Restaurant Profile: Fegley's Burrito Works and Coffee Works

The Express-Times

By Kelly Huth

Published: Friday, March 18, 2011, 12:19 AM

When you think of Brew Works, chances are you don’t think burritos and espresso. But that’s about to change. The Fegley family opened their newest restaurants last Tuesday in Allentown: Burrito Works and Coffee Works. The restaurants have infused life back into two Hamilton Street storefronts, taking the place of Quizno’s and City Line Coffee House, both of which shuttered in 2009.

On the day of my visit, a line of curious foodies wound their way from the burrito counter to the front door, waiting for a chance to sample the Fegleys’ latest brainchild. Mike Fegley, director of marketing and public relations, says the quick-serve restaurant option had been staring them in the face.

“We chose this way because we see a trend toward accessible and wholesome food,” Fegley says, noting success of chains like Chipotle and Qdoba.

Flavor: Burrito Works serves up all-natural, local, sustainable, organic meats and produce. When you step in line, be prepared to make a decision. Choose your vessel (burrito, burrito bowl, tacos, quesadilla or salad), select your beer-marinated protein (chicken, beef, pork or vegetarian), add a salsa (pico de gallo corn, salsa verde, pineapple habanero pico el diablo or a rotating flavor from Easton Salsa Co.), then leave the rest to the burrito masters. Burrito Works also offers pizzapatas, or grilled flatbread pizzas, soups and chips and salsa, for the nonburrito crowd.

Healthy bite:

Mike Fegley says the dining triumvirate got trans fats and MSG off their menu long before it became popular. They’re reducing their reliance on high-fructose corn syrup and are sourcing healthier, leveraging their buying power to make healthier food choices.

“Our chicken costs twice as much as other restaurants pay,” adds brother Rich Fegley. “But it tastes better.”

History:

The Fegley family opened Bethlehem Brew Works in 1998 and expanded into the Allentown market with Allentown Brew Works and Brew Works on the Green (at the Allentown Municipal Golf Course). When they’re not cooking or opening new restaurants, they’re brewing beer.

So where’s the beer list at Burrito Works? Soon to come, Fegley says. The family is in the process of extending their liquor license from adjoining Allentown Brew Works so that customers can enjoy a beer and a burrito. Future plans include a take-out beer section, where fans can buy Brew Works brews. Burrito Works is far from being the end of the line of Fegley concept restaurants.

“We work with integrity and full commitment,” Fegley adds. “We believe in our concept and what we’re doing.”

With their two new ventures living in the shadow of neighboring Allentown Brew Works, it makes me wonder — have the Fegleys gone into competition with themselves? Not quite.

“It’s quick service, as opposed to sit-down dining,” Fegley says. “Six thousand people work downtown, but most take 30 minutes for lunch. This gives them the opportunity to get in and get out at a comfortable price point.”

Insiders eat:

“The Works” Burrito (pulled beef, cilantro lime rice, black lager beans, corn salsa, sauteed onions and peppers, cheese, sour cream, guacamole) — $8.50; Bethlehem Burrito (pulled pork, cilantro lime rice, pinto ale beans, pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream) —$6.95; Carnitas Pizzapata (blonde ale-marinated pulled pork, salsa verde, black lager beans, cheddar jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, cilantro, avocado, red onion) —$6.95; soup (choose from chicken tortilla or beer and cheese) — $4.50.

Hours:

7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for Coffee Works; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily for Burrito Works (closing time subject to change).

Check, please:

Pizzapatas start at $5.95; protein can up the price by $2.50. Burritos, burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas and salads all cost $6.95.

Coffee Works gets a shot of Easton

When visions of espresso and frothed milk poured into their heads, the Fegleys turned to coffee master Troy Reynard to lead the way. Reynard is the owner of Cosmic Cup Coffee Co. in Easton, a shop that prides itself on ultra fair trade, hand-picked beans. Reynard trained each barista in the Fegleys’ shop and provided the same roaster.

“The only thing that separates this (Coffee Works) coffee from that at Cosmic Cup is 17 miles,” Reynard says. “They’re trying to bring Easton to Allentown.”

The partnership is the result of a shared interest: green growth. Both Reynard and Fegley are members of the Greater Lehigh Valley Sustainable Business Network.

“When the opportunity came up, there was no question of who,” Fegley says. “We knew Troy; we knew his shops.”

“In my mind, this is the best possible scenario. A local business came in where a franchise failed,” Reynard adds.

Reynard says that local businesses pay their way in the community, citing a study that found 40 percent of the revenue a locally owned business generates winds up staying in that community.

“One of the things I really admire about the Fegleys is Allentown Brew Works (going) in downtown — they really injected growth,” Reynard says. “They don’t sit around waiting for anything to happen. They take the bull by the horns.”

In addition to espresso drinks, customers at Coffee Works can get their hands on all sorts of baked goods. Reynard says Lehigh Valley stalwarts Egypt Star Bakery provides the baked goods, and Tommy’s Bagels provides the bagels.