A beloved Bethlehem institution is preparing to make a triumphant comeback following a brush with adversity and illness. VegOut, which serves delectable meat-free cuisine certain to make a believer out of the most devout carnivore, is reopening this spring, reports local media outlet 69 News.
The Lehigh Valley favorite, located at 1 E Church Street, closed its doors last fall in reaction to owner Mary Lopresti’s cancer diagnosis. With Lopresti’s cancer in remission, the restaurateur is prepared to once again begin serving delicious vegetarian meals to Bethlehem’s hungry foodies.
Lopresti tells What Now Philadelphia that reopening was always the end goal. “It was always my intention to reopen.” she states. “I was just waiting to get released from my doctor that I was able to go back to work. A part of me still felt like I didn’t know when I would feel comfortable getting back out there but I woke up one day and it just felt right.”
Existing VegOut fans can look forward to enjoying all of their established favorites. Lopresti assures all future regulars that while the schedule will be tweaked a bit, the cuisine will maintain its incomparable quality. “I plan on changing my hours.” Lopresti says, explaining “Opening more days but shorter hours.”
The cuisine, however, will remain largely unchanged. “There will be a few minor changes to the menu” Lopresti says, but reassures fans: “Don’t worry we will still have our award winning mac and cheese and all of our unique burger toppings.”
VegOut, which allows diners to enjoy cruelty-free versions of tasty favorites, ranging from classics like cheesesteaks to pierogies without sacrificing any flavor, will begin welcoming guests in May. Lopresti looks forward to serving a community that has come to know and love her cuisine. “My hopes for the future of VegOut is to rebuild it to hopefully get back to the success it once was.” she states, adding “I’ve missed the normalness I had before I closed and I’m excited to get back to doing what I love.”
