If you are looking for a delicious and satisfying meal that will make you feel like you are at home, you might want to check out Der Dutchman, an Amish buffet restaurant in Sarasota, Florida. Der Dutchman serves authentic Amish and Mennonite dishes, made from scratch daily, using fresh and local ingredients. Whether you choose the buffet or the menu, you will be treated to a variety of comfort foods, including their famous fried chicken, which is marinated, breaded, and “broasted” to perfection.
What is Der Dutchman?
Der Dutchman is a restaurant and gift shop that celebrates the Amish and Mennonite traditions of the Midwest. It is part of the Dutchman Hospitality Group, which operates several restaurants, inns, and shops in Ohio and Florida. The Sarasota location, established in 1985, is near the Amish community of Pinecraft, where many Amish and Mennonite families spend their winters.
Der Dutchman offers a casual and cozy atmosphere, with wooden tables and chairs, quilted wall hangings, and friendly staff. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also provides catering and banquet services. You can also stop by the bakery on the first floor, where you can find a wide array of homemade sweets, such as pies, cakes, cookies, donuts, and breads.
There is also a selection of savory goods, such as cheese, sausages, jams, and pickles. On the second floor, you can browse the large gift shop, which has something for everyone, such as books, toys, candles, jewelry, and souvenirs.
What can you eat at Der Dutchman?
Der Dutchman’s menu features a variety of dishes that reflect the Amish and Mennonite heritage, such as noodles, meatloaf, roast beef, ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, macaroni and cheese, green beans, corn, and coleslaw. You can also find some healthy options, such as salads, soups, sandwiches, and fish. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable.
However, the main attraction at Der Dutchman is the buffet, which offers an all-you-can-eat experience that will satisfy any appetite. The buffet includes a salad bar, a hot food bar, and a dessert bar, where you can find a variety of dishes, such as fried and roasted chicken, ham, meatloaf, roast beef, macaroni and cheese, candied yams, noodles, vegetables, and more. The dessert bar features pies, cakes, puddings, ice cream, and other treats.
The fried chicken at Der Dutchman is especially popular, as it is prepared using a special technique called “broasting”. Broasting is a method of cooking chicken that combines pressure frying and deep frying, resulting in a crispy and juicy chicken that is tender and flavorful.
The chicken is first marinated in a secret blend of spices, then coated with a special breading, and finally cooked in a broaster, which seals in the moisture and flavor. The result is a fried chicken that is unlike any other, and that has earned rave reviews from customers and critics alike.
Why should you visit Der Dutchman?
Der Dutchman is more than just a restaurant, it is a destination. It is a place where you can enjoy a hearty and delicious meal, while also learning about the Amish and Mennonite culture and history. It is a place where you can relax and feel at home, while also being treated with warm and friendly service. It is a place where you can indulge in some of the best fried chicken in all of Florida, while also sampling other dishes that will make your mouth water.
If you are looking for a unique and memorable dining experience, you should definitely visit Der Dutchman. You will not regret it, and you will likely come back for more. Der Dutchman is located at 3713 Bahia Vista Street in Sarasota, and you can find more information on their website or their Facebook page.
You can also read some of the reviews from their customers on TripAdvisor or Yelp. Der Dutchman is open from Monday to Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is closed on Sundays. Make sure to bring your appetite, and enjoy the best all you can eat Amish buffet in Florida.