Reviews of Shady Maple Smorgasbord (Restaurant)

Kim Warner

Been a staple with my family for generations.. i was so excited when my daughter and son-in-law were so excited when i mentioned their baby shower be there. It was perfect. Staff was beyond helpful with all my questions and i had the market reproduce a cake i had a picture of.. the cake was fantastic! Beautiful and tasty. Whole day was perfect. I highly recommend this for events in one of their private rooms. The market cakes are something you have to get.. the cake was not only perfect and they nailed all my hopes and the cake was less the $50. another reason to love shady maple.

Asylum Tarantulas

Love this place. Been coming here since I was very little. Cant beat it for breakfast lunch or dinner. All food is top notch. And service staff is phenomenal! Great job guys and girls keep it up.

Vonnie D

We always have the best experience here. We usually take a motorcycle ride twice a year to this smorgasbord. Best tip is to have a group of 5 or more people to be seated quicker. Unfortunately the side designated for larger groups have a smaller buffet option, but it's best to walk to the other side to get way more options. It's not a long walk, but if it's your first time going, you may not know that they have two buffets. Their food is always fresh and delicious and they have plenty of desserts to choose from also. Once you are finish eating, you can take a walk downstairs to their large gift shop.

Warren Powell

Always a great experience. The food quality here is HIGH! Delicious and well cooked, tastes like homemade. Great service and employees are hospitable and friendly. Selections are endless. You have got to try it.

Jeremy Tinsley

Quality Food for the price. Around $20. New York strip steak was tender, topped it with fried onions and mushrooms. Fish was cooked well for a buffet. Garlic parmesan wings were very good! The Angus burger was very good! Salad was fresh and customer service was EXCELLENT!

Janet Foss

Every food imaginable! The process is very streamlined from cashier to table assignment. Food is very delicious. I had salmon with dill sauce which was very good. The coconut cream pie was excellent!

Cleatus Vandamme

The food was delicious. Some of the employees are nice and the management was helpful and great. The building is beautiful! I would rather take out of town people here than Philadelphia. Some of the employees have a bad attitude. They frown and just tell other employees how they can't wait to get off shift. When thanking the crab cake woman several times, never did she say "you're welcome". The hot dog lady was wonderful. Other customers there were very kind and friendly. I will go here again. I hope the management can treat better train the staff not to complain about their job in front of customers.. And smile.

Isaac Artis

This restaurant is not like any other place we have ever seen. The food and service are excellent. The wait time is minimal. Prices are very reasonable. Shopping is available downstairs of the establishment. It has a variety of stores. You, too, would love this place. It's beautiful.

Cathy Correia

Wonderful place... Great food great service. I will def. Go back. We were here on vacation from Massachusetts and heard great things about it so we and were very happy.

Bradley Livermore

Large variety of food. Hit or miss as far as flavor goes. Delmonico steaks have no sear but at least were medium rare. The "steak burger" with cheese, fried chicken and pork with kraut were good. Buffalo wings weren't bad. Roast beef was bad. Desert options were plentiful. I had ice cream cake and added a bunch of toppings from the ice cream bar. Was very good.

Kailah King

Although there's nothing fancy or spectacular about this place I must say... Shady Maple is big. Like, BIG big. it was obvious this is a very popular place to eat in Lancaster. The food area itself was also HUGE. Another plus for me was that there were plenty of vegetarian and vegan options; anyone who has adopted either lifestyle would feel comfortable at Shady Maple and be able to stuff themselves like everyone else. On the ground floor of Shady Maple there is a gift shop that extends the entire length and width of the building, and it's really nice! Overall, Shady Maple just didn’t live up to the hype for me. The food wasn't disgusting but definitely not anything to rant about; it was typical Old Country Buffet quality food. With prices they've established you’re paying for the variety they offer. Friendly servers who quickly and consistently cleaned tables. Unfortunate we can’t tip them. Shady Maple is very clean. Didn’t see anything questionable. One of the cleanest establishments I’ve seen. Bathrooms were also clean and didn’t smell like a zoo. Would I make the trip again? Probablyyyyy not.at least I wouldn't go out my way to go. If i so happened to be staying in Lancaster for a few days (for whatever reason) then I'd place it on my list of places to eat.. at the bottom of that list though.

Ashok Vaid

For a massive buffet there is only one game in town. This is the best. Simple food done just right.

Linda Mackes

Must see and experience, going there is a great time for all. Food is plentiful and delicious. Cleanliness is #1.

Nautical Captain

A wall of food 100 yards long buffet style is about the only accurate description. The food is always fresh and plenty from fresh cooked steak, to fresh fish, pizza, and countless other favorites. Dont forget to save room for dessert, and I must say too much to list. And when your done downstairs is amazing store featuring handcrafted furniture, toys, collectables, for anyone on your list. This is a great place to walk off that extra piece of pie or cake from dinner.

CottonCandyHamster

Was disappointed that the manager would not honor the free birthday meal the day BEFORE your birthday (if it falls on a Sunday, since the restaurant is closed.) Apparently, they only offer the free meal on the day AFTER your birthday. We were told the manager could make exceptions, however, he chose not to accommodate us.

Nick Carroll

Best buffet I've ever been to. Food quality and selection is superior to other buffets. Clean and well managed. You can actually eat your money's worth when you consider the food selection available: steak, shrimp, roast, salmon, other fish and every other buffet food you can imagine. It's all well prepared and presented.

Meg Mehl

Sadly, atmosphere has greatly changed over the years. Not the darling quaint destination it once was. Food appears more "for the masses" than sweet homemade. Employees smile less, and one feels like part of a herd instead of a welcomed visitor. Still a somewhat fun experience due to the smorgasbord size and Amish/Mennonite staff, but no longer a family favorite.

Michael Jackson

Ambiance. Food variety and area culture were are all worth the visit. Although there was a line waiting for food service it moved quite rapidly and the wait was well worth it. After dinner a visit to the downstairs gift shop is a treat.

Nate

The dinner and lunch are a little pricey but with a very large selection of decent food. But mainly I go here for Breakfast, which is much more reasonably priced and they have a huge selection. I have been going here since the grand opening of the new location and have never really been disappointed. Like I said, my only complaint is that dinner and lunch prices are perhaps a little too high, but one can't really blame them given the supply-demand of this place.

Ithamar Rodriguez

Shady maples is a great place to dine they have a humongous buffet. Your birthday is FREE. All you Gotta do is show proof of ID. The food is amazing and they have a lot of nice artwork. They have a store downstairs below the buffet full of cool artwork.

Sharon Blakney

Food is of great quality and variety. Many options for different tastes. Breakfast buffet is also good ..... plenty of fresh baked goods ,egg stations and breakfast standards. Opens crazy early but gets busy fast . Come hungry.

M Johnson

One of the best buffets available in the area. They always have a large selection of wonderful foods. The breakfast and lunch crowd is much easier to contend with than the dinner and weekend crowds when the place gets extremely busy.

Jonathan Agudelo

We were in one of the party rooms on a Friday night. The prime rib was delicious, as well as the sides to go with it. We had no issues parking, and the facility is in good shape. Could get crowded, but not overwhelming.

Donna Strong

If you leave hungry, it's your own fault. Excellent food for an incredibly great price. Fantastic selection.

Billy Xiong

Good ole country food. Comes out quick and fresh. Not the prettiest at times but the value is there no matter the case!

Ryan Baker

Legendary buffet. Excellent regional specialties. Hugely popular but you can still get a table quickly on Saturday night.

Cquint Green

You will not be disappointed. It doesn't matter what you have heard about buffet style dining. The was hot and stayed hot. The supply of food was very plentiful. The food are and tables were kept clean. The heck with 5 stars I give them 10!

Happy Hinds

Excellent atmosphere and wonderful food!! It was my 1st time coming to the shady maple Smorgasbord and i was very impressed and i can't. Praise it enough!!

Chuck Coan

This place amazes me. The chicken tasted great, the other meats were just as good. First time in many years we stopped in for dinner. Usually do bike runs for breakfast. Very large crowd of people but they really have crowd control down to a tee. We were in our seats in a reasonable amount of time and enjoying the tremendous selection of good. The desserts are great as well. If very hard not to over eat at this place.

Cortney Thomas

This was part of our bus excursion, and we had lunch. A lot of items to choose from, but nothing really stood out. The only seafood on the menu was broiled Cod and a fried crab cake. The salad bar was plentiful and had a lot of choices to enhance your salad. Limited variety of salad dressings. The food was in abundance. I don't think I would choose this again for lunch, I heard the dinner menu was much better and offered more of a variety. Staff was pleasant. They have a gift shop downstairs that had a variety of items in all price points. Jewelry, household items, apparel, food, you name it, they were selling it.

ahna arenas

5 stars is the max. Worthy of many, many more! Excellent food, excellent prices for all you get, excellent service. Coming here is a highlight and one of the reasons why we visit Amish country. Plus a gift shop that's as big as a supermarket. What's not to like? Our favorite time of day to go is for breakfast. Try the sweet potato pancakes with pecan and cinnamon syrup. They'll make it specially for me. Can't be beat. Husband gets giddy having them make his favorite omelette. Plus they have Amaretto creamer for my coffee. This place is yum city!

John Leschinskie

Came here based on the number of reviews and rating of this place and I must say I left disappointed. The venue is absolutely beautiful and clean. The gift shop is humongous and has plenty of selection, but why does everyone go to a Smorgasbord? For the food. The food was nothing outstanding that would make me want to HAVE to go there again. Although the selection was generous, the taste was not. The food tasted under seasoned and some were very dry as if it had been sitting for hours. Pretty much was pre-packaged food just heated up. Even my wife was not impressed and she never has trouble finding something amazing anywhere we go. The policy of "taking food out is shoplifting" was a tad excessive, but I could understand such a strict policy may be necessary with better quality food, which wasn't the case here. I'll save money next time and just eat at home.

Jodie Miller

Excellent food! A little pricey but it's worth it for the food. Gift shop is amazing! Love seeing the Amish people.

Kristay

I've never seen such an amazing selection of food and it's all delicious!! If I could give 10 Stars I would! Highly recommend this place!! And don't forget to visit downstairs... Awesome and huge gift shop! Definitely worth the drive!

Mary Righter

It is a cafeteria style experience- reasonable for a family because it is all you can eat; however, we found the food to be not of the best quality. It is completely self serve- drinks as well.It was a very clean restaurant, but requires a lot of walking, depending on where you sit.By the time you put your food on the table assigned and then walk to get drinks, the food is cold. Also, the plates were very small and you had to go up numerous times to get your food.

The Queen of Neckbeards

Out of the food I tried, the steak, chicken, and cheesecake were really good. However, as to be expected with buffets, some dishes were borderline cold, such as the mac n' cheese. Overall, a lovely place with a huge variety of food and drinks. Also, you get free food on your birthday, which is a really nice idea. (You have to bring another paying person along) Would absolutely recommend this restaurant for those wanting a good birthday dinner, for a small to medium group of people.

Rebecca Simpson

Amazing food. They are right when they bill it as comfort food. Don't come here looking for a healthy meal (keto, etc). This is comfort food at its best. It is worth the drive. Huge gift shop below. Staff is friendly and helpful.

Roger Gerdes

I had the buffet. The food was delicious. So much food! Great place to eat.

Linda Hale

If you leave hungry it is your fault. Plenty of good food selections, visit the grill areas, breads, desserts, salad bar, a very large drink selection hot and cold. Make sure you roam the entire buffet from one end to the other.

Danny Otten

We attended the surf and turf night on Tuesday 8/27/2019. Everything was exceptional from our greeter to servers behind the specialty stations. We didn't feel rushed and left where we could hardly walk from the delicious food. Next time we visit the area its Shady Maple!

iveyymula johnson

The best smorgasbord restaurant in the area. The staff are amazingly nice, pictures and displays are remarkable to look at. And don't for get about the supermarket. Produce, bakery, deli, the best!!

Alex Kudlanov

Best restaurant I've been to, hands down. I don't go to many restaurants but this is one of the best I've been to. Everything looks high quality and is eye pleasing. I love the bathrooms haha.

Kevin Eshleman

Shady Maple Smorgasbord is a "food mall" where you will always find something you like and it's a place where you can fill your belly, even if all get is the beverage option. They almost have as many drink options as food options. They can sit as many as two, a bus load, or for a concert and will never run out of food! And it's not overpriced considering the many food options they have. Check out their daily extra special food options like steak night (don't be disillusioned, they always have sirloin steaks) or Italian night. Enjoy!

Barry Levine

Amazing amount of food and choices. They offer 200 linear feet of buffet. The food was good, not great, but after all it's a buffet and not a Michelin starred restaurant. Some of the offerings were really good and some were mediocre. All in all you will find and enjoy many of the offerings regardless of your culinary preferences. Staff members are very friendly and the price won't put a serious dent on your credit card. Senior discount is given for 60 and above. 90 year old youngsters eat at half price and if you are 100 or older you eat for free. There is no time limit and no extra fees but beware taking food out of the dining room is forbidden. There is a bakery and a department store sized gift shop on the lower level and ample parking.

Brenda Lisitano

Good array of options. Food was hot and well cooked. Almost missed the carving station which was excellent and did miss the root beer which looked very good as we left. Purchased two fresh breads to take home. Recommend looking over all of the options before picking as there is so much to choose from.

Drake Orion

Great service and the folks are always friendly. The young man that serenaded the dinners by the dessert bar as he worked was quite pleasant.

Doug Colberg Jr

Always awesome!!! Amazing food for the money! Brisket was superb, N.Y. Strip delicious, fried shrimp has improved, however, fried chicken has gone down a tad...BUT still in top 5 for fried chicken in my opinion. DON'T pass on the kielbasa...DELICIOUS, with a nice smoky flavor and a "snap" on the skin/casing. They've made a mistake going to whipped cream machines...the hand whipped was soooo much better!

Tamara Lewis

I love coming here. It's the best buffet experience I've had. A wide assortment of foods. Beverages are included. Free meal on your birthday.

Angela Sykes

Good food, good atmosphere, great people. Had a very nice time. Will visit again for sure.

Vincent Leto

I wish we lived closer to this location. It is about 1100 miles away from where we live. However when we go on vacation. We always stop there. This is an excellent smorgasbord

John Neu

HUGE smorgasbord with food quality generally better than typical buffet food. Price very reasonable for an "all you can eat." If your schedule allows, go for the lunch at considerable savings. Extremely well organized restaurant which can handle large crowds in an orderly manner.

Stanley Zoltek

You really can't go wrong here. It's not fast food and not a fancy restaurant but a good buffet. Plenty of space and even at busy times you don't have to wait long. Always have lots of selections available. They have different key entree selections depending on the day of the week. Full dessert selections are also available. Plenty of free parking and the staff is always helpful and pleasant.

Bob Knell

Their food was excellent for an all you can eat smorgasbord. They even had gluten free chocolate cake which was really good

Anthony Luu

Shady Maple is hands down delicious. Their brunch is worthy of a 6/5 stars and their dinner (whatever the dinner feature is) is a perfect 5/5 stars. This should be quite evident from the sheer size of the restaurant. I believe there are 3-4 banquet halls to add to the super sized gift shop.

Bob Digiacomo

Very cool place to visit. Good was good for a buffet. Very efficient

Dawn F

There's a fantastic array of food here! Something for everyone. And the dessert bar ... just WOW!! Totally 5 stars for Shady Maple!

Davis Lau

Such a satisfying place. The building itself is just beautiful and the decor matches the area really well. The greeters are super friendly and will also give you a quick rundown if you’ve never been. They have so much to offer here! From soups, salads, desserts, ice creams, local sodas, coffee, local milk, fried chicken, steaks, cheeses and more. It’s a bit overwhelming so I suggest taking your time to scope out the area.

Chad Howard

By a far, this is the BEST Buffet I have EVER been to. All that food is amazing and fresh. We love this place and every time we go it's always a good experience. Highly recommend this place to anyone in the Lancaster area.

Thomas Overmiller

Our family makes this an annual stop every year either before or after our family vacation. The food selection is attending and it's delicious! My favorites are the red beets, butter noodles, brussel sprouts, and especially the fresh, grilled catfish. The facilities are clean and spacious with ample parking available.

Mike T

Delicious food. Friendly staff. They serve something for virtually everyone. They have grills making the specials of the day, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. A large salad bar, large drink selection and so many choices to eat. With breakfast you can get custom made pancakes and omelettes. Sooo much to choose from. Worth the money. They also offer Senior discounts and eat free on your birthday.

Linda Eroh

It became too commercial! Lost its charm and country atmosphere. Became more of a sideshow tourist attraction. Downstairs, the store is full of stuff one can get anywhere. It's not unique anymore.

Billy Adshead

The food is quite delicious and there's plenty of it, I'm just not too into buffets, because they will bloat you fast. Still the staff is friendly, the gift shop is chock full of goodies and the endless possibilities of food items is still unreal. This is the chief buffet locale of Lancaster County, and its obvious. I should know, I'm a local.

Timothy Lo

One word. Value. Best quality food? Probably not. But it is good quality food. The prices are reasonable bordering cheap. Just a sight to see though. Big with lots of choices. Worth checking out. Breakfast is great.

Rebecca Thacker

It's a shame you will only be serving halal dishes instead of incorporating something for all. This is a very diverse country. Not just one culture.

Lisa Seeram

This place is absolutely wonderful. So many things to choose from. I was a little meh about the prices. Well, with so many things to choose from and the deliciousness of everything, I'd pay that and more.. So worth that hour and 45 minute drive.

Nan Jacobs

Shady Maple is the best. Hands down, bar none... The best. And the diabetic options in desserts never cease to amaze and delight. Don't miss the Goods store if you sew. To die for selection and their prices put Joanne's to shame. You'll love it, I promise. Super clean and fair prices. Free if it's your birthday!

mrsgstack

Food is plentiful. Variety, food stations full and the food was good! You are not allowed to tip! The service was good enough though and I wanted to tip.

Sherry McWilliams

If I could give this place 10 stars, I would! The food is incredible and the restaurant is clean and beautifully decorated. Staff is amazing and everyone is so friendly and helpful. I would recommend Shady Maple to anyone and everyone.

Kira Knerr

Disappointed, as loyal customers we travel 2 hours there and back, every year I go for my birthday with my family. I was planning on going, but was called on a business trip last minute. I called to see if I could come on my way home from my trip (the day of my birthday) but they were closed or at least directly the next day and the lady responded no. I called ahead of time in hope that they would be able to work with me. I asked to speak to a manger and she would not let Disappointed they refused to accommodate a small request from a loyal customer. As very loyal customers this seems extremely unfair, we will be taking our services elsewhere to somewhere better and closer.

George Myers Jr.

Yes... I deed I love this place. Wonderful Mennonite folks here. Excellent variety. Great priced. Good management. Truck parking behind Smorgasbord, if no scheduled buses.

Sue Miranda

OMG! What a dining extravaganza! I've never seen such a large selection of food. The smorgasbord counters are endless. In addition there's a steak counter where you can order your steak how you like it cooked...there's a seafood counter...and more!

harold butler

Good service, more than enough variety of food and drinks. Alot to see in it's indoor store and the surrounding stores and attractions. Plenty of room for parking.

Bill Baldwin

Really nice gift shop which is why this place gets 3 stars. Some of the food was excellent, however most of it was mediocre at best some of including the Salmon was poorly cooked. Worth the trip if you want to go to the gift shop otherwise there are a lot of better places to eat.

John Burdey

Delicious food and SO many options! They have something for everyone..seriously! Fresh, hot, tasty and abundant. Amazing deserts and ice cream as well.

Lady Tee

Had a great time with my family. Lot's of good food choices. The Amish food market is great also. Homemade ice cream out front and the best kettle corn with free samples.Whoopie pie samples inside the food market and food concessions. Pretzels and pretzel wrapped sandwiches (Roast beef & cheddar, turkey & cheese, cheeseburger). Something for everyone.

Stacy Dreher

Absolutely the best buffet ever. The food is fantastic and the people are nice! Plus, for lunch it was less than $15 for an adult!

Dennis

Awesome food, very large selection, and friendly staff. We drive over an hour and a half to eat here. Very highly recommended!

Scott Goshert

Place is WAY OVERRATED! Steaks are tough & grizzly. Grilled chicken breast was dry. Their"Famous Roast Beef" was dry. Fish, mashed potatoes, & filling were good. Drive up the road alittle ways & go to Yoders Cheaper price & better food.

Matthew Casey

I was just there on Thursday. Everything was on point, as always! The staff are friendly and attentive. The food is fresh and plentiful. The only thing I don't like about Shady Maple is how far away it is!

Miche H

The food here was good and you can not beat the lunch price! Fun shopping downstairs! This is definitely a go to destination in Lancaster! Would go back!

Colleen Saracoglu

Awesome place. First time. Long wait but worth it. All you can eat steak.... oh I was in heaven.

James Moody

Love the food love the staff. But one thing for advise. Sunday after church hours is not the best time to go. Love the store in the basement everything is great

brian tiberio

Have not visited here in 20 years. Friend said it was not as good as it used to be, and was as dime a dozen as any other buffet. I could not believe this, so we visited. New building is nice, but I liked the old one. Were no Mennonite women servers as it used to be, mostly Spaniards and Lancastrian youths. Atmosphere was exactly like any buffet you could pick from the phone book. Food was good. Hot, always refilled, and delicious. The brisket was awesome. We were too full for dessert, but it all looked great. Was crowded, buffet area is far too tight for the volume. Will return, mostly for that brisket, and a shot at those desserts!

William Hayward

True to its name, this place has a massive assortment of buffet tables. Come hungry! The only downside is the amount of sugar and butter used in some dishes, such as the sweet potato and the flavored breads. The steak was just 'ok'. Would have paid more for some better cuts. Friendly staff. Decent eats.

Suze Ha

Food has def changed. Used to taste like freshly made HOMEMADE however now It never tastes fresh or nearly as good as it used too. Employees used to be so friendly and now don't seem to have time for people. They also don't seem to understand alot of what you are trying to ask or say to them in most cases as they don't seem really good at English which makes it hard for customers to communicate. Man putting silverware together doesn't wear gloves and is touching the part of the spoons and forks that go into your mouth and then goes and clears peoples left over plates and touches the silverware they had in THEIR mouth. We noticed a huge difference when they moved to the new building that they are in now. Maybe the increase in amount of customers and food needed is a just a little too much to have maintained quality it used to be. Just overall really changed and not for the better.

DM Hayes

Astounding amount of food. The food is good, fresh, but not light. Of course a smorgasbord would be wasted on a light eater anyway. There are salads and fruits, though, if a small eater comes with you. It's a huge place.

Bill

The food is very good here and the selection is unbelievable, and of course it's all you can eat. Honestly hard to think of something you want to eat that is not there. It is the same for the desserts and drinks. Went on surf and turf night, think it was $26 a person that night, and I know I got my money's worth. Will definitely go again.

Jeff Boxtruck

This place ain't too bad. The problem is sometimes you get a bunch New Yorkers there and they act like they own the place. They must think it's going to be their last meal. Pushing and shoving. food flying off their plates because they load them up to high. Just a bunch of slobs.

Will Kane

I rarely give 5 stars but Shady Maple does so many things well at once, that if great good and service are most important, over perfection, then this place is the ticket. There isn't a bad dish on the smorgasbord, and the dining atmosphere is filled with diners who are foodies pretending to be there cause eating is a necessity...lines can be very long during peak times but these keep moving with the help of attentive staff. Allow at least 90 minutes to get in and out. Parking is as plentiful as the selection on the buffet. Highly recommended.

tania schnitzler

The best food ever and everything you can think of is here. The biggest buffet ever seen 200 feet of all kinds of delicious food. You'll not find a better place anywhere. Pennsylvania Dutch, mmm, mmm good!!!

Scotts Honest Reviews

We went early while some of the food was more dry over all still amazing selection breakfast was very good drink selection awesome over all if you wanna eat come here you won't leave hungry!

Jenilsa Clark

Our 2nd time there. Our family loves it. Great staff, great food. The place does get crowded. Get here early, grab your table, and dig in.

Debbie Brooks

Reasonable price, huge variety of foods to select from. Delicious and staff were very nice. You are advised not to tip at this restaurant. The downstairs gift shop is huge with a massive assortment of gifts, home decor, furniture, toys, and garden decor.

Ramona Doggett

Excellent buffet. Quick seating time and wonderful "comfort" food. HUGE selection of food and reasonably priced. Will return in the future if in this area again.

Donna Egan

Food is good, atmosphere is very friendly, and staff is very accommodating. Best of all, birthday people get in free with a paying person. We took my husband, for his birthday, with his parents, who go at least 2/3 times a week. They're 89 and 90, so the food must be good!!!!

Joan Welte

It has such a fabulous selection of food. Your beverage, dessert, and tip are included with the price of the food. It costs roughly $20 for and adult and a littles for people over 60. There are 4 girls with everything from catfish to New York Strip Steak and much more. There are also some Pennsylvania Dutch items like buttered noodles, corn, and Shoo Fly pie. You cannot go wrong coming here, but come early as it is a popular place. We've been coming here for years and will continue to do so. They also have a large gift shop below that is great too.

robin reeves

This place blew my mind.. Super clean,, extra friendly people and the food OMG!! The food taste so good like my mom cooked it.. I cant wait to go back.. We drove 3 hours just to come ❤❤

chiffon jackson

Excellent variety of food for a great price. If you don't leave there full, you didn't try. Something for everyone to enjoy!

Charles Sweigert

I definitely ate my money's worth. The Stuffed Sole and Cajun Catfish were just amazing. We would love to do breakfast next time!!! I also have to give Bill a good word. He was taking used plates in the Ballroom last evening. He is such a great and funny guy. Hope to see him next time as well.

Evelin Burgos

Awesome place. I loved everything about this place. The first time I went was on my birthday only to find out that on your birthday you go in for free. My friends took me. I was like a kid in the candy store. They also have an awesome gift shop down stairs. Food is awesome too much to make up your mind on lol. Just prepared yourself for at least an all day experience here. I loved it.!♥️

Olivia Keys

I always wanted to go to this place, I was starting to think I was the last person on Earth that hasn't gone. Food was great, it was surprisingly organized and flowed peacefully considering this is a massive buffet. I had a great time if you haven't already done so, go check them out. Well worth it

Naka Spammy

The chicken croquettes were too dry to eat. The brisket was a struggle to cut and exceptionally fatty which tells me it was not cooked properly. I got the Romaine mix salad and found slimy pieces of decaying lettuce all through it. The kielbasa was like eating a salt bomb. Other than that it was fine.

Jen Thornton

A very wide variety of food. The crab cakes were great, my mom in law loved the sirloin! I enjoyed making my own sundae with a good cup of coffee. Joyce, our hostess, was helpful and kind. Go downstairs to the store, it was insane! Will come back for sure!

Stephanie Correll

Growing up not far from here, this was a staple in my childhood. I loved going to eat breakfast here when it was in the original small building and it’s just as good in the newer and much larger building next door. The breakfast is my favorite, but you have to get there early. This place has become so popular that there are lines for the omelettes and pancakes. The other buffet areas are usually busy on the weekend, but not much of a line since there are so many stations available. It’s great for families as there’s ample seating areas. There’s normally a very long line to get past the registers on weekends for breakfast, but it moves pretty fast. They have several registers with separate lines and then they move you to a line for the seating areas. They always do a good job of getting you seated quickly and I can’t remember waiting more than about 10 minutes. This is one of my favorite places to go for breakfast as there’s something to please everyone, it’s a friendly atmosphere and the overall country feel is charming. I highly recommend shady maple for big groups.

Kathy Houck

Such a sad thing. This place was fantastic years ago. Now the food is just ok. My beef was so tough I couldn't swallow it...Servers are pleasant and helpful. Its really hit or miss with the entrees....

Daniel Narvaez

Just awesome food. The place is very well run.They get you seat with easy. The gift shop is a must to visit. Parking is available. I come back every chance I get.

ron mills

Best food around. All kinds of great food and all kinds of soft drinks and coffee. Any time I'm in areal go. Not expensive. The place has a general store .A great food store . If they don't have it you don't need it. A great place.

Eric Meyers

This place is always great! You have a wide choice to pick from and they have different foods different nights like seafood and steak night. Even with a large crowd they get you in quickly. We drive over an hour and 30 min to get there.

William Clavijo

Lots of good solid quality food. Very well prepared and seasoned. Lines move very fast. If you have a party of 6 or bigger the register line is even faster

Shukhrat Maks

Good buffet, variety of foods and drinks. Good for kids too. The chocolate milk was average. Desserts were actually delicious for it being a buffet. Good space lots of good service from the servers. We were 3 adults and 2 kids, had good options for kids. We haven't seen such a huge buffet before, there are a lot of people standing in line all the time.

Fiona McPhee

Only go for breakfast. This is their best value and most reliable time. We went for dinner a couple of weeks back and the menu was seafood and brisket. I don't eat most seafood, so was really banking on the brisket, but they had run out before I got to try any (and this was at around 6:30pm). I thought I'd try some soup, but the raw shrimp was right next to the hot soup - surely this isn't food safe. Not surprisingly, the people I dined with who ate the seafood all complained of digestive issues within a day.

Christopher Liberty

Good food. Good service. Need to get there early. We arrived at 4:20 on a Friday and it took almost half an hour in line before we reached the register then another ten minutes until we were seated.

amy betz

If ever in the Lancaster Area and you love buffets, this place is a must! Variety of Amish cooking and comfort foods at it's best! On your birthday, you get a free meal when you present you driver's license. Expect to spend some time here. I suggest a walkthrough first before eating...there's SO MUCH to choose from...small servings of everything. You will not leave with an empty stomach.

Beejers M.

So much food! There is something for everyone. Most food items are homemade. Definitely better than the average buffet and so many more options, from the grill specials to the soup and salad bar, to the standard buffet options. Multiple bread options as well which are delicious if you're a carb lover like me. Visit the gift shop downstairs after, there are so many items you won't find of anywhere else.

Jessie Phillips

Wear comfy pants. There was so much food I couldn't even try it all. There is a gift shop that is huge, it gives you a chance to walk off some of your meal. The price was very reasonable as everything is included. There were several different stations and two salad bars. You really need to walk around both sides so you can plan what you want to try.

Shanna Hoffman

Be sure to wear your fat pants when visiting this place! There is so much delicious food. From salad to homemade dessert bar, they have it all! My family prefers the breakfast buffet which offers a variety of eggs, breads, and meats. Lunch is always good as well, having a variety of veggies, potatoes, and meats. Save room for an apple dumpling, which is my favorite part! They have a nice gift shop down below to help walk off some calories.

B Dubbs

This place is truly the smorgasbord that the name suggests. The amount of people they are able to serve here is staggering, and apparent from the enormous size of the parking lot and dining areas. Quality was decent, understanding it must be challenging to prepare such large amounts of food. Prices were a little higher than I would've expected for what we got.

William Martellio

First time going, place was clean... staff extremely friendly... wasn't a big fan of SOME of the food but I'm bit of a picky eater. Cheesecake is exquisite. Beef brisket was succulent. Stood in line for about 15 minutes, for a Saturday (busiest day) that's not bad at all. Might be a bit much for anyone who struggles with big big crowds (again i went on the busiest day during lunch rush). Will return and definitely recommending to friends.

Joan Montgomery

Lots of choices....next time will know which food to eat...lots of veggies over cooked .. watery, salad and dessert areas best. Gift shop wonderful... And decor nice

Melissa Atley

Unbelievable selection! I love bringing visiting friends here the selection is incredible. an added bonus is it is free on your birthday. Definitely a fun place.

Dominique Washington

This place was amazing, and well worth both wait to get in and the price is good as well. The selection of food was amazing and everything tasted great! As a diabetic the sugar free selection of drinks was a welcomed addition. The staff were quick and polite. This is definitely a place I will revisit as often as I can because of my great experience here.

Terry Bruck

Great selection, super nice staff. It was my first time there and they took the time to tell me where to find everything. There are baked goods for purchase to take home as well. Make sure to check out the gift shop downstairs. It's huge!

Yitzel Hueclouds

Amazing place. I always come out of there happy

crystal morgan

This place is amazing!!! Great food, great service... Over all nice experience.

Carmen Ruiz

Beautiful Relaxed Atmosphere. Amazing Food and Desserts. Elegant Buffet Style Restaurant. Friendly Staff. Prices for adults around $19.99 Free Birthday Entree If it's Birthday Bonus not many places offer this. I gave this place 5 star well deserved I will be going back.

Jill Potter

Best buffet I've ever been to! Great variety and at only $21 and some change per person you can't go wrong. Added bonus you can shop and walk off some of the calories you just consumed. It's kind of a "if they don't have it you don't need it" shopping experience. They even sell RV's so if you need something bigger to fit your shopping haul in they have you covered.

Frances Gruver

Best smorgasbord. Favorites are the beef pot roast, fried chicken, dried corn, & Harvard beets. Multiple meats, veggies, salad bar, desserts galore. Must do if visiting Lancaster County PA!!!

Debra Wagner

This place is huge. Great selection of food, hot food was hot including meats, seafood cooked to order. Items were refreshed or replaced every 20 minutes. Gift shop under restaurant.

John s. Burdey

Amazing! So much food! So many choices and several ethnic stations as well. Hot and cold buffet and deserts to satisfy anyones desires.

Skip Tribby

My wife and I and two friends went to the Sight and Sound Theater and a friend recommended eating here. While at the theater a gentleman we met recommended giving it a try. So, even though it was somewhat out of the way to go back home we stopped and we were glad we did. The four of us have never been to a smorgasbord that offered so many varieties of food and desserts. We all tried different meats, vegetables, potatoes and desserts and everything was delicious. We will definitely make an effort to go back on our next trip.

Beverley Story

We love Shady Maple. The food is amazing and everyone is so friendly. The gift shop is beautiful. I'll be back next week!

Sarah Bailey

Food is great. Staff for the most part is friendly. The older woman in the gift shop is very snippy which is odd compared to everyone else's disposition. I requested to grab bubbles from the free gift basket on kids night for my son and nieces who had just gone upstairs with the rest of the party. I'm unsure what her distaste was with me considering she allowed the woman in front of me a second item for her one son.

Nelson Christenson

If your ever in Pennsylvania, Lancaster area, due yourself a favor and make time to stop at Shady Maple Smorgasbord. It's a little on the pricey side but well worth it. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. They offer seniors discounts. All food is served buffet style. All grown locally, wonderful Amish food. They have special every day of the week, hot food. Home made soups, different grilled specials every day. Salad's with everything you can think of, a desert island, ice cream. Fresh fruit and every conceivable, baked home made pies , cakes, brownies, apple crisps, and soooooo much more. All drinks included with meal's. Very friendly stall always cleaning away your dirty dishes. Just down the hill on the same property they have there own grocery store with prices hard to beat. Everything the serve in the Smorgasbord, you can purchase there to take home. So make sure you bring a cooler, if you're traveling.

Shirley Bower

Best Smorgasbord ever! We eat there 6 times a year! That 200 foot food concept. was fresh and. Always full within a few minutes of asking! Everyone so friendly. From the cashiers to. The hosts and the ladies who watch the tables! I give this place 10

Yolanda Petty

The food was delicious. Everything I ate was good. Steak, catfish, rice and gravy, cabbage and mashed potatoes and gravy. Apple crumble and chocolate pie for dessert mmm good!

Elizabeth Webb

Great. No more Miller's for me. People was great. Food was fantastic. Beautiful inside and out. It was well worth driving the extra 30 minutes. I highly recommend it to all those that want a variety of foods. Theres some thing there for everyone.

goldnglo570

If you're in the area being your appetite! This is a five star dinner experience.. no dress clothes required. Food is excellent.

Brian Temple

Outside of Kelsey's AC in Atlantic City, this was hands down the best buffet I ever been to... Eveything you can think off was at this place....crab cakes, shrimps, prime rib, brisket, roast pork, ham, meatballs, ny strip steaks, steak burgers... and this was just one station.... every dessert under the sun.... something for everybody.....

Joshua Stoltzfus

Delicious food as always, one of the best things about shady is the selection. The omelets are really good. Biggest buffet in PA!

Tommy Kortman

Excellent experience. The food was fantastic. Get there early though as it gets really busy. You can't leave here hungry. There's something for everyone. Personally I'd like to see a little bigger drinking glass though. Way too many trips to the soda machine. Also, you can work off the meal in the HUGE gift shop, downstairs. 41,000 square feet of goodies.

Mary Donoghue

The price was so cheap for this amazing buffet. Tons of food choices and very fresh and delicious. The staff was very helpful and friendly. I had a very good sirloin steak and lots more. Amazing dessert choices.

scott harris

This place is a giant Buffet. I go almost every year with my family because we are from out-of-state. I would highly suggest for anyone not from Pennsylvania to try it at least once. The only issue I have is the quality is decent but the choices of what you would like go up and down. Do not be afraid to speak for specifics that you're looking for. Every year I go I would rate it somewhere between 2 to 4 stars and that's where my three star rating is coming from. I do wish they had more coupons and I do wish for the price there was a couple more different fish options because every year I go it's always catfish and salmon.

George Bracy

A tasty breakfast buffet. They need to give classes on proper buffet etiquette though. Too many people just standing and staring at potatoes like they've never seen them before (and consequently blocking half the table)...

Sarah Williams

Once loved this place. Haven’t been here in 12 years since it’s rather far since we moved. Went on a Saturday. That was our first mistake. The crowds unbelievable. The place was enormous. You got to think “well with a crowd like this it’s got to be good”. Nope. Steak was shoe leather. Crab cakes, well let’s just say if I ordered them in a regular restaurant, I would send them back (a practice I never do, don’t want to upset the folks handling your food). My son filled up on olives and my husband the pickled beats. I have no idea why people flock here anymore and it’s rather pricy. Staff were polite and the coffee was delicious and that’s the only positive thing I can write. Will I ever return? Well, you bet I will but not to eat, but shop in there fabulous gift shop. I could spend all day there. Quick shopping this time as we all felt bloated and not well after our meal.

Tasha Mioshy

Shady Maple Smorgasbord is one of the best buffets that I have ever been to. The dining hall is HUGE but they are always filled to capacity so there will be some wait time. They service well over 1500 people in each sitting. The food has lots of flavor and variety. There is plenty to choose from if you're vegan or dairy free as well. The drinks are okay. The price varies from 20-23$ per person. They do not allow tipping but they encourage shopping downstairs at their gift shop, which I have a picture of. They sell any and everything from collectables to old fashioned candies to trinkets and gadgets.

Marianne Kinney

What can I say, ate breakfast here everyday on vacation . Never needed to go to lunch. Definitely worth the money. Chicken sausages are the best. And if you see the cookies and cream doughnut run the other way. Beautiful establishment.

MKGamer

This place is just amazing! It is lovely right when you walk in the door. The service is great and so is the food. It is also a very huge venue, you might even get lost a couple of times, but it's all apart of the journey. Would definitely recommend, for a party or graduation, or just a causal dinner with family.

Adrien Michaud

Awesome food. Awesome service. Love it here. Little out of the way but worth the trip.

James Dismang

Great food. The only problem is there's so much good stuff you eat until your stomach hurts. Lol

dortiz426

This place is awesome! There are two areas of the same food because this place must seat over 1,000 people. The parking lot is all around the building so there's plenty of parking. As for food, there is a nice selection of meats, seafood, side dishes and dessert. Come hungry. Its so much food you will not even try a quarter of what they have. If its your birthday, you get a free meal and discount coupon for their gift shop downstairs. You need to show proof of your birthday and it has to be on the day of your birthday. Come with plenty of time, their gift shop is huge. It has all kinds of items for your home and nick nacks. Pick up some of their bread too, it's yummy with butter, cream cheese or for french toast. I come every year with my family. Its the best buffet in all of PA

Denise Fish

Great buffet, great price! Pleasant and efficient staff! VERY popular place, but for as busy as they were, we really didn't not have to wait very long for a table. The food is hot and fresh and always full. The selection is awesome and they have a surprising amount of healthy choices, too, which is so unusual for a buffet! Their baked cod and Cajun catfish were out of this world delicious! Make sure that you go hungry! I can't comment on the desserts because we were so stuffed, neither of us tried any!! If you visit, make sure you check out the koi pond that's by the banquet hall entrance AND make a trip downstairs to the HUGE gift shop... there's something for everyone!!

Sonja T

I love it everytime I go. The 50 minute drive is toally worth it for me. The prices for breakfast lunch/dinner are incredibly reasonable, especially considering the drinks are included & there's no tipping. The options are diverse and delicious. Just be prepared to wait in line to pay, & then be seated. Everything moves along fairly quick considering the number of people there at a time. The hosts are always friendly and the food is great. You'll need to be rolled out of there. Thank goodness for the gift shop down stairs & the farmers market next door to help you walk off your food coma. I recommend it to everyone

Tom Townsley

First time and we loved it if you don't get enough its your own fault plus all very good food nothing the don't have

Tashina Webb

One of my favorite places to eat! Definitely worth any weight and the price the food is amazing! Don't forget to stop at the gift shop and also go to their grocery store which has amazing deals on local fresh produce meat and goodies.

Jen Atkins

Tons of choices! Two gluten free diners did well finding many options, so including dessert! It was crazy busy, but a very short wait for a table. Sometimes there were lines for food, but always worth the wait. Used plates and tableware were cleared quickly.

Lance McQue

Wow! This place is huge and amazing. This was my first time there and I was overwhelmed. There are so many things to eat and enjoy. The food is good wholesome American cuisine. Steaks. Fish. Fruits. Veggies. There are lots of pies and deserts. I could not sample everything available. They offer so many entrees. The staffs are very kind and helpful. A waiter told me how things worked and what to do. They are attentive and quick. If you look lost some one comes over to help right away. There are lots of people coming and going all the time. I'm not sure if they have private dining rooms. This place does have art decor all around the front reception which looks more like a hotel then a dining facility. This place is absolutely family friendly and a true gem of the Lancaster smorgasbord. This was my first time but I'm definitely coming back. I'm getting hungry just thinking about Shady Maple. Ymmmmm!

Shirley Benfield

Would rather have less food, with better quality. Very pretty atmosphere for a buffet. Nice shopping downstairs!

Louise Cunningham

A great variety of food. Traveling with a large group but we were seated in a timely manner. Delicious food. A great experience.