People Travel Far And Wide For The Fried Pies At This Ohio Amish Bakery
Picture this: you’re driving down a scenic Ohio country road when suddenly you spot a bustling farm with cars packed into every available space. Actually, those visitors aren’t just passing through.
They’ve made a special trip for one legendary reason: the fried pies that have become the stuff of local legend. These golden, crispy pockets of fruit-filled heaven have earned such a devoted following that people plan entire road trips around them.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or hearing about this place for the first time, there’s something magical about a bakery that draws crowds from across the country, all chasing that perfect bite of homemade goodness.
Your First Stop at 5452 OH-557
Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery is located at 5452 OH-557 in Millersburg, Ohio 44654, right in the heart of Holmes County’s Amish Country. The moment I pulled into the expansive parking lot, I knew this wasn’t your average roadside stand.
Cars with license plates from multiple states filled every spot, and the buzz of excited visitors created an energy you could feel before even stepping out of your vehicle. The main building welcomes you with that unmistakable charm of Amish craftsmanship, sturdy and honest in its construction.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM, the bakery closes on Sundays and Mondays, staying true to traditional Amish practices. I learned quickly that arriving early beats the afternoon rush, especially on Saturdays when tour buses sometimes make scheduled stops.
The phone number, 330-674-6096, connects you to friendly staff who can answer questions about seasonal offerings. With a 4.8-star rating from over 4,400 reviews, this place has earned its reputation one satisfied customer at a time.
The Fried Pies That Started It All
Walking up to the bakery counter, I spotted them immediately. Rows of fried pies lined the display case, each one a perfect golden-brown half-moon of pastry paradise.
These aren’t your grocery store hand pies. The dough gets rolled fresh daily, filled with fruit that’s often sourced right from the farm’s own produce section, then fried to create that signature crispy exterior that gives way to a soft, flaky interior.
Strawberry-rhubarb stole my heart on my first visit. The tang of rhubarb balanced perfectly with sweet strawberries, all wrapped in pastry that stayed crispy even as I drove home.
Other flavors rotate with the seasons: apple, cherry, peach, blueberry, and even specialty combinations that appear without warning. At around two and a half dollars each according to multiple recent reviews, these treats still deliver incredible value.
I watched the line at the bakery counter stretch long, but it moved steadily as staff boxed up half-dozens and full dozens for travelers. One woman told me she drives two hours just to stock her freezer with these fried pies every month.
Beyond Pies: The Bakery Counter Treasures
The fried pies might be the headliner, but the rest of the bakery counter deserves its own standing ovation. Cinnamon rolls the size of dinner plates sat proudly on the top shelf, their cream cheese frosting cascading down spiral layers of cinnamon-sugar perfection.
I grabbed a peanut butter donut on a whim and discovered why regulars mention the baked goods in nearly every review. The donut was cake-style, dense and moist, with peanut butter flavor baked right into the dough rather than just slapped on top.
Honey wheat bread earned praise from multiple reviewers as the softest they’d ever tasted. I picked up a loaf and understood immediately when I tore into it later that evening.
Little cheese and fruit tarts caught my eye next, bite-sized versions of classic desserts that made perfect snacks for the drive home. The strawberry tart delivered fresh fruit flavor without that artificial sweetness you find in mass-produced versions.
Lines at the bakery counter can test your patience during peak hours, but watching the Amish staff work with calm efficiency makes the wait feel worthwhile.
The Market: A Food Lover’s Playground
Step past the bakery counter and you enter a market that could keep you browsing for an hour. Shelves stretch from floor to ceiling, packed with everything from bulk spices to soup starters to homemade preserves that line up like colorful soldiers.
The produce section stopped me in my tracks. Fresh fruits and vegetables practically glowed with that just-picked quality you rarely find in supermarkets.
Reviewers consistently mention the supreme freshness, and I understood why when I bought tomatoes that actually tasted like tomatoes.
Strawberry freezer jam became my unexpected obsession. One reviewer claimed you’d never want store-bought again after trying Hershberger’s version, and that assessment proved accurate.
The jam captured pure strawberry essence in a way that made me rethink everything I thought I knew about preserves.
Bulk noodles, dried beans, baking supplies, and specialty items filled the center aisles. I spotted ingredients I’d only seen in Amish cookbooks, alongside familiar staples at prices that made me wish I lived closer.
The market handles crowds remarkably well, though Saturday afternoons can feel overwhelming when tour buses arrive alongside regular visitors.
Big Ben and the Petting Zoo Stars
Big Ben commands attention the moment you spot him. This massive horse weighs over 3,000 pounds and stands as the undisputed celebrity of Hershberger’s petting zoo area.
I’ve seen plenty of horses, but nothing prepared me for the sheer size of this gentle giant. His presence feels almost mythical, like something from a storybook about farm life in simpler times.
The petting zoo has expanded significantly over the years, transforming from a small attraction into a full experience that rivals the bakery for visitor attention. Goats roam freely in certain areas, approaching guests with the confidence of animals who know they’re adored.
Baby goats steal hearts with predictable efficiency. I watched kids and adults alike melt when these tiny creatures hopped around or nuzzled against hands holding feed.
Rabbits, chickens, ducks, sheep, alpacas, pigs, and even some exotic birds round out the animal roster. The variety surprised me, as did how clean and well-maintained everything looked despite the constant stream of visitors.
Admission requires a separate fee from the market shopping, and feed costs extra, but reviewers consistently call it worth every penny for the memories created.
Goats on the Roof and Other Surprises
Goats on the barn roof sound like something from a tall tale until you see them with your own eyes. Hershberger’s has embraced this quirky attraction, and it never fails to make visitors stop and stare.
The goats seem to enjoy their elevated position, surveying their domain like furry monarchs overseeing their kingdom. Kids point and laugh, adults grab their phones for photos, and everyone walks away with a story about the day they saw goats defying expectations.
Throughout the petting area, surprises wait around every corner. The layout encourages exploration rather than rushing through, with different sections revealing new animals and interactions.
Feed stations let you purchase carrots and other approved snacks. One reviewer mentioned going through three baskets of carrots while feeding every animal possible, and I completely understood that impulse.
The animals show remarkable gentleness despite constant human interaction. Even the larger creatures like cows and the massive steer displayed patience with excited children and nervous first-time farm visitors.
Staff members monitor the area attentively, ensuring both animal welfare and visitor safety without making the experience feel overly controlled or restrictive. The balance creates an environment where spontaneous joy happens naturally.
Buggy Rides Through Amish Country
Jasper the horse knows these roads better than most GPS systems. Climbing into an authentic Amish buggy for a ride through the countryside adds a dimension to your visit that shopping alone can’t provide.
My driver, who went by Abe, shared stories about Amish life while Jasper clip-clopped along at a pace that let us actually see the landscape. No rushing past at highway speeds, just steady progress that matched the rhythm of a simpler way of life.
The buggy rides aren’t just tourist theater. These are real buggies, the kind Amish families use daily, and the drivers answer questions with genuine knowledge rather than rehearsed scripts.
Rolling through Holmes County in a buggy, you notice details that blur past car windows. The way sunlight filters through tree branches, the specific green of Ohio farmland in summer, the distant sight of other farms dotting the hills.
Several reviewers specifically mentioned their buggy drivers by name, praising both the information shared and the comfortable pace. The experience costs extra beyond market shopping, but it transforms a quick bakery stop into a memorable afternoon that captures something essential about this region.
The Food Truck and Fresh-Cooked Options
Kettle corn popped over an open fire sends its sweet-salty aroma across the property, drawing visitors like a delicious beacon. The food truck parked on-site serves as your source for hot meals beyond the bakery treats.
Burgers get consistent praise in reviews for using locally sourced beef. I tried one and immediately understood the enthusiasm.
The meat tasted like actual beef rather than the mystery blend you get at chain restaurants, and the toppings came fresh from the same produce section you can shop in the market.
Breakfast options appear in the morning hours, giving early visitors fuel before they start shopping. The combination of fresh-baked goods from the bakery and hot breakfast from the truck creates an ideal start to a day of exploring Amish Country.
Outdoor seating areas let you eat while watching the constant activity around the farm. I sat with my burger and watched families head to the petting zoo, couples browse the market, and Amish staff move efficiently between tasks.
The food truck operates on a first-come basis, and lines can grow during lunch hours. Smart visitors grab their food during off-peak times or accept the wait as part of the experience rather than an inconvenience.
Planning Your Visit to Make the Most of It
Timing matters at Hershberger’s. Arriving when doors open at 8 AM on a weekday gives you the best chance of shopping without crowds and snagging the freshest bakery items before selections dwindle.
Saturdays bring the biggest crowds, with tour buses joining regular traffic to create parking challenges and long bakery counter lines. If Saturday is your only option, get there early or embrace the bustling atmosphere as part of the adventure.
Bring cash for the petting zoo and buggy rides, though the market accepts cards. Multiple reviewers mentioned the modest admission fees and feed costs, so budget accordingly if you’re planning the full experience with kids.
The restroom situation requires mentioning. Management has acknowledged in responses that facilities need upgrading, with current options including basic restrooms and porta-potties.
Plan bathroom stops before arrival if this might be an issue for your group.
Family memberships exist for frequent visitors, offering value if you live within reasonable driving distance. Several reviewers mentioned coming multiple times per year, and one visits weekly specifically for bread and baked goods.
Allow at least two hours for a thorough visit that includes the market, bakery, and petting zoo. You’ll want more time if buggy rides or extended animal interaction call to you.