How to Eat a Meal in an AMISH HOME (2 ways)

I explain 2 ways to arrange a meal in an Amish home. What's the typical menu like, how much does it cost, and what should you expect? Do the Amish host families interact with you?
I also share a number of experiences from people who've eaten homemade dinners in different Amish communities. As you'll see, results can vary.
My name is Erik Wesner and I'm not Amish. Back in 2004, I met the Amish while selling books. Since then, I've visited 5,000+ Amish homes & dozens of Amish communities. My book on Amish business, Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, was published in 2010. I run the Amish America website: amishamerica.com/
More:
amishamerica.com/meal-in-amis...
amishamerica.com/eat-meal-ami...
amishamerica.com/enjoy-a-meal...
amishamerica.com/this-amish-f...
Amish home meals listings - Note: I don't endorse these companies or receive any compensation for sharing these. This is a listing of some companies and individual Amish families I've come across that offer in-home meals.
As mentioned in the video some "word-of-mouth" businesses may be unlicensed so use your best judgment. In years past some Amish meal businesses were shut down over health concerns, though I've eaten many many meals in Amish homes without any issues. See www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-... for more on past controversy over unlicensed Amish home meal businesses.
PA:
www.discoverlancaster.com/dir...
amishexperience.com/groups-20...
www.amishfarmandhouse.com/din...
OH:
amishheartlandgrou.wixsite.co...
IN:
visitshipshewanain.com/result...
IL:
amishmeals.com/
acmtours.com/custom-tour-plann...
NY:
Cindy’s Home Cooking
348 Weeks Road
Panama, New York
716-782-3069
Ada M.
Clymer, NY
716-355-6684
Provides dinners in her home
MI:
Countryside Dinners
8400 E Colonville Rd
Clare, MI 48617
989-386-8400
Image credits: Don Burke (www.flickr.com/photos/ozarkin... Jim Halverson; Don Shenk (www.amazon.com/Seasons-Lancas... James Wagler ( • Amazing Grace medley -... )
Sources:
www.post-journal.com/life/art...
www.discoverlancaster.com/dir...
amishmeals.com/
www.travelawaits.com/2740614/...
www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...
amishexperience.com/groups-20...

[@deannajunkin3696]

Just today my family and I visited Jamesport, MO which has a large Amish population. We did not eat in an Amish home but we did eat in a downtown restaurant where the servers were probably Mennonite. The food was plentiful and good and the price was fantastic, especially in today's economy. (In fact, we rarely eat out since we are a large family and the price for us is so high.) The service was fast and friendly. Normally I leave a restaurant disappointed because I can make better food at home. Not today!

[@karenenglish4900]

I have a cousin that is an Amish bishop in Jamesport. I have yet to visit there. Maybe, one day.

[@MustangerMom]

I’ve eaten there too, Gingerich Dutch Pantry, the girls are always courteous and informative - it is Mennonite.

[@AmishAmerica]

Would that be the Gingerich Dutch Pantry? I have heard a good bit about Jamesport from Don Burke who takes a lot of the photos I use in these videos. But never been there.

[@kathy3178]

I went there years ago. Everyone closed early for the funeral of a state trooper who was killed in rhe line of duty. It is was so touching to see how respectful they were towards his family.

[@twilawalker1598]

I have been there. I live in Missouri. There is a HUGE difference between the Amish and Mennonites. That is a pretty good place. The Amish are dirty and you definitely wouldn't want to eat their food. Flies everywhere, no refrigeration, etc.

[@melodioushaste]

The way you say home cracks me up every time.

[@amberenyeart4833]

We get invited to Christmas parties and weddings all the time. Food is fantastic.

[@Anitalevy156]

I visited a lovely Amish family in Lancaster county & had a good cooked meal ! Myself coming from the UK I found the Amish way of life interesting... The meal cost $27 each & we had Sliced chicken - Butter mash potatoes, herb gravy, mixed green beans & peas, Home made fresh warm bread rolls. Dessert was the most yummy apple crumble & fresh made ice cream I`ve ever had. Drink was a cold mix berry. But they did charge extra for hot tea or coffee. Two of the Amish women gave me a small gift bag. one bar of home made goats milk soap. & two hand made tea towels with a pot holder. Just wish I could buy Amish goods in the UK. !

[@suzannefritts813]

I drive the Amish frequently. I have been invited in their homes and have eaten meals with them a couple of times. I enjoyed both experiences. The food was good and they were very friendly to me. After dinner I helped the women clear the table and do dishes. We visited and had a good time as we worked. ♥️

[@Puddingcup110]

My Husband drives a crew daily. They are super sweet! He has been invited to a Wedding but not to the ceremony, just the after party Lol

[@ajalicea1091]

@@Puddingcup110 he may not want to go to the ceremony either due to the fact it's 3 hours on a hard bench. Some people don't even like sitting on a church pew that has wood seats for an hour.

[@Eagle-zl4gz]

I drive up to Berlin- millersburg Ohio once or twice a year from Cincinnati Ohio just to get peace and quiet and food. I also love hanging out with the Amish people. I usually stay for 3 or 4 days . They are the most loving people I’ve ever met. I’ve never had a meal in an Amish home but I’m sure it would be a very hospitable time.

[@SKBottom]

Where do you stay when you are up there? In an Airbnb, regular hotel, or somewhere else

[@lavalianyuckstersthorazine2123]

I like to say tucscwrsas county it's better than you losers in Hamilton County

[@AmishAmerica]

Boyd & Wurthmann's in Berlin! Yum

[@Eagle-zl4gz]

@@SKBottom just a few weeks ago I stayed at the Berlin resort very nice place.

[@Eagle-zl4gz]

@@AmishAmerica delicious. A few weeks ago I was there visiting and I ventured off to mount hope Ohio and ate at mrs yoders kitchen I had the buffet and it was unbelievable! 15$

[@choochalah]

I think amish canning lessons would be awesome!! this experience looks like a cool thing to do!

[@karenenglish4900]

There is an Amish Canning Cookbook available. Some KZbin canners refer to Amish. I'm learning as I am going. Canning cabbage chow chow today.

[@choochalah]

@@karenenglish4900 thank you Karen! I know what I'm doing this weekend!!

[@ajalicea1091]

@@choochalah check out "Make It Make", she lives in Amish area. She has been learning to can like the Amish slowly but surely. She takes her time as she's learning from her Amish neighbor and receive permission from this neighbor to pass on this canning information. The Amish do pass on a lot of the way they do things to their families. So Leilani has been very cautious to not offend them by passing on the information.

[@janesimmons8201]

I have family members and friends that have Amish & Mennonite neighbors in Indiana. Several of the neighbors homeschool together and we had a graduation pot-luck lunch together early last summer. We brought lawn chairs, a berry cobbler and a couple jars of homemade concord grape jam (which the lady host thanked us for and quickly placed the jam inside as there were several jars already on a table). There were about 20 families (4-10 per family of all ages) there. Unless asked to help... us ladies sat under the shade trees with the small children and sang hymns until the host family said the chickens were done roasting. The pot-luck buffet style lunch covering several tables was all sorts of garden vegetable casseroles, chopped salads, fresh baked breads with apple butter, jams and churned butter, pies, cobblers, cake and to drink there was homemade lemon aid and iced tea. Us ladies all sat in a huge circle with the younger children playing in the middle. The older boys and men were off to the other side of the farm. The food was all very good. We all stayed outside and I think only family members entered the house. It was a very respectful and a sweet gathering.

[@RockinRavenVA]

I've been blessed to have countless meals with the various Amish families I've befriended in Lancaster County over the years. As their families are large, the meals do tend to be on the simple side but everything was made from scratch as much as possible. Their meal traditions can be a little different - maybe worth a whole video for itself. What do you say, Erik? :)

[@AmishAmerica]

Nice idea - I'm not an expert in the food category - but I am planning one on 3 classic Amish pies and maybe more along the lines of what you suggest 👍

[@ajalicea1091]

Yes I have been told that they say a silent blessing before and after the meal. I've also like any other family there are certain No No's that you just don't do at the dinner table. Some are very quiet and others are quite rambunctious. So just like the rest of us there is a wide variety.

[@jerriscollins-ruth9019]

Amish Haystack meal is very neat.

[@karenenglish4900]

Have yet to go to one. Various ones depending on breakfast or dinner. Good fundraisers, I understand.

[@AmishAmerica]

That was one of the first Amish meals I ever had

[@CEDL4072]

Used to live in rural PA, and I do miss the meals and fresh stuff. Best cheesecake I ever had lol. Ended up moving back to my homestate but the memories from PA will always have a special place in my heart ❤️

[@luckyduckie2000]

We have 6 Amish families that live in my area. They recently hosted an "Amish Wedding Meal" as a fund raiser. The meal was simple but very tasty and plentiful Turns out there are 16 more families on the way and they are raising funds to build a school. I'm excited. The current families are very nice people. However one young man did get a DUI for riding his buggy while a little tipsy. LOL

[@Tobitobiify]

Will this become a new Amish settlement? In which area would that be, maybe a new area of Amish settlement? Do you know their affiliation, conservative, middle of the road or more liberal like New Order Amish? For sure it's amazing to watch all that.

[@karlabritfeld7104]

Hahahahaha

[@luckyduckie2000]

@@Tobitobiify not sure if it’s considered new settlement. My area has many Amish families. These fine folks are definitely not conservative. I would think more middle of the road. I do visit one farm ever Saturday morning. They sell freshly made donuts. They are warm, yummy and affordable.

[@sonyafox3271]

Don’t you mean buggy instead of buddy! Lol

[@luckyduckie2000]

@@sonyafox3271 lol….autocorrect

[@TheMtggrl]

Very interesting subject, I'm sure there can be many takes on how it goes. I suppose if I was Amish I'd hate living like I was in a fish bowl, but they agree to do it, and there will always be people who want to see for themselves just how different they are. I have not been in an Amish home for a meal, but I stayed at a B&B in Lancaster years ago where the neighboring properties were owned by two Amish families, one of the husbands was good friends with the owners of the B&B and he would come in every morning during our breakfast time and have coffee with us, he would entertain our questions and was extremely friendly. I think I mentioned before that he came back with a jar of his wife's hand canned pickled beets for me after I expressed that I hadn't had them homemade in years, my mom had made them for us growing up. He was sweet, generous and very normal.

[@1982MCI]

Just remember tho, only an extremely small number of Amish individuals and communities actually live the “fishbowl” lifestyle as you put it. Most are hard working country folk working their tales off on the farm or in the shops to earn a living and are not in the public eye at all. There’s only a few communities across the country that have opened themselves up for our display but they are also capitalizing on that opportunity as well and you can’t blame them for it either. Things even change in the Amish lifestyle and they open themselves up for public display when 40 years ago that would have been taboo yet and completely forbidden but even Amish understand that life must change and continually evolve somehow. I grew up with them and played with them when we were young. Our play time tho was usually helping grandpa milk/feed cows at his farm then we’d go next door to the Amish farm and do the same thing or we’d play hide and seek in top of the hayloft in the barn. There were always tunnels between many of the bales of hay and we’d often crawl thru those tunnels not thinking about the possibility of thousands of bales on top of us possibly caving in, thank goodness nothing like that ever occurred but that was life on the farm and being a 6-8 year old

[@ajalicea1091]

@@1982MCI thank you for the wonderful memories of being up in a Hayloft in an Old Barn never thinking about what could go wrong.

[@mikebrouillette6087]

On a recent bus trip we eat at an Amish home in their basement. About 60 people. The whole family was in on it. Kids helped serve and the food was nothing short of great In Lancaster. I would definitely do it again#!!

[@mikebrouillette6087]

remember the meal today for another reason in that the husband has a business digging wells for other farms. They explained they had gained permission from the bishop. Young children were a little more reserved but the mother and older children were great. 28 yr old mother with 5 children.

[@ruthmarini8453]

Interesting as usual. All I know of the Amish comes from these videos. Enjoy them very much

[@AmishAmerica]

Thanks Ruth!

[@karenenglish4900]

Good job Erik! I've had many meals with my Amish relatives as a child. A cousin just took a Western tour from OH and had dinner at an Amish, horse and buggy, home in Montana. I'll enjoy an Amish meal wherever I'm at. Comfort, starchy, sweet, high carb foods

[@AmishAmerica]

Good for farmer-level calorie burning that's for sure! I enjoy a lot of the breakfast foods myself. Scrapple and breakfast casserole for instance

[@stantonmagid4126]

Sounds and looks like a delicious and wonderful experience

[@Ujuani68]

0:30: I like the cleanliness of the walls and the floor, but here in Denmark, we don't make our ceilings shiny. My walls in my kitchen ARE shiny, though, since it makes cleaning easier. 😄👍

[@thecollierreport]

I've never wondered how to eat a meal in an Amish home, hahaha! But now I will know. Thanks! 😀

[@AmishAmerica]

Fair enough! 😅

[@raethibodeau9604]

Thanks for sharing Erik. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I appreciate the links you left for dinner options. I'm going to try and hit at least one in each State.

[@pennywheeler2598]

I grew up around the Amish. I suppose I'm blessed I can cook like them and make many of their recipes. I love shoofly pie.....yum!!!

[@1982MCI]

I’m same way. My grandfather’s farm was surrounded by Amish in Ohio and even tho those days are long gone, many years ago now, many of the Amish dishes are still my favorites and 90% of my cookbooks are Amish cook books. I make my own butter and sometimes make my own cheese. I miss the days when I was surrounded by the simplistic lifestyle they live. I have a recipe for a peanut butter pie that is just out of this world and is so easy to make. Another favorite is a butterscotch pie.

[@pennywheeler2598]

@@1982MCI sounds just like m. I grew up in Pa. and I lived in Lancaster county for several years but I was always around the Amish and the PA. Dutch, their cooking styles are almost the same.

[@FrogeniusW.G.]

Wow, what a great information! Thank you, Erik! ☆

[@AmishAmerica]

Gladly!

[@muddyshoesgardener]

How wonderful! I never knew this was an option. I live in Maryland and I would love to visit a family and to eat an Amish meal. 💗

[@lilacsnroses3345]

Every year as Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, I think about all the meals at my Pennsylvania Dutch grandparents home. The cooking style was very close to Amish cooking. The day after Thanksgiving was always a favorite. Turkey Bot boi (pot pie) made with the homemade dumpling style noodles. Then at Christmas we always had ham and green beans (and potatoes) cooked in the leftover ham broth. Sometime during the week, we'd be treated to schnitz und knepp or hog maw. Mammaw made the fluffiest dumplings in her pressure cooker. They were like clouds! I've never gotten that one down exactly right. Recipes were told to you by handfuls and pinches, not cups or teaspoons. She often said " till it looks right". Nobody makes smoked meats like they have in the Pa. Dutch stores. And desert was a huge assortment of cake's (coconut was my favorite!) pies and other sweets. Boy do I miss those family meals out in the summer kitchen, with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. Those are the times you never forget. The good thing is that we (the girls and women) all helped, so I do know how to make these family favorites. I just can't find the good ham, bacon and smoked sausage we got " up home". What we get now just doesn't seem to measure up. Plus, my handfuls are smaller than mammaws hands were 😁. But I do owe my mammaw and pappaw my deepest thanks for those amazing memories. I wish I could give the same to my kids and grandkids.

[@MissBellaboo702]

We had a fabulous dinner at Ruth’s sisters home, the family was absolutely amazing, The food was fabulous and it was a great experience I highly recommend it.

[@susanschuck8124]

Very nice video! Fascinating information. I hope many tip their Amish Host. I’m sure everyone has different experience and all Amish have different personalities as we all do. Thanks for taking time to share.

[@AmishAmerica]

Glad you thought so Susan, I was glad to share a variety of experiences here

[@susiecox8413]

Hi Erik, this is great info so thank you very much! This is something I have never thought of doing but something to think about!

[@AmishAmerica]

Glad you liked it Susie, I figured summer when people are visiting Amish communities was high time to do a vid like this. Might also do one on staying at Amish farms

[@susiecox8413]

@@AmishAmerica good idea, I look forward to it if you decide to do it.....

[@fyrekrystaal27]

It sounds so nice I hope someday that I can experience it.

[@myboibill]

Love your videos. You have a great narrative voice and your a good looking do. Thanks for pisting

[@pynkmoon2474]

We have Amish friends in Lancaster, PA. We have eating with them several times and enjoyed it

[@mercedesfranco2352]

I went to New Hope, close to Philadelphia, and I loved the Town. It was si peaceful.

[@patricialutz2092]

I had the pleasure of befriending an Amish family in Ronks, Pennsylvania (Lancaster County) in May of 2023.Eli & Rebekah Lapp invited a friend and myself to a delicious dinner at their home. I was taking a walk and commented how beautiful the flowers were that were on their property, it was near dinnertime, and they invited us to join them! It was the most delicious dinner I've ever had; the best meatloaf mashed potatoes and vegetables, (and oh, the fresh baked bread served with apple butter) probably the best coffee I've ever had, and the dessert was a delicious Apple crumb pie! They were polite and curious about the lifestyle of us "the English" and told us to visit them again when in Lancaster County, and we will. We offered to pay them and they said no, we were guests. This was a wonderful experience😊💕

[@rae1957tn]

I’d love to eat at an Amish home it would be great

[@pradiptamishra5061]

I have enjoyed & like this video appreciating all your efforts with a to lot of thanks from India.

[@Walkingwithjordan214]

I live very close to Arthur, I was just there on Saturday!

[@unkjason]

A coworker of mine I guess. We're truck drivers. He delivered to an omish community, it was lumber. They unloaded it by hand. Allowed him to park in their field. Nice and quiet. And invited him to dinner. He politely said no. Then they invited him for breakfast at 05:00. He again said no but thanks. I would have jumped at the chance. But I would have paid.

[@lilylangman5620]

We have eaten in Amish family homes, once in Lancaster where a young couple invited us into their house. It was wonderful…then 2x in Berlin Ohio area. All great experiences.

[@kristensorensen2219]

#272👍🤔🤷sounds similar to food at grandma's house. Fresh corn from the field, potatoes gravy and roast chicken. Love the home grown vegetables. Small Mormon town in Enterprise Utah💖💖

[@robdubz1510]

@4.34 we call it a ploughman's lunch here in 🇬🇧 for this style of food.

[@madelinedimaggio7273]

I had the pleasure to eat in a Amish family home and it was so good and we were able to buy some of their wares they make we were there in 2018 on a bus trip with green mountain lines bus trip in Lancaster county it was all so great their peanut spread was really good got a jar to bring home they were very friendly

[@kimfleury]

What "J" said about the ingredients is disappointingly similar to one of the Amish cookbooks I bought at a truck stop in Amish country (can't remember if it was Illinois, Indiana, or Ohio). I was returning home from a hitch as cook on a towboat, and thought that cookbook would give my ideas for my next time out. Nope. It was all canned soups, Jello, and boxed mixes. I have loads of those Betty Crocker cookbooks already lol 😂 The other Amish cookbook I bought that day was by Jerry and Tina Eicher. It includes some "box mix additions" recipes, but also good down home homemade from scratch with love recipes. My fav is the coffee roast. There are actually a few of those. One uses old coffee leftover in the coffeepot. Mix it with homemade BBQ sauce (tomato sauce, honey, and spices simmered up together for hours). Add fine chopped onion and celery. Slather it over the roast in the roasting pan. Seal the pan tight tight tight with aluminum foil and slow roast overnight in a warm oven (about 250-275°F). Oh my it is the most tenderest tasty roast I've ever had! Another coffee roast recipe uses fresh extra strong brewed coffee, and the third uses a tablespoon of instant coffee. I don't eat pot roast very often, most of my meals are fairly "light," hardly ever eat dessert, so I guess I already eat like the Amish 😆

[@AmishAmerica]

I might do a video on whether Amish food is "all good" - obviously it's not, but it's good to point out how some of the more commercial stuff being sold is not necessarily what Amish families are making for themselves at home. Sometimes I buy baked goods that don't seem too high quality or tasty and pies can be hit-or-miss - pies get the most complaints from what I've seen

[@amymaddamma4448]

Coffee in roast beef is the best tasting roast and sauce!

[@grandcatsmama3421]

My nephew and I went to the Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, the food was fantastic, I brought home a chicken corn soup, that was delicious. It's one of the few places that has Hot Turkey sandwiches with real turkey meat, and a lovely gravy. Having the Chicken Pot Pie next.

[@terrylee7627]

It has been several years ago somewhere around Hersey PA. I ate at a place called Good and Plenty, and it was. It was run by all Amish personnel. Don't know if it still exist. First taste of shoe fly pie.

[@akcalo]

oh I've been there in church trips. It's awesome! So fresh too!

[@diamondintheroughiamthelaw9682]

Great builders 😊😊🇺🇸

[@briancarpenter6069]

My wife and I had a wonderful experience at an Amish home. Our host, Emma, was very gracious and welcoming. We started the experience with some conversation and getting to know each other. Emma serve a wonderful meal to include salad, bread, peanut butter spread, strawberry jam, beets, mashed potatoes, green beans, chicken with gravy, meatballs with gravy, and chocolate shoo fly pie! The meadow tea was the perfect drink at the end of the meal treat

[@tracystout-powers5245]

Was her husband's name Ben?

[@wesbrackmanthercenthusiast4695]

I made friends up in Sugarcreek with a few Amish and Mennonite families that own many of the baker steam tractors at the doey Valley steam days tractor show I also learned what I need to use for lubrication on my hay press

[@shawncooper9999]

My dad who was a Mennonite would get up at 4am start coming breakfast for all of us. We would have big breakfast we would have pancakes and eggs and bacon and toast and cream of wheat or cream of rice or oatmeal and milk and juice. For lunch we would have leftovers from dinner night before. When come to dinner my dad would have the dinner table full of food. I started take over cooking breakfast and lunch and dinner for my brothers and sisters.

[@haroldsearcy9233]

Strange indeed Amish families actually as a general rule do not use much seasoning in their meals..most generally a bland tho nourishing diet… they do have the very best home grown vegetables that we enjoy on a daily basis.. we have also shared meals with our Amish friends whose response was”that meal was good, just too spicy” they are actually great friends…

[@karenenglish4900]

I grew up with less spices and am still experiencing new flavors.

[@MK_ULTRA420]

@@karenenglish4900 berebere, Old bay, herb salt for savory, cardamom for sweets is usually enough for most people

[@Jaclynn.aka.Torikisu]

I was wondering if you have any knowledge about Amish families living in Michigan? There's a large Amish community (or communities...I'm not sure) in the Fremont/Newaygo areas. I only recently moved out to this side of the state and where I'm from, Amish didn't live. I worked at a craft store in town and Amish women and children frequently came in to buy fabrics and other crafty stuff. Many of them have cell phones. Oh, I did get a chance to go into an Amish store with a friend of mine who lives in Fremont and that was a fun experience. 🙂 I only discovered your channel recently and am really enjoying learning about the different communities. Thank you!

[@davidstoughton3257]

I would love you to do a series about what the different Amish sects or communities feel about the other sects or communities like old world vs. Beachy if you know what I mean. Maybe you have but I've looked at your past videos and haven't come across any.

[@karenenglish4900]

Peter Santenello, KZbin, has a series on Amish.

[@AmishAmerica]

You're right I don't have anything specifically on that. Occasionally have commented on it. The plainest groups (eg Swartzentruber) can get looked down on sometimes by more progressive groups. But I've also heard in some cases those progressive groups respect them for their resistance to change

[@cindynielson4231]

Great video Eric. My Aunt and Uncle would go from MI to sell at the Shipsewana Flea Market. My parents joined them one season. They missed out on some great experiences with the Amish.👍

[@jennyclark2950]

We made friends with an Amish couple and we ate with them many times ! It was always vegetables , and always delicious ! A couple times I made several pizzas and took it to their home to share with them and their friends . We always had home made ice cream and pie . No matter how simple the meal , it was always delicious . Everyone has always been very friendly !

[@jonlobello7151]

As I said before I have Amish friends in Middlefield Ohio (Geauga County). If I move back to Ohio, it would probably be there. To supplement my socail securety, I'd get my chauffers license, and the required insurance to haul Amish folks around. I already own a van. I would think eventually I would get invited for supper.

[@dsparks149]

As a kid about 10 years old white was at the time with the church I went to the Amish country and we ate with them we also tore the place they showed us how they were making butter bread it was very nice I had a great time.

[@michellesunshinestar]

I had ham loaf which my uncle said my grandma liked. Some of the best meals are simple. Also, they sell the best pie down there. The restaurant may have been Pennsylvanian Dutch?

[@luckyduckie2000]

ham loaf is so yummy

[@laurieclark2456]

Loved there food store NY Amish.

[@MarciesWhimsySoaps]

My first meal in a horse and buggy community was after church and we had little fried egg slider sandwiches with a glass of water. They were very friendly and we talked for hours. Funny thing happened..right after dinner the ladies all stood up to clean up. I was kind of lost as to what to do and they shood me and told me to jump in! It was good.😊

[@sonyafox3271]

It’s not referred to as a horse and buggy community, it’s referred to as Traditional Amish! In fact the majority of Amish still live in Traditional Amish Areas where they use horse and buggies! The Amish Communities aren’t named after the mode of transportation they use, it’s based on how they live do to where they are located.

[@kellyhanson140]

we have large amish dinners here in salem AR where they serve food to raise money for various medical needs. while it wasn't a personal dinner with the amish it was really really nice.

[@AmishAmerica]

Neat to hear that. The benefit dinners are another nice option and great way to contribute 👍👍

[@kellyhanson140]

@@AmishAmerica i love the food and will donate to get some whenever they have a dinner.. the whole town (1600+ people) shows up though and parking is pretty limited so gotta get there early!

[@AMStationEngineer]

The farm adjacent to my West Sadsbury Township home, was a 'second generation family startup dairy farm', with a tinsmith/coppersmith business which made tasteful, low-key decorative items in a Victorian or Edwardian style. Levi also made copper cookware for candy making and sap-sugaring. We became friends after their youngest daughter noticed our son and daughter's newly built treehouse, and tree-swing, both of which had a 'safety mulch landing zone', and crossed through a tree-lined boundary between our properties so that she could ride the swing. When Levi's oldest daughter, (two children, in-total), Ella Anne 'spied' Deanna 'riding high into the sky', they immediately came to retrieve her. This took place in 1991, and after learning that my former wife was an R.N., who offered to help with "scratches, boo-boo's, fevers, etcetera", a mutual friendship began, which our daughter maintains to this very day. Their family operated a 'darn fine bakery, and a stand at the Berlin, NJ Farmer's Market, which necessitated bulk order pickups from Dutch Way, Christiana, and Esh's in Gordonville, which either we, or our nextdoor neighbor would assist with. These were great times, and largely because of their geographic location, the next closest Amish family lived more than 1½ miles away. These circumstances and events combined to teach us that "your neighbor is your closest relative", and was responsible for all three family's breaking bread together, somewhat regularly. We shared recipes from Eastern European, Italian, Scottish, Irish, Swiss, Moravian, and Austrian ethnicities; enjoyed 'bread and butter' sweet corn picked less than an hour before hitting the boiling water; and improved each others lives by sharing the technological advantages we enjoyed, be they modern day, or from more than 100 years ago. NOTE TO SELF: Visit Achenbach's soon, "Moravian Cake"....... (add Homer Simpsonesque comment here >>>-----> )

[@ajalicea1091]

Sounds like wonderful times and memories.

[@robynperdieu3434]

Growing up in Indiana, the Amish kept to themselves and avoided the English. About fifteen years ago, an Amish lady spoke to me at Ft Wayne's natural grocery as I was picking out herbs. I was so startled by her speaking to me that I stood there and no words would come. It's easier now with Amish having businesses and speaking a few words.

[@leejohnson8084]

I would like to meet and make friends with the Amish and just to learn thier culture in the way they live

[@lavalianyuckstersthorazine2123]

Idea for video how about you cook your favorite Amish meals a cooking video

[@AmishAmerica]

Nice idea - I don't have much cooking talent however, I always say I'm much better at the eating part 😅 though I have done one "cooking" video here. I fried up some Amish canned bacon I received as a gift last December

[@johnmulder4121]

15 dollars per person, here in Michigan

[@mm-yt8sf]

i was imagining it might be analogous to a hawaiian family serving luau food to visitors who aren't from the islands. it's true we eat these foods sometimes (maybe a dish now and then or maybe as takeout from a specialty place, but it's not common to have a whole luau at home unless it's a specific themed event. that's more a sort of thing a hotel might host for a huge crowd 🙂

[@amymaddamma4448]

Outside of the Tulsa OK area their are Amish communities. One of them offers a meal experience on a reservation basis. My choir including me ate there once. Plenty of food served family style. I didn’t care for the food however the desserts were wonderful. The servers were Amish women not any interaction with us. I wouldn’t go back. There are a couple of Amish restaurants in the area. We ate at one of them one time didn’t care for it. The other is a deli with some groceries for sale. We have eaten at the deli several times, it is well worth the drive the food is good. I enjoy your channel

[@jerryvincent8402]

I visited a Amish Bakery and the item were very good. I didn’t try to barter in that it was my first time their.🇺🇸🐻

[@darploin5071]

Now I heard of this wonderful Amish run and owned and operated buffet in Pennsylvania the food was like five Michelin stars

[@anthonyreves7022]

I was raised on a ranch in Arizona,

[@potter3439]

Amish and Mennonite people are wonderful and they have a very unique way of life. I've bought meat pies from them and baked goodies. Delicious

[@KiltedDaddyBear]

Gutes Essen!

[@danielblank432]

A good meal

[@kennethhopson7087]

I have never had an opportunity to dine with an Amish family or a restaurant. From the comments, I would have thought that the Amish would make sure that you had a wonderful experience.

[@drjc2414]

I'm 1/4 Pennsylvania Dutch Amish on my mother's side. I'd like to explore that side of my family's heritage. Can you please get back to me? I'd like to ask some of my siblings if they want to do a family trip to Lancaster county, where we are from. Do you set up tours? Thank you for your KZbin channel, I probably would not have been this interested in doing such an event with my family. Regards.

[@sonyafox3271]

Well, people tend to also forget that depending on what’s going on, I know in South Eastern Indiana something like where something might be going on in Friendship or Rushville Indiana many Amish vendors show up for the Outdoor Flea Markets and, the Power of The Past that goes on for several days. I know in Rushville, Indiana for the Power of the Past Old Timers Convention the Amish have quite a few places you can pick from, one where they have like a big building and you can get a big meal and, they sell a little bit of anything and everything.We usually ate our lunch in there. Heard they had served breakfast, I told my mom, I would have liked to tried their breakfast. Then, in the evening we got something outside where this other group of Amish had a little trailer where they was selling sandwiches and, different soups. That’s as about as close, as I have came to eating a Amish food all day long.But, that was back when, I was still in high school! But, never been in a Amish home to eat a meal, would like to some day.

[@daveygivens735]

Just hit the Shady Maple Smorgasbord.

[@anthonyreves7022]

If you go online to Pennsylvania p define a lot of the Amish Mills on there and they'll show you how to make them buy if it's still on Amish cooking is back to the basics where you make your own broth you get fresh vegetables from your garden in djarum results on the offseason If you're willing to spend a little bit of good money and an organic just some of the good dairy products and make the Amish food and you can also get the good produce I need to do is look up the Miss recipes for the four seasons.

[@anthonyreves7022]

I was raised on a ranch in and we were raised like that Quakers in the Amish. That's the reason why so we would learn how to survive And that's one thing I've learned in my life is to go back to that basic way of living.

[@denisesills3111]

Amish are some good traditions. Peoples most good stuff who knows!!!!???! Pie looks goodyyyy!!!!!!!

[@oldfarmshow]

❤️

[@elizabetherwin1315]

Is anyone aware of any Amish tours in Minnesota?

[@adrianahewett9557]

I would love to do this but don’t think there are any Amish communities in Australia

[@michellesunshinestar]

We have Amish restaurants here in Hocking County. But they aren't run by the Amish??

[@droolbunnyxo9565]

Re the health department issues. Amish restaurants often serve food "family style", yes. Customers grab a serving spoon & fork & help themselves to food set on the table. Afterwards, serving bowl leftovers may be served to other customers - this way there's no waste. The Amish (& other similar sects) are the only restauranteurs allowed to serve food this way. But due to covid things have likely changed, unfortunately. (My mom collected Amish cookbooks & the recipes were awesome. Not a bad meal in the bunch. And Amish buffets were where friends & I headed on weekends to eat hearty affordable home-cooked style meals. Especially after our parents booted us out of the house in our late teens/early 20s to live on our own. Good times! 🥄😋)

[@giovannisakai4456]

fun fact there are 2 amish areas in ohio one in middle field the other in millersburg

[@dianeb5380]

I live in a community with lots of Amish families nearby. At the grocery stores, I see they are buying the same garbage as the rest of us. They are not all living off the land and only eating natural foods. It's definitely not Little House on the Prairie.

[@TheShilohdad]

I happen to be the partner of the Lucinda quoted in the video. I spent probably a good 20 minutes talking to the man of the house, who was one of the nicest people I’ve talked to. We kind of compared the Amish use of technology vs. the English. One specific thing I asked was how they got running water in the house. I said that our home had a well that used an electric pump. How did he get pumped water. He said that they ran the generator to pump up an air tank, and that ran a pneumatic pump for the day. I also mentioned that like his refrigerator, the one in our RV could run on propane, but we had to have a battery to run the controls and the flame ignitor. His refrigerator just had a pilot light. Well, I told him ours couldn’t have that as we could not have an open flame when filling up the RV with gasoline. He agreed he didn’t have that problem. As I said, a most delightful man. The woman of the house also gave us a tour of their buggy, which was very similar to the ones you showed in a previous video. One interesting thing about their buggy, is that they had rubber rims on their steel wheels. She said it made the ride more enjoyable - smoother and more quiet. This appears to be a fairly liberal community.

[@AmishAmerica]

Neat! Happy to hear from you and tell Lucinda I was glad to share her anecdote. I met a family in this community back in 2004 who did home meals. Their last name was "Graber". First time I had come across Amish home meals. Sounds like this family is great for this kind of thing

[@TheShilohdad]

@@AmishAmerica The family we had lunch with was named Schrock. They were in their 60s. The man of the house had medical issues and was confined to a wheelchair and needed constant oxygen (I suspect he has COPD or congestive heart failure). He was also heat sensitive. With all those problems, they were allowed several accommodations. They had a small gasoline generator they used to run his oxygen generator (he also had oxygen bottles as backup) and window air conditioning. With the use of oxygen and his breathing issues, they did not use kerosene or gas lighting. They had a small solar array that they used to charge batteries and run LED lighting. In spite of all his medical issues, he was one of the most upbeat people I have met, interested in many things. We very much enjoyed our lunch with him and his wife. The personal interaction was more interesting than the meal, but that was sort of the whole point of our going.

[@stephanie12007]

I live in Lancaster and it’s odd. I see Amish women shopping at Aldi, filling their carts with processed foods and frozen foods. I didn’t think they ate like that. Are they using refrigerators and freezers now?

[@WAL_DC-6B]

I believe they use refrigerators/freezers powered by gas or kerosine.

[@xADDxDaDealer]

So I'm hearing rumors that an amish family may be buying the property next to mine. Just curious if you have any tips on having an amish neighbor? Things normal to us that may come across as offensive to them or anything like that. This is in northern Michigan if that makes any difference.

[@AmishAmerica]

I would just say treat them like people, and hopefully they are not setting up a hog farm or super loud sawmill or anything like that :) actually just wrote about your question re: offensive so you might find this post useful amishamerica.com/visiting-the-most-conservative-amish/

[@shannoncarmody3805]

Question do you think Amish meals like the one described as being very canned prepared. The Amish may have been Progressive Amish and not old order Amish if that makes sense?

[@arthurr8670]

I have a very unrelated question. Today I was at an event that a lot of Amish people also attended. I noticed a lot of the kids were barefoot, while the parents were wearing shoes. They were walking on concrete and rocks, and it didn't bother them. I'm just wondering why the parents wear shoes and the kids didn't, and it was from very little kids up to teens that I noticed didn't have shoes. I am assuming they came from different areas as I talked to one and he was from 5 hours away, and Lancaster, pa would have been a lot closer.

[@AmishAmerica]

A lot of Amish people in general like going barefoot. Adults as well, outside around the home for instance. Since this was a public event though with travel involved that's probably why adults had shoes on. The children coming along might not have bothered with shoes though, especially if they were smaller. Summertime it feels good for the feet!

[@KameraShy]

I am not close to being Amish, but when we were kids we all ran around barefoot.

[@Skyhors3]

My father-in-law was invited back for family dinners after a lifetime of shunning, took his daughters and I along twice. The only furniture in the living room were benches along the walls. Every person who entered, male or female, went all around the room, shook hands and greeted every person already there, then they themselves sat along the wall. The kids were bored, but didn't make a sound. All the women were in the kitchen, cooking. The men ate first, separately, then the women and kids. They said that's because the men need to eat first, then get out in the field to work. There was plenty of food and it was very good. The Amish cousins giggled to themselves, about my clothes, I guess, but they were all very friendly and accomodating. After dinner, the kids cut loose, like any other kids. I should add this: indicative of the Amish temperament, if ya go on an Amish farm, the dogs don't even growl.

[@lindablack2064]

I have eaten a meal in an Amish home.I was invited very impromptu on a Sunday night for the evening meal. There was at least 3 other Amish family’s There for dinner. The table was at least 20 fr long. Amish were. Very friendly and sat st the table wit us. The father was so nice to explain what to expect. Loved the experience . Songs were sung after the meal while the younger women cleared the table and cleaned up. They even sang Amazing Grace in high German: at my request! Not all Amish people are alike. The home was clean and food was prepared safely. It was a beautiful experience.

[@sonyafox3271]

Ft, long not fr long!

[@marydziengel1765]

Where can i find a Amish place in Indiana, love Amish food

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Check out north-central Indiana towns like Nappanee, Shipshewana and Middlebury for restaurants serving Amish, stick-to-the-ribs, food.

[@anthonyreves7022]

Pp I was raised on a ranch in Arizona Amish in the

[@melissawalker3888]

I really enjoyed this post and would love to enjoy a meal in an Amish home someday. However, if I had to choose between paying as much or more than one would pay at a buffet, and it was an "arranged" dinner as part of a tour then I would much rather just go to the buffet. I can sympathize with the gentleman who had a bad experience with the Amish dinner seeming "fake". I once stopped at a roadside stand where they were selling baked goods. This was not at a home but rather just a wide area beside the road near Mansfield, Ohio. The impression that I got was that the lady was Swartzentruber Amish due to the more conservative style clothing she was wearing. I was shocked at the low quality of the cookies and bread that I purchased. The chocolate chip cookies were not good at all. And the bread was dry and not good either. My husband and I joked that these were Amish impostors. I learned an important lesson that day. The Amish do not have a monopoly on cooking skills. Having given a negative experience, I will relate a very positive experience. I once stopped at an Amish farm (I believe it was near Berlin, Ohio) where they gave tours of the home. After the tour, they gave us a hand pie. That was the best pie of any kind that I have ever eaten and my husband felt the same.

[@zacktube100]

It sounds like traditional American home cooking, which my mom still makes. For $20 - $30, I'll go to Outback.

[@flyacow]

The pickled veggies would be Chow Chow.

[@isanewday]

How about for us vegetarians. ?

[@mrsseasea]

Not to down play anything here…..but I’m Native American and live on a reservation, we eat different food that’s caught from the river or dear elk. My kids would bring a friends over for dinner, and they were so surprised what we ate, like fish eat soup, or fried fish eggs. Anyway sure it’s different in every culture.

[@francesgrumblatt3420]

How do the Amish take care of the elderly

[@brianvernet9950]

I USE TO LIVE IN SHIPPENSBURG they keep to THERE SELF but I love to go hang out for a weekend with some cool one i live that way of life an. HORSE a love to RIDE TO ANY TAKERS UAM GAME I LIVE IN BENTLEYVILLE PA. BUCKET LISTS. BRIAB VERNET. PEACE