If you think you’ve seen a big buffet before, think again, because there’s a spot in Pennsylvania that takes all-you-can-eat to a whole new level.
We’re talking hundreds of feet of food, over 100 dishes every day, and more pies, cakes, and wings than your brain can handle.
It’s so big that it can seat up to a thousand people at once, and it gets packed.
People drive for hours just to eat here, and once you see what’s on the menu, you’ll get why.
Ready to find out where to loosen your belt and grab a second (or third) plate? Keep reading.
Where Is It?
Shady Maple Smorgasbord is located in East Earl, right in the heart of Lancaster County’s Amish Country.
It’s about a 1-hour drive from Harrisburg, 1.5 hours from Philadelphia, and just 2.5 hours from New York City.
If you’re road-tripping through central Pennsylvania, this spot is super easy to add to your route.
About
If you’re really hungry, Shady Maple Smorgasbord is about to become your happy place.
As the biggest buffet in the U.S., it boasts 200 feet of space filled with homestyle dishes, Pennsylvania Dutch favorites, and countless dessert options.
Think grilled chicken, beef brisket, carved ham, fried shrimp, cajun catfish, fresh-baked rolls, veggies, and pierogies.
They also switch things up daily, so the menu changes depending on what day you go.
You’ll find steaks on Monday, seafood on Tuesday, prime rib on Wednesday, wings on Thursday, and Grand Night on Friday and Saturday with crab cakes and salmon.
Breakfast is a whole thing here too, with early mornings bringing everything from made-to-order omelets to French toast and stacks of fluffy pancakes.
All of that comes with coffee, tea, and soda (included in the price), plus a dessert bar that feels like its own mini bakery.
Picture soft-serve ice cream, donuts, shoofly pie, whoopie pies, fresh fruit, and a rotating selection of cakes, cobblers, and puddings.
As for the dining room, it can seat over 1,000 people at once, so yep, it’s massive.
There’s also a giant gift shop downstairs with Pennsylvania Dutch goods, home decor, and every variety of fudge you can imagine.
That’s not all, because just next door you’ll also find the produce market, bakery, and Shady Maple Farm Market, turning the area into a mini food empire.
With that scale and variety, it’s no surprise Shady Maple Smorgasbord is a full-on food destination for comfort food lovers everywhere.
Know Before You Go
Hours
Shady Maple Smorgasbord is open Monday through Saturday, and you’ll want to double-check the hours since they vary by meal.
Breakfast runs from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., lunch from 10:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., and dinner from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (on Saturdays, dinner is from 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.).
Pricing
Prices vary by meal and day, but here’s the general idea: breakfast starts at around $14.99, lunch at $20.99, and dinner can reach up to $31.99.
Kids eat for less, and children 3 years old and under eat free with a paying adult.
Best Time to Visit
Weekdays are your best bet if you want to avoid long lines and tour buses.
Saturdays can get extremely busy, especially around dinner, so arriving early or being prepared to wait is your safest move.
As for parking, there’s plenty of free space available, including spots for RVs and tour buses, making it easy to visit with a large group.
Things to Do Nearby
You’re in the heart of Amish Country, so if you’ve got time, head about 15 minutes out to Lapp Valley Farm for ice cream made right on the farm.
There’s also Kitchen Kettle Village, about 20 minutes away, with over 40 shops selling jams, crafts, and locally made goods.
For something a little different, the Strasburg Rail Road is about a half-hour drive and offers scenic steam train rides through Amish farmland.
Related Posts
