Outstanding Tex-Mex burritos at Tulum

Tulum
17 West Morton St.
Bethlehem, PA
(610) 691-8300

For the past five-plus years, Tulum has been serving up a creative selection of belly-busting burritos and other casual Tex-Mex food in this converted home just off Lehigh's Campus Square area. Here's the burrito drill: select from beef, pork, chicken or grilled veggies. They add rice, beans, pico de gallo, cheese and crema. Then choose one of seven styles:
- Beth-Mex: with smoky red sauce
- Verde: green sauce made with fresh tomatillos
- Mole: traditional almond/chocolate sauce
- Santana: sweet and new potatoes
- Mayan: grilled pineapple salsa, roasted corn, avocado (highly recommended - very, very tasty)
- Midnight Sun: breakfast-style with eggs and home fries
- Wingaritto: Like chicken wings, but wrapped in a tortilla.

The large burrito -- which has to weigh more than a pound -- is only $6.25. A smaller portion, still pleasantly filling, comes in at a reasonable $5.45. You can also get nachos, guac, quesadillas and tacos. Tulum claims to be vegetarian friendly. Several homemade hot sauces are available, including a luscious mango sauce and one called inferno (or something similar that would connote possible pain.)

A word of warning: there are only about 12 seats inside the restaurant. Picnic tables off a rear deck seat another 20-24. When I went, the tables were oozing a viscous black liquid that left marks on unsuspecting asses. Watch where you sit.

Update on former Kim Chee Express location

As a previous commenter noted, Kim Chee Express on New and Broad streets in Bethlehem closed so the effusive proprietor could tend to an ill family member. It's been replaced by Cheriche's Blue Heaven, a American-Spanish deli. Lunch on Tuesday demonstrated that it's more American than Spanish. Sandwiches were typical and straightforward -- Reuben, tuna melt, etc. The special board promoted chicken enchiladas and tamales, but they were not available until dinner. My southwestern chicken wrap was quite good, though I wouldn't classify it as ethnic.

Recommendations for ethnic in Easton?

My Lehigh Valley dining experiences have been clustered around Allentown and Bethlehem. That's no accident -- it's where I live and work, respectively. Other than Setta Luna, I've not written about any Easton-area restaurants. Any recommendations from the shores of the mighty Delaware? I'll scribe them onto my to-visit list and start trekking eastward. Thanks.

Dinner at Mambo

My wife, after hearing me rave about Mambo, suggested that we take my daughter on Saturday night while my son was at a birthday bash. It was the first time I visited Mambo for dinner. Johansen had completed the dinner menu, so we had about 30 choices -- seafood, paella, Mexican dishes, Latin food. Because I've written about Mambo several times in the last month, I'll offer the condensed version of our meal:
- Shrimp creole: Succulent shrimp swimming in a slightly spicy tomato broth with onions and peppers. Nicely done. Didn't skimp on the shrimp. (I hate the shrimp skimp at other places)
- Crab Mambo: Delightful. Back fin crab sauteed with herbs and minced veggies. I'm guessing this would be a Latin or Mexican style dish. Regardless, this was among the most flavorful crab entrees I've had.
- Ribs: fall-off-the-bone tender from braising. (Not barbecued.)
- Rice and beans: still awesome. Ask for the homemade hot sauce. It's not too spicy; it has a round, tart flavor that balances the heat.

The restaurant was fairly crowded throughout our stay. Be patient with the service -- it seems that they're still working out some kinks. It's worth it. Did I mention the complimentary wine? Now it's no Opus One, but it helped pass the time between visits to the table. The damage for dinner: $36 before tip. (And if that isn't enough, you can save 20% with the coupon at the Our West End Neighborhood blog.)

And we followed dinner with some coffees and hot chocolate at the Hava Java -- perfect for a chilly walk home.

Mambo #2

My second visit to Mambo on 19th and Allen confirmed that the food is outstanding. I selected the marinated steak this visit. It had been cooked in a spicy, simmering broth for hours, making it both tender and flavorful. My usual guest, Rob, tried a new dish: pork ribs. Again, delicious. The rice and beans were plentiful and tasty. The owner said the dinner menu should be ready by April 12 or so. I sense another opportunity.

Quick updates -- closing and opening

I've learned from a friend that Kim Chee Express on Broad Street in Bethlehem is no longer open. To my knowledge, this was the only true Korean restaurant in the Lehigh Valley. Here's hoping that is a temporary condition for our region.

However, intrepid students at Muhlenberg College have told me that the former Churros Cafe in Allentown near 10th and Turner has reopened as a Carribean-Cuban restaurant. I can't recall the name, but I'll head there soon for a sampling. The students will publish their review along with dozens of other restaurant reviews in the soon-to-be updated Living Here in Allentown guidebook. (Last year's book is available as a fairly large PDF.)