The Small-Town Ohio Buffet Families Keep Coming Back To For Broasted Chicken, Pie, And A Petting Zoo
Goats are waiting just outside the back of this buffet, and kids can feed them after the pie course. That is not a sentence you read every day.
Inside, broasted chicken anchors a long spread of home-style cooking. Real mashed potatoes, roast beef, and a salad bar share the room with a wall of homemade pies.
Blackberry, blueberry, Dutch apple, and chocolate are all part of the lineup.
I like how this Ohio stop treats dessert and a barnyard visit as one plan. Families heading toward hiking trails can eat big, then let the kids burn off energy with the animals.
I can’t imagine a better way to calm a backseat full of restless travelers.
So how does a buffet end up with exotic deer out back? The answer comes with a gift shop, a long history, and plenty of gravy.
A Buffet Stop Built Right Into Hocking Hills Road Trips
Families rolling toward the Hocking Hills trails pass right by Olde Dutch in Logan, Ohio. The full name you’ll see is The Olde Dutch Restaurant, and it’s a traditional American spot built on Amish-inspired comfort food.
Two ways to eat keep everybody happy here. You can load up at the big buffet or order from a full menu if someone wants just one plate.
That flexibility matters with kids in tow. One child might want six kinds of meat, while another only wants a burger and tater tots, which the menu does offer.
The restaurant sits in Hocking County, close to the outdoor attractions that pull families south every season. It’s roughly an hour from Columbus, which makes it an easy add-on for a day trip.
Baked goods get star treatment, too. Pies, cinnamon rolls, and biscuits are part of the identity, not an afterthought tacked onto the end of the line.
Then there’s the bonus nobody expects from a buffet. A small petting zoo out back gives kids goats to visit before the drive continues.
Put all of that together and you get a meal that doubles as a mini outing. Not bad for a lunch break between hikes.
Old Picnic Grounds With A Surprisingly Famous Guest List
Long before the buffet steam tables arrived, this land drew crowds for a good time. The property is known as Rempel’s Grove, and it has served as a community gathering spot for more than 150 years.
Back in the 1840s, the grove worked as a picnic ground. People could reach it by canal boat, which sounds far more relaxing than a modern interstate merge.
History gets even bigger after the Civil War. The grove hosted a reunion for Union veterans, and Ohio Governor William McKinley attended before becoming president.
Kids who groan at history lessons might perk up at that one. A future president once came to the same patch of ground where they’re about to eat mashed potatoes.
The restaurant itself is much younger. Olde Dutch opened in August of 1994, continuing the site’s long habit of feeding and welcoming visitors.
I like how the place keeps that gathering-spot spirit alive. Families, road-trippers, and big groups still pull in for the same basic reason people came by canal boat: food and company.
It’s a fun fact worth sharing at the table. Somebody will probably ask what McKinley ate, and sadly, nobody knows.
Broasted Chicken That Gets First Dibs On Your Plate
Broasted chicken holds a starring role on this buffet, and it earns the attention. Large pieces come with a crisp coating, and the dish is often singled out as a house specialty.
Broasting is a pressure-frying method, which helps explain the appeal. The goal is a crunchy outside with juicy meat underneath.
For picky eaters, chicken is a safe bet. Most kids recognize it instantly, and parents can skip the negotiation over unfamiliar dishes.
The chicken also has plenty of company. Chicken livers show up on the buffet for adventurous eaters who love an old-school country classic.
Freshness gets attention here, since the staff works to keep the line restocked. On busy days, refills of popular items can come every few minutes.
One practical tip helps a lot. Grab a piece early, then circle back for seconds after you’ve sampled the rest of the spread.
Taste is personal, of course, and buffet food can vary by visit. Still, the chicken is the dish that put this Logan buffet on many family road-trip maps.
Good luck walking past that tray without stopping.
Six Kinds Of Meat And Sides That Read Like Thanksgiving
Roast beef, turkey, pot roast, ribs, baked fish, and BBQ meatballs can all appear on one buffet run. Recent spreads have even included General Tso’s chicken and pollock bites.
Sides feel like a holiday dinner that forgot to end. Real mashed potatoes, rich gravy, green bean casserole, corn, stuffing, and mac and cheese fill the line.
Sweet potatoes get a marshmallow topping, which tends to win over kids fast. Cheesy hash brown casserole and noodles over mashed potatoes add even more comfort.
Cornbread, biscuits, and rolls round out the bread situation. You will not leave carb-deficient.
Meats are prepared at the restaurant, according to staff. The dinner spread changes, so exact dishes can vary from day to day.
Vegetables do show up beyond the casseroles. Brussels sprouts and zucchini have both drawn attention, which might shock anyone expecting only fried food.
For families, the variety solves a real problem. Grandparents, toddlers, and teenagers can each build a completely different plate from the same line.
Just pace yourself. Dessert is still coming, and it deserves room.
A Salad Bar And Soup For The Lighter Eaters
Not everyone in the family wants gravy on everything, and Olde Dutch plans for that. A fresh salad bar sits alongside the hot dishes.
Soup joins the lineup too. It’s a nice option for younger kids who eat small portions or adults saving room for pie.
The salad bar ranks among the most talked-about features of the restaurant. That says something at a place famous for fried chicken.
Parents juggling different appetites will appreciate it. A child can nibble on vegetables while an older sibling builds a mountain of meatballs.
It also gives a balanced start before the heavier comfort food. Think of it as a polite warm-up lap.
The salad bar comes with the all-you-can-eat buffet, so there’s no need to choose one over the other. You can bounce between greens and roast beef as often as you like.
For travelers headed to the trails afterward, a lighter plate may be the smarter move. Hiking up a gorge on a full load of stuffing is a choice, not necessarily a wise one.
Either way, it’s an easy win for mixed-appetite crews.
That Wall Of Homemade Pie Will Test Your Decision Skills
Pie gets more attention here than almost anything except the buffet itself. A whole wall of fruit and cream varieties waits at the end of the meal.
Blackberry pie draws a fan following of its own. Blueberry, chocolate, and Dutch apple are also popular picks, and the pies are made from scratch.
Choosing only one slice may be the hardest part of the day. Many families solve that by splitting several and passing plates around the table.
The dessert lineup goes beyond pie. Apple crisp and chocolate sundae pie add extra temptation.
Kids especially love the soft-serve ice cream machine. Letting them work the lever themselves feels like a small adventure, though napkins are strongly recommended.
Ice cream may cost a little extra on top of the buffet, so check your bill. Hours and offerings can change, too.
The pie bar can get busy and sticky during rush times. Cream pies and crowds don’t always mix neatly.
Even so, dessert is the moment most families plan around. I believe any meal ending with blackberry pie is a meal worth driving for.
Weekend Breakfast With Omelets Made Right In Front Of You
Saturday and Sunday mornings bring a different crowd and a different spread. The breakfast buffet runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekends.
A cook makes omelets and pancakes to order. Kids can watch their breakfast come together, which usually buys a few quiet minutes.
Fresh biscuits and homemade cinnamon rolls headline the bakery side. Bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, home fries, and hash browns cover the classics.
French toast sticks and waffles round out the sweet options. Those tend to disappear fast at tables with little ones.
Breakfast quality can vary from visit to visit, like any buffet. The made-to-order station is the safest bet for a hot, fresh plate.
Timing can work in your favor. Arrive near the end of breakfast, and you may catch the switch to lunch dishes.
Weekend mornings also pair well with a full day outdoors. Fuel up early, then hit the trails before afternoon crowds build.
Breakfast costs less than lunch and dinner, which helps big families. Just remember it’s weekends only, so weekday visitors will start at 11 a.m. instead.
Goats, Deer, And A Petting Zoo Kids Remember
Most buffets end with a mint at the register. This one ends with goats.
A small petting zoo sits just outside the restaurant, out back. Kids can pet the goats and feed them, which turns a meal into a real outing.
Exotic deer live back there as well. That detail alone tends to make kids sprint ahead of their parents.
The timing works beautifully for families. After a long sit at the table, children get a chance to stretch, wander, and burn off some sugar.
It also helps on road trips. A few minutes with animals can reset moods before everyone climbs back into the car.
Bring hand sanitizer or plan a quick trip back inside to wash up. Feeding goats is fun, but sticky pie fingers plus goat snacks is a combination best cleaned promptly.
Animal areas can depend on weather and season, so expectations should stay flexible. A rainy day may shorten the visit.
Still, few things match a toddler’s face when a goat leans in for a snack. That’s the kind of memory that brings families back to this Ohio buffet.
Gift Shop Coming And Going, Plus Mini Golf Next Door
Entering Olde Dutch means passing through a gift shop first. Leaving means passing through it again, and you pay your bill there too.
Parents of young shoppers, consider yourselves warned. The shop sells Hocking Hills souvenirs and assorted country gifts.
Waits can stretch during busy times, and seating in that area is limited. Families sometimes stand among the shelves while waiting for a table.
The broader Rempel’s Grove property offers more to do. Adventure Golf sits nearby, giving kids another reason to stay a little longer.
An antique mall sits next door for grown-ups who enjoy browsing. Antique and craft shopping round out the area.
The restaurant also handles larger crowds well. Banquet facilities serve big gatherings, and the dining room suits very large groups, including family reunions.
Close by, travelers can find an ice cream shop, an Amish deli, and a canoe livery. That cluster makes it easy to build a whole afternoon around one stop.
I like how the whole property feels designed for lingering. Lunch can easily become mini golf, then shopping, then maybe more ice cream.
Hours, Prices, And A Cash Tip Worth Knowing Before You Go
Plan your trip to 12791 OH-664, Logan, OH 43138, along State Route 664 in Hocking County. Parking is plentiful, and RV parking is available.
Hours run 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Saturday and Sunday open earlier, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Prices are budget-friendly for a buffet of this size. Breakfast costs a bit less than lunch and dinner.
Drinks come separately, and so does ice cream. Iced sweet tea is a popular order at many tables.
A small supplemental fee may be added to your bill. Paying with cash can bring a discount, so bringing some bills might save money.
Crowds swell on Sunday afternoons, especially after church hours. Fall foliage season in Ohio also brings heavier traffic.
Reservations are a smart move during peak times. Arriving early on weekends helps too.
Hours and policies can change seasonally, so double-check before setting out. The drive from Columbus takes about an hour, which keeps it comfortably within day-trip range for central Ohio families.
Why This Logan Buffet Belongs On Your Family Trip Plan
Comfort food, homemade pie, and goats make a strange trio on paper. Somehow, at Olde Dutch, they fit together perfectly.
The buffet offers enough choices to handle any picky eater. A full menu covers anyone who prefers ordering one plate.
Pie gives the meal a sweet finish, while the petting zoo gives kids a reward for sitting still. Parents get a reasonably priced meal and a calmer car ride afterward.
Not every visit will be flawless, and buffets can vary. Busy weekends may bring crowds and waits, so timing matters.
The location seals the deal. Hocking Hills trails, mini golf, an antique mall, and an Amish deli all sit within easy reach.
History adds a fun layer, too. Families eat on grounds where people gathered by canal boat in the 1840s.
For Ohio families planning a day trip, this stop checks a lot of boxes. It’s hearty, kid-friendly, and easy on the wallet.
So go hungry for chicken, save room for blackberry pie, and keep a few snacks for the goats. That’s a pretty good afternoon.