Hatboro Chef Shares Street Food, Culinary Wisdom

HATBORO, PA — Chef Ernie Pio opened Street Food Sandwich Shop, Hatboro’s new spot located at 7 York Rd, in May of this year. As a Culinary Institute of America graduate with a long career in fine dining, Pio says this shop represents a different perspective in his food.

Street Food Sandwich Shop has some seating, but is more oriented towards takeout meals.

“Being in the restaurant business, you realize how really hard it is, and you want to simplify it — especially in the face of COVID,” he explained. “So that’s what I did.”

Pio said that many of the recipes are an ode to his mom’s cooking, and to his childhood in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood. Recent specials have included street corn, a blackened salmon BLT, and Italian wedding soup.

Pio isn’t only thinking about his community from back then, though — he wants his knowledge to benefit the people around him today.

“I graduated from a really good school, and I think it’s kind of imperative for me to share what I know,” he said.

Prior to the pandemic, Pio had been in dialogue with Cherilyn Fiory, director of the Upper Dublin Public Library, about opening up a cafe on the premises of its new, more accessible location. When those plans halted, they had a new idea: Pio is volunteering his time to teach cooking classes out of a laboratory in the library’s new 520 Virginia Dr. location.

He has previously done demonstrations via Zoom. On Monday morning, he taught the first of his in-person classes this summer to a group of 14-year-olds in Upper Dublin Township camps. He said he wanted to teach “stuff that will not require a lot of dangerous preparation at home,” with ingredients their parents might have in their pantries.

“Kids at 14 don’t know what they want, so I’m going to teach them a little bit,” he said. “We have a 14-year-old at home, and she likes to cook — so that’s really the premise. Keep them busy, and they stay out of trouble.”

On Monday’s menu: salad, vinaigrette, guacamole, and fajitas.

Pio, who graduated from the Culinary Institute 30 years ago, started out working in supermarkets before he decided he wanted to learn more about how to cook the food he sold. His education deeply influenced his career — that’s partly why he makes it a priority to volunteer his time as an educator.

“That’s ultimately what I’d like to do, is to become a teacher,” he said.

In another community contribution, he’ll be offering food and coffee every Sunday night July through August on the Upper Dublin Library lawn, as part of running summer events.

Those interested can check out Street Food Sandwich Shop at their Facebook page to learn more about Chef Pio and his new business.