The Indiana Buffet Everyone Talks About Thanks To Its Unforgettable Dessert Table
Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury, Indiana, has built a sweet reputation that keeps dessert lovers coming back for more.
The buffet is already a feast for the eyes and stomach, but the dessert table steals the show with pies, cakes, and treats piled high, each bite more irresistible than the last.
Locals swear it’s a place where indulgence is encouraged and memories are made, proving that sometimes the best part of any meal is the very last course.
Indiana’s Largest Restaurant Isn’t Kidding Around
Forget cozy corner diners. Das Dutchman Essenhaus sprawls across Middlebury like a small village, complete with gift shops, a bakery, and enough seating to host your entire extended family reunion.
This isn’t just big for Indiana standards, it’s genuinely massive. Walking through the entrance feels like stepping into an Amish wonderland where every corner offers something new to explore.
The sheer size means you can browse shops while waiting for your table, which is genius planning.
Despite accommodating hundreds of hungry visitors daily, the place maintains a folksy, welcoming vibe that never feels rushed or crowded.
That Dessert Table Everyone Obsesses Over
Picture a table stretching longer than your car, piled high with homemade pies, cakes, puddings, and Amish specialties that’ll make your dentist nervous.
Raspberry cream pie gets mentioned in reviews like it’s a celebrity, and honestly, it deserves the fame.
Every dessert is made from scratch using traditional recipes passed down through generations. You’re not getting store-bought anything here, which explains why people drive hours just for a slice.
The hardest part? Choosing just one dessert when there are literally dozens staring at you with their sugary, irresistible faces.
Buffet Food That Actually Tastes Homemade
Buffets usually mean mediocre steam-table sadness, but Das Dutchman flips that script entirely.
Their broasted chicken earns rave reviews as crispy perfection, while the beef and noodles taste like Grandma’s been cooking in the back all morning.
Mashed potatoes come with real gravy, not that gloopy stuff from a packet. Green beans, corn, stuffing, roast beef, and even fish rotate through the hot bar, all maintained impeccably throughout service.
For under $20, you get unlimited access to food that tastes genuinely homemade, which explains the constant crowds and 45-minute waits.
Apple Butter That’ll Ruin Store-Bought Forever
Sitting on every table like a little jar of heaven, the apple butter at Das Dutchman has converted countless skeptics into believers.
Spread it on their fresh bread and suddenly you understand why people write entire paragraphs about condiments in their reviews.
Made using traditional Amish methods, this stuff tastes like autumn concentrated into spreadable form. Sweet, spiced, and impossibly smooth, it pairs perfectly with everything from biscuits to dinner rolls.
Fair warning: after tasting this, grocery store apple butter will seem like a cruel joke your taste buds won’t forgive.
Salad Bar That Puts Sad Iceberg Lettuce to Shame
Before you even hit the hot food, there’s a salad bar that could be a meal all by itself. Fresh vegetables, multiple dressings, and that potato salad people apparently can’t stop talking about in reviews.
Everything looks crisp and vibrant, not wilted and sad like most buffet produce. The variety means even picky eaters find something they’ll actually eat without complaint, which parents appreciate deeply.
Loading up here first is strategic because you’ll want to save room for the main courses and desserts waiting beyond. Pacing yourself becomes an Olympic sport.
Service That Makes You Feel Like Family
With over 11,000 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, the servers at Das Dutchman clearly know what they’re doing.
Reviewers consistently mention friendly, attentive staff who keep drinks filled and plates cleared without hovering awkwardly.
Even during peak rush times when the place is absolutely slammed, servers maintain that warm Amish hospitality that makes you feel welcomed rather than processed. They genuinely seem happy you’re there, which is refreshing.
Big communal tables mean you might share space with strangers, but the relaxed, upbeat vibe makes even that feel comfortable and fun.
More Than Just a Restaurant Experience
Why just eat when you can also shop, play mini golf, take a buggy ride, and grab ice cream afterward? Das Dutchman sits at the center of a whole entertainment complex that’ll easily eat up half your day.
The attached bakery sells pies and pastries to take home, which is dangerous for your willpower but fantastic for tomorrow’s breakfast.
Gift shops overflow with Amish crafts, quilts, and souvenirs that actually feel authentic.
Families love this setup because kids stay entertained while adults browse, making everyone happy. It’s destination dining taken to the next level.