For an entire year, the griddle stayed cold at a small Pennsylvania breakfast restaurant after a fire damaged the building. The flames started in an upstairs apartment in February 2025, but smoke and water damage left the family-owned business unable to welcome customers.
I can’t imagine how difficult it was for the owners to watch their restaurant sit empty while repairs stretched from weeks into months. This wasn’t a quick cleanup.
The building needed extensive work before breakfast could return.
Then, on February 17, 2026, the doors finally reopened. Customers lined up early, local officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the smell of fresh breakfast filled the renovated dining room again.
What caught my attention wasn’t just the yearlong closure. It was the determination of two owners who spent that year rebuilding instead of walking away.
A Year Without Bacon Finally Came To An End
A fire in an apartment above The Bacon Strip in February 2025 caused extensive smoke and water damage, forcing the Coplay restaurant to close for a full year. The family-owned breakfast spot finally reopened on February 17, 2026.
Small restaurants live on routine. When the routine stops, both the owners and the neighborhood feel that empty space every single morning.
The good news is simple. The grill is back on, the coffee is pouring again, and the doors are open for breakfast.
Plenty of people celebrated the return online with messages about being glad it reopened. That kind of welcome tells you this place matters to its corner of Pennsylvania.
Reopening after a fire takes far more than a quick cleanup. It means repairs, inspections, new supplies, and a lot of patience from a family business.
Owners Emily Alkhal and Ruben Santiago first opened The Bacon Strip in May 2015. After a year of repairs and rebuilding, they welcomed customers back with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and longtime supporters.
So why should you care if you’ve never been? Because supporting a comeback story tastes even better with a plate of home fries.
Every order helps a local family keep building on that second chance. Honestly, that’s a pretty easy way to do something good before noon.
Plus, the restaurant now looks fresher than before, which makes the return feel like a true new chapter.
Those Home Fries Are The Real Headliner
Crispy potatoes might not sound like headline news. At The Bacon Strip, though, home fries get more attention than almost anything else on the plate.
The house home fries come with hollandaise sauce in a signature dish. Even people who usually skip hollandaise seem to make an exception for this one.
That’s a bold move for a sauce many folks save for eggs Benedict. Pouring it over potatoes turns a simple side into something you plan your morning around.
Hash browns also earn plenty of love here. They show up crisp and golden, which is exactly how a hash brown should behave.
Home fries are a familiar part of the restaurant’s breakfast menu, making them a natural choice alongside eggs, omelets, and other morning favorites.
If they’re gone, don’t panic. Hash browns, tater tots, and fries can step in as worthy backups.
Think of the potatoes as the backbone of the whole breakfast experience. They pair with omelets, wraps, and combo plates without missing a beat.
Potato sides might seem minor until you taste one done right. Then you start judging every other breakfast spot by this standard.
So go ahead and order the signature version at least once. Your fork will thank you, even if your plans for a light breakfast don’t survive.
Bacon Crunch French Toast Sounds Exactly As Good As You Think
Sweet and salty fans, this one’s for you. The bacon crunch French toast comes topped with crumbled bacon and icing.
It makes sense for a restaurant named after bacon to sneak it onto dessert-style dishes. Honestly, the name practically demands it.
Pancakes also get plenty of attention on the menu. A combo plate can bring pancakes, eggs, bacon, and a side all together.
The waffles deserve a mention too. One version arrives covered with fresh strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries for a fruity, colorful stack.
Not sure which way to go? Split something sweet with a friend, then order a savory plate for balance.
That strategy lets you sample more without needing a nap by lunchtime. It also starts fewer arguments over who gets the last bite.
Sweet breakfasts work great for kids and anyone celebrating a lazy weekend morning. They feel a little like a treat without being fancy.
Coffee lovers can even get playful here. Some folks ask for half chocolate milk and half coffee for a sweeter cup.
Fun fact: French toast has been around for centuries under many names. The bacon crunch version just gives it a very Pennsylvania-diner personality.
Either way, your sweet tooth won’t leave disappointed.
Wraps And Omelets That Mean Business
Jalapeños at breakfast? The Bacon Strip Wrap packs crispy bacon, American cheese, onion, and jalapeños into one handheld meal.
It’s a smart pick if you like a little heat with your morning. It also travels well if you’re ordering to go.
Then there’s the breakfast cheesesteak wrap. Philly flavors and breakfast in one wrap feels like a very Pennsylvania idea.
The cheesesteak omelet follows that same spirit. It takes a classic sandwich and folds it right into eggs.
Simpler tastes are covered too. A plain cheese omelet with hash browns and turkey bacon keeps things classic and satisfying.
Croissant sandwiches add another option. An egg and cheese croissant with fries makes a fun change from regular toast.
Here’s a practical idea for first-timers. Pick one specialty, like a cheesesteak dish, then pair it with the signature home fries.
That combo shows you what makes this kitchen different from a standard diner. You get the creativity and the comfort at once.
Visitors with dietary preferences or special requests should ask the staff which substitutions are available when ordering.
Bottom line, savory breakfast fans have plenty of reasons to grab a fork and plenty of napkins.
Lunch Lovers Get Burgers, Soup, And Pierogies Too
Breakfast gets the spotlight, but the lunch side holds its own. A cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and thin fries is ready for anyone craving something heartier.
Soup shows up on the menu as well. Pepper pot soup, a dish with deep roots in Pennsylvania, has appeared here.
Even better, soup can be ordered in the morning. Who says chilly days can’t start with a warm bowl?
Homemade pierogies also make an appearance. Since the Lehigh Valley has strong Eastern European roots, pierogies feel right at home.
This mix makes the restaurant great for groups. One person can order pancakes while another gets a burger, and nobody has to compromise.
Picky families especially appreciate that kind of range. It keeps everyone happy without needing two separate stops.
The restaurant is known for freshly prepared breakfast dishes, including pancakes, omelets, wraps, and its bacon-topped French toast.
Food is cooked right on the grill, often in plain view of the counter. Watching one cook juggle so many orders is a show of its own.
So if breakfast isn’t your thing, you still have options. Just know the smell of bacon might change your mind halfway through ordering.
Snag A Counter Seat For The Best View In The House
Small spaces create big personality. The Bacon Strip has a compact dining room with booths, tables, and bar-style counter seating.
The counter sits right in front of the grill. That means front-row seats to breakfast being made from start to finish.
The yearlong closure allowed for extensive renovations, including new flooring, plumbing, drywall, lighting, furniture, and bathrooms. The restaurant reopened with a substantially refreshed interior.
Fresh paint and a refreshed room make the comeback feel complete. It’s like the restaurant got a full night’s sleep and a new outfit.
Because the room is small, a short wait can happen at busy times. Being open to counter seating often gets you fed faster.
Bigger groups should plan a little ahead. Smaller tables fit couples and families more easily than large parties.
The booths are one-piece designs, which can feel snug for some guests. Counter stools or tables may feel more comfortable if that matters to you.
The vibe stays casual and friendly throughout. Conversations between strangers at the counter aren’t unusual in a room this cozy.
Honestly, that closeness is part of the charm. You don’t just eat breakfast here, you share a morning with the whole room.
Friendly Faces Run This Family Show
Family-owned places carry a different kind of warmth. Owners Emily and Ruben run The Bacon Strip, and their hard work shows.
The team keeps the pace moving in a tight space. One cook handles the grill with the speed of several people.
Servers keep coffee cups filled and orders flowing. Staff members are often praised by name for their hustle and kindness.
That personal touch matters in a small town. When you sit down, you’re supporting a family, not a faceless company.
The owners even answer feedback directly online. They often share helpful tips, like where to park, with a few bacon emojis thrown in.
Honestly, that bacon emoji habit is pretty charming. It matches the playful name perfectly.
A tip for first-timers: be friendly and patient when it gets busy. A small crew in a small kitchen is working hard to keep everything fresh.
Local regulars seem to be a big part of the crowd. That says a lot about how this team treats the people who walk through the door.
So say hello, grab a menu, and enjoy the welcome. Good food tastes better when it’s served with a smile.
Bring Cash And Know Your Parking Plan
Wallet check before you leave home. The Bacon Strip is known as a cash-only spot, so plan ahead.
Bringing cash can save you an extra stop before breakfast, especially if you are visiting for the first time.
The good news is that prices stay friendly. It’s a budget-friendly option for families and anyone feeding a hungry crew.
Parking takes a little strategy too. Street parking is common on the block, which can get tight.
The owners have pointed out that parking is allowed in a lot across the street. That tip can save you from circling the block.
Now for hours, which matter a lot here. The restaurant opens at 7 AM Tuesday through Sunday and closes on Mondays.
Most published schedules list a 2 PM closing time on regular days, with extended Friday hours until 7 PM. Because Saturday hours vary between listings, visitors should confirm the latest schedule before heading out.
That Friday evening window is great news for breakfast-for-dinner fans. Pancakes at sunset?
Count me in.
Write these details down before your first trip. A little planning means more time eating and less time scrambling.
Make A Morning Out Of This Lehigh Valley Borough
Coplay is a small borough in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania. It sits just north of Allentown, close enough for an easy breakfast drive.
You’ll find The Bacon Strip at 18 N 2nd St, Coplay, PA 18037. It sits right on Second Street in the heart of town.
Many drivers pass by without realizing a breakfast spot is there. Now that you know, you won’t make that mistake.
Breakfast here makes a great start to a day trip. After eating, visitors can spend more time visiting nearby Lehigh Valley communities and historic sites.
Coplay also has a fun piece of history. The area is linked to early American cement making, thanks to the nearby Coplay Cement Kilns.
Those historic kilns stand in Saylor Park, close by. It’s a quirky side trip after a big plate of home fries.
So set your alarm, grab some cash, and head to Second Street. Bacon is waiting, and it waited a whole year for you.
