Staying in Ronks, Pa....where to eat?

We really wanted to stay in Bird in Hand family inn with relatives but...there wasn%26#39;t any vacancies. So, we%26#39;re staying in Sleep inn and Suites...hopefully, it%26#39;s not a pigsty. Anyway, just wondering if anyone knows any good eating places in the area?? Are the buffets any good or just lots of food with no substance??

Staying in Ronks, Pa....where to eat?

I%26#39;ve never dined at the Good-n-Plenty in Lancaster, but I%26#39;ve heard its pretty good. I stopped in at Miller%26#39;s once and thought the prices were outrageous, so we didn%26#39;t go in. In nearby East Earle, PA is the Shady Maple Smorgasboard that seats 1200 at a time, the quality and variety of the food is very good. This is a popular restaurant as we have had to wait up to a half hour.

Staying in Ronks, Pa....where to eat?

Hi,

My family just returned from vacationing in the Lancaster area and let me warn you that the buffet restaurants may not be your best deal. We only ate at one, Good and Plenty, and they disappointed on several levels. 1) I am a food service director by trade and I recognized several of the ';homemade authentic Amish foods'; as the frozen or canned prepared items available from any food purveyor. 2) Family style means if your party doesn%26#39;t take up a full table of 12 or more, you are seated with another party and you have no control over who your dinner companions may be. I have met interesting people this way and have enjoyed it in the past but at the Good and Plenty I got seated with a family from New Jersey who were doing their utmost to live up to every bad stereotype about New Jersey. 3) Good and Plenty, as I gather most of these sorts of restaurants do, have you pay up front but then tell you that everything is covered except tip. You are not given an opportunity to put the tip on a credit card if you pay that way. I found myself in the situation of having not enough cash to fairly tip our waitress. When I approached the cashier about this, asking if there was an ATM on the premises or if they would allow me to access some cash on my credit or debit card, a gentleman who was either GM or an owner told me that they were not set up for that, the nearest ATM was at the WaWa station( a local convenience store) .9 miles away, that I could be there and back in 5 minutes, turned his back and walked away. Sadly, I stiffed our waitress because I felt that this restaurant was for the sake of not being inconvenienced themselves, asking me to get in my car and drive down the road and back for something they as a business should be doing for its customers. Sadly, this entire experience was very indicative of most of our visit in Lancaster.

Hi,

My family just returned from vacationing in the Lancaster area and let me warn you that the buffet restaurants may not be your best deal. We only ate at one, Good and Plenty, and they disappointed on several levels. 1) I am a food service director by trade and I recognized several of the ';homemade authentic Amish foods'; as the frozen or canned prepared items available from any food purveyor. 2) Family style means if your party doesn%26#39;t take up a full table of 12 or more, you are seated with another party and you have no control over who your dinner companions may be. I have met interesting people this way and have enjoyed it in the past but at the Good and Plenty I got seated with a family from New Jersey who were doing their utmost to live up to every bad stereotype about New Jersey. 3) Good and Plenty, as I gather most of these sorts of restaurants do, have you pay up front but then tell you that everything is covered except tip. You are not given an opportunity to put the tip on a credit card if you pay that way. I found myself in the situation of having not enough cash to fairly tip our waitress. When I approached the cashier about this, asking if there was an ATM on the premises or if they would allow me to access some cash on my credit or debit card, a gentleman who was either GM or an owner told me that they were not set up for that, the nearest ATM was at the WaWa station( a local convenience store) .9 miles away, that I could be there and back in 5 minutes, turned his back and walked away. Sadly, I stiffed our waitress because I felt that this restaurant was for the sake of not being inconvenienced themselves, asking me to get in my car and drive down the road and back for something they as a business should be doing for its customers. Sadly, this entire experience was very indicative of most of our visit in Lancaster.

We like eating at Diener%26#39;s Restaurant close to Ronks on route 30. Ask for directions at the hotel desk. This doesn%26#39;t attract as many tourists as the other mentioned spots, but the cooking, in my opinion, is more authentic/made from scratch. You will not have as many choices as a place like Shady Maple, but there is plenty of good food at their buffet, and actually more than one should eat!

Desserts are also all homemade and delicious. Some of the other buffets have so much food that is overwhelming, and there are typcially long lines waiting for the meal. One downside of Diener%26#39;s:

Their hours are unusual. They close much earlier in the evening than one would expect. Great place for lunch!!

We ate at the Bird in Hand Family Inn restaurant and Miller%26#39;s recently. My husband loved the food at Miller%26#39;s and some at Bird in Hand. Both restaurants are buffet style, however, you can order off the menu. The buffet was a waste for one of my son who barely ate anything. I did enjoy some of the food at both restaurants and the desserts were especially good. Next time, I%26#39;d probably eat elsewhere and try something new.

My family and I live about 10 minutes from the Shady Maple Smorg, and have eaten there numerous times. We enjoy it, however, their prices do vary from night to night. I believe Tuesday is the most expensive night, since it is their seafood night. Most of their food is good, but we don%26#39;t care for their steaks(on steak night) or their pork chops. They also have a huge gift shop.

We just returned from a trip to Lancaster and I have to agree that Diener%26#39;s Restaurant was the best kept secret in town. We had dinner there one night and lunch the next day - the food was good and the prices were very reasonable. They do close at 8pm so you must get there early. We also had a terrific dinner at the Hershey Farm Restaurant on Hartman%26#39;s Bridge Road (Rt 896 south of Rt 30, going towards Strasburg). It%26#39;s right next to the Sight and Sound Theater which we also attended that night. Enjoyed both experiences! Isaac%26#39;s Deli in Strasburg is also nice for lunch or a light, reasonable dinner. Didn%26#39;t try the Smorg%26#39;s or any Family Dining on this trip. We stayed at the Hawthorn Inn %26amp; Suites and would definitely stay there again - the complimentary hot breakfasts with %26#39;make-your-own%26#39; waffles was fun and the coffeee pot is on 24/7. A bit noisy since it%26#39;s surrounded by highways but we knew this in advance and brought a tabletop fan for %26#39;white noise%26#39;.

I visit this area at least once a year and have probably visited over 50 times in my life (been going since I was 3 in 1976). My favorite places to eat in the area in no particular order are:

Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant (order off the menu, the buffet is OK, but I think it%26#39;s a ripoff. They have incredible chicken corn soup and a side of cucumbers and onions to die for. Their scrapple is the best I%26#39;ve had. Their shoo fly pie is also awesome as is their hot chocolate with whipped cream. My wife is a big fan of their red velvet cake with cream cheese icing.

Dienner%26#39;s

The Family Cupboard on 340 between BIH %26amp; Intercourse (owned by the Dienners)

Jennie%26#39;s Diner just past the intersection of 30 %26amp; 896

Shady Maple in East Earl (I%26#39;m not a huge buffet fan, but I typically go just to go).

I%26#39;m also a fan of Hoss%26#39;s Steak %26amp; Sea (a chain in PA), though the best one I%26#39;ve eaten at is the one in Chambersburg, PA. The one on Lititz Pike is OK, but not as good as Chambersburg.

Hershey Farm (good for a breakfast buffet, don%26#39;t think I%26#39;ve eaten there for anything else).

Strasburg Creamery- awesome ice cream.

Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop on Gibbons Road- best value for PA Dutch baked goods.

We just returned from a trip to Lancaster and surrounding areas. This was probably my 30th visit.

Personally, I%26#39;ve always preferred the Good %26#39;n%26#39; Plenty Restaurant. We%26#39;ve always enjoyed their food, their service has been excellent and anyone who travels SHOULD know that a certain amount of cash may be necessary. Strange as it may seem, not all businesses accept credit cards for tips and some may not accept them at all.

I%26#39;ve gone to Millers several times and my entire family agrees that it has gradually deteriorated to mediocre, especially for the price they charge.

But I%26#39;ve also learned that, other than Amish fare, the best bargain in the entire area is Jennie%26#39;s Diner on Route 30. Plenty of good food, absolutely reasonable prices and excellent service. They also have some of the only decent coffee you may find in the area, so be sure to get a thermos full for the road!

My wife and I have been to millers very nice but pricey, but the prices are listed before you go in so I don%26#39;t understand why some people in other posts were ';surprised'; by the cost or if your kid doesn%26#39;t eat much why take him to a buffet? (For me that’s common sense but common sense isn%26#39;t too common anymore. Hey I don’t like Avocados so I wouldn’t go to Fred’s house of Avocados)

We do prefer Dieners just a couple miles down the road. Run by a local Mennonite family food was PA Dutch and the price was about 25% less than Millers or others $9.95 for lunch as $15 at Millers. We saw many local Mennonite %26amp; Amish eating there. Dieners was recommended to us by the driver from the AAA Buggy Rides in Intercourse (another location in Paradise by Strasburg RR) best buggy rides Lancaster.

The Shady Maple is also very nice HUGE selection, Huge hall for buffet, I do believe at the shady Maple there is a small dinner where you can order off the menu for those who don’t like buffets. Plus there are several stores right on the property of the SM. Service was very good at all three locations