Italian Markets in Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Bethlehem: for sale, house, to buy)

[Rosanne]

My husband and I are planning on moving to the Lehigh Valley area in about a year. We've been living in So. California for 30 years, but are originally from NY and NJ.

Growing up in NY, I was able to go to Italian bakeries for Italian bread and pastries, to Italian markets that specialized in raviolis and such, and to other stores that specialized in Italian foodstuffs.

Are there any of those types of stores in the Allentown, Bethlehem, etc. areas? I would love to be able to buy those types of items again. Here in So. California, there is nothing like that at all. Whatever we need, we get in the supermarkets, and they don't carry any of those Italian specialty items.

If you know of any such places, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

[toobusytoday]

Wegmans http://www.wegmans.com/about/storeLocator/display.asp?store_nbr=79 (broken link) will have a lot of Italian specialy things but there's at least one real Italian Market near the Lehigh Valley Mall. I have gotten sheet music next door to it, I'll see if I can find the name. I think there's also a place in the Allentown farmers market. We don't have a Trader Joe's (gasp!) or a Costco but I think Wegman's has a little bit of everything. It has an excellent bakery too.

[Rosanne]

Thanks so much for the info. If you have more info, don't hesitate to tell me. I am looking forward to going to Wegman's. We don't have that store here. We do have Trader Joe's, which I love, but they don't really have Italian specialty items.

[meandb]

Check mapquest! Amazing what you'll find.

[jonroe]

their is a deli in Emmaus pa. its called BELLA G,S. they make everything on premise . they make italian style sausage fresh mozzerella all prepared foods .THE BEST CANOLI,S YOU EVER TASTED AND TIRAMISU.

[SMEAC]

I'd stay away from "Wegmans" if you want real Italian foods. Their prepared foods (Italian and others too) are good for those who don't know any better - but like to pretend that they do, and like to pay more for for the honor of getting glop.

I fully agree with the guy/gal who mentioned "Bella G's" in Emmaus as now being the best Italian Deli in the entire Lehigh Valley. It's like a pork store back in Brooklyn or Staten Island, and the cannolis are better than any I've had anywhere else. Not to sound like a commercial, but they make most of their foods right there, and what they don't they get from NY, Philly, or Italy. And they're priced pretty good too.

Then there is "Mo's Pasta Deli" in the Fairgrounds Farmers Market, but it isn't even really worth mentioning. It was originally called Giovanni's and was owned by the family that now has "Bella G's", but they sold this place about 10 years ago and it's been all downhill from there.

There is also "Stravino's" in Whitehall, but they don't make their own deli items and most of what they carry is dry pasta and canned tomatoes. And lastly there is "Giacomo's" on College Hill in Easton, but it is run by the kids of the original Giacomo (whose store was on the other side of town), and it's really nothing more than a sandwich store.

And no - you won't find a decent pizza anywhere until you go into NJ.

[Rosanne]

Hey Jonroe, thanks for the info. I'm surprised to see that someone actually answered me after three years - LOL.

I know I posted at that time that we would be moving to the Lehigh Valley in about a year, but we're still here in So. Calif. However, we actually finally put our house up for sale about a month ago, so hopefully it happens soon.

Thanks again, and if anyone else knows of any Italian markets, I'd love to know of them.

[JohnZ963]

Saylor's & Co. in Hellertown isn't a 100% Italian market, but they do have a lot of Italian specialties and meats.

Other than Bella G's, the area is pretty weak on Italian markets/delis.

[thelazyone]

Originally Posted by SMEAC

I fully agree with the guy/gal who mentioned "Bella G's" in Emmaus as now being the best Italian Deli in the entire Lehigh Valley. It's like a pork store back in Brooklyn or Staten Island, and the cannolis are better than any I've had anywhere else. Not to sound like a commercial, but they make most of their foods right there, and what they don't they get from NY, Philly, or Italy. And they're priced pretty good too.

Do they make fresh mozzarella cheese and Italian bread? Probably the two things I miss, not living in Brooklyn. Where are they located?

[toobusytoday]

Here's a link Bella G's Italian Specialties & Catering - Menu