The Waymart Hotel has served Wayne County for more than 170 years.
Located at 205 Carbondale Road, it was established in 1848 and has been under the care of owners Randy and Susan Thorpe for more than 20 years. The establishment includes two pavilions, an outside deck and a barbecue pit, where guests can dine or celebrate any occasion. The family-friendly restaurant also has many employees who have been with the business for a decade or more.
Chef’s Table recently chatted with Summer Putman, a manager, waitress and bartender at the business.
Q: What is the history of the restaurant?
A: Randy Thorpe bought the Waymart Hotel in 1998 from the Gorel family. The hotel is noted for our unique pizza recipe that has been passed down to the hotel owners for the past 100 years. The Waymart Hotel was established in 1848 during the construction of the gravity railroad. We have added a barbecue pit and two pavilions for events and an outside deck/tiki area.
Q: What kind of food do you serve, and what is available for people with special diets?
A: Our food is made from scratch with quality, fresh ingredients. We serve everything from burgers, wraps and salads to crab cakes and flat iron fillets. We have many gluten-free options on our menu and can accommodate most special requests.
JASON FARMER / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Q: What are your most-ordered menu items and why?
A: Our famous American Cheese Pizza; our Blackened Chicken Salad using a freshly seasoned chicken breast; our Homemade Crab Cakes, (which) are passed down to our chef (Tammy Morgan) from her grandmother; and our Reubans on fresh marble rye.
Q: How did your menu come to be?
A: Our menu has evolved over time and has been influenced by customer requests and our chef’s own creativeness. We have many menu items inspired by favorite family recipes that have been passed down and given a modern twist.
Q: How would you describe the restaurant’s atmosphere?
A: We are a family-friendly restaurant. Our atmosphere is cozy, comfortable and warm. Many of our staff members have been here for 10- to 15-plus years.
Q: What type of seating do you offer?
A: We offer indoor seating including a dining room, bar seating and many high-top tables. We also have outdoor seating (from) May through September on our gorgeous, several-acre property.
Q: What kinds of promotions do you offer?
A: We offer pasta night on Tuesdays, happy hour Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. with free jukebox, and daily lunch and dinner specials. Wing night was half-off of wings, but that’s temporarily suspended due to wing shortages and price increases.
Q: Do you offer catering, event space, etc.?
A: The Waymart Hotel offers two outdoor venues to host your perfect event or special occasion. These picturesque spots are perfect for your wedding, corporate events, graduation parties, reunions and more. Event guests are invited to explore the Waymart Hotel, stroll the beautiful property, visit the waterfall or take their wedding pictures in our scenic garden areas. We also provide catering with several packages to choose from or the option to make your own package.
Q: Are you currently offering delivery, takeout or curbside pickup?
A: We currently offer takeout, dine-in and curbside.
Q: Where do you see the restaurant headed in the future?
A: Since buying the restaurant in 1998, we have added two pavilions, a stone patio and landscaping, an outdoor deck and barbecue pit. We are always exploring new avenues and are open to new possibilities in the future.
Laura Rysz is the features copy editor and calendar editor at The Times-Tribune and runs the Talk of the Times column, which focuses on local fundraisers and other events. She also writes Chef’s Table that profiles restaurants around the region. Additionally, Laura curates events online on AccessNEPA.com. Laura is involved in the special Mother’s Day edition and curates occasional features Marry Memories and Times Travelers. She is a graduate of Haddonfield Memorial High School, New Jersey, and earned an English professional writing degree with a minor in mass communications from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. She also earned a certificate in Social Media Marketing from Rutgers Business School. Contact: lrysz@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5228.
