Actually i appreciate them not adding too much salt. A lot of people including older people have high blood pressure. You can always add salt, you can't take it away.

It is better to undersalt. You can add salt but you can’t remove it.

Your honest and unbiased reviews are such a breath of fresh air, excellent video as always, UA! Sidenote, that mac and cheese looks heavenly 🤤

I've eaten at Shady Maple Buffet many times since I used to live in Lancaster country. Firstly, the dinner service starts at 4pm(closed sunday) so you can should get in line starting at 3:15pm. The line at this time will be very short! As you found out the line can extend into the parking lot! Now, everyday other than Sunday there is a series of special main courses. For example, there is a steak night, seafood night & my favorite, the prime rib night! Your right, the mashed potatoes are the best. Tuesday beef prime rib night is fantastic, they cut it to order. They have sautéed onions & sautéed mushrooms that are near where they slice the brisket! Your mistake on the brisket was to not order it fatty! I love their huge salad bar & of course the desserts. They add automatically 12% tip + 6% PA sales tax! The food is underspicy & somewhat bland to cater to everyone, so add salt, pepper or what ever.

Great video and review! I love how you give viewers a really informative review of all the items on the buffet. Super...thanks! 😂

I live 30 minutes from Shady Maple, and I had zero idea that it was the biggest buffet! Also losing power in PA, is a very common experience.

This was actually really cool to watch!!! Thanks ❤

Haha! The faces that you make while eating are so funny, I can’t stop laughing. I like your honest personal opinion about the food you try. Thanks for the videos.

If you want a buffet that emphasizes quality, try Lititz Family Cupboard in Lititz. It’s much smaller, but the roast Turkey and stuffing, potatoes, and beef are fabulous.

Great review with honest opinions, thanx. We need to see Tina bro

You're my go to food critic. Great as always. liked!

Anyone here remember the old Collegeville Inn in PA? Throughout the 60's, my family would save up and we'd go usually twice a year. It was about an hour and a half drive to get there - but extremely worth it - a great Saturday or Sunday event. The variety and quality of the seafood was incredible, with endless supplies of all the most premium fresh shellfish and finned species - steamed and fried jumbo shrimp; steamed littleneck and cherrystone clams; raw and fried oysters and stew; steamed Blue Claw, Dungeness, and King Crab, and pans of cold-water lobster claws and tails. It's nearly impossible to find such food in one place nowadays. The Breakers Sunday Brunch in Palm Beach; or The Boston Seafood Buffet in Kissimmee; and a few places in Vegas - that's all I know of.

Another great & honest review. Keep your videos coming!

Let's be honest. Where is there a better buffet in that price range CMON MAN

I'm dying to try this place!! Looks delicious

I enjoy your stuff, thank you! 👍

The bots just recommended your channel, I'm glad they did, it's great. As a Brit I've always imagined shoo fly pie to be like black treacle tart, and yes, it looks very similar. Thank you for sharing your adventures.

Tysm for being honest cause the way some of these other bloggers make it seem like this place just can't miss is crazy

We've had breakfast there a couple of time on vacation and it's pretty amazing. Their gift shop it huge too.

The lights going out just means you got the full Amish experience.

I like your honesty UA. Thank you

man, finally a food blogger that tells the truth! keep up the good work man, I love the vids

Shady Maple in the 80's and 90s was NOTHING like it is now.. If you didnt know, a portion of the business was sold in 2016(around then) and it has been commercialized for tourists.. Back in the day, it was pure, simple Amish mom and pop food. There was maybe a selection of 15 things. The brisket and corn bread were completely different. So was their Roast beef. They had all Amish pies and baked goods, and back then, they made the bread pretty much to order right in front of you. It was amazing. Now, its just about getting people in and out as quickly as possible, and quality control is gone.

Hey UA great video. My favorite buffet was The Nordic Lounge in Rhode Island. All you can eat Lobsters and King Crabs. I can't wait to go back.

I live in PA and have never been here, but it is definitely on my to do list. lol As for the potatoes, my family gets them that smooth by whipping the potatoes instead of just mashing them. We use beaters and lots of milk and butter.

UA is so expressivr and authentic. Hes like a cartoon character, lol.

Love the honest review UA.Keep em coming!! 👍

I’d go just for that apple pie! Looks amazing.

I live 20 minutes from Shady Maple. He went to Shady Maple and, except for the cornbread, he completely missed the Pennsylvania Dutch food Unfortunately he had no local to guide him. Maybe they did not have anything Pennsylvania Dutch that day? Where is the scrapple? Where is the corn pie? Where is the potato filling? Where is the pot pie (it’s not a pie) Where is the schnitz und knepp? At least he knew to look for shoe fly pie so he had a nice experience there

The review on the shoofly pie has me really wanting to try it now.

great review, my hubby and i are thinking about going in july or so.

Thanks for the video! I was surprised that you didn't try the fried chicken (if I'm recalling the video correctly). I've never been to the Shady Maple, but in the other videos of it I've seen, the fried chicken looked excellent! Plus, I don't think a buffet can properly be reviewed without a review of its fried chicken!

You need to have breakfast there. I've eaten the breakfast buffet there countless times over the years. Anything you could wish for, it's there. I live in Chester County PA about 40 minute from Shady Maple.

It has become to commercialized. When I was little and they weren't as popular. My favorite foods from there are corn chowder, stuffing, mashed potatoes, fruit breads and cheese breads if they still have them, the pies, chicken and fish. PA Dutch potpie is pretty much chicken and dumplings served at Cracker Barrel. Which I get every time I go there.

We've been going to Lancaster, PA for many years. It all depends what night you go there I find. My steak was very tough. Prime rib night was amazing!

ive heard so many different opinions of this place. i cant wait to see your take.

I've eaten there, UA. Your description is exactly how I describe it, too.

Stuffing is cooked in the bird. Dressing is cooked in a pan with pan drippings.

I’ve been there a few times in the past. If they have it out you really need to try the shoo fly pie. It’s the best I’ve had.

Love your channel, I have been to the same restaurants that you have reviewed and honestly feels the same way, especially Peter Lugers. The Peter Lugers in Brooklyn is slightly better than the one in Long Island, but in my opinion the quality of the steak has definitely been downgraded. I have watched other reviewers but I trust your opinion more than the others, don't know why, but you give off that trustable vibe. I was told the best time to go to Shady Maple Smorgasbord is between breakfast and lunch, you can experience both lunch and breakfast buffet when they switch over and you will only pay the difference not the full price when switching over. Keep up the fantastic reviews, I just Subscribed to your channel, you will be hitting a million in no time. 👍

Thank you for the honest take. I grew up going down there with my parents, but that was late 70s/early 80s. I'm sure a lot has changed. I've definitely seen the social media hype on this place. I tend to agree with you about places we've both visited, especially the steakhouses. I would like to go here, just for the experience. And, maybe a tad of my childhood.

I love Shady Maple especially their breakfast

Great review. Viewers need to understand that if you are doing a review of the largest buffet in America, there are only so many dishes that you can try.

Thank you for your honest review! I wouldn't have tried the selection you choose except maybe the steak. I wish you would have tried other meats for us. Like fried foods such as fish or chicken or even seafood if they had it. I can look at that meat you selected and see it was not seasoned or moist lol. Anyway, that place has been hyped so much I am glad someone was honest especially since its in the middle of PA and you would spend money just to get there. I'll stick to the Golden Corral for buffet food.

Hey Ua, really enjoy the videos. What time of the day did you go to this place? Any idea if Lunch selection is different than the dinner selection? Anyone, anyone? Thanks.

I took the ride from Philly to check out this place and it was well worth the trip. I went with my girlfriend on a Sat evening which is the most expensive time but well worth it. I will be going back!

Been here multiple times. Very good. Not typically my thing but very good. And your can't expect a good steak from a place like this but it's not the worst thing I'm the world.

I like the honesty brotha!

Never dip the gravy ladle in the mashed potatoes. Make the hole for gravy in your potatoes with the mashed potato spoon.

I love Roast Beef. That's when I was slobbering. 🤤 Good review.

I've been wanting to go here for so long! You're gonna have to go back for brunch... lol

2 Word that go together perfectly!! Me..and Buffet!!!

I wondered about that because I’m old and have that problem. Cool.

I agree the Mac & Cheese looked wonderful, very saucy and cheesy! I used to live in P.A, and the Amish are known for their pies, as you say not to sweet. Shoe Fly pie is nothing more than sugar on crust.

I love it. We usually go at around 4pm. Roast beef is 2 die 4

Breakfast is the meal to go to followed by dinner. You get your eggs cooked to order and pancakes the way you want them. The fruit is fresh and the SOS and scrapple is a treat. The main draw is as long as you’re eating, you can stay. Some people eat fantastic amounts of food and this food is probably better than what they get at home. They love it. If you want you can sample all the desserts they have and the kids can make Sundays from the ice cream. They also have bread pudding and jello if that’s your thing. They do a good to great job for the number of people they serve daily.

I’ve never enjoyed someone eating mashed potatoes so much…😂😂😂 super entertaining bro

UA....that looks like the steak Uncle Rico threw at Napoleon's head. That place in general though looks solid. If I am ever passing through on a road trip I hope to go one day. Just want to say I really like your video's and you seem like a great guy.

Another honest great review

Largest Buffet, had to look it up. Used to be Rio's Carnival World Buffet in Las Vegas, I guess the buffet was closed and is being changed into a food court. I was at the Carnival World Buffet like 10 years ago and it was huge. Not sure, If I would go to Amish country in PA. for a Buffet. Thanks for posting a video.

Another great video. I tend to avoid buffets because I mostly find them disgusting. I know they call it all-you-can-eat but I call it all you can stomach. The exception would be when in Amish Country.

Lol man all the things you said are up there...have to keep looking next time. Also you missed the apple dumpling! Ice-cream machine! Awa

All of KZfaq wants to know WHO IS “Tina”!!!!!!!!

Love your honesty which is a rarity on youtube.

Comfort food paradise ❤

I remember going to a place back in the 70,s called good n plenty it was a ton of good food . Years later in 1999 I went again and was surprised how pared down everything was . Everything was smaller and there was a lot less food . This was in the same Pennsylvania Dutch area can’t recall the name .

Love Dutch Apple pie thanks for sharing $$$$$man

WARNING! Go to this buffet absolutely starving!❤❤❤❤❤🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

You have to find the right things there and focus on them as your dinner. Also, use the gravys and condiments. My favorite are the Corn Pancakes with butter. Then I like the roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy on both, mac and cheese, baked beans, corn and green beans. Then I eat the fried shrimp with cocktail sauce that I put a lot of horseradish in. Finally some pie and an ice cream sundae. I have been to many buffets that have a better selection and higher quality. But shady maple is delicious home cooked foods. Definitely worth the money, especially with prices in even bad restaurants high. So relax, eat some fried chicken and enjoy

Great review as always. I don't believe that you said how much it cost. I wish you would have tried the fried chicken.

The best shoo fly pie i ever had was from Zinn's diner over in denver pa now its the park place diner

Like soul food, Amish food looks delicious...a heart attack on a plate. It's still on my bucketlist. Always appreciate your honest reviews.👍

🇦🇺 i didnt think the steak would be nice ,had a feeling you say its underwhelming . Love the vlogs . Most men count on the meat to be the star of a meal . Definitely more of a cafeteria .

Great honest review the meats really should be the highlight of good buffet. Do people really go for mashed potatoes and mac& cheese 😊

So great review as always this place here is for the middle class decent people who like pot roast mashed potatoes and good Homestyle Cooking if you were expecting to get a steak medium rare wrong place it's a smorgasborg buffet that prepares food for the masses. As far as the meats and pot roast dishes all you do is add some more salt and pepper to taste they don't overdo it so it's accommodating to everyone palette . It's a family buffet hope you enjoyed all the screaming kids yikes😂 19:21

man i started craving that roast beef and mashed potato's as soon as i seen them side by side, get plate full off potatos then top it full of roast beef man that would be a meal yes salt and pepper the heck out of it

Im just kind of over the buffet experience. Admittedly, this was the only buffet that has tempted me. I do think there prices, in this case, seem to be kind of fair. I wouldn't go for like steak night or anything, but the breakfast and lunch prices are extremely fair.

Place is amazing but for such a massive operation it’s hard to season the food since it sits for a long time but their desserts especially Dutch apple pies are to die for

I go here every 2 months prob 10/10 recommending going with friends

Buffets always keep salt/spices basic to accommodate the majority. Why seasonings are available at the table or the end of buffet sections Sit down restaurants accommodate the individual Completely different approaches I’m a Philly native and Shady Maple is the best for comfort food comatose. Definitely worth the trip

Pie and coffee. Could go there for just that👍

Flavor is subjective. What you consider bland is perfect for others.

Thankyou for an honest OPINION !!!!! Kevin Phoenix ✝️

Losing power in the hotel room? Congratulations! You’re living the true Amish experience

Phenomenal buffet

The Country Cupboard in Lewisburg was a bit smaller but alot better in my opinion. Unfortunately covid hit them hard and the shut down. There were some family issues as well that contributed to it. That place was always on point and less expensive then Millers or Madey Shaple lol.

I recommend breakfast at Shady Maple or Dinner on Thursday nights. Thats the BBQ night. Ribs, pulled pork, and wings. But breakfast is the go too. Gotta have the SoS (shit on a shingle is what we call it) I believe they call it cream chipped beef on toast. And also, don't miss out on the scrapple either. Yum, I prefer it over bacon most of the time, as do a lot of other people. Don't get me wrong, bacon is amazing, but perfectly cooked scrapple can't be beaten!

We went there and it was crazy how many people were there. The food was good, but it wasn't great. I wanted it to be as great as the influencers played it up to be, but our day it was not to be. I recommend going to a smaller Amish buffet of which there are plenty. Food will be as good if not better and it will not have 6,000 people eating with you.

The secret to those soft mashed potatoes is real cream and home made butter.

The buffet I like best in the Lancaster area is the one at Bird in Hand

You have to try the breakfast there! It’s worth it!

You’re making me hungry! Haha!

Patronized the place recently after coming here for years. As a local and PA Dutchman myself, was very disappointed in the drop in quality of their food. The quality has really gone down here and the price has gone up. There are a lot of cheap items on the buffet too, potatoes, potato based foods (such as the filling where the presenter called it dressing), baked beans, mac and cheese (undoubtedly commercial powdered cheese used here). There are some great instant potato buds available commercially, that can be combined with fresh potatoes. Fresh cream or milk may be added to add creaminess to the potatoes as well, along with fresh butter. In such high production facilities, the gravy is usually made from a commercial base or powder (which could be added to the beef broth when they make their roasts. High carb foods are cheap to make and bring in high profit. The steaks are a low grade cut in places like this. I have experienced the brisket and it is just as bad as described in the video. The steak could be either, plate, shank or flank all tough cuts of beef -- and cheap. Flank is often used for braising or making ground beef, brisket really tough usually used in a pot roast or corned beef. (They offer hamburgers so the flank may be used either as a tough steak or ground up. Some chuck could be added to the flank too for ground beef. Flank is often marinated to make it more tender. Beef flank is much better suited for braising or for making ground beef. In my opinion and as a professionally trained cook, pretty much all the food on this buffet can be made at home for the fraction of the cost. With such mass quantity served each day pie fillings probably come in Number 10 tins as well to make production more efficient and cost effective. A good professional cook can do magic with low cost product ingredient. So next time you load up your plate with cheap mashed potatoes, pork and kraut (which is very cheap, for pork prices are down) or a cheap cut of beef thinking you are getting a real good deal --- think again. There is not one expensive high quality product on this buffet for the price to back it up. You are paying for the atmosphere the experience and the selling point that it is PA Dutch food, served in PA Dutch country. This place is tourist focused and tourist based. However it is frequented by locals as well who have no time to cook on a particular day (or don't feel like it). It is a good place to "go out for dinner" or to "do something different" for a night out, but don't expect to get the quality for the price you will pay. Oh and that soft ice cream? It is made out of an ice cream freezer dehydrated powder then mixed and frozen with water.

I always bring spices in salt and pepper with me to a restaurant. Keep in mind they have to make things bland because some people don't like spice. You can always add. But can't take it away

I went there today for lunch..the fried chicken was delicious💯

Apparently there is a buffet right up the road that all the locals eat at.

So you finally found your Amish Paradise

Naw you are right about the steak i never do much on the carving station there.

It is a shame you did not try the fried chicken, the hot red beets and so many other items that were on the menu. You stuck to what you liked, which is okay, but not trying all the other items seemed to be a huge mistake when giving an honest review. I prefer items that are not heavily seasoned, which is how the Amish and Mennonite cook their food. Their supermarket next door has an excellent variety of items both traditional Amish and regular food.

Time of day makes a big big big difference. Plus both ends have different foods.