ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A new destination for meatloaf, crab cakes, chicken croquettes and other homestyle favorites is satisfying appetites in Lehigh County.
Susquehanna Street Diner, offering made-from-scratch dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, opened Monday, Oct. 23, at 1701 E. Susquehanna St. in Salisbury Township.
Susquehanna Street Diner, offering made-from-scratch dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, opened Monday, Oct. 23, at 1701 E. Susquehanna St. in Salisbury Township.
The full-service restaurant is led by owner and head chef Jaime Rodriguez, a restaurant veteran with decades of culinary experience.
“I’ve been working in restaurants all of my life,” Rodriguez said. “I previously worked at restaurants in Quakertown. This is the first one that I’ve owned myself.”
“We’re very excited to be open and serving the community,” said Robert Rodriguez, Jaime’s son and the restaurant’s general manager. “We’re a family-run business, with my sister, uncle and mom all helping out as well.”
Susquehanna Street Diner, offering made-from-scratch dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, opened Monday, Oct. 23, at 1701 E. Susquehanna St. in Salisbury Township.
Susquehanna Street Diner, with seating for approximately 75 diners at booths and tables with chairs, serves up a wide array of freshly prepared hot and cold eats, including wraps such as chicken Caesar and tuna salad, club sandwiches such as roast turkey and corned beef and Swiss, hot sandwiches such as meatloaf and roast beef and burgers such as mushroom, bacon, Swiss and bacon with onion rings, barbecue sauce and cheddar.
There are also grilled sandwiches such as a crab melt, Monte Cristo, reuben and cheesesteak; and chicken sandwiches (served on ciabatta bread) such as chicken Florentine, chicken avocado and Italian chicken (tomato sauce, pepperoni and mozzarella).
“So far, our wraps and French dip have been extremely popular,” Robert said. “People are really loving all of our breakfast items as well.”
Susquehanna Street Diner, offering made-from-scratch dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, opened Monday, Oct. 23, at 1701 E. Susquehanna St. in Salisbury Township.
Breakfast selections, available all day, include egg dishes such as eggs Benedict, bagel and croissant sandwiches, chorizo breakfast quesadillas and three-egg omelettes such as Philly, Maryland crab and spinach and feta.
Other breakfast menu highlights include New York strip steak with home fries and toast, biscuit with sausage gravy, chicken and waffles, French toast, pancakes and sticky buns.
The diner, which is BYOB, also serves up a variety of basket dinners such as chicken fingers and shrimp, homestyle dinners such as London broil and roast turkey over stuffing, seafood platters such as broiled scallops and broiled or fried haddock, and stir-fry rice dishes such as beef and chicken.
“We also have sections for Italian entrees, like linguine Bolognese and eggplant parmesan, and Mexican dishes, like tacos, fajitas and quesadillas,” Robert said.
Susquehanna Street Diner, offering made-from-scratch dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, opened Monday, Oct. 23, at 1701 E. Susquehanna St. in Salisbury Township.
The Rodriguezes installed new kitchen equipment and added cosmetic touches to the space, which previously housed other dining establishments, including Pantry Diner, Francesco’s Italian Ristorante & Pizzeria, MaGia’s Friendly Italian and, most recently, Mama Minniti’s.
Weekly specials are offered, with first-week specials including homemade muffins (blueberry or corn), pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon butter and banana and strawberry crepes.
Susquehanna Street Diner, which offers takeout, is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Info: 610-663-0099.
More tasty news
‘Cheesy Charlie’: Longtime chef serving up pizza, ‘toasties’ and more at new Bethlehem eatery
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Buffalo chicken mac and cheese, New York-style pizza, Philly cheesesteaks and other comfort foods take center stage at south Bethlehem’s newest restaurant.
Cheesy Charlie, a fast-casual eatery offering dine-in, takeout and delivery services, opened Oct. 4 at 201 Mechanic St.
Owner and head chef Jeff Kulls has cooked at Lehigh Valley restaurants and other venues for 38 years, garnering experience at prominent current and former dining establishments such as Sunset Grille in Upper Macungie Township, the former Federal Grill in Allentown and the former Candlelight Inn in Bethlehem Township. Full story here.
Cheesy Charlie, a fast-casual restaurant offering New York-style pizza, mac and cheese, sandwiches and more, opened Oct. 4 at 201 Mechanic St. on Bethlehem’s South Side. Pictured is owner Jeff Kulls.
2 quick-service chains to offer samples, discounts at new co-branded location in Lehigh County
SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – Two food and beverage chains are celebrating their new dual-branded location with delicious promotions.
Auntie Anne’s, known for its hand-baked soft pretzels and refreshing lemonade, and Jamba, offering made-to-order smoothies and bowls, fresh-squeezed juices and more, will hold a grand opening of their co-branded location on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 4606 Broadway in South Whitehall Township, according to a news release.
Atlanta-based Focus Brands Inc. is the parent company of Auntie Anne’s and Jamba, along with other well-known brands such as Carvel, Cinnabon and Moe’s Southwest Grill, the latter of which has a neighboring location in the same Tilghman Square shopping center. Read more here.
Hampton Winds celebrating 30th anniversary with menu prepared by prominent NCC alumni chefs
BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. – A popular Lehigh Valley teaching restaurant is celebrating three decades of operation.
Hampton Winds, the training ground for Northampton Community College’s highly-regarded culinary arts program, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a five-course menu, inspired by the original menu and created by five NCC alumni chefs and students, 6 p.m. Nov. 3 at the restaurant, located inside Alumni Hall, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township.
Instructors and leaders of the school’s culinary arts program invite the community to join them as they “take a look back where it all began and talk about our dreams for what it is to come.” Read more.
Allentown updates
‘Time to pass on the legacy’: Iconic, 78-year-old hot dog shop up for sale in Allentown
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A longstanding spot for hot dogs, cheesesteaks and “S.O.B.” sandwiches is available for purchase in Lehigh County.
Willy Joe’s, an iconic hot dog shop that has operated for nearly 80 years, is for sale along with its accompanying property at 446 N. 15th St. in Allentown.
The mixed-use property, with the restaurant on the lower level and two apartments on the upper floors, has a price tag of $350,000, according to a Rudy Amelio Real Estate listing. Full story here.
Willy Joe’s, an iconic hot dog shop that has operated for nearly 80 years, is for sale along with its accompanying property at 446 N. 15th St. in Allentown.
‘One-stop shop’: Allentown menswear store to debut adjacent women’s fashion boutique
ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A popular retailer is expanding operations in downtown Allentown.
Assembly88, a men’s clothing, footwear and accessories store at 544 Hamilton Street, on Friday will open an adjacent women’s fashion boutique.
Collectively, both stores will be known as assembly88, and interior connections in an adjoining wall will allow customers to walk from the men’s side to the women’s side and vice versa without going outside. Read more here.
Whitehall news
Cheesecake Factory announces opening date for Whitehall location, hiring nearly 270 workers
WHITEHALL TWP. – Just in time for holiday get-togethers, a popular full-service restaurant chain will soon be slicing into the Lehigh Valley’s dining scene.
The Cheesecake Factory, known for its expansive menu of freshly prepared dishes and indulgent desserts, is planning to open its first Lehigh Valley restaurant on Dec. 19 at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township, according to a news release.
The Cheesecake Factory’s Whitehall location will feature nearly 9,000 square feet of indoor dining and 1,200 square feet of patio dining. Read more.
Hawk Mountain Brewery is planning to open a new brewing facility and tasting room in the first quarter of 2024 at 3530 Lehigh St. in Whitehall Township.
Lehigh Valley brewery nearing completion of new taproom, production facility
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A brewery that’s been making beer inside a barn near New Tripoli, Lehigh County, is reaching new heights with a stately and scenic taproom and production facility in Whitehall Township.
Hawk Mountain Brewery, which has been brewing beer on Werleys Corner Road in Heidelberg Township for the past five years, is expanding operations to include a new brewing facility and tasting room about 12 miles east at 3530 Lehigh St. in Whitehall.
The newly constructed venue, with a five-barrel brewing system, will offer indoor and outdoor seating for customers to enjoy made-on-site beer as well as artisan sandwiches and sides, co-owner Matt Ritz said. Local wines and spirits also will be featured. Full story here.
Easton updates
Ice cream shop to serve up tasty promotions at new Northampton County location
EASTON, Pa. – A popular business dishing out eye-catching, over-the-top sundaes, milkshakes and other cool treats has found a new home in the Lehigh Valley.
Melt Ice Cream Bar, which previously operated from May 2021 to January 2023 at 140 S. Main St. in Phillipsburg, has announced plans to open at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at its new location, 108 S. Third St. in downtown Easton.
The business’ new location is across from the South Third Street parking garage. Read more here.
Costa de Luna, offering party supplies, custom baked goods and more, held a grand opening 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 161 W. Berwick St. in Easton’s South Side.
New Easton business offering party supplies, custom baked goods and more
EASTON, Pa. – A new business is helping take birthday parties, baby showers and other special events to the next level in Northampton County.
Costa de Luna, offering party supplies, custom baked goods and more, held a grand opening at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 161 W. Berwick St. on Easton’s South Side.
Customers can shop a wide array of party supplies and decorations, including balloons, streamers, tablecloths, centerpieces, plates, napkins, cutlery, cake toppers, candles and more. Read more.
Berks buzz
National drive-thru coffee chain opens 1st Pa. location in Berks
SINKING SPRING, Pa. — A rapidly growing drive-thru coffee chain, offering more than 20,000 drink combinations, has expanded further with its first Pennsylvania location in Berks County.
7 Brew, serving custom, hand-crafted coffee, teas and other drinks at drive-thru stands nationwide, opened its new location on Oct. 20 at 3582 Penn Ave. in Sinking Spring.
The business, with more than 100 stands across 19 states, originated in 2017 with a single stand in Rogers, Arkansas. Full story here.
7 Brew, a drive-thru coffee chain serving more than 20,000 drink combinations, opened its first Pennsylvania stand on Oct. 20 at 3582 Penn Ave. in Sinking Spring.
Pamper your pooches at new Berks County dog daycare, resort and spa
WYOMISSING, Pa. – Man’s best friend takes center stage at a new facility in Berks County.
Diggity Dawg Daycare Resort & Spa, offering dog daycare, lodging and spa services, will hold a grand opening of its second location at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at 220 N. Park Road, Building #4 in Wyomissing, according to a news release.
The facility will supplement Diggity Dawg’s original location, which opened in January 2020 at 5100 E. Penn Ave. in Wernersville. Read more here.
Crayola, Wawa updates
Crayola to open first international Crayola Experience entertainment venue in Beijing in 2026
FORKS TWP., Pa. – The Crayola Experience is headed to China, with the first international venue due to open in Beijing in 2026.
Crayola and Max-Matching Entertainments announced plans Tuesday for a 40,000-square-foot Crayola Experience with animation theaters and color labs in Top Park, a new family-entertainment complex.
“We look forward to helping make Top Park a destination for imagination-inspired activities and unique learning experiences for children,” Warren Schorr, Crayola senior vice president business development, said in a statement. Read more.
Wawa continues big expansion with plans for 80 stores in North Carolina, starting in 2024
Wawa’s march into new markets continues, with North Carolina the next step.
The Pennsylvania-based convenience-store chain has already announced plans for a Midwestern expansion, with 160 stores in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.
On Wednesday, Wawa announced plans for about 80 stores in North Carolina opening over the next decade or so. The first eight will open in 2024. Wawa has more than 30 sites under contract in the state and is looking for more potential locations. Full story here.
Proposed Wawa, Miller Farm housing spur 3-hour Bethlehem Twp. meeting
BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. – At its lengthy meeting Monday night, the Bethlehem Township Planning Commission heard proposals for a housing development on Miller Farm land and construction of a Wawa with more housing near a busy intersection.
Offered by developer Kay Builders, the Miller Farm proposal — officially known as “Fields at Farmersville” — calls for the construction of 109 homes and townhomes at 3107 Farmersville Road. That site is located across Farmersville Road from Bethlehem Township Community Center. Read more here.
