Building the Valley: Lelulo's Pizzeria owner deepens roots in Plum with expansion into full restaurant

Patyn McCune started working at a Plum pizza shop in 2011, answering the phone and cleaning dishes.

“I had no idea how to make pizzas,” she said.

One night, with an hour left in the day, she was left alone with a driver. Instead of an easy end to the night, a big order came in.

“I had to figure it out,” she said.

McCune started managing Lelulo’s Pizzeria in 2012 and bought the business in 2016. After first figuring out how to make pizza and, later, how to run a business, McCune has taken another big step, moving to a new location about three times as big and doubling the size of her staff.

McCune, 31, packed up her beloved sweet sauce and moved Lelulo’s out of Unity Plaza but not that far — just to the nearby Tresco building, in a space that had long been home to a Chinese restaurant, Wok in Heaven.

While she was looking for another place, McCune knew she did not want to leave Plum. A McKeesport native, she has lived in Plum for about 15 years and has two sons, Jaxon, 4, and Deacon, 3.

“We outgrew where we were,” she said. “I wanted the opportunity to become a full restaurant.”

In addition to much more space for diners, the new location gave McCune the opportunity to design her own kitchen, which has better ventilation.

And despite what the decor of the old place implied, McCune said she is not a big Steelers fan or a sports nut. That was something, she said, that got started with a Terrible Towel and kind of ran away from her, leading to the black-and-gold colors there.

The new location is mostly red and gray.

A mural of angel wings made from pizza slices adorns a wall and is quickly becoming a popular spot for pictures.

McCune hopes to get out of being seen as a pizzeria only good for takeout and delivery to a place where people can sit down and enjoy the atmosphere along with some reasonably priced, yet higher quality food.

“I want it to be casual and affordable, but also kind of upscale, like you’re treating yourself,” she said.

McCune’s staff has increased from seven to 15. She has added servers, more counter people and more dish washers.

“It’s definitely new and exciting, going from a tiny pizza shop to a full-blown restaurant,” said Lee Cook of Plum, who has been working with McCune for two years. “It’s a huge undertaking, but it’s really exciting.”

Kristen Dugan of Plum knew about the move when McCune hired her three months ago.

“It’s bigger. It’s cleaner. It’s busier. She’s got a lot more stuff on the menu now,” she said. “It’s all homemade stuff.”

In an area with several pizza shops, McCune credits her success to being innovative with her menu — such as her own take on deep dish pizza, homemade soft pretzels and pizza burgers — and promoting herself on social media.

She also is engaged in community outreach, such as offering free lunches for children during the pandemic in 2020.

McCune and Lelulo’s were among three borough businesses that Plum Mayor Harry Schlegel recognized in September for their contributions after the Rustic Ridge house explosion Aug. 12. The others were John Anthony’s Restaurant and Lounge, and Shooti’s Bar & Grille.

According to Schlegel’s proclamation, McCune provided more than 100 pizzas and subs to first responders and affected residents. She has organized events to aid many causes over the years, raising and giving more than $70,000 since 2020.

“Patyn does a lot for the community,” Dugan said. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted to work for her.”

McCune tried to turn down the honor.

“I don’t like being recognized for the things I do,” she said. “I don’t deal well with recognition or praise.”

McCune said she wants to do more fundraisers and outreach work. She is waiting for more tables to arrive to outfit the restaurant, equipment to offer breakfast on weekends, and plans to have outdoor seating next year.

With an occupancy up to 165, McCune said she will be able to host bridal and baby showers and other events.

So far, the move has been working out so well that she encourages making reservations on Fridays and Saturdays.

“I never thought I’d have people calling and asking for reservations,” she said.