Any suggestions for Lancaster, PA?

We're heading to Pennsylvania Dutch country in a few days and want to experience the best of the area's food.

If you want to experience the all you can eat places, my favorite is Dienners on Route 30 in Soudersburg. Stoltzfus , on Route 772 just south of Intercourse is good as well(they serve their own made sausage and Hamloaf).
Be sure to visit Lancasters historic Central Farmers Market(open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) try to go in the morning as some vendors will sell out and close up by early afternoon.

What kind of food are you looking for?  Agree with the above post for the Lancaster Central Market.  Loads of good places depending on what kind of food you are looking for from buffets to "fine dining"

On our visits to the area we always seem to fill up on the goodies at the Central Market. We enjoyed a dinner  at 'Stoltzfus Restaurant' one time, but find that the food stands in the Market were more to our casual dining 'liking'!!
 
Between the Cheese, the Bakery stuff, and the Meats and Scrapple, the place is great !!!

I have also been recommending Dienner's on roadfood for quite a while...It is the obvious choice,as far as I'm concernedrun by Mennonites and Amish..it's where the locals go(and Amish who you'll often see there) We did not like Stoltfus at all...had frozen peas!! In 25 years we've eaten at every tourist place in the area...Dienner's is the real thing!!!

Here's their website....
http://www.dienners.com/

Be aware that Dienners closes quite early(6pm except on Fridays when they close at 8) and there is often a long line. We attempted to eat there last Saturday and were toLd the wait was an hour and fifteen minutes . During the week will be less crowded and lunch is usually less crowded than dinner.
It is the best buffet, however.
Stoltzfuss's strong points are their meats not their vegetables.
Two very good non buffet Pa Dutch places (both a little way out of the main tourist areas )are Oregon Dairy Family Restaurant on 272 northeast of Lancaster and Country Table on Route 230 Southeast of Mount Joy. (Oregon Dairy also has a small buffet, but we have always preferred to order from the menu ).

One idea for breakfast is the Pancake Farm on Rt 272 (Oregon Pike) near Ephrata.  Only open for breakfast and lunch.  

We got a great kfc/a&w combo near Ephrata. (Just kidding). For what I think is agreat steak and nice atmosphere I go to Johnny's Steakhouse in Stevens. Not Pa Dutch cooking but then again I'm not nuts about that style of food.(even though I grew up with it)

brookquarry
If you want to experience the all you can eat places, my favorite is Dienners on Route 30 in Soudersburg.

Ditto on that. My wife and I have been eating there for decades, from when it was this tiny diner on the corner (they have since taken over about 3 additional storefronts).
 
Bart

PLEASE don't pass up Jennie's Diner on Route 30 near the outlets.  If you see a Hotel that looks like a paddle boat, you are real close.  It's an original silver diner with quite the charm.  We've only been there for the outstanding breakfasts, but understand they line up outside the door for Sunday lunches and dinners.  Be sure to order ONE pancake along with your omelette just to have the experience.  We want to see pictures.

Weavo
PLEASE don't pass up Jennie's Diner on Route 30 near the outlets.  If you see a Hotel that looks like a paddle boat, you are real close.  It's an original silver diner with quite the charm.  We've only been there for the outstanding breakfasts, but understand they line up outside the door for Sunday lunches and dinners.  Be sure to order ONE pancake along with your omelette just to have the experience.  We want to see pictures.

Strangely enough, there were two "must visit" restaurants when my wife and I used to visit Lancaster. The first was the aforementioned Diener's. The second was Jennie's Diner. I can't put my finger on exactly why we liked it so much, but after 4-5 huge Penndutch dinners, it was a nice contrast. Nothing stand-out, just basically good food in a friendly atmosphere.
 
One Roadfood restaurant which took us several years to finally go to was People's Restaurant. The problem was that the owners seem to look for any excuse they can to close for the day.
 
Bart
 

People's Restaurant is a new one on me...Can you give me some info?Where is it and what do they serve? Thanks!!

Peoples is on Main St in New Holland which is rt 23 east of Lancaster. Never ate there but Idrive past quite often and they do seem to be closed alot even during normal business hours. I think they are closed saturdays.

We enjoy Brights Restaurant on Rt 272 in Ephrata. It is located beside the Pancake Farm in Ephrata, Pa. Great broasted chicken and burgers. For great soups, sandwiches and ice cream, try the Udder Choice on Rt 322 in Ephrata.

leethebard
People's Restaurant is a new one on me...Can you give me some info?Where is it and what do they serve? Thanks!!

It's in all the Roadfood books! Here are the reviews on this site (including a 5 star one by Michael Stern):
 
http://www.roadfood.com/R.../94/peoples-restaurant
 
Call to make sure it's open, first.
 
Bart

Peoples changed ownership a couple of years ago. I would currently classify it as mediocre.

Two favorites are Hot Diggity Dog on Fruitville & Lancaster Brewing 302 N. Plum. Here's the Menu http://www.lancasterbrewing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104&Itemid=177