A business known for its unique empanadas – including beef and pickle, chicken bruschetta and chocolate chip cake batter – is making moves in the Lehigh Valley.
The Shop!, a takeout eatery – formerly known as CHEFStreet Kitchen – at 56 W. Water St. in Hellertown, is no longer in operation as owner and chef Joe Stout has decided to shift his focus to a new food trailer, CHEFstreet Mobile Kitchen.
Stout is continuing to utilize the Hellertown space as a commissary kitchen for his new mobile venture, and other chefs, bakers and other small business owners are welcome to use the facilities as well.
Stout, who also offers chef consulting, personal chef services and food service management for camps and chapter houses, felt he was spreading himself too thin with the eatery. He also encountered challenges with staffing.
“The food truck is great because I come to the crowds,” Stout said. “I know what to expect in terms of turnout, sales, etc.”
CHEFStreet Mobile Kitchen, which makes appearances at local businesses and events, has a catalog of more than 60 flavors of empanadas, including sweet selections such as s’more, apple pie, blueberry cream cheese, funfetti cookie dough and seasonal pumpkin pie; and savory options such as mac and cheese, lime chorizo, pizza burger, loaded baked potato and chimichurri chicken and mozzarella.
At least 25 made-from-scratch varieties are available at each appearance, with flavors changing weekly, Stout said.
Some of the business’ most popular picks include beef and cheese, loaded taco, garlic bacon bomb and brownie batter.
Empanadas are $4 each; three for $11; six for $21; and 12 (in a flight box) for $40.
“We have vegan, vegetarian and lactose-free options, and I’m also working on gluten-free varieties,” Stout said. “My favorite empanada is Cheesy Bomb, which is vegetarian-friendly.”
CHEFStreet Mobile Kitchen’s schedule changes weekly, but the trailer regularly sets up shop, 5 to 8 or 9 p.m. Thursdays at Third and Broad Streets in Phillipsburg, near Invertase Brewing Co.
CHEFStreet Mobile Kitchen offers a wide array of made-from-scratch empanadas.
Fans should monitor Chefmeals’ Facebook and Instagram pages for the trailer’s most up-to-date hours, including other scheduled appearances at the same Phillipsburg location, Stout said.
This Saturday, from 1-9 p.m., CHEFstreet Mobile Kitchen will be set up outside of Invertase for the brewery’s fourth birthday celebration.
“I have an average of 28 flavors at any given time,” Stout said. “I also offer seasonal empanadas and weekly specials.”
Stout, who has been cooking for more than 25 years, started Chefmeals LLC in 2020, originally operating the business out of Phillipsburg before moving the operation to Hellertown about a year later.
Recently, he’s been a chef at Lehigh University fraternity and sorority houses, and he’s hoping to book similar gigs in the near future.
Before opening Chefmeals, Stout worked as a food services coordinator at the Princeton-Blairstown Center in New Jersey and executive chef at Bowlmor entertainment facility (now called Bowlero) in North Brunswick, N.J.
In 2011, he also operated the now-closed downtown Easton sandwich shop, Phat Joe’s Grill and Catering, with his brother.
For more information on ChefStreet Mobile Kitchen, including pricing and other details for private events, visit chefjoeisonthego.com or call 908-283-0806.
