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Published: February 23rd 2012
Sarasota area has quite an Amish population. We've noticed them, men with their distinctive beards and straw hats; women in their simple dresses and headpieces, riding three wheeler bikes around town. The area boasts five "Amish restaurants." Of our choices, Der Dutchman, Dutch Haus, Dutch Oven, and Sugar & Spice; we choose Yoder’s. It's located in an area of town where many Amish and Mennonites reside. While Wes held our place in a considerable line of prospective diners, I explored the "Dutch Village" that the Yoder family has created adjacent to the restaurant. The gift shop disappointed, my expectation -was authentic needle work and hand woven baskets. In hokey reality, the inventory was hokey and cutesy with imported "country" items one can buy anywhere. On our way home, I noticed some quilt and wood working shops in the neighborhood. We’ll have to give them a try.
The outdoor eating area would be fun for families as there was a stationery horse and buggy for photo ops among other fairly well-done props. Aside from the restaurant, the produce market was the star of the visit. After dinner we bought local milk, Grandma's Granola, apple butter and fresh strawberries.
Yoder's Market
This is from the Yoder's web site.We shopped among gentile, like us, and Amish men and women.
Back to the restaurant. It was an excellent choice and well worth the 45 minute (give or take) wait. Wes ordered homemade white bean soup and pot roast. I ordered carrot salad, garlicky baked chicken (dark meat) and mac & cheese. My plate had a little container of cranberry sauce and a generous ball of stuffing tucked under creamy gravy. Wes had mashed potatoes and gravy on the side. Too much "evil white food;" but sooo very tasty and worth the calories. We had root beers and colas (no alcohol here), and had to take our sky high pies - banana for Wes; coconut cream for me!" We understand that some of the local Amish restaurants are not owned by the Amish, but I think Yoder's is Amish owned. Judging from the dresses and head coverings we found Amish and Mennonites, as well as gentiles, working and eating here. It's a valuable credential - like a gold star - like when you see Chinese people eating at an Asian restaurant! Like many of its sister restaurants, Yoder’s has received high marks from local restaurant reviewers and
awards from various local reader polls, such as "best meal under $10."
All the wholesomeness of the Amish influences set us in a mood for something wilder! Back at the gated trailer park (Sun N Fun RV Resort) for a few rollicking games of "Crazy Bingo" at the Tiki bar provided a nice shot of reckless! A "Hurricane" (a yummy rum drink) for Wes, a pinot grigio for me, some boisterous fellow campers making fun of the "smokers" who had to sit outside, accusations of cheating (stakes were high - 20 games valued at $20 each plus higher pots as the night progressed) gave us just enough "bad" to balance all that "good."
To carry out the Amish theme, we shared a slice of Yoder's coconut cream pie - more “evil white food” - for breakfast the next morning. Delish - the pie crust held up beautifully overnight. We saved the banana cream pie for another time. The pie is so good that Wes compares it HIGHER than his Grandma Gertie's famous cream pies! Now that's a compliment!
A little more about the “order.” In the 1920s, Amish and Mennonite farmers
were persuaded to come to Sarasota to use the land for agricultural purposes, primarily to grow celery, a common Amish crop. When they arrived, they found the soil was not suitable for extensive celery crops, but the weather enticed them to stay… or at least visit on a regular basis.
They set up the community of Pinecraft, a very small area of about 500 tiny homes in a planned grid at the intersection of Beneva Road and Bahia Vista Street – occasional, highly competitive auctions attest to the stiff competition for getting one of the lots. Few homeowners live here year-round; many homes are rented to others within the order.
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Silver Back Cuda
Joanne & Wes DeVoe
Why no photos!
I didn't take actual photos in respect for the "community." At home in New York, it is considered rude and intrusive to take pictures of the "Plain" people. There is quite an enclave of Amish Farmers near Palantine Bridge in Montgomery County. I have two depression era quilts from my Momo being finished off by an Amish lady.