Food & Drink

A Super Bowl Sunday tradition in Easton for more than 25 years, the chili cookoff held by Pearly Baker's Alehouse crowned a new set of winners Sunday.

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.

Wing your Super Bowl party with these recipes inspired by Bethlehem's chefs

When 33-year-old Miguel Barragan shows up to the kitchen at Texas Roadhouse, people know to get out of his way. Next month, he's competing nationally in a very specific kind of competition — one that he's been dominating this year.

Following the introduction of a sewage treatment plan to Whitehall Township commissioners, the developers behind a new Outback Steakhouse are one step closer to opening up a branch of their popular Australian-themed restaurant.

ArtsQuest's annual Souper Bowl brought hundreds to the SteelStacks campus a week before the big game. The contest pitted Lehigh Valley chefs and caterers against one another for bragging rights to the Lehigh Valley's best soup.

McCarthy's Red Stag Pub & Whiskey Bar, a popular Bethlehem restaurant, is closed following a small fire. McCarthy's owner Neville Gardner said the fire broke out about 4 a.m. when no one was in the building. "The place is haunted, you know," he said.

Porters' Pub, a beloved bar which served as a launching point for the revitalization of Easton, has been passed on to a local couple with a strong connection to the community.

Fastnacht Day might be Feb. 13, but don't tell that to the customers at Mary Ann Donut Kitchen. They came for the donuts early Thursday, and they'll be sold through Feb. 25.

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 German-inspired holiday market opened on Friday, Nov. 16 at ArtsQuest's SteelStacks campus.

The company — most often recognized for its locally owned Red Robin franchises — is undergoing a rebrand to reflect its future and potential growth. The move will unite Red Robin and Wingstop franchises under one entity: Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands.

After more than 30 years of business in Bethlehem Township, the 2722 Easton Ave. Johnny's Gyros building will operate under a new name. Real estate agents confirmed another Greek restaurant will lease the space.

Opening the shop is a dream come true for owner Gina Passerman, who said she got the idea during COVID-19 lockdowns. Her goal was to make a place where people can go to "spend time, enjoy each other's company, and smile and be happy."

Paranormal Pizza has a new home on Sundays, with Jay's Local in Allentown hosting the beloved vegan pizzeria until they open their new brick and mortar location.

The coffee chain has billed customers an extra charge for dairy replacements like soy and almond milk. That charge will cease in early November.

Thousands of guests swarmed downtown Easton for PA BaconFest 2024 on Saturday, Nov. 2, with all sorts of savory and sweet dining options, on top of plenty of bacon merchandise and entertainment.

"Owning a restaurant is hard and expensive, and lots of aspects of it are out of your control," said Rachael Prosseda of the Vineyard Di Norma. The restaurant will close Dec. 24.

PA BaconFest returns to Easton on Nov. 2 and 3, featuring tons of eateries, vendors, competitions and more, all featuring everyone's favorite crispy, salty, savory food.

The restaurant changed hands and its name around two years ago. Now, it's set to soon return to what the community last knew it as: Spiros Restaurant.

The state Gaming Control Board voted Wednesday to renew Wind Creek's casino license, granting them another five years of operation.

Wegmans hit customers with robocalls Wednesday after recalling several varieties of its store-brand frozen waffles and pancakes due to potential listeria contamination.