Plenty of families run restaurants in the Lehigh Valley, but it’s rare to see what appears to be almost one’s entire family running one.
Customers can enjoy that family atmosphere and Latin-style cuisine of a local couple alongside their children, siblings and in-laws at their new restaurant in the Lehigh Valley.
Don Chuy Kitchen opened in July at 572 Nazareth Drive, Unit 1, in Moore Township, co-owner Lizeth Varela said, where they serve dishes such as tacos, burritos, empanadas, sandwiches, fajitas and quesadillas.
Varela said the family started with the Don Chuy catering company in 2023, which they still operate today, as well as event pop-ups before opening the restaurant.
“Every time we are in those places, the customers will be asking if we have a physical store,” she said. “So we figured our food was good and people wanted more, so I would love having those people that have been with us since those pop-up events coming over, and also bringing like new food around this area.”
She co-owns the restaurant with her husband Jesus Carreon, and together they work with their children Stephanie, Dianna, Mayte and Matthew; Varela’s siblings Pamela Hernandez and Adonis Nuñez; and Carreon’s sister Veronica Carreon and her family.
“When it comes about the kids, it’s important for us to teach them how to work at a young age and to be around the family, for them to learn good customer service and socialize with people, embrace our Spanish roots,” Varela said. “And my siblings and my sister-in-law’s family, we all get along as a family, and they have been helping us from day one till this moment.”
The restaurant operates 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It replaced Nani’s Grab N Go, which announced its closure in July after eight years of operation.
Lehigh Valley retail and restaurant news in brief
Fisk Camera Shop opened for the last time Friday at 2115 Birch St. in Wilson after roughly a century of business.
The Mexican restaurant El Jefe’s Taqueria reopened Saturday at the Five 10 Flats at 506 E. Third St. in Bethlehem, months after a fire broke out there and displaced over 100 residents, with Mr. Lee’s Noodles to open soon after next to El Jefe’s.
The Color Me Mine studio held a soft opening Aug. 22 at Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon Township and will hold a ribbon cutting on Thursday. It lets customers paint and design unpainted pottery pieces such as plates, mugs, bowls and figurines.
Bang Bang Hibachi Grill & Sushi opened a new location Friday at 1241 Airport Road in Allentown, where customers can order sushi, hibachi, fried calamari, chicken wings, miso soup, salads, bubble tea and smoothies.
The caterer and food trailer S & D Soulicious Cuisine opened a new physical location Friday at the South Mall in Allentown, owner Shayvonne Terry-Rivera said, and will hold a grand opening in late September.
The menu includes chicken tenders, wings, macaroni and cheese, wings, ribs, fries and collard greens.
Terry-Rivera said that while she hasn’t finalized the operating hours yet, the restaurant will be open all week.
Chipotle Mexican Grill will open a new restaurant Wednesday at 2445 Butler St. in Wilson, spokesperson Mohit Patel said. It will operate 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. all week.
In other news
The Lehigh Valley Vegan Chef Challenge will begin Sept. 15, a news release announced, letting customers try and rate vegan food from participating businesses such as Vault Brewing Co., Da Judah-s Kitchen, Stations Cafe and Switchback Pizza Co.
Customers can rate the menus on the challenge’s website until Oct. 15, after which winners will be announced later that month or in early November.
The challenge is a collaboration between the nonprofits Vegan Outreach and Animal Defenders Greater Lehigh Valley.
Retail Watch is a weekly column covering retail and restaurant news in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question, tip, or want to see something in the area? Contact retail reporter Graysen Golter at retailwatch@mcall.com.
