When it first opened on July 19, 1989, Snack-N-Pack was a family affair. Original owners Karen, James, Kevin and Susan O'Donnell have all played major roles in the success of the restaurant that has become a Butler tradition.

Starting with a staff of 10 and a limited menu, it grew to include two stores. In 2008, the Alameda Plaza location was sold and no longer is a Snack-N-Pack.

Karen owns and operates the original restaurant on East Jefferson Street in downtown Butler. She has a dedicated staff of 25 to 30 employees and serves a full-service menu for eat-in or takeout dinners.

Having been born and raised in Butler, the brothers and sisters knew their town needed an eating establishment that appealed to all members of the family.

The original menu was a collaboration of the owners and, though changes have been made through the years, the Snack-N-Pack favorites are still included in today's menu.

A popular sandwich is the Jim's Delight, a Pittsburgh-style sandwich that includes your choice of meat topped with our marinated slaw, tomatoes and fresh-cut fries sandwiched between thick-sliced bread.

Another sandwich that is a big hit is the Steak Wedge, Karen's Way. Our munchies are hometown favorites, including jumbo wings and special sauces, Snack-N-Pack fresh cut fries, super nachos and a Snack-N-Pack/Butler original: pepperoni balls.

Longtime employee and now retired pepperoni ball maker "Aunt Lorraine" Laconi contributed her own homemade sweet-and-sour house dressing which we still serve today. Fresh burgers, hot or cold heroes, great specialty sandwiches and salads, wedges, desserts, cold brews and Lil' Brothers & Sisters are served daily at Snack-N-Pack.

The restaurant is open seven days a week, lunch through late night and is smoke-free. You can watch a game on our three TVs, or we can pack your food to go for your home viewing.

Snack-N-Pack is popular after a game, a show, a rehearsal or a meeting.

In addition to being a popular eating and meeting spot, the store offers more than 200 packages of carryout beer including domestic, imported and microbrewed.

Snack-N-Pack also is active in the community. It is an annual fund-drive participant for several charities, including the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Butler County, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and Lifesteps. It also donates to many other local charities and organizations.

Snack-N-Pack is "Where Friends and Family Meet to Eat!" The one and only Snack-N-Pack is at 353 E. Jefferson St.

This article was submitted by Snack-N-Pack.