HELLERTOWN, Pa. – A renovation project has been completed at a popular Mexican restaurant in Northampton County, bringing updated kitchen equipment and a wider selection of menu items to the establishment.
The Hellertown location of Lu Taqueria, a fast-casual eatery serving “authentic Mexican food made with love,” will hold a soft reopening from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 56 W. Water St.
The restaurant has been temporarily closed since early June for kitchen renovations.
The Hellertown location of Lu Taqueria operates at 56 W. Water St.
Ryan Kneller
The Hellertown location has offered a limited Lu Taqueria menu since its opening in January 2025, but following its kitchen updates, it will now be able to offer the full Lu Taqueria menu that’s also available at the restaurant’s flagship location at 559 Main St. Suite 3 in downtown Bethlehem.
“In Hellertown, we added a whole new hood system and fire suppression system,” co-owner Elisa Batista told 69 News.
“So, now we’re able to offer the full menu that we have at the Bethlehem location.”
Lu, a play on the word “love,” debuted in 2022 as a mobile operation, with a food trailer that would make appearances at Lehigh Valley breweries, wineries and festivals. That year, it also regularly set up shop at a location on Route 378 in Lower Saucon Township.
Courtesy Lu Taqueria
Lu Taqueria’s first brick-and-mortar location opened in early 2023 at 559 Main St. Unit 3 in downtown Bethlehem, on the lower level of the Main Street Commons.
Guests can enjoy street-style tacos, with choices of chicken, steak, chorizo, shrimp, pork, al pastor (pork and pineapple) or cauliflower. Birria tacos are also available.
Other popular items include a wide array of nachos, bowls and burritos, each available with optional protein, including the Salome Burrito (black beans, cilantro rice, guacamole, pico de gallo and avocado salsa) and Cali Style Bowl (kale, papas bravas, cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole and garlic aioli), among others.
Courtesy Lu Taqueria
Lu Taqueria also offers gringas, which are crispier versions of quesadillas that are prepared by cooking both sides of the flour tortilla (including the cheesy side) on the grill, along with sides such as esquites and cheese dip with chips and desserts such as churros and coconut flan.
For its soft reopening on Saturday, the Hellertown location will offer a limited menu of tacos, chips and guacamole, small sides, cold-pressed juices and smoothies.
The Hellertown restaurant, offering dine-in, takeout and delivery services, is tentatively set to reopen on Thursday with its full menu and regular hours of noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Batista said.
The Hellertown location features seating for eight guests inside and a bistro table for two additional guests outside.
Catering also is available.
“Hellertown we’re back!” reads a post on the restaurant’s social media pages.
“… We’ve missed serving you, and we’re ready to bring the tacos, flavors, and good vibes back. Come hungry, bring your friends & family, and help us make our first day back one to remember! The wait is over.”
For the latest Lu Taqueria updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram.