Christmas involves over-eating for many people. If you’re looking for a place to accommodate that, look no farther than the Shady Maple Smorgasbord. Below is a post from my archives on this restaurant. Plus this place also features an amazing gift shop downstairs to satisfy any Christmas shopper’s fancy.
As promised I have more food tales to share from our visit to Pennsylvania. Today let’s start with breakfast—a smorgasbord breakfast.
Shady Maple Farm Market advertises their business: Where Food is a Destination. Now that is the truth.
This family owned business is actually a combination of Farm Market, Smorgasbord, and Gift Shop. Marvin Weaver (one of the owners) wrote and published the book, Under the Maple Trees.
Shady Maple began as a roadside farm stand and grew into the multi-business it is today. The Farm Market has been in business for 46 years, the Smorgasbord for 31 years.
When you’ve had your fill of food you can waddle downstairs to their gift shop—make that gift extravaganza. The gift store occupies the lower level of the smorgasbord—44,000 square feet of shopping bliss. If you’re into that sort of thing, the Shady Maple aims to satisfy.
Travel Tips
Shady Maple Smorgasbord Menu, Pricing, and Times: http://www.shady-maple.com/smorgasbord/daily-menu-pricing
(Breakfast is the least expensive, but get there early. The line only gets longer as the hours tick by. However, don’t worry. I’m certain they’ll still have plenty of food left for you.)
Gift Shop Virtual Tour: http://www.shady-maple.com/gift-shop/virtual-tour
Locations: http://www.shady-maple.com/about-us/shady-maple-locations
The breakfast Smorgasbord was amazing—if you like piles of crispy bacon (they had turkey bacon, too, if you prefer the fake stuff); Pennsylvania Dutch sweet baked goods, and just about any other breakfast item consumed in the USA. You will not be disappointed.
Although the smorgasbord’s specialty is Pennsylvania Dutch baking and cooking, they also have a vast quantity of other cuisines. They pride themselves on “being the largest buffet on this side of the United States.” They sold me.
Travel Light Humor
Our friends warned us that people go a little “hog wild” at the Shady Maple Smorgasbord. “You won’t believe it,” they said.
While enjoying breakfast, the four of us paused after the first round. I was worried. “Isn’t anyone else going back for more?” I asked.
“Oh yes,” the other three chimed simultaneously. However, they all came back with small pastries—their dessert after their large plates of made-to-order omelets and waffles and potatoes and so on.
I returned with my dessert—half a plateful of fresh crisp bacon. They all stared, but they didn’t say a word.
In my defense, the other half of my plate was fruit. Does that count?
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop? Tell me in the comments below. I’m always looking for new places to visit.
Do they have bacon?
Until next time . . . Travel Light,
SuZan
© 2017 SuZan Klassen
SuZan Klassen 