1987 Newspaper Article
"MOSELEM SPRINGS INN OFFERS VARIETY"
by J. A. Rollman
Approaching the intersection of Routes 222 and 662, 10 miles north of Reading,
you immediately notice the artificial horse and sleigh on the lawn of Moselem
Springs Inn, a landmark which has been catering to weary travelers since
1852.
An extra-wide porch surrounds the structure, and provides comfortable rocking chairs during warm weather.
The restaurant has three dining rooms. The Golden Eagle Room, with its massive openbeam ceiling and colonial brick fireplace, contains a quaint bar area, where such cocktails as hot "ciderific" apple daiquiris, whiskey sours, or ambrosias are served in Mason jars.
The Willow Room is decorated in light and airy blues, with plenty of natural light to compliment the Willow Ware adorning the walls, deep window sills, and fireplace mantel. This room is for non-smokers, and makes for a perfect luncheon setting.
The stately elegance of the Presidential Room is the epitome of sophisticated dining, with four large, polished-brass chandeliers; Queen Anne furnishings; and full-length, baroque-patterned draperies.
Each table contains the nameplate of a particular president, with a portrait of that adjacent to the table. The Early American Heritage Room on the lower level is used for private parties.
For the past seven years, the Inn has been owned and operated by Kutztown natives Carl and Jean Ziegler, Michael Mutter, a Berks County Vocational-Technical School Graduate, holds forth as head chef, preparing traditional and authentic Pennsylvania Dutch specialites.
Fresh snapper turtle soup ($2.25) and soup from the kettle, such as velvety crab bisque ($1.25), are offered as appetizers, along with stuffed mushrooms, clams casino, fried cheese, apple fritters, corn puffs, or french-fried cauliflower.
For the past 20 years, 79-year old Tommy Myers has been smoking many of the meats over hardwood fire in the smokehouse next to the inn. Country ham, pork chops, and his own blend of sausage with coriander are featured entrees as a mixed grill, with apple fritter ($11.95) or schnitz and knepp ($8.75).
Fresh shad ($8.95) and shad roe ($11.95) are currently available, along with chicken cordon bleu ($9.45), veal schnitzel ($9.95), turkey, short ribs, steaks, fish, and seafood. Dinner includes salad, a loaf of homebaked bread, vegetable, and choice of potato, rice, pasta, or stuffing.
The varied luncheon menu ranges from $3.80 to $5.65 and offers homemade turkey croquettes with giblet gravy, chicken ala king, crab cakes, and chicken Florentine with Dijon sauce.
A tray of homemade desserts is presented after dinner by your Williamsburg-clad waitress, or you might choose one of the 10 ice cream-and-liqueur combinations.
Ziegler plans a major expansion of the inn, which will include a new kitchen, cocktail lounge, and seating for 140 more patrons, to be completed by early fall.
The Moselem Springs Inn is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays thru Thursdays; Fridays and Saturdays until 10 p.m.; and Sundays until 8 p.m. Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Carte Blanche are accepted.
