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Coming soon: 5 restaurants on the horizon in Centre County

Stories by Centre Daily Times journalists, with AI summarization

Centre County’s dining scene is heating up with a wave of fresh flavors and spaces on the way.

This list of stories outlines the incoming We Are Inn expansion on East College Avenue, where guests can expect everything from hearty Italian classics to tailgate favorites. Big Chicken, Shaquille O’Neal’s chicken chain, will soon land inside a downtown high-rise, stacking its menu with signature sandwiches and milkshakes. Benny’s Pizza plans to bring giant 28-inch New York-style slices to South Fraser Street, and Kung Fu Noodle plans to dish up hand-pulled Lanzhou beef noodles and boba teas.

On Benner Pike, Chipotle eyes a third Centre County location, continuing the momentum in one of the region’s busiest development hubs.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

The We Are Inn is expanding to State College with a new restaurant inside the former Damon’s Bar & Grill along East College Avenue.

NO. 1: WE ARE INN IS SOON EXPANDING TO STATE COLLEGE. HERE’S WHAT CENTRE COUNTY DINERS CAN EXPECT

The expansion comes four years after the We Are Inn opened in Philipsburg. | Published January 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

More land along Benner Pike is being developed. By Abby Drey

NO. 2: CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL EYES THIRD LOCATION IN CENTRE COUNTY IN POPULAR AREA FOR DEVELOPMENT

The fast-casual restaurant has two locations in State College. | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Halie Kines

A State College location of Shaquille O’Neal’s restaurant chain Big Chicken is planned.

NO. 3: SHAQUILLE O’NEAL’S FRIED CHICKEN CHAIN PLANS TO OPEN INSIDE THIS STATE COLLEGE HIGH-RISE

The building’s leasing agent expects Big Chicken to open by the start of Penn State’s fall semester. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

A sign saying that 346 East College Avenue is leased on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. The space was previously Liberty Craft House. By Abby Drey

NO. 4: FRESH NOODLES ARE KEY FOR THIS CHINESE RESTAURANT COMING TO STATE COLLEGE. SEE THE MENU

The incoming restaurant near Penn State marks the company’s first location in Pennsylvania. | Published March 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

Benny’s Pizza will open a shop in downtown State College this spring. The regional chain is known for its 28-inch pies.

NO. 5: A NEW PIZZA SHOP WILL BRING EXTRA-LARGE SLICES TO STATE COLLEGE. WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

The pizza shop will serve 28-inch pies by the slice in downtown State College. | Published March 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt DiSanto

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.