Track 32, in lieu of Pixie’s, draws a variety of area residents
The Enterprise — H. Rose Schneider
Seated at the bar, Lynn Gifford shares a meal at Track 32 with his childhood friend, Danny Brate (not pictured). The two were born and raised in Feura Bush and served in the Vietnam War together.
FEURA BUSH — The Italian pub Track 32, named for the route that brings so many of its customers, was built by owners Joe Salvino and Dan Bailey. The two started by tearing down Pixie’s in the spring, said Salvino, before constructing a new restaurant and bar. They opened about three weeks ago.
Part of the reason the spot was chosen, said Salvino, is so much traffic runs along Route 32, which stretches from Albany into the Hilltowns. The restaurant is also near the Owens Corning plant, the CSX railyard, and SABIC Innovative Plastics, and Salvino says the lunch rush is crowded with workers on their break.
Track 32 is owned by Hudson Valley Italian Restaurant Inc., a family firm that owns Pomodoro’s Italian Eatery in Catskill and Paul’s Pizza and Pasta in West Coxsackie, both in Greene County, and previously owned Joey’s Pizza in Catskill and Ravena.
Out of the all the other areas, Salvino finds the customers from Feura Bush to be the nicest.
“They’re very positive, very nice people,” he said.
“We’ve been well received by the community,” said Bailey, whose family is from the area. “They’re proud to have a place like this.”
“They all say the same thing: ‘I’m glad something’s in the area so close,’” said house manager Bethany Bailey. The wife of Dan Bailey, she runs much of the restaurant’s activities.
The restaurant is three doors down from another pizza restaurant, Mauro’s Menu.
Scott Turner, of Delmar, says Track 32 is only five minutes away and not far from where he works for the Bethlehem parks department. Most days he has gotten lunch here he has only been able to get an order for pickup. On Tuesday, he had the day off, and was able to wait for the lunch rush to dissipate.
“This is the first time I’ve been able to sit and eat,” he said.
Turner said he likes the restaurant for its good food and service.
“It’s 200 times better than Pixie’s,” he said, “This is a welcome change.”
Still, Turner says he will miss Pixie’s, but that there was a “time and place for it.”
A slice of pizza at Track 32 costs $1.85, or two dollars with tax. Thirteen dollars will buy a large pizza.
“Our prices are not cheap, but they’re good quality,” said Salvino.
The restaurant has 44 employees, and is still looking for more, said Bailey.