The Bayou Boys have announced the closure of their popular cheesesteak and pierogi brand, Wiz Kidz, at two locations in Pennsylvania. The restaurants, situated at 65 E. Elizabeth Ave. in Bethlehem and 751 Union Blvd. in Allentown, are both currently closed. The Allentown site permanently shut its doors in late December 2025, while the Bethlehem location remains “temporarily closed,” according to co-owner Mo Taylor.
Originally launched in fall 2018 on the first floor of the Pinnacle@65 building in Bethlehem, Wiz Kidz was a collaboration between Taylor, Cristian Duarte, Jerry Straub, and Matt Weaver. The team is now considering whether to sell the brand, which would include the business recipes and the Bethlehem building. Taylor stated, “It remains up in the air a little bit. But we should have an answer within the next few weeks.”
The closure of the Allentown site marks the second Wiz Kidz location to shut down within a year. The Madison Farms shopping center location in Bethlehem Township closed in April 2025, leading to a consolidation of operations at the Allentown site. Taylor noted that the decision was influenced by an overlap in delivery services between the Bethlehem and Bethlehem Township locations, which are only five miles apart.
Despite the closures, the Bayou Boys continue to operate their pierogi business. Taylor confirmed that they have passed the recipes to their production team to ensure ongoing production. This transition occurred earlier in December 2025.
The Bayou Boys formed over a decade ago while working at the now-closed Starter’s Riverport Restaurant in Bethlehem. After the restaurant’s closure in 2013, they launched their own ventures, including Wiz Kidz and other Bayou restaurants in the Lehigh Valley. The Wiz Kidz locations became known for their nostalgic décor inspired by the 1980s and 1990s, as well as their signature sandwiches featuring a unique cheese blend.
In addition to the recent closures, the owners also shuttered their downtown Easton location of The Bayou Southern Kitchen & Bar in August 2025. This decision was made to consolidate their full-service operations, with the Easton site now housing Rios Brazilian Steakhouse, which relocated from Nazareth.
Despite the changes, the Bayou Boys remain committed to their flagship restaurant, The Bayou Bethlehem: Southern Kitchen & Bar, located at 702 Hawthorne Road in Bethlehem. Launched by Duarte and Taylor in 2014, this establishment continues to operate amidst the evolving landscape of their business. As the Bayou Boys navigate the future of their brand, the community awaits news on the fate of Wiz Kidz and its beloved offerings.
