Circa 1960's Newspaper Article
"How Do You Spell Moselem Springs?"
by Elaine Tait
-M-A-R-V-E-L-O-U-S-
This comes as something of an apology to the reader who suggested I try
the Moselem Springs Inn a year ago. I'm sorry it took me so long to get
there. Quite frankly, it seemed like such a long trip (beyond Kutztown)
for what I'd assumed would be a no-better-than-average-meal. Now, almost
a week after my Sunday visit to the restaurant, I'm still marveling at how
much I enjoyed both the ride there and the meal.
The drive was a joy, through scrubbed-looking towns and farmlands filled with quaint old homes, many over a century old. The Inn is one of those attractive old buildings dating to 1852.
There are three handsome dining areas, each with distinctive decor. Ours was the Presidential Room, elegantly furnished with Chippendale reproduction chairs, brass chandeliers and Presidential portraits. Another was cozy, blue and white. A third, surrounding the bar, focused on a rustic brick fireplace.
Overeating was inevitable. Portions were ample and there were so many little extras like apple butter for the homemade bread and lemon butter with cinnamon crackers. Nibble too enthusiastically and you'll be groaning by dessert time, as we were.
The food is simple, local fare and the price for a full meal averages $3.95. That's what my Smoked beef sausage and my dinner partner's meat cakes cost. I was presented with pickled tripe (a thin slice with intriguing sweetness) , a big bowl of crunchy salad with "Dutch" bacon dressing, two large pieces of smoky-flavored sausage, two delicious apple fritters, a sizzling potato cake and a crab-apple garnish The two well-seasoned made cakes were prefaced by chicken corn soup and salad and accompanied by noodles and potato stuffing and broccoli.
The dinner includes ice cream, sherbet or Jell-O but one look at the dessert tray the waitress presents and you'll probably be tempted to spend the modest extra amout on one of the homemade goodies. Try the coconut pie (50¢ extra). It's light, fluffy and not-too-sweet. The Cheesecake costs 85¢ extra and is creamy and well-made.
The Moselem Springs drink list includes some intriguing house specialities. We enjoyed an apple daiquiri (1.50) made with local apple juice and an icy Moselem Springs sour ($1.50), amusingly presented in lidded canning jars.
The restaurant is located at the intersection of Routes 222 and 662. It is closed Saturday.
