A record 16,400 votes poured in for the fifth annual Best Of competition. Some businesses took home their fifth consecutive win, while others were honored for the very first time. Flip through to find out what makes each of these winners so vote-worthy!
Tapas on Main
Best Sangria & Best Appetizer/Small Plate Menu
Appetizers and sangria flights were literally made for each other! Order a few plates and a pitcher to share with friends.
500 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.868.8903 | tapasonmain.com
Duck Donuts
Best Doughnuts
Valley owners Jason and Rosanna Sowers were looking for a business they could “sink their teeth into” when they first tried made-to-order Duck Donuts at another of the chain’s multiplying locations. “It’s a family-friendly environment,” says Rosanna. “Kids like watching their doughnuts be made and topped.”
With coatings, toppings and drizzles all customizable, variations on the vanilla cake doughnut are potentially in the millions. Jason goes for blueberry icing while Rosanna favors cinnamon sugar, reminiscent of seaside treats. “It’s like a piece of vacation here at home,” she says.
Flavors rotate seasonally and for holidays, so there’s always a reason to go back (as if doughnuts aren’t reason enough in themselves). This summer, it’s orange icing and southern pecan coffee. You can also try doughnut sundaes, loaded with ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry, as well as breakfast sandwiches. Bacon, egg and cheese on a doughnut with maple drizzle and more chopped bacon on top has the fast-living coming back for more.
This dynamic dessert is also available off-site for business events and weddings, where fresh, warm dough, tasty toppings and the interactivity of doughnut design have a special power to impress guests.
4608 Broadway, Allentown | 610.628.3636 | duckdonuts.com
Potts’ Hot Dogs
Best Hot Dog
Potts’ Hot Dogs has been proudly serving the region since 1971, and the Tilghman Street location is owned and operated by the founder’s granddaughter.
Various area locations
Two Rivers Brewing Company
Best Crispy French Fry
At Two Rivers, it’d be wrong not to upgrade your meal to include their famous Duck Fat Frites.
542 Northampton St. Easton | 610.829.1131 | tworiversbrewing.com
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Best Frozen Yogurt
Menchie’s is on a mission to spread smiles, and with so many flavor combinations to choose from, how could one not be happy?
Various area locations | menchies.com
P.J. Whelihan’s Pub & Restaurant
Best Place for Wings
Fresh, never frozen, P.J.’s wing variations include Garlic Parm, Kickin’ Korean, Mexican Garlic, Inferno, Old Bay and more.
3395 High Point Blvd. Bethlehem 484.353.7200 4595 Broadway Allentown | 610.395.2532 | pjspub.co
Vegan Treats
Best Cheesecake Without the Trip to New York
This year, Vegan Treats celebrates 20 years in business. And while owner Danielle Konya has created a lengthy menu filled with customer favorites, her personal go-to is the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake.
1444 Linden St. Bethlehem | 610.861.7660 | vegantreats.com
Cali Burrito
Best Burrito
How many taco joints let their customers BYOB?
2149 Reading Rd. Allentown | 610.351.1791 | caliburrito.com
Bell Hall
Best Juicy Burger
Named for the neighboring church where the Liberty Bell was hidden during the Revolutionary War, Bell Hall is known for its gourmet burgers and craft beers.
612 W. Hamilton St. Allentown | 610.437.1825 | bellhallallentown.com
Playa Bowls
Best Smoothie
If there were a category for most Instagram-worthy dish, Playa Bowls may take that crown as well. Sue Dale, who owns both Valley franchise locations with her husband, Jim, says that nine out of ten customers take pictures of their bowls before they eat them.
310 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem 610.419.4294 16 N. 3rd St., Easton | 610.417.3693 | playabowls.com
The Bayou Southern Kitchen & Bar
Best Stickto-Your-Ribs Comfort Food
A creative take on classic New Orleans cooking, The Bayou team will happily serve you comfort in the form of their crispy cornmeal catfish, buttermilk fried chicken, shrimp n’grits and beyond.
702 Hawthorne Rd. Bethlehem | 610.419.6669 64 Centre Sq., Easton | 610.829.1700 | dat-bayou.com
Trè Locally Sourced
Best Food Truck You Wish Was in Your Backyard
Working with local farmers, bakers and butchers to maintain a menu that is 80 percent locally sourced, Trè lives by the tagline, “Not your average food truck.”
484.951.6773 | trelocallysourced.com
Wert’s Café
Best Soup
The Wert family must be doing something right, celebrating 50 years in business this month!
515 N. 18th St., Allentown 610.439.0951 | wertscafe.com
White Orchids Thai Cuisine
Best Gluten-Free Menu
At White Orchids, quality is key. Their seafood is delivered fresh from Philly three times a week, and their ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible.
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, Center Valley | 610.841.7499 | whiteorchidsthaicuisine.com
Wally’s Deli
Best Sandwich
Wally’s serves their sandwiches on round rolls, which they say allows the meat and cheese to be more evenly distributed than on a normal hoagie.
711 N. 17th St., Allentown 610.435.7177 1245 Chestnut St., Emmaus | 610.967.1347 | wallys-deli.com
Tavern on Liberty
Best Beer Selection
Create a custom six-pack to go, choosing from Liberty’s selection of 400-plus bottles, or stay a while, enjoying one of their 16 rotating drafts.
2246 W. Liberty St. Allentown | 484.221.8765 | tavernonliberty.com
The Barn
Best Grilled Cheese
Grilled cheese is perhaps the ultimate in comfort food: it’s oozy, cheesy, crispy and bready, all at once. The Barn—the more laid-back of The House and Barn duo in Emmaus—has developed a reputation for its grilled cheese sandwiches, most of which are served on brioche bread.
These are no diner-level grilled cheese sandwiches; this humble food has been elevated. The Bacon Cheddar has caramelized onion, tomato and mayo; the Shroom and Beef also has caramelized onion (sensing a theme here) along with mushrooms, beef short ribs, Swiss cheese and peppercorn aioli. The most popular, hands down, says general manager Nick Billera, is the Garden Herb: think roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, balsamic, goat cheese and cheddar. All three are always on the menu, but you’ll also encounter specials. At press time, for example, the Barn was running a special on the "Mean Gene,” a grilled cheese on ciabatta with beef, onions, peppercorn aioli and a special onion-cheddar cheese.
1449 Chestnut St., Emmaus | 610.421.6666 | houseandbarn.net
Easton Public Market
Best Place to Grab Dinner on the Way Home
There’s plenty to choose from, with a vendor list including Dundore & Heister, Highmark Farmstand, Full of Crepe, Mister Lee’s Noodles, More Than Q Barbecue, Scratch, The TAZA Stop and more.
325 Northampton St., Easton | 610.330.9942 | eastonpublicmarket.com
Santa Fe Taco
Best Tacos
Mother and son team Gail and Mike Tatasciore opened up Santa Fe Taco in 2007. While the combinations of flavors and ingredients that they put inside tortillas prove that tacos don’t need to have Tex-Mex flavors, you can still find them: They ship in green chilies (the famous Hatch chiles) straight from New Mexico, where the family lived for five years. Their red and green sauces are made from scratch, along with their chicken tortilla soup and beef chili, and many, many other items.
At Santa Fe Taco, the sky’s the proverbial limit: There’s a Santa Fe Dog taco with chili, cheese and onions; a BLT taco and a Greek taco, with lamb and beef gyro-style meat. The General Tso Taco is great, but you can only get it certain times of the year—it’s a special.
“We go through about 300 pounds of ground beef in a week,” says Mike. The beef taco is the most popular one they sell, followed perhaps by the fish taco, with marinated and grilled mahi-mahi, lettuce, tomato and guacamole. If you want them to bring the heat, by all means tell them; the default preparation is mild.
2022 Main St., Northampton | 610.261.4970 | santafetaconorthampton.weebly.com
Bethlehem Dairy Store
Best Ice Cream
If you’ve lived in the Lehigh Valley long enough, you may refer to the Bethlehem Dairy Store as “The Cup,” due to its original shape as a large milkshake cup. But regardless of what you call it, it’s a local institution that’s been around for more than 85 years, co-owned by William Burkhardt and Frederick Buckenmeyer. “We’re a popular destination, with grandparents and parents bringing their children and grandchildren through the years,” says Beth Clausnitzer, manager.
At any given moment, more than 50 flavors are available. Homemade, hand-dipped hard ice cream is still a main draw, naturally, and so are their milkshakes. Soft ice cream is available, along with frozen yogurt, sherbet and sugarfree ice cream. Several dozen flavors to choose from makes things tricky and so does a menu that includes banana splits and sundaes. The Bethlehem Dairy Store is old-fashioned with its approach and it still works; ice cream has a timeless appeal and even the bright red, black and white color scheme of its interior seems to reflect that.
1430 Linden St., Bethlehem 610.691.8422 2 Farrington Sq., Bethlehem | 610.865.4360 | bethlehemdairystore.com
Sweet Girlz Bakery
Best Cupcake You’ve Ever Tasted
Situated just off of Centre Square in Downtown Easton, Sweet Girlz has been pulling out trays and trays of its cupcakes since late 2011. Owner Kari Kirchgessner and staff are known for their seemingly endless array of cupcake combinations. Imagine everything from candy-inspired flavors like Almond Joy, to classic ice cream flavors like Rocky Road, Chunky Monkey and Minty Cookies and Cream, to cookies and desserts like Sticky Bun, Sugar Cookie and, of course, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Sweet Girlz doesn’t have all of these cupcakes available all the time, but you shouldn’t have a tough time finding something to satisfy your sweet tooth. The most popular? Peanut Butter Bomb, says Kirchgessner. The most unusual? The roasted garlic rendition they made for Easton’s Garlic Fest.
Sweet Girlz has long been an active part in the community; you may have tasted seasonal cupcakes they’ve made in conjunction with Weyerbacher’s beers, or for Easton’s Bacon Fest. What sets them apart? “We bake everything from scratch, on-premises with love. Literally teaspoon by tablespoon by cup by batch. Everything is hand-measured out; no box mixes and no big batches of batter,” she says.
40 N. 3rd St., Easton | 610.829.1030 | sweetgirlzpa.com
The Brass Rail
Best Cheesesteak
This is the cheesesteak that launched cheesesteaks of the Lehigh Valley—and the first one in the region to put a tomato-driven red sauce on the beloved sandwich.
Established in 1931, The Brass Rail is now in its third generation of Sorrentinos—owned by grandson Mark. The sandwich didn’t hit the Lehigh Valley until 1937, however, as “Phil’s Original Steak Sandwich” at the Great Allentown Fair.
That original contains steak, sauce, onions, pickles and hot peppers, but over time, more has been added—all made from a cut near the shoulder called the knuckle (confusing, right?). These days you can have everything from the now-standard chicken cheesesteak to newer additions such as pizza, chili and Buffalo chicken cheesesteaks (with blue-cheese dressing) and the California cheesesteak—with mayo, lettuce, tomato and onion.
3015 Lehigh St., Allentown | 610.797.1927 | brassrailrestaurant.com
Full of Crepe
Best Crêpes
Starting the Valley’s crêpe craze in 2012, Full of Crepe is going strong with new ownership, bought by 3rd and Ferry Fish Market’s Rebecca and Mike Pichetto last December. “We stay true to the standard of quality and service,” Rebecca says, “and [we] added some more eclectic offerings.”
This delicate pastry has the fortitude to hold a mouthwatering array of ingredients, be they savory or sweet. The “Bangkok Street,” for example, holds an egg, crispy fried wontons, scallions, cilantro and hoisin sauce, while the most popular dessert crêpe, “Old Faithful,” is stuffed with creamy Nutella and one’s choice of bananas or strawberries.
Gluten-free? Fear not, buckwheat flour from Doylestown’s Castle Mill has you covered. The new option to make any crêpe concoction in panini form uses bread made in the ovens of Easton’s Stoke Coal Fire Pizza for a more substantial sandwich.
With fresh, seasonal and, whenever possible, local ingredients, Full of Crepe is a favorite with folks refueling after a busy day at the Easton Farmers’ Market. “A group coming to the Public Market can all get something different,” says Pichetto, “Mister Lee’s, barbecue, crêpes—or eat somewhere else and come here for dessert.”
325 Northampton St., Easton | 610.829.2444 | eastonpublicmarket.com/full-of-crepe
Folino Estate Vineyard & Winery
Best Place for Wine Lovers
From fun festivals and jaw-dropping weddings to lunch with the girls or a special birthday dinner, Folino Estate is a location that offers wine lovers a venue for all occasions.
Power couple Andrea and Marco Folino followed in the footsteps of Marco's father, who started the Italian restaurant Valentino’s in Kutztown after emigrating from Italy half a century ago. “I designed the space at Folino,” says Andrea, “and my husband is a builder like his father. We wanted something that felt special. Unique, casual and relaxed.”
The wine-infused menu makes use of the vineyard’s range of Italian varieties, on the drier side and chosen to pair with food. A pairing guide takes the guesswork out of which wine to order with which dish. One of the most popular selections: the fontina and mozzarella grilled cheese drizzled with red wine glaze.
Along with hosting a farmers’ market the first Sunday of each month, Folino is always bustling with events like a floral workshop and yoga meetups, enhanced by wine, of course. This month, their first annual Italian Festival will feature food stations—custom cannoli, anyone?—and live music from an Italian band.
340 Old U.S. 22, Kutztown | 484.452.3633 | folinoestate.com
Easton Baking Co.
Best Place for a Special Occasion Cake
In high demand for Valley wedding cakes, Easton Baking Co. is a Lehigh Valley staple.
34 N. 7th St., Easton | 610.252.6343
The Hummus House
Best Hummus
The aptly named Hummus House is known for just that—but this eatery is really an extensive deli where hummus and Middle Eastern fare specifically rule. Every hummus variety is made from scratch from real ingredients—the chickpeas are soaked and cooked, never canned.
There’s some serendipity involved with Hummus House, as Syrian owners Albert and Samar Hechme—along with their son Tony—are always busy innovating new menu items. It all starts with the hummus options, and the choices are often reflective of shopping for seasonal and delicious ingredients, such as cauliflower, spinach or roasted asparagus. Albert says, “It’s random, based on what comes to my wife’s mind and what we find at the farmers’ market.” Don’t worry though—they always have original sundried tomato, roasted red pepper and roasted garlic hummus, along with baba ghanouj and other flavors of the day. You can always order some to go; just ask.
1502 W. Chew St., Allentown 610.434.8800 | thehummushouse.com
Primo Hoagies
Best Hoagie with All the Fixings
With a menu that includes “healthy choices” and “meatless delights,” there’s truly something for everyone here.
Various area locations | primohoagies.com
Matty’s Marvelous Makery
Best Bread
Matthew Robles, the namesake of Matty’s Marvelous Makery, says that it’s “absolutely mind-blowing” to have been voted the winner in this category after just a year in business. He’s passionate about what he does, saying that owning his own bakery has been “a lifelong dream.” Robles bakes out of Common Space in Easton and distributes his bread wholesale to markets, cafes and other businesses in the region.
Haven’t tried his bread yet? Well, it’s everywhere—you just might not know it. Loaves are for sale at the Easton Public Market’s Farmstand (the rosemary asiago is a big seller). He makes a special sourdough just for Tucker at the Silk Mill in Easton. Olive With a Twist’s location in Frenchtown, New Jersey, offers his full range of breads. He’s also making a line of dips and spreads—good companions to his fresh bread.
154 Northampton St., Easton | 610.829.0624 | mattysmakery
Thai Avenue
Best Pad Thai
One of Thailand’s national dishes, pad thai is a ricenoodle stir fry whose popularity lies in its savory seasonings and satisfying textures. Thai Avenue has been making top-notch noodles since opening six years ago, when owner Matchima Danto and her husband decided to share their authentic recipes from home. “Thai food is our food,” Danto says, “and we know how to make it right.”
The bold, fresh flavors of their pad thai come from a base of noodles with egg, ground peanuts, scallions and bean sprouts, augmented with chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu. Their fish with ginger sauce is also a winner—just ask Samuel L. Jackson, who visited the restaurant while filming in the Valley. “I think it’s a compliment, because he came twice,” says Danto. “He told us that he loved our food; that’s why he came back.”
Whether you’re a superstar, used to the best of everything, or just someone curious about a new cuisine, Thai Avenue is the place to go. “I’ve never seen anyone trying Thai food for the first time try our pad thai and be disappointed,” says Danto. Ask the wait staff about making what you want vegetarian or gluten-free.
4791 Tilghman St. Allentown | 610.351.9496 | thaiavenuerestaurant.com
Sweet Memories
Best Girls Lunch Location
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for weekly menu updates! All items are $6.99, or guests can choose two items for $9.99.
180 Main St., Emmaus | 610.967.0296 | Facebook: sweetmemoriesemmauspa
Grumpy’s BBQ Roadhouse
Best Hometown Barbecue
Consistency matters—and that’s what has earned Grumpy’s BBQ a win for best barbecue. After all, this barbecue joint has been smoking up meats since 2004 in its hickory-wood pit, showcasing its love for Southern and Cajun-style foods. Everything’s rubbed with a mix of special seasonings, whether it’s spare ribs, pulled pork, chicken, brisket or some combination thereof.
Grumpy’s has a full menu, too, with burgers, gumbo, chili, salads with a blackened protein of choice (chicken, salmon, shrimp) and much more, including Gator Bites— breaded and fried alligator meat. And Grumpy’s is mobile, too; you may have seen its food truck roaming around the Lehigh Valley.
The laid-back vibe can also be attributed to the live music on the weekends—no cover. Grab some friends, even those who love veggies, as Grumpy’s has options for vegetarians, too.
3000 Mauch Chunk Rd., Allentown | 610.769.4600 | grumpysbbq.net
Billy’s Downtown Diner
Best Breakfast That Tastes Like Dessert
You can find these items listed on the menu under “Heaven on a Plate.” Try Mic’s Cannoli Tower— creamy cannoli filling sandwiched between brioche French toast, topped with fresh strawberries and chocolate chips, and drizzled with chocolate syrup, whipped cream and a dusting of powdered sugar.
10 E. Broad St. Bethlehem | 610.867.0105 840 Hamilton St. Allentown | 610.432.5484 | billysdiner.com
Stahley’s Family Restaurant & Sports Bar
Best Cheap Eats
With $4 tacos on Tuesday and 60-cent wings on Thursday, it’s no surprise Stahley’s is known for their good deals.
1826 Hanover Ave. Allentown | 610.433.2468 | stahleys.com
Limeport Inn
Best Outdoor Dining
Whether enjoying pizza (lobster and white truffle, anyone?) or a glass of wine, the outdoor dining at Limeport is an experience to be savored.
1505 Limeport Pike Limeport | 610.967.1810 | limeportinn.com
Jenny’s Kuali
Best Vegetarian Dish
Specializing in vegetarian and Malaysian cuisine, Jenny’s Kuali is also known for their house-made ginger garlic sauce, which is now available for purchase at the restaurant.
102 E. 4th St., Bethlehem | 610.758.8088 | jennyskuali.com
Keystone Pub & Grill
Best Bar Food
Pub favorites include Keystone’s buffalo chicken dip, “Muchos” nachos, soft pretzel sticks and breaded pickle spears.
3259 Easton Ave. Bethlehem | 610.814.0400 1410 Grape St., Whitehall | 610.434.7600 | keystonepub.com
Blue Grillhouse
Best Happy Hour Spot
Celebrate the end of the workday on the patio at blue, from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Choose from cocktail specials like their Rasp - berry Peach Rosé Sangria, Watermelon Lemon Drop Martini and Cucumber Gimlet, and order a few featured plates to share.
4431 Easton Ave. Bethlehem | 610.691.8400 | bluegrillhouse.com
Griddle 145
Best Savory Breakfast
After loads of recognition for scrumptious sweet breakfasts, Griddle 145 is stoked to have their savory selections take center stage. If you’re used to joining the throngs hitting up this spot for the fabulous French toast or pancakes, consider taking a walk on the savory side, where owners Sherry and Taylor Eisenhard add their creative, flavorful twist to a wide range of classic breakfast dishes made from scratch.
Sumptuous Benedicts, chicken and waffles, and huevos rancheros with pulled pork and scallion pancakes drawing on Sherry’s Asian heritage offer options all over the map. Especially popular are the short-rib hash and the Monte Cristo sandwich on their fluffy French toast, with house-made raspberry chipotle jam. Take a moment to mop the drool off this page!
A special spice blend on their tofu makes vegan options more than just a phone-in. “It’s crazy how much tofu we sell,” says Sherry. “People say, ‘Omigosh, it tastes like real eggs!’”
With seasonal specials sussed out in real time, you’ll have to check the latest menu for what Griddle 145 is cooking up. “We love what we do and we’re always trying to come up with new and fun things to throw together.”
1146 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall | 610.351.9898 | griddle145.com
Lit Coffee Roastery & Bakeshop
Best Coffee Shop
Lit’s owners once told Style that the bakeshop straddles the line between family-friendly and edgy, charming and wild. Best sellers include co-owner Melanie Lino’s French macarons and (Pop-Tart-like) empanadas.
26 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 484.626.0945 | litroasterybakeshop
The Chicken Lounge
Best Nachos
For almost 50 years, this oddity of a bar and restaurant has been a cozy Allentown haunt loved by locals. In a relaxed environment with TVs visible from every vantage, it’s a place to hunker down for some craft beer and comfort food.
The centerpiece: an octagonal bar in the center of the space, surrounding the sunken kitchen. “We call it the Pit,” says General Manager Augie Moore. “It was innovative in the ’70s, before other places started having open kitchens.” You can sit at the octagon and observe the activity as their famous nacho mountains are being prepared. Doritos form the foundation of the indulgent signature snack, loaded with Monterey Jack cheese, jalapenos, guacamole, sour cream and refried beans. Even a “small” order is a force to be reckoned with. One may want to bring a friend or two to help devour the melty mass.
Though Moore says it’s more a restaurant than a bar, The Chicken Lounge is open until 2 a.m. every night, so whenever you might need a fix of their famous nachos, they’ve got your back.
3247 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 610.439.1707 | thechickenlounge.com
Lily Sushi Grill
Best Sushi
There’s something about sushi—so savory and satisfying without being heavy or filling. It’s the perfect candidate for an all-you-can-eat enterprise, and Lily Sushi Grill offers just that.
With an extensive menu of vegetarian, classic and elaborate signature rolls, Lily’s sushi is served with decorative flair, giving shout-outs to its hometown with the 19th Street, Walbert Street and popular fried Allentown rolls.
At only $10 for an all-you-can-eat lunch and $20 for dinner, it’s not only the Valley’s best sushi, but an absolute bargain, with two pages of menu options that will necessitate return visits. Leave any of the hefty-sized rolls on your plate and you’ll be met with an additional charge, but this answer to overlarge eyes causing food waste is one we can all work around. Though most come for the sushi, Lily’s crab rangoon is also raved about, and for the sushi-squeamish, the regular menu includes pad thai and classic Chinese dishes like lo mein, kung pao chicken and General Tso’s.
1908 Walbert Ave., Allentown | 610.821.8886 | lilysushigrillallentown.com
Aunt Jackie’s Pierogi
Best Pierogi that Tastes Like Your Grandmother Used to Make
You gotta love a truck whose slogan is peace, love and pierogi, right? Well, Aunt Jackie’s specializes in just that, along with some other favorites from owner Jackie Curley’s Lithuanian heritage, such as kielbosi and halupki. Curley makes the rounds in the Lehigh Valley—maybe you’ve spotted her at Eight Oaks Craft Distillery in New Tripoli on the weekends, or at Galen Glen Winery in Andreas. Or maybe you’ve been lucky enough to hire the food truck for a special occasion.
Aunt Jackie’s was born two weeks after Curley was downsized—she bought the food truck and partnered with her niece Liz Cox, who’s a professional chef, to come up with the menu. You can typically encounter the Shepherd’s Pie Pierogi, with potato, cheddar cheese, peas, corn and carrots, and served over beef (really—like by itself, or beef AND pierogi). And, of course, there’s classic potato and cheddar cheese (Bells of St. Mary’s), Bacon (all of that plus smoky bacon) and, if you’re looking for a twist, you might find one with pastrami, served with beer-braised cabbage. “Our most popular pierogi is Jamaican Me Crazy,” says Curley. “It is Jamaican jerk chicken and plantains on the inside, wrapped in a beautiful Jamaican curried dough and served over sautéed curried cabbage and red peppers.”
Facebook: auntjackiespierogi | 610.349.2164
Lindsay Stewart
Best Waitress
Foodies flock to Bethlehem’s Social Still restaurant and distillery—and not just the clientele. Server Lindsay Stewart has been in the restaurant industry for 12 years. When she first signed on with the staff at Social Still more than three years ago, she knew she was in the right place. “I love all the details that go into a restaurant, like plating food, photography and restaurant d écor,” she says. “For me, I really have to stand behind a restaurant— or in our case a brand, too—that I work for.” And perhaps Social Still is a little too good at what it does, when it comes to tempting Stewart and her colleagues when they’re on the clock. “The most challenging thing [is] working in a distillery with some pretty amazing cocktails and not drinking on the job!” Stewart says with a laugh. One thing that’s not a challenge: bonding with her customers. “I actually enjoy getting to know them and learning about other people’s walks of life,” says Stewart. “I’ve made so many great friends through my customers, just by being in the restaurant industry, some of whom I would even consider like family.”
530 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.625.4585 | socialstill.com
Lehigh Pizza
Best Pizza by the Slice
Like a beacon across Southside Bethlehem, the pepperoni pizza-shaped sign on the east-facing wall of Lehigh Pizza draws hungry folks to the source of crispy crust and melted cheese, be it for lunch or a midnight snack.
Lehigh Pizza stands apart from other pizzerias because their by-the-slice case is so varied. “We have a really vast selection of specialty pizza,” says co-owner George Lioudis, who’s been running the pizza, sub and cold bottled-beer joint at its current location for more than 20 years. From especially creamy white pizza to experiments like taco pizza (made with leaner cheesesteak meat rather than ground beef) and this year’s chicken Caesar pizza, most of their slices are available most of the time.
Lehigh Pizza provides welcome succor to those enjoying the Southside’s nightlife. Open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, it’s a quick bite on First Friday or after a local concert. “We’re very popular with the crowd that wants to carb up before they head home for the night,” says Lioudis.
Nothing satisfies like a hot slice, and Lehigh’s extensively researched, authentic Italian bread crust hits that crisp-to-chewy ratio like no other.
13 W. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.866.1088 | lehighpizza.com
The MINT Gastropub
Best Gourmet Mac & Cheese
Referred to as “the macs” on the menu, all variations are available as half portions or gluten-free.
1223 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.3810 | bethlehemmint.com
Social Still
Best Local Distillery
Reserve a spot for their Advanced Distilling Tour, which takes place every Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 a person, and guests learn about the distillery’s ingredients, processing, fermenting, aging and bottling, while sampling some delicious spirits.
530 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.625.4585 | socialstill.com
Todd’s Island Seafood
Best Place to Buy Fresh Seafood
This seafood market offers daily specials as well as a celebrated lobster mac and cheese. Check their Facebook page for weekly updates.
711 N. 17th St., Allentown 484.221.8385 | Facebook: toddsislandseafood
Apollo Grill
Best Business Lunch Location
Fun fact: Real Housewives of New York City star Carole Radziwill visited this Valley favorite during last season’s filming!
85 W. Broad St. Bethlehem | 610.865.9600 | apollogrill.com
Josh Early Candies
Best Sweet Shop for Classic Candy or Chocolates
Now a fifth-generation family business, Josh Early’s master candy makers continue to use the same recipes they developed in the 1900s.
4640 Tilghman St. Allentown | 610.395.4321 3620 Nazareth Pike Bethlehem | 610.865.0580 | joshearlycandies.com
Komé Fine Japanese Cuisine
Best Hibachi
Komé, which means rice in Japanese, celebrated its tenth anniversary in December. Known for killer ambiance, and even better sushi, this Valley favorite is a must-dine.
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, Center Valley | 610.798.9888 | komerestaurant.com
