"Who Knew?" Month--Week #2: Creamery on Main

Creamery on Main
332 Main St.
Emmaus, PA 18049
610/928/1500
Hours:  M-Sun 10a-10p 
  
Another unexpected surprise...Downtown Emmaus' relatively new ice cream spot serves some of the best burgers in the Lehigh Valley & Beyond.  I was skeptical when my brother, his wife and 2 of his kids repeatedly and individually told us they served the best burgers...Last Spring when Groupon was featuring a special, we decided to see for ourselves...proving there was no exaggeration.

A highlight of this quaint business is its draw to local families--most likely due to the casual, inviting atmosphere, reasonable prices and delicious, generously-sized food.  What makes the burgers so great?  First of all, a wide selection is listed on a wall menu--creative names and creative concoctions.

Consider the Doogie Howser (topped with bacon, guacamole, swiss, & mayo),  
The Wesley Works (topped with pierogies & blue cheese), 
or I Hate Cowboys (topped with onion rings, BBQ sauce and cheddar cheese.)  Not sure how to describe the rolls--but they really are clutch in making their burgers superior.

They serve salads, wraps and a variety of other sandwiches including turkey and veggie burgers). 2 of the most intriguing include: The Hawaii 5-0 (Grilled Chicken with teriyaki sauce, pineapple and cheddar) or The Elvis (Grilled PB & J or Banana).  Burgers and sandwich average a fair-priced $5.75.  Fries are served a la carte--but come in a large portion to share.  Both the regular or sweet potato fries are recommended.

Creamery on Main offers fair trade coffee from One Village Coffee, and if I am not mistaken, ice cream comes from local business, Longacres Dairy.  As their slogan claims: "We are more than just ice cream," Creamery on Main has kept their word.  Who knew? 

 

"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

BBQ Month-Week #3: Dancing Pig BBQ

Dancing Pig BBQ
Dublin Village Plaza
161 N. Main St.
Dublin, PA
215-249-3334
Hours: T-Sun 11a-8p (closed Mondays)

 Dublin Village Plaza is famous for it's PA Driver's License Center, but it has competition.  Dancing Pig is serving delicious southern-style BBQ to Bucks County.  Known for its 100's wood-fired, wood-smoked, all-fresh, never frozen meat, this almost year old business is bringing a cultural experience to town.  

We highly recommend the "Dancing Pig Style Baby Back Ribs" (a traditional dry rub and a "light finishing mop"--also serving "Texas Style"-cracked black pepper and coarse salt).  Love the smoky smell it leaves on your fingers!  Thankfully they provide complimentary moist towelettes for the messy fingers.

They also have the full offerings of sandwiches including pulled pork, beef brisket (our choice-delicious!), chicken bbq and more.  A few creative selections include the beef brisket cheese steak or the chorizo sandwich.  Each table includes 2 versions of sauces.  They offered "Dancing Pig Devil Dust" for the spice lovers--we respectfully declined and failed to ask for a description.

Side items are a la carte, but reasonably priced.  The "settler beans" were flavorful and an ideal choice, along with the distinct corn bread and garden slaw (vinegar base).

They are obviously serving a steady take-out business but the dine-in atmosphere is warm and inviting.  Most of all we enjoyed the hospitality of the owners--who are sure to inform and generously serve their customers.

Southern BBQ Month-Week #2: Dickey's

Dickey's BBQ Pit
3221 Schoenersville Rd. Bethlehem, PA
610-625-2200
Hours:  M-Sun 11a-9p





Dickey's, a nationwide chain with 2 Lehigh Valley locations in Bethlehem & Wescosville, offers a decent Southern BBQ meal, emphasis on "decent." Some of its extra perks enhance the dining experience:

1. A family-friendly clean bright environment offers a broad, reasonably-priced  menu for any sized-appetite.  There are sandwiches and salads, or platters for you to choose your meat preference and sides.  


2.  The large complimentary Dickey's cup that holds your beverage, including their ever-flowing sweet tea.

3.  The bin of serve-your-own deli pickles.

4.  The selection of serve-your-own bbq sauces.

5.  The self-serve soft iced cream machine with cones to provide a sweet ending for all dinner guests.

6.  The fast-food style service makes your dining experience simple and time-efficient.

 

Barbecue Month-Week #1: Fat Boys House of BBQ

Fat Boys House of BBQ
652 Union Blvd
Allentown, PA
(near Iron Pigs Stadium)

Having nephews from Austin introduce us to true Texas BBQ, we've searched to find some decent spots here in the Northeast.  While nothing can top Rudy's or The Salt Lick, we've found a few worth mentioning in the Lehigh Valley.  Fat Boys BBQ, who has been known for its catering, is serving some delicious meat from a mobile food truck, seasonally stationed in an empty lot near the Iron Pigs' Stadium.  Though their hours are limited to weekends, we were fortunate to enjoy a summer evening with some delicious grub. 

 I chose the generously-portioned Carolina Style Brisket sandwich ($7.50), topped with coleslaw & BBQ sauce.   My husband ordered the Engine 13 ($7), Pulled pork piled high with slaw, fresh cut fries, hot sauce and BBQ sauce.  Unfortunately, we were there near closing and they were out of fries--so he didn't get the full experience.  Another customer advised we come back the next day to try the fries, which he termed "the best in the Valley!"   We settled for a side of the "loaded potato salad." 

Besides the unique environment (limit of 2 tables, sweetly adorned with  checkered tablecloths) and view, my favorite moment was 2 guys driving up in a pick-up truck.  Rolling down the window, they yell over to the food truck, "You guys got ribs?," hand-gestures matched his desired full-rack order.  She exclaimed "yes," they parked, and received their casual, affordable and quality rack of ribs dinner!  A loaded menu will please the entire family and provide us Northerners with a solid taste of the southern BBQ cuisine.  

Catering is offered year round...would love to see a casual outdoor wedding reception include this food truck! 

Al Fresco while the summer lasts....

It's that time of year where the summer lovers are fighting depression and the fall lovers are flaunting their victory of cooler weather.  I fall into the former and am seeking to savor every moment of outdoor enjoyment.  Earlier this summer, a fellow local blogger posted a helpful entry entitled "Lehigh Valley Patio Guide."

She made some intriguing suggestions, some of which I have not yet visited but are on my list.  Check it out, leave a comment of your own favorite spots for outdoor dining in the LV & B, and take advantage of these end of summer days.   You can also check out Evans' Eats 25 recommendations by clicking on "outdoor seating."

Destination Month-Week #3: Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, rightly famous for its deliciously comforting soft pretzels and cheese steaks, has becomingly increasingly known for its brunch spots.  Many of the hip, up-and-coming neighborhoods' restaurants are part of a growing competition for where the locals will frequent each weekend.  True to the character of the city of Brotherly Love, each of these is earth, art, vegan/vegetarian-friendly.  Here are a few I've enjoyed:

Honey's Sit 'n Eat
800 N. 4th St.
Hours: M-Th 7a-8p; F & Sat 7a-9p; Sun 7a-5p
(note: Cash only restaurant)

Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner, there is a perpetual out-the-door line during brunch hours.  Honeys' offers a casual down-home, country farm environment in the middle of Northern Liberties.  Committed to using local ingredients whenever possible including the free-range eggs, produce & bacon, it has a wide menu whose highlights include:

Enfrijoladas ($9-Two flour tortillas filled with scrambled eggs & beans, topped with salsa verde, black bean puree, sour cream, queso fresco, red onions, radishes and mixed micro green salad
Add Chorizo, Veggie sausage, Breakfast meat or substitute tofu for an additional charge)

Savory Tofu Scramble ($9-Green peppers, onions and tomatoes, served with hand-cut fries)
 
Whole Wheat Pancakes ($9-Filled with granola and berries, with maple syrup)

All eggs come with choice of cheese & onion potato latke, homefries or grits, & hearty bread selection:  buttered challah, country white, wheat, rye, corn muffin or biscuit)

Coffee is bold & delicious--and an outstanding feature is their fresh-squeezed orange juice--squeezed in sight behind the counter.  Certainly a fun vibe and tough-to-beat meal at Honeys'.


Sabrina's Cafe
3 locations:  Italian Market-910 Christian St. 
Hours: T-Th 8a-9p, F-Sat 8a-10p, Sun-M 8a-4p

 

Fairmount/Art Museum Area-1804 Callowhill St Hours: T-Sat 8a-10p; Sun & M 8a-4p

University City Drexel Campus:  227 N 34th St Hours: T-Th 8a-9m; F-Sat 8a-10; Sun & M 8a-4p

University City location

Visiting the Italian Market location, provided a quiet brunch spot with quaint outdoor seating.  University City offers the college campus vibe in a historic, picturesque building.  I especially enjoyed sitting in a room with large windows and generous natural lighting.  

Coffee was vibrant and delicious.  Menu highlights include:

Tofu Scamble

Tofu Scramble: ($7.89 spiced tofu, sauteed onions, shallots, garlic, peppers, spinach and mushrooms, with a side of Philly famous LeBus Multigrain bread and fresh fruit.

Egg white primavera Frittata:  ($9.99 made with assorted vegetables)

Stuffed french toast specials

Green Eggs Cafe



3 locations
N. Liberties: 719 N.2nd St
S. Philly: 1306 Dickinson St.
Midtown Village: 212 S. 13th St.
Hours: 8a-4p daily
cash only

Speaking only for the Northern Liberties location, I thoroughly enjoyed the hip, urban, open-air atmosphere.  Friendly staff serve high quality, delicious food.  Green Eggs has an earth-friendly philosophy--including recycling all paper products, glass, plastic and aluminum and composting all food and organic waste.  From their website I learned the grow herbs & spices in-house on a rooftop garden! 

Delicious coffee accompanies a superior menu with these recommendations:  

Veggie Benedict:  ($9-Portobello mushrooms, sauteed spinach and roasted peppers on toasted brioche rounds topped with two poached eggs and a rich hollandaise sauce  (all eggs served with an excellent choice of signature or rosemary potatoes)

 
Stuffed French Toast ($10-Brioche slices stuffed with fresh berries, ricotta cheese topped with Chantilly cream, fresh berry compote, and blackberry coulis) 

Quinoa Porridge ($6-Agave nectar, cinnamon, cardamom, golden raisins, and cream topped with fresh berries and fresh berry compote, vegan option available)

Granola ($6-Artisan made mixed berry or coffee chocolate chip granola with fresh fruit, sweet berry compote and greek yogurt)

If you have another favorite Philly brunch spot, include a comment with your suggestion!