Frites
Lehigh Valley Mall
823 Lehigh Lifestyle Center
Whitehall, PA
484/442/0580
Hours:  Mall hours



Spoon Rate:

The Lehigh Valley can now experience fries on a whole new level.  Local natives have brought an international delicacy to our local mall to totally enhance your next shopping meal or snack..   I had the privilege of sitting and dining with CEO, Richard Scott and his son, William, to learn the history of this recently-opened business, their passion for excellence, flavor and unique eating.  

Richard Scott ended his career in corporate America in May, 2013.  Looking for a change, he joined William, Penn State finance graduate, in this new endeavor.  Richard, born in England, had the opportunity to travel many places as a young boy, exposing him to the diverse expression of food around the globe.  At age 11, he lived in Brussels, Belgium and was exposed to one of their delicacies, pommes frites, meaning "apple of the earth."  Found in "street food" stands, pommes frites was served in cones with a side of mayo. 


Scotts' vision was to have a fast, casual eatery committed to local, fresh products.  While emphasizing the french fry, they wanted it to be distinct, accompanied by the entire dining experience.  Frites (pronounced Freets) seeks to offer us an authentic cultural experience, yet in a setting and delivery that appeals to American taste.  I respect this philosophy and it does not take long to recognize they have achieved their initial purpose.  Greeted by friendly, helpful staff and a clean, bright, modern surroundings, the atmosphere mirrors their personal commitment to excellence.   

A behind-the-scenes tour impressively revealed there is "nothing frozen" and "nothing from a can."  In fact, they removed the freezer upon obtaining this prime location at the Lehigh Valley Mall.   What is the secret ingredient that makes these fries extraordinary?  The time and care committed to each fresh USA Russet potato.  I learned that "sugar is the enemy of frying." The process of washing, cutting the ends, evenly slicing and rinsing the potatoes removes excess starch that could lead to burning.  Preparation of these potatoes is a 16-24 hour process.  This gives a whole new meaning to the expression "made with love!"  After soaking overnight, there is a two-stage frying process.  Cook, blanch, drain, and cook again.  Fries are made to order and served at room temperature.  After fried to perfection, they are placed in a "Frites tosser", imported from Europe.  The holes on the bottom of this special creation allow them to be tossed with delicious sea salt and maximum grease removed.  Quality ingredients, these fries are also gluten free, and vegan/vegetarian-friendly.

If you are not yet convinced that these fries are worthwhile and memorable, let's review the menu.  One can receive the traditional cone of frites (small, large or double, ($4.99-8.99), with your choice of 1 dipping sauce, or 2 dipping sauces for the double order.  I recommend taking a friend and ordering the double so you can try 2 of their 17 dipping sauces.  Also made fresh on location, each sauce is bursting with flavor and creativity.  Only one of their options is not housemade, the frite sauce, imported from Holland.   While hard to narrow down a favorite, curry ketchup and pow pow (a thai sauce) were my preferences.  Garlic parmesan and ranch are  two more traditional sauces for the less adventurous palate.    

Frites again achieves superiority with their meal options, a Bowl or Frita.  The Bowl ($6.49-8.99) combines fries topped with fresh toppings.  We sampled the Mexicano ($6.49), topped with black beans, vegetarian chili, jalapenos, pico de gallo and cheddar jack.   This bowl is bursting with flavor and a beautiful combination of sweet and spicy.  If you are looking for the most unique offering on the menu, I would recommend the poutine bowl ($6.99).  This provides a sampling of the unique Canadian delicacy of Wisconsin cheese curds, gravy and bacon.  Scott, describing himself as a "voracious researcher," found the best local supplier of cheese curds, remaining true to his commitment of excellent, fresh, and local products.

All menu options can also be made into a Frita, their unique sandwich version, a grilled pita stuffed with fries and toppings.  Pita bread, a sturdy successful carrier of these ingredients, is from a New Jersey supplier.  I was thrilled to try the Barbecue Brisket frita ($8.99).  Supplied by Big Papa's Backyard BBQ, we sampled freshly smoked brisket and locally made BBQ sauce, also topped with coleslaw.  Undeniably wonderful.

This father-son duo are ambitious and have a vision to see at least 3 more locations in the LV & B region.  They have done their part in contributing to the LV Eating Scene....now it's up to us to appreciate, support and enjoy their efforts towards frites excellence.

Wash your meal down with one of their unique teas, including a seasonal option.

"Who Knew?" Month-Week #1: Rascals Cheesesteaks

Rascals Cheesesteaks
1350 MacArthur Rd
Whitehall, PA  18052
(610) 774-9600
Hours: M-Sat 7a-8p; Sun 9a-5p

A cheese steak shop in a Home Depot?  Who knew? Sometimes the greatest gems are in the most inconspicuous locations.  For more than 5 years, Rascals has been serving up hands-down the best cheese steaks in the Lehigh Valley to contractors and home repair customers--and thankfully our friends have introduced us.  

A completely take-out restaurant with only 3 stools, they have the most diverse cheese steak menu with reasonable prices ($4.99/small; $7.99/large).  Their gourmet selection includes Indian, Thai, Jamaican jerk, Creole, Greek and more.  

Their sturdy, generous rolls surpass the standard.  Not to mention, the passionate, quick service in a clean, classy set-up puts customers at ease. (Home Depot must have hooked them up with some great tiling that really enhances the aesthetics!)

We look forward to a return to sample more of the flavorful menu.  Which one next?

Jamaican Jerk

Spicy BBQ

Mexican Month-Week #2: Fiesta Ole'

the original Emmaus locati

Fiesta Ole'

3 Lehigh Valley Locations:

1116 Chestnut St. Emmaus, PA 18049  610-966-5522

1808 Macarthur Rd. Whitehall, PA  18052  484-664-7109

2955 Linden St.  Bethlehem, PA  18017  610-625-4554

Fiesta Ole' offers the most spacious, family-friendly Mexican Restaurant in the LV & B.  Although it has now opened 3 locations and has an expansive menu, it does not lose the authenticity of a modest ethnic kitchen.  With reasonable prices and selections for all-size appetites and preferences, it is a safe option for the less-than-adventurous diners.

Complimentary chips & salsa will curb your appetite as you decide on your entree.  

Some recommendations include:

• Burrito Fiesta Ole'

• Chicken or Steak Fajitas

• Spinach Quesadilla

• Combination Lunch & Dinner which enables you to have a sampling of Mexican traditions including  tacos, chalupas, enchiladas, tamales, or chile rellenos. 

Rumor has it a mariachi band occasionally entertains an evening crowd.  While we have yet to experience this, we've enjoyed sharing this spot with friends while observing families and large parties celebrating over a shared meal.

And...there just happens to be a current Groupon available this week.

Burger Month #3: The Burger Shack

 

The Burger Shack

2011 N. 1^st Ave

Whitehall, PA 18052

610-443-2077

Hours:  Mon-Sat 10:30-9:00 PM  

Closed Sundays

This week’s feature is an Evans’ Eats ideal….encompasses the look and feel of a simple, practical “hole-in-the-wall” restaurant with a modern, clean, fresh business and product.  Self-described as the “valley’s newest burger concept,” this relatively new establishment (July, 2010) offers their signature stuffed burger, uniquely offering its ingredients stuffed within the beef!  In addition, they use an all-natural 94% lean ground beef, hormone-free, and “raised on open pastures”, thus using the slogan: 

 Fresh.  Simple.  Honest.   

So, enjoy your guilt-free burger with this unique twist!  We both tried one of their featured burgers, “The Shabby”—stuffed with mushrooms and onions, topped with the Shack BBQ Sauce and more mushrooms & onions.    For those who want to keep it simple, they do offer a classic hamburger, but hopefully you’ll be tempted by some of their unique offerings…such as The Flophouse—sliced pork roll, grilled pineapple, fresh ground beef patty, topped with The Shack BBQ sauce.  All burgers include boardwalk fries and free burger toppings:  lettuce, tomato, raw onions, ketchup, mustard, and mayo.  Substitutions at an extra charge are cheese fries, gravy fries, sweet potato fries, shack fries (chili, cheddar cheese, and bacon pieces , jambalaya or pierogies.    

Their menu is generous in burger alternatives from veggie burgers to a wide variety of shack dogs served on a steak roll, jambalaya, pulled pork or turkey sandwich, chicken sandwiches and wraps and salads and finally, a few dessert items for a sweet ending!   Menu items range from $3.99-7.49.  Our meal cost $16 for 2 stuffed burgers with fries   and 1 large fountain drink.

If you are in the Whitehall area, be sure to visit the friendly owners with a serious product.  It’s a refreshing alternative for a local independent burger joint!

Summer Stops #4: Pita Pit

Pita Pit

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley

3045 Center Valley Parkway

Center Valley, PA  18034

610-841-PITA

New 2^nd location:  Lehigh Valley Mall

823 Lehigh Lifestyle Center

Whitehall, PA

Occasionally, a chain will make it to Evans Eats: LV & B.  When it has the charm of an independent eatery

Hayden & Daniel enjoying a pita

and an excellent product that exhibits distinction, it is noteworthy, such as this ideal summer stop.  Whether you are shopping or meeting friends at the Promenade, in need of a quick lunch break stop with coworkers, or in the mood for a light summer dinner---enjoy the picturesque outdoor seating and a great meal at the Pita Pit.  Since its inception in 2007, Pita Pit has provided a consistent, healthy, fresh, and customized product to young and old of the Lehigh Valley.   You are sure to be greeted by pleasant staff and a helpful owner, who now runs 2 respectable businesses, with the opening of their 2^nd store at Lehigh Valley mall’s Lifestyle Center.  One can quickly tell the employees enjoy their job and believe in what they sell….a pita packed with a customer’s creation!

Its vast menu provides reasonable pita sandwiches ranging from $5-7, for vegan to meat-lover diets.  Somehighlights on the menu:  chicken souvlaki, buffalo chicken, philly steak, chicken crave (formerly known as Hawaiian—chicken breast, black forest ham, romaine lettuce, pineapple, tomatoes, melted American cheese, and honey mustard), falafel or veggies (both paired well with babaganoush, an eggplant spread or hummus.)  The best part is watching the employees man the grill and then stuff your pita to your liking—from your choice of white/wheat pita, to the selection of veggies, pickles, sauces, and spreads—you leave with a sense of satisfaction in their customer-friendly and creative-centered approach to a healthy fresh meal.

Pita Pit also offers a breakfast pita (Why have I not tried one yet?) and any pita can also be made a salad.

Mediterranean Month #5

Soumaya & Sons

264 Fullerton Ave
Whitehall, PA 18052

(610) 432-0405

While I have enjoyed their fresh pitas and hummus through my mother, it was not until a friend, Belen Mora, encouraged me to visit this local business as a part of Evans Eats’ Mediterranean month.  This month would not be complete without sharing this Whitehall Middle Eastern treasure.   My only regret was letting social or perhaps “culture-shock” apprehension, hinder me from getting to know the owners and learning more about their background.  The name matches my suspicion that this is a family owned-and-operated endeavor.

While the atmosphere is stark, with only 2 small eat-in tables, do not let that stop you if you want a true taste of Mediterranean culture.  This is a store with aisles of various groceries from grains, rices, seasons and more.  For this trip, I focused on the “deli” counter set-up and purchased hummus, baba ghanaugh (an eggplant spread—similar consistency to hummus), tabouli, falafel and spinach pies. 

Our friends who recently returned from Israel informed the falafel they had there was “golf-ball size,” which is what you can expect from Soumaya & Sons.  The size is small, but just as tasty with a reasonable price ($.50) for buying more than one.  It was offered in a sandwich, though I received it “to go.”

A highlight of this trip, besides the cordial, helpful, and efficient service, was purchasing a large bag of pitas fresh & warm ($1.75/dozen).  Peeking behind-the-scenes, I spotted their source: a stone oven, which is pictured on every bag.

Everything was delicious and reasonably priced.  You can easily eat $10 and under and receive a tasty, flavorful sampler at this Whitehall store.  Their full menu can be prepared there or bought for take-home, and in my opinion this location is a vegan or vegetarian’s dream.

Will I return?  Without a doubt—but will save it for a grocery stop rather than eat-in location.

Hours: Mon-Thurs. 7 AM-6PM