The next generation of J’s Steaks & Subs will soon begin with a new food truck in the Lehigh Valley.
The food truck will operate at the Weyerbacher Brewing Co. taproom at 905 Line St. in Easton, according to an online announcement from J’s Northampton, which closed in May at 1830 Main St. in Northampton.
Aleea Clawson, the daughter of the late former J’s Northampton owner Daniel Strain, will operate the truck alongside her husband Brandon. It’s expected to open later this month after inspection, according to Ed Lozano, the owner of the food truck and Weyerbacher.
“They approached me about opening up a new location, and … I thought the time was right,” Lozano said. “We have an opportunity and need here at the brewery. We have a food truck, so we agreed that they would operate the food truck here in Easton, and then see how this goes.”
Daniel owned and operated J’s Northampton since 1986, and his wife Candace took over after Daniel died last year. It was the final location for the J’s chain, said Lozano, who is excited to reestablish the brand.
“If we get great reception, if the food continues to be excellent and our customers are excited about it and looking for more outlets, then we will definitely explore brick and mortar or other forms of establishments to get the J’s cheesesteaks and food menu to consumers,” he said.
The first J’s opened in 1968 at 15th and Turner streets in Allentown under butchers Jerald Yanowitz and Joe Williams. Millionaire Harold G. Fulmer III purchased a controlling interest in the shops in 1985, and then Lozano took over in 2015 from Judith and Chris Fulmer.