GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN

tasty places to take your bike

hero’s kafe 16 researcH Drive suite e-120, BetHleHeM, pa 18015

610-849-1120 • www.Heroskafe.coM • Hours: 8aM-2pM MonDay-friDay

Hidden inside the Ben Franklin Techventures Building at Lehigh University lies a deep, but deliciously fun, hideaway. Like Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, it may be in a most unexpected place, but we think we can get you there, as with great power comes great responsibility… so trust us, okay? Follow along with Backroads as we bring you to a most unique eatery. One worthy of the Avengers and the Justice League – welcome to Hero’s Kafe.

When we first heard of Hero’s and checked the map we were a bit perplexed at its location – in a wing of a university campus but, like in real life, heroes can be found in the most unlikely places, and like most of our famed superheroes there is an origin story to be told.

To get it we had to send up the XD Signal into the clouds above Backroads Central and when asked – we heard Hero’s Kafe’s story…

“Hi, my name is Xavier Daniel (XD for short). I was told to write an origin story because every superhero needs an origin story, right?

A long time ago, in a galaxy not-so-far away... This reminds me of something, but I can’t remember what exactly. Oh, well! My dad and my mom were born in Ecuador, South America (a fun place), where they met and got married. Because of my dad’s job (doing superhero stuff, I guess), they had to move around a lot. By the time they settled in the Lehigh Valley, they had lived in 3 different countries and 6 different cities. Phew! My dad’s name is Xavier and my mom’s name is Daniela, soooo... I became “Xavier Daniel”, which is pretty cool if I may say so myself.

Mom is an artist in everything she does, but especially in the kitchen, where she has some crazy skills. She told me she started cooking when she was a little girl (must be ages ago), so she studied to be a chef. She wasn’t able to do much when they came here, because when I was about 4 years old, doctors told my parents that I had something to do with “ASD”. I’m still unsure what that means (I even Googled it), but my mom & dad say it’s my superpower, so it’s good enough for me.

My dad loves (LOVES) comic books and video games, which is an incredible coincidence because I happen to like them too. What are the odds of that? He also does serious work with numbers and stuff, but that’s kind of boring. Oh, well. You can’t be super cool, all the time (“super”, get it?).

I am currently going to middle school and I am doing pretty well.. if you ask me. Since mom has more free time, she and dad decided to come up with an idea of a family business that would mix her love for food and his love for superheroes (she calls it “geekiness”, he just ignores her... it’s pretty funny).

Ta-da! Hero’s Kafe was born.

We are always happy when someone visits us, because we love to put a smile on someone’s face, so come visit us at Hero’s Kafe. Where the real superhero, is you.”

When we rode over, we brought some of our friends - Spidey, Cap, Bruce, Tony, and even Morales. They felt quite at home here at Lehigh University.

The Kafe is a bit small, but they make up for size with a super menu and mighty flavors with a South American flair.

When you arrive - do not let the ‘university’ look deceive you – the Kafe is right inside.

While there take notice of the menu selection names. Hero’s Kafe must run a fine line with some known trademark names and you would marvel at how quick lawyers can be on frivolous things, and nobody would want to see a small and wonderful restaurant come under a Thanos-like snap.

But we are not all that scared of them – as some of you know, we have dealt with them for many, many years – and we have a job to do here. We have great power and responsibility to tell you how cool Hero’s Kafe is.

If you are there at the start of the day they will happily serve up some great breakfast. The Banner is a croissant stuffed with a hulking serving of spinach and mozzarella omelet, or The Speedster – scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, provolone, garlic & tomato spread which they will serve up to you in a flash. Xavier brews a terrific cup of Colombian coffee, fresh to order, in a variety of strengths, and Daniela bakes some very satisfying sweets to accompany. We sampled an Ecuadorian pastry that was quite delicious and Daniela was kind enough to send us home with some extra sweets for later that night. Their empanadas and “Cassava bread” can make you more powerful than a locomotive.

We arrived early on a weekday afternoon – just in time for lunch and the selection did us justice and was in a league of its own.

Their menu always changes and, starting with the cooler weather,

Daniela makes a different soup every day, for 100 days, and rarely has repeated herself. These wonderful creations are available Monday, Wednesday and Friday through the winter.

The Cubano was delicious, as was the Zach, a combo of spring mix, heirloom tomatoes, and bacon bits, fresh mozzarella with a balsamic vinaigrette.

The girls had quesadillas – fresh chicken and beef - and the selection of homemade sauces was amazing, incredible, and mighty tasty.

The Loki salad of spring mix, chicken, avocado, heirloom tomatoes, shredded mozzarella, black beans, green onions, and a balsamic vinaigrette was fit for a Norse God.

Then there are all the daily specials – which are just that – special.

So, don your leathers, helmet, cape, or cowl and make your way to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and stop into one of the neatest Great All American Diner Runs we have found in a long, long time…,