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Heritage on the Shelves: The Allen County Amish Co-op Opens in Fort Wayne

Written by Dennis Regling in Uncategorized

Fort Wayne’s bustling retail and culinary scene just welcomed a magnificent addition that brings the authentic, wholesome flavors of the Indiana countryside straight into the city. Located along the vibrant northern commercial corridor, the Allen County Amish Co-op has officially opened its doors, establishing a direct pipeline of goods produced exclusively by Amish-owned farms and small-batch businesses.

Stepping through the entryway of the expansive, open-concept store provides an immediate sensory shift. The air carries the comforting aroma of hand-rolling pastries and smoked hickory, while the meticulously organized interior boasts beautiful, hand-planed oak display fixtures, clear slate chalkboard menus, and brightly lit shelves lined with jewel-toned jars. It offers an incredible shopping experience focused completely on small-batch transparency and timeless quality.

The Backstory: A Direct Connection to the Community

The inspiration for the Allen County Amish Co-op comes from the nearby historic town of Grabill, home to a deeply rooted and flourishing Amish settlement. For decades, multi-generational family businesses in the area produced exceptional cheeses, award-winning deli items, and pantry staples, but they primarily relied on seasonal roadside farm stands or rural bulk stores that required a lengthy drive out of the city.

Recognizing a strong desire among Fort Wayne residents for genuine, pasture-to-table ingredients, a small collective of independent Amish business owners decided to consolidate their efforts. Rather than waiting for customers to make the trek to rural county roads, they pooled resources to establish a collaborative urban storefront.

With the assistance of neighboring craftsmen, they transformed a modern commercial space into a warm, rustic market hub. The massive centerpiece service counter was constructed by hand from reclaimed regional barn timber, seamlessly blending old-world construction with the energetic, accessible flow of Fort Wayne. The co-op stands as a proud physical bridge between the rich agricultural traditions of northern Allen County and city families.

Fan Favorites: What to Fill Your Basket With

The store’s inventory is completely stocked with premium goods made without modern artificial additives. While the options span from baking supplies to everyday staples, several standout items have instantly become neighborhood favorites:

  • Copper-Kettle Seedless Blackberry Jam: Slow-cooked for hours in traditional open vats, this vibrant, rich preserve features a deep, concentrated fruit flavor that perfectly balances tart mountain berries with natural sweetness.
  • Aged White Colby Cheese: Unlike mass-manufactured cheeses, this signature round is hand-pressed and aged using pasture-raised dairy, resulting in an incredibly smooth, creamy texture with a beautifully distinct, buttery bite.
  • Thick-Cut Hickory-Smoked Bacon: Cured slowly in old-fashioned farm smokehouses, this lean, robust pork bacon crisp-fries beautifully, filling the kitchen with an unforgettable, deep hickory aroma.
  • Sweet Pickled Chow-Chow: A traditional Pennsylvania Dutch favorite, this bright, crisp relish features a perfectly seasoned medley of chopped cabbage, sweet peppers, green tomatoes, and onions pickled in a tangy, spiced vinegar.
  • The Bakery’s Fresh Glazed Cinnamon Twists: Hand-twisted from premium yeast dough every single morning, these oversized pastries are baked to pillowy perfection and immediately dipped in a melting, warm vanilla bean glaze.

Beyond the gourmet deli counters and preserve racks, the co-op hosts a massive bulk food section, offering hard-to-find heritage baking flours, unrefined raw honey, and hand-packed whole spices.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you are loading up on premium cheeses for a weekend entertaining platter, restocking your pantry with wholesome, hand-canned provisions, or grabbing a spectacular fresh pastry, the Allen County Amish Co-op welcomes you with generous hospitality.

Location: > Allen County Amish Co-op , 10325 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825

Coastal Charm Meets Country Cooking: The Crane Creek Amish Restaurant Opens in Ipswich

Written by Dennis Regling in Uncategorized

by Elizabeth Montgomery, Food Editor

The historic North Shore of Massachusetts just gained a fascinating new addition to its vibrant coastal food scene. Settled comfortably along the salt marshes and tidal rivers, the Crane Creek Amish Restaurant has officially opened its doors in Ipswich. Bringing the hearty, slow-cooked farmhouse flavors of traditional Pennsylvania Dutch cooking to a town famous for its pristine clams and maritime history, this new eatery offers a truly distinct dining experience.

Stepping inside the brilliantly restored coastal property reveals a space that perfectly marries classic New England architecture with old-world agrarian comfort. The interior features soaring timber beams, massive hand-planed oak tables built for family-style gathering, and large chalkboard menus showcasing timeless scratch-made dishes.

The Backstory: From the Ridge to the Shore

The origins of Crane Creek Amish Restaurant trace back to the rolling farmland of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, where the Hostetler and Zook families had operated a successful community bakery and heritage dairy collective for over three decades. Known throughout the Big Valley for their exceptional yeast breads and slow-roasted meats, the younger generation of the family wanted to introduce their culinary heritage to an entirely new region.

The connection to the North Shore happened almost by chance during an agricultural trade exchange, where members of the family met an Ipswich resident who owned a historic, underutilized building just outside the downtown center. Inspired by the town’s deep appreciation for historic preservation, craftsmanship, and local food, a partnership blossomed.

Over the winter months, team members from Pennsylvania traveled up to transform the interior, constructing a stunning dining room centered around a massive fieldstone hearth. The result is a beautiful intersection of cultures: a restaurant where coastal Massachusetts hospitality meets the timeless, comforting traditions of rural Pennsylvania.

Fan Favorites: What to Order

The kitchen operates under a strict “from-scratch” philosophy, utilizing time-tested recipes passed down through generations. While the entire menu offers premium comfort, several standout items have instantly become the talk of the North Shore:

  • The Heritage Brosted Chicken: Marinated in a delicate blend of farmhouse herbs, this fresh chicken is brosted to a flawless, shattering golden crunch on the outside while remaining incredibly juicy within. It is served hot in large family-style platters.
  • Slow-Roasted Pot Roast with Root Vegetables: Tender chunks of premium beef are braised for over ten hours alongside garden-fresh carrots, parsnips, and onions, resulting in a rich, melt-in-your-mouth dinner covered in velvety pan gravy.
  • Hand-Twisted Soft Pretzels with Sweet Mustard: A beloved starter, these massive, oversized pretzels are rolled by hand, baked to a rich golden brown, brushed with fresh melted butter, and served warm alongside a tangy, house-made sweet mustard dip.
  • The Bakery’s Classic Shoofly Pie: A definitive masterpiece of traditional baking. It features a gooey molasses bottom layer balanced by a perfectly spiced, crumbly brown sugar topping, served warm with a scoop of fresh vanilla bean ice cream.
  • Copper-Kettle Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls: Sized to share, these massive morning treats feature ribbons of spiced house apple butter baked directly into the dough, finished with a heavy pour of melting cream cheese glaze.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you are looking to treat the family to a comforting Sunday feast after a day at Crane Beach or simply escaping the modern rush for a world-class pastry, Crane Creek Amish Restaurant welcomes you with open arms and massive portions.

Location: > Crane Creek Amish Restaurant, 195 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 01938

Crane Creek Amish Restaurant, 195 Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 01938

From Lancaster to Harford County: The Deer Creek Amish Deli Opens in Bel Air

Written by Dennis Regling in Uncategorized

The vibrant community of Bel Air, Maryland, just gained a wonderful new culinary destination that celebrates slow-cooked, scratch-made simplicity. Located just a short drive from the historic downtown corridor, the Deer Creek Amish Deli has officially opened its doors, bringing the rich, savory smokehouse traditions and world-class baking of the Pennsylvania Dutch country straight to Harford County.

Stepping through the front doors feels like stepping back into a more deliberate, peaceful era. The space features warm, hand-planed wood accents, large chalkboard menus detailing the daily specials, and rustic shelves packed to the brim with neatly arranged, hand-packed preserves. It offers an incredible alternative to the rush of modern grocery chains—a place where quality is measured by time and tradition.

The Backstory: A Gateway to the Valley

The story behind the Deer Creek Amish Deli begins in the fertile farmland of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where the Stoltzfus and Beiler families spent generations mastering the art of traditional food preservation and small-batch baking. For years, their hickory-smoked meats and hand-rolled pastries were the stars of regional farmers markets, but the younger generation harbored a dream of bringing their heritage closer to the Chesapeake region.

During trips down Route 1, family members fell in love with the rolling hills and welcoming community spirit of Bel Air. Recognizing a deep local appreciation for authentic, farm-to-table foods, they decided to establish a permanent brick-and-mortar storefront.

To bring the space to life, community elders traveled down to assist with the interior build. The massive deli counter was custom-built from a dismantled 19th-century Lancaster tobacco barn, blending historic Pennsylvania craftsmanship perfectly with the bustling energy of modern Bel Air. Today, the deli stands as a proud tribute to cross-state hospitality.

Fan Favorites: What to Fill Your Basket With

Overstuffed Sweet Bologna Sandwich

The deli counters are fully stocked with premium, small-batch items crafted daily. While every corner of the store boasts exceptional quality, several standout items have instantly become the talk of the town:

  • The Overstuffed Sweet Bologna Sandwich: Piled incredibly high on freshly baked potato bread, this signature sandwich features thin-shaved, sweet-and-smoky Lancaster bologna, a slice of creamy colby cheese, and a generous layer of house-made sweet mustard.
  • Hickory-Smoked Bacon & Swiss: Thick-cut and cured using real hickory wood, this bacon is robust, savory, and perfectly complemented by the deli’s crystal-textured, aged Alpine Swiss cheese.
  • Copper-Kettle Apple Butter: Slow-cooked for over twelve hours in massive copper vats, this rich, concentrated spread captures the pure, spiced essence of local orchards without a single drop of refined sugars.
  • Pillowy-Soft Glazed Donuts: Baked fresh every single morning, these oversized donuts are hand-rolled, fried to a delicate crisp, and dipped in a warm, melting vanilla glaze right before your eyes.
  • The Bakery’s Classic Shoofly Pie: A definitive masterpiece of heritage baking, boasting a gooey molasses bottom layer and a perfectly spiced, crumbly brown sugar topping.

Beyond the incredible deli cuts and fresh pastries, visitors can browse an extensive bulk-food section featuring hard-to-find baking spices, organic grains, and hand-packed jars of pickled chow-chow and sweet bread-and-butter pickles.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you are stopping by to grab a hearty, handcrafted lunch sandwich, searching for premium charcuterie ingredients, or treating the family to world-class weekend pastries, the Deer Creek Amish Deli welcomes you with open arms and unforgettable flavors.

Location: > Deer Creek Amish Deli > 1210 Churchville Road> Bel Air, MD 21014

Overstuffed Sweet Bologna Sandwich
Overstuffed Sweet Bologna Sandwich

Bringing the Country to the City: The Old Valley Amish Deli Opens in Toronto, Canada

Written by Dennis Regling in Uncategorized

By Elizabeth Montgomery, Food and Travel Editor

Toronto’s vibrant culinary landscape has just welcomed a unique addition that trades modern fusion trends for time-honored, scratch-made simplicity. Nestled in a cozy, brick-fronted space, The Old Valley Amish Deli has officially opened its doors, bringing the slow-cured meats, artisanal cheeses, and rich baking traditions of rural Ontario straight to the heart of the city.

With its warm wood accents, classic chalkboard menus, and shelves lined with hand-packed preserves, the deli offers a peaceful, nostalgic escape where mass production is happily forgotten.

The Backstory: A Shared Harvest

The roots of The Old Valley Amish Deli stretch back to a tight-knit agricultural community near St. Jacobs, Ontario. For generations, the Miller and Hershberger families operated a heritage dairy farm and a small, wood-fired smokehouse, renowned locally for their exceptional traditional food preservation.

The idea to expand into Toronto sparked when a group of city residents on a weekend road trip fell in love with the family’s roadside stand. Recognizing a growing urban desire for authentic, transparently sourced comfort food, a partnership was formed to create a direct link between the farm and the city.

Over several months, the families worked together to transform a former downtown storefront into an old-fashioned deli counter. The counter itself was hand-carved from reclaimed barn timber by family elders and transported to the city. The Old Valley Amish Deli stands as a living bridge between Ontario’s rich agricultural heritage and Toronto’s diverse food scene.

Fan Favorites: What to Order

St. Jacobs Smoked Turkey Sandwich

The deli counter operates with a commitment to small-batch freshness, using recipes passed down through generations. If you are stopping by for lunch or stocking your fridge, these crowd-pleasing items are absolute must-tries:

  • The St. Jacobs Smoked Turkey Sandwich: Piled high on thick, house-baked honey oat bread, this sandwich features turkey breast slow-smoked over applewood, sharp colby cheese, and a spread of sweet-and-spicy mustard.
  • Hickory-Cured Summer Sausage: A signature family recipe, this lean, robustly seasoned beef sausage is cold-smoked for days, yielding a deep, savory flavor profile perfect for charcuterie.
  • Aged Golden Gouda: Sourced from pasture-raised dairy herds, this premium cheese is aged for 18 months, resulting in a rich, buttery texture with a sharp, nutty finish.
  • Copper-Kettle Apple Butter: Slow-cooked for twelve hours without any refined sugars, this velvety spread captures the pure, concentrated essence of local autumn orchards.
  • Hand-Glazed Cinnamon Buns: Baked fresh every single morning, these massive, pillowy-soft pastries are layered with cinnamon brown sugar and smothered in a rich, melting vanilla bean glaze.
St. Jacobs Smoked Turkey Sandwich

Plan Your Visit

Whether you are picking up a hearty, handcrafted sandwich for your lunch break or gathering gourmet pantry staples for a weekend feast, The Old Valley Amish Deli welcomes you with generous portions and genuine country hospitality.

Location:

The Old Valley Amish Deli

742 Roncesvalles Avenue

Toronto, ON M6R 2K4

Fields of Gold: The Ohio River Valley Amish Market Opens in Jeffersonville

Written by Dennis Regling in Uncategorized

By Elizabth Montgomery, Travel Editor

The scenic riverfront region of Southern Indiana just welcomed a magnificent new culinary and cultural landmark. Located just a short drive from the walking bridge, the Ohio River Valley Amish Market has officially opened its doors in Jeffersonville, bringing a robust selection of authentic, scratch-made foods and master-class craftsmanship straight to Clark County.

Housed in a massive, beautifully engineered timber-framed pavilion that showcases classic mortise-and-tenon joinery, the market offers a deliberate, peaceful shopping alternative to the frantic pace of modern supermarkets. Here, old-world heritage meets modern local appreciation in a sprawling showcase of rural excellence.

The Backstory: From the Ridge to the River

The origins of the Ohio River Valley Amish Market trace back to a tight-knit farming cooperative based out of the rolling hills of Daviess County, Indiana. For decades, a collection of multi-generational family farms had produced some of the finest organic produce, heirloom grains, and premium dairy in the Midwest, but they lacked a centralized, high-visibility venue to share their harvests directly with urban neighbors.

The vision clicked into place when a group of city planners from Jeffersonville visited the region while researching traditional agricultural logistics. Recognizing a mutual desire for sustainable, farm-to-table access, the city offered a prime piece of acreage near the growing commercial corridors just north of the river.

Throughout the autumn of 2025, dozens of craftsmen from across Southern and Western Indiana converged on the site. Working in perfect communal harmony, they raised the heavy oak timbers by hand, using traditional wooden pegs instead of steel bolts. The result is a stunning, open-air structure that serves as a physical bridge between Indiana’s deep agricultural roots and the booming community of Jeffersonville.

Ohio River Valley Amish Market

Fan Favorites: What to Fill Your Basket With

The market operates three days a week, featuring pristine, specialized stalls packed with heritage goods. While everything on display is crafted with immaculate care, several standout items have instantly achieved legendary status among local foodies:

  • Warm, Hand-Rolled Glazed Donuts: Baked fresh every morning, these massive, pillowy-soft donuts are dipped in a warm vanilla glaze right before your eyes. They are a market staple that routinely commands a cheerful line.
  • Copper-Kettle Peach Butter: Slow-cooked over open flames for twelve hours, this rich, velvety spread captures the pure, concentrated sweetness of late-summer peaches without a single drop of refined sugar.
  • Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls: Thick ribbons of spiced house apple butter are baked directly into the layers of these oversized rolls, which are finished with a rich cascade of melting cream cheese icing.
  • Hickory-Smoked Summer Sausage: Sourced from traditional butcher blocks, this robust, lean sausage is cured using real hickory smoke, yielding a deep, savory profile that pairs beautifully with the market’s sharp colby cheese.
  • Aged Sharp White Cheddar: Hand-pressed and aged for a full 24 months, this premium cheese features a brilliant, crystalline texture and a bold, nutty finish.

Beyond the incredible pantry staples, the pavilion also hosts an expansive gallery of heirloom-quality oak furniture, hand-turned wooden bowls, and intricately stitched quilts designed to become family treasures.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you are gathering wholesome ingredients for a weekend family feast, stocking your pantry with scratch-made preserves, or hunting for a beautiful piece of patio furniture, the Ohio River Valley Amish Market delivers an unmatched experience of hospitality and timeless quality.

Location:

Ohio River Valley Amish Market

2415 River Ridge Parkway

Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Smoked Hams and Mountain Air: The Smoky Mountain Hearth Amish Restaurant Opens in Gatlinburg

Written by Dennis Regling in Uncategorized

By Elizabeth Montgomery, Food & Travel Editor

The bustling streets of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, just gained a wonderful new destination for lovers of hearty, scratch-made comfort food. Nestled against the scenic backdrop of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Smoky Mountain Hearth Amish Restaurant has officially opened its doors, bringing the time-honored, slow-cooked culinary traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch straight to the heart of East Tennessee.

Blending the rustic charm of a mountain lodge with the warm, welcoming hospitality of an old-school farmhouse kitchen, this new dining room offers an unforgettable sensory escape from the standard tourist fare.

The Backstory: A Journey to the Ridges

The story of Smoky Mountain Hearth began in the rolling hills of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where the Yoder and Beachy families had operated a highly successful farm-to-table cooperative for over twenty years. Known for their premium smoked meats and spectacular scratch baking, the families always dreamed of sharing their heritage with a broader audience.

During a family vacation to East Tennessee a few years ago, patriarch Levi Yoder noticed a striking similarity between the tight-knit communities of the Appalachian foothills and the rural valleys of his youth. Inspired by the region’s deep appreciation for hospitality, woodworking, and traditional music, the family decided to put down new roots. They partnered with local Tennessee craftsmen to construct a magnificent timber-framed dining hall, featuring massive hand-hewn oak beams, a stone hearth fireplace, and a wide front porch lined with locally crafted rocking chairs. Smoky Mountain Hearth isn’t just a place to eat; it is a celebration of two historic American traditions coming together.

Amish Restaurant

Fan Favorites: What to Order

The kitchen operates on a strict “made-from-scratch” philosophy, utilizing time-tested recipes passed down through generations. If you are planning your first visit, these crowd-pleasing favorites are absolute must-tries:

  • The Hearthside Brosted Chicken: Crispy, golden, and incredibly juicy, this chicken is marinated in a secret blend of herbs before being brosted to a perfect crunch. It is served family-style in large tin buckets.
  • Slow-Smoked Pit Ham: Glazed with local Tennessee sourwood honey and slow-smoked over hickory wood for 14 hours, every slice melts in your mouth with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
  • Real Whipped Potatoes with Brown Gravy: No instant flakes here—just premium Idaho potatoes peeled by hand daily, whipped with real heavy cream and butter, and smothered in a rich, velvety pan-dripping gravy.
  • The Bakery’s Blackberry Cobbler: Utilizing wild mountain blackberries, this deep-dish cobbler features a thick, bubbling fruit center topped with a sugary, hand-rolled biscuit crust that is served warm with a scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream.
  • Apple Butter Cinnamon Rolls: Pillowy soft and massive in size, these morning treats feature layers of house-made copper-kettle apple butter rolled into the dough, topped with a thick cascade of melting cream cheese icing.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you are refueling after a long day of hiking in the national park or gathering the whole family for a traditional Sunday feast, Smoky Mountain Hearth welcomes you with open arms, massive portions, and unforgettable flavors.

Location:

Smoky Mountain Hearth Amish Restaurant

842 East Parkway

Gatlinburg, TN 37738