10 Pennsylvania Meat-And-Three Cafeterias Where The Sides Are The Real Stars Of The Plate
Pennsylvania Dutch Country knows how to feed a crowd, and nowhere is that more obvious than at the state’s beloved meat-and-three cafeterias.
These humble dining spots serve up hearty main dishes alongside a dazzling array of side options that often steal the spotlight from the protein.
From creamy mashed potatoes to buttery corn to tangy pickled vegetables, the sides at these Pennsylvania eateries are legendary.
Get ready to fill your plate with comfort food that’ll make you forget all about portion control!
1. Dienner’s Country Restaurant
Buckle up your stretchy pants because Dienner’s Country Restaurant doesn’t mess around when it comes to side dish supremacy.
Located right in the heart of Lancaster County, this family-owned treasure has been piling plates high since the early days of Pennsylvania Dutch dining.
The buffet line here reads like a love letter to carbohydrates and vegetables, with creamy macaroni and cheese that could make a grown person weep with joy.
Their sweet corn pudding practically qualifies as dessert, while the buttered noodles have a cult following among locals who know good comfort food when they taste it.
Don’t even get started on the bread filling, which is so savory and herb-packed that you might forget there’s supposed to be meat on your plate.
The green beans are cooked Pennsylvania Dutch style, meaning they’re tender and seasoned to perfection without a hint of that raw crunch some fancy restaurants insist upon.
Address: 2855 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572.
2. Shady Maple Smorgasbord
Ever wondered what heaven’s cafeteria line looks like?
Shady Maple Smorgasbord probably comes pretty close, with over 60 feet of buffet tables groaning under the weight of Pennsylvania Dutch goodness.
This place isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a full-blown side dish amusement park where mashed potatoes flow like waterfalls and vegetable options stretch beyond the horizon.
Their scalloped potatoes arrive at the table with a golden, bubbly cheese crust that could convert even the most devoted carb-avoider.
The coleslaw here has just the right amount of tang without drowning in mayonnaise, making it the perfect palate cleanser between bites of richer sides.
Baked beans swim in a sweet molasses sauce that tastes like summer cookouts and childhood memories all rolled into one spoonful.
Shady Maple takes their vegetable game seriously, offering everything from Harvard beets to buttered lima beans that actually taste good.
Address: 129 Toddy Dr, East Earl, PA 17519.
3. Bird-In-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord
Right in the adorably-named town of Bird-in-Hand sits a restaurant that understands the assignment when it comes to side dish excellence.
This smorgasbord has been feeding hungry travelers and locals since way back when, and their side dish reputation precedes them like a delicious rumor.
The candied sweet potatoes here deserve their own fan club, glazed to sticky perfection with just enough cinnamon to make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Creamed celery might sound weird to outsiders, but one taste of Bird-in-Hand’s version will make you a believer in this Pennsylvania Dutch classic.
Their pepper cabbage adds a zippy, tangy kick that cuts through all the richness of the other sides, proving that vegetables can be both healthy and exciting.
The dinner rolls arrive warm and pillowy, perfect for sopping up every last bit of gravy from your plate.
Folks drive from neighboring states just to fill their plates with these legendary sides.
Address: 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505.
4. Miller’s Smorgasbord
Miller’s Smorgasbord has mastered the ancient art of making vegetables taste so good that kids actually ask for seconds.
Situated along the busy Lincoln Highway, this cafeteria-style gem has been perfecting their side dish recipes for generations, and boy does it show.
The chow-chow here is a tangy, pickled vegetable medley that adds brightness and crunch to every forkful, waking up your taste buds like a delicious alarm clock.
Their stuffing is so flavorful and moist that Thanksgiving dinner suddenly seems inadequate in comparison, with herbs and seasonings that hit all the right notes.
Creamed corn flows like liquid gold from the serving spoon, sweet and buttery without being cloying or overly rich.
The red beet eggs are a Pennsylvania Dutch specialty that might look intimidating with their bright pink hue, but taste like pickled perfection.
Miller’s also offers multiple potato preparations, because one type of potato dish is never enough in Dutch Country.
Address: 2811 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks, PA 17572.
5. Good ‘N Plenty Restaurant
With a name like Good ‘N Plenty, you’d better believe this restaurant delivers on both promises with enthusiasm and generous portions.
This Smoketown institution serves meals family-style, meaning platters of sides get passed around the table like edible gifts that keep on giving.
The mashed potatoes arrive fluffy and buttery, whipped to a consistency that’s somehow both light and satisfying at the same time.
Their apple butter is homemade and spreads onto warm bread like a sweet, spiced hug for your mouth.
Green beans with ham are a specialty here, slow-cooked until tender with smoky meat flavor infusing every bite.
The macaroni salad strikes that perfect balance between creamy and tangy, with just enough crunch from celery to keep things interesting.
Pickled beets add a pop of color and vinegary brightness to your plate, cutting through the richness of everything else.
Sharing dishes family-style means you’ll definitely get to taste everything on offer.
Address: 4600 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19124
6. Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet
Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet takes side dishes so seriously that you might forget you’re supposed to leave room for dessert.
This New Holland favorite has been serving up Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food with a side of genuine hospitality for years.
Their corn fritters are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, studded with sweet corn kernels that burst with flavor in every bite.
The coleslaw here is vinegar-based rather than mayo-heavy, giving it a refreshing tang that makes it the perfect complement to richer dishes.
Buttered noodles might sound simple, but Yoder’s elevates them with the perfect ratio of butter to pasta, creating comfort food magic.
Their bread filling is packed with herbs and has just the right amount of moisture, neither too dry nor too soggy.
Lima beans get a bad reputation, but Yoder’s prepares them with enough butter and seasoning to change even the staunchest lima bean hater’s mind.
The buffet layout makes it easy to sample everything without having to commit.
Address: 14 S Tower Rd, New Holland, PA 17557.
7. Oregon Dairy Restaurant
Oregon Dairy Restaurant proves that sometimes the best side dishes come from places with ice cream in their name.
This Lititz landmark has been feeding folks hearty Pennsylvania Dutch meals since back when going out to eat was a special occasion rather than a Tuesday night routine.
The mashed potatoes here are legendary among locals, whipped with real cream and butter until they reach cloud-like perfection.
Corn pudding is baked until the top gets slightly caramelized, creating a sweet and savory masterpiece that defies easy categorization.
Their pickled red beet eggs are prepared using a time-tested recipe that results in perfectly seasoned eggs with a beautiful pink hue.
The green beans are cooked low and slow with bits of ham, making them tender and flavorful without being mushy.
Buttery carrots get glazed with just a hint of brown sugar, bringing out their natural sweetness without overwhelming them.
Save room for their famous ice cream afterward if you can manage it.
Address: 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz, PA 17543.
8. Stoltzfus Meats & Deli
Stoltzfus Meats & Deli might be known for their butcher counter, but their prepared sides could easily steal the show from any protein.
This Lititz establishment offers take-home sides that taste like they came straight from a Pennsylvania Dutch grandmother’s kitchen, assuming your grandmother was an amazing cook.
The potato salad here is creamy and perfectly seasoned, with chunks of potato that hold their shape without being undercooked or falling apart.
Their macaroni and cheese gets baked with a crispy top layer that adds textural contrast to the creamy, cheesy interior.
Coleslaw comes in both creamy and vinegar-based varieties, because why should anyone have to choose between two delicious options?
The three-bean salad is tangy and sweet, with a vinegar dressing that makes it refreshing rather than heavy.
Baked beans simmer in a sweet and savory sauce that includes hints of molasses and brown sugar.
Grabbing sides here means you can enjoy Pennsylvania Dutch cooking at home without the cleanup.
Address: 14 Center St, Intercourse, PA 17534
9. Dutch Kitchen Family Restaurant
Dutch Kitchen Family Restaurant up in Schnecksville brings Lancaster County cooking to the Lehigh Valley, and locals couldn’t be happier about it.
This spot serves up Pennsylvania Dutch favorites with the kind of generous portions that make you question whether you really need to wear pants with a button fly.
Their sweet and sour cabbage is a tangy, slightly sweet revelation that converts cabbage skeptics with every forkful.
The scalloped potatoes arrive bubbling hot with a golden cheese crust that crackles satisfyingly under your fork.
Buttered corn is simple but perfect, with sweet kernels that taste like summer regardless of the season outside.
Their stuffing is herb-forward and moist, with a texture that’s neither too dense nor too fluffy.
Green beans get cooked until tender with bits of bacon adding smoky depth to the vegetable’s natural flavor.
The dinner rolls are soft and warm, ideal for soaking up every last bit of gravy or butter on your plate.
Address: 4331 Route 309, Schnecksville, PA 18078.
10. Hoss’s Steak & Sea House
Hoss’s Steak & Sea House might have steak in the name, but their side dish game is strong enough to make vegetarians consider a visit.
With multiple locations across Pennsylvania, this regional chain has perfected the art of the side dish bar, where choices abound and seconds are encouraged.
The macaroni and cheese here is creamy and comforting, with a cheese sauce that coats every noodle in gooey goodness.
Their coleslaw is crisp and refreshing, providing a cool contrast to heartier, warmer dishes on your plate.
Baked potatoes come loaded with all the fixings at the side bar, letting you customize your spud to your exact specifications.
The dinner rolls are served warm with honey butter, creating a sweet and savory combination that’s dangerously addictive.
Green beans are prepared simply but effectively, allowing the vegetable’s natural flavor to shine through without excessive seasoning.
Multiple locations mean you’re never too far from excellent sides no matter where you are in the state.
Address: Multiple locations, example: 1180 Carlisle Rd, Chambersburg, PA 17201.