West Side Cafe & Grill serves pancakes, among other breakfast foods, all day. (Photo by Nathan Oun)

Easton’s West Side Cafe & Grill has recently extended its open hours from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. following customer demand, bringing in a new dinner menu with many mouth-watering options.

“It’s something that we did specifically because the customer base was asking,” said George Kouros, co-owner of West Side and former owner of Stefko Pizza in Bethlehem. “They could only make it out on the weekends because on weekdays they work.”

Planning for the dinner menu — which was announced on Facebook in January — initially went smoothly. Photus Zographou, co-owner of West Side, said many of the ingredients required were “interchangeable” with those on the lunch menu.

“The jump for dinner wasn’t a big jump, but it was a necessary jump to make our customers happy,” Zographou said.

The restaurant introduced several new items to the menu, including penne alla vodka, chicken parmesan, open-face turkey sandwiches, mac and cheese, chop steaks and fried sirloin dinners, to name a few.

And what about the customers?

“They love it,” said Kouros.

“For out of town, the food is great,” said Sarah Walker, a first-time customer of the establishment.

The change also has a personal significance for the owners, as the idea for West Side wasn’t initially a breakfast spot. Zographou described how the partners tried to open a cheesesteak restaurant in Bethlehem, but “had some contractor issues with that.” Now, they can serve dinner like their original dream.

However, when it came time for the launch, there were some complications.

“We planned for two weeks to open, advertised it, and then that Sunday we got a historic snowstorm,” said Zographou.

Due to their reliance on roadside parking, many customers had difficulty getting into the restaurant for the first couple of days while snow piled up on the sides of the road.

“I think we’ll have a true insight into dinner once the snow melts,” Zographou said.

The restaurant initially opened as a breakfast and lunch restaurant with an emphasis on breakfast foods, which they serve all day.

“I’m the type of person that likes eating pancakes at night, I mean, there’s nothing wrong with a solid omelet at night,” Kouros said. “So why not serve it all day? The people want it.”

Their breakfast options are extensive, consisting of fun takes on simple foods like breakfast sandwiches, omelets and pancakes.

“We wanted something that was ‘eat with your eyes first,’” Zographou said. “Some people complain about our prices every once in a while, then they get their food and their mouths are shut.”

“We live in a fast food kind of world, but for the same price we’re trying to provide much better quality,” Kouros said.

The restaurant is planning Valentine’s Day specials, and Lafayette College students get a 10% discount if they show their school IDs.

“It’s a nice place, the food is good, and the people are amazing,” customer Enzo Cruz said.