Bagel Month #1: Hot Bagels & Deli

Hot Bagels & Deli

Parkway Shopping Center

1519 Lehigh Street

Allentown, PA  18103

2^nd location:  Allentown Fairgrounds Farmer’s Market

1825 W. Chew St. Allentown, PA  18104

One example of the beauty of food is that it is inspired & shared.  Did you ever notice that eating together is more satisfying than eating alone?  We can enjoy something in solitude, but what happens?  We want to tell someone about it.  We want to introduce someone to it.  We think of someone we know will enjoy it, text them and tell them we can't wait to share it with them.  This is one of the purposes of this blog, but is also a factor of its inception.  My husband and I have enjoyed many meals together and with friends.  Furthermore, we have had many who have inspired us towards creative and diverse eating.  This week’s feature is an ideal example of a business I would be sure to overlook, if it were not for our comrade, Wes Checkeye, who has yet to mislead in his several recommendations. 

My eyes are not drawn to strip plazas such as the locale of “Hot Bagels”, whose sign reads just that: “Hot Bagels.”  Not very catchy or enticing, but Wes assured me that the bagels are small but well-done.  Having lived in New York where there are delicious bagel delis on every corner, it’s hard to return to the Lehigh Valley and find one that meets your standards.  The key: a boiled bagel.  Not only are these bagels boiled, but they are hand-rolled and fully made on the premises.   You can catch the bagel-boiler in action in the back room.  Besides this evidence or asking the owner, how does one tell if a bagel is boiled?  Wes, who I would ascribe a connoisseur of bagels, says you look for "distinct exterior bubbles."  

Hot Bagels offers the standard bagels and spreads (plain and wide selection of flavored cream cheese, butter, jelly).  In addition it offers various breakfast specials including omelettes, sandwiches & platters.  While I cannot speak to their deli menu which includes grilled sandwiches, gyros, burgers, steaks, and classic cold sandwiches and hoagies, they have a decent bagel.  My recommendation is the energy bagel or pumpernickel. I was excited about the cranberry orange, but was disappointed in the lack of flavor. 

The place surprised me with its rather generous seating for dine-in customers.   Some other perks include their office special, Sunday special (Buy 1 dozen, get 4 free: $4.99), and accepting all competitor coupons.  You can’t beat a $2.39 breakfast, not including a coffee, tea or juice on the side. 

Will I return? I won’t go out of my way, but if I was in the mood for a bagel while in the area, I’ll be sure to stop.

Throughout this month, I look forward to sharing a few more bagel gems around the Lehigh Valley...remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day--so nourish & treat those back-to-school students! 

Burger Month #5: Five Guys Burgers & Fries

Five Guys Burgers & Fries

Local locations:  

254 NW West End Blvd.
Quakertown, PA 18951

Tel: 215-536-0555

Tilghman Street Center

4025 Tilghman Street
Allentown, PA 18052

Tel: 610-336-9315

Airport Center

914 Airport Center Drive
Allentown, PA 18107

Tel: 610-266-5135

Another chain has crept onto Evans’ Eats: LV & B.  Why?  Because it is that good—burger month would not be complete without adding Five Guys Burgers & Fries-arguably voted the best burger in the Valley.  In addition, there are 3 local stores (our preference is Tilghman St—clean, airy atmosphere with friendly staff) to enjoy!   If you are in any way a burger fan, you must try Five Guys---and let us know what you think!

Their first one opened in Arlington, VA in 1986—there are now 750 locations in 40 states with plans to open 200 stores in the next year.  Why Five Guys?

• Their successful mission is to serve a reasonably priced consistent product every day.
• The burgers contact ONLY fresh ground beef—in fact, they promote that they have no freezers in Five Guys locations—only coolers to ensure nothing is frozen.  You can TASTE the difference!!
•  They use peanut oil and their menu is trans-fat free. 
•  The fries are amazing…in fact they have a chalkboard sign that tells you the state descent of potatoes used to make that day's fries—adds a personal down-home quality when you are reminded that the delectable fries came from a domestic farmer’s crops!  Not to mention the generous-sized portion.
•  Of course this means excluding those who have peanut allergies—but one of their trademarks are the boxes (yes, boxes) of peanuts sitting throughout the restaurant, with the coolest self-serve scoop and cartons so that you can munch on peanuts as you wait for your burgers!  Genius!
• And undoubtedly, one of my favorite aspects of a good burger joint—the FREE toppings—same price and as many or few as YOU choose:  Mayo, Relish, Onions, Lettuce, Pickles, Tomatoes, Grilled Onions or Mushrooms, Ketchup, Mustard, Green Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers, Green Peppers, A.1.Steak Sauce, BBQ sauce, and hot sauce.  I am not going to tell you what to order—because that is the beauty of building your own—it encourages creative and customized thought! 

One tip:  for the smaller appetite order the little hamburger or cheeseburger which is 1 patty.  Their hamburger and cheeseburger serve 2 thin patties on an incredibly soft and pliable roll. Hot dogs are also on the menu and 2 vegetarian-friendly options:  a grilled cheese & a veggie sandwich (NOT a veggie burger, but a sandwich with veggies).

Photos--compliments of Google Images. I cheated for this post.

Burger Month #4: The Burgery Company

The Burgery Company

1458 Chestnut Street

Emmaus, PA

610-966-9900

Hours:  Mon-Sat. 10:50 AM-8:20 PM; Sun 11:50 AM-7:20 PM

A regular post on their facebook page presents its mission:  Always working to bring you the best quality food possible! Friendly staff, striving to provide a warm, family atmosphere! Open 10:50 am! See you soon!   

Located in a small shopping plaza, it provides a quaint, family-friendly feel offers indoor and outdoor seating while featuring the best gourmet burgers in the Valley.  Though it sits outside of downtown, they contribute to Emmaus’ continual up-and-coming development.

Established in 2010, the Burgery Company’s goal was to “put a twist on an American original.”  Their vast menu offers specialty burgers “constructed to maximize flavor” with a build your own option.  What makes it distinct?  Where else in the valley do you have this assortment:  angus beef burgers, bison, elk, venison, prime rib, ostrich, turkey, chicken, lamb, pork, fish, and vegetarian burgers.  Once again Evans Eats’ LV & B is challenging you to stretch your adventurous eating!  They offer sides of fries—including sweet potato fries and local Longacres ice cream for a shake to top off your meal. 

Check out their website to view the menu and their powerful combinations of flavors. 

I personally have enjoyed the corn husker (a black bean and corn burger with roasted tomatoes and whole grain barbeque sauce),

the mariner (5 spice tuna steak, snow peas, and ginger-lime mayo), 

and the golden gopher (veggie burger with roasted peppers, sautéed onions, and hummus)

….but their menu is vast--so explore!  The best part---generous portions and sturdy kaiser rolls (thoughtfully offering wheat). 

What to expect if you go:  Your appetite will be satisfied!   But word of advice:   Leave behind your fast food burger joint mindset:  because they offer specialty burgers, the prices will be higher and the time you spend waiting will be longer.

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!

Burger Month #2: Basically Burgers

Basically Burgers

33 N. Main St.

Doylestown, PA

215-345-8502

Hours:  Sun/Mon 11:30 - 7 Tues -Thurs 1130 - 8 Fri and Sat 1130 – 9

*Cash only

The charming streets of Doylestown include this family-friendly, down-to-earth burger shop that has a thoughtful, expansive menu for an array of customers.  It offers

• Gluten-free hot dogs and hamburger rolls, which are increasingly accessible in grocery stores but rarely in restaurants

• Asherah vegan patties and a variety of veggie and black bean burgers for the vegan and vegetarian crowd

• Hormone free ground beef for those who have been influenced by the documentary Food, Inc.  or your own education on the processing of our foods.

• Nathan’s hot dogs for the non-burger customer, and anyone who has experienced a NY-made-popular Nathan’s hot dog.

• "Build your own" and “house” featured burgers for the adventurous, topping-lovers like me, served on a beautiful roll.

• Ice cream and shakes for the one-stop experience, convenient for families with young children.

• And my favorite feature of Basically Burgers’ location besides the charming owners and friendly staff:   the chalkboard wall—definitely a magnet for the kids…what an ingenious idea—an instant babysitter for parents, while providing us with wall art and a view of the young artists of the future.

Our meal came to $19.19 for a beverage, sweet potato fries, black bean burger with toppings and a house special, the port mushroom burger. 

Will we return?  It’s a definite first option when we take a trip to Doylestown.  Ideal for a simple but delicious family dinner, or a convenient lunch-break during jury duty or work for Bucks County locals.

Burger Month #1: Goody'z

Goody'z
637 Gravel Pike
E. Greenville, PA
215-679-2000
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11-9; Fri & Sat 11-9:30

An American food tradition:  the burger. 

It seemed appropriate to end our summer months of Evans’ Eats to prioritize the summer delicacy of a grilled burger.  For the health-conscious and vegetarians, don’t tune out yet—some of this month’s reviews will direct your steps on the Valley’s surprising  array of burger joints.

   Goody’z:  Another ideal summer stop (see July) due to the picturesque country drive and outdoor seating.   Their simple menu features burgers made with fresh ground beef, you decide if you want a single or double burger/cheeseburger.  The “Fixin’z” are customized, ordered “all the way”:  lettuce tomato, raw onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard, mayo or “Add what you like”:  grilled onion, grilled green peppers , jalapeno peppers, mushrooms, relish, brown mustard, bbq sauce, and chili.  Besides the fresh taste of their fresh ground beef or turkey, who can’t favor a place that enables you to build and stuff your own?  The thoughtful Kaiser roll is also one of its main features.

Goody’z also serves hot dogs, topped with your “favorite fixin’z” and a verity of sandwiches including a sausage sandwich and cheese steaks.  My guess is that once you get a taste of their 50’s style diner décor, it will only seem suitable to order the classic burger & a side of their delicious fries.

Save room for dessert—they serve local Longacre’s Dairy Ice Cream including specialty sundaes and the areas’ classic dessert:  waffles & ice cream.  Goody’z food & atmosphere is ideal for the whole family.

Our total meal: $15 (2 burgers, fries and a large beverage)

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.