Photo by Colin Coleman Photography
Food is fantastic, let’s all just be honest for a second. Different types of food samples from award winning eateries are even more fantastic. At the same time, however, it can be frustrating. It’s like the internal “what do I want for dinner tonight” argument on steroids. Where do I start? Will I have enough room for it all? What am I craving? We’ve broken down the options and the method of attack for you and your growling stomach. These are the 14 vendors that will be having samples at our annual Best of the Lehigh Valley Party on June 29th from 6-9 p.m. Please, sample them all (if you can), this is a judgment-free event.
Shangy’s Biergarten: Start off your busy night with a trip to Shangy’s Biergarten. Your ticket purchase includes three tickets for three beer samples of your choice only available at the Biergarten. Try a mix of pale and white ales, lagers, ciders, and more. You do only get three, however, so choose your selections wisely.
The Joint: Not feeling the alcohol? Enjoy a cold brew from the Best Coffee Shop in the Valley with your massive amounts of food. Whether you start your night off with it or use it to complement your dessert, the blend of tastes will have you on their doorstep wanting to try other flavors.
Copperhead Grille: The restaurant with the Best Bar Food of 2016 is serving one of their top options: the cheeseburger slider. We recommend this as the start to your “appetizer.”
Keystone Pub and Grill: Your appetizer part two is housed here. Keystone will be providing their killer, “Best Of” award-winning wings for the masses. These sweet, little beauties are hand-breaded and tossed in wonderful house sauces to bring you pure happiness.
The Hamilton Kitchen & Bar: The appetizer trilogy unfortunately ends here, but it certainly ends on a good note. Sample deviled eggs with a twist of avocado and pistachio from one of Downtown Allentown’s hottest locations. This is just a snippet of what The Hamilton has to offer, and you’ll want to make your reservations ASAP.
Yocco’s: Start your entrée with a Lehigh Valley icon. Yocco’s legendary hot dogs have been a staple in the area for what seems like forever and, if there’s the off chance you’ve never had one, you might want to visit this vendor first.
Matey’s Famous Steaks & Pizza: It’s in the name. These famous cheesesteaks will be making an appearance at #bestofthelv. Sample a cooper cheesesteak with sautéed onions, cooper cheese, homemade steak sauce, and pickles and be left wanting more, much more.
Chickie’s & Pete’s: What’s the perfect complement to a cheesesteak or a hot dog (or both simultaneously if you’re feeling bold), fries. Another prime Downtown Allentown restaurant will be providing their delicious crab fries with their frustratingly good signature cheese sauce.
Fegley's Brew Works: Needing a moment from all the food? The Best Local Brewery in the Lehigh Valley will provide an alternative destination to your beverage and beer needs. While your Shangy’s tokens cannot double up here, you can still sample some of the Brew Works’ best creations and have a refreshing break within your feast – an intermission, if you will.
Lehigh Pizza: As you might imagine, Lehigh Pizza will, in fact, be bringing pizza - many different types of pizza to be exact. If you haven’t already, try the best pizza by the slice in the Valley.
Simply Smooth: Simply Smooth is sampling it all. From candied bacon to mac and cheese bites to scallops to triple chocolate mousse cups, you could have a meal just from this one station. With all of the other food already crowding your concerned stomach, this is where it starts getting tough.
Blue Grillhouse: Your entrée meets its unfortunate end here. Sample capicola lardons and crispy lavish chips with smoked Gouda and tomato sauce, and (to begin your dessert adventure) blood orange mousse tartlet. The combination of dinner food and dessert gives Simply Smooth some competition for the most comprehensive sample station of the night.
Blondies: The true beginning to your dessert starts with one (or more) of Blondies’ mouth-watering cupcakes. We’re talking strawberry shortcake, triple chocolate chunk, and Boston cream pie as just some of the delicious flavors you will experience. These will have you begging for the recipe on hands and knees – and trust us, we’ve tried, it doesn’t work.
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt: Menchie’s will grace the Best of the Lehigh Valley party with their smooth and tasty frozen yogurt. End your meal here to complete your dessert experience and have your belly thanking and blessing you. Don’t worry; they’re also bringing toppings to complete your masterpiece.
Whew, that’s a lot. A little insane to eat all of that? Possibly. Doable? Maybe. Basically, what we’re trying to say is, come prepared. Prepare your body and stomach for the meal of a lifetime. Even fast for this if you have to. Make it a race with your friends. Do what you have to do to get the most out of the unbelievable food offerings at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center on the 29th. We’ll see you there. Oh, and remember to get your tickets.
