BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A popular dining establishment is expanding its footprint in the region.
A new location of La Cocina del Abuelo, also known as Grandpa’s Kitchen, offering authentic Mexican dishes such as tacos, tortas and tostadas, opened Thursday, Jan. 8, at 81 W. Broad St., owner and chef Greenberg Lemus told 69 News.
Husband and wife Greenburg Lemus (center front) and Maria Garcia (in white shirt) pose with staff members at the newly opened La Cocina Del Abuelo restaurant in downtown Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
The new BYOB restaurant supplements La Cocina del Abuelo’s original, nearly four-year-old location at 621 W. Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown.
The family-run operation isn’t done expanding either.
A third location of La Cocina del Abuelo is expected to open in February at 650 Memorial Parkway in Phillipsburg, N.J., Lemus said.
La Cocina del Abuelo, which translates to “grandpa’s kitchen” in Spanish, is operated by Lemus and his wife, Maria Garcia.
The couple has found great success with their Allentown location, which also offers catering, and they are excited to serve more customers in the region.
La Cocina del Abuelo – Grandpa’s Kitchen
The business also sets up stands at local fairs and festivals.
“We’re very thankful to the community and excited to be growing,” Lemus told 69 News.
The Bethlehem location, with seating for around 50 guests, operates daily and features La Cocina del Abuelo’s full menu, which includes homestyle tacos, birria tacos, burritos, tostadas, tortas, nachos, quesadillas, empanadas and more, Lemus said.
Dishes feature your choice of various proteins, including steak, ground beef, chicken, pork, chorizo, shrimp and salmon, among others.
La Cocina del Abuelo – Grandpa’s Kitchen
“We are famous for our birria tacos,” Lemus said.
Nearly a dozen dinner platters, served with Mexican rice, black beans, salad and tortillas, include options such as chicken flautas, chimichanga (with choice of protein) and Mexican fajitas (with choice of protein).
Other menu highlights include an array of soups, salads and appetizers and sides such as empanadas, queso fundido, shrimp cocktail, esquites, refried beans, black beans, rice, sweet plantains, yuca fries and guacamole with chips.
Guests also can enjoy sweet selections such as homemade churros, chocoflan and tres leches, along with specialty drinks such as fresh fruit juices, lemonades and smoothies.
La Cocina del Abuelo – Grandpa’s Kitchen
Breakfast options, available all day, include popular picks such as pancakes, French toast, a breakfast quesadilla, Mexican veggie omelet, chilaquiles (crispy tortilla chips smothered in sauce and topped with black beans, cotija cheese, crema and one egg any style), huevos rancheros (two eggs any style served on a crispy corn tortilla topped with refried beans, ranchero sauce and queso fresca with a side of home fries), Maria’s avocado pepitas toast (Texas toast topped with fresh sliced avocado, pumpkin seeds, queso fresca, corn salsa and cilantro) and a Buenos Dias Burrito (scrambled eggs with sliced ham, pico de gallo, sweet plantains, beans, jalapenos, chihuahua cheese, home fries, sauteed peppers and sour cream).
La Cocina del Abuelo is a true family affair with Lemus’ sister, Yoleny Lemus, also assisting with operations.
The Bethlehem location features colorful and vibrant artwork, figurines and other decor handmade by Yoleny and Maria.
A new location of La Cocina del Abuelo, also known as Grandpa’s Kitchen, operates at 81 W. Broad St. in downtown Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
Yoleny is a fashion designer with her own fashion brand, Bloom by Yoleny, and one wall at the Bethlehem restaurant showcases a large butterfly that was worn in one of her fashion shows.
In Bethlehem, La Cocina del Abuelo operates 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
The restaurant fills a space that was previously home to other dining establishments, including Petra and True Blue Mediterranean restaurants, Cilantro and Talavera Mexican restaurants and a Ghanian fusion restaurant, Coal Lounge & Grill.
Most recently, the West Broad Street space was occupied by Birriaholic, a Latin fusion eatery that moved to Allentown.
A new location of La Cocina del Abuelo, also known as Grandpa’s Kitchen, operates at 81 W. Broad St. in downtown Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
For the latest La Cocina del Abuelo updates, follow the business’ pages on Facebook and Instagram.