A pizza named after an X-Files bounty hunter sits on a menu in Pennsylvania, and it doesn’t contain a speck of dairy. Every pie at this alien-themed spot is fully plant-based, right down to the pepperoni.
The backstory makes it even better. Two brothers started tossing dough at home, built a restaurant, and then had to rebuild after a fire knocked them down.
I like a comeback story, but I love one that ends with garlic knots baked into the crust. Episodes of a certain government-conspiracy show play while you eat, and the house-made seitan wings get a brand-new special sauce every week.
I believe the truth is out there. I also believe it might be topped with cashew cheese.
What stands out to me is how two brothers turned a home-kitchen experiment into a restaurant with its own unmistakable personality, then found a way to bring it back after a major setback.
A Home Kitchen Hobby Turned Into A Full-Blown Pizza Mission
Plenty of great food stories begin with a kitchen counter and a little too much flour. Paranormal Pizza in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, started exactly that way, with two brothers making pizza at home.
That home-cooking start still shows in the food today. The menu leans on scratch-made touches, like a sourdough pizza dough and seitan that the kitchen makes in-house.
Homemade energy is hard to fake. You can usually tell when someone cooks because they genuinely love it, not because a spreadsheet told them to.
The brothers also picked a clear lane from day one. Paranormal Pizza is a 100 percent vegan pizzeria, so every slice, sandwich, and wing is plant-based.
That choice makes life easy for anyone avoiding dairy or meat. Nobody has to quiz the cashier about hidden butter or sneaky cheese.
The name came with a theme, too. Instead of a plain pizza shop, the brothers built a place inspired by aliens, mysteries, and a famous sci-fi TV series.
Honestly, it’s a smart combo. Pizza nights and spooky TV marathons have been best friends for decades, so why not put them under one roof?
What started as a hobby grew into a destination. Not bad for a project that began next to a home oven.
A Fire Couldn’t Stop These Brothers From Firing Up The Ovens Again
Bad luck showed up in the worst possible form. A fire hit the brothers’ original restaurant, and Paranormal Pizza had to close its doors for a while.
Plenty of small businesses never reopen after a setback like that. These two decided the story wasn’t finished yet.
So they rebuilt. The restaurant came back in a new home, giving fans their garlic knots and seitan wings once again.
Comebacks like this mean a lot in a city neighborhood. A rebuilt shop isn’t just a place to eat, it’s proof that hard work can outlast a rough chapter.
The new shop also gave the brothers a fresh start. The space carries the same alien-loving personality, with a menu that keeps growing and changing.
New items get tested and added regularly, which keeps things interesting. You might come back next month and find something you’ve never seen before.
Supporting a place like this feels good for a simple reason. Every pizza order helps a local family business that refused to give up.
And let’s be real, few things say “we’re back” quite like a hot pie fresh from the oven. The brothers clearly understood that assignment.
You’ll Hear The X-Files Before You Even Order
The truth is out there, and in this case it’s sitting next to a pizza oven. Paranormal Pizza leans hard into its X-Files theme, and fans will spot the references fast.
Episodes of the classic show play inside the restaurant. That means you might catch Mulder and Scully chasing a mystery while you wait for your pie.
The theme reaches the menu, too. Pizzas carry names like The Lone Gunman and The Alien Bounty Hunter, which will make any longtime fan grin.
For folks who never watched the show, no worries at all. The names are just a fun bonus, and the food still speaks for itself.
I love when a restaurant commits to a bit. A half-hearted theme feels cheesy, but a full-on alien vibe feels playful and genuine.
It also turns dinner into a conversation starter. Kids can hunt for alien details while adults debate which season of the show was best.
Here in Pennsylvania, plenty of pizza shops look pretty similar. This one gives you a reason to look around before your food arrives.
So grab a seat and keep one eye on the screen. You never know when a UFO might show up between bites.
Sourdough Crust And Cashew Cheese Do The Heavy Lifting
Sourdough is the secret starting point here. Paranormal Pizza builds its pies on a sourdough dough, which gives the crust extra flavor before a single topping lands.
The cheese is plant-based, made with cashews. If you’ve never tried cashew cheese, this is a pretty friendly place to start.
Then there’s the vegan pepperoni. It’s one of the most talked-about toppings on the menu, and it’s a classic pick for first-timers.
Cheese and pepperoni are typically available by the slice. That’s handy when you want a quick taste without committing to a whole pie.
Want to go bigger? The full menu includes specialty pizzas with creative toppings, along with plenty of options for building your own.
Non-vegan eaters shouldn’t feel nervous, either. The whole point is pizza that tastes like pizza, not a sad cardboard copy.
Here’s a practical tip for groups. Order a couple of different pies and share, so everyone gets to sample more than one flavor.
Dairy-free folks especially have reason to celebrate. Finding real pizza without milk can be tough, and this kitchen makes it the default instead of a special request.
That’s a pretty big deal for a slice of dough and sauce.
Garlic Knots Baked Right Into The Crust Sound Like A Dare
Most pizzerias serve garlic knots on the side. Paranormal Pizza offers a garlic knot crust, which basically lets your pizza wear its own appetizer.
It’s exactly what it sounds like. The edge of the pie becomes a ring of garlicky knots, so the crust is no longer the boring part.
Crust-skippers, this one’s for you. It’s tough to leave the edges behind when they double as a snack.
Regular garlic knots are on the menu too, and they’re among the most popular orders. They make an easy starter while you wait for the main event.
The snack lineup doesn’t stop there. Cheesy bread and mozzarella sticks also appear on the menu for anyone who believes dinner should start with something cheesy.
Here’s a friendly heads-up. The garlic knot crust isn’t always available, so check before you plan your whole order around it.
Following the shop on social media helps with that kind of thing. It’s also where they share updates and specials.
Honestly, garlic knot crust feels like an idea born at a home kitchen table. It’s playful, a little over the top, and exactly the kind of thing two pizza-loving brothers would invent.
Good luck stopping at one slice.
Square Detroit Pies And A Gluten-Free Option Join The Party
Round pizza gets most of the attention, but square pizza deserves its moment. Paranormal Pizza serves Detroit-style pies, baked in a rectangular pan.
Size matters here, so plan ahead. The Detroit pizzas measure 8 by 10 inches, which makes them more of a personal pie than a party tray.
Hungry groups should order a few or pair one with sides. That way nobody ends up staring sadly at the last square.
Gluten-free diners get some good news too. The shop offers a gluten-free crust, made with a specific flour from Italy that the owners chose after testing other options.
That kind of effort shows real care. Plenty of gluten-free crusts taste like crackers, and the brothers clearly wanted something closer to the real thing.
Because that flour can be tricky to source, calling ahead is smart. It saves you from a long drive and an unexpected change of plans.
Mixing styles makes for a fun meal. Try a classic slice, a square Detroit pie, and maybe a gluten-free crust for a friend.
It’s a little like a pizza sampler with an alien twist. Each style brings something different to the table, and that variety keeps return visits interesting.
Sandwich Fans Won’t Feel Left Out Either
Pizza is in the name, sure. Still, Paranormal Pizza packs a surprising lineup of sandwiches that can easily tempt you away from a slice.
A vegan cheesesteak sits on the menu, served on a soft roll. In Pennsylvania, that’s a bold move, since cheesesteaks are practically a state treasure.
The Pulled Porkless Sandwich brings a different kind of comfort. It comes topped with coleslaw and pickles, which adds crunch and tang to every bite.
There’s also a plant-based chicken sandwich with a breaded patty. It’s a solid pick for anyone craving something crispy between two buns.
Burgers show up too, including a smash burger. The kitchen sometimes runs special burgers, so the lineup can shift from week to week.
This variety helps mixed groups a lot. Not everyone wants pizza every time, and having real options keeps everybody happy.
Picky eaters and curious eaters can both find something here. That’s tough to pull off at a small, themed shop.
My advice? Split a sandwich and a pizza with a friend.
You’ll get the best of both worlds, and you’ll have a reason to argue about which was better on the ride home.
Plan Your Close Encounter Around These Hours
Timing is everything when aliens are involved. Paranormal Pizza sits at 125 E 3rd St, Bethlehem, PA 18015, on the city’s south side.
The restaurant’s published hours vary between listings, so checking its latest social media updates before visiting is a smart move.
Wednesday through Saturday are consistently listed as operating days, although opening times differ.
Monday and Tuesday are generally listed as closed, while Sunday availability is less certain. Confirm the schedule directly before planning a trip.
Weekends can get busy, especially on holidays. If you want a calmer visit, a weekday lunch might be your best move.
Delivery is available through Grubhub for anyone staying home. Just know that app orders can cost more than ordering straight from the shop.
Planning a longer outing makes the trip even better. Bethlehem is one of the main cities in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, so there’s plenty to explore before or after you eat.
A pizza run makes a great anchor for a day in town. Grab lunch, wander around, and maybe take home a few extra wings for later.
Two brothers, one fire, and a rebuilt shop full of aliens. Some stories deserve a happy ending, and this one comes with garlic knots.
