Staking a steak claim
Morty’s Steaks wants to fill Lehigh County void left by closing of Brass Rail
When the Brass Rail on Lehigh Street closed in
June, it left a void.
The well-loved restaurant was known for a lot of things but chief among them was its famous cheesesteaks.
David Maiatico wants to fill a little of that void with his latest endeavor, Morty’s Steaks, at 332 Main St. in Emmaus. The restaurant took over the space in what used to be Licensed 2 Grill.
This is the third operation for Maiatico, who owns the popular David’s Italian Market just a few doors down on Main Street as well as in the Allentown Farmers Market.
The menu is simple: Cheesesteaks (beef or chicken); hot dogs; fries and pierogies.
And while it’s nothing fancy, the restaurant prides itself on using top quality ingredients. The pierogies, for example, come from Papa Sarge’s in Bath, served deep-fried and crispy.
But it’s the cheeseteaks that they are hoping earn them top praise. The restaurant’s manager, David McAdoo, said they have a signature sauce that’s thinner than the red sauce most folks in the Valley like on their cheesesteaks.
You can get cheesesteaks with a variety of cheeses — from traditional Whiz to provolone and American.
If you’re not into cheesesteaks you’ll want to check out the all-beef hot dog varieties including the Chicago, which is modeled after the favorite from the Windy City. It has mustard, relish, sport peppers, tomato, onion, pickles and celery salt on a poppy seed roll. There’s also the Texas Tommy, which is a dog, wrapped in bacon, stuffed with cheese and deep fried with mustard, onions and chili.
Hours for Morty’s Steaks: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Made-to-order news
Convenience store chain Sheetz is planning to open its latest location in South Bethlehem.
The chain is planning to build its latest store on East Fourth Street. It will be the second Sheetz in the city, with the other at 3201 Schoenersville Road.
Sheetz is known for its popular “Made-To-Order” menu, where customers can order any of Sheetz’s customized specialty drinks or food items around the clock using a touch-screen.
Info: www.sheetz.com.
Retail boom coming to Lower Macungie?
I reported earlier this week about a big project in the works on 45 acres in Lower Macungie Township.
Lehigh Valley Town Center — a Jaindl Land Co. project — is proposed for land bordered by Schantz Road, Interstate 78 and Route 222. The parcel is made up of property formerly owned by Eastern Industries as well as open agricultural land.
It’s very early in the process but a sketch plan filed with the township’s planning office includes:
A 12,500-square-foot retail grocery store
A 35,000-square-foot anchor retail space
A 20,000-square-foot retail space
A 14,000-square-foot retail entertainment space
A 15-acre “outdoor recreational entertainment space”
The plans are on the township’s planning commission agenda for its next meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. We will continue to follow developments on this project.
Happy news for Fiamma fans
Since I started writing the Retail Watch column, many readers have reached out about Fiamma Italian Grill, a popular restaurant near Bethlehem that was forced to cancel nearly 250 Valentine’s Day reservations earlier this year due to a fire.
The good news: It’s on its way back to reopening, the owners say.
Owner Joseph Jurkivo said the restaurant at
2118 Schoenersville Road in Hanover Township, Northampton County is waiting for kitchen equipment to arrive and then go through new inspections.
Once that’s complete, they can jump-start the restaurant, hiring staff and ordering food.
“We are shooting for hopefully not long after Thanksgiving. That is our best-case scenario,” Jurkivo said.
For the latest: facebook. com/FiammaItalianGrill/
Bike shop news
Trek Bicycle Allentown — which closed its 1728 Tilghman St. location in mid-September — has relocated to its new store at 935A Airport Center Road in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.
The store is open to customers and, according to its social media posts, there will be a grand opening later.
The store specializes in offering the latest products from Trek and Bontrager, as well as service and tuneups for bikes of any brand. Trek Bicycle Allentown is near Golf Galaxy and Mattress Firm in the shopping center, which also features Target and Sam’s Club. It is one of two Trek Bicycle shops in the Lehigh Valley: The other is at 126 Bushkill St., Easton.
More info: facebook.com/ TrekBicycleAllentown
Save those bucks Grocery Outlet,
a national chain of deep-discount supermarkets, is now open at 1401 Allen St., in Allentown, the fourth store in the Lehigh Valley. The other three locations: 4628B Broadway, in the Tilghman Square Shopping Center, South Whitehall Township, 2451 Nazareth Road Suite, Palmer Township; and 70 N. West End Blvd., Quakertown.
Grocery Outlet offers many of the same brands as traditional stores but at lower prices. The company has more than 400 locations throughout California, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
Just outside the Valley
Adding in an item from just outside the Valley for those of you who love craft beer. Van Lieus Brewing Company has opened a new taproom at 211 W. Walnut St., Perkasie.
Pronounced “Van Looz,” the taproom offers a list heavy on New England IPAs and British staples, including bitters and ESBs.
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday .,and Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Info: vanlieusbrewing.com or email contact@vanlieusbrewing.com.
A hat tip
Every week since taking over this column I’ve had the best emails from eagleeye readers who have shared tips from around the Valley. Keep those coming! If you see a business or restaurant opening or closing, let me know. Email: jsheehan@mcall.com.