Is Shady Maple Smorgasbord a Tourist Trap? Huge Amish Buffet Honest Review
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania is filled with great eats, as traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food can be hard to beat when it comes to American food. Amish food and Mennonite food, including classics like chicken pot pie, chicken and dumplings, whoopie pie, egg noodles, biscuits and gravy, and shoofly pie, are so tasty and succulent it's enough to make anyone drool. That's why when I found out about Shady Maple Smorgasbord in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, I knew I had to go at all costs! I was going to eat my heart's desire in Amish Dutch food in Lancaster, PA with another buffet review!
The Shady Maple buffet is actually owned by Mennonites, but you can think of the Mennonite cuisine as Amish cuisine. It's very similar as it's all Pennsylvania Dutch food. I have seen content about this place from other food vloggers, such as Mark Wiens and Mikey Chen, who have went to Shady Maple and seem to swear by it. So me and Tina have decided to drive from North Jersey to rural Pennsylvania to answer the question of is Shady Maple Smorgasbord really the best buffet in America? Shady Maple is actually the biggest buffet in America. But is the biggest buffet in the USA its best? Hopefully it's at least one of the best restaurants in Pennsylvania. Let's find out together in today's vid!
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Restaurant Deets:
Shady Maple Smorgasbord
129 Toddy Dr, East Earl, PA 17519
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Actually i appreciate them not adding too much salt. A lot of people including older people have high blood pressure. You can always add salt, you can't take it away.
Yeah but season it! They can season it without a lot of salt!
Agreed. Everyone's tastes are different & many people are on salt restricted diets. Add your own salt to taste. No biggie. Also, meats have a tendency to dry out on buffets. You can't expect a sit down restaurant quality unless you are lucky to be there when they restock. Gravy goes a long way.
Same here. I don't salt much. Tell guests, if you want salt, here is the shaker.
Celtic sea salt is better for you even if you have high BP
I’m sick of Americans throwing this shit around all the time as an excuse to seasoning. The goal should be as a restaurant to make the most flavorful delicious food as possible. And adding salt after the fact is not a perfect equivalent to properly imbuing it with flavor and salt during the cooking process.
It is better to undersalt. You can add salt but you can’t remove it.
Great video and review! I love how you give viewers a really informative review of all the items on the buffet. Super...thanks! 😂
Your honest and unbiased reviews are such a breath of fresh air, excellent video as always, UA! Sidenote, that mac and cheese looks heavenly 🤤
Thanks! And yes the mac n cheese and mashed potatoes were awesome!
@@uaeats. They can’t up the salt as many older customers can’t have any because of high blood, that’s why they have seasoning on the table. I never ding even pre-packaged foods for lacking seasons for that reason. So PLEASE don’t ding something for that, just add the seasoning level you like, THEN rate it. It’s fine to let people know they may have to add their own seasoning, but it should not affect your rating at all, as if you let it do, you are saying elderly people don’t have the right to eat out at restaurants which seems unfair to me.
I hope you concur?
@@RLucas3000 nah we can ding them for that. We dont want unseasoned food 😂
while i too have had bad pieces of meat here, i would still eat shady all day, everyday
This was actually really cool to watch!!! Thanks ❤
Another great & honest review. Keep your videos coming!
Thanks for watching!
You're my go to food critic. Great as always. liked!
I've eaten at Shady Maple Buffet many times since I used to live in Lancaster country. Firstly, the dinner service starts at 4pm(closed sunday) so you can should get in line starting at 3:15pm. The line at this time will be very short! As you found out the line can extend into the parking lot! Now, everyday other than Sunday there is a series of special main courses. For example, there is a steak night, seafood night & my favorite, the prime rib night! Your right, the mashed potatoes are the best. Tuesday beef prime rib night is fantastic, they cut it to order. They have sautéed onions & sautéed mushrooms that are near where they slice the brisket! Your mistake on the brisket was to not order it fatty! I love their huge salad bar & of course the desserts. They add automatically 12% tip + 6% PA sales tax! The food is underspicy & somewhat bland to cater to everyone, so add salt, pepper or what ever.
This was an awesome review/ info post! Thanks!
I used to live in Pennsylvania and always avoided this place. Amish food can be good but to be honest I would just take a trip to New York for much better food.
What time should one arrive for lunch to avoid lines?
Amish food was never known for it's zest and spice. However, it looks like lots of great winter comfort food that my dad would have loved.
I agree. I love that place!
I enjoy your stuff, thank you! 👍
If you want a buffet that emphasizes quality, try Lititz Family Cupboard in Lititz. It’s much smaller, but the roast Turkey and stuffing, potatoes, and beef are fabulous.
Great review with honest opinions, thanx. We need to see Tina bro
I'm dying to try this place!! Looks delicious
Haha! The faces that you make while eating are so funny, I can’t stop laughing.
I like your honest personal opinion about the food you try.
Thanks for the videos.
I like your honesty UA. Thank you
Let's be honest. Where is there a better buffet in that price range CMON MAN
Fair point. I dig $15 Indian weekend buffets though
We've had breakfast there a couple of time on vacation and it's pretty amazing. Their gift shop it huge too.
I live 30 minutes from Shady Maple, and I had zero idea that it was the biggest buffet! Also losing power in PA, is a very common experience.
Wait ! I gotta charge my car to get back home .... that'll take 45 minutes.
Tysm for being honest cause the way some of these other bloggers make it seem like this place just can't miss is crazy
this is an incorrect point of view, It is very good. I have been going since the 1980's
The Amish are very sane and naturals in cooking matter.
The bots just recommended your channel, I'm glad they did, it's great. As a Brit I've always imagined shoo fly pie to be like black treacle tart, and yes, it looks very similar. Thank you for sharing your adventures.
great review, my hubby and i are thinking about going in july or so.
I’d go just for that apple pie! Looks amazing.
Yes the desserts were all amazing!
Love the honest review UA.Keep em coming!! 👍
Thanks for watching!
I live in PA and have never been here, but it is definitely on my to do list. lol As for the potatoes, my family gets them that smooth by whipping the potatoes instead of just mashing them. We use beaters and lots of milk and butter.
Warm the milk and butter together for a creamy mashed potatoes. Never use cold ingredients because it makes the potatoes starchy(clumpy) if you know what I mean
The review on the shoofly pie has me really wanting to try it now.
I like the honesty brotha!
Thanks for watching!
ive heard so many different opinions of this place. i cant wait to see your take.
I promise it'll be unbiased!
You need to have breakfast there. I've eaten the breakfast buffet there countless times over the years. Anything you could wish for, it's there. I live in Chester County PA about 40 minute from Shady Maple.
I’ve been there a few times in the past. If they have it out you really need to try the shoo fly pie. It’s the best I’ve had.
I wound up eating it at the end of the vid! They put some out right before closing
The lights going out just means you got the full Amish experience.
UA is so expressivr and authentic. Hes like a cartoon character, lol.
man, finally a food blogger that tells the truth! keep up the good work man, I love the vids
Hey UA great video. My favorite buffet was The Nordic Lounge in Rhode Island. All you can eat Lobsters and King Crabs. I can't wait to go back.
We've been going to Lancaster, PA for many years. It all depends what night you go there I find. My steak was very tough. Prime rib night was amazing!
It has become to commercialized. When I was little and they weren't as popular. My favorite foods from there are corn chowder, stuffing, mashed potatoes, fruit breads and cheese breads if they still have them, the pies, chicken and fish. PA Dutch potpie is pretty much chicken and dumplings served at Cracker Barrel. Which I get every time I go there.
Another honest great review
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hey Ua, really enjoy the videos. What time of the day did you go to this place? Any idea if Lunch selection is different than the dinner selection? Anyone, anyone? Thanks.
I've eaten there, UA. Your description is exactly how I describe it, too.
Stuffing is cooked in the bird. Dressing is cooked in a pan with pan drippings.
Shady Maple in the 80's and 90s was NOTHING like it is now.. If you didnt know, a portion of the business was sold in 2016(around then) and it has been commercialized for tourists.. Back in the day, it was pure, simple Amish mom and pop food. There was maybe a selection of 15 things. The brisket and corn bread were completely different. So was their Roast beef. They had all Amish pies and baked goods, and back then, they made the bread pretty much to order right in front of you. It was amazing. Now, its just about getting people in and out as quickly as possible, and quality control is gone.
I remember back in the 80s when I lived in NY, friends would go out over the weekend to Lancaster and come back with tales of amazing Amish buffets where you paid whatever you wanted to. No prices. And the pies were to die for. I also promised to one day visit but never did.
@@Picasso_Picante92 Yup, it was a different and better time back then.. I was a skater in NY in the 90's and was actually in the Film "Kids" lol..
I ate at Shady Maple back in the 80s also. Used to go to Hershey Park etc. and a water park I can't remember the name of for the life of me now - and we'd stop by either on the way or heading back to Brooklyn at Shady. While I agree it's nothing like it is now, and I loved the food back in those days. I have to say the couple of times I've eaten at the "updated" Shady Maple it was delicious for the most part (especially the carved meats, wow were they good) and while it is totally a tourist trap now - it's still pretty good from my experiences.
you are just angry
@@jonnygrowlately angry about what?
Thanks for the video! I was surprised that you didn't try the fried chicken (if I'm recalling the video correctly). I've never been to the Shady Maple, but in the other videos of it I've seen, the fried chicken looked excellent! Plus, I don't think a buffet can properly be reviewed without a review of its fried chicken!
I've been wanting to go here for so long! You're gonna have to go back for brunch... lol
I love Shady Maple especially their breakfast
I wondered about that because I’m old and have that problem. Cool.
I live 20 minutes from Shady Maple. He went to Shady Maple and, except for the cornbread, he completely missed the Pennsylvania Dutch food
Unfortunately he had no local to guide him. Maybe they did not have anything Pennsylvania Dutch that day?
Where is the scrapple? Where is the corn pie? Where is the potato filling? Where is the pot pie (it’s not a pie)
Where is the schnitz und knepp?
At least he knew to look for shoe fly pie so he had a nice experience there
Comfort food paradise ❤
2 Word that go together perfectly!! Me..and Buffet!!!
Thank you for the honest take. I grew up going down there with my parents, but that was late 70s/early 80s. I'm sure a lot has changed. I've definitely seen the social media hype on this place. I tend to agree with you about places we've both visited, especially the steakhouses. I would like to go here, just for the experience. And, maybe a tad of my childhood.
I think it's worth visiting if you happen to be passing by or if you also are going to have a whole weekend in Lancaster. I wouldn't say it alone is worth the trip though if it's more than a 40 minute drive
Anyone here remember the old Collegeville Inn in PA? Throughout the 60's, my family would save up and we'd go usually twice a year. It was about an hour and a half drive to get there - but extremely worth it - a great Saturday or Sunday event. The variety and quality of the seafood was incredible, with endless supplies of all the most premium fresh shellfish and finned species - steamed and fried jumbo shrimp; steamed littleneck and cherrystone clams; raw and fried oysters and stew; steamed Blue Claw, Dungeness, and King Crab, and pans of cold-water lobster claws and tails. It's nearly impossible to find such food in one place nowadays. The Breakers Sunday Brunch in Palm Beach; or The Boston Seafood Buffet in Kissimmee; and a few places in Vegas - that's all I know of.
I love Roast Beef. That's when I was slobbering. 🤤 Good review.
I took the ride from Philly to check out this place and it was well worth the trip. I went with my girlfriend on a Sat evening which is the most expensive time but well worth it. I will be going back!
I remember going to a place back in the 70,s called good n plenty it was a ton of good food . Years later in 1999 I went again and was surprised how pared down everything was . Everything was smaller and there was a lot less food . This was in the same Pennsylvania Dutch area can’t recall the name .
Love Dutch Apple pie thanks for sharing $$$$$man
I love it. We usually go at around 4pm. Roast beef is 2 die 4
All of CZcams wants to know
WHO IS “Tina”!!!!!!!!
My partner in crime :)
Largest Buffet, had to look it up. Used to be Rio's Carnival World Buffet in Las Vegas, I guess the buffet was closed and is being changed into a food court. I was at the Carnival World Buffet like 10 years ago and it was huge. Not sure, If I would go to Amish country in PA. for a Buffet. Thanks for posting a video.
You have to try the breakfast there! It’s worth it!
True, most vloggers online seem to have went for breakfast. Maybe it's better!
Do they have their desserts out at breakfast?
Thank you for your honest review! I wouldn't have tried the selection you choose except maybe the steak. I wish you would have tried other meats for us. Like fried foods such as fish or chicken or even seafood if they had it. I can look at that meat you selected and see it was not seasoned or moist lol. Anyway, that place has been hyped so much I am glad someone was honest especially since its in the middle of PA and you would spend money just to get there. I'll stick to the Golden Corral for buffet food.
Great review as always. I don't believe that you said how much it cost. I wish you would have tried the fried chicken.
Oops forgot to mention prices.
Breakfast: $13 ($15 on Saturday)
Lunch: $18 (Except Saturday when it's $26)
Dinner: $21-27 (varies every day)
I spend $15 at McDonald's so $27 for dinner is justifiable.
Been here multiple times. Very good. Not typically my thing but very good.
And your can't expect a good steak from a place like this but it's not the worst thing I'm the world.
Love your honesty which is a rarity on youtube.
Thanks! I always wanna keep it real with you guys
Never dip the gravy ladle in the mashed potatoes. Make the hole for gravy in your potatoes with the mashed potato spoon.
I’ve never enjoyed someone eating mashed potatoes so much…😂😂😂 super entertaining bro
WARNING! Go to this buffet absolutely starving!❤❤❤❤❤🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Place is amazing but for such a massive operation it’s hard to season the food since it sits for a long time but their desserts especially Dutch apple pies are to die for
Lol man all the things you said are up there...have to keep looking next time. Also you missed the apple dumpling! Ice-cream machine! Awa
Great review. Viewers need to understand that if you are doing a review of the largest buffet in America, there are only so many dishes that you can try.
For sure. I couldn't try everything!
UA....that looks like the steak Uncle Rico threw at Napoleon's head. That place in general though looks solid. If I am ever passing through on a road trip I hope to go one day. Just want to say I really like your video's and you seem like a great guy.
Phenomenal buffet
Breakfast is the meal to go to followed by dinner. You get your eggs cooked to order and pancakes the way you want them. The fruit is fresh and the SOS and scrapple is a treat.
The main draw is as long as you’re eating, you can stay. Some people eat fantastic amounts of food and this food is probably better than what they get at home. They love it. If you want you can sample all the desserts they have and the kids can make Sundays from the ice cream. They also have bread pudding and jello if that’s your thing. They do a good to great job for the number of people they serve daily.
Love your channel, I have been to the same restaurants that you have reviewed and honestly feels the same way, especially Peter Lugers. The Peter Lugers in Brooklyn is slightly better than the one in Long Island, but in my opinion the quality of the steak has definitely been downgraded. I have watched other reviewers but I trust your opinion more than the others, don't know why, but you give off that trustable vibe. I was told the best time to go to Shady Maple Smorgasbord is between breakfast and lunch, you can experience both lunch and breakfast buffet when they switch over and you will only pay the difference not the full price when switching over. Keep up the fantastic reviews, I just Subscribed to your channel, you will be hitting a million in no time. 👍
Great honest review the meats really should be the highlight of good buffet. Do people really go for mashed potatoes and mac& cheese 😊
The prime rib,roast beef brisket,salmon and fried chicken were the highlights,not to mention the fried shrimp- delicious.Could only have a little of each item,so delish.
I agree with you. Meats should be more of a star and less of a side thought
Silly people fill up on low cost foods like Mac & cheese. Not me! 🤣
Yes, at an Amish buffet they do. Meat is not the highlight. Go chicken, turkey, relishes, pot pies, croquettes, etc. If you want the carving station, have some ham. That’s traditional Pennsylvania Dutch
I go here every 2 months prob 10/10 recommending going with friends
The best shoo fly pie i ever had was from Zinn's diner over in denver pa now its the park place diner
Another great video.
I tend to avoid buffets because I mostly find them disgusting. I know they call it all-you-can-eat but I call it all you can stomach.
The exception would be when in Amish Country.
Haha all you can stomach
They either use a ricer on the potatoes or force through a sieve.
I went there with a travel camp and with my abusive cult boarding school, the second time in particular I remember enjoying because it was a break from the hell that was that school. Do they serve booze?
Pie and coffee. Could go there for just that👍
I agree the Mac & Cheese looked wonderful, very saucy and cheesy! I used to live in P.A, and the Amish are known for their pies, as you say not to sweet. Shoe Fly pie is nothing more than sugar on crust.
So great review as always this place here is for the middle class decent people who like pot roast mashed potatoes and good Homestyle Cooking if you were expecting to get a steak medium rare wrong place it's a smorgasborg buffet that prepares food for the masses. As far as the meats and pot roast dishes all you do is add some more salt and pepper to taste they don't overdo it so it's accommodating to everyone palette . It's a family buffet hope you enjoyed all the screaming kids yikes😂 19:21
Yeah it's simple down to earth food. But because of that most people should level set their expectations. The cooks there are not pitmasters and it's not a steakhouse, so the meats are very mediocre. On top of that they may be using grass fed beef. It's likely healthier and more humane for the cows but it doesn't taste as good
You’re making me hungry! Haha!
The buffet I like best in the Lancaster area is the one at Bird in Hand
man i started craving that roast beef and mashed potato's as soon as i seen them side by side, get plate full off potatos then top it full of roast beef man that would be a meal yes salt and pepper the heck out of it
You have to find the right things there and focus on them as your dinner. Also, use the gravys and condiments. My favorite are the Corn Pancakes with butter. Then I like the roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy on both, mac and cheese, baked beans, corn and green beans. Then I eat the fried shrimp with cocktail sauce that I put a lot of horseradish in. Finally some pie and an ice cream sundae. I have been to many buffets that have a better selection and higher quality. But shady maple is delicious home cooked foods. Definitely worth the money, especially with prices in even bad restaurants high. So relax, eat some fried chicken and enjoy
Apparently there is a buffet right up the road that all the locals eat at.
Im just kind of over the buffet experience. Admittedly, this was the only buffet that has tempted me. I do think there prices, in this case, seem to be kind of fair. I wouldn't go for like steak night or anything, but the breakfast and lunch prices are extremely fair.
Time of day makes a big big big difference. Plus both ends have different foods.
Like soul food, Amish food looks delicious...a heart attack on a plate. It's still on my bucketlist. Always appreciate your honest reviews.👍
I was hoping to try more Amish owned restaurants but the weather didn't allow more than this buffet this trip. I'll look to make another trip once I'm able!
we do things a bit different here in south central PA.. all most all i have grown up with and itfantastic
🇦🇺 i didnt think the steak would be nice ,had a feeling you say its underwhelming .
Love the vlogs .
Most men count on the meat to be the star of a meal .
Definitely more of a cafeteria .
The Country Cupboard in Lewisburg was a bit smaller but alot better in my opinion. Unfortunately covid hit them hard and the shut down. There were some family issues as well that contributed to it. That place was always on point and less expensive then Millers or Madey Shaple lol.
I went there today for lunch..the fried chicken was delicious💯
Fun adventure excitement food.
Thankyou for an honest
OPINION !!!!!
Kevin Phoenix ✝️
I recommend breakfast at Shady Maple or Dinner on Thursday nights. Thats the BBQ night. Ribs, pulled pork, and wings. But breakfast is the go too. Gotta have the SoS (shit on a shingle is what we call it) I believe they call it cream chipped beef on toast. And also, don't miss out on the scrapple either. Yum, I prefer it over bacon most of the time, as do a lot of other people. Don't get me wrong, bacon is amazing, but perfectly cooked scrapple can't be beaten!
True I hear the breakfast is much better there. Maybe I'll try it someday
I like tuesday night, beef prime rib!
Naw you are right about the steak i never do much on the carving station there.
Losing power in the hotel room? Congratulations! You’re living the true Amish experience
Just there and I thought it was a great buffet-loved the brisket-
That is what I've heard from other reviews of this place. I really like videos where the reviewers choose delicious looking food, and the reviewers are enjoying the food, and look like they are. I really don't like reviews that pick everything apart. But that's just the way I feel. He also went during or after a power outage, so that may have had an effect on what was available. The fried chicken also looked good there, and they have many, many tasty looking desserts.
@@Jan96106 Agree!My friend had a beautiful prime rib right off the grill,so many tasty items,desserts looked great-had a delicious piece of peach pie.Bound to be a few misses,but for the few people here who think this is just about mac n cheese,and mashed potatoes.,no way!
Glad you had a better experience. Maybe it was just an off day for the brisket. Mine was truly as dry as jerky and inedible
@@uaeats I get it. Must have been a bad brisket day.
The secret to those soft mashed potatoes is real cream and home made butter.
So you finally found your Amish Paradise
I always bring spices in salt and pepper with me to a restaurant. Keep in mind they have to make things bland because some people don't like spice. You can always add. But can't take it away
You went to shady maple and didn't try their fried chicken? 🤯. Been there a few times and I actually enjoy it, the fried chicken its actually my favorite thing from there. I love buffets in general because like you said there will be things you like and others that you wont, its the nature of a buffet.. greta work though 🤗