SMP Mini Mart, the family-run Whitehall mini-mart known for its cheesesteaks, is getting a sibling right across Schadt Avenue. The second storefront is designed to cut down on those long lines by splitting dine-in business from phone and delivery orders. Owner Chad Sankari says the move should keep service fast while holding on to the mini-mart identity regulars are used to.
As reported by What Now, the new spot, which the family plans to brand as SMP Steaks, came about when a building "came up across the street for sale" and felt "like a blessing" to Sankari. He told the outlet the sister shop will pull from the family's food-trailer menu and that both storefronts will stay under the SMP name. The idea, Sankari said, is to dedicate one location to in-person dining and the other to handling phone and delivery orders.
Original Shop Stays Open And Delivery Keeps Rolling
The original SMP Mini Mart at 1341 Mickley Road will stay open during permitting and build-out, so customers can keep ordering from the existing kitchen while the new shop gets ready. The store is already listed on delivery platforms and has built a strong following on apps and review sites, which the owners say helped drive the decision to split operations. According to Uber Eats, SMP Mini Mart offers an extensive lineup of cheesesteaks, sandwiches and breakfast items from its Mickley Road address.
Fan Favorites And Opening Timeline
Sankari told What Now that the shop's chicken cutlet sandwiches, described as "homemade, made in-house daily," have been selling out, and that the cheesesteaks come on rolls from Corropolese Italian Bakery & Deli. The family-owned spot also drew a visit from Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, the outlet noted, a sign that word about the sandwiches has traveled well beyond the immediate neighborhood. The sister location is currently in the permitting stage, and Sankari aims to open within three to four months, with the original mini-mart remaining open throughout the transition.
For regulars, the expansion is expected to mean shorter lines and quicker deliveries without losing the homegrown feel that helped turn SMP into a local favorite. The family is asking customers to keep an eye on their social pages for firm opening dates and menu updates.
