Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania and the seat of Berks County. Its early migrants were from southern and western Germany, and the Pennsylvanian German dialect was spoken in Reading well into the 1950s. The city had a population of 81,207 in 2000, but this fell to 80,560 in July 2008, of which 17.5 percent were of German ancestry and 37.3 percent were Hispanic. The German Info Center lists only one German restaurant in Reading. Three more are listed less than 30 minutes away, but there are many more in other parts of Pennsylvania that are hours away from Reading.
The Alpenhof Guesthouse is a renowned bed and breakfast with German stylings in scenic Berks County. Built as an upscale hotel in 1898, the inn-restaurant is a registered historical site, which was remodeled in 1998 as a bed and breakfast. The Alpenhof is close to many factories, construction sites, schools, colleges and universities. Its restaurant still offers some German dishes.
Alpenhof Restaurant & Guesthouse
903 Morgantown Rd.
Reading, PA 19607-9518
610-373-1624
alpenhofbnb.com
The Heidelberg Family Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It offers a salad bar with more than 40 items. Its long menu has different types of sandwiches named after places in Germany, and also carries a number of Italian dishes. Some specials have included broiled twin stuffed lobster with crab meat and Dutch-style chicken pot pie with homemade dough. Goods baked on the premises include New York-style cheesecake and deep-dish coconut custard. There is also a banquet room that can accommodate up to 100 people.
Heidelberg Family Restaurant
910 West Penn Ave.
Robesonia, PA 19551-9520
610-693-5060
heidelbergfamilyrestaurant.com
The Homeland Society was founded in 1932 by German immigrants. In 1937, they purchased the present 44-acre location, and in 1948, they changed the name to "Evergreen Country Club." Since then, the clubhouse was enlarged, younger people joined the club, and a soccer field, bar, pavilion, stage, dance floor and "Bier Garten" were constructed. Indoor and outdoor areas are now available for dining and for parties and events. The menu includes carved ham, roast turkey, carved prime rib, broiled flounder and homemade sausages.
Evergreen Club Dining Room & Bar
415 Hartz Rd.
Fleetwood, PA 19522
610-944-7501
evergreenclub.org/
