Cristian Duarte and Mo Taylor opened the doors at 702 Hawthorne Road in 2014, establishing an independent tavern centered on New Orleans culinary staples.
The menu pairs low-country Cajun cooking with house-smoked proteins and regional craft draft selections.
Situated in Bethlehem’s historic dining corridor, The Bayou provides a local alternative to commercial franchises through its focus on scratch Southern comfort dishes and fried chicken.
Quick Bite – The Bayou, Bethlehem, PA 🍗
Fryers drop 24-hour buttermilk-marinated chicken pieces until the spiced flour crust cooks golden brown, finished with spicy hot honey or dry Nashville seasonings.
The soup kettles simmer dark roux stock with sliced andouille sausage, pulled chicken, and holy trinity aromatics for house gumbo.
Multiple Readers’ Choice wins for Best Southern Restaurant in The Morning Call and Lehigh Valley Style solidify its standing as an established Lehigh County dining destination.
The Local Atmosphere – The Bayou, Bethlehem, PA 🍻
Reclaimed barn wood, exposed brick walls, and a central draft counter define the rustic roadhouse interior.
Evening hours bring steady foot traffic from surrounding towns like Fountain Hill, Hellertown, Freemansburg, Allentown, and Easton.
Dining tables and bar stools fill quickly as servers bring out cast-iron skillets and baskets from the pass.
Signature Bites – The Bayou, Bethlehem, PA 😋
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Southern Buttermilk Fried Chicken: Crisp-fried bone-in chicken thighs and breasts drizzled with hot honey sauce and served alongside cheddar cornbread.
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Bayou Chicken & Andouille Gumbo: Dark roux stew simmered with smoked sausage, pulled chicken, celery, and onions, ladled over white rice.
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Crispy Shrimp Po’ Boy: Cornmeal-crusted fried shrimp layered on a French roll with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and Cajun remoulade.
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House-Smoked Pork Belly: Thick-cut braised pork belly seared crisp and glazed in sweet bourbon barbecue sauce.
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Crawfish Etouffee: Tender crawfish tails smothered in a rich, buttery blonde roux sauce and served over seasoned rice.
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Cheddar Skillet Cornbread: House-baked sweet cornbread baked in cast iron and served warm with whipped honey butter.
Takeaway Bite – The Bayou, Bethlehem, PA 😎
Dining at 702 Hawthorne Rd brings authentic Louisiana roadhouse flavor directly to Eastern Pennsylvania.
The kitchen’s reliance on overnight brines, scratch roux bases, and cast-iron baking keeps the plates distinct from generic comfort chains.
That reliable dedication to regional craft is why this mom and pops and hole in the wall tavern remains a fixture for Bethlehem and the greater Lehigh Valley.
📍: 702 Hawthorne Rd, Bethlehem, PA 18018
🕒: Tue-Thu: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM; Fri-Sat: 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM; Sun: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM; Mon: Closed