Betty’s is a small and attractive restaurant that is a recent addition to the high quality eateries in our fair city. In the heart of Allentown, and situated behind a school and opposite the local firehouse, its location is noteworthy in that the triangular corner on which it stands (where Virginia, Cottage, and College Streets meet) is nestled in a mostly residential area.
I cannot say enough good things about this place, but I also have to admit that I’m probably showing some partiality because I love this neighborhood. Allentown is unique, and it’s businesses like Betty’s that make it so.
The building itself has an interesting shape—sort of wedge-shaped—and was once, I am told, home to a florist and before that a hardware store. But the place has been totally overhauled and looks as if it’s been a restaurant since day one.
One of the first things you’ll probably notice upon entering is Betty’s bright and cheerful ambiance. There are large windows, original artwork hangs on the walls, and the primary colors in which it’s painted will bring a smile to your face. It’s made up mostly of one main room with about ten or so tables, and a smaller room with a couch and two chairs that acts as the entranceway.
The menu is ambitious and there’s plenty to choose from. I recently went for an early dinner with my son, Isaac, and his mother, Carrie. We were offered the Light Fare menu, which includes both lunch and dinner items.
Isaac and I chose soup for the first course: he had chicken noodle while I had tomato-cabbage ($2.50/cup; $3.50/bowl). Both soups were full-flavored and tasted homemade. The cabbage soup had a smooth tomato base with pieces of shredded cabbage; it had a pronounced cabbage flavor, which was just right for a cold evening. The chicken noodle was also good. Its broth had that rich chicken flavor that only homemade broth can have.
Carrie and Isaac chose appetizers as their entrées; he ordered an evening special—crab cakes ($8), and she chose grilled pork tenderloin salad ($7.75). The crab cakes were accompanied with red chili remoulade and avocado slices. The crab cakes were very good and made with high-quality crabmeat. They were moist and flavorful on the inside and crispy on the outside.
The pork tenderloin salad had a southwestern flair. The tenderloin was spiced and laid across a bed of fresh greens and accompanied with sweet potatoes, black beans and salsa. The tenderloin was tender and juicy (though maybe a little heavy on the spices), and the salsa and greens were fresh. But it was the beans that were the real winner on the plate: thick, full-flavored, and redolent of cumin and garlic.
Despite the fact that I really don’t like cutesy words, I chose the Roasted Veggie Yummwich ($6.25). And if I had to describe the sandwich in one word it would be this: yummy. Pun intended, of course, but it really was good. It was comprised of a warm mixture of seasoned vegetables, with plenty of asiago cheese, fresh herbs and lemon-garlic mayonnaise. The whole thing was neatly wrapped in Lebanese flatbread. It was bursting with flavor and large enough for lunch or dinner. The sandwich also came with a salad; I chose a yogurt-tahini dressing. The salad was a nice mix of fresh baby greens and the dressing was rich and tangy. I was satiated.
Betty’s is co-owned by Carroll Ann Simon and Doris Jean (Doty) Hall. Carroll has experience in design, which is apparent when you first walk in the place, and Doty has years of restaurant experience, much of it as baker and pastry chef (this shows, too).
We were all pretty full from dinner and opted to split a piece of coconut cream pie ($3.75). The pie was first rate. It was sweet, but not overly so, and was creamy and full of coconut flavor. It was the crust, though, that I found truly exceptional; it was flaky, tender and perfectly cooked.
The remaining menu (four pages) is too extensive to mention in full. The breakfast menu, for example, has everything from eggs and home fries ($3.50) to scrambled tofu hash ($6.75). But there are nightly specials, too, such as pan-seared tuna steak ($15). We were shown a completed plate of this and it was tempting. The tuna was topped with ginger-lime-cilantro butter and served with fried rice and mustard greens. At the time of this review Betty’s did not serve beer or wine, but I was told they would shortly.
Betty’s has a welcoming atmosphere. All should feel comfortable, including single diners and parents of young children. For those with special needs, there is a small step at the door to consider. Parking is on the street, but spots are readily available.
It’s worth dining here not just because the food and service are good, or that it’s attractive and reasonably priced (these things are all true, of course), but also because you’re supporting the city and the community. It’s an independently owned business and almost everything is made on premise, but what is outsourced is done with other local businesses: Spar European Sausage, Bagel Jay’s, Luigi’s Bakery, The Buffalo Coffee Roastery. Even the artwork is on loan from Locust Street Neighborhood Art Classes. Restaurants like Betty’s offer hope for our city in a way that no conglomerate can.
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