Broasted chicken cooks under pressure in hot oil, and that one trick changes the whole bite. The crust shatters.
The meat underneath stays so moist it almost seems unfair to regular fried chicken.
In Ohio Amish Country, this style shows up on buffet lines and menus across small farm towns. You might pass buggies on the drive in.
You might also leave with a slice of homemade pie you never planned to order.
The best part is how humble these dining rooms feel. You grab a plate, find a drumstick, and suddenly the mashed potatoes and gravy become serious business.
Rolling fields sit outside the windows at a few of them. Rocking chairs wait on at least one front porch.
So which kitchens get that crackly shell and juicy center just right? A handful of spots across the hills keep pulling people back for one more piece.
Your next road trip might already have a lunch plan.
1. Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen
Mt Hope is a place where buggies outnumber traffic lights, and the chicken here earns that quiet fame. You’ll find this country restaurant right along State Route 241 in the heart of Holmes County.
The buffet stays small, but the broasted chicken punches way above its size. Expect a crispy, crunchy shell with juicy meat waiting inside.
Drumsticks show up on the dinner buffet, so grab one early.
Pair it with the mashed potatoes and gravy, which are creamy and rich. Pork spareribs, pot roast, and stuffing round out the spread on many days.
A salad bar keeps things a little balanced.
Save room for pie, because the lineup is serious. Coconut cream, fresh strawberry, and pumpkin pie all appear on the menu.
Pie a la mode is there too, for anyone feeling bold.
The buffet schedule varies, and daily specials rotate. The kitchen is closed Sundays, and reservations aren’t taken, so plan for a possible wait.
Address: 8101 OH-241, Mt Hope, OH 44660
2. Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen
Some folks drive across state lines just for a box of this chicken. That says plenty about what’s happening in Middlefield.
The village sits in Geauga County, home to Ohio’s second-largest Amish settlement. Many of the employees here are Amish, which gives the meal a real local feel.
Broasted chicken stars on the buffet, juicy and full of flavor. Chicken and noodles sit nearby, along with roast beef.
Homemade rolls make a strong case for a second trip up.
Curious about peanut butter spread? Try it here, since it’s a classic Amish treat.
The housemade cakes, pies, and cookies are worth a look too.
Breakfast starts at 6 AM, so early birds win big. There’s also a gift shop for souvenirs, and reservations are accepted.
The doors stay closed on Sundays.
Address: 14743 N State Ave, Middlefield, OH 44062
3. Amish Door Restaurant
Wilmot has roughly 300 residents, yet it hosts a dining room big enough to feel like a small village. The sprawling Amish-themed venue sits right where Holmes, Stark, and Tuscarawas counties meet.
Prefer to order off the menu? The three-piece broasted chicken is a smart pick.
Pair it with green beans and mashed potatoes with gravy.
The skin comes out crunchy, and the chicken arrives hot. That combo makes it hard to stop at three pieces.
You can also go buffet or family-style here. Fresh baked goods and a well-stocked salad bar fill out the options.
Smoked pork chops and the Amish Door casserole tempt anyone wavering.
The building feels clean and peaceful, with a lovely view. Reservations are accepted, which helps on busy Saturdays.
Hours run later on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 1210 Winesburg St, Wilmot, OH 44689
4. Der Dutchman
Rocking chairs on the front porch are a sneaky clue that nobody here wants you to rush. Der Dutchman sits on Walnut Street in Walnut Creek, surrounded by Holmes County farmland.
The views stretch over pastoral hills from the dining room. It’s a lovely backdrop for a plate of chicken.
The broasted chicken comes out crisp and juicy, and it’s a house favorite. Fried chicken shares the buffet, so you can run a side-by-side test.
Ham, roast beef, and pork round out the meat lineup.
Don’t skip the roast beef, which holds its own nicely. A salad bar and bakery add more reasons to linger.
Chicken pot pie also appears on the menu for anyone craving comfort in a crust.
Doors open at 7 AM, Monday through Saturday. Reservations aren’t accepted, and dogs are welcome outside.
Address: 4967 Walnut St, Walnut Creek, OH 44687
5. Dutch Valley Restaurant
Can’t pick between ordering off the menu and loading up a buffet plate? Dutch Valley lets you do either.
The restaurant sits on Old Route 39 in Sugarcreek, a gateway into Ohio Amish Country. It’s a relaxed, farmland pick for old-fashioned American meals.
Broasted chicken holds center stage on the hot buffet. It shares space with tender ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
Portions run generous, so pace yourself.
The menu side has fans too. The cheeseburger has a homemade taste, and the fries come out well prepared.
That’s handy if someone in your crew skips chicken.
The bakery deserves its own stop. Homemade pies and sweet treats make a fine take-home souvenir.
Groups do well here, and reservations are accepted.
Address: 1343 Old Rte 39 NE, Sugarcreek, OH 44681
6. Berlin Farmstead
Crispy outside, juicy inside, and moist enough to make napkins work overtime. That’s the chicken story at Berlin Farmstead.
Berlin is the busy main-street hub of Holmes County Amish Country. This down-to-earth spot sits on Township Road 366.
The buffet pairs broasted chicken with buttery potatoes, creamed corn, and ham. Beef brisket, stuffing, and noodles join in too.
A stocked salad bar keeps the greens fresh.
Dessert lovers should eye the Dutch apple pie. Coconut cream pie also earns attention.
Prefer a plated meal? The meatloaf dinner and noodles over mashed potatoes are on the menu.
Breakfast runs Fridays and Saturdays starting at 7 AM. A drive-through helps when you’re in a hurry.
Reservations aren’t accepted, and Sundays are off.
Address: 4757 Township Rd 366, Berlin, OH 44610
7. Des Dutch Essenhaus
Broasted chicken is right there in the official description, so this place isn’t shy about its specialty. Des Dutch Essenhaus sits on North Market Street in Shreve, a village of about 1,000 people.
Shreve borders the Holmes County farm country, making it an easy add to your loop. The restaurant fills a historic building with a fireplace.
The chicken arrives hot with a seasoned crust. Turkey and hot beef sandwiches also appear, plus a salad bar.
Here’s where the sweet tooth wins. Cinnamon rolls, apple pie, apple crumble pie, and apple dumplings all show up.
That’s a lot of apple, and nobody’s complaining.
Unlike most stops here, it opens Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM. It closes Mondays instead, and reservations are accepted.
Address: 176 N Market St, Shreve, OH 44676