Griddle 145

By Cathy Kiley
Photos by Ryan Hulvat

Breakfast, in my opinion, is one of life’s greatest pleasures. My husband Tom and I have breakfast at least once a week at one of many local eateries or diners, usually after church on Sunday. We love the guilty pleasure of indulging on decadent breakfast fare and miss this casual time together if we skip a week. Finding a new and special breakfast place doesn’t happen very often so I am very happy to have found Griddle 145.

I recently grabbed a couple of girls for a morning get-together and drove on down to Route 145 in Whitehall with the hope of having a great breakfast/gabfest with old friends. We were NOT disappointed.

Owners Sherry and Taylor Eisenhard have transformed the old Big Angus Steak Barn at 1146 MacArthur Road into a fun and cheery upscale daytime dining spot featuring breakfast selections ranging from old favorites such as eggs with all accompaniments to a list of mouth-watering specialties, all promising to kick your breakfast or lunch up a notch or two and have you bragging about the experience to your friends.

Sherry greeted us when we arrived and we sat with a clear view of the mango and lime decor surrounding well-spaced tables, comfy booths and counter space. The lighting is attractive and enhances the fun colorful prints on the walls. Vases filled with dried flowers and interesting wicker wall hangings suspended from the ceiling separate the dining rooms. Plants and blooming live orchids were placed along the window sills when we visited.

We all loved our breakfast choices at Griddle 145 and I feel certain from the looks on others’ faces, they were enjoying their selections as well.

We sipped delicious coffee while checking out the menu. There were four omelets on the regular menu including:  “Mama’s” with spinach, tomato, mushroom and provolone; “Daddy’s” with sausage, bacon, ham and cheddar jack cheese; “The Buster” with pulled pork, black beans, onions, bell peppers and cheddar jack as well as “The Bayside” made with crabmeat, tomato and spinach. There was also a Cheeseburger Omelet on the list of specials that day. Griddle 145’s Specialty Menu includes the not-often-offered-for-breakfast Monte Cristo, Huevos Rancheros, Classic Eggs Benedict as well as Tomato Florentine Benedict and Chick’n Waffles – fried chicken smothered in country gravy with a Belgian waffle.

Red velvet pancakes with maple cream cheese topping and chocolate chips as well as “Nutella Fella” pancakes laced with chocolate chips and topped with Nutella, peanut butter and fresh bananas are both among the Signature Pancake offerings. All French Toast is made with freshly baked brioche which is cut to order. In addition to the traditional recipe, there is Brioche French Toast stuffed with seasonal fruit and cream cheese and Bananas Foster French Toast topped with fresh bananas and hot butter rum sauce. Belgian Waffles are also on the menu as are your old favorite Buttermilk pancakes with Maple Syrup.

Other items on the specials menu that day were Eggs served your way over pulled pork hash with potatoes and toast. A Crabby Benny – Eggs Benedict served with fresh crabmeat instead of Canadian Bacon and a touch of Old Bay seasoning in the Hollandaise rounded out the specials.

I decided to order the Monte Cristo which was a huge (and I mean huge) treat for me. The thickly-sliced Brioche French Toast was stuffed with a fried egg, ham, turkey, Swiss cheese and topped with raspberry chipotle jam. The brioche was very substantial and held up to the jam. The sandwich was not at all soggy which is often the case with any French Toast that is many times soaked in maple syrup. This is not the case here.  Served with wonderful breakfast potatoes, this Monte Cristo was delicious.

My friend Jill ordered the “No Huevos Rancheros” from the Vegetarian Specialty Menu. This Vegetarian version of an old favorite featured seasoned tofu, diced potatoes, onions, black beans, and bell peppers all served up in a fried tortilla with guacamole and ranchero sauce. Add fried eggs, pulled pork and sour cream and you have the traditional version that is also on the menu.

There were two additional items on the Vegetarian menu – Coconut Banana French Toast and a Tofu Scramble served with spinach, mushrooms and bell peppers. These are certainly interesting choices for those who prefer to eat meatless.

Joan decided on the Tomato Florentine Benedict – poached eggs, spinach, tomato and Canadian Bacon atop a toasted English Muffin with caramelized onion Hollandaise and a side of potatoes. This is my favorite version of Eggs Benedict and Griddle 145 certainly did
not disappoint.

We all raved about our breakfast choices. They were all delicious, served piping hot along with wonderful South American blend coffee freshly ground right before brewing. Remember, at Griddle 145 you are able to order eggs prepared your way or a breakfast sandwich if you wish and have them served up with any of your favorite sides. There is a Lightweight Menu featuring Oatmeal with Brown Sugar, Greek Yogurt and Cereal selections that may be served with fruit.

Griddle 145 also offers interesting luncheon specialties that include Fish Tacos – crispy cod with Pico de Gallo, yogurt lime sauce and coleslaw with a side of tortilla chips. There is a Chicken version of the taco with lettuce, Pico de Gallo, jack cheese, sour cream and tortillas. The Classic Club Sandwich is there along with the 145 Club – Chicken breast, fried egg, avocado, Applewood Smoked Bacon and lettuce, tomato and mayo. The Big Cheryl – BBQ pulled pork topped with mac-n-cheese and onion straws sounds wonderful as does The Havana – the same pulled pork with pickles, ham, Swiss cheese and green sauce. And, as a bona fide Grilled Cheese lover, I can say their Grilled Four Cheese Sandwich with Applewood Smoked Bacon caught my eye!

Griddle 145’s half-pound burgers are served with a choice of toppings including the decadent Jay’s Cheat Day with chipotle lime BBQ pulled pork, onion straws and coleslaw as well as The Boomer with bacon, fried egg, cheddar jack cheese and chipotle mayo. Add a side of potato salad, coleslaw, mac-n-cheese or house fries for just $1.00 and you have a luncheon feast!

If you’re in the mood for a salad, try an Asian Chicken Salad with Napa cabbage, carrots, mandarin orange and cucumber with a sesame ginger dressing or a Southwest Chicken Caesar with corn, black beans, Pico de Gallo and Southwest Caesar dressing. A Garden Salad with choice of dressing is also available. Try pairing it up with their Soup of the Day and it’s a perfect lunch on a cold afternoon.

We all loved our breakfast choices at Griddle 145 and I feel certain from the looks on others’ faces, they were enjoying their selections as well. Sherry and Taylor stopped by for a quick chat. They are a delightful young couple and I wish them great success. Sherry Eisenhard comes from a family of restauranteurs. They own Hunan Springs in Wescosville – one of my favorite Asian restaurants in the Lehigh Valley.  Guess it runs in the family!

Griddle 145 is conveniently located about a half mile off Route 22 heading toward Allentown on Route 145/MacArthur Road in Whitehall. Their hours are 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Complimentary Mimosas are offered on Sundays, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Reservations are not necessary but recommended for groups of five or more. In addition, Griddle 145 is available for private parties or functions.

Please stop by and sample one or more of Griddle 145’s tasty treats. They serve only the freshest ingredients and everything on the menu is made to order. You will not feel rushed here so come, bring some friends and enjoy. You’ll be glad you did. Visit griddle145.com for more information.