SuZan Klassen

Amish food and comfort food are synonymous to me. While in the Sarasota area of Florida, we had our choice of two Amish restaurants within a few blocks of each other. Yoder’s and Der Dutchman. Yoder’s was in a simple clapboard and brick building. Der Dutchman had more of a polished corporate look.

My husband chose Yoder’s Restaurant. But we decided to go to Der Dutchman afterwards to see their mega gift shop and bakery (see next week’s post).

The Amish community originally settled in this area of Florida to farm in the winter. They maintained their other farms in the summer. Read about their history in the area known as Pinecraft. Evidence of the Amish settlement were in view as we passed several people riding adult-sized tricycles near the restaurants.

The line was long at Yoder’s, but the host, an older gentleman assured us the wait would only be 5-10 minutes. I was a bit skeptical of his estimate when we went inside the small building. About thirty people stood in a line snaked around a rope barrier in the tight space.

While we waited we watched a steady stream of customers walk up to an outside window (labeled Pie Window) on the other side of the restaurant. Through that window, people purchased pies and other bakery items. Hmm. Looks like that could be a very good recommendation for their pie.

Back to my skepticism about the wait—the line moved quickly. In a burst of activity several of us in line were seated. So I guess the old gentleman knew his business.

Tables were close together, yet the arrangement was pleasing and I did not feel crowded.

Travel Light Humor
A friend joined us for lunch at Yoder’s. He ordered a Manhattan roast beef sandwich (otherwise known as a Hot Roast Beef Sandwich—bread, mashed potatoes, and beef all smothered in brown gravy).

My husband ordered the meatloaf and mashed potatoes. The largest slab of meatloaf I’ve ever seen served in a restaurant. It too came smothered with gravy.

A few moments later, our personable waitress returned to check on us. “Would you like more gravy?” she asked with a chuckle.

“No thanks. We’re good.” Both men agreed.

Personally I think they should rename the restaurant: Yoder’s Gravy Ladle.

Travel Light Tips
• https://www.yodersrestaurant.com
• 3434 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, Florida (941) 366-3208
• Hours vary, check website for that as well as their menu and other services
• Outside walk-up window to purchase pie and other bakery items
• Yoder’s Amish Village includes:
Restaurant, Gift Shop, Produce Market, Deli Market
• Plenty of parking available behind the gift shop
So don’t worry about the thin row of parking in front of the restaurant.
• For a behind the scenes look at “Pie Week” view the following link.
You won’t believe what they accomplish through teamwork in close quarters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX-OMl4TiHU

I was the only one who had a light lunch. I made it my excuse to order a slice of rhubarb pie. And a generous slice of lusciousness it was indeed! If you like rhubarb, I’d highly recommend it.

Sorry about the lack of photos. We were too busy eating.

Which would you have chosen, the heavy meal with gravy or the pie? Or perhaps you would have had both? By the way, how much gravy is enough? Tell me about your preferences in the comments below.

Until next time . . . Travel Light,
SuZan

© 2019 SuZan Klassen