Indianapolis, Indiana – Following the death of Richard Donnell Hamilton, the founder of the Indy Steelers Youth Football Program and its head coach, in January, the restaurant Hoagies & Hops in Butler-Tarkington is holding a fundraiser for the program. Hamilton was shot and killed in what is believed to have been a case of road rage.
Due to the fact that the Pennsylvania-themed restaurant is a gathering spot for Philadelphia Eagles fans, the establishment anticipates having a full house during the Super Bowl match between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. In order to reserve one of the sixty available seats in the proprietor’s establishment on the day of the Super Bowl, Kristina Mazza is charging a fee of twenty dollars per seat; the full amount of this fee will be donated to the Indianapolis Steelers.
“I loved everything that they did. I met Coach Hamilton, or Coach ‘Nell,’ back when I first opened. He and his wife were here, and what they have done since, I believe, 2000, which is obviously longer than I’ve been in this location, but the leadership and the mentoring and partnering with the MLK Center to help the kids in this neighborhood is just fantastic,” Mazza said.
Mazza first opened its doors in 2015, but the owner had already relocated her shop to the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood four years prior. She serves genuine hoagies and cheesesteaks, and she imports Liscio’s Rolls from South Jersey. Authenticity is a priority for her. Philadelphia is the source of the Dietz & Watson cold cuts, and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country is the origin of the other ingredients.
“This neighborhood means a lot,” Mazza said. “When we first came in here, I mean the engagement, it almost brought me to tears at how welcoming this entire community was in accepting us into this location and into the neighborhood. So to me, all I want to do is give back to them.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, there are only four seats that can be reserved, and Mazza anticipates that they will be taken up very quickly.
“I’ve actually had some customers give me money because they’re not going to be here but gave me money for ‘their seats’ even though they are seats they typically have but they’re not going to be here but they’ve given extra money for me to donate.”
Over $1,000 has already been raised for the Indianapolis Steelers thanks to the charity event, and the team anticipates receiving even more money during the big game.
Walk-in customers will be restricted to standing room only, and carryout will be an option; however, Mazza anticipates being inundated with orders, and she strongly recommends that those who have a large catering order place it by Friday.
