Finding Good Penn-Dutch Food in Florida

I would normally be posting this on my food blog at www.davidskitchen-david.blogspot.com, but wanted to post it here instead as it is also a cultural thing for me.   Anyone who reads any of this will probably already know that my roots are West Virginia Dunkard German, which is very closely akin to the Penn-Dutch.  As such, our people had a similar culture and cuisine to the Amish and Mennonite communities, although we have a few variations that are also very much part of the Appalachian experience too.   In many cases, such as close to where I grew up in the north-central Potomac Highlands of West Virginia, the cultures overlap somewhat too, as in nearby Oakland, MD, we had a sizeable community of New Order Amish and Mennonites who operate even today several good businesses.  That being said, Florida is not normally a place where you would find communities of people like us, but they do exist, and even here in Lakeland there is an Old German Baptist Brethren (these are old-order Dunkards) church called Pine Grove.  And, in my 20-plus years living here, I have discovered a lot of good places to find the food and other items, and that too has been somewhat of a comfort as well as I don't get as homesick.   Anyway, I wanted to use this as an unofficial guide to tell you a little about them.

Back in December 2003, when we originally moved to Largo, FL, I found out to my pleasant surprise that only a couple of blocks from the house was located Stu Opp's Amish Country Store.   If you are looking for things like Utz Potato Chips, whoopie pies, Frozen Run Birch Beer, or just fresh cheese and deli items, this is the place to go.  

The Amish Country Store, Largo, FL

Stuart Opp, owner and proprietor of the Amish Country Store

Over the years, I have given these good people a lot of business, and it was comforting to have a little piece of home just a 2-block walk away.  Since moving to Lakeland, we unfortunately cannot get over there as much as we used to, but do intend to still go over and stock up on stuff on occasion.  If you are in the area, do drop by and check them out - usually Stu, the owner, is in there and he will treat you like a king because he's a nice guy and I give my word that he will give you friendly down-to-earth service.   If you are interested in visiting the Amish Country Store, they are located at 206 13th Street SW in Largo, and their webpage is www.theamishcountrystore.com. 

Another place we discovered was due to a recommendation from one of Barb's co-workers, a Pennsylvania native, and upon visiting we were not disappointed.  It is called Bonnie's Breakfast and Lunch, and the owners are originally from Lancaster County, PA.  The place is small, a little crowded, but well worth the trouble visiting because the food is the best!  When you finish your meal, they sell some of the best Penn-Dutch coffee to take home, as well as some homemade baked goods and you can get birch beer on order (Not Frozen Run unfortunately, but still good).  Average breakfast there is about $7, and dinners are a little more, so it is also economical considering the quality food you get.  To find them, their address is 1714 County Road 1 (Belcher Rd) in Dunedin, and since they don't have a website they can be called at (727)738-1510.  Again, well worth the trip.

Bonnie's Breakfast and Lunch, Dunedin, FL

Upon moving to Polk County, we recently found another good Penn-Dutch restaurant that turned out to be good, although a bit hard to locate unless you know where you are going!  It is Ray and Fran's Restaurant, and it is located in a little strip mall shopping center off US 17 in downtown Winter Haven.  We went there yesterday for breakfast, and if the picture is any indication, the food was not bad at all:

Our breakfast - I had the Belgian waffle in the front, and Barb had the French toast in the back.

If you happen to be in the area and pick up a little paper called The Orange Peel Gazette,  you can get a good deal on a meal here - a breakfast is less than $5, and lunch is well under $10.  However, get there as early as possible because they do close at 2!  Also, they have a shelf of used books up in front of the cash register as you check out, and if one interests you, the proceeds go to the local animal shelter to help out, so that is a good cause as well.  The address for Ray and Fran's Restaurant is 842 6th Street NW (US 17) in Winter Haven, and like the aforementioned Bonnie's they don't have a website so you can call them if you have any questions at (863)297-5923.

Ray and Fran's Restaurant, Winter Haven, FL

A couple of hours south of here in Sarasota, there is a considerably large colony of Amish and Mennonites (and a few Dunkards thrown in for good measure!) that have been there for years, and they are fairly well-established in the area.  We have not gotten down that way yet, although we are planning to do so soon, but there are a couple of good places there I have heard good raves about as far as authentic Penn-Dutch cousine is concerned.  The two restaurants, Yoder's and Troyer's, are both worth a look, and both of them serve similar menus with succulent fried chicken, pot roast, and of course the belt-loosening desserts.   And, upon doing a little research, I found that at both the average price for a plate is about $9-$11, and at Troyer's they have a buffet that costs $14 or so for the dinner.  Later on, when we actually try them, I will give you the 411 on how good they are.  In the meantime, all the information you need can be found at the webpages of the two restaurants, which are as follows:

www.troyercorp.com - for Troyer's Dutch Heritage Restaurant in Sarasota

www.yodersrestaurant.com - for Yoder's Amish Village

Yoder's, I must add, also has a market and gift shop too, so if you want to stock up on some goodies, that is a good place to do it!  I am looking forward to trying both of them, although it may take a couple of trips to do it.   Barb and I will probably debate on which we will try first, although with the buffet at Troyer's, we may do that one to start and then hit the market at Yoder's after the fact.   I will let you all know in a couple of weeks.

Any rate, that is my report as your friendly foodie, and I intend to keep my eyes and ears open, as well as my appetite, for more good Penn-Dutch places to dine.   Take care until next time, and good eats!