Fast Eddie's Pit Beef and On-Site Catering by Shirl Casey

Did you know that a favorite luncheon spot could also offer you help in planning a party? Fast Eddies Pit Beef offers many options, whether you‘re looking for a tasty lunch, dinner on the go, or food for a major event.

Fast Eddies was started about 12 years ago by three young men, Matt Jacksits, Brian Thrift and Charles Scheuerman. Three years after opening the doors of their fi rst location in Fallston, they expanded to Aberdeen, and fi ve years ago started their third location in North East. All three locations have had great success, and if you’ve ever been to any of the locations at lunchtime you’ve witnessed the success for yourself.

I stopped by the North East location for lunch a few weeks ago, and had the opportunity to talk with Matt Jacksits, co-owner and manager of this location.

Most of the meals here are take-out but tables are available for dining in. The restaurant is very clean and colorful. There is a full condiment bar containing everything from mayo and catsup to raw onions and horseradish.

Fast Eddies offers many tasty options such as hot dogs, cheeseburgers, BBQ, ribs and chicken, but is most famous for its pit beef. They offer both kids’ meals and combo meals. The combo meals include a soda and fresh-cut French fries, but other side dishes, such as baked beans and macaroni and cheese, are available. Prices are great, with sandwich prices starting at $4.50 and combo meals beginning at $6.50. Portions are large! The restaurant uses 100% trans fat-free and cholesterolfree cooking oil.

Working hard on the day of my visit were Matt Jacksits, Matt Raines, and Angela Lynch. Matt, the owner said that three-quarters of the noontime clients are hard-working, hungry men, “These men don’t want a skinny sandwich, so we put a half-pound of meat on each sandwich,” he said. Fast Eddies serves both great quality and quantity.

A state roads department worker said he gets his lunch here often. “Burnt ends are my favorite,” he added. “This is the best food in town.” For my part, I had to have a pit beef sandwich. The smell of the meat cooking instantly makes your stomach growl and your mouth water. All their meats are delicious and tender, and who can pass up their fresh French fries? The sandwich was so large that I saved half for later.

Fast Eddies also offers party platters containing meats (beef, ham, and turkey) fresh from the grill, wings, coleslaw, potato salad, breads, cheese, and all the condiments. Platters in a variety of sizes are available, and a platter serving 30 people is $219.95.

On-site catering is also available from Fast Eddies. From backyard BBQs to weddings, they can handle it. Their motto is “If you supply the reason, Fast Eddies can supply the food.” Matt says” We’ve done family reunions, graduation parties, weddings, business lunches and many Bull and Oyster roasts. We just catered a Bull roast for a local Lions Club. We cater a lot of events for organizations like that. The menu is very flexible; the customers decide what they want from the endless menu options.”

Fast Eddies also caters for backyard parties and rental hall events; they can even dress things up a bit if your event is more formal. The size of the event doesn’t matter. Whether you’re having a small gathering or a large event for hundreds of people, Fast Eddies can accommodate. “Our largest event yet was for Good Samaritan Hospital and their 14,000 employees,” Matt said. “We served them in shifts, a few hundred persons at a time.” On-site catering prices start at $13.95 per person.

Fast Eddies opens at 10:30 a.m. seven days a week, year-round. They are open until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, check out their ad on page 26 or call (410) 287-8700.

Now if they could only capture and bottle the mouthwatering aroma from their foods, they’d really be on to something! —CSM