BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pull the brakes on dining inside.
The Lehigh Valley is home to several streetside dining spots that are both diverse and delicious.
The chefs serve everything ranging from cultural street foods to twists on local favorites like pierogies and milkshakes.
Here are some of our favorites.
Savory smash burgers
Slide On By: Grilled to perfection, this burger truck serves up delicious smash-style burgers topped with their house-made garlic aioli and slow-cooked balsamic onions and pickles. Additionally, there is a delicious chicken sandwich made with chimmi-churri, vegan patties and "elevated" hot dogs with fixings like balsamic glazed onions, bacon crumbles and mustard.
The stops: Pulls up from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at Unangst Tree Farm (7300 Beth Bath Pike, Bath) through Aug. 28, 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays at the South Mall (3300 Lehigh St., Allentown) through Sept. 12.
Info: slideonby21.com
Latin Eats
Couchpota.doh Kitchen: This family-owned mobile kitchen serves Ecuadorian recipes inspired by co-owner's William Seixas' mother. Try the cheese-filled empanadas (chicken, pork and beef) or one of their famous potato/plantain mashes topped with meat and mas queso.
The stops: Pulls up from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at Unangst Tree Farm (7300 Beth Bath Pike, Bath) through Aug. 28. Call 718-406-3126 for additional schedule.
Info: Couchpota.doh Kitchen
Mobile wood-fired pizza
Charred: This pizza spot makes its Neapolitan-style pizza by heating the dough over wood, which is not only healthier but gives it a yummy, smoky flavor.
Each pizza dough is hand-stretched, leaving it with a crispy crust. Varieties include gruyère cheese, fontina cheese, red onions and scallions or sweet sausage, caramelized onions, tomato sauce, peppers, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
The stops: 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at Unangst Tree Farm (7300 Beth Bath Pike, Bath) through Aug. 28, 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 7 at Tolino Winery, 280 Mt. Pleasant Road, Bangor) and Pizza Fest, a new food event at ArtsQuest that will occur on Sept. 29.
Info: facebook.com/GetCharredPizza
The tastiest tacos
Cactus Blue Mexican Restaurant: The mobile kitchen of the Emmaus-based eatery doesn't disappoint when it comes to dishing out yummy Tex-Mex bites.
Try the carne asada tacos (a sweet and spicy combo of steak, crisp yams, house pickles, queso fresco, avocado cream and crispy onions), Baja tacos (battered fish tacos topped with red cabbage, Baja sauce and queso fresco, served on flour tortillas) or veggie enchiladas (stuffed with rice and choice of mild, hot or verde sauces).
The stops: 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at Unangst Tree Farm (7300 Beth Bath Pike, Bath). Call 610- 814-3000 for an updated schedule.
Info: https://cactusblue.biz/food-truck/
Lu Taqueria: Considered an OG of taco food trucks in the area (the owners opened their first restaurant in Bethlehem in 2023, one year after the success of their first food truck), the menu includes their famous "gringas," a crispy type of quesadillas that are grilled on both sides of flour tortilla and filled with choice of cheese, cauliflower, chicken, pork and pineapples, or sausage and cheese.
Other popular items include shrimp and steak tacos and chili adobo fries.
The stops: Call 610-419-0600 for schedule
Info: lutaqueriapa.com
Gyros, baklava
Greek Street: Don't pass up a chance to sample the tzatziki sauce from this Greek truck that offerings beef, chicken and lamb gyros, greek perogies, dolmades (vegan stuffed grape leaves) and baklava.
The stops: Email vendors for schedule.
Info: facebook.com/greekstreetpa
Looking for 'Lobstah'
Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck: Along with its variety of lobster rolls, the mobile menu of this franchise (its original owners gained notoriety in 2016 after an appearance on "Shark Tank") includes decadent dishes like lobster quesadillas, shrimp tacos and loaded lobster tater tots.
The lobster is all wild-caught in New England and sustainably harvested.
The stops: St. Luke's Anderson Campus (1872 St Luke's Blvd, Easton) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 6; Funk Brewing (19 S 6th St., Emmaus) from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 7 and Birthright Brewing Company (57 S Main St, Nazareth)from 1 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 10.
Info: Visit thewebsite for schedule.
Shish Kebabs made with good intentions
Hogar CREA of Pennsylvania: A longtime food vendor at Musikfest, the volunteer chefs grill delicious beef and chicken shish kebabs, served with rice and beans.
Their baked goods (cakes and other treats) are just as tasty. Proceeds benefit Hogar CREA's programs, which help people with drug and alcohol problems.
The stops: Find them at Handwerkplatz Plaza at Musikfest (they have been serving there since the 80s) starting Aug. 2 through Aug. 11.
Info: hogarcreapa.org
Ice cream to-go
Mon and Mels Sweet Scoops: From milkshakes topped with sweet cereals to 10 different types of sundaes, there's a variety of sweet and satisfying things to try.
Dairy and guilt-free smoothies and Italian ices are also available.
The stops: 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays at the South Mall (3300 Lehigh St., Allentown). Call 484-866 -7819 for an updated schedule.
Info: monandmelsweetscoops.com
Recurring food truck days throughout the region have also gained popularity over the summer. Find out when and where, here.
Have a food truck you'd like to recommend? Email Micaela Hood at Micaelah@lehighvalleynews.com.
