Pete's Hot Dog Shop

400 Broadway, Bethlehem, PA - (610) 866-6622

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Posted By Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle on June 19, 2009 11:21 AM

Chili dogs and deep-fried pierogies. That's your lunch. Where are you? If you answered Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, count yourself among the Roadfood congnoscenti. What French fries are to most of the fast-food eating populace, fried pierogies are to the Lehigh Valley. And what Yocco's is to Allentown, Pete's is to Bethlehem.

Pete's, which calls itself the hot dog king, has been a fixture on Bethlehem's Southside since the heydey of the steel production that took place less than a mile down the road. Take that drive east today and you'll discover that Bethlehem Steel is now a casino, complete with Emeril Lagasse eatery, but Pete's is still slinging chili dogs and pierogies on Broadway.

The dogs are pork and beef Hatfield franks (same as the ones served at Yocco's), well-browned on the flattop. You can enjoy a naked dog, of course, but there's nothing intrinsically wonderful about a plain Hatfield frank. If you are coming to Pete's, know that you are ordering the classic local combo of chili, brown mustard, and fresh chopped onion. Unlike what's served at Yocco's (which they do NOT call chili; it's Yocco's "sauce"), Pete's chili will not seep into the bun. This stuff is thick and viscous enough to remain atop your dog. It has a touch of heat, but cumin is the operative flavor here.

For just a few bucks you can lunch on a couple of chili dogs, a set of three fried pierogies and, if you really want to go local, a container of chocolate milk. Or grab a can of the locally bottled (in Allentown, since 1918) A-Treat soda. And enjoy a soulful taste of the Lehigh Valley.

Overall Rating

Hot Dog

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