Full of Crepe

[Photo from the Full of Crepe's Facebook page]

The new off campus restaurant will leave you feeling full and satisfied.
Although Lehigh has several dining options, students living on campus can grow weary of having to eat at the dining halls for every meal. Upper Cort offers a food court style alternative to the traditional dining halls, but after countless trips, the variety seems less appealing. For those students looking for some new options and for fraternity and sorority members whose chefs don’t cook meals on weekends, venturing into Bethlehem is an attractive choice. There are always the classics like the Goose or Sal’s to get a good meal at. Yet, the line at the Goose is often out the door, and there may not always be time for a sit-down meal at Sal’s. New to the food scene at Lehigh, Full of Crepe offers a creative and quick alternative to standard fare in the form of delicious crepes served at an affordable price.

Full of Crepe is easy to miss, located on New Street between Subway and Sal’s. Once you get your first crepe here, though, you’ll never have trouble finding it again. The actual restaurant is no bigger than a dorm room, and there are only two hot plates on which the crepes can be made. The counter to place your order is located at the very front of the store near the entrance. Although it can be difficult, try not to stand too close to the entrance, or risk being whacked by the door as an incoming customer arrives. Despite the small size, there has not been a line once in all my visits; that must be a crime considering how delicious the crepes are. What is not a crime is how polite the staff is. Immediately upon entering, you are warmly greeted by the two to three workers. Every time I’ve gone, I have been offered coffee without any delay at all. Then, they patiently wait while you decide which crepe suits your tastes, even offering up some of their current favorites. I say “current favorites” because, as they explained to me, they love all their creations but cycle through favorites all the time. Prices for the crepes range from 4-8 dollars, depending on how complex your selection is. Once your order is placed, you watch as your crepe is assembled on a hot plate, cooked, and ultimately placed in a conveniently designed crepe holder. From walking in hungry to leaving happy, the process is smooth, quick, and pleasant.

Where Full of Crepe really shines, however, is in its interesting menu choices. The menu is diverse with both savory and sweet options. Whether you want a satisfying, meaty crepe or just a sweet treat, there is a crepe for everyone. Take my personal favorite, for example, the “Turkey Lurkee”. This crepe consists of turkey, spinach leaves, balsamic reduction, tomato, mozzarella cheese, and pesto mayo. The ingredients work perfectly together, sending your taste buds on a flavorful ride but also leaving you more fulfilled than any other old crepe. In a more odd combination, there is the “Christy Cristo” which consists of raspberry preserves, ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, maple syrup, and powdered sugar. Full of Crepe pushes the boundaries of this succulent crepe by adding raspberries and turkey to the traditional ingredients of a Monte Cristo, resulting in a fruity yet savory masterpiece. More traditionally yet just as deliciously, Full of Crepe serves the “Blue Plate,” a combination of eggs, cheese, and ham or bacon; the “Canuck,” simply bacon and maple syrup; or the “Moravian Sugar Cake,” consisting of brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. There’s no other restaurant that I can honestly say I want to try every item on the menu. However, if none of the menu choices are to your liking, there also is a “Fill Your Own” option. Additionally, the restaurant offers gluten-free batter for an extra dollar. With all of the appealing choices and the opportunity to customize your own crepe, you can’t go wrong.

Full of Crepe only allows takeout due to its small size. Plans are in place, however, to expand the building into an adjacent room in order to allow for in-restaurant seating. Also worth mentioning is that the restaurant only accepts cash at the moment. Taking the time to go to an ATM will be well worth it, though, once you’ve had a chance to experience this hidden gem’s food. If you are looking for a quick, delicious, affordable, and unique alternative to on and off campus dining, look no further than Full of Crepe.

-Colin Orr '15