BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A popular business specializing in poutine is preparing to close its six-year-old restaurant in Northampton County, but another chapter is on the horizon as the owners seek a new home for the eatery.
The Flying V Poutinerie, a fast-casual eatery offering Canadian comfort food at 201 E. Third St. in south Bethlehem, will hold its last day of business at its current location on Sunday, Sept. 6, according to an announcement on the business’ social media pages.
The owners are looking to relocate the business.
“When you don’t own the ground beneath your feet or the roof over your heads it’s not up to you whether you can rightfully be there long term,” the online announcement reads.
“The physical building belongs to someone else, and this day and age I feel that more people can relate with this than should. Even though I knew that, the Flying V has been operating at our current location 201 East 3rd St for 6 years, and it did feel like it was our little slice of Canada in Christmas City USA. I would love to cushion this and have a proper farewell to 201 East 3rd street but I can not as I am currently occupied looking for new places but will need the time to relocate.”
Husband-and-wife owners Matt and Christie Vymazal established The Flying V in 2016, originally running the business out of a pop-up tent.
The Bethlehem couple expanded operations with a food truck a couple of years later, and in March 2020, the Vymazals further grew the business with its first brick-and-mortar location on East Third Street in Bethlehem.
The renovated space was previously home to other dining establishments, including Hot Plate Southern Kitchen and Shankara Vegan Restaurant and Organic Juice Bar.
The Vymazals did not immediately return messages seeking more information, including details on possible future plans for The Flying V Poutinerie.
A tasty concept takes flight
The Flying V’s origins date back a decade, but Christie’s familiarity with Canadian cuisine goes back much further.
Christie grew up outside of Toronto and met Matt, a Pennsylvania native, while in college.
Matt had never heard of poutine until a late night in Toronto, where “his first bite hooked him for life,” according to a message on The Flying V’s website.
Pictured is The Flying V’s Cubano poutine.
WFMZ-TV
“Determined to bring authentic Canadian flavors south of the border, the duo began recreating Christie’s favorite dishes from scratch, from peameal bacon to Montreal smoked meat,” the message continues.
“… Frustrated by inauthentic poutine in the U.S., Matt and Christie tested recipes for a full year — gravy, cheese curds, peameal bacon, until they nailed the taste of home. Inspired by Canadian geese flying in a V-formation, ‘The Flying V’ was born. They began as a pop-up tent at breweries, quickly drawing in Canadians and curious locals who couldn’t get enough of the real Canadian comfort food.”
The Flying V, which continues to bring its food truck to local festivals and other venues, is known for its classic and signature poutine.
Customers can enjoy the classic poutine, featuring fresh-cut fries (made from Idaho-sourced potatoes) and Wisconsin cheese curds lathered in your signature gravy, or a specialty poutine selection such as maple bacon (fresh-cut fries, cheese curds, gravy and caramelized maple bacon, finished with maple syrup), Buffalo chicken (poutine topped with shredded Buffalo chicken, ranch drizzle, and scallions), CBR (poutine topped with chicken, bacon and ranch) and taco (poutine topped with your choice of chorizo, ground beef or Buffalo chicken, pickled red cabbage, pickled jalapeños, lime crema and fresh salsa).
There’s also a vegan poutine, featuring fresh-cut fries, house-made vegan cheese curds (cashews), house-made mushroom gravy (made with locally sourced Primordia Farm mushrooms), Valley Microgreens and scallions, along with a build-your-own poutine option.
Pictured is The Flying V’s vegan poutine.
WFMZ-TV
Other menu highlights include handhelds such as the “Steamy Dog” (steamed all-beef hot dog, topped with yellow mustard, diced onion, and pickled red cabbage) and “The Nafta” (poutine burrito, featuring choice of Buffalo chicken or ground beef and chorizo, with pickled red cabbage, pickled jalapeños, fries, cheese, gravy, fresh salsa and lime crema); and fries and tots such as parmesan truffle fries and tater tots with optional add-ons.
“I’ve had the honor of serving the community starting in the middle of the shutdown in 2020,” the poutinerie’s recent announcement continues.
“When the world stopped, we kept going. Six years later we will do the same! The Flying V still is alive for many years to come; slinging spuds and Canadian inspired delicious foods.”
For the latest Flying V Poutinerie updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram.