Bacon sizzles once again in Coplay as a beloved mom-and-pop restaurant and friendly meeting place called The Bacon Strip officially reopened Feb. 17.

A fire in the upstairs apartments of the building in February 2025 caused smoke and water damage to the restaurant that made it inoperable. Extensive renovations were needed to rebuild the restaurant in order to reopen. The Bacon Strip was closed for a year.

The popular restaurant at 18 N. Second St. was originally called Sportsman’s Lunch in the 1970s and was operated by the late affable businessman Andy Radon. After Radon, Bill Balliet renamed the restaurant Bill’s Lunch. Bill’s Lunch operated for about three decades before closing in 2012. Collectively, they ran the restaurant for more than 50 years.

In May of 2015, Emily Alkhal and Ruben Santiago took over and reopened the restaurant, calling it The Bacon Strip. It quickly gained popularity for good food in a friendly atmosphere.

Alkhal and Santiago were determined to reopen their unique restaurant after the fire. At the time of the fire, the restaurant could seat about 50 patrons and had developed a large clientele.

A line of patrons assembled 7 a.m. Feb. 17 for the grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Coplay Mayor Joseph Bundra, his wife Gail and police Chief Ryan Emrich were present to participate in the ceremony.

Before the ribbon cutting, Alkhal told everyone present how happy she and Santiago are for their support. She thanked the borough for all the support and Bundra for his presence and assistance.

After the ribbon cutting, a stream of hungry patrons entered the establishment, taking seats in the restaurant. Bundra read his mayoral proclamation that decreed, on behalf of the community of Coplay, Feb. 17, 2026, was the official reopening day of the Bacon Strip. Attendees gave a hearty round of applause.

By this time, the enticing aroma of food permeated the restaurant as diners placed orders and servers began to deliver breakfast foods of eggs, toast, coffee and, of course, bacon. The diners were happy as they ate and socialized.

Alkhal, Santiago and the servers were grateful for the successful restart of their restaurant passion at the Bacon Strip.

The Bacon Strip sizzles again.