BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania – A new restaurant is shaking up the Lehigh Valley dining scene with Nashville hot chicken, smash burgers, dessert waffles and more.
Haaz’s, a fast-casual restaurant offering freshly prepared chicken dishes, smash burgers, gyros, sides, dessert waffles and more, had an unofficial grand opening Monday at 3217 Schoenersville Road, owner Hasnain “Haaz” Ilyas said.
Haaz’s, which seats 58, is located in the renovated space that previously housed Burgerim, a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in custom “mini burgers” that closed in 2022 after about three years in business.
“We’ve only been open for a few days, but the community is already really supporting us,” Ilyas said.
“The feedback has been very positive, with many people saying how much they love not only the food but the variety of what we offer. We’ve already had some repeat customers wanting to try different menu items. It’s really rewarding because we’ve spent a lot of time perfecting our recipes and seasonings to present truly unique, vibrant flavors. Although some of our dishes may look familiar at first glance, we present them in a truly unique way. Plus, everything we serve is prepared in-house, seasoned in-house and made fresh to order.”
Ilyas, a graduate of Easton Area High School, is no stranger to the restaurant industry.
He is also the second-generation operator of the IHOP store in Allentown, 1511 Lehigh Street, which recently began offering 24-hour dine-in and carryout service on weekends.
“Haaz’s journey began with a passion for culinary discovery and a dream to bring together the best flavors from around the country,” reads a message posted in the restaurant.
“After traveling across many states, gaining valuable experience and operating various restaurants, I finally had the opportunity to open my own place. The dishes that left a lasting impression on me during my travels became the inspiration for Haaz’s menu. We spent countless hours perfecting our recipes from scratch to ensure that every bite is an explosion of flavor and quality.”
At Haaz’s, customers can enjoy a wide variety of spicy Nashville chicken dishes, including chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, chicken and waffles, and chicken mac bowls.
Ilyas describes Nashville Hot Chicken as deep-fried chicken with special seasonings applied immediately after it is removed from the fryer “to give it an extra kick.”
At Haaz, customers can choose the level of spiciness they want – naked (no spiciness), mild, medium, Haaz or Extra Haaaaz.
“Nashville Hot Chicken originated in Nashville, Tennessee and is growing in popularity across the country, but is not yet widely available in the Lehigh Valley,” Ilyas said.
“It’s very spicy and has a certain amount of heat. However, in our restaurant you can choose how spicy you want your chicken to be and you can leave it out altogether if you prefer.”
Other savory dishes include tacos, burritos, gyros (chicken, lamb, chicken and lamb, or falafel), fries (grilled chicken, lamb, beef, or Nashville hot chicken), and sides (French fries, mac and cheese, salad, falafel, coleslaw, or haazmati rice).
“At Haaz’s, we believe that great food starts with great ingredients,” reads another message posted in the restaurant. “We source our meat and produce from trusted suppliers who share our commitment to quality and halal practices.”
Pictured is Haaz’s mixed platter of chicken and lamb on Haazmati rice, chips and salad.
A selection of platters starting at $11.99 and served with Haazmati rice, chips and salad includes chicken with rice, lamb with rice, mixed (chicken/lamb) with rice and spicy chicken with rice. Customers can choose up to three sauces (white, spicy, salsa verde or Haaz) for their platters.
The menu also includes smash burgers such as Classic and Jalapeno, available with one or more patties.
“Our menu reflects the culinary passion we have developed over years of traveling and sampling a variety of cuisines,” reads another posted message.
“Every dish, from our Smash Burgers, mashed until crispy and full of flavor, to our Nashville Hot Chicken, cooked the authentic Nashville way to capture the true essence of the spices, is made with fresh ingredients and perfected recipes. Our chicken on rice and tacos stay true to their heritage with authentic ingredients, ensuring that every bite takes you on a journey all its own.”
Haaz’s also offers a selection of sweets, including dessert waffles, waffle sticks and milkshakes.
Dessert waffles, $11.99 each, include a base (plain, ice cream, banana pudding, cannoli chocolate chip or Bavarian cream) and as many toppings as you like (strawberry frosting, Oreos, Lotus Biscoff cookies, Reese’s Pieces or cheesecake bites).
You can also choose between different sauces (chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch, strawberry, Lotus Biscoff and Nutella) and toppings (icing sugar, whipped cream and sprinkles).
Fruit smoothies and specialty mocktails like Haaz Berry Bliss, Pineapple Haaz Punch and Haaz Sunset Spritz should be available later this summer, Ilyas said.
Ilyas’ goal is to continue to expand the business with new, innovative dishes and – eventually – additional locations.
Haaz’s is located in the Schoenersville Centre, which also includes other dining establishments such as Moe’s Southwest Grill, Saladworks, Starbucks and A1 Steak House II.
The Bethlehem Room has been renovated, including new wall paint, dining nooks, kitchen appliances, and other improvements.
Large artworks on the wall depict cities that influenced Haaz.
“Every city has played a role in this restaurant,” Ilyas said. “There’s Nashville, New York, Bethlehem – where we are, Easton – where I’m from and Lahore, Pakistan – where I was born.”
Haaz’s provisional opening hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
In the next few months, opening hours will be extended to 10 a.m. to midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Ilyas said.
By the end of the summer, Ilyas said, online ordering and delivery through Uber Eats, Grubhub and DoorDash should also be available.
For the latest news from Haaz, visit the company’s Facebook page. Call 610-419-0296 or visit haazs.com.
