You’ve probably never seen a buffet like this.
Just a two-hour drive from NYC, nestled in the rolling countryside of East Earl, Pennsylvania, Shady Maple Smorgasbord isn’t your average roadside pit stop — it’s the largest all-you-can-eat restaurant in the entire country, and it’s absolutely massive.
What began as a roadside farm stand in the late 1960s transformed into a full-service supermarket by 1982—and by 1985, the original 300-seat cafeteria was expanded into a smorgasbord-style buffet.
Today, the dining hall seats up to 1,200 guests, and the entire complex spans more than 110,000 square feet, including gift shop and café areas—attracting nearly 1.5 million visitors each year.
As for the record-breaking buffet here, it stretches over 200 feet long, and is longer than the Statue of Liberty is tall, packed end to end with over 200 made-from-scratch items daily.
Think eggs and pancakes made to order, 46 salad bar selections, eight kinds of meat, ten cold desserts, eight pies, and a build-your-own sundae bar — and that’s just a fraction of it.
Whether you stop in for breakfast (served from 7 am) with scrapple, French toast, and fresh waffles, or go big at dinner, which includes rotating grill features like prime rib and smoked brisket, there’s something to satisfy literally every craving.
Saturday lunch even includes full dinner features, if you’re looking to maximize your feast.
The best part? It’s surprisingly affordable.
Prices start at $13.99 for breakfast, $19.99 for lunch, and $23.99 for dinner, with discounted rates for kids and seniors. Children under 4 eat free, and your birthday meal is completely free with ID.
Shady Maple is open Monday through Saturday, with last seating at 7:30 pm and food available until 8:15 pm (closed Sundays).
There’s no tipping — instead, a 12% service fee is included, helping to pay staff higher-than-average wages.
And don’t leave without checking out the huge gift shop and farmers market downstairs, filled with Pennsylvania Dutch goods, handmade furniture, whoopie pies, jams, candies, and more.
📍 Where: Shady Maple Smorgasbord – 129 Toddy Dr, East Earl, PA
🕒 Hours: Monday–Saturday, doors open at 7 am; last seating at 7:30 pm; buffet open until 8:15 pm (closed Sundays)
💰 Pricing: Breakfast from $13.99, lunch from $19.99, dinner from $23.99
🎉 Perks: Kids under 4 eat free, birthday meals free with ID, military and senior discounts available
🚗 Distance from NYC: ~2 hours by car
