Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant in Berlin has been a popular Amish Country eatery since 1938. (Credit: Boyd & Wurthmann)

By Ken Drenten

If you’re in the mood for comfort food, nothing will cure that hunger pain better than Amish food, which can be best described as good old-fashioned home cooking. Ohio has a number of Amish and Amish-style restaurants to choose from, mostly in Holmes and Wayne counties.

I don’t care if Amish food isn’t considered haute cuisine, or that its fat- and sugar-laden goodness may be unhealthy to eat all the time. It’s just a good thing I don’t live closer to Amish restaurants, because I simply love the food.

To me, the basic requirements of an Amish restaurant include:

• The use of fresh, quality, local ingredients.
• Broasted chicken, meat loaf, roast beef, ham, mashed potatoes, egg noodles and dressing (or stuffing).
• Many different kinds of pie, from apple to shoofly.
• An extensive lunch and dinner buffet that includes both hot food and a salad bar. Extra points if buffet is available mornings for breakfast/brunch.
• Warm dinner rolls, apple butter and honey peanut butter served with every lunch and dinner.
• Neatly-dressed, friendly, efficient and polite wait staff.

Bonus if the restaurant also has a bakery – as do most of these restaurants. An additional bonus if the menu doubles as a placemat on the table.

In Dusty Tires, you’ll find listings of lots of unique restaurants, including those that identify as Amish. I’ve listed them below in alphabetical order.

Remember that in many cases, these restaurants are closed on Sundays and religious holidays.

Amish Door Restaurant – The Amish Door Restaurant opened in 1977 as a 48-seat restaurant. The restaurant is now part of a village that includes The Inn at Amish Door, Amish Door Bakery, Amish Door Theatre and Amish Door Market. Broasted chicken, real mashed potatoes, homemade bread, and fresh pies are the favorites of many diners at The Amish Door. 1210 Winesburg St., Wilmot (330) 359-5464.

The Barn Restaurant – Enjoy classic comfort food items from the menu and buffet for lunch and dinner in a restored barn built in 1861. The Barn Restaurant is located at the Sauder Heritage Village complex, which includes a hotel, convention facilities, bakery, historic village and campground. 22611 SR 2, Archbold (800) 590-9755.

Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant – Boyd & Wurthmann is where the locals have eaten since 1938. No frills, just hearty, home-cooked breakfast, lunch and dinner, daily specials, sandwiches, salads and 15-20 different pies to choose from depending on what’s in season. 4819 E. Main St. (SR 39), Berlin (330) 893-4000.

Das Dutch Haus Restaurant – Das Dutch Haus serves generous portions of home-cooked favorites served by friendly staff with home-style hospitality. Bakery, gift shop and meeting room on premises. 14895 S. Avenue Ext., Columbiana (330) 482-2236.

Der Dutchman restaurants – It’s almost unthinkable to visit Ohio’s Amish Country without tasting something good from Der Dutchman in Walnut Creek or one of the other locations in the Dutchman Hospitality Group. Der Dutchman opened in Walnut Creek in 1969, serving comfort food like broasted chicken, roast beef, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy and pie. Restaurants in the Ohio-based chain also include Berlin Farmstead in Berlin, Dutch Valley in Sugarcreek, and Der Dutchmans in Bellville and Plain City. Locations include in-store bakeries, gift shops and more. 4985 SR 515, Millersburg (330) 893-2981.

Des Dutch Essenhaus – Des Dutch Essenhaus is just a quaint little restaurant in Shreve, with great food and great service, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They can host parties as well — please call a few days in advance to reserve a table. 176 N. Market St., Shreve (330) 567-2212.

Dutch Kitchen – Dutch Kitchen offers Amish cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner with buffet, catering, bakery, banquet facilities. Online ordering available. 14278 E. Lincolnway (US 30), Dalton.

East Main Kitchen & Coffee – “Comfort Food With a Twist.” East Main Kitchen & Coffee offers breakfast, lunch and dinner menu items including fried mush, shrimp and grits, sandwiches and wraps, soup, salad, steaks, roast beef, chicken, chops and seafood. 108 E. Main St., Baltic (330) 897-9065.

Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen – Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen is a full-service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has a bakery, private banquet room and a gift shop that features a wide selection of handmade items. 14743 N. State St., Middlefield (440) 632-1939.

Olde Dutch Restaurant – Olde Dutch Restaurant is an Amish-style homestyle restaurant in the Hocking Hills area. Enjoy the buffet with salad bar or order from menu. Specialties include marinated broasted chicken, ham loaf, meat loaf, roast beef, fish and shrimp. Open on Sundays, gift shop and banquet room. 12791 SR 664, Logan (740) 385-1000.

Watt’s Family Restaurant – Watt’s is not an Amish restaurant per se, but it’s definitely homestyle and has delicious food. In business since 1912, Watt’s serves chicken, beef, ham and many other entrees. No buffet but they have a truly huge menu plus a lengthy list of daily specials and an enormous variety of pies, cakes and baked goods. 77 S. Main St., Utica (740) 892-3017. Connect on Facebook.

Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen – Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen is known for the best broasted chicken around and a whole lot more. Full authentic Amish buffet and regular menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Serving locally sourced food to the community since 1994. The fact that many Amish buggies are typically parked at Mrs. Yoder’s is a good sign. 8101 SR 241, Mt. Hope (330) 674-0922.

Ken Drenten is creator and manager of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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