The Iron Mule Restaurant & Bar is set to reopen Thursday, November 5, in Williams Township, more than five months after a two-alarm fire forced the popular spot to shut its doors. The restaurant, housed in a rustic 18th-century building along the Delaware Canal and Delaware River, has been closed since the fire broke out on May 22.
According to WFMZ.com, the restaurant announced its reopening date on its own social media pages. The May 22 fire was a two-alarm incident, and county dispatchers and restaurant staff reported that nobody was injured, the station's earlier coverage noted.
At the time of the fire, the full extent of the damage was unknown, and the restaurant said it would remain closed until it was safe to re-enter the building, per the same account. The business also moved previously scheduled events to other locations while repairs were underway, according to The Morning Call, which reported in August that the Iron Mule was planning a November reopening at 831 S. Delaware Drive.
A Building With Centuries of History
The structure that houses the Iron Mule dates back further than most Lehigh Valley landmarks. The building is an 18th-century structure that previously operated as the Black Horse Tavern, long before it became the Iron Mule in January 2020. Over the years, the same building has also housed Bacon Gourmet and Stemie's Place, according to the station's reporting.
Kate Hug, per an earlier social media post, thanked the Williams Township Fire Department and surrounding local fire departments for containing the fire and limiting damage to the building. Firefighters contained the blaze and limited damage to the historic building.
A Look at the Menu
The Iron Mule's appetizer menu has featured house-made chili, Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, wings, and spiral spuds — a dish built on a whole spiral-cut Idaho potato topped with crumbled bacon and house beer cheese.
Other menu offerings have included blackened cod, filet medallions, chicken marsala, and chicken or shrimp with vodka sauce. The burger and handheld lineup has included a California cheesesteak, Cuban panini, chipotle burger, black bean burger, brisket sandwich, avocado chicken sandwich, crispy fried mushroom po boy, taco platter, and a signature item called the Mule — a loaded burger piled with cheddar, bacon, iron mustard, candied bacon, lettuce, red onion, and tomato.
Beyond the kitchen, the Iron Mule features a full bar and regularly hosts live music, karaoke, and bingo nights, giving the reopening added weight for a community whose social gathering spot had been closed for more than five months. The WFMZ.com report was written by Ryan Kneller, a Hellertown native and longtime Lehigh Valley journalist with 16 years of experience covering the region.
