From an outdoor food truck to its very own establishment.

That's essentially the path traveled by Papa Al's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in Palmerton.Located at 315 Lehigh Ave. in Palmerton, the restaurant serves a variety of pizzas and other Italian specialties.It has been open for about three weeks, according to Sameerah Caban-Alvarado, who along with her husband, Manny, co-manages the restaurant.Most recently, the couple launched a new food truck, Manny's Hot Spot, in the parking lot of George's Plumbing & Heating at 155 Little Gap Road in Lower Towamensing Township."We started small to try and just get a feel for the area," Alvarado said. "We got great support, and our customers told us 'you need to expand.'"And so it did, to its current quarters, where the restaurant serves a variety of pizzas and other Italian specialties, such as strombolis, calzones, and rice balls, which are a big hit with customers, Alvarado said.Some of the pizzas include meat lovers, grandma's pie (made with fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and fresh garlic), taco pie, veggie pie, buffalo pie, Chicago deep dish and personal deep dish pie, she said.Alvarado said the restaurant also makes other foods such as seafood entrées, steak entrées, and spare ribs."One of our customers said these are the best ribs she's ever had," she said. "They fall off the bone."They also have wing night on Wednesdays for those who dine in. The cost is 50 cents per wing.Named after Sameerah's father, Al, Papa Al's offers outdoor seating, free delivery and a complimentary glass of wine with entrées.It also affords customers an opportunity to BYOB.Alvarado said the restaurant has about a dozen employees.It also offers a 10 percent discount to Palmerton Area School District faculty, staff and students as long as they provide their school identification, she said.Papa Al's is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11-11 Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.For a delivery, call 610-824-7163.Follow them at Papa Al's Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria on Facebook.