Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Some Hoosiers will drive more than two hours for a slice of pie, and nobody in the car argues about it. In northern Indiana’s Amish country, one sprawling family restaurant has turned that kind of road trip into a family tradition.
Its homemade pies have a loyal following, and the building around them is the largest restaurant in the state. Here is a look at why folks keep coming back, what else is on the property, and how to plan a smooth visit.
Pie Country in Middlebury, Indiana
Das Dutchman Essenhaus sits at 240 US-20, Middlebury, IN 46540, in the heart of northern Indiana’s Amish country.
Google describes it as a sprawling eatery and bakery, known for its pies and for being Indiana’s largest restaurant. The menu leans on homestyle American cooking served in a folksy setting.
The pies are the reason this article exists, and the numbers back that up. Pies come up over 200 times in customer comments, and the bakery is mentioned more than 600 times.
Plenty of guests treat the place as a stop on a longer Shipshewana-area day. Others make it the whole destination, and that is where the cult following begins.
A Following Built Over Decades
Loyalty at this restaurant runs deep, and some families have been coming for more than 20 years. For them, the trip is a tradition, not just a meal out.
One regular family describes the visit as part of their northern Indiana Amish routine, with pie as the closing act. That kind of repeat business is how a local favorite turns into a cult favorite.
Others make the long haul for special days. A family drove over two hours each way to celebrate a son’s 18th birthday, and another group made a three hour trip and called it worthwhile.
Nostalgia does a lot of the work here. People grew up going, and now they bring their own kids along.
The Biggest Dining Room in Indiana
Size is part of the story. The restaurant lives up to its claim as the largest in Indiana, and guests often say the whole property is bigger than they expected.
That scale has practical benefits. A party of 32 was seated within 30 minutes on Memorial Day after calling ahead that morning to join the waiting list.
Staff at the front kept the group updated while tables were prepared. For a holiday crowd, that is a solid result.
Quick seating also shows up in customer comments, so even busy times tend to move along. Hours may vary, so a call before a large group visit is smart.
Slice Talk: The Pie Case
Pie is the headliner. Regulars recommend saving room for a wide variety of homemade pies, and some say to take a whole one home.
A raspberry cream pie has earned praise as awesome every time, even from a guest who had complaints about portions elsewhere on the menu.
That kind of consistency matters. When a diner says a dessert has always been great, it tells you the kitchen is not coasting.
Choices change, so the bakery counter is the best place to see what is available that day. Plan the pie before the main course, not after, because fullness is the common regret.
Bakery Counter Detours
Before or after a meal, the bakery pulls people in. It gets more than 600 mentions in customer comments, second only to the buffet.
Guests mention picking up baked treats to go, and some plan to buy more on their next trip. Specialty foods and home goods round out the browsing.
One diner praised the bread served with Amish peanut butter, and another suggested taking some peanut butter home. Apple butter also shows up often in customer comments.
The takeaway is simple: leave room in the trunk. A pie box and a jar or two usually find their way into the car.
Buffet or Family Style
Two ways to eat dominate the conversation. The buffet is the most mentioned topic, with over 1,300 mentions, and many call it a strong value.
Family style is the other path. One longtime guest says it sparks better conversation because the food comes to the table.
Opinions on the buffet vary. A few find the selection limited on a given day, while others call the variety incredible and the salad bar fantastic.
A regular menu is also available for those who prefer to order from the kitchen. One diner felt the buffet was the better deal.
Comfort Plates Worth the Drive
Beyond pie, a handful of dishes get steady attention. Broasted chicken has nearly 50 mentions, and one diner called it some of the best anywhere.
Noodles, mashed potatoes and gravy are described as musts. Pulled roast beef earns raves, and meat loaf and roasted turkey have their fans too.
Guests also say the food tastes made from scratch, which they feel changes everything. The home cooking label appears over 100 times in customer comments.
Not every plate lands. A BLT drew a complaint, and a baked steak was described as heavy on gravy, so ordering the signature items is the safer bet.
Breakfast Starts Early
Doors open at 6:30 am most days, which makes a Saturday breakfast buffet an option for early risers. One group called theirs phenomenal, with hot food refilled quickly.
Servers kept drinks topped up and checked in often. That attentiveness is a recurring theme in praise for the staff.
Lunch and dinner are equally on the table. Closing time is 8 pm, and one guest arriving 45 minutes before closing still found the salad bar fantastic.
Hours may vary, so confirm before you go. Sunday is listed as closed.
Booths Shaped Like Buggies
Some seats double as a conversation piece. Unique Amish buggy booths are part of the dining room, and one guest was seated in one quickly for dinner.
The overall mood is described as cozy yet open and big at the same time. Many call it adorable.
It is a folksy setting without being fussy, which suits the no-frills reputation. Nobody is dressing up to eat egg noodles.
Ask the host whether a buggy booth is available, though seating depends on the day and the crowd.
Shops, Carriage Rides and Mini Golf
The property keeps people busy long after the plates are cleared. A gift shop with old-timey and historical touches greets guests near the front.
Village shops sell bakery treats, specialty foods, gifts and home decor. A quilt shop is among them.
Horse-drawn carriage rides cover the grounds, which are described as gorgeous and well kept. Mini golf and an ice cream stop offered a big scoop for around three dollars on one recent visit.
Some guests note the shops resemble small-town boutiques more than authentic Amish crafts. Set expectations accordingly and enjoy it as a pleasant stroll.
Staying Over in Amish Country
Overnight stays are part of the appeal. One guest left planning to return and stay at the Inn with her husband, and another suggested staying overnight if time allows.
The location also works as a base for Shipshewana, which is nearby. Many guests pair the two in one trip.
An evening meal after a day of shopping in Shipshewana is a common plan. The restaurant is also a handy stop for drivers heading toward Chicago.
Check availability and rates directly with the business, since details change.
Cruise-Ins and Local Events
Local events sometimes fill the grounds. One recent guest arrived in time to catch the tail end of a popular cruise-in featuring beautiful classic cars.
That gives the place a community feel beyond the dining room. Locals show up for the cars and stay for dinner.
The mix of shops, rides and events means timing can shape the experience. Check the restaurant’s website for what is happening.
Warm months are an easy fit for the outdoor attractions, while the dining room works year-round.
What to Expect Culturally
Honesty helps here. One couple hoping for a deep look at Amish daily life found a polished, tourist-friendly property instead.
They saw Amish people in the area and enjoyed the carriage ride, but felt the shops were not authentically made by the Amish. They still called the buffet simple and fabulous.
The takeaway: treat this as a food destination first. The owners have said they will keep exploring ways to improve the cultural side.
For the full picture, pair the meal with other local stops.
Costs, Crowds and Planning Tips
Prices have drawn mixed comments. One recent lunch with a drink ran about 25 dollars, and a buffet was cited at 19.99 dollars by another guest, so check current rates.
A longtime diner felt costs have risen and portions on the menu side shrank, which is why many point to the buffet or family style.
Reservations and waiting lists are available for larger groups. Parking is plentiful, and shopping is right there.
Hours are 6:30 am to 8 pm Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday, but these can change, so confirm before you go.
The Verdict on the Pie Pilgrimage
With a 4.6 star average across more than 12,000 reviews, this Middlebury institution has real staying power. Praise centers on friendly staff, plentiful plates and homemade pies.
It is not perfect, and some find the buffet limited or the prices higher than before. Still, the pull of tradition and good pie is strong.
For Hoosiers hunting a no-frills day trip, this one earns the miles. Bring an appetite, save room for dessert and leave space for a pie to go.
