State Cafe & Grill

opened its doors on Aug. 17, 2010, a little more than a year ago, on S. 5th Street in Easton.

Ask co-owner Juan Martinez how business has been and he can’t help but smile.

“We’re going strong into our second year,” said Martinez. “We have to thank the local community for all of their support.”

The State Café & Grill, so named because of its proximity to the State Theatre, is a casual restaurant with a fine-dining flair. The dining room is outfitted with hardwood tables and a wrap-around bar that encloses an open-style kitchen, where guests can watch the preparation of their meals.

State Café & Grill prides itself on its largely American cuisine, a menu made up of a diverse array of gourmet burgers and sandwiches, stuffed empanadas, fresh salads, steaks and seafood dishes.

The chicken tortilla soup--made with black beans, chicken, cheddar and pepper jack cheese with tortilla chips--has gained popularity as one of the restaurant’s best dishes.

“It’s the best in town,” said Martinez with a grin. “Really, we’ve had very good feedback from customers.”

One of State Café’s most popular signature dishes is the skirt steak, uniquely served with a chimichurri sauce--a blend of spices and oil similar to pesto.

The full bar, which surrounds the open-style kitchen on three sides, is the original bar from the restaurant that formerly occupied the building years before Martinez opened the State Café with his wife, Melanie.

Although there’s plenty of good beers on tap, like Weyerbacher and local brew Yuengling, head bartender Ian Gilga says that mixed drinks are the State's specialty. The extensive list of cocktails includes signature drinks like the State Cosmo and State Mojito, the café’s twist on the classics.

“I can make a mean mudslide martini,” said Gilga. Good thing, too--on Wednesday nights throughout the cooler months, the State Café & Grill will be having Martini Night, during which martinis are only $5 each.

Reservations aren’t required at the State Café, but if there’s a show going on at the State Theatre, chances are you’ll want to call ahead.

“We get full to capacity on show nights,” said Gilga.

The State Café & Grill is at 14 S. 5th St., near the corner of 5th and Northampton streets. After Labor Day, the restaurant will be open Tuesday through Friday from 5pm to 9pm and Saturday from 11:30am to 9pm. It is closed Sundays and Mondays.