I've gone to this restaurant dozens of times over the years.
It has gone from good to quite bad, and happily as of this last visit it's back to good.
We were there on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, begrudgingly so, because there was a very mixed bag as to what was open and what was not in Amishland.
They were open, and the lady's belly was grumbling, and although the last several dinings here had garnered less than favorable reviews from as many as five diners at a time in our party, this time they were A-OK.
They had the world's smallest buffet going on this occassion, (all smashed under four lift-up steam-keepers), on which we both passed as it all looked as though it was a bit long in the tooth.
The lady got  the half-portion roast beef dinner, and I the whitefish dinner.
Her half portion came with one side, mine with two.
The half portion was enormous.
More than enough to sate a very healthy appetite.
It came much like an open-faced roast beef plate with white bread, mashed potatoes, gravy and roast beef on the plate.
The beef was true,tasty roasted meat, not reheated deli meat
Her side was peas, (frozen, happily...not a fan of canned peas.)
Both according to her were quite good.
As she was the first and most vociferous of our frequent dining cadre to decry the restaurant earlier on, I take her on her word.
My whitefish was very lightly hand-breaded and very lightly deep-fried or possibly pan-fried, and my sides were cole slaw and baked sweet potato.
The whitefish was very delicate and flakey, much like a girl I once dated in high school!
The slaw was fine, still crisp with a nice dressing, and the sweet potato was nicely done sans that grainy texture that sometimes accompanies same.
I kind of liked the fact that the caramel sauce and tartar sauces for my meal were brought in squeeze bottles as one had as little or as much as one wanted of both accompaniements.
It wasn't a five-star move, but there's a lot to be said for a bit of control over these things!
The service was quite good, cheery and accomodating and they have now gone to taking the check to the cashier for you rather than further congest the often burgeoning lobby-full of people awaitng tables with even more people trying to pay and get the heck out of there!
It was a genius move as it served both the establishment and the diner well.
Based on this visit I won't hesitate in trying it again, but it will take a couple more good experiences to offset the lingering resentment held from the slop they served here during our previous four visits or thereabouts.
If you are looking for a nice place to have breakfast prior to setting out on a stroll through Amish country, this is a nice place to grab breakfast. Â We arrived Saturday around 9:30 and had no problems finding a place to park in the large lot behind the restaurant. Hope you do not mind sharing with the horse and buggies and tractors that the elder Amish gentlemen bring! Â I say that in a positive way - I thought it was cool. Â The only downside is this parking lot is DUSTY. Dark clean sports cars and folks that leave your windows cracked to allow cooling - beware.
The restaurant was in "seat yourself" mode so we walked in and got a nice table at the back of the restaurant. The server was there with coffee and water almost immediately. We ordered the Grandmas breakfast with two eggs, hash browns, sausage links, bacon and wheat toast. Breakfast arrived promptly and hot. Everything was good, especially the homemade jam and homemade sausage links! I wasn't a big fan of the sausage gravy, but that was brought on the side, which was a nice touch. The prices are very affordable.
Be sure to take a stroll across the street to check out the hardware store. I'm not kidding - even if you are not into stuff in a hardware store this place is cool. Â The hardware closes Saturday at noon so get there early.
ATMOSPHERE - B
SERVICE - A
FOOD - B+
PRICE - A
My husband and I stopped here. Â The parking lot was full. Â There was a small wait to get in. Â We waited for approximately 15 minutes. Â After being seated and ordering our drinks, we ordered our lunch. Â We waited 40 minutes after ordering to receive our food. Â My husband's lunch looked very good. Â He had ordered a lunch special. Â I ordered the pan-fried chicken. Â It was supposed to be three pieces, I tasted the corn pudding, it was cold, the home fries were very good. Â The chicken looked wonderful. Â I picked up the two pieces on the plate, looking for the third. Â I was surprised to find what appeared to be a chicken leg that had already been eaten. Â Needless to say, I did not eat my lunch. Â I will not return to this restaurant. Â Our waitress was very good, all of the people working there seemed very nice. Â But, they obviously need more help and more control in the kitchen.
Review Source:I used to live close to this joint and on Sat morn we would go there for breakfast. Never had a bad meal. My favorite was the link sausage, which is made in a smoke house behind the restaurant. It is the best! Can't beat the homemade jams and they have real honey on the table. I go there at least once when I fly back. It is off the beaten path but worth it. Bill is right, it is laid back. Enjoy your cup off coffee and chill. Get away from the hustle and bustle. Enjoy the sausage and tip well, the girls don't make alot.
Review Source:I've tried most of the rest of the Amish-cookin' restaurants in the Swiss Valley and this is best. Â The benchmark for me is the roast beef and it's got to measure up to my Mother-in-law's. Â Only Hartville Kitchen and Grandma's Homestead in Charm compare. Â Last time in I tried the marinated chicken breast. Â It was very good. Â The sides are a little sparse compared to some of the other places in the area.
Another great thing about doing this place is the ride to get here. Â Once you leave OH Rt 39, you are deep in Amish country. Â Go slow and watch for kids, buggies, guys with rifles (really, saw one the last time I was down there) and the occasional livestock.
It's a great way to unwind from the busy iPhone/PDA/laptop world.
Oh, and given the restaurant is run by the Amish, don't expect them to be open on Sunday.
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