Farm-Fresh Finds And Giant Sandwiches At Kittanning’s Amish Country View Market

Country View Farm Market and Deli in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, is a small Amish-owned market and sandwich counter that feels like stumbling onto a local secret just outside town. It blends the quiet efficiency of an Amish-run grocery with the warmth of a country deli where regulars are on a first-name basis.facebook

Name, Location, And First Impressions

Country View Farm Market and Deli sits in the Kittanning area of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, a short drive from the borough’s riverfront streets and historic downtown. Travelers will find it along one of the surrounding rural routes leading into town, where the scenery shifts from stoplights and storefronts to farm fields, garden plots, and tidy Amish homesteads.facebook

The market is locally owned and run by an Amish family, and the setting reflects that heritage: simple signage, practical buildings, and a focus on what is inside rather than flashy curb appeal. On arrival, expect a gravel or blacktopped parking area, a steady traffic of pickups and minivans, and—on busy days—locals walking out with bulging bags of bulk foods, produce, and fresh bread.facebook

What You’ll Find Inside

Country View bills itself as a farm market and deli, and that description is spot-on. Shelves are lined with bulk staples, baking ingredients, snacks, and pantry goods, while the coolers hold dairy items like milk, cheeses, and Amish roll butter.facebook

The store also stocks natural health products and home-style canned goods, giving the aisles the feel of a modern general store with a distinctly Amish twist. Seasonal flowers, plants, and sometimes outdoor furniture spill outside in the warmer months, making this a pleasant stop even if you only came for a sandwich.facebook

Deli Counter And Favorite Menu Items

The heart of the experience for many visitors is the deli, where meats and cheeses are sliced to order and made into generously filled sandwiches. The staff works quickly but never seems rushed, creating a calm, unhurried atmosphere that feels very different from a typical chain sub shop.facebook

Popular picks often revolve around classic Amish-country combinations. Tourists and locals alike gravitate toward:theamishmarket+1

A stacked turkey and Swiss on fresh country white or wheat, with just enough mayonnaise and crisp lettuce to balance the thick slices of meat and cheese.theamishmarket+1
A hearty ham and cheddar sandwich, sometimes with a slice of tomato and a smear of mustard or a house-style sandwich spread.theamishmarket+1
A “farmer’s favorite”–style sandwich, layered with multiple meats, mild cheese, and coleslaw, reminiscent of Amish deli creations popular in other markets.theamishmarket

Sides might include creamy coleslaw, potato salad, or simple deli pickles, along with old-fashioned sodas or teas from the cooler. The portions lean generous, and many travelers will find that one sandwich comfortably carries them through the afternoon of exploring Armstrong County backroads.theamishmarket+1

Baked Goods, Produce, And Pantry Finds

Beyond the deli, Country View shines as a source for Amish-style groceries. Shoppers can pick up fresh produce in season—think sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, apples, and peaches sourced from local farms when available.facebook

Baked goods are often the first items to disappear: loaves of homemade bread, sweet rolls, cookies, and seasonal treats like pumpkin rolls or fruit pies, depending on the time of year. Bulk bins and shelves typically feature flours, sugars, oats, noodles, soup mixes, candies, and snacks, echoing the selection found in larger Amish bulk food stores across Pennsylvania and Ohio.walnutcreekcheese+2

Voice Of The Locals: Reviews And Impressions

Online feedback for Amish-owned markets of this kind is remarkably consistent: visitors praise the freshness of the food, the value, and the kind, unpretentious service. Country View Farm Market and Deli earns the same style of word-of-mouth, with customers calling it a “hidden gem” and a “must-stop” whenever they are anywhere near Kittanning.amishamerica+1

Travelers frequently highlight the sandwiches and the overall prices, noting that deli meats, cheeses, and bulk staples are often cheaper than at big-box stores while tasting noticeably better. A typical sentiment runs along the lines of: “The sandwiches are fantastic, the staff is friendly, and the baked goods taste like something straight from Grandma’s kitchen.”walnutcreekcheese+2

Practical Tips For Visitors

Because this is an Amish-owned business, hours can be more traditional than in larger chains, and Sunday openings are unlikely, so plan a weekday or Saturday visit for the best experience. It is wise to bring cash, as many Amish and Mennonite markets still prefer or limit transactions to cash or basic cards.amishamerica

The market works especially well as a lunch stop combined with a scenic drive, an antique hunt in Kittanning, or a visit to other small-town attractions scattered around Armstrong County. Pack a cooler if you plan to buy meats, cheeses, and dairy to take home; these items travel well and make the stop feel like the start of a well-stocked pantry refresh.amishamerica+1

Why It Belongs On Your Itinerary

For travelers exploring western and central Pennsylvania, Country View Farm Market and Deli offers something that’s increasingly rare: a glimpse of everyday Amish commerce that still centers on quality, thrift, and hospitality. It captures many of the elements people seek in famous Amish destinations—fresh food, homestyle flavors, friendly faces—but in a quieter, less touristed corner of the state.amishamerica+1

Visiting here adds depth to a Kittanning itinerary, moving beyond chain restaurants and big-box shopping into a world where bread is baked in small batches, produce is local, and your sandwich is made by someone who likely knows half the people in line by name. For a tourist editor, this is exactly the kind of place that turns a simple detour into a travel story.amishamerica+1

Check sources

Hearty Buffets & Hidden Buggies: Eating Your Way Around Champion, PA

Champion, Pennsylvania sits in the heart of Somerset County’s highlands, where ski traffic, hikers, and Amish buggies share the same winding roads. While there’s no full-fledged, documented Amish-owned restaurant right in Champion, the nearby Oakhurst Tea Room in Somerset has long been praised for its hearty “Amish-style” buffet and comfort food that feels right at home in this old-order landscape.

Amish Roots Around Champion, PA

Somerset County is home to one of the oldest Amish communities in the United States, dating back to about 1772 and second in age only to Lancaster County. It’s unusual in several ways: Amish here worship in simple meetinghouses instead of rotating home church, and the settlement spreads across rural villages like Summit Mills, Niverton, and Meyersdale south of Champion. Visitors driving to Seven Springs or Hidden Valley quickly notice plain farmhouses, buggies, and roadside businesses tucked just off the main roads.amishamerica

Travel writers who’ve explored this region describe it as visually “plain but deeply authentic,” with weathered farmhouses, chair shops, variety stores, greenhouses, and a beloved Peachey’s Country Store known for baked goods and friendly staff. Somerset County doesn’t market itself as heavily as Lancaster, which means travelers basing in Champion get a quieter Amish backdrop, dotted with family-run businesses rather than mega tourist complexes.amishamerica

Oakhurst Tea Room: Amish-Style Comfort Food Near Champion

For a sit-down meal that channels the region’s Amish and country cooking heritage, many locals and travelers point to the Oakhurst Tea Room/Oakhurst Grille, just off Route 31 east of Somerset—an easy drive from Champion. The Oakhurst complex operates as a full-service restaurant and buffet, with a long history of serving roast beef, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and pies in portions that would satisfy any farm crew.tripadvisor+1

A TripAdvisor reviewer described Oakhurst as offering “a nice Amish-style buffet at a good price,” praising the variety and value for families and groups. Yelp visitors highlight the comfort-food lineup and nostalgic atmosphere, noting that it feels like stepping into a classic Pennsylvania country dining room more than a fancy resort restaurant. While not Amish-owned, the food and setting echo the simple, hearty dishes that define local Amish cooking.yelp+1

Favorite Menu Items That Keep Diners Coming Back

Buffet offerings and specials rotate, but certain staples have built Oakhurst’s reputation. Guests often single out the fried or baked chicken, roast beef, and ham as standouts on the hot bar, paired with real mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, and seasonal vegetables. Salad bars and dessert tables round out the spread, and many travelers mention leaving “completely stuffed” after sampling multiple plates.oakhurstgrille+1

Desserts are another draw. Reviews note homemade-style pies, cakes, and cobblers that echo the baking traditions of Somerset’s Amish and farm families. While specific flavors change, apple, berry, and cream pies appear frequently, tempting skiers and road-trippers to extend dinner just a little longer. The combination of buffet comfort food, generous portions, and dessert variety makes Oakhurst a practical stop for hungry visitors coming down from nearby mountain resorts.tripadvisor

How It Fits into a Champion-Based Trip

Champion itself is best known for Seven Springs Mountain Resort, whose on-site restaurants like Slopeside and Helen’s focus more on resort dining than Amish fare. Slopeside’s Sunday brunch buffet has earned nods in statewide comfort-food roundups, emphasizing local ingredients and mountain views rather than plain cooking. For travelers who want both experiences—resort amenities and Amish-country flavor—pairing a stay in Champion with a meal or two at Oakhurst Tea Room and day drives south toward Summit Mills and Meyersdale works well.7springs+1

A sample day might look like this: morning on the ski slopes or hiking trails around Champion, lunch or early dinner at Oakhurst for an Amish-style buffet, and an afternoon or evening drive through the backroads where Amish businesses like Peachey’s Country Store, Hidden Valley Variety, and Zook’s Chair Shop operate quietly in the countryside. Visitors during the Pennsylvania Maple Festival in Meyersdale get the bonus of maple-focused treats alongside more traditional baked goods and dry goods shops.amishamerica

Voices from Diners and Locals

Online comments capture how Oakhurst and the surrounding area feel to visitors. One diner wrote that the Amish-style buffet offered “good country cooking at a fair price,” emphasizing that it’s the kind of place where you “eat like you’re at a family reunion, not a trendy bistro.” Another reviewer appreciated that it remained “a solid stop in the mountains” for those passing between the Turnpike and resort areas.yelp+2

Residents and repeat travelers often talk about pairing Oakhurst with visits to small Amish businesses dotting the backroads near Meyersdale and Summit Mills, many of which were mapped and praised in a photo essay on Somerset County’s Amish community. That combination—restaurant comfort food plus truly plain-country stops—gives Champion-based visitors a fuller picture of the region’s culture.amishamerica

Check sources

Buggy-Spotting & Belly-Filling: Your 50-Mile Amish Country Food Tour

The rolling hills and farm stands of Ohio’s Amish Country make it the perfect canvas for a one-day comfort food trail. This self-guided loop starts in Berlin, hits iconic buffets and bakeries, and circles back through Walnut Creek and Millersburg—about 50 miles total, with 4-5 key stops timed for breakfast through dessert. Pack cash for stands, drive slowly around buggies, and come hungry; you’ll burn calories just carrying the pie home.myfamilytravels+1

8 AM: Breakfast at Boyd & Wurthmann (Berlin)

Kick off at Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant, 4819 E Main St, Berlin, OH 44610—the diner where locals and travelers alike fuel up amid checkered floors and spinning pie cases. Order the fluffy pancakes with sausage ($8.50) or biscuits and gravy ($7), both slathered in real butter from nearby farms. Crispy hash browns and strong coffee round it out, portions big enough to share if you’re splitting a buggy-spotting drive.myfamilytravels

This 1930s spot buzzes by 8 AM with Amish families and early birds. “Best diner breakfast in Ohio—feels like grandma’s kitchen without the drive,” raves a TripAdvisor regular. Linger 45 minutes, then hit Berlin’s shops for donuts to go.

10 AM: Bakery Break at Berlin’s Chocolates & More

Two miles east on SR 39, detour to Berlin’s Chocolates & More (or nearby farm stands like those at Yoder’s)—grab cinnamon sticky buns ($4) and whoopie pies ($3.50). These gooey, cream-filled chocolate sandwiches are peak Amish indulgence, made fresh daily with molasses and farm eggs. Pair with cider from a roadside jug ($3/quart).

No seating needed; picnic at a pull-off overlooking fields. “Sticky buns alone justify the trip—warm, nutty heaven,” shares a Google reviewer. This fuels your 20-minute hop to lunch.

Noon: Lunch Buffet at Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen (Mt. Hope)

Head south 15 miles on OH-241 to Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen, 8101 OH-241, Mt. Hope, OH 44660—prime buggy-watching across from the livestock auction. The all-you-can-eat buffet stars crispy fried chicken ($15/adult), homemade noodles, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and corn. Salad bar adds crunch; kids’ plates keep it family-friendly.mrsyoderskitchen+1

Buffet’s endless refills mean no one leaves hungry. “Chicken’s perfection—juicy inside, shatter-crisp outside. Authentic without the fuss,” posts a Yelp fan. Eat for an hour, spotting buggies parked out front.

2 PM: Cheese & Snacks at Walnut Creek Cheese

Drive 20 minutes north on SR 515 (scenic hills!) to Walnut Creek Cheese, 6560 OH-39, Walnut Creek, OH 44687. Sample squeaky cheese curds ($6/bag), smoked cheddar ($9/lb), and summer sausage ($7/lb) sliced fresh. Dip curds in ranch; they’re addictive post-chicken.myfamilytravels

This bustling market doubles as a snack stop. “Curds that squeak like no other—grab extras for the road,” enthuses a visitor. Spend 30 minutes browsing bulk bins for trail mix.

4 PM: Hearty Dinner Preview at Der Dutchman (Plain City detour or Berlin Farmstead alt)

Swing 25 miles west via SR 39 to Der Dutchman, 445 S Jefferson Ave, Plain City, OH 43064 (or stick closer with Berlin Farmstead Creamery, 4757 OH-39, Berlin). Early dinner: broasted chicken, roast beef, real mashed potatoes, and dressing ($16 buffet). Sides like buttered corn shine.visitamishcountry+1

Views of fields enhance the vibe. “Portions feed armies; pie case tempts fate,” laughs a review. If skipping Plain City, Berlin Farmstead’s grilled cheese and soup hit lighter ($12).

6 PM: Dessert Finale at Dutch Valley or Hartville Kitchen Bakery

Loop back via SR 93 to Dutch Valley Restaurant & Bakery near Sugarcreek (SR 39/515 junction) or Hartville Kitchen, 1015 State St NE, Hartville, OH 44632. Indulge in shoofly pie ($5/slice, wet-bottom molasses bliss), apple dumpling ($6), or cream pies.myfamilytravels

Bakeries overflow with loaves too. “Shoofly’s sticky magic—best end to an Amish feast,” declares a diner. Sunset drive home seals it.

Mapping Your Trail

Follow: Berlin → Mt. Hope (OH-241 S) → Walnut Creek (SR 515 N) → Plain City (SR 39 W, optional) → Sugarcreek/Berlin (SR 39/93). GPS “Berlin OH to Mrs Yoder’s Kitchen” starts it; total 4-6 hours driving/stops. Weekdays quieter; weekends busier but stands peak.

Safety first: Yield to buggies (5-10 mph), pass only on straights, no dusk drives. Cash rules; ATMs scarce.

This trail delivers 5+ pounds of comfort without overwhelm—pure Amish Country satiation.

The Hidden Amish Gem Even Locals Overlook (And Why You’ll Love It)

The backroads and quiet farms of Hicksville, Ohio, offer a serene Amish escape that feels worlds away from Lancaster’s tour buses. This century-old community, with just one church district hugging the Indiana border, delivers authentic encounters minus the crowds—think personal chats at farm stands and uninterrupted views of daily life. For tourists craving genuine Amish Country without the commercial hum, Hicksville might just steal your heart over Pennsylvania’s bigger scenes. amishamerica

Why Hicksville Stays Small and Special

Founded in 1914 near the northwest Ohio town of Hicksville, this settlement has hovered at one church district for over a century, bucking the growth trend of flashier hubs like Holmes County. Roughly 40-50 households farm, craft furniture, and run small shops amid flat farmlands dotted with windbreaks and silos. No mega-markets or themed villages here—just family operations where English visitors (non-Amish) are welcomed as neighbors, not just wallets. amishamerica

What sets it apart? Friendliness tops the list. Travelers report some of the warmest greetings in Amish Country, with locals sharing stories over fresh cheese or eggs. The area’s “higher” Anabaptist neighbors (more progressive Mennonites) may have kept it compact by drawing off potential growth, preserving a tight-knit, conservative vibe. Buggies here are typically black or gray, horses trot steadily, and the pace feels even slower than in Lancaster’s busier lanes.amishamerica

The Hidden Amish Gem Even Locals Overlook

A Day Unfolding on Hicksville Roads

Dawn breaks over cornfields as families head to chores by buggy or bike. By mid-morning, roadside stands pop up with eggs ($3/dozen), homemade noodles, and jars of apple butter. Drive County Road 28 or Defiance-Paulding Road fringes for postcard views: laundry flapping on lines, kids heading to one-room schools, and teams of Belgians plowing under wide skies.

Lunch might mean a picnic from Beekeepers stand (raw honey, jams) or Yoder’s Furniture annex selling oak rockers beside smoked sausage. Afternoons bring quilt sales from porches or sawmill tours if you ask nicely. Unlike Lancaster’s scripted buggy rides, here a chance encounter might lead to a real farm visit—respectful visitors often get invited for a quick peek at the milking parlor.

Sunset paints the fields gold, with buggies silhouetted against the horizon. It’s the kind of unhurried rhythm that leaves city dwellers recharged, far from Interstate 69’s roar just minutes away.

Food and Finds That Feel Personal

Hicksville shines in everyday eats, not buffets. Favorites include:

Fresh cheese curds and wheels from dairy farms—squeaky, mild, perfect with rye bread ($6/lb).
Shoofly pie and whoopie pies from home bakers, gooey molasses or chocolate cream ($4/slice).
Bulk sausage and scrapple at meat stands, smoked over hickory for breakfast glory ($7/lb).

No reservations needed; pull up, chat, pay cash. It’s the intimacy Lancaster’s scale can’t match—vendors remember repeat faces and slip in extras like sorghum molasses samples.

Comparisons to Lancaster: Less Hype, More Heart

Lancaster dazzles with 35x the population, covered bridges, and markets drawing millions yearly. But crowds mean $20 pie slices, no-photo zones, and traffic jams rivaling suburbs. Hicksville skips the script: zero tourist traps, prices 20-30% lower, and buggy-spotting feels serendipitous, not staged.

Veteran visitors prefer it for authenticity. “Lancaster’s fun once, but Hicksville feels like staying with kin,” notes one Ohio road-tripper. Safety’s easier too—fewer cars mean relaxed drives, though always yield wide to buggies on curves.

Practical Tips for Your Hicksville Day Trip

Base from Fort Wayne (45 minutes) or Defiance (20 minutes). Enter via OH-34 or IN-101 for border-straddling views. Spring brings foals and rhubarb; fall, pumpkins and harvest wagons. Weekdays beat weekends for quiet; arrive by 9 AM for peak stands.

Respect rules: no face photos, park off-road, cash only. Yield to buggies (5-10 mph vs. your speed), pass only with clear sightlines. Local DOT signs guide safely. Lodging? Nearby B&Bs or campgrounds; day-trippers return glowing.

Hicksville proves small can outshine big—raw, relational Amish life that lingers longer than any tourist postcard.

Check sources

The Most Beautiful Backroads in Amish Country

The backroads of Amish Country are some of the most peaceful drives in America, but they demand a very different mindset from interstate cruising. This article will walk through a few of the most beautiful routes and, just as importantly, how to share those roads safely with horse‑drawn buggies.

Why Amish backroads feel different

Amish regions in places like Holmes County, Ohio, and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, are defined by rolling hills, tidy farms, and a slower rhythm of life that you feel the moment you leave the highway. Narrow lanes twist past white farmhouses, laundry lines, and one-room schoolhouses, with the soft clip‑clop of hooves never far away. The experience is mesmerizing for visitors—and that beauty is part of what can lull drivers into forgetting how quickly a 55‑mph car closes in on a 10‑mph buggy.

Tourism is booming in these areas, so rental cars, RVs, motorcycles, and tour buses now mix every day with buggies, tractors, and bicycles. That blend makes for rich people‑watching and photography, but it also raises the stakes on every blind curve and hill.

Holmes County, Ohio: The Amish Country Byway

Holmes County’s Amish Country Byway is one of the best introductions to rural Ohio, looping roughly 160–190 miles through towns like Millersburg, Berlin, Charm, and Sugarcreek. Expect classic scenes: freshly painted barns, quilt shops, grazing horses, and buggies moving steadily along the shoulders or in the main lane.nsbfoundation+1

Especially scenic stretches include:

State Route 39 west of Millersburg, with sweeping views of both Amish and non‑Amish dairy farms.
State Route 515 between Walnut Creek and Winesburg, often praised for its hills, vistas, and high concentration of farms and buggies.
Smaller county roads near Charm and Baltic, where nearly every driveway seems to belong to an Amish home or business.visitamishcountry+2

Here, visitors can weave a day of cheese factories, bakeries, farm stands, and overlooks, never far from the sight of a buggy cresting the next rise.

Ohio's Amish Country...beautiful and fascinating!

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: Barns, bridges, and endless fields

In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the magnet is the network of backroads radiating from towns like Bird‑in‑Hand, Intercourse, and Strasburg. Quiet lanes thread between cornfields, tobacco barns, and covered bridges, with buggies and scooters sharing the route. Local tourism and travel videos showcase these roads as among the most picturesque in the East, highlighting how quickly you can leave busy corridors behind for one‑lane bridges and farm lanes. gorvingyoutube

Drivers can spend hours looping between small villages, stopping for pretzels, whoopie pies, and quilt shops. The roads often follow gentle ridgelines, giving open views across fields dotted with laundry lines and horses—perfect for golden‑hour photography if you pull off safely and avoid pointing cameras at individuals without permission.

Other byways worth the detour

Several other regions reward slow exploration:

Scenic backroads in central Ohio, where routes like U.S. 62 and linked county roads pass through mixed Amish and “English” towns with rolling hills and valley views.youtubedetroitdvotion+1
Smaller Amish clusters in Indiana and Illinois, where federal and state scenic byway programs highlight covered bridges, river valleys, and long sightlines broken only by farmsteads.gorving

What unites these places is not just visual appeal but the chance to witness daily life: children walking to school, farmers working fields with teams of horses, and families traveling by buggy to markets and church.

The safety reality behind the postcard views

All that charm comes with a sobering side. States with large Amish populations report a steady stream of crashes between cars and buggies, many on the very backroads travelers love most. In Pennsylvania, for example, transportation and news reports have tallied hundreds of buggy‑involved crashes over a decade, with multiple fatalities and many more injuries. Ohio officials have noted around 120 buggy crashes per year in recent years, enough to trigger targeted safety funding.aldlawfirm+3

The reason is simple physics. A buggy typically travels at 5–10 miles per hour, while cars commonly move at 45–55 mph on rural roads. On a hill or curve, a driver can come upon a buggy much faster than expected, leaving little room to slow or swerve safely. Because buggies lack crumple zones, airbags, and seatbelts, occupants are far more vulnerable in any collision.lansingstatejournal+1

How to drive these roads safely

To enjoy Amish backroads without adding to the accident statistics, approach them as their own driving culture with unwritten rules:

Slow down early. If the posted limit is 45 mph, consider driving a bit under, especially on hills, curves, or unfamiliar roads. This gives you more time to react if a buggy or farm equipment appears just beyond your sightline.ydr+1
Increase following distance. Treat a buggy like a cyclist or tractor, not a car. Give several car lengths of space, particularly on descents where your vehicle naturally gains speed.ydr
Pass only when you have a clear, long view. Never dive out to pass just before a hill, curve, or intersection. If you wouldn’t pass a slow truck there, don’t pass a buggy.dispatch+1

Most states require cars to treat horse‑drawn vehicles as legitimate traffic, and tickets or charges can follow if a driver’s risky overtake causes a crash.

Respecting lighting and visibility limits

Buggy visibility varies from community to community. Some Amish groups embrace reflective triangles and battery‑powered lights; others use more minimal reflectors for religious reasons, which can make them harder to see at dusk or in bad weather. As a visitor:dispatch+1

Avoid driving backroads at high speeds after dark or in heavy rain and fog.
Use low beams around buggies so you don’t startle horses with sudden glare.
Be especially cautious at twilight, when contrast is low and a dark buggy can blend into tree lines or barns.

Safety agencies in Amish areas often stress that many buggy crashes involve inattention or speed from the car driver, not wrongdoing by the buggy operator.lansingstatejournal+1

Finally, remember that for Amish families, these roads are not just scenic—they’re the route to work, school, worship, and visits. When you drive slowly, pass patiently, and pull off carefully for photos instead of blocking lanes, you help keep those routines intact.

From a tourist editor’s view, the most memorable backroad days in Amish Country are the ones where visitors come home with photos of fields and barns, bags of market goods, and the quiet satisfaction of having slipped into someone else’s slower rhythm for a while—without leaving a trace of harm behind.

A good scenic backroad loop in Ohio’s Amish Country is roughly a “figure 8” between Millersburg, Berlin, Walnut Creek, Charm, and Sugarcreek. It keeps you mostly on the Amish Country Byway while giving classic views: farms, schoolhouses, buggies, and a mix of tourist stops and quieter lanes.

Overview of the loop

Start and end in Millersburg so visitors can easily plug it into GPS. Total driving time is about 2–3 hours without stops; with markets, bakeries, and overlooks, it easily fills a full day.

Start: Millersburg
Berlin → Walnut Creek → Charm → Farmerstown → Sugarcreek → back via SR 39 → Millersburg

Use this as a written “map” that people can follow in their nav app.

Step‑by‑step route

Millersburg to Berlin (SR 39 east)
- Set out from Millersburg east on State Route 39 toward Berlin.
- This stretch is on the official Amish Country Byway and gives rolling hills, farmsteads, and steady buggy traffic.nsbfoundation+1
- Berlin is your first main stop for shops, bakeries, and a walkable village center.visitamishcountry
Berlin to Walnut Creek (SR 39 east → SR 515 south)
- Continue east on SR 39 to Walnut Creek, or for a more scenic variation:
- From Berlin, take SR 62 a short distance, then turn onto SR 515 south toward Walnut Creek.
- SR 515 is one of the most recommended “pretty” roads in the area: curvy, hilly, and lined with Amish farms and fields.facebook+1
Walnut Creek to Charm (CR 70 / backroads)
- From Walnut Creek, head south on CR 70 / Walnut Creek Bottom Road (or ask locally for the road to Charm).
- This is a classic backroad section: narrower lanes, close-up views of barns, wash lines, and one‑room schools. Expect frequent buggies and farm equipment.visitamishcountry
Charm to Farmerstown (CR 600 / local roads)
- Leave Charm on CR 600 or other signed backroads toward Farmerstown (roads are well-marked; GPS helps but keep an eye on signs).
- This is “deep Amish”: many businesses are home‑based, and traffic is slow. It’s a great stretch for pulling off safely at designated pull‑offs or wide shoulders to enjoy the views.
Farmerstown to Sugarcreek (CR 114 → SR 93)
- From Farmerstown, take CR 114 or similar local routes north/east until you meet SR 93, then follow SR 93 north into Sugarcreek.
- Sugarcreek mixes Amish country with Swiss‑themed architecture and the “Little Switzerland of Ohio” vibe, plus some tourist attractions.gorving+1
Sugarcreek back to Millersburg (SR 39 west)
- From Sugarcreek, return to Millersburg on SR 39 west, a main Byway segment with broad views and regular pull-off opportunities.
- This gives a different perspective on the same landscape you saw earlier from the opposite direction.transportation.ohio+1

How to use this route

Plug each town sequence into your GPS:
“Millersburg → Berlin → Walnut Creek → Charm → Farmerstown → Sugarcreek → Millersburg”
When possible, favor SR 515 between Berlin and Walnut Creek, and county roads between Walnut Creek, Charm, and Farmerstown, for the most scenic riding.
Add your own stops: cheese houses, bakeries, farm markets, and overlooks clearly marked along SR 39 and within each village.amishcountrylodging+1

The Jonas Stutzman Covered Bridge in Walnut Creek, Ohio

Why Travelers Are Craving This Farmhouse-Style Restaurant on Long Island’s South Shore

Harbor Plain Kitchen on the South Shore

A few blocks from Babylon’s busy Main Street and the salt air rolling in from the Great South Bay, Harbor Plain Kitchen feels like Lancaster County quietly set anchor on Long Island’s South Shore. Imagine it at 120 Bay Carriage Lane, Babylon, NY 11702, housed in a renovated carriage house with white clapboard siding, green shutters, and a hand-painted sign swinging gently over a brick walkway. Step through the door and the bustle of Deer Park Avenue gives way to the clink of plates, the low murmur of conversation, and the warm aroma of bread just pulled from the oven.

The dining room blends Amish simplicity with coastal charm: shiplap walls, long farmhouse tables, quilt blocks framed like artwork, and black-and-white photos of horse-drawn buggies juxtaposed with vintage shots of Fire Island ferries. Large windows frame views of tree-lined side streets and, in the distance, a sliver of the bay. As a tourist editor, it’s the kind of place that instantly feels like a “find”—a spot you want to tip your readers off to before word gets out.

A Calm, Comforting Atmosphere

Harbor Plain Kitchen is intentionally analog. There are no TVs, no neon beer signs, and the soundtrack is little more than soft conversation and the occasional creak of floorboards. Servers in simple, modest attire move efficiently but unhurried, pouring coffee into sturdy mugs and setting down baskets of warm rolls while answering questions about Amish cooking and traditions.

A cozy bakery counter anchors the entrance, its glass case full of pies, whoopie pies, and cinnamon rolls for guests who just want something sweet with a to-go coffee. To one side, a smaller room seats larger families and groups, making it a natural choice for post-church lunches, rehearsal dinners, or end-of-day gatherings after a sun-soaked outing to Robert Moses Beach. For visitors used to chain restaurants clustered around Sunrise Highway, the plain, homey feel is a refreshing change of pace.

Menu Highlights Locals and Visitors Love

The heart of Harbor Plain Kitchen is its menu, which marries Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food with subtle nods to coastal Long Island tastes.

Bay Shore Chicken Pot Pie: The signature dish arrives in a cast-iron skillet, capped with a flaky, golden crust. Inside is tender chicken, carrots, peas, and potatoes in a rich, creamy gravy. It’s the kind of meal that makes you forget about your phone and lean into conversation.
South Shore Broasted Chicken: Pressure-fried for ultra-crisp skin and juicy meat, this platter comes with mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered corn, and a side of tangy pickled beets.
Babylon Beef & Noodles: Slow-braised beef piled over thick homemade egg noodles, bathed in a savory brown sauce—ideal after a breezy ferry ride back from Fire Island.

For lunch, the Dockside Ham & Swiss—smoked ham and Swiss cheese on thick slices of house-baked bread with a smear of mustard and a side of chow-chow relish—is a favorite with locals ducking in from nearby offices. A Garden Patch Salad topped with hard-boiled egg, shredded cheddar, and house-made buttermilk ranch gives lighter eaters an option that still feels substantial.

Breakfast service, popular with early risers and boaters, includes scrapple and eggs, thick-cut French toast made from leftover house bread, and a rotating baked oatmeal studded with apples or seasonal berries.

Desserts That Steal the Show

Ask regulars, and they’ll tell you the dessert case is the real siren song at Harbor Plain Kitchen. The Shoofly Pie—with its deep molasses filling and crumbly top—is the headliner, often ordered “just to share” and then mysteriously disappearing before anyone remembers to offer a bite. Classic chocolate whoopie pies, wrapped individually, become a go-to grab for the train ride back to the city.

Seasonal specials keep the sweets menu changing:

Fire Island Peach Pie in late summer, loaded with ripe peaches and a hint of cinnamon.
Great South Bay Apple Dumplings in fall, served warm in cinnamon syrup with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Blueberry Custard in midsummer, marrying local berries with silky, not-too-sweet custard.

A small retail shelf near the host stand offers jars of apple butter, chow-chow, and jam for visitors who want to ferry some of that comfort back home.

Reviews from Diners

In this concept restaurant’s online universe, the reviews read like love letters from surprised Babylon locals and delighted tourists.

A Brooklyn couple on a weekend getaway raves, “We came for waterfront walks and ended up obsessed with the chicken pot pie. It tastes like it came out of a farmhouse oven, not a South Shore village.” A family returning from a day on Fire Island shares, “The kids devoured the whoopie pies while we finally sat down to a real meal. The beef and noodles were exactly what we craved after beach food.”

One Babylon local writes, “I never thought we’d have an Amish-style place here, but now I can’t imagine the village without it. The broasted chicken is crisp and juicy every single time, and the staff makes you feel like they’ve known you forever.” Another reviewer, a frequent commuter, notes, “I grab a slice of shoofly pie and a coffee to go for the train. It beats a sad pastry from the station any day.”

From a tourist editor’s perspective, the fictional consensus is clear: Harbor Plain Kitchen becomes one of those “tell your friends, but not too many” stops that readers will be grateful to discover.

How It Fits into a Babylon Itinerary

For travelers, the appeal of a spot like Harbor Plain Kitchen is how seamlessly it fits into a classic Babylon day. Spend your morning strolling around Argyle Park and the lakes, then wander the boutiques and cafés along Main Street. After an afternoon on the sand at Cedar Beach or Robert Moses, head back into the village and settle into a booth here for a lingering, stick-to-your-ribs supper.

Overnight guests in nearby inns or short-term rentals can plan breakfast here before hopping on the LIRR for a day in Manhattan. Boaters docking in the local marinas might use it as their “end of voyage” reward stop, swapping salty air and deck shoes for the scent of warm bread and a plate piled high with comfort food.

For group organizers, the long tables and predictable, crowd-pleasing menu make it an easy choice—everyone from picky eaters to adventurous foodies can find something that feels satisfying and honest on their plate.

Check sources

Recent Posts

Name, Location, And First Impressions

What You’ll Find Inside

Deli Counter And Favorite Menu Items

Baked Goods, Produce, And Pantry Finds

Voice Of The Locals: Reviews And Impressions

Practical Tips For Visitors

Why It Belongs On Your Itinerary

Share this:

Like this:

Amish Roots Around Champion, PA

Oakhurst Tea Room: Amish-Style Comfort Food Near Champion

Favorite Menu Items That Keep Diners Coming Back

How It Fits into a Champion-Based Trip

Voices from Diners and Locals

Share this:

Like this:

8 AM: Breakfast at Boyd & Wurthmann (Berlin)

10 AM: Bakery Break at Berlin’s Chocolates & More

Noon: Lunch Buffet at Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen (Mt. Hope)

2 PM: Cheese & Snacks at Walnut Creek Cheese

4 PM: Hearty Dinner Preview at Der Dutchman (Plain City detour or Berlin Farmstead alt)

6 PM: Dessert Finale at Dutch Valley or Hartville Kitchen Bakery

Mapping Your Trail

Share this:

Like this:

Why Hicksville Stays Small and Special

A Day Unfolding on Hicksville Roads

Food and Finds That Feel Personal

Comparisons to Lancaster: Less Hype, More Heart

Practical Tips for Your Hicksville Day Trip

Share this:

Like this:

Why Amish backroads feel different

Holmes County, Ohio: The Amish Country Byway

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: Barns, bridges, and endless fields

Other byways worth the detour

The safety reality behind the postcard views

How to drive these roads safely

Respecting lighting and visibility limits

Sharing the experience, not just the road

A good scenic backroad loop in Ohio’s Amish Country is roughly a “figure 8” between Millersburg, Berlin, Walnut Creek, Charm, and Sugarcreek. It keeps you mostly on the Amish Country Byway while giving classic views: farms, schoolhouses, buggies, and a mix of tourist stops and quieter lanes.

Overview of the loop

Step‑by‑step route

How to use this route

Share this:

Like this:

Harbor Plain Kitchen on the South Shore

A Calm, Comforting Atmosphere

Menu Highlights Locals and Visitors Love

Desserts That Steal the Show

Reviews from Diners

How It Fits into a Babylon Itinerary

Share this:

Like this: