After spending the day exploring Jamesport we decided to have dinner at Gingerich Dutch Pantry and were so glad we did! The space and atmosphere are very warm and welcoming. Service was excellent and the chicken was the best we'd ever had. Anywhere. As if that wasn't enough the cashier paid for our desert because "he could!". Overall a superlative experience and we highly recommend it. read more

Gingerich Dutch Pantry - The salad and soup bar from my table.... - Buffets Near Me - Jamesport, Missouri

There are not a lot of restaurant choices in Jamesport, and with Gingerich being there, you don't need any other choices. If you are looking for the best fried chicken coupled with homemade pies, this is the place for you. I have eaten here several times and always look forward to my next visit. The staff is always friendly and provides very good service. You can order off of the menu, but I recommend the fried chicken buffet. It has fried chicken, usually a second meat choice that changes based on the day, homemade soups, salad, mashed potatoes, and some type of vegetable. Did I mention the fried chicken? Some of the best you will ever eat. There is also a desert bar included with the buffet. It has frozen soft serve ice cream, cookies, and some sort of homemade baked good. So, if you are anywhere near Jamesport, Missouri, do yourself a favor and stop at Gingerich's for an unforgettable meal. read more

I had the buffet while wife and our friend ordered the Amish dinner off menu since they didn't think buffet looked that great. The buffet: The fried chicken was ok. Gravy was packaged. Veggies were pretty bland. The beef and noodle soup was good. The highlight was the selection of fresh jams and jellies but the breads that were provided were pretty dry. The Amish dinner consisted of a roast beef which was decent, mashed potatoes and gravy which were much better than ones on buffet, schnitzel beans which were green beans in a tangy dressing (best thing in the plate!), some horrible stuffing/dressing that neither ate more than a bite of and a petty bland slaw. Both ended up having stomach issues within hour after finishing. They had both eaten here before years prior and tell me that it was much better before. But this was a very poor experience. read more

The buffet looked pretty good with fried chicken, juicy roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, beefy noodles, and full salad bar along with cinnamon gooey cake and cheesecake brownies (not to mention soft serve ice cream). But I didn't want to eat so much that I'd be miserable so I had a half order of hot open faced roast beef sandwich. The roast beef was so tender that I used a spoon! The beef was definitely the star. The bread and potatoes were good. The gravy was pretty decent. It was the perfect amount of food. The coconut cream pie had the best, flaky crust. The coconut and pudding had great flavor. I prefer my whipped cream to be sweeter but the consistency was delicious. I can't wait to return. Oh yeah, you must go next door to the bakery!!!! Their cinnamon rolls are to die for! And jalapeño cheesy bread is some of the best I've ever had. And the pumpkin whoopie pie was delightful--I really loved that. I may come back just for a trip to the bakery. read more

See all

Absolutely amazing food. That is probably some of the best home fried chicken I've ever had. And the mashed potatoes were so phenomenal.

One of the best buffets I've ever had. Everything was fresh and delicious- the fried chicken may be the best I've ever had. The mashed potatoes and gravy were to die for, the desserts were incredible and obviously made from scratch. I'd travel the hour and a half again just to eat here. Last but not least, our server was a ROCK STAR! She was so busy with a full room, but still very kind and attentive. This is a special place. read more

OH! The Gingerich Dutch Pantry is a wonderful restaurant! When we are in this part of the country, we come almost an hour out of our way to eat here! Their pies are the best within the four continents that I've yet made it to. They have a bakery attached, and we always bring home a whole pie, since one slice is never enough! They always have a buffet and I've done that many times and it's always great, but I am eternally devoted to the Gingerich Dinner on their main menu. Gingerich Dutch Pantry is a multigenerational family owned restaurant so that everyone within is a relative of some sort, unusually kind, helpful, attractive, and knowledgeable. I truly needed to change my mindset about how worldly the average Mennonite is as I've run into the Gingerich Grande Dame in airports all over the country! I still get a kick out of this. The Gingerich Dutch Pantry sits right on the busiest corner of 'downtown' Jamesport, Missouri (not Virginia), and has a corner-facing entryway that leads into an entrance room/spillover space. The main dining room is always bustling with filled tables of well-served customers--most of them on your right as you enter. Just before you, and slightly to your left, will of course be the buffet table--15 to 18 to 20 feet long--appears endless and seems to grow with each visit. The ever enlarging buffet is filled with colorful, aromatic, steaming hot, and delicious food! Photographs do not do it justice. Sure, it may be a long Sunday drive away, but this restaurant is so very worth it! And, when was the last time you took a meandering Sunday drive to discover a true epicurean treasure, on any day of the week? read more

Got the buffet. Good price great food! X read more

I had the tenderloin sandwich, which was overcooked and dry. The fries were bad. It tasted like they hadn't changed oil in fryer for a while. My girlfriend had the hot roast beef, which she didn't like either. We ordered from the menu because the buffet looked really dry. read more

Great food great service good place to eat with friends and family. Great environment.

We love fried chicken and this is definitely one of the best. The side dishes are numerous and all delicious as well. There is a dessert that is included in the buffet price. Personal favorite is the broccoli slaw: delicious. This is definitely a hungry man's place. read more

It was okay. Nuthin' I'd write home about. Salad bar was the best part. Everything else was eeh ‍. Wouldn't go back if I were close by.

Really good bakery right next to the restaurant. 100% would recommend if you are passing through

Bought some beautiful flowers at Auction on Friday (4/19) and needed some lunch. Stopped at this spot about 12:30 and were seated in about 5-10 minutes. (Please note: this is a very small town in NW MO that's been here a long time so don't expect KC Light District decor or food choices; they are not kosher, halal or vegan.) Offer an all you can eat buffet or menu order but we (3) were all craving fried chicken & fixings so opted for $13 buffet with ice teas. Fried chicken, pulled pork, macNcheese, mashed potatoes, white/cream gravy, corn, green beans, extensive salad bar, soft serve ice cream and three different dessert choices. Pulled pork wasn't real flavorful (I didn't add barbecue sauce) and mashed (real) potatoes were flavorful but a bit watery were the only dings. Fried chicken was incredibly juicy & tender with perfect crispy skin crunch (lightly floured, not dipped in batter), gravy was rich & creamy, corn & green beans were southern style and macNcheese was the real deal. Lettuce-type salad additions offered with 4-5 salad dressing options, as was broccoli salad & potato salad. Desserts were three different sheet pans of flavors: carrot cake, pumpkin pudding cake & frosted cookie cake. Waitress kept our ice teas filled, promptly removed emptied plates and knew just when to bring check. Buffett & ice teas for three totaled $50 (left cash tip) and couldn't eat dinner! read more

Great Mennonite Restaurant! Everything is cooked freshed and made by hand. Fried Chicken and Turkey right off the buffet was the best. Everyone loved the Broccoli Salad. They have the best Gooseberry Pie which is a regional flavor, extremely tart wild berry not for everyone as it's an acquired taste but if your searching for it, definetly stop here. read more

Good home cooking! They have a buffet, which my family loves. I prefer to order off the menu. Every time we've been here it's been good. The fish is yummy, along with the fried chicken! read more

You will always have a good meal at the Gingerich Dutch Pantry. This place is my go to restaurant when I am in Jamesport. The food is always delicious and what I really like about this establishment is the ability to choose, there is a buffet and a menu so you have a choice every time you go. The servers are very friendly as well. I have no complaints which is a rare occurrence 5/5~ MP read more

Call us crazy but we ordered off the menu instead of partaking of the buffet. We came for a fun day and I didn't want to be too full to enjoy our travels! The line was out the door when we arrived so we just took our time and wandered a few blocks for some shopping before stopping back in for lunch. He had the Reuben and found it to be 3.5 out of 5 stars. He's had bigger and meatier elsewhere. I had the Amish dinner which consisted of shredded beef pot roast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, loads of gravy, coleslaw, green beans and a homemade dinner roll. Yikes that's a lot of food. I didn't even come close to finishing it, but every bit was delicious, especially the green beans which surprised me! They tasted more like bean salad, but hot! Yum! No room for dessert. Lord help those that kept going back for plate after plate on that buffet, they'll be rolling all the way home! Good home cooking for sure! read more

Jamesport has really two places to eat. Along with a bar that serves food. If your only make one trip here. Eat at the Gingrich Dutch Pantry. They have a buffet or you can order from a menu. Take your pick both are good. Everything is made fresh and homemade. Real mashed potatoes being peeled and mashed as you are there. If the buffet items are getting low, hang out or watch and fresh will be brought out. They obviously don't make a huge amount of food and let it sit all day in warming trays. Don't forget to leave room for desert. Visit their bakery next door and take a fresh pie home. read more

I've been to this restaurant twice since moving to this area - both times as part of a road trip with friends to visit some stores in the area. Both times have been enjoyable, with good food. I really like their fried chicken, as it's the real deal. One bite transports me back to my West Virginia childhood and Sunday "suppers" after church. The main dish was ALWAYS fried chicken that (in my memory) tasted much like what is being served at Gingerich. The green beans also are reminiscent of what we called "greasy beans" because you cook those nice healthy vegetables in a bit of bacon fat for taste. Yum. Really, all the food is good. I read others saying the mashed potatoes don't taste like they are from scratch but, put enough of their excellent gravy on top, and you're not going to notice or care! Another favorite - the fresh, real bread. Those slices of bread with the meal are another throwback to days when there was bread with every meal my mom/grandma/aunts etc served. I've only eaten off the buffet so don't know what the regular menus items would be like, though I suspect you'd get the same down-home tasting foods. Inside, the place is kind of like the mennonites who run, plain, without frills but still very acceptable and clean. The woman who were waiting on tables all seemed exceptionally cheerful and accommodating. read more

Friendly service and their food was delicious. I was hoping for a better crust and flavor on my pie but it's pie you can't complain too much. We had the lunch buffet. Spaghetti tasted fresh and I loved the home cooked flavor. Tasted like my family recipe. Their fried chicken was good. Mashed potatoes tasted like they're from a box though. Sorry I'm an Idaho girl and can make a mean mashed potato so I have high standards. their country gravy was flavorful so that's another win. my husband had their Amish dinner. Roast was great, the green beans had like a sweet pickled flavor :( some may love that I'm just not a fan of sweet pickles. read more

We have been coming to Gingerich Dutch Pantry for years and always have a wonderful meal at the buffet. The restaurant is clean and the wait staff is professional and very friendly. This is THE place to eat when you are visiting Jamesport. Oh yes, and the iced tea is to die for!!! read more

Gingerich Dutch Pantry - Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, fried chicken...hmmmmm! - Buffets Near Me - Jamesport, Missouri

Well, we didn't expect to find quality Mexican food in an Amish community. But this is seriously delish. We traveled from Arizona and our family is from Mexico City, we know quality when we taste it. Monday nights, it's a must!!! The buffet was pretty great too, according to my ten year old. Home made tortillas!!! Wow! read more

See all

Excellent home cooked meal from the buffet. The taste filled buttery mashed potatoes could be eaten alone, but adding the homemade noodles to them made it divine! A fun experience as well, with attentive and friendly staff. read more

We came in at 430 it closed at 5 you would think all the food would be stale and not fresh It was fantastic we had a great experience club sandwich was very good it looked plane and simple but the flavor of fresh came through my child loved the chicken strips the hamburger was also amazing the roast beef was tasty I must tell you the best thing we had was the fried chicken we all started sharing it because it was so good we even ordered one to go it was the best thing we ate there amazing The pie with ice cream tasted homemade and fresh All in all it was great down home cooking we loved it The staff was also friendly and inviting I wis we lived closer read more

Gingerich Dutch Pantry is a restaurant and bakery in the tiny Amish/Mennonite community of Jamesport, Missouri (pop.505). Hubby and I wanted lunch and couldn't decide between Country Cupboard and Gingerich. We had eaten at Country Cupboard (on the highway going into Jamesport from KC just a block or so south of "town") and remembered it being very cheap and really good...over 10 years ago. Hmmm, what to do? We decided to just cross the street and try Dutch Pantry. We first walked into the bakery which smelled wonderfully of baking bread and sweet things. The breads, cookies, and pies all looked wonderful. We headed over to the restaurant (separate entrances). The hostess and waitress were friendly and their service left nothing to be desired. They offered an 8.99 buffet of fried chicken and some sort of pasta along with sides and a salad bar. We decided to pass and order sandwiches from the menu. You can get a cheeseburger pretty cheap but note that fries or tater tots are $1.89 extra. Yikes! Hubby liked the cheeseburger and tots and was content. They only serve it very well done, but that's okay. Hubby liked the crispy edges. Trying to avoid caffeine overload, I ordered a lemonade. Mistake! I had forgotten what powdered lemonade tasted like. In case you also forgot, it tastes like dishwasher detergent smells. I ordered the Reuben sans tots. The bread was great. I love marble rye. The meat was horrid. When I say horrid, I mean it could possibly have been rubbery, plastic muscle taken from an anatomy class salted and sliced for my sandwich. I'll leave it at that. I just had to order a slice of gooseberry pie! This is a pie I have heard of but never tried. I couldn't have told you what a gooseberry looked like. Hubby reminded me of this and discouraged me from ordering. The waitress said, "It's a sour little green berry and a sour pie." Then went on to say to Hubby,"She wants to be adventurous and try something new! There's nothing wrong with that." I liked her. I ordered the pie. Now I can confidently report to you, Yelp community, that a gooseberry is indeed a tiny, green, very sour berry. The pie filling was almost clear gel with these little green berries in it and was inedibly sour. The sugar coated pie crust couldn't save it. The crust in and of itself was WONDERFUL. It was everything I hoped an Amish-style pie crust would be. It was tender and flaky and perfectly baked. Make a note that most places in Jamesport are closed on Sundays and Thursdays, some even on Tuesdays. read more

Gingerich Dutch Pantry - Buffets Near Me - Jamesport, Missouri

If you're looking for down-home cooking, look no further! I imagine if my grandma opened a restaurant, it would be exactly like this without the taco nights. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls with honey butter, green beans, corn...It's the epitome of a meal that my beloved farmer of a father would love. The first time I came here, it was with my dad and brother on a break from the field. They both ate 2 huge plates of meat and potatoes from the buffet before heading back out in 90 degree weather. Being a vegetarian, I can always appreciate a salad bar. Otherwise, my options are limited. This is the type of place that puts bacon and/or bacon/chicken grease in foods that should be sacred like green beans. I can see my brother rolling his eyes at me now for writing this. I ordered the "veggie sandwich," fried mushrooms, and of course PIE! My veggie sandwich was dry--although I asked, it didn't come with any sauce or condiments. I used the mustard at our table to spice it up. The bread was probably a day old as it didn't exactly taste "fresh," but I could tell it was homemade. Ive been here several times, and it seems like their bread and desserts are hit and miss. Sometimes very fresh and to die for! Other times, they're a little hard/dry. Overall, a clean establishment with an "all you can eat" buffet. read more

Gingerich Dutch Pantry - Buffets Near Me - Jamesport, Missouri

See all

I traveled there for the Mercantile because you can find such interesting things in an Amish Mercantile. Unfortunately, it's not closed, it's out of business. The town was interesting although not terribly handicapped accessible. Looking forward to the lunch buffet I have to say I was disappointed. I found the noted chicken dry and flavorless. I would have done better with the chicken bacon ranch lasagna. The salad was okay and the soup was tasty. By the time I went for dessert the selection was very limited. If you see something on the small dessert table, grab it when you see it. The Mennonites are good cooks and the restaurant is owned by some. Whether the cooks are either, I'd skip the buffet and try something off the menu. read more

Extremely poor. Ate here with 5 people. Chicken strip frozen. Tenderloin small frozen. Beef noodle - nasty. Obviously canned beef. Definitely not worth the money! Omg how can u ruin chocolate cream pie! They did!! All the pies frozen crust canned filling. Taste disgusting! read more

The buffet food nor the experience justified the cost. My wife thought the mashed potatoes and the desert bars were very good, but for 11.99/adult (unadvertised holiday price), we'd have gone somewhere else. read more

Delicious, great service, and locally sourced. Love the step back in time to real home cooked food. read more

Gingerich Dutch Pantry - Lunch view - Buffets Near Me - Jamesport, Missouri

Do not eat from the buffet. The chicken, turkey and ham were so dry. The deserts were okay but the cookies were so hard that I couldn't even break it in half. We are very disappointed read more

Best hamburgers that we have ever had! And the pies were even better. Great service with a home town feel. read more

Gingerich Dutch Pantry - Chocolate Cream Pie - Buffets Near Me - Jamesport, Missouri

The food is fantastic. The best fried chicken I have ever had. The staff are always smiling and friendly. I highly recommend the food. Home made pasta in the soups and all of the food is hot and fresh. read more

Very nice family run restaurant! They hand bread their fried chicken, tenderloins, and make their mashed potatoes from scratch! Their buffet contains many delish items, including a salad bar, with homeade items like, coleslaw, potatoe salad, and broccoli salad. Don't forget about their dessert bar either, or their many pies they hand make daily! They also have a menu if the buffet looks too daunting. If your looking for a made from scratch, homestyle cooking, go here! read more

Very good! We enjoyed our visit as we were traveling to Branson. We try to stop here every time. Love their baked goods.

This review is for the homemade pies. They are wonderful, not the gigantic pies that some specialty shops sell; just nice sized, fresh and homemade tasting but made with skill. Price is reasonable for a homemade pie, and the buffet here is well priced and has a lot of pies to sample. read more

This is a great little bakery and diner with some good food! We tried various sandwiches and dinners from the menu. The roast beef was delicious! The Reuben sandwich was really good, the sauerkraut not too strong. We did not have the all-you-can-eat buffet because the whole reason we went there was for the bakery. We enjoyed some pie, pecan rolls, and cinnamon rolls. All very tasty! Great place if you're in the area looking for some local food. read more

This is a Menonite owned and operated establishment. The food was homemade and delicious. We had the lunch buffet and pie. The buffet included fried chicken, ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, beef and noodles, and salad bar just to name a few items from which to choose. They have a large selection of homemade pies that included rhubarb and gooseberry, plus all the usual ones. Everything was very good. Jamesport also offers some gift/antique shops to help work off all of the food you just ate! read more

Since we were starving we didn't even bother to look at the menu, just bellied up to the buffet and dug in. Today's menu was fried chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, steamed vegetables, smoked pork and more and more. I ate every bite of everything and went back for dessert-applesauce cake and vanilla ice cream. It was wonderful. I will be taking out of state guests back in September when we visit the squirrel cage jail in Gallatin. You should definitely choose Gingerich's. read more