Half Day in Eastern Pa/Western NJ

Last Wednesday I had to go to a morning meeting at our Bethlehem Pa. Office. I don’t mind, it gets me out of the one and a half hour daily commute to NYC. It’s only an hour and 15 minutes by car to Bethlehem from my home in NJ.

I have do this a few times a year, and as usual, I skipped the lunch at whatever godawful local businessmen’s restaurant they think I would enjoy, and instead set off on my own with a couple of places in mind.

First stop was the Brass Rail, in Allentown at 3015 Lehigh Street (just South of I-78). They’ve been in business since 1931, I think they’ve been at this location since the early 60’s. It was great to see how busy this old-school restaurant was on a Wednesday afternoon. There’s a dining area, bar area, and a take out window. I was going to eat in the bar, but it was very crowded, and since it was a nice day anyway, I decided to take out and eat by my car.

They made their reputation with a steak sandwich, and the cheesteak was one of the best I’ve ever head. It consisted of a tomatoey dressing with an excellent mix of pickles and onion with good meat on a roll that held up under all the ingredients. It was on the small side, but then again, it was only $3.89. I got two and brought one home for my son who gave it high marks also.

Checking my map I noticed I was only a couple of miles from Shangy’s Beer Store in Emmaus, with one of the biggest selections of beer in the Northeast. Suffice it to say I am now set for the next few months in the beer department, not to mention laying in a good supply of A-Treat soda.

On into NJ to Philipsburg and Nicolosi’s Pizza. Someone mentioned this place to me, it’s been around for over 40 years, yet there is really not very much at all on the internet about it. I called ahead and ordered a large regular and a large sausage pizza. I had to call again to find the place, it’s in the Hillcrest Shopping Center on Rt 22W but it’s behind some of the other stores on an inner sidewalk. Even after the 2nd call I still couldn’t find it, if you go, just ask someone in the parking lot, everyone seems to know it. Anyway, this was not your thin crust NJ Pizza, these were thick and heavy with cheese and excellent! It reminded me of the pizza from Ray’s Famous in NY, each slice must weigh at least a half pound. It’s a fairly standard issue pizza parlor atmosphere, with seating for about 30 people, but what terrific pizza. Top notch cheese, sauce and sausage.

To sum up, I wasn’t sure what to expect from either of these places. So, unexpectedly, in one day I had one of the best cheesteaks and one of the best thick crust pizzas I’ve ever had, as the memory of my “Wasted Day in Central NJ” (see separate trip report) faded further into the background. ---Ken

Ken,

Thanks for the update on Lehigh Valley food. When I lived in Allentown and commuted to New Jersey (boy, was that a lot of fun), the local food was always good, particularly the Brass Rail. If the Trivet diners are still open (one is at Tilghman Street and 309), you wouldn't do badly to visit one of them on a future trip. I had almost forgotten about A-Treat and their great drinks, especially the grape pop that actually was grape in color (not that scary blue color found in some brands). Now I am in need of a Lehigh Valley trip for some of that food.

ken8038, The Brass Rail sounds good. I am in the area this week, I think I'll give it a try.

Do you realize you drove right past Charlie's Pool Room?

<<Do you realize you drove right past Charlie's Pool Room?>>

Yes, I had to talk myself out of it, Toby's Cup too. I was getting pretty full.