Mon Jan 19 11:30:00 UTC 2026: ### La Cocina del Abuelo Expands to Bethlehem, Filling Void Left by Birriaholic Closure
The Story:
La Cocina del Abuelo, a popular Mexican restaurant specializing in birria tacos, has opened a second location in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The new restaurant, located at 81 W. Broad St., held a soft opening on Thursday. Co-owner Greenberg Lemus stated that the Bethlehem location offers significantly more seating (40-45 people) compared to the original Allentown restaurant (15-20 people), which will remain open. The expansion fills a vacancy left by Birriaholic, which closed at the end of 2024.
Key Points:
- La Cocina del Abuelo opened a second location in Bethlehem on Thursday.
- The Bethlehem restaurant is located at 81 W. Broad St.
- The restaurant offers tacos, quesadillas, nachos, burritos, churros, Mexican burgers, and chimichangas.
- The Bethlehem location seats 40-45 people, significantly more than the Allentown location’s 15-20 seats.
- Birriaholic previously occupied the space until it closed at the end of 2024.
Key Takeaways:
- La Cocina del Abuelo is experiencing growth and expansion, suggesting a successful business model.
- The restaurant’s specialization in birria tacos could be a key factor in its popularity.
- The closure of Birriaholic created an opportunity for La Cocina del Abuelo to expand its reach in the Lehigh Valley.
- The increased seating capacity at the Bethlehem location indicates confidence in attracting a larger customer base.