BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Paranormal pop-ups have been a mainstay of the Lehigh Valley for months now, but next week, their beloved pizza will rise from the grave during a special event at a popular Bethlehem eatery and incubator.
Co-owner Marc Kubushefski — who works alongside his brother Joey, with Marc’s girlfriend, Lauren Strzelecki, managing the operation – confirmed the incredible X-Files themed vegan pizza jointis back.
At least in pop-up form, that is.
“So it's awesome that Roasted was able to work with us, and see if we can get something going with them. It's cool that we have community support like that from other restaurants."Paranormal Pizza co-owner Marc Kubushefski
From 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1 — or until supplies run out — the Paranormal crew will be doling out pies at Roasted. Kubushefski said the menu will likely feature a few recipes, including the classic cheese, with one or two options featuring their handmade toppings.
“So I went in maybe two weeks ago and talked to the owner, Derek [Wallen], and I wanted to see if we could try and utilize the space because I know they offer it as a pop-up kitchen when they’re closed,” Kubushefski said.
“I tried the ovens out, I made a pizza, and it worked. We're not sure how it's going to work during an event, because they aren't pizza ovens. They just have two small convection ovens, there's a range on top and then the stove underneath. They're pretty small ovens, so we're just going to try and do a pop-up, bring a bunch of dough balls and see how it goes.”
Kubushefski said he had attempted to reach out to local pizzerias to host a pop-up similarly, though he had no luck.
“So it's awesome that Roasted was able to work with us and see if we can get something going with them. It's cool that we have community support like that from other restaurants,” Kubushefski said.
But before that happens, the Paranormal Pop-Up mobile will hit Sherman Street in Allentown on Saturday, April 27, and Yergey Brewing in Emmaus on Sunday, April 28.
After Wednesday’s pizza premiere, they’ll take a weekend off before amping up appearances. They’re even making an appearance at Cedar Crest College’s Mayfair Festival of the Arts from May 24 through May 26.
“We're curious to see how that goes because I don't know that they've ever had a vegan vendor there before. So that'll be kind of cool,” Kubushefski said.
Wallen said he has loved collaborating with fellow foodies throughout the Lehigh Valley on various projects – VegOut launched as a pop-up at Roasted – which made for a perfect match when Paranormal came calling.
“I'm a big fan of food, I'm a big fan of options, and having more of them just helps bring more people downtown to visit us, as well,” Wallen – whose restaurant also features a variety of plant-based options – said.
And as for that test pizza?
“It was great,” Wallen said. “It’s obviously different than your traditional pizza, but it’s just as good.”
Kubushefski and his colleagues are still on the lookout for a permanent location to set up shop, but fans are bound to be more than sated by the return of pizza in the meantime, as “We just want to try and make this more of a regular thing.”
The Paranormal crew recommended keeping up with the social media pages to know where and when the pop-ups will happen, and for fans to ensure they're following the official brand pagefor pizza info.
So if you happen to feel a phantasmal presence in the air come May 1, relax, it’s just the spectral spectacle that is Paranormal Pizza’s return to the Lehigh Valley.
