Chickie’s And Pete’s In Malvern Jammed for Super Bowl

MALVERN, PA - As the snow tapered off, the crowds piled in Sunday afternoon at the first ever race & sportsbook in a restaurant in the nation at Chickie’s and Pete’s in Malvern, Chester County.

Owner Pete Ciarrocchi greeted patrons as they entered the sportsbook owned by Parx Casino to place their bets on Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals.
“It’s Super Bowl Sunday and what a better week to open up Chickie’s and Pete’s with a sports bar, crab house and race and sportsbook,” Ciarrocchi said. “It’s the first one in the country to have sports and races (betting) in a standalone bar.”
Ciarrocchi said that he has been working on the plan to open the race & sportsbook for about six years.

The early birds

Several hours before the game, sports fans filled the bar, many stopping in the sportsbook to wager a bet on the game.
The smiling crowd at the bar was a stark contrast to last year when restaurants and bars were empty as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended people watch from home.
At Chickie’s and Pete’s, patrons were filing in early to meet friends and place bets at the new sportsbook.
Tim Clark, race & sportsbook manager, said you have to be 21 to place a wager, noting children are required to remain in the restaurant.
“We are prepping for a busy night,” Clark said.
Jon Hoffman of Wynnewood met his friend, Stewart Anmuth of Villanova several hours before the game to socialize and place bets.
The two were seated at the bar planning their bets. They also ordered takeout to bring home to their families.
“Chickie’s and Pete’s is synonymous with Philadelphia,” Hoffman said. “It’s the fifth major sports team.”
Anmuth said Malvern is the perfect location for Chickie’s and Pete’s, noting that many businesses, including Vanguard, are nearby.
The restaurant has a fireplace and sliding doors that open for outdoor dining when the weather warms up.
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