Posted by Benny Hodkinson on July 10, 2009
After reading about it in Roadfood, our family was super-excited to eat at the Dutch Kitchen. The cute retro-diner-outside with the kitschy mirrored interior really had us stoked, but things started to turn sour when the jukebox on our table ate our quarters, and it just went downhill from there. Honestly, we should have eaten the quarters ourselves. It would have been tastier!
The salad bar we read about was closed on the Friday evening we stopped in, so we optimistically ordered the Italian special of chicken parm and the turkey croquettes, which we had never heard of but, based on the recommendation, we figured were a local treat. The chicken was a total bust, a wimpy soft breast covered in watery tomato broth. The croquettes were gross, some kind of mash of plate scrapings and dryer lint, and grosser still was the gray mystery gravy that covered them. The kids did OK with hot dogs and burgers. We thought pie might save the meal, and indeed the lemon meringue was delicious, but sadly they were all store-bought. Even I know to hide the package when I'm dealing store-bought pie!
Overall a disappointment.
Overall: To Be Avoided
9 out of 13 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
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"The salad bar reflects the Pennsylvania Dutch heritage of proprietor Jennifer Lekulic: "seven sweets and seven sours.""
Michael Stern
"A frequent specialty of the house, this casserole contains big hunks of sweet pink ham, silky cabbage, and soft potatoes. Talk about comfort food!"
Michael Stern
"The Dutch kitchen started as a small diner, which is now almost completely enclosed by the larger restaurant and dining room. For travelers along I-81 in southern Pennsylvania, it is a landmark."
Michael Stern
"A big family dining room with tables has been added, but you can still eat at counter or in booths of the original dining car that was the Dutch Diner in 1971."
Michael Stern
"The Dutch kitchen roasts whole turkeys every day for turkey dinner. The slices are set atop homemade filling, and the mashed potatoes are REAL."
Michael Stern
"A hunk of corn bread comes alongside the casseroles. It is moist, flavorful, and nearly as sweet as cake."
Michael Stern
