The Hummus House was a mainstay business in the Lehigh Valley for 10 years, but owner Anthony Hechme says that when they relocated to Bethlehem, they had a hard time educating customers that they served more than just hummus! Despite launching with an emphasis on Middle Eastern cuisine and, specifically, hummus, Hechme says their sandwiches began to attract most of the attention over the years. “Slowly I started making it the main focus,” he says. The name “HandHeldz” made perfect sense for the business—sandwiches are handheld, of course, but it also allowed them to maintain a double “H” in their name. “I wanted to keep the same feel. After all, Hummus House lasted 10 years, and all of our blood, sweat and tears are in that name,” says Hechme. They also maintain the rooftop emblem as part of their new logo in remembrance of the brand's roots. As for the “z” at the end of HandHeldz, Hechme says it’s a nod to his son, Zavion. But more than just the restaurant’s name has changed—the menu has been updated to highlight the most popular items and the restaurant’s aesthetic has been completely transformed. In 2024, Hechme hopes HandHeldz becomes known as the best place to grab a sandwich in the Valley.
518 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.434.8800 | handheldzcraftsandwiches.com
Published as “Trending Now” in the March 2024 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
