The People's Kitchen

The People's Kitchen
639 Linden St.
Bethlehem,  PA

610-849-2080
Hours:M-F 6a-3p; Sat 7a-3p; Sun 8a-2p
Spoon Rate:
  
There is always room for another neighborhood breakfast joint in the Lehigh Valley, especially quaint Bethlehem.  I was eager to try The People's Kitchen after stumbling across an advertisement, and wonder how did I miss hearing about this place earlier since they have been open since October, 2014?! Located on active Linden Street, but off the beaten path of popular Main Street, this has the desired feel for a local spot to meet with friends and neighbors for breakfast or lunch.  Fighting off envy that it is not within walking distance to frequent more regularly, I enjoyed watching the camaraderie of its guests of all ages.

The environment is clean, fresh, with a hipster touch in its decor  (this may be their intended look since one of their menu items is the hipster bagel).  It has limited seating, giving the classic "hole-in-the-wall" feel that Evans' Eats prefers.  We visited for breakfast and enjoyed their classic menu, with a gourmet twist to some basic selections.  Menus uniquely and endearingly arrived on clipboards, displaying a variety of choices, along with some seasonal specials.  A chalkboard on the wall shared their current fresh bread selection: cinnamon bread and honey whole wheat with spiced cran-apple jelly.  This was difficult to overlook, but I settled on the quiche with roasted red peppers, spinach & gouda cheese with a hash brown crust ($7), giving this local hotspot a notch above your local diner.  Thankfully, my mom and I have similar tastes and she chose the other menu item calling my name, so we could share.  She received a shortstack of cranberry pancakes drizzled with cream cheese apple cider sauce.  The shortstack included 2 LARGE delicious pancakes.  Our only regret in ordering these two items is not having the opportunity to try the many other unique offerings:  Breakfast mac n' cheese ($7), BBQ shrimp & grits crepes ($9), & croissant french toast ($8) to name just a few. 

Lunch menu included some classic burgers, salads and sandwiches and intriguing options:  chicken & prosciutto croquettes with gouda dipping sauce ($8); crab bread ($10) and pulled pork flatbread with cheddar, roasted red pepper, spinach, & chipotle BBQ ($8).

Bethlehem can be proud for another business that is hip in atmosphere, classy in cuisine, and friendly in Lehigh-style.

Vassi's Drive-in

Vassi's Drive-in
1666 Main St.
Hellertown, PA 18055
610/838/1877
Hours: M-Sun 11a-9p
Evans' Eats Spoon Rate: 
 

 Summertime is ideal for simple, outdoor eating.  We started our season of alfresco dining by finally visiting Hellertown's historic, well-known and loved, Vassi's Drive-in.   Easily accessible to Route 78 and nearby the popular Saucon Rail Trail, Vassi's is a delightful stop for summer sojourners.  For "hole-in-the-wall" alfresco lovers, it has an attractive front which features a walk-up and order ice cream counter.
    

The menu offers a simple classic sampling of classic family-friendly favorites including burgers, hot dogs, salads, sandwiches and a variety of sides and appetizers.  We highly recommend their New York gyro ($8.65) as a flavorful, satisfying treat.  We also sampled the buffalo chicken cheesesteak ($6.70), a solid option, but it did not top their locally well-known gyro.

For those who are interested in a sweet ending, Vassi's offers soft and hard ice cream, sundaes, milk shakes and banana splits.  

Outdoor eating does provide a view of current roadwork, so it requires some flexibility.  An indoor dining room is also available for a more quiet experience.   This summer keep it outdoor, simple, family friendly and inexpensive.

 

  

Johnny's Drive-In: Known for Its Gyros

Johnny's Drive-In
2722 Easton Avenue
Bethlehem, PA  18017
610-865-9999
Hours:  M-Sat 11a-9p; Sun: Closed


Johnny's Drive-In.  An unassuming yet intriguing exterior is sure to provide a satisfying experience.  After a long-time recommendation from a friend who knows we enjoy gyros, we finally took the opportunity to visit.  On a Friday evening, there was a steady stream of local customers who seemed to be regulars.  While the menu provides a wide array of classic American options (cheeseburger, cheese steak, chicken fingers), we went to our preferred and recommended:  "the New York Gyro" ($6.15), topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatsiki sauce.  Our sides included french fries (large: $2.99) and a greek salad (small: $4.59).  
While we waited, we overheard someone raving about the gyros.  He visited another city and ordered a gyro while out to dinner.  He then proceeded to tell the owner of this restaurant: "If you want to learn how to make a gyro, go to Johnny's gyros. They're the best I've ever had!"  This was an encouraging validation of our imminent meal.  
We enjoyed our sides:  greek salad, topped with a stuffed grape leaf and black olives and generous portion of french fries.   However the highlight was the delicious gyro, definitely of the best we've had in the Lehigh Valley & Beyond.  Perfect temperature of fresh meat and pita and ideal amount of accompanied tzatsiki sauce.  
Another asset of Johnny's is its personable ownership, who were working hard, while greeting and serving their customers.  While there is limited seating and most seem to come in for take-out, the environment was bright, clean and inviting.  Now that we've been to Johnny's, it will be at the top of our list when asked where to go for the best gyros in LV & B.
 

Seven Star Cafe'

Seven Star Cafe'
13 S. Main S,
Coopersburg, PA  18036
484/858/0690
Hours:   Wed-Sat 11a-9p; Sun 10a-8p
Spoon Rates:  

We love living in Coopersburg, but we are often envious of other local downtowns, like Bethlehem, Emmaus & Easton, offering much more of a commercial district of shops and restaurants.  So, we are happy to support the businesses that intermittently appear on Main Street, with its charming potential.  A new option, Seven Star Cafe' is a solid, quiet alternative to the well-known Coopersburg Diner.

Located in a historic landmark, the Barron House, Seven Star Cafe' is serving lunch & dinner, with brunch also offered on Sundays.  Indoor dining includes entertainment on the weekend.  We chose outdoor seating, maximizing this beautiful weather.  The take-out orders were steady as we enjoyed our meal.

The menu contains a variety of creative yet classic sandwiches and salads.  Our party started with one of several appetizer options, the "Macho Nachos", ($6) a generous pile tortilla chips topped with cheddar cheese, taco beef & onion.  We had a variety of selections for our entrees including the delectable 7 Star Salad ($7.95), mixed greens with thin sliced grilled marinated steak, tomatoes, red onion, bleu cheese & pepperoncini , with red wine vinaigrette
The crispy roast beef sandwich ($6.25, topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, fried onion rings & horseradish mayo), had a vote of approval.  I chose one of their daily specials, a scallop poboy--a rare menu option in the Lehigh Valley.  

Decent prices, a flare of gourmet, and a quiet setting.  Ice cream for dessert is conveniently next door at Good Earth.  We hope the locals will support Seven Star Cafe' and grow our downtown metropolis! 

Additional note: After publishing this post, we received this informative reply from the owner.  We wanted to share this valuable information that enhances the value of this restaurant:  

Thanks for the review...We would like to add to it......Many don't know this but we offer lot's of organic choice's. Our chicken is always organic along with our salad mix....We also try to get our produce such as, tomatoes, spring mix, potatoes, onions, kale, pea shoots and anything else we can find in season from local farms that do not use pesticides. Our meats are the best and highest quality. We use Black Angus for our hand made burgers and also for our steak sandwiches! We offer gluten free bread at your request. Since your visit ... We now have home baked fruit and cream cheese filled yummy muffins and desserts available everyday.

We would like to invite you to come in on a Friday evening where specials such as home made (wild caught) crab cakes or other fish choices, 12oz Rib Eye steaks or maybe a chicken pot pie with puff pastry crust perhaps Chicken Saltimbocca....Homemade Lobster wonton sautéed with shrimp in a béchamel sauce.....Butternut squash lasagna or a great homemade soup...... lot's of delicious choices!

Bon Appetit!
 

Summer Stops-Longacre's Dairy

Longacre's Dairy
1445 Route 100
Barto, PA
610.845.7551

Hours:  Nov.-April M-Th 7:30a-8p; Fri 7:30a-8:30p; Sat 7:30a-8:30p Sun: closed

June-Aug. M-Th 7:30a-9p; Fri 7:30a-9:30p; Sat 7:30a-9:30p; Sun: 1p-9p

May, Sept. & Oct M-Th 7:30a-8:30p; Fri 7:30a-9 p; Sat 7:30a-9p; Sun 2-8p

Spoon Rates: 

Savoring the final days of summer with a trip to a local "dairy bar."  Longacre's is known for more than its ice cream, with a history of selling milk since 1920.  It's about time we tasted their homemade ice cream.  While they have a small meal menu (serving breakfast, lunch & dinner), we were there for a sweet treat.  Their restaurant is like stepping back in time with its bar stools and paneled walls. They also have a large covered seating area to enjoy your ice cream outdoors.

Their ice cream menu includes 40 flavors, with traditional & more unusual options (pineapple, pina colada, and cherry garden to name a few).  Over 10 toppings can create a sundae.  The natural flavors, real ingredients and some of the sundae selections give you the feel of having dessert on the farm (peach melba: peach ice cream, raspberry topping, brown sugar praline nuts, whipped cream & a cherry or strawberry shortcake:  vanilla ice cream, pound cake, real strawberries, whipped cream & a cherry.

Our family enjoyed coconut custard, cotton, candy, pineapple milkshake, cherry vanilla, coffee, cookies & cream, and moose tracks....while they do offer a family special called the Garbage Sundae (10 scoops, 10 toppings, whipped cream & a cherry), we individually enjoyed this large sampling of flavors and left satisfied--prices, portions and farm-fresh, creamy goodness.  Definitely a happening place in the quaint town of Barto.

Celebrating Simplicity--on Milkshakes at MOO.

MOO

4010 Durham Road

Ottsville, PA  18942

610-990-6267

Hours: M-Th 11a-8p; Fri-Sat 11a-9p; Sun 11a-5p

Spoon Rate: 


For the first time, I am reviewing a restaurant 2 weeks in a row.  A mere addendum to last week's review  on Bucks County's first food truck now planted in Ottsville, would not suffice.  You see, I mentioned that we were hesitant to try their milkshakes since it was so close to Owowcow, too tempting to be that close to one of the best ice cream spots in the LV & B. 

This weekend, however, we ventured to Owowcow for dessert.  On a warm summer evening, sunroof, tunes glaring, a country drive...and a packed parking lot with long line at Owowcow.  I would have waited it out, but my husband suggested trying the milkshakes at MOO.  I was so skeptical.   I knew they were $5.50.  Would they disappoint?  I am thankful we took the risk.

 




The menu included chocolate, vanilla, black-and-white and a "special."  To our enjoyment, we asked what the special was: caramelized banana with crushed walnuts.  Some of my favorite flavors and ingredients?  Without hesitation we ordered one and a black-and-white.

It may have been the scenic route and the warm breeze--but I don't think so.  This Bucks County local ice cream (Tanner's in Richboro) provided 2 flavorful, thick milkshakes...I can confidently say they were the best milkshakes I have had.  Worth the financial splurge.  We just may have made a second trip the next night...love summer nights...and a refreshing treat.