BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Crispy Halal, specializing in made-to-order fried chicken, loaded fries and more, is preparing to open a new 65-seat restaurant on East Third Street in the coming weeks.
Restaurant owner Mohammad Ayaz told LehighValleyNews.com the Dec. 15 opening is tentative, but he assured the restaurant at 25 E. Third St. is planned to be open by the end of the year.
Crispy Halal, known for its other location at 514 N. Seventh St. in Allentown, is most popular for its chicken over rice, fried chicken, wings and gyros, according to its website.
Crispy Halal plans to open a new 65-seat restaurant at 25 E. Third St. on Monday, Dec. 15.
It also serves up falafel, loaded fries, salads, cheeseburgers, Philly cheesesteaks, desserts and family meals.
The new spot will operate from 10:30 a.m. each day, closing at 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.
'A welcoming space'
It’s set up at the former Color Me Mine property along the Third Street corridor of South Bethlehem — also next to Bank of America, near Domino’s and across from the old Goodman building. A Taichi Bubble Tea is planned to go in just a couple of doors down.
The Color Me Mine arts studio relocated to Promenade Saucon Valley.
“We wanted to connect with the city."Crispy Halal owner Mohammad Ayaz, on a 25-foot-wide art piece on one of the restaurant walls
Ayaz said Crispy Halal patrons can expect a 25-foot-wide art piece displaying the Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces on one of the walls of the restaurant.
“We wanted to connect with the city,” he said.
Ayaz was previously pursuing a dentistry program in New York City, he said, working at different eateries in the meantime.
After moving to the Lehigh Valley to pursue real estate to help finance his education, he ended up opening a restaurant before he knew it.
Its website touts a family-owned business serving “hot, flavorful meals without the long wait.”
“We aim to create a welcoming space where everyone in the community feels at home,” it says.
Crispy Halal representatives were at the Nov. 17 meeting of the Historic Conservation Commission for approval of storefront signs.
Sizzling Bites Halal Grill operates about a quarter-mile to the east on Third Street.
