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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, December 29, 2014

Want Pa. Dutch? Try Point Phillips Hotel

Most of us take this for granted, but parts of the Lehigh Valley are simply gorgeous. All along the Blue Mountains, which start at the Delaware Water Gap and separate us from the coal crackers,the views are simply breathtaking. Along the foothills, between patches of state gamelands, are the homes of the Lehigh Valley's mountain men, most of them descendants of our original residents. This story is about an out-of-the-way tavern buried in those woodlands called Point Phillips Hotel. No chain would dare start a business there. I'm sure it would fail every business model. But judging from the parking lot, I'd say the chains are wrong. The place was packed with customers attracted by the outstanding fare, friendly atmosphere, quick service and reasonable prices.

The place is owned by amiable Dan Tanczos, who grew up in the area. In fact, his mom and pop enjoyed their first date there. I had seen Dan at the courthouse numerous times, checking out older deeds, as some people like to do. But I never realized who he until I saw his brother Mark.He was there for dinner with his family, including his mother.  I know Mark because he is a Hanover Township Supervisor. Though Mark warned his brother about me, I was allowed to stay so long as I paid in advance.

What initially drew me to this country restaurant was the smoke house and promise of Pennsylvania Dutch fare. When I was a boy, going to Walp's was a big deal. But for reasons unknown to me, Pennsylvania Dutch food is all but gone from the Lehigh Valley. Outside of the Allentown's Farmers' Market, it's hard to find. But Point Phillips offers Pa. Dutch Pork and Sauerkraut, Dutchman's Steak, Bratwurst and Dutchy sides like red beet eggs, crunchy coleslaw and warm German potato salad.

In addition to the fare that used to be so common in this area, what I loved about the place is its sense of history. Tanczos, who is in the process of helping for a Moore Township Historical Commission., is a walking encyclopedia full of the history of the area.

It's a fascinating story. The original inhabitants along the foothills of the Blue Mountain were subjected to frequent Indian attacks, and would be forced to take refuge in the relative safety of Nazareth. A girl in the first family living at the property may have been abducted (and later adopted) by native Americans.

Across the street from this tavern is what was once known as the Chubbsville Hotel. That has a nice little spring in its basement, and the owner was often teased about watering down his drinks with water from that stream. A customer apparently saw a chub minnow swimming around in his beer.

The Point Phillips Hotel has named a drink after this piece of folklore.

Although the service is quick, this is the kind of place wherre you might want to stay awhile and relax, especially if you like to drink. One of the 12 beers on tap is Point Phillips Pale Lager. From every pint of Point Phillips sold, a donation is made to the Klecknersville Rangers.

I posted my find on Facebook, and learned I am far from the first person to discover what a truly great place this is for a family get together, romantic dinner or just someone who enjoys Dutchy cooking. One of my friends tells me he had a funeral dinner there when a family member passed. Though it was outside the hotel's normal hours, they opened and offered their full menu and bar to his family.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Been to Pont Phillips a few times now, great food with a great atmosphere. You really got my mouth watering when you mentioned Walps. Can picture a full parking lot and the diners inside wearing their Sunday best.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, you must be right about the Penn Dutch angle. An old school chum I know and I think you do, Ron Heckman lived right up from the Hotel as an infant. He once told me his Uncle lived across the street form it for years.

Is this a magnet for the old Pa. Dutch of the county?

Bernie O'Hare said...

If Ron Heckman goes there, it must be good.

Anonymous said...

Why the attention to the old Dutchmen? They are just relics of the past. The new Lehigh Valley needs vital new thinking not that old Dutchy nonsense.

The area and the county is changing. Those old fashioned people are living in the past. New dynamic leadership and new culture is now taking over.

Anonymous said...

3:08 Yea we need more McDs and idiots pretending to be honorable elected officials.

Anonymous said...

Outstanding and reasonably priced Dutch comfort food in a beautifully restored venue; I'm torn by this post. I want them to continue to do well. But it's more and more difficult to get in there, despite the place being located past B.F. Egypt; at the far end of East Jabip. I think it falls outside the NIZ and the non-subsidized parking garage is a lot in the woods across the road. They offer exceptional catering, as well. It's top notch.

c said...

My wife's family owned Walps, it was sad to see it go. This place rocks! My sons and I go there in the summer to drink root beer on the front porch, they have a nice variety.

Anonymous said...

The reason for a lack of traditional Pennsylvania German cooking in this area is due to the influx of people from other areas, predominantly NY and NJ. They don't know what the cuisine is, and want the pretentious, fancy, expensive "fine dining". I'd much rather have pork and sauerkraut in an old hotel than something that I can't even pronounce in a restaurant that is overly snobby.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for supporting this family business, Bernie. Food and atmosphere seems awesome. Will definitely bring back memories of Walps.

Bernie O'Hare said...

You gotta' try it some day.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"! My sons and I go there in the summer to drink root beer on the front porch,"

So cool.

Anonymous said...

Sauerkraut tasters like crap O'Hare. There is a reason they are called dumb Dutchmen.

Anonymous said...

@4:06,
Isn't fishing season closed?

Anonymous said...

Looks interesting and worth a visit, but menu only has a couple of dutch entries. BBQ looks good though.

History section may need some work though:

"The traditions of the neighborhood tell of many massacres by the savages..."

Kind of 19th century...

Anonymous said...

I would say that while it may be a nice place to visit, it is not the new taste of the Lehigh Valley. More modern residents prefer eating out at Blu or the Edge as opposed to going up county for an evening out.

Anonymous said...

@5:53,
The "more modern residents" would rather dine at the Blue because they are too busy being full of themselves. Not too sure of what the "new taste of the Lehigh Valley" is exactly, but if it includes being self centered and egotistical, I'm out.

Anonymous said...

Can anyone Pennsylvania Resturant once located in the NIZ district now defunkt alacarte, by the now defunkt anaquated Democratical advertisment tool, the moronic gag ad its edited out news? This paper is used for spots excrements only ad ot eve worthy to was windows with?

redd
patent pending

Bernie O'Hare said...

5:30, the fact is that there were a number of atrocities all along that are in the 1750s and 1760s. what I find interesting is this process of adoption.

Anonymous said...

While you are at the Blu, say hi to Lamont McClueless. He plays the everyman union pal but dines with his high brow buddies. The guy is a phony. I will take old school dutchys any day.
They are straight forward and know how to save a buck.

Matt Miles said...

Dan is a great guy, and thanks for mentioning his hospitality to us when my Grandmother passed. Her plot is at what used to be a Methodist church just up the road. As you know from the area, there isn't much for a group to sit down after the graveside service. With a quick e-mail and phone call to confirm, he graciously opened his doors to us. I expected a condensed menu on fairly short notice, but Dan offered the full menu to the 25 of us that day. By the way, the Point Phillips Ale is specially brewed by Victory Brewery in Downingtown, and on Tuesdays, you can keep the glass with the Hex Sign painted on it.

Anonymous said...

@308 & @406: You can both kiss my Penna Dutch ass. I'm neither dumb (masters degree) nor old, and IMHO the LV could certainly use more law-abiding, over-achieving, property-owning, voting taxpayers no matter their ethnicity. So your more vital ideas and dynamic leadership includes bashing Dutchies? Additionally sauerkraut is delicious; no reason to spread hate just because your momma can't cook.

Anonymous said...

We made reservations. I am Penna Dutch, looked at the menu. Doesn't look like there is a lot of PA Dutch items on there. But we'll give it a try nonetheless. We (my wife and I) are always looking for new places. I do appreciate the posting...

Anonymous said...

I've lived my whole life in the valley and ate my fair share of PA Dutch slop. Some yokel said it has gone away because of the influx of New Jerseyans. Nonsense. It has gone away because it is awful, high calorie, high sodium mush with little flavor. There is little wonder why a good majority of residents over 60 are bloated tub o'lards.

Chicken Pot Pie is the only thing worth preserving. (The soup not the pie.)

So enough with the New Yorker want fine dining. PEOPLE want food with flavor, nutrition, and a lighter footprint.

Now outen the light now vuntz.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I disagree completely. Pa. Dutch food is quite tasty and is what is known as comfort food. I am certain that the Pa. Dutch dishes play a role in this place's popularity.