About Us

 Kathy Marsico-Kaminski opened her first Ladles restaurant in downtown Arnold, Pennsylvania, where it began as a small breakfast and lunch cafe.  Kathy is a very enthusiastic entrepreneur, she decided to quell her passion for cooking and create the Ladles concept.  At her first Ladles restaurant she featured numerous homemade soups and luscious sandwiches on homemade Syrian bread that soon became quite the rage in Arnold.  Decadent desserts, enormous salads and hearty breakfast fare rounded out the menu, thus making this little hometown spot a very popular place to dine.  Because seating was limited to about 35 patrons, those arriving well into the lunch hour were often forced to come back another day.  As the business continued to grow, loyal patrons often mentioned the need of expanding into the dinner hour.  The very need for expansion at this point was eminent. The building next door was purchased and major renovations followed. The project hit some substantial setbacks as the adjacent building was at least 50 years older than the present location.  Combining the two looked easy enough, but construction had a very different recipe than a pot of soup.  After months of delays and going well over budget, Ladles finally opened as a full service cafe offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. The seating capacity doubled to 75 patrons and the business was well on its way to growth. Ladles is approaching its 7th year and and has added an additional location in Springdale, Freeport Road in New Kensington, and the newest one in Donegal.  The recognizable Ladles logo has become very popular and many times as Kathy is out-and-about, she is approached by many as the "Ladles Soup Lady!"  Kathy has published her first cookbook and also hosts a cable TV cooking show in Western Pennsylvania.  For Kathy, cooking is not work, but her own sort of therapy. She explains that creating a wholesome and delicious pot of soup is as satisfying as painting a portrait.  It soothes the soul, fills the belly and the next day a new canvas is waiting.  Most of Kathy's soups are created on impulse and many are on the favorites list at the restaurant.  Notable soups include Spinach Romano, Tomato & Cheddar Dumpling, and creamy, roasted Red Pepper, just to name a few.  Kathy grew up strictly Italian and her mother Paulina offers a lot of assistance and inspiration to her overly ambitious daughter.  Try the homemade Gnocchi on your next visit to any one of the Ladles locations.  When you come to Ladles you are in for a delicious meal and hometown hospitality.