Food & Drink

Hoagie-making contests, T-shirt giveaways and free coffee highlighted the grand opening of the Wawa on Hellertown Road in South Bethlehem on Thursday.

Holiday shoppers at the Lehigh Valley Mall will have a new place to sate their appetites next Tuesday, when The Cheesecake Factory opens the doors of its long-anticipated new location.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Bar Torino and Bottle Shop is set to open up in Easton's luxury Seville apartments in 2024, offering gourmet food and hand-selected libations to satisfy any palate.

Portnoy's "One Bite" series features a rave review of the Pen Argyl pizzeria.

So your vegan family member is coming by for Thanksgiving, and you're at a loss. Relax! It's easier than ever to accommodate your plant-based pals this holiday season with just a few tips, tricks and advice.

Christkindlmarkt started off its 2023 season with balmy weather, but that didn't stop folks from feeling the holiday spirit. Organizers say opening day set a record and traffic was up significantly the first weekend.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

The holiday market is back with a bigger ice skating rink, a visit from Santa and new food.

Lehigh Valley restaurants are taking the traditional Thanksgiving spread — turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce — and mashing it up with other items.

Last year’s festival sold out of desserts. Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites said it’s hoping for the same success with another assortment of seasonal sweets this time around.

Mac and cheese on a stick, barbecue-infused ice cream, and horseradish cheesesteaks are hoping to win over fairgoers in this year's food contest. Voting is done on-site, and the winners will be announced on Monday.

Bubbakaoo's Burritos, a national, Mexican-themed restaurant, will hold its grand opening in the Hellertown area on Tuesday.

ArtsQuest's Cold Brew Hullabaloo, a cold coffee convention that debuted at Musikfest Café at ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks last year, will return Sept. 14, it was announced.

To CEO Russell Fletcher, starting out as a small hyper-local business gave Mishka Premium Vodka a leg up to evolve at the rate it is right now. Soon, the vodka, which is distilled in Allentown, will be carried by yet another national chain.

The new eatery, Okatshe, will open at 947 W. Hamilton St., connected to The Moxy Allentown Downtown Hotel in mid-September, Garces announced in a release.

El Jefe Taqueria in Bethlehem is expected to reopen this month. The popular Mexican restaurant has been closed since May because of water damage from a fire in an above apartment complex.

Wind Creek Bethlehem held a preview Tuesday for its latest restaurant: Bethlehem Barrel and Drafthouse.

Ray Neeb, senior vice president of operations for ArtsQuest, said he and his team are “out here day and night” to be sure of a smooth celebration from July 31 through Aug. 10.

German food, polka and Cast in Bronze are just some of the beloved traditions found at Musikfest each year.

After 13 years on the brewpub scene, Two Rivers Brewing Company will shutter the doors on its Easton location this Aug. 17.

Palmer Township supervisors approved final plans for the Lehigh Valley's first Rutter's, set to be built on Main Street, near Tatamy, during their Monday meeting.