BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A few months after welcoming a new eatery specializing in Mexican and American dishes, Bethlehem’s Stefko Boulevard Shopping Center is adding another tasty business to its roster this week.
Pho Viet Royal 2, a Vietnamese restaurant serving pho, vermicelli rice noodles and other specialties of the southeast Asian country, will hold a soft opening on Monday at 1806 Stefko Blvd. in Bethlehem, co-owner Joe Wang said.
The 24-seat eatery supplements the original Pho Viet Royal location, which opened in October 2019 at 2126 W. Union Blvd. in Bethlehem’s Lehigh Shopping Center.
In the Stefko Boulevard Shopping Center, Pho Viet Royal 2 is joining another new dining establishment, This Is Burritos, which has been serving up made-to-order tacos, burritos, po’boys, Philly cheesesteaks and other Mexican and American favorites since May.
Business has been good at Pho Viet Royal’s original location, leading Wang and his mother, Feng Chen, to expand operations with another eatery.
“We’re very excited,” Wang said. “The menu will be a little condensed because we’re going to focus on our best-selling dishes at this new location.”
“Our most popular items are our pho and vermicelli noodle dishes, along with our grilled meats and many appetizers,” Chen added.
Pho Viet Royal has built a large and loyal customer base thanks to its fresh and flavorful creations, including its namesake pho, a soup comprising boiling broth, rice noodles, meats, vegetables and more.
Customers can choose from nearly two dozen pho varieties, starting at $8.99, including grilled pork chop, steamed chicken, meatball, brisket, eye round and shrimp.
A popular “Pho Special” option includes brisket, eye round and meatballs.
In addition to pho, other popular selections include around a dozen vermicelli rice noodle dishes, such as tofu, egg roll, grilled beef and grilled sliced pork; and various rice with grilled meat platters.
Pho Viet Royal 2 also will serve up appetizers such as crispy spring rolls, shrimp summer rolls and lettuce boats (tofu, chicken or pork); curry selections such as beef, chicken, shrimp and vegetable; and shredded cabbage salad with your choice of protein.
The Stefko Boulevard eatery will operate in a renovated space that previously housed Little CALI arepa and empanada bar, which recently moved to 1029 Butler St. in Easton.
Pho Viet Royal 2 operates at 1806 Stefko Blvd. in Bethlehem.
The unit was gutted to feature “new everything,” including new flooring, lighting, dry wall, counters kitchen equipment and bathrooms.
“We updated everything, from top to bottom,” Wang said.
As is the case with Union Boulevard eatery, the Stefko Boulevard restaurant also will be BYOB.
Customers also will be able to order specialty drinks such as Vietnamese hot or iced coffee, fresh lemonade and fruit juices, Thai iced tea, slushies and bubble tea.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Joining a growing roster
Pho Viet Royal 2 is joining a growing lineup of tenants at the Stefko Boulevard Shopping Center.
The center, owned by Regency Centers, earlier this year welcomed Muscle Inc Gym.
It’s also home more than a dozen other businesses, including Gerrity’s Valley Farm Market, Dollar Tree, Fine Wine & Good Spirits, Stefko Pharmacy and T-Mobile.
This Is Burritos, specializing in made-to-order Mexican and American dishes, opened May 15 at 1802 Stefko Blvd., next to Pho Viet Royal 2.
The renovated end unit previously housed a J’s Steaks & Subs eatery, which moved a few blocks north to 2140 Stefko Blvd. in 2017 before closing at that location earlier this year.
This Is Burritos, with seating for around 20 customers, offers a variety of made-to-order Mexican dishes, including tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, salad bowls and quesadillas, which diners can customize by choosing from a variety of fresh ingredients.
Protein options include chicken (grilled, shredded or fried), ground beef, shredded beef (barbacoa), shredded pork (carnitas), sofritas, hibachi steak, hibachi shrimp, jumbo shrimp (steamed or fried), sweet plantain and fajita veggies.
Toppings include cilantro lime rice, brown rice, black beans, salsa (mild, medium or hot), corn, cheese, lettuce, sweet plantain, sour cream, guacamole and queso.
Various sides, such as chips and salsa, chips and queso, chips and guacamole and single tacos, are also available.
“People are really loving our food, especially our burritos, burrito bowls and fried shrimp,” This Is Burritos owner Karen Lin told 69 News shortly after the restaurant’s opening. “Customers order the Mexican food like they do at Chipotle, picking whichever ingredients that they want. Everything is super fresh and flavorful.”
Lin is no stranger to the restaurant industry.
She also operates similar fast-casual restaurants in Alabama.
“I moved up here to be closer to family, and I wanted to bring some really good Southern food with me,” Lin said. “So, we have dishes like po’boys, fresh jumbo shrimp and chicken wings with rubs like cajun and Old Bay and sauces like honey barbecue and Nashville hot.”
This Is Burritos, a fast-casual eatery specializing in made-to-order Mexican and American dishes, opened May 15 at 1802 Stefko Blvd. in Bethlehem.
Customers can choose from more than two dozen wing rubs and sauces, including jerk, lemon pepper, garlic parmesan, honey chili, teriyaki, hot and extra hot.
Other menu highlights include Philly cheestesteaks (beef or chicken) and po’boys (whiting, catfish or shrimp) on 9-inch hoagie rolls; freshly grilled, steamed or fried jumbo shrimp; and freshly grilled or fried fish filets (whiting, catfish or tilapia).
Fried shrimp and fish are seasoned, and grilled shrimp and fish are available in flavors including Old Bay, cajun, lemon pepper and garlic pepper.
Many dishes can be made combos, which come with French fries or various types of rice.
