entrepreneur is cooking up a key ingredient used in a signature dish at Allusion Brewing Co. in Vandergrift.
Emilee Kostyak, 11, of Leechburg started her own BBQ sauce business when she was 5 years old.
Her homemade creation, Emilee’s Potion BBQ Sauce, is used exclusively in the pulled pork nachos ($8) sold at Allusion.
Allusion co-owner Robert Buchanan roasts a 10-12-pound pork loin for more than 12 hours in a slow cooker.
Buchanan said the time and effort he puts into the dish garners praise — and then questions.
“Customers are always asking, where did I get the BBQ sauce for these nachos?” Buchanan said. “They always want more sauce.”
The other key ingredient in the nacho recipe is, logically, beer.
Buchanan adds a can of Allusion’s own in-house craft beer, Baker St. Brown Ale, to each batch.
“It’s our signature dish because of the time it takes to make it, with toppings customers can customize and the pulled pork is so unique with the homemade sauce being local,” Buchanan said. “Customers love the story behind it — that Emilee, a young chef, makes the BBQ sauce.”
The nachos ($8) are topped with traditional toppings and can be customized.The brewery offers nine staple beers on tap, along with other varying options sold by the draft, can 4-pack and growler.
Allusion Brewing has persevered after opening during the covid pandemic last year.
“It was challenging and unfortunate timing,” Buchanan said of starting a business during that time. “But we have soldiered on, made the best of everything and the community has been fantastic.”
Allusion is co-owned by friends John Bieranoski and Robert Buchanan. Their goal is to make their brewery a destination for craft beer lovers. Their vision is to provide a hometown brewery in Vandergrift built on hard work, blue-collar roots and Alle-Kiski Valley heritage.
Both men began as home brewers in 2013.
With a strong focus on community, Allusion Brewing Co., recently helped to co-found the nonprofit Vandergrift Business Association. The group aims to promote business growth and unity in the borough and surrounding areas.
Allusion Brewing Co. (143 Grant Ave., Vandergrift; 724-568-4916) is open Tuesday to Thursday from noon to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. For details, see allusionbrewingcompany.com or its Facebook page.