Las Delicias Restaurant: Colombian & Spanish Cuisine

Las Delicias
144 W. St. Joseph Street
Easton, PA  18042
610-559-9490
Hours: Sun 9a-8p; Mon: Closed; Tues 10a-8p; Wed-Sat 10a-9p 
Spoon Rate: 

"La clave es hacerlo con amor."

 

Our friends introduced us to this charming, neighborhood restaurant in Easton.  The simple exterior and atmosphere include an inviting feel with a steady stream of customers throughout our time there.  We are handed menus, yet our eyes are also drawn to the chalkboard menu which displays an intriguing variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials--too many things to try for one visit!  Sandwiches, quesadillas, empanadas, traditional dishes that include steak, beef, chicken or fish, and arepas are among the options.  (Arepas, made from maize, could be considered a pita or tortilla of Colombia.  It can be ordered plain or filled with cheese, avocado, meats, etc. 

The bottom of the chalkboard reads: "La clave es hacerlo con amor."  In spanish this means, the key is to make it with love.  This won my heart before trying the food.
We started our meal with their delish guacamole and chicken and beef empanadas.

The entrees arrived with generous portions.  I ordered the tilapia (can receive it broiled or fried), enough for 2 additional meals after this one.  Topped with a creamy mushroom sauce, it was truly comfort food.  Entrees come with choice of sides. I took advantage of the opportunity to order plantains and cassava, satisfying compliments to the flavorful fish.
Our friends ordered churasco, a skirt steak, with a tasty chimichurri sauce, accompanied with their choice of plantains, rice and beans.
Las Delicias also serves breakfast all day, including one of our orders:  eggs mixed with vegetables and side of steak and beans.
Quality service and food, comfortable friendly environment, generous portions with reasonable prices and made with love=overall enjoyable experience. 

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.

Jesse's Barbecue & Local Market

Jesse's Barbecue & Local Market
98 N. County Line Road
(entrance: Chestnut St.)
Souderton, PA  18964
215-723-4600
Hours:  Sun & M: Closed
T-Th 11a-7p
F & Sat 11a-8p
Spoon Rate: 


We are always looking for a good BBQ spot in the Lehigh Valley & Beyond and were thankfully introduced to this intriguing place south of us.  A good sign is a hopeful statement for quality.  The rustic, yet clean modern exterior as you walk into this restaurant/market also add to the positive curiosity.  As we arrive to the entrance, the long, energetic line makes yet another statement about this quaint gem.  Besides viewing the daily specials, the long line gives us time to 1. hope they haven't yet run out of meat that is smoked on-site; 2. view local products (like raw honey, coffee, salad dressings) in their market area.  


The perfect menu item for our curious appetite was the BBQ sampler, including 3 ribs, 2 slices of brisket, 1 drumstick, & pulled pork ($18.50)  Accompanied by your choice of 2 sides (with classic offerings:  mac & cheese, coleslaw, cornbread muffin with honey butter, collard greens, or BBQ baked beans), it was a generous amount for 2 to share.  We also sampled a side of their wings.  As if there is not enough flavor in these delish meats, one of the highlights was their sampling of complimentary sauces for a diner's dipping pleasure.  Freshly brewed sweet tea was the ideal beverage for this satisfying, traditional BBQ meal.
One more highlight:  outdoor dining at picnic tables overlooking the meat smoker that made this meal possible.  The atmosphere is bustling with energy of families and friends enjoying their meal.  Indoor & outdoor seating are limited, but for those who find a spot, it's an enjoyable evening with a simple, but quality meal and setting.  Jesse's also offers take-out & catering.

 

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.

 

  

Sindbad Mediterranean Cuisine

Sindbad Mediterranean Cuisine

426 N. 7^th Street

Allentown, PA 18102

610-351-3789

Hours: M-Closed; T-Th 10a-8p; Fri-Sat 10a-10p; Sun 11a-7p

Spoon Rate: 

Ready to try something new, we visited www.restaurant.com to take advantage of a gift certificate.  We stumbled upon Sindbad, a restaurant in Allentown that was unfamiliar to us.  Given our love for Mediterranean cuisine, we are always ready to find a new spot in the Lehigh Valley, amidst the many other restaurants that we have grown to love.

In the heart of Allentown, Sindbad is located on N. 7^th Street, home of some other restaurants.  We passed Winston’s, a Jamaican restaurant previously visited and enjoyed by Evans’ Eats, and Mariam’s, on the list of places to review.  Do not be deceived--the Lehigh Valley is full of viable choices for ethnic eating!  On a cold winter night, Sindbad looked intriguing and inviting, with its warm lighting, classy sign and ornate foyer.  As we were greeted by the owner and his father, who prepared our meals, we learned they designed and completed this tiled entrance and all aesthetics of this small, but clean and classy establishment.  Open since August, 2014, Sindbad serves mostly take-out customers, but two tables are available for those who want to dine-in to enjoy the full, hospitable experience.

We ordered cauliflower as an appetizer.  It was delicious, perfectly sautéed and seasoned, with a lemony flavor. For our entrees, we chose a beef shawarma combo ($9.45, includes beverage and hummus or fries) and falafel combo ($9.00). Both were fresh and extraordinary in quality.  The side of hummus and pita was an appreciated side, and its generous portion provided leftovers to take home.

We ended our meal with fresh, authentic Arabic coffee and slices of namoura (cake), a perfect ending to this memorable, satisfying meal.  The friendly, caring hospitality of the owner and his father enhanced the experience.  Their excellence in making everything fresh and using local products show the quality of their work and cuisine that we can easily recommend.  We look forward to returning to try their baba ghanouj, tabbouli and kibbi, along with taking advantage of their outdoor seating in warmer weather.