The Must-Try Ohio Buffet Where The Dessert Station Is A Friday Night Tradition
Der Dutchman in Plain City, Ohio, isn’t just another buffet—it’s a Friday night institution.
I still remember my first visit there, when my grandmother practically dragged me along, promising desserts that would make me forget every diet I’d ever attempted.
She wasn’t lying. This beloved Amish-inspired restaurant has become a cornerstone of Ohio dining, where families gather weekly to indulge in homestyle cooking and an absolutely legendary dessert station that’s become a local tradition.
A Beloved Plain City Tradition
Plain City might not be the first place you think of when planning a foodie adventure, but Der Dutchman has put this small Ohio town firmly on the culinary map. Locals have been flocking here for decades, treating Friday nights like a sacred appointment with comfort food heaven.
Walking through those doors feels like stepping into your favorite aunt’s dining room—if your aunt happened to cook for hundreds of people nightly. The restaurant buzzes with conversation, laughter, and the unmistakable clinking of silverware against plates piled dangerously high. Families reserve their favorite tables weeks in advance, knowing that missing Friday night here is like skipping Thanksgiving dinner.
Der Dutchman has woven itself into the fabric of Plain City life, becoming more than just a restaurant—it’s where anniversaries are celebrated, where first dates nervously unfold, and where grandparents create lasting memories with their grandkids over endless plates of homemade goodness.
Where Amish Country Meets Comfort Food
Amish cooking doesn’t mess around with fancy fusion or molecular gastronomy—it’s all about honest, soul-satisfying food that sticks to your ribs and makes you want to loosen your belt. Der Dutchman channels this philosophy perfectly, serving up recipes passed down through generations of Amish cooks who understood that butter makes everything better.
Every dish carries that unmistakable homestyle touch that you just can’t replicate with shortcuts or processed ingredients. The fried chicken has a crispy coating that shatters with each bite, while the mashed potatoes are so creamy they could double as edible clouds.
I once watched a businessman in a three-piece suit nearly weep over the green beans, and honestly, I understood completely. This is comfort food in its purest, most unapologetic form—the kind that makes you question why you ever bothered with kale smoothies or quinoa bowls in the first place.
The Buffet That Keeps Guests Coming Back
Buffets can be hit-or-miss affairs—sometimes you’re staring at dried-out mac and cheese under heat lamps that have seen better decades. Not at Der Dutchman, where the buffet stations are constantly refreshed with piping hot dishes that look as appetizing at 8 PM as they did when service started.
The sheer variety is almost overwhelming in the best possible way. You’ve got your classic Midwestern staples rubbing elbows with Amish specialties, creating a lineup that satisfies everyone from picky toddlers to adventurous eaters.
What really sets this buffet apart is the quality control—nothing sits too long, everything tastes freshly prepared, and the staff monitors the stations like hawks to ensure nobody faces the tragedy of an empty tray. I’ve been to fancy all-you-can-eat places in major cities that couldn’t touch the consistency and care that goes into maintaining this buffet spread throughout the entire evening.
Pies, Cakes, And Other Sweet Temptations
Choosing dessert at Der Dutchman requires strategy, willpower, and possibly a separate stomach dedicated exclusively to sweets. The pie selection alone could make a grown adult cry tears of joy—we’re talking flaky crusts filled with fruit that actually tastes like fruit, not sugary goop from a can.
Their shoofly pie pays perfect homage to Pennsylvania Dutch traditions, with that distinctive molasses sweetness that somehow avoids being cloying. The coconut cream pie has converted more than one coconut skeptic, while the apple pie tastes like autumn decided to become edible.
But wait, there’s more! Layer cakes stand tall with frosting so smooth you could see your reflection in it. Brownies fudgy enough to require a fork, cookies that crumble just right, and seasonal specialties that rotate based on what’s fresh and delicious. My personal downfall? The peanut butter pie that haunts my dreams and waistline in equal measure.
Homestyle Cooking With A Community Feel
Restaurants can serve great food and still feel cold, but Der Dutchman manages something special—it creates an atmosphere where strangers become neighbors and meals become memories. The dining room hums with the kind of energy that only happens when people genuinely enjoy being somewhere.
Staff members greet regulars by name, remember which kids have food allergies, and treat first-timers like old friends who just haven’t visited in a while. Tables are spaced close enough to feel communal without invading anyone’s personal bubble, and the noise level hits that sweet spot between lively and deafening.
I’ve watched impromptu birthday celebrations break out at neighboring tables, complete with staff bringing out special treats and the entire section singing off-key but enthusiastically. This is the kind of place where dropping your fork might result in three people offering you theirs before your server arrives—it’s just that kind of welcoming, warm environment.
Affordable Feasts For The Whole Family
Feeding a family these days can drain your bank account faster than a teenager drains a gallon of milk. Der Dutchman offers something increasingly rare—a dining experience where you can actually fill everyone’s bellies without taking out a small loan or resorting to the dollar menu.
The buffet pricing is straightforward and reasonable, especially considering the quality and variety you’re getting. Kids eat at reduced rates, and the value becomes even more apparent when you realize there’s no limit to how many trips you can make. No hidden fees, no surprise charges—just honest pricing for honest food.
I’ve watched families of six eat like royalty here for what it would cost to grab mediocre takeout elsewhere. Parents can relax knowing picky eaters will find something they like, adventurous kids can try new things without wasting money on untouched entrees, and everyone leaves satisfied without anyone feeling guilty about the bill.
The Signature Broasted Chicken
Broasted chicken occupies a special place in Midwest cuisine—it’s not quite fried, not quite roasted, but somehow manages to be better than both. Der Dutchman’s version has achieved legendary status among regulars, who have been known to strategically position themselves near the chicken station when fresh batches emerge from the kitchen.
The coating achieves that perfect crunch without being greasy, while the meat inside stays impossibly juicy and tender. I’ve seen grown men fill entire plates with just chicken, abandoning all pretense of dietary balance in favor of pure poultry bliss.
What makes it special is the pressure-cooking technique that seals in moisture while creating that signature crispy exterior. It’s comfort food engineering at its finest, the kind of dish that makes you understand why people drive an hour just to eat here. Skip it at your own risk—your taste buds will never forgive you.
Fresh-Baked Rolls That Disappear Fast
Bread might seem like a supporting player in the buffet lineup, but Der Dutchman’s rolls demand leading-role recognition. These aren’t sad, deflated dinner rolls that taste like cardboard—they’re pillowy clouds of carbohydrate perfection that emerge from the oven throughout the evening.
Smart diners know to grab rolls immediately when a fresh batch appears because they vanish faster than free samples at Costco. The outside has just enough structure to hold together, while the inside practically melts on your tongue. Slather on some butter and you’ve got a religious experience in bread form.
I once watched a woman take six rolls back to her table, and honestly, I respected her honesty and commitment. These are the kind of rolls that make you reconsider your relationship with gluten, the kind that taste so good you momentarily forget about the main course entirely.
The Salad Bar Nobody Skips
Salad bars at buffets usually serve as guilt-management stations where you pile lettuce on a plate before proceeding to the real food. Der Dutchman’s salad bar, however, deserves genuine attention—not just because your mother would approve, but because it’s actually delicious.
Fresh vegetables look crisp and vibrant, not wilted and sad like they’ve been sitting under fluorescent lights since the Reagan administration. The variety extends beyond basic iceberg lettuce, offering interesting toppings, quality dressings, and Amish-style salads that could stand as meals themselves.
Their coleslaw has a cult following, with a tangy-sweet dressing that complements the crispy cabbage perfectly. The potato salad tastes like someone’s grandmother made it that morning, because basically, that’s exactly what happened. Even dedicated carnivores find themselves loading up plates with these salads, proving that vegetables can indeed be crave-worthy when prepared with care and quality ingredients.