Dine and Dish: The Kutztown Tavern, PA

The Kutztown Tavern, PA

For the last nine years or so, John and I have always made it a point to go to the Kutztown Fair every year. I forget the reason why we started going initially; it just became a tradition of ours to make it a point to go. His parents usually come along with us; it’s something that they enjoy and we all pair off and go our separate ways for a few hours. Usually, we left the fair and started making the trek home stopping for dinner somewhere along the route home. In previous years we have stopped at the Red Robin in Quakertown. Since the discovery of my allergies last year, we went to another restaurant closer to home where I felt the most comfortable eating at although we still had to travel about an hour and half to two hours to get there. Prior to our jaunt to the Kutztown Fair this year, John suggested that I do my due diligence and research restaurants close by to the fair that would accommodate my Gluten and Dairy allergies. I went on Find Me Gluten Free and found a few places that were of interest; however, the only one that I saw as a potential fit for my dietary needs was the Kutztown Tavern. I decided to message the Kutztown Tavern with an inquiry as to if they could accommodate me since I had both Gluten and Dairy allergies. Buoyed by the positive feedback, I told John that I made the decision that the four of us will have dinner there.

The Kutztown Tavern is located at 272 W. Main Street in Kutztown, PA and has been a mainstay in the community since 1999. The Kutztown Tavern is also minutes from the Kutztown fairgrounds and Kutztown University; due to the many college students that are there while school is in session, the Kutztown Tavern caters to many dietary needs – including Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, and Dairy Free. My party and I were greeted by the friendly host staff and we were seated at a table in the spacious dining room that allowed plenty of room for us to stretch our legs out a bit after a long day of walking at the Kutztown Folk Festival. Our server was Darren; he was not only helpful in recommending dishes that I could have due to my restrictions, he was also very courteous and friendly and asked my fiancé and his parents if there was any way that he could be of any assistance to them as well. I decided to have the Turkey Burger, no cheese, on a Gluten Free roll with a side of steamed broccoli, a side salad with no croutons or cheese, and the house made chipotle mayo with a Raspberry iced tea. John and his parents ordered burgers as well; John ordered the Turkey Burger as well with a side of curly fries and a Birch Beer, Phil, John’s father, ordered his usual Bacon Burger with a side of fries and a Birch Beer, and June, John’s mother, ordered the Avalanche Burger with a side of fries and a Raspberry Iced Tea. While potatoes are naturally Gluten Free, the fries are not made in a dedicated fryer and therefore not safe for consumption for anyone with an allergy to Gluten.

The dining area was well lit, spacious, and immaculate. The table we were seated at was roomy and didn’t crowd the four of us in. The staff was extremely friendly and were very welcoming when we came in. As for the service, it was absolutely phenomenal; Darren, who has Gluten allergies himself, was very knowledgeable and helpful in regards to recommendations and he was very pleasant and courteous. Most of the menu items are reasonably priced and the food exceeded everyone’s expectations. What really impressed me was the Gluten Free bun that came with my Turkey Burger. As far as Gluten Free buns go, the bun by Udi’s was the best I’ve ever had; it actually resembled and tasted like a Kaiser roll and didn’t taste dry and crumbly. I highly recommend the Kutztown Tavern – reservations are recommended.

Address:
The Kutztown Tavern
272 W Main St
Kutztown, PA 19530